THIS IS A banner week for live music on the Peninsula with a major bluegrass event, a two-day appearance by a legendary bluesman and the reappearance of a popular Port Angeles band long thought to be gone but, fortunately, not forgotten.
But wait! There’s more live music in clubs, big and small, all across the Peninsula.
Port Angeles
• A few years ago, a band disbanded. But fortunately, Jason Mogi, Kim Trenary and Ches Ferguson stayed and formed Deadwood Revival. On Friday and Saturday, this core group welcomes back Sean McDonald, drums, and pal Nick Greely, keyboard, for another resurrection of Tongue and Groove at the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Bring your dancin’ shoes and, Friday, your ugliest sweater for the third annual ugly sweater contest.
It’ll be a nostalgic weekend of funky, folksy jam rock. $5 cover.
You know you want to experience this and you know you want to have a good time, so All Points Charters and Tours will pick you up and take you home safely. Just phone 360-775-9128 to make a reservation for both nights from 8 p.m. to closing.
On Sunday, Barry Burnett does his Sunday Jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Wednesday, Jason Mogi plays roots music and more from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, the Sundowners host a jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. These fellas really know how to have fun!
• On Saturday, Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., welcomes two classy musicians for a night of classy jazz. Linda Dowdell, jazz pianist, and Craig Buhler, sax and clarinet, team up for the first time, at 7:30 p.m. $3 cover.
• Chuck Grall, Les Wamboldt and the Sound Dogs will feature Denny Secord Jr. Monday evening at Smuggler’s Landing, 115 Railroad Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Tonight and every Thursday, Larry and Rene Bauer direct the goings on at the open mic hosted by the Cracked Bean, 108 DelGuzzi Drive, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Every Tuesday evening at the Port Angeles Senior Center, Seventh and Peabody streets, the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally and the Boys playing ballroom dance favorites for the dancing pleasure of all seniors 45 years plus from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover, first-timers free!
• Also this coming Tuesday, Howly Slim will be bringin’ the country sounds of his guitar and vocals to Kokopelli’s Underground, 203 E. Front St., at 6 p.m.
• On Wednesday at Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, Bob and Dave play blues with a brew and barbecue from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Victor Reventlow hosts the acoustic jam at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Don’t be left out!
Sequim and Blyn
• On Friday, a new band, Old Sidekicks, made up of former members of Jubilee SEmD W.L. Martin, Vern Sprague, Bill Camuso, Jack Reagan and Steve Sahnow SEmD plays at the Oasis Sports Bar & Grill, 301 E. Washington St., from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• On Monday, swing and sway to the tunes of the Olympic Express Lite Big Band from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Blue Hole Quintet will feature jazz in a wide range of styles from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• At The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., Kelly Thomas and Victor Reventlow host the very popular and rousing open mic Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• On Friday, at Stymies Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, the Al Harris Trio jazzes it up for your dining pleasure from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• On Friday, at Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, local classic rock band MLR makes its first appearance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, Author Unknown delivers blues, classic rock and dance tunes from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, dance and swing to the Stardust Big Band from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• On Saturday night, Howly Slim will be back singing and strumming at Las Palomas Mexican Restaurant, 1085 E. Washington St., at 6 p.m.
Port Townsend
• Tonight at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., national finger-style guitar champion Richard Smith plays a wide variety of music on guitar at 7:30 p.m. $8 cover.
On Friday and Saturday, the inspiration for the John Belushi “Blues Brothers” character, legendary bluesman Curtis Salgado, the 2010 Soul/Blues Artist of the Year, makes a rare two-day appearance sure to be a transcendental experience. $25 cover.
On Sunday, five loco musicians present original “Seriously Funny Songs” at 7 p.m. Suggested donation is $1 million, but they will accept almost anything including, but not limited to, chickens, broccoli, warm socks or chocolate, if you have such a thing. How fun is that?
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
• Sirens, 823 Water St., welcomes Portland, Ore., junk-box blues duo Hillstomp, with Port Townsend local Brian Ellard, at 9 p.m. Hillstomp’s instruments will amaze you. $5 cover.
On Saturday, American/folk/rock/reggae band The Fun Police from Tacoma run amok at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
• On Friday at 6 p.m., you’ll find Howly Slim at the Banana Leaf Thai Restaurant, 609 Washington St.
• On Friday, Southbound rides again, performing country, blues and hillbilly jazz at the Undertown, 211 Taylor St., from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, the Toolshed Trio with Brett Pemberton performs at 7 p.m.
• At the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., Sylvia Heins reigns with jazz standards Friday at 5 p.m.
• On Saturday, at the Castle Key, Seventh and Sheridan streets, the Skip Morris Trio plays jazz from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $8 cover.
Music notes
• On Saturday, Snowgrass 2011, in support of the First Step Family Support Center, will be held at the Port Angeles High School auditorium, 304 E. Park Ave. The event features Abby Mae and the Homeschool Boys, Marilyn Kay and Company and Crescent Blue with the Finleys. The bands all are donating their time and talent, so 100 percent of the proceeds go to First Step.
Tickets are $10 and $6 for seniors, free for youths 10 and younger, and are available at KONP, Strait Music, Odyssey Books, Port Book and News and Necessities & Temptations in Port Angeles; Pacific Mist Books in Sequim; and Forks Outfitters in Forks.
• On a more somber note, former local jazz/rock/blues/country drummer Terry Mays is ailing, staying with relatives in Oregon, and would like to hear from his old jammin’ buddies and fellow musicians. Phone Terry at 503-560-8049 and say hello.
Terry was a former business partner of mine and, along with Chuck Darland of Chantilly Lace, was the inspiration for this column.
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John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in SDLqKLMA — Keep Live Music Alive” on the North Olympic Peninsula. His column, Live Music, appears every Thursday.
Are you performing in or promoting a live music gig? Contact John by phoning 360-565-1139 or e-mailing news@peninsuladailynews.com (subject line: John Nelson).
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.