THIS IS THE month we’ve been waiting for, and we’re going to march right into it.
March has a lot going for it, with daylight saving time returning, the first day of spring, St. Patrick’s Day and live music bounty on the Peninsula this week.
Port Angeles
■ On Friday, slide on out to the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, for the fantastic slide guitar work of Nick Vigarino and his Meantown Blues band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Grab something different and unique (besides your significant other), and Nick may use it for a slide. $5 cover.
For a worry-free good time, you can get there with All Points Charters & Tours, which will pick you up and take you home (Port Angeles only), by phoning 360-775-9128.
Tonight, Jason Mogi and Paul Stehr-Green return with a mix of old-time Appalachia, jam band improv and good old rock ’n’ roll on original and cover tunes.
On Tuesday, Ches Ferguson stops by for some picking and grinning at 7 p.m.
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, come on down for Jerry’s Country Jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. If country’s your style, come and dance or play plugged or unplugged.
On Saturday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band entertains with some great country rock from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ Are you ready to rock? Then rock away Saturday to Mister Sister at Front Street Alibi, 1605 E. Front St. The boys played together for a long time as Big Fine Daddies, but when Rachel joined the band, the name had to change. Check ’em out. $5 cover.
■ On Saturday at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., the Waterfront blues guru is back in town after a series of international commitments. That could only mean Thom Davis and his country blues, Spanish classics and blasts from the past starting at 7 p.m. $3 cover.
■ On Sunday at the Next Door Gastropub, 113 W. First St., rock to SuperTrees at 4 p.m. Dan Lieberman on guitar, Steve Koehler on lead guitar, Rudy Maxion on bass and Declan Westcott on percussion, all on vocals, present rhythm-driven rock ’n’ roll with a flavor of funk, soul and reggae to whet your appetite.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country perform at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Stop in Sunday for a great jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play old-time music with guest Twisted Roots for an old-fashioned good old time from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ The Sunday dance at The Landing mall, 115 Railroad Ave., ain’t dead yet. On Sunday, Solid Gold plays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for your dancing pleasure. Couples $8, singles $5, younger than 16 admitted free with a parent.
■ Justin Scott Rivet just won a berth at the Juan de Fuca Festival of the Arts with his band, the Riveters, at the festival’s talent show last Saturday. He performs solo at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., on Mondays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. His music is a blend of blues, reggae, rock and life experience.
■ 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 adults 45 years and older from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover, first-timers free.
■ 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.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., the Discovery Bay Pirates board with sea chanties, Celtic and more at 5:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Blue Hole Quintet performs its light jazz for dancing and listening from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ You’ll find plenty of live music during the First Friday Art Walk at the following three places:
Damiana’s Wine Bar and Bistro, 143 W. Washington St., features Locozonly at 6 p.m.
Rainshadow Coffee, 157 W. Cedar St., features Fret Noir as well as the new Fret Noir blend of coffee from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Pondicherri, 119 E. Washington St., features the warm vocals of Judy Clark from 5 p.m. to 8 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 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
■ On Friday at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, Rachael and Barry will delight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday at Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, Lorrie Kuss and All About Me performs contemporary, top 40 and classic rock from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire will get your boot-scooting, two-stepping country up from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Monday, We Be Jammin’ with hosts Barry Burnett and Tom Svornich returns for more jamming fun from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ For some country-type, fun hop over to 3 Crabs Restaurant, 11 3 Crabs Road, and catch the Old Sidekicks on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Port Hadlock
■ On Saturday at the Ajax Cafe, 271 Water St., Mick and Barry perform acoustic music from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ On Saturday at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., Hot Rods Blues Revue brings together six Northwest veteran blues musicians with a revved-up 12-cylinder block sound with the usual tools, plus a mighty Hammond B-3 organ starting at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
On Sunday, treat your ears, celebrate a local CD release and help the Jefferson County Humane Society at the same time. Shady Grove provides the tunes, and you provide the $5 (suggested) cover, with all cover proceeds going to the dogs (cats, too, and any other critter the society may have). The fun begins at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday at 5 p.m., Steve Grandinetti plays dinner-hour piano.
Phone 360-385-2216 for details and reservations.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., Deadwood Revival’s Jason Mogi and Paul Stehr-Green will perform their mix of original songs and cover tunes blending old-time Appalachia, jam band improv and rock ’n’ roll at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, Portland, Ore.’s Stephanie Nilles and The Jobo Shakins Aeronautical Society play retro swing “from a post-apocalyptic future on ridiculous instruments while riding a transdimensional balloon.” $5 cover.
■ On Friday at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., Damn the Dooms with a special guest performance by Caveman Cyborg and more plays original rock ’n’ roll with guitar loops and experimental beats at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, have an earth-shaking good time with the Yogoman Burning Band with a guest appearance by Lowire starting at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Friday at the Undertown, 211 Taylor St., celebrate the Elwha Dam removal with Port Angeles’ SuperTrees rock ’n’ roll band. At 6 p.m., clips from John Gussman’s upcoming Elwha movie is followed by the SuperTrees at 8 p.m.
■ On Saturday, the Boiler Room, 711 Water St., celebrates Boiler Day with free food, arts and crafts, and a live music dance party featuring the Solvents, Mike DC, The Mages Guild, Usana, Low Ones and more at 2 p.m.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., today and Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Today, classical guitarist Trevor Hanson plays at Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine, 1208 Water St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every Monday, Trevor Hanson plays guitar at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays and sings at the Northwest Maritime Center Cafe, 431 Water St., Port Townsend, on Thursdays and Fridays from noon till 2 p.m.
High notes
■ On Saturday at the Port Townsend Quimper Grange, 1210 Corona St., the First Saturday Dance features well-traveled Airstream Traveler with square and related dance sets from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Calling is by Carol Piening of Olympia. Adults $6, 18 and younger $3.
■ On Saturday in Port Angeles at the Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Road, Fresh Cider from Seattle will play and not be poured at the monthly contra dance called by Mariah Pepper. There’s a workshop at 7:30 p.m., with dancing from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Suggested donation of $6 to $10 for adults, $3 for younger than 18 and younger than 10 admitted free.
■ On Saturday at the Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road, Port Angeles’ Michael Rivers and the Eastern Washington-honed Jim Faddis play a wealth of country-flavored original tunes starting at 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation.
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John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in “KLMA — 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 emailing news@peninsuladailynews.com, with John Nelson in the subject line. And note: Nelson’s new deadline is Monday at 5 p.m. preceding Thursday’s column.
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.