AS WE HEAD into the third week of the new year we have a grand opening plus other venues adding live music to the existing providers, boding well for the live music scene across the North Olympic Peninsula.
Port Angeles
• At the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, this Saturday, American Nobody (Brian Granse) returns to Port Angeles for the first time since May. This one-man band brings a lot of gadgets to back up his acoustic guitar when he plays his “garden variety folk, dreamy pop and country” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Barry Burnett invites you to come out early and dance to a variety of music during the open mic jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Good Medicine Band, with Jason, Ches and Justin, plays from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Tonight, join Lynn Peterson and the Phatt Kattz duo of Linda Dowdell and Ron Newton at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. It’s a great way to start your weekend early.
On Friday, Bob Calabria and the Bluenotes play blues in the WOW Room.
On Saturday, Thom Davis brings the Delta to Port Angeles for an evening of classic American blues, from 7 p.m.
• After his standing room only performance this past Monday at Bushwhacker, Charlie Ferris and his Melodies and Memories revue get to play for the grand opening of Kokopelli Restaurant, 203 E. Front St., Saturday night. You’ll find Charlie in the upstairs lounge area from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Also, the new owners of Kokopelli are scheduling the reopening of the lower level with live music sometime in March.
• Also new to the live music scene is the Coo Coo’s Nest, 1017 E. First St., where they have Amsterjam and Stone Axe playing.
• On Friday night, The Veela Café, 133 E. First St., has Jim Lind providing both rock and country, fast and slow, from his impressive repertoire, from 7:30.
• Chuck Grall will be hosting the acoustic jam Tuesday at the Fairmount Restaurant, on U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles, from 6 to 9 p.m., while Dave and Rosalie Secord of Luck of the Draw Band are on the road with their music.
Joyce
• Saturday at the Crescent Grange Hall, 507634 state Highway 112 in Joyce, Hank Jurnegan has put together the Joyce Acoustic Music Jam at 6 p.m. Call Hank at 360-460-7052 for more info.
Forks
• Saturday, Therapy Session plays at the Forks Branch of Peninsula College, 71 S. Forks Ave., from 7 p.m. They play a soothing blend of folk, country and blues featuring Dave Lenehan, Pete Larsen, Rog Lien and Sally Milici.
Sequim and Blyn
• Lonely H fans, Friday is your last chance to see and hear this EMP Award-winning band before they make their big move to Nashville next month. These local boys will be performing their original and Southern rock tunes at the Oasis Sports Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., from 9 p.m. $3 cover.
• At The Buzz, 128 N. Sequim Ave., Kelly Thomas hosts the very popular open mic Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
• Friday, at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, Woodcock Road, Chris Anderson entertains from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Tonight, get your country with Haywire and Denny Secord Jr. at Club Seven at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, dance to the top 40 band 4 More from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Sunday, the Funaddicts return with their ’50s-’60s swing and classic top 40 tunes from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Monday night, jazz will get you on the floor with Jazz in Bloom providing the music for guest vocalist Jenny Davis, from 5:30 to 9 p.m.
Port Hadlock
• At the Ajax Café, 271 Water St., Sunday, Jim Nyby plays blues, ballads, jazz and soul from 5:30 p.m.
• Skidder Hill plays old-time, bluegrass and country Saturday at Ferino’s Pizza, 846 Ness Corner Road, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Port Townsend
• Tonight, at the Upstage, 923 Washington St., Michael Fracassa brings his “much remarked upon ‘High Lonesome’ falsetto” to his country, folk and blues tunes from 7:30 p.m. $8 cover.
Friday, bad dog Andy Koch brings his Badd Dog Blues Society Band for another great round of rhythm and blues tunes from 8 p.m. $6 cover.
Saturday, join the Jenny Davis Quartet for a great night of jazz and blues and a CD-release celebration of her “Inside You,” from 8 p.m. This is her first CD in five years. No cover.
Next Wednesday, enjoy the “homemade music” of Otto and Kristen Smith and friends on their “314 Dance Night,” which includes dance instruction, from 7:30 p.m. $7 cover.
Call 360-385-2216 for reservations.
• The Solvents will entertain Friday, at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., from 9 p.m., $4.
Saturday, the Toolshed Trio will be playin’ a danceable, rockin’ set from 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Olympic Peninsula Dance presents Jim Nyby and the F Street Band at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St., from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. open to all ages and smoke-free. Adults $15, students with ID and disabled $10, age 12 and under $7.
Music news
• Saturday, Chantilly Lace will host a jam at Castaways, 1213 Marine Drive in Port Angeles SEmD called Haiti Disaster Relief SEmD pouring out the music from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The American Red Cross will receive the proceeds. Entry is by donation, which will benefit the victims of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti.
• Thanks to all who took a cab, was a designated driver, called a friend or rode a shuttle this past New Year’s Eve, helping to make this one of the safest and accident-free New Year’s ever.
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John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in “KLMA SEmD 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.