PORT ANGELES — Friends, food and a shared love of old-time tunes will bring Chandra Johnson and The Homeschool Boys together with Sweater Weather String Band for a night of live music, dancing and Thanksgiving leftovers.
A potluck and concert is set from 6 p.m. 10 p.m. Saturday at Black Diamond Community Hall, 1942 Black Diamond Road. The potluck starts at 6 p.m. and music at 7 p.m.
A $5 donation is suggested for admission.
The Sweater Weather String Band, an up-and-coming band that has performed at private events and local shows on the peninsula since the summer, kicks off the event with some original songs and old-time covers.
The band’s members are a combination of locals hailing from the Sequim area and Bellingham, including Will Jevne (guitar and vocals), Joey Gish (fiddle), Collin McAvinchey (mandolin), Richard Vinh (banjo) and Adam Amr (percussion).
Growing up in the Sequim area, Jevne and Gish learned to play music alongside Johnson and have many memories of music events together. This concert is the first time the bands and friends have performed in a show together.
“It reminds me of the old Black Diamond fiddle club,” Johnson said. “It’s nice to see new bands of the peninsula continue the tradition of fiddle tunes.”
Chandra Johnson and the Homeschool Boys regrouped last year to form a new band with members Hadyen Pomeroy (bass, back up and lead vocals), Curry Winborn (drums and keys), Joey Gish (fiddle) and David Rivers (guitar, banjo, drums and vocals).
Johnson and the Homeschool Boys performed in the Juan de Fuca Festival this year and continue to play in shows across the North Olympic Peninsula.
The band’s music combines the timeless traditions of old-time music with Gaelic, blues and gospel.
“There’s some fun crossovers,” Johnson said. “Joey plays in both bands.”
Jevne said he looks forward to performing with his longtime friends and fellow musicians.
“I’m excited to be getting back into music,” he said.
“We’ve all been playing old-time, bluegrass, and Celtic music for quite a while.”
Johnson and the Homeschool Boys have been wanting to throw a barn dance for some time, Johnson said, and this event serves as a perfect opportunity.
“And we wanted to bring our favorite musicians and friends,” Johnson said.
For more information, email sweaterweather stringband@gmail.com or visit the bands’ Facebook pages — “Sweater Weather String Band” and “Chandra Johnson and the Homeschool Boys.”
