OVER THE PAST nine years, live music venues have closed while others have opened up, and the same can be said for musicians, from duets to full bands.
That proves live music is still alive on the Olympic Peninsula.
However, all may not be as well as it once was. Some venues have cut back on the number of nights with live music, and others are gasping to keep alive.
The venues all need your help. Expect to pay a cover charge and buy food and beverages, including water, if that’s all you drink.
It’s not just the venues and musicians, but it takes all of us to keep live music alive.
Having said all that, this is my last column . . . of my ninth year.
Nine years ago Sunday, this column debuted on the back of the A Section, and, with a few exceptions, I’ve had a C Section space every week.
Next week, I look forward to beginning my 10th year. Together, we’ll keep live music alive!
Port Angeles
■ Tonight 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 Friday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band will get you dancing to classic country and rock with some great original tunes thrown in from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, Denny Secord Jr. and Haywire keep the country (music-wise) going from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ On Friday and Saturday at the Front Street Alibi, 1605 Front St., Tacoma blueser Tim Hall brings his band to Port Angeles for two nights of great blues. $3 cover.
■ On Friday at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., there’s a Friday Art Rock bonus event with live music and more to start the Celebrate Elwha! weekend at 8 p.m. $3 cover.
On Saturday, the party continues with the Girdle Scouts burlesque troupe presenting its “That Dam Removal” revue from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., followed by the rock ‘n’ roll of SuperTrees from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. $3 cover.
■ On Friday, the Dowdell-Buhler jazz duo plays Ellington- and Monk-inspired classics at Wine on the Waterfront at The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave., at 7:30 p.m. $3 cover.
Then, the Winterlings bring music from the new folk frontier Saturday at 9 p.m. $3 cover.
■ At the Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112 five miles west of Port Angeles, Johnnie Mustang hosts the Sunday Junction Blues Jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. There have been some great jams and blues improvisations lately. Come and join in.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country perform at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play old-time music with guests Joe and Ramona Hunt (guitar and vocals) from 6 p.m. to 8:30 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 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 Saturday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., hometown boys the Turner Brothers Band play rock ‘n’ roll at 9 p.m. $3
On Tuesday, stop by for Irish Session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, dance, listen or dine to the Denny Secord Trio from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ On Saturday at Three Crabs Restaurant, 11 3 Crabs Road, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play old favorites from 6 p.m. to 9 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, the Discovery Bay Pirates come aboard for some great fun and tunes from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
■ Like Vegas-style shows? On Friday, dress in your best whites and head out, over or down to Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, for Vanity, a high-tech, Vegas-style show from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, the lounge has 4 More, a high-energy band with a blend of old and new from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, enjoy the country blues of Sammy Eubanks from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ On Friday at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., rock ‘n’ roll to Mongo Smash at 8 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, the multi-award-winning blues band Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes will get your blues juices flowing at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
■ On Friday at Port Townsend Brewing Co., 330 10th St., get your Cajun up with Port Townsend’s own Delta Rays and some good ol’ delta blues from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, Howly Slim brings his tales and lore via guitar and vocals from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, the Steve Grandinetti Band covers rock, blues, jazz, Latin, funk, country and reggae from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Looking for something different? Stop in Friday at Sirens Pub, 623 Water St., for some crunk/folk and live electronics from Caveman Cyborg at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, catch the ka-ching of Money Jungle at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Saturday at Castle Key, Seventh and Sheridan streets, the Bruce Cowan Trio plays jazz from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. $8 cover.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., today and Friday at 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Brother Townsend, a high-energy acoustic duo, brings its sounds to the Undertown, 211 Taylor St., on Saturday at 8 p.m.
High notes
■ Check out the Elwha Central Stage at the Port Angeles City Pier for events and music by several musicians and bands celebrating the dam removal Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. as well as a live simulcast of the ceremonies at 11 a.m. Enjoy a variety of music both Friday and Saturday nights.
■ On Saturday, Talia Segal plays at the Port Angeles Farmers Market at The Gateway center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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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 (subject line: John Nelson).
Also, check out “Nightlife,” a listing of entertainment at nightspots across the Peninsula, in Friday’s Peninsula Spotlight magazine.
