AS WE GET closer to the Christmas holiday, don’t let the frenzy of the season get to you.
It’s OK to go shopping, bake and decorate the home, but be sure to make some time for yourself and listen to the music of the season.
Port Angeles
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, pick country-style at a jam hosted by High Country from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, dance to Dee Coburn and the Night Beats from 8 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Sunday at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101, bring your instrument to Bob Dryver’s Sunday Music Jam from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Wednesdays through the NFL football season, find Jason Mogi and Paul Stehr-Green headlining the Deadwood Experiment at 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., Dan Maguire and the Juan de Fuca Band play at 7:30 p.m. $3 cover. The group includes Clark Driese, Paul Stehr-Green and Zorina Wolf.
On Saturday, Bob and Marty of Twisted Roots will have a release party for their new CD, “Coming Home,” at 7:30 p.m. $3 cover.
On Sunday at 4 p.m., Erin Hennessy debuts on traditional Irish fiddle backed by David Rivers on guitar.
■ On Monday at the Bushwhacker Restaurant, 1527 E. First St., Charlie Ferris presents classic songs and stories of the Christmas season from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Saturday at Elliot’s Antique Emporium, 135 E. First St., Hawaii Amor performs Hawaiian music from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Justin Scott Rivet goes solo Mondays at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
■ On Friday, Les Wamboldt and Olde Tyme Country play at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday, join the country jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band play with musical guest Terry Roszatycki from 6 p.m. 8 p.m.
■ Every Tuesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 Seventh St., the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally’s Boys playing ballroom dance favorites from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover; first-timers free.
■ At Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, Bob and Dave play blues Friday and Saturday 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 at 5:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, Final Approach lands with a load of boomer music (1950s-1970s) at 5:30 p.m.
■ It’s “All the Buzz” Wednesday at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St., with Victor hosting the open mic from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
■ On Friday at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, Al Harris performs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday at Club Seven Lounge in 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, The Machine returns from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Saturday, GruVbox will get you on the dance floor from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Danny Vernon sings Christmas songs Elvis-style from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ Today at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., is the first of three “Showcase of Blues” weekend performances.
The Nikki Hill Band, hailing from St. Louis, debuts at 7:30 p.m. $12 cover.
On Friday, Chris Thomas King of “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and “Ray” fame sings at 7:30 p.m. $12 in advance; $15 at the door.
On Saturday, the Mark DuFresne Band rounds out the weekend at 7:30 p.m. $12 advance, $15 at the door.
Phone 360-385-2216 for details and reservations.
■ On Friday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., it’s the Spotty Records Portland Showcase with Fine Pets, Needles and Pizza, Havania Whaal and K-Tel ’79. The fun starts at 10 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, Cort Armstrong and Blue Rooster play at 10 p.m. $5 cover.
■ On Friday at the Uptown Pub and Grill, 1016 Lawrence, Greg Vinson plays at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Groove Merchant plays at 9 p.m.
■ On Friday at the Undertown, Tyler and Water streets, Meg and Julie entertain at 5 p.m.
On Saturday at 9:30 p.m., Port August performs at 9 p.m.
On Tuesday, singer/songwriter Autococoon entertains at 7 p.m.
■ On Saturday at Castle Key, Seventh and Sheridan streets, the Crow Quill Night Owls perform 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 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 at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ Steve Grandinetti plays at the Northwest Maritime Center Cafe, Port Townsend, on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m.
High notes
■ The Second Saturday Community Dance at Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St., Port Townsend, features the Contradictions, with Nan Evans calling from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Adults, $6; younger than 18, $3; younger than 3, free.
________
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 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.
