TODAY IS MY birthday, and I will be celebrating tonight with some live music.
For me, this has always been the kickoff to the holiday season.
With the kickoff comes the fundraisers for food banks, the Peninsula Daily News Home Fund, coat and blanket drives, etc.
So I challenge anyone who had a birthday this year to make a donation to your favorite cause.
Then the holiday songs and carols of the season will soar ever higher in your heart.
Port Angeles
• Tonight at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, the Sundowners host a jam from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. These fellas really know how to have fun!
On Friday and Saturday, Spence Brothers Band rocks from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., for a $3 cover.
• On Friday at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 Railroad Ave., contemporary folk singer and songwriter Jake Ballentine performs with vocals and harmonica riffs at 8 p.m.; $3 cover.
On Saturday, Cort Armstrong brings his chicken pickin,’ rusty singin’ and vintage songwritin’ at 8 p.m.; $3 cover.
• On Saturday, the Big Fine Daddies rock the R Bar, 132 E. Front St., from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.; $4 cover.
• Rich at the Coo Coo Nest, 1017 E. First St., has a birthday today also (we are members of the 11/18 Club), but he’s celebrating it Saturday with a birthday bash with the T Baggin Bandits playing their brand of rockabilly at 9 p.m.
• The Junction Roadhouse, junction of U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112, five miles west of Port Angeles, has Barry Burnett doing his Sunday Jam from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Wednesday, Jason and Friends play roots music and more from 6:30 p.m. to 11 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 seniors 45 years plus, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover, but first-timers get in 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.
• On Tuesday, Howly Slim performs vocal and guitar at Kokopelli’s Underground, 203 E. Front St., at 6 p.m.
• Dave and Rosalie Secord’s Luck of the Draw Band and performing guest George Yount on harmonica will be playing a variety of music Wednesday at Smuggler’s Landing Restaurant and Lounge, 115 Railroad Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come join the fun!
• Tonight and every Thursday, Larry and Rene Bauer direct the goings-on at the open mic hosted by the Cracked Bean, 108 DelGuzzi Drive, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Welcome to the live music mix.
• Victor Reventlow hosts the acoustic jam at the Fairmount Restaurant, on U.S. Highway 101 west of Port Angeles, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday. Don’t be left out!
• On Friday, the Veela Cafe, 133 E. First St., has Jim Lind providing both rock and country, fast and slow, from his impressive repertoire at 7:30 p.m.
West End
• Feeling blue? Down in the dumps? Stop in for Therapy Session Saturday at Cafe Paix/Work in Progress, 71 N. Forks Ave. They play country, blues and folksy music from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sequim
• Tonight (I’ll be there!), don’t miss the jam hosted by Chantilly Lace at the Oasis Sports Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Any Thursday night, you’ll find some of the best jammers from your favorite bands joining in the fun. Classic rock and country from the ’50s and ’60s, blues and pop from later decades are all in the broad repertoire honed over 35 years. Jammers, come in early and sign in on the sign-up sheet.
On Friday, Gil Yslas and Rick May play from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
On Saturday, rock to Moderately Loud Rock (MLR) at 9 p.m. $3 cover.
On Monday, dance to Nostalgia with Mary Lou Montgomery from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Next Wednesday, dance to the boomer music of Final Approach from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• On Saturday, contemporary folk artist Jake Ballentine performs at Damiana’s Best Cellars, 143 Washington St., from 6 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, Robin Lynn performs at Stymies Bar and Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• On Friday at Club Seven Lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, Robbie Walden and the Gunslingers play high-energy country SEmD some old, some new and originals, too SEmD from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, a Club 7 favorite, Timebenders, takes you through the decades of great songs, complete with costume changes, from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Port Hadlock
• Tonight, Buzz Rogowski plays jazz and originals at the Ajax Cafe, 271 Water St., at 6 p.m.
On Friday, Ahmad Baabahar will perform his soulful originals on guitar with vocals at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, Ezekial Kelly visits from San Francisco for one night with his fingers-style guitar pickin’ at 6 p.m.
On Sunday, Jim Nyby plays blues, ballads, jazz and soul at 5:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Jess is styling on the piano at 6 p.m.
Port Townsend
• Tango tonight at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., with Bertram Levy and Claudio Mendez in a “Tango Autenticos de Buenas Aires” concert at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
On Friday, the Delta Hot House Band with Jack Jr. play earthy Delta and hill country blues at 8 p.m. $8 cover.
On Saturday, rock to the blues of Alice Stuart and the Formerlys at 8 p.m. “Alice Stuart cut the path that Bonnie Raitt traveled,” said Taj Mahal. $12 cover.
Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
• Tonight, the Boiler Room, 711 Water St., will have an open mic featuring Tyson Motsenbocker and Mike Edel, at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, 41 Miles plays acoustic folk rock at 8 p.m.
• On Friday at Sirens, 823 Water St., the Otis Heat Band plays at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
On Saturday, Matt Sircely and Friends play at 9 p.m. $5 cover.
• At the Undertown, 211 Taylor St., Jim Nyby and the F Street Band play blues, jazz and more from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• On Saturday, Brian “Buck” Ellard plays guitar and fiddle at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., at 9 p.m. $3 cover.
• Every Friday at 5 p.m. you’ll find Howly Slim at the Banana Leaf Thai Restaurant, 609 Washington St.
Music News
• The 2011 Peninsula College Tidepools will feature a CD of original local music. If you’ve got a tune to submit, phone Michael Mills at 360-417-6361 for more information.
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John Nelson is a self-styled music lover and compulsive night owl who believes in SDLqKLMA — 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.
