IT’S THE MIDDLE of May, and you know what that means: It’s Esprit time in Port Angeles.
Come on out for an evening of music and dance, and meet the “girls.” They’re fun to visit with.
Can’t make it to Port Angeles? Well, there’s plenty of variety music-wise elsewhere across the Peninsula.
Port Angeles
■ On Friday and Saturday, Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., hosts the Nasty Habits from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. This all-transgender band considers Port Angeles its hometown because its first gig was at the first Esprit convention. They really know how to rock some of the top rock ’n’ roll songs of the past 30 years. $5 cover.
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, Jerry Robison hosts his country jam with guests Terry Roszatycki and Les Wamboldt. They’ll have you dancing from 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
On Friday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band plays starting at 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the Jimmy Hoffman Band returns with 8 Second Ride for another night of country rock and country from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ Today, start your weekend a little early at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101 near the junction with state Highway 112. Multi-instrumentalist Ches Ferguson will be jamming out from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday, Ches is joined by Julie Campbell as Hazelnut Grove performs rootsy, folksy originals and covers from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Phone All Points Charters & Tours at 360-775-9128 or 360-460-7131 for a free ride out and back both nights.
On Wednesday, Jason Mogi and Paul Stehr-Green welcome percussionist Colin Leahy. Their new band Joy in Mudville grooves from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Saturday at Wine on the Waterfront, 115 E. Railroad Ave., Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz performs your favorite standards of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s starting at 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, harpist John Manno performs at 3 p.m.
■ On Friday at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., local rockers Eggplant perform a tasty blend of classic blues, soul and rock ’n’ roll from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ On Friday at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, guest ivory-tickler Jim Rosand sits in with Les Wamboldt and the Old Time Country band.
Every Tuesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. Seventh St., the Port Angeles Senior Swingers present Wally and the Boys playing ballroom dance favorites from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. $5 cover; first-timers free.
■ On Friday and Saturday at Dupuis Restaurant, 256861 U.S. Highway 101, Bob and Dave play blues from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Sequim and Blyn
■ On Friday at the Oasis Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., the Old Sidekicks play classic country music of the 1950s and ’60s from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, The Maxwells play new and classic rock from 8 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Friday, at Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., singer/songwriter Bill Volmut performs acoustically from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Gerald Braude plays acoustic jazz from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Wednesday, it’s “All the Buzz” 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, Trevor and Sam: The Pirates perform sea chanteys, Irish pub songs and more from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Today in Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, 270756 U.S. Highway 101, R and B (Rachael and Barry) entertain with a little Motown, folk, country and contemporary music from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday in the Rainforest Lounge, see Joey James Dean up close and personal from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Friday in Club Seven, it’ll be high-energy rock ’n’ roll from the ’60s to the present with The Pop Offs performing from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Gimme Shelter performs its musical tribute to the Rolling Stones from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, Sequim-based Southern rockers Testify rock the room from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Ludlow
■ On Wednesday at the Resort at Port Ludlow, 1 Heron Road, Trevor Hanson performs on classical guitar from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. inside the Fireside Restaurant.
Port Townsend
■ Today, The Upstage, 923 Washington St., presents “Celtic Harp Meets West African Harp” at 7:30 p.m. Harpist and multi-instrumentalist David Michael is joined by Sean Gaskell on the kora, a 21-string ancient style of harp. Phone 360-385-2216 for reservations.
On Friday, saxman Terry Hanck and his band blow through Port Townsend for an evening of greasy, soul-rocking blues from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, Northwest jazz ambassador Barney McClure presents vocalist Trish Hatley and bassist Michael Barnett at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
On Tuesday, the songwriter duo of David and Judith Weinstock delivers music with a message from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Jenny Davis hosts the Singers’ Jam, an all-genre open mic where vocalists can perform with the house band. $5 cover; $8 for singers.
■ On Friday at Port Townsend Brewing, 330 Tenth St., the Chuck Easton Sextet plays jazz standards, originals and more in the beer garden from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Sunday, the eclectic Steve Grandinetti celebrates the release of his new 18-song CD, “Heart of Me,” from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
On Wednesday, Allyn and Guthrie perform their brand of rock and blues with attitude from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., it’s a double bill with the Eagle Mountain String Band from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by the Dirty Beat Duo from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
On Saturday, the Yogoman Burning Band plays ska, hip-hop, reggae, soul and funk from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $5 cover.
■ Today, Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Today, Trevor Hanson plays classical guitar at Ichikawa Japanese Cuisine, 1208 Water St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ Every Monday, Trevor Hanson plays guitar at Alchemy, 842 Washington St., from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ Today and Friday, Steve Grandinetti plays and sings at the Northwest Maritime Center Cafe, 431 Water St., from noon to 2 p.m.
High notes
■ On Saturday at the Dry Creek Grange, 3130 W. Edgewood Drive near Port Angeles, Serendipity, High Country and the Jimmy Hoffman Band provide an afternoon full of music from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Coffee and refreshments available.
■ The Third Saturday Quimper Grange Square Dance and Social will be fueled by the Puyallup Valley String Band and caller Joanne Pontrello. This is the band’s third visit to the Quimper Grange.
All dances will be taught, and all experience levels are welcome.
Come alone, as a couple, as a family or as a collective. Dancing starts at 7:30 p.m. Adults, $5; 16 and younger get in free.
This dance is kid-friendly. Dancers are encouraged to bring snacks to share.
For more information, visit www.ptcommunitydance.com or phone Dave Thielk at 360-385-3308.
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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, 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.
