THE LIVE MUSIC scene is really heating up, with more venues, outdoor concerts, talent and fun for your summertime pleasure.
You can double your pleasure and double your fun by taking someone dancing.
However you chew it, live music is the best.
Port Angeles
■ Today at Castaways Restaurant and Night Club, 1213 Marine Drive, High Country plays old-time country classics from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with special guest Jim Lind on vocals.
On Saturday, the Soul Ducks will have you dancing to the sounds of rock ’n’ roll, country and more featuring the vocals of Phyllis Rollston from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
■ Today at the Junction Roadhouse, 242701 U.S. Highway 101, the five-piece Chesnut Junction rocks and jams with a multitude of instruments starting at 7:30 p.m.
■ On Friday, Mary McPage and the Assassins play a rocking version of the blues from 8 p.m. to midnight. $5 cover.
On Sunday, BMR (Barry, Mick and Rachael) mix up musical genres, playing rock, folk, country and even a little Motown, from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Wednesday, Joy in Mudville performs their own unique style of old-time/jam band/rock/Celtic/funk-influenced originals and cover tunes starting at 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at Barhop Brewing, 124 W. Railroad Ave., the Scott Sullivan Duo performs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
■ On Friday at Bar N9ne, 229 W. First St., it’s the Cody Rentas Band from 9 p.m. to midnight. Hit the dance floor or just enjoy this young bluesman’s fantastic fretwork.
On Saturday, check out Justin Scott and the Riveters, winners of this year’s Juan de Fuca Festival Talent Show, from 9 p.m. to midnight.
■ On Friday at the Fairmount Restaurant, 1127 W. U.S. Highway 101, Dave and Rosalie Secord and the Luck of the Draw Band welcome Jim Lind and Jerry Robison from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday, join the country jam from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
■ Every Tuesday at the Port Angeles Senior Center, 328 E. 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.
■ 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 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Mary McPage and the Assassins will get you boogying to the blues from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m.
On Wednesday, start your Fourth of July celebration early with the jazz of the Blue Hole Quintet from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ Today at Wind Rose Cellars, 143 W. Washington St., renowned local chicken-picker Cort Armstrong hosts a “Pick ’n’ Pair” from 5:30 p.m. until closing.
On Friday, Sarah Shea and Chez Jazz wax nostalgic with ’40s and ’50s jazz standards from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Mary Tulin performs Celtic folk noir from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
■ Every Wednesday at the Sequim Senior Activity Center, 921 E. Hammond St., Victor Reventlow hosts an open mic from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sign-ups start at 6 p.m.
■ On Friday at Stymie’s Bar & Grill at Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road, R and B (Rachael and Barry) play mostly acoustic classic rock and Motown from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
■ On Friday in Club Seven lounge at 7 Cedars Casino, Blyn, local classic rockers Testify will rock you from 8 p.m. to midnight.
On Saturday, Country Rock Association plays modern country with a rock ’n’ roll edge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
On Sunday, the Stardust Big Band plays memorable tunes from the big-band era from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
On Friday in the Rainforest Lounge, it’s a solo performance by Joey James Dean from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
On Saturday, Rachael Jorgenson plays and sings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Port Hadlock
■ On Saturday at the Ajax Cafe, 21 N. Water St., Trevor Hanson plays classical guitar from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Port Ludlow
■ On Friday at the Resort at Port Ludlow’s Fireside Restaurant, 1 Heron Road, Trevor Hanson performs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Wednesday, Trevor returns from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Port Townsend
■ On Saturday at The Upstage, 923 Washington St., the Todd Wolfe Band, a powerhouse blues/rock trio, performs at 8 p.m. $12 cover.
■ On Saturday at Sirens Pub, 823 Water St., catch the Crow Quill Night Owls and their unique jug band, jazz and string stylings from the ’20s and ’30s, starting at 10 p.m. When I say catch ’em, I mean they’re heading south, perhaps never to return. $5 cover.
■ On Friday at Port Townsend Brewing, 330 10th St., the Blues Counselors play from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
On Saturday, the brewery celebrates its 16th anniversary with a party from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Low Ones perform in the beer garden from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and The Better Half closes out the rollicking blues dance party outside in the courtyard.
On Sunday, solo acoustic guitarist Gerald Braude plays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
■ On Wednesday, Southbound plays country, blues and hillbilly jazz from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
■ On Friday at the Uptown Pub, 1016 Lawrence St., The Twins and Easily Persuaded play covers without cover from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Afterward, singer/songwriter Matt Sircely plays folk, Americana and bluegrass from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. No cover.
■ Today, Steve Grandinetti plays guitar at the Owl Sprit Cafe, 218 Polk St., 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 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 until 2 p.m.
Area concerts
Pack a picnic and bring chairs, blankets, sunglasses and what-have-you to ensure a comfortable time at these free outdoor community concerts:
■ On Tuesday in Sequim’s Music in the Park Series, the Joy Mills Band plays country from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The concert will be held at the James Center for the Performing Arts, 202 N. Blake Ave.
■ On Wednesday in downtown Port Angeles, the Concert on the Pier Series features the gypsy jazz of Ranger and the Re-arrangers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Public markets
■ On Saturday at the Port Angeles Farmers Market at The Gateway center at Front and Lincoln streets, Chris Eric of the indie-folk/rock band Sunday Speed Trap performs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
■ On Saturday, Sequim’s Open Aire Market on Cedar Street between Second and Sequim avenues features Dave and Rosalie Secord and their old-time country favorites from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Music news
■ On Friday at the Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 Macleay Road, Gary Blair, an accordion player and storyteller from Edinburgh, Scotland, will have you dancing a jig and laughing along from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There’s a $5 cover for the all-ages event.
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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.
