Funny how coincidences work out… I cut my musical teeth playing in Sonoma County back in the ’80s. It was a thriving music scene where in some places where you could find two or three night clubs all within a short walking distance of each other. Many of these clubs and bars had live music seven nights a week. Well, just this last weekend I had a conversation with a friend about how this sort of scene is sorely, (say that real fast – sounds like the name of a dinosaur…), lacking here in The LC. And then, VOILA! Two venues right next door to each other, right here in Lake County, will be offering live music same day same time. Coinkydink? Find out in this week’s live music guide for 12/3 through 12/10…
The Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks will feature for their Taco Tuesday, (tonight) me, Mike Guarniero, strummin’ and singin’ from 5 to 7:00. For their Wimpy Burger Wednesday, (IMHO, one of the best dang burgers in the county…), Grand Illusions Karaoke will be handing out the mics from 5 to 7:00. Then on Saturday, fasten your seatbelts because there’s gonna be Metal At The Moose! This Metal extravaganza will feature Stryk9, Phaneron, A Life In Exile and Live The Day. Starts at 6:00 and cost is only $5.00. Open to non-members as well as members. Get ready to bang yer heads!
On Thursday come celebrate J.J. Cale’s birthday as The Saw Shop Bistro in Kelseyville features vocalist extraordinaire, Tony Neves from 6 to 8:30 for your dining pleasure. Excellent menu, full bar, and Tony make it the perfect trifecta…
Now, who’da thunk it? Two joints featuring two excellent Blues bands same night same time right next to each other. Now this is the making of a scene! I won’t miss it…
On Friday, and coinciding with the “Kelseyville Lights Parade”, the Smiling Dogs Tasting Room in Kelseyville will present an evening of Blues featuring the inimitable TC Culp and the Blue Reptiles from 6:30 to 9:30. Get there early, enjoy one of their award-winning wines and secure a ringside seat for the parade. Then dance the evening away. Such good fun!
Right next door on Friday evening, The Kelsey Creek Brewing Co will present the exciting Blues of Dave Broida and Blues Farm, who will be laying down the 1,4,5 from 6 to 9:00. Again, it’s just a stone’s throw from the festivities out on the street, so get there early, grab one of the KCBC’s superb handcrafted beers and ales and make a party of it. (KCBC’s – like CBGB’s, only different…).
Friday at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport there’s another First Friday Fling featuring the music of Paul Farley and the wines of Fults Family Winery from 5:30 to 7:00. Enjoy an intimate setting surrounded by the works of our local artists with good music and wine, how can you go wrong?
It’s Fargo Friday and Same Same Saturday at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown when the Fargo Bros bring the results of 30+ years together honing their musical skills to the Grapevine’s stage, both nights from 9 to 1:30. Everybody’ll be a winner when the Fargos play – I guarantee it!
The Soper Reese Theater on Saturday evening will present “Christmas With The Rothstein Experiment”. This special must-see event will feature the entire Rothstein family plus some of Lake County’s best Jazz musicians. Put on your ugliest Christmas sweater and join them for an intimate evening of stories and songs, many personal and original. Fun for the whole family! Tix are $15, $10 and FREE, depending on your age – and don’t lie – Santa Claus is coming to town…
Robinson Rancheria Lounge in Nice will feature the unique Country Music of Lone Star Junction on Saturday night from 9 to 1:00. Take care of all your two-steppin’ needs when this band takes the stage.
The Riviera Hills Lounge will present on Friday, direct from Sonoma County, The Blues Defenders from 8 to midnight. Saw them many years ago – they’re great! On Saturday night my good friends, Stevie and the Shufflenuts will be shuffling into the Lounge and playing some of the best Blues you’re gonna hear in this county. I’ll be there diggin’ these twelve bar masters. You should, too… And there’s Karaoke on Sunday…
O’Meara Bros Brewing Co in Lakeport will feature the acoustic guitar mastery of Austin and Owens on Saturday evening from 6 to 9:00. Savor one or more of The O’Bros fine handcrafted beers and ales while listening to greatness. Good food, too…
The “Upper Lake Lights Parade” will happen on Saturday evening from 6 to 9:00 and will end up at The Blue Wing where they will feature the music of My Divas. Fun time for the whole family and excellent Christmas Carols from the MD’s. You won’t wanna miss it!
The Bar at The Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley Lake will merge the rhythmic with the gastronomic when Carlos and The Gypsy Pushersbring their “old school” Rock ‘n’ Blues with youthful exuberance to this gated community Saturday evening starting at 8:30. Get there early and enjoy an excellent meal, then dance the night away!
The Office in Ukiah on Saturday night will present the good vibrations and Reggae music from Rising Signs starting at 9:00. Locals know just how good this band is – now you can, too. Time to man a bus, Mon!
Drinx Bar and Grill, (The D-Bag), in Lakeport will feature the comedy of Mo Jones on Saturday evening. Tix are $10 at the door, doors open at 5 pm and show begins at 8:00. Get ready to laugh!
The Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake will present for their Sunday Brunch, Frankie J from 11 to 2:30. For their $25 Special Supper, The Majide Trio will be playing for the pleasure of the diners from 6 to 8:00. For Monday Blues, The Derek Irving Combo will be playing some exciting Rock-a-Billy Blues from 6:30 to 9:30. For Tuesday Supper David Neft will be tinklin’ the ivories from 6 to 8:00. As always, it’s strongly recommended that you make reservations for any and all of these shows. (I apologize for last week’s BW listings, I was in error but I’m pretty sure I have it right this time…).
The Big Valley Hall in Finley will present a “Dance Party with Dave Broida & Friends” on Sunday from 5 to 9:00. This event is part of an ongoing benefit for Hope City, an organization that is helping those unfortunate folks burned out of their homes by the many fires we’ve experienced in recent years, to get their homes – and lives – back together again. This is a good cause, and since Blues Farm is such a great local band, it should be a great fun time. There will be a $10 donation asked to pay the band and the sales of food and beverages will go to the cause. Lots of special musical guests are expected to attend, so you don’t want to miss this event! Hope to see you all there. (Please pay special attention to my closing comments…).
On Monday catch Chris Forshay at Fresh ‘n’ Bangin’ in Lakeport at 6:00. One of Lake County’s best-kept secrets, well… actually two if you include Chris. It’s all good!
On Tuesday, 12/10 Running Creek Casino in Upper Lake will present an evening of Comedy featuring Ellis Rodriguez starting at 7:00. Laugh, pull some handles, laugh some more…
Karaoke Korner this week will have Grand Illusions Karaoke at The Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks on Wednesday from 5 to 7:00. You too can be a star! Also on Wednesday, on the other end of the lake, Drinxin Lakeport will be spinnin’ the CDG’s starting at 8:30. On Sunday at The Riviera Hills Lounge, it’s another night of “Eat, Drink, Sing, Repeat!” from 5 to 9:00 featuring Grand Slam Karaoke.
I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to support our local music venues that feature our local bands. There really is a symbiotic relationship among our venues, bands and music lovers that is so fragile that at any moment one or another local venue finds no other options but to shut down. When this happens, we all lose. On behalf of all our local bands and the venues that provide them with a place to play, thank you all for your support and dedication during 2019, and let’s all try to make 2020 another ROCKIN’ GOOD YEAR, (and not just merely hindsight…). So, if and when you go out this weekend, have fun, but please be safe.
