By Mike Guarniero
17 days and counting until the first day of Spring. Already I’m seeing trees blossoming, bulby plants popping out of the ground, weeds proliferating and birds building nests. Always a good sign. I’m really looking forward to some good outdoor live music. Here’s the live music guide for the week of 3/3 through 3/10…
On Tuesday afternoon from 2:30 to 5:30 there’s something new gonna be happening at The Kelsey Creek Brewing Co in Kelseyville; “Busking for Brewskis” featuring Mike Guarniero, Danny Prather and whoever else shows up to play and sing. What better excuse to drop in for one of the KCB’s excellent handcrafted beers and ales than some good music on a Tuesday afternoon? Hey, maybe they’ll name a beer after us… On Sundaythe Johnny Young Band is back in town and playing the Brewery from 3 to 6:00. Come on down, set a spell, do some Two-Steppin’, enjoy a brew. It don’t git any Countrier than this…
Drinx Bar and Grill in Lakeport and Jon Wynachtwill be hosting another Open Mic on Tuesday starting at 8:00. This event just keeps getting better each week. All performers are welcome. And, hey! It’s Taco Tuesday. What could be better?... On Thursday evening Cowboy Johnson and Chris Rovetti will be tearing it up from 7 to 9:00. You’ll be dancing starting about 7:01, I guaran-dang-tee it!
The Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks on Wednesdaywill be featuring Wimpy Burgers and Chris Grant from 5 to 7:00. Best dang burgers and one of the best performers in the county. Both should be on your bucket list. Open to non-members…
On Friday afternoon Artsy Tarts on Third St in Lakeport will feature the music of Howard Dockens from 4:30 to 7:00 for a new pastry shop/art gallery opening reception. How sweet is that? And Hodo will definitely put the jam back in your jelly roll…
It’s First Friday Fling time at the Main Street Gallery in Lakeport featuring the music of Mike Guarniero, (hey, that’s me!...), from 5:30 to 7:00. This gallery caters mostly to the works of local artists, and the walls are covered with their accomplishments. Now, if only somebody would let us all know who the featured wine is…
Friday at the Smiling Dogs Tasting Room in Kelseyville you’ll find the Jeff Castille Band performing from 6:30 to 9:30. Jeff, in my humble opinion, is among the top five guitar players in Lake County. Let me know if you agree. Enjoy some of the SDTR’s award winning wines and dance the evening away.
The Middletown Art Center, (MAC), will host their once a month Open Mic on Friday. Open to all folks in the performing arts. This casual event will surprise you with the talent found in the South County, both musically as well as artistically. Check out their local art on display. Free to all, however, donations are accepted…
On Friday night The Pub in Ukiah will present The Johnny Young Band from 9 to 12:00. This exciting up and coming local Country star from Mendocino County has been performing up and down the coast and making plenty of fans and friends along the way.
Twin Pine Casino in Middletown will feature The Fargo Bros Band both Friday and Saturday nights from 9 to 1:30. This amazing band has been at it for more than 30 years, perfecting their three part harmonies and excellent musicianship along the way. Everybody’s a winner when the Fargo Bros play the TPC.
The Riviera Hills Lounge in the Riviarea will present The Johnny Young Band, (why does this guy sound familiar?), on Saturdaynight from 7 to 11:00. I expect it’ll be a Two-Steppin’ Country Music extravaganza from this fun Mendocino County band.
Ty’s Blues and Food on Soda Bay Rd west of Buckinghamn will host on Saturday evening a “Party For No Damn Reason” featuring Howard Dockens starting at 7:00. It’s always a party when Hodo is playing. $10 cover charge …
On Saturday evening O’Meara Bros Brewing Co in Lakeport evening has excellent food, excellent handcrafted beers and ales and excellent music from the amazing Austin and Owens – from 6 to 9:00 - it’ll be the perfect tri-fecta!
The Soper-Reese Theater in Lakeport is happy to bring back another “Pianist Benefit” for the SRT on Sunday from 2 to 5:00. This year’s performers will be Spencer Brewer, Elena Casanova, Tom Ganoung, Elizabeth MacDougall, David Neft, Ed Reinhart and Patrick Fitzgerald, (what?!, no Kimberly Thomas again!?!) Cost for this event will be $25 and $30 with assigned seating. Thank you for supporting the Soper-Reese Theater…
The Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake will feature for their Sunday Brunch, back from NOLA, Andy Rossoff from 11 to 2:30. For their $25 Special Sunday Supper, The Ma Jide Trio will be back at it from 6 to 8:00. For Monday Blues, The Swinging Chads will deliver the 12 bars from 6:30 to 9:00. And for their Tuesday Supper, piano maestro David Neft will be back tickling the ivories from 6 to 8:00. As always, it’s a pretty good idea to make reservations for any and all of these events…
Karaoke Korner; Wednesday there’s Karaoke at Drinxin Lakeport starting at 8:00. On Saturday Billy Kidd will host Good Time Karaoke at The Barn in Clearlake Oaks starting at 8:00. On SaturdayThe Greenview in Hidden Valley Lake will have Karaoke starting at 8:00. On Sunday The Riviera Hills Lounge will provide Karaokefrom 5 to 9.
SOAPBOX ALERT! I consider myself to be somewhat of an ambassador for live music here in Lake County. I play music, I observe musicians and bands and I always try to promote both them and the venues that provide that live music. I’ll even promote the bands and venues I don’t particularly like, because that’s what’s best for our overall music scene. But as an “ambassador” I take personal umbrage when certain individuals decide to lead some crusade against a particular venue, or the owner, or the manager. These petty grievances only serve to hurt a local live music scene that’s fragile enough without these misguided efforts exacerbating the by-products of their complaints. Those of us who enjoy the benefits of our healthy music scene should also be ambassadors, promoting - not deriding. ‘Nuff said about that… So, if and when you go out this weekend to support our local music scene, have fun – but please be safe.
Oh yeah, don’t forget to get out and vote on Tuesday…