By Mike Guarniero
Happy Independence Day to all. But hold onto your pinwheels and bottle rockets! There’s gonna be lots going on this weekend. And you ain’t gonna be able to change directions without bumping into some live music somewhere. Plus, expect firework events in Clearlake Saturday, LC Fairgrounds Saturday Car Races and Lakeport on the water Sunday. Probably a few more elsewhere - lots of stuff happening! You might want to print this out so you can plan your weekend…
Today, (Tuesday) Howard Dockens is at Running Creek from 5 to 9:00.
On Wednesday, the Blues Invitational Pro Jam featuring Wendy Dewitt, Kirk Harwood, Pierre Archain and Skip Engle will happen at The Hopland Tap from 7 to 10. Each week a special guest musician will be invited to join in – could be you! Musicians as well as lovers of good Blues will certainly enjoy this Jam.
Tony Neves, the man with the golden pipes, will be singing at The Saw Shop Public House in Kelseyville from 6 to 8:00. Enjoy something from their excellent menu, then sit back and let Tony be your muse. Reservations are recommended.
Also in K’ville on Thursday, The Kelseyville Kickin’ in the Country Street Dance is back! This time the featured performers are Andre Thierry and Zydeco Magic. If you enjoy Cajun Blues and Rock, you’re gonna wanna be here kickin’ up your heels! Local downtown merchants stay open for this event for your browsing, shopping, noshing or your imbibing pleasures. Fun for the whole family. “Laissez les Bon temps rouler” from 7 to 10:00.
On Friday evening at The Sports Attic 2 in Ukiah, TC Culp and Friends, (with me sitting in on guitar), will be playing from 5 to 9:00. The Sports Attic is a cool little place with full bar and pub food, and the music is outside on the patio.
The Farmer’s Finest Farmers Market at the Floriculture Bldg in the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport will feature pianint, singer and raconteur, Andy Rossoff. Get a taste of New Orleans while stocking up on fresh locally grown fruit and vegetables, plus an assortment of hand crafted items made by local artisans. All this and more from 10AM to 1:00.
As of this moment I’m not sure who plays the FFFM on Tuesday at the Gazebo of Library Park, Lakeport, but many different produce and crafts vendors will be selling their creations here, so you don’t wanna miss a thing...
Friday, Saturday and Sunday always rocks when Tommy Rox rocks the Park – Richmond Park in the bayside Riviarea - where Nikki’s Birthday Bash will take place Friday evening. T.Rox plays Fri from 6:30 to 9:30, Saturday from 2 to 5:00, Sunday a double header from 2 to 9:00, then again on Monday from 1 to 5:00.
Also on Saturday - Howard Dockens plays from 6 to 10:00.
Then comes Saturday… I have a used Acme Clone-a-matic I’ll sell cheap so you can make all these events…
On Saturday at Brassfield Winery in the hills above Clearlake Oaks, the musical performers will be the Margo Fleming Trio from noon to 3:00. Sample some wines, listen to some Blues, check out the views. It’s all good!
O’Meara Bros Brewing in Lakeport has excellent handcrafted beers and ales, a mouth-watering menu and the outstanding acoustic guitar performances of Austin and Owens on Saturday evening from 6 to 9:00.
Rivino Winery, 4001 Rivino Ranch Rd in Ukiah will feature the Reggae beat and good vibes of Rising Signs on Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4:00. Rivino hosts live music events pretty regularly and Rising Signs is among the best Reggae bands in Nor Cal. Enjoy some wine – then groove!...
The City of Clearlake will start off their new and long-awaited Summer Concert Series with Country Star, (and Nor Cal native) Tyler Rich on Saturday from 6 to 8:00. I get mixed messages on the cost – his flyer shows both free General Admission AND $100 VIP tix, which means everybody can come for free, but there will be exclusive front row seats for those VIP’s willing to pay the dineros. Should be a fireworks extravaganza following the show.
Konocti Vista Casino in Lakeport will continue their Summer Concert Festival on Saturday with the excellent Classic Rock and entertaining stage antics of The Fargo Bros Band from 6 to 10. Music is outside where the lake breezes should cool things down, even as the Fargo Bros heat it all up again. Gonna be a fun time!
The Riviera Hills Lounge in the upper Riviarea will feature impressive views, an excellent menu, and then the Blues, Country Rock and Classic Rock music of the Hip Replacements on Saturday from 5 to 9:00. The humungous canopy keeps it easily 10 degrees cooler that it is in the sun. Reservations are recommended.
On Sunday, it’s that time for the 1st Sunday Fiddlers Jam at the Ely Stage Stop off Soda Bay Rd. Some of the best pickers from all over make this their once a month stop to play some Bluegrass. Come on out and support your local pickers, stomp your feet and kick up some dust from noon until 2:00. Check out the museum displaying some of Lake County’s history while you’re at it.
The Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley Lake will feature the musical prowess of guitarist Carlos Garay from 4 to 8:00 outside in view of the greens. Carlos has a lot of energy, I think you’ll like him.
The Boathouse Bar in that nice little town of Nice will have Howard Dockens playing from 6 to 9:00.
The Blue Wing Saloon never fails to provide excellent live music and great food. Here’s their line-up for the weekend…
On Friday evening expect The Majide Trio to be playing the Torch Songs, Blues Classics and other popular tunes from bygone eras from 6 to 8:00.
Saturday evening’s guitarist/singer Hillarie Witt will strum and sing for your dining pleasures from 6 to 8:00.
Sunday Brunch will feature the music of Good Measure Quintet from 11:30 to 2:00
For their Saturday Supper, Bluesman Takezo Takeda will take the mic from 6 to 8:00.
Monday Blues will feature the rockin’ good Blues of The Hip Replacements from 6 to 8:00
It’s recommended that you make reservations for any and all of these events.
Karaoke Corner – There’s Karaoke at The Spot in Clearlake on Wednesdays and Drinx in Lakeport on Thursdays. Please call for times
Open Mics – The Middletown Art Center has an Open Mic Friday starting around 8:00.
FYI, my goal is to get folks excited about going out and supporting our local musicians who are playing locally. When describing our local musicians I often insert humor, some well deserved superlatives, harmless snark, personal opinions, teasing, (sorry Mojo…), and silly nicknames that, unless I find out how much they’re disapproved of, I tend to re-use. Nothing I do is mean-spirited. I show as much support to our musicians and the venues who hire them as I deem necessary to encourage interest from you. The music guide is meant to be informative as well as entertaining. So, if I have offended anyone with something I have written, please PM me about it. I need to apologize. ‘Nuff said on that…
It's gonna be another scorcher this coming weekend, so dress light, wear a hat, stay hydrated, and have a fun time. And please stay safe…