The Weekly Lake County Music Guide

By ‎Mike Guarniero‎

Is there a word for someone who can’t properly read a calendar? If so, I got it…, (no, not dam braimage…). Some will recognize my mistakes, others hopefully won’t. Anyways… here’s the live music guide for the week of, (fingers crossed…), 1/28 through 2/4.

On Tuesday evening Drinx Bar and Grill in Lakeport, plus Jon Wynacht, (why not?), will host another Open Mic Night. Performers on the Western side of the lake need to check out this event. Jon has got it goin’! It’s also Taco Tuesday, so what’s stoppin’ ya? Starts at 8:00ish… On Thursday you can expect Cowboy Johnson, (no, Mojo, that’s not his porn name…), and his fiddle playing sidekick, Chris Rovetti, to be performing originals and an assortment of Blues, Country – even Reggae. The folks who know ‘em, love ‘em. Why aren’t you yet among those folks?...

The Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks will present on Wednesday, (Wimpy Burger Wednesday – the best dang burger in the county…), Pop, Doc and Friends. Pop and Doc, (not to be confused with Papa Doc…) are both DJ’s with KPFZ 88.1 FM, a local independent Lake County Radio Station. They get together once in a blue moon to be on the other side of the turntable, so to speak… Enjoy the featured burger while listening to the featured band from 5 to 7:00. Non- members welcome.

On Thursday, back by popular demand, the Catfish Coffee House in Clearlake and Chris Grant will host another Open Mic Night. Any and all performers are welcome to participate. You’ll find it to be a very laid back atmosphere, and hey, they even offer free coffee. Starts around 7:00. I’ll be there.

The First Friday Fling at the Main Street Galleryin Lakeport will feature excellent art, wines from Steele Wines and music performed by From the Heart. One of the more unique events in Lake County, with not only excellent local art on display and locally produced wines, but always some of the best acoustic music you’ll find in the county. You’ll love From the Heart. Music is from 5:30 to 7:00.

The Smiling Dogs Tasting Room in Kelseyville is happy to bring back The Dorian May Jazz Trio with special guest on Sax, Frances Vanek. And though you might not achieve immortality, (let’s see who gets that…) you will find love in your heart for this combo. Enjoy award winning wines with some excellent Jazz from 6:30 to 9:30.

Keeping the kilt in Kelseyville, The Fore Family Tasting Room on Friday will present international stars, Jim and Susie Malcolmfrom 7:30 to 9:30. Cost for this show will be $22 at the door. Also, on sale will be copies of the duo’s new CD, The Berries. Come check ‘em out!

Shine up your Cowboy Boots for Friday and Saturdaywhen California Country take the stage at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown from 9 to 1:30. This band plays a mix of modern to classic Country music covers, while tossing in an original or three. Get your Two-Steppin’ fix on both nights.

Robinsons Rancheria Lounge from 9 to 1:00 will once again challenge the time-space continuum when they bring back the Time Travellers on Friday night. If genre shifting, dimension jumping and good Classic Rock is your sort of thing, check these guys out. On Saturdaynight there’ll be the much anticipated return of the Kentucky Jugglers. The K’Juggs have been renewing, restoring, revitalizing and recuperating – and now they’re back and ready to RAWK! Let’s all go and let them know how much we’ve missed them from 9 to 1:00.

On Saturday The Soper-Reese Theater will present “A Mid-Winter’s Dance” featuring none other than The Funky Dozen on Saturday from 7 to 1:30. Shake off all those mid-Winter blues at this special event. Cost is $25 to $45, assigned seating. Thank you for supporting the SRT.

On Saturday night, the echoes of that wailing harmonica you’ll hear all over the lake will be Dave Broida and Blues Farmat The Riviera Hills Lounge from 7 to 11:00. This tight, polished Blues band always brings the party to the Riv. Go see what I mean…

The Greenview in Hidden Valley Lake will present Carlos and the Gypsy Pushers on Saturday from 8 to midnight. One could power the entire county off the energy that’s generated when these guys play.

O’Meara Bros Brewing Co in Lakeport usually has some pretty good live music on Saturday but they haven’t posted their February calendar yet. But the O’Bros always have some excellent handcrafted beers and ales, so pop in anyways – can’t lose either way…

The Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake will feature for their Sunday Brunch, Jim Williams from 11 to 2:30. For their Sunday $25 Special Supper they will feature The Majide Triofrom 6 to 8:00. For Monday Blues, shuffle the evening away as Stevie and the Shufflenuts shuffle away the evening from 6:30 to 9:00, (say that out loud three times fast!). For TuesdaySupper, Sheridan Malone will be providing the music and melodies from 6 to 8:00. As always, it’s a pretty good idea to make reservations to any and all of these events.

At the Loch Lomand Roadhouse on Sundayevening, come watch the Super Bowl, then get ready for another over-the-top musical display as they present First Sunday Open Jams at the Roadhouse, (the implied acronym on all that requires one of those Star Trek “Universal Translaters” for proper pronunciation…). From 3:00 on it’s going to be 49’er Fever and great musical performances, (along with an occasional wardrobe malfunction…) by the house band and all the guest performers. Music goes on from 6 to 10:00.

Karaoke Korner: This week there’s Karaoke at Drinxin Lakeport on Wednesday starting about 8:30. The Barn in Clearlake Oaks will have Billy Kidd provide the mic, monitor and music on Saturday starting at 8:00. On Sunday, The Riviera Hills Lounge and Grand Slam Karaoke will be making stars from 5 to 9:00. One could make a party out of any of these events…

It’s Super Bowl Sunday and the 49’ers are back where they belong! While there may be some folks who would prefer another team in the game, I have to say, I’m excited! So, if and when you go out this weekend, whether to check out our local bands or to cheer on the 9’ers during the Super Bowl, have a fun time, but please be safe…

The Weekly Lake County Music Guide

By ‎Mike Guarniero‎

Okay, since we all survived the Great Blizzard of 2020, it’s now time we got back to normal, whatever that might be… (It’s relative, after all – my normal could be your worst nightmare:) This Saturday marks the start of the Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year to us Occidentals. Either way, it’s a time for every family to thoroughly clean out their house in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for incoming good luck, (a metaphor?...). Fat chance of that getting done in my house… I gotcha fung shway right heah… fagitaboutit! Here’s the live music guide for the week of 1/21 through 1/28

On Tuesday at Drinx Bar and Grill in Lakeport, Jon Wynacht will be hosting another Open Mic starting at 8:00. I keep hearing positive reports about how fun this event is. I keep trying to get there. Maybe this time… Oh, and it’s Taco Tuesday! On Thursday it’s Cowboy Johnson and Chris Rovetti, that dynamic duo a pickin’ an’ a fiddlin’ an’ a singin’ - startin’ at 8:00. These dudes have got it going! Check ‘em out, Pardners…

The Moose Lodge in Clearlake Oaks will feature on Wimpy Burger Wednesday, The Jody Coulter Band from 5 to 7:00. On the grill will be the possibly best dang burgers you’ll eat in the county. Check out The JCB and munch away… On Saturday it’s another Metal at the Moose! This time featuring Hexafiend, StrYK9, Phaneron, Abscission and White Trash Superstars. Cost is $5 and starts at 6:00. Black clothing optional...

On Friday evening at The Smiling Dogs Tasting Roomin Kelseyville expect Indie Groove to be laying down the, er… groove… from 6:30 to 9:30. I haven’t seen this band, can’t find anything on the internet about them, (there’s a two man synth band of the same name?...), but the wines here are superb, so go, regardless.

Robinsons Rancheria Lounge in Nice will feature on Fridaynight, The Black Horse Blues Band from 9 to 1:00. Vids on Youtube show just how good these guys are. On Saturday, Lake County Royalty – Twice as Good – will be on the stage from 9 to 1:00. You could be twice the winner this night…

Twin Pine Casino in Middletown will present singer Megan Smith on Friday and Saturday. Wish I could give some 411 on her, but unfortunately her bio reads more like a mission statement than a bio. She looks good, though… 9 to 1:30 both nights.

It’s Psychedello Psaturday at the Psoper-Reese Theater in Lakeport pstarting at 7:00, $15 open seating. A chance to psee one of The LC’s favorite bands, The Psychedellos, playing on that big pstage. Listen and dance as they play hits from the Psixtie’s and Pseventy’s. BTW, they’ll soon be remodeling the restrooms at the theater so we can all take a silent P…

On Saturday come celebrate the start of the Chinese Year of the Rat at the Riviera Hills Lounge when my band, Dr. Groove, (not to be mistaken with Indie Groove…) makes a house call to rock away all that ails ya from 7 to 11:00. R&B, Blues, Soul and Funk should bring you happiness and prosperity in the new year…

New venue alert!!! (okay, new to this guide…). There’s an Open Mic happening Saturday evening at Maynard’s Sports Bar in Lower Lake starting at 6:00. The schedule is 6-7 – acoustic music, 7-8 – electric music, 8 to 12, Rock away the night! Welcome, guys!

The Fore Family Tasting Room in Kelseyville will once again present a “Coffee House Concert” on Saturday starting at 7:00. This time they will feature five acts; Andrea Blair; Jim Williams and Hillarie Witt; Don Coffin, Andy Skelton and Uncorked; Misty Sky and Company; and Brian & Deborah Love Rocket. Tix are $15. This should be a fun show, with award winning wine and snacks available.

O’Meara Bros Brewing Co in Lakeport on Saturdayis happy to bring back by overwhelming popular demand, Austin and Owensfrom 6 to 9, Dudes. Kick back with one of the O’Bros excellent handcrafted beers and ales while listening to greatness…

The Bar at The Greenview Restaurant in The Hidden Valley Lake will present another Carlos Jam with house band, Carlos and the Gypsy Pushers offering the back-up on Saturday night. Great fun for the musician as well as the spectator. Pretty good food at The Greenview Restaurant of The Bar at the…, (I’m still having a hard time figuring all this out…). Music starts around 8:00.

On Saturday night at The Office in Ukiah, The Black Horse Blues Band will be playing. Get in your USRDA of 1,4,5 starting at 9:00…

The Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake will feature for their Sunday Brunch, Barrish and Williams from 11 to 2:30. For their $25 Special Sunday Supper, The Majide Trio will delight the diners from 6 to 8:00. For Monday Blues Night, shuffle the evening away as Stevie and the Shufflenuts shuffle away the evening from 6:30 to 9:00, (say that out loud three times fast!). For Tuesday Supper, Sheridan Malone will be providing the music and melodies from 6 to 8:00. As always, it’s a pretty good idea to make reservations to any and all of these events.

Karaoke Korner: This is gonna be another big week for it. On Wednesday, Drinx in Lakeport will host Karaoke starting at 8:00. On Thursday, Twin Pine Casino will be handing out the mics and cash prizes from 7 to 11:00. On Saturday there’s Karaoke at The Barn in Clearlake Oaks featuring new KJ, Billy Kidd starting at 8:00. On Sunday, Grand Slam Karaoke will be cranking up the Karaoke machine at the Riviera Hills Lounge from 5 to 9:00. More Karaoke than you can shake a, er… mic at…

Today marks the first day of “SUPER BOWL FEVER” and all the excessive and over the top super-duper hyper-hyperbole that goes along with it. But, hey! The 49’ers are in it for the first time since 2013, which was, like, eons ago, Dude! I’ll be taking my Steve DeBurg jersey out of mothballs one more time and getting ready to cheer on my hometown faves, (even though I live about 3 hours away from San Francisco and grew up in L.A….). I’ll be living on a steady diet of corn chips, 14 layer guacamole dip, all the deep fried stuff I can find at Walmart and beer just to build up my junk food tolerances. But I’ll be ready, dang it!… In the meantime, if and when you go out this weekend to check out some of our local live music, (i.e., Dr Groove…) have fun, but please be safe…

Johnny Miskill Joins the Clearlake Soapbox Derby as Official Flagger

A staple at race tracks across Northern California, Johnny Miskill is one of the top auto sport flaggers in the United States. Few command the track like this Clearlake native. From Bombers to Boat Races, Miskill has an incredible amount of experience that he will bring to the Clearlake Soapbox Derby on September 21.

“This is about the kids,” said Miskill. “Nothing makes me happier than seeing children engaged at the track, and this is even more exciting because they get to build the cars from scratch and sit behind the wheel.”

While speeds won’t match those at Lakeport Speedway, that doesn’t matter to Miskill. His focus will be on safety, fair finishes and teaching the next generation of flaggers the ropes.

There is still time to register for the Clearlake Soapbox Derby. There are age groups for everyone and cars are simple to make!

Art Division Judges and Sponsors Announced for the Inaugural Clearlake Soap Box Derby

The City of Clearlake and the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the Inaugural Soap Box Derby is set for Saturday September 21, 2019. With only a few weeks remaining until race day, its important to register and start soon or miss out on the glory of the Winner’s Circle!

This inaugural event will be held on the newly constructed Dam Road Extension with four race categories. The 1st race will be for the Little Turtles (ages 7-12), followed by the Turbo Teens (ages 13-17), and culminating with the Awesome Adults (ages 18 and up). The final category will be for the Art Division, where racers will be judged on creativity rather than speed on the course. Depending on the number of racers, each division will start with timed qualifying races, and finishing with a final heat for all the glory between the top cars with the best times. All race cars will be inspected after check-in and before they are cleared to race.

Local celebrities and dignitaries, Supervisor Bruno Sabatier, Clearlake, Police Chief Andrew White, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce President Denise Loustalot, and Clearlake Mayor Russ Cremer will be judging the Art Division champions.

The event is free for spectators. Bring your chair and take a seat along the course or near the finish line. Food and novelty vendors will be located near the finish line at Konocti Education Center.

Current event sponsors include: DM Compassion Center, Hillside Honda, Matt Mazzei Chevrolet, Foods Etc., Lakeside Herbal, Rotary Club of Clearlake, Community First Credit Union, Dale and Karen Valentine, Flowers by Jackie, Enterprise Towing, DM Compassion and Konocti Unified School District. Race Director

Tina Viramontes exclaimed, “We are thrilled to bring the community this new event. I have been pleased with how excited kids of all ages have been to participate in the Inaugural Derby and look forward to the friendly rivalries play out on the track!”

Tina Viramontes Named Race Director for 2019

The Clearlake Soap Box Derby Race Committee today announced Tina Viramontes will serve as Race Director for the September 21st event. Viramontes is the Facilities Coordinator and Deputy City Clerk for the City of Clearlake. She was instrumental in bringing the event to the city, and is expected to be the top official on the ground during race day.