“Eenie weenie chili beanie, the spirits are about to speak!” Anybody out there remember where this famous quote came from? Here’s a hint… Boris Badenov referred to this dynamic duo as “Moose ‘n’ Squirrel.” Okay, times up! It’s a line from the Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle, which aired from 1959 through 1964. Like most kids, I would watch cartoons, but this was pretty much the only one I really liked because it was silly in a Three Stooges sort of way – full of puns, sarcasm, self-referential dialog, and other socially unacceptable wordplays, especially so for impressionable children like I was. I would watch the show with friends, laughing hysterically – but they didn’t really get it. I could relate to the patience and empathy of Rocket J Squirrel, marveled at the perseverance of Bullwinkle J Moose, who never stopped trying despite his constant failures, and sneered at the comic depiction of Boris Badenov, Natasha Fatale, and Fearless Leader. This, to me, was cartooning at its comic best. Okay, maybe I’m entering into my second childhood, but I hope you don’t mind me including references to the show throughout this music schedule. Here’s the live music guide for the week of 12/13 through 12/19…
Since Tuesday is now officially the first day of the week, Kelsey Creek Brewing in K’ville wants to start the week off with a bang by bringing to you at least 10 very different handcrafted beers, ales and seltzers – complete with funny names – all for your discriminating tastes, along with the music of Buskin’ for Brewskis, featuring Danny Prather, Mike Guarniero and their assorted and valued guests. All this and more happens from 3 to 6:00. “Humble, that’s me… Mr. Modesty. When it comes to humility, I’m the greatest!”
Wendy DeWitt, Kirk Harwood, and Pierre Archain are back at it with the Blues Invitational Jam at the Hopland Tap, just a short drive over the Hopland Grade. This is one fun Blues event that often features a brand name Bay Area Blues artist to fill the bill – which makes the event even excellenter… Good music happens from 7 to 10:00. Rocky: “Hey Bullwinkle, we’re in REAL trouble now!”. Bullwinkle: “Oh, good! I hate the artificial kind!” …
Thursday at the Saw Shop Public House in Kelseyville just wouldn’t be the same without Beatz Werkin’ rockin’ the house from 6 to 9:00. BeWe plus an excellent meal plus a full bar makes for the perfect trifecta… Then on Sunday from 11:AM to 2:00 enjoy one of the best Sunday Brunches with musical accompaniment from Mike Guarniero. Big time YUM! “Well, if you can’t believe what you read in a comic book, what can you believe?” …
The Smiling Dogs Tasting Room in Kelseyville on Friday from 6:30 to 9:30 will feature the Queen of Boogie Woogie Wendy DeWitt, her trusty sidekick Kirk Harwood keeping the rhythm sticks hitting out the beat for what should be a spectacular event. Plus, there will be some award-winning Smiling Dogs Ranch wines for sale by the bottle and glass. It’ll be hard to avoid spilling your wine when you can’t sit still! “Well, this is a pickle – actually it’s more of a kumquat…”.
Twin Pine Casino has some great RAWK MUSIC this Friday and Saturday when those purveyors of Hard Rock Hair Metal Music, Aqua Nett take the stage from 9 to 1:00 each night. Hear the best of ‘80s hair bands, complete with costumes from these pros who have been at this for more than 10 years. Great fun, even for the metal deprived. “No doubt about it, gotta get a new hat!”…
On Saturday from 11 AM to 4:00, Chasewater Winery and Olive Mill in Kelseyville will host a Grand Opening and December Wine Club Pick-up Party. I played for their December Wine Club Party three, maybe four years ago, and it was a blast. There will be snacks, wine tastings, and music performed by TBD, (okay – to be determined…). Bullwinkle: “I’d like to apply for a job as an usher.” Boris: “What experience have you had?” Bullwinkle: “I’ve been in the dark for most of my life…”.
O’Meara Bros Brewing in Lakeport is no stranger to excellence. On Saturday evening, expect an excellent menu, some excellent handcrafted beers and ales, plus, from 6 to 9:00, the excellent acoustic guitar music from Austin and Owens, making this the most excellently perfect date night! Rocky: “For all of you who want to be tigers in the field of journalism, here’s Mr. Know-It-All”. Bullwinkle: “Hello Copycats!”…
Somewhere in the Riviera, the Riviera Hills Lounge will present Dr. Groove on Saturday from 6 to 10:00. Enjoy a nice meal and beverages from a full bar, then brace yourselves for some R&B, Blues, Funk and Soul music. It don’t get much bettah! Rocky: “Look, Bullwinkle, a message in a bottle!”. Bullwinkle: “Fan mail from some Flounder?”…
Andre’s Lounge in Lakeport on Saturday evening is happy to present to you for the first time, guitarist/singer Randy Hood from 6 to 9:00! Come see what all the buzz is about. While you’re at it, come see what Andre has done with the place… Boris: “You busy bodies have busied your last body!” …
Robinson Rancheria Casino in Nice has hot slots, a nice restaurant, and a full bar, and if it’s Two-Steppin’ you’re after, they got it on Saturday when South 65 take the stage from 9 to 1:AM. Gidney and Cloyd: “On the moon we always carry a spare heart.” Bullwinkle: “Must be nice on Valentine’s Day”…
Start working on your “Hallelujah Chorus,” folks. The Soper Reese Theater in Lakeport will present the Lake County Symphony performing “A Christmas Celebration on Sunday.” There will be a rehearsal from 11 AM to 12:30 first featuring the Lake County Community and Youth Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Camm Linden and featuring several holiday faves, followed by a rehearsal from the main Symphony production conducted by John Parkinson with traditional Christmas orchestral music plus a vocal performance by Andre Williams. And at the conclusion, get ready to sing “Hallelujah.” The cost for this rehearsal will be $5. Then the Main event performing the previously described order of music occurs from 2 and 4:00, cost is $25 – $30, depending on seating. Please try to make this event and help support the Soper-Reese. If this message is confusing, please go to the SRT website to get the whole skinny. “Natasha: Boris, how are going to steal car from Moose ‘n’ Squirrel”? Boris: “Easy, we are going into the used car business”. Natasha: “On purpose?” …
The Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake brings us great food, a full bar and live music all weekend. On Friday, expect the Majide Trio to be performing ballads, standards, and Christmas carols from 6 to 8:00. For Saturday Supper, they will present Steve Winkle playing some guitar and singing to you from 6 to 8:00. Sunday Brunch will feature the wonderful harmonies and tasteful instrumentation of The Back Porch Trio from 11:30 to 2:00. Sunday Supper will feature guitarist/singer Chris Forshay from 6 to 8:00. And for the Monday Blues, come check out my good friends, Stevie and the Shufflenuts as they lay down the 1,4,5 from 6 to 8:00. Reservations are always a good idea for any and all of these shows. “Hey, Rocky! Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!” …
Karaoke and Open Mike/Jams
Thursday there’s Karaoke at Konocti Vista Casino from 8 to 11:30.
Friday there’s Karaoke at the Riviera from 6 to 10:00.
Friday the Barn in Clearlake Oaks hosts an Open Mic/Jam featuring house band, Still Kick’n from 8 to midnight.
Mendocino County
Ukiah Brewing Co in Ukiah on Sunday will feature the Boogie Woogie magic of Wendy DeWitt and Kirk Harwood starting at noon. Later at 6:00, the Jazz Dudes will play some of the most amazing music you’re ever gonna hear.
Just a reminder to all the Lake and Mendocino County musicians out there who are scheduled to play New Year’s Eve, please let me know and I’ll feature these gigs starting this week and continuing until the night of that celebration. The same goes for the venues featuring NYE parties. Let’s make this NYE a night to remember. Thanks! Here’s what I have so far;
The Keys Club in Clearlake Oaks has K&J Music from 8 to 12:30.
Konocti Harbor Resort has The LC Diamonds with festivities starting at 7:00.
Twin Pine Casino has Breaker One 9 from 9 to 1:AM.
Konocti Vista Casino has the Fargo Bros plus the Tattooed Cherries, different locations, different times.
For those of you who plan to get out and check out our local live music, have a fun time, but please be safe…
“Hello Dollink!”…
