It’s the 4th of July, the 250th USA Anniversary, this weekend, so I’d like to first post where the fireworks are:
Friday, fireworks at Lakeport Speedway
Friday in Clearlake Oaks
Friday at Konocti Vista Casino
Saturday at Library Park Lakeport
Saturday at Austin Park Clearlake.
And where there are fireworks, you might also find live music. And it seems appropriate that the week of the 4th of July is also Billy Watson week, and you should be able to pick at least one of his shows. Here’s the live music schedule for the week of 6/30 through 7/7…
On Tuesday at the Kelsey Creek Brewery in K’ville there will be a special celebration of five years for Buskin’ for Brewskis performing at the Brewery. Randy Hood has been a part of this weekly event for the entire 5 years, which started out with Danny Prather and Mike Guarniero and later, joined by Mark Weston and a list of other local LC musicians – and some not so local. Drop by between 3 and 6:00 and hoist a brew to another five years. Then on Sunday afternoon, harmonica specialist Billy Watson and Band will drop by from 3 to 6:00 to bring some of his Blues magic…
Out in Lakeport on Wednesday at the On the Waterfront Restaurant, you’re gonna find great food, an extensive list of excellent wines and Microbrews plus the music of Margo Fleming from 6 to 8:00. Then for a special 4th of July Supper on Saturday evening, Beatz Werkin’ will be rockin’ the outdoors from 6 to 9:00. Fireworks at Library Park across the street will follow the show…
Also in Lakeport at André’s Lounge, pianist Nicky Hinds will be performing original compositions as well as popular numbers on Wednesday while you sip from 7 to 9:00. Come see what André’s done with the place…
On Thursday afternoon at Buddy’s Coffeehouse in Clearlake Oaks, the Al G Bloome Project will be rockin’ the patio from 4 to 7:00. Ain’t it about time you checked these guys out?…
Back to the center of the universe where the Saw Shop Public House has two evenings of good rockin’ music; Thursday, when Blues master Billy Watson and Band take the stage from 6 to 9:00. Then on Friday, if you’re not all danced out, my band AudioSoul will rock the Backyard from 6 to 9:00. Be sure to say hi to Weston while you’re there…
Back to Lakeport, where the Visions Art Gallery will host another 1st Friday Fling, bringing together local art, local wines, and local musicians for a special night of the arts. On Friday, you can enjoy the music of Aaron Dresselle and the art of Keith Gronendyke from 5:30 to 7:00…
At Fults Family Winery in Lower Lake, you can enjoy another Thirsty Thursday Concert, this time with everybody’s favorite band, the LC Diamonds, from 6 to 9:00. With food catered by Ripe Choice Farms and FFW wines, plus micro-brews, one can’t go wrong here on this night. Ask Kendall to show you his stained-glass photos – his work is quite impressive – just sayin’…
It’s 4th of July Weekend at Richmond Park Bar ‘n’ Grill in the bayside Rivi-area where on Friday afternoon Howard Dockens will be rockin’ the deck from 1:00 to 5:00. Then on Saturday everybody’s favorite travellin’ minstrel Tommy Rox takes his usual spot to rock the boaters and locals alike from 1 to 5:00. Then on Sunday the infectuous Fargo Bros are back bringin’ their mix of Classic Rock and mayhem from 2 to 6:00…
At Nylander Park in Clearlake Oaks on Friday, there will be a Pre-4th of July, pre-fireworks party with music by Wally (Al G Bloome?), plus Margo & Friends starting at 4:00. Fireworks to follow…
The Middletown Farmers Market will bring you on Friday fresh locally grown fruit and vegetables, plus an assortment of wonderfully handcrafted items you just can’t live without, and as if that wouldn’t be enough, Vickie Guillory and the Sugar Cats will be providing the live music from 5 to 8:00. Food and bev trucks will be on hand…
Back in Kelseyville, on Main Street, you can find the Kelseyville Artisans Market, where local craftspeople and artisans sell their wares on Friday from 5 to 8:00. Live music will be provided by “Dad Rock” specialist Bill Vanderwall…
Out at the Buckingham Golf & Country Club House, you get one more chance on Friday to see harmonica sensation Billy Watson & Band from 6 to 8:30…
The Lakeport Summer Concert Series is excited to bring you the one and only Funky Dozen on Friday evening from 6:30 to 9:00. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket, a hat and sunglasses, plus snacks, although there will be food and bev trucks on site…
Back to Middletown on Friday at Martin Pohl’s Wine Tasting Room, where Shawn SanNicolas will be performing from 7 to 9:00. Shawn has a unique style, and I’m sure you’re gonna like it. Enjoy a glass of your favorite certified organic wine while you’re at it…
Also in M’town, the Twin Pine Casino will feature the music of Heartless Unlimited on both Friday and Saturday nights from 9 to 1:00…
On Saturday at the Chacewater Winery & Olive Mill in Kelseyville, the Mark Weston Band will be on hand to start the 4th of July celebrations from 1 to 4:00…
There’s a special 4th of July event at the Boathouse Bar/Stowaway Grill with BBQ and live music from Howard Reggie Dockens on Saturday from 2 to 6:00. The following day, the LC Diamonds will rock the patio on Sunday afternoon from 3 to 7:00…
The Skylark Shores Resort in Lakeport will be celebrating the 4th of July on Saturday, starting at 4:00 and featuring the LC Diamonds. Following the show will be fireworks at Library Park, which you should be able to see from Skylark…
In Funley at the Shannon Ridge Mercantile, you can enjoy your favorite wines and nosh from a gourmet food truck, all under the shade of mighty Oaks while listening to music from Akoni Neves from 4 to 7:00…
Take a step up to the mountain on Saturday, where you can do the Shimmy, the Jerk, or the Surf Stomp when The Vultures take the stage from 6:00 to 9:00. Cowabunga! Hot food and a full bar…
Just down the road at the Loch Lomond Roadhouse, the band Roadhouse will rock your socks off on Saturday from 6 to 10:00. Again, hot food and cool drinks from a full bar…
In Kelseyville, there will be a special 4th of July event at the Kickin’ in the Streets Country Dance on Saturday from 7 to 9:00 featuring the man, the myth, the legend, Billy Watson, and the International Silver String Submarine Band (didn’t Gram Parsons once have a band with the same name?). Bring a chair, hat, and sunglasses. Gonna be a heck of a lotta fun!…
At the Riviera Hills Lounge in the Rivi-area, you can catch on Saturday evening an outstanding sunset, a good meal, something from a full bar, and the Mark Weston Band, all from 6 to 10:00…
For a little late-night 4th of July action, Robinsons Rancheria Casino in Nice will present the music of Gotcha Covered on Saturday night from 8 to Midnight…
And finally, the Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake, where you can always expect at least 6 shows in 5 days, starting with Friday when you get Majide, (think Austin Powers music…), from 6 to 8:00. Then on Saturday evening there will be a USA 250 Year Celebration with Wendy DeWitt and Kirk Harwood from 6 to 8:00 to make your supper so much better. Hungry for breakfast? The BW Sunday Brunch offers a special menu that goes perfectly with the music of the Mendocino Jazz Collective with Will Siegel from 11:30 to 2:00. For their Sunday Supper you get another “With Nancy Wright” – this time working with me, Mike Guarniero, all while you dine from 6 to 8:00. And a real special Monday Blues night will feature the outstanding Billy Watson & Band from 6 to 8:00. And wrapping it up with a nice bow will be famous musician, Paul Kemp tinkling the ivories for the Tuesday Mid-Week Special $25 Supper. All shows will be outside under the canopy of sycamores, and it’s recommended you make reservations.
Karaoke Korner
The Boathouse has Karaoke Wednesday, 6 to 10
Robinson Rancheria Casino on Thursday from 9 to Midnight.
André’s Lounge on Thursday – 6 to 10:00.
The Riviera Hills Lounge is open on Friday from 6 to 10:00.
Nobles Saloon will have Karaoke on Friday starting at 8:00.
The Moose Lodge CLO has Karaoke on the 2nd and 4th Friday at 6:00.
And let’s not forget, the Lakeside Jam at Lakeside County Park in Kelseyville, California, featuring Ozomatli and The Expendables, will be happening next weekend, July the 11th. Tix are still available. Also, Wesfest is just around the corner, on August 1st, and features Rizz the Believer, Burke, Gas Money, Westerly, Miki Rae & the Hooligans, and the Deadlies. Tix are still available for this event as well.
Now for something delicate, but important. I have said in the past that there is a symbiotic relationship among the bands, the venues, and the music lovers, in which all three entities have expectations as well as obligations. And I understand, even agree sometimes, that certain grievances can result in a boycott of a band, a venue, or even certain music lovers. But sadly, this is counterproductive, and sometimes, when the pain is dealt out, it ultimately affects all of us. For those who have seen fit to join a music–related boycott, your point has been taken, but it’s time to get back to loving music. ‘Nuff said about that…
So if and when you go out this week to enjoy the bounty of live music the county has to share, have fun – but please be safe…
