By Daniel Landin
Thursday December 5
What: Jazz Jam with Tarik Bentlemsani: Tarik’s skill and creativity on the guitar is something that leaves people in awe time and again. His wizardry is in full effect as lead guitarist of local funk band The Brown Edition, and when he is tucked away in the corner of a café with a 6-string acoustic. Every Thursday he hosts a great evening of jazz at The Pig Bar.
Where: The Pig Bar, 619 Legion Way NE, Olympia
Time: 8:30pm
Tickets: FREE, 21+
Friday, December 19
What: Darol Anger’s Cascadia All Stars: Keep-It-In-The-Fam Holiday Show. Darol Anger is a violin guru amongst those who attend Wintergrass and generally can’t get enough bluegrass and related genres. With singer and co-conspirator Emy Phelps, Darol has assembled a multi-generational seven-piece ensemble of the most talented young pickers on banjo, double bass, cello, guitar and more. Performing music entirely of the holiday season that you won’t hear at the mall.
Where: Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Time: DOORS 8PM, SHOW 8:30PM
Tickets: $12 Advance, $15 at the Door
Link: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/519175
What: Danny Barnes and Matt Sircely with Oly Mountain Boys. Danny Barnes is a banjo player extraordinaire with the likes of Dave Matthews and Mike Gordon (Phish) singing his praises on his website. When Danny isn’t playing in the back of a tiny bar in Olympia with mandolin player and vocalist Matt Sircely, he might be on stage in front of 5,000 people at the NW String Summit or other festivals around the country. With Thurston County’s finest bluegrass band.
Where: The Pig Bar, 619 Legion Way NE, Olympia
Time: 9:00-?
Tickets: FREE, 21+
More info: there is free live music every Friday and Saturday night at The Pig Bar
Links: http://dannybarnes.com/
What: SIXIS, GUDA, Profresher and Buhlu. Bass music and adjacent electronic genres. Here is an opportunity to hit the club scene and get a taste of what people are creating with their laptops. Bass isn’t the only frequency range utilized, however it is worshiped as it pours out of The Royal’s subwoofers. Gudu plays saxophone in his set, and Profresher is known for ‘neo-g-funk’.
Where: The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way N, Olympia
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $8 at the door
Saturday, December 21
What: SOULSTICE. DBST, The Hard Way. Lee Brooks presents this annual festivity, and he always puts together a multi-faceted party, this year featuring two local bands with unique flavors and great lead singers. Sam Pohl leads the great rock and roll and funk jams of DBST, while Scott Taylor is the lead writer and singer for The Hard Way who feature gorgeous vocal harmony and driving guitar rock. Burlesque dancers Nani Poonani and Ginger Smack will also take the stage on this celebratory evening.
Where: Olympia Ballroom, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, WA
Time: 9pm
Tickets: $10 at the door, ALL AGES
What: Dennis Hastings Jazz Quartet. This is a stellar jazz ensemble featuring vocalist Dennis Hastings and local piano master Joe Baque. With bassist Steve Luceno and percussionist Michael Olson, this group will fill the solstice with exquisite jazz, latin, and popular music. You will enjoy this performance any which way, following their every note or just allowing them to infuse the beautiful ambience of Waterstreet Café.
Where: Waterstreet Café, 610 Waterstreet, Olympia
Time: 9 – 11:30pm
Tickets: Reservations for dinner and show at 360-709-9090
Monday November 18
What: Rich Wetzel and his Groovin’ Higher Orchestra. This big band will put on display the power of an organized group of talented musicians with an inspired and experienced leader. Rich Wetzel has performed with Jerry Lewis, the Ojays, The Temptations, and many more notable musicians. This will be one of these Monday nights at The Royal worth pretending is a weekend night and getting out of the house for.
Where: The Royal Lounge, 311 Capitol Way, Olympia
Time: 8pm
Tickets: $5 suggested donation at the door
More info: There is live jazz every Monday night at the Royal Lounge
Link: http://www.richwetzel.com/
