Entertainement report: Music and theater will fill the senses all week

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  I only have a few days left to play my holiday songs before I pack them away until next year. The fact that I only play them three weeks a year keeps me from committing them to memory. Although it’s been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you.

After popping into the Lion Mountain Bakery the other day, I was surprised to see Broken Horn back there playing tunes with his vintage Epiphone guitar. After a bit of a sabbatical, he is, once again, playing his eclectic mix of old pop, country and rock standards on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The Lion Mountain is located on Highway 58 in Oakridge. They serve both breakfast and lunch, and there is no cover charge for the live music.

A Christmas Carol Live at the LMB

Speaking of things going on at the Lion Mountain, this Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, December 21, 22 and 23, Kole Topham’s “A Christmas Carol” will be playing on the Zero Clearance Theater’s stage. Kole’s adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz” was staged back in October, to glowing reviews. This is a great opportunity to see a Christmas classic on stage in Oakridge with all local actors. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00. The admission is only $5 at the door, with no advanced sales.

I’ll be in charge of the open mic this Thursday, December 22, at the 3 Legged Crane on 1st Street in Oakridge. I’ll be playing my first song at 6:30. I’d love to see some other pickers show up- it doesn’t necessarily make my job easier, but it always makes it more interesting. The Crane has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu and a great selection of hand crafted beers and ales. There is no cover charge for the live music.

Country at the DLC

The Dexter Lake Club, down by milepost 12 on Highway 58, will be welcoming Bradly Shepherd’s Perfect Flavor Band this Friday night, December 23. Shepherd, who hails from Cottage Grove, has that pure country voice- the perfect flavor for the original tunes and covers that he does. I’ve got the night off, so I’m hoping to have a barley-pop or two and enjoy some real country music.

The band starts playing at 6 p.m. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ offers appetizers, sandwiches and full dinners, There is no cover charge for the live music. For more details, call 541-581-3000.

Live music at Willamette Pass

I’ll be playing my guitar and bass fiddle up in the eastern end of our coverage area this Saturday, December 24, from noon until 3 p.m. I’ll be playing in the bar at Willamette Pass ski area. While I’m playing tunes facing the crowd, everyone in attendance will be able to look beyond me and watch skiers and boarders busting down that wide slope leading to the high speed chairlift at the base.

Willamette Pass has a full bar and a wide range of food options. You don’t need to be a skier to be there, either. It can be most entertaining to sit in the bar, beverage in hand, taking in the sights of a bustling ski area. Of course there is no cover charge for the live music.

I’ll be back next week to let you know where you can kick up your heels on New Year’s Eve. Until then, have yourself a merry little Christmas.