Entertainment report for week ending 2/5

By BEN OLSON/for The Herald  —  For much of the last 14 years, I have stood on stage with a guitar or ukulele and accompanied myself singing songs that the alert listener may recognize. That’s not even true- I’ve sat down to play if that was an option. Sometimes it can get lonely up there. 

I got a call from Peter Wilde last week, asking if I would be his bass player on Saturday night at the 3 Legged Crane. How could I say no? Peter always puts a collection of amazingly talented musicians around him when he plays. It’s a joy and honor to be part of the mix. This is spontaneous creative fun happening with each and every song. If I wasn’t on stage playing, I’d be there, with beer in hand, listening. Joining him this last Saturday evening were Marty Chilla on guitar, Jeremy Wegner on mandolin, Tanya Bunson on fiddle, Sarah Holtschlag on guitar, accordion and saw, and Kerri Vandenburg playing percussion. Although it was discussed, we decided not to go down to the quarry and swim after the gig.

Olson and open mic at the Crane: always good music

This week at the 3 Legged Crane, I’ll be running the open mic this coming Thursday evening. I’ll be hoping that my bandmates from Saturday will all drive up from Eugene to play with me again. You’re all invited to bring in your instruments and join in, or sing your version of “My Way”. The music starts at 6:30. The Crane has a great selection of hand-crafted beers and ales, and appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They’re located on 1st Street in uptown Oakridge. There is no cover charge for the live music.

Broken Horn will be playing classic songs from a bygone era this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 3, 4 and 5, at the Lion Mountain Bakery on Highway 58 in Oakridge. Broken Horn, who cut his teeth playing in bands in the L.A. area in the 60’s, plays a great variety of tunes from that era. The music begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. The Lion Mountain Bakery serves both breakfast and lunch in a relaxed, spacious atmosphere. There is no cover charge for the music. 

Don’t miss the ZCT plays at the LMB

Also coming up at Lion Mountain Bakery is a presentation by the Zero Clearance Theater of “Walking the Boards… a tribute to Bob Wilson.” Bob Wilson founded Zero Clearance Theater in 1994 and wrote the six short plays that will be performed. Shows will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th, with doors opening at 6:00 pm.  Curtain call is at 7:00 p.m. On Sundays, February 5 and 12, there will be matinee shows with doors opening at 1 p.m. and curtain at 2 p.m. Each of the Saturdays will be “dinner shows” with dinner being served from 5:30 until 6:30. Advanced tickets are $12 for adults and children half price, and can be purchased at the Lion Mountain Bakery and Mane Street Coffee on 1st Street in Oakridge. Tickets are $15 at the door.

End your weekend at the DLC

I’ll be back at the Dexter Lake Club this Friday evening, February 3, playing tunes while accompanying myself on, alternately, the upright bass and my old Guild guitar. I’ll be playing one long set, from 6 until 8 p.m. On Sunday evening, Brian Chevalier and friends will be hosting the open mic and jam session. This is a regular end-of-the-weekend tradition. It’s a great chance for aspiring musicians to get up on stage with a great band backing them up. There is no cover charge for these live music events. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar. The adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. They are located in Dexter, just off Highway 58 by milepost 12.

Go East for music on the mountain

At the eastern end of our coverage area, Willamette Pass Resort is open for skiing, and the conditions have been excellent. I’ll be in the Summit House bar this Saturday afternoon, February 4, from noon until 3 p.m. I’ll be playing the kind of songs that skiers and snowboarders taking a break would want to hear. It’s a wonderful vantage point to watch skiers and boarders coming down the slopes, even if you’re not a skier or snowboarder yourself. Willamette Pass Resort has a full bar and a variety of food options. There is no cover charge for the music. They are located at the pass on Highway 58 at milepost 62. Please be a cautious driver heading up and down the highway, as the roads can get slick up there.

That’s all I’ve got for this week. Please support live music and the musicians that make it. If you know of any music event happening in the Highway 58 corridor, please drop me a line so that I might include it in my column.