By BEN OLSON/for The Herald — If the world ended on a Monday, the Loggers Den would be the only bar in Oakridge where I could watch it on TV. That also holds true for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game, which also happens on a Monday. When I lived in the east, the night games started late, and the bars would often be closed before the game was over. That’s not the problem here in Pacific Time.
You may ask, “Why don’t you get a television?”
What, and bring all that stuff into my home?
Sidney Joseph at the 3 Legged Crane
Just like watching things on TV, I like to go out to hear people play music. One of my stops will be the 3 Legged Crane this Friday night, April 14, to listen to Sidney Joseph. Sidney has played at the Crane before and has a great song list of covers that he makes his own. Eschewing special effects, it’s just his guitar and voice, and he plays to his audience. Check out his website, sidneyjoseph.com.
Sidney’s style is rock and soul, infused with the blues. He’ll be playing from 7 until 10 p.m. On Thursday evening, I’ll be joined by Gary Battles in orchestrating the open mic. That starts at 6:30 p.m. It’s always interesting to see who stops by to sing a song or two.
The Crane is located on 1st Street in uptown Oakridge. John makes a lot of the beers and ales served there, and picks out some choice products from other Oregon microbreweries, as well. There are appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. Of course there is no cover charge for the live music.
Midmorning music at the LMB
The Lion Mountain Bakery will be filled with music this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 14, 15 and 16. Song-stylist Broken Horn will be singing classic tunes from the 50s and 60s each day from 11 a.m until 1 p.m. Enjoy a casual breakfast or lunch in the spacious dining area. The Lion Mountain is located on Highway 58 in Oakridge. There is no cover charge for the live music.
In addition to the best skiing and snowboarding in all of Lane County, Willamette Pass Resort has more to offer. Hot toddies, cold beer and live music will be featured in the Summit Bar this Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16. I’ll be there both days, from noon until 3 p.m., playing tunes that’ll make your break from the slopes a little more enjoyable. As always,
I’ll be working without a set list and jumping from the guitar to the standup bass to the uke. Willamette Pass Resort has a full bar and numerous food options, including breakfast for the early arrivals. They’re located at milepost 62 on Highway 58. They anticipate staying open at least through the last weekend in April, and possibly into May.
Are you old enough to remember the movie Animal House?
At the other end of our readership area is the Dexter Lake Club, just off Highway 58 by milepost 12. I’ll be up on the stage once occupied by Otis Day and the Knights in the 1978 film “Animal House”. That will take place this Friday, April 14, from 6 until 8 p.m.
It won’t be long until the live music will be moving to the beer garden in the back. On Sunday evening, Brian Chevalier and friends will be hosting the regular jam session and open mic. It’s a great chance to get up with the band and sing a song or two, or just hang out and listen. The jam kicks off about 6 p.m. The Dexter Lake Club has a full bar, and the adjoining Rattlesnake BBQ has appetizers, sandwiches and dinners on the menu. There’s no cover charge for the live music.
Although this totally falls out of the purview of the entertainment columnist, Tax Day is late this year, Tuesday, April 18. If the government owes you money, rest assured, they won’t mind if you’re late. If you owe them, it’s a different story altogether.
George Custer lives in Oakridge with his wife Sayre. George is a former smokejumper from his hometown of Cave Junction, a former captain in the U.S. Marine Corps. and ran a construction company in Southern California. George assumed the volunteer duties as the Editor of the Highway 58 Herald in 2022. He loves riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, building all things wood, and playing drums on the weekends in his office.
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