the hum / By Bob Doran

Another Year, Another Weekend

Those looking for something a bit lighter might want to hit Mosgo’s earlier, where Kathe Lyth is playing her Celtic harp. Lyth is perhaps best known as leader of the globetrotting Redwood Coast Children’s Choir, but I don’t think she’ll have the kids along at the Westwood coffeeshop.

For more Celtic music head over to Eureka for Arts Alive! There you can bounce from Good Company at Plaza Design to Scatter the Mud at Old Town Coffee and Chocolates. For AA! blues you’ve got Buddy Reed and the Rip ‘Em Ups at Opera Alley Bistro. Brad Werren and friends will be laying down some jazz at Avalon. Mathew Cook tickles the ivories at the Graves. The Sidekicks play folk-pop at Ramone’s (the one in Old Town). Just like every weekend, The Tumbleweeds are doing the cowboy thing at Chapala. And even though it’s January and freezing-ass cold out, there’s a good chance you’ll catch Huckleberry Flint or some other old timey band playing on Second Street and rubbing their hands together between songs. For the uninitiated, Huck Flint favors the sheltered area in front of Eureka Books (recently purchased by Amy and Scott, in case you hadn’t heard).

DJ Danny is spinning at the Pearl with some special guest TBA for those who hang around after AA! The Alibi is still quiet this Saturday, perhaps because the staff is in preparation for expansion into the new Auntie Mo’s in the former Club West/Indigo digs. Instead hard-rockin’ upsidedowncross presents a triple dose of Humboldt heaviness at The Vista with “instru-metal” band 33 1/3, sharp-edged metal by Machete and chevre-rockers The Zygoats. This is a benefit for Humboldt Free Radio Alliance, who I’m told are on a temporary break and searching for new secret quarters after the pirates’ semi-annual visit from the FCC. Need I remind the youngun’s who might be thinking about attending that the Vista is now off-limits to all under 21? Sorry kids. And while I’m thinking about it, what’s up with that sign over the Go Fish front door? That’s just plain rude. Besides, I think Gus’ wild mural is cool.

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Jambalaya has been adding new music nights in recent weeks with Deep Groove Societyhosting “Sundaze” dance nights (on Sundays)andOne-Wise Soundspinning reggae every Wednesday. (Speaking of reggae, mark Feb. 24, on your calendar, that’s when African reggae star Alpha Blondyand*his band**The Solar System**and German*reggae starGentleman play*at the*Arcata Community Center.)

Word of the latest addition to the Jambalaya music-a-thon comes from musician Ron Perry, who notes that “The Blues Jamwill return to the Jam on each and every Tuesday night from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 8. The initial house band will be a collection of veteran players who are calling themselves The Uptown Kings, Andy Widmanfeatured on guitar, Rob Andersonon drums, Dale Cashon bass and Ron Perryon harmonica. The Jambalaya is hoping to recapture a bit of the magic that existed during the Jam’s golden days. It would be great if these events could be featured [in some] portion of the Hum.”

You asked for it — you got it. And let’s hear it for more music, more music, more music in 2008.

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