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Published 01/27/09

Weekends of Wine and Song on Oregon Coast

The dramatic shores of Yachats.

(Yachats, Oregon) - The tiny town of Yachats is big on stuff to do, especially if you're over 21 years of age.

The Wine Place has a bundle of tasting events every weekend, and the nightlife hotspot The Landmark Lounge is chock full of live music that graces the Oregon coast with some serious talent. (see the full Yachats community calendar here)

At the Landmark, February brings some changes to the central Oregon coast destination. There are no more jam sessions on Sundays, and the club has brought in karaoke every Thursday. The Landmark is at 111 Hwy 101, Yachats, Oregon. www.landmark-yachats.com. 541-547-5459.

Each Thursday: Karaoke with Joy. A Japanese drummer invented the karaoke machine in 1971 and it spread to the far corners of the earth by the end of the 1990s. The inventor failed to patent his invention, however, and lost out on the millions to a Filipino rival. At the Landmark the entertainment has come and gone and come and gone. It is currently under the direction of Joy. 8 p.m.

Friday, February 6. Jupiter Hollow. This band pulled a reverse Kesey and drove a hippie bus across the Rockies to Eugene. The group started in 1992 in Missouri, originally known as Sojourn. It built a following playing at festivals, performing a play list of original music written by Randy Probst. Eight years later, around the turn of the century, Randy, Heather Lamb and Jake Killingsworth moved west, the bus broke down in Eugene and the rest is history. They play a rock fusion/jam style that puts a big ol' smile on everybody's face. Heal on, brothers and sisters. 9 p.m.

Saturday, February 7. Solicious. Led by Paula Vaden on vocals, rhythm guitar and percussion, the band includes Gerry Rempel on lead guitar, Sharon Greve on drums, Cheryl Camelio on vocals and percussion, JoAnne Lutz on keyboard and Jamie Porter on bass. They call their sound "Mo-funkin' Motown" but to some people it's good old R&B from a bunch of experienced musicians who know how to get the club rockin'.

Sunday, February 8. Clean Slate. The Landmark kicks off the new Sunday afternoon acoustic series with a local duo who know their way around the Landmark. Expect of a range of well-played acoustic and electric tunes from the large song bag of Gary Brooker and Vallorie Hodges. Influences include Hunter/Garcia, Dylan, Phil Ochs and the old blues. Welcome to the non-smokers. 3 p.m.

Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes

Friday, February 13. Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes. Before moving to Portland two years ago from Roanoke, Va., this master bluesman played over 1,500 gigs in 15 states, conquering a wide circle of East Coast venues. But his new start in the Northwest has given him a fresh outlook, a boatload of new fans and a deep appreciation from the blues community, so much so he's been nominated for six Muddy Awards including Best New Act, Best Contemporary Blues Act and Best Electric Guitar. He's become something of a mainstay at the Landmark, giving a variety of performances, suitable to the crowd, the weather, the whatnot.

Saturday, February 14. Jerry Zybach Band. Accomplished singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter, arranger, and bandleader, Jerry Zybach does it all. Thirty some years into it, he's at the top of his game and just keeps growing as an artist. Classical voice training as a young man gives him a unique take on the songs he loves. He has a great ability to project emotion whether he's playing his Gibson 135, his Harmony H50, his collection of resonators or acoustics, finger style and slide. He's ripped up the Landmark on many occasions and is one of the coast's favorite performers.

Sunday, February 15. Clean Slate. 3 p.m.

Friday, February. 15 (evening show). The Purple Cats. The current project of poet, raconteur and bluesman Lozelle Jennings brings together a crew of veteran players for a wide range of stylings. Jennings has been playing music for 45 years, telling stories, performing vocals, playing the harp and the accordion. He's joined by fellow travelers Dave Franklin on guitar and vocals, Leonard Maxson on drums and Richard Silens on bass. Jennings has two CDs including "Raconteurism," recorded in 2007 after he moved to the coast, which got pretty good reviews for its "swampy Louisiana style" and "clean guitar work." Enjoy the night before President's Day, and hey, celebrate the President. 9 p.m.

Friday, February 20. Lisa Mann. Lisa Mann is a life-long bass player and budding singer/songwriter. Before forming her own group in 2007, she backed Portland blues greats Sonny Smokin Hess, Paul DeLay, Margo Tufo and Duffy Bishop. She has her own CD of original rock, pop and blues and in just her second year with her own band she got a Vocalist of the Year nomination from the Cascade Blues Association. She got a good welcome last time out at the Landmark, good to have her back.

The stage at the Landmark.

Saturday, February 21. Diggabone. The band stays true to the artisan spirit of its northwest home. The Portland-based quartet’s repertoire is made up mostly of original songs, drawing on the band’s diverse influences in bluegrass, jazz, and funk, intermixed with an occasional eclectic cover tune. Diggabone performs as a true ensemble, trading off lead vocals and solos throughout their performances. It has three songwriters and presents an evening soaked in originality.

Sunday, February 22. Richard Sharpless. Here's Richard on Richard: "Played in Nashville doing demos and working on my chops. Backed Pam Tillis at the Grand Ole Opry once, but tried not to let Country music taint me. Came back to Oregon where I played in open mike forums until landing a job playing music at the Drift Inn in Yachats, Oregon. I spend time haunting cheesy used-stuff places and looking for a twelve-stringed resonator guitar. I taught electronic music in the 80's, but it's way beyond me now, so I also need to buy a synth. I was a lab declination at Vanderbilt University in Nashville and the Neurological Science Center in Portland, Oregon for 23 years. I read sci fi alot, and contemplate the universe at least once a day and bathe regularly. Thank you." 3 p.m.

Friday, February 27. Bolt Upright. This group is the child of Ashbolt Stewart, a veteran drummer for 35 years. Born in Detroit, Ash grew up in Milwaukee and in 1972 moved to California in a purple school bus, where he spent about 20 years gigging. Since leaving Sonoma County for Portland in the 90s, he worked with several local bands, coming to be the driving force behind the Norman Sylvester Band for 10 years. His wife, Susie, plays electric bass and has been writing some tunes, like "Hot Shot Blues." They are joined by guitarist Ken Brewer, fresh from a stint in the Robbie Laws band, Hoodoo Nation.

Saturday, February 28. T. Ray and the Shades. T. Ray, the lead singer, and Matt Murray, the drummer, are South County locals who moved to Portland, started a band, got a lot of gigs and are coming off an all-time performance on Halloween. The others in the group bring musical influences from around the country -- New York, San Francisco and Portland -- that make a funkified rock style that rips through the covers and originals alike. T. Ray's style has evolved over the years and she's in the best voice of her career.

Sunday, March 1. Walker T and Papa Soul. A meeting of a finger picking bluesman with a lightning-fast washboard player isn't something you see in these parts too often. But here comes a Eugene blues legend joined up with the man behind Papa's Soul Food Kitchen. Walker has taken a hiatus from performing for the last couple of years, doing bookings, lessons, making a living. But Papa Soul was too much for a bluesman like Walker to resist. Don't miss this one, it will be a unique show. 3 p.m.

The Wine Shop.

While red is the color of the month of February, it also follows that wine goes hand-in-hand with this season of romance. The Wine Place in Yachats sends out waves of vino goodwill during the month, with a palate-pleasing roster of free wine tastings each Saturday. They’ve even added a couple Sunday wine tastings to take advantage of the three-day weekend and the highly anticipated warmer days of February.

All tastings are free and go from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Wine Place on Highway 101 in Yachats. Parking is available in the lot behind The Wine Place/Gourmet Lady. For a complete wine tasting schedule, visit www.iloveoregonwine.com or call 541-547-5275.

Saturday, February 7. Bargain Wines. Yes, you can drink good wine on a budget! Sample tasty treats all priced around $10.

Saturday, February 14. Red Hawk Winery. Red Hawk Winery is a family owned and operated winery located in West Salem. They strive to produce small quantities of outstanding yet reasonably priced wines. Join winery owners John and Betty Pataccoli for this tasting.

Sunday, February 15. Coeur de Terre. Founded in 1998 by Scott and Linda Neal, Coeur de Terre is a family business specializing in producing estate-grown Pinot Noir. The name is French for “heart of the earth.” Coeur de Terre wines have been featured at the Portland Independent Wine Festival. Meet Scott and Linda Neal in their first visit to The Wine Place.

Saturday, February 21. Sokol Blosser. Sokol Blosser planted their first vines in 1971. Now their 87 acres produce 85,000 cases of wine. They strive to create wines of world-class quality that are produced sustainably, mindful of the environment and your health, and that express the distinctive flavors of their hillside vineyards. Meet Lee Medina and enjoy samples of award-winning Sokol Blosser wines.

Sunday, February 22. Organic Wines. This tasting focuses on organic wines from around the world. Are you wondering what the definitions of organic, biodynamic, sulfite-free, and sustainable are? Ernie Denogeon of Mt. People’s Wines is the right person to ask during this tasting.

Saturday, February 28. Foreign Finds. This tasting features an eclectic mix of international wines. Various nations will meet in harmony on the shores of Yachats.

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