by Kellie Morlock

December 2011—Music makes the holidays more festive, and with so many wonderful places to enjoy live music on the Coastside, here is a tour of venues from Pacifica down to San Gregorio.

Pacifica

A Grape in the Fog is a charming wine bar in Rockaway Beach that also features community-building events during the week and live music on weekends for folks 21 and over. 400 Old County Road, Pacifica; 650-735-5845.

Dec 26, 8 – 9:30 p.m. Eat Your Heart Out Joan Rivers | An Evening of Off-Key Cabaret with Lynn Ruth Miller

Pacifica Performances’ most-loved holiday traditions include the Seaside Singers annual holiday sing-along on Dec. 9, and Golden Bough’s Celtic Christmas on Dec. 16. The Mildred Owen Concert Hall, 1220 Linda Mar Blvd., Pacifica; 650-355-1882.

Dec 3, 7:30 p.m. Morning & Jim Nichols

Dec 4, 3 p.m. Skyline Concert Choir “Season of Hope”

Dec 9, 7:30 p.m. Seaside Singers & Friends – 6th Annual Festival of Holiday Music

Dec 10, 7:30 p.m. the Curios – Alternative Original

Dec 16, 7:30 p.m. Golden Bough – Christmas in a Celtic Land

Dec. 31, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. Brother Buzz – New Year’s Eve Party

Moss Beach

Cypress Meadows offers acoustic music once a month in a concert setting; wine and appetizers are included. This month’s performance will be December 16. Check for time and price. 343 Cypress Ave, Moss Beach; 650-728-8045.

Princeton Harbor

Half Moon Bay Brewing Co has some of the Bay Area’s best boogie music, free every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay; 650-728-BREW.

Dec 2, 7-10 p.m. Brother Buzz Sizzling Rock & Roll

Dec 3, 7-10 p.m. Rodeo Clowns – Hot Danceable Rock & Roll

Dec 4, 4-8 p.m. John Nemeth – Master of Classic Blues and R&B

Dec 9, 7-10 p.m. TBA

Dec 10, 7-10 p.m. Marshal Law – Non-Stop Rock & Roll

Dec 11, 4-8 p.m. Pa.m.ela Rose – Sultry Jazz & Blues

Dec 16, 7-10 p.m. Andy Santana – Harmonica King Dancin Blues
Dec 17, 7-10 p.m. Megatones – Award Winning Rock & Roll

Dec 18, 4-8 p.m. Mitch Woods – Rock-a-Boogie

Dec 23, 7-10 p.m. The Walter Hand Band
Dec 30, 7-10 p.m. Kay Bohler – Powerful Blues

Dec 31, 5-9 p.m. Blue on Green – Celtic Rock & Roll **Early bird New Years Eve

Old Princeton Landing offers live music with more of an edge for the later crowd. 460 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay; 650-728-7096.

Dec 1, 7 p.m. Local Acoustic Night – sign in at 6:30

Dec 3, 9 p.m. Club O’ – Guest DJ Party

The Wine Bar provides a more intimate setting ideal for jazz and acoustic acts, every Wednesday-Sunday. December also features oil paintings by Kit Coleman, with a reception Dec. 4. The Shoppes at Harbor Village, 270 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay; 650-726-0770.

Dec 1, 7 – 9 p.m. Jay Howlett

Dec 2, 8 – 10 p.m. Neubop Ensemble – $5 cover

Dec 3, 8 – 10 p.m. Atkinson, Kincheloe, Beynon – $5 cover

Dec 4, 4 – 6 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj, Canadian player of the 55-string Bandura

Dec 7, 7 – 9 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj’s Open Mic for all musicians

Dec 8, 7 – 9 p.m. Claire Diament-Turner – French Bistro singer

Dec 9, 8 – 10 p.m. Stacey Erdman & Dan Newitt -Country originals – $5 cover

Dec 10, 8 – 10 p.m. Blue Blanket Improv Comedy – $10.00 cover

Dec 11, 4 – 6 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj, Canadian player of the 55-string Bandura

Dec 14, 7 – 9 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj’s Open Mic for all musicians

Dec 15, 8 – 10 p.m. Mark Lemaire & Blah Blah Woof Woof-Rocking originals

Dec 16, 8 – 10 p.m. Steven Pasero – Solo guitar- $5 cover

Dec 17: Private Event

Dec 18, 4 – 6 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj, Canadian player of the 55-string Bandura

Dec 21, 7 – 9 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj’s Open Mic for all musicians

Dec 22, 7 – 9 p.m. Mark Lemaire, Blah Blah Woof Woof & LizAnah -Rocking originals

Dec 23, 8 – 10 p.m. Steven Pasero – Solo guitar – $5 cover

Dec 28, 7 – 9 p.m. Mike Kostowskyj’s Open Mic for all musicians

Dec 29, 7 – 9 p.m. Robert Church

Dec 30, 8 – 10 p.m. Billy Manzik – Canadian Blues man – $5.00 Cover

Dec 31, 8 – 10 p.m. Six great musicians celebrate New Year’s Eve. (Reserve by 12/15/11)

Miramar

Bach Dancing and Dynamite Society has brought world-class jazz and classical artists to the coast since 1964. This month the Kenny Werner Quintet features Werner on piano and Randy Brecker on trumpet, Dec. 4. Members get preferred seating. Douglas Beach House, 311 Mirada Road, Half Moon Bay; 650-726-4143.

Dec. 4, 4:30 p.m. Kenny Werner Quintet, featuring Werner on piano and Randy Brecker on trumpet

Half Moon Bay

Cameron’s Restaurant, Pub & Inn is a funky family-friendly British pub with fun music as well. Auri’s Open Mic brings local talent together Thursdays at 8; there’s also karaoke on Saturdays, plus live bands each month. 1410 S. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay; 650-726-5705.

Thurs Dec 1, 6:30-8 p.m. Toys for Tots Holiday Open Mic, featuring Kevy Nova and talented youth performing holiday favorites. Auri’s Open Mic follows, 8-11 p.m.

Dec 8, 8 p.m. Auri’s Open Mic

Dec 15, 8 p.m. Auri’s Open Mic

Dec 22, 8 p.m. Auri’s Open Mic

Dec 29, 8 p.m. Auri’s Open Mic

Dec 31,  9 p.m. Robin Campbell Band rockin’ New Year’s Eve celebration

Cetrella provides a stylish lounge for solo and duo jazz and pop artists, Friday and Saturday evenings. 845 Main St., Half Moon Bay; 650-726-4090.

Dec 2, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Beverly Taft – jazz vocalist

Dec 3, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Paula Brisker – singer/songwriter

It’s Italia compliments its Cal/Italian cuisine and “traditional” upside-down Christmas trees with jazz and acoustic music on Friday and Saturday evenings. 401 Main St., Half Moon Bay; 650-726-4444.

Dec 2, 6 – 9 p.m. Guitarist Stevan Pasero

Dec 3, 6 – 9 p.m. Jazz artist Michael O’Neill & Friends

Dec 9, 6 – 9 p.m. Guitarist Richard Patterson

Dec10, 6 – 9 p.m. Guitarist Mark Owens

Dec 16, 6 – 9 p.m. Jazz artist Michael O’Neill & Friends

Dec 17, 6 – 9 p.m. Guitarist Mark Owens

Dec 23, 6 – 9 p.m. Guitarist Mark Owens

Pasta Moon’s Music Box gets down with jazz and acoustic groups from around the Bay, most Friday and Saturday nights for free. 315 Main St., Half Moon Bay; 650-726-5125.

Dec 2, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. The Jazz ConneXion

Dec 8, 7 – 10 p.m. Orquesta La Moderna Tradicion

Dec 9, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.  Swingtime

Dec 10: Private Event

Dec 16: Private Event

Dec 17, 7 – 10 p.m. Stevan Pasero

Dec 23, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. Erik Deutsch

Dec 24: No music – Christmas Eve

Dec 25, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.  Mark Owens

 

The Ritz-Carlton hosts locally based and nationally known jazz saxophonist Michael O’Neill & Friends every Thursday at 6:30, featuring limited burger and drink specials plus free valet parking. 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay; 650-712-7000.

Dec 1, 6:30-9:30 Kenny Washington adds his magical voice to the jazz trio

San Gregorio

The San Gregorio General Store takes you back to traditional Americana music in an authentic general store/local bar/rural community post office. Two bands play each Saturday and Sunday, 11-5ish. Highway 84 and Stage roads, San Gregorio; 650-726-0565.

Dec 2, 5-7 p.m. Mike Grimes

Dec 3, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Kyle Alden; 3-5 p.m.: Mild Colonial Boys

Dec 4, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pat Nevins; 2-5: Fall Risk

Dec 10, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Montara Mountain Boys; 2-5 p.m.: Harmony Grits

Dec 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Atkinson Kincheloe & Beynon; 2-5: Lane

Dec 17, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saxy Man & The Lads; 1:30-3 p.m.: Stevie Coyle and Springhouse (with Chris Kees of Houston Jones); 3:30-6:30 p.m.: Atkinson Kincheloe & Beynon

Dec18, a.m. – 1 p.m.: Curtis Turner; 2-5: San Bruno Mountain Boys

Dec 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m: Crosby Tyler; 2-5 p.m.: Pel & The Pelicans

Dec 31, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bennet Jackson; 2-5: The Remnants aka The John Havard Band

New Year’s Eve

Family-friendly options abound to ring in the New Year. Half Moon Bay Brewing Co’s celebration will wrap up with an early-bird toast at 9 p.m. Cameron’s Restaurant, Pub and Inn provides two choices: a sparkling cider toast at 9, then the Coastside’s own Robin Campbell Band rocks until the champagne toast at midnight. The Ritz-Carlton brings kids their own special celebration ($110/child from 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.), so their parents can enjoy the smooth sounds of Michael O’Neill in the lounge.