Elvis and Janis

Joplin impersonators “The Reincarnation of Rock ‘N Roll” entertain at an outdoor Chamber After Hours sponsored by KMAS Radio.

Below: Shelton park and gazebo, site of Chamber’s free summer concert series.
Opposite page: Gary Hanson, co-owner of Cameo Boutique.

Local Vocals

Sometimes live music is about as local as you’ll ever go. The hours, days, maybe long months of rehearsals, the same room, the same neighborhood, the same view out the window, combing out the same songs until the finger pick is perfect, the drums right on cue.

In houses throughout Mason County, in tiny back-room studios, leaning over tabletop mics, musicians piece together the songs and performances that eventually – with a little luck and tons of persistence – will play before the public at places like Robin Hood Restaurant and Pub, Lennard K’s, Steven’s, and in some cases, under the summertime shade at Music in the Park, the Shelton Chamber’s live musical program responsible for turning heads and pleasing the ears of shoppers, shop owners, and anyone with a bedroom window open as the tunes rise and rebound off the rooftops of downtown Shelton.

Who would have thought you’d ever hear something described as “the Skok Valley sound,” in a discussion about local music makers? But just a few miles up the lush Skokomish River Valley, a couple of bands are doing well enough to export their talents to a growing fan base in Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Portland and beyond.

Sideways Reign and High Ceiling are gaining a popularity that has both bands performing regularly outside of Mason County. At Olympia’s Eastside Tavern, a longtime worker recently remarked “High Ceiling nights are some of our busiest ever.”

The Varmints, a popular local cover band, can also trace their roots to the Skok Valley, where two of the group’s founders, Justin and Travis Baze, organized the band’s first rehearsals at their Skok Valley home. The band has played just about everywhere in Mason and surrounding counties.

These bands are just the tip of a talent iceberg that has been rising locally for a long time. Musician Chris Anderson, a Sunset Beach resident, has had a pair of his songs find their way into local video productions. He is also one of a dozen different musicians who released a compilation CD – Bred to Jam for Bread – that is raising the profile of local performers while raising money for Mason County’s four food banks. Nearly all the musicians on the CD perform regularly at Wednesday Night Open Mic Nights at the Robin Hood Restaurant and Pub in Union.

Bringing Big Acts to Mason County

In Mason County, it’s not often that you see flashing lights spelling the names of big entertainment acts like Jay Leno or Bill Cosby. But thanks to the seating capacity of the entertainment and performance center at Little Creek Casino, top celebrities and entertainers are now just a short drive away for their Mason County fans.

The Squaxin Island Tribe Museum Library and Research Center is also gaining a reputation for hosting events at their awe-inspiring Home for Sacred Belongings – an impressive museum containing local artifacts dated to be 500 years old.

Shelton’s Sage Book Store regularly attracts big names to the area, such as bestselling mystery author J.A. Jance, and Debbie Macomber, a bestselling romance author who lives in nearby Port Orchard. Sage hosts readings by local authors too, and is a great source for books on local topics, history, and attractions in the surrounding area.

A Time for Wine
Indulge Rich Tastes at Local “Pour Houses”

Have you heard it through the grapevine? Washington State laws were changed this year to allow once-a-month wine sampling among the aisles of your local grocery store.

But before you start sipping your cab franc at Fred Meyer, you ought to know that several Chamber members have already refined the subtle art of sipping wine.

The following fine establishments make it easy to taste the Mason County high life.

Vern’s Restaurant
& Webb Lounge

Vern’s is worthy of a brief mention due to the extensive marketing that Chef Treacy Kreger has done to promote local Washington wineries through his opulent and divine wine-pairing dinners, scheduled every couple of months. The idea of pairing wines with sumptuous foods has taken hold at other Mason County eateries, as the concept provides a great way for restaurant owners to showcase not only their wine selections, but also their menu favorites and cooking flair.

Walter Dacon Wines

Rising star and consistent award-winner, Walter Dacon commands a cozy and convenient presence just up Lynch Road from Taylor Town. Open from 12 to 6 pm Wednesdays through Sundays, they specialize in elegant, distinctive reds, their growing reputation lends their label – and each gift bottle – a lot of local cache.

Cameo Boutique’s
Bin 106

Named for its State Route 106 (in Union) location, the Bin is actually a retail wine seller (not cellar) sharing space with Cameo Boutique, a premier gift shop within walking distance of Alderbrook Resort & Spa. Daily wine tastings have allowed wine maestro Gary Hanson to spread his gospel of grape – and gain a growing legion of fine wine disciples. Bin 106 carries wine from all over the world, including some prestigious Australian reds and Gary’s much-requested cranberry wine that we personally rate as definitely deeee-licious and not too sweet.

Hoppy Days Ahead?

It’s been quite the journey for Jeff and Tess Thompson. As owners of Grove Street Brewhouse (in its final renovation stages as we go to press) the industrious couple has logged endless hours chasing permits, blueprints, construction, ordering kegs, kettles, a copper bar, copper tubing, designing custom windows – whew! – you name it, they’ve done it.

It’s been four years since Jeff first laid eyes on the former car dealership and showroom located at First and Grove in downtown Shelton.

At that time, the former owner of Hoodsport’s original gas station and convenience store wasn’t exactly sure what he would do with all the space. “I always wanted to do something that inspired music, good food and culture,” Jeff said. “My wife Tess thought maybe we would open an art mall.”

When his son, Scott, introduced him to the better tasting benefits of micro-brews, Jeff saw the “un-bud light,” so to speak, in the vision of a place where people could go for good food, really good beer, and stay for conversation, music, art and poetry performances – the whole gamut of Northwest culture, right here in Mason County.

Today, that vision grows closer to reality, though by no means on anybody’s fast track. That’s because Jeff has decided to do most of the work himself, preferring to build sweat equity to being overextended with debt.

Still, he claims to have several good recipes for beer, a talented brew master to bring on when it’s time to mix the malt, and also some fine tea selections for Tess, who will run the tea brewing side of their business.

When exactly can we expect to see the Grove Street Brewhouse open for business? It’s hard to say. Until then, don’t worry, be hoppy.