Nightspots
Live at PJ's
102 S. First St. [map]
752-5740
liveandgracies.com
This lounge features live music Sun. 5-8:30 p.m. and some Thurs. 7:30-11 p.m., along with Fri. happy hour 6:30-9 p.m. Dance DJs (or occasional live music) Fri. & Sat. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover (except happy hour), dancing. Reservations available for Thurs. blues shows at liveandgracies.com.
December 2: “WEMU 5:01 Jazz Series”
With a local jazz band TBA. 5-8 p.m.
December 4: Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings
This local 10-piece big band is one of the few to specialize in the old-time big-band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. Arrangements by the renowned early-jazz pianist James Dapogny and tubaist Chris Smith.
December 8: Commander Cody Band
This American roots music quartet led by singer-pianist George Frayne is the latest incarnation of Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen, the pioneering late-60s/early-70s Ann Arbor-based roots-music ensemble that raided country, rockabilly, western swing, and boogie-woogie idioms and defiantly hitched them to counterculture attitudes. The current lineup includes guitarist Mark Emerick, pedal steel guitarist Chris Olsen, bassist Randy Bramwell, and drummer Steve Barbuto. $20 (SRO, $8). 7:30 & 9 p.m.
December 9: Drivin’ Sideways 
Veteran local band fueled by Pontiac Pete Ferguson’s alternately soulful and ornery vocals. Their country-based repertoire still features lots of classic honky-tonk, but they also cover everyone from Chuck Berry and Johnny Burnette to the Beatles and James Brown. With guitarist George Bedard, bassist Chris Goerke, drummer Mark Newbound, and keyboardist Jim King. 6-9:30 p.m.
December 11: Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings
This local 10-piece big band is one of the few to specialize in the old-time big-band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. Arrangements by the renowned early-jazz pianist James Dapogny and tubaist Chris Smith.
December 15: Nick Moss & the Flip-Tops
Classic Chicago blues band led by guitarist and blues-harpist Moss. $12.50 (SRO, $8). 7:30 & 9 p.m.
December 16: The Vibratrons
All-star band led by veteran local rocker Dan Mulholland, the charismatic former leader of the Watusis and several other great local rock ’n’ roll bands. Its repertoire includes everything from garage rock and blues to country and folk, along with more ballads than Mulholland usually assays. With guitarist Brian Delaney, keyboardist Andy Adamson, bassist Jerry Hancock, and drummer Rich Dishman. Also, a guest appearance by singer-guitarist Khalid Hanifi, who promises that "Dan and I will be harmonizing like Donny & Marie at a meth party in Branson, MO." 6-9:30 p.m.
December 18: Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings
This local 10-piece big band is one of the few to specialize in the old-time big-band music of the late 1920s and early 1930s associated with Jelly Roll Morton and King Oliver. Arrangements by the renowned early-jazz pianist James Dapogny and tubaist Chris Smith.
December 23: “Christmas A-Go-Go Rock Show”
With Mr. Largebeat’s Rockasaurus, a big-beat space-rock band led by veteran local singer-songwriter (and theremin player) Jim Gertz, and Cloud 10 All-Stars, a veteran local blues, funk, soul, and rock ’n’ roll dance quartet led by bassist Ben Piner. 6-9:30 p.m.
December 30: Steve Newhouse & the Nuke-a-billies
Veteran local classic country and country-rock band led by singer- guitarist Newhouse. With guitarist Kevin Brown, bassist Chris Goerke, and drummer Eric Nyhuis. 6-9:30 p.m.
December 31: Drivin’ Sideways
Veteran local band fueled by Pontiac Pete Ferguson’s alternately soulful and ornery vocals. Their country-based repertoire still features lots of classic honky-tonk, but they also cover everyone from Chuck Berry and Johnny Burnette to the Beatles and James Brown. With guest guitarist Jimmy Grant sitting in for George Bedard, along with bassist Chris G, drummer Mark Newbound, and keyboardist Jim King. 6-9:30 p.m.
