Pickering Wharf in Salem has become quite the live-music destination in the last several months, with bands playing regular gigs at its four major restaurants. It's a convenient spot, with parking nearby and a short walk for downtown residents. Also, the wharf's oval drive allows music lovers to walk from place to place.
Vic's Boathouse, a new lounge at Victoria Station, has an open mike with musician Ross Livermore on Thursdays at 8 p.m., and bands Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 9 p.m. Los Sugar Kings plays tomorrow, Pimpin' the Chimps on Saturday. Because of the Super Bowl, Sunday's music will be postponed until next week.
Sixty-Two on Wharf has a Jazz Supper Club on Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m., which will continue Feb. 21 with the Janine Graham Trio — after Super Bowl and Valentine's weekends.
Capt.'s Waterfront Grill and Club hosts performances on special occasions, the next being Valentine's Day, when Gerald Johnston, a jazz guitarist, strolls around the restaurant from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Finz Seafood Grill welcomed bands back a couple of months ago, on Thursdays and Fridays. Evan Goodrow plays a solo acoustic show tonight at 8, and The Baze Band — with Christine Baze on keys and vocals, Greg Dann on guitar, Anthony Sabol on bass and Dennis Monagle on drums — at 9 p.m. Saturday.
Pickering Wharf's new scene is most convenient for Baze, who lives above Finz and Victoria Station. Baze travels a lot, to perform around the country in support of her nonprofit, The Yellow Umbrella, and said she appreciates playing out so close to home.
"I'm a proud member of the wharf community, and I'm excited that they're doing music here," said Baze, who will appear at Vic's Boathouse on Friday, Feb. 19. "It's a blast that I get an opportunity to play downstairs, steps away from my own pad, for all my friends."
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Staff writer Larry Claflin Jr. writes his "Music Notes" column regulalrly. Reach him at 978-338-2681 or lclaflin@salemnews.com.
