The Oakroom Grill is solid for Prince George live music. On Friday night, the uptown restaurant (1023 Central Street West) celebrates one year in business and they are doing it with the style that's been setting them apart for the previous 364 days: live concerts.
"The one-year anniversary has a special concert event," said Danny Bell, local musicians and talent coordinator for the dining room. The Oakroom is one of many locations for which Bell helps schedule live musicians.
A number of dining establishments have put live music prominently on their atmospheric menus in recent times. Shiraz, Nancy O's, Twisted Cork, The Legion, The Black Donkey, Fore Bistro, Cafe Voltaire, plus several pubs and other public rooms have made live music a regular part of their daily bread.
"The Oakroom has been really good to the musicians," said Bell. "It's cool to see restaurants putting live music into the dining experience, and I hear more rumors of ones around town wanting to do that. So I hope it's true."
The anniversary music gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Friday evening and carries on until 10 p.m.
Two duos will be in the spotlight: one will be the pairing of singer-songwriters Saltwater Hank and Amy Blanding and the other will be Bell on drums with fiddler/guitarist Chloe Nakahara. All are local and all are music professionals.
"Music adds a nice touch to restaurants. I think it's important to support the ones who support local live music," Bell said.
Following tonight's anniversary concerts, the Oakroom presents singer Doug Jack on Saturday at 7 p.m.
