Rock ’n roll, dancing, and partying all night topped my evening to-do list (like I actually had one of those) through my 20s. Live music was, and still is, where it’s at.

Back in Connecticut in the late ’70s, some of the best bands played The Silver Bullett in Moodus like Max Creek and the James Montgomery Blues Band — my two favorite bands that played there often. Good times. Great music. Crazy people. Wicked fun.

Here in Boothbay Harbor, the dance place was Gray’s Wharf when we (my ex husband Joe and I) first relocated here in 1988. Over the years great bands played in that space and there was an ample dance floor for moving to the sounds of bands including The Shags, Thunder Bay, The Holy Mackerels, School Street Band, and The Generics.

During these long days and nights of January, live music and dancing options are not a weekly offering (unlike summer when it’s just easier to go everywhere for awhile rather than choose one spot!), so when an opportunity arises ...

This Saturday, Jan. 27  the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor (86 Townsend Ave.) gets the live music/dance scene warmin’ up with two fave bands of locals here in the Hahbah – local band The Holy Mackerels and The Boneheads out of Portland. These two bands have been playing together for years. Both are great dance bands due to the awesome musicianship and tunes by The Stones to Van Morrison, to The Band to original songs. You get it all with these two bands – rock, R&B, folk, blues … Music begins at 7 p.m., dancing at 7:01. Tickets are just $10 in advance, and $15 on Saturday.

Speaking of blues, the Time Out Pub is an excellent venue on Main Street in Rockland. Come Jan. 27 Studebaker John, raised on Chicago blues, will be bringin’ it home with his guitar licks and outrageous harp playin’.

Local blues musician Don Brewer and his New Blues Underground will be blowin’ their audience away at Salvage BBQ (919 Congress St., Portland) on Saturday, Feb. 17. We all know Don is a gifted blues guitarist – but more on this show in a couple weeks.

Max Creek, you remember them from earlier in this piece, is still playing strong! Check them out at Port City Music Hall (504 Congress St., Portland) this Friday, Jan. 26. I hope they still do this tune from the first album (1977 or 1978) “Morning Star you’re here now, and in a blink you’re gone; I see you very clear now, but not for very long … You’re too much like a friend of mine … I blinked and she was gone ...” See, if you’re a fan of The Band, you’re gonna love Max Creek. And even if you’re not a fan of The Band … just sayin’.

And while we’re in Portland, another option for Friday – if you like electronic, slightly dreamy/trance inducing, rock-techno-punk - Sleigh Bells are playing at Aura – 121 Center St. This band intrigues me – I would have followed them in a heartbeat – four decades ago. Check Sleigh Bells out on You Tube …

Come out of hibernation – kick up your heels and kick over the traces!