Live music is making a comeback in the Snoqualmie Valley after more than a year without regular events.

The Bindlestick in Snoqualmie is hosting three shows in May. On May 1, Guinevere Roper and Richie Audin will be performing. The following week, Brett Benton will perform on May 7. Dustin Ballard, Buddy Do Wrong and Dani Rad will perform on May 21.

For Rachelle Armstrong, owner of The Bindlestick, it’s a welcome return.

“It feels really exciting,” Armstrong said. “I’m so excited for the musicians who have had to not do what their passion is, and share their artistic abilities with people” over the last year.

Tickets will be limited to 22, and social distancing, mask and other public health mandates will be enforced to ensure safety for attendees, staff and musicians. Armstrong said she’s received phone calls and messages about the show, with people asking about buying tickets.

The shows are booked by Morgan Henley, a staple of live music in the Valley. The last show Henley booked was a drive-in concert last summer in Carnation. Since then not much has been happening. He too is excited to start booking and attending live music shows in the Valley. Henley said there’s already several events he’s waiting to announce.

Since the shows at The Bindlestick will have relatively few people people, he’s looking forward to a more intimate performance.

Armstrong said they have dates booked through August, and are hoping to keep the acts small for now.

“We’re just doing solo or duets just to keep the amount of people down,” she said. “At this point we’re not doing a seven piece band.”

With the hardships of the last year, Henley said the people and the community could use some music.

“I truly believe that music is one of the last great things we have in our society that can spread positivity and can bring us together no matter what our personal beliefs are,” he said.

And while livestreams have helped keep people and musicians connected, it’s nothing like the interaction of attending a live performance.

Those involved in the arts over the past year have had to get creative in adapting to the pandemic and public health regulations. The North Bend Theatre over the last year has run a virtual film festival and offered take-out popcorn.

Tickets for The Bindlestick’s May shows are only available at The Bindlestick for $20. All shows will be 21+.