Virtual reading party, comedy, drum circle and more highlight weekend events in Carson City region

Heading into the weekend, there’s a number of activities around the Carson City region. New safety guidelines for the state of Nevada have been enforced, so please make sure to wear a mask and practice safe social distancing.

Do you have an event or happening you'd like people to know about? Tell us about it by clicking here, filling out the details and we'll tell Carson City area readers about your event or happening. Not seeing your event you wish to promote? You can also submit the relevant information, also known as the "5Ws and How” to editor@carsonow.org. We will update this calendar as submissions are made.

For outdoor recreation activities including hiking, biking and more around Carson City, see https://visitcarsoncity.com/.

For events around Virginia City, visit https://visitvirginiacitynv.com/ for more information.

Here is a rundown of activities over the next three days.

Friday, July 31
— Carson City Library finishes summer learning challenge with virtual party, grand prizes and more (all day). Five days remain in the Carson City Library Summer Reading Challenge, and there are plenty of virtual activities for kids of all ages. The reading challenge officially ends on Friday, July 31. To finish the final week, the library is hosting a series of exciting events capped-off by a grand prize giveaway.

— Help Name Empire Ranch's 18 Hole Championship Golf Course (all day). Empire Ranch Golf Course is asking for your help in naming its 18-hole championship course and win an annual Empire Ranch Golf Course pass for 2020-21. The course looking for a name to compliment our new Comstock Par-3 course that upholds the rich history of Nevada. The name should serve as a monument and reminder of this great state. Submit your entry at info@empireranchgolf.com or on Instagram @empireranchgolfcourse. The deadline to submit is Aug. 31 and the winner will be announced on Labor Day weekend.

— Clean Comedy at the Carson Nugget. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 507 N. Carson St. Three day comedy bootcamp starring Bob Zany, Robert G Lee, Leslie Norris Townsend, Joby Saad and more!

— Nevada Artists Association Spirit of America Show. 12 to 4 p.m. at 449 W. King St. The Spirit of America proves to be alive and well in this judged show. Entries are from Nevada Artists Association NAA member and non-member artists from Northern Nevada and are divided into judged categories including oils, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, dry media, 3D art, photography, digital art and mixed media. Everyone is invited to the awards presentation and reception.

— Dancing Class at Yaple's Ballroom Dance Studio. 3 p.m. at 315 N. Carson St. Join us for some dancing! No partner needed. Learn dance steps to all Ballroom and Latin dances. A Mix of mini dance routines and line dances. Improve turns and balance. Good for anyone who is wanting to learn to dance.

— Beers in the Brewery at The Union Carson. 4 to 5 p.m. 302 N. Carson St. Join us in the brewery every Friday for a free beer tasting! Come and stop by the brewery to taste a couple of our house beers and have a few small bites while we teach you what makes each of our featured beers unique and delicious!

— Keith Alan Barnett at Bella Vita Bistro. 4:30 p.m. at 1304 S. Stewart St. Keith Alan Barnett is back at Bella Vita Bistro this Friday, July 31 starting at about 4:30 p.m. Your favorite Oklahoman, KAB will be playing his unique renditions of your favorite and original songs on the back patio.

— Virtual Open Mic Night at A to Zen. 6 p.m. at 1803 N. Carson St. In light of COVID-19, A to Zen Gift Shop in Carson City is hosting a virtual open mic night every Friday at 6 p.m. Interested participants can record their performance and send the video with the link above.

— Tequila Tasting at San Marcos Grill. 7 to 8 p.m. at 260 E. Winnie Ln. Free tequila tasting the last Friday of every month!Reach out for more info or reservations for parties of seven or more.

— DaVinci and Drinks at the Carson Valley Art Center. 7 to 10 p.m. at 1539 Hwy 395 Suite 2 in Gardnerville. Come enjoy some drinks and art with us! The cost is $35 per person.

— Friday Night Karaoke at the Whiskey Tavern. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 3481 Hwy 50 E. in Carson City. Come hang out with the Whiskey Tavern and J and M Productions as we sing the night away every Friday! Must be at least 21 years old.

Saturday, August 1
— Help Name Empire Ranch's 18 Hole Championship Golf Course (all day). Empire Ranch Golf Course is asking for your help in naming its 18-hole championship course and win an annual Empire Ranch Golf Course pass for 2020-21. The course looking for a name to compliment our new Comstock Par-3 course that upholds the rich history of Nevada. The name should serve as a monument and reminder of this great state. Submit your entry at info@empireranchgolf.com or on Instagram @empireranchgolfcourse. The deadline to submit is Aug. 31 and the winner will be announced on Labor Day weekend.

— Bellydance with Starr. 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Yaple’s Ballroom Dance Studio, 315 N. Carson St. Saturday mornings join my Circle of Sisters, all levels are welcome. You must RSVP by text message, we are limited to six people during the paradigm of a pandemic. AND - if you are high risk please stay at home until Nevada moves out of phase 3.

— Capital City Arts Initiative presents 'H2O 2020' exhibition. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 885 E. Musser St. The Capital City Arts Initiative presents its exhibition, "H2O 2020", with work by eight Great Basin artists at the CCAI Courthouse Gallery: Cyndy Brenneman, Vanessa Martinez, Nolan Preece, Nancy Raven, Craig Sheppard, Dylan Silver, Cathryne Trachok, and Candida Webb. The exhibition will be in the gallery through Sept. 24, 2020.

— Northern Nevada Masters Tournament. 10 a.m. at the Gold Dust West Bowling Center, 2171 E. William St. The Northern Nevada Masters Tournament is back on. There is a limit of 80 bowlers. It will be a scratch singles tournament.

— Coin Press Demonstrations at the Nevada State Museum. 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 600 N. Carson St. Historic coin press demonstrations are back at the Nevada State Museum. Come on down and see the excitement with family and friends!

— Meet and Greet at Bob McFadden Plaza. 12 to 3 p.m. at 223 W. 3rd St. In this event, Hunter Carver will be allowing people to get to know him as a photographer and as a person. Topics of discussion will be what styles of photography he creates, what made him pursue photography and what he plans for future success. There will also be a station set up for family friendly photos that will be available for purchase. The photos will be printed on Polaroid film and will be $2 for one film and $1 for each additional film printed.

— Outdoor Dining at Living the Good Life. 5 p.m. at 1480 N. Carson St. We welcome you this weekend for some outdoor dining and live music at Living the Good Life! Please make a reservation, as we will be following social distancing procedures.

— Brewery Art Center's Flatbed Concert Series brings funky jams to Empire Elementary School neighborhood. 6 p.m. This Saturday, Aug. 1 the Flatbed Concert Series will be (slowly) rolling through the Empire Elementary area with the groovy "Drinking with Clowns." We will start at Bella Lago Village Apts., head to the East Park Terrace Entrance then end at the south end of Park Terrace between Park Terrace and Empire Elementary and we will stop wherever people are safely gathering.

— Rattlesnake Avoidance Training in Dayton. 6 p.m. at Dayton Valley Dog Park, 15 Old Como Road. Be safe everyone, we will be implementing social distancing procedures. Wear a mask and we will have sanitizer.

— Saturday Night Karaoke at Whiskey Tavern. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 3481 Hwy 50 E. in Carson City. Come hang out with the Whiskey Tavern and J and M Productions as we sing the night away every Friday! Must be at least 21 years old.

Sunday, August 2
— Help Name Empire Ranch's 18 Hole Championship Golf Course (all day). Empire Ranch Golf Course is asking for your help in naming its 18-hole championship course and win an annual Empire Ranch Golf Course pass for 2020-21. The course looking for a name to compliment our new Comstock Par-3 course that upholds the rich history of Nevada. The name should serve as a monument and reminder of this great state. Submit your entry at info@empireranchgolf.com or on Instagram @empireranchgolfcourse. The deadline to submit is Aug. 31 and the winner will be announced on Labor Day weekend.

— Mystery Bingo at Pioneer Crossing Casino. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 4 Pine Cone Rd. in Dayton. Mystery Bingo Games can be horizontal, vertical, four corners, "X", or a picture frame! Win a share of $270 games played!

— Sunday Maker's "Morning" at The Nest. 12 to 4 p.m. at 3189 Hwy 50 East in Carson City. Come make things with us! Bring supplies or use some of ours, use the creative momentum of others to fuel your own inspiration! Perfect for Artists, Developers, Modeling enthusiasts, and so many more.

— Drum Circle at Mills Park in Carson City. 3 p.m. Join us in Carson City, at Mills Park, for a powerful gathering to create sound with intention. Drums are limited so bring your own drums!