Friday fun in the Carson City area kicks-off Labor Day weekend

August comes to an end today, and with it the end of an era. You are reading my last weekday list of things to do. Celebrate the unofficial end of summer with ‘Cruise Night’ at the Carson Mall, some great live music, or a comedy show. Take a trip back to Nevada’s Battle Born origins during Civil War Days in Virginia City: battle trains, a Victorian Ball, and an authentic ‘camp’ will make the weekend historic. Local BMXers will have to find a different thrill today: racing is cancelled for Labor Day weekend.

FRIDAY, August 31: Things to do in Carson City

• International Overdose Awareness Day
• — Muscle Powered Easy Walk: Westside Neighborhood from the "Mountain Street Trailhead”- Meet in the parking lot at 1340 Mountain Street, across from the end of Fleishman Way (8am-9am; Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the hike meeting site; All walks require closed-toed shoes and water. Hats, sunscreen and walking sticks are recommended; friendly, leashed dogs welcome; The Friday Easy Walk is a repeat of the Tuesday Easy Walk)
• — CCAI Art Exhibit: ‘Visual Oasis: Works from Creative Growth’ at the Carson City Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm; the exhibit includes mixed media, 2-D and 3-D art from 17 artists from the Creative Growth Art Center in Oakland, CA)
• — "The Surrealist Eye" A Surrealist Art Exhibition in the Western Nevada College Main, Atrium and Hallway Galleries in the Bristlecone Building (8am-9pm)
• — ’Mountain Picassos: Basque Arborglyphs of the Great Basin’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm; part of the Nevada Touring Initiative’s Traveling Exhibition Program)
• — CCAI Art Exhibit: ‘The Wind Calls,’ a group exhibition by University of Nevada, Reno students in the Community Development building [formerly the BRIC]: 108 E Proctor St (8am-12pm and 1pm-4pm)
• — Bowling and Shoe Rental Specials (9am-4pm at Carson Lanes; 9am-5pm at Gold Dust West)
• — Demonstrations of Coin Press #1 at the Nevada State Museum (9am-4pm; included with museum admission of $8 - Patrons can also purchase a blank .999 silver medallion at the museum store for $60 and see it pressed with one of the special designs, including the new ‘Finding Fremont’ and Pony Express designs)
• — Civil War Days in Virginia City: Know Your History Day in the Civil War Camp in Miner’s Park (9am-2pm; $2 at the gate, $1 students; Interactive demonstrations of life in the 1860s)
• — Story Time Adventures: Community Helpers at the Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada (9:30am-10:30am; a different story with craft and play each week; museum admission: $6 ages 16-64, $4 ages 2-15, $5 seniors 65+, free for those 1 and younger)
• — Summer Art and Photography Shows in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• — CCAI Art Exhibit: ‘Jenny Raven: The Creative Growth Years 1979 – 1984’ in the Sierra Room of the Carson City Community Center (room open to the public during Carson City official meetings)
• — 30th Annual Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off in Victorian Square, Sparks (10:30am-9pm, Live Music begins at 11am, Joe Diffie headlining; Admission, parking, shuttles and entertainment are free; Full schedule and information at: https://nuggetribcookoff.com/ )
• — Honky Tonk Revival featuring CW Bayer at the Canvas Café, Virginia City (11am)
• — Noon Music with Dave Leather at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (12pm-2pm; Roots music, Americana, and originals)
• — The Flying Legends of Victory Tour featuring the B-17 Bomber “Sentimental Journey” at the Minden Airport: 1146 Airport Road, Minden (TOUR STOP CANCELLED)
• — Artist's Reception for Ryan Kelley at Paradise Salon Spa Wellness: 3430 Executive Pointe, off College Parkway (5pm-7pm)
• — Monthly Cruise Night and Donation Drive at the Carson Mall (Registration begins at 5pm, winners announced 7:15pm, activities until 8pm-ish; Open to all makes and models, different award every month; $5 Poker walk, music, food specials, raffles and more; More information please call Chelsea 775-671-8150; requesting donations for ‘blessing bags’ i.e. toiletries, socks/gloves, feminine hygiene products, individually packaged snacks/beverages, etc.)
• — Beer Tasting at Cowboy Liquors (5pm-7pm; $3; featuring FIFTY FIFTY Brewing Co. Eclipse Beers: Vanilla, Evan Williams - Barrel Aged, Willett Bourbon - Barrel Aged, and Maple Barrel)
• — Live Music with Sandi ‘Pipes’ Medley at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (5pm-9pm)
• — Open Mic and Jam at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (6pm; free; all ages; Music, comedy, poetry, magic, etc.)
• — Trivia Night at the Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City (6pm-8pm; no cost to play, light dinner provided, play as a team or individual – prizes for the top three; each week benefits a different charity, fundraiser, or organization)
• — Live Music featuring Greg Austin on the outdoor stage at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (6:30pm-9:30pm, Live DJ indoors afterwards; no cover)
• — Carson City BMX Friday Night Bikes at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex: 1555 Livermore Lane (RACES CANCELLED FOR HOLIDAY WEEKEND)
• — Rock 'n Bowl Night at Carson Lanes Family Fun Center (7pm-11pm; music and laser lights; Bowling Discounts for groups of 10 or more)
• — Live Music with Arizona Jones at Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• — Live Music with No Clue at Bella Vita Bistro on the east side of the Carson Mall: 1304 S Stewart (7pm-10pm)
• — Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)
• — Live Music with Soul Connection at the Washoe Camp Saloon: 3155 Eastlake Blvd, New Washoe City (7pm-10pm; food truck, drink specials; 21+ only in the bar and/or the beer garden)
• — Comedian Kathleen Dunbar headlines at Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget (doors open 7:15pm, show starts 8pm; $15; purchase tickets at the Guest Services Desk; must be 21+)
• — Live Music with Alias Smith at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• — Live Music featuring the Buddy Emmer Band in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• — Live Music with Adam Traum at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• — Steel Rockin’ Karaoke at the Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• — Karaoke with J and M Productions at Whiskey Tavern (9pm; no cover)
• — Live Music with the Rebekah Chase Band at ‘The Loft’ inside the Carson Nugget (9pm-1am)
• — DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm; no cover, 21+)