Northern Nevada is blooming with the arts, activities and entertainment

The weather is warming up providing for another great season activities throughout Carson City and Northern Nevada. One of my favorite things about spring and summer is to share as many local events, food, music, the arts and entertainment with you. We have many festivities, activities and fundraisers being planned for the coming months.

Over this Mother's Day weekend there were concerts, bike rides, carnivals, car shows, river festivals, wine tastings and more. We are fortunate to have Lake Tahoe 25 minutes away, Reno a close 20 minute drive and the beautiful Carson Valley, Minden and Gardnerville, as our next door neighbor.

When I first moved here seven and a half years ago, from Caliente, Nev., I can remember thinking that we'd have to go to San Francisco or Sacramento for concerts, shows and plays. Was I ever wrong. We have so much right here in Northern Nevada.

I have a new one to tell you about. Well, new to me anyway. I have just now discovered, yet another jewel in our Northern Nevada: the Carson Valley Improvement Club, aka, The CVIC Hall and the CVAC, the Carson Valley Arts Council in Minden. I know what you are thinking, seven years and NEVER once have you been to one of their events in that lovely Hall? Which leads me in to telling you about my Mother’s Day weekend.

Like many of you Moms and grandmothers out there, I had a really busy and fun-filled weekend. Here's how it started. Friday I am working and my business partner, Jennifer Smith, and I take a lunch break to attend the grand opening of the Downtown Pub & Grille. Now, my husband of 35 years stops in and has a quick lunch with us and then asks me out on a date, which we do often, but I usually do the planning.

My Hubby Ed, said he “has a night of food, music and dancing for us, nothing fancy, just fun."

"Yeah, I am in," I said enthusiastically. This was particularly special as he did all of the planning. Ladies, as you know it is very special when men do all the planning. My husband had executed the night flawlessly. (I do have many talented friends and I am left to wonder if he had help.)

So, after we got off work and all gussied up (old school, slang for getting dressed up) off we went. On the way, we decide to have drinks first and dinner after the concert. So, I ask, where are we going? “Minden," he says, "to see Tempest the Irish rock band.” I was speechless.

My hubby, took me to see “Tempest” which is a fabulous Irish/Scottish rock 'n roll Band, some of us call it “Celt o Delic” at the CVIC in downtown, Minden, a concert they put on annually.

We arrive at the CVIC Hall a half hour early, purchase our tickets at the door and Oh, there is the bar, I get lovely lemonade and Ed has a Corona. On a side note, Celtic rock music is not for everyone and my hot date husband is not a big fan.

The man truly loves me to sit through this. Once, he fell asleep at the Men of Worth concert, at the Brewery Art Center, yep, an Irish band. Full on, bobbed his head and woke himself up several times. The look I shot him of “how could you” made him giggle, who does that? Makes me chuckle now to think about it, he is such a character and true love to provide me with my Irish indulgences.

Alright back at my story, we arrive a little early and find nice seats in the third row on the end. The historic Hall is a combination of the late 1900’s and modern. It is 4,500 square feet and can seat about 290 people.

It has a full kitchen, auditorium, stage, bathrooms, tables, chairs and an upstairs that has meeting rooms. It can be rented out for all occasions so the brochure says.

We then head over to the Tempest merchandise table and I start chatting with some of the CVIC volunteers and make arrangements to photograph the band as I am always looking for photos and story opportunities. Plus, I have my new, Galaxy 5 Phone that has an incredible camera. My hot date husband is always very patient while I snap a few shots during an event.

The lights dim and the band makes their way on to the stage. They begin to play and after a few songs, it is obvious they are very good. Tempest plays an infusion of Irish, Scottish and Norwegian folk songs with eclectic, ethnic rhythms and good ole American rock 'n roll.

During several of the songs, the crowd was treated to the talented and oh, so fun to watch, Miriam Blanchette Irish Dancers.

The lead singer and founding member, Lief Sorbye has a commanding presence and stands well over six feet tall. Hailing from Oslo, Norway, he plays the electric mandolin, flute, harmonica, several types of guitar and has a very good Celtic voice.

The dynamite fiddle player is international award winning, Kathy Buys. She is all of 4 feet something and has the energy of 10 young people amped up on Red Bull. She is fantastically talented and a joy to watch.

Rounding out the gifted band is Cuban born drummer, Adolfo Lazo; Greg Jones, originally from Colorado and bass guitarist Vince Lucchesi from the Bay Area. The band formed in 1988 and has recorded 15 CD’s and played over 2,000 shows to date.

The show ended with everyone being invited to a very fun, Irish Circle Dance in which many patrons from the audience participated, including myself and my hot date! He never fell asleep during this Tempest of an Irish Rock Band.

Want more info on the CVIC? www.Info@townofminden.com

But wait, there is more. After the concert Ed and I went to Carson Valley Inn, another first. We ate in Katies Café, a very busy place. The menu was reasonably priced, nice selections, good coffee, happy wait staff and we had a tasty dinner.

We said hello to several friends and after dinner we stopped in the CVI Lounge and Sportsbook. We listened to the blues and funk sound of Just Us and my hot date husband pushed me around on the dance floor for a few dances.

While we were there and we were checking the place out, I also noticed that they have a great concert lineup for the summer. Charlie Daniels! What? We are so going to that one. We did not get home until 1 am, that is late for us. What a great date.

Saturday morning I went to a Zentangle class taught by Kim Vanzyll at the Goddess Shoppe in Carson City then cruised a few yard sales. Sunday we had a family barbecue and visit with my our great neighbors.

This past weekend there were lectures, barbecues, "Chicago" at the Carson City Community Center, concerts in every town and Drink, Paint and be Merry at Comma Coffee. We are seeing a growing and changing Northern Nevada. I for one am grateful to all of the arts and culture organizations, casinos and the like for bringing us amazing shows, plays, arts and entertainment.

They are blooming all around us. Pick something! Want to know what’s going on?
Check out the Carson Now, the event listing at VisitCarsonCity.com, hit the like button on I Love Carson City and go here for Carson Quarterly.