I Love Carson City’s Weekend Event Summary: April 29 - 30

Hold on to your hat, the weekend is here. If it’s a cowboy hat, head over to Genoa for their annual Cowboy Festival. Plenty of free things to see, hear, and experience await. The annual Spring Earth Spirit Faire lets you celebrate Mother Earth with workshops, holistic practitioners, great vendors, and a raffle. It benefits the Heart to Heart School and Advocates to End Domestic Violence so it’s always worth checking out. You’ll have to keep reading for all of your choices, the spring thaw brings out the best this valley has to offer.

SATURDAY:

• -- Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am -11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• -- Free Basketball Skills Camp for Kids at the Multi-Purpose Athletic Center (MAC): 1870 Russell Way (8am-9:30am; open to youth grades 3-12; learn good form, position of shooting, footwork for jump shots, screen plays, dribbling, driving and dishing; sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club)
• -- Genoa Cowboy Festival: A variety of daytime events are FREE at the Cowboy Festival including: Chautauquas, Living History Tours, Musical Performances, Cowboy Poetry, Melodramas, Historical Reenactments and more (Cowboy Breakfast at the Masonic Lodge 8am-12pm, $5; free festival 10am-10pm; Tom Russell and Mike Beck in Concert at the Mormon Station Main Stage 7pm, $30-$45)
• -- Flying Pig Flea Market at Fuji Park (8am-4pm; $1 admission, kids free)
• -- Free admission for Carson City Schools students and teachers at the Nevada State Museum through April 30 (museum open 8:30am-4:30pm; general admission $8)
• -- Partnership Carson City’s Annual Prescription Drug Roundup at the Carson City Smith’s Grocery, SaveMart, and FoodMaxx stores (9am-1pm; Acceptable items include unused or expired prescription drugs, over-the-counter, prescription liquids, pet medications- Please bring syringes in a hard plastic container for disposal; additional RX drop off locations 10am-2pm: Wal-Mart North, and the Gardnerville Walgreens)
• -- Volunteer Work Day at the Brewery Arts Center (9am; All people of all skill levels appreciated. We will be doing a variety of work including laying sod and planting flowers; Breakfast and lunch will be served; If you are interested in lending a hand, please contact Mikey at rokmyk@yahoo.com )
• -- Great Basin Native Artists Exhibit at the Carson Visitor Center (9am-6pm; featuring art by Ben Aleck, Topaz Jones, Jack Malotte, Melissa Melero-Moose, Topah Spoonhunter)
• -- Steam Train Ride and Carson Valley Pops Orchestra ‘Pops Plays Pipers’ (be at the V&T Eastgate Station at 9:30am, lunch 12pm, concert 1:30, depart Virginia City 4pm, return to Carson City at 5:15pm; $85, LIMITED tickets available HERE; Tickets for lunch and concert only are also available, $35; a benefit concert at Piper's Opera House)

The Brewery Arts Center could use a hand. Today volunteers will be planting sod and flowers, among other things, to get the downtown campus ready for the upcoming Levitt Amp Concert Series.

• -- ’Spring has Sprung’ Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• -- "Back Wall Show" featuring acrylic, pastel and mixed media works by Anna Louise Darden in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• -- Half-off Everything at the Carson City Senior Center Thrift Shop: 911 Beverly Drive (10am-3:30pm; includes Boutique and Furniture; benefits the Meals on Wheels Program)
• -- Kid and Volunteer Sign-ups for the 28th Annual Kids' Fishing Derby at Walgreens: 1342 Hwy 395 N, Gardnerville (10am-1pm; Fishing Derby is June 3-4 at Lampe Park, open to children ages 3-12; registration also available at the Douglas Co. Community Center)
• -- 46th Annual Virginia City Grand Prix Outlaw Motorcycle Race (races start 10am)
• -- Annual Earth Spirit Faire in the Community Center Gym (10am-4pm; $5 one day/$8 both days, kids 12 and under admitted free; Vendors, practitioners, workshops, raffle, and more; benefit for the Heart to Heart School and Advocates to End Domestic Violence)
• -- A Day Of Yard Art at Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery: 405 N. Nevada St (10:30am-5pm; artwork ranging from wood carvings, pottery, chimes, repurposed art, and so much more)
• -- Saturday Cinema: "Cool Hand Luke" at the Minden Library: 1625 Library Lane, Minden (10:30am; Free coffee and treats will be provided; Rated PG, this movie is geared toward teens and adults)
• -- Grand Opening Celebration at Gallery on Main in Genoa (11am-5pm; live music, live demonstrations with local artists and artisans, kids art activities and a chance to win fabulous art and craft prizes)

Now that it’s warming up, it’s time for yard work. What better way to spruce up the outdoors than a one-of-a-kind piece of art. Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery invites you to their ‘Day of Yard Art’ with fun offering from local artists.

• -- WARF Cat and Kitten Adoption Event at Petco on Topsy Lane (11am-4pm; all cats are fixed, vaccinated and micro-chipped)
• -- Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino parking lot, Reno (12pm-8pm, carnival open 12pm-10pm; $10, $4 kids/seniors – admission does not include carnival rides; Latin musicians and dancers, Mexican dancing horse performances, amateur boxing bouts, over 100 vendors, community information and Mexican cuisine; Free face painting, games and prizes for kids)
• -- Grand Opening of the Rollin' Pizza Pies Food Truck at Just Brew It: 1214 N. Carson St (12pm)
• -- Minecraft at the Carson City Library (12pm-1:30pm; Explore worlds and build amazing things with your library's own Minecraft world; under 9 must be accompanied by someone 13+)
• -- Carson Valley Pops Orchestra ‘Pops Plays Pipers’ at Piper’s Opera House, Virginia City (Lunch 12pm, Concert 1:30pm; $35, tickets available HERE; a benefit concert at Piper's Opera House)
• -- El Dia De Los Ninos – Native American Day of the Children at the Dayton Valley Branch Library: 321 Old Dayton Valley Road, Dayton (1pm-4pm; Dance Performances, scavenger hunt, crafts and more)
• -- Live Music with Ev Musselman at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (5pm-9pm)
• -- Third Annual Mason’s Charity Poker Tournament at the Carson Plaza Convention Center: 211 E. Ninth St. (5pm doors open/dinner, poker begins 6:30pm; $25 Dinner only, $60 Poker and dinner; all welcome; raffles throughout the evening and a silent auction; benefit for Masonic youth organizations)

It’s hard to turn down spaghetti, and spaghetti for a good cause, at that. Join the Elks and the WNC Veterans Clubs for some yummy pasta. Poker lovers won’t want to miss the Charity Poker Tournament at the Plaza Convention Center. Carson City Masonic Lodge #1 will be serving up dinner and shuffling cards to benefit their youth organizations.

• -- Battle Born Spaghetti Feed at the Carson City Elks Lodge: 515 N. Nevada St. (doors open 5:30pm-8:30pm; $7 per person; Co-hosted by the WNC Veterans Club; All proceeds will go toward veteran scholarships along with helping veterans in need)
• -- Live Music with Acoustic Solution at Bella Fiore Wine Bar (6pm-9pm)
• -- Live Music with Brian Lester at J’s Old Town Bistro, Dayton (6pm; Reservations recommended 775-246-4400)
• -- Western Nevada Futbol Club vs FC Sacramento at Dayton High School (7pm; Gates open at 5:30pm)
• -- Misfits Theater Group presents ‘Meet the Weavers’ written and directed by Dianne McCullough at Odean Hall: 65 Pike St., Dayton (doors 6:30am, 7pm start; Call Cat at 775 443-5055 for reservations)
• -- Star Party and Telescope Viewing at Western Nevada College’s Observatory: 2699 Van Patten Ave (7pm-10:30pm; free; weather permitting -NOT open if it is snowing and/or there is snow on the roads)

Kick up your heels and paint the town red. Live music options include Suspect Terrane at the Brewery Arts Center, Prey for Son at Living the Good Life, and a double-whammy with the Rockaholics and CV-41 take the stage at Carson Lanes.

• -- Concert Series with Wynonna and The Big Noise at TJ's Corral Outdoor Arena at the Carson Valley Inn, Minden (gates 6:15pm, 7pm start; Tickets from $49, all tickets are reserved seating)
• -- Locals’ Nightclub featuring Suspect Terrane in the Brewery Arts Center Black Box Theater (7pm; $5 at the door, beer/wine available)
• -- Live Music with Fast Forward at Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• -- Live Music with the Rockaholics and CV-41 at the Eleventh Frame Winners Lounge, Carson Lanes (7pm-11pm; must be 21+, drink specials)
• -- Ladies Night at Crossroads Lounge (7pm-close)
• -- DJ Chicago Kid and Dance floor at SlotWorld Casino (7pm-11pm)
• -- Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)
• -- Live Music with Mo’z Motley Blues at the Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City (7:30pm)
• -- Live Music with the Steppen Stonz at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• -- Live Music with Deception at ‘The Loft’ inside the Carson Nugget (8pm-12am)
• -- Live Music with Rustler’s Heat in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• -- Live Music with Southbound Train at the Delta Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• -- Rock’n and Bowl’n at the Gold Dust West Bowling Center (8pm-11:45pm; $10-$14; disco lights, fog machine and lots of prizes)
• -- Karaoke with J and M Productions at Alatte inside the Carson Nugget (8pm-11pm)
• -- Live Music with Prey for Son at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (8:30pm-12:30am)
• -- Karaoke Night at the Westside Pour House (9pm-12am)
• -- DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm; no cover, 21+)

Take advantage of the spring sunshine and seize the day. Virginia City roars with the sound of their annual Grand Prix. Beer and brats aren’t usually associated with ballet, but the Sierra Nevada Ballet makes the annual event at the Brewery Arts Center a great time for all. The Earth Spirit Faire wraps up its weekend of wellness at the Community Center. Head to Reno for a Cinco De Mayo Celebration at the Grand Sierra that features musicians, cuisine, and carnival rides.

SUNDAY:

• -- Breakfast and Bowling at Carson Lanes (breakfast served 7:30am -11am, unlimited bowling 9am-12pm; $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• -- Clear Creek Bowmen Archery Club Annual Cancer Shoot at the Centennial Park Archery Range (8am registration, 9am start; Adults $20, Young adult 15-17 $10, Couples $30, Youth 12-14 $5, Family $35, Cubs 11 and under Free; 35 3-D targets and unmarked yardage; All proceeds will go to the Carson Tahoe Cancer Resource Center; For more information go to http://clearcreekbowmen.com/ )
• -- Free admission for Carson City Schools students and teachers at the Nevada State Museum through April 30 (museum open 8:30am-4:30pm; general admission $8)
• -- Genoa Cowboy Festival - A variety of daytime events are FREE at the Cowboy Festival including: Chautauquas, Dutch Oven Cooking, Musical Performances, Cowboy Poetry, Melodramas, Historical Reenactments and more (Cowboy Church 9am-10:30am; Free festival 10:30am-4pm)
• -- Flying Pig Flea Market at Fuji Park (9am-4pm; $1 admission, kids free)
• -- CCBMX Racing at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex: 1555 Livermore Lane (signups 9am-10am $10, call/text 775-220-7111 if running late; must be USABMX member; new rider kits available)
• -- Muscle Powered Weekly Bike Ride - Meet in the south parking lot of Fremont Elementary School, next to the Linear Ditch Trail (meet at 9am; consists of two loops 10-15 miles long each, this will allow a rider to do 10-15 miles or 20-30 miles; ride pace will vary depending on rider level, but usually about 12-16 mph; All riders must have a bicycle in safe working condition, helmet, and closed toed shoes. Participants are responsible for their own transportation to the meeting site; email Shane: shane@shanetrotter.net with any questions)
• -- Community Yoga with Allison Reitz at Comma Coffee (9am-10am; $10 cash only; beginners are welcome; Bring your mind, body, and mat; a limited number of extra mats will be available)
• -- Great Basin Native Artists Exhibit at the Carson Visitor Center (9am-6pm; featuring art by Ben Aleck, Topaz Jones, Jack Malotte, Melissa Melero-Moose, Topah Spoonhunter)
• -- 46th Annual Virginia City Grand Prix Outlaw Motorcycle Race (races start 10am)
• -- Annual Earth Spirit Faire in the Community Center Gym (10am-4pm; $5 admission, kids 12 and under admitted free; Vendors, practitioners, workshops, raffle, and more; benefit for the Heart to Heart School and Advocates to End Domestic Violence)
• -- Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino parking lot, Reno (12pm-8pm, carnival open 12pm-10pm; $10, $4 kids/seniors – admission does not include carnival rides; Latin musicians and dancers, Mexican dancing horse performances, amateur boxing bouts, over 100 vendors, community information and Mexican cuisine; Free face painting, games and prizes for kids)
• -- ’Spring has Sprung’ Art Show in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• -- "Back Wall Show" featuring acrylic, pastel and mixed media works by Anna Louise Darden in the Nevada Artists Association Gallery at the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• -- Grand Opening Celebration at Gallery on Main in Genoa (11am-5pm; live music, live demonstrations with local artists and artisans, kids art activities and a chance to win fabulous art and craft prizes)
• -- Kids Eat Free at the Fox Brewpub (11am-10pm; with purchase of adult entree)
• -- Weekly Pool Tournament at Whiskey Tavern (register 1pm; 2pm start; $10 per person)
• -- Pool Tournament at Remedy’s (2pm-5pm; $5 buy-in; APA Rules)
• -- Carnival and Feller Cake Bake Fundraiser at the Carson Valley United Methodist Church: 1375 Centerville Ln, Gardnerville (3pm-6pm; hosted by Cub Scout Troop 8583; egg race, car race, and a balloon toss. All games will be operated by our Bear Den. Cost is $5 per NON-scout; silent auction for cakes)
• -- Live Music with Fast Forward at Casino Fandango (3pm-8pm)
• -- Brews, Brats And Ballet in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall (4pm; $25 reserved, $20 general, $ 15 performance; Enjoy a casual atmosphere, original dance, and a first hand and up-close peek into the creative process of dance-making; Presented by Sierra Nevada Ballet)
• -- Live Music with Bryan McPherson and John Underwood at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint: 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd. (6pm-9pm)
• -- Live Music with Patrick Major in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (6pm-10pm)
• -- Vehement Productions Presents CMC and Friends: The Cali Homegrown Tour at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (7pm; Call Me Clarity with One Oz., MKC, Simple Sensation, and BonusTraxx; no cover, 21+)

Every week, I create a list of the fun stuff and events going on around the Carson City area for my Facebook page, I Love Carson City. There is quite a bit to do in our beautiful capital this week, so grab the kids, your friends and family, and have a great weekend.

My weekly Facebook list includes Friday-Thursday, so please go HERE for events beyond Sunday, or just wait for my daily ‘Things to do’ here on Carson Now. You do NOT need a Facebook account to access the information.

As always, Carson Now welcomes reader contributions to our website. Go HERE to submit an event, photo, or item of interest.