Cabaret

The snow has finally stopped falling and now it’s time to go play in it. What’s on your weekend fun list: snowmen and skiing or a toasty fire with a good book? If you need some help deciding, check out my list below. You’ll find great live music, including some special concerts at the Brewery Arts Center, karaoke for those over 21, and the opening weekend performances of ‘The Lion King, Jr.’ Keep reading and go have some fun.

SATURDAY:

I wish everyone luck keeping their triskaidekaphobia at bay. The number thirteen is nothing to fear, even when it falls on a Friday. (I’m not going to lie: triskaidekaphobia is one of my favorite words and I very rarely get the chance to use it in a sentence.) Mother Nature has thrown us for a loop this week, and we deserve the chance to enjoy the break in the storm. Take the family down to the Library for their game corner, or cheer on the talented cast of ‘The Lion King, Jr.’ at the Community Center.

I hope everyone enjoyed the few hours of sunshine Wednesday, because we’re in for it now. Hopefully, the snow won’t cause as much flooding. I feel compelled to include the disclaimer that all of the following events are subject to change: this storm has the potential to wreak some havoc, so stay safe out there. Kids with cabin fever will enjoy story time at the Carson Library. Adults, get out of the house and enjoy some live music at Living the Good Life or Sassafras. Local McDonald’s restaurants hope to see you this evening: a fundraiser for the family of Ashley Bursey runs from 4 p.m.

Wednesday has arrived and the rain lingers, so you may as well grab an umbrella and go do something fun. Get a bite to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings where officers and athletes are teaming up for the Special Olympics Tip-a-Cop fundraiser. Take your cowboy boots over to the Eleventh Frame Bar in Carson Lanes for some country line and partner dancing. The Shipleys take the stage at Living the Good Life for this week’s Jazz Jam. Show off your smarts at Westside Pour House: Geeks Who Drink trivia starts at 7p.m.

WEDNESDAY:

After a brief pause in the rain yesterday, the storm has returned. I write this list with trepidation, as localized flooding is still affecting homes and businesses around town. Everything on this list is subject to cancellation. It’s back to school for the kids of Lyon County and Carson. Jacks Valley Elementary is closed, but all other Minden/Gardnerville students are headed back. Stay safe out there, and thank you to all the city and state staff, volunteers, and good neighbors that are working hard to keep the damage to a minimum.

TUESDAY:

How adventurous are you? Ascent Runs continues their Be Bold, Run in the Cold Winter Trail Series with a five or ten kilometer run starting at Centennial Park. If you’d like a less strenuous outdoor activity, then the Downtown Business Association’s monthly Wine Walk is a perfect choice. The wine walk is a rain, snow, or shine event, so bring an umbrella. For more happenings around the Carson City area and her sister valleys, keep reading and have a safe weekend.

SATURDAY:

Get ready for a cold one. We get a short reprieve from the wet stuff, but the thermometer isn’t expected to inch above freezing today. Be safe on the roads out there, it could be icy. Tonight’s a great night for some local talent. Check out local songwriters at Comma Coffee and warm up with some hot cocoa, coffee or tea. A to Zen holds a weekly Open Mic, but mixes it up a little the first Friday of the month: dress to the nines and bring something for a potluck. The BAC Blowhards will have you in stitches at Improv Night at the Brewery Arts Center.

FRIDAY:

Am I the only one suffering flashbacks to the Flood of ’97? It is soggy out there with no signs of letting up soon. Please drive carefully, some of those puddles may be deeper than they look. If the kids are getting cabin fever on their winter break, head to the Carson Library for Lego Club this afternoon. Thursday always offers karaoke: the boys of J and M Productions host it at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. If your motorcycle is feeling neglected in the garage, head to Battle Born Harley for their monthly Bike Night, and commiserate with fellow riders over a game of pool, a pint, or some darts.

I know it's hard to think about summer whilst scraping ice off your windshield, but the Community Discount Registration Event for Epic Rides at the Firkin and Fox will have you blissfully dreaming of bike rides in June. It's family fun at the Carson Library's Movie Night: bring the kids down for Finding Dory. Jazz it up with the Shipleys at Living the Good Life. Digital artists, or aspiring ones, will find camaraderie at Wired Wednesday. This month's meeting at Paradise Salon Spa Wellness will cover the upcoming City Wide Film-making Competition.

WEDNESDAY:

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Snowy days make the perfect backdrop for a day curled up with a book. If you’re participating in the Library Winter Read-athon, tear yourself away from your cozy spot and go log in your hours this afternoon.

Friday is finally here, and it gets the distinction of being the last one of 2016. New Year’s Eve tomorrow will be as chilly as the champagne, but the parties will be hot. Go HERE for a list of what your revelry options are. Tonight, you can get a sneak preview of some of the bands that will be playing: Route 66 at the Max Casino, Pearl Sky at Fandango, or Escalade at the Carson Nugget.

The week just keeps chugging along, and with it the last few days of 2016. If you haven’t yet, go check out the Nevada Christmas light show off Stephanie Way in Minden. Kids will have fun at Lego Club at the Carson City Library this afternoon, but it’s adults only for Trivia Night with Geeks who Drink. Bundle up, lace up your skates, and enjoy a spin around the Arlington Square Ice Rink. If you’ve had a birthday this month, head to Carson Cigar Company to celebrate with the Trippin King Snakes.

THURSDAY:

Get over the mid-week hump with a visit to one of Carson City’s art exhibits. There’s nothing like a little beauty to make your day. Capital City Arts Initiative has a display at the court house, inside the Sierra Room at the Community Center, and inside the BRIC building by City Hall. Check out the exhibit at the Nevada Arts Council and the Nevada Artist Association’s featured artist inside the Carson Visitor Center. Carson City is awash with art, so go see what is making our valley beautiful.

WEDNESDAY:

When it comes to history, the west side of Carson City gets most the attention. Learn what makes the east side unique on the Parks and Recreation Easy Walk at 9 a.m. Galaxy Theater offers a special movie rate on Tuesdays if you’ve got a rewards card: grab the kids and take in a winter break movie. The Old Corner Bar in Minden welcomes the return of the Flash Jam, so grab your instrument and get your groove on.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chaunukah, and a very blessed holidays to you, Carson City. I’m hoping your out of town friends and family made it safely, winter storms are known to wreak havoc on travel. Be safe out there as you finish last minute errands and finish up your shopping. Enjoy Carson City this weekend: you’ll find some fun things to do with the kids, family and friends on this list, so read on.

SATURDAY: First Night of Chanukah, Christmas Eve

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Jenny Schnabel at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)

Rumor has it, there’s a storm on the way. Bundle up and do a snow dance if you want a white Christmas. It’s the first day of winter break hours at the Arlington Square Ice Rink; it’s a perfect place for the kids to burn off some holiday energy. Genoa Candy and Coffee invites everyone to enjoy story time tonight.

Just a few days left before the big day. Get your fill of holiday music as the Ninth Annual Christmas Carol Play-along for Strings returns to Carson Mall. Even if you don’t play an instrument, voices are more than welcome to contribute to the tunes. Wintertime is perfect for curling up with a good book, join the Library’s Winter Read-a-thon to win some great prizes. Carson Cigar Company is throwing a party featuring Ev ‘Cheese the Knife’ Musselman of the Tripping King Snakes: they’ve been selling raffle tickets to benefit Food for Thought, so head down to support this great charity.

The winter solstice is today: the shortest day and longest night of the year. I’m always happy to hear that because it means longer days are on their way. The holiday frenzy continues, so don’t miss out on those pictures with Santa. Red’s Old 395 will send you off with a complementary 4”x6” photo, and Santa’s Village at the Carson Mall is open all day. See what the great folks of the Carson Visitor Bureau and Nevada Day, LLC are up to at their open house today; from here on out you’ll find all the fun stuff from the Nevada Day Trading Post inside our Visitor’s Center.

It’s looking like we may be in store for a white Christmas this year, but anything could happen in the next few days. Don’t wait till the last minute to get your holiday affairs in order, check out Carson City’s great little shops and art galleries for those hard-to-find gifts. Country line dancing at Carson Lanes will get your toes tapping and your blood pumping. Award-winning singer-songwriter Canyon White is a perfect companion to dinner or a few cocktails at Living the Good Life.

Oh baby, it’s cold outside. Jack Frost seems to be working overtime this weekend, bringing temperatures that will barely rise above freezing. I suggest some hot cocoa. Join Santa at Adele’s for pictures, cookies, and something warm to drink, just remember to bring an unwrapped toy to donate.

The countdown continues. Just one weekend is separating us from Christmas, so go enjoy the friends, family, and holiday cheer that surround us. The Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada welcomes a special visit from Santa and offers fun crafts for the kids. Browse the sale in their gift shop and consider a membership for a year full of free entry. The talented kids of All About Dance perform at the CVIC Hall in Minden. Handel’s Messiah will fill the rafters of Corpus Christi Church when the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus take to the stage. Continue reading for even more options.

The Carson City Library has something in common with the epic spaghetti western ‘The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly’: they are both 50 years old. Celebrate the classic film and our classy library with an afternoon showing of the movie. Join Cherie Shipley at the Brewery Arts Center; the annual ‘Joyful Noise’ Community Holiday Show is full of cheer for all ages. Our high school and middle school student orchestras invite you to their free winter concert at the Community Center this evening. Living the Good Life welcomes singer/songwriter Liam Kyle Cahill back to their stage tonight.

Batten down the hatches, Carson City, it’s going to get blustery. Brave the weather for a visit with Santa at Red’s Old 395 and they’ll send you home with a free picture. Local photographer Robin Travis is featured in the Backseat Gallery of Comma Coffee; head over tonight for an artist’s reception honoring her exhibit.

The moon has looked incredible these last few nights, and a view from Washoe Lake State Park is sure to inspire. Just make sure to call for reservations if you’d like to join the guided hike along the sand dunes. For some daytime scenery, join Parks and Rec. for their easy walk at Fuji Park. Head to Comma Coffee tonight for hot drinks and cool jazz. Enjoy the vocal stylings of Jakki Ford and proprietor June Joplin, in addition to some great poetry. Keep reading for more happenings around town.

TUESDAY:

Brace yourself, Carson City. We could be in for some wet and windy weather this weekend. The more adventurous of you will be participating in the Be Bold, Run in the Cold ‘Run with Rudolph’ 5/10K near Western Nevada College. If you’d rather be indoors, the Carson Mall is hosting a Holiday Craft Fair, and at noon will celebrate the grand opening of Ogres-Holm Pottery. Celebrate a Country Christmas with Mary Kaye and the Kaye Sisters in Genoa or get your Celtic fix at the Brewery Art Center with a performance by County Clarke. Read on for local fun for young and the young-at-heart.

The weekend is just hours away, but first let’s enjoy Friday. Join in the spirit of giving during today’s drive-by food drive. There’s a drop-off location nearby whether you’re in Carson City or Carson Valley. Wild Horse Children’s Theater heads into their second weekend of performances, so you’re running out of time to catch Elf Jr. – The Musical. Sassafras will show you a good time tonight: Whatitdo hits the stage at 8 p.m. Local favorite, Antsy McClain, brings a whole trailer park full of fun to his Christmas show at the Brewery Arts Center.

FRIDAY:

It’s a winter wonderland out there, but it does come with unique perils. Please give yourself extra time to get where you’re going, the roads may be slick. The weekend is quickly approaching bringing fun events like the State Railroad Museum’s Santa Train, a special performance by Antsy McClain at the Brewery Arts Center, and the return of the drive-through Living Nativity at the United Methodist Church. If you’re itching for the chance to get your picture with Santa, head to Red’s Old 395 tonight. Stretch your vocal cords with karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar or at Living the Good Life.

75 years ago, the USS Nevada was one of the battleships trapped when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. She was the only battleship to get underway during the attack, and according to Naval historian Kermit (Kit) H. Bonner the ship was "the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal and depressing morning" for the United States. Today we remember those lost in that attack, and remember the history behind the battleship that is our battle born namesake. A special exhibit of USS Nevada artifacts, and a lecture on her history are free for all at the State Museum at 1 p.m.

What do you need to get in the holiday spirit? Carson City probably has it covered. Watch ‘A Christmas Wish’ with Jimmy Durante at the monthly meeting of the Carson City Classic Cinema Club. Let the talented kids of ‘Strings in the Schools’ entertain you with their annual ‘This is Not a Christmas Concert’ Concert at the Community Center. If you need some bowl-full-of-jelly belly laughs, then the Super Santa Extravaganza, featuring some of the area’s funniest stand-up comics, is for you. You’ll find that in the Brewery Arts Center Black Box Theater. For a good dose of Christmas lights, head to the Johnson Lane area. Off Stephanie Lane, on Chaparral Court, is a spectacular display known as Nevada Christmas.

TUESDAY:

I hope you got your fill of naps last weekend because this weekend is chock full of fun to be had for all. You can Wine Walk until you Holiday Crawl downtown. Take your pick of craft shows in town. Kids won’t want to miss the Santa Train at the State Railroad Museum or one of the two performances of ‘The Peanutcracker’ at the Community Center. Whether you’d like to spend the days indoors or out, there is something for all ages in the Carson City area this weekend.

SATURDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)