things to do in Carson

It’s finally Friday, my fellow Carsonistas. Whether you are young or not as young as you used to be; single, coupled up or looking for family-friendly; introverted or extroverted, there is likely something on this list for you. Carson City offers all sorts of stuff to get you out of your home and mingling with your neighbors. I don’t know what tickles your particular fancy, so I just make sure I’ve got everything listed that I can find. Everything is in order of its ‘start time’, so take a gander at the list and have a great day!

FRIDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• Nate Clark's exhibition ‘Leeway’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

It’s a living history kind of day with presentations all around. Head up to the Gold Hill Hotel for their weekly lecture series, but don’t forget to make a reservation. The Historical Society of Douglas County discusses the facts and fiction behind Lucky Bill at the Cultural Center and Museum in Gardnerville. The Nevada Division of the Pony Express Association keeps history alive and you are welcome to attend their monthly meeting at Grandma Hattie’s tonight. Pay homage to your favorite singers of yesteryear with karaoke at Living the Good Life or Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar.

THURSDAY:

• Last Day to RSVP for the Jan. 20 Leisure Hour Club Dinner Meeting with speaker Rick Gunn (If you would like to attend this event, please call Dorothy Link at 775-885-2542)

Feeling feisty? Head over to the Feisty Goat Pub for a sampling of their draft beers, and get entered to win a great raffle when you buy a ‘Suds for Seniors’ tasting ticket. If you’re feeling the music, then jam with Josh and Jenera at Sassafras or head to Living the Good Life for jazz with Lynne Colvig. For those feeling country, Carson Lanes’ line dance night may be right up your alley.

WEDNESDAY:

• Nate Clark's exhibition ‘Leeway’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

Brave the chilly January air with an easy walk along the V and T Rail Trail at the north end of town. The weekly walk, sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department, heads to the new MAC center in case of wet weather. Learn more about this crazy weather at Sierra Place Senior Living with a presentation by weather historian Mark McLaughlin. Don't miss the Mile High Jazz Band at Comma Coffee tonight. History lovers will want to head up to Virginia City for a lecture at St. Mary's of the Mountain Catholic Church.

TUESDAY:

Don't let Monday get you down. Start the week off with some family fun at Carson Lanes Bowling Alley: games are only one dollar all day. For more fun with games, check out Nerdvana in their new location at Airport and Highway 50 East. They host a weekly family game night, in addition to other offerings. Get your fill of chicken wings for a good cause. Buffalo Wild Wings will donate ten percent of your bill if you let them know you love our roller derby girls. Enjoy the Monday Night Music Series at Sierra Place Senior Living: gospel singer Loretta Skinner is this week’s featured performer.

MONDAY:

• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Bob Hickox and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Are you ready for Friday, Carson City? Live music abounds with the Whitehats at Living the Good Life, Stereo Galaxy at the Westside Pour House, and Road Daddy helping Firkin and Fox celebrate their eighth anniversary. Learn some line dance at Yaple’s Ballroom, then head to Carson Lanes for DJ Cowboy Bobby’s dance night. Enjoy a showing of local indy films at the Performance Hall the Brewery Art Center or join the BAC Blowhards at Improv Night in the Black Box Theater. Take the family over the rainbow and see the opening night of Youth Theater Carson City’s performance of ‘The Wiz.’ Check out the list for all your options.

FRIDAY:

• Christmas Tree Recycling Curbside Pick-up (place tree outside on your regular trash day; If trees are longer than three feet, please cut them up into sections no longer than 3 feet; Remove all decorations, lights, tinsel and bases)
• Monthly ‘Breakfast with Supervisor Brad’ Bonokowski at the Cracker Box (7am-8am; open to Carson City residents, the coffee is on Brad)

Some freshly fallen snow will greet you once you head outside, so please use caution when out and about this morning. The roads are likely slick. Enjoy some indoor entertainment with your little ones at Carson City Library’s weekly story time. Afterwards, head across the street to Browser’s Corner Book Store to take advantage of their half-off sale. Good luck to all the kids trying out for Wild Horse Children’s Theaters next performance. Shoot them an email if you’d like to schedule an audition for your young performer.

THURSDAY:

Bring some art into your new year with one of our many art exhibits. The Nevada Artist Association has just switched up their gallery and has a New Year’s show to offer you. The group also works with the Carson Visitor Bureau and showcases a different artist each month in the Visitors’ Center: currently Bob Hickox. Comma Coffee is hosting a reception this evening for the January artist in their revolving Backseat Gallery, so head down at 5 p.m. for some finger food and the unveiling.

A lot of people will tell you it’s never a good idea to play with fire, but for the folks of Controlled Burn, fire can be art. A new community practice group is starting up at A to Zen and everyone is welcome to come learn what it takes to dance with fire. The Carson City Classical Cinema Club is growing and has moved its monthly movie viewings to the Black Box Theater at the Brewery Arts Center. If you aren’t a member yet, it is just five dollars to enjoy Prince and the Pauper tonight.

Welcome to Monday, Carson City. The holidays have passed and it’s time to embrace the new year. If you’re looking for some new hobbies and habits, try swing dancing. The High Sierra Swing Dance Club meets weekly at El Charro Avita. If you’re looking for more quality time with your family, then Nerdvana’s Family Game Night is a great way to have fun with the kids. Recycling your Christmas tree (sans decorations, of course) is an easy way to get your carbon footprint headed in the right direction.

MONDAY:

Happy 2016, Carson City. A new year has been rung in and I hope you aren’t too hung over. Get a jump on any healthy new year’s resolutions with the annual First Day Hike. You can choose between Morgan Mill on the far east side of Carson City, the dunes of Washoe Lake State Park, or some history with a short hike to the Rock Point Mill in Dayton. Bundle up, though, it's cold out there. Let the party continue with DJ Bobby G at Living the Good Life or DJ Cillo at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar.

FRIDAY: New Year’s Day

Are you ready for tomorrow? New Year’s parties can be found where ever you go; check out a complete list here. No point in wasting today while waiting for the ball to drop, though. Plenty of fun to go around whether you’re in the mood for live music, dancing, or karaoke.

Have a great day, Carson City. Here's a list of available fun to be had in our valley.

TUESDAY:
•*Carson City School District Winter Break
•*Snow Globe Music Festival at Lake Tahoe Community College in South Lake Tahoe
•*’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
•*Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring Howard Friedman and Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-5pm)
•*Nate Clark's exhibition ‘Leeway’ in the OXS Gallery at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)

The very last Monday of the year has arrived, and I hope it treats you well. The kids still have one last week of vacation, so treat them to a day at the bowling alley. Carson Lanes has one dollar specials all day. Take a trip to Browser’s Corner Book Store to take advantage of their half off end of the year sale, and get your ticket for the Friends of the Library’s Black and White New Year’s Party while you’re there. Get your swing on at El Charro Avita; High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s weekly night out will have you dancing.

MONDAY:

Seems like just yesterday it was Thanksgiving, and now we’ve arrived at Christmas Eve. Last minute shopping trips, cooking baking, and non-stop holiday movies are all on the menu for today. And keep the hot chocolate close; it’s going to be chilly. Please drive safely. The last minute crunch can be stressful, but icy roads are a force to be reckoned with.

THURSDAY: Christmas Eve

• Carson City School District Winter Break

Batten down the hatches, a storm is brewing. It’s almost Christmas, and whoever asked for snow is getting their wish. Take a break from the hustle and bustle at karaoke: choose from Living the Good Life, Crossroads Lounge, or Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge. Grab your smartest friends for Geeks Who Drink trivia at Lake Tahoe Brewing Co. Head to Red’s Old 395 for a chance to tell Santa what’s on your list.

WEDNESDAY:

• Carson City School District Winter Break

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, and it’s not a bad bet this week. Enjoy the sunshine while we’ve got it. Enjoy an evening of trivia at Living the Good Life. Break out the ugliest of sweaters for a night of karaoke at Carson Cigar C0. Head out to Sassafras to hear Linda Argento’s duo, ‘Xing Bridges,’ host an invitational jam.
TUESDAY:

• Carson City School District Winter Break
• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

Welcome to the first day of vacation for all you kids (and teachers) out there. There are some great ways to spend these days off. Head to Carson Lanes for one dollar specials all day long. The ice rink at Arlington Square has extended hours for the next two weeks, so strap on some skates and have fun. Santa will be at the Carson Mall every day until Christmas Eve. Nerdvana has found new digs at the corner of Airport Road and Hwy 50 East. Monday is family game night: who’s up for a challenge?

MONDAY:

• Carson City School District Winter Break Begins
• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

The weekend is just around the corner, but Thursday offers some fun with or without the kids. Join Santa for story time at the Carson City Library. Head over to Red’s Old 395 or the Carson Mall for photos with Santa. Celebrate those December birthdays at Carson Cigar Co. with live music by the Trippin King Snakes. Unleash your inner diva at karaoke night at Living the Good Life or Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar. Unleash your creative side at the Brewery Arts Center: learn to make ‘em laugh at tonight’s improv workshop.

THURSDAY:

Welcome to Wednesday, Carson City. This time next week it will be Christmas Eve and Santa will be on his way. Make sure to tell him what you want and grab a free photo at Red’s Old 395. Join Capital City Arts Initiative in the Sierra Room of the Community Center; an artist reception for Claudia Knous begins at 10 a.m. Heads up, you’ll need to park on the east side of the building. Enjoy our award winning high school band, Blue Thunder, as they perform a winter concert in the Bob Boldrick Theater. They will be joined by the school’s orchestra as well.

WEDNESDAY:

It’s a perfect afternoon for a trip around the rink at the Arlington Square Ice Rink. School will be off for winter break next week, and the rink will have expanded hours for the occasion. Warm up inside with country dancing at Carson Lanes. Test your knowledge at Trivia night at Living the Good Life. For cool jazz and yummy food, Sassafras is the place to be tonight.

TUESDAY:

• ’Divergence’ by artist Katie Lewis at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)

It’s done snowing, but that doesn’t mean that the roads are clear. Please drive carefully. There are still great options for holiday shopping: craft fairs at the Carson Mall and Browser’s Corner Book Store, in addition to our great local shops. If you’ve got your gifts, but don’t feel like wrapping them, then the Rainbow Girls Gift Wrap is for you! Head to the Carson Mall and let the girls of Assembly #7 take the chore off your hands. Karaoke at the Firkin and Fox is a fun way to finish up your Monday.

MONDAY:

Ready for more snow? Let’s just hope that the clouds clear by tonight because the Geminids Meteor Shower is at its peak tonight and tomorrow. Don your ugliest sweater for the Carson Victory Rollers’ Red and Green Scrimmage, and bring a toy for their Toys for Tots drive. If you haven’t caught Wild Horse Children’s Theaters production of Babes in Toyland yet, grab the kids and get down to the Brewery Arts Center for their final performance.

SUNDAY:

My snow dance worked! The weather should start clearing up for the next few days, so the roads should be clear. There’s no need to leave our valley though, great things are happening. The annual Share Your Christmas food drive goes on for most of the day: you don’t even need to leave your car, just drive up to the Governor’s Mansion, and someone will get your donation to the right place. Unwind, decompress and relax at a number of our great bars and restaurants.

Deck the halls with broken tree branches; the wind, she is a-blowin’. Hopefully we get some snow out of all of this bluster. Tonight is a good time for some ‘Joyful Noise,’ the 14th Annual Community Holiday Show at the Brewery Arts Center. If you’d rather make some noise yourself, check out karaoke at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar or at Living the Good Life. Turn the heat up with Salsa Dance at El Charro Avita. Santa’s waiting for you at the Carson Mall or at Red’s Old 395.

THURSDAY:

Oh, the weather out there is going to be frightful. A blustery storm is on its way in today, so you may want to bring in that inflatable snowman. Heading outside will be rewarded though. Ladies will find great specials at the Ormsby Club and Carson Cigar Co. Live music will be playing at Glen Eagles and Living the Good Life.

The Carson Library offers some great activities for the kids and Craft Tuesday today is one of them. While you’re there, head across the street to Browser’s Corner Book Store to check out the holiday offerings at their craft fair. ‘Break a leg’ to the talented students of Carson High Musical Theater: their Winter Ensemble Concert is at the Community Center tonight. Jazz and poetry return to Comma Coffee: the monthly performance of the Mile High Jazz Band begins at 7:30 p.m.

TUESDAY:

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Our downtown is aglow in holly jolly lights and looks amazing. The weekend was jam-packed with holiday cheer: Silver and Snowflakes, the Holiday Crawl, craft fairs, and the Railroad Museum’s Santa Train. Monday’s offer some fun times, as well, with swing dancing at El Charro’s or karaoke at the Firkin and Fox. Shopping and wine await at 'Ladies Night Out' at the Holiday Inn Express in Minden. It's a benefit for the Family Support Council of Douglas County.

MONDAY:

I love Carson City. Our downtown makes every season special: flower baskets in the summer, daffodils in springtime, the changing leaves of autumn, and winter means the Nevada Christmas tree at the Capitol. Tonight is the night when the light switch gets flipped. Join Santa and our community tonight at the annual Silver and Snowflakes tree lighting. Enjoy carolers, hot cocoa, and more in Telegraph Square during the Christmas Faire. Don’t miss the talented members of Wild Horse Children’s Theater: they’ll be singing at 4 p.m.

What a weekend in store for us: the Silver and Snowflakes Tree Lighting, the wine walk, Holiday with a Hero crawl, and more. First things first, though, Thursday fun stuff. Bundle up and head to Gardnerville for the Christmas Kick-off at Heritage Park with Santa, a tree lighting, and fireworks if the weather cooperates. Empty Bowls is hosting a preview night at the First Presbyterian Church; for a donation of $25 or more you get first pick of the handmade bowls that members of the community have made and decorated over the past year, and that includes admission to the soup fest tomorrow.