I Love Carson City’s Weekend Event Summary: Nov. 26 - 27

The turkeys have been cooked, the dishes done, and the largest shopping weekend of the year is off and running. Show some love locally during Shop Small Business Saturday. Great little shops, restaurants, and services offer something unique for those on your gift list. Gift Certificates are never a bad way to go either: who wouldn’t want a massage, a night on the town, or maybe some music lessons? Santa has returned to town and can be found at the Carson Mall or at Billow’s Embroidery. Keep reading and you’ll find some great ways to spend this holiday weekend.

Shop Small Business SATURDAY:

• Opening Day: Kirkwood Ski Resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring artists Mike and Pam Black with Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)
• Coffee and Donuts with EAA Sierra Chapter 403 at 2500 E. College Pkwy (8:30am-12pm, all welcome)
• Breakfast and Bowl at Carson Lanes (9am-12pm; breakfast and unlimited bowling until noon $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• Pictures with Santa Claus at Billow’s Custom Embroidery and Screen Printing: 1894 E. Williams St, Ste 1 (10am-4pm; make reservations at 775-315-0632 or email santadennis2016@gmail.com; pets and walk-ins welcome)
• Elf Crawl: Walk with Santa Claus from the Capitol Building to the Carson Mall (10am; Hot Chocolate and Cookies; pictures with Santa at the Carson Mall 11am-6pm)
• OPENING DAY: Arlington Square Ice Rink (Sessions 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-10pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)

Memberships make great gifts. The Nevada State Railroad Museum is running their McKeen Motor Car this weekend: members save on train rides and get free museum admission. The Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada is a great choice for the families in your life. Brewery Arts Center offers memberships that will save you money on their events and shows while supporting center.

• McKeen Motor Car Rides at the Nevada State Train Museum (10am-4pm; $8, $4 kids 11 and under)
• Holiday Craft Fair at the Carson Mall (Vendors 10am-5pm; Santa photos 10am-6pm)
• 17th Annual Kandy Kane Holiday Craft Fair in the Valley Ballroom at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (9am-6pm)
• Annual Nevada Day Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• Half-off Everything at the Carson City Senior Center Thrift Shop: 911 Beverly Drive (10am-3pm; benefits the Meals on Wheels Program)
• Swim Class for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the Carson City Aquatic Facility (11am; $4)
• WARF Cat and Kitten Adoption Event at Petco on Topsy Lane (11am-4pm; all cats are fixed, vaccinated and micro-chipped)

Lace up those skates and head to the Arlington Square Skating Rink. Weekends offer three sessions a day, while weekdays offer two starting at 3 p.m. For those who prefer their outdoor sports to have ski lifts, Kirkwood and Sierra-at-Tahoe open today. Heavenly, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Boreal, Mt. Rose, Northstar and Sugar Bowl are already open.

• Candy Cane Express Train at the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot: 166 F Street, Virginia City (Sold out this weekend; $19/$8 kids 2-12; Reservations required, go HERE for Dec. 4 or 11 tickets)
• Live Music with the Arteno Project at Ponderosa Saloon, Virginia City (1pm-5pm)
• Silver City Arts Group Monthly Acoustic Jam at the Silver City School House Community Center: 175 High St., Silver City (3pm-5pm; Bring your instruments and/or your singing voice)
• Live Music with Sandi ‘Pipes’ Medley at 1862 David Walley's Restaurant and Saloon in Genoa (5pm-9pm)
• Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• Rock N Bowl at the Gold Dust West Bowling Center (6pm-10pm)
• Live Music with GHI Jazz at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson (6pm-8pm; sit-ins welcome)
• Live Music with Gary Douglas at J’s Old Town Bistro, Dayton (6pm; Reservations recommended 775-246-4400)
• Star Party and Telescope Viewing at Western Nevada College’s Observatory: 2699 Van Patten Ave (6pm-10pm; free; weather permitting)

The Nutcracker Ballet is presented annually by Pinkerton Ballet. This is the only weekend to catch their masterful performance, so get your tickets before you miss out on the sugar plum fairytale.

• Pinkerton Ballet presents their 28th Annual Nutcracker Ballet in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center (7pm; $22/$18 kids and seniors)
• Live Music with Terri Campillo, Craig Fletcher, and friends at Glen Eagles Restaurant (7pm-10pm)
• Live Music with the Michael Furlong Band at Casino Fandango (7pm-12am)
• Karaoke hosted by Millers Entertainment at the Eleventh Frame Winners Lounge, Carson Lanes (7pm-11pm; raffle for singers, drink specials; all ages)
• Live Music: Roo and Melfry in the A to Zen ‘Zen Den’: 1803 N. Carson St. (6pm doors; 7pm start; $5 cover, you get $5 store credit; all ages)
• Live Music with Escalade in the Carson Nugget Sports Bar (8pm-12am)

Need some music to relax to? Enjoy some jazz at Living the Good Life with GHI. Grab your instrument and head to Silver City for their monthly acoustic jam. A to Zen hosts Roo and Melfry tonight for an all ages show.

• Live Music with Musicole at the Max Casino (8pm-12am)
• Live Music with the Kid and Nic in the Carson Valley Inn Cabaret, Minden (8pm-1am)
• Live Music with Mo’z Motley Blues at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (8pm)
• Karaoke at the Westside Pour House (8pm)
• Karaoke at the Spoke Bar and Grill (8pm)
• Dance Party with DJ Chicago Kid at SlotWorld Casino
• Dance Party and Singles Mingle with DJ R Styles at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (9pm)
• DJ Dance Party at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm-2am)

The long weekend is winding to a close, but there is still some fun to be had. Take the little ones to Carson Mall for pictures with Santa and check out their craft fair while you’re there. Bela Voce has come to town for a free holiday concert at the United Methodist Church. The Raiders Booster Club is holding their annual Adopt-a-Senior fundraiser at Carson Lanes. All are welcome to enjoy the silent and live auctions, in addition to food and drink specials.

SUNDAY:

• Muscle Powered Weekly Bike Ride - Meet in the south parking lot of Fremont Elementary School, next to the Linear Ditch Trail (meet at 8am; 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; email Shane shane@shanetrotter.net for questions; 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)
• Nevada Artists Association Art Exhibit featuring artists Mike and Pam Black with Photography by Chas. H. McDonnell, III at the Carson Visitor Center (8am-6pm)
• Breakfast and Bowl at Carson Lanes (9am-12pm; breakfast and unlimited bowling until noon $13, $8 kids 8 and younger)
• Community Yoga with Allison Reitz at Comma Coffee (9am-10am; $10 cash, first class only $5; beginners are welcome; Bring your mind, body, and mat -a limited number of extra mats will be available)
• Holiday Craft Fair at the Carson Mall (Vendors 10am-5pm; Santa photos 10am-6pm)
• Pictures with Santa Claus at Billow’s Custom Embroidery and Screen Printing: 1894 E. Williams St, Ste 1 (10am-4pm; make reservations at 775-315-0632 or email santadennis2016@gmail.com; pets and walk-ins welcome)
• 17th Annual Kandy Kane Holiday Craft Fair in the Valley Ballroom at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (10am-4pm)
• Arlington Square Ice Rink (Sessions 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm, 6pm-9pm; $7/$5 kids, $3 Skate Rental)
• Raiders Booster Club annual Adopt-a-Senior Fundraiser at the Eleventh Frame Lounge in Carson Lanes (12:30pm silent auction, live auctions and raffles; kickoff 1:25pm vs the Carolina Panthers; food and drink specials; everyone invited, supervised kids under 21 welcome; for more info contact Leni, CCRBC Secretary 775-232-9700)

“You musn’t give your heart to a wild thing. The more you do, the stronger they get, until they’re strong enough to run into the woods or fly into a tree. And then to a higher tree…” If you do give your heart to something, give it to the talented Audrey Hepburn. Breakfast at Tiffany’s plays on the big screen at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. today and Wednesday.

• Bingo fundraiser for Meals on Wheels at the Carson City Senior Center (doors 11am, 12:30-4pm; $10, must be 21+)
• Barony of Fal Dare, Amtgard Live Action Role Play Plus Combat Group at Mills Park, at the end of Oxoby Loop (12pm-4pm; Foam sword fighting, crafts, classes; child-friendly, under 18 must have a waiver signed by their parents; newcomers welcome, for info email FalDareMonarchy@gmail.com )
• Big Screen Classics: Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Galaxy Theater- Fandango (2pm; $8.25 adults, $7.50 kids)
• Pinkerton Ballet presents their 28th Annual Nutcracker Ballet in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Carson City Community Center (2pm; $22/$18 kids and seniors)
• The Foundation for Carson City Parks and Recreation (FCCPR) hosts an Open House for the historic Wungnema House on the east end of Mills Park - The building is accessible by the Park entrance on Saliman Road, opposite the high school (2pm-5pm; Free)
• 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)
• Live Music with Deep Groove at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (2:30pm-5:30pm)
• Light in Darkness Holiday Concert with Bella Voce at the United Methodist Church: 212 N. Division St. (4pm; free, donations appreciated)
• Candy Cane Lane: custom outdoor drive-thru Christmas light display at Carson Valley Inn, Minden (6pm-9pm; Accompanying music can be heard by tuning your car radio to 89.9 FM)
• Big Screen Classics: Breakfast at Tiffany’s at the Galaxy Theater- Fandango (7pm; $10.25 adults, $7.50 kids)
• Funkyard Folk and Steampunk Jazz with Professor Gall at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint: 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd. (7pm; no cover)

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.