things to do in Carson

It’s easy to get excited about Halloween as it approaches. October is filled with pumpkin stuff, haunted houses, and plenty of parties. But here in the capital city, we have Nevada Day to anticipate, as well: a day filled with hot air balloons, parade floats, music, competitions, and plenty of Battle Born fun. While you’re waiting for the three-day weekend, go enjoy Monday. Football, swing dancing, and karaoke are all on the menu.

TedX has returned to the Brewery Arts Center, bringing inspiring speakers, great music, and something special to Carson City. If you can’t make it in person, you can catch it online at www.TEDxCarsonCity.com. Break a leg to the talented members of our Carson High School Theater Program – an updated version of the Greek Classic ‘Eurydice’ opens on the Bob Boldrick stage at the Community Center tonight. Bring a floaty to tonight’s Float and Flick at the Carson Valley Swim Center. Hocus Pocus is family friendly and a perfect Friday the Thirteenth film.

FRIDAY:      

There have been quite a few exciting changes to downtown this year. Today we celebrate the grand opening of the Union Carson eatery, taphouse and coffee bar with a ribbon cutting and tasty fundraiser. $20 gets you a few hours of food, beer and wine, and great live music, and it’s all for a great cause. Artist Adrienne Harrington is the star of this evening’s reception at Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery. The Gold Hill Hotel hosts a weekly lecture series: learn more about the near-by historical ghost town, Bodie, while enjoying a meal. Hoops with Heroes at Dayton High School pits the varsity and j.v.

Air quality around our area is fairly poor, due to the multiple fires in Northern California, so indoor activities are recommended for anyone having a hard time with the smoke. Luckily, Carson City has just the ticket. Get your jazz on at Living the Good Life; Cherie Shipley is hosting tonight’s jam. Kick up your heels during country line dance lessons at the Eleventh Frame Lounge inside Carson Lanes. You’ll learn something new every Tuesday and Wednesday night. Pizza is on the menu for dinner tonight.

I’ve said it before: Tuesdays are pretty busy around Carson City. Mile High Jazz Band gets the night jumping at Comma Coffee. The Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz and DJ Trivia are always a good way to stretch one’s intellect. Take a walk on the wild side, well, art side of Carson City with today’s special Easy Walk hosted by Muscle Powered: you’ll get a glimpse of all our downtown art show, including the newest exhibit at the Courthouse Gallery showcasing Susanne Forestieri . Keep reading, and you’ll be impressed with Tuesday, too.

TUESDAY:

It’s always a good day to try something new. If you enjoyed the recent production of ‘Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe’ then head over to the Proscenium Players monthly meeting and learn how to be involved with their upcoming plays. Jump, jive, and wail with the High Sierra Swing Dance Club at Carson Lanes. They hold a beginning and intermediate dance class before an evening of open dancing. The Vikings-Bears rivalry can be seen on ESPN during tonight’s Monday Night Football Game; cheer on your team and fill up on great food at Living the Good Life.

MONDAY:

This weekend is going to be packed. Vintage Airstreams will line the streets, a wine walk, the Aviation Roundup in Minden, Virginia City’s Outhouse Races, Oktoberfest at Fandango: and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Get a jump on the festivities tonight with plenty of live music, two artists’ receptions, karaoke, comedy, or the Witchcraft and Wizardry Ball at the Boys and Girls Club. Join in solidarity with our famous city to the south by wearing blue and silver today and attending the Candlelight Vigil at the Capitol Building.

FRIDAY:

It’s hard to see straight when the weekend approaches. The Downtown Business Association hosts their monthly wine walk on Saturday, but that is just the tip of the fun-time iceberg. Due Sorella, also known as Two Sisters, welcomes their annual Autumn Vintage Faire to the large parking lot behind them and the Airstreams on Main event brings shiny trailer nostalgia with them. Join the Annual Candlelight Vigil for Domestic Violence Awareness at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center this evening – just remember to bring a jacket, it’s getting chilly once the sun goes down.

You’ll need to share the road this morning. It’s the Nevada Walk to School Day and more kids will be walking and biking their way through your neighborhood. Virginia City is in for a crappy weekend, but they asked for it. The annual Outhouse Races begin with a parade down C Street at noon both days. Learn more about our local Sherriff’s Department today during ‘Coffee with a Cop’ at Dunkin Donuts. Join the Carson Library this evening for their family movie and craft.

Every week I bring you all the happenings in Carson City, my hometown of over 35 years, but I was born in Las Vegas. I’m heartsick over what transpired Sunday night, but equally comforted by the outpouring of support this community has shown. Nevada Day is just weeks away, and I am truly grateful to be Battle Born. Get geared up for our Admission Day with the Nevada Day Treasure Hunt – clues start today, so get out your history books and your hiking boots. Thinking caps are recommended at DJ Trivia at the Fox Brewpub or the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz at Sassafras.

October might bring to mind everything pumpkin-colored, but Carson Tahoe Health would rather you ‘Think Pink.’ The annual kick-off to Breast Cancer Awareness Month returns to Red’s Old 395 with yummy appetizers, cold drinks, and plenty of pink. The Washington Redskins take on the Kansas City Chiefs tonight for Monday Night Football. If you haven’t decided where to watch, the football party and buffet at Living the Good Life is a new option. Take your competitive nature to Carson Cigar Co. for their Tabletop Game Night.

Rumble, rumble, rumble. Street Vibrations brings quite a bit of traffic to the area, so please drive safely amoungst the swarms of bikes. Battle Born Harley is hosting one heck of a party, so head down there for bikes, brews, and lots of live music. For something quieter, the final weekend of 'Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe' at the Brewery Arts Center is a great alternative. Funny lady and local favorite, Kat Simmons, is this week's featured performer at Carson Comedy inside the Nugget - stick around downtown and enjoy Southbound Train at the Westside Pour House.

There’s more than one way to travel in Nevada, and our railways are the topic at both of Carson City’s museums. Learn about the Glenbrook Steam Engine’s history and what it took to get her back on track at the Nevada Railroad Museum. Steven Drew will lecture on the railroads of Lake Tahoe at the Nevada State Museum tonight. Get in the Street Vibrations mood at Battle Born Harley. A concert featuring Justin Lee, in addition to bikes and brews, will kick off their celebration. Families will want to attend the outdoor movie in McFadden Plaza.

Street Vibrations is a celebration of all things motorcycle, but today the only cycle that truly matters is the three-wheeled one that belongs to Glen Lucky. A lot of towns have local celebrities; most everyone has seen Glen Lucky on the side of the road, pushing his bike to take him further. Today, the Nevada State Museum invites everyone to help Lucky celebrate his 65th birthday, complete with cake and a huge group photo.

Calling all Geeks. After a long hiatus, the Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz has returned to Carson City, and is setting up shop inside Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint on Tuesday nights. Grab your smartest friends for a fun night of yummy drinks, great food, and nerdy competition. It's National Register to Vote Day - Carson residents can go to the County Clerk's office in the Courthouse. While you're there, head to the CCAI Gallery on the second floor to catch the last few days of the 'Industrial Art: Sports Edition' exhibit.

By the end of the week we will enjoy the brief return of warm sunny days and hear the roar of the many bikes in town for the annual Street Vibrations Fall Rally. For now, keep a sweater close at hand. Venerable Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim is a Tibetan Buddhist monk of the Gelug order born in Amdo the eastern region of Tibet. Learn about Tibetan Astrology from him this evening at the Brewery Arts Center. Most every tavern in town will have their television tuned to Monday Night Football. Grab some friends and watch the Cowboys battle the Arizona Cardinals.

MONDAY:

Go Big Blue! It’s Homecoming night for Carson High School; head over to the football field tonight to see the Carson Senators take on the North Valley High Panthers. The Carson Nugget is a hotbed of activity tonight for the over 21 crowd. Catch Johnny Steele at Carson Comedy or flashback to the eighties in ‘The Loft’ as New Wave Craze takes to the stage. Break a leg to the cast of ‘Nightfall with Edgar Allen Poe.’ The Proscenium Players’ newest production opens tonight in the Brewery Arts Center’s Black Box Theater.

FRIDAY:

My daily list of activities might be called ‘things to do in Carson City,’ but I frequently include happenings from the surrounding valleys. Today, it’s the Thirsty Third Thursday wine walk in downtown Gardnerville that gets the spotlight. Dayton’s weekly Farmers Market can be found this afternoon in front of ‘Community Roots’ on Highway 50. It’s probably past patio weather, but there is plenty of room inside of Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar for all of tonight’s karaoke lovers.

THURSDAY:

It’s beginning to feel a lot like autumn; it’s time to pull those scarves and sweaters out of the closet. Speaking of chilly, let Chili’s Restaurant take care of dinner tonight and you’ll be lending a hand to Bordewich Elementary School – just make sure to mention the ‘Give Back’ fundraiser. Sacramento arts administrator, Dianne Cripe, will speak about public art as part of the Capital City Arts Initiative’s lecture series, ‘Nevada Neighbors.’ You’ll find poet J. Paul Horgan at Browser’s Corner Book Store, across the street from the Library.

Ahoy, mateys. ‘Tis International Talk Like a Pirate Day, so don’t ye be a scallywag. Set forth on an adventure to th’ historic west side wit’ Carson City Parks and Recreation. Bring ye brainiest mates along to DJ Trivia at ye olde’ Fox Brewpub, and don’t forget to order ye some supper and grog. Siren of the sea, Canyon White, will be entertaining at Living the Good Life. Enjoy an evenin' wit' local authors at the Minden Library; with a mighty pen, they be signing their latest works. Keep readin' fer all ye Pirate Day options.

It’s back to work and back to school today, but the kids of Carson High School have Homecoming Week to enjoy. The annual Bonfire celebration takes place by the football field tonight at 7 p.m. Western Nevada College is celebrating Constitution Day with a series of films and a student panel. Shake off the back-to-work blues at the Fox Brewpub – it’s karaoke night. Monday Night Football is back in full force. Tonight, watch the Saints battle the Giants at home on ESPN, or at any number of our local casinos or taverns.

MONDAY:

Autumn is coming. It seems our days of 80+ degree weather is over, but so are rainy days we’ve seen this week. The Carson Aquatic Center welcomes everyone to a ‘Dive-in Movie’ on their new LED screen: Finding Nemo is a perfect flick for the whole family. Funnyman Adam Stone headlines this week’s Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget for those needing a good laugh. The Carson Area Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will gather to honor those who have given their all and have yet to come home during a POW/MIA Recognition Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on the Capitol Grounds.

The weekend is creeping closer and there are a few things worth getting excited about. The annual Reno National Air Races began yesterday and run through Sunday, if high-flying and death-defying gets your blood pumping. Not to be outdone, Virginia City welcomes the Ferrari Hill Climb to the truck route this weekend – leave the hairpin turns to the professionals. Today you’ll have Ev Musselman on stage at Living the Good Life to help erase your workweek worries.

Ready to head back to school, Carson City? The entire community is invited to attend the Open House Open Hearts Community Fair at Carson High School this evening. You’ll be treated to performances from our talented students, yummy treats created by the CHS Culinary students, and a plethora of information from community services like the library and Boys and Girls Club. Wheeled Food Wednesdays at the Brewery Arts Center is contingent on nice weather, so it’s too early to tell if the rain clouds will cooperate.

Northern Nevada is filled with very different people with a wide variety of interests. I strive to make sure that my things-to-do lists reflect the many options available to you. Today, for example, you’ll find a fundraiser for Catmandu, the monthly meeting of the fly fishing club, some country line dancing, jazz and poetry, and a walk along the historic Blue Line Trail. No two Tuesdays are alike (or Wednesdays or Thursdays, for that matter), so it’s always worth checking out. Now that we are moving into autumn, the activities in Carson City change like the leaves.

As you drive through Carson City today, the flags at half-mast are a somber reminder of the lives lost during the attack on the World Trade Center. If you’d like some time to reflect, the memorial in Mills Park is the perfect setting. Learn how to lend a hand to the next generation during a volunteer workshop at the Senior Citizen’s Center: reading help is needed and the volunteer commitment is only one hour a week. They say laughter is the best medicine, and funny-lady Kat Simmons is the prescription.

One might think that after Labor Day, it starts to get quiet around here. They would be mistaken. September is chock-full of adventure, starting with this weekend’s Virginia City International Camel Races and the Great Reno Balloon Races. You won’t want to miss the last of the Third Street Stage Concerts in McFadden Plaza: Shane Dwight is tonight’s featured performer. It’s the last day to see the Photography and Regular Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery, they’ll have their new Autumn Show on display Sunday.

FRIDAY:

Head to bed early tonight, the Great Reno Balloon races are best enjoyed by early risers. Not to be outdone, Virginia City has discovered that camels and emus are even more hilarious to race. You’ve got plenty to look forward to this weekend, but don’t discount today. Jimmy Mallett will sing you back to yesteryear at Living the Good Life. You’ll get your motor running at Battle Born Harley Davidson’s weekly bike night.

THURSDAY:

Six years ago, shots rang out and Carson City was thrust into the middle of a tragedy. Four people died in the IHOP shooting, three of them National Guard members. Today, they will be honored again during the annual Remembrance Run. If you are driving along Fairview, please give them some extra room. Wheeled Truck Wednesday at the Brewery Arts Center is a ‘weather permitting’ event, so keep your eye out for rain clouds.

It’s back to school and back to work, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Get your kicks on the dance floor in Carson Lanes’ Eleventh Frame Lounge; DJ Bobby will teach you how to line dance. The Classic Cinema Club presents Edmond O'Brien and Pamela Britton in ‘D.O.A.’ Get there at 6:30 p.m. for discussion and film trivia. For the true trivia junkies, the Fox Brewpub hosts DJ Trivia tonight – all ages are welcome and there are prizes at stake. Halloween lovers of all ages will want to participate in the upcoming production of ‘Nightmare before Christmas’ at Piper’s Opera House.