A to Zen

A hearty congratulations goes out to those of the graduating class of Western Nevada College. This morning, Governor Brian Sandoval, will be the featured speaker at the commencement where 539 students will be granted their degrees. You can find a list of graduates HERE. Join the Healthy Communities Coalition this evening for their monthly cooking class.

It’s going to be a chili weekend, and that has nothing to do with the weather. The annual Chili on the Comstock Competition takes over the tiny town of Virginia City, including a saloon crawl Saturday and the hilarious ‘Fun with the Runs’ 5K. Families will have a hard time choosing between the Cops and Kids Open House and Safety Fair at the Sheriff’s Office and the ‘Kids to Parks’ Day activities at Silver Saddle Ranch. Keep reading, and I apologize in advance for throwing so many great options your way.

SATURDAY:  

We’re in for another gray day, but that won’t affect the fun to be had. Bike to Work Week always ends in a big bash. Head down to McFadden Plaza, even if you didn’t take the challenge personally. You’ll find live music, raffles, bike games, and too much fun. Western Nevada Musical Theater Company returns for another weekend of Singin’ in the Rain at the Bob Boldrick Theater. Antsy McClain and the Trailer Park Troubadours are waiting to entertain you at the Brewery Arts Center. There may be some balcony seating still available, but tickets are very limited.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend. Now it’s time to start Bike to Work Week. Set out on your commute a little earlier and do something healthy. Take some time to check out the multiple art exhibits that we have around town; Writing from Mars in the Carson City Courthouse will be gone by the end of the month. If you’d like to be more involved in our community theater activities, attend the monthly board meeting of the Proscenium Players. They always welcome an extra pair of helping hands.

MONDAY, May 14: Things to do in Carson City

Mother’s Day is Sunday, and there will be plenty of ways for the family to enjoy spending time together all weekend long. Treat Mom to some new flowers for the garden at the annual Greenhouse Project Plant Sale. The Nevada State Museum has a day full of cowboy-related activities planned. Head up to Virginia City on the V and T for a memorable ride through the hills. Before you head out on your adventures, remember to leave a donation of non-perishable food by your mailbox for the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Read on for all of your options.

SATURDAY:  

'Singin in the Rain' is probably one of my favorite movies, but I have no doubt that the Western Nevada Musical Theater Company has taken the classic to new heights. Get tickets now if you'd like to catch their production, they are known for sold-out shows. Funnel cakes, Ferris Wheels, and more are waiting for you at Mills Park. A carnival is a great way to help Mom celebrate her special day.

Come help us say "Happy Birthday" to our own Canyon White. Canyon has hosted the open mic at A to Zen for many years and we want to help her celebrate another year around the sun.

Make this Monday a pizza kind of day. The annual Relay for Life relay is just around the corner, and the Pizza Factory on Highway 50 is helping out the cause by donating a portion of tonight’s proceeds to the organization. Mother’s Day is coming up fast and the Carson Mall would like to lend a hand. You’ll find a vendor craft fair set up all week to help you find something special. Community Yogi has yoga classes for all levels at various locations throughout the week.

New local acoustic band Stonewood debuted Saturday night in front of a full house inside the Zen Den at A to Zen Gifts and Thrift on North Carson Street in Carson City.

Not a cloud in the sky, and yet we have been hit by a perfect storm: Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby Day, and the monthly wine walk have all collided. Let me tell you, downtown is going to be hopping, not to mention the Early Season Farmers Market making its seasonal debut in the parking lot at W. Musser and N. Nevada – just behind Due Sorella. Take the kids down to Bailys Pond at Fuji Park for the annual Tom Brooks Memorial Kids’ Fishing Day. A trip to the train museum comes with the opportunity to ride on the Historic McKeen Motor Car.

Oh, wow. May is starting off with a bang. Today is jam-packed with options for families, adults, and everyone in-between. The True Grit: Carson City Big Read kicked off yesterday, and today you’ll find the original 1969 version of the film playing at the Brewery Arts Center. The Children’s Museum hosts a Friday Fun Night with a True Grit Buckaroo Sing-a-long. Your options hardly end there. With live music, improv and comedy, theater, karaoke, and some pre-Cinco de Mayo celebrations throughout Carson City and beyond, you’ll have plenty of reasons to hit the town.

April is making on last-ditch effort to get some showers in for our May flowers. It’s not expected until this afternoon, though, so this morning’s groundbreaking at Telegraph Square should go off without a hitch. Be prepared for the westside of downtown Carson City to be a little messy for the next few months as the streetscape project gets underway, but it should be ready by Nevada Day. Let the Fox Brewpub take care of dinner tonight and stick around for their family-friendly karaoke.

A new local band is set to debut in Carson City with musical sound that has been 40 years in the making.

Stonewood, an acoustical vocal harmony band assembled locally in Carson City, takes the A to Zen stage on Saturday, May 5 for a break-out concert.

Hold onto your hat, Carson City, we’re in for one heck of a weekend. It’ll be cowboy hats and pioneer bonnets in Genoa for Western Heritage Day. Keep an eye out for Mark Twain, plenty of music, and fun for all. Leis are the preferred accessory for Lei Day at the Nevada State Museum where you’ll be treated to Polynesian surprises and free admission. With three local theater groups performing this weekend, you’re sure to find a performance that’s right up your alley. Read on and be prepared to be bombarded with options.

SATURDAY:     

I may be dating myself, but I’ve got John Denver’s voice stuck in my head singing ‘Plant a tree for your tomorrow.’ It’s Arbor Day, so Mayor Bob Crowell will be doing just that, planting a tree in Mills Park. The kids of Wild Horse Children’s Theater continue their successful run of Junie B. Jones at the Brewery Arts Center - it’s their final weekend, so don’t miss out. Maddie’s Adoption Days is a state-wide event trying to find forever homes for dogs and cats; you’ll find several local shelters and rescues participating in the free adoption days.

It’s Denim Day in Nevada, which is just a way to show support for the survivors of sexual assault and bring awareness to the issue. Your early morning coffee might even come with a specially made heat sleeve in honor of the occasion. The Carson City Library is continually bringing something new to our community. Today, you can get certified to use their laser cutter and engraver in the new Maker Space, or you can get a dose of some international flavor. Their Diversity in Action program features Peruvian and Latin American Folkloric music, and is suitable for all ages.

The first day of the week marks the end of a season for Youth Theater Carson City. The year featured shows like Singing in the Rain, Jr. and Willy Wonka, Jr, and last summer’s Into the Dark, not to mention performances at Disneyland by their elite troupe: the Showstoppers. Help them celebrate another great year tonight’s Anniversary Bash and Awards Ceremony with show-stopping entertainment and cake. Something’s cooking in Dayton. The monthly Healthy Community’s Coalition’s free cooking class will teach you how to make something new, and then let you try all the dishes, as well.

What better way to celebrate Earth Day and Earth Week than gorgeous weather that you just can’t help but enjoy. Join Muscle Powered and our Parks and Recreation Department at the Silver Saddle Ranch for a presentation and trash mob. Kids will love the Carnival at Bordewich Elementary School, and it helps raise funds for a local Cub Scout Pack. Mark Twain Elementary is hosting their annual Color Run at Mills Park, just make sure to wear a white shirt.

‘Break a leg’ to the talented kids in Wild Horse Children’s Theater. Their newest production, ‘Junie B. Jones, Jr.' opens at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall tonight. The Reno Coin Club has returned to the Nevada State Museum for it’s annual National Coin Week celebration with lectures, demonstrations, and foreign coins for kids. It’s a BINGO kind of night. Dayton High School is raising funds for their Safe Grad Night with a huge raffle and plenty of family-friendly BINGO fun. Join the Carson Victory Rollers roller derby girls at Battle Born Social for a Friday Night BINGO Bash.

The week is starting out with a spattering of snow, just enough to remind us how unpredictable our weather can be. It’ll make for a difficult morning commute but won’t be long-lived. Enjoy some old-timey music on your lunch break. CW, Dave Leather, and the Doctor perform each Monday at A to Zen. Get your dancing shoes on for High Sierra Swing Dance Club’s weekly night out at Carson Lanes. The stage is open to all-ages at Fox Brewpub’s karaoke night.

MONDAY, April 16: Things to do in Carson City

• — Douglas County School District Spring Break

Carson City residents spotted Spider-Man traversing the town in broad daylight Saturday.

Hold onto your hats, Carson City, we’re in for a busy weekend. Several events over the last few weeks were re-scheduled due to weather: today you’ll find the make-up for The Greenhouse Project's Early Spring Plant Sale and the Carson High Safe Grad 5K Run/Walk. Get your Roller Derby fix with a scrimmage and a Junior Victory Rollers bout against Santa Cruz. The Bob Boldrick Theater at the Community Center is where you’ll find ‘Carson’s Got Talent.' Cheer on your favorite local performer and help raise funds for the Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels Program. You’ll have to keep reading, this is just the tip of the fun-time iceberg.

You’re going to have some choices to make today. Just how much fun are you looking for, and what kind? Live music takes over at Sassafras Eclectic Food Joint, Bella Vita Bistro, Living the Good Life, and the Brewery Arts Center. Belly laughs can be found at Carson Comedy inside the Carson Nugget on Fridays and Saturdays. A Father-daughter dance at the High School in Dayton is sure to thrill some little princesses.

A new week begins and brings us one day closer to warm weather. Karaoke night at the Fox Brewpub is an all-ages, family-friendly event, but all-day happy hour inside the Fox’ Den is meant just for the adults. Local theatre group, the Proscenium Players, have a few great productions coming these next few months; their monthly meeting is this evening at the Brewery Arts Center and anyone interested in theater or wanting to get involved is welcome to attend. Swing into the night with the High Sierra Swing Dance Club at Carson Lanes.

One-time Carson City resident Mark Twain once described genuine music as the kind that will "suffuse your system like strychnine whisky."

To experience it, Twain's advice was to "just smash your piano and invoke the glory-beaming banjo!"

With soggy weather here, some cancellations are inevitable. One thing you can count on, however, is the monthly Downtown Business Association’s wine walk; it’s a rain, shine, or blizzard event. Stay dry and well-fed with the Kiwanis annual BINGO Spaghetti Feed at the Carson Senior Center. The Brewery Arts Center hosts some pretty amazing vocalists for their newest fundraiser, ‘Evening with the Divas.’ Keep reading for even more Carson City, Carson Valley, and Dayton options.
SATURDAY:

Well, the expected rain didn’t show up overnight, but that doesn’t mean it’s not on its way. The brand-new Friday morning walk with Muscle Powered is weather permitting and will meet at the Multi-purpose Athletic Center instead of Fuji Park if it’s wet out. You’ll notice a sea of blue downtown after noon as the annual pinwheel planting for Child Abuse Awareness takes place; the community is welcomed to lend a hand. It’s aviation night at the Children’s Museum with paper airplanes and pilots on the agenda.

A quick drive around town confirms that spring is on its way. Carson kids have one last day to enjoy their spring break before school resumes and Lyon county begins their break today. Find out what’s in store for the next year in Carson City at the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Open House in the Community Center.

Happy Easter Carson City and surrounding towns. Most of today’s happenings are Easter related, with a spattering of reoccurring events. It's opening day for Carson City BMX. It's two-wheeled fun open to all ages, so go see what all the fuss is about. For the adult crowd, the annual Easter Party at Carson Cigar Co. is a relaxing way to avoid the sugar-addled kiddies. Read on for details of today's events.

SUNDAY:

We’ve got a beautiful spring weekend to enjoy. I’d like to make this easy on you: if you are only looking for Easter-related fun, you’ll find it all HERE in my list of everything Easter. Those events are also included in this list, but there is so much more going on. Take a hike with Muscle Powered, get down to some live music, or cheer on your favorite roller derby girl.