Friday, May 1: Things to do in Carson City

The Genoa Cowboy Festival is just starting, and I suspect that’s where Calamity Jane would be spending her birthday. If not there, than maybe up in Virginia City: today marks the first ‘Flashback Friday’ of the year, when all of the museums have free admission. Tonight she could catch some laughs at Carson Comedy in the Nugget or at the Brewery Art Center for First Friday Improv. Saturday she'd likely trade in her six-shooter for a wine glass, because it is Wine Walk Weekend.
FRIDAY:

• ’Drink One for Dane’ Muscular Dystrophy Association Fundraiser at Dutch Bros Coffee
• Genoa Cowboy Festival: A variety of daytime events are FREE at the Cowboy Festival including: Chautauquas, Living History Tours, Musical Performances, Cowboy Poetry, Melodramas, and Historical Reenactments
• White Pine County Artistry by artist Dawn Dot Star at the LXS Gallery in the Legislature Building
• ’New Work’ by artist Pasha Rafat at the Nevada Arts Council: 716 N. Carson St. (8am-5pm)
• ’The Driest State: Nevada Watersheds’ by artist Nolan Preese at the CCAI Gallery in the Courthouse: 885 E. Musser (8am-5pm)
• CCAI Exhibit: BRIC Art 5 at the BRIC: 108 E Proctor Street (8am-12pm and 1pm-5pm)
• Flashback Friday Museum Days in Virginia City (All Virginia City museums have waived admission, but donations are encouraged when you pick up the map at the Virginia City Visitors Center)
• Mother’s Day Arts and Craft Fair at the Carson Mall (9am-7pm)
• Starbucks Coffee Tasting at Carson Tahoe Medical Center (10am-11am; free)
• ‘Spring has Sprung’ Art Show at the Nevada Artists Association Gallery in the Brewery Arts Center (10am-4pm)
• ’Pets of the Homeless’ Food Drive at Evergreen Gene’s: 1811 N. Carson (10am-5pm)
• First Friday BBQ: fun, games, prizes with representatives from The Wooster Brush Company, Grace, and Allura at Meek’s Lumber: 2869 N. Carson St. (11am – 1pm; free)
• WNC Wildcats Softball vs College of Southern Nevada at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex (1pm AND 3pm)
• Wine Tasting at Genoa Candy and Coffee in Carson Lanes (4pm-8pm; $5 for five tastes)
• Sierra Songwriters present: Songwriters in the Round at Comma Coffee (6pm)
• Live Music with Tom Miller at La Posada Real: 3205 Retail Dr. (6pm-9pm)
• CCBMX: Friday Night Lights at the Livermore (Edmonds) Sports Complex (Signups 6:30pm-7:30pm; $5)
• Live Music with Terri Campillo and Craig Fletcher at Glen Eagles Restaurant (6:30pm-10:30pm)
• Improv Night with hosts Mikey and Heidi: watch or participate at the Brewery Arts Center Black Box Theater (7pm; free)
• “Geology of the National Parks” Lecture with Dr. Winnie Kortemeier at Western Nevada College: Marlette Hall, Cedar Building 100 (7pm)

Okay, I’m a little jealous. May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii. As much as I love the lilac, daffodils, and roses, Nevada just can’t compete with the over-abundant flora that Hawaii is known for. Interestingly, May 1st is also International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day: a day to plant seeds in your neighborhood or somewhere that would benefit from the bright color. Granted, not many places will get the water needed to grow sunflowers, but there are great blooms in our high desert. Take a look here if you need a dose of native flowers.

• Genoa Cowboy Festival: Main Stage Concert “NEVADA NIGHT” with Featured Performers: Lacy J. Dalton and The Dalton Gang; Larry Maurice; Richard Elloyan and Steve Wade at the Mormon Station Stockade, Main Stage Tent (7pm; Tickets: $30 to $45)
• Swing Dance Night at Yaple’s Ballroom (Jitterbug lesson 7pm; Dance 8pm; $10 for the whole evening)
• Open Mic at A to Zen: 1803 N. Carson St. (7pm)
• Live Music with Halfway to Forever at Casino Fandango (7pm)
• Carson Comedy: Mickey Joseph at Carson Comedy, upstairs in the Carson Nugget (7pm; $15)
• Live Music with the Scarlet Verbs at Flight: 2244 Meridian, off Airport in Minden (7:30pm)
• Live Music at the Red Dog Saloon, Virginia City (7:30pm)
• Live Music at Westside Pour House (8pm)
• Karaoke at Barb’s Y-Not: 152 E. Long (8pm)
• Live Music with the Localz at Red Dog Saloon–Virginia City (8pm)
• Live Music at the Carson Station (8:30pm)
• Live Music with Jaime Rollins at Living the Good Life: 1480 N. Carson St. (9pm)
• Karaoke at Whiskey Tavern (9pm)
• DJ and Dancing at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar (10pm)