'Unsilent Night' and holiday bells at BAC, toy drive, Santa Train and more: Carson City region readies for eventful weekend

Heading into the weekend, there’s a mountain of activities around the Carson City region over the next three days. Events include a toy and gift drive for homeless kids and teens, the 12th annual Christmas Carol Playalong for Strings at the Carson Mall, Carson City’s first-ever "Unsilent Night" at the Brewery Arts Center, a Só Sol dinner with entertainment at Sassafras, a "Pink Party" cancer center fundraiser at the Lighthouse Bar, comedian Dan St. Paul at the Carson Comedy Club and more.

Do you have an event or happening you'd like people to know about? Tell us about it by clicking here, filling out the details and we'll tell Carson City area readers about your event or happening. Not seeing your event you wish to promote? You can also submit the relevant information, also known as the "5Ws and How” to editor@carsonow.org. We will update this calendar as submissions are made.

Here's a rundown of events and activities over the next three days:

Friday, December 20
— Toy and Gift Drive for Homeless Kids and Teens hosted by Faith Hope Love of Northern Nevada(all day). Every year we Adopt families in need for Christmas and are collecting new, unwrapped toys for homeless kids in need as well as gifts for teenagers. We have adopted kids and teens of homeless families to bless with a Christmas they wouldn’t get it otherwise. Toys and gifts can be dropped off at A to Zen in Carson City, 1803 N. Carson St.

— Muscle Powered Friday Morning Walk, December 20 at Linear Ditch. 9 a.m. Come join Muscle Powered for a free, guided group walk, hike, or ride around Carson City! Muscle Powered is a local non-profit organization that promotes walking, hiking, biking and trail building. A schedule of all upcoming activities and events can be found at www.musclepowered.org/calendar. Dec 20 – Linear Ditch – East. Meet at Moffat Open Space parking area on Hells Bells Road and Parkhill Drive. Morning walks start at 9 AM and are 1 to 2 miles with duration of 1 hour with usually negligible elevation gain, and frequently on paved or smooth paths. If weather conditions are bad, meet at the Multi-Purpose Athletic Center (MAC) at 1860 Russell Way. Check www.musclepowered.org/calendar or Facebook. Contact Vickie Doenges at 801-641-1620 with questions.

— Carson City Santa Events Roundup for 2019: How, when and where you can find Old St. Nick (all day). While it isn't quite Christmas-weather yet, I'm assuming at some point it will get cold and we can finally get into the upcoming holiday spirit! When that time comes, there are a ton of great Santa-related events going on in Carson City for you and the little ones to enjoy.

— Have you found your Christmas tree yet? Permits to cut your own in Tahoe Basin available. The Forest Service office in South Lake Tahoe and the North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center in Tahoe City still have Christmas tree permits available. Permits cost $10 each and cutting is allowed until Dec. 31. Sale Locations: Forest Supervisor’s Office, 35 College Drive, South Lake Tahoe, Calif. This office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays. (If purchasing a permit at the South Lake Tahoe office, please be sure to arrive no later than 4 p.m. This will help ensure there is adequate time to process your purchase before the office closes at 4:30 p.m.) And North Lake Tahoe Visitor Center, 100 N. Lake Blvd., Tahoe City, Calif. This office is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding Christmas Day.

— Carson City's Vitalant is hosting a 'Food & Toy Drive' to benefit local charities. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 256 E. Winnie Ln. Carson City's Vitalant, located at 256 E Winnie Ln, is hosting a food drive and gift drive now through Dec. 22 to benefit Northern Nevada Dream Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Nevada. Gifts can be any age range so long as they are unwrapped. Food items include unexpired canned foods or meats, non-perishable boxed foods, peanut butter, etc.

— WNC students lead Toys for Tots collection drive at Carson City campus. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas is less than a month away and many local families need help providing presents to their children. To help fill this need, the Associated Students of Western Nevada at Western Nevada College are leading a Toys for Tots collection drive through Dec. 20.

— Carson City, Lyon and Douglas Toys for Tots hotline. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Carson City region's Toys for Tots program is ready to serve families in need this holiday season. Hotlines open Dec. 3 and run to Dec. 20, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contributions of toys may be made in 125 locations in Carson City, Douglas, Storey and Lyon counties.

— Coin press demonstrations at the Nevada State Museum. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 600 N. Carson St. Visitors to the Nevada State Museum can watch the museum’s historic Coin Press No. 1 carry on a mission it started nearly 150 years ago in the very same building. The venerable press churned out millions of dollars in silver and gold coins during stints at U.S. Mints in Carson City, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Denver between 1870 and 1964.

— Carson City Symphony Association, Carson Mall host 'Christmas Carol Playalong for Strings' on Friday. 3 p.m. String players of all ages and levels are invited to join the 12th annual Christmas Carol Playalong on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, from 3 to 4 p.m. inside Carson Mall, 1313 S. Carson Street, Carson City. This free event is hosted by Carson City Symphony Association and Carson Mall. Violin, viola, cello, bass, and harp players of all ages and experience levels are welcome to come and play. Bring your music stand and contact Sue Jesch at 775-450-5584 or sue@tahoefiddler.com in advance for sheet music and information. Everyone else, come and listen or sing along. Carson City Symphony Association events are supported by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, and by private donations.

— Bently Heritage's Alpine Gin Release. 5 to 10 p.m. at the Bently Heritage Estate Distillery, 1601 Water St. in Minden. Made with piñon pine distillate, this gin is a true expression of the Carson Valley Region. Director of Mixology and Minden native Lucas Huff, will be stirring and shaking bespoke cocktails, made exclusively for this event.

— Flick N' Float at the Carson Valley Swim Center. 6 to 8 p.m. at 1600 Hwy 88 in Minden. Come enjoy this new movie watching experience on the water. Cost is $2 entrance fee plus a $1 for tube or bring your own flotation device. Pizza and snack bar available.

— Open Mic Night at A to Zen Gift Shop. 6 to 9 p.m. at 1803 N. Carson St. Open Mic Night is held at A to Zen Gift Shop on the Zen Den Stage. All talents, creative projects welcome. Come practice being on stage. There will be music, comedy, poetry, magic, and more. All ages and skill levels welcome.

— Live music at Glen Eagles Restaurant. 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 3700 N. Carson St. Enjoy live music that is sure to make you get up and dance every Wednesday through Saturday starting at 6:30 to 9:00ish.

— Comedian Dan St. Paul headlines Carson Comedy Club this Friday and Saturday. 8 p.m. at the Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St. Join the Carson Comedy Club inside the Carson Nugget this weekend for the standup stylings of headliner act Dan St Paul performing this Friday and Saturday.

— Rebekah Chase at Living the Good Life. 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at 1480 N. Carson St. Come enjoy the awesome music from Rebekah Chase and the band this Friday night! Food, drinks and plenty of dancing will be available throughout the night.

— Christmas on the Comstock in Virginia City. This December will have you Believing Again with three-weekends of events and a month-long celebration for the entire family surrounded by a historic Victorian setting. Festivities include a parade, concerts, tours, A Comstock Christmas Carole original production, Father Christmas, carriage rides, Christmas trains, letters to Santa, a Christmas Challenge town-wide activity, a shopping spree worth $1,000 and much more.

Saturday, December 21
— Toy and Gift Drive for Homeless Kids and Teens hosted by Faith Hope Love of Northern Nevada (all day). Every year we Adopt families in need for Christmas and are collecting new, unwrapped toys for homeless kids in need as well as gifts for teenagers. We have adopted kids and teens of homeless families to bless with a Christmas they wouldn’t get it otherwise. Toys and gifts can be dropped off at A to Zen in Carson City, 1803 N. Carson St.

— Carson City Santa Events Roundup for 2019: How, when and where you can find Old St. Nick (all day). While it isn't quite Christmas-weather yet, I'm assuming at some point it will get cold and we can finally get into the upcoming holiday spirit! When that time comes, there are a ton of great Santa-related events going on in Carson City for you and the little ones to enjoy.

— Auditions for 'Heather the Musical (High School Edition)'. 10 a.m. Sign up to audition for "Heather the Musical (High School Edition)," on December 21 at 10:00 am (callbacks later that day). This production is the inaugural show of the newly-formed adult and young adult theater company, Wild Horse Stage Company which produces both small and large scale shows geared towards adult and young adult performers and audiences in Northern Nevada. We are dedicated to producing high-caliber, innovative productions of contemporary theater that inspire, engage, and entertain the community.

— Carson Intuitive Center hosts Christmas Festival this Saturday. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1800 William St. Suite 207. The public is invited to the Carson City Intuitive Center‘s Christmas Festival this Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. We will be offing: Readings and healings, festive feasting, Santa channeling at 1 p.m. Bring a gift for our holiday gift exchange.

— Santa Train steams up at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2180 S. Carson St. The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City hosts the final weekend of its 35th year of having a Santa Train. Tickets are available at the museum’s depot. 2180 S Carson St, Carson City.

— Saturday Beginning Wheel Throwing at Ogres-Holm Pottery. 1 to 4 p.m. at 1215 S. Carson Street.. The Ogres of Ogres-Holm introduce you to clay in this 6-week open start class, including open studio time, is designed to get you started. It’s a great way to relax on a Saturday afternoon. $175 for 6 weekly sessions or $45 drop ins.

— Lego Club at the Carson City Library. 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 900 N. Roop Street. Build self-led creations through hands-on learning with LEGO Education materials. Participants 9 and under must be accompanied by a caregiver of at least 13 years of age at all times.

— Lecture tells of Carson City Mint's architect and architecture. 2 p.m. at 600 N. St.
On Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., Nevada State Museum director Myron Freedman will give a lecture on Mullett and the architecture of the Mint Building as part of the Museum’s months-long Mint150 celebration. The day will also include behind-the-scenes tours of the Mint building at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and demonstrations of Coin Press No. 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— Skate Night. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Douglas County and Senior Center, 1329 Waterloo Ln. in Gardnerville. Join us for an evening of skating, lights, music and fun!

— Carson City's Lighthouse Bar to host 'Pink Party' to benefit Carson Tahoe Cancer Center. 6 p.m. at 4750 Hwy 50 East in Carson City. This Saturday, Dec. 21, the Lighthouse Bar in Carson City is hosting a “Pink Party” charity event with money to be donated to the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center.

— Live music at Glen Eagles Restaurant. 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 3700 N. Carson St. Enjoy live music that is sure to make you get up and dance every Wednesday through Saturday starting at 6:30 to 9:00ish.

— Comedian Dan St. Paul headlines Carson Comedy Club this Friday and Saturday. 8 p.m. at the Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St. Join the Carson Comedy Club inside the Carson Nugget this weekend for the standup stylings of headliner act Dan St Paul performing this Friday and Saturday.

— Escalade to perform at Living the Good Life. 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at 1480 N. Carson St. Come enjoy some holiday cheer and dance all night with Escalade performing R&B Motown funk and the classic hits we love to dance to.

Sunday, December 22
— Toy and Gift Drive for Homeless Kids and Teens hosted by Faith Hope Love of Northern Nevada (all day). Every year we Adopt families in need for Christmas and are collecting new, unwrapped toys for homeless kids in need as well as gifts for teenagers. We have adopted kids and teens of homeless families to bless with a Christmas they wouldn’t get it otherwise. Toys and gifts can be dropped off at A to Zen in Carson City, 1803 N. Carson St.

— Carson City Santa Events Roundup for 2019: How, when and where you can find Old St. Nick (all day). While it isn't quite Christmas-weather yet, I'm assuming at some point it will get cold and we can finally get into the upcoming holiday spirit! When that time comes, there are a ton of great Santa-related events going on in Carson City for you and the little ones to enjoy.

— Santa Train steams up at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2180 S. Carson St. The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City hosts the final weekend of its 35th year of having a Santa Train. Tickets are available at the museum’s depot. 2180 S Carson St, Carson City.

— Nevada Raider Nation Carson City Chapter Game Watch. 1 p.m. at Jimmy G’s, 301 N. Carson St. The game watch will feature drawings for fantastic Raiders gear; a silent auction on even greater Raiders items, like an autographed Willie Brown photo, highball and shot glasses with the Raiders logo, T-shirts, games, Howie Long photo, and a whole lot more! Tickets for the drawings are 6/$5. Silent auction items have a minimum opening bid, with each following bid as determined.

— Só Sol at Sassafras in Carson City this Sunday. 4 p.m. at 1500 Old Hot Springs Rd. This Sunday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. Come down to Sassafras in Carson City and spend an early evening with Só Sol. Get ready for some of the best folks, food, drinks, hot springs and songs one could ever ask for. This is a free show. All ages welcome.

— BAC organizes Carson City's first 'Unsilent Night' as part of worldwide music event. 5:30 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center, 449 W. King St. For the first time, the Brewery Arts Center has organized Carson City’s "Unsilent Night." An original composition by Phil Kline, "Unsilent Night" was written specifically to be heard outdoors in the month of December. It takes the form of a street promenade in which the audience becomes the performer.

— Tintinnabulation Bell Choir at the Brewery Arts Center. 7 p.m. at 449 W. King St. Fourteen talented musicians dressed in black, highlighted with a touch of green, stand behind a length of 30 feet of tables which are laden with 120 glistening bronze bells and chimes. The real magic begins with the drop of the baton by director Barb Walsh, as the bells energetically and sensitively begin soaring through the air resulting in a memorable, enchanting musical experience.

— Christmas at the Comstock in Virginia City. This December will have you Believing Again with three-weekends of events and a month-long celebration for the entire family surrounded by a historic Victorian setting. Festivities include a parade, concerts, tours, A Comstock Christmas Carole original production, Father Christmas, carriage rides, Christmas trains, letters to Santa, a Christmas Challenge town-wide activity, a shopping spree worth $1,000 and much more.