A to Zen in Carson City home to family-friendly music, stage
Eclectic is a word often overused when describing small businesses. A to Zen in Carson City, however, has earned the moniker.
“A to Zen has been evolving,” said owner Mike Epps. “I don’t know how to explain this place, you have to come in.”
A to Zen started as a thrift store. But it has evolved over the years to include a large book section, musical instruments and accessories, used vinyl records, and gifts of all sorts.
There are special sections for local authors and artists, as well as albums by local musicians.
“This is definitely more of a store than I anticipated,” said customer Ian Merritt of Carson City. “I could spend all week in here.”
The most “eclectic” thing about A to Zen is that it's also a live music venue with a stage, sound system, and house instruments provided for the weekly Open Mic Night every Friday.
The store also hosts Saturday concerts throughout the year featuring local bands and touring acts alike.
The Zen Den Stage is a resource for the community, said Epps, who encourages people to reach out and share ideas about events or concerts that they would like to see.
Canyon White is an award-winning local singer/songwriter who has been hosting the Open Mic Night for five years.
“It’s not just for music," she said. “There’s comedy, magic shows, story tellers... It’s open to all talents.”
The open mic attendees describe the space more as a large living room than a typical concert house.
The venue is very family friendly and no alcohol is served or allowed inside.
The separation between the retail space and the music venue creates focused attention to the act on stage where the music is the focus.
“I like the room a lot,” said Carinne Carpenter, Vagabond Songwriter. "It’s a very cozy, ambient environment.”
Carinne is a traveling musician, performing concerts, busking and attending open mic nights across the United States.
“In the room, the audience is present,” she added. “That's a big deal to me.”
Open mic night is free and occurs every Friday night from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
The room is available to rent for parties, events, meetings, and concerts.
“Seeing the progression of local talent and people just wandering through is great,” said White. “Mike has built a stage and sound system for families to come in and play music.”
“They’re really committed to the community, and to not just be a thrift store,” she added. “It’s become so much more than that, they are building a community.”
A to Zen, located at 1803 N. Carson Street, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. It's open late on Open Mic Night and during Saturday concerts.
Contact A to Zen at 775-691-3945 or online at their facebook page for more information.
- alcohol
- Carson City
- A to Zen
- artists
- Arts and Entertainment
- authors
- carson
- Carson Street
- City
- comedy
- community
- Community,
- Concert
- concerts
- environment
- events
- families
- Family
- Family Friendly
- family-friendly
- Free
- FRIDAY
- friday night
- gifts
- home
- Hours
- information
- live
- local
- Local Talent
- Music
- Musical
- Musician
- musicians
- online
- Open Mic
- parties
- performing
- play
- saturday
- Singer
- singer songwriter
- songwriter
- Space
- talent
- The Venue
- United States
- White
- Zen
- live music
- local authors