Latin Dance

It’s finally here, Nevada’s Big Give. Nevada’s Big Give is a 24 hour online donation push for non-profits, charities, and causes around the state.

We have almost made it to the weekend. Let visions of the Downtown Wine Walk, CASI’s Woof, Wine, and Whiskers, and the kick-off of Carson Comedy at the Carson Nugget keep you buoyant until then. Just don’t be in such a hurry to enjoy the weekend that you miss out on what Thursday in Carson City can offer.

Once upon a time in Nevada, a Reno tailor named Jacob Davis wrote a letter to Levi Strauss about his pocket rivets, and thus the blue jean was born. Coincidentally, today is Strauss’ birthday. Once upon a time in Nevada, Buffalo Bill Cody was just a kid riding for the Pony Express. It’s his birthday, too. Fun fact: Cuba Crutchfield, a trick-rope cowboy with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West, is buried in Carson City’s Lone Mountain Cemetery. Once upon a time in Nevada, a man was shot in Reno.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year; welcome to the year of yang, which could be a goat, a sheep, or a ram, depending on the translation. Time to reunite with family and loved ones and celebrate spring. New York City got in on the festivities with its first ever fireworks display for the Lunar New Year; I've included a YouTube video, just in case fireworks really are lucky.

The Pizza Factory on Hwy 50 East is holding a fundraiser for Eagle Valley Middle School today. 20% of the day’s proceeds will benefit their Parent Teacher Organization.

First things first. Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, so I’m reminding you to make reservations for your favorite restaurant if you haven’t already. Check out the Carson Mall’s Craft Fair and Gift Sale or any of Carson City’s great shops like Artsy Fartsy Art Gallery, Evergreen Gene’s, Morley’s Books, the Artisan Store at the Brewery Arts Center or Purple Avocado for something special for that special someone.

Today kicks off the second annual International Film Weekend in Carson City. The main event is this evening in the Bob Boldrick Theater at the Community Center, a free showing of “Boy.” “Boy” is about a youth coming of age in the Maori culture in New Zealand in 1984.

The weekend is almost here, and everyone is gearing up for the big game. Time to hit the grocery store and stock up on chips and dips and chicken wings! If you don’t want to do the cooking yourself, there will be plenty of places around town to load up on grub and cheer on your team.

Carson City has some great lectures going on today. Sierra Nevada Forums is presenting ‘Lions and Tracking and Bears, OH MY’ about the incredible animals in our foothills. ‘A Short History of Virginia City’ is to be found at the Nevada State Museum, followed by a book signing by Authors Ron and Susan James.

This Thursday is both National Strawberry Ice Cream Day and National Hat Day. You may want some ice cream for your vocal cords after you hit the Karaoke circuit; Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar, Caterpillar’s Hookah Lounge, and the Feisty Goat Pub all want to see you wearing your performing hat tonight. On a more local level, today also brings the annual State of the State address delivered by our Governor, Brian Sandoval.

THURSDAY:

Head down to the Friends of the Carson City Library’s book store tonight to hear author Mark S. Bacon speak about his newest book, Death in Nostalgia City.

A talk about the freeway art in Carson City by Mary Fischer, author of Carson City History in Motion is tonight, as well; sponsored by the Douglas County Historical Society, it will be held at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. If you need to sing your heart out, check out karaoke at the Feisty Goat Pub or at Jimmy G’s Cigar Bar.

THURSDAY:

High Sierra Swing Dance Club invites the public to its seventh-annual Spring Ball dinner-dance on April 26 at the Carson Nugget, 507 N. Carson St., Carson City.

The semi-formal/formal-attire evening begins with hors d'oeuvres and no-host cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and continues with dance performances at 6:30, buffet dinner at 7, open dancing 8-11 pm to West Coast swing,
nightclub two-step, country two-step, waltz and Latin tunes.

Latin dancers BB and Kiki sold out their beginner classes in March. To help with the demand they are adding more classes in April for Carson City, Reno and Truckee.

Learn a social dance that you can take out on the town in Reno, Sacramento, San Francisco and beyond from instructors that are well respected in their field for fun and inspiring dance classes. See their website here.

The Mountain Magic 13th annual Swing, Hustle and Night Club Two Step Convention and Championships will be held at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa Nov. 3-6 2011.
Special features: Free workshops – hospitality room – welcome party – 3 ballrooms – dancing – competitions –Cabaret Sunday after party.
New this Year: Mini intensive w/Michael Kiehm; Latin Dance Party (Salsa, Bachata & Cumbia) w/BB and KiKi of Salsa Reno.