Off the Couch: A weekend guide to Carson Country events

Today

-- Comedians Rhonda Shear and Nick Griffin perform at the Improv Comedy Club inside the Reno Hilton. Through Tuesday. Call 789-2285.

-- Capitol Stars Christmas Event "Celebrate the Season" at 8 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Brewery Arts Center. Donation $10. Call 885-6331.

-- Town of Genoa tree lighting 7 p.m. with Santa and refreshments at the Firehouse. Call 782-8696.

-- T-Bone Stone and the Nightcrawlers perform at the Genoa Bar & Saloon at 8 p.m. Call 782-3870.

-- Minden/Douglas Elks Lodge No. 2670 12th annual Spaghetti Feed and Christmas Tree Bingo party, 5 p.m. at CVIC Hall in Minden. Features Spaghetti w/meat sauce, tossed green salad and garlic French bread. Cost $6 per person, $4 children 6-younger. Bingo prizes are 5- 6-foot Christmas trees. Call 265-1030.

-- Terri Clark performs at the Reno Hilton Theater at 9 p.m. Tickets: $25 and $35. Call 789-2285.

-- Greg Brown performs at the Reno Ramada Inn, 200 E. Sixth St. at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets: $18 general, $15 seniors and BAC members. Call 883-1976.

-- Celtic music performers Johnny Cunningham and Susan McKeowan perform in the Fallon Convention Center at 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. Call (775) 423-1440.

-- Health & Healing Conference at the Carson City Seventh-day Adventist Church at 7 p.m. and Sunday. Call 882-3541.

-- "A Christmas Carol" performed in the Douglas High School drama room at 7 p.m., also a matinee at 2 p.m. A modern adaptation of the Dickens classic featuring the International Thespian Troupe and DHS drama department. Adults $5, students, seniors, teachers $4 today and Saturday. Call 782-5136.

-- Greg Piccolo and Heavy Juice perform at the Eldorado Hotel & Casino at 10 p.m. through Sunday. Call 786-5700.

-- Great Basin Basketmakers exhibit "Holiday Dreams III" at the River Gallery, 135 N. Sierra St., Suite A, Reno, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Jan. 3. Call 329-3698.

Saturday

--Jessi Winchester, author of "From Bordello to Ballot Box" at Bookcellar Books, 1202 N. Carson St., 1-3 p.m., for a booksigning. Call 882-4702.

-- Pet Adoption Day at the Carson City Library beginning at 10 a.m. Call 832-4404.

-- Western Nevada's Most Beautiful Christmas Baby Contest at the Brewery Arts Center. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Call 883-9433 or 267-2627.

-- Grand Opening and Artist's Reception at Kamas Gallery, 319 N. Carson St., 4-7 p.m. (above Java Joe's). Features paintings by Barry Crandall, Art Herman, Evan Johnson; ceramics by Julie LaCroix, Harold LaVigne and Kerry Mueller. Call 883-5884.

-- Douglas High School Craft Fair at the High School, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March of Dimes benefit. Donation: $1 per person. Children free. Call 782-4631.

-- Carson Valley United Methodist Church's annual free community advent dinner, 4-7:30 p.m., in the church Fellowship Hall, 1375 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville. The public is invited and encouraged to bring an item for the CV Food Closet as admission. Call 782-4600.

-- Christmas Parade of Lights in Virginia City. Call 847-0311.

-- A "State of the Fourth Ward School Address" will be given from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Fourth Ward School in Virginia City. For information or to reserve seats call 847-0975.

-- "The Nutcracker" ballet at Piper's Opera House, Virginia City, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under. Call 847-9080.

-- Reno Philharmonic "Spirit of the Season Holiday Concert" at the Pioneer Center, performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. featuring the Youth Symphony Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic Chorus, Nevada Opera Youth Chorus and Nevada Festival Ballet. Tickets: $25, $20, $15 with senior and student discounts. Call 323-6393 for tickets.

-- Sparks Hometowne Christmas in Victorian Square. Featuring a parade, tree-lighting, caroling, crafts, entertainment and food. Call 353-2291.

-- Annual Christmas Faire & Christmas Cafe at Genoa Town Hall through Sunday. Call 782-8696.

-- The Comstock Cowboys live at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City through Sunday. Call 847-0733.

Sunday

-- Carson City Raiders Booster Club Christmas Commitment fund-raiser, features live auction, raffles, collectibles, and more, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Big Al's Pizza, 230 Fairview Drive. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots collection, and batteries (all sizes) for Eagle Valley Children's Home. Call 887-1997.

-- Carson City's Victorian Home Tour, a self-guided tour from 1-6 p.m. in the town's historic district. Tickets are $10 adults, $8 seniors (over 65) and students 12-17, $3 children 5-11. Tickets available at Carson City Chamber of Commerce, Kennedy's Book Store and at the Roberts House Museum Nov. 27-29. Call 882-1805.

-- Open house at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Includes Gallery of Trees Festival, Trinity Lutheran Church Choir, refreshments. Call 782-2555.

-- Karl Denson's Tiny Universe performs at the Cal-Neva Resort in Crystal Bay, 9 p.m., ages 21 and older. Tickets $17 in advance, $20 day of show. Call 337-8344.

-- Reno Pops Orchestra annual Handel's "Messiah" Sing-Along 2 p.m. at Pioneer Center. Also a community sing-along of Christmas carol favorites. Admission free. Call 673-1234.