Guitars, plays, jazz and more jazz on tap around town this weekend

Guitarist Ed Gerhard comes to town tonight at 7 p.m. at Comma Coffee. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at door. Call 220-0995 for ducats. Comma continues to bring the best in guitarists to Carson, and Gerhard is one of the absolute best. His latest CD, "House of Guitars," includes some updated and beautiful standards such as "Poor, Wayfaring Stranger" and "Let It Be Me." Gerhard recently won an Emmy for his track on "Henry Mancini; Pink Guitar" with the old favorite "Moon River." He'll play the six-string, 12-string and acoustic lap steel guitars. Wouldn't miss this one even for skiing.

HENEPEN RETURNS TO STATION GRILL

Good news for cocktail-hour music lovers: The George Henepen Jazz Group returns to the Station Grille in Carson City at 6 p.m. Fridays. Music goes on until about 9, and sometimes later if George is in a musical mood. His sounds are lofty, and the arrangements are original. If you have a huge appetite, order the lamb shanks for dinner. If you're not that hungry, split an order with a friend.

PLAYWRIGHT AT WORK

Nick Josten, a junior at Augustana College and 2002 Carson High School graduate, will present his original play, "A Town Without Syntax," in August at the Brewery Arts Center. Josten, son of Pat "Drama Mama" Josten at the Brewery, has been working on the play for four years. It deals with the relationships between students, teachers and parents as the students begin speaking out of sentence order. Actors ages 14 through adult are needed. Auditions will be held May 25 at 7 p.m. at the BAC. Call 887-0438. Father Josten is appearing in "Bleacher Bums" this weekend at BAC. They're a theatrical family, obviously.

MIXED UP FAIRY TALES

The musical "Into the Woods" continues its run tonight and Friday at the Carson City Community Center this weekend. Stephen's Sondheim's music may not be as familiar as some of his other songs, but the mixture of fairy tales offers a lot of fun amid some darker moments. Show time is 7:30 p.m. Call 283-1684.

JAZZ ON TAP

It's a 30-mile trip, but for jazz fans, the Jazz Festival at University of Nevada in Reno offers noted guest artists. Fred Hersch and The Collective perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. tonight, the Kenny Garrett Quartet at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and the showcase concert and awards ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. Friday. This is quality music, and just goes to show that jazz is alive and well in the Silver State. Call 784-4046.