Jazz fest scores a hit

Last weekend's "Jazz and Beyond" festival at the Brewery Arts Center was a spirited success, with hundreds attending the three nights of music and beer-tasting. The beer was part of the annual Brew Festival fundraiser for the BAC on Friday, but it was the vigor of the music that really set things apart.

The Mile High Jazz Band and the Industrial Jazz Group opened for Lydia Pense and Coldblood. Pense is one great blues lady, and Coldblood's backing and soloing was just what got things rolling along.

Saturday, several local groups started things swinging with Dan Hicks and Bayside Jazz coming on late in the afternoon. That night, Bobby Mantos and His Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble pounded and wailed away. The trombone doubled on violin, the alto sax on flute. And the piano was played as it rarely is, as a percussive instrument.

Sunday capped it all with the Reno Jazz Orchestra and Cami Thompson. She's a jewel, and sings the way the jazz angels should.

The staff at the Brewery put together a fine lineup (too many acts to list, unfortunately) and certainly drew the crowds. Kids were there being exposed to jazz, even if not being forced to listen. That's the right approach, for sure.

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS

Continuing through Monday is the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cookoff at John Ascuaga's in Sparks. Lots of music as well soul food. Today, War plays; Friday Aaron Tippin; Saturday, The English Beat; Sunday, Susan Tedeschi; Monday, deSoL.

Joe Crocker plays at the Silver Legacy in Reno Friday, followed by a Chinese Concert Saturday starring Nadia Chan and Akina Hong.

The Burning Man event climaxes with a blaze of glory on the Black Rock Desert playa Saturday night. But if you haven't got your tickets, you might as well give up.

Def Lepard and Journey play at the Reno Events Center Sunday.

The last of Squaw Valley's summer concert series is Saturday with the Mountaintop Bluegrass Festival. High Camp's summer stage will feature the traditional and "new grass" sounds of Rusty Strings, Poor Man's Whiskey and Stiff Dead Cat.

The festival kicks off at noon on the outdoor stage, with seating on the grass adjacent to High Camp, and is free with a cable car ticket. Blankets and low-back beach chairs are permitted, as are leashed dogs. Food and drink will be available on-site (small coolers are allowed, but guests are asked not to bring alcohol up the mountain). Call (530) 583-6985.

And tonight it's Women's International Boxing with Mary Ortega vs. Elena Reid at Harvey's in Stateline.

Variety, that's us this weekend.

MUSICAL "CHICAGO" IN RENO

The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts reports that tickets for the Tony award-winning "Chicago" are on sale. The show will run for six performances Sept. 14-17 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.

Single tickets for "Chicago" are $45 to $95, plus service fees. Tickets may be purchased at www.pioneercenter.com or at (775) 686-6600.

• Contact Sam Bauman at 881-1236 or sbauman@nevadaappeal.com.