Music, food, art and the Oscars

That fine University of Nevada, Reno's Argenta trio will play at 7:30 Saturday night at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall on King Street.

This is one of the best musical groups to hit the city in recent times. No word on what the three will play, but it's one of those opportunities to hear small chamber music at its best.

Cost is a modest $15 for most of us; $12 for BAC members, seniors and students. See you there.

Gallery opening

It was 20 years ago that the Great Basin Gallery opened in Carson City, and the shop is still in business - something unusual for art galleries, which usually come and go like restaurants.

Tonight, there will be an opening celebration at the Carson City Courthouse Gallery to celebrate the birthday. Owners Jeff Nicholson and Richard Davis will be on hand to help open the show of landscape art. Works by Nicholson and fellow artists Jean Legassic and Ron Arthaud will be on display.

Finger food at these openings is usually outstanding, so you might want to drop by.

Chinese galore

In case you haven't noticed, the town is now bursting with Chinese buffet restaurants. The latest to open is King's Buffet, just off Topsy Lane in Douglas County.

The new King's also has sushi and do-it-yourself more or less Mongolian scramble.

The closing of The Water Wheel on North Carson near the new bypass reduces the number of Chinese restaurants in town, but there still about as many of them as McDonald's.

Silver show

The Nevada Museum of Art, at 160 W. Liberty St. in Reno, is showcasing "Modernism in American Silver: 20th-century Design" with more than 200 works. This exhibition showcases modern silver design from 1925 to 2000.

If you haven't been to the museum, it's worth a trip - only 30 miles. It's a handsome building with a good collection of art. Call 329-3333.

Oscar party

Sure, there will be lots of galas March 5 to enjoy the Academy Awards night. One you might want to think about joining is the fundraiser, "An Evening with Oscar - A SpecTAPular Event" at Caesars in Stateline.

Host comedian and radio personality Howie Nave will open things up at 4 p.m. with a no-host bar and a silent auction. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. During commercial breaks, entertainment will be provided by a variety of performers including former Cirque du Soleil stars Elena Lev and Michael Lejuene.

Ticket prices start at $65. Upgraded packages include a $150 "romantic booth for two." A little pricey, but you'll be able to watch the contest between "Brokeback Mountain" and "Crash." My money's on the cowboys.

Call 588-3515.

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