Good entertainment coming in 2006

The first really good news of 2006 is that Chris Proctor will play at the Comma Coffee at 7 p.m. Jan. 12.

Proctor is a master of the 12-string guitar, as well as the six-string, and his arrangements for the box are popular with many other guitarists. Apparently, he requested the opportunity to do a living room-style concert after appearing at the Pony Express Pavilion and the Brewery Arts Center.

Proctor puts on a nice show with plenty of variety in his selections.

Doors open 6 p.m.; tickets are $15. Call 883-2662.

Next up, Bob Malone

Pianist, songwriter, singer Bob Malone, on tour to celebrate the release of his fifth CD "Born Too Late," returns to perform another show for Comma Concerts.

Over the last three years, Malone has appeared at the Upstage Center Theatre and the Capital City Music Series at the Pony Express Pavilion. His 2003 release, "Malone Alone," won Best Live Album at the 2004 Just Plain Folks Music Awards.

Malone's must-read essay on being a success as a touring indie artist appeared in the HarperCollins book "Working Musicians," along with interviews and essays by Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Keith Richards and many others. Nice company.

Malone's music has a rare, timeless sound that is pure Americana. It is a distillation of uptown blues, gutbucket New Orleans ragtime stomp and classic singer/songwriter pop songcraft. It is delivered with a wry lyrical eye for detail, and the ferocious energy of a great rock 'n' roll piano man.

Tickets are $15 general admission; Concert Club members get in for $12.

Ricky coming to town

Ricky Martin will be "Livin' La Vida Loca" at the Hilton at 8 p.m. Jan. 28, with reserved-seat tickets at $100.

Martin's chart-topping international achievements include being named World's Best-selling Pop Male Artist and the World's Best-selling Latin Artist at the 12th annual World Music Awards. He has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and won the Best Latin Pop Performance Grammy for "Vuelve" in 1999.

At $100, it sounds kind of pricey, but if Ricky moves you, what price is pleasure?

From the vaults

Not for everyone, but for those liking the old vampire story in new clothes, try "The Hunger," from 1983, starring (improbably) Catherine Deneuve, David Bowie and Susan Sarandon.

Slow-moving, with some classical music tossed in, Deneuve is icy, Sarandon gushing, and Bowie just weird.

There's a flashing nude scene with Deneuve and Sarandon which does little to advance the story, but offers that thrill that some vampire fans seem to enjoy, Yes, it's rated R.

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