Get your hard hat and party as Rome falls

Club Nero will host its final party Saturday, celebrating "the fall of Rome" as Caesars Tahoe continues its transformation into becoming the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa.

This "Demolition Party" will mark the end of an empire for Club Nero, following 16 years of being one of the most popular nightclubs at Lake Tahoe. All guests at the final farewell party will receive hard hats and streamers, and drink specials will be offered throughout the night.

The closing of Club Nero will make way for MontBleu's new nightclub, The new nightclub's name and theme have been kept secret, but will be revealed Monday.

Club Nero first opened in 1990, and became one of the area's premier nightclub destinations. And when in Rome, visitors and locals certainly had a great time reveling in the modern-day "debauchery," but all great empires must come to an end.

The party begins at 9 p.m., and admission is free for those who live within a 100-mile radius. For others, women will be admitted free before 10 p.m. (after 10 p.m., a $5 cover). There is a $5 cover for men before 10 and a $10 cover after 10 p.m.

I was here when Nero's opened and visited the club off and on over the years, usually with visitors who wanted to see "debauchery." Didn't see much, but attended some fine parties.

That Sparks Nugget

While jazz isn't exactly the big draw, John Ascuaga's Nugget continues to showcase the art form. Some of the jazz people playing there on Wednesday nights, starting next week, are Escalade, smooth rockers; April 12, Pamela Williams who's all over the musical scene; and April 19, Brian Simpson and Tom Braxton for more smooth jazz. Lots more after those.

Five years later

The Mile High Jazz Band with vocalist Sheryl Adams from 8 to 10 p.m. Tuesday at Comma Coffee will mark five years of gigs at the coffee shop. An anniversary cake will be served. Cost is $5 at the door; $4 for members of the Mile High Jazz Band Association; and free for age 18 and under.

The band includes a hefty four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, keyboard, bass and drums. Call June Joplin at 883-2662.

Debbie's back

Debbie Reynolds has been hoofing and singing for years, including in what has to be the best musical film ever, "Singing in the Rain" with Gene Kelley and Donald O'Connor. You can catch Deb live at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. See you there.

From the vault

Here's a movie that is refreshingly different from anything you've seen in a long time. It's a German film (don't groan), "Run Lola Run" (1998), starring Franka Potente as Lola, and yes, she does run a lot, beautifully, through the streets of Berlin. She's on a mission to save her boyfriend, Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu), from a bad date with a drug dealer. There are three alternate endings to the film, each showing how tiny things affect outcomes. This is about as imaginative a film as has hit the screen in years, with multimedia involved. Don't worry about subtitles; they're there but you really don't need them. A truly delightful extension of the movie business.

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