Symphony does city proud with concert

A tip of the hat to the Carson City Symphony which opened its 23rd season recently at the Community Center with a rich and varied program. The highlight was visiting violinist Carla Trynchuk and cellist Stephen Framil in Brahms' "Double Concerto for Violin and Cello." It was masterfully played with very able backing from the symphony, led by David Bugli, music director. The concert was repeated Tuesday night.

A nice touch was assistant conductor Eric Gault directing the "Carmen Suite No. One" by Bizet. Most assistant conductors are lucky to get out of the rehearsal room, but Gault was a swooping and soaring conductor who knew his half-notes. Bugli helped out, manning the triangle during "Carmen."

A nice mix of new and old, with Karel Husa's "Divertimento for Brass and Percussion" offering the modern touch. The city is lucky to have such a fine orchestra - mostly unpaid volunteers.

BREWERY GOES SOUL

It's turnback the clock time at the Brewery Arts Center on Friday and Saturday when the "Classic Soul Extravaganza" rolls into town. Barbara Lewis of "Hello Stranger" fame joins Sly, Slick and Wicked ("Sho Nuff") for the Performance Hall gig. Tickets are $25 in the balcony and $35 for preferred seating. Showtime is 7 p.m. both nights.

SCOTLAND'S COMING

The Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company brings Lerner and Loewe's award-winning "Brigadoon" for the next three weekends at the Carson City Community Center.

The show is a love story about a couple of Americans visiting Scotland and stumbling across a town that appears once every hundred years. They fall in love with local lassies, which is why the musical exists. It features such love songs as "Almost Like Being In Love" and "The Heather On The Hill." animated with colorful Scottish sword dances and highland flings.

Pennebaker. Kirk Gardner and Lynette Brown play their comic counterparts, Jeff and Meg.

Stephanie Arrigotti produces and directs, and Gina Kaskie-Davis is the choreographer.

Admission to individual shows is $18 general, $16 for students and seniors, and $14 for youths 17 and younger. Tickets at 775-445-4249.

Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. ANOTHER MUSICAL

Opening Friday night at the Brewery Arts Center is Proscenium Players' musical "Blood Brothers," which is an entirely different kind of musical. NO great love story here. It's rollicking good fun with an outstanding cast. It's also got a dark side.

This is the story of twins who are separated at birth and kept in the dark about their relationship. But they become friends despite conspiring mothers. The two brothers are terrific and the whole cast makes this a show of imagination. Don't miss it; call 883-1976 for tickets. Show's a 8 p.m.

FROM THE VAULTS

Here's an offbeat movie, "Dirty Pretty Things," that has a lot to say about a lot of things, including illegal immigration Europe style. Okwe (Chjwetel Ejioforo) is working as a night porter in a posh London hotel. He finds a human heart plugging a hotel room toilet.

Turns out he is an illegal from Logos. Directed by Stephen Frears, this is a laid back thrill, rated R.

VACATION THOUGHTS

One of the extras that comes with taking a short vacation is opening new doors that normally one would never try. Talk radio was one that I discovered while driving the wilds of Utah. I never listen to talk radio (except for PBS' noontime show) as it always seemed to be preaching to the choir, and while that opinion hasn't changed, one broadcaster offered an intriguing note. He greeted each caller with "You're a great American," and usually had the same phrase returned. Obvious question: How did he know each caller was a "Great American?" Because they called his show, apparently. Hubris overrules logic.

Then there's the question of 18-wheel semis on the road in a rainstorm. Passing them is an act of faith, as one is blinded by the hurricane spray the unfendered wheels create. How many accidents do these behemoths cause every year is not known, but the danger is there.

And while seated at a truck stop and grabbing breakfast, Fox television's newscast offered a fascinating "news" segment, where a retired GOP Congressman was being interviewed by a female newsreader, who lobbed such questions as "How bad will it get if the Democrats win the House?" Naturally, the ex-lawmaker said it would get pretty bad, everything from acne for adults to the end of the nation as we know it.

I kept waiting for a contrary view of some kind, but none came.

Not to be missed are the evangelic broadcasters. You can get some pretty good music there, not much rock or jazz, but good old stuff recalling a Midwestern childhood. Came across one, however, whose whole programming was anti-abortion. No problem with preaching the message, but it seems odd for a station to base its entire programming on one issue.

And finally, home again to find a slew of messages on the answering machine. Every one who sent me a recorded political message at once lost my vote.

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