She's hot as our summer; Beyonce sings at Harveys

By Sam Bauman

She's a superstar and she's going to be here in Tahoe. We're talking about superstar Beyonce, who plays at Harveys Tahoe amphitheater tonight at 7:30. Opening is Robin Thicke. Raid the bank cause tickets start at $57 and top out at $127. You know what she's been up to - starring in the Oscar-nominated movie "Dreamgirls," putting out her multiplatinum CD "B'Days," and launching her own (more or less) line of clothing. We don't dare ask if the press will be invited to her show. See Ticketmaster outlets or call 787-8497.

Also on tap is the Los Tigres Del Norte, a northern band that plays at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are more modest at $40. Call 358-1875.

Maybe this is more to your taste, Heart, at the Grand Sierra Theatre in Reno, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m., tickets $93.50, $71.50 and $49.50

Saturday it's the Truckee Reggae Festival with The English Beat and Eek a Mouse at the Truckee River Amphitheater. Tickets are $25 for the all ages show beginning at 6 p.m. Call (530) 583-2801.

Rib lovers are sure to enjoy more of their favorite tunes during the Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off Nightly Concerts on the main stage through Monday. The free performances include: Sol'Jibe Wednesday at 7 p.m.; Don Felder of the Eagles, Thursday at 7 p.m.; Darryl Worley, Friday at 7 p.m. Greg Kihn, Saturday at 7 p.m. Loverboy, Sunday at 7 p.m.; ALO, Monday at 2 p.m. All at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks.

America comes to the Atlantis Grand Ballroom stage for two shows Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 the day of the show and are available at 824-4467 or (888) 551-7007. Guests must be 21.

Asia's Nightingale and newest Diva of Las Vegas, Lan Misalucha and former lead singer of the famous Freestyle Band, Top Suzara, will perform with Filipino pop and R&B band South Border at the Silver Legacy's Grande Exposition Hall. Tickets are $38, $58 and $78 and can be purchased online at www.silverlegacy.com or by calling (800) MUST-SEE.

Chart-topping rock band The Killers will take stage at the MontBleu Theater inside the MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa on Sept. 21 at 9 p.m. The MontBleu Theater will open its doors at 7:30 p.m. with the show at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at (800) 648-3353, visiting all Ticketmaster outlets. All tickets are general admission.

MOVIE ALERT

Less than two weeks from now on Sept. 11 (if all goes well) director and writer Sean Penn's film "Into the Wild" will open. The book, by Jon Krakauer, on which the movie was based was jarring, discomfiting 11 years ago when it came out. It recounts the the story of Christopher McCandless, a wanderer in search of his own version of the truth, if that's not an oversimplification, which it probably is.

McCandless, 22, came from a well-off Virginia family. When he graduated from Emory College he gave the remaining $24,000 of his college fund to Oxfam America, severed his ties to his parents and began a two-year journey fleeing his wealthy background.

He roamed the nation, posing as "Alexander Supertramp," he worked on a sheep ranch, and finally in his search for meaning walked off into the Alaskan wilderness. He stayed in an abandoned Fairbanks city bus. The weather worsened, he was cut off from civilization by a swollen river and he starved to death.

Penn worked for years to get permission from the McCandless family, finally succeeded and painstakingly tries to tell the story. We can hope. I remember reading the book and thinking, "Either he's crazy or I am?" Maybe the movie will answer my question.

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