Some suggestions for this weekend and next couple of weeks around Carson City and elsewhere. Check entries in the daily Nevada Appeal for more details, but this should be enough for planning this weekend and the next couple. Also, see nevadaappeal.com for updates of video games, movie news, musical events and reviews.
Sam Bauman, entertainment editor
Here's some of the traveling acts:
Big Head Todd and the Monsters play at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks at 8 p.m. Dec. 29-30. Tickets are $45. New Year's Eve it's a Disco Dance party, tickets $35. Call (800) 648-1177 or visit janugget.com.
The Brewery Arts Center brings Al Stewart to town Jan. 19. Stewart's restrained delivery, his incredible equanimity is what makes his music instantly recognizable. Stewart appears in the Performance Hall at the Brewery Arts Center, 511 W. King St. Tickets are $25 for all seating. A $3 discount is available for BAC members, students and seniors. Contact the Brewery Arts Center at 883-1976 or visit www.breweryarts.org.
Rock singer and songwriter Paul Rodgers of Bad Company appears at the Eldorado Dec. 30 -31. Rodgers recently teamed up with Queen. Call 786-5700.
Bill Maher makes the scene Dec. 28-29 at the Sillver Legacy in Reno, both shows at 8 p.m. Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary. His commentaries target a wide swath of topics, from the right-wing to the left-wing, bureaucracies of many kinds, religion, political correctness. Call 325-7401.
Van Morrison plays the Grand Sierra Friday night with tickets topping out at $250. Ouch! He's been around for 40 years but he still sounds fresh. Call 789-2285.
Greg London returns to Harrah's Reno DEc. 28with his quick-change "Icons" show. Fast and fun. Call 788-2285.
"A Filipino Christmas in Reno" plays at the Silver Legacy Dec. 22 Tickets are $48 to $68. Call 325-7401.
MontBleu Casino in Stateline has booked "The Magic of Rick Thomas" for Dec. 27-31. Tickets are $17.50. Call 588-3515.
Here's a roundup of Christmas entertainment around town:
"The PeanutCracker " The Story In A Nutshell" ballet will be performed by the Sierra Nevada Ballet and students from Western Nevada Performing Arts Center and In Motion Studio Saturday Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center. This is a condensed one hour and narrated version of the beloved "Nutcracker," designed to appeal to audience members from 2 to 92 years old. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and children. Call Pam at 851-0808 or Rosine Bena at 783-3223.
The Reno Chamber Orchestra presents the fourth annual Nevada Chamber Christmas Music Festival Dec. 28-31, seven concerts featuring renowned musicians from around the world performing the masterworks of chamber music. The Festival will be at South Reno United Methodist Church and the University of Nevada, Reno's Nightingale Concert Hall. Tickets are available at the Reno Chamber Orchestra office, 348-9413, or at RenoChamberOrchestra.org/ncmf.
Santa Train Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St. Ride the rails with Santa. $2 per seat. Call 687-6953.
"Artemis and the Christmas Treasure" Thursday at 8 p.m., Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main St. Presented by Gold Hill Theater Troupe. Cost is for $30 dinner and theater; $10 for theater only. Reservations recommended. Call 847-0111.
"A Filipino Christmas in Reno" plays at the Silver Legacy Saturday. Tickets are $48 to $68. Call 325-7401.
Grand Sierra Casino Theatre, Reno, presents the Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $71.50 to $33. Call 789-2000 or visit www.grandsierraresort.com.
"The Nutcracker" ballet, a holiday classic, comes to Harrah's Lake Tahoe's South Shore Room for two special shows Saturday Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 23 at 3 p.m. Featuring is the talented Reno Dance Company. Tickets are $36.75 and $26.76; seniors and children are $21.75. Call (800) 786-8208.