Sam's Best Bets for upcoming entertainment

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

OPERA IN RENO

Last year, the Metropolitan Opera took the art form to a whole new level with its groundbreaking series of high-definition broadcasts into movie theaters around the world. This initiative was so successful, that the Metropolitan Opera is expanding the initiative this year by adding two additional operas to the series and beaming the live one-time only performances into triple the number of movie theaters from last year including theaters in Reno. Starting Dec. 15, the Met will launch the second season of "Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD," a series of eight performances to be broadcast live via satellite into movie theaters across the world.

The first performance at the Cinemark Riverside 12 and the Cinemark Summit Sierra is Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette," starring Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna and conducted by Placido Domingo. It will screen at 10 a.m. Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors and $15 for children.

The second opera in this series, a New Year's Day performance of Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel," a family friendly opera that provides a great opportunity to introduce children to opera while they're on winter break. Ticket information is at http://www.metopera.org/hdlive or by calling (800) Met-Opera.

PATSY CLINE TRIBUTE IN TOWN

Brewery Arts Center presents "Patsy Cline, Christmas and More" at 7:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 8 at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St. $25 preferred seating; $22 balcony; $3 discount for BAC members, seniors and students. Visit breweryarts.org or call 883-1976.

STRUGGLES FOR LAUGHS

Meet a theater troupe whose Christmas spirit sparkles more than their acting talent as they struggle to put on the annual holiday show. "The Nick of Time Christmas Show" appears Dec. 7 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 2 p.m. at the Brewery Arts Center Donald W. Reynolds Theatre. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for children, students and seniors at boxoffice@carson.k12.nv.us. Directed by Karen Chandler, this comedy of errors begins with the preparation of a Christmas Eve production at the Community Center, where nothing is working right. A joyous ending is assured in this show as the closing scene involves the audience in a Christmas carol sing-along.

DANCE FOR CHARITY

Pioneer Family Dance will holdi its Saturday event at the Carson Mall From 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday. Guests pay what they like to benefit the Carson City Homeless Day Shelter. There will be a live band and in Dickens' era costume. Call 830-7939.

BAND AND CHOIR

The Capital City Community Band and the Western Nevada College Choir will join talents in a free concert Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Boldrick Theater in the Carson Community Center. The concert will feature holiday music guaranteed to put the audience in the spirit of the season. The choir, under the direction of William J. Zabelsky, will perform music of the season and join the band for a medley of seasonal favorites. The choir will also lead an audience sing-a-long.

The band, under the direction of Richard Doede, will perform a variety of music from Latin to Sousa, as well as holiday songs. Bring the family for this free concert. Call Richard Doede at 883-2219.

THIS WEEK AT ALL CITY LIVE

 A the Grand Sierra Casino in Reno:

Friday " Don't miss a fashion show presented by Lodo Loft featuring Reno Envy. Plus EJ Luera burning it up all night long.  

Saturday " Back for an encore performance all the way from New York, DJ Roctakon, blazing the wheels of steel.

To RSVP to get on the guest list for Tuesday's, Friday's and/or Saturday's event click go to http://allcitylive.pkreative.com. Sign up before 6 p.m. on the day of the event. As always the guest list gives you free cover before 10:30 p.m.

POTTERY AND PASTA AT BREWERY

The Brewery Arts Center presents its pottery studio fundraiser Pottery and Pasta on Dec. 8 with spaghetti meals and warm holiday beverages. Proceeds will go to benefit the Muffy Vhay Pottery Studio. Meals will be served in original bowls handmade by Brewery Arts Center pottery instructors and Muffy Vhay, who founded the studio several years ago. After the meal, patrons keep the bowl. Holiday treats and drinks will also be available.

"I'll personally be making the spaghetti," says John Procaccini, executive director of the Brewery Arts Center. "I love to cook and this is sure to be a very fun, holiday spirited event."

Pottery and Pasta will run from noon to 4 p.m. in the Artisans' Store at the Brewery at 449 W. King St. Bowls will be $15 a person. Also available will be a student pottery sale at discounted prices. Call 883-1976.

AT COMMA COFFEE

Saturday at 8 p.m. , it's Weston Buck, a pop/power pop/experimental experience.  Check him out at myspace.com/westonbuck, and Wayward, pop punk/rock/alternative

myspace.com/waywardrockmusic. It's a free show. Wednesdays are Jazz Nite at the Comma, 7 to1 p.m.

COLLEGE TO STAGE THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

A collection of fairy tales from stories in the Grimm Brothers' collection and Aesop's fables will be presented in three performances at Western Nevada College Friday through Sunday. Story Theatre is the first offering of the college's Winnemucca Drama Series, which showcases actors in training at WNC.

Written by Paul Sills, the comedy offers an evening of light-hearted one-acts that have played both on and off Broadway, capturing a Tony Award in 1970. Karen Chandler directs. Performances wll be in Sarah Winnemucca Hall Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. All seats are $8. Call 445-4249.

DICKENS CHRISTMAS FAIRE

Join in the fun as characters such as Nancy and Fagin come to life at Carson City's First Charles Dickens Christmas Faire to benefit the Rural Center for Independent Living and the Do Drop In Homeless Day Shelter.

Entertainment, handmade baked goods, games, crafts (to do), gift wrapping and caroling included Come dressed in Dickens attire and win a prize. It's Saturday and Sunday at the Carson Mall, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dance to closing. Call 450-3729

MONEKY KING SHOW

"Monkey King Creates Havoc in Heaven," a non-stop kung fu-style show, will make its premiere performance in North America with a limited engagement run in Sammy's Showroom at Harrah's Reno. The show, adapted from a legendary Chinese novel "Journey to the West" tells a story of justice, friendship and sincerity through a series of kung fu feats.

The story tells the tale of the Monkey King, who learns he has been betrayed by his ruler and vows to seek revenge against him. Through his journey, the Monkey King realizes his true talents and learns invaluable lessons of wisdom, bravery and forgiveness.

Presented by Shengda Cultural Communications Co. and the Beijing Shaolin Martial Arts School, "Monkey King Creates Havoc in Heaven" has a limited engagement run December 12 -16. Ticket prices are $29.95 and $34.95 for VIP seating. Call 788-2900 or visit harrahsreno.com.

CELTIC HARPIST

Anne Roos is a Celtic Harpist and will be giving a free concert at Borders in Carson on Dec. 9 from 6 to 7:30. She'll also be selling her CDs. No more info available at this time.

FIARY TALE PLAYS AT COLLEGE

A hilarious collection of fairy tales from stories in the Grimm Brothers' Collection and Aesop's fables will be presented in three performances at Western Nevada College from Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

"Story Theatre" is the first offering of the college's Winnemucca Drama Series, which showcases actors in training at WNC.

Written by Paul Sills, the comedy offers an evening of light-hearted one-acts in a show that has played both on and off Broadway, capturing a Tony Award in 1970. Karen Chandler directs. The show will be presented in Sarah Winnemucca Hall Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. All seats are $8.

Call 445-4249.