Sam's Bets for entertainment in the Reno area

Here's a rundown on some of the better entertainment playing around Reno the next two weekends. There's a Sinatra coming to town, the opera opens the season and Jimmy EatWorld (that's right, that's the title). It's too early to ski so you might as ell take in some indoor entertainment.

Sam Bauman, entertainmet editor, the Nevada Appeal

• Catch Jimmy Eat World with The Stiletto Formal live Oct. 4 in the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino at 8 p.m. In today's prefab pop idol marketplace, there must be more pre-teen would-be superstars than ever, all vying for that elusive major-label contract. For the members of Jimmy Eat World, however, having released two major-label albums before hitting legal drinking age, the freedom from that same contract put the Mesa, Ariz., foursome on the path to its very finest work. Tickets at (800) 648-3568. Visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

• Son of the famous singer Frank Sinatra (as if you didn't know), Frank Sinatra Jr. croons at Silver Legacy at 9 p.m. Oct. 5. Sinatra Jr. was influenced by his father's famous and singing career and honed his skills by singing along with his father's records. Sinatra Jr. is gifted with a singing voice similar to his father's and began singing with the Tommy Dorsey band in 1963. Tickets to see Frank Sinatra Jr. perform are $60, $50 and $40 at www.silverlegacy.com or www.ticketmaster.com or at (800) MUST-SEE or 325-7401 or in person at the Box Office located on the main casino floor.

• The Pioneer Center for Performing Arts presents the Nevada Opera Anniversary Concert at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5. Guests will be treated to a musical celebration of Nevada Opera with favorites from the past and pieces that haven't previously been performed in Reno. The concert will be followed by an elegant champagne reception where guests can mingle with the stars. Visit www.nevadaopera.org or call 786-4046.

• The Black Crowes and Buffalo Killers will perform together Oct. 6 in the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino at 8 p.m. Tickets are at (800) 648-3568Visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

• The Silver Legacy Resort Casino presents The Go-Go's at 8 p.m. Oct. 6. The band, which formed in 1978 and rose to fame in the early 1980s, created one of the cornerstone albums of American Surf Rock with their debut album "Beauty and the Beat." The Go-Go's had five U.S. Top 40 hits including "We Got The Beat" and "Vacation." Tickets are $55, $45 and $35 at www.silverlegacy.com and www.ticketmaster.com or or at (800)-MUST-SEE or 325-7401 or at the box office on the main casino floor.

• John Ascuaga's Nugget welcomes Wynonna to the Rose Ballroom at 8 p.m. Oct. 6. Innovative, inspired and imaginative, this music icon continues to touch the heart of many with her powerful, soulful voice, not to mention her red hair. Tickets start at $59. Steppin' Out Packages are available for this show by calling (800) 648-1177. Visit www.janugget.com for more information.

• Social Distortion comes to John Ascuaga's Nugget Rose Ballroom at 8 p.m. Oct. 7. Tickets, $30, and Steppin' Out packages are available at (800) 648-1177. Visit www.janugget.com.

• Chris Cornell and Earl Greyhound will perform in the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino at 7 p.m. Oct. 7. Ranked 12th in MTV's "22 Greatest Voices in Music" survey, Cornell, the voice behind Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog, has been called "the single most dynamic rock 'n' roll force produced by the Grunge Revolution of the early '90s." Tickets at (800) 648-3568. Vsit www.grandsierraresort.com.

• Pat Monahan performs live (can't perform if he's dead) Oct.10 in the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort at 8 p.m. Tickets at (800-) 648-3568. Vsit www.grandsierraresort.com.

• Benise, a flamenco guitarist, strums and picks Oct. 12 at the Grand Sierra Resort at 8 p.m. Tickets at (800) 648-3568. Visit www.grandsierraresort.com.

• At 8 p.m. Oct. 12-13, the Spark's Nugget offers Vox Lumiere's "Hunchback of Notre Dame." With the classic film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" projected alongside dancers, singers and rock-operatic music, Vox Lumiere creates an extravaganza that goes beyond simply being called "multimedia." Tickets are $40. Steppin' Out Packages at (800) 648-1177 or www.janugget.com for more information.

• The Pioneer Center for Performing Arts hosts the Nevada Opera in a performance of "Aida at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 14. One of the most popular of all operas, "Aida" combines the spectacular and exotic features of grand opera with the orchestral virtuosity of Verdi's later style and, especially in the third act, which is a killer. Check www.nevadaopera.org or call 786-4046.

That ought to keep you busy for a few weekends. Think I'll try Benise next Friday and "Aida" Ocdt. 12. Nothing like a little musical variety to keep the old eardrums throbbing.