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. Also, see nevadaappeal.com or tahoe.com for updates of video games, movie news, TV shows or specials, musical events and reviews.

Sam Bauman, entertainment editor

- The second season of "The Met: Live in HD" ends Saturday April 26 at 10:30 a.m. with the new production of LA FILLE DU REGIMENT ("The Daughter of the Regiment"). Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Florez headline Donizetti's comic opera staged by debuting director Laurent Pelly and conducted by Marco Armiliato.

Intermission features include live interviews hosted by star soprano Renee Fleming with Dessay and Florez, and with Felicity Palmer and Alessandro Corbelli, who sing the roles of the Marquise of Berkenfield and Sulpice. Audiences will also be treated to a sneak peak of the 2008-09 "The Met: Live in HD" season. The transmission is directed for telecast by Gary Halvorson; Jay Saks is audio producer. LA FILLE DU REGIMENT is the last in a series of eight performances to be broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera in New York via satellite into more than 350 movie theaters across the country (600 worldwide). Tickets are $22 for adults; $20 for seniors; $15 forchildren. See http://www.metoperafamily.org/hdlive.

- George Winston, he of the romantic piano, appears at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno July 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 in advance, $35 on show date. Tickets are the Pioneer Center.

- Slot Machines: The Fey Collection from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. In the South Changing Gallery, held over by popular demand. Call 687-4810, ext. 239 or 245.

- The CCAI Courthouse Gallery, 885 E. Musser St., will show artist Galen Brown's free show, "Waves: Line and Rhythm." The show will continue through May 23. See www.rts-initive.org. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

- A new double-feature of films featuring the favorite actresses of yesterday and today airs on RetroPlex each Sunday night through May.

- 8 p.m. "The King and I" (Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, Rita Moreno); 10:20 p.m. "Separate Tables "(Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Burt Lancaster)

- On the stage:

Kenny Rogers will play Friday at the Silver Legacy in Reno at 9 p.m. Tickets are $55 to $80 at 325-740. He's still a fine singer. He's followed Saturday by adult-comedy star Dave Attell, tickets $40 and $50.

Not many cities the size of Carson can boast symphony, but Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Center the Carson Symphony plays. A guest soprano, Lillian Roberts, will offers arias from "Aida," "Tosca" and "Madama Butterfly." Her "Song to the Moon" is hot on YouTube. Tickets are $12 general, $10 for seniors and students. Cheap when you consider rock concerts.

The Back Forty will celebrate American music at Piper's Opera House in Virginia City Sunday at 4 p.m. There's a barbecue attached to the music so call 847-0433 for cost and extras.

At the MontBleu casino in Stateline, The Wailers are back Tuesday, led by Aston "Family Man" Barrett; they plan to carry on the spirit that was created by Bob Marley and the Wailers. The doors open up at 8 p.m. and the Mark Sexton Band from Reno will start at 9. Tickets are $25 in advance at Renegadeshows.com and Ticketmaster.com. Or call (530) 583-2801.

The Brewery Arts Center returns " Defending the Cavemen" in Performance Hall (511 W. King St.) May 2 -3. This show is always a sellout as it explores what makes men so much of a problem for intelligent women. The performances are May 2 at 7:30 p.m. and May 3 at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets are available at 883-1976, at www.breweryarts.org or at the BAC box office at 449 W. King St.

The Black Crowes will caw at Harrah's Lake Tahoe Friday at 8 p.m. This is an adult show, $50 general admission. Call (800) 786-8208. The Cowboy Junkies will act and sing away at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks Friday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45, call (800) 648-1177. This is a fun act. Trace Adkins shows up at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno Saturday May 3 at 9 p.m. Tickets top out at $82.50 for the country crooner. Call 789-2000 for tickets.

Paul Thorn brings his stories and song to John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks Saturday at 8 p.m., call (800) 648-3300. He's the son of a Pentecostal minister and really knows how to deliver a sermon.

If all the bad economic news is getting you down, maybe some comedy is what you need. Try Horace B. Sanders and Chris Curtis at the Silver Legacy through Sunday (325-7401) for $15.95. Bobby Collins is at the Improv at Harveys through Sunday, $25, (800) 427-8397. And the lineup at Tahoe Comedy North in Crystal Bay is Huck Flynn and Mark G. and Rocky Whatule, Tuesday, $15, call 833-6330.

And in a class of its own, "Yesterday " a Tribute to the Beatles" plays at the Horizon in Stateline at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday at 8:30 p.m. A special Sgt. Pepper shows has been added for 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $22, call 588-6211.

At the Carson Nugget it's Bamama through Sunday, no cover. Carson Station offers Hookastew through Saturday.

"FloorPlay" is a hot dance show at the Eldorado in Reno these days. Natch, it's an offspring from the TV dance shows without the name dancers. But reportedly it "mixes a youthful flair with the sensual and the physical chemistry of ballroom and Latin dancing." It's probably the bast show the Eldorado has housed in a long time. Even if you don't dig ballroom dancing, this is great fun. Tickets are $29.95 to $43.95 at 786-5700. Believe it or not, Greg London's "Icons" is still playing at Harrah's Reno. Quick costume changes are the key to this show. Call 788-2900, tickets are $29.95-$39.95.

- GRAND SIERRA RESORT AND CASINO GAMING PROMOTIONS

$20,000 Break The Bank Blackjack Tournament

On Saturday April 26, a $100 entry could help players recover from their tax filing by winning a share of $20,000 in cash in Grand Sierra's one-day blackjack tournament. Each entrant receives a $30 dining credit. Must be at least 21 years of age and prize funds are based upon 200 entries.

Mega Bucks Pull Party Sundays

Every Sunday from 3 to 8 p.m. beginning May 4, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino will host Pull Parties. Players Club members who receive the monthly local mailer will receive a coupon for free slot pulls on the first and second Sunday of every month and another coupon for free pulls for the third and fourth Sunday in every month. Another way to participate is to redeem 200 Comps Plus+ bonus points for a free pull. Players must be 21 years of age or older.

Slot Tournament Mondays

On Mondays from 3 to 8 p.m. beginning May 5, the property is offering a free weekly slot tournament. Participants may play their five minute round at anytime during the five hour period, but each gamer is only permitted one session per week. Winners will be posted near the Players Club after all scores are tabulated at 9 p.m. and prize money will be added to each winner's Comps Plus+ card as bonus points. First place receives $377, second place is awarded $177, third gets $107, fourth takes home $77 and fifth place leaves with $39. Players must be 21 years of age or older and belong to Comps Plus+.

Comps Plus+ Double Points Tuesdays and Thursdays

Tuesdays and Thursdays at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino are double the fun with Comps Plus+ double points. Players insert their Comps Plus+ card into any Reel Slot machine all day long every Tuesday and Thursday to automatically receive double points. Participants must be 21 years of age or older and belong to Comps Plus+.

Video Poker Tournament Wednesdays

On Wednesdays from 3 to 8 p.m., the property is offering a free weekly video poker tournament. Participants may play their five-minute round at anytime during the five- hour period, but each gamer is only permitted one session per week. Winners will be posted by the Players Club after all scores are tabulated at 9 p.m. and prize money will be added to each winner's Compls Plus+ card as bonus points. First place receives $377, second place is awarded $177, third gets $107, fourth takes home $77 and fifth place leaves with $39. Players must be 21 years of age or older and belong to Comps Plus+.

Jack Daniel's Blazing BBQ

Cafe Sierra is offering a summer promotion where guests have the chance to win a brand new Weber BBQ Grill. Participants must order a Jack Daniels infused cocktail, appetizer or entree at Cafe Sierra and receive an entry form. The drawing will take place in October and the entrant does not have to be present to win.

About Comps Plus+

Comps Plus+ offers more comps, more free play, more benefits with monthly mailers featuring free gifts and discount offers along with more events, tournaments, concerts and theme parties boasting more than 125 events per year. Comps Plus+ members also receive preferred seating at concerts and special events and must be 21 years of age or older. For more information, call 789.2000 or visit www.MycompsPlus.com.

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