Reno not big enough for Winston; catch him here

Not too long ago, the folks in Reno were plugging an upcoming concert by pianist George Winston at more than modest admission prices. For some reason, that booking was canceled so I figured no nice quiet tributes to the seasons from Winston (some of his better known pieces are "Autumn" or "December"). But the Brewery to the rescue.

The Brewery Arts Center will present an intimate performance by pianist Winston Saturday, Sept. 12. Winston usually appears in giant concert halls so this is a rare chance to catch his music first-hand at the Performance Hall, with its fine acoustics and intimates seating.

Winston, a solo pianist, dedicates his original music to the changing seasons. His concerts feature a variety of styles, including his melodic folk piano, stride piano, R&B piano, Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts pieces and more. George Winston's newest album, "Gulf Coast Blues & Impressions - A Hurricane Relief Benefit," was inspired by Winston's desire to support the Gulf Coast after the recent hurricane- related devastation. Winston appears at 7:30 p.m. in the Performance Hall at the Brewery Arts Center, at 511 West King St. Tickets are $32 reserved seating. A $3 discount is available for BAC members, students and seniors. Call 883-1976 or visit www.breweryarts.org.

DOPPLEGANERS PATIO SWINGS

You can easily write off Doppleganers based on its unimaginative out-front sign, but if you walk past the pool tables and dimly lighted main room and through the pizza area you'll find a delightful patio, complete with a drizzling cooling system that really cools things down. This is a serious al fresco dining spot, cool in the summer and warmed in the winter by an open gas fire and fixed gas heating towers. You can enter from the back as well as on Curry Street and the front.

There's a full patio menu and, of course, any of the micro brews on tap. It's all unpainted wood and flowers and a real oasis this time of year. Opens at 11 a.m., but closing hours "are crazy," said one busy waitress.

BIGGIES AROUND TOWN

Coming to Harrah's Lake Tahoe Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. is Lindsey Buckingham, a singer of fun and rocking life. Tickets zre $55 for her show, call (800) 427-7247. And the Smothers Brothers return Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Harrah's.

At the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno an unusual act, the Greatest Hitmakers Filipino Show Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets for this act, which has been touring the USA with great success, are from $38 to $78 at 789-2000 or grandsierraresort.com.

At John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks, Jakob Dylan plays at 9 p.m. In the showroom. You pay to hear him,but there are free concerts in Victorian Square over the weekend during the Best of the West Nugget Rib Cook-off: the Blasters play tonight, Bucky Covington on Friday, Mumbo Gumbo Saturday, Night Ranger Sunday. Music is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Additional entertainment plays throughout the day all weekend long in several outdoor stages at Victorian Square.

At Harveys Outdoor Theater in Stateline, An Evening with Kiss should bring out the rocker in you. Show is Saturday Aug. 30. Tickets are big, $59.50 to $155 at harveys.com. An Evening with Luis Miquel follows with tickets at $39.50 to $125, see harveysoutdoortheater.com.

At the MountBleu the Neville Brothers check in Sept. 6. DJ Grandmaster Flash appearing Saturday Aug. 30 with tickets $25 at (800) 648-3353.

FROM THE VAULTS

You may love French films, but here's one you can pass up, despite the fact that it won the Cannes best director award in 2005. It's "Cache," and it stars Juliette Binoche who has little to do but pop questions to her husband, (Daniel Auteuil). Many boring shots of nothing happening, and when something does happen it just drags along. Boring. Rated R, one hour 58 minutes. Skip it.

On the other hand, for a nice summer read, try Michael Connelly's "Lost Light" (Orion paperback, $8.50). Harry Bosch is a retired LA cop who can't shake the memory of a $2 million heist at a movie set as well as the disappearance of a high tech FBI agent. Also there's a dead girl from the movie set and a paraplegic cop who was involved.

Connelly keeps the plot moving with new angles and makes his hero well aware of his weaknesses, although he does allow his hero to take out four killers barehanded. But the cop is a good guy who wins a big one in the end.

- Contact Sam Bauman at editor@nevadaappeal.com.