Sam's Picks for the best of the weekend

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 several. Also, see nevadaappeal.com for updates of video games, movie news, musical events and reviews.

Sam Bauman, entertainment editor

- Proscenium Players presents the third production of the season, "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?", written by Mark Medoff and directed by Jeffrey Scott. Performances are Friday and Saturday Feb. 22, 23, 29 and March 1 at 8 p.m. in the Donald W. Reynolds Theater at Brewery Arts Center.

"When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" is a psychological thriller that takes place in a small Southwest diner that lost most of its customers when a new highway bypass opened. Into the monotonous daily grind of the diner's regular characters come a couple of strangers, an unbalanced Vietnam War veteran and his hippie girlfriend, who complicate issues and force others to take hard looks at themselves. This is an outstanding production and possibly the best ever by the Players.

Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 PPI, BAC members, seniors and students. Tickets are at the Brewery, 449 W. King St. or at 883-1976. Due to violence, adult content and language, this play is not suitable for children and there will be no late admissions.

- Brüka Theatre presents "Dirty Blonde," a Tony-nominated comedy with music that explores the phenomenon that is Mae West. It was written by Claudia Shear, is directed by La Ronda Etheridge with music direction by Bill Quinby.

"Dirty Blonde" opened Friday and plays Feb. 22-23, 28- 29. March 1 at 8 p.m. Doors open a half hour before curtain time. Tickets are $18 for students and seniors, $20 for general admission and $25 at the door. For mature audiences only.

The Brüka Theatre is at 99 N. Virginia In Reno. Call 323-3221 or see www.bruka.org.

- "The Male Intellect: An Oxymoron," is at the Eldorado Casino in Reno through March 23. Tickets go for $29.95 to $35.95. Call 786-5966.

- Ani DiFranco appears a the Lawlor Events Center in Reno Thursday April 10 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $235 in advance, $37 a the door. Call 784-4444 or see Tickets.com.

- 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, $32 on show date. Tickets are the Pioneer Center.

- Sawmill Road, a collection of fine bluegrass musicians, plays the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They will be joined by noted cowboy poet Richard Elloyan for a full night of Western music and stories.

Sawmill Road is the big noise this weekend, a bundle of strings-sound walking and well on the way to national recognition with their first CD on the stands, "SawmillRoad 1."

Out of California, the five players (Steve Spurgin bass; Bruce Johnson, fiddle; Dick Brown, banjo; and Mark Miracle, mandolin; Charlie Edsall, guitar) already have a solid fan base, as the Web site shows with comments from listeners like these:

- "I went to your site and listened to the clips. Sounds GREAT, Dick! Good, solid pickin', and " that Burlile is just cuttin' right through with some authority!

Tony, Proud owner of an '07 Hatfield Custom."

- "This album just kicks more & more butt the more I listen to it, Bro! This is top notch stuff for sure. I think all of the banjo tunes are just freakin' awesome, but I think No. 11 "The Vaquero Song" will win you guys an award someday."

Willie

- "Great CD. My daughters beg me to put it in over time we get in the truck. I love it."

Joe

"Bought the newly released Sawmill Road CD from Dick Brown as an unexpected treat during my visit with him. I live 40 miles from Dick's house and it was pretty late when I arrived home. I had to hear at least one song before going to bed. I ended up playing all 13 songs. It was very late when I went to bed with a big smile on my face.

Driver

- "The entire band is great and Dick's talented (banjo) playing demonstrates the power and tone that resides in the Williams, Burlile-powered banjos. Thanks, Sawmill road. Great stuff!"

PickaFive

With fans like those, this has to be a musical experience worth a detour from Reno shows. You can rnjoy a slice of the group's music at their Web site of sawmill road.net.

Or better yet, pick up a copy of their new CD and give track 3, "Song for a Winter's N" Night" or track 12, "Sold Your Joy." You'll find the bass lays down a pneumatic beat and the banjo roams like a busy mosquito. It's all good fun with the songs rolling along in fine spirits.

Also on the bill, Elloyan is a singer, songwriter, and poet of. Writing his own music and poetry he captures the spirit of the west and those who live its lifestyle. Raised in Virginia City, Richard grew up surrounded by the romantic stories and characters that shaped the growth of Nevada and California. Using the backdrop of the high desert, Richard brings to life the images and philosophies of the cowboy and those who are cowboys at heart.

Tickets to a night of western song and story at $15 general admission at the Performance Hall, and $12 for seniors and students. Call 883-1976.

- Del McCoury and David Grisman are among the most accomplished bluegrass-Americana musicians on the planet. See them with their individual bands Feb. 22-23, in the Celebrity Showroom at John Ascuaga's Nugget.

McCoury delivers music that has experienced resurgence in modern cultural popularity. McCoury has had a long career in bluegrass.

For over 40 years, mandolinist/composer Grisman has been busy creating "dawg" music, a blend of many stylistic influences (including swing, bluegrass, Latin, jazz and gypsy) so unique he gave it its own name.

- Del McCoury and the David Grisman Quintet play Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 at (800) 648-1177 or 356-3300 or by visiting janugget.com.

Piper's Opera House will host "Dead End at Piper's," a Dinner Theater Murder Mystery, Friday and Saturday Feb. 22-23. The bar opens at 6:30 p.m.,,, dinner is at 7 and curtain is at 7:30. Tickets are $25 for dinner and the play, $10 for the play only. Call (866)422--1956 or 847-0433.

This is a benefit for Piper's programs.

- America's most beloved musical, "Annie," is back in 30th anniversary tour, giving a whole new generation the chance to experience this classic musical about never giving up hope. The timeless tale of Little Orphan Annie will be coming to the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts in Reno for five performances from April 18-20.

Performance schedule is Friday April 18, 8 p.m.; Saturday April 19, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday April 20, 1 and 6 p.m.

Tickets go on sale March 3 at the Pioneer Center box office, online at www.pioneercenter.com, or by phone at (877) 840-0457. Ticket prices range from $40 to $80 and are subject to service charges. Groups of 20 or more should call 686-6600.

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