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 Power is with us as John Fogerty appears at John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks Friday at 8 p.m. It's a bit pricey at $89 and $95 (356-3300) but the Fog gets a lot out of that guitar. Says Fogerty, "Rock 'n' roll has no rules. It should never be a bunch of elder statesmen saying, "You can't do that." We're with you. John.

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

- Coming to the Silver Legacy in Reno is Robert Cray Friday, tickets are $35-$45 at 325-7401. ... And at the Crystal Bay Casino is Dave Mason at 9 p.m. Friday, tickets are $30 at the door, call 833-6333. Kathy Griffin follows Saturday night at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $55 to $80 for this caustic wit.

- Harrah's Reno brings Shane Dwight on stage at 8 p.m. Friday and sol Jibe same time Saturday. Call (800) must see for ticket info. ... At the Tahoe Biltmore The English Beat ska sounds rules at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, tickets are $25 at the door, call 831-0660.

- If all the bad economic news is getting you down, maybe some comedy is what you need. Try Steve Kavitz at the Silver Legacy's Catch a Rising Star through Sunday (325-7401) for $20.50. Bob Zany at the Improv at Harveys through Sunday, $25, (800) 427-8397. And the lineup at Tahoe Comedy North in Crystal Bay is Joe Klock, David Kaye and Tom McClain and Sarah Newell, $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 The Michael Clark Project through Sunday, no cover. Carson Station offers Shake, Rattle & Roll through Saturday. Chris Costa plays at the Grand Sierra through Sunday.

- Bowfire is the Total String Experience ... Virtuosity in the hands of masters. The hottest new show to hit the stage is quickly becoming a major international success. It is at once an exceptionally high quality music experience and a fast-paced theatrically staged show. It appears Friday, May 23 at the Grand Sierra Casino in Reno at 8 p.m. Purchase tickets by calling our Box Office at (800) 648-3568.

- Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis plays Saturday July 5 at 8 p.m. Artown and Grand Sierra Resort present Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with special guest Marsalis. The world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center is dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences for jazz. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, composed of 15 of today's finest jazz soloists and ensemble players, has been the Jazz at Lincoln Center resident orchestra for over 13 years. GRAMMY-Award winning Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis lends both classical and jazz leadership to the orchestra. Call (800) 648-3568.

- "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.

- 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.

- RENDEZVOUS ON THE BLACK ROCK: If it weren't for knee surgery May 28, here's an event that would drag me to the Black Rock Desert " it's the Rendezvous May 24-29, Memorial weekend. All events are free but donations welcome.

Friends of the Black Rock Desert will celebrate the Desert, High Rock Canyon and Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area. Awareness workshops, area tours, camping, live music featuring Ten Cent Lure and Albino are on tap.

Unfortunately, Friends of Black Rock are only able to conduct one tour during the weekend to Fly Geyser. It will be limited to 25 people. Friends will be doing a lottery for this event prior to the tour.

From the Web: Back in 1916, a shaft was drilled in hopes of striking water to turn part of this desert area into farmland. A geothermal pocket of water was struck resulting in a geyser of boiling water which turned the area into a desert wetland. Decades later in the 60's, the underground boiling water found a weak spot in the ground and a natural geyser was born.

Recently, yet another new geyser has formed attesting to the ever-changing forces below the earth's surface. For unknown reasons, the original geyser no longer spouts. Perhaps the later geysers have robbed the original of its boiling water or perhaps it has simply gone dormant, waiting to spout again on its own schedule.

A camp-out is at Cassidy Mine. Bring food and water. You turn left from the west track playa road, and Cassidy Mine is the big dark hill on the upper left. Cassidy is the first green road after the Soldier Meadows turnoff. Expect dusty conditions on the playa unless conditions change.

Care to volunteer? E-mail volunteer at blackrockdesert.org. And check there for all the details about the event, the Friends' biggest event of the year. You might want to advise them that you'll be there at the Web site.

This is a side of Black Rock that I haven't seen in three Burning Man visits to the area.

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