ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS

Museum lecture series

Churchill County Museum Association continues with its lecture series.

The underlying theme of this year’s programs is Nevada’s Sesquicentennial — 150 birthday celebration. The historically important and informative gatherings will be held each Tuesday through June 17 at 7 p.m. at the Museum.

On Tuesday a Chautauqua presentation — William Magee and his Lahontan Valley neighbors — will be conducted by Glen Perazzo; In the upcoming weeks will be presentations on the Civil War in Nevada and Nevada First Ladies Ball gowns.

All lectures are free and open to the public. For information call 775-423-3677.

Fernley presents Wally’s World of art

The city of Fernley presents Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada, featuring 35 pieces of art from Wally Cuchine’s collection at City Hall (south entrance), 595 Silver Lace Blvd.

In 1987, Life Magazine described U.S. Highway 50 across the center of Nevada as the “The Loneliest Road in America.” The magazine particularly mentioned the 287-mile stretch between Fernley and Ely as “remote with few points of interest” and it urged travelers to have “survival skills” to make the journey.

Exhibit curator Jim McCormick titled this NTI-Traveling Exhibition, Wally’s World: The Loneliest Art Collection in Nevada because Wally Cuchine’s art collection is located in Eureka on Highway 50’s route.

For more than two decades, residents in this part of rural Nevada have experienced a breadth of quality cultural events thanks to Wally Cuchine’s personal passion for the arts.

As director of the Eureka Opera House for more than 18 years, Cuchine consistently presented first-class entertainment to residents and visitors. Known for his unflagging commitment to and support of artists, and his unswerving faith that the art and artists of Nevada are a valuable resource, he has acquired an unparalleled personal collection of Nevada art.

Rock the Comstock

Do you have what it takes to Rock the Comstock? Red Dog Saloon in historic Virginia City presents a local battle of the bands competition, Rock the Comstock, July 18-20.

Rock the Comstock Silver Challenge is a rock band battle pitting local rock, alternative and roots rock bands against each other for fame and glory, as well as cash prizes.

Bands enter in one of three categories: roots rock, art rock or alternative rock. To enter, bands must submit a video now through May 30 on the Red Dog Saloon Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/redogsaloon. Facebook online voting is open to everyone from June 1-29.

The top three finalists in each category are announced June 30 with live performances scheduled at the Red Dog Saloon July 18-20. The final three bands will battle it out July 20 at the Red Dog Saloon starting at 8 p.m.

For information visit online or call the Red Dog Saloon at 775-847-7474.

California Trail Days

Pack up your wagon and bring your family to the 11th annual California Trail Days through June 1 at the California Trail Center, eight miles west of Elko. “Crafts along the Trail” is the theme for this year’s event.

This event is free and open to the public.

Visitors will enjoy demonstrations about leather tanning and shoe making. Shoshone women will be crafting baskets and cradle boards. They can also visit a Shoshone summer camp and watch native craftsmen make toys, tools, and weapons. The sound of a hammer ringing against the anvil as a black smith makes the tools and equipment that enabled the settling of the American West will be heard as well. Compare this to the delicate work of a tin smith fabricating pans, plates, and cups ideal for the trail and the kitchen. There will be historic weapons, black powder demonstrations, gold panning, and music from the time period.

Children will be able to play the games the pioneers played and take wagon rides. More than 30 re-enactors will be at this event and it’s all free.

Southwind Band will play at the dance Saturday night.

Over the winter, the center added six new panels written by Leah Brady on the “Native People of the Great Basin” to the Interpretive Plaza. A hand crafted replica of a prairie schooner was also added to the lobby.

The Sutters Fort exhibit is underway and will display a place where pioneers, settlers, Argonauts and 49ers met.

The California Trail Interpretive Center, operated by the Bureau of Land Management, was built in partnership the state of Nevada and the City and County of Elko.

For information about the center visit www.californiatrailcenter.org, www.blm.gov/cv5c, or call 775-738-1849. You can friend us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/californiatrailinterpretivecenter.