sam’S BEST BETS

We’re back after a few weeks out to have a new right knee installed. Once again we’ll be updating the entertainment picture for Carson City and Lake Tahoe, plus Reno and who knows where else. Much is going on that we couldn’t get into Thursday’s paper, so here’s some new entertainment opportunities. This report will appear Fridays at the Nevada Appeal Web site, nevadaappeal.com. Contact Sam Bauman, entertainment editor, with any questions at Sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.

HAPPENINGS

Greg London continues at Harrah’s Reno with his one-man (and two ladies) show “Icons. He’s a mimic, a musician, a quick-change artist and enjoyable. Call 788-2900 for reservations for the 8 p.m. show. Tickets are $31.95 and $36.95.

Nikki’s Beach at the Grand Sierra has reopened from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10 gets you into the lush swim area. And the ALLCITY Live lounge there is no more, now it’s the Pearl Champagne Lounge. Cover is $20 and bubbly is the drink of choice.

That sensational show “FloorPlay” is still turning up the temperature with brilliant dancing and explosive drum work at the Eldorado Casino in Reno.. This is truly one of the best shows to hit Reno in years; the dancers are Olympic in quality. Call 786-5700 for tickets which go at $29.85 to $43.95. You can’t go wrong with this spectacular.

Up at the Lake, Horizons is hosting “Yesterday — a Tribute to the Beatles,” a 8:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday. A special “Sgt. Pepper” show is on Saturday night a 10:30. Call 588-6211 for the $26.95 tickets.

Locally, at the Carson Nugget Bahama plays on into the night, no cover (882-1626). Area 51 takes over Tuesday.

Live music at the Carson Station (883-0900) and a the Carson Valley Inn in Minden, the M8trix are in the Celebrity Lounge ((782-97110.

With the current economic climate, summer holiday plans have slowed but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate this Fourth of July with a bang. Reno’s Artown is revving up its Fourth of July calendar offering free events with a five-day celebration that includes:

July 4th

July 4th Parade in downtown Reno (free)

Reno Celebrates America in Rancho San Rafael (free )

Star Spangled Sparks (free)

Rollin’ on the River featuring The Red Elvises (free)

Movies in the Park featuring “Yankee Doodle Dandy” in Wingfield Park (free)

July 5th

Americana Festival in Wingfield Park (free)

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (ticketed and reserved seating)

July 6th

Master Works Chorale performance “Patriotic Music for Young and Old” (free)
For details about Artown and its summer calendar, visit www.renoisartown.com.

Rockes Boston come to the Peppermill casino July 4 at 8:30 p.m. Call 866-821-9996 for $55-$75 tickets.

The Reno Dance Compay presens “Movin’ to MOtown” Juy 6 at 7:30 p.m. Call (877) 840-0457 for $16-$26 tickets.

Star Spangled Fourth - Lights on the Lake

Fireworks will be exploding once again into beautiful patterns in the nighttime sky this Fourth of July. Happily, Carsonites have a wide selection of venues, starting right at home at the RSVP celebration at Mills Park at 9:15. Stretch out on the grass after enjoying the rides and the food and be prepared of “ooh” and “ahh” in Fourth tradition.
Many locations have not announced a time for the fireworks, but you can be sure it will be after dusk.
Probably the biggest show will be at South Lake Tahoe with the largest synchronized fireworks display west of the Mississippi. It starts at 9:45 p.m. The simultaneous music broadcast can be heard on local stations KRLT-FM 93.9 and KOWL-AM 1490. Some will elect to see the show from one of the sternwheelers, the M.S. Dixie II and Tahoe Queen paddlewheelers. Information: www.BlueLakeTahoe.com or (800) AT-TAHOE.

Almost any spot around the lake will b fine, but for many veterans of Fourth fireworks, Nevada Beach off Elk Point Road is a must. The beach is long and of soft sand and the views unobstructed. In years past some would climb Round Hill, but that can be tricky at night coming down.

Incline Village pulls out all the stops with a multi-day celebration through July 4, called Red, White and Tahoe Blue. Special events include parade, a dress up doggie contest, opening ceremonies, ice cream social and hot dog party for kids and rubber ducky race. The festivities culminate with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s “An Evening on the Green with the Reno Philharmonic in Concert with the Fireworks Display.”

Fireworks also get under way at Kings Beach today. The show starts at 9 p.m. and can be best seen from the Kings Beach State Recreation Area and the North Tahoe Conference Center. The Village at Squaw Valley hosts a “Whole Lotta’ Squaw,” a colorful laser show and concert at the base of the mountain, with the Heartbreaker band playing the sounds of Led Zeppelin on tonight. Tickets are $10 per family.

Tahoe City’s 62nd annual celebration begins at dusk at Commons Beach on Friday, fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Prime viewing spots are from the beach, where family picnics are popular, as well as locations throughout town along North Lake Boulevard. Guests can also make a reservation at one of many lakefront restaurants. Jake’s on the Lake takes reservations for indoor dining. Deck seating is also open at Wolfdale’s Cuisine Unique and Christy Hill Restaurants.

It’s an old-fashioned July Fourth in Truckee with a 10 a.m. hometown parade Friday in historical downtown followed by an evening fireworks display, dusk, at Donner Lake’s West End Beach. Tickets must be purchased in advance, as beach access is limited to local residents and homeowners.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, on a typical Fourth of July, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes combined. It has only been one year since the devastating Angora Fire ravaged South Lake Tahoe. California is already wrestling with more than 1,000 fires statewide. The Police Department has increased its vigilance in enforcing state and city fireworks laws to protect public health and safety.

Discharging ANY TYPE of fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks, is against the law in South Lake Tahoe. This includes devices such as simple sparklers. There are NO types of legal fireworks in the City of South Lake Tahoe.

In coordination with our community Independence Day Celebration, South Lake Tahoe Police personnel will confiscate any fireworks and issue citations to violators. Most fireworks violations are misdemeanors, punishible by a fine of not less than $500.00 and/or a year in the county jail. Possession of larger style fireworks may be prosecuted as a felony. In the event a fire occurs due to the unsafe use of fireworks, the responsible persons are likely to face criminal charges and be held liable for damages.