Classic TV, classic rock stars perform locally

Vicki Lawrence is a ghost of the past, from memories of the classic Carol Burnett comedy TV show of yore.

Lawrence is in Reno Monday through Wednesday at 7 and 9:30 p.m. at the Eldorado Hotel Casino.

And if you don't remember the laughs she used to garner, you can always catch Elvin Bishop on Saturday night at Harrah's Lake Tahoe up the hill.

Bishop is recovering from the murder of his daughter and former wife, so the blues he will play will be especially poignant. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.

Jazz at Tahoe

The 10th annual North Lake Tahoe Thanksgiving Weekend Jazz Festival will be 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort in Incline Village.

"Dave Koz and Friends - A Smooth Jazz Christmas" stars Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Koz, songstress Patti Austin, pianist David Benoit and singer/guitarist Jonathan Butler.

Tickets are $55 for reserved seating and $85 for preferred seating, which includes a special wine-tasting reception prior to the performance. To purchase tickets, call (877) 468-5299 or (800) 832-1234.

Tuba oom-pah-pahs

Tuba Christmas concerts are carols arranged in four-part harmony to be played by tubas, baritones and euphoniums. The warm, organ-like sound is a pleasant change from most holiday stuff.

A Tuba Christmas concert will be performed at Reno's Park Lane Mall on Dec. 3. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by rehearsal at 1 p.m., and the concert at 3 p.m.

Want to tootle? Call Todd DeVito at 847-9207.

Out of the past

The Supremes, starring Mary Wilson, and The Shirelles in Concert play in Reno at the Atlantis Casino on Friday and Saturday. Sure, you remember these Motown superstars.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30.

Music in the air

The Capital City Community Band will open its concert season Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. in the Carson City Community Center. The free concert will offer a batch of holiday favorites and is great for getting in the holiday mood.

Trees honor memories

The planting of four maple trees in May 2004 in the courtyard of the Brewery Arts Center was celebrated with a picnic there this past September sponsored by the donor, Desert Gardeners.

Last week, members of the club gathered at the BAC to celebrate the installation of a permanent marker in tribute to the trees, which honor the memory of deceased club members.

Names presently placed on the artwork include Thelma Calhoun, Alice Sullivan, Louise Stetler, Betty Helgren, Ann Pottenger and Naomi Bernard.

The cedar post was enhanced by Mathew Weller, artist and owner of Timeless Sculptors.

Umphrey's back

It's been a while since Umphrey McGee's played around here, but he'll be at the Crystal Bay Club at 9 p.m. Dec. 6. Tickets are $17 at the door. Call (775) 833-6333.

The Coop

Gary Cooper, he of the iron-man face and laconic tones, has long left Hollywood for the Great Sound Stage in the Sky. But thanks to DVDs, you can catch one of his best performances in "High Noon," a classic Western co-starring Grace Kelly, early in her career before she became so awesomely beautiful. A good Western with a classic gunfight, it's far and away better than most contemporary flicks.