Valley Vibrations

My electric bass teacher, Art Rodriguez, said something one night in class that I thought was inspirational. We were listening to different versions of songs performed by various groups over the years and he said, "That's what's fun about music - you can always take it and make it your own."

Bet he didn't realize I was writing it down. That's what you get when there's a reporter in the group.

We can all benefit from taking classes and lessons, but if they're not available or too difficult for us to do at certain times in our lives, it's not the end of the world. I had a nice conversation with two Tai Chi instructors this week, one who had 12 years of instruction from the same teacher and the other who had eight months of instruction, moved and found his only way of learning was through books, until he finally found a new mentor years later.

It's important to not just give up though, if we're doing something that makes us happy.

Until next week, keep on playin'!

There are still a couple of venues we haven't heard from. Other businesses are taking advantage of this column and probably having more customers show up as a result of it. Isn't it time you let me know what's happening at your club?

Remember, to keep this going, I have to hear from you. Just a little e-mail (jrafferty@recordcourier.com) or a phone call (782-5121, ext. 210) or even a fax (782-6152) is all I need to put your musical entertainment information in this column. If you send it, I'll even try to get a photo in to go with it. Details are needed by noon on Wednesday.

So, with a "One, two - one, two, three, four":

Music in Minden at The Bank Parlor

-- Today 6:30-10:30 p.m. Ben Crocker brings 45 years of guitar playing experience to The Bank. Ben plays a wide variety of music.

-- Saturday 6:30-10:30 p.m. Tony Sanders will be playing his special blend of rockabilly, country and rock 'n' roll music from the 1950s through the present. From Johnny Cash to Elvis to The Beatles, Dylan and the Stones to Green Day, "He has a diverse and eclectic repertoire that is always growing and unpredictable," said Cheryl Bohler, owner of The Bank. "Come relax and enjoy the music and try the infamous chocolate martini."

The Bank Parlor & Pub is located at 1596 Esmeralda Ave. Call 783-4770 for more information.

Dealer's Choice plays at Buckaroos

-- Today, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., Dealer's Choice, a country-western country-rock band that also does oldies, will perform at Buckaroos Saloon.

-- Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight Ted Nagel will host karaoke.

-- Buckaroos will be closed on Easter Sunday.

Buckaroos is located at 1435 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. For information, call general manager Steve Orlando at 782-9693. Bonus slots are now available at Buckaroos.

Arts council concert

The Carson Valley Arts Council presents its fourth free concert at the CVIC Hall on Saturday. The Argenta Trio, featuring Phillip Ruder, violin; John Lenz, cello; and James Winn, piano, will perform works by Beethoven and Brahms. Free wine and appetizers will be served at 6 p.m.; the concert is at 7 p.m.; dessert at 9 p.m. Come and hear the latest information about the proposed Copeland Performing Arts Center. Information at 265-3529.

Music always is Inn

Maxxt Outt continues in the Carson Valley Inn's Cabaret Lounge through Sunday, Musicole appears Tuesday through April 15, The Doo-Wah Riders appear April 17- 22 and various duos entertain on Monday nights. Cabaret Lounge live entertainment is presented with no cover and no minimum in 45-minute shows starting at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. The Doo-Wah Riders have their own schedule, see below.

Maxxt Outt seamlessly blends a mix of 1970s, 80s and 90s music with current hits crossing every generation. Lead vocalist Lisa Sesma fronts the group consisting of Marc Pierucci (keyboards, lead and background vocals), Rico James (guitar and vocals) and leader Kevin Strawn (drums and vocals).

Musicole is a high-energy show band that entertains with a wide variety of musical genres. Musicole's live shows are for all ages. The band performs tributes to the late Louie Armstrong, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson.

The Doo-Wah Riders describe their sound as "high energy country with a Cajun twist." Group members have performed with more than 50 major stars, appeared in major motion pictures ("Basic Instinct") and been featured on television, including The Grammys and The Academy of Country Music Awards. The Doo-Wah Riders have played to audiences all over the U.S. and Canada for more than 20 years. Enjoy them in shows on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday starting at 7:30, 9 and 10:30 p.m.. Friday and Saturday shows start at 8, 9:30 and 11 p.m.

Various duos entertain on Monday nights and sports action is always plentiful with four plasma screens and a giant pull down screen in the Cabaret Lounge plus additional TVs in the casino.

The Carson Valley Inn is located on Highway 395 in Minden. For information visit www.cvinn.com or call 782-9711.

Jazz music at Villa san Marcel

Monique Haviland will sing and play light jazz on the keyboard Saturday night at Villa san Marcel. Live jazz music will be performed during dinner. Dinners are served starting at 5 p.m. and entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. Happy hour is at 4 p.m.

Villa After Dark will be coming Fridays, starting April 13. There will be a Midnight Ultra Lounge featuring a music and dancing atmosphere from 10 p.m. to closing.

The restaurant features Italian cuisine. Villa san Marcel is located at 1799 Ironwood Drive, between Danny's Ironwood Grill and the Mandarin Gourmet. For more information call 783-4987.

Events at Backroads

Backroads Bar & Grill, 2244 Meridian Blvd., off Airport Road, will feature several events in the coming month.

-- Saturday, April 7 - 8 p.m. Dealer's Choice, a country-western country-rock band that also does oldies, will perform.

-- April 11 - 5 p.m. there will be an authentic New England clam bake, including lobster, clams, scallops, mussels, corn on the cob, salad. Tahoe Ridge wines are available, plus Tahoe Creamery gourmet cranberry ice cream.

-- April 13 - Schizoid Johnny, a one-man band, singer-songwriter-performance artist all rolled into one, will perform with an eclectic mix of music styles from cover rock, country and originals.

On stage he plays an assortment of instruments including electric, acoustic, resonator, slide talkbox, bass guitars, harmonica, keyboards, trombone, trumpet and drums.

-- April 28 - Wild Card, a country-western-country rock five-piece band from Reno will be the featured band

-- Every Tuesday night is "T-Bone Tuesday," with T-bones for $13.95, happy hour is 3-6 p.m. everyday, not open Sundays and video poker is available now.

For more information call Backroads at 782-3966.

Rockin' the Ranchos

Boodler's Bar and Grubshack, formerly The Stone Pony, has music planned every weekend. Monday is karaoke night beginning at 8 p.m., Wednesday open mic is at 8 p.m. and on Saturday live music by Rad-Ral the "human juke box" also starts at 8 p.m.

Boodler's Bar and Grubshack is located at 1302 Langley Drive in the Gardnerville Ranchos. For information call owners Keith Endlich or Jeffery Shackleton at 265-8841.

Carson Valley Pops coming April 14

"Swing into Spring" with the Carson Valley Pops Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Danny Yale, 7 p.m. April 14 at the CVIC Hall in Minden. Doors open at 6:15. There is no admission charge to the concert, but donations are appreciated. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

The program will feature four soloists, all of whom are members of the orchestra. Oboist, Amy Heald and bassoonist, Joan Heupel, both studying at the University of Nevada, Reno, will be playing a concertante by George Feldmayr, music that was recently discovered by Ronald Richards hidden away in an old castle in Germany. Flutist, Alan Harvey, will be playing a concertino by C. Chaminade. Bob Masters on trumpet and Amy Heald on English horn will play music of Aaron Copland. Other selections to be played by the orchestra are all-time favorites.

There will be a raffle. Prizes include $100 from "A Better Carpet Cleaner" donated by Stephen Jaenchen, a watercolor by Paula Crout and photos by Danny Yale.

For more information visit the Web site www.carsonvalleypops.org or call 267-5575.

Going Schizoid at Topaz Joe's

Topaz Joe's Grill and Bar is presenting the unpredictable Schizoid Johnny, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. April 14. His one-man band appearance provides musical entertainment, while he dons multiple costumes and portrays multiple personalities. The standards are intermingled with his own compositions. Schizoid plays everything from guitars, keyboards, a trumpet, trombone, harmonica, drums, among other instruments, with pre-recorded background music by him. There is no cover charge. Topaz Joe's is located on the corner of Albite and Carter Way in Topaz Ranch Estates. For more information call 266-3208.

Acoustic jam

The Eddy Street Book Exchange offers an acoustic jam session the last Sunday of every month at 2:30 p.m. The next jam will be on April 29. The informal core group of musicians includes three guitarists, a mandolin player, a banjoist, a fiddle, a ukulele, bass and whoever else shows up. The musicians go around the circle and perform their songs. There is a wide variety of music and the musicians are welcoming and supportive, according to bookstore owner Linda Finch. The Eddy Street Book Exchange is located at 1225 Eddy St., Gardnerville. Information, 782-5484.

-- Jo Rafferty is the People editor at The Record-Courier.