Music in ArtBar on Friday

Staff Reports

The Grizzly Hackles perform, 7 p.m. Friday, at the ArtBar in the Copeland Cultural Arts Center, 1572 Highway 395, Minden.

The ArtBar is not actually a bar, but a small performing arts venue for musicians, actors, poets, comedy acts, balladeers, vocalists, and even magicians, who prefer an intimate setting and an attentive audience.   

The ArtBar was launched in January and featured Michael Powers in an event sponsored by the Carson Valley Arts Council as a VIP donor appreciation party. The ArtBar features regional talent nearly every weekend and the ShowBiz Kids open mic night every third Saturday of the month.

The second act booked at the ArtBar was Shawna Pisciotti, who shared the stage with drop-in ukulele player Doug Reynolds. Pisciotti sings, plays guitar and keeps the audience laughing.

Pisciotti performed in groups and as a solo artist in Carson Valley for 10 years before she was asked to an afternoon jam session with living room musicians Jim Donald and Marv Stanberry. The linear dudes, as Pisciotti calls them, were accompanied by their electronic drummer Yamaha. Their mechanical and mathematical music gained heart and soul with the addition of Pisciotti's vocals.

With Pisciotti's influence, the band ventured out of the living room to play in public. They brought toe-tapping songs and their Grizzly Hackles style of harmonies to play outdoor venues in Markleeville, Genoa, Minden and Gardnerville. The band plays a blend of folk, alt-country and blues described as Americana. They cover artists from John Prine and Warren Zevon to the Rolling Stones, and play original songs by Pisciotti.

Check out the linear dudes with Shawna Pisciotti, aka the Grizzly Hackles, to hear songs you'll know and some you won't. Admission is free. Wine, water and soda available. Information, 782-8207.

Theatre of Arts Discipline presents the Show Biz Kids open mic night every third Saturday of the month at the Copeland Cultural Arts Center ArtBar, 1572 Highway 395, Minden. This month's performance is 7-9 p.m. Oct. 17 with the theme of Halloween.

For performers age 5-18. No rehearsals. Prepare your own act, song, dance, or poetry to perform. Sign up at arrival. Information, toadinc@gmail.com or (775) 219-3577.