BBQ, Brews, and Blues
The 23rd annual Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival in Reno is slated for June 15-16 this year and promises to deliver another terrific summer kick-off party. How can you go wrong when the grill is fired up, the live music is abundant, and the microbrews are flowing?
This year’s headliners include the Spin Doctors Friday and Vanilla Ice Saturday along with festival favorites Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Shane Dwight, and US Air Force Band Mobility, among others. The concerts are free to the public on two stages featuring non-stop rock and blues.
The microbrews tasting event features over 60 microbrews from around the world. The one-day tasting package is $40 and includes one commemorative tasting mug with an unlimited beer tasting wristband for the day of your choice. The two-day tasting package is $65 and also includes one commemorative tasting mug and unlimited beer tasting for both Friday and Saturday.
For tickets and information, call 800-879-8879 or visit www.eldoradoreno.com.
MUSICAL NOTES. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno announced earlier this month that Kenny Rogers has been working through a series of health challenges. His doctors fully expect the outcome to be great, but they have advised him to cancel all performances through the end of the year to focus on recuperation. Due to this news, the Kenny Rogers show on April 28 has been cancelled. “I didn’t want to
take forever to retire,” Rogers said. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to say farewell to the fans over the course of the past two years on “The Gambler’s Last Deal” tour. I could never properly thank them for the encouragement and support they’ve given me throughout my career and the happiness I’ve experiences as a result of that.” Refunds are available at point of purchase (silverlegacy.com) … Just down Virginia Street at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa also in Reno, country music favorite Billy Ray Cyrus appears May 25 at 8 p.m. Best known for his #1 hit single “Achy Breaky Heart,” the song was the first single to ever reach triple Platinum status in Australia. Tickets are $55 and $75 and can be purchased by calling 888-551-7007 or at www.atlantiscasino.com.
COMEDY SCENE. Since his debut on Star Search over 25 years ago, Carrot Top skyrocketed to success, becoming one of the most recognizable entertainers on the planet. Next month, he rolls into Sparks at the Nugget Casino Resort’s Celebrity Showroom for one night only, May 19 at 8 p.m. “Nobody can steal my act,” said Carrot Top, who constantly channels his creative genius to invent new props. He showcases a dozen trunks filled with around 200 props on stage nightly keeping his show fresh for his audience. “I love creating props that are relevant to whatever’s current – from a news headline to a song that I heard on the radio.” Tickets range from $45 to $80. Call 800-648-1177 or visit nuggetcasinoresort.com.
TAHOE SPOTLIGHT: In keeping with great laughs, the legendary Bob Newhart comes to the South Shore Showroom May 26 at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. An American stand-up comedian and actor, Newhart came into prominence in 1960 when his album of comedic monologues, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, became a worldwide bestseller and reached #1 on the Billboard pop album chart. In the 1970s he starred as the Chicago psychologist Dr. Robert Hartley in The Bob Newhart Show which launched more sitcoms and film roles. In 2013, he made his first of five guest appearances on The Big Bang Theory as Professor Proton, for which he finally received his first Primetime Emmy Award. For tickets to Bob Newhart, call 800-427-7247 or visit ticketmaster.com and www.harrahstahoe.com … Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Melissa Etheridge has remained one of America’s favorite female singer-songwriters for more than two decades. This summer, she appears July 20 at the Montbleu Resort Casino and Spa in the MontBleu Showroom at 8 p.m. Reserved seating tickets range from $65 to $85. Call 888-829-829-7630 or visit www.montbleuresort.com.