The Scene: Time For August

By Joy Michiel

It’s the hottest time of year as we head into August. As the month kicks into gear, we welcome the Wanderlust Festival at Squaw, as well as Hot August Nights, Reno’s annual week of classic cars and entertainment. This year the event has spread to venues in South Lake Tahoe, as well. For those not into the classics, there is still plenty to partake in the way of entertainment.

JULY 29 — Dead Winter Carpenters kick off the festivities at Truckee Thursdays in Downtown Truckee. This group is poised with an arsenal of original material laced with elements of bluegrass, folk, ragtime, blues, reggae and rock ‘n’ roll.

The Lake Tahoe Music Festival continues with Orchestra Night. This year they add a little; swing to the event with Steve Lippia's “Simply Sinatra.” Lippia's voice is a dead ringer for the “Chairman of the Board” himself. Lippia’s youthful, energetic talent and powerful show creates a perfect blend of classic with today and introduces a new generation to timeless music.

Patrick Major heads in for an evening at the Tahoe Biltmore, playing his own mix of original guitar and vocal songs mixed with rock classics from the last four decades. Whether playing tunes from James Taylor to Dave Mathews, or his own originals, he displays an unequaled emotion.

Joni Morris brings her tribute to the great Patsy Cline to the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre for the night. Her performance is a solid one, saturated with true showmanship and authentic sound and personality. Morris sings each song brilliantly and adds dazzling costumes and comedy, too, but nothing shines so bright as her ability to connect with her audience.

Great Basin Brewing Company hosts a night with Poor Man’s Whiskey. The group delivers a musical tapestry influenced by American music. Rooted in acoustic music, PMW’s sound spills into rock, funk, pop, blues and even disco.

If you love musical and want to laugh, the one-night only performance of “Improv: The Musical” at the Siena may be just the ticket. This musical is an all-original production, featuring 17 new songs written by its performers, the Utility Players. Some of the scenes, dialogue and songs will be made up on the spot based upon audience suggestion. The show features singing, dancing, evil witches and drag queens.

JULY 30 — The Reverend Buddy Wright delivers the goods at Baxter’s Bistro for the night. Wright’s powerhouse vocals belt out a mix of jazz and gin-soaked blues.

George Souza brings his sounds to Cottonwood for two nights. A master of jazz, Flamenco and all things related to the guitar (and trumpet), Souza has been a regular on the Tahoe music scene for many years.

The free concerts at Kings Beach continue with Funky Miracle, a Meters tribute band. With inspirational funk sounds, the band features Todd Holway (of The Downbeat) on Hammond B3 organ and vocals and Mama’s Cookin’ members Mike Adamo (drums), Steve LaBella (bass) and Zeb Early (guitar and vocals), plus special guests from The Crescent City.

The Pastime Club hosts Dustonious Maximus and the Dustones. By mixing ska, reggae, rocksteady and a good bit of Americana, this group is able to achieve a sumptuous blend of auditory precision that may be enjoyed at any hour of the day.

Cash’d Out returns to the Crystal Bay Club to bring the finest of the man in black. Cash'd Out’s live shows respectfully reference the early Columbia era and Sun Records sound, combined with the energy of the classic multi-platinum live recordings from Folsom Prison and San Quentin.

Mrs. Robinson graces the glorious stage at Sand Harbor for an evening of the infectious grooves of the classic rock, pop and soul era of the 60s and 70s. Dressed in theatrical garb, Mrs. Robinson performs and emulates to perfection the persona of each band they cover, be it the Rolling Stones, Heart, the Beatles, Stevie Wonder or James Brown.

JULY 31 — It’s all about wrestling as Crystal Bay Club hosts the Stateline Throwdown. J. Biggs, "The Rolls Voice" of professional wrestling will announce all matchups with play-by-plays by Rancid guitarist/vocalist Lars Frederiksen, and Juggalo Championship Wrestling's senior official Kevin Gill. The official line-up includes Luchador El Generico, Suburban Commandos, Big And Tasty, Paul Isadora, Arrogant AJ Kirsch, Luster The Legend, Bobby Hart, Shiek Kahn Abadi, "The Angry Dragon" Mike Hayashi, Money Mike Rayne, Landon Ramos, The Wise Guy and the debut of The Millwall Brawl.

Tuck Wilson is riverside at the River Grill with a repertoire that includes more than 300 songs, ranging from Fats Waller to Counting Crows. With the emphasis on the classic folk and acoustic rock songs from the 60s and early 70s, Wilson also delivers some original compositions and light blues.

The Tahoe Biltmore has The Dane Rinehart Band in the house. This group delivers a mix of modern and classic rock, R&B, 80s rock, country and Motown that will keep the crowd movin' and groovin' all night long.

ARTown concludes at Wingfield Park with a performance by Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe. For Denson, it is all about the groove, both personally and professionally. With a penchant for unrelenting jams, great storytelling and fearless improvisational freedom, Denson delivers the goods in a nice little groove package.

AUG. 1 — Tahoe City’s jewel venue, Commons Beach, continues its concert series with The Mother Hips. Hailed by critics for their rootsy mix of 70s rock and power pop, this group knows how to sing it sweet and play it dirty.

AUG. 2 — The swarthy indie rock stylings of Silversun Pickups rule the roost at the Grand Sierra for the night. The quartet's textured melodies capture hypnotic dream pop threads with rough-edged vocals in combination with aggressive guitar play.

AUG. 3 — Bluesdays Tuesdays continue at the Village at Squaw Valley with Lady Bianca and her charismatic style and humor. Her style is a mixture of blues, boogie, soul, Latin, gospel and comedy.

Hot August Nights kicks into gear at Victorian Square with headliner Papa Doo Run Run. Their act encompasses all the great classic rock hits of the 60s and 70s, with a special emphasis on their award winning re-creation of the hits of the Beach Boys.

AUG. 4 — Miami Beach-based singer/songwriter Rachel Goodrich brings he shake-a billy to the crystal Bay Club for the night. Her eclectic blend of vaudeville-inspired indie pop, swing-jazz and country-folk is made all the more singular by the vast number of instruments at her command. Goodrich's arsenal includes guitar, ukulele, spoons, mandolin, piano, kazoo, banjo and autoharp.

Michael Franti and Spearhead take the stage at The Knitting Factory along with the Flobots. Through his entire musical career to date, Franti has continued to slowly build an extremely dedicated global grass roots following. Flobots are known for their battle-hardened, groove-fusing rhythm section, their classically trained violist and a sound that explores and expands the frontiers of live hip-hop

The oldies keep on coming at the Grand Sierra as Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone return to the Grand Sierra for another Hot August Nights. Noone's dry British wit, his in-between song banter and rapport are an added plus to the show.

It’s hot, it’s August and it’s time to boogie so get out there and strut your stuff. The stars are out, including country star Martina McBride, who was spotted with her band aboard the “Tahoe Gal” last week. If you want to see even more stars, don’t forget to look up.

Joy Michiel, a.k.a. Big Joy, is a local singer and comedienne. For more information and to see her current performing schedule, visit her Web site at www.bigjoy.com. Got an entertainment listing? E-mail it to entertainment@tahoethisweek.com.