Superbowl Jell-O, African drumming and joint jazz

by Karl Horeis

Bad Intent will play at Decades Bar & Grill Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. until closing.

"They play all kinds of rock and roll - they're really good," said bartender Natalie Rogers. "They're our No. 1 band."

There's never a charge to see live shows at Decades.

Watch for the bar's Superbowl pool. It's been so popular in years past, they had to expand it, said Rod Fox.

"It's been so damn popular that we now are running two boards."

Get together with friends to raise the $100 entry fee. The winnings are considerable: If your number comes up, you'll win about $5,000. If your box touches the square of the winner, you'll win $1,000. The pool starts Jan. 24.

Feb. 1 is Superbowl Sunday, when Decades offers unlimited, free Jell-O shots and all-you-can-eat tri-tip and ribs.

Decades is at 1475 Hot Springs Road. For details call 883-8889.

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I know I give a lot of coverage to Comma Coffee in this column but, I tell ya, there are a lot of activities going on over there. I had this one ready for last week's column but I ran two other things on the coffee shop instead.

Comma Coffee is offering an African drumming workshop lead by Ken Strandberg on Wednesday nights.

"Strandberg just loves drums; he's been playing for years," said barista Laura Haugen.

The workshops are 7-9 p.m., after regular business hours. Bring your own drum and a donation. For details on what's going on at Comma Coffee - which now accepts ATM cards - visit www.commacoffee.com or call 883-2662.

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Here comes an inspiring blend of jazz, education, fund-raising and "intergenerational swinging." The Mile-High, Carson-High Jazz Extravaganza is a joint concert Jan. 23 by the Carson High and the Mile High jazz bands. It's a benefit for the school band, which is raising money to attend the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho, in February.

The concert in the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St., will include separate segments by the two big bands then a finale combining both.

"I am so pleased that the MHJB has been asked to support the high school jazz band in its efforts to go to the jazz festival," said David Bugli, leader and pianist with Mile High. "The musical ensembles at the high school are very goal-oriented, and they deserve our help and encouragement. On top of that, I'm looking forward to a little intergenerational swinging!"

The Carson High Jazz Band, directed by Robert Brooks, has performed for the inauguration of Gov. Guinn and the Winter Wine & All That Jazz fund-raiser for Carson Advocates for Cancer Care.

I met Brooks for the first time at the Mile High performance Tuesday at - surprise - Comma Coffee. He was sitting in the way back wearing motorcycle boots and a plaid shirt. He told me about his twin brother, who plays bass with the Nixons.

"He's like me, only cool," Brooks said with a slight smile.

His Carson High Jazz band is a zero-hour class. They will perform at the Reno Jazz Festival in April.

The Mile-High Carson-High Jazz Extravaganza will begin at 8 p.m. in the old St. Teresa's church. Tickets are $12 general admission; $10 BAC members, Mile High Jazz Band Association members, and seniors; $5 students with valid ID; and free for ages 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance at BAC or at the door.

For information, call the Mile High Jazz Band at 883-4154 or BAC at 883-1976.

Contact Karl Horeis at khoreis@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.