Local musician to create ambiance for wine and roses

The 500 semi-formally dressed attendees of "An Evening of Wine and Roses" at the Governor's Mansion from 6-9 p.m. Saturday will hear music from three musicians coming through the speakers.

A singer, guitar player and a drummer will perform. What patrons may not know is each one is local musician Craig Fletcher.

Fletcher, who opened for David Benoit in the Capital City Music Series Friday, prerecords each individual part in advance of his live performances.

"Each song can take 20 to 30 hours," he said. He's trying to figure out how to add more instruments to his performances.

"I guess I could put a tambourine between my legs," he said with a laugh Wednesday.

Fletcher has played regularly for years at Glen Eagles and Adele's. He used to play at Joe Garlic's and the Ormsby House. He has also been a regular performer at An Evening of Wine and Roses.

The event is a benefit for Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Northern Nevada Railway Foundation. The lineup features about 20 wineries, each bringing three to five wines, said the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors' Toni York, who is organizing the event.

"We pair them with restaurants," she said. This year's restaurants include Adele's, Bodine's, Rancho Grande, Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch and Starbucks.

The Golf Ranch is bringing cucumber-stuffed salmon, while a complete pasta station will be organized by the culinary institute at Rite of Passage.

"There's plenty of food," said York. "It's not one of things where you just get a tiny bite."

Along with gourmet food and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction will feature limited-edition bronze sculptures by Lorenzo Ghiglieri and prints donated by Sierra Galleries at Stateline and the Lone Tree Gallery in Minden.

"And then we've got a ton of raffle prizes," York said. She listed a brand-new IGT slot machine, float plane rides, Emerald Bay cruises, mini spa vacations, scenic plane rides, dinners, and massages and facials.

And through it all, Fletcher will provide the tunes.

"There's a lot of times when it will just be ambient background music," he said.

IF YOU GO

What: An Evening of Wine and Roses, hosted by the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors

Where: Governor's Mansion

When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday

Tickets: $50. To purchase, call the Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors at 885-7200.