Busy time of year in the capital

I was hoping to hear B.B. King, Jeff Beck and Galactic do their thing in Reno Saturday night, but I was working late at the Appeal while they played. It would have been a busy day even with a photographer, but he was out sick so it was downright hectic. There was so much going on, in fact, that I didn't even get to see the monster trucks here in town. Actually, the opportunity to shoot photos of Dr. Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys for the paper was really exciting.

n n n

It's busy at Comma Coffee, too. Owner June Joplin was out of the office Wednesday, but barista Laura Haugen described the coffee shop's upcoming events.

There's live Celtic music every Monday from noon to 2 p.m. On Tuesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., check out the salsa dance lessons at $5 per person. And there's a special treat on Wednesday from noon until 3:30 p.m. for the month of August: harp music played by Brenda Locke-Knight.

"I play a Celtic harp -- it's also called a folk harp," she said. "It's half the size of a regular harp, and it's beautiful maple wood."

She plays a mixture of folk, classical, some of her own compositions -- and, of course, some Beatles tunes.

The songs she has written include "Angela's Song," which she wrote for a woman who got married; "Dreaming" and "The Waterfall."

The names alone are soothing so just imagine the sound.

"It's a harp," she shrugged. "It's hard to make a bad sound."

Saturday night is an outdoor concert in the Comma Courtyard. Two bands, Broken and Keen, will play from 8 until 10 p.m. There's a $5 cover.

Sunday is the next in a series of delightful art, wine and music events. Artists will display their work at booths in the courtyard between the coffee shop and the St. Charles Hotel, while wine will be poured for tasting inside. That event runs from about 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information on what's going on at Comma Coffee, call 883-2662.

n n n

Johnny Slick and the Cheaters will play Joe Bob's Hot Springs Roadhouse at 1510 Hot Springs Road Friday free of charge. The Cheaters are playing the official kick-off party for Reno-Sparks' Hot August Nights, but we get them here first. They'll start at 9 p.m. On Saturday, the band Saylavee will play at 9 p.m. -- also free of charge. Call Joe Bob's at 883-7799.

n n n

I can't say enough about the free Sunday evening concerts presented by the Carson City Redevelopment Authority on the Legislative Building lawn. Walk down if you can, to save parking room for folks driving in from farther out. This week, the High Desert Brass Band, lead by Rick Dawson, will perform from 5 p.m. until 7:30.

Five classically trained members will play popular marches and patriotic music on two trumpets, a French horn, a trombone and a tuba.

"We literally play everything from Bach to the Beatles," said Dawson.

Bring a picnic basket and blanket or low chairs. Arrive early to find a good spot in the tiered concrete-and-grass amphitheater, or sit father back in the grass by the memorial to fallen officers.

n n n

May all Jah's enemies scatter! For reggae fans, Nevada can be a little dry. One of the few places to get a fix is Anthony Postman's show, Reggae Fi'Real, from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday on KUNR FM 88.7 FM. This week, however, there's a surge of reggae music coming to the area.

On Friday, Pato Banton and the Reggae Revolution will play John Ascuaga's Nugget in Sparks starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $17; call 356-3300. On Saturday, Capleton and Culture will play at the Truckee Regional Park Amphitheater from 4 p.m. until 10. Tickets are $20 in advance. Call 337-8344. On Tuesday, Toots and the Maytals will play the Truckee Regional Park Amphitheater from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Call 337-8344.

Karl can be reached at 881-1219 or khoreis@nevadaappeal.com