Can you hear it? It's the tinkling of the ivories; the strumming of guitars; the pounding of the bottom, bass and drums; the sure sounds of horns blowing; and the movement of bodies swaying ... to a lot of music.
All summer long in Carson Valley, almost every week, and sometimes more than once a week, musicians will gather in outdoor settings, performing concerts that music lovers can look forward to.
"By far, it's the most concerts ever done here," said Minden resident and concert promoter Doug Reynolds.
Four concerts are offered during Magiko, a two-week celebration of summertime activities in Carson Valley, now through July 6. More information can be found at www.whatsyourmagiko.com.
The town of Genoa's Sunday concert series, Concerts on the Green, will continue throughout the summer, July 8, Aug. 19 and Sept. 16, in Genoa Park. All concerts are free. Bring a picnic. Beer, wine and bottled water will be available for sale. Information, 782-8696.
Free outdoor concerts will be offered alternately at Minden Village through Reynolds, www.UncommonConcerts.com, and the Concerts in the Park at Minden Park by the Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department, with performances July 7 through Sept. 1.
Minden Village is an outdoor venue, located on Lucerne Street just north of Highway 395.
The concerts were initially going to be regular, ticketed shows, but they tried a new concept - free with donations to the artist.
The turnout for the first concert at Minden Village, featuring acoustic guitarist Beppe Gambetta on June 16, had been a little disappointing for Reynolds, who does all the advertising and booking for the concerts, in his spare time when he's not working his regular job as a graphic artist.
"There was a lot going on that weekend," said Reynolds.
"It was still successful as far as making money for the artist," he added. "I'm expecting a larger audience next time."
Bring your lawn chairs to the Minden Village shows. There are only about 30 chairs on site and the shows draw a few hundred people, however there is plenty of room for lawn chairs and tables. Bring picnic baskets, however there are several vendors surrounding the concert area who sponsor the base concert expenses. The vendors offer sushi, wine & cheese, sandwiches, salads, ice cream, homemade pies, espresso drinks, smoothies and more.
Sponsors are: Buffalo Creek Ranch, The Law Offices of J.D. Sullivan, Carson Valley Inn, Mike Eddy of American Family Insurance, Sierra Nevada Trading Company, 88 Cups, Cold Stone Creamery, Bodywise Physical Therapy, Sweetie Pies by Wendy, Stockdale Creative, A.G. Edwards, Artisans International Gallery, Monique De Haviland, DRDesign.net and Mikey Performance Audio.
Information, Reynolds, 220-0995.
The Douglas County Parks & Recreation Department offers a free Summer Concert Series at Minden Park, Concerts in the Park.
The Minden/Douglas Elks Lodge No. 2670 provides food and non-alcoholic beverages for sale, but many families like to bring their own picnic dinners. For more information, call parks and recreation at 782-9828.
Sponsors of Concerts in the Park include: Carson Valley Inn; David Walley's Resort Hot Springs & Spa; Carson Valley Medical Center; Syncon Homes; Buffalo Creek Ranch - David and Susan Semas; G.E. Energy. Co-sponsors include: Bing Materials; Stor-All; Brooke, Shaw & Zumpt, Attorneys at Law; Stockdale Creative; Re/Max Realty Affiliates; Sorensen's Resort. Other sponsors are: Park Place AM/PM; Wal-Mart; Blue Ribbon Personnel Service; Western Title Company; Carson Valley Sertoma; El Dorado Savings Bank; James W. Sewfied, DDS; Nevada Johns; Accurate Mobile Locksmith; Sierra Place at Carson City; Starbucks; L.T. Sunderland, MFT.
Information, 782-9828.
The concerts have already begun, so here is an itinerary for those who like to keep track and not miss their favorite groups-types of music:
This Saturday, June 30 - Summer Concert at Tahoe Ridge Winery featuring Irish Celtic theme. The cost of $40 per person includes dinner, music and fun. From 6 to 9 p.m. For reservations call (800)783-1566.
Sunday, July 1 - Free Outdoor Concert at Heritage Park, Gardnerville. Model Dairy/Rite Aid/Brewery Arts Center presents Ambrosia and Gary Wright. Show starts at 5 p.m. Bring your lawn chair and get ready to sit back to enjoy an evening of great music in the park under the stars.
July 4 - Pops In The Park at Mormon Station Park in Genoa produced by the Sierra Philharmonic League in Genoa featuring the Reno Symphony Orchestra and a variety of local artists. This year will mark the 24th consecutive year in which the Sierra Philharmonic has produced this free outdoor symphony concert for area families and visitors.
The Saline Fiddlers from Saline, Mich., will be featured performers. Information, visit salinefiddlers.com.
Festivities begin at 1 p.m., orchestra begins at 5 p.m. Bring your blanket, folding chair and picnic basket to relax and enjoy music in a beautiful park setting.
July 4 - Carson Valley Pops Orchestra. The Carson Valley Pops Orchestra will play musical favorites in celebration of July Fourth, 1-2:30 p.m. at Heritage Park, Gardnerville. For more information, call 267-5575.
July 7 - Michael Powers at Minden Village. Powers is on tour promoting his tenth CD, "Cinco de Michael." This new album is a collection of Latin songs and Latin-themed versions of popular songs, influenced by the spirit of Cuba, Spain, Jamaica, Costa Rica and Mexico.
This joyful performer is a regular (with his band) at the Minden Park summer series. As a solo act, concert-goers will hear piano, sax, flute, clarinet, harmonica and drums, all from his body-less guitar. All kinds of music, from American standards to pop and of course, jazz.
The concert is 7 p.m. July 7 at Minden Village. Admission is free, donations to the artist are appreciated.
July 8 - Exit 22 in Genoa Park. Exit 22 will perform a free concert from 5-7 p.m. July 8 at Genoa Park. There will be music for everyone from oldies rock to traditional country.
July 13 - Comstock Cowboys at Minden Park. A Northern Nevada legend, the Comstock Cowboys are known for their traditional western sound and period outfits. Travel back to the 1800s when the Comstock was flourishing and colorful characters roamed the streets of Virginia City. Wear your best trail duds and watch the sun go down with some of the finest cowboy music on earth.
The Comstock Cowboys will perform 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 13 at Minden Park.
July 21 - Michael Gulezian at Minden Village. Gulezian performed for the very first concert at Minden Village. He was the first to offer to play for donations (after driving cross country in his VW), and the generosity of the crowd offset some of the repair bills when said VW broke down in Minden. He ended up staying a couple of days, thanks to the generosity of one family in attendance who took him home and gave him a room.
This acoustic guitarist and singer, who was close friends with the late Michael Hedges, will perform 7 p.m. July 21 at Minden Village.
July 27 - Jeff Jones Band at Minden Park. The Jeff Jones Band takes southern rock roots, grooves, slide guitar, vintage keyboards, funky beats and lyrics and mixes them all together. They will play 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 27 at Minden Park.
Aug. 3 - John Batdorf at Minden Village. Acoustic rock pioneer John Batdorf was the leader of the highly acclaimed duo Batdorf & Rodney in the '70s. His songwriting, singing and playing style was instrumental in launching the movement that included Poco, America, Seals and Crofts, Bread and others. Batdorf will perform 7 p.m. Aug. 3 at Minden Village.
Aug. 10 - John Jorgenson Quintet at Minden Park. Jorgenson played guitar on Elton John's world tour for six years until he left to form his own quintet. The John Jorgenson Quintet plays the gypsy jazz style of music made famous in the 1930s by Django Rheinhardt. Before Elton's gig, Jorgenson led the Desert Rose Band and the Hellecasters.
The John Jorgenson Quintet will perform 6:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at Minden Park.
Aug. 18 - Scott Huckabay at Minden Village. Huckabay whirls around the stage with his guitar. He is simultaneously a percussionist with beads and bells around his ankles, dried beans inside his guitar and the ability to kick his guitar like a bass drum.
Huckabay will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 18 at Minden Village.
Aug. 19 - Quake City Jug Band in Genoa Park. Quake City Jug Band will be appearing in Genoa for its sixth year at the free Concert on the Green, part of the Summer Concert Series to take place in Genoa Community Park, 5-7 p.m. Aug. 19 in Genoa Park.
While their jug and washboard still make occasional appearances, jazz guitar, saxophone, stand up bass, mandolin and the snare drum form the core of the current instrumentation. The band's upbeat repertoire is based on early American blues and swing. They play standards such as Take the A Train, Sentimental Journey and Sweet Georgia Brown, punctuated with tap dancing.
Information: www.quakecityjugband.com.
Aug. 24 - Michael Powers Band at Minden Park. Powers is back once again to finish up the Minden Park concert series. This enthusiastic entertainer from Seattle puts on a show for all ages, turning his custom guitar into multiple instruments, including sax, flute, piano, drums, clarinet and more. The members of his backup group are stars in their own right, states concert information.
The Michael Powers Band performs 6-8 p.m. Aug. 24 at Minden Park.
Sept. 1 - Duo-Tones at Minden Village. Say good-bye to summer with a beach bash. Wear your best beach gear as these veterans of iconic surf groups - the Belairs, Surfaris and Chantays - bring the good old sounds of the '60s SoCal beaches to Minden.
The Duo-Tones will play 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at Minden Village.
Sept. 16 - 5 Alarm at Genoa Park. 5 Alarm will be the featured performer at the final Concert on the Green at Genoa Park this summer. The group plays both popular and blues music.
5 Alarm will perform 4-6 p.m. Sept. 16 in Genoa Park.
