Valley Vibrations

The Valley has been vibratin'. I hear it all the way from the other side of the mountains. No, not really, but that doesn't mean a lot has not been going on.

Actually, it's pretty peaceful here in the daytime. I counted seven hawks on my drive down Mottsville and Waterloo lanes this morning, and I've seen more on other days. My husband Jack and I sure had a heck of a time getting pictures of eagles the other day. We finally got close enough and then found out later our pictures were over-exposed.

But, back to music. Several bands are gearing up for the big St. Patrick's Day celebrations going on around town. I'm sure a lot of them will include good Irish food like corned beef and Irish stew, plus maybe some Irish coffees.

I had a wonderful Irish coffee one time in San Francisco at a famous restaurant and bar called Lefty O'Doul's, but it cost $8!

Until next week, keep on playin'!

Remember, to keep this going, I have to hear from you. Just a little e-mail (jrafferty@recordcourier.com) or a phone call (782-5121, ext. 210) or even a fax (782-6152) and your musical entertainment is advertised for free. If you send it, I'll even try to get a photo in to go with it. Details are needed by noon on Wednesday.

So, with a "One, two - one, two, three, four":

Ricky Dee on St. Patty's Day

Ricky Dee from Reno will appear at Wolf Creek Restaurant & Cutthroat Saloon in Markleeville on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. The bartender will be David Mitchner from Lake Tahoe.

Happy hour is Monday through Friday, 4-6 p.m., with $1 off well drinks and draft beer.

Dawn Riddle from Markleeville will serve drinks and tacos every Tuesday for "Taco Tuesday," from 3-8 p.m. at the bar only. Tacos are $1.50, Coronas $3 and house margaritas are $3.50.

For more information, call (530) 694-2150.

Docie Doe and more at Buckaroos

-- Friday, 8 p.m. to midnight, Wild Card, a country-western-country rock five-piece band from Reno will perform at Buckaroos Saloon.

-- Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight Ted Nagel will host karaoke.

-- Sunday is open mic hosted by "Don and Nadine" Kay from 1-5 p.m. Open mic is held on the second and fourth Sunday.

Buckaroos is located at 1435 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. For information, call general manager Steve Orlando at 782-9693.

Jazz music at Villa San Marcel

Jazz entertainer Monique Haviland will appear Saturday night at Villa San Marcel. Live jazz music will be performed during dinner - the restaurant features Italian cuisine - from about 6:30-10 p.m. Villa San Marcel is located at 1799 Ironwood Drive, between Danny's Ironwood Grill and the Mandarin Gourmet. For more information, call 783-4987.

Rockin' the Ranchos

Boodler's Bar and Grubshack, formerly The Stone Pony, has music planned every weekend. Monday is karaoke night beginning at 8 p.m., Wednesday open mic is at 8 p.m. and on Saturday live music by Rad-Ral the "human juke box" also starts at 8 p.m.

Boodler's Bar and Grubshack is located at 1302 Langley Drive in the Gardnerville Ranchos. For information, call owners Keith Endlich or Jeffery Shackleton at 265-8841.

Armada through Sunday

Sidro Garcia and his Armada appears through Sunday. The group brings a unique variety act featuring six lead vocalists, musical virtuosity, comedy and choreography. Sidro's Armada performs classic and contemporary rock, country, rhythm and blues, Latin tunes, ballads, time-proven standards and instrumentals - all with lots of brass.

Retroactive appears Tuesday through March 18. Four musicians perform a variety of rock, pop and soul from the past five decades, along with some country, jazz, reggae and popular hits of today.

Melissa Dru returns March 20-25. She and her band entertain with top 40, classic rock and pop music. The quartet consists of Melissa Dru on vocals, rhythm guitar and percussion, Mick Hampson on vocals and guitar, Jim Haase on keyboards and vocals and Nathan Rodney on drums and vocals.

Cabaret Lounge live entertainment is presented with no cover and no minimum in 45-minute shows starting at 7:30, 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. Various duos perform on Monday nights and sports action is always plentiful with four plasma screens and a giant pull-down screen in the Cabaret Lounge plus additional TVs in the casino.

Carson Valley Inn is located on Highway 395 in Minden. For information, visit cvinn.com or call 782-9711.

Boys at Backroads

The local band, Bar BQ Boys, will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight at Backroads Bar & Grill on St. Patrick's Day, March 17. Backroads Bar & Grill is at 2244 Meridian Blvd., off Airport Road. The Bar BQ Boys are a Carson Valley-based band that plays a variety of bluegrass, classic rock, blues, country and reggae music. The group formed about a year ago and includes Paul Cutunilli on mandolin and bass, Bobby Smile on guitar and dobro, Johnny Walter on stand-up bass and blues harmonica and Michael Chambon on banjo and dobro. For more information, call Backroads at 782-3766.

Carson Valley Pops

The Carson Valley Pops Orchestra "Swing into Spring!" concert will be April 14 at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

The event also includes a raffle and refreshments. Doors open at 6:15 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m. Concerts are free of charge with donations appreciated.

Concert information can be found at carsonvalleypops.org or by calling 267-9363.