Valley Vibrations

I don't know about the rest of you, but I firmly believe in starting my kids out young on learning to play an instrument. That doesn't mean they've been cooperative. My oldest showed no interest, my middle son lasted about a year on the electric bass, and my youngest, who we thought was a prodigy, apparently burned out after a couple of years on the guitar. Don't they understand! They could be rock stars and leave me an early inheritance!

So, now I'll have to admit, here's their mom struggling along trying to learn to play the bass guitar at age 40-something. I've been doing it for about two years now. My husband, Jack, a drummer since childhood, patiently stands by waiting for me to form a band with him. No pressure.

I've been hearing from new sources this week, and it makes me happy. There are so many kinds of music and none of it is bad. If that sounds like a half-empty glass, looking at a half-full glass, I would say all music is good. How could it not be?

This weekend is one known for festivities of all kinds, mostly involving good Irish food, spirits and music. Searching the Internet, there are long explanations for how St. Patrick's Day began. It all started with a man named Maewyn, born in Wales about AD 385, who was to become St. Patrick.

For 30 years, this bishop of Ireland traveled about the country converting pagans to Christianity. St. Patrick's Day has been commemorated as a feast day in Europe ever since his death on March 17 in AD 461.

The shamrock that has become such a recognizable symbol on the "wearing of the green" day, is said to have come from St. Patrick explaining to the people about the Trinity. In his sermons he would say that the three leaves represent how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit could all exist separately but belong to the same entity. Can't imagine how he explained the four-leaf clover.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America, first celebrated in Boston in 1737 and continuing every year thereafter. Today, many a stein is lifted on this festive day, along with music and dancing.

When I was little I always wore green on St. Patrick's Day to keep from being pinched. I think that tradition is still around. Besides the leprechaun on Lucky Charms commercials, that is my biggest memory of St. Patrick's Day. What is yours?

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":

Music solution

A trio from Gardnerville, Acoustic Solution, will perform a free concert at Shady Grove Coffee Company tonight. The concert begins at 7 p.m. at 1411 Highway 395 in Gardnerville. Acoustic Solution, which has appeared in gigs at The Bank in Minden as well as in Markleeville and Reno, plays "eclectic folk and electrified acoustic music," according to one band member. For more information, call Shady Grove Coffee Company at 782-8000.

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, Saturday. 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.

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, Saturday. The bartender will be David Mitchner from Lake Tahoe. Corned beef and cabbage will be served for dinner from 5 p.m. until it's gone.

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.

Wild Card and more at Buckaroos

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

-- Saturday there will be a St. Patrick's Day celebration, with free corned beef and cabbage served starting at 3 p.m. From 6 p.m. to midnight Ted Nagel will host karaoke.

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 David Jobe will appear Saturday night at Villa san Marcel. Live jazz music will be performed during dinner. Dinners are served starting at 5 p.m. and entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. Happy hour is at 4 p.m. The restaurant features Italian cuisine. Villa san Marcel is located at 1799 Ironwood Drive, between Danny's Ironwood Grill and the Mandarin Gourmet. For more information, call 783-4987.

Psychobilly/punk rock show

Several psychobilly/punk rock bands are playing at Studio 4 starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday, including two from Carson Valley. Koffin Kats is a psychobilly band coming from Detroit, Mich., Cobra Skulls is from Reno, Xenophobes is a psychobilly band from Gardnerville and Gutter Spex is a punk/metal band from Gardnerville. The show is open to all ages. The cost is $8. Studio 4 is located at 900 Mallory Way, Carson City. For more information, visit http://myspace.com/studiofournv or call Tamara, 884-3633, or Jim Gustafson, 224-0460.

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.

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.

-- Jo Rafferty is the People editor at The Record-Courier.