An Evening of Intimate Chamber Music with special guest Maureen Leonard, piano Trio Brio, a group of local professional musicians, will perform at Lake Tahoe Community College’s Duke Theater Sept. 25.

Musicians are David Brock, piano, Pat Crane, viola, and Darrell Moore, clarinet compose the chamber group.

The concert begins at 8pm and will include classical, romantic, and modern era music. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will be donated to LTCC’s music department piano fund.

The evening’s program will open with W.A. Mozart’s, Trio in Eb major, K. 498 also known as “The Bowling Alley Trio” for its nine-note opening theme. Next on the program is a unique solo piece by Max Reger: the Suite No. 1 for Viola, Op. 131d, No. 1. This work is romantic and baroque in compositional structure, played by Pat Crane, viola. Trio Brio then will present two of Max Bruch’s “Eight Pieces” Collection.

In celebration of the 200th birthday of Frederic Chopin, special guest Maureen Leonard will present three works from the piano livre of this composer. The concert concludes with the engaging and virtuosic – Trio pour Clarinette, Alto et Piano by Jean Françaix. This five movement work is sometimes serene, sometimes animated, sometimes jazzy, sometimes frenetic, and sometimes just humorous.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 students with ID card, $20 reserved stage seating by piano. All tickets are available one hour in advance of the performance at the theater box office.

The LTCC Theater is located in the Fine Arts wing of the LTCC campus at 1 College Drive, South lake Tahoe.

For further information or to purchase reserved seating advance tickets, call (775) 781.4702.

Squaw Valley is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration complete with a Bratwurst Toss, authentic German beer and plenty of entertainment. The 9th Annual Squaw Valley Oktoberfest will transform The Village at Squaw Valley into a miniature Bavaria on Oct. 2 from 2-6pm.

Modeled after the original Oktoberfest, a 16-day annual festival in Munich, Squaw Valley’s event is a day for the whole family. Guests gather for traditional German entertainment including performances by Joe Smiell and his 20-piece Bavarian band on the main stage. The Almenrauch Schuhplattler and Alpentanzer Schuhplattler Austrian Dance Troops also will entertain Oktoberfest visitors.

Event attendees may participate in games and compete for prizes. Festival-goers compete in Stein Holding, plus Keg and Barrel-Rolling Races.

Guests are encouraged to get into the spirit of the event by wearing traditional Lederhosen and Austrian clothing.

Beer lovers can toast each other in the Biergarten, where they’ll find a wide selection of authentic German brews including Gordon Biersch, Spaten Premium lager, Spaten Oktoberfest, Trumer Pilsner, and Franziskaner Hefeweizen. The first glass of beer is $10, which includes a half-liter festival glass and one beer. Additional beer tickets will be available for $5.

Guests also can savor traditional German bratwurst with sauerkraut and a variety of other items served at the eight Village restaurants, including a root beer float station.

The Village at Squaw Valley’s Oktoberfest celebration and entertainment are free, but proceeds from beer sales benefit the Tahoe Truckee Lacrosse Foundation.

For more information, visit here or call (530) 584.6266.

By Kathryn Reed

CAMP RICHARDSON — A night of laughter – that’s how the Tahoe Improv Players should promote their shows.

The August performance was supposed to be the last of the season; one of the reasons why I made sure it was my first time to ever see the comedic cast. A last-minute benefit show has been added for Sept. 27. The proceeds go toward maintenance of the Boat House Theatre where the show is staged.

Tahoe Improv Players: Pam Taylor, Frank Riley, Dave Hamilton, Jayme Foremaster, Gerry Orton, April Foiles

The three of us couldn’t stop laughing. To be so quick-witted in such an unscripted environment is impressive. The direction they took story lines, the richness of the delivery, the way they worked together – it was so much better than many traditional stage presentations.

If you’ve seen the television show “Whose line is it anyway?”, then you have an idea of what this improvisational form of comedy is all about.

Many in the audience had seen this group perform before. What keeps it fresh is getting input from the audience.

With it being interactive and fast-paced, there is no time for boredom. The only issue with time is wishing it didn’t end.

“From the inside perspective, the most difficult part is not thinking. Everything occurs within the now. You are trying to really not edit and not get into trying to think what the audience will like, but more what comes to mind without editing,” Gerry Orton said.

Orton is the director of the handful of players. He got involved with the comedic art form after taking a class from Dave Hamilton at Lake Tahoe Community College.

Hamilton is one of the nearly 75 people who have been part of the Tahoe Improv Players, and was on stage this summer.

Orton and Frank Riley created ComedySportz in 1993 – which did spoofs on sports. This group was part of a loose national franchise.

Gerry Orton is much more than the director of the improv players. Photos/Kathryn Reed

From there, Orton and Riley started Tahoe Improv Players. With Orton residing mostly in Monterey now, the number of shows at the lake is limited. Most summers it is two shows at the Valhalla Festival of Arts and Music. This year it was three regular performances, with the benefit next week being the fourth.

A couple years ago the gang started to bring children onto the stage. This brings a whole new element to the drama because they are even more unpredictable than the adults they have gotten used to working with.

Even though the art form is improv, the five players plus Orton and pianist Dave Fabrizio do rehearse a bit. They work on scene building, character development, staying in the now, spontaneity exercises and listening skills.

“There are exercises and games that sharpen our wit a bit,” Orton explained. “I wish some of our workouts could be some of our shows.”

New to the cast this year is Pam Taylor, though she has done improv before and has been in several local theatrical productions.

Jayme Foremaster is the youngest player Orton has worked she. She started at age 14. Now she is studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.

This year’s cast also includes April Foiles.

Benefit performance details:

Date: Sept. 27

Time: 7pm

Cost: $10 or $5, depends on your age

Location: Boat House Theatre, Valhalla Estate on the South Shore, click here for directions.

Advanced tickets: Via the website.

An opening reception for artist Carole Sesko is slated for Sept. 23 from 4:30-6pm at Elijah Bleu’s House of Coffee & Good Eats in Truckee.

The Truckee artist said this collection of work was influenced by the coffee shop’s colorful, Cajun atmosphere. Sesko’s work includes figurative and abstract images.

Elijah Bleu’s is located at 10115 Donner Pass Road in Truckee.

For more information on Carole Sesko, visit www.carolesesko.com

By Kara LaPoint, Reno Gazette-Journal

With about 250 members, the Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network is thriving in its third year as a not-for-profit organization — and just ahead of one of its biggest events.

Executives and board members say stronger infrastructure, improved strategic planning and a better understanding of member needs have put the organization in prime position to fulfill its vision of becoming the region’s premier network for young professionals.

“Our main mission is to help and retain our members,” said Gail Conkey, executive director of YPN. “That’s the overriding goal that drives all our decisions.”

The organization surveys its members annually, then develops plans based on survey feedback. This past year, members expressed a need for more professional development opportunities.

Read the whole story

By Kathryn Reed

CAMP RICHARDSON — Words danced off the tongues of writers as if they were lyrics. Words lingered in the air heavy with emotion. Words fell flat.

Mostly, though, the listener was left wanting more.

Jeremy Evans of South Lake Tahoe reads to a full house Sept. 17. Photo/Kathryn Reed

More words can easily be found, but it won’t be the author reading aloud.

Twelve authors delivered a rousing portrayal of literary brilliance Sept. 17 during the second annual Celebration of Writers Around the Lake at the Valhalla Grand Hall. Each read a segment of their work – all of which was on display. Many of the nearly 70 in attendance were snatching up autographed copies of fiction, nonfiction and poetry.

Krista Benjamin took something so ordinary and turned it into a whimsical poem of sorts.

“One thing about being a writer is you can be a shameless eavesdropper,” she said.

She was at an anthropology conference her husband, Scott Lukas, (who also read Friday night) was attending and started writing down what she heard in the hallway. It made for a fun transcript of sorts.

As with most poetry, it always sounds so much better spoken than read in silence. And with the authors’ speaking the words, the inflection is precise and delivered as intended.

Karen Terrey brought some regional lore into her work with references to Donner Party cannibalism with lines like: “Would you have to be dying to eat me?”

Scott Lankford and Jeremy Evans saw their published works for the first time that night. Lankford’s is titled “Tahoe Beneath the Surface: The Hidden Stories of America’s Largest Mountain Lake.” It didn’t capture me, but Sue had high praise for the reading.

Evans’ book is “In Search of Powder: A Story of America’s Disappearing Ski Bum.” The segment he read about a Mammoth ski bum, turned family man made me wonder if Evans saw a bit of himself in this vignette. I’m looking forward to the copy of his book arriving in my post office box.

Gailmarie Pahmeier, a poet who was at last year’s event, captivates an audience not only with what is being said, but how it is said.

Sue’s response when Pahmeier was done was, “Wow! She’s brilliant.” I concur.

Ann Ronald read the most disturbing piece. Her fictional book called “Friendly Fallout 1953” borders on nonfiction. The people aren’t real, but most of the circumstances involving the atomic testing in Southern Nevada and the subsequent fallout are very real.

I want to know more. But at the same time I don’t.

The writers featured on Sept. 17 were:

• Jeremy Evans, nonfiction, “In Search of Powder: A Story of America’s Disappearing Ski Bum”

• Scott Lankford, nonfiction, “Tahoe Beneath the Surface”

• Ann Ronald, fiction, “Friendly Fallout 1953″

• Janet Smith, poet, “All of a Sudden Nothing Happened”

• Michael J. Makley, nonfiction, “Cave Rock: Climbers, Courts, and a Washoe Indian Sacred Place”

• Suzanne Roberts, poet, “Shameless, Nothing to You”

• Gailmarie Pahmeier, poet, “New Poets of the American West”

• Karen Terrey, “Tangled Roots Writing”

• Jeanine Stevens, poet, “Caught in the Clouds”

• June Saraceno, poet, “Altars of Ordinary Light”

• Krista Benjamin, poet, “New Poets of the American West”

• Scott Lukas, nonfiction, “Fear, Cultural Anxiety, and Transformation: Horror, Science Fiction, and Fantasy Films Remade”

The event is put on by Tahoe Writers Works.

The North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce is hosting a computer demonstration as part of their Chamber EDucation series titled “Learn How to Modernize Your Business PCs” Sept. 21 from 8:30-10am at Granlibakken Resort, 725 Granlibakken Road, in Tahoe City.

The demonstration is a firsthand look, along with a live demonstration, of Microsoft Office 2010 and Windows 7 and will focus on how these programs can assist a business.

Ron Baker of JFG Systems, who is a Microsoft-certified gold partner and a SonicWall certified gold partner, will provide the demonstration.

All attendees will receive certificates that allow them to register for complimentary online software training when they purchase Office 2010 and/or Windows 7.

Registration is $20 for North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce members and $30 for non-members and includes Granlibakken’s buffet breakfast. Seating is limited.

To register and for more information about the workshop, call North Lake Tahoe Chamber of Commerce Manger Kym Fabel at (530) 581.8764 or download a registration form at www.NorthLakeTahoeChamber.com, click on Programs and Documents.

Helicopters will star at Fire Fest this year as they land at the Lake Tahoe Airport for Fire Fest 2010.

Oct. 2 is an opportunity to get a close up look at these amazing machines. Crews will be on hand to answer questions and explain how they help us when we need it most.

Fire Fest is an annual event hosted by our local fire agencies, including Lake Valley Fire District, the U.S. Forest Service, the Tahoe-Douglas Fire District, Fallen Leaf Fire District, South Lake Tahoe Fire Department and the Nevada Fire Safe Council, and sponsored by the Lake Tahoe Kiwanis Club. This event highlights Fire Prevention Week and includes safety agencies, creating a day celebrating fire and life safety for children and families.

Southwest Gas, South Tahoe Public Utility District, Sierra Pacific Power, Clean Tahoe Program and South Tahoe Refuse have added home safety, energy and water conservation to this broad ranging community event with interests for everyone. The South Lake Tahoe Boys and Girls Club and El Dorado County Sheriff STAR volunteers assist with fun children’s activities. The Lake Tahoe Fire Academy volunteers assist throughout the event. Food and beverages, barbecued by the Kiwanis Club, are available at reasonable prices.

Activities include fire engines and equipment, roll over and vehicle extrication, police dog demonstrations, demonstration of fire resistant building materials and systems, home safety ideas, free hand out material and lots of special attractions for kids, like water fights, face painting, bounce house and Smokey Bear, Sparky and other friends.

What does Fire Fest really achieve? Over the past 17 years, officials have distributed hundreds of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers for local homes, reduced incidents involving children and matches, met the people who help us in emergencies, fingerprinted hundreds of our children, provided bicycle and car seat safety information and, overall, created safer homes, vehicles, streets, neighborhoods and forests.

Fire Fest 2010 is Oct. 2 from 10am to 3pm at the Lake Tahoe Airport. Admission is free. A free shuttle among events that day makes it an even more affordable and low-impact.

Tangled Roots Writing offers Saturday Escape Creative Writing Workshops in Truckee form 10am-1pm on Oct. 2, Oct. 20, Nov. 13 and Dec. 4.

Explore creative writing of any genre, connect with a writing community, generate new material, play with language and meaning, explore craft and form, develop a writing practice in a supportive creative environment. Each workshop is different.

They are for any level of experience.

Cost is $35 per day or $30 each for two or more sessions.

Contact Karen Terrey at (530) 386.3901 or tangledrootswriting@gmail.com for more information.

For the past 20 years during the week prior to Labor Day, Nevada’s Black Rock Desert is transformed into a temporary community celebrating the Burning Man Art Festival. Sierra Nevada College is having an exhibition of 14 life-sized photographs and three mannequins documenting day and nighttime Burning Man costumes.

For the past five years, Geoffrey Nelson has set out to document the most creative and unusual of these costumes that he encounters during the festival. A Tribe of Artists: Costumes and Culture at Burning Man will be on display from Sept. 20 through Nov. 18 at the college’s Prim Library, main floor.

Drawing more than 50,000 participants from around the world, the Burning Man Festival is known for its fire, sculptures, theme camps, and its unusually attired participants. The photos are primarily shot in a portable, tent-like photographic studio that he transports and constructs on the playa where Burning Man takes place. Dealing with overwhelming dust storms, heat, and extremely loud “art cars,” Nelson has photographed more than 200 participants since he started the project in 2005. From these photos emerged this unconventional show, A Tribe of Artists: Costumes and Culture at Burning Man.

Nelson has been a professional photographer for more than 30 years, beginning his career in the Bay Area. He graduated from the UC Berkeley and has widely exhibited throughout the United States. Nelson has published a number of books.

Library Hours: 8am-10pm, Monday-Thursday; 8am-5pm, Friday; 10am-4pm Saturday; 2pm-10pm Sunday

For more information or to schedule a group visit, contact Betts Markle at emarkle@sierranevada.edu or (775) 881.7511.