CRUISIN' THE MUSES: Step away from the holiday season

If too much holiday too soon gets to you - or even if not, but you seek a respite from seasonal strains - there is an upcoming concert for you.

It's the "This Is Not A Christmas Concert" concert, which features almost 90 performers from the Carson City Symphony's after-school Strings in the Schools program.

The performance begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Carson City Community Center.

Sue Jesch, symphony concert master and education director, said students in second grade to high school will perform at three levels.

These include: Beginners in grades 2-5; a mid-level group, including children from grades three and up, in a string ensemble; and STRAZZ, an advanced jazz and fiddle ensemble.

"I want to include everybody," said Jesch, symphony orchestra violinist and an instructor/performer on both violin and viola.

This is the third annual such concert. "And you won't hear any Christmas songs," Jesch promised. What a boon when holiday music always inundates us in December.

It's free, another boon at a time when money flees from households quicker than Santa disappears up chimneys. So attend.

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Speaking of attending, here are a few more things, with or without a holiday connection, to consider enjoying.

At the Brewery Arts Center, there is more culture going on then you can shake an entertainer's shtick at these days.

Tonight and on this and upcoming weekends, Proscenium Players, Inc. presents "A Christmas Chaos" in the Black Box Theater; and Wildhorse Children's Theater performs Disney's "The Little Mermaid Jr." at the performing arts venue.

In addition, the 65th Annual Nevada Day Art Show continues in the BAC gallery space. It began Oct. 22 and continues until next Friday.

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Herewith your musemeister, who also is the great pretender in these precincts, announces his intention to expand his franchise.

The writer behind these musings will ratchet in writing about books, sometimes including reviews, look in on small businesses and occasionally opine on movies or television that touch on Nevada.

And, as has been the case with culture, aging and health, this column will be written from the perspective of a homer.

That means we calls 'em as we sees 'em, but home team folks (those in and around Carson City) will enjoy tie-goes-to-the-runner status until they don't deserve it.

Only the most egregious undeserving will get noticed, and just rarely, as no gotcha journalism appears here.

• John Barrette may be contacted at 775-881-1213 or jbarrette@nevadaappeal.