Tourstop: Lake Tahoe

200 miles east of the Bay Area on I-80, and a short jaunt from Highway 5, Lake Tahoe sits right in the midst of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, straddling the California/Nevada divide. Though many know Tahoe as a prime snowboarding destination, it is also an ideal place to see and play music year-round. After hitting the slopes all day, its youthful, energetic denizens hit the local live music nightspots. As the snow melts, the temperate summers give way to independent music festivals all over the area. The cities surrounding the lake welcome touring bands with open arms, offering them a selection of spots to play. On the Nevada side, Carson City's all-ages scene is thriving, and its supportive DIY mentality permeates to the surrounding regions. Reggae, bluegrass, and jam bands naturally compliment the serene Tahoe atmosphere, but metal, psychobilly, and punk rock have also become a part of the local music landscape.

BOOK A GIG: VENUES

WHISKEY DICKS SALOON
2660 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 544-3425
www.myspace.com/whiskeydickssaloonbandbooking
A popular place to see metal, funk, rock and reggae on the weekends. To book, send Chris Sanchez a promo pack at the above address or send a website link through MySpace at least a month in advance.

TAHOE UNDERGROUND
270 Kingsbury Grade
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(775) 588-2333
www.tahoeunderground.biz
This nightclub is just a year old and has already booked over a hundred bands ranging from punk and metal to indie pop. Call Chris at (530) 318-0711 six weeks in advance for a gig.

THE DIVIDED SKY
3200 U.S. Highway 50
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 577-0775
www.thedividedsky.com
The friendly local hang out features bluegrass, jam bands, and hip-hop twice a week. Call for booking.

COMMA COFFEE
312 S. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 883-2662
www.commacoffee.com
A perfect pause for any musician passing through, Comma Coffee offers an intimate atmosphere for coffeehouse-friendly live music on Saturday nights. During the summer, Comma books punk, hardcore and metal bands to play its bi-monthly Hardcourtyard series, a succession of outdoor shows right across the street from the Capitol Building. To book, contact Jen Scaffidi through the website three to five months in advance, heeding the instructions specified there.

ZENBU LOUNGE
1960 Squaw Valley Road
Lake Tahoe, CA 96146
(530) 583-9900
www.zenbulounge.com
Zenbu is a tapas bar that books live reggae, bluegrass, and punk bands, as well as hip-hop DJs. To book, contact Darryl at the phone number above, or email him through the website at least a month in advance.

STUDIO 4
900 Mallory Way
Carson City, NV 89701
www.myspace.com/studio_four
This dance studio becomes a popular all-ages venue on Friday and Saturday nights for punk, metal, reggae, hardcore, and prog bands. To book, contact Tamara Holmes via MySpace or Jim Gustafson at (775) 224-0460 or studio_four@yahoo.com.

MOODY'S BISTRO & LOUNGE
10007 Bridge Street
Truckee, CA 96161
(530) 587-8688
www.moodysbistro.com
Boasting a 1950s atmosphere and speakeasy-style lounge, Moody's books live jazz and DJs and is located right off the I-80 in Truckee. To book, email JJ Morgan at jj@moodysbistro.com three to six months in advance.

THE TUDOR PUB
1041 Fremont Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-6603
www.dorysoar.com/tudorpub
This authentic English pub is located upstairs from Dory's Oar and books rock bands on Saturday nights. Contact Pete Coleman at the number above.

PROMOTE A GIG: MEDIA

K-MTN TV STATION
2277 Lake Tahoe Blvd.
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-8686
www.kmtn.com
This local cable station aims to promote bands, fill up shows, and create more venues in Tahoe. K-MTN promotes bands by playing independent music videos every night, recording bands in its studio, and playing them on the air. Call or email Mike at michael@kmtn.com.

TAHOE DAILY TRIBUNE
3079 Harrison Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
(530) 541-3880
www.tahoedailytribune.com
Local daily paper (five days a week) with an entertainment insert. Submit calendar listings online at least two weeks in advance on the form provided.

THE RENO NEWS & REVIEW
708 North Center Street
Reno, NV 89501
(775) 324-4440
www.newsreview.com
This alternative weekly is distributed free throughout Lake Tahoe and Reno and has one of the most comprehensive calendars in the area. Email event info to renocalendar@newsreview.com two weeks in advance.

GEAR/REPAIRS

MAYTAN MUSIC CENTER
911 Popsy Lane
Carson City, NV 89705
(775) 267-1993
www.maytan.com
This full-service instrument retail store carries drums, amps, and guitars and can do walk-in repairs for guitars. Maytan is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FLEISCHER'S SERVICE
2601 Alma Avenue
South Lake Tahoe, 96150
(530) 541-5299
Fleischer's will work on all electric instruments and equipment. Open afternoons and at odd hours. Since there is no set schedule, they advise that those in need of repairs call for an appointment.