The Carson Valley Inn features free live entertainment in the Cabaret Lounge with no cover charge and no drink minimum. Cabaret Lounge entertainment is Tuesday and Wednesday from 6:00 to 10 p.m., Thursday from 8:00 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 1 a.m. As a courtesy to the Inn’s many sports fans, live entertainment is not held on Sunday and Monday nights during NFL football season so the Sunday Night and Monday Night Football games can be enjoyed on the HD pull-down screen.
Joe Buonanno, December 4 & 5: Known as Smokin’ Joe, Joe Buonanno is a lead guitarist and vocalist for 3 popular local bands and also an accomplished soloist. Smokin’ Joe loves to have fun and keep his audience entertained – and he does so with rock, country, blues, jazz and more, often performing audience requests.
Melissa Dru: December 6 – 8: Singer and songwriter Melissa Dru has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Melissa and her band cover a wide mix including classic rock, R&B and a bit of country; everything from Pink Floyd to Patsy Cline. A natural performer and entertainer, Melissa will delight you with her unique vocal style and sense of fun. Don’t miss this popular songbird in action!
George Pickard, December 11 & 12:  George is an accomplished performer, believable impressionist, captivating entertainer and successful song writer. He co-wrote “What Did You Do with Your Old Forty Fives” for Bobby Vinton and backed up many acts from the fifties and sixties including The Shirelles, The Diamonds and The Platters. He was also one of the Kingsmen (Louie, Louie) for awhile. George has played the Fillmore in San Francisco with acts such as Santana, Big Brother and the Holding Company and Jefferson Airplane.
Stew Stewart, December 13 – 15: A Stew Stewart show has something for everyone including country music, blues, oldies, comedy, classic rock, Motown and just plain ol’ fun – with a few surprises, too! A Nevada entertainer for over four decades, Stew has appeared at over 100 state and county fairs, many as the opening act for artists such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Marie Osmond, Herman’s Hermits, The Drifters, The Coasters, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, The Oak Ridge Boys and more! Stew’s band is a show in itself and they will be joined by Stew for his performances at 8 p.m. Thursday and at 8 and 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Paul Covarelli, December 18 & 19: Veteran musician Paul Covarelli is a talented guitarist and vocalist. He started the group Jo Mama over 20 years ago and also plays with other groups in the area covering jazz, swing, blues, Latin and more styles.
Jo Mama, December 20 – 22: Jo Mama conveys the same high energy whether they are playing funk, Latin, blues, swing, rock, country or calypso. Jo Mama features Paul Covarelli on guitar and vocals. Bob Wider plays bass, drummer Jeff Bond lays down the back beat and Nancy Barker rounds it out on keyboards and vocals.
Scott Helmer, December 24 – 25: Scott Helmer’s appearance at the CVI is part of his Support YOUR Cause Tour. The 24 Nights leg of the tour will span over 3,000 miles, 9 states and more than 24 consecutive performances. From Chandler, Arizona on November 29th to Minden, Nevada on December 25th, Scott will make stops in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada. Helmer features solo acoustic performances of songs from his album and covers of many of his favorite rock and country hits.
Dale Poune, December 26 – 27: Dale plays guitar, dobro, mandolin and bass. An accomplished vocalist with a variety of musical styles, he has performed with the Fortunes, Buddy Miles, The Coasters and The Drifters – and is currently working with Lacy J. Dalton.
After Dark, December 28 – 31: Playing your favorites from the 50’s through today, this high-energy rock n’ roll band will get you out of your seat and on your feet. After Dark’s band members have a collective 125 years of performance experience and the group has a continually growing song catalog.
TBD, January 1 & 2.
The Motifs, January 3 – 5: Featuring brothers and lead vocalists Al and Phil Velasquez, The Motifs have been entertaining Nevada audiences for over 30 years with a variety of music including current hits, 50’s and 60’s medleys, country (old and new), pop, big band hits and some great Salsa songs. The group has worked every town in Nevada including some of the top casinos in Las Vegas, Tahoe and Reno. The Motifs captivate their audiences with their great smiles, personality, charm, sincerity, showmanship and professionalism – a combination that creates a fun and feel-good evening!
