Mad Hatter Garden Party with Corky Bennett Trio at the Nevada Governor's Mansion

The 2014 "Jazz & Beyond - Carson City Music Festival" will open with a "Mad Hatter Garden Party," a ticketed event in the backyard of the Nevada Governor's Mansion, on Friday, August 1, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The gate opens at 5:00 p.m., and the show starts at 5:30 p.m. The party features music by the Corky Bennett Trio, finger foods by Carson City Confections, wine, beer, and a raffle. The Governor's Mansion is at 606 Mountain St., Carson City, and entrance is by the Robinson St. entrance.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Tickets are available online at JazzCarsonCity.com, at Play Your Own Music in the Carson Mall, and at the Purple Avocado, 904 N. Curry Street in Carson City.

Corky Bennett is a great musician who also happens to be very funny! He is a jazz pianist, virtuoso accordionist, hip singer, and stand-up comic, and he'll be performing with bassist Joe McKenna and drummer Tony Savage at the party. Event organizer Susan Crowell said, "Be prepared for wonderful music, delicious food, wine and beer, raffle prizes, and surprises. Wear your maddest hat or wonderland outfit - costumes are optional. This will be an evening to remember!"

Corky Bennett began performing in Seattle at age 12 on accordion with the "Buckaroos," a local country-rock band, winning amateur contests by the dozens. He pursued a musical career that has taken him to the great venues of the United States, Canada, and Asia. He has appeared on many network television shows and served as musical director for name acts.

The Mad Hatter Garden Party at the Mansion, presented by the Mile High Jazz Band Association in partnership with Carson City, is the first of more than 50 performances and special events planned for the music festival, August 1 to 17. Most events are free. For details and a complete schedule of events, see JazzCarsonCity.com or call Mile High Jazz Band at 775-883-4154.

Festival sponsors include Nevada Arts Council, Nevada Commission on Tourism, Brewery Arts Center, For the Love of Jazz, Carson City Downtown Business Association, Carson City Historical Society, Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, Lake Tahoe Entertainment, Lake Tahoe Media Group, and private donors.

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