"When I first started out, I called my show an evening of twisted love songs," said comic Stephen Lynch. "I guess nothing has really changed from that description. I take experiences that could be considered universal and put twists on them."

Lynch, who performs at the Silver Legacy in Reno on Saturday as part of the third leg of his Comedy Central Live "The 3 Balloons Tour," also describes his comedy as "adult."

"My parents went to see Lewis Black at a casino up here in Michigan and they said they thought he was very funny, but 'Boy, he sure uses the F-word a lot,' and I'm thinking, 'Please don't see my show.' I am known to use the language liberally. The subject matter cries out for the profane. So, yeah, bring the kids."

"The 3 Balloons Tour" coincides with the release of Lynch's fourth CD.

"The material was inspired by a combination of my trip to Amsterdam and by the movie 'Maria Full of Grace,' about the method people use to transport dangerous drugs," Lynch said. "I thought the title of my album would sound like a pretty little song for children but it very clearly is not."

Lynch is not for the easily offended. Among his songs: an ode to his ailing grandfather, which is not very mournful, dealing with the inheritance he is due; and a sad tune about breaking up with a girlfriend because she was "too white."

He first made an impact in New York comedy clubs and on the "Opie & Anthony" radio show. He had his first Comedy Central special in 2000.

Popular enough in the United States, Lynch is wildly so in Europe, enough that this is Comedy Central's first international tour.

In 2006, Lynch opened on Broadway in the lead of "The Wedding Singer," gaining multiple nominations as best actor in a musical, including the Tony Awards.

"It was a blast doing it, one of the highlights of my life, for sure," he said of the production, which is about to have its Reno engagement. "Would I go back to Broadway for another show? Not for many, many years. It's a brutal schedule. It sounds not bad, eight shows a week, but there's all the preparation and makeup and keeping your voice in shape.

"I mean, it's important to keep my voice in shape for my show, but if I screw up my show it's my show and I'm not ruining somebody's million-dollar investment."

All things Italian

Columbus Day is not a holiday in Nevada. There's room for only so many days off, and the state has chosen Nevada Day, Oct. 30, instead.

That does not stop the celebration, however, at least not for the Carano family, owners of the Eldorado Hotel-Casino. They host the last street party of the Reno calendar year with the Great Italian Festival every October.

The Italian fest is different from Reno's other events, being far more family-oriented. Alcohol is downplayed. It is all about food and music. It's also a bit dicier in that Reno's October weather can get very cool. Many people prefer it.

The festival this year is Saturday and next Sunday and features an array of free entertainment, a spaghetti-sauce cook-off, a popular grape-stomping contest, a bocce ball tournament, a gelato-eating contest for kids, and a grand and popular Italian buffet inside the hotel.

The event also hosts the last big farmers market of the year and features extensive participation by the Garlic Growers Association of Gilroy and the Castroville Artichoke Growers.

New to the festival this year is Pasquale Esposito, a native of Naples, Italy, who has developed a following in Northern California for his tenor voice. He made his Reno debut in April in a one-night appearance at John Ascuaga's Nugget, where his sold-out show was populated primarily with his fans from the Bay Area.

Around the Silver Circle

• Chris Isaak, one of the pioneers of the celebrity-centered reality show and singer of "Wicked Game," "Cheaters Town" and other journeys through love, heartache and torment, appears as a Reno Artown attraction this Saturday at the Grand Sierra.

• Kenny Wayne Shepherd, who was earning wunderkind status at age 13 while working in clubs throughout the deep South, has taken the years since to grow even more and become one of the country's top blues guitarists. He plays Harrah's Tahoe on Saturday evening.

• Jackie Greene, another notable guitarist who started young and has made a significant impact, plays the Crystal Bay Casino on Friday and Saturday, getting some gigs in for the release of his fifth studio album, "Giving Up the Ghost."

IF YOU GO

• Stephen Lynch performs at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Silver Legacy. Tickets are $25 and $35 at (800) 687-8733 or silverlegacy.com.

• Kenny Wayne Shepherd plays at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Harrah's Tahoe. Tickets are $45 and $55 at (800) 427-7247 or SouthShoreRoom.com.

• Jackie Greene plays the Crystal Bay Casino Crown Room at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $23 in advance, $27 on Saturday at (775) 833-6333 or crystalbaycasino.com.

• The Eldorado Great Italian Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday on Virginia and Fourth streets in Reno. The Italian buffet has become a must-do event. It is served inside the hotel at 4 p.m. both days and features 35 salad and entree items plus dessert. Cost is $22.99 plus tax, and $9.99 plus tax for children.