Wayne Brady has won two daytime Emmys for outstanding talk show host. He has appeared in shows from "30 Rock" to "How I Met Your Mother." He has appeared on Broadway as Billy Flynn in "Chicago."
He has recorded an R&B album called "A Long Time Coming" and even appeared in a couple of movies, although "Crossover" and "Roll Bounce" don't have legions of fans.
No matter what Brady does, however, it seems he will forever be first associated with "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" It was on that show that he stood out because it was there that he displayed his strongest talent – improvisational comedy.
He's used that verbal and physical agility in his other pursuits, like bantering with contestants on game shows, but it is when he is tossed a challenge from out of the blue that Brady shows his genius.
The comedian has said he would rather be in any area of entertainment than in any other profession, that he would choose being in a chorus line in a Florida condo-circuit show if it were his only option in show business.
So far he hasn't wound up there, but there aren't many other venues where he hasn't made an appearance. He shows special strength in casino dates. In Reno-Tahoe alone, he's performed 11 times since his initial exposure on "Whose Line?" back in 2001.
Wayne Brady returns with his grab bag of dead-on parodies and humorous commentary to the Silver Legacy at 8 p.m. Saturday; $40, $55; (800) 687-8733 or silverlegacy.com).
Around the Silver Circle
April hardly means there will be no more snowfall in northern Nevada, but spring is definitely here as showroom activity heats up along with the temperatures:
• The Blasters have their Nugget debut Saturday. Founders Phil Alvin and bassist John Bazz are joined by Keith Wyatt on guitar and Jerry Angel on drums to preserve the band's original sound, solid rockabilly with mixes of rhythm and blues, country, Cajun, Tex-Mex, and rock 'n' roll. Hear them and flash on small-town streets, high-octane cars, and working men's bars. The Blasters came out of Downey in the late 1970s, went on to Los Angeles success with the same audiences that greeted X and Los Lobos, and rode the crest of roots rock; 8 p.m.; $20; (800) 648-1177 or janugget.com.
• Garrett Dutton III is not a familiar marquee name, but the man's performing name is G. Love – and that's been on multiple boards. This Saturday marks his second appearance at Harrah's Tahoe, a good venue for his mix of Delta blues and urban blast, where he and his band Special Sauce will be joined by Belle Brigade; 7:30 p.m.; $29.50; (800) 427-7247 or SouthShoreRoom.com.
• The Carson Valley Inn will host two "Big-Band Memories" shows next Sunday with a seven-piece band headed by Charles DiLaura and composed of musicians who have played for the biggest stars of the live stage, from Jimmy Durante to Tony Bennett, together adding up to 250 years of experience; 3 and 6 p.m.; $15; (775) 383-6606 or carsonvalleyinn.com.
• Reno's Knitting Factory week is a full one, but it's topped by Thursday's appearance of Unwritten Law, a staple of the summer's Vans Warped Tour. The group just released its sixth studio album, "Swan," last month; 8 p.m.; $18 general, $35 reserved; KnittingFactory.com.
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