For the month of December, "Joy to the World" will be played thousands of times on the radio. For the other 11 months of the year, "Joy to the World" will be played thousands of times as well, but that's the Three Dog Night song, something to do with a bullfrog named Jeremiah.
Between 1969 and 1974, Three Dog Night (named for the necessity of having at least three dogs to keep warm on a bitter Arctic night) moved more records, sold more concert tickets, and had more Top 10 hits than any other group.
The current incarnation of Three Dog Night will appear at John Ascuaga's Nugget on Saturday, and their very booking testifies to the continued strength of the band. They are appearing when the Celebrity Showroom is usually dark for the pre-Christmas weeks or occupied by local groups.
Three Dog Night had 21 consecutive hits in the Top 40, 18 consecutive Top 10s, and three No. 1 songs. They sold 7 million singles. They charted in pop, country and rock. They remain eternally associated with three songs – "Mama Told Me," "Black and White," and "Joy to the World."
Technology has passed the LP days by, but in 2009 Three Dog Night recorded their first double-A sided single in nearly 25 years – "Heart of Blues" and "Prayer of the Children." Keeping up with the times, they have it available on iTunes and their own iPhone app.
The current Three Dog Night is composed of founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on vocals, keyboardist Jimmy Greenspoon and guitarist Michael Allsup. They are joined by bassist Paul Kingery and drummer Pat Bautz (9 p.m.; 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks; $50; 800-648-1177 or janugget.com).
Around the Silver Circle
• North Lake Tahoe ski resorts are offering their 12th annual Learn to Ski and Board Weekend next Saturday and Sunday. The entry fee of $30 gets beginners an all-day lift ticket, a group lesson and gear rental. They can choose from seven resorts (Alpine Meadows, Boreal Mountain, Granlibakken, Homewood, Northstar-at-Tahoe, Squaw Valley USA, Sugar Bowl).
Reservations are not required, but participants should arrive early. If snow should not make an appearance, some will reschedule the event later in the season.
• On Saturday, downtown Reno will be invaded by around 7,000 Santas for the annual Santa Pub Crawl. Fifty bars and other establishments will open their doors, and if this is not exactly the Santa image one might want for children, it's a bit of a comfort to know that proceeds will go to Washoe County schools. It's called "The Biggest Little Charity Event in the World," and participants are encouraged to "Support the Claus."
• Jocko of Sha Na Na had such a good time jamming with veteran lounge player Stew Stewart at the Carson Valley Inn in August that he will do so again this Friday and Saturday in the cabaret. They start around 8 p.m. (It's free.) At the same time, the club's coffee shop, Katie's Country Kitchen, should be ready to show off its new look.
• Reno's "Nutcracker" will be performed by the AVA Ballet Company at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (100 S. Virginia St., Reno; $26-$51; 775-686-6600 or pioneercenter.com).
• The Wailers play the Knitting Factory next Sunday (7:30 p.m.; 211 N. Virginia St., Reno; $20 standing, $45 reserved seating; KnittingFactory.com).
• "Siamsa: A Celtic Christmas" is the Reno Irish Dance Company production in the Nugget's Celebrity Showroom Thursday (7 p.m.; $23 adults, $13 seniors and children; 800- 648-1177 or janugget.com).
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