TAHOE-TRUCKEE, Calif. — Below are the Sierra Sun's picks for the Top 10 events to check out this weekend at Truckee and Lake Tahoe.

Have an event you want considered for a future Tahoe Ten calendar? Email reporter Kaleb M. Roedel at kroedel@sierrasun.com.

1. Chi McClean at Cottonwood

Kick off the New Year at Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar with Nashville-based singer-songwriter Chi McClean, an acoustic rocker whose songs are marked by a haunting southern style.

Where: Cottonwood Restaurant & Bar, Truckee

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Cost: Free

Online: cottonwoodrestaurant.com

2. Dusty Green Bones at the Red Room

Dusty Green Bones, a five-piece progressive bluegrass group from the Bay Area, will bring their electrified "jamgrass" sound to the Crystal Bay Casino Red Room for a free show on New Year's Day.

Where: CBC Red Room

When: Friday night, Jan. 1 (after Leftover Salmon's set in the Crown Room – read more on Page A10)

Cost: Free

Online: crystalbaycasino.com

3. Mojo Green at the Red Room

Mojo Green, a seven-piece soul and funk outfit from Reno, will perform a high-energy set inside the CBC Red Room on Saturday.

Where: CBC Red Room

When: Saturday night, Jan. 2 (after Leftover Salmon's set in the Crown Room)

Cost: Free

Online: crystalbaycasino.com

4. Snowshoe Through History Hike

Learn about the natural environment that attracted Tahoe's earliest settlers and explore the wonderful West Shore for the easy and fun Snowshoe Through History Hike at Sugar Pine Point State Park, featuring a tour of the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion estate and more.

Where: Sugar Pine Point State Park, West Shore

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Cost: Free ($5 parking fee per vehicle)

Online: parks.ca.gov

5. Apres Ski Music at Squaw

Kick back and relax after a day on the slopes at Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows with free live music from the Serina Dawn Band — a soulful, bluesy singer-songwriter.

Where: Village Events Plaza, Squaw Valley

When: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Cost: Free

Online: squawalpine.com

6. Family Snowshoe Tour at Northstar

Grab the kids for Northstar California's Family Afternoon Snowshoe Tour, a wonderful way to introduce kids to the great outdoors in a fun, un-intimidating, friendly atmosphere.

Where: Northstar California, Truckee

When: 1-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Cost: $50 adult; $30 child 12 and under; snowshoes available to rent for $20

Online: northstarcalifornia.com

7. 10th Annual Backcountry Demo

The Lake Tahoe Backcountry Demo, North America's largest venue for all things alpine touring, telemark and splitboard, returns for a 10th annual winter, again sponsored by Alpenglow Sports.

Where: Alpine Meadows Ski Resort

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Cost: Free for Squaw-Alpine ticket/pass holders

Online: alpenglowsports.com

8. Queen Nation at Lake Tahoe Hard Rock

Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen, performs Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe. The mission of the band is to pay homage to the golden age of vintage Queen concerts, when the rock group packed arenas.

Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Stateline

When: 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2

Cost: $20

Online: hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com

9. Comedian Tom Cotter at Hard Rock

Comedian Tom Cotter — whose credits including "America's Got Talent," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and "The Today Show" — makes a stop at Lake Tahoe's South Shore this week.

Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Stateline

When: 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Cost: $40

Online: hardrockcasinolaketahoe.com

10. DJ Shortkut at Whiskey Dick's

San Francisco's DJ Shortkut will bring his innovative stylings to the South Shore when he headlines the New Year's Day Meltdown at Whiskey Dick's Saloon on Friday.

Where: Whiskey Dick's Saloon, South Lake Tahoe

When: 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1

Cost: $10 before 10 p.m.

Online: facebook.com/whiskeydickstahoe