The Grand Social and Banquest will be held from 6-10 PM on Wednesday, March 23, in Tahoe Room of the Grand Sierra Resort. We have a wonderful evening planned with a selection of great food, entertainment, and presentation of awards to deserving WDAFS members, including best student poster and oral presentation award winners.

Special Guest Speaker, Dr. Zeb Hogan, host of National Geographic’s Monster Fish show, will provide an entertaining look at some of the world’s fisheries issues. Hogan is an aquatic ecologist, known for getting up close and personal with bizarre giants of the water, specimens equally enormous in proportion and odd in appearance. Some of the species Hogan has encountered have survived for centuries but now face the threat of extinction; equal parts entertainment and education, he presents groundbreaking research undertaken to protect them.

The Alex Muddy Smith Band will provide the soundtrack for the evening. Band members are long-time professional jazz musicians in the Reno area, who have recently joined forces to create a unique mix of music for your dining and dancing pleasure. From Sinatra Style Black Tie Favorites through the original rock sound of the 50s, 60s, and 70s this band is sure to fill the dance floor. In addition, Alex Muddy Smith, singer/songwriter and guitar-man, delivers some truly soon-to-be classic original tunes. Latin rock jazz, reggae, and gospel rock are the staples of his latest album release “When My Someday Comes Along”,  featuring “Lucy (you got some splainin)”.