In terms of extending the season, Artown isn’t just going for 32 days. They’re also adding some big name acts who are coming to Reno in October, November and January.
Hail to the chiefs
The Chieftains are widely credited for having brought traditional Irish folk music to the masses. They’ve had more than 40 years together to do it. Led by Paddy Maloney, the group has won multiple Grammy Awards and performed with musicians of all stripes, from fellow Irish musicians Van Morrison and Sinead O’Connor to Lyle Lovett, Mick Jagger and Ziggy Marley. They formed in 1963 as staunch traditionalists, but have since moved on to show the connections between Irish music and global culture. Their distinctive sound combines the uillean pipe, tin whistle, fiddle, bodhran and flute, among other instruments and vocals. In 2009, the Chieftans have been exploring the Celtic-Mexican connection with a new album featuring a track with Linda Rondstadt and other guests.
The Chieftans perform Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55. Purchase by calling (800) 648-5638 or online at www.grandsierraresort.com/entertainment/events_calendar.
Moving sculptures
If Pilobolus is anything like the images that absolutely mesmerize the viewer upon entering the dance group’s website, then they are like art sculptures—moving, arresting, stunning. Some have described what the Connecticut-based troupe does as “sculptural dance,” which is a confusing term until one sees images such as these: the members’ bodies naked and entwined before a cave in the forest, or wound into what resembles a snowball in a winter field, or tumbling onto a stage and combining to form shadow images of a moving car or penguin or shooting gun. Their bodies are the clay that form the artwork. They are athletic, innovative, sexy, show amazing physical control, and they even made the Dallas Cowboys look artistic in an Emmy-nominated commercial. (Look up “Pilobolus in Ravens vs Cowboys teaser on NFL” on YouTube.) Sculptural shadow shows are not their only strength, however, as seen in their poetic, almost narrative performances.
Pilobolus performs Nov. 20 at 8 p.m.at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. Tickets are $30, $40 or $50. Purchase by calling (800) 648-5638 or online at www.grandsierraresort.com/ entertainment/events_calendarxploring
String superstar
If string instruments have a superstar it’s, well, probably Yo Yo Ma. But Itzhak Perlman is, by any measure, a very famous man—a rarity in classical music. He’s performed with Ma a number of times, including during the performance of John Williams’ “Air and Simple Gifts” at President Obama’s inauguration. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1945 and now living in New York, this master violinist is perhaps most widely known for the haunting score he performed for the film Schindler’s List. The Grammy Award winner has also performed jazz on occasion, such as with Oscar Peterson and Klezmer, but classical music is where he’s most strongly made his mark.
Perlman performs Jan. 21 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $40, $75 and $100. Call 686-6600 or visit www.pioneercenter.com/Tickets.htm