And that’s a wrap
Artown concludes its 30th anniversary season with its closing night concert featuring Clarence Bekker and the C-Bees. During the 1990s, Bekker recorded under the pseudonym CB Milton, finding commercial success with the dance music singles “It’s a Loving Thing,” “Send Me an Angel” and “Opening Your Heart.” The Dutch singer moved on from ’90s Eurodance hits to more R&B/soul-influenced music as the lead vocalist for internationally renowned projects such as Swinging Soul Machine, 08001 and Playing for Change. In 2016, he formed the Clarence Bekker Band alongside prominent musicians from Barcelona, Spain. The group released its first full-length album Changes in 2020, followed by a live album in 2024. Bekker will perform at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at the Nevada State Bank Stage in the former Great Basin Adventure area of Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
Classical brass
Artown’s Sweet Vibrations Series concludes with a performance by the Alias Brass Company, a collaboration of talented artists and educators from across the nation, including Reno-based musicians Jonathan Bhatia and Natalie Brooke Higgins. The ensemble’s artistic range takes audiences on an emotional journey, combining diverse elements of classical music, modern pop-culture and all things in between, representing a variety of global styles, genders and cultures. The show starts at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at the Reno First United Methodist Church, 209 W. First St. Admission is a $5 suggested donation. Visit artown.org.
For your a-muse-ment
Gen-Xers of a certain age (like myself) spent many a lazy day watching repeats of the fantasy film Xanadu on cable TV. While the movie Xanadu—starring Olivia Newton-John, Michael Beck and Gene Kelly—was a box-office bomb, it gained a new audience of young, impressionable cable-TV viewers who loved its campy combination of Greek mythology, animation, roller skating and disco-influenced pop tunes penned by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar. Reno Little Theater takes audiences back to the early 1980s with its production of Xanadu: The Musical. The musical comedy—with a book by Douglas Carter Beane—is based on the 1980 film but with a few silly twists. (Read Jessica Santina’s review here.) There are just two weeks left of its run, so hurry on down to RLT to catch the remaining performances, which start at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 31, and Aug. 1-2; Aug. 7-9; and at 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. Reno Little Theater is at 147 E. Pueblo St. Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $15 for students. Go to www.renolittletheater.org/xanadu.
Ridin’ along in my automobile
Hot August Nights, one of the biggest classic-car and rock ’n’ roll celebrations in the country, rolls into the town this weekend starting on Friday, Aug. 1. The opening-weekend festivities include show ’n’ shines taking place in Virginia City, Summit Racing Equipment in Sparks and J Resort in Reno, as well as drag races outside the Nugget Casino Resort in downtown Sparks, and the Cruisin’ for the Cure Car Show at the Bonanza Casino. The 39th annual event expands to a full week of live music, cruises, drag races, show ’n’ shines, the Motorsport Auction Group (MAG) Auction, the Grand Finale Parade and more, from Monday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 10, at various locations across Reno and Sparks, including the University of Nevada, Reno campus, J Resort, Peppermill Resort Spa Casino and Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. For a complete schedule, visit hotaugustnights.net.
One door closes, another opens
Whether you were looking for incense or buying tickets to Burning Man, The Melting Pot World Emporium in Midtown was the place to go. Sadly, the longtime counterculture shop has called it a day after 29 years in business. But owners Eric and Monique Baron aren’t saying goodbye without a proper send-off. This weekend, the Barons invite the community to celebrate An End of an Era. Put on your favorite festival wear, and lace up your roller skates for an all-day farewell party featuring a performance by Drinking With Clowns Duo, and sets DJ Heidalicious and Coop da Loop. There will also be a food truck and a silent auction of items associated with the store. The party runs from noon to midnight, Saturday, Aug. 2, at The Melting Pot World Emporium and Smoke Shop, 1049 S. Virginia St. Visit www.facebook.com/themeltingpotworldemporium or www.instagram.com/themeltingpotworldemporium.
Brothers in arms
The Nevada Historical Society’s Nevada History—On the GO! series continues with a talk about two legendary figures in American Old West history. Jeff Kintop, historian and former state archivist, presents “The Earps’ Last Frontier: Wyatt and Virgil Earp in the Nevada Mining Camps, 1902-1905.” Kintop will cover Earp brothers’ time in Tonopah, the last place where they both served as lawmen, and examine their often-exaggerated activities in turn-of-the-century Nevada. The program starts at 1 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2, at Sierra View Library in the Reno Town Mall, 4001 S. Virginia St. Go to www.nvhistoricalsociety.org or www.washoecountylibrary.us/events.
Fa-fa-fa-fa-fashion
Burning Man is just a few weeks away. Sure, it’s important to take enough food, water and other supplies to survive in a remote location for a week. But what are you going to wear? Surely, you can’t just strut across the Black Rock Desert wearing bland, utilitarian clothes. If you’re going to be covered in alkali dust or mud all week, you have to do it with style. So if you’re looking for some ideas for your playa ensemble, head down to the Reno Public Market this weekend. Junkee Clothing Exchange will hold its Playa Fashion Show, showcasing avant-garde designs and costumes inspired by the festival’s creative ethos. The visual spectacle will feature everything from high fashion to wearable art, celebrating the playful and radical aesthetic of one of the world’s most famous creative gatherings. The event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 3, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Visit www.renopublicmarket.com for more info.
High hopes
Sky Tavern, a nonprofit learn-to-ski facility, presents its inaugural Why We Sky ANTI GALA. Eschewing the formality of traditional galas, the nonprofit invites the community to dress down, get outdoors and enjoy the mountain views while raising money and awareness of Sky Tavern’s mission to keep outdoor recreation affordable and inclusive to all. Set against an alpine backdrop at 8,000 feet, the all-day event includes food and drinks, mountain biking and hiking, a zip line, kids’ games and local artists and exhibitors. The festivities kick off with the Summit Sip, a scenic chairlift ride featuring a mobile bar, and DJ sets by Fox and Buck and Girl George on the Summit Stage at the top of the mountain. The fun continues with activities, food trucks and performances by GR8, Jake’s Garage and Burke on the main stage at the base of the mountain. The fundraiser takes place from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, at Sky Tavern Ski, 21130 Sky Tavern Road, off the Mount Rose Highway. General admission tickets are $35 for adults, and free for kids age 12 and younger. VIP access tickets are $250 and include all activities, a barbecue dinner, preferred concert seating, a single-day winter lift ticket for the 2026 season and a swag bag. Funds will go directly toward scholarships and Sky Tavern programs that keep mountain access affordable and inclusive for local families. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance at www.skytavern.org.
11 Days a Week is written and compiled by Kelley Lang. Want your event included in 11 Days a Week? Email 11days@renonr.com for consideration. Email advertising@renonr.com for advertising info!
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