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Reno Jazz Orchestra presents ‘The Music of Nina Simone’ featuring Morgan James
One voice is all it takes. The right vocalist can make you fall in love at first listen, elicit tears, or bring you back to a different era. A microphone and a stage remain the only necessities. That holds true for New York-based soul singer, songwriter and Broadway actress Morgan James.
Morgan’s latest full album, Nobody’s Fool, is a love letter to ’90s R&B, featuring nine new songs, and one cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Everybody Here Wants You.” After a 60-city tour promoting Nobody’s Fool, the band recorded a live album from the legendary blues club Antone’s in Austin, and that recording is available on all streaming platforms.
Morgan grew up listening to everyone from Joni Mitchell to Paul Simon to Prince to Aretha Franklin, cultivating an insatiable love for strong songwriters. After graduating from The Juilliard School with a classical music degree, and performing in the original companies of five Broadway productions, James began writing and recording her own music.
Meeting her mentor Berry Gordy Jr. led to a record deal at Epic Records, where she recorded and released her solo album, Hunter, in 2014, as well as a live album tribute to Nina Simone. In addition to her five studio albums, James recorded and released a full album cover of Joni Mitchell’s seminal Blue, as well as the Beatles’ “White Album” to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
Performances of The Music of Nina Simone featuring Morgan James take place at 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Nightingale Concert Hall at the University of Nevada, Reno; and 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25, at the Warren Edward Trepp Stage at Sand Harbor, at Lake Tahoe. Tickets start at $30-$32. For tickets or more information, click here. (Sponsored Content)
Goth save us
Over the past year, Reno has been fortunate enough to attract up-and-coming acts that fall under the dark-wave/dark-music umbrella. Body of Light, Dildox and Die Sexual have all made recent stops in the Biggest Little City, and now we can add Los Angeles duo Occults to the list. Ritual welcomes the post-punk/shoegaze outfit, who will be joined by local dark wave band Witticca and DJ Xenobia spinning between sets. The show starts at 8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14, at The Cellar Stage inside Alturas Bar, 1044 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $10 advance and $12 at the door. Go to www.facebook.com/renogoth for more info.
Jive mind
Big band jazz, Latin jazz and even some music that’s not quite jazz—you’ll hear a bit of everything at the Jazz & Beyond festival. The 22nd annual event, featuring multiple free shows, opens with a performance by Latin American/Peruvian folk duo Kantu Inka and the Reno Jazz Orchestra starting at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15, outside the Governor’s Mansion, 606 Mountain St., in Carson City. Other festival highlights include the country-themed Day at the Silver Saddle Ranch featuring music by Doug Sandall and Dale Poune and Sagebrush Rebels, as well as cowboy poetry by Nancy Harris McLelland, Larry Marinel and Jo Fosters, on Sunday, Aug. 17; Mile High Jazz Band’s Basie’s Birthday Concert at 7 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, at the McFadden Plaza Stage in downtown Carson City; and the closing concert featuring the Latin jazz ensemble No Comprende at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24. A full schedule of events can be found at jazzcarsoncity.com.
Funk yeah
Enjoy a day of upbeat tunes, special brews and mountain views at the Brews, Jazz & Funk Fest. The annual event offers a variety of craft beers for sale from local and regional breweries, including Alibi Ale Works, BrewBilt Brewing, FiftyFifty Brewing Co. and Truckee Brewing Co. Electronic-funk duo The Floozies (pictured) and progressive roots rockers Scott Pemberton O Theory headline the festival, which will also feature performances by The Wreckords, Pressing Strings and Dúo Dinámico. Festival hours are 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, at The Village at Palisades Tahoe, 1750 Village East Road, Olympic Valley. Tickets are $20 in advance and $28 on the day of the show. Beer and other alcohol tickets will be sold on site. Admission is free for kids age 12 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe. Visit www.palisadestahoe.com or hstt.org/event/2025-brews-jazz-funk-fest for more details.
Faire thee well
Party like it’s 1599 at the 29th annual Valhalla Renaissance Faire. Enter an Elizabethan-era village where you can interact with 900 costumed actors; shop for jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts and other wares in the artisan marketplace; and enjoy jousting, choreographed battles, magic shows, musical performances and other entertainment on three stages. The fair will offer two weekends of magic and merriment with different themes. Cavort with sea dogs and scalawags during “Pirate Invasion” on the first weekend, or explore an enchanted world of “Masquerade & Fantasy” the following weekend. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Saturday, Aug. 16 and 23; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17 and 24, at Tahoe Valley Campground, 1175 Melba Drive, South Lake Tahoe. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for teens, seniors and military, and $15 for kids ages 7-12. Admission is free for kids age 6 and younger. Visit www.valhallafaire.com or www.facebook.com/valhallafaire.
The compass always points to Terrapin
The Terrapin Roadshow Northern California concert series celebrates the spirit, energy and community of Phil and Jill Lesh’s Terrapin Crossroads, blending Grateful Dead classics with improvisation in scenic, intimate venues across Northern California. The tour makes its final stop of the summer in Truckee with a concert featuring an all-star lineup featuring Nicki Bluhm (pictured), Jackie Greene, Grahame Lesh, Jeremy Hoenig, Ross James, Adam MacDougall and JP McLean. Broken Compass Bluegrass will open the show, which starts at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Salty Gebhardt Amphitheater in the Truckee River Regional Park, 10500 Brockway Road, Truckee. Tickets are $59 for general admission and $29 for youth ages 6-16. VIP tickets are $119, which include early entry, a VIP viewing area and a commemorative item. Visit www.terrapincrossroads.net/truckee.html.
Can you jig it?
The Levitt AMP Carson City Music Series continues with an evening of Celtic rock music performed by Utah-based group Swagger. Known for their high-energy stage performances and catchy original songs, the band has shared stages with The Young Dubliners, Brother, Albannach, Carlos Jones, The English Beat, Andy Frasco, Eric Dodge and Howard Jones. Calling on their musical backgrounds in rock, ska, funk, jazz, classical, bluegrass and country, the band is constantly writing new material and changing up their offerings from festival to festival. Among Friends will open for Swagger starting at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, at the BAC Outdoor Stage, 449 W. King St., Carson City. Admission is free. Visit breweryarts.org/events/category/levitt-AMP.
Taco the town
Experience a spicy mix of live music, premium tequila tastings, a variety of tacos and other Mexican food at the second annual Tacos & Tequila Festival. Food vendors will offer something to please most palates whether your tastes are traditional or a little more adventurous. You can chase the savory delights down with a cold beer or margarita, or take your time sipping tequila from brands such as Dios Azul, Don Julio, Herradura and El Mexicano, among others. The good vibes continue with music spun by Desert Beats Collective and other local DJs and performances by student bands from JamPro Music Factory and headliner Sinego, who will bring his fusion of Latin and electronic dance music to the main stage. Pro Wrestling Revolution will also present lucha libre matches throughout the night. The festival takes place from noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at J Resort’s Glow Plaza, 670 W Fourth St., in downtown Reno. General admission tickets are $29 plus fees, while VIP tickets start at $49 plus fees. For more details, go to www.jresortent.com/tacos-and-tequila.
À la mode
The extravagance of the 1920s gave way to the frugality of the 1930s as the world entered The Great Depression. During this era of economic hardship and social upheaval, people turned to the movies as a way to escape their everyday lives. It was during this period that popular Hollywood stars became a major influence on fashion trends. Megan Bellister, a curator at the Nevada Museum of Art, will discuss how the Great Depression and Hollywood films reshaped American fashion in her talk “Glamour and Grit: 1930s Fashion.” The program begins at 2 p.m. ,Wednesday, Aug. 20, at the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St. Tickets are $10 general admission. Admission is free for students, NMA and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members. Register at www.nevadaart.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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