The mark of Twain
Carson City and Virginia City pay homage to the “father of American literature” at the third annual Mark Twain Days. Brewery Arts Center, the Nevada State Museum and the Nevada State Railroad Museum, along with other locations, will feature lectures, workshops, presentations and performances focusing on or inspired by the celebrated and sometimes controversial author, essayist, humorist and journalist. Highlights include a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Mark Twain Reading Room inside the Nevada State Library, a one-night-only production of Mark Twain and Friends at the BAC, and the Twain Train ride on the V&T Railway. Virginia City will also host a series of events and activities, including exhibits at St. Mary’s Art Center and the Fourth Ward School, as well as walk-in tours of the Territorial Enterprise, the newspaper (now a museum) where Samuel Langhorne Clemens first used his famous pen name. The festival kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 16, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 19. Visit visitcarsoncity.com/mark-twain-days or visitvirginiacitynv.com/events/mark-twain-days for schedules and other information.
Ghosts in the garden
See what cute creepy crawlies are hanging around Urban Roots at its fifth annual Haunted Hoops. Come in costume and take the family out for an evening of Halloween-themed activities such as constructing broomsticks from natural materials, making lanterns from recycled materials, and crafting pine-cone spiders. There’s also a haunted house within one of the farm’s hoop houses offering mild or moderate scare options, as well as savory bites from the Hashtag Tacos food truck and hot cocoa from the nonprofit’s kitchen to keep the chills at bay. The event is open from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17-18, at the Urban Roots Teaching Farm, 1700 E. Second St. Tickets are $5.50 for kiddos under age 5, and $12.50 for everyone else. Visit www.urbanrootsnv.org.
Creatures of the night
Local The Rocky Horror Picture Show shadowcast Red Lip Rebellion continues a long tradition of devoted RHPS fans acting out the scenes from the comedy horror musical starring Tim Curry as the transvestite alien scientist Frank-N-Furter, and Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon as virginal couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss. The film was a box office bomb after its release in 1975, but it gained a new life through late-night showings where audiences began to dress as the movie’s characters, mimic scenes and riff on the dialogue or songs with perfectly timed callbacks. Soon, the shadowcast—a group of dedicated fans performing in tandem with the action on the movie screen—became an integral part of the RHPS experience. Red Lip Rebellion keeps this cinematic tradition alive with regular performances at RHPS screenings across our area, including their recent appearance at The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary Spectacular Tour stop at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe earlier this month. The group would like, if they may, to take audiences on a strange journey at two upcoming shows this Halloween season. The first one starts at 8 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, at Club Underground, 555 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $15-$20. Then, do the “Time Warp” again at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at Cargo Concert Hall, 255 N. Virginia St. Tickets are $15-$50. Prop bags will be available for $5. Go to www.instagram.com/renorockyhorror for more info and a link to tickets.
A learning experience
Give your body and your brain a workout as you traverse the University of Nevada, Reno, campus during the annual Day at the Museum event. Learn about art, history, earth science, life science and outer space, and interact with representatives from more than 15 participating libraries, museums and other sites on and around the university, including the Fleischmann Planetarium and Science Center, the W.M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum, the Museum of Natural History, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, The Biggest Little Pollinator Garden and The Lilley Museum of Art. Attendees can get their photo taken with Wolf Pack mascots and participate in fun activities, while collecting stamps on their Day at the Museum passport to turn in for prizes. The Wilbur D. May Museum at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St., will also join in the daylong event. Just a short walk or drive from the UNR campus, the museum—which celebrated its 40th anniversary this past May—features art, artifacts, taxidermy, saddlery and other items collected by local adventurer, pilot, rancher and philanthropist Wilbur D. May. The Magical art show and sale, featuring paintings, photography and other work by members of the Nevada Artist Association, is on view in the gallery (pictured). Participating museums will be open free of charge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18. Free parking is available in any of the garages and non-metered parking zones around the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Visit events.unr.edu/event/day-at-the-museum-2025 for locations and other information.
Some like it hot
Warm the belly and the soul with a serving of beany, meaty goodness at the 11th annual Beer and Chili Festival. Guests can sample a variety of savory, spicy chili and other featured menu specialties created by Grand Sierra Resort chefs, and temper the heat with one of more than two dozen local, regional and national craft beers. Attendees can vote for their favorite beer and chili, with the top brewery and restaurant each earning the “People’s Choice” title, a $1,000 donation to the charity of their choice, and a trophy for bragging rights. A special awards presentation will crown the day’s top chili and beer entry. DJ Rekoh Suave will spin hits in between live sets by The Heidi Incident, Bread and Butter and headliner Total Recall. Early entry starts at noon, with general admission at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, at The Pool in the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. The event runs until 6 p.m. Beer and chili tasting packages range from $25 to $70. A portion of every tasting package sold will benefit the Reno Rodeo Foundation. Visit www.grandsierraresort.com/grand-sierra-beer-and-chili-festival.
The architect of rock ’n’ roll
Celebrate the life and music of Little Richard and the early years of rock ’n’ roll with a concert version of Tutti Frutti: The Musical—A Tribute to Little Richard. Based on the full-length theatrical production, the 80-minute performance pays homage to the life and music of the legendary “Architect of Rock and Roll,” Richard Wayne Penniman, better known as Little Richard. Starring Emmy and BroadwayWorld award-winning actor Dedrick Weathersby, the show takes the audience on a journey back in time— specifically focusing on the years from 1949 to 1957, when many of the charismatic performer’s most popular songs were created, including “Tutti Frutti,” “Lucille,” “Slippin’ and Slidin’,” “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Long Tall Sally” and “Rip It Up.” Powered by a live band, the show captures Little Richard’s electrifying showmanship and dynamic music that laid the foundation for rock ’n’ roll and influenced generations of musicians. The free performance begins at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, on the main stage at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. For more information, visit www.renopublicmarket.com.
Zombie shuffle
Join the throng of the living dead as they invade downtown Reno in search of fun during the 17th annual Zombie Crawl. More than 40 participating locations in the downtown corridor and Reno Brewery District will offer drink and food specials, themed live entertainment and no cover charge to creatively costumed customers who bring their commemorative Zombie Crawl cup. Fill up and move on to as many locations as your liver and bladder can handle, and pose under the Reno Arch for a digital memory of this night of debauchery. The crawl begins at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 18. Crawl cups and maps can be purchased online for $15. If cups haven’t sold out by crawl night, you can purchase in person at the ballroom on the casino floor at Circus Circus Reno, 500 N. Sierra St.; Lead Dog Brewing, 415 E. Fourth St.; or the Forest Street Station, 100 California Ave. Visit crawlreno.com/event/zombiecrawl for all the deets.
Shining stars
You’ve likely seen and heard the work of Starsound Audio, Inc., if you’ve been to any major special event, concert or street festival in Reno in the past several decades. The Reno-based live-event production company marks its 50th anniversary this year, and it’s throwing a big bash this weekend. The festivities kick off Saturday, Oct. 18, with a headline concert by Thunder Jackson, a SXSW artist whose viral hits “Love Sick Doctor” and “Guilty Party” have earned millions of streams. Jackson will perform in Reno for the first time, fresh off a European tour. The all-ages show starts at 7 p.m. at the backyard of The Morris, 400 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $20. The following day, Starsound will host a community celebration featuring live music, family-friendly activities, local food trucks and remarks from regional leaders recognizing the company’s impact on Reno’s creative and economic landscape—and a look at what’s next for downtown Reno. The free party runs from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 19, at the backyard of The Morris. Go to www.starsound.com or www.facebook.com/starsoundaudio for more information.
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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