Does anybody love anybody anyway?
What makes us fall in love? Is it just infatuation or a real thing? The University of Nevada, Reno’s Department of Philosophy delves into these matters of the heart at this month’s Philosophy Cafe, titled “What Is Love?” The event features a guided discussion on love, sexual desire, dating and relationships, and reflects on how philosophy helps us make sense of some of the most intimate, central aspects of our lives. The free talk begins at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Lilley Museum of Art in the University Foundation Arts Building at UNR, 1664 N. Virginia St. Go to events.unr.edu/event/what-is-love-a-philosophy-cafe.
Put a little love in your art
Express love through art at two events taking place ahead of Valentine’s Day. “From Reno With Love” showcases the interconnectedness of art and activism. Join an interactive linocut printmaking workshop with local visual artists, then move to the grooves of music spun by DJ Twist and performances by Stevi Cooper and Peavine Prophets. You can purchase a T-shirt for the linocut workshop for $20, or bring your own T-shirt, piece of fabric or poster paper for your print. The festivities start at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Entry is a $20 suggested donation to the Aid Fund. Visit hollandreno.org/events/from-reno-with-love.
The Generator will host its Lover’s Market featuring a variety of handmade and unique gifts by local artists and makers, as well as artwork on display in this month’s gallery show, Desire, Deferred. The event begins at 5 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 12, at The Generator, 2450 Oddie Blvd., Sparks. Go to www.therenogenerator.com/events.
Toytopia: The fun-filled exhibit!
Toytopia is a celebration and history of toys both vintage and new! Learn about the history of your favorite toys from the last century and play to your heart’s content with our interactive Lego wall, giant dancing piano, oversized Battleship, life-size Barbie Dreamhouse, arcade game classics, and so much more! Toytopia takes place through April 26 at the Wilbur D. May Museum at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St., in Reno. Admission is $13 for adults; $11 for children and seniors; $7 per person for groups 15+; and free for children 2 and younger. Click here to learn more. (Sponsored Content)
Range of heart
The Carson Valley Arts Council presents an evening of cowboy songs, classic country and a little bit of gospel performed by singer-songwriter Kristyn Harris. Recognized for her powerful voice, swing rhythm guitar chops, songwriting and energetic stage presence, the Texas-bred cowgirl has been named the International Western Music Association Entertainer of the Year six times and is the youngest person to have received this honor. Her albums include Let Me Ride (2013), Down the Trail (2015) and A Place to Land (2020). She has recently ventured into the world of acting with a starring role in the indie musical film A Ranch Musical, which had its first official test screening at the 41st annual National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko last month. Harris takes the stage at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at the CVIC Hall, 1604 Esmeralda Ave., Minden. General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $28 at the door. Youth under age 18 get in for free with a paid adult ticket. Tickets are $22 for CVAC members. Visit www.cvartscouncil.com for more info.
Funk around
Big Gigantic will “Bring the Funk Back” to the region with two shows at Lake Tahoe this weekend. The Denver-based duo blend jazz, hip-hop, funk and bass music into a genre-bending, feel-good experience, as heard in songs like “All of Me” (featuring Logic and Rozes), “The Little Things” (featuring Angela McCluskey) and “Highly Possible” (featuring Waka Flocka Flame), as well as more recent tracks off their 2022 album, Brighter Future 2, and their latest release, Fluorescence. Big Gigantic will perform at two standing-room-only shows, starting at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13-14, in the Crown Room at the Crystal Bay Casino, 14 Highway 28, Crystal Bay. Tickets are $66.66. Go to www.crystalbaycasino.com.
Gallop into the new year
Welcome the Year of the Horse with several Lunar New Year celebrations happening this weekend. The Silver Legacy, Eldorado, and Circus Circus in downtown Reno will hold a Lunar New Year celebration offering Asian cuisine specials, lion dance performances and the M&M Happy Divas concert featuring Maria Cordero and Mimi Choo. The concert begins at 8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Reno Ballroom, 401 N. Center St. Tickets are $78-$188. Visit www.caesars.com/reno/events/lunar-new-year for more details.
Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St., will also offer dinner specials and lion dance performances on Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15. Go to www.grandsierraresort.com/lunar-new-year-at-gsr for more info.
Nevada Museum of Art’s monthly Hands ON! Second Saturdays free-admission day will have a “Love in the Lunar New Year” theme with activities like lantern making and dance performances by Little Swan Dancers, along with storytelling and a docent-guided tour. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at the NMA, 160 W. Liberty St. Visit www.nevadaart.org.
The Multicultural Center, the Associated Students of the University of Nevada (ASUN) and several student organizations at UNR will host a Lunar New Year Celebration featuring themed activities, live performances and authentic Asian cuisine. The festivities will take place from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Joe Crowley Student Union Ballrooms on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus, 1664 N. Virginia St. Check unr.campuslabs.com/engage/event/12199725 for more info.
In the mood for movies
Teams of filmmakers will premiere their cinematic labors of love this Valentine’s Day—the results of the Love Notes short romance film competition. These filmmakers were challenged to capture the many forms of love—romantic, unexpected, messy, joyful, heartbreaking—all within a tight creative window. These teams had 14 days to write, shoot and edit a short romance film (about five to nine minutes in length) inspired by a set of surprise prompts revealed at the kickoff. The films will debut on the big screen at 2 and 7 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony, on Saturday, Feb. 14, at the Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St., Carson City. Tickets are $15 for the matinee show and $20 for the evening show, or for $25 for both screenings. Visit breweryarts.org or nvstorytellers.org.
Love songs
TOCCATA Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus continues its Winter Concerts series with E.P.I.C. | Elizabeth Pitcairn in Concert. The violin virtuoso makes her annual return to TOCCATA for a performance of Dvorak’s Concerto in A minor, playing on the 1720 Red Mendelssohn Stradivarius violin. Artistic director candidate finalist Phoenix Delgado will conduct this program of romantic music featuring selections by Johannes Brahms, Gabriel Fauré, Jennifer Lucy Cook and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Performances start at 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 1070 W. Plumb Lane; 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb 15, at Cornerstone Community Church, 300 Country Club Drive, in Incline Village; 6:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 200 Island Ave.; and 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 22, at the CVIC Hall, 1604 Esmeralda Ave., in Minden. Go to www.tahoesymphony.com.
Higher Elevation continues its inaugural season with “A Musical Valentine,” a romantic program featuring everything from the iconic love songs of Elton John, Whitney Houston and Carly Simon to the sweeping melodies of musicals like West Side Story and Phantom of the Opera. The concerts begin at 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral; 3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 14 at St. John’s Presbyterian Church; 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 15, at the CVIC Hall; and 3 p.m., Monday, Feb. 16, at Our Lady of Tahoe Catholic Church, 1 Elks Point Road in Zephyr Cove. Tickets are $10-$80. Visit higherelevationmusic.org.
Never forget
While many of the atrocities and horrors of World War II occurred outside of the United States, younger generations need to know about the injustices that took place not only abroad, but in our own country—and to take steps to ensure it never happens again. In recognition of the 84th anniversary of Japanese-American incarceration during World War II, Nevada Humanities and the Reno chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League will hold a special screening of Tadashi Nakamura’s film Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement. The documentary chronicles the life of Los Angeles-born artist, dancer, singer, author and activist Nobuko Miyamoto, who was sent to the Santa Anita temporary detention center when she was only 2 years old. Following the screening, attendees are invited to gather in the museum’s atrium for tea and conversation. The screening starts at 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St. Visit www.nevadahumanities.org/calendar to learn more and register.
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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