Welcome to this week’s Reno News & Review.
I’m back from my little musical sojourn around the Western states. The gang put out a great issue last week without much help from me, which makes me feel real unnecessary, but, like, in a good way.
A couple of quick items of RN&R business: First, don’t forget to vote in our Best of Northern Nevada readers’ poll. Visit vote.newsreview.com/best-of-reno-2016 and get after it.
Secondly, Friday, July 1, is the kick-off of the RN&R’s 21st annual Rollin’ on the River concert series. The Artown-affiliated series takes place every Friday evening in July starting at 5:30 p.m. in Wingfield Park in downtown Reno.
This Friday features music from the Sextones, formerly known as the Mark Sexton Band, a local pop soul group that has played the event in previous years and is beloved by music fans throughout the community.
I’m also pleased to introduce opening act the Umpires to a larger audience. That’s a relatively new local group that specializes in jazzy, instrumental takes on reggae and ska. I was originally turned on to the project by my good friend—and creative collaborator—Mike Mayhall, who plays bass in the group. But it’s an ensemble consisting of some of the best musicians in the valley, including guitar virtuoso Ryan Hall and funky drummer Dan Weiss, who also plays with the Sextones.
I’m going to be co-MCing the concert with my colleague Emily Litt, so you can also come watch me struggle to remember not to cuss onstage in front of a family audience.
One last item: Our cover story this week is the case for Donald Trump by a lefty. If there’s a Republican out there who wants to make the case for Clinton, we’ll be happy to run it as well.