Down to earth
Calling all plant lovers, garden gurus and those who don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty. Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Spaces seeks eight to 10 dedicated stewards to help care for the Rancho San Rafael Pollinator Garden. Volunteers are needed to weed, mulch, plant and tend to the garden at least once a month. There will be several training opportunities, which will cover plant identification, drip irrigation setup and more. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/WashoeCountyParks or www.instagram.com/washoeparks. In related news, volunteers from the University of Nevada, Reno, Extension Master Gardeners program will discuss preservation techniques, native pollinators in the garden, and cover crops as part of the Third Thursday Talk series beginning at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Community Garden and Master Gardener and Teaching Demonstration Garden at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. Visit extension.unr.edu/master-gardeners/washoe.aspx or www.washoecounty.gov/parks/parks/calendar.php.
Just say da
“Siberian surf rock” band Igor and the Red Elvises bring its 30th anniversary tour to Reno this weekend. Frontman/founding member Igor Yuzov and a rotating lineup of musicians play fun, catchy, humorous songs that have gained them a following on both sides of the East-West divide. Igor, along with musical comrades Oleg Bernov and Zhenya Rock, founded the Red Elvises in 1995 after he dreamed that Elvis Presley told him to start playing rock ’n’ roll. The band started off as a street act at Santa Monica’s 3rd Street Promenade, and their popularity quickly grew beyond the Los Angeles metro area. The group has released 14 studio albums and has appeared on or contributed music to films and television shows, including Six String Samurai, Mail Order Bride, Armageddon and Melrose Place. Thirty years later with Igor at the helm, the Red Elvises continue to serve a mix of rockabilly, surf rock, reggae, funk and Russian folk music to the masses. Get ready for a fun, free night of rokenrol starting at 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Visit www.renopublicmarket.com.
Pickin’ and grinnin’
Gather ’round, folks, for THE Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association’s 39th annual Bowers Bluegrass Festival. The three-day gathering includes campground jamming, kids’ activities, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, a contra dance on Saturday, and performances by national and regional bluegrass acts such as Rebecca Frazier, Never Come Down, The Town Howlers, Bay Area Special, Keith Little Trio, Toby and the Reno Grass, the Rough Edges, Coyote Crossing, the Monday Night Volunteers and Sunday Go to Meetin’. Festival hours are 3 to 7:15 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22; 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 23; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 24, at Bowers Mansion Regional Park, 4005 Bowers Mansion Road, New Washoe City. Tickets are $15-$120. Admission is free for children under age 12. Visit www.nnba.org/bowersbluegrassfestival or www.facebook.com/BluegrassinNorthernNevada.
The power of Curse compels you!
Fresh off their tour with Clan of Xymox, Austin, Texas-based darkwave artists Curse Mackey and SINE bring their Electric Exorcism tour to Reno. Known for his intense performances and cinematic sonic style, Curse Mackey is a long-time member of the industrial music supergroup Pigface, a frequent collaborator with My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, and Clan of Xymox, and a successful solo artist in his own right. His latest album is Imaginary Enemies. SINE, led by singer and drummer Rona Rougeheart, weaves dance beats with industrial noise and layers of booming bass, synths and guitars into a mix of jagged textures and dark, lush fusions. Ritual’s DJ Xenobia will open up the all-ages show. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of the show. Visit hollandreno.org or www.facebook.com/belfryreno.
Adieu, adieu, adieu!
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival will wrap up its 53rd season this week with final performances of its mainstage productions of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night and Rick Elice’s Peter and the Starcatcher. Shows start at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 21-24. Tickets are $22-$75 for gallery seating, and $110 and up for premium seats or table seating. The Reno Jazz Orchestra will close the festival’s Showcase Series with its program The Music of Nina Simone featuring vocalist Morgan James. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 25. Tickets are $32-$70. A Nevada State Parks Entrance Pass ($10-$15) is required to gain access to and to park at Sand Harbor. All performances take place on the William Edward Trepp Stage, Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Highway 28, Incline Village. Visit laketahoeshakespeare.com.
Burn, baby, burn
Whether you prefer watching art burn in the desert, or meat burn on a grill, there’s still time to check these items off your summertime to-do list before pumpkin patch season arrives. If your first choice was watching art burn, then you’re likely part of the annual migration to the Black Rock Desert that gets under way this week as Burners from around the world pass through the Biggest Little City en route to Burning Man. The yearly gathering dedicated to “community, art, self-expression and self-reliance” starts on Sunday, Aug. 24, and runs through Sunday, Sept. 1. This year’s theme is “Burning Man 2025: Tomorrow Today,” which “will showcase Burning Man’s global culture of art and innovation.” Tickets are $750 and up. Visit burningman.org.
The nearer the bone, the sweeter the meat
As caravans of RVs and campers on their way to Burning Man travel down Interstate 80, they might pass through a fragrant cloud of smoke emanating from one of the biggest barbecue events in the country. The Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-off attracts rib cookers from near and far who will compete for nearly $20,000 in prize money and bragging rights to the “best ribs in the West.” Hungry hordes of barbecue gourmands can gorge on a wide variety of St. Louis-style pork ribs and other mouthwatering fare for sale. The festival includes an arts and crafts vendor area, a kids’ activity zone and live music and entertainment on two stages, including main stage headliners Ying Yang Twins, Tim Montana, Sister Hazel, Revisiting Creedence, Collin Raye and Red Hot Tribute. The end-of-summer bash kicks off on Wednesday, Aug. 27, and runs through Labor Day weekend at Victorian Square, along Victorian Avenue between 14th Street and Pyramid Way in downtown Sparks. Festival hours are 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 27-31; and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Sept. 1, when the winners will be announced. Festival admission is free. Visit www.nuggetribcookoff.com.
Spirits on tonight
Step back in time to the 1920s at Dark & Divine: Speakeasy in the Shadows. This immersive, formal cocktail party blends the decadence of the Roaring Twenties with the occult fascinations that gripped society in the shadowy corners. Enter a private speakeasy bar serving themed cocktails and mocktails, and interact with characters in period attire. The event features performances, DJ and live music, group dance lessons, photo booth sessions and tarot readings by Miss Halloween. The soirée begins at 6 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, at a location in Reno to be revealed to ticket holders. Tickets are $35 for general admission and $65 for upgraded tickets. The event is open to those age 21 and older, and a dress code will be enforced. Visit conjuredevents.com/dark-divine for more details.
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!
Read 11 Days a Week at RenoNR.com!