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Reno Jazz Orchestra’s ‘A Very Soulful Christmas’ featuring Tasche
Ever since hundreds of Christmas albums were released when the LP era began in 1948, the music industry has embraced the holidays—and so has the Reno Jazz Orchestra! With fans’ never-ending request for a holiday concert, the RJO is bringing “A Very Soulful Christmas” to you this year.
Joining the 17-piece orchestra is Tasche, a talented and world-recognized R&B soul/rock artist ready to energize the stage with an engaging and entertaining holiday concert.
From the most inventive yuletide grooves to straight-up soul and funk, Tasche will premiere an evening of big band music with a funky twist.
An Oakland, Calif., native, Tasche is a powerhouse vocalist and keyboardist who thrills audiences throughout the world with his original music and stunning covers. His career boasts performances across the globe, from Japan and France to Canada and Brazil. He’s graced stages alongside renowned artists like CeeLo Green, Sheila E, and Tony! Toni! Toné!
“A Very Soulful Christmas,” under the direction of Greg Johnson, takes place at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Nightingale Concert Hall, 1335 N. Virginia St., on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus. Tickets start at $30. Get tickets or more information at renojazzorchestra.org. (Sponsored Content)
Leave a slice for Santa
Santa Claus loves cookies, but even he needs a break from the sweets once in a while. A hot, savory pizza just might hit the spot. Learn how to make one worthy enough for the Jolly Old Elf at Santa’s Pizza Workshop this weekend. Noble Pie Parlor hosts this family-friendly event where attendees can learn the techniques used at the restaurant to make pizza, as well as participate in seasonal festivities like pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and holiday coloring. Tickets include one personal pizza and beverage for one child and one adult. Seating will be family style. Additional tickets may be purchased at a discount for a second parent or adult chaperone. The full menu will also be available. Different tiered pricing and levels of privacy will be available for those wanting to work in family or friend groups. The workshop has two seatings: 10:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21. Tickets range from $15 to $125. Noble Pie Parlor is located at 777 S. Center St., Suite 100. Purchase tickets here.
Full steam ahead
Go on a magical adventure with Santa Claus before he heads out for his big night on Christmas Eve. The Nevada State Railroad Museum’s 36th annual Santa Train welcomes visitors to board one of its historical steam locomotives for a 20-minute tour offering holiday treats, songs, stories and a visit with Old St. Nick. After the train ride, you can explore the rest of the museum and exchange your ticket for a raffle prize at the museum store. The train departs every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 21-22. Boarding time is 15 minutes before departure time. Tickets are $10 per person, and admission is free for lap riders under age 2. As of deadline, there are still spots available, but call ahead or check the museum’s website to confirm. The Nevada State Railroad Museum is at 2180 S. Carson St., Carson City. Call 775-687-6953, or go to www.carsonrailroadmuseum.org.
Winter in the park
This time of year the weather outside can be frightful or delightful. And if you’re looking for a place to go—even when it rains or snows—head to Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. On any day of the week, you can walk on the seven-circle, Santa Rosa-style labyrinth at the Labyrinth Garden, watch the ducks splashing in Herman’s Pond or enjoy the silence as you soak it all in at Irwin Overlook. If you’re deciding on something for the kiddos to do, put their little hands to good use at a holiday craft session from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21, in The Discovery Room at the Nevada Farms and Families area of the park. It’s free to attend, but if you’re feeling generous, leave a $3 suggested donation to support future programming. Stop by the Wilbur D. May Center to shop for a few last-minute holiday gifts in the museum’s gift shop or purchase original artwork that’s featured in the Sierra Watercolor Society’s Color Fusion show, on view in the art gallery. Next month, the center will open a new traveling exhibit, The Lost World of Dragons, in its Garden Court space. For details, go to maycenter.com or www.facebook.com/RenoMayCenter. The park is located at 1595 N. Sierra St. Visit www.washoecounty.gov/parks for more information.
Making spirits bright
Dispel the holiday blues with some festive libations. The third annual Jingle Brews edition of Tour de Brews highlights seasonal offerings at the breweries, coffee shops and restaurants that make up the downtown Reno Brewery District. For a $12 cup and passport, ticket holders age 21 and older will get deals on handcrafted drinks from more than 15 participating businesses. All drinks (2-5 ounces) are $3 or less. The limit is one per customer at each location, and drinks must stay inside of the business. Participants who have at least seven businesses stamped in their passport can enter a raffle for goodies from businesses in the district. Part of the tour proceeds will help support the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation. There are a limited number of tickets available, so purchase them online before the event. Tour hours are 2-6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21. Pick up cups and passports at Black Rabbit Mead Co., 401 E. Fourth St., on the day of the event. For more information, go to www.blackrabbitmeads.com/tourdebrews.
Christmas wrapping (up)
The 1980s are about five decades behind us, and yet we’ve never quite let go of the music of the MTV era. Throughout the year, Reno’s New Wave Crave packs venues with people of all ages who enjoy the catchy synth-pop anthems of the 1980s. This weekend, the gang of four will bring some of their high-energy cheer to the Reno Public Market’s holiday fête, New Wave Crave: A Night Before Christmas. Put on an ugly, ’80s-style Christmas sweater and hit the dance floor, or play a few rounds of pinball at this free, all-ages party, which starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Go to www.renopublicmarket.com or www.facebook.com/RenoPublicMKT/events.
Scary Gothmas
Need an escape from holiday traffic, overbearing relatives and saccharine holiday music that makes you want to stab your ears with a pointy Christmas-tree topper? Take refuge (in the shadow of bat wings) at UnHoly Night, presented by Ritual. Join DJs Uncle Rusty and Xenobia (and perhaps a special guest) at this Xmas Eve bash. Whether you arrive in your best fallen angel outfit, fetish wear or something a little cozier, the point is to forget the holiday madness as you dance all night to your favorite dark music. The black celebration starts at 9 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24, in The Cellar at the Alturas Bar, 1044 E. Fourth St. Entry is $5 cash cover. You must be 21 or older to attend. Visit www.facebook.com/renogoth.
How lovely are your branches
After the holiday ornaments and tree lights have been removed and stored away, give your Christmas tree a new purpose. Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful will take those bare trees and chip them into mulch to be used at area parks. The nonprofit will hold its annual Christmas Tree Recycling program from Thursday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Jan. 6. Drop off undecorated, non-flocked and tinsel-free trees between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road; Reno Sports Complex, 2975 N. Virginia St.; or Shadow Mountain Sports Complex, 3300 Sparks Blvd., Sparks. There will be an additional drop-off weekend on Jan. 11-12 at Bartley Ranch only. You can also take your tree to three participating Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District stations: 500 Rockwell Blvd., Spanish Springs; 130 Nectar St., Lemmon Valley; or 1240 E. Lake Blvd., Washoe Valley. A suggested $5 donation will go toward program costs. You can even drop off non-working tree light strands at Bartley Ranch, Reno Sports Complex and Shadow Mountain, as well as six Greater Nevada Credit Union locations, for proper disposal. KTMB still needs volunteers, so if you want to help out or learn more about the recycling program, go to www.ktmb.org/christmastreerecycling.
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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