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Grammy Award-nominee and renowned trumpeter Mike Rocha joins the Reno Jazz Orchestra
Reno Jazz Orchestra transforms the stage into a time machine, presenting a performance of 100 years of the boldest, brightest and most swinging big band jazz tunes at 4 p.m., Sunday, March 8, at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nightingale Concert Hall.
Reno Jazz Orchestra’s music director, Dr. Greg Johnson, and four-time Grammy-nominated and internationally renowned trumpeter, Mike Rocha, join the powerhouse music of the 17-piece jazz orchestra for an unforgettable adventure through jazz history.
“Guest performer Mike Rocha is a talented and charismatic force in this age of musical enterprise,” said Johnson. “Whether performing in formal orchestral settings, high-profile cinema appearances, in a jazz orchestra, or in costume singing and dancing, he is noted for his professional excellence and integrity.”
While Rocha plays with countless ensembles, he is most noted for his work with the Lappitt-Rocha Sextet. Other artists’ groups include Christina Aguilera, Bob Dylan, Lorde, Panic! at the Disco, Trisha Yearwood, Idina Menzel, Alfie Boe and Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and Little Phat Band, among many others.
Prices range from $10 for students with ID, with pre-reserved seats priced $30 to $50 through the nonprofit organization’s website, RenoJazzOrchestra.org. The concerts are part of the Reno Jazz Orchestra’s “Quintessence Music Series,” which offers special reduced rates for those who purchase tickets for this concert and “An Afternoon of Romance: The Al Jarreau Project,” on Mother’s Day, May 10. (Sponsored Content)
It’s snow time
Winter returned with a vengeance last week when a series of storms dumped much-needed snow across the region—and just in time for the 44th annual North Lake Tahoe SNOWFEST. The winter festival and fundraiser boasts more than 50 events, including parties, parades, live music and outdoor activities, taking place at various locations in Tahoe City, Kings Beach, Olympic Valley, Truckee, Incline Village and Homewood through Sunday, March 8. Highlights include the Gar Woods Kick-off Party on Thursday, Feb. 26; a fireworks show on Friday, Feb. 27; the Tahoe City Street Faire, the Gar Woods Annual Polar Bear Swim and the Haus SNOWFEST BrewFest on Saturday, Feb. 28; and the festival parade in Kings Beach on Saturday, March 7. Each event helps raise funds for local nonprofits, student scholarships and community programs. Check www.tahoesnowfest.org for a complete schedule of events.
Drawing a new path
Learn about the evolution of animated films at the next installment of Carson City Classic Cinema Collective’s “The History of Film Animation” series. This month’s program, “The Rise of Rivals,” explores the creative competition between different animation studios and how artists who broke away from the status quo reshaped animation with bold content featuring sharper humor, darker themes and entirely new icons. The evening starts off with the Looney Tunes cartoon “A Wild Hare” (1940), which officially introduced Bugs Bunny and defined Warner Bros.’ fast, anarchic style as a direct counterpoint to Disney’s approach. Then, (re)discover The Secret of NIMH (1982), a fantasy adventure film directed by former Disney animator Don Bluth, who set out to prove that animation could be visually lush, emotionally intense, and unapologetically mature. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the 7:30 screening will be followed by a guided talk-back on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall, 511 W. King St., Carson City. Tickets are $10 per person or $30 for a family of four. Visit breweryarts.org or nvstorytellers.org/c5-carson-city-classic-cinema-collective-2026.
The sounds of silents
Experience movies the way our great-grandparents did—in black-and-white film, with no synchronized dialog and without high-tech features or special effects modern moviegoers expect today. Truckee Silent Movies, in partnership with Alibi Ale Works, presents a series of silent films with live musical accompaniment and sound effects. The series kicked off last month with a showing of the 1922 vampire film Nosferatu and continues this month with a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 romantic comedy City Lights. The screening starts at 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26, at Alibi Ale Works, 10069 Bridge St., Truckee. Other screenings in the series include Steamboat Bill, Jr. starring Buster Keaton on March 26, and Get Out and Get Under starring Harold Lloyd on April 23. There’s no cover charge, but a $10 suggested donation is appreciated. Go to alibialeworks.com/truckee-public-house or the series’ Facebook page for more details.
Like, zoinks, Scoob!
Car enthusiasts, pop culture geeks and guests of all ages can enjoy a groovy blast from the past this weekend as they step inside the Mystery Machine. Inspired by the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!, the famous blue-green van and the gang of teenage sleuths—Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo—will be available for photo opportunities from noon to 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, at the National Automobile Museum, 1 Museum Drive. Guests can also check out the rest of the galleries featuring historic automobiles, cars that appeared in Hollywood films and other vehicles of importance. Regular museum admission fees range from $3 for children age 5 and younger to $16 for adult general admission. There’s no additional cost for photos, but arrive early since the photo window is expected to fill quickly. Visit automuseum.org for more information.
Stories through song
Reno Chamber Orchestra presents its fourth concert of the 2025-2026 season, titled “Barber: American Voices.” The orchestra, conducted by Kelly Kuo, will perform selections that convey “nostalgic memories of America through the composer’s lens.” The program includes Charles Ives’ Symphony No. 3, “The Camp Meeting”; Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915; Matt Browne’s “I Have Seen the Future”; and Douglas Moore’s “Farm Journal.” In recognition of Black History Month, the RCO welcomes lyric soprano Jacqueline Echols (pictured), who will perform “When They Ask Me to Stand, Will I?” from She Who Dared, an opera written by composer Jasmine Arielle Barnes and librettist Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton that highlights Black women who helped desegregate the Montgomery bus system in the 1950s. The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28; and 4 p.m., Sunday, March 1, at the Nightingale Concert Hall, 1335 N. Virginia St., in the Church Fine Arts Building at the University of Nevada, Reno. Tickets are $32.50-$72.50. Youth and student tickets are available for $5 and can be purchased by calling the RCO at 775-348-9413. Visit www.renochamberorchestra.org for more information.
What’s in a word?
Judy Schumer, a former chairperson of the Governor’s Council on Education Relating to the Holocaust and a second-generation Holocaust survivor, will talk about “The Lebedike Velt, or Lively World, of Yiddish.” She will share some of her family history as well as the importance of Yiddish to American history and beyond. The free program starts at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, in the meeting room at the Northwest Reno Library, 2325 Robb Drive. Go to events.washoecountylibrary.us.
Big Dubs
Celtic rock band The Young Dubliners returns to Carson City as part of its Hot Toddy Tour. The Santa Monica, Calif., group—featuring Keith Roberts (vocals, guitar), Chas Waltz (violin, keys, vocals), Justin Pecot (guitar, vocals), Dave Ingraham (drums) and Ethan Jones (bass guitar)—has been playing its spirited brand of music at festivals, theaters and clubs around the world since 1988. The Young Dubs hit the Swan Music Hall stage at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, at the Nashville Social Club, 1105 S. Carson St., Carson City. Tickets are $25-$50. Visit thenashvilleclub.com.
Black culture fest wrap-up
Black History Month celebrations wrap up at the University of Nevada, Reno, with the Black Culture Festival: Embracing Our Heritage, Empowering Our Future. Designed to deepen understanding and appreciation of Black culture and heritage, the event features food, live music and dance, and tables and booths hosted by campus clubs and organizations, as well as community activities and giveaways. Festival hours are from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Friday, March 6, in the fourth-floor ballroom at the Joe Crowley Student Union on the UNR campus, 1664 N. Virginia St. Go to www.unr.edu/multicultural-center or www.unr.edu/nevada-today/news/2026/celebrate-black-history-month.
Going green
You don’t have to wait until March 17 to celebrate your appreciation for Irish music and culture. Northern Nevada Sons and Daughters of Erin gets a head start on the festivities when it hosts its 55th annual St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Show featuring live entertainment by Sierra Silverstrings, the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band, Sean McGuinness and the McKeever Irish Dancers, as well as a raffle and whiskey tasting. While corned beef and cabbage isn’t on the menu, you can choose from Korabuta pork chop, herb chicken breast, Atlantic salmon, vegetarian ravioli and kids’ meal options. The party starts at 4 p.m., Saturday, March 7, at the Silver Baron Room A on the mezzanine level of the Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St. Tickets are $85 for adults, $80 for seniors and SADOE members, and $40 for children. A $20 add-on fee will be charged for the whiskey tasting. All ticket sales end on Monday, March 2. Proceeds will benefit SADOE’s efforts in producing and sponsoring Celtic-themed events and entertainment, and participation in other community events. For tickets and dinner choice options, go to the Eventbrite page. For other information, visit irishnevada.org.
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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