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The Reno Jazz Orchestra presents ‘A Jazz/Rock Odyssey’
The Reno Jazz Orchestra will present “A Jazz/Rock Odyssey” in Lake Tahoe and Reno on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 28 and 29.
Sinatra crooner, rock vocalist and America’s Got Talent finalist Matt Mauser will join the 17-piece orchestra for a trek through time, from brassy swing and swagger to retro horn-driven grooves and a powerful tribute to classic rock.
“From Frank Sinatra’s smooth swagger to Elvis’s rock ’n’ roll grooves, and Tom Jones’ powerhouse hits, Matt Mauser brings the music of these unforgettable artists to life through dynamic performances that entertain audiences across every generation,” said Greg Johnson, music director for the Reno Jazz Orchestra.
Praised by members of Sinatra’s family for his aptitude in capturing the essence of Frank’s music and charisma, Mauser also brings his own signature style to the stage. He infuses some of the most beloved songs from an iconic era with modern flair, while offering insight into the rich musical history behind each timeless tune. For this particular performance with the Reno Jazz Orchestra, Matt will be tapping into his crooner and rock-sensibility sides to deliver a show that will have the audience wanting more.
Since 1997, the Reno Jazz Orchestra has carried forward a legacy established by world-class musicians who performed with legends like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Luciano Pavarotti. Today, that tradition continues through top educators and performers connected to the University of Nevada, Reno, and throughout the West.
The first performance is at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 28, at the Robert Z. Hawkins Sand Harbor State Park in Incline Village. The second performance is at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 29, at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno. Tickets start at $34 to $35, with discounts available; get them and learn more at RenoJazzOrchestra.org. (Sponsored Content)
Seed savers
Deep beneath the Arctic permafrost, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault safeguards seeds from around the world as a vital backup in times of crisis. But many factors—ranging from geopolitical conflicts to climate change—can affect how these seeds are gathered, stored and eventually dispersed and planted. Director Jumana Manna explores the complex global relationships embedded in efforts to preserve plant life for future generations in her documentary film Wild Relatives, which will be screened on Thursday, July 16. Manna will give a virtual introduction to her feature-length film, which will be followed by an audience Q&A. The screening, which complements the “Interspecies Relationships” section of the exhibition Into the Time Horizon, starts at 6 p.m. at the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St. Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $12 students and NMA members. Go to www.nevadaart.org/event/wild-relatives-with-director-jumana-manna to register.
What the world needs now
The ’90s alt-rock survivors Cracker return to Reno to kick off their summer tour across the U.S. Co-founders David Lowery (who also founded Camper Van Beethoven) and Johnny Hickman have released nine studio albums over the band’s 35-plus year history, some of which spawned hit songs that dominated alternative music radio playlists in the 1990s, including ‘Low,” “Teen Angst (What The World Needs Now),” “Euro-Trash Girl” and “Get Off This.” On the group’s official website, Cracker describes their Reno show as “a kind of warm up date for our shows in Novato (California) where we will be playing (1996 album) The Golden Age in its entirety as well as a set of CVB songs. Expect something similar at this show.” Ghosts of the Glory Trail will open the all-ages show at 8:30 p.m., Friday, July 17, at The Alpine, 324 E. Fourth St. Tickets are $44.63-$54.63. Visit www.thealpine-reno.com or www.freshbakin.com.
Globe trotting
Take a trip around the world at several cultural festivals taking place this weekend as part of Artown.
First off, Nevada Society of Scottish Clans and the Sons and Daughters of Erin will hold their fourth annual Celtic Night. The celebration of Celtic culture and heritage features performances by members of the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band, Battle Born Highland Dancers, Sierra Silverstrings and musician Doyle Stewart. Placerville, Calif., Irish pub band O’Connell Street will close out the event with their set of traditional Celtic music, contemporary Irish music and Celtic-influenced American roots music. The festivities start at 5 p.m., Friday, July 17, at the Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Admission is free. Visit www.renopublicmarket.com or artown.org.
The following day, Zapiak Bat Reno Basque Club will present its 58th annual Reno Basque Festival. This celebration of Basque culture and heritage features traditional food, music, folk dances, games and more. The event will start with Mass, followed by dancing, lunch, weightlifting competitions and other contests. The festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 18, at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center, 925 Riverside Drive. Admission is free. Visit renobasqueclub.org or artown.org.
Explore the sights, sounds and flavors of India at Sanskriti: The India Fest. The India Association of Northern Nevada presents this immersive cultural experience featuring authentic Indian cuisine, traditional arts and crafts, live music and dance performances, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 18, at Brasserie Saint James, 901 S. Center St. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Go to artown.org/event-details.asp?ID=7307.
Hello, neighbor!
Enjoy a beautiful day in the neighborhood with PBS Reno during Be My Neighbor Day. The third-annual community event celebrates our area’s cultural diversity and promotes early childhood education, health, safety and the values highlighted on PBS programs such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Attendees can learn more about local community resources through craft activities, live performances and a varied vendor space, and get opportunities to meet and pose for pictures with Daniel Tiger and Katerina Kittycat, the stars of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Participants can also give back to the community by dropping off donations for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Boys and Girls Club of Northern Nevada and The Children’s Cabinet. The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 18, along Mastrianni Drive at Idlewild Park, 1900 Idlewild Drive. Admission is free. Visit www.pbsreno.org/events/be-my-neighbor-day/.
Something good
If you weren’t quick enough to snag tickets to Brüka Theatre’s now sold-out performances of Kander and Ebb’s musical Cabaret, here are some other options to consider if you’re in the mood for live theater.
Broadway Comes to Reno wraps up its 2025-26 season with the touring production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical The Sound of Music. Performances are 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 16; 8 p.m., Friday, July 17; 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday, July 18; and 1 and 7 p.m., Sunday, July 19, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $50.72-$165.61. Visit pioneercenter.com.
Reno Little Theater continues its production of The Play That Goes Wrong, a fast-paced comedy by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields that follows a group of accident-prone thespians as they attempt to perform a classic 1920s murder mystery. Performances are 7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday; and 2 p.m., Sunday, through Aug. 9 at RLT, 147 E. Pueblo St. Tickets are $20-$33. Go to www.renolittletheater.org.
TheatreWorks of Northern Nevada, in partnership with Our Center, will present Rent, Jonathan Larson’s rock musical following impoverished, aspiring artists in New York City’s East Village facing love, dreams and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Performances are 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, with matinee shows at 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, through July 26. TWNN is at 315 Spokane St. Tickets are $13-$15. Visit twnn.org.
The youth must be served
Get the kids out of the house and away from the screens (at least for a little while) by attending one of several kid-friendly events happening this coming week.
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s Young Shakespeare program features an interactive, hour-long adaptation of its mainstage production created with the young audience member in mind. Young actors will perform an abridged version of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth at libraries and other venues across the region, including stops at the South Valleys Library and Reno Little Theater on Monday, July 20. The shows are free (though donations are welcome), but some locations require reservations. Check laketahoeshakespeare.com/young_shakespeare for a complete list of dates and locations.
Sing along to popular Disney tunes and a few lesser-known cuts at Artown on the Quad: Disney Night With University Musical Theatre Students. The free, family-friendly show starts at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, on the Quad at the University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia St. Go to artown.org/event-details.asp?ID=7332.
Tap into your artistic side and make your own masterpiece at Creativity Farm, which is open to all ages and abilities. Basic supplies will be provided at drop-in sessions offered from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, July 19; and 9 to 11 a.m., Thursday, June 23, at Reno Food Systems’ Park Farm Stand, 3295 Mayberry Ave. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Then, return the following weekend for Farmfest ’26, a benefit for Reno Food System featuring farm tours, demos and workshops, creativity stations, live music and more. The fun takes place from 4 to 7 p.m., Sunday, July 26, at RFS. Tickets are $10-$20 with free admission for kids under age 16. Visit www.renofoodsystems.org for more information.
World party
Artown’s Cultural Connections concert series continues with an evening of high-energy, cross-genre music performed by Las Cafeteras. Founded in East Los Angeles, the band blends Afro-Mexican rhythms, electronic beats and powerful rhymes that document stories of a community seeking to “build a world where many worlds fit.” They’ve played with well-regarded acts including Café Tacuba, Gypsy Kings, Juanes, Common, Ozomatli, Los Lobos and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, and appeared at music festivals such as Bonnaroo and world-renowned stages such as the Hollywood Bowl. The group will perform at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 22, in the Nevada Farms and Families Area at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. Admission is free. Visit artown.org.
Think small
Truckee Meadows Community College presents 12:1 Galleries, A Show of Miniature Art in collaboration with Wedge Outside the Box. This group exhibition transforms TMCC’s Main Gallery into a world of worlds, where miniature galleries exist within it. Joan Arrizabalaga and Marti Bein, veterans of the local art scene, asked around 30 artists to make hundreds of tiny sculptures and wall art pieces. Then, their group scavenged or built diminutive structures—including a thatched cottage, a scale model of the University of Nevada, Reno’s Student Galleries South and several classic American clapboard dollhouses—in which to curate tiny exhibitions. Committed local art fans might recognize Lilliputian versions of well-known works like Arrizabalaga’s mounted deer head with dice for antlers or the marine-plant-like ceramic sculptures by Elaine Parks that were in the Nevada Museum of Art’s ichthyosaur show. The art can be viewed on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 6, in the Main Gallery in the Red Mountain Building at TMCC’s Dandini Campus, 7000 Dandini Blvd. Visit www.tmcc.edu/art-galleries or artown.org/event-details.asp?ID=7633.
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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