Music Business(es)
As the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial on Saturday, July 4, many Americans will take this time to celebrate what they love about the good ol’ U.S. of A. and reflect on what it means to be an American. Some will express their love of country with patriotic fanfare, others with quiet contemplation. Some reserve the right to not celebrate at all. Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, you’re still free to observe the Fourth of July any way you want. Here’s an abridged list of events happening across the region this holiday weekend and into the next week.
Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus will kick off its “Red, White and Tahoe Blue: Pops and Patriotic Songs” series of concerts featuring patriotic favorites, Broadway classics, soloists, audience singalongs and its finale, “God Bless America,” tonight, Wednesday, July 1, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 701 Mount Rose Highway, Incline Village. Other performances include an Independence Day concert on Saturday, July 4, at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater in Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, followed by performances on Tuesday, July 7, at Universalist Unitarian Fellowship of Northern Nevada, 780 Del Monte Lane, and Thursday, July 9, at the CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda Ave., Minden. All concerts start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$100, with free admission for veterans and first responders. Youth under age 23 get free admission in general admission seating only. Visit www.tahoe-philharmonic.com/concerts for more details.
Raise the barre
Students and instructors from dance studio Vertical Barre will celebrate the 250th birthday of America with a tour through Americana, pop culture and history at the fifth annual Art of the Pole Dance aerial arts showcase. Professional pole athlete Christine Fox and other aerial artists from the dance and fitness studio will demonstrate the sport’s blend of strength, athleticism, artistry and dance with performances on pole, fly pole, aerial hoop and silks. The Artown event is open to all ages and starts at 7 p.m., Friday, July 3, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Tickets are $27. Go to verticalbarre.ticketspice.com/artofpole2026.
The Scottish play
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival returns July 3-Aug. 24 for its 54th season with the mainstage productions of William Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece Macbeth, and David Farr’s reimagination of the Robin Hood tale The Heart of Robin Hood. Performances for each start at 7:30 p.m. on alternating days, Tuesday through Sunday. Tickets are $19-$79 for gallery seating, with premium seating going for higher rates. The Showcase Series, featuring classical, jazz and rock concerts, as well as a ballet performance, starts at 7:30 p.m. on most Mondays and select Tuesdays. Single tickets range from $34 to $195. A Nevada State Parks Entrance Pass ($10-$15) is required to gain access to and park at Sand Harbor. All performances take place on the William Edward Trepp Stage at Sand Harbor State Park, 2005 Highway 28, Incline Village. Visit laketahoeshakespeare.com for tickets and more information.
I love a parade
It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without a festive parade complete with marching bands, floats and flag-waving spectators decked out in red, white and blue. There are numerous parades and community events happening around the area; we offer this list for your consideration.
• The city of Reno’s 4th on Fourth Parade will feature marching bands, military and veterans tributes, classic cars, community floats, cultural performances and family-friendly entertainment. The opening ceremony starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 4, with the National Anthem performed by Camille Davis and saxophonist Eddie Duran Jr. at the start of the parade route near Gold Dust West at Vine and Fourth streets. The parade procession follows shortly afterward, heading east on Fourth Street from Washington to West streets. Check www.reno.gov or www.facebook.com/cityofreno for more info.
• Virginia City’s Fourth of July Parade features a procession of classic cars, first responders, military and veteran organizations, and other participants waving to the crowd and passing out candy. The free event starts at noon, Friday, July 4, along C Street. Fireworks over the historic boom town will go off at dusk. Go to visitvirginiacitynv.com for a list of other Independence Day-related events going on in Virginia City that day.
• The Genoa Americana Celebration will celebrate America’s 250th and the town’s 175th anniversaries with a two-day birthday bash. The festivities begin Friday, July 3, with free Chautauqua performances featuring Steve Hale as skiing pioneer and postman Snowshoe Thompson and Kim Harris as Genoa Candy Dance founder Lillian Virgin Finnegan. The 7 p.m. program takes place at Genoa Town Hall, 2287 Main St. The Independence Day party continues on Saturday, July 4, with a full schedule of events, including a children’s and pets’ parade, games and activities, and live music by the Front Porch Band, Rick Hays and American Steel, and the Carson City Symphony at Mormon Station State Historic Park, 2295 Main St. The parade will start at 10:30 a.m., at Genoa Town Park, 2285 Genoa St., heading down Main Street and ending at Mormon Station State Historic Park. Check www.genoanevada.org/visitors/genoa_americana_celebration.php for more info.
• The city of Fallon presents a Fourth of July parade through downtown Fallon, followed by the the America250 Jubilee Party in the Park featuring free hot dogs, carnival games and prizes, food vendors, face painting, a free swim and splash pad, and live entertainment throughout the day. Americana artists Kimmi Bitter (who will also play a show on Sunday, July 5, at the Reno Public Market) and Jimbo Scott and Yesterday’s Biscuits will headline the free show. The parade begins at 10 a.m. The jubilee runs from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at Oats Park, 199-101 W. Park St., Fallon. Visit www.fallonnevada.gov/america-250 or www.churchillarts.org/event-details/america-250-jubilee-stage-entertainment.
Fire in the sky
We all know a neighbor or two who will set off their own (illegal) fireworks, but we recommend playing it safe by attending some of these official aerial light shows on the Fourth of July.
• Take in a classic Fourth of July combo of baseball, hot dogs and fireworks. America250 at Greater Nevada Field features the California Collegiate League All-Star game, pregame activities, carnival games and a fireworks show. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the game starts at 6:35 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at Greater Nevada Field, 250 Evans Ave. Tickets are $17 and up. Visit www.milb.com/reno/tickets/america-250.
• Red, White and Flight will illuminate minds with an interactive expo and light up the sky with a drone show synced to a live concert by the Reno Phil. The event takes place from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at Mackay Stadium on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus, 1664 N. Virginia St. The event is free and open to all ages, though advance ticket registration is required at redwhiteandflight.org.
• The Eldorado, Circus Circus Reno and Silver Legacy resort casinos in downtown Reno will host the July 4 Fireworks Spectacular in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial. The free show will start shortly after 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4, over the Silver Legacy. Find a viewing spot along Virginia Street, or drive to your favorite hilltop vantage point to watch the free display. Visit www.caesars.com/reno/events/new-years-in-july.
• Enjoy an evening of reggae music and prime fireworks-viewing starting at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at the pool at Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. Admission is $30 for adults, and free for children age 5 and younger. With redevelopment construction under way and less parking space available at the GSR, you’ll want to arrive early to find a good viewing spot for the free Fireworks Over Grand Bay show, which starts at 9:15 p.m. Go to www.grandsierraresort.com/4th-of-july-at-gsr for more info.
• The annual Star-Spangled Sparks celebration features arts and crafts booths, food and drink vendors, the Downtown Sparks Patriot Walk bar crawl, live entertainment and fireworks shot off the rooftops of the Nugget Casino Resort. The fun begins at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4, along Victorian Avenue in downtown Sparks. The fireworks show starts after 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Visit www.cnty.com/nugget/calendar/events/star-spangled-sparks.
• Head to Lake Tahoe’s South Shore for its annual Lights on the Lake Fireworks. The free show starts at 9:45 p.m., Saturday, July 4. Some of the best viewing spots from which to see the pyrotechnic display include Nevada Beach, the Tallac Historic Site, Baldwin Beach and Lakeview Commons/El Dorado Beach. Visit visitlaketahoe.com/event/lights-on-the-lake-fireworks-2.
After the Fourth of July festivities have wrapped up, consider volunteering some time picking up the mess others leave behind at the Keep Tahoe Red, White, and Blue Beach Clean-up on Sunday, July 5. Go to www.keeptahoeblue.org or check this Facebook link for details.
Anarchy in the USA
Put on a pair of well-worn combat boots and a threadbare punk band T-shirt from 1983 and head to the Punk Party for a night of rebellious punk music and unconventional drinks (including non-alcoholic choices for those who are sober or the designated driver). Exercise your freedom of expression with a battle jacket contest, DIY patch and pin-making station, and a selfie mugshot wall. The 21-and-over event takes place from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at Underworld Distillery, 5301 Longley Lane, Building F, Suite 203. There’s no cover, but the pin/patch bundle will cost $10. Go to underworlddistillery.com/events.
Healing experience
Artown kicks off its Cultural Connections concert series with a Native American Celebration featuring singer-songwriter Nahko Bear, the voice behind Nahko and Medicine for the People. Carrying Native heritage alongside Filipino and Puerto Rican roots, Nahko channels lived experience, trauma and healing into songs that speak to resilience, accountability and collective restoration. The independent artist has been revisiting his catalog as his early albums reached their 10-year mark, re-recording select songs acoustically. Recent releases include the live album Live at Red Rocks and a stripped-back piano version of “Bend Like the Willow.” The free show starts at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 8, at the Helaine Greenberg Stage in the Nevada Farms and Families Area at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. Visit artown.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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