Family fun
Searching for something fun for your little ones to do, for little or no cost? Spend a morning listening to stories, making crafts, and soaking in the sights and sounds of nature at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park. Celebrate early literacy through stories, movement, music and other activities with Washoe County librarians at Honey’s Garden inside the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The free, outdoor storytime sessions start at 10 a.m., every Thursday through Aug. 7. Kids are also invited to make crafts, hear stories and participate in themed activities with volunteers and guest speakers as part of a summertime series taking place in the Discovery Room. Participants will explore nearby Herman’s Pond (pictured) and learn how to fish as part of Pond Life Week on Thursday and Friday, July 24 and 25. The series will wrap up with Gardening Week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, July 30-Aug. 1. The program runs from 9 a.m. to noon in the Discovery Room, located in the Nevada Farms and Families area of Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. All activities are free, but please consider leaving a $3 donation to help with future programming. Visit washoecountylibrary.us/events or www.washoecounty.gov/parks/calendar.php.
Lucky streak
Head up to the lake for a weekend of music, gambling, and local food and craft vendors at the Gamblers Run Festival. The third annual event features three days of live performances by national touring acts on two stages at Crystal Bay Casino. The Brothers Comatose and Paul Thorn will perform at the kick-off party on Thursday, July 24. Beats Antique, Thumpasaurus, Pixie and the Partygrass Boys, Squeaky Feet and Smokey the Groove play on the first night of the festival, Friday, July 25. Papadosio (pictured), Monophonics, My Son the Hurricane, Magoo and Sundays at Midnight close out the event on Saturday, July 26. Festival grounds open at 2 p.m. on Thursday and 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Crystal Bay Casino, 14 Highway 28, Crystal Bay. After the main stage entertainment wraps up for the night, the after-party music continues at 10 p.m. with the North Mississippi Allstars on Thursday, MarchFourth Marching Band on Friday, and lespecial on Saturday in the Crown Room. Single-day passes are $60.88 to $72.44; a two-day pass is $118.70. All shows are general admission, standing room only and open to those age 21 and older. Visit www.crystalbaycasino.com/gamblers-run-music-festival for more details.
Heathcliff, it’s me, I’m Cathy
Put on a long, red dress and imagine yourself out on the wily, windy moors as you show off your best Kate Bush modern dance moves along with other similarly attired dancers as part of The Biggest Little Wuthering Heights Day Ever. Conceived in 2013 by British performance collective Shambush, The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever has spread across the globe as a charitable, international celebration of eclectic singer-songwriter Kate Bush and her 1978 debut single and music video, “Wuthering Heights.” The Biggest Little Wuthering Heights Day Ever is the local version, returning to Artown for the fifth year in a row. This flash-mob-style dance affair will also raise money for Tu Casa Latina, a local nonprofit organization that helps immigrant women, men and children who are victims of crimes, domestic violence, abuse and trafficking in Northern Nevada. Meet at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 26, at West Street Plaza, 248 West St., and be ready to dance at noon. Go to artown.org or www.facebook.com/groups/276519597254002 for more details.
Get in the spirit
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture and community at the annual Japanese Obon Festival and Dinner. Obon, also known as Bon, evolved from ancient Japanese and Buddhist traditions of honoring the spirits of one’s ancestors. In a tradition similar to that of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, families across Japan visit and clean their ancestors’ graves and invite the spirits of these ancestors to stay for a while in the world of the living. The event usually falls in August. Moon Rabbit Cafe will partner with the Asian Community Development Council, the Japanese American Citizen League and Reno Taiko Tsurunokai to present this local celebration offering traditional Obon dancing, taiko drumming, martial arts demos, a kimono sale and dinner of veggie soba bowls, barbecue chicken, ice cream cones and drinks. Festival hours are from 5 to 8 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at the Reno Buddhist Center, 225 3⁄4 W. Taylor St. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Call 775-525-1182, or go to www.facebook.com/rbcmoonrabbitcafe for more info.
Play the fool
Break out the jester hats; hop on a bike; and take a tour of the town during Jester’s Gambit, a multi-stop art and music event with a group bike ride, live performances, interactive art, a dance party and more. This year’s theme is, “Ren faire with a touch of chess.” The fun begins at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at McKinley Arts and Culture Center, 925 Riverside Drive. Participants can pick up maps and set out on the optional group bike ride, or meet up at other stops along the way, which include the Oxbow Nature Study Area and West Street Market. The free, all-ages event will end with a human chess game and dance party at Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Go to hollandreno.org/events/jesters-gambit or www.instagram.com/hollandreno for more details.
Sneak peek
See some of the spectacular creations that are headed to next month’s Burning Man at the third annual Playa Art Preview. Meet the artists, and learn how they create these monumental sculptures and art installations. The party also features dinner, a raffle, live music and more. The fundraising-event kicks off with an early-access VIP hour at 5 p.m., Saturday, July 26, followed by the main event at 6 p.m., at The Generator, 2450 Oddie Blvd., Sparks. Tickets are $60 for general admission and $125 and up for the VIP hour. Call 775-527-0633, or go to www.therenogenerator.com.
Keys master
Most rock music fans agree that Jimi Hendrix stands among the top guitarists who ever played the instrument. But could you imagine what kind of music he would have made if he switched his Fender Stratocaster for a clavinet? Sadly, we will never know, but one musician gives us a glimpse of what it might have sounded like. Often called “The Jimi Hendrix of the Keyboard,” Australian singer-songwriter and keyboardist Lachy Doley has become a viral sensation thanks to his many live concert videos, which have been shared millions of times on social media, including his version of Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child,” performed on the whammy clavinet (an electric clavichord modified with a vibrato arm system). Doley’s live shows captivate audiences with intense energy and soulful charisma. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with music artists like Bootsy Collins, Joe Bonamassa and Jimmy Barnes, and has performed at prestigious venues and festivals worldwide, including the Byron Bay Blues Festival and the Sydney Opera House. Lachy Doley will perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 26, at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Admission is free. Visit www.renopublicmarket.com or artown.org.
I’ll follow the sun
Needing a little more time for the flowers to bloom, Andelin Farm has pushed back the start date of its Sunflower Field and Festival to Friday, Aug. 1. The annual celebration will offer plenty of barnyard activities and attractions, including a wagon ride, a barrel train ride, a straw bale maze, mini zip lines, the Andelin Express Train and a chance to see the farm animals up close. The festival is open from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays through Aug. 16. The farm will be open for sunflower field and wildflower field visits only from 5 to 8 p.m., on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 5-21. Tickets are $14 to $18. Entry is free for children under age 2. Andelin Family Farm is located at 8100 Pyramid Way, Sparks. For more information, call 775-530-8032, or visit andelinfamilyfarm.com or www.instagram.com/andelinfamilyfarm.
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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