They got the beat
Take a musical trip around the world with Batamba, who will perform as part of Artown’s Sweet Vibrations series. Percussionists Chance Utter, Anthony Lander and Brandon Dodge deliver a fusion of global percussion traditions and modern sound design, drawing inspiration from the musical landscapes of Cuba, Brazil, Ghana, the Middle East, India and other lands. Batamba weaves together traditional drumming with elements like electronic triggers and contemporary instruments. The performance begins at 7 p.m., Thursday, July 9, at First United Methodist Church, 209 W. First St. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is requested. Go to artown.org.
On the move
Grab your running shoes, dancing shoes or a pair of skates and head to Midtown for Dancing in the Streets, a family-friendly street party combining music, movement and community spirit. The annual celebration kicks off on Friday, July 10, with Glowing in the Streets 5K, a nighttime fun run where participants wearing neon attire, LED lights or other illuminating accoutrements sprint along a course through the neighborhood. The race begins at 8:30 p.m. at Inclined Burgers and Brews, 760 S. Virginia St. The entry fee is $57. Sign up at runsignup.com/Race/NV/Reno/GlowingInTheStreets5K. The festivities continue the next day with the Reno Ciclovía, when South Virginia Street will be closed off to vehicular traffic so that pedestrians, cyclists and skaters can safely amble through Midtown between 9 and 11 a.m., Saturday, July 11. The main event gets under way at 4 p.m. with a big outdoor festival featuring six different stages each with its own musical vibe; Roller Skating at the Roundabout at South Virginia and Mary streets; live mural painting and public art; dance and art lessons; a kids’ zone; a vendor market and more. Admission is free, but parking will likely be a bit tricky to find. You could try parking behind the Cinemark Century Park Lane 16, at 2040 Century Way, or leave your car at home and either rideshare, take a bus or travel by bike to the event. RTC Virginia Street buses will be free to ride from 3 p.m. to midnight. Visit www.renomidtown.com/dancinginthestreets.
Join the circus
See feats of artistry, skill and derring-do this weekend when Circus Bella returns to Reno as part of Artown. The Bay Area troupe will present its new show, AH HA!, a fast-paced, 60-minute performance that puts a fresh spin on the classic one-ring circus. Acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns blend daring acts of skill with playful mischief, backed by the live music of the Circus Bella All-Star Band. Performances start at 3 and 5 p.m., Saturday, July 11; and 11 a.m., Sunday, July 12, at the Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Following Circus Bella’s evening set on Saturday, Los Angeles-based cellist and aerialist Cellista will present her immersive, multidisciplinary performance that combines original music, live cello, aerial arts and narrative multimedia works. Cellista takes the stage at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at RPM. Admission is free to both shows. Visit www.artown.org or www.renopublicmarket.com.
Be part of art
Bring the family to the Lake Mansion for a day of art, creativity and local history. Arts for All Nevada’s Summer Family Arts Festival offers six summer-themed art stations with hands-on crafts for all ages and abilities, as well as face-painting and a free book for every child, courtesy of Spread the Word Nevada. Visitors can also meet local historian Patty Cafferata and explore the historic mansion. The free Artown event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at the Lake Mansion, 250 Court St. Go to www.artsforallnevada.org for more details.
Artown in the park
Start the morning with a plant sale, followed by an art show in the afternoon, and then wrap up the evening with a tribute to ’80s pop music as part of Artown. Choose from 12 varieties of lavender for sale at the May Arboretum Society’s Lavender in the Garden event, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 11, at the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden’s Burke Garden Lathe House. Later that afternoon, stop by the Wilbur D. May Museum for Latimer Art Club’s Into the Wild art show and sale. There will be an artist reception from 1 to 3 p.m. in the museum’s art gallery. The art show is free to view. Finally, put on your red shoes and dance the blues at Reno Phil’s 31st annual Pops on the River fundraiser. This year’s theme is “Back to the ’80s,” and the program will feature songs by some of the top pop artists of the time, including Madonna, Debbie Gibson, Huey Lewis and the News, and Phil Collins. Vocalists Paul Loren, Brie Cassil and Colin Smith will join the Reno Phil for this high-energy tribute to the totally awesome decade. The concert begins at 8 p.m. The arboretum, museum and concert venue are all located at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. General admission tickets are $45. Visit artown.org or renophil.com/pops2026.
Tails to tell
Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary will host two fundraising events supporting wildlife conservation and education. All ages are invited to participate in tiger-themed crafts and activities and listen to presentations from members of the Feline Conservation Foundation, who will share information about tigers and the challenges these large cats face in the wild. Tiger Talk takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 11. Tickets are $11-$23 and include admission to the wildlife sanctuary. The following weekend, Animal Ark will present its annual Tails and Ales, an event combining craft beverage tasting and wildlife education. Adult guests aged 21 and older can enjoy animal activities, games, crafts, food trucks, opportunities to explore the sanctuary and samples of beer, wine and other beverages provided by 10 Torr Distilling and Brewing, Great Basin Brewing Company, Pigeon Head Brewery, Fox Brewing Company, among other providers. The event takes place from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 18, at the Animal Ark, 1265 Deerlodge Road, located about 25 miles north of downtown Reno. Tickets are $23 for adults, $21 for seniors, and $17 for kids. Go to www.animalark.org/special-events for more information.
Rock and a hard place
This is one of those weeks when there are just too many concerts competing for your attention (and your wallet). So here’s a short list of upcoming shows that still have tickets available.
Take a trip down Zillennial memory lane at the Now or Never Fest, featuring Phantom, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Gym Class Heroes and The Paradox. Gates to the all-ages show open at 3 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at the J Resort Festival Grounds, 299 Ralston St. Tickets are $114-$148. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows. Go to noworneverfest.com for more details.
The Holland Project presents indie pop band Nation of Language and support act Peel Dream Magazine, who will perform at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 11, at The Alpine, 324 E. Fourth St. Tickets to the all-ages show are $25. Go to hollandreno.org.
Get your fix of mellow ’90s alternative rock when Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms and Spin Doctors bring their summer tour to the area. The concert begins at 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at the Nugget Grand Ballroom inside the Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. Tickets are $89-$109. Visit www.cnty.com/nugget.
Indie rockers Rainbow Kitten Surprise with guests Spacey Jane will hit the Grand Theatre stage at 8 p.m., Friday, July 17, at the Grand Sierra Resort, 2500 E. Second St. Tickets are $69-$120. Go to www.grandsierraresort.com.
Purple reign
Among the many helpful herbs in cultivation, few are as beloved as lavender. Its sweet, floral fragrance, pleasing color and purported health benefits have been inspiring artists, poets and gardeners for thousands of years. But bees have had an even longer love affair with the plant. Its nectar and pollen-rich flowers sustain the insects throughout the growing season—and it makes a pretty fine-tasting honey, too. Learn more about the purple herbaceous shrub and one of its favorite pollinators at the ninth annual Sierra Nevada Lavender and Honey Festival. There will be demonstrations and educational exhibits by lavender growers and beekeepers, food made with lavender and honey, arts and crafts booths, a chalk walk, a bike valet, the Busy Bee Family Zone, the Lavender Bonnet and Honey Hat Contest, and live music and entertainment, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 12, at Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive. Admission is free. For the safety and comfort of attendees and pets, only service dogs will be allowed on the festival grounds. Visit www.lavenderandhoneyfest.com.
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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