The reel world
See the standout films from this year’s Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival. The Best of Fest touring showcase features a diverse lineup of short films from around the world that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit, explore the natural world, spark curiosity and shine a light on the people and ideas shaping our communities. Titles include A Little Story About Forever, Big Bass, Freya (pictured), Planetwalker, Strong Grandma and Funny Not Funny. Each film reflects the Lake Tahoe Documentary Film Festival’s mission of spotlighting stories that light up the soul. The screenings begin at 6 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Nevada Museum of Art, 160 W. Liberty St. Tickets are $15 for general admission and $12 for students and NMA members. Go to www.nevadaart.org or ltdff.org/fall-best-of-fest-screening-tour for more details.
Chicken soup for lonely souls
Gulp down generous servings of glam, gritty and gothy grooves concocted by “one man post-punk shoe-goth seance” Mary Chicken Soup and Rice. With a name inspired by the Maurice Sendak/Carole King animated TV special Really Rosie, this musical project directed by Los Angeles-based musician, playwright and filmmaker Matthew Dunehoo “delivers purgatorial theatrics … driven by live electric guitar, squawking vocals, and alien choir backtracks.” Local dark wavers Witicca and “crudge punk” band Azma Hazard will open the 21+ show, which starts at 8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, at The Cellar Stage, located in the basement of the Alturas Bar, 1044 E. Fourth St. Entry is $12. Learn more at www.facebook.com/AlturasNV/events.
Sweet screams are made of this
If you love horror, sci-fi and fantasy movies, you’ll want to check out the inaugural Mountains of Madness Film Festival this weekend. The three-day event features four screenings each day, with a variety of feature-length films, curated blocks of short films from around the world and Q&As with filmmakers. (Read RN&R contributor Susan Winters’ 15 Minutes interview with festival founder Karl Redgen.) The indie film festival runs Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13-15, at the Galaxy Theatres Victorian, 1250 Victorian Ave., Sparks. Check www.momff.com for a list of films and schedules.
Fleas Navidad
Shop for the perfect gifts for your friends and family, and blow off a little steam before Thanksgiving at Reno Punk Rock Flea Market’s annual Fleas the Season holiday market. The all-ages event features activity tables, a “possum pile” clothing exchange, food trucks, an outdoor car smash area and up to 100 vendors offering all kinds of rad stuff for the loved ones on your Christmas list. Local and regional bands across the rock spectrum will perform over the three-day event, including the School of Rock House Band, A Cryptic Ending, P.S.T, Dirtfight, Crimson Riot, Llovér, CHAT-FU, Black Gold Sun, Rundown Kreeps, The Jackeyes, Dynamite Kink, Checked-Out, Donkey Jaw and Dog Party. This year’s event has a “cryptid” theme, so come dressed as Bigfoot, Mothman or some other creature whose existence remains unproven—and you could get a free treat. Festival hours are 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 14-15, at El Sol de Nevada, 1580 Hymer Ave., Suite 120, Sparks. Since the event can get a bit loud, you can take advantage of quiet hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $8 for one-day general admission and $15 for a weekend pass until Thursday, Nov. 12. After Nov. 12, tickets will be $10 for one-day general admission and $20 for a weekend pass. Kids under age 12 get in for free. Visit www.rprfm.org for details.
Making movies
See a variety of short films created by young filmmakers at the Comstock Film Festival this weekend. The third annual competition, which kicked off on Oct. 8, challenged entrants ages 10-25 to create a PG-rated film in any genre featuring an element of Nevada history in its plotline. All films had to be less than 10 minutes in length (including credits) and had to be turned in by Nov. 8. Festival participants and attendees can view the finished products on Saturday, Nov. 14, The event opens with screenings of previous film festival entries, followed by a filmmaking workshop, and concludes with screenings of this year’s festival entries and an awards event. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum and Archives, 537 S. C St., Virginia City. Tickets for the workshop are $10 and $5 for the screening. Go to fourthwardschool.org/comstock-film-festival for more details.
Carnival of chaos
Intergalactic shock-rockers GWAR will mete out another round of audiovisual punishment on human scum when they bring their “Gor Gor Must Die!” tour to Reno. The alien warlords will unleash their sonic reign of terror (along with plenty of fake blood and bodily fluids to spray on their captive audience) with support from a motley crew of metal marauders including Midnight, Mac Sabbath and Nailed Shut. The mayhem commences at 8 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, at Cargo Concert Hall inside Whitney Peak Hotel, 255 N. Virginia St. General admission tickets for the all-ages show are $38.50. Check www.jmaxproductions.net or www.cargoreno.com.
Believers of the unpure
Goth-rock legends Christian Death will make an appearance in Reno just days after performing at the Darker Waves music festival in Huntington Beach, Calif. Formed in 1979 in Claremont, Calif., the band’s seminal 1982 album Only Theatre of Pain helped shape the sound of what would be called death rock, which combined punk-rock energy with the atmosphere and aesthetics associated with the emerging gothic-rock music scene of the 1980s. While the group’s music evolved to include art rock, metal and experimental elements with subsequent albums, Christian Death often courted controversy with its confrontational lyrics criticizing religious hypocrisy and conventional morality. Over its 47-year history, the band has endured lineup changes, breakups and a legal battle between original singer/songwriter Rozz Williams (who died in 1998) and singer/songwriter/guitarist Valor Kand—who, along with bassist Maitri Nicolai, has continued to record and perform as Christian Death (pictured). Chicago-based goth/industrial rock band Black Season Witch and DJ Scott Toxsin open the show at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16, at The Cellar Stage of the Alturas Bar, 1044. E. Fourth St. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. You must be 21 or older to enter. Visit www.facebook.com/renogoth/events or click this link for tickets.
Know thy elf
The Broadway Comes to Reno series at the Pioneer Center gets into the holiday spirit with Elf The Musical. Inspired by the 2003 Christmas comedy film starring Will Ferrell, the touring production tells the uplifting story of Buddy, a young orphan child whose life is changed forever when he mistakenly crawls into Santa’s sack of toys one Christmas Eve. When he discovers he is human, adult Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and, in turn, helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Elf The Musical starts at 7 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, Nov. 17-22, with 1 p.m. matinee performances on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 21-22. Performances take place at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $50.72 to $144.91. Visit pioneercenter.com for tickets and other information.
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!
Read 11 Days a Week at RenoNR.com!