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Reno Jazz Orchestra Presents ‘Home for the Holidays’
The Reno Jazz Orchestra will present its Home for the Holidays concert at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at the University of Nevada, Reno, Nightingale Concert Hall.
“This year’s performance will feature classic selections such as ‘Home for the Holidays’ and ‘Silent Night,’ among other rearranged favorites, all performed in a Big Band style,” said Dr. Greg Johson, Reno Jazz Orchestra’s music director.
“In addition, the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra will open the event, and three of the region’s distinguished vocalists—Whitney Myer, Kyle Rea and Cami Thompson—will perform. All combined, the Reno Jazz Orchestra promises an idyllic family outing that will leave everyone feeling merry and bright,” said Johnson.
The Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra will kick off their 20th season with their annual holiday show, continuing their tradition of showcasing young talent.
Whitney Myer is a singer, songwriter, and real estate professional from Reno, known for her strong vocal abilities and engaging live performances. She has performed on national platforms such as The Voice and throughout Reno. Kyle Rea is a local vocalist who seamlessly bridges classic and contemporary pieces with his exceptional talent, whether he’s performing solo or with an orchestra. Cami Thompson is a singer, actor, band leader, music director, arranger, songwriter and teacher who has gained a worldwide reputation for wowing audiences around the world with her four-octave voice, as well as her zany wit.
Tickets start at $30 ; student tickets are $10 with a valid ID. To purchase, visit RenoJazzOrchestra.org, or call 775-372-6160. (Sponsored Content)
Before the break
Enjoy some cool weather with some wild things this Thanksgiving weekend. Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary will be open one more weekend before closing for the season. Stroll through the property as you view bears, wolves, large felines and other resident animals either basking in the cooler temperatures or preparing to hunker down for the winter. After you’ve had enough outdoor fun, head inside the gift shop to take advantage of a Thanksgiving weekend sale offering visitors up to 20 percent off items in the store, plus free gifts with purchase. The facility will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30, but make sure to check Animal Ark’s website or social media before you visit in case inclement weather affects operations. Admission is $20 adults, $16 for seniors age 65 and older, and $12 for children ages 3-12. Entry is free for kids age 2 and younger. Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary, 1265 Deerlodge Road, is located about 25 miles north of Reno, off Red Rock Road. Go to www.animalark.org.
Christmastime is here
Kick off the holiday season with a festive craft fair and a Christmas tree lighting this weekend in downtown Reno. The event starts off with Great American Craft Fairs’ Holiday Lights Festival featuring local artisan vendors, photos with Santa Claus, train rides, live music, movies, food trucks and more, from 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, between Reno City Plaza, 30 N. Virginia St., and the Reno Arch. The city of Reno’s tree-lighting takes place at 7 p.m. at the city plaza. The Holiday Lights Festival will continue on Saturday, Nov. 29, and next Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, in the same location. Admission is free. Visit greatamericancraftfairs.com or www.reno.gov.
Yippee-ki-yay
Home Alone, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story are some of the usual suspects on most people’s favorite holiday-movie lists. But for some movie buffs, it wouldn’t be Christmas without their annual viewing of the 1988 action film Die Hard. Brewery Arts Center and the Carson City Classic Cinema Club argue that “Die Hard is a Christmas Movie!” this Black Friday. Come dressed up as Bruce Willis’ maverick cop character, John McClane, or Alan Rickman’s sneering villain, Hans Gruber, to this screening of the first film in the Die Hard series. A pre-movie cocktail party starts at 6 p.m., followed by the screening at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, in the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall, 511 W. King St., Carson City. Tickets are $20-$25. Go to breweryarts.org.
Nutcracker season
Nevada Dance Company will present its production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet based on a story about a young girl’s dream about an enchanted nutcracker doll. Performances of The Nutcracker start at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28; 2 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29; and 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 30, in the Bob Boldrick Theatre at the Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St., Carson City. Tickets are $25-$35. The company will also offer “Nutcracker Sweets,” a sensory-friendly performance specially adapted for those who may benefit from a more relaxed theater environment. The hour-long show begins at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Tickets are $15-$20. Visit www.nevadadancecompany.com for more information.
Back in Black
If you’re brave (crazy?) enough to battle Black Friday crowds, here are a couple of holiday happenings to consider if you want to “Shop Small” and avoid the big box shopping centers.
Reno Public Market’s annual Deck the Halls offers a local artisan vendor village, photos and a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, kids’ holiday crafts and activities, seasonal food, drinks and treats and live entertainment throughout the day. The holiday sale takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28-30, at the RPM, 299 E. Plumb Lane. Entry is free. Visit www.renopublicmarket.com/deck-the-halls-2024.
Immerse yourself in art and support small businesses at A Christmas Craft. The event features goods from 30 local vendors, 10 Christmas craft-workshop stations, live music, a food truck and a hot chocolate bar, as well as entry to The Potentialist Workshop’s 20,000-square-foot immersive art installation Under the Mountain. The festive fun takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 29, at The Potentialist Workshop, 836 E. Second St. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for ages 5-12 and free for kids age 4 and younger. Admission gets you access to all the festivities and most of the craft stations. Visit www.potentialistworkshop.com or www.facebook.com/PPPWS.
Hit those high notes
Give your vocal chords a good workout this weekend when you join the Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus for its Messiah Sing-Along Concert. Whether you sing like a nightingale or just know how to carry a tune, join other amateur singers as you perform George Frideric Handel’s oratorio masterpiece. Bring your score, holiday spirit and a sense of humor as you try to nail the Hallelujah Chorus. The sing-along starts at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 30, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 100 Bishop Manogue Drive. Please bring a treat to share at a potluck social scheduled at intermission. Visit www.tahoe-philharmonic.com.
Art imitates life
Broadway Comes to Reno continues its 2025-2026 season with the Tony Award-winning show Stereophonic. Set in a music studio in 1976, the four-act play explores the highs and lows of the creative process through the struggles of a fictional rock band on the cusp of superstardom. Written by David Adjmi, directed by Daniel Aukin and featuring original music by Will Butler (formerly of Arcade Fire), Stereophonic won five Tony Awards, including Best Play, in 2024. The play contains simulated drug use and adult topics, and is recommended for ages 13 and up. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 2-4; 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5; 2 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6; and 1 and 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Tickets are $50.72- $155.26. Visit pioneercenter.com.
Jazz mania
Celebrate the dynamic history of jazz dance when Los Angeles Jazz Company performs next week as part of the University of Nevada, Reno’s 65th annual Performing Arts Series. Through choreography, storytelling and live accompaniment, the company celebrates the rhythm, resilience and innovation that define jazz as both a dance form and a living art. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 4, at Nightingale Concert Hall inside the Church Fine Arts Building, 1335 N. Virginia St., on the University of Nevada, Reno, campus. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for youth ages 3-17. UNR student and faculty tickets are available for free with the WolfCard at the box office the night of the concert. Go to www.unr.edu/pas.
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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