Music to our ears
Discover your next favorite band at the OffBeat Music Festival. Reno’s largest music festival celebrates its 10th anniversary with three days of local, regional and national acts spanning multiple musical genres. This year’s lineup includes Al Nicol, Brooks Nielsen of The Growlers, Clarko, Death Valley Girls, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, The Gold Souls, Greg Gilmore and the Fever Dreams, High Step Society, Illuminati Hotties, Integra Pink, Josh Teed, Killer Whale, Moondog Matinee, Rigorous Proof, Rose City Band, Roselit Bone, Sego, Sinkane, Spitting Image and Tropa Magica, among dozens of other up-and-coming musical artists. The music starts shortly after 6 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-4, at participating venues including Abby’s Highway 40, The Alpine, The Barrelhouse at The Depot, Black Rabbit Mead Co., Dead Ringer Analog Bar and Lead Dog|Revision Brewing, as well as the OffBeat Main Stage and Reno-Tahoe Fourth Street Free Stage, in the Reno Brewery District along East Fourth Street in downtown Reno. Tickets range from $63.50 for a single day pass to $96.95 for a three-day pass. While you must be 21 or older to enter the bars and breweries, the younger set is welcome to attend the Brewery District Block Party on Saturday, Oct. 4. The all-ages bash features interactive art exhibits, community yoga, food trucks, a food and drink showcase, a vintage vendor village, live music and a kids’ zone with crafts and bouncy castles. The Brewery District Block Party begins at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, on Fourth Street between Evans Avenue and Valley Road. The party is free. Visit www.offbeatreno.com for more information.
Pretty as a picture
Grab a camera, and discover some of the best places to capture the natural beauty of our area at one of several Fall Photo Hikes offered by Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space. Explore locations, techniques and ideas for photographing during a park-ranger-led walk through several Washoe County parks this month into November. This week’s hike will take participants through Bartley Ranch Regional Park, which is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, and features historic buildings, antique farm and ranch equipment, and several trails. Bring a hat, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and water. The walk starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at Bartley Ranch, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road. It’s free to attend, but please reserve your spot here. For information on upcoming Fall Photo Hikes, go to www.washoecounty.gov/parks/calendar.php.
Fade to black (and white)
Go “behind the silver screen” to celebrate young artists and their artwork at the Young Blood group exhibition. Young Blood is a biannual group show featuring works by more than 60 regional artists under the age of 21. The exhibition includes a vintage-cinema-themed art party with hands-on activities, a photo booth, snacks and music by DJ Dollwings, with local indie rockers Big Woop closing out the event. Attendees are encouraged to dress in black and white or as their favorite actor or a character from the “Golden Age of Cinema.” The event starts at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4, at The Holland Project, 140 Vesta St. Admission is a $1 donation at the door. Check hollandreno.org/events/young-blood for more details.
Gala of gourds
The scent of decomposing leaves, firewood and pumpkin pie-spiced baked goods combined with milder weather and the changing palette of fall foliage seem to be a long-overdue reward after several months of sweltering temperatures, high ultraviolet radiation levels and open toe shoes revealing one’s lack of attention to foot care. Now that cooler temperatures have arrived, you can finally get in an autumnal state of mind—and just in time for the Great Pumpkin Festival. The celebration features more than 100 artisans showcasing handmade goods, baked treats, local beers, ciders and seasonal beverages, and a lot of pumpkins to pick for your own fall display. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on two Saturdays, Oct. 4 and Oct. 11, at Idlewild Park, 2055 Idlewild Drive. Admission is free. Visit greatamericancraftfairs.com.
Cool hand uke
Ukulele enthusiasts and performers will gather in Sparks for the 17th annual Reno Ukulele Festival, a four-day, family-friendly event featuring a lineup of daily workshops, evening concerts, artist discussion panels, open mics, community performances and a vendor area. Renowned entertainers and instructors will be on hand to share their expertise and showcase their musical talents, including Lil’ Rev, The Canote Brothers, Casey MacGill, Bernadette Plaza, Ray Cygymus, Conrad Cayman, Bobby J, Perry Stauffer and Dani Joy (pictured). The music continues even after the night’s scheduled entertainment concludes with spontaneous jams taking place from 9 p.m. to midnight in the festival hallways. The festival runs from Wednesday, Oct. 8, through Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Nugget Casino and Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. Passes range from $45 for a single evening show pass to $660 for access to all teaching workshops and evening shows. Go to www.renoukulelefestival.com for schedules and tickets.
All booked up
Come as yourself or dressed as your favorite literary character, and step into a fairy tale-inspired village featuring author booths, kids’ crafts and more at the Sierra Arts Book Fest. More than two dozen local authors, poets and illustrators representing a wide range of genres will gather at the inaugural event presented by Sierra Arts Literary Community. This celebration of Nevada’s literary scene includes book readings and signings, fun activities and books for sale, as well as food and drinks. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Depot Gallery, 831 Victorian Ave., and along Victorian Avenue in downtown Sparks. Admission is free. Visit sierraarts.org/event/oct-11-sierra-arts-book-fest.
Shifting gears
As Sky Tavern prepares to wind down the mountain bike season, the nonprofit sports-recreation organization will hold one more community event before it transitions to winter activities. Its annual fall fundraiser, Party in the Sky, offers a full day of family-friendly activities, including bike demos and shuttles, food trucks, a vendor village, youth pump-track workshops, group rides, and a 650-foot dual zip line in partnership with neighboring nonprofit organization Project Discovery. The high-elevation celebration takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at Sky Tavern, 21130 Mount Rose Highway. Advance tickets are $10 to attend the party at the base camp, and $30 for those who want to participate in the demos and workshops, use the bike trails and zip line, and attend the party. Kids under age 12 get in for free. Proceeds will go to community-built trails and programs. Visit www.skytavern.org for more information.
For shits and giggles
Born from a public protest, the World Championship Outhouse Races has become a time-honored tradition in Virginia City. Decades ago, Virginia City residents protested a city ordinance that banned outdoor toilets. Angry residents pushed, pulled and dragged their outhouses to the courthouse in a public display of defiance. Participants have since marked the occasion with a potty relay each year. During this commode competition, teams of costumed racers and their decorated outhouses are pitted against each other, two at a time, in a sprint down C Street to the toilet-paper finish line and a chance at winning the latrine title. Spectators line the boardwalks as they cheer the racers on and then vote for their favorite outhouse. The 36th annual World Championship Outhouse Races take place from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 4-5, along Virginia City’s main street. It’s free to attend. Visit visitvirginiacitynv.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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