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Reno Jazz Orchestra presents ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free: The Genius Of Donny Hathaway’
The Reno Jazz Orchestra is commemorating the 80th birthday of Donny Hathaway on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, with a full-stage production of Someday We’ll All Be Free: The Genius of Donny Hathaway.
“Donny Hathaway made his mark in the 1970s as a key figure of the soul music genre. He was a singer, pianist, composer and music genius who left us too soon,” said Chuck Reider, Reno Jazz Orchestra’s board president and creative director for the shows. “This music production will be a first for the Reno Jazz Orchestra. It will showcase a unique collaboration with a string orchestra and original orchestra arrangements featuring one of Reno’s more popular vocalists, Cliff Porter, along with a gospel choir and our jazz orchestra.”
Hathaway’s music was a blend of gospel, jazz and R&B with powerful civil rights messages. The concert’s first half will feature Hathaway’s most well-known songs, such as “Little Ghetto Boy,” and the second half will feature material from his album Extensions of a Man.
“In addition, Mr. Hathaway’s daughter, Donnita Hathaway, who is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, will be part of the community outreach with Note-Able Music Therapy Services,” said Reider. “Donnita created the Legacy organization to help others who, like her father, suffered from paranoid schizophrenia that led to his suicide in 1979 at the age of 33.”
Joining Donnita Hathaway will be Cliff Porter, who has also created a local nonprofit charity to assist those with mental-health issues. Porter is a member of the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society which will also be involved in community outreach and wellness programs.
The concerts will take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27; and 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Nugget Casino Resort’s Celebrity Ballroom, at 1100 Nugget Ave., in Sparks. Tickets start at $46.50. For tickets and more details, visit RenoJazzOrchestra.org, or call 775-372-6160. (Sponsored Content)
Bust a move
Local choreographers and dancers will show off their talents this weekend at the Reno Dance Festival. The annual celebration offers community dance workshops that are open to all ages and experience levels, followed by a performance of new dance works by local choreographers. The event wraps up with an afterparty featuring DJ Kei spinning high-energy tunes to get everybody on the dance floor. Dance workshops run from noon to 5 p.m., followed by the main performance at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 19, at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater inside Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road. Workshops are $15 each. Tickets to the performance are $30 for general admission. Students can see the performance for free if they purchase a $15 workshop ticket. Admission is free for kids under age 12 with paid adult entry. The afterparty starts at 9:30 p.m. at Abby’s Highway 40, 424 E. Fourth St. Entry to the afterparty is a $15 suggested donation, or free with a festival ticket. All ticket sales and donations will go back to the participating artists and to cover Reno Dance Fest production fees. Visit www.therenodancefestival.com for more information.
Flights of fan-tasy
Fans of anime, video games, horror, film franchises like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and other pop-culture staples can find a special piece to add to their collections at the Amazing Art Expo this weekend. The three-day event features original artwork, cosplay contests and chances to meet artists and voice actors from anime, TV shows and video games, including Bryce Papenbrook, Keith Silverstein, Trina Nishimura, Mark Whitten and Nick Apostolides, among others. Expo hours are 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19; and noon to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 20-21, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, 4590 S. Virginia St. General admission is free. VIP tickets, which allow early admission, are $20. Go to amazingartexpo.com/collections/amazing-art-expo-free-pop-culture-events or www.facebook.com/AmazingArtExpo for more information.
Community connections
Take the family out for a fun day of activity and education at the Education Expo Community Day at Animal Ark Wildlife Sanctuary. The event features hands-on activities from groups including the Desert Research Institute, Fleischmann Planetarium, Great Basin Outdoor School, Lahontan Audubon Society, Nevada Historical Society, PBS Reno, Washoe County Regional Parks and Open Space, Washoe County Library System and Wilbur D. May Museum, among others. Explore interactive booths; meet experts from various organizations; watch special animal activities led by Animal Ark staff; and participate in a scavenger hunt. Don’t forget to treat yourself to some tasty eats from Kona Ice and Bubbly Waffle Hub. The expo takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at Animal Ark, 1265 Deerlodge Road, 25 miles north of downtown Reno. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 for seniors. Admission is free for kids age 12 and younger. Visit www.animalark.org.
Hope floats
The Sparks/Reno Water Lantern Festival offers visitors a chance to connect, heal and reflect as hundreds of personalized paper lanterns float and flicker on the water in the twilight. The annual event features inspirational speakers, live music, games, food trucks, a vendor area and time to decorate your lantern before releasing it into the water. The event is from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Sparks Marina Memorial Park, 399 Howard St., Sparks. Advance tickets are $34.99 through Aug. 20, and $57.99 at the gate. Tickets include wristband for festival access, a lantern-making kit, playing cards and conversation cards, drawstring bag and entry into a scavenger hunt giveaway. Visit www.waterlanternfestival.com/events/reno-sparks or www.facebook.com/waterlanternfestival.
It’s still rock ’n’ roll to me
Classic rock, acoustic rock and ’90s alt-rock music are on the proverbial playlist this weekend at Reno Public Market. Blending five-part harmonies and three guitars, Life in the Fast Lane re-creates the laid-back sounds of the Eagles with faithful renditions of songs such as “Best of My Love,” “Witchy Woman,” “Lyin Eyes,” “The Long Run” and “Hotel California.” The tribute band hits the stage at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20. The following night, get your ’90s fix with a show by Baltimore, Maryland “acoustic grunge” band ilyAIMY and local acts Big Amygdala/The Jagged Little Pills. Known for their blend of acoustic rock, folk and soul, ilyAIMY (an acronym for i love you And I Miss You, pronounced ill-yay-mee) has carved a fierce path through the indie music scene with their percussive style, powerful lyrics and intense live performances. Big Amygdala (a new project featuring Joel Ackerson, Justin McMahon and Kevin Brunet) and their related band, The Jagged Little Pills, present an evening of original songs, followed by a high-octane journey through the music of the ’90s. The show starts at 6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, at RPM, 299 E. Plumb Lane in Midtown Reno. Go to www.renopublicmarket.com.
Beer and now
You don’t need to go to Munich, Germany, to enjoy the annual celebration of beer, food and good times known as Oktoberfest. A few local establishments will offer their own spin on the German beer festival. The Par—the restaurant inside Parlay 6 Brewing Company—hosts its second annual Partoberfest, an Oktoberfest-style block party featuring specials on Parlay 6 beers, including the new Partoberfest lager, along with brats and elevated pub fare, live DJs and classic Oktoberfest contests, including stein chug, swingin’ brats, Hammerschlagen, stein race and stein holding. The free event is open to all ages with food and drinks available for purchase. Guests must be 21 or older to drink or participate in beer-related games. The party is open from 2 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at The Par by Parlay 6 Brewing Company, 1041 S. Virginia St. in Midtown Reno. Visit parlay6brewing.com.
The Village at Palisades Tahoe presents its 18th annual Oktoberfest offering German beer and food, Bavarian music and dance, a stein race, a brat toss and stein-holding competitions. Enjoy live entertainment by Joe Smiell’s 20-Piece Bavarian Band, the Almenrausch Schuhplattler Dance Troop, the Sierra Alphorn Players, and the Alpentanzkapelle Band. Festival hours are noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27, at The Village at Palisades Tahoe, 1750 Village East Road, Olympic Valley. Tickets are $10-$150. Entry is free for kids age 12 and younger. Go to www.palisadestahoe.com/events-and-activities/events-calendar/oktoberfest.
My sweet gourd
Rejoice! Harvest festival and pumpkin patch season is upon us. The 16th annual Andelin Family Farm Fall Festival offers several ticketed options—the Adventure Farm, Corn Maze, Corn Creepers, Zombie Paintball and Glow Paintball. The Adventure Farm option includes wagon rides, a straw bale maze, an animal-petting farm and plenty of activities for the kids, as well as access to the U-pick pumpkin patch. (Pumpkins are not included in the ticket price.) The Adventure Farm is open Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 24-Oct. 31. The corn maze is open Wednesday through Saturday, Sept. 24-Nov. 1. The nighttime draws Corn Creepers and Zombie Paintball are open Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 27-Nov. 1. Glow Paintball is offered on Wednesday nights in October. All attractions are located at Andelin Family Farm, 8100 Pyramid Way, Sparks. Ticket prices are $8-$45. Go to andelinfamilyfarm.com/harvest-festival for more details.
Ferrari Farms’ 28th Annual Fall Festival opens for the season on Saturday, Sept. 27, offering more than 40 different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds for sale, as well as a corn maze, hayrides, movie night, a barn dance, and much more for families to enjoy together. This lively festival promises a delightful experience filled with seasonal cheer, showcasing local artisans and craftspeople, along with delicious food vendors serving warm cider and seasonal treats. Admission is free, but prices vary for different activities and pumpkin purchases, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy without exceeding their budget. The fall attraction is open daily from Saturday, Sept. 27, through Friday, Oct. 31, at 4701 Mill St., providing ample opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant autumn atmosphere. Mark your calendars and gather your loved ones for unforgettable memories this fall. Visit ferrarifarms.org/events for more information and to plan your visit today!
The scenic Carson Valley hosts the Corley Ranch Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch, which kicks off its season on Saturday, Sept. 27. The farm has a pumpkin patch and corn maze during the week, with extra attractions such as miniature golf, pig races, hay wagon rides and food vendors on the weekends. Admission is $8-$12. Kids age 2 and younger get in for free. The festival will be open daily through Oct. 31 at Corley Ranch, 859 US Highway 395, Gardnerville. Check out corleyranch.com/pumpkin-patch for details.
Extraordinary Bob
In memory of Robert Redford, who died earlier this week at the age of 89, stop by South Valleys Library to view some of the actor and filmmaker’s most memorable films. The library launched its movie series “Butch & Sundance: The Films of Newman and Redford” on Sept. 6 as a tribute to actors, philanthropists and real-life friends Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Together and separately, the two starred in some of the most famous and influential films of the 1960s and 1970s, and are often credited with popularizing the “buddy” film genre with the two features they made together, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) and The Sting (1973). The free series continues on Saturday, Sept. 27, with a screening of the romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park (1967), starring Redford and Jane Fonda as a young, newlywed couple learning to cope with life and each other. It will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a showing of The Natural (1984). All screenings start at 2 p.m. and will be introduced by library staff, followed by a discussion after the film ends. South Valleys Library is at 15650A Wedge Parkway. Visit events.washoecountylibrary.us for a list of upcoming screenings.
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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