Week of June 8, 2022

From the editor’s desk

Kris Vagner, the former RN&R arts maven who now directs the arts journal Double Scoop, reports on changes in Northern Nevada’s arts community in the wake of the pandemic. Some venues went under, while others moved, and a few new ones opened. Overall, “this is one resilient community,” Kris says.

In Chautauqua performances, scholars take on the personas of historical characters. Aspiring Chautauquans are invited to a workshop at Dangberg Home Ranch in Minden, June 25-26, to learn the basics of strutting the stage in the shoes of famous figures. Veteran Chautauqua players are the instructors; Mark Twain (McAvoy Lane) and Henry VIII (full disclosure: that’s me in the jeweled doublet) will perform after the classes.

Guest columnist Alicia Barber notes that while Reno city officials often make unilateral decisions about development projects, citizen review is essential to safeguard the public good. Supporting “responsible levels of review isn’t to oppose development; it’s a critical step to ensure that what gets built in Reno truly benefits those who live here,” Alicia writes.

Grant Denton overcame addiction, incarceration and homelessness to become a champion of unsheltered people. Grant, the executive director of the Karma Box Project, is the focus of the return edition of our 15 Minutes interview.

For our new Lucky 13 feature, Matt King asks Jay Hackett—vocalist for Lizano, a local reggae, rock and funk band—our slate of questions. Lizano is set to perform at The Alpine at Record Street Brewing on June 15.

Foodie Todd South reports on what the Truckee Meadows has—and does not have—when it comes to international cuisine. Reno-Sparks has a lot of worldly selections on its menus, but is missing a real dim sum restaurant, and could use (say it loud) more Italian and Jewish delis.

Bob Grimm gives a high rating to “Norm MacDonald: Nothing Special,” a tribute to a comedian’s comedian. MacDonald, a former Weekend Update guy from SNL, also was a legendary standup performer. And Bob says the third season of  “The Boys,” a dark, violent series about rouge superheroes, remains the antidote for anybody who thinks Marvel and DC flicks are a little too vanilla.

I’ll see you in the funny papers,

—Frank X. Mullen, Editor