Weekend Warrior: Mid-July to Mid-August (2021)

The Weekend Warrior is your guide for the best events happening around the Reno/Sparks/Lake Tahoe region! How awesome is it to get out an LIVE again!  The social event calendar appears to be back in full swing now, so find something that suites your fancy and go!  Here is a healthy offering of what’s going on from mid-July to mid-August 2021!

RENO IS ARTOWN!!
EVERY DAY/EVENING IN JULY
MULTIPLE VENUES Artown, one of Reno’s most beloved annual community spectaculars, is taking place NOW through July 31!  It’s a month-long celebration of our local arts and culture, and features concerts, dance performances, sculptures, fire art, murals, sidewalk chalk art, films/movies, poetry and more!  With events and/or festivals happening daily, and nightly concerts rocking Rancho San Rafael Regional park, you are encouraged to join the fun.  Visit Artown.org, for all the details, and truly enjoy what our community has to offer throughout July 2021!

THIRD THURSDAY
EVERY THURSDAY YEAR-ROUND 
VICTORIAN SQUARE – SPARKS, NVLooking for an outing with a cool, artsy vibe?  Consider heading over to Victorian Square where the gathering fills Downtown Sparks every Third Thursday afternoon/evening, year-round. Third Thursday offers tasty food, cold drinks, live entertainment, crafts, chef demos, movies on the big screen and all the art you can handle!  On July 15, 2021, six new sculptures and murals will be revealed.  The outdoor stage will be blessed with the unique styles and sounds of Two Runner at 5 pm and Chuck Ragan at 7 pm.  And the classic, fan-favorite, Back To The Future, will play at Tony Armstrong Amphitheater at 8:15 pm.  For more info about the July 15 offerings and other Third Thursday entertainment, visit 39NortthDowntown.com.

VIVA LE CIRQUE
THURSDAYS THRU SUNDAYS THRU JULY 25
GRAND SIERRA RESORT – GRAND THEATREBe amazed by the mad talents of cirque artists who will take you through a supernatural voyage into the mind of a lost traveler who crash-lands, of all places, inside the theater at the Grand Sierra Resort.  Viva Le Cirque! is a large-scale, spectacular show starring amazing gymnasts, aerialists, contortionists, hand balancers, jugglers, and daredevils. Due to overwhelming reviews and attendance, the show was originally intended to end on June 30, but has been extended to July 25!  For tickets and more information, visit GrandSierraResort.com.

RENO STREET FOOD – AKA FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY
EVERY FRIDAY THRU AUGSUT 27 (4-9 pm)
IDLEWILD PARKHot summer days make for the most amazingly comfortable evenings at Idlewild Park, where Reno Street Food’s “Food Truck Friday” lines the food-filled lane every Friday afternoon/evening through August 27.  40 gourmet food and beverage trucks serve a fantastic variety of delicious bites just waiting to entertain your palate.  I always recommend bringing a light-weight beach chair and/or blanket, to kick-it on the grass near the Truckee River while you savor your meal and chill to live music.  Friendly dogs on leashes are welcome.  Find out which trucks and entertainers will be there each week at the Reno Street Food Facebook Page.

VORTEX: THE ROCK BALLET
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JULY 16 & 17 (8:30-10 pm)
BARTLEY RANCH REGIONAL PARK – ROBERT Z. HAWKINS AMPHITHEATERAVA Ballet Theater rocks Bartley Ranch Amphitheater with a sensual and artful performance of grace and passion. Vortex, directed and choreographed by Alexander Van Alstyne, is performed by seasoned local dancers, producing a soulful contemporary ballet that incorporates passionate rock, dance and alternative music. Due to the generous support of the E.L. Cord Foundation, the Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation and the Arthur and Mae Orvis Foundation, Vortex is free to the public, but donations are greatly appreciated. Gates open at 7 pm. This is a PG-13 production. Visit RenoIsArtown.com for more details and enjoy this awesome show!

MOVIES IN THE PARK
FRIDAY NIGHTS – JULY 16, 23 & 30 (9 pm)
WINGFIELD PARK – 2 S. ARLINGTON, DOWNTOWN RENOTake a load-off and chill at Movies in the Park. The easy-going Artown event at Wingfield Park, presented by Cordillera Int’l Film Festival, takes place every Friday night at 9 pm and features a different fun movie every week.  Bring a lawn chair, a blanket and some popcorn, and settle in to enjoy these great flicks:July 16: The Princess Bride- A delightful story about a swashbuckling pirate’s quest to rescue his love and the ridiculous obstacles, unlikely allies and Evil Prince he encounters along the way.
July 23: The Devil Wears Prada- An award winning comedy about a recent graduate who moves to NYC and ends up as an assistant to an impossible editor of a high fashion magazine.
July 31: Summer Shorts- A series of award-winning short films from around the world followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.

For more information, please visit Artown.org.

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL and SHOWCASE SEREIS EVENTS
JULY 17-AUGUST 23, 2021
SAND HARBOR AMPHITHEATER – LAKE TAHOE, NVIn past years, the talented actors who have graced the Sand Harbor stage have treated us to one comedy and one tragedy each summer at our beloved Shakespeare Festival.  This year, they are shaking it up with The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)!  Tuesdays to Sundays from July 17 through August 22, three ambitious classic Converse-clad actors armed with an outrageous assortment of outerwear and props, cram the Bard’s entire canon of plays (and sonnets!) into two hours of sheer Elizabethan-esque ecstasy. Need the play writers and directors more? Buckle your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride. This endearingly irreverent and lightning-paced romp through the greatest plays of all time will have you rolling with laughter and jumping in the aisles. Perhaps The Today Show captured its spirit best when they said, “If you like Shakespeare, you’ll like this show. If you hate Shakespeare, you’ll love this show!”In addition to the hilarity of Shakespeare, you are invited Monday evenings to Sand Harbor’s Showcase Series Events. Bring your own picnic or partake in the delicious fare offered at the performances to enhance your experience.  Here is the lineup this summer:July 19: Reno Philharmonic Orchestra- A Tribute to Ella
July 26: Sierra Nevada Ballet- Giselle
August 2: Reno Jazz Orchestra- Now, Then and Forever- Celebrating Earth, Wind & Fire
August 9: Reno Philharmonic Orchestra 007- The Music of James Bond
August 16: Mumbo Gumbo- The 7th Annual Prim Music Night
August 23: Reno Jazz Orchestra- An Evening with Diane Schuur

All performances begin at 7:30 pm.  For all the awesome details, please visit LakeTahoeShakespeare.com.

RENO ACE BASEBALL
JULY 22-27 vs. ROUND ROCK EXPRESS
AUGUST 5-10 vs. TACOMA RAINIERS
GREATER NEVADA FIELDWhen was the last time you took in a good old fashioned, hometown baseball game?  Enjoy the sites, sounds, competition, promos and good times with friends at one of the Reno Aces’ home games this summer.  Here are some of the great off-field perks for your enjoyment:Military Mondays invite all Military Members and First Responders to take advantage of BOGO tickets, enjoy Baseball BINGO, and bring your vaccinated fury friend (no… not your high school buddy… your well-behaved, leashed pup!!)
Taco Tuesdays call us to enjoy two street tacos for $6 or two street tacos and a beer for $10, presented by Alice 96.5.
Thirsty Thursdays offer $2 Coors Light Drafts and $4 “Aceball Ales” and are presented by Coors Light.
Firework Fridays illuminate the sky over the ballpark.
Saturday, June 17 is 70’s Night complete with an in-stadium “fauxback jersey” giveaway.
Family Sundays begin at 1:05 pm and feature $1 hot dogs… What more can you ask for?!?For more info about the Reno Aces, the schedule, promotions, COVID guidelines and more, please visit MILB.com/Reno.

HARVEY’S LAKE TAHOE SUMMER CONCERTS
SEE DATES/TIMES BELOW
LAKE TAHOE OUTDOOR ARENA @ HARVEY’SGet out of the Reno heat to a slightly cooler climate at one of Harvey’s Summer Concerts!  It’s all Country in July, so grab your boots and hats, and party with the next performers taking the stage at Lake Tahoe!  Get your tickets soon before all seats are gone!  Here are the scheduled concerts through July 2021:

Friday & Saturday, July 23 & 24 (7 pm)
Old Dominion- We Are Old Dominion Tour
Friday, July 30: (7 pm)
Brantley Gilbert

Learn more and access links to ticket sales at Caesars.com.

RENO PHILHARMONIC presents THE MUSIC OF JAMES BOND
AUGUST 9 (7:30-10:30 pm) @ Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe
AUGUST 11 (6:30-9:30 pm) @ Great Nevada FieldThe 25 James Bond films that span 5 decades have produced some of the greatest movie music in history, from “Goldfinger” and “From Russia with Love” to “Diamonds are Forever” and Oscar-winning “Skyfall” by Adele.  Prepared to be shaken AND stirred by the blockbuster Bond hits, beautifully performed by the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra. The Reno Phil offers two opportunities to enjoy this must-see concert. For more information visit: LakeTahoeShakespeare.com (Aug 9 @ Sand Harbor) and RenoPhil.com (Aug 11 @ Great Nevada Field)

CONCERTS at COMMONS BEACH
EVERY SUNDAY – JULY 25 THROUGH SEPT 5 (4-7 pm)
COMMONS BEACH – TAHOE CITY, CAConcerts at Commons Beach is FINALLY BACK!!  YAY!!  This weekly spectacular Sunday afternoon/evening concert series rocks Tahoe City and is a community favorite. Here is the lineup that will get you on your feet and dancing again, with links to their websites so you can preview their vibes:July 25: Diggin’ Dirt (Rock, Reggae, Afrobeat andFunk)
August 1: The Blues Monsters and Guests (Best Blues in Tahoe)
August 8: Sal’s Greenhouse w/ Pamela Parker’s Fantastic Machine (Funk, Soul, Rock, R&B)
August 15: Afrolicious (Eclectic, Electric, Funky)
August 22:  Argone (Funk, Soul)
August 29: Dead Winter Carpenters (Bluegrass, Country, Rock)
September 5: Joy & Madness (Funk, Soul)Guests are welcome to bring picnics, blankets, and low-back chairs for a perfect lakeside evening. Local food and drink vendors sell beer, wine, soft drinks, sushi, bbq foods, ice cream, and more. Go early and enjoy the lakeside ambiance with friends and family. The venue has a fully equipped playground for the little rock-‘n-rollers too!  For more info, visit ConcertsAtCommonsBeach.com.

REO SPEEDWAGON
SATURDAY, SEPT 11 (8 pm)
SILVER LEGACY RESORT CASINO – GRAND EXPOSITION HALLThe burning question, “Where is REO Speedwagon now?” will soon be answered on September 11.  They’ll be RIGHT HERE, In Reno, Nevada, bringing back all the sappy, classic ballads we used to make mix-tapes with. Listen to and watch “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” for the cheesiest music video you have ever seen and relive “the days,” if you’re old enough. LOL… Other fan-favorites include “Keep On Loving You” and “Take It On The Run.” God knows how long these guys will keep touring, so catch the opportunity to see them this year!  Visit SilverLegacyReno.com for more info and tickets.

I’m bringing back one of our family-favorite meals!  If you like grilled salmon, with all the goodies to accompany, you’ll love this combination of BBQ Salmon with Caramelized  + Cucumber Salad for a lovely summer meal.  For details on how to make both dishes that pair very well together, visit my Favorite Recipes Blog at DeniseHallerbach.com.