Weekend Warrior: Oct 2024

Prepare to be amazed! Dragon Lights Reno has moved from summer to fall this year, transforming the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Gardens in Rancho San Rafael Park into an enchanting display of lights and artistry during crisp autumn evenings. This year’s event celebrates the year of the dragon, featuring a stunning 100-foot-long dragon centerpiece soaring through a cherry blossom forest. This magical setting is ours to behold as we discover hidden wonders along the garden’s paths.  A new winter wonderland section has been added, showcasing intriguing arctic creatures. Local food vendors will offer a diverse selection of culinary delights, including expanded hot beverage options to warm us from the inside! The event promises a captivating experience for all ages. Learn more about this awesome annual event at DragonLightsReno.org.

Hauntober in Virginia City calls you to its month-long celebration of haunted history and offers various spooky events throughout October. What makes Hauntober so compelling to participate in?  Certainly, it’s events like “The Spirits Made Me Do It Saloon Crawl,” ghost tours, haunted hayrides, and the V&T Railroad Pumpkin Patch Train. One of the most intriguing events is “Voices from the Past” at the Silver Terrace Cemetery, where actors portray 19th-century residents. The Haunted Halloween Graveyard Train, a Vampire Wedding haunted house at Mackay Mansion, and a costume contest and parade enrich the Hauntober experience. At the end of the month, Halloween week is filled with themed events like haunted ghost investigations, a Victorian All Hallow’s Eve Ball, and family-friendly trick-or-treating. Dare to stay at one of the town’s haunted hotels for an extra thrill. With so many details to absorb, you’ll definitely want to check out VisitVirginiaCityNV.com for the full schedule of events.

Virginia City’s unhinged porta-potty pageant is back, and it’s more flushed with excitement than ever! Yes, it’s time for the 35th annual World Championship Outhouse Races, where toilet titans clash in a spectacle that will keep you completely entertained. Free to attend and cheer the contestants on, this rollin’ bowl showdown leads you to C Street, where brave, costumed racers haul their finely decorated thrones and push them all the way to the TP finish line. Virginia City’s outhouse race is the only one in the U.S. claiming it all started with a political protest. Back when bureaucrats banned outdoor toilets, the people responded in the only reasonable way… dragging their outhouses right up to town hall. And now, we celebrate the legacy left behind as we cheer on teams plunging their way to the latrine title while we sip our favorite beverage with a front-row view. Learn more about all the fun the Outhouse Races have to offer at VisitVirginiaCityNV.com.

Get ready for a weekend that’s anything but ordinary! If you’ve been jonesing for fresh, new music performed live in some of Reno’s most intimate venues, this might be the event for you! Offbeat Music Festival returns to the heart of Reno with an amazing lineup of nationally known artists and regional bands. The event is a music lover’s haven, filling in the trending bars, breweries, and distilleries on Fourth Street, just north of the Greater Nevada Field. The festival invites you to purchase a wristband for single-day or multiple-day passes.  All passes allow concert-goers to hop around to different stages as space permits for each artist.  Learn more about this entertaining music experience at OffBeatReno.com.

The Annual Ukulele Festival is coming back to Reno-Sparks for the 16th time!  The ukulele is a fun, easy instrument to learn, and this festival could inspire a fun new hobby!  For all you more experienced ukulele musicians out there, pop in on spontaneous jam sessions to sharpen your interactive musical talent and connect with other ukulele enthusiasts! The festival is your opportunity to shop for unique items, attend workshops, and listen to concerts at this laid-back, four-day event. This could be the perfect opportunity to broaden your horizons and enrich your life. For more information, visit UkuleleFestival.com.

Fearless stuntman and comedian Steve-O’s first major role stole our hearts on MTV’s “Jackass” with his outrageous and downright dangerous stunts. His wild humor and willingness to do the craziest things made him an instant fan favorite. Beyond “Jackass,” Steve-O’s unique comedy has taken him to films, TV shows, and even on a world-touring stand-up act that’s kept audiences in stitches, leading him to the Pioneer Center this month for a single performance you won’t want to miss. Despite his chaotic past, Steve-O has been open about his struggles with addiction, inspiring many with his journey to sobriety and self-improvement. He’s still pushing the boundaries today, making us laugh, cringe, and root for him as a beloved, larger-than-life entertainer. Learn more about Steve-O and purchase tickets online at PioneerCenter.com.

SARAH SILVERMAN
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2024 (8 pm)
SILVER LEGACY CASINO – Grand Exposition Hall

Bring on the sharp wit and improv of Sarah Silverman!! Silverman is a two-time Emmy Award-winning comedian, actress, writer, and producer with a fearless approach to taboo topics, bringing her unique blend of humor that challenges and entertains audiences. This side-splitting live show offers an unpredictable mix of candid storytelling and improvisational comedy, ensuring no two performances are identical. You’re guaranteed a night filled with laughter and bold, thought-provoking humor when you see Sarah Silverman live! Purchase tickets to the show at Ticketmaster.com or skip Ticketmaster’s outrageous extra fees by visiting the Silver Legacy Box Office, open Tuesday–Thursday from 12–8 pm, Friday–Saturday from 12–10 pm, and Sunday from 1–8 pm. It is closed on Mondays.

With the intrigue of Halloween approaching, you may be looking to be swept off your feet by Sierra Nevada Ballet—Dracula style!  Don’t miss out on an original full-length ballet that will bite into your imagination, directed and choreographed by the talented Ananda Bena-Weber.  If you love a good scare or can’t resist the allure of a sultry tango, this is the show for you.  With Astor Piazzolla’s passionate music setting the scene, charismatic international ballet stars Malachi Squires and Domingo Rubio will lead you through this timeless tale of seduction, mystery, and just the right amount of spookiness.  Dress in your favorite costume, brace yourself for chills, and let Dracula put you under his spell.  Learn more and purchase tickets online at PioneerCenter.com, Or if you want to save a little on the convenience fees, visit the Pioneer Center box office Mon-Fri, 10 am to 4 pm, or Saturday, October 26, from 5 to 7 pm.

Why travel to Broadway when Broadway comes to Reno?!? With dazzling costumes, elaborate sets, and top-notch acting, world-class entertainment is at our fingertips as the 2024-2025 Broadway Comes to Reno season launched in September and continues through July next year.

December 10-15: Beetle Juice
January 17-19: The Book of Mormon
February 4-9: Some Like It Hot
March 25-30: The Wiz
June 3-8: Mamma Mia!
July 1-6: The Neil Diamond Musical- A Beautiful Noise