The event of a lifetime is brewing on the sacred Paiute tribal land, on the shores of Pyramid Lake.

Over 6,000 people are expected to gather at Pyramid Lake this weekend, May 17 – 21, for the five-day Symbiosis Gathering. The gathering is looking to co-create a visionary village directly in the path of the 2012 solar eclipse. The path of the eclipse will sweep directly over Pyramid Lake, making it one of the best places in the world to view this astronomical event on May 20.

The auspicious event marks the first major lakeside gathering permitted by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe in over 25 years.  To honor the alignment of the Earth, Moon and Sun, Symbiosis will bring together an epic lineup of over 70 innovative artists, musicians and teachers for a gathering intended to inspire and inform personal evolution and planetary healing.  Five days of music will feature a full-ranged music festival; including, live bands, electronic, dubstep, techno, trance, house, downtemple, sacred, world, kirtan and much more. From yoga to hula, mycology to neurology, prana to permaculture, the gathering will also offer an array of speakers, workshops and presentations for mind, body and spirit.  The full lineup of artists and teachers can be found on pyramideclipse.com. Find photos of previous Symbiosis Gatherings at pyramideclipse.com./gallery. Tickets still available!

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART

Exhibitions:

Celebrate Art of the Tiffany Era – Three unique exhibitions open through May 20

The Tiffany family design legacy is celebrated in this unique mix of exhibitions featuring Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained glass of the art nouveau era and a rare collection of Tiffany & Co.’s decorative firearms. Charles Lewis Tiffany established Tiffany & Co. in 1837; his son Louis Comfort Tiffany later founded Tiffany Studios, renowned for exquisite decorative objects.

Special Events:

Mother’s Day Trunk Show

May 12, noon – 3 pm

Find the perfect gift this Mother’s Day from the work of ceramics artist Barbara Glynn Prodaniuk and jewelry artist, Gail Rappa – both Wild Women artists. Admission to the Trunk Show is FREE.

TALK: BRDI and BRAF Present: Candy Chang | Before I Die

May 17, at 6pm

In collaboration with the Black Rock Arts Foundation and the Black Rock Design Institute, the Museum welcomes artist, designer, urban planner, and wanderer Candy Chang as she presents her project Before I Die. Recognized as a leader in developing new strategies for the design of our cities, Chang will also discuss her installation of Before I Die in Reno. Networking and social hour with beer provided by Silver Peak Brewery at 5pm. Talk follows at 6pm.

Cost: $10 / $8 Museum members.

ART BITE: Meet the Collectors: The Bloms on Southwest Pottery

May 18, at 12 pm

Brenda and John Blom discuss the range of pottery they have collected from every era and pueblo in the Southwest.

Cost: $10 / FREE with admission and for Museum members

THE DISCOVERY

Biodegradable Art

May 12, at 11am, and May 12– 13, at 11am and 1pm

Combine art and science when you create your own piece of art made from biodegradable packing peanuts.

Cost: $3/Members Free

Eclipse Viewer

May 19, at 11am, and May 19– 20, at 11am and 1pm

Learn about solar eclipses and view the upcoming eclipse through the safety of the home made viewer you’ll create in this intriguing class.

Cost: $3/Members Free

SPARKS HERITAGE MUSEUM

May 16, at 4 – 10pm

Fiddle and Banjo Workshop, a Nevada Arts Council Folklife Education Program and a free concert to follow!

NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM

Mutant Rides: Origin of a Species

They began a spontaneously, a change in the genetic code, and evolved from the assemble line to an emerging species on the Black Rock Desert.  These rolling works of art are now deeply entrenched in the culture of Burning Man. Imagine a world of motorized vehicles where boundaries are limitless, imaginations rule and the bizarre becomes the norm.

The Reno Tahoe region boasts 32 museums! Between golf outings, spa days, and hikes through the blossoming flowers this spring, check out the featured exhibits at one of the awe-inspiring museums. Every month we will highlight a brief selection of exhibits to visit!

NEVADA MUSEUM OF ART

August Sander: Face of Our Time

Ends: April 22

This exhibition features sixty black-and-white portraits taken by German photographer August Sander in the early part of the twentieth century that document a cross section of German society. This unique set of prints from Sander’s series Antlitz der Zeit (Face of Our Time) has never been exhibited before, although the photographer did publish a volume of images by the same name.

In 1936, Nazi officials seized all copies of Sander’s books and ordered that his Face of Our Time photographs be destroyed. This was because the social and cultural range of people he photographed suggested diversity within the German nation, which was a threat to the Nazi doctrine of racial purity. Sander’s studio was destroyed in a World War II bombing raid in 1944.

The Canary Project

Ends: April 29

The Canary Project includes diverse works involving more than 30 artists, designers, writers, educators and scientists. The causes and effects of global change, which encompass those of climate change, are increasingly the focus of artists around the world, whether they are working in the Antarctic, Canada, Chile, or Southeast Asia. Many of those projects rely on photographic evidence for working materials. What makes the Canary Project unique is that Sayler and Morris have partnered with local artists and others wherever they have been in residence. This enables them to expand the reach of their concern through the use of other media, including bus ads, billboards, posters, and installations such as the climate poker game Quartet for the End of Time, and the fashion performance Increase your Albedo.

THE DISCOVERY

Truckee Connects

Learn all about the favorite summer hangout, the Truckee River. Flowing from Lake Tahoe, through the downtown Reno waterpark, and into Pyramid Lake, there’s an adventure and vital duty at every bend. Educate yourself on its many uses; including, recreation, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and wildlife in this very interactive exhibit. Beware of the potential splash zone, who do you trust more with water: Shamu or your kids…

SPARKS HERITAGE MUSEUM

Night of the Titanic

Ends: April 28

Every Saturday this April, from 1-3:30pm, experience what it was like to stand on the deck of the doomed ocean liner Titanic the night she sank in a 22 minute multi-media production.

For more museums in the area, please visit our website: VisitRenoTahoe.com.

Celebrate Parti Gras – The New Giant Mardi Gras Celebration

February 17 – 21, at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

This five-day massive celebration includes free concerts, Parti Gras casino parades, showgirls, free hats & beads, Mardi Gras face art and caricature artists.  John’s Club players can win their share of $20,000 throughout Parti Gras with hot seat giveaways, cash drawings and trips for two to New Orleans.  Plus, the Rotisserie Buffet will take on the “N’awlins” theme for the weekend with favorites like dirty rice and jambalaya.  There will be New Orleans style food specials in all of the Nugget’s restaurants as well.

BONUS: Guests who stay February 17, 18, or 19 can take advantage of a $97 one night special which includes 2 free drinks with Parti Gras souvenir glasses.

Mardi Gras Dance Party

February 18, at The Ramada

The Reno Blues Society’s will continue to show off their party planning skills with the 18^th annual Mardi Gras Dance Party – featuring award winning recording artist, Sista Monica. High energy, heartfelt lyrics and an awesome band backing this dynamic singer will prove to be one of the best RBS Mardi Gras Dance Parties!

The Big Easy is Coming to Silver Legacy

February 21

Not to be missed: the Fat Tuesday feasts at Sterling’s Seafood Steakhouse, Fairchild’s Oyster Bar and Café Sedona. You best be hungry.

We all know Mardi Gras would not be complete without some quality adult libations! Available at all Silver Legacy bars enjoy Pat O’brien style Hurricane’s and Mardi Gras Punch for just $5.

Fat Tuesday Mardi Crawl

February 21 – Squaw Valley

Start the Mardi Crawl at KT Base Bar at 2pm with the Samba Stilt Circus and cruise through the Village to 5 other locations for drink and food specials in honor of Fat Tuesday.

Party the Night Away at Reno Mardi Gras

February 21 – Reno Ballroom

At the 20th annual Rotary Club of Reno event, enjoy festive traditions; including, dancing, indulging in rich food and drink, and dressing in the finest Mardi Gras attire. Local restaurants will team up with over a dozen wineries, offering delectable treats and pouring over 60 types of wine! Buy your tickets at the doors of the Reno Ballroom for $50. Doors open at 6pm.

We may have just finished ringing in 2012, but January 23 marks another New Year, the Year of the Dragon! According to Chinese tradition, the Year of the Dragon will bring exhilaration, excitement and intensity; everything you can expect to find in Reno Tahoe. So say goodbye to the Year of the Rabbit and welcome in the Dragon with great celebrations!

The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino is welcoming in the Year of the Dragon with Our Chinese Heart – Eternal Melody on January 28. Preforming in the Tuscany Events Center, Our Chinese Heart is a classic variety show complete with singers, musicians and comedians.  Before enjoying the show, or any time between January 23 and 29, indulge in a special Chinese New Year menu at Chi, featuring braised fish maw, Chinese broccoli stir fry and a wide variety of other delicious dishes.

Join the Chinese New Year CelebrAsian at the Eldorado Hotel Casino where you’ll discover traditional Chinese specialties in The Buffet from January 23-28. Feast on customary dishes; including, barbeque pork spare ribs, Hong Kong style fried fish, roasted duck and Mongolian lamb. The celebration continues with magnificent White Crane Lion Dances winding through the mezzanine and casino floor for all to see on January 27-29 and February 2-5.

The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa is celebrating the Chinese New Year throughout the entire month of January with dining specials at Toucan Charlie’s Buffet & Grille, Purple Parrot and Bistro Napa. Also, collect commemorative Year of the Dragon chips and a limited edition t-shirt while playing your favorite casino games. On January 28, join the Chinese Association of Northern Nevada for the Reno Chinese New Year Celebration on the casino floor, where a traditional Lion Dance promises to be the highlight of the evening!

Celebrate the transition from the Year of the Rabbit to the Year of the Dragon with food, traditional dances and fun at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino. Treat yourself to Chinese delicacies, such as Fat Choy and stir fry rice cakes, from January 27 to February 12 at Café Sedona and Flavors! the Buffet. During this 15 day celebration, be sure to catch one of the many dazzling Lion Dances near the iconic mining rig.

At the Grand Sierra Resort, you’ll find everything from a magic show to a Feng Shui workshop during the Lantern Festival, February 3-5. The Grand Theater will be full of Chinese entertainment as Chin-Chin mystifies all with his astonishing magic on Friday, February 3, and the Lion Dance-Dance Off takes over the theater the following night.  But that’s not all! Learn all about Feng Shui from Sasha Lee, test your cultural knowledge during the Lantern Riddle Contest, and enjoy the live music of violinist CryWolffs! and acoustic soloist Wilson Wong.

For a truly unique Chinese New Year celebration,  head up to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe where you will not only  enjoy discounts on Asian food, drinks and an amazing day on the slopes, but will also see the skiing dragon make its way down the mountain!

Reno-Tahoe International Airport will be hosting the first American Indian exhibit in its history and invites the public to the opening reception on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 6:00-7:30pm.  Governor Brian Sandoval, Washoe Tribal Chairwoman Wanda Batchelor and Chairman Wayne Burke from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe are scheduled to speak, accompanied by performances of local American Indian artists.

The exhibit opens during November, National American Indian Heritage Month.  Governor Sandoval has also proclaimed November as American Indian Heritage Month in Nevada.

“We are very pleased that the Nevada Indian Commission could facilitate this project,” said Sherry Rupert, Executive Director of the Commission.  “The partnership we have with the Nevada Arts Council and the Indian Territory made this initial exhibit possible.”

The Nevada Indian Commission worked with the Arts Council’s Folklife Program and the Nevada Indian Territory to develop a special edition of the Arts Council’s “What Continues the Dream” traveling exhibit and includes posters drawn from the pages of the gallery guide and photographs of powwow dancers in their colorful regalia; an Indian Territory graphic display; and hand-crafted cultural objects provided by the Nevada Indian Commission. The exhibit will be on display in the Connector Collections Gallery on the second floor, between the B and C gates through January 22, 2012.

“An American Indian cultural exhibit at our airport has been highly anticipated and a long time coming,” added Rupert.  “When a visitor enters the airport they should know they are in the lands of the Washoe, Paiute and Shoshone people.”

The Indian Commission’s mission is to ensure the well-being of American Indian citizens statewide through development and enhancement of the government-to-government relationship between the State of Nevada and Indian Tribes, and through education for a greater cultural understanding of the state’s first citizens.  The Commission was established in 1965 to be the conduit between the Governor and the 27 federally-recognized Nevada tribes.

Paiute Elder Ralph Burns will provide the opening prayer.  Burns is the recipient of the 2011 Nevada Heritage Award, which honors Nevada folk artists and tradition bearers who are the finest and most influential masters of their particular art forms and who have had a significant impact on the people and communities of the state.  Gayle Johnson a Bishop Paiute Tribal Member will provide the Paiute Flag Song and Red Hawk Warriors along with various Powwow dancers will be on hand to celebrate the evening.

For information on the Nevada Indian Commission visit www.nic.nv.gov and for more information on the Nevada Arts Council and the Indian Territory please visit www.nac.nevadaculture.org and www.NevadaIndianTerritory.com.

11/5
Cyndi Lauper – Don’t miss the chance to hear Cyndi sing her new Blues songs along with all of her original hits including “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.”

Ends 11/13
Hairspray – Its last week in town, Hairspray is going to go big – and we’re not just talking about the hair.

11/4-11/6
Disney on Ice Presents: Treasure Trove – See all your favorite Disney stars in this magical performance.

11/5
Weird Al Yankovic – The biggest selling comedy recording artist of all time has returned to demolish the pop landscape with Alpocalypse, his first full-length studio album in nearly five years.

11/5
Mike Winfield – Reno Tahoe Comedy presents Mike Windfield from NBC’s “The Office.”

11/11
Wynonna – Wynonna always gets her point across whether she’s using her rich, commanding voice to sing one of her countless hits or sitting down with her unflinching honesty for a bold appearance with her fans.

11/11
Veterans Day Parade – March through the heart of downtown Reno and honors those who have sacrificed to protect our country. ROTC units, marching bands and flag-waving citizens turn out in force.

11/11-11/12
CANFEST – More than 30 breweries from around the world will be offering up their canned creations to beer enthusiasts.

11/11 – 11/12

Gordon Lightfoot – this legendary singer/songwriter has achieved international success with his music, helping define the folk-pop sound of the 60s-70s.

11/11 – 11/13
UNR Ski Swap – No better way to get ready for the upcoming ski season than buying all your gear up to 70% off!

11/12
FREE Saturday at the Nevada Museum of Art – every 2^nd Saturday of the month is Free at the Art Museum.

For more events, check out our events calendar.

Family and friends can enjoy a day at the Museum for FREE on the Second Saturday of each month. In November and December visitors can enjoy the Museum’s signature photography collection The Altered Landscape: Photographs of a Changing Environment. Make an afternoon of it and stop by Café Museé for lunch. Find some early holiday gifts at the Museum Store – full of unique toys, stationery and glass items.

•         November 12 / 10 am – 5 pm

•         December 10 / 10 am – 5 pm

Second Saturdays are FREE thanks to the Nightingale Family Foundation

Visit the museum’s website at http://www.nevadaart.org for more information.

The newest issue of Nevada Magazine features the one and only, Reno Tahoe! We couldn’t help but share these breath-taking images and well written articles on our favorite destination. Features in the magazine include the area’s top ski resorts (including the largest ski resort in the US!), the Black Rock Desert beyond Burning Man (their photos will wow you), lakes, parks, towns, venues…. everything you’d want to know!

Want your own copy? Take advantage of Groupon’s 50% off deal through 10/22! http://www.groupon.com/deals/nevada-magazine-2 .

Join the Eldorado in celebrating the 30^th Annual Great Italian Festival Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9.

For 30 years, crowds from near and far return to the Italian Fest to indulge in fan favorites; including, the Grape Stomp, Sauce Cookers Competition, an Italian Farmer’s Market and everyone’s favorite homemade Italian Buffet.  A few new highlights are adding more Italian flavor to the mix in what promises to be a robust celebration of everything Italy.

The fun runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.  Try your hand at the art of wine making during the Grape Stomp, open to Festival-goers of all ages Saturday or play a bit of Bocce Ball on the Eldorado’s Train Trench Plaza.  The Bocce Tournament for competitive players begins Saturday at 8 a.m. with a $10 signup fee.  Not sure how to play?  Stop by Sunday for free beginner and family play starting at 10 a.m.

Competition at the Italian Festival isn’t all about Bocce Ball, it’s also about who makes the best pasta sauce.  A crowd favorite year after year continues to be the Great Italian Festival Sauce Cook-off.  Italian families from across the west coast bring their “secret recipes” to life right on the street for guests to taste.  Pasta tasting plates will be sold for $2 at the Spaghetti Booth on the corner of Fourth and Virginia Streets from starting at 1 p.m. daily.  Don’t wait, they go fast!

New to the 30^th Annual Italian Festival is the fastest product of Italy; the Ferrari Club of America will have dozens of Ferraris lining the Plaza on the south side of the Eldorado for the weekend.  Other newcomers are on the entertainment lineup, including Tammurriatarock!, a jam-band from Italy that mixes Italian world music with a reggae and Latin flare and Nick D’Egidio, famous Frank Sinatra impersonator.  Returning Italian Festival favorites include Moreno Fruzzetti and 2010 Festival sensation Mitch Franco.

No Italian Festival would be complete without plenty of homemade Italian food!  The Eldorado’s Famous Italian Dinner Buffet will be served in the Eldorado Convention Center at 4 p.m. on Saturday and in The Buffet on Saturday and Sunday.  Enjoy a special array of Italian dishes will be served, including Veal Tortelloni, Ricotta and Spinach Canneloni, Cioppino, Steamed Clams and Linguini, Turkey Scallopine with Marsala and Mushrooms, Eggplant Parmesan and an assortment of homemade Italian Salads and desserts, including our famous gelato and tiramisu!

Great tastes are also available street side—grab a handmade pasta sampler with Tortellini Eldorado, Meat Ravioli Bolognese and Penne with Pesto or try the creamy Risotto.  Other specialties include Sausage and Peppers with Polenta and of course, delicious Garlic Bread.

Join in as Reno celebrates the 30^th Annual Great Eldorado Italian Festival on Saturday and Sunday, October 8 and 9.  For more details, photos and other Italian Festival information visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700.