Special events season is underway in Reno Tahoe, and for fans of beer, blues music and hearty barbecue there may be no better time than the Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival, June 27-28.

Microbreweries from all over the world pour into the region – 31 in all – this weekend to pour their finest wares, while bands play on several stages and ribs, burgers and brats sizzle on the grill.

Virginia Street in downtown Reno is closed to traffic and lined with vendor tents, all under the downtown casino skyline. Read More

The Little Book of Artown, a free pocket guide for all that is Artown, the nation’s most comprehensive arts Festival held in Reno, Nev., is now available. Covering every event, every hour for the entire month of July, the Little Book of Artown is a one-stop guide to the more than 400 events held at more than 100 locations.

The 2009 festival calendar boasts on average eight unique free events each day and includes international musical performances, national dance, theater, multi-cultural events, family and youth activities and entertainment, hands-on workshops for emerging artists and more.

Designed to point art lovers in the right direction, the Little Book of Artown is available at the Artown office, located at 300 E. Second St., ground floor as well as other locations throughout downtown Reno. If you’re from out fo the area and want more information on Artown – including a downloadable version of the Little Book – visit www.RenoIsArtown.com or call 775-322-1538.

A summer tradition kicks off again this week in Sparks as the Hometowne Farmer’s Market brings dozens of vendors, hundreds of people and a party atmosphere to Victorian Square.

The Sparks Farmer’s Market runs Thursday evenings throughout the summer. And while visitors can score great produce and family-farm fare, the market is as much of a party as a place to get the groceries.

See bands and dance the night away. Drink an “Icky” from Great Basin Brewing Co. (also located at Victorian Square) and check out local art. Thousands converge on the Square – young and old – and the party goes into the evening.

Sparks Farmer’s Market

• When: Thursdays, 4-9 p.m., June 11-Aug. 20 (except Aug. 6)
• Where: Victorian Square, Sparks, Nev.
• Web: Sparks Hometown Farmer’s Market

Recognized as one of the most comprehensive art festivals in the country by the National Endowment for the Arts, Artown brings more than 400 events to downtown Reno, Nev., for an extraordinary showcase of theater, dance, film and history as well as multi-cultural, musical, visual and performing arts.

Now in its 14th year, Artown expands its month-long event into a 32-day festival transforming the city into a summer epicenter of cultural entertainment. Launching Artown into the month-long cultural celebrations, the festival’s July 1 opening night brings Richie Havens, the artist that opened Woodstock 40 years ago.

This year’s Artown Opening Extravaganza includes a children’s hands-on printmaking workshop with festival artist Candace Nicol, face painting for children with Body Masterpiece and a performance by Havens. The festival continues with the nationally recognized and multi-faceted Aspen Santa Fe Ballet July 24 and ”Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent and the Rage with opening band Contraband July 25.

A number of Festival favorites return including the Family Series, Monday Night Music Series, World Music Series, Dancing in the Park, Rollin’ on the River music series, Movies in the Park, Artown After Dark and the Discover the Arts children’s series. Artown’s Closing Night, which has grown year after year to now rival opening night, brings Motown stars The Funk Brothers to Wingfield Park on what festival organizers are dubbing July 32 (Aug. 1) to wrap up the festival’s 14th year on a Saturday.

For schedule details or to advance order a FREE copy of the Little Book of Artown, visit www.RenoIsArtown.com or call 775-322-1538.

The Hills are alive in Reno-Tahoe, as the 11th Annual EuroFest takes over the parking lot at Terrible’s Sands Regency this weekend, June 5-7.

With a huge selection of beers ranging from Spaten, Warsteiner, Kronenbourg and Stella Artois, to Hoegaarden, Bass Ale, Young Chocolate Stout and Monty Pythons’ Holy Grail Ale, there’ll be no shortage of beverages to quench any thirst brought on by dancing to the live music.

Also, sample a variety of European cuisine, including specialties from Germany, England, Spain (including Basque country), Poland and Italy.

EuroFest, as always, is free so bring your friends and have a great time at the Sands.

Calling this a “shopping center” doesn’t do it justice. It’s a shopping experience.

The Legends at Sparks Marina, a destination retail center under construction in Sparks, Nev., is almost ready for its June 18 first-phase opening. And developers of the mega-mall are going big. Really big.

From a huge tower that anchors the center of the center, to common areas with statues depicting Nevada historical figures, features and wildlife, the concept behind Legends is to create a mecca for shopping and socializing. The first phase is expected to bring 28 tenants online, with a total of 47 tenants open for business by Aug. 1. Several tenants are already wowing visitors, including Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Store (at nearly 300,000 square feet) and Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. By next spring there will also be a 13-theater movie complex, complete with an iMax screen – and tentative plans call for a destination casino hotel resort to anchor the north end of the project, as well as a concert venue that can seat up to 9,000 for big-name acts.

Bringing the “legends” to Legends

“The idea is to celebrate the history, people and places of Nevada,” said Dennis McGovern, Legends general manager. “When the first phase is finished you’ll see three ‘living room’ areas surrounded by artist depictions of the bristlecone pine (Nevada’s state tree), bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, a statue of Samuel Clemens …”

Common areas are replete with waterfalls, firepits, and lush landscaping. McGovern says developers are planting 1,600 trees and 26,000 shrubs at the site. The landscape is also varied – elevation changes enhance the feeling place and reflect the diverse topography of Northern Nevada.

Designed to appeal to all of the senses, a 151-speaker sound system will be installed at Legends, along with spaces for public events, including a five-story Christmas tree during the holiday season.

But it’s (mostly) about the shopping

On Wednesday 500 workers were on site – installing fixtures, punching out final touches on storefronts, hanging signs, pouring concrete and powering the huge electrical infrastructure.
“This place is changing every day,” McGovern said. “You can barely walk through here right now, but by June 18 this won’t even look like a construction site.”

The tenant mix will be 60 percent outlets – good news for deal seekers. Stores that have signed on the dotted line include:

Entertainment

• Dickinson Theatres & IMAX
• Kingpins

Hotel/Casino

• The Legends Bay Casino, Resort, Spa (Olympia Gaming)

Restaurants

• Cadillac Ranch
• FreshBerry Yogurt Cafe
• Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen
• Olive Garden
• Patsy Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria
• Subway

Stores

• Adidas
• Ann Taylor Factory
• Banana Republic Factory Store
• Bath and Body Works
• BCBG
• BCBGirls
• Best Buy
• Bose Factory Store
• Carter’s
• Converse
• Easy Spirit
• GameStop
• Gap Outlet
• GNC
• Guess Factory Store
• Gymboree Outlet
• Harry & David
• Jones New York
• Kasper
• Kenneth Cole
• Lane Bryant Outlet
• Leather Works
• Lucky Nails
• Michael Kors
• Nike Factory Store
• Nine West Outlet
• Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
• Old Farmer’s Almanac
• Osh Kosh B’Gosh
• Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th
• Samsonite Factory Outlet
• Scheels
• Skechers USA Outlet
• Sprint
• Styles for Less
• Target
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Vans
• Volcom

Celebrate Reno-Tahoe’s newest destination

Although the ribbon will be cut June 18, Legends is going to stretch the party all summer long. A grand opening celebration runs July 31-Aug. 9.  Events include a summer concert series, fashion show, celebrity appearances, fireworks and more. The opening events coincide with the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open PGA Tour event and Hot August Nights.

Men’s Journal has named Reno’s Old Southwest neighborhood as one of the best neighborhoods in America. The neighborhood – dubbed “the new Boulder” by the magazine – features early 20th Century craftsman bungalows along tree-lined streets. And it is walking distance to the hip, artsy and historic area of downtown Reno.

We couldn’t agree more.

From Men’s Journal:

Two hundred and fifty days of sunshine per year, skiing up the road, runnable whitewater in town, and an influx of creative types make Reno the new Boulder. One of its oldest neighborhoods, the Old Southwest, is its best, with quiet, leafy sidewalks near an up-and-coming part of downtown (at California and Sierra).

Monthly Movie Nights at Reno’s National Automobile Museum kick off May 28 with Elvis Presley’s musical “Easy Come, Easy Go” showcasing the Mongrel T automobile featured in the new exhibit, “Movie Cars: Cinematic Stars on Wheels.”

The exhibit opening reception is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. with the $10 feature film admission going to support the Museum starting at 7 p.m.

Each movie night at the National Automobile Museum, the Harrah Collection, located at 10 S. Lake Street will feature one of the cars showcased in the exhibit. Parking is free in the museum lot.

For more information on the museum, the new exhibit or the feature films, visit www.automuseum.org or call 775-333-9300.

Photography and art exhibits, special theatrical performances, artist receptions, a short film, mosaics, food and drink specials, live music and more … join the fun at the downtown Reno Riverwalk District May 28 from 4-9 p.m. Many of the exhibits, displays and musical entertainment are free.

Riverwalk Art Walks follow the very successful Wine Walk model, where individuals can pick up a brochure listing all of the events and entertainment from any participating downtown Reno Riverwalk location.

Highlights include:

Art Exhibits

• BeAbundant – “Imprints of Nature” photography by Diane McAllister from Sierra Art Guild.
• Bruka Theater – Local artist Ali Sullivan in the theater lobby.
• Downtown Marketplace – Artist Norma Fowler at 138 West Street.
• Java Jungle – Art by Debi Garrez.
• Jungle Vino – enjoy photography by Jamie Kingham.
• La Bussola & Center Gallery – Art reception for FREAK’D a Circus Freak.
• Se7en Teahouse – Experience the artist showcase “Reno Rodeo” by Cessarina Pulleyn.
• Se7en on West – Enjoy an artist reception and short film by artist Franz Szony along with other local artists, Omar, Mark and Ginney.
• Sierra Tap House – Painter John Becker, Puppetry of Bernie Beauchamp and Poetry of Rost Olsen will be showcased.
• Sierra Arts – Laura Weltz from Great Basin Glass and Solar showcasing handmade gifts and solar outdoor lighting.
• Silverpeak Grill & Tap Room – “Abstract Metellica Mosaic,” a group show with Peter Zimmerman, Greg Adams and Kim Rust.
• Cavanaugh’s – Complimentary wine and appetizers.

For more information and details, log on to RenoRiver.org.

There’s laughter, love, scheming, scandal, and dancing – and it all happens with majestic Lake Tahoe as the backdrop.

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival is back for its 37th season at Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe (July 11-Aug. 23), offering both diehard and casual Shakespeare fans weeks of high drama, comedy and music, all under the Sierra Nevada sky. This year, the festival offers the dramatic comedy “Measure for Measure,” a provocative play of political intrigue and moral responsibility, as well as “Much Ado About Nothing,” the sparkling romantic comedy of wit and banter, fools and tricksters – some of the Bard’s best work in all its glory.

Monday night music series

Each week the festival shakes things up with a variety of musical acts that run the gamut from Broadway to jazz, to Latin funk. The music series is a first for the festival, and is designed to provide some variety for festivalgoers. Artists include: Broadway on the Beach (June 13), Ricardo Lemvo (July 20), Babbo (July 27), Sugaray (Aug. 3), Omar Alexander (Aug. 10) and Karen Briggs (Aug. 17).

About the venue

There are other Shakespeare festivals, but none can rival the setting of Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe’s hamlet of Incline Village. A natural amphitheater forms the seating area, while the cool blue of the lake rises in the background. Seating is a casual affair, while food and drink are offered to attendees. Lake Tahoe evenings offer consistent moderate temperatures and clear skies. Shakespeare was meant to be experienced here.

Ticket options

The festival is also a great value. Although there isn’t a bad seat in the house, there are many options including: Premium, Reserved Seating, Globe Tickets, Lower Gallery and Upper Gallery. Shuttle service is available from Incline Village and Reno, and wine tasting events are also being offered. True fans and local residents will want to invest in a season pass. Check the ticketing site for booking options.

Shakespeare giveaway

We’re giving away four Lower Gallery mid-week tickets to the festival, good through Aug. 13. Enter online by May 19 (winner will chosen May 20).