Reno-Tahoe

Reno-Tahoe offers the perfect romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day. Here are some options …

• Spas abound

Dozens of Reno-Tahoe spas cater to every taste, from massage to healing mud baths. Two new additions in Reno offer world-class spa experiences: The Tuscan-theme Peppermill Resort Casino Spa Toscana offers customers an old-world experience with modern amenities, while the Spa Atlantis at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa provides indulgent luxury with unique services found nowhere else.

• Dinner for two

Reno-Tahoe is known as an adventure, gaming and nightlife destination, but there are numerous options for the culinary curious. Try Sezmu, LuLou’s or 4th Street Bistro for high-end fair, or how about an Italian experience at La Strada, one of the fine dining options inside the Eldorado Hotel Casino. And don’t forget your red meat fix at Sterling’s Seafood Steakhouse at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino or The Steakhouse Grill at John Ascuaga’s Nugget. Check out all of Reno-Tahoe’s great restaurants online.

• Vacation Packages

Travel deals are abundant right now in Reno-Tahoe, with getaway packages including lodging with skiing, spas and everything in between.

• Take your love to a ‘higher level’ at Diamond Peak Ski Resort

Diamond Peak Ski Resort, located high above Incline Village on Tahoe’s sunny North Shore, is inviting couples to “Take your love to a higher level” this Valentine’s day.
For $285 – two people, all inclusive – lovers young and “mature” will be treated to an incredible five-course dinner paired with fine wines at the fabulous Snowflake Lodge at the top of the Lakeview Chair. There may be no better sunset view in all of Tahoe (and maybe the world).

Diamond Peak is located at 1210 Ski Way in Incline Village, Nev., just 45 minutes from Reno. To make reservations go online or call 775-832-1177

“The change” may cause consternation for some women – and their significant others – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be funny.

“Menopause the Musical” is coming to the Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno for an engagement starting Feb. 25. Inspired by a hot flash and a bottle of wine, the original off-Broadway musical begins with four women at a Bloomingdale’s lingerie sale. These ladies have nothing in common – but a black lace bra, hot flashes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges, not enough sex, too much sex and day-to-day challenges.

The women share their ups and downs through a collection of 25 re-lyricized baby boomer songs from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. It was written by Jeanie Linders and is produced by South Florida-based GFour Productions. It has been seen by more than 10 million people all over the world since it debuted in a 76-seat perfume-shop-turned-theater in Orlando, Fla. in 2001.

Tickets are available from $29.95 for adults, $24.95 for seniors. Dinner and show packages available from $39.95. Room and Show package from $49.95.

If you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to compulsively laugh, or even ballroom dance with a stranger, a new show in Reno might be just your thing. Hypnotist Chris Cady is bringing his powerful hypnotism performance to the Pioneer Underground (formerly the Magic Underground), for a downtown Reno engagement.

“Get Hypnotized” is an all-ages comedy hypnosis show that features volunteers from the audience. A master hypnotist, Cady takes the audience on a mind-blowing tour of “fast-trance hypnosis.” He combines comedy, drama, and the power of the mind to create a complete theatrical experience where audience volunteers are the stars of the show.

The family-friendly show runs most Thursdays through Sundays – with a matinee on Sundays. The Pioneer Underground is located under the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts at 100 S. Virginia Street in the heart of downtown Reno. For ticket information, go online, or call 775-324-7474. Tickets range in price from $20-$25.

Reno is still in recovery mode after a night of partying Saturday as hundreds of Santas converged on downtown during the Seventh Annual Reno Santa Pub Crawl.

More than two-dozen local nightlife hot spots participated with drink specials and music, while locals and visitors mingled in their Santa suits.

The night culminated with a gathering of the Santas under the iconic Reno Arch and shortly after the real Santa was on his way home to continue getting ready for Christmas Eve. Don’t worry, though, we got a picture of him. He’s the one in the red hat.

Reno-Tahoe knows how to throw a party, and one of the biggest excuses of the year is Halloween. Here’s a breakdown of some the region’s Halloween events. If you know of an event not listed here, please submit in the comment section:

• Magic Underground: Through Oct. 31 Famous magician couple Kalin and Jinger will present a special Halloween show at the Magic Underground in Reno.
• Halloween Hallow: Downtown Reno merchants put on this annual event, with fun for the kids, candy and entertainment.
• Ghost Night: Bring the kids to historic Virginia City for “Ghost Night,” with a parade, costume contests and other haunted happenings.
• Trick or Treat in the Streets: Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m. at the National Automobile Museum in downtown Reno.
• Trick or Treat Street: Oct. 31 from 4-7 p.m. at Circus Circus in Reno.
• The Reno Zombie Crawl: Bring your best zombie outfit and hit several downtown Reno hot spots the evening of Oct. 31.
• Halloween Skin and Scare Ball: Oct. 31- Nov. 1 at Edge nightclub, or hit Cal Neva, Gold Dust West, Harrah’s Reno or the Peppermill Reno for one of several local parties.
• Halloween Monster Mash: Oct. 31 at Pearl Champagne Lounge at the Grand Sierra Resort.
• 11th Annual Freakers’ Ball: Oct. 31 at Bruka Theatre in Downtown Reno.
• Freaks of Fashion – Circus of Wonders: Oct. 31, 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. – features live music by Keyser Soze, fashion by Haute Trash, drink specials and a costume contest.
• Night at the Mansion: Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. at BuBinga Lounge at the Eldorado Hotel Casino.

Artown, one of the premier arts festivals in the west, is on its way to a banner year with great opening acts at the beginning of July, with more than 300 performances, many of them free, planned throughout the month.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band brought the flavor of New Orleans to Wingfield Park on July 2 with a free concert that had the crowd dancing, clapping and be-bopping along. The smoky skies cleared out just long enough to let the Northern Nevada sun shine down on the venue, while the band played some new stuff along with the jazz standards for which Preservation Hall is famous.

Every day for the duration of the Artown festival, there are options for every taste, from dance and art, to music and theater. Check online to see a full schedule of events, and if you haven’t experienced Reno during Artown, come and find out what you have been missing.

Reno-Tahoe turns red, white and blue in July, with Fourth of July events for the whole family.

Come hang out at Star-Spangled Sparks for a taste of hometown patriotism with a milk carton boat regatta, a fun run, a kite-flying contest, and food and drink at the Sparks Marina. The event is capped off with a spectacular evening fireworks display at Victorian Square.

Reno shows its true colors with a Fourth of July parade followed by the Reno Celebrates America fireworks show at Rancho San Rafael Park.

Other Fourth of July festivities:

• Incline Village: Red, White, and Tahoe Blue with the Reno Philharmonic
• Tahoe City: 62nd Annual Fourth of July Fireworks at Commons Beach
• South Lake Tahoe: Star Spangled Fourth – Lights on the Lake

A world away from the ordinary, the Eldorado Hotel Casino’s hit show FloorPlay puts a twist on the art of traditional dance. From ballroom, waltz, tango, cha-cha, lindy, salsa, jive to Latin, FloorPlay presents two hours of provocative, nonstop dancing with 21st century flair.

The Eldorado Showroom comes to life with 20 international performers. Fans of America’s hit TV shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “So You Think You Can Dance” will enjoy seeing familiar faces in the spotlight. From across the globe, Australian ballroom dancing champions, World Latin American champions and dancers from Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Asia, Holland and Slovakia join this award-winning troupe.

Locals and visitors alike will savor this evening of excitement. And if the elaborate costumes, heart-pounding music, and beautiful dancers aren’t enough to satisfy your appetite, opt for the dinner and show package and indulge in the Eldorado’s Chefs’ Buffet to complete your night downtown.

For more information on FloorPlay, click here.

Reviewed by Erin Zelenski

Hello visitors and Reno residents!

It’s time for another installment of ERIN 411!, taking you around Reno-Tahoe to where the locals go and what the locals know!

First and foremost, here is “ERIN 411! The Best of Northern Nevada,” where I went around to my top picks from the Reno News & Review’s annual “Best Of” issue. Let me know if you agree with this year’s winners by posting a comment, or tell me your favorite places around Reno!

Next up, here’s something we’ve got going on that’s a bit alternative, a bit underground, and very wicked. It’s called Keep Reno Dirty, and it’s a house music movement. Reno freakin’ rocks!

Thanks for watching ERIN 411! The Show You Need To Know (because it’s awesome)

The summer entertainment calendar is filling up in Reno, with some great acts rolling into town. Check out ticket and calendar information here and plan a long weekend in America’s Adventure Place.

- Singer Bonnie Raitt, May 23 at the Silver Legacy

- Singer Al Green, May 24 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino

- Comedian Greg Proops, May 24 at John Ascuaga’s Nugget

- Comedian Carlos Mencia, May 31 at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino

- R&B performer Kanye West, June 5 at Reno Events Center

- Country duo Brooks & Dunn, June 7 at the Reno Events Center