Reno-Tahoe

Kick off Lake Tahoe’s Summer Season with the West Shore Association for the Third Annual Opening Day at the Lake!

Taking place Memorial Day Weekend, this classic Tahoe event is packed full of fun-filled summer activities. Kayaking, biking, big band dance parties, and restaurant deck opening parties are among only a few of the activities gracing the West Shore. For a full schedule of events, check it out online.

The Riverwalk District Wine Walk seris continues Saturday, May 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. in downtown Reno. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society.

The Riverwalk Merchants Association presents wine walks every month along the Truckee River and on neighboring streets in the Riverwalk District.
You must be 21 or older to participate in Wine Walks. Visit any participating Riverwalk District merchant on Wine Walk day and for a $20 wine tasting fee and a valid photo I.D. you will receive a wine glass, wrist band and a map of the merchants pouring wine.  Parking is available in public lots.

To see a list of participating merchants or for more information visit www.renoriver.org or call 775-825-WALK (825-9255).

Treat mom to something special this Mother’s Day with champagne brunch at the Eldorado Hotel Casino’s newly renovated restaurant, The Buffet. Mother’s Day brunch will be served from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 10. Buffet prices are $20.99 for adults, $9.99 for children under 10 and $17.99 for Gold Card members and above.

Guests can continue their Mother’s Day celebration with a special matinee showing of Menopause the Musical at 3 p.m. in the Eldorado Showroom. Due to popular demand, “Menopause” has been extended to Sunday, July 26. Tickets are available from $29.95 for adults; from $24.95 for children and seniors; and dinner and show packages are available from $39.95. For show ticket reservations and information, please call 800-648-5966 or (775) 786-5700 in Northern Nevada.

The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival completes its summer score with the premiere of the Urban Village Monday Night Music Series, July 13 through Aug. 17. The weekly series covers a wide range of styles from Afro-Cuban to Broadway.

The six-week Urban Village Monday Night Music Series takes place at the Festival’s Sand Harbor location with performances by:

• July 13 – Reno Philharmonic, Broadway on the Beach with Broadway star Hugh Panero
• July 20 – Ricardo Lemvo, Afro-Cuban World Music
• July 27 – Babbo, Jazz Ensemble
• Aug. 3 – Sugaray, Blues
• Aug. 10 – Omar Alexander, Latin Funk
• Aug. 17 – Karen Briggs, Soulchestra

Tickets for the Urban Village Monday Night Music Series start at $22 and are available online at www.UrbanVillageMusic.com or by calling 800-74-SHOWS (800-747-4697).

In the Sierra Nevada it’s known as the “shoulder season,” the period between ski season and summer. The kids are still in school and the crowds are thin. But spring is the time to get to Reno-Tahoe for a visit. Check out these spring highlights:

1 – Down by the River

A trickle turns to a roar as Tahoe snowmelt feeds the Truckee River in downtown Reno. The Riverwalk area is prime for lazy walks, shopping and a streamside drink under the sun. Read More

2 – Catch a Homer

A new ballpark has risen on the banks of the Truckee River. The Reno Aces, a Triple A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, offer exciting professional baseball action in the heart of the city. Read More

3 – Get Teed Off

Reno-Tahoe might be golf’s best-kept secret in the West. Here 50 courses from high-mountain to high-desert challenge players with variety at a great value. Read More

4 – Try Lady Luck

The gaming action is always hopping in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe. Dozens of properties offer a unique experience on the casino floor. And who knows? You could get lucky. Read More

5 – Shop Till You Drop

Power shoppers have a new destination in Sparks. The Legends at Sparks Marina destination center is opening shops in phases, and it’s home to Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Star at nearly 300,000 square feet. Read More

6 – Cast a Lure

Cast a fly for big brown and rainbow trout, catch a cutthroat at Pyramid Lake, or hit the mackinaw in Lake Tahoe. Spring fishing is a right of passage for any Sierra Nevada adventurer. Read More

7 – Wine and Dine

A nice cab … perhaps a pinot or a chardonnay. Several downtown Reno establishments – including the West Street Wine Bar, Jungle Vino and the Siena Hotel Spa Casino – cater to wine-lovers pallets, while a fine-dining experience waits just around the corner. Read More

8 – Exit Stage Left

There’s always a show to see in Reno-Tahoe. The newest offering, Celtic Legends playing at the Eldorado Hotel Casino from May 15-July 26, offers Irish music and breathtaking dance on center stage. Read More

9 – Lake Tahoe

When the ski lifts stop turning, Lake Tahoe is all about beaches, sun and getting out on the water. Experience “Big Blue,” just a 45-minute drive from downtown Reno and Sparks. Read More

10 – Arts and Culture

Reno-Tahoe is the cultural hub of Northern Nevada, boasting 31 museums. The Nevada Museum of Art is an architectural delight housing local works and traveling exhibits. Or find your niche, with great offerings from the National Automobile Museum to the Nevada State Railroad Museum. Read More

The Biggest Little City is hosting a big screen premiere. Silver Legacy Resort Casino will host a free screening of the new independent film “In the Eyes of a Killer” on Saturday, April 25.

The film, presented by Marcus White, features a cast of notable actors including Louis Mandylor (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), Gwendolyn Edwards (“The Last Confederate”), James Marshall (“A Few Good Men”) and Costas Mandylor (“Saw III, IV, V”). “In the Eyes of a Killer” won the Best Picture Award at the 2009 Sacramento International Film Festival.

The movie screening features a red carpet no-host bar cocktail reception at 6 p.m. at the Downtown Reno Ballroom with the screening at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are free and can be picked up at Silver Legacy’s box office located on the casino floor at 4 p.m., Saturday, April 25.

The screening includes a special Q&A with director Louis Mandylor and featured actors. Several actors scheduled to appear at the screening include Gwendolyn Edwards, Charles During, Petri Hawkins-Byrd, Mamie Jean Calvert and other cast members.

About the Film

“In the Eyes of a Killer” is the chilling story of Jack Newman, a lecturer at the local University living a happy life in a small coastal town in the South. Jack is preparing for a new life with his fiancée, Gwen, and has finally adapted to the challenges of a sudden accident that left him blind several years ago.

An opportunity arises for Jack to become the first patient of an experimental eye surgery. After regaining his sight, Jack begins to slowly take on the characteristics of the eye’s late donor, a state executed psychopath. As Jack begins to lose the psychological battle being raged in his mind, Gwen uncovers some startling information and is faced with the most difficult choice of her life. Which will prevail, true love or the primal instinct to survive? The startling conclusion will leave viewers stunned.

Wine Walks in downtown Reno are kicking into high gear as the spring weather brings sunshine and long afternoons. The April 18 Wine Walk (2-5 p.m.) benefits the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Northern Nevada.

The Riverwalk Merchants Association presents wine walks every month along the Truckee River and on neighboring streets in the Riverwalk District.

You must be 21 or older to participate in Wine Walks. Visit any participating Riverwalk District merchant on Wine Walk day and for a $20 wine tasting fee and a valid photo I.D. you will receive a wine glass, wristband and a map of the merchants pouring wine. Parking is available in public lots.

To see a list of participating merchants, visit www.renoriver.org.

A charity benefits from a portion of Wine Walk proceeds monthly. The SPCA of Northern Nevada is Reno’s pioneer “no-kill” animal shelter.

Strollers and pets are not advised during Wine Walks and participants are encouraged to enjoy a responsible taste of the Riverwalk District.

For more information on events at the Reno Riverwalk District go online, or call 775-825-WALK (825-9255).

If you saw Greg London walking down Virginia Street in downtown Reno, you may not recognize him … Reno’s own “Master of Disguise” and star of the stage show ICONMAN at Harrah’s may be better known for the characters he impersonates. Whether it’s the hip-shaking swagger of Elvis Presley, the showmanship of Elton John or the charm of Austin Powers, London’s return to Harrah’s center stage – running through May 31 at Sammy’s Showroom – wows the audience with accurate portrayals wrapped in a humorous package.

London previously starred in his own Harrah’s show, “Icons.” The new show brings new humor, new characters and new stage antics to the production.

“I love the new show,” says London.  “While we were fleshing it out during the winter break, we frequently had to stop so we all could laugh.  I think the new humor added days to our rehearsal time!”

“As exciting as it is to perform this fantastic new show, I’m equally excited to be returning to Reno.” London added.  “This is such a great part of the country. The opportunity to perform in Reno is truly icing on the cake for us.”

In addition to his talent as actor and comedian, London has also won commercial and critical acclaim as a singer. His single, “Everything I own,” has been climbing Billboard’s Hot Adult Contemporary Charts, with great radio play.

Come see this entertainment impresario at Harrah’s Reno for this limited engagement.

Greg London’s ICONMAN takes the stage in the legendary Sammy’s Showroom at Harrah’s Reno Wednesday through Sunday.  Showtime is 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.  Showtime on Friday and Saturday is 9 p.m.  The show is dark Monday and Tuesday. Ticket prices are $31.95 and $36.95 plus fees.  For more information or to purchase tickets call 1-775-788-2900 or visit www.HarrahsReno.com.

The Reno Philharmonic Orchestra introduced its newest leader this week with the naming of Laura Jackson as conductor. Jackson brings a diverse background and an impressive resume.

Most recently, Jackson served as assistant conductor/American conducting fellow with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She has held several orchestral as well as academic posts, and has served as a guest conductor with numerous first-rate orchestras.

“Whenever you work with an orchestra, there’s always a chemistry element, and you never know what that’s going to be,” Jackson told the Reno-Gazette Journal. “With this orchestra, I felt an immediate chemistry. I really, genuinely mean that. I sort of fell in love. I felt that they were very willing to play with their entire soul. They put everything they had into it.”

In choosing Jackson, the Reno Philharmonic performed an extensive search, and showcased the five finalists during a program called “Last Conductor Standing.”

Jackson is the fourth conductor to lead the Reno Philharmonic, and the first woman. For more information on concerts and tickets, visit the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra online.

The Western Athletic Conference Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament is coming to the University of Nevada and we’re getting ready with a hometown celebration for Wolf Pack fans.

A pep rally sponsored by Best Buy and Scheels will be held at the Legends at Sparks Marina destination retail center March 1, 11 a.m. to noon. The Nevada Wolf Pack men’s and women’s coaches, cheerleaders, dance squad, band, and mascots will be on hand to celebrate. The rally will also be the first opportunity for fans have to purchase single-session tickets and obtain the best seats available for the tournament being held March 10-14 at Lawlor Events Center.

The WAC tourney champions get an automatic bid to the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments, so come out and support the teams – and bring the kids along to meet their heroes!

• WHERE:
  In front of the new Best Buy located at the Legend’s at Sparks Marina. Take the Sparks Boulevard exit off Interstate 80 and had north to the first light. Take a left and follow the signs to Scheels and Best Buy.
• WHEN:
  Sunday, March 1 from 11 a.m.-noon

For more information on the tournament, visit the WAC tournament page online.