Reno-Tahoe

Every year, the shore of Sand Harbor in Incline Village transforms into a playground for the arts, as the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival takes center stage with beautiful Lake Tahoe and perfect “Mid-summer night” sunsets to make it all the more magical.

We had occasion on July 29 to take in a performance of “Much Ado About Nothing,” a Shakespearian love story with all of the twists, turns and bumbling characters typical of the Bard’s work. In addition to unique portrayals, including modern references and musical interludes, the troupe nailed their timing and didn’t hesitate to bring the audience into the production on occasion.

Although the atmosphere is casual – a laid-back amphitheatre setting with concessions – there is no sacrifice made for quality. Theater buffs will be pleasantly surprised as characters like Beatrice and Benedick, Don Pedro and Claudio, and of course the lovely Hero, come to life. Borachio and Conrade provide frequent comic relief as clumsy Mafiosos.

This year’s Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival runs through Aug. 23, with performances of “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Measure for Measure,” as well as the Urban Village Music Series on Monday nights. Tickets are reasonable, guests are encouraged to bring picnics … and where else can you put your toes in the sand while watching Shakespeare?

For more information, log on to the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Web site. Don’t miss one of Reno Tahoe’s great annual events.

For one week a year, some of the best golfers in the game stream into Reno Tahoe, seeking birdies, avoiding bogies and playing on one of the best golf courses in the West.

The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open, a PGA TOUR stop at Montreux Golf and Country Club (Aug. 3-9) in south Reno, offers a unique setting among the pines of the Tahoe forest (just minutes from Lake Tahoe) but is also right at the tree line with the Nevada desert on display in the valley below.

And although the LRTO offers a true PGA experience, this isn’t your father’s – or even grandfather’s – golf tourney. Spectators come out for the laid-back party atmosphere. It’s serious golf without the serious attitudes.

Take the Fiesta Loco-themed hole at #16. Here the margaritas and tequila drinks will be flowing, along with a burrito and taco bar. Oh, and there is also a Mariachi band. What would a PGA TOUR event be without a Mariachi band?

And of course there is plenty of fun for the kids. The Kidz Par Tee Zone offers a bounce house, face painting, putt-putt golf and more. This may be the only tournament where the cheers of the gallery have to compete with the sound of squealing kids having a blast.

If you are a wine lover, the Vino 100 Wine Walk offers the opportunity to enjoy all of the golf action while sampling wines at various tasting stations throughout the course. What could be better than a sunny day, high-level pro golf and wine tasting all at the same time?

On top of it all, the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is an open invitation to have a great time viewing the game that we all love. Beyond the unique events and attractions – and of course competitive golf (players are competing for a $3 million purse as well as all-important FedExCup points), tickets are reasonable, and transportation from Reno Tahoe hotels is fast and easy.

For more information, visit the LRTO page at VisitRenoTahoe.com.

One of the great outdoor diversions in Reno Tahoe is mountain biking. From the hills of Peavine in Reno, to the fabulous Tahoe Rim Trail that circles “Big Blue,” there are hundreds of miles of single track that appeals to everyone from beginners to seasoned pros. One of the region’s most famous routes is the Flume Trail, connecting Spooner summit at Lake Tahoe’s South Shore to the Rim Trail.

The ride takes cyclists up a steep climb past Marlette Lake at the crest and then on a lengthy tour high above Tahoe on a moderate singletrack route. Overall, the trail offers boundless scenery without requiring too much exertion – perfect for moderately skilled, moderately fit riders. Here is a good snapshot (via Mike Henderson and iamindisposed.com) of what to expect on Lake Tahoe’s Flume Trail ride:

Knowing no bounds, the Club Cal Neva will once again push the envelope with La Tomatina en Reno, with the hopes of starting the nation’s largest ever food fight.

On Saturday, Aug. 29 at approximately 6 p.m., the Reno City Plaza at 10 North Virginia Street will be covered with people drenched in tomato juice as a crowd estimated to be between 3,000-5,000 people participate in the country’s biggest tomato fight.

Admission in to the tomato fight is a minimum $10 donation with all profit from the event going to the American Cancer Society.

The event will begin at 1 p.m. with street vendors on Virginia Street between First and Second streets. Visitors will be able to enjoy plenty of food, beverage, and live street acts while they peruse for gifts and novelties. Food and merchandise vendors will also be on the plaza venue where live bands and other entertainment will be showcased.

The day will climax at 6 p.m. when roughly five tons of tomatoes will spill onto the plaza and thousands will scramble to pick up their ammunition for the biggest food fight the city of Reno, the state of the Nevada, and quite possibly the United States has ever seen.

For more information, visit Club CalNeva’s event listing.

It’s the nostalgia of poodle skirts and doo-wop music … a trip back to a simpler time of drive-in diners and movies, when the car was king America and a night of fun was as easy as hopping in and cruising downtown.

That feeling still lives in Reno Tahoe, where each year thousands of car enthusiasts, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s fanatics, and music lovers of all stripes descend on the area for Hot August Nights. The 10-day celebration (July 31-Aug. 9) is a non-stop parade of food and family fun, with events at venues throughout Reno and Sparks. Most of the events are outdoors, under the warm Sierra Nevada sun and free to visitors.

This year, organizers expect as many as 800,000 people to visit casino-hotel parking lots filled door to door with rare classics, music on stages in downtown Reno and Sparks, and events like a sock hop, a huge classic car auction and controlled cruises featuring the best cars.

And although enthusiasts travel from thousands of miles to show off classic, restored and one-off rides, Hot August Nights is far from being all about the cars. This is a cultural can’t-miss event that guarantees a good time for all.

Hot August Nights 2009 highlights:

• Peter Frampton plays John Ascuaga’s Nugget July 31
• Show-N-Shine at Cabala’s Outfitters, with raffles and giveaways Aug. 1
• Downtown Reno Show-N-Shine presented by the Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus casinos Aug. 2
• Sparks Victorian Square Craft Fair; kick-off party and cruise night at Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Aug. 3
• Guinness Book of World Records Hula Hoop contest at the Atlantis Casino Resort Aug. 4
• Controlled cruises in downtown Reno and downtown Sparks Aug. 5
• Bog Boys Toy Store at the Reno Events Center in downtown Reno Aug. 6
• Meet the stars and see the cars from American Graffiti at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Aug. 7
• Grand Sierra Resort “Best of Show” $10,000 Competition Aug. 8
• Official Hot August Nights parade in downtown Reno Aug. 9

Check out complete information online at www.hotaugustnights.net

Each Thursday vendors set up their tents, bands tune up on stage and the local pubs roll out the kegs for the biggest weekly party in the region at the Sparks Hometown Farmer’s Market.

The market runs throughout the summer, offering visitors a taste of Northern Nevada fun at Victorian Square in downtown Sparks.

In addition to traditional farmer’s market fare, there’s music on three stages, demonstrations, dance and plenty of partying. Check out this video to get a taste of one of Sparks’ signature events.

Celebrate the vibrant cultures of the Pacific Rim during the 11th Annual Pacific Island Festival of Reno, July 24-26. Opening Ceremonies kick off Friday, July 24 at 3 p.m. and the festival continues Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. All festivities will be on the Downtown Plaza on 4th and Virginia Street and inside the Reno Ballroom.

Part of Reno’s Artown Celebration, this free event is presented by Pacific Exchange Productions and Silver Legacy Resort Casino. The Opening Ceremony features the blowing of the conch shell and a performance by Tahitian dance ensemble ‘Ote’a ‘Api to the roaring sounds of Toere and Pahu, Tahitian drums. Entertainment, dancing, contests and great food will be served all weekend long.

For more information about the Pacific Island Festival of Reno, call 1-800-687-8733 or visit online at www.silverlegacy.com.

A new kayak tour is bringing Tahoe’s rich history and boundless recreational opportunities together on the North Shore.

Tahoe Adventure Company introduced a kayak tour that has groups launching at Sand Harbor State Park (in Incline Village), with a stop at Thunderbird Lodge, to enjoy a walking tour of the 1930s estate and learn the story of George Whittell, the eccentric man who built it, followed by a fantastic deli spread lunch on the shores of Lake Tahoe.

If you’d rather hoof it, try the Tahoe City guided walking tour put on by the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society. Participants start at the Gatekeeper’s Museum and make their way to Watson Cabin, which turns 100 this year.

History is king on the West Shore as well. Head down the 1-mile, steep trail to visit Lake Tahoe’s only castle. Vikingsholm offers a sandy beach perfect for a picnic and a quick dip in the region’s clear blue waters. Tours are available. Also on the West Shore is the 1903 Ehrman Mansion, the opulent summer home of a San Francisco businessman.

For event details, along with deals on lodging, activities and entertainment, click to www.GoTahoeNorth.com.

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.