During Hot August Nights, Reno Tahoe has more events happening around town than anyone could ever dream of attending. We know this can be a bit overwhelming, so we’ve made a list to highlight a few of our “do not miss” events each night. For the full event schedule, click here.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 9

2 pm to 6 pm              Summit Racing Equipment Show-n-Shine – 960 E. Glendale Ave., Sparks

3 pm to 5 pm              Local’s Classic Car Show-n-Shine Competition – Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Reno

Entertainment

Eldorado Hotel Casino

7 pm                            Hairspray – Tickets start at $24.95 – Dinner & Show. Packages Available. To order tickets call 775-786-5700 or 800-879-8879 or go to www.eldoradoreno.com.

Grand Sierra Resort

8 pm                            Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo – Tickets from $25, $45, $65. Call 800-648-3568 or go to www.grandsierraresort.com.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

9 am to 4 pm              Grand Sierra Resort Daily Classic Cherry Shown – Shine - Awards presented nightly at 7 pm on the venue stage.

5 pm to 10 pm            Cruise of Champions – Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

6 pm                            Jelly Donut Eating Contest – Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

7 pm to 10 pm            Official Kick-off Cruise- Downtown Reno

7 pm to 10 pm            Controlled Cruise – Downtown Sparks

Entertainment

Eldorado Hotel Casino

7 pm                            Hairspray – Tickets start at $24.95 – Dinner & Show. Packages Available. To order tickets call 775-786-5700 or 800-879-8879 or go to www.eldoradoreno.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11

12 pm to 10 pm          Hot August Nights Drags & Burnouts Presented by John Ascuaga’s Nugget & Full Throttle Performance – John Ascuaga’s Nugget. West Parking Lot

3 pm to 5 pm              Peppermill Night Life Show-n-Shine Competition – Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Reno

8 pm to 11 pm            Hot August Nights 25th Anniversary Prom – “Evening Under The Stars.” Sponsored by Circus Circus. Entertainment by Ronny & The Classics. Mandalay Ballroom. Tickets $15 in advance/$20 at the door- Call 800-648-5010 or 775-789-5604.

Entertainment

Grand Sierra Resort

8:15 pm                       HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE

Victorian Square – Sparks

8:15 pm                       “OH WHAT A NIGHT” A TRIBUTE TO FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS – Stage Presented by John Ascuaga’s Nugget & The City of Sparks.

Eldorado Hotel Casino

7 pm                            Hairspray – Tickets start at $24.95 – Dinner & Show. Packages Available. To order tickets call 775-786-5700 or 800-879-8879 or go to www.eldoradoreno.com.

Harrah’s Reno

8 pm                            Sammy Davis Jr. Tribute Show. Tickets are $25/$29, call 775-778-2900 for reservations or go to www.harrahsreno.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

2 pm                            Free Classic Film Festival - Rebel Without A Cause. John Ascuaga’s Nugget.  Celebrity Showroom.

7:30 pm to 8 pm         Kids Show-n-Shine Competition – All Ages Welcome. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino Reno.

9:45 pm                       Hot August Nights Fireworks Spectacular – Silver Legacy Resort Casino.

Entertainment

Eldorado Hotel Casino

7 pm                            Hairspray. Tickets start at $24.95 – Dinner & Show. Packages Available. To order tickets call 775-786-5700 or 800-879-8879 or go to www.eldoradoreno.com.

Harrah’s Reno

8 pm                            Sammy Davis Jr. Tribute Show. Tickets are $25/$29, call 775-778-2900 for reservations or go to www.harrahsreno.com.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino

8 pm                            DOO WOP. The Flamingos featuring Terry Johnson, Barbara Harris & The Toys, The Marcels, The Safaris, Kathy Young, Joe Jones & The Pentagons, & The Olympics. Tickets from $50, $69.50. Call the Silver Legacy Resort Casino at 800-MUST-SEE or ticketmaster.com or silverlegacy.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

8 am to 10 pm            Hot August Nights Official Classic Car Auction – Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

10 am to 3 pm            John Ascuaga’s Nugget Peoples Choice Award - Pick up judging ballot at John’s Club booth.

10 am to 5 pm            Big Boy’s Toy Store - Reno-Sparks Events Center, Downtown Reno – Presented by the Silver Legacy Resort Casino and the Eldorado Hotel Casino.

Entertainment

Eldorado Hotel Casino

7 pm & 9:30 pm          Hairspray. Tickets start at $24.95 – Dinner & Show. Packages Available. To order tickets call 775-786-5700 or 800-879-8879 or go to www.eldoradoreno.com.

Harrah’s Reno

8 pm                            Sammy Davis Jr. Tribute Show. Tickets are $25/$29, call 775-778-2900 for reservations or go to www.harrahsreno.com.

Silver Legacy Resort Casino

8 pm                            DICK FOX’S GOLDEN BOYS STARRING FRANKIE AVALON, FABIAN & BOBBY RYDELL. Tickets from $65 & $80. Call the Silver Legacy Resort Casino at 800-MUST-SEE or ticketmaster.com or silverlegacy.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

10 am                          Official Parade – Downtown Reno

Entertainment

Eldorado Hotel Casino

7 pm                            Hairspray. Tickets start at $24.95 – Dinner & Show. Packages Available. To order tickets call 775-786-5700 or 800-879-8879 or go to www.eldoradoreno.com.

Harrah’s Reno

8 pm                            Sammy Davis Jr. Tribute Show. Tickets are $25/$29, call 775-778-2900 for reservations or go to www.harrahsreno.com.

The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority (RSCVA) and the Eldorado Hotel Casino are proud to announce Poker Room Manager Margie Heintz has been selected as a 2011 inductee to the Women in Poker Hall of Fame in Las Vegas.  As one of five finalists, Heintz and two others will be honored at a ceremony in Las Vegas on September 2.

Heintz is credited with being the first woman to ever deal at the famous World Series of Poker.  Through the first several tournament rounds she was so highly recommended she was invited to deal the final table.  In front of a national audience and covered by the CBS Wide World of Sports, Heintz dealt the championship round of the tournament, opening the door for women in the poker industry across the nation.

RSCVA and the Eldorado congratulate Poker Room Manager Margie Heintz on being inducted into the Women in Poker Hall of Fame.  For more details on the 2011 candidates visit www.wiphof.com.  For more information on Heintz and the Eldorado Poker Room visit www.eldoradoreno.com or call 775-786-5700.

Gilligan’s Island’s May Ann is greeting Aces fans this Sunday, August 7, at the Aces Stadium for Discovery Day.

“Why?” You may ask?

Only one month away from its grand opening, The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum (The Discovery) is taking over the Reno Aces ballpark with a Gilligan’s Island theme in honor of Terry Lee Wells Foundation chairman, Dawn Wells. Wells, aka Mary Ann Summers on the popular 1960s television comedy “Gilligan’s Island,” will be outside the main entrance of the ballpark to greet fans, take pictures and sign autographs beginning at 5pm.

Don’t arrive late because Wells is teaming up with Aces mascot, Archie, to perform a special on-field skit and throw the first pitch. Additionally, themed contests will offer entertainment for parents and children alike with activities including a hula hoop contest, swim fin race and a variety of Gilligan’s Island trivia competitions.

Discovery ticket packages, which are available for general admission and outfield reserved seating, include a commemorative T-shirt and a portion of the proceeds benefit The Discovery. Packages can be purchased by visiting renoaces.com or by calling the box office at (775) 334-3700 and mentioning special offer code, “discovery.”

ABOUT THE DISCOVERY

The Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum will inspire curiosity, creativity and the joy of lifelong learning for all children and families of northern Nevada. Upon opening, the museum will provide opportunities to discover science, art and local history through open-ended, interactive and fun exhibits and hands-on educational programs. Explore a cave, build a house, race across Nevada, and climb into the clouds – these are just some of the many adventures offered at The Discovery.

At nearly 70,000 square-feet, The Discovery is located in the former Reno City Hall building and will serve children from birth to 12 years old. Each of the museum’s eight galleries contains numerous hands-on learning exhibits focused on the northern Nevada region, nature, science, art and society.  Still underway is a membership campaign that will conclude upon the Discovery’s grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 10. For the latest information on The Discovery, to purchase memberships, or to sign up as a volunteer, visit www.nvdm.org or call (775) 786-1000.

1. Renowned PGA TOUR icons including Rocco Mediate, Jose Mario Olazabal, John Daly, Mike Weir, Steve Elkington, David Duval and dozens more.
2. Balls fly farther in our mountain air – there should be some monster drives.
3. “Experience Reno Tahoe Events” (on practice hole #1) is the place to be. With VIP giveaways, food, the Walktail contest and other activities from the area’s top special events you’ll never want to leave.
4. Courtesy shuttle to “Experience Reno Tahoe USA Events” offered from 18^th green.
5. It’s the only PGA TOUR summer event on the West Coast.
6. Fiesta Loco with Reno Tahoe USA. Going crazy normally isn’t proper etiquette on the golf course, but it is protocol if you’re in this specialty food and beverage tent.
7. $3 million prize purse.
8. Exclusive special offers on Reno Tahoe USA’s website including FREE Wine Walk tickets and a chance to win 2 VIP Pavilion tickets.
9. Join the inaugural Walktail cocktail walk where local bars compete for the honor of being chosen as the signature cocktail at the Reno-Tahoe Open.
10. Buy your ticket through the Nevada Humane Society and 75% goes towards helping man’s best friend.
11. It is in Reno Tahoe USA… need we say more?

The Reno-Tahoe Open is August 1-7 at Montrêux Golf & Country Club.

To view pictures from last year click here.

For tickets visit www.RenoTahoeOpen.com or call 775-322-3900.

The only thing Superheroes, Super-zeros and Villains can agree on: a giant pub crawl. On July 16, identities will be masked, evil will pause and good times will prevail.

We know you have to get to making your unarguably awesome costumes, so we’ll keep the details short:

$2 and $3 drink specials

17 participating bars

Cash and other prizes! (How often are you paid to drink with your friends?)

Cost: $5 gets you a cup and a map

Upgraded VIP Cup: Only $40 buys you admission and one $5 drink at each of the 17 stops. FYI: that’s $85 worth of booze!

Be Safe, don’t drive. The Silver Legacy Resort Casino has discounted hotel rooms exclusively for Crawlers. Enter code SUPER11.

Start time: 8pm

End time: You make the call. You’re in Reno.

Start Location: Biggest Little City Club at 188 California Avenue

The Superhero Crawl’s mission is to save the World, one drink at a time. So, just in case you needed one more reason to party, a portion of the proceeds is donated to support the Washoe County School District.

Check out the costumes from last year and let your imagination decide your pseudo-character for the night.

This year Reno Tahoe USA is hosting some of the top Independence Day events and pyrotechnic displays in the nation. It’s a tough call deciding which of these parties to crash but we’ve tried to make it easy for you to see what each event has to offer.

LAKE TAHOE

July 1-4, the fifth annual Red, White and Tahoe Blue celebration in Incline Village offers the perfect getaway for families. They’ve got a patriotic chalk drawing contest, beer tastings, firecracker trail trek, and even a doggie dress up contest for your pup. Needless to say, if you’re looking for a jam-packed weekend with the fam, look no further – after you finish reading this post, of course.

We can’t forget about the 70 feet of snowfall last winter quite yet. Both Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA are reopening for the weekend offering discounted tickets and wrapping up the season with huge 4th of July parties. Squaw will also host the famed 21st annual Lake Cushing Crossing on July 3. No one does pond-skimming quite like Squaw Valley. Perhaps it is because men and women in Reno Tahoe are a little more daring, a little more agile and a little better on sticks. Or maybe, it’s because the Cushing Crossing is held on a real pond, rather than a tarp-lined ditch or kiddie pool. We don’t really need a reason; we do it the way we want.

Other local Lake Tahoe events include Tahoe City celebrating 65 years of fireworks at Commons Beach, July 4, and Kings Beach hosting their annual firework display and deck party at the North Tahoe Event Center on July 3.

SPARKS

Experience the biggest 4th of July party in the region, Star Spangled Sparks, at the Sparks Marina. Join thousands to celebrate our freedom at this FREE all day event. Rise bright and early for free hot air balloon rides at 6am and a three dollar all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. The excitement continues during the day with a fun-run around the Sparks Marina, bounce houses and a ride area for the kids. Later that evening, witness a military flyover moments before the longest and most spectacular pyrotechnic display in the region, you won’t want to miss this 11th annual celebration.

VIRGINIA CITY

Virginia City made the list for the “Top 10 Fourth of July Fireworks 2011.” For us this comes as no surprise as every year thousands journey to the famous, historical city. The event begins with a parade downtown around noon and ends with the Comstock Cowboys performing at dusk along with an extensive fireworks show. The last time Virginia City had this many explosives was back when the city was first discovered as a gold mining jackpot.

PYRAMID LAKE

Do you want to be the party planner? The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe welcomes all those who want to throw their own 4th of July party. Summer season fireworks are now on sale for use on the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation in designated areas. Create your own fireworks show over North America’s most beautiful desert lake!

Why is this ultimate American pride event famously known as “The Wildest Richest Rodeo in the West?” We will break it down for you.

Wild.

“There ain’t a bull that can’t be rode and ain’t a rider that can’t be throwed.” Toss aside your city-slicker suit, put on your boots and cowboy up. From the rock ’em toss ’em chaos in the arena to the hoedown at the Jack Daniel’s tent, you’ll need to tighten your spurs to survive this event.

Rich.

Bulls in the chute, cowgirls in miniskirts and beer in hand, does more need to be said? I guess we can mention the contestants are competing for over $500,000 in prize money. This year’s Rodeo will definitely be rich with cash and culture.

Rodeo.

Here, you either “do it right or get off the horse,” literally. Willingly riding a bucking bull or bronco is not easy and those eight seconds could be the longest of your life. Luckily, fans get to soak up the summer evening and relax instead of being tossed around. The only thing we need to worry about is kicking a cow patty after a hot day.

West.

There’s a reason the famous phrase is the “Wild Wild West.” Out West we do things bigger, better and a little different. The Reno Rodeo never disappoints. It’s truly the best in the West.

We will see you there for a bucking good time! For more information visit www.renorodeo.com.

John Ascuaga’s Nugget is gearing up for a three-day country music festival! Country Cossroads features performances by LeAnn Rimes, Ricky Skaggs and Neal McCoy, along with country karaoke contests, songwriting seminars and free live entertainment! This Memorial Day weekend will be a celebration of one of the nation’s greatest contributions: Country Music!

LeAnn Rimes performs in the Rose Ballroom at 9:00pm on Sunday, May 29^th; tickets from $65.

Neal McCoy performs in the Celebrity Showroom at 9:00pm on Saturday, May 28^th; tickets are $35.

Ricky Skaggs performs in the Celebrity Showroom at 9:00pm on Friday, May 27^th; tickets are $45.

The Nugget is offering room, dinner and show packages, as well as a great deal on tickets for all three of the festival’s headlining concerts. Get more information at www.janugget.com or call (800) 356-3300. It’s gonna be a hoot!

BuBinga Lounge at the Eldorado has reopened with a whole new shade of cool!  Located on the mezzanine level across from La Strada Italian Restaurant, this all new venue features state of the art lights and cutting edge digital music technology that produces premium sound for live music and DJ tracks. 

A re-designed stage, surrounded by the dance floor, is the center-focus in the new BuBinga, with elite theatrical lighting, including fifteen moving lights and one colossal multi-movement light that pulses color throughout the room.  This sleek new hotspot features plush surroundings with all new faux black crocodile and snake leather seating modules with lighted table tops that omit rhythmic bands of color across the venue. 

Elevated VIP areas are available for bottle service as well as an elevated party booth capable accommodating up to 20 people for celebrating that special occasion.  As an added bonus, the Eldorado now offers “Plan a Party,” the ultimate get-together planning service.  Want to throw the ultimate birthday party or the best Bachelor or Bachelorette event?  Email our professionals at planaparty@eldoradoreno.com for details.

The ultra hip atmosphere inside BuBinga is also enhanced with twelve large, 42 and 50-inch, video screens wrapping the room.  Liquid assets abound, two sexy bars heat up the atmosphere while the best mixologists pour your favorite libation. Each bar is back lit with geometrical hues of blue color and a serpentine-shaped bar die wall that projects soft color waves. 

With an open design throughout, the new BuBinga Lounge allows guests to see the entire venue from almost every point in the room.  Entertainment includes live DJ performances and bands every Friday and Saturday night beginning at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays starting April 16.  For more information and entertainment schedules call 775-786-5700 or visit the Eldorado online at www.eldoradoreno.com.

- Diana Rogers

Born into jazz royalty as the son of John and Alice Coltrane, Grammy-nominated saxophonist, bandleader and composer Ravi Coltrane has claimed his own rightful territory, creating work The New York Times has called “what jazz sounds like now.”

Joining the 2011 University of Nevada, Reno Jazz Festival in concert, the Ravi Coltrane Quartet brings its groundbreaking presence to town for an encore performance Friday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. in Lawlor Events Center. The Festival opens Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in Nightingale Concert Hall with another Grammy-nominated jazz dynamo, percussionist Terri Lyne Carrington performing with the University’s stellar faculty jazz ensemble, The Collective.

Named after Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar, Coltrane has been immersed in the world of impeccable musicianship literally from day one. Schooled first as a clarinetist, he switched to the saxophone in high school and went on to study at the California Institute of the Arts. Coltrane has played and recorded alongside such leaders of American jazz and pop as Carlos Santana, John McLaughlin, Branford Marsalis, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock and scores of other superstars.

Coltrane’s credits include appearances on more than 30 recordings as a sideman, as well as his own critically acclaimed albums as a leader. In 2004 he also produced his mother’s return to recording after a 26-year hiatus, featuring an all-star ensemble including Ravi, his brother Oran, Charlie Haden, Jack DeJohnette, James Genus and Jeff Watts. He also tours the world – and arrives in Reno April 7-  with the Ravi Coltrane Quartet, whose members include pianist Luis Perdomo, bassist Drew Gress and drummer E.J. Strickland.

Grammy-nominated drummer, composer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington began her music career as a young prodigy, learning percussion at age 7 on a set of drums belonging to her grandfather Matt Carrington, who had played with Fats Waller and Chuck Berry. She received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music at age 11 and has since toured and recorded with such luminaries as Wayne Shorter, Clark Terry, Diana Krall, Diane Schuur and Herbie Hancock, on whose Grammy-winning album “Gershwin’s World” she performed alongside Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder.

Carrington has also performed as the house drummer on the Arsenio Hall Show. More recently, she returned to Berklee as a professor after being granted an honorary doctorate from her alma mater in 2003. In addition to her wide-ranging recording projects and award-winning production credits, Carrington is artistic director of the Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston. She has also received the NAJE Young Talent Award, the IAJE Award for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education, the Eubie Blake Award, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award from the City of Boston, and numerous other national kudos for her professional contributions to jazz.

The finest jazz educators and musicians on the planet travel to the University of Nevada, Reno each spring to perform and teach at the Reno Jazz Festival and this year is no exception. In addition to evening concerts by world-renowned guest artists, the Reno Jazz Festival also offers daytime competitions, workshops and clinics by scores of professional jazz artists and adjudicators for more than 9,000 young jazz musicians from throughout the West. The three-day festival culminates in a showcase concert and awards ceremony Saturday, April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Lawlor Events Center, to honor the best and brightest young standouts.

TICKET INFORMATION:

Individual tickets for Terri Lyne Carrington and The Collective, April 7: General $20/Senior $17/Student $10. The Terri Lyne Carrington and The Collective performance is also included in the festival’s Jazz Fan Pass (preferred seating), which provides entry to all festival events April 7-9: General $60/Senior $50.

Individual tickets for the Ravi Coltrane Quartet, April 8: General $24/Senior $21/Student $15. The Ravi Coltrane Quartet performance is also included in the festival’s Jazz Fan Pass (preferred seating), which provides entry to all festival events April 7-9: General $60/Senior $50.

Individual tickets for the Reno Jazz Festival Showcase and Awards Ceremony, April 9: General $15/Senior $12/Student $8. The Reno Jazz Festival Showcase and Awards Ceremony is also included in the festival’s Jazz Fan Pass (preferred seating), which provides entry to all festival events April 7-9: General $60/Senior $50.

To purchase the Jazz Fan Pass, call Extended Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, (775) 784-4046 or 1-800-233-8928, email jazz@unr.edu or visit http://www.unr.edu/rjf

To purchase individual tickets in advance (with a convenience fee), visit the Reno Jazz Festival website at http://www.unr.edu/rjfor call 1-800-225-2277. Tickets may also be purchased in person (without a convenience fee) on the University of Nevada, Reno campus at the Lawlor Events Center box office, open weekdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. If the concert is not sold out, tickets may also be purchased at the door the evening of each performance.

For more information about the Reno Jazz Festival, call (775) 784-4ART or visit http://www.unr.edu/rjf 

-Andrea Turman