Reno-Tahoe

It’s sometimes hard to put your finger on what makes Reno Tahoe such a special place. We sometimes talk about the number of ski resorts and mountain bike trails, and the concerts and the ballpark and the shopping. That’s stuff that other places have, but what makes Reno Tahoe … better?

Well, it’s about a feeling. If you’ve felt it, you know. It’s like the feeling you get when you are in on a joke, or you have a perfect experience – like the perfect cappuccino or something. Those of us who live here know it, and those of you who visit frequently know it.

Since 2005, Scott Dunseath and his crew of proud Reno-ites have attempted to capture the feeling of Reno Tahoe in a clothing line called RENO ENVY. Of course, the clothing is a play on Reno, Nevada, but it is also an outward expression of this hard-to-describe feeling.

Locals in our fair city wear this clothing with pride – poking fun at the sometimes misdirected, sometimes accurate impression that Reno outsiders have about the place we proudly call home. RENO ENVY just launched a new Web site – and great place to get the gear to make your friends envious. Check it out.

Attention zombies, ghouls and ghosts. Check out the calendar of Halloween events and parties in Reno, Sparks and Lake Tahoe.

• Halloween Warm-up with Enzyme Dynamite, Black Rock City Allstars
  Vixens – 906 Victorian Ave. – Sparks
  October 23 @ 9 p.m.
  Party the week before Halloween with a costume contest, giveaways and performances by Enzyme Dynamite of the Bayliens, DJ True Justice, XienHow, Black Rock City Allstars, Wordplay and live art by Stk One.
• Reno Beer Crawl – Halloween Homecoming Edition
  Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar – 425 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  Every 4th Saturday of the month (starting October 24)
  Monthly crawl serves specialty beers downtown. Dress up for this one and take part in some special UNR homecoming stops.
• Nowloween – Dance of the Dead
  Reno-Sparks Convention Center – 4590 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 24 @ 7 p.m.
  An early Halloween costume party featuring several electronica artists and DJs in several rooms. They include Frankie Bones, DJ ESP, Bryan Cox, DJ Flave, Danny the Wildchild, Tom Foolery, and Ripple. Full bar for those over 21. Benefits local food banks.
• Skin, Sin and Ink Tattoo Competition
  Diamond Dolls – 310 Spokane St. – Reno
  October 29 @ 8 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Finals)
  The Skin, Sin and Ink Competition is back for a third year, so join Chris Payne and KRZQ every Thursday at Diamond Dolls for a different tattoo parlor’s show every week and tattoo contest where one lucky person will win a custom-designed tattoo worth $600. And at the end, on Oct. 29, the finals will pit the best designs against each other. Every night enjoy $2 Jager shots and $2 Coors and Coors Lights. The event has gotten so big, it’s even being featured in Skin Ink tattoo magazine. Schedule: July 23: Deep Ink Tattoo July 30: Aces Tattoo Aug. 6: Lucky 7 Tattoo Aug. 13: Stain Tattoo Aug. 20: Body Graphics Tattoo Aug. 27: Reno Tattoo Sept. 3: Battle Born Tattoo Sept. 10: Distinct Ink Sept. 17: Neighborhood Ink Sept. 24: Nightmare Studios Oct. 1: Absolute Tattoo Oct. 8: Stingray Tattoo Oct. 15: Under Your Skin Tattoo Oct. 22: Evolution Tattoo Oct. 29: Tattoo Competition Finals
• Reno Zombie Halloween Bar Crawl
  Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar – 425 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 8 p.m.
  Last year, more than 300 people came out for the Reno Zombie Crawl, shuffling from stop to stop in downtown Reno. The event returns with a vengeance, promising more brains, gore and, probably most important, beer. The goal is $2 drink specials at all the participating bars.
• Fantasies in Chocolate Vampire’s Ball
  Grand Sierra Resort and Casino – 2500 E. Second St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  Fantasies in Chocolate is a black-tie benefit party for the Reno Gazette-Journal Foundation and, even more important, overflows with chocolate and drinks. This year, it’s taking advantage of the proximity to Halloween and just going all out. More than 65 vendors serve chocolate and champagne and all kinds of other treats and drinks. Feel free to dress up or go with classic formal attire, but $1,000 goes to the best-dressed vampire and vampiress. Liquid Blue has taken over organizing duties and are bringing in new vendors and adding new twists to the annual event, now in its 25th year. Win a pair of tickets from us!
• Wild Erotic Ball – Blood Lust
  Grande Exposition Hall at the Silver Legacy – 407 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 9 p.m.
  Wild 102.9’s annual Halloween party has caught vampire fever, and you can feel the Blood Lust at this year’s Wild Erotic Ball, a night of drinks, dancing and costumes. There’s a contest, of course, and live DJ.
• Day of the Dead Live Art Show & Masquerade Ball
  The Tree House Lounge – 555 E. Fourth St. (behind The Underground) – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  Reno Erotico Diablo presents a benefit for breast cancer research. The second annual party features a ball and live art for sale with half the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen foundation. Performers and other entertainment include Black Rock City Allstars, Bohemian Burlesque, body painting, and costume contest.
• Punk Skalloween
  The Underground – 555 E. Fourth St., Suite B – Reno
  October 30 @ 9 p.m.
  A Halloween concert with some ska and a lot of punk. Keyser Soze headlines with Del Mar and the Humans. DJ D. Bruce also spins.
• Halloween Cover Band Show
  Rainshadow Community Charter High School – 121 Vesta St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  Halloween party show with tributes to The Clash, Sam Cooke, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Bangles, Blondie, Violent Femmes and more. Sponsored by the Holland Project.
• Halloween weekend at Eldorado
  Eldorado Hotel Casino – 345 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 8 p.m.
  The Eldorado’s many nightspots host Halloween activities, kicking off Oct. 30 with a coffin crawl at 8 p.m. to places like Brew Brothers and Cin Cin for drinks and prizes before reaching the Wild Erotic Ball at the Silver Legacy. On Oct. 30 and 31, Brew Brothers hosts a party at 10 p.m. with $5,000 in prizes for the costume contest. DJ Spook and dancing go down at Cin Cin starting at 9 p.m. on Oct. 31.
• AC/DShe
  Crystal Bay Club-Casino – 14 Nevada 28 – Crystal Bay
  October 30 @ 9 p.m.
  The all-female AC/DC tribute band plays for a Devil’s Night Party in the Crown Room followed by The Marones playing an after party Red Room show.
• Skin & Scare Ball
  EDGE at the Peppermill – 2707 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m.
  The Peppermill’s fourth annual Skin Scare Ball takes place at Edge, with just the normal $20 cover. $5,000 in prizes will be awarded in the costume contest, with winners for scariest, sexiest, silliest and more.
• Halloween $500 Beer Pong Tournament
  Club Cal Neva Hotel Casino – 1 E. First St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
  Since this beer pong tournament is every Saturday, it’s also on Halloween. But the holiday event is earlier than usual, at 6 p.m., so players will still have time for other Halloween events. Aside from the usual $500 in prize money, prizes will also be awarded for best and scariest costume.
• Freakers Ball 12
  Bruka Theatre – 99 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  The annual Bruka Halloween event includes music, magic, masquerade, mayhem and much more.
• Hollywood Undead Halloween Party
  Jungle Vino – 248 W. First St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
  Haunting both Jungle Vino and Java Jungle, this Halloween party has a Hollywood theme, with guests encouraged to dress as their favorite movie character, bit player or rock star for the costume contest.
• Rocky Horror Picture Show
  Red Martini – 214 West Commercial Row – Reno
  October 31 @ 11:55 p.m.
  Celebrate Halloween in style with a full-fledged Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with all of the props, costumes and other types of adult fun. All costumes welcome, so drop by in between or after other Halloween festivities.Donations of peanut butter, jelly or loafs of bread for the local charity Spread Peace Reno, which serves the area’s homeless, are appreciated.
• Helloween Metal Fest 2009
  The Underground – 555 E. Fourth St., Suite B – Reno
  October 31 @ 11 p.m.
  Seven bands play for a Halloween concert, with Zend, Deplete, Fire to Reason, Sinister Scene, Dominion NV, Dead Wreckoning and Determined. The costume contest has $150 in cash prizes and $5 shots get you a free PBR. Buy advance tickets from any of the bands. After 11 p.m, the event is 21 and over only.
• Halloween with Ashlee Stone
  Biggest Little City Club – 188 California Ave. – Reno
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  Join Ashlee Stone, DJ Sean Murray and the BLCC Crew for Halloween fun, including costume contests (such as rhinestone cowboy) with $200 cash prize. VIP table service is available (e-mail for details).
• Halloween Party and Shames CD release
  Chapel Tavern – 1495 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m.
  Halloween concert with the Shames (celebrating their CD release), the Humans, and Pinky Polanski, with prizes for best male and female costume.
• Halloween party at Strega
  Strega Bar – 310 S Arlington Ave. – Reno
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  Halloween at Strega features a costume contest and scary specials including $4 TUACA Hot Cider and $4 Peppermint Patties.
• Glam-Rock Gala with the Reagan Years
  Tonic Lounge - 231 W. Second St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m.
  The Reagan Years host this retro bash, with all costumes encouraged but special discount for those rocking ’70s and ’80s glam-rock outfits. $100 costume contest and prize giveaways. Courtesy Call opens. Drink specials include $2 pumpkin beer.
• Hellaween with Evergreen Terrace
  Vixens – 906 Victorian Ave. – Sparks
  October 30 @ 7:30 p.m.
  Touring band Evergreen Terrace performs with For the Fallen Dreams, Asking Alexandria, Unholy, and Barcadia. For those who like their candy-oriented holidays loud.
• Beck’s House of Horrors
  Beck’s Brew House - 3611 Kings Row – Reno
  October 31 @ 7 p.m.
  The mayhem starts at 7 p.m. with drink specials and a potent witches brew. The costume contest is at 10 p.m. with prizes for best costume, best couple and most disturbing.
• Nigels’ 14th Annual Halloween Bash
  3rd Street – 125 W. Third St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 8 p.m.
  The annual party features the band Hardrive and a contest for best costume at midnight.
• Halloween open bar at Amendment 21
  Amendment 21 Grill & Sports Bar – 425 S. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 31 @ 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
  On Halloween from 10 p.m. to midnight, enjoy $5 mugs and $20 for free refills on all well and draft drinks.
• Halloween parties at Bonanza
  Bonanza Casino - 4720 N. Virginia St. – Reno
  October 30 @ 7 p.m.
  On Oct. 30, there is a DJ debuting the bar’s new dance floor. On Oct. 31, the Bonanza hosts a costume contest at 9 p.m. with $500 in prizes. Registration is from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Fort Reno Booth, and then there’s dancing all night.
• Creeper’s Ball Costume Party – Tainted Love
  Crystal Bay Club-Casino – 14 Nevada 28 – Crystal Bay
  October 31 @ 9 p.m.
  Annual costume party featuring the ’80s tribute band.
• Le Chamois Halloween Party
  The Village at Squaw Valley – 1750 Village East Road – Olympic Valley
  October 31 @ 8 p.m
  DJ Blue 42 will be spinning dance tunes at 9 p.m. at the Le Chamois bar. Costumes are strongly encouraged.
• Virginia City All Hallow’s Eve
  Silver Queen Hotel – 28 N. C St. – Virginia City
  October 31 @ 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
  Presented by Bats in the Belfry. Spend a chilling Halloween night with the spirits of Virginia City. Includes a buffet style dinner, discussion panel on paranormal investigating presented by Ghost Posse Inc. and four hours of ghost hunting in some of the most haunted places in Virginia City. Advance ticket sales only. Event goes from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Halloween Party Dinner and Dance
  Gold Hill Hotel – 1540 Main St. – Gold Hill
  October 31 @ 5 p.m.
  Fine dining from 5-9 p.m. followed by music for dancing from 9 till midnight. Costumes are encouraged with awards for best costume. Call to reserve.

It may be fall, but the fun isn’t slowing down in Reno Tahoe. Among the highlights for today and tomorrow are The Chieftans, the International Outhouses Races in Virginia City and the Reno Celtic Celebration.

October 2

• Nevada Opera Bizet’s Carmen
  Bizet’s final masterpiece set in 1830’s Seville, Spain, Carmen is a tragic tale of obsessive passion and jealousy. Loved by the unpredictable gypsy heroine, a young officer must choose between following his military career or following Carmen. Read More

• The Chieftains
  The legendary Chieftains have served as the benchmark for Irish traditional music for the past four decades. The six-time Grammy winners, credited for bringing traditional Irish music to the world’s attention, uncover the wealth of traditional Irish music that has accumulated over the centuries making the music their own with a style that is as exhilarating as it is definitive. Read More

• Nevada Repertory Company presents Ubu the King
  Nevada Repertory Company presents “Ubu the King”* by Alfred Jarry and directed by Rob Gander. One of the most extraordinary events of the late 19th century in Paris happened Dec. 11, 1895, at the Theatre de l’Oeuvre where the audience was scandalized by Alfred Jarry’s revolutionary satire, Ubu Roi. Read More

• Argenta presents Circa 1809
  Join university music faculty members Stephanie Sant’Ambrogio, violin; and James Winn, piano, as they welcome their new cellist and music faculty member, Dmitri Atapine, to Argenta. As a winner of the Carlos Prieto and Llanes International Cello Competition (Mexico), Mr. Atapine has since been recognized as an exciting cellist and accomplished chamber musician. Read More

October 2-3

• Super Diamond
  Since 1993, Super Diamond has made it their mission to spread the “good word of Neil” to all, bridging the gap between young and old, rich and poor, great and small. They recently performed on the Late Show with David Letterman. Read More

October 3

• International Outhouse Races
  Take an adventure back in time during historic Virginia City’s World Championship Outhouse Races. This hilarious Comstock tradition pits teams of costumed outhouse racers against each oth­er as one person rides and the remaining team members manage to push, pull or drag the outhouse quickly down the track. The always-outrageous outhouse parade on Saturday features Virginia City’s famous “Plungerettes.” Read More

October 3-4

• Reno Celtic Celebration
  Pipe Bands, Celtic Musicians, Highland Games, Scottish and Irish Dancers, Celtic Vendors and More … Make plans to join the 19th Annual Celebration. Read More

For complete Reno Tahoe entertainment listings, visit our calendar online.

It was nearing our scheduled 7 a.m. launch time, and pilot David Wakefield was busy with last-minute details: checking rigging, test-firing the burners, tethering the balloon to the bumper of the chase vehicle. And he was doing it all with a grin stretching from ear to ear.

Such is the life of a balloon pilot during the Great Reno Balloon Race. Safety is first, but fun runs a close second. And Wakefield was obviously having fun.

“When you love something this much, it never gets old,” he said. He ran from one side of the balloon to the other, all the while trading jokes with our fellow passengers and doing the “work” of preparing for our ascent in the Harrah’s-sponsored balloon.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Thursday’s media day event was a scaled down version of what visitors to Reno’s Rancho San Rafael Park (map) can expect this weekend (Sept. 11-13). About two-dozen balloons were set out in the park’s green pastures, propane burners blasting hot air as the colorful nylon bloomed all around us. My first ride in a balloon offered perfect conditions, as the sun peaked over the Virginia Range to the east. It was majestic.

Our route took us in a box formation about 1,500 feet up where we mingled with other balloons and traded positions with fellow fliers. The silence is the striking thing – interrupted only by the occasional burner blast that would give us our lift. From our vantage point, we could see all of the Truckee Meadows, with the cities of Reno and Sparks laid out before us. We floated east, then south above the University of Nevada campus. With predictable wind, and luck of the draw, a draft brought us back almost directly to where we started.

With a master’s touch, Wakefield set us down about 100 feet from our original launch site. And with my first flight under my belt, I stepped out of the basket, grinning from ear to ear. This would never get old.

The Great Reno Balloon Race 2009

• When: Sept. 11-13
• Where: Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno
• Cost: FREE!
• Time: Events starting at dawn
• On the Web: www.RenoBalloon.com

Answer: The same as great golfers, wildlife, great scenery, cardivascular exercise, a kids party zone, awesome food and drinks and of course the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open.

Take a look at these photos and see what you are missing if you don’t get out to the Montreux Golf Course and see this great event for yourself.

Legends Reno-Tahoe Open
Jack Nicklaus Signature Design course, Montrêux Golf & Country Club
August 3 – 9, 2009
http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/events/08-03-2009/legends-reno-tahoe-open

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:

In our neverending effort to promote the virtues (and sometimes fun vices) of Reno Tahoe, we give away a lot of stuff — and we do a lot of giveaways online. And now we are stepping up the giveaways to our ‘Tweeps’ on Twitter.

If you’re a Twitter user, but you aren’t following @renotahoe, take a moment and do so here – you won’t regret it. Once you are following, check out our contest: We’re giving away a 3-day, 2-night stay in Reno Tahoe to a random Twitter user on Aug. 3. All you have to do to enter is add 10 characters to any tweet – #renotahoe – between now and Aug. 2 and that constitutes an entry. Enter early and enter often for your chance to win.

Contest details:

• The prize is a three-day, two-night getaway to a Reno Tahoe hotel casino
• Winner will be chosen randomly from tweets containing the phrase “#renotahoe”
• Multiple #renotahoe tweets constitutes multiple entries (through Aug. 2)
• Winner will be announced on Twitter and on our contest page Aug. 3

Rules:

• Contest runs July 15 – Aug. 2.
• Participants are encouraged to enter multiple times.
• To enter, follow us on Twitter and include the #renotahoe hashtag in your tweets. Each tweet sent with the #renotahoe hashtag constitutes one entry.
• A winner will be chose at random Aug. 3, and the winner will be announced on the @renotahoe Twitter account and on the this contest page.
• Winner will be contacted via direct message on Twitter and must respond within 5 days via e-mail. A redeemable voucher will be sent to the winner via U.S. Mail within 10 days of receipt of mail details.
• No purchase is necessary to enter.

Read more

Check out other Twitter users’ hashtags of #renotahoe here

The Ski Lake Tahoe Six-Pack offers 6 days of skiing or riding at 7 fantastic resorts, all for $269. The lift tickets are flexible, allowing you to go choose one of two resorts with each ticket.

The Ski Lake Tahoe Six-Pack includes:

• 1 ticket valid at either Heavenly, Kirkwood or Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe
• 1 ticket valid at either Heavenly or Sierra-at-Tahoe®
• 1 ticket valid at either Kirkwood or Sierra-at-Tahoe®
• 1 ticket valid at either Alpine Meadows or Northstar-at-Tahoe™
• 1 ticket valid at either Squaw Valley USA, Northstar-at-Tahoe™  or Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe
• 1 ticket valid at either Squaw Valley USA or Alpine Meadows

Note: Only 1 voucher per Six-Pack redeemable per resort, per day.

Holiday Blackout Dates include: Nov. 28-29, 2009; Dec. 26, 2009 – Jan. 2, 2010; Jan. 16-17, 2010; Feb. 13-14, 2010.

Want to learn more about the Six-Pack? Go online

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.

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).