Too early for Burning Man, in mid-July a caravan of strangely morphed and decorated vehicles will stream over Donner Pass headed for one of the largest festivals of the nation, Reno’s Artown. The procession will be the 2012 edition of the annual ArtCar Fest, a showcase of the creatively adorned vehicles that troll the avenues of Burning Man every year. This year, the ArtCar Fest joins Artown on Friday, June 20 for the closing party of the 10-month Mutant Rides exhibit at the Reno National Automobile Museum. The next day the cars will assemble at the Nevada Museum of Art for the presentation of the award-winning documentary about Art Cars, “Automorphosis.”
It’s all a continuance of the creative pulse of Artown, Reno’s one-month annual celebration of art, culture, community, and family. The festival presents nearly 500 performances and workshops, more than 60 percent of which are offered for free.
Founded in 1996, the 16-year-old festival brings a kaleidoscope of music, dance, theater, literary and family events to the streets and performance venues of Reno. On July 1 at opening night in Wingfield Park, the Mickey Hart Band will perform a free concert. July 31 is closing night, also free, featuring Maceo Parker and his funk band.
Free concert series are scheduled almost every day. The Monday Night Music Series includes the Reno Philharmonic performing patriotic music for the Fourth of July, the Reno Youth Philharmonic and Youth Jazz Orchestra with classical and jazz music, the University of Nevada School of Arts with an ensemble of vibrant music, the Reno Pops Orchestra, and finally, jazz vocalist Carmen Lundy.
The World Music Series on Wednesday nights features four free performances, including the Patriotic Music Ensemble on the Fourth of July. Every weekday, the Discover the Art Series introduces children to new creative endeavors. Every Monday night, the Family Series of free events presents theatre, a life-sized dinosaur display, and a wacky science show, among many other exciting activities and shows for young people.
Ticketed events run the gamut from theatrical performances to music. The Missoula Children’s Theatre will collaborate with a cast of local children to perform the classic adventure of the “Wizard of Oz.” Other ticketed events include Michael Feinstein, a Preservation Hall Jazz Band 50 Anniversary Celebration with special guests Del McCoury Band and Trey McIntyre Project, the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra and its “Cowboy Up” Season Opener of the Phil Up!, and the world-renowned all-male vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
A smartphone mobile app that allows festival fans to view the event schedule is available; search for “Artown” on your App store.
