Published June 28, 2024

Artown 2024 Tips and Tricks!

by Beth Macmillan

As Artown embarks on its 29^th season, I am delighted to share some ideas to assist you in navigating the 31-day arts festival. 

Firstly, grab a Little Book located at Nevada State Bank branches, Port of Subs stores, Raley’s supermarkets, and Washoe County Libraries. I would suggest that you use this booklet along with our website, artown.org because every event is detailed and updated when necessary on the website, while the booklet has summarized information.   

Please consider stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new this July. There are many genres to select from and there is something for everyone. Approximately 70% of the events are admission-free and events are located throughout the region. Here are some bulleted notes for you to consider. 

• For children we have our Artown Discover the Arts weekday series throughout the month at 9:30 am with so much artistic discovery and exploration
   
• Consider taking a trip around the world with Artown. Head to Wingfield Park every Wednesday for an admission-free journey to different locations and cultures; the Inuit Indigenous culture in Alaska, Cuban funk and rhythms, Afropop from the Ivory Coast, and mariachi music from Mexico
   
• The Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation makes possible an admission-free series every Monday night at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater. These are very popular and on a first come first serve basis. I need to stress that there is no ‘seat saving’ for other guests. These incredible performances include regional master showman, David Hayes; The Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra; Gypsy Jazz from Parisian artists, Django Festival Allstars, and the incredible trumpeter and singer from Canada, Bria Skonberg
   
• Regional theatres have amazing productions in July.  Book tickets to performances by  Reno Little Theatre, Brüka Theatre, Good Luck Macbeth and Theaterworks of Northern Nevada to name a few
   
• Regional music-based organizations have incredible events, in many disciplines that might interest you.  You’ll find events by Reno Phil, Reno Jazz Orchestra, Off Beat Festival, Reno Pops Orchestra, and many others
   
• Festivals within our festival include Gospelfest and Reno Basque Festival
   

Artown Headliners are the only events for which Artown charges tickets. These shows are popular and GA grass seating is still available in this intimate 900-seat amphitheater while assigned seating is sold out.  Tickets to all these performances may be purchased through https://artown.org/headliners/ and all take place at The Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater and are:

07.02 | JAKE SHIMABUKURO: By now, if you know the ukulele, you might know the name, the VIRTUOSO innovator who is Jake Shimabukuro. He has captivated audiences around the world with his unique and dynamic style. With his mother as his first teacher of the instrument, Jake embraced a deep love and respect for the ukulele and has explored new and unexpected ways to push the boundaries of what was possible on the humble four-strings. Back by popular demand. Artown loves Jake and Jake loves Artown! 

07.12 | DIONNE WARWICK: A six-time GRAMMY Award-winning music legend who has earned more than 75 charted hit songs and sold over 100 million records. She was discovered by Burt Bacharach and Hal David in 1961 and went on to record 18 consecutive Top 100 singles (“Don’t Make Me Over,” Walk on By,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” “Heartbreaker,” “Déjà Vu,” among countless others). She received her first GRAMMY in 1968 for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” Ms. Warwick was one of the first solo female artists of her generation to win the prestigious award for Best Contemporary Female Vocalist Performance. She has achieved the status of Living Legend and we are honored to bring her to Artown. Due to the cost of this artist, membership benefits for free tickets will not apply. Discount still valid. 

07.14 | ANN HAMPTON CALLAWAY
Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration! 
Tony nominee Ann Hampton Callaway, one of the leading pop/jazz singers of our time, has created an exciting night of songs and stories in celebration of her inspiration and one of America’s most beloved artists, Peggy Lee. Callaway will close the show with hits from the great songwriters of the 70s like Carole King, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, and John Lennon. Last year, Ann contracted Covid so we have brought her back this year to entertain us as we promised last year. Please review the brochure for which membership levels receive complimentary tickets to this performance. 

07.23 | LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO: South Africa’s Five Time GRAMMY Award-winning singing group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, was founded in the early 1960s by Joseph Shabalala, then a teenage Zulu farm boy living on the lands just outside the small town of Ladysmith. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, he stated that Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s music was a powerful message of peace that he listened to while in jail. When Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, he asked the group to join him at the ceremony in Oslo. It was Mandela who called Ladysmith Black Mambazo “South Africa’s Cultural Ambassadors to the World.” Ladysmith Black Mambazo carries a message of Peace, Love, and Harmony as they travel the world year after year. They bring this uplifting message, in song and dance, to every theater they perform. We hope you will join them in this intimate setting as they share their unique voices and stories. 

07.27 | STEEP CANYON RANGERS: These musicians are American bluegrass royalty from Brevard, North Carolina. In 2013, their album Nobody Knows You won a GRAMMY for Best Bluegrass Album. You may recall that Artown brought them to Reno when they played with actor comedian Steve Martin. The International Bluegrass Music Association awarded Martin and Steep Canyon Rangers “Entertainer of the Year” in 2011. In 2008, the band received a nomination from International Bluegrass Music Association for "Album and Gospel Performance of the Year."

I will be attending many of the events and hope to see you enjoying art, making art, and welcoming our artists to continue to perform and thrive. Don't miss out on this fantastic, 31-day opportunity to be a part of the best of the arts in our community!

See you in July!

Best regards,

Artown 2023  by Beth Macmillan — June 30, 2023