Artown is Here!

Reno's Artown begins on Wednesday and runs the entire month of July, and then some. Artown organizers had to create July 32 to squeeze everything in. On this day (okay, it's really August 1), the Funk Brothers will wrap things up with a free concert in Wingfield Park, where things started a month before with Richie Havens, Greg London, and a couple of hundred painted kids.

Artown opening day events will be at West Street Market and Wingfield Park, both in downtown Reno. Up to 260 kids will get face painting from Body Masterpiece (reservations required) starting at 4 p.m. Iconman Greg London will perform at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater at 7 p.m., followed by headliner Richie Havens at 7:30 p.m. All of these events are free, so you know you need to show up early to have any chance at a good sitting place. I once tried to squeeze in kind of late for a show by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and was totally aced out - lesson learned.

Get ready to go by checking out the schedule of events on Artown's cool new website. While there, place your online order for the Little Book of Artown, a pocket sized schedule you can refer to often. You will also find the Little Book at numerous locations around town.

For a look at Artown performances from previous years, check out the Artown pictures gallery.

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