About the Artown Encore Series
The Artown Encore series is an expansion of the Artown festival that takes place in Reno during the month of July. Artown Encore brings an amazing variety of top performers and performances to Reno. Many are acts you would have to travel to a much larger city to see. Past Artown Encore performers have included Steve Martin, Pat Metheny, Bernadette Peters, and the Alvin Ailey II dance troupe. Here is the lineup for the first part of 2012...
- Imago Theatre's ZooZoo - January 18, 2012
- David Garrett "Rock Symphonies" - January 20, 2012
- Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers - "An Evening of Bluegrass and Comedy" - February 10, 2012
- Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott with The Assad Brothers - April 26, 2012
Tickets for Artown Encore Performances
All of these Artown Encore performances will be in the Grand Theatre at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, 2500 E. Second Street. Tickets for each show can be purchased online (click on the links above), by calling (800) 648-3568, or with no service charge at the Grand Sierra Resort box office.
Accommodations in Reno
If you are traveling to Reno for an Artown Encore show, it's probably a good idea to arrange your flight to RenoTahoe International Airport, book hotel accommodations, and reserve a rental car well ahead of time. Some Encore performances sell out, such as the last Encore appearance by Steve Martin.
Artown Mission
"Artown's mission is to strengthen Reno's arts industry, enhance our civic identity and national image, thereby creating a climate for the cultural and economic rebirth of our region. Artown's primary goal is to encourage local artist participation and highlight the best performers in northern Nevada. Additionally, we exist to market and promote these arts events locally, regionally, and nationally as a premier arts festival."
Artown is a colorful visual delight everywhere you look. To get a glimpse of what's in store, view my Artown pictures gallery.
Artown: A Brief History
Artown started in 1996 as a way to counteract suburban flight and revitalize downtown Reno by getting more people to visit the city center. An arts themed festival was created through the efforts of civic leaders, business people, and the arts community. With a combination of free and ticketed events, the first Artown attracted an estimated 30,000 participants. Growing rapidly from its initial success, Artown today is a major annual production lasting throughout the month of July. In addition to local and regional talent, internationally known artists regularly perform at Artown. Past performers have included Marcel Marceau, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Diavolo Dance Theater, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Pilobolus, Vusi Mahlasela, Mikhail Baryshnikov, American Ballet Theater, and Pink Martini.
Artown today consists of nearly 400 art and cultural events attended by an estimated 300,000 people. Most events are free to the public, including some performances by world famous artists. Ticketed feature events are held at various venues around town such as the Pioneer Theater and hotel/casino theaters. The City of Reno is Artown's major sponsor, aided by other government entities and businesses in the Reno / Tahoe region. The Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts provide support as well. Artown 2011 is the 16th anniversary of this extraordinary event.
Sources: Artown, Reno Gazette-Journal.
