Information for the 18th annual Artown in 2013 is not yet available... stay tuned.
Reno is Artown for this 17th annual festival during July, 2012. The Artown Festival runs the entire month of July at numerous venues around Reno and includes an amazing variety of art and cultural events. Hundreds of the events are free to the public, including opening night at the Wingfield Park Amphitheater on July 1 with The Mickey Hart Band. Other free Artown shows and events include World Music at Wingfield Park, Monday Night Family Series, Monday Night Music Series at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater in Bartley Ranch Park, Discover the Arts at various locations, Movies in the Park, and numerous art gallery exhibits. In all, there are nearly 400 activities and events during Artown.
Artown Opening Night
The Mickey Hart Band brings its "Mysterium Tremendum" tour to Wingfield Park for Artown's free 2012 opening night concert. Mickey Hart is the percussionist for the Grateful Dead and this show features brand new material as well as selections of his greatest hits and Grateful Dead songs. Earlier in the day on July 1, bring your drum and join The Rhythm Experience: Drum Circle with Mickey Hart.
Artown Events
With nearly 500 Artown events, I can't possibly list them all. To get the full list, go to the searchable Artown 2012 Events Calendar. You can find events by type (theatre, visual arts, workshop, etc.), date, time, and by searching for what's going on at any of Artown's numerous venues and galleries.
While over 60% of Artown events are free, you will need tickets for some big shows. Big ticketed events for 2012 include Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Michael Feinstein, and Chanticleer. There is truly something for everyone. Where required, you can buy tickets online. Get more information by calling (775) 322-1538.
Where to Get Artown Information
In addition to the Artown online events calendar, here places you can pick up a copy of The Little Book of Artown, a pocket guide to all of Artown's events, dates, and times...
- Artown office in the Jones Vargas Center, 300 East Second Street, Suite 1000, Reno, NV 89501.
- AAA South Reno
- The Chamber, Sparks
- Grand Sierra Resort
- John Ascuaga's Nugget
- Nevada Museum of Art
- Port of Subs locations
- Washoe County public libraries
- Reno City Hall
- Sundance Bookstore & Music
- Various downtown Reno merchants
- At Artown venues when attending events
Artown Apps for Mobile Devices
Free Artown apps are available for the mobile devices listed below. Instructions and links for downloading your app are available from Artown's mobile apps page.
- iPhone and iTouch
- Android
- Blackberry (to be released)
Artown Encore Series
Artown Encore presents a series of top performers and shows during the year apart from the main Artown festival in July. Check my article about Artown Encore to see what's coming to Reno for your Artown entertainment pleasure.
Burning Man at Artown - Portal of Evolution and Mutant Rides
Artown has made a good habit of having displays of artwork that first appeared at Burning Man. In 2012, Portal of Evolution, a beautiful 32 foot tall kinetic butterfly, will be set up in Reno City Plaza, between Reno City Hall and the Truckee River. In 2011, Spire of Fire added that Burning Man flaming touch to Artown. Check out my Spire of Fire video to see what it was like.
Mutant Rides: Origin of a Species is a display of art cars that roam the playa during the Burning Man event in the Black Rock Desert north of Reno. It will be at Reno's National Automobile Museum through July 25, 2012.
Controlled Burn and Fire at Artown
Controlled Burn is a Reno fire dancing group that performs at various events throughout the area. During Artown 2010, Controlled Burn performed in downtown Reno at the Dual Nature art installation by the Truckee River. Dual Nature was at Burning Man 2006. At Artown 2011, Controlled Burn did shows at the Spire of Fire in downtown Reno. The Spire of Fire art installation was at Burning Man 2010. In 2012, Controlled Burn will be back. The main show will be Compression! Art and Fire, an evening of free fire art presented by numerous artists from the Truckee Meadows and throughout the western U.S. Check the Artown schedule for performance times.
Controlled Burn presented Fire Jam! at Artown in 2009. These Fire Jam! video clips will give you a look a what the performance is like...
- Controlled Burn in The Celtic Forest 1
- Controlled Burn in The Celtic Forest 2
- Controlled Burn in The Celtic Forest 3
- Controlled Burn in The Celtic Forest 4
Give $3 to Keep Artown Free
With over 60% of its events free, Artown is continuing the Give $3 campaign to solicit a few extra bucks to support this non-profit organization. The goal is to increase individual contributions so Artown can continue to present the high-caliber free programming attendees have come to expect. Here's how you can help...
- Donate at any local branch of U.S. Bank.
- In Wingfield Park on July 1 opening night, and all during Artown at the Monday Night Family Series, World Music Series, and Movies in the Park events.
- Through Give $3 donation envelopes distributed in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
- Online at Artown's donation site.
Artown Accommodations in Reno
If you are traveling to Reno for Artown, 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. Over 300,000 people attend Artown and Reno is busy during July with other events as well.
Keep going for more Artown information.
