Information about Artown 2012 is coming soon... stay tuned. Meanwhile, you can enjoy Artown Encore performances during these first months of the year.
It's sweet 16 for Artown in 2011. Reno's annual 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 the June 30 opening night party at Wingfield Park featuring Mexican-American singer/songwriter Perla Batalla. Other Artown freebies include Movies in the Park, Dancing in the Park, World Music Series, and numerous art gallery exhibits. Activities and events for families and children abound during Artown.Artown Opening Night Extravaganza
Artown's free opening night extravaganza actually begins during the day on Thursday, June 30, with art activities at the McKinley Arts and Culture Center at 3 p.m. There will be face painting by Body Masterpiece, dancing, and live music. At 7 p.m., you are invited to join the parade down Riverside Drive to Wingfield Park, led by the funky and fun MarchFourth Marching Band. The opening night headliner on the Wingfield Park amphitheater stage will be Grammy-nominated Mexican-American singer/songwriter Perla Batalla. If you want to continue past 10 p.m., head on over to The Knitting Factory for more music and dancing with MarchFourth Marching Band.Artown Events
With nearly 400 Artown events, I can't possibly list them all. To get the full list, go to the searchable Artown 2011 Event 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 2011 include Pink Martini, Doc Severinsen and the San Miguel Five, Stephen Petronio’s UNDERLAND, Open Door: India.Arie and Idan Raichel, and more. 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 are some other sources of information about Artown events and happenings...- Artown Magazine, available June 19 in the Sunday Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ).
- RGJ booth at Wingfield Park events - Opening Night, Family Series, World Music Series, Movies in the Park.
- Artown office, 300 E. Second St. Suite 100 in Reno.
- Various locations around town, including...
- U.S. Bank locations
- Grand Sierra Resort
- Reno City Hall
- Bartley Ranch Park during Artown events
- Wingfield Park during Artown 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 on the Artown calendar page.- iPhone and iTouch
- Android
- Blackberry (various OS versions)
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.
Spire of Fire at Artown
Artown has made a good habit of having displays of artwork that first appeared at Burning Man. In 2011, Spire of Fire lights up the night sky in downtown Reno. Check out my Spire of Fire video to see what you are missing if you don't make it in person.Controlled Burn Lights Up 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 will be back with shows at the Spire of Fire in downtown Reno. The Spire of Fire art installation was at Burning Man 2010. Check the Artown schedule for performance times.At Artown 2009, Controlled Burn presented Fire Jam! 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
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.Give $3 to Keep Artown Free
With over 60% of its events free, Artown is continuing last year's 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 June 30 opening night, July 31 closing night, and all during Artown at the Monday Night Family Series, World Music Series, and Movies in the Park events.
- Through donation envelopes distributed in the Reno Gazette-Journal.
- Online using PayPal.
