Theater, Dance Opera and All That Jazz

The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Nevada Festival Ballet, Reno Philharmonic and the Nevada Opera. The 1500-seat theater also presents world-class performances to area students during the year. Nightingale Concert Hall on the campus of the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) offers first-rate entertainment by the Reno Chamber Orchestra which is becoming increasingly popular. The college also is home to the Nevada Repertory Company, the only university repertory company in the United States, which hosts several outstanding productions throughout the year. Music lovers will enjoy the Reno Jazz Festival, one of the largest jazz competitions in the country. Lawlor Events Center, a 12,000-seat facility on campus, hosts ice shows, concerts and many special events throughout the year. The center attracts such notables as Kiss, Elton John and Garth Brooks.

to contemporary at various locations in the alpine forest. The Tahoe Film Festival gives new filmmakers a venue to show their works. Attendees can view more than 60 films and join in film discussions and workshops. Many black-tie and casual parties are also part of the festivities.

The ultimate cultural event of the summer in Reno/Sparks is a month-long feast of activities at Artown. More than 200 events and exhibits are featured at a dozen venues citywide. Literary and visual arts, ballet and concerts galore are but a sampling of things to see. Children have their own special workshops for art and acting.

The residents in the community are a literate lot. A national survey has proclaimed Reno to be the most well-read city in the United States. The Washoe County Library System offers more than 1700 community programs for children and young adults to encourage good reading habits. New and used bookstores are never at a loss for customers feeding their insatiable appetite for reading materials. The Nevada Humanities Committee sponsors the Great Basin Book Festival in September at Wingfield Park featuring noted authors, book signings, literary discussions and lectures.

Maniac Action

Whether you are a spectator or a player, the sporting activities in the Truckee Meadows are second to none. The golf courses dot the landscape from the valley to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Edgewood at Lake Tahoe is rated by Golf Digest as one of the "top 25" in the United States and is host to the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. The Reno/Tahoe Open is held at Montreaux, a Jack Nicklaus designed course, and spectators can watch players vie for more than $2,000,000 in prize money. The Dayton Valley Country Club and the Carson Valley Golf Course are two beautiful and challenging play areas to the south of Reno. Genoa Lakes in the same area hosted the U.S. Open Qualifying tournaments in 1998 and 1999. No matter which direction you travel from the Reno/Sparks area, one can find greens galore in all price ranges and levels of play.

World-class ski areas seem almost as numerous as the snowflakes falling on the Sierras. Normal winters can bring close to 40 feet of snow, however the temperatures remain fairly mild, making the area a skiers paradise. Boreal, on Tahoes north shore, is usually the first to open for the season with the help of state-of-the-art snowmaking machines. Of course, the resort most well known is Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics. The Tower of Nations still displays the Olympic Flame and the five Olympic rings. The south shore of Lake Tahoe is home to Heavenly Ski Resort and Kirkwood, both with top elevations near 10,000 feet. Cross country skiers and snowboarders will find their sports well represented at the Resort at Squaw Creek, Royal Gorge, Diamond Peak and Granlibakken Ski Resort.

Naturally, water sports are popular on the Truckee and area lakes with river rafting, scuba diving, sailing and water skiing to name but a few. The M.S. Dixie and the Tahoe Queen offer a unique way to view the sights. The areas in and around the Truckee Meadows are also a paradise for fishermen. Lake Tahoe and Pyramid Lake are two of the better known fishing areas with trout in abundance. The Carson River, which flows into Lahontan Reservoir near Fallon, is another good area for anglers. For fishing right downtown, throw your line in the Truckee or try the Sparks Marina.

Thrills, Spills and High Flying Escapades

One of the favorite events in the area is the Reno Rodeo, the wildest richest Rodeo in the West. Top-notch cowboys come from far and wide to compete on bucking horses and bodacious bulls. For the week previous to the start of the rodeo, real cowboys and city slickers alike participate in the Reno Cattle Drive to herd the bovines 60 miles to the Livestock Events Center to take their part in the rodeo. Other events of a similar nature include the Snaffle Bit Futurity, Buck 'N Ball and the National Senior Pro Rodeo Finals. For something a little different, Virginia City presents unusual competition at the annual Camel and Ostrich Races.

Aeronautical activities attracting numerous participants and thousands of spectators include the Great Balloon Race and the National Championship Air Races. The balloon competition, taking place in Rancho San Rafael Park, is an eerily silent and spectacularly beautiful event. The air races, on the other hand, are filled with non-stop excitement and the roar of the planes as they race around the pylons at Reno/Stead Airport. For active participation in highflying antics, try soaring over beautiful Pyramid Lake in a glider with an instructor from Palomino Valley Soaring. For a scenic treat, Balloons Over Lake Tahoe will be the trip of a lifetime. If terror strikes your fancy, try Bungee Squaw Valley or the Ultimate Rush at the Reno Hilton.

Without a doubt, Hot August Nights is the most popular classic car event in the country. More than 4,000 vintage autos cruise downtown Reno and Victorian Square in Sparks. Rock 'n roll to your hearts content with bands from the 50s and 60s both in the casinos and at outdoor venues. Take the time to visit the National Automobile Museum or attend the classic car auction.

Eclectic Casino Attractions

Besides gaming around the clock, most hotel/casinos in the area offer class acts in their showrooms and many special events. For comedy, try Catch a Rising Star at the Silver Legacy, Just for Laughs at the Sands or the Improv at the Reno Hilton. Circus Circus is well known for presenting highflying aerial acts above the casino floor. Harrahs Pavilion features everything from professional boxing to concerts. John Ascuagas Nugget in Sparks features top entertainment in the Celebrity Showroom, and hosts the Best in the West Rib Cook-Off. The Eldorado Showroom runs the gamut of entertainment from Broadway hits to Irish dance. The BuBinga Nightclub and Bistro Roxy are two popular lounges also at the Eldorado. The Atlantis and Peppermill have great lounge acts and top entertainment in their showrooms. Cinco de Mayo is also celebrated in a big way at the Peppermill. The larger hotel/casinos at Lake Tahoe are famous for top entertainment. Harrahs Tahoe, the Cal-Neva, Caesars Tahoe and the Hyatt Regency present comedy, stage reviews, jazz and top names in music almost every night of the week.

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