By Jenn Sheridan
“Tahoe: A Visual HIstory” will appeal to your love of Lake Tahoe and art. | Bloomer
Summer may have come to a close, but that doesn’t mean that it’s time to slow down. Whether it’s enjoying culinary delights or testing physical endurance, celebrating the visual and performing arts or being scared silly by traditional haunted Halloween nights, the fall season provides plenty of opportunity to celebrate the cooler weather. Don’t use fall as an excuse to hide inside, get out and enjoy one or all of these seasonal festivals.
Art & Literature
Around Tahoe
Word Jam | Every 2nd & 4th Sunday | Dark Horse Coffee Roasters
Community Reading Series | Oct. 7 & 22 | Sierra Nevada College
Literary Arts & Wine | Every 3rd Sunday | Coffeebar
Sierra College Insights | Oct. 9 & Nov. 6 | Sierra College
Writers in the Woods | Oct. 16 | Sierra Nevada College
Ongoing art exhibits | North Tahoe Art Center
“Tahoe: A Visual History”
Until Jan. 10 | Nevada Museum of Art | Reno, Nev.
Celebrate the history of Lake Tahoe at the Nevada Museum of Art. Each gallery features different pieces of the history of Lake Tahoe visually documented though photography and paintings from more than 175 artists. From the first people to settle in the region to the rise of the timber industry and the transition to a resort region, see how the area has changed and adapted over the years. (See Arts for more information in this issue.) | nevadaart.org
Tahoe WordWave
Oct. 9-11 | Valhalla Tahoe | South Lake Tahoe
A festival for readers, writers and lovers of story featuring readings, workshops, panels, music and plays featuring authors including Pam Houston, Camille T. Dungy and Ralph Burns. Learn the trade of travel and adventure writing or compete in a one-act play contest. The grand finale is the Tall Timber Ball: Steampunk in the Woods. Enjoy live music and prizes for the best costume. | tahoewordwave.com
The Gateway
Oct. 16-17 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
Relive the momentum of Burning Man with a day of playa arts along with dinner and an auction. Controlled Burn will be playing live music followed by a DJ driven dance party. Afterwards nine bike-inspired sculptures will be auctioned off. | renogatewayproject.com
Culinary indulgences
A chocolate and wine sampling delight at Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival | Court Leve
Around Tahoe
Tequila Tasting | 1st Thursday | Caliente!
American Whiskey Weekend | Oct. 8-11 | PlumpJack
Beer pairing dinner | Oct. 15 | FiftyFifty
An Evening of Food & Wine Tasting | Oct. 16 | MontBleu
Wine tastings | 3rd Thursday | Pour House
Passport to Dining | Nov. 12 | North Tahoe Event Center
Epicurean Weekend
Oct. 2-4 | The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe | Northstar
Treat yourself to a weekend of dining and relaxation during Epicurean Weekend. Start with a couple’s journey spa treatment at the Ritz-Carlton. Guests will be treated to a painting class with Painted Vine complete with champagne and wine. Afterward, Tony Berendsen leads a tour of the night sky. Creative souls will enjoy learning the basics of printing or learning to carve wooden spoons using traditional Japanese tools. The highlight of the weekend is a five-course dinner prepared by Chef Mark Estee and showcasing a cornucopia of fall harvest and game. | ritzcarlton.com/laketahoe
Oktoberfest Tahoe City
Oct. 3 | Gatekeeper’s Museum | Tahoe City
Enjoy an afternoon at the beautiful Gatekeeper’s Museum with good food, cold beer and games for the whole family – even the dog. Dress in traditional lederhosen or Bavarian attire for a chance to win the costume contest. Proceeds benefit the Tahoe City Downtown Association. | visittahoecity.org
Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop
Oct. 3 | Downtown Truckee
Bring a friend to explore historic downtown Truckee during the 12th annual Truckee Wine, Walk & Shop. Sample regional wines and delicious food while visiting local shops throughout Truckee. Entry includes a commemorative wine glass. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits. | truckeewinewalk.com
Oktoberfest at Camp Richardson
Oct. 3-4 | Camp Richardson Resort | South Lake Tahoe
Enjoy a weekend of fun for the whole family during Oktoberfest at Camp Richardson. Sample German food and desserts along with a wine and beer garden while listening to music from the Gruber Family Band. Kids may enjoy exploring the pumpkin patch, hopping on the bouncy castle and face paint. A costume contest will feature prizes for best human and dog costumes. | camprichardson.com
Fall Food Festival
Oct. 10 | Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | Stateline, Nev.
Enjoy sampling food, wine and beer from local restaurants and breweries in South Lake Tahoe while benefitting local schools. Hosted by the Lake Tahoe Education Foundation. the event combines live music, culinary delights and both silent and live auctions. | ltedf.org
Oktoberfest Sparks
Oct. 10 | Victorian Square | Sparks, Nev.
Celebrate German Heritage and the harvest season with food, drink and dancing during the Sparks Oktoberfest. Enjoy authentic Bavarian and Alpine music in the Victorian Amphitheater or see cirque-style aerialists, performers and harvest dancers. Games and crafts will be offered for kids. | oktoberfestnv.com
Fall Festival
Oct. 10 | Northwoods Clubhouse | Tahoe Donner
The 6th annual Fall Festival combines seasonal beer tastings and food with crafts and harvest-themed activities. Bring the kids to the pumpkin patch and carnival area or enjoy live music with After Eights. Dogs are also invited to join the fun with the annual Doggie Dip. | tahoedonner.com
Great Italian Festival
Oct. 10 | Eldorado Casino | Reno, Nev.
Celebrate Italian heritage during the Great Italian Festival. Families from across the West Coast compete to win the Festival Sauce Cook-off and because any Italian celebration isn’t complete without food, festivalgoers may enjoy the Italian-themed buffet. As well, live music will be provided throughout the day including America’s Got Talent finalist Paul Salos. | eldoradocasino.com
Reno Bites
Oct. 12-18 | Area Venues | Reno, Nev.
A weeklong event celebrating Reno’s emerging foodie scene, Reno Bites invites guests to sample the variety of restaurants popping up in Reno. Purchase a Yelp Passport to Reno to get started.| renobitesweek.com
International World’s Chili Championship Cookoff
Oct. 16-18 | Grand Sierra Resort | Reno, Nev.
The best of the best in the world come to Grand Sierra Resort to compete for the honorable title of Best Chili. In addition to the competition, Chili Judging certification classes will be offered. | chilicookoff.com
South Lake Tahoe Food & Wine Festival
Oct. 16-18 | Harvey’s Lake Tahoe | Stateline, Nev.
Ignite your taste buds during the South Lake Tahoe Food & Wine festival featuring wine and spirits tastings, a live show with the Gin Blossoms, a grand market expo with a special appearance by chef Mark Tarbell and a four-course meal by Mark Tarbell. The weekend closes with a farewell champagne brunch. | ceasars.com
Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival
Nov. 7 | Hyatt Regency | Incline Village, Nev.
Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival returns with Master of Ceremony Wendy Damonte. Dress in your best cabaret cocktail attire and enjoy sampling chocolate from local chefs paired with regional wines from Northern California. | tahoesafealliance.com
Off the beaten path
Around Tahoe
Fall photography hike | Oct. 3 | Mount Rose
Donner Summit hike | Oct. 4 | Truckee
Kingsbury Grade hike | Oct. 14 | Stateline, Nev.
Trestle Tour | Oct. 17 | Incline Village
Full moon kayak | Oct. 27 | Tahoe Vista
Full moon snowshoe | Nov. 25 | Tahoe Vista
Cowboy Fast Draw Championship & Wild West Festival
Oct. 2-4 | Churchill County Fairgrounds | Fallon, Nev.
See the fastest gun alive and relive the spirit of the Wild West with a craft fair, car show, comfort food and civil war reenactment with Nevada Gunfighters plus the World Championship Fast Draw Competition. Watch shooters ages 8 and older compete to be the fastest gun alive with a final championship on Oct. 4. | cowboyfastdraw.com
Virginia City’s World Championship Outhouse Races on Oct. 3-4 are a humorous and fun way to relive history!
World Championship Outhouse Races
Oct. 3-4 | Virginia City, Nev.
Yes, really. This event pits teams of three racing in decorated outhouses against each other through Virginia City. Marking the moment in history when the townspeople marched to city hall to protest new city ordinances banning outdoor toilets, this has become a humorous and fun way to relive history and celebrate the golden age of outdoor plumbing. If dragging an outhouse seems too far-fetched, consider joining the Undie Run Relay race instead. | visitvirginiacity.com
Spartan World Championships
Oct. 3-4 | Squaw Valley | Olympic Valley
After a long season, the best of the best come to Squaw Valley to compete for the world’s best Spartan. One of the world’s toughest obstacle courses, the Spartan Race combines athletic endurance and mental tenacity. Choose from sprint or distance courses. Kids courses are also offered. Spectators are welcome. | spartan.com
Donner Party Hikes
Oct. 3-4 | Donner Summit | Truckee
Explore Donner Summit with experienced historians and discover the past and present of the region. Follow in the footsteps of the emigrants who braved the Sierra Nevada to start a new life in California. Explore the camps of the famed Donner Party that spent a winter stranded in record-breaking snowstorms, and discover the natural history of the plants and animals that call the region home. Saturday offers a variety of hikes tailored to different interests and on Sunday guests may enjoy an interpretive hike and a tour of Donner Memorial State Park. | donnerpartyhike.com
Fall Fish Festival
Oct. 3-4 | Taylor Creek Visitor Center | South Lake Tahoe
The Fall Fish Festival focuses on the variety of fish that live in Lake Tahoe and its tributaries including Kokanee, Lahontan cutthroat and speckled dace. Guests will enjoy a guided, half-mile hike with biologists who will lecture about the natural history of Taylor Creek while watching the Kokanee salmon spawn. Afterward, families will have the opportunity to participate in a treasure hunt, fish painting and a visit from Smokey the Bear. | fs.usda.gov
Looking for a little fun? Virginia City’s Zombie Manifesto is a fun twist on a pub crawl.
Red Run: A Zombie Manifesto
Oct. 10 | Virginia City, Nev.
Not for the faint of heart, this obstacle race takes competitors through some of the most haunted locations in Virginia City. Choose from 3.33- or 6.66-mile distances and take on a variety of obstacles as zombies hunt for your blood. Then join the festivities for the Redrun Saloon Crawl. | redrunvc.com
Alpine Aspen Festival
Oct. 10-11 | Hope Valley
Celebrate the wilderness of Alpine County during the Alpine Aspen Festival featuring live music, guided hikes, Dutch-oven cooking workshops, fly-fishing lessons and information about the surrounding watershed and natural history. Proceeds benefit the Alpine Watershed Group. | alpineaspenfestival.com
Grinduro
Oct. 10 | Quincy
This race combines a traditional Gravel Grinder with a mountain bike-style endure race covering both pavement and dirt. Finishing times aren’t based on overall loop time, but four timed segments. Grinduro isn’t just about the race, it’s a celebration of cycling with as much emphasis on the party with good food, bike-themed art, live music and free camping. | grinduro.com
The Performing Arts
Russian Grand Ballet presents “Swan Lake”
Oct. 11 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City, Nev.
The Russian Grand Ballet presents a full-length classic production of “Swan Lake.” This performance is one of pure romanticism sharing the tale of love and deception. | visitcarsoncity.com
New Chamber Ballet
Oct. 15-17 | Tahoe Art Haus | Tahoe City
New Chamber Ballet performs with only four dancers and only two musicians featuring “Entangled” and “Mozart Trio,” both choreographed by Miro Magloire and Constantine Baecher, respectively. The company will also premier a new, untitled ballet in Tahoe City. | laketahoedancecollective.org
“Arsenic and Old Lace”
Oct. 16-18 | Brewery Arts Center | Carson City, Nev.
Mortimer Brewster, a newspaperman and author known for his diatribes against marriage, has finally gotten hitched. On a trip home to break the news to his two maiden aunts, he discovers the women’s hobby of killing lonely old men and burying them in the cellar. See this classic story brought to life at the Brewery Arts Center. | bighornbeer.com
“Into the Woods, Jr.”
Oct. 23-25 | Community Arts Center | Truckee
Truckee Community Theater presents its first youth show, “Into the Woods,” featuring actors from local middle and high school. Directed by Sophie Moeller, this show has been adapted to fit youth audiences. | truckeecommunitytheater.com
Reno Chamber Orchestra
Oct. 24-25 | Nightingale Concert Hall | Reno, Nev.
Reno Chamber Orchestra presents two performances featuring Mozart “Symphony No. 25 in G minor,” “Winn: Piano Concerto, Prokofiev Symphony No. 1 in D Major” and “R Strauss Burleske in D Minor.” | renochamberorchestra.org
The Biggest Little Theater Festival
Nov. 4-8 | Bruka Theatre | Reno, Nev.
Bruka Theater hosts the Biggest Little Theater Festival showcasing the best local actors, directors and playwrights on stage. Each piece is between 40 and 55 minutes. | brukatheatre.com
Offbeat Art & Music Festival
Nov. 5-8 | Area venues | Reno, Nev.
The Future Kind and the Entertainment Management Group partner to bring three days of local music and art to downtown Reno. Enjoy seeing local bands, including Actors Killed Lincoln, Asphalt Socialites, Diego’s Umbrella and Drop Theory, while exploring art galleries and enjoying locally sourced food. | offbeatfest.com
“Mary Poppins”
Nov. 6-22 | Carson Community Center | Carson City, Nev.
Western Nevada Theater Company presents this beloved classic in its entirety. Experience the imaginative tale of an English nanny who uses magic to reconnect a working man with his children. | wnmtc.com
Take in a performance of a traditional Irish music and with “Riverdance”.
20th anniversary of “Riverdance”
Nov. 13-15 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
Celebrating 20 years on the stage, “Riverdance” is a theatrical show featuring traditional Irish music and dance. On a deeper level, this performance tells the story of Ireland and its people. | pioneercenter.com
“The Crucible”
Nov. 20-21 | Community Arts Center | Truckee
Set in Salem during the era of the witch trials, this story follows a group of girls led by a vindictive and manipulative young woman who falsely accuses innocent people in the town of practicing witchcraft. | truckeecommunitytheater.com
“Ebenezer: A Musical Christmas Carol”
Nov. 24-Dec. 27 | Eldorado Casino | Reno, Nev.
Based on the Charles Dicken’s classic holiday piece, “A Christmas Carol,” this adaptation features rousing musical scenes without straying away from the original script. This performance is warm and rich, but touching and scary when needed. Its message of love and belief are intact. | eldoradocasino.com
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Nov. 29 | Pioneer Center for Performing Arts | Reno, Nev.
Enjoy your favorite Christmas tunes during Mannheim Steamroller’s performance. Celebrating 30 years on the stage, Mannheim is one of the best-selling Christmas albums in the world. Enjoy the live performance at the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts. | pioneercenter.com
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
Dec. 4-6 | Community Arts Center | Truckee
A funny and touching story following the Herdmans, a pair of out-of-control foster kids, who show up to a Sunday school meeting to try out for the annual Christmas pageant and wreak havoc. | truckeecommunitytheater.com
Culture & History
Wear your finest steampunk costumer for Tahoe WorldWave’s Tall Timber Ball: Steampunk in the Woods.
Around Tahoe
Reel Rock 10 | Oct. 1 | High Altitude Fitness
“Passenger” | Oct. 8 | Homewood Mountain Resort
“Fade to Winter” | Oct. 15 | Olympic Village Lodge
Winter Film Series | Nov. 19 | Olympic Village Lodge
“Chasing Shadows” | Nov. 27 | Olympic Village Lodge
Blue Jeans Jam
Oct. 2-4 | Area venues | Reno, Nev.
Reno is the birthplace of one of the most versatile pieces of clothing, the blue jean. Invented by Jacob Davis in 1870, the blue jean has grown from a dependable work pant into a definitive fashion statement. Celebrate the history of the blue jean with historical lectures, live music and pop-up restaurants. | bluejeansjam.com
Reno Celtic Festival
Oct. 3-4 | Bartley Ranch | Reno, Nev.
Celebrate Reno’s Celtic heritage during the Reno Celtic Festival with three days of live music, traditional food and crafts. A live piping band competition will crown the best group of bag pipers in the area. See athletes compete in hammer throwing and sheaf tossing. Kids may compete in a variety of age-appropriate events, as well. | renoceltic.org
Wild and Scenic Film Fest
Oct. 9-10 | Community Arts Center | Truckee
Mountain Area Preservation hosts the Wild and Scenic Film Fest benefiting Truckee Donner Land Trust’s Black Wall acquisition. Films will include themes surrounding adventure with a purpose, water, fishing, climbing and biking and feature local athletes including Jeremy Jones and High Fives athlete Tony Schmiesing. | mountainareapreservation.org
Truckee Historic Haunted Tour
Oct. 15-16 | Area venues | Truckee
Celebrate Truckee’s colorful history with the Historic Haunted Tour. Part fact and part wild fiction, this tour takes guests through some of Truckee’s best historical gems accompanied by hilarious and outrageous performances and tales. This event is for adults ages 21 and older. (See feature in this issue.) | truckeehistorytour.org
OutWest Film Fest
Oct. 16-18 | Area venues | Reno, Nev.
The OutWest Film Fest features films, documentaries and shorts honoring the LGBTQ community. Featured films include “Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine” and “Desert Hearts.” The event begins with a kick-off party at West Street Market followed by two days of films including question sessions with some of the directors. The finale includes a VIP party at Harrah’s Reno and an OutWest Drag Party at 5 Star Saloon. | outwestfilmfest.org
Great Basin Geek Convention
Oct. 17-18 | Reno Town Mall | Reno, Nev.
Calling all geeks and nerds to enjoy live gaming demos, crafts, music and panels all in celebration of geek culture. Meet the artists and minds behind favorite games, stories and comic books. Prizes will be awarded for the best cosplay costumes. | greatbasingeeks.com
SWEP Film Fest
Oct. 23-25 | Tahoe City
Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships announces its first film festival, “Water! The Essential,” highlighting water-related issues. An opening gala is on Oct. 23 at Sunnyside Lodge followed by two days of films at the Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema. | 4swep.org
Carson City Ghost Walk
Oct. 24 | Area venues | Carson City, Nev.
Carson City’s rich history is explored and theatrically relived during the seasonal Ghost Walking Tours led by Madame Curry. These are a delightfully spooky and enjoyable way to experience Carson City’s Victorian Era and diverse history. Each tour is a 90-minute guided walk. | carsoncitychostwalk.com
Nevada Day Parade
Oct. 31 | Carson City, Nev.
To commemorate Nevada’s statehood, Nevadan’s gather each year in Carson City for the Nevada Day Parade. The event kicks off with the iconic hot air balloon launch followed by floats, marching bands, and Nevada-centric entertainment.
Wizard World Comic Con
Nov. 20-22 | Reno-Sparks Convention Center | Reno, Nev.
Meet the artists, writers and actors behind your favorite comic books and film adaptations. From Adam West to Barry Bostwick, and Batman and Robin to The Simpsons, Wizard World Comic Con brings the best of the animated world to life. | wizardworld.com
Haven’t had enough? Visit TheTahoeWeekly.com or facebook.com/TheTahoeWeekly for more live music and entertainment options, and check out The Music Scene in each issue of Tahoe Weekly.
