Artown takes its final bow for the year as Hot August Nights rolls into town

Artown passes the baton to Hot August Nights this week as Northern Nevada hits the traditional midpoint of summer. Other classic summer events roll on this week in the area, including the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, Food Truck Friday — and of course the traditional hot, dry weather.

Here's a look at what's in store for the region for the week of July 29 through Aug. 4, 2024.

Northern Nevada events, July 29-Aug. 4

Artown, through July 31: We've reached the final few days of the monthlong celebration, and it's wrapping up on Artown Closing Night with a Wingfield Park concert with Y La Bamba, and an opening performance by flamenco guitarist Milton Merlos. For the full lineup of remaining events, visit artown.org .

Sleeping Beauty: A Fairy's Tale, July 29: The all-time classic has been reimagined for the Tahoe lakefront stage, featuring the music of Tchaikovsky and the graceful interpretation of the Sierra Nevada Ballet company. It's set for 7:30 p.m. at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe NV State Park, 2005 Highway 28 in Incline Village. Tickets start at $32. For details, visit laketahoeshakespeare.com .

Boney James, July 30: One of the leaders in the smooth jazz movement, this sax player plays that genre’s blend of melodic jazz and dance-inducing R&B. He’ll play at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Signature Series at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe NV State Park, 2005 Highway 28, Incline Village. Tickets are $45-$160. Details at laketahoeshakespeare.com .

The Merry Wives of Windsor, July 31, Aug. 1, Aug. 4: Sir John Falstaff, short on cash, attempts to woo the wives of two wealthy merchants in this comedy by William Shakespeare. This week's performances are Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe NV State Park, 2005 Highway 28 in Incline Village. Tickets start at $17. For details, visit laketahoeshakespeare.com .

Hot August Nights, Aug. 2-11: The annual celebration of classic cars and nostalgia kicks off in Virginia City Aug. 2-3, then rolls on to Reno beginning on Aug. 4. For the full lineup of events, visit hotaugustnights.net .

Food Truck Friday, Aug. 2: This year, Food Truck Friday features a 50-vendor opening night cuisine lineup including American, Mexican, Asian fusion, Southern, Mediterranean, Brazilian and so many more. It's happening from 4 to 9 p.m. at Idlewild Park, 1800 Idlewild Dr. in Reno. For details, visit facebook.com/RenoStreetFood .

Always ... Patsy Cline, Aug. 2-3: Catch this tribute to a country superstar and her long friendship with a fan, told through a lineup of Patsy Cline's greatest hits. This week's performances are Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe NV State Park, 2005 Highway 28 in Incline Village. Tickets start at $17. For details, visit laketahoeshakespeare.com .

Ana Bápokrbara, Aug. 2: Starting in the mid-’90s, this Mexican pop singer became a huge part of the Latin scene around the world with hits such as “La Trampa,” “Loca” and “No Es Brujeria.” She’s touring the States this summer, where she’ll perform at 8 p.m. at Grande Exposition Hall, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St., Reno. Tickets are $45-$85. For details, call 775-325-7401 or visit caesars.com/silver-legacy-reno .

Pokey LaFarge, Aug. 2: With a new album called “Rhumba Country” (which does not mix those two styles), this singer-songwriter continues the eclectic mix of country, folk and swing music that has garnered him a cult following. He plays at 8 p.m. at the Crown Room, Crystal Bay Club Casino, 14 State Highway 28, Crystal Bay. Tickets are $25-$30. For details, call 775-833-6333 or visit crystalbaycasino.com .

Brantley Gilbert and Gary Allan, Aug. 3: Gilbert burst onto the scene in the ’00s and has scored hits such as “What Happens in a Small Town” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” Allan started in the ’90s and has his own set of country No. 1s, including “Man to Man” and “Nothing on But the Radio.” They join forces for this show at 7 p.m., Nugget Event Center, Nugget Casino Resort, 1100 Nugget Ave., Sparks. Tickets are $50-$125. For details, call 775-356-3300 or visit nuggetcasinoresort.com .

The Music of Tina Turner, Aug. 3: Vocalists Matthew Johnson, LaKisha Jones and Nova Y. Payton join the Reno Phil to bring the music of Tina Turner to the J Resort's Glow Plaza Festival Grounds, 670 W. 4th Street in Reno. The show begins at 7:30; tickets start at $25. For details, visit renophil.com .

Rick Springfield and Richard Marx, Aug. 3: In what’s billed as an “acoustic evening,” expect these two singer-songwriters to trade off songs such as “Right Here Waiting,” “Hazard” and “Don’t Mean Nothing” from Marx; and “Jessie’s Girl,” “Human Touch” and “Love Somebody” from Springfield. It all begins at 8 p.m. at the Grand Theater, Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, 2500 E. Second St., Reno. Tickets range from $35-$70. For details, call 775-789-1115 or visit grandsierraresort.com .

Magique, Aug. 3: The Theatre plays host to a dazzling performance of illusions and special effects by Reno duo Kevin & Caruso. The magic begins Saturday at 8 p.m. at 505 Keystone Avenue. Tickets start at $50. For details, visit wethetheatre.com .

Lake Tahoe Reggae Festival, Aug. 3-4: This seventh annual summer event includes excellent hip-hop artists Atmosphere and Cypress Hill, as well as reggae stars Shaggy, Collie Buddz, Rebelution and Tribal Seeds. It all begins at noon both days at Palisades Tahoe, 1960 Olympic Valley Road, Olympic Valley, California. Tickets are between $95-$190 for both days. Details at laketahoereggaefest.com .

Trampled By Turtles, Aug. 4: This was a nice surprise among the mostly legacy acts that are part of Glow Plaza’s inaugural summer series. From Duluth, Minnesota, they started as bluegrass revivalists in the ’00s but have since evolved to include psychedelia, alternative rock and acoustic rock influences. They will play at 7 p.m. at Glow Plaza, J Resort, 670 W. Fourth St., Reno. Tickets are $20-$35. For details, call 775-348-2200 or visit jresortreno.com .

Trey Kennedy, Aug. 4: Another stand-up comedian that’s benefited from YouTube and TikTok videos, this Oklahoman has a devoted Christian audience for his observational, family-based work. He’ll perform at 8 p.m. at Grande Exposition Hall, Silver Legacy Resort Casino, 407 N. Virginia St., Reno. Tickets are $35-$65. For details, call 775-325-7401 or visit caesars.com/silver-legacy-reno .

Northern Nevada weather, July 29-Aug. 4

Monday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 80s in the valleys and in the 70s at higher elevations. Mostly clear and windy overnight, with lows in the mid-50s in the valleys and in the 40s at higher elevations.

Tuesday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 80s in the valleys and in the 70s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the mid-50s in the valleys and in the 40s at higher elevations.

Wednesday: Sunny, with highs in the low 90s in the valleys and in the upper 70s to upper 80s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows near 60 in the valleys and in the low 40s to low 50s at higher elevations.

Thursday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 90s in the valleys and in the upper 70s to upper 80s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the low 60s in the valleys and in the low 40s to low 50s at higher elevations.

Friday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 90s in the valleys and in the upper 70s to upper 80s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the mid-60s in the valleys and in the low 40s to low 50s at higher elevations.

Saturday: Sunny, with highs in the upper 90s in the valleys and in the 80s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the mid-60s in the valleys and near 50 at higher elevations.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with highs in the upper 90s in the valleys and in the 80s at higher elevations. Mostly clear overnight, with lows in the mid-60s in the valleys and near 50 at higher elevations.

Northern Nevada roadwork, July 29-Aug. 4

I-80 ramp closures near downtown Reno: Drivers should expect overnight closures of the eastbound onramp from University Way as well as the westbound onramp and offramp to and from Virginia and Sierra streets between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. through early August as the Nevada Department of Transportation completes road resurfacing.

U.S. 395, Gardnerville: NDOT is resurfacing U.S. 395 through downtown Gardnerville between Waterloo Lane and First Street. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in either direction; drivers should expect moderate delays. Work is expected to continue through September.

Steamboat Parkway, south Reno: Crews will expand the stretch of Steamboat Parkway from four lanes to six between Marketplace Drive and Veterans Parkway through November.

U.S. 395, North Valleys: Northbound traffic will continue be reduced to two lanes on U.S. 395 through mid-2025 due to NDOT's work to widen U.S. 395 between North McCarran Boulevard and Golden Valley Road. The on-ramp at Panther Valley north of Reno will be closed through late 2024.

U.S. 395 north of Topaz Lake: Single-lane closures will take place in one-mile sections from the state line to Ray May Way between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays through August as NDOT repaves the roadway. Reduced speed limits will be in place. Drivers should expect travel delays of up to 30 minutes.

Mark Earnest contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Artown takes its final bow for the year as Hot August Nights rolls into town