This monthly series showcases 3-4 local bands and splits the door proceeds 50/50 with The Holland Project and a local non-profit group. This month, we have the local bands Dirty Bird, themolesters.nv, and Janise + Ali. The non-profit Holland will be splitting the proceeds with is the Committee to Aid Abused Women (CAAW.) The show begins at 7 PM sharp at the Studio on 4th, and is $5. All-ages!
GR
Sorry it has been a while, I needed a good post-holiday recovery. I’m sure you did, too… but now, it begins again… so I ask…
…so what’s it going to be, Reno? What say you?
2008 was an interesting year, there were good times, there were bad times, there were fun times, there were boring times.
I’m not so sure, but I’m getting the gut feeling (and not from eating at the Gold ‘n’ Silver, either)… that 2009 is going to be a little different for Reno.
We have small, seedling institutions, bars, party organizers, could-be regular events, and even larger community-based projects being erected.
We all know what to expect from any given year in Reno, we’ll be having the Air Races, Hot August Nights (or as I like to coin the phrase, “Hot Exhaust Blights…” no I’m not anti-car, I’m just anti-anti-Reno… make sense?), Street Vibrations, ArTown…
…the problem with a lot of these events is they have gotten so big they have gone from something to do, to something almost exclusionary in the scope of Reno. ArTown is a confusing maw of wine-drunks and kids, the Air Races don’t even let you get close enough to the planes to see who is who, Hot Exhaust Blights speaks for itself… Street Vibrations almost is a non-issue because it’s 2-3 days of bikes, most of the time the participants are decent (these days Harley riders are either aging or newbie lawyers)…
…in contrast, we have a new baseball stadium going up (the guaranteed completion date is April 1, 2010, but progress has been QUITE steady…) and should be a good place for any sporting-happy Renoites to go hang out.
There’s also been a closure of one of Reno’s pop-culture/counterculture bars (depending on who you ask…) The Satellite, which was known for bringing in bands and libations together for a raucous evening. However, just down the street, there’s the St. James Infirmary, which isn’t exactly set up for shows, but that doesn’t mean it won’t.
Up-and-coming Reno diva Ashlee Stone has single-handedly (well almost, with help of a few friends of course!) created a mesmerizing party scene for the gay group, throwing elaborate bashes in the Belvedere and elsewhere, akin to invite-only parties seen only in larger cities.
Akin in nature, Divas on the Run have also provided excellent drag shows and charity benefit shows that occur at least four times a year!
There’s now TWO huge sporting good stores in the area, soon to be joined by a third. Bass Pro Shops, opening sometime in 2009 (I think!) … they will join Scheel’s, and Cabela’s, making Reno quite the destination of potential outdoor adventuring. I wince a little bit speaking of these stores because well-known Reno sporting goods local venues are probably all lamenting the building of such shopping monoliths, and I truly hope they can compete. What I am aware of, though, is that Reno is the perfect place for sporting juggernauts to land their ships. Our location is central to myriad locations for fishing, hiking, biking, hunting, camping, rock climbing, gold panning, crystal searching, bird watching, motorcycle/ATV riding… you name it. A lot of the local stores in Reno are having a hard time with matching price over profit compared to these bigger retailers, and it will be a test of their capitalist mettle to find out if they can compete. What they should realize is, if they offer something the larger stores can’t, or don’t, they’ll be fine. Gun stores for example, have always been a harrowing experience for myself and everyone I know here. They’re sometimes pricey, sometimes rude and not conveniently located. (If you want a couple that are okay, see the GHR list…)
Bicycle shops are one of the places I shake my head the most in the inevitability of some good ones possibly closing. Scheel’s, by example, has some pretty great prices and excellent service and support of their bikes, but their selection seems to be based upon stock of a few, rather than choice of many. Maybe that’s where the local guys could give them a run?
Luckily organizations like the Reno Bike Project are moving UP in the world, their location on 4th street between Bliss nightclub and Club Underground is a PERFECT location, giving 4th street a needed boost in clientele. They are basically “recycled bicycles,” fixing, teaching, providing and doing good for the pedal-set in Reno. Never a bad thing.
Kayaks at Scheel’s are unbeatable. Even compared to Cabela’s. They have staff at Scheel’s that knows their stuff, good prices and a great selection. Reno has had very few kayak shops, most have closed down, and from what I saw, they concentrated on white water, where kayaking goes much more. I myself use a recreational model to fish.
This may seem like a chain-yank for Scheel’s, but I’m not going to ignore a good business doing good things for Reno. They treat their workers well (I’ve asked them… and they are sometimes DECADES with the company, rare for retail) they provide good prices, selection and service. The store itself is a giant gaping mall-type structure, which if you have had a long day, you (or I?) find myself traveling to the gun department first…)
The Holland project continues to thrive against all odds, being forcibly removed from a base of operations that should have been harmonious, they continue to provide a whole plethora of different gatherings, music performances, projects, workshops and even congressional discussions to Reno, and I hope they continue doing so.
The all-ages venue situation in Reno is DIRE. The Studio on 4th is one of the few places holding regular events for all-ages shows. It’s a beautiful little location, keyword, little. For the Electric Circus, having 60-100 people ambling about was tight. There is always the Eyeball, but sadly show houses have the reputation of ne’er do wells, although the kids over at the Eyeball have always kept their toes just shy of the line, in my opinion. It’s a rowdy time, over there, but there’s usually far too many people to make a show truly watchable, danceable and entertaining. This furthers my insisting that the next great all-ages philanthropist try and put something together, because the kids need it. Hell, I need it. Bars are sometimes a harrowing experience themselves, and all-ages shows provide an experimental stomping ground for music and socializing. All-ages usually means “all inclusive,” and I like that idea.
Reno’s Really, Really Free Market is trying super, super hard to establish something different for the town, you probably have seen their flyers or been spammed something huge over the Internet. What they do is exactly what the name says: It’s a free market. Leave a little, take a little. A truly great concept, because everyone likes free. I’m sure their overhead cost is at least a little more expensive than free, but donating one’s time and effort to organize something like this is interesting and appreciated. Expect them to get bigger and more free in the future!
All the while, we’re seeing an influx of independent stores in Reno, a lot of them clothing-related. Joining Rad Betty’s on Vesta is Junkee (who I owe a write-up, by the way…) and that means, between the those two especially, we’re going to look good, so where is there to go?
Events will be on the rise in Reno in 2009. I’m not sure how I know this, maybe the rain is giving me confidence and optimism. Maybe it’s because during times of economic hardship, people STILL get bored, but they just entertain themselves in different manners, usually cheaper and more frequently. It is not our policy here at GHR to talk about politics outside of the Reno/Sparks area, but with so much optimism with a presidential switchover, perhaps that will fuel the fire even more, at least in certain entertainment areas. Gas is also a little cheaper, so that means maybe going from point A to point B will be within reach for more people.
Provided we aren’t inundated with an influx of fire smoke this summer, it is likely that I’m going to disappear quite frequently this summer. Like most, my income situation isn’t dire, but it is LOW. I am down to just one job rather than two, and that is leaving me broke, but with time.
Which is why I’m pondering this upcoming year in Reno, and I would like to know YOUR thoughts, reader. Is there a new venue opening up? A new project? A new regular show idea? A bar? A club? A store?
Promotion and information is what we like here, albeit entertaining. This is a place of discussion. I’ve thrown out what I can in my observations and optimism for 2009. This is by no means a complete list or thought process, just what is standing out in my mind currently… so, what is on YOUR mind, Reno?
GR
The lovely Chanel (not pictured, sadly) sent me a message about the Closet Ball for 2009!
The Closet Ball is anoter Divas On The Run event AIDS benefit which your favorite Reno drag stars pull out all the stops and make for an evening of glitter, glam, lip syncing, creative coreography and unforgettable hair.
It will be at the Reno Plaza Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn) on Saturday, February 7, 2009… Doors open at 7:00pm with the show at 8:00pm.
I like to call these events “casual,” but it is more or less a tradition to come looking your best, or most creative. Some do it to honor the countless makeup, hair and costuming hours, not to mention the pain involved with moving around in that stuff for hours afterwards. Others do it just to add to the ambiance.
If you’re a fan of drag, it is another excuse to go out and have a decent evening!
- GR
Yep, tried-and-true GHR friends Buster Blue and MFIOF will be doing some music at the Studio on 4th! Guest Gabriel Traverso will be rounding off the set, and I am probably going to go.
January 16th, 8pm, all ages, so bring your mother.
GR
…we’re trying really hard to look sophisticated here, but keep barfing on our chest and ending up in Virgina Street’s gutter with an empty plastic flask of White Wolf.
Basically our system is a hodgepodge of home made addons and interesting flash, so if anything doesn’t look right or if something is amiss, please email us. I keep finding odd little things and figure if you do too, tell us.
Pick us up, wipe the pieces from our beard (and boobs) and tell us everything will be okay… and give us a dollar! Rar!
A joke. But really. Not about the dollar, but tell us if something is screwey.
- Gay Rodeo
