Tag Archives: Artown

July 27, 2009 · 7:30 am

Funk Brothers keep Motown alive

Eddie Willis, left, and Bob Babbitt, original Motown Funk Brothers, will perform Aug. 1 for Artown.

Eddie Willis, left, and Bob Babbitt, original Motown Funk Brothers, will perform Aug. 1 for Artown.

Don’t expect Bob Babbitt to hang up his bass any time soon. The veteran musician, best known for playing on Motown hits during the late 1960s and early 1970s, says his instrument is a “fountain of youth.”

“My sister once said to me, ‘Bob, are you ever gonna retire?’ And you know what I said to her? ‘What makes you think I work?’ I don’t care what you do, if you honestly and truly love it, it’s not work.”

So, Babbitt keeps playing, and Aug. 1 he’ll be in Reno to close the 2009 Artown festival with a free performance by his band, the Funk Brothers.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090726/ENT/907260302/1056/Funk-Brothers-carry-Motown-tradition-to-close-of-Artown

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July 6, 2009 · 7:36 am

World Music Series hits Reno July 8

The Wailing Souls will play in Reno July 8.

The Wailing Souls will play in Reno July 8.

For years, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada presented a July world music series that ranked among the most popular activities at Artown. So, when the Food Bank decided to try something different, Artown staff stepped in.

“We’ve taken over,” Artown executive director Beth Macmillan said. “It’s a very relevant genre that needs to be offered to the community. I think it really introduces our community to different cultures through the arts.”

That means Wingfield Park will once again play host to world music shows at 7 p.m. each Wednesday. As in the past, admission will be by donation, but this year, cash offerings will help pay Artown’s concert costs.

Click here for full story: http://rgj.com/article/20090706/ENT/907060310/1056/Sounds-from-around-the-world

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July 1, 2009 · 6:58 am

Artown opens today in Reno

The 2009 Artown festival kicks off Wednesday, marking the beginning of 32 days of arts and entertainment events spread throughout Reno and Sparks.

The festival officially starts in the morning with a variety of ongoing art exhibitions, but the day’s main event is the opening ceremony — scheduled for 7 p.m. at Wingfield Park — followed by a free concert by folksinger Richie Havens.

Click here for the full story: http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090630/NEWS/90630045&s=d&page=1#pluckcomments

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May 3, 2009 · 7:31 am

Big plans for Reno’s Artown festival

Folksinger Richie Havens will open Artown with a free concert.

Folksinger Richie Havens will open Artown with a free concert.

Artown will kick off its 14th season July 1, and organizers are promising more entertainment options than ever, but presented in a slightly different fashion than in years past.

“We had 350 events last year,” Artown executive director Beth Macmillan said. “We have 400 unique events this year, and we’ve cut back on our ticketed events.”

Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090503/LIV/905030312

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March 13, 2009 · 2:14 pm

Ladysmith Black Mambazo ready for Reno

mambazoLadysmith Black Mambazo won its second Grammy in February, and spokesman and original member Albert Mazibuko sees this as the ultimate honor.

“That’s amazing,” he said. “That’s the best thing that ever happened to the group, because if you talk about the Grammy, there’s no other award in the world that’s above it. That kind of recognition in the world, it’s great. It’s so wonderful.”

Renoites can catch the South African vocal group fresh off its win when it plays the Grand Sierra Resort on Sunday. The concert is a rare non-summer offering by Reno’s Artown festival.

For the full story, click here: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090313/ENT02/903130414/1056/ENT

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