February 27, 2009 · 10:38 am
In late January, Nevada Opera officials announced that the 41-year-old company was on the verge of collapse and would close if it didn’t raise $100,000 in just four weeks. Today, the message is more upbeat.
The group surpassed its $100,000 goal, meeting the requirements for a $50,000 challenge donation, and will produce “La Boheme” in April. Opera board president Randi Thompson said the group has $165,000 and received pledges for about $20,000 more.
For full story, click here: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090227/NEWS/902270428/1321/news
February 6, 2009 · 9:44 am
With prices to concerts and special events rising while incomes are declining, free show tickets sound pretty good, and Bill Nagel says he’ll get them for you.
Nagel is the local operator of House Seats (www.houseseats.com), a Las Vegas-based company that now gives subscribers the opportunity to claim free tickets to concerts and sporting events in Northern Nevada and Northern California. The catch? Members pay a subscription fee ranging from $89 to $169 per year, and tickets are handed out on a first-come-first-served basis. The $89 level entitles subscribers to two tickets per show and the $169 level comes with four tickets. There’s no limit on the number of shows a subscriber can attend.
Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090206/ENT/902060417/1056
February 6, 2009 · 2:44 am
Somewhere in the middle of Wednesday’s Mötley Crüe concert at the Reno Events Center I realized that a Crüe show isn’t really about the music. Not only does the band sound vastly superior on CD, but with a recording one is able to close his or her eyes and imagine all this objectifying of women and shouting at the devil is the brainchild of angst-ridden 20-somethings rather than the middle-aged rockers the band has become.
But I digress. A Crüe concert today is clearly about “the experience.” So rather than bother with the traditional review, I decided to simply provide observations from the Crüe experience.
If Hinder wants to keep opening for classic rock bands, it needs to cultivate at least three more hit songs.
When bass and drums are played loudly enough, they might actually kickstart your heart.
Click here for full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20090205/ENT/90205049/1056/ENT
November 10, 2008 · 9:01 pm
The Reno Philharmonic will continue its search for a new music director and conductor next week when Christopher Confessore leads the orchestra through two performances. Confessore is resident conductor of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and music director and principal conductor of the Brevard Symphony Orchestra in Florida. He also is one of five finalists competing for the music director job in Reno.
Reno Gazette-Journal arts editor Forrest Hartman had the opportunity to ask him four quick questions in advance of his Sunday and Nov. 18 performances.
Click here for the full story: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081110/ENT/811100311/1056
October 13, 2008 · 8:06 am
Those of you who live in Reno, may be interested in reading my interview with conductor Rebecca Miller, who 
is one of the finalists for the open music director position with the Reno Philharmonic. You’ll find the full story here: http://www.rgj.com/article/20081013/LIV/810130317/1089
foresthartman.com 