Nevada Humanities celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Nevada Humanities Chautauqua festival, June 26-30, 2011, at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, in Reno. Each night begins with a musical performance featuring a local band. Music starts at 6 p.m. and Chautauqua performances begin at 7 p.m. Plenty of comfortable chairs will be available as well as a lawn area for those who prefer to sit on a blanket. Bring a picnic or enjoy food offered for sale by Men Wielding Fire. Parking is plentiful and free.
Nevada Humanities Chautauqua tickets are available for sale at http://nevadahumanities.org and at the gate on the evening of the performance. General admission is $15 per night/$45 per weeklong pass for four shows; reserved seating is $30 per night/$90 per weeklong pass for four shows. For more information contact Nevada Humanities at 775-784-6587 or visit http://nevadahumanities.org .
The special 20th anniversary program features old favorites from past programs and some characters new to Reno, including Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII, Coco Chanel, Thomas Hart Benton, César Chávez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Thomas Jefferson, all portrayed in theatrical performances during the evening programs. Nevada Humanities Chautauqua blends the insightful depth of historical research with the fun of theatrical entertainment. The Chautauqua format is simple: a performer, in the guise of a historical figure, tells “first-hand” stories about important episodes in the character’s life. After the monologue, the audience and performer engage in a lively give and take. Finally, the performer emerges from character to respond to questions that could not be answered in character.
Now celebrating its 20th year in Reno, Nevada Humanities Chautauqua was created by Nevada Humanities in 1992 and is one of the longest-running Chautauqua festivals in the country.
“One of the things I love most about Chautauqua is the gathering of friends at Bartley Ranch each year,” says Christina Barr, executive director of Nevada Humanities. “The past 19 years of have been filled with fascinating characters from around the globe, great musical performances by local bands, and excellent picnic meals eaten with friends and family under a gorgeous Nevada evening sun. This is going to be an exciting celebration for Chautauqua veterans and newcomers alike. There’s something here for everyone.”
In addition to evening performances, community events take place throughout the Truckee Meadows during Nevada Humanities Chautauqua week. Nevada Humanities Young Chautauqua youth program participants also have a chance to showcase their talent with daily performances, including an entire evening of Young Chautauqua performances by some of the program’s most talented performers on Sunday, June 26, at 6 p.m., at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch Regional Park. This program is free and open to the public. Visit http://nevadahumanities.org for a complete roster of community Chautauqua programs.
Nevada Humanities Chautauqua is made possible with generous support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Robert Z. Hawkins Foundation, NV Energy Foundation, Intuit, Wells Fargo Advisors, and many community partners.
What You Need to Know
Dates: Nevada Humanities Chautauqua takes place Sunday, June 26-Thursday, June 30, 2011. Doors open at 5 p.m., musical performances begin at 6 p.m., and Chautauqua performances begin at 7 p.m.
Where: The Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, 6000 Bartley Ranch Road, Reno. Parking is plentiful and free.
Tickets: All Nevada Humanities Chautauqua tickets are available for sale at http://nevadahumanities.org; general admission tickets are also available at the gate the evening of the performance (cash or check only).
General admission: $15 per night/$45 per weeklong pass of four shows. General admission allows first-come, first-served access to unreserved seats and lawn.
Reserved seating: $30 per night/$90 per weeklong pass of four shows. Reserved seating is only available for purchase online. Reserved seating tickets allow access to a block of seats in a prime location held for reserved ticket holders. With reserved seats you can arrive any time you want and get a great seat. Admission for the Sunday, June 26, evening program is free.
Nevada Humanities Chautauqua Evening Programs
Tickets are available for sale at http://nevadahumanities.org and at the gate on the evening of the performance.
Sunday, June 26: An Evening of Young Chautauqua: Failure & Success. Featuring performances by local youth. Music by the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra. FREE
Monday, June 27: Anne and the King. Alyssa Foster as Anne Boleyn and Frank X. Mullen Jr. as Henry VIII. Music: Sierra Nevada Balalaika Ensemble. $15 general/$30 reserved.
Tuesday, June 28: America’s Artist and the Little Black Dress. Doug Mishler as Thomas Hart Benton and Annette Baldwin as Coco Chanel. Music: Reno Taiko Tsurunokai. $15 general/$30 reserved.
Wednesday, June 29: A More Perfect Union. Fred Blanco as César Chávez and Marvin Jefferson as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Music: Mariachi Plata. $15 general/$30 reserved.
Thursday, June 30: The Indispensable Man. Clay Jenkinson as Thomas Jefferson. Music: Shiloh. $15 general/$30 reserved.
Nevada Humanities Chautauqua Events Around Town
All Events Around Town are FREE and open to the public. Visit http://nevadahumanities.org for program updates and information.
Coffee with the Chautauquans. Monday, June 27-Friday, July 1, from 7:30-9 a.m., Sundance Books and Music, 121 California Ave., Reno. Gather each morning during Chautauqua week at the new Sundance Book and Music to meet Chautauqua performers, ask questions, and enjoy coffee and treats. FREE
Young Chautauqua Under the Tent. Monday, June 27-Thursday, June 30, 9:30 a.m.-12 noon, Flying B Pavilion at Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno. Young scholars perform on stage; hands-on crafts activities for young people. Great for kids. FREE
Henry VIII Meets eHarmony.com with Frank X. Mullen Jr. Sunday, June 26, 1 p.m., Downtown Reno Library, 301 South Center St., Reno. FREE
The Poor People’s Campaign – Martin Luther King’s Last Great Dream with Marvin Jefferson. Sunday, June 26, 2 p.m., Bethel African American Cultural Center, 220 Bell St., Reno. FREE
Henry VIII and Hollywood: Tudors in Film and Pop Culture with Frank X. Mullen Jr. Tuesday, June 28, 1 p.m., South Valleys Library, 15650A Wedge Parkway, Reno. FREE
My Thirty Years with Thomas Jefferson with Clay Jenkinson. Wednesday, June 29, 1 p.m., Sparks Library, 1125 12th St., Sparks. FREE
Great Designers Never Die with Annette Baldwin. Wednesday, June 29, 2 p.m., Incline Village Library, 845 Alder Ave., Incline Village. FREE
American Art and Genius: Thomas Hart Benton and Jackson Pollock with Doug Mishler. Thursday, June 30, 1 p.m., Sparks Library, 1125 12th St., Sparks. FREE
Nevada Humanities is one of 56 state and territorial humanities councils affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities. With offices in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada Humanities creates public programs and supports public projects statewide that define the Nevada experience and facilitate the exploration of issues that matter to Nevadans and their communities.
