After the lights dim on the stage at Wingfield Park and July’s arts and culture festivities come to a close Artown continues its stream of performances with a world-class lineup for the 2010-2011 Artown Encore series. Blending bluegrass and Broadway, dance and spoken word, the series brings six evenings of art to Grand Sierra Resort’s Grand Theatre stage. 

2010-2011 Artown Encore series runs October through April and features:

Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers: An Evening of Bluegrass and Banjo, Oct. 5, tickets $40, $55, $70. Following his successful 2009 tour in support of his Grammy Award-winning album The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo, Steve Martin is once again joined by the award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers for an evening of bluegrass.   

John Lithgow’s Stories By Heart, Oct. 28, tickets $30, $45 and $60. In his one-man theatrical memoir, Stories By Heart, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor John Lithgow explores storytelling as the unacknowledged tie that binds humanity. 

Ailey® II, Jan. 25, tickets $25, $35 and $45. Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers.  

An Evening with Bernadette Peters, Feb. 14, tickets $40, $55 and $70. Throughout her illustrious career, Tony Award-winning actress and Broadway’s brightest star Bernadette Peters has sizzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage and television, in concert and on recordings. 

Max Raabe & Palast Orchester, April 10, tickets $25, $35 and $45. Founded in 1986 by the charismatic baritone Max Raabe, Max Raabe & Palast Orchester embodies the high style and musical glory of the 20s and 30s and has been heard in venues the world over. 

Arlo Guthrie, “The Journey On” Tour featuring The Burns Sisters, April 16, tickets $35 and $45. As a masterful storyteller, humorous philosopher and uncompromising artist, Arlo Guthrie proves that folk music is alive and well. He reunites with The Burns Sisters whose Siren song brings evocative, exquisite support to his seasoned and celebrated performances. 

All performances are at 8 p.m. at Grand Sierra Resort’s Grand Theatre. Members of Friends of Artown receive advance ticketing privileges through July 30 and a 10 percent discount on tickets. Friends need to contact the Artown office at 322-1538 to receive the pre-sale purchasing code. Tickets for the Oct. 5 Steve Martin performance are already on sale to the general public.  

Tickets go on sale to the general public July 31 and are available online at www.RenoIsArtown.com, by phone at 800-648-3568 or in person with no service fees at the Grand Sierra Resort box office.

Instant discounts are always a nice little gift. Now, Artown provides an instant 10% discount on all of their ticketed performances for Friends of Artown. It’s just another one of the benefits the non-profit organization provides through the membership program.

Performances eligible for the discount include the April 23 Pat Metheny Orchestrion Tour at Grand Sierra Resort, Artown-produced ticketed performances in July, and Encore series performances throughout Fall 2010 and beyond. Friends of Artown donor levels start at $50, or just $25 for students, and include a range of benefits based on membership level. Advanced ticketing privileges, VIP events, Artown merchandise, and of course the discount, are just a few of the membership perks.

Friends of Artown helps to support the festival and sponsors several of Artown’s beloved events, including Opening and Closing Nights. Review the membership levels and sign-up online.

Just last year the staff at Artown created the Artown Season Pass, a ticket package for Friends of Artown that offers event tickets at a discount.  In its first year it was a smashing success, so of course, Artown brought it back for 2009. 

This year’s Season Pass provides a variety of ticket options, including a complete pass with tickets to all of the festival’s July and post-season performances, or smaller packages with a selection of 3-4 events. Incorporating a diverse selection of performances, the Season Pass options include Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, Chris Botti, Ottmar Liebert, The Chieftains, Pilobolus and even Itzhak Perlman.  The “Year-Round Package” includes tickets to all of the performances at 15% off the regular price.

Artown Season Pass sales end May 31 and quantities are limited.  If you’re already a Friend of Artown call the festival office at 775-322-1538 to purchase your pass.  Not a Friend yet?  Check out the many benefits of membership and sign up.