Reno, USA - June 17, 2012: The Reno Arch in Reno, Nevada. The original arch was built in 1926 to commemorate the completion of the Lincoln and Victory Highways. (travelview/Shutterstock)
By Mark Earnest, Reno Gazette Journal
The entertainment lineup is diverse and exciting, and the price can’t be beat.
From classical to funk to bluegrass, and from casino shows to festivals and all-ages, family-friendly events, here are 16 free shows set for March through the end of May in Reno.
Max Minardi
The North Carolina singer-songwriter performs at 6 p.m. each night at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia Street.
Free shows are March 1-4. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Rose’s Pawn Shop
The popular Los Angeles band that merges bluegrass, roots music and alternative rock returns to town for these shows at 7 p.m. the first night and 8 p.m. subsequent nights at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia Street.
Free shows are March 5-7. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Boxtales Theatre Company
Using masks, music and storytelling, this troupe from Santa Barbara, California performs at 3 p.m. at the Pioneer Center, 100 S. Virginia Street.
This free show is March 7. Details at pioneercenter.com.
Lucas Arizu
From Truckee, California, this guitarist performs a variety of jazz and folk styles at 6 p.m. each night at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia Street.
Free shows are March 8-11. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Jimbo Scott and Yesterday’s Biscuits
This popular Bay Area folk-meets-roots-rock band performs at 7 p.m. at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane.
This free show is March 13. Details at renopublicmarket.com.
Cruz Control featuring Whitney Myer
This band of Reno scene vets mixes hip-hop, soul and indie rock in their sound. They play at 7 p.m. the first night and 8 p.m. subsequent nights at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia Street.
Free shows are now through March 19-21. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Dead Kampers
Santa Cruz, California is home to this garage/surf band that is playing at 8 p.m. at Pele Utu, 1275 Stardust Street.
This free show is March 21. Details at peleutu.com.
Whiskey Sunday
From Los Angeles, Whiskey Sunday combines Irish and American folk music. They play at 7 p.m. the first night and 8 p.m. subsequent nights at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia Street.
Free shows are March 26-28. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Marty O’Reilly
Featured on “The Voice” competition show in 2025, the Bay Area’s O’Reilly was eliminated in the knockout rounds. Just as well, because he’s not a dime-a-dozen pop singer. Instead, he writes and plays music closer to the grittier end of indie-folk and roots music. See him and his trio at 7 p.m. at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Street.
This free show is March 27. Details at forthesong.com.
Poi Rogers
This isn’t a solo artist — it’s a Santa Cruz duo featuring guitarist Gerard Egan and bassist Carolyn Sills. As the name implies, though, it’s a mix of Polynesian/exotica and country/folk. They perform at 6 p.m. each night at Terrace Lounge, Peppermill Resort Casino, 2707 S. Virginia Street.
Free shows are March 29 to April 1. Details at peppermillreno.com.
Daniel Rodriguez
This roots-folk singer/songwriter from Colorado performs at 7 p.m. at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Lane.
This free show is April 17. Details at renopublicmarket.com.
Reno Earth Day
No announcements of musical acts yet, but this annual event that features live entertainment takes place at 10 a.m. at Idlewild Park, 1630 Idlewild Drive.
This free event is April 18. Details at facebook.com/renoearthday.
Piano Heist
Another duo, but very different, as these Canadian keyboardists play everything from classic works to boogie-woogie as part of a musical history lesson. They’ll perform at 3 p.m. at the Pioneer Center, 100 S. Virginia Street.
This free show is April 25. Details at pioneercenter.com.
Molodi
This percussion group from Vegas uses only their hands and bodies to create their mix of dance and music. They are part of the Free Family Series with a show taking place at 3 p.m. at the Pioneer Center, 100 S. Virginia Street.
This free show is May 2. Details at pioneercenter.com.
Reno Philharmonic: The Orchestra Moves
In this unusual performance, the orchestra encourages participation and dancing from children and families as they show how music is put together onstage. It begins at 10 a.m. at the Pioneer Center, 100 S. Virginia Street.
This free show is May 9. Details at pioneercenter.com.
Northern Nevada Celtic Ceilidh
Traditional Irish and Celtic music from local and regional artists, including headliners the Black Irish Band, is a part of this annual event. It takes place at a new location this year, starting at 11 a.m. at Reno Public Market, 299 E. Plumb Street.
This free festival is May 16. Details at irishnevada.org.
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