Cast a spell
Champion magicians and illusionists from across the globe will dazzle audiences with their sleight-of-hand skills and power of perception during the 12th annual Spellbinders International Festival of Magic, happening Friday through Sunday, Oct. 2-4. Magicians Rocco, Suzanne, Lorenzo Clark and Roman Spinale will travel to libraries across northwestern Nevada for free performances in an effort to raise support for childhood literacy. Registration is required for some performances at Washoe County libraries, as space is limited. Go to washoelibrary.org/spellbinders to register.
While at the library, attendees can pick up free tickets for the gala showcases starring Kalin and Jinger, Tina Lenert, Stuart MacDonald and Larry Wilson starting at 3 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Virginia St. Visit to spellbindersfestival.com for more details.
Let it glow
Explore “Many Worlds Aglow” when Dragons Lights Reno returns for another season of light and magic within the confines of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Larger-than-life lantern displays will illuminate the arboretum’s paths as visitors wander through three immersive zones. The Asian Safari zone pays homage to the rich traditions of Chinese lantern artistry, and features a glowing panda bamboo forest corridor; lantern and feather corridors; and a dramatic display of galloping horses standing five meters tall, among other attractions. The African Desert zone includes a grand welcome gate; a 28-meter desert world centerpiece; and a butterfly wings and dragonfly display where guests can stand between shimmering wings for a photo. The Dinosaur World zone takes wandering wayfarers far back in time with dazzling lantern displays of towering dinosaurs and ancient landscapes, including a six-meter Tyrannosaurus Rex and a 25-meter butterfly corridor. Along the way, attendees can frolic in an interactive playground, shop for lantern souvenirs and Asian handicrafts, or replenish their energy with a variety of eats served up by local and traveling food vendors. Dragon Lights opens on Friday, Oct. 2, and runs daily through Sunday, Nov. 29, at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, 1595 N. Sierra St. Tickets range from $17.75 for a weekday child ticket to $93 for a weekend four-pack. Kids age 2 and younger get in for free. Parking is free, but can be limited depending on times and dates. Go to dragonlightsreno.org for tickets and other information.
Turn on, tune in
Treat your ears to a panoply of sounds ranging from “experimental psychedelic cabaret dreampunk” to “single-wide soul music” at the OffBeat Music Festival. The annual music showcase features dozens of local, national and international acts performing at various venues in the Reno Brewery District. This year’s lineup includes of Montreal, RJD2 (live band), Polyrhythmics, Ron Gallo, Dean Johnson, Grace Cummings, Vincent Antone, Gaslamp Killer, Late Night Radio, Honeycomb, Tristen, Sonny and His Rhinestone Sunsets, Jordan Smart, The Great Bingo, Revival, Spoon Benders, Color Green, Doom Gong, Glyders, Send Medicine, Family Worship Center, Jesus Christ Taxi Driver, Moondog Matinee, Spencer Kilpatrick and the Sand Gators, Killer Whale, Møtrik, Micah Schnabel and Vanessa Jean Speckman, Rambo Party, Elephant Rifle, Spacehall Sound Machine, The Happy Trails, BendreTheGiant, Grooblen, Nightbrain, The Inappropriators and Ghosts of Glory Trail. The monthly Ritual Goth Night will also be featured as part of the festival. The music starts shortly after 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3, at participating venues including The Alpine, The Barrelhouse at The Depot, Black Rabbit Mead Co., Dead Ringer Analog Bar, Lead Dog and Starsound Music Hall, as well as the OffBeat Main Stage in the Reno Brewery District along East Fourth Street in downtown Reno. Tickets range from $28.37 to $96.95. Visit www.offbeatreno.com for a schedule and other information.
Creep shows
Even folks who avoid thrill rides and haunted houses crave a jump scare once in a while—especially this time of year with Halloween just around the corner. Put on a brave face, and test your courage by attending one of several scary movie screenings happening around the area.
Load up the family hearse for a trip to dreadfully delightful Carson Valley to see the Main Street Annual Coffin Races and Fall Festival. The frightfully family-friendly gathering features more than 70 arts and crafts vendors, a food truck alley, haunted hayrides, scarecrow building, live bands and performers, and a parade of handcrafted coffins followed by the races featuring teams in themed outfits who will push their coffins down a hay-lined street in a race for coffin trophies. The festival is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3, at Heritage Park, 1447 Courthouse St., Gardnerville. Admission is free. Visit www.mainstreetgardnerville.org or www.facebook.com/MainStGardnerville.
The loo-natic fringe
Peculiar potties will populate the main strip of Virginia City during the 37th annual World Championship Outhouse Races. Decades ago, Virginia City residents protested a city ordinance that banned outdoor toilets. Angry residents pushed, pulled and dragged their outhouses to the courthouse in a public display of defiance. Participants have since marked the occasion with a potty parade and relay each year. During this commode competition, teams of costumed racers and their decorated outhouses are pitted against each other, two at a time, in a sprint down C Street to the toilet-paper finish line and a chance at winning the latrine title. Spectators line the boardwalks as they cheer the racers on and then vote for their favorite outhouse. The free festivities take place from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3-4, along Virginia City’s main street. Visit visitvirginiacitynv.com or liquidblueevents.com/world-championship-outhouse-races.
Gathering the flock
Strange affairs
Looking for a low-key weird way to get into the Halloween spirit? Underworld Distillery will host several events to celebrate the spooky season. Slip into your coziest bat-print PJs and settle in for an evening of cocktails and a mystery movie at Secret Cinema Pajama Party, which gets under way at 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 3. Pack a sketchbook, pencils, pens and other supplies and get inspired to draw during Sketchy Spirits, 4 to 10 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 6. Got a curious or cursed item in your personal collection? Share the story behind your oddity at Bizarre Show and Tell, 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8. Finally, learn the methods and technologies of our mystic ancestors at Magick School—Occult Theory and Esoteric Practice, which begins at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10. All events are free to attend, but you must be aged 21 or older. Underworld Distillery is located at 5301 Longley Lane, Building F, Ste 203. Check underworlddistillery.com or www.facebook.com/underworlddistillery/events for more details…