Arts & Entertainment items: Community Reunion entertainment

The annual Community Reunion at Oats Park evening caps off on Aug. 17 with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. with Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley.

Ickes and Hensley meld blues, bluegrass, country, rock and other string band music of all kinds to form a signature blend of music.

Ickes co-founded the highly influential bluegrass group Blue Highway and has been a sought-after Nashville session player and live performing musician for decades, with credits to his name such as Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Merle Haggard, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire and Alison Krauss. Hensley has been called “Nashville’s hottest young player” by Acoustic Guitar magazine and his soulful baritone vocals have received acclaim as well.

DeVotchKa rescheduled for Aug. 24

A cross-pollination of numerous influences, including cabaret, spaghetti Westerns, norteño, punk, and the immigrant dance music of Eastern Europe, Colorado-based quartet DeVotchKa, formed in Denver by multi-instrumentalists Nick Urata (vocals, guitar, trumpet), Tom Hagerman (violin, accordion), Jeanie Schroder (sousaphone, bass) and percussionist Shawn King, emerged as unlikely indie heroes in the mid-2000s infusing modern indie music with a global flavor.

This performance is rescheduled from March 2024 to Aug. 24 at the Churchill Arts Center’s Barkley Theatre.

DeVotchKa found widespread success in 2006 with their Grammy-nominated soundtrack to the hit indie film Little Miss Sunshine. Signing with revered indie label, Anti-, the band delivered A Mad and Faithful Telling in early 2008, reaching the number nine slot on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. A lengthy world tour followed, including stops at major festivals like Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Bumbershoot.

Tickets for the previous show will be honored for this event, which begins at 7 p.m. The box office, art bar and galleries open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $17 for members and $20 for nonmembers Youth and students with a valid student ID are $10.

Tickets may also be purchased online at www.churchillarts.org.

For information, call the Churchill Arts Council at 775-423-1440.

Churchill Arts Council

Join the Churchill Arts Council this summer for exciting classes involving food.

For registration, go to www.churchillarts.org. There is a cost associated with each class.

• Cooking with Stephanie Shaw: Walnut and Cauliflower Tacos with beans & rice Aug. 13

This is a light-hearted, plant-based cooking class taught by the talented Stephanie Shaw.

Create a filling and delectable meal to take home.

• Cooking with Stephanie Shaw: Falafel Mediterranean Bowl with Cashew Tzatziki Aug. 27

In this course, you will learn how to prepare Falafel Mediterranean Bowls served with Cashew Tzatziki.

You'll practice techniques in a light-hearted and supportive small-class environment with mentoring and support from plant-based cooking expert Stephanie Shaw. Bring a dish large enough to carry your meal home to enjoy — the recipe will be provided to you as well, so that you can continue to prepare this delightful dish at home whenever you get the craving.

Cooking with Stephanie Shaw: Cauliflower Steak w/Cashew Pepper Sauce Sept. 10

In this course, you will learn how to prepare cauliflower steaks with a cashew pepper sauce and roasted red potatoes.

You'll practice techniques in a light-hearted and supportive small-class environment with mentoring and support from plant-based cooking expert Stephanie Shaw! Bring a dish large enough to carry your meal home to enjoy — the recipe will be provided to you as well, so that you can continue to prepare this delightful dish at home whenever you get the craving.

Bluegrass festival

The Northern Nevada Bluegrass Association will host its 38th annual Bowers Bluegrass Festival from Friday, Aug. 23, to Sunday, Aug. 25 in New Washoe City, according to a news release. The festival features 12 bands over the three days.

On Friday, gates open at 3 p.m., with local bands Coyote Crossing and SugarPine Bluegrass warming up the crowd for a Reno favorite, Broken Compass Band, at 6:45 p.m.

On Saturday, gates open at 9 a.m., with opening ceremony 30 minutes after. Throughout the day, local bands including the Monday Night Volunteers, Front Porch and High West, as well as regional favorites the Salty Sallys, SLO County Stumblers (who will play Old Time Fiddle tunes for a contra dance, complete with a dance caller), and the national headliner, the Appalachian Road Show coming out from Georgia. Also appearing on Saturday will be the newly crowned Nevada State Junior Fiddle Champion, 9-year-old Ruby Herz with her fiddle teacher, Sevina Versales.

On Sunday, gates open at 11 a.m. A second performance by the Appalachian Road Show will feature Bluegrass Gospel songs, and additional bands, Wildcat Mountain Ramblers and The High Water Line will perform. The culmination of the festival will be a performance by AJ Lee & Blue Summit, starting at 4 p.m.

There is ample free parking available. Park does not allow glass containers or pets.

Find the schedules, full lineup and all details online at www.nnb.org/2024bowersbluegrassfestival or email all inquiries to info@nnba.org.