Catch hot acts at the Bartley Ranch outdoor venue with food, drinks and more

Sarah Cook, reno.com
June 28, 2007

Hawkins Amphitheater is the best place in town to go for a summer show, hands down. Located on Bartley Ranch off Lakeside Drive, this music venue is literally in the middle of one of the most beautiful residential areas of Reno, directly below what we locals refer to as “Windy Hill,” which is full of exquisite homes and extended ranchland, as well as a plethora of aged trees and fresh vegetation that manages to look beautiful year-round.

Every summer, Hawkins Amphitheater hosts an absolutely amazing summer concert series, so making it to one of their shows this season should be a priority for your hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer.

The lineup for this season includes:
• Guy Clark
• Iris DeMent (who is the fabulous Greg Brown’s little lady)
• Ramblin’ Jack Elliot
• Queen Ida and Her Zydeco Band
• Tom Rigney & Flambeau
• C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band
• Robert Earl Keen Jr.
• The Cowboy Junkies
• Los Lobos
• Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars
• Bruce Cockburn
• Ron Sexsmith
• The Ramsey Lewis Trio
• Madeleine Peyroux
• Marie Knight
• Michael Martin Murphey
• Allison Moorer
• Paula Poundstone
• Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood
• John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting

Now tell me that didn’t give you goose bumps.

For a complete schedule of events, beginning June 30, see our story here

About the shows

The sound at Hawkins Amphitheater is great, so no matter where you sit, prepare to be blown away by various musicians from all walks of life. The colorful lighting is pretty cool, too, and perfectly compliments the stars that shine above.


Tickets and season passes

Prices range from about $45 to $60 and are available through the Washoe County Parks and Recreation’s main office, 2601 Plumas St. Seating is limited, so get tickets in advance, as they usually sell out.

Those who dig the enitre lineup and feel like making Hawkins a weekend summer home can buy season passes for $645, which nabs one of the better seats in the venue.

The best bet is lawn seating. Not only are they cheaper, but the lawn stretches all the way from the back of the venue to the stage, so if you’re lucky and equipped with mad skills, you can snag yourself an ideal spot on the grass. Bring along a blanket and a buddy, and you’re dialed.

If you decide to go for the chair seats instead, you’re going to be super comfortable. These chairs are huge, no kidding.


Provisions

Also, the Hawkins Amphitheater summer series has food and beverage booths set up out front, so if you want a barbeque sandwich or a tall, cold beer or glass of wine, you’ve got a selection, or bring a your own wine and plastic cups. No glass bottles are allowed in the amphitheater.

The volunteers working the event dance around to the music and seem quite happy, so drama is the last thing you can expect to run into at a Hawkins event. After all, who isn’t a bucket of smiles when surrounded by happy people, scented flowers, glorious ranchland, and a wide array of talented performers?

Facilities

Hawkins Amphitheater has everything you’d want from a venune. Open space, great sound, comfey chairs, lawns, landscaping, views and more. Two public restrooms are right next to the venue, so you won’t have to make a big haul to the bathroom.

For more information on the Hawkins Amphitheater season concert series at Bartley Ranch, call the Washoe County Parks & Recreation Department at (775) 823-6500, or visit the amphitheater website at www.1moe.com

On the website, sign up for the mailing list and stay up to date with the schedule.