With walls eclectically adorned with a menagerie of unique artistry, the Oats Park Art Center provides an enlightening place for book and poetry readings, community classes, and Friday night gatherings. This is reason enough for patronizing its halls, but another glistening gem within that deserves community attendance is the warmly inviting Barkley Theater, where live performances ignite the stage with music, culture, and entertainment adventures many would be surprised to find in our small "Desert Oasis” of Northern Nevada.
Mike and I attended the last two music performances that graced the Barkley Theater stage, and we lovedate night at the Arts Center. There, you can have a drink, meet with friends, get exposed to unique art, and enjoy a live show right in the comfort of our sage-y, cottonwood-lined town. No beating traffic, no snooty bartender (in fact, if you haven't met Austin tending bar there, you haven’t lived!), and no more hour drive from the house to have a special night out…just locals attending and supporting a remarkable Fallon landmark and getting a quality experience while they're at it.
The first show we attended was a Country Western band, Tris Munsick & the Innocents. For Country Western music lovers, this show was a must-see, particularly for small-town hearts who love the energy brought on by small-town musicians. Don't let the rural Wyoming roots fool you, though; in the pro music sphere, Tris Musick & the Innocents have played with the likes of Lyle Lovett, Cody Johnson, and Big & Rich, as well as opened for the National Finals Rodeo Opening Ceremonies in Las Vegas.
Tris Munsick was born into authentic cowboy culture. He and his band bring that authenticity through genuine songwriting, storytelling, and the unmistakable country twang that coaxes you into the wide-open spaces and lifestyles of the American West. In-between rustic, homespun songs, Tris regaled the theater onlookers with tales about cowboy life, growing up in a musical family, and the challenges he happily embraces by balancing being a family man, cowboy, and traveling musician.
The second show we had the pleasure of attending was a real treat for me, because while I love almost all live music, (as does Mike) there is a visible passion in the faces of people who play string instruments that seems special to me…and this show absolutely brought that feeling home.
Lucia Micarelli is a violinist, Juilliard and Manhattan School of Music-trained, who began her career in the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She has toured globally with stars many are familiar with, like Josh Groban and Barbara Streisand. She also performed musically and acted in the HBO special Treme.
Lucia played an impressive variation of styles, from Appalachian-inspired pieces to Renaissance-era compositions. Her skill on the violin is technically dazzling (Mike called it “stunning” in fact), but she also stirred the audience with her emotionally grounded vocals. She wowed us, seamlessly transitioning between the impassioned wielding of her violin and the soulful expression of her voice.
With a dear friend on bass and her husband on cello, both with impressive resumes and skills of their own, Lucia’s trio enlivened the stage with harmonious energy, drops of humor that warmed the crowd with laughter, and in between sets, communicated heartfelt messages of the importance of music and family. Lucia shared vulnerable stories that revealed a deeply emotional investment in music and how it connects human experience. Her manner was absolutely enchanting.
We’ve never left a show at the Barkley theater feeling anything but happy about the way our time was spent. While there are bound to be music types that aren’t for us, we will always enjoy supporting traveling artists and musicians, and our local Art Center! If you've not tried a show at the Barkley Theater yet, I highly recommend it.
Mike and I will be doing more "Date Night" reviews of the shows that take place there (and maybe some other surprise date night reviews, let us know if you have suggestions!) The next show is on November 22ndfor the singer-songwriter Gaby Moreno, who will bring an "eclectic mix of soul, blues, folk, and Latin influences." We hope to see you at the Oats Park Art Center for future shows.
Comment
Comments