The Local Lens – Veterans Day, Daffodils & Community Giving
November 10, 2026 | Linda Offerdahl
It’s Veterans Day! It used to be called Armistice Day and dates back to the end of World War 1. President Eisenhower changed it to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all Veterans. Thank a Vet for their service.
Ways to support Veterans in Incline Village:
Attend a lunch with the IVCB Veterans Club (last Thursday of the month at The Chateau)
Attend the Military Ball on December 3! Sponsored by the Military Officers of America Association, along with the Vets Club.
Take a moment to reflect at the Veterans Memorial on the Incline Way side of the Village Green. Thanks to Michael Grossman for spearheading it. Groups like Onward Opps Foundation support it by offering mentoring and support for active and inactive veterans nationwide.
Donate to PTSD Now! Locals Craig and Julie Rauchle founded this organization, which focuses on suicide prevention for the Nevada National Guard through its “Purple Resolve” initiative.
Thanks to LOTS of people, we will be Dancing in Daffodils next spring. Look for new plantings next year in several residential areas, including Lakeshore, on Mt. Rose Hwy coming into town (thank you Tessie Trekkers!), on Village and Incline Way (IES PTA and Incline Middle School), at the corner of Country Club and Tahoe Blvd. (UNR), throughout the shopping centers and plazas, thanks to IPM, Fidel and Tony Robinson, and the vacant lot across from the skate park, thanks to Canopy. Incliners, folks at the rec center, Steve Blaney, all the locals who signed up through IVCBA, thank you!
WINTER WARMTH AND WELLNESS
If you believe what they say about El Niño, more of our locals may need support. Bring warm clothing and household needs to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Contact Lorenaa@sftahoe.org
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If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do so for free! Go to IVCBA.org.
We are financially supported by our local agency “investors” and our business community and residents. Please help!
I love the fall colors, the yellow of the aspen and the reds of the maple trees. It reminds me of fall in Minnesota, where I grew up. This is the time of year to gather up those pine cones and get ready for winter.
It is also the time to plant daffodil bulbs! We were dancing in over 7500 daffodils last spring. What will it look like next spring after another 10,000 bulbs are planted this fall! Please help and join with our schools, our property managers, the Incliners, Rotarians, and our neighbors. We ask that you plant bulbs along visible areas, either in front of your house or along one of our commercial streets. Sign up for bulbs or donate at https://www.ivcba.org/daffodils/
IVGID Candidate Forum on October 13 at IHS Duffield Theater at 6 pm
Here’s your chance to meet the three candidates running for two seats on the IVGID board. Ryan Brooks, Dave Noble, and Harry Swenson offer differing points of view and philosophies on how best to run our general improvement district. IVGID governs water, sewer, trash, and our recreational facilities. How they are governed affects our quality of life. Many of us moved here for the “country club” lifestyle in a public setting. Even if we don’t use all the recreational facilities, a well-run (aka fiscally responsible) community with amenities is in our best interest.
IVCBA FALL FEST AND TCF CARNIVAL on October 17 in Village Center
Join us for this small town festival that brings us the best of fall. Local music, carnival games and food, pumpkins and scarecrows give us a good reason to enjoy a beautiful fall day!
SCH Chocolate and Wine Festival: Saturday, October 24
The Tahoe Chocolate & Wine Festival is back for its 36th year, and it’s always a great afternoon for a great cause. Hosted by Sierra Community House, the event brings our community together while raising critical funds to support local families and individuals when they need it most. Enjoy great wine, chocolate, and company while supporting an organization that does so much for our Tahoe community.
LIKE WHAT YOU READ?
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!
If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do so for free! Go to IVCBA.org.
We are financially supported by our local agency “investors” and our business community and residents. Please help!
Fall Fest Returns with Music, Food and Family Fun in Incline Village
September 30, 2026 | Kristin Derrin
Fall in Tahoe is a time to get outside, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the season before the snow starts to fly. The second annual Fall Fest returns to the Village Center on Saturday, October 17, from 12–3 p.m., bringing together local families, friends, and neighbors for an afternoon of live music, great food, fall activities, and community fun.
Hosted by the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association (IVCBA), Village Center merchants, and Tahoe’s Connection for Families, Fall Fest is a free community celebration with something for everyone.
Live music, local food, beer, and wine tasting will make it an easy afternoon to meet up with friends, catch up with neighbors, and enjoy a fall day in Incline. Local businesses and community organizations will also be joining in with booths, activities, and more throughout the event.
For local families, the Tahoe’s Connection for Families Carnival will be a centerpiece of the afternoon, with games and activities for kids. Families can also stop by the Grocery Outlet Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Decorating, build a scarecrow at Sierra Verde, and enjoy fall activities throughout the Village Center.
Now in its second year, Fall Fest gives local businesses and the community a chance to come together and celebrate fall in Incline Village. It’s a chance to spend an afternoon outside, support local businesses and organizations, and enjoy the people and community that make Incline Village home.
Whether you come for the carnival and pumpkins, stay for the music and food, or meet friends for a beer or glass of wine, Fall Fest offers a little something for everyone.
Admission is free, and all ages are welcome.
Event Details
What: Second Annual IVCBA Fall Fest When: Saturday, October 17, 2026, 12–3 p.m. Where: The Village Center, Incline Village Featuring: Tahoe’s Connection for Families Carnival, live music, food, beer and wine tasting, Grocery Outlet Pumpkin Patch & Pumpkin Decorating, scarecrow building, games and more Admission: Free
Here’s a quick roundup of what’s happening across Incline’s schools, from upcoming events and opportunities to school spirit and community involvement.
INCLINE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Incline Elementary School is off to a great start with lots of new energy on campus and growing parent involvement! The IES PTA has seen an exciting increase in participation, and new PTA President Jeff Unverferth is encouraging all parents to get involved and help support our students and teachers. Anyone interested in joining the PTA can email Jeff at: inclinepta@gmail.com
The PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, the annual Jog-a-Thon, is this Friday! Please consider supporting a local student at the link below. Every dollar raised goes directly to the IES PTA, helping fund important programs and resources including PE, the Makerspace, and a variety of classroom needs.
It’s a fun way to support our students, strengthen our school community, and help make this a great year at Incline Elementary!
We are very proud to report that Incline Middle School has now earned a 4-Star school rating. Huge thanks to the hard work and dedication of teachers, staff, students and parents !
Way to go Mountain Lions!
IMS Volleyball Coach Wanted
Incline Middle School (IMS) is on the hunt for a passionate volleyball coach to join our vibrant community this season! This is a wonderful chance to engage with our students, promoting not only their athletic skills but also their overall wellness and teamwork. With the season fast approaching, we’d love for you to join us and inspire our young athletes to reach their fullest potential. Ready to make a difference? Click the link below to apply and become a part of our wonderful community!
INCLINE HIGH SCHOOL
It’s Homecoming week at Incline High School !
The parade is at 2pm this Friday and you are invited to come watch the mighty Highlanders football team take on Coral Academy.
The game starts at 7pm. Be there or be square!
Successful College & Career Fair
Incline Education Fund (IEF) and IHS hosted another successful College & Career Fair at Incline High School Monday evening, bringing an impressive range of post-secondary and career opportunities directly to local students.
The well-attended event featured 17 colleges and universities from the STARS network, 14 local two- and four-year colleges, including 11 representatives from the University of Nevada, Reno, and 14 local trade organizations and employers.
For IHS students, it was a valuable opportunity to explore what comes next; from some of the nation’s top colleges and universities to hands-on, direct-to-career pathways in local industries and the trades.
The evening also reflects the thoughtful work happening at IHS to ensure students are prepared to pursue whatever post-secondary pathway is right for them… whether that means a four-year degree, community college, technical training, an apprenticeship, or entering the workforce.
Civic engagement…the term is often used as a catchphrase for attending community meetings or events, volunteering, donating to worthy causes, serving on government/nonprofit boards, or running for office. Civic engagement is a critical aspect of IVCBA and encompasses “building a thriving community that supports and is supported by our agencies, businesses, nonprofits and residents.”
IVCBA has programs this Fall that encourage civic engagement.
For the second year, we are partnering with Washoe County to teach a cohort of local residents or workers about the various entities that govern and serve Incline Village and Crystal Bay. A key component is teaching leadership, advocacy, and civil discourse. Our goal is for these informed citizens to find ways to engage positively in the community and help improve our quality of life.
IVCBA partners with IV-CB Community Forum (first and third Fridays at Incline Library) to host a community event for the IVGID candidates. This year, it is on October 13 at 6 pm in the Duffield Theater at Incline High School. It is moderated, and questions are submitted to ensure civil discourse. Thank you to candidates Ryan Brooks, Dave Noble, and Harry Swenson for running!
IVCBA VIP RECEPTION
Twice a year, we bring community leaders together for updates and networking. New service club leaders get a chance to meet leaders in nonprofits and agencies. This helps strengthen our community’s identity.
SHOUT OUT TO INCLINE SCHOOLS, CYMBAL AND IES PTA
Early September brings families to public and private schools to meet teachers and get the new school year off to a good start. It is often hard for working parents to volunteer at school. Thanks to great leadership from teachers and parents, the IES PTA and CYMBAL, the music booster club, both had significant attendance at their meetings this past week. Get engaged with our schools by joining them.
I am convinced that these positive interactions and work on behalf of our nonprofits and families can build trust and help solve problems too big for just one group or organization.
It takes a Village. If you agree with me, please join IVCBA as a community supporter or business!
The Local Lens – Kid-Friendly Food Options in the Village
September 8, 2026 | Kayla Anderson
By: Kayla Anderson
Everyone knows that kids can be picky eaters, but sometimes you just want to go out and enjoy a nice meal at a place where you don’t have to cook and do the dishes. Fortunately, these restaurants offer delicious dishes for everyone:
The Alibi Ale Works- Incline Public House, 931 Tahoe Blvd., IV
While out with a group of friends, a seven-year-old in the group ordered a pretzel…and it came out shaped as a mustache just like in Alibi’s logo. Within minutes, the mustache pretzel was consumed by everyone, and we had to order another one.
Drake says it’s an adult food that kids happen to love, and even though Alibi is mostly known for its beer, it’s always been a family-oriented establishment.
“When we opened the Truckee location in 2017, we had a pretzel on the menu, and it was selling well,” Alibi Ale Works Owner Kevin Drake says. “Then in 2018, a line cook came up with the idea to shape it into a pretzel. We work with Truckee Sourdough to produce it, and it’s been a huge hit ever since. It’s warm, soft, a little buttery, and it comes with the cheese and mustard dipping sauces. I honestly can’t eat any other kind of pretzel now.”
The Alibi Incline Public House also has a nice big kitchen where it can make full-size pizzas and keep a dedicated kids menu with cheeseburger sliders, chicken tenders, a hot dog, and a grilled cheese sandwich on it.
“We have all the basics covered for kids,” Drake says. “[But] the mustache pretzel has become pretty iconic at Alibi.”
Sage Leaf Tahoe, 893 Tahoe Blvd. Ste. 600, IV
Our very own IVCBA’s Mike O’Neill says his kid Finn loves the Sage Leaf kids burger with the restaurant’s logo branded into the bun, but the French toast sticks, quesadilla, and pasta are popular, too.
“We make all of our own pasta fresh in house daily,” says Sage Leaf Tahoe Owner Lara Hammett. “And we use organic flour that isn’t enriched or bleached with additives. The cool thing about the French toast sticks is we use Truckee Sourdough and dip them in creme bruleé batter and the kids love it. It’s served with Vermont maple syrup.”
However, the kids burger is still the fan favorite as well as unique to the Reno/Tahoe area. The meal consists of a 6-oz. Niman Ranch patty nestled in a Truckee Sourdough brioche bun and served with hand cut housemade fries for about $12.
Inclined Burgers & Brews, 901 Tahoe Blvd., IV
On a warm summer day, Inclined Burgers & Brews was packed with people on their lunch break as well as what seemed to be multi-generational families. Inclined Burgers’ menu is robust to say the least, with variations of burgers, fried chicken, and breakfast filling a decent-sized TV screen above the bar. A kids version is in the lower corner of that menu, even though anyone of any age can order from it.
While hamburgers are understandably the most popular item on the kids menu, they also offer grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets meals. I got the chicken nuggets, which cost $14.95 with a small fry and drink included. I made myself an Arnold Palmer out of the soda fountain, and within minutes my chicken nuggets came out piping hot, with a heaping number of shoestring fries and housemade buttermilk ranch with it.
I was halfway through my meal when I noticed that Inclined Burgers & Brews also serves an alcoholic Frosé drink (made of rosé wine, vodka, and watermelon-strawberry slush) and “Incline Loaded”, spicy, and garlic parmesan chicken nuggets along with the classic version, making this a place eager to come back to.
Notable Mentions:
T’s Rotisserie, 901 Tahoe Blvd., IV- The Swing family have been pillars of the community for generations now, continuously keeping Incline locals and visitors well-fed with its affordably delicious Mexican food, so it’s no surprise that they keep a kids menu. The tacos, burrito, and cheese quesadilla provide perfect portions for young’uns, and while T’s Owner Jamie Swing says that his own kids are super picky, his daughter will eat the cheese quesadilla and bean & cheese burrito.
Bowl Incline, 920 Southwood Blvd., IV – Bowling alleys aren’t typically known to serve unique upscale fare alongside the pins and polished lanes, but having a Sam Choy’s Ohana Diner within Bowl Incline makes it the exception. While the poke nachos or spicy pineapple salmon bowl may be too adventurous for little taste buds, the “Future Bowler Menu” for kids 12 and under provides favorites such as a hamburger, popcorn chicken, teriyaki chicken, or cheese/pepperoni pizza.
Mofo’s, 868 Tahoe Blvd., IV- I’ve always loved Mofo’s for its salad bar and buttery pasta, but it turns out kids are a fan of it, too. Named to evoke the idea of getting “more for your money,” this 40-year-old restaurant serves a kids menu with tried-and-true favorites like cheese pizza, lasagna, homemade pasta, and meatballs made from longstanding family recipes.
The Local Lens – Wildfire Doesn’t Respect Property Lines
August 26, 2026 | Member Submitted
Written by Tom Millhoff
We longtime locals have watched our wildfire reality change—from distant risk to smoky summers, insurance non-renewals and increasingly frequent hot, dry, windy Red Flag Warning days. The recent Reno fires and Public Safety Power Outages are a useful reminder: here in Incline Village and Crystal Bay, we are living with fire.
Choking smoke from the 2020 Caldor and Dixie fires clouded sparked my motivation. Since then, our Upper Tyner neighborhood – the epitome of the wildland-urban interface, worked with the North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District (NLTFPD) and the Tahoe Resource Conservation District (TRCD) to become Incline’s first Firewise USA AND Fire Adapted Community. We’ve become safer, more resilient and insurable… even more neighborly.
Our NLTFPD has earned the highest possible insurance rating, and is doing extraordinary work to reduce wildfire risk on public lands surrounding and within our neighborhoods. As I write this, Forester Jason Furmaniak’s aptly named “Worm,” a remote-controlled masticating machine, is munching through manzanita below my house, helping create a 132-foot mosaic of healthier forest and defensible space around Incline’s “Halo” neighborhoods above Mt. Rose Highway. But even the top-rated fire district in the basin can’t do it all.
Wind-driven fires such as the Hawk, Bug, Davis and Caldor fires can throw burning embers a mile or more ahead of the flames. Those embers can jump roads, fire lines and fuels-reduction projects and land directly in our yards. Wildfire resilience is a team sport – we win together.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: wildfire doesn’t respect property lines. Our individual decisions affect our neighbors. The greatest ignition threat to your home is on your own property; the largest fuel source threatening you may be the house next door. The forest may bring wildfire to Incline, but we residents can help determine whether it becomes a house-to-house neighborhood fire. Working together, we can make our communities safer, and our homes more insurable. Fortunately, you can make meaningful progress without a major landscaping project or a huge check.
Start with one easy step: create an Ember-Resistant Zone immediately around your home. Remove needles, leaves, wood mulch and other combustible material where wind-blown embers are most likely to collect. It’s inexpensive, it’s effective, and we’re in peak fire season, so there’s no better time than this weekend.
Ready for step two? Visit the Living With Fire–Tahoe website for practical guidance on home hardening and defensible space. Better yet, call NLTFPD and schedule a free Defensible Space Inspection. Fuels Mitigation Specialist Ryan Dominguez and his inspection team understand our local wildfire ignition and spread risks better than anyone. Why wouldn’t we welcome expert advice to protect our homes and neighborhoods?
No single homeowner can make Incline fire adapted. No fire district can do it for us. But if each of us takes one or two meaningful steps—and encourages the neighbor next door to do the same—the effect multiplies from home, to street, to neighborhood, to community.
That’s how we learn to live with fire. That’s how we protect one another. And that’s how Incline Village & Crystal Bay become a Fire Adapted Community.
About the Author Tom Millhoff has lived in Upper Tyner since the last millennium. He and the Incline High School Wildfire Ambassador team support development of local Fire Adapted Communities.
BACK TO SCHOOL was Monday! I remember fondly taking the photo of the kids on the front step before they got on the bus. It was bittersweet…happy to see them go (and get out of my hair!) and a bit sad that they were growing up so fast. My kids are now “adulting” in their mid-thirties, and I remember fondly the excitement they brought home and the outstanding education they received, mostly through the public schools. But children are more diverse than ever, and Incline Village strongly supports the myriad school choices and the teachers working behind the scenes.
Special Edition of Live.Work.Play: “Families and Education”
Timed for the beginning of the school year, watch for this special edition of our magazine, LIVE.WORK.PLAY. We are highlighting the support families are given through schools- public, private, and faith-based- as well as special services like speech and language therapy and sports and recreational programs. Learn about the new facilities being built by Boys and Girls Club to support kids from “diapers to diplomas”…in addition to the well-established after-school program at the Duffield Youth Center.
Stuff the Bus!
Our businesses support the schools in many ways, but I want to give a shout-out to the Incline Village Realtors Good Neighbors Committee. Every year, Stacy Collins of Stewart Title helps organize this event to supplement school supplies in Incline schools. Thank you to all the realtors that sat outside Raley’s on a hot day in August!
CAB Meeting on Monday, August 25 at 5:30
The Washoe County Citizen Advisory Board is holding its monthly meeting next Monday. Get the latest update on the Cal Neva renovations! Chris Wood is the new chair.
Music at the Hyatt
If the crowds on the beach on Friday are getting to be too much, or you just want to continue the music vibe, check out Cutthroats Saloon in the Hyatt. This Friday night, enjoy music by local artist Miki Rae, along with a great meal you didn’t have to prepare or haul to the beach!
Labor Day is coming up!
Many families stay in town that weekend, enjoying beaches that aren’t as busy as they were a month ago. This year, Labor Day is on Monday, September 7. Two traditions to watch for: the Ski Loft annual sale on Labor Day weekend and the Rotary Duck Drop on Labor Day at Aspen Grove.
LIKE WHAT YOU READ?
IVCBA is the Community and Business Association that promotes our local businesses and nonprofits, organizes community events, and produces the Weekly SnapShot!
If you are a subscriber and regular reader, please join as a Community Supporter for $50. If you are not a subscriber, do so for free! Go to IVCBA.org.
We are financially supported by our local agency “investors” and our business community and residents. Please help!
The Local Lens: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Continues to Innovate, Inspire, and Connect
July 29, 2026 | Member Submitted
Guest ‘Local Lens’ Contributor and IVCBA Member: Lake Tahoe Shakespeare
Few organizations demonstrate the power of arts, culture, and community connection quite like the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. While audiences flock to Sand Harbor each summer for world-class performances, the Festival’s impact extends far beyond the stage, fostering accessibility, innovation, and partnerships that strengthen the broader community.
Now in its 54th Season, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has once again captivated audiences with its Mainstage productions of Macbeth and The Heart of Robin Hood. In a recent Reno News & Review feature, reviewer Jessica Santina described the production of Macbeth as a masterful achievement, praising its immersive atmosphere, striking visual design, and exceptional performances. She noted how the production transforms the natural beauty of Tahoe into part of the storytelling experience, transporting audiences from a peaceful summer evening to Shakespeare’s dark and foreboding Scotland. Our Producing Artistic Director, Sara Bruner, and her team have crafted a theatrical experience where every element, from lighting and music to costume and set design, contributes to the emotional intensity of the story. Don’t miss this year’s amazing performances and buy your tickets here or by calling our Box Office Sun-Sat 8:00am-5:00pm at 775-832-1616.
Photo Caption and credit: Macbeth(actor, Jeffery C. Hawkins) and Lady Macbeth(actor, Cassandra Bissell) reunite in the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival production of Macbeth at Sand Harbor, running through August 23rd (Photo by Strotz Photography)
Building Community Beyond the Stage
The Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s commitment to community engagement is equally evident in our newest partnerships with Liberty Dogs and Keep Tahoe Blue. This season we created opportunities for service dogs in training and their handlers to attend performances, providing critical real-world exposure while supporting the development of future service animals. The partnership highlights our dedication to accessibility and inclusion while creating opportunities to raise awareness for an organization like Liberty Dogs, making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
We love our venue located at Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park and saw an opportunity to help be stewards of the lake. For the first time, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival has partnered with Keep Tahoe Blue to create our own Tahoe Blue Crew: Keep Shakespeare Blue. If you are already a volunteer with us, be sure to join our Tahoe Blue Crew. On July 5th, we had nine dedicated volunteers join us for our first Keep Shakespeare Blue clean-up and collected 70lbs of trash! Tahoe Blue Crew volunteer shifts are available on Sundays & Thursdays at our venue from 5pm-7:30pm. We have another major clean-up on Aug 13 from 9am-11am. Learn more about Volunteering with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival here.
Photo Caption: Keep Shakespeare Blue Clean-up on July 5th with our volunteers L to R: Barbara Stonich, Bob Southern, Kathy Southern
Young Shakespeare Performances July 20-Aug 3 and Final Family Night Aug. 9thThe Heart of Robin Hood
The D.G. Menchetti Education Programs, InterACT and Young Shakespeare, allow us to bring Shakespeare and the performing arts to the youth of our region year-round. InterACT, goes into schools every year and creates a unique curriculum with teachers for students K-12. Every summer, our Young Shakespeare workshop creates an interactive youth adaptation of our Mainstage Shakespeare play with a mix of professional paid actors and school-age performers. This year, you can catch an hour-long, family-friendly, and FREE performance of Macbeth at a local library or partner location near you. Get Showtimes and more information here.
If you missed our first two Family Nights, fret not! We have our final Family Night on Aug. 9 for The Heart of Robin Hood. We will be inviting the young and young at heart to face painting, Robin Hood hat making, and other kid-friendly activities before the show. The fun starts at 6pm on Sunday, Aug. 9. The evening’s activities are hosted by our Platinum Sponsor, Tahoe Expedition Academy, who will also have representatives present and information available about their curriculum and programs for students K-12.
A Lasting Impact
Whether through our critically acclaimed productions, community partnerships, or education programs that reimagine how Shakespeare is experienced, the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival continues to demonstrate the important role arts organizations play in building vibrant communities. If you would like to partner with the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, please reach out to our Community Engagement Manager, Jessica Vela, at Jessica@LakeTahoeShakespeare.com
Photo Caption: Patty Jansen, Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival Board Chair, Jenny Molinelli and son, Jasper, Puppy Outreach Coordinator for Liberty Dogs, Kaci Janson and all their incredible Service Dogs in Training at the July 21st performance of Macbeth.
The Local Lens – Bringing World-Class Music to Incline Village
July 15, 2026 | Member Submitted
Written by Joanne Taylor, Development Director at Classical Tahoe
Joanne Taylor is the Development Director at Classical Tahoe. A native Nevadan and graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, she has spent a lifetime enjoying the beauty of Lake Tahoe—from summers on its beaches to winters in the surrounding mountains. She is proud to help bring world-class music and arts to the community she has long called home.
Each summer, Classical Tahoe presents a four-week, world-class jazz and classical music festival in an intimate outdoor pavilion nestled in the majestic pines of Incline Village, at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Lake Tahoe campus. Featured are top jazz players and principal musicians from major orchestras throughout North America, including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, L.A. Phil, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra, just to name a few.
Bringing together the more than 100 musicians who join us over the next four weeks on stage, in classrooms, and in the community is no easy feat. We begin planning each season immediately after the current one concludes.
Strategic planning and budgeting come first, led by Classical Tahoe’s Executive Director, David Pratt, with input and participation from staff and the board. (Note that when I mention staff, I’m referring only to three full-time employees, myself included, and a handful of contractors.) Simultaneously, Artistic Director Laura Hamilton begins to put together the classical programs and hire musicians, guest artists, and conductors. David works closely with Laura to accomplish this, among many other things, including coordination with the Brubeck Jazz Summit. Festival Administrator Anna King Box begins to set up ticketing and seating for subscribers. During this time, I am focused on securing corporate and individual sponsorships, grants, and major gifts. I also work to get housing hosts for musicians (we’re always looking for new housing hosts, so contact me if you are interested!) And, all of us, along with a committee, start planning our annual gala. We’re exhausted by December!
Now celebrating its 15th season, Classical Tahoe presents more performances, reaches more students, and engages more community members than ever before. We’ve accomplished this through important partnerships with the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe, corporate sponsors and foundations (too many to name!), and other arts organizations such as the Brubeck Living Legacy and Lake Tahoe Dance Collective. And, of course, there are the hundreds of individuals who believe in our mission and support our organization through contributions and volunteerism. Add to that the commitment and generosity of our 18 board members, and you have the formula for our success.
The 2026 Classical Tahoe festival dates are July 11-Aug. 9. Click here for a complete Classical Tahoe 2026 Festival program guide. Many of the performances are sold out but there are still tickets available for the concerts below. And don’t forget—orchestra rehearsals are free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday beginning at 10:30 a.m., offering a rare opportunity to watch world-class musicians at work.
Thursday, July 16 – The Sound of Today: Contemporary Masters Sextet
Featuring Roxy Coss, Lucas Pino, Michael Rodriguez, Rachel Eckroth, Gerald Cannon & Bryan Carter. Special appearance from Chris and Dan Brubeck.
7 PM | Classical Tahoe Ricardi Pavilion
Friday, July 17 – The Future of Jazz: Brubeck Jazz Summit Rising Stars
Featuring Chris and Dan Brubeck, summit participants, and Contemporary Masters Sextet
August 1 – Family Concert and Music Maker’s Faire: Kids Take the Stage
11:00 am – 2:00 pm | Classical Tahoe Ricardi Pavilion, 291 Country Club Dr., Incline Village.
This concert and day of music exploration for families, is priced to reduce the cost barrier for some to attend. Tickets are $5 for children and $10 for adults, though Classical Tahoe will happily waive the ticket price for anyone that asks.
Whether you’re attending your first concert or returning for another unforgettable season, we invite you to experience the artistry, inspiration, and sense of community that make Classical Tahoe so special. We look forward to seeing you.
