Concerts

Birth of the Blues

July 11, 2026  7:30 PM
Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch
Admission: free (but donations gratefully accepted)

The Reno Pops Orchestra returns to the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater for Birth of the Blues, featuring Eric Kao performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Jazz vocalists Cami Thompson and Kyle Rea lend their talents to this fantastic evening of music under the open sky.

This family-friendly event is free to attend, but donations are encouraged to help us with our mission of presenting 5 free concerts each season.

Gates open at 6 pm, and there will be food available for purchase from Jamaica Jerk Spot, Taco T, the Tap Wagon, and Snowie Shaved Ice. Or bring a blanket & a picnic supper, but remember to leave glass containers at home!

    • UPCOMING Concerts
    • Birth of the Blues July 11, 2026
      • Animal Adventures
        March 7, 2026
        Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Aurora Borealis: Songs of the Frozen North                                     March 7, 2026                                                                                Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Festive Carols! December 20, 2025 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Mystical Creatures and Fantastic Beasts November 1, 2025 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Symphony Under the Stars August 2, 2025 White Pine County Fairgrounds, Ely
      • Country Stars and Western Skies July 12, 2025 Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch
      • Canciones y Bailes May 3, 2025 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Chinese New Year February 22, 2025 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Festive Holidays of Harps and Handbells December 14, 2024 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • “Of Castles and Kings November 1, 2024 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Bright Lights of Broadway  July 13, 2024 Hawkins Amphitheater, Bartley Ranch
      • Nights in the Gardens of Spain  May 4, 2024 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Gradients  March 9, 2024 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Joyful, Joyful  December 16, 2023 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Haunted  November 4, 2023 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Exploring the Great Beyond  July 8th, 2023 Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch
      • Rainforest! May 6, 2023 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Sea Songs March 4, 2023 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Festive Holidays: Peace and Joy December 17, 2022 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • Monsters Unlimited October 5, 2022 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • We’ll Bring the Music September 23, 2022 Wilbur May Arboretum
      • Nevada’s Wild West July 9, 2022 Bartley Ranch Amphitheater
      • Castles and Cathedrals May 6th, 2022 Nightingale Concert Hall Church Fine Arts, UNR
        PAST Concerts
      • Pops On Pointe March 5th, 2022 Nightingale Concert Hall Church Fine Arts, UNR
      • Holiday Sweets December 18th, 2021 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • Fables and Fairytales November 5, 2021 Nightingale Hall
      • Music of the Silk Road / Chinese New Year March 7, 2020 Nightingale Hall
      • Festive Holidays/Amahl and the Night Visitors December 20, 2019 Nightingale Hall
      • In the Shadows November 2, 2019 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • Broadway Classics August 10, 2019Tahoe Pavilion
      • Cartoons July 13, 2019pm Hawkins Amphitheater
      • Man and Machine May 24, 2019 Nightingale
      • Islands March 2, 2019 Nightingale
      • A Charles Dickens Christmas December 14 and 15, 2018
        South Reno Baptist Church
      • Super Heroes October 27, 2018 Pioneer Theater
      • Artown July 7, 2018 Hawkins Amphitheater
      • “Fire Dance” May 12, 2018 Nightingale Hall, UNR
      • “Poets, Playwrights, and Storytellers” March 17, 2018
        South Reno Baptist Church
      • “Festival Holidays” December 15 and 16, 2017
        South Reno Baptist Church
      • “Goblins and Ghouls” Oct 28, 2017 Pioneer Theater
      • “Soundtracks of the Century” July 7, 2017
        Hawkins Amphitheater
      • “Be Our Guest” May 13, 2017Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Mountains Majesty” March 3 and 4, 2017
        North Valley’s High School Concert Hall
      • “Heaven and Nature Sing”
        December 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm December 17, 2016
        South Reno Baptist Church
      • “Fables, Frogs and Fairy Dust” November 5, 2016
        Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Broadway at Bartley” July 8, 2016 Hawkins Amphitheater
      • “Sounds, Sights & City Lights” May 21, 2016 Nightingale Concert Hall, UNR
      • “Brave & Free!” March 12, 2016 TMCC
      • “Home for the Holidays” December 11, 2015 Grace Church
      • “Summon the Heroes” November 7, 2015 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Space!” July 10, 2015 Hawkins Amphitheater
      • “Safari!” May 16, 2015 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Bio-Zones” March 6, 2015 The Rock
      • “Joy to the World” December 12, 2014 The Rock
      • “Scoundrels, Villains & Knaves” November 8, 2014 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Wheels, Trains & Rocket Planes” July 11, 2014 Hawkins Amphitheater
      • “Comedy Tonight!” May 17, 2014 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Romance & Chivalry” March 8, 2014 Nightingale Concert Hall
      • “Festive Holidays: Star of Wonder, Star of Light” December 13, 2013 The Rock
      • “Time in a Bottle” November 9, 2013 Nightingale Hall