Nada Dada Motel

by Mike Van Houten / Jun 16, 2011

Embark on a mentally stimulating journey that only Reno can give you. It's Nada Dada Motel time, and this year the art-centric event extends from downtown to East Fourth Street and Dickerson Road.

80 or more artists rent motel rooms, bypassing the hassle of dealing with an art gallery. One room, one artist, and their art in its rawest form, and conversing with each artist on a personal level far eclipses fancy art gallery shows where you are lucky if you get to meet and talk to the artist about their art.

I've gone to this event every year since its inception in 2007, and each year it grows as more artists discover this urban medium of presenting their works. It starts TODAY! Here's a link to the Facebook Event Page.

Thursday
"Opening Night” at El Ray Motel
6 to 9 p.m.: Gong ceremony, Speakers, Poets, Music and Improv, hosted by Mia Marceau (hotel room hours vary Thursday evening)
...
•Friday
“Day of Confession, Night of Indulgence” Trocadero Lounge, ground floor, El Cortez Hotel
Noon to 7 p.m.: Starting point exhibition of participating artists, including their room info, free, all ages
8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.: Bands and performances..$5 cover, drink specials, 21+, hosted by Layla James

•Ongoing
“Ordinarily Radical”, in collaboration with the City of Reno, featuring digital works, streetside, by NadaDada artists from the US and France, windows along 1st Street beside Jungle Vino
"Motel Room Exhibitions" various locations, but including Townhouse, El Ray, Lido Inn, Rancho Sierra and Wildflower Village. Additional exhibitions of visual and performing arts @ Strega Bar, Along 1st Street, Oxbow Press, TRS Gallery and 720 Tahoe St. Galleries.

TRS Gallery, California Ave., featuring artworks by NadaDada artists

BIKE RICKSHAWS (!!) will provide transportation between some venues, for a fee, plus vending pizza by the slice. Peddle Express

•Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
1 to 4 p.m. “Kids Korner” open to the public, art with children, puppetry by Bernie Beauchamp, and face painting, Townhouse Motel Courtyard

•Saturday
1 to 9 p.m.: Bands perform "Wild at Wildflower" Wildflower Village
4 to 7 p.m.: Bands perform “Club Tropicadada” at Strega Bar (ongoing art exhibition at this venue as well)

•Sunday
1 to 6 p.m.: Bands perform Riot on the Rooftop" at 720 Tahoe Galleries rooftop
5 p.m.: “Closing Party” and barbecue at Oxbow Press

The map below will give you info and locations.


View Nada Dada in a larger map

Post your comments
  • June 18, 2011 - 9:31:15 AM

    In case you haven't been in a few years, note that there are no artists in the El Cortez anymore. Best place to start downtown is the El Ray, two blocks north of the El Cortez.

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