The OffBeat Music Festival is returning to Midtown for the eighth year. It's a three-day, multi-venue event that brings in bands from all over the country.
"Really it's about bringing people in to Reno," said Flip Wright, one of the founders of the event. "Ultimately letting people experience what happens in Reno, but also giving people in Reno a chance to see some acts or people come through that they wouldn't have had a chance to see before. So we've really tried to put Reno on the map to bring in some of those bands. We see more of them touring through Reno because of OffBeat and this is a big year for us because we think it's going to take us to the next level."
There's always plenty of local talent as well, bands that have been playing the festival for years.
"The best thing about it is the camaraderie between the bands," said Spencer Kilpatrick of Spencer Kilpatrick & the Sand Gators. "There's a good amount of regulars, the folks that play it every year, and it's nice seeing everybody catching up, seeing what they've been up to. It's a very Reno thing."
This year the event is expanding to include an outdoor festival stage and a vendor village. That's a spot to showcase local businesses.
"I curate vintage clothing so people don't have to go dig through the piles at the thrift stores," said Katherine Dew of Renogade Emporium. "And I love doing that. I'm a treasure hunter and I bring vintage fashion to people in a way that's approachable, affordable, unique and hassle-free. This is the first time I've done a pop-up event for the OffBeat Music Festival and I'm excited to approach this type of crowd. I think this is my target market. These people like local bands, they like grassroots things and I think they're going to like what I have to offer."
The village will be set up by the outdoor stage and will also give local artists a space to share their work, like Reno native Krystal Lynn. She is a poet, painter, illustrator and performance artist.
"Every day I wake up and I'm like, here is my heart and I hope that is enough," she said. "So it's amazing to experience community events where people can meet me, and they do support me and it does work, it's so validating and beautiful to be able to experience that affirmation. My poetry comes from the depths of things that are true to me and when I get to share that with the world, and when what they say resonates with me, it makes me feel like I'm doing the right thing with my life."
More information: https://www.offbeatreno.com/
