Nevada Magazine

Nada Dada Motel

June 18 - June 21

El Cortez Motel
nadadadamotel.com 
702-445-1141

Reno

Warm up the neon and dust off the bedspreads. Nada Dada Motel officially opens for business, June 18 - 21, 2009, with live performances, an array of visual arts, and a world of unplanned mayhem. Dis-organized by a group of self-proclaimed misfits, the Nada Dada Motel is the third annual gathering of artists from across the country who set up shop across three floors of the iconic El Cortez Motel, downtown Reno at 2nd and Arlington, for an entire weekend of exhibition, interaction and philanthropy. With more than 100 artists expected this year, the event spills over into the nearby Town House Motor Lodge and The Palladio residential tower. From just 10 rooms in 2007 to more than three full floors in 2009, Nada Dada Motel is a visual and experiential treat for art lovers as individual artists exhibit their photography, painting, sculpture, music, video, performance art and more within the walls of a classic Reno motel room. From "green art" by the infamous Mud People of Los Angeles to the photography of local Dianna Sion, every year since 2007 artists have taken advantage of this unique opportunity to display their best creations. Set in motion by six Reno artists the event has expanded to include creatives from across the West coast. Evenings at Nada Dada Motel promise to be as eventful as the afternoons with artist Jill Synder at the helm of the El Cortez' Trocadero Room presenting  "BeComing the Intrinsic Beloved", a cabaret-style performance piece featuring aerial and modern dance set to music each night, June 17 - 19, at 7 p.m..  Other Trocadero performances include Classic Happy Hour at 5 p.m. on June 18 with classical musicians performing never-before-heard pieces and Torch Song Karaoke at 5 p.m. on June 19 as participants sing love songs dressed in 40's garb.  Saturday, June 20, begins with a noon performance by classically trained singer Dixie Dahl, who often plays with Velvet Voices Underground in Reno, followed by an open mic-slash-instrumental.  At 5p.m. attendees are invited to witness "The Wedding of Jill and Dianna", a marriage of live and visual art between artists Snyder and Dianna Sion with the obvious accoutrements including a bridesmaid named Chad. Erotic poetry and bawdy limericks will follow the ceremony complete with the women of "Bohemian Burlesque!" at 8:30 p.m. Nada Dada Motel promotes philanthropy as local artist and cancer suvivor Brigette Stovall and Renown nurse Charlotte Kramer join forces to exhibit "Masks of Cancer", a display of special cancer masks collected by the pair and decorated by various artists. The masks are exhibited in room 306 with all proceeds benefiting the Reno Cancer Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to helping cancer patients and their families in times of need. El Cortez Motel manager Bob Beck donated the room in support of the Foundation's efforts.

Upcoming Dates:

• Friday, June 19
• Saturday, June 20
• Sunday, June 21