At the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival. What would summertime be without the annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival? Enjoy a picnic and watch Shakespeare’s literary pieces come to life with Lake Tahoe as the backdrop.
Performances begin July 13 and continue through August 20 at Sand Harbor State Park.
Executive Director Catherine Atack and her crew is bringing a new experience to the festival in 2006, guaranteeing a fun night out at the theater.
“We are adding a third play to the playbill this year,” Atack said. “This is the first time ever that we had three shows in one season. We will have performances seven nights a week.”
An intriguing story of romance and manipulation, “Othello” will be performed for the first time at the festival and “Twelfth Night” will be a new experience for people who have seen it before, Atack said.
“The third play this year will be the “The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (abridged),” she said. “It is all of Shakespeare’s shows together in a two and a half hour play. It is hilariously funny, contemporary and many twists will keep you wanting more. Even if you don’t like Shakespeare I can guarantee a great laugh.”
The Compleat Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) will be playing every Monday night. Before the festival comes to an end call (800) 74-SHOWS or visit LakeTahoeShakespeare.com to experience the festival, so parting does not bring sweet sorrow.

Music lovers:
Chamber music is written for a small group of instrumentals in a small concert venue. The intimate setting makes it easy for the musicians and audience to interact. Incline Chamber Music Society presents live classical chamber music concerts in Incline Village.
The concerts offer a mix of instruments and instrumental combinations along with an educational component through program notes, written and oral. According to Incline Chamber Music Society director Aaron Paxson “the classical literature can really grip you.
“We make sure people have a chance to understand something about high quality music, Paxson said. “We raise money through grants and donations and have free concerts for the public.”
The Incline Chamber Music Society presents a sequence of mid-summer, live classical chamber music concerts with powerful performances from many local musicians and visitors from around the globe, Paxson explained.
The Incline Chamber Music Society summer concert series begins Sunday July 9 and continues every Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Center, 948 Incline Way., until August 13. Admission is free to the public. For more information visit www.northtahoeliving.com ‘calendar events.’

History on stage
The annual Lake Tahoe Chautauqua is a living history festival seen through the eyes of our forefathers June 25 and 26. This festival brings entertainment and education to the stage at Sand Harbor State Park.
2006 hosts the sixth annual Lake Tahoe Chautauqua and brings historians playing past Presidents Jefferson, Hamilton, Roosevelt and Lincoln to the Sand Harbor State Park stage to discuss their contributions to our country.
“We provide the community with a wonderful cultural experience through Chautauqua,” director Katie Christensen said.
For more information or to purchase tickets call (775) 298-0068 or visit www.laketahoechautauqua.com.

Painting the town:
The Sierra Nevada College is proud to offer summer workshops for the 22nd year. Nationally known artists come to share their expertise in the Incline area. Workshops in a variety of art genres including ceramics, digital art, jewelry, glass, printmaking, photography and painting.
Every Tuesday night at 7 p.m. during the workshops, SNC offers a “Meet the Artist” session that is free and open to the public. The artists will give a lecture about their work, followed by a reception in the gallery in the Prim Library.
Workshops can be taken for personal development (non-credit) or for college credit. Non-college tuition is $495 per week and $240 for weekends, non-credit only. Both include daily lunches. Credit tuition is $600 per week for 1.5 credits. Credits may be transferable.
Sierra Nevada College is Nevada’s only private four-year liberal arts college, founded in 1969. The college offers a well-rounded education, providing students with a broad range of knowledge. SNC is located at 999 Tahoe Blvd. in Incline Village. For more detailed information visit www.sierranevada.edu/workshops or call (775) 831-1314.

For movie gurus:
In addition to screening a rare and diverse spectrum of films, The Tahoe/ Reno International Film Festival is a world class multi-day film festival that hosts workshops, tributes, parties, a gala and a short script competition, “Pages to pictures” Aug. 23 through the 27 at venues around the Tahoe Basin.
“The Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival (T-RIFF) is an elite destination dedicated to enriching community culture and raising awareness of quality films – both as an art form and a catalyst for positive social change,” Executive director Katrina Wilson said.
Celebrating their second annual festival, T-RIFF has some exciting things up their sleeve, Wilson said, including more than $500,000 worth of equipment donated by world-wide sponsors and a growing population of involvement throughout the film industry and the Tahoe area.
“We are blessed to have the ability to share this artform with the community,” Wilson said. “We receive so much support from the community. Our goal is to bring lots of money back into local business, the arts and culture programs and the community as a whole.”
Call (775) 298-0018, visit www.t-riff.org or email tahoefilmfest@aol.com.

Not just books at your local library:
Since the grand opening of Incline Village’s new public library in June 2005, the library had expanded its horizons. More computers, additional wallspace and new display cases allow for monthly local and multicultural artwork exhibits. A large meeting room welcomes educational programs and community events.
“We really want to promote the library as a community venue, not just a county building to get a book,” said Incline Village Library programs coordinator Molly O’Day.
This summer the Incline Village Library hosts many multicultural and community events for all ages. Entertainment and art displays can be seen every month from different local artists.
June 17 kicks off the library’s summer program ‘Claws, Paws, Scales and Tales,’ with host John Potash of the Wildlife Rescue Foundation as he guides audiences on an adventure into the mysterious world of snakes and lizards. Through July 29, very week fun programs and prizes are planned for reading.
The Incline Village Library is located at 845 Alder Ave. For more information call (775) 832-4130.

Senior Services
IVGID senior programs coordinator Shelia Leijon, is dedicated to implementing senior programs that are diverse, good for well being and interactive with the community. Planned weekly events keep seniors in touch with the community. Transportation is available for all senior activities.
Senior book club
Join friends in a social atmosphere to share thoughts, ideas and stories at a book club where members believe that “books are an excuse” to get together. A book club for seniors, also welcoming all ages “nine to ninety,” to meet from 1 to 3 p.m. the second Monday of every month, at the Incline Village Recreation Center in front of the fireplace. For more information call (775) 832-1324.
Senior Conversation cafe
At Conversation Cafes, we will learn together how to create a culture of conversation, a culture of intelligence, peace, and political awareness. The Conversation Cafe meets every Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m. at Aspen Grove Community Center, 980 Lakeshore Dr. Incline Village. For more information contact Shelia Leijon (775) 832-1302.
55+ Take-a-Hike is a hiking activity is part of the IVGID senior wellness program. We will be offering three guided hikes this summer to beautiful areas near the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, Sunday June 25, Friday July 14 and Wednesday Aug. 9, times and place to be announced.
Bring a day pack, sunscreen, plenty of water and a lunch – we will provide the guide and transportation (for the first 10 registrants). Guides are certified in first aid / CPR and carry first aid kits. Get a great workout and meet new friends while taking in the local scenery. A minimum of 10 participants is needed for each hike and trips will not take place in inclement weather. All hikes depart from the Recreation Center. Please call Shelia Leijon at (775) 832-1302 after May 19th for details.
Brown Bag Workshops
Bring your lunch and join local community members for these informal workshops featuring dynamic speakers sharing valuable information on pertinent senior topics. Meetings are held at various times between noon to 3 p.m. Thursday’s at the Aspen Grove Community Center, 960 Lake Shore Dr. Transportation is available. For more information call (775) 832-1310.

Seeing stars
Space Science for Schools presents star parties, an educational forum throughout the summer nights, with hands on learning and telescope observation underneath the stars at the Sand Harbor State Park.
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to science education for teachers, students and parents.
“Learning astronomy is a fantastic experience and it is enjoyable for the whole family to share together,” said director Dr. Paul Guttman. “Parents and kids can come to these star parties and learn science together.”
Star parties begin at the end of April and last through August. The program is free to the public. Call (775) 831-3233, (775) 720-6999 or email www.pguttman@ss4s.org for more information.