FALLON IS AN OASIS FOR ARTISTS

Fallon's slogan is "The Oasis of Nevada." This may describe the land perfectly as it looms out of nowhere in this high Nevada desert. But it also attests to a very rich cultural spot on the map for great artists and performers. For, at first glance, Fallon may not look like the likeliest of hosts. But, thanks to a commitment by a dedicated board of directors and the sure hands of director Valerie Serpa and program coordinator Kirk Robertson, the Churchill Arts Council continues to build season after season of great entertainment.

The Churchill Arts Council also serves as the City of Fallon’s liaison for the arts and has helped the City produce free concerts in the park. There are at least two concerts planned for the Spring and Summer. The concerts take place in Oats Park.

The Churchill Arts Council was formed in 1986 when several residents came together with a vision to bring a variety of quality performers and artists to the community. And the Arts Council has consistently produced ever since. The reputation for producing outstanding shows has helped lure other high-quality artists who may be considering a performance in northern Nevada. For this reason, Fallon has often secured performers that promoters in Reno and other parts of the state have a hard time nailing down.

These artists have ranged from legendary blues harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite to the triple bill of Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and Robert Earl Keen, Jr. The Churchill Arts Council has also hosted groups as diverse as Ran Ganikaten, a group of 21 traditional musicians and dancers from Manipur, India and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas, R & B inflected dance music straight from the bayous of Louisiana.

This private, non-profit local arts agency is dedicated to presenting a diversity of performing, visual and literary arts to the residents of Fallon, Churchill County and northern Nevada, enriching the culture and social life of the community with a variety of projects.

One of the other projects being undertaken by the Churchill Arts Council is the adaptive re-use of the historic Oats Park School building. When completed, the multi-disciplined facility will contain a 350 seat proscenium theater, over 3,000 sq. ft. of gallery and exhibition space, and some meeting and administrative office space. The Oats Park Center will ensure the vitality and stability of the area's cultural life. It will also serve as a demonstration project for the adaptive re-use of historic structures.

There is some outstanding entertainment in store for Fallon. Please call the Churchill Arts Council for a schedule of events at (775) 423-1440 or log on to: www.churchillarts.org.