Located in the heart of downtown Reno, the Pioneer Center is northern Nevada’s premier performing arts venue. Our nonprofit organization provides performance programming and educational opportunities to the community, hosting an average of 100 events and serving over 120,000 patrons annually. The Pioneer Center’s mission is to cultivate exceptional performing arts experiences in our historic venue and throughout the region because we envision a community that is connected, enriched, and inspired through the power of live performance.
We believe that education is fundamental to a thriving community and the arts are for everyone. Golden Encore is the newest educational outreach program of the Pioneer Center, designed to meet community needs and expand arts access for seniors in our region.
about golden encore
Pioneer Center Golden Encore is an educational performance outreach program designed specifically for senior citizens, combining exceptional entertainment with lifelong learning opportunities. Golden Encore brings the performing arts directly to our community’s seniors where they already live, congregate, and receive care. Golden Encore programming is designed for senior centers, assisted living facilities, memory and long-term care facilities, public libraries, and more.
Artists selected for the Golden Encore roster go beyond traditional performance creation. Through research and trainings, each artist enriches the experience by including expert endorsed components known to have a positive effect on the mental and physical health of seniors.
COMMUNITY NEED
IN WASHOE COUNTY:
SUICIDE RATE IN SENIORS IS DOUBLE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE* OF SENIORS FEEL ISOLATED* 76.5% OF SENIORS FEEL LEFT OUT* 77.1% OF SENIORS HAVE BARRIERS TO COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION* 76.5%
Quality of Life
Attending performances positively impacts the sense of belonging and social engagement.
[International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, August 2021]
Healthy Minds
Singing along helps boost brain function in patients with Alzheimer’s and moderate to severe dementia. [The Guardian, November 2013]
Healthy Bodies
The arts reduce susceptibility to stress-related diseases.
[National Endowment for the Arts, February 2013]
Helping Caregivers
Arts integration with health care can reduce pain medication needs and hospital stays by strengthening immune levels and decreasing depression.
[Americans for the Arts, June 2022]
Arts Therapy
The powerful contribution of creative expression in the healing process is embraced by cultures worldwide throughout history.
[The American Journal of Public Health, February 2010]
*Statistics are from the 2022 Seniors Quality of Life Survey report, published by the HELLO Project, Truckee Meadows Tomorrow, and University of Nevada Reno’s Survey Research Center in March 2022.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
Pioneer Center Golden Encore brings seniors together for a shared communal experience. Connecting entertainment to learning is proven to bolster memory retention, strengthen mental wellness, and encourage community involvement.
Programs are interactive, catering to a variety of senior needs. Activities include singing along, clapping out rhythms, light movement, and Q&A. At each venue, we provide program-specific Resource Guides that contain terminology, important names & dates, song lists, visual aids, and more. These are distributed free to all attendees for continued cognitive engagement after the show ends.
Golden Encore Artists build programming in modules, allowing them to tailor their performances to 30 or 60-minute lengths and provide new material under the same theme for return visits. Presentations are adapted to meet set-up requirements that may differ from one venue to the next. Golden Encore provides seniors with direct, inclusive access to a sustainable cultural resource built on joy, shared memories, and community connection.
YOUR PROGRAM FROM THE ARTIST ROSTER
ARTIST AVAILABILITY SHEET AND YOUR MASTER CALENDAR BEFORE SCHEDULING FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM INCLUDING YOUR CHOICES OF DATES
GOLDEN ENCORE ARTISTS
ARIA 51
Musical trio, Aria 51, features the talents of Julie Holloman, Kat McMartin, and Evan Stern performing on the electric bass, electric cello, violin, classical guitar, tenor ukulele, baritone ukulele, and vocals. Julie holds a degree in Music Education and taught in the Washoe County School District for 13 years prior to opening the Aria School of Music & Art in 2009. Evan previously performed with the Carson Symphony and Carson Pops and teaches at North Valleys High School. Kat performs with multiple groups in Reno and also teaches at Pacific Mist. All teach at the Aria School.
Aria 51 combines classical and folk instruments with singing to create unique arrangements of musical styles. Julie, Kat, and Evan perform Classic, Flamenco, Folk, Hawaiian, Jazz, Latin, Pop, and Rock music to teach more about the variety of instruments they use. Aria 51’s new program “Ukin’ Through the Years” mixes nostalgia with movement and interaction. Seniors will learn song lyrics, rhythm patterns, and movement.
THE DAPPER TAPPERS
From classic tap styles to complex rhythms and everything in between, The Dapper Tappers can do it all. The members of this company bring music to life as they dance with a love of tap and a passion to perform. Established in 2023, The Dapper Tappers create visual and audible pieces of art to a vast variety of music. Collaborating with other artists and using a history of many dance styles, they offer performances anyone can enjoy.
The Dapper Tappers present “Rockin’ Rhythms,” a high-energy interactive revue bringing tap dance choreography together with classic rock songs from the 70s and 80s. Dancers will perform a variety of tap numbers on specially created portable tap boards. Seniors will learn about tap dance as method of musical percussion with an opportunity to create some rocking rhythms of their own.
GOLDEN ENCORE ARTISTS
ERIKA PAUL & DAVID ALLER
Many know Marilyn Monroe as the glamorous mid-century blonde bombshell actress, but not everyone knows she recorded 33 songs for RCA in 1953. Her timing, grace, phrasing, storytelling, and rhythm prove she was the real deal as a jazz singer. Erika Paul and David Aller interweave the fascinating history behind each of Monroe’s songs to showcase her lesser-known work as a jazz singer with style and sass in celebration of this iconic superstar.
Originally from San Francisco, Erika has performed piano in music festivals, concerts, exhibitions, corporate events, and clubs across northern Nevada, California, Hawaii, France, and England. Erika holds her degree in Jazz Performance from San Jose State University. In 2001, she worked and performed with Wynton Marsalis and Ted Nash as a part of the Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Jazz Workshops for young musicians. David has performed on tour with the Horace Heidt Jr. Big Band and aboard Holland America Cruise Line. He has played bass for Carl Fontana, Ben Vereen, and Mike Burney among others, and holds a degree in Jazz Performance from Arizona State University.
IN-TUNE TALES WITH SCOT MARSHALL
“In-Tune Tales Goes to the Movies” with a deep dive into the grand tradition of cinema soundtracks and famous theme songs from beloved films of the last 100 years. Music is the emotional glue that provides storyforwarding impact, creating a connection with the film’s characters and environment by illustrating excitement, suspense, joy, sadness, mirth, loss, terror and a sense of wonder! In-Tune Tales combines violin, keyboards, acoustic and electric basses, and vocals to create a nostalgic live performance.
Born and raised in Omaha, Scot Marshall has been entertaining in Reno/Tahoe since 1985. He first learned the art of storytelling from his grandmother, Adabelle Cherry Marshall, who traveled with Chautauqua from 1916- 1918. While studying with jazz legend Rufus Reid, he learned how jazz improvisation is conducive to storytelling. Scot has played with the Reno Phil, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Omaha Symphony, Fargo/Moorhead Symphony, Arthur Fiedler, The Diamonds, Greg Adams, The Jordanaires, Mimi Fox, and many more. Many will recognize Scot’s distinctive voice from the weekly KUNR radio program Saturday Night Jazz.
GOLDEN
KAREN BURNS
Karen Burns is a long-time Nevada resident, a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno, a licensed educator, and the producer/director/owner of Karen Burns Productions LLC, an entertainment company. Her sparkling rhinestone program celebrates show business history, bringing seniors together to relive shared memories and celebrate a culture they helped to create while also enjoying a new entertainment experience.
“Hello Hollywood, Hello!: FUTUROPOLIS - The Space-mobile Landing in Another World!” is a new presentation focused on science fiction, futuristic fun, plus a few facts about Reno’s most iconic show. Continuing the theme of “When Hollywood Came to Reno – Behind the Scenes & Seams” this new presentation features more original costumes from Hello Hollywood, Hello!, a production stage show that opened and ran at the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino (now Grand Sierra Resort) from 1978-1989. Karen proves that costumes and clothes tell stories of art, culture, and Reno’s rich history!
RETRO RADIO DOLLS
Hailing from the heart of Reno, the Retro Radio Dolls transport audiences back in time to the golden age of radio. “Hits, Harmony and High Heels” entertains and engages audiences with songs from the 1920s through current hits with 3-part harmony vocals and colorful costumes. Each song is performed with a unique distinctive spin, infusing it with fresh harmonies and infectious energy that keeps audiences coming back for more. Retro Radio Dolls’ performances are a celebration of a bygone era, transporting listeners to a time when music was king and harmony reigned supreme.
Since their inception in 2015, the harmonious trio Natalie Jones (timeless elegance), Alex Burley (vibrant energy), and Kay Davis (vintage flair) have captivated listeners with their unique blend of nostalgia and modern flair, breathing new life into beloved classics. From enchanting renditions of the National Anthem to toe-tapping covers of timeless hits, the Retro Radio Dolls are a fixture at events across Northern Nevada and California, from vintage festivals to corporate galas. With their signature style, undeniable talent, and unwavering passion for the classics, the Retro Radio Dolls are keeping the spirit of retro alive and well in the 21st century.
We aim to form a long-term relationship with you and the senior community you serve.
THANK YOU TO OUR OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
PROGRAM ORDER FORM
Book your program today! Golden Encore performances are available to senior centers, public libraries, and assisted living, memory care, and longterm care facilities in northern Nevada. We schedule new bookings from 1 to 6 months in advance.
Please indicate your desired artists and one to two possible dates and times. Double check the artist availability and your master calendar prior to completing the form. The Booking Fee is $250 for a 60-minute program. A preliminarily site visit will be scheduled for all new venues. After your bookings are confirmed, an invoice will be provided.
EMAIL YOUR COMPLETED ORDER FORM TO GOLDENENCORE@PIONEERCENTER.COM
VENUE/ORGANIZATION NAME
CONTACT NAME/TITLE
PHONE EMAIL
MAILING ADDRESS
PERFORMANCE VENUE NAME/ADDRESS (IF DIFFERENT FROM ABOVE)
