Located conveniently near campus on Virginia Street, Fritz Bar and Grill is a significant figure in the University of Nevada, Reno community. Inside the bar, customers have regularly been greeted by posters covering the wood-paneled walls and rock ‘n’ roll music playing from speakers or a small platform designated as the stage on which local bands and DJs have often performed.

Guns N’ Roses fans — provided they didn’t lose consciousness years ago — can stop holding their breath. The band, which has only one remaining original member (lead singer Axl Rose), finally released its monumentally anticipated album “Chinese Democracy” Nov. 23, silencing a worldwide running joke once and for all.

On Tuesday, Nov. 11, The Underground club on Fourth Street was filled to the brim with fluorescent colors, teased hair and trance music as Internet sensation Jeffree Star performed electronica music from his upcoming album with opening acts Teen Hearts, Ultraviolet Sound and Brokencyde.

When it comes to literature for young adults, few books can come to close to matching the phenomenon created by J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. However, after the 2007 release of the final book in the series, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” young fantasy novel readers have had to look elsewhere to fill the void left by the end of Harry’s story.

Despite the fact that the Harry Potter series has owned the hearts of young readers worldwide for years, many have been quick to hail newcomer Stephanie Meyer of “Twilight” fame as “the next J.K. Rowling.” That is quite the disservice to the world Rowling has created in her novels.

On Thursday and Friday, University of Nevada, Reno dance students will showcase their talents alongside professional dancers from Element Dance Theater in San Francisco and the Bell? Contemporary Dance Company at the Fall Dance Festival.

Ever the political activist, Against Me! frontman Tom Gabel was able to release his first solo EP, “Heart Burns,” just in time to make a few derisive final comments about the presidential election.
Alas, it seems as though this solo project will be about as well-received by Against Me! fans as was the commercial success of 2007’s “New Wave”— not very. This is unfortunate because it’s actually pretty good.

Tucked into the dark recesses of the Silver Club Hotel and Casino in Sparks, magician and illusionist Eli Kerr presents Fright Fest, a series of haunted attractions for the Halloween season.

With cold and icy winter months, it can be hard to maintain a regular workout routine. However, Reno offers many exercise opportunities throughout the winter season both for those who want to keep warm indoors and those who want to brave the elements outside.

The Brüka Theater kicked off its 16th season with “Italian American Reconciliation,” a folktale written by John Patrick Shanley. The show runs from Oct. 3 to Oct. 25 with a 2 p.m. matinee on Oct. 19. The theme for the 2008/2009 season is “The year of the metamorphoses.”

On Saturday, Oct. 4, University of Nevada, Reno alumni-turned-stand up comedian K-Von performed at the Grand Sierra Resort with veteran comedian Jamie Kennedy.

On Saturday, downtown Reno will become immersed in the fourth installment of the monthly Reno Beer Crawl. From 2 to 6 p.m., prior to the start of the University of Nevada, Reno vs. University of Nevada, Las Vegas football game, 18 local taverns will open their doors to patrons interested in specialty beer tasting.

This past Friday brought northern Californian “psychobilly” rockers Tiger Army with opening acts The Memphis Murder Men and Civet to the New Oasis for a fittingly raucous performance.

On Friday, the Holland Project’s downtown West Street Market drew many curious spectators to watch the recently crowned Air Guitar World Champion, Hot Lixx Hulahan, demonstrate his skills amongst other musical acts.