Burlesque in Reno, Empowering Local Bodies and Minds

“Growing up with a disability was hard. When you’re a kid, all the other kids want to know what’s wrong, why you walk like that, and why you do certain things,” Jenna said. Jenna is a 28-year-old disabled woman living in Reno, Nevada. She’s been navigating her disability her entire life. When Jenna was an infant, she suffered a stroke, which resulted in severe deficiencies on the left side of her body. Jenna’s left hand often takes a hooked position due to the lack of strength in her wrist, and her left foot turns outwards, making it difficult to walk. But Jenna is not alone; more than 1 in 4 adults live with some type of disability in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. “I didn’t start walking when everyone else my age did. I would walk on my tippy toes, I wore casts, and I would fall over places. I couldn’t be alone.” she said. Jenna has come a long way since then. In early October Jenna got engaged to her fiancé, Jon. Now the couple lives together in a small townhouse in South Reno, along with Jon’s 6-year-old daughter. Jenna plays an active role in Jon’s daughter’s life, often being the main caretaker of her while Jon is working. Audio minidoc by Sara Ewing-Garcia.

From the front lines of the Tallac Hotshots, battling California’s biggest wildfires like the Dixie and Caldor Fires, to the depths of the ocean helping restore coral reefs in Honduras. Jp has built a life defined by resilience, service, and purpose. 🌊🔥 Between fire seasons, he’s taught diving, hunted invasive lionfish, and volunteered with @CleanUptheLake, helping preserve local alpine ecosystems. Now, he’s preparing for his next chapter — studying to take his next step toward municipal firefighting. This is more than a comeback story, it’s a reminder that strength isn’t just surviving the fire, but learning to rise from the ashes. Hosted by his sister Amanda Avilla.

Machinist and small business owner Paul McCutcheon shares his journey from a junior high metal shop in Fontana, California, to running his own precision machining business in Fallon, Nevada. Through decades of hard work, Paul built a career for himself after being told he wouldn't be hired elsewhere. From aerospace manufacturing to entrepreneurship, he reflects on the challenges of starting out with little more than determination, a supportive partner, and a few savings bonds. His story is a testament to the enduring spirit of American manufacturing. Audio reporting by his daughter April McCutcheon.

Kelly August, an experienced dance instructor in Reno, shares how she teaches burlesque not just as a style of dance but as a way to empower people to become confident in their own skin. Burlesque was first used as a rebellious way to dance and challenge society norms; today burlesque dancers use it for a multitude of reasons. Not only does burlesque empower its dancers, but as Sara Ewing reports it’s a statement that allows the dancer to show they are in charge of their destiny,

The Old Washoe Club is one of the most notorious, and reportedly haunted locations we have here in the Northern Nevada Area. A hub for the social elites during the silver rush in Virginia City in the 1800s, the club is full of history, as well as alleged spirits. Come along with one of the club’s tour guides as she shows us inside “The Crypt” of the building and tells us all about its spooky history. Audio reporting by Natalie MacKay.

For 43 years, the Great Reno Italian Festival has transformed the streets of downtown Reno, Nevada into a cultural haven full of handmade raviolis, Italian music, the smells of slow cooking pasta sauce, and a stage with barrels full of grapes for stomping. The festival is one of Reno’s biggest cultural events, and attracts thousands of visitors each year for its authentic Italian food and wine, vendors, and free events. Mark your calendars for next year! Episode hosted by Natalie MacKay. Photo credit by Mackenzie Rankin.

After more than a year in Portland, 22-year-old Filipino-American artist Vivid Helene returned to her hometown stage, performing at RareTea to a crowd of devoted fans, close friends, and supportive family members. Amanda Avilla caught up with her to compare the two cities, and discuss being an artist in the Biggest Little City.

On this episode of the Our Town Reno Podcast, Nicolas Scolaro interview Dalton Debold, a Reno local who has lived in Reno all of his life. His family has owned a bike shop for over 15 years and he has experienced most of the changes of Reno first hand, from the perspective of growing up here, his family having a business, and now as a student, snow enthusiast and aspirant filmmaker.

In this episode, we go further afield in northern Nevada, as April McCutcheon interviews Ron Evans, a retired teacher and community member to discuss his work with the Fallon Daily Bread. The organization, founded in 2006 at the Epworth United Methodist Church, is focused on providing meals to the unhoused and food insecure in Fallon a town of about 10-thousand people. Evans shares how the need continues to grow amid rising costs and economic challenges and how the organization adapts to still serve the public, while focusing on giving a meal rather than food, and treating everyone like a human being.

Reno native Sage L. has lived in twelve places across the city, including student housing like dorms and apartments. For the Our Town Reno podcast, he speaks about his strategies for finding affordable places to live as a recent UNR graduate and young professional, comparing and contrasting all his experiences, and pointing out the bad and even the worse, while trying to improve his living situation.