February 2025
Hello –
As we are entering this month of Hallmark love and romance, I want to take a moment to celebrate the power of music to connect people.
February is the perfect time to reflect on how music helps us build relationships and create a sense of community. Whether it’s through singing, songwriting, jamming, or just listening, music really does have a way of expressing feelings that words sometimes can’t!
We’re all about creating a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and included. This February, we invite you to join us in celebrating the love and support that our community offers to one another.
Thanks for being such an important part of the NMTS family. Let’s keep spreading love, joy, and connection through music this February and beyond!
Manal Toppozada, Executive Director and Founder
Podcasters Wanted
NMTS is Starting a New Pod for LGBTQ+ Youth
Hey friends! My name’s Eric, or you can call me “Goose”.
I use they/them pronouns, and I’m part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Throughout my life, I’ve found that one of the things that gives me strength is connecting with my community over what brings us joy.
At NMTS, I’m honored to lead the group that’s going to create a podcast about how members of the LGBTQ+ community find joy. We’re hoping to feature voices of LGBTQ+ youth to highlight and celebrate the ways they bring joy into their lives, whether it’s through friends, family, special interests, hobbies, talents, or anything that makes them happy!
When: Mondays 5:30-6:20pm | Start Date: March 3, 2025
Where: NMTS recording studio at 2590 Orovada St., Reno, NV 89512
Who: LGBTQ+ ages 12-18 yrs
Cost: $50 per month (sliding fee scale available)
The official name of the podcast, frequency of releases, theme song, and other details will be decided by whoever joins the group. With this podcast, group members will learn about recording, editing, and producing audio and music in our new state-of-the-art studio.
Whether you want to be the star of an episode, a small contributor, or just help with the audio production, we’d love to have you! You can even come if you just want to hang out with other LGBTQ+ people talking about what brings them joy!
If you’d like to learn more, you can email me, or call the office at 775.324.5521.
Love is in the Air!
We are excited to share hosting credit with DSNNN for their second annual Valentine's Mixer.
This event is for all adults with developmental disabilities who are looking for new friendships or a romantic relationship and will provide a safe space for adults to find love, if they so chose.
We will have catered appetizers and mocktails! Get as dressed up as you want! Come in casual, date night attire or formal! Dress however you are the most comfortable.
Tickets are $5 per person and must be purchased in advance.
Get all the details here on the DSNNN website.
NMTS Goes Back to the 80s
Our first Fun Friday Night Dance Party of the year was a musical trip back to the 1980s . . . It was totally tubular!
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
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10:00 - 11:00 am at NMTS
Come join your fellow music lovers in an informal jam session! All levels are welcome. Feel free to bring your own instruments or borrow one of ours. Open to all ages and ability levels!
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Every Monday | 5:00 - 6:00 pm at NMTS
Learn circle, line, contra, and square dancing from a live caller in our new Country Dance class, every Monday, starting January 6th.
Classes are $50 / month (sliding scale available).
Call 775.324.5531 to register or for more information.
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6:00 - 8:00 pm at The Garden of Reno
Ready to find love or a new bestie? The Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada (DSNNN) is hosting a singles mixer for Valentine's Day!
Whether you're looking for love or a new friend, this is the event for you.
Registration required. $5 per participant. Get all the details here
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11:15 am - 12:00 pm in the NMTS east parking lot
Through the Senior Nutrition & Wellness (SNW) program (formerly Commodity Supplemental Food Program/CSFP), the Food Bank of Northern Nevada provides a monthly box of nutritious pantry staples to low-income seniors 60 years and over.
They’ll be in the MNTS east parking lot the 2nd Monday of every month from 11:15 am to 12 noon.
(Clients are asked to complete a CSFP application at their first visit, to determine program eligibility. If approved, your application will be valid for 3 years, pending an annual verbal recertification. In order to quality, a recipient must be 60 years of age or older, a resident of Nevada and have an income under 130% of the Federal Poverty Line.)
Get more info here
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Tuesday, February 11 | 9am
Do you enjoy decorating for holidays and parties? NMTS is starting a decoration committee to help make the building festive throughout the year!
For example, we have a supporter event coming up with a New Orleans theme in March and a Prom themed dance in April.
If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to Wendy at wendy@nmtsreno.org or 775.324.5521.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 11th at 9 am, so please reach out soon if you are interested!
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3:00 - 3: 45 pm at Reno - Tahoe international Airport
Love is in the air, as NMTS’ own “Local Vocals” perform in the main terminal at Reno - Tahoe International airport.
The music begins at 3:00 pm, and ends at 3:45 pm.
Open to the public, and absolutely FREE!
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NMTS will be closed Monday, February 17th in observance of Presidents’ Day
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4:00 - 7:00 pm at NMTS
Join NMTS, and the Reno Drum Tribe Community Circle for a Drum Circle in the Jerry Smith Auditorium.
All are welcome!
FREE with a suggested $5 donation
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10:15 - 11:00 am in the NMTS east parking lot
The Food bank of Northern Nevada brings its “Produce on Wheels” program to the east parking lot of NMTS from 10:15 - 11:00 am on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
If you’re age 60 or older, come by and get some free produce!
(You must be a Nevada resident, have a valid ID, and be willing to complete a brief Intake Form and Survey.)
Get more info here
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4:30 - 5:30 pm at NMTS
Led by Yoga Your Way LLC founder, Nichole Schembre. Enjoy a meditative experience that bathes you in sound waves produced by instruments such as crystal singing bowls, percussion, and chimes.
FREE - Ages 12+
Comfy dress code. Blankets and mat encouraged.
Space is limited! Please RSVP here
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12:00 - 1:00 pm at NMTS
NMTS is always looking for people who enjoy spending time giving back to their community. If you are interested in learning more about our programs and volunteer opportunities, please register for our next Volunteer Orientation (12-1pm on the 4th Friday of each month) by contacting dena@nmtsreno.org or calling 775.324.5521.
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5:30 - 6:45 pm at NMTS
It’s time to shine!
Come join us for Open Mic Friday Fun Night where you get the chance to sing, dance, or play an instrument to your heart’s content!
You never know what you’ll see or hear at NMTS “Open Mic Night”!
Event ends at 6:45 p.m. Pick up is no later than 7 p.m. This is an all ages event and individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Event is free but there is a suggested $5 donation to NMTS.
Staff Playlist February 2025
Since February is “Black History Month”, we asked the staff for favorite songs by black artists.
Eric - Billie Holiday - “All of Me”
There are so many African American jazz greats but, Billie Holiday has always been on of my favorite jazz singers. "All of me" is such a great song and I love her rendition most of all.
Jon - Solomon Burke - “Cry to Me”
There’s an Arthur Conley song that was popular back in the day called “Sweet Soul Music”. In it, he name-checks most of the prominent soul and R&B artists of the time (James Brown, Otis Redding, Lou Rawls, etc.). I always thought it was a crime that he didn’t mention Solomon Burke, who was as influential and talented as any of them.
Wendy - Rhiannon Giddens - “We Could Fly”
Giddens is a two-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist, MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient, Pulitzer Prize winner, and composer of opera, ballet, and film. Giddens has centered her work around the mission of lifting up people whose contributions to American musical history have previously been overlooked or erased, and advocating for a more accurate understanding of the country’s musical origins through art.
She is TRULY incredible.
Nate - J Dilla - “Ma Dukes”
Dena - Sam Cooke - “Cupid”
Manal - Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - “Wake Up Everybody”
I think one of the best ways to honor Black History Month is to amplify Black voices of resistance and freedom. This song has a powerful call to action that is just as important now as it was 50 years ago. "The world won't get no better…If we just let it be...we gotta change it...just you and me.”
Elizabeth - Ego Ella Mae - “Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys”
Ego Ella May is a British-Nigerian R&B, neo-soul, and contemporary jazz musician. She was born in 1992 and named after Ella Fitzgerald. She taught herself to play guitar, make beats, and produce music. I love her songwriting and voice.
Sharon - Billie Holiday - “Strange Fruit”
I selected Billie Holiday because my son's partner/girlfriend is a person of color, and her mom named her Billie for Billie Holiday because of the huge impact she had on music and the strength she demonstrated despite great hardship.
Cony - Celia Cruz - “La Negra Tiene Tumbao”Celia Cruz is one of the artists who was so proud to be just HER. Beautiful HER!!!
Sam - Jon Batiste - “Freedom”
He is such a joyful human being, and he exudes talent. His music surrounds you like a hug. I love it!
Kitchen for Rent at NMTS
Our fabulous commercial kitchen is available for rent! The kitchen offers 960 square feet for cooking and prep.
It features a six-burner gas stove and oven, a cabinet to store and reheat previously cooked food, two stainless prep tables, a two-door commercial fridge, a one-door commercial freezer, a Frigidaire freezer, a three-compartment sink, a dishwasher, a handwashing sink, and plenty of shelves and cabinets for storage.
Rent is $3,000 per month, including building maintenance, grease trap cleaning, snow removal, landscaping, and utilities (except phone and Wi-Fi).
The facility is fully accessible and centrally located near bus service.
For more information, email Dena Sweigart or call 775.324.5521.
Reminder: NMTS will be closed on Monday, February 17th in observance of Presidents’ Day
January Thank Yous
Thank you to our January donors:
B. Bottenberg, Carol Brown, Frankie Sue Delpapa, Kathleen Gardiner, Christine Hanzlik-Wilcox, Katie Grace Foundation, John Lenz, Stephen Martin, Manal Toppozada, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Lea Williams
The NMTS monthly Music Makers giving crew:
Susan Boner, Susan Boskoff, Dodie Bryant, Michelle Burke, Jody Call, Skyler Dillon, Leslie Doukas, Tiffany Dunseath, Cheryl Eckert, MaryLee Fulkerson, CeCelia Gable, Heather Gage, Rachel Gattuso, Mary Jo Gieseke, Karen Golonka, Carrie Harding, Beverly Hennen, Sharon Hickox, Daniel Hickox-Young, Jonathan Hickox-Young, Andy Hughes, Dina Hunsberger, Sandy Jacob, Ana Johnson, Nadia Khan, Lucille Knight, Michael Lahnala, Brad Lund and Trudy Miller, Deanna Lyons, Pam Macy, Lynda Mahorter, Olga Mesina, LuAnn Miller, Mary Miller, Sophie Moeller, Pauline Mooers, Lee Moran, Meghan Ochs, Lisa A Rizzoli, Pam Miller Russell, Cindy Sabatini, Jake and Rachel Steinman, Jeannie Steinman, Judith Stewart, Julie Sulahria, Jennifer Tibben, Sarah Toney, Ken and Doreen Vogel, Lori and Don Welsh, Gina Wertz, Jonathan Wilson, Sandra Young, Tim Young
Thank you volunteers:
Katie Amorelli, Kendra Bertschy, Pamela Black, Jeff Bloyd, Allie Cheney, Kevin Cornell, Sandra Cruz, Jacob Davis, Cheryl Eckert, Matt Ennis, Mark Geeson, Mike Hix, Michael Lahnala, Tony Martin, Mary Ann McCauley, Greg McNie, Dr. Olga Mesina, Whitney Pomi, Pat Ragains, Kelly Rigby, Lisa Rizzoli, Patti Rodriguez, Veruka Saiki, Rebecca Shipley, Stephanie Schoen, Carrie Snow, Jake Steinman, Dave Stockman, Bill Sutman, Pat Sutman, Jared Taylor, Lindsey Tromerhauser, Ken Vogel, Laila Wilson