A Royal Night in Reno: When Doves Cry Brings the Purple Reign to the Grand Theatre
The spirit of Minneapolis took over the Biggest Little City this past weekend as When Doves Cry, the premier Prince tribute act, turned the Grand Theatre into a sea of purple. Presented by Late Nite Productions, the evening wasn’t just a concert; it was a high-energy celebration of one of music’s greatest icons.
By the time the lights dimmed, the Grand Theatre had a large crowd. You could feel the electric hum of anticipation in the air. This wasn't a "sit and watch" crowd—from the moment the first chord struck, the audience was primed for a party.
The band didn't hold back, delivering a phenomenal set that covered the breadth of Prince’s legendary catalog. The musicianship was tight, capturing the funky, intricate essence of the New Power Generation and the Revolution.
The absolute standout of the night was the band's decision to play the Purple Rain album in its entirety. Hearing those tracks back-to-back—from the frantic energy of "Let's Go Crazy" to the soaring, emotional guitar solos of the title track—was a rare treat that left the audience spellbound.
While the music was the main attraction, the intermission provided a highlight of its own. As the house lights came up, I looked over my shoulder to find a very familiar face in the crowd: Dog the Bounty Hunter was standing directly behind me! It was one of those "only in Reno" moments that added an extra layer of excitement to an already memorable night.
When the band returned for the second half, they kicked the energy into overdrive. The performance transformed the theater into a full-blown dance floor:
The Crowd: Jumping, clapping, and dancing to every beat.
The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated joy that lasted until the final note.
The Production: Late Nite Productions lived up to their reputation, providing top-tier entertainment to the Reno/Tahoe area.
When Doves Cry is a must-see for any Prince fan. They managed to capture the charisma and technical brilliance of the Purple One while making the audience feel like they were part of the show. If you missed this one, keep an eye out for the next Late Nite Productions event—they clearly know how to pick a winner.
