In the Las Vegas Weekly - Is it still art with pasties?

By Kristen Petersen...
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/news/2009/dec/29/it-still-art-pasties/

The Atomic Testing Museum Presents - "From Splitting the Atom to the Cuban Missile Crisis: Writing the 1st Quarter-Century of the Nuclear Age"

Tuesday, January 12th from 6pm-8pm.

The Atomic Testing Museum, the Black Mountain Institute, and the UNLV History Department proudly present Dr. Martin Sherwin, Dr. Ruth Sime, and Dr. Mary Palevsky as they discuss "From Splitting the Atom to the Cuban Missile Crisis: Writing the 1st Quarter-Century of the Nuclear Age." UNLV History Professor, Dr. Andy Fry, will moderate the panel discussion. The panelists combined research and knowledge of the development of the nuclear age ensures that the conversation will be both informative and thought-provoking.

Dr. Martin Sherwin is a University Professor of History at George Mason University and professor emeritus of English and American History at Tufts University where he taught from 1980-2007. He is the author of, A World Destroyed: Hiroshima and its Legacies. In 2006, he and shared the Pulitzer Prize in biography with Kai Bird for, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Marty is currently a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center where his project is: "Gambling with Armageddon: The Military, The Hawks and the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1945-1962".

Dr. Ruth Lewin Sime is a physical chemist who recently retired from teaching at Sacramento City College in California after 32 years. She is the author of the award-winning biography of the co-discoverer of nuclear fission, Lise Meitner: A Life in Physics (1996), which has been translated into German, Chinese and Japanese. Ruth has contributed to several documentary films about Meitner. In 2008 she was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for her current project, a biographical study of Lise Meitner’s colleague, Otto Hahn during and after the National Socialist period. Hahn was awarded the 1944 Nobel Prize in chemistry for the discovery of fission.

Dr. Mary Palevsky is a visiting scholar in UNLV's Dept. of History. From 2003-2008 she directed the Nevada Test Site Oral History Project at UNLV. She is the author of Atomic Fragments: A Daughter's Questions, which examines the moral legacy of the atomic bomb in the lives of its creators. She was the 2008-2009 Black Mountain Institute-Kluge Fellow in Partnership with the Library of Congress. She is currently writing a book based on the Nevada Test Site oral histories.

Admission is $5 per person and free for museum members.

Atomic Testing Museum is located at 755 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

For more information contact Dawn Barlow, Director of Communications and Development - (702)794-5147 or dawn.barlow@ntshf.org. www.atomictestingmuseum.org

Galactic Dec-a-dance New Years Eve Ball @ The Arts Factory

Ring in the future of 2010, with us at the Arts Factory. Since this year is the landmark for all things "Futuristic", we have decreed that the dress code for this event shall be FUTURE FORMAL.

So what's your vision that the future of 2010 will bring us in formal wear?
Is it metallic spandex or steam punk?
Post apocalyptic or peaceful Utopian?
Barbarella or Blade Runner?
Fifth Element or Road Warrior?
Jetson or Jedi?

Entertainment by The Saloon Door Slammers and their unique brand of old-timey-jazzy-burlesque-ragtime-sultry rock and roll.

Interplanetary entertainment, out-of-this-world hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight are included in your admission price. Full, no-host, bar will be available throughout the evening to keep your merry-making properly lubricated.

Tickets are available online at
http://artsfactorynye.eventbrite.com/
Admission at the door the night of the event will be $50 per person.
Join us as we transport 2009 into a time long forgotten!

Benefit for Insurgo Theater Movement

December 29th, Insurgo and Born & Raised Productions present THE RED PARTY at the Downtown Cocktail Room, a fundraising event to benefit the Insurgo 2009-2010 Season.

The evening is an eastern euro propaganda chic theatre explosion and features performances from local artists including Insurgo and other local troupes and Strip shows. In addition it will feature performed portions of the upcoming season, silent auctions, and some special prizes.

This season is our most ambitious to date. We have a dozen mainstage and original shows in the next seven months featuring some of the greatest performers in the world, literally. Vegas has shown us that they want this kind of programming. This event is a chance for us to meet with the public in a fantastic setting,have them check out part of the season, get involved and join the movement. Its also a final opportunity to donate before the new tax year and help build a new theatre with the best performing arts group in Vegas.

The Insurgo Theater Movement is a 501c3 non-profit corporation and donations are tax-deductible. Hailed as "intimately related to the betterment for a quickly evolving Las Vegas theater status quo" and "wild west avante-garde theatre", the Insurgo Theater Movment is a non-profit organization dedicated to an exploration the theatrical form including classics, alternative and original works. Most recently, Insurgo was named Best of Vegas for 2009 from the Review Journal.

Event details:
Dec 29th @ 8PM
Downtown Cocktail Room
111 South las Vegas Blvd.
Tix $20 at www.insurgotheater.org

Erik Amblad
Owner and Co-Founder
Born and Raised Productions LLC
702.809.4074
eamblad@post.harvard.ed

Enculturate Las Vegas Awakens in the new Decade

Hello Friends,
I am so excited to be blogging and bringing you the latest cultural arts news and announcements that are happening in the Radiant City. Since I re-launched the blog several weeks ago I have had an influx of readership from all over the community and have been referenced in other locations also.

Over the next following weeks you will see some exciting things happen with the blog as it morphs into a new site that can be used to find out what is happening in our fabulous city. As always the only way I can maintain this site is because of you. If you hear of any events that may be happening please do not hesitate to send it my way. I will post everything that is relevant to the cultural arts.

I do wish each and everyone of you a Fabulous and Covered with Rhinestones Holiday Season and an even more spectacular New Years!

Thank you for your support...

Warm wishes - Paco

Happy Holidays from Paco @ Enculturate Las Vegas

Dear Friends,

I just wanted to send each and everyone of you my deepest and sincerest wishes this Holiday Season. May all of you have a fabulous time with your family and friends. Be safe and may your New Years be more Grand then the last.

Remember what I have been saying for awhile let US be ZEN in TEN...

Always - Brian Paco Alvarez, Enculturate Las Vegas

D’Arte Designs POP-UP Galleries presents “An Eclectic Collection” at the Holsum Lofts

Works by Sigrid Brunel, Denise R. Duarte, Anita Getzler, Walt Heron, Arthur Jacob and Mikel Patrik.

Experience the energy of this confluence of artists who articulate their world visually by a variety of media. Abstraction to reconstructed realities flow from their creative centers to this place in time, the first day of 2010. Experience the new decade and new year in a refined and artful environment.

ONE NIGHT ONLY, First Friday, January 1st from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. at Holsum Design Center, 241 W. Charleston Blvd., Suites 140 & 150.

Also open at Holsum Design Center on First Friday, H. Stephen Jackson/Architect Gallery in suite 175 and dining at Lola’s, a Louisiana Kitchen. Trolley Stop.

For more information contact Denise with D’Arte Designs, 702-372-3755, www.dartedesigns.com

Winter Lights Festival at the Springs Preserve

December 18 - 24

The Springs Preserve lights up the night with millions of environmentally friendly LED lights this winter season. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for children 5 to 12 and free for those 4 and under. Members receive half-off regular-priced admission.

For more information please visit there website at www.springspreserve.org or call 702-822-7700.

The preserve is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. The Preserve is located at 333 S. Valley View Blvd. between US 95 and Alta Drive in Las Vegas

A True Seasonal Classic - the Nutcracker - Returns

The Nevada Ballet Theater presents - The Nutcracker
At the Paris Hotel and Casino
December 18 through December 24
Varying times - Matinee and evenings
For more information please call the Bally's Box Office or Ticketmaster Outlets
702.946.4567
http://www.nevadaballet.com/

An Afternoon of Trumpets, Tenors & Troisième...

There are three spectacular events this afternoon in the Radiant City for you to enjoy. Unfortunately the Big Band and Tenors coincide but the Ballet has shows all week. But I am certain that either one that you choose will be spectacular.

At the Charleston Heights Arts Center
Saturday, December 19, 2 p.m.
Big Band Pops Christmas Featuring Tony Scodwell (all ages) and vocalist Lisa Mayer.
Tickets: $5 all seats

Charleston Heights Arts Center is located 800 S. Brush Street and Charleston, 229-6383.

At the Historic Fifth Street School
Saturday, December 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. FREE
Holiday Tenors For You Concert featuring classically trained tenors Michael Rodrigues, Mark Thomsen, Marco Varela and Dr. Alfonse Anderson will present two hours of Christmas favorites, accompanied by Barbara Riske and a few other guest performers.

Historic Fifth Street School is located at 401 S. Fourth St. Admission is free. Call 229-3515 for more information.

At the Paris Hotel and Casino
The Nevada Ballet Theater presents - The Nutcracker
December 18 through December 24
Varying times - Matinee and evenings
For more information please call the Bally's Box Office or Ticketmaster Outlets
702.946.4567
http://www.nevadaballet.com/

The Contemporary Arts Center Announces New Director

Wendy Kveck has been an active participant and supporter of the CAC for many years. Her work at as an adjunct instructor at UNLV and a member of the exhibitions committee at the CAC made her a great fit for us. Wendy has shown an immense amount of enthusiasm and commitment to Las Vegas culture and arts. Her past years have been devoted to curating, teaching and administrating various arts events around the city and we feel very fortunate to have her. Our resolve at the Contemporary Arts Center is to sustain our mission and we have found that Wendy also shares this vision.

Wendy received her MFA degree from UNLV in 2007 and her BFA from the University of Iowa in 1992. We hope that you can join us in congratulating her.

She will be at the CAC Gallery Saturday the 18th of December and we welcome CAC members and friends to stop by and give her a warm welcome between 12 and 5pm.

Sincerely,
David Sanchez Burr
President

The Contemporary Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 art organization dedicated to presenting new, high quality, visual, and performing art, while striving to build, educate, and sustain audiences for contemporary art.The CAC provides a place where artist can learn about best practices, test new ideas in the public arena, and connect with fellow artists within and beyond our own community.

107 East Charleston Blvd., Suite 120
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89104 USA

Gallery hours:
Tue through Sat: 12 PM – 5PM and by appointment
First Friday: 6 PM – 10 PM
Phone: (702)382-3886

Email: info@lasvegascac.org

The Las Vegas Artist Guild @ Whole Foods - Saturday, December 19

The Vegas Artists Guild members will be presenting their artwork for sale at Whole Foods Market in Las Vegas, NV.

Come support your local artists! Also, check out the beautiful mural painted by Guild members!

WHEN: Saturday, December 19, 2009
TIME: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Whole Foods Market, 8855 West Charleston Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89117
PHONE: 702. 254.8655

For more information on joining the Vegas Artists Guild, please visit their website:

http://www.vegasartistsguild.com/

A Spectacular Phantom Holiday Concert at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse

In the Las Vegas SUN

http://www.lasvegassun.com/events/2009/dec/18/8481/

City Of Las Vegas Cultural Arts & Community Events December 21 - 27

Free Community Kwanzaa Celebration Dec. 27 To Honor Calvin “Eagle Eye” Shields

Everyone is invited to enjoy the community Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 27, at 2 p.m. at the West Las Vegas Library Theatre, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Admission is free. Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American people, their culture and their history. This year the West Las Vegas Arts Center will celebrate Kujichagulia, (pronounced koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah) or self-determination — to speak for ourselves and create our own destinies. The community will present the graduating class of the Girls and Boys Rites of Passage program and honor community elder, legendary jazz pianist and bandleader Calvin "Eagle Eye” Shields. Call 229-4800 for information in advance, or 507-3989 on event day.

Other upcoming events include:

Gift Wrapping Extravaganza (all ages)
Weekdays, Dec. 21-23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $1 per gift
Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6454.
Are you through shopping and want to get your gifts wrapped? Have your gifts wrapped the last week before Christmas with a beautiful selection of paper and ribbon!

Winter Break Specialty Theme Camp (ages 4-15)
Monday, Dec. 21, through Thursday, Dec. 31, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fee: $100 per week (Monday-Thursday); $90 for an additional child from the same household.
Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave, 229-6359.
Mirabelli Community Center will offer a weeklong, themed specialty camp concentrating on a particular activity. Call for more information. No camp Dec. 25 or Jan. 1.

Winter Break Camp (ages 4-15)
Monday, Dec. 21, through Thursday, Dec. 31, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Fee: $65 per child per week (Monday-Thursday); $60 for an additional child from the same household. Advance registration required.

- Becker Community School, 9110 Hillpointe Road, 229-2482. Ages 4-15.
- Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, 229-1607. Ages 6-11.
- Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., 229-6374. Ages 4-15.
- Johnson Community School, 340 Villa Monterey, 229-6175. Ages 4-15.
- Lied Community School, 5340 W. Tropical Parkway, 229-5072. Ages 4-15.
- Molasky Community School, 7801 Gilmore, 229-5345, Ages 4-15
- Rafael Rivera Community Center, 2900 E. Stewart Ave., 229-4600. Ages 4-15.

Youth will have fun and stay busy enjoying age-appropriate activities, including arts, crafts, holiday games and sports, under the supervision and guidance of professional staff. No camp on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. Kids will need to bring a sack lunch daily. Registration for camps is available at the facilities listed, by telephone and online at www.clvbeyondtheneon.com. Registration will continue until camps are full. Telephone registration for camps is available by calling (702) 229-5445. You will need a Leisure Access (family account) number, a personal LeisureLink number and program code(s). These may be obtained by calling any of the facilities listed above for assistance, or online. The fall Leisure Guide, which has program codes and detailed information on each facility’s camps, classes, programs, special events, sports, workshops and activities, is available online at www.lasvegasparksandrec.com. A map and description of city of Las Vegas facilities is available online at the same location.

Holiday Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m.
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.
Bring two dozen cookies to trade with each other. Participation is free.

Holiday Caroling (ages 50+)
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Participation is free.
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., (702) 229-1515.

Media Contact:
Margaret Kurtz
Publicity Specialist
City of Las Vegas
400 E. Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101-2986
(702) 229-6993
Cell (702) 249-1828
E-mail: mkurtz@lasvegasnevada.gov
www.lasvegasnevada.gov www.lasvegasparksandrec.com www.artslasvegas.org

Auditions open for Shakespeare production “Bard to the Bone"

Auditions start for our new Shakespeare production “Bard to the Bone.” We are staging a show around WS’ two long-form poems “Venus and Adonis” and “The Rape of Lucrece.” In addition we fill out the evening with an assortment of sonnets, play clips, and the work of other poets contemporaneous to WS.

PLEASE COME BY AT 7PM, THURSDAY DECEMBER 17 TO THE ADDRESS BELOW. (Or contact us for alternate dates.)

Prepare a monologue from Shakespeare and be ready to cold read.

FEEL FREE TO SEND A HEADSHOT AND RESUME BY EMAIL TO: DAN @ LVShakes . com

These works were not written to be read as dialogue and they are extremely sexual so we need actors who can bring the text to life and who are not shy -- skin may be exposed in this production.

Casting for six players:

Three Females:

Venus is older than Adonis, voluptuous, hyper-sexed, beautiful, and the goddess of love. She tries her best to seduce the boy but fails.

Lucrece is younger than Tarquin. She is in bed when he attacks her, very little clothing for him to rip when he forces the deed upon her.

Female Reader does narration voice and various roles in the shorter clips.

Three Males:

Adonis is younger than Venus, beautiful, traditionally masculine, highly disciplined and will not allow Venus to work her wiles on him.

Tarquin is older than Lucrece, gruff, violent, strong, given over to his baser impulses but still articulate.

Male Reader does narration voice and various roles in the shorter clips.

IF YOU CANNOT MAKE IT THURSDAY CALL US FOR OTHER AVAILABLE AUDITION DATES.

The show is sponsored and curated by, and auditions are held at:

Erotic Heritage Museum
3275 Industrial Rd.
Las Vegas NV 89109
(702) 369-6442

City Center & the ever changing face of Las Vegas

As a proud native of Las Vegas I would like to personally send my deepest and most sincerest best wishes to all those who created City Center. Most importantly to all the employees who built it and to those who will maintain this spectacular project. Las Vegas has finally come of age and in the next few years even more spectacular projects await us; the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, the New Las Vegas City Hall and many more dreams will come true for the Radiant City in the Desert.

I love Las Vegas for everything that she is and everything that she is not. But one thing I do know is that she will continue to shine well into the future no matter what obstacles may present themselves...

Bonne Chance City Center... Long live Las Vegas...

An Evening of Art and Culture Downtown - Thursday, December 17

5pm the evening begins with cocktails at the Downtown Cocktail Room for Down-Lo… Then at 6pm we head over to the Contemporary Arts Center of Las Vegas to celebrate with BLVD’s and the unveiling of their new magazine cover designed by local artist Diane Bush... After the CAC event we cross the street to Brett Wesley Gallery for an evening of Chamber Music ... Art & cocktails are a fabulous thing…

Downtown Cocktail Room
111 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89101-5718
702.880.3696
www.downtownlv.net

Contemporary Arts Center @ the World Famous Arts Factory!
107 East Charleston Blvd., Suite 120
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89104
702.382.3886
www.lasvegascac.org

Brett Wesley Art Gallery
1112 South Casino Center Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89104-1014
702.818.4826
www.brettwesleygallery.com

The 2nd Annual TributePalooza to Rock - Fremont Street Experience for New Year’s 2010 Weekend

LAS VEGAS – December 15, 2009 – Las Vegas’ famed Fremont Street Experience is ready for a rockin’ New Year’s 2010 Weekend celebration with its 2nd Annual TributePalooza. The spectacular New Year’s Eve includes live concerts by eight of the world’s best tribute bands, a 2009 year-in-review show on the Viva Vision screen, followed by a countdown to midnight with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and then Fireworks by Grucci under the canopy choreographed to virtual fireworks on Viva Vision.

TributePalooza bands will deliver performances emulating classic favorites Aerosmith, Depeche Mode, Guns N’ Roses, INXS, Led Zeppelin, No Doubt, U2 and Van Halen. Plus, there will be a live stage show, “Jimi Hendrix and the Psychedelic Ride.”

New Year’s Eve is the only day of the year with ticketed admission to Fremont Street Experience. Wristbands are $10 for locals with valid Nevada ID and $20 for out-of-state visitors. Fremont Street Experience is restricted to persons 21 and over on New Year’s Eve. Wristbands can be purchased in advance by calling 702-678-5600.

The street will be packed with action while the giant Viva Vision screen dazzles with a light-and-sound extravaganza 90 feet above the street. The five blocks of the fabulous Fremont Street Experience, home to 10 legendary casinos, will be transformed into the biggest private party in Las Vegas, with upwards of 30,000 people in attendance.

Revelers are invited to celebrate the dawn of a new decade in true Las Vegas fashion at the city’s one-stop outdoor entertainment venue. The night will be filled with music as the eight ultimate tribute bands will provide continuous live concerts on both 1st Street and 3rd Street stages from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m. The performance schedule is as follows:

6 – 7:15 p.m.
INXS-IVE (INXS) – 1st Street Stage
The Joshua Tree (U2) – 3rd Street Stage

7:30 – 8:45 p.m.
Blasphemous Rumours (Depeche Mode) – 1st Street Stage
Fan Halen (Van Halen) – 3rd Street Stage

9:15 – 10:30 p.m.
No Duh (No Doubt) – 1st Street Stage
Led Zepagain (Led Zeppelin) – 3rd Street Stage

10:00, 11:15 p.m. and 12:15 a.m.
“Jimi Hendrix and the Psychedelic Ride” – Main Street Stage

11 – 11:45 p.m. and 12:15 – 1 a.m.
Aeromyth (Aerosmith) – 1st Street Stage
Appetite for Destruction (Guns N’ Roses) – 3rd Street Stage

The New Year’s Eve celebration at the Fremont Street Experience brings crowds of partygoers to Downtown Las Vegas every year and has become a tradition for visitors and locals alike. Fremont Street Experience continues the 2010 launch party throughout the holiday weekend with “Rock `N’ Recovery” free concerts on Friday, January 1 and Saturday, January 2. The entertainment schedule is as follows:

Friday, Jan. 1 & Saturday, Jan. 2
8 – 9:45 p.m. – Fan Halen, 1st Street Stage
8 – 9:45 p.m. – Blasphemous Rumours, 3rd Street Stage
8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. – “Jimi Hendrix and the Psychedelic Ride,” Main Street Stage
10 p.m. – Midnight – Led Zepagain, 1st Street Stage
10 p.m. – Midnight – Aeromyth, 3rd Street Stage

INXS-IVE (www.inxstributeband.com) is fronted by Australian native Brett Creswell, who gives the audience an authentic, live interpretation of one of the best loved front men of the 80’s, Michael Hutchence. Other band members are high skilled, professional musicians that painstakingly recreate the sound that made INXS such an enormous success.

The Joshua Tree (www.joshuatreeband.com) is the nation’s premier tribute to U2. Playing each song with the same intensity and emotion, the band covers all phases of U2’s career from their first album Boy to the most recent, No Line on the Horizon. Without compromising artistic integrity, the band has gone to great lengths to reproduce the distinct sound of one of the world’s most popular rock bands.

Blasphemous Rumours (www.depechetribute.com) meticulous attention to detail and an emphasis on accuracy in sound, imagery and performance sets them apart from other Depeche Mode tribute acts. The band brings their powerful note for note renditions of all of Depeche Mode’s hits, along with fan favorites, from every era to the masses throughout the U.S. and beyond.

Fan Halen (www.fanhalen.net ) brings back the party-time, hard-rocking music of classic Van Halen with a true-to-life tribute to not only the band, but the spirit of the era. Fan Halen sets the stage for a night with Dave, Eddie, Alex and Michael in a transformation that has been described as amazingly authentic.

No Duh (www.noduh.net) mixes the experience and energy of a live No Doubt and Gwen Stefani concert with nostalgic visuals, styling’s and props of the original band, complete with costume changes for a complete high-energy, audio-visual experience.

Led Zepagain (www.ledzepagain.com) takes their audience to a place that not only replicates a Led Zeppelin concert, but captures the heart and soul of the world’s greatest band. A Led Zepagain show features all of the Zeppelin highlights, from the high-energy electric classics, to the beautiful acoustic works. From the moment Led Zepagain hits the stage, audiences will believe they’re the true tribute to the outstanding band.
Aeromyth, the ultimate tribute to Aerosmith (www.aerosmithtribute.com ), not only has amazing Steven Tyler and Joe Perry look-alikes, but all band members look and sound like the band members they portray. The group performs all of Aerosmith’s greatest hits from classic songs such as “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion” and “Toys,” to more current hits like “Dude Looks Like a Lady,” “Jaded,” and “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.”

Appetite for Destruction (www.notquitegnr.com), the ultimate tribute to Guns N’ Roses, formed in 2006, travels the country delivering the most authentic tributes to Guns N’ Roses, circa 1987-1993 that audiences will ever see. The tribute act plays favorites include “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Paradise City,” “Patience” and many more.

“As part of America’s Party, Fremont Street Experience’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the party of the year. Nothing can compare to standing beneath 12.5 million lights counting down the last seconds of the year with the classic Las Vegas neon flashing, nonstop entertainment and everyone having the time of their lives,” said Jeff Victor, president of Fremont Street Experience. “We’re very excited to be bringing the world’s best tribute bands and an outstanding fireworks display to Downtown Las Vegas.”

Viva Vision®, the LED display canopy rising 90 feet in height and stretching 1,500 feet along the Fremont Street Experience promenade from Main Street to Fourth Street, forms a spectacular foyer for the existing resorts. Stretching the length of five football fields, Viva Vision serves as the showcase for the world’s largest graphic display system. Within the canopy itself are 208 speakers capable of producing 550,000 watts of concert-quality sound.

America’s Party and TributePalooza at the Fremont Street Experience opens at 6:00 p.m. Guests can access the venue at any of the gates located at Fremont and Casino Center, Fremont and 4th and Fremont and Main. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age. Parking is available at the Fremont Street Experience parking garage on the corner of 4th and Carson and at all Fremont Street hotel-casinos.

The Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment complex located in historical downtown Las Vegas. In 1995, Fremont Street was closed to vehicular traffic and a giant screen was suspended 90-feet over the street to display spectacular light and sound shows on its 1,500 foot surface. The 12.5 million lights of the Viva Vision screen dazzle 365 nights a year and make the Fremont Street Experience a one-of-a-kind venue. With direct pedestrian access to 10 casinos, more than 60 restaurants, specialty retail and free nightly entertainment, the Fremont Street Experience attracts millions of annual visitors. The Fremont Street Experience can be found online at www.vegasexperience.com.


# # #

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Capellas
Preferred Public Relations
702-254-5704
Stephanie@preferredpublicrelations.com

CALLING ALL ARTISTS for gallery space at THIRD FRIDAY

The Box Office Gallery at 1129 S. Casino Center Blvd is looking for artists to participate in Third Friday on January 15, 2010...

RSVP to Cameron Grant at cameroninlasvegas@com with the subject “Third Friday” please.

And whether you’re showing or not please tell your friends and COME OUT AND SUPPORT THIRD FRIDAY!

See you guys on Friday January 15th, 6-10pm in the Arts District.

***SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS***

From the Las Vegas SUN - Bellagio gets annual holiday transformation

Conservatory decked out for winter after months of preparation

By Amanda Finnegan

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/dec/15/bellagio-gets-annual-holiday-transformation/

Contemporary Arts Center End of The Year Fund Drive

The CAC thanks you for the wonderful year and wishes you the best for the Holiday Season and the New Year.

2009 our 20th anniversary was a success on many fronts. It was a year th

at started with a great exhibition of contemporary print-makers based in Santa Fe, a fantastic turnout for our annual juried exhibition, and our first ever performance and video Festival Off the Strip.

Throughout the year we have provided Las Vegas with a variety of art exhibits, performances and cultural events. We invited artists from all corners of the globe for Off The Strip, we collaborated with the City of Las Vegas, the Goldwell Open Air Museum, BLVDS Magazine , UNLV and Opportunity Village to enrich the valley with arts and cultural programming.

Along with our mission to support the arts locally we have reached out to artists nationally and exhibited the works of artists from Portland, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. to name a few. This year culminated with our Hot Hot Haute 2 and the 20th anniversary exhibition YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE; our current exhibit and one that shows just how much the CAC has impacted the arts in Las Vegas.

In addition to our exhibition schedule we have also incorporated poetry and fiction readings on a monthly basis. We continue to host the drawing workshops weekly and have been recognized nationally through articles in Art in America and other significant publications and websites. We received a proclamation from Clark County and a Governors Art Award in Leadership in the Arts.

Our grant raising efforts have allowed us to receive funds from the National Endowment of The Arts, The Nevada Arts Council and Cirque des Soleil.

As you can tell we accomplished quite a bit and have maintained our mission and goals.

Our final goal for 2009 is to raise a modest $5,000.00 before the new year rings. This will help us continue our programming uninterrupted. Help can be made in many ways here are a few:

Corporate or Individual Exhibition Sponsorship. An exhibition can be sponsored by an individual or corporation. Full Sponsorship Includes the addition of Company Logo or individual name to any publishing related to exhibition. Exhibition sponsorships range from $500.00 for partial sponsorship to $5000.00 for larger event sponsorship such as the Off The Strip Festival.

Membership: Our best value!!! Renew your membership! We offer membership at various levels. Artists membership permits exclusive registration to various future exhibition opportunities.

Individual Donation or Gift- Donate office supplies, computers, projectors and furniture.

No donation or level of support is too small. Please visit http://cac.wildapricot.org to get started.

The Contemporary Arts Center is a non-profit 501(c)3 art organization dedicated to presenting new, high quality, visual, and performing art, while striving to build, educate, and sustain audiences for contemporary art.The CAC provides a place where artist can learn about best practices, test new ideas in the public arena, and connect with fellow artists within and beyond our own community.
107 East Charleston Blvd., Suite 120
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89104 USA

Gallery hours:
Tue through Sat: 12 PM – 5PM and by appointment
First Friday: 6 PM – 10 PM

Phone: (702)382-3886

photos:

1.Noelle Stiles Performing Blanket at CAC November 2009

2. Lynn Lu artist from Singapore Exhibited Videos at CAC March 2009

3. Group Exhibition Your future Starts Here at CAC December 2009

4. Abby Coe From the twenty twenty exhibit at CAC August 2009

Celebrate with BLVDS at the Contemporary Arts Center this Thursday...

BLVDS and the Contemporary Arts Center proudly partnered to select the December issue cover art. In response to a call for work that addressed the theme "Giving," numerous high-quality submissions were received from the CAC's artist members.These submissions were reviewed by the CAC exhibition committee who selected ten finalists and their winning submission. BLVDS then juried those finalists and selected the cover artist which is now on the December/January "Giving" issue of BLVDS.

Please join us this Thursday, December 17th between 6-9 at the CAC gallery for the BLVDS launch and the CAC finalists' installation in the window. Meet and greet with the artists and BLVDS' managing editor Kim Schaefer and publisher Sherri Kaplan in the gallery where wine will be served!

Congratulations to:

BLVDS Cover Artist - Diane Bush
CAC Artist Pick - Thomas Willis

City Of Las Vegas Cultural Arts & Community Events December 14 thru 20

-Caroling Karaoke (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.
Join in holiday fun! Come sing your favorite song. Participation is free.

-Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $1
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., (702) 229-1515.
Bring three dozen cookies and get three dozen cookies for holiday treats.

-Free Holiday Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 to 3 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., (702) 229-1600.
Bring two dozen cookies homemade cookies and the recipe to swap for a variety of cookies.

-Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic Concerto Competition (all ages)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. Free admission.
Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 229-6211.
Students perform solo, duo and trio recitals in classical and contemporary compositions.

-Gift Wrapping Extravaganza (all ages)
Weekdays, Dec. 16-23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $1 per gift
Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6454.
Have your gifts wrapped the last week before Christmas with a beautiful selection of paper and ribbon!

-Holiday Make It & Take It Workshop (ages 2-12)
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 4 to 5 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $5
Robison Community School, 4794 Harris Ave., (702) 229-2542.
Come join us for some holiday fun as we enjoy punch and cookies and make a craft.

-Winter Holiday Brunch (ages 50+)
Thursday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. Advance registration is required.Fee: $ 7
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.

-Free Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Friday, Dec. 18, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Advance registration required.
Derfelt Senior Citizens Center, 3343 W. Washington Ave., (702) 229-6601.
Bring three dozen cookies and the recipe and enjoy a peaceful morning together in celebration of the holidays. Coffee, cappuccino and cider will be served.

-Downtown Cultural Series – A Spectacular Phantom Holiday Concert (all ages)
Friday, Dec. 18, noon to 1 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 229-3515.
Cast members of “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular” present a performance of beloved seasonal songs designed to highlight the reason for the season.

-Free Holiday Tree Lighting In Lorenzi Park (all ages)
Friday, Dec. 18, 5 p.m.
Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave.
Join Councilman Ricki Y. Barlow for a festive tree lighting in Lorenzi Park at 5 p.m., with holiday music, cocoa and cookies (while refreshments last).

-Parents Shopping Night (ages 4-10)
Friday, Dec. 18, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Advance registration required.
Fee: $10
Robison Community School, 4794 Harris Ave., (702) 229-2542.
The youth will enjoy pizza and entertainment while parents get holiday shopping done!

-Sprinting into the Holidays 5K and Fun Walk with Dogs for Charity (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. events begin; 10:30 a.m. winners announced.
Fee: $20 pre-registration at www.active.com; $25 at event; includes bib, Santa hat and candy cane.

Majestic Park, 3997 N. Hualapai Way (at Alexander Road).
Join Councilman Stavros S. Anthony and his dogs Jessie and Lexie in staying fit during the holidays with a 5K run or one-mile fun walk, with or without your dog. Please bring charitable donations: gently used items for Goodwill, pet care items for our local animal shelter, and your old cellular phone for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Bring your camera to take a photo with Santa! All proceeds from the event will benefit Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Enjoy children's performing groups and beverages provided by the Coca-Cola Company. Meet local community vendors offering cocoa, coffee and breakfast items for sale. There is a limit of one dog per person; each animal must remain on a leash. All dogs should wear a current rabies tag and be up-to-date on all vaccinations. Please do not bring dogs "in-heat" or that may be a threat to others. Event officials reserve the right to refuse aggressive animals. Participants are asked to clean up after their pets. A parent or guardian must sign the liability waiver for children under 18 years of age to participate. Call 229-2524 for more information.

-Happy Everything Day Celebration (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, noon to 3 p.m.
Fee: $3 per participant. All those who arrive in a costume will receive a goody bag!
Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, 229-6309.
Celebrate all past and future holidays in one day! Hunt for eggs, bob for apples, eat iced chocolate, enjoy Independence Day balloon toss, costume contest, gift guessing contest, pumpkin slam contest, swimming games, Thanksgiving pie-eating contest, and lots more. Holiday music will be played.

-Big Band Pops Christmas Featuring Tony Scodwell (all ages)
Guest Appearance by Lisa Mayer
Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 all seats
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
Enjoy a big band Christmas program by the Tony Scodwell Big Band and vocalist Lisa Mayer.

-La Posada December Fiesta (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 5 to 8 p.m.
Free admission.
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515.
Join Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese to celebrate the holidays with the traditional Hispanic custom that involves friends, family and the entire community. Enjoy live entertainment, traditional Posada, food vendors, a children’s raffle and a visit from Santa Claus. Sponsored by the city of Las Vegas, La Nueva 103.5 FM, Recuerdo 99.3 FM and Radio Variedades 870 AM.

-Free Holiday Synchronized Swimming Show (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, 229-6309.
Synchronized swimmers from Henderson, Clark County and the city of Las Vegas will perform to holiday music. Refreshments will be served while they last.

- Saturday Contra Dancing (all ages)
Cosponsored by the Southern Nevada Old Time Contra Dancers
Saturday, Dec. 19, 7 to 10 p.m.; group lessons 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $7 adults; $5 members, students, military; $3 children 0-15.
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383
Dance to the live music of an acoustic band playing joyful fiddle tunes, driving reels, and a waltz or two. These lively community dances recapture aspects of New England and frontier barn dances, with more modern twists. All dances are taught and called, newcomers and families are welcomed. No need to bring a partner. Wear comfortable flat-soled shoes and casual clothing.

Media Contact:
Margaret Kurtz
Publicity Specialist
City of Las Vegas
400 E. Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101-2986
(702) 229-6993
Cell (702) 249-1828
E-mail: mkurtz@lasvegasnevada.gov
www.lasvegasnevada.gov www.lasvegasparksandrec.com www.artslasvegas.org

LAS VEGAS ROCKS CAFÉ AT NEONOPOLIS IS OPEN

Las Vegas Rock Café – 450 Fremont Street – 702-227-5872 (LVRC

Free Tenors For You Concert at Historic Fifth Street School

Everyone is invited to enjoy the holiday Tenors For You Concert on Saturday, December 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. Admission is free. Classically trained tenors Michael Rodrigues, Mark Thomsen, Marco Varela and Dr. Alfonse Anderson will present two hours of Christmas favorites, accompanied by Barbara Riske and a few other guest performers. Call 229-3515 for more information.

Michael Rodrigues, is originally from the San Francisco Bay area and has studied Music Performance and Opera at UNLV. Rodrigues has performed in numerous productions with the UNLV Opera Theater and Southern Nevada Opera Association, and most recently as guest soloist for the National Energy Education Development Ceremonies, Department of the Interior, in Washington D.C. Rodrigues is the current principal of Sue H. Morrow Elementary School in the Clark County School District and is well known as the "singing principal" by students and teachers, with whom he often performs.

Mark Thomsen, has performed with major opera companies across the world in many title roles, including the Metropolitan Opera of New York. A native of Minnesota, Thomsen received his master's degree in Applied Voice from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., then went on to spend several years performing with the Houston Opera. Under the guidance of Beverly Sills, he performed many title roles at the New York City Opera. At the conclusion of his first year in New York, he received the New York City Opera Debut Artist of the Year award.

Marco Varela was born in Mexico City, where he began his classical studies at the artist development center in Televisa Studios. Varela continued his classical training at UNLV while obtaining a degree in business. Since then, he has sung with Opera Las Vegas, Nevada Opera Theater, Nevada Lyric Opera, and the Seattle Opera. He won a national talent contest on television and was a finalist at the 2001 Anna Maria di Panni Bel Canto Competition held in Los Angeles. Varela has performed in numerous concerts, most recently as the tenor soloist in Haydn’s “Creation” produced by the Henderson Civic Orchestra.

Dr. Alfonse Anderson is an associate professor of Voice at UNLV and has performed in operas, recitals and concerts for more than 35 years. Dr. Anderson has performed in concert and oratorio with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as well as with many notable opera companies and symphonies in the United States and throughout the world.

Barbara Riske will accompany the tenors. Educated in Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, Riske performed and recorded as a piano soloist with orchestras worldwide before moving to Las Vegas in 1996, where she became a member of the UNLV music and dance faculty. She has played with several groups locally, including the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Nevada Chamber Symphony, Nevada Ballet Theater, Opera Las Vegas, the Las Vegas Flute Club, the Las Vegas Music Festival, the Las Vegas Woodwind Quintet, and the Sierra Winds, in addition to performing chamber concerts throughout the United States.

Second Friday is TONIGHT! Another Fabulous Evening of Art & Culture...

Now the question is can Paco make it to all the events!

Studio 8 Ten @ 810 Las Vegas Boulevard South 5pm to 9pm
An evening of perfect Holiday cheer for our Annual Open House and Holiday Shopping event at Studio 8 Ten! Come for the unique handmade gift items in our gift shop, as well as the many local artist and craft vendors setting up shop in our parking lot! Stay for the food, wine, and LIVE MUSIC by sensational female trio, "Dangerous Curves" offering their vocal talents to warm up your holiday spirits! We will have a FREE crafting table for kids, so bring the whole family to enjoy the energy of Las Vegas' most unique art venue! In our guest artist gallery, enjoy the works of some of Las Vegas' hottest female photographers in our "Chicks Who Click" exhibit. FREE

"Flick of the Wrist” work by Michael Baker –
Opening Reception @ Winchester Cultural Center
3130 McLeod Drive
5:30pm to 7:30pm
FREE

Kristi Watson and Trish Powers
Opening reception @ City of the World Gallery
1229 South Casino Center Drive
6:00pm to 8:00p.m.
FREE

Draw Erase by Grayson Ronk
Closing Reception @ Henri & Odette
124 South Sixth Street Suite 130 Las Vegas NV 89101
7:10pm to 9:10pm
FREE

Artist K.D. Matheson
Lecture @ Erotic Heritage Museum
3275 Industrial Road
8:00pm to 9:00pm
$10 Admission

Love Project Charity Art Auction - Saturday, December 12 @ The Arts Factory

This post comes from Barb on of our readers!

Love Project charity art auction will take place 7:30 this Saturday night, December 12, at the Arts Factory, Suite 215. Proceeds will go to fill paper bags with items, like food and tooth brushes, to be passed out to homeless who hang out at intersections throughout Las Vegas asking for assistance.

’s a beautiful project started this past year by Cheryl Slader, owner of Blue Sky Yoga in Las Vegas, in memory of her good friend Barb, a multi-talented young woman of generous spirit who left this earth much too early. Artwork from several other area artists will be included in the auction as well.

Grand Menorah Lighting at the Fremont Street Experience - Sunday, December 13

A Holiday Celebration Musical Celebration to Benefit Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada

City Of Las Vegas Cultural Arts & Community Events - January 2010 Calendar Of Events

400 Stewart Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89101
Contact: Margaret Kurtz, (702) 229-6993
Arts & Community Events programs: www.artslasvegas.org
City of Las Vegas Web site: www.lasvegasparksandrec.com
PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

“Altered States: Artists Re-imagine the Book” Exhibition
Through Jan. 2, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free admission.

Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 229-6211.
Curated by Los Angeles-based artist and designer, Joseph Shuldiner, the artists included in the exhibit are Tor Archer, Alisa Banks, Doug Beube, Elile Brown, Shannon Freshwater, Jessica Holada, Lisa Kokin, Alexander Korzer-Robinson, Guy Laramee, Emily Sandor and Jill Sylvia. This exhibit has been programmed as part of the events associated with the Vegas Valley Book Festival and is funded in part by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Call 229-1012 for information.

“Paintbrush Gateway and Other Projects” (all ages)
Dennis Oppenheim Exhibit
Jan. 8-April 3, Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Free admission.

Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 229-6211.
Born in 1938 in Electric City, Wash., Dennis Oppenheim received his master of fine arts degree from Stanford University. Now residing in New York City, Oppenheim was recognized for lifetime achievement at the 2007 Vancouver Sculpture Biennale and has received international attention for a body of conceptual work that includes performance, sculpture and photographs. Call 229-1012 for more information.

“Undressed” Photography Exhibition (all ages)
Artist Aimee Helen Koch
Through Feb. 11, Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Free admission.

Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
Call 229-1012 for more information. “Exploring beauty and the signals of body language, the images call attention to the extent that clothing and fashion sway female attitudes and understandings. Fashion tends to treat the body as mere mannequin – it is the clothing rather than the wearing of it that is purportedly significant. But on the runway, only certain bodies appear. The desire becomes not so much to wear the outfits as to accrue the status that beauty and conformity offer — it is to reach for the unattainable body and to punish the inevitable failure to achieve it.” — Aimee Koch

City Employee Juried Art Exhibit
Through Feb. 5, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed holidays.
Free admission.

Bridge Gallery, City Hall, 400 Stewart Ave., 2nd floor.
This is the second annual employee juried art exhibit. Visitors may reach the gallery through the second floor of the Las Vegas City Hall parking garage on the southeast corner of Stewart Avenue and Fourth Street. Parking is by paid meter only.

All Star Youth Jazz Band Auditions (all ages)
Monday, Jan. 4, 5 p.m.
Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 229-6211.
The All Star Youth Jazz Band is an exciting new program at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center. The program will provide an environment for talented youth jazz musicians ages 14 to 20 to expand their musicianship, performance techniques, reading and focus on jazz improvisation. The All Star Youth Jazz Band season will run from September through June each year and include a concert performed at the Reed Whipple center. Rehearsals will be held every Monday at the Reed Whipple Cultural Center from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The band plays in Big Band format. Prepare a ballad and a jazz swing étude for the audition. Call 229-6211 for additional information.

Ethnic Express Folk Dancing (ages 13+)
Wednesdays, Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27, 6:30 to 8:45 p.m.
Tickets: $4 per person, per day
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
Catch the Ethnic Express for an international evening of fun! Dances include Armenian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Greek, Russian, Serbian and Turkish, to name a few.

Scottish Country Dancing (ages 13+)
Fridays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 6:30-8:45 p.m.
Cost: $5 general admission, $4 for Southern Nevada Old Time Contra Dancers members.
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
Cosponsored by Southern Nevada Old-Time Contra Dancers, the National Folk Organization, and the city of Las Vegas. Classes begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. and run until 8:45 p.m. This class is recommended for ages 13 and up. It is not suitable for younger children unless they have previous dance experience. Scottish Country Dancing is the beautiful “ballroom” dance of Scotland. The dances may be lively and joyful or gentle and graceful. From the first chord to the final bow or curtsey, dancers are inspired by the driving reels, jaunty jigs, snappy strathspeys or lilting slow airs. And thanks to the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, any dancer can be welcomed by a local group almost anywhere in the world.
Saturday Contra Dancing (all ages)
Cosponsored by the Southern Nevada Old-Time Contra Dancers
Saturday, Jan. 9 & 23, 7 to 10 p.m.; introductory group lessons 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $7 adults; $5 members, students, active military; $3 children.
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
Dance to the live music of an acoustic band playing joyful fiddle tunes, driving reels, circle mixers and a waltz or two. These lively community dances recapture aspects of New England and frontier barn dances, with more modern twists. All dances are taught and called, newcomers and families are welcomed. No partner is necessary. Wear comfortable, soft-soled shoes and casual clothing.

Cine En El Centro Film Series Feature “Partes Usadas”
Thursday, Jan. 14, 6 p.m. introduction, 6:30 p.m. feature presentation
Series curator Luis Bonilla will present a short introduction of the featured film at 6 p.m. After the screening, Bonilla will lead a discussion on the film in Spanish. Admission is free.
Ivan is a 14-year-old boy and lives with his Uncle Jaime, a mediocre businessman of used car parts. Both of them dream of a better life and are saving to immigrate to Chicago. They soon realize they need more money to pay the pollero. Jaime decides to introduce his nephew to the world of stolen car parts. Ivan is a quick learner and invites his friend Efrain to help him. Both teenagers start to have fun and fulfill the uncle's "invoice orders" until Ivan finds out that his uncle has opposite intentions for the trip they are saving for and planning to do together. The Cine en el Centro Spanish-language film series is presented by the city of Las Vegas, Cox Communications, VeneMovies, Venevision International, La Nueva 103.5 FM, Recuerdo 99.3 FM, Radio Variedades 870 AM, Tortillas Los Arcos and El Mercadito. The movies, all award-winning, blockbuster films from Latin America and Spain, have been donated by VeneMovies and Venevision International to provide cultural enrichment to the Hispanic community. The unrated film, which runs 95 minutes in Spanish, was released in 2007. Call (702) 229-1515 for more information.

Downtown Cultural Series – Nomad Concert (all ages)
Friday, Jan. 15, noon to 1 p.m.
Free admission
Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Boulevard South\t "_parent"
Enjoy this free program of exciting and intriguing music for clarinet, trumpet, and piano, featuring Jonathon Troy, principal clarinetist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic, Daniel Beck on trumpet, and vocalist/pianist Voltaire Verzosa. For more information, call 229-3515.

The Poets’ Corner 9 (all ages)
Friday, Jan. 15, 7 p.m.
No admission charge.
West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., (702) 229-4800.
Keith Brantley hosts a forum for established poets and open-microphone participants.
Free Rock Fiesta (all ages)
Featuring Haleamano and The Remedies
Friday, Jan. 15, 7 to 9 p.m.
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center Bandstand, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515.
Rock Fiesta brings together two of Las Vegas’ most talented bands, Haleamano and The Remedies. The evening consists of a fusion of ska, reggae and rock music. Haleamano will deliver an exciting show with their original reggae music while The Remedies will rock the house with classic sounds of ska and reggae music. No admission charge.

Las Vegas Wind Quintet Concert (all ages)
Saturday, Jan. 16, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
The Las Vegas Wind Quintet members include Sherrie Parker on flute, Lisa Smolen on oboe, clarinetist Dave Hawley, Doug Beasley on horn, and bassoonist Sam Pisciotta.

Ballet Folklorico Xyachimal - Magia Mexicana Mexican Dance Showcase (all ages)
Friday, Jan. 22, 7 p.m.
Tickets: $5; $3 youth ages 6-12; free for ages 5 and younger
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center Ballroom, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515.
Ballet Folklorico Xyachimal will showcase its vibrant and colorful traditional folk dance in this evening performance. Ballet Folklorico Xyachimal was founded in Las Vegas, with the objective of presenting the Mexican culture through traditional folkloric dance. Currently, with a cast of more than 70 members, they possess a vast curriculum of international performances. Everyone’s invited to this spectacular Mexican dance showcase.

Killian’s Angels Concert (all ages)
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2 p.m.
Tickets $7 all seats
Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 229-6211.
This fantastic all-female band offers an amazing spectrum of tunes, arrangements and styles from contemporary Celtic to country and classic rock. Killian’s Angels will set your toes to tapping and your hands to clapping. Each lovely and accomplished musician sings and plays a variety of instruments including violin, tuba, mandolin, tin whistle, guitar, keyboard, harmonica, drums, bodhran, spoons, bass and more. This concert also will feature Sharon Lynn and the Celtic Storm Dance troupe.

Free Young Men’s Conference 2010 (ages 10-25)
Saturday, Jan. 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advance registration is requested.
West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., (702) 229-4800.

Exercising Our Voices…Say What? (ages 10-16)
With the support of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, the West Las Vegas
Library and the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, 100 young men from
Clark County schools, ages 10-16, will gather at the Andre Agassi College Preparatory
Academy to create new bonds of friendships through dynamic dialogues on leadership, community and brotherhood.

The Apprentices (ages 17-25)
The purpose of the training is to provide participants with a thorough understanding of the tools and skills necessary to effectively pursue, gain and maintain social and economic independence. This will be done by having a variety of career tradesmen speak with the participants. Please call 229-4800 to register.
-end-

Media Contact:
Margaret Kurtz
Publicity Specialist
City of Las Vegas
400 E. Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101-2986
(702) 229-6993
Cell (702) 249-1828
E-mail: mkurtz@lasvegasnevada.gov
www.lasvegasnevada.gov www.lasvegasparksandrec.com www.artslasvegas.org

A Spectacular Phantom Holiday Concert December 18

City Of Las Vegas Downtown Cultural Series Offers Free Courthouse Concert At Noon

Everyone is invited to enjoy a free concert of holiday music by cast members of “Phantom –The Las Vegas Spectacular” on Friday, Dec. 18, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse jury assembly room, 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Performers will include Elena Jeanne Batman (Carlotta Guidicelli), Larry Wayne Morbitt (Ubaldo Piangi), Marc Cedric Smith (Don Attilio/Passarino), Tina Walsh (Madame Giry) and William Waldrop (music director and pianist).

The quartet will perform classical and pop music Christmas favorites, including “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “Lo! How a Rose E’er Blooming,” “Pavane for a Silent Night,” “Gesu Bambino,” “Gloria,” “Believe,” “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “Where Are You Christmas?” and many others.

Batman has performed with the New York City Opera and on Broadway as Carlotta in “Phantom of the Opera.” Recently she was a special envoy, invited guest soloist and teacher in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Currently she is a candidate at Northwestern University for a doctorate in music.

Morbitt performed on Broadway in the “Phantom” production for seven years as Piangi before joining the Las Vegas cast. He has performed with opera companies and symphonies throughout the country, as well as in musical theatre and for special events and conventions.

Smith has performed with symphonies and opera companies worldwide. He also toured extensively as part of the musical theatre cast of “Show Boat.”

Walsh was well-known as a Las Vegas performer before joining the Phantom company. She performed in the original company of Mamma Mia! Las Vegas, EFX! and a host of other shows on the Las Vegas Strip, and is recognized widely from her voice-over and commercial work.

Waldrop is the current assistant conductor for “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular,” and musical director for several Las Vegas area concerts and recent musical theatre national tours. He has a master’s degree from The Peabody Conservatory of Music.
This Downtown Cultural Series performance is sponsored by the city of Las Vegas. For more information on the performers or concert, call 229-3515.
-end-

Media Contact:
Margaret Kurtz
Publicity Specialist
City of Las Vegas
400 E. Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101-2986
(702) 229-6993
Cell (702) 249-1828
E-mail: mkurtz@lasvegasnevada.gov
www.lasvegasnevada.gov www.lasvegasparksandrec.com www.artslasvegas.org

Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Times

New exhibits and programs plus community support add up to steady growth at
Lied Discovery Children’s Museum

December 10, 2009 – LAS VEGAS – This year will go down as one of the most challenging in the history of Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. But for Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, a nonprofit educational institution serving Southern Nevada children and families, 2009 was a year of growth, change and success.

The addition of new permanent exhibits such as The Green Village, a mini-city with an environmental awareness, and It’s Your Choice, focused on health and nutrition, combined with popular traveling exhibitions Adventures With Clifford The Big Red Dog and Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body sparked greater community interest in the museum, located in Downtown Las Vegas’ Cultural Corridor.

The results: Attendance for the museum’s fiscal year (July ’08 through June ’09) reached 106,668, an increase of 23 percent over the previous year. The museum experienced greater success as 2009 stretched on, including record-breaking visitation during Spring Break and the summer months. Since April, attendance has improved over last year by an incredible 50 percent.

“We are celebrating another exceptional year due to a wide range of improvements that have allowed us to better serve the community,” Executive Director Linda Quinn said. “Our new programs and exhibits are part of a very thoughtful plan, our strategy to continue to pursue our mission. We are so happy to see that planning blossom into positive results.”

Programming extended beyond the museum’s doors in 2009. Torn From Home: My Life as a Refugee, a ground-breaking human rights exhibition created by Lied Discovery Children’s Museum in 2008, began its North American tour in the spring. In the fall, the museum fortified its local education connection with the launch of House Calls, a health science outreach program that takes unique curriculum straight to Southern Nevada classrooms.

The museum was recognized for excellence in 2009. Once again, Las Vegas Review-Journal readers selected Lied Discovery Children’s Museum as Best Museum in the newspaper’s annual Best of Las Vegas awards. Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect website honored the museum in the Parents’ Picks Awards, and Las Vegas Weekly named it Best Place to Take the Kids in the Vegas’ Best issue. The museum was a finalist in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Biz E Awards.

The times may be tough. But armed with enhanced facilities and programs, staff and board members are confident the generosity of museum supporters will continue, paving the way for more progress.

“We have come a long way and we are very grateful to the many individuals and organizations who have supported our efforts to return this institution to greatness,” Board of Trustees President Judy Cebulko said. “It is in honor of those that founded it so many years ago that we proudly steward this effort. It is so exciting to see our dream for the children and families in our community become a reality, especially in light of such difficult times, and we are striving to provide them with a fun, educational way to spend quality time together when they need it most.”

In 2010, Lied Discovery Children’s Museum will celebrate 20 years of educating and inspiring Las Vegas. For more information, visit www.ldcm.org.

Brett Wesley Presents - Chamber Music Series - Where Music & Art Meet

Second Friday in December is happening…

Now the question is can Paco make it to all the events!

Studio 8 Ten @ 810 Las Vegas Boulevard South 5pm to 9pm
An evening of perfect Holiday cheer for our Annual Open House and Holiday Shopping event at Studio 8 Ten! Come for the unique handmade gift items in our gift shop, as well as the many local artist and craft vendors setting up shop in our parking lot! Stay for the food, wine, and LIVE MUSIC by sensational female trio, "Dangerous Curves" offering their vocal talents to warm up your holiday spirits! We will have a FREE crafting table for kids, so bring the whole family to enjoy the energy of Las Vegas' most unique art venue! In our guest artist gallery, enjoy the works of some of Las Vegas' hottest female photographers in our "Chicks Who Click" exhibit. FREE

"Flick of the Wrist” work by Michael Baker –
Opening Reception @ Winchester Cultural Center
3130 McLeod Drive
5:30pm to 7:30pm
FREE

Kristi Watson and Trish Powers
Opening reception @ City of the World Gallery
1229 South Casino Center Drive
6:00pm to 8:00p.m.
FREE

Draw Erase by Grayson Ronk
Closing Reception @ Henri & Odette
124 South Sixth Street Suite 130 Las Vegas NV 89101
7:10pm to 9:10pm
FREE

Artist K.D. Matheson
Lecture @ Erotic Heritage Museum
3275 Industrial Road
8:00pm to 9:00pm
$10 Admission

Las Vegas News Bureau features exhibition

The Las Vegas News Bureau presents "From the Vault"- A Historical Retrospective of New, Rare & Never-Before-Exhibited photographs from the news bureau collection.

Exhibition curated by
Brian Paco Alvarez,
Curator of the Las Vegas News Bureau Archives

Exhibit runs from Dec. 3 - Jan. 12, 2010.

Address:
West Charleston Library
6301 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146

Hours:
M-Th, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
F - Sun, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Phone: (702) 507-3940

For more information about the Las Vegas News Bureau please call
(702) 892-7011 or email at news@lvcva.com

3rd Annual Downtown Las Vegas Neighborhoods Holiday Celebration

Save the date!
Thursday
12|10|09

Join your neighbors in celebrating living in downtown

date | december 10, 2009
time | 6 - 8 pm
location | pt's pub
(east sahara, just west of 6th street)
map

Organized by West Huntridge Neighborhood Association to gather downtowners to celebrate being downtowners.

Please forward and share this
email with your neighbors

No host bar/food
PT's Pub has a wide selection of food and drinks
INCLUDING THEIR 1/2 PRICE
DRINKS AND PIZZA FROM 4-8 PM!

Email westhuntridgena@cox.net for more info

Mayor Oscar B. Goodman to Turn on the Holiday Lights

WHAT:
Mayor Oscar B. Goodman will bring holiday cheer to the Fremont Street Experience when he flips the switch to light Las Vegas’ official Christmas tree. The 50-foot tree will be garnished with festive decorations and is set to stand below the 12.5 million lights of the Viva Vision screen. Directly following the ceremony, the Candy & The Canes show will perform, a live song and dance show to holiday music hits.

WHO:
Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese
Jeff Victor, President of the Fremont Street Experience
Santa Claus

WHEN:
Tuesday, December 8
5 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony (live shots plan for 5:20 p.m. tree lighting)
5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. – Candy & The Canes performance

WHERE:
Fremont Street Experience
3rd Street Intersection (between the Fitzgeralds, Four Queens and Fremont casinos)

The official Las Vegas Christmas tree will be on display at the Fremont Street Experience through the Christmas holiday. Candy & The Canes is free and open to the public every night throughout the month of December at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Media invited to attend and cover. Please contact Stephanie Capellas of Preferred Public Relations
at 702-576-5243 if you plan to attend or send a photographer or camera crew.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Stephanie Capellas
Preferred Public Relations
702-254-5704
stephanie@preferredpublicrelations.com

Working on it...

Hello Everyone,
Las Vegas Arts and Culture is back but as many of you have noticed some of the links are broken. Over the next few days I will be taking care of that so please bare with me. If you have any suggestions please send them my way.

Remember that only together we can keep the Arts Alive...

Thank you!

Get In The Holiday Mood By Participating In A Festive City Event

The city of Las Vegas offers many special events and activities for children and adults for winter holiday fun. These activities are just a sampling of the many available throughout the year. All activities are subject to change. Most activities require advance registration. Call to register and verify times and dates. Most senior activities require $2 annual membership in city of Las Vegas Senior Citizens Program. List is not all-inclusive. Call centers near you for complete list of classes and activities. Centers are closed Nov. 26, 27 and Dec. 25.


20th Annual Holiday Handicraft Sale (all ages)
Friday, Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission for shoppers.
Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6454.
Purchase handcrafted items that may include ceramics, artwork, jewelry, quilts and more!
Crafters, age 50 or older, may rent a table for $10 (6-foot, limit 3) or $15 (8-foot, limit 2). Call 229-6454 for more information or to reserve your table. Deadline for table reservation is Nov. 21.

Holiday Craft Show (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Free for shoppers.
Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., (702) 229-6359.
Shoppers wanted! Enjoy the annual holiday craft show. All crafts are handmade. Get in the holiday mood as you shop.

December to Remember (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Events are free unless otherwise noted.
Cultural Corridor, Las Vegas Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Bonanza Road
10 a.m. to noon Children’s Hands-on History Program at Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort. Children
will make ornaments from natural materials. $1 admission charge for those ages
12 and up.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Narrated Cultural Walking Tour of the Corridor (every half hour). Meet on Las
Vegas Boulevard in front of the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.
11 a.m. Cultural Fashion Show at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum – See
traditional garb of many world cultures and displays of traditional December
celebrations from around the world. Museum admission is $8 adults; $7 seniors
55+, military and children ages 12+; $4 children ages 3-11.
12 to 1 p.m. Nevada School of the Arts performance at Lied Discovery Children’s Museum
12 to 2 p.m. Boneyard tours, arranged in advance. $15 per person, limit 20 people per tour.
Go to http://www.neonmuseum.org/ to request a tour.
12 to 4 p.m. Demonstrations by Soldiers of the Fort; Mountain Man demonstrations; BBQ
food, hot beverages and Dutch oven cobbler for sale; Daughters of the Utah
Pioneers will decorate the adobe building for Pioneer Christmas, all at the Old
Las Vegas Mormon Fort. $1 admission charge for those ages 12+.
2 p.m. Las Vegas Wind Quintet concert at Reed Whipple Cultural Center. Tickets $5.
2:30 to 4 p.m. Free Mariachi Colima de Las Vegas performance at Las Vegas Library.
5 p.m. Free holiday musical performance at Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic
Park Visitor Center
For more information, contact:
Las Vegas Natural History Museum, http://www.lvnhm.org/, 384-3466.
Las Vegas Library, http://www.lvccld.org/, 507-3514.
Lied Discovery Museum, http://www.ldcm.org/, 382-3445.
Neon Museum, http://www.neonmuseum.org/, 387-6366.
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park, 486-3511.
Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 229-6211.

Free Cowboy Christmas and Charity Event (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Floyd Lamb Park, 9200 Tule Springs Road, 229-8100.
Bring your family to join Councilman Ross at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs Park to celebrate the holiday season. Families will enjoy hay rides, a petting zoo, balloon artist, jump house and a visit from Santa. Join Councilman Steve Ross in helping local charities in our area bring food, toys and clothing to people in need. Call 229-6154 for more information.

Stardusters’ 30th Annual Toys for Tots Holiday Square Dance (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 5, 6 to 9 p.m.
Tickets: $5 per person plus a new, unwrapped toy
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center Ballroom, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515.
Join the Stardusters Square Dancers and the Marines in a fun evening of dancing. Whether you are a seasoned square dancer or just looking to learn a few new fun steps, come stomp and “twirl your partner” and make a child’s dream come true. Special guest callers will be featured. Toys will be presented to the Marines “Toys for Tots” holiday toy drive.

Gift Wrapping (all ages)
Monday through Thursday, Dec. 7–10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Advance reservation is required.
Fee: $1 per gift.
Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, (702) 229-1702.

Holiday Luncheon (ages 50+)
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 11:30 a.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $4
Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6454.
Enjoy entertainment, karaoke and a kick-off to the holiday season with this annual luncheon.

Holiday Season Celebration Lunch (ages 50+)
Wednesday, Dec. 9, Noon. Advance purchase required.
Fee: $6
Derfelt Senior Citizens Center, 3343 W. Washington Ave., (702) 229-6601.
Celebrate the holiday season with pork roast with apples, potatoes, cranberry chutney, spiced cider, a delicious dessert and plenty of good company.

Poppin’ Popcorn Blast (ages 50+)
Thursday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $1
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.
Enjoy eating popcorn while stringing it to make garland for the holidays.

Holiday Cheer Luncheon (ages 50+)
Friday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $4
Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., (702) 229-1600.

Free Breakfast With Santa (ages 5-12)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to noon
Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., 229-6374.
Area children nominated by their elementary school counselor will have the opportunity for a picture and breakfast with Santa, and receive an age-appropriate gift from their wish list donated by a sponsor. Contact Deirdre Thomas to be a sponsor at 229-6374.

“Seasons Greetings” Family Holiday Open House (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 12, noon to 3 p.m.
Free admission
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515.
Enjoy a holiday sing-along for all ages, with songs led in English and Spanish. Learn how to design and cut a big, beautiful snowflake. Make and send a decorated postcard with a personal message to our troops. Enjoy the “Seasons Greetings” card and snowflake gallery. Bring a camera to take advantage of the holiday photo opportunities.

“Gifts of the Islands” (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7 to 9 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., 229-3515.
An evening of Hawaiian music, dance, and culture with Gary Haleamau & Kawili, featuring Kumu Hula Sheldeen Haleamau and Halau Hula O Kaleimomi.

Annual Adaptive Recreation Holiday Dance (ages 18+)
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7 to 10 p.m. Advance reservation required by Dec. 4.
Fee: $20 per person
Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave.
Kick off of the holiday season with a night of fun, music, dancing and food. Call 229-5177 for information and reservations.

Caroling Karaoke (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 10:30 a.m.
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.
Join us in holiday fun! Come sing your favorite song. Participation is free.

Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 12:30 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $1
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., (702) 229-1515.
Bring three dozen cookies and get three dozen cookies for holiday treats.

Free Holiday Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1 to 3 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Howard Lieburn Senior Center, 6230 Garwood Ave., (702) 229-1600.
Bring two dozen homemade cookies and the recipe to swap for a variety of cookies.

Gift Wrapping Extravaganza (all ages)
Weekdays, Dec. 16-23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $1 per gift
Las Vegas Senior Center, 451 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6454.
Are you through shopping and want to get your gifts wrapped? Have your gifts wrapped the last week before Christmas with a beautiful selection of paper and ribbon!

Holiday Make It & Take It Workshop (ages 2-12)
Wednesday, Dec. 16, 4 to 5 p.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $5
Robison Community School, 4794 Harris Ave., (702) 229-2542.
Come join the holiday fun as we enjoy punch and cookies and make a craft.

Winter Holiday Brunch (ages 50+)
Thursday, Dec. 17, 11 a.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $ 7
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.

Jingle Bell Rock Contest (ages 50+)
Friday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. Register by Dec. 18.
Fee: $1
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., (702) 229-1515.

Free Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Friday, Dec. 18, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Advance purchase required.
Derfelt Senior Citizens Center, 3343 W. Washington Ave., (702) 229-6601.
Bring three dozen cookies and the recipe and enjoy a peaceful morning together in celebration of the holidays. Coffee, cappuccino and cider will be served.

Downtown Cultural Series – A Spectacular Phantom Holiday Concert (all ages)
Friday, Dec. 18, noon to 1 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, 333 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 229-3515.
Cast members of “Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular” present a performance of beloved seasonal songs designed to highlight the reason for the season.

Ward 5 Holiday Tree Lighting and Movie In The Park
Friday, Dec. 18
5 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony
5:45 p.m. Holiday Movie - Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave.
Enjoy holiday music, the holiday tree lighting and cocoa and cookies. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for the holiday movie - Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Sprinting into the Holidays 5K and Fun Walk with Dogs for Charity (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 7:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. events begin; 10:30 a.m. winners announced.
Fee: $20 pre-registration at http://www.active.com/; $25 at event; includes bib, Santa hat and candy cane.
Majestic Park, 3997 N. Hualapai Way (at Alexander Road).
Join Councilman Stavros Anthony and his dogs Jessie and Lexie in staying fit during the holidays with a 5K run or one-mile fun walk, with or without your dog. Please bring charitable donations: gently used items for Goodwill, pet care items for our local animal shelter, and your old cellular phone for the Cell Phones for Soldiers program. Bring your camera to take a photo with Santa! All proceeds from the event will benefit Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Enjoy children's performing groups and beverages provided by the Coca-Cola Company. Meet local community vendors offering cocoa, coffee and breakfast items for sale. There is a limit of one dog per person; each animal must remain on a leash. All dogs should wear a current rabies tag and be up-to-date on all vaccinations. Please do not bring dogs "in-heat" or that may be a threat to others. Event officials reserve the right to refuse aggressive animals. Participants are asked to clean up after their pets. A parent or guardian must sign the liability waiver for children under 18 years of age to participate. Call 229-2524 for more information.

Happy Everything Day (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, noon to 3 p.m.
Fee: $3 per participant
Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, 229-6309.
Celebrate all past and future holidays in one day! Hunt for eggs, bob for apples, toss Independence Day balloons, eat iced chocolate, costume contest, gift guessing contest, pumpkin slam contest, swimming games, Thanksgiving pie-eating contest…and lots more. Holiday music will be played.
All those who arrive in a costume will receive a goody bag!

Big Band Pops Christmas Featuring Tony Scodwell (all ages)
Guest Appearance by Lisa Mayer
Saturday, Dec. 19, 2 p.m.
Tickets: $5 all seats
Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., 229-6383.
Enjoy a big band Christmas program by the Tony Scodwell Big Band and vocalist Lisa Mayer.

Tenors For U Concert (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 3 to 5 p.m.
Free and open to the public.
Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., 229-3515.
Enjoy holiday music from classic to pop at this afternoon concert.

La Posada December Fiesta (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 5 to 8 p.m.
Free admission.
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., 229-1515.
Join Mayor Pro Tem Gary Reese to celebrate the holidays with the traditional Hispanic custom that involves friends, family and the entire community. Enjoy live entertainment, traditional Posada, food vendors, a children’s raffle and a visit from Santa Claus. Sponsored by the city of Las Vegas, La Nueva 103.5 FM, Recuerdo 99.3 FM and Radio Variedades 870 AM.

Free Holiday Synchronized Swimming Show (all ages)
Saturday, Dec. 19, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Municipal Pool, 431 E. Bonanza Road, 229-6309.
Synchronized swimmers from Henderson, Clark County and the city of Las Vegas will perform to holiday music. Refreshments will be served while they last. Bleacher seating.

Holiday Cookie Exchange (ages 50+)
Tuesday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m. Advance registration is required.
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.
Bring two dozen cookies to trade with each other. Participation is free.

December Breakfast (ages 50+)
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 9:30 a.m. Advance registration is required.
Fee: $5
Centennial Hills Active Adult Center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, (702) 229-1702.
Enjoy sausage casserole, coffee, juice and good company.

Holiday Caroling (ages 50+)
Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Participation is free.
East Las Vegas Community/Senior Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., (702) 229-1515.

Rites of Passage “Crossing Over” and Kwanzaa Celebration (all ages)
Sunday, Dec. 27, 2 p.m.
Free admission.
West Las Vegas Library Theatre, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 507-3989.
Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American people, their culture and their history. This year the West Las Vegas Arts Center will celebrate Kujichagulia, (pronounced koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah) or self-determination — to speak for ourselves and create our own destinies. The community will present the graduating class of the Girls and Boys Rites of Passage program and honor community elder Calvin "Eagle Eye” Shields. Call 229-4800 for information.

New / Old Member New Year’s Eve Mixer (ages 50+)
Thursday, Dec. 31, 1 to 3 p.m.
Doolittle Senior Center, 1930 N. J St., (702) 229-6125.
If you are a new member (or want to be) and want to meet existing Doolittle Senior Center members, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Staff will go over upcoming 2010 year activities, then off to the fun. There will be music, cookies and punch to kick off the New Year. Participation is free.