enculturating las vegas into the next millennium... art, dance, film, music, poetry, theater, history, nature and everything else that enriches the lives of those who live and visit southern nevada... Since 2003...

Monday, May 30, 2011

The Union Pacific Collection... A historical treasure revisited...

Senator William Andrews Clark
Arriving in Las Vegas in 1905
(with permission from UNLV Special Collections)

Over the last several months we have been hearing a lot about Huguette Clark, the reclusive millionairess and daughter of Montana Senator, copper and railroad tycoon William Andrews Clark. Huguette recently passed away at the age of 104 in New York City, two weeks shy of her 105 birthday. Though there has been much controversy revolving around her life and those who control her fantastic wealth (read MSNBC), what is most interesting about her is the fact that she was the last remaining direct decedent of the founding of Las Vegas. For a city that does not necessarily embrace its history the mere fact that there was a person still alive with a direct connection to our city's birth is amazing. The recent news and sad death of Huguette made me reminisce about the research I did with one of Las Vegas's most important treasures.

It is without a doubt that the Union Pacific Collection of manuscripts, photographs and related ephemera is the single most important cache of documents related to early Las Vegas history ever assembled. The collection that now rests in the vaults of UNLV Special Collections contain, in exhaustive detail, how Las Vegas became a town and who were the important individuals that were involved with the city's creation.

Senator William Andrews Clark and his brother H. Ross Clark are featured prominently in many of the documents contained in the collection.  Senator Clark founded the Las Vegas town site as a water stop on his San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad (S.P.,L.A., & S. L. R. R.) after he purchased the Las Vegas Rancho from Helen Stewart for $55,000. Las Vegas with its abundant spring and lush meadows was the perfect location for a water stop and a town to help maintain the fledgling railroad.

I had the honor of working with this collection on two very special occasions. First in 1999 as an undergraduate student researching Las Vegas history and then revisited the collection in 2005 when I curated an exhibition in celebration of the city's centennial. Even though I went through a mere fraction of the dozens of boxes that are part of the collection, the few that I did manage to get through were a treasure trove full of information about the beginning of what would become one of the most fascinating cities in the world.

One of the many documents I ran into was regarding the proper spelling of Las Vegas. At the time that the railroad had arrived in Southern Nevada, Las Vegas was known as "LOS" Vegas at the local post office. Apparently in the late 19th century the Postmaster General of the United States changed the name of the Las Vegas Rancho to Los Vegas, spelled with an "o", because of concerns regarding confusion with Las Vegas New Mexico. On December 31, 1903 the name "Los" Vegas was officially changed back to "Las" Vegas, in a deliberate move to fix a glaring mistake. The two letters below, that I have typed verbatim, detail the change of the towns name back to its original spelling.

Letterhead detail from the railroad
Union Pacific Collection
(Reprinted with permission from UNLV Special Collections)

In a letter dated January 4, 1904 sent by R. E. Wells, General Manager of the S.P.,L.A., & S. L. R. R. to Mr. H. Hawgood, Chief Engineer, Los Angeles California.

Regarding the spelling of Las Vegas-

Dear Sir:
         Referring to your letter dated August 15th, 1903 replying to mine of August 12th in regard to the improper spelling of the word "Las Vegas", you will be glad to learn that under date of December 30th I am advised by Mr. J. L. Bristow, Fourth Assistant Postmaster General that the name has been changed to "Las Vegas" December 9, 1903. 
          I will be glad if you will kindly see that the name is properly spelled on maps and other data which will be prepared for this company. 
         Yours Truly, 
         (signed) R. E. Wells

In a letter dated January 23, 1904 sent by R. E. Wells to Mr. J. Ross Clark, Vice President of the S.P.,L.A., & S. L. R. R., Los Angeles, California.

Dear Sir:-
          For your information will say that I took up with the Post Office Department some time ago the question of changing the spelling of the name of the post office at Los Vegas to "Las Vegas," and have recently received advice to the effect that the same has been done, so that in the future the spelling of that name should be in accordance therewith. 
           Very Respectfully, 
           R. E. Wells


Post Script - I am not much of a Spanish scholar, but a masculine adjective in connection with a feminine noun sounds absolutely immoral to me! REW

The post script of the letter is what makes this specific document very curious due to the fact that R. E. Wells quipped that having a masculine adjective in connection with a feminine noun is, as he puts it, "immoral." I am not sure about it being immoral as much as it is a mistake. The Spanish language is made up of feminine and masculine words and because Las Vegas is feminine, Wells is correct in stating that it is wrong to have a masculine adjective precede a feminine noun. It is small little anecdotes like this that make the Union Pacific Collection seminal to understanding early Las Vegas history that scholars are just now beginning to unearth.

Several other documents that I went through described the Las Vegas Rancho in great detail. The ranch under the ownership of Helen Stewart was an active orchard with hundreds of trees. In one of the surveys conducted by the railroad I discovered details on how many trees were found and their types. Here is a list:
  • 114 apple trees
  • 3 pecan trees
  • 16 apricot trees
  • 19 paper shell almond trees
  • 4 English walnut trees
  • 3 tragedy plum/ prunes trees
  • 57 peach trees
  • 5 Bartlet pears
  • 13 fig trees
In addition to the abundance of trees, over 2500 grape vines were accounted for making the ranch a small vineyard for the production of wine.

Another important set of documents describe the negotiations between Helen Stewart and the Railroad over the final purchase price of the ranch. Like all business deals quite a bit of haggling occurred before a final price was settled on. With such exhaustive details one can easily grasp what Las Vegas was like at the turn of the 20th century. 

Looking back at the time I spent with the collection dramatically opened my eyes to when the west was wild and to understand those individuals who were brave enough to confront it. Even though Las Vegas today is nothing like it was 105 years ago, it like other cities had to begin somewhere and the Union Pacific Collection tells you the story. Though some would call the collection "old papers found in the trash" I see their discovery as the holy grail of our important history and only a true "Nevadan" would know that.

If you have some time to spare go down to Special Collections at the Lied Library on the campus of UNLV and take a look at how Las Vegas began.

UNLV Special Collections
4505 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-7010
(702) 895-2234
http://www.library.unlv.edu/speccol/

Paying my respects to the Clark Family
The Clark Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery
The Bronx, New York City 2010
(Photo by C.S. Muncy, NYC) 
The Clark Mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery
The Bronx, New York City 2010
(Photo by Brian Paco Alvarez) 
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of May 30...

Here is Laraine Kaiser's weekly report of musical happening in the Radiant City. 

Have a wonderful and culturally filled week!

Concerts/Festivals May 30-June 5

Monday May 30, 10:00am-6:00pm
Springs Preserve is free and open to the public including the 'Wild Things' animal show 11am and 1pm
arts and crafts, dj, food etc.
Springs Preserve
333 S. Valley View Blvd. at US 95
Las Vegas NV 89107
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 822-7700

Friday June 3, 6:00pm-10:00pm
First Friday Vegas' Art and Music street festival!
Galleries all open to the public, food and fun!
downtown Las Vegas Arts District Funk House 1228 Casino Center
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-384-0092

Friday June 3, 8:00pm
Charlie Chaplin's 1931 movie "City Lights" will be projected as the Henderson Symphony performs Chaplin's own score to the movie in real time.
Henderson Events Plaza
200 South Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, NV
$10 suggested donation
more info: 702-267-4849

Saturday June 4, 10:00am-4:30pm
"Juneteenth" Honor African-American history by marking the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation with jazz and spoken word guest artists Ghalib Ghallab, \
Eddy "D", Mac Loving and many more 10:30am welcoming address, 11:15 flag raising ceremony, 2-4 jazz/spoken word concert
West Las Vegas Library Theatre
951 W. Lake Mead Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Free and Open to the public
more info: 702-507-3989

Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Huntridge Circle Park is OPEN...

After 5 long years the Historic Huntridge Circle Park in Downtown Las Vegas will re-open today. The park will only be open on the weekends from 7am to 9pm.

Facebook is already abuzz with people preparing picnics, drum circles and so much more. So come Downtown, bring the kids, pets and be part of history!

Huntridge Circle Park is located on Maryland Parkway just South of Charleston.

Huntridge Circle Park in Downtown
(photo by Des Duncan)
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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The late Dennis Oppenheim's Paintbrushes to be dedicated...

Finally after four long years of meetings, planning and construction the controversial Dennis Oppenheim Gateway Paintbrushes in the 18b Arts District Downtown will be dedicated. It marks the end of a tumultuous period for public art in Las Vegas, when the public questioned it's cost and the untimely death of its creator had some wondering if they would ever get finished. Though I personally have not always been a fan of the Paintbrushes, they are finally completed and now will be part of the artistic landscape of our community for a very long time.

Unlike other significant works of public art, the Paintbrushes only work as art at night when they are fully lit. During the day they just disappear into the landscape and the only thing that makes them distinct is the fact that they stand slightly askew, like the leaning Tower of Pisa. When compared to the Claes Oldenberg and Coosje van Bruggen Flashlight at UNLV, undoubtedly the most important piece of public art in Las Vegas history, the Paintbrushes stand in stark contrast. Whereas the Flashlight was meant to work as art, both during the day and at night, it was also purposely turned upside down so that its beam of light would not be seen as "clichéd and reminiscent of authoritarian spectacle", as van Bruggen once stated. The paintbrushes on the other hand shoot beams of light 2000 feet into the air and demand it's attention. An interesting metaphor for an art scene desperately in need of acknowledgement in a community that does not recognize its importance.

I sometimes wonder if Dennis Oppenheim new of this little detail and purposely made the Paintbrushes point upward as an affront to the Flashlight itself. Though I will leave that final thought to art historians to debate, it is interesting that the Paintbrushes are being dedicated shortly after the 30th anniversary of the Flashlight. In the end they are here to stay and I do have to say the Paintbrushes are quite charming, albeit only at night.

The Dennis Oppenheim Paintbrushes will be dedicated by Mayor Oscar B. Goodman on Thursday June 2 at 7:30. The dedication will take place at Brett Wesley Gallery on the corner of Charleston and Casino Center.

Brett Wesley Gallery
1112 South Casino Center Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89104-1014
(702) 433-4433
http://www.brettwesleygallery.com/

Paintbrush
Dennis Oppenheim
Flashlight
Claes Oldenberg & Coosje van Bruggen





Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Huntridge Circle Park is OPEN...

After 5 long years the Historic Huntridge Circle Park in Downtown Las Vegas will re-open today. The park will only be open on the weekends from 7am to 9pm.

Facebook is already abuzz with people preparing picnics, drum circles and so much more. So come Downtown, bring the kids, pets and be part of history!

Huntridge Circle Park is located on Maryland Parkway just South of Charleston.

posted by Brian Paco Alvarez, Curator and Chronicler of Culture at | 0 Comments

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Two art openings tonight to entice the senses...

There will be an opening reception for Great Basin Exteriors: A Photographic Survey this evening at the Historic 5th Street School. The exhibition by three photographers explores the back country of one of the most dramatic landscapes in the USA. The show will include a lecture and reception beginning at 6pm.

5th Street School
401 South 4th Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101


DelCaribe Art Gallery, Dominicanos Unidos en Nevada (DUNV) (United Dominicans in Nevada) and Dinosaurs & Roses present: "Spontaneous" an arts exhibit by Dominican painter Ruddy Taveras. The opening reception will take place at 6pm.

Dinosaurs & Roses
6029 West Charleston Boulevard Suite #1
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89146
For more info please call Johnny Romero @ 702-277-6227

A Jugar (Lets Play)
by Ruddy Taveras
Manos que no Descanzan (Hands that do not rest)
by Ruddy Taveras
Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Second lecture on John Wayne Gacy... TONIGHT...

Like I said two weeks ago in a previous blog post. I want to make it very clear to all of my readers that I am in no way endorsing the John Wayne Gacy art exhibition that will be held at the Arts Factory in September nor currently being held at Sin City Gallery. With that said I do have a responsibility to at least attempt to report about it for those that are interested in the academic dialog that this controversy has caused.

Two weeks ago Dr. Jack Levin from Northwestern University came to Las Vegas to lecture about Serial Killers. His fascinating lecture about the mind of criminals opened many peoples eyes to the nature of these horrific crimes and to the individuals who perpetrated them. http://lvartsandculture.blogspot.com/2011/05/love-it-or-hate-it-john-wayne-gacy-is.html

This evening will be the second lecture to specifically discuss the Gacy "artwork." Dr. David Gussak Chair of the Art Education Department, Associate Professor of Art Therapy, Clinical Coordinator at Florida State University will be deconstructing the work and attempt to explain why Gacy painted what he did. Like the last lecture this one should be equally fascinating.

About Dr. David Gussak
http://arted.fsu.edu/People/Faculty/David-Gussak-Ph.D.-ATR-BC
http://arttherapyinprison.com/

The Arts Factory
107 East Charleston Boulevard
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
http://www.theartsfactory.com/

Sin City Gallery
http://www.sincitygallery.com/Exhibition_Calendar.html

Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Daughter of Las Vegas Founder William Andrews Clark has passed...

MSNBC has just reported that Huguette Clark daughter of copper tycoon Senator William Andrews Clark has died at the age of 104 in New York City. Huguette passed just two weeks shy of her 105 birthday.

Senator Clark established the Salt Lake, San Pedro and Los Angeles Rail Road and founded the townsite of Las Vegas in 1905. It is believed that Huguette was the last living direct decedent related to the city's founding still alive until today.

As reported in MSNBC -
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39006900/ns/business-huguette_clark_mystery/

In 2010 I visited the mausoleum of
Senator William Andrews Clark
at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx
(Photo by C.S. Muncy, New York City)

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Monday, May 23, 2011

The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of May 23...


Here is Laraine Kaiser's weekly round-up of musical happenings about town.
Have a great week everyone.

Concerts/Festivals May 23-May 29

Wednesday May 25, 7:00pm
Bulgarian Rhythms! Angel Gadzhev, gadulka, Rumen Sali Shopov, rambura, bouzouki and drum Ivan Milev, accordion, Georgieu Zhelyazko, bagpiper
Winchester Community Center
3130 Mcleod Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89121
$12, $10 in advance
more info: 702-455-7340

Thursday May 26, 7:00pm
Mariachi Bands with folk dance troupes to benefit Clark County School District mariachi program
food for sale 6-6:45
Clark County Library
1401 E. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas NV
$5
more info: 702-499-2977

Saturday May 28, 7:00pm
Kool and the Gang's lead singer: Skip Martin performs to benefit Heaven can Wait Animal Society
The Village at Lake Las Vegas
30 Strada Nathan
Henderson, NV
$20
more info: 702-564-4766

Sunday May 29, 11:00am-6:00pm
Puerto Rican Memorial Day Festival, liver music, food, crafts, etc.
Henderson Pavilion
200 South Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, NV
$10 children 8 and under free
more info: 702-267-4849

Sunday May 29, 8:00pm
Richard Cheese and Lounge Against The Machine: hear Nine Inch Nails and Brittany Spears sung in over the top lounge style
Green Valley Ranch Resort
Ovation Lounge
2300 Paseo Verde Parkway
Henderson, NV
tickets $35, $49, $99
more info: 702-617-7777


Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Sunday, May 22, 2011

A Choreographers' Showcase last performance TODAY...

A great opportunity to see a great show with some amazingly talented performers this very afternoon. So make sure to get to City Center for a delightful show brought to you by the Nevada Ballet Theater and Cirque du Soleil...

The show begins at 1pm
Located at Aria resort inside the Viva Elvis Theater
3730 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(866) 359-7111
http://www.arialasvegas.com/


Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

An afternoon & evening in Downtown... A checklist of possibilities...


Just another Fabulous weekend in Downtown Las Vegas...

  1. Pick up my bud Roger from Chicago at Aria for his grand tour of Downtown 
  2. A little breakfast at Tiffany's Cafe
  3. Regards to the Urban Playa Arts & Yard Sale for Burning Man at Boulder Plaza 
  4. A stroll to the Arts Factory to see Casey Weldon's exhibition at Trifecta gallery
  5. Hit up the Contemporary Arts Center for a gander at the 22nd Annual Juried Show
  6. A jaunt to see John Musgrove at Brett Wesley Gallery
  7. Check out the construction progress of the Smith Center for the Performing Arts
  8. Hit up the El Cortez for 70 awesome nostalgic and historic years 
  9. A cocktail, a little Pacman and Galaga at Insert Coins Game Bar and Video Lounge 
  10. A big hug from Justin "Favy" Favela at Emergency Arts
  11. An awesome iced vanilla latte at the Beat Coffeehouse
  12. Visit the Lil Art Bodega, Kleven Contemporary and convo with the fabulous Tanya
  13. Back to the Sky Pad for some penne pasta with a spicy mushroom marinara from Resnicks
  14. Artifice for a libation and a big hug from Deena!
  15. Painters and Poets on the Patio back at the Arts Factory
  16. Back to Fremont East and Vanguard Lounge for a little dancing with DJ Chad Stolarick
  17. End the night at Downtown Cocktail Lounge
  18. SLEEEEEEEEEEEP...



Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Wizard of Oz TONIGHT @ the Henderson Pavilion...

This weekend the City of Henderson will be presenting a live performance of the timeless American classic The Wizard of Oz. Tonights performance will take place in the amazing Henderson Pavilion in Green Valley.

Performance Schedule:
Saturday, May 21st - 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 22nd - 4:00 p.m. Gates open at 3:00 p.m.
All Seats are $10.00

Henderson Pavilion
200 South Green Valley Parkway
Henderson, Nevada
http://www.hendersonlive.com/pavilion/
702.267.4849


Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Friday, May 20, 2011

Barrick Museum presents 89XXXhibition: A Reconnaissance into Las Vegas Community - TONIGHT!

Talk about a great museum that few in Las Vegas know about. Well the time has come for every resident and visitor to Southern Nevada learn about the Barrick Museum and its amazing collection. Not just is the museum located on the spectacular campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas but the building its housed in was the university's first gymnasium. Talk about adaptive reuse of an old building!

The museums collections include amazing and rare Pre-Columbian artifacts from Central America and boasts one of the largest Ornithology collections in the world. The museum is a must see for any aspiring Anthropologist, Archaeologist or simply anyone who seeks out curiosities. In addition the museum has a gallery where they host amazing art shows of local and international artists.

This evening the Barrick Museum in partnership with Yelp.com will be hosting an amazing art show. The juried exhibition 9XXXhibition: A Reconnaissance into Las Vegas Community features 22 local artists. The shows jurors Gina Quaranto of Blackbird Studios and "yours truly" chose an excellent collection of works that bring together a cohesive selection of art that demonstrates the creativity of our community's art scene.

The exhibition marks a unique collaboration between the museum and web-based Yelp. “For Yelp, supporting the local community goes hand in hand with providing a spot for people to discover fabulous Vegas businesses, and the programming at the Barrick does so much to foster the cultural and community spirit of our town,” says Misti Yang, Yelp’s Las Vegas Community Manager. “I knew together we could create something that would shine a big light on both our community and art.”

Artists:
Steven Baskin, Erik S. Beehn, Matthew Couper, Nancy DiLullo, Crystal DiPietro, Glenn Elliott, Teri Feldsher, Josue Fred, Ramsey Hong, Darren Johnson, Alex Kosseff, Sue Kay Lee, Andrew Mattingly, Lincoln Maynard, Toshie McSwain, Cris Neblina, JD Newitt, Marz Pacheco, Frank Strebel, Dustin M. Wax
Dray Wilmore

The Barrick Museum
The museum is located next to the Lied Library at UNLV off of Swenson and Harmon, through the West entrance of the campus, near the Hard Rock Hotel
http://barrickmuseum.unlv.edu/
702-895-3381
Admission - FREE (but donations strongly suggested)


Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Emergency Arts teams up with Oportunity Village TONIGHT!

Emergency Arts, the awesome arts collective and cafe on East Fremont has teamed up with Opportunity Village (OV), one of the most important organizations in Southern Nevada and Rachel Wenman of Taka Designs to bring together a collection of art for a good cause. This one night exhibition, reception and fundraiser will feature art from Opportunity Village’s Art Enrichment program. The program assists OV clients with creative job opportunities,

The event begins at 5:30pm.

As a proud owner of a work-of-art from the OV art enrichment program this event is one I will not be missing! See you tonight!

Emergency Arts
520 Fremont Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
http://www.emergencyartslv.com/index.html

For more information about Opportunity Village
http://www.opportunityvillage.org/index.php

For more information about Rachel Wenman and Taka Designs
http://www.takadesignsonline.com/index.php

Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

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Monday, May 16, 2011

Love it or hate it John Wayne Gacy is in Las Vegas... Well at least his art is...

Before I begin I want to make it very clear to all of my readers that I am in no way endorsing the John Wayne Gacy art exhibition that will be held at the Arts Factory in September. With that said I do have a responsibility to at least attempt to report about it in some capacity.

Though I recently sat at a round table discussion about the exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) gallery, as part of my responsibilities as a member of their advisory board, I will admit I have very deep reservations about this exhibition. Not to sound too preachy but the man killed 33 living human souls and I do not believe any living being on this earth deserves to benefit financially from this evil.

What I do believe is that there should be an honest and civil discourse regarding these types of psychopaths and what goes through their minds when they do such acts. In addition, I believe that these types of "arts-works" deserve to be interpreted by experts in the field of criminology. As a curator in the museum field I strongly believe that these works should only be exhibited by a qualified institution such as a museum that can delve deep into the history of diabolical acts, so that we can better understand the criminal mind. A better understanding of the criminal mind can lead to better ways of detecting and hopefully stopping people that are on the edge of murdering others.

After personally being in the presence of Gacy's works I was very disturbed; so much so that I immediately ran to the bar for a shot of whiskey just to calm my nerves. The work is not good, its actually quite amateurish and does not deserve the attention that it is getting, considering how many great artists are out there that cannot get any recognition.

Dr. Jack Levin
So if there is anything that can be taken away from all of this, it is the fact that Dr. Laura Henkel proprietor of Sin City Gallery has worked diligently to bring some order to the chaos that is the "Gacy Exhibition." At this very moment as I am writing this blog Dr. Henkel is dining with Dr. Jack Levin, Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Northeastern University.


Dr. Levin is considered an authority on serial killers, mass murderers, and hate crimes. He is also the co-director of the Brudnick Center on Conflict and Violence at Northeastern University. Levin has authored or co-authored 28 books, including Mass Murder: America’ s Growing Menace. Levin has published more than 150 articles in various publications. He has appeared on "20/20" and "48 Hours".

As a matter of fact I was invited to meet him this evening but I declined because I needed to get this post out. In either case here we are... Love it or Hate it, Gacy is in Vegas... And if you believe that objects can hold residuals of the mental states of their creators then this exhibition is not for you. But if you are at least interested in hearing from one of the top experts in the world about serial killers well then the Arts Factory is the place to be.

Jack Levin will be Lecturing on Tuesday, May 17th at 6:30 inside the Arts Factory. Seating is limited to the first 100 guests so get there early...

The Arts Factory
Studio West - Second floor
107 East Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
702-383-3133

Sin City Gallery

About Dr. Jack Levin


Nevada Public Radio
For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm
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posted by Brian Paco Alvarez, Curator and Chronicler of Culture at | 0 Comments