Lots to do Labor Day Weekend in Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas...

No it is not cancelled!

For years I have gone to the New York & New Jersey metropolitan area during Labor Day weekend to visit my beloved mother, aunts, cousins and friends and of course to re-energize my cultural arts engine. There is something magical about the Big Apple. It has a ton of amazing history and it is amazingly cosmopolitan, with every culture, language, creed, religion, and background imaginable represented. It literally is the capital of the world! I make no qualms that New York is an awesome city, but Vegas can be just as awesome especially this time of the month. And no I am not from New York, I was actually born and raised in Vegas!

This year I have decided to postpone my yearly vacation to NYC/ NJ for a few months and focus on what Las Vegas has to offer during Labor Day. Though I do have to say it is a bit of a coincidence that I decided to skip NYC the very week they got hit with an earthquake and a hurricane! In either case I am in Vegas and ready to report about what is happening this week in this amazingly Radiant City we call home.

Looking over the list of events I am happy to report that there is a ton of things to do. Not just do we have Preview Thursday and First Friday there are also two music and cultural festivals happening all within walking distance. Thanks to my friends at the Arts Factory and beyond here is the list thus far. I will be updating it as more information comes in. So stay tuned.

Despite the rumors FIRST FRIDAY IS NOT CANCELLED!!! So come out and enjoy another great evening of arts and culture in fabulous Downtown Las Vegas...

Here is what Ryan Reason is reporting from the 
World Famous Arts Factory in Fabulous Downtown...

The Arts Factory has been bringing art and music festivals to the residents of Las Vegas since 1998. Open every day of the week, from the time we roll out of bed, until the time everyone has gone home.

Some parties are just bigger than others.

Last month's Culture Weekend was a huge success thanks to all the great art loving public who came out to enjoy a memorable evening in their 18b Arts District. This month promises to be even better.

Here are just a few of the amazing things you can see/do in/and around the Arts Factory during September's Culture Weekend. Spread the word.

At the Arts Factory

Special event this Preview Thursday!
Unveiling of Official Portrait of Mayor Carolyn Goodman
Join us at the Bar + Bistro inside of the Arts Factory on September 1st from 6pm to 10pm to see the unveiling of the mayor of Las Vegas Carolyn Goodmans official portrait. Painted by local artist and gallery owner James Henninger. The Mayor herself will be on hand for this historic occasion at 6:30pm.
For more information and updates about this event and James Henninger, please like his facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/303NorthStudio?sk=info

Artist James Henninger unveils
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman's portrait

Jenny Valdez Inc. Gallery
Suite #160
First Friday and Preview Thursday at Jenny Valdez Inc. Gallery will feature mosaics by Lisa Fields Clark, pottery by Barbara Gomez, paintings by Theresa Lucero, Nicholas Walsh, and Jenny Valdez, plus Sarah Flake’s Flaky Friends.
Preview Thursday, September 1, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

First Friday, September 2, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
www.JennyValdez.com
alettertojenny@gmail.com

Trifecta Gallery
107 E. Charleston Blvd. #135
SAFEWALLS extended through Sept 30 - 16 Cirque du Soleil commissioned paintings celebrating the art of the poster by leading lowbrow and street artists from around the world. High quality screen prints will be for sale of all the paintings.
Some of the artists include: Amy Sol, El Mac, Ron English, Sweet Toof, Miss Van, Travis Louie.
The Attachment Gallery- Inside Trifecta
Selina Davenport - 00:00:38
A sensory video examining if human memory exists outside of our bodies and/or if it is encoded in our DNA.
www.trifectagallery.com
702-366-7001 or ask.trifecta@gmail.com

PeaceNart Studio
Studio #230
Clowns Are People Too
3 Bad Sheep
This New Collection of Clowns Has Been Worked On For A Year Now, With the 3BS Familiar Style of Mixed Media, Found Objects and Individual Ideas, From Three Different Views of Life !! 10 New Clown Paintings Ready For Your Private Collection.
Opening Preview Thursday and First Friday Sept. 1,2

Studio 120
Multiples
a collection of paintings by John Wayne Gacy
The largest collection and exhibition of Original John Wayne Gacy Art Works will be on display within the Arts Factory September 1 to September 18, 2011. The controversial exhibition features seventy paintings , original materials — handwritten letters, manuscripts and audio recordings. Proceeds from the sale of the artwork and admission fees will be used to benefit nonprofit organizations that lend support to our community.
September 1 to September 18, 2011
johnwaynegacyart.com

Joseph Watson Collection
Suite 115
SinOpsis / Art Exhibit
Joseph Watson will showcase a series of Las Vegas influenced paintings. The Go, Go, Greta childrens book and street artist Sharktoof will also be on display.
Friday, September 2, 6-10pm
info@josephwatsoncollection.com
858-733-2135

Jaikowski Studios
inside the Joseph Watson Collection Gallery #115


Showgirls around the World .....The Show Must Go On...
A Mixed Media Array of Showgirls ....
Thurs Sept 1 7pm-10pm Preview Night
Friday Sept 2 6pm-10pm First Friday
Jaikowskistudios.com
Karen Jaikowski
702-204-9335

Sin City Gallery
Suite 100
Macho Ma'am by Carlo Roncancio
Elusive, reclusive and exclusive photographer Carlo Roncancio comes out of the wood-work for a playful special engagement at Sin City Gallery. His Macho Ma'am series focuses on gorgeously fit buffed men in lingerie. A series of cocktail events are scheduled throughout the month.
September 1-26, 2011
www.sincitygallery.com

Macho Ma'am 
by Carlo Roncancio
@ Sin City Gallery

Hillary Salon
107 E Charleston Ave / Suite 250
Las Vegas' premier destination hair salon.
Transformational hair sculpting for Men and Women by appt.
Tue-Sat 10 am- 7pm
hillary.salon@gmail.com
(702) 525-1053

Blue Sky Yoga and Gallery
Studio 145
offering Yoga for the people at a "pay what you can rate" and displaying a variety talented artists on First Fridays and throughout each month
www.blueskyyogalv.com
702-592-1396

8 Martinis Gallery
Studio 205
"Overflow" Face Up Art by Dar Freeland / Mandala Sand Painting by Dar Freeland
Face Up Fine Art Giclees, Original Acrylics on Canvas, and Books by Dar Freeland. Also a live demonstration of a Tibetan Style sand mandala is being constructed in the gallery as a healing meditation for people with cancer.
First Friday, September 2, 2011 • 6pm - 10pm
www.8martinis.com
dar8martinis@aol.com

Cricket Studio & Face Up Gallery
Studio 210
In Cricket Studio: "Primitives" by Brian Swanson
Fine Art Acrylics and mixed media on board by Brian Swanson
In Face Up Gallery: "Helpline" Face Up Art by Dar Freeland
Face Up Fine Art Giclees, Original Acrylics on Canvas by Dar Freeland
Preview Thursday, September 1, 2011 • 6pm - 9pm
First Friday, September 2, 2011 • 6pm - 10pm
www.cricketstudio.com/primitives
brianswanson.studio@gmail.com
www.faceupstudio.com/press
faceupstudio@aol.com

Around the Neighborhood

222 Imperial gallery
222 Imperial Ave
"GEEK" A TRIBUTE
Over 20 local artists have entered pieces that defy “Geek”. So break out the lab coat it’s time for the ultimate geek show down.
September 2, 2011 7pm-12pm
Facebook.com/222imperial
Joel@happenstancestudios.com 702-271-2844

Brett Wesley Gallery
1112 S. Casino Center Blvd. on the corner of Charleston Blvd.
Humanity by Jylian Gustlin
Gustlin's paintings are an ongoing exploration and celebration of the human form. Working with resin, oil and acrylic paints, charcoal, wax, gold leaf, pastels and graphite on board Gustlin draws, paints, scratches on her surfaces while remaining loose enough to maintain an organic and painterly presence. Gustlin is exceptional in her ability to combine rich patterns of shape and color to create original works that are beautiful, well crafted and dramatic.
Opening reception will be Thursday, September 1, 2011
from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
www.BrettWesleyGallery.com
702.433.4433 inquire@brettwesley.com

Retro Vegas
1211 S Main Street
Mad Ads
“Mad Ads” – a take off on the Mad Men series – consists of five vintage cardboard cutout ads created in the 1950s for display in pharmacies. They include products such as baby oil and hair color. While it is easy to discern their age, the less obvious to viewers is just how similar they are to today’s print advertising.
Opens First Friday, September 2, at 6:00 pm
continues through until September 30
retro-vegas.com

SATURDAY September 3rd

Talky Trees
On the Patio
Bar + Bistro @ the Arts Factory
Starting at 5pm
We are the Talky Trees: Free Arts & Entertainment Among Friends
What exactly is Talky Trees? It's a 7-hour Arts festival centered around two ideas:
1) Self-expression of the audience such that they and the performers are one and the same! YOU have the gift of art, and we encourage you to realize it.
2) Collaboration between mediums: painters coloring a piece to a poet who then gives his words to the music of others.The artist and the audience? Same people.
This is an art show all about collaboration of all possible mediums. Music, poetry, painting, performance art. What every you are into, bring whatever craft you love and share it with us.


Special Event Fliers and Links...

Sun Splash Caribbean Fest at the Stratosphere Labor Day Weekend
http://sunsplashfest.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...