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...

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A one hour drive well worth it...

Goldwell Open Air Museum
(w/ permission from
the Goldwell Museum)
Photo by Paco
Its that time of the year when we get ready for the ghouls and goblins of fall, despite the fact that fall in Las Vegas does not really start until sometime in late November. But with all the fall festivals in full swing and the city gearing up for Halloween the Goldwell Open Air Museum in the ghost town of Rhyolite is having a Luau.

If you have never been to Goldwell you are missing out one of the most important artistic treasures in Nevada. Located near the entrance to Death Valley National Park, the outdoor sculpture park, museum and art space has been around for over 25 years and over the last several years they been throwing a party to celebrate their founder Belgian artist Albert Szukalski. This year the museum has teamed up with Hawaiian Superstar Gary Haleamau and the Killians Angels to throw what will undoubtedly be a memorable party.

Albert's Tarantella Death Valley Luau will be held Saturday, October 1st. The Goldwell Open Air Museum is located in the ghost town of Rhyolite just west of the town of Beatty.

For more information about Albert's Tarantella and the Goldwell Open Air Museum -
http://goldwellmuseum.org/


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...

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

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Another local hotel gets into the arts act...


Well its no surprise that over the last decade or so more and more hotels around the city are embracing the visual arts to encourage people to visit their establishments and to demonstrate that Las Vegas really has an art scene. Steve Wynn did it with his fantastical art collection at his hotels, City Center with their amazing sculpture collection and the Cosmopolitan with their fabulous collections and artist-in-residency program. Therefore it was a natural for another local hotel to get into the act. SpringHill Suites, a small hotel located on Paradise Road across the street from the Las Vegas Convention Center, has teamed up with local non-profit Think & Wonder Inc. to showcase a collection of local and student artists from UNLV, the College of Southern Nevada and the Clark County School District. This evenings reception will also feature live music by Herbert Rawlings and Dennis Mellen.

The Black, White & Night art reception will begin at 4:30 PM and continue through 8 PM. So if you have a moment make sure to go down to the hotel and support a non-profit trying to make a positive change in this Radiant City we call home.

SpringHill Suites
by Marriott Las Vegas Convention Center
2989 Paradise Road
The event is FREE

For more information about Think & Wonder -
http://www.thinknwonder.org/



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...

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

Monday, September 26, 2011

The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of September 26...

Photo taken at Bonnie Springs Ranch
@ Red Rock Conservation Area
After a nice weekend full of activities here is even more fun to round off the following weekend. And goodness knows we are less than two weeks away from First Friday. From what I hear the new organizers want lots of people to come down and celebrate the 9th Anniversary. So stay tuned for those details.

Have a fabulous week and make sure to follow my blogging rants about art, culture, music and everything else that makes Las Vegas livable...

Saturday October 1st, 2:00-10:00pm
Octoberfest: Free Music by traditional German Band 'Salzburger Echo', Dance, Childrens' activities, Food and Drink
Free Parking at Historic Fifth Street School Parking Lot, meters across the street
Centennial Plaza in Downtown Vegas
Free and Open to the public
more info: 702-229-3515 or 702-649-8503

Saturday October 1st, 8:00pm
Utah Symphony Orchestra performs Mendelssohn "Hebrides Overture" Beethoven; Piano Concerto No. 1 (Jeremy Denk soloist) Dvorak Symphony No. 8
Ham Hall
4505 Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
$35-75 tickets
more info: 702-895-2787

Sunday October 2nd, 3:00-4:00pm
Gateway Arts Foundation Presents
Popular Songs by artists: Vic Moea, Rick Morris and Mary O.
Starbright Theater
2215 Thomas W. Ryan Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89134
$18 non-residents $15 Sun City Residents (Cash/Check only no credit)
more info: 702-255-0695


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...

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

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Opa! Happy Saturday Everyone...

The Greeks are Coming The Greeks are coming!!! Well its that time of the year when the local Greek community comes together for their amazing food festival. The festival actually started yesterday but it does not mean you cant get down there today and tomorrow to celebrate some amazing fare and atmosphere.

The festival takes place all weekend at
St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
5300 South El Camino
Las Vegas, Nevada 89118
(702) 889-6376
http://www.lasvegasgreekfestival.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...

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

Friday, September 23, 2011

Too much of a good thing can be overwhelming!

My goodness I do have to say that on occasion I struggle to keep up with everything that is happening in the city. Adding a cold on top of it does not help the situation but as Herodotus once stated ...and these are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed course with all speed. So whether I have a cold or not it will not keep me from at least posting some of the amazing and fun activities that are happening this weekend and beyond...

Now more green tea for me so I can stave off a little more of this cold!

Have a great weekend everyone...



CLOSING RECEPTION
September 24, 2011
6-8pm
PUAH Gallery
730 W. Sunset Road
Henderson, NV 89011
323-240-2888
www.thepopuparthouse.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...

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

Monday, September 19, 2011

A pretty amazing weekend & The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of September 19...

This will be short and sweet but all in all this past weekend demonstrated the vibrancy of Las Vegas' culture with lots of amazing events. Gay Pride, Hispanic Heritage Parade, San Genaro, Theater and lots of parties on Fremont Street definitely made for a fun filled weekend. In addition Desert Companion Editor Andrew Kiraly and I had a nice discussion on the state of the cultural arts in Southern Nevada. The discussion revolved around the evolving art scene, why Las Vegas does not have an art museum, First Friday, Downtown and what ever else caught our fancy.

I want to thank Andrew for having the conversation and to Wes Myles and Chef Beni Valasquez at Bar + Bistro for hosting with great coffee and black currant scones that were to die (live) for! Also if you have not had the Hangover Brunch at Bar + Bistro you are definitely missing out on some amazing fair.

Have a fabulous and culturally filled week everyone!

Wednesday September 21st, 7:30pm
UNLV Chamber Orchestra performs Corelli-Concerto Grosso no. 6 op. 6 , Bach- Brandenburg Concerto no. 3 and Mozart- symphony no. 32
Taras Krysa and Rachel Waddell conduct
Doc Rando Hall
4505 Maryland Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3011

Thursday September 22nd, 7:30pm
Lecture Demonstration with Diego Vega, assistant professor, Contemporary Music ('Nextet')
Doc Rando Hall
4505 Maryland Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3011

Saturday September 24th, 3:00pm
Franz Liszt Bicentennial Concert featuring solos my Mykola Suk, Lisa Maresch and much more including
cellist Andrew Smith, violinist Laraine Kaizer for a Liszt Tone Poem "Orphee" transcribed for piano trio by Saint Saens
and reception to follow
Doc Rando Hall
4505 Maryland Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3011

Sunday September 25th, 1:00pm 
(I know this is different than the unlv website so I am double checking, if you don't receive a correction from me, it is indeed 1:00)
Laraine Kaizer, Violin, Lisa Maresch Piano perform sonatas by Faure, Ravel and Saint Saens, joined
by cellist Andrew Smith for a Liszt Tone Poem "Orphee" transcribed for piano trio by Saint Saens
Doc Rando Hall
4505 Maryland Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3011

Sunday September 25th 3:00pm
Thai traditional Dance Music and Food
Winchester Community Center
3130 Mcleod Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89121
10$ in advance 12$ at the door
more info: 702-455-7340


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...

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

Friday, September 16, 2011

Gay Pride, Hispanic Heritage and San Gennaro oh my!!!

Can too much of a good thing be wonderful? I think it can and with so many amazing cultural activities happenings within a span of a few weeks in Las Vegas who says September cannot overtake May as the community's cultural month? Usually May is the time of the year that Las Vegas celebrates its culture. Heck it was in May of 1905 that the city was founded and May is also the time for the Helldorado Parade and Rodeo. But May is also a time when the weather starts getting a bit warm in our Radiant City. Actually the weather in May can be quite unpredictable. It can either be a scorcher or it can be palatable. Unfortunately with all this weathered uncertainty September seems to have become the preferred time of the year to celebrate culture in Southern Nevada.

So tonight and this weekend there are several amazing events happening in Las Vegas that will celebrate this community's amazing diversity. This evening the Gay Pride Parade will begin at 8pm along 4th Street in Downtown. The yearly parade is a favorite among locals because its always at night and the floats, sights and sounds of the festivity are definitely not to be missed. In addition, the Gay Pride Festival will be happening on Saturday, September 17 at the Clark County Government Center Amphitheater.

No less than 12 hours after the Gay Pride Parade the Fiesta Las Vegas Hispanic Heritage Parade will be happening along 4th Street. Not to mention that after the parade there will be an art exhibition along Fremont Street of Hispanic art!

Also this weekend is the culmination of the San Gennaro Feast. The yearly feast celebrates Italian Culture and food in Southern Nevada and the Martyred Neopolitan Saint San Gennaro and the miracle of his blood.  The festival is taking place as we speak at the Rio Hotel and Casino.

For further information about these wonderful cultural events please click on the fliers and icons below to be redirected to the event websites.






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...

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

Vanguard Lounge celebrates 1 year Anniversary!!!

The Vanguard Lounge on Fremont East is quite simply an enormous subwoofer, possibly the largest one in the world. Every time I walk by the place the sounds of pure unadulterated House Music spills out onto Fremont East like a rainbow cascading over the Emerald City. This amazing little lounge can belt out sounds and atmosphere that hearken back to my heady days growing up in Las Vegas' fledgling electronic music scene. On many occasions I have been walking several blocks away and could hear the unmistakable sound of bass permeating from the Vanguard.

With all this said it is amazing for me to think that a year has passed since the Vanguard Lounge has graced us with its presence on Fremont East. Beginning Thursday, September 15th and culminating Saturday, September 17th, the Vanguard will be celebrating its milestone with an amazing series of parties and of course House Music. Since I know many of you are coming down for all the cultural activities happening Downtown this weekend why don't you stop by and say hello to Andrew and Jennifer Wheatley and congratulate them on this momentous occasion!

Vanguard Lounge
516 Fremont Street
Downtown Las Vegas
http://www.vanguardlv.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...

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

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

The Chairs: Absurdest theater at its best...

Erik Amblad and
Mundana Ess-haghabadi
The Chairs
(photo by Ryan Reason)
I have to say after seeing Charles Busch's Theodora: She Bitch of Byzantium, Giacomo Puccini's Tosca and The Chairs by Eugene Ionesco all within the last month I have become absolutely fascinated with Las Vegas' theater scene. I mean don't get me wrong I read Anthony Del Valle's reviews in the RJ pretty religiously and I have been to theater quite often, but something over the last several weeks changed my perception of it all. Its almost like Las Vegas' cultural scene has reached a tipping point. A paradigm shift of sorts where everything culturally just seems to be coming together and it seems to be happening quickly. As we students of Anthropology know all too well, evolution does not happen slowly over long periods of time but rather in spurts over short periods of time and this is exactly what is happening culturally in Las Vegas.

Keeping up with Las Vegas' cultural evolution, this past Sunday I had the pleasure of sitting through Eugene Ionesco's The Chairs. The play was an early 1950's post-apocalyptic French classic performed by none other than local poetry stars Mundana Ess-haghabadi and Erik Amblad. The performance was brilliant and even though I know the actors personally I felt quite comfortable with who they became on stage. Sometimes when you know the actors it is difficult to distinguish them, but that is not the case with these two talents. They acted spectacularly and demonstrated that they have the thespian prowess to take on any roll they are presented with. Erik and Mundana give a whole different meaning to breaking a leg, albeit a chairs!

I will admit I never laughed so much as I did Sunday afternoon that is why I can only encourage all of my readers, whether you like theater or not, to go see this play.

BRAVO!!!

The Chairs is being performed at the:
The Box Office
1129 S Casino Center Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV

Thursday, September 15th, 8:00 PM
Friday, September 16th, 8:00 PM
Saturday, September 17th, 10:30 PM -- Special Closing Night Performance

TICKETS: $15 @ the door

For more information:
info@BRNRSD.com
www.facebook.com/BRNRSD



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...

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

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

First Friday Las Vegas under New Ownership...

As was reported this morning by Journalist Doug Elfman in a local newspaper, First Friday, the monthly Downtown Arts Festival and Arts Walk has been sold to Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh and his partners Fred Mossler, Andrew Donner and Joey Vanas.

Just visiting the First Friday website you can tell change is in the air. http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/

With this huge announcement on the cusp of the organizations 9th Anniversary one can only imagine the positive shot in the arm this will do for Downtown's ever expanding arts scene.


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

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

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Opera Las Vegas rocked the Horn...

If there was any doubt that Las Vegas could host world class opera those doubts were laid to rest on Friday night. With Opera Las Vegas' opening of Giacomo Puccini's "Tosca" at the Horn Theater one can only be in awe of what the future holds for our city's amazing cultural scene. As I sat back and listened to one of the finest operatic performances that I have personally witnessed in this community, my only regret was why I was not sitting at the Smith Center watching this. But of course I have to keep reminding myself to be patient, for the the Smith Center's construction is not quite done yet.

Las Vegas is no stranger to opera actually. Back in the 1950's the Las Vegas Opera Guild brought opera to the community and was instrumental in the development and construction of the city's first auditorium on the campus of Las Vegas High School. Since then the city has hosted hundreds of operas at venues that have been built around the community. Thanks to the construction in the 1970's of the Aladdin Theater for the Performing Arts, now part of Planet Hollywood, Artemis Ham Concert Hall and the Judy Bailey Theater, both on the campus of UNLV, operas have been performed regularly and to packed houses.

Last nights performance of Tosca has kept the community's operatic tradition going. Featuring guests from the Metropolitan Opera in New York; Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs as Floria Tosca, Raul Melo as Mario Cavaradossi, Daniel Sutin as Baron Scarpia, with Gregory Buchalter conducting, not to mention a total cast of over 50 performers and musicians made for an overwhelming experience.

The opera is set in Rome in 1800, when the city was under siege by the forces of Napoleon Bonaparte and its Neapolitan overlords. Tosca is a story that details how two individuals, in this case Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi, are grasped by unwavering love for each other and how one man, Baron Scarpia will use his power to go to great lengths to destroy their happiness. Like most of Puccini's classic works this story ends in tragedy for all parties involved.

The performance by Elizabeth Blancke-Biggs as Floria Tosca was flawless. Her mastery captured the very essence of what makes opera the summit of artistic expression. There is nothing more powerful than a sopranos voice, especially when the performer channels the very role in which she is supposed to embody. Simply put, Blancke-Biggs not just played the role of Tosca she became her. When you add this perfection with those of Tenor Raul Melo and Baritone Daniel Sutin you are in for the ultimate adrenalin rush. I will admit I left last nights performance on such a natural high that as I write this I am still buzzing from it all.

I congratulate Opera Las Vegas for bringing such a gift to our city. I am looking forward to many more performances of this caliber in the near future.

BRAVO!!!

If you did not get a chance to see Opera Las Vegas'presentation of Tosca there is one more performance happening this weekend. The final performance will take place Sunday, September 11 at 2pm. The performance will be at the Horn Theater on the campus of the College of Southern Nevada.
http://www.csn.edu/about/campuslife/performingarts/index.asp

For more information about Opera Las Vegas please visit their site - http://www.operalasvegasnv.org/

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

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

The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of September 12...

After an amazing weekend of opera, theater, music, art and culture we start off the week just as fabulous. With Laraine Kaiser keeping a watchful eye on the musical happenings about-town you know you will always have something thing amazing to do. I also want to mention that many of these events are free and open to the public. So get out of the house and go listen to some fabulous music!

Have a great week everyone.

Tuesday September 13th, 7:30pm
Organ/Piano Lecture Recital Duo Majoya (Marnie Giesbrecht and Joachim Segger ) of Shoenberg's works including the second known
performance of Variations on a Recitative Op. 40 for organ and a transcription for two pianos by Celius Daugherty
Party to Follow for Shoenberg's birthday!
UNLV
Doc Rando Hall
4505 Maryland Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3011

Wednesday September 14th 11:00am
Zarina performs traditional dances from Uzbekistan, Persia, Russia and Tajikistan
narrated by Patrick Standridge
Winchester Community Center
3130 Mcleod Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89121
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-455-7340

Thursday September 15th 7:30pm
Music of Senegal
UNLV Barrick Museum
4505 Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas NV 89119
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-455-7340 

Friday September 16th, 12:00pm noon
Nathan Tanouye Sextet, jazzy brass group, featuring Nathan's own arrangements
Lloyd George U.S. Courthouse
Jury Assembly Room
333 Las Vegas Blvd. South
between Bridger and Clark
Free and Open to the Public
Free lunch
more info: 702-229-3515

Saturday September 17th, 8:00pm
Beethoven Violin Concerto, DeAnne Letourneau, soloist
Henderson Symphony Orchestra also on the program Prometheus Overture and Symphony No. 8
Henderson Pavilion
200 South Green Valley Pkwy
Henderson Nevada
Free Admission, Donation of $10 suggested
more info: 702-267-2171

Saturday September 17th, 8:00pm
Minji Park Wu, Flute , who recently moved to Vegas, and Minji Noh, Piano perform a classical program including music of Poulenc, Fukushima, Bolling. Both musicians
studied together at New England Conservatory in Boston.
Brett Wesley Gallery
1112 S. Casino Center, Blvd.
Las Vegas NV 89104
Free and Open to the Public
more info 702-433-4433
http://www.brettwesleygallery.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...

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

Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Valley of Fire was Hot Hot Hot! Literally!

Anasazi Petroglyphs @ Atlatl Rock
The Valley of Fire State Park
One of the best things about living in Las Vegas is the fact that we are surrounded by natural beauty. Within one hour drive in any direction we can be in the middle of nowhere. Away from the spectacle of the Strip, Southern Nevada is a bounty for anyone looking to explore the outdoors. Whether you like hiking, climbing, biking, or boating we are an outdoor wonderland waiting to be explored. Growing up in the deserts of the Southwest have earned me the coveted title of "desert-rat", so the more I go and explore the more enamored I become with the beauty of the desert.

This past Sunday my good friend Dr. Laura Henkel and I decided to take a much needed road trip. I decided on the Valley of Fire State Park since it has been years since I visited the place and it would be a first for Dr. Laura. The state park is situated about 50 miles east of Las Vegas off the I-15, exit 75, at the entrance to the Moapa Indian reservation. Depending on how fast you drive you can make it to the park in about 40 minutes. There is a $10 dollar per car entrance fee to get into the park but the money goes to a good cause.  With new roads, delineated paths, information kiosks, clean restrooms and nice picnic areas this tells me that any money raised to support the park is money well spent.

The park was established in 1934 as Nevada's first state park. Aptly named the Valley of Fire because of the spectacular sandstone formations that dot the landscape, the area is a treasure trove of Geology and pre-history. Created millions of years ago by geological uplifting, earthquakes and erosion, the park offers amazing vistas of bright red sandstone, yellow limestone, the greenery of desert vegetation, amazing Petroglyphs created by the Anasazi peoples that inhabited the area and plenty of wildlife.

While a student of Anthropology at the Community College of Southern Nevada and later at UNLV I visited the area often to take notes for my archaeology classes. Considering the beauty and natural bounty of the area it is no wonder that the Basket Maker peoples and later the Anasazi inhabited the area (300 BCE to 1200CE). The Anasazi who created amazing monumental architecture all throughout the four corners area of the United States even left their mark in an area that is considered the Westernmost extent of these people. Not just did they settle the fertile areas along the banks of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers but they left their amazing Petroglyphs all throughout the park. Petroglyphs left at Atlatl Rock and Mouse's Tank are dramatic examples of this amazing art form.

Paco @ Mouse's Tank
Though the temperatures at the park were reaching close to 110 degrees, a bit warm even for an ardent desert-rat like myself, every little bit of shade we were able to find gave us a small respite from the warmth. The best place to cool off of course was the nicely air-conditioned Visitors Center. Chock-full of very informative and well curated exhibits it gives you just enough background to understand the importance of this area. The center is also a great location to sit down, look out the window and see dozens of ground squirrels running back and forth as they try to capture seeds from a bird feeder. In addition the center even has a place to fill up with cool refreshing water as you continue on your trek throughout the park.

As Dr. Laura and I continued our way out of the park toward the Lake Mead National Recreation Area we ran into the dirt road toward the remains of St. Thomas. St. Thomas was a town settled by the Mormons along the banks of the Muddy River in 1865. Though the town was abandoned by the Mormons in 1871 it was resettled shortly thereafter. By the 1930's the town inhabitants were forced to leave due to the rising waters of Lake Mead that threatened to submerge the settlement under several feet of water. Today, because of the severe drought that has left the lake well below its crest many of the towns buildings foundations can still be seen and easily accessed. The town site is a National Historic Landmark and is protected by law, so picking up artifacts and using metal detectors are strictly prohibited.

After trekking several miles off road to St. Thomas in my trusted little Nissan and with the heat really beginning to bare-down on us we were ready for some nosh and something cold to drink. Knowing that the historic town of Overton was just a few miles away we decided to check out some of the local fare. Passing the Lost City Museum which we would come back to after we ate lunch, we decided to stop and eat where the locals dine. The Inside Scoop one of the few local eateries in the area with the exception of the "Mc-Dowels" across the street, is an amazing little diner. Not just did they have an amazingly extensive menu full of sandwiches, burgers, salads and other dishes, but they are an ice-cream shop to boot! The young woman at the counter was delightfully nice, the tuna fish sandwich I had was fresh and tasty and the whole atmosphere of the restaurant was small town America at its best. I will tell you this that The Inside Scoop alone is worth the drive to Overton. My only regret was not taking a photo of the joint to share with you!

After we left The Inside Scoop completely satisfied, we drove back to the Lost City Museum. The museum was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is the oldest museum in Clark County. The museums exhibits are full of information about the Anasazi and other Native Americans that inhabited the area. The museum also has a full archaeological dig inside and lots of amazing artifacts. It also serves as an art gallery with the art of many locals throughout. Outside the museum there is a re-creation of an Anasazi Pueblo that you can walk into and explore.

Anasazi Pueblo @
The Lost City Museum
Looking back, I actually never get tired of visiting these old haunts over and over again. Why? Because I always end up discovering something new every time I return. If you want to take a trip out of Vegas for a few hours and see the wilderness that surrounds the glitz and spectacle of the Strip take a drive to the Valley of Fire, St. Thomas, Lake Mead and most definitely the Inside Scoop in Overton. For the day will be full of adventure at every sandstone turn...

For more information -

Valley of Fire State Park
http://parks.nv.gov/vf.htm

Lost City Museum 
http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=397&Itemid=125

Lake Mead National Recreation Area
http://www.nps.gov/lake/index.htm

The Inside Scoop
395 Moapa Valley Blvd
Overton, NV 89040
(702) 397-2055
(photos by Brian Paco Alvarez)

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

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