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, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween Las Vegas!!!

Its Halloween and Las Vegas is rolling out the Orange Carpet to celebrate one of the spookiest and creepiest holidays on the calender. This past weekend was full of activities all through out the city to entice the goblins to don their scariest costumes. Of course none of these activities would be complete without the biggest day of them all; Halloween!

Tonight Downtown will culminate all the festivities with the 2nd Annual Halloween Parade. So make sure to get your costumes ready and get Downtown for the family friendly event. The parade begins at 7pm till...

For more information about the parade -
http://www.thelasvegashalloweenparade.com/

See you tonight!


I want to thank my friends @
Photo Bang Bang for making me look really
scary!
http://photobangbang.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

The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of October 31...

Monday October 31st 5:30pm
Doctoral Bassoon recital, K C Chai
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
More info 702-895-3011

Tuesday November 1st 10:00am
Piano masterclass Joel Clifft, artist in residence
UNLV Beam Music Center
Room 159
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

Wednesday November 2nd 7:30pm
UNLV Chamber Orchestra directed by Taras Krysa and Rachel Waddell
Haydn Symphony 104 and Vivaldi's concerto for guitar,
Ricardo Cobo soloist and concerto for two cellos Andrew Smith and Rebecca Gray soloists
UNLV Doc Rando Hall / Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

Thursday November 3rd 7:30pm
UNLV Faculty Chamber Concert:
Crumb, Segers, Messsian, Poulenc
Pianists Lisa Maresch and Karen McCann
Weiwei Le, violin Andrew Smith Cello
Jennifer Grim, flute/electric flute
Steve Caplan, Oboe Marina Sturm, Clarinet
Bill Bernatis, Horn Janis McKay, Bassoon
Steven Trinkle, Cornet Timothy Jones, percussion
Taras Krysa, Conductor
UNLV Doc Rando Hall / Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

Friday November 4th 5:30pm
Oboe Studio Recital
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

Friday November 4th 6:00-10:00pm
First Friday Las Vegas Arts District Downtown,
art, music, food and more
shuttles available
maps at the heart of the festival:
the Funk House 1228 S. Casino Center
Las Vegas
free and open to the public!
more info : 702-384-0092
http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/next.html

Friday November 4th 7:30pm
Doctoral Flute Recital, Donald Malpass
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

Saturday November 5th 7:00pm
Silver State Winners' Recital; some of the best young Vegas music students will perform (variety of instruments including piano, voice, composition and ensembles.)
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

Saturday November 5th 7:30pm
Chorus performs Marinu, Britten and Moravian folk songs
Las Vegas Peoples Valley Chorus
Green Valley Presbyterian Church
1798 Wigwam Parkway
Henderson, NV
Free and Open to the Public, free will offering will be received
more info 702-454-8484

Sunday November 6th 5:30pm
Doctoral Lecture Recital, Michael Smith Tenor
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Publicmore info 702-895-3011

here is always great jazz going on in Vegas, check out:
http://www.facebook.com/livemusicinvegas


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, October 24, 2011

The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society Singers Rock the Winchester...

In their 49th season the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society (SNMAS) under the direction of Dr. Douglas Petersen has been performing high quality chorale music in Las Vegas since 1967 and Saturday I got to see them in action for myself. I had the pleasure of meeting the feisty professor who founded the society several weeks ago when he came to my talk with Desert Companion's very own Andrew Kiraly. After meeting Dr. Petersen I could say he is as passionate about the arts as I am and he and I share the same obsession about getting Las Vegas enculturated!

This past weekend my parents and I sat through the SNMAS Singers concert at the Winchester Cultural Center. The power of their voices made for an afternoon that I will not easily forget and considering the diverse musical selections chosen, they left me thinking this is a group to be reckoned with.

What caught my eye about this concert was the fact that they would be performing "La Misa Criolla" by Ariel Ramirez (1921-2010) of Argentina. La Misa Criolla or The Creole Mass is probably one of the single most important liturgical compositions to come out of South America in the last half century. Composed shortly before the end of Vatican II (1962-1965) under the watchful eye of the church, the composition takes the structure of the Catholic Mass but is sung in the vernacular, in this case Spanish rather than the customary Latin. Because Vatican II allowed for the liturgy to be said in the vernacular, La Misa Criolla is both a celebration of the Catholic Mass and a celebration of the culture it came from, in this case Argentina. I first heard La Misa Criolla many many years ago when I was going through my fathers record albums. The rhythmic native sounds of the Andes moved me and gave me a sense of pride for the culture that my parents came from. Though the singers struggled a little with the pronunciation, I will give them credit for taking on a difficult composition especially for non-Spanish speaking individuals.

The concert also composed of the Horn Mass by Korean composer Byung-Hee Oh and selections from the musical Show Boat (1951) and Choral Overture from George M. (George M. Cohan). All in all Saturdays concert was a treat. I am looking forward to seeing more concerts by the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society and you should too!

BRAVO!!!

For more information on the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society - http://www.snmas.com/
For more information about the Winchester Cultural Center - http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/parks/Pages/winchester-cultural-center.aspx

The Southern Nevada Musical arts Society
Winchester Cultural Center
(photo 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

The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of October 24...

Tuesday October 25th 7:30pm
Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini featuring
pianist Jae Ahn
Stravinsky "Firebird Suite" and Mussorgsy's "Dawn on Moscow River"
UNLV Symphony Concert
Ham Hall
4505 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV
$10, $8, UNLV students free with ID
(702) 895-ARTS (2787) for more info

Thursday October 27th, 7:00pm
Bach Sonata No. 1 for Cello and Piano, Mozart Piano Trio in Bb and Schumann Piano Trio Op. 88 "Fantasiestucke"
Naoko Taniguchi, Violin Elena Kapustina, Cello Tamara Kezerov Piano "Eclectic Trio"
Christ the King Catholic Community Church
corner of Tropicana and Torrey Pines
4925 S. Torrey Pines Drive
Las Vegas NV 89118
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-871-1904

Friday October 28th 8:00pm
Piano Concerto No. 2 by Franz Liszt- (Mykola Suk, piano soloist) 
Sibelius Symphony No. 1 and Martinu Lidice
pre-concert talk about the program and a silent auction to benefit the Symphony begins at 7:00pm
Henderson Symphony, Taras Krysa Director
Henderson Pavilion
200 South Green Valley Pkwy
Henderson Nevada
Free Admission, Donation of $10 suggested
more info: 702-267-2171

Sunday October 30th 7:30pm
Composer John Mackey's "Hymn to a Blue Hour" written for wind ensemble to honor 9/11 victims will be performed by the Desert Winds directed by Charles Maguire
Tuba Soloist- Jeff McCraken
Desert Spring United Methodist Church
120 N. Pavilion Center Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89144
Free and Open to the Public
702-625-ARTS for more info


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, October 21, 2011

Creep Fest and everything else that is hauntingly fun...

Yours truly dressed to kill
Photo taken by Curtis Walker
Photo Bang Bang
http://photobangbang.com/
Lets face it I like horror and sci-fi everything, especially anything to do with vampires, zombies and the occasional exorcism. The whole notion of going around being immortal, sucking peoples blood or brains or excising them of demons is in some way disturbingly appealing to me. Not that I would go around practicing such things but of course I am not immortal... yet...

Though I will admit having a penchant for the very things that cool-the-spine I am always on the hunt for more knowledge about the subject. Anything to do with the occult, witchcraft, mysticism, secret societies and the paranormal always peek my curiosity. Anybody that has been over to my house notices my library with a relatively extensive collection of literature on these matters. Some will either brush it off as just literature that opens the mind or others freak out and never return. I always tell those who do freak that it was just part of my university studies on comparative religions; if it helps calm their nerves. wink...

Since it is that time of the year when the veil between this world and the next are at their thinnest it would be very appropriate to talk about all the creepy stuff that makes us shudder at night. So for me to activate my creep senses I had the pleasure to see a two amazing theatrical performances, one a horror flick and the other a horror play. After seeing both I can officially say that I am creeped out, which only means Halloween is here in full force.

The first show that I saw was "Rage," a movie by independent movie Director Chris Witherspoon. The movie was screened at the 2nd Annual PollyGrind Movie Festival hosted at Theater 7 in Downtown. Set in Portland Oregon the movie takes us through an exceptional thriller with a very twisted end that makes you think twice about taking someone's parking space in Downtown. The movie had me on the edge of my seat, but it was the karmic lesson that left the most impression. If you have personal demons that you have to face don't watch this movie. It will leave you feeling really creeped out especially for those who live in the burbs.
"Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom"
at the Black Box inside the 
Las Vegas Little Theater 

The second show that I saw was Jennifer Haley's "Neighborhood 3: Requisition of Doom" directed by Troy Heard. Set in the stereotypical suburban neighborhood, the play takes you through the trials and tribulations of American households dealing with teenagers way to preoccupied with video games. Though this twisted tale blurs the line between video games and reality, it left me wanting to come back and see it again. The set was visually stunning, especially for such a small space as the Black Box inside the Las Vegas Little Theater. And for a dress rehearsal I do have to say that it was pretty damn amazing. I have to give it to Troy and company they pulled off yet another little masterpiece, albeit a really twisted one.

So with the freak fest well underway Las Vegas is more than ready to celebrate all that goes bumps-in-the-night...

Happy Halloween or as some would prefer Happy Samhain...

Theater 7
1406 South 3rd Street
Las Vegas, NV 89104
In the Downtown Arts District
(702) 568-9663
http://theatre7lv.com/

PollyGrind Film Festival
http://grindhousefest2011.pollystaffle.com

Las Vegas Little Theatre
3920 Schiff Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89103
702–362-7996
http://lvlt.org/

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

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

Monday, October 17, 2011

The New Nevada State Museum sparkles...

Last week Downtown celebrated the up and coming cultural attractions like the MOB Museum, the Neon Museum, the Discovery Children's Museum, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the new City Hall and of course Zappos, but we forgot one of the most important museums in the community, the new Nevada State Museum. After two long years and a financial push from the state legislature the new state museum is finally opening at the end of the month.

Located in the heart of the Springs Preserve, the new state museum (formerly located at Lorenzi Park) is a welcome addition to the sprawling 180 acre park. Not just can you experience the very location that gave Las Vegas its name but you can walk the desert gardens and enjoy two museums in the middle of a bustling urban landscape. With stunning views of the city its amazing to think that this preserve survived almost unscathed from Las Vegas' addiction to pavement.

Though I got a sneak peek at the new museum last year, I finally got a chance to see the final product Saturday during a special members only event and boy was I was blown out of the desert. It was great to see all my museum colleagues giddy as children in a candy store. I could tell right off the bat that that everyone was happy to see the museum open and ready to tell the world the important story that is the Nevada experience in the west. Heck just seeing the bell from the USS Nevada on display brought tears to my eyes and made me feel very proud of my native state.

Sandra Harris, Liberace Foundation Trustee
and Mark Hall Patton, Clark County
Museum Administrator enjoying the
Showgirl exhibit at the Nevada State Museum 
The exhibitions are beautifully laid out and the use of the space is stunning. The exhibitions are contemporary, with clean lines and easy to navigate and understand. The museum is definitely world class and it adds yet another exciting cultural offering in a city on the cusp of being a world class cultural arts destination.

The New Nevada State Museum opens to the public on Saturday October 29.

Nevada State Museum at the Springs Preserve
309 S. Valley View Blvd.
Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
702-486-5205
http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=427&Itemid=438

The Springs Preserve
333 S. Valley View Blvd.
Open Daily From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
http://www.springspreserve.org

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

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The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of October 17...

Thursday October 20th 3:00-4:30pm
Masterclass by "2cellos" Calling all cello students, bring your cellos and participate in this interactive performance, workshop and discussion
on technique it's free and open to everyone to participate or just observe and listen
Nevada School of the Arts
Historic Fifth Street School, Auditorium
401 S. Fourth St.
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-384-2787

Thursday October 20th, 5:00-9:00pm
Henderson's "Third Thursday" art, music, food fest
family friendly
Downtown Henderson, Water Street
Henderson, NV
Free and Open to the public
more info: 267-1516

Friday October 21st 12:00pm noon
Celtic Harpist and Bard Chris Caswell traditional Celtic music and a fusion of Welsh, Middle Eastern and South American
(additional concert on Saturday at Garage ma Hall see attached)Jury Assembly Room
Lloyd D. George US Courthouse
333 Las Vegas Blvd. south
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 229-3515

Friday October 21st 7:30pm
Contemporary Music including a new piece by Nolan Stolz created from his impressions of
Mount Charleston, this concert is called "Nextet"
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
(702)-895-3011 for more info

Saturday October 22nd 2:00pm
Contemporary works: Misa Criolla "Creole Mass" and "Horn Mass" performed by Southern Nevada Musical Arts Singers. Composers are (Ariel Ramirez and Byung Hee Oh respectively)
Winchester Community Center
3130 McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Tickets are $10 in advance $12 at door
For reservations, more info call 702-455-7030

Saturday October 22nd 8:00pm
Frank Sinatra performed by vocalist Bob Anderson directed by Vincent Falcone, Sinatra's former musical director Las Vegas Philharmonic
Ham Hall
4505 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV
$38-$78 adults
$34.25-$70.25 seniors
702-895-2787 for more info

Sunday October 23rd 2:00pm
Chamber Music Recital by CSN Faculty, money goes to the CSN string program
Recital Hall
3200 East Cheyenne Avenue
North Las Vegas
Tickets are $5
more info call 651-5483Sunday October 23rd 2:00pm
Popular Music, Broadway, etc. program tba Performing Arts Society of Nevada
Clark County Library
1401 East Flamingo
Las Vegas NV
Tickets $15
702-658-6741 for more info



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, October 14, 2011

The Cultural Corridor set to shine...

After this weeks Symphony Park Lecture on the cultural renaissance that Downtown is going through I think to myself can it get any better? Well of course it can because we are just getting warmed up! This Saturday the Cultural Corridor, located on Las Vegas Boulevard between Bonanza and Washington, will be celebrating the addition of new public art. Local artists Martin Kreloff and Denise Duarte have created an amazing collection of art that will deck out the neighborhood and make it an even better destination to visit.

The unveiling of these new works of art will take place Saturday, October 15 at 10am. Come down and celebrate some great art in one of Las Vegas' most exciting neighborhoods!

See you there!



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, October 12, 2011

2012 is the Year of Downtown Las Vegas...


Downtown is the heart and soul of the city, its the historic center, it's the place that set the stage for everything that this community is today and it is without a doubt the place that will spearhead Las Vegas' economic transformation of tomorrow. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to say that Downtown Las Vegas is hot! With more and more creative individuals moving into the area, new and exciting announcements coming in everyday and now the celebration of 5 amazing projects ready to shine there are many reasons to celebrate.

This evening the the Symphony Park Lecture Series will be presenting "2012 The Year of Downtown". The event will celebrate The Smith Center, The Neon Museum, The MOB Museum, The New Children's Discovery Museum, the New Las Vegas City Hall and of course the online retailer Zappos move into the old city hall. The lecture and reception will take place TONIGHT at 5pm at the Historic 5th Street School at 401 4th Street across the street from the Lloyd D. George Federal Court House. The event is FREE and all are welcome!

http://youtu.be/0JFirdvNWUg




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, October 10, 2011

The Kaiser Report... Musical happenings for the week of October 10...

After an amazing weekend and a First Friday 9th Anniversary that would not quit I have to say that I woke up this morning feeling very culturally satisfied. Its nice to experience and be a part of Las Vegas' cultural seen when its at its best. So with that said here is Laraine Kaiser's weekly list of fabulous musical happenings in this Radiant City we call home. 

Have a great and culturally filled week!

Wednesday, October 12th 9:00am
Clarinet Recital and Master Class with Michael Dean
UNLV Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
702-895-3011 for more info

Wednesday, October 12th 7:30pm
Chinese Music and Dance "Wind of Colorful Guizhou"Orleans Casino Showroom
4500 W. Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89103
$26
702-365-7075
888-365-7111 for more info

Wednesday, October 12th 8:00pm
Guitar Classical Music and Original works by Da Falla Duo
Artemis Ham Hall
4505 Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV
$40 all seats
702-895-ARTS (2787) for more info

Thursday, October 13th 7:30pm
Instrumental Groups and Choir of College of Southern Nevada perform for music scholarship fundraiser
Nicholas J. Horn Theater
3200 East Cheyenne Avenue
North Las Vegas
Tickets are $8, $5 for students and seniors
For reservations, more info call 702-651-5483

Friday, October 14th 7:00pm
Violin and Cello included in this Folk/Punk Style group members include:
Zoe Kohen Ley, cello Alex Barnes, violin Josh Dickie, percussion and Noah Dickie, voice, guitar, harmonica
"The Petals" warm up group include Heidi Guinn and Summer Sol
Winchester Community Center
3130 McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Tickets are $10
For reservations, more info call 702-651-5483

Saturday, October 15th 7:00pm
Merengue music with Richie Cepeda of NYC
Winchester Community Center
3130 McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89121
Tickets are $10 in advance $12 at door
For reservations, more info call 702-651-5483

Saturday, October 15th 7:30pm
Popular Music on Piano with Danny Wright
Green Valley Presbyterian Church
1798 Wigwam Parkway
Henderson, NV 89074
Free and Open to the Public a free will donation will be received
702.454.8484 for more info

Sunday, October 16th 2:00pm
Las Vegas Brass Band
Clark County Library
1401 East Flamingo
Las Vegas NV
Tickets $5
702-373-4476 for more info

Sunday, October 16th 3:00pm
Gypsy style Music and Dance of Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan featuring Zarina Kobilova, dancer Valeria Ore, Soprano and Albina Asryan, Piano
Mountain View Presbyterian
8601 Del Webb Blvd
Las Vegas NV 89134
Free and Open to the Public a free will donation will be received
702-373-4476 for more info

Sunday, October 16th 3:00pm
Trumpet and Organ recital Dr. Jean-Christophe Dobrzelewski, trumpet and Guy Whatley Organ
First Presbyterian Church
1515 West Charleston
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public a free will donation will be received
702-384-4554 for more info


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

Sunday, October 09, 2011

First Friday Re-Loaded... A historical look back...

With First Friday under new ownership and the 9th Anniversary upon us the question is will First Friday really be any different? Will the masses come back? Will we have artists performing and exhibiting their creations? Of course! First Friday was never really cancelled; it was all probably a big PR stunt to get the public to say "whoa what's really going on Downtown..."

With First Friday reloaded or as others are calling it First Friday 2.0, the future of the monthly Downtown arts event is definitely in good hands. I like what I see so far and from what I have heard things are going to get moving really quickly with a new and improved arts event that will take your breadth away. So with all this said I want to look back at the many years that led the way in making First Friday one of Las Vegas' most successful arts events.

Historically one could say that the area along Charleston between Main and Las Vegas Boulevard has always been a focus for the arts, albeit indirectly. In 1957 Desert Art Supplies opened their first store on Main Street before moving to their current location on Charleston and Eastern. The art supply store has been a mainstay of Las Vegas art scene for over 50 years. During the same period the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce had their headquarters located on the corner of Charleston and 3rd Street. The chamber was a very significant tenant in the area because at the time, they ran the Las Vegas News Bureau. The News Bureau was the promotional arm for the city; with a vast archive of images, a full contingency of photographers taking photos of everything that happened in Las Vegas they were on the forefront of promoting the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Image from the City of Las Vegas
Centennial Website
http://www.lasvegas2005.org
The city's first major attempt to redevelop the area happened in 1959 and 1960 when the City Commission (city council) renamed 2nd Street to Casino Center Boulevard. This project began a major push for "modernizing" Downtown which included road improvements, new street lamps and the updating of many of Fremont Streets historic hotels with new façades. Casino Center Boulevard would be the city's attempt to redirect traffic from Las Vegas Boulevard to Fremont Street by creating a new access corridor that would take people directly to the casinos.

Feeling the competitive pressure from the ever expanding Strip casinos, the city even went as far as building a huge sign on the Las Vegas Strip one mile North of the famous Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. The new sign, much larger than the welcome sign would encourage tourists to visit Casino Center Downtown and declaring it was Only 10 Minutes Away.

In 1962 the Las Vegas Art League, the founding organization of the Las Vegas Art Museum, opened up their first art gallery at 921 Las Vegas Boulevard South just a few feet North of Charleston. The 1970's and 80's saw the opening of several antique shops along Charleston, and Main Street also saw an influx of furniture stores set up shop. In 1991 Wes Myles (Isbutt) would bring his photo studio to the very building he would later acquire and rename the Arts Factory.

By 1993 a paradigm shift would happen as Downtown saw its first bohemian coffee shop in a generation open. Founded by the late Julie Brewer and later taken over by Lenadams Dorris, the "Enigma Garden Cafe," curiously located at 918 & 1/2 4th Street, would be an amazing little corner of art, culture, music and poetry. This little cafe would leave an indelible mark on the psyche of Las Vegas' fledgling cultural arts scene. Though Cafe Enigma no longer exists it is hard to find anyone who has been part of "the scene" not remember this amazing and important space. I personally remember seeing for the first time Las Vegas' most famous poet Dayvid Figler perform his amazing "Anti-Bacterial Soap" poem at the Enigma.

After being unceremoniously kicked out of their previous gallery on Maryland Parkway the Contemporary Arts Collective (CAC - Center) would move on to Charleston Boulevard in 1996, making it one of the most important art anchors in the neighborhood. The CAC would open their new gallery with the locally acclaimed Mona-Mona-Mona juried art exhibition. According to Jim Stanford the CAC Vice-President at the time, hundreds would show up to the shows reception and the police would even be caught off guard by the masses.

By now the artistic seeds were sown in the neighborhood which caught the attention of the City of Las Vegas Office of Cultural Affairs. Which was actually no surprise considering many of the staff were intimately involved in Las Vegas' fledgling art scene and many were graduates of the UNLV Art Department. The first real push to create a cohesive arts neighborhood or proto-arts district did not take place until 1997 when Cultural Affairs helped create the GAME Festival (Gateway Arts and Music Experience). GAME was the city's first major attempt at bringing an arts festival to Downtown. Besides creating a yearly festival, the city commissioned a series of murals that were painted in and around the area of East Charleston and Casino Center. Though the last GAME Festival occurred in 2001, its mark would have a profound effect in what would eventually blossom into First Friday and the creation of the 18b Arts District.

Founded in October of 2002 by three amazing art muses Cindy Funkhouser, Julie Brewer and Naomi Arin First Friday Las Vegas would not be a yearly event like its predecessor but rather a monthly event; a very brave move for a fledgling art event considering that the GAME festival could barely survive as a yearly fete. The very first First Friday had an estimated 300 people attend. Far more people showed up to First Friday than they did to the last GAME Festival, I know I was there.

Game Over
by Joe Cartino 2002
From the collection of
Brian Paco Alvarez
Located in just two locations, the Arts Factory and the Funkhouse Antique Shop, with no festival to speak of First Friday was definitely a simple affair. Cindy Funkhouser and crew went as far as to paint a trail of orange sneaker prints between the Arts Factory and the Funkhouse just so people would know where to go. Back then the walk between the two locations was not as easy as it is today. There were few sidewalks to speak of along Casino Center Boulevard and very few street lamps were available to illuminate the way. The days of "modernizing" Downtown had definitely befallen on hard times. My friend Mike and I went to that event and even made out like bandits with some new art and some fabulous vintage wares. I acquired Game Over by Laservida artist Joe Cartino and Mike bought the chandelier from the Maxim Hotel high rollers suite (now hanging in my living room).

Looking back at the very first First Friday one can only stand in awe of how far we have come since those pioneering artsy days of the 1990's and early 2000's. Who would have thought that a couple of dozen people would lead the way to thousands of people showing up to participate in an art scene that many would argue could not happen in a city like Las Vegas. I always argue with plenty of historical ammunition that anyone who thinks that Las Vegas has no arts and culture is not living in a world of reality. Lets face it there are plenty of troops on the ground to argue otherwise and most are able and ready to show the world that Las Vegas has finally arrived on the world stage of great American cities.

So with Tony Hsieh, Fred Mossler, Steve Hill and Andrew Donner as the new owners of First Friday and Joey Vanas running the show what does the future hold for the Downtown art event? Well if our past tells us anything, I think our future will hold new and exciting adventures that can only add to the narrative that we have already written. I am looking forward to it and I am so very glad to be along for the ride...

Brian Paco Alvarez

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium... ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ©


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Thursday, October 06, 2011

First Friday 9 years and stronger than ever...

After giving everyone a little historical prospective on the Downtown arts scene and First Friday here is the lineup of events happening during the 9th Anniversary celebration. With First Friday 2.0 here to stay its becoming more and more of a challenge just to keep up with it all. Luckily there is a guy named Ryan Reason over at the Arts Factory who has prepared quite a selection of items to add to this blog post. I also need to send out a shout to all the galleries and artists that have sent announcements my way so I can post them on the blog.

THANK YOU for supporting Las Vegas' amazing and fabulous Arts and Culture Scene! Have a fabulous First Friday everyone and as always party safely...

Culture Week in 18b (Arts District)...

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 October's Culture Weekend. Spread the word.

Inside the Arts Factory

Scott Carter's
Affect/ Effect @
The Contemporary Arts Center
Contemporary Arts Center - CAC
Suite 120
Affect/Effect - Opening Reception- Thursday, Oct 6, 2011, 6-9pm
By deconstructing the gallery, artist Scott Carter attempts to display a relationship narrative of comfort and re-addressing of basic construction design and systems in contemporary architecture. He achieves this from cutting, stacking and assembling sections of drywall that are cut from the surrounding walls.
Tues-Sat, Oct 6-Nov 19, 2011, 12pm-5pm
www.lasvegascac.org

Trifecta

Panicale - The art of Billy Hertz
Opening Reception this Thursday October 6, 2011 6 to 8 pm
Exhibition continues through October 28, 2011
Trifecta Gallery announces an exhibition of brand new paintings by Billy Hertz. Bright, rhythmic, glorious paintings of olive groves. Take pause for a moment while you think about 'brand new'. These pictures are post brain surgery for the artist. This trauma does not define his work, but lets us marvel at the resiliency of a truly creative mind.
For more information contact the gallery at 702-366-7001 or marty@trifectagallery.com
Trifecta Gallery 107 E. Charleston Blvd. #135 Las Vegas NV 89104 www.trifectagallery.com


Fall environment by Enchanted Florist
@ Trifecta Gallery
Joseph Watson Collection
Suite 115
Joseph Watson/ Art Exhibit
Joseph will unveil a painting from the 2nd installation of the Go, Go, Greta childrens book at 7:30pm Oct 7. A new series of Joseph's classic prints will be available as framed wall ready panoramics.
Friday, Oct 7 6-10pm
info@josephwatsoncollection.com
858-733-2135

Jaikowski Studios
Suite 115 Backroom
Karen Jaikowski
"What My Eyes Have Seen.....Vol 1"
There's a story behind every great Showgirl.....Find out what's she's seen, the story behind the painting....
The new show can be seen
Oct 6 Preview Night 7p.m.-10 p.m. and
Oct 8 6p.m.-10 p.m.
Inside the Joseph Watson Collection Gallery backroom.
http://jaikowskistudios.com/
702-204-9335

Christian Gabriel Gallery
Suite 125
"Welcome To The Creepshow"
Work from Christian Gabriel, Danielle Fazio, Rob Hester and Jimi Catanzaro/ Halloween is everyday in this gallery. Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Thursday & Friday, October 6/7 (6pm-10pm)
www.christiangabrielart.com
702-372-0544

Jenny Valdez Inc. Gallery
Suite 160
"Musings on Alice"
October's First Friday and Preview Thursday will feature work inspired by the popular Alice in Wonderland book and movies. Artists Barbara Gomez, Lisa Fields Clark, Theresa Lucero, Sarah Flake, Nicholas Walsh, Jenny Valdez, Charmaine Gurule, Darla Smaka, Eric Pele, and David Donovan are set the participate.
October 6, 2011, 6pm - 9pm; October 7, 2011, 6pm - 10pm

Hillary Salon
Suite 250
The Monochromatic Twelve
Hand drawn portraits of people you may or may not know by Michael James Welsh.
Who knows? It may even be you.
October 6 - 27, Tues-Sat 10 am - 6pm
hillary.salon@gmail.com
(702) 525-1053

Sin City Gallery
Suite 100
Luminous Body
Two premier female artists combine their talents to showcase a common theme: the luminous body. Heather Hermann's romantic 1920s inspired pieces speak with simplistic yet ornate details, which artfully focus on the influence that ancient mythology still has over our fleeting thoughts. Crystal Solis, features "Bloom Explosion." These larger than life paintings romanticize the abstraction in hopes of striking wonder.
& Steampunk Your Junk
Artists Heather Hermann and Crystal Solis will be bringing art supplies so that you may create an art piece which is to be donated to the Contemporary Arts Center. Steampunk art mixes modern ideas and technology with those from Victorian Age when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing and steam was a major source of power. Steampunk materials are often things you would find in an old science lab or industrial lot. Work on a new piece each week or work on the same piece for three weeks. While you are here, enjoy the amenities of the Bar & Bistro.

Hours - Every Thursday in October (omitting Preview Thursday), 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Hours - October 6-29, Wed - Sun, 1:00 - 7:00 PM
www.sincitygallery.com
Contact: Laura Henkel, 415.577.3003

Statement Art Gallery
Suite 225
STATEMENT ART GALLERY is proud to present the world famous artist/sculptorDale Mathis in his first ever Arts District show in October.
Hours - 1pm - 5pm Monday - Saturday
www.statetmentartgallery.com
Opening October 6th & 7th

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 October.

Around the Neighborhood


Skin City Body Painting Studio & Boutique
1209 S. Main Street
First Friday Live Body Painting Demo! Plus Art Exhibit by Steve Horlock, Steve Jasper and Devin Rothove
Live body painting demo with an Asian-themed design, by Skin City artist Frankie Lynn. Model Karen Soto got so inspired by the design that she picked up a brush herself and painted a large-scale painting to display next to them as Frankie paints her live. Also on exhibit will be an art display by local artists Steve Horlock, Steve Jasper and Devin Rothove. Skin City Boutique will be selling unique accessories, jewelry and art.
Friday Oct 7, 6pm-Midnight
www.SkinCityBodyPainting.com
Robin Slonina, owner: (702) 885-3777

222 Imperial
222 Imperial
10,000 Skeletons
Group show featuring, you guessed it, skeletons in a variety of mediums.
Oct 6 6pm - Oct 31
stay tuned for special events at www.facebook.com/222imperial
702.271.2844

Blackbird Studios
1551 South Commerce Street #A
Nevada Day Show:
“Whoa, whoa, whoa… What’s with all the Nevadatude?!”
Desiree Duncan musing with a Zombie
@ Black Bird Studios
Just in time for October, a show celebrating the wonderful state of Nevada and its corresponding state holiday. Childhood memories, drunken desert explorations, or near bouts of heat stroke are all represented in this show. Embrace the personal reflections of the great state of Nevada and attempt to stretch beyond the glitzy grip of the Las Vegas strip.
&
Second Annual “Zombie Apocalypse” Show
Zombies! Zombies! Zombies! How else can we describe the theme of this group show. Inspired by visions of the coming zombie apocalypse. Whether from the survivors’ perspective or from the zombies' … it’s your choice. BrAiNsss!
http://blackbirdstudioslv.com
702-782-0319
702-742-6241

Brett Wesley Gallery
1112 S. Casino Center Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89104
Giovanni Morales is known for his multi-layered pop-art style paintings that take inspiration from collage, sign writing, and old-fashioned comic strips. The iconic imagery that Giovanni creates is achieved through a process of adding and removing layer upon layer of paint. While working with mainstream iconography, Giovanni creates a visual framework that is bold, adventurous, and creates a lasting impression.

Opening and artist reception will be Thursday October 6, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 1112 S. Casino Center Blvd. This event is free to the public. The artist will also be available for meet & greet on First Friday for 6-9pm. The exhibition will run through November 26, 2011.

victoria@BrettWesley.com
http://www.BrettWesleyGallery.com
facebook.com/BrettWesleyGallery
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12 - 6:00 p.m.
Also open by appointment.

Gaia Flowers - Gifts & Art
4 E. Charleston Blvd - Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
A Night in the Dog House
Oct 6, 2011 - Oct 7, 2011 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Join Robert Arnold and Greyhound Pet Adoption Las Vegas for a special event at Gaia Flowers. Robert is a Las Vegas-based printmaker who also works in clay and wood, and has recently been creating mixed media mobiles and stabiles. Come see his new work and support Greyhound adoption and education.
For two evenings only, sales of all of Robert’s work will benefit Greyhound Pet Adoption Las Vegas, which places ex-racing greyhounds into loving homes in the greater Las Vegas Valley.

Retro Vegas
1211 S Main Street
“Memo Peralez’s Spin Art”
Memo Peralez is a self-taught artist who grew up in Arvin, California and moved to Las Vegas in 1997. His spin art grew out of his passion for mechanical instruments. The pieces he creates are reminiscent of tie-dye shirts on canvas board – he calls them framed psychedelics!

Opens First Friday, October 7, at 6:00 pm
Continues through until October 31.
retro-vegas.com
702-384-2700
Mon - Sat 11 - 6

SATURDAY October 8th
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


Emergency Arts and Fremont East District

You are invited to the opening of Hero Worship, new work by Erin Stellmon
@ Kleven Contemporary 520 E. Fremont Street inside Emergency Arts
October 7th (first friday!!!) from 6pm-10pm.

Hero Worship
New Work by Erin Stelmon
Kleven Contemporary









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