Paco's Blog is Staging a Comeback! Stay Tuned!

Hello Fans of Paco's Las Vegas Arts and Culture Blog,

Please forgive me but we have had a few technical issues with the blog. I am in  the process of migrating all this historic content to a new and exciting platform. After all this blog is quite vintage and dates back to 2003. We definitely do not want to lose this historic content. If all goes well we will be up and running in no time.

As always thank you for your amazing support!

Yours truly - Paco

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of November 21

Monday November 21st 7:30pm

Piano recital by Haeun Grace Kim, program includes Hummel's Fantasie in Eb Major and Rachmaninoff's Preludes Nos. 3 and 10 and his Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42

Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3332

Tuesday November 22nd 7:30pm

UNLV Symphony Orchestra performs Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, Mozart's Overture from the "Magic Flute," and Schumann's Cello Concerto featuring soloist Andrew Smith
Ham Hall, UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$10, $8, 1 free ticket per valid student ID
more info: 702-895-2787

Sunday November 27th 2:00pmBass masterclass with Las Vegas native Brycen Ingersoll who has gone on to perform with big orchestras including Cleveland, Nashville, and Sewanee, come watch him work with some of the best young bassists in Vegas.
3661 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-907-4486

Sunday November 27th 3:00pm
Mendelssohn's oratorio: "Elijah" presented by Southern Nevada Music Arts Society choir and a full orchestra, featuring soloists Neil Wilson, Amy Cofield, Jason Nichols, Valeria Ore, Robert and Carolyn Peterson
Ham Hall UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$20, $15 military/senior/disabled, $10 students valid ID
more info : 702-895-2787

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of November 14

Monday November 14th 7:00pm

Piano recital featuring Grace Haeun Kim and Maria Kolesnyk, program includes Hummel's Fantasy for Piano in Eb Major Op. 18, Rachmaninoff's Etudes-Tableaux, Op. 39, No. 1, 6, and his Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42
Christ King Catholic Community
4925 Torrey Pines
Las Vegas NV 89118
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-871-1904

Wednesday November 16th 4:00pm
Percussion recital by UNLV percussion studio
Doc Rando Hall
UNLV Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the public
more info: 702-895-3332

Thursday November 17th 7:30pm
UNLV Wind Orchestra performs, directed by Thomas Leslie and Dr. Zane, along with guest conductors from the Air Force and Marine Bands
Ham Hall
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$10, $8 disabled/military/seniors etc., 1 free ticket per valid student ID
more info: 702-895-2787

Thursday November 17th 7:30pm
Friday November 18th 7:30pm
UNLV Opera Theatre presents Gluck's "Orfeo," and Milhaud's "Les Malheurs d'Orphie" featuring Erin Gonzalez, Phillip Harris, Karin Hochman, Heather Elise, Nichole Jarlson and many more, pre-concert talk at 7:00pm in the lobby
Doc Rando Hall
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$10, $8 disabled/military/seniors etc., 1 free ticket per valid student ID
more info: 702-895-2787

Friday November 18th 12:00noon
Traditional world music featuring percussionist Alfredo Alvarenga, flutist Flavio, and harpist Mariano Gonzales
Jury Assembly Room, Lloyd George Courthouse
333 Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public, lunch provided, must have photo ID
more info: 702-992-arts

Friday November 18th 3:30pm
Piano professor at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Dr. Igor Lipinski, he will work with some of the best young pianists in Las Vegas
Doc Rando Hall
UNLV Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the public
more info: 702-895-3332

Friday November 18th 7:00pm
Saturday November 19th 7:00pm
Sunday November 20th 2:00pm
Sin City Opera presents the surrealist opera: "Postcard from Morocco," by Dominick Argento, directed by Skip Galla, cast includes Jack Cotterell and John Hammel, performing with a full orchestra directed by Dean Balan
Winchester Cultural Community Center
3130 S. McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas NV
$15
more info: 702-455-7340

Saturday November 19th 2:00pm
CCSD Honor Orchestra performs
Ham Hall
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-2787

Saturday November 19th 3:30pm
Traditional Celtic music and dance featuring the Las Vegas Pipe band, Highland Dance, Sharron Lynn's Crown Academy of Irish Dance, Bolloks and Fiddle, and world champion bagpiper: Stuart Liddell
Clark County Library
1401 East Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas NV 89119
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-507-3459

Sunday November 20th 5:30pm
Opera on Tap presents a concert of famous arias, duets and an ensemble finale, singers include Michelle Latour, Isabella Ivy, Miguel Alasco, Valeria Ore, Victor Romero, Wendy Moss and many many more, they are joined by pianists Spencer Baker and Shane Jensen
Family Music Center
8125 Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas NV 89117
$5
more info: 702-360-4080

Sunday November 20th 8:00pm
Cello recital by Jeremy Russo along with pianist Jae Ahn-Benton they will perform works by Beethoven, Poulenc and more
Green Valley Presbyterian Church
1798 Wigwam Pkwy
Henderson NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-454-8484

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of August 9th

Sunday August 14th 2:00pm
Argentum Chamber Works Concert (part of a series presented by Sin City Opera), performers include Claire Birmingham, Aki Oshima, Michael Gieske, Ashlea Sheridan, Allison McSwain, Kyle Overlay, Julie Williams, Chris Fujiwara, Erin Vander Wyst and more, they will perform Poulenc's Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Piano, Stravinsky's Octet and Francaix's Sept Dances. Also on the program -tenor Craig Thomas along with soprano Ginger Land-van Buuren will perform some of their favorite arias.

Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center
1771 Inner Circle Dr.
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/591398487704041/



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

First Friday May 2016!!!

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

Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Down Town Las Vegas!

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

Indian Food & Culture Festival this weekend in Downtown Las Vegas!

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

Arts & Humanities round-up for this week

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of April 25...

Monday April 25th 7:00pm
Nevada School of the Arts Chamber music recital featuring students and faculty
Starbright Theater
2225 Thomas W. Ryan Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89134
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-384-2787

Tuesday April 26th 7:30pm
Chamber Music concert featuring the principal wind players of the Las Vegas Philharmonic: Stephen Caplan oboe, Cory Tiffin clarinet, Bill Bernatis horn, Janis McKay bassoon, and pianist Mykola Suk, program includes Mozart's Quintet in Eb Major, Piano and Winds K.452, Poulenc's Trio for Oboe Bassoon and Piano, Beethoven's Quintet Piano and Winds in Eb Major Op. 16
Troesh Theater
Smith Center
361 Symphony Ave.
Las Vegas NV 89106
$65
more info: 702-749-2000

Thursday April 28th 7:30pm
Doctoral clarinet recital by Ivan Ivanov
Doc Rando Hall
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3332

Friday April 29th 7:30pm
Organ recital by David Dorway
Christ Church Episcopal
2000 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV
Open to the Public, no admission, $15 suggested donation
more info: 702-735-3655

Saturday April 30th 7:30pm
UNLV Symphony Orchestra, Choral and Las Vegas Master Singers present Bruckner's "Te Deum" and Bernstein's "Chichester Palms"
Ham Hall
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89014
$10 adults, $8 discounts available seniors, military, faculty, 1 free ticket per student with ID
more info: 702-895-2787

Sunday May 1st 2:00pm
Young Artists Orchestra performs Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmuisk (first movement only), his Symphony No. 40, and Tchaikovsky's Rococo Variations featuring the winner of their the YAO concerto competition: Matt Lazeroff
Studio Gallery, Sahara Library
9600 W. Sahara
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-907-4486

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

Neon Reverb Returns!!!

Here is this years awesome lineup of bands. But make sure to go to www.neonreverb.com for all the deets on upcoming events and tickets!

Welcome Back Neon Reverb!

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of November 9...

Monday November 9th 7:30pm
UNLV Chamber Orchestra Concert
Doc Rando Hall
UNLV Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryand Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3332

Tuesday November 10th 6:00pm
Mariachi Concert by CCSD Honor Maricahi students
Artemis Ham Concert Hall - UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-2787

Wednesday November 11th 7:30pm
Desert Winds Veterans Day Concert, featuring cantor Jessica Hutching and the Ner
Tamid Adult Choir
Congregation Ner Tamid
55 N. Valle Verde Dr.
Henderson NV 89074
Free and Open to the Public, donations accepted
more info: www.thedesertwinds.org

Thursday November 12th 7:00pm
Piano recital by Mykola Suk and students; Maria Kolesnyk and Haeun Grace Kim, program includes music of Donizetti arranged by Leschitizky for left hand only, Thalberg, Schumann, Gouvy, Rimsky-Korsakov and a piece for piano, 6 hands by Czerny
Christ King Catholic Community Church
4925 S. Torrey Pines
Las Vegas NV 89118
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-871-1904

Friday November 13th 7:00pm
Saturday November 14th 7:00pm
Sunday November 15th 2:00pm
Opera: "The Consul" by Menoti will be performed by Sin City Opera and the Sin City Orchestra directed by Jack Gaughan
Winchester Cultural Community Center
3130 S. McLeod
Las Vegas NV 89121
$15
more info: 702-455-7340 or www.sincityopera.com

Saturday November 14th 2:00pm
Orchestra concert by CCSD Honor Orchestra
Ham Hall
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-2787

Sunday November 15th 2:00pm
Las Vegas Guitar Quartet performs, members include David Flores, Peter Federowicz, Michael Klein, Glen Cooper and special guest bassoonist Alan Lewis, they will perform classical music along with pop and jazz
Winchester Cultural Community Center
3130 S. McLeod
Las Vegas NV 89121
$12 at door, $10 in advance
more info: 702-455-7340

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

A Transgender History of Las Vegas at the LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada TONIGHT!

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

13 Years of First Friday!!!

Wow can you imagine the little art fest that could has finally turned 13 years old! Amazing! Even though after every passing year we think to ourselves how could it have made it this long First Friday is without a doubt a survivor of the tumultuous scene that is the Arts in Las Vegas. Happy Birthday First Friday!!!

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

Twitterverse. You are Invited! The New Abstraction Digital Art Via Twitter and American Artist Jim Briare

Ever want to own your own artwork? You are in luck. All you have to do is tweet.

Award winning American artist Jim Briare is thrilled to announce the return of an exciting interactive digital art project, Tweet To Art. Joining the ranks of the leagues of digital and digitally inspired artists, Briare invites all Twitter users to take part in the art project which will be exhibited at the Art Motel inside the Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival on September 25-27, 2015 in Downtown Las Vegas. To take part in an interactive art exhibit, include the hashtags #Briare_art and #lifeisbeautiful in your tweet. Briare will be on hand to create an abstract digital painting with your message!

Using Briare’s patent pending process to transform tweets into digital art, Twitter collaborators can create unique and visually compelling source material. Then the artist enhances color, changes, form, composition and other elements to give each piece a personal touch. Interactive collaborators are assured an original piece displayed at the Art Motel via LCD projector and re-tweeted back to its originator.

Digital art is one of the most important mediums today and reflects a novel consciousness and aesthetic reality. Wade Guyton and Stephen Prina have wooed the art world with their experiments, while Mark Bradford has explored the “surface” of the virtual world. Briare belongs to this new class of artists who transform and reinterpret digital modes. Formally, Briare’s art echoes the structure of the post abstract expressionist compositions of American artist Richard Garet and the neo—geometric painter Peter Haley.

In a perceptive essay on abstraction and contemporary art in Artnews, curator Pepe Karmel points to the resurgence of large scale shows at key museums devoted to abstraction, and posits that abstraction shares much with traditional art and divides abstraction into various types, useful to us in terms of understanding Briare’s place in this contemporary digital movement. Karmel points to constellations, exemplified by works by David Row and Chris Martin. Another form is identified as landscape seen in the digital works by Jennifer Steinkamp, yet another category is architecture, which along with landscape resonates the most with Briare’s practice; the artist shares his inclusively poetic vision:

“The creation of any art in any media is a process. Tweet to Art, allows anyone, the joyous opportunity to collaborate - creating a unique and special abstract art piece that can be shared at the moment where it is created, and shared with the twitterverse on a universal scale.”

Abstraction has always been valued for its expressive quality and today it has a new muse, the public. Interactions between artists and the public has become a key dialogue, and Twitter as a medium for art has been used by art world pioneers such as the Chinese artist and dissident Ai Weiwei who says of the medium’s importance and unique character: “It is so intimate but, at the same time, so broadly connects us to others. Humans have never had this in our history. (http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/ai-weiwei-says-twitter-is-art)

Be a part of this inventive medium, create, collaborate and collect with Briare.

Collect some art on Twitter.

About the Artist

Briare holds his BFA, University of Nevada, and has worked in the creative arts for many years including film, photography, performance and design. His work has been featured in USA TODAY; Life is Beautiful Festival, Las Vegas (2014), and Brian Eno’s Lux-Day of Light. In addition to this innovative project, Briare makes brightly graphic drawings high-resolution photographic works and abstract film projects that verge on surrealism. The artist began his foray in advertising at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. It was there he developed what would become the award winning and iconographic, Crazy Girls No ifs, ands or … cab back and billboard campaign.

Jim then moved his artistic endeavors to creative support for the retail division at Mandalay Resort Group, one of the largest resort casino companies in the world. Work included photography, video production, site-specific installations, and graphic design. He also oversaw the purchase of all the fine art for the company’s galleries and public space retail displays.

When MGM Resorts International merged with Mandalay Resort Group, Jim’s imaginative skills were again sought out for the oversight of the innovative and creative processes of Corporate Communications, where he leads the creative development of all internal communications platforms including momentum, the company’s award-winning daily news and information source.

This creator is constantly reinventing himself and discovering new ways to communicate with the world. More information may be viewed at http://www.jimbriareart.com.

Instagram: @jbriare
Twitter: @briare_art
Facebook: Jim Briare Art
Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of August 31...

Friday September 4th 7:00pm
Sin City Opera presents arias famously featured in movies including the Godfather, Fifth Element, Shawshank Redemption, Pretty Woman and more, performers include vocalists Marcie Ley, Matthew Kirchner, Alex Mendoza, Molly McLaughlin Ginger Land-Van Buuren and pianist Voltaire Verzosa
Charleston Heights Arts Center
800 S. Brush St.
Las Vegas NV 89107
Free and Open to the Public
more info: sincityopera.com

Saturday September 5th 2:00pm
Traditional Folk Music of South America and Mexico featuring Hector Flavio Martinez pan flutes and guitar, Antonio Pozos percussion, David Seleme percussion and stringed Charango, Carlos Urtubey guitar their quartet is called "Norotrosound"
Winchester Community Center
3130 S. McLeod
Las Vegas NV
$12 at door, $10 in advance
more info: 702-455-7340

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

Seductive Simplicity - Francois Dubeau - September 3 - October 24

Sin City Gallery is delighted to present an exhibition of new pieces by François Dubeau whose finely rendered artworks are an achievement of skill and imagination. Always well made, Dubeau’s art is sought after by collectors of contemporary and modern art as well as those who love historic prints.

The artist’s subject matter is quite diverse, from lyrical pictures of instruments, linear Asiatic style animals, views of graceful nudes like Femme au Chignon, and edgy works like Top picturing a stunningly retro brunette garnishing a whip.

The popularity of Dubeau’s work is found in the graceful simplicity of his calligraphic style. Many of the line drawings like CatWalk 672 are so effortlessly gestural that one can imagine the artist’s hand holding a fountain pen, poised above the paper.

However, one might be surprised to know that artist’s captivating pictures are in fact, first conceived using a digital stylus, the virtual canvas allowing an unparalleled range of motion and artistry. The drawing is transferred to paper or canvas, the latter enhanced with traditional painting techniques creating lyrical scenes.

The simple elegance of shapely line against negative space is a motif of greats such as Henri Matisse who also depicted the body of woman with graceful curving gesture, creating a tension between form and emptiness, sensuality and plainness such the French master’s famous Reclining Nude (1927).

Dubeau’s oeuvre is often alluringly erotic and sometimes delightfully daring, and yet his range is both impressive and expansive as other pieces seems pensive and draw on traditions of calligraphy. Still others are whimsical and play on prototypes of sex appeal sexiness, such as the timeless pin up girl. A tribute to the naturally sensuous and beauty of the feminine form Dubeau’s work incorporates digital technology, engraving, illustration and painting to create memorable work that has a calm allure.

In addition to the private demand for his work, Dubeau’s artistry has premiered in numerous exhibits and events such as Art@Large (New York); Gallery by the Bay, Stanwood, Washington; Circuit des arts Memphrémagog, Magog, Québec, an Artist’s Workshop Open House; La maison Blanche Montreal; the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival; The Dirty Show, Detroit and Los Angeles; Unclad, Portland, Oregon; and the EHM, Las Vegas. Dubeau’s work can also be found in the permanent Collections of the Exodus Trust and the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. In addition to honors such as second place in the Public’s Choice, Seattle Erotic Art Festival, and honorable mention in Art @ Large, Going Underground, New York, Dubeau has been featured in various publications including Erotic Signature and Hors Série Décoration.

The artist will give a talk on October 1st, 2015 at 7:00pm. www.sincitygallery.com

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

Call for Work - Opportunity to Exhibit '12 Inches of Sin' at Sin City Gallery in Las Vegas

12 Inches of Sin is the largest international juried exhibition of contemporary provocative art in Nevada. As an exploration of sensuality and the erotic, this show has a twist: every piece submitted for consideration must be one foot square or less. Judges such as former Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman, Christine Fey, Resource Development and Cultural Affairs Manager at City of Reno, and Will Roger Peterson, co-founder of Burning Man, evaluate the tension within the art itself, challenging each artist to produce an image that is deeply expressive, provocative, sensory and daring on such a small scale. Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas will hold the competition for its fifth year and is accepting art submissions thru October 31, 2015 at www.12ofsin.com.

THE COMPETITION PROCESS

Every year our juries are selected from a pool of leaders and specialists in the fields of art and culture. There are two primary competition categories, 12 Inches of Sin and Obscura. Submissions are placed in the appropriate category based upon medium. Voting is electronic. The highest votes are invited to participate in the exhibition. $12.00 (plus $.65 Paypal fee), 12 maximum submissions per artist.

12 INCHES OF SIN 

Annual Competition for Painting, Drawing, Prints, Mixed Media, and Sculpture.

An international group of twelve judges will choose twelve artists from the pool of international submissions to participate in a group exhibition at the Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas. A separate group of twelve international judges will choose the Best In Show awardee. The artist named the Best In Show receives an invitation for an exclusive solo exhibition at Sin City Gallery, in addition to having their winning piece featured on the cover of the accompanying art book, 12 Inches of Sin: So Much Art You Can Barely Fit It All In, Volume V. Invited artists will be featured in the art book.

OBSCURA,
New Annual Competition for Photographic Artwork

A novel juried exhibition and catalog devoted to the international accomplishments of artists in the photography field. Submissions that provoke, entice and enthrall can be made via traditional modes (cameras, polaroid, pinhole) and new digital technologies. Short film works are also accepted. An international group of twelve judges will choose twelve artists from the pool of international submissions to participate in a group exhibition at the Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas. A separate group of twelve international judges will choose the Best In Show awardee. The artist named the Best In Show receives an invitation for an exclusive solo exhibition at Sin City Gallery, in addition to having their winning piece featured in the accompanying art book, 12 Inches of Sin: So Much Art You Can Barely Fit It All In, Volume V. Invited artists will be featured in the art book.

LE SALON DES REFUSÉS DU PÉCHÉ

Annual Group Exhibition.

Gallery Director Dr. Laura Henkel will curate a grouping from the pool of outstanding work that was not selected by the jury. These works will be featured in a group exhibition at Sin City Gallery, Las Vegas. A select number of artists will be featured in the accompanying art book, 12 Inches of Sin: So Much Art You Can Barely Fit It All In, Volume V.

THE JUDGES

We are honored to have an esteemed panel of international jurors to determine the overall narrative of each exhibition. Each person is a respected expert in the field of art, academia and publishing.

• Allena Gabosch (USA) is one of the founders of the Seattle Erotic Arts Festival in Seattle, Washington. 
• Catherine Johnson-Roehr (USA) is the curator and archivist for The Kinsey Institute in Bloomington, Indiana. 
• Christine Fey (USA) is the Manager of Arts and Culture for the City of Reno, Nevada. 
• Christopher John Ball is a widely exhibited, published and award-winning London based, fine arts photographer, playwright and co-founder of the Association of Erotic Artists in England. 
• Dennis McBride (USA) is the Director of the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada and a widely published Nevada historian. 
• François Dubeau (Canada) is a mixed-media artist and the President of Circuit des arts Memphrémagog in Montreal, Canada 
• Henry Rosenthal (USA) is a documentary filmmaker, musician and arts advocate located in San Francisco, California 
• Jerry Vile (USA) is an artist, publisher and co-founder of the Dirty Show in Detroit, Michigan. 
• Marne Lucas (USA) is a photographer and filmmaker residing in Portland, Oregon and New York City, New York. 
• Oscar Goodman (USA) is an American attorney, politician and art activist. He was the mayor of Las Vegas, Nevada from 1999 to 2011. 
• S.R. Sharp (USA) is an artist and one of the founding members of the Tom of Finland Foundation in Los Angeles, California. 
• Steve Diet Goedde (USA) is a photographer and author in Los Angeles, California. 
• Cory Mervis (USA) is a multi disciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and producer of large-scale projects. A force of nature who produces art of monumental scope & effect in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
• Eric Minh Swenson (USA) is a photographer, documentary filmmaker and writer for The Huffington Post in Los Angeles, California. 
• JK Russ (New Zealand/USA) is a multi-media artist, filmmaker and art blogger for The Huffington Post in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
• Julian Murphy (USA) is an artist and co-founder of Erotic Signature in Washington, D.C. 
• JP Rakehorn (UK/Bulgaria) is an artist specializing in figurative illustrations utilizing classical techniques in Sofia, Bulgaria. 
• Lou Lou Roxy (USA) is a burlesque performer, as well as co-producer of Afterglow, the official after-party celebration for the 12 Inches of Sin exhibitions in Detroit, Michigan. 
• Madison Young (USA) is the artistic director and founder of Femina Potens in San Francisco, California. 
• Melinda Sheckells (USA) is a published writer and editor of Vegas Rated Magazine in Las Vegas, Nevada. 
• Sister Loosy Lust Bea Lady (USA) is a performance artist and founder the Las Vegas chapter of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. 
• SM Shifflett (USA) is an American painter specializing in classical Renaissance techniques to capture modern themes in San Francisco, California. 
• Will Roger Peterson (USA) is a photographer, professor and one of the founding members of Burning Man, San Francisco, California. 
• Laura Henkel (USA) is the director of Sin City Gallery and the creator of 12 Inches of Sin in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

ABOUT SIN CITY GALLERY

Sin City Gallery is known internationally as a destination experience. The gallery is continually featured in the press for its exemplary exhibitions. The gallery produces 12 Inches of Sin, the largest international juried art exhibition of provocative contemporary art in Nevada. The gallery has been recognized as one of the best 25 galleries in American by the American Art Awards. It is located inside The Arts Factory at 107 E. Charleston Boulevard, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada in the Downtown Las Vegas 18bArts District. Information regarding the gallery’s exhibitions may be viewed on the gallery's website.www.sincitygallery.com

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of July 6...

Sunday July 12th 2:00pm
Traditional music and dance of Hawaii celebrating "Christmas in July" with Polynesian Music and authentic hula dancing
Las Vegas Clark County Library
1401 E. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas NV 89119
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-507-3459

Sunday July 12th 3:30pm
The music of John Philip Sousa will be performed by the National Community Band
Artemis Ham Concert Hall
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-2787

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

Summer Art-walk on First Friday TONIGHT!

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of June 15...

Tuesday June 16th 7:00pm
Traditional Brazilian Jazz including works by Egberto, Gismonti, Camargo, Pascoal, featuring pianist Alex Clements, saxophonist and flutist Eric Tewalt, bassist Jeff Davis and percussionists Pepe Jimenez and Kurt Rasmussen
Artifice
1025 First St. #100
Las Vegas NV 89101
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-489-6339

Friday June 19th 7:00pm
Saturday June 20th 7:00pm
Traditional Samba and Choros from Rio de Janeiro by classical guitarists: Assad brothers
and jazz guitarist Romero Lubambo
Cabaret Jazz Theater
Smith Center
361 Symphony Park Ave.
Las Vegas NV
$35-$59
more info: 702-749-2000

Saturday June 20th 2:00pm
Violin recital featuring William Wainwright, he will perform a variety of styles including
gypsy jazz, country, celtic and much more
Winchester Cultural Center
3130 McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-455-7340

Saturday June 20th 5:00pm
Gypsy Jazz festival starting with pre-concert cocktails and performances, performers include New Hot Club of America, International String Trio featuring incredible guitarist Olli Soikkeli and amazing jazz violinist Leah Zeger, festival is called "DjangoVegas"
Historic Fifth Street School
401 S. 4th St.
Las Vegas NV
$15 at the door, $10 in advance
more info: 702-229-ARTS

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of June 8...

Tuesday June 9th 6:00pm

Traditional music dance and more from around the world including belly dancing, Taiko drumming, Japanese folk dancing, Chinese Lion dancing, Mariachi and more!
Winchester Cultural Community Center
3130 McLeod Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89107
$10 at door, $8 in advance
more info: 702-455-7340 

Thursday June 11th 7:30pm
Chamber music concert, program includes: Barber's Adagio for String Quartet, Dvorak's "American" String Quartet No. 12, John Adams' "Hallelujah Junction" for Two Pianos and Paul Schoenfield's "Cafe Music" for Piano Trio, performers include: violinists Philip Setzer, Clara Lyon, and Jennifer Caine, violists David Chavez, Chieh-Fan Yiu, cellists Arnold Choi, and Sally Singer and pianists Oksana Ezhokina and Christina Dahl, event is part of "Las Vegas Wine and Music" series
Nevada State Museum at Springs Preserve
333 S. Vegas Valley
Las Vegas NV 89107
$79 includes wine, hors d'oeuvres, coffee/tea sweets, and Museum souvenir,
$199 gets you 3 nights of chamber music and wine, more info at www.lasvegaswineandmusic.com
become a donor and watch some rehearsals
more info: 702-997-1806

Friday June 12th 7:30pm
Traditional drumming of Japan by "Taiko Ten"
UNLV Student Union Courtyard
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: http://natc.taikocommunityalliance.org/taiko-ten/

Friday June 12th 7:30pm
Opera Las Vegas under the direction of Gregory Buchalter and Henry Akina (director of Hawaii Opera) will perform with a full live orchestra: Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," soloists include Metropolitan starts: Inna Los, Viktor Antipenko, and Daniel Sutin
UNLV Judy Bailey Theater
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$55-$95
more info: 702-895-2787

Friday June 12th 7:30pm
Chamber music concert program includes: Luciano Berio's "Folk Songs" for soprano, harp, clarinet, cello, viola and percussion, Poulenc's "Sextet" for winds and piano, Andrew Normans' "Guide to Rome" for piano trio, and Tchaikovsky's "Souvenir de Florence" for String Sextet, performers include: violinists Clara Lyon, Jennifer Caine, and Christina McGann, violists David Chavez, Chieh-Fan Yiu, cellists Arnold Choi, and Sally Singer, pianist Christina Dahl, flutist Carol Wincenc, clarinetist Alan Kay, oboist Pedro Diaz, bassoonist Frank Morelli, horn player Javier Gandara, harpist Michelle Gott, soprano Wonjung Kim, percussionists Charles Gott and Ian Sullivan, this event is part of "Las Vegas Wine and Music" series
Nevada State Museum at Springs Preserve
333 S. Vegas Valley
Las Vegas NV 89107
$79 includes wine, hors d'oeuvres, coffee/tea sweets, and Museum souvenir,
$199 gets you 3 nights of chamber music and wine, more info at www.lasvegaswineandmusic.com
become a donor and watch some rehearsals
more info: 702-997-1806

Saturday June 13th 7:30pm
Chamber music concert, program includes William Bolcom's "Garden of Eden" for Two Pianos, Andy Akiho's "LiGNeous 1" for Marimba and String Quartet, Copland's "Quiet City" for Trumpet, English Horn and Strings, as well as his "Appalachian Spring" for 13 Musicians, and Dvorak's Piano Quintet No. 2 in A Major for Winds and Piano, performers include:
violinists Samantha Ciarlo, Clara Lyon, Jennifer Caine, and Christina McGann, violists David Chavez, Chieh-Fan Yiu, cellists Arnold Choi, and Sally Singer, pianists Oksana Ezhokina, Alexandria Le and Christina Dahl, trumpeter Thomas Bergeron, flutist Carol Wincenc, clarinetist Alan Kay, english horn and oboist Pedro Diaz, bassoonist Frank Morelli, horn player Javier Gandara, and marimba player Ian Sullivan,this event is part of "Las Vegas Wine and Music" series
Nevada State Museum at Springs Preserve
333 S. Vegas Valley
Las Vegas NV 89107
$79 includes wine, hors d'oeuvres, coffee/tea sweets, and Museum souvenir,
$199 gets you 3 nights of chamber music and wine, more info at www.lasvegaswineandmusic.com
become a donor and watch some rehearsals
more info: 702-997-1806

Saturday June 13th 8:00pm
Traditional music and dance of Japan featuring the best Taiko drum performing groups from North America and Japan, featuring a special guest Japanese Folk Dancer: Chieko Kojima
Ham Hall
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$30 all seats
more info: 702-895-2787

Sunday June 14th 2:00pm
Opera Las Vegas under the direction of Gregory Buchalter and Henry Akina (director of Hawaii Opera) will perform with a full live orchestra: Puccini's "Madama Butterfly," soloists include Metropolitan starts: Inna Los, Viktor Antipenko, and Daniel Sutin
UNLV Judy Bailey Theater
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
$55-$95
more info: 702-895-2787

Sunday June 14th 5:00pm
Traditional Jewish and Eastern European music
Summerlin Library
1771 Inner Circle Dr.
Las Vegas NV 89134
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 818-419-1606 (Svetlana)

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

First Friday in Downtown Las Vegas has arrived!

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better BAM they are taking First Friday to the next level! So they tweaked the lineup, added more music and changed up the footprint to keep the zany event more exciting than ever. 

When - Friday June 5, 2015 - 5 PM

Where - Charleston and Main

FREE

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of June 1...

Wednesday June 3rd 1:00pm (Clark County)
Flute and Guitar recital by husband and wife duo "Folias Flute and Guitar Duo"
classically trained they perform original material inspired by the tango music of Piazzolla, jazz and more,
they are based out of Grand Rapids MI.
Clark County Library
1401 E. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas NV 89119


Wednesday June 3rd 6:00pm (West Charleston)
Flute and Guitar recital by husband and wife duo "Folias Flute and Guitar Duo"
classically trained they perform original material inspired by the tango music of Piazzolla, jazz and more,
they are based out of Grand Rapids MI.
Sahara Library
9600 W. Sahara
Las Vegas NV 89117
both are
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-507-3458

Friday June 5th 7:30pm
Organ recital by James David Christie, head of organ department at Oberlin College
Doc Rando Hall
Beam Music Center
UNLV
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-898-5455

Saturday June 6th 2:00pm
Trombone quartet concert by "Dynamic Brass" led by Walt Boenig, program includes classical, pop and more.
Charleston Heights Center
800 Brush St.
Las Vegas NV
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-229-6383

Saturday June 6th 8:00pm
Henderson Symphony performs the movie score to Charle Chaplin's movie "The Kid" as the
movie plays above them on a giant screen
Henderson Pavilion
200 Green Valley Pkwy
Henderson NV 89015
Free and Open to the Public, 10$ donation suggested
more info: 702-229-6383

Sunday June 7th 2:00pm
Brass Band concert by Las Vegas Brass, program includes classical, pop and more
Clark County Library
1401 E. Flamingo Rd.
Las Vegas NV 89119
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-507-3459

Sunday June 7th 5:30pm
Flute and clarinet recital by flutist Francisco Barbosa and clarinetist Sergio Coelho, program includes Debussy's "Syrinx,"
Stravinsky's "3 Pieces for Solo Clarinet," Villa-Lobos' "Choro No. 2 for Flute and Clarinet," and much more
UNLV Doc Rando Hall - Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3332

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

Coffee with Kaizer... Musical happenings for the week of April 18

Monday May 18th 7:00pm
Flute recital by Young Artist Competition Winner: Emily Osborne, program includes
Mozart's Flute Concerto in G Major, Faure's "Morceau de Concours," Tournier's "Promenade a l'automne for Flute and Harp," Burton's Sonatina for Flute and Piano, and more, other performers include competition finalist Jacob Cannon, harpist Elisabeth Osborne and pianist Jae Ahn-Benton
UNLV Doc Rando Hall - Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3332

Tuesday May 19th 5:30pm
Doctoral vocal recital by baritone Jonathan Baltera, program includes Verdi, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Debussy and more, other performers include pianist Jae Ahn-Benton
UNLV Doc Rando Hall - Beam Music Center
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas NV 89154
Free and Open to the Public
more info: 702-895-3332

Tuesday May 19th 10:00pm
Salsa music by Michito Sanchez Salsa band complete with dance floor, this 10 piece band will be performing favorites including music by Ray Barretto, Richie Ray, Bobby Cruz, Tito Rodriguez and more
Artifice
1025 First St. suite #100
Las Vegas NV 89101
$10
more info: Facebook 

Friday May 22nd 7:00pm
Nevada School of the Arts chamber concert featuring NSA and UNLV collaborative ensembles, NSA Seniors cello choir and soprano Isabella Ivy
Nevada School of the Arts Auditorium
401 S. Fourth St.
Las Vegas NV 89101
$5
more info: 702-384-2787

Friday May 22nd 7:00pm
Saturday May 23rd 7:00pm
Sunday May 24th 2:00pm
Opera by Humperdinck: "Hansel and Gretel" performed by Sin City Opera, arranged by Skip Galla and
Jack Gaughan, (closed captioning available on Sunday)
Winchester Cultural Center
3130 S. McLeod
Las Vegas NV 89121
$10 in advance, $15 at the door
more info: 702-455-7340

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

ARTrageous Vegas Returns!!!

For 11 years the LGBT Center of Southern Nevada has been celebrating the arts with its annual fete Artrageous. The celebration continues this year with art, fashion, entertainment and a bit of history as the event is held at the historic Tropicana Resort. The Tropicana was once called the Tiffany of the Strip because of its progressive design and unrivaled class. Today the newly remodeled resort will beckon the Las Vegas Arts Intelligentsia for an evening that celebrates the arts. Of course I am very excited to be returning to co-curate the event with my friend and fellow arts cohort Melissa Petersen, President of the Contemporary Arts Center of Las Vegas.

So come out and get your ART ON at Artrageous this Saturday Night! 7pm!

For more information - http://artrageousvegas.org/

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