BLVDS LV 52 "Culture Guide" Sept.-Oct. 2015

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THE Cultural Guide SEASON PREVIEW

COMMUNITY James Chaps shares his private collection of emerging and established artists.

ARTS We introduce you to what’s happening in the arts this season.

LIFESTYLE Let us show you the latest fashions to wear for your day or night out on the town.

FLAVOR Our writers share their favorite places to dine before going to the theatre, museum, or gallery.

© Axel Scheffler and Macmillan Children’s Books

Tim Trumble Photo, Childsplay (Tempe, AZ)

PURCHASE ALL 4 SHOWS FOR $50 BY OCTOBER 20 & SAVE!

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TALL STORIES THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

ROOM ON THE BROOM Adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

OCTOBER 21 • 6:30PM Family Series sponored by

DR. SEUSS’ THE CAT IN THE HAT

Based on the book by Dr. Seuss Play originally produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain

ELEPHANT AND PIGGIE’S “WE ARE IN A PLAY”

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG LIVE!

FEBRUARY 17 • 6:30PM

MARCH 30 • 6:30PM

JANUARY 13 • 6:30PM

VISIT

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TICKETS.

702.749.2000 | TTY: 800.326.6868 or dial 711 | For group inquiries call 702.749.2348 361 Symphony Park Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89106

Announcing the 40th season of the UNLV Performing Arts Center featuring

Well-Strung The Singing String Quartet

Rockapella’s Holiday Concert

Andrew York, Classical Guitar

Amernet String Quartet

For a complete listing of this season’s events, visit us online at pac.unlv.edu or call (702) 895-ARTS (2787).

4 0 Ye a r s o f t h e A r t s i n L a s Ve g a s 2015-2016 Season pac.unlv.edu • (702) 895-ARTS (2787)

Grace. Strength. Artistry.

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE Reserve Your Tickets Now

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A CHOREOGRAPHERS’ SHOWCASE October 11 & 18, 2015

A BALANCHINE CELEBRATION: Serenade / Slaughter on Tenth Avenue / Who Cares?

THE NUTCRACKER December 12 – 20, 2015

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A DIVINE MUSICAL COMEDY

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From Tchaikovsky to Rodgers & Hart to Gershwin

November 7 & 8, 2015

BRIT WEST as Deloris Van Cartier

Season Packages still available

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CINDERELLA February 13 & 14, 2016

THE STUDIO SERIES March 31 – April 3, 2016

ROMEO & JULIET May 14 & 15, 2016

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ODYSSEY DANCE THEATRE’S

THRILLER Oct 24 - 31

Serenade Choreography by George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust.

Photos by Virginia Trudeau. 2014 A Choreographers’ Showcase photo by Ginger Ana Griep-Ruiz.

Cinderella photo by Yi Yin, courtesy of Oregon Ballet Theatre.

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE — FALL AD - BLVDS — 4” X 8.25”

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Culture is not necessarily a word most people associate with Las Vegas. When my husband and I returned to the valley in 2009 after 14 years in Nashville, many of our Tennessee friends thought we were a little crazy to leave Nashville’s symphony, Broadway shows, galleries, and museums for this desert party town. What we knew—and what they and most casual visitors to our beloved city don’t know or understand—was that Las Vegas was on the verge of bursting culturally.

We were right to be excited to return. In the six years since we moved back, we’ve seen the opening of The Smith Center with its many venues; the continued growth of the ballet, symphony, and opera; the opening of the Mob and Neon Museums; the maturation of First Friday; and so much more. We’re thrilled to be part of this cultural evolution.

This month, our writers had the opportunity to talk with the doyens of Las Vegas music, performance, and art scenes.

We’ll let you know what they say about the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra, The Smith Center, the Nevada Ballet Theatre, The Mob Museum, Opera Las Vegas, and local theatre and art venues. In addition, we’ll tell you about Helen (the first nonuniversity literary journal published in the city) and take you to see a Las Vegan’s private art collection.

Not sure what to wear on your jaunts to the theatre, symphony, or museum? We have suggestions for day and night dress.

And, if you’re looking for a place to eat or just grab a quick drink before or after your outing, our writers share their favorite restaurants, bars, and cafes.

All of this is so exciting, but what I find truly fascinating about Las Vegas’s successful transformation to a culturally rich city is that everyone from civic leaders to casino moguls to ordinary citizens decided to personally invest in the arts.

We hope to see you around town!

Copyright 2015 by BLVDS, Inc., all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from BLVDS, Inc. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the information

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Jan Craddock | President & Publisher Chris Cutler | Managing Editor Victoria Hart | Creative Director Danielle Matera | Web Design Intern Cube Ruiz | Circulation ShaRhonda Ramos | Account Executive

Editorial Board Brian Paco Alvarez Mauricia Baca Kendall Hardin Charlene Herst Nancy Higgins LuAnn Kutch Rob McCoy Julie Murray Willie Robinson Jason Roth Sydni Sayles Stephanie Youngblood Contributing Writers Joy Bellis Jacob Coakley Ron Comings Jennifer Cornett Chris Cutler Kay Foley

Tony Illya Temple Kinyon Kelly Knox Brianna Soloski Sarah Vernetti

Contributing Photographers Talbot Snow Serenade ballet images copyright & courtesy of The George Balanchine Trust

A city’s cultural scene helps grow our identity and connect us to place. In this issue, we want to celebrate the wonderful, complex and diverse pieces that comprise the Las Vegas cultural scene.

This new season brings so much to Las Vegas, and BLVDS is happy to guide you through it. Be sure to check out our comprehensive event calendar where you can find performances, concerts, art galleries, walking tours, museums, ballet, and more at locations all over the valley.

COMMUNITY ARTS LIFESTYLE FLAVOR

Analyst and Archivist Nancy Lee Craddock

BLVDS fans: Let us know what you think!

The Cover

We’re celebrating the preview of this cultural season with this ethereal creation of artistic symbols. in this publication, however, BLVDS, Inc. assumes no responsibility for errors, changes, or omissions. BLVDS, Inc. accepts editorial and photography submissions. Send all submissions to: editor@blvdslv.com.

facebook.com/blvdslv email editor@blvdslv.com call 702.386.6065 twitter.com/blvdslv go to blvdslv.com pinterest.com/blvdslv @blvdslv

mail 840 S. Rancho Drive Suite 4-312 Las Vegas, NV 89106

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The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 3

CONTRIBUTORS

Kay Foley, a long-time resident of southern Nevada, has been a freelance writer and editor for more than 30 years. She is passionate about Las Vegas history, murder mysteries, and proofreading.

Tony Illia is an awardwinning writer whose work has appeared in Architectural Record, Engineering News-Record, and BusinessWeek.com, among other publications.

He holds a Masters of Arts degree in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Illia currently lives in Las Vegas with his wife and their unruly black cats.

Temple Kinyon moved to Las Vegas 11 years ago after enjoying life in rural Idaho. Embracing the diverse setting Las Vegas offered, she settled into her freelance writing life, pursuing both fiction and non-fiction. When she’s not writing, Temple creates with paper, paint, fabric and ink, and adores adventures with her husband and two ferociously funny bulldogs.

Ron Comings has served the past nine and a half years as news director for KLAS-TV. A graduate of Colorado State University, he spent 43 years as a broadcast journalist and was recognized several times with the highest awards given in TV news.

Comings is now working as a freelance writer and media consultant.

Chris Cutler holds an MFA in creative writing from Murray State University (KY) which is appropriate since telling stories is her life. She founded The Las Vegas Memoir Project because she believe everyone has a story to tell. She teaches memoir (LVMP) and grammar (UNLV), edits (BLVDS), keeps her husband and dog in line, and travels to Italy as often as she can. Check out her travel blog at coldpastaandredwine. blogspot.com

Jennifer Cornet, a Texas native, has lived in Las Vegas for eight years. She enjoys the family friendly side of Las Vegas. She, her loving husband, and her bouncing baby boy spend their time foraging Gilcrease Orchard, marveling The Smith Center, playing in the winter’s snow at Mountain Charleston Ski and Snowboard Resort, and exploring Discovery Children’s Museum.

Brianna Soloski works in communications at the University of Nevada, Reno and owns a freelance writing business. An avid reader and writer, she’s self-published on Amazon.

When she’s not working, you’ll find her with a book in hand. While she’s got her sights set on the fundraising/PR/marketing industry, for now she enjoys doing a little bit of everything.

Jacob Coakley started working in theatre because he wanted to follow his big sister. Since then, he’s followed theatre all over the world and into multiple jobs.

In 2006, theatre led him to Las Vegas where he works as editor of Stage Directions magazine and writes about the local theatre scene for the Las Vegas Weekly and now BLVDS. He’s also a big fan of gin and cheese. (Though not at the same time.)

Sarah Vernetti loves to write. When she isn’t writing about travel and the family-friendly side of Las Vegas, she’s busy crafting short stories and flash fiction. Sarah holds a master’s degree in art history, which, quite frankly, doesn’t come in handy very often. Feel free to say hi to her on Twitter: @SarahVernetti.

Kelly Knox holds a master’s degree in the humanities and a bachelor’s degree in drama. Kelly taught college art, art history, and humanities classes for over 10 years at three schools—concurrently. He is also a freelance writer and editor.

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C O N T E N T S | BLVDS LAS VEGAS | NO. 52 | SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2015

THE Culture COMMUNITY

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Inside Art: The James Chaps Collection Las Vegan James Chaps invites BLVDS readers in to see his private collection of new and established artists.

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Helen The rise of a literary journal in Las Vegas.

Guide

SEASON PREVIEW

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The Best of Broadway Comes To The Desert President and CEO Myron Martin tells us what’s in season at The Smith Center.

Art That Converses With the Past Native New Zealander Matthew Couper finds inspiration in a variety of places, spaces, and issues.

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Building on Love Broadway in the Hood starts its residency at The Smith Center this season.

Art As Diary: New Gallery Exhibit Explores the Life of a Genius The Picasso exhibit at the Bellagio looks at the concept of art as a way of keeping a diary.

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ARTS

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An Electric New Season Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Donato Cabrera aspires to excite everyone about classical music.

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Pushing the Boundries of Entertainment for Audiences of All Ages Inspired by Las Vegas’ growing desire for performing arts, Nevada Ballet Theatre presents an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary performances this season.

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Beyond the Curtain Opera Las Vegas’s General Director Luana DeVol discusses the growth of Opera Las Vegas.

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Enter Stage Right While The Smith Center is the giant in town, the smaller, local theatres have plenty of performances to offer patrons.

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Events Calendar

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Inside The Mob Museum CEO Jonathon Ullman talks about the museum and our fascination with bad guys.

LIFESTYLE

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Dressing for the Occasion A showcase of the latest fashions.

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La Concha Hits Historical High Note La Concha Motel takes its place on the Nevada Register of Historic Places.

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Women In Harmony The award-winning Celebrity City Chorus celebrates the love of singing while cultivating friendships.

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FLAVOR

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The Art of Dining Our writers share their favorite spots to have a bite to eat or a quick drink before going to the theatre, museum, or gallery.

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IMHO Linda Bonnici discusses the importance of supporting the arts.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 5

Where words leave off, music begins.

Your Festival Experience!

THE 2015-2016 SEASON

CHARLEY’SAUNT Also playing from September 11 to October 31

OCTOBER 24

NOVEMBER 21

DECEMBER 5&6

JANUARY 9&10

FEBRUARY 6

MARCH 5

APRIL 2&3

MAY 21& 22

JUNE 4

THETWOGENTLEMEN OFVERONA DRACULA

The Professional Theatre at Southern Utah University CEDAR CIT Y

Tickets available at The Smith Center Box Office at 702.749.2000 or at lvphil.org

BARD.ORG # u t a h s h a k e s | 8 0 0 - P L AY T I X Photos, left to right: Michael Doherty (left) and John Pribyl in Charley’s Aunt, 2015; and Brendan Marshall-Rashid (left) and Tasso Feldman in Charley’s Aunt, 2015.

Community

This Casey Weldon painting is part of the James Chaps Collection

COMMUNITY

Inside Art: The James Chaps Collection Life is beautiful surrounded by the art of emerging and established artists.

Written by Kelly Knox

t is an old-fashioned word and perhaps an old-fashioned idea, but the notion of a “patron of the arts” seems to belong to another time and place. Today, the word “collector,” often coupled with the adjective “serious” seems to have taken hold instead. James Chaps is a patron of the arts in the best sense.

Collectors merely acquire; patrons support, foster, protect, and even love the art, the artists, the gallery owners, and the entire culture that is implicit in the word Art, writ large. In a world dominated by “the now,” Chaps insists, “I buy what I like. I don’t look for trends.”

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Upon entering his home, there is an immediate sense that this is a living space and not a gallery. The walls are alive with images. The art is carefully arranged with some attention paid to the details of line, shape, and visual rhythm. The relationship of one work to another becomes more apparent as Chaps introduces each piece. He tells stories about many of the prints, drawings, or paintings and the artists who created them or the gallery where he bought them. Chaps not only has personal friendships with many of the artists whose works feature in his extensive collection, but he has also influenced their work through commissions. He admits, almost apologetically, that he likes to keep the terms of the commission vague, “…to see what they can do with it….”

Chaps will not admit to having favorites, at least not for the record.

He says instead that his tastes have “evolved” over time and that his collection has grown and changed, too. His generosity in sharing his collection is compensated by the enjoyment he receives watching others “see it.” He noted that he is often surprised by who is attracted to this or that particular work. This attention to people and their reactions to his collection underscores Chaps’ philosophy that “The most rewarding thing about collecting is the enjoyment.” Clearly Chaps enjoys collecting and thinking about art, then sharing his experiences with and thoughts about art with others. James Chaps is a very generous patron of the arts.

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James Chaps relaxes among some of the figurative art work in his collection. Throughout the years, James has supported local galleries such as Trifecta Gallery as well as California galleries including Thinkspace Gallery and Klowden Mann. The artwork on the opposite page represents a small sampling of his collection. The artists’ names are listed with their work.

Amy Sol

Sarah Joncas

Jacub Gagnon

Peter Fox

Dabs Myla

Casey Weldon

Steve Locke

Eric Pederson

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 9

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© 2014 Gullane (Thomas) Limited. Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails! was created by Minnesota Children’s Museum, presented by Fisher-Price and sponsored by 3M.

COMMUNITY

Helen: The Rise of a Literary Journal in Las Vegas Written by Brianna Soloski

elen Stewart was the first lady of Las Vegas, a woman who cared deeply about reading and writing. It’s fitting, therefore, that the city’s first non-university affiliated literary journal, Helen, is named after her. Publisher Jocelyn Kelly feels the journal is proof of the city’s cultural maturity.

“It’s when a city has this, it becomes culturally mature.

Besides, the arts help a city thrive—not just socially, but financially. Vegas could use some thriving right now.”

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Helen adds a new facet of culture to a small but mighty cultural scene. “At the forefront, it adds hope and inspiration to those aspiring to a creative career.

I especially feel this is true for women in the arts.

I strongly feel Helen will help creative women in the valley rise up and make decisions that give them long lasting careers in the arts, especially as writers,” Kelly said. To help achieve that goal, Helen welcomes submissions by new writers. The experience of being published in a literary journal can help grow their career into something bigger, proving even the smallest start can lead to big things.

Drawing by Teresa Maharaj, “Bitch I’m a Rock Star”

The main goal of Helen is to highlight local artists. The journal “seeks work that embodies the feeling of Vegas from a native perspective and not just someone with a passing knowledge of our great city. We especially love work that highlights a realistic perspective of hope and perseverance as we feel this has been an ongoing theme of Vegas since the days of Helen Stewart,” Kelly said.

To subscribe to the print or digital publication of Helen, go to helenpresents.com.

Painting by Don Michael, Jr., “As Pretty Does” 12 | blvdslv.com

Building on Love Broadway in the Hood starts their Smith Center residency with tales of love and belonging.

Written by Jacob Coakley

ive years ago, Torrey Russell started Broadway in the Hood to give access and opportunities in the arts to “those who don’t have any.” This fall, Broadway in the Hood will provide more access than ever and quite a lot of opportunity as it becomes the first local theatre company to have a residency at The Smith Center by presenting two shows—Once on This Island and Violet—in the Troesh Theatre.

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Once on This Island is an encore presentation of the sold-out production they showed at the Smith Center earlier this year, and it is a long-time favorite of Russell’s. “I’ve had a love affair with Once on This Island since high school,” Russell gushes. He saw it on Broadway during a trip to New York City and admits, “Probably 60 percent of the show we were standing on our feet going ‘Wow!’ Just blown away by the power and the passion and the story.”

The story follows the plight of Ti Moune, a peasant girl on a Caribbean island who rescues a wealthy boy, Daniel, from a car crash. She falls in love with him, but he is betrothed to another. When he returns to his side of the island, she follows, determined to win his heart. This draws the attention of the gods of the island who decide to use her as a pawn in a bet to decide which is stronger, love or death.

The show is a meditation on the power of love to bring people together despite race, class, or prejudice, says Russell. “We’re doing the show with an integrated cast, so the fact that the performers can stand on stage and represent their culture— whatever culture it may be—and tell this poignant story of love conquering death is powerful.”

Torrey Russell (right) founder of Broadway in the Hood

Journey to Healing The second show this fall will be a presentation of Violet, a littleknown but beloved musical about love, faith, and forgiveness set in the south in the early ‘60s.

It tells the story of Violet, a young woman searching for a miracle, hoping a televangelist can heal the scar that runs across her face, the result of an accident with an axe that occurred when she was a young girl and her father was chopping wood.

On the bus ride to meet the preacher, Violet travels with two soldiers—one black, one white—headed to their base, and learns what it means to love one’s self and others by looking past the surface to see what really matters.

“Her scar really is not that visible, but the fact is that it’s something that’s scarred her so much inside, that it has engulfed her life to the point where she can’t move past the fact she has this scar on her face,” says Russell. “The show takes you on this journey to understand that what’s important is loving yourself first—and it shows you how to get to loving yourself.”

Both musicals speak to the larger themes of Russell’s season of addressing social-class differences, racial differences, and “love helping to overcome all of those.”

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 13

EVENTS

DO SOMETHING

DIFFERENT Explore the sights and sounds of our great city!

ONGOING Art Exhibit: “Recent Acquisitions” Through October 10 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

The Cocoanuts Through October 15 Randall L. Jones Theatre at the Utah Shakespeare bard.org

Julius Caesar Through October 22 Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre bard.org

Murder for Two Through October 22 Eileen and Allen Anes Studio Theatre bard.org

Art Exhibit: “Style Moderne” Through January 23 Barrick Museum at UNLV unlv.edu

Basin & Range Through September 5 Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery donnabeamgallery.unlv.edu

Sister Act Through October 15 Tuacahn Theatre tuacahn.org

SEPTEMBER 2015 Frankie Moreno Under the Influence September 1 & 8 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Hrag Vartanian September 10 Barrick Museum at UNLV unlv.edu

Showgirls the Musical September 10 - October 3 Onyx Theatre onyxtheatre.com

Clint Holmes - Fire and Rain: The Heart of James September 11 - 13 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Clybourne Park September 11 - 27 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

Beethoven Brahms Opening Night September 12 Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center lvphil.org

UNLV Chamber Music Series: La Belle Epoque September 16 Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center at UNLV unlv.edu/pac

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Through October 17 Tuacahn Theatre tuacahn.org

Lula Washington Dance Theatre with Kamasi Washington & Marcus L. Miller

Disney’s When You Wish

September 16 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Through October 17 Tuacahn Theatre tuacahn.org

The Book of Mormon September 22 - October 18 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

The Odd Couple Through October 22 Randall L. Jones Theatre at the Utah Shakespeare Festival bard.org

An Evening with Paul Anka September 18 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

The Rad Trads September 18 & 19 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Once On This Island September 18 - 20 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Conversations with Norm: Suzanne Somers September 27 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Inspired to Create: An Evening with Mark Vranesh September 30 Rachel’s Kitchen Downtown markvranesh.com

OCTOBER 2015 Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Mike Cockrill October 1 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Miljohn Ruperto Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Allison Miller September 3 Barrick Museum at UNLV unlv.edu

Art September 4 - 20 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

September 17 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

September Reading: Body Awareness September 18 Inspire Theatre apublicfit.org

National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China October 2 Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV unlv.edu/pac

For more events and things to do around town, check out our online calendar at blvdslv.com.

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The Music of Manilow with Mark O’Toole October 2 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Concert: The Desert Winds October 3 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, CSN thedesertwinds.org

Anne Hampton Callaway From Sassy to Divine October 3 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

The Lads That Will Never Be Old: Pop Art & Song from WWI October 7 Lee and Thomans Beam Music Center | unlv.edu

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Karen Yasinsky

Anthem Highlands ArtWalk October 17 & 18 Haggen Shopping Center vegasartwalk.com

Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch - Hollywoodland: Songs from the Silver Screen

Fall Informal Dance Concert

October 24 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

October 20 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Las Vegas PholharmonicPassport to the World

Room on the Broom October 21 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

UNLV Chamber Music Series: Pacifica Quartet October 22 Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Recital Hall at UNLV unlv.edu/pac

The Piano Guys October 22 & 23 Tuacahn Theatre | tuacahn.org

October 24 The Smith Center lvphil.org

Boca Park Fashion Village ArtWalk October 24 & 25 Boca Park vegasartwalk.com

November 7 & 8 The Smith Center nevadaballet.org

Odyssey Dance Theatre’s Thriller

Concert: The Desert Winds

October 24 - 31 Tuacahn Theatre tuacahn.org

November 10 Congregation Ner Tamid thedesertwinds.org

Fall Chamber Concert

Ragtime

October 9 - 11 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

October 27, 31 & November 1 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

A Choreographer’s Showcase

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Carrie Moyer

She Kills Monsters!

October 15 - 30 Onyx Theatre onyxtheatre.com

Mister Wives November 12 - 28 Onyx Theatre onyxtheatre.com

Fab Four November 13 Tuacahn Theatre tuacahn.org

October 29 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

Music Scholarship Event

October 15 & 16 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

November 7 & 8 Mountain Shadows Community Center vegasartwalk.com

A Balanchine Celebration

Clint Holmes

Goapele

November 6 - 22 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

Sun City Summerlin ArtWalk

October 25 CSN Fine Arts Recital Hall csn.edu

October 13 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

November 6 - 15 BackStage Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Yellow Face

October 8 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

October 11 & 18 Treasure Island Hotel & Casino nevadaballet.org

The Adding Machine

Violet “The Source Shell” by JK Russ

Kveck, Russ & Stellmon: Break Ups & Tear Downs October 23 - January 23, 2016 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

Casa Valentina October 23 - November 8 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

October 30 - November 1 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

NOVEMBER 2015 Vocal Jazz Concert November 6 & 7 CSN Fine Arts Recital Hall csn.edu

David Aruchuleta

Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theatre - Simply Ella November 13 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

The Consul November 13 - 22 The Winchester Theatre sincityopera.com

November 6 & 7 Tuacahn Theatre tuacahn.org

Get more out of your weekends! Go to blvdsweekends.com.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 15

EVENTS New Play Festival November 19 - 22 BackStage Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Matthew Coolidge November 19 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

The Skivvies November 20 - 21 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Cabrera Celebrates Sibelius November 21 The Smith Center lvphil.org

Allegro Guitar Series at UNLV: Larry Del Casale & Carlos Barbosa Lima - Classical Gas November 21 Dr. Arturo Rando-Grillot Recital Hall at UNLV unlv.edu/pac

DECEMBER 2015 Steve Solomon’s My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m home for the Holidays December 2 - 6 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Visiting Artist Lecture Series: Letha Wilson December 3 UNLV Marjorie Barrick Museum unlv.edu

In Honor of Chinese New Year: Year of the Monkey December 3 - February 27 Historic 5th Street School artslasvegas.org

A Year With Frog and Toad December 4, 5, 11, and 12 at 7pm December 7, 12 and 13 at 2pm Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Charleston Heights Arts Center rainbowcompany.org

Fall Dance Concert December 4 - 6 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Love, Sex, and the IRS

ELF the Musical November 24 - 29 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Big Band and Steel Drum Concert December 9 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Fall Choral Concert December 10 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Nancy Deaner, City of Las Vegas Arts & Culture/Artist Talk

November 27 & 28 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Jazz Singers and Combos Concert December 6 BackStage Theatre at CSN csn.edu

Mariachi Concert December 7 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

January 8 - 24 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

Cabrera Conducts Rachmaninoff January 9 & 10 The Smith Center lvphil.org

The Cat in the Hat January 13 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

The Blanche DeBris Emergency Xmas Broadcast

Middletown

December 10 - 19 Onyx Theatre | onyxtheatre.com

An Evening with Laura Osnes December 11 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Concert: The Desert Winds

The Nutcracker

The Snowman

Tribes

Reservoir Dolls!

UNLV Performing Arts Center Series: Rockapella’s Holiday Concert December 5 Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

JANUARY 2016

December 10 Sin City Gallery sincitygallery.com

December 12 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN thedesertwinds.org

December 5 & 6 The Smith Centerl | lvphil.org

November 30 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

December 8 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN csn.edu

December 4 - 20 Las Veas Little Theatre | lvlt.org

Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band

Fall Orchestra Concert

Concert Band

January 14 - 30 Onyx Theatre | onyxtheatre.com

January 15 - 31 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Pinchus Zuckerman January 17 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

December 12 - 20 The Smith Center nevadaballet.org

Richard Hooker, Artist & Cultural Urbanist Talk December 17 Sin City Gallery sincitygallery.com

New Year’s Eve with Special Guests Clint Holmes, Erich Bergen, Capathia Kenkins, Norm Lewis and Patina Miller December 31 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

Riverdance – the 20th Anniversary World Tour January 26 - 31 The Smith Center thesmithcenter.com

UNLV Chamber Music Series: Amernet Quartet January 28 Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

January Reading: Talley’s Folly January 29 TBD | apublicfit.org

For more events and things to do around town, check out our online calendar at blvdslv.com.

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FEBRUARY 2016 Charles Vanda Master Series: Sarah Chang, violin, with Julio Elizalde, piano February 6 Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

Pink Martini Live in Concert February 6 The Smith Center | lvphil.org

Geek!

February 11 - 27 Onyx Theatre | onyxtheatre.com

Cosi Fan Tutte February 12 - 21 The Winchester Theatre sincityopera.com

Nevada Series Touring Performance February 12 and 13 at 7 pm February 13 and 14 at 2 pm Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Historic Fifth Street School rainbowcompany.org

Cinderella February 13 & 14 The Smith Center nevadaballet.org

Brahms: First & Foremost

MARCH 2016 In the Next Room, or the Vibrator Play March 4 - 20 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

Cabrera Conducts Motzart March 5 The Smith Center | lvphil.org

Kate and Sam Are Not Breaking Up March 10 - 26 Onyx Theatre | onyxtheatre.com

March 17 Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

The Studio Series March 31 - April 3 NBT’s Summerlin Studios nevadaballet.org

APRIL 2016

April 2 Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

Concert: The Desert Winds February 27 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN | thedesertwinds.org

Allegro Guitar Series at UNLV: Duo Deloro

The Super Run 5K April 2 Sunset Park | active.com

Gershwin: Music of the Jazz Age April 2 & 3 The Smith Center | lvphil.org

Heathers the Musical April 7 - 30 Onyx Theatre onyxtheatre.com

Titus Andronicus Jr.

April 13 Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

May 12 - 28 Onyx Theatre onyxtheatre.com

Rox In Sox Children’s Music & Book Festival

Concert: The Desert Winds

April 16 Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza artslasvegas.org

May 14 Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN | thedesertwinds.org

Romeo & Juliet May 14 & 15 The Smith Center nevadaballet.org

Cabrera Conducts Tchaikovsky

Charles Vanda Master Series: Polish Baltic

Allegro Guitar Series at UNLV: Andrew York

February 26 Inspire Theatre | apublicfit.org

May 6 - 22 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

March 11 - 27 Las Vegas Little Theatre lvlt.org

UNLV Performing Arts Center Series: David Orlowsky Trio “The Soul of Klezmer”

February Reading: Fool for Love

Tuna Does Vegas

April 9 TBD | thedesertwinds.org

The Speed of Darkness

February 16 The Smith Center | lvphil.org

February 20 Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center at UNLV | unlv.edu/pac

Concert: The Desert Winds

Show: Bridge to Terabithia April 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 7 pm April 24, 30 and May 1 at 2 pm Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Charleston Heights Arts Center rainbowcompany.org

8th Annual New Works Competition April 22 - May 8 Fischer Black Box at Las Vegas Little Theatre | lvlt.org

Mozart, Poulence & Beethoven

May 21 & 22 The Smith Center lvphil.org

May Reading: Rapture Blister Burn May 27 TBD | apublicfit.org

JUNE 2016 (W)Rites of Passage June 3 and 4, 7 pm Rainbow Company Youth Theatre Sammy Davis Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park rainbowcompany.org

April 26 The Smith Center | lvphil.org

Dream of Now, Dream of Then

April Reading: Constellation

June 4 The Smith Center lvphil.org

April 29 El Cortez | apublicfit.org

George Bizet’s Carmen

Baroque Splendor

June 10 & 12 Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV operalasvegas.com

May 3 The Smith Center | lvphil.org

June Reading: The River

MAY 2016

La Perichole May 5 - 15 The Winchester Theatre sincityopera.com

June 24 Inspire Theatre apublicfit.org

Get more out of your weekends! Go to blvdsweekends.com.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 17

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red Artist: Robert Ma

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Arts

THE BOOK OF MORMON National Tour, Phyre Hawkins, Mark Evans, Christopher John O’Neill, © Joan Marcus, 2013

ARTS

An Electric New Season Las Vegas Philharmonic Music Director Donato Cabrera talks music in Las Vegas.

Written by Chris Cutler

Donato Cabrera is the music director and resident conductor of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra.

Photo courtesy of LVPO.

f I had to choose one word to describe Donato Cabrera, music director and resident conductor of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra (LVPO), I couldn’t because, quite frankly, there are too many: Versatile. Talented. Accomplished. Artistic.

Inspirational. Busy. Electric. Definitely busy—He’s resident conductor of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS), music director of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, music director of the California Symphony, and music director of the New Hampshire Music Festival (NHMF).

Cabrera’s main mission is to make the LVPO part of the community, to make it part of the consciousness of everyone who lives in Las Vegas. He likes to engage the audience in the music by describing the music (especially if it’s a new piece or one that the philharmonic has never performed). In addition to the Spotlight Series that highlights a small selection of performers, the LVPO performers offer mini-concerts at two Las Vegas retirement communities (Las Ventanas and Siena) and, starting this year, will offer four Sunday matinee performances.

And definitely electric. During a phone interview Cabrera graciously fit in between the NHMF dress rehearsal and performance, his voice crackled with excitement as he discussed music, the LVPO’s upcoming season, and his plans for the philharmonic’s future.

Las Vegas has done a wonderful job of

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While Las Vegas and culture are not exactly synonymous in the minds of the people who do not live in our city, Cabrera believes that residents do know what we have and visitors are quickly discovering the hidden gems away from the Strip. “Las Vegas has a lot to offer culturally,” he told me. “and anyone who visits a lot and ventures out discovers that LV has a lot of wonderful things to offer on all fronts. What I love is that it’s a new frontier in terms of involvement in programming and performing. It’s refreshing and exciting to be part of it all.”

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revealing itself and breaking stereotypes. ~ Donato Cabrera While offering Sunday concerts might seem risky to some, Cabrera feels the opposite. “One of the big challenges for families is to attend something at night,” he said. “Kids have school, and parents work. The Sunday concerts are a way for people to bring the younger ones to enjoy two hours of music. When the kids see their parents involved in the music, they get involved. Enthusiasm is infectious.”

Cabrera knows many people don’t believe classical music can excite anyone, but he thinks the skeptics just don’t understand the art form. “Classical music is continually evolving,” he commented. “It’s not just people playing old music. I’m interested in celebrating and performing composers who are alive now, today. I hope people will at least listen with an open heart and experience something new.”

This 2015-2016 ten-concert line-up does, indeed, celebrate the old and the new classical music. In addition to featuring music by Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart, the LVPO will also play modern classics. Cabrera admits that the whole season excites him.

jazz band version of Rhapsody in Blue, which very few people have the opportunity to hear,” he exclaimed. “And Pink Martini’s coming.” Pink Martini, which bills itself as a “little orchestra,” performs classical, Latin, jazz, and classic pop music. Cabrera added, “I think for just a sheer good time, the Pink Martini concert is the one I’d attend.

I know how fun it’s going to be. People will be dancing in the aisles.”

I plan to be one of them.

For information on the Philharmonic’s 2015-2016 season, go to lvphil.org.

“I’m so excited to be doing Brahms this year, and I’m really looking forward to performing Gershwin and the original

Cabrera conducts the Las Vegas Philharmonic Orchestra. Photo courtesy of LVPO. The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 21

ARTS

Pushing the Boundaries of Entertainment for Audiences of All Ages Nevada Ballet Theatre is on pointe for the upcoming season.

Written by Temple Kinyon

The NBT is keeping George Balanchine’s choreography alive with a trio of performances that includes Serenade.

Photo by ©Virginia Trudeau.

eth Barbre is passionate about keeping culture alive for people of all ages. “Culture defines us,” said the executive director and CEO of Nevada Ballet Theatre. “The earlier you’re exposed to arts and culture, the more likely it will be a part your life forever. It’s important to NBT to provide opportunities for kids to help them gravitate toward whatever creative outlet they want, whether it’s painting, music, or dance.”

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NBT’s 2015-2016 season truly encompasses that mission with its brilliant performance selections. “We programmed carefully to appeal to a wide array of patrons, families, kids, and dance enthusiasts, to showcase the company’s strength and artistry. It’s a return to the classics, but shows ballet’s grace, diversity, and accessibility. There’s something for everyone.”

In December, NBT will perform The Nutcracker, the holiday favorite choreographed specifically for Reynold’s Hall at The Smith Center by Artistic Director James Canfield. “It’s larger than life,” Barbre said. “It fills every inch of the stage and features a full orchestra.” NBT will also perform two other classic family favorites this season, Cinderella (in February) and Romeo & Juliet (in May).

“In ballet, what’s old is new again,” Barbre expressed. “NBT is excited to present classics and keep with tradition.”

However, along with that tradition NBT features an

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NBT presents The Nutcracker. Photo by ©Virginia Trudeau.

eclectic mix of additional performances this season, showcasing the company’s versatility.

“Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and what we do better than anyone is unique theatrics such as Cirque du Soleil,” Barbre said. “Our city is lucky to have a large creative class made up of local artists, dancers, and musicians.”

NBT’s and Cirque du Soleil’s bold collaboration, A Choreographers’ Showcase, is the opening performance for this season in October and will be performed at the Mystére Theatre at Treasure Island. Eight years ago, NBT started their partnership with Cirque. Artists from both companies choreograph and produce a dynamic performance of ballet, contemporary dance, and acrobatics. “It’s a chance for all the artists to work outside of their norm,” Barbre said. “NBT wants to keep pushing boundaries by continuing to collaborate with Cirque.”

Also targeting this season’s goal for a traditional and contemporary mix is A Balanchine Celebration: Serenade, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, and Who Cares? “The range of these is quite remarkable,” Barbre said. “Serenade, the first work George Balanchine choreographed in America, is timeless and very traditional. Slaughter is a show within a show and combines ballet and Broadway, and Who Cares? is a big, happy, crowd-pleasing piece set to Gershwin. The Balanchine choreography is being passed down from dancers, generation to generation, using memory to keep this art form alive,” Barbre explained.

Sandra Jennings and Philip Neal, both former NYC Ballet dancers, will teach NBT artists the exact steps for each of these productions.

choreographed over 400 ballets.

The wide range of his work is still relevant and fresh, even today.”

And if all that isn’t enough, a unique performance for subscribers only will be presented in March and April. The Studio Series takes patrons behind the scenes to NBT’s Summerlin studio to see how ballet is created. This intimate setting offers participants a Q&A session with James Canfield and an opportunity to see dancers perform to their own in-company choreography. “Patrons can really see the athleticism and how hard the dancers work,” Barbre shared. “They are left appreciating how difficult it

is and how the dancers make it look effortless and beautiful.”

For tickets and performance information, visit nevadaballet.org.

In 1972, Nancy Houssels co-founded with Vassili Sulich Las Vegas’s first professional ballet company, Nevada Dance Theatre— currently the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

To this day, Houssels remains a driving force as NBT’s board co-chair. “Nancy’s perseverance and passion is why we’re here today,” Beth Barbre shared. “I’d like to thank Nancy, our board, Artistic Director James Canfield, and the entire Las Vegas community for more than 40 years of support to NBT.”

The trio of performances choreographed by Balanchine, one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, is close to Barbre’s heart. She served five years as administrator of The George Balanchine Trust in New York City, licensing his works. “He The artists from Mystére and NBT collaborate on a performance that combines ballet, contemporary dance, and acrobatics. Photo by ©Virginia Trudeau.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 23

ARTS

Beyond the Curtain An interview with Opera Las Vegas’s General Director, Luana DeVol Written by Jennifer Cornet

pera Las Vegas was established in 1999 by Mark Thomsen, Dr. Paul Krieder, and Ms. Gloria Marinacci Allen, a world-renowned opera singer, as well as several other like-minded individuals who wanted to bring this art form to Southern Nevada. As General Director, Luana DeVol beautifully explains, “Every civilization has its own culture with regard to music.

The singing or playing a musical instrument is as old as civilization itself. Music, and especially singing, is as natural to humans as it is to the birds.” Her words moved me and I felt fortunate to have the opportunity to interview her about Opera Las Vegas’s current season and more.

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Since DeVol accepted the volunteer position of general director in 2014, there have been remarkable changes in the organization both in the artistic and administrative areas. Opera Las Vegas has two extremely successful productions behind it—Barber of Seville in 2014, and Madama Butterfly just last June, which saw almost a 50% increase in attendance. In response to popular demand, Opera Las Vegas will produce Carmen in June 2016.

Membership in the Guild is growing, and Opera Las Vegas Board President John Krieger is bringing a plethora of positive changes to the organizational structure.

Following a sold-out event last year featuring works of the composer Puccini, the opera will return on September 9 to Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center with Viva Verdi! featuring Metropolitan Opera baritone, Daniel Sutin and Opera Las Vegas young artists. More is still on the drawing boards before Carmen closes the 2015–2016 events. As DeVol passionately shares, “As far as music is concerned, one doesn’t have to go to New York to hear MET singers; you can hear them here with Opera Las Vegas.”

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Viktor Antipenko and Daniel Sutin perform in Madama Butterfly. Photo by Richard Brusky

Opera Las Vegas has made extensive strides toward cooperating with other organizations in Las Vegas. They have worked closely with the UNLV Theater Department and hope to expand to include other major arts organizations, too. In addition, they will be approaching CCSD with a view toward assisting them in providing musical experiences for Las Vegas students.

DeVol explains, “Opera is an art form that combines the voice, musical instruments, movement, visual experiences of sets, costumes, and lighting all in one. Through the use of translations, the objective as well as the subjective aspects are experienced by our audiences. There is a saying over the main entrance of the Opera House in Duisburg, Germany, which paraphrased says, ‘Through my doors you come to witness the heights and depths of the human experience and leave having been enriched.’ This is how I feel about having sung opera and now producing it.”

Music and culture in all of its forms are as important to the growth of the human experience as are the museums of the world, the botanical gardens, the watching of sunsets from wherever one happens to be, the way we nurture our young people and the food on our tables.

To experience Opera Las Vegas, visit operalasvegas.com.

Enter Stage Right The Las Vegas local theater scene is coming into its own.

Written by Brianna Soloski he theater scene in Las Vegas is burgeoning. Not only does The Smith Center bring world-class productions to the city, but there are plenty of smaller stages producing important work.

However, one shouldn’t spend too much time comparing the Las Vegas theater scene to places like New York City or Los Angeles. According to Jacob Coakley, executive director of the Las Vegas Valley Theatre Awards, “Every city supports its own theater scene in its own way.” Chicago is known for its improv, LA for film and TV, but Las Vegas has to find its own place in the theater world, an ongoing process for those involved in stage productions. “The Smith Center is an experiment, trying to decide if Las Vegas really needs its own theater,” Coakley added.

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However, despite these growing pains, the theater scene in Las Vegas is quite vibrant and welcoming to new people. It’s easy to get involved because everyone knows everyone. Once an actor or actress has made one or two connections, doors start opening because, like the six degrees of Kevin Bacon, there are only a few degrees between people in the theater scene. Entertainment is the one thing Coakley believes Las Vegas does better than anything else. He believes “Theater makers are pioneers—hard scrabble. Theater matters more than anything else to them. [They want to] build an oasis of theater, [with the] sheer drive and stubbornness of people trying to build theater.”

For Coakley, theater is simply another facet of the culture in which we currently live. “We exist in culture, whether we know it or not, like oxygen or water to a fish. We’re always interpreting our world through culture,” he said. In addition to being executive director of the LVVTA, he is also editor of Stage Directions Magazine, a publication about theater for those who work there, so Coakley eats, sleeps, and breathes theater. For him, it’s a way of understanding how people move through culture, how people come together and understand each other.

Las Vegas Little Theatre will present She Kills Monsters this season.

The ultimate dilemma is choosing which production he’d go see this year. “Right now, I’m most excited for Clybourne Park—funny, thematic, there’s a lot going on. I’m excited to see what Las Vegas Little Theatre (LVLT) does with it,” he said. Clybourne Park is a response to a Raisin in the Sun, which tells the story of a black family trying to buy a house in a predominately white neighborhood.

Clybourne Park flips the concept on its head, reversing the situation, and looks at race relations and how things have— and haven’t—changed today.

There are other great productions coming up soon. LVLT is doing Yellow Face, about an Asian playwright who casts a white man to play an Asian man in the play he’s writing.

The Onyx will be featuring Hedwig and the Angry Inch, the story of an internationally ignored transgender songstress.

The play, which is currently showing on Broadway, examines what it means to be a man or a woman as well as what love means. There’s She Kills Monsters, a play about coping with traumatic life events through Dungeons and Dragons-type role play. What does it mean to be who we are? What does it mean to move through the world?

There’s a lot happening in the theater scene in Las Vegas, a facet of the city that’s going to get better as time goes on.

“There are fireworks happening, and shows are exciting.”

The explosions happening in the local theater scene may be smaller than the explosions happening at fancier Las Vegas Strip shows, but they are explosions nonetheless. Coakley is optimistic about the future of Las Vegas theater.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 25

ARTS

The Best of Broadway Comes to the Desert The Smith Center looks forward to an exciting theater season.

Written by Kay Foley

yron Martin has been passionately involved in the local theater community since he moved to southern Nevada in 1995. He oversaw design, construction, and fundraising for The Smith Center for the Performing Arts and has been its president/CEO since its opening in March 2012. The Smith Center is a performing arts complex with three performance spaces: the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall, Boman Pavilion’s 258-seat Cabaret Jazz venue, and the 250-seat Troesch Studio Theater.

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“When we were planning The Smith Center, we knew there was pent-up demand for Broadway shows from people who lived here,” said Martin. “Some of them had the ability to fly to New York or drive to southern California to see a show, but most didn’t. We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to see shows of this quality.

Even with blockbuster shows, we’re making sure tickets are affordable. You can find tickets in the $28 range, which you could never find on Broadway.”

Martin is looking forward to an exciting season in the Broadway Las Vegas Series, which this year includes 10 productions, including the return of blockbuster favorites like The Book of Mormon and Beauty and the Beast, as well as the Las Vegas premieres of Tony Award-winning shows direct from Broadway.

Heading up The Smith Center entitles Martin to be one of the 844 people across the country who vote on the Tony Awards, so he’s a regular visitor to Broadway. “Every once Book of Mormon returns to The Smith Center this season. THE BOOK OF MORMON National Tour, Mark Evans, Derrick Williams, © Joan Marcus, 2013 26 | blvdslv.com

in a while I see something that is truly extraordinary,” he said. “One of those shows last season was The Bridges of Madison County. The music was great, and it won a Tony Award for best score. It’s a show that really delivers, and we are thrilled to be one of the stops on its tour this season.” It will play at The Smith Center in February 2016.

Bridges was nominated for the “Best Musical” Tony Award last year, but the eventual winner in that category was another show that is also coming to Las Vegas: The Gentlemen’s Guide to Love & Murder. In this unique staging, the same actor plays 8 different roles. “It’s fascinating to grasp the notion that the same person you just saw now looks totally different, and it happens so quickly. There was no doubt we were going to go after that title to bring it here,” said Martin. The Gentlemen’s Guide will come to Las Vegas in March 2016.

The Smith Center will end its season in July 2016 with one of the most unique opportunities Las Vegas audiences have ever enjoyed. “Imagine taking the funniest contemporary musicals, like The Book of Mormon, and melding them with shows from the golden age of musicals, like

Oklahoma,” said Martin. “In New York last year, I went to a reading for a show called Idaho. I laughed so hard, and the music was so touching and so good, that as soon as it was over, I said, ‘We have to premiere the show at the Smith Center.’”

Idaho won’t be fully staged, so the audience will see what it’s like to view a work in process. “We planned it that way,” said Martin. “You’ll experience what it’s like to see a show after it’s table-read, but before its final iteration.

If you come on the first night, and then come back a week later, you might see some changes. Who ever gets that opportunity? I think the audience will love it.”

Martin added, “Idaho not only ends the season, but hints at a new future for The Smith Center, as a place where brand new product is workshopped and worked on, then sent on to Broadway. I’m very hopeful that Idaho’s next stop will be Broadway.”

For tickets and performance information, visit thesmithcenter.com.

The original Broadway Company of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder stars Jefferson Mays as Lord Adalbert D’Ysquith (red).

Photo credit: ©Joan Marcus.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 27

ARTS (Opposite page) Matthew Couper ‘Prophetic Victory Over Art’ 2015 oil on canvas 70” x 54” 1778mm x 1372mm Paul Nache Matthew Couper says, “I used imagery from the USA east-coast Millerite movement that thought that Christ was returning in 1843 or 1844. He didn’t. It became known as ‘The Great Disappointment,’ and off-shoot religions—including 7th Day Adventists— spawned from the movement. The painting title is an oxymoron, tied up with my interest in vampirism (in regards to the ‘painting is dead’ cliche) and the dangers of prognosticating on where painting or art is going”.

Art That Converses With The Past Artist Matthew Couper combines a Spanish Colonial aesthetic with modern-day Las Vegas iconography.

Written by Sarah Vernetti n 2010, when he relocated to the United States, New Zealand-born artist Matthew Couper was drawn to Las Vegas’s unique setting, both the manmade landscape of the Strip and the desert just beyond the city.

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“People think of Las Vegas as a one-dimensional city, and the longer that we stay here, the more opportunities open up for us to look at other aspects of the city and its culture. So, the dichotomy is that it’s a testament to humanist playtime on the Strip, and then you’ve got the desert. They’re both kind of cut-throat places.”

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Today, Couper and his wife, artist JK Russ, call Downtown Las Vegas home, where they soak in the city’s largerthan-life personality.

Couper’s paintings draw from a variety of influences, particularly ex-votos, Spanish Colonial paintings that depicted significant life events and were often created by anonymous artists.

“We collect Spanish Colonial art, mostly from Mexico.

So, most of the artists are unknown because they were artisans making devotional artworks for someone who had been hurt by a horse and cart or something like that and

needed an operation. That has probably been the biggest influence. It’s all devotional; it’s all religious. But there’s something in the aesthetic that I’m interested in.”

Meanwhile, Couper also looks to the Strip’s retro, all-American aesthetic and to the desert beyond, a precarious place where Lake Mead serves as a constant reminder of the region’s water-related challenges.

“I’m really interested in Las Vegas’ water issues. It’s ultimately going to affect Las Vegas, but it’s also going to affect everyone all over the world. So, looking at Las Vegas as that epitome of American culture, it’s like a little biodome of what’s happening in the rest of the world,” Couper explains.

The resulting artwork combines the new and the old, the familiar and the apocalyptic.

The unlikely combination of creating paintings inspired by traditional religious art while living in a city that is often obsessed with modernity is proving to be a success.

Over the next year, Couper’s work will be exhibited in solo shows in Houston and New Zealand. In September, he’ll be participating in the noteworthy Sydney Contemporary art fair, a major event that includes the work of over 300 artists. In 2013, Sydney Contemporary’s inaugural year, it drew over 28,000 attendees.

“For Sydney Contemporary, I decided to make artworks that are all presented on the ground that relate to gravity or defying gravity. I will also be performing a work called Over, Over, Over, Over, Over, Over & Over where I will be hand-printing woodblock prints of representations of the self as a vampire and an artist.”

With his busy exhibition schedule, travel is an important part of Couper’s career as an artist. “Traveling is a really good opportunity, but it is still a lot of hard work. We get to travel around to all the museums and meet other artists, but it’s still work,” Couper explains.

“It’s a subject where you can learn just by looking at things and I really liked that. Just by walking around museums and soaking in all those images, you can put them into some kind of system. And then you can feed off that, and it becomes a conversation.”

“That’s why I like working in this mode of painting, because it’s a conversation with all of these images that have gone before,” says Couper.

Growing up in New Zealand, Couper was surrounded by art from an early age. His father loved to draw and his mother and sister studied art history.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 29

ARTS

Art As Diary: New Gallery Exhibit Explores the Life of a Genius Picasso: Creatures and Creativity Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Now-January 10, 2016 Written by Sarah Vernetti

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icasso: Creatures and Creativity, currently on view at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, examines the life of one of history’s most inspiring artist.

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is shedding light on the life and artistic process of one of the 20th century’s most renowned artist, Pablo Picasso. Incorporating 43 works of art, including paintings and prints, the exhibit Picasso: Creatures and Creativity looks at the concept of art as a form of diary-keeping.

The exhibit offers visitors an opportunity to see this particular group of artworks together in the United States for the first time. In fact, one of the paintings has never before been shown in public. The portrait of Picasso’s lover, Dora Maar, depicts the woman in profile, her blue hair cutting past the geometric, Cubist features of her face.

The painting’s dark palette and severe angles could be a reflection of the couple’s sometimes turbulent relationship.

Another highlight of the exhibit is a Picasso lithograph that was inspired by the 16th-century artist, El Greco. Here, visitors have the unique opportunity to see the work’s various states, or stages, along with the carved linoleum plate that Picasso used during the printing process.

Frequent visitors to the gallery will notice a welcome new addition when they attend the Picasso exhibit.

The gallery has done away with the bulky audio tour wands in favor of sleek iPods. In addition to featuring comfortable headphones, the iPods also allow guests to navigate through the audio tour and control the volume more easily. (Use of the audio tours is included with gallery admission, however. Guests are asked to leave

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Pablo Picasso, Woman Wearing Yellow Hat (Jacqueline), 1962, Oil on canvas, 36 x 28 3/4”, © 2015 Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, Photo: Maurice Aeschimann.

a driver’s license at the desk until they return the iPod upon exiting the exhibit space.)

Picasso: Creatures and Creativity does an excellent job of examining Picasso’s personal life and how it influenced his artistic process. Through the artworks, the biographical timeline that greets visitors near the exhibit’s entrance, and the informative audio tour, viewers are taken on an exploration of one of history’s most creative minds.

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ARTS

Organized Crime on a Grand Scale The Mob Museum offers a unique perspective on the nation’s roughand-tumble cultural history.

Written by Ron Comings

he Prohibition Era and immigration to our country at the turn of the 20th century fueled the creation and spread of organized crime on a scale never before seen in America. Now you can see and experience it here in Las Vegas, where organized crime played a key role in the early days of the city. The Mob Museum, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, has made a significant contribution to the cultural fabric of Las Vegas since it opened in 2012.

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The Museum’s website describes the exhibit as a world class, interactive journey through true stories. “From the birth of the mob to today’s headlines. Shadows and whispers.

G-Men and Made Men. Real stories are brought to life with engaging, multi-sensory exhibits and unparralled insights from those on the front lines of both sides of the battle.”

So how does a museum about organized crime and law enforcement add to the cultural enrichment of the community? CEO Jonathan Ullman has a ready answer. “You start with the building as being a pillar of the city’s history and preserve it in such a way that the city really hasn’t done nearly enough of. This is such a wonderful example of Depression-era architecture as well as a venue that has rich history as a former post office and federal court house (where some of the national hearings on organized crime were conducted).”

Ullman describes the narrative of the exhibit as retrospective, it’s storytelling. But it’s more than just a story

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about the mob and law enforcement, “It’s done in a way where you’re also getting this social commentary so you see the popular culture of the day in the media portraying what is going on. You see it in the objects and the artifacts that are on display.”

the docu-dramas on TV, but now there’s a venue with real objects that take you back. You can actually stand in front of the wall of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. You can listen to wire taps that were used as evidence. It’s Hollywood, but it’s real life.”

Ullman says because Las Vegas is a unique city that brings in millions of visitors, the museum has to appeal to the tourist. He believes that appeal adds to the culture of our city in an extraordinary way beyond just an interest in organized crime.

In addition to the exhibits, the museum also offers a number of programs for locals such as its recent Hot Havana Night. It was a fun and entertaining evening recalling the 50s and 60s when Havana was considered the Las Vegas of the Caribbean. The following day, the museum brought in best-selling author, T.J. English, who wrote the book, Havana Nocturne.

The museum thoroughly displays the role the mob played in the early days of the casinos in Las Vegas. Visitors learn about local heroes such as Sheriff Ralph Lamb, and they see obscure things such as the women’s purses used to smuggle the “skim” from the casinos. They also learn that a woman (Mayme Stocker) was issued the first license to operate a casino in Las Vegas.

In Ullman’s words, “We are telling real history here that is often not given a lot of attention. In some ways, there is an authenticity and an honesty in giving its due that you don’t get from other sources. This is American history that we’re not necessarily proud of. They are stories that are familiar to the public, but they are often familiar to the public because its been such a strong part of popular culture.”

The museum is now planning more exhibits like the one just opened September 1—The Beautiful Game Turns Ugly.

It covers the FIFA World Soccer scandal, which is described by the museum as promising “incisive, eye-opening details ripped from today’s headlines.”

The Mob Museum is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for Nevada residents are $13.95 for adults, $11.95 for seniors and $10 for children. Children ages 10 and under are free.

You can learn more about the museum at themobmuseum.org.

“People have learned so much and have been so intrigued by these stories because they’ve seen the movies and

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 33

in partnership with clark county nevada

southern nevada’s biggest outdoor celebration presented by

sunset Park las vegas 9am to 2pm

free, family-friendly event -camping -fishing -running

-history -kayaking -off-roading -biking -rock climbing -exploring enjoy, value & protect southern nevada’s outdoor playground

Saturdayoctober24th www.getoutdoorsnevada.org/day get outdoors nevada day is a great day out for the entire family. let’s celebrate together Southern Nevada’s Incredible Outdoor Playground

SHOP THIS LOOK: WYLDR Skirt, Chaser Top, MUUBAA Leather Jacket, Penny Lane Horse Hair Necklace, Wear Marrow Hamsa Necklace, Janessa Leone Hat, Urban Expressions Envelope Clutch—R+D Hipster Emporium, rdhipster.com JOES Heels—Nordstrom, shop. nordstorm.com

MODEL: Candace Campbell (Owner of Stonefox Salon, stonefoxlv.com) WHERE: Marjorie Barrick Museum, unlv.edu/barrickmuseum Artist Justin Favela, “Estardas”

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 35

PBS Arts Fall Festival Fridays at 9 p.m.

October 9 — November 27

Tune in to Vegas PBS Channel 10

VegasPBS.org • 702.799.1010

presents

art

2015 Fall SeaSon MuSic

of exciting events from: 702-651-LIVE (5483) www.csn.edu/pac

theatre

Dance

3200 E Cheyenne Ave N. Las Vegas NV 89030

CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For More information visit: www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination.

The Philharmonic

DRESSING FOR THE OCCASION PHOTOGRAPHY: Talbot Snow, talbotsnow.com WARDROBE STYLIST: Tiffany Weekes, tiffanyweekes.com WARDROBE ASSISTANT: Alyssa Barranca HAIR & MAKEUP: Sherri Arenas

SHOP THIS LOOK: Mother: Bailey 44 White Blouse, Black Leatherette Leggings, Bailey 44 Leather Blazer—Vasari, vasarilasvegas.com Isola Booties—Nordstrom, shop.nordstrom.com Street Level Plum Shoulder Bag—R+D Hipster Emporium, rdhipster.com Father: The Capoliveri Suit XXXX Black Label Collection, Eton Dress Shirt, Carrot + Gibbs Bow Tie, Edward Anmah Pocket Square, Randam Lapel Pin­—­Stitched, stitchedlifestyle.com Steve Madden Brogues—Nordstrom, shop. nordstrom.com Son: La Miniatura Plaid Blazer, La Miniatura Plaid Suit Short, La Miniatura Tux Shirt, Paseo Toms­— R+D Hipster Emporium, rdhipster.com Bow Tie—Archer + Jane, archerandjane.com MODELS: (L to R) Maile Ekimoto (Mother), Kamai Ekimoto (Son) Karel Ekimoto (Father), Makeup by Maile Ekimoto, mailebmakeup.com WHERE: The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 37

LIFESTYLE

The Opera

SHOP THIS LOOK: Dress & Tuxedo—Models’ own Diamonds—Tower Jewels, towerofjewels.com MODELS: Nancy & Jack Weinstein (Owners of Tower of Jewels, towerofjewels.com) WHERE: The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

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Ballet SHOP THIS LOOK: Line + Dot Soft Feather Maxi—R+D Hipster Emporium, rdhipster.com Jewelry—Jeweler’s Daughter Stardust Collection, thejewelersdaughter.com Shoes—Model’s own MODEL: Polly Weinstein (owner of Jeweler’s Daughter, thejewelersdaughter.com) WHERE: The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 39

LIFESTYLE

Fine Art

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SHOP THIS LOOK: Vintage Custom Dress, Vivienne Westwood Boots, Fur Stole—Patina Décor, patinadecorlv.com MODEL: Kate Aldrich, owner of Patina Décor, patinadecorlv.com

Theatre

WHERE: Art Square Theatre, artsquarelv.com

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 41

LIFESTYLE SHOP THIS LOOK: The “Jen” Reverse Lace Trim Jumper, Chain & Coin Necklace, Hand Chain, CJ Aurora Earrings, Over the Knee Leather Boots—Widow Den, widowden.com MODEL: Jamie Todorovitch, co-owner of Widow Den, widowden.com WHERE: Marjorie Barrick Museum, unlv.edu/barrickmuseum Artist, Javier Sanchez, “Ayotzi”

SHOP THIS LOOK: The “Clarice” Castles Couture Lace Crop w/ Ruffle Trim, Mink Pink Floral Shorts, Widow Chiffon Duster, Gypsy Coin Belt, All Seeing Eye Mosaic Necklace, CJ Aurora Mookite Tusk & Abalone Earrings, Leather Gladiator Sandals—Widow Den, widowden.com MODEL: Jamie Todorovitch, co-owner of Widow Den, widowden.com WHERE: Marjorie Barrick Museum, unlv.edu/barrickmuseum Artist, Nicolas Shake , “Untitled”

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Fine Art

SHOP THIS LOOK: WYLDR Skirt, Chaser Top, MUUBAA Leather Jacket, Penny Lane Horse Hair Necklace, Wear Marrow Hamsa Necklace, Janessa Leone Hat, Urban Expressions Envelope Clutch—R+D Hipster Emporium, rdhipster.com MODEL: Candace Campbell, owner of Stonefox Salon, stonefoxlv.com WHERE: Marjorie Barrick Museum, unlv.edu/barrickmuseum Artist, Sush Machida Gaikotsu, “Crank Up the Deep Divin’ Ultra 3”

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 43

LIFESTYLE

La Concha Hits Historical High Note Historic motel joins the Nevada Register of Historic Places.

Written by Tony Illia

a streamlined, futuristic sense of movement.

La Concha is a swooping structure constructed from a thin, reinforced concrete shell with intervening floorto-ceiling glass window walls. The undulating form gives the building a sense of dynamism, like a wave washed ashore, while also creating deep cantilevered overhangs for private pockets of shade and protection from the desert sun.

a Concha is officially a super-cool, must-see historic place. The former motel lobby-turned-Neon Museum was recently added to the Nevada Register of Historic Places. The 1,200-square-foot clamshell building designed by Paul Revere Williams was originally erected in 1961 alongside the Riviera Hotel on South Las Vegas Boulevard.

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When the La Concha motel closed in 2003, however, the iconic structure was left in limbo. It later earned a spot on the National Trust for Historical Preservation’s

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list of top 11 most-endangered buildings in Nevada. Thankfully, the Neon Museum rescued and repurposed the 28-foottall structure that now serves as the nonprofit’s headquarters.

La Concha is a prime example of postwar Googie (not to be confused with Google) architecture. America, in the 1950s and 1960s, had a newfound appetite for freedom and adventure due to the creation of a national Interstate Highway System. Googie reflected the whimsy and kitsch of car culture with glass, steel, and neon construction in geometric upswept shapes for

Williams was a mid-century master responsible for over 3,000 buildings, most notably the LAX International Airport Theme Building, which became a space age atomic era symbol of Los Angeles.

He also designed celebrity homes for Frank Sinatra, Anthony Quinn, and Lucille Ball, among others. Williams was the first African American admitted into the American Institute of Architects (AIA) in 1923; he later became the first black man inducted to the AIA College of Fellows in 1957, widely considered the profession’s top honor.

Although La Concha was a small commission by a big name architect, it still reflects, embodies, and informs our design lineage, ambitions, and future aspirations.

Women in Harmony Written by Joy Bellis our-part harmony has been around for a long, long time. Long before the Society for the Protection of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA) formed in 1938, male quartets were singing simple melodies that had commonplace themes. In 17th century England, barbers kept stringed instruments for customers to play while waiting for their haircuts. In1830s America, the barbershop and street corners became gathering places for the average guy, the one who couldn’t afford to join clubs. Men— especially Black men once the Civil War ended—would stand around after their shave and haircut and sing four-part harmony for the pleasure of the other men waiting.

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In 1945, Edna Mae Anderson gathered a group of her friends whose husbands were members of the SPEBSQSA. They started singing barbershop style and formed the Sweet Adelines. The organization grew quickly and today boasts more than 500 international choruses and 24,000 members. The Celebrity City Chorus is a local branch of the Sweet Adelines International, and it has been performing in this area since 1962. Unlike the men,

ths Sweet Adelies don’t wear striped jackets, red bow ties, and straw hats. They are entertainers and dress alike in a variety of sparkling costumes.

Sixty women who participate simply for the love of singing presently make up the Celebrity City Chorus. While celebrating the art form of barbershop harmony, they cultivate strong friendships and encourage each others’ personal growth. Their pursuit of musical excellence is evident in their performances, and they have won regional competitions in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2013.

Attending any of their performances, you will come to realize that this musical format has remained so appealing because it retains an air of spontaneity and intimacy that is not evident in many other organized musical presentations.

If you have the chance to hear the Celebrity City Chorus, be sure to attend whatever function is offering you that opportunity. It will be a joyful experience.

For more information visit celebritycitychorus.com.

The Celebrity City Chorus has performed in Las Vegas for more than 50 years.

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 45

Dessert Before Dinner B E N E F I T I N G G I R L S C O U T S O F S O U T H E R N N E VA D A

Saturday, September 26 from 6 pm - 9 pm Please RSVP by September 14, 2015 - Augustus Ballroom, Caesars Palace 2015 Honorees

Elizabeth Blau ..................Entrepreneur Robin Greenspun ........... Philanthropist Dawn Mack .................... Girl Scout Way Rose McKinney-James ......Public Policy Anita Romero .........................Think Big Marilyn Winn Spiegel .......... Trailblazing Heidi Straus..... Celebrating Community

RSVP NOW 702-385-3677 For more information visit www.dessertbeforedinner.org Cocktail Attire Requested

Badge Badge Badge Badge Badge Badge Badge

Don’t miss this year’s dessert competition, in which noted local chefs create new and unique treats from this year’s chosen Girl Scout cookie.

Event attendees vote for and select the winning dessert.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER JAN JONES BLACKHURST Executive Vice President of Communications, Government Relations and Corporate Responsibility, Caesars Entertainment Corporation CHEF CONTESTANTS: Brittany Castro-Hill Gordon Ramsay Steak, Paris Las Vegas Brigette Contreras STK at The Cosmopolitan Nicole De Lellis Le Cirque at Bellagio Marisela Espinoza Caesars Palace

SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT MATT GOSS British singing sensation & Caesars Palace headliner

Cynthia Inguanzo-Underwood & Kimberly Vitou MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Kaiulani - KAILAVA Natalie Morgan & Candalina Stanwood The Mirage Hotel & Casino Megan Romano - Chocolate and Spice Cynthia Werth - Stratosphere Casino

Flavor Medjool dates, confit tomato, and burrata cheese combine to make a delicious salad at Andiron Steak.

F L AV O R

The Art of Dining Follow our writers to their favorite places to go before the show.

Rachel’s Kitchen offers fresh fare such as this yummy Pear & Arugula Salad.

he dining scene in Las Vegas keeps getting better, and with more than 3000 restaurants across the valley, choosing where to eat keeps getting harder. We’re here to help. We asked our writers to tell us their favorite places to go before or after they head to the theater, symphony, ballet, or museum.

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Cantina Laredo 430 S. Rampart Boulevard #110 In Summerlin at Tivoli Village.

Cantina Laredo highlights the authentic flavors of Mexico in dishes such as Ensalada de Mango y Pollo, Enchiladas De Mole, and Tacos De Pescado. The Mexican Brownie is a winner.

Mundo 495 S. Grand Central Parkway, A-11 Downtown in the World Market Center.

The only upscale Mexican restaurant in downtown, Mundo has a diverse menu that includes a number of vegetarian selections. We especially like the Chilean Sea Bass, Carnitas, and the Grilled Vegetable Salad.

Rachel’s Kitchen 150 Las Vegas Boulevard. N. Ground floor in The Ogden.

While Rachel’s Kitchen has several locations, the one downtown at the Ogden is the a good place to grab healthy fare before you head to a museum or gallery in the area. In addition to breakfast items, sandwiches,

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and salads, they also offer smoothies and fresh juices.

PublicUs 1126 Fremont Street On the corner of Maryland Parkway.

A neighborhood restaurant and coffee bar, PublicUS has seasonal menus with food made with locally or regionally grown, raised, and caught items. Try the Brookie.

Triple George Grill 201 N. 3rd Street Just off Ogden Avenue downtown.

Live it up at Triple George Grill where they serve up steak, seafood, chicken,

and pasta dishes in a comfortable, warm atmosphere. The Buttermilk Sage Fried Chicken and Seafood Cioppino are favorites.

Carson Kitchen 124 S. 6th Street Downtown on the corner of Carson St. The upstairs patio at Carson Kitchen is a great place to grab a drink before or after seeing a show downtown. In addition to enjoying the view, enjoy a small plate of “Devil’s” Eggs or Crispy Chicken Skins with your drink. If you’re really hungry, try the Cocoa-Espresso NY Strip Steak or Black Rice & Oxtail Risotto.

Want to try something new?

Check out these new and hot additions to the Las Vegas culinary scene.

Arawan Thai Bistro and Dessert 953 E. Sahara Avenue In Village Square Commerical Center.

The chefs at Arawan Thai Bistro and Dessert designed a menu of dishes that are meant to be shared. They use the freshest seasonal products in meals that include Arawan Crispy Duck, Short Rib Yellow Curry, and Pad Thai TofuVegetables. Try the Thai Sweet Sticky Rice with Mango.

A favorite at Andiron is the Tomahawk Chop accompanied by stuffed bone marrow.

Siegel’s 1941 600 E. Fremont Street Inside the El Cortez Hotel & Casino.

New to the El Cortez, Siegel’s 1941 offers some of the Flame’s old favorites (Prime Rib and Stone Crabs) next to new dishes such as The Bugsy Siegel Burger and Brick Roasted Chicken. Siegel’s is now open 24 hours, and on Wednesdays, anyone over the age of 50 gets a 50% discount.

Andiron Steak & Sea 1720 Festival Plaza Drive In Downtown Summerlin.

The menu of Andiron Steak & Sea, the newest restaurant from Las Vegas culinary stars Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau, pays “homage to all things grilled, roasted, shucked and seared.” Joining heavier fare such as the 20-ounce Bone-in Ribeye and 36-ounce Tomahawk Chop (for two) are the Burrata & Grilled Fig Salad and Yellowtail Crudo.

Oscar’s Steakhouse 1 Main Street Downtown in the Plaza Hotel.

Former Mayor Oscar Goodman opened Oscar’s Steakhouse in a spot overlooking Fremont Street from the Plaza Hotel.

Oscar’s features steaks, naturally, as well as pork and veal chops. The bar next to the restaurant serves a variety of cocktails including the former mayor’s favorite, the martini.

Bronze Café at The Center 401 S. Maryland Parkway Downtown between Lewis and Clark.

Another downtown favorite is the Bronze Café which offers healthy food made from scratch. Enjoy everything from breakfast fare (Swedish Oatmeal and ChocolateCherry Granola) to lunch and dinner (Thai Peanut Noodle Salad and The Green Goddess Chicken Salad Sandwich). The Bronze Café is vegan-friendly.

Therapy 518 East Fremont Street Downtown just off Las Vegas Boulevard Need a little Therapy after a long work week and before you head to the theatre? Try a selection of Therapy’s small plates (Summer Squash Flatbread, Pretzel Bread, or Cast Iron S’mores) and hand-crafted cocktails (Bitter Tangerine Daiquiri, The Devil’s Eyes, or White Peach Pisco Punch).

PDQ 3010 W. Sahara Avenue Between Rancho and Valley View.

PDQ puts a fresh take on both fast food and chicken. Dine in or drive thru to enjoy a Grilled Chicken Salad with grilled chicken served over mixed greens, tomato, candied almonds and craisins, topped with blueberry-ginger vinaigrette dressing. Count us in!

The Culture Guide | September - October 2015 | 49

F L AV O R

Zydeco Po-Boys 616 E. Carson Avenue, #140 Downtown between 6th and 7th.

A little bit of South Louisiana is right here in downtown Las Vegas!

Po’ boys, Try Gumbo, Cajun Fries & other Louisiana eats in a colorful, counter-serve sandwich shop.

They make best fried shrimp po-boy we’ve had outside of New Orleans! And did we mention authentic Leidenheimer’s bread.

Osi’s Kitchen 4604 W. Sahara Avenue, #6 Between Arville and Decatur.

Stop by Osi’s Kitchen and spice up your day with Kosher and Mediterranean cuisine made with lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and challah bread baked from scratch using generations’ old ancient techniques.

Enjoy Classic Manhattan Cocktails at Siegel’s 1941.

Public School 702 1850 Festival Plaza Drive Located in Downtown Summerlin.

Public School is a chef-driven gastropub serving exclusively craft beer and delivering “An Education in the Art of Food & Beer.” The eclectic, seasonal menu includes favorites such as the Colorado Lamb Burger, Roasted Poblano with Quinoa, and the infamous Bacon Cheddar Tots.

Red chile brandy sauce and queso fresco accompany Mundo’s Shrimp Tamale.

Sushi Way 3900 Paradise Road, #B Just north of Flamingo Road.

You want a new sushi spot that serves great quality sushi in an allyou-can-eat format? Go the Sushi Way! We recommend the orgamsic roll... It’s to die for!

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Chocolate Banana Cream Ice Box Cake is a sweet end to an Andiron meal.

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION

Downtown is our cultural center

Written by Linda Bonnici

After serving nearly 40 years in the broadcasting industry, Linda Bonnici announced her retirement in June 2015. Recently she received the Nevada Broadcasters Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Linda, Tony, and their children, Kyle and Courtney, have long supported the arts in Las Vegas.

hen you think of culture, you typically would not think of Las Vegas and especially not downtown Las Vegas. But there, a short distance from our version of Times Square, is not only an architectural masterpiece in The Smith Center building but also programming that will delight and astound you. Any Broadway play you might see in Reynolds Hall or concert at the Jazz Cabaret Theater has the clearest sound and most artful scenery.

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Downtown Las Vegas has quickly become the cultural center of Southern Nevada. That is why we are continued supporters of the downtown cultural scene. We subscribe every season at the Smith Center. We are members at the Discovery Children’s Museum and have attended the Life is Beautiful Festival. All of this is in our sleepy little desert town.

The diversity these venues bring to our local community has yet to be completely measured. My husband and I know that, as managers who hire professionals, the cultural benefits of Las

Vegas are now a highlight that we and so many utilize in the recruitment of job candidates to our great city. I’m excited to share these attractions with our grandchildren as we have already with our own children.

It makes me proud to know that we have stepped up our culture in a big way and are improving the education of our locals and attracting newcomers from all over the world. We really feel that the addition of museums and cultural destinations to Southern Nevada help to change the perception of what Las Vegas is really all about. We enjoy art and theater when we travel, why shouldn’t we do the same in our own hometown?

Support what you believe in, and you’ll be surprised how many others feel the same way. The Bonnici family will be lifelong supporters of new cultural ideas for all of Southern Nevada.

The Culture Issue | September - October 2015 | 51

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