MUS I C

by ERIC DURAN-VALLE

Noise Break

OCT. 7

››› Despite our reputation as the land of lounge singers and novelty acts, there is a thriving, locally brewed rock scene in Vegas. You’ll want to tune into the White Noise at their EP release show, along with a variety of other punk rockers like teen trio the Dollheads, pseudo-businessmen

Pure Sport, the gothic grunge Elevated Undergrounds, and bittersweet emo pop group Arrlo. Don’t worry, if I see you there, I won’t judge you for wearing ear plugs. In fact, I’ll have a few extras. The Space, 6p, $20, thespacelv.com

Never Be Royals

OCT. 13-14

››› Past the decorum and opulence, a major component of our obsession with royalty is a morbid fascination with the dark side and transgressions of the court. The juxtaposition of high society with the grim is at the center of the Kings & Queens: Madness, Mayhem & Macabre concert at Charleston Heights Art Center, presented by Vegas City Opera and the Las Vegas Sinfonietta. Enjoy works that incorporate the final writings of monarchs and consorts alongside the avant-garde compositions of György Ligeti and John Cage. Charleston Heights Art Center, 7-8:30p, $25 and $40, vegascityopera.org

Opera Al Dente

OCT. 25

››› I read somewhere that when opera singers forget their lyrics, they just begin listing varieties of pasta and the audience is none the wiser. Well, why not finally blend these two crafts, literally? Pasta & Puccini consists of an opening cocktail hour, an Italian opera for your main course, and a hearty dinner to wrap it all up. Remind me, was it Rossini or Rigatoni who wrote the theme to “The

Lone Ranger?” Monzú Italian Oven + Bar, 5:30p, $150-200, operalasvegas.com

Bring Your Own Tonic

OCT. 28

››› The Downtown Rocks Free Concert Series is your main source of headliners that make you go, “Oh hey! Those guys!” Sometimes they’re welcome blasts from the past, like Taking Back Sunday. or All-American Rejects. Other times … maybe they should have stayed back there (looking at you, Rick Springfield). You know Gin Blossoms from their radio hit, “Hey Jealousy,” but they also have a rich catalog of power pop tunes with bright melodies and profound lyrics. Check ’em out, along with the rest of the Downtown Rocks calendar. If the show’s a bust, it’s not like you’re starved for entertainment options in the immediate area.

Fremont Street Experience 3rd Street Stage, 9:30p, free, vegasexperience.com/downtownrocks-free-concerts

Repentance With Rhythm

OCT. 29, NOV. 19, DEC. 10

››› On select Sundays, House of Blues hosts a renowned concert and dining experience, Gospel Brunch. The soul is palpable in the selection at the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and from the performers on stage giving it their all. So, in case you overindulged on Saturday night, but Sunday Mass is a little too dour for your taste, why not get some rejuvenation at Gospel Brunch? You’ll also be supporting a good cause, as a portion of ticket sales benefits the Music Forward Foundation, an organization that helps youths ages 13-24 pursue their musical passions. House of Blues, 10a, $65, houseofblues. com/lasvegas

That Loud

OCT. 30

››› YE-AH! You know that YE-AH! You just read it in his voice, don’t lie. There is only one man who can deliver that YE-AH! with absolute conviction, transporting you back to a time when MySpace and flip phones were the cutting-edge. You couldn’t even deepfake that YE-AH! if you wanted to. See the man himself at Lil Jon’s DJ Set inside Aria’s Jewel Nightclub. I’ve said my piece. YE-AH!

JEWEL Nightclub, 10:30p, $20-30, events. taogroup.com

Do A Little Dance

NOV. 3

››› Okay, I have two confessions to make. The first is that, even as a proud, proud, Nevadan, I love the Red Hot Chili Peppers. My second is that, even as a dirty hipster who frequents shows in abandoned pools and backyards, I can also dig a good tribute band. That’s what you’re usually going to find at casino showrooms anyway. The Red Hots have stopped in Vegas twice in the past year, but in case you “Can’t Stop” indulging in your “Dark Necessities,” the Red Not Chili Peppers have your dose of “Californication.” Sunset Station, 8p, $20, stationcasinoslive.com

Real Cool Acts

NOV. 11

››› Craig Ranch has had some real winners lately. Who would have thought someone like Phoebe Bridgers would do a show there??? At the Rhythm & Brews Festival, classic R&B and funk acts including Cameo, Lakeside, Thee Midnighters, and many others perform their grooving jams in an open-air venue where you can take your pick of delectable food and drink options. Word up!

The AMP at Craig Ranch Regional Park, 12p, $35, rhythmandbrewslv.com

Three For The Show

NOV. 18

››› Good things often come in threes.

Something about that number elicits harmony. As charming as they are talented, the California Guitar Trio has a musical range spanning popular music classics to original composi tions. They’ve had the honor of soundtracking coverage for the Olympics and waking up NASA astronauts (alarmclock style, not live). You’ll find yourself singing along to the lush, bright sounds that steel strings make when masterfully manipulated by these virtuosos.

UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, 7:30-10p, $35, unlv. edu/pac

The Art Of The Comeback

NOV. 25

››› Few actors have managed to pull themselves from the depths of obscurity with a second act. Corey Feldman, of Gremlins, Goonies, and Stand by Me fame, looks to do it through music. Feldman is embarking on a U.S. tour to promote his new album Love Left 2 Dubbed Love Retours , the show is billed as a multi-media mix of his music and film hits, promising a uniquely ’80s-flavored spectacle. The Sand Dollar Downtown, 8p, $20-25, plazatix.com

THE BIG SHOW

NOV. 27-29

››› The UNLV jazz program has garnered accolades for its musicians’ talent, as well as for its diverse musical styles. This year’s three-day Jazz Festival will cover a lot of ground, highlighting the work of multiple jazz ensembles — contemporary, Latin, studio, vocal, and more. And the headline guest artist is drummer Gregg Bissonette, who’s played with everyone from American rocker David Lee Roth to Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, 7:30p, $8-10 (free for students) per concert, unlv.edu/pac

Farewell

The holidays are the time of the year for tradition and the reminder of things that have persisted through generations. But this period also marks an oncoming change for the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

Long-time conductor

Donato Cabrera is at the podium for the last time in the 2023-24 concert season. See him leading the Philharmonic in A Very Vegas Christmas, a collection of carols, holiday favorites, and heartwarming songs that are fun for the whole family. Who could ask for a better swan song? Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, 7:30p, $29-121, thesmithcenter.com

Improvise This

DEC. 16 & 29

››› Not since Ferris Bueller has a man in a bathrobe attained so much notoriety. Marc Rebillet, better known as “Loop Daddy” to his online audience, started making beats in his bedroom and performing at Dallas restaurants. He now tours the world and has appeared at multiple festivals. His comedic lyrics walk the line between transgressive and cathartic. Rebillet’s animated and chaotic presence has converted initially uninterested bar patrons into dedicated followers. See what all the hype is about at Marc in Vegas. Brooklyn Bowl, 7p, $60-375, brooklynbowl.com/ las-vegas

No Mask Required

JAN. 13

››› The Phantom might have had a happier life if he worked in a library, where locking yourself in the basement can just be considered archival work. An Evening with the Phantom features singers from Broadway and the Metropolitan Opera performing pieces from not only the famed Phantom of the Opera, but also other Andrew Lloyd Webber favorites such as Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sunset Boulevard, and more. Thankfully, there’s no ornate chandelier to worry about in this venue. West Charleston Library, 7-8:30p, free, thelibrarydistrict.org, 702-507-3459

Keller Williams

JAN. 25

››› In the age of streaming, many musicians have diversified their styles to span multiple genres or defy categorization entirely. Keller Williams is a progenitor of this philosophy, meshing elements of rock, jazz, bluegrass, and more since he released his first album in 1994. With a reputation for unique live performances, he plays tunes that are dynamic enough to get you out of the house on a cold

January night and moving around the dance floor like it’s the middle of summer.

Brooklyn Bowl, 7p, $25, brooklynbowl.com/ las-vegas

Always With Us

FEB. 3

››› Norteño Legends Los Tigres Del Norte have the critical acclaim to back up their stardom and the street cred to keep it going. Fifty years after Johnny Cash’s legendary concert at Folsom, the group was the only one approved to perform at the prison’s anniversary concert. On their Siempre Contigo Tour, you can experience their unmatched emotional energy and poignant lyrics reflecting the raw authenticity of life for Latinos on both sides of the border.

Michelob Ultra Arena, 8p, $57-221, mandalaybay.com

by ANNE DAVIS

Fun On Tap

OCT. 6

››› Dance visualizes music through the lyrical pauses, directional shifts, tempo changes — all expressed easily with the human body. Tap and piano are natural companions in this regard, harkening back to the age of big band. This is perhaps why pianist Conrad Tao and tap dancer Caleb Teicher joined forces in Counterpoint, where the clacking, shuffling dance style and lively, ragtime-inspired piano concerto play off one another on one stage in choreographed (and improvised) fashion. It’s a lively, compelling interplay of different art forms that blend predictably well. UNLV’s Ham Concert Hall, 7:30-10p, $20-60, unlv.edu/pac

Fall Squared

OCT. 6-7

››› Fall in Love With Contemporary West Dance Theatre Fall Concert Series is more than an excellent autumn pun — it’s also the title of this season’s performances by a stellar independent dance theater. Featuring four contemporary performances choreographed by artists Ray Mercer, Adrienne Hurd, and CWDT founder Bernard Gaddis, it’s the perfect introduction for those unfamiliar with the first dance company in Las Vegas (and the wider state of Nevada) to be founded by two people of color. Charleston Heights Arts Center, 7:30p, $25-30, lvdance.org

Boundarybreaking Bailes

OCT. 13

››› Music and dance transcend national borders and language barriers, making this showcase of Mexico’s region-defining bailes not only a fun and beautiful event, but also one with cultural significance. At Fiesta Folklorico: Una Celebración de Baile, the folk dances of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Sinaloa all make appearances, along with traditional music and colorful costumes. Fiesta is the correct term for this event, which promises to bring all attendants together, regardless of cultural barriers. Grab your Jalisco Dress or your dancing shoes, and get ready to baile the afternoon away!  East Las Vegas Library, 3:30-4:30p, free, thelibrarydistrict.org, 702-507-6019

Laugh Tracks And Clapbacks

OCT. 20-NOV. 5

››› If you’ve ever watched I Love Lucy or The Honeymooners and wondered, “What was the writers’ room like for one of these?” then you’ve unknowingly asked the driving question behind the creation of the play Laughter on the 23rd Floor. Written by Neil Simon — famed TV comedy writer of the ’50s — this production opens the door to a smoke-filled and polit-

Award-winning show.  Super Summer Theatre Studios, Fri., Sat., and Mon. 7p, Sun. 2p, $35-40, apublicfit.org

Putting The Care In Scare

OCT. 31

Tempting Fate

OCT. 10-15

››› I ain’t too proud to say I grew up listening to Motown. And why would I be? The Detroit-based record label helped define the music of the 1960s and ’70s, and provided a launchpad for some of the best Black singers and songwriters of the 20th century. Of all those mid-century music icons, the Temptations stand out as perhaps the most enduringly popular, demonstrated by Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations, a Tony Award-winning musical based on their lives and music. Speaking for myself, I’ll be a rolling stone to the box office for this one. Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, Tues-Fri. 7:30p, Sat. and Sun. 2p and 7:30p, $39-155, thesmithcenter.com ically charged writers’ room at NBC in the mid-20th century. Although it dishes out plenty of laughs, the play also serves as a powerful reminder that while much has changed (thankfully modern script-writers no longer have to dodge McCarthyism), some things will always stay the same.  Las Vegas Little Theatre, Fri. and Sat. 8p, Sat. and Sun. 2p, $30, lvlt.org

Decency Deconstructed

OCT. 27-NOV. 20

››› Religion, prostitution, and lesbianism — all controversial topics in their own right — come together in one early-20th century drama, giving context for the outrage that Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance inspired.

Indecent, A Public Fit’s newest production, tells the story behind this play, one of history’s most censored, parodied, and praised stage works. Yet, God of Vengeance is only a secondary character in Indecent — the real story is about its creator, Asch, his travails in staging the play, and dealing with the fallout the show caused him and his family as Jews in 1900s Europe. Human resilience, rebellion, and relationships are all center stage in this powerful Tony

››› There are some other eerie events in the Fall Culture Guide, but none can hold a jack-o’-lantern to Contemporary West Dance Theatre’s (CWDT) Halloween Spooktacular. Including performances by CWDT, a cameo from Dracula, and a postshow dance party and costume competition, parents can rest assured that it’s a safe way to celebrate the scariest day of the year with their children. If you’re looking for other holiday-themed performances from CWDT through the end of 2023, the company is also putting on a “Cool Yule” Christmas show, Dec. 15-16 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center.  Charleston Heights Arts Center, 5:30p, $10-20, lvdance.org

WHEREFORE ART THOU, ENTERTAINMENT?

NOV. 3-4

››› No self-respecting culture guide would be complete without at least one Shakespearean production, and if you only have room for one, might as well make it Romeo and Juliet — with a twist. While remaining true to Shakespeare’s beloved play and its dialogue, the Nevada Shakespeare Festival promises to add “a bit of Bon Jovi,” in this updated iteration. Parting is such sweet sorrow when there are only two performances, so snap up tickets while they’re available.  Windmill Library, Fri. 7-8:30p, Sat.

3-4:30p, free, thelibrarydistrict.org, 702-507-6068

Scream Team

THROUGH NOV. 4

››› Scary musicals — an unconventional genre of theater that’s more common than you’d think. The latest installment, Troy Heard and Brandon Scott Grayson’s Scream’d: An Unauthorized Musical Parody, is having its world premiere at Majestic Repertory Theatre. Based on my experience with the original source material, the 1996 slasher flick Scream, I fully expect to laugh, sit in suspense, and (of course) scream. Majestic Repertory Theatre, times vary, $20-50, majesticrepertory.com

Social Issues Under The Spotlight

NOV. 10

››› Lewy Body Dementia is estimated to affect 1.4 million Americans and is the second most common form of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s. Yet few know how the disease affects those suffering from it — and their families. The Wonderful World of Was, a play staged by the Social Issues Theatre, aims to correct this by telling the story of Lareaux, a high-achieving real estate developer who develops Lewy Body Dementia and is left caregiver-less when his wife passes away. The show is a compelling educational tool on dementia’s wide-reaching effects, along with an exploration of thorny relational dynamics, including the question of whether children have a moral imperative to care for their parents. If you can’t make it to see the play at the Clark County Library on Nov. 10, you can catch it at other dates and locations.  Clark County Library, 7-9p, free, thelibrarydistrict.org, 702-507-3459

Mutual Undersanding

NOV. 15-26

››› Happy Days is quite the deceptive name for Samuel Beckett’s 1960 play, which revolves around the alienating relationship between Winnie and her husband, Willie. Spending the play buried up to various parts of her body (yes, literally), Winnie banters to the mostly invisible Willie about their past, their future, and their love story. In so doing, Beckett’s 60-year-old show is a feast of the surreal — strange, and sorrowful.

How do we react when life seems to be passing us by, seemingly burying us in the sands of time?

Kymberly Luke Mellen, stage veteran and UNLV theater professor, stars in the leading role. If you can’t make it to the VTC dates, the production is also being staged at UNLV’s NCT (see unlv.edu/ nct). Vegas Theatre Company at Art Square, times vary, $25-40, theatre.vegas

A Cinderella Yule Love

NOV. 24-DEC. 10

››› Think you’ve seen every version of the classic Brothers Grimm story about lost glass slippers and true love? Think again! The Judy Bayley Theatre is the site of the world premiere of Cinderella Under the Mistletoe, a Nevada Conservatory Theatre original production. It sports a similar premise as the one we all loved as kids, but has been updated with quirky slapstick gags and a very dry British humor — courtesy of director Laura Jane James. Perhaps the

Stay On Your Mistletoes

DEC. 8-24

››› Many families’ Advent traditions, mine too, include seeing The Nutcracker sometime in December. There’s a reason why, out of the half-dozen shows in Nevada Ballet Theatre’s yearly seasons, The Nutcracker is consistently one of them. The sumptuous costumes, large corps of dancers required to put it on, and ever-festive music of Tchaikovsky — it’s simply the whole holiday package. If it’s not yet a tradition for you, there’s no time like now to start!  Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, Wed., Thurs., and Fri. 7:30p, Sat. 2p and 7:30p, Sun. 2p, $31-190, thesmithcenter.com most unconventional twist on the fairytale? This time, it’s set in Vegas (or somewhere that looks like Vegas, at least). Bring the kids, but leave your woodland friends at home, so you can get back before the clock strikes midnight.

UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theatre, times vary, $15-30, unlv.edu/nct

‘SANTA?!?’

DEC. 1-17

››› There is a healthy debate over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie (it is), but there’s also discussion about whether Elf needed to be made into a musical (it did). Whatever side prospective audience members fall on, they’ll swoon for this version of the eponymous holiday film. The banter is creative, the musical numbers have a certain jingle to them, and Buddy the elf is predictably lovable, which, all wrapped together, makes seeing the show feel like an early Christmas gift. Las Vegas Little Theatre, Fri. and Sat. 8p, Sun. 2p, $10-20, lvlt.org

Enjoy The Journey

DEC. 1-3 AND 8-10

››› Adapting Homer’s seminal poem, The Odyssey, might not seem like an easy thing to do for a youth theater company — after all, it’s a rather mature tale of violence and lawlessness in the post-Trojan War era. However, the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre has managed to do it, creating a show that remains faithful enough to the source material to get the story across, but cleaned up enough to be safe for younger eyes and ears. And for prospective audience members who are hard of hearing, not to worry: The Company has an ASL interpreter during the second weekend’s Saturday (Dec. 9) matinee, making this version of the epic even more accessible. Charleston Heights Arts Center, Fri. 7p, Sat. 2p and 7p, Sun. 2p, $10, rainbowcompany.org

HOLI-DAY OF JUDGMENT

DEC. 7-30

››› Majestic Repertory Theatre advertises its Christmas show this year, A Very Vegas Christmas Carol, with the subtitle, “The holiday classic on the rocks,” which in and of itself is pretty descriptive. Beyond that, we can tell you the show is a parody of Dickens’ famous tale, with the quirky cast of characters trying to soften the heart of a Vegas casino mogul. It promises to be a tale for the nontraditional among us, each and every one. And if Majestic’s track record for adaptations holds, it’ll be worth seeing just for their take on the three ghosts of Christmas. Majestic Repertory Theatre, times vary, $20-50, majesticrepertory.com