Put on your lightest clothing and get ready to head out into the heat for some hot events taking place this weekend in Vegas. You have no excuse for staying indoors even though the temperatures should hit the century mark. Here’s a look at the best events going on over the weekend in Sin City.
Beer, James Beard and Vegas Cruise
Combine the natural pleasures of the Springs Preserve with the sounds of the blues and more than a dozen brewers at the Inaugural Springs Preserve Brews and Blues Festival on Saturday. From 4 to 9 p.m., you can drink brews while listening to blues artists such as the Lucky Cheats, Cordle-Scott Band and Jeneane Marie. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 the day of the event and guests must be 21. The Springs Preserve is at 333 S. Valley View Blvd.
It’s very rare indeed when you can dine with five James Beard Award-winning chefs. On June 5, Shawn McClain, Claude Le Tohic, Luciano Pellegrini, Francois Payard and Julian Serrano prepare a dinner in a private home that benefits the Las Vegas Philharmonic and the James Beard Foundation. Tickets are $300 per person and available at 702.258.5438, ext. 221
If cars are your thing, head down to the Fremont Street Experience and take in Summer of the ’70s. This weekend brings Vegas Cruise, a display of more than 200 pre-1972 cars. Sweet, the band that sang “Ballroom Blitz,” puts on a free show at the 1st Street Stage at 9 p.m. on Friday. The car show is on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday.
Add a little bump and grind to your weekend at the 20th anniversary of the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend at the Plaza Hotel downtown. Top international burlesque entertainers will be on hand, and the Burlesque Hall of Fame Museum opens on Friday. Check out the Titans of Tease 53rd Annual Striptease Reunion Showcase Friday night at 8 p.m., the World’s Best Burlesque featuring the 20th Annual Burlesque Hall of Fame reunion on Saturday at 8 p.m., or the Pinup Pool Party on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
While CineVegas is on hiatus this year, you can still check out new and avant films during the third annual Las Vegas Film Festival Friday through Sunday at the Las Vegas Hilton. The three-day event will showcase more than 40 original films and documentaries, such as “Holy Rollers,” an Official Selection at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Actors such as Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha and Ari Graynor plan to appear at the premier on Friday night.
Other notable films being screened include: “My Run,” a documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton; “Stealing Second,” a 2009 Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner Official Selection; “Once Fallen,” a feature directed by award-winning filmmaker and actor Ash Adams, and starring Brian Presley, Taraji P. Henson and Ed Harris; and “Ashley’s Ashes,” a feature film starring Lee Arenberg, Daniel Baldwin, Willie Garson, Clint Howard and Craig Sheffer.
All films will be competing for several prestigious festival awards including the Grand Jury Prize sponsored by Harney Harwood and the coveted Audience Award sponsored by Acrylic Tank Manufacturing. Tickets for the festival are $7 for individual screenings and $25 for a five-film mini pass. Buy an all-day film pass for $50 and an all-access pass for $100. For a full schedule of events and to purchase tickets to film screenings, filmmaker panels and parties, visit www.lvfilmfest.com.
The Show-Me State
It wouldn’t be Las Vegas without music and comedy. This weekend brings Crosby, Stills and Nash to the Joint at the Hard Rock. The band is still rocking after 40 years. Tickets start at $46 for the Friday show at 8 p.m.
Groove out to the rock beats and soulful blues of Jonny Lang as he performs live at the Silverton Casino on Friday. Show time is 8 p.m. and tickets start at $30.
Over at the Pearl at the Palms, go back to the ’90s for a night with the Goo Goo Dolls on Saturday. We hope to hear songs like “Slide” and “Iris.” Tickets start at $45 and show starts at 8 p.m. Or spend Friday night with Korn for an 8 p.m. show. Tickets start at $72.75. On Sunday night, get down with rapper 50 Cent, who should play “In Da Club” and “Candy Shop” at his 9 p.m. show. Tickets start at $49.
Bust a rib with Tracy Morgan from “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live” when he plays the Joint at the Hard Rock Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $42.50. Go for something with a bit more quick wit when late-night host Craig Ferguson takes the stage at the Venetian Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $47.75.
Or go for some true old-school comedy when Vegas stalwart Don Rickles plays the Orleans Saturday and Sunday nights at 8 p.m. Tickets go for $82.50 and up.
If you want to keep the party outdoors, you can always head to Mandalay Bay Beach for Boz Scaggs on Saturday at 5 p.m. or Red Rock Resort for The Fabulous Thunderbirds at 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Just be sure to wear some sunscreen where ever your weekend plans take you.
