December 3-5
Three Nights of Lofty Arts
The Rogers Art Loft knows something about pivoting. The Downtown venue launched its ambitious artist-in-residence program in 2019, and — you know the rest — it wasn’t long before the pandemic got in the way of its best-laid plans. Or did it?
The loft gallery nimbly pivoted its program to a virtual format, and the rest, as they say, is event blurb. Make that three stacked, serial events worth blurbing about — events that promise to engage and showcase the diverse work of these artists from different vantage points. Tonight, 7p December 3, a virtual reception offers an overview of work from the Rogers Art Loft collection, including pieces from alumni artists Sharbreon Plummer and Ayanah Moor, as well as local artists Daisy Sanchez and Kristin Hough. Stick around for the post-virtual-walk-through Q&A.
At 7p December 4, year-one alumni Sharbreon Plummer (pictured), Ella Weber, and Daniel Melo Morales gather for a roundtable discussion focused on one illuminating element of their artistic practice, whether it’s a theme, a particular medium, or a certain technique.
Cherry on top: At 7p December 5, catch a screening of selected video works from loft artists, including “DRY EYES - place after image,” a collab by alumnus Isak Immanuel and Marina Fukushima. Capping this event is artist Spencer Haley’s special film tribute dedicated to the alumni and the first year of the program.
Note that registration for these free Zoom events is required! Register here.
Andrew Kiraly
December 5-14
Living the Dream
After a busy fall online, the brick-and-mortar Las Vegas Little Theatre is reopening this weekend — albeit in limited fashion — for Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End. Sister playwrights Allison and Margaret Engel cowrote the script based on Bombeck’s books and columns, tracking her evolution from suburban housewife to syndicated humorist. Pre-Roseanne Barr, Bombeck was the defining comic voice drawing attention to the potential-limiting expectations that society places on wives and mothers. Her modus operandi, unlike Barr’s and in keeping with her generation, was self-deprecating charm.
Gillen Brey stars in the one-woman show, directed by Walter Niejadlik. “This is a favorite project,” Bray says, “because my mom introduced me to Erma years ago. In fact, I still have her copy of Motherhood Is the Second Oldest Profession in my bookcase right now.”
Bray adds that she’s looking forward to performing live again, because there’s nothing like the energy between a performer and live audience.
Rekindling that energy won’t be easy. The nonprofit company says it will observe strict pandemic protocols in line with state and federal guidelines. Guests will have to purchase tickets in advance online or through the box office; arrive 20 minutes early; submit to COVID-19 screening at the door; wear face masks at all times in the theater; attend in same-household groups of no more than six; and sit both 25 feet away from the stage and six feet from other groups. Theater staff will clean and sanitize all surfaces and usher audience members to their seats. Tickets and programs will be electronic only. If you’re planning to attend, you may also want to bring a sweater, as air circulation Schedules and reservations are at lvlt.org.
Heidi Kyser
Through December 24
The Tradition Will Be Televised
Of my past five Decembers, three have included taking my now-12-year-old godson to see the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker at The Smith Center. So my heart broke when he borrowed his mom’s phone on Tuesday to text me asking if I’d go watch the premier of The Nutcracker: Home for the Holidays with him at his house that night. I couldn’t make it. But! There’s hope for me, my godson, and anyone else hooked on this holiday staple: The three-part series isn’t over yet, and it will air in its entirety Christmas week.
Rather than producing a pandemic-safe live/online version of the classic Tchaikovsky ballet, NBT opted to create a new documentary using behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, hosted by Channel 13 news anchor Dayna Roselli and Fox 5 entertainment reporter Sean McAllister. The intent is to take viewers backstage and show them what goes into making a ballet as elaborate and sumptuous as James Canfield’s production, which NBT has been performing for eight years.
The documentary rolls out on Cox YurView (channel 14) with a new, 30-minute episode each week — starting this one — Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 2 p.m. It will run in its entirety on three separate days, December 22-24, from 5:30-7 p.m. For the full schedule, visit nevadaballet.org.
Heidi Kyser
Through January 10
Go Into the Light …
Sure, you can DIY your own magic of tunnel of lights at home with candles, glow sticks, and a half-gram of psilocybin caps, but there’s always that annoying moment when reality violently convexes inside-out and you’re confronted with ego death in the face of the timeless vortical churn of the indifferent cosmos. Hate that! Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is the safe and sane alternative — 2.5 miles of millions of lights dancing and twinkling, from the comfort and convenience of your own car. And per the website’s FAQ: Can we stuff a bunch of people on a truck bed? Answer: You sure can.
Through Jan. 10, $25-$85, glitteringlightslasvegas.com
Andrew Kiraly