Dance
Dracula
The Smith CenterNevada Ballet Theatre puts its vamp stamp on the spooky season with Dracula, an epic gothstravaganza of Ben Stevenson’s choreography; Franz Liszt’s music; lush costumes and sets; and rich, evil atmosphere. There’s also a love story! October 25-28, 7:30p and 2p, $29-$139, nevadaballet.org
Culture
Art Walk
UNLVUNLV’s fine and performing arts programs kick off the fall with a campus-wide kulcha stroll. You’ll begin at the Barrick Museum, with the gotta-see-it installation Jubilation Inflation — bounce houses of art! — and then you’ll meander through the university’s various galleries, theater spaces, and more, to see what the music, dance, theater, architecture, art, and film people have in store for you. October 12, 5-9p, unlv.edu/calendar
Music
The Big (Social) D
Brooklyn BowlCome on, you know the words: “Well, it’s been 10 years and a thousand tears/And look at the mess I’m in …” Ha! Now you’ve been earwormed by Social Distortion’s insistently catchy “Ball and Chain.” Good luck with that! October 27, 7p, $40-$60, brooklynbowl.com
Recreation
Lake Mead Birthday
Lake Mead Visitor CenterLake Mead? Let’s call it Cake Mead on this, the 54th anniversary of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s birth. There will be a celebration, complete with birthday cake served at 12:30p — but what flavor? Chocolate? Angel food? Carp? You’ll have to show up to find out. October 8, 702-293-8990.
Dance
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
The Smith CenterBroaden a cultural horizon or two — especially at this fraught moment in U.S.-Mexico relations — with this troupe’s vast repertoire of traditional Mexican dances, newly reinvigorated with fresh choreography for this American tour. Look for the Ballet Azteca, a tribute to the ancient Aztec people, which the company hasn’t performed in America for some 50 years. October 15, 7:30p, $26-$79, thesmithcenter.com
Opera
A Night With the Flying Dutchman
Charleston Heights Arts CenterWhatever outdated notion you have of opera — women in horned helmets singing in a foreign language; men in odd suits singing in a foreign language; Elmer Fudd bellowing “Kill da wabbit” — is sure to be retrofitted for the 21st century by a production like Sin City Opera’s latest. A contemporary reworking of the Richard Wagner classic (about a cursed pirate seeking love), it mashes up the old (a 14-piece orchestra) with the new (“multimedia video, projections, and movies”) in what almost can’t help but be a fascinating endeavor. October 25-28, 7:30p and 2p, $15-$50, sincityopera.com
Write On
Joseph Cassara reads from The House of Impossible Beauties
The Writer's BlockHis debut novel about gay and trans club kids, presented by Black Mountain Institute. October 4, 7p, The Writer’s Block, free, blackmountaininstitute.org
Film
Banff Mountain Film Festival: Radical Reels
Clark County LibraryWhether you’re an extreme sportster yourself or prefer to shred vicariously, this batch of big-action films will challenge your ability to sit still. So much bike jumping, kayak dropping, and ski stunting! Live on the edge, and then go over it. October 3, 7p, free (but wristbands are required and will be distributed beginning at 6p), lvccld.org