La Traviata
Opera
June 9, 11
Passion, forbidden love, final tragedy — HBO dramas have nothing on Guiseppe Verdi’s timeless opera. Violetta and Alfredo’s romance is fraught with all the ups and downs you’d expect from a show composed for wealthy, 19th-century Venetians. La Traviata is perfect for first-time operagoers, since its plot will be familiar to 21st-century viewers: It inspired the films Moulin Rouge and Pretty Woman. Friday 7:30p, Sunday 2p, $25-75, UNLV’s Judy Bayley Theatre, operalasvegas.com
Las Vegas Restaurant Week
Charity Event
June 5-16
Eat your way through Sin City … for a good cause: That’s basically the concept behind Las Vegas Restaurant Week, now on its 16th (!) year. The charity event enlists the services of restaurants around the city, encouraging each to come up with a prix fixe menu from $20 to $80, a small part of which (between $4 and $6) is donated to Three Square to feed people in need. Attendees can nosh on three-course menus at spots such as House of Blues or the Noodle Den, while simultaneously satisfying their do-gooder aspirations. $20-80, locations vary, restaurantweeklv.com
Vegas Fringe Festival
Theater Festival
June 9-18
We’ve got the Dam Short Film festival for local film buffs, but for thespians, there’s the Vegas Fringe Festival. Held by community mainstay Las Vegas Little Theatre, the 10-day event celebrates all things theater with live productions for two weekends straight. It covers genres from good old-fashioned musical to the avant-garde, with seven different companies slated to perform, commemorating the festival’s 12th year. Times vary, $15 per show, Las Vegas Little Theatre, lvlt.org
DRI Science at the Springs
Lecture
June 15
Science isn’t supposed to be fun … right? The Desert Research Institute begs to differ. Its lecture series at Springs Preserve, running through Oct. 5, aims to educate listeners about environmental science and how it can intervene to slow climate change. June’s lecture, titled “The Art of Science,” probes the intrinsic (and occasionally overlooked) beauty of scientific discipline. Though this series is fun, a word of caution for parents: DRI’s lectures are only open to science nerds 21 and older. 5:30-8:30p, $25, Springs Preserve, springspreserve.org
Henderson Juneteenth Festival 2023
Cultural Festival
June 16-17, 19
June is when we celebrate the emancipation of enslaved people, and one of my favorite ways to commemorate that important day is Henderson’s Juneteenth Festival, which effortlessly combines education, history, and beautiful music to honor the Black Americans who fought for equality. Top of my list this year is the Festival’s performance of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman, a moving play recounting the life of the famous abolitionist, played by Vigor International Award-winning actress Leslie McCurdy. I’m also looking forward to Songs of Freedom, by the Vegas City Opera, which recounts the tumultuous relationships between the Black bourgeoisie and composers in the early 1900s. Intrigue! As you’re probably gathering, Henderson’s historically-oriented Festival provides a nice counterbalance to the famously exuberant offerings at Las Vegas’ Juneteenth celebrations. Friday and Saturday 7:30p, Monday 5:30p, free, Water Street Plaza, cityofhenderson.com
Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival
Cultural Festival
June 19
For 22 years, the Las Vegas Juneteenth Festival has been hosting the definitive celebration of African culture and contributions in the valley. It’s back this year with as much flair as ever. But, set aside multiple hours to fully explore the festival’s many vendors, such as Veronica René’s Afrocentric Fashion brand of traditional clothing, or LaShelle Whitmore’s divine all-natural skincare offerings. The entertainment is similarly top tier, with Las Vegas favorite 702 (a girl group named after the area code of their hometown) taking the stage. It’s a great time of the year to honor the progress local trailblazers have made in the fight for racial equality, while recognizing the work still to be done. 4-9p, free, The Expo at World Market Center, june19lv.com
