Soul Fusion
R&B Concert
Aug 14
Barry Manilow, Christopher Cross, and Pitbull in the same setlist? Hell yeah, says Steph Payne, an Emmy Award-winning R&B vocalist playing at Myron’s this August. Payne’s voice, smooth and blended with elements of her gospel background, will no doubt do her soul tunes justice. 7p, $29-39, Myron’s at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com
Treasure Island
Theater
Through Aug 19
Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island is a classic for a reason: It’s an action-packed fantasy-fueled story about treachery on the high seas. Since its publication in 1883, it’s inspired multiple stage productions, a few movie adaptations, and our beloved hotel and casino of the same name. The only thing the story was missing is girl power, which Majestic Rep’s new production remedies with its all-female cast. Director Troy Heard promises a show full of comedy, drama, and stage combat (so, no scallywags under 10 years old, please). Thursday-Friday 7-8:30p, Saturday 7-8:30p and 3-4:30p, $20-30, Majestic Repertory Theatre, majesticrepertory.com
Wonder Boy
Conversation and Book Signing
Aug 10
Wonder Boy, changemaker, CEO, visionary — all fitting titles for a man who helped to revitalize Downtown Las Vegas and bring an employee-first ethos into the mainstream. Yet tales of professional success invariably have their dark sides, and Tony Hsieh’s story is no exception. Wall Street Journal reporter Angel Au-Yeung and Forbes investigative journalist David Jeans chronicle the tech entrepreneur’s dark sides in their book Wonder Boy: Tony Hsieh, Zappos and the Myth of Happiness in Silicon Valley. Through deep reporting, the authors paint a vivid picture of a man whose meteoric rise became plagued with sycophants, substance issues, and mental health struggles. It’s a fascinating (and heart-rending) look at the price of success in corporate America, and how happiness can’t be bought. 7-8p, free, The Writer’s Block, thewritersblock.org
Edith Piaf: The Queen of Hearts
Concert
Aug 10-11
Edith Piaf is one of those music icons whose work (and name) transcends her era and birthplace. Her mezzo-soprano voice is instantly recognizable, even 80 years removed from post-war France. While listening to her is easy, replicating her voice and charisma is more challenging. This is why Sylvie Boisel, a French vocalist based in Las Vegas, aims not to imitate, but to put her own spin on Piaf’s classics. “Non, je ne regrette rien,” and of course “La vie en rose” are all in Boisel’s setlist. Considering my inability to travel back in time to mid-20th century Western Europe, this may be the closest I’ll ever get to seeing Piaf herself perform live. Silly to be so excited about a cover artist? To that I say “Je ne regrette rien!” 7-8p, free, Aug 10 at the Whitney Library, Aug 11 at the West Charleston Library, thelibrarydistrict.org
Michael Dodson
Art Exhibit
Aug 15-Oct 14
If you’ve ever looked at our local desert and thought, “This could be art,” then you’re not alone — Michael Dodson has, too. His newest exhibit at Left of Center Gallery draws inspiration from cacti, drought-tolerant flowers, and other features of our arid environment to create vibrant patterns on canvas. His work looks like it was lifted directly from a biology textbook then given a splash of psychedelic whimsy — a unique commentary on the fundamentals of life in the desert. Wednesday-Friday 12-4p, Saturday 10a-3p, free, Left of Center Gallery, leftofcenterart.org
An Afternoon at the Movies
Classical Concert
Aug 20
Few self-care habits put me more at ease than an afternoon at the orchestra. Settling into a theater seat after getting dressed and brunching with friends is a transportive experience. That, combined with music from my favorite movies — I’m one seriously happy gal! This August, the Nevada Chamber Orchestra brings the works of John Williams, Nino Rota, and Bernard Herrmann together in one show. I’ll be listening for Rota’s “Love Theme” from 1968’s Romeo and Juliet, but keep your ears perked for scores from Star Wars, The Godfather, and all things Hitchcock. If you have as much fun as I plan to, then check out Gershwin, by George, also presented by the Nevada Chamber Orchestra — same venue and time, only a month later, on September 10, and offering free admission — playing through the songbooks of famous Jewish American composers such as the Gershwin brothers, Aaron Copland, and Irving Berlin. 3-4:30p, $10-15, Summerlin Library, 702-243-8222
