See Hear Do: Late Winter Thrill

A warming planet is certainly an unconventional topic for theater to address. But that’s part of what makes the Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s newest shorts series so special. Of the many 10-minute plays stacked into one program, all of them tackle climate change through unique lenses.

Some of these short plays are from renowned American playwrights, and for those of you who still want to be entertained during plays that address serious topics, some of these will also be comedic. So, expect variety here.

The portraits of Las Vegas-born artist Q’Shaundra James are largely influenced by W.E.B. Du Bois’ motif of “the veil” that obscures how Black Americans see themselves, largely because of racist white narratives and predominant stereotypes. But James and her subjects’ attempt to cast aside the veil — as well as the legacy of slavery and the canonization of European art — through the sitters’ expressions and the painter’s interpretations of those sitters. James’ portraits will be on display through both Black and women’s history months, until April 5, at Left of Center Gallery.

Wednesday viewings are by appointment.

A tale of sibling rivalry on steroids, True West is surely Sam Shepard’s signature piece. Set in a suburban California kitchen, the play follows Austin – a successful screenwriter – and his estranged brother Lee – a drifter with a taste for chaos – as they clash over an emerging screenplay that could change the course of both their lives. A darkly comedic examination of identity, envy, and the destructive nature of competition, True West is a bona fide American classic.

Performances Feb. 7-March 3. Times Vary.

The 21st Annual Dam Short Film Festival is coming to downtown Boulder City. You may indeed find heavier films here, but they most certainly will not be long. These are all brief works, packaged in 30 programs according to various genres and themes, although there’s a couple that are simply under the “variety” umbrella. But we’re talking drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, documentary, international, animation -- and, best of all, four different Nevada-themed packages, including two showcasing student filmmakers.

Springs Preserve excels at cultural events. They'll be hosting the16th annual edition of the Black Month History festival, and the theme this year is "African Americans and Labor." Gather to participate in educational activities, arts and crafts, watch live performances, and view photography exhibits. Folks can also buy cultural items from vendors and dine on African-American cuisine.

If you think the UNLV World Music Chamber Ensemble is putting on a show with just any group of musicians, then think twice! This particular performance, ringing in the Lunar New Year, is interdisciplinary: Chinese classical dance, kung fu, and art from both Eastern and Western traditions come together on stage to celebrate the incoming year of the snake. Musically, expect to hear Chinese and Korean traditional instrumental and vocal music, but reinterpreted by the 15 or so student musicians. And the tunes, much like those visual accompaniments mentioned above, are intersectional. Happy new year!

African Diaspora can be found all over the world. This month, you can find a vision of it in an art exhibition. Called "The Mother's Roots," this exhibit was curated by CSN professor Erica Vital-Lazare. All the work will connect to all the people and culture that came from Africa, as well as the figurehead of the Black Mother — hence the title. It's available for one day only, so make sure you mark your calendar.

UNLV Dance never fails to move their feet for entertainment. This one is a unique performance, and it features works by both UNLV faculty and guest artists. One example is Lords of Persia (1965) by Erick Hawkins, a noteworthy 20th century choreographer. It’s worth noting that this particular performance of Lords of Persia will be repeated in New York City as part of the University Partners Showcase of the Martha Graham Dance Company Joyce Theatre Season. So UNLV’s Dept of Dance is making friends across the country -- and internationally, too, as in the fall, it put on a performance as part of its two-decade collaboration with the Korea National Sport University (KNSU) in Seoul, South Korea.

Wendy Chen is a renowned local writer, as well as an assistant professor of creative writing at UNLV and a multidisciplinary creative. She's on the Writer's Block calendar for another book release. Her newest book comes out on the 25th and this time, it's a poetry collection called The Magpie at Night. It includes her translations of Li Qingzhao, who lived in the 11th and 12th centuries and is one of the most noteworthy poets in Chinese history. These works in particular are technically lyrics that were originally set to music back when Qingzhao wrote them. Some of them are about simple country life, and some of them are a woman’s take on being a creative when dealing with war, imprisonment, even exile. As such, if you’re a student or enthusiast of Chinese poetry, it might be interesting to hear how Chen translates them. She’ll chat with UNLV/BMI City of Asylum fellow Maryam Ala Amjadi. March 7 at Writer’s Block.