Lecture
1955: The Desert Boomtown
Clark County Library
There are some milestone years in Las Vegas history: 1932, the year gambling was approved and divorce laws loosened, both transformative in their way; or 1989, when The Mirage opened and kicked off the megaresort boom. To that, add ... 1955? Yes, says David Schwartz, boss of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research. Why? Gotta show up to find out. July 5, 7p, free, lvccld.org
Theater
Peter Pan
Spring Mountain Ranch
Flying children, a charismatic villain, a gee-whiz sense of adventure — there’s a reason Peter Pan is a classic yarn. Add musical numbers and outdoor temps a few degrees more livable than down here in the valley, and you have Super Summer Theatre. August 1-18, $15, supersummertheatre.org
Music
Paris Chansons
Historic Fifth Street School
Break out your finest joie de vivre and celebrate the storming of the Bastille ... what, you didn’t know this is Bastille Day? Well, celebrate it anyway with this French musical ensemble as it busts out the Piaf, the Aznavour, and the other biggies of French music. July 14, 7:30p, $22, lasvegasnevada.gov
Music
Tumbledown House
West Charleston Library
Says here this Bay Area band plays “modern speakeasy,” and “saloon jazz,” and even some “parlor pop.” Whatever, music critics! We just like this band’s bouncy, old-timey jazz vibe, threaded with Tyler Ryan Miller’s smooth guitar, all backing the sultry growl of singer Gillian Howe. July 14, 2p, free, lvccld.org
Visual Art
Polyhedral, by Jerry Misko
Sahara West Library
Misko let polyhedral dice and data charts — think Dungeons & Dragons — dictate his mark-making in these works. “Much like life, it’s a bunch of randomness bouncing around inside a system of arbitrary rules.” July 13-September 15 (opening reception, July 19, 5:30p), Sahara West Library, free, lvccld.org
World Snake Day. Well, why not? There’ssss a day for everything elsssse! Learn about our slithery tubular friends with an informative presentation and an easy desert walk. (Forbidden apples not provided.) 10a and 11a, July 16, free, Red Rock Visitor Center