(Opera)
27
ArtSquare TheatreIf you know your Lost Generation, you know that the number 27 refers to 27 Rue du Fleurus, the address in Paris of American expat writers Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. It’s where they hosted their mythical salons, through which trooped most of the cultural figures of the mid-20th century. This is the milieu of the five-act 27, created by composer Ricky Ian Gordon and librettist Royce Vavrek. Jointly produced by Opera Las Vegas and Cockroach Theatre, it’s directed by Daz Weller. April 26-May 5, various times, $25, cockroachtheatre.com
(Lecture)
Colin Powell’s Speech
UNLV’s Barrick MuseumThis is a talk about a speech — specifically, Colin Powell’s 2003 address to the U.N. Security Council, in which he insisted that Iraq had “weapons of mass destruction.” This, infamously, turned out not to be true, to Powell’s lasting chagrin. Jeffrey J. Matthews, a professor in the business and leadership program at the University of Puget Sound, discusses Powell’s speech, its failures, and ramifications. April 4, 7:30p, free, unlv.edu/calendar
(Theater)
Our Town
Majestic RepertoryWe know what you’re thinking: Not that creaky Thornton Wilder classic! As it happens, that’s also what Majestic Rep artistic director Troy Heard is thinking. Listen up: “Our Town is traditionally presented on a proscenium stage with minimal scenery, which was groundbreaking 80 years ago,” he says. “Majestic’s immersive approach is to convert our space into a small-town social hall, with the cast in contemporary clothing sharing a potluck supper with the audience as the story unfolds all around them.” And if you get a post-October 1 vibe from it, too, that’s not unintentional. April 11-May 5, various times, $35, majesticrepertory.com
(Art)
Paiute Exhibit
Clark County MuseumThe full exhibit title is The Beauty of Purpose: Utilitarian Arts of the Paiute People, and it neatly describes the show’s dynamic: “The baskets, arrowheads, stone artifacts, and other native Paiute crafts that are admired for their beauty and artistry today … were created for specific uses.” To what was once pure function, time and cultural change have now assigned aesthetic values. April 5-August 12 (opening reception April 5 at 5p), clarkcountynv.gov/museum
(Rockabilly Weekender)
Viva Las Vegas
Orleans hotel-casinoRockabilly, rat rods, retro hair, and people coming from all over the world for four days celebrating the funnest subculture around. April 18-21, Orleans hotel-casino, vivalasvegas.net
(Music)
UNLV Jazz Concert
Clark County LibrarySpring is a perfect time to submerge yourself in jazz, and, for quality, it’s hard to beat the groovin’, swingin’, beboppin’, hard-playing students of UNLV’s nationally recognized jazz program. April 10, 7p, free, Clark County Library, lvccld.org
(Variety)
00000184-2ffb-d624-afed-bffba9b30000Uproar at Ham Hall
UNLV’s Artemus Ham HallThis is the concluding event of The Believer Festival — the only ticketed event of the festival that wasn’t sold out at press time. Look at this lineup: comedian Tig Notaro, worldly journalist Masha Gessen, TV creator Jill Soloway (above), Black Lives Matter co-founder Janaya Khan, and more. The theme of this year’s festival is “La Frontera,” and this promises to be an evening exploring borders of many kinds. April 27, 8p, $15, believer
festival.org
(Performance Art)
Hanif Abdurraqib
Writer’s BlockHanif Abdurraqib The acclaimed poet and cultural critic will offer “Mixtape,” a multivalent talk and performance about music, backed up by a band of local musicians. April 8, 7p, free, the Writer’s Block, RSVP at blackmountaininstitute.org