Music
Theater & Dance
Visual Arts
Literature & Ideas
Family & Festivals
Oct 09 Friday
Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this 80-minute one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln, through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).
Declared "one of the best comedies in years" by The New York Times, it was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It's for adults.
Oct 10 Saturday
This exhibition of ink drawings and fiber-based sculpture explores the relationship between body and mind. A special artist talk and reception with light refreshments will be held in the Artspace Gallery on October 6, starting at 6:00 pm.
Leah Smith thinks about deep time, embodied thought, and our place in the natural world through an artistic practice encompassing drawing, sculpture, and fiber arts. After growing up in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains near Denver, Colorado, she fell in love with exploring the green, worn-down hills of Appalachia during her college years, and now lives and works in the small town of Canton, North Carolina.
She says: “I am fascinated by the way the body is a part of the mind - we humans think with our hands, and through our tools and materials as much as we do with our brains. The process of weaving and working with fiber in particular is a touchstone in this work. Twisted cordage (string) is one of the very oldest technologies, and the ancient art of ordering threads into fabric has influenced and informed practically every technology that came after it, from writing to the computer.
The drawings recall both the wandering line of handwriting and the grid of woven textiles, while playing on the interaction of rigid, structured form and the imperfections of the handmade. The sculptures work with the possibilities of balance between hard and soft, weight and tension. I am interested in calling into question what is the frame; and what is the content built over it or within it; and when is that relationship inverted or ambiguous?”
October 2 through November 21
North Las Vegas Campus -- Artspace Gallery
These sculptural works by Wisconsin artist Amanda Langer ask the viewer to consider the relationship between humanity and the natural world. She explores the nature of conflict as a simplification between two entities that are wildly different and appear to have nothing to do with each other. She questions how the differences between the materials reflect the differences that humans experience, whether that be within individual selves, between persons, or amidst groups–whether in terms of race, religion, or political ideology.
Curious about how people identify each material with extremes on a spectrum, Langer attempts to show that the differences do not have to be in conflict and that it might be to the highest benefit of both that the differences exist, to show how the unique features of each enhance the best parts of the other, and that by being in combination, the result is much more powerful than either one could be on its own.
Amanda Langer studied sculpture and natural resources at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2017. She spent the following years working in ecological restoration and landscaping with native plants. Her artwork is informed by her experiences in this field and is especially focused on exploring conflict between industry and nature, systems and people, and within the self.
October 9 through November 19
Gallery talk and closing reception: Thursday on November 19
North Las Vegas Campus -- Fine Arts Gallery
It's the 17th annual Aki Matsuri Japanese Festival, with authentic Japanese food, vendors, music and cultural activities. With live performances and demonstrations happening throughout the festival across multiple stages, it is one of the most popular events of the year. Family-friendly!
Free. More info at Get Tickets.
With the weather cooling a bit, October is a good time to be out and about. Why not make it a twosome? Stop by The Animal Foundation any day in October to take a shelter dog on a special outing. It’s an easy way to get involved while giving a dog valuable time outside the shelter.
Shelter life can be stressful, even for the most outgoing dogs. The constant noise, unfamiliar surroundings, and lack of one-on-one time can take a toll. A day out gives them a chance to decompress, explore, and just be a dog. Whether it’s a casual walk, a trip to Mt. Charleston, or a Starbucks stop for a pup cup, a few hours with you can make a big difference.
The shelter provides everything needed for a fun experience. You provide the sense of adventure. Ask about the dogs who have been there the longest. More info at Get Tickets.
The festival is a nostalgia-packed celebration of throwback hip-hop and R&B — where bold flavors, timeless beats, and all-day fun collide. The soundtrack of the early 2000s comes to life with high-energy performances, endless tacos, and nonstop good vibes.
Festivalgoers can look forward to mouth-watering creations from local taco spots and comfort food vendors, handcrafted margaritas, tequila tastings, lucha libre wrestling, and over-the-top experiences like the beloved Chihuahua Beauty Pageant. It’s the ultimate throwback day party—where music lovers, taco fanatics, and good-time chasers come together to eat, drink, and dance all night long.
The S.A.F.E. House fundraiser will have stops along Water Street at Gold Mine Tavern, Sticks Tavern, Mojave Brewing Company, Johnny Mac’s Water Street Tavern, and Chinitas Tapas & Sushi. Participants will receive one drink or snack at each location and a commemorative branded pint glass.
Tickets will have a specified start location, each of which will have a S.A.F.E. House table to check in with. There’s no set order to the crawl; you travel among the bars at your discretion. Must be 21+ to attend. Ticket prices are determined by quantity: $50 for one, $40 each for two tickets, $30 each for four tickets, and $25 each for 10 tickets.
S.A.F.E. House is a community based non-profit organization committed to Stop Abuse in the Family Environment by providing a comprehensive approach to end domestic violence that includes crisis intervention, safe shelter, counseling, advocacy, and community education.
JA Day Uncorked is an evening of curated wine, beer and spirit tastings; delicious food; live entertainment; interactive experiences and a silent auction. It's in support of Nevada students and the future workforce. The event marks 30 years of Junior Achievement in Southern Nevada.
Purchase tickets online.
"Things I Shouldn’t Tell You" takes an unapologetically funny look at the trials, triumphs and unexpected indignities of being a woman in midlife. From a magical mistress and a quick-fix vibrator to the fine art of plucking chin hairs, Shannan Calcutt finds humor in the things women experience but are often told they shouldn’t talk about.
Oct. 1-3, 8-10, 7 p.m.Oct. 4, 11, 2 p.m.