Weekend best bets: Styx, International Beer Festival and UNLV basketball

Rugby fans cheer the USA against Japan during the 2011 USA Sevens Rugby World Series at Sam Boyd Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. The USA team won a 27-7 victory over Uruguay, then beat Japan 19-12 to win the Shield final.

By Andrea Domanick

Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012 | 6 p.m.

Not quite recovered from Super Bowl weekend? No worries. The weekend ahead is packed with plenty of low-key, but nonetheless tantalizing, performances and events. From Itzhak Perlman to Styx to USA Sevens Rugby and UNLV basketball, here are our best bets for the weekend ahead.

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Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Styx at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Jan. 16, 2011.

Friday: Styx at Green Valley Ranch

Say dōmo arigatō to Styx this weekend as they bring their brand of Chicago prog rock to Green Valley Ranch's Grand Events Center. Tickets for the 8 p.m. show are $24.50 to $62.50.
Steve Marcus

A selection of beer taps are shown in Harry's Bar during preparation for the grand re-opening of the Casino MonteLago at Lake Las Vegas Thursday, May 26, 2011.

Friday: International Beer Festival at Sunset Station

The Henderson casino presents the official opening-night event for the HSBC Sevens World Series rugby event, offering fans a variety of brews and food-truck fare. The beer selection reflects a few of the nations participating in the tournament taking place this weekend at Sam Boyd Stadium (see New Zealand’s Steinlager and Bass from the U.K., among the options). Event is free.
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Tropicana headliners Matt Bowman, Todd Griffin, Ryan Vezina and Justin Spencer of Recycled Percussion.

Friday: Recycled Percussion with Tarkanian Middle School Drum Line at the Tropicana

The Tropicana headliners host a special performance this weekend by Clark County School District's only competitive middle school drum line -- not a bad idea, considering Recycled Percussion themselves got started at a high school talent show. The 22 students from Tarkanian will be cheered on by friends, family and classmates in this rare opportunity to open for a Strip show. The performance takes place at 7 p.m. inside the Tropicana Theater.
Sam Morris

UNLV San Diego State during their game Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 at Viejas Arena in San Diego.

Saturday: UNLV vs San Diego State

Two of top college basketball teams in the country will battle it out for Mountain West supremacy when the No. 14 Runnin' Rebels take on No. 13 Aztecs at the Thomas & Mack at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets for the game are sold out, but don't let that bother you if you want your fix of the Scarlet and Gray. If you can find the NBC Sports Network, not to be confused with what we call KSNV, Channel 3, via your cable provider, then you can watch the game from the comfort of your home.
Sam Morris

Nickole Schettino twirls a hula hoop as people gather at the Erotic Heritage Museum for Slut Walk Saturday, September 10, 2011.

Saturday: Lingerie Masquerade Ball at the Erotic Heritage Museum

If all of your preparations for Valentine’s Day have you, well, “feeling the love,” head to the Erotic Heritage Museum’s Saturday night bash. You could compete in the evening’s masquerade and lingerie contests, let a local fetish photographer snap your photo in the erotic photo booth and enjoy sounds by Chill Achilles, as well as live performance art all throughout the sexy soiree.
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Saturday: Itzhak Perlman at UNLV

The international classical music superstar returns to Las Vegas with pianist Rohan De Silva to awe audiences with pieces by Brahms, Schubert and more. The performance at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall begins at 8 p.m.; tickets are $85, $60 and $45, with discounts available for seniors, military, persons with disabilities, UNLV faculty and staff, students and alumni.
Steve Marcus

Matt Hawkins of the USA Eagles muscles his way through Japanese defenders during the 2011 USA Sevens Rugby World Series at Sam Boyd Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. The USA Eagles won 27-7 over Uruguay, then beat Japan 19-12 to win the Shield final.

2012 USA Sevens Rugby tournament at Sam Boyd Stadium

Come one, come all for the largest rugby tournament in North America! Watch Team USA take on 15 of the world’s most elite sevens rugby teams to compete in the HSBC Sevens World Series at Sam Boyd Stadium. Some 50,000 fans are expected to attend the three-day event, which, in addition to the tournaments, is chock full of food, parties, entertainment and even a special "Fan Zone" for the rugger in all of us. Gates open at 3 p.m. Friday; ticket prices vary.
Crystal Gayle at South Point

Country music songstress Crystal Gayle (and her trademark floor-length hair) returns to Las Vegas for three nights at South Point Showroom. Expect the Grammy-winning singer to make you swoon with classics like "Baby, What About You," "Cry" and, of course, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. shows are $45 to $55.
Bobby Jameidar/Pristine Pic

The cast of "Fantasy" at the Luxor celebrates 12 years on the Strip with a night out at nearby LAX.

Party patrol

Whether you're single or have a sweetie, it's time to hit the dance floor as love and hip-hop flavor this Valentine's Day weekend.

Friday night, LMFAO's Redfoo steps in as a special guest DJ at Tao at the Venetian, and DJ Donald Glaude spins at RPM at the Tropicana; Saturday features a performance by Nelly at Aria's Haze; Sean Kingston celebrates his birthday with a performance at RPM; Perez Hilton throws his Broken Hearts Ball at the Bank inside the Bellagio with a special performance by Kat Graham; Ice-T and Coco celebrate the premiere of Season 2 of their reality show "Ice Loves Coco" at Pure at Caesars Palace; and the ladies of "Fantasy" celebrate Valentine’s Day at LAX inside the Luxor.