Columnist Joe Delaney: No shortage of events on weekend entertainment front

WELCOME, OCTOBER. ... The last two weeks of September found us felled by the flu or whatever similar affliction is going around. ... If phlegm could be converted into money, the Delaneys would have become instant millionaires. ... October holds great promise with the opening of Bellagio on the 15th and a number of local events all month long.

UNLV's 1998-1999 theatre season opens this evening with Christopher Hampton's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses," directed by Robert Brewer, in the Judy Bayley Theatre. ... Both as a play and as a film, the Hampton work has won major awards. ... Performances are at 8 p.m. Oct. 1-3 and 7-10, with 2 p.m. curtains on Oct. 4 and 11.

Admission is free for the LV Folklife Festival, celebrating traditional arts of our city's many diverse cultures, 7 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday, at the Rainbow Library Amphitheater, Buffalo and Cheyenne.

This weekend

Saturday, the Nevada Ballet Theatre will have a 7 p.m. performance in the Cashman Theatre followed by a Gala Dinner in the Club Level Restaurant at Cashman Center. ... The 1998-99 season starts with "A Celebration of Dance," Nov. 6-8. ... All performances will be held in the Cashman Theatre, call 2-4-DANCE for tickets.

Also on Saturday, Branscombe Richmond, from the TV show "Renegade," returns to Boulder Station for an 8 p.m. show. ... Earlier Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Youth Camerata Orchestra performs an all-Beethoven concert at the Winchester Community Center. ... Tickets are only $2.

Sunday at 2 p.m., in the CCSN Performing Arts Center, the Nevada Symphonic Wind Ensemble performs; admission is $5. ... Also at 2 p.m., Rocky Winslow leads the award-winning UNLV Jazz Ensemble in concert, Whitney Library Recital Hall with a $7 general admission.

There's more

Master magician Lance Burton will perform a special benefit show Sunday, starting with a reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. in the Monte Carlo's East Ballroom, followed by the regular 7:30 p.m. performance in the Lance Burton Theatre. ... Proceeds will benefit the Children's Miracle Network's local chapter and the Clark County Law Foundation's special programs for youngsters.

More than 1,000 Las Vegans who have lived here 30 years or more will enjoy drinks, dinner and entertainment, starting at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Stardust Hotel Convention Center. ... This is the third annual "30-30" Dinner and Entertainment and promises to be the best one yet.

Peggy Ryan and her T'riffic TNT Dancers will open the program, followed by comedians Peter Anthony and Bernie Allen, plus special guests The Four Freshmen celebrating 50 years of musical excellence.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin-Dennis Blair (Bally's); David Copperfield (Caesars); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Michael W. Smith (LV Hilton); Engelbert Humperdinck (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); The Righteous Brothers (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio). ... Check out "Broadway Cabaret" (San Remo), worth a visit.

Recently, in an analysis of the many magic acts appearing in Las Vegas, we inadvertently omitted Steve Wyrick's "World Class Magic," now in its second year at the Lady Luck, getting stronger all the time, not an easy accomplishment at that downtown location.

Van Halen performs at the Hard Rock Hotel, 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. ... Daughter Kathleen told us that the Bonnie Raitt concert last Friday at the Hard Rock was one of the year's best, anywhere. ... There are a lot of good things happening, be part of it.

Monday night

The play-off baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants was a tough one for this old columnist, born and raised a Giants fan, going back to Carl Hubbell and Fat Freddie Fitzsimmons. ... Instead, I found myself rooting for Sammy Sosa and the Cubs and pleased that they won. ... Sosa should be a lock for National League's Most Valuable Player. ... Go Cubs. ... See you Friday.

archive