Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Best Bets: Big Blues Bender, ‘The Jungle Book,’ Hoopfest and more for your Las Vegas weekend

Dr. John

Invision/AP

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John performs at the Plaza this weekend during the Big Blues Bender.

How many types of music can fit into one weekend? Let’s start with blues in downtown Las Vegas, hair metal in Henderson and classical at the Smith Center. There are also family friendly theater and sports events taking over the town in the next few days, so find the fun that’s right for you and go grab it.

BIG BLUES BENDER This rollicking music fest kicked off Thursday and keeps the tunes coming all weekend long at the Plaza downtown. Friday’s acts include Walter Trout and Mavis Staples, Saturday features Doyle Bramhall II, Shemekia Copeland and Tab Benoit, and Sunday closes the Bender with Dr. John. Continuing through Sept. 10, info at bigbluesbender.com.

HAIRBALL: A BOMBASTIC CELEBRATION OF ARENA ROCK The Henderson Pavilion is celebration its 15th anniversary and its kicking off an epic season of entertainment with the pyrotechnics, big hair and bigger rock sounds of “Hairball.” The two-hour show delivers timeless hits by legendary bands including Kiss, Queen, Van Halen, Journey, Aerosmith and more. Sept. 8, info at 702-267-4849 or hendersonpavilion.com.

DISNEY’S THE JUNGLE BOOK KIDS Grab the little ones and head down to the Smith Center’s Troesh Studio Theater to catch Broadway in the Hood’s interactive, sing-along-friendly adaption of the beloved Disney film. Mowgli, Baloo, Shere Khan and all the classic characters are here, and they’re bringing lots of music and fun. Sept. 8-10, info at 702-749-2000 or thesmithcenter.com.

LAS VEGAS 3 ON 3 HOOPFEST Toshiba Plaza in front of T-Mobile Arena once again welcomes this amateur basketball tournament to the Strip, and locals are welcome to round up their family and friends to check out all the action for free, surrounded by the food and fun of the Park. Former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel Wink Adams was on last year’s championship team, and he’s back to play again this year. Sept. 9-10, info at lasvegas3on3.com.

LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC OPENING NIGHT One of the biggest local cultural events of the year is set for Saturday night at Reynolds Hall inside the Smith Center when Donato Cabrera conducts Richard Strauss’ “Don Juan,” John Adams’ “Common Tones in Simple Time,” and Johannes Brahms’ “Piano Concerto No. 1” to open the Philharmonic’s 19th season. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., but check out the pre-concert conversation at 6:30 and don’t miss the opening night cocktail party onstage at 9:30. Sept. 9, info at 702-749-2000 or thesmithcenter.com.

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