Flamenco, urban rhythm and galleries all on tap
Music
SWING ORCHESTRA
CELEBRATES FOURTH
Bands have always been a big part of America’s Independence Day celebrations. This Fourth of July, however, it’s time for a big band blast as the George Gee Swing Orchestra takes over the Suncoast showroom.
Featuring vocalists Hilary Gardner and John Dokes, the orchestra will perform a variety of big band favorites, from ballads to boogie-woogie, while venturing forward in time to include rock and soul favorites. And, in keeping with the spirit of the music, the showroom will feature a dance floor so audiences can swing and sway to the tuneful music.
The George Gee Swing Orchestra will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. For tickets ($15.95, plus tax and convenience fees), call 702-636-7075 or visit www.suncoastcasino.com.
Art
GALLERY SALUTES
VETERAN ARTIST
A retired Air Force major gets a major salute as Henderson’s City Lights Artists’ Co-op presents a retrospective of the work of retired Maj. Jim Champlin.
A medal-winning Vietnam veteran, Champlin began drawing to pass the time while serving during the war. Years later, that experience inspired him to try painting; later, his watercolors were selected for the National Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial at the March Field Air Museum in Riverside, Calif.
Champlin’s works will be on display through July at City Lights Art Gallery, 3 E. Army St., Henderson. A meet-the-artist reception is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. July 13.
The gallery will be open regular hours during the Independence Day weekend: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, call 702-260-0300.
Music
STREET BEAT KIDZ
DRUM UP SOME FUN
They call it “Re-Purposed Percussion,” but it’s really percussion with a purpose as Street Beat Kidz kicks off Las Vegas’ Children’s Summer Concert Series with two high-energy shows for kids of all ages. (Or at least those 3 and over.)
A high-energy blast of urban rhythm in the vein of Stomp and Blue Man Group, this “urbanized journey through percussion,” presented by a duo drum team, introduces young audiences to music’s rhythmic elements.
Street Beat Kidz will strike up at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., and at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St.
Tickets are $3, with group discounts available; call 702-229-6383 (Charleston Heights) or 702-229-3515 (Fifth Street School) for more information.
Art
BELLAGIO GALLERY
TOASTS ARTISTS
Here’s to the ladies — at least at the latest “Art & Wine: A Perfect Pairing” at Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art.
On Wednesday, wines from Bellagio’s cellar will accompany artwork featured in “Painting Women,” which displays 34 works from the Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Created by such renowned artists as Mary Cassatt and Georgia O’Keeffe, the paintings span the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.
Tarissa Tiberti, the gallery’s executive director, joins master sommelier Jason Smith, Bellagio’s director of wine, to offer expert conversation on both the art and wine featured at the monthly event.
“Art & Wine: A Perfect Pairing” runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Bellagio’s Gallery of Fine Art, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South. For tickets ($30 for gallery members, $38 for nonmembers), call 702-693-7871 or go online to bellagio.com/bgfa. (Guests must be 21 or over.)
“Painting Women” continues through Oct. 26; regular gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with docent tours at 2 p.m. daily. Tickets (which include audio tours) are $11 for students, teachers and military, $13 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older and $16 general admission; children 12 and younger are free.
Music/dance
FLAMENCO SHOW
VISITS LAS VEGAS
Spain comes to Las Vegas — via Seattle — as Washington-based flamenco performer Savannah Fuentes leads “La Luna Nueva” into Las Vegas Thursday.
The Las Vegas performance is part of a 32-city Western tour featuring Fuentes and singer Jose Anillo, who has toured professionally since the age of 16 with such renowned flamenco artists as Belen Maya, Joaquin Grilo and Israel Galvan. The Seattle-born Fuentes studied with Maya in Spain and, in Seattle, with dancer Ana Montes and dancer-choreographer Sara de Luis.
“La Luna Nueva” will be presented at 8 p.m. Thursday at Luciano’s Garden, 5715 S. Pecos Road.
For advance tickets ($10 for children, $12 for students, $23 general admission and $35 for reserved VIP seating), call 800-838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com; general admission tickets are $25 at the door.
— By CAROL CLING
