Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas this week
SPORTS
UNLV vs. UNR
A UNLV football season that began with so much promise during a 4-1 start is ending without a bowl bid thanks to a six-game losing streak. There’s still the chance to paint the Fremont Cannon scarlet, though. The Rebels (4-7) host UNR (2-9) to finish out the season. Game time is 3 p.m. Saturday at Allegiant Stadium. Tickets start at $38; unlvtickets.com.
Christopher Lawrence
MUSIC
The 1975
“We’re experiencin’ life through the postmodern lens,” Matthew Healy, singer of The 1975, observes at the outset of his band’s new record, “Being Funny in a Foreign Language,” which wryly addresses 21st century living through cellphones and social media. But as numbing as those things may be, The 1975 provide the opposite, a little physical and cerebral stimulation via disco-y pop rock that’s an inviting soundtrack to the apocalypse. See them at 7 p.m. Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Tickets start at $39; axs.com.
Jason Bracelin
FESTIVAL
Cowboy Christmas
It’s been a mainstay of the local holiday season since 1986. Cowboy Christmas, the official gift show of the National Finals Rodeo, is bringing in more than 350 exhibitors from across the country. In addition to shopping for everything from Western wear to furniture to original art, attendees can watch the future of rodeo at the Yeti Junior World Finals. Admission is free. The show will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, Dec. 1 to 10, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Christopher Lawrence
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Miracle and Sippin’ Santa
The Miracle on Spring Mountain experience returns for a third year to The Sand Dollar Lounge, 3355 Spring Mountain Road, transforming the bar into a Winter Wonderland through Dec. 31 with a profusion of decorations, nightly entertainment, pizza pop-ups (8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Dec. 5) and holiday cocktails. Meanwhile, Sippin’ Santa on Main makes its debut this year at The Sand Dollar Lounge Downtown at the Plaza, with a balmy, tropical, Santa-on-a-surfboard twist on the holiday featuring tiki-inspired decor and cocktails. Like the experience at its sibling, Sippin’ Santa on Main runs through Dec. 31. Hours for Miracle on Spring Mountain and Sippin’ Santa on Main are 2 p.m. to 4 a.m. daily. Details: thesanddollarlv.com.
Johnathan L. Wright
THEATER
‘The Wild Party’
Sex, drugs and Charlestons are on tap when the Roaring ’20s return in “The Wild Party.” The new interactive show from Majestic Repertory Theatre and Table 8 Immersive brings attendees inside the titular party, where they’re invited to dress in their finest 1920s attire to engage with the characters. Guests will be limited to 20 per show, and each of them must be at least 21. “The Wild Party” will be performed at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays, Dec. 1 to 18, at 1217 S. Main St. Tickets are $65; majesticrepertory.com.
Christopher Lawrence
FOOD & DRINK
Gospel Brunch
Praise be, with biscuits! The House of Blues in Mandalay Bay is presenting its final Gospel Brunches of 2022 on Sunday and Dec. 4 and 11. The meals unite traditional and contemporary gospel music with an all-you-can-enjoy buffet that features a ham carvery, barbecue chicken, jambalaya, omelets, chicken and waffles, salads, fruits, desserts and more. Visit houseofblues.com, then click on Event Calendar, for details and tickets. A portion of ticket sales supports the House of Blues Music Forward Foundation, a nonprofit that provides arts and cultural educational programs for youth.
Johnathan L. Wright
FOOD & DRINK
World Cup watching
Soccer go bragh. Rí Rá Irish Pub in The Shoppes at Mandalay Place is encouraging fans to watch matches in the 2022 FIFA World Cup while choosing from the pub’s menu of draft beers, whiskies and dishes like Scotch eggs, sausage rolls, lamb burger, shepherd’s pie, and steak and chips. Rí Rá is hosting its viewings of all World Cup matches that air after 8 a.m. Pacific time through the final match on Dec. 18.
Johnathan L. Wright
MUSIC
Aaron Lee Tasjan
“Don’t Overthink It,” singer-songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan advises on his latest record, “Tasjan! Tasjan! Tasjan!,” an album of witty, winsome folk rock where he embraces the corporeal over the digital, in both song and spirit. “May the guitar rest in peace / Before it’s dead once more,” he sings on “Computer of Love,” giving it a fitting elegy, at least. Las Vegas singer-songwriters Jeff Mix & The Songhearts and Jesse Pino join him at 7 p.m. Monday at The Sand Dollar Downtown at the Plaza. Free; thesanddollarlv.com/downtown.
Jason Bracelin
MUSIC
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corspe frontman George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher — What, did you think his nickname was going to “Kittenstroker”? — has the thickest neck in all of death metal, with the girth of a fleshy tree trunk, thanks to the violent, windmill headbanging he does at his band’s gigs. See if you can keep up with the man when Cannibal headlines a loaded lineup also featuring Dark Funeral, Immolation and Black Anvil at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets start at $29.50; houseofblues.com/lasvegas.
Jason Bracelin
MUSIC
Downtown Hoedown
Break out your finest cowboy boots, the National Finals Rodeo returns Thursday. First up, though, is the traditional kickoff party, the Downtown Hoedown concert. This year’s lineup features Scotty McCreery, Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson and Neal McCoy. Admission is free. See it from 5:15 to 11 p.m. Wednesday at the Fremont Street Experience.
Christopher Lawrence
