Things to do in Paradise/Downtown

The 2012 Vegas Pet Expo is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Expect more than 150 veterinarians, groomers, trainers, retailers and organizations geared toward pet lovers at this free event. Shorty Rossi, star of “Pit Boss” on Animal Planet, plans to make an appearance with his canine sidekick Hercules. More than 200 pets will be available for adoption. Expect a pet costume contest, talent contests, information about obedience training, pet behavior, nutrition and activism. Discounted vaccinations, free nail trims and low-cost microchipping also will be available. Visit vegaspetexpo.com or call 800-977-3609.

The Musical Arts Singers plan to present “An Afternoon of Choral Gems” featuring music by Joseph Haydn, Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Kern at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Doc Rando Recital Hall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for seniors, students and the physically disabled. Visit pac.unlv.edu or call 895-2787.

Southern Nevada Public Television is scheduled to host the Splendor in the Glass wine and beer tasting to benefit Vegas PBS from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday in the Las Vegas Hotel, 3000 Paradise Road. The event is set to feature 60 breweries and wineries, food, a live wine auction, a silent auction, an appearance by chef Julian Serrano and a jazz quintet. Tickets are $75 in advance and $90 at the door. Visit vegaspbs.org/winetasting or any Lee’s Discount Liquor, Total Wine & More or Whole Foods Market location. Attendees must be 21 or older.

“Beyond Brokeback,” an event scheduled to feature essays, poetry and music inspired by Annie Proulx’s “Brokeback Mountain,” is scheduled at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. The event is co-sponsored by HBO, the David Bohnett Foundation, the Gill Foundation Gay & Lesbian Rodeo Heritage Foundation, the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Foundation and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ Nevada Conservatory Theatre. Visit lvccld.org or call 507-3400.

Classical violinist Itzhak Perlman is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series. Tickets are $45, $60 and $85. Visit pac.unlv.edu or call 895-2787.

Teens are invited to learn basic salsa moves during a dancing event scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the multipurpose room at the Las Vegas Library, 833 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Visit lvccld.org or call 507-3500.

The Knights of Columbus plan an all-ages Saturday Night Stomp swing dance party with a Mardi Gras theme Saturday. Lessons begin at 7 p.m., and social dancing begins at 8 p.m. The party is set to continue until midnight at 911 E. Ogden Ave. The dress code prohibits jeans. Admission is $5. Only cash is accepted. Visit saturdaynightstomp.com.

The Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater plans shows from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the West Las Vegas Library, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Visit lvccld.org.

A science fiction double-feature with “Lady Frankenstein” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” augmented by a live cast is slated for 8 p.m. Saturday at The Sci Fi Center, 900 E. Karen Ave., No. D202. Tickets are $10. Visit thescificenter.com.

The Nevada Chamber Symphony plans its annual children’s concert from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. The concert is set to include interactive participation and narratives about composers. Visit lvccld.org.

Worth a Drive

J.R. Pony Parties, an educational farm, welcomes all to visit from 10 a.m. to noon during Open Gate Days scheduled today and Feb. 28 at 1753 Fairhaven Ave. Admission is $5, which includes pony rides and visits to the goat barn. Visit jrponyparties.com or call 631-4142.

Acoustic Eidolon — made up of Joe Scott and Hannah Alkire — plans a free live concert influenced by Celtic, contemporary, bluegrass and Latin music from 3 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Visit lvccld.org or call 507-3964.

Free concerts are offered from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays through March 9 at Veil Pavilion in the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Visit silvertoncasino.com.

“The Eye of Africa,” a show featuring Harriet Smith’s images of animals from her photographic journey through Africa’s national parks, is set to be on display through April 3 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. An opening reception is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today. Visit lvccld.org.

A classical music concert featuring the Eclectic Trio — Naoko Taniguchi on violin, Tamara Kezerov on piano and Elena Kapustina on cello — is scheduled from 7 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. They plan to perform works by Bedrich Smetana, Mozart and Beethoven. Tickets are $7 in advance or $10 on the day of the event. Visit clarkcountynv.gov or call 455-7340.

Plan ahead

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Symphony Orchestra is scheduled to present”Made in the USA,” a program of music featuring American composers J. Adams, Charles Ives and Leonard Bernstein, at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. Tickets are $8 and $10. Visit pac.unlv.edu or call 895-2787.