Sunday, March 14, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Community Wrap

WINCHESTER CENTER

Jazz group performs Latin Connection II

For the second time this season, the Nevada Jazz Orchestra will devote a concert to the Afro-Cuban jazz tradition.

The concert is Latin Connection II at 2 p.m. today at Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive.

Tickets are $15 general admission, $10 for seniors and students, $7 for Jazz Society and Guitar Society members.

For more information, call 455-7340.

The 17-piece band will add congas and timbales as it did for Latin Connection I last November, but most of the program will be new.

The only tune the band will repeat is Music Director Barry Ross' new arrangement of Victor Feldman's "Seven Steps to Heaven," which Ross calls "Seven Steps to Salsa Heaven."

The Nevada Jazz Orchestra performs four times each year at Winchester Center, and selections from its performances are frequently seen on Clark County's cable Channel 4.

Ross has written several new pieces and new arrangements for today's concert, including a fully Latin arrangement of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia." His Latin arrangement of "Street of Dreams" will feature trombonist Curt Miller.

Bassist Morrie Louden performed with the band for the first time in January, and returns today.

The concert is co-sponsored by the Las Vegas Jazz Society and Clark County Parks and Community Services.

BLOOD SERVICES BENEFIT

Group salutes Penn & Teller

Comic magicians Penn & Teller have been named 2003 Celebrity Community Advocates of the Year by United Blood Services. They will be honored at the Images of Life fund-raising gala at 6 p.m. March 20 at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road.

Tickets to the gala are $125. For more information, call 228-4483, Ext. 239.

Penn Jillette and Teller are being honored for their support of many causes in Southern Nevada including United Blood Services.

"These men are true heroes in our community," said Jan Dalby, United Blood Services director of marketing and development. "We want to thank them for their service to United Blood Services."

During the past holiday season, the duo donated nearly $200,000 worth of show tickets to encourage and thank blood donors, Dalby said.

Also at the gala, The Mirage will be named the 2003 Las Vegas Strip Property of the Year.

DIAMONDS AND DENIM

Station Casinos honored at event

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Las Vegas chapter will celebrate its 20th annual Spring Gala and honor Station Casinos at 5:30 p.m. April 17 at Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane, North Las Vegas.

The event, dubbed "An Evening of Diamonds and Denim," includes entertainment, dinner, a silent auction and a live auction.

Sponsorships are available ranging from $2,750 for silver, $5,000 for gold to $10,000 for platinum. Individual tickets are $275.

Call 732-4795 for more information and reservations.

All funds raised at the event go directly to finding a cure for diabetes.