This week’s 5 best bets for Vegas entertainment
‘Ribbon of Life’
In 1986, a ‘Jubilee’ cast member died of AIDS in his parents’ garage and the Las Vegas show community pulled together in his memory. On Sunday, the “Ribbon of Life” benefit marks the 30th anniversary of that tradition. Nearly 300 performers stage Broadway and original musical numbers for Golden Rainbow, which provides housing and financial assistance for people with AIDS and HIV. Tickets are $50 to $200 for Sunday’s 1 p.m. show at the Tropicana (troplv.com/ribbonoflife).
Junefest
Junefest dates back to the ’90s and marathon days in the sun. But KKLZ-FM’s classic-rock fest evolved into a cozier, more comfortable event on the grounds of Sunset Station. Gates open at 4 p.m. Saturday, and the music starts at 6 p.m., with, in ascending order, The English Beat, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, (longtime Foreigner singer) Lou Gramm and rock’s cutest couple, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. Tickets are $31 to $101; call 800-745-3000.
Billy Gardell
His “Mike & Molly” run is over, or at least moved over to perpetual syndication. So Billy Gardell is back to doing stand-up, talking about “being a husband, being a father and the insanity that goes with that if you try to do it and not be a hypocrite.” See him at 9 p.m. Friday at Treasure Island. Tickets are $54.45 to $71.89; call 702-894-7722.
Martin Nievera
Martin Nievera is a singer of the world — a Filipino pop star in the ’80s who expanded his fan base into the Las Vegas suburbs during his years of singing Sinatra-style standards and contemporary ballads as a resident headliner. Now he’s back for a 7 p.m. Saturday show in the M Pavilion at the M Resort. Tickets are $38 to $52; call 800-745-3000.
Mindi Abair
You’ve seen Mindi Abair rip those saxophone solos on “American Idol,” the David Letterman show or on tour with Aerosmith. Now you can see her in the front spotlight with her band The Boneshakers, at 9 p.m. Saturday at Aliante Casino. Tickets are $43.93 to $76.63; call 702-692-7777.
— Mike Weatherford
