Arts briefs: Theater, music and family fun

Theater

SISTER RETURNS

FOR ‘SUMMER SCHOOL’

Time to get back in the habit, as Sister returns to teach everyone another lesson (or two) in “Sister’s Summer School Catechism,” which begins a five-performance run Friday at The Smith Center’s Troesh Studio Theatre.

The third “Late Nite Catechism” comedy to visit The Smith Center, “Summer School” (subtitled “God Never Takes a Vacation”) finds the tough-minded title character addressing such issues as appropriate summer vacations for practicing Catholics — and whether Jesus had to attend summer school.

Second City alumnus Nonie Newton-Breen — who played the formidable title nun when “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” visited The Smith Center last year — credits a memorable fifth-grade Catholic nun with the inspiration for her portrayal.

Sister Regina Therese “whacked (me) frequently … usually for a very good reason,” according to Newton-Breen, a Second City alumna who’s been touring in various “Catechism” shows for more than a decade.

Overall, “it’s a great gig,” says the 60-something performer, who quips that “the more wrinkly I get,” the easier it is to get into the habit. “It’s all part of the outfit. I don’t have to look good in hot pants anymore. Not that I ever did.”

Newton-Breen will perform “Sister’s Summer School Catechism” at 7 p.m. Friday and 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave. For tickets ($35-$40), call 702-749-2000 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com.

Music

WINCHESTER WELCOMES

GUITAR, BLUEGRASS BANDS

The walls are alive with the sounds of music at the Winchester Cultural Center this weekend, as the New West Guitar Group and the Red Rock Ramblers headline separate concerts.

At 7 p.m. Friday, the New West Guitar Group returns to Las Vegas for the first time in five years, with members John Storie, Perry Smith and Jeff Stein performing original numbers as well as songs by Simon and Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell, The Police and Tears for Fears.

“The group’s creativity in not being afraid to stretch boundaries is helping to forge a new area of music that should inspire other guitarists,” according to Vintage Guitar magazine.

And at 2 p.m. Saturday, the Red Rock Ramblers will perform with guest artists Las Piedras Rojas.

The Ramblers — guitarist Jim Damele, mandolin player Leon Evans, banjo player Joel Ferguson, fiddler Laraine Kaizer-Viazovtsev and bass guitarist Jimmy Schuppel — all sing, but it’s their blazing strings that light up the bluegrass and country tunes. Las Piedras Rojas, meanwhile, specializes in Freddy Fender and Johnny Rodriguez hits.

Tickets for each concert ($10 in advance, $12 the day of the show) may be purchased at the Winchester Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, by calling 702-455-7340 or visiting www.ClarkCountyNV.gov/parks.

Family fun

MAGIC MATERIALIZES

AT CONTAINER PARK

Most local magic shows take place on a stage.

But on Saturday, street magician Justin Flom will perform close-up magic at a free block party from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Downtown Container Park, 707 Fremont St.

Flom currently appears as one of the resident “Wizards” on the Syfy magic reality competition series “Wizard Wars” (where Las Vegas’ own Penn &Teller head the judging panel); he and local magician Rick Lax created the series.

For more information, visit Flom’s website at justinflom.com.

Art

ARTIST DOES

DOUBLE TAKE

Award-winning artist Cristina Paulos has double vision — which she shares in “Rhythm, Line and Stroke,” a collection of drawings and paintings focusing on the human form on display at two separate galleries.

The “Male” half of the equation continues through Oct. 10 at the Winchester Cultural Center; a meet-the-artist reception is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. “Rhythm, Line and Stroke: Female,” meanwhile, opens Monday at TastySpace Gallery and continues through Oct. 3.

The joint exhibition features artworks that incorporate a variety of materials and techniques, from ink, paint and handmade paper to watercolor, canvas and wood. Using life models and human subjects, Paulos captures and reveals human flaws, discomforts and vulnerabilities.

Hours at the Winchester Gallery, 3130 S. McLeod Drive, are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; call 702-455-7340 for more information. TastySpace, located inside the Emergency Arts building at 520 Fremont St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and by appointment; call 617-513-7336 for more details.

— By CAROL CLING