Out after dark: Things to do in Southwest evenings

August is the second-warmest month of the year in Las Vegas and best enjoyed in the evening. View has a few nighttime activity suggestions for kids and adults to enjoy in the southwest area of the valley.

GOLF UNDER THE STARS

For miniature golf, late-night style, visit The Putt Park, 6085 S. Fort Apache Road. It is open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

The Putt Park shuts off its overhead lights Friday and Saturday for cosmic golf with lighted balls and neon-lit golf holes.

Kids 5 or younger golf for free, and ages 6 to 12 and seniors 55 or older pay $7.50. Teens and adults pay $8.50. Prices are for 18 holes of mini golf.

"We're the only outdoor 18-hole course in town," said general manager Alice Braun, "and it's good for any age. We have 1-year-olds through senior citizens playing."

The Putt Park also offers evening mini golf leagues that run for five weeks at a time and culminate with a four-team playoff, with the winning team receiving a trophy.

Teams of four can sign up for $35 per person. Matches are played Monday or Tuesday nights based on the team's division.

Braun said there is not a set date for the next league and that it depends on demand. Individuals or pairs can also sign up and be placed on a team.

For more information, call 254-7888.

KIDS SPORTS

Kids have another avenue for evening sports at the Desert Breeze Community Center, 8275 Spring Mountain Road.

The center offers evening basketball and volleyball leagues for ages 6 to 17 starting in September. Parents can register their children beginning Aug. 24.

For more information, visit clarkcountynv.gov or call 455-8334.

A PUBLIC RECORDING STUDIO

For more seasoned singers, a southwest-area bar gives a chance to perform in front of an audience.

Money Plays, 4755 W. Flamingo Road, Suite G, hosts an open mic on Thursdays from 9 p.m. until the last act.

Mike Ziethlow is a musician and the open mic organizer. What makes his open mic different, Ziethlow said, is that he records every act up to midnight and gives them a free audio recording, photos and video.

"We do a lot for artists," Ziethlow said. "In doing so, we get a lot of really talented artists that come out."

Acts are restricted to one song or performance of five minutes or less. Ziethlow said he wants this to be a showcase for individuals rather than large bands.

"The great thing about this open mic versus a lot of other ones is there is no set style," he said. "We have comedians come out; we've had acoustic, electric, poetry. It's not a band venue; it's very much show me what you have on the individual level."

Sign-ups begin at 8 p.m., and Ziethlow said the list is usually full by 8:05 p.m. He stops recording acts at midnight but said he stays as late as people want to perform.

His website, vegasonthemic.com, provides detailed information about the weekly event.

PRIVATE KARAOKE

If you are a singer, not a mini golfer, the area has opportunities to share your vocal talent.

Karaoke Q Studio, 3400 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 11, is about as night life as a business can get.

Open from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Karaoke Q's private rooms can accommodate groups of up to 20 people.

It offers music in several languages and updates its catalog of songs monthly.

Small rooms for up to five people are $20 per hour; medium rooms for up to 10 are $25; large rooms for up to 15 are $35; and extra-large rooms for up to 20 people are $50.

Karaoke Q offers a 25 percent discount Sunday through Thursday and a 15 percent discount Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call 823-1448.

Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.