Southwest Things to Do, Dec. 25-31, 2014

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Two acts are set to take the stage at the Sand Dollar Lounge, 3355 Spring Mountain Road. The schedule is: the Chris Tofield Band, 10 p.m. Dec. 27, $5 cover charge; and the Moanin’ Black Snakes, 9 p.m. Dec. 31, $10 cover charge. Visit sanddollarloungelv.com.

Disc jockeys are scheduled to spin drum-and-bass music from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. Dec. 27 at the HardHat Lounge, 1675 Industrial Road. Attendees must be 21 or older. Admission is $5 cover. Visit hardhatbar.com.

A photo exhibit titled “Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico” is scheduled at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Jan. 19. The exhibit is free for Springs Preserve members or with paid general admission. Call 702-822-7700 or visit springspreserve.org.

“Wicked Plants: The Exhibit” is planned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Jan. 4 inside the Origen Museum at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd. Visitors can learn about poisonous and carnivorous plants. The exhibit is free for members or with paid general admission. Visit springspreserve.org or call 702-822-7700.

The art exhibit “Fusionaroma” by Behzad Dowlatshahi and Samira Nozari, published poets and painters known in Iran, is set through Jan. 4 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. The exhibit features abstract, expressionist, conceptual, figurative, realist and wet-on-wet (alla prima) paintings with oil and acrylic on canvas. Call 702-507-3820.

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATIONS

The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., plans a New Year’s Eve party at 10 p.m. Dec. 31. Tickets start at $75, which includes hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, a champagne toast and party favors. Visit orleanscasino.com

The Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road, plans to ring in the new year at 10 p.m. Dec. 31, with tickets starting at $50 and including an open bar, appetizers, a champagne toast and party favors. Visit goldcoastcasino.com.

A New Year’s Eve celebration is planned from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Silverton 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $30 at the door and include an open bar and entry to a party set for 10 p.m. at the Veil Pavilion. Visit silvertoncasino.com.

The Ghostbar inside the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, is slated to celebrate 2015 at 8 p.m. Dec. 31. Tickets cost $150. Visit ghostbar.com.

HOLIDAY EVENTS AND ATTRACTIONS

Millions of lights are on display through Jan. 4 at the Magical Forest at Opportunity Village, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd. The nonprofit’s 23rd annual holiday attraction is slated to feature Boris the Elf’s 3D Experience, Rudolph’s Raceway, the Magical Midway, Rod’s Mini-Golf, Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel, the Avalanche Slide and the Forest Express Passenger Train. Visitors can also take photos with Santa and the Magical Forest mascots Ovie Bear, his girlfriend Honey Bear and Boris the Elf, among others. Hours are 5:30-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. General admission is $11 for adults and $9 for children. To enjoy unlimited rides and attractions, adult passports can be purchased for $20 and children’s passports for $18. Various discounts also are available. Visit opportunityvillage.org/magical-forest or call 702-259-3700.

“A Christmas Carol: Read by Charles Dickens,” is scheduled at 8 p.m. Dec. 26 and 27 and 2 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Onyx Theatre, 953-16B E. Sahara Ave. Actor Byron Tidwell is set to perform a one-man show using Dickens’ performance notes. Visit onyxtheatre.com or call 702-732-7225.

Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town, 5111 Boulder Highway, has been transformed with holiday decorations and an hourly 15-minute laser light spectacular set from 5 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 1. Visit samstownlv.com.

The Ice Rink at the Boulevard Pool is scheduled to be open through Jan. 4 at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The 4,200-square-foot rink is set to feature a fire with s’mores roasting, periodic snowfall on the weekends and holiday movies on Mondays. The rink is scheduled to be open from 3 p.m. to midnight Mondays through Fridays and noon to midnight Saturdays and Sundays. All-day skating is $10 for Nevada residents and $15 for nonresidents. Skate rentals are $5. Admission is free to the pool area, which features a winter atmosphere. The Ice Rink is open to children 2 or older, but children 16 or younger must be accompanied by an adult. Visit cosmopolitanlasvegas.com.

Ethel M Chocolates, 2 Cactus Garden Drive, plans to host its 21st annual holiday cactus garden from 5 to 10 p.m. daily through Jan. 1. Admission is free. Visit ethelm.com.

Glittering Lights is planned through Jan. 4 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North. The annual drive-through holiday attraction features hundreds of light displays stretched over a 2.5-mile course and is open from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5:30 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Admission is $20 per vehicle. Visitors may receive $5 off Sundays through Thursdays with the donation of a bag of gently used items for Goodwill of Southern Nevada. Visit glitteringlightslasvegas.com.

WORTH A DRIVE

All-day skates are scheduled weekdays through Jan. 3 at Boulder Crystal Palace Skating Center, 4680 Boulder Highway. Admission is $10 or $9 for those who bring their own skates and includes two slices of pizza, a small soft drink and four video game tokens. Visit skatevegas.com/boulder or call 702-458-7107.

The exhibit “Vegas Votes” by the Las Vegas News Bureau Archives is planned during regular library hours through Feb. 3 at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave. Photographs from 1947 to 2014 include the categories of showgirls, entertainment, sports, hotel exteriors, pool scenes, gambling and recreation. The public is invited to vote for their favorite photographs to be featured in a 2015 exhibition at The Studio. Visit lvccld.org or call 702-507-3631.

Downtown Summerlin, 1980 Festival Plaza Drive, plans to operate its outdoor ice skating rink, the Rock Rink, through mid-January from 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays; 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. school holidays. Holiday hours are set from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 1. The rink will be closed Dec. 25. Skating is $15, including skate rental. The rink is on the northwest side of Downtown Summerlin off Rosemary Park Drive and Summa Drive. Call 702-832-1000 or visit downtownsummerlin.com.

The CSN 2014 Juried Student Exhibition is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Jan. 23 at the College of Southern Nevada Fine Arts Gallery at the Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. Visit csn.edu.

An exhibition in honor of Chinese New Year is scheduled to be on display by appointment at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. An artist’s reception is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Visit artslasvegas.org or call 702-229-1012.

“A Master’s Journey,” paintings by Lolita Develay, is set to be on display through Jan. 31 at the Left of Center Gallery, 2207 W. Gowan Road. The work documents the artist’s progress toward obtaining a Master of Fine Arts degree. Visit leftofcenterart.org.

PLAN AHEAD

An event called Creating the Year You Want, featuring a walking meditation at Exploration Peak Park, 9700 S. Buffalo Drive, is scheduled from 1:15 to 3:15 p.m. Jan. 1. The event, hosted by the Music 4 Life Health Club & Training Center, 2975 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite B, is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. RSVP by calling 702-889-2881.

”America’s Got Talent” winner Michael Grimm is scheduled to perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 3, 17 and 31 at the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Tickets start at $25. Call 702-9141-8557 or visit silvertoncasino.com.

Developmental activities are planned for children and their parents from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. Activities are set to include sitting still for story time, following directions and playing with others. Call 702-507-3820 or visit lvccld.org.

The International Shrine Circus is planned at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and 9 and at 11 a.m. and 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 and 11 at the Orleans Arena, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. The circus is set to feature elephants, tigers, ponies, aerialists, motorcyclists and more. Admission ranges from $20 for general seating to $65 for Circus Star tickets, which include a post-show meet-and-greet, the choice of a circus toy priced at $10 or less, a snow cone, cotton candy or face painting. Children 2 or younger get in free. Call 702-284-7777 or visit orleansarena.com.

The Sci Fi Center, 5077 Arville St., plans a free “Dr. Who” marathon and an art show inspired by the sci-fi series at 7 p.m. Jan. 10 and 11. Call 702-792-4335 or visit thescificenter.com.

Grand Funk Railroad is scheduled to take the stage at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 and 11 inside the showroom at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Tickets start at $39.95. Call 702-365-7075 or visit orleanscasino.com.

Comedian Rickey Smiley is slated to perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 and 18 inside the showroom at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Tickets start at $39.95. Call 702-365-7075 or visit orleanscasino.com.

A paper airplane battle is scheduled from 4 to 5 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. Call 702-507-3820 or visit lvccld.org.

The Unwieldies, Part-Time Criminals and Sara Pattersen are set to perform at 9 p.m. Jan. 23 at The HardHat Lounge, 1675 Industrial Road. Attendees must be 21 or older. Tickets are $5. Call 702-384-8987 or visit hardhatbar.com.

An e-media class for all ages is slated from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. A librarian will answer any questions attendees may have about e-media devices. Call 702-507-3820 or visit lvccld.org.

A Jeopardy challenge for youths in grades six through 12 is scheduled from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Spring Valley Library, 4280 S. Jones Blvd. Prizes are set to be awarded. Call 702-507-3820 or visit lvccld.org.

ONGOING EVENTS

Elements Kitchen & Martini Bar, 4950 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 100, plans to offer live music from 7 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday and Saturday featuring Marty Mancuso and from noon to 3 p.m. every Sunday featuring Mark and Dom. Call 702-750-2991 or visit elementskitchenandmartinibar.com.

The Stardusters Square & Round Dancers offer square dancing classes from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays for $5 at the Meadows Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, 2900 S. Valley View Blvd. Call 702-348-4906.

The Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., recently opened its new Butterfly Habitat in the southern portion of the Botanical Gardens. The habitat is scheduled to feature hundreds of butterflies and a variety of plants, and it will be open each fall and spring, as temperatures permit. Butterfly species are set to include mourning cloak, red admiral, painted lady, American lady, monarch and queen. A separate entrance fee will be charged for the habitat, with members paying $2 and nonmembers paying $3. The habitat is slated to be open during Springs Preserve operating hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Visit springspreserve.org.

The Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., has scheduled Ethnic Express International Folk Dancing for ages 8 or older from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. Wednesdays. The cost is $4 per person. Learn international dance styles, including Arabic, Armenian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Greek, Israeli, Macedonian, Russian, Serbian and Turkish folk dances. Call 702-732-4871 or visit ethnicexpresslasvegas.org.

The Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St., is set to host Scottish country dancing for ages 13 or older from 6:30 to 8:45 p.m. every Friday. Cost is $5 per person. Call 702-229-6383 or visit artslasvegas.org.

The Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane, offers free Zumba Fitness classes, and licensed instructor Jean Smith teaches dance fitness to Latin rhythms, appropriate for all ages and fitness levels, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Call 702-507-6030 or visit lvccld.org. This class is also offered at Grace Valley Church, 1370 E. Robindale Road (702-454-9328), and at 6 p.m. Fridays at Body Focus Fitness, 7380 S. Eastern Ave. (702-228-4967).

A free open mic event is planned from 8 p.m. to midnight Thursdays at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Call 702-365-7111 or visit orleanscasino.com.

The Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., is set to provide guided garden walks from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission for locals is $9.95 for adults, $8.95 for seniors, students and military and $4.95 for children 5 to 17. Visit springspreserve.org/apps/event.

The Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd., plans to feed the animals in its Living Collections at 11:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. General admission for locals is $9.95 for adults, $8.95 for seniors, students and military and $4.95 for children 5 to 17. Visit springspreserve.org/apps/event.

Ongoing shows at Money Plays, 4755 W. Flamingo Road, include live local bands at 9 p.m. Saturdays and an open mic night at 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays. Visit moneyplayslv.com.

Enjoy karaoke from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Jack’s Irish Pub at Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave. Guests must be 21 or older. Visit palacestation.sclv.com.

Bar 702, 3355 Spring Mountain Road, hosts a variety of live entertainment daily. Call 702-871-6651 or visit bar702lasvegas.com.

John Windsor is scheduled to perform from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturdays and from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sundays at McMullan’s Irish Pub, 4650 W. Tropicana Ave. He also is scheduled at 8:45 p.m. Mondays at Ri Ra Irish Pub in Mandalay Place, 3930 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Visit john-windsor.com.

Jerry Tiffe is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur, 740 S. Decatur Blvd. Visit arizonacharliesdecatur.com.

The Peter Love Trio is scheduled to perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays at Jack’s Irish Pub at Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave. Guests must be 21 or older. Visit palacestation.sclv.com.

WILLplay is scheduled to perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturdays at Jack’s Irish Pub at Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave. Visit palacestation.sclv.com.

The Claudine Castro Band is scheduled to perform at 11 p.m. Sundays in The Lounge at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. Admission is $10. Visit palms.com.

Santa Fe and The Fat City Horns are scheduled to perform at 10:30 p.m. Mondays in The Lounge at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. Admission is $10. Visit palms.com.

The Gold Coast, 4000 W. Flamingo Road, has scheduled a variety of live entertainment six nights a week in the Gold Coast Showroom Lounge. Visit goldcoastcasino.com.

Comedian Eddie Griffin is set to perform at 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday at the King’s Room at the Rio, 3700 W. Flamingo Road. Tickets start at $69. Visit riolasvegas.com or call 702-777-2782.

The West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road, is set to offer beginner, intermediate and advanced tap dance classes. Each class is offered twice a week, and a six-week session costs $37. Call 702-455-7742.