Las Vegas, NV

In Vegas, the casinos will do anything to get you in. But this story really tells me that there is a definite push to bring in locals and to create a consistent customer base.

The deals from the Silverton, in fact, are pretty good. Buy one, get one beers in a town where you can be charged - and I am really not joking here - by the ounce for it.

I’ve never been one for happy hours but the longer I live in Vegas the more I find your schedule shifts into a more sleepless territory. You find yourself getting by on five hours a night because the rest of your time is occupied.

The other evening a friend and I were out looking for a place to find a fine cigar. We happened upon a local shop called the Tobacco Leaf, in Henderson. Their prices were reasonable and their lounge was comfy. It’s hard to find a good cigar shop in Vegas as the majority of ’smoke shops’ are nothing more than bongs and cigarettes but the Tobacco Leaf definitely fit the bill.

Friday

- First Friday!

- Goddess Full Moon festivities at Sekhmet Temple. Join other Luna fans for a potluck dinner after the ritual, which starts at 7:00pm.

Saturday

- The Mad Science program “Fire and Ice” will be premiering at two North Las Vegas libraries. The Mad Science program teaches kids the science behind magic tricks. The event is free and all ages are welcome. The North Las Vegas Main Branch located at 2300 Civic Center Dr shows at 10:30am, and the Aliante Library at 2400 Deer Springs Way shows at 1:00pm.

- New Country KWNR 95.5FM will be hosting the 2007 Country Summer Bash at the Club at the Cannery located at 2121 East Craig Road. Tickets are $25 and you must be 21 to attend. Tickets can be purchased by calling 1-866-287-4643. Neal McCoy, Jamie O’Neal and Donovan Chapman will be among the entertainers performing.

Sunday

- Angel Park Golf Club, located at 100 S Rampart Blvd, will be hosting the “Play Golf America Day” to promote the game of golf. The event is put on by the Southwest Section PGA and offers free clinics and lessons by the pros. Activities start at 10:00am and continue on until 3:00pm. All ages welcome.

- The Las Vegas Gladiators will play the Arizona Rattlers at the Orleans Arena, located at 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Kickoff is at 3:00pm. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 284-7777.

Friday

- First Friday takes place, as the name suggests, on the first Friday of every month. Local artists and musicians display their talents and wares down at the Arts District from 6pm - 10pm. A First Friday event map is located here. We plan to be there, as my astounding photograph-ninja friend has a booth there!

Saturday

- The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada’s 4th Annual Art Show and Silent Auction happens Saturday! Don’t miss it!

- Cinco de Mayo Festival at Lorenzi Park (720 Twin Lakes Dr) from 6pm-10pm in the Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza. Lots of family activities! Call 229-1087 for more information. Admission is free.

- Outdoor concert: Saxaphonist Paul Taylor at the Clark County Amphitheater (500 S. Grand Central Parkway). Admission is free.

Saturday and Sunday

- The San Gennaro Italian Festival is in full swing until the 6th. Located in the shopping center next to Target and Sears on Flamingo, the festival will have live entertainment, rides and games and ethnic food vendors. Tonight’s festival starts at 4pm-midnight. Saturday is 11am-midnight, and Sunday’s schedule is 11am-11pm.

The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada presents The 4th Annual Art Show and Silent Auction. The event takes place this Saturday May 5 from 6pm to 9pm at The Center, located at 953 E. Sahara Avenue, Suite B31. Call 733-9800 for more info.

The theme this year is “Celebrate Diversity.” My best friend will have a few photography pieces in the show and I got to help her out (my first and last modeling gig!). So if you’re going to be in town this weekend try and swing by - I may be just a little biased but she truly does excellent work, and of course everything else there will be worth checking out too!

We’re supposed to have some record breaking highs this weekend (98° - yuck!) so make sure you bring plenty of water and slap on the sunblock!

Saturday & Sunday
- Sesame Street Live! presents “Elmo Makes Music” at the Cox Pavilion. Tickets are $16-$30, call 739-3267. There are three performances today at 10:30am, 2:00pm & 5:30pm, and two tomorrow (April 30) at 1:00pm & 4:30pm. My neighbor and her young son went to this yesterday and loved it!

Saturday
- The Berenstain Bears Musical, based on five of the popular childrens’ books by Jan and Stan Berenstain, will be performing at the Henderson Pavilion tonight from 5pm-8:30pm. Tickets are $10-$15. A pre-show Teddy Bear Picnic starts at 5pm until 7pm.

- The District at Green Valley Ranch has begun their spring series of outdoor movie screening on Friday and Saturday nights. The movies start at sundown (around 7:30). Tonight’s movie is “Back To the Future.”

Sunday
- The United Jewish Community / Jewish Federation of Las Vegas will be hosting a community Israel Independence Day celebration concert Sunday from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Tickets are $5, call 732-0556.

- The Las Vegas Gladiators play the Orlando Predators Sunday at the Orleans Arena. Kickoff is at 3pm. Tickets range from $15-$80 and can be purchased online or by calling 731-4977.

- The Sahara West Library is hosting an Asian Culture Fair Sunday from 12pm-4pm. Local organizations and clubs will be displaying crafts, traditional Asian dancing, costumes, food and live entertainment. For more information call 507-3630.

- The 4th Annual Celebration of Life will release live butterflies at Hills Park in Summerlin on Sunday at 2pm. Smooth Jazz 105.7 “The Oasis” is sponsoring this fundraiser for the Nathan Adelson Hospice Foundation. Call 938-3959 for more information.

- The Aruba Casino will be offering free swing dance lessons for beginners starting at 8pm, followed by dancing from 8:30pm-midnight. Donations are appreciated. The Aruba Casino is at 1215 Las Vegas Blvd So. For more information contact Mark at 236-6792.