CHEER
Lakers vs. Kings Sure, it’s a preseason game, but it might be the last chance for locals to catch the fall-away jump shots of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who begins his 20th and final contracted season this month. October 13, 7 p.m., $24-$476, MGM Grand Garden Arena.
WTT Smash Hits Revisit the great Martina Navratilova-Steffi Graf rivalry without digging out your old VHS tapes, when World Team Tennis drops into Caesars Palace to benefit Elton John AIDS Foundation and AFAN. Among other scheduled participants: Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, Tracy Austin, James Blake and hosts Billie Jean King and Elton John. October 12, 7 p.m., $45-$125.
GO
Las Vegas Burlesque Festival Bust out the nipple tassels! This three-day event includes burlesque showcases, a costume contest, a swap meet, “BurlySchool” classes and more. October 8-10, $45-$150, Gold Coast, lvburlesquefestival.com.
Rise Festival Imagine a thousand fireflies lifting off the desert floor to carry well-wishes into the night sky. Rise is that, but with paper lanterns instead of bugs—and the ethereal sights are highly Instagram-worthy. October 10, gates at 3 p.m., $59-$109, Moapa River Reservation.
Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival The smoked turkey leg alone is worth the price of admission, but this is a magical walloping of jousters, gypsies, pirates, princesses and something called the Snake Army. Plus, plenty of ale to make them all seem real. October 9-11, Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $8-$15/day, $20-$30/three-day, Sunset Park.
HEAR
Neil Young Whichever side of the GMO divide you’re on—and whether or not you dig Young’s new album, The Monsanto Years—we can surely agree the man’s not to be missed live. He’ll be backed by Promise of the Real (featuring Willie Nelson’s son Lukas) and supported by Jenny Lewis. October 11, 6:30 p.m., $65-$250, the Chelsea.
Riverboat Gamblers The Texas punk revivalists (think Johnny Thunders meets Social Distortion) are your final shot at weekend rawk ’n’ roll revelry. Plus: local axe-slingers Mercy Music and Illicitor. October 11, 9 p.m., $10-$12, Beauty Bar.
