HEAR
SQUIDHAT RECORDS’ 4TH ANNIVERSARY It’s another milestone weekend for the Vegas-based punk label, with fantastically named bands like The Damnit Jims, Franks & Deans and Hit Me Baby—the latter punk-ifying the Britney Spears catalog. January 22 & 23, 10 p.m., free, Double Down.
VIVA BOWIE The ultra-spectacular Lon Bronson Band, famous for its horn section and funktastic performances, pays tribute to David Bowie by performing the late artist’s songs. January 21, 10 p.m., free, Sunset Station’s Club Madrid.
ARABIC MUSIC ENSEMBLE Vegas gets some culture from one of its own, when multi-instrumentalist Bishr Hijazi performs classical and contemporary Middle Eastern music with his ensemble, which includes Kazakh dancer Zhanna. January 22, 7 p.m., free, West Charleston Library.
JD MCPHERSON The Oklahoma art teacher-turned-blues guitarist—who opened for Robert Plant at Brooklyn Bowl
last May—revives 1950s rock ’n’ roll so authentically, you might think you’ve hopped into a time machine, not the Beauty Bar. With Honeyhoney. January 22, 9 p.m., $18-$22.
DANTE ELEPHANTE The hazy pop-rockers roll through Vegas in support of their debut LP Anglo Saxon Summer. Plan on beachy vibes to pull you out of the winter doldrums. With Sun Dog, No Tides. January 25, 7 p.m., $5, Bunkhouse Saloon.
GO
AVN AWARDS The “Oscars of Porn” features hosts Anikka Albrite and Joanna Angel giving away trophies for honors like Best Actress, Best Cinematography and … Best Group Sex Scene. Arrive early for some red-hot, red-carpet star sightings. January 23, 9 p.m., $175-$500.
MESQUITE BALLOON FESTIVAL Colorful hot-air balloons will dot the sky 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas this weekend, augmented Saturday by free Popovich Pet Comedy Theater showings for the kids (9:30 and 11 a.m.) and a Champagne tasting for the grown-ups (4-6 p.m.). Up, up and away! January 23 & 24, launch at 7:30 a.m., Casablanca Resort, 950 W. Mesquite Blvd.
