A packed Star Wars schedule
You’ve already got your tickets for at least one screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. You’ve already rewatched The Force Awakens. But you want more. Like those kids who bombard the clubs before and after EDC because YOLO, you can complement Friday’s big release with all kinds of ancillary Star Wars events to keep the Force flowing all week.
Naturally, Artifice’s monthly Nerdlesque event will assume a Star Wars theme for the weekend, its geek-loving burlesque dancers dressing—then undressing—like their favorite characters. Think Oola from Jabba’s palace will make an appearance? (December 16, 7:30 p.m., $15.)
Over at Enclave event venue, the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra will pay tribute to Star Wars maestro and scorer John Williams with an afternoon concert. Warning: Organizers expect a sellout, so buy ahead at lvyao.yapsody.com. (December 17, 2 p.m., $10-$25.) Cosplay enthusiasts can garb up to win some of the $3,000 prize money at the Nerd’s Star Wars Celebration. (December 15, 11 p.m., free.) And pop culture haven Bubblegum Gallery will host a kid-friendly—and costume-friendly—science class with Star Wars-related experiments. What’ll be your midichlorian count? (December 16, 1 p.m., $20.) –Mike Prevatt
Sarah Lacy at The Writer’s Block
Can women really have it all? Why is that question never asked of men? Author, entrepreneur and mother of two Sarah Lacy explores the challenges surrounding motherhood in the workplace in her new book, A Uterus Is a Feature, Not a Bug: The Working Woman’s Guide to Overthrowing the Patriarchy. The book reveals that despite disparaging stereotypes, working mothers are actually a boon to companies. Lacy will conduct a free book discussion and signing, with Cathy Brooks, founder of Downtown’s Hydrant Club, moderating. December 14, 7 p.m. –C. Moon Reed
Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium
How much better is the Pac-12 than the Mountain West? According to oddsmakers, it’s not even close. At press time, they had unranked Oregon—which finished fourth in its Pac-12 division—as a 7.5-point favorite over 10-win Boise State, ranked No. 25 in both polls plus the College Football Playoff rankings and winner of this month’s Mountain West Championship Game. The Ducks and Broncos will settle it on the field in Vegas. December 16, 12:30 p.m., $49-$131. –Spencer Patterson
Descendents at Brooklyn Bowl
SoCal’s poppy punk godfathers have headlined Punk Rock Bowling on the streets of Downtown three times this decade—in 2011, 2014 and 2016—but Milo and the guys haven’t played a show of their own here since way back in 1997 at the Huntridge. With The Flatliners, Pulley, December 16, 7 p.m., $30-$40. –Spencer Patterson
Tease & Tails: Anything but Christmas! at Velveteen Rabbit
Forget cookies and milk; Santa needs a little striptease, and Las Vegas’ burlesque elves should make his yuletide bright. The evening will feature performances from nine burlesque beauties, including Charlie Starling, The Sweet Siren and Candy Savage. December 17, 7 p.m., $12-$15. –C. Moon Reed
Women Like Us at Regal Red Rock
“Educate a girl, and you’ve educated a generation.” Those words, spoken by Kim DeWitt, founder of Kenyan-based nonprofit Olmalaika Home, could have easily been the tagline for Women Like Us. A passion project from director Sally Colón-Petree, television anchor Catt Sadler and activist Linda Rendleman, the 2015 documentary follows these women as they travel through the United States and Kenya, discussing social injustices women and girls face worldwide, from sex trafficking and female genital mutilation to teen suicide, lack of educational resources and more. December 18, $12. –Leslie Ventura
Monday's Dark 4-year anniversary
The community center known as the Space has now hosted Mondays Dark, the local fundraising entertainment event that powers the venue, for a full year. When producer and proprietor Mark Shunock moved the themed variety show featuring a rotating cast of Vegas entertainers from Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel, he also doubled the number of shows and beneficiaries, which means Mondays Dark has raised $220,000 for 22 local charities in 2017—which also means it’s time to celebrate.
That’s the plan for Monday night’s big anniversary show, which returns to the Joint. “Almost five months after moving to Vegas, my wife and I started Mondays Dark, and the Hard Rock has always been so giving and welcoming to all our events and ideas,” Shunock says. “Having the opportunity to move into the Joint for our anniversary is truly special for our entire Mondays Dark family.” December 18, 8 p.m., $20. –Brock Radke
Old Yeller at Winchester Cultural Center
Veteran actress and longtime Vegas-area resident Beverly Washburn will celebrate the 60th anniversary of notorious tearjerker Old Yeller with a screening of the movie and a discussion of her role as Lisbeth, the main character’s neighbor. Animal lovers everywhere know the story of a young boy who takes his first steps into adulthood when he’s faced with putting his beloved dog down. The family-friendly Disney production introduced many a kid to the harshness of the real world, and Washburn herself was only a teenager when she appeared in the movie. Decades later, it’s still an indelible experience. December 20, 1 p.m., Free. –Josh Bell
