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The latest single from Wesley Eisold’s decade-old project, August’s “The Idea of Love,” reaffirmed his commitment to dark and disquieting synth-rock. His latest Vegas visit will feature Drab Majesty, another artist who should appeal to fans of post-punk and electronics, as the opener. January 12, 8 p.m., $15. –Spencer Patterson
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THE MOUNTAINTOP AT SMITH CENTER’S TROESH STUDIO
On April 3, 1968, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech in Memphis that all but foretold his premature death. The next day, he was murdered. What might have happened between those two events while he relaxed inside the Lorraine Motel is the subject of The Mountaintop, Katori Hall’s 2009 Olivier Award-winning play. It comes to us, fittingly, at the start of Martin Luther King Weekend from Las Vegas-based Broadway in the Hood, which stages relevant works largely about the African-American experience. January 13-15, times vary, $34. –Mike Prevatt
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LAS VEGAS JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
As festival founder and director Joshua Abbey emphasizes every year, the Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival is for everyone. “Our goal with this annual film festival is to make quality Jewish films available to the local community—Jewish and non-Jewish alike,” Abbey said in the announcement for this year’s festival, the 16th edition. That makes the LVJFF Nevada’s longest-running film festival, and its track record of bringing to town diverse, accomplished and challenging films (most of which would never be seen locally otherwise) continues with this year’s program.
The lineup includes the most popular film at Jewish film festivals in the past year (Israeli comedy The Women’s Balcony); documentaries about poet Bob Kaufman, songwriter Marvin Hamlisch and the 1977 Maccabi Tel-Aviv basketball team; and the 1953 Kirk Douglas post-Holocaust drama The Juggler, in honor of Douglas’ 100th birthday. Filmmakers are scheduled to be on hand for screenings of documentaries On the Map and Aida’s Secrets and stage adaptation Wrestling Jerusalem, and local Jewish scholars and cultural figures will bring their expertise to moderating other screenings. January 14-29 (days, times and locations vary), $10 per screening, $50 passes, lvjff.org. –Josh Bell
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DIRT CITY THREE AT GOLDEN TIKI
Garage-rock veteran Timothy Styles—formerly of Vegas bands Skorchamenza, Beta Bomb and The Big Friendly Corporation—ventures into psychedelic and glam-rock territory for his latest project. Dirt City Three finds him teaming with bassist Brandon Johnson and drummer John Barrow, and drawing upon some of classic rock’s loudest and fuzziest, like Black Sabbath and T. Rex. Come for the music—Arizona punks Heebie Jeebies and Golden Tiki DJ mainstay Professor Rex Dart share the bill—then stay for a round of Mai Tais (and Dole Whip!). January 14, 9 p.m., free. –Leslie Ventura
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SOUS VIDE COOKING CLASS AT ARTISANAL FOODS
The French technique of cooking meats in a vacuum-sealed container in temperature-controlled water apparently renders steaks the most delicious one could possibly eat. Learn how to master the cooking style and make easy, memorable meals at home. January 15, 6 p.m., $55 per person, $99 per couple, 2053 Pama Lane. –Leslie Ventura
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A ROOM OF ONE'S OWN AT LEFT OF CENTER ART GALLERY
This all-female exhibit draws inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s 1929 feminist essay of the same name, with its central theme that women need space to create in a world traditionally dominated by men. Professional artists from LA and Las Vegas will showcase their work in a diverse range of mediums, from video to installation art. Prominent writers, including local poet Vogue Robinson and journalists published in the Los Angeles Times and Huffington Post, will display pieces relevant to feminism.
You can meet the more than 20 creators at a reception on January 28 from noon to 3 p.m. Select dates throughout the exhibition’s run will also feature art and writing workshops, motivational talks from Dr. Karmen Smith and Dr. Karen Laing and readings. Additionally, Left of Center’s first exhibition of 2017 kicks off its 20-year anniversary as a nonprofit. January 17-31, free. –Rosalie Spear
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MOTOWN THE MUSICAL AT THE SMITH CENTER
Motown the Musical is billed as the life story of Berry Gordy, and it does offer some behind-the-scenes peeks at Hitsville USA, including Gordy’s initial, ill-fated seduction of Diana Ross and his disagreement with Marvin Gaye over “What’s Going On.” But given that his biography is so wrapped up in the legend of the artists he discovered and the sound of the label he founded, it seems forgivable if the life details are glossed over in favor of the music. More than 60 Motown classics are given vibrant life in this jukebox musical, and chances are good you’ll know them all. January 17-22, times vary, $29-$132. –Jacob Coakley
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TORUK—THE FIRST FLIGHT AT T-MOBILE ARENA
Cirque du Soleil takes a decidedly different direction—a show with a clear narrative guiding the eye-popping action—with its latest touring production, the Avatar-inspired Toruk, for which the blockbuster film’s director James Cameron served as a consultant. The jungle world of Pandora is the setting, the blue Na’vi are the stars and saving the sacred Tree of Souls is still the objective. It takes an arena to capture the scale of this endeavor. Janaury 18-22, times vary, $39-$155. –Brock Radke
