1.
Go boldly. The original 1960s Star Trek series has been given a face-lift for its recent TV airings, with digital remastering, new special effects and a new orchestral recording of the theme song. Now you can experience the classic two-part episode “The Menagerie,” which incorporated elements of the show’s unaired pilot, in its spruced-up glory on the big screen, along with a new documentary on the show’s 21st-century makeover. It’s like the future is new again. November 13, 7:30 p.m.; November 15, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. $12.50. Various Regal Cinemas locations; more info at fathomevents.com.
2.
Crash at Tuscany Suites. Keenly aware that not all that illuminates the dark skies is made of neon, those fascinated by unexplained blinking and streaking lights will be on-hand at Tuscany Suites for the 5th Annual UFO Retrieval Conference. The event covers three days—from November 9 to November 11—with a series of authorities on extraterrestrials (and the government’s alleged attempts to cover up the crashes of such) speaking about such topics as “Anatomy of a Crash-Retrieval Lock-Down.” The keynote speaker for the November 10 banquet is Danny Sheehan, Harvard-educated director of the Center for the Development of Extra-Terrestrial Public & Private Policy in Mexico City. This makes him an authority in (and above) the field. Tickets: $179 for the full conference, $60 for Saturday, $80 for Sunday, $69 for the Saturday banquet. Call 877-887-2261 or go to www.ufoconference.com.
3.
Dissect the American political system. Quit being apathetic and start thinking with UNLV professor and politician Dina Titus, CNN news anchor Aaron Brown and New Yorker correspondents Ryan Lizza and George Packer at this forum: The (Failed?) State of American Politics—An Election-Year Assessment. Wednesday, November 14 at 7 p.m., UNLV Beam Music Center Recital Hall. Free. www.blackmountaininstitute.org; 895-5542.
4.
Laugh. Brandt Tobler is at it again. Following his September comedy show/house party/raging kegger featuring the Comedy Crackpot Tour, the Vegas comic hosts America’s $1 Funnyman, Neil Hamburger, along with top absurdist duo PLEASEEASAUR on November 14. If that weren’t enough, Tobler reopens his backyard again on November 16 for Comedians of Comedy vet Morgan Murphy and GarageComedy.com’s Brody Stevens. And if that weren’t enough ... free beer! Each show begins at 8 p.m., $10. 7761 Locke Haven Drive, 501-4674. Hard, pointy rocks are provided to sit on; lawn chairs are not. So bring your own. Neil Hamburger photo by Zack Wolk.
5.
Treat the family. Trust us, the city of Henderson is a nice, well-lit place to live. And trust us also when we say there are plenty of things to do, such as the free November 10 performance of Babes in Toyland at the Henderson Events Plaza. Bring the family. There will be treats, toys and the chance to meet characters from several Mother Goose fables. And, as everyone knows, the Babes in Toyland musical has long been a trustworthy show. 200 Water St.; more information at 267-2171 or www.hendersonlive.com.
Saturday Looks Good to Me photo by Doug Coombe
6.
Pop. Two touted indie popsters pop up Downtown on short notice, so break whatever plans you’ve made for Sunday and Tuesday nights. First up it’s Swede Jens Lekman, whose latest album, Night Falls Over Kortedala, earned a five-star rating from The Guardian, which wrote, “Pop is rarely as genuinely affecting, joyful or good as this.” Two nights later it’s Fred Thomas’ Michigan collective Saturday Looks Good to Me, touring behind just-released new album Fill Up the Room, described by Popmatters.com as “possessed by the notion that the snappy little pop songs of the band’s past were baby steps toward something greater.” Jens Lekman with Bobby Martinez. November 11, 9 p.m., $5. Bunkhouse, 384-4536. Saturday Looks Good to Me with Action Cat. November 13, 10 p.m., $5. Beauty Bar, 598-1965.