1.
See a movie for a good cause. The upcoming film Love in the Time of Cholera, based on the acclaimed novel by Gabriel García Marquéz, won’t be in theaters until November 16, but you can see it early at a star-studded benefit, which includes a screening of the film, dinner and an exclusive performance by Shakira, who contributed new music to the film’s soundtrack. All proceeds go to the Bare Feet Foundation, which helps underprivileged children and families in Colombia. November 6, 6 p.m., Rain Nightclub and Brenden Theaters at the Palms, $250. Info: 992-7979 or cinevegas.com.
2.
Check out cheap comic books. Dreamwell Comics, the oldest comic-book store in town, celebrates its 20th anniversary this week with a special sale featuring 25 percent off all merchandise, plus boxes and boxes of 10-cent comics. Get there early; those discount issues of Adolescent Radioactive Black Belt Hamsters tend to go fast. November 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 5706 W. Charleston Blvd., 870-1268.
3.
Converse with artists. Want to know what inspired the works in the Las Vegas Art Museum’s Diaspora exhibit? LVAM hosts a panel discussion with a collection of Vegas-schooled exhibition artists: Tim Bavington, Curtis Fairman, Sush Machida Gaikotsu, Jack Hallberg, Shawn Hummel, Angela Kallus and Wayne Littlejohn. Friday, November 2, at 6:30 p.m. $7; $5 LVAM members. Seating is limited; RSVP to 360-8000.
4.
Get your slam on. While the bulk of the Vegas Valley Book Festival’s author sessions take place at the El Cortez, the First Friday stomping grounds of Casino Center and California will feature related art exhibitions, tours, signings and a spoken-word program organized and hosted by local multi-hyphenate Dayvid Figler. Actress and author Amber Tamblyn (The Ring, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) joins poets Derrick Brown—whom Figler describes as “maybe the best dude who does this sort of stuff in the country: captivating, smart, funny”—and Mike McGee (“wonderfully peculiar poems about things like pudding”) from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., November 2, free, 229-5431. Visit VegasValleyBookFest.org for additional information.
5.
Go Irish. The Pogues are headed to George Maloof’s house. If last year’s House of Blues performances by England’s best-loved Irish folk-punkers taught us anything, it’s that Shane MacGowan can still sing (even if we don’t recognize the words coming out of his toothless mouth), Spider Stacy’s forehead can still endure a good serving-tray bashing, and the band’s fanbase can still drink us under the table. Here’s to the rematch! With William Elliott Whitmore. November 2, 8 p.m., $42-$52. The Pearl, 942-7777.
6.
Watch the best football game of the season. This Sunday, November 4, the undefeated Colts take on the undefeated Patriots. You, of course, already knew this. But where to watch it? Oh, the options, the options! None better, though, than the Suncoast Hotel and Casino, where you can arrive early, catch the tail end of the big steak-and-eggs (and potatoes and toast) graveyard special ($2.95), grab a seat in front of the sports book’s 22 BIG screen TVs and eat big 75-cent hot dogs all throughout the game. 1:15 p.m., CBS.