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The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada holds a great deal of importance to LGBTQ locals, especially those who are younger, older and living with HIV/AIDS. But it’s especially indispensable to the transgender and gender-non-conforming community, for whom it serves not only as a safe space but a resource center and gathering spot, staffed and programmed to cater to its many needs. One new programming component for 2016 is Genderfest, a three-day symposium by which transgender folks can learn or talk about how to best approach their distinct set of needs and unify in spite of their different expressions and circumstances.
But do not mistake Genderfest for a trans-exclusive event. The workshop-dominant schedule also serves to educate the greater community, especially with seminars like “Trans History” and “What is Genderqueer?” and keynote speech by local political commentator/journalist Jon Ralston, whose son is transgender. Discussions about legal, financial and health insurance concerns, gender and artistic expression and safety are also included, as are lunches. September 8-10, $50-$75; full schedule at thecenterlv.org/genderfest. –Mike Prevatt
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In June, BuzzFeed published a wild story detailing how, during the late ’60s, two separate imposter groups toured the U.S. pretending to be The Zombies (one of them allegedly featuring future ZZ Top-ers Frank Beard and Dusty Hill). The honest-to-goodness English band—the one that recorded seminal 1968 psychedelic-pop LP Odessey and Oracle and then split before its release—will play Downtown as part of the Nugget’s “52 Fridays” concert series. If you still have doubts after the show, you could try asking original members Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent to show their IDs. September 9, 8 p.m., $59-$149. –Spencer Patterson
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The Baron presents Generation X at Hard Hat Lounge
If you watch America’s Got Talent, you’ve surely seen the tatted and pierced man pulling cars from chains attached to his nipples. If that got you queasy, don’t worry. He also spins garage, punk and other rock ’n’ roll from the Gen X era—no nipple play involved. September 9, 10 p.m., $2. –Leslie Ventura
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Space Next at the CSN Planetarium
Don’t just speculate about what the future has in store—discover it now by watching the film Space Next, directed by Luke Ployhar of Afterglow Studios. After working with leading scientists and NASA consultants, Ployhar’s team discovered what’s next in private space developments, national space programs and other recent innovations. The resulting images are a mesmerizing, hi-res display of intergalactic glory, especially since they’ll surround you in the Dome’s hemispheric theater. After the 38-minute film, head to the observation deck to peer through telescopes and stargaze. September 9-October 29, Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m., $4-$6. –Rosalie Spear
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Take away the still-unsurpassed puppetry. Brian Froud’s fanciful creature designs. Jennifer Connelly’s acting debut. David Bowie’s scene-chewing performance, even the bulge in his tights. What remains of 1986’s Labyrinth is wonderful storytelling by the late, great Jim Henson—and it still holds up. September 11 & 14, theaters & times at fathomevents.com. –Geoff Carter
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Heal Every Life Possible Benefit at Luxor
Criss Angel’s son Johnny Crisstopher—diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia last year at just 20 months old—is in remission, but there’s a lot of work to be done battling pediatric cancer. Angel hopes to raise $1 million in a single night, and he’s enlisted a long list of stars to help. Scheduled guests and performers include Jerry Lewis, Siegfried & Roy, Mike Tyson, Howie Mandel, Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil and more. September 12, 7 p.m., $50-$1,000, crissangelhelp.com. –Brock Radke
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Sepultura’s Roots is one of the most influential metal albums of the past two decades, marking the culmination of the Brazilian band’s experimentation with tribal rhythms and hip-hop beats. It spawned the hit “Roots Bloody Roots” and helped lay the groundwork for the nu-metal movement. Brothers and Sepultura founders Max and Iggor Cavalera both left the band years ago (Max in 1997, Iggor in 2006), but they’re reuniting to celebrate Roots’ 20th anniversary, playing the album in its entirety on a tour that kicks off here. September 12, 7 p.m., $17. –Josh Bell
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Branford Marsalis Quartet with Kurt Elling at the Smith Center
Marsalis has covered a lot of artistic ground in his 36 years as a performer. He’s recorded classical records; toured with Sting and the Grateful Dead; fronted The Tonight Show Band; dabbled in hip-hop (via his band Buckshot LeFonque); and has even acted in films. But one senses that he does this stuff to enrich his jazz playing, which is already kind of magical to begin with. Marsalis is supremely talented, and he’s aligned himself with players—pianist Joey Calderazzo, drummer Justin Faulkner and bassist Eric Revis—who are every bit as solid-gold as he is. Considering that, it’s easy to see the quartet’s collaboration with Grammy-winning vocalist Kurt Elling as both another step in Marsalis’ musical evolution and a summation of it. But even if that’s off the mark, just imagine an evening of these virtuosos tearing it up at Reynolds Hall because they want to—because it feels good. September 14, 7:30 p.m., $29-$125. –Geoff Carter
