Double beer tapping at Bad Beat Brewing
The Henderson hop house celebrates the release of two beers at the same time: Big Blind, a double IPA making a return to the brewery (and available to take home in four-packs) and a new porter promising “milk chocolate and toffee flavors … with more subtle toasty malt flavors in the background.” Try both, then participate in Bad Beat’s drunken spelling bee at 8 p.m. We’ll even help you prepare: Spell brettanomyces—you know, without looking at the word. Friday, September 1, 2 p.m., 7380 Eastgate Road #110. –Spencer Patterson
Double Down Radio Anniversary at Double Down Saloon
Streaming punk and garage station Double Down Radio (doubledownradio.com) celebrates its ninth year as it did the eight previous: loud and dirty. The night begins with a two-hour live broadcast and descends into ear-splitting chaos afterward with sets from The Bitters, Mizz Absurd, William Neal and more. Friday, September 1, 8 p.m., Free. –Geoff Carter
Jo Koy at Treasure Island
Jo Koy is just like you, only funnier. He’s coming back to Vegas to visit his crazy family, and he’ll make sure to catch up with old friends while he’s here. “I’ve got a lot of locals coming to the show,” the former resident and one-time UNLV student says of his Saturday-night show at TI. “And I get to see my old co-workers, too; a lot of them come through. It’s crazy. It’s like, I used to work with you at Champs!”
He’s come a long way since slinging sneakers at the Boulevard Mall, spiking earlier this year with Jo Koy: Live From Seattle on Netflix and following up with the debut of Inglorious Pranksters, an Internet clip show he hosts on Kevin Hart’s LaughOutLoud.com streaming service. “That guy has the blueprint,” Koy says of Hart, who also performs on the Strip this weekend. “Everybody else is trying to catch up to him or beat him, that’s the goal, and he’s not gonna stop moving. I’m just happy to be with him on that show.” Friday, September 1, 9 p.m., $55-$70. –Brock Radke
Viva Ras Vegas at Brooklyn Bowl
Given reggae’s massive popularity here, it was just a matter of time before a dedicated multi-day fest popped up. Viva brings eight acts to the Bowl over two nights: SoCal favorites The Expendables and The Aggrolites, along with Hawaiians Anuhea and Spawnbreezie on Friday; and the headlining Long Beach Dub Allstars supported by ex-Black Uhuru member Don Carlos, Hawaii’s Hirie and rising Long Beach band Law on Saturday. Basically, it’s a tour across the reggae spectrum, from old-school Jamaican to Pacific dub to island-style. Your lesson awaits. 6:30 p.m., September 1-2, $23-$90. –Spencer Patterson
Idina Menzel at The Pearl
Don’t “Let It Go.” Make sure you catch “the wickedly talented Adele Dazeem.” … Whoops, we’re not John Travolta at the Oscars. We meant to say, make sure you see Tony- and Grammy-winner Idina Menzel belt out melodies inside the Palms. She has the voice of a Disney queen—you know her as the voice of Elsa from Frozen. She’s Broadway royalty—she originated the roles of Elphaba in Wicked and Maureen in Rent. And she’s an actress—starring in Lifetime’s remake of Beaches and appearing in Glee. The New York Times says Menzel’s voice “suggests a robust Diana Ross with 10 times the stamina and lung power.” At Menzel’s solo show, expect a mix of Broadway favorites along with her own songs. The classically trained mezzo-soprano and songwriter has six solo albums. She calls her latest, 2016’s Idina, “the most personal, introspective album I’ve made.” Saturday, September 2, 8 p.m., $64-$142. –C. Moon Reed
No Scrubz Dance Party at Velveteen Rabbit
You’ve probably heard her dropping the best hip-hop, R&B and underground future bass at the Rabbit Hole. Now Lo Dino is getting behind the decks for a dance night filled with your favorite girl-power anthems. Ladies, leave your man at home. Saturday, September 2, 10 p.m., Free. –Leslie Ventura
Iliza Shlesinger at Mirage
The Mirage grabbed Iliza Shlesinger for its Aces of Comedy series at the best possible time. The first woman to win Last Comic Standing makes her Terry Fator Theatre debut over Labor Day weekend fresh off a 15-city national tour; Truth & Iliza, her brand-new Freeform late-night talk show, is picking up steam; and she has generated a bit of comedy controversy this summer by doubling down on expectations of her fellow female comics. “I think shock value works well for women, but beyond that, there’s no substance,” she told Deadline, sparking a social media battle. “I want to see what else there is with such complex, smart creatures.” Sunday, September 3, 10 p.m., $39-$50. –Brock Radke
Minus The Bear at Bunkhouse Saloon
The proggy indie rockers headed in a poppier direction on sixth studio album Voids, but the 15-year-old Seattle band’s signature shimmering guitars still shine through on tracks like “Call the Cops” and “What About the Boat.” And longtime Minus the Bear supporters need not worry. A glance at recent setlists confirms that you’re still likely to get “Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse” and “Pachuca Sunrise.” Sounds like a win-win. With Deap Vally, Monday, September 4, $20-$22. –Leslie Ventura
