Local music release shows at Vinyl & Bunkhouse Saloon

Las Vegas rapper Jeff Thompson, better known as Ekoh, has been a fixture in the hip-hop scene for the past half-decade. With his conscious brand of “heart hop,” Ekoh uses beats and bars to address a variety of issues—from relationships to substance abuse and more. Now, Thompson is gearing up to drop his first full-length in five years, Along the Way, the follow up to 2012’s Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, at Vinyl inside the Hard Rock Hotel on Friday, October 13. Opportunities to donate to the victims of the Route 91 Harvest festival shooting will also be available. 7:30 p.m., free.

Vegas country-rock band The Rhyolite Sound is releasing its debut album, Desert Honky Tonk, with a concert at the Bunkhouse on Saturday, October 14. The show will feature additional performances by Doug C and the Blacklisted and The Reeves Brothers, along with a Daisy Dukes contest. October 13-14, 8 p.m., $8-$10. –Leslie Ventura

Lebanese American Festival at St. Sharbel Maronite Catholic Church

For the 10th consecutive year this southeast Valley church hosts a weekend celebrating Lebanese heritage and food. Enjoy everything from authentic shawarma and falafel to gyros and kabobs, plus scratch-made kibbeh balls—a meat and cracked wheat dish traditionally served as an appetizer. October 13-15, Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Sunday, 1-9 p.m.; $5. –Leslie Ventura

Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival at Sunset Park

Heaving bosoms, men in tights, lords and ladies, cheeky fellows, brave knights, faerie folk and gentle damsels—and that’s just the people watching! Every year, Sunset Park transforms into a delightful anachronism commonly known as the Ren Fair. Does this festival actually adhere to whatever happened during the Renaissance era and/or latest season of Game of Thrones? Who knows and who cares? The fun is in the free-wheeling fantasy that’s open to all. Eat turkey legs, “steak on a stake” and meat pies or go in for full English feasts and dinner theater. A variety of “guilds” (enthusiast groups often composed of locals) will offer entertainment, photo ops, demonstrations and legit historical reenactment. Entertainment is everywhere, so your best bet is to stroll around the park and stop at the nearest belly dancer, bawdy storyteller or jousting match. October 13-15, Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; $13-$15/day, $30/three days. –C. Moon Reed

The Center’s “Unplugged” Honorarium at the Palms

Put away the black tie. The Gay and Lesbian Center of Southern Nevada is switching things up this year for its annual fundraising event, with a celebration at Moon Nightclub. Catch performances by a live aerialist while participating in a silent auction and contributing to a worthwhile cause. October 14, $45-$125. –Leslie Ventura

Las Vegas Philharmonic Tribute Program at Reynolds Hall

It was supposed to be a jolly musical celebration of autumn, but after the tragic events on October 1, the Las Vegas Philharmonic could not carry on as planned, understandably. So music director/conductor Donato Cabrera showed what it means to be #VegasStrong. “Music heals,” Cabrara stated in a written news release. “We are changing the program for our upcoming concert to honor and reflect upon what makes us stronger when we face the future together.” The updated event is titled “Oktoberfest—Cabrera Conducts Beethoven, Mozart & Barber.” The new program features Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto,” Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” and Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and “Symphony No. 5.” A 6:30 p.m. “pre-concert conversation” will focus on the music and reasoning behind the new musical selections. From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Phil will host a “Beer Garden reception with German Fare” for $35.

Best of all, first responders, survivors and their families, volunteers or “anyone who seeks the refuge and solace of music” can reserve up to four free tickets, from a limited supply (use redemption code LVHPM; priced tickets cost $30-$109). October 14–C. Moon Reed

The Bronx at Bunkhouse Saloon

Unrelenting political frustration got you too exhausted to resist? You could snap into a Slim Jim—or, better yet, you could catch Hollywood hardcore heroes The Bronx, still one of the most innervating and incendiary live bands on the planet. With Plague Vendor, ’68, October 18, $15. –Mike Prevatt.