Thursday, August 25

MUSIC: JA RULE & ASHANTI 8 p.m., the Amp at Craig Ranch, etix.com.

MUSIC: WAVVES With Boyo, Smut, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us.

PARTY: ZEKE BEATS 10 p.m., We All Scream, seetickets.us.

PARTY: NERVO With Madds, 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com.

SPORTS: LAS VEGAS AVIATORS VS. SUGAR LAND SPACE COWBOYS 7:05 p.m., thru 8/28, Las Vegas Ballpark, ticketmaster.com.

MUSIC: PAPA ROACH & FALLING IN REVERSE With Hollywood Undead, Bad Wolves, 6 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com.

MISC: HADESTOWN Thru 8/28, times vary, Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter.com.

MUSIC: HUMAN NATURE 6:30 p.m., & 8/26-8/28 at 7:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com.

PARTY: MAD DOG With Jo Ji, MGMA, System Malfunction, 10 p.m., Commonwealth, seetickets.us.

MUSIC: JESSE DANIEL With The Rhyolite Sound, 8 p.m., SoulBelly BBQ, eventbrite.com.

MUSIC: BIG BLUES BENDER Now in its eighth year (and second at Westgate Las Vegas), the city’s blues festival—which attracts music fans from all 50 states and several other countries—has programmed a boatload of talent for another around-the-clock weekend. In what could be his final performance in Vegas (as he considers cutting back on touring), the 86-year-old legend Buddy Guy leads the lineup, which is also stacked with Little Feat (continuing its 45th anniversary tour), Larkin Poe, Tab Benoit, Shemekia Copeland, Victor Wainwright & The Train, Mike Zito, Southern Avenue, Damon Fowler and dozens more. The annual collaborative performance series continues with One for the Queens, a tribute to the women of blues and soul with several acts joining together onstage, and five different venues at the off-Strip resort will be running full-speed all weekend long, including the historic International Theater and the late-night/early-morning jams at the I-Bar casino lounge.

Founder and promoter A.J. Gross says last year’s COVID comeback and Westgate debut brought out the best in some of the bands and artists he has been bringing to Las Vegas for years now, especially when taking over that classic stage that Elvis once ruled: “The room made them step up their game and meet the moment. It’s got great vibes and a lot of history.” At this point, you could say the same thing about the Bender itself, a standout event in the city’s ever-expanding festival landscape. Thru 8/28, times & prices vary, Westgate, bigbluesbender.com. –Brock Radke

Friday, August 26

MUSIC: THE KILLERS With Johnny Marr, 7:30 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, ticketmaster.com.

MISC: STRIPLY SONDHEIM 8 p.m., & 8/27, Majestic Repertory Theater, majesticrepertory.com.

PARTY: DEADMAU5 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com.

MUSIC: LOST ’80S LIVE With A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, The English Beat & more, 7 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com.

PARTY: LIL JON 11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, events.taogroup.com.

MUSIC: SHE WANTS REVENGE With D’Arcy, Fearing, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us.

SPORTS: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS VS. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (PRESEASON) 5:15 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com.

MUSIC: SHANIA TWAIN 8 p.m., & 8/27 & 8/31, Zappos Theater, ticketmaster.com.

PARTY: MARSHMELLO 11 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.

MUSIC: USHER 9 & 11 p.m., & 8/27 & 8/31, Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com.

MUSIC: COLLECTIVE SOUL & SWITCHFOOT 8 p.m., Sunset Station Amphitheater, ticketmaster.com.

PARTY: JONAS BLUE Noon, Ayu Dayclub, zoukgrouplv.com.

MUSIC: JOHN 5 With Krash Karma, 7 p.m., Count’s Vamp’d, eventbrite.com.

PARTY: NGHTMRE 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.

MUSIC: THE RED SEDUCTION With Glass Boys, Hunters Briefcase, Rose Levee, 8 p.m., Taverna Costera, tavernacostera.com.

PARTY: TAIKI NULIGHT 10 p.m., Discopussy, seetickets.us.

MUSIC: AURELIO VOLTAIRE 7 p.m., Artifice, artificebarlv.com.

COMEDY: JIM GAFFIGAN There’s something about stand-up comic, actor and writer Jim Gaffigan that’s just so darn relatable. Part of it’s his material; Gaffigan’s stand-up is observational stuff that’s largely profanity-free and delivered with a balance of soft-spoken annoyance and bemusement. (“Adults have found a way to use coffee shops as a means to not look ridiculous walking around in broad daylight with a huge cup of ice cream with a straw in it.”) But really, it’s about the man himself, his presence—a dad-bod paragon who seems like the kinda guy you’d depend on to pick you up from the airport, or not to judge you on your wardrobe choices. Jim Gaffigan feels real, and it’s always easier to laugh along with someone real. August 26-27, 8 p.m., $75-$145, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com. –Geoff Carter

Saturday, August 27

MUSIC: THE DIRTY HOOKS With Elephante King, This Is Rogue Two, 9 p.m., SoulBelly BBQ, eventbrite.com. (Photo Courtesy)

SPORTS: UNLV VS. IDAHO STATE FOOTBALL 12:30 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, unlvtickets.com.

PARTY: KASKADE 11 a.m., Wet Republic, events.taogroup.com.

MUSIC: CHRIS BROWN & LIL BABY With Bleu, 7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

PARTY: TIËSTO 11 a.m., Ayu Dayclub, zoukgrouplv.com.

PARTY: ILLENIUM 11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, events.taogroup.com.

SPORTS: LAS VEGAS LIGHTS VS. RIO GRANDE VALLEY TOROS 7:30 p.m., Cashman Field, lasvegaslightsf.com.

PARTY: ZEDD 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com.

PARTY: THE CHAINSMOKERS 11 a.m., Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com.

COMEDY: TREVOR WALLACE 10 p.m., Mirage Theatre, mirage.mgmresorts.com.

PARTY: STEVE AOKI 10 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.

FOOD & DRINK: NEW VISTA WINE WALK 5 p.m., Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, eventbrite.com.

PARTY: MASEGO 10:30 p.m., Light Nightclub, thelightvegas.com.

MUSIC: LUIS R. CONRIQUEZ 7 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com.

PARTY: DILLON FRANCIS 11 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.

COMEDY: ERIC D’ALESSANDRO 6 p.m., Wiseguys, vegas.wiseguyscomedy.com.

PARTY: TROYBOI When’s the last time you saw aerialists join a DJ onstage? It’s possible at a TroyBoi show—theatricality follows this guy wherever he goes. The South Londoner originally started in real estate (which might explain his impeccable taste in suits) before finding success on Soundcloud with his casual mixes. The multifaceted DJ sports a sound that’s culturally rich and reflective of the many styles to which he grew up listening, including tribal music. Trap-laced beats and slow tempo bass make up the foundation, while slices of reggae and dubstep bring a multilayered feel to every track. The pool’s the perfect place to take it all in; just keep your phone handy for possible surprise guest sightings. 11 a.m., $30-$50, Élia Beach Club, eliabeachlv.com. –Amber Sampson

Sunday, August 28

MUSIC: TAV FALCO’S PANTHER BURNS With Rhythm Ace & The Nu-Tones, The Devil’s Duo, 8 p.m., Sand Dollar Downtown, thesanddollarlv.com.

MUSIC: BLXST With Buddy, House of Blues, 6 p.m., livenation.com.

PARTY: TCHAMI & JAUZ Noon, Élia Beach Club, eliabeachlv.com.

MUSIC: LAS VEGAS MEN’S CHORUS: HEROES AND DREAMERS 4 p.m., UNLV’s Artemus W. Ham Hall, mpv.tickets.com.

PARTY: CLAVE 702 With ClikaLV, 10 p.m., Commonwealth, commonwealthlv.com.

PARTY: GORDO In case you’re keeping score, Carnage is no more. The DJ and record producer born Diamanté Blackmon in Guatamala City 31 years ago began drifting away from the trap and bass sounds that defined the Carnage brand last year, skewing back into house and techno while performing and recording under the new moniker Gordo. In the spring of this year, Carnage officially retired and Gordo took over, with the artist finding a refreshed perspective that has informed his ongoing residency at Wynn as well as new studio offerings; Gordo contributed to the majority of Drake’s new dance record Honestly, Nevermind. 11 a.m., Encore Beach Club, $65-$100+, wynnsocial.com. –Brock Radke

Monday, August 29

COMEDY: EMMA WILMANN With Scott Henry, Justin Foster, thru 8/31, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, bradgarrettcomedy.com.

DIFY DIASPORA: IN MEMORY OF DAVE HICKEY Curated by Sush Machida, thru 10/7, Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery, unlv.edu/donnabeamgallery.

COMEDY: EDWIN SAN JUAN 8 p.m., & 8/30, LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy.com.

PARTY: DJ SOURMILK 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.

ARTS: LAS VEGAS CLASSICA MUSIC 7:30 p.m., Whitney Library, lvccld.org.

Tuesday, August 30

MUSIC: BRUCE HARPER BIG BAND 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.

PARTY: O.T. GENASIS 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.

MUSIC: NATE SMITH 8:30 p.m., Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, etix.com.

PARTY: PROTOHYPE With Shanghai Doom, 10 p.m., Discopussy, discopussydtlv.com.

MUSIC: GROOVE CULTURE BAND 8 p.m., the Usual Place, theusualplace.vegas.

PARTY: KAY THE RIOT 9:30 p.m., Foundation Room, houseofblues.com.

MUSIC: JIMMY POWERS & THE HANG DYNASTY 10 p.m., Sand Dollar Downtown, thesanddollarlv.com/downtown.

Wednesday, August 31

MUSIC: BOOMBOX! A VEGAS RESIDENCY ON SHUFFLE After getting pushed from its original spring opening date, this concert production starring favorite hip-hop, R&B and dance acts of various eras is ready to take over the Westgate International Theater for five opening shows running through Labor Day weekend, with many more scheduled through fall and winter. In addition to taking turns performing their own memorable hits, the artist lineup of CeeLo Green, Tone Loc, Kid ’N Play, J.J. Fad, Thea Austin (of Snap) and DJ Eric B will also collaborate onstage together, backed by a live drummer, a squad of dancers and more. If this sounds similar to the I Love the ’90s residency that took a shot at Paris Las Vegas a few years ago, that’s because Boombox comes from some of the same producers. Plenty of casino shows are playing on our collective music nostalgia; not all of them will feel like a throwback dance party designed to get you up out of your seat. Thru 9/4, 8 p.m., $29-$109, Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com. –Brock Radke

MUSIC: LUKE BRYAN 8 p.m., Resorts World Theatre, axs.com.

PARTY: GRYFFIN 11 p.m., EBC at Night, wynnsocial.com.

COMEDY: JACK JR. Thru 9/4, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy.com.

PARTY: ALTURA & FRIENDS 10 p.m., Commonwealth, commonwealthlv.com.

PARTY: BRUNO FURLAN 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, events.taogroup.com.

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