May 28-30
Summer Kickoff Festival. Travel to Lake Las Vegas for a rock-climbing wall, music from Frankie Moreno and Bonafide, gondola and yacht rides, food and more. May 29-31, MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas. 939-8888.
June 4-6
X Fest. X-treme Radio sponsors an event promoting local music and skateboarding for all ages, with performances from Happy Campers, Sorrows End, Coward's Courage, Jussoul and Over the Line, plus food, go-cart rides, extreme sports demonstrations and more. June 5, 5-10 p.m., Doc Romeo Skatepark, free. 229-2296.
June 11-13
Ramones Tribute CD Release Party. A who's-who of Vegas punk bands contributed to Sniffin' Glue: A Las Vegas Tribute to the Ramones, and nearly all of them, from veterans The Vermin to young punks The Pervz, will play a massive bash to celebrate its release. June 12, 9 p.m., Cooler Lounge, free. 646-3009.
Jerry Seinfeld. The legendary comedian has a computer-animated film in the works and a series of American Express commercials co-starring Superman. June 11-12, 7:30 p.m., Caesars Palace Colosseum, $75-$150. 731-7333.
June 18-20
Ultimate Fighting Championship. The latest edition of the full-contact martial-arts violence-o-rama features Ken Shamrock taking on Kimo Leopoldo. June 19, 5:15 p.m., Mandalay Bay Events Center, $35-$350. 632-7580.
June 25-27
Bill Maher. The outspoken comedian, former host of Politically Incorrect and current host of Real Time always has something caustic to say about who's running the country. Also, he costarred in Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death. June 26, 8 p.m., House of Blues, $32.50-$50. 632-7600.
Cats. It may have closed on Broadway, but the longest-running musical in the history of the world cannot be escaped! June 23-27, Wed. 8 p.m., Thur. 2 and 8 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m, Sat.-Sun. 2 and 8 p.m., Aladdin Theatre, $36.93-$78.93. 785-5000.
July 2-4
Vans Warped Tour. The long-running punk-rock festival tour celebrates its 10th year, returning to Vegas after skipping last year. The day includes dozens of acts, plus extreme-sports demonstrations. Bring lots of sunscreen. July 4, noon-10 p.m., Desert Breeze Park, $12. 474-4000.
July 9-11
Pauly Shore. The Weaz, scourge of MTV Beach Houses past, returns to haunt our summers. As long as he doesn't call us bud-dy. July 10, 8 p.m., House of Blues, $17.50-$27.50. 632-7600.
July 16-18
Sarah McLachlan. The founder of Lilith Fair hasn't led a summer festival in years, but her music is still like a cool breeze. July 17, 8 p.m., Mandalay Bay Events Center, $55-$65. 632-7580.
July 23-25
Train. Inoffensive roots rockers entertain soccer moms, frat boys. July 25, 7 p.m., Rain Nightclub at the Palms, $35-$75. 947-8833.
July 30-August 1
Dance in the Desert Festival. The festival, now in its sixth year, has become a summer tradition and one of the best local showcases for home-grown and regional dance talent. July 31-August 1, Sat. 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., CCSN, $8-$10. 651-5483.
The Official Star Trek Convention. Thanks to the Hilton's Star Trek: The Experience, Las Vegas has become a mecca for Trekkies, and this year's pilgrimage will feature big Trek names like William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Kate Mulgrew and Brent Spiner, plus the added attraction of the new Borg Invasion 4-D ride. July 29-August 1, Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton, $31-$189. www.creationent.com.
August 6-8
Van Halen. The kings of arena rock have reunited with Sammy Hagar for a massive tour and a new best-of set. Who knows how long the fragile peace will last? Catch them while you can. August 6-7, 8 p.m., Mandalay Bay Events Center, $65-$125. 632-7580.
First Friday. The monthly cultural event continues to grow, with gallery openings, live entertainment and community spirit. Even in the summer heat, it's worth lending some support. August 6, 6-10 p.m, Downtown Arts District, free. 384-0092.
August 13-15
Reggae Beach Party. Few musical styles are better suited to the outdoor beach concert than reggae, and this summer brings several celebrations of Jamaican music to town, including this one, headlined by Burning Spear. August 13, 9 p.m., Mandalay Bay Beach, $20-$25. 632-7580.
Incubus. The alt-rockers bring more experimentation to their sound than most of their peers, and they'll bring that along with Australian garage band The Vines. August 14, 7:30 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, $32.50. 739-3267.
August 20-22
Thunder & Fire Extravaganza. Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Also Friday and Saturday, monster trucks including Bearfoot, Monster Patrol and Port-O-Jet, the world's only jet-powered Port-O-John, compete for some sort of honor. August 20-22, Fri.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m., Orleans Arena, $10.50-$21. 284-7777.
August 27-29
'70s Soul Jam. Groovy stars including The Stylistics, The Delfonics, Cuba Gooding Sr. and The Chi-Lites celebrate the decade of bell bottoms, Afros and lots of soul, hosted by Jimmie "JJ" Walker. Dyno-mite! August 27, 7:30 p.m., Texas Station, $19.95-$45.95. 547-5300.
September 3-5
Rick Springfield. Welcome the former star of EFX back to the Vegas stage, where he'll most likely forego lasers for a really bitchin' rendition of "Jessie's Girl." September 3, 9 p.m., Mandalay Bay Beach, $35-$40. 632-7580.