As temperatures return to the livable range and the hot air becomes tepid, the draw of the growing arts scene in Downtown Las Vegas, with its naked woman mural and funky urban feel, is inviting you back to try it, try it like you've never tried it before.
For one thing, it's brighter down there, thanks to Anne Kellogg (The Weekly's Consumer columnist) and a grant from Neighborhood Services, 28 light poles have been added, and there's more to come! The light poles will help you more easily observe upcoming events like October's First Friday, which could be the best First Friday yet, as its second anniversary celebration is sponsored by Barrack Gaming, as well as the City of Las Vegas. There will be performances by the Pacific Art Collective (a nonprofit arts organization focusing on events that create awareness for Pacific regional cities' art districts and artists) and the opening of Godt-Cleary Projects, at 1217 S. Main St.
The inaugural exhibit of the new gallery—whose sister location is in Mandalay Place—will be paintings and photographs by Dennis Hopper. On another light-pole note, there are new Aerial Gallery exhibits on 50 poles up and down Las Vegas Boulevard, from Charleston to Mesquite avenues.
But then comes October 14 and 15 to take you out from the glare of those street lights to the Lewis Avenue Poetry Café Under the Stars on Downtown's Poet's Bridge, presented by the city and the Vegas Valley Book Festival, where performers like Patricia Smith, (a Pulitzer Prize finalist as a columnist at the Boston Globe, now known for fabricating stories long before the likes of Jayson Blair) and a long list of other word mongers will lull you through the night, along with music, food and beverages.
On October 19, the Lied Discovery Children's Museum launches the City of 100 Murals, part of the city's centennial celebration, that will color the city and county with 100 different murals, at least 50 of which will be at schools, over the next 14 months.
And don't forget entertainment for seniors! November 6 at 1 p.m., area seniors will get to soak up the spotlight Reuben- and Clay-style, at the Las Vegas Senior Center (451 E. Bonanza) during the Senior Idol Talent Competition. Better not idle for a great fall line-up like that.