Weekend Update: Music, Theater, Etc.

Friday, May 15, 1998 | 11:12 a.m.

BLAKE AND HIS BIG BAND -- Jerry Blake and his Orchestra will play for your dancing and listening pleasure, 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, in the ballroom at the Charleston Heights Arts Center, 800 S. Brush St. If the toe-tapping tunes of yesteryear tempt you out on the floor, you'll be light of foot -- the suspended wooden floor will bring out the latent Fred and Ginger in you. Tickets at the door are $12, $10 for students, seniors and the disabled.

THE BLUE BLUEGRASS OF HOME -- Step out to Morrell Park, 500 Harris St. in Henderson, between 1 and 9 p.m. Saturday for a free bluegrass band festival featuring the Red Rock Mountain Boys, Lampkin Family Band, Yucca Mountain Boys, Jay's Kids and the award-winning Marty Warburton Band. Admission is free. Should all that fiddlin' and pickin' make you hungry, barbecue and beverages will be on sale.

BEING FOR THE BENEFIT -- of Valley High School's Jazz Ensemble: Jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis will bring his uncanny ability to duplicate the sounds of Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge and Louis Armstrong to the stage of the Las Vegas Academy theater, 315 S. Seventh St., at 7 p.m. Saturday. The Valley Jazz Ensemble will also show off their chops -- the ones taking them to the Montreux Jazz Festival this summer. Tickets are $12.50 at the door.

GOOD WEATHER FOR JAZZ -- Weatherman Nathan Tannenbaum hosts the first of this year's edition of the "Jazz in the Park" series at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Clark County Government Center amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. The Jimmy Wilkins New Life Orchestra will play big band classics, including the works of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. The concert is free and picnics are welcome, however, pets are not.

CELEBRATE JAZZ MONTH -- The Nevada Jazz Orchestra is joined by pianist-composer Bob Florence for a celebration of the its series' season finale concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in Winchester Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Florence lived and worked in Las Vegas during the 1970s, and has played, composed and arranged for such artists as Sarah Vaughan, Lena Horne, Count Basie and Louie Bellson. Tickets are $7, $5 for Las Vegas Jazz Society members, seniors and children under 18.

CHOIR ON CHOIR -- The Southern Nevada Jazz and the College Singers team up to perform jazz and classical music in a free concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in Community College of Southern Nevada's Nicholas Horn Theater, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. The Jazz will be accompanied by trio of piano, bass and drums; the College Singers will be accompanied by a professional orchestra.

Theater

AMPHIBIAN SOLIDARITY -- "Frog and Toad" chronicles the adventures of the webby-toed best pals from a surprise birthday party to baring it on the beach. Lots of fun for the children at 10 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday at CCSN's Nicholas Horn Theater, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. Tickets are $8, $5 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 651-5483.

BEANIE BABIES, BEANIE BABIES! -- If you're caught up in the collecting craze, you'll want to make tracks for Palace Station between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. Those looking to buy or trade retired Beanies will find this the perfect opportunity. Collectibles from Hallmark, Department 46, Cherished Teddies, Boyd's Bears, Precious Moments and Barbie will also be on show and sale. Admission is $5, $3 for children ages 6-12.