Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Las Vegas improving culturally

Ruthe Deskin

Thursday, Dec. 2, 1999 | 9:34 a.m.

Ruthe Deskin is assistant to the publisher. Her column appears Thursdays. Reach her at deskin@vegas.com.

One of the often heard criticisms of Las Vegas, especially by those who might have lost a bundle at the tables, was that it was a cultural wasteland. I don't know what these arbiters of good taste expected of the boisterous, boomtown we knew in earlier years.

Culture has to be cultivated. Art museums are not built overnight. Ballet, opera, symphony orchestras and choral societies don't just happen. Someone has to care enough to bring beauty and the arts to a community. Through the growing years there were many local residents who strove mightily to escape that "cultural wasteland" stigma. Opera associations, symphony orchestras, ballet companies, art exhibitors all encouraged the love of fine arts. Some failed but they tried. Others persevered and they are happily beginning to come into their own.

Steve Wynn's penchant for collecting fine art has brought a new dimension to the scene, and people such as Dr. Douglas Peterson, Nancy Houssels, Vassili Sullich, Jeanne Roberts, Robin Greenspun and others have been valiant in their continuing efforts to bring culture to Las Vegas. I know there are others and I apologize for not recalling their names, but all those determined folks who paved the way for cultural growth in Las Vegas thus assuring the success of future efforts such as the Las Vegas Philharmonic. According the critics, the Premiere Gala Performance on Nov. 20 was a tremendous success, and there's a promise of more to come.

It is appropriate that the Las Vegas Philharmonic has burst forth with such energy, given that it was created on the Fourth of July 1998. Credits so far include performances at the opening of Bellagio, the 20th Century Fox gathering at Bally's and concerts at UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall.

I am especially impressed with the concerts given for students, some of whom have never been exposed to classical music. The Board of Trustees is chaired by Andrew Tompkins and includes an imposing group of local residents who are dedicated to erasing the concept of Las Vegas as a "cultural wasteland."

Last week more than 900 Clark County high school students gathered for the Sun's annual Youth Forum. Every high school in the county was represented by student delegates who met to discuss a variety of subjects of interest to the community. For the life of me, I cannot understand why there isn't some major coverage of this event by local television stations. I can overlook the attitude of the Review-Journal editors who would not be too quick to cover a community event sponsored by the Las Vegas Sun, even if it involves teenagers and adults who are interested in promoting worthwhile endeavors rather that riots and crime.

These young students are enthusiastically facing a future in which they will be the leaders. It would behoove many of us to listen to what they have to say.

The Sun Youth Forum has proven for more than 40 years that the majority of our high school students are high-caliber kids who are a credit to their families, schools and community.

So, why isn't their story told by local media?

Computer humor is almost an industry. Here is an example: Only in America do you find handicap parking spaces in front of a skating rink.

Have a good day.