Where I Stand — Harold Weller: Culture thrives in Vegas

Friday, Aug. 24, 2001 | 10:03 a.m.

Editor's note: In August Where I Stand is written by guest columnists. Today's writer, Harold Weller, is music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic.

TO MANY, the idea of cultural development in Las Vegas is an oxymoron -- the two terms just don't seem to match. Even though Las Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world, it is a reputation based upon the city's widespread embrace of pop culture. Especially to outsiders and tourists, the notion that our city could host a classical orchestra or an outstanding ballet company or a fine arts museum is beyond comprehension.

Unfortunately, that misperception has also infiltrated the thinking of many Las Vegas residents. Three years ago, when I joined with several community leaders to form the Las Vegas Philharmonic, there were plenty of naysayers who proclaimed that the city wasn't ready for a high-quality resident symphony orchestra. Fortunately, the community leaders promoting the orchestra knew in their hearts that this belief was untrue. The residents of Southern Nevada are eager for sophisticated cultural programs, and will support cultural organizations that offer quality and professionalism.

The Philharmonic is such an example. As an orchestra, we are blessed with some of the best musicians in the country with an extraordinary range in talent. In just two years we are already filling UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall to capacity. That's more than 1,800 people attending a symphony concert.

The New York Philharmonic also played to a sold-out crowd here, and I expect that the same will happen when the Philadelphia Symphony appears later this year.

There are other notable examples of the cultural leaps that our city has made and is making. The Las Vegas Art Museum has recently hosted shows featuring the work of Salvadore Dali, Dale Chihuly, contemporary Asian masters, and this month the gallery is home to an exhibit by the French master, Auguste Rodin.

Our city is also the home of CineVegas, a highly acclaimed film festival that showcases the most outstanding international films produced each year. Those who attended last year's premiere of Nicolas Cage's production, "Shadow of the Vampire," were treated to a special screening of the 1927 silent film, "Nosferatu," with the Las Vegas Philharmonic playing the original score. The energy and intensity that filled the showroom completely charged and enthralled the audience. We hope to collaborate on more such programs in the future.

The Nevada Ballet Theatre continues to present exciting dance programs featuring highly talented dancers with professional staging and imaginative choreography. And one needs to look no further than the exemplary arts, music, and theater programs offered by the Clark County School District to see that our children are being taught the importance of the arts in their daily lives. Indeed, the cultural vibrancy of our community has never been stronger and, with appropriate corporate and community support, will only get better.

Mayor Oscar Goodman and other civic leaders are strongly advocating for the creation of a performing arts center downtown that will be the home to the Philharmonic, the Ballet and other classical performance groups. These are people who correctly perceive that Southern Nevada is becoming more educated and more sophisticated, and are expecting a quality of life that is more rewarding, more diverse, and more stimulating. Our own audience growth bears this out; and as our city expands, the demand will only increase.

It is time that cultural naysayers get out of the way. Every major city in the United States, whether it is New York and Los Angeles, or Seattle and St. Louis, boasts of its performing arts centers and its contribution to cultural excellence. Las Vegas is a great city and will become greater still; and the progressive development of strong cultural institutions is inherent within that greatness. There are many here who see the future and are driving the city forward in that direction. Like everyone else involved in this cultural evolution, I am proud to be a part of it. Working together, we will do great things and create a cultural and urban environment of which we all can be proud.