Friday, Sept. 10, 2004 | 9:15 a.m.
Last Sunday local Audio Karate fans got a special treat during the Southern California punk band's Las Vegas tour stop.
After playing their opening set at Jillian's, the members of Audio Karate moved over to the venue's bowling lanes, where they challenged members of the crowd to a few rounds while headliner Tsunami Bomb performed.
It was a most unusual form of fan interaction, but then, Jillian's is a most unusual concert hall.
Part of the Neonopolis entertainment center just east of downtown's Fremont Street Experience, Jillian's (at 450 Fremont St.) features a restaurant, several bars, a video game arcade and the aforementioned bowling alley.
Since opening in October 2002 the site has also hosted around 70 live shows. Initially those bills were almost entirely comprised of local acts. But in recent months the venue has made great strides in drawing national bands.
"We've been really working on it," Kenna Warner, Jillian's general manager, said. "We're definitely starting to come into our own. People are starting to know we're doing shows down here."
On Thursday, Jillian's hosted Further Seems Forever, a band recently tapped by Rolling Stone magazine as the nation's hottest emo outfit. The venue's upcoming schedule includes: KillRadio on Saturday, the Supersuckers on Sept. 22, the Toasters on Oct. 4, Senses Fail on Oct. 8 and Q and Not U on Nov. 3.
With the exception of the Supersuckers' show, every Jillian's production has been open to all ages. That availability to young music fans is particularly important now, as the Huntridge Theatre is shut down while undergoing renovations.
"We're definitely establishing ourselves as a place to go, which is what we wanted to do while they were closed," Warner said. "When they were open we were bidding against them for acts, but they can bid more because they're twice as big."
Warner said Jillian's actually outbid the Huntridge for an April show featuring pop-punk band Rufio. That gig took place in the downstairs game room, which can hold around 800 people.
Generally, though, live music is staged in an upstairs area with a capacity around 500, adjacent to the bowling alley. Bands set up on a platform raised just slightly off the floor, providing fans with rare proximity to their favorite acts.
Admission to most Jillian's shows costs less than $10, with tickets available through TicketMaster in advance and at the door the day of the show.
And whether or not bands actually bowl with their fans, Warner said most seem to enjoy their unique experience at Jillian's.
"I'm sure Rufio had never played at an arcade before, and Tsunami Bomb probably never played a bowling alley before," she said. "It's an odd environment, but it's a safe, family-friendly environment."
Quick hits
A look at a few of the shows scheduled to hit Southern Nevada in the next week:
Venerable folk-rock trio Crosby, Stills & Nash play The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel at 8 tonight. Tickets are $50-$85.
Along with such familiar material as "Southern Cross," "Wooden Ships" and "Teach Your Children," look for CSN to play a few cuts off August release "Crosby & Nash," that pair's first album as a duo since 1976.
The County Government Center Amphitheater hosts a Celtic concert on Saturday night, part of this summer's "Moonlight Concert series."
Sharing the bill: fiddler Martin Hayes and guitarist Dennis Cahill from Ireland and the Tannahill Weavers from Scotland. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the show.
Also on Saturday, Spring Mountain State Park will be the site of the third installment of this summer's "Jazz Under the Stars" smooth jazz series.
Performing the "Guitars & Saxes" concert: guitarists Marc Antoine and Jeff Golub and saxophonists Euge Groove and Warren Hill. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45.50. For more information, call 228-3780. On sale
Bette Midler performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Nov. 26. Tickets are $75.50-$175.50 and go on sale at noon Sunday at the MGM Grand box office, at TicketMaster outlets, by phone at 474-4000 and at www.ticketmaster.com.
The "Spring Mountain Jazz Festival" returns to the Spring Mountain State Park on Oct. 16. Featured performers include: Mindi Abair, Joyce Cooling, Michael Lington and Jimmy Strong. Tickets are $45.50 and go on sale Saturday at Mr. Bill's Pipe and Tobacco locations, at the UNLV Performing Arts Center box office and by phone at (800) 969-8342. For more information, call 228-3780.
Jimmy Eat World plays the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay with Recover and Emanuel on Oct. 26. Tickets are $17 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the House of Blues box office and through TicketMaster.
Slayer headlines a Dec. 15 House of Blues bill that also includes Killswitch Engage and Mastadon. Tickets are $28 and are on sale now through the House of Blues box office and TicketMaster.
Umphrey's McGee stops at the House of Blues on Sept. 9, with support from DJ Harry. Tickets are $15 and are on sale now through the House of Blues box office and TicketMaster.
archive
