Twyla Tharp to join notable list as ballet honoree

By Kristen Peterson

Friday, Jan. 25, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Twyla Tharp, Debbie Reynolds and Paula Abdul sashay into a bar where Chita Rivera, Carol Channing and Ann-Margret are kicking up their well-worn heels.

Rita Rudner throws one-liners at Celine Dion, who tips her head back and shakes her hair before coughing out a laugh.

Seeing Tharp, Elaine Wynn raises her glass — and eyebrows — in congratulations.

Phyllis McGuire follows suit.

And so it is. The newest Nevada Ballet Theatre woman of the year is sanctioned by her peers.

If only ...

Alas, the only place we find these lovely ladies mingling openly is in the pages of Nevada Ballet’s scrapbook — each has played the leading role at the company’s Black and White Ball. The fancy annual fundraiser recognizes women who have contributed to the community, dance and the other arts.

We’re still kind of scratching our heads over last year’s honoring of dancer and personality Paula Abdul, but this year’s homage to award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp is an unquestionable fit.

Tharp, who founded Twyla Tharp Dance in 1965 and is well-known on Broadway, has more than 135 choreographed works to her credit and owns two Emmys and a Tony. Companies throughout the world perform her works. Nevada Ballet added Tharp to its repertoire this year. Her “Nine Sinatra Songs” will be featured in Nevada Ballet’s Feb. 8 and 9 performances of “From Stravinsky to Sinatra.”

“By honoring Twyla Tharp this year, we feel as if we are really celebrating the art form itself — and focusing more on our company,” says co-founder Nancy Housells. “Twyla is close to what we really do. There is a great connection since we are performing excerpts from her ‘Nine Sinatra Songs.’ ”

Nevada Ballet has been recognizing women of the year since 1985, beginning with local philanthropists. Tharp will be attending Saturday’s high-end ball at Wynn Las Vegas, where single tickets range from $600 to $2,500 and tables cost patrons $6,000 to $25,000.

Rehydrating the mayor

Forget the mayor’s trademark martini. Cartoonist Ivan Brunetti’s public art project being installed downtown next month will include Mayor Oscar Goodman with a bottle of water rather than a bottle of gin.

The project is a 50-panel narrative on thirst that will be installed on banners above sidewalks on Las Vegas Boulevard. The cyclical cartoon portrays the role of thirst in a thriving urban ecosystem. Five of its panels feature a cartoon Goodman buying a bottle of water at a store, walking to a newspaper rack to buy a paper, setting down his water and watching in surprise as a woman comes by, sips from it, then whisks it away.

Brunetti, a Chicago artist, says he had cartooning the mayor in mind from the project’s inception. The city will be installing “Thirst” the week of Feb. 18. The opening will be from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard.

Details: “Thirst” at the city’s outdoor Aerial Gallery, Las Vegas Boulevard from Charleston Boulevard to Stewart Avenue.

Perlman to conduct

Superstar violinist Itzhak Perlman will conduct the UNLV Symphony Orchestra during the college’s 50th anniversary concert Saturday.

The orchestra, which will include UNLV students, alumni, faculty and emeritus faculty, will perform Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony and “Overture to Egmont” and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor.

Perlman’s protege, Rachel Lee, is the guest soloist.

Details: “UNLV 50th Anniversary Concert,” 8 p.m. Saturday, Artemus Ham Hall; $30-$75; 895-1575.