Weekend happenings: Weezer, Toby Keith and Loverboy

Weezer plays the Joint at the Hard Rock Friday, January 21, 2011.

Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011 | 2 a.m.

It’s a hot music weekend in Las Vegas, and you don’t have to venture to the Strip to hear big-name artists play (a bonus for locals). Several headliners are taking Summerlin by storm, and there’s a free concert in downtown Las Vegas.

Here are some of the weekend’s best bets:

Weezer at Red Rock

The alt-rock band plays in Las Vegas for the third time in less than a year. The foursome got its start in 1992 opening for Keanu Reeves’ band Dogstar and with the exception of a short hiatus has enjoyed commercial success ever since. They have released nine albums (with a 10th expected soon), toured the world and gained international fame with such hits as “Buddy Holly” and “Island in the Sun.”

During their last Vegas visit, the band played their Blue Album and “Pinkerton” in entirety. This time around, expect a smattering of their greatest hits.

Weezer takes the stage 9 p.m. Friday the Red Rock Pool. Tickets cost $30, and guests must be at least 18 to attend. Click here for details.

/AP
Adam Carolla at Mandalay Bay

The former co-host of “Loveline” and “The Man Show” returns to Las Vegas for a night of comedy. Carolla, who has headlined in Las Vegas before and is known for his provocative humor, has been in the spotlight for more than 15 years as a radio host, television personality, comedian and actor. He hosts “The Adam Carolla Show,” which recently earned a Guinness World Record for most downloaded podcast. Carolla took the title from Ricky Gervais after receiving almost 60 million unique downloads over a two-year period.

Carolla performs 8 p.m. Saturday at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. Tickets cost from $32 to $45, and guests must be at least 18 years old. To read an interview with Carolla, click here. For details about the show, click here.

Toby Keith at Red Rock

Country superstar Toby Keith lands in Las Vegas as part of his Locked and Loaded Tour. Keith is one of country music’s most accomplished stars, with almost 20 albums and more than 40 singles on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. His debut hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” was the most played country song of the 1990s.

Keith has a special relationship with Las Vegas. He has a namesake restaurant here, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill at Harrah’s, where he often treats customers with surprise performances.

Keith takes the stage 8 p.m. Saturday at Red Rock Amphitheater. For details, click here.

Photo by Leila Navidi
Loverboy at the Fremont Street Experience

The Canadian rock band performs a free concert at the Fremont Street Experience as part of Nina Blackwood’s Absolutely ’80s concert series. Since its debut in 1980, Loverboy has earned four multiplatinum albums and sold millions of records with hits such as “Turn Me Loose” and “Working for the Weekend.” The band has performed all over Las Vegas, including at the Thomas & Mack Center for the arena’s 1983 inaugural show.

Little-known fact: Every major record label in the United States originally rejected Loverboy. The only label that offered to sign it was Columbia Records of Canada.

Loverboy’s concert runs 8 p.m. to midnight and is open to all ages. Click here for details.
Photo by Kristin Donaldson
Gay Nights Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay and the rest of the MGM Resorts properties raise the rainbow flag for a four-day party weekend that starts today. Both visitors and locals can enjoy discounts at restaurants and shows, VIP access to pool parties and meet and greets with Strip performers. Although this is the third year Gay Nights is being hosted in Las Vegas, the city only recently has began making a concerted effort to market to the LGBT community.

Click here for more information and a schedule of events.
/Las Vegas Magazine
Gilbert Gottfried at the Hilton

If you can stand his voice, this should be a good show. The actor-comedian, who got his start on “Saturday Night Live,” brings his trademark whine to the Shimmer Cabaret Bar at the Las Vegas Hilton. (To hear Gottfried’s real voice, click here.)

Gilbert takes the stage 10 p.m. Wednesday, and tickets cost $40 to $70. Keep in mind: This is probably not a show for the kiddies; Gottfried is known for his adult humor and colorful commentary. For more details, click here.