Weekend events: Star Trek, an ‘80s reunion and Jay and Silent Bob

B.B. King performs at B.B. King’s Blues Club at The Mirage on Aug. 17, 2010.

Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 | 12:16 p.m.

Travel to another world, a far off land or a different time. Let a ticket to one of Las Vegas’ many weekend offerings be your virtual transporter.

Fly away to Europe with the music of the Gipsy Kings. Pop into the Star Trek convention and be transported to the deck of the USS Voyager floating in the Delta Quadrant. Pile on day-glow clothes and take a trip back to the ’80s.

Here is your road map to who, what and where:

Jay and Silent Bob at the Hard Rock Cafe

Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, the comic duo behind the movie characters Jay and Silent Bob, come to Las Vegas to perform a live podcast of “Jay and Silent Bob Get Old.” Watch the men muse on aging and just about anything else that pops in their heads as they tape their weekly comedy show.

The pair first appeared in the 1994 indie hit “Clerks” and went on to appear in five more films, all written and directed by Smith. Characters Jay and Silent Bob are New Jersey convenience store clerks who smoke marijuana and pontificate about movies, music and life.

Smith and Mewes perform Friday and Saturday at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, with both shows starting at 8 p.m. No one younger than 21 is allowed, and tickets cost $42.50. Click here for more information.

Gipsy Kings at Red Rock

The rumba flamenco band, whose members hail from two families of Spanish Romani gypsies settled in south France, are largely responsible for introducing the world to progressive pop-oriented flamenco music. There is no other non-English speaking group with as many hits in the United States.

The band has sold 4 million albums in this country and more than 14 million worldwide. Their platinum compilation, which includes “Bamboleo” and “Djobi Djoba,” stayed on the charts for more than a year.

The Gipsy Kings take the stage at 9 p.m. Friday at the Sandbar at Red Rock Pool. Tickets cost $30, and reserved seating is available for $99. Guests must be 18 or older. For more information, click here.
Photo by Justin M. Bowen
Star Trek convention at the Rio

Expect to see more than one Klingon, Andorian and Vulcan walking down the Strip this weekend. The Star Trek convention once again has landed in Las Vegas.

The four-day event will feature costume contests, memorabilia auctions and celebrity meet-and-greets. It also is expected to be the second-to-last public appearance of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who made half-Vulcan, half-human Mr. Spock famous. Nimoy heads into retirement this fall.

The convention runs Thursday through Sunday at the Rio. Tickets cost $35 to $40 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger. For more information, click here.
Photo by Denise Truscello
B.B. King at Green Valley Ranch Resort

The iconic blues guitarist, who Rolling Stone named the third best guitarist of all time, once again performs in his adopted hometown. King, a Mississippi native, has lived in the Las Vegas area for 30 years. He recorded his first song more than 60 years ago and has encountered some hardships over the years but isn’t letting age slow him down. He can still cut up a stage riding on his cherry-red motor scooter.

King brings his signature sound to the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch Resort on Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $30 to $65. Click here for more information.
/Publicity photo
Lost '80s Live summer tour at Mandalay Beach

Flash back to the era that gave us the synthesizer, Pac-Man and neon leg warmers. The ’80s makes a comeback with live music from A Flock of Seagulls, The Motels, When in Rome UK, Tommy Tutone, Animotion, Dramarama and Boys Don’t Cry. It’s all part of the Lost ’80s Live summer tour.

Grab your headband and wristbands and head out to The Beach at Mandalay Bay at 9 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $40, and guests must be 21 or older. Click here for more information.