Weekend events: What to do over the Fourth of July holiday

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Mix Master Mike at Club Nikki

Mix Master Mike, DJ for the Beastie Boys and co-founder of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, spins Friday night at the Tropicana’s Club Nikki. Mike is best known for his heavy-hitting bass and intricate scratch routines. His music has won numerous awards, and in 1995 he earned a lifetime achievement award from the International Turntablist Federation.

He’ll start spinning beats at 10 p.m. Guests must be 21 or older.

Joe Rogan at Mandalay Bay

Rogan became famous as a UFC color commentator, then as host of the hit TV series “Fear Factor,” but he got his start as a stand-up comedian. He’ll return to his stage roots Friday with a one-night show at the Mandalay Bay Theatre. But beware: Much of Rogan’s comedy centers on cannabis use. He is a fierce proponent of legalized marijuana.

The show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets cost $35 to $45, and the minimum age is 18.

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Carlos Mencia at Treasure Island

The “Mind of Mencia” star brings his comedy to Treasure Island for a special one-night performance. Expect a political edge; Mencia is known for his commentary on race, culture and social class.

It’s ironic that Mencia plays the Strip the same night as fellow comedian Joe Rogan. Rogan has repeatedly accused Mencia of stealing jokes from him and several other comedians, including George Lopez and Bill Cosby. Mencia denies the accusations.

Mencia’s set starts at 8 p.m. Friday at Treasure Island Theatre. Tickets cost $49 to $69.

Photo by Justin M. Bowen

UFC 132 at MGM Grand

The most heated rivalry in the bantamweight division will reach a boiling point when champion Dominick Cruz defends his title against the only man to defeat him, former featherweight titleholder Urijah Faber. Also on the card, Wanderlei Silva takes on Chris Leben in the middleweight division, and former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz battles Ryan Bader. The fights start at 4 p.m. Saturday and run until 10 p.m. in the Garden Arena. Tickets cost $75 to $800.

You can also catch the fighters on the Strip throughout the weekend. Several will host kickoff or after-fight parties at local clubs.

Tiësto at the Joint

Fresh off a packed showing at last weekend’s Electric Daisy Carnival, Dutch DJ Tiësto returns to the Joint at the Hard Rock for his monthly residency. The electronic dance musician has found a huge mainstream audience over his more than decade of spinning. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award and was the first DJ to play live onstage during the Olympics. He performed in Athens, Greece, during the 2004 opening ceremony.

Tiësto spins from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Guests must be 21 or older.

Rihanna at Mandalay Bay

Rihanna, one of the best-selling artists of all time, will bring her blockbuster hits, including “Shut Up and Drive,” “Disturbia” and “Umbrella” to Mandalay Bay. The Barbados-born beauty has sold more than 30 million albums and has won four Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards and 18 Billboard Music Awards. Saturday’s performance, part of her LOUD tour, features hip-hop superstar B.o.B.

Afterward, Rihanna heads to Club Nikki at the Tropicana for an official tour concert after-party. B.o.B. headlines Pure at Caesars.

The concert starts at 8 p.m. Saturday at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tickets cost $26.05 to $142.95.

Ted Nugent at Sunset Station

Detroit-born musician Ted Nugent has parlayed his rock-metal sensibilities into 34 highly successful albums that have sold 30 million copies. He also has found success as an actor, entrepreneur and activist. He has appeared in several scripted and reality TV shows and has become a frequent guest on political news programs. A conservative Republican, The Nuge is a staunch advocate for hunting and gun ownership rights and in 2009 played guitar for a Tea Party Tax Day rally hosted by Glenn Beck and Fox News.

Nugent’s “Spirit of the Wild” gig starts at 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets cost $22.50 to $49.50, and all ages are welcome.

NKOTBSB at Mandalay Bay

Break out the screaming girls: It’s the ultimate boy band concert. New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys perform together Sunday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Expect them to revive hits like “Step by Step” and “I Want it That Way.”

Later that night, party with members of New Kids at Chateau nightclub at Paris Las Vegas. That’s where they’ll be holding their official after-party.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $86.58 to $107.58.

Salute to Freedom Concert at Sunset Station

Treat yourself to a free night of country music and some patriotic fun. Country stars Mark Wills and Mark Chesnutt take to the stage with a Salute to Freedom Concert, perfectly timed for the holiday weekend. Wills landed 16 singles on the Billboard Country chart and achieved fame with tracks like “I Do” and “Jacob’s Ladder.” Chesnutt has released 11 studio albums and has had eight No. 1 hits. He’s best known for songs including “Almost Goodbye” and “Brother Jukebox.”

Doors open at 7 p.m. Sunday, the show starts at 8 p.m. Guests must be 21 or older.

Night of Fire at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

The annual Night of Fire at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is back. Head out for NASCAR-sanctioned stock car racing, a Jet Car burn, fireworks and an appearance by Robosaurus, a 40-foot-tall fire-breathing, car-crushing robotic dinosaur. All around, this is a hot event you don’t want to miss.

Spectator gates open 5 p.m. Sunday. Fireworks start exploding shortly after 10 p.m. Adult tickets cost $19 at the door, kids ages 6 to 12 cost $6 and general-admission parking is free.