Where to go, what to learn and you should be cheering this week

By Las Vegas Weekly Staff (contact)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011 | 7:06 p.m.

Go

NASCAR Weekend Racing fans, rejoice! This year’s Vegas events include Stratosphere Pole Day, (Friday), the Sam’s Town 300 (Saturday), and the Kobalt Tools 400 (Sunday). Drooling yet? March 4-6, times & prices vary, LV Motor Speedway.

Bare Wires What to do after the Drive-By Truckers’ Thursday-night Silverton show? Get a dose of catchy, throwback garage-punk and a discounted Neon Reverb festival pass ($10 off the normal $50 price). Now that’s an afterparty. March 3, 10 p.m., $6, Bunkhouse, with Hooves & Dude City.

Bark in the Park Saturday’s high of 70 should be perfect for you and your pooch to enjoy a day of doggone excitement. Watch a demonstration, enter your four-legged companion in a contest or adopt another furry friend! March 5, 10 a.m., free, Paseo Verde Park.

B-movie Night The monthly showcase for weird, twisted cinema moves to Saturdays with a showing of Japanese gore-fest Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl, hosted by Selene, Mistress of the Ring. March 5, midnight, free, Rave at Town Square, email [email protected] for tickets.

Benefit for Marisa The Frank Caliendo Show Band teams up with a musical-comedy duo and third-generation magician Kristi Touguchi at a benefit show for a 26-year-old in need of hyperbaric oxygen treatment. March 7, 7 p.m., Black Door, donations requested.

Cheer

Mountain West Tournament Turn the UNLV men’s basketball squad’s home court into a real advantage. With two league rivals ranked in the Top 10, the Rebels could use your help. March 8-12, $20-$35 per day, all-event pass $175, Thomas & Mack.

Learn

Grape Day Thinking Vegas could never produce a palatable chardonnay? Think again. Take a trip to the orchard to learn the basics of grape growing and winemaking while you sample vintages from fruit grown in the Valley. March 5, 8 a.m., 4700 Horse Dr., 257-5555.

Steve Vai online guitar lesson Help the guitarist break a Guinness World Record at berkleemusic.com/vai-live. Added bonus, the site’s promotional video from Spinal Tap’s Nigel Tufnel. March 3, 10:30 p.m.