Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Weekend best bets: Star Trek Convention, ‘Les Miserables,’ Emeli Sande and SPCA fundraiser

Las Vegas Star Trek Convention

Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun

Leonard Nimoy speaks during his next-to-last public Star Trek appearance at the annual Las Vegas Star Trek Convention on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011, at the Rio.

Kick back this weekend and enjoy the fruits of late-summer Las Vegas entertainment — catch a show from a promising young singer or get caught up in a live musical, or maybe just get your hands dirty with a desert gardening lesson.

Here’s a look at our weekend best bets:

  • Thursday - Sunday: 12th Annual Star Trek Convention at Rio

    Trekkies unite! Thousands of Star Trek fans convene in Las Vegas this weekend for the 12th edition of the franchise's official convention honoring the legacy of creator Gene Roddenberry. Activities include panels, celebrity meet-and-greets, costume contests, trivia and memorabilia sales. Among the announced guests: William Shatner, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, LeVar Burton and George Takei, who recently spoke with John Katsilometes. This year's convention also will attempt to reclaim the Guinness World Record “for the most people dressed up in Star Trek costumes,” a title it lost to a convention in London last year.

    Tickets are $35 for Thursday and Friday; $40 for Saturday and Sunday (children ages 12 and under are $25, and children 6 and under are admitted free). For a full schedule of events, go to the convention’s official website or call (818) 409-0960.

  • Sande storm: The Brit R&B star hits the House of Blues this weekend.

    Friday: Emeli Sande at House of Blues

    Your chance to catch on-the-rise songstress Emeli Sande at such an intimate venue may not be around for much longer, considering the R&B singer performed at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the 2012 London Olympics, and that her debut, "Our Version of Events," was the U.K.’s the bestselling album of 2012, with more than 1 million copies sold. Don’t pass up the opportunity to see her Friday night at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Tickets are $25; the show starts at 8 p.m.

  • Jason Forbach ("Enjolras") performs "The Barricade" in "Les Miserables."

    Thursday - Sunday: ‘Les Miserables’ at Smith Center

    Boublil and Schonberg’s classic musical comes to the Reynolds Hall stage this weekend with a new production from Cameron Mackintosh in celebration of the work’s 25th anniversary. The critically acclaimed production, hailed by the New York Times as “an unquestionably spectacular production from start to finish,” features new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The show runs daily at 7:30 p.m., with additional 2 p.m. matinees Friday through Sunday. Tickets are $31 to $153.

  • A-TEAM from the Philippines competes at 2012 World Hip Hop Dance Championships Sunday, August 5, 2012, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

    Sunday: World Hip-Hop Dance Championship finals at Orleans

    Dance crews from across the globe descend on Las Vegas this weekend to battle it out at the 12th annual World Hip-Hop Dance Championship finals organized by “America’s Best Dance Crew” creators Hip-Hop International. World champions from Japan and New Zealand will return to defend their titles as the world’s top bboys, poppers, lockers, stylers and MegaCrews deliver action-packed routines in hopes to impress the judges. The event starts at 7 p.m. inside Orleans Arena. Tickets are $25, $39.50 and $59.59.

  • Saturday - Sunday: ‘Dining in the Desert’ gardens workshop at Springs Preserve

    Who says you can’t grow food in the desert? Learn about the tasty culinary potential behind the rough and thorny exteriors of desert foliage during an edible plant workshop with horticulturist and urban forester Laura Eisenberg. Discover xeric trees, shrubs and flowers that have a place in your landscaping as well as on your plate, and learn how to use them in new recipes to take home. Workshops are 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the preserve gardens and are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

  • Sunday: Out of the Gutters Nevada SPCA fundraiser at Sam’s Town

    Celebrities and animal lovers team up this weekend to knock some pins in support of animal rescue, rehabilitation and adoption. The afternoon will feature bowling, prize giveaways and other activities alongside Lance Burton, Claire Sinclair, Chippendales and many more. Bowling begins at 1 p.m., with a red carpet at noon. Tickets are $21 in advance and $25 at the door at Sam’s Town Bowling Center.

  • Musician Gary Clark Jr. performs at the 3rd annual Governors Ball Music Festival on Sunday, June 9, 2013 in New York.

    Thursday: Gary Clark Jr. at Cosmopolitan

    Texas guitarist Gary Clark Jr. has been hailed as the future of the blues, capturing the attention of greats like Eric Clapton with his raw, powerful performance style and soulful lyrics. Come see what all the hype is about at Boulevard Pool tonight beginning at 8. Tickets are $30.

Follow Andrea Domanick on Twitter at @AndreaDomanick and fan her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AndreaDomanick.

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