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Go: Where to Go, What to Do & Why

By James P. Reza

"Too hot" barely begins to address the oppressive heat wave that has stifled Las Vegas like a thermal blanket for the past week or so, encouraging more than a few fellow residents to begin to wonder--weeks earlier than usual--why the hell we're still here. When temperatures stare us down from 13 degrees above normal, 96 degrees in the shade sounds pretty darn good.

And then we're reminded of the reason so many have stuck it out: We're waiting around to see if anyone gets re-elected, if perfectly chilled Sapphire Gin begins flowing from City Hall water fountains, and if downtown redevelopment takes hold like Mayor Goodman keeps promising. A few upcoming events suggest the decade-long hope has not been without cause.

First, as a preview to the redux of First Friday (see below), Thursday night will see a benefit dinner at the new Arts Factory location of Tinoco's Bistro (June 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; 678-6278). As you may recall, Tinoco's former East Charleston location--popular with downtown suits and hip urbanites--was one of a wave of chef-owned local eateries to capture the attention of Vegas foodies over the past five years. That chef/owner Enrique has chosen to relocate to the Arts Factory is a major coup to the rebirth of the area, which already boasts longtime residents Chicago Joe's, Dona Maria's, El Sombrero and many others.

Then, around June 13 (a firm opening date is yet to be determined), on a previously forlorn lot near the corner of Main and Bonneville, what could be the hippest new bar and restaurant in downtown will open. The Ice House (315-2570), a $5 million freestanding art deco building housing a 1960s modernist interior, nods to the history of Las Vegas, both with its name (it's located near the original ice house, where ice was made and distributed) and via oversized vintage Vegas photos adorning the interior. Plasma screen televisions, water features, stainless steel and two solid-ice bartops signify that this is to be no downtown dive, but rather a sophisticated watering hole and possible signpost of the impending downtown renaissance.

Start laughing

When the going gets tough, Americans go shopping. Alternatively, they go to stand-up comedy shows, ostensibly to help them bury their troubles in a cornfield of laughter like so many mobsters. Comedy is still the drug of choice for many visitors, and the busy roster belies no change in that. The week gets started with former "Star Search" contestant (and Vegas New Year's Eve party host) Sinbad, appearing Thursday through Sunday at the Paris (June 5-8, 9 p.m.; 946-4567). Friday, Andrew Dice Clay returns to the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theatre (June 6-7, 11 p.m.; 732-6325) to ply his sophomoric humor to a late-night audience. Dirtier, perhaps, but more funny by far, is frequent Howard Stern radio guest and longtime Strip comedian Robert Schimmel, at the Monte Carlo Friday to Sunday (June 6-8, 10 p.m.; 730-7000). If you enjoy blue humor, then New Yorker Schimmel--who is housesitting for Lance Burton in the magician's comfortable theater--is the laugh farmer of choice this week.

A musical interlude

Like Hootie & The Blowfish, former pop phenom Huey Lewis & The News is a bar band that rose beyond expectations, pushing pub-rock ditties on a 1980s public eager to wash them down with a cold brewski. Celebrating working-man subjects ("Workin' for a Livin'," "I Want a New Drug") and a polished, easily assimilated style, Huey Lewis & The News quickly became the 9-to-9ers' favorite happy hour accompaniment. See them at the Hilton Theatre Thursday-Saturday (June 5-7, 10 p.m.; 732-5111).

Unlike Hootie & the Blowfish, grunge rockers Pearl Jam never approached life from the perspective of the bar band. Rather, they combined the angst of punk rock with the soaring guitar of arena rockers popular in the '70s. The result? Pearl Jam--which capitalized on a low-rent mid-afternoon slot on the second Lollapalooza tour--rapidly began to outsell Nirvana with its 1991 debut, Ten. The band, which scared the shit out of Aladdin Theatre security during two sold-out shows in the mid-'90s, tours behind its ninth studio effort, Riot Act. It is joined by Idlewild at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday (June 6, 8 p.m.; 891-7777).

Film producer, label exec, rap star...the curriculum vitae of Brooklynite Jay-Z confirms that hip hop pop stars are not content to just rap anymore--and that's fine by their fans. From the film State Property to the overwhelming pop success of his Annie soundtrack remake "Hard Knock Life," the 32-year-old Jay-Z has thrust himself into the spotlight and success. With eight studio albums in seven years (the latest being Blueprint 2.1), the hard-working Jay-Z keeps coming at us full force. See him live at the Palms' Rain on Sunday (June 8, 8 p.m.; 942-7777).

Cultural cleanup

Golden Rainbow presents its annual "Ribbon of Life" fundraiser at the Paris Le Theatre des Arts in a two-day matinee on Saturday and Sunday (June 7-8, 1 p.m.; 384-2899). Featured performers this year include Rita Rudner, Clint Holmes, Penn & Teller, Martha Wash (the voice of disco band Black Box), plus a host of others that include cast members from various Strip stage shows. ... Outdoor theater returns this week with Vegas tradition Super Summer Theatre at the beautiful Spring Mountain Ranch State Park in Red Rock Canyon. Starting the season will be Hello, Dolly! (June 11-28; 594-7529). The crowd-pleasing productions are never challenging and aren't always top shelf, but with the Spring Mountains enveloping you and temperatures that can get downright chilly, the play's not always the thing. Pack a picnic and a sweater. ... And finally, you know you cannot escape without a shameless plug (from us shameless downtown supporters) for First Friday, the monthly downtown arts district open house now in its ninth month (June 6, 6-11 p.m.; 678-6278). Most of the galleries are unveiling new exhibitions (including Dust, the Funk House, the CAC and Face Up Gallery), plus listen for a buzz to surround the new Arts Factory location of Tinoco's Bistro, as well it should. And don't forget the after-parties at Dino's (live music) and The Saloon (The Get Back).

James P. Reza is the editor of the Best Places-Las Vegas guidebook. E-mail nightlife, cultural event & dining tips to jpreza@cox.net. Deadline is the Saturday prior to publishing.