Kiss Ozzy Osbourne

Thursday, March 13, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Go: Where to Go, What to Do and Why

By James P. Reza

Our apologies. It's too late to implore you to rush out to see Les Miserables, staged by the Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing & Visual Arts. This public school--one of only 15 in the nation to receive both the Department of Education's New American High School and the Blue Ribbon School awards--has long been recognized for its superlative performing arts. Les Miserables was no exception; in fact, it raised a school standard that was already set sky high. That a high school was even permitted to tackle such a politically and sexually charged classic in this politically correct era was enlightening.

Les Miserables is no mere musical. Rather than a play interrupted by often-disparate musical interludes, the entirety of Les Mis dialogue is sung, making it one of the most difficult performances to accomplish. But accomplish it the Academy did, to a level of success that had several patrons judging it better than most of the professional theater offerings staged at the Aladdin. The voices were mature, the acting strong, the set design impressive--it was easy to forget these are high school students. Particularly notable was the role of Thenardier, energetically portrayed by Harrison DeCreny. The school's music department could be the unsung heroes of Les Mis; a student orchestra is placed in the pit for each performance, just like the old days. That the historic campus, once scheduled for demolition, still survives, is itself a wonder. While it is too late for the French Revolution, if ever presented with the opportunity to attend a performance of the Las Vegas Academy, go, go, go!

Something old

This week, enjoy a selection of music for old(er) folks balanced by a few bands not yet born when heavy metalist Ozzy Osbourne was chomping bats, worshipping satan and essentially laying a lot of groundwork for his future hit reality series. After being fired as lead vocalist for Black Sabbath in 1978, Osbourne, with wife/marketing genius Sharon, embarked on a successful solo career, eventually turning themselves into a twisted version of Ozzy & Harriet for MTV. Osbourne's once-reckless stage antics have been tempered by age (he's 52), but he still shows his audience why Marilyn Manson should be sending royalty checks. See America's favorite daddy at the Hard Rock's Joint on Friday (March 14, 8 p.m.; 693-5066).

Look around yourself at the office. Surreptitiously investigate the cubicles of your fellow 9-to-5 desk jockeys. See anything odd? A bag full of greasepaint, perhaps, or a pair of size 11 platform boots? If so, you've unmasked one of two things: the office drag queen, or an aging sergeant in the Kiss army. Ah, Kiss, those likable rock stars who turned the campy metal of Alice Cooper and the glam rock of the New York Dolls into a commercially acceptable hybrid that would dominate pop-rock culture during the 1970s. Their Sunday show at the Palms' Rain (March 16, 8 p.m.; 942-7777) is sold out, so you'll have to swipe the platinum with a ticket broker or flash the paper at a scalper. C'mon, dude, you can spot me the cash, right?

On the other end of the Gen X spectrum, British synth-pop band and gay disco DJ faves Erasure is on tour again. The duo--with former Depeche Mode member Vince Clarke stroking the keyboards and the falsetto of Andy Bell setting the signature tone--was part of a gay-centric movement in Euro-dance music, including genre-mates Bronski Beat, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, and others. See Erasure at the Hard Rock on Wednesday (Mar. 19, 9 p.m.; 693-5066).

Alternatively, the hipsters among you will want to check out bossa nova boss Sergio Mendes, Friday through Sunday, at the Suncoast (March 14-16, 7:30 p.m.; 636-7111). With the resurgence of Latin jazz, bossa nova, and Brazilian music thanks to electro-lounge hepcats Thievery Corporation, Fila Brazillia and similar artists, seeing Sergio Mendes (Brazil's most popular export in America) is a treat. Cocktails, anyone?

Something new

Whatever happened to the late, great Rage Against the Machine, that '9s band that took hip hop-influenced rock to the top with the politically charged lyricism of frontman Zack de la Rocha backed by an amazing group of musicians? What about Soundgarden, that grungy alt.metal band hailing from Seattle when that northwest city was the center of all things musically hip? Well, perhaps de la Rocha left Rage when he heard Korn and realized what hell he hath wrought. Soundgarden simply got tired of one another's angst and split in 1997. The result? Audioslave, or Rage Against the Soundgarden, as we like to call them. Soundgarden's Chris Cornell wails the vocals with the entirety of Rage Against the Machine, minus de la Rocha, playing backup. Oddly enough, it works. See Audioslave, with fellow alt.metalists Burning Brides, at the Hard Rock's Joint on Saturday (March 15, 8 p.m.; 693-5066). Again, you'll need to call the brokers or the scalpers, as the show sold out in just a few short minutes.

Yeh yeh yeh! Ludacris is in da hizzouse! Representing the "dirty south" style of rap (dirty rap? nooooo...), Ludacris has built his brief career based on his overtly sexual rhyming (the explicit "What's Your Fantasy?" was his first hit). Hardcore rappers Disturbing tha Peace, Smilez & Southstar open the show Saturday at the House of Blues (March 15, 7:15 p.m.; 632-7600).

Something different

Just when you thought you'd had enough large Elvi to last a lifetime, along comes Dread Zeppelin--a long-lasting novelty band featuring frontman Greg Tortell as the 300-pound Tortelvis. Backed by a quintet of musicians similarly styling alter-egos, Dread Zeppelin marks the meeting of Elvis singing the songs of Led Zeppelin in reggae form. You really must appreciate all three of these musical styles to get Dread Zeppelin, but you just need to like catchy guitar pop to appreciate showmates Dada. Catch them Friday at the House of Blues (March 14, 8 p.m.; 632-7600).

And finally, if you missed the notorious Vagina Monologues when the Broadway version slid through town last year, you are in luck. The UNLV theatre department is presenting its version of Eve Ensler's award-winning female-focused performance. The cost is only $10, and all proceeds benefit local women's shelters. See the Vagina Monologues Friday or Saturday (March 14-15, 8 p.m.; 895-2787) at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre, then get out and create some of your own.

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