Thursday, May 15, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Go: Where to Go, What to Do & Why

By James P. Reza

Warm weather has arrived, and behind it trails a host of events hoping to capitalize on the increased tourist presence as well as capture the local market. If you've been bored by the entertainment roster the past few months, you'll be happy to see that the schedule is filling out with something for everyone. One locals-friendly warm-weather party that has raged year after year has reinvented itself for 2003; the Hard Rock Hotel has relaunched its weekly poolside "beach party," this year not-so-subtly titled Sex on the Beach (Wednesdays, 7-10 p.m.; 693-5000). Live music, beachside cocktails and a pretty crowd determined to hook up are the main draws of this midweek libertine revelry, so check it out if that sounds remotely appealing.

Sensitivity

training

When alternative rock was splintered by commercial radio in the mid-1990s, "adult alternative" became the new genre-muddling catchphrase of Gen X radio. Alt.adult is a conglomeration of the softer (often female) side of alternative rock, from singer-songwriters like Jewel and Natalie Merchant to the more poppy bands. Think 94.1-FM, or what is often disparagingly referred to as "secretary music" (it tends to be heard at the front desk of many offices). Whatever it is, it owns a big market, which explains why two alt.adult shows are coming to town this week. On Thursday, Jason Mraz is joined by Michelle Penn at the House of Blues (May 15, 7 p.m.; 632-7600). Mraz, a folk/jazz guitarist from Virginia, actually launched his career singing in coffeehouses, opening for Jewel before you knew her. Mraz tours in support of his 2003 debut, Waiting for my Rocket to Come.

More well known is Michelle Branch, the sexy kindred spirit of Melissa Etheridge and Alanis Morrisette, who comes to the Hard Rock's Joint on Friday (May 16, 8 p.m.; 693-5066). Branch, who was signed to a major label at age 17, is also a guitarist (aren't they all?), and enjoyed significant success with her 2001 debut Spirit Room. Possessing the semi-raw stylistic edge of Sheryl Crow, Branch is otherwise less poppy, which is often a good thing. She tours in support of 2003's Hotel Paper, and tickets are a relatively modest $23.50.

Rock of ages

Back in the day, when there was an underground, funky/punky Las Vegans shopped at a little university-district record store The Underground. Inside Wayne's cramped store is where college radio darlings Camper Van Beethoven played Vegas for the first and only time. Not long after, CVB split and singer David Lowery formed alt.power-rock band Cracker. Thanks to its radio-friendly sound, Cracker earned legions more fans than CVB ever did, particularly a result of the 1991 MTV hit "Low" (from Kerosene Hat). Cracker has released six albums, but Lowery has also emerged an alternative renaissance man. He's produced bands like Joan Osbourne and Counting Crows and appeared in two independent films--evidence that he's touring with Cracker because he likes it, and not because the Porsche payments are in arrears. Rock out to Cracker Friday at the House of Blues (May 16, 10:30 p.m.; 632-7600) for a low $15.

Also rising from the ashes (literally) of another band (though never eclipsing its success--how could they?) comes former Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir's Ratdog (May 16, 8 p.m.; 942-7777), marking the first show of the season for the Palms' poolside venue Skin. With skilled improv/jazz musician Rob Wasserman (who once worked with Danny Elfman's Oingo Boingo) on bass, RatDog is (like the Dead) a band that shines in live performances--so much so that it has never recorded a studio album.

From hippie vibes to angry white boys...107.5FM Xtreme Radio is presenting its sixth annual Our Big Concert, featuring the Deftones, Mudvayne, Social Distortion and Taproot at Sam Boyd Stadium Park on Saturday (May 17, 2 p.m.; 739-3267). What critically acclaimed L.A. punk band Social Distortion is doing shoehorned among that trio of alternametal Korn-headz we have no idea, except that there is no other radio station in Vegas that will play them. We'll be front and center when Mike Ness and his boys take the stage--at which time, we suspect, the rest of the audience will be taking a nacho-and-fistfight break.

Hip hop pop

Jamaican rapper and Eminem prodigy 50 Cent is the quintessential hip hop success story--tough childhood, attempts on his life, drugs, imprisonment, the works. His rough-hewn image, an antidote to the overdone style of many recent rappers, bolstered his success with an audience always eager for something different. His two albums--Get Rich or Die Tryin' and The New Breed--have seen substantial critical success and record-breaking sales. If you long to see what the noise is all about, make sure you bring cash to the House of Blues on Friday (May 16, 7:30 p.m.; 632-7600)--the show is sold out and your only hope is a scalper.

Easier to get into--and perhaps more fun in the long run--is the two-day Rhythm & Ribs Festival. Formerly known as the Clark County Craft Fair & Rib Burn Off--a defunct blues, brews and beef event that suffered declining attendance--the revamped Rhythm & Ribs Festival features two days of rib burn-offs, vendors, and live hip hop music from Little Sista, Young MC, Sugar Hill Gang, Tone Loc, Sir Mix-A-Lot (Saturday) and Little Sista, Lyric, Bonecrusher, 702, Vanilla Ice and Naughty By Nature (Sunday). Check out the food and fun at Sunset Park for only $10 advance ($15 day of show; May 17-18, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; 455-8200).

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.