Go: Where to Go, What to Do & Why

By James P. Reza

The press has been calling Madonna the mother of reinvention (among other, less-pleasant names) for so long, she's finally taken ownership of the term for her upcoming concert tour, which opens at the Los Angeles Forum May 25-27, and closes Sept. 1 in Paris, France. The Los Angeles Forum gig was initially booked as a single date, but two shows were added soon after the official on-sale time thanks to impossibly quick ticket sales.

Similarly, when Madonna's May 29 show at the Strip's MGM Grand Garden Arena went on sale to the public via TicketMaster on Saturday, the first show was essentially already sold out at ticket prices from $79 to $368, plus a hefty service charge. How concerts can be sold out nearly before they go on sale is a mystery to many, but the trio of answers is fairly simple: sales to ticket brokers, advance fan club sales (premium access tickets for Madonna's Vegas shows went for $800 each), and hold-backs, the term given to tickets a venue holds in reserve for VIPs and, in Las Vegas, high-rollers.

Within 45 minutes of Saturday's original on-sale time, a second Vegas date of May 30 was added to the tour, which also soon sold out. At press time, 23 of Madonna's 33 existing dates are "sold out," with most tickets ranging from $47-$300. Of course, there are seats still available for most shows, including those in Vegas--you'll just be flashing the platinum to a broker to get one. Reports have the Grand Garden Arena's first 10 rows going for $4,000, making Elton John's $100-plus prices at Caesars Palace (April 2-4; 427-7243) seem positively lowbrow. Then again, Madonna is a queen, and Elton, he's just a knight, right?

Hey Mr. Deejay

Two fairly high-profile DJ gigs spin into town this week, both on Saturday. At Ice Las Vegas (April 3; 699-9888), the 1980s famously androgynous Culture Club crooner and current happy house DJ Boy George will fulfill the gig he had to cancel late in the game last year when his contract to perform in Rosie O'Donnell's "Tabu" forced him to remain in New York. Also on Saturday, the Rio's Bikinis (April 3; 777-6582) welcomes Darryl McDaniels (of Run DMC) with the Beastie Boys' DJ Hurricane. And on Friday, the Ice House Lounge and Chez Bippy present their insanely attended First Friday after-party, The Get Back (April 2, 10 p.m.; 315-2570), featuring old-school soul spun like you've never heard it before.

Reggae g'day

With all the hip hop and R&B stars working with reggae artists recently, island riddims appear poised for a comeback in a big way. Reggae last held a wider mainstream audience in the early 1990s, so in this time of rapid-fire trend recycling, the timing seems right for the various forms of reggae to once again inform the culture at large. The timing couldn't be better for Ziggy Marley, the eldest son of the most recognized artist in the genre, the late Bob Marley. Though his most recent effort, 2003's Dragonfly, hasn't earned the favor of critics, Marley is sure to pull from nine previous albums during his Friday House of Blues performance (April 2, 8 p.m.; 632-7600). Blues pianist Beth Hart opens.

Sloppy-haired fans of driving garage rock (that's as in White Stripes and Strokes) will dig the Aussie Invasion Tour landing at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sunday (April 4, 8 p.m.; 693-5000), and featuring head shaking post-grunge from the Vines and Jet for a mere $22. The Vines run a bit atmospheric, pulling thick, distorted riff inspiration from the likes of Nirvana, but it's Jet--with the damn catchy "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?"--that threatens to tear the Joint down.

Emo? Ska?

Think of them as rapid-fire versions of rock and reggae and you'll understand. Maturing indie rockers Juliana Theory team up with Bacteria for a Sunday show at the Huntridge Theatre (April 4, 7:30 p.m.; 477-7703). Once considered the darlings of the emo set, Juliana Theory outlasted its 15 minutes of fame to grow its sound and its image (and its hair) into true indie rock sty-lee. Then on Wednesday, the all-ages Huntridge plays host to the seven-piece third-wave ska revivalists The Mad Caddies, joined by Throw Rag and FFI (April 7, 7 :30 p.m.; 477-7703).

Get festive

Clark County Parks' 15th Invitational Native American Arts Festival takes over the Clark County Museum on Boulder Highway this week, with three days of Native American history, artistry, music and dance performances, an arts and crafts market and the all-important fry bread (April 2-4, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 455-7955).

If last month's First Friday is any indication, all the tireless work of the organizers and participants (not to mention the relentless promotion provided by the culture-starved press) is paying big dividends for the Downtown Arts District. That, plus the fine weather we've been enjoying, means you have to be prepared for overflow crowds seeking cheap wine and glib conversation about art, a good thing on all counts (April 2, 6-10 p.m.; 678-6278). We're not sure if there's gonna be fry bread, but someone always has a plate of cheese and hummus.

Native Las Vegan James P. Reza spends a lot of time wondering if he's too old for a fourth wave of ska revival. E-mail him at jpreza@cox.net.