Go: What to Do, Where to Go & Why

Typically, your Go tour guide opens this weekly column with a recap of the exploits of the previous week. Sometimes, that recap is impossible (we've escaped Las Vegas for a brief period, often to be reminded of why we love the place) or impractical (there was little to capture our attention, so we stayed home and played Xbox). This week, however, arises Reason No. 3: We thankfully have too much to report for the coming week to waste time rehashing the failures and successes of the last. On with the show...

Three strange days

To answer that age-old question, "Where have all the Deadheads gone?" one need look no further than the traveling hippie franchise that is Phish. A jazz-inflected jam band arising during the early 1990s apex of the Grateful Dead, Phish emerged as the most obvious heir apparent to the road show following Jerry Garcia's death in August 1995. Like the Dead, the band attracts a dedicated culture of followers in various states of consciousness, all of whom somehow manage to get tickets to the band's shows before they ever go on sale. Unlike the Dead, they often include a vacuum in their instrumental repertoire. Phish will play three shows at UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center, Thursday-Saturday (April 15-17; 739-3267).

Never one to abandon an opportunity to party all night, Phish phans will aimlessly meander themselves to the Mandalay Bay each night for an after-show performance by Moe, proving that jam rock is indeed all about the quintet. Moe recently released its eighth studio album, the well-received Wormwood. But studio albums mean nothing to fans like these; it's all about the live performance, and they'll get three midnights of them, Thursday-Saturday at the House of Blues (April 15-17, 12:30 a.m.; 632-7600). Perhaps the House of Blues restaurant should stay open late; these cats with the munchies are a formidable group.

$30 Rock, kids

Launching your Week in Rock comes Dee-troiii-t supastar, fresh off the news that former beau Pamela Anderson is reuniting with Tommy Lee (a Las Vegas wedding was dashed, reportedly amid excessive publicity), and a "Celebrities Uncensored" season waiting to happen...It's the K to the I to the D, Kid Rock, Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (April 17; 632-7777) for a measly $30. Considered by many to be the flip side of Eminem, Kid Rock's alt.metal rap-rock comes off as a little bit Izzy Stradlin, a little bit Beastie Boys and a whole lotta attitude. His sixth album, 2003's eponymous effort, arguably ranks as his best.

If the Kid doesn't rock your world and punk is more your speed, come out and play with SoCal oldies the Offspring, who join with Sweden's similar the (International) Noise Conspiracy and the Start Monday at the Thomas & Mack Center (April 19; 739-3267), all for $28.

And continuing this loose, overwrought theme, $35 gets you a ticket to see heavy-duty Brit prog-rockers Yes Wednesday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (April 21; 632-7777). Yes and Moe the same week at Mandalay Bay? Is there a hemp convention in town too?

Speak & spin

Remember Black Flag, the defining SoCal hardcore band from the late '70s-early '80s? No, of course not. But you do remember the Rollins Band, right? Oh. Well, perhaps you only know thick-necked vocalist Henry Rollins from his numerous appearances on "Politically Incorrect." You see, Rollins comes from a generation of punk rockers who sang about more than masturbation, which in turn gives him the street cred to do what aging scenesters call "spoken word." Rants, that is. Sometimes funny, sometimes angry, always poignant. Rant with Rollins Sunday at the House of Blues (April 18; 632-7600).

Remember electronica, the defining musical movement of the club scene in the '90s? No, of course not. But you do remember raves and Club Utopia, right? Oh. Well, perhaps you only know trance DJ Paul Van Dyk because he was spinning "Killin' Me" when you finally tongue-wrestled that hottie from History 101. Whatever. He's back in Vegas, at the Luxor's Ra, spinning Wednesday night (April 21; 262-4000). Leave the glowsticks at home, old sport.

Girls! Girls! Girls!

This always happens. Get a big sponsor (VH1) to put together a great show (Divas Las Vegas) that appeals to an under-served demographic (women), and someone else (Verizon) will copy that idea (Ladies First Tour 2004) and piggyback it onto yours, aiming to capitalize on your success. The Ladies First Tour (Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Missy Elliot) goes off Friday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center (April 16; 632-7777), while the Divas (Patti Labelle, Jessica Simpson, Joss Stone, Ashanti, Eve, Tom Jones, Cyndi Lauper, Gladys Knight and Debbie Harry) get down at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday (April 18; 891-1111). The shows are even priced about the same, near $75.

Scream like schoolgirls

Ah, Becky, that blond hottie from seventh grade. And not a bad name for a band, it turns out, considering that band namesake, Rebecca Lord, is a blond hottie herself and a dynamic lead vocalist to boot. Most of you won't be there to see Rebecca, however; it's bass player Keanu Reeves who leaves you in a puddle. But the band doesn't care. It's received enough positive coverage from the L.A. press (and on the L.A. club scene) to simply sidestep the Matrix connection. Scream if you must, but Becky has much more to offer in terms of groovy alt.rock than celeb-sideshow; check them out at Whiskey Beach Friday night (April 16; 617-7777), and listen to some MP3s at www.beckyband.com.

More schoolgirl screams, this time from male as well as female admirers, will be showered upon Morrissey, along with bouquets of roses, as is traditional at the shows by the former Smiths lead vocalist. As we said last week, Saturday's show was sold out before it went on sale, so you'll need to check alternate sources (i.e., ticket scalp...err, brokers), and forget the Hard Rock box office (April 17; 693-5000).

And finally...polish your earplugs in anticipation of the piercing yelps from fans of former N'Sync star JC Chasez ("He's better than even Justin--I swear!" enthuses one fan roaming too closely to the Mercury offices). That JC hired the Basement Jaxx to produce his debut, Schizophrenic, points to his desire to be a tad more hip than his former Mousketeer brethren. Tickets for Wednesday's danceable pop show are only $20 at the House of Blues (April 21; 632-7600).

The requisite alternatives

When in Rome, eat and drink like Caligula is watching at the 14th Annual Epicurean Affair, a pricey, upscale celebration of food and liquor at the Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods on Thursday. Dozens of local restaurants will feature samples of their best stuff, so come hungry and dressed to impress (April 15; 731-7110)...Also in its 14th year, the AFAN AIDS Walk, a benefit for local AIDS charities, paces on Sunday at the Fremont Street Experience. You can choose to walk, or you can sponsor someone who is; call 678-5777...And finally, a reason to rub elbows with the rich at Lake Las Vegas, where the cobblestoned "seaside village" of MonteLago is hosting the Spring Fine Arts Festival (April 17-18; 567-4700). It's a great place to escape Las Vegas, if only for a moment, and it's comforting to know that just 20 minutes away, you're back swimming in neon.

Native Las Vegan James P. Reza rarely screams like a schoolgirl, even when Anna Kournikova walks through Light. E-mail him at jpreza@cox.net.