A painting by artist Polanco Cher Peter Marshall Treasures from Chatsworth: A British Noble House

Thursday, January 01, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

A/E Highlights

First First Friday of 2004

As always, the event includes art openings, live performances, open studios and the ever-important wine and snacks. We were going to say hors d'oeuvres, but we couldn't remember how to spell it. This month the Funk House features the show The Flying Days, weird and wonderfully goofy paintings by artist Polanco. Also, there will be music by folk duo Green, followed by acoustic band No Fret, plus an assortment of live art demos, fortune tellers and, if the threat holds, a bagpipe player. Up the street at the Arts Factory, the shows include Manifesto of the Mundane, a contemporary sculpture exhibit, and The ATM Show in the Dust Gallery, featuring affordable artworks in the $20 to $500 range. The Arts Factory will also host a performance by Vampire Lesbians of Sodom of a "masterpiece of camp," which is sure to frighten the horses and thus starts at 10 p.m., when the kiddies are all tucked safely in their bunks. The S2Art Gallery will have live lithography demonstrations on its century-old presses. This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg (you remember the proverb about the iceberg, right?), so grab a map and schedule at the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston or the Funk House at 1228 S. Casino Center and join the party. The event runs Friday (duh) from 6 to 10 p.m. with after hours and special events going on into the wee hours. Info: 678-6278 or 384-0092.

Clearly, the apocalypse is nigh

What other excuse can there be for the disco boogie gayzilla triumvirate of Cher, the Village People and KC and the Sunshine Band appearing on one bill? Sure, if two of the three acts were sharing a bill, we could blame some sort of ugly backroom deal, blackmail or just good old organized crime flexing its well-toned muscle. The three together, however, are a clear sign that God is angry with us and has decided to unleash the beast with the lion's mane and the shimmering breastplates of inhuman cacophony. Trust us on this one. A careful reading of Revelations with this concert in mind would scare the crap out of you. Of course, this could be just that fortnight-old curdled eggnog and Schnapps talking. If you like this sort of thing, it's happening at the MGM Grand Garden at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets $75.25 to $225.25. Info 474-4000.

Wait, isn't this guy dead?

If Peter Marshall isn't dead, then why is some other jamoke hosting "Hollywood Squares"? Clearly, it's not a matter of personality or ability to perform witty banter or even celebrity status. Give them a call, Pete. We're sure the producers just thought you were stiff city. Meanwhile, Mr. Marshall, formerly Wally Cox and Paul Lynde's straight man, is singing at the Suncoast Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.95. Info: 636-7075

The British are going! The British are going!

The Treasures from Chatsworth: A British Noble House show at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art ends soon. If you meant to catch the show, get your fannies down there, because Jan. 18 the nobles pack those high-ticket paintings, tchotchkes and knickknacks up and send them back to Old Blighty. Or so they believe. Actually, on the evening of the 17th, a pair of international thrill-seeking art thieves dressed in skin-tight rubber suits will slip into the gallery through the conveniently sturdy ventilation system. They'll replace the priceless statuettes with Lilo and Stitch action figures and a cryptic note demanding the return of the gold standard. The thieves will then be pursued by an old, gruff Las Vegas police detective and a spunky young female insurance investigator, who despite their initial distaste for one another and their investigative methods, will fall madly in love. That's as much as we can tell you, because we don't want to spoil the ending. The gallery is open daily, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission $12 to $15. Info: 693-7871.