Go: Where to Go, What to Do & Why

By James P. Reza

It is said that a society can be judged based on the treatment of its animals and its appreciation of arts and culture. We can add "the breadth and depth of its coffeehouses and cafés" to that as well. Treatment of its animals? It's hard to even go there in the land of the $2.99 steak-and-egg special, and that's something this former 18-year vegetarian cannot discuss without sounding like a hypocrite, even if beef still isn't what's for dinner.

Appreciation of arts and culture? If an MGM Grand Garden nearly full of thirty- and fortysomethings politely clapping to the still-powerful vocal instruments of Sting and Annie Lennox is appreciation, then I'm getting too young for this shit. (Seriously, standing up at Friday's concert was not an option. Not only would the oldsters--many younger than myself--sitting behind us likely have pissed a nickel, but the Grand Garden's grumpy security force seems to have been culled from the cast of extras playing the anti-dance ninnies on Dirty Dancing.)

The breadth and depth of our coffeehouses and cafés? Forgive me, oh Seattle-based behemoth, but Starbucks is neither a coffeehouse nor a café. It is the McDonald's of espresso: a convenient, clean, friendly, well-lighted place to buy coffee that many call "Fourbucks" because no matter what you order, it's always four bucks. But to call it a coffeehouse or café is to stretch the outer limit of acceptable denotation. For one, the Starbucks that dominate our city are the same ones that dominate nearly every city worldwide, and they are, above all, physically uncomfortable. They are invariably too cold inside, tables are unpleasantly crammed together, and the chairs, while fine places to park for five minutes, become painful slabs of wood after a mere 20. Plus, if my gastronomic needs dare move beyond caffeine, sugar and fat, I'm utterly out of luck. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, while an improvement in many areas, is only marginally better overall--the lesser of two sterile evils.

Many culturati are tired of choosing between Fourbucks and a bar. What our city sorely needs is this: someplace comfortable to visit after dinner (or a movie, concert, or play) to sit down, relax, enjoy an espresso, a tea, a glass of wine or a beer, a flaky pastry or something savory, a conversation, exposure to new folks, serendipitous meetings with old folks, and a stock of decent reading material. It should have wi-fi access, indoor/outdoor seating, the temperature needs to be in the range of 74-78 degrees, the well-chosen music needs to reflect some level of musical sophistication and be dialed to a conversational level, and the joint needs to be populated with a diversity of folks and not merely serve as the cranky outpost of some self-disaffected group or another. Am I asking too much?

First Friday second

One Vegas place where you can discover a genuine appreciation of arts and culture is at this week's First Friday (Oct. 1; 384-0092). October's event marks the second anniversary of the downtown street festival, gallery crawl and culturefest, and it promises to be the biggest ever. Chalk that up to the predicted favorable weather conditions (you know Las Vegans won't jump off the poker machine stool for anything less than perfection) or simply the pleasure of seeing something survive for two whole years in Las Vegas (consider this: that's more than one-fiftieth the age of the city). But do not discount the value of having some serious sponsors standing behind the event this month, including Barrick Gaming. The recent buyers of the Plaza (and other downtown properties) have been aggressive in their message that they will be a big part of downtown redevelopment, and this sponsorship suggests that may be true.

Notable this month is the launch of the Godt-Cleary Projects Gallery (632-9378), on Main Street just a few doors north of Jerry Misko and Naomi Arin's pioneering Dust Gallery. The arrival of Godt-Cleary, an arm of the same in Mandalay Bay, is considered big news for the arts district as it represents a well-funded project taking a risk on the area. Other don't-miss events: Babes in Sin old-school burlesque at SEAT, art (Lisa S. Check) and music (Paper Symbol) at the Funk House, and the Previously Enjoyed Goods vintage modern furniture store grand opening. There is a complete listing of First Friday events elsewhere in the Mercury, or you can click to www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org.

What you know

There are a few shows happening this week that, thanks to the Vegas publicity machine, you likely already know about. Andre Agassi's Dennis Miller/Elton John-less Grand Slam for Children benefit is Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden (Oct. 2; 891-1111). The singer and comedian, longtime fixtures at the event, cite scheduling conflicts for their lack of participation this year. Uh huh. Personal conflicts (with each other) more likely.

Van Halen returns to Vegas just a few short weeks after their previous engagement, hoping to fish all they can from the sea of late boomers who visit or call Vegas home. This week, they'll be at the Orleans Arena on Friday (Oct. 1; 365-7469). Also returning is Grammy--winning jazzy-pop sensation Norah Jones (we like to call her Ravi Shankar's daughter), for two shows at the Hard Rock Joint (Oct. 4-5; 693-5000).

What you don't

The wonderful Las Vegas Philharmonic (which, along with First Friday, deserves all the cultural props it receives) launches its 2004-2005 season this week with Images in Sound, a concert at UNLV's Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall (Oct. 2; 895-2787). The performance features young piano sensation Orion Weiss for Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto, Wagner's "The Flying Dutchman Overture" and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

The ridiculously excessive yet subversively political "Mexican Elvis" El Vez comes to the House of Blues with Human Hands on Saturday (Oct. 2; 632-7600). Though considered by some to be an Elvis impersonator, El Vez is more a performer who uses Elvis as a starting point and artistic inspiration for delivering his message. Later in the week, old-school ska fiends the Toasters visit downtown's Jillian's on the 50-city 2004 Ska Brawl Tour with New Blood Revival (Oct. 4; 759-0450).

And, if all this music just sounds like so much crackle and pops to you, check out the comedy of either Roseanne Barr (whose voice is so annoying we're not sure we could stand it for an hour) or the newly hairy David Spade. Barr will be at the House of Blues on Friday (Oct. 1; 632-7600), while Spade takes over the Mirage's Danny Gans Theater Friday and Saturday (Oct. 1-2; 791-7111). Until next week, buh-bye.

Native Las Vegan James P. Reza really wants to open his own café, but currently has no time for such a project. Do it for him. ... Please. E-mail the author at jpreza@cox.net.