SUMMERLIN BRIEFS

ENTERTAINMENT

'Rodeo' will round up Nevada Ballet season

The Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) is celebrating its thirty-third year of dance. The company ends the season with "Rodeo" -- one of Agnes de Mille's most well-known ballets.

Performances are slated for 8 p.m. on May 13; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on May 14; and 2 p.m. on May 15.

"Rodeo" is an American classic that centers on a love-smitten cowgirl who wrestles with her femininity in the male-dominated world of the dude ranch. NBT dancers will divert from classical ballet and kick up their heels, cowboy style. Set to the tunes of composer Aaron Copland, "Rodeo" was selected as part of the city of Las Vegas Centennial Celebration.

According to Bruce Steivel, artistic director for NBT, getting permission from the Agnes de Mille Foundation to do "Rodeo" is a major accomplishment.

"Foundations are very careful with their works, and it is a significant recognition of the strength and professionalism of our company to be awarded permission to perform 'Rodeo,'" he said.

Tickets are $65, $45 and $25. Tickets are available at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box office or by calling 895-2787 or order online at www.unlvtickets.com. Children's and senior discounts are available. For information, visit www.nevadaballet.com or call 243-2623.

Ensemble Vocalis plans evening of song

An Evening of World Music, Opera and Broadway is slated to be presented by Ensemble Vocalis at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Desert Vista Community Center, 10360 Sun City Blvd.

Music will be from shows like "The Sound of Music," "West Side Story" and "Cabaret."

Admission is $13 at the door. Proceeds will benefit Safe Nest.

Call 845-3177 for reservations.

Musical Arts to share Echoes of Spring

The Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society plans to present the 21-voice Musical Arts Singers under the direction of Dr. Douglas Peterson in Echoes of Spring, a concert, set for 3 p.m., Sunday , in UNLV's Doc Rando Recital Hall in the Beam Music Center.

The program will feature sping celebration selections including Fredrick Piket's "Sea Charm," with text taken from "The Dream Keeper" by Langston Hughes.

Tickets are $10 for adults; $8 for seniors, disabled and military. Tickets are available at the door. Students with ID will be admitted free.

For further information, call 451-6672.

EVENTS

Epicurean Affair is set for tonight

What do more than 120 restaurants have in common? From Strip fancy to mom-and-pop , they all participate in the Epicurean Affair, slated for 7 p.m. today at Mandalay Bay.

Proceeds benefit the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and the Nevada Restaurant Association education and scholarship funds and outreach programs. Tickets are $125 each at the door. Those interested can contact the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association at 878-9272 or purchase online at www.lvihrs.com.

Local author to discuss Centennial Fever

A multimedia presentation on Centennial Fever: Key Players in the Making of Modern Las Vegas will be given by Geoff Schumacher, author of "Sun, Sin & Suburbia: An Essential History of Modern Las Vegas," at 7 p.m. on May 11 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. The lecture will focus on individuals who made Las Vegas what it is today. A book signing will follow. For more information, call 507-3458.

Church rummage sale to raise funds

Desert Springs United Methodist Church, 120 N. Pavilion Center Drive, across from Palo Verde High School, announces its Deals and Steals Rummage Sale 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 7.

Expect high-quality merchandise, dresses, accessories, electronics, furniture and treasures. For more information, call 256-5933.

Bring the whole family to Mother's Day Tea

The City of Las Vegas announces a Mother's Day Tea 2-4 p.m. May 8 at Veteran's Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive. Enjoy tea and crafts for all age groups.

Fee is $10 per family.

Call 229-1100 for more information.

Doll exhibit honors blacks in Las Vegas

For Someone Special Enterprises announces the 100 Years of Blacks in Las Vegas Celebration, a doll exhibit and fund-raiser brunch set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 at Fitzgeralds.

The doll exhibit highlights six arenas in which African Americans have played a significant role: business, education, entertainment, media, politics and religion. The event is sanctioned by the Las Vegas Centennial Committee.

Tickets for the display and brunch are $35, or $5 for the exhibit only. Part of the proceeds will go towards the cost of purchasing a 40-foot recreational vehicle to be used as a traveling museum.

For more information, contact Carol at 247-1905 or Chiquita at 845-3172.

JW Marriott plans Mother's Day Tea

JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd., is teaming up with Child Focus to host a Mother's Day Tea, which will be held in the Valencia Ballroom from 1 to 3 p.m. on May 7.

A Fancy Hat Parade and awards will take place.

"After all, what's a tea without fancy hats," said Susan Browne, co-chair of the event.

Executive chef Peter Sherlock has created a special menu including scones, an assortment of finger sandwiches and assorted French pastries for the formal hot tea service. The littlest partygoers can opt for pink lemonade.

Channel 3 news anchor Sue Manteris will officiate the event, which includes a fashion show by Dillards, a silent auction/raffle and entertainment by Steve-n-Kids.

Adult tickets are $40 per person; children 12 and under, $25. Tables of 10 people can be purchased for $350. Proceeds will benefit Child Focus.

Event preregistration is required. For reservations, call 436-1624.

COMMUNITY

Lions Club honors Chinese Americans

The Summerlin Lions Club combined its Las Vegas Centennial project with its fourth annual Chinese New Year dinner dance last month.

At the event, three key local Chinese Americans were recognized: Wing Fong, civic pioneer and philanthropist; Sue Fawn Chung, UNLV professor of Asian history; James Chen, developer of the Chinatown Plaza.

Mayor Oscar Goodman welcomed the 350 local residents and visitors from California, Nevada and Arizona at the event, held at the Gold Coast. Weather forecaster Nate Tannenbaum served as masters of ceremonies and Kay Fukushima, past Lions Club International president, introduced and presented plaques to the three honorees.

To learn more about the Summerlin Lions Club, call Esther Louie at 341-7882.

Stars of Summerlin to be lauded

The Summerlin Children's Forum plans its ninth annual Evening of Excellence, The Stars of Summerlin, beginning at 6 p.m. May 14, at the JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.

The fund-raiser serves to recognize students, teachers and parent volunteers from 20 of the community's public and private schools. In total, more than 50 individuals will be honored.

The evening culminates with the presentation of $5,000 scholarships to two Summerlin high school seniors.

Ticket prices are $150 for individuals and $1,500 for tables of 10.

To purchase tickets, call 838-5512.

Bumper sticker campaign planned

The Las Vegas Railroad Society announces it will accept $100 donations for its No LV Child Left Behind bumper sticker campaign. The proceeds will enable the organization to one day offer free train rides for children's group and school field trips at its planned railroad park. For more information call Trudy Platzer at 656-9705 or 373-4839.

ART

Connecting Points show is up at Library

Vicki Richards, curator of The Left of Center Art Gallery and Studio announces her newest exhibit Connecting Points at Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. It will run through June 5.

Connecting Points includes works in pastel, oil, acrylics and mixed media techniques and reveals the evolution of the artist's work over a 25-year span of time.

Artist receptions set for April and June

Two free artist receptions are set for April and June at the Twin Lakes Gallery of the Derfelt Senior Citizens Center, 3341 W. Washington Ave. in Lorenzi Park.

Meet Barbara Richards and see her oil paintings and woven hangings from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The gallery will exhibit Richards' works through June 1.

Then artists Lou Eells and Betty Gerd will exhibit their paintings June 6 - 29. The public is invited to meet the artists at a gallery reception from 1 to 3 p.m. on June 4.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.weekdays. For information call 229-6601.

Home decorating show is this weekend

The Las Vegas Home Improvement and Decorating Show will be from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd., North.

Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors. Children and military are admitted free. For information, call 386-7100.