Vol. 3, No. 5, May 2007
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Take It Outside
Springtime festivals, activities on tap for May
It’s probably the last month to enjoy truly pleasant walking weather, before the cruel summer sun begins her assault.
Yes, enjoy the mellow of May as much as you can. To help you, we’ve complied a short list of events you may wish to explore.
May 2–6
West Las Vegas—A “Love Affair with Italy,” the “Feast of all Feasts,” the San Gennaro Feast comes to the Grand Canyon Shopping Center, on Flamingo west of the 215, for five days in May. Specialty vendors, arts and crafts booths, and live Italian music bring the atmosphere of Little Italy to Las Vegas. One of the biggest draws is the authentic Italian food available throughout the feast. There is also a carnival with rides—including the 250-foot slingshot ride—and games, a petting zoo and pony rides available for the children. San Gennaro Feast kicks off with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. on the opening Wednesday. For more information, call Anthony at 702-286-4944. $$$
May 3 and ongoing
Henderson—The city of Henderson brings the Country Fresh Farmers Market to the downtown Henderson Events Plaza every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There are 15 to 30 vendors from California and Arizona selling organic fruits, vegetables, meats, fresh salsa, baked goods and dairy products. Other booths offer crafts, jewelry and food. The market partnered with Catholic Charities and the state to provide food coupons to seniors, who can collect them at senior community centers and redeem them at the market. The vendors get reimbursed for the cost of the food by the state. For more information, call 702-579-9661. FREE
May 3-6
Boulder City—The Spring Jamboree will be held in the city’s Bicentennial Park, Wilbur Square, North and South Escalante parks, Colorado Street and in Parks & Recreation Building on Arizona Street. Saturday begins with the Little Miss and Little Mister Boulder City Contest. The weekend will be full of entertainment, food, exhibits, arts, crafts and a car show. For more information, visit www.springjamboree.com. FREE
May 4 & 5
North Las Vegas—The city of North Las Vegas presents its fifth annual Tastes and Tunes Festival at City Hall, 2200 Civic Center Drive. The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. It will feature an eclectic music, ethnic and cuisine and a Mexican Village, showcasing Cinco de Mayo festivities, arts and crafts vendors and live musical performances. The event also will include U.S.-sanctioned boxing bouts provided by Barry’s Boxing and a full-size carnival. For more information, visit www.ci.north-las-vegas.nv.us. FREE
May 4 & 5
Henderson—The Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Las Vegas Resort in MonteLago Village will showcase 44-foot teak Chinese war canoes that seat 22 people, 20 paddlers, a drummer and steersperson. Each crew will compete in three 500-meter race heats. The Dotting of the Eye Ceremony, which represents the awakening of the Dragon spirit, will be performed May 4 at 6:30 p.m. in MonteLago Village. Racing begins on Saturday at 10 a.m. Food and drinks can be purchased and entertainment will be provided. An awards presentation will end the ceremonies at 4 p.m. Saturday. FREE
May 5, June 2 and 9
Central Las Vegas—Clark County Parks and Recreation is holding its 13th Jazz in the Park concert series at the Clark County Amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, at 8 p.m. Seating for those with picnic baskets, blankets and low-back chairs will begin at 7 p.m. Food vendors also will be available on site. Admission and parking is free.
Saxophonist Paul Taylor, a Denver native, will launch the series May 5. His 1995 debut album “On the Horn” reached the jazz charts and created the hit “Til We Meet Again.” Taylor’s most recent album, “Nightlife,” was released in 2005 on Peak Records. Taylor is a graduate of UNLV’s nationally recognized jazz program. The June 2 concert will feature vocalist “Little” Jimmy Scott, who was born in 1925 with a physical condition that kept him from going through puberty.
When he began singing professionally in the 1940s, his distinctive falsetto voice lent it to ballads and jazz standards. Bill Frisell, performing June 9, is a jazz guitarist. He studied at the Berklee School of Music.
For more information on the Jazz in the Park, call 702-455-8200 or visit www.seeyouatthecca.com. FREE
May 5
Southwest Las Vegas—Focus Property Group, developer of Mountain’s Edge, plans to open the master-planned community’s Exploration Park with a special event called Country in the Park from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The day will feature performances by three local country bands, food vendors, pony rides, relay races, rock climbing, rodeo roping, mining for gems, bull riding, face painting and other activities. The park features a Western theme, with a main street and town square. The building facades are climbing structures, slides and other play equipment. The park also offers a replica of an American village and faux archeological dig, where children can search for replica dinosaur fossils. There also is the Exploration Peak, which rises 2,846 feet at the community’s entrance and offers a series of hiking trails, ranging from the leisurely to more challenging. For more information call 702- 898-5777 or visit www.mountainsedge.com. FREE
May 11 & 12
Las Vegas Strip—The Stars, Cars & Guitars Motorhead Festival will be held at Hooters Casino & Hotel, off the Las Vegas Strip. The event will showcase street rods, bikes, boats, classics, trucks, exotics and collector vehicles. Related events include the Wing Thing to determine the most prolific chicken-wing eater. There also will be bands playing throughout the weekend. For more information, call 702-259-1975. FREE
May 12 & 13
Henderson—The city of Henderson will hold its 10th annual ArtFest in the downtown area at the Events Plaza, Water Street and Basic Road, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 200 artists from across the nation will feature their work at the event. There will be entertainment, international fare and a children’s play area and art gallery. FREE
May 12
Central Las Vegas—The Southern Nevada Association of Pride Inc. (SNAPI) will hold its annual Gay Pride Festival noon to 10 p.m. at the Clark County Amphitheater, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. Admission price is $10 for adults, children age 5 to 17 get in for $5, and children 5 and younger get in free. Tickets can be purchased at www.lasvegaspride.org. The event will feature more than 100 food, craft and information booths. Entertainment headliners include Pepper MaShay with Georgie Porgie, Mary Griffin, Kim Kuzma, and local bands. Local comedians Tony & Lloyd, along with Derek Hartley of Sirius Satellite Radio will emcee this year’s show on the main stage. $$$
May 15
Summerlin—The Las Vegas Farmers Market will hold its Strawberry Festival in Summerlin’s Garden Park, off Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, and Hualapai Way. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The festival will include foods and crafts made of strawberries and children’s activities. For more information call 702-562-CORN or visit www.lasvegasfarmersmarket.com. FREE
May 17-20
Central Las Vegas—Helldorado Days will feature a kiddie park, carnival, parade, poker tournament, trap shot and a Western village. The parade will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday. Event hours are 5 p.m. to midnight, Thursday and Friday; noon to midnight, Saturday and noon to 11 p.m. Sunday. The event was started in 1935 as a city public relations tool. After a seven-year hiatus, it was revived in 2005 as part of the city’s centennial celebration. For more information, visit www.elkshelldorado.com. For more information on the parade, call 702-229-6501. FREE
May 19
Central Las Vegas—The Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort will hold a history fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Experts will give talks about local history and archaeology. The historical park is located at 500 E. Washington Ave. For more information, call 702-486-3511 or visit cmacek@parks.nv.gov. FREE
