Vegas isn't known for its arts and culture scene. The argument can be made that neon is a fine art, magic shows are legitimate theater and nightclubs and gentlemen's clubs provide all the dance anyone would ever need. Sure, Musicals like 'Phantom of the Opera' and Cirque shows fit the category as a classical art form, but what do people do where do people go when they're feeling really artsy?
Visitors that take a break from the steely handshake of the slot machines or venture off of the lush, green felt of the poker tables can find arts and culture alive and well, getting better.
Here are five places to get artsy in Vegas:
1. Guggenheim Hermitage -- The first bit of evidence is the Guggenheim Hermitage at the Venetian. Hot spots like TAO, Rao's and Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill get all of the accolades as the quintessential New York transplants in Vegas, but this is the freaking Guggenheim.
The museum is closed right now getting ready for a new 'Modern Masters' exhibit launching later in July which should big hit.
2. Liberace Museum -- Promise yourself that you'll visit the Liberace Museum during one of your trips to Vegas. The Off-Strip piano pantheon pays tribute to Liberace and is unique Vegas arts and pop culture. The flamboyant entertainer was the highest paid entertainer in Vegas at one time. This video tour through his wardrobe, fancy cars and one-of-a-kind pianos proves that Liberace was bling before bling was cool. Plus, if you go Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday, you can catch a live Liberace musical tribute by Wes Winters.I predict in the next couple of years, Liberace will make a deserved comeback as a pop icon brand. I can see a biopic movie starring Crispin Glover or Johnny Depp in the title role. He was bling before bling
3. First Friday -- Since 2002, this is the closest thing Vegas has to an underground art scene and it's not so underground. It's a monthly visual and performing arts festival occurring on, you guessed it, the first Friday of every month.
The event has also become a major social event since it started in 2002.More than a 100 artists get together and display there wares while thousands of potential patrons hit the downtown arts district and neighboring bars. It's a great time to celebrate art, celebrate alcohol and since it's Vegas, some of the after parties last well beyond the official 10PM closing time.
4. Las Vegas Philharmonic -- Any great city needs a philharmonic, right? This Vegas institution gets a lot of attention for the Star Spangled Spectacular concert celebrating July 4th, but they have ongoing concerts and series that make symphonic-produced music palatable to almost anyone. Rach(maninoff) 'n' roll, people.
5. Artisan Hotel -- This was a tough choice. Casinos like Bellagio have a fine art gallery and it seems that there are quite a few restaurants and bars in the city hanging Picassos or Matisses for the digestive benefit of their patrons. The boutique Artisan Hotel wins out because of the number of art-ifcats and curios hanging on the walls and ceilings (above). Plus they make a pretty mean martini at the lounge and it's dark enough to get lost. Take a video tour.
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1. I resided in Las Vegas for over a year. The strip, hotels, casinos and shows are the best in the Nation. There are also many other secretive locations of entertainment in which you need to venture in order to find these awesome hidden places!
Since I'm hispanic, had trouble in finding a job and had to come back to Florida, but residing in Henderson LV was a great experience and highly recommended spot for vacations!
Charles Del Campo at 8:08PM on Jun 23rd 2007