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Cultural Scene and Heard: The Beat Goes On and On – Local Sites for Musical Nights
By Chad Felix
In Las Vegas, good musical entertainment resonates far beyond the confines of the Strip and into our very own backyards. It’s advertised on modest flyers; it hides in warm, local dives; and it’s calling out to fellow locals. The only trouble, then, is finding it. But we’re here to help you. So let’s just see what homegrown sounds await on any given night of the week.
Local Licks at a Modest Dive
Inconspicuously located and not without quiet ambitions, E-String Bar and Grill (2031 W. Sunset Rd.; 437-8764) is the perfect stop for a no-frills night of beer, blues and rock. The nightly live music, whether it’s local or travelling bands, karaoke or impromptu blues-rock jams from the in-house talent, is the primary focus here, with American bar bites, Italian fare and drinks as welcome refreshments. An onsite vintage guitar shop–the longstanding A.J.’s music–completes the scene with vintage and autographed guitars in the windows. Overall, it’s an understated rock ‘n’ roll joint that, for music lovers, is hitting all the right notes.
That Freakin’ Jazz
The Freakin’ Frog (4700 S. Maryland Pkwy.; 597-9702) is no stranger to enthusiastic recommendations. Beer aficionados will find no shortage of hops; there are over 1000 in the cooler and fifteen ever-changing taps. Spirit lovers will find a haven on earth in the upstairs Whisky Attic. Here, guests are invited to sip on some 600 varieties of the libation, from Georgia Moon Corn Whisky and Michter’s Small Batch Bourbon–“the whisky that warmed the Revolution”–to elusive and pricey breeds such as Pappy Van Winkle. And for the connoisseurs of sound? Every Tuesday evening, young players (many from UNLV just across the street) work out new tunes, revisit the old and improvise the night away. Fridays and Saturdays welcome singer-songwriters and travelling and local acts, many of which, such as The Swingin’ Pedestrians and the talented Vernell Brown, are Frog veterans.
The Ivory Downtown
Stepping onto Fremont Street, it’s unlikely that you don’t hear some live music in the distance. Downtown Las Vegas, the veritable epicenter of a growing local arts scene, is home court to the multitudes of musicians that consider the city their home. The result? A hot bed for great local outings. For those still unacquainted with such sensations, Don’t Tell Mama (517 Fremont St.; 207-0788) is a great place to start. This chic take on the traditional piano bar is great for sing alongs, drinks and song requests any night of the week. The bar attracts a crowd both young and old with talented bartenders pulling double duty, simultaneously mixing drinks and entertaining all. The pianists boast an incredible repertoire of tunes that spans contemporary pop, classic rock and everything in between.
Royal Blues
Our last stop, and it’s a big one, is B.B. King’s Blues Club in The Mirage (3400 S. Las Vegas Blvd.; 242-5464). While, until now, our journey has intentionally kept us off the Strip, this spot is too good to pass up. Blues, soul, R&B and funk are the names of the game at this lively venue, and one of the B.B. King-approved bands brings the house down nightly. Just get comfortable at one of King’s four bars with a specialty cocktail. Sit down to some fried dill pickles and beer chili. Listen to the music and peer over to the stage. Maybe you’ll see one of the great house bands. Then again, it might be Willie Nelson or B.B. King himself! The only thing that’s for certain is it’s going to be a great show.
From modest dives and the centerpiece of campus-cool to touristy taverns, we’ve covered quite some distance on our journey to discover the talent of local musicians. The fact is, great musical entertainment is in no short supply in Vegas, and you never know when you’re going to be up close and personal with the next garage band to make it big. Support tomorrow’s stars today; seek the players out, dance and shout.
