Smith Center Blog

Performances and Artists

The Story Behind Danny Elfman, Composer for ‘Batman’ and ‘Beetlejuice’

Composer Danny Elfman’s life story sounds almost as fantastic as the films he scores. He unleashed his creativity in the ‘80s with his new-wave band Oingo Boingo, hailed for its wildly experimental and genre-defying tunes spanning ska, world music and rock. His quirky inventiveness then caught the attention of emerging film director Tim Burton.

Performances and Artists / Community Impact

Meet the Vegas Dancer Who Won ‘So You Think You Can Dance’

Las Vegas dancer Bailey Munoz knows about feeling pressure on stage. The 19-year-old has performed with Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars. He made it to the semifinals for NBC show “America’s Got Talent.” Yet he still describes competing on hit Fox show “So You Think You Can Dance” as challenging in a way he never experienced before.

National Geographic Live / Performances and Artists

The Odd Couple Takes On the Grand Canyon for National Geographic

Many close friends share exciting experiences through the years — but few that compare to those of longtime pals author Kevin Fedarko and photographer/filmmaker Pete McBride. Across their 20-year friendship, this intrepid pair has covered the world’s most stunning wonders on assignment together, spanning Africa, Mt. Everest and remote gems in between.

Performances and Artists

How Bobby Bones’ Fake Band Became a Comedy Sensation

When acclaimed comedian and radio personality Bobby Bones first started stand-up comedy, he billed his act as “Bobby Bones and the band The Raging Idiots.” But for every gig, the band never showed up. “Mostly because they didn’t exist,” Bones explains. This became the hilarious introduction to his act and set into motion a whole other facet of his career.

Broadway Las Vegas / Performances and Artists

Four Facts That Will Stun You About the Grinch and Dr. Seuss

The Grinch sneaks into most people’s childhoods one way or another. Many kids read about his uplifting transformation in Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book. Some families celebrate the holidays by watching the hit 1966 animated film together. The Broadway musical is bound for Vegas as well. But there is more behind The Grinch than most people know

Performances and Artists

Festive Shows to Ring in the Holiday Season

Nothing gets people in the holiday mood like festive tunes — especially when performed by Broadway casts and artists with global acclaim and Grammy nominations. That’s why The Smith Center offers a packed lineup of holiday shows with performances for a wide range of age groups and tastes that are sure to brighten your season.

Performances and Artists

Building an All-Star Group of Guitar Masters

“The California Guitar Trio are basically rock guitarists who took a long musical journey that brought them to play (classical music), and the Montreal Guitar Trio are classical guitarists who took a long musical journey that brought us to play Rush and Radiohead,” Montreal Guitar Trio Marc Morin says. This rare overlap forms an all-star sextet of guitar masters.

Performances and Artists

How This Emmy Winner Brings Comedy to Catholicism

Emmy-winning actress Nonie Newton-Riley can describe her comedy show “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” with just a few words: “the audience is the costar.” While this one-woman show offers a loose script with Riley as a sardonic nun teaching her unruly Catholic school class (the audience), the production remains rooted in audience participation.

Performances and Artists

Spotlighting Vegas’ Not-So-Hidden Talent

From the first time Donato Cabrera experienced the Composers Showcase at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center, he felt inspired to take part. Created by acclaimed Las Vegas music director Keith Thompson, the monthly event showcases all-new, original material by gifted composers and artists who call Southern Nevada home.

Performances and Artists

How British Rock Bands Changed Music History

When selecting the most electrifying artists to spotlight in an explosive tribute to British rock, Brody Dolyniuk knew he had his pick of several beloved groups and singers. But in the end, he says, it all came down to four bands: Queen, Pink Floyd, The Who and Led Zeppelin.