12/30/2019
Performances and Artists
Even after selling 65 million albums and earning two Grammys, Michael Bolton never allows himself to feel complacent. That’s because reaching this success was “an 18-year climb,” he says. “My first record deal was at 16, and I didn’t have a hit until I was 34.” This involved an exhausting journey that might have broken other artists.
12/18/2019
Education and Outreach
For one Las Vegas mother with a son on the autism spectrum, she often perceives her child as “not welcome” at public events, she says, due to his behaviors beyond her control. But at The Smith Center’s recent sensory friendly performance of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” she didn’t have to worry.
12/16/2019
Education and Outreach
Math teacher Gayle Miller knew she faced a challenge several years ago when she started teaching Algebra 1 for ELL students (English Language Learners). Realizing that many ELL students had no more than a third-grade math education, she knew her Algebra lessons weren’t what they needed. That’s why Miller created a special ELL Saturday school.
12/16/2019
Broadway Las Vegas
Audiences can expect one undeniable certainty at Broadway musical Escape to Margaritaville, promises Aimee Lane, the tour’s dance captain: It will be a nonstop party. Featuring entirely Jimmy Buffet tunes, including beloved classics such as Come Monday, Volcano and Margaritaville, the show infuses these catchy melodies with full-blown, energizing dance numbers and an uplifting romantic comedy.
12/10/2019
Performances and Artists
Holiday shopping can prove challenging — especially finding gifts to fit loved ones’ unique needs and interests. Check out gift ideas here from The Smith Center’s upcoming season that will appeal to a wide variety of tastes, spanning theater, music, speaker series, comedy, family shows and more.
12/10/2019
Supporting the Arts
Regardless of having no performance background, when Dr. Ron Koe saw his first musical “The Phantom of the Opera” as a college student, he was permanently hooked as a performing arts fan. Preserving such uplifting live experiences remains a top reason Dr. Koe contributes to The Smith Center, a nonprofit organization, as a donor.
12/9/2019
Broadway Las Vegas
So, you’ve never seen a single episode of children’s television phenomenon “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Or maybe you grew up with it. Maybe reading the name just makes you confused. No matter which of these applies, you can still fully enjoy the hit Broadway show “The SpongeBob Musical."
12/9/2019
Supporting the Arts / Education and Outreach
Even after nearly quadrupling choir membership at Greenspun Junior High School, teacher Heather Houchens admits she thought about leaving her profession. That is, until she became one of 20 teachers from several hundred finalists to be named a winner at The Smith Center’s first Heart of Education Awards. And sponsors help make it all happen.
11/30/2019
Performances and Artists
The new year marks the perfect opportunity to try new things and enrich our lives — and the performing arts can help! Enjoy a few ideas for new year’s resolutions that you will actually enjoy tackling, like laughing more, slowing down and relaxing or bonding more with the family. The 2019-2020 season is full of excited entertainment opportunities.
11/26/2019
Performances and Artists
Instrumental-music phenomenon The Piano Guys holds a simple standard for choosing its tunes. “We have 16 kids between the four piano guys. We try to pick something they’ll like,” says Jon Schmidt, the group’s pianist. This method seems pretty ironclad. The groundbreaking group boasts over 1.2 billion YouTube views of its music videos.