Top 10 things to do in Las Vegas this week
MUSIC
Jennifer Hudson
She’s one of just 21 people to have won at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. Not bad for a seventh-place finisher on “American Idol.” Jennifer Hudson is bringing “The Gift of Love: An Intimate Live Experience,” the singer’s tour celebrating her first holiday album, to the Strip for two shows. See her at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau. Tickets start at $65; ticketmaster.com.
Christopher Lawrence
MOVIES
‘Die Hard’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
The Beverly Theater has made it clear where it stands on the debate over whether “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie. See John McClane defend Nakatomi Plaza at 5:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve. That screening is preceded by “It’s a Wonderful Life” at noon. Tickets are $13 for “Die Hard” and $11 for “It’s a Wonderful Life”; thebeverlytheater.com.
Christopher Lawrence
WINE
National Sangria Day
Toast National Sangria Day on Friday with a Peachy Keen version (white wine, peach vodka, lychee and coconut purées, lemon-lime soda) or a Blurred Vines rendition (red wine, strawberry and elderflower syrups, lemon-lime soda) at the newly remodeled La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway in Wynn Las Vegas. Each drink is $18.
Johnathan L. Wright
DANCE
Derek Hough
Derek Hough has been hoofin’ it across the country since Nov. 1 as part of his “Dance for the Holidays” tour. With choreography supervised by Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, who met as students at UNLV, the show promises to be “an all new joyous celebration of the most festive time of the year.” See it at 8 p.m. Friday in the BleauLive Theater at the Fontainebleau. Tickets are available on resale sites.
Christopher Lawrence
MUSIC
Fishbone
Bringing their inimitable brand of horn-fired punk-funk for 45 years now, Fishbone truly is a band like no other. Make sure to get there early when the group returns to Vegas to catch openers Strawberry Fuzz, a raucous, fast-rising L.A. punk troupe you don’t want to miss. The show starts at 7 p.m. Sunday at Swan Dive, 1301 S. Main St. Tickets are $25; swandivelv.com.
Jason Bracelin
SPIRITS
Free scotch tastings
From 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, DB Wine & Spirits, 3330 S. Hualapai Way, continues its series of complimentary holiday tastings with samples of Balvenie, a Speyside distiller of single-malt scotches, and Glenfiddich, also a distiller of single-malt scotches and the Speyside neighbor of Balvenie. Visit dbwineandspirits.com.
Johnathan L. Wright
MUSIC
REO Speedwagon
You don’t have to fight this feeling anymore: REO Speedwagon is back in town. And this may very well be your last chance to see them live: In September, REO Speedwagon announced that they would cease touring on Jan. 1. Before they go, they’ll be playing their smash 1981 album, “Hi Infidelity,” in full at 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Venetian Theatre. Tickets start at $41; ticketmaster.com.
Jason Bracelin
MOVIES
Christmas movies at The Ice Rink
Hit the ice for three straight nights of Christmas movies. See “The Polar Express” at 7 p.m. Monday, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” at 7 p.m. Tuesday and “The Santa Clause” at 7 p.m. Wednesday at The Ice Rink at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Admission is free, skate rental is $20 for locals; cosmopolitanlasvegas.mgmresorts.com.
Christopher Lawrence
FOOD
Pajama brunch
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, folks who dress in pajamas for dine-in brunch at El Dorado Cantina or The Cantina by Eldorado receive a free mimosa or candy cane shot. El Dorado Cantina is at 430 S. Rampart Blvd., in Tivoli Village, and at 3025 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive. The Cantina by Eldorado is at 8349 W. Sunset Road, near the 215 Beltway.
Johnathan L. Wright
MUSIC
Bear Grillz
Get your “Bass Face” on when DJ-producer Bear Grillz comes with beats as big at the Rocky Mountains of his native Colorado at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at The Portal at Area15, 3215 S. Rancho Drive. Tickets are $27.95; area15.com.
Jason Bracelin
