Henderson announces its lineup for fall performances

Henderson is preparing to offer off- S trip entertainment options with the announcement of its fall concerts and productions .

ArtBeat presented by Target is expected to return to the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St., with free musical performances from '80s icons to rising performers. All performances are scheduled to start at 8 p.m.

Casey Abrams, a finalist from season 10 of "American Idol," is expected to kick off the performances Sept. 7.

"It is going to be fun," Abrams said. "I am excited to have the band with me."

Abrams, whose influences include Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra, describes his sound as soulful and blues-infused.

"Everyone likes to tell stories," Abrams said. "My parents were filmmakers, and that's how they tell stories. Some tell stories through dance. I like to sing music."

Abrams began getting national attention after his appearance on "American Idol." The experience taught him a lot about performing, especially for different audiences, he said.

Even though people got to know him through songs on the show, Abrams said he will stick mostly to his original music during his Henderson performance .

"I'm not sure if I will do a bunch of stuff from 'Idol,' " Abrams said. "I will try to throw a couple in there. It will be mostly originals."

People can expect to hear Abrams' singles "Get Out" and "Simple Life," for which he recently finished filming music videos.

Other ArtBeat acts are expected to include local musician Benton Paul on Sept. 28, Grammy-nominated musician John Parr on Oct. 12 and '80s musician Tommy Tutone on Oct. 19.

"It's indeed gonna be a rockin' time," Parr said.

Parr is known for '80s hits such as "St. Elmo's Fire," which was inspired by athlete Rick Hansen . Hansen went around the world in his wheelchair to spread awareness about spinal cord injuries.

Even though he has been playing that song for more than 25 years, Parr said he isn't tired of it.

"I am always inspired by it," Parr said. "I can't always tell the story behind it, but when you hear me play it, I hope you hear the passion and feel the power behind it."

Parr said one of the best things about being a performer is being able to inspire people through music.

"I want to set them on fire," he said. "I feel I have a duty to energize people. When we are at a concert, it is about them."

Along with his '80s hits, Parr said he will play some of his recent songs.

"I think I have definitely matured," he said. "I started out in pop, but I proved I could be a rocker. And I can still rock. I still have gas left in the tank."

Parr's stop in Henderson is part of his Military Tour 2012, which supports the release of his album "The Mission." He plans to donate proceeds from the album to organizations that support military families.

ArtBeat's preshow is slated to start at 6:30 p.m. and include art displays and demonstrations.

Henderson Pavilion

Along with its ArtBeat lineup, Henderson has released its fall schedule of performances at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway.

Recapturing the '80s, Belinda Carlisle of the Go-Go's is slated to perform at 7 p.m. Sept. 6. She is set to be accompanied by A Flock of Seagulls and Men Without Hats. Tickets are $20.

The Henderson Symphony Orchestra is slated to start its season at 8 p.m. Sept. 14. The concert is expected to feature Beethoven Five featuring Gioachino Rossini's "La Gazza Ladre" Overture, Wolfgang Mozart's "French Horn Concerto No. 4" with Bill Bernatis on French horn and Beethoven's "Symphony #5."

The orchestra is set to return at 8 p.m. Oct. 12 and pay homage to Russia . "From Russia With Love" is set to feature Modest Mussorgsky's "Dawn on the Moscow River," Petr Il'ich Tchaikovsky's "Variations on a Rococo" with Ilya Finkelstein on cello and Prokofiev's "Symphony No. 5."

Both performances are free.

RagTag Entertainment and Musical Theatre International are scheduled to perform "Seussical" at 8 p.m. Sept. 21- 23 and Sept. 28- 30.

"Seussical" captures the favorite characters of Dr. Seuss, including Horton the elephant and the Cat in the Hat. Tickets are $10.

"Imagination Movers," the Emmy-winning Disney creation, is slated to come to Henderson at 7 p.m. Oct. 5. Tickets are $10.

Shakespeare returns

Shakespeare in the Park , put on by the Las Vegas Shakespeare Company, is set to return in October with a production of "Hamlet." All performances start at 7 p.m. and are free.

Shows are scheduled for Oct. 6 at Sonata Park, 1550 Seven Hills Drive; Oct. 13 at Discovery Park, 2011 Paseo Verde Parkway; Oct. 20 at River Mountain Park, 1940 Appaloosa Drive; and Oct. 27 at Lake Las Vegas, 15 Costa di Lago.

For more information, visit hendersonlive.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.