In Brief: Theater, music and family fun

Music

JAZZ MEETS FUNK AT SMITH CENTER

West Africa's rhythmic drums have inspired music around the world - as demonstrated in tonight's "Jazz Roots: Brazil Meets Funk" concert at The Smith Center's Reynolds Hall.

Representing the Brazilian half of the equation: Grammy-winning pop master Sergio Mendes , who has moved on from Brasil '66 to explore more jazz, funk and hip-hop sounds. Holding down the funk fort: Dutch-born alto sax star Candy Dulfer , whose musical collaborators range from Pink Floyd to Prince.

The concert begins at 7:30 tonight at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave. For tickets ($29-$99), call 749-2000 or go online to www.thesmithcenter.com.

Theater

FAMILY DOMINATES CSN, UNLV STAGES

Family matters - comedic and tragic - inspire two very different theatrical productions, both of which open tonight.

The College of Southern Nevada presents Nobel Prize-winner Eugene O'Neill's sole comedy, the coming-of-age classic "Ah, Wilderness!" - set in small-town Connecticut on the Fourth of July, 1906.

On the dramatic side, Nevada Conservatory Theatre's production of playwright David Lindsay-Abaire's "Rabbit Hole," staged at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, focuses on a tragedy's impact on surviving family members.

"Ah, Wilderness!" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN's Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas; additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18. For tickets ($12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors), call 651-5483 or visit www.csn.edu/pac.

"Rabbit Hole" will be presented at 8 p.m. today and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Black Box Theatre at UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway; additional show times are 8 p.m. Nov. 14-17 and 2 p.m. Nov. 18. For tickets ($15 for adults, and $13.50 under 18), call 895-2787 or go online to pac.unlv.edu.

Family fun

ELMO AND FRIENDS ARRIVE IN 'SESAME STREET LIVE'

Big Bird and his "Sesame Street" pals, who became unexpected political fodder during the just-ended campaign season, return to their primary function - making kids happy - this weekend at UNLV's Cox Pavilion.

"Sesame Street Live: Elmo's Super Heroes" finds Big Bird, Elmo and other Muppet friends singing, dancing - and serving up fun tips on healthy habits.

"Elmo's Super Heroes" will be presented at 7 tonight, 10:30 a.m., 2 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the Cox Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center, Tropicana Avenue and Swenson Street. Tickets ($13-$55) are available at 739-3267 or www.unlvtickets.com.

Music

SINGERS HARRIS, BUCKLEY LIGHT UP CABARET JAZZ

The ongoing celebration of the Great American Songbook - and beyond - continues at The Smith Center's Cabaret Jazz with two standout singers.

Sam Harris leads off tonight, bringing a wide-ranging repertoire stretching from Broadway (Stephen Sondheim) to rock (John Lennon).

Harris performs at 8:30 tonight and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday; tickets are $39-$59.

Speaking of Broadway, "Cats" Tony-winner Betty Buckley brings "Ah Men! The Boys of Broadway" to Cabaret Jazz for four shows starting next Thursday; Buckley performs songs she's always wanted to sing - that were initially sung by male characters in such classic musicals as "Sweeney Todd," "West Side Story," "My Fair Lady" and "Guys and Dolls."

Buckley performs at 7 p.m. Thursday; additional shows are 7 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 3 p.m. Nov. 18; tickets are $40-$70.

Cabaret Jazz is at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave. For tickets and information, call 749-2000 or visit www.thesmithcenter.com.

Theater

GARLAND LIVES AGAIN IN DE ALBA TRIBUTE

The Yellow Brick Road leads to the Onyx Theatre on Sunday afternoon as David de Alba revives the Judy Garland impersonation that made him a fixture at the San Francisco club Finocchio's , where glittering female impersonators performed for more than six decades.

In his "loving tribute to Garland," de Alba not only conjures the legendary star's appearance but re-creates her singing voice and shares various anecdotes - some Garland's, some de Alba's own memories of meeting the star he salutes.

The show begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave., No. 16B, in Commercial Center. Tickets are $10; call 732-7225 or go online to onyxtheatre.com.

Family fun

MUSEUM TAKES FLIGHT WITH ALIENS, EARTHLINGS

Calling all Earthlings - and aliens too, if you're out there. The National Atomic Testing Museum's Family Fun Day wants you - at Saturday's annual Family Fun Day.

This year's event, "Earthling and Alien Flight School," features interactive exhibits, activities and handouts, along with a helicopter ride raffle.

The Family Fun Day runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Atomic Testing Museum, 755 E. Flamingo Road. Admission is $15 for a family of five ($5 for each additional child), or $25 with Area 51 exhibit admission. More information is available by phone at 794-5151 or online at nationalatomictestingmuseum.org.

Music

BRICKMAN BRINGS 'WINTER'S NIGHT'

Technically, winter doesn't arrive until next month.

But that's not stopping pianist Jim Brickman from getting a head start on the season as the Grammy-nominated performer brings "On a Winter's Night" to The Smith Center's Reynolds Hall on Monday, weaving together holiday favorites old and new to get the season off to a melodic start.

The concert is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday in The Smith Center's Reynolds Hall, 361 Symphony Park Ave. Tickets ($26-$79) are available by telephone at 749-2000 or online at www.thesmithcenter.com.

-By CAROL CLING