Things to do in Southwest, Spring Valley April 17-24

In Your Neighborhood

The Animal Foundation's "Best in Show," hosted by magician Nathan Burton, is scheduled at 1 p.m. Sunday at The Orleans Arena, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Dogs from the foundation shelter at 655 N. Mojave Road are set to vie for the audience's favor and be available for adoption after the show. Tickets are $12 and $5 for seniors and children 2 to 12. Call 284-7777 or visit orleansarena.com.

Children 8 or older are invited to explore the world of theater with free acting workshops from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. every third Wednesday at the Enterprise Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. Visit lvccld.org or call 507-3760.

As part of National Teen Self Esteem Month in May, Sharon Haugen plans to present an art exhibit titled "Eyes of the Soul," inspired by her daughter Heidi, who struggled with an eating disorder that eventually took her life. An opening reception featuring educational films and discussion of Haugen's organization, For the Love of Heidi, Eating Dis-Order Education, is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. today at the Windmill Library, 7060 W. Windmill Lane. The exhibit is scheduled to continue through June 10. Visit lvccld.org or call 507-6030.

"A Walk in the Park," an exhibit by 17-year-old artist Shirleen Chang, is scheduled to be on display Thursday through June 19 at the Enterprise Library, 25 E. Shelbourne Ave. A reception is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Visit lvccld.org.

The 11th Annual Pure Aloha Festival is set for Thursday through Sunday at the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Times are 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 10, seniors 55 or older and military. Visit silvertoncasino.com.

The Las Vegas Valley Rose Society annual Spring Show is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Admission is free. Visit lvccld.org or call 507-3964.

Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit," directed by Brian Scott, is set to run at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday on the main stage of the Las Vegas Little Theatre, 3920 Schiff Drive. Tickets are $24 for adults and $21 for seniors and students. Visit lvlt.org.

Kids 11 or younger are invited to celebrate children's books and music at an El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros Storytime from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at the West Charleston Library, 6301 W. Charleston Blvd. Visit lvccld.org.

Comedian Marty Allen is scheduled to perform at 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday inside the Louie Anderson Theater at Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave. Tickets start at $66. Visit palacestation.com.

Worth a Drive

The University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Festival of Communities is slated to include displays and food from around the world from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday on the 4505 S. Maryland Parkway campus. Call 895-5631 or visit festivals.unlv.edu.

The Henderson Heritage Parade & Festival is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St. The event begins at 8 a.m. with the mayor's breakfast served on the Convention Center lawn. The parade, which has the theme of "Magnesium to Magnificent," is expected to begin at 10 a.m. and feature floats down Water Street from Ocean Avenue to Victory Road. Visit hendersonlive.com.

The Las Vegas Academy Theatre, 315 S. Seventh St., plans to present "Our Town" by Thornton Wilder at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $15. Call 800-585-3737 or visit lvacademytheatre.org.

The folk band The Good Lovelies plans to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Fifth Street School auditorium, 401 S. Fourth St. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 on event day. Call 229-3515 or visit artslasvegas.org.

A birthday tea celebrating Helen Stewart is slated for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort, 500 E. Washington Ave. Linda Miller, who often portrays Stewart, is scheduled to speak, and tea and cake will be provided. The event is free with regular admission, $1 for visitors 12 or older. Call 486-3511 or visit parks.nv.gov/olvmf.htm.

Shows scheduled at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave., include MOMIX dance company's "Botanica," on Friday, the Cleveland Orchestra on Saturday, the Joey DeFrancesco Trio on Friday and Saturday, Yo-Yo Ma with Kathryn Stott and the Assad Brothers on April 24, Paco de Lucia on April 25, David Sedaris on April 26, Jazz Roots: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series on April 27, Spectrum in a tribute to Motown and R&B music on April 28, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with Joshua Bell on April 28 and Celtic Woman on April 29. Call 982-7805 or visit thesmithcenter.com. Moviemakers spent the weekend filming for the Las Vegas 48 Film Project. Screenings of the films are scheduled at 7 and 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Century 18 Theaters inside Sam's Town, 5111 Boulder Highway. Tickets are $10. Visit 48hourflim.com/lasvegas.

Music lovers can bring leashed pets or adopt a pet at the annual Petapalooza concert scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Star Nursery Field an the north side of Sam Boyd Stadium, 7000 E. Russell Road. Entertainment is set to include Matt Nathanson, Kris Allen, Graffiti 6 and Haley Reinhart. Admission is $8 or free for children 3 or younger. Parking is $5. Visit mix941fm.radio.com.

The Help Save the Animals Car Show & Swap Meet to benefit The Animal Foundation is planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 7100 W. Craig Road. There will be '50s and '60s music, a trivia contest, raffles, games and prizes. Call 232-9822.

Signature Productions plans to present the musical comedy "Hairspray" through April 28 at the Summerlin Library and Performing Arts Center, 1771 Inner Circle Drive. Visit signatureproductions.net.

Plan Ahead

The Royal Tea Society plans to host a Mother's Tea with Mary Poppins from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 at the Lakeside Center in Desert Shores, 2620 Regatta Drive. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for nonmembers. RSVP is required with prepayment by April 27 by calling 260-4600 or emailing royalteasociety@cox.net.

Comedian Bill Maher is set to bring his trademark humor back at 8 p.m. May 5 and 6 to The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Tickets start at $54.95. Call 365-7075 or visit orleanscasino.com.

Indie/rock duo Middle Class Rut plans to bring its two-piece band from Sacramento to the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road, at 7 p.m. May 5. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Visit silvertoncasino.com.

Comedian Rob Schneider is set to perform at 8 p.m. May 11 and 12 at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Tickets start at $39.95. Call 365-7075 or visit orleanscasino.com.

Impressionist/comedian/singer Jeff Tracta is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. May 17-20 in The Pearl at the Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road. Tickets are $59, $79 and $99, plus any additional service fees. Call 944-3200 or 800-745-3000 or visit ticketmaster.com.

Several comedy acts are planned at Big Al's Comedy Club at The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., in the coming weeks. They include:

-- Kathleen Dunbar and Kevin Downey Jr., April 25-29

-- Robert Duchaine and Jill Bryan, May 2-6

-- Tim O'Rourke and Lang Parker, May 9-13

-- Quinn Dahle and Brandt Tobler, May 16-20

-- Tanya Lee Davis and Jason Harris, May 23-27

Call 365-7075 or visit orleanscasino.com.

Comedian Dennis Miller is set to perform at 8 p.m. April 27 and 28 to The Orleans, 4500 W. Tropicana Ave. Tickets are $49.95. Call 365-7075 or visit orleanscasino.com.

Country group the Eli Young Band is set to perform at 8 p.m. April 28 at Veil Pavilion at the Silverton, 3333 Blue Diamond Road. Tickets start at $25. Visit silvertoncasino.com.