Six Picks: Entertainment choices, Dec. 2-8

Comedians like Doug Benson used to go on podcasts to promote their stand-up. Now the lines between cart and horse blur. Benson, whose "Doug Loves Movies" popularity grew with his role in Adam Carolla's extended podcast family, does something at the Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave., on Sunday with comedians David Huntsberger and Brendon Walsh. It seems to be "stand-up with some podcasting mixed into the thing," says promoter Joe Sanfelippo. No surprise to listeners that it starts at the stoner-symbolic 4:20 p.m.

-- Mike Weatherford

2. David Bazan

As frontman for disbanded indie popsters Pedro the Lion, David Bazan didn't just wear his heart on his sleeve, he hurled it at you like a dodgeball bully targeting a husky, slow-footed kid. Now, as a solo act, he's crafting even more stirring, deeply personal tunes that are by turns broken and beatific. See David Bazan at 9 p.m. Thursday at the Beauty Bar, 517 Fremont St. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show; call 598-1865

-- Jason Bracelin

3. 'The Descendants'

'Tis the season ... for Oscar hopefuls, which are hitting screens all month. "The Descendants" teams George Clooney with writer-director Alexander Payne ("About Schmidt"). Payne, who won an Oscar for 2004's "Sideways" screenplay, declined to cast Clooney in "Sideways" (as the failed TV actor Thomas Haden Church played, to an Oscar nomination) because he didn't think the one-time "ER" heartthrob would have been credible. In "The Descendants," Clooney has a more fitting role, as a Hawaii land baron trying to connect with his daughters following a family tragedy.

-- Carol Cling

4. Cowboy Christmas

Lasso some holiday goodies as the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show returns alongside the National Finals Rodeo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 10. Browse Western-style gifts from more than 400 vendors in the spacious north halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Free shuttle service is available to the Thomas & Mack Center for each night's rodeo performance. For info, call 260-8605 or visit www.nfrexperience.com.

-- Steve Bornfeld

5. Cooking Demo

Wolfgang Puck Las Vegas director of pastry Kenny Magana will demonstrate how to make candy canes and flavored marshmallows from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday in front of Postrio at St. Mark's Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Part of The Venetian's Winter in Venice celebration, it's free and open to the public.

-- Heidi Knapp Rinella

6. Zedd at Haze

DJ-producer Zedd spins tonight at club Haze at Aria. If you went to the Electric Daisy Carnival this summer, you may know Zedd as the DJ who crafted his incredibly fun remix of the Nintendo 64 theme from "The Legend of Zelda." He was a big EDC highlight, but he hasn't played the Strip much, so here's your chance to catch him.

-- Doug Elfman