Things to do in Paradise/Downtown

In your neighborhood

n Insurgo Theater's original tragicomic clown production "Nutcracker" is set to take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Jan. 4-7 inside the Insurgo Theater at the Plaza, 1 S. Main St. Tickets to the all-ages production are $15.Visit insurgotheater.org.

n The city of Las Vegas plans to present "Mama's Fabric," an exhibit by John Broussard, set to be on display through May 5 at the West Las Vegas Arts Center, 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd. The exhibit is focused on community organizer Beatrice Dixon, Broussard's mother, who had a passion for sewing fabrics given to her as gifts. A meet-the-artist reception is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 27. Visit lasvegasnevada.gov or call 229-4800.

n The Marjorie Barrick Museum at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, plans to exhibit "Lost Places in the Mojave: Photographs by Julian Kilker" through Jan. 22. Visit barrickmuseum.unlv.edu or call 895-3381.

n Jest Serendipity Improv is set to perform at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at Alexis Park Resort, 375 E. Harmon Ave. The show is limited to adults 21 or older, and tickets are $29.95. Visit jestserendipity.com.

Plan ahead

n Expect changes in 2012 for First Friday. Hours for the Jan. 6, Feb. 3 and March 2 Arts District festivals are set for 5 to 11 p.m. The Fremont East street art fair is expected to be between Las Vegas Boulevard and Sixth Street behind the Downtown Cocktail Room and Beauty Bar. A new arts and music stage is planned at Third and Colorado streets. Artists, vendors, food truck owners and volunteers wishing to participate in First Friday must complete a profile and application online under the "Get Involved" tab at firstfridaylasvegas.com.

n Stories and secrets of former mobsters are set to come to life in January during Mob Month at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. Panel discussions are set for each Tuesday beginning Jan. 3 with "Ladies First: The REAL Mob Wives of Las Vegas," featuring Wendy Mazaros, author of "Vegas Rag Doll," Lisa Caserta, wife of "Goodfellas" mob man Henry Hill, and a visit from a Meyer Lansky family member. Visit lvccld.org.

n The Knights of Columbus plan an all-ages Saturday Night Stomp swing dance party Jan. 14. Lessons begin at 7 p.m. Social dancing begins at 8 p.m. and the party is set to continue until midnight at 911 E. Ogden Ave. Admission is $5. Only cash is accepted. Visit saturdaynightstomp.com.

n "Evil Dead: The Musical" is slated to return to the Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave., at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in January. After a successful opening run in October, the musical will return with an extended "splatter zone" for those interested in taking part of the musical's bloodiness. Tickets are $15 for locals, $20 for general admission and $30 for VIP splatter zone seats. Visit onyxtheatre.com or call 732-7225.

n Tickets for KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler's 8 p.m. Feb. 4 performance, "Love Is Here to Stay," at the Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St., are on sale. The concert is set to feature classic love songs written by Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein and others. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets also are on sale for the Turtle Island Quartet's 7 p.m. March 2 performance at the Historic Fifth Street School. The city of Las Vegas plans to host the performance celebrating the music of John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Visit artslasvegas.org or call 229-3515.

n A R Gurney's "Sylvia," a romantic comedy about a man, his wife and the dog that's a major bone of contention between them, is set run at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays Jan. 13-29 at the Las Vegas Little Theatre, 3920 Schiff Drive. Tickets start at $21. Visit lvlt.org.

n Eastern Orthodox Russians celebrate Christmas Jan. 7. All are welcome to celebrate the holiday during a free Russian Christmas Concert featuring Zalina and Ilya Fedotov scheduled at 7 p.m. Jan. 6 at Summerlin Community Church, 2100 Snow Trail. Fedotov is a guitarist, and Zalina is a classical pianist, singer and songwriter who has written numerous songs in English and Russian. The concert is sponsored by the Eastern European Connection. Contact Jeremy Dollar at 280-4523 or at eeconn@cox.net.

Worth a drive

n The Las Vegas Garden Railway Society's annual Christmas model train exhibit is set to be on display 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Saturday at Jim Marsh Automotive, 8555 W. Centennial Parkway. Viewing is free, and donations will go to the Shade Tree. Call 645-3009.

n J.R. Pony Parties, an educational farm, welcomes the public to visit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during Open Gate Tuesdays scheduled today, Jan. 10 and 24 and Feb. 7 and 28 at 1753 Fairhaven Ave. Admission is $5, which includes pony rides, visits to the goat barn and more. The farm is also set to open for school holidays on Jan. 16 and Feb. 20. Visit jrponyparties.com or call 631-4142.

n Left of Center Art Gallery, 2207 W. Gowan Road, plans to display the works of Calvin B. Jones through March 2. Visit leftofcenterart.org or call 647-7378.

n Strap on a set of ice skates for Cosmic DJ Skate Night from 8 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at SoBe Ice Arena at the Fiesta Rancho, 2400 N. Rancho Drive. Admission is $6.50 and skate rental is $3. All ages are welcome. Visit fiestarancholasvegas.com or call
631-7000.

n "Lonnie: Images by Heather Protz & Linda Alterwitz" is scheduled to be on display at the gallery at the Summerlin Library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive, through Jan. 31. The exhibit is a photographic documentation of the home, art and mind of neurosurgeon and former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren. Visit lvccld.org.