Tuples and Attributes

As you can imagine, the Vegas area does not lack for shows and entertainment. I have been slow to take advantage of the opportunities, though. I kept remembering all the hassle involved going to concerts like Celine Dion’s. I think it took us longer to get a taxi afterwards than the concert lasted.

Also, I don’t like driving on the strip and finding my way in and out of some of the big hotel’s parking lots is a nightmare in itself. Worse yet, many of the hotels expect you to pay for the privilege! At least the MGM lets me park free; one advantage of a few years in the Navy.

When I saw an advertisement for the Smith Center in downtown Vegas, then, I was wary. It looked a lot like the lineup at the McCallum in Palm Desert, but I was sure it couldn’t be as good an experience. I was wrong.

The parking is free; they have lots of people directing you, and they have shuttles running between the parking lots and the venue. Getting out was easy, too. Admittedly it took me 30 minutes to get home, not the 5 it took in Palm Desert, but it was an easy 30 minutes.

The Smith Center has several venues. Mom and I first went to see a show of Vegas performers and composers in Reynolds Hall. Although it seats about 2000 people, it felt very intimate. We are going back this Saturday to hear the Las Vegas symphony play Danny Elfman compositions from the movies he’s scored.

The Center has another venue called Myron’s Cabaret Jazz. It only seats 240 people around tables where you can eat and drink. I went to hear Michelle Johnson do a cover of Carol King’s Tapestry album. I had a wonderful time and plan on going back for more shows.

I’ve been told that during the winter, we ‘locals’ can find some really good deals for shows. Instead of my usual cruise, I think I will be doing a ‘staycation’ and discovering more about my new town.