Friday, September 18

Experience the extravaganza of Las Vegas without ever leaving "our town." The festive "Vegas Magic" combines the acts by magicians, high-energy dancers in colorful costumes, with the neon ambiance that made the desert town famous. This spectacular event takes place at the Berger Performing Arts Center on the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind campus, 2900 W. Speedway. Tickets are $18.95 for adults, $8.95 for kids 12 and under. Showtimes are 8 tonight; Saturday night at 6:30 and 9. Phone 770-3690 or (702) 269-9744.

Don't miss the Twang Fest tonight at 9 at the Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress. The fest will feature Red Meat, Phoenix's favorite neo-country band, The Revenants, Al Perry and Creosote. Tickets are $5 at the door. Phone 740-0126 for info.

Saturday, September 19

The Reverend Horton Heat will make you drop to your knees and beg for mercy tonight at Club Congress, 311 E. Congress, with guests REO Speedealer. The Heat is a rockabilly-gone-psycho band proving that Texas is indeed another country. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and Spyder Rhodes's Electric Company will take over at 11. Tickets are $15. Phone 622-8848.

It's not just art, its Art Squared. Art Squared Fine Art Market, in Arizona Alley off Broadway, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, is the newest outlet for fine art sales and exhibits, including the works of sculptor Susan Kay Johnson, painter Al Romo and photographer Corinne McClure, along with 15 other artists. The opening reception, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., will feature a "jazzy selection" of music by the Turban Jones Ska Band. Phone 624-9977.

This week's Downtown Saturday Night entertainment will continue the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with The Catalina Chamber Orchestra. This presentation will be conducted by Enrique Lasansky and special guest Maestra Elva Flores in the Ronstadt Transit Center at 7 p.m. Phone 684-0170.

Sunday, September 20

The Lorenzo Trio, featuring violinist Mark Rush, cellist Nancy Green and pianist Tannis Gibson, will perform works by Shostakovich, Brahms and FaurŽeacute; at 3 p.m. in Crowder Hall of the Fine Arts Complex. Tickets are $10, $8, and $5. Phone 621-1162.

Monday, September 21

Remember the Violent Femmes? Of course you do - who could possibly forget what eight is for? Show up tonight at Club Outback, 296 N. Stone Ave, to see this '80s band add it up. Tickets are $20 in advance. This performance is for dudes and dudettes 18 and older. Doors open at 6 p.m. Phone 622-4700.

Multimedia Mondays are hot! Tonight's film features include "The Quiet Place," "Gracieux," "Electreniassance," "My Buddy Norris" and "The Delta." A fabulous night of music accompanies tonight's program, with the truly incomparable Mike Watt, The Recliners and Jack Drag. Get yourself to Club Congress, 311 E. Congress, beginning at 8:15 p.m. Admission is $7. Phone 622-8848.

This is almost as awesome as the Starship Enterprise. Stellar Brass, a performing sextet of the U.S. Air Force Band of the Rockies, will be at Crowder Hall in the Fine Arts Complex today at 11 a.m. The group comprises the following players: trumpets, horn, trumpet, tuba and percussion. The compositions incorporate a range of everything from ragtime to classical to jazz. They will also perform a formal evening concert tomorrow at 7 p.m. at St. Philips in the Hills, at Campbell and River roads.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

What better way to spend your lunch hour than with the winner of the Arizona Blues Showdown in Phoenix, 1998? Jazz and Blues pianist Lisa Otey will be featured on Center Stage, accompanied by her brother David on the trombone, in the DuVal Auditorium of the University Medical Center, 1501 N. Campbell Ave. from noon to 1 p.m. Admission is free.