Las Vegas Adds The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

The Smith Center - World Class Performing Arts Center

The symphony now located in the Smith Center began in the mid-'90s when a group of community leaders gathered to discuss "building a world-class performing arts center." The financing was a near 50-50 split of private and public money for a total of $470,000,000.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts definitely puts Las Vegas in the major leagues of the cultural venues. And that's entirely by design.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported that not only did Smith Center officials visit renowned cultural landmarks -- from New York's Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to Paris' Theatre des Champs Elysees and Milan's La Scala -- they even used templates of existing complexes to plan Las Vegas' downtown cultural center.

Events - Great Performances To See

Here is a sampling of some of the events: Past Events in March: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater showcases the vision of new Artistic Director Robert Battle with programming that embraces the Ailey tradition and extends the legacy in new directions.

Las Vegas Philharmonic Masterworks IV - The Las Vegas Philharmonic makes its debut at The Smith Center with nearly 300 performers onstage.

Straight No Chaser - If the phrase "male a cappella group" conjures an image of students in blue blazers, ties and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses, think again. Straight No Chaser members are neither strait-laced nor straight faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch.

Savion Glover's Bare Soundz - Under the direction of Savion Glover, Savion Glover's Bare Soundz is a celebration of tap dance to sound and sound to dance.

Nevada Ballet Theatre presents "Words on Dance," conversations and screenings with dance artists, featuring ballerina Cynthia Gregory and moderated by Donald Williams, "Phantom of the Opera" performer and former principal dancer with Dance Theater of Harlem.

Coming Events - Don't Miss Them!

March 30

The Pink Floyd Experience - Pink Floyd presents "Wish You Were Here" live in its entirety with a light and video show, full quadraphonic sound and six musicians.

March 31

Branford Marsalis - Three-time Grammy winner Branford Marsalis is one of the world's most talented saxophonists, and he performs live inside the intimate Cabaret Jazz club.

April 1

"Golda's Balcony" - A portrait of one of the great women of our time, Golda Meir, "Golda's Balcony" is the latest work from Tony Award-winning playwright William Gibson ("The Miracle Worker," "Two for the Seesaw") and an award-winning play that, in 15 sold-out months on Broadway, set the record for the longest one-woman show in Broadway history.

April 3-6, April 7-8

"The Color Purple" - "The Color Purple" is a musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the film by Steven Spielberg. It is the story of a woman named Celie, who finds her unique voice in the world.

First Friday and Saturday of every month beginning April 6, 8:30 p.m.

Clint Holmes - Singer Clint Holmes returns to Las Vegas to start an exclusive engagement at Cabaret Jazz.

April 1, 6:30 p.m.

Las Vegas Youth Orchestra Spring Concert The Las Vegas Youth Orchestras (student musicians, ages 8-18) perform with its Percussion Ensemble. Also featured is the Youth Philharmonic's Concerto Competition winner, soloing with the orchestra.

April 13, 7:30 p.m., April 14, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

Women Fully Clothed - Their clothes stay on, but you might laugh your pants off. This sketch comedy show delves into the naked truth of everyday life.

April 13, 8:30 p.m. April 14, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Andrea Marcovicci -- Marcovicci Sings Movies With an array of movie songs from the 1930s through the 1940s and with a nod and a wink to silver screen legends, Andrea Marcovicci illuminates how movie music has scored our lives and loves.

April 14

Las Vegas Philharmonic Pops III - An evening of George Gershwin's greatest hits, including "Rhapsody in Blue" and "American in Paris" and songs such as "S'wonderful" and "Summertime," with Broadway star Lisa Vroman and renowned jazz pianist David Loeb, who is director of jazz studies at UNLV.

April 21, 7:30 p.m.

The Cleveland Orchestra - Under the leadership of Music Director Franz Welser-Most, The Cleveland Orchestra has become one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world.

April 20, 8:30 p.m. April 21, 7 and 9:30 p.m.

Joey DeFrancesco Trio - Joey DeFrancesco officially emerged on the jazz scene in 1989 with the release of his first album on Columbia, titled "All Of Me."

June 12-15, 7:30 p.m. June 16-17, 2 and 7:30 p.m.

"Million Dollar Quartet", "Million Dollar Quartet" is the hit Broadway musical inspired by the true story of the famed recording session where Sam Philips, the "Father of Rock 'n' Roll," brought together icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for one unforgettable night.