Schuetz

Think of Las Vegas and you think of music, right? Elvis, Wayne Newton, Tom Jones. But where do you go when you want to see concerts by bands and artists whove hit the charts within the last twenty years?

The best place to see concerts in Vegas is without a doubt at the MGM Grand Garden arena, though the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay is a very close second. In fact, the House of Blues has a vociferous fan base that swears its much better than the Grand. The House of Blues features attractions that just arent going to make it to the Grand, at least not yet. MGM gets the big names like U2 and the Eagles, while the House of Blues gets the really interesting bands like the Dropkick Murphys. Either way, both venues have played a role in making Vegas a top destination for currently popular acts.

Theres only one thing in Las Vegas thats louder than a rock concert and you really dont even have to move your head as much. Some might consider it a strange relationship to marry Vegas and Nascar, but then who ever thought Vegas and punk rock would get married? The Las Vegas 400 has quickly settled in as one of the citys top local sports events. Of course, its not called the Las Vegas 400 anymore, but why give a certain car company free advertising when you dont have to. If watching cars go in a circle for three hours isnt your idea of fun, then you can always check out the National Finals Rodeo. This 10-day event features all those things that make rodeos what they are: roping, broncin and clowns slipping on cowpies. Who wouldnt prefer that to Nascar? Then again, Nascar features car wrecks at 150 mph.

Oddly enough, Las Vegas has no major professional sports team. Perhaps the Saints will eventually make the move if certain congressmen have their way and New Orleans isnt rebuilt. Until then, Las Vegas is the name and hockey is the game. Whaaaattt? Las Vegas has a hockey team? Yes. But thats not the really weird part. Las Vegas has a hockey team, the Wranglers, who play inget thisthe East Coast Hockey League. Theyre not bad, either, making it into the playoffs in their first year in town.

But lets face it, we all know that when it comes to sports in Las Vegas, there was, is and always will be just one show in town. The Running Rebels of UNLV. Sure, they havent been a bona fide contender since they had to start playing by the same rules as their opponents, but memories of past NCAA Tournament glory keep bringing the fans back.