When I was in school, I always lamented this was “Freedom Weekend” because school started on Monday. I would guilt my parents into treating me to a big show as a big goodbye to summer.

Kids: beg your parents for tickets to see John Legend, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Daddy Yankee or The Prom at The Smith Center.

Fortunately John Legend is rich enough so the cheapest seats for his show at Planet Hollywood are only $79 before fees. My ticket to The Prom cost $105 only because I got a break as a season ticket holder for the Broadway Las Vegas series.

But there are tons of things to do in Las Vegas that are FREE. It is my job, dear readers, to suss those out for you.

Buckle up ’cause here we go!

Enjoy Sun and Snow Cones at the Back-to-School Swim Party (North Las Vegas)

Speaking of back-to-school, Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick and Councilman Scott Black have organized a Pool Splash Party tomorrow afternoon.

Show up at the Silver Mesa Recreation Center on Allen Lane for the FREE party. There will be music! food! FREE snow cones! If you show up early enough you can snag a FREE school backpack. (kids only even though I’d love one.)

In exchange for money, you can get a raffle ticket to win a BMX bike.

It’s election time in three months so I’m betting these generous politicians want the parents to remember their, um, generosity when in that voting booth.

Splash it up because school starts Monday!

Be Amazed at First Friday (Downtown Arts District)

First Friday is a FREE monthly event that showcases local Las Vegas artists, musicians and craftspeople. The goal is to demonstrate Las Vegas is more than just casinos; we have culture and creativity too. First Friday is a one-night street festival that always has a featured artist and a theme.

I attended the first one 17 years ago. They only get better!

Tonight’s featured artist is LaRon Emcee, whose art (to me) is a mix of Matisse and photography:

In my mind, his work is museum quality. And you can see it FREE! Plus 60 other artists and craftspeople will be showcasing their works too.

If your favorite work of art is automobiles, there will be a classic car show at this month’s First Friday. As many of 40 cars should be there.

The featured event is: a lowrider hop off. Apparently you stand by the reconfigured car and make it jump up and down. The car whose hood goes the highest wins. Who would have thunk it?

From 5 to 11 in the Arts District.

The downside: parking. Two options. Go to https://www.parkwhiz.com/first-friday-downtown-las-vegas-parking/first-friday-1174112/?location_id=14642%2C14633%2C12083 and reserve a spot. This costs the usual $6. Just flash the QR code on your phone because you’ve reserved in advance. Two of the lots are already sold out but one is still available.

Or park at the city of Las Vegas parking garage at 500 S. Main and take the shuttle to and from First Friday.

Dance and Dine FREE (Downtown)

I love rooftop living. The next house I buy in Las Vegas is going to have a rooftop option.

Which is why I love the Rooftop at Taverna Costera. Tomorrow the restaurant and party venue is celebrating its first anniversary with dining and dancing.

Inside the restaurant at 4:30 Chef Chris Maho will offer you FREE samples of his newest dishes. Tapas are also 20 percent off.

DJ Day Won and DJ Ikaika will pair the food with their music.

Then at 7 head up to the roof. The FREE concert starts at 8:30. The Musket Vine, Dama Vicke and the Elephante King perform. Late into the night (the show ends at 1 am) The Sonz takes over.

More about Las Vegas’s deep music bench below.

Groove to the Music of Velvet Elvis (Henderson)

Entertainers from all over dream of performing in iconic Las Vegas. So they move here and look for gigs. The result: Las Vegas has one of the deepest benches of musical talent anywhere on the planet.

Witness Velvet Elvis. This band does rock, rap, R&B, country, even current dance music. (Alas, no Elvis….)

They perform all over town. Tomorrow night they will be at Club Madrid at Sunset Station. You must be 21. NO cover. That means FREE!

Doors open at 7. Show starts at 8….so us fossils can get home at a decent hour.

I love Club Madrid. It was my go-to hang out when I lived 10 minutes from Sunset Station. It is a small, intimate showroom. The stage is high up so you can see the band from everywhere. It has a sizable dance floor–people do rave–and tables if you want to sit. The sound is Las Vegas Strip-worthy.

Share Your Life with a New Animal (everywhere)

Last month the Las Vegas Animal Foundation took in over 2,000 animals who need a home. In fact, all the Las Vegas area shelters are running low on kennel space.

To help find new homes from these deserving animals, the Animal Foundation is hosting a “Clear the Shelters” event through the end of the month. During this time, all the adoptions are FREE. This includes spay/neuter surgery, microchipping and up-to-date vaccines.

Bensley needs surgery on his leg. Trust me, veterinary services are tres cher. This adoption event is a great deal.

I got my beloved cat Roosevelt FREE from their Working Cat program.

Taking proper care of animals is expensive. Might as well start out FREE!

Have a great week-end, Las Vegas!

((hugs)) BETH Ellyn

YOUR Las Vegas Real Estate Concierge

BS.39349

“Bet on the house odds with BE”

702.324.6911

yale1974@gmail.com

BA: Yale
MS: Columbia

MBA: L’ecole du Hard Knocks

Licensed in Nevada since 1996: I have previous!

When creativity and competence matter!