Here are Neon’s top picks for things to do in Las Vegas from Friday, Sept. 11, through 17:
through the weekend/week
‘Disney’s Beauty and the Beast’
It’s a tale as old as time. True as it can be, even. The original artistic team behind “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast” — composer Alan Menken, lyricist Tim Rice and book writer Linda Woolverton — reunited to create a new touring version of the beloved musical. See it at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, with additional performances through Sept. 20, in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center. Tickets start at $67.90; thesmithcenter.com.
friday
Mana
Last year, Mana made history as the first Spanish-language band to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The trailblazers return to Vegas to kick off another loaded slate of Mexican Independence Day weekend shows at 9 p.m. Friday at T-Mobile Arena, 3780 Las Vegas Blvd. S. Tickets start at $55; axs.com.
saturday
Parks for Pollinators
The city hosts its fourth annual Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Lamb Park. This is part of a national campaign, a fun, all-ages challenge to see how many pollinator species can be documented in the park using iNaturalist. The park will also host fun STEM activities for kids. Entrance fees will be waived for participants. Find more details at lasvegasnevada.gov/events.
Wing Eating Challenge
PT’s Ranch, 2430 E. Pebble Road, will present the Ultimate Wing Down Wing Eating Challenge, an annual event from the PT’s Taverns group, at 4 p.m. Saturday. Registration starts at 2:30 p.m. at the tavern. Entry is $10 per competitor and includes a free T-shirt. Spectators attend for free. Participants compete to see who can eat the most wings tossed in medium buffalo sauce. The top competitors from each round vie in the final for a $2,500 top prize, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third. Must be at least 21.
Hidalgo Cultural Event
The Hidalgo Cultural Event, the sixth annual celebration of Mexican culture, is bringing food, crafts, performances and demonstrations to the Winchester Dondero Cultural Center. It’s scheduled for 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday at 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Admission is free; clarkcountynv.gov/parks.
Lost in Dreams
Returning to Vegas for the first time in four years, Lost in Dreams delivers a night of melodic, emotionally driven bass music with Armnhmr, Avello, Dab the Sky, Mitis B2B Trivecta, Paper Skies and Pauline Herr at 6 p.m. Saturday at Craig Ranch Amphitheater, 628 W. Craig Road. Tickets are $52; rvltnevents.com.
Alex Velluto and Jen Kober
Alex Velluto and Jen Kober will headline an evening of family comedy, as well as a Q&A following the show. It’s set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Water Street Plaza Amphitheater. Tickets are $15; cityofhenderson.com.
sunday
Brunch with Bryce
From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sundays in September, La Strega, 3555 S. Town Center Drive, Suite 105, in Downtown Summerlin, is joining with Bryce Krausman, owner of the former DW Bistro, to present a brunch menu from chef Gina Marinelli. DW was beloved for its weekend brunches. Marinelli’s menu features raw dishes (including bay scallop ceviche tostada), shareable plates (including fritto misto), 10 main courses (including vegetable rigatoni and steak and eggs), sides and a family meal serving two to four. Reservations: lastregalv.com/events or 702-722-2099.
The Exploited
“Punks Not Dead,” it’s just faster and angrier, with far more blood coating its knuckles thanks to Scottish oi! forebears The Exploited, whose snarling, breakneck 1981 debut remains a street punk standard-bearer 45 years later. See them at 8 p.m. Sunday at Backstage Bar and Billiards, 601 E. Fremont St. Tickets are $42; eventim.us.
thursday
All Hours Dinner
Reservations begin at 5 p.m. Thursday for an All Hours Dinner menu at Maroon in the Sahara Las Vegas, the restaurant from acclaimed chef Kwame Onwuachi. The dinner celebrates Onwuachi’s new cookbook, “‘All Hours: Crazy Good Food for Whatever, Whenever,” with a welcome beverage and four courses inspired by the book. A copy of the cookbook will be mailed to guests following release on Sept. 22. The dinner is part of a national book tour. It costs $185; sites.prh.com/all-hours-book-tour.