THE NEON MUSEUM’S ‘DUCK DUCK SHED’ ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL EVENTS CELEBRATING LAS VEGAS’ HISTORY, OCTOBER 4 – 7
Citywide Architectural & Design Event to Host Mid-Century Movie Night at The Beverly Theater and Panels with Christopher Hawthorne and Jim Burnett
The Neon Museum has announced additional events added to its second annual Duck Duck Shed, a citywide architecture, culture and design event taking place October 4-7. New offerings include discussions with famed architectural critic Christopher Hawthorne and architect Jim Burnett, as well as a mid-century movie night at The Beverly Theater.
Tickets now on sale. Click here for more information.
Duck Duck Shed will dive into a different side of Las Vegas and share multiple decades worth of the city’s storied architectural character through a multitude of individual events. The new events include:
- America’s Playground: Las Vegas’ Public Spaces: Join James Burnett, FASLA, founder of OJB Landscape Architecture and Jerry Van Eyck of !melk landscape architecture & urban design, as they consider the imperatives of public space in a desert climate, from the design of the Las Vegas Civic Center Plaza to The Park along the Strip. The conversation will dive into what other cities are doing to improve the quality of life through investment in parks and other public spaces and how Las Vegas can learn from them. $25, October 7 at 1 p.m. at Golden Nugget Hotel Casino
- The Architecture + Design of Sphere: The upcoming debut of Sphere is a social media sensation and its onstage offerings have become some of the hottest tickets in town. Engage in a dialogue with architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne for an in-depth look at Las Vegas’ newest and most talked-about landmark in terms of architecture and urban design. $25, October 7 at 1 p.m. at The Beverly Theater
- Mid-Century Movie Night at The Beverly Theater: Take in a night at the movies at the new Beverly Theater downtown. Enjoy complimentary libations and food while watching a screening of the 1960 classic, “Ocean’s 11,” starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Peter Lawford and Angie Dickinson. Then hear from theatrical expert Kip Kelly before the second movie of the night takes place, the 1964 classic “Viva Las Vegas” starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. $60, October 7 at 5 p.m. at The Beverly Theater
The four-day series will also feature nationally renowned lecturers, access to historic artifacts and one-of-a-kind experiences recognizing Las Vegas’ iconic culture, including:
- Behind The Signs: Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas: Stop in at the Grand Gallery of Las Vegas City Hall and learn about legendary actor, singer and dancer Debbie Reynolds. “Debbie Reynolds in Las Vegas” explores this talented trailblazer’s impact in Las Vegas from her years performing at the Riviera, Desert Inn and South Point, to owning the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel. The exhibition, curated with the help of her son Todd Fisher, includes Reynolds’ exquisite gowns, stage costumes, letters, photos and memorabilia. Reynolds had a career that spanned over 70 years and earned her Emmy, Tony, Golden Globes, and Academy Award nominations and awards. Free, October 4-7 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Grand Gallery of City Hall Las Vegas
- Still Learning from Las Vegas: Christopher Hawthorne: Listen to famed architectural critic and former Chief Design Officer for Los Angeles, Christopher Hawthorne, dive into the book Learning From Las Vegas, by Denise Scott Brown, Robert Venturi, and Steven Izenour. Celebrating its 50th birthday, Learning From Las Vegas argues that “learning from the existing landscape is a way of being revolutionary for an architect.” Hawthorne will reflect on the ongoing lessons of both the book and the Las Vegas it celebrated. His talk will look back at Venturi and Scott Brown’s time in Las Vegas as well as forward to imagine the city’s place in emerging debates over architecture and urban design, particularly in terms of labor, adaptive reuse and climate change. $25, October 6 at 1p.m. at Golden Nugget Hotel Casino
- Deep Dive on Cirque du Soleil’s “O”, celebrating 25 years in Las Vegas in 2023: Join Cirque du Soleil’s leadership, select cast and crew from Cirque’s legendary “O” show for a rare technical demonstration followed by a one-of-a-kind panel discussion. Get insights into the “O” production and theatrics, and hear from the technical and artistic crew who continue to amaze audiences nightly through extraordinarily human performance supported by leading-edge technology, original music and costumes. After the event, guests will be invited to go on stage after the panel to take photos. $100, October 4 at 11 a.m. at Bellagio Las Vegas
- Sphere: Postcard from Earth: Be the first to experience Sphere at The Venetian. From your VIP seat, view the debut of Postcard from Earth, utilizing the full breadth of Sphere’s technological capabilities including its 160,000 square-foot, LED display – the highest resolution in the world – custom spatial audio system, and 4D capabilities enabled through haptic seats and environmental effects. Created specifically for Sphere, Postcard from Earth, directed by multi-Oscar nominated Darren Aronofsky, will be a multi-sensory storytelling journey like no other. $225, October 6 at 7 p.m. at Sphere
- Dinner with Oscar: Hear living history from the man who experienced it firsthand – Oscar Goodman, storied Mob lawyer and Las Vegas’ former mayor of 12 years. Join Goodman for dinner at Oscar’s the Plaza Casino Hotel and learn about how he became involved and successfully defended his notorious client list. Hear first-hand accounts of representing organized crime figures and his interactions with the government in their pursuit of unsuccessful convictions. The evening includes a three-course dinner, specialty cocktail and wine pairing prepared by award-winning Chef Ben Jenkins. Goodman was the foremost defense attorney for alleged gangsters in America, including Anthony “Tony the Ant” Spilotro, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, Jimmy Chagra, Natale Richichi, Nicky Scarfo, and Vinny Ferrara, and many others, earning Goodman the moniker “the mouthpiece of the mob.” VIP $225, Floor $200, October 4 at 5 p.m. at Oscar’s Steakhouse in The Plaza Hotel & Casino
- Food Through the Ages: Tasting Las Vegas’ Food History: Sample cuisine of famed Las Vegas restaurants of eras past with reinterpretations from today by restaurateur Kim Owens, Chef Patrick Munster and food historian Sarah Lohman. Taking place in the mid-century gem Main St. Provisions in the Arts District, this cocktail-style event will leave guests’ minds as full as their bellies with historical insights and a free side of nostalgia. $175, October 5 at 6 p.m. at Main Street Provisions
- From Neon to Natural: The Use of Light in Casino Spaces: During this event at Golden Nugget Las Vegas, Roger Thomas, Emeritus EVP Design Wynn Resorts and 2015 Interior Design Hall of Fame inductee, will speak to the evolution of light in architecture and design in Las Vegas citing the buildings he designed including Mirage Las Vegas, Treasure Island Las Vegas, Bellagio Resort & Casino, Wynn Las Vegas and Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. Todd-Avery Lenahan, President and Chief Design Officer for Wynn Design Development also will add to the conversation about contemporary resort design and how light affects the visitor’s experience. $25, October 4 at 3 p.m. at Golden Nugget Hotel Casino
- Innovating Entertainment: The Evolution of Experience Design in Las Vegas: Attend a presentation at Golden Nugget Las Vegas by renowned scholar and author Stefan Al as he examines some of the most creative and innovative examples of experience design in Las Vegas’ past and discusses the lessons we can learn from them. Explore how architects, designers, engineers and marketers have worked together to create unforgettable moments for visitors and how they have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the entertainment industry. Al will also sign copies of his book, The Strip: Las Vegas and the Architecture of the American Dream. $25, October 6 at 3 p.m. at Golden Nugget Hotel Casino
- Local Lore of Downtown Walking Tour: Join a small group for a two-hour walking tour of the legendary casinos and glittering neon signs that reside in downtown Las Vegas led by renowned local historian Richard Hooker. This curated tour will explore hidden and overlooked places, obscure objects and curious artifacts, old and new, which have contributed to the city’s storied past over the last 100 years. $45, October 4-7 at 10 a.m. at Fremont Hotel
- By Architects for Architects (and Enthusiasts!): A Tour of the Neon Boneyard: Partake in a walking tour at The Neon Museum’s Boneyard – housing many of Las Vegas’ decommissioned signs – led by Jaclyn Roth of Assemblage Studios. With information based on the seminal book, Learning From Las Vegas by Denise Scott Brown, Robert Venturi and Steven Izenour, the tour will provide architecturally specific insights into the properties of yesterday and today as well as the architects and designers who created them. $28, October 4 – 7 at 6 p.m. at The Neon Museum
- Duck Duck Shed for Ducklings: An Introduction to Architecture: Children of all ages can come design their dream house by creating a floor plan and then building it. Younger kids will work with educator and author of Curve & Flow: The Elegant Vision of L.A. Architect Paul Revere Williams, Andrea Loney, to better understand the role of architects through playful learning and hand-on activities and walk away with an amazing one-of-a-kind floorplan for their dream home. Older students can push their creativity to think of view, proportion, and access before constructing a model. Free, October 7 at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at East Las Vegas Library
- Viva Las Vegas Movies: The Neon Boneyard serving as our backdrop, this tour will explore the properties featured in iconic films from the all-time greats, cult classics, to lesser-known independent films in which Las Vegas has played a role. We’ll ask the question: Is Las Vegas a character unto itself in a film? Join us as The Neon Museum’s collection allows us to rekindle your relationship with films you know and love, the films you’re embarrassed to admit you love, and discover a few hidden gems you’ll want to review for your own collection. $28, October 4 -7 at 9 p.m. at The Neon Museum
Duck Duck Shed is organized by The Neon Museum and presented by the Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial. All programming is offered on an a la carte basis so attendees can attend the programs of their choice and that best meet their schedules. For full details on event programming and to sign up for any of the tours, exhibits or lectures, visit duckduckshed.com and follow @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
About The Neon Museum
Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment. In 2021, The Neon Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition bestowed to museums in the United States. On its 2.27-acre campus, The Neon Museum has an outdoor exhibition space known as the Neon Boneyard (“boneyard” is traditionally the name for an area where items no longer in use are stored); the North Gallery, home to the immersive audiovisual experience “Brilliant!” which uses technology to re-illuminate more than 40 non-operational signs; the Boulevard Gallery outdoor exhibit and event space; and its visitors’ center inside the former La Concha Motel lobby. The museum collection also includes nine restored signs installed as public art in downtown Las Vegas. Public education, outreach, research, and arts preservation represent a selection of the museum’s ongoing projects. For more information, including tour schedules and tickets, visit www.neonmuseum.org. Also follow @NeonMuseum on Facebook and Twitter and @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram.