Six Picks: Elton, Slackers, ‘L.A. Phil Live,”Adventures Downtown,’ Mardi Gras, Gareth Emery

Elton John

Elton John shows at Caesars Palace blend in better now with the concerts he performs in the rest of the world; the current stint lands between dates in Panama and Mexico. There's a new focus on musicality and the vintage hits. Tickets are $55 to $250 for 7:30 p.m. shows today and Saturday; call 731-7333.

-- Mike Weatherford

The Slackers

Ska stalwarts The Slackers aren't really slackers, because they've been at it for more than 20 years now -- and their totally boss suits don't iron themselves, you know. See the band at 9 p.m. today at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Tickets are $16; call 733-7625.

-- Jason Bracelin

'L.A. Phil Live'

Movie theaters aren't just for movies anymore; these days, they're also home to everything from sports to concerts. "L.A. Phil Live" -- at 2 p.m. Saturday at seven Southern Nevada theaters -- features conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Venezuela's Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, multiple choirs and soloists in Gustav Mahler's "Symphony of a Thousand." For tickets and information, visit www.fathomevents.com/performingarts/series/laphillive.aspx.

-- Carol Cling

'Adventures Downtown'

Learn a little. Party a little. Good, clean partying when the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre presents Saturday's "Adventures Downtown" at the Historic Fifth Street School, 401 S. Fourth St. Take in "Uncovering Nevada's Past," a show about state history, at 2 and 7 p.m. Between shows, sample cowboy crafts, kids' activities and refreshments. The play also will be performed at 7 tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday. Show tickets are $3-$7. Call 229-3515 or 229-6553.

-- Steve Bornfeld

Mardi Gras and Carnival

It's Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, Carnival season in Brazil, and neither will be overlooked in Las Vegas. Via Brasil Steakhouse, 1225 S. Fort Apache Road, kicks off its celebration at 6 p.m. Saturday with a DJ, live Brazilian band and samba performances. Tickets, which include a rodizio dinner, are $45 in advance, $50 on Saturday. Tickets for children 6 to 12 are $22.50, and adults also have a bar-only option of two tickets for $20. Sushisamba at the Shoppes at the Palazzo, 3325 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is featuring a live feed of the celebration from Rio de Janeiro and a special Carnival menu Saturday through Monday.

-- Heidi Knapp Rinella

Gareth Emery

Excellent British trance producer Gareth Emery DJs tonight at Marquee nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. He's got a lovely new pop single out, "Concrete Angel" featuring Christina Novelli on vocals. If you want to hear a preview of his live show, check out a five-hour YouTube video posted on my VegasLand blog, reviewjournal.com/blogs/elfman.

-- Doug Elfman