👛 Sphere is charging *how much* to park?

⬛ Shutdown Blues

If the federal government effectively shuts down tomorrow afternoon, what would that mean locally? Airport delays, national park closures, furloughs for all federal personnel not deemed essential — and the essential ones will work without pay (though Congresswoman Susie Lee is pitching a law to pay active-duty military during a government shutdown). [Review-Journal, KSNV]

⚖️ Fair or Foul?

Folks affiliated with the Oakland A’s are suing the local nonprofit Schools Over Stadiums over the group’s effort to roll back public funding for a baseball stadium. [Nevada Independent]

📉 School Scores Slide

Recent testing indicates that more than half of the schools in Nevada have seen drops in students’ proficiency in English and science. The explanation most observers offer? The long-tail effects of the pandemic school closures. [Nevada Independent]

😮 Hold On While I Pick My Jaw Off the Floor

Can’t wait to visit Sphere? You might want to start a parking fund now: Some nearby spaces could cost up to a gasp-inducing $125 — though some (slightly) less expensive options exist a little farther away. [Review-Journal]

• Context: Five great (and less expensive) places to get a good view of Sphere [Hey Las Vegas 📧] and where to take photos of it. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

🎤 Neon Lit | Today | 7 p.m.

UNLV’s MFA and Ph.D creative writing students read their work. Special guest: Wendy Chen. [Beverly Theater, downtown; free]

🎭 Staged Reading of ‘The Lifespan of a Fact’ | Today-Saturday | Various times

This play documents the volatile exchanges between an author writing about Nevada and his fact-checker. Presented by A Public Fit. [Clark County Library, University District; free]

🎨 ‘Vegas and Verse’ | Today-Sunday | Various times

The Black Mountain Institute teams up with the Rita Deanin Abbey Museum to present pairings of poetry by UNLV creative writing students with selected works from the museum. Reservations required. [Rita Deanin Abbey Museum, Centennial Hills; $20 museum admission]

🐩 Doggie Paddle & Play | Saturday | 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.

Bring your dog for a splash. Different times for different dog sizes; check times at link. [Black Mountain Aquatic Complex, Henderson; $10 advance, $15 door]

🖼️ Closing Reception for ‘Use Other Door’ | Saturday | 6-9 p.m.

The annual exhibit, curated this year by Nancy Good and Anthony Bondi, wraps. [Core Contemporary, New Orleans Square; free]

🎸 Dollheads, Pure Sport, Hunter’s Briefcase | Saturday | 7:15-11:45 p.m.

A sizzling bill of local bands, including the sister-act Dollheads and Life is Beautiful-approved Pure Sport. [Fergusons Downtown; $12 advance, $15 door]

🆒 🎶 ‘Behold the Man’ | Saturday-Sunday | 7:30 p.m.

An opera based on a true story: In 2012, a Spanish woman attempted to restore an aging fresco in her church — and did a terrible job. Images soon went viral, leading to an influx of tourists that revived her town. [College of Southern Nevada, North Las Vegas; $10-$50]

🎺 UNLV Jazz CD Release Concert | Sunday | 3 p.m.

The nationally recognized music ensemble uncorks its newest recording, “Dreamlike.” [UNLV; $10]

A Weekend of Festivals?!

🎸 Nevada Blues Festival | Today-Sunday | Various times

This three-day blues explosion takes place at several venues — the Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings; The Sand Dollar Lounge; and Tommy Rocker’s — and features The Moanin’ Blacksnakes, Shanda & The Howlers, and more. [No cover]

🍴 Great American Foodie Fest | Today-Sunday | Various times

A major glurge of food vendors set up shop for three days of eating. [The Orleans; $9 for all three days]

🌭 Würst Festival | Saturday | 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

It’s sausage and more sausage, plus a car show, vendors, antiques, and more. [Bicentennial Park, Boulder City; free admission]

🎤 Latino Music Festival | Saturday | 5-9 p.m. (21+ until 1 a.m)

Come see a long roster of performers. [Downtown Container Park; no cover]

🏫 Historic Westside School Centennial Parade, Festival | Saturday | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the city’s oldest school building. Parade at 10 a.m., festival at 11 with entertainment, vendors, and more. [Historic Westside School; free]

😂 Laughter After Dark Comedy Fest | Sunday-Thursday | Various times

Very many comedy gatherings, performances, films, and more. [Arts District; $30-$99]

• Also: This weekend’s Skankfest comedy festival is mostly sold out, but here’s how it could help the local comedy scene. [City Cast Las Vegas ]

Culinary Strike, the Fontainebleau, and … Barry Manilow?

This week’s news roundup focuses on the Strip, which is bracing for the possibility of a strike — just as the city swings into F1 and holiday season. And what does the upcoming opening of Fontainebleau mean for the hospitality biz? Also, Barry Manilow breaks Elvis’ longevity record at the Westgate. Host Dayvid Figler is joined by contributors April Corbin Girnus of the Nevada Current, and author Sarah Lohman.