Downtown Las Vegas revitalization brings artists together

Over recent years, downtown Las Vegas has been revitalized in part through artistic and cultural attractions that have brought new visitors to the old heart of the city and offered a more organic alternative to the Strip’s sleepless glitz. For seekers of an incongruously intimate and cerebral Sin City experience, here’s where to be this winter.

Much of DTLV’s artistic action happens in the 18b arts community, named for the more than 18 blocks of eclectic galleries, studios, street art, shops, bars and restaurants just south of downtown.

The literal and creative center of 18b is the Arts Factory, a converted warehouse home to an array of contemporary and traditional creatives.

Arts Factory’s upstairs SouthWing collection of galleries and studios hosts a bi-weekly event called SouthWing Saturday, with live painting, a deejay, and something different happening in each of its eight spaces. Whenever there’s a fifth Friday in a month, as on Jan. 29, SouthWing is also home to Fifth Friday, an evening of live music and dance performances, painters, a food truck and even body painting.

The nonprofit City of the World gallery hosts the novel Chocolate Jazzed Café — live jazz accompanied by coffee and assorted chocolate delights — on Dec. 11, while Cockroach Theatre stages “Constellations” by Nick Payne Jan. 7 through 24 at the 99-seat Art Square Theatre. Art Square is a cluster of remodeled 1950s buildings housing creative, retail and professional spaces.

On Dec. 10, The Writer’s Block — Downtown’s unique book seller, maker and writers’ workshop — presents a reading by esteemed author and filmmaker Kim MacQuarrie, followed by Julia Lee, author of “Our Gang: A Racial History of the Little Rascals,” on Jan. 22.

Known for lavish theatrical, ballet and orchestral productions, downtown’s Smith Center for the Performing Arts also hosts up-close jazz performances at its elegant Cabaret Jazz club. Upcoming performances are Laura Osnes Dec. 11 and 12, Kristen Hertzenberg and Philip Fortenberry Dec. 19, and Lon Bronson Jan. 20.

— Paul Rogers, Tribune Content Solutions