Deductible Junkets
If You're Headed to Las Vegas for COMDEX....
The quintessential, surreal manifestation of Americana on adrenaline, booze and hormones, Las Vegas conjures vivid images even in the minds of those who've never slunk among its omnipresent banks of slot machines. "Bargain City" to those in the know, Vegas's alter-ego lures with some incredible deals. For the cheapest eats around, visit Binion's Horseshoe: Two bucks will buy you a complete steak dinner from 10 pm until 6:45 am. (After 6:45, try the US$2.50 breakfast.) The Rio is another buffet bonanza - all you can eat from Italian to Mongolian barbecue for about US$7.25.
Beating them all is the Boardwalk casino. It's diner food, but at 59 cents for meat, veggies, rolls and a (thimble) glass of wine, who's complaining? For bargain shows, visit a tourist office and ask about show deals - 10 bucks can usually buy a buffet dinner and seats for two.
As for spirits, if you play your cards right, you'll imbibe free Most casinos serve complimentary drinks to gamblers, so just sit down and start playing. If you'd rather pay your own way, try Mad Dogs and Englishmen, a British pub (with no slots ) that serves only English beers. The Draught House - a Wisconsin cheese and bratwurst bar that also serves up good British beer. For billiards, hustle the Double Down's quarter pool tables after 2 am and listen to any Ween album on the jukebox.
Alternative culture in Vegas is so underground it's practically invisible, but there are a few gems within the "Nuggets." Benway Bop record store houses unusual decor, couches, and a wall of used, semi-famous Converse hightops. Or relax at Cafe Espress-o-rama - a UNLV hang spot that hosts poetry readings, live acoustic performances, and good java. For louder entertainment, duck under The Huntridge Theater's huge marquee and enter a converted old-time movie palace (complete with carpet curtains). Or, for true art/foreign film (and really cheap snacks) visit The Gold Coast movie theater (inside the casino).
Speaking of casinos, The Frontier has the best rules for blackjack right now. Also, avoid Caesar's and wager at Bob Stupak's Vegas World instead. Bob's houses the best poker machines on the Strip and a display case full of US$1 million. The Mirage is not to be missed, with it's lush indoor jungle, 1.5 million gallon salt "sea," and erupting volcano - not to mention the Royal White Tigers of Siegfried & Roy. Or, investigate the new Luxor (see total.immersion, issue 1.5/features); this 30-story pyramid sports a Sphinx and flowing Nile in front, and plenty of hi-tech diversions should the gambling get too expensive. The laser at the hotel's apex, some claim, is visible from Los Angeles International Airport
Finally, an obligatory visit to the Liberace Museum and auto collection is highly recommended. And, when someone asks how your trip was, reply with some Strip-inspired slang: "Hey man, it was totally nude " - Kristin Spence
Many thanks to Nicholas Hayley and Jared Dean of the UNLV Rebel Yell. Major IOUs to Veganauts Sarah Markey and Bob Kushlis.
October 30-31
Doors of Perception, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Co-sponsored by the Netherlands Design Institute, this conference seeks to fuse the converging realms of design, technology and culture. Seriously questioning what we will do with the coming multimedia and interactive capabilities, the conference will explore Interaction Design - a new process unifying such fields as graphic design, film, and electronic engineering that will facilitate a new form of interaction with tools and media. Respected industry analysts from the US, Japan, and Europe will map out new opportunities while challenging design to ask new questions of technology. All multi-disciplinary minds should attend. Contact Sybrand Zijlstra at the Netherlands Design Institute: +31 (20) 638 11 20, fax +31 (20) 620 10 31.
November 3-7,
FISEA '93, Minneapolis, Minnesota
This theme for the Fourth International Symposium on Electronic Art, "The Art Factor," promises fresh critical assessment of new media arts - both in theory and practice. A keynote address covering "Art & Technology: Paradox or Challenge" will open the interdisciplinary, international forum as it embraces all art forms over two days of gourmet electronic visualizations, music, and live performances. Panel discussions and exhibits will cover artificial life, virtual reality, automata, networking, and body and sound arts. Certain sand-bagged "art" levees may give way at this celebration of true techno-culture. US$360. Contact Roman Verostko at +1 (612) 825 2720. (fisea93@mcad.edu, or joan_klaiber@macmail.mcad.edu)
November 4-10
AVE '93, Arnhem, The Netherlands
This year's international Audio Visual Experimental festival promises cutting edge forays into experimental arts via film, video, installation, performance, and audio art exhibits. AVE's prime directive - to stimulate the new and investigative use of time-based electronic, visual mediums in modern art practice - is carried out and displayed by artists from around the globe. The gathering typically fosters debate, dialogue, and discussion, and is an acknowledged breeding ground for talent and developments in modern art. Be there, or be cubist. Contact AVE: +31 (85) 511 300, fax +31 (85) 517 681.
November 15-19
COMDEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
Arguably the largest schmooze-fest/gathering of industry behemoths this year, COMDEX is a one-of-a-kind exercise in wretched excess - Vegas style Among the lurking venture capitalists and investors can be found a large contingency of distributors, as well as representatives from such biggies as IBM, Microsoft, Apple, and Ziff-Davis. Attendance is expected to hover around 150,000. Speakers at this show include Sculley, Gates and McNealy; programs offered will range from corporate computing, connectivity, and new media, to distribution and sourcing. There will also be a developers forum for application development professionals as well as managers. Truly a place to be, and be seen - and bring many, many party hats US$75-525. COMDEX: +1 (617) 449 6600.
December 6-9
Fourth International Conference on Cold Fusion, Lahaina, Hawaii
The physics battle rages.... Fueled by the recent work of Pons and Fleishman, among others who claim it's no longer a matter of science but one of technology, this conference strives to promote the broadest discussion possible of the scientific aspects of theoretical "cold fusion". Nuclear and solid-state theoreticians, as well as advanced energy technologists, are urged to attend this fourth meeting of the minds, where debates of the reality, mechanism, interdependence and ultimate significance of experimental cold fusion phenomena will take place. There will be tabletop exhibits, as well as parallel thematic sessions covering everything from nuclear measurements to issues of safety. US$300. Contact Linda Nelson at +1 (415) 855 2127, fax +1 (415) 855 2041.
December 6-10
EDUGRAPHICS '93, Algarve, Portugal
This conference promises an assemblage of outstanding educators in the field of graphic arts of all genres. A broad range of lectures and reviews will present state-of-the-art innovation, and foster discussion of future directions within each respective field. Artists participating in the event will represent cultures and styles from around the globe. Contact Harold P. Santo: tel/fax +351 (1) 848 2425.
