Name: Sin City Speaks
Start: 2026-09-13T02:00:00.000Z
End: 2026-09-13T04:00:00.000Z
Location: West Las Vegas Theatre

This dynamic evening of poetry, comedy, and music brings together some of the most celebrated voices in contemporary spoken word and performance. Featuring internationally acclaimed poet Rudy Francisco and award-winning poet, scholar, and performer Javon Johnson, the show offers an unforgettable night of language, laughter, vulnerability, and cultural reflection.

Hosted by Las Vegas–born comedian Shanna Christmas, whose sharp and charismatic comedic style brings warmth, edge, and immediacy to the stage, the evening moves between humor, music, and the emotional force of live poetry. DJ Kelly J will set the tone throughout the night, creating a vibrant sonic atmosphere from the moment audiences enter the space through the final applause.

Together, Francisco and Johnson represent two of the most influential voices in slam and spoken-word poetry. Francisco’s work is known for its emotional precision, accessibility, and meditations on love, healing, masculinity, and mental health. Johnson’s work sits at the intersection of Blackness, Performance Studies, and spoken-word culture, blending intellectual rigor with powerful storytelling and embodied performance.

This event is designed as more than a poetry reading. It is a full evening of performance—part literary gathering, part comedy show, part communal celebration—bringing audiences into a shared space of joy, reflection, humor, and testimony. Tickets $15

Sin City Speaks 

General Admission

Ticket and fee refunds or credits are not allowed under any circumstances, unless an event is rescheduled or canceled. No refunds will be granted because of inability to attend an event, venue temperature, arrival at the wrong venue, sightlines, content or event duration.

All prices, events, artists, programs, dates, show and run times, venues and benefits are subject to change. Every effort is made to inform ticket buyers of any changes via the website, email and/or by phone. Please check ArtsLasVegas.org for current event information.

The City of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs electronically scans tickets for entry into its venues. This process helps prevent ticketing and seating problems that may cause delays or lines.

The scanning system reads unique barcodes printed on each ticket to ensure that the ticket is valid and to record attendance. When exchanging or reprinting a ticket, the barcode is deactivated, making the original ticket invalid for admission.

Entry into all venues requires a valid ticket for each individual, regardless of age. Doors generally open 30 minutes before the event starts.

A per-ticket service fee of applies to all orders.

Fees support box office operations at the City of Las Vegas Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

Only the original ticket buyer is authorized to make ticket exchanges or changes to a ticket order.

There are no exchanges or credits for complimentary tickets, vouchers, promo codes and other ticket offers.

Historic Fifth Street School & Charleston Heights Arts Center

House doors generally open 30 minutes before the event starts.

Tickets may be picked up at venue events from the date of purchase until 30 minutes after the start of the event. To avoid delays, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the event begins.

Entry into all venues requires a valid ticket for each individual, regardless of age.

The use of cameras, cell phones, and recording devices is not permitted in any venue.

Late arrivals and those who exit the venue during the event may be seated or re-seated at the house manager’s discretion.

Behavior that interferes with the event or disrupts other audience members or staff may result in removal from the event without refund or credit of the ticket price and fees.

Sammy Davis, Jr. Festival Plaza & Centennial Hills Amphitheater

Low lawn chairs, pillows and blankets are welcome in designated areas.

Wheelchair seating areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis; please call the 702.229.ARTS for more information.

Food and beverages (including beer and wine) are available for purchase inside the venue. Outside food and beverages may not be brought into the Plaza and/or Amphitheater (with the exception of water in sealed plastic containers).

Pets, skateboards, roller skates and bicycles are not permitted.

In case of inclement weather, Plaza and/or Amphitheater events may be moved to an indoor venue (either on or off the premises), rescheduled for another date or canceled.

All terms and conditions subject to change without notice.

For ourselves, and/or on behalf of our child named above, our heirs, executors, and administrators, we hereby do expressly and forever waive and release the CITY OF LAS VEGAS, and will hold harmless, all their respective officers, employees, agents, or representatives from any and all liability for personal injuries or damages, sustained, incurred, arising from or connected with the use of City of Las Vegas aquatics facilities, including, but not limited to, all slides, inflatables, play structures, decorative accessory sculptures, and where applicable: travel to or return travel from any and all classes, tournaments, and/or special events, and all activities related to, or in connection with said activity by ourselves or by our child. During City sponsored programs and events, City staff may take photos of participants that may be used in professionally designed City publications and promotional materials.

City of Las Vegas

Your name and address will be provided to the venue only. We do not sell or share user information with others. 

I (“Licensor”) hereby authorize the City of Las Vegas (“Licensee”) to create and take the photograph and /or video images of me and/or my property described below (collectively the “Image(s)”) in connection with the above identified subject and/or for the above identified purpose, I further grant to Licensee a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual and non-revocable license (the “License”) to reproduce and use the Image(s) identified below in printed, electronic or video formats, including without limitation, printed publications, public banners, newsletters, reports, websites, social media accounts or governmental telecasts. Licensor hereby authorizes the Licensee to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute the Image(s) for any of Licensee’s related lawful purposes, but not for any commercial gain. In addition, Licensor waives the right to inspect or approve the finished product produced by Licensee, including written or electronic copy, wherein the Image(s) may appear. Additionally, Licensor waives any right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the Image(s). 

Licensor represents and warrants that (a) Licensor has all right, title and interest in and to the Image(s); (b) Licensor has the right to grant the License to Licensee set forth above; and (c) the Image(s) licensed hereunder do not and will not infringe any trade name, trademark, copyright or any other intellectual property right of any third party. 

I agree that Licensee may use the Image(s) of me and/or my property with or without my name and for any lawful purpose, including, without limitation, for such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, social media, video and web content. 

I hereby agree to hold harmless and release and forever discharge the Licensee from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representatives, executors, administrators or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have by reason of Licensee use of the Image(s) created pursuant to this Photographic and Video Release Form. I am 18 years of age or older and competent to grant this License in my own name. I have read the provisions above and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this Photographic and Video Release Form

I am 18 years of age or older and competent to grant this License in my own name. I have read the provisions above and I fully understand the contents, meaning, and impact of this Photographic and Video Release Form.

Sin City Speaks

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City of Las Vegas

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