Henderson welcomes Viva Ska Festival this weekend

The Viva Ska Vegas festival is coming to the Henderson Events Plaza Saturday.

The event is scheduled to feature 10 ska bands. Some bands have been around more than 40 years, while others are locally based bands that have been together for about a decade.

Ska music is a cross between reggae, punk and rock that has been around since the 1960s.

"If you like any of those genres, you'll like ska," said Brian Saliba, the promoter for the Viva Ska Festival.

Saliba said there have been ska-type events in the past 10 years throughout the United States sponsored by Bogus Productions.

Traveling to different states, the festival has been anything from a larger-scale production with more than 10,000 attending to something scaled down with 2,000 people.

This event, which is scheduled to start at noon Saturday, is a smaller-scale spinoff of the larger productions. There is no guarantee it will come back to Henderson.

"If the venue does well, we could return (to Henderson)," Saliba said. "Only time will tell."

Saliba is excited for the festival at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St.

"The venue is great," Saliba said. "It has everything we need as far as production elements. The venue is both outside and covered. You couldn't ask for more."

Saliba is expecting between 800 and 1,000 people to attend .

"All the bands are national touring acts that have been around awhile," Saliba said.

The headliners for the event include The Skatalites and The Aquabats.

Saliba said The Skatalites have been around about 40 years. Their music combines R&B, jazz, calypso and African rhythms.

Dressing up in crime-fighting costumes, The Aquabats are a five-person band with more of a heavy rock 'n' roll feel. The group's lead singer is also known for co-creating the children's television show "Yo Gabba Gabba."

"It is a real privilege to have them perform, " Saliba said. "They usually don't tour since they have their show."

Another treat to have at the event, Saliba said, is MU330.

"They broke up a few years ago," Saliba said. "This is kind of a reunion for them."

Other bands include Voodoo Glow Skulls, La Banda Skalavera, Monkey, My Superhero, GoGo13, The Remedies and Tuesday After School.

Tickets are $25 at the door or $22 in advance.

"It's a good deal if you think about it," Saliba said. "It averages out to $2 per band."

The event is open to all ages. Children younger than 5 will be admitted free.

The festival also includes an all-ages kickoff party scheduled at 6 p.m. Friday at the Aruba Hotel, 1215 Las Vegas Blvd. South. Admission is $10.

Ticket holders 21 or older can get in free to a Viva Ska Vegas after party scheduled at the Gold Mine Tavern, 23 S. Water St.

For more information, visit vivaskavegas.com.

Contact Henderson/Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.