Kristen Peterson

Las Vegas Weekly Staff Writer

Kristen Peterson joined the Las Vegas Sun in 1998 as a general assignment reporter. In 2003, she turned her focus to the visual and performing arts and is now a staff writer for the Las Vegas Weekly. She's won six first place awards through the Nevada Press Association: Best Entertainment Writing in 2012, 2010, 2007 and 2005. Best Feature Story in 2011 and Journalist of Merit in 2003.

Contact Kristen via e-mail

Call Kristen at 702-259-2317.

Story Archive

'Vegas Style' shows our Valley was once pretty chic: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012; This exhibit proves it—we have a rich style history
The art of celebrtiy mug shots at Amanda Harris: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012; Benjamin Alejandro's silk-screen work shows celebs at their best—and worst
You know what we need? A Las Vegas-themed casino!: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012; Enough of casino themes from other places. Right?
A handy guide to what Nevada will need if it secedes from the union: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012; More than 10,000 signatures have been collected. We better get ready.
Artist Jevijoe Vitug offers a satirical handbook for living in Las Vegas: Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012; Vitug plays the role of visual DJ in this exhibit, remixing visual styles to come up with a new language.
What about books? Debate about Henderson libraries continues on Facebook: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012; Are libraries obsolete? Do they still have value? Why do the loudest opinions come with grammar problems?
Three exhibits to see at Emergency Arts this month: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Hyperrealist portraits of kitsch, contemporary minimalism and narrative figurative works -- how could you go wrong?
Who made money from the election in swing state Nevada?: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Did it bring revenue to the state or zap funds by using public resources?
Aaron Copland's patriotic American music comes with a history of partisan discomfort: Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012; Copland was openly gay, Jewish, and known for his leftist leanings.
We are everybody in 'Relative Perspectives" exhibit featuring Javier Sanchez and Marlene Siu: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; There is no “I” when looking at the headshots placed side by side, some enlarged and segmented so they’re viewed through a portrait to more images behind.
Shannon Eakins, Marc Dombrosky and Cerberus (yes, Cerberus) at Fifth Wall Gallery: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; The artifacts offer a meditative response to the more visceral alarm across the hall.
Clay Arts Vegas acknowledges genocide tragedy with One Million Bones contribution: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; The national project is designed to help fight poverty in Africa.
Two Weekly writers gripe over the failed Henderson library measure: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012; Two Henderson Library District locations will now close due to its failure.
Stock up on presidential swag: No matter whom you vote for, commemorate the election with these political party favors; Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012; No matter whom you vote for, commemorate the election with these political party favors.
The Neon Museum’s Bill Marion on his favorite signs and preserving Vegas’ past: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; Local historian and museum board chair discusses Vegas' past.
Mixing art and politics: Vast space projects delivers an 'October Surprise': Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; Venice Beach artists Alexis Smith, Scott Grieger, Burton Machen and Mark Farina visit the swing state of Nevada
How to make the most of your Vegas Valley Book Fest: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012; Read up! Then pencil these events into your calendar.
Art and politics unite: Hammargren rally meets VAST gallery opening: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012; The Board of Regents candidate is a local legend.
Lebowitz and Rich on voter suppression, replacement refs and the Wynn's 'no stroller' policy: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012; “The local political ads here, I was riveted. I couldn’t wait for the news to break to a commercial.”
Neon Museum opens its doors with powerful stories and spellbinding artifacts: Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012; It’s a lovely Saturday morning in Downtown Las Vegas, and we’re in the Neon Museum’s Boneyard, standing before the Moulin Rouge sign’s beautifully scripted font as our tour guide discusses the racial segregation of Las Vegas’ past. We’ve already learned about the 1905 land auction that gave birth to Downtown Las Vegas, and that a mere 90 years later, the fantastic lighted and neon signs that came to define the city were being collected by a local arts organization as the only souvenirs of a quickly vanishing past.
Evan Dent’s 'Supporting Recollection' delivers mixed-media memories: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; The hands, chosen for their expressive nature and high profile in video games, read as a sort of secret sign language.
Jana Cruder photographs Barbie idealism with real-world complications: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; Plenty of people have photographed Barbie, the actual doll, in real-world settings using adult themes, but Cruder uses live models, special lighting and a discerning eye to create a complex Barbie world.
LA artists exhibit comes with a political bent and a Lonnie Hammargren rally: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; Get your culture and civic participation on this weekend!
Mister Rogers' Henrietta Pussycat comes out of 'retirement' in Las Vegas to help skewer Romney: Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012; The political puppet recently took jabs at his wealth, views toward PBS and more.
Debating the pros and cons of Nevada's new stamp: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; Does this image of suburbia represent Nevada? Ken Miller and Kristen Peterson take sides.
Vegas Vernacular Project preserves our disappearing voice: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; Capturing the city's visual conversations is no easy task.
Balanchine’s abstract ballet 'Jewels' leaps into the Smith Center: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; Jewels represents different historical styles of dance, complete with costumes.
Fran Lebowitz talks politics with Frank Rich at the Smith Center: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; We don’t need publicly funded Muppets when we’ve got the more adorable and cuddle-worthy Fran Lebowitz.
The Neon Museum's having a swank party -- and you're invited: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012; As a big thank you to the community for all its support and love, the Neon Museum is hosting “First Night,” a vintage-themed party on the eve of the museum’s official opening.
Documentary by local teen looks at history of atomic testing in Nevada, Kazakhstan: Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012; “Everybody in the United States from New York to California should know more about the testing here.” No matter where you stand on the ...
Welcome to Doom Town: Stories and scars from under the cloud of a nuclear Nevada: The mushroom clouds are gone, but memories and questions remain; Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012; “We used to get up in the morning, drive out to the highway and watch the blast. There was a regular caravan of cars going out. We’d park on the side of the road, wait until it was all over, go home, have breakfast, get the kids off to school and then go to work.” That’s how Gail Andress remembers the nuclear testing 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas in the early 1950s.
From art walk to street festival: A look back at ten years of First Friday: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012; Weekly arts writer Kristen Peterson highlights moments from the fest's first ten years. In March 2006 a wood carver named Sydney Waithe was grilling chicken ...
Local artist Su Limbert brings dreamy new work to Blackbird: Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012; "Into the Wild" picks up where the "All Is Full of Love" installation left off.
Does the El Cortez deserve historic designation?: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; The Downtown hotel opened in 1941.
Will one of the LV Philharmonic's guest conductors become David Itkin's permanent replacement?: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; Who will fill David Itkin's shoes? Time will tell.
Henderson libraries on the ballot this November. Are they worth it?: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012; Why the fuss over this floundering traditiona? As it turns out, it's a sort of bustling Main Street for the community.
Danny 'The Count' Koker on reality show fame and a ride ‘so pimpy, it’s disgusting’: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012; He's traveled with a Christian singing group. He's played a vampire Elvis. Now The Count talks to Weekly.
The Las Vegas Art Museum's collection comes back 'Into the Light': Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012; The Barrick Museum is hosting a large chunk of LVAM's permanent collection, right now.
Cultural Corridor 2.0: no longer the forgotten hub: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012; What had been envisioned—promised, even—by city leaders two decades ago fell by the wayside.
Johnny Tocco’s legendary boxing gym still thriving: Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012; Some think Johnny Tocco’s Boxing Gym is closed, a leftover relic from another era. But those in the boxing world know better. They know that the run-down, mural-covered structure next to a tire shop in the Arts District is legendary. So do the fighters who call it home, pledging allegiance each day to the grittiest gym in town, the “oldest” gym in town, the landmark where all the greats have trained before their fights — Larry Holmes, Sonny Liston, Mike Tyson, Marvin Hagler. It’s a living museum.
Sush Machida: now residing at Cosmo's P3 Studio: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012; Machida, more accustomed to working in solitude, has created a studio space inside P3 that invites visitors in for tea (literally) and a chance to talk with him as he paints.
It's the end of the rainbow for iconic Fitzgeralds sign: Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012; In June, Fitzgeralds began dismantling its exterior signs to make way for the property’s transformation to the D. Some of its coins from the “pot-o-gold” sign went to the Neon Museum, which is gearing up to open to the public next month. The iconic rainbow was taken down in chunks and recycled, and the Fitzgeralds sign went to a local dealer who put it up for sale on eBay.
'POP, Locked and Loaded' injects irreverence into iconic cartoon characters: Friday, Sept. 7, 2012; Juan Muniz and Dillon Boy team up for Amanda Harris Gallery exhibition.
Underwater and 'knitting for tattoos': An afternoon of performance art at CAC's 'Off the Strip': Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012; His performances have had contraptions punching him. They’ve involved him running in heels, moving objects with orifices, and building and navigating obstacle courses.
On the dawning of Vegas' new neon age: Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012; Neon is to Las Vegas what jazz is to New Orleans.
2012 Fall A+E Guide: Culture: Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012; Balanchine ballet to Cockroach Theatre.
Troy Gillett’s installation invites you to explore—and contemplate: Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012; "Inner Sanctum" is on display at County Government Center through Oct. 5.
Weekly Q&A: Artist Jevijoe Vitug talks controversy and compassion: Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012; While superstar artists in the art world are being packaged as art brands by large global corporations and often being sponsored by global mega-banks, start-up young artists like me are more interested in nonprofit organizations and self-sufficient communities.
The lineup at Cosmo's P3 Studio is impressive and diverse: Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012; The upcoming artists cover the gamut in media and message.
CAC’s 'Off the Strip' video and performance event meets Justin Favela's 'The Mini Market': Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012; Above the aisles of sundries, food items and holiday products are his trademark piñatas, including “Creamy 7-Up Jello,” inverted cactus piñatas and “Paper Tiger,” a life-sized, adolescent white tiger collaborated on with Shannon Eakins.

Las Vegas Weekly

Kristen Peterson

Las Vegas Weekly Staff Writer

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