Date: Aug. 2, 2020
‘AS THE WORLD TURNS’
Thought “As The World Turns” was only a soap opera. Now it describes our lives. Who would believe jigsaw puzzle and bicycle sales would be good, while the celebratory happy beverage champagne would be in a slump!
Talk about irony, the beautiful brand-new domed Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders team has just completed construction and is ready for business; however, there won’t be any fans there this football season. Then superstar Garth Brooks was supposed to be the first concert headliner at the stadium on Aug. 22, and now his date has been moved to Feb. 27, 2021.
The Electric Daisy Carnival, commonly known as EDC, which is the largest electronic dance music festival in North America, was supposed to be held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in May. It was moved to October and has made another change and announced it won’t happen again until May 2021.
After more than 50 years in existence, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held every January in Las Vegas will be going virtual in 2021.
Looks like Halloween will be different this year too. For the first time in nearly 30 years, Freakling Bros. will not open its doors with multiple haunted houses this year.
On the bright side, new attractions and venues are still opening in Las Vegas with full knowledge that “as the world turns,” this period of COVID-19 will pass.
CIRCA REVEALS ITS ECLECTIC BEVERAGE PROGRAM
Downtown Las Vegas’ first integrated resort built from the ground up in 40 years, Circa Resort & Casino will feature a diverse beverage program including six original bar, lounge and coffee shop concepts: Legacy Club; Vegas Vickie’s; MEGA BAR; Overhang Bar; Circa Bar; and Jack Pots.
The Legacy Club opening in December when the hotel tower opens will be an elegant rooftop lounge inspired by Las Vegas’ founding fathers. Situated on the 35th floor, it will overlook the city with panoramic views. Metal busts will line the hall with black and white photography framing the entrance. The club’s show-stopping attraction will be a 10-foot display of 1,000 ounces in gold. There will be intimate spaces inside and a fire pit on the lounge’s outdoor terrace.
Vegas Vickie’s will be an elevated cocktail lounge in the resort’s lobby starring the neon sign featuring famed kicking cowgirl Vegas Vickie. The sign first appeared in 1980 and became a landmark on the Fremont Street Experience. Owner Derek Stevens acquired the sign in 2016 with the intent to give Vegas Vickie a new home at Circa where after a fresh makeover she will reside at her namesake bar. Vintage libations will be highlighted with a bar characterized by elegant mid-century design, warm walnut woods, and retro-styled lighting.
MEGA BAR will be a 165-foot-long bar on the first floor, claiming the title of Nevada’s longest indoor bar and home to Downtown’s flair bartenders. MEGA BAR will operate as a sister concept to Stevens’ record-breaking 100-foot LONGBAR at his other Downtown property the D. The dramatic back wall will be lined with narrow, red glass tiles and outfitted with 53 spots for seated, bar-top gaming; 40 double-stacked TVs for sports fans to watch games; and 120 beer taps with a rotating selection.
Positioned above Circa’s multi-level, world’s largest sportsbook, Overhang Bar will offer views of the book’s three-story high-definition screen, measuring 78-million pixels. This space will include an overhang ledge lined with poker machines. Deep walnut high-top tables will line the long edge of the bar while two wood columns with gold accents anchor the opposite side.
Circa Bar will be the longest outdoor bar on the world-famous Fremont Street Experience with one of 24 frozen cocktail flavors served by dancing bartenders, while talented flair bartenders perform in front of a backlit blue-glass wall. Textured golds will cover the surface of the back bar, highlighting a terrazzo bar top masterfully culled from recycled Skyy Vodka bottles and other upcycled materials.
Jack Pots will be a 24-hour modern coffee stand with flair created by legendary Detroit restaurateur Paul Saginaw and Ann Arbor coffee roaster, Steve Mangigian. It will serve Michigan’s own Zingerman’s coffee, alongside freshly made breakfast items, sandwiches and salads. To create an only-at-Circa experience, Mangigian traveled the world to develop a uniquely delicious custom coffee blend exclusive for the property.
SICKIES GARAGE OPENS SHOP LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT TOWN SQUARE
The garage-themed dining concept, Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, will open its first southwest location in Town Square Labor Day weekend with an over-the-top menu of 50 burgers and 50 beers, along with a vast selection of other items. Adding to the experience will be a fun funky garage-themed space beneath classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
Each hamburger patty is made from fresh, hand-formed Angus beef, American Kobe beef or ground turkey. Some examples of the creative offerings: Glazed Doughnut Burger - American cheese and peppered bacon on a glazed doughnut bun; Macaroni and Cheese Burger topped with extra cheesy macaroni and bacon bits; and fan favorite Sickies Burger stacked with bacon, egg, pulled pork, and onion rings, which was featured by Yahoo as the “Most Over-The-Top Hamburger” in North Dakota.
The menu also features wings, appetizers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and malts. An expansive chicken wing selection features 24 sauces. Sickies Garage will be open daily 11 a.m. to midnight. Diners can sign up for Sickies Garage Rewards and earn free “Sick Bucks” and menu items starting with their first visit.
The story behind this restaurant is organic. In the early 2000s, like-minded friends would meet to tinker on their car-motorcycle-truck projects or to just talk shop. Grilling at the garage sparked an avenue for creativity, crafting experimental burgers with unusual toppings. Becoming known as “Sickies Garage,” these friends would often play hooky from work to be together by calling in “sick.” Eager to have their own special burger, the offerings grew into a list of 50 burgers and 50 brews. In 2012 these friends opened their first full-service restaurant in Fargo, N.D. New locations followed in Bismarck and Grand Forks, N.D., and Sioux Falls and Rapid City, S.D. This year, Sickies Garage will have new outlets in Omaha, Neb., Las Vegas, and Orlando, Fla.
CIRCUS CENTER IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Cirque du Soleil’s fabulous shows prior to COVID-19 featured circus acts, which could spark an interest in personally exploring the challenging athletic possibilities. It turns out there is an outlet for all ages to learn the skills. Las Vegas Circus Center opened close to two years ago at 6425 S. Jones Blvd. The 52,000-square-foot facility is a well-equipped training center and many performers currently out of work are keeping up their training there. The operation is open daily at 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.
The center offers an array of options. Introductory classes are Circus Experience and Intro to Aerial. Fitness classes include Aerial Fitness/Hammock Stretch, Circus Bootcamp, and Capoeira, which is an Afro-Brazilian martial art combining elements of dance, acrobatics, and music. There are introductory classes for Circus Experience and Intro to Aerial.
The class list is extensive with 10 Aerial Arts options, Flying Trapeze, Tumbling and Trampoline/Trampwall, and ground and other acrobatics such as Hand Balancing, Juggling, Chinese Pole and more. There is even an “America Ninja Warrior”-style stunt course.
Teaching is done by professionals. For information call 833-324-7287 or go online.
The venue is also available for group events and parties.
PINKBOX DOUGHNUTS® HONORS S’MORES DAY
In celebration of National S’mores Day on Monday, Aug. 10, Pinkbox Doughnuts will feature its signature “Gimme S’more,” a raised shell doughnut filled with marshmallow filling and topped with chocolate frosting, crushed graham crackers and a toasted marshmallow, priced at $2.50.
Called “The Blow Torch,” the August “Doughnut of the Month” is a glazed, raised shell filled with vanilla custard with a caramelized ultra-crispy sugar top for $3.
FIRST FRIDAY downtown GOES VIRTUAL on AUG. 7
First Friday Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, announced First Friday will be a virtual event again on Aug. 7 and will go live from various places in the arts district. Event runs 6-9 p.m. Folks can check Instagram TV for pre-recorded messages and activities from the community throughout the night. Items from your favorite local First Friday artists are available at the online shopping venue ffflv.org.
First Friday will be visiting Megan Linney at the Layer Lounge, a facial spa for men and women, which opened about six weeks ago on 3rd Street next to the D E Thai Kitchen restaurant. Another stop will be with Taylor Rice at the brand-new Alt Rebel, which opened about three weeks ago with a spin on fashion and consignment. Taylor has fresh ideas on recycling gently worn items which are then new to your closet.
Some galleries will be open on First Friday with social distancing being observed.
FERRARO’S PLANS EXCLUSIVE WINE DINNER
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar is holding a wine dinner on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. highlighting the Clarice Wine Company from The Santa Lucia Highlands region in California, which is the only California Pinot Noir region to receive 90 points or higher for each of the last 10 years on the “Wine Spectator” vintage chart. The Clarice Wine Company sources wine from Gary’s Vineyard and Rosella’s Vineyard, both known for their rich flavors, vibrant hues and delicious blends. Cost is $150 all-inclusive for the four-course menu and wine pairing; call 702-364-5300.
MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAM OFFERS VIRTUAL RETREATS AND WORKOUTS
Professional fitness instructors and mother/daughter duo, Tania and Alisha Molina launched The Happy Destination last year for people pursuing a healthier, more balanced lifestyle and having a passion for exploring new cultures and experiences. Given COVID-19 restrictions, the Molinas have reimagined their business to offer virtual wellness retreats and a diverse collection of on-demand workout videos for any age and ability level.
Both Molinas lead the workouts. Each is a professional fitness instructor with years of experience in their fields. Based in Las Vegas, Tania is a certified Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) health coach with more than two decades of experience as a Pilates instructor, while Alisha is a spin instructor in San Diego, Calif., who travels the country to train others and open new cycling studios.
The Happy Destination launched its collection of on-demand exercise videos this month. The video collection is accessible via a monthly subscription for $19.95 and is updated weekly to ensure variety.
THERE ARE WINNERS
Two Las Vegas locals won big while playing bingo coverall games at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder on Boulder Highway and Arizona Charlie’s Decatur on Decatur Blvd., taking home $67,047 and $10,000, respectively, on Wednesday, July 29.
On July 31, two Caesars Rewards visitors hit Mega Progressive Jackpots on Pai Gow Poker at Caesars Palace and Texas Hold-Em Bonus Poker at the Flamingo. At 12:02 a.m. the guest from California hit the Mega Progressive Jackpot for $1,982,517 on a Pai Gow Poker Table at Caesars Palace and plans to buy a house. Later in the morning, a guest from Georgia hit the Mega Progressive Royal Flush for $480,850 on Texas Hold-Em Bonus Poker. These progressive jackpots are currently linked across Caesars’ currently opened Nevada properties—making them the largest linked table network in the nation.
ARTS SCHOOL CELEBRATES JAZZ PIONEER CHARLIE PARKER
The Nevada School of the Arts (NSA), a nonprofit community-based music education school serving Las Vegas and Southern Nevada, is paying tribute to American Jazz “Be-Bop” pioneer Charlie Parker with a dinner and entertainment of the legendary “Bird With Strings” recordings, at The “VEGAS” Room in Commercial Center. The event is scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 29, which would have been Parker’s 100th birthday.
Alto saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker was instrumental in changing the face of music in New York in the 1940s. One of Bird’s dreams was to record with a string section, which was realized through “Bird With Strings.” Led by internationally recognized music director Justin DiCioccio, Parker’s legendary orchestral recordings will be brought to life by guest soloist and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, who will be accompanied by NSA “School of JAZZ@NSA” faculty, Las Vegas Philharmonic musicians and NSA students.
