Date: Aug. 30, 2020
DOWNTOWN GRAND PLANS TO FEATURE INTERACTIVE ART PROGRAM
The Downtown Grand has secured the first two artists for its new interactive art program, which will be featured throughout the resort’s new Gallery Tower and existing areas of the property: multimedia artist Camila Magrane and muralist Josef Kristofoletti.
The Gallery Tower’s art program’s centerpiece will be an extension of Magrane’s “Virtual Mutations” series, which will utilize augmented reality to create an interactive experience exclusive to certain rooms. Entitled “Transmigrations,” a custom app created by Magrane exclusively for the Downtown Grand, will allow guests to view and interact with the augmented reality features of the artwork just outside of their hotel room window. Magrane is a multimedia artist originally from Caracas, Venezuela.
Austin-based muralist Josef Kristofoletti will lend his talents to a large and colorful mural on the exterior of a Stewart Avenue-facing mechanical building, adjacent to the Gallery Tower’s porte cochere. Kristofoletti’s murals are often inspired by and meant to address ideas about nature, technology, space, and architecture. In 2018, Kristofoletti debuted a commissioned mural, “Tau Ceti,” which looms as Austin’s tallest public artwork.
Independent artists will help Downtown Grand lead the westward extension of Downtown Las Vegas’ art scene. Future additional artists and collaborators will be announced.
The Gallery Tower will redefine the intersection of 4th and Ogden with a vibrant new entrance to the hotel’s casino floor. It will add 495 new rooms to the property, bringing its total inventory to 1,124 rooms with a range of room options, including 67 studio units, 20 one-bedroom suites and three 1,500-square-feet Presidential Suites. Reservations for stays starting Sept. 22 in the new third tower are being accepted now.
ROAD TO THE MIRAGE RENAMED ‘SIEGFRIED & ROY DRIVE’
After their names magically lit up The Mirage marquee for nearly 14 years, the street leading into the resort from the Strip has been officially renamed Siegfried & Roy Drive. The street pays homage to the globally famous Masters of Illusion, who were known for their record-setting performance run at the hotel from 1990-2003.
Roy Horn died earlier this year, at age 75, due to complications from Covid-19. With Siegfried on hand, the new street name was unveiled in conjunction with the reopening of The Mirage after a five-month closure due to the global pandemic. Also reopening at the property is Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat, which features more than two dozen rare and endangered big cats and dolphins.
Complimentary self-parking is available for guests; valet parking is not operational at this time, which is the case at numerous Strip resorts when the valet service is outsourced.
CIRCUS CIRCUS HAS MADE MIDWAY PRIZE REDEMPTION OVERHAUL
Circus Circus, now privately owned by Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin, has unveiled a new prize redemption system at its family-friendly Carnival Midway. Guests playing classic midway and arcade games may use an all-new Midway Playcard to rack up ticket points, which can be redeemed for premium prizes at the newly renovated prize redemption center.
The Midway Playcard, which can be obtained and loaded at on-site Playcard kiosks, is a cashless way for guests to play midway and arcade classics such as Roll-A-Ball Race, Balloon Bust, Skee-Ball and Air Hockey. The Playcard can be recharged with additional credits at any time. Midway hours of operation are Sunday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
PINKBOX DOUGHNUTS® SPREADS PEACE, LOVE, BACON IN SEPTEMBER
Pinkbox Doughnuts, just named “All-Time Best Doughnuts” by local publication “Las Vegas Weekly,” will introduce the “Chocolate German” as September’s “Doughnut of the Month,” highlight bacon-inspired doughnuts in honor of International Bacon Day on Saturday, Sept. 5, feature patriotic-themed treats to celebrate Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7, and have a festive doughnut for International Day of Peace Monday, Sept. 21.
There will be two crispy treats available for bacon lovers. The “Porky” is a maple frosted raised bar topped with bacon, and the “Porky Face DoughCro” a maple frosted confection, which is half croissant and half doughnut, topped with bacon.
There will be lots of red, white, and blue colorful doughnuts for Labor Day with seven special creations being offered.
To celebrate the International Day of Peace on Monday, Sept. 21, Pinkbox will highlight a peace-themed doughnut. A glazed raised doughnut in the shape of a “V” sign, the “Peace.”
Pinkbox, where the mantra is “Spreading Smiles®,” is open 24 hours a day, every day, at all three of its doughnut shops in the Las Vegas Valley, including: 9435 W. Tropicana Ave., 7531 W. Lake Mead Blvd. and 10251 S. Eastern Ave. in Henderson.
LAWRY'S PRIME RIB PARTNERS WITH THREE SQUARE FOOD BANK
During the month of September, Lawry’s The Prime Rib at 4043 Howard Hughes Pkwy close to the Strip is teaming up with Three Square Food Bank to benefit their mission to provide wholesome food to hungry people in the community.
For each $10 donation to Three Square, up to $50, VIP Rewards guests will receive a $25 bonus reward on their loyalty account to use the next time they dine at any Lawry’s restaurants. Non-loyalty members will receive $25 rewards should they donate a minimum of $10 and sign up for the VIP Rewards program. For the first time, guests will also be able to donate to Three Square when placing take-out orders online.
With unemployment at an all-time high and children not returning to classrooms due to the Coronavirus, Three Square estimates more than 447,000 Southern Nevadans, including approximately 171,000 children, will experience food insecurity this year.
BELLAGIO AND ARIA OFFER NEW WORK-FROM-VEGAS PACKAGE
With millions of employees working from home for the foreseeable future, MGM Resorts International is unveiling a change of scenery package with “Viva Las Office,” a home-away-from-the-home office experience at Bellagio and Aria.
With three tiered packages, “Viva Las Office” offers elevated amenities and benefits for a working traveler’s needs. There are three-, four- or five-night stay packages for guests to fully maximize their workdays with flexible check-in and check-out times and a dedicated Executive Assistant for handling reservations and experiences. Visitors can take advantage of a daily food and beverage credit and a discount to activities around the city including helicopter and jeep tours. “Viva Las Office” requires a three-night stay minimum with packages starting at $100 per night. Options are The Associate, The Manager and The Executive. Note, four-legged coworkers are welcome.
Guests who book any of the “Viva Las Office” packages will receive special access to discounted airfare through JSX, the revolutionary hop-on jet service. JSX currently serves six destinations daily from Burbank, Orange County, Oakland, East Bay/Napa/Concord, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
CRAFTHAUS ROCKS THE HAUS WITH VIRTUAL BASH
CraftHaus Brewery is celebrating its sixth anniversary with a virtual rockin’ party with music, food and special brews starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Local rock trio, The Dirty Hooks, will perform throughout the two-hour party, hosted by X 107.5’s Dave and Mahoney. Owners Wyndee and Dave Forrest, as well as the CraftHaus brewers, will join in virtually between jams to chat more about the anniversary beer tasting kit. Available on EventBrite for $30, the kit comes with five beers, including three new releases: “All The Grapefruit” – a new fruited sour 16-ounce can; “Cuckoo” – a Munich Dunkel Lager 16-ounce can; the recently released “Electro-Lite” – a low calorie IPA with electrolytes 12-ounce can; “HausFest” – a new cedar-plank-aged German fest beer 16-ounce can; and “Hop Shredder” – a new double West Coast IPA 16-ounce can.
A custom designed CraftHaus bandana, 16-ounce logo glass, sticker and collector’s anniversary button will also be in the kit, while add-ons such as spent grain pretzels with whole grain mustard and beer cheese, and additional merchandise from their collection will be available for purchase. Kits and add-ons may be picked up at both the Henderson and Arts District locations Monday-Thursday, Sep. 14-17, 4-10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, noon-11 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 19, noon-3 p.m.
In addition to the six-year anniversary bash, CraftHaus will celebrate the newest addition to the brand – CraftHaus Arts District. Ringing in its first anniversary, CraftHaus Arts District will partner with soon-to-open neighbor Main St. Provisions to host an intimate three-course dinner and beer pairing on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Limited tickets are available on their website for $55.
ONE DRUNK PUPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY WINE TASTING GOES VIRTUAL
The Silverton Casino and “Las Vegas Weekly” are bringing the 10th Annual One Drunk Puppy fundraiser to save puppies with a virtual wine tasting event featuring host Travis Cloer on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 6-7 p.m.
Reserved Tasting Kits may be picked up the week of the event at silvertoncasino.com for $25. Tasting Kits include: Silverton Casino Insulated Tote; Five Single Serving Wine Bottles; Silicone Wine Glass; Drawing Ticket; and LV Weekly Giving Guide. There will be an option to purchase an additional Wine Wall ticket for $20 when you pick up your Tasting Kit for the opportunity to take home a bottle of wine valued up to $100.
Then, participants log into Silverton Casino’s Facebook Live broadcast on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. to be guided through five individual wines by knowledgeable sommeliers. Get up close and personal with animals that are currently available for adoption at The Animal Foundation, in addition to a drawing featuring a variety of prizes from coveted items to experiences.
ALS ASSOCIATION HOSTS ANNUAL FOOD IS ART EVENT VIRTUALLY
The ALS Association Nevada Chapter, a nonprofit organization serving folks with ALS throughout Nevada since 2004, has converted its annual dine-around event into a “dine-in” evening featuring entertainment, celebrated dishes and signature cocktails at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26.
This year’s event will honor members of the ALS multidisciplinary team, made up of neurologists Dr. David Ginsburg from Roseman University and Dr. Jon McKinnon from Las Vegas Clinic, along with other clinicians who provide services to those with ALS at ALS Clinics in Las Vegas. Bryce Krausman, owner of local eatery DW Bistro, will serve as the event’s emcee.
Participants have the choice of preferred experience by purchasing packages which include essential items for an at-home gala such as ALS’ signature drink, elevated appetizers, sommelier-selected wine and centerpiece flowers. Guests receive access to all recipes and video instruction for the dishes and drink preparations.
Package sizes range from two to 10 and add-ons including caviar are available. The grand package will include a chef to the guest’s home to create and serve six different hors d’oeuvres, a cheese board, ingredients to create the evening’s signature cocktail, plus two other cocktails, one bottle of champagne, four bottles of wine, two flower arrangements, and dessert.
Leading up to the event, anyone may participate in the Food is Art virtual silent auction at bidpal.com/FIA2020 beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 23 and ending at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27.
In 2019, Food is Art raised more than $200,000. Ticket prices start at $100 and are available for purchase on Food is Art – ALS website.
THE VINYL SAY WITH RASAR AMANI RETURNS
Front man of Las Vegas’ own The Lique, Rasar Amani, brings music history and performance back with the return of The Vinyl Say - a Virtual Pop Up on Instagram Live from The Writer’s Block at The Lucy on Sunday, Sept. 13 from 6–7:30 p.m. Previously a monthly live event, The Vinyl Say returns in a virtual format as industry veteran and renowned hip hop chronicler Amani continues to explore some of the most transformative albums of yesterday and today through reviews, hot takes, Q&A’s, and special performances with Las Vegas’ most conscience musicians.
A collision between music, history, and artistry, for this special event Amani will commemorate the anniversary of 2Pac’s death with a deep dive into the iconic and timely album “Me Against the World.”
MOBILE DRIVE-IN MOVIE SERIES OFFERS FREE SCREENINGS
Clark County Parks and Recreation has partnered with TruVision Cinema to present the Mobile Drive-In Movie Series. Families can enjoy free movies throughout September on Friday nights at various community parking lots in the Las Vegas valley. Admission is free to the public with space based on availability on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 6 p.m., movies start at 7:45 p.m.
Parking lots are limited to every other space for proper social distancing. Chairs are allowed but must be within the vehicle’s designated area. Guests are required to wear face coverings and follow social distancing guidelines outside of their cars.
Movies and locations are: Sept. 4 – “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” at Desert Breeze Community Center (8275 Spring Mountain Rd.); Sept. 11 – “Sing” Winchester Dondero Cultural Center (3130 McLeod Dr.); Sept. 18 – “Onward” at Hollywood Recreation Center (1650 S. Hollywood Blvd.); and Sept. 25 – Movie TBD at Walnut Community Center (3075 N. Walnut Rd.).
