BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Aug. 1, 2021
NEW SHOW AT THE STRAT WILL HIGHLIGHT ‘AGT’ FINALISTS ILUMINATE™
World-renowned performance group iLuminate™ (pronounced “i” “luminate”) will open a brand-new production show at The STRAT on Thursday, Aug. 26 in a 10 p.m. timeslot. iLuminate™ allows explosive performances utilizing customized wireless lighting programs creating extraordinary lighting effects with phenomenal choregraphed dance moves. Show schedule will be Wednesday through Monday with ticket prices beginning at $49.
Founded in 2009 by dancer and software engineer Miral Kotb, the iLuminate act was a finalist on “America’s Got Talent” and returned several times with the cast as guest artists and made other network television appearances. iLuminate has been on several international and nationwide tours, packed houses with residencies in New York, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Egypt, and taken the show to the high seas on several cruise ships.
“Getting lit through the ages” will be the premise of the show, which combines state-of- the-art technology with entertainers performing in the dark to create an incredible visual arts experience. Dancers and comedic hosts will take viewers on an exhilarating and interactive journey through several styles of dance and music.
LISA VANDERPUMP WILL OPEN SECOND VEGAS VENUE AT PARIS
Vanderpump à Paris, expected to open this winter, will be restaurateur, television star and philanthropist Lisa Vanderpump’s second Las Vegas venue. Like her highly successful first location, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden at Caesars Palace, which opened two-and-a-half years ago, Vanderpump à Paris will feature delectable dishes, unique cocktails, and a lush, elaborate atmosphere with eclectic, Parisian-inspired design details.
Vanderpump and husband Ken Todd are partnering once again with designer Nick Alain to bring their version of Paris, where they have lived for many years, to life. As guests enter, they will be transported to the “City of Light” with ornate awnings and signature light fixtures with the entryway flanked by impressive statues. The space will feature approximately 200 seats with multiple seating areas, all with plush fabrics and intricate details, as well as light fixtures and bespoke furniture from the couple’s celebrated design line Vanderpump Alain. Vanderpump à Paris will be located adjacent to the hotel’s front desk.
LÍO IBIZA WILL MAKE U.S. DEBUT AT BELLAGIO
Making its first appearance in the United States, Lío Ibiza by Pacha Group will bring its legendary cabaret from its Spanish island hideaway to Bellagio Oct. 18-31 for a special takeover of The Mayfair Supper Club. The fountain-side venue will serve as the setting where Las Vegas and Ibiza’s worlds merge for a special two-week engagement combining glamour, mischief and breathtaking performances.
Reservation requests are available via www.MayfairLio.com. After submitting requests, guests will be contacted by a Mayfair Lío representative to confirm availability and reservation details. At Lío Las Vegas, guests will dine and dance, along with becoming part of a sensory soiree.
CAESARS PALACE WORKING ON MAIN ENTRANCE RENOVATION
Caesars Palace, one of the most iconic resorts in the world, has embarked on a multimillion-dollar renovation of the original front entrance, main casino and porte-cochère to create an extravagant entryway, redesigned gaming areas and a new lobby bar. Construction is projected to be complete by New Year's Eve.
The property’s main entrance is being entirely rebuilt from the ground up. Once completed, guests will be welcomed by a dramatic and soaring dome and barreled ceiling over a stunning 15-foot-tall statue of Augustus Caesar. The project also includes two new state-of-the-art gaming pits, which will flank the enhanced entrance, a beautiful new lobby bar and a renovation of the property's legendary domed table games floor.
PANIQ ROOM OPENS FLAGSHIP LOCATION AT GRAND CANAL SHOPPES
PanIQ Room, one of the fastest growing escape room franchises in the nation, has opened its flagship location at Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian® Resort. The attraction is located on the third floor next to Spiegelworld’s “Atomic Saloon Show” on the mezzanine level and offers Sin City-goers an entertainment experience, featuring multiple next-generation escape rooms.
This is PanIQ’s first location in Nevada and one of many across the country featuring multiple technologically advanced rooms pushing the boundaries between reality and fantasy. Players are placed in a room and have 45 minutes to accomplish a mission as they search for clues, complete puzzles, crack codes, and take on other challenges.
At the Vegas location, there are seven interactive games spaces with themes. Adventure seekers can explore underwater ruins in Atlantis Rising, learn the art of magic in Wizard Trials, travel back in time in A Steampunk Story, orplay with the paranormal in The Haunted Manor.
Exclusive to the Grand Canal Shoppes location, PanIQ Room is a relaxing lounge open to players before and after games. This will be the first escape room venue to have an immersive lobby and bar area for guests to enjoy themed cocktails.
BOY BAND STARS JOIN TOGETHER FOR ‘THE AFTER PARTY’ AT VENETIAN
Iconic multi-platinum artists are joining forces to create “The After Party” at The Sands Showroom inside The Venetian® Resort Aug. 19–22. The nostalgic show will feature *NSYNC’s Joey Fatone, Backstreet Boys AJ McLean and Nick Carter, and Boyz II Men’s Wanya Morris. Fans will enjoy an evening of number-one hits and classic boy band dancing. For the first time ever, these notable artists, along with surprise guests, will come together to perform a variety of classic songs with a live band. With more than 200 million albums sold collectively, the set list will change nightly, and this group will even share some never-before-told stories from their time on the road. Tickets start at $65.
TERRY FATOR OPENS NEW SHOW AT NEW YORK-NEW YORK
Season Two “America’s Got Talent” winner from 2007, famed singer, comedian, and ventriloquist Terry Fator is following up his record-breaking Las Vegas residency at The Mirage with an all-new show, “Terry Fator: Who’s the Dummy Now?” Fator previewed the show for several weeks at the New York-New York Theater and will move into his new space at the resort’s Liberty Loft beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11. Performances will be Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $34.95 for shows through the end of 2021.
Fator’s new show will feature new songs by more than a dozen singers and he’ll take his audience on a whimsical journey of discovery learning how and why the ventriloquist created many of his beloved cast of puppets.
Fator will be joined onstage by a cast of delightful characters including everyone’s favorite Winston, the impersonating Turtle; Maynard Tompkins, the Elvis impersonator; Duggie Scott Walker, the annoying neighbor; legendary country singers and ladies’ man, Walter T. Airdale; crooning soul singer Julius; and others.
A TOUCH OF VEGAS PAST IS UP FOR AUCTION
There were a couple decades when everyone knew who the McGuire Sisters were with hit tunes like “Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight” and “Sugartime.” The last of the trio to pass was Phyllis McGuire at age 89 last Dec. 29, 2020. She was among the “Who’s Who” in Las Vegas.
Phyllis was known as the “one on the middle” of the group. She retired from performing after a 1968 appearance on the “Ed Sullivan Show.” Later the sisters reunited and continued to perform. Outliving her sisters, Phyllis spent decades in a Vegas mansion which included a large-scale replica of the Arc de Triomphe, a swan moat, a beauty parlor, and a 45-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower extending through the roof. Her 26,000-square-foot home was filled with collections of extraordinary furniture, decorative art, luxury accessories, couture and fine jewelry. Her amazing possessions will be offered Aug. 10 in Heritage Auctions’ Estate of Phyllis McGuire Signature Auction. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to McGuire’s charitable foundation.
‘SEXXY’ IS RETURNING TO WESTGATE
Jennifer Romas’ adult revue “Sexxy” opens again on Friday, Aug. 6 in the Westgate Cabaret, where the show opened in January 2015. The show’s new version will feature the only male/female dance act in a ticketed adult revue in Las Vegas with Romas teaming with her boyfriend, Rico Bozant, in the new number. Performances are 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
‘MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®’ RETURNED TO HARRAH’S
“Menopause The Musical®” recently returned to Harrah’s Cabaret Thursday, July 22, marking the musical’s historic 16th year on the Las Vegas Strip. The musical parody about women enduring the “milestone” of life has clever lyrics set to classic tunes from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. There’s no way to not laugh during this show, which leaves audiences especially ladies uplifted.
The 90-minutes performances are at 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and at 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturday. Tickets start at $64.90.
BRIAN NEWMAN RETURNS TO NOMAD WITH LATE-NIGHT SHOW
Trumpeter and singer Brian Newman will bring his late-night show “Brian Newman: After Dark,” back to NoMad Las Vegas for six performances. Newman will perform at the NoMad Library Aug. 12–14 and 19–21 with all shows scheduled to begin at 11:30 p.m. Previously serving as the bandleader for the “Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano” resident show at Park Theater, Newman designed “Brian Newman: After Dark” as an ode to vintage Las Vegas, creating a late-night rendezvous filled with great music and good friends. NoMad Library also will offer handcrafted cocktails, wine and small bites for showgoers to enjoy during performances.
RUGBY AND SOCCER AT ALLEGIANT STADIUM
World-class international rugby will make its debut at the new Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in October 2021 with the inaugural Las Vegas Rugby Cup. The USA Men’s National Rugby team, the Eagles, will host Ireland in a landmark rugby event on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. The event is expected to occur annually with Las Vegas as the host city.
Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX have announced Allegiant Stadium – home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders - and the City of Las Vegas have been awarded the 2021 and 2022 Leagues Cup Final, which is the official annual single-elimination tournament featuring clubs from MLS and Mexico’s top-flight leagues. The 2021 Leagues Cup Final will be played at Allegiant Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 22.
THE GARDEN’S BOTTOMLESS DRAG BRUNCH SERIES EXPANDS
Last weekend, Sin City’s gay bar The Garden Las Vegas’ Bottomless Drag Brunch went from two shows a week to four with featured drink specials and a stellar cast of celebrated drag queens. Bottomless brunchers can watch Vegas’ sassiest Queens steal the spotlight every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., in the heart of the ArtsDistrict. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums performing weekly include Alexis Mateo, Coco Montrese, Des’ree D. St. James with special guests.
Priced at $75 per person, the all-inclusive brunch includes a drag show featuring multiple Queens, a meal and bottomless mimosas. For an additional $45, guests can upgrade to all-you-can-drink featuring a full menu of specialty brunch cocktails and signature shots. Guests must be 21+ for this experience.
The Garden is a new concept created by nightlife empresario, Eduardo Cordova. It is an intimate and chic LGBTQ lounge bar located Downtown in the Art District. As Cordova’s first installment in creating a new LGBTQ+ neighborhood, The Garden has set the precedent for Las Vegas’ gay bar scene; his second establishment, Queen Bar, will debut later this year on Main Street and Colorado.
CIPHA SOUNDS AND SEAN PATTON VISIT COMEDY CELLAR AT RIO
Comedy Cellar at the Rio has special performances of the Monster Energy Summer Comedy Tour featuring Cipha Sounds and Sean Patton on Monday-Tuesday, Aug. 9 and 10 at 7 and 9:30 p.m. The lineup will also include Leo Flowers, Dennis Regan, Monique Marvez, Michael Yo and Rick D’ Elia. Tickets are $32 or $42.
The Comedy Cellar has a distinctive “showcase format,” featuring television-headliner comedians performing their best 15–20-minute sets. At the Rio, the renowned comedy club brings the unique vibe from the legendary, underground Greenwich Village club, including the iconic brick wall, stained glass and low-ceiling design.
FERRARO’S CELEBRATES PROSECCO AND TASTE & LEARN EVENT
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar will acknowledge National Prosecco Day on Friday, Aug. 13. With the purchase of any entrée, guests dining at Ferraro’s will receive a tasting pour of Prosecco, which is a sparkling wine produced in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia regions of Italy. It is also the most-sold sparkling wine in the United States. Prosecco is known for its “mousse,” the small layer of bubbles that rest at the top.
Ferraro’s next monthly Taste & Learn event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. Taste & Learn is Ferraro’s wine-tasting and education experience provides wine information with a menu of expertly prepared, authentic Italian small plates crafted by Chef Mimmo Ferraro. Tickets for the all-inclusive experience are $90; call 702-364-5300.
August’s event spotlights the wines of Mastroberardino, the leaders in Italian viticulture. The Mastroberardino family has been farming grapes and producing wine since the mid-eighteenth century, dating back 10 generations. They are largely responsible for the revival and elevation of Irpinian and Campanian winemaking during the post-World War II era. Their efforts ignited a resurgence in quality red and white wine production across Southern Italy.
SOCCER TEAM USA CELEBRATES GOLD CUP WIN AT DRAI’S NIGHTCLUB
Last weekend, after being declared champions at the Concacaf Gold Cup, Team USA took their winning trophy to Drai’s Beachclub • Nightclub where they were met with sparklers, flags and champagne. The Drai’s Dolls danced with signs that read “USA” and the team was invited on stage to show off the gold cup.
Legendary DJ and producer, DJ Franzen kept the energy high for the winners at his epic SunDrais experience. Pop-star Becky Gand “Ted Lasso” stars Brendan Hunt and Cristo Fernández were among the thousands in the crowd enjoying Franzen’s renowned party atmosphere.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS AT ‘FANTASY’
Eight-time Grammy Award-winning R&B superstar and Las Vegas residency headliner, Usher, enjoyed a fun and flirty date night with girlfriend, Jenn Goicoechea, when the couple watched the sexy “Fantasy” revue in the Atrium Showroom at the Luxor.
Hollywood star Jon Lovitz had some of the best seats in the house when he saw Las Vegas’ iconic female revue “Fantasy” up-close. Following the show, Lovitz showered praise on the cast, who were thrilled to meet the “Saturday Night Live” legend backstage.
“Fantasy” just named “Best Production Show” by “Las Vegas Weekly” and “Best Production Show” by the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Best of Las Vegas” awards, stars powerhouse vocalist Lorena Peril alongside a stunning cast of talented dancers.
Shows are nightly at 10:30 p.m., plus a second show at 8 p.m. every Sunday.
BINION’S CELEBRATES 70 YEARS
Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel downtown will celebrate 70 years of business in Las Vegas on Aug. 14. From Aug. 1-31 Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel, home of the historic, haunted Hotel Apache, will be running a month-long promotion tied to lucky number 7. All members of Club Binion’s can earn instant commemorative 70th Anniversary prizes just by playing on the casino floor. Additional commemorative prizes can be earned based on rated play, with a $7,000 in Free Slot Play drawing being held on the actual anniversary date Aug. 14.
