BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Aug. 15, 2021
AREA15 WILL OPEN RISE – AN ELEVATED BAR EXPERIENCE
AREA15, Las Vegas’ newest immersive art and entertainment district, has announced “RISE - An Elevated Bar Experience” is set to open this fall. Located next to Art Island in front of AREA15, the approximately seven-minute ride will lift guests 131 feet into the sky to enjoy an extraordinary, 360-degree panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip and surrounding areas, along with a beverage of their choice.
The RISE experience will begin at Oasis, a full-service bar located at the base of the tower where guests will be able to choose from a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to have aboard the ride. Visitors will then be strapped into their seat with feet dangling in the air, before ascending to the summit. RISE will feature impressive capabilities, including a 16-seat gondola rotating 360-degrees. Manufactured by Aerophile, the global leader in tethered balloon structures, RISE will be the first of its kind built in the United States.
Tickets for the family-friendly attraction will start at $12 for children at least 42-inches tall and $18 for adults. Packages will include beverages beginning at $26. Tickets will be on sale starting in the fall.
FRED SEGAL MARKET FEATURES AMAZON’S WALK OUT TECHNOLOGY
Resorts World Las Vegas, which recently opened its doors on the Strip, has revealed the first-ever store in a Las Vegas resort to utilize Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Fred Segal Market powered by checkout-free technology offers a special assortment of drinks, candy, snacks, souvenirs, and Grab & Go food items in a location adjacent to and connected with the Fred Segal Men’s shop.
Shopping at Fred Segal Market is designed to be an effortless experience. Guests simply enter the market using a credit card and the technology detects what shoppers take from or return to the shelves in the store. When guests have completed their shopping experience, they can just leave the store and their credit card will be charged for the items they took.
It is a goal by Resorts World to create the technology advanced offering throughout the complex. Fred Segal is the lifestyle brand, which has defined the LA Look and sparked a revolutionary shift in style.
JOURNEY ANNOUNCES SIX-SHOW RESIDENCY AT VIRGIN HOTELS
Legendary rock band Journey is returning to Las Vegas for a brand-new six-show residency at the Theater at Virgin Hotels, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, from Dec. 1–11. The group featuring co-founder Neal Schon (lead guitarist), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Arnel Pineda (lead vocals), Randy Jackson (bass), Narada Michael Walden (drums) and Jason Derlatka (Keyboards) will take the stage to perform their global hits including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Who’s Crying Now” and more. Tickets start at $69.50.
Since the group’s formation in 1973, the band has earned 19 top 40 singles, 25 Gold and Platinum albums, and sold nearly 100 million albums globally. Journey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
‘LEGENDS IN CONCERT’ WILL PRESENT ‘DIRECT FROM LONDON’
“Legends in Concert” is pleased to announce the Las Vegas premiere of “Direct from London.” The longest-running and most-awarded show in Las Vegas, “Legends in Concert,” will pay tribute to some of the biggest icons and luminaries in British music history including Elton John, Freddie Mercury, and George Michael performing on one stage along with celebrity guest host Frank Marino, the Strip’s longest running headliner, starring as comedic legend Joan Rivers, with four shows weekly starting Sept. 9 at the Tropicana. Performances will run Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.99.
Along with the tribute artists, “Direct From London” will feature high energy dancers, back-up vocalists, a live band, magnificent costumes, elaborate theatrical sets, special effects, and more.
ENCHANT® CHRISTMAS WILL ARRIVE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Enchant, the whimsical and heartfelt Christmas light maze and village, will bring its world of festive wonder to Las Vegas for the first time Nov. 26 through Jan. 2, 2022. Enchant will take over Las Vegas Ballpark®, transforming the venue into a winter wonderland and world of Christmas magic.
Enchant Christmas is an immersive Christmas experience, which will present “The Great Search,” a Christmas light maze within a mystical forest of millions of twinkling lights and a world of wondrous art installations. The Enchant adventure includes gliding down the Ice Skating Trail, visiting the Christmas Village where folks can sample gourmet holiday treats from around the world, wandering through the artisan Christmas market, and meeting the Big Man himself. Tickets will go on sale in September and vendor and sponsorship opportunities are available.
WOLFGANG PUCK’S SPAGO DEBUTS WEEKEND BRUNCH AT BELLAGIO
Wolfgang Puck’s culinary legacy in Las Vegas has added another chapter as the chef’s flagship Spago at Bellagio debuts its weekend lakeside brunch overlooking the resort’s famous fountains. The special dining experience features live music, bottomless mimosas and fabulous views making it a one-of-a-kind brunch destination.
Dining options highlight daytime versions of Spago’s modern market-driven menu. Spago signatures, including the Smoked Salmon Pizza, are showcases of the brunch menu, while new morning mainstays such as the Rolled French Omelet with king crab, cherry tomatoes, fine herbs and frisee salad make their Las Vegas debut.
Brunch is served Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. For reservations, call Bellagio Concierge at 702-693-7111 or visit the resort’s website.
HARVEST FESTIVAL® ART & CRAFT SHOW IS BACK
Celebrating 49 years, the family-owned and operated Harvest Festival is back this year after missing last year due to the pandemic. In addition, the Original Art & Craft Show is transitioning to a new downtown location, the Expo at World Market Center, which is conveniently connected to the facility’s covered parking structure with thousands of parking spaces. Best news, parking is free.
The marketplace features more than 24,000 handmade arts and crafts with each exhibitor subject to a rigid jury process to be selected as a featured artisan, which ensures a rich diversity and high quality of all products sold. Attendees can directly interact with the artists, watch crafting demonstrations, and get many gifts personalized.
There are special things to do at the Kids Zone including the “Make it and Take It,” where CalPortland, Las Vegas Natural History Museum and DISCOVERY Children’s Museum will be featuring hands-on activities and crafts.
Dates for Harvest Festival are Sept.10–12. Hours are 10 a.m. daily and until 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $9, $7 for seniors and military, $4 for kids 13 to 17 years of age, and free for 12 and under. You can pay one price for the entire weekend. For $ 2off general admission, attendees can bring a can of food, baby food, or formula, or paper product, which will go directly to SafeNest, a nonprofit agency aiding family members enduring a domestic crisis.
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL PRESENTS STAR LINEUP AT BROOKLYN BOWL
Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas has announced a specially curated lineup Sept. 15–18 in collaboration with Life is Beautiful running Sept. 17–19, featuring exclusive performances leading up to and throughout the festival weekend. The concert series kicks off with breakout artist Jacob Collier Sept. 15, followed by singer-songwriter Britany Howard Sept. 16, and closes out with late night 1 a.m. shows starring the critically acclaimed San Holo Sept. 17 and hip-hop icon Ludacris Sept. 18.
MGM RESORTS OPENS BUD LIGHT BEER GARDEN PRE-GAME EXPERIENCE
MGM Resorts has created the Bud Light Beer Garden tailgating experience. The new 130,000-square-foot venue is complete with interactive football challenges; BetMGM sports-betting suites; life-sized Jenga and chess; live DJ entertainment; as well as pop-up stands from MGM Resorts restaurants including Beerhaus, Diablo’s Cantina, International Smoke and Public House. The Beer Garden is positioned along Las Vegas Boulevard and Hacienda Avenue, between Mandalay Bay and Luxor.
OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE PLANS RETURN OF ‘HALLOVEEN’
HallOVeen at the Magical Forest will return this October for its eighth annual celebration benefitting Opportunity Village. The family-friendly festival was dormant last year due to COVID-19. The Halloween-themed event will again take over the 2.5-acre theme park beckoning spooky creatures of all shapes and sizes. For 2021, you’ll meet many of them as you walk through a cemetery surrounded by hundreds of “spooktacularly” decorated trees and jack-o-lanterns.
There will be rides, trick-or-treat stations, midway carnival games, and food. Dates will be Oct. 8–10, 15–17, and 22–31 and event will open at 5:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, and tickets can be purchased in advance at halloveen.com.
MOB MUSEUM DEBUTS BUGSY SIEGEL - FLAMINGO HOTEL ARTIFACTS
The Mob Museum has a new permanent exhibit titled “The Fabulous Flamingo,” showcasing artifacts related to Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel and the Flamingo Hotel. A nod to the historic date in August 1946 when Siegel received liquor and gaming licenses for the Flamingo, the permanent exhibit debuted last week on the museum’s second floor.
The exhibit’s unveiling also heralds the 75th anniversary of the Flamingo’s opening on Dec. 26, 1946.
One artifact is a two-page document, signed by Siegel and dated March 19, 1947, formally removing William R. “Billy” Wilkerson from any involvement with the Flamingo Hotel, which was three months before he was assassinated.
The second is the original check for $9,500 dated March 5, 1945, which Wilkerson wrote as a down payment to purchase the land on which the Flamingo would be built. Ultimately, Wilkerson paid $84,000 for the 33-acre parcel.
The third display encompasses five original canceled checks Wilkerson wrote to five different Las Vegas casinos to pay gambling debts he incurred during the Flamingo’s development. Wilkerson’s severe, compulsive gambling problem forced him to seek out underworld investors to finance his casino project.
The exhibit also features an original invitation to the Flamingo’s three-day grand opening from Dec. 26 to 28, 1946. This invitation is for the third opening night on Dec. 28, which focused on attracting Hollywood’s elite to visit the new resort.
These artifacts are on display alongside other objects from the early Flamingo era, including a pair of sunglasses owned by Siegel, a ceramic flamingo passed out to grand opening guests, a pistol owned by Siegel’s partner, Moe Sedway, and a colorful Flamingo slot machine.
SAM GROW IS RINGING THE NEW YEAR AT STONEY’S
Sam Grow, an American country music artist signed to the record label Average Joe’s in Nashville, will welcome the New Year headlining at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country on New Year’s Eve. As of July 2020, Grow’s current single “Song About You” has more than 7 million streams worldwide on digital streaming platforms. Since signing with the Nashville-based label in 2019, Grow has amassed 40+ million streams across all Digital Service Platforms, was named to Billboard’s coveted “7 Country Acts To Watch” list and was recently pegged by “Music Row” magazine as “On Board For Strong Bids For Future Stardom.”
COMMONWEALTH FEATURES THE MOONSHINERS
Commonwealth at 525 Fremont Street is presenting live music highlighting the specs of a modern-day speakeasy. The Moonshiners, a local Las Vegas band, are offering up a delectable dish of billboard hits with a swinging beat from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. The band has dubbed themselves “Prohibition Pop.” This radical throwback brings a fresh look at vintage musical stylings on Aug. 18 and 25.
MOB MUSEUM HOSTS ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM OF TUPAC MURDER
The Mob Museum will host a special program marking the 25th anniversary of the murder of iconic rap star Tupac Shakur on the night of Sept. 7, 1996. The event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and will include a discussion with American rapper Chuck D and three other panelists as they explore the events that led to the musician’s death, the controversies which followed and Shakur’s cultural legacy.
This special program, titled “One Night in Las Vegas: The 25th Anniversary of the Tupac Shakur Murder,” will be held in the Museum’s historic courtroom on the second floor. Shakur was shot four times while sitting in a car idling at a stoplight. He died six days later at a local hospital. Tickets are $75 and includes the opportunity to attend a meet-and-greet with all panelists prior to the program from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Museum Members receive a 10% discount. For information, call 702-229-2734 or visit online.
EXPLORE DTLV ANNOUNCES APP CONTEST TO WIN EDC TICKETS
Explore DTLV, the community-centered app and loyalty rewards program headquartered in Downtown Las Vegas (DTLV), to enter its Red Bull-fueled contest for the opportunity to win two tickets to Electric Daisy Carnival’s sold-out weekend.
Continuing now through Sept. 30, Explore DTLV invites downtown dilettantes to sip cocktails and enter a game of chance. For every Red Bull cocktail purchased at participating properties and logged through the Explore DTLV app, guests will increase their chances of winning a pair of tickets to EDC’s sold-out weekend Oct. 22–24.
Qualifying Red Bull concoctions include canned or mixed beverage purchases at go-to downtown venues like Gold Spike, Inspire, Corduroy, The Downtowner and Oak & Ivyas well as specialty craft cocktails like Downtown Terrace’s Mexican Watermelon Sucker or The Smashed Pig’s Purple Haze. Winners will be announced following the closure of the contest on Sept. 30.
CIRCA RECEIVES AAA FOUR DIAMOND RATING
Downtown Las Vegas’ newest casino-resort – Circa Resort & Casino – has received the coveted AAA Four Diamond rating within its first year of operation. Circa is currently the only location in Las Vegas’ historic downtown region with this prestigious designation. Only 6.3% of more than 27,000 AAA Inspected and Approved hotels receive this prestigious designation. Circa is part of a select group of establishments within North America. Currently, 1,722 hotels hold the AAA Four Diamond Rating. Also
Circa is Las Vegas’ first adults-only casino-resort.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT-HOUSTON TEXANS HAVE A PARTNERSHIP
Caesars Entertainment, Inc. has an agreement with the Houston Texans to become the official casino partner of the team in effect immediately before the 2021 NFL season kicks off. As part of the agreement, Caesars Rewards®, the most extensive customer loyalty program in the industry, will sponsor the free-to-play “Schedule Pick ‘Em” game, available on the Texans official mobile app. Leading up to the NFL schedule release, fans can submit their matchup predictions for a chance to win exclusive prizes such as a paid trip to a Caesars Entertainment destination property, game tickets, and more. Additionally, at each game, one Texans season ticket holder will be selected for a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, where they’ll be treated like royalty. This fun-filled fan experience will increase in value each time the Texans score.
NEON MUSEUM NEWS
Arizona Charlie’s will donate its recognizable, original casino signage from its Decatur location to The Neon Museum this summer. Arizona Charlie’s brightly lit, colorful signage, featuring the iconic figure, Charlie, measures 17-feet-long and 8-feet-tall. The sign, which stood in place since 1988 at 740 S. Decatur Blvd., will be displayed at the Neon Museum in the future. An upgraded, contemporary Arizona Charlie’s sign with a new logo has been installed as the replacement.
Binnie Tate Wilkin, the official storyteller for The Neon Museum’s “My Las Vegas” program in 2020, has been awarded the 2021 Regional Excellence ORACLE Award by the National Storytelling Network (NSN). The award recognizes the creativity, professional integrity, and artistic contributions of storytellers who have greatly enriched the storytelling culture of their region. The ORACLE Awards were founded in 1995 by NSN, and this year, only 11 recipients nationwide were recognized.
QUIK CLIPS
The 2021 Shriners Children’s Open brings the FedEx Cup to TPC Summerlin as the PGA Tour returns to the Las Vegas Valley for the 38th consecutive year in the weeklong charitable tournament. Defending champion, Martin Laird will be one of the many top golfers in the world who will participate in the competition and help support the mission of Shriners Children’s from Oct. 4–10 at TPC Summerlin.
Emporium Arcade Bar Las Vegas, the lively new bar known for its classic arcade games and colorful, art-filled ambiance, has a new draft cocktail and slushies menu. Located inside AREA15, Emporium Arcade Bar is open daily for guests 21 years or older. It is free to enter for guests who reserve a free general admission ticket to AREA15. In addition, Emporium visitors can now also access it directly through a separate entrance to AREA15, which is accessible from the parking lot on the west side of the building. Hours are Sunday–Thursday noon to 2 a.m. and Friday–Saturday noon to 3 a.m.
