BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Nov. 14, 2021
BLAKE SHELTON’S OLE RED WILL OPEN AT BALLY’S ON THE STRIP
Country music superstar and coach on “The Voice” Blake Shelton with Ryman Hospitality Properties will open Ole Red Las Vegas in front of Bally’s in 2023. The bar, restaurant and live music venue with four locations in Tennessee, Oklahoma and Florida will expand with a four-story building as part of Bally’s Grand Bazaar Shops outdoor promenade area. This will be the company’s biggest honky-tonk venue to date.
The $30 million venue plans for 686 seats, a main dining room and two floors overlooking a central stage for daily concerts. The 4,500-square-foot rooftop will also offer music, food, and beverage with views of the city.
Ryman Hospitality, which also operates the Grand Ole Opry, plans to open an Ole Red at the Nashville International Airport in the first half of 2022.
Shelton last performed in Las Vegas at the ACM Awards at MGM Grand in 2019. He married Gwen Stefani in July this year in Oklahoma and has been a frequent guest at Stefani’s recently concluded residency show at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood.
JONAS FAMILY’S NELLIE’S SOUTHERN KITCHEN PLANNED FOR MGM GRAND
Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, a Jonas family experience, will make its Las Vegas debut at MGM Grand in early 2022. Helmed by Denise and Kevin Jonas, Sr., their famous Jonas Brothers sons Kevin II, Joe and Nick, and Franklin – in partnership with TLI Bedrock LLC, a New York City-based investment firm. Nellie’s will celebrate the comfort food, hospitality and Southern charm of the family’s 1760s North Carolina roots. The MGM Grand location will mark the second venture for the concept.
The 11,000-square-foot-restaurant will be situated in The District opposite the MGM Grand Garden Arena and pay homage to Kevin, Sr.’s grandmother, Nellie, who lived in Belmont, N.C., until she passed in 2011. The restaurant design will be modern and elegant with a folkloric texture contributing to an atmosphere of polished casual dining. Unique furnishings and decor, created and crafted exclusively for Nellie’s, will impart richness and depth with whimsical nods to Nellie and the Jonas family’s passion for music and hospitality.
The Jonas family has held ties to the city and MGM Resorts International over the years, including Jonas Brothers concerts held at MGM Grand Garden Arena as well as sister properties, Park MGM and Mandalay Bay.
CRISS ANGEL, FRANCO DRAGONE CREATE ‘AMYSTIKA’
Separately Criss Angel and Franco Dragone have each revolutionized entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip. Now Angel and Dragone have teamed up to create “AMYSTIKA – The Secret Revealed,” a production which immerses the audience in a spectacle of euphoric, stunning illusions, one-of-a-kind special effects, jaw-dropping stunts and much more. Criss Angel’s Theater comes alive in an immersive, interactive spectacle rewinding time to the days before the magician was the Mindfreak.
“AMYSTIKA” conjures the fantastical and the mysterious and unleashes a visual feast of hope and triumph, proving that anything is possible when you believe in your dreams. This euphoric, enigmatic world pushes the boundaries of reality as a real firestorm ignites and engulfs a human body, a tornado rages through the theater, and a blizzard of snow falls so heavy it challenges the audience to see their own hands.
“AMYSTIKA” will begin preview performances Dec. 27 with opening night to be announced at Planet Hollywood and will perform Wednesday through Sunday at 10 p.m.
THE MOB MUSEUM WELCOMED 3 MILLIONTH VISITOR
This week, The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, welcomed its 3 millionth visitor. The notable occasion occurred on Kefauver Day, one of the Museum’s annual free admission days for Nevada residents commemorating the U.S. Senate investigative hearing into organized crime that took place in the Museum’s courtroom on Nov. 15, 1950.
The 3 millionth guest, Olendruff Timberlake, of Las Vegas, received a prize package, including: lifetime admission; rare replica of the Museum; a two-night stay at the Golden Nugget with food-beverage credit; and more.
The Mob Museum has had many noteworthy accomplishments including earning accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded U.S. museums. A few more highlights include acquiring more than 2,000 artifacts since opening, receiving approximately100 awards and accolades, and signing up 1,978 Museum Members.
TERRY FATOR EMBODIES HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH ‘A VERY TERRY CHRISTMAS’
A popular holiday tradition is returning to the Strip this year with “A Very Terry Christmas,” a special holiday-themed show from famed singer, comedian, ventriloquist and “America’s Got Talent” winner Terry Fator appearing at the Liberty Loft inside New York-New York. “A Very Terry Christmas” will perform select dates from Friday, Nov. 26 through Saturday, Jan. 1 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $34.95.
His holiday themed shows kick off Nov. 26 with Fator and his cast of characters performing Christmas classics as well as original songs he wrote. Audiences can expect appearances from Winston, the Impersonating Turtle; Maynard Tompkins, the Elvis impersonator; Duggie Scott Walker, the annoying neighbor; crooning soul singer Julius; Vikki “The Cougar;” and Emma Taylor, the little girl with the big voice.
Fator became a household name when he won Season Two of “America’s Got Talent,” which showcased his unique brand of entertainment which combines singing, comedy and unparalleled celebrity impressions. His AGT win eventually led to his record-breaking 11-year run at The Mirage.
DISNEY ON ICE WILL PRESENT ‘DREAM BIG’ AT THOMAS & MACK
Disney On Ice will bring its “Dream Big” production to Nevada to ring in the New Year playing seven performances at the Thomas & Mack Center Jan. 6–9, 2022. “Dream Big” features Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie, and more highlighting all the adventure of Disney’s tales through world-class figure skating.
Guests looking to purchase Disney On Ice souvenirs will find the process easier with a new contactless shopping experience with touch-free payment and digital purchasing options. Guests can pre-order items prior to arriving at the venue and pick up their purchases at a convenient, contactless pickup station during the show.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Jan. 6 and 7; at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8; and 1 and5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9.
INDIE POP TRIO AJR WILL HEADLINE THE CHELSEA IN JUNE 2022
The Cosmopolitan will welcome multiplatinum indie pop trio AJR to The Chelsea on Friday, June 24 as a stop on their OK ORCHESTRA Tour. Tickets start at $49.
AJR recently released a quirky and infectious new single, “Record Player,” with indie pop trio Daisy the Great. Incorporating the hook from Daisy the Great’s 2017 release “The Record Player Song,” the new track is a hook-laden jam about finding identity and the growing pains of early adulthood.
“Record Player” followed AJR’s “Way Less Sad,” which generated more than 120 million total streams, spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 2 at Alternative radio, Top 20 at Pop radio and Top 10 at Adult Pop radio. The group performed a medley of it with their 3x platinum hit “BANG!” at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. They also took home their first-ever Billboard Music Award for Top Rock Song with “BANG!” at the show.
Both “Way Less Sad” and “BANG!” are featured on the group’s acclaimed new album “OK ORCHESTRA,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Alternative and Rock albums charts and claimed the #10 spot on the Billboard 200.
CHRISTMAS ATTRACTION ENCHANT SUPPORTS ‘KNIGHT OF GIVING’
Enchant is an immersive Christmas Light Maze and Village creating magical memories for the whole family through a stadium-size live event and virtual experience being held at Las Vegas Ballpark, Nov. 26-Jan. 2. The full experience includes the Ice Skating Trail, sampling gourmet holiday treats, an artisan Christmas market and meeting Santa before engaging in the light maze.
Enchant is open Fridays and Saturdays 4:30-11:30 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday 4:30-10:30 p.m. Enchant will be dark on Mondays, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Adult tickets start at $20.
Enchant is partnering with the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team and the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, which supports multiple local nonprofits and organizations, to host a special “Knight of Giving” on Monday, Dec. 13. There will be special appearances from the Vegas Vivas! Cheer team, mascot Chance, and VGK activations throughout the holiday village. Tickets for this fundraiser start at $29 for adults and $19 for children 2 through 12.
SARAH HESTER ROSS CLOSES HER SHOW AT NOTORIETY
Sarah Hester Ross holds her final performance of her resident production at Notoriety Live at Neonopolis this week. Hester Ross began her originally planned month-long production, “Sarah Hester Ross LIVE: Music & Comedy” at Notoriety Live on Thursday, Sept. 2. After only three performances, the show was extended at the downtown venue through November.
The viral TikTok star, who was featured on “America’s Got Talent” and “The Dr. Demento Show,” also performs at Bar at Times Square at New York-New York, in the top-rated dueling piano show in Las Vegas.
Hester Ross recently released a self-written single, “Don’t Be a Ball Sack,” as well as a comedy album, “It’s All a Joke.” She has been a featured performer at L.A. Comedy Club's Dragon Room, Four Funny F:-)ckers, Laugh Factory and many other acclaimed venues.
Hester Ross has performed in “Raiding the Rock Vault” and “The D*Word: A Musical,” and has musically directed and written for “Spoofical the Musical,” “Worst Show in Vegas” and produced and starred in “Pianos to the Death Game Show” in Orlando and Las Vegas.
CITY OF LAS VEGAS HOSTS 2021 TAMALE & MARIACHI FESTIVAL
This year’s Tamale & Mariachi Festival will be held on Saturday, Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Centennial Plaza at The Historic Fifth Street School at 401 S. Fourth Street. The celebration of family, culture and holiday traditions will offer the community an abundance of tamale varieties from all over Latin America. Festival admission is free and open to the public while a variety of vendors will sell refreshments.
The festival will feature live mariachi music, folklorico dance, Mexican antojitos, and a host of artisan vendors. The three-time Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos will bring their solid-gold Mexican sound to entertain. The acclaimed group has appeared at the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and other major U.S. venues.
STING VISITED ‘OPIUM’ SHOW AT THE COSMOPOLITAN
Recently global music legend Sting was spotted attending the “OPIUM” show at The Cosmopolitan. Enjoying a night out on the town during his Las Vegas residency, the 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist was seen taking in the space odyssey with antics and later went backstage after the show for a photo with the raucous crew of the Starship OPM 73.
Sting and his group had a fun time at the show and then dined at Spiegelworld’s new psychedelic restaurant, Superfrico, where they enjoyed Italian-American cuisine in the Ski Lodge.
PT’S EXPRESS AT ARIZONA CHARLIE’S GAME-TIME SPECIALS
Arizona Charlie’s properties at 740 S. Decatur Blvd. and 4575 Boulder Highway offer fans game-time food and drink specials to accompany rooting for their favorite team at PT’s Express, available all-day Thursday through Sunday.
Game-time specials at PT’s Express include Nathan’s hot dogs $4; loaded chili cheese dogs $5; sliders game pack $10 for three, $19 for six, and $25 for nine; and the ultimate game time pack, which includes a 12-piece bucket of chicken tenders, fries and four domestic bottled beers $35.
Additionally, during all college, NFL and VGK games, all Arizona Charlie’s casino bars will offer bud light drafts, priced at $2.
BORRACHA MEXICAN CANTINA WILL CELEBRATE FRIENDSGIVING
Borracha Mexican Cantina at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, which features a Dia de los Muertos-inspired setting, will offer all-you-can-drink Casamigos tequila and margaritas priced at $25 to celebrate Friendsgiving on Wednesday, Nov. 24 from 4–10 p.m. A live DJ will be playing after 7 p.m. to set the lively “Feliz Friendsgiving” atmosphere.
BIRTHDAY AND MUSIC ACTION AT DRAI’S NIGHTCLUB
Fresh off her epic performance at Day N Vegas, megastar and headline maker Doja Cat surprised fans at Drai’s Nightclub when she showed up to cheer on superstar artist French Montana during his birthday performance. Montana, a Drai’s LIVE resident performer, will release a collaboration with Doja Cat on his fourth album, “They Got Amnesia,” which is expected to drop later this week.
Drai’s celebrated Montana’s birthday with a personalized cake, oversized cutouts of his face, sparklers, and more presented by the Drai’s Dolls. Montana, who turned 37, took the stage around 2 a.m. to perform fan-favorite hits like “No Stylist” and “Unforgettable,” as well as one of his newest hit singles, “FWMGAB.”
Drai’s was the site of a second birthday celebration for acclaimed actress, Zoey Deutch. The stunning actress, most recently seen in Netflix movie, “Set It Up,” and popular Netflix series, “The Politician,” was joined by a group of friends to celebrate her 27th birthday.
HARRAH’S PLAYER WON $1.39 MILLION MEGA PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT
Last weekend, a Caesars Rewards member hit a Mega Progressive Jackpot on Face Up Pai Gow for $1,393,273 at Harrah’s. Quoclong Pham, a professional player from Vancouver, Wash., was in town on business and vacation. After sitting down to play at a Face Up Pai Gow table, Pham opened his hand and in disbelief became a millionaire with a Seven Card Straight Flush with a joker. Pham had never hit a jackpot of this size before.
QUICK CLIPS
Last Friday Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar kicked off his final weekend of sold-out performances in 2021 at The STRAT with Grammy winner, Rick Springfield. The crowd erupted as Springfield joined The Wabos on stage to perform Springfield’s iconic hit, “Jessie’s Girl.”
Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will offer Black Friday shoppers a 10% discount on breakfast, available exclusively on Friday, Nov. 26. With a receipt from any store inside Miracle Mile Shops, holiday shoppers will enjoy a variety of breakfast selections at a discount.
Following over two years without live-action play, the legendary 52nd annual World Series of Poker Main Event attracted 6,650 players from around the world to the Rio for the return of the in-person action. The Main Event brings big winnings with each player making the final table guaranteed at least $1 million and the first-place world champion walking away with $8 million.