BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Feb. 27, 2022
‘MAD APPLE’ WILL BE CIRQUE DU SOLEIL’S NEW VEGAS SHOW
A new evolution of Cirque du Soleil will debut a completely original and wickedly fun Las Vegas production – “Mad Apple”– at New York-New York on May 26. The show, which will feel like a party from start to finish, will be a Cirque du Soleil cocktail of music, comedy, magic, circus performers, and mayhem putting NYC nightlife under the Las Vegas lights.
“Mad Apple” will feature comedian Brad Williams, freestyle rapper Chris Turner and vocalist Xharlie Black amongst a talented cast of 39 people in what is being described as a nonstop New York thrill ride from the moment guests enter the theater. From pre-show magic and boozy libations at the stunning stage bar, to the band playing hits inspired by NYC’s most famous musicians and composers, “Mad Apple” will blur the lines between circus, live entertainment and New York nightlife culture.
“Mad Apple” is the first Cirque du Soleil production in creative collaboration with Simon Painter and Neil Dorward, the show’s co-creator and director. Painter and Dorward have created several celebrated productions including “The Illusionists.” Painter’s company The Works was purchased by Cirque in February 2019.
“Mad Apple” will highlight six brash acts with each reflecting a different nocturnal side of New York, brought to life by underground stars, high-flying acrobats, street performers, up-and-coming entertainers, and the biggest musical hits to come out of the NYC.
This show with Brad Williams will mark the first time a standup comedian will headline a Cirque du Soleil production. Once described as “Prozac with a head” by the late Robin Williams, William’s ability to make humorous observations on disability, relationships, sex and race have won over audiences.
Rapper Chris Turner is a regular at New York’s world-famous Comedy Cellar and became the first British comedian to perform on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in September 2021.
Musical director and lead vocalist Xharlie Black is a character from the mind of Eddie Cole, who inherited his velvety voice from his great-uncle Nat King Cole and cousin Natalie Cole. Cole’s alias Xharlie Black will lead a group of musicians and singers to reimagine the most iconic songs from New York’s storied music history. Cole has spent the past 10 years touring the world as drummer/vocalist and then co-musical director for the New York legend Nas.
Previews begin on May 12, with tickets starting at $49. “Mad Apple” will celebrate its premiere May 26; tickets on MadAppleLV are available for shows beginning May 27 and start at $59.
COUNTRY’S CHRIS YOUNG WILL HEADLINE AT SUNSET STATION
Multi-platinum global superstar Chris Young is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at Sunset Station’s Amphitheater on Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m. Young will kick off a summer of entertainment and special events in honor of Sunset Station’s 25th anniversary. Tickets are $40 and $80.
RCA Records Nashville entertainer has accumulated an impressive list of accomplishments, including membership in the iconic Grand Ole Opry, nearly 5 billion on-demand streams, 13 million singles sold, 12 career No. 1 singles, 22 R.I.A.A. Gold/Platinum/Multi-Platinum certified projects, six Country Music Association nominations, four Academy of Country Music nominations and two Grammy nominations, along with wins for Performance of the Year and Collaborative Video of the Year at the CMT Music Awards. These accomplishments and more landed him in the Top 20 of Billboard’s top country artists of the decade.
“Famous Friends,” – Young’s platinum-certified, multi-week chart-topping song with Kane Brown – is the title track to his most personal album to date. His duet “At The End Of A Bar” with Mitchell Tenpenny is the newest single from his 8th studio album, “Famous Friends.”
ORVILLE PECK BRINGS ‘THE BRONCO TOUR’ TO HOUSE OF BLUES
Country artist and songwriter Orville Peck is bringing “The Bronco Tour” to the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Friday, April 22 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at 30.
Peck will release his sophomore album “Bronco,” which plays upon the horse theme, on April 8. The album trailer is filled with celebrity cameos including, but not limited to, Margaret Cho and Norman Reedus. The 15-track album will be available globally via Columbia Records and be released in three installments.
Peck known for his lavish touring spent much of 2021 on the road with an extensive tour across the United States and festival performances including, but not limited to, Lollapalooza and Governor’s Ball. He also supported Harry Styles at Madison Square Garden, was the face of Beyonce’s Ivy Park Rodeo collection, appeared in a Dior campaign, performed on “Miley Cyrus Presents: Stand by You” Pride special for NBC’s Peacock, covered Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” for her reimagined album, starred in an episode of Netflix’s “This Is Pop,” and most recently had a massive sync in a pivotal scene in the season two premiere of HBO’s “Euphoria.”
ORIGINAL COMEDY ‘JEW MAN GROUP’ WILL OPEN IN JUNE
Headliner entertainer, singer, impressionist Rick Michel is co-producing and writing a new Las Vegas show “Jew Man Group,” which is expected to open in June.
According to Michel, the light-hearted musical comedy will transport audiences back to the days when the Catskill Mountain comics ruled the land. From Don Rickles, Jerry Lewis, and Mel Brooks to Billy Crystal, Adam Sandler, and Jerry Seinfeld, he feels the time is right for the best musical tribute and comical parody, celebrating the brilliance and charm of these comedians.
It will be a time to sit back, relax and grab a glass of Manischewitz wine. There will be no white tigers, no pyrotechnics, no triple jointed French Canadians – just raw talent and a camaraderie giving the audience a sense they have been given a rare opportunity to peek in on a great party.
This new original production will have a residency in Las Vegas and national touring dates. The show is looking for comedians along with comedy specialty acts, impressionists and ventriloquists, who can apply on the JewManGroup’s website.
Celtic Feis is St. Pat’s celebration at New York-New York
The Strip’s all-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Celtic Feis, will return to New York-New York on Thursday, March 17. The popular annual Irish festival on the resort’s Brooklyn Bridge beginning at 10:30 a.m., includes two parades, live entertainment, stilt walkers, leprechauns, traditional Irish Fare from Nine Fine Irishmen and much more. Tickets start at $10 per person.
Following the opening ceremonies, New York-New York executives will unveil the 2022 inductees into Nine Fine Irishmen’s famous “Wall of Fine,” recognizing people who have had a positive impact on the pub, the company and the community. Several local bands will take the stage throughout the day, including Jimmy Denning’s Celtic Nation at 3 p.m., Celtic Chaos at 8 p.m., and Sin E Ri Ra from 10 p.m. until closing. Live entertainment will continue at the Bridge through midnight.
Nine Fine Irishmen will serve authentic Irish fare including signature dishes such as shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and more.
EVEL PIE OFFERS ‘F*** PUTIN’ UKRAINIAN VODKA SHOTS
In response to the crisis in Ukraine, Evel Pie creator and managing partner Branden Powers has announced the pizza shop and bar will sell only Ukrainian-made vodka in support of Ukrainian independence, until the crisis has subsided. Last weekend, staff was directed to pour out all remaining stocks of Russian vodka.
Now the bar offers $5 ‘F*ck Putin’ shots of Ukrainian vodka, with 100% of proceeds going to support humanitarian relief in Ukraine via the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“This isn’t against the Russian people, this is solely against Putin,” said Powers. “His bully tactics have no place in a modern world.”To date, Branden Powers and Evel Pie have raised and/or given away tens of thousands of dollars to support local charities and those affected by crisis. Evel Pie is located downtown at 508 East Fremont Street.
NEW VISTA’S ‘BREW’S BEST’ CRAFT BEER FESTIVALRETURNS
New Vista’s 13th annual “Brew’s Best” Craft Beer Festival is back with an emerald-hued flair. The longest running open-air beer festival in Southern Nevada will return to Downtown Summerlin® with a ‘pitcher’ perfect afternoon benefitting New Vista, Nevada’s leading nonprofit supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
On March 19 from 2 to 6 p.m., beer buffs are invited to crack open a cold one for a cause on The Lawn at Downtown Summerlin. Attendees experience a bottomless brew tasting experience featuring more than 30 local and national breweries. Brewers will be pouring their best of over 50 styles of craft beer and select seltzers in addition to samplings of unlimited micro-brewed ales, pilsners and stouts. Sponsored by Nevada Beverage Company, proceeds from the St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebration will directly benefit members of New Vista.
In addition, guests can catch college hoop action with multiple March Madness viewing options and a variety of backyard games before sampling bites from an array of Las Vegas favorite food trucks.
General Admission tickets in advance online are $30 and $35at the door. VIP tickets $40 and $45 at the door. Each VIP ticket includes early entry to the event beginning at 1 p.m., and extra liquid libations.
VALYŌU FURNITURE OPENS FIRST MAINLAND LOCATION
Started in Hawaii, Valyōu Furniture is now expanding to the mainland for the first time with a retail store in Las Vegas at Tivoli Village, marking the brand’s third location.
The location was selected with the fact Vegas is nicknamed the ninth island of Hawaii.
With luxury items for every room of the home, the brand offers quick delivery and abundant inventory, so buyers do not experience delays in the arrival of their pieces. There are more than 10,000 items in stock from six designer brands.
After years of involvement in the furniture and home goods industry, the owners of Valyōu Furniture set out to create a single place where consumers could find high-end luxury and lifestyle brands with a niche selection of design choices, superior finishes and materials and innovation in patent design.
IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH EXHIBIT AT CRYSTALS EXTENDED
Immersive Van Gogh, the critically acclaimed art installation at The Shops at Crystals, which is adjacent to Aria, has extended the exhibit at the Lighthouse ArtSpace through May 30, 2022. This visual experience opened last September featuring the awe-inspiring works of post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh through 500,000 cubic feet of immersive projections, 60,600 frames of video and 90-million pixels. Tickets range in price from $59.99 to $99.99.
AZILO ULTRA POOL AT SAHARA OPENS THIS WEEK
Azilo Ultra Pool at the Sahara opens for its first full season on Friday, March 4.The immersive ultra pool offers an intimate poolside ambience enhanced by Moroccan décor, lush greenery and an inviting atmosphere featuring weekly entertainment and specials, a full bar with TVs, a 240-foot LED wall, cabana, daybed and lily pad packages as well as a full menu featuring an eclectic collection of summer favorites, sushi, snacks and breakfast.
Azilo Ultra Pool will be open to guests ages 21 and older daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A cover charge will be required on select dates or during special activations and holidays. Beginning April, the pool will extend operating hours to 6 p.m. and on May 1, to 7 p.m. daily.
To amp up the energy, a DJ will be featured on the open-air stage five days a week, Thursdays through Mondays, from noon to 5 p.m. In addition, daily specials and more entertainment will keep the party going every day of the week.
SOUTH POINT HOSTS 2022 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS118TH EDITION
South Point will be hosting the 2022 United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Open Championships, March 12-July 17. Over the course of 14 weeks, the tournament will bring more than 50,000 bowlers from around the world to participate in its 118th edition. South Point’s bowling plaza offers a total of 60 lanes, the latest in bowling technology and unparalleled amenities for tournament participants. The opening ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 12 at 5:45 p.m. at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
The tournament includes three divisions based on skill level: the regular division, for those who average 176 and above, the standard division for those with averages from 156-175 and the classified division, for bowlers who average 155 or below.
ARIZONA CHARLIE’S REFRESHES BINGO ROOMS AND HAS SLOT WINNER
Arizona Charlie’s with two locations at 740 S. Decatur Blvd. and 4575 Boulder Hwy. have each refreshed its bingo rooms with new chairs and tabletops and paint. Both offer expansive bingo rooms with sessions every odd hour and complimentary self-parking.
In addition, this month one lucky Las Vegas local won big at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur taking home $100,005. The winner, Frank, won a total of $92,505 while playing Charlie’s Double Progressive to earn a super-spin opportunity, where he won an additional $7,500.
THE STRAT ANNOUNCES ‘SKYJUMP FOR A CURE’ CHARITABLE EVENT
Here’s a chance to enjoy an adrenalin rush and help a cause. The STRAT will host its first “SkyJump for a Cure” charitable event, partnering with Students of the Year to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 12. Throughout the event, all proceeds will be donated directly to the charity to help reach an end goal of $50,000.
SkyJump, The STRAT’s heart-pounding, open-air leap from 829 feet above the Las Vegas Valley, holds a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial decelerator descent facility. The controlled descent reaches speeds of over 40 miles per hour.
Through Students of the Year, high school students take on innovative campaigns during a seven-week competition to raise money for cures and access to treatment for blood cancer. Note, The STRAT has free parking and valet service.
PINKBOX DOUGHNUTS® LAUNCHES ITS MARCH TREATS
Pinkbox Doughnuts’ March lineup of creations celebrate St. Patrick’s Day from March 1-17. Some of the festive fun designs include Clover, Pot O’ Gold, Irish Unicorn, Irish Diva, Leprechaun Ring, and more.
Green Machine is the Doughnut of the Month featuring a pistachio cake topped with pistachio butter cream and sprinkled with pistachio cake crumble.
QUICK CLIPS
Last weekend, NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes highlighted his whirlwind bachelor party in Las Vegas at Drai’s Nightclub on the 11th story rooftop of Cromwell. Joined by a hard-partying group of about a dozen friends, Mahomes took in a performance by multi-platinum artist Big Sean, who surprised the soon-to-be wed Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback by bringing him on stage along with his teammates, Travis Kelce and Orlando Brown Jr., at the end of his show.
Last week, a guest from Hawaii hit a more than $275,000 progressive jackpot playing IGT’s Wheel of Fortune® slots at Boyd Gaming’s Fremont Hotel and Casino downtown. The player made a $1.25 bet on a Wheel of Fortune® Bonus Spin and won the progressive jackpot totaling $275,717.
Earlier this year, another fortunate guest from Hawaii won a more than $1.1 million jackpot at the Fremont after playing a $5 spin on a Wheel of Fortune® Super Times Pay 2x 3x 4x 5x slot machine.
Jerry’s Nugget in North Las Vegas will hold its first $7,250 Bingo Big Game of the year on March 5. Play for four $1,000 coveralls and $250 payouts. Entry tickets of limited quantity are on sale for $25 and includes reserved seating, one six-on and one Bonanza pack. The Big Game is at 9 p.m., with a special warm-up session conducted at 8 p.m. paying $100 for each of the 10 games.
