BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: March 27, 2022
MIRACLE MILE SHOPS WILL UNDERGO EXTENSIVE RENOVATIONS
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will begin an extensive interior and exterior transformation complete with elevated finishes, upgraded technology and digital design elements. New entertainment features will include exterior and interior immersive light, sound, and video experiences. There will also be new and upgraded restaurant zones. The premier mixed-use project will remain open during construction, which is set to begin in winter of 2022 and be completed in spring of 2023.
The revitalized interior will include new flooring, lighting, ceilings, seating and a sound system. The popular rainstorm feature will also be enhanced. Miracle Mile Shops will in several interior locations feature all-new projection mapping spectacles which will captivate imaginations. The center’s restaurant zones will be entirely redesigned to allow guests to relax and recharge with a variety of food and beverage options. Further enhancing the center’s overall atmosphere, the renovation will include a redesign to Miracle Mile Shops’ exterior entrances on the Strip and Harmon Avenue. Guests will be greeted by all new state of the art LED digital screens and signage.
The 500,000-square-foot shopping center opened in 2000. Miracle Mile Shops will remain open Sunday–Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. and Friday–Saturday10 a.m.–10 p.m.
NACHO DADDY HENDERSON IS OPEN
Vegas-born Nacho Daddy has returned to the area where the business started in 2010, which is in Henderson. Originally on S. Eastern, the new location is a stone’s throw away in the expanding area at 3561 St. Rose Pkwy. The sixth official location built from the ground up will now be the company’s prototype.
Like the other locations, the new Henderson restaurant serves traditional Mexican American cuisine including a variety of creative nachos and specialty cocktails made famous in Vegas and featured on The Food Network, “Food Paradise” on Travel Channel and Animal Planet’s “Tanked.” The 4,500-square-foot restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating with a garage door-style patio, 14 high-def televisions for optimal sports viewing, neon art installations and a scorpion tank perfect for Instagrammable moments, and an open floor plan and kitchen where guests will be able to watch the chefs prepare menu favorites.
Among the restaurant’s signature items is the Nacho Daddy Triple Dip featuring warm tortilla chips with spicy salsa, signature skillet queso dip and fresh guacamole. The expansive menu includes vegetarian and vegan selections with meatless and dairy-free twists on popular items. Nacho Daddy also serves its award-winning Daddy’s Margarita and the world-famous Scorpion Shot.
CHEAPSHOT OPENS ON FREMONT WITH ‘MISS BEHAVE’S MAVERICKS’
Cheapshot, dubbed the smallest showroom in Las Vegas, opens on East Fremont on April 1. Right next door is a dance club, We All Scream, which was formerly the Beauty Bar space.
The venue debuts with “Miss Behave’s Mavericks,” a 90-minute, high-speed cornucopia of comedy, burlesque, circus, singing and more. If the name “Miss Behave” sounds familiar, it’s because prior to the pandemic the “Miss Behave Game Show” was at Bally’s. The show stars Amy Saunders, who is British, subversive and a self-taught sword swallower.
FAMOUS GOSPEL BRUNCH RETURNS TO HOUSE OF BLUES
Beginning this coming Easter, Sunday, April 17, the World-Famous Gospel Brunch at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay will rise again at the resort for the first time since March of 2020. Guests will be able to enjoy all-you-can-eat down-home Southern cooking while rejoicing with the triumphant return of Patti Pennington and the House of Blues Gospel Choir. Tickets, which are online at HouseofBlues.com andLiveNation.com, are $54.50 for adults and $27.50 for children three–11.
Easter brunch will have two seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Kids will receive a special holiday gift when they arrive at their seat – complete with Easter eggs filled with prizes and sweet treats, while the adults can vie for raffle prizes including tickets to upcoming events and performances at the House of Blues Las Vegas.
Additional Gospel Brunch dates include May 15, June 19 (Father’s Day), July 3, Aug. 7, and Sept. 11 with all seatings at 10 a.m. The all-you-can-eat Gospel Brunch is a non-denominational, immersive celebration of gospel music.
KILLER QUEEN, A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN, WILL VISIT M RESORT
Killer Queen, a tribute to Queen, will perform at the M Resort inside the Pavilion on Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m. The longest established worldwide Queen tribute direct from the UK, Killer Queen will perform songs originally made famous by Freddie Mercury and Queen with lead singer Patrick Myers as Freddie. Tickets start at $25; visit Ticketmaster.
Killer Queen formed back in June 1993. Their first public shows were at London University, following in the footsteps of the real Queen who had played their first shows there 21 years earlier. In 1999 Killer Queen won the award for “Worldwide Best Tribute Band.” The band also scored a No. 1 hit when they were asked to recreate Queen's harmonies for “The Real Life” with Fatboy Slim in 2001.
In 2016 Killer Queen set their sights on America including the awe-inspiring Red Rocks Arena in Colorado – one of US’ most prestigious venues where The Beatles, Springsteen and U2 have all played.
COLLECTIVE SOUL - SWITCHFOOT HEADLINE SUNSET AMPHITHEATER
Multi-platinum rockers Collective Soul and Switchfoot are returning to Las Vegas for a performance at Sunset Station on Friday, Aug. 26 as part of a summer-long lineup of entertainment and special events honoring Sunset Station’s 25th anniversary. Performing under the stars at the Sunset Amphitheater, tickets start at $35.
Collective Soul leapt into the national consciousness with the unbridled achievements of their multi-platinum 1993 debut “Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid,” a career-making debut album containing such mega-smash hits as “Shine” and “Breathe.” Hints Allegations cemented Collective Soul’s status as the jukebox heroes of a new generation. Thanks to the warm reception of their acclaimed 2019 album release “Blood,” Collective Soul are galvanized to add fresh material into their live sets.
Switchfoot has sold almost 10 million copies worldwide of their 11 studio albums including their 2003 double-platinum breakthrough “The Beautiful Letdown” and 2009 Grammy Award-winning “Hello Hurricane.”
MGM RESORTS REVEALS NEW ART ACQUISITIONS
MGM Resorts is displaying new acquisitions for its public fine art collection as it reshapes and contemporizes its offerings with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Acquired works by Rashid Johnson, Sanford Biggers, Derrick Adams, Ghada Amer, Jonathan Lyndon Chase, Tomás Essonand Svenja Deiningerare among the new talents now showcased alongside existing works by artists such as Sam Gilliam, Lorna Simpson, Nick Cave, Jenny Holzer and Nancy Rubins throughout MGM Resorts’ properties.
Sanford Biggers is one of the new artists. Last summer, Biggers’ largest work to date - his monumental bronze sculpture, Oracle - was on display at Rockefeller Center. Oracle builds on Biggers’ Chimera series, which combines African masks and European figures to shed light on how Greco-Roman and African sculpture have been transformed over time to reinforce often misunderstood perspectives on culture and aesthetics. Oracle is a seated body reminiscent of the Temple of Zeus featuring a head inspired by masks and sculptures from African cultures.
MGM Resorts acquired a smaller-scale bronze sculpture of Oracle (2021) which has been installed at ARIA, near the resort’s self-parking entrance.
WHITNEY HOLOGRAM CONCERT SCHEDULES DATES THROUGH 2022
Following a successful North America debut at Harrah’s, “An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert” is now selling tickets for additional dates through 2022. Tickets start at $49. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on select performance days in Harrah’s Showroom.
The state-of-the-art holographic production takes audiences through an intimate evening filled with back-to-back chart-smashing hits from one of the world’s most influential entertainers complete with cinematic special effects, a stellar live band and high-energy dancers. Throughout the 75-minute production, showgoers are immersed in never-before-released live vocal tracks and digitally remastered arrangements from Whitney Houston’s musical catalogue.
BLANCO BROWN - DJ BRANDI CYRUS SET TO ROCK ÉLIA BEACH CLUB
Multi-platinum certified phenomenon Blanco Brown and DJ Brandi Cyrus have been added to the artist lineup at Élia Beach Club located at Virgin Hotels, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, and are set to get down with the crowd on Sunday, April 10. Élia Beach Club is open Friday–Sunday starting at 11 a.m.
Fresh off his performance at the 2022 ACM Awards at Allegiant Stadium and singing the U.S. national anthem at the 2022 NHL All-Star Game at T-Mobile Arena, “Trap Trailer” artist Brown has risen up the ranks as a Grammy-nominated engineer who has worked with big name talent including Fergie, Childish Gambino, Kane Brown and Chris Brown. His viral hit “The Git Up” took the world by storm, claiming the top spot in charts across the globe and claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 12 weeks. “The Git Up” was the top-selling digital country song in the US for 13 weeks, resulting in Billboard naming Blanco Brown as their Top New Country Artist for 2019.
Brown will be joined by world-class DJ Brandi Cyrus, who has performed at events for Sundance Film Festival, Super Bowl LII and SXSW.
LAS VEGAS CELTIC FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES IS BACK
After two years of weathering the pandemic, the annual Celtic Festival is returning for the 16th annual Las Vegas Celtic Festival & Highland Games on April 9 and 10 at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs. The two-day event features food, music, athletics, bagpipe and highland dance competitions, vendors, children’s games, and more.
On the main stage will be the return of tribal Celtic favorites The Wicked Tinkers, Southern California legends The Ploughboys as well as local Irish hometown ladies, Killian's Angels.
Other festival highlights include free children’s glen, traditional food vendors, and Scottish heavy athletics competitions such as the caber toss and stone throw. A genealogy researcher will trace attendees’ heritage to their clan.
The Highland Games is also a food drive for Las Vegas’ SafeNest shelter, and attendees receive $1 off their admission ticket by bringing a non-perishable food item. The 2019 drive stocked SafeNest’s shelves for six months.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors over 60 and military, and $5 for children 5-12. Kids under five-years-old are free. The Las Vegas Celtic Society is a nonprofit.
TACOS AND TAMALES FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DESERT BREEZE PARK
Tacos & Tamales, a Clark County Parks & Recreation culinary food and libation experience, will be held at Desert Breeze Park on Saturday, April 30 from noon to 8 p.m.
The foodie-friendly event will spark imagination with taco and tamale creations ranging from the traditional to the insane, including vegan-friendly options - all from local vendors. The experience will go to the next level with margarita, tequila, and craft beer tastings featuring brands from all over the world, which will require a separate ticket. There will also be entertainment for the whole family, featuring Lucha Libre Wrestling, local and international musical performances, art area, live painting, plus carnival games and activities for the kids.
Admission is $5 for ages 12-59 for tickets purchased online or $10 at the door (no cash accepted). Ages 11 or under and 60-plus will be free, but admission tickets will be required to enter. Tickets are available on the tacosandtamaleslv website.
NOMAD BAR OPENS WEEKEND BRUNCH
NoMad Bar starts a new culinary experience featuring live music, shareable cocktails, and decadent brunch cuisine prepared in a posh and intimate environment. Brunch at NoMad Bar, conveniently located steps from the Park MGM and NoMad valet entrances, is available Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Guests may enjoy brunch in the main dining room or al fresco on the adjacent patio while enjoying live music from a rotating list of artists, including multi-instrumentalist Daniel Park.
SOUTH POINT BREAKS GROUND ON LVMPD K-9 OPERATIONS CENTER
Last week, South Point broke ground on the new Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department K-9 Operations Center. The operations center will be 11,400 square feet and home to the department’s K-9 section. It will be equipped with kennels, a canine obstacle course, a 9,186-square-foot canine grass area, office spaces and more. It will be located near South Point on Pyle Ave. and is expected to open by the end of the year.
NEON MUSEUM VOTED BEST POP CULTURE MUSEUM
The Neon Museum was voted No. 1 in the 2022 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Pop Culture Museum. The museum was nominated by a panel of travel experts and won the top spot by 10Best.com readers from a field of highly popular and notable museums from across the United States. It was the only museum in Nevada nominated.
Founded in 1996 and fully accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), The Neon Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, studying, and exhibiting iconic Las Vegas signs for educational, historic, arts and cultural enrichment.
RAIL EXPLORERS® NOW OFFERS TOURS EVERY DAY
Rail Explorers®, the year-round, all-ages, outdoor-adventure attraction featuring pedal-assist rail bikes fitted with the REX Propulsion System, will start offering tours seven days a week beginning April 1. All rides start at the Nevada State Railroad Museum and continue downhill to Railroad Pass. There are two tour options including an eight-mile roundtrip excursion and a four-mile one way trip to Railroad Pass with a nostalgic ride back to the top of the hill in one of the museum’s historic trains. All tours include free museum entry.
A tandem rail bike for two starts at $90, and a quad rail bike for four guests at $160.Roundtrip transportation from Las Vegas Strip and surrounding areas is $59 per person.
FOUNDERS COFFEE INTRODUCES SPRING COFFEE FLIGHT
Founders Coffee in April introduces its Spring Coffee Flight at its St. Rose and Durango locations. The four flavors include Vanilla Cold Brew with cold brew coffee and vanilla; Strawberry Matcha Latte served hot; Peppermint Patty Latte with peppermint, mocha and chocolate sauce drizzle served cold; and hot Chocoscotch with chocolate butterscotch, and mocha, topped with a dusting of cocoa powder.
The April Giving Drink, which will benefit New Vista Ranch, is Raspberry Almond latte with raspberry, almond, espresso, milk, and pink raspberry whipped cream.
ART CLASSES FOR KIDS RETURN WITH IN-PERSON ART CAMPS
For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Art Classes for Kids will host its Art Camp series in person this summer. Created by Las Vegas artist and teacher Kim Bavington, Art Camp teaches young artists lessons in art history as well as fundamentals of drawing, painting and sculpting in an enthusiastic environment. Camps will be available in Summerlin and Downtown this year for children ages five to 12 as well as a special Teen Camp session for ages 12 to 14, participants can select the program for their schedule this June and July.
At this year’s Art Camp, kids will create 10 projects, including drawing, sculpting with clay, collage making, sculpting with recyclables, printmaking, watercolor and acrylic painting. In addition, students will have the opportunity to present their works of art in an Art Show at the end of their final day of camp.
Each Art Camp session in June is five half days Monday through Friday. Participants can choose morning sessions 8:30 a.m. to noon or afternoon 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Each Art Camp session is $350 per student, $300 by April 1, or $325 by May 1.
