BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: May 1, 2022
BY: Jackie Brett
CROSSROADS KITCHEN AND CB | CROSSROADS BURGERS SET TO OPEN
Crossroads Kitchen and CB Ɩ Crossroads Burgers helmed by plant-based visionary and acclaimed Chef Tal Ronnen will officially open its doors to the public at Resorts World on Saturday, May 28. The first fully plant-based fine dining restaurant on the Strip is now accepting reservations, call 702-676-7000.
With two culinary concepts making their debut—Crossroads Kitchen, Ronnen’s plant-based fine dining restaurant mirroring the original location in Southern California, and CB | Crossroads Burgers, a brand-new fast-casual plant-based concept, will bring new, deluxe dining experiences to Resorts World. The restaurants will offer an upscale venue to indulge in a plant-based meal that will satisfy the taste buds of vegans, flexitarians, omnivores and meat-eaters alike.
Ronnen is best known for his “New York Times” Best Seller, “The Conscious Cook,” and was named “America’s Best Vegan Chef” by Oprah Winfrey.
Crossroads Kitchen will be open daily for dinner from 5 to 11 p.m. CB|Crossroads Burgers will be open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
JONAS BROTHERS WILL BE COMING TO PARK MGM
Global pop icons the Jonas Brothers have an exclusive five-night Las Vegas residency, “Jonas Brothers: Live in Las Vegas” coming up at Dolby Live at Park MGM June 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11. Following a six-year hiatus, the Jonas Brothers took the world by storm in 2019 with the surprise release of their widely successful single “Sucker.” The triple-platinum single debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100, becoming the first No. 1 for the band and the first No. 1 debut from a group this century. The band went on to release “Chasing Happiness,” an Amazon Original film documenting the brothers’ rise and return to music, before going on to deliver their third No. 1 album with the arrival of their platinum-selling “Happiness Begins” (Republic Records).
‘FRIENDS! THE UNAUTHORIZED MUSICAL PARODY’OPENS AT ORLEANS
The musical sitcom spoof, “FRIENDS! The Unauthorized Musical Parody,” which was a big hit at the D downtown prior to the pandemic, opened an all-new residency at The Venue inside The Orleans last week. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $58.75.
This production lovingly lampoons all 10 seasons of the classic sitcom, which ran from 1994-2004. The show has funny musical numbers with titles like “Central Perk Tango,” “Will We Or Won’t We,” “How Ya Doin’?” and “Pivot.” The musical parody pokes fun at the TV show’s seemingly endless romantic tension, its characters’ idiosyncratic catch phrases, and even takes a shot at the unusually spacious New York City apartment the struggling twenty-somethings uncannily appear to afford. Also, no great Friends’ moment is left unacknowledged, from “Unagi” to “Smelly Cat.”
‘ENTOURAGE’STAR JEREMY PIVEN TO PERFORM AT RED ROCK RESORT
Award-winning actor and comedian Jeremy Piven is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the Red Rock Ballroom at Red Rock Resort on Friday, Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
A household name for his 2x Golden Globe and 3x Emmy Award-winning performance playing the fast-talking, acerbic Hollywood agent Ari Gold in the HBO series “Entourage,” actor, comedian, and podcast host Piven also achieved significant success playing the title role in the British/PBS television drama series “Mr. Selfridge,” the semi-fictional story based on the life of Harry Selfridge, who founded the London department store Selfridge’s. Piven has also appeared in numerous successful films.
He was most recently seen in the feature film “Last Call” opposite Oscar winner Bruce Dern and “Orange is the New Black” star Taryn Manning. Other upcoming films include “American Night” opposite Oscar nominee Emile Hirsch and Jonathan Rhys Meyers, which will screen at the Venice Film Festival;“The Legit Wiseguy” with Palme d’Or winner and Oscar nominee director Roland Joffe; period drama film “The Walk” opposite Justin Chatwin and Oscar nominee Terrence Howard; and “The System,” which teamed him up again with Terrence Howard and Tyrese Gibson.
Piven is currently working with Kast Media to produce his brand-new podcast “How U Livin’ J Piven,” where he interviews influential guests such as Jamie Foxx, Tiffany Haddish, Common, Mark Cuban and UFC stars Rashad Evans and Jorge Masvidal, in an intimate and in depth format that showcases his dynamic personality in a never-before-seen way.
BRENDEN THEATRES REOPENED AS PREMIER LUXURY THEATER
Brenden Theatres, a premier cinema experience returns as the movie theater inside the reopened Palms Casino Resort, having undergone a dramatic upgrade in technology and customer experience. The renovations include a new lobby and lounge, where patrons can relax before and after their movie, a sleek new bar and hallways lined with modern graffiti art. The reopening also marks the return of Las Vegas’ only true IMAX experience and spacious luxury seating. Brenden Theatres also boasts three premium, large format auditoriums: JB- X, IMAX and Dolby ATMOS.
The reopening coincides with the relaunch of Palms Casino Resort and comes just in time for summer blockbusters like “Doctor Strange,” “Top Gun Maverick,” “Jurassic World” and “Thor.”
It also allows Brenden to immerse itself once again in the community with special events and fundraisers that don’t take place at the big chains.
BIG ELVIS IS BACK IN THE PIANO BAR AT HARRAH’S
Always a fan favorite and a real Vegas-gem is Pete Vallee who stars as Big Elvis in his classic tribute show. Vallee is back at The Piano Bar at Harrah’s performing his free show, according to his agent on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
A recipient of multiple Best of Las Vegas honors, Vallee has the longest-running Elvis Presley tribute show in Las Vegas. Vallee with a voice which sounds like Elvis has attracted an international following of fans and continues to pack the house.
This tribute artist began singing as a teenager in his local church, where he was first told he sounded like a young Elvis Presley. He soon learned to play the guitar and put together an act he previewed at a school talent contest, where his “Jailhouse Rock” got an overwhelming response.
AMERICAN BOY BAND, WHY DON’T WE, TO HEADLINE THE CHELSEA
The multi-talented, five-piece band Why Don’t We will visit The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan on Friday, Aug. 19. The stop on the group’s “The Good Only Times” tour will feature special appearances by The Aces and JVKE. Tickets for the all-inclusive experience are $90.
Formed in 2016 by Jonah Marais, Corbyn Besson, Daniel Seavey, Jack Avery and Zach Herron, the American boy band Why Don’t We immediately took the world by storm. Following the debut of their first, hit single “Taking You” in 2017, the group went on to successfully release two critically acclaimed studio albums and six extended plays. The group’s first studio album, “Letter 8,” debuted at number nine on Billboard 200 while their second album, “The Good Times and the Bad Ones,” debuted at number 3. Their hit single, “Fallin’” quickly made Billboard’s Top 100, marking their first entry on the chart, and remains a popular sing-along among other hits “Don’t Wake Me Up” and “Love Back.”
COMEDIAN STEVEN WRIGHT WILL BRING LAUGHS TO THE ORLEANS
Academy Award-Winning comedian Steven Wright will bring his stand-up comedy act to The Orleans Showroom on Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.91.
Acclaimed comedian Wright got his start as a regular performer at Ding Ho’s Comedy Club and Chinese Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass. He was then invited to appear on “The Tonight Show” alongside host Johnny Carson for his first televised appearance. Wright was invited to return the following week for a rare back-to-back performance and went on to make numerous guest spots. His unique style of comedy and lackluster voice caught the world’s attention, and he later appeared on “Saturday Night Live” and “Late Night with David Letterman.”
Wright was honored as the first inductee into The Boston Comedy Hall of Fame on Dec. 15, 2008. The award-winning comedian is a regular guest with Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers, and he continues touring the U.S., Canada and overseas.
AWOLNATION BRINGS ‘FALLING FORWARD’ TOUR TO BROOKLYN BOWL
Diamond-selling alternative outfit AWOLNATION will appear at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 12 with special guests Badflower and support from British alternative rockers The Mysterines. Tickets start at $32.50.
AWOLNATION’s new covers and compilations album, “My Echo, My Shadow, My Covers and Me,” via Better Noise Music features collaborations with Beck, Jewel, Portugal. The Man, Taylor Hanson of Hanson, Brandon Boyd of Incubus and more. The album was conceived by AWOLNATION mastermind Aaron Bruno as a way of escaping the reality of 2020 and to act as “a palate cleanser for releasing new, original music,” according to Bruno in a recent interview with “Billboard.”
Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas is the brand’s second location outside of Williamsburg. The indie concert property features three levels spanning more than 80,000 square feet as one of the largest performance venues of its class in America. It is located on The LINQ Promenade, the open-air district in the center of the Strip, and has a premiere bowling alley with 32 lanes, six on-site bars and comfort food.
CIRCA PLANS TO DEBUT MEETING & CONVENTION SPACE
Circa, downtown Las Vegas’ first new resort in four decades, will debut 35,000 square feet of meeting and convention space this September. When the property opened in late 2020, it changed the downtown landscape with unmatched amenities and architecture. The opening of its new event space will mark the next phase in Circa’s evolution and deliver a completely new option for meeting and event planners. The property will offer groups top-tier audio and visual capabilities, customizable spaces for groups of up to 1,000 guests and top-tier customer services.
Circa’s meeting and convention offerings will feature a ballroom, breakout rooms and banquet space, adjacent pre-function space and a robust 1,600-square-foot outdoor terrace. The space will be outfitted to complement Circa’s mid-century, art deco and modern design motif.
THE MOB MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE LAS VEGAS HISTORY DAY
In recognition of the City of Las Vegas’s birthday on May 15, 1905, The Mob Museum is inviting the community to Las Vegas History Day: Updated Exhibit and Outdoor Mural Honor the City’s Early Years on Sunday, May 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are invited to view the revamped “Tough Little Town” exhibit as well as the second segment of the Museum’s outdoor Las Vegas history mural. The event is free for Museum Members or with Museum admission.
Located on the museum’s third floor, the “Tough Little Town” exhibit tells the story of early Las Vegas before the Mob moved in. Inspired by the Museum’s 10th anniversary this year, the exhibit has been refreshed with new stories, images and artifacts illustrating the rise of Las Vegas from a small railroad town to an emerging gambling destination.
The second segment of the Museum’s outdoor Las Vegas history mural parallels the story told in the “Tough Little Town” exhibit. The first segment of the mural, completed in 2021, focuses on the bustling 1940s in Las Vegas. The second segment debuting on May 15 goes back further, charting the city’s development from the 19th century through the 1930s. Located on the retaining wall surrounding the Museum’s paid parking lot, the mural is the work of respected local artist Miguel Hernandez.
PUBLIC POP-UP DATES FOR CONTEST FINALIST WINNIE & ETHEL’S
Winnie & Ethel’s, one of only six finalists chosen to compete in Dapper Companies’ Great Coffee Shop Giveaway will hold its public pop-up dining experience on Friday and Saturday, May 6 and 7 from noon to 8 p.m. at Far East Fremont’s Vegas Test Kitchen. The community is invited to enjoy the first tastes of Winne & Ethel’s Downtown Diner.
Reservations are available for Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner pop-up on Eventbrite, with a complimentary Winnie’s Chocolate Pudding provided for every guest that pre-registers for the event. Additionally, profits from the pop-up will be donated to John S. Park Elementary School.
The Winnie & Ethel’s team is competing to win Dapper Companies’ Great Coffee Shop Giveaway. The prize: a brand new, nearly 3,000-square-foot, custom-designed restaurant located in the historic Huntridge Shopping Center on Charleston Blvd. valued at nearly $1 million.
Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner is a ‘round-the-clock, 1940s-era concept, dedicated to bringing the warmth of grandma’s kitchen to the downtown Las Vegas community. Ensuring great food is available anytime day or night, the Winnie & Ethel’s concept will offer classic diner food with alluring twists.
ARIZONA CHARLIE’S BOULDER CELEBRATES 22 YEARS
Arizona Charlie’s Boulder, located at 4575 Boulder Hwy., will commemorate its 22nd anniversary with live music, T-shirts, complimentary champagne and treats all day long on Tuesday, May 24.
Visitors are invited to celebrate this local casino’s longevity by raising a glass of champagne and indulging in slices of cake. Anniversary T-shirts will be given to True Rewards Epic guests. A live acoustic performance will take place in the Palace Grand Lounge from 3 to 5 p.m.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR SUPER SUMMER THEATRE
This summer three musicals will be highlighted for the Super Summer Theatre starting with “Mary Poppins” June 1-4, 8-11, 15-18 and 22-25; “Sister Act” July 13-16, 20-23, 27-30 and Aug. 3-6; and “Matilda” Aug. 24-27, Aug. 31-Sept. 3 and 7-10. Tickets are $17.50 cash or check in the office ahead of show dates or $20 credit. Both online at and the gate on day of show are $25. Children 5 and under are free, and regular ticket price for all other children.
New for the 2022 Summer Series is the opportunity to reserve seats at least by one day in advance. For the first time, a limited number of reserved chairs and blankets at the front of the Meadow will be available for each performance. Chairs are $75 each, and blankets $150 for two persons or $250 for four. Blanket purchasers get to keep their blanket.
FAS44 GALLERY DEBUTS SECOND EXHIBIT FEATURING MONA KUHN
FAS44, a newly curated art gallery located just off the Strip at 4044 Dean Martin Dr., has announced its second exhibit showcasing the work of contemporary photographer, Mona Kuhn, open May 13-June 30. FAS44 is open by appointment only, call 702-735-8322.
This show follows the success of the gallery’s initial Cig Harvey exhibit. FAS44, also known as FreyBoy Art Salon, was founded by local entrepreneur and art enthusiast Michael Frey.
Contemporary photographer Kuhn, who cherishes the body as a source of inspiration, is known for her ability to create a notable approach to the nude. Utilizing natural light and minimalist settings, she employs a range of playful visual strategies to explore the complexities of human nature. Her work can be found in private and public collections worldwide, including the J. Paul Getty Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. The German-Brazilian photographer and lens-based media artist lives in Los Angeles.
