BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: June 5, 2022
BY: Jackie Brett
RENOVATIONS CONTINUE AT MIRACLE MILE SHOPS
Renovations are continuing at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. Scaffolding recently went up around the south entrance of the building. The renovation will include a redesign to Miracle Mile Shops’ exterior entrances on the Las Vegas Strip and Harmon Avenue. Guests will be greeted by all new state of the art LED digital screens and signage as well as modernized landscaping.
The extensive interior and exterior transformation will include elevated finishes, upgraded technology and digital design elements. New entertainment features will consist of exterior and interior immersive light, sound, and video experiences. Miracle Mile Shops guests will also enjoy new and upgraded restaurant zones.
The new renovations are set to be completed in spring of 2023. Miracle Mile Shops remains open during the remodel.
PERCEPTION LAS VEGAS DEBUTS WITH LEONARDO EXHIBIT
Perception Las Vegas debuting on June 10 at 2780 S. Las Vegas Blvd. will be the Strip’s first permanent digital art museum. The new museum for immersive and high-tech digital art installations will open with the world premiere of Leonardo: The Universal Man. Chronicling the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci, the hour-long, three-part journey will transport guests into the mind of the Renaissance master. With his perception of humankind, da Vinci created change through his visionary ideas, science and art.
Three distinct, 360-degree gallery exhibits will envelop guests in da Vinci’s works, studies and findings. The Grand Salon will feature Chapters of the Genius’ Life during a 35-minute film projected on a 28-foot-5all, four-wall theater.
The Gallery will have Mona Lisa’s Perception. Accompanied by an original musical score, Mona Lisa tells the story of her impact on the world for more than 500 years as the best-known, most-visited, sung- and written-about image in the art world.
As guests continue their digital voyage, Painting with Light: The Last Supper will be a fresh take on the painting. In a gallery with floor-to-ceiling, surround-sound LED walls, one of the world’s most famous works of art will come to life through an explosion of light, color, shape and sound.
Tickets start at start at $39.50 online or call 702-476-9069. Perception will be open daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
PLAZA IS ANNOUNCING MAIN STREET FAÇADE - DOME TRANSFORMATION
At a press conference this week, the Plaza downtown is announcing details of plans for four large-scale projects which will significantly transform its historic Main Street façade, including its iconic dome, into a one-of-a-kind destination for cocktails, gaming, and dining.
The Plaza, built at the historic train depot where Las Vegas got its start, celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Dignitaries will gather under the dome to unveil the details of the four projects, which will begin construction this month.
JONAS BROTHERS CELEBRATE OPENING OF THEIR FAMILY RESTAURANT
Kevin, Joe and Nick (the Jonas Brothers) and Frankie joined with their family to celebrate the official grand opening of Nellie’s Southern Kitchen at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Joined by other celebrities, the star-studded event kicked off the opening of the restaurant’s first West Coast location.
Nellie’s Southern Kitchen is a celebration of the Jonas family’s matriarch featuring live music with recipes passed down from Grandma Nellie in a unique environment inspired by Kevin Jonas, Sr.’s upbringing in Belmont, N.C. The restaurant is located in The District opposite the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It is open Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
CROSSROADS KITCHEN AND CB | CROSSROADS BURGERS ARE OPEN
The Crossroads Kitchen and CD Ɩ Crossroads Burgers, helmed by plant-based visionary and acclaimed chef Tal Ronnen, have officially opened to the public at Resorts World. Crossroads Kitchen, Ronnen’s beloved plant-based institution, mirrors the original location in Los Angeles while CB|Crossroads Burgers is a new fast-casual, plant-based restaurant. Each brings a distinct dining experience. 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.
The 162-seat Crossroads Kitchen features the dark woods, deep red banquettes, dramatic lighting and music like the original Los Angeles Melrose institution, which opened in 2013. Iconic photography from artist Neil Zlozower is displayed throughout. The restaurant also features bar seating and a private dining room for up to 20 people. Hours are daily for dinner from 5 to 11 p.m.
CB|Crossroads Burgers serves the restaurant’s custom plant-based sausage with specially crafted in-house casings, burgers, fries and ice cream sundaes from a quick-service counter. Diners can have their meals in the 24-seat venue, or order takeaway for on-the-go convenience and even opt for delivery to their rooms or poolside cabanas through Resorts World’s On The Fly service. This casual outpost is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE ANNOUNCES NEW ENTERTAINMENT
Fremont Street Experience, the six-block entertainment district downtown, has added seven artists to the lineup for its free concert series, Downtown Rocks. The acts include 10,000 Maniacs, Dishwalla, The Calling, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Mackenzie Porter, Theory of a Deadman and Saliva.
Additionally, on Saturday, June 11, Fremont Street Experience will host its inaugural Luau WOW! Festival. The free event will bring a luau-themed party to the ninth island with live entertainment, music, food, art and more Hawaiian fun, including a free full-length concert from two-time Grammy award-winning artist, Shaggy. The luau experience will feature free live entertainment throughout the entire event, set to kick-off at noon with Shaggy taking the 3rd Street Stage at 9 p.m. In addition, there will be concerts by two Hawaiian-themed local Las Vegas acts, Hale Aman O and The BC project.
BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY PAYS HOMAGE TO ANIMAL KINGDOM
The summer display at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is themed “Jungle of Dreams” and will run through Sept. 10. The complimentary exhibit, which is a must-see for visitors, is open 24 hours daily.
The display is paying homage to the animal kingdom with 28 animal sculptures and close to 10,000 plants and flowers. “Jungle of Dreams” takes guests on a journey through a magical place with discovery and whimsy around every corner, as majestic animals gather to celebrate the coronation of the king of the jungle. The West Bed is where a lion standing over 20 feet tall commands the space with his nine-foot-tall cub posing atop a giant gold frame.
Some of the sights to be discovered include 50 palm trees, 28 animals including a zebra, five species of birds, nine golden pineapples, which are the international symbol of hospitality, and a jungle boat.
KATY PERRY ANNOUNCES OCTOBER 2022 SHOW DATES
As demand continues for Katy Perry’s hit Las Vegas residency, “Katy Perry: PLAY,” at Resorts World Theatre, eight new show dates have been added in October: 5, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 21 and 22.
In the newly opened 5,000-capacity theatre, Perry has managed to create a whimsical larger-than-life residency. To celebrate her show’s success, Perry was presented a “Key to the Las Vegas Strip” by the Clark County Commission.
Perry’s second studio album “Teenage Dream” has been recognized by the RIAA as the highest-certified era of any artist ever making history as the first artist to have three singles certified Diamond and has reached the nine-times Platinum certification. “The One That Got Away” and “Part Of Me” have each reached five-times Platinum status with “I Kissed A Girl” (6X) and “Hot n Cold” (8X).
Her 2019 single, “Never Really Over,” off her latest album “Smile,” is certified Platinum and was the biggest streaming launch of her musical career.
JAM BAND GOV’T MULE WILL APPEAR AT BROOKLYN BOWL
Brooklyn Bowl will welcome legendary Southern jam band Gov’t Mule to the stage for a live performance on Saturday, June 18.Tickets start at $39.50.
Led by Grammy Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes, Gov’t Mule has become an immovable staple in rock music with more than 20 studio and live albums spanning the band’s prolific nearly 30-year career. Drawing inspiration from a variety of genres including rock, R&B, jam, funk, jazz and everything in between, the band seamlessly incorporates improvisation into their genre-blending sound—creating one-of-a-kind performances that feed off the crowd’s spontaneity.
Recently, Gov’t Mule released their latest chart-topping album “Heavy Load Blues,” their first-ever blues album, marking the band’s next step in their ever-evolving sound. The critically acclaimed collection, encompassing an even mix of Haynes’ originals and revered covers, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Albums chart and has amassed over 5 million total global streams.
STRAT HEADLINER BANACHEK NAMED ‘MENTALIST OF THE YEAR’
Recently, Banachek, the world-famous mentalist and headliner of “Banachek’s Mind Games Live” at The STRAT, was named “Mentalist of the Year” during the 54th annual International Magicians Society Awards.
A category in the “Merlin” awards, the “Mentalist of the Year” title has been given to the most globally renowned magicians and mentalists since 1968. Banachek has been honored with the prestigious award three times and this is his second consecutive year. His show times are 4 p.m. five days per week in the 600-seat STRAT Theater.
CELEBRITIES TAKE IN VEGAS SHOWS
Celebrities are coming to town for many reasons and managing to catch a show on the Strip while they’re here. Orlando Bloom along with Katy Perry’s younger brother David Hudson stopped by the award-winning stage production “The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil® at The Mirage. Also in attendance was popular dancer and singer widely known for her role on the hit television show “Dance Moms,” JoJo Siwa, and teen pop group XOMG POP!
Akbar Gbajabiamila, former NFL football player and a host on “The Talk,” and his family were seen attending “Michael Jackson ONE” by Cirque du Soleil® at Mandalay Bay.
Former front man for The Police and 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting attended the award-winning topless female revue “Fantasy” at the Luxor.
‘PARTICLE INK: SPEED OF DARK’ EXTENDS ENGAGEMENT
Due to demand, “Particle Ink: Speed of Dark,” the original, immersive experience bringing visitors through a portal into the 2.5th dimension, is extending its limited run in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District. After captivating visitors since it first opened in April, the limited-run, mixed-reality experience has added seven additional weeks of performances through Labor Day.
Revealing a rupture in the Particle Ink Metaverse, where the virtual world blends into the physical world, “Speed of Dark” invites visitors to explore an abandoned warehouse containing a portal into the 2.5th dimension. Otherwise, invisible, the in-between realm of the 2.5th is that liminal space between waking and sleeping, where the rabbit waits before being pulled out of the hat and where ideas reside waiting to be found.
Each “Speed of Dark” experience lasts approximately one hour and takes place Wednesdays through Sundays at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. inside The LightHouse located at 918 S. Main Street in the 18b Las Vegas Arts District. For more information or tickets, visit Particle Ink’s website.
SICKIES GARAGE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS WITH THROWBACK MENU
While the original Sickies Garage opened in 2012 in Fargo, N.D., the Las Vegas location opened last September in Town Square and will be joining the company’s milestone celebration with throwback menu items from the first Sickies Garage menu, which include Midwest-inspired Items like the Tater Tot Hot Dish Burger, Chili Cheese Fries, Fried Potato Salad Balls, Birthday Cake Shake and more. The specialty Anniversary Menu is available from June 1–July 31.
A new limited time dessert menu has also been launched featuring Caramel Butter Cake, New York Crème Brûlée Cheesecake, and Funnel Cake Fries.
STATION CASINOS PROPERTIES JUNE HEADLINERS
Aaron Lewis, Chris Young and Peter White will be taking the stages at Red Rock, Sunset Station and Santa Fe Station respectively.
Aaron Lewis and the Stateliners will bring country music to the Sandbar Poolside at Red Rock on Friday, June 17 at 9 p.m. Lewis has claimed two No. 1 Billboard Country Album debuts for his albums “Town Line” and “Sinner.”Lewis’ single“ Am I The Only One,” debuted on Billboard’s No. 1 Hot Country Song,” only the 9th time a debut has topped the chart since 1958. The hard touring, workingman’s star’s latest album “Frayed at Both Ends” was released in January 2022. Tickets are $50 and $85.
Chris Young will also present country music. He’ll headline Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station on Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m. Multi-platinum RCA Records Nashville global entertainer Young has sold 13 million singles, had 12 career No. 1 singles, and award nominations galore. “Famous Friends” is Young’s platinum-certified, multi-week chart-topping song with Kane Brown. Tickets are $40 and $80.
The contemporary jazz landscape will be explored by acoustic guitarist Peter White at the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station on Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m. White spent 20 years with British singer-songwriter Al Stewart - first as a pianist, then as a guitarist. He played on Stewart’s top 10 album “Year of the Cat in 1976” and co-wrote the hit title track of the singer’s next album, “Time Passages.” After nearly four decades of writing, recording and touring – either as a sideman or a solo artist – White still seeks out the road not yet traveled. Ticket range is $32.50 to $52.50.
STATION CASINOS CELEBRATES PRIDE MONTH WITH TWO BINGO EVENTS
In celebration of Pride Month, Station Casinos will be hosting two bingo events. Both events will be hosted by Las Vegas local and star of season one of “Ru Paul’s Drag Race,” The Official Shanell.
The first event will be held at Red Rock on Friday, June 24 at 11 p.m. The other at Santa Fe Station on Thursday, June 30 at 9 p.m. Doors open an hour before the games.
The bingo events will feature a live DJ, drinks, prizes, and all electronic bingo cards. The minimum buy-in is $25 and includes 10 games and 30 cards. Prizes range from $100 to $1,000. A portion of the proceeds raised will benefit The Center, an organization that serves the LGBTQIA+ community of Nevada. Guests must be 21 and over to attend.
NEW VISTA’S WINE WALK SERIES RETURNS
New Vista, Nevada’s largest nonprofit residential provider supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), has announced the return of its Wine Walk series at Downtown Summerlin®. The evening will showcase an eclectic mix of wine varietals that include tastings from around the country with proceeds benefiting New Vista.
On Saturday, June 25from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., wine connoisseurs can socialize, sip and stroll around The Lawn to explore more than 18 tasting stations. There will be live music, a variety of backyard games, and an array of Las Vegas’ favorite food trucks. Each attendee will receive a commemorative souvenir wine glass, tasting card and map.
This event is 21 or older. General admission tickets start at $40and$50 at the door.
