Date: June 26, 2022
BY: Jackie Brett
KEVIN HART WILL HEADLINE THE CHELSEA
American stand-up comedian and actor, Kevin Hart, will deliver his signature comedic style inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan on Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3 with two shows per night at 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets start at $124.
Hart was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pa., He began his career by winning several comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, which culminated in his first break in 2001 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for a recurring role on the TV series “Undeclared.” Since that time, he’s performed in the films “Think Like a Man,” “Ride Along,” sequel “Ride Along 2,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Night School” and “Jumanji: The Next Level.”
Hart released comedy albums “Seriously Funny” in 2010, “Laugh at My Pain” in 2011, “Let Me Explain” in 2013, and “What Now?” in 2016. He most recently launched the Laugh Out Loud Network, a subscription video streaming service in partnership with Lionsgate.
This show event will be a phone-free experience. Upon arrival, phones will be secured in individual Yondr pouches. Guests maintain possession of their devices and can access them throughout the event only in designated Phone Use Areas within the venue. All devices will be re-secured in Yondr pouches before returning to the performance space.
WAKUDA DEBUTS AT THE PALAZZO TOWER AT THE VENETIAN
After recently opening Wakuda in Singapore, Chef Tetsuya Wakuda and John Kunkel of 50 Eggs Hospitality Group have opened a second location of the Japanese restaurant. Wakuda Las Vegas in The Palazzo Tower at The Venetian marks the first U.S. restaurant for this chef who has earned accolades at his two-Michelin-Star Waku Ghin at Marina Bay Sands Singapore and his popular Tetsuya’s in Sydney, Australia. Interesting note, Chef Wakuda is credited with having the most photographed dish in the world.
Wakuda takes over the former Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro space within The Palazzo tower at the Venetian Resort after the steakhouse opted not to reopen following its COVID-19 closure.
The new 264-seat restaurant opens with an artfully designed interior and an a la carte menu and omakase experience highlighting Chef Wakuda’s interpretations of Japanese classics. Wakuda has a private dining room, bar and lounge, private sushi room, secret bar and an outdoor terrace with views of the Strip. Artwork includes over-sized sculptures of sumo wrestlers.
Wakuda is open for dinner nightly 5 p.m.-late with the Lounge open until midnight.
HIP HOP GROUP CYPRESS HILL WILL ROCK RESORTS WORLD
Legendary hip-hop group Cypress Hill will join the Summer Nights Concert Series lineup at Resorts World. The titans of the rap industry, who have been going strong for more than three decades, will perform at AYU Nights on Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. General admission is $40.
With dedicated fans all around the globe, Cypress Hill has been a household name in the music industry since 1991. Known for their hits such as “Insane in the Brain,” “(Rock) Superstar,” “Lowrider” and more, the GRAMMY-nominated trio was the first rap group to have two albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 charts at the same time and are the first Latino-American hip-hop group to achieve multi-platinum success.
SUPERSTAR JONATHAN BUTLER WILL VISIT SANTA FE STATION
GRAMMY Award-nominated jazz superstar Jonathan Butler is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the Chrome Showroom inside Santa Fe Station on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $32.50.
Butler, a singer-songwriter and guitarist, was born in South Africa under the shadow of apartheid and raised in poverty, He was the first non-white artist to be played on South African radio and appear on national television. Nelson Mandela credits Butler’s music as having inspired him during his imprisonment.
At age 13, Butler’s talents caught the attention of British record producer Clive Caulder. He was signed to Caulder’s Jive Records and the rest is history. His first single broke down racial barriers becoming the first song in South Africa by a black artist played by white radio stations and won his country’s equivalent of a Grammy®.
His self-titled debut album received a Grammy® nomination for the pop hit “Lies.” An instrumental “Going Home” earned him another Grammy® nomination and the mid-tempo ballad “Sarah, Sarah” confirmed his place in popular music.
IMMERSIVE VAN GOGH EXTENDED AT THE SHOPS AT CRYSTALS
Immersive Van Gogh, the acclaimed art installation at The Shops at Crystals adjacent to Aria has announced the exhibit has been extended at Lighthouse ArtSpace on Level 3 through January 2023. Tickets range from $59.99 to $99.99 and are available online at vangoghvegas.com
In addition, Immersive Van Gogh is celebrating PRIDE month with a special 50% discount on all tickets (using code: PRIDE50) through July 21.
Lighthouse Immersive and Foster Entertainment, the catalysts of the mesmerizing digital art space, debuted their worldwide sensation. Immersive Van Gogh debuted in North America in July 2020 and Las Vegas in September 2021. The visually striking exhibition encourages guests to experience 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 90,000,000 pixels.
The Immersive Van Gogh team includes creator Massimiliano Siccardi, composer Luca Longobardi, and art director Vittorio Guidotti, all of whom have created immersive art exhibits in Europe. In addition, David Korins, award-winning designer of numerous Broadway hits including “Hamilton” and “Dear Evan Hansen,” has joined forces with the Italian creative team and sculpts the Immersive Van Gogh public spaces.
SAMMY HAGAR WILL ROCK THE STRAT FOR FOURTH HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The STRAT will celebrate Fourth of July weekend with Sammy Hagar’s rockin’ residency, “Sammy Hagar & Friends,” on Friday and Saturday, July 1 and 2 at 9 p.m. Plus, giveaways, featured dishes, poolside beverage specials and more will be offered, beginning Friday, July 1. “Party Pit” General Admission section show tickets begin at $100.
Hagar will be joined by his classic band, The Wabos – featuring guitar virtuoso Vic Johnson, drummer David Lauser and bassist Mona Gnader, in the STRAT Theater. Hagar’s show will lean heavy on the Red Rocker’s early catalog of hits.
The rockin’ weekend will continue with complimentary samples of Hagar’s Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktail Co.’s sparkling rum cocktails, available at REMIX Lounge, View Lounge and 108 Drinks on Friday - 6 to 9 p.m.; Saturday - 6 to 9 p.m.; and Monday - 7 to 10 p.m. The canned cocktails are available in four playful twists on classic flavors, including Tangerine Dream, Pineapple Splash, Island Pop and Cherry Kola Chill. Koozies, lip balm and T-shirts will also be given away, while supplies last.
SUPER BINGO AT PLAZA JULY 31-AUG. 2
The Plaza with Downtown’s only bingo room will hold its $160,000 Super Bingo tournament, July 31 through Aug. 2, and is offering a 50% discount to Nevada residents on their event registration.
The tournament will be held in the Plaza’s updated ballroom. Super Bingo typically draws nearly 1,000 people from across the country and as far away as Hawaii and Canada for the opportunity to win over two days, with a $50,000 super coverall both days, while socializing with like-minded bingo players.
Bingo-only registration is $160 per person ($80 for locals) for the July 31-Aug. 2 event only. A registration request form is available online. All Super Bingo players receive one 6-on paper pack for both days, two daubers, free drinks via an open bar at all sessions, boxed lunch both days, and $10 in free slot play after the first day’s session.
DEREK STEVENS AND THE D CELEBRATE DECADE OF SIGMA DERBY
The D Las Vegas and CEO Derek Stevens are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the property’s Sigma Derby horse racing game this week. Stevens brought the coin-operated machine to the property when he transformed the Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino to the D in 2012, and it is now the country’s only remaining Sigma Derby machine.
Originally created in 1985, Sigma Derby was a long-time staple in many casinos. The beautifully crafted track game includes five mechanical horses. Each player must pick a horse marked one through five, randomly set with different odds for each race. Costing a mere 25 cents to enter, the winnings are distributed based on which horses land in first and second place.
As modern gambling machines came onto the scene, the number of Sigma Derby machines declined. Now, the last standing Sigma Derby game sits proudly at the D, where people come from all over the world to play. It also marks one of the last coin-operated casino games in the city.
To add to the festivities, the D is kicking off a limited-edition Sigma Derby t-shirt giveaway every Wednesday from June 29 through Aug. 31. A new t-shirt will be revealed for each giveaway and only 50 t-shirts will be available each promotional day and will be limited to one per person, while supplies last. Every hour, at a random time, Club One will distribute 10 t-shirts to those actively playing on the Sigma Derby machine from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
T&T CELEBRATES WITH “FREEDOM ‘RITA” COCKTAIL AND FIREWORK VIEWS
Tacos & Tequila (T&T) located at Palace Station, will celebrate its first Independence Day at its new location with a specialty margarita and easy access to views of the fireworks on Monday, July 4. T&T will be open 11 a.m.–10 p.m. on Independence Day, with happy hour from 3–6 p.m.
The Freedom ‘Rita, a watermelon margarita made with Cazadores Reposado tequila, fresh watermelon juice, Aperol and watermelon liqueur, will be served on the rocks for $10 at T&T starting at 11 a.m. on July 4.
To continue the celebration, Palace Station will host a fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m. on July 4, with a free viewing party in the parking lot conveniently located steps away from T&T.
TAILGATE SOCIAL OFFERS JULY 4TH SPECIAL AND LOBSTER BOIL
Tailgate Social Bar and Grill at Palace Station will celebrate Independence Day with a pizza and beer special on Monday, July 4. Available only on Independence Day, Tailgate’s Red, White and Brew special will feature a cheese pizza made with mozzarella, basil and tomato sauce, paired with a Bud Light draft $20. Palace Station’s fireworks display begins at 9 p.m. on July 4, with a free viewing party in the parking lot conveniently located near Tailgate Social.
In addition, Tailgate Social will start the summer season with a classic New England-style lobster boil offered throughout the month of July. Tailgate’s lobster boil will feature Maine lobster, Littleneck clams, Kielbasa sausage, Red Bliss potatoes and corn on the cob, served with drawn butter and fresh lemon, priced at $23.
SIDE PIECE PIZZA TO OFFER RED, WHITE AND BLUE PIZZA SPECIAL
Side Piece Pizza, the go-to fast casual spot at Red Rock in Summerlin, will offer a Red, White and Blue pizza special for Independence Day weekend. Available Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4, the Red, White and Blue pizza special will feature pepperoni and blue cheese on a classic New York-style crust. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
To continue the celebration, guests can also take advantage of convenient firework viewing parties starting at 7:30 p.m. in the pool area of Red Rock Casino.
PANCHO’S CELEBRATES HOLIDAYS WITH SPECIALTY DRINKS
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant In Downtown Summerlin will celebrate Independence Day with a specialty margarita, the Lady Liberty, on Monday, July 4.
The Lady Liberty margarita will feature Campo Azul tequila, Triple Sec, blue curacao, homemade sweet and sour and a red sugar rim, priced at $12.50.
For National Piña Colada Day, Sunday, July 10, Pancho’s will feature their signature Azul Piña Colada and happy hour specials. The signature Azul Piña Colada is a smooth, rich blend of Malibu coconut rum, light rum, blue Curacao, pineapple and coconut. Happy hour specials will also be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the cantina, and include $3 off house and flavored margaritas, well cocktails and house wines.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS CELEBRATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT EIGHT LOUNGE
Eight Lounge at Resorts World continues to be a place to be seen as team members of the Golden State Warriors spent the evening celebrating their 2022 NBA championship there. Eight Lounge, conceptualized by Giuseppe Bravo, takes its name from the lucky number in Chinese culture.
Arriving shortly after 9 pm, the champion athletes including Otto Porter Jr., Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Damion Lee, Nemanja Bjelica, Chris Chiozza, Juan Toscao-Anderson, Andre Igoudala, Kevon Looney and Quinndary Weatherspoon enjoyed cigars, light bites and Don Julio 42. Following dinner and a night out at Resorts World, the team returned to Eight around 2 a.m. where they were joined by teammates Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and Andrew Wiggins for a nightcap and another round of cigars.
MOB MUSEUM PROGRAMS HAVE WRITERS EXPOSING CRIME STORIES
The Mob Museum’s public programs for July will expose organized crime situations. Each presentation will be in the historic courtroom on the second floor with a livestream of the presentation available on the Museum’s website. To RSVP to attend in-person or for the livestream go to the website. The cost is free for Museum members or with Museum admission. A book signing will follow each presentation.
On Thursday, July 14 from 7-8 p.m., novelist, essayist, teacher, filmmaker, memoirist, curator and daughter of Motor City racketeer Fannie Davis, Bridgett M. Davis will be the speaker sharing the triumphant story of her mother, who ran an illegal street lottery in Detroit for more than 30 years. Her talk is “The Numbers Racket: One Woman’s Story of the Illegal Street Lottery in Detroit.”
On Wednesday, July 20 from 7-8 p.m. will be author Scott Deitche who specializes in organized crime and the Mafia. He has written eight books and more than 50 articles and has appeared on national television networks such as History, A&E and Discovery. His topic is “Mafia Hitmen: New York’s Notorious East Harlem Purple Gang.” A string of grisly murders terrorized New York City in the 1970s. A rogue sect of Mob hitmen known as the East Harlem Purple Gang emerged as a violent force closely linked to the New York Mafia’s Five Families.
On Thursday, July 16 from 7-8:30 p.m., the speaker will be Sam Quinones, a journalist, storyteller, former “Los Angeles Times” reporter and author of several acclaimed books chronicling the opioid crisis in America. “The Rise of ‘Big Dope’: Organized Crime and America’s Raging Opioid Crisis” is his topic.
GUEST WINS $87,000+ AT THE STRAT WITH DOUBLE JACKPOT
This week, a guest from Sacramento, Calif., won a double jackpot for a grand total of $87,718 while playing blackjack at The STRAT. The lucky winner, Jourbee K., participated in the Xtreme 21+3 game for three aces of the same suit. During the first game, he won $82,837; and won $4,881 during the second game. Both jackpots have now been added to the multitude of wins at The STRAT.
VEGAS BLOOD DRIVES
With blood banks facing critical shortages, every donation counts. With the number of new donors down sharply by 12% year over year, new donors and those that haven’t given in a while are especially needed. For appointment times, go online at Vitalant’s website or call 877-258-4825.
Premier retail center Tivoli Village at 400 South Rampart Blvd. is inviting guests to support Vitalant by donating to their monthly blood drives this summer. Vitalant will host each drive inside its bloodmobile located at the Piazza at Tivoli Village near Restoration Hardware. Each blood drive will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Upcoming dates are Thursday, July 28 and Tuesday, Aug. 30.
JW Marriott Resort and Rampart Casino at 221 N. Rampart Blvd., in conjunction with Vitalant, will host a weekend blood drive on Saturday and Sunday, July 2 and 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Marquis Ballroom. Donors also receive a voucher for 50% off at the Market Place Buffet.
