Date: Aug. 7, 2022
BY: Jackie Brett
THE CABINET OF CURIOSITIES AND THE LOCK OPEN AT BALLY’S
Immersive reality adventures keep expanding in Las Vegas. Recently, Imagine Exhibitions opened new drinking experiences, The Cabinet of Curiosities and hidden speakeasy The Lock on the lower level at Bally’s. Both venues, which open at 4 p.m. daily, are located adjacent to two of Imagine Exhibitions attractions, the newly opened National Geographic’s Rarely Seen and the popular Real Bodies.
The Cabinet of Curiosities transports guests into a world of curiosity, dreams, and memory with wonders from near and far weaving together a unique experience with inspired craft cocktails to enjoy. Imagine Exhibitions President and CEO Tom Zaller said he enjoyed learning the stories of fellow travelers he met over a drink and collecting various oddities along his journeys. Now he can exhibit his treasures in a lounge and speakeasy.
As folks explore The Cabinet, they may find a bedazzled skullcap with antlers, or stumble upon a portable typewriter by Remington whose lore claims any tale composed on it will make its author illustriously famous as well as immeasurably wealthy. Visitors can use QR codes to weave together a narrative unique to their experience. The stories extend to the bar where guests can enjoy creative cocktails with a twist, such as “The Curious Cosmopolitan” or the “Bedazzled Skullcap Mojito.”
Beyond the Cabinet, guests may encounter The Lock, an intimate speakeasy with a secret entrance disguised as a vault. First, a visitor must find The Locksmith to enter the Safe Room, where they need to solve one of two hidden puzzles to gain entrance. When inside the hidden gem, guests may imbibe in one of the story-driven, Prohibition-era craft cocktails, or continue their journey and have expert mixologists concoct a drink to match a guest’s personality, mood, and flavor profile.
AEROSMITH IS BACK WITH RESIDENCY AT PARK MGM
As part of the continued celebration around their 50th anniversary, four-time Grammy®-winning and Diamond-certified rock legends Aerosmith will return to Las Vegas with their critically acclaimed residency, “Aerosmith: Deuces Are Wild” at the Dolby Live at Park MGM. The group, which was formed in Boston in 1970, will kick off shows on Sept. 14 and run through Dec. 11. Their residency is the first live concert experience presented in Dolby Atmos® at Dolby Live, which is one of the world’s most technologically advanced performance venues.
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA’S FIRST NORTH AMERICAN RESIDENCY IS AT WYNN
Electronic music supergroup, Swedish House Mafia, will have their first-ever North American nightlife residency with Wynn Nightlife at the Encore Beach Club and XS Nightclub inside Wynn. Beginning Aug. 20, the trio of Swedish DJs comprised of Sebastian Ingrosso, Steve Angello and Axel “Axwell” Hedfors will bring their award-winning music to the unique nightlife setting for two years. To complement Swedish House Mafia’s powerhouse performances, Encore Beach Club and XS Nightclub will enhance its audio-visual production to offer guests an immersive and captivating experience. Each venue will feature a customized stage design, curated LED displays, pyrotechnics, cryogenics and more.
NEVADA VEGAS ROOMS ARE CLOSING
It’s rather ironic the Nevada Vegas Rooms located in Commercial Center on East Sahara Avenue opened during the pandemic and survived, only to fall short after entertainment venues reopened. Partners Tom Michel and chef David James Robinson really worked hard providing food and a perfect outlet for local performers. Contrary to what folks might expect, Las Vegas has a wealth of outstanding local headliners.
Tony Arias will host the final show on Saturday, Aug. 20. It will be a packed house celebrating the venue’s third anniversary.
Most popular in the Nevada Room is “Sit In” hosted by the ever popular and talented Kelly Clinton taking place every Thursday. The last show will be on Aug. 18 at 7 p.m. Her endless list of talented friends gather each week to take the stage. Tickets are $35 and $45 for VIP.
BIG BOYS TOYS RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS MID-OCTOBER
Big Boys Toys, the world’s premier innovation and luxury lifestyle exhibition, is set to return to Las Vegas Friday through Sunday, Oct. 14-16 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Open to the public, tickets are available for purchase at bbtvegas.com. Expo tickets for Saturday or Sunday, Oct. 15-16 are $25. VIP tickets are $100, which includes entry on Friday, Oct. 14, as well as weekend-long access.
This convention highlights more than 100 international premium brands and limited-edition products, with a keen focus on innovation, luxury lifestyle in all its facets.
Established in 2009, Big Boys Toys made its Las Vegas debut in 2019 and has previously been held in locations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A one-of-a-kind, three-day luxury convention, Big Boys Toys provides the unique opportunity to be among the world’s first to experience products in more than a dozen categories, including art, adventure, aviation, digital, drive, fashion, lifestyle, marine, off-road, ride, wellness, kid’s world, pet’s world, woman’s world and more.
Big Boys Toys will showcase products including The New Wraith from Combat Motors, one of the world’s most robust, lightweight and fatigue-resistant motorcycles; the CFC Volante AirCAR, a street-legal, dual-use air and ground car; fine art from KGS Studios showing a multi-million dollar painting from artist Kevin Saunders; visionary designer watches from Mazzucato in Milan; and Encore Flight’s full motion precision flight simulator.
ANTONIO REY KICKS OFF UNLV PERFORMING ARTS CENTER’S SEASON 46
The UNLV Performing Arts Center (PAC) will kick off its 46th season on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall with renowned flamenco composer and guitar virtuoso Antonio Rey. Single tickets are $30.
The 2020 Latin Grammy winner for best flamenco album, “Flamenco Sin Fronteras,” Rey is regarded by flamenco aficionados as among the world’s top premier flamenco guitar virtuosos. He is beloved by audiences for his natural charisma, charm and for his prodigious musicality.
Rey was born in 1981 in Madrid to a family of artists. His musical career began at age 10 in Mexico where he lived with his father, Tony Rey. At age 15 he made his first tour of Japan with the renowned Japanese bailaora Yoko Komatsubara. Three years later in Spain, his career was launched when he was invited by the highly acclaimed flamenco dancer, Antonio Canales, to join his company. In 2003 at 22 years old, Rey won 1st Guitar Prize at the prestigious La Union Mines Festival in Murcia, Spain and won two more contests that year. In 2007, he was engaged as musical director for the live album “Olala!” by actress Victoria Abril. That same year he began to present his work “A Traves de Ti” on different stages around the world and followed with three additional solo CDs and tours.
‘TERRY FATOR AFTER HOURS’ STARTS NEW AT NEW YORK-NEW YORK
Headlining ventriloquist Terry Fator is taking things late night with “Terry Fator After Hours,” a once-a-month performance featuring special guests at The Bar at Times Square at New York-New York. Held immediately following performances of his award-winning show “Terry Fator: Who’s the Dummy Now?” the famed singer, comedian, ventriloquist and “America’s Got Talent” winner will partner up with other Las Vegas entertainers to perform songs accompanied by the venue’s popular dueling piano players. This will be a rare opportunity to showcase Fator’s impressive vocals without his puppets. Fator and his special guests, who will be announced soon, will perform their favorite numbers as well as requests from the audience. Performances have been planned for Thursdays, Aug. 18, Sept. 22 and Nov. 17.
DONDINO’S SHOW AT ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB THIS WEEK IS CHANGED
Due to damage from recent rainstorms, legendary Las Vegas singer Dondino’s Aug. 10 date at the Italian American Club has been moved to Wednesday, Oct. 10. His vintage showmanship will be on full display at his 8 p.m. performance, which follows a buffet dinner starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65.
Dondino will perform his one-man show with an original band. Las Vegas residents are familiar with him from his 13 years headlining at the Four Queens on Fremont Street. Worldwide audiences know him from performing at The Dondino Theater in Branson or around the globe, including the Latin Quarter in Japan. Dondino was born in Puglia, Italy, moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., at age 10, and made his stage debut at age 13.
GHOSTBAR AT PALMS RETURNS
Originally debuting in 2001, Ghostbar at the Palms, which is perched on the 55th floor with spectacular skyline views, is back in action. It is now open Wednesday to Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. DJs are featured on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, the ultra-lounge also welcomes Skye Dee Miles with her new show, “Midnight Skye – The Revival” starting at 10 p.m.
The menu highlights specialty cocktails and is serving up Large Format Cocktails including The Afterlife and Ghosting, as well as distinctive Ghost Flights and Bottle Service options.
STONEY’S ROCKIN’ COUNTRY FEATURES RISING STARS
Stoney’s Rockin’ Country located in Town Square, in addition to dancing, free line dance lessons Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and a mechanical bull, features up-and-coming country artists. The month, artists include Adam Warner, Aug. 19, Sam Grow, Aug. 26, and Nate Smith with a rescheduled show on Aug. 30. Shows are at 10 p.m. and 8:30 for Smith. Advance tickets start at $10.
Adam Warner after proudly serving in the United States Marines crafted his country rock catalog in Nashville with singles like “Catchin’ Hell” and “Reason to Redneck” in the pipeline for 2022. Every aspect of his brand bleeds red, white, and blue. Having already celebrated a multitude of career highs, Warner has become ingrained in the country music community with releases like “Semper Fi” featuring Trace Adkins, which pays homage to active and former military, along with the 2018 Tennessee Titans anthem “Welcome to the South”–played at every home game at Nissan Stadium.
After the breakout success of Sam Grow’s first studio album, 2019’s “Love and Whiskey,” a lot has changed for him. The album hit No. 1 on iTunes’ Country Albums chart – doing so with zero radio airplay. Grow’s 2020 single “Song About You” burned red hot, pulling in more than 50 million streams, and getting named one of Spotify’s “Best Country Songs” in the process. Grow’s been featured on Billboard’s coveted “7 Country Acts To Watch” list and touted by Music Row as a sure bet for future superstardom.
ROCK GROUPS IDKHOW AND JOYWAVE VISIT BROOKLYN BOWL
Pop rock outfits iDKHOW and Joywave are joining up at Brooklyn Bowl on Tuesday, Sept. 13 for a night of high-energy performances as a stop on their Welcome to Hellvetica tour. Tickets start at $29.50.
I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, or iDKHOW is the band led by frontman, multi-instrumentalist, and mastermind Dallon Weekes. iDKHOW formally revealed itself with 2018’s “1981 Extended Play” EP prior to hitting the road. With the success of the hit single “Leave Me Alone,” the duo made their late-night television debut this year on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” performing the track, and their daytime debut on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The band’s single “Choke” has recently been certified Gold in the U.S. by the RIAA.
Founded in Rochester, N.Y., in 2010, alternative rock band Joywave broke into the scene with the release of their debut LP “How Do You Feel Now” in 2014. A major commercial success, the LP quickly found its place on the Billboard charts. Joywave then went on to release their sophomore album “Content” in 2017 before following up with “Possession” in 2020. “Cleanse,” the band’s latest album, was conceived, written and recorded in frontman Daniel Armbruster’s home during the pandemic.
ARTIST AND VENDOR REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CHALKTOBERFEST
Skye Canyon will hold its sixth annual juried chalk art competition, Chalktoberfest, on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Skye Canyon Park, 10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Drive, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The festival will feature a chalk art contest, art fair, pumpkin patch, and children’s costume contest. Registration for artists and artisanal craft vendors is now open.
This year’s chalk art contest theme is “Spread Love - Land, Sea, and Skye.” Artists of all skill levels are encouraged to imaginatively interpret this hopeful theme and display the power of uplifting artistic creativity as they vie for top honors and cash prizes. The juried competition includes three categories, student (ages 12-18), amateur (18+) and professional. Registration is free and limited to first 50 artists.
Skye Canyon is also offering up to 30, 10’ x 10’ booths at the vendor village where local artisans in all sorts of creative mediums can showcase and sell their wares. A vendor booth costs $100, with monies going directly to Skye Serves, the community’s ongoing philanthropic outreach program.
A variety of fun kids and family activities will be available and local food trucks will be on hand for the purchase of food and beverages.
ALL IN AVIATION CELEBRATES AVIATION WEEK WITH DISCOVERY LESSONS
As the nationwide pilot shortage continues, airlines are looking to hire more pilots to fill gaps and bring their operations back to at least pre-pandemic status. This need has led to significant changes in the general aviation industry – including a surge in private pilot training.
To celebrate National Aviation Week Aug. 19-25, All In Aviation is offering first-time flyers a one-hour discovery flight lesson including guest at $172 plus two-hour minimum instructor fee in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk, upon availability between Aug. 19-25 only.
All In Aviation has two Southern Nevada locations located at Henderson Executive Airport and North Las Vegas Airport. The company offers a fleet of more than 14 aircraft to choose from for private pilot training.
‘SMASH MAGAZINE’ PRESENTS BOY HARSHER AT BACKSTAGE BAR
Electronic duo Boy Harsher are returning to Las Vegas for a performance at Backstage Bar & Billiards at 601 E. Fremont Street. Presented by “Smash Magazine,” the duo will perform Tuesday, Sept. 20. Tickets start at $20 with doors opening at 8 p.m.
Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller produce a dark, danceable form of electro-pop under the name Boy Harsher. Their songs contain minimal beats and synth textures. The duo has been building up a devoted cult following since their 2014 formation. “Pain,” a song originally appearing on their debut EP, emerged as an underground hit, and the pair continue releasing hook-filled and beat-heavy recordings like 2019’s “Careful.” Boy Harsher wrote, produced, and scored a short film titled “The Runner,” which appeared this year.
