BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Aug. 14, 2022
BY: Jackie Brett
NEW YORK-NEW YORK LAUNCHES $63 MILLION ROOM REMODEL
New York-New York launched a $63 million room remodel project this week of its 1,830 rooms and 155 suites. When completed next summer, the accommodations will feature vibrant new designs and upgraded in-room amenities. Completion of all guest rooms and Spa, Marquis and Players suites is scheduled for summer 2023 with the first collection of standard and premier rooms available for guest stays in late October 2022.
The design aesthetic draws inspiration from the energy and excitement of two of the world’s great cities, Las Vegas and New York City. The remodel features design details such as rooms with exposed faux brick walls and accent colors like Big Apple Red and Taxicab Yellow. Reflecting a thoughtful use of space, rooms will incorporate modern conveniences such as moveable work surfaces, readily available USB/USB-C power outlets and additional shelving and closet space. Guests will experience the feel of a loft apartment with convenient touch points and amenities.
The room remodel is the next phase of a resort transformation, which already includes the recently launched “Mad Apple” show; the refurbished and rebranded Big Apple Coaster with new trains for a smoother ride; and the revamped Big Apple Arcade with updated games and the latest RFID technology.
THE BEDFORD BY MARTHA STEWART IS OPEN AT PARIS
Global lifestyle icon Martha Stewart brings delicious recipes and farmhouse charm to the Las Vegas Strip with her first restaurant, The Bedford by Martha Stewart at Paris. This dining experience is open for dinner daily from 5 to 10:30 p.m. It is located near Nobu at Paris and across from Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay.
Transporting guests to an authentic dining experience at Martha Stewart’s famed country farmhouse, the restaurant boasts French-inspired cuisine and a combination of her favorite recipes, which she serves to family and friends in her own home. The Bedford’s menu features flavorful dishes from fresh ingredients sourced locally.
Designed by Stewart herself, the 194-seat dining destination offers guests an authentic glimpse of how she lives and entertains at home. The restaurant draws inspiration from her 1925 country farmhouse, including an accurate replica of her own brown faux-bois dining room. Stewart’s functional and practical lifestyle takes center stage in her thoughtfully appointed décor, which embraces a neutral, subtle color palette as a perfect backdrop to four seasons of color with simple yet beautiful furniture throughout.
Additional elements inside The Bedford include a kitchen space with white marble counters, stainless steel appliances and gray wood cabinets. Hanging copper pans in a variety of sizes from the Martha Stewart collection adorn the kitchen area.
Guests can also enjoy signature cocktails, including the Martha-tini, made with Żubrówka bison grass vodka, dry vermouth and a lemon twist, and the Frozen Pomegranate Martha-rita. Additionally, the restaurant features Martha’s Chard, her California chardonnay from 19 Crimes.
JEFF DUNHAM SETS THREE DATES AT ZAPPOS THEATER
Comedy superstar ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and one of the world’s most inventive entertainers has announced additional dates for his upcoming “Jeff Dunham Seriously?!” tour. The worldwide tour kicked off in May and U.S. tour launched in June. Dunham will headline three shows at Zappos Theatre at Planet Hollywood on Saturdays, Nov. 5, 12 and Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40.95-$140.95.
Dunham’s summer tour will culminate with the taping of his next one-hour comedy special at the legendary Warner Theatre, in Washington D.C. He has 10 record-breaking comedy specials to his credit, including holding three of the top five most-viewed programs on Comedy Central: “Minding the Monsters” (2012) and “Controlled Chaos” (2011), which were the network’s most viewed specials of their respective years, while 2008’s “Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special” remains Comedy Central’s highest rated program of all time.
Dunham’s 2019 Netflix special “Beside Himself,” still ranks in the top five most watched among all Netflix Comedy Specials. Along with his broadcast achievements, his specials have garnered nearly 2.5 billion sales and views across all platforms.
AREA15 WELCOMES TWO BRAND-NEW STATUES
AREA15 now had two brand-new bulldog statues created by world-renowned Belgian artist, William Sweetlove, titled “Cloned Bulldog with Pet Bottle.” The two monumental figures were formerly displayed across the globe in Beverly Hills, New York City, London, Paris and Montélimar, France. Now, the two statues serve as guardians of AREA15’s main entrance located next to Art Island, a permanent gallery for the exhibition of large-scale, commercially available, festival-style artwork featuring seven original pieces by international art stars.
Standing at nearly eight feet tall, the two vibrant red bulldog statues are made from recycled plastic. Through repurposing recycled plastic materials in his artwork, Sweetlove encourages viewers to contemplate the copious amounts of plastic in the world and the need to dispose of these materials correctly to create waste-free oceans.
Sweetlove’s works not only add color and brilliance to the main entrance but also deliver important messages about plastic consumption and protecting the environment.AREA15’s Wild Muse Boutique, the retail bazaar featuring sustainable apparel and eco-friendly products from local and global creators, have mini versions of the bulldog figures for sale now.
FLANKER KITCHEN + SPORTS BAR PLANNED AT MANDALAY BAY
Following a successful launch in Salt Lake City, Carver Road Hospitality is bringing its Flanker food and beverage concept to the Las Vegas Strip with the debut in Summer 2023 of Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar at Mandalay Bay. Located at the entrance to The Shoppes at Mandalay Place just steps from the walkway to Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders, Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar will combine Carver Road’s premier dining and drinking offerings in a highly curated environment.
Flanker’s five distinct dining areas will include a 102-seat main dining room, 66-seat sports bar and lounge, 56-seat private dining room -- which can be configured as one, two, or three private spaces, 19-seat hidden private karaoke/game day viewing and dining suite, and 24-seat patio. The design will include pops of color, textures, and unique sports memorabilia elements, bringing each guest into an immersive experience with premier AV and sound elements throughout the space.
The “Flanker To Go” walk-up window will serve grab-and-go fare and bevvies for sports fans making their way to and from Allegiant Stadium.
Flanker’s extensive menu of elevated American fare features scratch burgers, sliders and shareable tacos, among other handheld favorites. A healthy selection of salads and bowls and weekend brunch items round out the offerings. Food items can be paired with an expansive selection of draft and bottled beer. A full beverage program is being created by award-winning mixologist Francesco Lafranconi, Carver Road’s vice president of beverage and hospitality culture.
VINNY GUADAGNINO WILL RETURN TO ‘CHIPPENDALES’
“Jersey Shore” star Vinny Guadagnino will join the Chippendales for his fourth residency. The “Keto-Guido’s” six-week engagement will kick off Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 and run through Oct. 9 at the Rio.
Having had to cut his last run short due to COVID, Vinny G is back and ready to bare it all once again with the Chippendales – and yes, his now legendary shower number will steam up the theater again providing audiences another chance to view all of his Italian stallion talents.
Vinny G, one of the most recognized lifestyle personalities and digital influencers, rose to fame on MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” which initially ran for six seasons and was the highest rated series in the history of MTV. He can now be seen on the reboot of the hit franchise, “Jersey Shore Family Vacation,” where fans got a sneak peek of Vinny’s Chippendales prowess when he gave Jenni J-Woww a special on-stage surprise last season.
Chippendales performs Wednesday-Sunday at 8 p.m., with additional shows on Friday and Saturday at 10:30 p.m. There will be an additional show on Sept. 4 at 10:30 p.m. Tickets range from $59.95 - $149.95.
BRUNO MARS • ANDERSON .PAAK VISIT BARBERSHOP CUTS & COCKTAILS
Last Saturday, GRAMMY award-winning duo Silk Sonic, composed of Bruno Marsand Anderson .Paak, surprised and thrilled guests with a unannounced performance at The Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails, a hidden speakeasy inside The Cosmopolitan.
Mars and .Paak arrived around 12:30 a.m. with several friends after their show at Park MGM, marking another return trip to the saloon for .Paak, who was donning a blond wig. The duo joined the evening’s house band, The 442s, for a 15-minute energizing set that included “Roxanne” by The Police, “Your Love” by The Outfield and “Last Resort” by Papa Roach. Before leaving, Mars told staff and the crowd that he “loved the band and the speakeasy’s atmosphere.”
SECOND ‘MADE IN VEGAS’ ART COMPETITION ANNOUNCES PUBLIC VOTING
Park West Fine Art Museum & Gallery has revealed the top-10 finalists for the second Made in Vegas art competition. Hand-picked from hundreds of submissions, representing thousands of pieces of original fine art created by artists living in Las Vegas, the Made in Vegas finalists now have a one-in-10 shot to be offered a year-long contract with Park West Gallery, the world’s largest art dealer. In addition, the winning artist will have the opportunity to display their work on the walls of Park West Gallery at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace.
The top-10 finalists’ work will be displayed inside Park West Gallery at the Forum Shops inside Caesars Palace, with public voting taking place from Monday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Sept. 11. The winner will then be chosen by a panel of artists and gallery representatives. Current gallery hours of operation are daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
‘JEW MAN GROUP’ PRESENTS COMEDY AT TUSCANY
Rick Michel’snew Las Vegas show “Jew Man Group” at the Tuscanyis a light-hearted musical comedy that transports audiences back to the days when the Catskill Mountain comics ruled the land. Michel feels the time is right for a musical tribute and comical parody. Michel has written and co-produced the show and stars in it.
The show is running a summer two-for-one special for locals, call tickets direct 702-947-5981. Performances are Wednesday-Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
This original production has a residency in Las Vegas and national touring dates in the works. Meanwhile, he is looking for more talent and asking comedians, comedy magicians, impressionists, ventriloquists, etc. to apply on the JewManGroup’s website.
SICKIES GARAGE READIES A FOOTBALL-INSPIRED FALL SPECIAL MENU
Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews in Town Square have announced new fall football-inspired specials, which they unveiled this week.
Football season-inspired eats include: Totchos – loaded tater tots; Meatloaf Melt; Chili Cheese Mac & Cheese and Apple Pie Nachos. All football season long, diners can enjoy a Beer Bucket Special for $19.99 featuring five domestic bottles on ice, and fans can register during pro games for their chance to win an 80” flat-screen TV.
Football fans can also play along during the season with the Sickies Bracket game from MJM Sports and receive special offers each week just for making team selections. Details are available on the company’s website SickiesBurgers.
SHRINERS CHILDREN’S OPEN SCHEDULED OCT. 3-9
The 2022 Shriners Children’s Open will bring the FedEx Cup to TPC Summerlin when the PGA Tour returns to the Las Vegas valley for the 39th consecutive year in the weeklong charitable tournament. Defending champion, Sungjae Im will be one of the many top golfers in the world participating in the competition and to help support the mission of Shriners Children’s from Oct. 3–9 at TPC Summerlin.
Multiple ticket options and packages are offered for single and multi-day attendance at this world-class golf tournament. There is free entry for children 13 and younger with a ticketed adult. Children 14-18 years old receive 50% off admissions with ticketed adult. All active and retired military and first responders receive one free ticket, which is available at the ticket office with proof of service. Also, volunteer registration is now open online at the Shriners Children’s Open website.
SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS SET TO PERFORM AT ROCKSTAR BAR
Hip hop duo Snotty Nose Rez Kids (SNRK) are returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at Rockstar Bar located at 6730 Las Vegas Blvd. Presented by “Smash Magazine,” the band will perform Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. alongside special guests Scotty Dub. Tickets start at $22. Concert goers must be 21 years old or older to attend.
SNRK is a Canadian Hip-Hop duo of Haisla (Indigenous) descent from Kitimat, British Columbia. Rappers Yung Trybez and Young D formed the duo in 2016, releasing two albums in 2017 with their second, “The Average Savage,” winning them Best Hip Hop Artist at the Western Canadian Music Awards, cemented them on 2018’s Top 10 list of the coveted Polaris Music Prize, and landed them a 2019 Juno Nomination for best Indigenous Music Album.
In 2019, “Trapline” was their third album along with a tour and feature films “Monkey Beach” and “Inconvenient Indian.” Their most personal project to date, “Life After,” was released in October 2021.
LAS VEGAS RESTAURANT WEEK’S SUCCESS HELPS THREE SQUARE
Three Square Food Bank has announced a total of 625,848 meals will be provided for the nearly 364,000 food-insecure valley residents, thanks to the combined efforts of Southern Nevada’s culinary community, residents and visitors during Las Vegas Restaurant Week.
This year, the 12-day epicurean event welcomed a record-breaking 78 first-time participants, bringing the total number of participating restaurants and foodservice businesses to 211.
From June 6-17, participating restaurants across the valley offered three-course prix-fixe menus at price points ranging from $20 to $80 with $4, $5 or $6 from each cover donated to Three Square. Special promotions were also offered by participating foodservice businesses with a fixed portion of proceeds donated. Furthermore, 76 restaurants and foodservice businesses extended their participation in Las Vegas Restaurant Week through June 24.
More than 5.5 million meals have been provided for those facing food insecurity through Las Vegas Restaurant Week since 2007.
