BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Oct. 23, 2022
BY: Jackie Brett
DOMINIQUE ANSEL LAS VEGAS OPENS AT CAESARS PALACE
Creative confectionaries, decadent desserts and, of course, the Cronut® have arrived at Dominique Ansel Las Vegas at Caesars Palace. James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Ansel has opened his bake shop and introduced his only-in-Vegas “Lucky 7” collection, Cookie Shots, Frozen S’mores, the Cronut® flavor of the month, and more to the resort. The bakery located next to Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill spans more than 1,100 square feet and features café-style seating for 20 people. Hours are daily 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Chef Ansel has created signature pastries exclusively for Caesars Palace, including a Cronut® flavor that changes each month and never repeats. The first featured Cronut® flavor is Lucky Cherry Chambord and Caramelia. Available through Nov. 30, the pastry is filled with cherry Chambord jam and Valrhona Caramelia (caramelized milk chocolate) ganache.
Exclusively available at Dominique Ansel Las Vegas, the “Lucky 7” collection symbolizes good fortune and includes: Lucky Penny Pig; Ladybug; Goldfish; Four-Leaf Clover; Fortune Cookie; Feather; and Evil Eye Éclair.
Chef Ansel, creator of the Cronut® and other pastry wonders has been called a “Culinary Van Gogh” by “Food & Wine.” Ansel is the author of two cookbooks: “Dominique Ansel: The Secret Recipes” (October 2014) and “Everyone Can Bake: Simple Recipes to Master & Mix” (April 2020).
‘FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME’ WILL OPEN AT THE VENETIAN
World-renowned producer, actor, and playwright, Lin-Manuel Miranda, will take the stage joining the cast at “Freestyle Love Supreme” inside The Summit Showroom at The Venetian® on Wednesday-Thursday, Nov. 16 and 17. Created by Miranda, Thomas Kail and Anthony Veneziale, “Freestyle Love Supreme” is a non-stop blend of hip-hop, improvisational comedy, music, and vocal stylings powered by continuous audience engagement. In addition to Miranda, fans can expect a rotating roster of special guests at select performances.
Conceived by Veneziale, the talented group was founded by Miranda, Veneziale, and Kail, in 2003, before “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.” Now, “Freestyle Love Supreme” will bring the free-flowing performances to the Strip opening at The Venetian on Thursday, Nov. 10. Earlier this year, the show completed a Broadway run and country-wide tour.
Taking the stage will be Simone Acosta aka “Sims;” Andrew Bancroft aka “Jelly Donut;” Richard Baskin, Jr. aka “Rich Midway;” Jay C. Ellis aka “Jellis J;” Manny Houston aka “Manny Packs A wow;” Gable Houston III aka “Honeycomb;” Kaila Mullady aka "Kaiser Rözé;” Morgan Reilly aka “Hummingbird;” and Dizzy Senze aka “Dizzy.”
In addition, a special hotel offer is available until April 23, 2023, using code JAFDFSP. Guests can receive up to 25% off suite rates and 50% off tickets to “Freestyle Love Supreme.”
JIMMY KIMMEL’S COMEDY CLUB SET TO REOPEN
Late-night talk show host and Las Vegas-raised Jimmy Kimmel will reopen his comedy club Nov. 3 at The LINQ Promenade with a lineup of comedians, including Gina Brillon and Luenell. The club is located across from Brooklyn Bowl and near the High Roller - the tallest observation wheel in North America.
Kimmel has joined forces with Pompey Entertainment, a company owned by famed Las Vegas entertainment executive Damian Costa and successful entrepreneur Nick Cordaro. Together, they make up Pompey Entertainment, charged with running the operations and management of Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club.
The 8,000-square-foot venue has an expandable showroom seating up to 300 guests. Performances are Tuesday at 7 p.m., Thursday-Sunday at 8 p.m. with 10 p.m. and midnight shows on Saturdays.
Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club offers a menu of high-end casual cuisine featuring a variety of shareable bites. Craft cocktails are named for people and places in Jimmy's life–such as the bourbon-based “Aunt Chippy” and tequila-fueled “Guillermo.” With a full kitchen and service staff, guests can enjoy casual fare and libations before, during and after performances. Daily happy hour takes place 5-7 p.m. featuring $5 shots, $6 beers, well drinks and wine, and $7 for select food options.
GLITTERING LIGHTS RETURNS FOR THE 22ND YEAR
Las Vegas’ award-winning drive-through holiday spectacular, Glittering Lights presented by Goettl Air Conditioning and Plumbing, will return to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Nov. 10 through Jan. 8, 2023. The 2.5-mile course includes more than five million lights and 600 displays, with new larger-than-life additions for the 2022-2023 season.
The holiday tradition is celebrating 22 years. Return guests can expect their favorite moments, including hot cocoa, kettle corn, and even a living nativity on select nights – as well as the lights they love. New for 2022 are the Glittering Lights Snow Yeti display, a new addition to sports alley – Las Vegas’ professional Lacrosse team – the Desert Dogs, and a variety of new drive-thru themed arches.
Glittering Lights is open daily 4:45–9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays. Tickets are Monday-Thursday with some blackout dates $29 per car or truckload and $39 for Any Day Ticket. The outdoor open-air Santa Tram is $20 per person. A Season Pass is $129 for two vehicles and Fast Pass is $64 per car or truckload.
‘BRUNCHED BY AN ANGEL’ WILL DEBUT IN KAOS AT THE PALMS
“Brunched By An Angel,” the first-ever Las Vegas production show that will allow guests to brunch with their dearly departed, will make its spiritual debut at KAOS inside the Palms Nov.12-13, with additional shows in the limited-engagement residency Dec. 10-11, and Jan. 14-15, 2023. Each weekend will feature two shows per day: 10 a.m.–noon and 1:30– 3:30 p.m. with a live music set the first half hour with brunch. Tickets start at $75.
The event is spearheaded by three of the world’s best psychic mediums who will connect with the spirits of the audience’s loved ones who have passed away. Each medium possesses their own special gifts to reach the departed. The trio includes Reginald Lewis with friends Loriann Mans and Christopher Allan.
The two-hour show is limited to 272 guests to ensure an intimate experience, as well as produce the best odds for anyone hoping to get a reading from a celebrity medium.
CHEF SHAWN MCCLAIN’S BALLA ITALIAN SOUL OPENED AT SAHARA
James Beard Award Winner Shawn McClain’s Balla Italian Soul is open at the Sahara offering a modern take on favorite Italian bites. The new restaurant launches with bold flavors, bright colors and a relaxed Mediterranean vibe. Dinner service is Wednesday through Sunday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Menu highlights include handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and meats, and seafood, along with shareable antipasti and decadent desserts. In addition to a creative cocktail menu with signature Negronis and Spritzes, Balla offers an Italian-forward wines-by-the-glass list and selection of domestic and Italian beers.
‘O’BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CELEBRATED 24 YEARS AT BELLAGIO
On Saturday, Oct. 15, the cast of “O™” by Cirque du Soleil celebrated its 24th anniversary since the flagship production made its debut at Bellagio in 1998. As one of the early Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas, “O” has captivated more than 18 million guests from around the world. The aquatic masterpiece, created by the late Franco Dragone and his incomparable artistic vision, pays tribute to the beauty of live theater with a wondrous display of artistic swimmers, Olympic divers and acrobats performing in, on and above water.
Ahead of the sold-out performance, the illustrious characters took a dive into the 1.5-million-gallon custom pool creating a fun visual forming the number “24” in honor of the anniversary. In addition, the show has introduced a reimagined first-class VIP package, La Grande Expérience, where guests are submerged into an intimate evening complete with a lavish suite, meet-and-greet with the cast, hors d’oeuvres, private cocktail service and more.
Weaving a tapestry of artistry, surrealism and theatrical romance, “O” invites guests to experience an ethereal voyage Wednesday–Sunday at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
‘X COUNTRY’ CELEBRATES SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY
“X Country” is celebrating its seventh anniversary on the Strip in Harrah’s Cabaret inside Harrah’s. The kickin’ topless revue features a combination of traditional and modern country music chart toppers and celebrates “lucky number seven” with four racy new dance numbers.
True to the husband-and-wife producers’ “X” brand, the X Country Girls are beautiful and talented dancers, who tease and seduce the audience to country music’s most popular songs, including a new opening number to Carrie Underwood’s “Poor Everybody Else,” a reverse striptease to “Last Name” by Underwood, a new solo to Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like,” “a spinning chair duet to Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One,” and more. Performances are at 10 p.m. Thursday-Monday. Tickets start at $48.
AARON LEWIS WILL BRING 2023 ACOUSTIC TOUR POOLSIDE AT RED ROCK
Looking ahead multi-platinum certified country superstar Aaron Lewis will bring his 2023 acoustic tour to the Sandbar Stage poolside at Red Rock Resort Sunday, May 14, 2023, at 8 p.m. Tickets for “Aaron Lewis Acoustic” are $60 and $85 for standing room only and can be purchased at any Station Casinos Reward Center or online.
Lewis grew up in Springfield, Vt., listening to his grandparents’ country 8-tracks. Those roots inspired the multi-platinum Staind founder to return to his origins for the No.1 Billboard Country Album debut “Town Line and Sinner,” as well as Billboard’s No. 1 Hot Country Song debut “Am I The Only One,” only the ninth time since 1958.
Lewis’ latest album, “Frayed At Both Ends,” offers the hard touring, 15-million selling workingman’s country star at his most personal and unplugged, which makes for an intimate record reflecting his 2023 acoustic tour.
BORTOLAMI BRINGS LATEST ARTIST / CITYINITIATIVE TO LAS VEGAS
Bortolami Gallery out of New York City will open the newest edition of its Artist / Cityinitiative in downtown Las Vegas with New York–based Japanese painters Koichi Sato and Susumu Kamijo, and Los Angeles–based artist Jonas Wood. Expanding exhibition programming outside the gallery’s walls, the Artist / Cityinitiative pairs artists with an unconventional space in an American city for a longer duration than a standard gallery exhibition, granting artists freedom to push the boundaries of their creative practices. For this site-responsive exhibition in Las Vegas, the artists each worked on a series of new paintings, which will occupy the vacant site of a former Greyhound bus terminal adjacent to the Plaza from Nov. 18 to Feb. 26, 2023.
In the context of Las Vegas’ status as an over-the-top icon of America, the three artists have created new works based on their individual experiences of “Americana,” responding to the project individually and collaboratively. Visitors will enter the once-abandoned bus station and immerse themselves in a surreal, yet ordinary scenario imagined by the three artists, reminiscent of travelers waiting for their bus.
Koichi Sato, a self-taught painter known for his vibrant and cartoon-like figures, worked on new portraits of individuals and groups of people representing a wide spectrum of characters and identities in American culture. Susumu Kamijo continued his signature explorations of animals’ physical and behavioral peculiarities, presenting heavily abstract canvases of poodles. The exhibition will be completed with never-before-seen works by internationally acclaimed artist Jonas Wood, including a large-scale landscape painting that will serve as a pictorial, boldly graphic background of the show.
THE MOB MUSEUM OFFERS ADMISSION DEALS FOR KEFAUVER DAY
The Mob Museum will offer free museum admission on Tuesday, Nov. 15 for Nevada residents and buy-one, get-one admission for non-residents to celebrate Kefauver Day, which commemorates the U.S. Senate investigative hearing into organized crime that took place in the Museum’s courtroom on Nov. 15, 1950.
Named after Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee, the Kefauver Committee hearings were televised nationwide and brought organized crime into the living rooms of many Americans for the first time. Held in 14 U.S. cities from 1950 to 1951, the Kefauver hearings were pivotal in the national fight against organized crime, which influenced the development of Las Vegas.
In addition, all guests will receive 10% off food and beverage inside The Underground speakeasy and at Museum concessions.
HONEY SALT AND EAT THIS COMEDY TEAM UP AGAIN
After a quick sell-out of the first installment of the Farm Table Dinner Comedy Night, Honey Salt in Summerlin and Eat This Comedy will bring back the popular event for a second event pairing laughs with food on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.
Comedian and food writer, Jason Harris will produce and headline the show which will also feature popular comedians Garrett Hall, Chris Clarke and Frannie Maas. Tickets are $95 which includes a welcome cocktail, three-course dinner, and the Jason Harris & Friends Comedy Show.
TRIPADVISOR HONORS BARRY’S DOWNTOWN PRIME AT CIRCA
Barry’s Downtown Prime, the luxury secluded steakhouse at Circa, has been recognized by Tripadvisor as a 2022 Travelers’ Choice award winner for its place among the top 10% of restaurants worldwide. The award celebrates businesses that have received great traveler reviews from diners around the globe on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months.
The Travelers’ Choice awards honor select restaurants that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence, and Barry’s Downtown Prime stood out by its constant deliverance of positive experiences to diners. The restaurant is defined by vintage glamour, outstanding service and Chef Barry S. Dakake’s signature cuisine.
AREA15 HOSTS PERFORMANCE BY SATORI & THE BAND FROM SPACE
Music charity In Place of War will launch its 2022-2023 Around The World in 80 Raves global fundraising events series with a special gig featuring Dutch artists Satori & The Band From Space hosted at AREA15 on Thursday, Nov. 10.
80 Raves campaign, which invites global DJs, venues and festivals to collaborate on live events to raise funds for projects bringing communities in areas of conflict together through music, debuted last year.
FERRARO’S PLANS SPECIAL FIVE-COURSE WHITE TRUFFLE DINNER
Family-owned and operated Ferraro’s Ristorante is holding an exclusive five-course white truffle dinner on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The lavish dinner will feature exquisite wine pairings and one of the season’s most indulgent ingredients – Italian white truffles. Tickets are $250 per person, call 702-364-5300.
Italian white truffles are widely regarded as the most distinctive of all truffles, and their season runs typically from late October to late December. Truffles grow in the wild, where they enjoy a symbiotic relationship with mature oak, beech and hazelnut trees, from which they draw carbohydrates while growing underground. For this reason, truffles cannot be cultivated.
NEW LAS VEGAS-BASED ESŌES COSMETICS, HOSTS LAUNCH PARTY
Esōes Cosmetics is making its first public reveal with a Black and White Launch Party at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28 at the UnCommons. General Admission and VIP tickets are available on Eventbrite for the unveiling of the first patent-pending smart safety cosmetics.
The Launch Party will give guests the opportunity to learn more about the patent-pending cosmetic line and its social enterprise directly from the team of founders, scientists, and engineers. While education is part of the event, guests will also enjoy the party vibes with tapas, desserts, an open bar, and the opportunity to be the first to test out Esōes’ smart safety lipstick
