Date: Feb. 5, 2023
BY: Jackie Brett
MICHAEL CARBONARO WILL RETURN TO RIO FOR SIX WEEK RUN
Michael Carbonaro will return to the Rio starting May 25 with his limited six-week engagement and new show, “Michael Carbonaro: Live in Las Vegas.” The television star will conjure up a concoction of magic and offbeat shenanigans for audiences of all ages at the Penn & Teller Theater. Performances will be held Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m. from Thursday, May 25 through Sunday, July 2. Tickets start at $59.
Best known as the star and executive producer of the hit series, “The Carbonaro Effect” on truTV, Carbonaro has also made frequent television appearances in shows such as “30 Rock,” “Happily Divorced,”“Grey’s Anatomy,” and “CSI Miami.” A performing magician since his youth, Carbonaro went on to study experimental theater at New York University with aspirations of entertaining audiences through a variety of theatrical mediums, including hidden-camera magic, which he later showcased frequently on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
His comedic series, “The Carbonaro Effect,” has run for more than 100 episodes on truTV and currently airs on HBO Max and in syndication worldwide. In this series, Carbonaro as a trickster performs inventive tricks on unsuspecting members of the public who are not aware he is a magician. In 2016 Michael embarked on his first theater tour with “Michael Carbonaro Live!”
BATTLEBOTS OPENS ‘DESTRUCT-A-THON’SHOW WITH CELEBRITY HOSTS
BattleBots, the world’s premier robot combat competition, has named Bil Dwyer as host and Steve Judkins as co-host for the daily “BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon” live show, which opened at the BattleBots Arena in Las Vegas. The brand-new, 75-minute robot-combat theater show features live robot fights, with no one knowing which robot will be victorious each night. Each show features shocks, surprises and the kind of robot-on-robot carnage for which BattleBots is famous. Shows take place Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 6 p.m. and Sundays at noon.
Bil Dwyer is no stranger to BattleBots. He hosted the original Comedy Central version back in 2000. His career has covered many facets of show business, from performing and writing to commercial voiceover work. He is an accomplished standup comic with his own half-hour standup special, “Comedy Central Presents: Bil Dwyer.” He’s hosted many programs and made appearances on television shows and hit network series. Writing with sitcom star/television producer Christopher Titus, Dwyer co-created a show based on his stand-up comedy called “Back After This” for Sony Pictures Television. A regular commentator on various cable shows, he is most often recognized for his work on VH1’s “I Love the…” series. Dwyer was also seen as a finalist on season four of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and starred in Cartoon Network’s live action/animation hybrid series “Out of Jimmy’s Head.”
Steve Judkins originally hails from Melbourne, Australia, and his career spans more than 30 years. He was the host and lead vocalist at The Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio and played Shrek in “Shrek The Musical” as well as roles in “West Side Story,” “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Mamma Mia!” and “The Full Monty.” He also played a guest role alongside Ice Cube on the hit TV series “Are We There Yet?,” had roles in feature films “It Stains The Sand Red,” “His Only Son” and “Broken Gardenias,” and hosted “Simpsons Live” in Australia.
RL GRIME IS ZOUK GROUP’S NEW RESIDENT PERFORMER
Los Angeles-based DJ and electronic producer, RL Grime, is the newest resident performer to join the 2023 roster at Ayu Dayclub and Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World beginning Saturday, Feb. 18. His upcoming dates at Zouk Nightclub are Feb. 18, March 23 and May 11, and at Ayu Dayclub March 11 and May 26.
RL Grime is known for his popular remixes and collaborations with artists including The Weeknd, Miguel, Jeremih, Ty Dolla $ign, and Chief Keef. He first came to prominence as a New York-based teenager delivering monster, viral remixes of Chief Keef’s “Love Sosa” and Kanye West’s “Mercy.” After solidifying his fanbase with a few highly regarded EPs, RL Grime independently released his first studio album, “VOID,” in 2014. It premiered as the #1 Electronic album in the United States. In 2019, he established his own record label called Sable Valley. Most recently, he released a collaboration with NERO called “Renegade.”
STELLAR YEAR FOR WEDDINGS ANTICIPATED WITH SPECIALTY DATES
Weddings in Las Vegas are on the rise in the past several years with 2022 being a banner year, issuing 79,279 marriage licenses and marrying 77,574 couples. Even more couples are anticipated to head this way in 2023 as a host of specialty dates are on the calendar this year along with Valentine’s Day.
Specialty wedding dates are always a draw for couples getting married and 2022 was a host to numerous dates, including 2-22-22 where 2,341 couples were married on that date alone ringing it in as the sixth most popular wedding date in Clark County history. In the past, dates like 8/18/18 saw more than 1,000 marriages for the popular date.
Specialty dates this year began last week with Feb. 3, 2023 (2/3/23). Valentine’s Day will be next week on Tuesday, Feb. 14 followed by Thursday, Feb. 23 (2/23/23).
March has three fun dates: Thursday, March 2 (3/2/23); Friday, March 3 (3/3/23); and Thursday, March 23 (3/23/23). Two more dates this year will be Saturday, April 1 (4/1/23) and Sunday, Dec. 31, which is New Year’s Eve. Check it out 12/31/23 or 123123!
The Marriage License Bureau, a division of the Clark County Clerk’s Office, is in downtown Las Vegas at 201 E. Clark Ave. The Bureau issued nearly 80,000 marriage licenses last year and is typically the busiest in the world. On average, more than 600 marriages take place on Valentine’s Day each year.
AZZURRA CUCINA ITALIANA OPENS AT DOWNTOWN HENDERSON
Azzurra Cucina Italiana opened this month on the South End of Henderson’s Water Street, bringing design and culinary talent to Downtown Henderson. Concepted and owned by Henderson bon vivant and architect Windom Kimsey and wife, Annelisa Polk, the newly built space raises the bar for dining in the city. Azzurra is open daily except Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. Reservations are available through OpenTable or by calling 702-268-7867.
The restaurant sits directly next to Kimsey’s custom home on the block. Designed by Kimsey himself, the unexpected space includes natural materials, felt panel ceilings, geometric tiles, and pops of azure blue – a nod to the name. Guests enter through the attached outdoor patio, framed by olive trees, into the jewel-toned space. The marble topped bar lends itself to the perfect glass of wine and Italian bite. The interior seats 30 guests, with an attached outdoor patio built to host an additional 40 guests.
Azzurra’s culinary team includes local favorite Roman trained Chef Alessandra Madeira, who hails from kitchens in both New York and Las Vegas by way of Rio de Janeiro.
THE JACKSONS WILL HEADLINE AT PEARL CONCERT THEATER AT PALMS
The Jacksons, consisting of original members Tito Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Marlon Jackson, are set to return to Las Vegas on Saturday, April 1 at 8 p.m. at the Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort. The performance will include their mega-hits made famous with their brother, Michael Jackson. The Jacksons are inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, have five #1 albums, 18 #1 hits, 17 top 10 albums, 17 top 40 singles which include their most notable songs such as “ABC,” “I’ll Be There,” “I Want You Back,” “Can You Feel It,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground),” “Blame It On The Boogie,” and many more.
JAY LENO WILL MAKE DEBUT AT ENCORE THEATER AT WYNN
Celebrated late night television host and admired stand-up comedian, Jay Leno, will make his venue debut at Encore Theater at Wynn with a singular show on Friday, March 31 at 8 p.m.
The performance gives fans a chance to see the Emmy-winning comedy legend in an intimate setting. In addition to an incredible comedic career spanning nearly three decades, Leno is a best-selling children’s book author, in-demand corporate speaker, television and film voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and mechanic, and philanthropist. Leno also produces and hosts the CNBC primetime series “Jay Leno’s Garage” now in its seventh season.
Leno’s mark on the comedy and entertainment industries has been recognized with a variety of accolades and awards including an Emmy, People’s Choice Award and multiple TV Guide awards, the Harris Poll selection as most popular star on television and the Hasty Pudding Award from Harvard University, The Mark Twain Prize, the Patriot Award – given by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, and serving as the first person to drive the pace car of all major NASCAR Events.
ALI WONG WILL VISIT ENCORE THEATER AT WYNN
Comedienne, writer, actress and director Ali Wong will make her return to Encore Theater at Wynn with “Ali Wong: Live.” The “New York Times” best-selling author of “Dear Girls” will present four shows over two nights on Friday and Saturday, April 28-29 with performances at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Wong made her sold-out venue debut at Encore Theater in February 2019.
She is best known for her critically acclaimed Netflix comedy specials “Baby Cobra,” “Hard Knock Wife,” and the Emmy-nominated “Don Wong.” She is working with A24 on her next project titled “Beef,” a new Netflix series slated for release in April 2023.
Wong executive produces and voices Bertie in “Tuca and Bertie,” co-wrote and starred in “Always Be My Maybe,” and directed Sheng Wang’s “Sweet and Juicy.”
LOVERS & FRIENDS ANNOUNCES SUPERSTAR LINEUP
Following enormous success with its inaugural year, Lovers & Friends will return Saturday, May 6 to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds with a massive collection of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest artists, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the genres. The incredible lineup will treat fans to more than 45 artists with impeccably curated and nostalgia-fueled performances from female powerhouses including Missy Elliott, marking her first billed performance since 2019, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, alongside Usher, 50 Cent, Nelly, Pitbull, with additional performances from contemporary fan-favorites Miguel, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, PartyNextDoor and many more.
‘MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER’ OFFERS KILLER VALENTINE’S DAY
“Marriage Can Be Murder” is a murder-mystery interactive comedy dinner show which has found a home in Las Vegas for nearly 23 years. For Valentine’s Day, two special shows will be offered, an early show at 5:30 p.m. and late show at 8 p.m. at The Venue at The Orleans. In honor of the sweetheart holiday, the show will gift a box of chocolates and a rose per party, as well as a complimentary glass of champagne.
With each ticket purchase, guests will enjoy a three-course meal plus one non-alcoholic beverage during the two-hour interactive “who dun-it” experience.
KEVIN HART PLANS BACK-TO-BACK PERFORMANCES AT RESORTS WORLD
Emmy & GRAMMY-nominated comedian and actor, Kevin Hart, will take the stage again at Resorts World Theatre with back-to-back performances in March. On the heels of four sold-out shows, Hart will extend his critically acclaimed “Reality Check Tour” with newly added shows Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18. Hart is the first comedian to perform at the state-of-the-art theatre while simultaneously taping his next comedy special. Recently, he rang in the New Year at Resorts World, appearing live on “CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live from New York City’s Times Square” with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.
DAVID SPADE • NIKKI GLASER PERFORM TOGETHER AT THE VENETIAN
Comedians David Spade and Nikki Glaser are teaming up to perform together in Las Vegas over four weekends in 2023 at The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian Resort. The shows will be held April 28-29; June 30-July 1; Sept. 29-30; and Nov. 17-18.
Spade became a household favorite during his tenure as a cast member on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” For his memorable role as Dennis Finch, the wise-cracking, power-hungry assistant on “Just Shoot Me,” Spade received nominations for a 1999 Emmy Award, Golden Globe and American Comedy Award. His most recent stand-up special “Nothing Personal” debuted on Netflix in 2022 and currently, Spade can be heard co-hosting his podcast “Fly on the Wall,” alongside fellow SNL alumni Dana Carvey.
Glaser has performed over a decade at clubs across the country, and been the host of three hit podcasts, including her daily show, “The Nikki Glaser Podcast.” On July 16, she headlined her first HBO comedy special, “Good Clean Filth,” which was nominated for a Critics Choice Award for Best Comedy Special. She is currently on her nationwide and international comedy tour, “One Night With Nikki Glaser,” which kicked off last summer.
SINGER-SONGWRITER QUINN XCII RETURNS TOTHE COSMOPOLITAN
American pop singer and songwriter Quinn XCII (pronounced Quinn Ninety-Two) will be back at The Chelsea in The Cosmopolitan on Friday, May 26 with “The People’s Tour,” celebrating the release of his fifth studio album “The People’s Champ.”
Powered by clever storytelling and a willingness to blur the lines between pop, soul, alternative, and hip-hop, his catalog boasts a procession of platinum singles, featuring “Kings of Summer” with ayokay, “Straightjacket” and “Love Me Less” with MAX, and gold singles “Flare Guns” and “Stay Next To Me” with Chelsea Cutler, “Another Day In Paradise,” “Stacy” and “Always Been You.” He has headlined on major stages like Radio City Music Hall, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and The Greek Theatre as well as festivals including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Firefly, Governors Ball, Summerfest and Electric Forest. He has also performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” “Live with Kelly and Ryan” and “Today,” to name a few.
TRACE ADKINS WILL HEADLINE SUNSET AMPHITHEATER
GRAMMY Award-nominated country music superstar Trace Adkins is bringing the “Somewhere In America Tour” to the Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station on Friday, July 28 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $42.50.
Louisiana native Adkins has been a Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades. He broke out in 1996 with the debut album, “Dreamin’ Out Loud,” chart hit “Every Light In The House Is On” and followed with the #1 smash, “This Ain’t (No Thinkin’ Thing).” In his 25-year career in Country music, Adkins has sold more than 11 million albums and even made fun-filled hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone” (with Blake Shelton). Adkins has expanded his career to include film and TV acting. His newest video “Love Walks Through the Rain” featuring Melissa Etheridge is available everywhere now.
SCOTTISH ROCKER KT TUNSTALL WILL HEADLINE THE SIDE LAWN
Multi-platinum Scottish rocker KT Tunstall is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the new Side Lawn at Sunset Station on Saturday, June 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32.50.
Sunset Station is introducing the Side Lawn, an intimate, new outdoor concert venue located adjacent to the Sunset Amphitheater. Presenting an eclectic mix of artists, the Side Lawn combines the relaxing, open-air atmosphere of an Amphitheater performance with the unmistakable energy and intimacy of an indie club.
KT Tunstall burst onto the music scene with her 2004 multi-platinum debut, “Eye to the Telescope,” which spawned the global hits “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and “Suddenly I See.” These songs established Tunstall as a captivating performer, as well as a songwriter with a knack for balancing introspective folk and propulsive rock.
In the last few years, the Grammy-nominated Scottish musician has focused on a trilogy of records, where each album zeroes in on a single concept: soul, body and mind. The first, 2016’s “KIN,” was the soul record; 2018’s “WAX” was the body record, and the new “NUT” is the mind record.
