“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 25, 2015
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
‘X COUNTRY’ REVUE WILL PREMIERE AT HARRAH’S
Producers of “X Burlesque,” “X Rocks” and “X Comedy” have announced the newest addition to their “X” brand with the premiere of “X Country,” a kick’n topless revue, opening Sunday, Nov. 22 at Harrah’s. The new show will feature a combination of traditional and modern chart topping country music and X Country Girls dancers.
“X Country” is created and produced by husband and wife team, Matt and Angela Stabile. Performances will be Thursday through Sunday at 10:30 p.m. inside The Improv at Harrah’s. Tickets are $44.95 general admission, $55.95 for VIP, $65.95 for Front Porch, and $200 for the Country Star package, which includes a trip on stage during the show, where the X Girls will transform you into a country star.
NEW YORK CITY’S CARBONE DEBUTS MAKES STRIP DEBUT AT ARIA
Carbone, the Greenwich Village sensation that made waves in New York City’s dining scene, has opened at Aria. This is Major Food Group’s first domestic expansion outside of New York City.
Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and Jeff Zalaznick introduce their celebrated concept with memorable Captain tableside service. Carbone enlisted San Francisco-based star designer Ken Fulk to create an atmosphere with a theatrical edge and Italian vibe. The space has been transformed into a series of rooms. The Blue Room features vaulted ceilings and walls composed of tiles from New York subway stations. The Red Room is the main dining room and inspired by the Milan Opera. It exudes glamour with its stunning floor-to-ceiling Murano Glass Crystal Chandelier that was originally commissioned for a Ferrari showroom in the 1960s. Adding an element of sophistication, Carbone in Las Vegas is filled with artwork by renowned artists.
Carbone brings its iconic waiters – known as “Captains” – to Las Vegas to guide guests through the dining experience with an undeniable New York edge. Each waiter was hand selected by the Carbone family. Carbone is open 5 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is located on the promenade level next to Jean Georges Steakhouse and BARDOT Brasserie.
HIGH PROFILE NEWS ITEMS
“Rock of Ages” will close at The Venetian on Jan. 3, 2016, and then make a move to the Rio.
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace releases performance dates for resident headliner Elton John with his “The Million Dollar Piano” show in January and April 2016. The show’s centerpiece namesake piano is an engineering marvel featuring more than 68 LED video screens created by Yamaha. Tickets range in price from $55 to $250.
Brother and sister duo Donny & Marie will be the first new wax figures unveiled at Madame Tussauds at The Venetian in 2016. Their sitting took more than three hours per person with the studio team taking approximately 300 measurements.
Last week was the 16th anniversary for Anita Mann’s sexy “FANTASY” show at the Luxor in the Atrium Showroom. As always, the show continues to shine and stays fresh with changes like two-time Emmy Award-nominee Mandy Moore choreographing a new opening number. Coinciding with the revue’s anniversary, it was also the official launch party for the “FANTASY After Dark” calendar.
Another sexy topless revue with seven ladies, “Crazy Girls” at its new home at Planet Hollywood celebrated the show’s 28th anniversary on the Strip last week with a private event.
Las Vegas comedian Carrot Top will unveil his own likeness as a shrunken head at The Golden Tiki in Chinatown on Thursday night, Oct. 29. The head created exclusively for the tiki bar’s cabinet of curiosities was sculpted over the course of four weeks to ensure physical accuracies, including the signature hair.
Second area Fogo de Chão opens AT DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN
Authentic Southern Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão (pronounced fo-go dee shown) is opening its second Las Vegas’ location on Thursday, Nov. 5 in the Dining Arroyo at Downtown Summerlin. The new location includes an outdoor patio and private dining space for meetings.
Fogo de Chão shares the Brazilian “gaucho” traditions of “churrasco,” the art of roasting meats over an open fire, and “espeto corrido” or “continuous service.” Their fire-roasted meats are carved tableside for each guest by a team of authentic Brazilian-trained gaucho chefs. In addition, guests partake of the gourmet Market Table & Feijoada Bar with seasonal salads, soups, fresh vegetables, feijoada (traditional black bean stew with rice, fresh orange and yucca flour), and authentic Brazilian side dishes.
Summerlin’s culinary team is led by Head Gaucho Chef Milton Kerber, who first learned the gaucho style of cooking on his family farm in Santa Catarina, Brazil. His team personally butchers all of the meats in-house.
The Summerlin location will also highlight the Bar Fogo concept offering smaller, shareable plates and drink options with Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a new time sensitive Gaucho Lunch menu. Fogo de Chão was founded in 1979 in Porto Alegre, Brazil and expanded into the U.S. in 1997.
STONEY’S ROCKIN’ COUNTRY RE-OPENED AT TOWN SQUARE
Stoney’s Rockin’ Country reopened last week at its old stomping grounds at Town Square. The public grand opening event included a special performance from season three winner of NBC’s “The Voice,” Cassadee Pope.
Stoney’s has been renovated with rustic accents to bring the bar and nightclub back to its country roots with features including a porch inspired stage area, elevated VIP seating lined with various United States’ license plates, semi-private booths, sawdust sprinkled on the floor and much more. One of the most prominent additions is a 13-foot tall by 21-foot long American flag made of 2,256 beer cans created by Oliver Toki, believed to be the largest of its kind, on display behind the mechanical bull arena. In addition, Stoney’s has partnered with Pot Liquor to offer a barbecue menu.
Nightly specials include: the Ladies Night every Thursday featuring $1 well, wine and draft drinks for all ladies; Fresh Country Fridays with live music from the latest in country music; and All American Saturdays where the first drink is free with a military ID. Line-dancing lessons are nightly beginning at 7:30 p.m. Stoney’s is open Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. and can accommodate up to 1,200 people.
R5 WILL RING IN 2016 AT VENETIAN WITH THREE CONCERTS
Pop powerhouse quintet R5 will ring in the New Year at The Venetian with three headline shows inside The Venetian Theatre, Dec. 29, 31, and Jan. 1, 2016. Show times are 8 p.m. and 7:30 on Dec. 31. Tickets start at $55.50 and at $75.50 on New Year’s Eve.
At midnight on New Year’s Eve, the entire Las Vegas Strip will get into party mood with approximately 80,000 pyrotechnic shells deployed from 11 casino rooftops. Officially the event is called “America’s Party 2016.”
RUSTED ROOT AND DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND VISIT BROOKLYN BOWL
Rusted Root and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Moksha will perform at Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.
Having collaborated for two decades, Rusted Root has eight albums, more than three million records sold and countless nights on the road. Their newest album release is “The Movement.”
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band tours nearly constantly in the United States and in more than 30 other countries on five continents. The Dirty Dozen has been featured on albums by artists including David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Widespread Panic, Modest Mouse, Dave Matthews Band and the Black Crowes.
ETHEL M® CHOCOLATES LIGHTS UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Ethel M Chocolates, will hold its 22nd Annual Holiday Cactus Garden event on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 5-8 p.m. The countdown to the lighting of more than half a million colorful lights will take place at approximately 6 p.m. at the Henderson Factory and Cactus Garden location. While the holiday cactus lighting event is free, tickets are required for admission. Starting Nov. 2, a limited number of tickets will be available at the Ethel M Chocolates factory in Henderson. A family four-pack of tickets will be offered in exchange for non-perishable food items to be donated to Three Square Food Bank, or a toy donation for HELP of Southern Nevada.
The Ethel M Holiday Cactus Garden will be open every evening through Jan. 1 with free admittance and the garden glowing nightly from 5-10 p.m.
FASHION SHOW LAUNCHES HOLIDAY SEASON WITH ADVENTURE TO SANTA
On Thursday, Nov. 5, the Fashion Show mall will kick off the holiday season with Adventure to Santa, a blend of storytelling coupled with digital animation that will run through Dec. 24.
Back for its second year, Adventure to Santa has Shrek and his friends guiding family members on an adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa. New features this year include two new app games, Sleigh Flight School and Gingy’s Cookie Maker, and three additional exterior skins: the Painted Lady, Candy Cottage and Enchanted Log Cabin. At the top of the hour, the cottage will perform a newly designed light show that cues a different exterior skin for each hour.
CARL PALMER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS IN MUSIC AT BOULDER STATION
Carl Palmer, founding member of legendary rock bands Asia and Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP), will celebrate 50 years in the music industry with a performance at The Railhead inside Boulder Station on Friday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20.
Palmer is one of Rock and Roll’s greatest drummers having worked with other bands Atomic Rooster and The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown. He was born in
Birmingham, England. His grandfather played the drums, his grandmother was a symphony violinist, his mother played an assortment of instruments and his father sang, danced and played the guitar and drums as a semi-professional entertainer.
RECKLESS IN VEGAS ANNOUNCES NEW DATES AT SANTA FE STATION
Reckless In Vegas has new performance dates at the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station to perform alt-rock renditions of Rat Pack-era classics. The band will take the stage again on Saturday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Dec. 19 at 9 p.m. and the shows are free.
Reckless In Vegas combines the imagery, banter and classic music from the 1960s “glory days” of Las Vegas with a contemporary rock band aesthetic. There are video montages, dialogue, humor, and modern hard-rocking grooves.
CHATEAU NIGHTCLUB AT PARIS HOSTS SEMA PARTY WITH DJ K CAMP
Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris will host a party with Lexani Wheels during the SEMA Show with guest DJ, K CAMP, on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Atlanta native is best known for his hit single “Cut Her Off” and new hit “Comfortable.” His newest single released in September is “Only Way Is Up,” which has already made it into the top five on both the U.S. Rap and U.S. R&B charts. Following his performance, Lexani will give away a set of rims to a lucky partygoer. Admission starts at $20 for ladies and $30 for gentlemen.
NEON MUSEUM PRESENTS ‘FABRICATING THE FANTASY’ DISCUSSION
The Neon Museum will host “Fabricating the Fantasy: Las Vegas Resort Interiors and the Artists Who Bring Them to Life” on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The panel discussion will trace the evolution of themed Las Vegas resort interior designs and how it relates to and is influenced by exterior casino signage and facades with a focus on the artistic process.
“Fabricating the Fantasy” will be moderated by Scott Dickensheets, deputy editor of “Desert Companion” magazine. Panelists include Mark Oatis, creative director at YESCO; Evgeni Vodenitcharov, sculptor and founder of Icon Sculpting; Robert Beckmann, painter; and Brian Henry, principal, Brian Henry Design.
The PRISM Times of the Signs Series, presented by CenturyLink programs, take place in the Neon Boneyard. Attendance is free and advance registration is required, visit the Neon Museum’s website www.NeonMuseum.org.
MORE SNIPPETS
This month, ART BLOQ Thursdays started featuring The ISI Group (The Industry Supporting Industry Group) artists creating live murals and paintings in The LINQ Promenade every Thursday from 7-11 p.m. through the end of the year except on Thanksgiving Day. Some of their artwork will also be available for purchase.
The 7th Annual National Day of Remembrance will be held at the National Atomic Testing Museum Friday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and Nevada residents are admitted free. There will be congressional, DOE Office and former Nevada Test Site workers as speakers.
The 20th Annual Open House celebrating Nevada Day will take place at the “Hammargren Home of Nevada History” Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. with entertainment, tours, and refreshments for sale. There’s a $15 donation with proceeds benefitting the Middle East Conflicts Memorial Wall. The Hammargren home is located at 4318 Ridgecrest Drive off of Flamingo and Sandhill.
The Artisan Craft Festival Christmas Shopping Spectacular will be held Sunday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Suncoast Grand Ballroom. This is a premier fine art, jewelry, crafts and Christmas Expo with music, free pictures with Santa Claus, a Toys For Tots Toy Drive and United Blood Services Blood Drive plus free admission.
A photo exhibit of Christine Jorgensen, a former Las Vegas entertainer, courtesy of the Las Vegas News Bureau, is on display in the lobby at The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) through Nov. 30. Jorgensen was a World War II-era G.I. who became the first person widely known in the United States for having sex reassignment surgery. She first performed on the Las Vegas Strip in the Sahara’s Congo Room on Nov. 3, 1953, and filled the room for two weeks.
Like the coffee shops at this time of year with Pumpkin Spice Latte, MRKT Sea & Land inside Aliante goes strong offering their #PSM, Pumpkin Spice Martini for the fall season for most of November.
SIEGFRIED & ROY APPEARED IN RECOGNITION OF SARMOTI CUBS DAY
In recognition of SARMOTI Cubs Day at the Mirage, legendary magicians Siegfried & Roy appointed 12-year-old Emma Goldsberry of Make-A-Wish Foundation as the SARMOTI Cubs Child Ambassador of Conservation. At a private event numerous proclamations were awarded.
Born on Aug. 5, Hirah, Maharani, Liberty and Justice were dubbed the SARMOTI Cubs after Siegfried & Roy’s SARMOTI Foundation, which is dedicated to the protection, conservation and preservation of endangered animals, with a particular focus on big cats. The siblings can be seen daily from noon to 4 p.m. at Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.
CABO WABO CANTINA HOLDS UFC VIEWING PARTIES
Cabo Wabo Cantina, located inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, will host viewing parties for upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title fights, including the showoff between Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey and Holly “The Preacher’s Daughter” Holm in UFC 193 on Saturday, Nov. 14, and the tension-filled battle between Jose “Junior” Aldo and Conor “The Notorious” McGregor in UFC 194, on Saturday, Dec. 12. Other fight nights are Nov. 7, 21, 28, Dec. 10 and 19.
The championship bouts will be shown in Cabo Wabo’s private upstairs lounge, The LOFT, on numerous flat-panel big-screen TVs, including a 184-inch video grid, a 180-inch projection screen and two 80-inch high-definition TVs. For an admission fee, guests will take in the Pay-Per-View fights, beer bucket specials, signature cocktails and have a full list of menu items available for purchase.
MORE HALLOWEEN ITEMS
Stoney's Rockin’ Country will hold its ghoulish Halloween Party on Oct. 31 with doors opening at 7 p.m. More than $9, 550 in cash and prizes will be awarded at midnight with first place in the best costume contest receiving $1,000.
The District at Green Valley Ranch will host its annual Trick or Treat event with candy, Halloween music, spooky decor and more. Families are invited to stroll through the The District shops. From Whole Foods to Elephant Bar Restaurant, stores will be handing out candy starting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Gaudin Ford at 6625 Roy Horn Way will host a complimentary Halloweenie Roast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31 with free hotdogs, potato salad and beverages. The Gaudin “BatMobile” will have a trunk full of candy for children and attendees can enter a drawing to win an annual family membership to Discovery Children’s Museum.
The 5th Annual Halloween Party & Costume Contest with prizes will be held Oct. 31 at Via Brasil Steakhouse on Fort Apache Road from 7-9 p.m. This is a free networking event presented by Yvette Auger's Cosmopolitan Connections with an RSVP required, visit Cosmopolitan Connections’ website.
