“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
GARTH BROOKS WILL MAKE HIS JULY LAS VEGAS ARENA SHOWS EPIC
The biggest selling solo artist in American history, Garth Brooks, will bring his biggest selling tour in the world to Las Vegas and the new Las Vegas Arena July 2-4, 2016. Brooks, who this year sold more tickets than any other artist in the world, will create a live music experience for the Entertainment Capital when he performs multiple shows over three days: 7 p.m. July 2; 7 and 10:30 p.m. July 3; and 5 p.m. July 4. Brooks will create artistic components for his performances utilizing the Las Vegas Arena’s advanced production elements while taking advantage of the venue’s many entertainment spaces, highlighted by the adjacent two-acre Toshiba Plaza. Additionally, the entire Las Vegas resort community will support Brooks’ return through a schedule of specially created promotional events to be announced in the future.
MICHAEL FLATLEY WILL MAKE HIS FINAL U.S. APPEARANCE AT CAESARS
Following his acclaimed Broadway debut, Michael Flatley’s U.S. tour of “Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games” will make its final stop at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on St. Patrick’s Day Thursday, March 17, 2016.
Flatley will headline in what will mark his final onstage appearance as a performer following a remarkable 20-year run as the creator and star of the Lord of the Dance franchise. The production, subtitled Dangerous Games, which has already performed to sold-out audiences at the Playhouse Theatre in London and the Lyric Theatre in New York, ends with one last performance at The Colosseum.
Trailblazing Irish dancer Michael Flatley is the creator of the internationally-recognizable Lord of the Dance brand that singlehandedly brought Irish Dance to a global audience with productions in countless countries around the world for more than two decades. His Lord of the Dance show has broken box office records all over the world. In 1998, the show set a record breaking run of 21 consecutive performances at London’s legendary Wembley Arena.
TERRY FATOR HOLIDAY SHOW HAS NEW SURPRISES
Every year, Terry Fator’s show at The Mirage celebrates the season. This year through Dec. 24 “Terry Fator: The VOICE of Entertainment Presents A Very Terry Christmas” show even has a few surprises.
For starters, the beaming groom Fator is joined on stage with multiple appearances by his brand new wife Angie Fiore who is a Dallas catering events chef.
The storyline for this year’s show is hoping to find the true meaning of Christmas.
Fator is able to feature some of his many puppet characters by having them come to his Christmas party. Appearing this year are: the ever adorable Winston the Impersonating Turtle; country singer Walter T. Airdale; Duggie Scott Walker the annoying neighbor; Julius a legend from the Apollo Theater; Elvis impersonator Maynard Thompkins; Vikki the Cougar; entertainment attorney Berry Fabulous; the adorable 12-year-old Emma Taylor; and a new Bing Crosby doll that sings “White Christmas.”
Throughout the show Fator converses with his puppet friends and sings solo tunes and duets. Quite delightful is Fator’s charming wit and timely humor. He is joined on stage by his live seven-piece band and versatile sidekick Ben Harris.
A very subtle but fun touch to the show is after each puppet’s performance an individual Christmas stocking image is either hung on the right-side or left-side of the screen that encompasses the entire perimeter of the stage and constantly changes. With music, Fator also recognizes our veterans and their families and he involves an audience member on stage turning them into a human Dolly Parton puppet. Once again, Fator has cleverly embraced the holiday season and found the true meaning of Christmas.
‘LEGENDS IN CONCERT’ INFUSES HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN ANNUAL SHOW
“Legends in Concert,” the tribute show at the Flamingo, makes a point each year to bring holiday cheer to the Strip. Running through Thursday, Dec.24, the show is featuring four outstanding tribute artists portraying Taylor Swift, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra.
The format is each artist doing some of their superstar’s hits with a holiday tune added: Swift - “All I Want for Christmas is You;” Madonna - “Santa Baby;” Frank Sinatra - “Marshmallow World;” and Michael Jackson - “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” For the finale the foursome come together with “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and sometimes a choir is highlighted. The Legends live band also performs a stunning version of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo” (“Carol of the Bells”).
New this year, Elvis isn’t closing the show. Brian Duprey as Sinatra does the honors with the audience before the show via their mobile phones selecting the last song he’ll sing in his set. Selections are “My Way,” “That’s Life,” “My Kind of Town” or “Lady is a Tramp.”
“Legends in Concert” never disappoints. There are many eye candy costume changes, vigorous non-repetitive dance routines, and live singing with a on stage band presenting cherished songs from superstars past and present. With the holiday spirit infused you leave smiling.
‘ROCK OF AGES’ WILL RELOCATE TO THE RIO AND OPEN JAN. 25, 2016
The award-winning musical “Rock Of Ages” will end its run at The Venetian on Jan. 3 and move to a new home at the Rio and open Jan. 25, 2016, with 7:30 p.m. nightly performances. The show has rocked the Strip for three years.
RASCAL FLATTS RETURNS TO HARD ROCK WITH SECOND RESIDENCY
Multi-Platinum selling trio Rascal Flatts will return to The Joint at Hard Rock for a second, nine-show residency from Feb. 17 to March 5. Rascal Flatts – Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney – wowed fans and critics last Feb. as they performed their first-ever country residency at The Joint.
BILLY IDOL WILL HAVE RESIDENCY AT HOUSE OF BLUES NEXT YEAR
Billy Idol will headline the intimate House of Blues at Mandalay Bay for his first-ever multi-date residency. “Billy Idol: Forever” will begin March 16 and feature his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens and the rest of band. The show will highlight material from Idol’s days fronting the seminal British punk band Generation X to his hits from his solo career.
ENCORE PLAYER’S CLUB WILL FEATURE MILLENNIALS GAMING EXPERIENCE
On Dec. 19, Wynn will open its new 5,013-square-foot Encore Player’s Club. The venue will be located on the casino floor at Encore across from the Surrender Nightclub, Andrea’s restaurant and VDKA bar. Built specifically to appeal to millennials, the distinctive social space will offer interactive and social games and mobile sports betting prominently showcased in an enticing luxury lounge environment complete with a live DJ. A couple notable features will include: mobile sports betting; a shuffleboard table; and a white-lacquer Blatt Billiards table from Steve Wynn’s Manhattan penthouse.
Model and actress Charlotte McKinney will host Encore Player’s Club grand opening party on Wednesday, Jan. 6 the day the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicks off in Las Vegas. Hours of operation will be Monday through Sunday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., with extended hours on game days.
JOHN’S INCREDIBLE PIZZA COMPANY WILL OPEN FIRST NEVADA LOCATION
Opening to the public in late December, John’s Incredible Pizza Company’s Las Vegas location at The Boulevard Mall on Maryland Pkwy will feature the restaurant’s signature combination of food on one side of the venue and fun on the other. The venue will also have numerous party rooms for birthday parties, private events and business meetings. In September of 1997, founder, John Parlet, opened the first John’s Incredible Pizza Company location in Victorville, Calif.
One side of the venue will showcase an All You Can Eat Buffet with freshly made pizzas, fried chicken, pasta with homemade sauces, a 40-plus item salad bar, soups, potato bar, and desserts. Meals will be enjoyed in one of many themed dining rooms, including the Tahoe-style Cabin Fever, the kid favorite Toon Time Theatre, or the Hall of Fame sports room.
On the other side, will be Fun World with more than 100 games, rides and attractions. Guests will enjoy full-sized amusement park rides such as Bumper Cars, Air IncrediBear, a swinging plane and Twister a fun spinning experience…plus a dancing mascot named IncrediBear.
For the opening, John’s Incredible Pizza Company will host a two-day private preview and fundraiser for Grant a Gift Foundation families and supporters.
PASSIONATELY PINK PONG WILL PAINT USATT NATIONALS PINK
PongStarz, in partnership with USATT – the USA Table Tennis National Championships, Caesars Entertainment and Cornilleau will hold the inaugural Passionately Pink Pong: a Social Ping Pong Event to Benefit Passionately Pink® as part of National Championship Week on Friday, Dec. 18 at The LINQ Hotel.
Hosted at the all-new Vortex roof deck, the fundraiser will be open to the public and feature a live DJ, pink ping pong tables, pink paddles and an opportunity drawing for a wide variety of prizes. Guests are encouraged to play from 8 to 11 p.m. under the pink lights. Standard tickets are $25 with one beverage included. VIP tickets are $100 and feature early admission and an open bar from 7 to 8 p.m.
SINATRA CELEBRATIONS
The Bootlegger Bistro on the South Strip will hold a “Celebration of Sinatra” on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m. featuring Lorraine Hunt-Bono and friends with George Bugatti on keyboards. The show will be dedicated to the music of Frank Sinatra from the 1940s-1980s with guest vocalists singing their interpretations of Sinatra’s greatest hits.
Pia Zadora is adding a medley of Frank Sinatra classics to her repertoire every Friday and Saturday this month in honor of Sinatra’s 100th. The songs are particularly special to Zadora as they are songs Sinatra asked her to sing when they toured together. Zadora will be reunited with Sinatra’s musical conductor and friend Vinnie Falcone as well as Sinatra’s guitarist Joe Lano at “Pia’s Place” inside Piero’s Italian Cuisine at 9 p.m.
The Dennis Bono Show at South Point on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. will celebrate the 100th year of Frank Sinatra with a special show “The Songs of Sinatra” featuring singers James Darren, Sonny Charles, Reva Rice, Pia Zadora, Laura Taylor, Eric Jordan Young, Reckless in Vegas, Rita Lim, and Sinatra’s former musical director Vince Falcone.
At Red Rock Resort in Rock Lounge on Friday, Dec. 11 the “In Its Entirety” Concert Series will share the holidays with Frank Sinatra by celebrating the songs of the season along with the Chairman of the Board’s 100th birthday. Tickets are $15.
BOXING LEGEND TYSON GAVE DOUBLE EXPOSURE AT MADAME TUSSAUDS
Mike Tyson was on hand at Madame Tussauds to unveil his wax likeness. The figure is modeled after his self-portrait in Warner Bros. Pictures “The Hangover.” Tyson donated the figure’s black slacks, white collared shirt, crocodile shoes and his “favorite” herringbone and hound’s-tooth jacket. He is now permanently on display inside the attraction’s The Hangover Experience and positioned right next to his beloved tiger, forever trapped inside of the bathroom.
UPDATED RESTAURANT NEWS
The Buffet at Wynn has unveiled the restaurant’s new concept elevating the traditional buffet to a more sophisticated dining experience. The Buffet has added unique dishes, a more intimate atmosphere, and state-of-the-art audio technology in both the kitchen and dining room. Executive Chef Russell Parker has introduced 120 new dishes and to complement the meal, guests can choose from The Buffet’s bottomless beverages program.
Dragon Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar at Monte Carlo has opened a casual noodle bar offering a variety of authentic soup noodle dishes from cultures throughout the Pacific Rim, including Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese. Located inside the lounge, the “restaurant within a restaurant” seats 12 and is designed for guests to get a quick bite.
Egg Slut, the popular food stand at Grand Central Market in Los Angeles, has announced that it will open a location at The Cosmopolitan in 2016. Known for its unique egg sandwiches, the 1,500-square-foot space will feature a similar menu along with a few Vegas-specific items.
Le Macaron offering much loved French sweets is now open at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian|Palazzo and at The Galleria at Sunset. Offerings include macarons in flavors, chocolates by local renowned chocolatier Jean-Marie Auboine and French made gelato in traditional and new flavors.
Rí Rá located inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place has introduced a traditional afternoon tea menu featuring a variety of leaf teas, finger sandwiches, homemade scones and decadent desserts daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $22 per person.
Ron’s Steakhouse at Arizona Charlie’s on Decatur is serving a trio of specials from now through Dec.24 with $5 select glasses of wine, appetizers and desserts in celebration of the restaurant’s fifth anniversary on Dec. 10.
Edge Steakhouse, the recently-opened fine dining restaurant at Westgate, has been selected for the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Awards for the best “Ambiance,” “Fit For Foodies” and Romantic” categories in Las Vegas. Edge Steakhouse is famous for serving Snake River Farms A5 Waygu, a specialty meat that is served in only five restaurants across the United States.
NEWS IN SHORT CLIPS
Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip is hosting a free concert with the donation of a new unwrapped toy or gift card with pop group After Romeo on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. As part of their set, the band will perform their Christmas song, “Save Some Snow,” currently in heavy rotation on Sirius XM’s Holly channel.
The Mirage has opened its new cozy Center Bar and Parlor Lounge that’s centrally located in the heart of the casino floor.
Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has revealed this holiday season’s décor with a 42-foot White Fir holiday tree adorned with 7,000 twinkling white lights and 2,500 colorful ornaments that is on view through Jan. 3 of the New Year.
In January, the Four Seasons will open a new intimate and stylish Nail Bar near the hotel’s entrance.
Absinthe’s “Green Fairy” Melody Sweets is debuting her sexy holiday song “Santa Maybe…” on MelodySweets.com. A special release party with friends and fans will be held at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 at FIZZ at Caesars Palace in celebration of Sweets’ birthday and the seductive new holiday tune.
The LV Craft Show with more than 50 vendors will be held with free admission in the Veil Pavilion at the Silverton on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
WORLD’S TALLEST OBSERVATION WHEEL UNVEILS NEW ANNUAL PASS
The High Roller observation wheel is debuting an annual rider pass. The cost is $79 for adults and $49 for youths ages 13-17. The pass includes unlimited standard ride access on the observation wheel for one calendar year from date of purchase.
Additional pass benefits include a $10 Happy Half Hour upgrade per visit, 20 percent off at the Sky Lounge, 50 percent off a standard ticket for up to three guests per visit, 20 percent off High Roller branded merchandise in the Sky Shop and 50 percent off a private standard cabin or 30 percent off a private bar cabin during the annual pass holder’s birthday month.
UFC 194 WEEKEND PARTIES
Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris will kick off UFC 194 weekend with a pre-party hosted by UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and “UFC Tonight” co-host Daniel Cormier on Friday, Dec. 11. Admission starts at $20 for ladies and $30 for gentlemen.
On Saturday, Dec. 12 Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop will hold an after party with UFC Featherweight fighter Jeremy Stephens.
UFC 194 will be headlined by the featherweight title fight between José “Junior” Aldo vs. Conor “The Notorious” McGregor at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. A middleweight bout between undefeated champion Chris Weidman and former Strikeweight Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold will precede the main event.
UFC superstar and two division Cage Warriors world champion Conor “The Notorious” McGregor will host an official fight after-party at Foxtail Nightclub inside SLS Las Vegas® on Saturday, Dec. 12 starting at 10:30 p.m. McGregor will be joined at the party by famous Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer Vegas’ hip-hop DJ IKON. Tickets start at $20.
After the final blows, Hyde Bellagio will come alive with UFC Octagon Girls, Arianny Celeste, Chrissy Blair, Vanessa Hanson and UFC personality Kenda Perez taking over the fountain-side hotspot for a fight night after-party on Saturday, Dec. 12 beginning at 10:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20.
