“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, May 8, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
CHANNING TATUM WILL BRING ‘MAGIC MIKE’ TO SIN CITY NEXT MARCH
Actor and producer Channing Tatum will bring “Magic Mike Live Las Vegas” to the Hard Rock next spring. The all-new show conceived and directed by Tatum and based on the hit films “Magic Mike” and “Magic Mike XXL” will bring a complete re-imagination of the male revue and become the permanent home of Mike Lane, America’s favorite handyman-turned-stripper. The show will recreate the mythic Club Domina with a sizzling 360-degree dance and acrobatic strip tease spectacular. However, Tatum won’t be on stage as Mike.
The experience will start as you enter Club Domina. The fully re-envisioned cabaret nightclub space will have three elaborately designed bars and integrated stage and seating for 450 guests. Expressly created to capture the magnetism of a film franchise that has grossed nearly $300 million, this new venue and its immersive production will be a new entertainment experience. Performances will be Wednesdays through Sundays at 7:30 and 10:30 p.m.
ZOWIE BOWIE WILL START RESIDENCY AT DOWNTOWN GRAND
Popular Vegas act Zowie Bowie will begin a weekly residency at the Downtown Grand on Friday, May 13 at Citrus at the Grand Pool Deck. Zowie Bowie will take the stage on Fridays at 10 p.m. Citrus features an all-new lineup of live entertainment including DJs on Thursdays and Fridays from 4-7 p.m. and Saturdays noon-5 p.m., as well as concerts and special events.
BEAUTY & ESSEX OPENS THIS MONTH AT THE COSMOPOLITAN
TAO Group and Chef Chris Santos, who judged on The Food Network’s “Chopped,” will debut Beauty & Essex at The Cosmopolitan starting Monday, May 16. The opening marks the second location of the New York City pawn shop, restaurant and lounge that originated in 2010 from the chef who pioneered the small, share plate dining trend.
Spanning 10,000 square feet, the Rockwell Group-designed space celebrates the beauty of jewels in all forms from pearls and gemstones to vintage jewelry boxes, to antique and heirloom pieces. It transitions through a gritty pawn shop-inspired space to a light and decadent entry, before arriving in the Pearl Lounge with a custom chandelier with thousands of draped pearls, which radiate from the ceiling and down the walls to plush tufted purple banquettes. The opulence continues in the Mirror Bar where a DJ will spin from a gold booth and through a corridor featuring a 40-foot-long screened wall composed of framed vintage lockets that lead to a trio of ornate dining rooms seating 230.
THE COSMOPOLITAN WILL ALSO OPEN ZUMA, MOMOFUKU AND MILK BAR
The Cosmopolitan and Azumi Group are partnering to bring the contemporary Japanese restaurant ZUMA to the resort late this year. Created and co-founded by Chef Rainer Becker, ZUMA features modern Japanese cuisine and cocktails served in an elegant and sophisticated environment. Inspired by the informal izakaya dining style, the menu is designed to be shared and offers dishes from a sushi counter, main kitchen and a robata grill. Since opening in London in 2002, ZUMA has expanded to nine locations in six countries. This will be the Azumi Group’s first restaurant on the West Coast.
The Cosmopolitan will also open Momofuku and Milk Bar marking David Chang and Christina Tosi’s first projects on the West Coast. Both the restaurant and Milk Bar are currently in development. Established by chef and founder David Chang in 2004, Momofuku has 13 restaurants, two bars, and a Culinary Lab. Milk Bar is the bakery founded by chef and owner, Christina Tosi, best known for her innovative creations, including cereal milk ice cream, compost cookies and crack pie. She opened Milk Bar in 2008 and now has seven locations. Christina is a two-time James Beard award winner and author of two cookbooks, “Momofuku Milk Bar” and “Milk Bar Life.”
WYNN INTRODUCES ELEVATED SW VERANDA
Wynn’s newest dining concept is SW Veranda. The outdoor terrace is above SW Steakhouse with views of Wynn’s signature water feature, Lake of Dreams. The area offers a selection of Executive Chef David Walzog’s small plates and appetizers, pastry chef Svetlana Almonte’s decadent desserts, and an array of hand-crafted cocktails, distinctive wines, spirits and fine Champagnes.
THE LINQ OFFERS FIRST BUNK BED ROOMS ON THE STRIP
The LINQ in now offering 12 bunk bed rooms with hip technology and chic décor. The rooms are 350 square feet featuring two queen pillow-top beds with one twin-size bunk bed loft. Electronic features include USB charging stations and a 47-screen LED flat-screen TV. The room is designed with light, modern furnishings and pops of color. Guests can also rent board games like: Twister, Cards Against Humanity, Simon, Yahtzee and Jenga. Rates start at $69.
BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS HONORS TWO LAS VEGAS HEADLINERS
The “2016 Billboard Music Awards will be airing live on ABC on Sunday, May 22 from the new T-Mobile Arena at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The show will be hosted by GRAMMY Award-winning hip-hop artist Ludacris and international music sensation Ciara. Tickets ranging from $75 to $913 are on sale for the show.
Caesars Palace’s headliner Celine Dion will receive the lifetime achievement Icon Award. Past recipients include Neil Diamond (2011), Stevie Wonder (2012), Prince (2013) and Jennifer Lopez (2014). Dion will also take to the stage for a special rendition of Queen’s “The Show Must Go On.”
Planet Hollywood’s headliner Britney Spears will receive the Millennium Award, which recognizes outstanding career achievements and influence in the music industry. Past Billboard Millennium Award recipients include Beyoncé in 2011 and Whitney Houston in 2012. Spears will perform a medley of her greatest hits at the show, which for the first time will have viewers on the West Coast watching the show live along with fellow fans on the East Coast.
LUCKY DRAGON ON SCHEDULE TO OPEN LATE 2016
Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino, the city’s first resort from the ground up in six years, will be delivering an authentic Asian cultural and gaming experience with a 204-room boutique hotel and a spa. Financial commitments provided by the Fonfa and Weidner families have guaranteed the project will be completed on schedule in late 2016.
Lucky Dragon will feature details such as signage in Chinese first and English second, a multilingual staff and the city’s only indoor/outdoor high-end tea garden and lounge. All aspects of the hotel and casino’s design have been influenced by the rich traditions of Asian culture. The resort’s 27,500 square-foot casino will focus on table games popular in Asia, such as Baccarat and Pai Gow. The gaming floor will be centered on a lively pagoda-shaped bar punctuated by a 1.25 ton glass dragon sculpture suspended from the ceiling.
There will be a collection of restaurants, designed to be among Las Vegas’ most authentic Pan-Asian dining destinations. In addition to a night market, dim sum restaurant and fine dining venue, Jewel Kitchen will be the only show kitchen in the city that extends directly onto the casino floor and serve as the hub of Lucky Dragon’s culinary action.
Lucky Dragon will be located next to the 427-unit Allure Las Vegas high-rise tower on the Strip.
ANNUAL POWER OF LOVE™ GALA WILL HONOR TONY BENNETT
On Saturday, May 21, Keep Memory Alive will host its 20th annual Power of Love™ gala inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena to continue its mission to raise funds and awareness in support of Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. This year, the star-studded benefit will honor Tony Bennett and celebrate his 90th birthday.
Some performers and VIPs expected to walk the red carpet include: Quincy Jones; Herbie Hancock; Chris Botti; musician and former guitarist for The Police Andy Summers; Diana Krall; and piano prodigy and budding pop sensation Dan Orlando; Dale Chihuly; Jeff Koons; Minnie Driver; and celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck, Mario Carbone, and Nobu Matsuhisa.
Performances that night will feature Steven Tyler, Darius Rucker, James Corden, Andra Day, Andy Summers, honoree Tony Bennett and more.
GOLDEN NUGGET HOSTS GRAND POKER SERIES
The ninth annual Grand Poker Series will run May 31-July 3 at the Golden Nugget in the Grand Event Center with more than 90 poker tournaments spread across 34 days ranging in both buy-in amounts and disciplines. Buy-ins range from $100 to $1,675, and most days feature three events at 11 a.m., 1 and 7 p.m.
There is a $500K Guarantee $570 buy-in Main Event starting on June 29, and multiple Seniors Events during Seniors Week featuring a $10K buy-in Seniors Super High Roller Event on June 26 presented by The Elder Statesman of Poker, Oklahoma Johnny Hale.
The Golden Nugget has also partnered with “Poker Night in America,” making the Grand Poker Series an official stop in their new “Final Table” series starring Phil Hellmuth, Antonio Esfandiari, Maria Ho, Joe Stapleton and David Tuchman. The Poker Night in America event has a $1,675 buy-in with three starting flights on June 3, 4, and 5. “The Final Table” will be live streamed via Twitch as well as filmed for broadcast on CBS Sports.
ALIZÉ AT TOP OF THE PALMS HOLDS CITY’S FIRST TEA PAIRINGS DINNER
On Thursday, June 16, Alizé at the Top of the Palms Casino Resort will present the city’s first tea pairing dinner hosted by Barbara Fairchild, former editor-in-chief, “Bon Appétit.” This will be the night that gourmet French cuisine through a multi-course dinner meets the delicate flavors of teas. Executive Chef Mark Purdy and his team are partnering with Seven Cups Fine Teas, a top tea purveyor, to create the one-night-only experience. The dinner is $225, and the VIP cocktail reception is $300 and includes a special gift bag.
In addition to hosting the event, Fairchild will be awarding people in the tea industry who have contributed work for establishing standards for tea quality over the past year. Dignitaries coming from as far away as China and India will be receiving awards given by the International Specialty Tea Association. This dinner will be the premier event of the 2016 World Tea Expo taking place in Las Vegas June 13 through 17.
NEVADA BALLET THEATRE ENDS SEASON WITH ‘ROMEO & JULIET’
Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) will conclude its 44th season with the famous tale of star-crossed lovers, “Romeo & Juliet.” In recognition of the 400th Anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death, this revered tragedy will be presented on Saturday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 15 at 2 p.m. in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center. Tickets start from $29.
Prior to both performances, NBT will present “Insights,” an educational pre-performance discussion offering patrons an opportunity to further engage with the ballet. “Insights” is free to all ticket holders and will take place in the Troesh Studio Theater 45 minutes prior to curtain.
HELLDORADO DAYS ARE MAY 13-15
The third Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Major, Last Cowboy Standing, part of the elite Built Ford Tough Series will headline Helldorado Days, the hometown rodeo commemorating Las Vegas’ 111th birthday.
All of the other events occurring during the Helldorado Days event week are returning including a downtown parade on Saturday at 10 a.m., carnival, art show, auction, golf tournament, whiskerino contest and a PRCA-sanctioned rodeo. The new location for the rodeo is the Las Vegas Village, the outdoor venue directly across the Strip from the Luxor that will open daily at 10 a.m. Admission to the festival grounds starts at $10. Rodeo tickets, including festival admission tickets start at $25 for PBR Last Cowboy Standing tickets.
RISE LANTERN FESTIVAL WILL RETURN IN OCTOBER
After a sold-out sophomore year, RiSE Lantern festival will expand into two days and return for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7 and 8. This festival celebrating the collective elevation of peoples’ hopes, dreams, resolutions, goals and desires will once again take place at the Moapa River Reservation approximately 35 miles northeast of Las Vegas. The gathering will feature the simultaneous release of thousands of flame-lit paper lanterns, each carrying an individual meaning and together forming something beautiful.
SOUTH POINT HOSTS TASTE OF HOME COOKING SCHOOL AND EXPO
The Taste of Home Cooking School & Expo will be presented by South Point and Beasley Media Group on Thursday, June 2 in the South Point Grand Ballroom. The Taste of Home Lifestyle Expo will offer more than 20 local vendors, feature shopping and giveaways at 4:30 p.m. followed by the Cooking School demonstration at 6:30 p.m. There are three price tiers for interested participants: general admission $15; preferred $30; and VIP $50.
HARD ROCK CAFE HOSTS ‘ROCKIN’ PAWS’ FUNDRAISING BRUNCH
Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas at Hard Rock Hotel on Paradise Road will host a special “Rockin’ Paws” brunch to benefit The L Group at The Center and Street Dogz on Sunday, May 15 from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The event will feature a choice of four favorite brunch selections, live entertainment by Miss Kitty Litter and AJ “Elvis” Huth, contests such as “best owner/pet look-alike,” “best costume,” “best trick,” a raffle to benefit Street Dogz with prizes from Woof Gang Bakery, among others, and more. Guests 21 and over can enjoy bottomless mimosas and bloody marys for $20 more.
Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door, call Arlene at 702-802-5411. This brunch is open to the public and one leashed pet per couple is welcome.
You can help Street Dogz further by donating two cans of wet pet food and receive one free raffle ticket. Donate a small bag of dry pet food and receive three free raffle tickets.
ENTERTAINER CLIPS
Recently rock singer Kip Winger, frontman of the popular ‘80s rock band Winger, attended the new Las Vegas production, “Frankie Moreno – Under The Influence” at Planet Hollywood. While at the show, Winger took the stage inside of the PH Showroom for a special guest performance alongside Moreno and the band.
Best known for their hit “Joy to the World,” 1970s rockers Three Dog Night will perform at The Orleans Showroom May 21 and 22.
Brenda Lee will appear at the Golden Nugget on Friday, May 18 followed by Aaron Neville on May 20.
Mike Love, co-founder and member of The Beach Boys drove the new SPEEDVEGAS track recently in a brand new Corvette Z06.
Dixie Longate is returning with her “Dixie’s Tupperware Party” to the Troesh Studio Theater at The Smith Center May 17-22. Tickets are $33-$40. Have seen this show and it’s really fun and funny.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
The Golden Nugget's Eighth Annual Wine Fest will be May 13–14 with events both days.
Pizza Lotto Slices & Slots is opening at the El Cortez on May 19. The pizzeria uses the freshest ingredients and interprets the classic pizza with the New York flair. The menu includes other classic Italian dishes including chicken parmigiana, Italian style meatballs, a Bronx style Stromboli and Garlic Rolls.
Last week, the upscale VISTA Cocktail Lounge in Caesars Palace with its one-of-a-kind LED screens surrounding the interior celebrated its one-year anniversary with a huge bash.
XS Nightclub at Wynn celebrated the return of its Sunday NightSwim with a grand opening event last week with DJ / Producer Alesso, who will return on June 19. Thousands of party-goers packed the Sunday bash, which has been hailed as one of the most renowned nightlife experiences and recognized as one of the top events by “Nightclub & Bar.”
Grape Street Café, Wine Bar & Cellar in Downtown Summerlin has launched a new happy hour program featuring seven wines for $7, seven appetizers for $7, $7 well cocktails and $5 selected shots. Grape Street’s happy hour is available Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. throughout the entire restaurant.
Both Distill locations Summerlin and Southern Highlands will hold a party celebrating the best of the 80s with a DJ spinning that decade’s hits, a costume contest, and drink specials on Saturday, May 21 starting at 8 p.m. There is no cover but must be 21.
Food Revolution Day is an annual global day of action that celebrates good, fresh, real food. The local event hosted by Create A Change Now and The Reset Project will be held at VegeNation downtown on Sunday, May 15 with a reception from 5:30-6:15 p.m. followed by dinner. The “555” dinner will highlight five Las Vegas chefs creating a five course-dinner from five local farms while educating individuals on nutritional values and the importance of healthy eating. Tickets are $65.
An ÖPPEN House Event is being held at the Catalyst Dome at Downtown Container Park to share the IKEA interactive room display on Wednesday, May 11 and Sunday, May 16 from 1-8 p.m. It’s a fun way to see the IKEA story come to life and you can enter to win prizes.
The next lecture at the National Atomic Testing Museum on East Flamingo Road will be “Get the Buzz on Drones!” with Drone and Counter-Drone expert Leonard Gentile on Saturday, May 14 at 7 p.m. with a meet and greet at 6 p.m. This is free for museum members and non-members. Please RSVP by calling 702-794-5151.
RECon 2016 will attract an estimated 36,000 attendees May 22-25. The world’s largest retail real estate exhibition and conference provides participants networking, deal making and educational opportunities.
