“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, May 15 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
STATION CASINOS IS BUYING PALMS CASINO RESORT
Station Casinos LLC has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Palms Casino Resort for $312.5 million. Fairly close to the Strip, the Palms is a hybrid gaming property that appeals to both Las Vegas residents and tourists. The transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2016.
The Palms features a 95,000-square-foot casino, a race and sportsbook, approximately two towers with 710 hotel rooms, 599 AAA Four Diamond award-winning condos, 15 fine dining and casual restaurants including the award-winning N9NE Steakhouse and Nova Italiano, 60,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, Ghostbar Nightclub, the 2,500-seat Pearl Theater, luxury spa, two acre Palms Pool and year-round Palms Place Pool, and a 14-screen Brenden Theatres & IMAX movieplex.
GIORDANO’S PIZZA WILL OPEN AT BALLY’S GRAND BAZAAR SHOPS™
Giordano’s World Famous Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza from Chicago will open its first restaurant in Las Vegas this fall at the Grand Bazaar Shops at Bally’s. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant will be located directly above the recently-opened Starbucks and offer diners views of the fountains at Bellagio and a separate 1,700-square-foot patio and bar in the center’s Grand Allée main walkway will allow guests to dine under the lights of the Strip.
Giordano’s serving pizza since 1974 will feature a menu of its famous stuffed deep dish pizza along with thin and extra-thin crust pizzas and hand-crafted Italian inspired foods including salads, pastas, sandwiches and sweet endings. The Las Vegas location will offer lunch, dinner and carry out.
REBA, BROOKS & DUNN ADD DATES TO THEIR COLOSSEUM RESIDENCY
Longtime friends and Caesars Palace headliners Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn are adding 12 new dates to their sold-out residency. The superstar trio will close out 2016 with six more shows Nov. 30-Dec. 10 and will kick off 2017 with six shows Feb. 22-March 4. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, May 13 at 10 a.m. PT.
Note that iHeartRadio is running a nationwide month-long contest via their website for one lucky winner to receive two show tickets, a two-night stay at Caesars Palace and roundtrip airfare for two.
Earlier this month, Brooks & Dunn were honored at the American Country Countdown Awards with the NASH Icon Award presented to them by McEntire, who was the 2014 winner.
11TH WORLD SERIES OF BEER PONG WILL BE HELD AT WESTGATE
Thousands of beer pong enthusiasts will compete at the 11th Annual World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) being held for the first time at the Westgate July 6-10. Contestants from around the world will compete over four days for more than $65,000 in prize money and the ultimate bragging rights of “World Beer Pong Champion.”
Tournament play follows the official WSOBP rules. Players can register at BPONG.COM/WSOBP. Fee is $299 per player without a hotel stay and includes a minimum of 12 games of play in the tournament.
SEVEN MAGIC MOUNTAINS IS NEW PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION
Internationally renowned Swiss artist Ugo Rondinone’s Seven Magic Mountains is a large-scale site-specific public art installation located approximately 10 miles south of Las Vegas near Jean Dry Lake and Interstate 15. The creative expression of human presence in the desert is comprised of seven towers of colorful, stacked boulders standing more than 30 feet high. The exhibition will be on view for two years.
LAS VEGAS HOSTS AMERICA’S FIRST MAH JONGG WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
America’s first Mah Jongg World Championship will be held at the Westgate Friday-Sunday, July 22-24. According to the National Mah Jongg League, there are approximately 500,000 players in the United States. Mah Jongg is an ancient tile-based Chinese game that requires players to use a high degree of skill and strategy and to have a little bit of luck. Top Mah Jongg players will gather to compete for the largest prize purse in American Mah Jongg history. Participants are going to have to qualify in other tournaments to be awarded a Golden ticket.
SEAN’S PARK, AN ORIGINAL LIFE-LEARNING FACILITY, OPENS
The first of its kind in the United States, Sean’s Park a 2.5-acre park designed for children and adults with intellectual disabilities opened at Opportunity Village’s main campus. It offers new life-skills building equipment such as a “live” street crosswalk, a way-finding path, moonwalk pad, a full size bowling lane and several other features like a swing for a wheelchair bound person. To visit the park you need to make a reservation, call 702-262-1550.
The park named after Mike and Patty Morrissey’s son- Sean, an OVIP at Opportunity Village, was made possible with a generous donation from the family.
PET SHOP BOYS WILL MAKE TOUR STOP AT COSMOPOLITAN
The Pet Shop Boys: The SUPER Tour will visit The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan on Friday, Oct. 21. Since signing to Parlophone Records in 1985, the U.K. pop duo has produced more than 40 Top 30 singles and released 12 studio albums in the U.K. Top 10 chart. Their latest album released this year is “Super” featuring the hit single “Twenty-something.” Over the years, the group has been credited with integrating pop musical theater into its live music shows. Tickets start at $29 GA.
X BURLESQUE’ AT FLAMINGO CELEBRATES 14 YEARS
The topless revue“X Burlesque” at the Flamingo is celebrating 14th seductive years in Las Vegas. New costumes and dance numbers have been added to the show, including “The Buzz” by New World Sound & Timmy Trumpet, “Trndsttr” by Black Coast featuring M. Maggie, and “I’m a Good Girl” by Christina Aguilera. The show also includes new visuals and continues to use innovative new projection mapping.
The show is created and produced by husband and wife team, Matt and Angela Stabile. “X Burlesque” is performed nightly at 10 p.m. inside the X Showroom. Tickets are $55.95, $79.95 and $86.27.
OPENINGS AROUND TOWN
Burger Lounge, an eco-conscious burger chain from Southern California, just opened its first location in Las Vegas at ARIA on the casino floor near the poker room. This fast-casual concept has menu selections offering non-GMO and sustainable ingredients including grass-fed beef, organic cheeses and house-made dressings. Vegetable-forward dishes include fresh salads and the Organic Quinoa Veggie Burger. Hours are daily 11 a.m.–11 p.m.
At last, IKEA’s 42nd store will hold its Grand Opening event Wednesday-Friday, May 18-20 with many special offers such as on the first day the first 42 visitors receiving a free EKTORP sofa and the first 2,500 people getting a mystery envelope with prizes. For all three days, there will be free entertainment, balloon art and face painting.
Last week, the Hard Rock Hotel revealed its newest nightlife concept Breathe Pool Ultra Lounge with views of the Strip. The resort’s poolside tropical oasis offers assorted fruits, breads and sweets to dip in chocolate fondue as well as signature cocktails like Verecruzana a Whiskey Smash. Breathe Pool Ultra Lounge is open to guests on Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. with no cover charge.
MOMENTI IS AMERICA’S FIRST SPIRIT INFUSED ICE CREAM BRAND
An outdoor party was held for the grand opening of Momenti Spirited Ice Creams manufacturing plant, the first specialty manufacturing plant in the United States. The family-owned and operated Momenti specializes in the science of ice cream making using quality ingredients and top-shelf liquors.
Located in the 4000 block of Silvestri Lane, Momenti’s first full production plant utilizes a patent-pending process to successfully freeze and infuse ice creams and sorbets with wine and spirits. What started as a fun concept by local entrepreneur, Leif Pearson who spoke at the gathering, quickly expanded into countless hours of education and developmental collaboration to transform Momenti Spirited Ice Creams into a trend-setting brand.
ETHEL M CHOCOLATES HOLDS DECADENCE IN THE DESERT
Decadence in the Desert will be held May 19 from 4-9 p.m. at Ethel M Chocolates in Henderson. The family-friendly culinary and art event features dozens of local artists, food trucks, entertainment, and sampling of Ethel M Chocolates in the new Tasting Room. Guests can also stroll through the botanical cactus garden with more than 300 varieties of cacti and desert plants. Admission is free. Portions of the proceeds made during the event are donated to Opportunity Village.
For guests interested in experiencing the tasting room, tickets are $9.99 at the retail store or online. In each Tasting Room Experience, a chocolatier hosts a chocolate tasting of four premium chocolate pieces. You learn how the candy is made and some history about Ethel M and its founder Forrest Mars Sr.
Decadence in the Desert is held every third Thursday except during the summer months. It will return again in the fall.
WINE AMPLIFIED PLUGGED-IN SERIES BEGINS WITH POOL CONCERT SERIES
The next Rock ‘n Roll Wine event is part of the Wine Amplified Plugged-In series kicking off the Summer Concert Series at Mandalay Bay Beach on Saturday, May 28. The I Love The 90s theme will feature multiple performers including GRAMMY-award winning female rap group Salt-N-Pepa, Tone Loc, Kid ’n Play, Rob Base, Young MC and Kool Moe Dee. Tickets, which include 20 two-ounce tastings from a 20-wine selection and access to the main beach and concert, are $59 and $69 day of event.
CIRQUE’S ‘ONE NIGHT FOR ONE DROP’ SHOW WILL VISIT CINEMAS, JUNE 7
Fathom Events and Cirque du Soleil are partnering to bring the 2016 “One Night for ONE DROP” event to select U.S. cinemas, featuring a collaboration of performers from each of the eight Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. In its fourth year, “One Night for ONE DRO” returned for an electrifying performance in front of a VIP sold-out audience at The Smith Center in March, featuring GRAMMY-nominated singer-songwriter Leona Lewis and Miles “Baby Boogaloo” Brown from the hit TV sitcom “Blackish.” The show is an annual celebration around World Water Day to raise funds and awareness for critical water issues worldwide.
Audiences across the United States can enjoy this special one-night event in cinemas on Tuesday, June 7 at 7 p.m. local time. Participating theater list and tickets are available online at Fathom Events’ website.
SOME DINING TIPS
Border Grill Mandalay Bay is continuing its new monthly event - Border Grill Patio Series - with Tour of Tequilas, a celebration of the popular agave-based spirit on Thursday, May 19 from 6-8 p.m. It’s a chance to taste Chef Jamaal Taherzadeh’s sustainable modern Mexican cuisine paired with five specially selected Avión tequilas. Tickets are $49.
Carnevino Italian Steakhouse at The Palazzo is unveiling a decadent menu featuring the season’s finest and freshest ingredients through the end of June. A few of the new dishes include: Lamb Sausage with sorrel, pickled garlic and pea tendrils; Artichoke Agnolotti with ricotta salata and lemon; Wild Gulf Shrimp with riso nero, smoked pork and peas; and Dungeness Crab Crespelle with ricotta, lemon and basil, etc.
The Las Vegas Epicurean Affair will return to The Palazzo® pool area on Thursday, May 26 from 7-10 p.m. The soiree, sponsored by the Nevada Restaurant Association (NvRA), features nearly 80 of the finest restaurants and nightclubs from around the city, along with a premier selection of libations. Proceeds from the evening will fund NvRA's educational and scholarship programs. This event is open to the public with tickets starting at $110.
BROAD BASED NEWS ITEMS
Adopt a Rescue Pet of Las Vegas (ARP) will participate in the Vegas Pet Expo to help raise money for their dogs with medical needs. ARP will accept donations at their expo booth for the “pawsitively awesome” fundraising event and offer a variety of gift items to those who donate. The expo will take place at the Cashman Center on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Primer Gran Baile Festival for Latin music fans will be held at the Westgate to kick off Memorial Day Weekend Friday, May 27. This event will feature live performances by Banda Los Recoditos, Los Alegres del Barranco, El Tigrillo Palma, Anarquia 702, and Equipo Imperial. Tickets range from $55 for early bird to $70 the day of the event.
Dunkin’ Donuts is hosting its third annual “Celebrity Restaurant Challenge” from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 20. Local celebrities and personalities will be working at select Dunkin’ Donuts locations to raise awareness for Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation’s Camp Cartwheel.
A Panel Discussion - “21st Century Global Nuclear Challenges” will take place on Wednesday, May 25 at the UNLV Science & Engineering Building Auditorium. There will be a 5:30 p.m. reception followed by a presentation at 7 p.m. The esteemed panel will include former directors, Dr. Robert Kuckuck, Dr. C. Paul Robinson and Dr. Siegfried Hecker, of the United States’ nuclear security laboratories. They will focus on the most compelling nuclear challenges now facing the global community. Event is free, RSVP to Molly Marks at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Las Vegas Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities will host the 14th annual Drive for Charity Golf Tournament presented by Insomniac at TPC Summerlin where the PGA Tour pros play on Monday, June 27. Entry fee is $1,000 per foursome or $250 for individuals.
The 43rd Annual AIA Las Vegas Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday, June 6 at TPC Summerlin.
The 8th Annual We♥ Maggie (We Heart Maggie) Golf Tournament supporting the Children’s Heart Foundation will be held on Saturday, May 28 at the Rio Secco Golf Club.
A limited number of Early Bird three-day tickets to Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival just went on sale for $245 and VIP $595. The fourth edition of the multi-day festival will surge through the streets of Downtown Sept. 23–25 offering attendees the opportunity to fully-immerse themselves into a beautiful interactive experience featuring notable musicians, the city’s best food, celebrated artists and inspirational speakers from across the globe.
The longest-running Las Vegas LGBT pool party has returned for its seventh season with weekly Temptation Sundays at the Luxor from1-7 p.m. through Sept. 25. Matt Lucio is the resident DJ this summer and guest DJs will make special appearances throughout the season. Admission is $20 and $10 for hotel guests, locals and military.
Maverick Helicopters took home its seventh consecutive award for Best Air Tour from the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association’s (SNHCA) Concierge Choice Awards.
A new report released by online gaming’s Casino Room revealed the most popular casinos on Instagram from more than 2 million Instagram posts containing the hashtag #casino. For Las Vegas the majority of posts were uploaded from the Strip and for individual casinos at the Bellagio.
Wrote about this feat a few months ago but now it’s official, Guinness World Records honored Brookman Elementary School, comedy magician Adam London starring at the D downtown, and 4th-grade teacher Alana London with the title “Longest Chain of Glow Sticks.” The number of glow sticks recorded last Jan. 15 was 20,808, and the line measured 3.92 miles. Glow sticks represented books read in the school’s Reading Makes Us Bright” program.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has expressed confidence that the Oakland Raiders will move to Las Vegas unless the deal is mismanaged. Raiders owner Mark Davis has pledged $500 million toward the construction of a $1.4 billion, 65,000-seat domed stadium. The Sands and partnering business Majestic Realty pledged an additional $150 million, leaving $750 million for taxpayers to see the stadium project through at its early stage.
The Riviera’s garage was demolished last week leaving the two hotel towers to come down in two different future implosions.
Anita Mann, creator of the “Fantasy” show at the Luxor will choreograph and direct Share, Inc.’s annual Boomtown Gala. “An Evening at Studio 53” will be held on Saturday, May 21 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Tickets are $500.
