DATE: Sunday, May 22, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
BARBRA STREISAND’S NINE-CITY SUMMER TOUR INCLUDES LAS VEGAS
Barbra Streisand will visit Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, Aug. 6 as part of her summer concert tour Aug. 2-23 performing songs from her six-decade career. Streisand, the only artist to notch No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 in six separate decades, is releasing a new album later this year that will include tracks from her summer run. Those who purchase tickets online will receive a CD of “Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway,” which will come out after the tour wraps.
‘CHERRY BOOM BOOM’ WILL OPEN AT TROPICANA IN SEPTEMBER
“Cherry Boom Boom,” an interactive show with a fresh and masterful mix of amplified choreography, is set to launch on Sept. 8 at Tropicana Las Vegas with previews running through Sept. 19.
It’s being promoted as the ultimate playground for sex, music, love and rock-n-roll. Auditions are happening now to cast 12 featured dancers, five performers for specialty acts, “Boomettes,” four musicians for live performances and two comedia del arte actors. A similar, smaller production was staged in Los Angeles at King King Hollywood in 2014-2015.
TOPGOLF® IS TAKING ENTERTAINMENT GAME TO NEW LEVEL IN LAS VEGAS
Topgolf® Las Vegas, which is the 25th and flagship entertainment venue in the franchise and the only one with pools, is open now and sits on eight acres behind the MGM Grand. This Topgolf spanning four levels and 105,000 square feet is the biggest one boasting 108 climate-controlled hitting bays, two pools, cabanas, a concert venue, VIP suites, five bars, special event spaces, a comfort food-inspired menu with creative beverage offerings, a Callaway Fitting Studio, a Topgolf retail shop, and more.
At the heart of Topgolf, guests can take over a hitting bay with up to six players at a time with microchipped golf balls, lounge-style seating, and HDTVs. Each level has additional areas to play and hang out. A mobile Sports Book located in The Yard allows sports fans to place a bet while taking in all the action on numerous oversized screens. The Yard also serves as home for main entertainment showcasing both national and local acts. The Birdie Bar is a more intimate live entertainment experience with a small stage.
Topgolf operates Sunday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday to 4 a.m. Bay pricing starts at $30 per hour for up to six players and varies depending on bay location and time of day. General admittance into Topgolf is free of charge.
CHEF ROBERT IRVINE WILL OPEN NEW RESTAURANT AT THE TROPICANA
Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, host of Food Network’s “Restaurant: Impossible” is teaming up with Tropicana Las Vegas to open his first signature restaurant on the Strip. At the press conference in true Irvine fashion, the chef made his entrance by rappelling 22 stories down the exterior of the resort. Slated to open in 2017, Chef Irvine will bring his nothing-is-impossible attitude to the all-new modern American-inspired restaurant set to debut on the resort’s casino floor.
WAYNE NEWTON’S NEW SHOW AT BALLY’S IS PERSONALLY ENGAGING
Wayne Newton earned his title “Mr. Las Vegas” with his enduring impact on the city. During his Las Vegas’ heyday, Newton divided his time between Howard Hughes’ hotels… the Desert Inn, Frontier and Sands.
Returning to the stage after more than five years, Newton’s new show in the intimate Windows Showroom at Bally’s is appropriately called “Wayne Newton: Up Close and Personal.” His scaled-down show has four musicians, three video screens, Newton’s instruments, some Q&A and sometimes a special guest.
The show’s special glue is Newton telling true stories about his past with accompanying rare videos. The atmosphere with the small stage is like being in his living room. His tales are really captivating involving meaningful celeb encounters in his life with such fascinating people as Jackie Gleason, Bobby Darin, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, Robert Goulet, etc., and his USO tours entertaining our troops since Vietnam.
You’re also reminded Newton, now 74, was a child prodigy and can play 13 instruments. He shows some of his skills on the piano, guitar and ukulele and shares some tunes ending with his signature “Danke Schoen.”
PAUL ZERDIN IS HAPPILY MOUTHING OFF AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD
Master comedy ventriloquist Paul Zerdin, the Season 10 winner of “America’s Got Talent,” has opened his first headlining show on the Strip, “Paul Zerdin: Mouthing Off” at the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood. His act features Zerdin and his trio of comical misfits: the belligerent Albert; precocious infant Baby; and sharp-tongued Sam.
There’s plenty of room for both “America’s Got Talent” winners Terry Fator at The Mirage and now Zerdin. Their acts are quite different with Zerdin being called the “ventriloquist for the South Park generation,” which is pretty accurate.
ALIANTE’S THE PATIO AT MRKT IS INTIMATE LUNCH SETTING
Media had a chance to experience Aliante’s the patio @ MRKT, taste some of the food selections and enjoy jazz guitar Dirk K. The outdoor setting right outside the MRKT restaurant has its own convenient separate outside entrance. Unlike el fresco settings on the busy Strip, this is an enclosed walled-in private area. Food selections include starters, soups and salads, MRKT specialties, sandwiches and burgers and featured wines by the glass. If you’re near Aliante in North Las Vegas, this is a great choice Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RICH LITTLE’S SHOW EXTENDED AT TROP’S LAUGH FACTORY
Legendary comedian and impersonator Rich Little is again having his autobiographical one-man show “Rich Little Live!” extended at the Laugh Factory inside Tropicana Las Vegas. Through January 2017, Little will continue to feature a compilation of impersonations, sketches and interactive video highlighting the actors, musicians, politicians and personalities he has worked with throughout his more than 50 years in entertainment, which spans from his television career in Canada to his first United States appearances to the legendary “Dean Martin Roasts” to the present day.
‘X BURLESQUE’ AT THE FLAMINGO CONTINUES TO SIZZLE
“X Burlesque,” one of the more provocative shows on the Strip, celebrated 14 years this month. Many entertainers from other shows came out to congratulate the producers and cast of the racy show at the Flamingo including the sexy cast of producer Angela Stabile’s other show “X Country” at Harrah’s as well as magician Murray Sawchuck and Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie.
KYLIE JENNER WILL DEBUT HER DJ SET AT SLS
On Sunday, May 29, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” sister and socialite Kylie Jenner will do her first-ever DJ set at Foxtail Nightclub at SLS. She will join an A-list musical lineup for a three-day extravaganza featuring hip-hop legends Lil Wayne, Flo Rida, Yo Gotti, Ty Dolla $ign and more.
FAVORITE HARD ROCK BANDS TOUR VISITS ORLEANS ARENA
The “Make America Rock Again” Tour will bring together some of the most popular hard rock bands touring today on Friday, Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orleans Arena. The all-star lineup includes: Trapt; Saliva; Saving Abel; Alien Ant Farm; Crazytown; 12 Stones; and Tantric. Among these bands, they boast a total of six Platinum albums, six Gold albums, eight No. 1 hits, 17 top #10 hits and more than 14 million total albums sold. Tickets start at $15.
LAS VEGAS MUSEUM ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES MUSEUM SEASON 2016
More than one dozen of arts, science and cultural venues make up the Las Vegas Museum Alliance (LVMA) and will be offering special admission rates, souvenirs and other value-added extras to recognize the city’s Museum Season, May 1 through Sept. 1. The offers are available with the redemption of a voucher, which may be downloaded and printed from the LVMA’s website.
RESTAURANT AND BEVERAGE NEWS TIPS
Cantina Laredo at Tivoli Village will hold its quarterly tequila dinner on Saturday, June 18. Collaborating with Chamucos Tequila, guests will sip on specialty Chamucos tequila cocktails throughout their four-course Mexican meal at 7:30 while a representative talks about the popular tequila brand and Executive Chef Damon Workman explains the ingredients and the strategy behind cuisine and cocktail pairings. Dinner is $49.99, call 702-202-4511.
This summer, Oscar’s steakhouse at the Plaza downtown is debuting a special summer cocktail menu with four new drinks, new daily happy hour menu items including the RICO burger in the lounge from 4 to 7 p.m., and starting June 1 an early bird prime rib meal from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursday is still Ladies Night at Oscar’s, where ladies drink free during happy hour, and Oscar’s beef sliders trio is available for $5.
La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway inside Wynn is introducing new custom-curated beer flight selections. Served on hand-crafted trays, La Cave offers four flight varieties: Light, Love, Riches and Fruit priced between $13 and $15. Each flight consists of four three-ounce pours from different regions with unique taste descriptions and exclusive brewing techniques.
Sin City Brewing Co. has released a new craft beer, Sin City Spring Bock, which is a German-style beer and part of the company’s Sin City’s seasonal beer program. Spring Bock is on tap at the brewery’s largest location on Las Vegas Boulevard at Harmon Corner and at its bar in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian.
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana at the Galleria at Sunset is offering loyalty member specials Monday through Thursday all summer long including: buy-one, get-one pasta deal on Monday; all-you-can-eat pasta for $9.95 on Tuesday; $5 Martinis on Wednesday; and half-off wine on Thursday.
Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has new appetizers and entrée selections on its expansive menu as well as new summer cocktails like the Skinny Margarita.
At MOzen Bistro on Mandarin Oriental’s third floor, the Strawberry Yogurt Parfait is quickly building a reputation with its layers of homemade vanilla yogurt, citrus granola, nuts, fresh strawberries, and special ingredient whipped pistachio yogurt on top.
STREAMLINED NEWS
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is adding nearly 18,000 square feet of meetings and convention space to the property and holding a topping off ceremony this week. Upon completion this winter, the Hard Rock will have nearly 110,000 square feet of meetings and convention space.
The Fremont Hotel and Casino downtown celebrated 60 years in business this month, and will continue its diamond anniversary celebrations every Thursday throughout the summer with kiosk games, dining specials, Slot Dollar drawings and even a special commemorative gaming chip. Cupcakes will be served every Thursday at 2 p.m. at The Filament bar.
LAX Nightclub at the Luxor will bring back old school starting Thursday, May 26, when Rob Base rocks the microphone for the venue’s Throwback Thursday series. The “It Takes Two” artist ushers in several Memorial Day week festivities, which include a special “I Love the ‘90s Tour” after party with Salt-N-Pepa on Saturday, May 28, followed by the next Throwback Thursday performance by Twista on June 2.
Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation will host its 16th Annual Firefighter Bachelor Auction on Friday, June 3 from 7–11:30 p.m. with an after party to follow inside The Foundry at SLS Las Vegas. Bachelors will be paired with prize packages with proceeds benefitting The Burn Survivor Initiative, a program that provides medical and emotional assistance to local burn survivors. Early bird tickets start at $40 for females, $80 for men and $80 for couples.
On Wednesday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to noon, nationally recognized cannabis experts and state leaders will discuss regulatory challenges, necessary reforms and why research is needed at the UNLV Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies Auditorium.
The+Source medical marijuana dispensary, located at 2550 S. Rainbow Blvd., will offer an informational orientation and seminar about the various uses of medical cannabis for patients at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 2.
Crazy Horse III gentlemen’s club and late-night party destination will bring back the Neon Flow party experience with a performance starting at 3 a.m. by MOBIUS 8™ on Wednesday, June 8. This DJ translates motion into sound through his “Electronica Performance Art” laser light shows using innovative technology he created.
MOVIE NEWS ITEMS
Following a triumphant reception on the festival circuit from Tribeca to Toronto and a theatrical world premiere in New York, director Kevin Kerslake’s critically acclaimed documentary “As I Am: The Life And Time$ Of DJ AM, about the life and untimely passing of legendary DJ and mash-up pioneer DJ AM aka Adam Goldstein will receive a special Vegas premiere at Brenden Theatres at the Palms on Wednesday, June 1. The official screening after-party, which will be open to the public, will take place at 10:30 p.m. at Ghostbar with DJs spinning tribute sets.
Twice Magician of the Year and local Las Vegan, magician Lance Burton is now an award-winning filmmaker with his family feature film “Billy Topit Master Magician.” The Wild Rose judging team gave the magic-infused romp six awards, including a coveted Best Award as the Best Family Film at the 2016 festival.
FUTURE NOTEWORTHY EVENTS
The 44th Annual Las Vegas Greek Festival will take place Sept.16-18 at the St. John Greek Orthodox Church. Open to the public, everything will be Greek including continuous dancing to two live Greek bands, the Olympians and Etho Ellas, ethnic cuisine, shops with clothing, jewelry, art and a children’s area. Admittance is adults $6; children 12 and under free; military and immediate family free with valid ID.
The Henderson Pavilion will offer a screening of Fritz Lang’s restored 1927 retro-future silent film “Metropolis,” accompanied by the Henderson Symphony Orchestra presenting Gottfried Huppertz’s original musical score at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10. Tickets are $10 and $15, call 702-267-4TIX (4849).
CELEBRATING NATIONAL FOOD AND WINE DAYS
In Las Vegas theme days Like National Wine Day, National Hamburger Day and National Donut Day are celebrated.
For National Wine Day, Wednesday, May 25, La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway at Wynn will host a complimentary afternoon wine tasting offering two rosé selections from 3-5 p.m. The words “In Vino Veritas” or “in wine there is truth” are illuminated in red LED on the restaurant’s ceiling.
TREVI Italian Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars will celebrate Wine Wednesday with $7 wines by the glass offered all day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on May 25. In addition, there will be happy hour specials from 2 to 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to closing, including fried calamari, eggplant crisps, homemade meatballs, and more, all for $6.
Saturday, May 28 will be National Hamburger Day. Downtown’s Carson Kitchen will feature the Butter Burger for $14 featuring Boursin and cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a side of spicy tots. At the new Dog Haus Vegas, it’s The Hangover Burger with smoked bacon, chili, a fried egg, and white American cheese served on grilled King’s Hawaiian rolls.
National Donut Day will be Friday, June 3. Dunkin’ Donuts will celebrate by offering guests a free donut of their choice while supplies last and excluding Croissant Donuts and Squares with the purchase of any beverage. The offer is good all day on June 3 at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide.
VENETIAN, PALAZZO AND SANDS EXPO HOLD FOOD DRIVE COMPETITION
In honor of World Hunger Day on May 28, Las Vegas Sands Corp. has partnered with local nonprofit Three Square Food Bank to hold the third-annual “Hunger is Not a Game” food drive, May 20 to June 20. The month-long team member initiative, part of the company’s Sands® ECO360° and Sands® Cares programs, will culminate with an innovative “Can Construction” challenge, which was a huge success last year. Using the theme “Sustainable Summer,” company departments will challenge one another to build a piece of artwork with the cans collected.
WEST COAST CONFERENCE SIGNS EXTENSION AT ORLEANS ARENA
The West Coast Conference after eight years in Las Vegas and Boyd Gaming have made a three-year contract extension that will keep the West Coast Conference Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships at the Orleans Arena through 2019. As part of the new agreement, The Orleans will make several venue enhancements, highlighted by the installation of a new center-hung high-definition video board.
