“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, June 19, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
THE ROLLING STONES RETURN TO LAS VEGAS
For the first time in three years since performing at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in May 2013, The Rolling Stones with Mick Jagger have agreed to play Las Vegas again. They will headline the new T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 19. This engagement will follow the group’s debut “Desert Trip” concert tour in Indo, Calif., the site of the Coachella Music Festival.
Most recently The Rolling Stones had a successful Latin American tour with a performance in Havana.
PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY IS IN LAS VEGAS’ FORECAST
It’s looking like Las Vegas will become home to the 31st team in the National Hockey League (NHL) making it the city’s first major professional sports franchise. The 2017-18 season would be the earliest the league would expand. The team would play in the new T-Mobile arena, which seats 17,500 for hockey.
HIGH ROLLER OBSERVATION WHEEL BEGINS OFFERING YOGA SESSIONS
On June 21, International Yoga Day, the High Roller at The LINQ Promenade begins offering yoga sessions on the world’s tallest observation wheel. The experience includes a one-hour yoga session, which is two rotations, with an instructor from Silent Savasana and welcomes up to six guests per cabin. Wearing a headset guests will be guided through the experience listening to the instructor and music. Guests can bring their own mat or borrow a mat that’s been provided by lululemon athletica™ at Fashion Show Mall. They’ll also receive a High Roller branded water bottle.
Guests must book at least 24 hours in advance with up to four people required. Sessions will be available daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $75. A premium sunset option Monday through Wednesday is $85. Private one-on-one yoga sessions are $250 or $300 for a couple.
SIXTEEN BANDS WILL COMPETE TO APPEAR AT LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL
Sixteen Las Vegas acts have been selected to compete in a two-week, tournament-style battle, June 25-July 10, at Brooklyn Bowl on The LINQ Promenade to earn the final spot on the lineup for the annual Life is Beautiful 2016 cultural weekend. All competitions are free and open to the public for all ages.
Round one, part one, will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 with eight acts performing: All-Night Visitors, Echo Stains, Jessica Manalo, O Wildly, The American Weather, The Musket Vine, Walk Off Hits and We Are Pancakes. Round one, part two, is at 7 p.m. the next night Sunday, June 26 and will feature: Brittany Rose, Chop808, Daniel Park Band, Ekoh, Glass Pools, Moonboots, Silversage and The Noir Movement.
Round two will be on Friday, July 1 at 7 p.m. for a spot in the final four. The semifinal round on Sunday, July 10 will narrow the field from four to two, beginning at 7 p.m. The finals will be held immediately following the semifinals, with the winner announced later the same evening.
CHRIS COLLINS PERFORMS JOHN DENVER TRIBUTE SHOW AT SUNCOAST
The Suncoast Showroom will present “Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon: A Tribute to John Denver” on July 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m. The show celebrates Denver and his songs that brought him to the forefront of country music in the 1970s. Collins personifies the late Denver from his sounds to his look. Tickets are available from $19.50.
CAESARS PALACE HOLDS 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Caesars Palace is holding a 50th anniversary celebration beginning on Sunday, July 3 with a 13½ minute fireworks display at 9 p.m. based on weather directly above the iconic hotel’s newly reimagined Julius Tower. In addition a weekend long block party is planned with the Roman Plaza and Spanish Steps directly in front of Caesars Palace being transformed with live music, signature cocktails, life size games, patriotic decorations, homemade BBQ specials and more from noon to midnight Friday-Sunday, July 1-3.
In addition, Caesars Palace has created a self-guided historical walking tour, three-sided photo displays highlighting milestones across entertainment, dining, sports and shopping, and a photo experience by the bell desk featuring a Roman chariot.
On the anniversary weekend Aug. 5-6 celebrations will include a commemorative cake and champagne toast, a gala for invited guests and VIPs, #IAMCAESAR Sweepstakes, special 50th Anniversary room packages, commemorative merchandise, etc.
POT LIQUOR CHANGES NAME AND ADDS NEW MENU ITEMS
Owners Flip Arbelaez and Doug Bell of Pot Liquor Contemporary American Smokehouse in Town Square next to Crazy Pita are converting the original name to Pot Liquor Smokehouse Barbecue to emphasize they are an authentic southern style barbecue restaurant.
The owners say there are two things that make a barbecue restaurant authentic – the wood to smoke the meats and nicknaming the meat smoker. At Pot Liquor, which opened in September 2014, the hefty smoker is named Big Hank and you smell the aroma of peach, cherry and mesquite woods that are used to smoke beef brisket for 10 to 12 hours.
The menu offers several new items including pulled pork nachos, spare riblets, crab fritters and cheddar grits and veggies. A new combination platter called A Month of Sundays is for large parties, feeding up to eight people.The Happy Hour menu, which is available Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m., features a few updates as well with 11 food items for $5 each. Happy Hour cocktail specials include $2 PBR and Shandy pints, 50 percent off all other draft beers, well drinks and house wines for $4, and specialty cocktails for 25 percent off.
Pot Liquor also offers All You Can Eat Ribs special every Monday for $24.99 for one person or $39.99 for two people.
BEER PARK WILL HOST BEER PONG QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT
As the 2016 World Series of Beer Pong approaches July 6-10 at Westgate, Beer Park at Paris will host its own qualifying tournament with 32 teams consisting of two people per team starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. Each team will receive a complimentary pitcher of beer and the winning team will receive complimentary registration into the 2016 World Series of Beer Pong. To enter, call 702-444-4500.
ONE RISE & SHINE LOCATION CELEBRATES ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Locally owned and operated Rise & Shine: A Steak & Egg Place is celebrating the first anniversary of its Flamingo location with a month-long menu offering five of the restaurant’s signature breakfast dishes through Friday, July 15. The company’s first location is in Southern Highlands. Breakfast and lunch are served daily 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
BELLAGIO’S MONTHLY CULINARY SERIES SHOWCASES RENOWNED CHEFS
Snack Wagon Takeover is a monthly culinary series at Harvest by Roy Ellamar with favorite chefs. The snack wagon is a beautifully crafted wood cart on wheels that glides through the restaurant, stopping tableside so guests may select exclusive culinary bites from the guest chef’s restaurant.
The 2016 lineup includes: July 13 Le Cirque Executive Chef Wilfried Bergerhausen; July 22 Celebrity Chef Shawn McClain of Libertine Social at Mandalay Bay; Aug. 24 Noodles Executive Chef Patrick Lee; Sept. 14 Todd English’s Olives Executive Chef Brad Skougard; Oct. 12 Lago by Julian Serrano Executive Chef Nico Chessa; Nov. 9 Bellagio Executive Pastry Chef Patrick Lassaque; and Dec.14 Executive Chef Sean Griffin of Jean Georges Steakhouse at Aria.
FOLIES BERGÈRE EXHIBIT IN TWO LOCATIONS RUNS THROUGH JAN. 15
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s (LVCVA) Las Vegas News Bureau in partnership with the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas have assembled a “Les Folies Bergère: Entertaining Las Vegas One Rhinestone at a Time” exhibit that explores the beauty, artistry and extravagance of the Tropicana’s legendary show. Direct from Paris, the show ran nearly 50 years before closing in March 2009.
The exhibit will run through Jan. 15, 2017, at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Paradise Road where it is free and open to the public and also at the Nevada State Museum with admission to the museum.
PAINT-DRINK-DINE SERIES OFFERED AGAIN AT CRAZY PITA
Crazy Pita in Town Square is partnering again with Pinot’s Palette through Sept. 8 to offer the Paint–Drink–Dine summer painting event series with guests learning from local artists while creating a piece of artwork. The cost is $39, which includes painting materials and supplies, along with one appetizer per table and 25 percent of the proceeds being donated to the Josh Stevens Foundation. Also Happy Hour prices are offered at 50 percent off beer and wine.
Reservations are required at Pinot’s Pallette’s website. Paint–Drink–Dine events are twice a month on every other Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. The next dates on the schedule are June 30, July 14 and 28, and Aug. 11.
JULY 4 WEEKEND HAPPENINGS
Reminder, the unforgettable Garth Brooks will headline at the T-Mobile Arena July 2-4.
The free Independence Day celebration at Lake Las Vegas will be on July 3 with free activities beginning at 2 p.m. followed by two simultaneous fireworks shows at 8:40 p.m. and the Henderson Symphony Orchestra performing at dusk.
The two winners of 19th annual qualifying competition held at New York-New York will be competing in the 100th Annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. Rich LeFevre, a local Henderson, Nev., resident, and Michelle Lesco each earned the title of “Nevada Hot Dog Eating Champion.” During the 10-minute challenge, LeFevre earned top male honors finishing 30 hot dogs while Lesco won the female division eating 28 hot dogs.
Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will celebrate America by hosting a patio party with drink specials like the $19 Fiesta Firework daiquiri layered with strawberry daiquiri, piña colada and blue curacao, live music by Shawn Eifferman at 8 p.m. and fireworks viewing on July 4.
Life Time Athletic Green Valley’s Fourth of July poolside bash will feature a live DJ, game activities, signature cocktails and food from 1 to 10 p.m. with holiday fireworks at 9 p.m. at the adjacent Green Valley Ranch Resort on Monday, July 4.
The 68th Annual Boulder City Damboree Celebration will take place in Boulder City on July 4 starting with a parade at 9 a.m., carnival and entertainment from 10-11 a.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m.
In Mesquite about 90 minutes from Las Vegas, Eureka Casino Resort will celebrate the Fourth of July with Rockets over the Red Mesa on Saturday, July 4. The evening will feature a community vendor village starting at 6 p.m. with a DJ, a live performance by the 32-piece Nevada POPS Orchestra at 8 p.m., and a fireworks display at 9 p.m.
The Deck at Aliante during Fourth of July weekend, July 1-4, will celebrate with a poolside barbecue and drink specials. The Deck will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. through the holiday weekend with day-passes available to locals and non-hotel guests for $20.
On the Fourth of July, the gentlemen’s club Crazy Horse III will host its annual “Red, White and Boobs” bash with a weekend all-American drink special, two complimentary Bud Light beer buckets with the purchase of a bottle of Jack Daniels.
PARKING GETS COMPLICATED
We all expected the new paid parking situation at MGM properties to get a bit complicated and it is going to take time for people to adjust and for the kinks to be worked out. An awkward example is if you aren’t staying at an MGM property, you have to pay for parking at each resort.
There are also some subtle changes. For example after all these years, valet in the front drive-up area at Circus Circus has been removed and all valet services are now at the center interior section of the property. Also valet is charging and parking fees are sure to be instituted eventually at many more resorts.
CELEBRITY SHORT ITEMS
The “Steven Tyler...Out On A Limb” tour will bring the legendary front man to the Venetian Theatre on Saturday, July 2 at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $80 to see rock royalty.
Pop icon Britney Spears has added an additional 14 performances to her residency schedule from October 2016-February 2017 at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood. The international superstar recently opened the “2016 Billboard Music Awards,” where she was honored with the Millennium Award.
Multi-platinum selling pop star Kesha will perform her hits at Intrigue Nightclub in Wynn nightclub on Thursday-June 23, Saturday-June 25 and Saturday-July 23. Kesha has had eight consecutive Top 10 hits, including four No.1 singles since 2010.
Celebrities continue to visit Mike Tyson’s show at the MGM Grand in the Brad Garrett Comedy Club. This month NBA stars Julius Randle (LA Lakers), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) and Victor Oladipo (Orlando Magic) attended “UNDISPUTED TRUTH.”
Two-time GRAMMY nominated saxophonist and flautist, Najee, will appear at Aliante in the Access Showroom on Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $32.50.
Philippines native Pops Fernandez will take the stage inside the Silverton’s Veil Pavilion to show how she earned the title of “Concert Queen” on Saturday, June 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $34. The next night June 26 will be Future Stars of Wrestling at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $15.
NEWS FLASHES
Neighborhood steakhouse Andiron Steak & Sea in Downtown Summerlin will hold its first White Party, a Hamptons inspired celebration of summer, on Saturday, June 25 from 6-9 p.m. The multi-course dinner with beverage offerings costs $59 and guests are strongly requested to wear white attire.
Through June in honor of National Candy Month, HEXX Chocolate & Confexxions in Paris is offering completely-customizable ice cream nachos made with three scoops of High Road ice cream atop waffle cone “chips” and a choice of toppings for $12.95.
The next Taste & Learn event at Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar will be held Saturday, June 25 from 5-7 p.m. The multi-course dinner will have wine pairings selected by Neal Rosenthal, who only imports wines from Italy that are made in the traditional Italian winemaking manner. Cost is $65.
Las Vegas bid farewell to the Strip’s original high-rise, the Riviera’s Monaco tower, when it was imploded at 2:37 a.m., Tuesday, June 14. The next Rivera implosion will be in August.
Playmates Kennedy Summers, Miss December 2013 and 2014 Playmate of the Year, and Shanice Jordyn, Miss April 2014, will be hosting at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris on Saturday, June 25. Summers’ most recent movie is “Muck” and Jordyn is a former Hooters waitress.
Mi Casa Grill Cantina at the Silverton will celebrate National Ceviche Day on June 28 with an unrivaled array of favorites and tasty tapas fresh to order during Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. at the Ceviche Bar.
This summer, B&B Ristorante at The Venetian is tempting guests with a seasonal cocktail Noli’s Flip made with Atlantico rum, egg whites and house-made berry shrub.
Next on the National Atomic Testing Museum’s Distinguished Lecture Series will be “The Day an Asteroid Nuked the Nevada Test Site!” with geoscientist Ben McGee at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 30, which is Asteroid Day. Recently, scientists have discovered that the site sits at the epicenter of the Alamo Impact.
The Artisan Craft Festival featuring more than 60 local artisans and crafters will be held in the Ponderosa Ballroom at Sam’s Town on Sunday, June 26 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is free.
OPPORTUNITY VILLAGE HOSTS COMMUNITY SHOWCASE
Opportunity Village, often referred to as Las Vegas’ favorite charity, is hosting a Community Showcase at the Magical Forest on West Oakey on Saturday, June 25 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Everyone is invited to learn about the complete array of business lines offered at Opportunity Village, ranging from the OV Cleaning Crew™ to the OV Button Brigade™, and to discover how to help this organization, which serves nearly 3,000 people with intellectual disabilities annually. For entry, individuals are asked to bring a donation for the Opportunity Village Thrift Store, a maximum of five boxes of paper to shred, or a monetary donation.
There will be free attractions in the Magical Forest including Rod’s Mini Golf and Cheyenne’s Enchanted Carousel and food and beverage offerings for sale.
LIFE TIME ATHLETIC SUMMERLIN CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
Life Time Athletic Summerlin at 10721 W. Charleston Blvd. is hosting events for its five-year anniversary.
The club will hold an “Ignite the Night” group fitness dance party with black lights, glow sticks and rave music, Thursday, June 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. Event is free for members and $30 for non-members.
An open house will follow on Saturday, June 25. Afterwards a poolside party will be held from 5-11 p.m. with appetizers, cocktails, and entertainment, which is complimentary for members, $25 for their guests, and $50 for non-members.
