“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, June 26, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
MICHAEL AND DAVID MORTON PLAN NEW STEAKHOUSE AT HARD ROCK
In early 2017, brothers Michael and David Morton will introduce an entirely new steakhouse concept that will occupy approximately 7,000 square feet with all-new construction in the southwest corner of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The Morton family knows steakhouses. Their late father Arnie Morton founded Morton’s The Steakhouse in 1978 and was also a co-founder of Playboy Clubs. Michael reinvented the steakhouse with the opening of N9NE Steakhouse at the Palms in 2001. David owns multiple restaurant venues in Chicago and their brother Peter built the Hard Rock Hotel.
‘WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE’ INVADES LAS VEGAS
The long-running, popular game show “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” with host Chris Harrison has relocated to Bally’s and visitors and area residents have the chance to be a part of one of television’s most iconic game shows. Since the show’s debut in syndication in 2002, contestants have won nearly $95 million.
“Millionaire” is currently looking for outstanding contestants and enthusiastic audience members for the upcoming season, which premieres in national syndication on Sept. 12. Open auditions will take place at Bally’s from 2-7 p.m. on the following dates: July 7-9, 11-15, 18-22, and 25-29.
Live studio tapings will be held July 15 through Sept. 1. In addition, “Millionaire” is also looking for energetic audience members. Members of the studio audience must be at least 18 years old. Tickets are free and can be requested from the show’s website.
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN® WILL HAVE NEVADA’S FIRST DAVE & BUSTER’S
Nevada’s first Dave & Buster’s will open to the public on Monday, Aug. 8 in Downtown Summerlin. The 33,000-square-foot venue will be located across from Regal Cinema 5.
Dallas, Texas, headquartered Dave & Buster’s operates 82 large-venue, high-volume restaurant/entertainment complexes throughout North America. Venues offer upscale cuisine, innovative cocktails and games, sporting events viewing, and embrace corporate and group events.
TIM MCGRAW WILL RETURN TO MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA
Tim McGraw, three-time Grammy Award-winning musician and the most played country artist since his debut in 1992, will appear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Dec. 10 at 9 p.m., which will be during the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo running Dec. 1-10. McGraw has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and dominated the charts with 36 No. 1 singles. Tickets range from $79.50 to $130.
CINDY WILLIAMS WILL JOIN ‘MENOPAUSE THE MUSICAL®’ THIS SUMMER
Cindy Williams, best known for her role as Shirley Feeney in the comedy series “Laverne & Shirley,” will join “Menopause The Musical®” at Harrah’s as a guest star this summer from July 7-Aug. 28. The longest-running scripted musical in Las Vegas history has played 4,200 performances and just celebrated 10 years here.
While Williams is making her Las Vegas debut, this run marks the third time she will perform in “Menopause The Musical®,” having previously appeared in the Tampa, Fla., and Laguna Beach, Calif., productions. The actress will play the role of the fifth girlfriend, joining current cast members. After each performance, Williams will greet fans and sign copies of her memoir, “Shirley, I Jest!”
Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. each Saturday and Monday. Tickets are $49.99, $59.99 and $74.50.
NEW RESTAURANTS PLANNED AT THE HUGHES® CENTER CAMPUS
A new retail development is underway at the entry of The Hughes® Center campus on Flamingo and Paradise Road. The new 14,160-square-foot building, which will anchor The Hughes Center’s Restaurant Row, will feature a modern design that includes an all glass tower and seven tenant spaces ranging from approximately 1,300 to just over 4,000 square feet.
Two committed tenants representing 60 percent of the new development will be Bandito Latin Kitchen & Cantina, a chef-driven, high energy Mexican restaurant, and H20 Sushi & Izakaya, a hip Japanese restaurant serving distinct cuisine.
Bandito will be a brand new restaurant concept from local industry veteran Kent Harman and acclaimed Las Vegas Chef Mike Minor, formerly with Border Grill. The eatery will specialize in scratch-made dishes featuring Minor’s creative take on Latin and Mexican dishes.
The Hughes Center location will be the first H20 Sushi & Izakaya restaurant in Southern Nevada. The restaurant, featuring traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern, exotic touch, has several locations in California and is one of several brands operated by restaurant entrepreneur, Jae Chang, and his company JC Holdings Group, LLC.
FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE HAS NEW VIVA VISION SHOW
Fremont Street Experience and Tiësto officially premiered the newest Viva Vision show, “Tiësto - A Town Called Paradise,” during EDC Weekend. The new light and sound show is built around Vegas DJ Tiësto’s music and 2014 album, “A Town Called Paradise,” and features three artist-selected songS – “Secrets,” “Red Lights” and “Wasted.”
MONORAIL STATIONS NOW HAVE MOBILEQUBES CHARGING DEVICES
There are new MobileQube charging kiosks at all seven Las Vegas Monorail stations and also at the Flamingo and The LINQ to provide a convenient solution for a drained phone battery. MobileQubes is a network of fully automated, self-service kiosks that allow customers to rent their device type (Apple, Android or Blackberry) and return compact, battery “Qubes” at any of their kiosks. The cost to rent a fully-charged Qube is $4.99 for a 24-hour period.
BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS MAKES TOUR STOP AT THE SILVERTON
The Silverton is presenting Blood, Sweat & Tears in the Veil Pavilion on Saturday, July 30 at 8 p.m. The American jazz-rock band’s current members include Bo Bice of American Idol fame. This band from New York has secured three Grammys and 10 nominations as well as a world tour with incredible hits such as “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy,” “Spinning Wheel,” and “And When I Die.” Tickets start at $29.
TRACE ADKINS BRINGS HIS CHART-TOPPING HITS TO THE ORLEANS
Country music star Trace Adkins will bring his timeless hits and trademark baritone vocals to The Orleans Showroom July 30 and 31 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $69.95.
Adkins moved to Nashville in the early 90s and was quickly signed to Capitol Records. With his debut album “Dreamin’ Out Loud” in 1996, he was awarded Top New Male Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. In addition to his success in the world of country music, Adkins raised more than $1.5 million for the American Red Cross as the winner of NBC’s “All-Star Celebrity Apprentice” in 2013. He is also a spokesperson for United Service Organizations (USO) and has performed on 10 tours with the organization.
TOMMY WIND’S FAMILY MAGIC SHOW WINS 2016 MERLIN AWARD
Magician Tommy Wind, the 26-year-old with his own namesake theatre on the Strip, has won the coveted Merlin Award for “Best Family Friendly Magic Show in the World.” Tony Hassini, president and founder of the International Magicians Society, presented the award to Wind, who has been a regular on the “Masters of Illusion” TV series on the CW network.
Wind, the youngest performing magician on the Strip, performs his family-friendly magic show with his father Tommy Riccardo, mother DJ M-O-M Arlene and wife magician assistant Stacy, nightly at 6 p.m. The family moved to Las Vegas six years ago and Wind’s grandfather did magic in Italy in 1947 when he came to New York.
‘ARRIVAL FROM SWEDEN: THE MUSIC OF ABBA’ RETURNS TO SUNCOAST
“Arrival From Sweden: The Music of ABBA” will bring the famous group’s pop songs to the Suncoast Showroom July 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $24.
ABBA first hit the U.S. and U.K. charts with their #1 1974 hit “Waterloo.” Tribute band Arrival From Sweden was founded by Vicky Zetterberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1995 and has spent the last two decades performing around the world. Arrival From Sweden is the only ABBA tribute band working with musicians who toured with the original members in the ‘70s, and is also the only tribute to receive an unreleased ABBA song directly from the original artists. In addition, Arrival From Sweden owns the exclusive rights to duplicate ABBA’s original outfits.
NEW GROCERY STORE OPENS AT LAKE LAS VEGAS
Seasons Market just opened in MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas featuring traditional and organic items, including many award-winning products and some exclusive to Lake Las Vegas from Full Circle and other local and regional growers and companies. The store also has daily product and wine tastings and dry cleaning and grocery delivery services.
COMEDY STAR SOMMORE RETURNS TO THE SUNCOAST SHOWROOM
Sommore, who began her career in 1994 as the first woman to host BET’s “Comic View,” will bring her side-splitting comedy back to the Suncoast Showroom July 30 and 31 at 7:30 p.m. In 1995, she was the recipient of the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year. Sommore has TV and film credits, has competed on the winning team during season six of “Celebrity Fit Club,” and has earned critical acclaim for her stand-up comedy specials “The Queen Stands Alone,” “Chandelier Status” and “The Reign Continues.” Tickets are available from $35.
NIGHT SWIMS RETURN TO THE TANK AT GOLDEN NUGGET
Night Swim at the Golden Nugget returns this summer with free public events at The Tank pool. Events include: Blend Night Swim, an LGBT pool party, on July 7, Aug. 11 and Sept. 5; Jurassic Night Swim July 15; Family Movie Night: Jurassic Park July 16; Olympic Night Swim Aug. 5; Family Movie Night: Pixels Aug. 19; and four Night Swim parties on Aug. 26, Sept. 2, 16 and 30. Most all Night Swim events run 7 p.m. to midnight and are free and open to the public.
THE MOB MUSEUM TO HOST GANGSTER MOVIE SERIES IN JULY
The Mob Museum will again host a Summer Movie Series on four consecutive Fridays in July at 6:45 p.m. in the historic courtroom. Each screening will be preceded by a short presentation providing historical context as well as the real stories behind the film. Movies will include: “Bugsy” – July 8; “The Untouchables” – July 15; “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” – July 22; and “Hoffa” – July 29. Each movie is free with museum admission and free for museum members.
Refreshments include a full bar and snacks available for purchase. Attendees may also opt for dinner-and-a-movie night by purchasing The Made Experience package offered in partnership with Triple George Grill located just steps away from the museum. The $89 package includes a three-course dinner, private booth, Triple George Grill cocktail shaker and a ticket to the museum.
CROSSROADS RESTAURANT OFFERS SPECIAL EVENTS AND NEW MENUS
Crossroads Restaurant at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay is offering new menus this summer with “No Regrets” Brunch and extended Happy Hour. Some of the events will include: Saturday Morning Cartoons July 16; Late Night Dine-In Movie July 15 midnight-3 a.m.; Strip Searched Comedy July 18; National Ice Cream Day July 17 with a free scoop; and more. In July, kids under age 13 can eat breakfast and lunch for free 7 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday with the purchase of a full-priced entrée.
BRAVO! CUCINA ITALIANA CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana in Henderson at the Galleria mall will celebrate its first anniversary on Thursday, July 7 with a special “BRAVO! Cucina Italiana Day.” Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen will take part in a festive pizza toss and help deliver a “Pizza BRAVO!” lunch donation to Boys & Girls Club of Southern Nevada Donald W. Reynolds Clubhouse.
Folks interested in helping BRAVO! celebrate can dine in on July 7 for a complimentary dessert and enjoy their own Pizza BRAVO!, which is one of the new menu items. Some other new items include Linguine Carbonara, Braised Pork Marsala and Spicy Shrimp and Clam Linguine.
JULY FOURTH WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
Correction: Sorry for the misinformation last week. There won’t be fireworks at Green Valley Ranch this year on July 4. As it turns out Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Resort aren’t having fireworks displays this Fourth of July. Instead, the company will be putting on a fireworks spectacular on July 1 at Palace Station to celebrate Station Casinos’ 40th Birthday.
More than 35,000 people are expected to attend the 22nd annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade from 9 to 11 a.m. This is Southern Nevada’s largest Fourth of July parade with more than 2,500 people participating, more than 70 entries, and even 25 giant inflatables.
The theme for First Friday on July 1 from 5 to 11 p.m. downtown will be “Deliverance.” Featured artists will be Anna Duerden, DeAndre Summlin and Newsence.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is hosting an exclusive Garth Brooks Songwriters Showcase inside Rose. Rabbit. Lie. again on July 2 at 2:30 p.m. featuring performances by songwriters Pat Alger, Tony Arata and Kent Blazy. Tickets are $75.
RAPID NEWS TIPS
The rooftop Pool at the Plaza after a multimillion dollar renovation will open to the public on July 2; more information next week.
Magician Criss Angel opened his new production “Mindfreak Live!” at the Luxor. It replaced “Believe,” which he closed April 17 after seven years and 3,000 performances.
Forgot to mention that The Improv at Harrah’s closed last month after anchoring the second-floor showroom since 1995 when it moved over from the Riviera. The Improv is a comedy-club brand started by Budd Friedman back in 1963. This show closure has allowed “Menopause” to move its show time from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. and “X Country” to go from 10:30 to 10 p.m.
Last week, Noodle Co. & Sushi Bar at the Monte Carlo kicked off its 20-year anniversary celebration and launched a special $20 three-course anniversary menu running now through July 31. In addition, a portion of the proceeds from every Hong Kong chow mein sold will benefit the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
The Golden Nugget downtown is celebrating the return of Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” with a week-long splash of events through July 3 including shark-inspired menus, pool shark fun at The Tank, and an ongoing Shark Tank Tour at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for $40.
The Neon Museum downtown will offer hot yoga in its outdoor Neon Boneyard this summer for the first time. Taught by Certified Instructor Eileen Lorraine, the one-hour sessions will take place at 5:30 p.m. on five Wednesdays: July 6 and 20, and Aug. 3, 17 and 31. The 60-minute class is for everyone from beginners to advanced yogis and will consist of a flowing vinyasa session set to vintage Las Vegas-inspired beats. Participants should bring plenty of water and their own yoga mat, towel and equipment they require. Cost is $18 and $13 for museum members, call 702-387-6366.
There’s also yoga at Sunset Station’s outdoor pool area, 8 a.m. every Saturday. Attendance is free for all Boarding Pass members, but donations are welcome. Classes are taught by Gemma, and participants should bring their yoga mats and water.
Honey Salt will welcome Chef Roy Villacrusis, Consulting Sushi Chef at Andiron Steak & Sea, for a Japanese-inspired, four-course dinner on June 30. This communal dining experience is $49 with an optional two-course beverage pairing for an additional $19.
Adrianne Haslet, a Boston Marathon bombing survivor, will be the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Women’s Leadership Conference Aug. 8 and 9 at the MGM Grand. Registration for the two-day conference open to men and women is $450.
Impersonator Rich Little, who is headlining at the Laugh Factory in the Tropicana, penned his first book “Little By Little: People I Have Known and Been” and self-published via Dog Ear Publishing. Rather than a biography, the book is about funny things that happened to him and meeting people he impersonated.
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin, will keep the tequila flowing with more than 35 brands of shot specials in honor of National Tequila Day, Sunday, July 24.
