“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
BLUE MAN GROUP’S ‘WAX SHACK’ IS NEW AT THE LUXOR
The Blue Man Wax Shack is a new display at the Luxor allowing visitors to experience what it’s like to go inside Blue Man Group’s creative world. The attraction features three Blue Man Group wax figures created by Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. The art installation gives guests a humorous look inside Blue Man Group’s creative world full of props and provides a comical photo-op with a hole cut for a guest to put their face in a landscape painting on the wall.
In addition, there is a special combo package offer. For $81, the package includes a category C ticket to the Blue Man Group show and general admission ticket to Madame Tussauds at The Venetian. The package can be purchased at any Luxor Box Office, the Madame Tussauds Box Office, or by calling 800-557-7428 and mentioning “Madame Tussauds.”
XAVIER MORTIMER ADDS PERFORMANCES AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD
French export Xavier Mortimer, who launched his first solo Las Vegas show at Planet Hollywood in June, is adding two more shows on weekends to his weekly schedule in the Sin City Theater. “Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream” beginning Saturday, Aug. 6, will be performed eight times a week. Shows will be nightly except Wednesday at 7 p.m. and also at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $49 and $69.
Mortimer is the first Cirque performer to launch a headlining show on the Strip. He has graced stages in more than 30 countries, and most recently starred in Cirque du Soleil’s show “Michael Jackson ONE” at Mandalay Bay.
His 70-minute magic show is in an intimate showroom and unlike many illusion shows has more of a story flow without the apparent lead up to a trick followed by “ta-da!” It’s really a more interesting show that appears is being readily accepted by audiences.
COYOTE COUNTRYFEST RETURNS TO THE ORLEANS ARENA
The annual country all-star concert Coyote CountryFest presented by 102.7 The Coyote radio will return to the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Aug. 13, with performances from Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Love and Theft, Brett Young and Sierra Black. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are available from $20.
Georgia native Swindell’s rise to fame began as a songwriter for country music stars Luke Bryan, Chris Young and Florida Georgia Line, among others. In 2013, he released his debut single “Chillin’ It” and in February 2014 followed it with a self-titled album.
Pardi is best known for his rowdy approach to country music. His debut single was “Missin’ You Crazy” in 2012. A year later, his second single “Up All Night” became his first Top 10 hit.
Country duo Love and Theft hit the country music scene in 2009 with their debut album and have released three albums. They are best known for their No. 1 single “Angel Eyes.”
Country music up-and-comer Young released his debut EP earlier this year with the single “Sleep Without You.” Young was recently named one of Rolling Stone’s “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.”
Las Vegas native Sierra Black hit the country music scene as an opening act for country greats like Joe Nichols, Little Big Town and more. Last year, she had the honor of performing a duet with Keith Urban, who hand-picked her for a performance of “We Were Us.” She is currently working on her debut EP and released her first single, “Heart on Ice,” earlier this year.
CAESARS PALACE CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN BIG WAY
Marking a half-century, world-renowned Caesars Palace is celebrating its golden anniversary with a weekend of events highlighted by a free public fireworks display at 10:20 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5.
Also on Friday, there will be a special birthday pool party for hotel guests hosted by award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay at the Garden of The Gods pool oasis. During the poolside celebration, the winner of the 50th Anniversary nationwide cocktail competition will be revealed.
On Saturday, Aug. 6, Caesars Palace will further celebrate its 50-year entertainment legacy with a Grand Gala event for invited VIP guests. The extravagant evening will be hosted by comedian Howie Mandel and headlined by Tony Bennett who was the second performer to appear at the Circus Maximus Showroom in 1966. The gala will also have surprise appearances and special performances by current Caesars Entertainment headliners including Wayne Newton, Donny and Marie Osmond, Matt Goss, and The Righteous Brothers.
The resort is continuing its free, self-guided walking photo tour and exhibit highlighting memorable moments and people in the resort’s rich history through the end of August.
In addition, Searsucker Las Vegas, Chef Brian Malarkey’s contemporary restaurant at the hotel, will offer a special $50 prix fixe three-course menu Aug. 1-31.
COMEDIAN GILBERT GOTTFRIED WILL HEADLINE M RESORT
The M Resort will be featuring comedy on Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. with famed comic and renowned actor Gilbert Gottfried headlining with Jerry Rocha, a semi-finalist on NBC’s “Las Comic Standing,” as his opening act. Tickets are $19.99, $29.99 and $39.99.
Gottfried is a household name and his unparalleled humor puts aside political correctness and fires an onslaught of jokes without boundaries. Gottfried is best known for his roles in “Beverly Hills Cop II,” “Problem Child,” “Look Who's Talking II” and as the wise cracking parrot, IAGO, in the Disney classic “Aladdin.”
SOUTH POINT LINES UP NAME HEADLINERS
Every month South Point books strong and varied headliners with August featuring Louie Anderson, Earl Turner, and Tony Orlando performing 7:30 p.m. shows.
Anderson will lead off with comedy on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5 and 6. This funny-man is best known for his appearances on NBC’s “The Tonight Show,” CBS’ “Family Feud,” FOX’s “Life with Louie,” and in the hit movie “Coming To America.” Tickets start at $15.
Multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician and dancer, Earl Turner, will be celebrating musical icons on Aug. 12 and 13. His special guest will be Elisa Fiorillo, formerly of Prince and New Power Generation (NPG). Starting his career at 19 with his own tour, Turner is the ultimate entertainer who has shared the stage with Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight, Earth Wind & Fire and many more. Tickets start at $20.
Tony Orlando will excite audiences Aug. 19 through 21 with his greatest hits, including “Tie A Yellow Ribbon,” “Knock Three Times,” “Sweet Gypsy Rose,” and more. Tickets start at $45.
TONY PACE MAKES RETURN VISIT TO LAS VEGAS
After 640 days on the road in the last two years Tony Pace will visit Las Vegas again on Sunday, Aug. 14 and appear at the South Point in the newly remodeled intimate Grandview Lounge at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.
The evening will be about music, laughter and energy. Pace is a classically trained tenor with a four octave range. He’s also very funny and noted for his impressions. Pace first gained headliner status in Atlantic City as a signature artist for Resorts Hotel & Casino and then he appeared in Las Vegas at the Tropicana and the former Clarion.
BEER PARK WILL HOST OPENING CEREMONIES VIEWING PARTY
Beer Park at Paris will kick off the 2016 Olympics summer games with an opening ceremonies viewing party on dozens of high-definition televisions throughout the rooftop bar and grill beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5. As the torch makes its last stop in Rio de Janeiro, Beer Park will honor each country by serving up a complimentary Budweiser Signature draft beer to guests wearing their favorite country’s apparel.
There will also be tailgate-style fare with an array of signature menu items including chile verde nachos; breakfast burger with fried egg; or Shock Top bratwurst.
WESTGATE HOSTS 40TH ANNUAL MRS. AMERICA PAGEANT
The 40th annual Mrs. America Pageant will return to its original home at the Westgate on Saturday, Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Westgate Theater with actress Florence Henderson, star of the classic show “The Brady Bunch,” hosting. Tickets are available at 310-829-9902 and in-person the day of the show. The pageant will be streamed for free at MrsAmerica.com.
Preliminaries for the 2016 Mrs. America Pageant will be held Thursday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The winner on Saturday will go on to represent the United States in the internationally-televised Mrs. World Pageant.
The Mrs. America Pageant was first held in 1938 and continued until 1968. The pageant was revived after a nine-year hiatus in 1977 at the-then Las Vegas Hilton by David Marmel who helped transform the pageant into the multifaceted event it is today.
WTT SMASH HITS WILL RETURN TO CAESARS PALACE
Some of the greatest players in tennis history are returning to Las Vegas this fall as World TeamTennis (WTT) Smash Hits returns to Caesars Palace on Monday, Oct. 10. The 2015 Las Vegas debut of WTT Smash Hits at Caesars Palace was just that – a smash hit that raised more than $1 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Caesars Palace, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is also home to Elton John’s hit show, “The Million Dollar Piano.”
John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Martina Navratilova and Lindsay Davenport will headline the annual charity tennis event co-hosted by longtime friends Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King. Tennis action will begin at 7 p.m. on a specially-constructed tennis court in the valet parking lot adjacent to Caesars Palace Drive.
Captained by King and John, the players will form two teams and play a WTT match featuring singles and doubles action. The evening will begin with a pre-match VIP Reception and Auction at 5 p.m. VIP ticket packages are $500. All seating will be reserved and have chairbacks. For tennis action only, Premium Reserved seats are $125 and Reserved seats $55; call 866-320-9763 or 888-929-7849.
NEXT OSCAR DINNER SERIES DISCUSSES ‘HIDDEN OWNERS OF VEGAS’
The next dinner on the Oscar Dinner Series will be held on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Oscar’s steakhouse at the Plaza featuring former city of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman speaking about “The Hidden Owners of Las Vegas: The Rest of the Story.” He will discuss the secret criminal control of the Las Vegas casinos.
The three-course gourmet meal will be paired with red and white wines as well as the signature Oscar Goodman Martini while Goodman talks about his experiences as a criminal defense attorney that are hallmarks of Las Vegas’ fascinating history. To attend an RSVP and pre-payment of $150 is required, call 702-386-7227 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
DISTURBED WILL MAKE A TOUR STOP AT HARD ROCK
The multi-platinum band Disturbed formed in Chicago in 1996 will visit The Joint at Hard Rock on Friday, Sept. 23. Tickets start at $45.
Disturbed have been touring in support of their No. 1 album “Immortalized,” which produced three No. 1 singles, the latest being their haunting version of Simon & Garfunkel’s classic hit “The Sound of Silence.” The hard rock band comprised of David Draiman on vocals, guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, and bass player John Moyer, have sold more than 15 million albums globally and scored 12 No. 1 singles at Rock Radio. Their quadruple-platinum debut album “The Sickness” formally announced their musical arrival in 2000.
SUNSET STATION’S ‘NASHVILLE UNPLUGGED’ GIVES INSIDER LOOK
“Nashville Unplugged” at Sunset Station in Club Madrid will highlight songwriter Lila McCann on Friday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. McCann made her professional music debut at 16 years old with the single “Down Came a Blackbird.” She followed with 1999’s gold-certified album “Something in the Air,” which included the hit single “With You,” and 2001’s “Complete.”
The show is hosted by singer/songwriter Aaron Benward with his most recent hit being “Who I Am” featured on ABC’s “Nashville” and Travis Howard, whose credits include Miranda Lambert’s “Famous In a Small Town,” “Bring Me Down” and “Heart Like Mine.” These two talented musicians regularly present well-known songwriters so you get the story behind the song. The cover at the door is $10.
LAS VEGAS’ AZZURRE SPIRITS ACQUIRES CANADIAN VICTORIA DISTILLERS
Victoria Distillers, one of Canada’s oldest, small-batched spirits companies located in British Columbia, will begin producing Las Vegas-based Azzurre Vodka has been awarded a 94 rating by The Tasting Panel and a Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Azzurre Gin has received a 93 rating from the Beverage Tasting Institute and a 91 rating from The Tasting Panel, among other accolades. Azzurre is naturally gluten/GMO free with no added sugar.
ART COMPETITION WINNERS WILL BE ON DISPLAY
Jana’s RedRoom Gallery, located downtown in the Arts District, held a recent worldwide inaugural Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition. More than 350 individual pieces of art were entered by 207 artists from 35 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and 11 countries. The Best of Show winner was Denise Weaver Ross from Albuquerque, N.M., with her drawing “The Jacks of Jupiter.” The Best of Show and 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place and 19 Honorable Mention winners’ artwork will be on exhibit at the gallery Sept. 1-30.
RECOGNIZING S’MORES AND RUM
No date celebrating food seems to be overlooked in Las Vegas. For National S’more Day on Wednesday, Aug. 10, La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway inside Wynn will offer their popular S’mores flatbread. Corporate Executive Chef William Demarco created the memorable flatbread by adding gooey toasted marshmallows and chocolate to flatbread dough topped with rich white and milk chocolate drizzles and graham cracker crumbs.
At Therapy downtown, they will feature their Cast Iron S’mores dessert for $9 on National S’mores Day Aug. 10. It is made with a graham cracker crust, dark semi-sweet chocolate and toasted mallows; plus, there’s an option to add bacon on the side or on top, at no additional fee.
Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will celebrate National Rum Day with a special rum flight offered exclusively on Tuesday, Aug. 16. The $21 rum flight will feature a trio of Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, Red Rum and Barrel Aged Rum aged in-house. Another rum offer is Cabo Wabo Rum Punch, a 45-ounce punch bowl crafted with a blend of Caribbean rums and fruit juices, priced at $39. Guests can keep the souvenir punch bowl glass for an additional $10.
NEWS TIPS
Identical twins Drew and Jonathan Scott – hosts of four of HGTV’s popular shows including “Property Brothers” – will make an exclusive Q&A appearance and have a book signing on Tuesday, Aug. 2 from noon to 2 p.m. during the furniture – home décor trade industry’s Summer 2016 Las Vegas Market.
PUB 365, the new craft beer haven featuring 365 rotating craft beers and 40 draft handles, is open now at Tuscany. The lunch and dinner menus feature traditional pub fare with a modern spin and prices starting at $6. Folks can join the Pub 365’s Mug Club to win exclusive prizes, invitations to private tap parties and the chance to earn a personalized tap on the Pub 365’s Founder’s Wall.
First Friday Foundation will feature “art attack” for the Aug. 5 First Friday event downtown including E320’s lineup of entertainment on the city of Las Vegas stage.
Now in its 15th year, the Vegas Valley Book Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. downtown at the Historic Fifth Street School. The event is free and open to the public. Through Sept. 30, Clark County high school students in grades 9–12 are invited to submit original poems to win one of three cash prizes: $300, $200 and $100.
DRONE CLASSES ARE BEING HELD AT SOUTH POINT
Drones are popular and expert instruction from the best aeronautics and drone specialists in the business are being held at the South Point through August. FAA Part 107 training will be included to coincide with new regulations due out this summer. The next four-day training classes by drone services company AviSight will take place July 26-29 and Aug. 23-26.
