“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
GRACE VANDERWAAL WILL HEADLINE ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE’
“America’s Got Talent” (AGT) named Grace VanderWaal the winner of Season 11 and she will headline an exclusive engagement of “America’s Got Talent Live” stage show Oct. 27- Oct. 29 in the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood at 7:30 p.m.
The 12-year-old singer-songwriter from New York will be joined on the Las Vegas stage by the mystifying Season 11 runner-up act, The Clairvoyants featuring Tommy Tena and Amelie van Taas, along with Top 10 comedic finalist Tape Face. Tickets range from $55 to $185.
RYAN STOCK AND AMBERLYNN DEBUT ‘COMEDY DAREDEVIL’ AT HOOTERS
“Comedy Daredevil” featuring “America’s Got Talent” stars Ryan Stock and AmberLynn opened last week making its daring premiere at Hooters Casino Hotel in the Night Owl Showroom. The danger-packed stunt show is performed Thursday through Monday at 9 p.m. Tickets are $34.95 general admission and $49.95 for VIP.
With props like chainsaws, sledgehammers, power drills and a lawn mower, this danger-packed sideshow has been the brainchild of Stock and his fiancée AmberLynn since they met more than a decade ago. The daring duo cut the tension throughout their show and daring antics by trading jokes and jabs onstage.
On AGT this couple’s mishap with a flaming arrow hitting Stock in the neck due to a crossbow malfunction made them an overnight sensation.
FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS WILL PERFORM AT THE PEARL
The original Jersey Boy, legendary Frankie Valli, along with The Four Seasons, will perform live at The Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms on Feb. 18, 2017 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $45 and go on sale Friday, Sept. 23 at noon. This is the first time in more than a decade that the frontman has appeared on a Vegas stage.
HARD ROCK CAFÉ PRESENTS SPECIAL SMOKE, FIRE & SPICE MENU
Hard Rock Cafe on Paradise Road is offering the limited-time Smoke, Fire & Spice menu through Sunday, Oct. 2. Experiencing this special menu firsthand, it is exciting, worthwhile and memorable with seasonings and sauces of popular street foods found around the world.
There are four distinct choices each with flavors inspired from different countries: Harissa Chicken – Morocco; Kalbi Shrimp – Korea; Satay Beef – Malaysia and Thailand; and Jamaican Jerk Pork. Each entrée is served on a sizzling hot skillet accompanied by fresh flatbread, marinated salad mix, grilled vegetables, mixed cheeses and dipping sauces.
In addition, jumbo chicken wings tossed with a choice of four very different dipping sauces are available as well as five strong drinks like Spiced Cinnamon Mule and Mango Tequila Sunrise, which can all be served in take home collectible mason jars.
JOKESTERS COMEDY CLUB OPENS AT D HOTEL
Jokesters Comedy Club, formerly at the Windows Showroom at Bally’s, is now getting down and dirty downtown at the D Las Vegas with nightly 10:30 p.m. performances by Las Vegas’ top comedians. The show is a carnival of comedy with a rotating list of comedians presenting racy, raunchy, and dirty bits weekly. Doors open at 10 p.m. for a pre-party with music, drink specials, games and giveaways hosted by house M.C., Mario Z. Tickets start at $29.95.
Rotating laugh masters will include: Don Barnhart, award-winning comedian and bestselling author; Derek Richards, a veteran of several USO tours; Rob Sherwood, 15-plus years of headlining national comedy clubs; Heath Harmison, trained Improv performer and veteran stand-up comedian; Linda Vu, Las Vegas Comedy Institute co-founder; Keith Lyle, craps dealer and actor as seen in “The Hangover” as the blackjack dealer; and Ron Coleman, veteran to comedy stages including The Improv and Catch A Rising Star.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM CREATES HANDS-ON WORKING LAB
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum is converting a 1,200-square-foot space into a working laboratory that will have three objectives: to serve as a paleontological and archaeological prep lab for college students; a research facility for science professionals; and a live exhibit for museum visitors. The Richard Ditton Learning Lab, the only one of its kind in Nevada, will align with the museum’s mission to inspire, through educational exhibits and programs, a better understanding and appreciation of the natural world and will open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 8 in observance of “National Fossil Day.”
Last year, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) declared the museum a federal repository for archeological and paleontological materials removed from BLM lands in southern Nevada.
ASIA FEATURING JOHN PAYNE WILL PERFORM AT SUNSET STATION
Classic rock supergroup ASIA with frontman John Payne will return to Las Vegas with a special performance at Club Madrid inside Sunset Station on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30, $40 and $50.
ASIA was formed in the early 1980s and made two successful albums. Payne replaced vocalist/bassist John Wetton as the group’s frontman in 1992. The band extensively toured the world for the next 14 years. With Payne, ASIA released eight studio albums and several live recordings. The band celebrated its 30th anniversary with the album “XXX” in 2012 and returned in 2014 with “Gravitas.”
TICKETS ON SALE FOR BRITNEY SPEARS NEW 2017 SHOW DATES
Tickets for 18 new “Britney: Piece of Me” residency performances at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood from March through May 2017 are on sale now. Superstar Britney Spears is staying extremely relevant with her recent first time in nearly a decade 2016 MTV Video Music Awards performance, “Carpool Karaoke” with James Corden on “The Late Late Show,” and releasing her ninth studio album, “Glory.”
Spears opened her Planet Hollywood show in December 2013 and this year in mid-February she unveiled a substantial re-imagination of her show. Tickets range from $59 to $229.
RICHARD CHEESE BEGINS MINI THREE-SHOW RED ROCK RESIDENCY
Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine will kick off a mini-residency with three performances at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort on Saturdays, Nov. 5, Feb. 4 and April 1. Tickets for the 2017 shows will go on sale Friday, Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. Tickets for the Nov. 5 performance start at $35.
Since 2000, Cheese has released 15 albums with his latest album “Richard Cheese: Live At Wayne Financial Tower in Metropolis” released this year. He performs swingin’ Vegas versions of rock, rap and Top-40 hits, “swankifying” contemporary songs into traditional pop vocal standards. Imagine Frank Sinatra singing Radiohead and you’ve got Richard Cheese & Lounge Against The Machine.
HOFBRÄUHAUS CELEBRATES ANNUAL OKTOBERFEST
World-class magicians Siegfried & Roy followed by Murray Sawchuck did the first celebrity keg tapping honors at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas to kick off Oktoberfest running through Oct. 31. The following lineup of keg tappers will include: a surprise Oct. 23; former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir Sept. 24; Rich Little Sept. 30; BMX rider Ricardo Laguna Oct. 1; Australian Bees Gees Oct. 7; Clint Holmes Oct. 7; Chippendales Oct. 14; Million Dollar Quartet Oct. 15; Las Vegas Review Journal’s former gossip columnist Norm Clarke Oct. 21; Crazy Girls Oct. 22; Fantasy Girls Oct. 28; and Zombie Burlesque Oct. 29. Times vary each time between 6:45–8 p.m. so check in advance.
ONE DROP HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL ‘WALK FOR WATER’
The fifth annual ONE DROP Walk for Water presented by Barrick Gold Corporation will have participants raising funds and awareness for critical water issues worldwide on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Symphony Park at The Smith Center. The nearly three-mile walk will begin at 9 a.m. and end at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, where participants will enjoy complimentary food and refreshments, live entertainment, raffle prizes and more at a Harvest Festival presented by the venue. Registration fees are $20 for individuals and team walkers and $15 for students and seniors, with a $5 early bird discount before Oct. 1.
This year, ONE DROP will encourage participants to carry weighted buckets during the walk to illustrate the strain and difficulty millions of women and children face each day. ONE DROP’s ultimate global goal is to promote self-reliance in disadvantaged, rural regions of the world. In cities like Las Vegas, it’s the urgency for water conservation.
RISE LANTERN FESTIVAL IS SELLING OUT
The newly expanded RiSE Lantern Festival where more than 20,000 lit lanterns will simultaneously be released into the night atmosphere has sold out passes for the Oct. 8 date already with a limited number of tickets remaining for Friday, Oct. 7. Now in its third year, organizers expanded the experience into two days. The outdoor event will return to the Moapa River Reservation 35 miles outside of Las Vegas.
COMEDIAN FRANK CALIENDO RETURNS TO THE ORLEANS SHOWROOM
Comedian, actor and impressionist Frank Caliendo brings his signature comedy with a mix of observations, impressions including candidate Donald Trump, characters and anecdotes back to The Orleans Showroom on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. Caliendo was a fixture on the “FOX NFL Sunday” pregame show for nearly 10 years, where he worked with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and more. Tickets are available from $34.95.
HENDERSON PAVILION FEATURES ADAM FERRARA AND RYAN HAMILTON
Comedians Adam Ferrara and Ryan Hamilton will co-headline a stand-up comedy show at the Henderson Pavilion at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1. Ferrara presently hosts the BBC sensation “Top Gear US” airing on History. His TV acting credits include playing Chief Needles Nelson on the FX drama “Rescue Me” with Denis Leary, and Frank Verelli on Showtime’s hit series “Nurse Jackie” opposite Edie Falco.
Hamilton with many national competition wins and festival appearances is also a regular performer at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festivals. Tickets are $23.75 and $26.75.
NEWS ON THE RUN
Lately it seems shows have been opening and closing like crazy. “Puppet Up! Uncensored” featuring a troupe of six comic puppeteers operating around 60 puppets in an improv comedy format suddenly closed Sept. 17 at The Venetian’s Sands Showroom giving it about a seven-week run. At the Planet Hollywood Showroom, Frankie Moreno’s “Under the Influence” closed after 10 weeks and Paul Zerdin’s “Mouthing Off” after 12 weeks.
Closing next on Oct. 2 will be Sin City Comedy & Burlesque at Planet Hollywood in the Cabaret room. This past June, the show relocated from the 215-seat Sin City Theater to the 150-seat Cabaret.
Michael Jackson’s suit and fedora he wore in the “Smooth Criminal” video is now on display at the Michael Jackson One Theater at Mandalay Bay.
Boxer Mike Tyson returned to the stage for another run of his show “Undisputed Truth” at the MGM Grand. Five-time world champion boxer and former undisputed welterweight world champion Zab Judah and hip hop legend Eric B recently visited his one-man show.
Award-winning musician Pepe Aguilar will take the stage at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. Aguilar has recorded 26 studio albums and 15 No. 1 hits over his 35-year music career. Tickets start at $80.
Legendary Sonny Charles who was part of The Checkmates is appearing in the Cabaret Room at the Bootlegger restaurant in a series of live performances on Tuesday evenings with dinner at 7 p.m. and his show with “friends” following at 8:30 p.m.; call 702-736-4939.
Artist Jennifer Henry’s exhibit Fêted at the Cube gallery downtown runs Thursday-Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. through Oct.29. This is the inaugural show at the Cube, formerly Brett Wesley Gallery at Art Square, which has a completely different scope than its former incarnation. Henry transforms her inspired garments into immersive experiences at the gallery. Her fantasy environment is crafted entirely from party supplies.
Next as part of the Distinguished Lecture Series at the National Atomic Testing Museum will be Dr. Gregory Spriggs, a nuclear weapons physicist in the Design Physics Division at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, discussing “Re-Analyzing Our Historic Nuclear Footage” on Friday, Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. Event is free for museum members and $10 for non-members. RSVP, call 702 794-5151.
In observance of National Pet Wellness and Adopt A Dog Month, Chapman Chrysler Jeep at 930 Auto Show Drive in Henderson will hold its third annual Pamper Your Pet Day family-friendly event 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15.
THERAPY PARTNERS WITH METAL SCULPTURIST TO BENEFIT CHARITY
There’s a new eye-catching addition at Therapy located in the Fremont East Entertainment District. Therapy has partnered with Downtown Project and renowned sculpture artist Joseph Jilbert to display his inventive pieces. All the artwork is available for purchase with 10 percent of each sale benefiting a local children’s charity.
Jilbert creates his pieces ranging from a few inches tall to more than 45 feet in height strictly from discarded and recycled metal, turning trash into treasure since he was five years old. Therapy will continue to showcase Jilbert’s artwork and to encourage metal donations of any kind so the artist can continue his work. Jilbert also takes commissioned pieces and loans his sculptures for various time periods.
BENEFIT NEWS
The remodeled historic Liberace Mansion will host the Puttin’ on the Glitz fundraising event to help Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) on Thursday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. Festivities will include art, live music, live and silent art auctions, a raffle, champagne and hors d’oeuvres crafted by Mark Sandoval, UNLV’s head culinary chef. There will be special performances by Broadway in the Hood and pianist Wes Winters. Tickets are $75 and $125 per couple.
The sixth annual Solo Strips will be held Monday, Sept. 26 inside the Absinthe tent on the forecourt of Caesars Palace with the show starting at midnight. The steamy, one-night-only benefit will feature top Las Vegas entertainers baring it all for a cause, stripping down to raise funds for Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BCEFA). Tickets are $25 and $40.
Mark Philippoussis and Mardy Fish have joined the all-star field already including John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick and Lindsay Davenport for the 2016 World TeamTennis Smash Hits event set for Monday, Oct.10 at Caesars Palace. The one-night event, co-hosted by Sir Elton John and Billie Jean King, will raise funds for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
The Scleroderma Research Foundation’s Cool Comedy-Hot Cuisine fundraiser featuring some of the city’s top chefs and famed comedians will take place at Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Rick and Corey Harrison from television’s “Pawn Stars” will be special celebrity guests.
On Sept. 24, Carlos Santana will host a benefit event “The Ultimate Experience With Carlos Santana” at the House of Blues to benefit his nonprofit Milagro Foundation and the new Santana Telehealth Project.
The sixth annual Teddy Bear Run to benefit United Healthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) will include a 5K run and a one mile walk for registered participants at Tivoli Village on Saturday, Oct. 22 from 7-11 a.m. This event is open to the public and will be emceed by Chet Buchannan, host of 98.5 KLUC’s Morning Zoo.
DINING HIGHLIGHTS
Beer Park at Paris has launched its new “Tailgate Brunch & Barbecue” menu in time for football season. It is available all day on weekends starting at 9 a.m. Beer Park will also be introducing an on-site sportsbook.
Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has introduced a new “Half-Off Happy Hour” offered Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. The happy hour includes specials on appetizers, house margaritas, sangria, shots of Cabo Wabo tequila and draft beer.
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar’s next Taste & Learn event will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. This wine-and food-pairing experience will showcase four wines from Tuscany’s renowned Tenuta Il Poggione winery, each accompanied by a small plate prepared by Executive Chef Francesco DiCaudo. Tickets are $65, call 702-364-5300.
GRIMALDI’S PIZZERIAS DEBUT STOKING SOCIAL HOUR
All Las Vegas Grimaldi’s Pizzeria locations have debuted the company’s first Stoking Social Hour offering food and drink specials from 3:30 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. A special menu features $2 off draft beer, $2 off glasses of wine and $2 off Antipasto & Bruschetta. It also offers the new Coalition, which is a pairing featuring a bottle of wine plus choice of Bruschetta Trio or small Antipasto for $30, with cost varying depending on the featured wine.
