“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
‘CLASSIC CHER’ WILL DEBUT AT PARK THEATER AT MONTE CARLO
The electrifying Cher will debut “Classic Cher,” a series of special concerts exclusive to North America beginning Feb. 8 in Las Vegas. Known for extravagant stage spectacles, Cher will bring an all-new show to MGM Resorts’ newest live entertainment venues, Park Theater at Monte Carlo in Las Vegas and The Theater at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Cher has nine dates set in February and in May with more to be announced in the future. Tickets are ranging from $60 to $475.
A worldwide superstar for more than six decades, Cher has sold more than 100 million records. Her three-year 325-show world “Farewell Tour” from 2003 to 2005 played to more than three million fans and became the most successful tour ever by any female artist.
WILLIE NELSON PLANS FIVE-SHOW ENGAGEMENT AT THE VENETIAN
American icon Willie Nelson will take over The Venetian Theatre with his exclusive new show, “Vegas On My Mind,” for a limited five-night engagement Jan. 28-20, Feb. 1, 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. All five shows will feature a set list and production designed exclusively for Las Vegas. Tickets start at $59.50.
Incredibly prolific, Nelson in the last five years alone has delivered 10 new album releases. This year began with the release of “Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin,” a collection of 11 newly recorded Gershwin classics. In September, he came out with “For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price.”
Nelson is set to release a new novel “Pretty Paper” this month.
ONEREPUBLIC, LINDSEY STIRLING, PLUS MORE WILL VISIT THE JOINT
OneRepublic with special guest Lindsey Stirling will headline Mercedes in the Morning’s annual Not So Silent Night holiday show at The Joint at Hard Rock on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m. More names will be added to the lineup and announced soon. Tickets start at $59.50.
OneRepublic is currently promoting the group’s new album “Oh My My.” This is their fourth album, which was written and recorded in nearly 20 cities around the world. It reveals an extraordinary creative scope by blending alternative rock, gospel, synthpop, nu-disco and folk.
Electronic music impresario, classically trained violinist and dancer Lindsey Stirling has become one of this century’s most innovative stars by clinging to her groundbreaking vision of cinematic, violin-driven electronic music. Her most recent third full-length album is “Brave Enough.”
COSMOPOLITAN HAS STING AND THE WEEKND NEW YEAR’S EVE WEEKEND
The Cosmopolitan reveals their knockout lineup for New Year’s Eve weekend at The Chelsea featuring two Grammy award winning performers, The Weeknd on Friday, Dec. 30 and Sting on Saturday, Dec. 31. Canadian singer/songwriter and music producer Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, will jumpstart the weekend. Bringing in the New Year, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter Sting has a vast catalog of hits as both a solo artist and as a member of the 1980s rock band, The Police. His forthcoming album, “57th & 9th” will rock the house until the final countdown. Tickets for The Weeknd start at $150 and for Sting $200.
In addition, The Ice Rink at Boulevard Pool will also host a New Year’s Eve fireworks viewing celebration with skating, open bar, and a live DJ from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31.
FREEDOM BEAT OPENS AT DOWNTOWN GRAND WITH ENTERTAINMENT
Freedom Beat is the new restaurant at the Downtown Grand that replaced the resort’s former cafe, Stewart + Ogden, and closed Red Mansion restaurant. With 160 seats and a generous bar, Freedom Beat is open 24/7 and located on the main casino floor and also has free entertainment.
During October and November, featured acts include: country headliner Jack Ingram; modern country and pop act The Porch Hounds, led by Aaron Benward, former lead singer of Blue County, and Travis Howard, best known for writing Miranda Lambert hits “Famous In a Small Town” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend;” and Las Vegas’ own Franky Perez, best known for his 2003 rock radio hit, “Something Crazy,” as well as being the lead singer of Apocalyptica and Kings of Chaos.
Entertainment moves nightly from the Freedom Beat stage 6 to 9 p.m., to the casino floor stage from 9 to 11 p.m., and then finishes with some food and drinks back at Freedom Beat from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition, on Mondays at 9 p.m., the Gibson Showcase calls Freedom Beat home, offering up a variety of Gibson guitars for anyone who wants to have a jam session.
THE VENETIAN WILL INTRODUCE THE DORSEY
The Dorsey, a new modern cocktail spot, will debut at The Venetian® Dec. 31 on the casino floor adjacent to Restaurant Row. The Dorsey is in partnership with award-winning bartender Sam Ross of New York City’s Attaboy and Milk & Honey fame and David Rabin, the creative mind behind New York City hot spots Café Clover, The Skylark, The Lambs Club and JIMMY at the James. It is being designed by James Beard Award winning Thomas Schlesser of the Design Bureaux.
RESTAURANT GUY SAVOY AT CAESARS PALACE DEBUTS CAVIAR ROOM
Award-winning Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace, which is the famous chef’s only restaurant in the United States, is introducing a new Caviar Room in the restaurant’s elegant lounge. The Caviar Room will offer an exclusive menu of caviar dishes. To personally launch the new experience, Chef Guy Savoy will be in the restaurant from Nov. 2-6.
BILLY IDOL EXTENDS HOUSE OF BLUES PERFORMANCES INTO 2017
Billy Idol and the House of Blues (HOB) at Mandalay Bay announced the extension of “Billy Idol: Forever” into March and May 2017. The show features Idol, his longtime guitarist Steve Stevens, and the rest of Idol’s band. The HOB residency kicked off in March 2016. Tickets start at $79.50.
Idol’s autobiography, “Dancing With Myself,” was published by Simon and Schuster on Oct. 7, 2014. Later that month, on Oct. 21, 2014, BFI Records released “Kings & Queens of the Underground,” Idol’s first album of new material in nearly a decade.
SUPERIOR GLOBAL CULTURAL ACTS VISIT THE SMITH CENTER
Hailed as the Heart of the Arts® in Las Vegas, The Smith Center is bringing four world class cultural acts to Reynolds Hall and offering four-show packages. The amazing acts include: Celtic Thunder: Legacy Monday, Nov. 7; Shaolin Warriors Monday, Feb. 20; Kodo: DADAN Saturday, March 25; and Taj Express Monday, April 24. A World Stage Package starts at $88. Single tickets are only available for Celtic Thunder and the other three shows are by cost saving packages only.
The first show Celtic Thunder is Ireland’s most beloved male singing group.
TROPICANA AND CHEF IRVINE HOST MILITARY CULINARY COMPETITION
The Tropicana is teaming with the Military Hospitality Alliance (MHA) to host the 13th annual Military Culinary Competition on Saturday, Nov. 12 inside the Trindad Pavilion from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The culinary event will make its debut in Las Vegas this Veterans Day weekend and will be hosted by the Tropicana’s newest chef, Robert Irvine, who is a former member of the British Royal Navy.
More than 50 active duty military from around the world will face off during the ultimate food fight for the title of Armed Forces Culinary Grand Champions. The military chefs for this hand-to-pan competition will work in 15 teams of four, bringing together military members from all branches of the Armed Forces during. Entry to the event is free and open to the public.
In addition, Chef Irvine will host a special meet-and-greet and book signing from 1 to 3 p.m. His newest book is “Fit Fuel: A Chef's Guide to Eating Well, Getting Fit, and Living Your Best Life” for $29.99 at the event.
Lastly, Beach Café at the Tropicana will host a $24.95 Veterans Day Lunch Buffet Friday-Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.
REO SPEEDWAGON WILL HEADLINE AT THE ORLEANS SHOWROOM
Iconic Rock Band REO Speedwagon will perform their legendary songs at The Orleans Showroom Nov. 19-20 at 8 p.m. The current lineup includes founding member Neal Doughty, lead singer Kevin Cronin, bass player Bruce Hall, guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt. Tickets start at $69.95.
Formed in 1967, REO Speedwagon started performing at fraternity events at the University of Illinois. In 1971, the band signed with Epic Records and went on to release eight albums in the 1970s. In 1984, REO Speedwagon released their 11th studio album entitled “Wheels Are Turnin’,” which included the No. 1 single “Can’t Fight This Feeling.”
HAMMARGRENS HOST 21ST ANNUAL NEVADA DAY OPEN HOUSE
Former Nevada Lt. Governor Lonnie Hammargren, M.D., and his wife, Sandy, will present their annual Open House with music and tours at the Hammargren Home of Nevada History at 4318 Ridgecrest Drive on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29 and 30 from noon to 4 p.m. Tickets range from $10 and $15 to $45 weekend packages, visit www.nevadaday.org.
Hammargren will unveil his new book “Neurosurgeon for the Gladiators” detailing his extraordinary life as a medical professional and political leader. Copies of his new book will be available for purchase, which Hammargren will autograph.
QUICK NEWS ITEMS
Comic icon cannabis fan Tommy Chong will be in Las Vegas on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8 appearing from 3-8 p.m. at Shango Premium Cannabis’ brand new 70,000-square-foot medical marijuana dispensary on Boulder Highway to provide comment regarding the presence of Question 2, which is whether or not to legalize recreational cannabis, on this year’s ballot.
The final performances of “Million Dollar Quartet” at Harrah’s will take place on Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on the 60th anniversary of the legendary night the show’s story is about.
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, Las Vegas’ only PGA TOUR event, is welcoming 5-year-old, one-arm golf prodigy, and since he was 4 years old Shriners Hospitals for Children patient Tommy Morrissey, Oct. 31 through Nov. 6 at TPC Summerlin.
Fremont Street Experience is sponsoring the annual American Heart Association Heart Walk happening on Saturday, Nov.5 and attracting thousands of walkers.
The Gateway Arts Foundation will present the original revue “Trunk Shows,” which is filled with original songs that were cut from stage and cabaret shows while they were in previews, with proceeds benefiting the scholarship program. The show headlines six of Las Vegas’ best performers on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, call 702-255-0695.
Local start-up charity Rise Family Services is launching an online rummage sale of new and gently used baby and children items from Nov. 5-20 to benefit local families…visit risefamily.org. Items will be delivered to buyer’s home.
South Point launched the Nevada Race Book, a new wagering application that allows equine sports bettors and fans the convenience of placing real money wagers directly from their smart phone anywhere in Nevada. This complements South Point’s successful Sports Book app.
Israeli comedian Hanoch Daum will be performing his entire show in Hebrew at The Sands Showroom on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. Daum is publicist, neurotic, idealist and a few more things. Tickets are $40.
HEXX Chocolate + Confexxions at Paris will hold its second toy drive for Toys for Tots from Monday, Nov. 7 through Friday, Dec. 16. The Strip-side retail store and candy shop will collect new and unused toys and give donors 15 percent off their in-store purchase that day and enter them in weekly raffles.
DINING HOT TIPS
Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse in The Venetian plans a special menu with eight dishes created by Chef de Cuisine Ronnie Rainwater from Nov. 7-13 for “Truffle Week.”
Carson Kitchen located Downtown started an all-new monthly happy hour affair on the rooftop patio taking place the first Friday of each month from 4 to 6 p.m. Bites prepared by Chef John Courtney and swigs sponsored by Breakthru Beverage are $8 each. A portion of the proceeds benefit Keep Memory Alive.
Famed Chef Roy Yamaguchi is hosting a four-course wine pairing dinner with partner Chef Laura Reyes at his Roy’s Las Vegas restaurant on East Flamingo Road on Tuesday, Nov 8. Cost is $89 with wine pairings included.
Aureole at Mandalay Bay will feature RAEN Winery for its Napa-Sonoma Wine Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m. RAEN, standing for Research in Agriculture and Enology Naturally, winemaker Carlo Mondavi will be on hand to discuss his wines being paired during the four-course dinner. Cost is $185.
Ferraro’s Restaurant & Wine Bar’s next Taste & Learn family-style, four-course dinner featuring wines of Passopisciaro grown on 100-plus-year-old vines will be Saturday, Oct. 29 from 4-6 p.m. Cost is $65, call 702-364-5300.
Andiron Steak & Sea in Downtown Summerlin will host an intimate dinner with Executive Chef Micah Waltz featuring premium Strauss Grass Fed Beef, using a variety of cuts and dishes to incorporate the entire animal on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $62 and an optional wine pairing is available for an additional $25.
CELEBRITY POKER TOURNAMENT HELPS CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® will host its third annual “St. Jude Against All Odds” celebrity poker tournament at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5, inside The Joint at the Hard Rock. The evening includes red carpet, cocktail reception, dinner, silent and live auctions, and competitive Texas Hold’em play. Tournament buy-in is $600 and dinner tickets $200; call 702-341-2903. Poker players have the chance to win a seat in the 2017 WSOP Main Event and a getaway to Fiji’s Namale Resort & Spa.
HIGH ROLLER HOSTS SPECIAL HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE TASTINGS
The High Roller in-cabin holiday chocolate tasting experience with Ethel M Chocolates from Thursday, Nov. 3 through Thursday, Dec. 29 is showcasing seasonal flavors such as peppermint, pumpkin and pecan. During the 30-minute rotation, an Ethel M chocolatier ambassador will discuss the origins of chocolate and how the pieces were created. Guests will receive one voucher for a complimentary glass of wine, which can be picked up in the Sky Lounge prior to boarding. Tastings are available every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Standard admission pricing is $52, call 702-322-0593.
HALLOWEEN QUICKIES
The Downtown Grand will hold a rooftop party at 8 p.m. at its Citrus Pool on Friday, Oct. 28. The Halloween event will be complete with a costume contest for $1,000 at 10 p.m., prizes and special shots.
Oak & Ivy at Downtown Container Park recently introduced its frightful specialty cocktail menu creations with a killer twist channeling horror movies. An example is the Leatherface’s Nightmare, inspired by “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” crafted from Slaughter House American Whiskey with aquafaba (garbanzo bean water), fresh lemon, a touch of smoked salt, and a slice of cactus jerky as garnish.
Beer Park at Paris will hold a “Hoppy” Halloween costume contest on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. and select a winner by popular vote for the chance to win the boozy prize: all-you-can-drink beer for the rest of the year. The sexiest costume will win a $250 gift card. Over the weekend Beer Park will have staff dressed in their scary best and feature spooky Ouija boards and “pin the zombie” games.
Kid 'n Play will return to LAX Nightclub at the Luxor pre-Halloween Thursday, Oct. 27 for The Pajama Jam 2, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of “House Party 2,” which originated the Pajama Jam trend. Celebrate in footed onesies with Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin while films from the “House Party” series are shown and DJ R.O.B. spins '80s and '90s hits. On Saturday, Oct. 29, music industry visionary Scott Storch will host the “Vampires and Vixens” costume party.
Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris will celebrate Halloween with a weekend-long bash, featuring a Golden Ticket Party, which includes a HEXX chocolate bar drawing, with DJ Bayati on Friday, Oct. 28 and the club’s annual Wicked Halloween Ball on Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets online are $30 for women and $40 for men.
Halloween activities at Lake Las Vegas include holiday themed kids and adult cruises and a performance of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” The family Haunted Pirate Cruise with fun activities and prizes for costumes takes place 6-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28. Cost is $30 for two people and $25 for one. The Shipwrecked Adult Haunted Cruise features a costume contest and prizes, music, free appetizers and Captain Morgan Rum drinks from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. Cost is $25. “Macbeth” is being staged by the Shakespeare Institute of Nevada on Friday, Oct. 28 on the grassy knoll main stage in MonteLago Village from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Performances are free or $35 for VIP seating with wine and hors d’oeuvres at Essence & Herbs from 6- 6:45 p.m.
