“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
SANTA FE & THE FAT CITY HORNS WILL APPEAR WEEKLY AT THE PALMS
One of Las Vegas’ favorite bands for more than 40 years, the Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns, will return home to The Lounge inside the Palms on Monday, Nov. 14 with weekly shows at 10:30 p.m. Over the years, as a “farm club” for many headline acts, shows and bands, many incredible musicians have honored its ranks. The latest band incarnation features a six-piece horn section, a six-piece rhythm section and five lead singers. Tickets are $10.
CAESARS PALACE INTRODUCES ALTO BAR
As Caesars Palace celebrates its Golden Anniversary, it continues to expand the empire with the addition of Alto Bar located in the former Seahorse Lounge space adjacent to OMNIA Nightclub and the Race and Sports Book. Alto Bar is now the largest bar at Caesars Palace and it’s lined with several private booths equipped with personal televisions with audio. The bar space features more than 15 televisions and 18 video poker machines. There’s even a private dining space where up to 30 guests can indulge in a curated experience or host meetings with a 70-inch television.
HAWTHORN GRILL TO OPEN THIS WINTER AT JW MARRIOTT
When JW Marriott and Rampart Casino celebrated their 17th anniversary, the announcement was made that the resort will open a new signature restaurant, the Hawthorn Grill this winter.
Hawthorn Grill will boast a menu featuring a balance of crave-worthy steakhouse fare and American classics, alongside an extensive wine and cocktail program. There will be a rich bar area, a large, yet cozy dining room and an expansive outdoor patio with a waterfall and lush foliage. The restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, including a signature breakfast buffet, and dinner with bar hours.
Chef Joseph Swan, formerly of the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, will be the executive room chef and Christian Umlauf will serve as general manager having also come from The Strip at db Brasserie.
PROHIBITION-ERA FASHION-CULTURE EXHIBIT OPENS AT MOB MUSEUM
The Mob Museum downtown just launched “Ready to Roar,” an exhibition of Prohibition-Era fashion and culture. Curated to illustrate the indelible impact the Prohibition Era had on women’s fashions as well as social, political and economic freedoms, the exhibit runs until February 2017. Included among the items is an array of authentic dresses and accessories from the 1920s and early 1930s. Breaking away from the buttoned-up Victorian social norms during the Prohibition era, speakeasies gave rise to “flappers,” young women who redefined social expectations through fashion.
BRITAIN’S COMEDIANS JOHN CLEESE & ERIC IDLE APPEAR AT VENETIAN
Still together again, Britain’s living legends of comedy, John Cleese and Eric Idle, will bring their show “John Cleese & Eric Idle: Together Again At Last...For The Very First Time” to The Venetian on Nov.18 and 19 at 8 p.m. Cleese and Idle will blend scripted and improvised bits with storytelling, musical numbers, exclusive footage and aquatic juggling to create an interesting comedic experience with every performance. Tickets start at $49.95.
As founding members of “Monty Python,” Cleese and Idle are among the godfathers of modern comedy, helping to pioneer an irreverent, absurdist sensibility. As individuals, they have written, performed and produced phenomenal shows like “Spamalot,” “A Fish Called Wanda,” “Fawlty Towers” and “The Rutles.”
COMEDIAN STEVEN WRIGHT RETURNS TO ORLEANS SHOWROOM
Comedian, actor and producer Steven Wright will bring his deadpan delivery and trademark satire to The Orleans Showroom on Nov. 25-26 at 8 p.m. Comedy Central ranked Wright No. 23 on their list of the world’s 100 greatest stand-up comics. Tickets start at $44.95.
In 1985, Wright received a Grammy Award nomination for his debut comedy album, “I Have a Pony.” Twenty-two years later, he received a second Grammy Award nomination for its sequel, “I Still Have a Pony.” Following his second nomination, Wright became the first inductee into the Boston Comedy Hall of Fame.
In 1989, Wright won an Academy Award for Best Short Live-Action Film for the satirical production “The Appointments of Dennis Jennings,” which he starred in and co-wrote. Wright has also starred in several films, including “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” “Desperately Seeking Susan” and “Half Baked.”
GEICO ROCK ‘N’ ROLL LAS VEGAS MARATHON ATTRACTS THOUSANDS
The GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon will take over the Strip on Sunday night, Nov. 13. The Las Vegas event is renowned for hundreds of runners dressed as Elvis, known as the Running Elvi. Every year the event also includes a Run-Thru Wedding Chapel where runners can tie the knot or renew their vows on the race route. The finish line venue is in front of the Mirage Volcano.
In addition the Las Vegas Convention Center will be the site for the Marathon’s three-day Health & Fitness Expo, Nov. 10-12, which is free and open to the public. Note the Las Vegas Monorail will be the only Strip transportation option available during the Marathon and will offer runners and spectators exclusive discounted Monorail passes online.
ENTERTAINMENT NOTICES
At the Tropicana, “Cherry Boom Boom” had its final performance there on Oct. 26. The show’s producers are weighing their options for a possible new venue.
Former child actor, Dustin Diamond, best known for his role as Screech in 90’s hit sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” will headline five special shows as part of the new “Pop Icon” series featuring iconic headliners from the 80s through 2000s at Sin City Comedy & Burlesque at Planet Hollywood Nov. 10, 11 and 12. His co-headliner will be Lisa Landry and the Sin City Dollz.
“Jukebox Hero” Lou Gramm, who skyrocketed to stardom with the arena rock band Foreigner and went on to mount a successful solo career, will appear at the Golden Nugget on Friday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. as part of the resort’s 52 Fridays series. Tickets start at $19 and there’s a two-for-one ticket offer at the Box Office when you present a VA or military identification card.
Stoney’s Rockin’ Country at Town Square is lining up artists each weekend from 7 p.m. to midnight. Friday, Nov. 11 will feature Jared Blake, who was on “The Voice” in 2011, and songwriter, producer and musician Brodie Stewart. The next night, Nov. 12, California native and former college baseball pitcher, Brett Young will appear. He debuted his self-titled album last February 2016 with the lead single, “Sleep Without You.”
Gino Vannelli will headline the Grand Events Center at Green Valley Ranch on Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. In 1973, trumpeter Herb Alpert signed Vannelli with A&M Records. In 1974, his single “People Gotta Move” made it to No. 22 on the Billboard Top 100, and in 1975, he made his television debut on the infamous “Soul Train.” In 1978, the song “I Just Wanna Stop” earned Vannelli a Grammy Award and his album “Brother to Brother” was certified platinum in early 1979. Tickets range from $20 to $60.
The 17th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards will take place at the T-Mobile Arena on Nov. 17. This will mark the ninth time the biggest night in Latin music comes to Las Vegas.
TWISTA, TRICK DADDY AND JA RULE WILL BE LAX NIGHTCLUB HEADLINERS
LAX Nightclub at the Luxor will have hit-producing machines this month: Chicago rapper Twista on Thursday, Nov. 10; Dirty South rapper Trick Daddy on Thursday, Nov. 17; and four-time GRAMMY-nominated rapper Ja Rule on Saturday, Nov. 19.
TOWN SQUARE SETS UP THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Halloween is over and activities are now gearing up for the holiday season beginning with Santa Claus coming to Town Square in a parade at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. Before the jolly man’s arrival, performers will take center stage next to Santa’s House in Town Square Park. Performances will begin at 5:30 p.m. with “BAZ – Star Crossed Love” followed by Nevada Ballet Theatre at 6 p.m. and Clint Holmes, who is the star of his own show at The Palazzo at 6:30 p.m. Following the parade, Santa will light the 45-foot Christmas tree and snow will begin to fall. Children will be able to take photos with Santa Claus inside his Norman Rockwell-inspired house afterwards.
After Nov. 11 and through Friday, Dec. 23, photo reservations with a $20 deposit will be required and can be made online at www.TownSquareSanta.com. Photos on Dec. 24 will be walk-ins only, first-come-first-serve basis. Claus & Paws Pet Photos will be available every Wednesday, Nov. 16-Dec. 21 from 10 a.m-9 p.m. for dogs and cats and reservations required.
Snow in the Square 10-minute shows will be scheduled Monday–Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday–Sunday at 7 and 8 p.m. through Dec. 23. Every Thursday, Nov. 17-Dec. 22, there will be a community concert before the show performed by local elementary through high school students.
GLITTERING LIGHTS DRIVE-THRU DISPLAY RETURNS TO MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway gets bigger and better every year with two-and-a-half miles of lighted displays running Friday, Nov. 11 through Jan. 7 starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday tickets are $20 per vehicle. “Anyday” tickets are $30 per vehicle. A season pass is $70 for two vehicles for the entire season. There is also a Santa Tram running from Exotics Racing for $35 per person, which includes the tram ride, hot cocoa, kettle corn, photos with Santa, and games. Tickets for this must be purchased in advance online.
FAST NEWS TRACK
Last week, the El Cortez downtown, which is Las Vegas’ longest continually-run casino, celebrated its 75th anniversary. Several legendary figures once owned the hotel—from previous owner Bugsy Siegel to beloved casino operator Jackie Gaughan, who owned the casino for decades and lived at the hotel for much of his life. Today, El Cortez is family-owned by the Epstein family.
A first time event, the Tater Tots & Beer Festival with music will be held at the outdoors Henderson Pavilion on Saturday, Nov. 12. Limited tickets are available for one of two sessions; first from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and secondly from 2-6 p.m. All tickets are sold in advance online $40 and VIP $75.
The 41st annual Indian National Finals Rodeo will be held at South Point’s Equestrian Center Arena Tuesday-Saturday, Nov.8-12. Cowboys and cowgirls will be completing in the finals in several categories including calf roping, bull riding, ladies barrel racing, team roping and bareback riding. Tickets range from afternoon tickets at $15 and $20 to evening at $20 and $25.
Topgolf launched the first Topgolf Tour Champions challenge in August holding a series of tournaments across the nation in 16 cities. The finals will be held at Topgolf in Las Vegas on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. It’s free for the public to view the competition.
DINING EXPECTATIONS
Medley Buffet at Aliante will offer a free breakfast or lunch buffet to all active U.S. military and veterans with a valid ID in honor of Veterans Day on Friday, Nov. 11.
Aureole’s Napa-Sonoma Wine Dinner Series at Mandalay Bay is welcoming RAEN, standing for Research in Agriculture and Enology Naturally, Winery on Thursday, Nov. 10 with winemaker Carlo Mondavi on hand to discuss his wines. The chef created four-course dinner is $185 with a reception at 6:30 p.m.
Family-owned Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar on Paradise Road Nov. 5-13 is celebrating its 31st Anniversary with throwback prices and three-course menu offerings priced at $31.31.
OPENTABLE REVEALS ITS LIST OF TOP STEAKHOUSES IN AMERICA
OpenTable, the world’s leading provider of online restaurant reservations, unveiled its list of the 100 Best Steakhouses in America for 2016. These awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 20,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Not counting restaurants listed with multiple locations, the restaurants recognized in Las Vegas included: Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at SLS; Craftsteak at MGM Grand; CUT at The Palazzo; Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris; Prime at Bellagio; THE Steak House at Circus Circus; STK at The Cosmopolitan; SW Steakhouse at Wynn; and Top of the World Restaurant at the Stratosphere.
CHILDREN’S CHARITIES HOSTS PJ 5K RUN/MILE WALK AT MOTOR SPEEDWAY
Hundreds of runners and walkers enthusiasts will participate in the fourth annual PJ 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk through Glittering Lights fundraiser at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m. Glittering Lights is Nevada’s largest drive-through Christmas light show and features millions of LED lights and hundreds of sparkling light displays. Participants are invited to run, walk or push strollers through the course in their pajamas.
Entry fees range from $25 to $45 with children age 5 and under free. To register in advance, visit www.scclasvegas.org.
Everyone registered receives a race bib, an event completion medal, and light snacks and beverages. If you donate a new pair of children’s PJs, you have a chance to win two tickets to the 2017 NASCAR Weekend at LVMS, next March 10-12.
BODIES EXHIBIT AT LUXOR HAS A SMOKEOUT DAY OFFER FOR QUITTERS
As smoking remains the leading cause of lung cancer, BODIES…The Exhibition inside the Luxor will give a complimentary audio tour with a paid admission to anyone on the American Cancer Society’s “Great American Smokeout” on Thursday, Nov. 17, who throws away a pack of cigarettes in the “Commit to Quit” container located the exhibit that day.
Inside the exhibition’s respiratory room, guests can view a real smoker’s lung damaged by toxins and tar alongside of a healthy human lung, offering an impactful visual to the dangers of smoking along with special smoking facts.
THE MOB MUSEUM HOLDS NOVEMBER EVENTS
The Mob Museum downtown has multiple programs planned this month.
In honor of Veterans Day, active and retired military will receive two-for-one admission to The Mob Museum on Nov. 11.
For the fifth year in a row, the museum recognizes Kefauver Day on Nov.15, in honor of the Kefauver Committee Hearing into organized crime that took place in the museum’s historic courtroom on Nov. 15, 1950. Nevada residents receive free admission, while non-locals can enjoy buy-one, get-one admission all day.
There will be and author’s talk and book signing with Selwyn Raab on Thurday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. Raab’s book, “Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires,” traces the history of the infamous Cosa Nostra. At this event, he will reveal information about how these families and talk about how they are reinventing themselves in the 21st century.
There will be a free Community Safety Forum on Gang Awareness forum on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m. presented in partnership with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
On Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. museum director of content Geoff Schumacher, author of “Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue,” will discuss the history of this reclusive billionaire’s secret arrival in Las Vegas 50 years ago this month. During this multimedia presentation, attendees will hear a rare recording of Hughes’ voice from a 1971 phone conversation. Free for Museum Members or with Museum admission.
REMEDY’S GOES ROCKABILLY TO CELEBRATE 8TH ANNIVERSARY
Remedy’s Tavern at 530 Conestoga Way in Henderson will celebrate its 8th Anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 12 beginning at 7 p.m. and there is no cover charge but you must be 21. The Phil Friendly Trio will play rock ‘n’ roll music and partygoers are encouraged to wear their finest rockabilly fashions and compete in a costume contest. Guests will be able to partake in a dinner buffet, drink specials and hourly prize giveaways all night long.
BEER PARK HOSTS AFTER-PARTY FOR UNLV VS. UNR RIVALRY GAME
Beer Park at Paris will host an after-party with specials following the Battle for Nevada college football game on Saturday, Nov. 26 at Sam Boyd Stadium. It is a major rivalry game between University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels and University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Wolf Pack competing for the covered Fremont Cannon. Fans decked in either college pride gear or displaying a valid university ID will receive a complimentary Bud Signature draft upon entry.
MISC. CLIPS
Daniel Maguire from ABC’s hit show, “Bachelor in Paradise,” will host a bash at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The 31-year-old bachelor is a Canadian model and personal trainer who is also known for being a runner up on the latest season of ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” Party admission is $30 for men and $20 for women.
The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) will present the 23rd Annual Profiles of Courage Dinner Gala and auction fundraiser to help children with critical illnesses at Bellagio on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $250.
