“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
IL VOLO WILL MAKE TOUR STOP AT PARK THEATER AT MONTE CARLO
IL VOLO will bring their “Notte Magica - A Tribute to The Three Tenors” tour to Park Theater at Monte Carlo on Saturday, March 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $55.
The powerhouse trio with three young singers, tenors Piero Barone and Ignazio Boschetto and baritone Gianluca Ginoble, will be paying homage to their biggest inspiration, The Three Tenors. The performance will be like the concert they filmed in Florence last July at Italy’s famed Piazza di Santa Croce for a PBS special. The ensemble will be joined by original Three Tenors member Placido Domingo.
In just a few years IL VOLO have performed worldwide, released top-selling albums, toured with Barbra Streisand, and taken the stage for four acclaimed PBS specials. They always deliver live performances of pop and traditional English, Italian and Spanish songs, accompanied by symphony orchestras. Michele Torpedine, who discovered and managed Andrea Bocelli, also discovered this vocal group and manages them.
THE MALUMA WORLD TOUR WILL VISIT THE COSMOPOLITAN
Latin music’s youth idol Maluma who has been conquering Latin America will bring his first U.S. tour, the Maluma World Tour, to The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan Friday, March 24. Ticket range is $20 - $99.50.
At age 22, Maluma is one of the industry’s most important new voices. Born Juan Luis Londoño, he formulated his artistic moniker Maluma from the first two letters of the names of his mother, father and sister. In 2013, Maluma received a Latin GRAMMY® nomination for Best New Artist. In 2015, he received another GRAMMY nod for Best Urban Song and performed at both internationally-televised ceremonies.
Maluma is one of social media’s most popular artists with more than 21 million Facebook fans, 3.3 million Twitter followers, and a whopping 17.4 million Instagram followers making him the leading Latin male artist on Instagram. His official YouTube/VEVO channel has garnered more than one billion views.
POP STAR RICK ASTLEY WILL HEADLINE THE PEARL AT THE PALMS
Pop superstar Rick Astley is returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the Pearl inside the Palms on Saturday, Jan. 21. Tickets start at $29.
Astley became an overnight success in the 1980s with his rich, deep voice and well-crafted dance-pop when he was discovered by producer Pete Waterman in 1985 while singing in the English soul band FBI. After that, Waterman’s production team helped him craft pop singles like “Never Gonna Give You Up” and “Together Forever.”
After two top albums in the United States and the United Kingdom, Astley severed connections with the team and resurfaced in 1991 with the soul-injected “Free,” which had the Top-10 hit, “Cry for Help.” After a hiatus throughout the rest of the 1990s, Astley returned with 2001’s “Keep It Turned On,” 2005’s “Portrait” and his latest album, “50,” released in June 2016.
REBA, BROOKS & DUNN ANNOUNCE EXTENSION AT CAESARS PALACE
Country music icons Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will continue at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace next year. The trio will be calling the venue home for their hit Las Vegas residency for at least one more year. The extension makes “REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas” the longest running country music residency at The Colosseum since the venue opened in 2003. Twelve new shows have been scheduled June 21-July 2 and Nov. 29-Dec. 9. Previously announced 2017 show dates already on-sale are: Feb. 22, 24, 25 and March 1, 3, and 4.
PARKING FEE REALITY
Say it isn’t so! It was just a matter of time before other Strip resorts jumped on the MGM Resorts International’s bandwagon to charge for parking, which they started in June. At MGM Resorts properties, the maximum parking fee is $10 per day and $18 per day for valet.
The Wynn Las Vegas and Encore will be the next major Strip resorts to follow suit. They will start by charging for valet services beginning in the middle of this month. Fees will be $13 for four hours, $18 for four to 23 hours, and $18 for each additional 24 hours. For now self-parking in the garages will remain free.
Following soon after, Caesars Entertainment Corp. with nine hotel-casinos on the Strip will launch fees for valet and self-parking. Their off-Strip Rio property will be excluded. They will begin at The Linq and Harrah’s in late December starting with valet services.
Some exemptions come with the MGM’s MLife rewards program and for Caesars Entertainment with the Total Rewards loyalty program.
PHILANTHROPIC EVENT MONDAYS DARK TURNS THREE
The 3rd Anniversary of Mondays Dark will be on Monday, Dec. 19 at The Joint inside Hard Rock at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and $50 VIP.
Event founder Mark Shunock, will again host the Mondays Dark celebration he began back in 2013 while starring in the hit Broadway musical, “Rock of Ages.” Shunock, who has won many acknowledgements, wanted to give back and support local charities so he enlisted some of his entertainer friends and started Mondays Dark. The ticket proceeds from the 3rd Anniversary of Mondays Dark will benefit the 11 charities featured in 2016.
Mondays Dark will double up for 2017 with 22 charities being helped and it will move to a new home. The Space is a new community-driven, charity-based multi-arts complex opening Jan. 5 at 3460 Cavaretta Court.
HOUSE OF BLUES WELCOMES ‘THE END IS HERE’ TOUR
Falling in Reverse, Issues, and Motionless in White will head out in January for “The End Is Here” Tour and make a stop Jan. 15 at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay with a 6 p.m. show. Dangerkids and Dead Girls Academy join the tour as support. Tickets start at $27.50.
Falling In Reverse is currently working on new material for their next album, the follow up to 2015’s “Just Like You,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Independent Current Album chart, landed at No. 3 for Current Alternative Album, No. 21 in the Billboard Top 200, and took the No. 13 spot on the Top Current Album chart.
MINT INDIAN BISTRO OPENS SECOND LOCATION
Restaurateurs and husband-wife duo Kris and Bindi Parikh have opened their second Mint Indian Bistro location in Spring Valley at 4246 South Durango Drive. The new restaurant provides patrons a space for private parties around a live tandoor for up to 40 guests, a 250-capacity banquet hall, and a sports bar featuring beer and wine by the ounce. The new location has a 7,500-square-foot, state-of-the-art kitchen and an open dining area with The Lassi Bar at center stage.
The updated menu has a variety of authentic North and South Indian dishes and Indo-Chinese fusion food a.k.a. Hakka cuisine. It also caters to various dietary requirements like vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
The new location serves a lunch buffet daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a-la-carte dinner from 3 to 10 p.m. weeknights, and from 3 to 11:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
GLITTERING LIGHTS HAS NEW VIP SANTA TRAM ATTRACTION
This year there are two ways to experience Glittering Lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS), by the carload and open-air tram rides. The new adventure, Santa Tram powered by AAA is a date and time specific attraction. Reservations must be pre-purchased at glitteringlights.vegas.com. Tickets are $35, and lap children 2-years-old and younger are free.
The new VIP attraction boards at Exotics Racing Dec. 9, 10, 11, and 16-24 with trams departing from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m. Guests will nosh on North Pole popcorn, enjoy hot cocoa, play giant yard games, and have mini-train rides and photos with Santa all in an indoor/outdoor lounge area. The adventure includes the magical tram ride through the millions of dazzling lights displays with Ralphie, The Elf Conductor, driving.
MALAYSIAN POP SUPERSTAR FISH LEONG MAKES PARK THEATER DEBUT
Award-winning Malaysian pop superstar and proclaimed “Queen of Love Songs” Fish Leong will bring her performance style and beloved ballads to the new Park Theater at Monte Carlo on Saturday, Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets range from range from $78 to $208.
Following the launch of her career in Taiwan in the late ‘90s, Leong has conducted four successful world tours. She continues to gain notoriety for her ever-popular karaoke hits and collaborations with celebrated Asian pop stars such as Ashin Chen and Christine Fan.
CANADIAN ROCK STAR BURTON CUMMINGS RETURNS TO ORLEANS
Musician and songwriter Burton Cummings, who began his career in the 1960s as lead singer of Canadian rock band The Guess Who, will return to The Orleans Showroom on Jan. 11-12 at 9 p.m. each night to perform his hits. Tickets start at $39.95.
The group produced hits “These Eyes,” “American Woman,” “Hang On To Your Life” and many more. The band became the first Canadian group to reach No. 1 on the United States Hot 100 charts.
As a solo artist in 1976, Cummings earned a Gold record for his debut single, “Stand Tall.” More hits followed including “I’m Scared,” “My Own Way to Rock” and “Timeless Love.” Cummings continued his career by starring in several top-rated television specials, going on tour as a member of Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, and releasing his first live solo album, “Massey Hall,” in 2012.
SOCIETY OF SEVEN BRINGS HAWAII SPIRIT TO THE SUNCOAST
Some nice news, Society of Seven will be performing at the Suncoast Showroom with its versatile and light-hearted variety show Dec. 17-18 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $38.
The famed Hawaiian-based group has been entertaining for more than 40 years. Their energetic show combines comedy sketches, celebrity impersonations, dance, and live music featuring Top-40 hits, Broadway tunes, etc. Formed in the 1960s as The Fabulous Echoes, the group found its initial success in Asia and their rendition of “A Little Bit of Soap” went No. 1 on Hong Kong charts and stayed there for an unprecedented 32 weeks. While performing in Hawaii in 1968, the group was renamed Society of Seven and was later named the “Best Show in Waikiki” by “Honolulu Magazine” readers.
JOHN WESLEY AUSTIN PERFORMS AT LAUGH FACTORY DURING RODEO
While the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) is in town through Dec. 10, the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana has booked one of the top cowboy comedians John Wesley Austin (JWA) Dec, 5-11. Fellow comedian Marc Yaffee will share the stage while Cisco is the featured host. Shows are at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. and tickets range from $34.95 to $54.95.
Austin has been working the rodeo circuit for 20-plus years. His shows are lightning fast with his observational humor, analytical down-home approach, and sometimes-outrageous stand-up comedy. JWA shoots one-liners about such real-life topics as married life, sex, NASCAR, fishing, bein’ poor, and school zones.
When JWA picks up the guitar, the crowd is treated to parodies of familiar country songs, and some of his original numbers, like, “One Legged Country Girl,” which has been heard on the syndicated radio programs. JWA has appeared in concert with Aaron Tippin, Rascal Flatts, Radney Foster, Ricky Van Shelton, Tammy Wynette, and The Oak Ridge Boys.
TIPS A-PLENTY
Gordie Brown recently closed his show at the Golden Nugget after 8 ½ years and “Million Dollar Quartet” at Harrah’s closed this weekend.
On Thursday, Dec. 8, Double Barrel Roadhouse at Monte Carlo will hold a meet-and-greet and autograph signing with 16 WNFR superstars from noon–2 p.m.
Nevada’s first and only bean-to-bar chocolate maker, Las Vegas-based artisan chocolate maker HEXX Chocolate + Confexxions, is now Kosher certified with dark and milk chocolates made from cacao beans grown in six different countries.
In addition to HEXX’s current happy hour from 2-6 p.m., the Strip-side eatery is offering its late-night happy hour from 11 p.m. to closing nightly throughout the winter season.
The Ugly Sweater Wine Walk - “I’m Dreaming of a Wine Christmas” - with a sweater contest will be held at Downtown Container Park on Dec. 10 from 3 to 6 p.m. with live entertainment by Zowie Bowie. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
The Lon Bronson Band won’t be playing at Club Madrid inside Sunset Station since the resort is suspending Thursday night entertainment. However, the band’s next performance at The Smith Center will be Friday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.
Jeanne Brei writes to say The Speakeasy Swingers next Swanky Supper Club Soiree at the Italian American Club will pick up after the holidays on Thursday, Jan. 5.
Life Time Athletic Green Valley in Henderson is holding the club’s annual kids celebration, “Reindeer Games,” from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 10. Cost is $20 per child, with a $15 multi-child discount. Adults may purchase a food wristband for $5 or a food and drink wristband for $10. For information, call 702-802-7300.
Emeril's New Orleans Fish House in the MGM Grand has launched a new four-course winter tasting menu for $55 showcasing signature and new dishes from Chef de Cuisine Jean Paul Labadie and with wine pairings starting at $35.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum is recognizing Downtown’s Vegas Vic. The hall recently rolled out a limited-edition of bobbleheads including the likeness of the 40-foot-tall, cigarette-smoking cowboy Las Vegas neon sign that has greeted visitors for more than 60 years. There are 1,000 available at $25 each.
Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood has live music and drink specials through Monday, Dec. 12 and during WNFR.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria’s holiday offer for pizza lovers is with gift cards purchased through Monday, Dec. 26. Guests purchasing $50 worth of gift cards will receive a $10 bonus card and for $100 worth of gift cards the bonus card is $20. Promotion is valid with both standard and e-gift cards. Seasonal cheesecake flavors for December are Peppermint and Toffee.
From Dec. 11–17, guests who dine at either BRIO in Tivoli Village or Town Square will receive 20 percent off their purchase at Apricot Lane Boutique in Town Square when they present their same-day meal receipt.
DLVEC WILL HOST NEW DANCE MUSIC EVENT SERIES ‘ZOOLOGY’
In January, the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) will host a new dance music series, “Zoology” by Collective Zoo. The event will kick off Jan. 6 with performances by Billy Kenny, Bixel Boys and Justin Jay, and continue Jan. 20 with Shiba San and Will Clarke. Tickets are $20 general admission and a drink-and-dance package deal is $50.
Billy Kenny, creator of Record Label, This Ain’t Bristol, is known for his aggressive combination of all things UK garage, house and techno. Joining Kenny are Los Angeles dance music duo Bixel Boys, and Justin Jay, one of his San Francisco label’s rising stars.
Bristol-born Will Clarke hails from England. After gaining popularity in 2014 when his “Big Booty” EP was released on Worthy’s Anabatic label, Clarke joined the Dirtybird label. Paris native Shiba San is 2015 International Dance Music Award-winner for “Best Underground Dance Track.”
OSCAR’S LAUNCHES SOME NEW DEALS
Every day from 4 to 7 p.m., Happy Hour in Oscar’s lounge at the Plaza downtown offers guests half off all beers, glasses of house wine, and well drinks as well as half off a selection of appetizers. Now, every Wednesday, Happy Hour pricing is available in the lounge all night long and customers can also enjoy half off all bottles of wine and champagne on the steakhouse’s extensive wine list. Wednesdays will also offer live entertainment with a DJ beginning at 7 p.m. in the lounge.
Thursday is Ladies Night in Oscar’s lounge. Ladies can enjoy an additional half off happy hour priced drinks, equating to $3 glasses of house wine and beer and $2 well drinks all night long.
In addition, Oscar’s lounge will debut its new seasonal cocktail and beer menus.
CALL FOR ARTISTS SUBMISSIONS TO PAINT FOUR UTILITY BOXES
The city of Las Vegas is asking artists interested in painting utility boxes to beautify the urban environment along Maryland Parkway between E. Charleston Blvd. and Stewart Ave. for submissions. To promote community participation and support local art, the city is offering a $2,500 honorarium to paint up to four boxes. The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 6, 2017.
