“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH PAT BENATAR AND NEIL GIRALDO AT THE PALMS
Rock legends Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will return to Las Vegas for “A Very Intimate Acoustic Evening” at the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms on Friday, March 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets for the all-acoustic show start at $29.
Benatar has always been a rule-breaker and a trail-blazer. The four-time Grammy winner is a classically trained mezzo-soprano. After more than three decades in rock ‘n’ roll, she’s a bonafide living legend. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: The 35th Anniversary Tour kicks off with “Shadows Of The Night,” which was a top ten hit for the couple in 1982.
Neil “Spyder” James Giraldo has been a professional musician, producer, arranger and songwriter for more than four decades, changing the face of the pop charts throughout the 1980s with his collaborator, muse and wife, Pat Benatar. More than just an explosive steel bending guitar player, Giraldo’s innovative vision helped him create the signature Benatar sound, from its inception. His impressive back catalog includes more than 100 songs written, produced, arranged and recorded for Benatar, as well as many hits for countless other artists.
COMEDIAN RALPHIE MAY WILL BRING ‘NO APOLOGIES’ SHOW TO HARRAH’S
Comedian Ralphie May is bringing “Ralphie May: No Apologies” to the Harrah’s Showroom beginning at the end of January with dates most every month next year. May says the 10 p.m. show will be a crazy mix of stories and current events with no subject off limits. Ticket prices begin at $35.
No subject is off limits for May but he’s lovable enough to get away with anything. He continues to capture the hearts of thousands and promises to make his audiences gleefully uncomfortable.
BRING ME THE HORIZON WILL PERFORM AT THE HARD ROCK
British rock band Bring Me The Horizon has announced their massive “The American Nightmare Tour” will stop at The Joint at Hard Rock on Saturday, April 8 with special guests Underoath and Beartooth. Tickets start at $39.95.
Recently the Sheffield, England-based band released the music video for “Oh No,” the newest single taken from their fifth studio album “That’s The Spirit.” This month, Bring Me The Horizon is releasing “Live at the Royal Albert Hall,” a special DVD/CD package from the band’s sold-out concert last April in London.
KEHLANI BRINGS SWEET SEXY SAVAGE WORLD TOUR TO BROOKLYN BOWL
Kehlani is embarking on her Sweet Sexy Savage World Tour next year and will visit Brooklyn Bowl at The LINQ Promenade for a performance of her debut album of the same name on Thursday, Apr. 20 at 8 p.m. Opening for the R&B darling will be “The New Queen of the Breakup Anthem,” British R&B singer Ella Mai. In addition, Canadian R&B singer and rapper JAHKOY will perform as well as Noodles. Tickets start at $25.
The 21-year-old Kehlani from Oakland, Calif., enjoyed ballet until a knee injury forced her to focus on singing. In eighth grade she joined a group PopLyfe as the lead vocalist. The ensemble finished in sixth place on the sixth season of “America’s Got Talent,” where she met the show’s host Nick Cannon.
Years later, Cannon assisted the struggling artist by providing keys to her success, which included studio time and an apartment in Los Angeles. The result, her 2014 mixtape “Cloud 19” introduced her to the music world. Her second mixtape “You Should Be Here” debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In 2015, she signed with Atlantic Records and began her You Should Be Here tour, which sold out of every North American and select European dates.
CALIFORNIA HAS UNVEILED ALL-NEW REDWOOD STEAKHOUSE
Some folks are dreaming of a White Christmas, this reporter would be happy with another plate of the creamed corn at the all-new Redwood Steakhouse making its debut in the California Hotel as part of the casino’s sweeping, multi-million-dollar redesign. The reinvented fine dining concept features a wide selection of steaks, fresh seafood and chops, served in a contemporary island-inspired atmosphere.
The Redwood’s new environment features touches of Hawaiian flair like some images on the dining room wall and fan-inspired chandeliers hanging from vaulted ceilings. Swagged drapery panels reinforce casual elegance. The restaurant façade has windows offering glimpses into the bar and main dining room. The new bar features a custom butcher-block countertop, over-scale chandeliers, and a herringbone-patterned wood floor. Visually anchoring the bar, a large vintage burlesque vaudeville print adds an unexpected touch of whimsy.
In the contemporary lounge-style bar there is a social hour daily from 4–6 p.m. with a special menu of island-inspired small bites.
IT’S HOLIDAY TIME AT BELLAGIO’S CONSERVATORY & BOTANICAL GARDENS
Once again the elegant Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is transformed into a winter wonderland through Jan. 2. The free 24/7 exhibit has favorite seasonal images, such as the polar bear family and a 42-foot White Fir tree embellished with twinkling lights and ornaments. The display’s newest addition is a Bellagio-themed train station coated with crushed walnuts, filled with poinsettias and guarded by four animated toy soldiers. There’s a family of penguins, two 10-foot trains adorned with 1,200 red and white roses departing for the North Pole through two 12-foot brick tunnels, and a family of elves playfully decorating a tree.
HOLIDAY MUSIC AND DINING MERRIMENT
“Clint Holmes: Between the Lines” at The Palazzo Theatre will add holiday spirit to the show on Sunday and Monday, Dec. 11-12, 18-19 and 25-26 by adding classic holiday songs to the show’s set list of contemporary hits and pop standards. Among the seasonal musical treats are “We Three Kings,” “William the Angel,” “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” “Little Drummer Boy,” and “Let It Snow,” among others.
At Tivoli Village, fresh52 Farmers’ Markets present an outdoor brunch on Dec. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the theme “Holiday Farmhouse & Cocktails” and a “Giving from the Heart” menu by vegan powerhouse Chef Mayra. Referred to as “Dr. Flavor,” she’s been in the food industry for more than 15 years, was trained in the classic culinary arts, and has certifications in sport nutrition, macrobiotic cooking, as well as, vegan, holistic, and Feng Shui cuisine. The benefitting charity will be Project 150, the nonprofit helping more than 2,500 homeless, displaced and disadvantaged local high school students. Cost range is $50 to $70.
MANSOUR AND ARASH WILL HEADLINE NEW PARK THEATER
Two superstars from the world of Persian music – Mansour and Arash – along with a special performance by internationally renowned comedian Max Amini will perform at the new Park Theater at Monte Carlo on Sunday, Dec. 25. Tickets start at $59.
Contemporary leading Persian musical artist Mansour is one of the world’s most loved Iranian singers and ranked as one of the top male singers of the Persian music scene. Mansour has released more than 10 albums and in January will reveal his new album “Radical.”
Arash is a Platinum-selling Swedish singer and producer whose music is also certified gold in many European countries. Whether singing in his mother tongue (Farsi) or in English with some of the world’s biggest names, including Shaggy, Sean Paul, T-Pain and Snoop Dogg, Arash is the only artist of Persian heritage to release four albums and 30 singles that have sustained a high-level of global success topping the charts.
Comedian Max Amini was born in Tucson, Ariz., and was raised on the East Coast. He graduated from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television in 2004. As an actor, Amini has more than 50 film and television credits including NBC’s “Heroes,” regular appearances on Comedy Central’s “Mind of Mencia” and a leading role in the upcoming feature film “Beyond Paradise.”
DISNEY ON ICE WILL VISIT THOMAS & MACK IN JANUARY
The New Year will start off with happiness when Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment visits the Thomas & Mack Center Jan. 12-15. This show presents four favorite Disney stories showcasing beloved characters from Disney•Pixar’s “Cars,” “Toy Story 3,” Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” plus the Academy Award®-winning “Frozen.” Tickets start at $18.
HYPNOTIST KEVIN LEPINE’S SHOW CELEBRATED ONE YEAR AT BINION’S
Last week, Kevin Lepine celebrated the one-year anniversary of his show “Hypnosis Unleashed” at Binion’s Gambling Hall downtown. His hypnosis show is infused with stand-up comedy nightly except Monday at 8:30 p.m. His boyish looks put his audience volunteers at ease as they step on stage to have a new hypnotic experience.
Kevin’s show has comedy; however, he is a certified hypnotherapist and says, “My show focuses on the positive reinforcement of personal growth and achievement.”
Along with running his show, the “hypnotic” entertainer is a founder of Hypnosis Helps, a charity that collaborates with local hypnotists. Last year they raised enough money to gift the entire Theriot Elementary school with uniform shirts, winter coats and individual gifts from their Christmas lists.
B&B RISTORANTE AT THE VENETIAN WILL HOST OLIVE OIL DINNER
A first for Las Vegas, B&B Ristorante at The Venetian will host a six-course feast centered around the first pressing of extra virgin olive oil from the Medici-era villa, Tenuta di Capezzana (Italian for “estate of Capezzana”). The dinner on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. will be taken on a tasting journey guided by Beatrice Contini-Bonacossi, whose family owns Capezzana, the 345-acre farm that has produced olive oil and wine since the times of Charlemagne (742 - 814). During the dinner, she will discuss the unique history of the estate, as well as the oil-making process. The dinner and wine pairings experience is $165.
SPEEDVEGAS LAUNCHES HAPPY HOUR OF POWER
SPEEDVEGAS has unveiled a different kind of “Happy Hour” offering 60 minutes of unlimited adrenaline-laden excitement. SPEEDVEGAS’ Happy Hour of Power enables thrill seekers to have the new speed attraction all to themselves for one hour with unlimited laps around the Formula One-inspired track.
Priced at $12,000, guests may choose up to eight different cars from SPEEDVEGAS’ world-renowned collection of top muscle cars and exotic supercars, including models by Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Shelby. If the guest wants to share, this Happy Hour can accommodate up to 12 guests.
Only one session can be reserved per day; The Happy Hour of Power is available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
SANTAS ARE EVERYWHERE
At Sam’s Town, The Winter Wonderland at Mystic Falls Park has an all-new, nine-minute, holiday-inspired evening laser light show. There are also holiday decorations and a glimpse inside Santa’s workshop where western-themed Cowboy Santa can be visited in the gazebo through Dec. 23. Visiting hours are Thursdays and Fridays 4-8:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays noon to 8:30 p.m.
Scuba Santa is at the Silverton submerged in the 117,000 gallon saltwater aquarium again on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18 from noon-1:15 and 2:15-3:30. It’s free to take photos while he even talks to spectators through an underwater microphonesystem.
At The Forum Shops at Caesars from Dec. 13 through Christmas Day, Santa has turned the job of feeding the tropical fish at the Atlantis Aquarium over to the Holiday Elf Aquarists adorned in elf-style wet suits. They do holiday elf dives on Dec 12, 13, and 15; and again Dec 19-24 at approximately 2:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Santa will be at the Shipwreck at Shark Reef Aquarium inside Mandalay Bay Dec. 17-24 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. With paid admission, guests 12 and under receive a treat and photo with Santa and his sidekick Santa Jaws. Before heading back to his workshop, Santa will put on scuba gear and plunge into the Shipwreck waters to give a farewell.
The jolly man from the north is also visiting Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor on Dec. 17 from 1-3 p.m. With an admission, visitors will find Santa greeting and posing for photos on the replica of Titanic’s Grand Staircase.
At Tivoli Village families can bring a blanket and Picnic with Saint Nick every Saturday through Dec 24 at 11 a.m. The holiday experience includes live entertainment, kid crafts, sweet treats, balloon artists, face painters and story time with Santa and his helpers. Photo opportunities are afterwards.
Also at Tivoli Village there is Operation North Pole, a 65-minute holiday hands-on workshop and interactive experience alongside Santa and his elves through Dec. 25. The experience includes a candy cottage, baked treats in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen, meeting Santa’s reindeers in the stable, visiting Santa in his office space, and the opportunity to take home a teddy bear. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
At the Container Park downtown, Santa Claus is visiting again on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17 and 18 from 1-5 p.m.
SPEEDVEGAS BECOMES ‘AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE’ BACKDROP
“Automobile Magazine” selected the new SPEEDVEGAS as the host location for its May 2017 All-Stars issue. SPEEDVEGAS hosted All-Stars testing events Dec. 5–8 where an expert team of automobile editors and contributors evaluate 23 new cars, ultimately selecting the vehicles which will receive the 2017 All-Stars designation. During the four-day testing program, cars will be photographed at various locations around SPEEDVEGAS. The All-Stars issue will hit newsstands in late March.
