“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
BIG & RICH HOLD FIRST CONCERT AT NEW REDNECK RIVIERA
Country duo Big & Rich featuring Big Kenny and John Rich are set to perform a live 7 p.m. concert on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at Rich’s new bar Redneck Riviera, which just opened at the Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s. Their event will kick-off regular live music and special performances slated for the bar this year. General admission tickets are $15 and VIP is $50 with a meet-and-greet.
GIORDANO’S IS OPEN AT GRAND BAZAAR SHOPS
Giordano’s Famous Stuffed Deep Dish Pizza, the Chicago-based restaurant company known for its stuffed deep dish pizza pies, has opened its first location in Las Vegas and 61st nationwide. The new, full-service restaurant with carry-out options is located at the Grand Bazaar Shops in front of Bally’s. Giordano’s serving pizza since 1974 also has extra-thin crust pizzas and hand-crafted Italian inspired foods including salads, pastas, sandwiches and sweet endings.
The restaurant features a full dining room on the second floor directly above Starbucks as well as a spacious outside patio prominently located on the ground level in the center’s Grand Allée main walkway, and both areas feature a full bar. Hours are 11 a.m.–2 a.m. daily and a Late Night Menu is also offered.
CARLOS SANTANA CONTINUES INTO FIFTH YEAR AT HOUSE OF BLUES
Carlos Santana has announced additional 2017 performance dates in May, September and November of his “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live” show at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay solidifying the guitar legend’s fifth year at the intimate venue. Santana has sold more than 100 million records and won 10 Grammy® Awards and three Latin Grammy® awards over a more than 40-year dynamic music career. His upcoming dates are Jan. 25, 27-20 and Feb. 1-4.
Tickets for Santana’s 8 p.m. shows start at $99.50. A portion of all tickets sold are donated to The Milagro Foundation created in 1998 by Santana and his family to benefit children worldwide.
BLUES TRAVELER WILL HEADLINE SIX SHOWS AT CAESARS PALACE
Grammy® Award-winning band Blues Traveler will perform a six-night limited engagement at Cleopatra’s Barge inside Caesars Palace with a Vegas show, “Blues Traveler: Unhooked,” Feb. 22 through March 9. The group formed in 1987 is celebrating three decades of music and this show will deliver an unplugged, up-close and intimate performance. Shows are Feb. 22-23, and March 1-2, 8-9 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $79.
THE TENORS WILL STAR IN ‘ONE NIGHT FOR ONE DROP’ BENEFIT
JUNO Award-winning vocal super-group and Canadian heartthrobs The Tenors will partner with One Drop to present the fifth anniversary of “One Night for One Drop,” a one-night-only experience supporting safe water access programs worldwide. The show event on Friday, March 3 in the Zumanity Theatre at New York-New York will feature a special performance of iconic rock songs by the award-winning trio, who will share the stage with the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil artists. Tax deductible tickets are $100 and VIP $1,500.
Presented by MGM Resorts International, “One Night for One Drop 2017” will focus on the concept of time running out for humanity to right its wrongs, drawing inspiration from one pivotal phrase: “We are the first generation to feel the impact of climate change and the last generation to do something about it.” The journey will be illustrated by an ill-tempered circus Ringmaster and his loyal assistant.
‘TONY SACCA’S VEGAS THE STORY’ EXTENDED AT BALLY’S
The musical comedy matinee, “Tony Sacca’s Vegas The Story,” starring Sacca is extended at Bally’s Windows Showroom. The original musical production, written and created by Sacca opened last September and plays at 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Tickets are $39.99 and $49.99 VIP, which includes a Las Vegas musical clock and meet-and-greet.
In an entertaining fashion with music, humor and multimedia video, Sacca, comic impressionist Tom Wallek and four veteran female singers and dancers tell the story of Las Vegas from 1904 up until today with a glimpse at 2050. Cast members showcase legendary music and comedy headliners who helped make Sin City “The Entertainment Capital of the World.”
‘LEGENDS IN CONCERT’ ANNOUNCES UPCOMING TRIBUTE LINEUP
The longest-running show in Las Vegas, “Legends in Concert” at the Flamingo, will reveal a new cast to begin its 34th season on Feb. 11 with impersonations of Marilyn Monroe, Janice Joplin, Michael Jackson and Elvis. Three of these personalities were in the show when it first opened at the Imperial Palace, now The LINQ, in 1983. Originally, the show was only going to showcase deceased celebs but that changed for the most part. The continual changing of the lineup of superstars has kept the show fresh along with a live band and dancers, whose routines and costumes change with every new shift in tributes.
BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY DISPLAY HONORS YEAR OF THE ROOSTER
The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens display was just switched out to the Chinese New Year 2017 exhibit ushering in the Year of the Rooster and running through March 4. The display brings good fortune and prosperity with guests entering through a 16-foot traditional Moon Gate. In the Center Bed, perched atop a 35-foot-tall mountain, a 10-foot animated Rooster ruffles its wings and welcomes visitors.
COUNTRY SUPERSTAR CHRIS STAPLETON WILL VISIT THE PEARL AT PALMS
Country superstar Chris Stapleton will return to Las Vegas with special guest Maren Morris for a performance at the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms on Thursday, March 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $50.
Stapleton has co-written six No. 1 hits for some of country music’s biggest stars and has continually worked as an in-demand session musician and backup vocalist. He gained his own superstardom with 2015 album “Traveller.” At the CMA Awards, Stapleton was the first artist to win “Album of the Year,” “Male Vocalist of the Year” and “New Artist of the Year” at the same awards. Stapleton capped off the year with four nominations at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards — “Album of the Year,” “Best Country Album,” “Best Country Song” (“Traveller”) and “Best Country Solo Performance” (“Traveller”).
WYNN NIGHTCLUBS SIGN EXCLUSIVE RESIDENCY ROSTER AND BRANDING
Wynn’s nightclubs XS, Surrender and Intrigue, and dayclub Encore Beach Club, have secured their 2017 resident DJ roster with the introduction of the resort’s “We Are Wynn Nightlife” brand campaign featuring photography by acclaimed contemporary photographer, Tyler Shields. The new look and feel to the nightlife brand appearing in various marketing mediums and advertisements will spotlight Wynn Nightlife and its DJs with black and white photography while XS, Surrender, Intrigue and Encore Beach Club will each have a distinctive color blocking treatment.
The 2016 returning resident DJs include: Alesso, A-Trak, David Guetta, Dillon Francis, Diplo, DJ Snake, Flosstradamus, Major Lazer, Marshmello, Ookay, RL Grime, Skrillex, Slander, Virgil Abloh, and Yellow Claw.
The new resident talent includes: Alison Wonderland, Ansel Elgort, Brillz, Cedric Gervais, Chuckie, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Duke Dumont, EDX, Getter, Laidback Luke, Lost Kings, MAKJ, Nicky Romero, Robin Schulz, Stafford Brothers, and Sultan + Shepard.
CELEBRATED PERCUSSIONIST KING ERRISSON DELIVERS BOOK AND CD
King Errisson, who has toured with Neil Diamond for 40 years and will be with him when he begins his 50th anniversary tour in April, lives in Las Vegas. When Errisson is not on tour with Diamond, he is busy with his music and other projects, which have currently resulted in his autobiography “My Life, My Loves” and 17th CD release. The musician’s fascinating life began in the Bahamas, includes his first “big break” at age 23 when his talent with the congas was prominently displayed in a memorable nightclub scene in the James Bond movie “Thunderball,” and recording endlessly with a diverse group of superstars.
VEGAS MUSIC SUMMIT RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN FEB. 2 AND 3
The 2017 Vegas Music Summit (VMS) will kick off Thursday, Feb. 2 downtown with a program featuring educational panels, networking, and showcases. The annual music and media conference plus festival showcases prominent, emerging artists and provides a forum for industry experts to share insight on a diverse range of topics in the music industry including A & R, social media, touring, music licensing, songwriting, management, legal and production. VMS participants include music executives from major and indie record labels, producers, booking agents, promoters, managers, attorneys and music publishers. A full schedule including all events and speakers is available at www.vegasmusicsummit.com.
The VMS industry panels will be held Thursday and Friday, Feb. 2 and 3 at the Fremont Room at the Downtown Grand Las Vegas. Free live music showcases will also be on Feb. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. at Backstage Bar & Billiards. The Thursday showcase features Almost Normal, Avalon Landing, Smoke Season, Ray Little, Cameron Dettman, and Zach Kibbee. The Friday showcase welcomes Red Code Riot, We Gave It Hell, Nations, Almost Awake, A Poison Alibi, and Jesse Pino. This 21+ event is free. Another participating venue is Fremont Country Club. Conference badges are $99 and include access to conference panels, showcases and after parties. Discounted student/industry badges are also available.
DINING NEWS ITEMS
Serendipity 3, the ice cream parlor sitting in front of Caesars Palace since 2009, has been replaced with a new restaurant Stripside Café & Bar with al fresco dining. The menu is featuring fresh, casual cuisine and serving breakfast all day with items such as Brioche French Toast and a robust early morning cocktail menu.
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar on Paradise Road will begin its Il Circolo Wine Club initiation Jan. 16. Members receive discounts on all wines purchased and invitations to monthly, members-only mixers. In addition, members who purchase at least one bottle a month from the Il Circolo dedicated wine list will qualify for a chance to receive one of two trips for two to the wine country of Tuscany and Piedmont, Italy. Annual membership dues are $100.
The Habit Burger Grill chain will open its fourth Southern Nevada location on Monday, Jan. 16. in the Aliante North Las Vegas area.
UNLV BARRICK MUSEUM OF ART CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY
This year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus, a free opening community reception and celebration will be held on Friday, Jan. 27 from 5-8 p.m. and will reveal the inaugural exhibitions of 2017…One night. Three exhibitions. Fifty years.
The Main Gallery will have “Process” featuring fresh and perhaps an unfamiliar field of art-making in which energy is celebrated and the finished object is not always the principal focus.
The Braunstein Gallery will display the “Masking” exhibition combining traditional Mexican masks with contemporary artwork to blur the lines between art and artifice, self and other, being and nonbeing.
In the Teaching Gallery will be “Abandon All Hope, Ye Who Enter Here.” Two books will be presented together in dynamic proximity. Twice a week pages will be turned to reveal new illustrations from Salvador Dali’s little-known print series for Giovanni Boccaccio’s “Decameron” and the “Divine Comedy” of Dante Alighieri. The display will be accompanied by a program of film screenings and public readings.
For “Fifty Years,” a display in the Museum’s lobby has been assembled incorporating newspaper clippings from as early as 1969, historic photographs and artifacts exploring the story of the Barrick Museum from its genesis in a modest building opposite UNLV on Maryland Parkway to the beginnings of its current incarnation as a principal venue for contemporary art in the Las Vegas area.
QUICKIE NEWS
The sixth annual Mesquite Balloon Festival Jan. 20–22 will have more than 35 hot air balloons launching at 7:30 a.m. in the skies over Southern Nevada’s desert.
Sheena Easton will headline at the Suncoast Showroom Jan. 21-22 at 8:30 p.m. Easton’s had many hits but is best known for the theme song from the James Bond film of the same name, “For Your Eyes Only,” which was nominated for an Academy Award. Tickets start at $27.
The Tony Award®-winning musical, “Ain’t Misbehavin’” will swing into the Cabaret Jazz Club at The Smith Center for four performances Feb. 3-5 in honor of Black History Month. The show opened on Broadway in 1978 and encompasses 30 numbers. Tickets start at $30.
Celebrity Cars Las Vegas holds “The Car Show on Eastern” every Saturday from 7-10 a.m. at Sansone Park Place, 9500 S. Eastern Ave., in the parking lot of Twin Peaks and BJ’s and benefits Rotary Club of Las Vegas.
The National Atomic Testing Museum will host its first Distinguished Lecture of 2017 with “The CIA at Area 51” featuring veteran military intelligence operative Thornton D. Barnes on Friday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. Author of several books, including “MiGs Over Nevada,” Barnes will discuss the CIA’s involvement in pioneering aerial reconnaissance at Area 51. Tickets are $5 and free for museum members.
The Las Vegas Jewish Film Festival will be held Jan. 14-29 at five locations. Eight films, one a day will be screened. Tickets are $10 each and at the box office table one hour prior to the start time of each film and a festival pass is $50.
Earlier this month, five members of the NFL Tennessee Titans drove luxury sports cars multiple laps around the Formula One-inspired track at SpeedVegas.
Rock ‘n Roll Wine will present American Pie Frat Party on Friday, Jan. 27 inside Vinyl at Hard Rok featuring the Thomas Nicholas Band, 30 wines including a pre-release of the new 2013 Amplified Red Blend, and a handful of craft beers. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.
“Fighters Only Magazine” will hold the ninth edition of its annual World MMA Awards inside The Venetian Theatre on Thursday, March 2. Meanwhile fan voting for all of the 2017 Nominees who made the past year another MMA success story can be done on the website worldmmaawards.com through Monday, Jan. 30.
FIRST NEVADA CYCLEBAR WILL OPEN IN HENDERSON
CycleBar, the only Premium Indoor Cycling™ franchise in the United States, will open its first Nevada location in late February at The District in Green Valley at 2280 Paseo Verde Pkwy #160, offering a high energy workout in a concert-like atmosphere. CycleBar Henderson is one of 100 CycleBar studios to open in 2017.
The multisensory tiered CycleTheatre™ features 50 custom bikes, LED lighting, wide-screen graphics, and advanced audio technology with a DJ booth. CycleBar offers amenities provided at every visit including a complimentary water bottle, towels, and cycling shoes.
Leading up to the opening, CycleBar Henderson will offer 10 days of free rides. Registration is required, visit Henderson.CycleBar.com.
NEON MUSEUM’S ‘SELLING WITH SIGNS’ GUEST SPEAKER IS MARTIN TREU
Next as part of the Neon Museum’s Signs of the Times Lecture Series sponsored by CenturyLink will be “Selling with Signs: Las Vegas and the Placemaking Power of Commercial Streetscapes,” a presentation by Scholar-in-Residence Martin Treu. The free event will take place Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the Ne10 building located at 300 Las Vegas Boulevard North at 7 p.m. Registration is required at neonmuseum.org/happenings.
Treu is an architect, graphic designer, urbanist and author. He will explore place-defining business signs as well as the evolution of commercial design across America and will sign copies of his book, “Signs, Streets and Storefronts: A History of Architecture and Graphics along America’s Commercial Corridors.”
SAPPHIRE GENTLEMEN’S CLUB HOSTS U.S.A. TWERKING CHAMPIONSHIP
Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club is hosting the U.S.A Twerking Championship, which will be an official AVN event put on by Twerk Cup and U.S.A. Twerking, LLC during AVN week in Las Vegas on Friday, Jan. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. This event, which is the first time competitive twerking comes to Las Vegas, will be hosted by Elegant Angel contract girl and big-booty adult star Alexis Texas. The grand prize is $3,000, second $1,500, and third $500.
Contestant entry is $66. General admission to attend, which includes one drink, is $50. A portion of both will benefit The Sapphire Foundation for Prostate Cancer. “Adult Video News” (AVN) is an American trade journal that covers the adult video industry.
