“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
FRANKIE MORENO HEADLINES GOLDEN NUGGET FOR SIX WEEKS
Entertainer Frankie Moreno has signed on for a limited engagement of his high-energy show at the Golden Nugget March 2, 9, 16, 23, April 6 and 13. Years ago he performed in the Rush Lounge at the hotel and now he’s in the showroom. Tickets for his 8 p.m. performances range from $27.25 to $59.95.
Moreno made his national debut at age 10 on “Star Search” and has since toured and written songs. His successful album had the self-penned single “Tangerine Honey,” which he performed on “Dancing with the Stars.” To record a follow-up album, Moreno is collaborating with renowned producer, engineer, and guitarist Pat Thrall, who has worked with Katy Perry, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber.
Moreno has vintage Vegas swagger. The piano prodigy and multi-instrumentalist has performed with many greats and had sold-out concerts at esteemed venues including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Hollywood Bowl. He recorded a PBS special, “Frankie Moreno in Concert,” and garnered an Emmy nomination for his nationally televised special, “Songs at Home.”
LADY GAGA ADDS SECOND TOUR SHOW AT T-MOBILE ARENA
Lady Gaga will be touring globally with her “Joanne World Tour” starting on Aug. 1 in Canada with an Aug. 11 date at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Due to phenomenal demand, she has added a second Las Vegas date on Saturday, Dec. 16. Tickets go on sale Feb. 20 and range from $45 - $275.
Lady Gaga’s tour is in response to her recent fifth studio album “Joanne,” which debuted at No.1 on the Billboard Top 200. This marks her fourth consecutive No. 1 album making her the first female to do so in the 2010s.
Grammy and Golden Globe winner as well as Academy Award-nominee, Lady Gaga has amassed an outstanding 30 million global album sales and 150 million single sales. She is also a social media juggernaut with more than 61 million likes on Facebook, 65.1 million Twitter followers, and 21.3 million Instagram followers.
PITBULL RETURNS FOR LIMITED ENGAGEMENT AT THE AXIS
Music sensation Pitbull, after extremely successful runs at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood in 2015 and 2016, will return July 21 through Aug. 5 with an eight-night limited engagement of his original Vegas show, “Time Of Our Lives,” The show is being presented jointly by Caesars Entertainment and Live Nation July 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, and Aug. 2, 4, 5. Tickets to his 9 p.m. performances range in price from $39 - $169.
Pitbull is an internationally successful musician, performer, business entrepreneur, fashion icon and actor. His music sales including his most recent album “Dale” have exceeded five million albums and 60 million singles worldwide, Pitbull has scored No. 1 hits in more than 15 countries and his videos have more than seven billion views.
AXE THROWING COMES TO VEGAS
Axe Monkeys is Las Vegas’ first and only axe throwing facility located at 3525 E. Post Rd., Suite #110. The new facility has 23 indoor axe throwing lanes, where customers can practice or learn to throw from the trainers. There will be more information on this facility in the future.
Hours are daily 10 a.m.-2 a.m. One-hour rates are $25 for adults and $20 for ages 17 and younger; two-hour rates are $40 for adults, $25 for children ages 7 to 12, and $32 for youths 13-17.
FUTURE ANNOUNCES NEW ALBUM AND VEGAS’ DATE
Last week, multi-platinum, record-setting hip-hop innovator Future made the surprise announcement his brand new self-titled album, “FUTURE,” was being released Feb. 17. In addition, he revealed his massive headlining summer 2017 “Nobody Safe Tour” will headline amphitheaters and arenas across North America and will close at T-Mobile Arena on Friday, June 30. The show will feature support acts Migos, ASAP Ferg, Kodak Black and Zoey Dollaz. Tickets range from $29.50 to $125.
FREEDOM BEAT STARTS THE GIBSON BISCUITS AND JAM SESSIONS
Freedom Beat at the Downtown Grand is introducing their newest music and food program The Gibson Biscuits and Jam Sessions. The open-stage/mic night launches on Feb. 20 and will take place every Monday night from 10 p.m.–1 a.m. Sign-ups are first come, first served at Freedom Beat and performance time will vary based on number of acts and musicians. Gibson will be hosting and providing the instruments so local and touring musicians can plug-in and play or shred with their own instrument of choice.
Chef Scott Commings, the Season 12 winner of “Hell’s Kitchen,” has created a special menu with house-made biscuits including; Chicken and Biscuit, Biscuits & Gravy, Smothered Pot Roast Biscuit, and the Assortment of Biscuits & Jam. Each dish is $10 and there’s a variety of drink specials including $1 draft beers.
CHICA’S LORENA GARCIA JOINS CELEBRITY CHEF WALL AT VENETIAN
The Venetian just added a new face to their giant outdoor 21-foot-tall celebrity chef wall. This time it’s Chef Lorena Garcia, the first Latina celebrity chef on the Strip. She was in town in advance of the spring 2017 opening of Chica, her new restaurant featuring Latin cuisine. The wall also features culinary greats Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, Mario Batali, Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro and Emeril Lagasse.
Born in Venezuela, Garcia is a leading chef in North America and Latin America. She is well known for numerous TV series and a successful chain of restaurants. Following her first cookbook, “Lorena Garcia’s New Latin Classics,” the chef has created the Lorena Bella Kitchen Collection for HSN.
DANIEL EMMET AND PHILIP FORTENBERRY RETURN TO SMITH CENTER
Vocalist Daniel Emmet and virtuoso pianist Philip Fortenberry will present an encore performance of their intimate, acoustic 75-minute cabaret-style musical show, “In Concert,” in the Cabaret Jazz showroom at The Smith Center on Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $45.
Emmet is a star at 23 years of age and has already commanded stages from The Staples Center in Los Angeles to the Palais Todesco in Vienna, Austria. Along with being a singer, he is also an accomplished composer and lyricist.
Renowned and critically-acclaimed pianist, composer and recording artist Fortenberry provided the “hands of Liberace” for Michael Douglas in the Emmy-winning HBO biopic, “Behind the Candelabra.” Fortenberry received the first “Ghostlight Award” as Best Musician on Broadway for his role as pianist and associate conductor for the musical, “Rocky.” He has played prestigious concert stages such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and The White House.
The show’s special guest is cellist Lindsey Springer, who has been in orchestras of Celine Dion and “Steve Wynn’s Showstoppers.”
SEVERINA IS ADDED TO THE CHELSEA LINEUP AT THE COSMOPOLITAN
Popular Croation singer Severina Kojić, best known as Severina, is now part of the entertainment lineup at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan on Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and start at $76.50 for reserved seats.
Severina has been a pop sensation in Croatia and the Balkans since she began her career more than 25 years ago. In 2006, “Nacional” weekly listed Severina among the 100 most influential Croats, calling her “the only bona fide Croatian celebrity.” Her most recent single, “Uno Momento” featuring Serbian band Ministarke, was an instant summer hit in Serbia.
‘DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN’ CELEBRATES 10 YEARS RUNNING IN VEGAS
This year, “Defending the Caveman” will celebrate as Las Vegas’ longest-running Broadway show having debuted in southern Nevada on June 1, 2007. On Friday, March 3, the telltale show about the sexes currently at the D downtown starring Kevin Burke will host revered South African actor Tim Plewman at 6 p.m. for a special one-night-only performance of the one-man play. Plewman believes no matter what country you call home, the universal content of relationships transcends throughout. Tickets start at $29.95.
Plewman is a dancer, humorist, director, writer and producer. He adapted the script for Africa, where he performed Caveman for nearly 10 years and 1,544 performances. For the play, the longest-running and most successful solo comedy in South African theatre history, Plewman won the prestigious South African Vita Award for Best Actor in a comedy.
“Defending the Caveman” with its worldwide reach will continue the celebration throughout 2017 by hosting international performances of the show including the Mexican, German and Cuban versions. This Broadway hit has toured the United States and more than 40 countries with productions in nearly 30 languages.
The play originally opened in San Francisco in 1991, moved to Broadway in 1995, and played 702 performances at the Helen Hayes Theater over two-and-a half-years when it became the longest-running solo play in Broadway history.
BROOKLYN BOWL ATTRACTS PUNK ROCK DESCENDENTS
Descendents considered punk rock royalty will visit Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. as part of their 2017 North American headlining tour beginning this spring. The band’s new album, “Hypercaffium Spazzinate,” is their first studio release since “Cool to Be You” in 2004. General admission tickets start at $29.50.
The quartet was formed in 1978 in Manhattan Beach, Calif., and they have released seven studio albums, including their first “Milo Goes to College” in 1982. Descendents are Karl Alvarez (bass), Milo Aukerman (vocals), Bill Stevenson (drums) and Stephen Egerton (guitar). Aukerman has had a series of hiatuses because he serves as a researcher in biochemistry, which leaves fans anticipating each reunion.
REDNECK RIVIERA HOLDS GRAND OPENING
Redneck Riviera locate at the Grand Bazaar Shops on the second floor directly above Wahlburgers held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony last week with a celebrity red carpet, major jam session by owner John Rich of country duo Big & Rich, and live music. The décor features guitar-shaped tables, an American flag made of beer cans, and tailgates guests can sit on. Redneck Riviera hosts live country music every day. It also has a “heroes bar,” which is dedicated to veterans and welcomes military personnel past and present and offers them a first drink on the house.
DISTILLERY PRODUCES LIMITED EDITION MINT 400 MOONSHINE WHISKEY
Celebrating the upcoming Mint 400, Las Vegas Distillery is releasing a limited edition 2017 Mint 400 Moonshine Whiskey bottled in a heavy glass bottle and wrapped in a custom Mad Media designed label. The limited edition batch of 500 bottles is hand-numbered by the distiller and carefully packaged in a wood box. Only 100 bottles numbered 401-500 are available for purchase online to the general public. Bottles will not be shipped and must be picked up in person at the Las Vegas Distillery located at 7330 Eastgate Rd., Ste. 100 in Henderson. Each purchase includes a special Mint 400 Las Vegas Distillery Tour & Tasting valued at $25.
The remaining bottles will be gifted to each race team and sponsor of The Great American Off-Road Race.
Las Vegas Distillery is the only craft spirits manufacturer in the Las Vegas Valley and all their spirits are made in-house in small batches.
ROYAL LINKS NAMES FIRST WOMAN GM OF A VEGAS GOLF COURSE
Former LPGA pro Jody Niemann is the first woman ever general manager of a major golf course in Las Vegas, and plans to make Royal Links at 5995 Vegas Valley Drive an all-inclusive golf destination with learning programs, social interaction and first-class service. Shelby Futch of the Scottsdale Golf Group purchased Royal Links last fall.
Designed by Dye International, this links-style course features holes inspired by 11 different Open Championship rotation courses. Under new ownership and management, Royal Links now has local, military and non-peak rates along with annual memberships. The facility features an all-grass driving range and the Royal Pro Shop has an extensive selection of traditional and non-traditional golf attire.
MARDI GRAS FUN IN VEGAS
Mardi Gras Vegas will be held at the Springs Preserve on Saturday, Feb. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will celebrate Cajun and Creole cuisine, music and culture with live music from Howlin’ King Crawdad, food from local Southern eateries, adult beverages, a parade, and crafts for the kids. Attendees can decorate a stroller or wagon for Mardi Gras and be in the parade with a chance to win a prize. Tickets are $6 for adults and children 3 years and older.
Therapy located downtown is serving two specialty cocktails to honor Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Fishbowl cocktail is made with Malibu, Gruven Vodka, Midori, pineapple juice, lime juice and simple syrup poured into a glass filled with Nerds candy. The other cocktail is the Desert Hurricane. Cocktails are $10.
SPECIAL WINE EVENTS
Aureole at Mandalay Bay will hold a celebration on Friday, March 3 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. featuring more than 40 of Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines of 2016 paired with selections from the restaurant’s reimagined tasting table menu. Chef Charlie Palmer and Mandalay Bay Director of Wine Harley Carbery will be on hand as guests experience limited allocation wines paired with progressive American cooking in a cocktail reception format. There will be live music by Las Vegas crooner TJ Tyler and a number of winemakers. Cost is $100, call 877-305-3136.
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar’s next Taste & Learn wine-and-food-pairing event showcasing the elegant wines from Castello di Monsanto and Villa di Capezzana will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 4-6 p.m. Each of four wines will be served alongside a small plate prepared by our Executive Chef Francesco DiCaudo. Cost is $65; call 702-364-5300 for reservations.
SPEEDY ITEMS
Professional team Vegas Golden Knights will hold a 24-hour open house at T-Mobile Arena from Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 8 a.m. until Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 8 a.m. During the open house, the public can view the arena from their respective seats if they purchased tickets, tour the facility, participate in a variety of interactive programming, and possibly win tickets.
The award-winning Serenity Spa by Westgate is now open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the hotel’s third floor pool deck. The No. 1 rated spa in Utah brings the natural, rustic atmosphere of the Rocky Mountains to the Nevada desert.
The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has a month-long deal running through March 14 with the promo code: SWEET14. The 30-day RTC Bike Share memberships are available for $10, which is 50 percent off. The discounted membership allows users to check out a bike for 30 minutes at a time, for an unlimited amount of trips during 30 days, without being charged an extra fee and with a speedier checkout process. There are 21 stations located downtown.
Aliante’s catering and event team will be hosting an open house in the Grand Ballroom and poolside on Saturday, March 4 from11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.to showcase the property’s versatile wedding venue options and all-inclusive packages. Attendees can meet wedding vendors, taste complimentary samples from the Aliante catering team and participate in the “cake dive,” where registered participants can win a ring for the groom.
RSVP by calling 702-692-7530 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The new CycleBar Henderson will hold a CycleBlast to celebrate the grand opening by offering 50 free classes over 10 days from Feb. 23 through March 4. New and experienced riders interested in CycleBar can register for as many classes as they want during CycleBlast. Registration is required by visiting the business’ website.
