“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
VEGAS COLUMN
SIR ROD STEWART ADDS MORE VEGAS SHOWS THIS SUMMER
Time flies…Sir Rod Stewart opened his Las Vegas residency seven years ago at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and demand is still strong for the rock music superstar’s “Rod Stewart” The Hits” show. His Las Vegas production showcases his music and signature voice spanning five decades. For this reason, nine new shows have been added this summer, scheduled Aug. 15 - Sept. 3. Stewart is headlining this week on March 31 and April 1.
‘DIVAS LAS VEGAS’ UNVEILS NEW PRODUCTION AT THE LINQ
Las Vegas’ longest-running headliner Frank Marino, who impersonates comedic icon Joan Rivers, and his cast of female impersonators in “Divas Las Vegas” are introducing an all-new show at The LINQ Theater at The LINQ. Shows are Monday – Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets range from $77.70 to $97.88.
“Divas” has continually evolved throughout the years and will now bring a brand-new production to the stage with the addition of female impersonators taking on the roles of Pat Benatar, Barbra Streisand and Adele. The show will also feature a new opening and new songs.
The show features 17 different performers a night all sporting new costumes. There’s also a new exotic number showcasing Shannel, from “Ru Paul’s Drag Race,” performing a routine from the Broadway musical, “Jekyll & Hyde.”
THE ANIMAL FOUNDATION’S ‘BEST IN SHOW’ HAS NEW LOCATION
The Animal Foundation’s 14th annual “Best in Show” fundraiser will take place at a new location, UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center, on Sunday, April 23. Strip entertainer Jeff Civillico will host while more than 50 doggies from The Animal Foundation’s Lied Animal Shelter vie for the top title and the hearts of the audience.
Competing in a variety of categories including small, medium, large, variety pack, puppies and special needs, finalists will be determined by a panel of local news personalities judging. While only one pooch will be crowned “Best in Show,” all of the cuddly canines will be available for adoption after the event.
One way to get involved is to volunteer. General admission tickets are $10, free for children 5 years and under, and group discounts are available. The event will begin at 11 a.m. with a VIP brunch and silent auction followed by the Concourse Vendor Fair at noon, and the “Best in Show” at 12:45 p.m.
JOHN MICHAEL MONTGOMERY WILL HEADLINE AT THE TROPICANA
Entertainment is coming back to the main showroom at the Tropicana with country music artist John Michael Montgomery visiting the Tropicana Theater with Ben and Noel Haggard and The Strangers on Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m. Montgomery primarily a romantic balladeer first rose to fame in the early 90s with his debut album, “Life’s a Dance.” He was part of the ’90s wave of honky tonk hitmakers that brought country to new commercial heights. Ticket range for this show is $39.95 to $69.95.
THE MOB MUSEUM PLANS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
The Mob Museum downtown has announced plans to make substantial capital improvements. This improvement project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018 and while construction is underway the museum will remain open. Renovations will affect the museum’s basement level, which currently houses administrative offices, as well as the first level.
Improvements will encompass additional exhibits, interactive venues and a brand-new integrated retail and food service experience developed with the museum’s long-term partner Event Network. Listed on the Nevada and National Register of Historic Places, the museum has assembled experts including Robert Chattel of Chattel, Inc., Historic Preservation Consultants, who served on the museum’s original development team. Together, the project team will honor the historic nature of the building and ensure the project abides by local, state and federal historic preservation requirements.
A sample of the new exhibits and experiences includes: Organized Crime Today; The Crime Lab; Firearms Training Simulator; and Expanded Retail and Dining.
CANNERY BOOKING IS A TRIPLE DISCO POWER THREAT
It will be a Disco Explosion flash back to the 1970s when the Village People, Sister Sledge and The Trammps featuring Earl Young headline in The Club at the Cannery on Saturday, April 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $34.95.
The Village People, well-known for their crazy costumes and catchy disco hits, rose to fame with songs like “Macho Man,” “YMCA,” “In the Navy.” Sisters Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy formed Sister Sledge in 1971 and produced hit singles including “We are Family,” “Lost in Music” and “Thinking of You.” While beloved sister Joni passed away, the concert schedule continues.
Disco and soul band The Trammps featuring drummer and bass singer Young got their start in the early 1970s. Their popularity exploded in 1976 with the hit “Disco Inferno,” which was included on the “Saturday Night Fever” film’s Grammy Award-winning soundtrack. Other hits included “Hold Back the Night,” “The Night the Lights Went Out” and more. In 2017, the group released a new single, “Get Your Lovin’ While You can.”
MONORAIL OFFERS MONTH-LONG EARTH DAY SAVINGS PASSES
The Las Vegas Monorail, which is the city’s most sustainable form of mass transit operating zero-emission trains, will be celebrating Earth Day April 22 all month long with special rates on multi-ride passes. From April 1-30, two-day multi-ride passes will be $17, which is a $5 savings. These passes allow holders to ride the Monorail’s four-mile seven-stop route—from SLS to MGM Grand—as many times as they wish for 48 hours. Earth Day fares may be purchased beginning April 1 online or at eKiosks at Monorail stations using promo code GREEN17.
MO5AIC WILL VISIT ALIANTE
The a capella powerhouse group MO5AIC will bring their harmonies to the Access Showroom at Aliante on Saturday, May 13 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20.50.
Without any instruments, MO5AIC’s band members Heath Burgett, Jake Moulton, Josh Huslig, Corwyn Hodge and Roopak Ahuja, skillfully manipulate their voices to produce “vocally created” music. MO5AIC competed on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” in the fourth season and were one of the show’s top 40 contestants. The group has released two studio albums, “5” in 2011 and “RE5ET” in 2013, along with a live performance DVD in 2013, “MO5AIC Live in Concert.”
HYDE BELLAGIO WILL FEATURE WINNING MOSAIC DESIGN
Previously known as the “Private Study,” Hyde Bellagio, the nightlife venue overlooking the famed Fountains of Bellagio, is transforming the space into a glamorous “Selfie Studio” where guests will be able to snap, tag and share their Vegas experience.
The space will include a winning tile design permanently transformed into a larger-than-life backlit tile mosaic mural.
The design will be determined through the annual global tile mosaic design competition created by Artaic Innovative Mosaic and sponsored by Bostik and MGM Resorts International. The winning mosaic will be created in Boston. An esteemed panel of industry-specific experts will select the 10 finalists. The grand prize winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Paris and have their design featured at Hyde.
A photo gallery of the finalists work will be on display at HD Expo 2017 in Las Vegas, May 3-5. The grand prize winner will be unveiled during a VIP event sponsored by Bostik at Hyde Bellagio on Thursday, May 4.
ENTERTAINMENT TIDBITS
The “King of Romance,” Andre Rieu, will be visiting the Orleans Arena on Oct. 20. His show will feature the 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra, known to be the largest private orchestra in the world. Tickets are available from $42.
Rock band Primus has announced their first tour of 2017 with special guests Clutch. The tour will stop by The Joint at Hard Rock on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Primus is currently working on a new studio album for release later this year. Tickets start at $39.50.
Henderson is presenting the Huntsman Entertainment Production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” at the Henderson Pavilion March 31 and April 1 at 7:30 p.m. The fish tale features music by eight-time Academy Award-winner Alan Menken. Tickets are $20 and $25.
For Military Appreciation Month, the ladies from the adult revue “Fantasy” at the Luxor will hold their fourth annual special show for the military Wednesday, May 10 at 10:30 p.m. The first 50 military members to reserve tickets will receive complimentary entry to the show for themselves and a guest by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday, May 5.
TOPGOLF LAS VEGAS HOSTS SPRING BREAK ACADEMY AND LEAGUES
For the first time, Topgolf Las Vegas is hosting a Spring Break Academy for kids to learn the dynamics of golfing. The Spring Break Academy is a four-day program, April 10-13 from 9 to 11 a.m. for children ages six to 12 educating them on all aspects of the sport by a golf professional for $99.
Additionally, Topgolf is starting Spring Leagues, a weekly competition among teams for a winning cash prize. Leagues consist of teams of two that compete against each other for six weeks, with an additional two weeks of playoffs. Spring Leagues take place every Tuesday beginning April 4, and every Sunday beginning April 9 at 10 a.m., with practice sessions starting at 9 a.m. The cost per team is $390, or $195 per person. Based on cumulative, individual scoring, the team with the highest score wins a first place prize of $2,000.
WET REPUBLIC HOLDS SUMMER LONG ‘HOT 100’ BIKINI CONTEST
Hot 100, a collaborative effort between SPYONvegas.com and Wet Republic at MGM Grand, will return again this year on Friday, April 21. Hundreds will have the opportunity to compete in the bikini contest at the daylife hot spot for the 2017 title of “Las Vegas’ hottest pool partier.”
The 16-week bikini battle will take place on select Fridays throughout the summer. There will be more than $100,000 in cash and prizes, including weekly cash and prizes up to $2,000.
The first 11 events, known as selection rounds, narrow the pool to the top 100 contestants deemed the “SPYONvegas Hot 100.” The next four events serve as public voting rounds in person at Wet Republic or online. The top five contestants will be crowned during the Grand Finale event Friday, Aug. 18. To enter, submit photos and information at spyonhot100.com.
CARDIO SPIDER IS NEXT SPRING ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AT NEON MUSEUM
The third annual Spring Performing Artist in Residence program at the Neon Museum will feature Cardio Spider. The Las Vegas-based sketch and improv team will present “What’s Your Sign?”—an interactive improv comedy experience open to the public in the museum’s North Gallery from 2 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 1. This public program at the Neon Museum will be followed by an exhibit component, which will be on view at the Marjorie Barrick Museum at UNLV from April 3–15. The program is free, but advance registration is required online at neonmuseum.org.
Cardio Spider’s interactive live shows consist of sketch comedy and improvised games, scenes, and songs based on audience suggestions. Their original skits, songs and videos often explore issues of race, gender, relationships and current events.
GREEN VALLEY RANCH-RED ROCK RESORTS PRESENT SILENT YOGA
Kicking off in April, Red Rock Resort and Green Valley Ranch Resort will be holding Thursday yoga sessions at sunset by the pools. The 2017 Silent Savasana season at both resorts gives guests 21 and older two times a month to immerse themselves fully in a free hour-long yoga session starting at 7 p.m. While wearing Silent Savasana’s signature headphones, participants of all levels receive instruction while listening to motivating music.
Green Valley Ranch dates are: April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10, Sept. 14, and Oct. 12. In addition, Green Valley Ranch Resort will feature special cocktail offers for attendees following each event. Dates at Red Rock are: April 20, May 18, June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, Sept. 21, and Oct. 19.
UPCOMING SPECIAL DINNER SERIES
OSCAR’S AT THE PLAZA
The next Oscar Dinner Series event with former Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman at Oscar’s steakhouse inside the Plaza will be Thursday, April 6 at 6:30 p.m. Guests will have a three-course gourmet meal paired with red and white wines as well as the signature Oscar Goodman Martini while listening to Goodman discuss his colorful past as a criminal defense attorney. The public is invited to attend; RSVP by calling 702-386-7227 with a pre-payment of $150.
Goodman will be connecting the dots between legendary figures: “The Brown Bomber” heavyweight champion Joe Louis; Bear Bryant, holder of the most wins for a head coach in collegiate football history; Francis Ford Coppola, Oscar winner and director of the Godfather films; Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, Stardust operator and infamous mobster depicted in the movie “Casino;” and Al Gunderson, a Justice of the Nevada Supreme Court.
HONEY SALT
Honey Salt at 1031 S. Rampart Blvd. will feature “Six Pack Chef” Hemant Kishore, chef and owner of the pop-up kitchen “Toddy Shop” inside the Inn Zone sports bar, as part of its Guest Chef Dinner Series on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. Chef Kishore, who hails from a small town in Kerala in India will bring his Indian flare and health-conscious philosophy to Honey Salt’s farm table concept. This communal dining experience is $54 with an optional wine pairing for $25.
Chef Kishore is also the founder of The Six Pack Chef, a meal delivery program that combines both his passions for food and fitness to provide high quality nutritious food to his clients.
BAZAAR MEAT AT SLS
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at SLS will host an exclusive six-course dinner paired with the varietals of Andrew Will Winery at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6. Bazaar Meat lead sommelier, Chloe Helfand, will describe the wines and explain why each was selected for the pairing. The dinner is $165, call 702-761-7610 or visit This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Andrés has been named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” and “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation. He is an internationally-recognized culinary innovator, author, educator, television personality, humanitarian and chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup. A pioneer of Spanish tapas in the United States, he is known for his avant-garde cuisine and award-winning group of 27 restaurants.
THE PALAZZO LAUNCHES THE AQUATIC CLUB
The Aquatic Club is a new day-club pool experience debuting at The Palazzo® in April and offering poolside fare from Wolfgang Puck including sushi, salads and the chef’s signature pizzas. The Aquatic Club will be open Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. through 6 p.m. and will serve up craft cocktails, posh amenities and a unique pool scene.
The pool staff will embody the spirit of the club by donning swimwear and stylings from famed designer Tory Burch and her signature athletic line, Tory Sport. A series of cabana murals were created for each cabana. Afternoons at The Aquatic Club will be choreographed with additional signature activities.
DINING NEWS CLIPS
At SLS Las Vega, Umami Burger, Beer Garden & Sports Book has introduced a limited-edition burger and beverage combo as part of its Artist Series: Cindy’s Casa Burger for $14, inspired by fashion icon Cindy Crawford, and Rande’s Spicy Margarita for $11, created by her husband, Rande Gerber. Available through Friday, May 12, proceeds from the sale of each burger and cocktail will benefit the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wis., and its “Fighting Cancer So Kids Won’t Have To” campaign.
Both the Summerlin and Town Square Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar locations are introducing new fare to their already extensive menu including new additions to their brunch and Happy Hour menus beginning March 30, 2017.
Morton Group’s CRUSH at MGM Grand has introduced several new menu selections for the spring. Executive Chef William DeMarco has introduced a few new starters to the menu, including sesame seed-crusted Ahi Tuna Bites priced at $15 and fresh Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes for $17.
