BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: May 21, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
MARY J. BLIGE WILL BRING HER TOUR TO THE PALMS
R&B legend Mary J. Blige will make a stop with her North American “Strength of a Woman Tour” at the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms on Friday, Sept. 1 at 8 p.m. This tour comes on the heels of her 13th studio album released on April 28. Tickets start at $70.
The nine-time Grammy® Award-winner’s new Capitol Records release also features collaborations with Quavo (of Migos), DJ Khaled, Missy Elliot and Kanye West, who lends vocal support on the album’s latest single “Love Yourself.”
Blige holds the distinction of being the only artist to have won Grammys® in the R&B, hip-hop, pop, and gospel categories and is amongst a handful of entertainers to release eight or more multi-platinum albums.
CHICAGO AND THE DOOBIE BROTHERS CO-HEADLINE PARK THEATER
Legendary rock bands Chicago and The Doobie Brothers, who have sold more than 150 million records combined, will appear together at the Park Theater at Monte Carlo on Friday, June 9 as part of their 30+ date North American tour.
Chicago, the legendary rock ‘n’ roll band with horns, are celebrating their 50th anniversary as a band this year and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. The band’s award-winning documentary film, “Now More Than Ever: The History Of Chicago,” premiered on CNN on New Year’s Day 2017 giving a comprehensive history of the group’s achievements.
The Doobie Brothers have been delivering guitar-driven rock ‘n’ roll for more than four decades, selling more than 48 million albums and winning four Grammy® Awards. Their latest studio album, “Southbound,” features new recordings of the band’s biggest hits, with country music stars including Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley and Toby Keith.
RICHARD MARX HAS 15-SHOW ENGAGEMENT AT FLAMINGO
Singer-songwriter and producer Richard Marx will headline a limited engagement with 15 performances of “Satisfied: Only The Hits” at the Flamingo Aug. 15-Sept. 2. Ticket prices begin at $59.
Chicago native Marx has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and released chart-topping singles including “Hold on to the Nights,” “Satisfied” and “Now and Forever.” He is the first solo artist to have his first seven singles hit the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart and has written and produced hit songs for Luther Vandross, *NSYNC, Keith Urban and many others.
LOGIC WITH JOEY BADA$$ & BIG LENBO HAVE TOUR STOP AT THE JOINT
With the release of his new album “Everybody,” Def Jam Recordings/Visionary Music Group artist Logic is going on a 29-date tour. His “Everybody’s Tour” will stop at The Joint at the Hard Rock featuring support from Brooklyn upstart Joey Bada$$ and Big Lenbo Saturday, July 8. Ticket range is $25 to $99.
Logic, the 27-year-old rapper born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, made his first impact in 2014 with “Under Pressure,” a RIAA gold Def Jam debut album with No. 2 chart ranking.
MINDI ABAIR HEADLINES THE FOUNDRY INSIDE SLS
Two-time Grammy nominated jazz saxophonist Mindi Abair will appear at The Foundry inside SLS Las Vegas® on Saturday, Sept. 23 and be joined onstage by her collaborators, The Boneshakers. Tickets start at $39.50.
Abair is best known for multiple appearances on “American Idol” along with TV performances on the “Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” She has also played alongside artists including Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, The Backstreet Boys and more.
EDC WEEK CHARITY SWEEPSTAKES OFFERS ARTIST-RELATED EXPERIENCES
Insomniac and Surreal have launched the first EDC Week Charity Sweepstakes to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. The Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) is the nation’s largest three-day dance music festival taking place at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway June 16-18.
Ghastly, Jauz, Major Lazer, Marshmello, Martin Garrix and Pasquale Rotella are taking part in the sweepstakes offering six different experiences. Fans through Sunday, May 28 have the chance to purchase entry tickets starting at $5 for artist experiences along with a pair of EDC passes, round trip flights and hotel accommodations during the festival. For details on how to enter without making a donation, see the Sweepstakes Rules online.
‘PJ MASKS LIVE! TIME TO BE A HERO’ WILL APPEAR AT ORLEANS ARENA
The new “PJ Masks Live! Time to Be a Hero” fully immersive family musical production will visit the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 2 p.m. The live show is based on the hit animated TV series airing on Disney Junior. The story line follows
alter-egos of three friends activating their animal amulets…Catboy, Owlette, Gekko and the Baddies. Tickets are available from $25.
STAGE ENTERTAINERS HOLD BROADWAY IN THE H.O.O.D. FUNDRAISER
“From Broadway with Love: Honoring The Shoulders We Stand On,” will be a special fundraising show in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center Saturday, July 8 at 3 p.m. with ticket prices from $19 to $105.
With funding for arts programs being cut all over the country, this inaugural benefit fundraising concert hoping to become an annual event for Broadway in the H.O.O.D is even more important. This show will feature 16 of Broadway’s biggest and best musicals including; “The Wiz,” “Jelly’s Last Jam,” “A Chorus Line,” “CATS,” “The Lion King,” “Hamilton,” “The Color Purple,” “Matilda,” and many more. The show will have feature performances by Anthony Wayne, Moya Angela, Travis Cloer and Anika Ellis-Mungin.
There will be a special tribute to Broadway veteran and Las Vegas headliner, Sammy Davis Jr., featuring Clint Holmes, one of The Pips, Merald “Bubba” Knight, Earl Turner, and Las Vegas native Avree Walker. Other guest star performances will include: four-time Grammy Award-winner Deniece Williams; Broadway and Las Vegas legend, Reva Rice; and veteran film, television and Broadway actor, Antonio “Huggy Bear” Fargas.
HENDERSON HOLDS GLOW WORM 5K FUN RUN
The City of Henderson is hosting the nighttime Glow Worm 5K Fun Run June 17 at 9 p.m. on Father’s Day weekend at Equestrian Park South. Early registration is $35, day-of $40. Use activity code 643090-58 when registering. Open to runners and walkers, the first 350 registered participants will receive a T-shirt and a glow-in-the-dark bracelet and necklace.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
Last week, The Cosmopolitan became the 23rd Strip property to charge customers to park. Fees have valet paying $13 to $18 a day and self-parking from $7 to $10 a day. The first hour of self-parking is free. Top-tier members of Cosmopolitan’s Identity membership and rewards club get free parking. In addition, parking rates could go up for concerts, special events and some holidays.
Professional SMX riders, dynamic performers, and fierce competitors Capron and Corey Funk will take the stage for the first time as The Funk Brothers at The Orleans Showroom on Friday, July 14 at 8 p.m. The “Funk It! Tour” will feature a half-pipe, trampoline, stunts, obstacle courses, fan competitions and the crazy antics by the duo. Tickets are available from $35.
The new schedule for visitors to witness open cast rehearsals of Cirque du Soleil’s “Mystère” at Treasure Island is Mondays from 4-4:30 p.m. Attendees also receive an exclusive offer, tickets starting at $49.50 by presenting a special voucher at the box office.
For the first time, Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) will broadcast live June 16-18. Insomniac has partnered with Red Bull TV to stream globally over three days, across two channels, with DJ and producer, Hannah Rad, hosting.
The Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival will take place May 27-29 at the DLVEC (Downtown Las Vegas Events Center). The three-day event will feature performances from groups such as Iggy Pop, Bad Religion, Cock Sparrer, Pennywise, FIDLAR, Me First & The Gimme Gimme’s, and many more. Tickets start at $50.
O’Sheas Casino at The LINQ is keeping the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day alive by celebrating “The Year of the Leprechaun” with drink specials, live entertainment, little leprechauns and celebrity keg-tapping again on Saturday, June 17 and again on Monday, July 17.
The world’s highest observation wheel, The High Roller located at The LINQ Promenade, ranked No. 5 among TripAdvisor’s recently released list of 25 “Top Trending U.S. Attractions” and it was the only Las Vegas attraction on the list. Attractions were selected based on the greatest percentage increase in traveler interest and search activity on TripAdvisor between 2016 and 2017.
The “Ready to Roar,” temporary exhibit currently on view at The Mob Museum showcasing Prohibition-Era fashion and culture is running through Wednesday, May 24.
The annual DjangoVegas! gypsy jazz festival celebrating the music of Django Reinhardt and others in the genre will be held Saturday, June 17 at 6 p.m. at the Historic Fifth Street School. The festival will feature The Django Festival All-Stars, the Biel Ballester Trio, and The Hot Club of Las Vegas. Tickets are $20.
SPARROW + WOLF OPENS IN CHINATOWN
Sparrow + Wolf, the newest offering from acclaimed Chef Brian Howard, opened last week in Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road. The restaurant marries Old World techniques, including live-fire cooking and primal elegance, and focuses on embracing the melting pot of true American cuisine and styles from around the globe. Dinner is nightly except Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
CULINARY ROAD TRIP DINNER FEATURES NEW YORK
The first Wednesday monthly culinary road trip dinner series at the Downtown Grand has Chef Scott Commings bringing a taste of New York to Freedom Beat on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 p.m. along with live music. The intimate dinner with a maximum of 25 guests is served family-style.
The New York-menu will feature deli-style favorites such as the onion bagel, mini Reuben, Italian classic meatballs and marinara, New York-style pizza and for dessert baked Alaska. Cost is $35.
FERRARO’S ANNOUNCES PRIX-FIXE SUMMER MENU
From June 10 through Sept. 4, Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar on Paradise Road will feature a special four-course, prix-fixe menu for $45. The seasonal menu includes a wide variety of selections for each course. Guests will be able to choose one dish from each of the following categories: Antipasti e Insalate, Pasta, Secondi, and Dolce (dessert sampler). For information, call 702-364-5300.
WOLFGANG PUCK BAR & GRILL PRESENTS BEER PAIRING DINNERS
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill at Downtown Summerlin will present a three-part “Summer of Beer” dinner series beginning Tuesday, June 13 at 6:30 p.m. with the Kona Brewing Co. Each event will showcase a different brewer with beers paired with a coursed menu by Executive Chef Spencer Rudow. The next two Tuesday events will be July 11 with the Joseph James Brewing Co. and Aug. 8 with the Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Early bird tickets are $45, call 702-202-6300.
HENDERSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ACCOMPANIES SILENT FILM
The City of Henderson has been offering Charlie Chaplin silent movies paired with live orchestral music as an annual event for several years. The featured film this year accompanied by the Henderson Symphony Orchestra will be Ernst Lubitch’s “The Loves of Pharaoh” presented at the Henderson Pavilion at 8 p.m. on June 9. Tickets are $15.
“The Loves of Pharaoh” is a historical spectacle set in Egypt featuring lavish backdrops and costumes and a cast of thousands. The 1922 cinema masterpiece is a German silent film credited with transforming Lubitsch into a worldwide box office force. It stars Emil Jannings, the first actor to win an Academy Award for best actor, and is touted for having one of the best original movie scores of the silent era.
THIS WILD LIFE ROCK DUO WILL PERFORM AT RED ROCK RESORT
This Wild Life acoustic rock duo and superstars on YouTube are returning to Las Vegas for a performance at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Kevin Jordan and Anthony Del Grosso are from Long Beach, Calif. Tickets are $30.
The two partners met while working at a musical instrument store and quickly bonded over their love for hardcore. They began playing shows as pop-punk band This Wild Life but found inspiration from Dashboard Confessional and reinvented themselves as an acoustic duo. “Clouded” is their debut full-length album.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ITEMS
Three day weekends in Las Vegas are always all about fun and Memorial Day coming up won’t be any different.
Fremont Street Experience’s Downtown Rocks concert series with the tagline “One Louder” will kick off the summer Memorial Day weekend with a free concert featuring Theory of a Deadman, Friday, May 26 at 9 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage. In the middle of 2013, the platinum-selling Canadian quartet started working their fifth full-length album, “Savages.”
Eight-time, Grammy-Award winner, Usher, will join the party at the Rehab Beach Club dayclub at the Hard Rock on Sunday, May 28. Rehab is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Global hospitality company Hakkasan Group will feature a variety of talent, including Calvin Harris, Afrojack, Martin Garrix, Tiësto, 2 Chainz and more non-stop entertainment at its nightlife and daylife destinations in Las Vegas. Outlets include: OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace; Hakkasan Nightclub and Wet Republic at MGM Grand; 1 OAK Nightclub and Bare Pool Lounge at The Mirage; Jewel Nightclub and Liquid Pool Lounge at ARIA; and The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio.
Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris will celebrate with an all-night party hosted by Beastie Boys DJ, Mix Master Mike on Saturday, May 27. Admission is $20 for women and $30 for men.
HEXX Kitchen + Bar at Paris will add an extra day of brunch on Monday, May 29.
Both Minus5 Ice Experiences in Las Vegas at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place and Monte Carlo will honor veterans on Monday, May 29 by offering 50 percent off entry for all veterans with valid I.D.
ATOMIC TESTING MUSEUM HOSTS LECTURER DR. SIEGFRIED HECKER
The National Atomic Testing Museum will feature Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker, former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory, for a lecture on Thursday, May 25 at 6 p.m.
His talk, “Doomed to Cooperate: How Lab-to-Lab Nuclear Cooperation Helped to Avert Post-Cold War Nuclear Dangers” will describe the importance of United States/Russia nuclear cooperation. His talk is a complement to his recently released two-volume book “Doomed to Cooperate.” Tickets are $5 for non-museum members and a book signing will follow Dr. Hecker’s discussion.
Concierge Association RECOGNIZES LOCAL TOURISM BUSINESSES
The Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association’s (SNHCA) recently held its Concierge Choice Awards at Omnia Nightclub honoring local shows, venues, tourism businesses, etc. Maverick Helicopters took home its eighth consecutive award for Best Air Tour over Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon.
In the restaurant arena, SNHCA honorees included: Best Asian Restaurant: Tao; Best Seafood: Costa di Mare; Best Italian Restaurant: Sinatra; Best French Restaurant: Joel Robuchon; Best Steakhouse: SW Steakhouse; Best New Restaurant: Beauty & Essex; Best Off Strip Restaurant: and Echo & Rig.
FREE TOUR OF BUTTERFLY GARDEN
The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners is having a free outdoor tour on Wednesday, May 31 at 9 a.m. of the new Butterfly Gardens at 8050 Paradise Road. The butterfly habitats feature 26 different species of milkweeds planted for monarch caterpillars, and nectar and forage plants for other butterflies. Visitors will learn which plants attract the adults and which plants feed the caterpillars. For information, call 702-257-5555.
