BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: June 25, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
MGM GRAND EXPANDS CONFERENCE CENTER AND STAY WELL® MEETINGS
The MGM Grand broke ground on an approximately $130 million expansion of its Conference Center adding 250,000 square feet for a total of more than 850,000 square feet. As part of the expansion, Stay Well Meetings, the first-ever wellness meetings experience launched in 2014, will also expand its footprint by 22,000 square feet and encompass the Conference Center’s entire second floor. The project is scheduled for completion the end of 2018.
The new space at MGM Grand will seamlessly connect to the existing Conference Center on all three levels and include a new 5,500-square-foot outdoor courtyard available for private events, a 49,000-square-foot ballroom, a 32,000-square-foot ballroom, three junior ballrooms and 11 breakout rooms. The resort’s meeting spaces include the stand-alone, 92,000-square-foot Marquee Ballroom and the 16,800-seat Grand Garden Arena.
ELLIS ISLAND WILL DEVELOP A NEW FRONT YARD
The Ellis Family announced plans to begin building the property’s new Front Yard on July 5 and displayed a model in the Karaoke Lounge. The family-owned Vegas destination on Koval Lane is building a two-story venue with a casual brewpub atmosphere, bar games and activities, regular live entertainment and new neon sign.
With a capacity of 300, The Front Yard interior will have wood fixtures, exposed steel and low lighting. The double-decker restaurant and bar will features a second floor area with an atrium view and present a garden-like lush and green atmosphere.
The current Ellis Island Brewery will be incorporated in the design of The Front Yard. An existing exterior wall will be replaced with a window so patrons can see the copper tanks and brewing process from inside The Front Yard. Additionally, the venue has plans to distill its own spirits within the area for guests to see and taste.
About three years ago, the family purchased the hotel next door and they are currently underway with a multi-million dollar enhancement featuring completely upgraded rooms and hotel interior.
EMERGE MUSIC + IMPACT CONFERENCE WILL EMERGE IN NOVEMBER
The inaugural Emerge Music + Impact Conference will showcase 100 music acts and cap attendance at 10,000 from Nov. 16-18. Emerge will place 100 up-and-coming acts, along with 30 speakers, and 25 curators like Kaskade and Imagine Dragons across stages on and near the Las Vegas Strip—spots such as Brooklyn Bowl, the Joint and Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel, and Caesars Palace’s Absinthe Tent and Cleopatra’s Barge.
Emerge was created by Rehan Choudhry, who is also the man behind Life is Beautiful. Choudhry envisions this event as a high energy conference environment blending together with showcases thus eliminating the need to pick one over the other.
Three-day general admission passes are $195 for 60 days before increasing to $225 and eventually $250; VIP passes with different incentives sell for $425 and $485.
RETIRED PALACE STATION SIGNS MOVE TO NEON MUSEUM
Palace Station Hotel & Casino, Station Casinos’ first casino, is currently undergoing a property-wide modernization and eliminating its well-established, 30-plus year train theme. As part of that effort, several signs are being retired to the Neon Museum.
Retired Palace Station signs, which adorned the exterior of the property beginning in 1983, were officially unveiled in the museum’s new Boulevard Gallery exhibit and event space. Signage includes the train, which is approximately 8 feet wide by 17 feet tall and weighing 1,800 pounds, and the Palace Station letters, which measured approximately 50 feet in total length.
MB STEAK OPENS AT HARD ROCK HOTEL
Brothers David Morton and Michael Morton celebrated the grand opening of MB Steak at Hard Rock. The 7,800-square-foot restaurant reveals itself gradually through its tunnel entryway opening onto the first floor bar and dining room, and a lit staircase leading to the garden bar and lounge. The private dining room and bar room offer intimate dining alternatives.
MB Steak represents the next generation in a long legacy of restaurateurs, which includes their father, legendary restaurateur Arnie Morton, their grandfather Morton C. Morton, and Hymie, their great-grandfather. MB stands for "My Brothers."
HARD ROCK WITH HUDSON GROUP UNVEILS NEW RESORT RETAIL SHOPS
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has partnered with North America’s largest travel retailer, Hudson Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dufry AG, and unveiled six new shops, which add 14,500 square feet to the resort’s retail collection. The redeveloped retail areas showcase timepieces and jewelry, travel essentials, electronics, apparel, wine and spirits.
Design elements incorporate Hudson Group’s specialty and travel-essential concepts with a twist, showcasing eclectic features such as custom island vitrines, bright color schemes, hip décor and edgy textures.
Architectural firm, Designwork Studios helped design three modernized stores Chill, Hootenanny and Dunkin’ Donuts open 24/7. Design firm, Big Red Rooster, collaborated with retail shops Bezel, Day + Night and Shine to create their own identity and personality with a rock and roll vibe.
FOXTAIL POOL AT SLS OFFERS WEEKEND ‘SUNSET SOUNDS’ FOR SUMMER
SLS is extending poolside offerings with “Sunset Sounds” at Foxtail Pool through summer. The indoor/outdoor event boasts live music, small bites and cocktails from 8–11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night and there’s no cover charge.
June and July are featuring local artist, Rick Duarte – who has opened for Fuel, OK Go and was a backing vocalist for Cheap Trick’s Sgt. Pepper Live Show.
FRANK MARINO’S ‘DIVAS’ GETS NEW SHOW TIMES AT THE LINQ
Beginning July 10, Frank Marino’s “Divas Las Vegas” will perform Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. and Friday through Monday at 4 p.m. Divas final late night 9:30 p.m. show running Monday through Sunday will be July 9. Additionally, the show is offering an all-new drink package, including tickets and a free drink served in a souvenir cup. Tickets start at $24.99.
The show starring Marino as comedienne Joan Rivers features 17 different performers all sporting new costumes and there will be new numbers.
‘WOMEN WHO SLAY’ INCLUDES PANEL OF FEMALE INFLUENCERS
The second “Women Who Slay” event will be held at Red Rock Resort on Saturday, July 15 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The afternoon will include networking, interesting lifestyle activations, pop-up shops, champagne, food and a panel providing tips and tricks for entrepreneurs.
The panel moderated by KTNV news anchor Dayna Roselli will feature: Jamie Vine, founder of BoycottCircus.org in support of Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation; Jennifer Worman, CEO and co-founder of T&J Designs, a clothing and accessories brand, and blogger behind “Red Soles and Red Wine;” Tiffany Ishiguro, co-founder of apparel and accessories line T&J Designs with her sister Jennifer, and author of her lifestyle and fashion blog “I am Style-Ish;” and Brittany Sky, a prominent staple in the DJ scene on the forefront of music, fashion and culture.
Tickets are $49 and or $75 VIP, which includes reserved seating and an exclusive gift bag. Purchase online at Eventbrite. There’s a pre-event party at Sephora Downtown Summerlin from 9-11 a.m. and a VIP pool after party.
INDEPENDENCE DAY HAPPENINGS
Independence Day can be celebrated a day early at the Fremont Street Experience at the Downtown Rocks free concert series on Monday, July 3 with Ann Wilson of Heart. Downtown Rocks is an amplified concert series with the tagline “One Louder.”
The 23rd annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade will be held Tuesday, July 4 from 9–11 a.m. The parade features more than 70 entries, including traditional floats, giant inflatable balloons, American military heroes, bands, musical groups and kids’ storybook and cartoon characters.
Henderson’s annual Fourth of July celebration drawing thousands of people is moving to a bigger venue. The festivities will be held at the 160-acre Heritage Park from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 4 and take place on the lighted multiuse fields. There will be a concert by Wildfire and the evening will conclude with an 18-minute fireworks show at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
The fully renovated rooftop pool at the Plaza will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a special Plaza Pool Nights Fourth of July party on Saturday, July 1 beginning at 7 p.m. with live entertainment, drink specials, $25 barbecue buffet and fireworks show around 10:45 p.m.
SLS will honor Fourth of July at Foxtail Pool on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2 with an outdoor cookout, live DJ and drink specials, including the holiday-themed “Firework” red, white and blue cocktail, which will also be served at Monkey Bar, Cleo, Katsuya and Center Bar.
Cabo Wabo Cantina, located inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will host a patio party with live music, fireworks and food and drinks from Friday, June 30 to Tuesday, July 4. The celebration will be complete with views of the fireworks.
Beer Park at Paris will celebrate with a rooftop barbecue, featuring food and drink specials from Saturday, July 1 to Tuesday, July 4, and a fireworks show on the Strip over the weekend.
Therapy restaurant in the Fremont East Entertainment District is offering patriotic food and drink specials…the Patriotic Patty, Star-Spangled three-layer dessert, Yankee Doodle and Rocket Shot cocktails June 30-July 4.
On Tuesday, July 4 “Fantasy” at the Luxor is offering a “Red, White & Va-Va Voom” calendar giveaway following the 10:30 p.m. show. Guests will be able to redeem their ticket stub at the retail counter for a complimentary 2017 Fantasy “Natural Beauties of Las Vegas” calendar.
Life Time Green Valley’s Fourth of July bash will be a poolside party with a live DJ, signature cocktails from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Tuesday July 4. Event is free to members and $50 for non-members.
FAST LANE ITEMS
Donny Osmond stopped by The Palm restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace to check out the newest addition to the famous caricature collage on the wall, which is a painting of him performing on stage. Osmond signed the wall with the hand-painted portrait by The Palm Las Vegas’ resident artist, Steve Spector.
International Magician David Goldrake will begin his residency at the Tropicana on June 27 with 7 p.m. performances.
Ricky Martin backed by 16 dancers and a nine-piece live band returns to Park Theater at Monte Carlo June 23 through July 2 for his headlining Las Vegas residency “All In.” His next dates are Sept. 12-23.
Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris is extending its hours with the new “Moon Tower Thursdays,” every week at 10 p.m. beginning June 29 with hits from the 80s and 90s. From 10:30 p.m. until midnight, Chateau will offer a “power hour” special featuring $3 select beers and cocktails. Admission is $30 and complimentary for locals.
Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center (BHRC), one of the nation’s leading high-end medical spas founded in 2005 and already embraced by celebrities, will debut in the Las Vegas Valley with the opening of two locations in the Summerlin area: Boca Park in July and Downtown Summerlin in late August. BHRC is known for its advanced techniques and pioneering treatments.
Emmy-award winning choreographer, producer, director, and dancer Anita Mann, received the Hollywood F.A.M.E (Film, Art, Music and Entertainment) Award. Mann, producer of “Fantasy” at the Luxor, has been honored by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences as one of America’s top five contemporary choreographers. She is the recipient of six Emmy nominations including one win.
The Golden Tiki in Chinatown added celebrity magician Murray Sawchuck’s shrunken head to its Cabinet of Curiosities with managing partner Branden Powers and The Baron of the Universe, former contestant on “America’s Got Talent,” on hand for the ceremony.
Park Beer at Paris will host a viewing party for the UFC 213 fight between Amanda “The Lioness” Nunes and Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko taking place at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, July 8. Admission is $25.
There’s a lot of excitement in Las Vegas over the new sports leagues and the Race & Sports SuperBook® at Westgate has announced its odds for the Vegas Golden Knights’ first games Oct. 6 in Dallas and first home game Oct. 10.
World’s Tallest Observation Wheel, the High Roller at The LINQ Promenade is offering a Summer Family Special through Sept. 4. Starting at $59 for daytime rides, the offer includes two adult and two youth tickets; children three and younger always ride free.
Photographer and author Paul Koudounaris will present a lecture “Patriotic Cats” about the history of the American feline at The Writer’s Block Book Shop on Fremont Street on Friday, June 30 from 7-8 p.m.
A division of Ross Stores, Inc., dd’s Discounts® opened two new stores in Las Vegas on June 24. A 19,000-square-foot store located at Desert Inn Road and South Eastern Ave. and another 22,000-square-foot store at West Sahara Ave. and South Decatur Blvd. The new locations will increase the store count to seven in Nevada. With these new openings, dd's Discounts will operate 203 locations in 16 states.
Team members from The Venetian, The Palazzo and Sands Expo partnered with Green Our Planet and faculty, staff, and students to construct a fully functional garden classroom at Helen Herr Elementary School. Sands Cares and Sands ECO360 have committed to funding the garden classroom for the next three years, for a total donation of $20,000.
DINING NEWS
Tropicana Las Vegas celebrated the kick-off of the 11th annual Las Vegas Restaurant Week running through June 30 with its Summer Cookout featuring Robert Irvine and Friends presented by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits and raised $40,000 for Three Square Food Bank.
Chef Irvine announced Robert Irvine's Public House will debut at Tropicana Las Vegas on July 27. The new 275-seat restaurant will offer a range of comfort food options in a pub-like atmosphere with more than 100 beers on tap.
For the first time, the dinner show “Marriage Can Be Murder” at the D Las Vegas is participating in Three Square Food Bank’s Restaurant Week through June 30. The zany KILL-ebration is giving 20 percent back when the code “3SQUARE” is used purchasing tickets.
Hawthorn Grill steakhouse at JW Marriott is open now with lunch service daily except Sunday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. In addition, new seasonal menu items have been added.
BRIO Tuscan Grille (BRIO) at Tivoli Village and Town Square are offering “The Art of Grilling” two-course special menu through July 23. With this promotion, guests can enjoy an entrée and dessert selection, which include fish, chicken, steak and more, starting at $21.95.
BRAVO! Cucina Italiana at The Galleria at Sunset has a special summer two-course meal offer for lunch or dinner starting at $16.99 through July 23. The deal comes with a choice of soup or salad and one entrée choice: Chicken & Shrimp Scampi; Sliced Skirt Steak; and Grilled Shrimp & Cous Cous Pilaf.
Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian has released its Summer Trio menu offering guests the opportunity to enjoy the Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning restaurant at a value-oriented prix fixe from July 1 through Aug. 31. This year’s menu includes a choice of one of five appetizer options, four entrees, and three in-house made desserts. Cost is $75.
Tennesseasonings, a local valley restaurant dedicated to serving true East Tennessee BBQ, is kicking off “Smoked Bologna Wednesdays.” BBQ lovers can enjoy the special menu item, as a sandwich or hearty plateful. A seven to eight pound log of bologna is slow-cooked six hours and cut into thick, quarter inch slices.
Americana Las Vegas in Desert Shores has started Oyster Fest Tuesdays, benefitting the Silver Hearts Foundation. Every Tuesday, Americana offers 75-cent unlimited oysters while chef and owner Stephen Blandino hosts a cookout on the patio, overlooking the Lake Jaqueline. For every bottle of Beau Joie Champagne purchased $10 and $1 from every Yacht Club Vodka cocktail will benefit the Silver Hearts Foundation.
