BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: July 23, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
RICHARD MARX HAS LIMITED ENGAGEMENT AT FLAMINGO
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and producer Richard Marx will perform his greatest hits during a limited engagement, “Satisfied: Only The Hits,” at the Flamingo Aug. 15 through Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m. Marx says his Las Vegas’ shows will be just him, his guitar and a piano as if you were with him in his living room. Tickets start at $59.
Chicago native Marx has sold more than 30 million albums globally and is distinguished for having written a No. 1 song in four different decades across various charts. He is the first solo artist to have his first seven singles hit the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. As a songwriter he’s written and produced hit songs for such artists as Luther Vandross, Keith Urban, *NSYNC, and others.
THE OTHEROOM OPENED AT THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS PALACE
The bar concept out of Los Angeles and New York City, the otheroom, has opened at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace with an innovative cocktail program, gourmet bites, a flights menu, and alcohol-infused soft-serve ice cream. The atmosphere is candle-lit with an industrial, yet glamorous, brick and metal finishes décor with visitors spending time outside on the casual patio seating in front of the Strip-side Trevi Fountain landmark or socializing inside the lively and upscale lounge. The otheroom is open daily from 11 a.m. to closing.
GOLDEN GATE PLANS MAJOR EXPANSION
The Golden Gate downtown, which is one of Las Vegas’ original hotels, will continue its 111-year legacy with a major expansion nearly doubling the size of the casino to be unveiled in late August. The renovation will add a dramatic entry way from the Fremont Street Experience and extend by 20 feet the outdoor bar, OneBar.
The new entry way will evoke the essence of vintage Vegas glitz and glam and include velvet drapes with gold medallions, serving as a grand arrival to the casino’s marble-floored rotunda.
This will mark Golden Gate’s second major expansion in more than 50 years. The first in 2012 added a five-story luxury hotel tower, new lobby and exterior. To accomplish this construction phase, Golden Gate will close from Aug. 20-25.
NEW ‘HOPPED TACO THROWDOWN’ FESTIVAL DEBUTS DOWNTOWN
Motley Brews, the creators of Great Vegas Beer Festival, will present the inaugural “Hopped Taco Throwdown,” which will be a heated taco competition and craft beer tasting by local and regional breweries being held in the Backyard at Zappos downtown from 8–11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.12. Chefs representing some of Las Vegas’ top restaurants will vie with their innovative creations for top taco honors. This boutique event will be limited to 1,200 attendees. Tickets are $50 and VIP $70.
Tacos will be judged in three categories, including: Hopped Taco, for best-beer-infused taco; Taco Loco, for most creative taco; and Taco Dulce, for best dessert taco. Participating restaurants include Buddy V’s, Stack Restaurant & Bar, Searsucker, Herringbone, Fix Restaurant & Bar, Citizens Kitchen and Bar, Tacos and Beer and more. Breweries include local favorites such as Crafthaus, Big Dog’s, Lovelady, and Bad Beat, as well as several regional breweries.
WESTGATE PRESENTS ELVIS TRIBUTE
“The King Lives, Donny Edwards’ Elite Tribute to Elvis” will appear at the Westgate, formally the Hilton and International where the superstar performed, in the International Theatre at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11 and 12. This appearance is timely since Elvis passed away on Aug. 16, 1977, and it’s been hard to believe 40 years.
Edwards’ fascination with Elvis Presley began at a toddler age. Today Edwards is an international, multi-award winning professional Elvis tribute artist. During Elvis Week 2013, in Memphis, Tenn. Edwards was given the honor of being the only Elvis tribute artist granted permission by Elvis Presley Enterprises, since 1977, to perform his show on the estate grounds of Graceland.
In Las Vegas, Edwards was the star performer at Las Vegas’ Elvis-A-Rama museum and showroom for three years before it closed in 2006. Throughout his career, Edwards has worked beside many of the original musicians who performed with Elvis including the Jordanaires, The Sweet Inspirations, and inner circle folks such as Sonny West, Al Dvorin, Charles Stone and Ed Bonja. Elvis Presley Enterprises and CKX have hired Edwards for tribute shows, TV spots and corporate events, many times and he has also appeared in numerous TV shows and ads, even in the U.K., Europe and Australia.
JO KOY BRINGS LAUGHS TO TREASURE ISLAND
Las Vegas’ home grown comedian Jo Koy following his third comedy special “Jo Koy: Live from Seattle,” which was on Netflix earlier this year, will return to the Treasure Island Theatre Sept. 1 at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $54.95.
Little trivia, Koy’s stage name comes from the Filipino term “Jokoy,” which means joker and was his childhood nickname. Koy got started producing his own shows at the area’s historic Huntridge Theater. He rose to prominence with performances on “The Tonight Show” and “Comic View” and began touring. He was also a regular panelist on “Chelsea Lately,” appearing on more than 100 episodes from 2009 through the finale, and appears on Chelsea Handler’s Netflix project “Chelsea Does.”
Koy voices several caricatures on “The Adam Carolla Show” podcast and also has his own Carolla Digital podcast “The Koy Pond.”
KENDRICK LAMAR WILL BEAR WITNESS WITH THE DAMN. TOUR
Seven-time Grammy winning hip-hop Renaissance man, Kendrick Lamar, is making a stop with his “The DAMN. Tour” featuring special guests Travis Scott and D.R.A.M. at T-Mobile Arena Saturday, Aug. 5 at 9 p.m. “The DAMN. Tour” follows an appearance at Coachella and the release of his fourth studio album, “DAMN.” with a debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, marking his third time at the top spot. Tickets range in price from $49.50 to $129.50.
BROADWAY’S ‘SOMETHING ROTTEN!’ SPENDS TIME AT THE SMITH CENTER
The completely original new musical “Something Rotten!,” directed and choreographed by Tony® Award winner Casey Nicholaw of “The Book of Mormon and “Aladdin” fame, will visit The Smith Center Aug. 8-13.
“Something Rotten!,” nominated for 10 Tony® Awards including “Best Musical,” will feature three principal cast members directly from Broadway: Rob McClure as “Nick Bottom,” Adam Pascal as “Shakespeare,” and Josh Grisetti as “Nigel Bottom.”
BRYSON TILLER’S ‘SET IT OFF TOUR’ WILL MAKE A STOP AT THE JOINT
Bryson Tiller will pay a visit to The Joint at Hard Rock with his “Set It Off Tour” with special guest openers H.E.R. and Metro Boomin on Saturday, Aug. 12. Tickets start at $49.50.
This is Bryson’s second headlining tour celebrates his recent sophomore album “True to Self.” His first “T R A P S O U L Tour” sold out 47 dates in both the U.S. and Europe, including two back-to-back shows at Radio City Music Hall. This Kentucky native’s breakout and meteoric rise was in 2016.
TRACY LAWRENCE WILL BRING COUNTRY MUSIC TO ALIANTE
Tracy Lawrence, multi-platinum recording artist, guitarist and radio personality will headline the Access Showroom at Aliante with his top country hits on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Throughout his career, he has released 18 No. 1 singles and 22 Top Ten hits. Aside from his music, Lawrence hosts his own radio show “Honky Tonkin’ with Tracy Lawrence” Tracy Lawrence” on different radio stations across the nation. Tickets start at $35.
MICHAEL MCDONALD WILL PERFORM AT PRIMM
Five-time Grammy Award winner Michael McDonald will headline the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev., 25 minutes south of Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. The more than 40-year veteran was an original member of The Doobie Brothers, McDonald will play all his hits including “No Lookin’ Back,” "If That’s What it Takes,” “Sweet Freedom,” and “Love Can Break Your Heart.” Tickets start at $30.
FESTIVAL AT SAM’S TOWN LIVE! EXPLORES HAWAIIAN CULTURE
The two-day “Kumukahi” Ukulele and Hula Festival will bring the Hawaiian spirit and culture to Sam’s Town Live! on Aug. 11-12. The festival on Friday at 2 p.m. will feature several activities, including performances by Ukulele, Kupuna Group, as well as Kane, Kupuna, Makuahine and Wahine soloists. On Saturday beginning at 9 a.m., festivalgoers can enjoy more events with Keiki Kane, Kaikamahine, Wahine Group, Kane Group, Kahiko and ‘Auana and Makuahine Group ‘Auana and end with a concert by Kanikapila, featuring Harman-Suganuma ‘Ohana and Mark Yamanaka. Hula competitions will be held throughout the festival, and will lead up to the awards ceremony on Saturday. Tickets are available from $25.
MORE ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Another chapter of “More Music of The Classic Horn Bands” with the Lon Bronson Band grooving at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center is scheduled Saturday, July 29 at 8 p.m. with special guest stars TBA, as well as Tony Davich, and Lannie Counts singing. Tickets are $25 and $35.
Los Angeles-quartet Ambrosia will be headlining the Golden Nugget’s 52 Fridays’ series on July 28 at 8 p.m. The group was discovered in 1971 by Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Zubin Mehta, who featured Ambrosia as part of an All-American Dream Concert. Their first record “Ambrosia” was released in 1975.
VAN JONES BRINGS ‘WE RISE TOUR’ TO THE PEARL AT PALMS
Renowned activist, CNN commentator and two-time New York Times bestselling author Van Jones will bring the “We Rise Tour” powered by #LoveArmy to the Pearl Concert Theater inside the Palms on Saturday, Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. Ticket range is $25-$75.
We Rise is bringing an array of artists, athletes, leaders and local officials to cities across the country this summer. Focusing on commonalities as opposed to the country’s differences, We Rise explores how to increase dialogue and engagement. Attendees are given the opportunity to connect, ask questions and participate during the program.
Jones is a Yale-educated attorney and best known for hosting “The Messy Truth, with Van Jones” on CNN. Jones is also the founder and president of Dream Corps, a nonprofit organization working to solve America’s toughest problems. In October 2017, Jones will release his third book: “Beyond the Messy Truth: How We Came Apart & How We Came Together.”
In 2009, Van worked as the ‘green jobs’ advisor to the Obama White House, where he helped run the interagency process that oversaw $80 billion in green energy recovery spending.
CELEBRATING BEER
Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo has introduced an all-new beer garden-inspired experience, The Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium open daily from 4 p.m. to closing.
SLS Las Vegas will celebrate International Beer Day with the Retro Pool Beer Fest, which will include live entertainment by The Rockie Brown Band and craft beer tastings at the Retro Pool Lounge on Friday, Aug. 4. Doors will open at 8 p.m., with live music beginning at 9 p.m. Advance tickets are priced at $20, and $25 on event day of the event and will include one complimentary beer.
Beer Park at Paris will offer an exclusive beer special in celebration of International Beer Day on Friday, Aug. 4. The “Around the World” deal for $35 is a bucket of six beers from six different countries – U.S.A.’s Budweiser, Belgium’s Delirium Tremens, Mexico’s Estrella Jalisco, Netherlands’ Heineken, Japan’s Kirin Light and Germany’s Schönramer Gold.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLIPS
There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Tropicana for Robert Irvine’s Public House opening on Thursday, July 27. Irvine is promising another surprise spectacle after repelling 22 stories down the exterior of the hotel when he announced plans for the new restaurant.
On Tuesday, July 25, one customer visiting American Coney Island (ACI) at the D downtown will be celebrated for purchasing the one-millionth signature Coney Dog there. That person will receive a year of free Coney Dogs to commemorate the milestone. Third generation co-owner Chris Sotiropoulos, whose grandfather Constantine “Gust” Keros started the business in 1917, will be joined by the D’s CEO Derek Stevens to salute the milestone. To celebrate the company’s 100th year in business, ACI will also offer commemorative t-shirts designed by Detroit-native and Grammy Award-winning artist Kid Rock. ACI at the D is the only company location outside of Michigan.
Two of Caesars Palace’s dining destinations will host special dinners on Thursday, July 27. Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill will hold a three-course beer dinner with Innis & Gunn, Chef Gordon Ramsay’s favorite brewery from Edinburgh, Scotland, starting at 7 p.m. At Mr Chow, guests will enjoy a four-course dinner of the restaurant’s signature dishes paired with Dom Pérignon Champagne starting at 6:30 p.m. Exclusive bottles that will be popped for the evening include vintages from 2006, 1998 and 1995.
Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Las Vegas restaurants have the exclusive release of a W.L. Weller Antique 107 Single Barrel Select wheated bourbon. Limited to 156 one-liter bottles, this unique 107 proof (53.5% ABV) bourbon is available at Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at MGM Grand and Table 10 at The Palazzo. Delmonico Steakhouse lead bartender Lillian Hargrove has created two new cocktails to showcase the spirit, which are being offered at all three restaurants:
Shake Shack’s debuts its new Hot Chicken Sandwich at Shacks nationwide and at Las Vegas’ three locations on Aug. 1 for a limited time. The Hot Chick’n is a crispy chicken breast dusted with a guajillo and cayenne pepper blend and topped with slaw and pickles.
NACHO DADDY IN SUMMERLIN OFFERS HAPPY HOUR AND SPECIALS
Locally-owned, modern Mexican restaurant Nacho Daddy in Summerlin has launched their new Happy Hour menu available 3–6 p.m. Monday through Friday and all day Sunday with bottomless libations and a variety of mini-style nachos served at the bar or on the patio. During the week there are specials including Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, and BOGO Wednesdays.
On Aug. 1, Nacho Daddy will start a bi-monthly Tequila Tuesday, which is a special tequila tasting that will be every other Tuesday (subject to change).
ABOUT TOWN ITEMS
While promoting and preparing for his huge fight coming up on Saturday, Aug. 26 at the T-Mobile Arena with Conor McGregor, famed professional boxer Floyd Mayweather was spotted recently having a night out at OMNIA Nightclub inside Caesars Palace arriving around 2:30 a.m. with an entourage of around 20 guests and departing after 4 a.m.
The same night nearby in the main room, Aubrey Marunde, star of HGTV’s “Flip or Flop Vegas” also stopped by OMNIA with four guests for a friend’s birthday.
Now until Labor Day, the public is being offered a special bounce back at Minus5 Ice Experience at either The Shoppes at Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo and at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor. Guests who show their receipt from either venue will receive 20 percent off entry at the next attraction. In addition, Minus5 Ice Experience is now serving an all-new special cocktail, named the “Iceberg” in honor of the partnership with the Titanic attraction.
With the distribution of recreational marijuana started in Nevada, the Nevada Dispensary Association (NDA) wants to educate Nevadans and tourists on the new recreational marijuana law. To aid the process, the NDA is launching the “Good to Know” Nevada information campaign with information available at the website: goodtoknownv.com.
The 4th annual Believer Gala is a one-night-only experience created to raise funds for The Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF), the Imagine Dragons’ nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families with pediatric cancer diagnoses. The star-studded event on Friday, Aug. 25 at Caesars Palace will feature dinner, a live and silent auction and entertainment, including a performance from the Grammy Award-winning, multiplatinum-selling band; visit TRF.org.
