BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: July 30, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
STRIPSIDE CLOSES TO MAKE ROOM FOR HELL’S KITCHEN
Stripside Café & Bar at Caesars Palace closes to make way for Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen. Construction on the new 300-seat restaurant starts later this month so it can open in the space this winter.
Hell’s Kitchen will feature indoor and Strip-adjacent patio dining and offer a themed brunch, dinner and spirited bar menu. The high-energy restaurant and bar will take its cue directly from the hit FOX primetime television show and spotlight many of Hell’s Kitchen cast and chef recipes and dishes featured on the show.
‘SEX TIPS FOR STRAIGHT WOMEN FROM A GAY MAN’ EXTENDED
Kendra Wilkinson and Jai Rodriguez will continue headlining the comedy “Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” at Paris through Jan. 2, 2018. The 75-minute show opened in May and is New York City’s longest-running Off-Broadway show. It presents a naughty night of sex, romance, and self-discovery with audience interaction. Performances are nightly at 7 p.m. except Wednesday and also at 11 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets start at $39.
Wilkinson’s role as Robyn, the bookish host who comes out of her shell, has been prominently featured on this season of WE TV hit series, “Kendra on Top.”
Rodriguez is famous for his role in “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”
2017 ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES YES VISIT SMITH CENTER
Danny Zelisko Presents rock icons Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin and Rick Wakeman are touring as YES and performing at The Smith Center in Reynolds Hall on Thursday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. All three artists were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Fame this year on April 7. Tickets start at $35.
Since reuniting for a U.S. tour in 2016, YES featuring Anderson, Rabin and Wakeman have performed sold-out shows internationally and will return to tour the U.S. again from Aug. 26 through Oct. 11. In addition to the tour dates, the trio will be recording new material throughout the summer for a projected album release of early 2018. Also upcoming is a DVD filmed at the final U.K. show of their recent European tour for release later this year.
SPEEDVEGAS IS HOME TRACK FOR NEW SERIES ‘TOP GEAR AMERICA’
SPEEDVEGAS, the $30 million supercar driving experience located just minutes from the Strip, is serving as the home studio and track for the new “Top Gear America” series, which premiered on BBC America July 30. Each week a different celebrity is featured competing for top honor on the leader board at the SPEEDVEGAS studio and track.
The track is being featured in the series’ eight hour-long episodes hosted by veteran film and television actor William Fichtner, NHRA Top Fuel Division World-Champion Drag Racer Antron Brown, and premier British automotive journalist Tom “Wookie” Ford.
“Top Gear America” reviews exclusive and state-of-the-art vehicles as well as cars of America’s culture-defining past. The program puts the viewer in the passenger seat alongside car-obsessed hosts as they race incredible vehicles.
HARD ROCK MEMORABILIA CASE REMEMBERS CHESTER BENNINGTON
Chester Bennington, the American singer and songwriter best known as the frontman for the platinum-selling hard rock band Linkin Park, is being remembered at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a special memorabilia case. He recently passed away in his home near Los Angeles at age 41. The case includes a Ve’cel by Chester Bennington shirt, which belonged to the singer and was gifted to Hard Rock from Bennington and the band. The shirt was noted as “stage worn.”
Bennington’s last performance at The Joint inside Hard Rock was in January of 2014. Linkin Park also rocked The Joint two nights, back-to-back in March 2008 and August 2011. He was also the lead singer for Dead by Sunrise and fronted Stone Temple Pilots from 2013 to 2015.
PLAZA WILL HOST OFFICIAL LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL FESTIVAL AFTER PARTIES
The Life is Beautiful festival Downtown is returning for its fifth year Sept. 22-24 featuring marquee musicians, chefs, artists and speakers.
The event is partnering with the Plaza Hotel & Casino to host the official after parties and also to serve as the official hotel partner, offering special room packages and access to exclusive events, including a private performance on Saturday, Sept. 23 by MGMT in the hotel’s showroom. Also on Saturday, electronic dance music (EDM) fans will be able enjoy an intimate show by Los Angeles DJ Tokimonsta at the Plaza Event Center. Doors will open at midnight for both events.
Each night as the festival wraps up, festival-goers will be able to enjoy a late night dance party under the Plaza’s dome with various DJs. The Casino Lounge will also host live late night entertainment each night, with a special performance by 70s disco/funk band Wonder Boogie on Sept. 23 from midnight to 4 a.m.
Wait, there’s more… with rooftop pool parties kicking off at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Pool at the Plaza will transform into a daytime festival hot spot with DJs, drink specials and dancing.
For guests who have worked up an appetite, the Plaza eateries Brightside – Breakfast and Burgers and Pop Up Pizza will remain open late during the festival. Brightside will also entertain patrons with a DJ on Saturday night beginning at midnight.
Recently named “Music Festival of the Year” by Pollstar, Life is Beautiful attracted more than 137,000 attendees in 2016 and welcomed headliners including Mumford & Sons, J. Cole, Major Lazer, G-Eazy, The Lumineers and many more.
AIR SUPPLY RETURNS TO THE ORLEANS SHOWROOM
Australian legendary soft rock group Air Supply will bring their hits like “The One That You Love,” “Making Love Out of Nothing,” “Even the Nights Are Better,” “Just As I Am,” and “Sweet Dreams” to The Orleans Showroom Sept. 1-3 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.95.
Air Supply with members Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock was formed in 1975 and burst into the music scene with their vocals, harmonic ballads and soft rock sound. Early in their career, the duo performed throughout Australia and later gained international recognition as the opening act for Rod Stewart’s North American tour.
The duo has released 30 albums. In 2008, they were named No. 83 on Billboard’s Top 100 musical acts of all time, and in 2013, they were inducted into The Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame.
SOMMORE ‘QUEEN OF COMEDY’ VISITS SUNCOAST
Award-winning comedienne Sommore will bring her stand-up act back to the Suncoast Showroom Aug. 26-27 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
Sommore began her career in 1994 as the first woman to host BET’s “Comic View.” She hosted Russell Simmons’ “Def Comedy Jam” and “Showtime at the Apollo” the following year and also received the Richard Pryor Award for Comic of the Year. Sommore went on to star in the “Queen of Comedy” tour, performing in front of an audience of more than 50,000 people in Atlanta, Ga. The movie based on the tour became the longest-running and highest-rated special in the history of Showtime Networks.
In her 20-year career, Sommore has written and produced her own comedy specials “The Queen Stands Alone” and “Chandelier Status,” which both became best-selling stand-up films. The comedy queen has also been featured in hit films, including “Soul Plane,” “Family Reunion” and “Friday After Next.”
CELEBRATIONS AND OPENINGS
Las Vegas’ newest stage production, “CIRCUS 1903,” celebrated its opening night in the Paris Theater at Paris. The new resident show transports theatergoers back to the golden age of circus with thrilling and death-defying acts and all of the nostalgia that made the era. Heart-warming are the performing elephants, Queenie and Peanut, who are brought to life through groundbreaking design and puppeteering.
Minus5 Ice Experience debuted its third Las Vegas location inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian-The Palazzo. The all-new 1,500-square-foot location features the spirit of vintage Las Vegas, a beach-inspired paradise, and more. The ice attraction partnered with Blue Chair Bay® Rum created by Kenny Chesney to build a one-of-a-kind Surf Shack featuring an eclectic mix of palm trees, beach chairs, surf boards and more. Guests can enjoy select signature cocktails made with Blue Chair Bay Rum served in coconut-style ice glasses.
Other Minus5 highlights include an ice-made electric chair, police line-up wall, and figures inspired by Sin City icons such as Rat Pack performers and showgirls. Also hand-carved ice sculptures pay tribute to the surrounding Las Vegas areas such as Joshua Tree and Arches National Parks, the gondola rides at The Venetian, and the historic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
American Coney Island (ACI) at the D Las Vegas commemorated the landmark sale of its one-millionth Coney Dog on July 25. The lucky “wiener” was Las Vegas resident Peter Monroy, who will receive a year of free Coney Dogs. ACI the Detroit-originated company is currently celebrating 100 years in business. Attending the festivities were ACI co-owner Chris Sotiropoulos joined by the D’s CEO Derek Stevens and ACI’s mascot Coney D.
To celebrate the Golden Tiki's second anniversary in Chinatown, pin-up star Claire Sinclair and American musician and performer Monti Rock III unveiled their own likeness as shrunken heads, created exclusively for The Golden Tiki's cabinet of curiosities, on Sunday, July 23.
SHOWBIZ NOTES
It’s not too early to think about New Year’s Eve. By overwhelming demand, renowned Emmy® and Tony® award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth is returning to perform at The Smith Center on Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m. She always delivers an evening of standards, popular classics, Broadway tunes and more. It will be an intimate performance featuring Chenoweth backed by a solo piano. Ticket range is $39 to $109.
Following participation in the 2016 PBS Arts Fall Festival, Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will present two concerts by acclaimed group Postmodern Jukebox on Aug.14 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. The show will feature talented artists including “American Idol” Season 10 finalist Casey Abrams. Both shows will be filmed and available for PBS stations across the country to schedule for broadcast in December 2017. Tickets start at $49 with net proceeds benefitting The Smith Center’s Education and Outreach programs.
The Las Vegas Young Entertainers will perform favorite Broadway musical hits as part of the 13th Annual Broadway Vignettes “Movies & Musicals” being held on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 11 and 12 at 7 p.m. at the Clark County Flamingo Library Theatre. Tickets are $15.
ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS IN PAHRUMP
In nearby Pahrump, located an hour west of Las Vegas, the Bonkerz Comedy Club inside the Pahrump Nugget Event Center will present three-time Emmy Award® winner comedian Louie Anderson for one night on Friday, Aug. 4 at 5 p.m. Entry is free but there is limited seating. Contact the casino’s Gold Mine players rewards center for tickets.
The Sanders Family Winery is holding an evening of laughter and wine during the Sanders Winery Summer Under the Stars Concert Series on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. The variety tribute show will feature Ed Sullivan, Buddy Holly, Uli Geissendoerfer, and surprise guests. Attendees are welcomed to bring food and indulge in free wine tastings. Tickets are $25 for the “Ed Sullivan Comedy & Variety Tribute Show.”
Singer Chadwick Johnson and Las Vegas Retro Vibes, a band comprised of Las Vegas’ finest musician, will perform at the Sanders Family Winery on Saturday, Aug. 26 at dusk. Tickets are $25.
DINING NEWS ITEMS
The Edge Steakhouse at Westgate recently celebrated its second anniversary with a special five-course tasting menu. The restaurant operates Tuesday through Saturday at 5 p.m.
Slice of Vegas Pizza Kitchen & Bar inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place is celebrating its five-year anniversary with an all-new menu rolling out a wide-variety of Italian-inspired dishes from starters and specialty pizzas to sandwiches and hand-crafted pasta, and more. The dining outlet has also expanded its vegan menu, adding 10 new dishes.
Mercato della Pescheria, the Italian seafood-pasta restaurant at The Venetian at St. Marks Square in The Grand Canal Shoppes, which opened last August, just started brunch service with an expansive menu on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Therapy Restaurant, the American gastro-style pub in Downtown, will celebrate National S’mores Day on Thursday, Aug, 10 with their Cast Iron S’mores dessert for $10. The dish contains graham cracker crust with dark semi-sweet chocolate and toasted marshmallows with the option to add bacon for no additional charge.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT AFFILIATES ACHIEVE RECOGNITION
Caesars Entertainment Corporation (NASDAQ: CZR) announced that 25 of its nationwide affiliated resorts and three attractions have earned the prestigious 2017 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence, which is five more resorts being honored than in 2016. This achievement celebrates hospitality industry leaders receiving impressive reviews on TripAdvisor over the past year.
The honorees in Las Vegas include: Caesars Palace; Nobu Hotel at Caesars Palace; Paris; The Cromwell; High Roller Observation Wheel; LINQ Promenade; and Eiffel Tower Experience.
USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice travel awards recently ranked Caesars Palace No. 2 and The Cromwell boutique hotel No. 8 as the top two Las Vegas resorts in the “Best U.S. Casino” category.
Nominees are chosen by a panel of relevant experts, including editors from USA Today and 10Best.com, contributors and sources for both these media and other properties of parent company Gannett Co., Inc. All voting is digital and accessible to the public on the 10Best.com website, which averages 5 million visitors per month and was acquired by USA Today in January of 2013.
SIDE BARS
The Las Vegas City Council approved a 15-year lease agreement between Cashman Field and Las Vegas Pro Soccer LLC, which will bring a United Soccer League (USL) expansion team to Las Vegas with play beginning in the 2018 season.
Las Vegas’ USL Division II team will become the 33rd Club to join the league. Throughout the 2018 season, the team will compete in 16 regular season games at Cashman Field and utilize the field for additional events including, but not limited to, exhibition matches featuring international soccer clubs and more.
The word is Steve Wynn and his designers are putting the finishing touches on drawings, plans and permits for the $1.5 billion first phase of the Paradise Park project, which will include a lagoon for water sports, surrounded by white-sand beaches, a convention facility and new hotel rooms. The forecast is to break ground late this year or in early 2018.
It’s been said, “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas;” however, according to a study by Detox.net, Las Vegas ranks number four worldwide for the most hangover-related Instagram posts, and Nevada lands at number three for the most in America. Bit ironic, isn’t it!
Personal development coaches Dave Stultz and Brian Begin, founders of the men’s success site TheFearlessMan.com, will hold their newest weekend summit, The Fearless Man Live Attraction Workshop, in Las Vegas, Aug. 5-6. Motivational speaker, attraction expert and life coach Zan Perrion will deliver the official keynote address at the two-day event.
SECOND HIGH SCHOOL NEON NIGHT RETURNS TO WET’N’WILD
The second High School Neon Night end-of-summer bash for high school students returns to Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas on Thursday, Aug. 3 from 7 to 11 p.m. The event, hosted by HOT 97.5 and 106.9 The Q, will feature DJs, a surprise live performance, a foam pit, contests and giveaways, giant beach balls and more. Attendees must have been in eighth through 11th grade during the 2016-2017 school year and use the promo code “NEON.” Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event. Wet’n’Wild will be open through Sunday, Oct. 1.
