BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Dec. 10, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
KIRIL KULISH WILL DEBUT IN ‘BAZ - A MUSICAL MASH-UP’
The Venetian® and The Palazzo® will welcome actor Kiril Kulish to “BAZ - A Musical Mash-Up” on Tuesday, Dec. 26. Kulish, who won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his performance in Broadway’s “Billy Elliot the Musical,” will play the role of Scott the Ballroom Dancer. In addition to being a ballroom and ballet champion, Kulish was featured in season 22 of “Dancing with the Stars,” as a professional dancer in the show’s troupe.
CHMERKOVSKIY BROTHERS BRING DANCE TOUR TO SMITH CENTER
Following a hit first tour, Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy, stars of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” are back with an all new show and this time the family has grown with Peta Murgatroyd. “Maks, Val & Peta Live On Tour: Confidential” will make a Las Vegas-stop at The Smith Center on May 16, 2018. Tickets start at $35.50.
The “Dancing With The Stars” trio, along with a dazzling cast of the industry’s best dancers, will be performing in 49 cities across America.
‘THE VOICE: NEON DREAMS’ WILL DEBUT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL
“The Voice: Neon Dreams” is a brand new show coming to the Hard Rock Hotel in June 2018. The live concert event will be the next step in the musical journey of the multi-talented artists of “The Voice,” combined with an interactive pre-show experience allowing guests to begin their very own Voice journey. In this 360-degree live production, a dream cast of Voice stars accompanied by versatile musicians, will deliver a wide-ranging performance through timeless hits and current chart toppers.
NEW SHOW ‘OPIUM’ WILL OPEN AT COSMOPOLITAN IN MARCH
Spiegelworld the creators of Vegas’ long-running hit show “Absinthe” with special arrangement with promoter Harry M. Howie will launch the world premiere of another show “Opium” at The Cosmopolitan on March 13, 2018.
So far the show’s description is sketchy. It appears the aim is to create an intimate parlor of idiocy in the showroom Rose.Rabbit. Lie. with a close encounter with a spaceship of fools. Not really sure what that tells us; however, tickets are on sale now.
ALL-AMERICAN RESTAURANT CONCEPT WILL OPEN DOWNTOWN
Eureka! will open in the Emergency Arts Building in Downtown Las Vegas next February. The company’s co-founder Paul Frederick says they build their restaurants with their values in mind…Energy, Discovery, and Community. The new 70-seat eatery will add contemporary charm to the Fremont East District with an industrial and modern design, spacious interior and nearly 5,000-square-foot patio.
Eureka! specializes in American classics with a modern twist with a diverse selection of appetizers, all-natural Angus chuck burgers, signature plates, innovative salads, and desserts accompanied by an all-American beverage program. Eureka! will be open daily at 11 a.m. and feature a weekend brunch and daily “hoppy” hours.
LAS RAGEOUS MUSIC FESTIVAL RETURNS TO DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
After a successful debut in 2017, Las Rageous, which drew rock and metal fans from around the world with sellout crowds of 10,000 each day, will return for its second year on Friday and Saturday, April 20-21. The two-day music festival will take over two square blocks at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, and will feature performances from A Perfect Circle, Five Finger Death Punch, Ghost, Judas Priest, and more, on two stages.
Doors will open at 4 p.m. with headliners around 10 p.m. All tickets are two-day festival passes right now for an early-bird price of $119.
NEXT YEAR NEW STARS JOIN SEX TIPS SHOW AT PARIS
“Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” will have two new headlining stars in 2018: actress, model, and reality television personality Scheana Shay and recording artist and MTV star Chester Lockhart. They will debut on Thursday, Jan. 4 at Paris.
Shay’s hit show “Vanderpump Rules” premieres Monday, Dec. 4 on Bravo. She will take over the role of Robin, which Kendra Wilkinson (“Kendra on Top,” “The Girls Next Door”) has performed since May 2017. Lockhart, who has been featured on Spotify, NewNowNext, OutTV, and MTV’s “TODRICK,” will play Dan Anderson in the role Emmy-award winner Jai Rodriguez (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) originated for Las Vegas audiences earlier this year.
“Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” is performed nightly except Wednesday at 7 p.m. with additional 11 p.m. shows on Saturday night. Tickets start at $39.
CAFÉ SANUKI OPENS IN CHINATOWN
The newest restaurant in Chinatown is Café Sanuki, a Japanese Noodle Bar, with dishes highlighting the Udon noodle. The owner has taken factitious efforts to make his dining experience completely authentic following the special precise preparation in a time-honored tradition in Japan following a specific set of rules. To do so, he traveled to the village of Sanuki, Japan, to learn from Udon Master Mr. Minemoto, and has imported machinery to make the noodles, as well as ingredients from the area. Ordering is cafeteria style and a display of sample dishes when you enter helps your selection.
Café Sanuki is located at 4821 Spring Mountain Road facing Decatur Blvd. It is open daily for lunch and for dinner at 5:30 p.m. with a break between the meals.
IMPOSSI-BOWL BURGER DEBUTS AT BROOKLYN BOWL
Brooklyn Bowl at the The Linq Promenade has a seriously sustainable upgrade to its menu with the addition of The Impossi-bowl Burger. It is the fourth location in Las Vegas to offer the carnivore-duping plant-based patty by Impossible Foods made from all-natural ingredients, including wheat, coconut oil and potatoes. The key is in the heme, an ingredient found in plants but that is also particularly abundant in meat. This is what makes the meat sizzle with that distinctive meaty aroma and flavor.
Brooklyn Bowl, a LEED Certified green building, has placed sustainability high on its list of priorities since it opened in March 2014. Compared to cows, the Impossi-bowl uses 95 percent less land, 74 percent less water and creates 87 percent less greenhouse gas emissions, so it is a natural fit for the eco-conscious venue.
NATION’S FIRST PUBLIC SELF-DRIVING SHUTTLE IS LOCATED DOWNTOWN
AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah (AAA) is sponsoring the nation’s first self-driving shuttle pilot project for the public. The vehicle, which is fully integrated with the city’s traffic infrastructure, is providing a first-hand experience using autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. Keolis North America operates and maintains the NAVYA Arma fully electric shuttle.
CHANGING ROOMS
The Luxor recently unveiled its newly remodeled rooms inspired by the resort’s unique geometric form as the hotel continues the redesign of more than 1,700 hotel rooms in its East and West towers. The remodel began early last month and will continue to roll out through the beginning of 2018.
Planet Hollywood as it celebrates 10 years has completed a $100 million room renovation with 2,496 contemporary new guest rooms and suites. The resort is the first in Caesars Entertainment’s Las Vegas portfolio to have all guest rooms completely renovated as part of a 23,000 Las Vegas hotel room renovation program that will be more than 50 percent complete by the end of 2017.
NATIONAL FINALS RODEO CONTINUES
Official hotel sponsor for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), the Plaza is hosting downtown’s first and only practice arena and stalls presented by Heel-O-Matic. The 100 ft. x 240 ft. practice arena right outside the hotel has 120 VIP stalls and 24-hour security. Team roping practice is held daily through Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rope for the World Kids’ Dummy Roping Championships will take place Dec. 14-16 from 10 a.m. to noon with approximately 60 children under the age of 12 competing in a long distance dummy steer roping competition.
Free to the public, the Cowboy Christmas Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center is a shopper’s paradise attracting more than 400 exhibitors from the United States and Canada selling everything from western wear to original art, to official Wrangler NFR and PRCA merchandise through Dec. 16.
‘IMAGINARIUM’ SHOW CELEBRATES THE MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS
Headlining illusionist David Goldrake at the Tropicana is incorporating special holiday magic into his new show “Imaginarium.” The new holiday-themed show “Imaginarium - Celebrate the Magic of the Holidays” includes special costumes, music, lighting effects, and stage décor inspired by the season Dec. 19-30 and dark Christmas Day with shows at 4 and 7 p.m. Goldrake features a special illusion with a child from the audience evoking the spirit of Christmas and ends the show by producing snow on stage. Tickets start at $49.98.
UNDER THE STREETLAMP - ‘HIP TO THE HOLIDAYS’
Vocal group Under The Streetlamp with two PBS top specials will perform classic holiday hits from the American radio songbook at the Orleans Showroom on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22-23 at 8 p.m. The quartet with recent leading cast members of the Tony Award-winning musical “Jersey Boys” will deliver an evening of doo-wop, Motown, old time rock ‘n’ roll and best-loved songs from groups, including The Drifters, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Tickets start at $32.95.
HOLIDAY FAST TRACK
Holiday at The Park kicked off its second year and is open until Jan. 7, 2018. The indoor-and-outdoor entertainment destination neighboring T-Mobile Arena features an 80-foot Silver Fir tree, daily visits from Santa Claus, an ice skating rink, a holiday shopping and dining village, and special events. Ice skating is $15 or 2-for-1 pricing for locals and a printed photo with Santa Claus $25. There are specialty chalets including: Hershey’s, featuring a s’mores station; Dapper Donuts, serving up fresh mini donuts; Spa 2 Go, selling spa products; and Spin Art, displaying a local artist’s works made from spray paint. T-Mobile Arena will play classic holiday movies outdoors on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays at 5 p.m.
The LINQ Promenade is transformed into Holiday Magic through Dec. 30 with a nightly snowfall. During the week, Monday through Wednesday, carolers raise the spirit of the season at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.; Thursday through Sunday, a winter show will feature holiday performers delighting guests at the top of every hour from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m.
Boulder Station will feature “Christmas With the Celts” in The Railhead on Friday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. The show presents a combination of ancient Irish Carols, contemporary Christmas standards, humor and Irish dancing. Tickets for the all-ages show range from $15 to $30.
“Sin City Opera: Christmas at the Opera” will feature scenes celebrating the joy of Christmas from beloved operas such as “La Boheme,” “Werther” and “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Charleston Heights Arts Center. The 90-minute concert will showcase operatic talent from Las Vegas and a special routine from Sin City Opera’s summer camp performers. Tickets are $20 and $10 for youth under 18.
Freed’s Bakery, the featured bakery on Food Network’s show “Vegas Cakes,” has introduced new holiday offerings including candy cane cake cookies, gingerbread cake cookies and matzo brittle. Freed’s is shipping nationwide. To celebrate the New Year, Freed’s is offering pink, champagne-infused cake and cupcakes Thursday through Sunday, Dec. 28-31.
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in downtown Summerlin will hold a Winter Wonderland celebration featuring signature holiday cocktails - Scrooge’s S’mores Cheertini, Carmeltini Delight and the Jingle Bell Rock-tail, live music by acoustic artist Michael Johnson, a winter-themed photo booth, complimentary peppermint hot chocolate for children12 and under, giveaways and more beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 13th annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run benefiting local organization Opportunity Village was held Dec. 2 downtown with a sea of Kris Kringle lookalikes, Grand Marshal Holly Madison and Honorary Chairman Wayne Newton. Mark your calendar to join in next year!
SHOW HAPPENING TIDBITS
Having already spent more than five decades in the entertainment spotlight, Donny & Marie remain popular and have announced the extension of their residency at Flamingo through the end of 2018.
The turn-of-the-century circus production “Circus 1903” will end its Las Vegas engagement, which began on July 25 this year, on Jan. 7, 2018, at Paris. A love letter to the traditions of the circus, the production made its world debut at the Sydney Opera House in Australia last year before embarking on a U.S. national tour with limited engagements.
After his successful appearances at Wynn this year, Mel Brooks will return for two exclusive performances on April 27 and 28, 2018.
Vinnie Favorito closed his residency at Westgate in order to move to Boston with his family. He will be back touring.
International music sensation Pitbull will return for a fourth year at The AXIS in Planet Hollywood in 2018 for 13 performances of his hit show, “Time of Our Lives.”
Master impressionist and longtime Las Vegas entertainer Gordie Brown recently debuted his show in the Night Owl Showroom at Hooters. He is performing five days a week, with Tuesdays and Fridays off.
In November, Purple Reign, the world’s No. 1 Prince tribute starring Jason Tenner, celebrated its new Las Vegas residency at the Tropicana.
“X-ROCKS,” a new hard-hitting seductive topless revue from the creators of other “X” shows in town, recently premiered in The Back Room at Bally’s. The show highlights heart-pounding rock hit songs.
CESERE BROTHERS PHOTOGRAPHY OPENS AT FASHION SHOW
Cesere Brothers Photography opened the first-to-market gallery at the Fashion Show mall specializing in fine art underwater imagery. The exhibit features vibrant photography artwork of animals, fish, waves, sunsets and landscapes. Using a dye-infused aluminum process, the images have a multi-dimensional effect providing an ultra-realistic appearance.
Brothers John and Dan from York Beach, Maine, after graduating from college decided to become scuba diving instructors and boat captains which took them to Maui. Over a span of eight years, the Cesere brothers studied and perfected their craft of diving and photography and opened gallery locations in Maui and Waikiki.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS ITEMS
Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. at Treasure Island has new private event space with a view overlooking the Strip. The 1,900-square-foot space is a completely customizable room, which can accommodate from 10 to 175 guests.
Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace will celebrate five years at Caesars Palace. In honor of the occasion, the restaurant will offer a special “Cheers for Five Years” five-course beer-pairing dinner on Thursday, Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are all-inclusive for $94.69.
The 26TH Las Vegas Bowl expected to attract more than 20,000 football enthusiasts will be held at Sam Boyd Stadium on Dec. 16 at 12:30 p.m. and also feature a variety of bowl week events, including the Fremont Street Experience Pep Rally.
The grand opening for Drybar at The Cosmopolitan is Dec. 29. The 2,231-square-foot location will join the casino-resort’s retail district and consist of 14 styling chairs in addition to a full service bar and all of the signature elements. Drybar is based on a simple philosophy, focus on one thing and be the best at it. For Drybar, that’s blowouts. With additional store openings on the horizon, the brand is on track to have more than 90 locations by the end of 2017.
Pizza Forte has opened its second location in the T-Mobile Arena at the main entrance on the first floor as well as on the main concourse of the sports and entertainment venue.
The Golden Tiki in Chinatown has added five new holiday drinks to its exotic beverage offerings with playful twists on warm cocktail favorites through Dec. 31. The holiday drinks Tom and Jerry, Balls‘n’Cider, Tiki Tiki Tiki Coffee, Naughty Hot Chocolate and Hot Buttered Rum are $10 each. In addition, the “Food of the Gods” ongoing menu features bar bites inspired by the Golden Tiki legend.
