BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Dec. 17, 2017
BY: Jackie Brett
FIRE SPECTACULAR ‘INFERNO’ WILL HEAT UP PARIS
The European and Asia hit fire show “Inferno” will open at the Paris Theater on Jan. 24, 2018. The show features a dazzling display of pyrotechnics, fire stunts and illusions. European illusionist Joe Labero, a four-time Merlin Award winner and “illusionist of the decade,” stars in the show along with and the fire, pyro and aerial group, The Fuel Girls, who are just off Fall Out Boy’s UK Tour. Dynamic special effects are created by world-renowned fire and pyro specialists, the team behind fire spectacles at the Super Bowl, Coachella and more. Tickets start from $49 with 9:30 p.m. performances Wednesday through Sunday.
GET READY FOR GORDON RAMSAY HELL’S KITCHEN
Designed to be an experiential and immersive destination restaurant, guests to Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace will feel transported to the studio set of the FOX television show. Fans can begin placing reservations for Ramsay’s newest 300-seat culinary venture at GRHellsKitechenLV.com with the first date set for Tuesday, Jan. 16. The restaurant will offer a daily lunch, dinner and spirited bar menu. With floor-to-ceiling glass windows lining the perimeter, the environment will offer views of the Strip.
The fiery grand opening is set for Friday, Jan. 26 with public festivities beginning at 4 p.m. in the Roman Plaza area.
Some highlights being hyped include: experiencing several of the TV show’s most successful signature menu items: red and blue design details throughout the restaurant and prominent around the kitchen; kitchen chefs and cooks in the exact uniforms from the show; “H” and pitchfork symbols cleverly featured in screen partitions and wallcovering; pitchfork features running across the high ceilings; and the winner of Season 17 now airing being named head chef.
PALMS OPENS A.Y.C.E. BUFFET
The Palms, which is now part of the Station Casinos’ family, will open A.Y.C.E. (All You Can Eat), the reimagined buffet concept in a swanky environment, on Dec. 22. The A.Y.C.E. Buffet is part of the Palms’ $485 million renovation plan, which will touch virtually every aspect of the property.
Worldly cuisine will be presented in an innovative, technique-focused fashion in an open food hall setting with communal tables. The new buffet will feature seven different food stations: The Greenery; The Hearth centering around a brick oven; The Roastery with a central rotisserie; The World Pan; Smoke & Fire; The Revival focusing on wellness; and Sweet & Light. Adult beverages will include a mix of “ready-to-drink” canned beverages, a selection of draft beers, and wines by Canyon Road Winery.
A.Y.C.E. will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will offer a Bottomless Mimosa Brunch on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
‘MASTERS OF ILLUSION’ OPENS AT BALLYS
Las Vegas’ newest magic show, “Masters of Illusion” opened at Bally’s in the Jubilee Theater. What makes this production refreshingly different is five engaging magicians - Jason Bird, Farrell Dillon, Greg Gleason, Chris Randall, and Tommy Wind - share the stage and keep the show constantly going. There are also a number of choreographed dancing assistants. The show goes between sleight-of-hand and big illusions with people, cages and even a grand piano floating in mid-air. There are even comedic elements woven into the show’s interesting fabric.
Sometimes you may think there are too many magic shows around but this one really has a lot to offer…as long as you like magic. Performances are daily except Tuesday at 7 p.m. Tickets for this family-friendly show begin at $49.
‘THE COCKTAIL CABARET’ LIVENS UP CLEOPATRA’S BARGE
“The Cocktail Cabaret,” a new live 70-minute musical show, is the first ticketed residency at the 140-seat Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace since Matt Goss closed his show in September 2016. It is also the first show on the Strip created and produced by musical team Keith Thompson (“Jersey Boys,” “Idaho! The Comedy-Musical” and “The Composers Showcase” at The Smith Center) and pianist Philip Fortenberry with multiple Broadway credits and who was also the Liberace hand/body double in HBO’s “Behind the Candelabra.”
It’s quite thrilling and invigorating to be sitting so close to four mesmerizing performers who move all over the tiny intimate room singing solos, duets and as a foursome re-imaging modern standards backed by a four-piece band led by Fortenberry. The two ladies, Broadway veteran Niki Scalera and Maren Wade, make continuous costume changes, which pleasantly augment each song. The animated onstage host is another Broadway veteran Eric Jordan Young, who many may remember from “Vegas! The Show.” Youthful multilingual classical/pop cross-over vocalist Daniel Emmet, who has commanded stages such as The Staples Center in Los Angeles and Palais Todesco in Vienna, is like Pavarotti. There are many wonderful reasons to see this show and his voice alone is one.
The show is performed during the 5 p.m. cocktail hour Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets are $55. Locals are offered two-for-one-tickets with Nevada ID through Dec. 23 using promo code CKLOCAL.
Note that David Perrico’s Pop String continues anchoring the venue with no-cover shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 10 p.m.
THE TWILIGHT ZONE BY MONSTER MINI GOLF® IS OPEN AT BALLY’S
The indoor monster themed glow in the dark 18-hole miniature golf course is open now at Bally’s and called The Twilight Zone by Monster Mini Golf. Patrons can play the course with custom and animated props at every turn. The venue also offers arcade games, four lanes of candlepin bowling, a DJ to keep spirits uplifted, a small gift shop area, and a private event room. Pricing is $11.95 and $9.95 for locals.
The other glow in the dark themed miniature golf course is KISS by Monster Mini Golf® at the Rio.
THE AUTO COLLECTIONS WILL CLOSE AT THE LINQ
Having worked at the Imperial Palace and with The Auto Collections there, it is with great sadness to learn the attraction will be closing to the public on Dec. 30. Vintage cars have been on display at the hotel since the early 1980s, when the hotel’s then owner Ralph Engelstad displayed his private car collection as a museum from 1981 to 1999 before selling to the current operators.
From Jan. 2-Feb. 28 everything will be on sale including vehicles, gasoline pumps, collectibles, car models, stanchions and ropes, office supplies, equipment, etc. For appointments, call 702-794-3174 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
TRIPLE GEORGE GRILL NAMED 2017 BOSS OF THE BARS
The Mob Museum crowned Triple George Grill - Boss of the Bars in its Repeal Day cocktail competition for its Bootlegger Sour creation and Bin 702 was runner up for its Gin Gimlet. Both beverages are available at their respective bars for $5 throughout the month of December to guests showing proof of admission to The Mob Museum.
The Mob Museum posted drink-making videos from six competing bars on its Facebook page and users voted for their favorite Prohibition era-inspired cocktail. Triple George receives the Boss of the Bars trophy to display until next year’s competition, as well as a prize package consisting of tickets to Black Canyon River Adventure, the Neon Museum and The Mob Museum’s launch party event for The Underground, which opens in April 2018. The new exhibition will be dedicated to Prohibition history, complete with a working distillery and speakeasy.
SHAKE SHACK OPENS FIFTH SOUTHERN NEVADA LOCATION
Modern day “roadside” burger stand Shake Shack® will open its fifth location in Southern Nevada at Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, the open-air village-styled shopping destination at 905 South Grand Central Parkway, on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m.
In addition to Shack classics, there will be a selection of frozen custard concretes and as part of the company’s mission to Stand For Something Good®, the new outlet will donate 5 percent of sales from its Pie Oh My concrete to Three Square.
In keeping with Shake Shack’s commitment to green architecture and eco-friendly construction, the new location is constructed with recycled and sustainable materials such as table tops made from reclaimed bowling alley lanes.
MINUS5 ICE EXPERIENCE DEBUTS NEW ICY LOOK AFTER RENOVATION
Minus5 Ice Experience, which launched America’s first ice experience, has unveiled an all-new winter wonderland experience at its flagship location inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place. The recent overhaul features a lunar landing complete with astronaut and space backdrop, an ice castle that pays tribute to the hit series “Game of Thrones;” an under the sea experience from Atlantis featuring King Neptune, and more.
PLAZA CHANGES LIGHT BULBS
The Plaza is the first property downtown to switch its cold cathode sign lamps, which were installed during the property’s 2011 renovation to achieve energy savings and will now be recycled, to energy efficient LED sign lamps. This change offers a more traditional, warm lighting effect throughout the Main Street walkway and North Tower waterfall.
The lighting project estimated to be complete by February 2018 entails replacing thousands of light bulbs individually as well as a complete hand cleaning of the lighting ceiling panels. Specifically, the canopy on Main Street has 23,000 three-watt cold cathode lamps. All together, these improvements are estimated to save more than $24,000 annually on energy and maintenance costs.
SINATRA’S GRANDDAUGHTER AJ LAMBERT WILL SING AT THE SPACE
For the first time, Frank Sinatra’s granddaughter, songstress AJ Lambert will perform in Las Vegas with a monthly Friday residency at The Space beginning Jan. 12 at 10 p.m. Lambert will rotate between performing two of her grandfather’s albums in their entirety: the 1955 pioneering concept album “In The Wee Small Hours” and his 1958 album, “Only The Lonely.”
In this show, Nancy Sinatra’s daughter shares deeply intimate recollections. Her new album, “Careful You,” features her interpretations of songs by modern artists like Spoon, TV on the Radio and John Cale.
Her pianist is John Boswell, who has served as musical director for Judy Collins, Andy Williams, Bob Newhart, and a host of other fine talents.
ENTERTAINMENT CLIPS
Jennifer Lopez’s final performances of her headlining residency, “Jennifer Lopez: All I Have,” which she opened in January 2016 at the AXIS at Planet Hollywood, will run June 13 through Sept. 29, 2018. Her production features a five-piece live band, 14 dancers, seven total costume changes, her catalog of hits, and Lopez descending a Swarovski crystal staircase. General ticket prices range from $59 to $229.
The Silicon Valley Girls have become part of the “Absinthe” cast at Caesars Palace in the wondrous Spiegeltent. The Gazillionaire, the show’s host and producer, says the three beauties were highly-trained computer programmers back home in Ukraine before becoming lifeguards at The Beverly Hills Hotel, so he calls them Silicon Valley Girls.
Piff the Magic Dragon’s Piffmas Piff-Tacular, “Piffmas at Piffany’s,” continues to run at the Flamingo through Dec. 30. The holiday show is about three things: points, prizes and pummeling the opposition into submission. The audience becomes one of four teams competing for Piff's Prize Potluck. The evening culminates in the Sale of a Sandwich to benefit a local charity. Piff with his irreverent deadpan style will unveil a new show next inside Bugsy’s Cabaret, which he’ll perform five days a week and his residency since November 2015 has been extended through the end of 2018.
Legendary DJ and record producer Tiësto has extended his multi-year residency with the internationally-renowned hospitality company Hakkasan Group. The dance music icon will continue to headline at Vegas’ top nightlife and daylife destinations, including Hakkasan Nightclub and Wet Republic at MGM Grand through 2020. Tiësto will kick off his first performances in 2018 with special birthday celebrations at Hakkasan Nightclub Thursday, Jan. 11 and Saturday, Jan. 13.
MORE HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Always a seasonal must-see, Nevada Ballet Theatre’s holiday classic production of “The Nutcracker” runs through Dec. 24 in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center.
The Mob Museum is hosting a first-ever family holiday experience on Saturday, Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with free admission for children 10 and younger. Activities include: fingerprint ornament-making; $5 photos with Santa at the Police Lineup Wall; letters to Santa; and complimentary hot cocoa. Through December, museum fans can buy a Premium Museum Membership and purchase a second one at half-price.
Santa will be available for photos through Dec. 24 at Vegas Indoor Skydiving. Guests who purchase a single flight at retail price will have the opportunity to fly with and take a photo alongside Santa Claus inside the 22-foot-tall wind tunnel. The Vegas Indoor Skydiving Santa package is available for $25 and includes a downloadable photo.
Kids 12 and younger can ride the High Roller observation wheel for free Dec. 16–30. On Dec. 24 and 25, the wheel’s lights will be illuminated in festive colors of red, white and green.
SOME ACTS PLANNED ALREADY FOR 2018
Award-winning country superstars Old Dominion will bring their “Happy Endings World Tour,” featuring special guest Michael Ray, to the Sandbar Poolside Stage at Red Rock Resort on Friday, April 13 as part of the 2018 ACM (American Country Music) Party For A Cause. Tickets start at $40.
Kesha and Macklemore will bring “The Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore Tour” to the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday, June 9, 2018.
Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rap superstar Jeezy will bring the “Cold Summer Tour” to House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 9 p.m. In his newest album, “Pressure,” out this month, continues to represent the artists struggle to navigate, survive, and overcome adversity in their reality. Tickets start at $39.50.
Portugal. The Man has been added to the entertainment lineup at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan on Friday, April 13 at 8 p.m. Since releasing its first record in 2006, Portugal. The Man has become a household name in the American rock band community. Hailing from Alaska, the band moved to Portland to tour and record. Tickets start at $28.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
Harrah’s has a brand-new lobby bar with charging stations located at the bottom floor of the recently remodeled Valley Tower in the hotel lobby.
MGM Resorts International has announced their new WNBA franchise will be called the Las Vegas Aces. Las Vegas’ first major professional basketball team – formerly the San Antonio Stars – will begin play in its new home at Mandalay Bay Events Center in the 2018 season. The Aces will become Las Vegas’ second major professional sports team, following the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, who play at T-Mobile Arena. The NFL’s Oakland Raiders are expected to relocate to Las Vegas by the 2020 season.
Beer Park at Paris has introduced several new selections to the menu including: Beer Park pie $9.95; smoked chicken-corn chowder $6.95; a nacho cheeseburger $10.95; smoked meatloaf sandwich $10.95; and smoked prime rib $25.95 and $31.95 for a 16- or 24-ounce respectively.
Former Spice Girl and judge on “America’s Got Talent” Melanie Brown, also known as Mel B., had a recent fun-filled weekend with a visit to “Magic Mike Live” at the Hard Rock and also to “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace.
Earlier this month Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi made a special appearance at “Magic Mike Live” in support of her friend and show cast member Mark Romain. They danced together in Cheryl Burke’s “Love on the Floor” 10-show premiere in Tokyo, a live stage production that paired professional dancers with Olympic and World Champion ice skaters to tell the story of love.
Cheech Marin, half of the comedy duo Cheech and Chong, was in Henderson last week to meet fans and introduce his new line of cannabis products Cheech’s Private Stash, which is exclusively grown and distributed by Redwood Cultivation and now available for purchase at Essence Vegas.
Happy Holidays!
