Date: Feb. 4, 2018
BY: Jackie Brett
RAMSAY’S HELL’S KITCHEN RESTAURANT OPENS AT CAESARS PALACE
Multi-Michelin star chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay has opened his first eatery inspired by the global hit television “Hell’s Kitchen” show airing in 41 countries. Open at Caesars Palace for lunch and dinner, the 300-seat restaurant has already logged reservations for nearly 25,000 guests.
The restaurant had a soft opening in January and for the grand opening, Ramsay was joined by the finalists of Season 17 “Hell’s Kitchen All-Stars” and famous personalities from the sports and entertainment world.
The experiential and immersive destination restaurant has a design transporting guests to the studio set with the signature fiery pitchfork evident marking the entryway, life-size video screen of Chef Ramsay greeting visitors upon arrival, plus chefs and cooks in uniforms from the show with red and blue jackets accompanied by coordinating bandanas. The winner of current season will be named Head Chef and have their portrait will go on the winner’s wall with other previous champions.
Menu items include several of the most successful signature menu items and recipes featured on the television show while items direct from the program will be added as new episodes air.
The bustling kitchen is the eatery’s centerpiece with mosaic tiles artfully framing the open space. Additional key elements of the show are infused, such as fire and heat and custom-designed lighting combining brass rods with pitchfork features and runs across the high ceilings. The iconic “H” and pitchfork symbols are cleverly featured throughout with specially-designed, laser-cut screen partitions and soft charcoal and ash-hued wallcovering. The room feels like the set of “Hell’s Kitchen.”
Following the opening Hell’s Kitchen festivities, Ramsay around midnight visited Omnia Nightclub inside Caesars Palace with friends. He checked out the DJ booth as electronic dance artist Zedd began his performance.
TAPE FACE WILL DEBUT NEW RESIDENCY AT HARRAH’S
“America’s Got Talent” alumnus Tape Face, the modern-day mime and comedian who had two successful limited-Las Vegas engagements in 2017, has signed a multi-year residency at Harrah’s beginning Friday, March 16 at 7 p.m. He will be returning to his very own custom venue. Tickets start at $63.
In conjunction with his new show, Harrah’s will premiere a customized theater called “House of Tape.” The intimate, 200-seat brand-new showroom will be accessible from Harrah’s main gaming floor.
Tape Face’s show is an eccentric, whimsical experience with no dialogue, which can be enjoyed by audiences of many different backgrounds, ages and languages. The headliner, Sam Wills, was a former circus and street performer in his native New Zealand. He has been performing as Tape Face since 2008.
‘BRILLIANT!’ EXPERIENCE IS NEW AT THE NEON MUSEUM
The Neon Museum unveiled “Brilliant!” audiovisual immersion experience using technology advances to re-electrify 40 monumental examples of the museum’s vintage signs. The 30-minute experience is open to the public nightly except Tuesday with shows at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Guests are escorted to the newly opened Neon Museum North Gallery, which is an open-air outdoor theater with famous signs all around. After gathering in the first walkway inside, folks are escorted around the corner to where the light show takes place.
Not knowing what to expect, it was indeed a pleasant surprise to first-hand experience the show’s superb visual and sound execution created by noted artist Craig Winslow. The standing audience is transported directly into the history of Las Vegas through sight and 3D sound. Static signs come to life, splashed with iconic Las Vegas images and accompanied by the soundtrack of some of the greatest musical performers in history with a Vegas-connection such as Liberace, Elvis and members of The Rat Pack. After the show, visitors have about 10 minutes to take photos of the signs and to view them up close.
Note that shows times may change in summer months. Tickets are sold separately for “Brilliant!” Tickets are $23, and $15 locals, seniors, students, and military. Museum members have free access.
FLOCK & FOWL OPENS AT THE OGDEN
Flock & Fowl, a popular eatery known for its “perfect plate of chicken rice,” has opened its second valley location on the ground floor at The Ogden, a 21-story downtown high-rise, in space formerly occupied for a couple years by Itsy Bitsy Ramen & Whisky. In addition to the restaurant’s staple – chicken rice - the new location features an expanded, globally-inspired menu and longer hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and midnight on Friday and Saturday than its original location on West Sahara Avenue close to the Golden Steer Steakhouse. Flock & Fowl’s new 2,500-square-foot restaurant is owned by restaurant power couple, Sheridan Su and Jenny Wong.
IN MAY ‘ABSINTHE’ WILL START PERFORMING TWO SHOWS DAILY
In celebration of seven record-breaking years on the Strip, Las Vegas’ No. 1 show, “Absinthe” will perform two shows per night, seven days a week, and 365 days a year at Caesars Palace beginning Monday, May 14. This will take the performance schedule from 10 to 14 shows per week.
FORMER “VOICE” CONTESTANT JOINS TUSCANY’S ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP
Ryan Whyte Maloney, a contestant on season six of the hit series “The Voice,” has joined the weekly entertainment lineup at Tuscany becoming a regular performer at Piazza Lounge on Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. He joins regulars including Kenny Davidsen, Kelly Clinton and Michael Grimm.
Maloney is an accomplished singer, songwriter and producer. At age 21, he self-produced and engineered his first album before joining the band Indulge in 2005. Maloney spent 10 years touring the band before breaking off as a solo artist and songwriter and auditioning for “The Voice” in 2014. With a four-chair turn, Maloney chose Team Blake and made it to the team’s top five. He has shared the stage with big names including Tim McGraw, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Rascal Flatts and others.
MOB MUSEUM HOSTS COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS FOR 6TH ANNIVERSARY
To celebrate six years of educating visitors, The Mob Museum downtown will hold special events and debut three new, permanent exhibit additions Feb. 14-16.
On the official anniversary day Wednesday, Feb. 14 from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., there will be free admission for locals, buy-one, get-one admission for non-Nevada residents, and the opening of a new permanent exhibit and two new experiential spaces.
The Organized Crime Today Exhibition will feature artifacts, graphics and a large, interactive, 17-foot-wide Global Networks touchscreen wall, bringing the story of organized crime into the present day.
The Use of Force Training Experience will explore law enforcement methods of identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting criminals, putting guests in the shoes of law enforcement officers. The Crime Lab Experience will offer guests a hands-on, interactive exploration of five different forensic science topics. Guests will explore the Crime Lab during the 25-minute facilitated experience, which is guided by a museum educator and features original multimedia with insights from forensic science experts.
Author events will feature: Feb. 14 2-5 p.m. John Binder, author of “Al Capone’s Beer Wars: A Complete History of Organized Crime in Chicago during Prohibition;” and Feb. 15 7-9 p.m. Wiseguy Speaker Series featuring author John Binder discussing details about the influence of prohibition in Chicago and the life and death of Al Capone.
An annual blood drive will be held 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 15 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 16.
WYNN RESORTS ACQUIRES SMILING KING BEAR SCULPTURE
Wynn Resorts has added Smiling King Bear, a pop-surreal sculpture created by the famed Spanish contemporary artist Okuda San Miguel, to its world-class art collection. The towering 16-feet tall creation executed in the artist’s signature prismatic style is a multicolored geometric masterpiece featuring a whimsical bear with a spiked crown, holding an equally imposing smiling ball.
Fashioned from fiberglass, aluminum, and highly pigmented synthetic enamel, Smiling King Bear originally arrived from Spain as part of an outdoor art exhibition in Downtown Las Vegas curated by global creative house, Justkids. The sculpture is now on display in the Wynn Plaza rotunda as part of the resort’s continued appreciation and commitment to public art.
BACKSTREET BOYS PARTY AT CHATEAU NIGHTCLUB AT PARIS
The Backstreet Boys official concert after-parties on Saturdays, Feb. 10 and 17 will be back at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris. General admission to the popstars’ parties starts at $40.
The best-selling boy band of all time continue to celebrate their popular Las Vegas residency show, “Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life” at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood. AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson and Nick Carter will join fans on the rooftop Strip-side club.
ORLEANS ARENA HOSTS 105.7 OLD SCHOOL LOVE AFFAIR CONCERT
Celebrated 1970s and 1980s disco, R&B, soul and funk entertainers, including GQ, Zapp, Tierra, Force MD's, Atlantic Starr, The Delfonics, The Deele, Heatwave, The Chi-Lites, and The Floaters, will perform their hit songs at the 105.7 Old School Love Affair Concert at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
BRANDON BOYD OF INCUBUS PRESENTS FINE ART PRINTS AT HARD ROCK
Brandon Boyd, an accomplished visual artist and lead singer of the platinum-selling rock band, Incubus, now has a large-scale display of fine art prints at Hard Rock Hotel in front of The Joint entrance and will remain there through 2018. Boyd’s art display coincides with Incubus’ limited engagement at The Joint. The group will return Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. Tickets start at $50.50.
Boyd’s work as a painter has been garnering increasing attention. He reveals a personal, freeform, ambiguous kind of visual style, which focuses on magic, serendipity, curiosity and mystery. His images are constructed by chance through colorful ink spills and the contents of his own travel journals.
DRUM KIT AND ART DISPLAY UNVEILING AT HARD ROCK HOTEL FEB. 16
Shepard Fairey, distinguished artist and founder of OBEY Clothing, and Frank Zummo, co-founder of Street Drum Corps and drummer for Sum 41, will unveil their original SJC Custom Drums titled “Rise Above” at the Hard Rock Hotel on Friday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. Zummo used the drum kit from 2016-2017 during Sum 41’s U.S. and Canada tours, festivals and the 2017 Alternative Press Music Awards. Fairey, who is well-known for his Barack Obama “Hope” poster during the 2008 U.S. presidential election, will also debut eight hand-painted wooden panels that will surround the “Rise Above” drum kit. The duo will sign autographs after the event.
‘SESAME STREET: F IS FOR FRIENDS’ EXPERIENCE VISITS FASHION SHOW
HBO and Sesame Workshop - in collaboration with many local public television stations and community-based organizations – has its second free mall tour “Sesame Street: F is for Friends,” inspired by the 48th season of “Sesame Street” debuting at Fashion Show Las Vegas on Saturday, March 3.
This immersive limited-engagement tour includes a 15-minute show starring costumed Elmo and Abby Cadabby characters, filled with stories and songs about celebrating similarities and differences between friends. Shows will be repeated throughout the day. Families will also enjoy character meet-and-greets, digital activity stations, photo opportunities that include Cookie Monster’s new food truck, and more. New this year, “Sesame Street: F is for Friends” will also make private stops at community-based organizations including libraries, family shelters, and childcare centers.
VALENTINE’S DAY NEWS BITES
Vegas Indoor Skydiving is offering a Valentine’s Couples ThAIRapy package Feb. 14-19 for $99 per couple. The adventure will include the Learn to Fly experience for two, two Vegas Indoor Skydiving shirts, two printed photos and a champagne toast following the flight. Vegas Indoor Skydiving was built in 1982 and was the first indoor skydiving facility to open in the United States.
Ethel M Chocolates is recognizing both Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day, a nonofficial holiday for “ladies celebrating ladies” on Feb. 13, with limited-edition flavors and new collectible heart-shaped boxes. Also the three-acre botanical cactus garden will be resplendent with pink, purple and red lights illuminated nightly from sundown to 10 p.m., Feb. 7 to14. The garden is always free and open to the public.
Half a heart cake is half the price at $12.97. Freed’s Bakery, the featured bakery on Food Network’s “Vegas Cakes,” will celebrate Valentine’s Day with half-heart shaped cakes on Wednesday, Feb. 14.
Murder-mystery dinner show, “Marriage Can Be Murder” at the D is offering two “killer” Valentine’s Day deals starting at $71.95 with the show at 7:30 p.m. Option 1 comes with a glass of champagne, a box of chocolates, a rose per couple and three-course meal. Option 2 features a special menu crafted by the award-winning chefs of Joe Vicari's Andiamo Italian Steakhouse.
BEVERLY HILLS REJUVENATION CENTERS OPENS IN LAS VEGAS
The Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center (BHRC), one of the nation’s leading high-end medical spas, opened its first Las Vegas location in Boca Park with the help of local officials and celebrity guests. Co-owners, Devin Haman and Dan Holtz, were joined by Councilman Steve Seroka, celebrity guests Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley from “Real Housewives of Orange County,” and locals including Tiffany Masters, Jaymes Vaughan, and headliner Murray SawChuck for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
BHRC, founded in 2005, is an anti-aging and wellness destination with state-of-the-art equipment and the highest quality of products and services, specializing in advanced, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and non-surgical aesthetic treatments.
NEVADA STATE FOSSILS RETURNED FROM CALIFORNIA
More than 20,000 Ice Age Fossils with some dating back 190,000 years, which were excavated from Las Vegas’ own Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and surrounding areas in Nevada, have been stored in California museums for the past 20 years. The artifacts came back to Nevada and to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum (LVNHM) on Jan. 28. LVNHM will house these excavated materials to be used for research and learning purposes as well as to be included in exhibits.
QUICK NOTES
Hong Kong martial artist, actor and film director Jackie Chan visited Madame Tussauds last week when his wax figure returned from Los Angeles. The Jackie Chan wax figure is part of the Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Lunar New Year promotion, which includes two-for-one tickets for guests through Wednesday, Feb. 28 by using Promo Code: CNYBOGO.
A week ago, “Dancing with the Stars” stars Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy (Maks and Val), made a special appearance at Treasure Island to celebrate the first anniversary of popular mobile game One Piece Thousand Storm based on a popular anime series in Japan. They met with characters from the game like Luffy, stopped by the festival at Sirens Cove outside of Treasure Island, and helped unveil the new game One Piece Bounty Rush.
The city of Las Vegas is looking for artisan vendors to showcase and sell their work at the 2018 Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival Craft Market taking place Saturday, March 24, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Centennial Hills Park. Deadline is March 2.
“Viva Oy Vegas” will be performed on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. back at the Suncoast Showroom. This is when the Las Vegas Jewish community presents their talented singers, dancers and performance artists. Tickets are $25 general admission and $54 for VIP; contact Elizabeth Bricker at 702-794-0090
It’s time to walk with purpose and fun on Feb. 24 and support the Children’s Heart Foundation by participating in the 15th Annual Walk with the Heart of a Child through the Fashion Show mall at 8 a.m. Fees are $25 for adults and $15 for active-duty military, students, seniors, and virtual walkers.
TREVI Italian Restaurant, located in The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, will welcome attendees of the 2018 MAGIC tradeshow with a featured dish, cioppino for $36, from Monday-Wednesday, Feb. 12 to 14.
