BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: April 15, 2018
GWEN STEFANI CONFIRMS HER RESIDENCY AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD
It’s been talked about for months and is now a reality, multi-platinum recording artist Gwen Stefani will have an exclusive headlining residency show, “Gwen Stefani – Just a Girl,” inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood beginning Wednesday, June 27. Her 25 dates go through March 2019. General ticket prices begin at $59.
Her show like others before will be designed exclusively for Zappos Theater and be spectacularly staged. In addition, a partnership with Cure 4 The Kids Foundation has been established, where $1 of every show ticket purchased will be donated to the Las Vegas-based nonprofit organization, which provides medical treatment to children facing life-threatening conditions.
The three-time Grammy® Award winner, Stefani has been a coach three times on the singing competition TV show “The Voice.” She is also a trendsetter and widely recognized as an accomplished fashion designer and entrepreneur, having created lifestyle brands L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers. In addition, another venture for Stefani has been to co-create and executive produce her first children’s animated television series “Kuu Kuu Harajuku” on Nickelodeon. The show follows the adventures of the all-girl band HJ5 -- Love, Angel, Music, Baby and G -- through their super cute fantasy world of music, fashion and style.
GOO GOO DOLLS 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR WILL STOP AT HARD ROCK
Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls will stop at The Joint at Hard Rock on Saturday, Nov. 10 with their “Goo Goo Dolls - Dizzy Up The Girl 20th Anniversary Tour.” The tour will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their music album, “Dizzy Up The Girl” with the band performing the record in its entirety at each show, along with additional surprises and more of their many memorable hits. Tickets start at $35.
The album was first released on Sept. 22, 1998, via Warner Bros. Records and catapulted the band into mainstream success. The record sold six million albums worldwide and had five top 10 singles.
STAR WARS™ ATTRACTION OPENS AT GRAND CANAL SHOPPES
The VOID, the global leader of a new category of immersive location-based experiences, has teamed up with ILMxLAB, a Lucasfilm's Immersive Entertainment division, to create Star Wars™: Secrets of the Empire. This attraction will open in the Grand Canal Shoppes at St. Mark’s Square at The Venetian and The Palazzo on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m. This fully immersive VR fantasy adventure in Las Vegas will be the second Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire location following the success of the first in Glendale Galleria in California. Hours are daily opening at 10 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight on Friday-Saturday.
The multi-sensory interactive adventure will transport guests deep into the Star Wars universe virtual world: where they can walk freely untethered; see, touch and interact with the environment; feel the turbulence of the skiff below their feet; and smell the smoke. Under the rebellion’s order, teams of four must work together to infiltrate an Imperial base with help from familiar Star Wars characters along the way.
FRANK MARINO’S ‘DIVAS’ SHOW INITIATES INTERACTIVE SHOW
LINQ headliner Frank Marino with his “Divas Las Vegas” cast of female impersonators will become an interactive show allowing the audience to give direction. For each performance, Marino will give a behind-the-scenes look from his dressing room via Facebook Live, and give the audience an opportunity to vote who in his cast will perform that night. No two shows will be identical.
Marino and cast debuted their reality show, “Last Laugh in Vegas” on ITV One Tuesday, April 3. In the show, Marino mentors a group of British celebrities to transform them into Las Vegas headliners. In May, Marino will debut his newest book, “Drags to Riches," an in-depth look at the life of the “Queen of the Strip.”
The Divas show features 17 different performers nightly and later this spring, there will be new cast members such as Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani and a new Cher number.
Divas performs daily at 4 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $24.99.
COMEDIENNE ROSEANNE BARR VISITS ORLEANS SHOWROOM
There’s an opportunity to see Roseanne Barr at The Orleans on Saturday, May 5 at 8 p.m. as she’s on top again with the return of her timeless sitcom “Roseanne” on ABC. The show features the complete original cast, new series regulars and returning guest start at $45.
The TV superstar began her career as a stand-up comedienne, turning her experiences as a wife and mother into hilarious comedy routines and ultimately her series, which ran for nine seasons. Throughout her career, Barr has guest starred on a variety of shows, appeared in the films, and hosted her own talk show “The Roseanne Show.” Barr has authored has three books, including “Roseanne: My Life as a Woman,” “My Lives” and “Roseannearchy: Dispatches from the Nut Farm.”
REAL RESULTS GYM WILL OPEN AT THE PLAZA HOTEL
The Plaza Hotel will be getting a new 5,000-square-foot, performance fitness center, Real Results, which is the company’s second downtown location. Opening Tuesday, May 1, the gym located near the registration lobby will offer athletic sports style training, including group classes and personal training, as well as traditional workout equipment and other amenities. Signature group cross-training and yoga sessions will be offered in the new fitness center and on the recreation deck of the pool weather permitting. Hotel guests will use the gym for free, while affordable memberships will be available for locals.
Real Results is collaborating with several of the hotel’s restaurants to develop the “Real Results Menu,” featuring specific healthy options for customers after a workout. The gym will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. All group classes will last an hour and cost $20.
ESPORTS STAR NINJA TACKLES 400 CHALLENGERS AT ESPORTS ARENA
Streaming global esports sensation Tyler “Ninja” Blevins will be the star of the Ninja Vegas ’18 special event challenge being hosted at The Strip’s first permanent esports venue at the Luxor on Saturday, April 21.
Tickets to play are $75 and include participation in one heat, which is two games based on availability, and a souvenir Ninja Vegas ‘18 headband. Participants may register at the event. Doors open at 3 p.m. and the first game starts at 5 p.m.
Ten live games, split into five heats with two games each, will feature Ninja taking on up to 400 challengers in the arena with $50,000 in cash prizes up for grabs. The 10 games will each be worth $5,000 with $2,500 going to the winner and another $2,500 bounty awarded to anyone who knocks Ninja out of a game. If Ninja wins, the bounty will carry over to the next match. All of Ninja’s winnings will be donated to a charity of his choice.
OPIUM BLASTS OFF AT THE COSMOPOLITAN
The galactic premiere of “OPIUM” at The Cosmopolitan happened on April 8 with the crew of the Orbital People Mover 4.2 (OPM 4.2) blasting off on their inaugural interplanetary flight from the planet Uranus and successfully landing on Earth. The revealing crew includes: commander Captain Ann Tennille; her right-hand man Lieutenant Lou Tenant; newest recruit Chip; the latest in android technology Rob the Robot; cruise director Leslie; medical team and amateur magicians Dr. Roger Regis and Nurse Raquel; and maintenance man Scottie. Onboard the voyage are entertaining guests, celebrity chanteuse Dusty Moonboots, whose alien ancestors founded Las Vegas many light-years ago, as well as the great band from Quasar System 5, The Many Moons.
“OPIUM” performances are Monday and Wednesday at 8 p.m. and Thursday through Sunday at 8 and 10 p.m. The performance schedule is subject to change without notice. Tickets start at $79.
FREE WILDLIFE HABITAT AT FLAMINGO TURNS 23
The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo, which covers approximately four acres, is turning 23. It’s really a hidden treasure with two dedicated team members maintaining the wildlife habitat. The habitat is accredited by the Zoological Association of America and is a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Association. Here are some fun facts.
More than 50 species of animals reside there including 60 exotic birds, 20 turtles and more than 300 large fish reside throughout the islands and within the streams.
There are 10 Chilean flamingos, which is a bird able to manage temperatures from 20 degrees below zero up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and the oldest flamingo is more than 35 years old.
Guests can learn about the habitat at the pelican feedings held at 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
THIRD THURSDAY ON 3RD WILL FEATURE BATTLING TOP TATTOO ARTISTS
The next Third Thursday on 3rd event on April 19 at 7 p.m. will have two Las Vegas tattoo shops, Revolt Tattoo and Studio 21, exposing their top artists to the 3rd street stage for a creative clash of artistic domination and shop pride. The audience will witness freestyle artwork unfold with an illustration battle between two teams of permanent artists equipped with markers and acrylic paint. The competition will have four artists, two canvases and only one winner.
The outdoor street party with a DJ will have an assortment of gourmet food trucks, games, give-a-ways, and street food offerings from Triple George Grill and the Citrus Grand Pool Deck.
LINQ PROMENADE HOLDS EARTH DAY WEEKEND FESTIVAL
The LINQ Promenade will go green for Earth Day showcasing sustainable art and featuring demonstrations along the outdoor entertainment district by locals and pop-up shops throughout the weekend.
On Saturday, April 21, Desert Pines High School students will speak at 2 p.m. regarding waste and litter reduction. At 3 p.m., live entertainment will start with performers creating music by incorporating recycled materials. Every hour beginning at 6:35 p.m., John Born will be painting live on a variety of surfaces.
On Sunday, April 22, pop-up shops will feature work, which will be for sale, from local artists including Paper Flower Couture, Recycled Propaganda, Cliff’s Airbrushing, Nerdy Nat Crafts and Metamorphosis collection.
The weekend will end with the Project Greenway runway show spotlighting ensembles created by Las Vegas Fashion Council students. The first round at 2 p.m. will feature looks the students have created in advance from items at Goodwill of Southern Nevada. The second round at 3 p.m. will have participants being given a “surprise” bag with one clothing item or accessory that must be included when creating their second look in 45 minutes. Students will compete for a $500 prize with runners-up receiving $100 Goodwill of Southern Nevada gift certificates.
DINING HIGHLIGHTS
Emeril's New Orleans Fish House in the MGM Grand has launched a four-course spring tasting menu for $65 featuring signature and new dishes with seasonal ingredients. The menu is available from 4-10 p.m. with optional wine pairings starting at $30.
The recently opened retro 24-hour gaming MINT Tavern has added a pizza program offering nine-inch individual pies in four flavors with 100 percent natural ingredients priced from $8.50–$9. Another change is and a new Happy Hour Monday-Friday, 5-7 p.m., with $3 domestic drafts, well drinks and house wine and eight-inch pizza for $6.
Honey Salt at 1031 S. Rampart Blvd. will pay homage to Sicily’s culinary traditions with a Farm Table menu showcasing a diverse array of classic Sicilian favorites from the sea and the vines for $49 on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. An optional beverage pairing is and additional $25. For reservations, visit the restaurant’s website or call 702-445-6100.
Ferraro’s Restaurant & Wine Bar’s next Taste & Learn event is scheduled for April 28 at 5 p.m. The four-course dinner will be a journey to Tuscany to focus on the wines of Livio Sassetti, whose family has made wine for three generations. Tickets are $65 inclusive, and reservations are required.
QUICK ITEMS
Momentum continues for “Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together in Vegas” show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with additional 2018 dates: Oct. 10, 12-13, 17, 19-20 and Dec.5, 7-8, 22, 24-25. The superstar trio will return for previously announced summer shows Aug. 15, 17-18, 22, and 24-25.
The Mob Museum’s new Underground Prohibition History Exhibit will open to the public on Friday, April 20. Visitors will experience an educational speakeasy and learn about Prohibition-era bootlegging and rum running, while enjoying handcrafted cocktails.
Recently comedian and celebrity impressionist, Sean E. Cooper, who has been a featured act for 14 years in the “Fantasy” show at the Luxor, received the Career Achievement Award at the second Las Vegas F.A.M.E (Film, Art, Music and Entertainment) Awards. Prior to “Fantasy,” Cooper toured the world performing on cruise ships and in many well-known shows including “Legends in Concert,” “Splash Las Vegas” and his own “The Coop Show.”
The Artisan Craft Festival will be held at the Silverton in the Veil Pavilion from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 with free admission
Summerlin's 6th Annual Health & Wellness Fair will be held at Las Ventanas at 10401 W. Charleston Blvd. with more than 40 vendors and free health scans and screenings on Tuesday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A CANstruction exhibit will be on display in the corridor outside Shark Reef inside Mandalay Bay through Sunday, May 6. People can cast their vote for “The People’s Choice Award” and bring a can of food to put in the “Ballot Box” next to a favorite structure. At the end, the cans will be donated to help feed the hungry in Las Vegas. An open public reception will be held on Monday, April 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. with a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. Everyone should RSVP at the AIA Vegas website.
