BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: May 6, 2018
BARRY MANILOW RETURNS TO WESTGATE
Grammy®, Tony® and Emmy® Award-winning Barry Manilow will be returning to Las Vegas with a new stage production featuring his extensive catalog of hits in the showroom at Westgate. Tickets will range from $19.75 to $329.75.
The singer-songwriter, arranger, producer and musician, has sold more than 85 million albums worldwide and is one of the world’s all-time bestselling recording artists with 50 Top 40 singles including 12 No. 1s and 27 Top 10 hits. He had a former long running residency at the Westgate which debuted on Feb. 24, 2005.
Manilow’s upcoming dates going on sale include: May 24-26, June 14-16 and 21-23, July 19-21and 26-28, Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6.
MARIAH CAREY RETURNS TO CAESARS PALACE
Best-selling female artist of all time Mariah Carey with more than 200 million records sold is returning to Las Vegas with a new residency show “The Butterfly Returns” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning Thursday, July 5. The chanteuse’s new project will highlight a more intimate performance featuring her extensive catalogue of music. The first 12 dates are: July 5, 7, 8, 10, 14, 15; Aug. 1; and Sept. 1, 2, 5, 9, 10. General ticket prices begin at $55 and all shows begin at 8 p.m.
Carey with her distinct five-octave vocal range has garnered 18 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles with 17 self-penned.
JANELLE MONÁE BRINGS HER TOUR TO THE PEARL AT PALMS
Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter, producer, actress and activist Janelle Monáe is bringing her upcoming North American “Dirty Computer Tour” to the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on Tuesday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m. with special guest St. Beauty. Tickets start at $39.95.
Monáe recently unveiled details about her third solo album, “Dirty Computer” and the accompanying “Dirty Computer: An Emotion Picture By Janelle Monáe.” Many folks are now aware of Monáe for her talent on the silver screen since she starred in the Academy-Award nominated “Hidden Figures” and “Best Picture” winner “Moonlight.”
WORLD MARKET CENTER WILL EXPAND
World Market Center Las Vegas, owner and operated by International Market Centers (IMC), in partnership with the City of Las Vegas will build a new 350,000-square-foot Expo Center costing approximately $76 million. The new Expo Center will provide exhibition and meeting space in the downtown area for corporate and private events, meetings and tradeshows, and service the Las Vegas Market furniture, gift and home décor trade events. Construction is slated to begin in the next 12-18 months and will take about 18 months to complete.
COMEDIAN EDDIE GRIFFIN TAKES UP HEADLINING RESIDENCY AT SLS
Actor and comedian Eddie Griffin will begin a headlining stand-up comedy residency titled, “The Eddie Griffin Experience,” inside The Sayers Club at SLS on Monday, May 21. His shows will run weekly, Monday through Wednesday, at 8 p.m. with occasional dark dates: June 5, July 25, Sept. 12, Oct. 9, 15 and 17, and Nov. 12 and 14. Tickets start at $69.
Griffin has more than 50 movie and television credits, including starring roles in feature films “Undercover Brother” and “John Q,” as well as his own television series currently in syndication, “Malcolm & Eddie.” Griffin’s current Showtime special is “Eddie Griffin: Undeniable” reflecting on his long-standing career and his next feature film, “A Star is Born,” will be released this fall and stars Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
LAS VEGAS SUPPORTS ROYAL WEDDING FEVER
As a nod across the pond, the Clark County Commission named May as Royal Wedding Month in Las Vegas. Known as the “Destination Wedding Capital of the World” and with the royal wedding on May 19, Las Vegas held a mock wedding inside the commission chambers with something old, new, borrowed and blue.
Something old was represented by classic Las Vegas icons Showgirls and Elvis; new was acknowledged by Chance the Vegas Golden Knights Mascot; borrowed from the UK was The Mirage headliner, British singer Matt Goss, who has performed for the Queen and Princess Diana; and blue was naturally the Luxor’s Blue Man Group.
THE LINQ PROMENADE ANNOUNCES NEW DEVELOPMENTS
There are new developments at The LINQ Promenade in addition to recent high-profile announcements, including future attractions King Heaven and Fly LINQ.
Virtual Reality Adventures (VR), which plunges guests wearing high-tech goggles into a three-dimensional virtual world, recently moved to a new location along the mall and will feature nine experiences for guests of all ages, including VRoller Coaster. VR requires gamers to use hand movement, walk, sidestep or jump to explore or fly through the virtual world. The attraction also has four virtual reality motion simulators featuring adventures such as whitewater rafting.
Socks & Bottoms will be a trendy retail store opening in June highlighting popular and unique brands of socks and underwear.
Also, in June, Marshall Retail Group will open their new retail concept, Welcome to Las Vegas Gift Shop, featuring Las Vegas souvenirs. The permanent location will be unveiled this summer.
‘SEX TIPS’ AT PARIS WILL HAVE A NEW CAST STARTING JUNE 4
“Sex Tips for Straight Women from a Gay Man” at Paris will welcome veteran Las Vegas actors as new cast members with Katie Kenner as Robyn and Douglas Katch Gray as Dan Anderson beginning Monday, June 4. They will join Chris Hodgson, who performs as Stefan in the stage comedy. Kenner and Katch will replace Scheana Shay (“Vanderpump Rules”) and Chester Lockhart (MTV), who can be seen in the show through Sunday, May 6. Tickets start at $49.
Kenner has worked with David Copperfield, choreographed dances for local and touring shows, developed stand-up acts and sung in lounge shows. Katch has more than 11 years performing in hit productions including “VEGAS! The Show,” “Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding” and “Dancing Queen.” His debut album “Katch Gray” is currently available on iTunes.
Hodgson from England has performed in Las Vegas since 2012 beginning as the lead singer in “Jubilee!” He has also starred in “50 Shades! The Parody” and established a viable modeling career.
COUNTRY IN THE PARK WILL STAR JERROD NIEMANN - TRENT HARMON
The 12th annual Country in the Park free outdoor event will be held again at Mountain’s Edge Master Planned Community at 9700 S. Buffalo Drive on Saturday, May 12 from 2 to 8 p.m.
Entertainment will begin at 2 p.m. with Las Vegas’ four-member country rock band Thrillbilly Deluxe. At 6 p.m. the music concert will be led by decade-long career, country star Jerrod Niemann with 15th season “American Idol” winner Trent Harmon, and up-and-comer Ben Rue.
Festivities will include a beer garden, food vendors, booths, exhibits and more. Picnic baskets, chairs, blankets and well-behaved leashed pets are welcome. No alcohol, coolers, glass, backpacks and pop-up tents are allowed in the park.
ANNUAL AMERICAN PATRIOT FEST HONORS OUR ARMED FORCES
The annual American Patriot Fest will be held Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Craig Ranch Regional Park at 628 W. Craig Road.
During the May 12 celebration, there will be live entertainment by Evil Waze – The Ultimate Santana Experience, a Motown Tribute featuring Magic Touch and more. Additional festivities will include the Cars & Stripes presented by 360 CarShow, Jump! The Ultimate Dog Show, kid’s activities, vendors and fundraising efforts for military/Veteran charities. The inaugural Las Vegas Burger Festival will be incorporated and feature an amateur hamburger eating competition.
Another festival highlight will be the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT), an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., opening on Thursday, May 10 at 3 p.m. The AVTT will be available 24 hours a day through Sunday, May 13 at 3 p.m. The public is invited to view the wall free of charge and make rubbings of the names of their fallen loved ones.
The American Patriot Fest and Las Vegas’ Steve Darnell, owner of Welder Up and star of the TV show “Vegas Rat Rods,” have joined forces to help local military and veteran charities. A vintage motorcycle customized by Darnell will be raffled with proceeds benefiting nonprofit organizations. Raffle tickets are $10 each through the participating charitable organizations. The drawing will be held Friday, Sept. 21 at the POW/MIA Ceremony and Dinner at the VFW Post. Winner does not need to be present to win.
The public is invited to the reveal of the custom motorcycle at Henderson Harley-Davidson on Wednesday, May 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1010 W. Warm Springs Rd. The free event will close with the departure of the AVTT escort to Craig Ranch Regional Park.
ART ANNOUNCEMENTS
Magical Memories featuring Disney Fine Art at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace will host free artist appearances by Tim Rogerson and Trevor Carlton May 11-13. The two artists will be painting live and signing works Friday, May 11 from noon–2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., and on Saturday, May 12 from noon–3 p.m.
Rogerson will be painting live at the gallery on Sunday, May 13 from noon–2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. The Orlando, Florida, native developed an early bond with Disney’s characters through his father’s work as an entertainment director with Disney Parks. After completing art school at the Ringling School of Art and Design, he worked as a character artist on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom® Park and later became an official artist of the Disney Fine Art collection. He’s known for his live performances set to music while he paints Disney characters in a matter of minutes.
In conjunction with National Photography Month, photographer, chef, scientist, and author Nathan Myhrvold, is debuting 20 new images at his Modernist Cuisine Gallery at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, which is the first gallery in the world to sell food photography by a single artist.
Myhrvold has taken food photography to a new level by his use of technology, science, and the literal creation of new cameras and photographic techniques. Some of his new pieces include: Underground Embrace showing two carrots in soil intertwined in their growth; mouthwatering Tomahawk, a giant on-the-bone Rib Steak; and Vicia Fabia, which is the Latin name for the fava bean.
GOLDEN NUGGET WILL HOST 11TH ANNUAL GRAND POKER SERIES
The 11th annual Grand Poker Series will be held at the Golden Nugget May 29-July 3 in the Grand Event Center with more than 90 poker tournaments spread across 36 days ranging in both buy-in amounts and poker disciplines. Of the 90-plus scheduled events, 18 are in formats other than Hold'Em. Buy-ins range from $110 to $1,000, and most days will feature three events at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
M RESORT HOSTS SUMMER ‘DIVE-IN’ MOVIES
Last week, M Resort started hosting “Dive-In” family-friendly movies on select Friday nights at the outdoor M Pool throughout the summer. Featuring back-to-back flicks, doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the first film at 8:30 p.m., followed by a second blockbuster picture after a 10-minute intermission. A $2 cover for all ages is charged at the door. The upcoming schedule this month includes: May 11 “Hook” and “Jumanji;” May 18 “The Lion King” and “Beauty and the Beast;” May 25 “Hocus Pocus” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Swimming is permitted for those in proper attire, but floats, tubes, noodles, and oversize rafts are not allowed.
WET‘N’WILD OFFERS FAMILY-FRIENDLY SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Wet‘n’Wild is an outdoor summer playground open through Sunday, Sept. 30, featuring many activities including the return of three popular weekly series.
The Dive-In Movie series will feature family-friendly films May 25-Aug. 11 screened from the Red Rock Bay wave pool every Friday and select Saturday nights at 8 p.m.
The Children’s Storytime series June 7-Aug. 9 is every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. inside Paradise Falls with a special guest reading a book themed around kindness.
The third series, Saturday DJ Sessions, is a family daytime pool party June 9-Aug. 18 with radio personalities and young local DJs, giveaways, frozen treats and dancing at Red Rock Bay wave pool starting at 2 p.m.
Wet’n’Wild will also host complimentary concerts and family foam parties. The park has a Twilight Ticket deal online for $19.99 and $24.99 at the gate on dates when the park closes after 8 p.m., which features entry into the park after 4 p.m. For a limited time, the Gold Season Pass is available for $84.99.
LAS VEGAS CELEBRATES NATIONAL TOURISM WEEK WITH A RALLY
The Las Vegas Convention & Visitor Authority (LVCVA) will celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week with the public on Tuesday, May 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Fremont Street Experience’s Third Street Stage with the annual Travel Rally Day. This year’s event will include a “Then & Now” Extravaganza Show with performances by Frank Sinatra and Elvis impersonators and a final performance from top 40s band, Zowie Bowie. Locals and tourists will have the opportunity to win special giveaways from hotels, shows and attractions. There will also be a chance to win drink tickets and VIP passes to the Four Queens Hotel’s private patio for free appetizers and an open bar during the rally only. The official color for Travel Rally Day is RED.
MORE UPCOMING HAPPENINGS
Keeping with tradition, the Elk’s-sponsored Las Vegas Helldorado Parade will be held downtown on Saturday, May 12 at 10 p.m. Helldorado Days include four days of rodeo and carnival fun held annually.
Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit May 10-13 will celebrate 12 years of culinary wonder. The four-day extravaganza offers a world-class lineup of renowned chefs from Las Vegas properties. Last year the event attracted more than 5,000 attendees.
The Electric Daisy Carnival better known as EDC will welcome more than 400,000 electro-dance music lovers to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 18-20.
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards with host Kelly Clarkson will award the world’s top contemporary music stars on Sunday, May 20 and be broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on the NBC network.
RECon 2018 is the world’s leading global shopping center industry convention attracting more than 37,000 attendees May 20-23.
DINING NEWS
Beer Park at Paris will host a weekend-long Memorial Day party with tailgate-style food, more than 100 varieties of beer and DJ sets Friday-Monday, May 25-28.
In addition, Beer Park has introduced a new custom-made Budweiser beer bar with seating for 15. The exclusive bar offers beer from copper kegs sent directly from Budweiser’s brewery in Fairfield, Calif.
Blue Ribbon Las Vegas at The Cosmopolitan and Brooklyn Brewery are holding a special five-course beer-pairing dinner experience at the restaurant created by Executive Chef Jason Corwin on Thursday, May 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Each course will be presented with a hand-picked beer, chosen by Brew Master Garrett Oliver. Cost is $70.
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar on Paradise Road across the street from Hard Rock has created a tasting menu featuring five courses for $85. Wine pairings are an additional $50, and $75 for the owner’s premium Italian wine pairings.
Honey Salt at 1031 S. Rampart Blvd. recently renovated its private dining room for a more intimate feel. The next prix fix dinner in the restaurant Farm Table series will feature the best beers from Big Dog Brewing Company on Tuesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. The dinner is $49 and pairing with Big Dog beers is an additional $25.
ABOUT TOWN TIDBITS
Stand-up comedian, television show host, award-winning actor and a platinum-selling recording artist Vice Ganda will headline The Club at Cannery on Friday, May 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $58.
The colorful show “Absinthe” in the memorable Spiegeltent in front of Caesars Palace is celebrating its seventh anniversary this week before it launches a seven-day a week performance schedule on Monday, May 14 due to its success and high demand for tickets.
Crazy Horse III gentlemen’s club will hold a late-night celebration for Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 26 hosted by model, actress and DJ, Tori Brixx. She is currently a guest speaker on the CBS podcast, “Loveline” and the face of popular celebrity fashion lines, including Khloe Kardashian’s “The GA Project” and Blac Chyna’s “88 FIN.
The Gateway Arts Foundation is holding a Social Dance Party on Saturday, May 19 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. with free lessons by certified ballroom dance teacher Billy Neikirk, who is also the singing DJ host. Cost is $5 and location is Desert Vista, 10338 Sun City Blvd. (89134).
Med-spa Beverly Hills Rejuvenation Center (BHRC) at Boca Park in honor of National Pet Month in May is offering 20 percent off one-time services, when guests bring items to be donated to Nevada Society for the Cruelty of Animals, including pet food, pet toys, treats and more.
