BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: July 29, 2018
MAGICIAN DAVID GOLDRAKE WILL LAUNCH NEW SHOW NEXT SPRING
Award-winning grand illusionist David Goldrake will hold the final performance of his “Imaginarium” show at the Tropicana on Sunday, Sept. 30. The reason is he plans to produce a new headlining magic production, which he will introduce next spring at a new location TBA.
Last month, Goldrake, known as “The International Man of Mystery,” celebrated the first anniversary of his Las Vegas residency and more than 300 shows at the Tropicana. Recently, Goldrake introduced contortionist-aerialist Mariama to the production along with new choreography, stage lighting, and sideshow act.
“Imaginarium” is performed Tuesday-Sunday at 7 p.m. with ticket prices starting at $45.98.
KEVIN BURKE LEAVES ‘DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN’
Kevin Burke will be leaving his starring resident role in “Defending the Caveman” at the D Las Vegas after his show on Saturday, Aug. 2. He plans to do more touring and enjoy family time. The comedy hit about the sexes runs nightly at 8:40 p.m. with regular ticket prices starting at $36.95.
Burke has been the “perfect” Caveman and was the last one to be hand-picked by Rob Becker, the original Caveman and writer. He’s appeared in the show in the Las Vegas for 10 years, changing properties, which included Golden Nugget, Excalibur, Harrah’s and the D. Globally, Burke has performed the show more than 5,000 times since 2003.
As a testament to how hard Burke works, in 2008, he achieved the Guinness World of Record for “Most theatrical performances in 50 days.” In his time with Caveman, he added his own touches and made the enlightening hilarious show his own.
PLANET 13 WILL BE A CANNABIS ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
The $7.5 million Planet 13 Superstore dispensary, which will open Nov. 1, is a cannabis entertainment complex currently under construction at 2548 W. Desert Inn Road. The dispensary is on the former site of a distribution center for Coors beer brand.
Being billed as the world’s largest marijuana dispensary, Planet 13’s first phase will include 16,500 square feet of retail space plus interactive attractions. The project is expected to add a brewery, coffee shop and food hall, and once complete will take up 112,000 square feet.
The first phase comprising 40,000 square feet will have at least 45 registers, on the roof 13 15-foot-tall electric lotus flowers, a spherical fountain in front, and laser graffiti walls.
GREEK SNEEK WILL OPEN AT MGM GRAND THIS FALL
Husband and wife co-owners, Michael and Jenna Morton will introduce Greek Sneek, a 100-seat, 2,000-square-foot restaurant and bar serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine and cocktails at the MGM Grand early this fall; and will be accessible via a hidden entrance next to CRUSH. Hours will be daily from 5-11 p.m.
The menu, by Morton Group Corporate Executive Chef William DeMarco, will offer share plates, flatbreads and entrees. Some highlights include: Greek ‘chips,’ traditional crispy zucchini and eggplant chips served with tzatziki; crab cake; shaved pita sandwiches; and shrimp kabobs. Many selections will be prepared in a woodfired oven.
Other Morton Group restaurants include: La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway at Wynn since December 2010; La Comida downtown in the East Fremont District since May 2013; CRUSH at MGM Grand since December 2013; and MB Steak, a steakhouse by Michael Morton and brother David, in the Hard Rock since May 2017.
GEORGE WALLACE IS BACK IN TOWN AS A RESIDENT HEADLINER
It’s so nice to have comedian George Wallace back in Las Vegas as a headliner. His new residency is at Westgate Cabaret, which is a very comfortable and intimate room in the hotel. His schedule is Tuesday through Thursday at 8 p.m. with tickets $65, $75 and $95.
The veteran stand-up’s last Las Vegas-residency was at the Flamingo and ended in April 2014. However, Wallace stayed busy appearing on “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” with Jerry Seinfeld and with Morgan Freeman in the movie “Just Getting Started.” Wallace has a part in the upcoming movie “The Last Laugh,” with Richard Dreyfus and Chevy Chase, which will be distributed by Netflix.
Wallace has returned with his casual conversational approachable and friendly style, which has always been a winner for him. He’s a comedian you can see repeatedly because no two shows are the same and he’s so likable you just enjoy spending time in his presence. Wallace is a great addition to the entertainment lineup at Westgate, which now includes Barry Manilow’s return to Las Vegas as well.
On a night with media attending, comedian Don Barnhardt opened the show. When he’s not touring, you can catch the “Jokesters” 10:30 p.m. show at the D downtown.
WINNING COUPLE WILL MARRY ON 8/1/18 ON THE HIGH ROLLER
Las Vegas couple, Heather Bagley and Justin Brittingham, will be the first to marry on the Palindromic date 8/1/18. The wedding will begin at 11:59 p.m. on July 31, and conclude shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Aug. 1 on The High Roller Observation Wheel at The LINQ Promenade. Destination Las Vegas will provide the officiant, flowers, wedding gown, hair and make-up for the bride, and décor for the High Roller cabin.
Earlier this summer, Caesars Entertainment conducted a Facebook contest, encouraging couples to explain why they are lucky in love. Brittingham, diagnosed four years ago with cirrhosis of the liver, met his fiancé at his doctor’s office where she was working. Eventually the two single parents had a day at the park with their kids and began a lifetime together.
A Palindrome Day happens when the day’s date can be read the same way backwards and forwards. Palindrome Week will be Aug. 10-19, 2018, with all Palindrome Days (m/dd/yy). Another magic August wedding date will be 8/8/18. Eight has long been considered a lucky number in Chinese and can also represent infinity, prosperity, balance and harmony.
JACK WHITE HEADLINES TWO SHOWS AT THE COSMOPOLITAN
Back in March, Jack White added a second show at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan. He’ll be headlining Friday and Saturday, Aug. 24-25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $59, $79 with Reserved seating starting at $109.
White is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo The White Stripes; and had success with other bands including The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.
His solo career now includes three solo albums: “Blunderbuss” in 2012; ‘Lazaretto” in 2014; and this year’s release “Boarding House Reach.” White has won 12 Grammy Awards, and all three solo albums reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts. “Rolling Stone” ranked him number 70 on its 2010 list of “The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.”
For his latest album, White used an interesting creative approach. White holed up in a Spartan apartment with no outside distractions and replicated the identical environment and used the same gear as when he was 15 years old, which included a quarter-inch, four-track tape recorder, simple mixer, and the most basic of instrumentation to pen sketches of the album’s songs.
Appearing with White will be Nashville’s William Tyler, whose first solo album was 2010's “Behold the Spirit.”
JW MARRIOTT INTRODUCES TWO LUXURY SUITES
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa in Summerlin has unveiled two new suites – The Aviation and The Penthouse – at the top of the property’s Palms Tower. Each suite is more than 2,300 square feet, with expansive bathrooms and balconies offering fabulous views. The Aviation Suite features shades of blue and grey, and industrial touches inspired by aviation; while The Penthouse Suite is light and bright with shades of warm-whites and beiges accented with gold touches.
TAMIA HEADLINES HOUSE OF BLUES IN OCTOBER
R&B singer Tamia will bring her Passion Like Fire Tour to House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50.
Tamia was 6 years old when she started singing in church. It was music producer Quincy Jones who introduced the Canadian-born songstress to U.S. audiences with his 1995 “Q’s Jook Joint” album. Tamia’s work on the album garnered her three Grammy nominations for “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance,” “Best Performance By Duo,” and “Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals.”
“Passion Like Fire” is Tamia’s seventh studio album, which is due out later this year. This new release will mark the 20th anniversary of Tamia’s self-titled 1998 debut album, which initiated such hits as “You Put A Move On My Heart,” “Missing You,” and “Spend My Life With You.”
FOOD • BEVERAGE HIGHLIGHTS
Palace Station has opened its all-new Feast Buffet as part of a property’s $192 million modernization. Now located on the new casino floor, the new Feast Buffet dining hall seats 394 guests and covers a 14,000-square-foot area. The all-new look is a modern-era design with warm, rich earth tones. The heart of the buffet is The Greenery with other highlights including: Wok This Way; Healthy Favorite; The Carvery; Blazing Grill; The Hearth; Just Desserts; and Sunday Brunch.
New at the Silverton is Meal with a Mermaid on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and noon. Guests can have a 45-minute brunch or lunch next to the 117,000-gallon aquarium, while a mermaid swims in the aquarium and interacts with them. The meal includes a beverage, starter, and choice of entrée and for children a kid’s buffet. Reservations necessary. Cost is $30 adults and $15 children 2 to 12 years old.
Shady Grove Lounge at the Silverton has started ladies drink free from 5–7 p.m. daily. All house wine, domestic draft beers and well cocktails are available.
Oscar’s steakhouse inside the Plaza, named after former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, has new dinner and bar menus, and debuted Oscar’s “Black Book” with personal back stories for the names of individual dishes such as Fat Herbie’s Wild Mushroom Soup and Big Chris’ Osso Bucco. The new cocktail menu continues The Hizzoner, known as “What the Mayor Drinks,” signature cocktail featuring Bombay Sapphire gin and jalapeno and introduces new drinks such as: Defendant, Q 1908, and Sazerac.
CREAM, known as “Cookies Rule Everything Around Me,” will celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day on Thursday, Aug. 2 from 1-4 p.m. Customers can stop in CREAM in Summerlin or Henderson and buy a mini-version of the frozen dessert innovator’s warm, handcrafted ice cream sandwiches for one penny. The significance is the original ice cream sandwich in 1900 was sold for one cent from a street cart.
House of Blues Restaurant and Bar at Mandalay Bay is extending their “Kids Eat Free” lunch offer 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m. through August. Children 12 and under will receive a free meal with the purchase of a full-price adult entrée.
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin will celebrate the start of the new school year with complimentary kids’ meals on Monday, Aug. 13. Guests who purchase two entrées may receive one complimentary kid’s menu item served with a free scoop of vanilla ice cream.
HOUSE OF BLUES COUNTRY THROWDOWN AND HOMEGROWN ACTS
Leading off the third weekend in August at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, COYOTE 102.7 will present Country Throwdown featuring Thrillbilly Deluxe, Siana King and DJ Shaddix on Friday, Aug. 17 with doors opening at 9 p.m. There will be drink special, dance contests, and a Foundation Room after party. Tickets start at $10 and guests with their ticket stub for ACM Male Vocalist of the Year Brett Young appearing the same night at Mandalay Beach get in free.
The next night, Aug. 18 will rock with KOMP presenting Vegas Homegrown Series featuring The Nocturnal Affair, Hidden Scars, Stereoglass, Bipolar, and Tyrants By Night. Tickets start at $9.23 and doors open at 7:30 p.m.
ENTERTAINMENT NOTES
The Backstreet Boys will host official concert after-parties Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris starting at 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, Aug. 3 and 10, and Saturdays, Aug. 4 and 11. General admission starts at $40.
The Midsummer Chinese Concert at the Tropicana on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 8 p.m. will star Hong Kong singer and actor Edwin Siu, who started his career as an idol singer before transitioning to acting. Sharing the stage will be Fang Ning, known for impersonating the legendary Chinese singer Fong Fei Fei. Ticket range is $48 to $188.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Whitesnake, who are celebrating the group’s 40th anniversary, are returning to Las Vegas for a special performance at the Sandbar Poolside Stage at the Red Rock Resort alongside guest super group Scrap Metal. Tickets are $35 and $65 VIP.
HEARTS4VEGAS EXHIBIT VISITS NEVADA HUMANITIES PROGRAM GALLERY
The Hearts4Vegas touring exhibition, which shares notes, condolences, and well wishes from around the globe following the Oct. 1 mass shooting, will be on display at the Nevada Humanities Program Gallery from Aug. 2 through Oct. 5. The gallery is situated in the Art Square Garden Courtyard downtown in the Las Vegas Arts District at 1017 S. First Street, Suite 190. Admittance is free and regular hours are Monday through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.
A reception and exhibition talk will be held Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. as part of the exhibition’s reception from 6-9 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 24 and 25 from 6-9 p.m., the public is invited to work with artists JK Russ and Sandra Schmidt, who is also an art therapist, in a creative hands-on workshop to create.
VENETIAN HOLDS BACCARAT TOURNAMENT
The Seventh Annual Grand Dragon Master Baccarat Championship™ kicked off the Las Vegas-leg of the competition on July 27 at The Palazzo® and runs through July 30 and Aug. 3-6. The $200,000 Golden Dragon Baccarat Tournament is the first of three tournaments offering a $1 million prize pool. The current tournament has a $25,000 daily prize pool paid out to 80 daily winners with the top three advancing to the $300,000 Ruby Dragon Baccarat Tournament®.
The $750,000 Royal Dragon Baccarat Tournament® is the third competition, which will culminate with the Global Final held at Marina Bay Sands® in Singapore in 2019. This global championship is also held in Macao and Singapore at Las Vegas Sands® properties.
FALL INTO FASHION FUNDRAISER
Opportunity Village’s volunteer group, the OV Angels, will host the Fall Into Fashion special event featuring a boutique, lite bits, and a fashion show on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at the Ralph and Betty Engelstad Campus, 6050 S. Buffalo Drive. Walking the runway will be 10 Opportunity Village clients escorted by some UNLV athletes. This event benefits the Madi Peck Endowment Fund for Opportunity Village. Tickets are $35 online.
HOLMES AND TURNER HELP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Entertainers Clint Holmes and Earl Turner are giving back to the community by offering Clark County teachers and school administrators with valid CCSD identification two free tickets to their shows in August at the Westgate. Performances of “SOUNDTRACK: Your Songs. Our Stories. The Show.” will be at 7 p.m. Thursday- Saturday, Aug. 2-4 and 9-11. In addition, one dollar from every August show ticket sold will go to nonprofit The Public Education Foundation.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
Stance, known for its statement socks brand, opened its newest retail location at Fashion Show Las Vegas on the first level near Saks Fifth Avenue. The store is the eighth for the brand, and third location in the western United States. In addition, Stance just launched its first t-shirt collection. The Fashion Show location is one of three store locations where consumers can experience the new collection in its entirety.
Parking isn’t free at Wynn Resorts on the Strip; however, a slight alteration offers guests a day’s free parking if they spend $50 or more. You still take a ticket when you enter the parking garage and get validated after spending.
The newest additions to the Museum of Gaming History (MoGH) display cases at the Nevada State Museum are a treasure trove of an assortment of confiscated cheater devices on loan from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Enforcement Division and Theodore Whiting, a MoGH and Casino Collectible Association (CCA) member.
High School Neon Night, an exclusive, end-of-summer bash for high school students returns to Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas for the third year on Thursday, Aug. 2 from 7 to 11 p.m. The event, hosted by HOT 97.5 and 106.9 The Q, will feature DJs playing top hits, a foam pit, contests and giveaways, dancing, swimming and more. Tickets are $15 with promo code “NEON” online and $20 at the gate.
