BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW

 

Date: Aug. 12, 2018

BY: Jackie Brett

 

TOBY KEITH WILL PERFORM POOLSIDE AT RED ROCK RESORT

            Superstar Toby Keith is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his first No. 1 hit song with the aptly-named Should’ve Been A Cowboy XXV Tour presented by Ford F-Series. He’ll bring his show to the Sandbar Poolside Stage at Red Rock Resort on Friday, Oct. 26. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Standing-room-only tickets are $80 for general admission and $100 for VIP.

            Keith is not only a singer, but also a musician, songwriter, actor and record producer. For songwriting, he was in 2015 inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City. The Nashville Songwriters Association International named him Songwriter/Artist of the Decade and he is a three-time BMI Country Songwriter/Artist of the Year.

            Keith’s albums have sold more than 40 million copies. On the lighter side, in September 2017, he released “The Bus Songs,” which set a Billboard Comedy Albums chart record for a country artist by holding the No. 1 spot for 11 consecutive weeks. His collection of humorous compositions includes two new songs “Shitty Golfer” and “Wacky Tobaccy.”

            Keith’s most rewarding experiences; however, come from giving back. His golf classics with the last one raising $1.6 million fund the Toby Keith Foundation and OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for families of children dealing with critical illnesses. To date, he’s made 11 USO Tours in 18 countries with more than 285 events. He was recognized with the Spirit of the USO Award in 2014. When a tornado ravaged his hometown, Keith was the face of the community and helped with the 2013 OK Twister Relief Concert.

 

ENTERTAINMENT RELOCATES FOR BINGO ROOM RENOVATION

            Temporarily, all previously-scheduled entertainment inside The Railhead at Boulder Station, including Boulder Blues, is being moved to varying venues in the Station Casinos family beginning Wednesday, Aug. 15. The reason is bingo will move into The Railhead while construction and a renovation begin on the bingo room.

            Scheduled to open later this year, Boulder Stations’ newly-renovated bingo room will mirror Station Casinos’ newest evolution of bingo rooms like the company recently unveiled at Santa Fe Station and Palace Station. In addition to a new design, the bingo room will offer an enclosed smoking section.

 

HARVEST FESTIVAL HAS NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR

            After years at Cashman Field, the ever-appealing annual Las Vegas Harvest Festival with more than 250 exhibitors displaying and selling more than 24,000 American handmade arts and crafts, will be taking place this year at the nearby World Market Center, Pavilion 2.

            Mark your calendar, the dates are Friday-Sunday, Sept. 7-9. Hours are 10 a.m. daily with closing at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday. Items will include art, photography, jewelry, specialty foods, clothing, décor, woodturnings, and so much more. Harvest Festival offers family entertainment, live music, artist demonstrations, Kids Zone activities, food vendors, and prizes.  

            There will be plenty of parking. Tickets, which are valid for re-entry all weekend, will be available at the door: $9 for adults; $7 for seniors 62+; $4 for young adults 13-17 years old; kids under 12 are free; and $7 for active and retired military or veterans with military ID. 

            There’s a discount offering $2 off the general or senior admission price when attendees bring and donate a can of food, or formula, or paper products for SafeNest, a nonprofit agency providing shelter, counseling and advocacy for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

 

ORLEANS FEATURES AIR SUPPLY, CLAY WALKER AND HUMPERDINCK

            Headlining acts at The Orleans in the showroom at 8 p.m. in September represent a cross section of music genres.

         Australian soft rock duo Air Supply will appear Friday-Sunday, Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2. The act was formed in 1975 with members Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock. They gained serious international recognition as the opening act for Rod Stewart’s North American tour. Air Supply was inducted into The Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2008, the duo was named No. 83 on Billboard’s Top-100 musical acts of all time. Tickets start at $39.95.

            On Sept. 8 and 9, Texas-native Clay Walker will focus on the country scene. Throughout his career, he’s released four certified-platinum albums, two certified-gold albums and 11 No. 1 singles. In addition, Walker founded two nonprofit organizations, Band Against MS and Military Warriors Support Foundation, supporting people battling multiple sclerosis and the men and women serving in the armed forces. Tickets start at $44.95.

         Engelbert Humperdinck – The Prodigal Son Tour will stop on Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 22-23. Humperdinck’s early career success in the mid-1960s began in Europe with the hit single “Release Me,” which spent 56 weeks in the Top 50 of the U.K. charts, and reached No. 1 in 11 countries. Humperdinck has recorded 64 Gold albums, 35 Platinum albums and been nominated for four Grammy Awards. Worldwide, he has sold more than 140 million records. Tickets start at $59.95.

 

HOUSE OF BLUES ANNOUNCES NEW 2019 DATES FOR SANTANA

            New dates in 2019 have been announced for Carlos Santana’s residency at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, which will mark the seventh year of his intimate, love concert there. Dates are Jan. 23, 25-27, 30-21 and Feb. 1-2. Santana returns to the House of Blues on Sept. 12 with shows running through mid-November. Tickets start at $99.50.

 

SUNCOAST WILL FEATURE TRIBUTE PERFORMERS

            Established tribute artists will be performing at the Suncoast in September. Shows will honor Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis, the group U2, and Elton John/Billy Joel.

            The Martin and Lewis Tribute Show on Sunday, Sept. 2 at 3 p.m. will feature tribute performers Tom Stevens and Tony Lewis, capturing the famous comedy duo of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Stevens has been recognized for playing the role of the singing star and duo straight man since his first appearance at the Dean Martin Festival in 1998. Tony Lewis spent nearly 30 years performing throughout Australia and created a name for himself as a quintessential Jerry Lewis tribute artist. Tickets start at $14.95.

            Headlining on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 8:30 p.m. will be U2 tribute band L.A.vation.  The group was formed in Los Angeles, Calif., and derived its name from U2’s hit song “Elevation.” L.A.vation’s U2 experience reproduces the famous band’s sound and memorable stage elements from past concerts. Tickets start at $22.95.

            Piano Men on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 7:30 p.m. highlights two famous musicians who have joined forces to create the ultimate Elton John and Billy Joel tribute concert. The show features each artist performing alone and a “Face to Face” set with both singing and playing piano. Tickets start at $16.06.

 

ALEXIS Y FIDO, FULANITO, AND DIEGO VAL HEADLINE M RESORT POOL

            Latin Grammy Award-nominated música urbana duo, Alexis y Fido, with special guests Fulanito and Diego Val, will appear at the M Pool as part of M Resort’s concert series on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Alexis y Fido are a reggaeton duo from Puerto Rico. Tickets are $27.

            Latin pop singer Diego Val will take the stage first. He was a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2015. Since then, he’s toured with Maroon 5, Colombian singer Maluma, and starred in Peruvian soap opera “La Tayson, Corazón Rebelde.”

            Fulanito was formed in 1996 by Rafael Vargas and Winston Rosa. They will bring their mix of Dominican merengue, salsa, and hip hop to M Pool.

 

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS CLIPS

            Actor-comedian, Eddie Griffin, has launched an international release of his acclaimed 70-minute, stand-up special, “Eddie Griffin: Undeniable,” exclusively on Vimeo On Demand. Griffin currently headlines a stand-up comedy residency, “The Eddie Griffin Experience,” inside The Sayers Club at SLS Monday-Wednesday weekly at 8 p.m.

            Comedian Lil Duval, who is a featured regular on the MTV series “Guy Code” and in real life Roland Powell hailing from Jacksonville, Fla., will bring his stand-up act to House of Blues Las Vegas on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39. 

            The Orleans has booked the Chinese dance drama HOME in the showroom on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 7:30 p.m. The original dance drama is a staged art piece reproducing the late Chinese novelist Ba Jin’s literary classics. The show illustrates the story of a feudal family living in Chengdu, China, depicting a lifetime of emotions and events experienced by the family. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

 

TORCH RELAY RUN IS PART OF GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL

            The immensely popular 46th Annual Greek Food Festival will be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 14-16. The family-friendly event features live music and dancing, Greek cuisine – pastries – and folk-dance performances, a Kids Fun Zone, tour of the Byzantine church, and free parking. The festival is held at St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church at 5300 S. El Camino Road, Las Vegas 89118.

            A 26.2-mile Torch Relay Run is held in conjunction with the Greek Food Festival to raise money for charity. This year’s effort will support The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Southern Nevada in memory of 12-year-old Michael Manteris diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia, AML. The money is raised by people who want to run a one-mile leg obtaining pledges and people directly donating.

            The run will begin with a torch lighting ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Tivoli Village in Summerlin. The torch will then be carried along the selected route with a police escort and two limousines following to collect runners after they finish. The torch will arrive at the festival grounds at approximately 7 p.m. when the festival flame will be lit.

            Greek Food Festival hours will be: 3 to 11 p.m. Sept. 14; noon to 11 p.m. Sept. 15; and noon to 10 p.m. Sept. 16.

 

HIGHER ROLLER RE-LAUNCHES CHOCOLATE TASTING EXPERIENCE

            The High Roller observation wheel at The LINQ Promenade is re-launching the in-cabin chocolate tasting experience with Ethel M Chocolates. Available every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., the 30-minute (one rotation) adventure includes a complimentary beverage from the Sky Lounge, and a chocolatier ambassador showcasing and explaining four different types of chocolate pieces. General admission for age 7 and over is $45.

 

‘AUSSIE HEAT’ WILL HOST VARIETY SHOW FUNDRAISER

            Male revue “Aussie Heat” will be hosting and producing an inspired entertainment industry showcase, “The Vegas Variety Show,” on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 4 to 5:15 p.m. at the Opportunity Village Ralph and Betty Engelstad Campus. Open to the public, the event is suited for all ages with tickets $15 online or at the door.

The inaugural variety show will feature performances by individuals in Opportunity Village’s Performing Arts Program, along with local headlining talent in Las Vegas shows and venues including “Aussie Heat,” “Sexxy,” magician David Goldrake star of “Imaginarium,” Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, and many more.

            Since the Australian-based show “Aussie Heat” debuted in Las Vegas in 2015, it has supported many Las Vegas nonprofit organizations including Opportunity Village, where they teach monthly lessons to adults with intellectual disabilities and donate a portion of their nightly merchandise sales.

            Tickets for “Aussie Heat” appearing four nights a week at the V Theater inside Miracle Mile Shops start at $54.99.

 

SLICE OF VEGAS HOSTS LAS VEGAS ACES’ BASKETBALLS GIVEAWAY

            A drawing for three signed Las Vegas Aces’ basketballs will be held at Slice of Vegas at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m., following the final home game of the inaugural season. Brett Raymer of Animal Planet’s TV show “Tanked” will be hosting the event.

            Each basketball has been signed by the Las Vegas Aces’ star players from the very first team including the first overall pick in the 2018 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Draft A’ja Wilson, forward Ji-Su Park, small forward Nia Coffey, forward Dearica Hamby, and guard Lindsay Allen. The Las Vegas Aces are part of the Western Conference for the WNBA.

            You can enter your name once in the drawing by visiting Slice of Vegas by Aug. 19. No purchase is necessary, and winners must be present the day for the drawing.

 

NEON MUSEUM RESTORES SILVER SLIPPER SIGN PAINT COLOR

            The Silver Slipper, one of the Neon Museum’s cherished signs, has been repainted to its original color combination. The eye-catching bulb-studded high heel had its original home on top of the Silver Slipper casino. First appearing in the mid-1950s, the shoe was painted silver, gold and blue and remained that way into the early 60s. Then it was painted silver, gold and red.

            Today, the Silver Slipper resides in the median on Las Vegas Boulevard North just west of the Neon Museum Boneyard. It is part of nine restored and operational signs included in the Neon Museum’s Las Vegas Signs Project and located on a street designated as a National Scenic Byway.

 

HONEY SALT FEATURES FARM TABLE DINNER AND NEW COOKBOOK

            James Beard nominees and owners of Honey Salt restaurant, Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla are celebrating their first nearly 300-page cookbook, “Honey Salt Food & Drink – A Culinary Scrapbook,” which is influenced by countless meals they have shared in their own home. A public book signing launch party with the purchase of a cookbook will be held at the Honey Salt restaurant, located at 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., on Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 4-6 p.m. Side note: Honey Salt recently renovated its private dining room.

            That night at 6:30 p.m., Honey Salt is holding a special Cape Cod-inspired Farm Table dinner, which will be served family style. Required, tickets online are $59 and $25 additional for an optional wine pairing.

 

MARGIE SHEPHERD WILL BE GUEST SPEAKER AT SLICE OF VEGAS

            Motivational speaker Margie Shepherd, founder-president of Maximize M Productions, will be imparting her life lessons on getting confidence at Slice of Vegas at The Shoppes at Mandalay Pace on Wednesday, Aug. 15 from 6-9 p.m. Shepherd has a national radio show, “Margie Shepherd: Celebrating Life,” airing locally on Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on KDWN Radio. She lives by the philosophy, “A Winner Never Quits and a Quitter Never Wins.” Admission is $12 at the door or tickets are online.

 

SMITH CENTER INITIATES WORLD STAGE PACKAGE

            The Smith Center’s new World Stage Package is offering three upcoming international shows: Mexican dance company Ballet Folklórico de México Oct. 15; Japanese taiko drum ensemble Kodo Jan. 31; and Israeli percussion dance troupe Mayumana April 12. The three-show deal starts at $89.

 

DOWNTOWN CONTAINER PARK HOLDS KIDS ‘BEACH DAY’

            Downtown Container Park’s Kid’s Camp series will return with a “Beach Day” on Saturday, Aug. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children under 12 years of age. For $10 per child, beach day goers will have access to wet and wild outdoor activities, snacks and crafts. Beach attire encouraged.

 

JOHN’S INCREDIBLE PIZZA HOSTS KIDS COOK-OFF CHAMPIONSHIP

            On Thursday, Aug. 16, the championship round of John’s Incredible Kids Cook-Off will take place at John’s Incredible Pizza Company (John’s) at the Boulevard Mall on Maryland Parkway. The three semi-finalists from California include: Omar of Fountain Valley; Autumn from Apple Valley; and Saniha of Fremont. The trio will test their skills once again for the chance to be named John’s Incredible Kids Cook-Off Champion, have an opportunity to be Chopped Champion Chef Joe Youkhan’s child sous chef, to create John’s next incredible dish, and take home a $5,000 cash prize.

            The three finalists will have one hour to prepare and cook an original dish in John’s kitchen before a final presentation and tasting by a panel of three judges between 3 and 3:30 p.m.

            Visitors are encouraged to stop by John’s and cheer on the kid chefs, who are between ages 7 to 12. Plus, guests can take advantage of John’s Incredible Fun World arcade with a free $5 FunCard, pose for photos with Chef IncrediBear, and take home a complimentary balloon “spoon.”

 

ABOUT TOWN NEWS

            A grand opening celebration was held last week for the opening of the first leg of Interstate 11 (I-11), a new interstate highway between Nevada and Arizona. Currently, Las Vegas and Phoenix are the only two national cities with populations of more than 1 million residents not linked by an interstate. Construction on the 15-mile highway began in 2015.

            Last week Vegas Weddings, conveniently located at 555 South 3rd Street across from the Marriage License Bureau, celebrated its 10-year anniversary of its downtown chapel. Since opening on Aug. 8, 2008, the wedding chapel company has performed more than 80,000 ceremonies.

            Michael Ball from Manhattan Beach, Calif., became an instant millionaire recently playing IGT’s popular Wheel of Fortune® Double Times Pay 3X4X5X® Slots at Harrah’s Las Vegas. He hit the more than $1.18 million jackpot. Caesars Entertainment has created more than 837 millionaires since 1987.