BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Nov. 4, 2018
JIM STEINMAN’S ‘BAT OUT OF HELL’ MUSICAL WILL VISIT THE VENETIAN®
Jim Steinman’s “Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical” will visit The Venetian Theatre inside The Venetian® for a 16-show limited-engagement Dec. 25–30 and Jan. 1–6. “Bat Out of Hell” is a song Jim Steinman wrote for the 1977 album performed by Meat Loaf and it was released as a single in 1979 and 1993. You need to check for show times which will vary and include weekend matinee shows. The tour stars Andrew Polec, who appeared as Strat in the London and Toronto productions. “The Daily Mirror” referred to Polec as a “perfect rock and roll icon.”
‘ABSINTHE’ CELEBRATED ITS 4,000 PERFORMANCE
It was an occasion to remember on Oct. 26 when Wanda Widdles, the rambunctious assistant to The Gazillionaire, brought a parade of mixed characters including Elmo, Darth Vader, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Elmo, past-their-prime Playboy Bunnies, and many more, down the aisles of the Spiegelworld tent after the 10 p.m. performance in celebration of 4,000 performances of the outrageous show “Absinthe.” The finale ended with the presentation of a three-tiered cake from Las Vegas’ own Freed’s Bakery. The show will hit its eight-year milestone in April 2019.
CHICAGO WILL RETURN TO THE VENETIAN® IN FEBRUARY
Chicago, the American rock band formed in 1967 as the Chicago Transit Authority, has recorded 36 albums. The legendary rock and roll group has a distinctive sound with their horns. Chicago will be returning to The Venetian next year with an eight-show limited engagement Feb. 8-9, 13, 15-16, 20, and 22-23. Shows are at 8 p.m.
COMEDY CELLAR AT RIO NOW OFFERS LAUGHS NIGHTLY
The Comedy Cellar at the Rio is now offering nightly laughs by adding 7 and 9 p.m. performances on Monday and Tuesdays. The comedy club’s distinctive “showcase format” features five television-headliner comedians performing their best 15 to 20-minute sets. Highlighting this month are such comedians as Whitney Cummings, Rich Vos and Eddie Ifft. Tickets are $45.
PETI & TALLER DEBUT AT HOOTERS WITH ‘THE HOOLIGANS OF MAGIC’
Peti & Taller “The Hooligans of Magic” recently opened their show at Hooters starring Mateo Amieva and Christian Ford. Tickets for their 9 p.m. performances in the Night Owl Showroom start at $44.95.
The duo is comprised of Amieva, who is from the Las Vegas hit show “Criss Angel MINDFREAK!” by Cirque du Soleil, and Ford aka the Bad-Boy of Magic from the Golden Globe winning FOX comedy, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Chef Daniel Humm and restaurateur Will Guidara, who were the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurant winners, will debut their signature concept NoMad Restaurant and Bar at NoMad Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 14. The eatery is the newest offering at the just-opened hotel within Park MGM, which is a collaboration between Sydell Group and MGM Resorts International. The new NoMad Restaurant features 23-foot soaring ceilings and a menu celebrating American classics in a grand and continental manner.
CATCH Las Vegas at ARIA recently opened its doors with an over-the-top VIP party. The progressive celebrity filled event transformed CATCH from a world-class restaurant into a late-night party with notables such as The Chainsmokers, Floyd Mayweather, Jermaine Dupri attending to witness the unveiling of the destination restaurant with successful locations already in New York City and Hollywood.
Another grand opening party for CATCH was the Casamigos Halloween-themed party. Attending were CATCH Hospitality Group co-founders Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum joined bu Casamigos co-founders George Clooney, Rande Gerber and Mike Meldman. Some of the celeb guests included Cindy Crawford, Kendall Jenner, Joey Fatone, Marlon Wayans, and Wolfgang Puck to name a few.
The Cosmopolitan has expanded its restaurant collection with two new outlets opening last month. The Ghost Donkey is a speakeasy-style mezcal and tequila bar, and Red Plate on the third level celebrates traditional Chinese cuisine in a refined setting.
SLS IS REMODELING AND MAKING CHANGES
SLS Las Vegas®, formerly the Sahara with yet another new owner, has begun more than $100 million in resort renovations planned to enhance the casino floor, upgrade hotel rooms and renovate existing pool and entertainment venues. The 60,000-square-foot casino floor upgrades will include a new layout for slots, table game pits and high-limit areas, along with a new ceiling, carpeting and lighting. Resort renovations will include a redesigned Story Tower, remodeling the World and Grand Tower corridors, and making select suite upgrades.
PATTI LABELLE PERFORMS AT STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA
Legendary American singer Patti LaBelle will appear in concert at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm, Nev., which is located 25 minutes south of Las Vegas on Interstate 15, on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30.
LaBelle came from gospel roots singing in the choir at Beulah Baptist Church, became the lead vocalist for Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles, and began a solo career after the group split in 1976. The Grammy winner has classic hits, including “If Only You Knew,” “New Attitude,” Stir It Up,” and the No. 1 duet single, “On My Own,” with Michael McDonald. LaBelle as an actress has appeared on television, in the film “A Soldier’s Story,” and in the Broadway musical “Your Arms Too Short to Box with God.”
The amazing LaBelle is also known for her “fancy cake” sold in stores, as a humanitarian, and as the author of five best-selling books.
JAZZ ARTIST GERALD ALBRIGHT HEADLINES AT ALIANTE
Contemporary urban jazz artist and accomplished saxophonist Gerald Albright will perform in the Access Showroom at Aliante on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $35.
Throughout Albright’s 30-year career, he’s released 19 albums starting with his first, “Just Between Us,” in 1987. At the core of the jazz genre ever since then, he released his latest self-produced album, “30,” last May, which is a music reflection of favorite tunes he’s written over the past three decades.
WYNN REACHES RENEWABLE ENERGY ACHIEVEMENT
Wynn Las Vegas has become the largest Green Power Partner in the nation’s hotel industry, and Nevada’s only resort on the list with its acceptance into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Green Power Partnership. The recognition comes five months after the debut of Wynn Solar Facility, which is a new 160-acre solar complex dedicated solely to generating renewable energy for powering the resort. Combined with the rooftop’s 103,000 square feet of solar panels, Wynn is creating enough green power to meet 25 percent of the resort’s electric load.
TIME FOR PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDERS TO VISIT
The 2018 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals will take place in Las Vegas Nov. 7-11. Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 7, PBR Rock Bar & Grill in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will celebrate with entertainment from Elvis Monroe Duo, Huckleberry Hicks and Luke Kaufman, mechanical bull rides, and drink specials including Crown Royal and Bulleit Rye shots for $7, Coors Light drafts for $5, and Coors Lite buckets for $20.
LANCE BURTON NAMED GRAND MARSHAL FOR ‘GREAT SANTA RUN’
Famed Las Vegas magician Lance Burton has been named the official Grand Marshal for Opportunity Village’s big fundraiser, the 14th annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run taking place Saturday, Dec. 1. He recently toured the organization’s Opportunity Village’s Ralph & Betty Engelstad Campus and performed tricks for clients and staff. Burton was joined by friend and entertainer, juggler/comedian Michael Goudeau.
New for this year’s run will be a post-race celebration in the Zappos’ Llama Lot featuring additional live entertainment, adult beverages, goat yoga, giant inflatable foosball, plus food trucks and vendor booths. Registration is open for this jolly internationally-recognized event. Cost is $40 for general participation; free for children three and under; and $10 for canine companions. The entry package includes a five-piece Santa suit, goody bag, commemorative medal and entry into the Zappo’s new post-race celebration.
CANNERY AND SUNCOAST PROMOTE TRIBUTE ACT SHOWS
If you can’t catch the real act, a topnotch tribute act can often present remarkable recreations and provide a fulfilling evening of entertainment. The Club at the Cannery has lined up: Queen Nation: A Tribute to the Music of Queen on Saturday, Nov. 10; Led Zepagain: Performing the Music of Led Zeppelin on Friday, Nov. 16; and Mick Adams & The Stones on Saturday, Nov. 17. Tickets for all three 8 p.m. performances are $19.95.
Queen Nation was formed in 2004 and has Gregory Finsley as Freddie Mercury, which is rather timely with the movie coming out. Since 1988, Led Zepagain has been highly regarded as one of the most authentic Led Zeppelin tribute bands. Mick Adams & The Stones, the seven-piece tribute band, performs The Rolling Stones’ legendary rock music in costumes with full choreography and a multi-media show.
The Suncoast acts will include: The Police Experience – Tribute to The Police Saturday, Nov. 10; Fan Halen – Tribute to Van Halen Saturday, Nov. 17; and 4NR – Tribute to Foreigner Saturday, Nov. 24. Tickets for the three 8:30 p.m. shows start at $20.
In 2007, the The Police Experience became the subject of the award-winning documentary, “Tribute Bands,” which appeared on Canadian national television. Based in southern California, Fan Halen has performed their Van Halen tribute for more than 10 years. Comprised of experienced, world-class touring and recording session musicians, the 4NR band formed in 2012 is paying tribute to legendary classic rock band Foreigner.
ETHEL M® OPENS ITS WINTER WONDERLAND CACTUS GARDEN
Holiday Cactus Lighting event will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. Event is open to the public and entry is with a charity donation. The holiday lights and factory store will be open until 10 p.m.
Guests will be able to take photos with Santa Claus, receive assorted seasonal samples, enter raffles, step inside a giant snow globe for a holiday photo, and much more. The illuminated cactus garden will remain through Sunday, Jan. 6.
MORE ABOUT TOWN EVENTS
On Nov. 15 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., The Mob Museum will celebrate Kefauver Day in honor of the Kefauver Committee hearing in 1950, which took place in the building’s courtroom and was named after the committee’s chairman, Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee. The Las Vegas Kefauver hearing, one of 27 held nationwide in 14 cities, commemorated a pivotal time in the national fight against organized crime. Kefauver Day is free for Nevada residents and buy-one-get-one for non-residents thanks to Zappos’ support.
Downtown Container Park will host the “Fall Into Wine” bottomless wine tasting event on Saturday, Nov. 10 from 5-8 p.m. with entertainment by The Moonshiners. Each ticket includes a commemorative glass and bottomless vino. Tickets are $25 online and $30 the day of the event at the gate.
On Saturday, Nov.10 the Clark County Aviation Association Open House and Car Show will be held at the North Las Vegas Airport from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in association with the Clark County Department of Aviation. A wide array of general aviation aircraft ranging from antique to modern will be on display. The event is free and open to the public.
Reminder Sunday, Nov. 11 will be the Toyota Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon, 1/2 Marathon & 10k. This means thousands will be running and the Strip from The Cromwell to Bridger downtown and over to Symphony Park will be affected by road closures. If this event impacts your plans, best to be prepared ahead of time. Information is online.
Super Summer Theatre (SST) for the Performing Arts is presenting “The Andrews Brothers” Nov. 8-11 and 15-18 at 4340 S. Valley View. The story is the USO show has been cancelled and earnest stagehands must “go on with the show.” Tickets are $20.
HOLIDAY CRAFTING AT CORK ‘N CRAFTS
This year’s new Corks ‘n Crafts store located in Downtown Summerlin is all about the holiday season offering DIY craft classes. Corks ‘n Crafts will offer a variety of holiday-inspired crafts including tablescapes, centerpieces, floral, wreaths, pumpkins, calligraphy and other workshops.
In addition, every Sunday beginning Nov. 18, kids can enjoy Cookies, Crafts, and Cocoa with Santa for $45. Each event will feature holiday ornament craft projects, holiday cookies, hot cocoa and a visit from North Pole’s most famous resident.
DINING HIGHLIGHTS
Fine-dining Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar is celebrating its 33rd anniversary this month. Honoring the occasion, the restaurant is offering an anniversary menu three-course menu for a special $33.33 price Nov. 9, 10 and 11.
Ferraro’s is also celebrating white truffle season Nov. 9-18 in two ways as one of three Las Vegas restaurants taking part in Urbani Tartufi’s Third Annual White Truffle Festival, which is modeled after Italy’s Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco di Alba. One way is with a four-course, white-truffle-inspired menu offered nightly for $250 with a wine pairing being extra. The second is a special-occasion dinner on Friday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. with wine selection pairings included for $250.
LAVO at The Palazzo opened in 2008, and in the past 10 years the restaurant has served more than one million guests, who have dined on more than 165,000 one-pound meatballs, devoured 315,000 deep-fried Oreos, and popped nearly 90,000 bottles of champagne. From Nov. 3-9 LAVO will be serving some specials to commemorate the anniversary.
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Therapy restaurant downtown has created the Purple Rain cocktail to raise money throughout the month. All profits made from the $10 vibrant violet libation made with Empress gin, Pampleau wine, lemon juice, simple syrups, egg white and garnished with a watermelon radish will be donated to nonprofit Keep Memory Alive.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, the only private event to shut down the Strip at night, is taking place on the famous street Sunday, Nov. 11. Strip-side venue Beer Park at Paris will offer Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon competitors a complimentary Budweiser beer with race credentials all day on Nov. 11.
DISCOUNTS OFFERED TO HONOR VETERANS
Giving thanks, many businesses offer discounts to active-duty military and veterans for Veterans Day. Here are just a few specials.
The Rampart Buffet has an especially nice offer. On Veterans Day, Sunday, Nov. 11, all veterans will eat free showing a valid military ID.
On Nov. 11, Westgate matches the offer with a free brunch buffet at the Fresh Buffet as well as a free appetizer at Benihana with the purchase of an entrée. The resort has a 25 percent discount on hotel rooms booked the week of Nov. 9-16 with travel to be completed by Oct. 31, 2019. On Nov. 9 and 10, Westgate will host the $40,000 Salute to Service Slot Tournament and offer one free entry for active and retired veterans and their spouses.
The offer on Nov. 11 at Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin will offer a 25 percent discount off the total bill throughout the day.
PBR Rock Bar & Grill at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is presenting 30 percent off the bill Saturday, Nov. 10 through Monday, Nov. 12.
Beer Park at Paris will offer military service members a 10 percent discount on Veterans Day.
“Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream” at Planet Hollywood in the Sin City Theatre will offer military two-for-one tickets on Nov. 11 for the 7 p.m. family-friendly show. Tickets start at $49 for general admission. Mortimer is a former Cirque du Soleil performer.
The sexy revue “Fantasy” at the Luxor will salute the nation’s troops with a complimentary performance at the 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 11. The first 50 military members to reserve their tickets will receive free entry for themselves and one guest.
Discovery Children’s Museum is inviting servicemen and servicewomen to enjoy the museum for free now through Monday, Nov. 12. Veterans can bring up to four guests to the museum for a discounted rate of $20 or $5 per guest. Also, military can take advantage of 20 percent off all museum memberships purchased through Monday, Nov. 12.
Hyde Bellagio® will off a 15 percent discount on all drink purchases during the early evening lounge experience, as well as complimentary admission on Nov. 11.
Hakkasan Group is celebrating National Veterans and Military Families Month Nov. 1-30 with two exclusive offers including complimentary entry, plus a guest, to its acclaimed nightlife venues, and 20 percent off dining at select restaurants. Nightclubs in Las Vegas include Omnia at Caesars Palace, Jewel at Aria, 1OAK at The Mirage, and Hakkasan at MGM Grand. The restaurants are Searsucker inside Caesars Palace and Hakkasan at MGM Grand.
