BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: Nov. 18, 2018
VANDERPUMP PLANNING A NEW KIND OF GARDEN AT CAESARS PALACE
Television star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump partnering with Caesars Palace is set to open Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, her first Las Vegas venue serving cocktails, food and wine, early next year. The cocktail garden will take a page from Vanderpump’s successful restaurants and lounges: Villa Blanca; SUR; Pump; and the latest LA-venture Tom Tom. Vanderpump will be located in between The Colosseum and the entrance to The Forum Shops.
With Los Angeles flair and the extravagance of the Strip, Vanderpump Cocktail Garden will combine a sexy atmosphere like the LA-establishments while injecting Las Vegas’ energy. The look will marry natural elements with industrial touches and contrast Vanderpump’s signature touches of pink with masculine details. Guests will encounter a welcoming indoor patio, an al fresco-style garden with trees and romantic lighting, and lounge area with booths and a full bar.
NEW COMEDY FILM FESTIVAL BEING LAUNCHED IN LAS VEGAS
The Comedy World Network International Film Festival will present more than 150 independent comedy films at Regency Tropicana Cinemas, located at 3330 E. Tropicana Ave., Nov. 29-Dec. 2 with proceeds benefiting the Comedy World Network Foundation (TCCN-F).
The inaugural four-day event will showcase short films, feature films, web series, television pilots and animations. Additional activities will include filmmaker meet-and-greets, panel discussions, live comedy shows, and an awards ceremony for the top films selected. Tickets, which may be purchased on Eventbrite, are $35 for day passes, $99 for four-day, and $175 for VIP.
‘WEIRD AL’ YANKOVIC’S TOUR STOP HAS STRINGS ATTACHED
“Weird Al” Yankovic’s 2018 tour was bare bones but his 64-city North American tour in 2019 will be back to playing hits and classics. His 2019 “Strings Attached” tour will be supported by background singers and for the first time an entire symphony orchestra. The rock and comedy show with costumes, props and a video wall will make a stop at The Smith Center on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history, earning four Grammys and 15 career nominations. He’s best known for his irreverent parodies of hit songs such as “Eat It,” “Like A Surgeon,” and “Smells Like Nirvana.” Yankovic’s 14th studio album “Mandatory Fun” in 2014 became the first comedy album to debut at No.1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album chart. He recently received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
RM SEAFOOD/RX BOILER ROOM CLOSE
In a sudden move, celebrity Chef Rick Moonen, known as the “Godfather of Sustainability,” closed both his restaurants rm seafood and Rx Boiler Room at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place surprising everyone. First-floor more casual rm seafood opened in 2005 and upstairs Rx Boiler followed in 2013. Transplanted New Yorker Moonen has stated he plans to open a new off-Strip restaurant with information to follow.
RODIZIO GRILL OPENS AT GALLERIA AT SUNSET
There’s another new dining option at the Galleria at Sunset mall with Rodizio Grill® opening last week. The authentic Brazilian restaurant is outside of the retail destination facing Sunset Road.
Established in 1995, Rodizio Grill was the first Brazilian “churrasco” steakhouse in the United States. More than 20 years later, the brand is known for its playful Brazilian spirit featuring rotisserie-grilled meat carved tableside by traditionally dressed Gauchos. While the main attraction are the meats, they are complemented with a gourmet salad bar and hot side dishes.
With family being important in the Brazilian culture, Rodizio Grill offers discounted pricing for children, special promotions for family celebrations, and an email club providing special offers.
PUBLIC VOTES ON FUNDRAISING TREE DECORATING COMPETITION
Boyd Gaming has selected 35 Las Vegas nonprofits to participate in the fourth annual tree-decorating “Trees of Hope” competition this year. The nonprofits will decorate their trees at seven participating Boyd Gaming properties for a chance to win a prize pool of more than $40,000. From Tuesday, Nov. 27 through Sunday, Dec. 16, the public is invited to visit each property and view the trees. To vote for a favorite decorated tree, you must be 21 or older and have a Boyd Gaming player’s card account, which is free just by signing up.
For the second year, there will also be voting online on Boyd Gaming social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
For the first time, Boyd Gaming is serving up specialty Trees of Hope cocktails at select properties and restaurants, Nov. 21-Dec. 16 with $1 from every drink sold going to the nonprofits. Cocktails being featured include: Expresso Tree and Tennessee Holiday Cold Brew for $11, and Candy Cane Cosmo for $12.
HOLIDAY SPIRIT ENVELOPS THE FORUM SHOPS
The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace will hold its third annual Great Give from Dec. 1-12 with some of the mall’s restaurants and retailers participating donating a portion of sales to benefit nonprofit charitable organizations. In addition, the retail destination will donate all the coins from the fountains to the Simon Youth Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to helping students graduate.
On Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24, costumed Centurions will be roaming the center with special surprises for visitors.
The Atlantis Aquarium promotes a festive sight with the Holiday Elf Aquarists. Wearing elf-style wet suits, the Elf Aquarists will feed the tropical fish Dec. 15 through Christmas Day.
FASHION SHOW MALL HAS HOLIDAY SHOW
The New York-style theatrical holiday show “Believe in the Magic” is returning for a second year, this time with a new storyline. The complimentary live show takes place in the Great Hall at the Fashion Show mall and will start on Black Friday, Nov. 23. Following every show, guests are invited to parade with characters to Santa’s Photo Experience, while singing carols. This special holiday show will be performed every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the holiday season with an additional day of shows on Christmas Eve. Show times are noon, 2, 4, and 6 p.m.
Santa’s Photo Experience is located near Neiman Marcus and features a visit with the man in red, light-up holiday experiences from Santa’s interactive throne, touchscreen control, oversized neon lights and decorated Christmas trees, music and more through Dec. 24.
THIS CHRISTMAS WON’T BE A DRAG
Murray & Peter will present a holiday spectacular featuring fan favorites from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” including Latrice Royale, Naomi Smalls, Aja, Thorgy Thor, Miss Vanjie and Farrah Moan and hosted by Miz Cracker and Monét X Change. Tickets for “A Drag Queen Christmas: The Naughty Tour” at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. start at $23.
AFTER THE NEW YEAR, DISNEY CARRIES ON WITH DREAMS
“Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream,” produced by Feld Entertainment Inc., will visit the Thomas & Mack Center Jan. 10-13 with seven performances. With hosts Mickey and Minnie Mouse, family audiences will go on a pretend expedition with beloved Disney characters from “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen,” “Tangled” and “Cinderella,” as well as “Moana” voyaging onto the ice for the first time.
The show features five Disney heroines sparking the courage inside all of us. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to celebrate family and tradition with Miguel from Disney● Pixar’s “Coco” in a special sing-along guest appearance. Tickets start at $15.
HIPPIE SABOTAGE WILL VISIT BROOKLYN BOWL
Hippie Sabotage, made up the brothers Kevin and Jeff Saurer, have announced their 30-date North American tour, ‘The Beautiful Beyond,” which will make a stop at Brooklyn Bowl on March 22, 2019, at 7 p.m. The sibling producers are California-bred musicians. Tickets start at $25.
The duo had a successful “Lost California” tour this year along with a festival run playing the likes of Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, and Electric Zoo. They recently dove back into their hip-hop roots, earning credits on Denzel Curry’s latest album TA1300 with “Mad I Got It.”
They will be on the road with support from Sebastian Paul, whose “Trojan Horse EP” was released this past summer.
OFF-ROAD RACING IS HAPPENING IN PAHRUMP
Title sponsor Pahrump Nugget for the third year will be the host property for the Pahrump Nugget 250 off-road race taking place on Saturday, Dec. 1 in the surrounding desert. Racers will start out at the Pahrump Nugget with a police escort to the starting line in Johnnie, Nev., and finish at the resort after covering more than 255 miles through parts of the Amargosa Valley. The off-road races are divided by class of vehicle and this will be the last race of the 2018 “Best in the Desert” race series.
Pre- and post-events are schedule Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 2. There will be a pre-fun run on Thursday, Nov. 29 and the tech and contingency inspection on Friday, Nov. 30.
BREAK UP THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY CELEBRATING REPEAL DAY
Oscar’s Steakhouse at the Plaza downtown will celebrate the 85th anniversary of Repeal Day, which marked the end of Prohibition, on Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. As part of the Oscar Dinner Series, the former Las Vegas mayor and mob attorney, Oscar B. Goodman will be in attendance to regale attendees with Sin City’s historic happenings and colorful individuals he encountered.
For the first time, Oscar’s Steakhouse will close for the evening to host this special dinner in the dome and accommodate more guests. The evening will start with an extended cocktail hour from 6 to 7 p.m. in the lounge with live entertainment. Guests will then join Goodman inside the dome overlooking the lights of Fremont Street for a three-course meal. The cost is $150 with an RSVP and pre-payment required, call 702-386-7227 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Underground, The Mob Museum’s new Prohibition-history exhibition, will host its first Repeal Day celebration on Dec. 5. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can partake of unlimited champagne and draft beer for $19.33, with the price honoring the year Prohibition was repealed.
From 7 to 11 p.m., a ticketed celebration will take place in The Underground’s 1920s-inspired speakeasy at The Mob Museum. Tickets beginning at $99 include cocktails, a live jazz band, silent auction with a Jaguar XKE previously owned by John Gotti being an item, Prohibition-era costume contest, and access to the secret room. The $125 package includes dinner at Triple George followed by admission to the Repeal Day party.
DINING TIDBITS
Buddy V’s Ristorante in The Venetian celebrated its fifth anniversary with what else…CAKE! With his big smile Buddy V mused how fast the five years has gone by and that he can’t believe he has a restaurant in Las Vegas.
Cabo Wabo inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will offer a 10 percent discount to early morning shoppers on Black Friday, Nov. 23 from 8 to 11 a.m. Visitors get the discount on all breakfast purchases by showing a receipt from any store at Miracle Mile Shops.
Here’s a deal, you can enjoy a post-Thanksgiving dinner at the all-night midnight to 8 a.m. Feast Buffet at Palace Station or have an early bird Black Friday breakfast.
Carson Kitchen downtown, which opens daily at 11:30 a.m., has unveiled its winter menu featuring seasonal ingredients, and creating twists on signature entrees and original creations such as an all-new Cheddar Crab Fondue, Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, and Hot Italian with cured meats.
GALLERIA AT SUNSET FULLY EMBRACES HOLIDAY SPIRIT
The Galleria at Sunset mall in Henderson, which opened in 1996, has holiday season activities.
Santa Claus along with his helpers are in the Center Court and taking photos with families and children through Dec. 24. Plus, the jolly fellow is available for dog and cat pet photos every Tuesday through Dec. 18. Making photo appointments is a way to skip a line.
On Dec. 9 from 8 to 10 a.m., the compassionate, sensory-friendly event will have Santa visiting with children within ever spectrum of special needs prior to public hours. Admission is free with reservations required online at Eventbrite and photo packages are available.
The free Letters to Santa event will be held at 9 a.m. on Dec. 15 in the Center Court with Mrs. Claus and friends. There will be live entertainment, train rides, tumbling and games, Santa photo op, etc.
The Galleria will have snow in the forecast every weekend from Nov. 23 through Dec. 23. Snowfall will be outside the Lower Plaza every Friday and Saturday from 6 to 7 p. and Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m.
Throughout December, local elementary and middle school students will be caroling at the mall.
The Angel Giving Tree tradition will take place Nov. 23-Dec. 14. Folks can visit the Lower Level of JCPenney and get an Angel Tag from a representative and then shop for a child.
CHARITY POKER TOURNAMENT WITH HEART
The Gentleman’s League will hold its second Charity Poker Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. at the South Point Poker Room to benefit the Children’s Heart Foundation.
The initial buy in will be $100 with unlimited re-buys for the first 90 minutes with participants playing for a variety of prizes including the $3,000 grand prize. Poker players will have a catered lunch by Buffalo Wild Wings. Players knocked out early can enjoy a “loser’s lounge” with silent auction and raffle. RSVPs are available by calling 702-300-0850 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SAPPHIRE’S HOLDS ANNUAL PING PONG CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER
Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club’s charitable arm, the nonprofit Sapphire Foundation for Prostate Cancer (SFPC) will host its 12th annual Ping Pong Palooza on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the gentlemen’s club. Entry fee/donations are $20 with drinks and buffet dining included. All teams are required to have a minimum of four contestants, with at least one teammate being female. Teams with the “Best Uniform” and “Best Team Spirit” will be awarded bottles of champagne.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS ITEMS
Comedian Helen Hong will appear in The Birdie Bar at Topgolf on Friday-Saturday, Nov. 23-24 at 9 p.m. Hong is also an actress appearing in such popular shows as “Bones,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “Parks and Recreation” and “Inside Amy Schumer.” Tickets are $15.
Commonwealth on East Fremont Street will celebrate its sixth anniversary on Wednesday, Nov. 21.
Reality star and television personality Farrah Abraham visited gentlemen’s club Crazy Horse 3 at 10:30 a.m. to tour the club’s construction and expansion, which is adjacent to the new football stadium being built for the Raiders. The club’s changes include parking lot renovations, kitchen expansion and interior upgrades.
While it may be the holiday season, let’s not forget about football. Topgolf continues with free, open-to-the-public Monday Night Football game viewings inside The Toyota Yard on a first come, first served basis. In addition, Monday Night Cornhole Tournaments continue during with registration free for a team of two.
There are other ways to become a millionaire besides the infamous lottery. Kenosha, Wis., resident Jon Oelke became an instant millionaire on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Irish pub O’Sheas Casino at The LINQ Hotel & Casino. He was playing Three Card Poker Progressive with his family and friends and hit a royal flush. The jackpot was more than $1.3 million. This year, Caesars Entertainment has had seven new millionaires.
