BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: March 31, 2019
PALMS LAUNCHES NEW MARKETING CAMPAIGN ‘UNSTATUS QUO’
The Palms has begun a new “Unstatus Quo” marketing ad campaign celebrating the resort’s $690 million renovation reimaging virtually every aspect of the property. The commercial features familiar celebrities with residencies at the new Kaos night and dayclub, which is opening, including Cardi B, Marshmello, Adriana Lima naming a few as well as celebrity chefs Bobby Flay, Michael Symon and Marc Vetri. The Palms has also developed brand new suites.
The Palms opened in 2001 and was a “must see” gaming and entertainment destination for many years. It was acquired by Station Casinos in 2016.
BELLAGIO FOUNTAINS SALUTES ‘GAME OF THRONES’
Now there is yet another good reason to visit the Strip at night especially for “Game of Thrones” fans. The Fountains of Bellagio debuted a new limited-run water show running twice nightly at 8 and 9:30 p.m. through Saturday, April 13, with the HBO series season finale premiering on April 14.
This production incorporates a winter blizzard, dragons flying, and even sets the lake on fire for the first time. WET Design worked with Game of Thrones' composer Ramin Djawadi to design a custom score, which incorporates the show's theme song, while developing a captivating theatrical production. Best part, the show is free.
‘THE GREATEST PIANO MEN’ EMULATE PIANO GREATS AT FLAMINGO
Once again, didn’t know what to expect with the new limited-engagement show “The Greatest Piano Men” at the Flamingo. Running through April 21, it’s a lively fast- moving show, which would make a good resident show on the Strip. Performances are nightly except Mondays with times varying. Tickets start at $49.
Rather than an impersonator show, it’s a production paying homage to the world’s greatest pianists and showmen including Elton John, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard. Entering the showroom, the audience is greeted with three grand pianos center stage, which may even be a first. Diving right into the music, director/producer Donnie Kehr immediately takes you on a historical piano music journey all the way from Beethoven to Liberace with video images providing validation.
After the intro, three more piano wizards and singers Greg Ransom, Peter Peterkin and Stephen “Hoops” Snyder take over the modern-day journey backed by a live seven-piece band and present an amazing 90-minute celebration featuring 25 relatable hit songs. This is a show worth seeing more than once, you leave happy and energized.
JOINT AT HARD ROCK HOSTS SLIGHTLY STOOPID ANNUAL 420 PARTY HITS
Slightly Stoopid will bring their annual 420 party to The Joint at Hard Rock on Friday, April 20 at 8 p.m. with Common Kings (Hawaii) and Fortunate Youth (Los Angeles) opening the show. Tickets start at $47.
Now in their second decade of making music, eclectic band Slightly Stoopid continues to manufacture an energizing and multifaceted sound, which has been described as “a spiritual bath of positive party energy.” In July 2018, the group released their ninth studio album, “Everyday Life, Everyday People,” which was inspired by the band’s hometown, Ocean Beach, Calif.
AREA15 PREVIEWS ITS SIGNATURE ‘A’
While AREA15 won’t open until December, its already familiarizing media with what to expect. Last week, the future new immersive entertainment, retail and dining destination had an unveiling of the “A” on the front entrance of the 200,000-square-foot complex. The “A” is made from structural steel, metal studs and exterior insulation finishing system (EIFS). It stands 42 feet tall, weighs 2.5 tons and required more than 300 man-hours to fabricate.
The anchor tenant, Meow Wolf out of Santa Fe, N.M., will create interactive art activations to transport audiences of all ages into fantastic realms of story, exploration and discovery.
On display was Mister Fusion, the street legal, stainless steel art car seen around town at events and created by Las Vegas sculptor Henry Chang. This presents an example of the creative art elements planned for this new venture located just off I-15 between Desert Inn Road and Sahara Ave.
NEW PLAY ‘MIDDLETOWN’ IS IMPACTFUL
Don’t often cover a show which has come and gone; but feel this one deserves attention. The new play “Middletown” by playwright Dan Clancy holds up a mirror of life reflecting the roller coaster ride experiencing love, friendship, loss and much laughter. The play made its premiere at The Smith Center’s Myron’s Cabaret Jazz last weekend and was launched by GFour Productions, producers of “Menopause The Musical.” Sort of imagined “Middletown” might be similar; but wasn’t. It’s not a hysterical fluff piece, but a play with much more depth mixing comedy and drama in a way that touches the soul.
There were no set pieces, just four music stands with scrips and four outstanding actors nailing their individual characters: Cindy Williams (“Laverne & Shirley”); Donny Most (“Happy Days); Didi Conn (“Grease”); and Adrian Zmed (“Bachelor Party” and TV’s “T.J. Hooker). Keep an eye out for this play to endure.
POSTMODERN JUKEBOX HIDEAWAY SET TO OPEN AT THE MIRAGE
Mentioned this news in February and now the time has arrived for Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Hideaway to open at The Mirage Friday, April 12. The new show will run weekly Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. in the 1 OAK Nightclub, which becomes the hideaway. Tickets start at $39.99.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) will have a rotating cast and transport audiences into different decades of music. The show’s creator offers the description “pop music in a time machine.”
MATT STELL BRINGS SOUTHERN RHYTHM TO TOPGOLF
Country music artist Matt Stell will perform a free all-ages show inside The Birdie Bar at Topgolf on Saturday, April 6 at 8 p.m. All seating is general admission.
Stell is equal parts songwriter and entertainer. “Whiskey Baby” and “Small Town Love” are two songs he co-wrote with Casey Donahew and both reached No. 1 on the Texas regional radio charts. Following through on the success of these and other music releases, Stell moved to the “country grail” Nashville to pursue writing and making music.
HOME2 SUITES MAKES ITS DEBUT IN LAS VEGAS
Visited the new 120-key Home2 Suites by Hilton Las Vegas Strip South, which is owned and managed by National Hospitality Management LLC. Built from the ground up, it is the first Home2 Suites hotel in Nevada and close to the south end of the Strip. The brand focuses on extended stay guests, with multiple customizations and lifestyle amenities made available.
Modern accommodations come with fully-equipped kitchens, modular furniture and attention-grabbing glass sliding barn doors. There is also complimentary internet, a saline pool and patio, communal spaces, and trademark Home2 Suites amenities such as Spin2 Cycle, a combined laundry and fitness area; Home2 MKT for grab-and-go items; and the Inspired Table, a complimentary daily breakfast. The hotel is also pet-friendly.
WET’N’WILD OPENS SEASON SEVEN
Last weekend Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas opened its seventh season, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 29. New this year will be innovative experiences for guests, including elevated in-park options with new technology, additional seating and updated dining selections. Debuting the Wet’n’Wild Wallet, a waterproof money-loaded wristband, will be a convenient way to pay in the park. Season passes start at $49.99.
RIVER NORTH AT TIVOLI VILLAGE WILL HOST SPECIAL CUSTOMER EVENT
River North, an eclectic contemporary home décor retail store at Tivoli Village, is hosting a free public special customer appreciation event on Saturday, April 27 from 3 to 6 p.m. with an array of raffle prizes, in-store specials, hors d’oeuvres, wine and champagne.
Opening in 2012, River North curated by Chicagoland native Shelley Gorman was inspired by her background in architecture and interior design. She opened the store to showcase her favorite furniture, lighting, rugs and home décor pieces. She also designs a custom private label furniture built locally in partnership with Nick Davis. Gorman is an award-winning Las Vegas interior designer of SKG Designs and has been featured on HGTV’s “Renovator’s Challenge.”
NEON MUSEUM SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE PRESENTS NEON HISTORY
Dr. Dydia Delyser, the Neon Museum’s scholar in residence, will give a “Hidden in Bright Light: The Untold Story of Neon” presentation at the museum’s Ne10 Studio on Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Admission is free by registering at neonmuseum.org.
Dr. Delyser is a historical-cultural geographer at California State University, Fullerton and currently working on a book about the history of neon signs in the United States. Her presentation will uncover neon’s real history, reveal its significance in American culture and communities, and explain Las Vegas’ key role in illuminating neon’s future, in part by preserving its past. The Ne10 studio is located at 1001 W. Bonanza Road on the Las Vegas Review Journal’s campus.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
Don’t Tell Mama is open now at Neonopolis downtown. The cozy piano bar lounge features singing servers and live piano accompaniment for open-mike opportunities.
Maverick Helicopters will expand operations with a third location in the Las Vegas valley opening at Railroad Pass on Boulder Highway in the summer. The expansion comes after more than two decades of successful operation in Las Vegas and will be Maverick’s seventh permanent location.
On Thursday, April 4, The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil will make an appearance on “Entertainment Tonight.” Hosted by Keltie Knight, Emmy Award-winning television personality and former Radio City Rockette, the feature follows her journey to see what it takes to become a cast member.
First Friday downtown will be April 5 from 5-11 p.m. The featured artist will be Juan Cardenas who began as a photographer and writer in his native Mexico City and moved to Las Vegas in 2011. Adopting the nickname Desautomatas, his multi-media artwork has been exhibited for more than 20 years in many cities.
Market in the Alley is hosted the third Sunday of each month Downtown between 10th and 11th streets on Fremont. The curated market by Fergusons Downtown supports local makers, curators, artists, musicians and culinary innovators. Each month creative locals and change makers teach workshops and cultivate community impact. The next market is April 21 from noon to 4 p.m.
The 5th Annual Craft Festival will be held at the Suncoast from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with handmade home décor and decorating items on display and for sale by more than 60 vendors. Admission is free
Three-time and reigning NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle World Champion Matt Smith and fellow racers will make four-wide racing history at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway April 5-7 as part of the DENSO Spark Plugs NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
MOTLEY BREWS HOSTS NINTH GREAT VEGAS FESTIVAL OF BEER
The Great Vegas Festival of Beer Friday-Saturday, April 5 and 6 will be held at a new venue the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC). Established in 2011, the festival produced by Motley Brews attracts more than 500 beers and 10,000 attendees.
The festival will begin with the Mad Craft Experience on Friday, April 5 from 7-10 p.m. with local brewers, mixologists, chefs and restaurateurs partaking in an epic craft beer and culinary competition. The Grand Tasting happens on Saturday, April 6 from 3 to 7 p.m., with early entry at 2 p.m.
FESTIVAL OF BEER WILL FEATURE EXPERIENCE LINEUP AT GRAND TASTING
The Great Vegas Festival of Beer has announced its full lineup of experiential offerings for its ninth annual Grand Tasting taking place at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. Tickets start at $45.
Activations at this year’s festival will include: Zappos Murals and Magic - a beer geek-centric display; PT’s Brewing Company and partner BLVD & MAIN Taphouse beers on tap and oversized tavern games; Ellis Island Front Yard Karaoke; Brooklyn Bowl Silent Disco; Motley VIP Lounge; PKWY Tavern Glamping with outdoor games; and Hi-Scores Bar-Arcade with a variety of arcade games.
A PHOTOGRAPHIC SALUTE TO THE ART OF THE BREW
Food photographer Nathan Myhrvold releases exclusive hops-inspired photo collection in time for National Beer Day, April 7. He recently visited his home state of Washington and its famous Yakima Valley, which produces more than 77 percent of the hops grown in the United States, to photograph hops one of the final days of the around-the-clock harvest.
Four of Myhrvold’s finished distinct prints punctuating his signature close-up photography techniques and proprietary process, which includes custom cameras, robots, and scientific imagination are featured and on sale at his three Modernist Cuisine Gallery locations…in Las Vegas at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, New Orleans, and Seattle.
WORCS RACING RETURNS TO ORLEANS ARENA
Las Vegas’ fourth annual WORCS Racing event with some of the nation’s fastest off-road ATV, SXS and motorcycle racers will be held at Orleans Arena April 12-14. Racers have backgrounds in Enduro, Hare and Hound, Hare Scramble, GNCC, Best in the Desert and Motocross. The three-day event will include: dirt bike racers Andrew Short, Taylor Robert and Zach Bell; ATV riders Beau Baron and Mike Sloan; and SXS racers Matt Hancock and Corbin Leaverton.
The event will also feature various motorsport vendors with exhibits located outside of Orleans Arena. Races begin at noon on Friday, April 12, and at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14. Tickets start at $15 and three-day packages start at $35.
DINING NEWS
Morton Group’s La Comida restaurant downtown at 100 S. Sixth Street is launching Trivia & Taco Tuesdays on April 2 at 7 p.m. with trivia games, prizes plus food and drink specials. A team can have one to 10 people participating in rounds of trivia competitions for prizes. The monthly grand prize is two tickets to a Maverick Helicopters tour above the Strip.
Marking a successful first month in business, new neighborhood Italian restaurant La Strega in Summerlin will open at 4 p.m. for dinner on Sundays, beginning April 7, to meet requests for earlier dinner seatings.
Brothers David and Michael Morton’s steakhouse, MB Steak inside Hard Rock, is offering a new Social Hour daily from 5 to 6 p.m. Featured Social Hour selections include: “MB Bites,” priced at $5 each; $5 craft cocktails; $5 beers; and $5 wines by the glass.
The founder of Justin Wines, Justin Baldwin, will be hosting a special three-course dinner and wine pairing event at Oscar’s Steakhouse at the Plaza Hotel on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $115, including tax and gratuity. To attend, RSVP by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Boteco at 9500 S. Eastern Ave. will feature a Delicias de España tasting menu and wine pairing on Thursday, April 4. Cost is $55. For reservations, call 702-790-2323.
