BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: June 3, 2019
AGT FINALIST SAMUEL J. COMROE DEBUTS RESIDENCY AT THE STRAT
Samuel J. Comroe will headline a stand-up comedy residency inside the L.A. Comedy Club housed in the 160-seat Dragon Room at The STRAT starting Monday, July. A top four winner on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” Comroe will perform at 6 p.m. every Monday through Wednesday. Ticket prices start at $39.95.
“I’ve been performing at the L.A. Comedy Club since I was 21,” says Comroe. “A decade later, it’s a dream come true to have a residency in the Entertainment Capital of the World.”
Comroe’s popular tagline, “I’ve got 99 problems, but a twitch ain’t one,” spotlights his life with Tourette Syndrome with relatable and comical impressions aimed to help break down stereotypes. Comroe had an appearance on BET’s “Real Husbands of Hollywood” with Kevin Hart and has won two high-profile comedy competitions, Ricky Gervais’ “Just Sayin’ App” contest and The San Francisco Comedy Competition.
NEW RESIDENCE INN BY MARRIOTT OPENS IN HENDERSON
The hotel-motel offerings in Las Vegas are endless and there’s a right fit for everyone’s situation and needs. Answering the call for a homey family-pet friendly longer stay property with a fully equipped kitchen and fitness center conveniently located next to a laundry room is the brand-new 115-room Residence Inn by Marriott at The Place at Seven Hills on St. Rose Parkway. The four-story property away from the Strip is close to the Henderson Executive Airport, major hospital, restaurants and shopping and has free parking. Oh yes, Starbucks is steps away in the mix-use complex.
THE DOWNTOWNER REVEALS $2 MILLION RENOVATION
The Downtowner, a historic property which originally opened in 1963, has revealed its completed $2 million remodel. The fun reenergized design of the downtown property at 129 N 8th Street near the El Cortez unveiled 88 freshly renovated rooms with upgraded bathrooms and a six-hole professional courtyard putting course.
A full-service 24-hour bar was added and doubles as a front desk checking in guests. There are fun visual elements like custom art pieces, a vintage Harley Davidson golf cart, and other Instagrammable moments like vibrant interactive wall art, kitschy decorative lawn flamingos, and a central color-changing fire pit. Another notable feature is 11,500 square feet of meeting and convention space.
FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE REVEALS CHAINSMOKERS LIGHT SHOW
On Friday, May 31, Grammy Award-winning artist/producer, The Chainsmokers, took over the Fremont Street Experience downtown to celebrate the premiere of their new Viva Vision light and sound show. Fans gathered around 3rd Street Stage to witness the six-minute musical montage featuring the EDM duo’s chart-topping hits, including “Closer,” “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Something Just Like This.”
The Chainsmokers’ show is the first to debut since the start of a $32 million renovation to the Viva Vision canopy, which will be completed and unveiled on New Year’s Eve. Renovations to the city-owned Viva Vision canopy are being done in sections to ensure visitors can enjoy the light shows throughout the entire process. The Chainsmokers’ complimentary musical montage runs daily along with existing shows.
CIRCA SPORTS DEBUTS WITH $1.5 MILLION PRO FOOTBALL CONTEST
Derek Stevens debuted his first Circa Sports location at the Golden Gate by launching the epic pro football contest. The season-long Circa Sports Million Pro Football Contest kicked off June 1, offering $1.5 million in prizes including a $1 million payout for the champion. Entry fee is $1,000. Participants can enter anytime through Sept. 7 at the Golden Gate. Circa Sports also has an app available.
The competition comes as part of Stevens’ recently announced introduction of Circa Sports. The betting brand was officially launched with the opening of the Golden Gate’s new sportsbook featuring a state-of-the-art video wall with 18 screens, LED boards displaying betting odds and two betting kiosks. Circa Sports will also unveil a satellite program at the D Las Vegas on June 19.
HOPPED TACO THROWDOWN CELEBRATES CRAFT BEER AND TACOS
The third annual Motley Brews’ Hopped Taco Throwdown will be held Saturday, June 8 at Zappos Headquarters’ backyard downtown from 8 to 11 p.m., with early entry tickets beginning at 7 p.m. The event brings together craft beer and tacos for a culinary competition showcasing some of Las Vegas’ top chefs and innovative breweries.
Twelve chefs will participate for the title of “Hopped Taco Champion” in one of three categories: Hopped Taco for best-beer-infused taco; Taco Loco for most creative taco; and Taco Dulce for best dessert taco.
Guests must be 21 years of age. General admission tickets start at $50 and VIP at $85.
JUNE LINEUP FOR GOLDEN NUGGET’S 52 FRIDAYS CONCERT SERIES
You can always find diverse headlining entertainment in the Golden Nugget Showroom on Friday nights at 8 p.m. as part of the resort’s 52 Fridays Concert Series.
Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will lead off the month on June 7. Legendary singer-songwriter Cavaliere formed the Young Rascals in early 1965. That October, the group caught the attention of promoter/manager Sid Bernstein at Long Island’s elite club, Barge. They were signed to Atlantic Records as The Rascals and had the No. 1 mega-hit “Good Lovin’” in February 1966. More hits followed before The Rascals disbanded in 1972. They were considered the best “blue-eyed soul” group to come out of the 1960s. Cavaliere’s solo career thrived during the rest of the decade and continues to this day.
American country rock group Poco will appear on June 14. After the breakup of Buffalo Springfield, Poco was formed taking the sound of the old band and making it their own. They have hits such as “Rose of Cimarron,” “Heart of the Night” and “Call it Love.”
The Greg Kihn Band is booked on June 21. Kihn moved to Berkeley in 1974 and signed with Beserkley Records. However, it took him almost a decade to find a successful music formula. By the early 80s, Kihn and his band scored their first U.S. hit, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em)” and followed the next year with a bigger hit “Jeopardy,” which peaked at No. 2. Kihn over the years has been hosting a radio show, writing books, and coming up with clever album titles.
On June 28, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, an American 1960s-era pop and rock group fronted by musician Gary Lewis, the son of comedian Jerry Lewis, will headline. Their No. 1 single “This Diamond Ring” was the first of a string of hit singles they had in 1965 and 1966. The group folded in 1970, but a version of the band later resumed touring.
INSOMNIAC ANNOUNCES EDC 2020 DATES AND ‘FUTURE OWL’ DEPOSIT
The world’s largest dance music festival EDC – Electric Daisy Carnival will return for its 10th year at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway May 15, 16 and 17, 2020. Fresh off a sold-out crowd of 465,000, the largest attending crowd in EDC history, the show’s producer Insomniac has tickets for the 2020 festival on-sale, with just a $10 deposit needed to secure a GA, GA+ or VIP pass. For a limited time, Future Owl tickets can be purchased online.
GALAXY THEATRES BOULEVARD HAD KID’S SUMMERFEST OFFER
The new Galaxy Theatres Boulevard, located at the Boulevard Mall, is the first all-Laser projection theatre in Nevada and home to the first Sony Digital Cinema™ in the world. All summer long, the theatre will be offering promotions including Kid’s Summerfest June 1 through Aug. 26. Tickets are $2 for select movies all summer including “Despicable Me,” “Curious George,” “The Secret Life of Pets,” “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” and more. During Kid’s Summerfest, value packs which include a small popcorn, candy and small soda regularly priced at $6.75 are $3.00. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, online or on the Galaxy Theatres mobile app.
ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTISTS COMPETE IN MESQUITE
The 10th annual Elvis Rocks Mesquite is a three-day event and competition being held in the CasaBlanca Resort Showroom June 20-22 with $10,000 in prize money up for grabs. This year, 22 contestants traveling from across the United States, will compete for the title and attract hundreds of Elvis enthusiasts to Mesquite, Nev.
Elvis contestants will compete in three categories defined by eras: the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s. The panel of judges will include Las Vegas headliners Clint Holmes, Rich Little and Michael Grimm, “America’s Got Talent” season five winner. They will narrow the field to 12 finalists, who will compete in a final performance with a live band at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Mesquite Gaming will award $10,000 in prize money, with the overall winner taking home $3,000.
Scheduled events include a meet and greet, movies by the pool, multiple late-night karaoke events and a finals’ after party. Another Vegas headliner Kelly Clinton Holmes will return as host for the fourth year in a row. Tickets are on sale now.
ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Grammy-nominated Texas country music star, Pat Green will headline the M Pavilion as part of M Resort’s summer concert series on June 15. Named “the Springsteen of the South West” by “People,” Green has sold more than 2 million records, released 10 studio albums, and had 12 No. 1 hits on the Texas Radio Chart including his latest single “Drinkin’ Days.” Tickets start at $15.
“Petty & The Heartshakers – Tribute to Tom Petty” will appear in the Suncoast Showroom on Saturday, June 8 at 8:30 p.m. Inspired by Tom Petty & The Heartbreaker’s documentary “Runnin’ Down a Dream,” singer and multi-instrumentalist Dan Grenness formed the tribute band in 2016. Since then, Petty & The Heartshakers have dedicated their band to keeping Tom Petty’s music alive. Tickets start at $19.95.
Downtown Summerlin’s free outdoor family-pet friendly Summerlin Sounds Concert Series will be held every Wednesday from 5:30-9 p.m. at The Lawn. Each week is a different sound and style: Empire Records with Noelle Chiodo June 12; Stoked with Richard Mann of the Union Drifters June 19; Minus Point 8 with Flannel Channel June 26; likemelikeyou with Adena Sampson July 10; and Jeremy Cornwell with Shawn Eiferman July 17.
GALLERIA MALL HOLDS ART EXPO WEEKEND
Galleria at Sunset, in partnership with the Las Vegas Artists’ Guild (LVAG), will present the Galleria Art Expo June 8-9. The two-day community art and cultural event will feature art displays of varying mediums by local award-winning artists.
There will be a live art battle by local artists on Saturday, June 8 from 4 to 5 p.m. Four Champion-level Art Battle artists will compete in two 30-minute rounds, where they will be required to transform a blank canvas into beautiful art. Audience voting will take place after each round, as well as a silent auction where the art will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the artists and Art Battle.
Award-winning artist Laura Runco will guide painters to their own masterpiece on June 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. in a private setting located in the LVAG Art Gallery Suite 2109. Wine and light bites will be provided by GEN Korean BBQ House. Tickets are $30 online and all proceeds will benefit the Las Vegas Artists’ Guild.
On Sunday, June 9 at 1 p.m. in the Center Court, Eat More Art! Vegas will present live poetry readings. In addition, theatre performances will begin at 2 p.m. Attendees can expect operatic singing and Broadway-style excerpts from hit shows such as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Newsies.”
ANDIRION STEAK & SEA HOLDS SUMMERLIN SOCIAL AFFAIR
Downtown Summerlin’s popular neighborhood steakhouse, Andiron Steak & Sea, will hold its annual White Party on Saturday, June 22 from 7-11 p.m. For the fourth year, the Hamptons-inspired elegant soiree encourages guests to wear all white. Tickets are $79 in advance.
The White Party bar menu will feature bubbles and brews; signature creations developed just for the occasion, as well as Andiron’s famous froze, cocktails and wine. The menu will include a fondue station, live grilling, food stations, passed hors d’oeuvres and a variety of sweet treats including a donut wall, made-to-order cotton candy, and dessert station.
There will be music by Dueling DJs Silla the Thrilla and Lazslo, and an illusionist will be roaming around. Insta-worthy activations will include a step and repeat, photo booth, flower wall and more.
DINING • BEVERAGE NEWS
Always sad when restaurants close. After two years of opening a restaurant in a new building in the Howard Hughes Center on E. Flamingo, Bandito Latin Kitchen & Cantina will close on Sunday, June 9.
Downtown Container Park’s monthly Wine & Beer Walk will return on Saturday, June 8 from 6–9 p.m. Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the gate.
JW Marriott is hosting an exclusive Bourbon Pairing Dinner in partnership with Woodford Reserve Distillery on Saturday, June 15 at 6 p.m. in the Parian Ballroom. Tickets are $99 and include all bourbon pairings, cocktail reception and three-course meal. For reservations call the hotel concierge at 702-869-7803.
Forge Social House in Boulder City is holding a Bad to the Bone BBQ on Saturday, June 15 at 7 p.m. The special guest chef will be local boy Chip Kurth, who recently placed third and second in two barbeque challenges. Chef Kurth and his team will prepare BBQ pulled pork and chicken while the restaurant rounds out the menu. Dinner is $40; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar’s first Taste & Learn wine tasting event of the summer will take place Saturday, June 22 at 5 p.m. Cost is $75 all inclusive.
The Rampart Buffet at J.W. Marriott is undergoing reservations and temporarily moved to the Valencia Room in the Convention Center. Additionally, the buffet will be closed June 10, 11, 28, 29 and 30.
ABOUT TOWN ITEMS
The theme for Downtown’s upcoming First Friday on June 7 is “Beat Street.” Event hours are 5-11 p.m.
Reminder, the Golden Nugget is debuting its all-new monthly summer pool party, Honky Tonk at The Tank, with local country rockers The Rhyolite Sound this Friday, June 7 starting at 9 p.m.
Nikki Villagomez, a nationally recognized speaker and published author on typography, will be a guest speaker on Tuesday, June 11 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Neon Museum’s Ne10 Studio. She will look at how local culture may affect typography choices and have copies of her book, “Culture+Typography: How Culture Affects Typography” for sale. Admission is free but you need to reserve your tickets online at the Neon Museum’s website.
Maverick Helicopters received USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Helicopter Tour.” Flying more than 250,000 guests annually, Maverick Helicopters operates service in Las Vegas where the company started, Grand Canyon South and West Rims, and Maui and Kauai, Hawaii.
A Las Vegas local on May 25 hit a $221,460 Jackpot Playing IGT’s 25-cent Wheel of Fortune® Triple Stars® video slots at Sam’s Town.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS ABOUND
It seems like the celebrities are everywhere in Las Vegas. With Celine Dion’s residency at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace ending June 8 after a 16-year run, VIPs are visiting her and the show like crazy. Global personalities Kanye West and Kim Kardashian went on “surprise date in Las Vegas” on Saturday, May 25. Fellow performer Kelly Clarkson went the following Tuesday and met Celine for the first time before the performance.
Juggernaut superstars Beyoncé and Jay-Z were seen at a performance of “O” at Bellagio on May 26. Later that night at Treasure Island, actor and Grammy Award-winner Jamie Foxx was spotted at “Mystère” with family and friends
Recently, actor Brad Garrett dined at Beauty & Essex inside The Cosmopolitan on a Thursday night. The comedian enjoyed signature share plates in the restaurant’s Pearl Lounge.
