BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW

Date: July 28, 2019

 

BY: Jackie Brett     

 

BINION’S DOWNTOWN OPENS HOTEL APACHE

            Binion’s Gambling Hall downtown opened Hotel Apache on July 29. The boutique hotel is featuring 81 rooms with vintage-style furnishings reminiscent of the original Hotel Apache, which opened in 1932. Guests will be able to check in at the genuine registration desk located on the casino floor and be able to take the first electronic elevator in the city of Las Vegas to their hotel room. The property with its long history of eerie occurrences, which may appeal to many, was recently featured in Season 16, Episode 3 of “Ghost Adventures” on the Travel Channel.

 

BIG BLUES BENDER ANNOUNCES DAILY MUSIC LINEUPS

        The Big Blues Bender, the sixth annual festival and only-in-Vegas hotel takeover, will be held at the Hard Rock Sept. 5-8. Single day tickets for the four-day event are available now starting at $125 and the extensive daily music lineups are on the event’s website. In addition to single and four-day tickets, rooming packages starting at $799 are still available.

 

        Part of the Blues’ artist-friendly festival will again be the fundraising “Bender Party with HART!” event on Wednesday, Sept. 4 featuring a star-studded musical review and live auction, benefitting the H.A.R.T. (Handy Artist Relief Trust) Fund, which helps blues musicians and their families.

 

JOURNEY ADDS FOUR DATES TO RESIDENCY AT CAESARS PALACE

        Rock band Journey with nine dates in October, due to popular demand, has added four dates for New Year’s Eve week, Dec. 27, 28, 30 and 31. Tickets begin at $99 and go on sale Friday, Aug. 2.

 

            Journey is made up of founding member and lead guitarist Neal Schon, co-founding member and bassist Ross Valory, and longtime members keyboardist Jonathan Cain, drummer Steve Smith, and lead singer Arnel Pineda. Since the group’s formation in 1973, the band has earned 19 top 40 singles, 25 Gold and Platinum albums, and has sold nearly 100 million albums globally. Their “Greatest Hits” album is certified 15 times-Platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of Diamond-certified award holders. In March 2019, Journey released a live DVD/CD set from their concert at the Budokan in Tokyo, featuring the first-ever performances of the band’s “Escape” and “Frontiers” albums in their entireties.

SMOKED BURGERS & BBQ STARTS CELEB BURGER CHARITY PROGRAM

         Smoked Burgers & BBQ at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace has initiated having Las Vegas-based celebrities creating themed burgers to benefit local charities. With each burger created, a portion of proceeds will be donated to the charity of the celebrities choosing. The Celebrity Burger Charity Program begins Aug. 1 and will run through December 2019 with plans to continue the program next year. All Celebrity Burgers will be priced under $20 and available throughout the month with 10 percent of sales benefitting the charities. All burgers can be made vegan upon request.


            The current Celebrity Burger lineup will start with The LINQ headliner Mat Franco’s “The Spicy Mat Franco” – charity The Animal Foundation. September will be Flamingo superstars Donny & Marie with the “It Takes Two” burger – Children’s Miracle Network. Penn & Teller who star at the Rio will have “The Penn& Teller Veggie Burger” in October – Aid for Aids of Nevada – AFAN. Jeff Civilico with a show at Paris has “The Juggler” burger in November – Win-Win Entertainment charity. The year will end in December with Mac King, afternoon headliner at Harrah’s, with “The Big Mac King Burger” – Susan G. Komen Nevada.

 

‘BIG ELVIS’ HONORED WITH HIS SHRUNKEN HEAD AT GOLDEN TIKI

            It’s a big week for Pete Vallee better known as Big Elvis who stars at Harrah’s Piano Bar Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. A visit to the Strip isn’t complete if you don’t visit his show and now the world's heaviest Elvis impersonator is being honored at the Golden Tiki in Chinatown on Wednesday, July 31 at 9 p.m. when his shrunken head is being unveiled and joining others in the collection like Rich Little, Vince Neil, Tape Face and many more.

 

VEGAS POOL SCENE

       The Venetian® Resort revealed a dramatic redesign of its pool deck within the hotel tower inspired by the Italian Riviera with newly imagined pools, expansive cabanas with amenities, quaint gardens and sculptural art pieces.

        New cabanas feature air conditioning, 75-foot television screens, private restrooms, charging stations, private safes, sun umbrellas, and personal bar and towel service. The 10 new cabanas are part of a total collection of nearly 60 offered throughout the resort.

       The Scene Pool Deck at Planet Hollywood with the only stand-alone wave machine on the Strip, the FlowRider, will be bringing some of the world’s best flowboarders to the pool deck for the 2019 US FLOW Tour. On Saturday, Aug. 3, professional flowboarders will show off their extreme skills while competing to win cash prizes. Amateur flowboarders are welcome to compete in various categories. Free and open to spectators, this event is sure to make a splash.

 

            Influence, The POOL at The LINQ Hotel + Experience is transforming  into a shark-themed retreat, July 28-Aug. 4 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in honor of Shark Week. The adults-only pool with complimentary admission to all guests 21 and older every day of the week, will feature shark-tastic poolside programming, drink specials, shark swag and more. 

 

ENTERTAINMENT CLIPS

        Global star Janet Jackson is finishing her Las Vegas residency, “Metamorphosis,” at Park Theater at Park MGM resort on Aug. 17. The show also features a special 30-year anniversary celebration of her ground-breaking album “Rhythm Nation 1814.” Tickets start at $79 for her final eight shows in August.

            An evening with Led Kaapana, who is a master of slack key guitar and has been one of Hawaii’s most influential musicians for nearly five decades will be appearing in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. His mastery of stringed instruments slack key guitar and ‘ukulele, and extraordinary vocal range baritone to leo ki`eki`e (falsetto), have made him a musical legend. Kaapana has also earned four Grammy nominations in his own right, and three Grammy wins on slack key compilations. Tickets are $35-$50.

            “Salute to the Great Singer-Songwriters,” will be a one-night concert starring Michelle Johnson on Friday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz. With a live band and fellow guest vocalists Jassen Allen, Gret Menzies Gonzales and Jolana Sampson Adamson, they will celebrate the music from artists like Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Smokey Robinson, Carole King, Kenny Loggins, Paul McCartney and many more. Tickets start at $25.

 

THIRD ANNUAL TOPGOLF TOUR STARTS SWINGING

            The Topgolf Regional Tournament will take place Wednesday, Aug. 14 with golf enthusiasts competing against fellow players to claim the regional winning spot. The winner will go on to compete against 18 other teams from the U.S., U.K., Australia and Military Division in the ultimate Topgolf Tour Championships at Topgolf Las Vegas on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24-25, where one winning team will win $50,000 in cash and the title of Best Topgolf Team.
       The Topgolf Tour is a two-person competition testing golfers on their strategy and accuracy by playing a variety of Topgolf signatures games. Amateurs and non-status teaching professionals are welcome to participate and must be 21 years or older. Teams and “free agents” can register now at tour Topgolf website.

            The First Round of the Regional Tournament begins at 5:15 p.m., Second Round at 7 p.m. and Third Round at 8:15 p.m. with the Awards Ceremony at 8:45 p.m. Guests can register online as a “free agent” for $85 or team captain for $170.

 

VEGANS, BABY WILL RECREATE RECENT JAMES BEARD DINNER

            Following an incredible dinner at the James Beard House in New York City earlier this month, Vegans, Baby founder, Diana Edelman will bring the Vegas Vegan dinner to Las Vegas. The culinary event will be hosted at CATCH inside Aria at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, and feature the same five celebrated chefs and five extravagant dishes and wine pairings for an innovative plant-based experience. Evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a reception.

 

            Tickets on Eventbrite are $140 with tax and gratuity included. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Hearts Alive Village Las Vegas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating homeless dogs and cats.

 

            Vegans, Baby, launched by Edelman in May 2016, is a multi-faceted endeavor to make being vegan in Las Vegas and beyond easier through an online guide; community events; a vegan dining month uniting restaurants with vegans/vegan-curious/foodies; local and international vegan food tours; and the newly released second edition of the “Las Vegas Vegan Food Guide 2019.”

 

HAWTHORN GRILL OFFERS BOGO FREE LUNCH SPECIAL

            At J.W. Marriott, while the Rampart Buffet is being renovated, the buffet has been temporarily moved to the Valencia Room in the Convention Center. The Rampart Buffet will be closed Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 16 and 17 with service available at Hawthorn Grill offering a buffet for $9.99 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Also, Hawthorn Grill offers a buy one, get one free lunch special every Monday-Friday.

 

ABOUT TOWN ITEMS

            Country superstars Midland performed to a sold-out house at Flamingo Las Vegas’ GO Pool last Friday as part of the pool’s Country Concert Series with 95.5 The Bull – Las Vegas’ NEW Country Leader, hosted by Big D. Upcoming Country Concert Series performances include Russell Dickerson on Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Mitchell Tenpenny on Tuesday, Sept. 17. Tickets start at $20.

 

            Wrote a couple weeks ago about The Princess Wendy Late Night Tease Room opening Friday, July 19 at 10 p.m. at The Attic’s stage at The Nerd on the 2nd floor of Neonopolis downtown. It was so successful it’s already gone with the proverbial notes like look for us to return in the fall. Don’t hold your breath.

 

            The Aug. 2 First Friday’s theme will be “Artitecture” asking attendees to discover how works of art are displayed in the human form of art through AcroYoga demonstrations and how the planning and building of structural design is art. This month’s featured local self-taught artist is Kyle Kizzire.

            PT’s Taverns, with 66 taverns throughout the Las Vegas Valley and Nevada, will toast International Beer Day on Friday, Aug. 2 by offering complimentary Stella Artois beer chalices. All guests purchasing a Stella Artois beer that day will receive a complimentary beer chalice, while supplies last.

            Fashion Show Las Vegas is celebrating the back-to-school season with an added movie showing “Coco” at its Sweetest Movie Series in a park-like setting in The Great Hall on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. “Coco” is a perfect movie for the whole family!

            “Bunco for Breast Cancer - Roll the Dice. Beat the Odds.” will be held at the Plaza on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m. The special fundraising event is open to all ages and no experience playing Bunco is required. Registration is $30.

            Crazy Horse 3 gentlemen’s club at 3525 W. Russell Rd. will wish “90 Day Fiancé” franchise star Larissa Dos Santos Lima happy birthday with a late-night celebration starting at 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17. Lima received nationwide media attention for her tumultuous divorce from Colt Johnson following their appearance on season six of the popular TLC television series.

 

DINING NEWS

        The Palm restaurant’s Lobster Season special has been extended through Aug. 31. The summertime special includes a 4-pound Jumbo Novia Scotia Lobster dinner for two with soup or salad and a family-style side for $109. Additionally, Lobster Season at The Palm offers a Poached Nova Scotia Lobster atop a 9-ounce Filet Mignon or 14-ounce Prime New York Strip Steak with an individual side and starter for $65.

            Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar across from the Hard Rock Hotel will hold a Summer Wine Tasting featuring Grimaldi Wine and an inventive menu on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m. The Taste & Learn educational presentation highlights Grimaldi vineyards, which have been in use for more than a century. Cost is $75 and reservations are required.

        Suncoast’s SC Prime Steakhouse & Bar has unveiled a new, elevated menu featuring their new partner with premier cuts from Creekstone Farms along with seafood dishes, tasty appetizers and sweet desserts. SC Prime also hosts social hour daily at its bar from 4–6 p.m.

            Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill at Red Rock Resort is now open for lunch daily at noon until 2:30 Monday-Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The all-new lunch menu is featuring contemporary Japanese cuisine created by Bruce and Eric Bromberg, brothers, chefs and co-founders of Blue Ribbon Restaurants.

             At Jerry’s Nugget in North Las Vegas, which is family-owned and operated since 1964, will offer two surf and turf options from the menu at Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop, both under $20 and served with all the trimmings from Aug. 2-31 on Fridays and Saturdays. Choose between steak and shrimp or steak and lobster.

            PKWY Tavern Marks in Henderson will host a backyard BBQ and final cornhole tournament on Sunday, Aug. 18 beginning at 1 p.m. Both amateur and seasoned cornhole players are welcome to test their skills and compete for free for a chance to win a $100 bar tab during the final cornhole tournament that day.

            Pinkbox Doughnuts with three locations in Las Vegas puts an over-the-top twist on s’mores with the Gimme S’more doughnut. It’s made with a chocolate frosted raised doughnut, filled with marshmallow and topped with graham cracker and toasted marshmallow, which will make a nice twist for National S’mores Day on Saturday, Aug. 10.

 

LAS VEGAS BOOK FESTIVAL RETURNS IN OCTOBER

            The annual Las Vegas Book Festival, the largest literary event in Nevada, will return downtown on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Historic Fifth Street School from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free for the public. Literary, educational, artisan, craft and nonprofit organizations can participate as vendors. Registration is open until Sept. 1 for $250 and $150 for nonprofit groups.

 

SIGHTINGS

        American rapper Travis Scott recently kicked off his new Marquee Nightclub residency at The Cosmopolitan. The club was decked out in Astroworld themed décor and Quavo joined him on stage for their hit “Pick Up The Phone,” while NBA star James Harden of the Houston Rockets hung out in the DJ booth with Chase B. 

            At the Grand Canal Shoppes, TAO Group resident Gashi dined at LAVO after performing at Tao Beach in the afternoon. NBA star Chris Paul dined at TAO before heading up to the club to check out DJ Mustard. Also spotted in the club was former NFL pro Marshawn Lynch.

            In town to host the Pop 2000 Tour stop at Downtown’s Fremont Street Experience, Lance Bass the singer-actor-producer, best known for his time with boy band sensation *NSYNC, was spotted attending “Magic Mike Live” at the Hard Rock with friends.

 

            YouTube stars Jake Paul and Tana Mongeau celebrated the start of their newlywed lives with a reception last Sunday at Sweet Beginnings at Sugar Factory American Brasserie. Making a statement, Mongeau wore a form-fitting silver sequin dress with thigh-high sparkly boots while Paul wore white pants, black dress shirt and white hat.

 

VEGAS HAS WINNERS

            A Hawaiian guest at the Fremont downtown turned a Las Vegas stay into a $114,307 payday hitting Scientific Games’ (formerly Bally Technologies) Dragon Wheel® with Bonus Spin slot jackpot this month. The player parlayed a $15 bet into the major prize at 2:11 a.m. playing the $5 machine.

            This was the second major win within the last month with another hotel guest winning $221,380 playing the Wheel of Fortune® Triple Red Hot Sevens slots jackpot.  

        Arizona Charlie’s has had a bingo winner with another Las Vegas local winning $39,999 playing bingo at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder.

            Arizona Charlie’s regular, Beth Allen, was playing Charlie’s Double Progressive Bingo, a coverall game and won. Both Arizona Charlie’s Boulder and Decatur offer Las Vegas’ only 24-hour bingo sessions, with sessions held every odd hour.