Date: Feb. 2, 2020
‘EXTRAVAGANZA – THE VEGAS SPECTACULAR’ PLANNED FOR BALLY’S
“Extravaganza – The Vegas Spectacular” from the creators of “WOW – The Vegas Spectacular” and Caesars Entertainment will make its North American premiere March 14 at the Jubilee Theater inside Bally’s. Performances will be nightly except Wednesday at 7 p.m. with an additional 9 p.m. show on Saturdays. Tickets range from $49.99 to $109.99.
This will showcase the captivating talents of more than 30 breathtaking artists from around the world including dancers, acrobats, aerialists, skaters, ventriloquists, comedians and the return of the iconic showgirl. There will be feats of strength and flexibility, spectacular sets, glamorous costumes, sizzling dance numbers, the return of the “Globe of Death” motorcycle act, massive LED screens and state-of-the-art holograms.
“Extravaganza” was created and directed by Hanoch Rosènn, who mounted the award-winning, family-friendly show, “WOW – The Vegas Spectacular,” which recently celebrated its 1,000th show and two-year anniversary at the Rio. Rosènn is known worldwide for his extravagant and large-scale productions - including “Festigal” where he directed “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot in her stage-acting debut in 2008.
‘RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE LIVE!’ OPENS WORLD PREMIERE AT FLAMINGO
Last week was the world premiere of “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” at the Flamingo. The revue highlights over-the-top extravagant costumes, stunning sets and eye appealing drag performances. Each show features six queens from a rotating cast including Asia O’Hara, Derrick Barry, Kameron Michaels, Naomi Smalls, Vanessa “Vanjie” Matteo, and Yvie Oddly. Shows are Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49.
Original music for “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” is written by RuPaul, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” composer Leland and Tom Campbell, Chief Creative Officer at World of Wonder. The score includes RuPaul’s hit songs from the past 11 seasons of “Drag Race,” plus original show-stopping numbers created especially for this residency.
Accompanying the new production is RuPaul’s Werk Room, a new immersive, multi-sensory store experience reflecting the bold, interactive style of the live show. Located next to Spa at Flamingo, the space is a combined retail store and theatrical environment. Guests will have an up-close experience with the culture and lifestyle of the queens, as well as the Drag Race brand, with different opportunities including product offerings, make-up experiences, photo ops, meet-and-greets, and other special events and activations. The space opens daily at noon.
DEREK HOUGH BRINGS ‘NO LIMIT’ SHOW TO FLAMINGO
Multi-talented entertainer Derek Hough will bring his new show “Derek Hough: No Limit” to the Flamingo for multiple dates into November beginning June 2. His dance-centric show will incorporate all-new production elements designed specifically for the Flamingo Showroom. Audiences will journey through a true fusion of dance and music with Hough exploring styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa, hip-hop and everything in between. General tickets for his 7 p.m. performances start at $59.
Two-time Emmy Award winner, nine-time Emmy nominee for Best Choreography and the only six-time champion of ABC’s show “Dancing with the Stars,” Hough has also appeared in film, television and stage projects as an actor. His film debut was in “Make Your Move” and he had a recurring role on the ABC series “Nashville.” In December 2016, Hough starred with Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Martin Short and Harvey Fierstein in NBC’s “Hairspray Live!” In May 2017, Hough joined Jennifer Lopez and Ne-Yo as a judge on NBC’s “World of Dance.”
Singer, dancer, instrumentalist Hough with his sister Julianne teamed up for a live stage dance concert “Move Live on Tour” visiting 50 cities and the following year toured 47 cities. In 2017, they visited 48 cities with their show “Move – Beyond – Live on Tour.” Hough recently wrapped his first solo national tour, “Derek Hough Live: The Tour” which stopped at nearly 60 cities.
PITBULL RETURNS WITH HIS RESIDENCY AT ZAPPOS THEATER
Grammy®-winning global superstar Pitbull will return for the sixth consecutive year with five high-energy performances of his new residency, “Pitbull – Get Ready Vegas” at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood. Dates are April 22, 24-25 and Sept. 10-11, which is over Mexican Independence Day weekend. Tickets start at $39 for his 9 p.m. shows.
Over the course of 10 full-length albums, Pitbull’s single sales have exceeded 80 million and YouTube views burgeoned past 15 billion by 2019. Recognized for his talents, he has garnered Grammy® and Latin Grammy® awards, co-headlined with Enrique Iglesias, toured with Britney Spears in the U.K. and Europe, and spoken to thousands as part of Tony Robbins’ motivational seminars. Born Armando Christian Pérez, he exemplifies a commitment to inspiring both personal and universal revolution.
BACHELOR JORDAN KIMBALL HOSTS CHIPPENDALES
ABC’s “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor In Paradise” hunk and model, Jordan Kimball, will romance Chippendales audiences at the Rio as celebrity guest host for four shows over Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 14 and 15 at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.
Professional male model Kimball is one of reality TV’s sexiest stars and is best known for his wild antics while starring on “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor In Paradise,” where he refers to himself as the “Mayor of Paradise.” Kimball’s adventurous personality also created a huge stir on Twitter when he appeared on screen in a pair of shiny gold underwear at a cocktail party to woo his “bachelorette” Becca Kufrin.
KINGS OF BACHATA AVENTURA MAKE FIRST U.S. TOUR IN 10 YEARS
Award-winning bachata superstars Aventura will make their first U.S. tour in more than 10 years stopping at T-Mobile Arena Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. Ticket range is $39.50 to $500.
Latin group Aventura with cousins Romeo and Henry Santos singing and their non-relatives, guitarist and bassist, brothers Lenny and Max Santos broke into the mainstream with their 2002 hit “Obsesión.” The group was integral to the evolution of bachata music and pioneered the modern bachata sound. Aventura released five studio albums in a decade, spawning top 10 hits, and split up in 2016. They recently reunited on stage at Romeo Santos’ history making Utopia Concert at MetLife Stadium in September 2019 and released their first new single in 10 years, “Inmortal.”
CITY AD CAMPAIGN STARS LAS VEGAS RESIDENT HEADLINERS
Live Nation Las Vegas-residency artists Shania Twain, Christina Aguilera and Aerosmith are starring in the ad for Las Vegas’ new slogan, “What Happens Here, Only Happens Here,” which continues to reinforce the legendary brand’s status as the paramount purveyor of adult freedom.
The new campaign was launched during the 62nd Grammy™ Awards, making Las Vegas the first destination to place a 60-second ad during the international broadcast and the first to debut the campaign with an emoji prompted by the campaign hashtag #OnlyVegas on Twitter.
Aerosmith filmed their part during one of their “Deuces Are Wild” residency dates at Park MGM, while Christina Aguilera filmed her part on stage at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood, where she performs her residency, “The Xperience.” Shania Twain, who performs her “Let’s Go!” residency at Zappos, was filmed riding a horse through Fremont Street Experience.
LATIN CUMBIA STAR FITO OLIVARES PLANS STOP AT BOULDER STATION
Latin cumbia superstar Fito Olivares will visit Las Vegas again with a special performance at The Railhead inside Boulder Station on Friday, May 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40.
Cumbia saxophonist Fito Olivares and his band La Pura Sabrosura, which includes his brother Javier on vocals and Jaime on keyboards, were born and raised in Ciudad Camargo, Tamaulipas. In 1977, they relocated to Houston and three years later formed the group. Olivares commercial breakthrough came in 1988 with hits “La Gallina” and “Juana la Cubana.”
ANNUAL BIG BLUES BENDER ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL PERFORMERS
The 7th annual Big Blues Bender has confirmed additional performers for the four-day Las Vegas-based music festival. Grammy® Award-winning band The Allman Betts Band and Grammy® nominee Christone “Kingfish” Ingram will join the lineup of headlining acts. The group of newly added performers also includes Jimmy Hall, Jimmy Carpenter Band, Leon Blue, Steve Marriner and Kat Riggins.
This only-in-Vegas hotel takeover event at Westgate, promoted as “Everything, An Elevator Ride Away®,” will take place Sept. 10–13, providing fans a chance to see the biggest names in Blues music in an exclusive, intimate setting. Tickets are now on sale at the event’s website.
TONINO LAMBORGHINI OPENS FLAGSHIP STORE AT CAESARS PALACE
Tonino Lamborghini, in partnership with Desire Fragrances Inc., opened the first Tonino Lamborghini mono-brand store in the United States at Caesars Palace in the Appian Way Shops. The boutique with the luxury brand, identified with its legendary bull icon, will showcase the new collections of Tonino Lamborghini fragrances for men and women, including men’s scents, Invincibile and Essenza, and anticipated eau de parfum fragrance for women - Ginevra.
The retailer will feature in-store activities to offer new collections of Swiss-made watches, tech accessories, graphic tees and other premium accessory products embodying the Tonino Lamborghini lifestyle. Additionally, gift shops at several Caesars Entertainment properties will carry select products from the Tonino Lamborghini men’s fragrance assortment.
SPECIAL EFX ALL STARS - ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT VISIT ALIANTE
Jazz fusion group Special EFX All Stars and Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development will appear at Aliante in the Access Showroom with 8 p.m. shows in February. Tickets for both shows start at $25.
Formed in 1982, the contemporary jazz supergroup Special EFX All Stars, has been recording and performing hits for more than 35 years and will headline on Sunday, Feb. 16. Most recently, the ensemble released their award-winning record “Deep as the Night” in 2017, bringing audiences their melodic and refreshing jazz sounds.
On Saturday, Feb. 29, Arrested Development best-known as a trailblazing hip-hop group featuring a vibrant and creative blend of African rhythms and sounds will headline. Since 1991, Arrested Development has released numerous albums including “3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of…,” which earned them two Grammy Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, a Soul Train Music Award and the NCAAP Image Award. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame named the group’s smash hit, “Tennessee,” one of the 500 songs which shaped rock ‘n’ roll.
CITY OF LAS VEGAS JOINS NATIONAL FITNESS CAMPAIGN
Last week the City of Las Vegas became the 100th partner to join the acclaimed National Fitness Campaign (NFC) unveiling the city’s first Fitness Court® at Bill Briare Family Park. The installation marks a major milestone as part of a nationwide movement to shape outdoor infrastructure to support healthy lifestyles in cities across the United States. The Fitness Court® is a state-of-the-art, digitally connected outdoor gym for adults of all ages and abilities to develop healthy habits and maintain long-term wellness.
BOULDER CITY HOLDS 16th DAM SHORT FILM FESTIVAL
The 16th Annual Dam Short Film Festival in Boulder City Feb. 13-16 will screen 146 short films in the restored historical 400-seat Boulder Theatre. Over a four-day period, Nevada’s largest film festival will have 23 programs with new topics such as Retrospective: 40 Years of The Residents, Silver State Documentaries, and more. Additional events include filmmakers Q&A during each category block, a Post-Awards Party, 16th Dam Mixer, Meet-n-Greet, and other parties. Tickets are $10 per film block or $100 for the full four-day lineup and can be purchased online.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
On Feb. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, Madame Tussauds inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian® will partner with UNLV and Mastering Mindsets to host an event featuring a panel by the university’s faculty from The African American and African Diaspora Studies program discussing the contributions of important figures throughout history, including those on display daily in the attraction. Additionally, Mastering Mindsets will bring their yearly “Emancipation Circle” event, an educational event allowing families to display artifacts from their ancestors, to the attraction and display throughout.
Also, on Feb. 15 from11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the 11th annual Black History Month Festival will be held at Springs Preserve featuring live bands, dance performances, Vegas Golden Knights floor hockey clinic, cooking demos, Historic Black Las Vegas photo exhibit and Civil Rights-era photography, children’s activities, as well as soul food, cultural art and gift items for purchase, and more. There will be a “Black Art: Mission or Expression” speaker event moderated by Brent Holmes from Desert Companion at 2 p.m.
SCHULZ-INFLUENCED ARTIST BRINGS EXHIBITION TO ANIMAZING GALLERY
Artist Tom Everhart, world-renowned for his paintings of Charles Schulz influenced art, will present his latest exhibition entitled “Everhart: Recent Works” at the Animazing Gallery in the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Feb. 13 through March 1. Everhart will make a public artist appearance on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 6-8 p.m. and debut his newest painting series “Hero’s.”
Everhart is the only fine artist educated by legendary Peanuts © creator Charles Schulz, who encouraged him to carry forward his comic strip creations to the fine art form with extraordinary results. Everhart’s Peanuts © related work went on to show at the Louvre in Paris and museum and gallery shows around the world.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
House of Blues and Carlos Santana announced the guitar legend’s residency, “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live” in its eight year at Mandalay Bay will continue into fall 2020. September and November dates have just been added. Tickets start at $99.50.
NASCAR fans who can’t make the trip to Florida for the Daytona 500 can partake of free viewing parties Sunday, Feb. 16 at South Point and The Orleans. Beginning at 10 a.m. the events will include the race shown on big screens, local radio personalities, prizes, raffles and giveaways.
“Bleeding Love” singer-songwriter Leona Lewis was spotted recently attending the new production “Atomic Saloon show” at the Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian.
DINING UPDATES
Twin Creeks Steakhouse at the Silverton is offering folks with their birthday falling on Leap Day, Feb. 29 a free dinner. Silverton Rewards Club members can enjoy a meal valued at $50. Guests may print their coupons at any kiosk on Feb. 29 to redeem a coupon valid one week from the issue date.
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés started its annual Truffle Festival, available now through the end of truffle season, likely mid-February, at the Sahara. For a limited time, guests can indulge in a tasting menu featuring fragrant and exquisite black truffles at their peak potency. Tickets for the exclusive Truffle Festival tasting menu are $165. To reserve seats, call 702-761-7610.
Tekka Bar, an original Japanese handroll and sake concept inside Block 16 Urban Food Hall at The Cosmopolitan, has introduced a guest chef handroll series beginning this month with Chef José Andrés’ Jamón Roll Feb. 3-9 and 17-23, and Gambas Roll Feb. 10-16 and 24-March 1. Future chef personalities include Rick Gencarelli chef-owner Lardo, Chris Cosentino chef-restaurateur and winner of Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters, etc., with $1 donated to worldwide nonprofit World Central Kitchen founded by Andrés.
Steak ‘n Shake at South Point recently received the 2019 Franchise of the Year Award from Steak ‘n Shake Corporate and has it on display. It is a result of the restaurant’s ongoing dedication to ensuring a one-of-a-kind guest experience.
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at the Sahara will hold an exclusive dinner featuring Flanagan Wines on Saturday, Feb. 8 at 8 p.m. Guests will hear from proprietor Eric Flanagan and enjoy a selection of his wines paired with an array of specialty menu items. Tickets are $249 with seating limited, RSVP call 702-761-7610.
