BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW

 

Date: Jan. 21, 2018

BY: Jackie Brett

 

CLINT HOLMES AND EARL TURNER TEAM UP AT WESTGATE

A new show opening at Westgate on Wednesday, Feb. 14 will feature celebrated Las Vegas entertainers Clint Holmes and Earl Turner taking the stage together in “SOUNDTRACK: Your Songs. Our Stories. The Show.” This collaboration will highlight the chemistry and camaraderie between two powerful performers. These two entertainers have often shared each other’s stages as headliners and for more than two decades, lent their voices to each other’s award-winning shows.

Turner and Holmes will combine their amazing energy, voices, humor and life experiences to bring new life to the music that makes up the soundtracks of our lives. With them will be a live eight-piece band under the musical direction of Christian Tamburr, a three-time Down Beat Magazine Music Award winner.

Holmes is a consummate entertainer, performer and recording artist scoring a No. 1 hit in 1972 with “Playground in My Mind.” His latest album “Rendezvous” was nominated for two Grammy® Awards in 2018.

Thirty-year veteran Turner is a multi-talented singer, songwriter, musician, dancer and actor. He was inducted in the New Orleans Music Hall of Fame.

Performances will be Thursday through Sunday at 7 p.m. in the International Westgate Theater at Westgate. Tickets are $48, $58, $78 and $98.

 

MANCHU WOK WILL OPEN AT THE PLAZA

        On Thursday, Feb. 1, Manchu WOK® will officially open in the food court at the Plaza downtown offering fast and fresh Chinese cuisine. Manchu WOK has more than 130 stores worldwide with signature dishes – like General Tso’s Chicken and Orange Chicken. Hours will be Sunday through Thursday 10:30 a.m. to midnight and Friday through Saturday until 1 a.m.

        Manchu WOK will offer a special promotion Feb. 1-4 to celebrate its official grand opening weekend. Customers will be able to buy a two-item combo plate for $5, regular price is $8.99.

 

CHINA LIGHTS FESTIVAL IS ENCHANTING AT CRAIG RANCH

        For six weeks through Feb. 25, the China Lights lantern festival is making its debut in North Las Vegas at Craig Ranch Regional Park as part of a cultural trade mission. The family-friendly event is really something to experience with 40 larger-than-life lantern displays lighting up the night from 5:30-10 p.m. except on Mondays. The festival also includes cultural demonstrations and displays, traditional Asian and western dining options, and nightly live stage entertainment. On Feb. 16, there will be a Chinese New Year celebration and $10 surcharge. Boyd Gaming is the exclusive gaming sponsor this year with each local property displaying one lantern on the casino floor. Tickets range from $12 to $20.

 

LOLLI & POPS OPENS FIRST NEVADA LOCATION

        Lolli & Pops, a growing mass-premium candy company, will open its first location in Nevada with a brand-new store at Las Vegas’ Fashion Show. The new store is the 46th location for the San Francisco-based company, which is on schedule to open more than 30 more stores across the United States by the end of 2018. 

        At the Fashion Show location, guests will be greeted with a display of colorful French macarons, marzipan fruits and a gummy bear bar with more than 15 flavors. The 2,200-square-foot outlet will feature the brand’s old-fashioned sweet shoppe aesthetic featuring soft mint green walls with gold accents and turn of the century inspired decor including a calligraphy-accented chalkboard. “Magic Maker” staff will be dressed in bow ties, striped aprons, and straw boater hats.

 

VAN MORRISON RETURNS TO THE COLOSSEUM AT CAESARS PALACE

        Van Morrison will headline The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Jan. 31, Feb. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $59.50.

        Morrison by the age 13 was working as a travelling musician playing guitar and saxophone in several bands. In 1964, he formed the group Them, which recorded hits “Gloria” and “Here Comes the Night.” A few years later, he released the Top 40 pop sensation “Brown Eyed Girl” and began his career as a successful solo musician. He has since released more than 30 albums, won six Grammys and entry into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame. His work continues with his 36th studio album, “Keep Me Singing, released in September 2016.

 

COMEDIANS AND HUMPERDINCK WILL APPEAR AT ORLEANS SHOWROOM

        The Orleans will bring top comedians and musical performers to The Orleans Showroom including Arsenio Hall, Rob Schneider and Chris Kattan, as well as singer Engelbert Humperdinck.

        Arsenio Hall will headline on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. He’s most famous for “The Arsenio Hall Show,” which debuted in 1989 and ran for five years. He co-write and co-starred in the Paramount hit movie “Coming to America.” He has appeared regularly on television and talk shows, including being named the “Celebrity Apprentice” winner for Season 5 of the hit NBC show. Hall continues to perform his stand-up act and is now a co-host on the nationally-syndicated radio program “The Tom Joyner Morning Show.” Tickets start at $29.95.

         Award-winning comedians Rob Schneider and Chris Kattan will headline on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.95

        Schneider first came to prominence on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” and received three Emmy Awards as part of the writing staff. The comedian has starred in some top comedy features over the past 20 years including “Grown Ups,” “You Don’t Mess with The Zohan,” “Big Daddy” and “The Waterboy.” Kattan started his comedy career with the improv sketch group “The Groundlings” in Los Angeles and skyrocketed to fame joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live” in 1996.

        Engelbert Humperdinck will visit Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 10 and 11 with “The Prodigal Son Tour.” In the mid-1960s, Humperdinck found early success in Europe with the hit single “Release Me,” which reached No. 1 in 11 countries. He continued to produce hits in the 1970s, including “After the Lovin’.” Throughout his career, Humperdinck recorded 64 Gold albums, 35 Platinum albums, and sold more than 140 million records worldwide. Tickets start at $64.95

 

QUICK CLIPS

        Cher was on hand last week for the launch of a new musical and water show at The Fountains of Bellagio entitled “Believe” and named for the superstar who has extended her “Classic Cher” engagement at the Monte Carlo’s Park Theater. Her shows are running through Feb. 3 and again May 2-19.

        The Mint 400, North America’s largest off-road race, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special wine. The Martelli Brothers have enlisted top talents from the acclaimed Napa Valley to create the exclusive Mint 400 Nidus Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley Wine, which is sold exclusively through the Dirt Co. for $119.95. This year’s Mint 400 will take place March 7-11.

        Don’t often mention past events but this is noteworthy and reflects the excitement over the new Vegas Golden Knights ant their inaugural season. More than 10,000 hockey fans stormed the D Las Vegas on Fremont Street Experience to attend the first Vegas Golden Knights Fan Fest celebration on Jan. 14. The event was held as part of the team’s exclusive downtown partnership with the D.

        “This Is Us” actor Justin Hartley made a casual surprise appearance recently at Beer Park at Paris and visited with the staff.

 

TOPGOLF LINES UP COMEDIANS

         Topgolf has Bonkerz Comedy Productions presenting comedians in The Birdie Bar with 9 p.m. shows at the end of January, February and March.

         Female power leads the way with Kathleen Dunbar on Jan. 26 and 27. Dunbar was the winner of The Las Vegas Comedy Festival and voted Vegas Favorite Comedian. Tickets are $15.

         Brandon Buffet Jackson has been performing comedy since leaving his hometown of Milwaukee, Wis., in 2005. He’ll be headlining Feb. 23 and 24 with his dancing, singing and wild stage presence. Tickets are $15.

         Jim Florentine, who has made many TV appearances and is in the movie “A Little Help” with Jenna Fischer and Chris O’Donnell will perform on March 30 and 31. Tickets are $20.

 

THE DOWNTOWN GRAND AND TENAYA CREEK BREWERY PARTNER

         The Downtown Grand has created the city’s first “Bed & Brewski” hotel room package, which offers private tours of the nearby Tenaya Creek Brewery. Guests who book the experiential package will be greeted with a six-pack of their chosen brewski upon check-in, as well as a ticket to privately tour Tenaya Creek Brewery.

        The tour will include a five-beer sampler and 25 percent off additional food and beverage at the Tenaya Creek bar plus 25 percent off all Tenaya Creek beers at Downtown Grand’s Freedom Beat, Triple George Grill, and Citrus Grand Pool Deck during their stay. 

 

PREPARING FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

       The County Clerk’s Office will open a pop-up marriage license office at McCarran International Airport in the baggage claim area in Terminal 1 from Feb. 9 to 17 for couples to obtain marriage licenses faster and easier during the busy Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Chinese New Year holidays. Office hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

       Couples coming to Las Vegas to get married are encouraged to fill out a marriage license pre-application, which can be found through the Clark County website. Select “Get a Marriage License” under “Popular Services” on the left side. After completing the application, a reference number is issued.

       The Marriage License Bureau issues about 80,000 marriage licenses annually and is typically the busiest in the nation. In 2016, more than one out of every 25 marriages in the United States took place in Clark County. More than 1,500 marriage licenses are issued during the days leading up to and including Valentine’s Day.

 

CELEBRATING VALENTINE’S DAY

        Americana Las Vegas with a lakeside setting, located in Desert Shores at 2620 Regatta Drive, Suite 118, will set the mood offering a five-course Valentine’s dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 14. Cost is $125 per person, with the option to add wine pairings for an additional price per diner. For reservations, call 702-331-5565.

       The monthly Wine, Walk & Shop lineup of events is returning to Container Park downtown with “Love the WINE You’re With” Valentine’s Day-themed wine walk on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 online and $30 at gates to the park.

 

THREE FOR TIME WILL VISIT THE SMITH CENTER

        Transcending traditional classification, the trio Time for Three (Tf3), comprised of violinists Nicolas Kendall and Charles Yang and bassist Ranaan Meyer, present music with elements of classical, country western, gypsy and jazz idioms forming a blend all its own. They will appear in Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m.  Ticket range is $39-$59.

        Time for Three with its wide range of engagements has made TV appearances on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and a PBS Emmy-winning show “Time for Three in Concert.”

 

DINING NEWS

        Todd English P.U.B. is gone next to Aria and the makeover is now The Pub.

        A locals’ Mexican favorite reentered the dining scene at Boulder Station. Cabo Mexican Restaurant was changed back into Guadalajara with its menu of authentic Mexican dishes served with generous portions. Guadalajara was a staple at Palace Station since it opened in 1990, and at Boulder Station, opening in 1994. In 2011, parent company Station Casinos transformed both locations into Cabo Mexican Restaurants.

        Bistro 57at Aliante will host “A Cordial Affair” dining experience featuring six specially selected cordials paired with a multi-course dinner menu on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $65.

 

PKWY TAVERNS OFFER WINTER OLYMPICS SPECIALS

        Folks can show support for Team USA at the Winter Olympics by catching all the action at all three 24-hour PKWY Tavern locations (Marks, Rampart and Flamingo) for the duration of the games, Feb. 9-25. PKWY will offer TEAM App loyalty members a free domestic beer every time the United States wins a gold medal via a push notification offer on the app and valid through end of day received. In addition, folks dining at PKWY during the Olympics will receive a discount on their total bill based on the U.S. gold medal count at that time.

 

TREASURE ISLAND HOLDS MOBILE GAME FUN DAY

       Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.’s pirate theme mobile game, One Piece Thousand Storm, will take over Sirens Cove at Treasure Island with a festival on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 2-9 pm. This special event will celebrate the game’s first anniversary. Sirens Cove will transform into a world of all things One Piece with fan photo-ops with One Piece characters and the Treasure Island pirate ship as a backdrop. Also, fans can play One Piece Thousand Storm on the famed Las Vegas Strip for a chance to win huge prizes, and much more. This event is free and open to the public of all ages.

 

THE+SOURCE DISPENSARY WILL LAUNCH HIGHER EDUCATION SERIES

        The+Source cannabis dispensary at 2550 S. Rainbow Blvd. will launch a “Higher Education” series on the last Tuesday of each month beginning Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. Nevada’s marijuana industry leaders will educate visitors on varying products and uses. Guest speakers will include: executives from Vert Edibles for a comprehensive introduction to edible cannabis Jan. 30; Jeremy Francisco from 8|Fold who will discuss the benefits of cannabis vaporizer products Feb. 27; and Sara King from Mary’s Nutritionals, who will introduce a variety of topicals March 27.

 

CALENDAR ITEMS

        La Original Banda El Limon de Salvador Lizárraga and Paquita La Del Barrio will bring their top banda hits to Gran Concierto Baile at Orleans Arena on Friday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. In their more than 50-year career, La Original Banda El Limon de Salvador Lizárraga, the 16-piece band has released nearly 30 records and continues to sell out shows in Mexico and the United States. Paquita La Del Barrio began her musical career in 1970 and has released 43 records throughout her career. Tickets start at $65.

        Nevada Ballet Theatre’s (NBT) “Beauty and the Beast” will be presented at The Smith Center at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 18 in Reynolds Hall. Prior to each performance and free to ticket holders, NBT will present Insights, an educational pre-performance discussion with special guests, multi-media presentations and more in the Troesch Studio Theater 45 minutes prior to show time.

        Preview Las Vegas will be held Friday, Jan. 26 at the UNLV Cox Pavilion from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Every year, nearly 2,000 business and community leaders gather to hear top experts talk about what is in the future for Southern Nevada. Tickets are $65 to $85.

        Remedy’s in Henderson on the corner of St. Rose Pkwy and Seven Hills Dr. will hold its first All White Affair Party with food, drink specials and a DJ on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come decked in their fanciest attire boasting any shade of white for the all-white costume contest. There’s no cover but guests must be 21.

        Michio Kaku, one of the most widely recognized figures in science in the world today, will be the next guest speaker for UNLV’s Barrick Lecture Series on Monday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. Tickets, two per person, are free for Kaku’s talk “The Future of The Mind” at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office.

        National Atomic Testing museum (NATM) trustee and DOE’s Nuclear Emergency Response Team (NEST) veteran Jack Doyle will be on hand with a panel discussing the “Operation Morning Light 40th Anniversary” from 6-8:30 p.m. at the NATM on Friday, Jan. 26. In January 1978, Soviet satellite Cosmos 954 crashed into Canada’s Northwest Territories, creating a debris field covering 15,000 square miles. Included was the satellite’s reactor core, containing more than 100 pounds of enriched uranium. Cost is $5 and free for museum members.