BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: July 22, 2018
JIM GAFFIGAN MAKES ‘FIXER UPPER’ TOUR STOP AT CAESARS PALACE
No joking, Jim Gaffigan is one busy man and currently on his “Fixer Upper” international arena and theater comedy tour. He will return to Las Vegas for a third visit this year headlining The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. Ticket range is $55 to $99.50.
Gaffigan just released his sixth one-hour standup special, “Noble Ape,” on multiple major platforms worldwide on July 13, a first for a major comedian, and it will also have a theatrical run in major U.S. cities.
This year, Gaffigan has 13 films slated for release or to start production and covering many different genres. Most recently, Gaffigan played a dramatic part in Entertainment Studio’s, “Chappaquiddick,” revolving around Senator Ted Kennedy’s tragic car accident killing Mary Jo Kopechne in 1969. Opening April 2019 after premiering at SXSW, Gaffigan has the lead in Cold Iron Pictures and Imagine Entertainment’s comedy, “You Can Choose Your Family.” In theaters now, Gaffigan voices the role of Abraham Van Helsing in Sony Picture Animation’s “Hotel Transylvania 3.”
BLUE RIBBON SUSHI IZAKAYA WILL OPEN AT RED ROCK RESORT
New York-based, Blue Ribbon Restaurants will celebrate the return of Blue Ribbon Sushi to Las Vegas when it opens later this year at Red Rock Resort bringing an all-new Japanese-style tavern with a traditional sushi bar with indoor and outdoor seating to the Summerlin area.
The restaurant with a happy hour and even late-night dining will offer a variety of small bites, entrées and family-style platters, providing options for vegetarians, sushi fans and meat lovers. A full bar will feature an extensive wine and sake list.
Blue Ribbon Restaurants was founded by chefs and brothers Bruce and Eric Bromberg in 1992 with the opening of their famous Blue Ribbon Brasserie in SoHo. Now the company owns and operates more than 20 culinary destinations around the country.
VDARA INTRODUCES ROBOT BUTLERS
Vdara has introduced two new team members Fetch and Jett. They are two Relay robots responsible for making deliveries to guest suites with such items as snacks, sundries, morning coffee, spa products, etc. The talented bots work alongside human colleagues.
Robot developer Savioke designed and built Fetch and Jett, the fully autonomous indoor delivery robots using advanced technology to seamlessly navigate around people and objects. The robots can prioritize multiple requests and wirelessly communicate with the hotel’s systems – even operating elevators.
Upon receiving a request, an employee loads items into the robot’s secure, tamper-proof compartment, inputs the guest’s room number, and hits the “go” button.
‘THE HILARIOUS 7’ OPENS AT HOOTERS
Hooters in conjunction with Admit.VIP has opened its newest comedy production, “The Hilarious 7,” in The Night Owl Showroom. Appealing to short attention spans and as a departure from typical stand-up comedy, seven comics deliver an ‘all punchlines’ comedy bout in 70 minutes. The show hosted by Las Vegas-veteran comedian, John Hilder, runs Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7 p.m. Tickets are $34.95.
Each comic has a short time period to deliver their top jokes to win over the audience, who will determine who is the funniest that night. Each week, guests can experience different comics going head-to-head in an all-out battle.
CANCELLED********TEGO CALDERÓN WILL ENTERTAIN AT M RESORT POOL******CANCELLED
Puerto Rican star and Latin Grammy Award-winning música urbana artist, Tego Calderón, will take over the M Pool with special guest Latin pop singer Diego Val on Saturday night, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m. as part of resort’s concert series with a DJ set at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $27. This show has been cancelled.
Calderón is well known for his collaboration with Don Omar on “Bandolero,” which was featured in multiple “Fast & Furious” movies. Diego Val was a finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” on Cee Lo Green’s team.
CARMINE’S CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS AT THE FORUM SHOPS
Carmine’s in The Forum Shops in Caesars opened its 750-seat eatery in July of 2013 and celebrates its fifth anniversary all this month. Carmine’s is offering $5 Meatball Sliders and $5 anniversary aperitivo every day during Happy Hour from 2-6 p.m. and from 9:30 p.m. to closing at the bar.
The restaurant will wrap up the anniversary month by creating a five-foot-long, nine-inch-high, 90-pound version of the already oversized lasagna and will serve complimentary slices to guests dining at Carmine’s on Sunday, July 29, which is also National Lasagna Day.
MARTHA STEWART FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL WILL VISIT LAS VEGAS
The Martha Stewart Wine & Food Experience, which is part of a 12-city culinary series, has a stop planned on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the outdoor Las Vegas Festival grounds at Las Vegas Blvd. and Sahara. The event description is “a savory exploration showcasing fine food, wine, beer and spirits from local and national chefs and mixologists.”
Tickets are $85 for a three-hour grand tasting from 1-4 p.m., which will include a cooking demonstration from Stewart and the chance to explore various kitchen gear and other products. Chefs from the MGM Resorts International family will provide samples of their cuisine, and top Las Vegas mixologists and sommeliers will be on hand to provide sips of cocktails and wine. VIP and Master Class tickets will also be available.
NEW CIGAR-DINNER AVAILABLE AT CLUBHOUSE AT MONTECRISTO
At Caesars Palace, the Montecristo Cigar Bar and Old Homestead Steakhouse are joining forces to allow guests to enjoy both cigars and fine dining at the all-new Clubhouse at Montecristo by Old Homestead, which has been transformed into an intimate semi-private space for up to 10 guests. A 55-inch HD television makes the room compatible for watching sports. Dinner is available every night.
NEW ELECTRONIC MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED
The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center with partner Collective Zoo will hold the first ever Collective Zoo Block Party on Saturday, Sept. 1 with performances by electronic music favorites including Chris Lake, Walker & Royce, SINDEN, Golf Clap, Lucati, Teig, Flashgang and more. Doors will open at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $25 and VIP packages at $50.
On-site offerings will include food trucks, full-service beer garden, live art displays and experiences, a 2,200-square-foot pool, yard games, and more.
RYAN HAMILTON RETURNS TO RIO’S COMEDY CELLAR
Comedian Ryan Hamilton is returning to Las Vegas for a performance at the Comedy Cellar at the Rio on Monday, Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45.
Hamilton recently released his first stand-up special on Netflix titled “Happy Face.” He grew up in rural Idaho and has become a favorite in the New York stand-up comedy scene. Hamilton has been named one of Rolling Stone’s “Five Comics to Watch.” He’s opened for Jerry Seinfeld as well as Gad Elmelah at Carnegie Hall.
BORDER GRILL CHEF-OWNERS RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS JULIA CHILD AWARD
Border Grill owners, Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have been named the 2018 Julia Child Award recipients, and they are the first female chefs and partners to receive the honor. The Julia Child Award is given to those who have made a profound and significant impact in the way America cooks, eats and drinks. The Julia Child Award will be presented to the chefs, who have been business partners for nearly 40 years, during the Smithsonian’s Food History Weekend Gala at the National Museum of American History on Thursday, Nov. 1.
The award comes with a $50,000 prize, which is intended to be donated to a food-related charity. The duo will split the money but haven’t announced their beneficiaries yet.
Both chefs met Child when they were on a panel of female chefs in the early 1980s, which she was moderating. Their next meeting, also in the early ’80s, was when the TV host came to their first Los Angeles restaurant, City Café, which was tiny and had the young chefs cooking on two hot plates and two hibachis in the parking lot out back. Child came into the kitchen and knocked her head on pots and pans.
City Café’s success led to other opportunities, including the Mexican restaurants Ciudad and Border Grill. Like their idol Child, the two chefs each published an assortment of cookbooks, and were early Food Network stars with their show “Too Hot Tamales.”
FREED’S BAKERY HOLDS CUPCAKE DECORATING CLASSES
Freed’s Bakery, featured on Food Network’s show “Vegas Cakes,” is offering hamburger and ice cream cupcake decorating crash classes Aug. 2-10 designed for children ages 6-12. Each spot purchased is for a child and/or an adult and includes taking home what you decorate.
The hamburger class is 15 minutes on Saturday, Aug. 4 and Thursday, Aug. 9 and includes decorating two cupcakes for $18.95. The ice cream cupcake course is 20 minutes on Thursday, Aug. 2 and Friday, Aug. 10 for $44.95. Visit the bakery’s website for registration and details.
FOOD-BEVERAGE NEWS
Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine will celebrate the one-year anniversary of Robert Irvine’s Public House at the Tropicana with an anniversary bash on Saturday, July 28 starting at 6 p.m. with a special selection of a la carte dishes, and an hourly beer rotation menu. Live entertainment starts at 9 p.m. featuring Blues and Rock party band The Steel Benders along with the first bite of the restaurant’s all-new happy hour menu until 11 p.m.
Founded in 2017, Las Vegas-based Oasis Biotech, one of the nation’s largest hydroponic vertical farming facilities of its kind, will open Evercress at 6225 Annie Oakley Drive, the company’s first consumer-facing produce brand dedicated to helping the organization “Feed the World. Better.” Completion of phase 1 of this new facility will provide Las Vegas restaurants and eventually grocers with more than a million pounds of produce per year.
Known for its farm-fresh ingredients, modern atmosphere and community involvement, Rolled Ice Cream founded in 2017 opened its fourth location at 4870 Blue Diamond Road, Suite 100. Menu items remain consistent with previous locations featuring more than 40 unique rolled creations, the ability to create your own roll, and dairy-free options. Hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from noon-10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from noon-11 p.m.
The Distill Summerlin at 10820 W. Charleston will hold its first Christmas in July holiday-themed party with a costume contest on Saturday, July 28 at 7 p.m. There is no cover for the party.
Ferraro’s Restaurant & Wine Bar next Taste & Learn event will be held Saturday, July 28 at 6 p.m. Cost is $65 inclusive.
On Mondays, Honey Salt in Summerlin is offering half-off on featured favorites from starters to entrées.
Portland is the next Culinary Road Trip destination inside the Las Vegas Room at the Downtown Grand on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Chef Scoot Commings’ 14th stop in his ticketed dinner series will feature a menu inspired by local favorites, which he is calling “Welcome to the Weird.” Tickets for the multi-course dinner are $55 and include live music along with five perfectly-paired cocktails.
Rock & Reilly’s, located at the Hawaiian Marketplace on the Strip, offers a daily “All You Can Drink” deal from noon to 2 a.m. with unlimited same-day re-entry. For $50, guests can enjoy an open bar with selective offerings including: five draft beers; premium liquor; Reilly’s Ginger Whiskey; a selection of well liquors; and four specialty cocktails. A $30 “All You Can Drink” option with fewer selections is available daily from noon to midnight.
Strip-side Cabo Wabo Cantina at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will celebrate National Rum Day on Thursday, Aug. 16 with a wide selection of rum cocktails including The Painkiller, Sammy’s Toasted Colada and Bahama Mama, each for $14; and more.
Boteco at 9500 S. Eastern Ave. will hold a Takes Meat To Tango Tasting Menu on Thursday, Aug. 9 featuring Argentinean Beef and the best of in Malbec Wines. Price is $45 with wine pairing included; call 702-790-2323 for reservations.
Forge Social House, which is a hidden treasure in Boulder City, will hold a four-course Veal Marsala dinner on Saturday, Aug. 4 at 7 pm. Cost is $48; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SHOW NEWS ITEMS
Four-time Grammy® Award winner Lionel Richie’s final residency shows at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood will run Aug. 15 through Oct. 20. “Lionel Richie – All The Hits” made his premiere in 2016. Tickets begin at $59.
Toto’s “The 40 Trips Around The Sun World Tour” will headline the Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station on Friday, Aug. 10. Tickets are $35, $45 and $55.
Rock icon Alice Cooper, who released his 27th album “Paranormal” last year, is making “A Paranormal Night with Alice Cooper” tour stop at the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms on Friday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. Most recently, Cooper made news portraying King Herod in the live television production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Tickets start at $59.
Paul Shaffer along with his band, The Shāf-Shifters, will return to Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace to perform a limited three-week engagement on select dates: Sept. 6–8; Oct. 11–13; and Nov. 29–Dec. 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.
In celebration of National School Month, which is August, “Xavier Mortimer’s Magical Dream” show at Planet Hollywood in the Sin City Theatre is offering complimentary VIP seating upgrades to students with a valid school ID who purchase a general admission ticket, which starts at $49 at the theatre’s box office. Performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday through Thursday.
The nonprofit Super Summer Theatre is continuing its 43rd outdoor Summer Series with “Peter Pan, A Musical Adventure” playing Aug. 1-18. Performances at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park will run Wednesday-Saturday with general admission tickets priced at $15.
CELEBRITY ITEMS
Rita Moreno will be the honoree for the Nevada Ballet Theatre’s 35th Black & White gala fundraiser scheduled for Jan. 26, 2019, at Aria.
Actor-comedian Eddie Griffin, who headlines his own show in The Sayers Club at SLS Monday-Wednesday, celebrated his 50th birthday recently with a surprise party held for him at El Dorado Cantina with family and friends like comedian George Lopez and MJ The Legend, Jalles Franca.
THE MINT CELEBRATES NATIONAL DANCE DAY
The Mint Tavern at 332 W. Sahara Ave. will celebrate National Dance Day on Friday, July 27 with a retro dance party featuring local dance company, Swing Dance Vegas. At 7:30 p.m., revelers dressed in1950s-themed attire can learn how to jump and jive during progressive swing dance lessons. Free drop-in swing lessons will follow at 8:30 p.m. and the party at 9 p.m. Festive drink specials will include “Slow & Low” old-fashioned cocktails for $5.
ABOUT TOWN NEWS
Downtown’s only bingo room, which is at the Plaza, will offer the only million-dollar bingo game in Nevada when Bingo Millions® is introduced there on Aug. 1. Players can win the entire jackpot by completing a coverall pattern in 47 ball calls or less.
JW Marriott is holding a bridal open house on Saturday, Aug. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The property is opening its venues and gardens for viewing. Guests will enjoy hors d’oeuvres, champagne, and tours. Attendance is free; however, an RSVP by July 30 is required; calling 702-869-7031.
The Farmers and Makers Market is held every Sunday at The Green at the Silverton featuring more than 30 food and crafts vendors, plus live music from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Parking and admission are free.
Glittering Lights, the 2.5-mile track of outdoor holiday lights at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will run this year from Nov. 9 to Jan. 6, 2019. The attraction is offering an early bird online ticket pre-sale of 25 percent off regular pricing through Aug. 7 on the website. The Christmas in July special is the first and only time discounts will be offered on the Fast Pass, which provides speedy entry during peak days and times.
At the Stratosphere from Monday-Thursday, Aug. 6–9, all teachers will receive complimentary admission to the 1,149-foot tower for themselves and a guest, which is a $25 per person value, as well as buy-one-get-one free admission to Crafted Buffet.
Newly established United States of America (USOA) Pageants will hold its first-ever Miss Nevada and Miss California pageants at the Conference Center of Las Vegas on Sunday, July 29 at 6 p.m. Competition in varying age groups…teen, miss, and Ms. / Mrs. will include personal interview, swimwear, and evening gown. Tickets are $75 and VIP $100.
Nonprofit Dress For Success will present its annual Power Walk fundraiser on Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Miracle Mile Shops from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Register online.
Life Time Athletic - Green Valley and Summerlin locations will “Ignite the Night” with glow-in-the-dark themed workout classes on Thursday, Aug. at 5:30 p.m. The event is open and complimentary to members and non-members. The 90-minute workout will feature three 20-minute sessions highlighting signature formats followed by a poolside social hour featuring light appetizers and beverages. Attendees must register online to reserve entry.
