BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Date: April 21, 2019
THE STRAT REVEALS A NEW SCULPTURE AND STORES
The STRAT is continuing to reveal new elements as part of its major makeover. A new sculpture titled “LOOK!” has been unveiled at the entryway outside at the base of the tower.
The art piece comprised of three ascending figures made of stainless steel was created by a team of three local Las Vegas artists: Nick Stiley, who handled design and fabrication; Adin Fly, who created the artistic concept; and James Talbert, who handled CAD design and fabrication. Kevin Barry Fine Art was commissioned to create the sculpture to honor the landmark tower.
The three figures range in sizes: the smallest is eight feet tall and 800 pounds; the middle one 11-plus feet tall and 850 pounds; and the tallest 15 feet tall and 1,100 pounds. The heads of the sculpture reveal a view of the SkyPod.
Additional pieces by local artists throughout The STRAT can be found at the newly-opened BLVD & MAIN Taphouse, View Lounge and The STRAT Café.
Essentials and Exhilarate 108, owned and operated by Marshall Retail Group, are two new stores. The 630-square-foot Essentials gift shop has been updated with an additional entrance facing the casino floor. In alignment with The STRAT rebranding, the souvenir shop includes a full product line of STRAT-centric merchandise. Located on Level 108, the aptly-named Exhilarate 108 also mirrors the renovations, design and rebranding.
THE VENETIAN® MARKS ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY
The Venetian® will celebrate its 20th anniversary on May 3 and begin by honoring the more than 650 team members “Founders” who have been employed at the resort since it opened in 1999. They’ll have their pictures on exterior marquees, a group photo taken, and a special gala this summer.
In addition, guests who ride The Venetian Gondola attraction, both indoor and outdoor, will receive a special namesake Venetian Rose as they step aboard on May 3. This custom variety of rose was introduced to the floral community in 2015. Team members will surprise guests at check-in on May 3 with special treats.
Rather interesting note, The Venetian is a marvel of modern construction with the foundation requiring the largest continuous concrete pour in U.S. history, using the contents of 125 cement trucks over a 30-hour period. This 68,000-square-foot slab supported the first phase of The Venetian.
‘GLADIUS THE SHOW’ WILL VISIT SOUTH POINT ARENA
Acrobatic equestrian production “Gladius The Show” will stop at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center for one day only, Sunday, July 21. The show is noted as “a theatrical experience of ultimate horsemanship,” incorporating aerialist, fire and Roman riding all in one. The mythology and gladiator fused show has authentic acts paired with an original rock musical score. General admission tickets are $25 and $45 for reserved seating, which includes a meet-and-greet with the performers and horses after the show, There will performances at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
BROKEN YOLK CAFÉ OPENS IN TOWN SQUARE
Last week, The Broken Yolk Cafe celebrated the grand opening of its first Las Vegas location at Town Square with an official pancake flip by The Broken Yolk Cafe CEO John Gelastopoulos, Las Vegas franchise owner Randy Corrigan and partner Barry Tu. The breakfast and brunch spot is open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Over the past 40 years, The Broken Yolk Cafe has won countless awards in the “Best Breakfast” category from publications. The Broken Yolk Cafe has 15 locations in San Diego locations and a total of 34 throughout Southern California, Arizona, Illinois, Florida and Southern Nevada. Ten more locations are planned to open by late 2019.
*MOB MUSEUM HOSTS PANEL ON TRUE STORY OF ‘WHITE BOY RICK’
The 2018 film “White Boy Rick” was inspired by the true story of Richard Wersche, a teenage drug dealer in the 1980s from Detroit who became one of the youngest informants in history at age 14. Wersche’s initial efforts to cooperate lead to a conviction of a major drug trafficking ring; however, he quickly found himself on the wrong side of the law, paying a heavy price.
The panel discussion will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Historic Courtroom at The Mob Museum. On the panel will be folks directly involved with the case: Johnny Curry, former drug kingpin and target of the FBI investigation; Scott Burnstein, the journalist who broke the story about Wershe; Herm Groman and Gregg Schwarz, two FBI agents who worked on the case. Cost is free for members or with Museum admission.
*Special Note: “USA Today” has named The Mob Museum – The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement the best museum in Nevada.
WINE TASTING FUNDRAISER AT NEVADA STATE MUSEUM
“A Taste of Red and White” wine tasting will be held on Saturday, May 4 from 2-4 p.m. at the Nevada State Museum and accompanied by a special display of red and white artifacts curated by the museum team. Must be 21 or older to attend. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go for education programs at the museum and Traveling Trunks, which are mini-museums focusing on a specific aspect of Nevada history or natural history and traveling to local classrooms. They bring touchable artifacts, photographs, books, posters, readings, and more to the students. Tickets are online for $20 or $35 for two, and $25 on event day.
FIVE LOCAL BARS GET NEW NAME AND BRANDING
Five local Putter’s bars, purchased last year by LIG Hospitality LLC, are receiving a nearly $1 million makeover in 10 days and are expected to open by April 26 with a new look and name – Distill. Improvements are being overseen by Nigro Construction and a team of no fewer than 10 subcontractors with 100 workers from various trades.
The bars are located at 7790 W. Cheyenne; 1231 American Pacific Drive; 5750 S. Decatur; 4140 S. Durango Drive; and 6945 S. Rainbow Blvd. Both LIG Hospitality, LLC and Nigro Construction, Inc. are wholly owned by the Nigro family, who have been doing business in Las Vegas for more than 40 years.
‘DOG DAYS’ FARMERS’ MARKET RETURNS TO INSPIRADA
The third annual “Dog Days” Farmers’ Market will be held in Solista Park at Inspirada master-planned community in Henderson from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 27. The four-hour event will be filled with pet-friendly activities, services and retail offerings, including a dog obstacle course, K-9 demonstrations and pet photos.
In addition, guests can shop the fresh52 Farmers’ Market for artisan and organic goods from fresh52 vendors.
DINING HIGHLIGHTS
Sake Rok located close to T-Mobile Arena will celebrate its three-year anniversary on Tuesday, April 23 at 6 p.m. Complimentary food and beverages will be passed with hors d’oeuvres along with the debut of a reinvigorated menu and new vignette performances. Social shenanigans will ensue with sumo wrestling contests, the World’s Largest Group Sake Bomb attempt and more. Visit the website for more info.
A Wine Tasting and Progressive Dinner will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at Desert Shores/Summerlin. Event begins at Marché Bacchus with wine tasting featuring Foley Wines and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30-7 p.m. Entrée service will follow at 6 p.m. at Americana and desserts will be at Rooster Boy Café from 7 to 9 p.m. There will be featured arts by local renowned artists. Cost is $79.95, call 702-553-2343 or visit Lakeside Event Center’s website, with a portion of the proceeds going to Golden Knights Foundation.
Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar will host its next monthly taste and learn event on Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m. with wine merchant Neal Rosenthal as presenter. Wines from the Piedmont Region will be paired with Italian menu accompaniments by Executive Chef Francesco DiCaudo. Tickets for the all-inclusive experience are $75, call 702-364-5300.
A hidden gem is Forge’s Social House in Boulder City. You have to get on their email list to know when they are holding a dinner: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It’s always a private dining experience well worth putting on your “to do” list. The next event will be Saturday, May 4 with Chef Justin Hall at the helm creating with all locally sourced products, and wine pairing selections provided by Tim Burke, owner of Artesian Cellars, a Nevada Winery.
Restauranteur Elizabeth Blau and Chef Kim Canteenwalla will hold a Mexican Fiesta family-style dinner at Honey Salt (1031 S. Rampart Blvd.) on Tuesday, April 30 starting with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. Guests have something to taco ‘bout with a grande menu of classics including ceviche, flautas, street corn, a build-your-own taco bar and more. Tickets are $49 with an optional tequila pairing for an extra $25 and available online at Honey Salt’s website.
Blue Ribbon Las Vegas inside The Cosmopolitan has introduced an all-new revamped Social Hour menu Monday-Friday from 5-6:30 p.m. Menu is an array of small bites including ½ dozen Oysters, Baked Clams, King Crab Egg Shooters, Steak Tartare, Sweet Potato Poutine and more along with a wide selection of beers, wines and specialty cocktails.
American craft whiskey cocktail bar Oak & Ivy located in Downtown’s Container Park, will host its exclusive spirit tasting event sponsored by Woodford Reserve on Wednesday, April 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. Each Tasting on the Terrace ticket will include two Woodford Reserve specialty cocktails. Tickets are $35 online at oakandivy.com.
RIVER NORTH FEATURES POTTER JONATHAN ADLER COLLECTION
A home pop-up collection by American potter and designer, Jonathan Adler, is on display at River North, a contemporary home décor retail store at Tivoli Village, through April 30.
Adler launched his first ceramic collection in 1993 at Barneys New York. Five years later he expanded into home furnishings, opening his first namesake boutique in Soho, Manhattan. He now has 17 stores and runs an eponymous design business.
A montage of Adler’s inspirations of mid-century and modern art with global pop culture including acrylic centerpieces, porcelain vases and artistic home accents is being featured.
ABOUT TOWN ITEMS
“Jeff Dunham: Passively Aggressive” will headline The Joint at Hard Rock on Friday, April 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.50. Singer Mary J. Blige has been added to the roster and will be center stage Friday-Saturday, Aug. 16-17 with tickets starting at $50.50.
On Star Wars Day, Saturday, May 4, the all-ages “May the 4th Be with You” The Empire vs. Rebel Alliance Party will be held Inside B Side at House of Blues from 5 p.m. to midnight with no cover charge. There will be $4 food and beverage specials. You can dress in costume to receive a 10 percent discount. Full face paint and masks are not permitted on the casino floor, so it’s recommended to complete your ensemble once inside B Side.
Beer Park at Paris will kick off Military Appreciation Month with a complimentary draft beer for active and retired military personnel on Wednesday, May 1, as well as continue its military discount throughout the month of May.
For the first time, High Roller at The LINQ Promenade is partnering with Discovery Children’s Museum, a three-story interactive and educational experience next to The Smith Center. Purchasing options for the combo offer are Day for $25 and Night for $30. The package is available through caesars.com.
There will be a Yard Sale and Open House at Tropicana Palms active 55+ community at 6420 E. Tropicana Ave. on Saturday, April 27 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
NEXT HOLIDAY - CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATIONS
The Plaza is planning Downtown’s biggest party to celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Saturday, May 4 beginning at 7 p.m. under the bright lights of the resort’s dome. The free outdoor party will feature a variety of entertainment, including Lucha Libre Wrestling, a Mariachi band, Folklorico dancers and a DJ spinning a mix of Latin music. The Plaza will have a giant piñata as well as authentic food and drinks specials available.
The adult revue “Fantasy” at the Luxor will be offering a complimentary gift basket at the 10:3;0 p.m. show on Sunday, May 5. One randomly selected audience member will win an array of Fantasy merchandise, as well as a $100 dining credit and a souvenir drink cup from Diablo’s Cantina.
Restaurants around town will focus on food and beverage specials. Therapy Restaurant downtown will be serving piled high Nachos Loco for $13.95. To keep the celebration going, Therapy will close at 10 p.m. and reopen at 11 p.m. for a fiesta at its new nightclub, Relapse. The late-night party will feature a spacious dance floor and local entertainment.
La Comida downtown will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a weekend-long fiesta featuring food and drink specials including house-made gortidas made with chicharron prensado (pressed pork belly) priced at $13. The holiday-exclusive cocktail will be the Piña Margarita offered throughout the weekend.
Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin will cheer on the holiday with its annual all-day fiesta featuring traditional mariachi music and Mexican cuisine on May 5. Pancho’s Cadillac “Naughty Maggie” Margarita, made with Jose Cuervo Especial Gold Tequila and topped with Grand Marnier will be $11.75. In addition to a 2-5 p.m. Happy Hour, Pancho’s will offer exclusive barrel select Pancho’s Patron shots $6.95.
MB Steak at Hard Rock will offer a specialty cocktail, the Pink Piñata finished with a Tajin rim and priced at $15.
Cabo Wabo Cantina at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will spice up the Strip with a special sharable shrimp cocktail served in an 18-ounce schooner glass for $21.95 May 3-5. The Cocorita cocktail made with Cabo Wabo Blanco Tequila, lime juice, crème of coconut, served on the rocks, and rimmed with freshly toasted coconut will be $14. There will be outdoor patio parties on May 4 and 5 with a DJ from noon to 3 a.m.
Also, at Miracle Mile Shops, Blondies Sports Bar & Grill will offer $5 Estrella Micheladas for the entire month of May. Doughp, raw edible cookie dough bar, will offer Nacho Mamma’s Cookie Dough from April 30 through May 30. Hot N Juicy Crawfish inside Planet Hollywood will offer seafood lovers $5 Michelada specials all day long on Sunday, May 5. La Salsa Cantina will feature $5 Mexican beers and 1800 Silver Tequila shots all day on Sunday, May 5.
21ST CENTURY LIBRARY OPENS IN EAST LAS VEGAS
The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District (LVCCLD) will celebrate the grand opening of its new library in East Las Vegas on Thursday, April 25 at 10 a.m. The 41,051-square-foot facility, located at 2851 East Bonanza Road, includes innovative 21st century design elements, as well as free educational resources, materials, and programs for library users of all ages.
The old Las Vegas Library building located at 833 North Las Vegas Blvd. now belongs to the City of Las Vegas and is no longer a library site.
CELEB SIGHTINGS
Last weekend, actor Kevin McHale, best known for his breakout role on FOX’s hit series “Glee,” was spotted attending “Magic Mike Live” at the Hard Rock.
Also, Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer was seen attending the adults-only circus variety show “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace. The “Deuces Are Wild” headliner went backstage after the show for a photo with The Gazillionaire and alluring Green Fairy.
Rapper Rob Stone visited TAO Nightclub inside The Venetian and hung out in the DJ booth with Justin Credible, while retired NFL great Jerry Rice partied with friends at a VIP table on the dance floor and took photos with fans.
Before playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Vegas Golden Knights (VGK) Left Wingers William Carrier and Pierre-Édouard Bellemare went full throttle at Exotics Racing at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
