BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW

 

Date: Sept. 8, 2019

BY: Jackie Brett     

 

‘RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE LIVE!’ WILL HAVE RESIDENCY AT FLAMINGO

            Some of the world’s most famous drag queens will invade the Strip when “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” opens a residency in January 2020 at the Flamingo. The revue promises everything from the TV show and more. RuPaul says the show will be an immersive and interactive with comedy, eye-popping fashions, dancing and sing-alongs.

            Each show will have seven queens featured from a rotating cast of Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Coco Montrese, Derrick Barry, Eureka O’Hara, India Ferrah, Kahanna Montrese, Kameron Michaels, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, Shannel and Yvie Oddly. Presale tickets are available. “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” will perform Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49. 

 

COMEDY WORKS OPENS AT THE PLAZA

            The Comedy Works opening at the Plaza on Thursday, Sept. 12 will bring nationally acclaimed stand-up comedians and up-and-coming talent to the hotel’s classic showroom. Shows will be 8 p.m. on Thursdays, 9 p.m. on Fridays, and 8 and 10 p.m. on Saturdays with ticket prices starting at $20.

            The Comedy Works has been producing stand-up comedy events since 1981. The company owns and operates comedy clubs, produces shows in theaters around the country, and guides the careers of several performers.

            Comedians lined up include Jim Florentine Sept 12-14; Nick Di Paolo Sept. 26-28; Tom Green Oct. 10-12; Fat Chance Oct. 24-26; Jamie Kennedy Nov. 14-16; and Tim Meadows Jan. 9-11.

 

COLOSSEUM REVEALS TECHNICAL AND GUEST ENHANCEMENTS

            The Colosseum at Caesars Palace unveiled its significant technical and design upgrades with Keith Urban’s two shows last weekend. His performances marked the first use of the venue’s new general admission capability on the main floor.

            Other changes to the landmark venue include a new state-of-the-art sound system, new moving light fixtures, high-definition LED video wall, entirely refurbished seating, and the ability for flexible configurations through the city’s only automated lift seating system.

            In addition to the new general admission floor-space capability, the showroom now offers VIP banquette seating with cocktail service. For added convenience, the lobby bar has increased in size. 

            More top-name acts appearing through October include Luis Miguel, Enrique Iglesias, Rod Stewart, Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin and Martin Short: “Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t,” Journey: The Las Vegas Residency, and Joe Bonamassa.

 

ZOMBIE RAMPAGE PAINTBALL HUNT INVADES PLAZA’S CORE ARENA

            The Plaza downtown in conjunction with Live A Little Productions had the Zombie Rampage Paintball Hunt attraction opening at the Plaza’s Core Arena on Friday, Sept. 6. The all-new attraction has paintball shooting, live target interaction, and monster trucks. Every Wednesday through Sunday evening in September, guests can climb aboard a 14-foot tall monster school bus with paintball guns mounted in each window and fire away at the zombies roaming the arena.

            Hunts start at 6 p.m. each night and run every 20 minutes. Patrons can buy tickets for their preferred date and time slot online or at the Plaza’s box office. Tickets are $30 for general admission with 100 rounds of paintballs, and $45 for VIP, which offers guests priority boarding on to the bus and 300 rounds of paintballs. Children ages 5 to 12 are permitted with an adult admission; children under 5 years old are not permitted.

 

VICKI BARBOLAK STARTS TRAILER PARK TUESDAYS AT KIMMEL’S CLUB

            “America’s Got Talent” Top 10 finalist comedienne Vicki Barbolak, known for her “trailer trash” branding, will open a limited eight-week engagement, Sept. 24-Nov. 12, at Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club at The LINQ Promenade. Her down-home personality and self-deprecating material embracing the Southern California trailer park lifestyle will launch Trailer Park Tuesdays at the club with shows at 8 p.m.

 

DOOBIE BROTHERS HEADLINE THE PEARL AT PALMS

            Rock ‘n rollers The Doobie Brothers have a tour stop at The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $49.95.
            The Doobie Brothers over their more than four-decade career have sold more than 48 million albums and won four Grammy® Awards. The group continues to write and record new material and tour the world. Recently they announced their latest release from Rhino Records, “The Doobie Brothers: Live From The Beacon Theatre.” The band returned to the legendary Beacon Theatre for the first time in 25 years to perform landmark albums, “Toulouse Street” and “The Captain And Me, in their entirety,” plus a few select hits.

 

HOFBRÄUHAUS HOLDS KEG TAPPING EVENTS

            Hofbräuhaus will become the “dog Haus” on Friday, Sept. 13 when world-renowned dog whisperer Cesar Millan is the first celebrity keg tapper of the Oktoberfest season. Millan will tap the first keg of Oktoberfestbier while he celebrates the grand opening of his limited-engagement residency “Cesar Millan – My Story: Unleashed” at the David Copperfield Theater inside MGM Grand.

            More celebrities will follow every Friday and Saturday night throughout Oktoberfest to tap the keg, while guests enjoy stein-holding contests, live entertainment, bar games, prizes and more.

            Future keg tappers: Frankie Moreno Sept. 14; Fantasy Sept. 20; Jeff Civillico Sept. 21; Hans Klok Sept. 27; Raiding the Rock Vault Sept. 28; Crazy Girls Oct. 4; Rick Harrison Oct. 5; The Australian Bee Gees Oct. 11; Anthony Cools Oct. 12; Chippendales Oct. 18; Zowie Bowie Oct. 19; Murray SawChuck Oct. 25; and Ricardo Laguna Oct. 26. 

            Hofbräuhaus offers daily Oktoberfest specials, and it is the only place in Las Vegas where beer lovers can taste the same Oktoberfestbier served at the Oktoberfest in Munich. Oktoberfest runs Sept. 13 through Thursday, Oct. 31. Hofbräuhaus is open daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

 

LINQ PROMENADE HOLDS FREE MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CONCERT

            The LINQ Promenade will host a free Mexican Independence Day concert Saturday, Sept. 14 from 7-11 p.m. on the center Fountain Stage to celebrate Mexican Independence Day. Festivities will include music by DJ Ethos, performances by Ballet Folklórico Sol Huasteco, and a headlining concert performance by bi-lingual hip-hop artist, producer and cultural voice, Olmeca.

            In addition, more than a dozen local artists from Las Vegas will set up a pop-up “Art Bloq” from noon to midnight and will be doing live demos, adding final touches and working on special projects as guests watch.

 

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS TRADITION AND CULTURE

            The family-friendly 47th annual Greek Food Festival will be held Sept. 27-29 at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, located at 5300 S. El Camino Road. This event celebrates Greek culture, history and heritage by featuring authentic cuisine, shopping, traditional live music, folk dancing performances, tours of the church, and a Kids Fun Zone.

            The 1,000-ticket raffle this year is for $25,000 in cash or a Mercedes Sedan.       

            The annual 26.2-mile Torch Relay Run fundraiser is held in conjunction with the Greek Food Festival. This year, monies will benefit the Johnny Crisstopher Children’s Charitable Foundation with a mission to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and provide funds for research, treatment, and a cure. Money is raised by people running a one-mile leg and obtaining pledges as well as folks donating directly. The Torch Relay Run will start at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27 at Tivoli Village and end at 7 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Greek Church Grounds, where the Lighting of the Torch ceremony will officially kick off the festival.

            Festival hours will be Friday 3-11 p.m.; Saturday noon to 11 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 10 p.m. Adult admission is $8. Children 12 and under, active military, police officers and their immediate family with ID are free. Retired military are half-price. A three-day pass is $12. Parking is free.

 

FSE CONTINUES FREE DOWNTOWN ROCKS CONCERTS

            Grammy Award-winning rock band, The Wallflowers took the 3rd Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience (FSE) over Labor Day weekend for the Downtown Rocks concert series. The free concerts will continue throughout the year. Next up on the 3rd Street Stage will be Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band Sept. 14, Smash Mouth Sept. 28, and Muddfest featuring Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Trapt, Saving Abel and Tantric Oct. 19.

 

‘SAX UNDER THE STARS’ DEBUTS AT RIO’S CLUB 172

              A monthly jazz-inspired dinner and dance, Sax Under the Stars, will debut at the Rio’s Club 172 on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 6 p.m. The intimate evening will feature live music, fine dining and dancing under the Vegas night sky with a nine-piece jazz band helmed by Sid The Kid and contemporary jazz vocalist Michelle Johnson.

            Sax Under the Stars will continue every second Saturday until December. Formal length dresses, white tie and tails preferred. Tickets, which include a three-course dinner, online are $120 per person, and $140 at the door. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Fourth Grade Cotillion. For reservations, call 702-514-0488.

 

BOK BOK CHICKEN CONTINUES TO GROW

            Family-owned and operated Bok Bok Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant serving classic Mediterranean cuisine from family recipes with a modern farmhouse twist. Since its debut in August 2018, Bok Bok Chicken has four locations in Las Vegas with a fifth and largest location debuting this fall at Town Square across from Total Wine & More. The brand’s flagship location will cover 2,800 square feet.

            In addition, Bok Bok Chicken has a partnership with Station Casinos, launching two new locations inside their North Las Vegas properties. The Santa Fe Station outlet is open near the Sports Book and Texas Station will be opening a location inside the Food Court. To celebrate the opening of the Santa Fe Station location, Bok Bok Chicken Santa Fe Station is offering 20-percent off to Station Casinos’ Boarding Pass members throughout September.

 

PT’S RANCH HOSTS ANNUAL GUINNESS PERFECT PINT CHALLENGE

            PT’s Ranch on Pebble Road in Henderson will put local bartenders to the test with the seventh annual Guinness Perfect Pint Challenge, a competition to determine who has mastered the art of the perfect pour of the iconic stout. The event will start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14. Prior to the challenge, PT’s Ranch will serve complimentary pints of Guinness from 6–7 p.m. and offer $4 pints for the duration of the event. 

            The competition will be judged by Guinness Brewery Ambassadors, who will choose the top three winners based on pour angle, settle and presentation all in the 119.5 seconds required to craft the perfect pour. Prizes are $1,000 for first place, then $500 and $250.

            In addition, guests may practice pouring their own perfect pints at a mobile pint station. PT’s will also have a new “Ripple” machine set up to allow guests imprint images on the foam of their pint. A live DJ will perform.

 

DINING NEWS

            Pizzeria sixth+mill opened its second location last week serving lunch and dinner at Grand Canal Shoppes inside The Venetian. Created by Matteo Ferdinadi and Chef Angelo Auriana of FactoryPlaceHospitalityGroup, sixth+mill joins sister restaurant Factory Kitchen, which opened in the former B&B Ristorante space earlier this year.

            Downtown’s 7th & Carson is joining forces with culinary mastermind Chef Sam “Sammy D” DeMarco to host and exclusive, limited-seating pop-up brunch experience with a special Sammy-inspired brunch menu, and bottomless drinks on Sunday, Sept. 15 starting at 1 p.m. Tickets for Sammy D’s Not-So-Secret-Secret-Brunch are $55 on Eventbrite.

            Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Summerlin will celebrate Mexican Independence Day and National Guacamole Day with the Sweet with Heat Guacamole, offered exclusively on Monday, Sept. 16. The sharable size is $13.95 for lunch and $14.95 for dinner. Half-portion sizes are $7.95.   

            Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar’s late-night, all-you-can-eat patio grilling event, Sotto le Stelle – Under the Stars, returns Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11 p.m.–3 a.m. Executive Chef Francesco DiCaudo’s traditional Italian grilled meats as well as pasta, risottos, and vegetables cost $25. Each guest dining will receive a complimentary drink from the bar. The alfresco party will take place every two weeks with different dishes each time. For information, call 702-364-5300.

 

QUEEN BEE MARKET EXPO HELPS SPREAD THE WORD NEVADA

            Queen Bee Market, the urban-style handmade market described as “Etsy comes to life,” will host more than 70 vendors with booths showcasing and selling an array of handmade home décor, accessories, clothing, paper arts, vintage items and more at The Conference Center of Las Vegas on Friday, Sept. 13 from 4–9 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door. Children 12 years old and younger and military members will receive free entry.

            Queen Bee Market has partnered with Spread the Word Nevada, a children’s literacy organization, which will have a booth with representatives collecting new or gently used books. Shoppers who donate three or more books will receive $1 off their general admission ticket.

 

PARTIES AROUND THE VALLEY

            The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) is partnering with Collective Zoo and Bud Light to host an out-of-this-world evening of top-secret entertainment on Thursday, Sept. 19. The classified lineup of music artists specially curated for the event will start at 8 p.m. The public event is free to all earthlings 21 and older. Bud Light will be giving away interstellar swag all evening.

            Rí Rá Las Vegas is hosting a week-long celebration in honor of Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day, Sept 10–17 with authentic Irish dishes located on a specially crafted menu with 20 percent of proceeds benefiting HELP of Southern Nevada. The main event will be a true Irish party Tuesday, Sept. 17 with live entertainment starting at 9 p.m., $6 Guinness pints available from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., must-have giveaways and more.   

            The Gold Spike downtown is holding an unofficial ‘Storm Area 51’ pre-party celebrating the folklore of Nevada’s legendary base and extraterrestrial life on Friday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 p.m. Space-inspired attire is encouraged for VIP express entry and complimentary cover to the event.

            The family-friendly Dogs, Donuts & Donations event will be held Sunday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Three Dog Bakery at 2110 N. Rampart Blvd. #150. Dogs are welcome, and you get free raffle tickets when you donate pet food.

 

ABOUT TOWN NEWS

            Kurt and Kyle Busch will help provide some sibling rivalry as competitors in the inaugural fundraising Brendan Gaughan Celebrity Bowling Classic at the South Point Thursday, Sept. 12. The first-year event will help kick off Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s South Point 400 tripleheader NASCAR weekend, Sept. 13-15 at the 1.5-mile track. Event proceeds will benefit the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

            TD Barnes, a veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency’s special projects division, will lecture at the National Atomic Testing Museum about his time working at Area 51 on Project Oxcart on Friday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. Barnes will cover the latest declassified information about the program. Cost is $5 non-members; free to members.

            Wet’n’Wild water park will continue honoring heroes through September. All current and retired military, law enforcement and fire and rescue workers will receive free entry into the park all-month long.

            Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas has partnered with Flying Embers Hard Kombucha to provide complimentary concert tickets to first responders for 7:30 p.m. shows Xavier Rudd on Sept. 11and Nahko & Medicine for the People on Nov. 7. Visit box office day of the show.

 

SIGHTINGS

            Local resident and famed boxer Mike Tyson recently made a personal appearance at The+Source dispensary promoting the launch of his Tyson Ranch products, which are now available at both Source locations, including flower, pre-rolls, DWiiNK beverages and edibles.

            Vegas Golden Knights athletes are back in Las Vegas and six of them recently dined at a team restaurant favorite, Andiamo Italian Steakhouse inside the D Las Vegas with the resort’s CEO Derek Stevens and COO Dave Tuttle.

            ESPN host and sports reporter Michelle Beadle was spotted attending the sizzling “Magic Mike Live” at the Hard Rock and visiting afterwards.