BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW

 

Date: March 1, 2020

BY: Jackie Brett 

 

THE FANS STRIKE BACK™ WILL DEBUT AT FASHION SHOW

        Exhibition producer EMS Entertainment will debut The Fans Strike Back™, an interactive and immersive new exhibition from a galaxy far, far away, in the United States this month inside Immersion Vegas, a new entertainment venue at Fashion Show on the Strip. The Fans Strike Back™ was created by a fan for fans of the galaxy’s most popular movie saga.

 

            The more than 10,000-square-foot space will display hundreds of collectables, sculptures, life-size figures, lightsabers, blasters and more. Guests will have the opportunity to experience a 16-foot Jabba the Hutt, engaging video installations, a 26-foot Podracer, a recreation of an Imperial I-class Star Destroyer’s main bridge and, of course, the mythical universe’s legendary characters, including Chewbacca, Yoda, R2-D2, C-3PO, Darth Vader and more.

        Hours of operation will be Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $29 and $15 for children 11 and under. Fans who purchase tickets online using the code FAN no later than Sunday, March 15 will receive a limited edition The Fans Strike Back™ souvenir the day they visit. 

            Exclusive merchandise will be available inside the adjoining 3,000-square-foot retail store.

 

POISON WILL ROCK THE PEARL AT THE PALMS WITH ORIGINAL LINEUP

            Poison will bring its original lineup featuring Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Bobby Dall and Rikki Rockett to the Pearl Theater inside the Palms on Friday, Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $59.95.

 

            Poison paid its dues from the ground up working the small bars and nightclubs scene going full throttle with high energy performances “one-part song, one-party party.” The group bet on themselves and formed their own record label Cyanide Music along with an independent distributor in Enigma records. The band’s first album “Look What The Cat Dragged In” sold more than 3 million copies of the independent album and they were soon picked up by Capitol Records. Their sophomore effort was the release the No. 1 smash hit “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” written by singer/songwriter and frontman Bret Michael, which remained atop the pop, rock and country charts for three months consecutively.             

            Michaels, a lifelong Type 1 juvenile diabetic, was awarded the Humanitarian Of The Year award in 2019 for his philanthropic work. He also continues to celebrate our veterans and first responders on-stage nightly.

 

‘LETTERKENNY LIVE!’ MAKES FIRST U.S. TOUR WITH A VEGAS STOP

        Stars of the award-winning Crave Original Series “Letterkenny” are bringing “Letterkenny Live!” to the United States for the first time visiting 26 cities kicking off in Detroit on March 10 and wrapping in Los Angeles on April 21. The Canadian sketch show will visit Las Vegas on Saturday, April 18 at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan. Tickets for the all-ages 8 p.m. show start at $29.

        The acclaimed 90-minute comedy experience will feature nine stars of the massively popular Canadian TV sitcom “Letterkenny” along with never-before-seen sketches and more. The residents of Letterkenny belong to one of three groups: hicks, skids and hockey players. The three groups are constantly feuding with each other over seemingly trivial matters; often ending with someone getting their butt kicked. Season 8 of “Letterkenny” is now available on Hulu.

 

HARRY POTTER PARODY EXTENDED AGAIN AT BALLY’S

       Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience - A Parody by Dan and Jeff” celebrated its 350th performance on Leap Day, Feb. 29 and announced the show’s run

 

at The Magic Attic showroom inside Bally’s will continue to cast a spell through January 2021. The hit family-friendly show created by two-time Olivier Award-nominated BBC actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner debuted in Las Vegas on June 4, 2019. The show currently stars Nicholas Charles and Calum Gittins performing nightly except Thursday at 8 p.m. and at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Ticket range is $39.99 to $99.99.

            The fast-paced comedy stars two gents acting out all seven “Harry Potter” books in 70 minutes. Surprisingly, the show is equally enjoyable for avid Potter fans as well for those who don’t know anything about Harry or what Quidditch is.

 

GOLDEN FOG COFFEE BAR WILL OPEN AT SHAREDOWNTOWN

            Golden Fog Coffee will open in downtown Las Vegas’ Arts District new 63 one-bedroom units, three floor residential apartment complex shareDOWNTOWN opening in May and be its first retail tenant. The 1,400-square-foot space will offer seating for 30 to 40 guests, including bar seating with charging stations and patio seating along Casino Center Boulevard. Hours will be 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sundays.

 

            Golden Fog Coffee is a new venture conceived by husband and wife, Derek and Juliet Douglas. Las Vegas native Derek is an artist professionally known as SNIPT specializing in pop culture mixed media mashups and murals. Juliet is a hospitality professional with more than 15 years of event planning experience in the food and beverage industry. Their new venture will merge the couple’s individual passions, art and dining. 

            Golden Fog Coffee will exclusively carry Sightglass Coffee, an independent, sibling-owned coffee company based in San Francisco making its Las Vegas debut. As the Douglas family follows a plant-based lifestyle, Golden Fog Coffee’s menu will feature numerous plant-based items created by local vendors and will specialize in hand-crafted latte art and fine loose-leaf teas. 

            The coffee bar’s décor will feature local artists works on the walls. The couple also plans on showcasing local art through a monthly pop-up program which will offer limited edition cups, t-shirts and other merchandise branded by Golden Fog with local artists’ creations.   

 

‘R.U.N’ WILL QUIT RUNNING

        While Cirque du Soleil has six successful original shows featured in major showrooms on the Strip, they finally hit a roadblock with “R.U.N,” which opened at the Luxor last October and will close on Sunday, March 8. The show’s 4 1/2-month run is the shortest ever for a Cirque resident production in Las Vegas. “R.U.N” has been Cirque’s first live-action thriller adventure production and even tweaks which were made didn’t keep it afloat.

 

RICHARD MARX SET TO PERFORM AT GREEN VALLEY RANCH

            Returning to Las Vegas, multi-platinum, Grammy® Award-nominated performer, songwriter and producer Richard Marx is set for a special performance at Green Valley Ranch on Friday, July 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30.

 

            Marx has written on a No. 1 single in each of the last four decades, an accomplishment in the past only reached by Michael Jackson. He’s written with numerous artists, including “To Where You Are,” Josh Groban’s first hit single on his debut album, and the NSYNC smash, “This I Promise You.” He earned a 2004 Song of the Year Grammy for co-authoring Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father.” Overall, he has scored 14 No. 1 singles including Keith Urban’s No. 1 smash “Long Hot Summer.”

            Over his nearly three-decade-long career, Marx has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, starting with his self-titled debut collection, which spawned four Top 5 singles, including “Hold on to the Nights” and “Don’t Mean Nothing” earning him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. To this day, he is the only male artist in history to have his first seven singles reach the Top 5 on the Billboard charts.     

 

GRANGER SMITH AND LOCASH HEADLINE SUNSET AMPHITHEATER

        Country music superstars Granger Smith and Locash will be center stage at Sunset Amphitheater at Sunset Station on Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

 

        Smith’s massive and rabid audience is now known as “Yee Yee Nation,” which he built through heavy touring and grassroots fan engagement. Smith made the national scene with “Remington,” an album with the No. 1 smash “Backroad Song” for which he was awarded a BMI Country Award for writing, producing, publishing and performing. Smith followed it with the top-five hit, “If The Boot Fits,” and released his current full-length album “When The Good Guys Win” in October.

            Locash is the country singer-songwriter music duo made up of Chris Lucas and Preston Brust; natives of Baltimore, Maryland, and Kokomo, Indiana, respectively. They broke out in 2015 with the Gold-certified hit, “I Love This Life,” and have two albums and eight charting singles to their credit. Their current single, “One Big Country Song,” is currently climbing the charts. 

 

PSYCHIC MEDIUM THOMAS JOHN EXTENDED AT CAESARS PALACE

            Celebrity psychic medium Thomas John’s intimate show featuring his uncanny abilities will continue now through July 26 inside Cleopatra’s Barge at Caesars Palace. The in-demand medium connects audiences with family and friends who have crossed over in a powerful and entertaining evening of healing, inspiration and life-changing insights. Shows are Thursday to Monday at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $49.  

            Thomas’ celebrity clients have included Julianne Moore, Jennifer Lopez, Stevie Nicks, Goldie Hawn and Courteney Cox, among others.

 

DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN HOSTS BREW’S BEST BEER FEST

            The 13th annual Brew’s Best Beer Fest will take place Saturday, March 14 on the lawn at Downtown Summerlin from 2-6 p.m. Las Vegas’ most charitable and longest-running open-air beer fest benefits New Vista, which helps people of all ages with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

            Guests will receive a souvenir tasting mug, enjoy live music by Bonafide Reggae and Haleamano, have food options and unlimited samplings from breweries both local and national. General admission is $30 or $35 at the gate and $40 or $45 for VIP which offers early entry at 1 p.m.

 

SKYE CANYON HOLDS FIT FEST

        Skye Canyon’s Fit Fest is returning on Saturday, March 7. The day’s event will include 5K/8K Road Race, a new One-Mile Fun Run + Yoga, Lifestyle Expo, Farmers Market and Kids Fun Zone. Skye Canyon is a 1,000-acre master-planned community in Northwest Las Vegas located on US Highway 95 at Skye Canyon Park Drive.

 

            Checking in for racing begins at 7 a.m. The day kicks off at 8 a.m. with Carnell “Golden Pipes” Johnson singing the national anthem marking the start of the 5K/8K Road Race and the new One-Mile Fun Run. All proceeds from the three races will benefit the Kline Veterans Fund.  

            The wellness celebration continues with Silent Savasana Yoga, a Lifestyle Expo, Kids Fun Zone and a special edition of the Skye Canyon Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

        Other activities set for the day include a rock-climbing wall; bungee trampoline; obstacle course; field games; Power Half Hour whole body workout; SpinSanity 30-minute body rocking spin session, and Sonic Boomba Zumba 30-minute cardio dance party.

 

PINKBOX DOUGHNUTS® MAKES SPECIALTY OFFERINGS IN MARCH

         Pinkbox Doughnuts® at its three valley locations is offering an array of green-themed doughnuts in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day now through Tuesday, March 17 with selections ranging from $2 to $3 each. Pinkbox’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed doughnut selections include St. Patty Unicorn; Lucky Pooh; Lucky Charm Bar; Stuffed Clover; Leprechaun Treat; and Pot of Gold B-Day.

 

            Pinkbox’s “Doughnut of the Month” for March is The Breath Mint, which is a mint-frosted glazed chocolate cake topped with brownie crumbles, mint and chocolate drizzle, priced at $2.50 per doughnut.

 

BLUE MAN GROUP OFFERS TWO-FOR-$99 TICKETS

        Blue Man Group at the Luxor is offering two-for-$99 tickets as part of a spring savings promotion now through April 12. Tickets are available at a minimum purchase of two tickets and a maximum purchase of six. Offer is not valid for all seating sections or price levels. Blackout dates apply. Tickets can be purchased online at www.blueman.com/las-vegas/offers. Blue Man Group performs nightly at 7 and 9:30 p.m., with a third performance offered at 4 p.m. on select days.

 

TROPICANA OPENS ITS POOLS SEASON

       The Tropicana will kick-off its 2020 pool season on Monday, March 9 with pool hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance is free daily for locals with a valid Nevada ID. The tropical oasis with lavish landscape has swim-up blackjack tables, an all-new pool menu and summer escape cocktails.

 

SERVICE DOG WONKA RECEIVES BUCKET LIST WISHES

        Discovery Children’s Museum recently helped Wonka, a beloved canine staff member at Hearts Alive Village, check off a couple bucket list items with a visit to the museum and huge surprise birthday party. The six-year-old retriever has been diagnosed with Chondrosarcoma, a terminal cancer. Since he loves kids, one of the items on Wonka’s list was to visit Discovery Children’s Museum for a day of fun and to have a huge birthday party. Wishes do come true in Las Vegas.

 

 

MAKE-A-WISH SOUTHERN NEVADA HOSTS ANNUAL WALK FOR WISHES

            In Southern Nevada Walk For Wishes®, a nationwide Make-A-Wish fundraiser, will be held Saturday, March 7 at Town Square with more than 3,000 participants. Last year’s event generated nearly $500,000 to help fund wishes for children battling critical illnesses. Registration is at 7 a.m. and online, with opening ceremonies at 8 a.m. followed by a One-Mile Walk and 5K Run at 8:30 a.m.

 

HUNGER GAMES MGM EXHIBITION HAS SPRING BREAK OFFERS

            The Hunger Games: The Exhibition at the MGM Grand and based on Lionsgate’s blockbuster film franchise “The Hunger Games” is featuring exclusive Spring Break offers on admission and retail. Now through April 30 all visitors who buy one ticket will receive a second complimentary ticket with code SB2020, subject to availability. In addition, the first 1,000 visitors will receive a 40 percent discount on retail with a $200 minimum purchase. Nevada residents March 16-22 will receive complimentary admission using code LSB2020.

 

 

MEMORY ALIVE HONORS NEIL DIAMOND AT POWER OF LOVE® GALA

        The Keep Memory Alive’s 24th annual Power of Love® star-studded gala will be held Saturday, March 7 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to raise crucial funds for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Neill Diamond will be the honoree and other stars expected to attend include Toni Braxton, Billy Ray Cyrus, Andy Grammar, Sammy Hagar, Chris Isaak, Jimmy Kimmel, Derek Hough, Kelsey Grammar, chefs Wolfgang Puck and Masaharu Morimoto, and host of “Bar Rescue” Jon Taffer.

 

SASHA VELOUR • MAYHEM MILLER VISIT RUPAUL’S FLAMINGO SHOW

        Recently “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 9 winner Sasha Velour and Season 10 contestant Mayhem Miller attended the new show at the Flamingo, “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” Following the show, they joined cast members Asia O’Hara, Derrick Barry, Yvie Oddly, Naomi Smalls and Vanessa “Vanjie” Matteo backstage for a photo.  

 

HONORS FOR MOB MUSEUM AND PAPILLON HELICOPTERS

              The Mob Museum, officially the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, ranks No. 4 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award rankings for Best History Museum. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, this award is the museum’s most recent accolade.

 

            Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, the world’s largest and longest-running helicopter tour company, is the recipient of two prestigious Diamond Awards from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for excellence in maintenance and compliance.

 

ABOUT TOWN

            St. Baldrick’s head shaving fundraising events will be held Saturday, March 7 at McMullan’s Irish Pub on West Tropicana at 10 a.m.; downtown at 7th & Carson from 3-6 p.m.; and at Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

            The Western Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament will return to the Orleans Arena for its 10th straight year, bringing action-packed NCAA Division I college basketball matchups Wednesday-Saturday, March 11-14.

        Comedian-actor Bob Saget dined with his wife travel blogger Kelly Rizzo at Morton Group’s  La Cave Wine & Food Hideaway at Wynn.  

        A lucky Las Vegas local hit big playing bingo at Arizona Charlie’s Decatur winning $68,970 playing Charlie’s Double Progressive Bingo coverall game.