Vegas Prime Magazine (V1.9) - September 8, 2024
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SEPT. 8, 2024
Janet Jackson | Raiders | Mexican Independence Day | iHeartRadio
Resorts World Las Vegas heralds a
new era in luxury hospitality as the
Strip’s shining icon. More than a $4.3
billion resort, it’s a harmonious blend
of timeless tradition and modern
innovation. Our legacy elegantly
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vision, meticulously crafted to deliver
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a unique experience. Here, avantgarde
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World, we aim to command, not
just keep pace. Step into our world,
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RULE THE WORLD.
24
Cover Feature
UFC hosts its first fight, Noche UFC
306, at Sphere, while Sphere kicks off
with The Eagles and features a new
film by U2, Sphere’s first headliner.
10
12
14
20
That’s Hot!
Vegas Prime Magazine Editor-in-Chief
Don Chareunsy’s top to-do picks while
you’re in Las Vegas.
Prime Picks
It’s Mexican Independence Day weekend
in The Entertainment Capital of the
World, and the activities are aplenty.
Out + About
Rick Springfield turns 75, “Fantasy” is at
Tix4.com, Boulder Station celebrates 30
years, and 2024 Las Vegas Swim Week is
a wrap.
Celebrity Takeover
Comedian and actor Eddie Griffin trades
in the mic for a pen – metaphorically
speaking, in his guest column.
32
54
66
Showtime
The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Festival,
Mike Epps, Lionel Richie, Gabriel Iglesias,
Marlon Wayans, Pop Goes the ’80s, Bush
and more.
Time to Dine
Sink your teeth into X Pot and Chubby
Cattle, enjoy a cocktail at Carousel Bar,
create cocktails with Jon Taffer’s Browned
Butter Bourbon, and enjoy honey wine at
Deadwood Meadery.
64 Health + Wellness
B-boy Jasoul is a local breakdancer who
teaches the new Olympic sport.
The Last Word
Vegas Prime Whispers: Celebrity and
Las Vegas gossip and sightings. Ssshhh!
6
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
JAMAL M. PARKER
Publisher
DON CHAREUNSY
Editor-in-Chief
ARTURO PERALTA
Art Director
BRIANNA KOURETAS
Senior Account Manager
DANIEL HOWARD
Account Executive
MICHAEL URIARTE
Account Executive and Events
NOE ALARCON, JEN AVISON SMITH, BOB BARNES, PATRANYA
BHOOLSUWAN, CHRISTIANA CINN, ED CONDRAN, MARISA
FINETTI, STACEY GUALANDI, EMMY KASTEN, RANDY
SCHACHERL + TODD SCHACHERL
Contributors
DARIN FEINSTEIN
Founder/CEO
VEGAS PRIME MAGAZINE
3753 Howard Hughes Parkway, #200, Las Vegas, NV 89169
www.vegasprime.com
Advertising and business inquiries
(702) 479-5022 | info@vegasprime.com
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@vegasprimemag
Copyright 2024 by Vegas Prime Magazine. All rights reserved.
Vegas Prime Magazine is published 26 times a year. Reproduction
of any materials, images or editorial content contained in this
publication without permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited.
Vegas Prime Magazine, 3753 Howard Hughes Pkwy, #200,
Las Vegas, NV 89169, vegasprime.com
Editor's
Letter
Two of our past three Vegas Prime
Magazine cover stories have
featured sports – the Las
Vegas Aces at the 2024 Paris
Summer Olympics and
the 2024 Modelo Vegas
Kickoff Classic at
Allegiant Stadium –
and this issue places
the spotlight on Noche
UFC 306 at Sphere on Sept. 14. In
fact, our next issue features yet another sport on
the cover. Las Vegas really has become a Sports
Capital of the World.
UFC’s first event at Sphere could not be more
exciting. Sphere is an incredible venue and a
game-changer on the Las Vegas Strip. Noche
UFC falls during Mexican Independence Day
weekend, and most of the card is Mexican
MMA fighters. If sports aren’t your thing, but
you still want to celebrate Mexican Independence
Day, this issue of Vegas Prime Magazine
features a list of music, dining, entertainment +
more options commemorating the occasion.
I am especially excited about the 2024 iHeart-
Radio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena, as it is
always two of the best days of music each year.
This year’s lineup is no different: The Weeknd,
Hozier, Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa,
Gwen Stefani, Keith Urban, New Kids on the
Block, Thomas Rhett + more.
And check out the rest of the music and entertainment
lineup: Pink! at Allegiant Stadium,
Lionel Richie at Encore Theater, Bush at Planet
Hollywood, Mike Epps at The Venetian, Gabriel
Iglesias at The Cosmopolitan, Marlon Wayans at
Red Rock Resort, Pop Goes the ’80s at The
Orleans Arena + more, and the Celebrity Takeover
column is by guest Eddie Griffin.
Enjoy your time in Las Vegas! Hozier will be
taking me to church, where we’ll be enjoying
our whiskey neat (in my delusional head).
Salud!
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Vegas Prime Magazine
“MJ LIVE”
MJLiveShow.com
Who’s “Bad”?! “MJ Live” at Sahara is a
super-fun, high-energy and impressive production.
Jalles Franca, who alternates the lead
role of Michael Jackson with Santana Jackson
(no relation), sings and dances his face off
alongside his solid dancers, and the band is
equally great. A stellar show!
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY
VegasPrime.com
Mexican Independence Day weekend is coming
up, and there are sports, music, entertainment
and dining options galore to celebrate
in The Entertainment Capital of the World.
Check out our list in this issue and online.
2024 IHEARTRADIO MUSIC FESTIVAL
IHeart.com
The iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas
is always two of the best days of music each
year at T-Mobile Arena, and this year is no
different: Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, Dua
Lipa, Gwen Stefani, Hozier, Keith Urban,
New Kids on the Block, The Weeknd, Thomas
Rhett + more.
DRAI’S + LIV LAS VEGAS
DraisGroup.com
The September schedule is stacked at Drai’s
Beach Club, Drai’s Nightclub, Liv Beach and
Liv Las Vegas: John Summit, Dom Dolla, Party
Favor, James Kennedy, Metro Boomin, 50
Cent, French Montana, Rick Ross, Big Sean +
more! Check out their listings.
VEGAS PRIME PICKS
VegasPrime.com
Vegas Prime Magazine has created lists of our
favorites in Las Vegas, from burgers, doughnuts,
dim sum, buffets and headliner shows
to tacos, beer pubs, fried chicken, late-night
spots and pizza. We want you to have the best
experience while in town! (click on Prime
Picks in the navigation bar)
THE STEAKHOUSE ISSUE
VegasPrime.com
We featured 50 of our favorite steakhouses in
Las Vegas in the July 14 issue of Vegas Prime
Magazine. Our six Prime Picks: Bavette’s
Steakhouse, Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres,
Carversteak, The Steakhouse at Circus Circus,
Papi Steak and Scotch 80 Prime. So many
awesome steaks, so little time!
10
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
By Don Chareunsy
Editor-in-Chief | Vegas Prime Magazine
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 11
2024
MEXICAN
INDEPENDENCE DAY
IN LAS VEGAS
El Dorado Cantina
ElDoradoCantina.com
Top-rated Mexican restaurant open
24/7 with three locations in Las
Vegas: Tivoli Village, near the Las
Vegas Strip and Southwest Las Vegas.
Must-orders: tableside guacamole,
pozoles, tostada salads, Judi Siegel
Platter, Chicken Feinstein, enchilada
trio + more.
Ana Bárbara
Palms.com
Celebrated Mexican singer and Latin
Grammy Award winner is at Pearl
Concert Theater. Known for her powerful
voice and dynamic performances,
Bárbara has captivated audiences
worldwide with her hit songs, including
“Sacúdeme” and “Ay, Amor,” and
vibrant stage presence. 8 p.m. Sept. 14.
Cabo Wabo Cantina +
Mijo Modern Mexican
CaboWaboCantina.com +
MijoMexican.com
Executive Chefs Tacho Kneeland
and Donald Thompson, at Cabo
Wabo Cantina in Planet Hollywood
and Mijo Modern Mexican Restaurant
in Durango Casino and Resort,
respectively, are masters of their
craft, bringing vibrant, traditional
and authentic Mexican flavors to
their menus.
Emmanuel
VenetianVegas.com
Ticketmaster.com
Mexican singer Emmanuel, who
launched his career in the 1970s, is
returning to The Venetian for two
nights over Mexican Independence
Day weekend. Tickets start at $65,
plus applicable fees. 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 14-15.
12
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Fashion Show Las Vegas
FSLV.com
Fashion Show Las Vegas will kick
off Mexican Independence Day with
a celebration from 12 to 3 p.m. where
guests can enjoy live entertainment
in The Great Hall, including mariachi
music, traditional dance performances
and a DJ spinning top Latin
music. 12-3 p.m. Sept. 15.
Fremont Street
Experience
VegasExperience.com
Fremont Street Experience in Downtown
Las Vegas hosts its inaugural
Mexican Independence Day celebration
transforming into an epic
Latin street party for the cultural
celebration filled with free, nonstop
fun and excitement over three days
featuring 30 performers and 100+
hours of live entertainment on four
stages. Sept. 13-15.
Julio Gonzalez
TheStrat.com
Julio Gonzalez is a bilingual comedian
who aims to make the world smile.
Gonzalez Gonzalez was always
known as “the funny guy,” whether
it was a backyard party or waiting in
line at the grocery store. Jokes about
his upbringing and life experiences
have earned him a residency at the
award-winning L.A. Comedy Club at
The Strat.
Lorena Peril
Luxor.MGMResorts.com
One of the most talented Mexican
women on the Las Vegas Strip is
powerhouse vocalist Lorena Peril. As
beautiful as she is talented, Peril is
the headliner and host of “Fantasy:
The Strip’s Sexiest Tease” at Luxor,
an all-female revue celebrating its
25th anniversary in October. Peril
also enjoys spending her free time
singing Spanish songs at lounges,
restaurants and charity events.
Los Ángeles Azules
Palms.com
Los Ángeles Azules, renowned for
their blend of traditional cumbia
music with modern electronic beats,
will take the stage at Pearl Concert
Theater. Their infectious rhythms and
captivating performances have made
them one of Mexico’s most beloved
musical groups. 8 p.m. Sept. 26.
Lucero & Mijares
RWLasVegas.com
In honor of Mexican Independence
Day weekend, this one-of-a-kind
show, performed with a live band and
the renowned voices of Lucero and
Mijares, is set to create a memorable
party at Resorts World Theatre.
Sept. 13.
Check out the Mexican
Independence Day list at
VegasPrime.com.
Courtesy Photos
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 13
OUT +
ABOUT
Palms.com
Rick Springfield
Celebrates 75th Birthday at
Sammy’s Island at Palms Pool
Music legend Rick Springfield kicked off
his 75th birthday celebrations at the new
Sammy’s Island at Palms Pool on Aug. 17,
where he stopped at the Palms Casino Resort’s
hotspot before his sold-out acoustic
concert with Richard Marx at the nearby
Pearl Concert Theater later that evening.
The party at Sammy’s Island featured
Springfield behind the Tiki Bar, where he
poured his signature Jessie’s Girl cocktail,
crafted with his Beach Bar Rum, a partnership
with his good friend Sammy Hagar.
The highlight of the day was a spectacular
three-tier birthday cake, designed by a
Palms pastry chef, showcasing an amp,
guitar and images of Springfield’s iconic
records.
Sammy’s Island at Palms Pool, located at
Palms Casino Resort, 4321 W. Flamingo
Road, continues to be Las Vegas’s prime
destination for summer fun, open daily
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The venue offers
complimentary cabanas Monday through
Thursday for locals and Swimdustry
Mondays with DJ entertainment.
14
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Tix4Vegas.com
Luxor Headliners ‘Fantasy’
Mix and Mingle at Tix4Vegas
at Showcase Mall
The cast of “Fantasy” at the Luxor made a
guest appearance in August at the Tix4Vegas
location at Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas
Strip, and the ladies mingled with excited
fans, store employees and curious onlookers
and passers-by.
Celebrating 25 years of captivating adult audiences
in Las Vegas in a showroom shared
by comedian Carrot Top, the “Fantasy”
performers brought their charm and charisma
to the bustling Strip, making the event
memorable for everyone in attendance.
If you’re planning a trip to Las Vegas, don’t
miss the chance to experience the magic of
“Fantasy” at the Luxor. Secure your tickets
at any Tix4Vegas location on the Strip and
online at Tix4Vegas.com
Credit: George Wilson
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 15
OUT BoulderStation.com
+
ABOUT
Boulder Station Continues 30th
Anniversary Celebrations With
Event for 39 Day 1 Employees
Boulder Station Hotel & Casino on Aug.
19 marked a milestone in its history with
a celebration as part of its monthlong 30th
anniversary festivities. In a ceremony at
The Railhead, Boulder Station paid tribute
to its 39 Day 1 team members acknowledging
their dedication and service over the
decades with a surprise check for $1,994,
a nod to the year Boulder Station opened
its doors.
Team members smiled, cheered and wiped
tears as the $1,994 checks were announced
and their contributions spanning three
decades were recognized.
Boulder Station has been honoring its
commitment to its employees with events
and recognitions. Among the highlights,
Boulder Station has been distributing more
than $30,000 in cash prizes to its team
members. Additionally, the team member
dining room has featured special menus.
Located on the Boulder Strip, Boulder
Station is celebrating its 30th anniversary
all month long with throwback pricing at
casino bars with $1 margaritas and a $1.99
shrimp cocktail at Game On, free live entertainment
at The Railhead, 30% off room
rates and giant bingo jackpots.
16
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
It’s Fashion: 2024 Swim Week
Las Vegas wraps up
at Resorts World
Swim Week Las Vegas powered by Art
Hearts Fashion in partnership with Resorts
World has set a new standard in the fashion
world positioning itself as a fashion
and art festival that’s here to stay in Las
Vegas.
The inaugural Swim Week Las Vegas took
place from Aug. 15-19 in various properties
at Resorts World, including Zouk
Nightclub, Ayu Dayclub, Eight Lounge,
Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge, Fuhu and others
who hosted guests for exclusive dining and
experiences.
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 17
Swim Week Las Vegas brought together a
lineup of more than 15 designers, five DJs
and multiple venues to craft an experience
that transcended traditional fashion events.
The festival integrated high fashion, dining
and entertainment, offering attendees an
unforgettable and Instagrammable journey.
The designers at SWLV included Las Vegas
couture designer David Tupaz, Mister
Triple X, Sharnel Guy Swimwear, Merlin
Castell, Giannina Azar, For the Stars,
Joseph Auren, Diana Couture, Asta Razma,
Michael Ngo, Pink Melon Swimwear,
Naughty Boy Golf, Berry Beachy Swimwear,
Love for Upcycling, The Black Tape
Project, Airstream and Styx Athletics.
18
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
The event’s star-studded entertainment
lineup included DJ sets by industry titans
such as Slander, Savi, Illenium, Kaskade,
Duke Dumont and Quenville.
Not only did Swim Week Las Vegas make a
significant impact in the fashion world, but
it also created a meaningful opportunity
to give back to the Las Vegas community.
SWLV hosted the Autism Pride Center for
their inaugural fashion show, highlighting
the platform’s commitment to inclusion
and representation.
Art Hearts Fashion also partnered with
MMGNET to host Style Oasis designed as
a satellite event serving as another touchpoint
for the fashion industry to connect
during MAGIC, PROJECT, Sourcing at
MAGIC and the wider Las Vegas Fashion
Market Week.
Hosted by Zouk Group and sponsored
by Airstream, the event featured runway
presentations showcasing some of today’s
hottest fashion, footwear and accessories
brands, including the newest collection
from Airstream and a performance by
Grammy Award-winning R&B sensation
Macy Gray.
CELEBRITY TAKEOVER
‘I need to keep the mind sharp,
the wit sharper and the jokes on point’
o, yo, yo, what up,
Vegas? It’s your boy,
Eddie Griffin, the
one and only, the
man who’s been bringing
the funny for decades.
Now, you might know me
from “Undercover Brother,”
or maybe you’ve caught
me on the Las Vegas stage
doing what I do best –
making y’all laugh till you
cry. But today, I’m trading
in the mic for a pen – well,
metaphorically speaking,
’cause y’all know I ain’t
writing this with no feather
and ink.
So, let’s get into it. You’re
probably wondering,
“Eddie, what’s a comedy
legend like you doing
writing a column for Vegas
Prime Magazine?” Well,
first of all, I got to keep
myself busy, man. Ain’t nobody
trying to sit around
playing bingo in their 50s
– though, no judgment
if that’s your thing. Me?
I need to keep the mind
sharp, the wit sharper and
the jokes on point. Plus, I
figured it’s time to let y’all
in on a little something
personal.
Now, don’t get it twisted.
I’m not about to get all
soft on you, but let’s talk
real for a minute. See, a
lot of folks think I just
popped out of nowhere,
like, boom, here’s Eddie
20
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Griffin, cracking jokes
and stealing shows. But,
nah, man, my journey
was one wild ride, like
a rollercoaster with no
seatbelt.
Born and raised in Kansas
City, Mo. – yeah,
that’s right, KCMO,
baby! – I grew up in the
hood. My mama was a
phone operator, and my
pops? Well, he wasn’t
around much. But that’s
cool. It’s all part of the
story, y’know? You grow
up quick when you’re
a kid in the hood, and
you learn how to make
people laugh even
quicker. Comedy was
my way out, my golden
ticket.
I was that kid, the class
clown, always cutting
up, getting into trouble.
Teachers didn’t know
what to do with me, but
I knew. I knew I was
destined for something
bigger than dodging
bullets and slinging
jokes at the corner
store. I was meant to be
on stage, with a mic in
hand, under the bright
lights, making the world
laugh.
Fast forward to my
teenage years – I’m
talking 16, 17 – I hit
the comedy clubs.
That’s right, sneaking
into places I wasn’t
even old enough to be
in, but hey, they knew
talent when they saw
it. It was in those clubs
that I honed my craft,
learned how to make
people laugh from their
gut, that deep belly
laugh that you feel in
your soul. And here I
am now, living it up in
Vegas, The Entertainment
Capital of the
World. But don’t get it
twisted – I’m still that
same kid from Kansas
City, still got that hustle,
that drive.
Vegas has been good
to me, and I’m just
getting started. You see,
comedy isn’t just about
making people laugh –
it’s about connecting,
about telling the truth,
even when it hurts. So,
here’s to the grind, to
never giving up and to
always chasing that next
laugh. Remember, folks,
life’s too short to take
too seriously. Laugh
a little, love a lot, and
always keep it real.
Alright, that’s enough
story time for today.
Catch me on the flip
side, and who knows?
Maybe I’ll be back
for another round of
“Eddie Griffin Takes
Over Vegas Prime.” Stay
funny, Vegas! Peace!
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 21
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24
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
UFC 306
at Riyadh :
Season Noche UFC at Sphere Las Vegas
By Ed Condran
It’s not just going to be challenging
for UFC fighters Sean O’Malley,
Alexa Grasso and Brian Ortega
when they battle Sept. 14 at
Sphere in Las Vegas during UFC
306 at Riyadh: Season Noche UFC.
Chris Kartzmark will be tested, as
well. The UFC Vice President of
Programming and Production has
quite a task at hand. There has
never been a sporting event at
Sphere, which is a uniquely designed
venue.
“We’re going to do something that’s
never been done, which is putting
on a sporting event at this incredible
venue,” Kartzmark said. “There
are a lot of technical challenges we
face in a concert venue.”
The conventional sporting event
takes place in venues with seats,
which wrap around the entire venue.
“It’s a challenge for us at Sphere
since all the seats are on one side,”
Kartzmark said. “That’s something
we’re working around.”
Lighting the event also is a challenge
since Kartzmark and his crew will
not be hanging a lighting grid from
a conventional jumbotron at the
center of the venue. To make the
lighting work, Kartzmark will set up
the lighting from behind the state-ofthe-art
LED screens. “We’re pushing
through the gaps so it’s going to look
amazing. We’ll provide the bells and
whistles,” he said.
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 25
The production is part of the entertainment
package as the fighters battle.
“That’s the way it is since the lines are
blurred between sports and entertainment,
particularly in venues like Sphere,”
Kartzmark said. “We’re storytellers. We
tell our story during a live, unscripted
drama, and that’s why people love
sports. We enhance the experience.
“That’s something boxing didn’t do.
They played to the television audience.
We play to both sides, at the venue and
on television. We add life to the event
in person with the lighting and what we
present, and that makes the broadcast
more alive. We’re going to do everything
to make Noche UFC special.”
Sphere’s 160,000-square-foot and 16K
x 16 K resolution display plane, which is
the world’s highest-resolution LED display,
will deliver a fully immersive visual
environment. The concert-grade audio
is top notch. Precision and clarity take
center stage as combatants batter each
other in the ring.
Kartzmark will provide the sizzle, and
the fighters will deliver the
substance. Noche
UFC will
celebrate
Mexican Independence Day. A UFC
Bantamweight Championship bout
between current champion O’Malley
and Merab Dvalishvili is the featured
event.
UFC.com
A UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship
trilogy bout between current
champion Alexa Grasso and former
titleholder Valentina Shevchenko
will draw considerable attention.
A featherweight bout between former
UFC Featherweight Championship
challenger Brian Ortega and
Diego Lopes is slated. A middleweight
bout between LFA Middleweight
champion Anthony Hernandez
and Michel Pereira was on tap
but has been moved to Oct. 14 as
the main event.
It’s a well-balanced event that
promises to be a fight
night to remember.
‘V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film
at Sphere Las Vegas’
opens Sept. 5
Sphere Entertainment Co. has announced a one-of-a-kind
cinematic experience to be shown exclusively at Sphere in Las
Vegas. “V-U2 An Immersive Concert Film at Sphere Las Vegas,”
directed by Morleigh Steinberg and The Edge, showcases the
history-making and future-defining “U2:UV” show directed by
Willie Williams that played to more than 700,000 fans from
100+ countries across 40 sold-out dates from September 2023
through March.
“V-U2” is the first film to be shot entirely with Big
Sky, the ultra-high-resolution camera system
developed by Sphere Entertainment. “V-U2”
captures U2’s epic run at Sphere, and it
allows audiences to feel like they are at the
live shows. “V-U2” is a Sphere Experience,
Sphere’s signature original content category.
To create this larger-than-life concert film,
Big Sky cameras captured the band at
extraordinary scale, sharpness and clarity.
“V-U2” employs Sphere’s immersive
technologies, including the
160,000-square-foot display
plane, which at 16k x 16k
resolution is the world’s
highest-resolution LED
screen; Sphere Immersive
Sound, powered
by Holoplot, which
provides crystal-clear
sound to every seat in Sphere; and haptic seats, which
use vibrations so guests can “feel” the experience.
All these technologies, which were used to great effect in
“U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere,” will be leveraged in this
Sphere Experience in new and different ways to reinforce the
feeling of “being there.”
Launching a venue like Sphere challenged U2 to create a oncein-a-lifetime
audiovisual concert experience, and the
same standards were upheld for the film. The
Edge and Steinberg spoke about the filmmaking
process: “The goal was to give the immersive
moviegoers as close to the live ‘U2:UV’ concert
experience as possible – and then some. I’ve
never seen a U2 show. I’m so relieved I caught a
great one," said The Edge.
“We knew all the tremendous capabilities of the technology,
but we didn’t know what to expect from the process of making
this film. The work became a true collaboration between
band, artists, producers and technology teams. The result is a
cinematic experience that transports viewers into the energy
and beauty of the live show,” said Steinberg.
“ ‘V-U2’ is a first-of-its-kind immersive film that will transport
audiences back to U2’s groundbreaking live Sphere shows
and make them feel like they are there,” said Josephine
Vaccarello, Executive Vice President, Live, MSG Entertainment,
who oversees live bookings for Sphere. “This concert film was
created specifically for Sphere and will utilize the venue’s
technologies to create an experience that is only possible at
this next-generation entertainment medium.”
One of U2’s most ambitious creative projects to date, “V-U2”
saw them work once again with longtime creative collaborator
and show director Willie Williams, artists including Es Devlin,
John Gerrard and Marco Brambilla and longtime partner and
producer Brian Eno.
“V-U2” will open at Sphere on Thursday, Sept. 5. Tickets start at
$100 and will reflect all-in pricing. This means the ticket price
listed is the full out-of-pocket price, inclusive of taxes and fees.
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 29
The Eagles Are Set to Begin 20
Shows at Sphere in Las Vegas
“THE EAGLES: LIVE IN CONCERT AT SPHERE” DATES:
Friday, Sept. 20 | Saturday, Sept. 21 | Friday, Sept. 27 | Saturday, Sept. 28 | Friday, Oct. 11
Saturday, Oct. 12 | Friday, Oct. 18 | Saturday, Oct. 19 | Friday, Nov. 1 | Saturday, Nov. 2
Friday, Nov. 8 | Saturday, Nov. 9 | Friday, Dec. 6 | Saturday, Dec. 7 | Friday, Dec. 13
Saturday, Dec. 14 | Saturday, Jan. 17 | Sunday, Jan. 18 | Saturday, Jan. 24 | Sunday, Jan. 25
Tickets start at $175 and will reflect all-in pricing,
meaning the ticket price listed is inclusive of taxes and fees.
The Eagles have announced a residency at Sphere in Las Vegas
with 20 shows from Friday, Sept. 20, through Saturday, Jan. 25.
The residency will offer fans the ultimate connection to the
band’s legendary catalog in an immersive experience that only
Sphere can provide.
To ensure that tickets get directly into the hands of fans,
advance artist presale registration is available now at Eagles.
com powered by Seated.
In fall 1971, The Eagles formed, pioneered and personified a
unique American musical style blending country, folk, R&B, rock
and pop and would go on to become one of the most successful
bands of all time. The Eagles retain an appeal that transcends
generation and genre, cementing the band’s role as enduring
musical icons.
The Eagles have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide,
scored six #1 albums and topped the singles charts five times.
They have won six Grammy Awards, were inducted into the Rock
& Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, in their first year of eligibility, and
received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2016.
The band’s “Greatest Hits 1971-1977” is the bestselling album
in history, with the RIAA certifying the collection 38 times
platinum. “Hotel California” is the third bestselling U.S. album
in history, certified 26 times platinum. It earned Grammys for
“New Kid in Town” and “Hotel California.”
Eagles.com
SHOWTIME
2024 IHEARTRADIO LINEUP INCLUDES
THE WEEKND, DUA LIPA, KEITH URBAN,
GWEN STEFANI, SHABOOZEY + MORE
32
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
The iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas is always
two of the best days of music each year at T-Mobile
Arena, and this year is no different: The Weeknd, Hozier,
Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Gwen Stefani, Keith
Urban, New Kids on the Block and Thomas Rhett are
among the headliners.
And there’s more, including a special appearance by
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, in store at T-Mobile
Arena on Sept. 20-21. Highlights from the 2023 lineup
included Foo Fighters, Gym Class Heroes, Kelly Clarkson,
Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow and Lenny Kravitz – and
another outlandish performance by Jared Leto and his
band 30 Seconds to Mars.
Over the years, memorable performances include by Sir
Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus (on the weekend
she had her first No. 1 with “Wrecking Ball”), Swedish
House Mafia, Britney Spears and the infamous meltdown
by Green Day frontman Billy Joe Armstrong.
Last year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival included fun artist
activations, in Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena,
alongside photo opportunities (among them the Vegas
Golden Knights mascot), DJs, samples and golden fanny
packs from Yellowtail and more.
Tickets may be purchased as single day or for both
days for the 14th iHeartRadio Music Festival. For the
uninitiated, there are plenty of bathrooms and vendors
in T-Mobile Arena, and there are breaks between each
artist’s set. It’s a comfortable and long night of great
music.
Hosted again by Ryan Seacrest, the festival will once
again include one-of-a-kind collaborations and surprise
performances live from T-Mobile Arena. Fans can tune
in to this year’s iHeartRadio Music Festival via Hulu,
the official streaming destination, with festivities
livestreamed each night on Sept. 20 and 21 to all Hulu
subscribers at no additional cost.
iHeart.com
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 33
SHOWTIME
34
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Global superstar and
icon Janet Jackson has
announced an all-new
exclusive residency, “Janet
Jackson: Las Vegas,” at
Resorts World Theatre
at Resorts World Las
Vegas. On the heels of
her highly successful
“Together Again Tour,” her
venue-debut residency is
set to kick off new year’s
week with back-to-back
performances Monday,
Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec.
31, with eight additional
performances set for 2025,
including Valentine’s Day
weekend.
The five-time Grammy
Award winner and
Rock and Roll Hall
of Fame inductee has
taken to Instagram to
share her excitement
with fans. Tickets to all
10 performances will be
available for purchase
starting Wednesday, Aug.
28, at 10 a.m. PT on AXS.
com.
Jackson’s performances
at Resorts World Theatre
will bring world-class
attitude, star power and the
experience of a lifetime for
fans from around the world.
The 2024-2025 performance
dates of “Janet Jackson: Las
Vegas”: Dec. 30-31, Jan.
3-4 and Feb. 5, 7-8, 12 and
14-15.
On Feb. 4, 2021, Jackson’s
iconic mega-platinumselling
third album
“Control” turned 35. The
album also returned to the
top of the charts, hitting #1
on the Apple Top 40 U.S.
Pop Album chart. Led by
five chart-busting hit singles
– “What Have You Done
for Me Lately,” “Nasty,”
“Control,” “When I Think
of You” and “Let’s Wait
Awhile,” “Control” became
Jackson’s first No. 1 Pop
album.
The album also made
Billboard chart history
for having the longest
continuous run on the Hot
100 with singles from one
album, ultimately tallying a
remarkable 65 consecutive
weeks from that perch. To
date, “Control” has sold
more than 10 million copies
worldwide.
JACKSON
Announces 10-Show Residency
at Resorts World Las Vegas
“Janet Jackson is undoubtedly one of the biggest names in pop
music,” said Bobby Reynolds, Senior Vice President, AEG
Presents Las Vegas. “We could not be more thrilled to close out
2024 with her return to the Las Vegas Strip and her venue
debut at our award-winning Resorts World Theatre, and to
kick off 2025 with a run of sure-to-be-unforgettable shows.
This is a residency fans won’t want to miss.”
Credit: AEG Presents Las Vegas
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 35
Empowering
Legacy
Celebrating the
Life’s Work of a
Passionate Artist.
RESERVE
YOUR TIME
By appointment
only, a typical visit
is two hours. Scan
the code to book
your tickets.
5850 North Park Street,
Las Vegas, NV 89149
(702) 658-5097
rdamuseum.org
info@rdamuseum.org
By Appointment Only
Mon.-Wed. Closed
Thurs.-Sun. 10:00am-5:00pm
SHOWTIME
VenetianVegas.com
Mike Epps Is Bringing
the Laughs to The Venetian
On the heels of two performance in May, comedian and
actor Mike Epps is returning to The Venetian on Sept. 20
and 21. Epps is generating much buzz among his peers for
being not only one of the funniest comic actors in town, but
also for his burgeoning dramatic talent.
Epps can be seen in the Netflix comedy “The UpShaws,”
which he stars in and produces. The show is based on his
life of growing up in Indiana and taken from his 2018 Harper
Collins autobiography, “Unsuccessful Thug.” The book is
about his life and childhood; growing up in poverty and how
comedy saved his life.
Epps was recently seen in the Amazon feature “Troup
Zero,” starring opposite Viola Davis, Allison Janney and Jim
Gaffigan, and in the A24 film “The Last Black Man in San
Francisco,” both of which premiered at the 2019 Sundance
Film Festival. In 2019, his fifth standup special, “Just One
Mike,” premiered on Netflix, and he was seen opposite
Eddie Murphy in the comedy “Dolemite Is My Name.”
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Epps starred in the HBO Emmy-winning biopic “Bessie,”
based on Bessie Smith, played by Queen Latifah, and was
seen in three seasons of the Starz series “Survivor’s Remorse,”
produced by LeBron James and Mike O’Malley. Epps
won a 2016 NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor
in a Comedy Series for his portrayal as Uncle Julius.
Epps has recently entered the tech space with his first
interactive game “Button” made by Amazon for Alexa titled
“Sounds Fun With Mike Epps.” The Amazon button features
Epps making hilarious sound effects with his voice. A new
and different sound is set to be released every day.
His credits also include “Next Friday,” “Friday After Next,”
“All About the Benjamins,” the “Hangover” films, “Girls
Trip” “Faster,” “Hancock,” “Lottery Ticket,” “Next Day Air,”
“Roll Bounce,” “The Fighting Temptations,” the Resident
Evil franchise, “Bait,” “How High,” “Dr. Dolittle 2” and “Talk
to Me.”
Epps is currently on a national standup tour, and he has
been seen in more than 40 cities and three continents
doing standup.
Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
VoltaireLV.com
Dita Von Teese to Debut
New Residency at The Venetian
Burlesque legend and superstar Dita Von Teese is bringing
her signature artistry and flair to Voltaire at The Venetian
with an all-new revue, “Dita Von Teese at Voltaire,” for
select dates through 2024.
Beginning Sept. 19 and continuing through Dec. 15, The
Queen of Burlesque will take over the intimate venue to
delight audiences with the glamourous acts, opulent sets
and haute couture costumes for which she is known.
“Dita Von Teese dazzles audiences around the world and
is bringing something iconic and special to Voltaire,” said
Voltaire founder Michael Gruber. “Upon entering Voltaire,
guests are transported to another era through the venue’s
art deco design and cabaret setup, making it the perfect
venue for Dita, her sparkling costumes and effervescent
charm.”
timeless allure of my show. I’m brimming with excitement
at the thought of splashing around in my giant champagne
coupe, the sparkling glass bubbles floating overhead in this
sumptuous cabaret-like theater.”
Since opening in November 2023, Voltaire has quickly
become a celebrity hotspot in Las Vegas, hosting some of
the world’s most prominent musical talent, including Kylie
Minogue, Christina Aguilera and Jason Derulo.
The seductive venue offers an unparalleled night out on the
Las Vegas Strip where guests can enjoy the pregame, main
event and afterparty all in one spectacular place. Voltaire
ushers in a new era of entertainment in Las Vegas that is
not only elevated and transformative but also immensely
enjoyable.
“I am delighted to bring a brand-new show to Voltaire
at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas,” said Dita Von Teese.
“This exquisite jewel box of a theater complements the
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 39
SHOWTIME
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Oh, What a Feeling!
Lionel Richie
Headlines Encore
Theater Sept. 18 and 21
Music and entertainment legend and four-time Grammy
Award winner Lionel Richie will have fans “Dancing on
the Ceiling” when he headlines Encore Theater at Wynn
Las Vegas for two performances Sept. 18 and 21.
With a storied career first with The Commodores, then
as a mega-successful solo artist, Richie’s list of solo
hits is memorable and long: “Endless Love” with Diana
Ross, “Truly,” “All Night Long,” “Hello,” “Stuck on You,”
“Say You, Say Me” from “White Nights,” “Dancing on the
Ceiling” and “Ballerina Girl.”
Richie’s hits with The Commodores include “Easy,”
“Sail On,” “Three Times a Lady” and “Still” before his
departure. In 1980, he wrote and produced the No. 1
single “Lady” for Kenny Rogers.
Richie, 75, has sold more than 100 million records
worldwide, making him one of the world’s bestselling
artists of all time. His Grammy Awards include for Song
of the Year for “We Are the World” and Album of the Year
for “Can’t Slow Down.”
“Say You, Say Me” won the Academy Award and the
Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, and Richie
was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
2022. Richie joined “American Idol” as a judge in 2018.
Are you ready for his ballads or dance pop hits? If
Richie’s previous headliner residency at Planet Hollywood
is any indication, you’ll be saying “Hello” to Richie
once again at Encore Theater, as he’s still a crowd-pleaser
and an entertainer at heart. Outrageous!
WynnLasVegas.com
SHOWTIME
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Gabriel Iglesias
Brings His Standup
to The Cosmopolitan
for Two Dates
Comedian and actor Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is bringing
the laughs to The Chelsea Ballroom at The Cosmopolitan
in Las Vegas for two back-to-back performances Sept.
13 and 14.
The 48-year-old is known for standup specials for
Comedy Central and Netflix, including “I’m Not Fat … I’m
Fluffy” and “Hot and Fluffy.” Iglesias’s acting credits
include “Mr. Iglesias” on Netflix, portraying Tobias in
2012’s “Magic Mike” starring Channing Tatum and its
2015 sequel and providing the voice of Speedy Gonzales
in “Space Jam: A New Legacy.”
Iglesias also hosted “Stand Up Revolution” on Comedy
Central and “Fluffy’s Food Adventures” on Fuse. In 2018,
Iglesias was one of the Top 10 highest-paid comedians
in the world. In 2022, Iglesias was the first comedian to
sell out Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. The concert was
released to Netflix on Oct. 18, 2022, as “Stadium Fluffy.”
Iglesias’s comedy influences include another recent
Las Vegas performer, Paul Rodriguez, as well as Eddie
Murphy, Robin Williams and Bill Cosby, and he is known
for his trademark Hawaiian shirts onstage.
Pro tip: Expect to pay $40 for parking for this special
event at The Cosmopolitan, as was the case for Boyz II
Men and Robin Thicke on their opening Friday night on
Aug. 23. And we’re not joking!
CosmpolitanLasVegas.com
SHOWTIME
44
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Marlon Wayans
Headlines ‘Wild Child Tour’
at Red Rock Resort
Actor, producer, comedian, writer and film director
Marlon Wayans is bringing his “Wild Child Tour” to Red
Rock Ballroom at Red Rock Resort on Sept. 14. As a
multi-hyphenate, Wayans’s films have grossed $1.14
billion in domestic box office and nearly $1.8 billion in
global box office. As a standup comedian, he is selling
out shows nationwide and adding dates every weekend.
Wayans’s latest comedy special “Good Grief,” which
premiered in June on Amazon Prime Video, hit No. 1 on
the streaming platform its first week. His other critically
acclaimed No. 1 comedy specials include “Woke-ish” on
Netflix and “God Loves Me,” “You Know What It Is” and
“Marlon Wayans Presents: The Headliners” on HBO Max.
Wayans can next be seen in September 2025 starring in
the psychological horror thriller “Him” from Universal
Pictures and Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw banner. Wayans
is commonly recognized for his role as Marcus
Copeland in Columbia Pictures’s 2004 hit comedy “White
Chicks” opposite Shawn Wayans and directed by Keenen
Ivory Wayans.
His other hit films include “Scary Movie” and “Scary
Movie 2,” “Requiem for a Dream,” “Respect,” “Fifty
Shades of Black,” “Little Man,” “A Haunted House” and
“A Haunted House 2,” “Naked,” “Sextuplets,” “The Curse
of Bridge Hollow,” “Air,” “On the Rocks,” and “Don't Be
a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in
the Hood.”
His TV credits include The WB’s “The Wayans Bros.,”
which was the highest-rated comedy on the network
and continues to air in syndication, the NBC sitcom
“Marlon,” “Fox’s “In Living Color” and “Bel-Air.” To
purchase tickets, go to StationCasinosLive.com and
Ticketmaster.com.
RedRockResort.com
SHOWTIME
OrleansArena.com
Pop Goes the ’80’s
Brings A Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes,
BowWowWow, When in Rome + Tommy Tutone
Pop Goes the ’80s arrives at The Orleans Arena on Sept.
20, and the six bands headlining the concert are A
Flock of Seagulls, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, Annabella’s
BowWowWow (replacing The Escape Club), When in Rome
and Tommy Tutone.
Grammy Award-winning A Flock of Seagulls played a significant
role in shaping the music scene of the 1980s. The
group, comprised of Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley
and Paul Reynolds, achieved success on the charts with hit
singles including “I Ran (So Far Away)” and “The More You
Live, the More You Love.” Their instrumental track “D.N.A.”
also earned them a Grammy Award.
Wang Chung, the London-based duo of Nick Feldman and
Jack Hues, has been a prominent new wave group for nearly
40 years. They have created hits such as 1989’s “Everybody
Have Fun Tonight.” Their music has been featured in films,
video games and TV series.
Naked Eyes gained popularity in the early 1980s through
the collaboration of Pete Bryne and Rob Fisher. Drawing inspiration
from 1960s vocalists, they recorded a rendition of
Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s “Always Something There to
Remind Me,” which resonated with fans. The duo continued
to release music that garnered airplay on U.S. radio stations
and secured a frequent spot on MTV.
Formed in the early 1980s, Annabella’s BowWowWow is
led by Annabella Lwin. The band is known for a catalog full
of classics, including “C30, C60, C90 Go,” “Go Wild in the
Country,” “Do You Wanna Hold Me” and “I Want Candy.” Their
distinctive sound and style have inspired The Red Hot Chili
Peppers, No Doubt and Green Day.
An English synth-pop/new wave band, When in Rome was
formed by singers Clive Farrington and Andrew Mann, along
with keyboardist Michael Floreale. Their most famous track,
“The Promise,” reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100
in 1988. The group has had successful shows in the USA and
South America, and they are currently touring and working
on new music.
Tommy Tutone is a power pop band led by vocalist Tommy
Heath and guitarist Jim Keller. Their debut 1980 single
“Angel Say No” made it to the Top 40, but it was their 1981
hit “867-5309/Jenny” that propelled them to stardom,
reaching No. 4 and earning a gold certification in 1982.
The band released their first studio album in more than 20
years, titled “Beautiful Ending,” in 2019.
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
AllegiantStadium.com
Allegiant Stadium Invites Fans to Arrive
Early and ‘Get the Party Started’ for Pink!
In one of the more inventive and fun activations and
collaborations, step into the electrifying world of Pink!’s
“Summer Carnival 2024 Tour” at Allegiant Stadium on
Sept. 13 and “Get the Party Started” as soon as the
doors open. Ticketholders are encouraged to arrive
early and taste their way through Allegiant by enjoying
specialty show-themed delights and cocktails crafted
by stadium F&B vendors.
Fans also will feel the energy of the “Summer Carnival”
come alive by interacting with roaming performers
and posing at fun photo opportunities as they prepare
for an unforgettable night with Pink! and guest
performers Sheryl Crow, The Script and DJ KidCutUp.
Tickets for Pink!’s “Summer Carnival 2024” are available
at Ticketmaster.com. For more information, go to
AllegiantStadium.com.
A fun – and very pink – food vendor sneak peek of
Pink!’s “Summer Carnival Tour” at Allegiant on Aug. 13
featured the cocktails Citrus Carnival + Pink Margarita,
Cotton Candy Daydream, “Glitter in the Air" Popcorn,
Pizza Rock’s “Cover Me in Sunshine” Slice, Boomtown
Burgers’s “Funhouse” Burger, Pinkbox Doughnuts’s Pink
Doughnut, Cafe Lola’s Pink Sugar Cookies, Auntie Anne’s
“What About Us” Mini Pretzel Dogs and Evel Pie’s “So
What” Slice. Sweet!
Plans are to do this for other Allegiant Stadium
performers. Raise your glass for Pink!
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 47
Bush Frontman
Gavin Rossdale:
‘I Know I Can
Write a Song’
By Ed Condran
It’s not easy to come back in the rock world, and it’s
hardly a breeze to change opinion. However, Bush and
singer-songwriter and frontman Gavin Rossdale managed
to accomplish both feats. The veteran British band’s latest
album, the aptly titled “The Art of Survival,” is a surprising
and vital project that recalls the group’s salad days.
During their mid-’90s heyday, Bush connected with rock
fans courtesy of bangers such as “Everything Zen,”
“Machinehead” and “Little Things.” Many of the tracks
from 2022’s “The Art of Survival” are muscular, gritty and
anthemic.
But the big difference between the fresh new tunes and
the hits from the Bush heyday is that the recent tracks are
about something. Many of the lyrics from back-in-the-day
Bush are inscrutable.
“Just wanted to be myself / Hey you said you would love to
try some / Hey you said you would love to die some / In the
middle of a world on a fishhook” are some couplets from
1996’s “Swallowed.”
Fast forward to “The Art of Survival,” and there’s a story
delivered with most songs. “More Than Machines” is pro-
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Caesars.com
choice, and “Shark Bite” is about saving the planet.
Rossdale, 58, admits that he’s changed his tune on lyric
writing at midlife.
“Back during Bush’s early days, I was interested more about
how lyrics sounded coming out of my mouth than I was
about the actual words,” Rossdale said while calling from
Los Angeles. “But now I am more interested in the words. I
love what Patti Smith did as a songwriter. I love her lyrics.”
Rossdale follows in the footsteps of John Mellencamp.
When the Heartland rocker performed as John Cougar
during the early ’80s, he delivered some of his most banal
and hackneyed lyrics.
After scoring a few unsubstantial hits, the silly name
imposed by his then record company was junked, and
Mellencamp had an epiphany.
“I never really worked on the lyrics to those early ones
(hits),” Mellencamp admitted. “When I finally did actually
put some thought and feeling into the lyrics, everything
changed.”
Rossdale can relate. Bush, who will perform Sept. 9 at PH
Live in Planet Hollywood, has made some noise over recent
years by releasing four albums over the last decade.
2014’s “Man on the Run” featured a change in direction with
some fresh-sounding electro-rock cuts. Bush landed back
on the radio courtesy of the gorgeous love song “The Only
Way Out,” which has a massive hook.
But that shouldn’t be a surprise since Rossdale has always
been adept at writing catchy tunes. “I know I can write a
song,” Rossdale said.
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 49
Located on the Lower Level
SUPERMOTOCROSS WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
is at Las Vegas Motor
Speedway on Sept. 21
The SuperMotocross World Championship
Final race will take place on Saturday, Sept.
21, at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
in Las Vegas. Last year’s season saw two
of the sport’s youngest and brightest stars
cement their place in the history books. At
just 17, Haiden Deegan earned Rookie of
the Year and captured the 250cc World
Championship, while Australian sensation
Jett Lawrence, 20, became the first-ever
450cc world champion in the premier class,
also as a rookie.
The SuperMotocross World Championship
Playoffs and Final feature the best athletes
in the world as the Top 20 in combined
Supercross and Pro Motocross points will
be automatically seeded into the playoff
rounds. The final two gate positions will be
determined through a Last Chance Qualifier
featuring athletes positioned 21-30 in
combined points, plus any Supercross Main
Event winners and Pro Motocross Overall
Winners.
The SuperMotocross World Championship
Playoff races and final will operate
under a two-moto format for both the
450cc class and 250cc class. Each moto
will be 20 minutes, plus one lap, in
which Olympic Scoring will determine
an overall finishing position for which
SuperMotocross Championship points will
be awarded.
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
SuperMotocross.com
SupercrossLive.com
ProMotocross.com.
Ticketmaster.com
Friday, Sept. 20
Fan Zone hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Separate
ticketed admission required; Fan Zone tickets
start at $40.
Saturday, Sept. 21
FanFest hours: 12-6 p.m. Access to FanFest
included with ticket price.
Racing starts at 7 p.m.
Where: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway,
7000 Las Vegas Blvd.
The SMX World Championship series
pays the sport’s largest prize payout of
$10 million – $4.5 million is awarded
throughout the Monster Energy
AMA Supercross Championship and
Pro Motocross Championship sanctioned
by AMA Pro Racing, leaving $5.5 million
to be earned through the SMX World
Championship Finals fueled by Monster
Energy.
The SuperMotocross World Championship
culminates with the World Championship
Final on Sept. 21 at LVMS. “The Strip” is one
of the most iconic dragstrips in the country
and joins zMAX Dragway as being one of
just two dragstrips in the nation to feature
four-wide racing.
Situated across the street from Las Vegas
Motor Speedway, The Strip is home to
more than 50 events a year and provides
an intimate viewing experience from the
grandstands and suites while also offering
fans the ability to line the fence, like what is
done at a Pro Motocross event.
All 31 rounds of the SuperMotocross World
Championship are now on sale, including 17
Rounds of Monster Energy AMA Supercross
and 11 Rounds of Pro Motocross sanctioned
by AMA Pro Racing.
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 53
TIME TO DINE
Chubby Group Focuses on Wagyu,
Hospitality and Remodeling in Las Vegas
Chubby Group, a premier U.S.-based F&B holding company
celebrated for its dining concepts, has four locations in Las Vegas.
There’s the luxurious and
modern The X Pot at The Palazzo;
the new Chubby Cattle
BBQ on Spring Mountain offering
Wagyu and traditional
Japanese ambience (it already
has long lines on weekends);
Chubby Cattle Hotpot on Jones
with assembly-line delivery
and the most casual of the
four restaurants; and the new
Mikiya Wagyu Shabu House
also on Spring Mountain.
Chubby Cattle cultivates a
dining experience that
promotes technological
innovation, the freshest
ingredients and the art
of being together. They
opened their first restaurant
in 2014, and their
mission is to familiarize
people with traditional
Asian cuisine from around
the world.
To know Chubby Cattle
is to understand that the
company is always looking
to expand and improve
with upcoming remodels –
for example, at the already
stellar The X Pot. The two
newest locations, Chubby
Cattle BBQ and Mikiya,
are focused on offering
the finest Wagyu cuts, and
there are benefits for signing
up for a membership,
including birthday perks,
discounted dinners and
special menu items.
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
ChubbyCattle.com
The X Pot is the luxury
destination in Las Vegas
at The Palazzo with its
modern and upscale design
and ambience and excellent
hospitality – hospitality for
Chubby Group is always
key. The X Pot can be a
special date night or dinner
with family, but it wouldn’t
hurt to dress up to make the
occasion more elegant and
special.
A visit to the new Chubby
Cattle BBQ was a trip to
Japan inside a pagoda
building with sunset walls
and lighting. The food and
service – there’s that H
word again, hospitality
– were exceptional and
friendly, and we loved the
automated robot server
who said “bye!” in giggly anime
style. We loved Chubby
Cattle so much that we
signed up for memberships
right then and there.
Next up for our Chubby
Group dining: the OG Chubby
Cattle Hotpot and the
new Mikiya Wagyu Shabu
House.
The owners of Chubby
Group, formerly Chubby
Cattle International, are
Dawai “David” Zhao, Haibin
“Harby” Yang and Joyce
Li, with Jerry Ngo on the
leadership team overseeing
business development.
Their restaurants also are
in California, Colorado,
Illinois, Minnesota, Pennsylvania
and Texas, with a
hot new location coming to
the Atlanta area.
Chubby Cattle International
is a hospitality group founded
in 2015 in Las Vegas by
Zhao and Yang, who were
named to Forbes’s 30 Under
30 in 2022 for food and
beverage.
Zhao summed it up best:
“With four concepts in Las
Vegas already up-and-running,
our loyal Chubby Club
members can look forward
to more concepts coming to
Las Vegas, including Chubby
Skewers, Chubby Nori,
Chubby Tea and many more.
“Our loyal X Pot lovers can
also look forward to a renovation
of The X Pot, in which
we bring a whole new level
of food, ambiance and style
to our flagship restaurant in
The Palazzo!”
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 55
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TIME TO DINE
Outdoor
libations
at Carousel
Bar at
The Plaza
Carousel Bar at The Plaza in Downtown Las
Vegas is an outdoor cocktail bar experience
unlike any other in town.
Located under the iconic glittering lights
of The Plaza’s porte-cochère, the standout
Carousel Bar serves handmade cocktails,
shareable drinks and a premium selection
of beer and wine inside a life-sized, animated
Las Vegas-themed carousel setting just
steps away from the excitement of Fremont
Street Experience.
You can’t drink on the carousel at Wynn Las
Vegas, can you?!
Carousel Bar’s fun and infectious design
includes carousel horses that move up and
down, a ribbon of lights rotating above
the bar and life-sized, Las Vegas-themed
elements such as a deck of cards, a spinning
martini glass and a 14-foot-tall neon showgirl
sign at the entrance.
Not to be confused with the showgirl signs
in nearby Circa and at Planet Hollywood on
the Las Vegas Strip!
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
PlazaHotelCasino.com
Carousel Bar also offers Nevada’s only
outdoor video poker machines, multiple HD
television screens and an outdoor cooling
system. Carousel Bar can seat nearly 100
guests in booths, at the bar and along its
outer rail, making it an unparalleled outdoor
destination to unwind, meet up with
friends, people watch Downtown or host an
event.
Cheers! Salud! At Carousel Bar!
VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024 59
TIME TO DINE
Going
for the
Gold
Fashioned
Jon Taffer’s Browned Butter
Bourbon toasts the 2024 Paris
Olympics with cocktails
Even though the 2024 Paris
Olympics have come and gone,
there’s no reason not to enjoy Jon
Taffer’s Browned Butter Bourbon
cocktails, in honor of the global
competitors, as spectators and
whiskey lovers alike.
From new twists on the classic
Old Fashioned to innovative
summer-themed punches, these
cocktail recipes are inspired by
the spirit of the Olympic Games
and are sure to be a fan favorite
at parties.
By infusing Taffer’s Browned
Butter Bourbon into the Olympic
experience, these cocktail recipes,
available at TaffersBrowned-
ButterBourbon.com, are created
to celebrate craftsmanship and
tradition:
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
GOLD MEDAL DREAM
A citrusy base with a refreshing earthy
sweetness. This deep orange cocktail is just
as bright and beautiful as it looks.
GOING FOR THE GOLD FASHIONED
A twist on a classic! Craft your Old
Fashioned in seconds for a balanced and
decadent liquid gold cocktail.
TEAM USA SMASH
A refreshing summer classic that’s simple
and packs a huge amount of flavor.
SUMMER OLYMPICS SHANDY
Keep it light and refreshing. This Shandy is
perfect for summer days under the sun.
SUMMER OLYMPICS PUNCH
Backyard barbecues will never be the same.
Summer Punch is a crowd-pleaser and
perfect for outdoor festivities.
TaffersBrownedButterBourbon.com
TIME TO DINE
Deadwood Meadery
Making Honey Wine
in The Booze District
By Bob Barnes
Deadwood Meadery, the first and only meadmaking facility
in the Las Vegas Valley, just celebrated its second anniversary
and is thriving, with plans to expand its off-premises
sales. Located at 7705 Commercial Way #100, it’s technically
in The Henderson Booze District but is situated next to
the Toyota dealership on the west side of Eastgate Road.
In case you aren’t familiar with what mead is, it’s kind of
a cousin to beer and wine as it is fermented honey with
oftentimes additions of fruit, herbs or spices. It’s also
where the word honeymoon originates.
Deadwood Meadery is the creation of Owner/Operator/
Meadmaker Tom Nichols, who got into meadmaking while
working as a bartender and wanting a softer fortified drink
to put in cocktails. When he realized how costly it was for
shipping commercial meads, he decided it was time the
valley had its own production facility. The process from
start to finish takes about two to three months for flavored
and three to six months for traditional mead.
Nichols chose the Deadwood name because it elicits
thoughts of Old Vegas when it was a railroad stopover
drinking hole in the middle of the desert at the turn of
the 20th century. The tasting room lends a Southwestern
feel with a wall mural painted by local artist Luis Abrego
featuring cacti, a dead tree, skeleton atop a horse and the
ridgeline of Frenchman Mountain (aka Sunrise). There are
also old-timey antique sofas and chairs.
Two of the more popular creations that are frequently
pouring are the Umbra – lower alcohol (6.9% ABV),
sparkling traditional mead – and Rage Against Florence, still
(uncarbonated), balanced in extremities of big flavors of
sweet, tart and tonic with black currant, pomegranate and
Madagascar vanilla bean (14% ABV).
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VEGASPRIME.COM | Sept. 8, 2024
Courtesy of Deadwood Meadery
Nichols has the freedom to play around with myriad
ingredients and is not shy about doing so. Wild Child (5.8%
ABV) is the first wild fermented mead made on the West
Coast. It is made with wildflower honey (including some
from Argentina, India and Hawaii), pineapple and a neutral
yeast combined with a wild lactobacillus lactic acid yeast.
Chantilly Lace (14% ABV) is Chantilly cake-inspired infused
with raspberries, blueberries, almonds and Madagascar
vanilla and somehow tastes like the cake.
Perhaps the most innovative is Fyve Alyve. Reminiscent of
the Five Alive punch Nichols enjoyed as a kid, the Minute
Maid product is no longer made in the U.S., but is made
in Canada, so Nichols purchased some online and played
around with the ingredient list of tangerine, grapefruit, orange,
lemon and lime juices till he found a match. This 6.9%
ABV nostalgic citrus punch mead is so refreshing and easy
drinking, you’ll have to remind yourself it contains alcohol.
The best way to enjoy the meads is to seek guidance from
one of the meadtenders, who will ask about what flavors
you like to create a custom experience to best fit your
palate. If you want to enjoy some at home, they have a
growler machine that can seal your favorite into a 12 oz.
can, and there are varieties in 375 ml bottles.
A popular event is Game Night every Monday from 4-9 p.m.
Customers are invited to play board and card games while
enjoying discounts and giveaways. On Thursdays, there’s a
BOGO promotion of 50% off a 4-pack or 25% off a bottle.
Coming up soon will be Crappy Movie night, which runs from
October through December typically on Thursdays and/
or Sundays, featuring movies with ratings so bad, they’re
good. Two movies are shown, one at 5 p.m. and one at 7. The
event is free, and there is popcorn available for purchase.
Reflecting on the past two years, Nichols said, “It’s been
extremely educational and rewarding. It’s fulfilling to be
able to serve the community directly to both create and
serve with our products.”
He recently hired an assistant and has taken a step back
from meadmaking to concentrate more on direct sales
and preparing for the launch of nationwide online sales. In
Southern Nevada, you can find Deadwood Meadery products
on draft at Esther’s Kitchen, HUDL Brewing, Millenium
Fandom Bar and Red Dwarf and in bottles at Khoury’s, Top
Shelf and Silver Stamp.
DeadwoodMeadery.com
Pro breakdancer Jason
‘Jasoul’ Guerpo teaches
‘the artistic expression of
physical education’
By Jen Avison Smith
Breakdancing is having
its moment, and it’s not
just in the Olympics. One
Las Vegas resident knows
the sport on a scientific
level, and he’s getting kids
on board.
REVOLUTIONIZING
LAS VEGAS DANCE
Professional breakdancer
Jason “Jasoul” Guerpo
teaches “the artistic
expression of physical
education” through
breakdancing lessons
and courses across the
Las Vegas Valley.
Jasoul introduces the
philosophy and skills of
breakdancing to students
across all age groups through
BTR Breakin Athletic Arts,
an educational program
that combines the culture of
dance with sports science.
Together with his brother,
they cultivate creativity
through this athletic
program they developed
in 2019. They refined
the biomechanics of
their training system to
teach “multidimensional
athleticism,” as Jasoul calls it,
to hone speed, strength and
balance in their students.
Beyond the system, Jasoul
patented “The Grid,” a
spatial mat with geometric
markings that helps people
to understand the space
around them. It allows them
to work their bodies and
adjust their points of contact
to achieve moves on the
ground.
“It’s a sensory training mat,”
he explains.
Additional learning
materials include a full
online course with more
than 300 videos that teach
mat use, as well as the
foundations of breaking to
experiment on the grid at
home. Jasoul co-authored a
68-page book that provides
step-by-step instructions for
learning the foundations of
dancing.
Jasoul takes kids around the
city for performances and
jam sessions to showcase
their skills. While lessons
are taught out of community
locations with available
mats, he’s also working
toward developing a training
center for BTR Breakin.
EXPERIENCE AND
EDUCATION
Jasoul knows the industry
from decades of experience
as a world-renowned
breakdancer himself. He got
his start on the big island
of Hawaii and has been
dancing since 1994, teaching
classes to his friends and
winning local competitions.
Wanting to focus on
performance and developing
his competitive skill, he left
Hawaii in 2008 to pursue the
craft in Las Vegas.
Jasoul has traveled
internationally to represent
the United States in world
competitions and has
collaborated with Las Vegas
greats including Cirque du
Soleil and Jabbawockeez.
Between his competition
stints, he has spent his 30
years working as a “creative
practitioner” for the sport.
“This is something that’s
functional,” he says. “It
comes from a culture of
scarcity, of trauma. [It]
grew this culture that has
touched every part of the
world and that has uplifted
the youth into functional
and incredible humans that
have impact, not just in their
community.”
Jasoul sees the new Olympic
inclusion as an opportunity
for more collaboration in the
culture – and community
building.
“It’s also going to help people
think critically,” he says.
“Industry’s going to come
from it, more innovation.
Hip-hop and breaking is a
social innovation and very
much needed.”
Jasoul notes that
breakdancing allows people
to find their true selves and
achieve confidence, largely
through the tools BTR
Breakin provides. The payoff
he gets from teaching kids,
in addition to the parents’
satisfaction, is seeing the joy
on his students’ faces.
“The receipt that we get is
smiles,” he says. “There’s
nothing like it.”
More: BTRBreakin.com
The
LAST WORD
In honor of the late Robin Leach, Vegas Prime
Magazine has reimagined his longtime Wicked
Whispers & Racy Rumors as Vegas Prime
Whispers – as a tip of the toque to the verymuch-missed
colleague, mentor and friend.
VEGAS PRIME WHISPERS
Which singer-songwriter headliner’s news of being
a Las Vegas resident surprised his fans?
Which headliner recently performed a show without
dancers? Horrors!
Which singer-songwriter nearly split his snug pants while
dancing during a performance?
Which stylist’s sexy and stylish jacket (that he didn’t
make) outshined a show’s headliner in number of
compliments?
Which magazine publisher enjoys public banter (not
bickering) with his new wife? Boop, boop, boop, boop!
These are whispers, so no answers will be provided; you’ll
just have to use your imagination. Email your Vegas Prime
Whispers to editorial@vegasprime.com.
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
New Palms headliner Babyface and Las Vegas comedy
headliner (and ill-fated Golden Globes host) Jo Koy were
in the audience for opening night of Boyz II Men and
Robin Thicke at The Chelsea Ballroom in The Cosmopolitan
on Aug. 23.
Props to Las Vegas chanteuse and “American Idol”
finalist Mikalah Gordon on being featured in Vegas
Prime Magazine and The Town in recent weeks. It’s
well-deserved!
The Modern Mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim could not have
been more charming in hosting the first-anniversary
celebration of The Vault at Bellagio on Aug. 22.
Las Vegas resident and Luxor headliner comedian
Carrot Top was recently spotted in Tivoli Village sporting
his signature headband and rainbow socks.
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