Vegas Prime Magazine (V1.1) - May 5, 2025 Issue

SHANIA, MAROON 5, GLEB, ESTHER’S, TOP SPAS AND MORE

MAY 17 & 18

34

Cover Feature

Tony- and Grammy-winning “Jersey Boys” is at The Orleans, and the cast is as sensational as ever.

That’s hot!

14 49

Vegas Prime Magazine Editor Don

Chareunsy’s top to-do picks while

you’re in Las Vegas.

Out + About

16 54

Scenes from Junior’s grand opening,

“Absinthe’s” 13th

anniversary and more.

Celebrity

Takeover

20 60

Attractions

Atomic Golf Las Vegas tees off,

and “BattleBots” has destruction

in mind.

Time to Dine

NFL legend Emmitt Smith’s new place,

and Esther’s Kitchen moves.

Also: Beer news.

Health +

Wellness

Gleb Savchenko of “DWTS” guest

hosts Chippendales at The Rio

through May.

Showtime

22 64

Shania Twain, Maroon 5, Mariah

Carey and David Blaine return to

join “MJ Live” and “Purple Reign.”

Our favorite Las Vegas hotel spas,

from Resorts World and Encore to

Fontainebleau.

The Last Word

Vegas Prime Magazine Whispers:

celebrity gossip, sightings and

upcoming events. Ssshhh!

6

VEGASPRIME.COM | MAY 5, 2024

JAMAL M. PARKER

Publisher

DON CHAREUNSY

Editor-in-Chief

ARTURO PERALTA

Art Director

DAWN MANGUM

Senior Account Executive

DANIEL HOWARD

Account Executive

EMMY KASTEN

Senior Writer

BOB BARNES,

PATRANYA BHOOLSUWAN

+ STACEY GUALANDI

Writers

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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

Publisher's Letter

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Las Vegas, a city that pulsates with energy and glows

with possibility. A playground for dreamers and thrill-seekers

alike. Whether you’re here to chase a lucky streak at the tables,

indulge in world-class cuisine or be dazzled by extravagant shows,

Vegas promises and always delivers an unforgettable experience.

With so much to see and do, navigating The Entertainment

Capital of the World can feel overwhelming. That’s where Vegas

Prime Magazine comes in. This inaugural issue marks the

beginning of our biweekly journey. We’re not just another tourist

brochure. We’re your trusted insider, your personal guide, packed

with curated content and insider tips to unlock the very best

Vegas has to offer. We’ll point you toward hidden gem restaurants,

introduce you to the hottest new shows and guide you through

the city’s industry-leading nightlife scene.

In this first issue, you’ll find Exclusive Interviews taking you

behind the scenes to meet the fascinating people who make

Vegas tick. Expert Recommendations from seasoned Las Vegas

writers sharing unbiased reviews on restaurants, shows,

attractions and experiences. Insider Tips & Tricks from people

in the know, offering you our guidance on finding the best

Vegas deals, offbeat adventures and, more importantly, how

to avoid infamous tourist traps.

We’re more than just a listing guide. We’ve crafted this magazine to

be your passport to an unforgettable Vegas vacation. Flip through

the pages, let your imagination take flight and get ready to experience

the magic of this extraordinary city. We are Vegas Prime

Magazine, and this is “Vegas Done Right.” Buckle up,

strap in and get ready to be dazzled!

Welcome to Vegas, dear reader. Enjoy your stay!

Jamal M. Parker

Publisher,

Vegas Prime Magazine

Editor's

Letter

I love Las Vegas. I Lyle Lovett. I’ve lived here since 2008 after

six years in Los Angeles, then six years in San Diego, all as

a journalist. During my first decade in Las Vegas, I worked

as the editor for Robin Leach of “Lifestyles of the Rich &

Famous” fame (Robin died in 2018 here in Las Vegas) and

John Katsilometes of The Kats Report now in the Las Vegas

Review-Journal.

Through Robin and Kats, two longtime and hard-working

journalists and gentlemen turned mentors and friends,

I gained a real passion and love for entertainment journalism

covering celebrities, food, nightlife, music, entertainment and

the arts in the one-and-only Entertainment Capital of the

World – and now a dining and sports capital, too.

In continuing Robin’s enduring legacy, I see Vegas Prime

Magazine and myself as cheerleaders of Las Vegas. We are

here to help visitors have the best time possible while in Paradise,

Nev. Are you looking for the top steakhouses? Favorite

Thai or Italian restaurants? Shows, headliners, nightclubs and

attractions? We are here to help.

Please enjoy our first issue of Vegas Prime Magazine. I love

the Tony- and Grammy-winning “Jersey Boys,” it is back in

town at The Orleans, and the cast is fantastic. Gleb Savchenko

of “DWTS” is guest hosting Chippendales. NFL legend Emmitt

Smith has opened a restaurant on the Strip. Atomic Golf

Las Vegas has teed off. Emmy Kasten details top hotel spas to

spoil yourself. And there’s more!

Family and friends reach out all the time for advice on their

next Las Vegas trip. Feel free to do the same at

dc@vegasprime.com. I’ll help you out as best I can. Vegas

Prime Magazine is your resource. Welcome to Fabulous Las

Vegas, enjoy your stay, and let’s start planning your next visit!

Don Chareunsy

Editor-in-Chief,

Vegas Prime Magazine

Photo by Danny Mahoney

Photo by Charlotte Rutherford

Photo by Tom Donoghue

THAT’S

HOT!

By Don Chareunsy

Editor-in-Chief | Vegas Prime Magazine

2024 ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL

I attended the first Electric Daisy Carnival at Las Vegas

Motor Speedway in 2011 solo and returned the next

six consecutive years, sometimes going all three nights.

I returned in 2022, and it was better than ever. EDC

is one of my favorite annual events. May 17-19, Las

Vegas Motor Speedway, 7000 N. Las Vegas Blvd., Las

Vegas. LasVegasElectricDaisyCarnival.com.

CINCO DE MAYO

There are plenty of options for Cinco de Mayo in

town, and one of my favorite Mexican restaurants is

El Dorado Cantina. There are three locations – near

the Las Vegas Strip, Tivoli Village and Southwest Las

Vegas – and all three are open 24/7. Must-orders: tableside

guacamole, red and green pozole, chile relleno,

flan and margaritas. Also: El Dorado Cantina doesn’t

skimp on spice. Salud! ElDoradoCantina.com.

14


Photo by Robert John Kley

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

Superstar Justin Timberlake was paid a reported

$7 million to perform during the grand opening

of Fontainebleau Las Vegas in December. Now he’s

bringing sexy back to T-Mobile Arena on May 10 in

his “The Forget Tomorrow” world tour. Timberlake

has been one of my favorite longtime live performers,

so it wouldn’t be “Selfish” to see him in concert again.

AXS.com.

BEVERLY THEATER

The 1-year-old Beverly Theater led by Kip Kelly in

Downtown Las Vegas is a gem, and the film house

and concert theater is presenting the premiere of “Ten

Times Better,” a short documentary that tells the story

of 89-year-old George Lee, a 40-year blackjack dealer

at Four Queens Hotel & Casino and pioneering Asian

ballet dancer, on May 7. TheBeverlyTheater.com.

SAMMY HAGAR

Sammy Hagar and Palms Casino Resort are hosting

a grand opening celebration for Sammy’s Island, a

tropical poolside oasis inspired by the Rock & Roll

Hall of Famer’s music and Baja beach vibe, from 7:30-

11 p.m. May 17. The party will feature a performance

by Hagar tribute band Red Voodoo, who have been

known to jam with The Red Rocker. Tickets are free

while supplies last. Palms.com.

XS NIGHT SWIM

The second issue of Vegas Prime Magazine out May 19

on stands includes a pool and dayclub guide for Las

Vegas. XS Night Swim at XS Nightclub in Encore is

one can’t-miss nighttime pool party on the Las Vegas

Strip. The season commenced with David Guetta on

April 28, and the upcoming lineup includes Rufus du

Sol (May 5), Madds (May 12) and Two Friends (May

19). WynnNightlife.com.

VEGASPRIME.COM | MAY 5, 2024 15

OUT +

ABOUT

JUNIOR’S GRAND OPENING

at Resorts World

Courtesy of Resorts World

It’s a slice of Brooklyn arriving on the Las Vegas Strip

at Resorts World, as Junior’s Restaurant and Bakery,

known for its classic diner fare and cheesecakes,

celebrated its official grand opening on Feb. 28.

With its combination of East Coast tradition and

Las Vegas flair, Junior’s chose Resorts World to

house its first-ever West Coast location.

The grand opening ceremony at Resorts World was

a mixture of nostalgia (Las Vegas showgirls) and neon

with a side of old school Las Vegas entertainment,

a ribbon-cutting ceremony and Alan Rosen, Junior’s

third-generation owner, receiving a Key to the Strip

from Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom.

This 300-seat Junior’s is a culinary time capsule

where classic New York and contemporary Las Vegas

intertwine. Junior’s is open from the crack of dawn to

after dusk, starting with breakfast and continuing with

lunch, dinner and a late-night menu daily.

Junior’s menu features New York and Brooklyn

comfort food classics, including deli sandwiches piled

high, 10 oz. steak burgers, salads, jumbo half-pound

hot dogs, seafood and a full-service bar. Junior’s

world-renowned cheesecake selection – there are 25

flavors – is available all day long.

"Hitting the jackpot doesn’t get sweeter than this,”

Rosen said in his grand opening remarks. “We’re

beyond thrilled to bring a slice of Brooklyn to the

West Coast, nestled right here at RWLV in the

vibrant heart of Las Vegas.

“My grandfather and father loved coming here,

so it’s a dream to share our family’s legacy

and the cheesecake that has charmed New

Yorkers afor decades with new friends and fans.”

If Junior’s sounds familiar, the cheesecakes are

available for sale at Costco and on the menu

at nearby The Steakhouse at Circus Circus.

Junior’s first opened in Brooklyn in the 1950s.

16


WILLIAM KARLSSON

at Sierra Gold

He stays active off the ice, too! William

Karlsson, Vegas Golden Knights all-star

center and defending Stanley Cup champion,

visited PT’s Sierra Gold at South Jones and

215 on March 15 for a pre-St. Patrick’s Day

“Day F’n 1 Party” bash emceed by DJ Lee

Orchard, the NHL team’s own Vegas

Golden Knight.

Karlsson arrived at 6:30 p.m., wearing

a casual and oversized hoodie, for a meetand-greet

with fans and to hand out signed

hockey pucks and photographs before

stepping behind the bar to celebrate, serve

drinks and give out raffle prizes, including

a limited-edition St. Patrick’s VGK jersey

signed by Karlsson himself.

“OK, who’s up first?!” Karlsson said as the

meet-and-greet began.

Entry to the event was $25 and included a complimentary

shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey, party favors

and the signed giveaways. Guests receive one raffle

ticket for their cover at the door and an additional

ticket for every purchase of Jameson throughout the

celebration.

Guests also enjoyed the venue’s happy hour specials

available from 5 to 7 p.m., including 50% off premium

spirits and all craft and imported beer and $6 cheese

or pepperoni 10-inch personal pizzas.

Unlike his raucous and memorable Stanley Cup

celebration on the Las Vegas Strip, Karlsson kept his

shirt on this time around.


OUT +

ABOUT

NEVADA BALLET THEATRE HONORS

Courtesy of Nevada Ballet Theatre

Carrie Ann Inaba

Nevada Ballet Theatre celebrated its 2024 Woman of

the Year, “Dancing With the Stars” judge on ABC,

Emmy-nominated talk-show host, dancer, producer

and wellness advocate Carrie Ann Inaba, at its 40th

annual Black & White Ball at Encore on April 6.

With presenting sponsor Wynn Resorts, lead sponsor

Mikimoto and supporting sponsor Balmain, the

elegant black-tie affair hosted nearly 500 VIPs, arts

supporters and community leaders who joined NBT

in recognizing the artistic achievements and philanthropic

contributions of Inaba.

The evening started with a VIP cocktail party with

Inaba for Black & White Ball Diamond guests at

Wynn Country Club. A cocktail reception in Encore

Ballroom began at 6 p.m. for all guests before the

program began shortly after 7 p.m.

Raj Kapoor, who recently served as executive producer

of the 2024 Grammys and Oscars, presented

the Woman of the Year tribute ahead of the award,

a bronze sculpture of a dancer by artist Richard

MacDonald.

David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra served as the

band, and there were performances by NBT’s Future

Dance Scholars, NBT’s Professional Company

performing “Dance of the Cygnets” from “Swan

Lake,” teens and seniors from NBT’s award-winning

Competition Group and Daniella Karagach and Pasha

Pashkov from “DWTS.”

Nevada Ballet Theatre has spent more than 50 years

inspiring audiences and educating children through

professional company productions, dance training

and free community education programs. Since 1985,

the Black & White Ball has honored female pioneers

and entertainment legends for their artistic achievements

and philanthropic contributions while shining

a light on NBT’s community impact.

Past recipients include Elaine Wynn (the first in 1985),

Debbie Reynolds, Chita Rivera, Carol Channing, Ann

Margret, Rita Rudner, Paula Abdul, Twyla Tharp, Bette

Midler, Marie Osmond, Priscilla Presley, Eva Longoria,

Mitzi Gaynor, Florence Henderson, Debbie Allen,

Olivia Newton-John, Vanessa Williams, Giada De

Laurentiis, Rita Moreno, Shania Twain, Judy Collins

and Lea Thompson.

Funds raised from the ball support NBT professional

company productions at The Smith Center for the

Performing Arts; its affiliated school the Academy

of Nevada Ballet Theatre; and community education

programs that serve more than 20,000 students a year,

including those in underserved communities.

18


‘ABSINTHE’ CELEBRATES 13TH ANNIVERSARY

Courtesy of Spiegelworld

Spiegelworld, on April 10, celebrated

the lucky 13th anniversary of its hit

show “Absinthe” – featuring jaw-dropping

acrobatics, burlesque and adults-only

humor – with a “Halloween in April”

party in the Spiegeltent and its ancillary

garden in the Roman Plaza outside Caesars Palace.

Pre-show, Spiegelworld’s Ross Mollison entertained

VIP guests in the Pier 17 Yacht Club, the new speakeasy

bar inside the Green Fairy Garden that surrounds

the “Absinthe” tent. Niko Novick, Spiegelworld’s

executive of beverage and cocktail, created a brew

for the occasion with Patron Silver Tequila. VIP guests

also sipped on Pizzolato Prosecco and Liquid Death.

Dressed as a ghost, Mollison told guests, “It’s been

14 years since I first met then-President of Caesars

Palace Gary Selesner, who gave Spiegelworld a shot at

creating a new show on this hallowed fake Las Vegas

turf, up to then known for Evel Knievel’s fateful jump.

Surely, we landed it better than Evel! Without the

belief and support of Gary, we would have never

opened and certainly never survived.

“And here we stand, 13 years later, by all accounts

a bigger hit than ever. Congratulations to everybody

who makes ‘Absinthe’ happen every night of the year.

This wonderful show has helped us give birth to so

many other incredible attractions in Vegas, Atlantic

City and soon New Orleans. In a few months, we will

be opening across the street to present the incredible

‘Disco Show,’ and the mighty fine Diner Ross, with

side serves of 99

Prince bar and

The Glitterloft.

“As that classic disco song goes, I love the

nightlife. I love Vegas. I love our Caesars Entertainment

partners who take a punt on us, including the

incredible Tom Reeg, Anthony Carano and

Regional President the devilishly handsome Sean

McBurney. And I especially love Gary Selesner."

April 10’s performance of “Absinthe” delivered its

now-signature jaw-dropping acrobatics, outrageous

antics and creative hospitality, with a healthy dollop

of audience participation. The Gazillionaire, tent

producer, host and owner, tried to keep all on track

while his wacky assistant Wanda Widdles transformed

into a rocky horror show of her own, having drunk

a mysterious elixir during the show.

By the time the finale arrived, the entire cast and

many in the audience had morphed into their own

Halloween alter-egos, ready to party in the Green

Fairy Garden – or Scream Fairy Garden as it

became known.

Once the “Absinthe” cast posed for photos with the

13th anniversary jack-o’-lantern cake from Las Vegas

Custom Cakes, DJ Night Weapons began cranking out

hits, creepy characters roamed the garden, and more

than 600 guests enjoyed Spiegelworld’s No Pants

burgers, pumpkin cupcakes and abundant cocktails.


CELEBRITY TAKEOVER

Photo by TheActivity

Gleb

Savchenko

I’m Gleb Savchenko, and I’m best-known as a pro on the

beloved reality-television show “Dancing With the Stars”

on ABC where pros compete with their celebrity partners

for the mirror-ball trophy.

You’re probably wondering, what the heck is he doing

here in Las Vegas writing for Vegas Prime Magazine – he

hasn’t won a mirror-ball trophy yet. I’ll be honest. I’m

here to ask you to vote for me for Season 33 this fall

(I’m kidding … LOL!).

Now that I have your attention, here’s the scoop. The

secret’s out that I’m trading my ballroom dance shoes

for the bow tie and cuffs for a limited engagement with

the iconic Chippendales as a celebrity guest host right

here at The Rio through May 12 and this summer in

Atlantic City from July 18-21.

So thanks to Chippendales, Vegas Prime Magazine gave

me the honor to contribute as their first “celebrity takeover.”

Now I get to step outside my comfort zone and tell

you all something pretty personal. Wish me luck …

with a little shimmy, shimmy, it’s story time!

Not a lot of you know that I grew up in Communist

Russia. My parents lived on food stamps. We ate soup,

rice and potatoes. We were completely broke and had

absolutely nothing. I always dreamed of getting out;

I wanted more. I wanted to be famous. I wanted to be

a professional dancer.

It started in Moscow when I was 7 years old in the first

grade. In the middle of class, a dance teacher walked in

and told the students they were organizing an afterschool

dance program, so raise your hand if you’d like

to sign up. The girl sitting next to my desk raised her

hand. I remember she was my first secret love.

I was obsessed with her blue eyes and blonde hair –

she was super cute. I came home that day and told

my grandma that I really wanted to start dancing.

She looked at me like I was crazy and said, “You know

that boys don’t dance? They play soccer and hockey?”

But I didn’t care. I really wanted to spend more time

near my first secret love.

20


I remember that first day in the studio,

I kept staring at her – and, of course,

my teacher noticed. He walked across

the floor and said, “You two will be

dance partners from now on.” Suddenly,

I got what I wanted. Since that moment,

I never stopped dancing. Thank you,

Grandma, for listening to me and

trusting my instincts.

Fast forward to age 19, I moved to

Queens in New York City with $97 in

my pocket. I lived in a small room,

used my towels as my mattress and my

snow jacket for my pillow. In exchange

for rent, I cleaned the whole apartment.

I’d take a $4 round-trip subway to Manhattan

to teach for $25/hour in a dance

studio (aka the floor fee), which I paid

$9/hour for. OK, so if you do the math,

I was left with $12 profit per lesson.

On the way back from teaching, I’d pass

this tiny Chinese grocery store where

the employees were so kind. They knew

me by my first name, but the only problem

was I barely spoke English. They

quickly figured out it was the Singapore

noodles that I wanted … every single

night. It was all I could afford.

So now I reflect on the decision to

leave my family, and Russia, for the

opportunity of a lifetime to become a

pro dancer on “Dancing With the Stars”

(a dream job!) in the greatest country in

the world. It was only a few years ago, I

got my citizenship, and, wow, that was a

really big deal.

Well, that’s all the time I have for today’s

story time. Perhaps I’ll be back again

soon for another “celebrity takeover.”

With love,

Gleb

IF YOU

GO

Chippendales performs at 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays

(dark Mondays and Tuesdays), with additional

shows Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. at The Rio.

Gleb Savchenko’s limited engagement runs through

May 12 (Thursday through Sunday performances).

3700 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. (702) 777-7776;

Chippendales.com.


SHOWTIME

She’s still

the one

SHANIA TWAIN’S LATEST RESIDENCY

‘COME ON OVER’ BRINGS HER BACK

TO BAKKT THEATER

By Don Chareunsy

Photo by Louie Banks

Superstar singer-songwriter Shania Twain’s number of Las

Vegas residencies is starting to rival the tally of Cher farewell

tours – and I live for it. The bestselling female country

pop artist of all time is returning to Bakkt Theater at Planet

Hollywood with her latest headliner show “Come On Over:

The Vegas Residency – All the Hits!,” and the

24 performances kick off May 10.

“I am excited to be returning to Vegas for my third

residency, ‘Come On Over.’ Performing in Vegas is

a huge honor, and I love this theater,” Twain said in

a news release. “The audience can expect all the hits,

with a few fan favorites from the new album in there,

too. I am in a celebratory mood, and there is nowhere

better to party than Vegas, so I hope you all join me!”

Twain recently released

multiple expanded U.S. and

International Diamond Editions

of her third studio album,

November 1997’s “Come On

Over.” In celebration of the

benchmark album’s 25th

anniversary and more than

40 million-plus in global sales,

the U.S. and global versions

of “Come On Over” have been

remastered for the first time.

Twain is one of my favorite artists

because she is beautiful

on the inside and outside. Her

backstory with her parents

and siblings in Canada is

incredible. She rode down Las

Vegas Boulevard on a horse to

celebrate her first residency,

“Still the One,” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in 2012.

I loved “Still the One,” directed by Raj Kapoor, with its horses,

dancing violinists, a flying motorcycle, gorgeous costumes

by Marc Bouwer and stellar musicians and dancers.

Twain opened a Shania Kids Can clubhouse in North Las

Vegas during her first residency. She served as the celebrity

grand marshal in the 2013 Great Santa Run. She is a Nevada

Ballet Theatre Woman of the Year. She’s a stunning woman,

and I love many of her hits – I still hope to use “From This

Moment On” in my for-now-pipe-dream wedding.

warm and humble. I missed “Let’s Go!” because I wasn’t

living in Las Vegas at the time, so I greatly look forward to

“Come On Over.” I will!

As with previous residencies, five-time Grammy-winner

Twain, Live Nation Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment

have announced that $1 of every ticket purchased to “Come

on Over” will be donated to Shania Kids Can. Donations

from ticket sales have driven more than $1.5 million to SKC

providing critical funding for existing programs.

Established in 2010 by Twain, SKC provides programs

that educate, inspire and empower children in vulnerable

communities to achieve their full potential, increasing their

chance for equality and opportunities for success.

For more information about

Shania Kids Can, go to

shaniakidscan.com.

Twain is the top-selling female

country pop artist of all time,

with six albums released and

more than 100 million albums

sold worldwide. Her many hits

include “Any Man of Mine,”

“That Don’t Impress Me Much,”

“You’re Still the One” and

“Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”

Twain was the first artist

in history to release three

consecutive diamond-certified

albums. Twain’s second

residency in Las Vegas, “Let’s

Go!” at Bakkt Theater, ended

in September 2022 ahead of

national and world tours. Twain released her sixth full-length

album “Queen of Me” on Feb. 3.

The 24 performances on sale are May 10-11, 15, 17-18, 23 and 25-

26; Aug. 23-24, 29 and 31; Sept. 1, 4 and 6-7; Nov. 29-30; and Dec.

4, 6-7, 11 and 13-14. Shows begin at 8 p.m. For more information

and to purchase tickets, go to ticketmaster.com/shaniavegas.

My late colleague, dear friend and mentor Robin Leach

(“Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous”) told me Twain was one

of his favorite interviews ever because she was so genuine,

SHOWTIME

The Swagger

of JAGGER

Frontman Adam Levine and Maroon 5

bring sexy back to Dolby Live

By Don Chareunsy

Three-time Grammy Award-winning band Maroon 5

is returning to Dolby Live at Park MGM this year

for 16 performances of their Las Vegas residency

“M5LV The Residency,” and frontman Adam Levine

and his bandmates kick it all off on May 17.

With the residency shows, Maroon 5 gives fans an

exclusive concert experience in Dolby Live, Park

MGM’s 5,200-seat entertainment venue. Maroon 5’s

only-in-Las Vegas spectacular is packed with

the band’s anthemic top hits, including RIAA Diamond-certified

songs “Sugar,” “Girls Like You” and

“Moves Like Jagger.”

Produced by Baz Halpin and directed by Parker

Genoway, Maroon 5 custom designed the show

for the Dolby Live stage, immersing the audience

in Dolby Atmos audio. In other words, the sound

is outstanding, as are the visuals.

The panoramic and multilayered video box and Dolby

Atmos sound design, ensuring high-intensity visuals

and rich sound, surround and envelop the audience

as Adam and Co. serve hit after hit in a show that

encapsulates Maroon 5’s two-decade career.

Los Angeles band Maroon 5 has won three Grammys

and sold 96 million-plus albums and more than 660

million singles worldwide. Maroon 5 currently has

more than 20 billion combined streams on Spotify

and has the most billion-plus streamed songs by

a group with nine.

Maroon 5 was the first artist to reach more than

3 billion views on a music video on YouTube, and

they currently have more than 22 billion combined

views on YouTube channels.

Maroon 5 has 32 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 since

their first release in 2002, with 26 hitting the Top 50,

22 in the Top 25, 15 in the Top 10 and 10 in the Top

5. Three are Diamond Certified and 23 are Platinum

certified. The band has the most Top 10’s in this

century by a duo or group, most #1’s on the Hot 100

this century by a duo or group and most #1’s by a duo

or group in Top 40 history. In January 2023, “Moves

Like Jagger” became the #2 most downloaded song

of all time.

I attended Maroon 5’s opening night of “The Las

Vegas Residency” on March 24, 2023. Levine was

in super-fine form with his soulful falsetto and

super-sexy black bell-bottom slacks. The show was

hits-only, super-slick, well-produced and engaging

from beginning to end.

Levine is the quintessential frontman at center stage

during the 97-minute concert singing, swaying, playing

guitar and charming and disarming. I deemed it

my favorite Las Vegas residency at the time. I returned

July 28, and the show was equally as awesome.

All shows are scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

The 16 dates are May 17-18, 22, 25-26, 29 and

31; June 1; Sept. 27-28; and Oct. 2, 4-5, 9 and

11-12. Tickets can be purchased online at

Ticketmaster.com/Maroon5Vegas.

26 VEGASPRIME.COM | MAY 5, 2024

Photo by Travis Schneider

Dolby Live also is home to, or has been home

to, extended engagements by Lady Gaga,

Bruno Mars, Usher, Cher, Ricky Martin and

Jonas Brothers, among other top artists.


SHOWTIME

Magic Man

David Blaine returns with his

‘Impossible’ illusions to Encore Theater

By Don Chareunsy

Extreme illusionist, magician and stunt artist David Blaine

debuted his new headliner show “David Blaine: Impossible”

at Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas in sold-out crowds

Dec. 29-31, and he is set to return May 8 and 10-11.

In his New Year’s Eve weekend performances, as he

presented heart-pounding thrills and stunned audiences

with mind-bending magic and unforgettable stunts,

attendees included singer Demi Lovato and fiancé Jordan

Lutes, DJ and Wynn Nightlife headliner Diplo, Imagine

Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds and actress and singer

Elizabeth Gillies.

Before he took the stage on New Year’s Eve, Blaine

appeared live from Encore Theater on CNN’s “New Year’s

Eve” with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen, surprising

the hosts with a special fire illusion for the TV anchors

and viewers.

Before moving to Wynn, Blaine debuted “In Spades” at

Resorts World on Sept. 30, 2022. I didn’t know what to

expect – I only know about Blaine through his TV specials

over the years. “In Spades” was thoroughly entertaining –

I was mesmerized, tense and captivated and put my

hands over my eyes and mouth in total immersion.

“In Spades” included balloons, high jumping, needles,

nails, ice picks, breath holding and more – and the final

trick made me say, “What?! Wow!!!” The star-studded

crowd opening night included Edward Norton (who emceed

the water and alligator stunt onstage), Woody Harrelson,

Lars Ulrich, Dr Dre, Eminem, Logan Paul, Rob Lowe, Miranda

Kerr, Steve Wozniak, Brian Grazer and Darren Aronofsky,

and I walked by DJ duo Nervo.

“Impossible” is more intimate, and there is a lot more

audience interaction and participation. A limited number of

“David Blaine: Impossible” VIP experiences are available for

purchase. In addition to Premium Reserved seating in the

first three rows of Encore Theater, the VIP package includes

a photo opportunity and close-up magic experience with

Blaine; an autographed, limited-edition custom print;

Photos by Tony Tran Photography

a commemorative VIP show laminate; on-site venue

concierge; VIP entry; and a VIP beverage voucher.

For tickets and VIP packages, visit WynnLasVegas.com.

Additional tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.

28


Photo by Denise Truscello

It’s time to

celebrate

MARIAH CAREY’S ‘THE CELEBRATION OF MIMI

LIVE IN LAS VEGAS’ OPENS AT DOLBY LIVE

By Don Chareunsy

Superstar singer-songwriter

Mariah Carey debuted her new

exclusive engagement “Mariah

Carey: The Celebration of Mimi

Live in Las Vegas” at Dolby Live

at Park MGM to sold-out crowds

April 12 and 13. The elusive and

emancipated chanteuse and bestselling

female artist of all time,

with more than 200 million records

sold worldwide, received

several standing ovations

during her opening weekend.

“The Celebration of Mimi”

chronicles Carey’s life story

and musical journey from the

beginning and features her biggest

fan-favorite hits, culminating

with “The Emancipation of

Mimi” and its smashes including

“We Belong Together,” “Shake It

Off ” and “Don't Forget About

Us.”

Carey’s glamorous wardrobe –

what else would it be? – pays

homage to memorable moments

throughout her record-breaking

career. With styling by Wilfredo

Rosado, Carey dons fashionable

looks by Gaurav Gupta, Sophie

Couture, Falguni Shane, Robert

Wun, Lauri Basci and more.

“The Celebration of Mimi” Las

Vegas team also includes Musical

Director Daniel Moore, Creative

Director and Choreographer

Jana Thompkins, Co-Choreographer

Ashley Seldon and show direction,

lighting, set and content

design by Human Person.

I wasn’t able to attend a show

during opening weekend, but

I’ve seen Carey in headliner and

Christmas shows at Caesars Palace.

One critic there said, “(I) really

enjoyed Carey’s warmth and

personality on stage, the band

burns, and the dancers – all of

whom seem at least 6’2” – were

terrific.”

Carey and Live Nation Las Vegas

are donating $1 of every ticket

purchased to “The Celebration

of Mimi” to The Fresh Air Fund’s

Camp Mariah. Camp Mariah is

the summer component of the

year-round Career Awareness

Program. Children ages 11-15

attend Camp Mariah for three

weeks each summer.

Campers explore their interests

in classes including film, photography,

fashion, culinary arts,

debate and global relations. A

careers class helps campers create

resumes and cover letters

and conduct mock interviews.

Campers also play team sports,

swim every day and explore the

outdoors in environmental science

class.

Tickets for “Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi Live in Las Vegas”

through August can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com/MariahVegas,

with all shows scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The remaining

dates for 2024, after eight shows in April, are July 26-27 and 31 and

Aug. 2-3, 7 and 9-10, totaling 16 performances.


‘ABSINTHE’

CELEBRATES

13TH ANNIVERSARY

PARTY

By Don Chareunsy

in La Jolla, Calif., in 2004, is a jukebox musical presented

in a documentary-style format that dramatizes the

creation, success and split of the 1960s rock and roll

group The Four Seasons.

They are just too good to be true. The popular and beloved

Tony- and Grammy-winning production “Jersey Boys” is back

in Las Vegas for its third residency, now at The Orleans Hotel

& Casino after headliner performances for years at

The Palazzo Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.

The original “Jersey Boys,” led by director Des McAnuff from

the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and premiering

“Jersey Boys” is structured as four “seasons” each narrated

by a member of The Four Seasons who gives his own

perspective of the band’s music and backstory, with

Frankie Valli front and center. “Jersey Boys” ran on Broadway

from 2005 to 2017 and won the 2006 Tony for Best Musical

along with three other statuettes.

Hit songs in “Jersey Boys” include “Big Girls Don’t Cry,”


“Sherry,” “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night),” “My Eyes

Adored You,” “Stay,” “Can't Take My Eyes Off You,” “Walk Like

A Man,” “Rag Doll,” “Who Loves You” and “Working My Way

Back to You.”

Since its debut, “Jersey Boys” has been on two North

American national tours and two national tours of the

United Kingdom and Ireland. The show has been produced in

London’s West End, Las Vegas, Chicago, Toronto, Melbourne

and other Australian cities, Singapore, South Africa, The

Netherlands, Japan, Dubai, and China.

“Jersey Boys” is back on the Las Vegas stage with the help

of Danny Austin (Production Supervisor and Associate Choreographer)

and Ron Melrose (Music Supervisor),

both of whom have worked on the production

for the last two decades, and Sarah

Lowe (Assistant Director and Choreographer),

who worked on previous Las Vegas productions.

The resident cast features Joey Barreiro and Jared Chinnock

(alternating as Frankie Valli), Tyler Matthew Burk (Tommy

DeVito), Jonathan Cable (Nick Massi), Kit Treece (Bob Gaudio),

Beau Brians (Joe Pesci), Carson Collins (Bob Crewe), Zach

Cossman (Norm Waxman/Hank), Nichole Forde (Lorraine),

Emma J. Kantor (Francine Valli), Michael McClure (Gyp

DeCarlo), Sarah Pfeifer (Mary Delgado), Brennan Stylez

(Barry Belson), Meghan Gratzer (Female Swing), Andrew

Maguire (Swing 1), Dale Melancon (Swing 2) and Ryan

Hurley (Swing 3).

The $14 million production premiered inside the 850-seat

Orleans Showroom as its first long-term residency. I saw

“Jersey Boys” at The Palazzo and Paris and in a touring

production in Spokane, Wash., in 2022, and “Jersey Boys”

Las Vegas and its cast easily stand among them. The

audience the night I watched the show enthusiastically

agreed with a rousing standing ovation. That’s the love

for and enduring legacy of “Jersey Boys.”

Barreiro and Chinnock here at The Orleans alternate the

lead role of Valli, which is standard in “Jersey Boys” because

the main character is extremely challenging vocally. Barreiro

is outstanding, and I will return to see the chatty Chinnock

in the lead.

TWO ACTORS PLAY VALLI

What is it like to share a lead role in a Tony Award-winning

production?

Barreiro: “It’s like having the best job and getting to share it

with audiences, my castmates and my co-Frankie.”

Chinnock: “I absolutely love sharing the role with the extremely

talented Joey Barreiro. It’s rare in this industry that a role

is split down the middle, so it’s a unique opportunity to be

able to talk with your counterpart and discuss the text while

also bringing your own unique spin to the role. It’s also fun for

audiences to see two different takes on such an iconic figure.”


35

Part of the reason it’s a shared role is the challenging vocals.

How do you prepare and take care of your vocals?

Barreiro: “We take weekly voice lessons to keep everything in

check. And since we’re in a desert, water. Hydration is key.”

Chinnock: “Being a singer in Las Vegas certainly comes with

its challenges, especially as a native Brit who was born and

raised in a different climate. It’s important to establish a vocal

care routine that will last for life. Hydration is the biggest

factor. After that, your vocal care and performance routine

should enable you to be able to sing the show without strain.

After the show, a 20- to 30-minute cool down routine is

needed to bring down any swelling that might have occurred

during the show.”

What has been the most surprising aspect of portraying

Frankie Valli? And the most rewarding or best aspect?

Barreiro: “I’m surprised by how much I enjoy hearing the same

music every night. These are hit songs for a reason. The best

part about playing Frankie is getting to feel like a rock star.

It’s a trip.”

Chinnock: “Digging into the incredible emotional range of

Frankie Valli. Everyone knows the vocal range required to play

Frankie, but what not many people may know is that the character’s

journey throughout the show is as equally dynamic.”

How is the run at The Orleans Showroom going so far?

Chinnock: “The run has been going really well. Audiences are

absolutely loving the fact that ‘Jersey Boys’ is back in Las

Vegas. Audience reception has been phenomenal.”

Audiences absolutely love “Jersey Boys.” Why the adoration,

do you think?

Barreiro: “The characters feel like family, the music is killer,

and it’s genuinely funny.”

Chinnock: “I think it’s because the show is so relatable.

It’s your classic ‘rags to riches’ story of four guys from

a working-class background who shook off the socioeconomic

expectations placed upon them in search for something

better. These guys are real people with real stories to tell,

and the show doesn’t shy away from portraying them as

fallible humans who make a lot of mistakes along the way.

I firmly believe that people come to see ‘Jersey Boys’ for the

music, but they stay for the story.”

I know the show just opened in Las Vegas. Do you have any

fun or interesting stories you can share?

Barreiro: “Pretty well, I’d say. We have a talented cast and

crew, an incredible story to tell and a beautiful space filled

with beautiful audiences. And our ushers and front-of-house

team are delightful. ‘Jersey Boys’ belongs in Vegas.”


Barreiro: “Oh, like when my pant leg completely ripped off

during a point in the show when Frankie doesn’t leave the

stage? That was fun and interesting.”

Chinnock: “We were lucky enough to go and see Frankie Valli

himself live in concert during his run at the Westgate earlier

this year. After the show, we were able to go backstage and

spend some time with him. I had a wonderful conversation

with him where he gave me some nuggets of advice about

my career. It was a truly memorable moment, and being able

to study the man himself in the flesh enabled me to bring so

much authenticity to my portrayal.”

Barreiro: “People underestimate the work that happens

backstage. We have so many absolutely essential members of

our crew – stage managers, wardrobe, lights, sound, etc. The

show is a machine, and without any one of its parts, the magic

trick behind ‘Jersey Boys’ doesn’t work. There are no shortcuts

to making a show like this. It’s a thrill to be a small part of it.”

Chinnock: “For the first time in Las Vegas, we are bringing

back the full, unabridged Broadway show to The Orleans

complete with a 10-piece orchestra and all songs featured in

the original Broadway production. This is why ‘Jersey Boys’ is

rightfully 2½ hours with a 10-minute intermission.”

Anything else you can share about being in “Jersey Boys” that

our readers might find interesting?

“Jersey Boys”

Is the 13th longest-running show in Broadway history as

of September. It ran for 11 years and 4,642 performances,

so more than 30 million people have seen “Jersey Boys.”

“Jersey Boys” standard ticket prices start at $69.95 ++, and regular prices are $89.95 ++, VIP $99.95 ++,

Platinum VIP $199.95 ++, Director’s Circle $139.95 ++ and Box Suites of 4-6 seats with champagne at $895.95 ++.

Showtimes are Wednesdays through Mondays at 7 p.m. and dark on Tuesdays.

Dining At The Orleans

There’s no reason not to make it a night out with dinner

before or after “Jersey Boys,” with at least four solid options

at The Orleans: the newly reopened Big Al’s Oyster

Bar, Alder & Birch, Bailiwick and Ondori Asian Kitchen.

I’ve never met an oyster bar I didn’t like, as I love oysters

and all seafood. This one is a classic serving Cajun-Creole

fare alongside oysters and clams, and the location is

larger than most oyster bars.

Ondori serves Chinese and Japanese cuisine, including sushi,

with beer and wine in a dimly lit and chic restaurant.

Also at Ondori: vegetarian dishes and happy hour. Bailiwick

is a stylish gastropub, eatery and lounge featuring

global fare, draft beer aplenty, comfortable seating and

live entertainment. Also at Bailiwick: vegetarian dishes

and happy hour.

And I would list Alder & Birch as one of my favorite

steakhouses in Las Vegas, one I look forward to dining

at during the West Coast Conference Championships,

especially if my alma mater Gonzaga is doing well. Pro tip:

the Old Fashioned with candied maple bacon. It is a meal

unto itself.


37

Smith Center’s 2024-2025

Broadway series includes

‘Hamilton,’ ‘Cher,’ ‘Shrek’

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts

has announced its 2024-2025 Toyota Broadway

Las Vegas Series, and the new season features

10 productions from Broadway that have

collectively received 33 Tony Awards, 18 Drama

Desk Awards and five Laurence Olivier Awards,

the lead among them Lin-Manuel Miranda’s

celebrated “Hamilton.”

The season starts in July with “Mrs. Doubtfire” and is

followed by “Company” in August, “The Cher Show”

in September, “Back to the Future: the Musical” in

October” and “Shrek the Musical” in November. The

new year kicks off with 2023 Tony-winning Best Musical

“Kimberly Akimbo” in February, followed by “The

Wiz” in April, “Hamilton” in May and “Parade” and “&

Juliet” in June.

This season’s productions:

“mrs. doubtfire”

Tuesday, July 30 – Sunday, Aug.

4. Everyone’s favorite Scottish

nanny is headed to Las Vegas

in an acclaimed new hit musical.

Based on the beloved film

and directed by four-time Tony-winner

Jerry Zaks, “Mrs.

Doubtfire” tells the hysterical

and heartfelt story of an outof-work

actor who will do anything

for his kids. Recommended

for ages 8+.

Photo by Joan Marcus

Photo by Matthew-Murphy-and-Evan-Zimmerman

“COMPANY”

Tuesday, Aug. 20 – Sunday, Aug.

25. Winner of five Tonys, including

Best Revival of a Musical, the new

production of Stephen Sondheim

and George Furth’s musical comedy

is sophisticated, insightful and hilarious.

It’s Bobbie’s 35th birthday,

and her friends keep asking, “Why

isn’t she married?” “Why can’t she

find the right man?”

Recommended for ages 10+.

“back to the future:

the musical”

Wednesday, Oct. 23 –

Sunday, Nov. 3. When

Marty McFly finds himself

transported back to

1955 in a time machine

built by the eccentric

scientist Doc Brown, he

changes the course of

history. Now he’s in a race

against time to fix the

present, escape the past

and send himself … back

to the future. Recommended

for ages 6+.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

38


“Shrek the musical”

Tuesday, Nov. 26 – Sunday, Dec. 1. “Once

upon a time, there was a little ogre named

Shrek …” And thus begins the tale of an

unlikely hero who finds himself on a

life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking

Donkey and a feisty princess

who resists her rescue. “Shrek” brings all

the beloved characters from the film to

life. Recommended for ages 10+.

Photo by Matthew Murphy

Photo by FullOutCreative

“kimberly akimbo”

Tuesday, Feb. 4 – Sunday, Feb. 9.

Kimberly is about to turn

16 and has moved with her

family to New Jersey, where

she is forced to navigate family

dysfunction, a rare genetic

condition, her first crush … and

possible felony charges. Ever the

optimist, she is determined to

find happiness against all odds.

Winner of five Tonys. Recommended

for ages 13+.

“& juliet”

Tuesday, June 24

– Sunday, June 29,

2025. Created by

the Emmy-winning

writer of “Schitt’s

Creek,” “& Juliet”

flips the script on

the greatest love

story ever told. “&

Juliet” asks, “What

would happen next

if Juliet didn’t end

it all over Romeo?

Get whisked away

on a journey as

she ditches her

famous ending for

a fresh beginning.

Recommended for

ages 8+.


Photo by Meredith Mashburn

Photography

Photo by Jeremy Daniel

“The Cher Show”

Tuesday, Sept. 17 – Sunday,

Sept. 22. Cher is forever. Only

one unstoppable force has dominated

pop culture breaking

down barriers, pushing boundaries

and letting nothing stand

in her way. “The Cher Show”

is the Tony-winning musical of

her story packed with 35 hits,

six decades of stardom,

two rock-star husbands

and much more.

Recommended for ages 12+.


“the wiz”

Tuesday, April 1 – Sunday, April 6.

The Tony-winning Best Musical returns “home” in

a new Broadway-bound tour, the first in 40 years. “The

Wizard of Oz” twist changed the face of Broadway – from its

score packed with soul, gospel, rock and ’70s funk to its stirring

tale of Dorothy’s journey to find her place in a modern

world. Recommended for ages 8+.

“parade”

Tuesday, June 10 – Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Leo and Lucille Frank are a newlywed

Jewish couple struggling in the old red

hills of Georgia. When Leo is accused of

a crime, it propels them into a test of faith,

humanity, justice and devotion. Riveting

and hopeful, “Parade” reminds audiences

that to love, we must truly see one

another. Recommended for ages 13+.


“hamilton”

Tuesday, May 20 – Sunday, June

1, 2025. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s

11-time Tony-winner “Hamilton,”

a revolutionary story of

passion, ambition and the dawn

of a new nation, is the epic saga

that follows the rise of Founding

Father Alexander Hamilton

as he fights for honor, love

and a legacy that would shape

the course of a nation. Recommended

for ages 10+.


Jason Tenner and ‘Purple Reign, the Prince

Tribute Show’ have moved to Planet Hollywood

By Patranya Bhoolsuwan

40


There’s a new reason to turn back the clock to 1999.

“Purple Reign, the Prince Tribute Show,” has a brand new

residency at the V Theater inside the Miracle Miles Shops

at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino. The first show was

on March 19.

Jason Tenner, the creator and star of this long-running show,

said the move has been bittersweet after a nearly 7-year run

at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, which recently shut down

for good to make way for a new MLB ballpark. “I do miss

the grandeur of the big stage,” Tenner said.

“We have a much smaller theater now, but at the same

time, it’s also a lot more intimate. I can see the audience.

I can see their eyes and their faces and really connect

with them. It does remind me of the old days.”

The old days when Tenner created this show inside

a small college club near UNLV. Now nearly 30 years

later, “Purple Reign” has become the world’s #1 Prince

Tribute Show (which included an appearance on

“Late Night With David Letterman” in 2008). A show

that celebrates the life and legacy of one of the most

respected musical artists of this generation.

“I believe our show is bar none one of the best live

shows I have seen in this town,” Tenner said. “It’s

100% live, and my band brings it every night. And

what’s great about being at the V Theater now is

that we have foot traffic inside the mall. Something

that had been missing especially in the last years

of the Trop. We now have a lot of walk-ups, and

it’s great.”

At a recent Saturday night performance of

“Purple Reign,” it was a packed house, and

people lined up outside the V Theater more than

an hour before the show started. Once inside,

audience members were treated to

a nonstop, high-energy show as Tenner

entered the stage as the spot-on version

of Prince.

“In my humble opinion, I think we put on a pretty

engaging show, and we never fake it. We never have,”

Tenner said. “I don’t like audio tracks because I will

change up the arrangements and sometimes skip

a verse or go to the bridge right away, and you can’t

do that if you are locked into an auto recording.”

The band members do rock it out at every performance

showcasing Prince's greatest hits, including

“When Doves Cry,” “Little Red Corvette,” “1999”

and of course “Purple Rain.”

The show also has tribute acts including Morris Day

and the Time (“Jungle Love”), familiar faces from the

iconic award-winning film.

The band members of “Purple Reign” are musical

director and lead guitarist D’Andre, Damon Bartlett

on keyboards and Frank Gaston on drums.

Tenner told me he also has an understudy named

Donny T, whom he hopes will take his spot in the

show one day.

I asked him once he retires, what he will remember

most about his years rocking the role of Prince. He

said it’s all about the words and the music.

“Every single lyric to every single song. That’s what

I will remember the most. That will never leave my

head,” he said.

IF YOU

GO

“Purple Reign” is currently the headlining

show at the V Theater with performances

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 8:30

p.m. 3663 S. Las Vegas. Blvd., Suite 360.

(702) 260-7200. vtheater.com.


By Stacey Gualandi

‘MJ Live’ sees the Prince of Pop

moonwalk his way to the Sahara

IF YOU

GO

“MJ Live” is performed nightly at Sahara Theatre at 7:30.

S. 2535 Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 761-7000.

saharalasvegas.com.


“We love you, Michael!”

Before he even belted out the first

“Ma-ma-se, ma-ma-sa, ma-ma-kossa,”

the star of “MJ Live” had the

audience in the palm of his, well,

sequined glove.

“I love you more!”

The star is, of course, “Michael

Jackson,” and “MJ Live” at Sahara

Las Vegas is the “#1 Michael Jackson

Tribute Concert in the World.”

Since its debut in 2012 at the Strat,

and more recently at the Tropicana,

this hour-plus spectacular

continues to reimagine more than

20 of the King of Pop’s greatest

hits — including “Bad,” “Smooth

Criminal,” “Billie Jean” and “Beat

It” — for fans who don’t stop ’til

they get enough.

With the constant costume

changes, moonwalks, spins and toe

stands in the 950-seat theater, it

makes you feel like you’re stepping

back in time. And like the Gloved

One himself, this Michael Jackson

always leans into his landing — or

should I say antigravity tilt?

“I just want them to lose

themselves for that 70

minutes,” legendary

producer Dick Feeney

said.

Feeney is no

stranger to

Las Vegas

shows,

with a string of successful

long-running shows to his credit,

including “The Rat Pack Is Back”

at Tuscany Suites & Casino, “Viva

Las Vegas” at the former Sands

and “An Evening at Las Cage” back

in 1985. He says creating “MJ Live”

was as simple as do re mi, ABC,

1, 2, 3.

“I looked up Elvis’s Facebook page,

and he had 8 million followers;

then I looked up Michael’s, and

he had 60 million,” Feeney said.

“I said, ‘There might be

something here. Ha!’ ”

Feeney said for “MJ Live” to

become a hit, it not only had Jackson’s

wide demographic base, but

also impersonators willing to work

harder than the star they

are impersonating.

“When that impersonator comes

out, they have about 30 seconds

to sell themselves as that person,”

Feeney emphasized. “As I tell the

entertainers, they actually have

to be an even better entertainer

than the star because the star can

do anything; they can walk out

and burp, and their fans will all

go crazy.”

Fortunately, there are two dedicated

doppelgängers bringing

Jackson to life: Jalles Franca and

Santana Jackson, who was center

stage on my first visit. For Santana

Jackson (no relation), following in

his hero’s footsteps was a dream

come true.

“I moved here from Florida 10

years ago with nothing more than

a dream and a dollar,” Jackson

said. “I wanted to carry on

Michael’s legacy and somehow

honor this larger-than-life

icon I have respected

and revered all my

life. ‘MJ Live’

and Dick

Feeney have graciously allowed me

that honor.”

This is also an immersive experience.

Jackson led the audience in

a repeat-after-me of his signature

sounds like “Hee Hee” and “Oww

Oww,” and even allowed one fan

to grab the mic (he referred to her

as Janet, but it wasn’t nasty!). Jackson

ended the show by running

through the crowd and out the

theater to a photo op outside while

the crowd kept right on singing.

“I love standing there at the end

of the show and watching the people

sing along and dance their way

out of the theater,” Feeney said.

With the Tropicana now closed

permanently, “MJ Live” was almost

homeless, but Feeney didn’t hesitate

to moonwalk it up the Strip

to its new temporary home at the

Sahara Hotel and Casino.

“When you’ve got a show with

a track record like ours and the

bodies that we bring into a casino

— and it’s usually pretty positive

— you gotta find another place,”

Feeney said.

Right now, shows are scheduled

nightly through July, but Feeney

said not to fear, as there is good

news on the horizon.

“We're definitely going to extend

there, and we're in some discussions

with them about something

more permanent, too.”

That means you’ll have plenty

of time to shake your body down

to the ground and experience a

Michael Jackson retrospective at

its best. I’ll be there. You just can’t

beat it.

Mother’s

There are options aplenty on the special

Sunday, May 12 – from casual to fancy –

and reservations are highly recommended

DayDINING

AHERN

HOTEL

The luxury boutique hotel is

offering two brunch experiences

at Ottimo Gourmet Kitchen &

Pizzeria and Joel’s Chophouse.

Ottimo is casual, and Joe’s beautiful

dining room includes Strip

views. Reservations via OpenTable.

300 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas.

Ottimo: (725) 214-4950;

Chophouse: (725) 214.4949.

ahernhotel.com

ALEXXA’S AT PARIS

Brunch starts at 7 a.m. and dinner at 3p.m.

Great views of the Bellagio Fountains.

Highlight: The cocktail Cheers to the Queen.

Reservations via OpenTable. 3655 S. Las

Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 331-5100;

alexxaslasvegas.com

“MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER” AT THE ORLEANS

It’s an evening of mystery and intrigue at dinner show

“Marriage Can Be Murder.” As guests delve into the plot,

mothers will be honored with a rose, glass of champagne

and family souvenir photo. Join for a celebration

of love, laughter and suspense. 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.,

Las Vegas. (702) 365-7070; marriagecanbemurder.com

ANIMA BY EDO AT THE GRAMERCY

Leave the cooking to the pros and

treat Mom to dinner by James Beard

Outstanding Chef semifinalist Chef Oscar

Amador. The off-the-Strip favorite and Yelp’s

2023 New Restaurant of the Year is opening

early, at 4 p.m., with the last seating at 8 p.m.

9205 W. Russell Road, Las Vegas.

(702) 202-4291; animabyedo.com

Photo by Jeff Green

MONZU ITALIAN OVEN + BAR

Created for Chef Gio Maura’s wife,

Naomi, Monzu is offering Naomi’s

favorite dish for Mother’s Day featuring

diver scallops over housemade lasagnette

with a mint, tomato and almond pesto

paired with the Tasca d’Almerita Grillo.

Open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 6020 W. Flamingo

Road, Las Vegas. (702) 749-5959;

monzulv.com

LA FONTAINE AT FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS

It’s a toast to Mom at the elegant French restaurant with an allday

brunch. Reservations include a choice of an a la carte item,

plus the all-you-can-enjoy brunch buffet, including carving

stations and dessert. Guests 21+ can enjoy a complimentary

champagne, bellini or mimosa. 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las

Vegas. (702) 678-9000; fontainebleaulasvegas.com

Photo by Megan Richardson

Photo by Jim Decker

DW BISTRO

AT THE GRAMERCY

Locals favorite DW is offering

the Max Pawn Luxury

Mother’s Day Pop-Up Shop

featuring authentic, preloved

luxury goods, including

bags by Hermes, Chanel,

Gucci and more from 11

a.m.-1 p.m. May 11. Also:

free bag valuations by Max

Pawn experts. 9275 W. Russell

Road, Las Vegas. (702)

527-5200; dwbistro.com

DONUTIQUE AT THE VENETIAN

During Mother’s Day weekend,

Donutique is offering

a Lavender Berry donut to

celebrate Mom. Other new

spring flavors include white

chocolate raspberry and

prickly pear. Open daily

8 a.m.-9 p.m. in The Grand

Canal Shops. 3327 S. Las

Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702)

909-8230; donutique.com

LA CAVE WINE & FOOD HIDEAWAY

AT WYNN

La Cave is celebrating moms from

9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with its signature

butler-style, tray-passed brunch. Favorites

include bacon and egg flatbread, short rib

hash, angus mini burgers, truffle mushroom

grits, vegetarian items and more alongside

10 bottomless beverage options.

3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas.

(702) 770-7375; lacavelv.com

SHAQ’S FANTASY LAB

AT FASHION SHOW

Guests can enjoy bottomless

mimosas or a dream

shake with breakfast

burritos and sandwiches,

chicken & waffles and

more. And for $50, the

Ultimate Brunch is bottomless

mimosas and the

Fantasy Lab experience.

3200 S. Las Vegas Blvd.,

Las Vegas. (725) 204-9701;

fantasylablv.com

ILLUMINARIUM AT AREA 15

Mother’s Day will bloom at Illuminarium

with “O’Keeffe: One Hundred Flowers.”

For one day only, art, nature and AYCE

brunch intertwine in celebrating O’Keeffe’s

masterpiece, reimagining the treasured

floral stills featured in “One Hundred

Flowers.” 3246 W. Desert Inn Road,

Las Vegas. (725) 527-3100;

illuminarium.com/lasvegas

VIC’S LAS VEGAS IN SYMPHONY PARK

Treat Mom to brunch with live jazz and a complimentary mimosa

at Vic’s Las Vegas. Enjoy offerings from the Italian American menu

or delight in specials only a mother could love. Live jazz by Tom

Scott, Joe Lano and Domas Zeromskas, featuring Steve Flora and

Hector L. Falu, starting at 1 p.m. 355 Promenade Place, Las Vegas.

(725) 755-5299; vicslasvegas.com

For a longer list of Mother’s Day brunches, go to VegasPrime.com.

Courtesy of Illuminarium

Team Blake

in town

Shelton celebrates Ole Red grand opening,

Gwen Stefani makes surprise appearance

By Don Chareunsy

Ole Red Las Vegas, the sixth and largest location of the

Blake Shelton-inspired bar, restaurant and music venue,

began its weeklong grand opening celebration April 16

with a private concert from the country superstar himself.

Shelton returned the following evening for another show in

his four-level entertainment venue.

“I know Las Vegas has been a big destination for cowboys,

but not until tonight has there been a destination for

absolute hillbillies, and now we got it!” Shelton said from

the stage at Ole Red Las Vegas located in the Grand Bazaar

Shops in front of Horseshoe Las Vegas at Las Vegas

Boulevard and Flamingo.

Shelton’s concert launched Ole Red Las Vegas’s official

grand opening festivities, where Shelton performed his hits

including “Nobody But You” joined by surprise guest wife

Gwen Stefani, who had just performed at Coachella. Ole Red

celebrated all week with contests, giveaways and performances

by Team Blake members from NBC’s “The Voice.”

I’m a longtime country music fan, and Shelton was my last

concert in 2020 before the pandemic shut down the world.

I was excited when Ole Red was first announced for Las

Vegas, and a sneak peek in January didn’t disappoint (it

opened to the public a few days later).

Ole Red Las Vegas is as big, bold and lively as Shelton, and

the service is friendly, the drinks are large, and the food is

solid. The food and cocktails I’ve enjoyed at Ole Red: shrimp

corn dogs (standout), smoked mushroom tacos, blackberry

48


Courtesy of Ole Red

crispy chicken sliders, hell right prime

sliders (standout), mahi mahi (standout),

St. Louis ribs with Korean barbecue, Ole

Red barbecue and honey bourbon glaze sauces (all three are

standouts), street corn salad and the cocktails Raspberry

Fresh (vodka), Cowboy Mule (bourbon) and Adios My Friend

(vodka, rum, gin, blue Curaçao and more).

The chef told us, while ending the evening on the rooftop

with a great view of the Las Vegas Strip, there are 17 items

on the menu unique to Las Vegas. Ryan Whyte Maloney was

performing on this Sunday night in January.

A return in March when family was in town was just as

stellar. Our food: Redneck Nachos, Honey Bee Hot Chicken

& Waffles, Trash Talkin’ Taco Salad and Blue Tick Burger. The

music: Dez Hoston, whose spirited covers included “Fast

Car,” “Friends in Low Places,” “Tennessee Whiskey” and

more. Ole Red Las Vegas is an awesome place for country

music fans in Las Vegas.

Ole Red Las Vegas is the brand’s newest location at 27,000

square feet, including 686 seats and a 4,500 square-foot

rooftop with views of the Strip. Ole Red is named after Shelton’s

third chart hit “Ol’ Red.” Ole Red also is in Nashville; at

Nashville International Airport; Tishomingo, Okla., Shelton’s

hometown; Gatlinburg, Tenn.; and Orlando, Fla.


49

ATTRACTIONS

Teeing off

Atomic Golf Las Vegas

is in full swing as an

entertainment destination

Golf entertainment destination Atomic

Golf Las Vegas opened its doors to the

public on March 22, commemorating

the day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony

on property at 1850 S. Main Street near

the entrance to The Las Vegas Arts

District in Downtown Las Vegas.

After arriving in a customized Atomic

Golf-branded golf cart, Bobak Mostaghasi,

CEO of Atomic Golf, cut the

ceremonial purple ribbon with Brian

Birckbichler, Senior Vice President of

Atomic Golf, alongside guests including

Golden Entertainment Chairman and

CEO Blake Sartini.

“We are thrilled to welcome the public

to experience the new and innovative

offerings at Atomic Golf,” Birckbichler

said at the grand opening. “As proud

members of the Las Vegas community,

we look forward to creating unforgettable

memories for both locals and

visitors alike.”

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman

and Councilman Cedric Crear also

made an appearance to welcome

Atomic Golf Las Vegas to the city.

Doors swung open at 10 a.m., and

guests were invited in to experience

the next-generation golf technology,

engaging atmosphere and immersive

game play.

The morning was complete with

a celebratory cannon shoot by

Mostaghasi at the cannon bay, an

exclusive feature at Atomic Golf.

Sitting on 100,000 square feet, steps

from the Las Vegas Strip, Atomic Golf

boasts four distinct floors of 103 digitally

enhanced golfing bays and games

designed for Atomic Golf.

Courtesy of Atomic Golf Las Vegas


ATTRACTIONS

Photos by Anthony Mair

There also are six full-service bars with their own

menus; meeting and event spaces; golfing suites

featuring a VIP entrance and private bar; the Putting

District with eight digital putting bays; chef-curated

menus; The Tap Room with Bottoms Up technology

and local beers; the Cosmic Lounge; the Astrocade

with wall-to-ceiling LCD displays for sports and

entertainment viewing; and more.

If Topgolf and Atomic Golf aren’t enough for you,

three new golf entertainment venues, ranging from

virtual golf and putting greens to driving ranges,

are set to open or just opened:

ON THE HORIZON

Bar and virtual golf lounge J Bar & Golf Lounge in

Chinatown offers golf simulators alongside cocktails

and sushi. Eight golfing bays include couches and

tables, and there’s additional seating at the bar. Bays

start at $40 for 30 minutes of play on the virtual

driving range. The menu includes seared ahi tuna,

chicken wings, sandwiches, pasta and cocktails. J Bar

& Golf Lounge opened in February at 3545 S. Valley

View Blvd.

PopStroke opened at Town Square on April 22 and

mixes miniature golf, technology, entertainment and

casual dining. PopStroke linked up with Tiger Woods

for the two 18-hole putting courses designed to

replicate a golf course with synthetic turfs that include

fairways, rough and bunkers. The two-story PopStroke

also has an outdoor beer garden with foosball and

cornhole, dining area, playground and full-service

bars.

The adults-only Swingers Crazy Golf mini-golf course

will boast five golf courses, carnival-like setting and

cocktails delivered by caddy when it replaces the

40,000-square-foot Light nightclub in Mandalay Bay.

The $50 million venue will offer, over three floors, five

golf courses with an English countryside theme with

theatrical “country house” design; games designed for

adults with beer, wine and cocktails; street food-style

fare; and DJs. Opening: fall 2024.

54


ATTRACTIONS

FIGHT,

FIGHT,

FIGHT!

‘BattleBots: Destruct-a-Thon’ remains

a family-favorite show for fans of all ages

By Don Chareunsy

The family-friendly and nostalgic “BattleBots: Destructa-Thon,”

the world’s premier robot-combat competition,

celebrated its grand opening in February 2023 in

Las Vegas, and more than one year later, the bots are

still battling their way to success in BattleBots Arena

at Koval and Flamingo behind Horseshoe Las Vegas.

The daily theater show features live robot-on-robot

carnage, never-before-seen combat robots and celebrity

hosts Bil Dwyer and Steve Judkins. Containing the

drama, action and destruction of the television series

viewed in more than 150 countries, fights taking place

during each 75-minute “BattleBots” show are real, and

nobody – not even the drivers – knows which robot

will win each night.

“BattleBots” delights audiences of all ages who shout

“fight, fight, fight!” as the battles begin and cheer

wildly for their favorite bots. Each show consists of

six one-on-one robot battles – the results of which are

not only unpredictable but also sure to be chock full of

surprises as the bots and their weapons, such as deadly

spinning blades that can slice through steel like butter

and flame throwers that can shoot fire 6 feet into the

air, take over the arena.

Weighing up to 300 pounds, “BattleBots” robots include

many of the most famous that have delighted millions

of fans. Witch Doctor, Kraken, Mammoth, Hypershock,

Ginsu, Malice, Nightmare, Overkill, Tazbot

and Whiplash are joined in the lineup by robots

created for the live show.

and singer Cheryl Daro was part of the opening cast

of “BattleBots” and led Team Diablo.

“ ‘BattleBots: Destruct-a-Thon’ is an amazing family

of people who care deeply about creating more visibility

in the engineering, robotics and mechanics fields. It’s

such a unique way to introduce this world to people

who might not quite understand the depth of this work

and might not have seen a future in it,” Daro said.

“Watching these massive robots destroy each other

every night really emphasizes the power of engineering

and what you can do with that. Also, it’s just a whole lot

of fun for all ages!”

Daro said being a part of opening “BattleBots” in Las

Vegas was so special, especially being able to live dayto-day

on the set and work directly with the real

builder team. Learning from the builders from groups

like Diablo, Hypershock and Witch Doctor and the

OGs Trey Roski and Greg Muson really made what

she did in the live show so much more exciting.

“I was immediately interested in joining the ‘BattleBots’

family because I watched the ‘BattleBots’ TV show

growing up in the Bay Area,” Daro said. “The opportunity

to move in the same circles with the original

creators and executive producers of the show like

Tom Gutteridge and be a small part of this world was

a dream come true ... albeit, a geeky dream come true.

“Working with the ‘BattleBots: Destruct-a-Thon’ team

is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

Las Vegas audiences had the unparalleled chance to see

new robots Chopper and Diablo before they were featured

on the television series. Las Vegas-based actress


Upsizing

Esther’s Kitchen moves down the

block, can now serve three times

as many customers

By Don Chareunsy

James Beard-nominated restaurateur

and Chef James Trees opened his new

and larger Esther’s Kitchen location at

1131 S. Main St. in the Las Vegas Arts

District on March 8, offering dinner,

weekday lunch and weekend brunch

in a restaurant that serves three times

as many customers as his previous

outpost down the block.

Replacing the original and popular

location on California Street (aka

1130 Casino Center Drive), which

closed Feb. 28, Esther’s Kitchen now

offers 187 seats, including 28 bar seats

in a 10,432-square-foot space, in total

more than three times the capacity of

the first restaurant.

“We are really excited to provide the

same neighborhood, seasonal

experience for our guests that we have

been doing for six years,” Trees said in

a news release. “Only now, we won’t

have to turn anyone away.” (That’s

not true, but keep reading. Ha!)

Taking over a 1940s corrugated-steel-and-concrete

building

previously home to the vintage store

Retro Vegas, the new Esther’s Kitchen –

named for the great aunt who was

Trees’s first mentor – continues the

seasonal Italian and craft cocktails

restaurant popular with locals and

visitors alike since opening in 2018.

In recent years, reservations have frequently

been booked out weeks in

advance, creating the demand for a

larger space. Trees was adamant about

keeping the restaurant in The Arts

District, waiting for the perfect opportunity to present

itself, as the new location in Downtown Las Vegas

is just steps away from the original.

While staying faithful to the spirit of the original,

the new Esther’s offers several new exciting features,

including a vastly improved entrance experience, live

pasta making and wood-fired pizza stations, a private

dining room seating 55 and a wraparound bar including

window bar rails with a view of Main & California.

I’m a fan of Esther’s Kitchen and dined there before

it closed – and then recently on a Monday night at

56


IF YOU

GO

Esther’s Kitchen, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.

Saturdays-Sundays, 1131 S. Main St., Las Vegas. (702) 570-7864; EsthersLV.com.

Courtesy of Esther’s Kitchen

the new location. The fresh, seasonal and local menu

never disappoints and has kept customer favorites

among its offering over the years alongside new

seasonal items.

Our dinner for two, with no missteps and some of the

delicious dishes I’ve ordered before in previous meals:

Chef ’s Spread (all eight spreads to go with the signature

housemade sourdough loaf, a must-order

in groups of two or larger), Nduja butter mussels,

Vitello Tonato (tuna carpaccio, crispy sweetbreads

and salted zucchini – unique and delightful) and duck

confit pizza (rich, flavorful and surprisingly light).

Also: radiatore (made with tripe, mint, celery and

parmesan – we loved it), whole grilled market fish (it

was branzino on this Monday night and the standout

of the standout dinner), butcher beans, butterscotch

budino and the cocktail Best Intentions. Yes, there

were a lot of leftovers.

I love the new space. A lot. The cozy, hipster-Italian

neighborhood spot has super-sized without losing

its exemplary quality of food and service and too

much of its casual vibe. I was told business was booming

(so walk-in customers have been turned away),

partly because Esther’s Kitchen is shiny and new and

because it has a loyal following. It was jam-packed

the Monday night I dined there.

The new kitchen includes a wood-fired hearth, adding

large-format entrees to the menu and a full professional

baking suite. An additional loft bar experience

will open at a later date. A rear hallway, where the

restrooms are located, pays tribute to the first six

years of Esther’s with a collage of menus beneath

framed awards.

Trees, a James Beard Award: Best Chef Southwest

semifinalist in 2020, is joined on his management

team by Executive Chef Sean O’Hara, Director of

Operations Keith Bracewell, General Manager

David Klarer, Event Coordinator Gatsby Darwin

and Bar Manager Tucker St. John.

Mayor Carolyn Goodman joined Councilwoman

Olivia Diaz and Las Vegas Arts District President

Becky Miller in honoring Trees with a proclamation

and the official Key to the City of Las Vegas on March

28. Trees also has Al Solito Posto and Ada’s Food +

Wine Bar in Tivoli Village.


IN THE END ZONE

NFL legend Emmitt Smith opens

Emmitt’s Las Vegas at Fashion Show

By Don Chareunsy

Courtesy of Emmitt’s

NFL Hall of Famer and legend Emmitt Smith celebrated

his new restaurant Emmitt’s Vegas at Fashion Show

Las Vegas with a VIP grand opening party on March

28. The soiree celebrated culinary excellence and artistry

and featured family, friends, professional athletes,

other celebrities and live entertainment.

The evening started with a presentation as Clark

County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, Hector Lizaola

with Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Mini Happawana

with Sen. Jacky Rosen, Gipsy Martinez-Alcocer with

Congresswoman Dina Titus and Art Goldberg with

the Vegas Chamber bestowed the Key to the Las Vegas

Strip to Smith.

After the presentation, Smith took part in a champagne

saber, his version of a ribbon cutting, as champagne

flowed at the contemporary American restaurant (it

was branded a steakhouse at one point) in the former

space of the two-level Sugar Factory American Brasserie.

One highlight: Susan Sommer’s art installation

paying tribute to Smith and his former Dallas Cowboys

teammates Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin.

“I am eternally grateful for the hard work and dedication

of each and every person,” Smith said at the grand

opening. “Including the restaurant staff, thank you for

your commitment, dedication, hard work, sacrifice and

everything else.”

Attendees also were treated to cocktails, passed bites

including lobster bisque shooters, burger and crab cake

sliders, cowboy butter steak skewers, sushi and desserts

and a DJ/saxophone player. Emmitt’s offers lunch,

dinner and weekend brunch, along with an extensive

wine collection.

I didn’t know what to expect at dinnertime at Emmitt’s

Vegas soon after the grand opening, as these parties are

nearly never an accurate representation of the restaurant,

but I left a satisfied customer.

Our dinner for two: tuna tartare, crispy Brussels

sprouts, one of the best French onion soups I’ve ever

had, American Wagyu New York Strip, miso-glazed

sea bass, creamy mashed potatoes loaded, brown butter

cake, carrot cake and a Gold Jacket Old Fashioned. Full,

satisfied and with plenty of leftovers.

And don’t forget to snap a photo with a young Smith,

Aikman and Irvin on the way out.

IF YOU

GO

Emmitt’s Vegas, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-

11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-11 p.m. Saturdays

and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-10 p.m. Sundays,

3200 S. Las Vegas Blvd #1240 (at Fashion Show Las Vegas).

(702) 688-7000; EmmittsVegas.com.

58


By Bob Barnes

After a year of development and remodeling,

Cin Cin Brewhouse & Seafood Bar is

now open. Situated in the former space of

Neon Brewing (which has relocated to the

Henderson Booze District) in the Downtown

Arts District at 914 S. Main (across

from the English Hotel), the décor has

been completely revamped. The new look

brings a warm and classy feel with a gray,

black and dark brown motif, crystal chandeliers,

communal table, large windows,

a sushi bar and renditions of the word

cheers in several languages imprinted on

the entrance door.

Cin cin means cheers in Italian, which

is apropos, as Executive Chef Virakone

Vongphachanh is offering a range of

seafood combining Japanese with an

Italian-influenced flair. Chef has more

than 30 years culinary experience, and

his initial menu features a limited menu

of sushi rolls, tartare and a raw bar with

five varieties of oysters. Plans are in the

coming months to add pastas and pan

roasts and to cook with the beers being

brewed in the brewery.

Brewmaster Cisco Talley, who has

12 years brewing experience,

is handling the

brewing duties.

Stepping into the

head brewing role

was seamless for

Talley, as he was

the assistant brewer

for Neon Desert

and is brewing on

the same 10-barrel

system he used for

1 1/2 years. The taproom has 20 taps,

which will eventually all pour Cin Cin

beers, but for now 10 are offered. All are

designed to pair well with the food being

served. Talley’s suggestions include the

7.3% Dry Stout with oyster shooters

and 5% Red Rice Lager, 5% Citrus Blonde

and 5.6% Orange Wheat with any fish

and sushi. Two extra-hoppy beers, the

6.9% IPL (India Pale Lager) and 7.2%

IPA (India Pale Ale) are intended especially

for craft beer fans.

Plans are to soon offer more international

styles but with no gimmicks. Talley

explained: “A brewer is like a chef,

and I want to make good, clean, solid

beer with no gimmicks or weird

ingredients, keep my game elevated

and never stop learning.”

Welcome to the first installment

of Vegas Prime Brewing News.

The title of this column is

representative of the prime,

most important news about our

local breweries and the vigor of

our burgeoning Las Vegas craft

beer scene. In these regular

features, I will shine a light on

new brewery openings, upcoming

beer events and venues

worth knowing about that offer

a quality craft beer selection.

In this recurring feature, we will spotlight establishments

that appreciate our local breweries enough to

tap only beer made in Nevada. Since day one of its

opening in 2015, Yardbird Southern Table & Bar at

The Venetian has devoted 100% of its taps to Nevada

breweries.

Beers flowing from the 12 taps currently include

Able Baker Chis Kael Impale’d Ale, Atomic Duck and

Yardbird’s Unfor’grit’able Pale Ale (made exclusively

for Yardbird); Big Dog’s Dirty Dog IPA and Dog Days

Hazy IPA; CraftHaus UNLV Rebel Spirit Golden Ale,

Coffee Stout and Evocation Saison; and Tenaya Creek

El Charro Mexican-Style Lager, Bonanza Brown Ale,

Czech Pilsner and Hefeweizen Wheat Ale.

While you may come for the beer, do yourself a

favor and stay for the Southern-inspired grub, such

as Lewellyn’s Fine Fried Chicken, extremely tender

thanks to being brined and seasoned for 27 hours and

accompanied with honey hot sauce.

3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas. (702) 297-6541;

RunChickenRun.com.

NEON

DESERT

BREWING

CAN MAKE

YOU FAMOUS

Have you ever wanted a touch of fame and notoriety,

such as having your picture on a billboard or

maybe even a beer can? One local brewery, Neon

Desert Brewing in the Henderson Booze District,

can make that happen for you. The brewery has the

technology to produce labels from a digital photo,

which are then affixed to cans filled with a beer of

your choosing. The minimum is a four-pack for

$30, and a case is $100. This promotion is proving

to be popular for wedding gifts, parties and restaurant

openings. To upload your image and place

your order, visit mylabel.beer.

7380 Eastgate Road, #110, Henderson.

(702) 281-3735; NeonDesertBrewing.com.

Lapis Spa - Fontainebleau

Just Say

Spahhh

If today’s your day to treat yourself,

book an appointment at one of our five

favorite spas on the Las Vegas Strip

By Emmy Kasten

Are you beginning to regret last night’s tequila

shots? Or maybe you just need a break from the slot

machines? We’ve got you! The Strip has no shortage

of state-of-the-art spas to restore your mind and body

to its rightful state. From new wellness meccas to OG

institutions, here are five of our faves to revive you to

Vegas-ready perfection.

Awana Spa & Wellness at Resorts World Desert

weather can leave you feeling drained and

1.

dehydrated, and before you know it, you look as

bad as you feel. Bathe yourself back to life in Awana’s

six vitality pools in its Fountain of Youth experience,

inspired by the mythical spring with age-reversing

waters. Lounge in the heated crystal laconium room,

vapor-filled steam rooms, cool mist showers and

the experiential rain walk before or after your facial,

massage or body treatment. Don’t miss the Art of

Aufguss, the first of its kind in the U.S., where a live

sauna meister performs in a theater-inspired heated

room with aromatherapy, music and lights for a very

Vegas spa experience. RWLasVegas.com.

62


Lapis Spa - Fontainebleau

The Spa at Encore at Wynn Las

Vegas Can you ever really go wrong

2.

with anything at Wynn Las Vegas?

Especially when it comes to the property’s

Forbes Five-Star awarded spa, the answer

is a resounding “no!” You’ll feel like

royalty the moment you enter the opulent

environment, and your tension will melt

with each step through the dramatic grand

corridor. Their team of experts will pamper

you with services that range from a simple

50-minute facial to an indulgent 130-minute

Nalu Body Ritual that includes a Polynesian

fusion massage, body exfoliation and

coconut oil scalp treatment.

WynnLasVegas.com.

Encore Spa


Awana Pool - Resorts World

Lapis Spa & Wellness at Fontainebleau Las

Vegas The newest spa on the Strip does it

3.

all — hydrotherapy, massage, facials, nails

and more — making it one of the best one-stop

shops for best-in-class restorative treatments. In

partnership with renowned expert Dr. Barbara Sturm,

the Signature #Sturmglow Facial will plump, refresh

and tone tired complexions with a mixture of

cleansing, anti-aging massage and intense moisturization.

However, if it’s your feet that need the TLC,

the spa’s one-of-a-kind Reboot Lounge specifically

rejuvenates overworked legs and feet. Try the

Detoxifying Foot Treatment to exfoliate and hydrate

before a pressure-point massage revives your

body’s hardworking lower half.

FontainebleauLasVegas.com.

Caesars Palace

The Spa & Salon at Palms Casino Resort

Located just-off the Strip, the spa at Palms

4.

is a Zen departure from the frenetic casino

craziness. The luxurious space features a full menu

of services including the heavenly

Palms Signature Body Ritual that starts

with a full-body exfoliation, followed

by a Salt Stone massage before your

body is cocooned in hot towels. As your

stress melts away, a gemstone facial

mask will detox your pores while you

enjoy a scalp and foot massage. For the

ultimate facial, go for one of the new

Natura Bissé treatments such as the

anti-aging and brightening Diamond

Luminous facial for a glowy complexion.

Palms.com.

64


Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace Las Vegas

Since its opening in 2006, this massive yet

tranquil oasis has been a mainstay for relaxation

on the Strip. Start your experience by easing

into the warm Tepidarium pool before alternating

between the hot, mineral-enriched Caldarium pool

and Frigidarium cold plunge. For extra-sore muscles,

5.

relax as snowflakes gently float from the ceiling in the

55-degree Arctic Ice Room before indulging in a CBD

Wellness Massage that uses 400 mg of water-soluble,

broad-spectrum CBD and 0% THC. For a touch of

24-karat magic, finish with a 24K Golden Goddess

Facial — since you’re in Vegas, after all.

Caesars.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.

CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS

Courtesy of Ignite

VEGAS PRIME WHISPERS

Which Las Vegas headliner has to wait until the first few

weeks of ticket sales to determine if the run of shows will be

extended? It’s not an uncommon practice, but it also means

not buying a house in Sin City just yet.

Which celebrity restaurateur is pushing pause on a restaurant

expansion, contrary to what employees have been told, to see

how the soft opening goes? It’s not an uncommon practice,

but it also means the soft opening has been … softer than

expected.

One celebrity chef says a high-end restaurant with Peking

duck on the menu is not actually serving Peking duck, so it’s

misleading. You could say the vibe dining menu is not all it’s

quacked up to be.

Why were there recently two “Jersey Boys” grand opening

celebrations at The Orleans in one month? Simple answer: The

award-winning production changed ownership.

Are those rumblings of a #MeToo lawsuit involving Las Vegas

Strip headliners on the horizon? They’re unfortunately true.

Stay tuned.

Email your Vegas Prime Whispers to info@vegasprime.com.

UPCOMING

Courtesy of Larry Flynt’s

Hustler Club

The new Play Playground at the Luxor welcomed

UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du

Plessis and rapper-actor Ludacris in mid-April.

In partnership with Ignite Spirits, du Plessis

hosted a meet-and-greet at Play Playground,

where he poured cocktails, signed bottles and

participated in the larger-than-life games,

including throwing himself at the Velcro

wall and riding the two-story slide. That

same weekend, Ludacris stopped by Play

Playground and enjoyed cocktails and games

while receiving love on the lightboard, which

he posted on his Instagram.

On March 2, MMA fighter Eryk Anders

celebrated his UFC Fight Night 238

win against Jamie Pickett at Larry

Flynt’s Hustler Club Las Vegas.

Anders and his posse arrived about

2 a.m., enjoyed bottle service in a VIP

section where he toasted to multiple

shots of Casamigos Reposado, snapped

photos with the club’s entertainers, staff and

patrons, made it rain and mixed and mingled

with fans before departing after 5 a.m.

MAY 10

MAY 17

JUNE 5-8

Keep Memory Alive’s Power of Love Gala

at MGM Grand Garden Arena honoring Blake

Shelton, scheduled lineup includes Jay Allen,

Colbie Caillat, Kristin Chenoweth, Andy

Grammer, Mickey Guyton, Gary LeVox and

Cassadee Pope, 5:30-11 p.m.

KeepMemoryAlive.org.

Sammy Hagar and Palms Casino Resort

are hosting a grand opening celebration

for Sammy’s Island, a tropical poolside oasis

inspired by the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s

music and Baja beach vibe, 7:30-11 p.m. May 17.

Palms.com.

Revelry, an all-new culinary festival at Wynn

Las Vegas, will bring together some of the

world’s most-esteemed chefs, best-in-class

vintners, mixologists, art installations and live

entertainment.

WynnLasVegas.com.

66


Courtesy of Esther’s Kitchen | EsthersLV.com

Vegas Prime Magazine (V1.1) - May 5, 2025 Issue

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