2015-04-23 Las Vegas Weekly by Greenspun Media Group

Remembering

sign icons // Bar-hopping with Flosstradamus // Emeril’s perfect meal

Our

Wizard World power matrix

SUMMER MOVIE PREVIEW

Reasons to see (or skip) the year’s biggest and baddest films

More than a spring fling.

With its sexy lines, turbocharged performance and top-down driving experience, the 2015 Audi A3 Cabriolet always puts you in a sunny disposition. Whether you’re cruising the winding coast or soaking in the sights and sounds of the Vegas Strip, the A3 Cabriolet is a vehicle that doesn’t shy away from a good time. At Audi Henderson, we’re redefining the car buying experience. Call or visit today.

7740 Eastgate Rd. Henderson, NV 89011 702.982.4600 • www.audihenderson.com

GROUP PUBLISHER TRAVIS KEYS (travis.keys@gmgvegas.com) ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER MARK DE POOTER (mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com)

✁

EDITORIAL EDITOR SPENCER PATTERSON (spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com) MANAGING EDITOR ERIN RYAN (erin.ryan@gmgvegas.com) ASSOCIATE EDITOR BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) NIGHTLIFE EDITOR MIKE PREVATT (mike.prevatt@gmgvegas.com) WEB EDITOR MARK ADAMS (mark.adams@gmgvegas.com) FILM EDITOR JOSH BELL STAFF WRITERS KRISTEN PETERSON (kristen.peterson@gmgvegas.com) KRISTY TOTTEN (kristy.totten@gmgvegas.com) CALENDAR EDITOR LESLIE VENTURA (leslie.ventura@gmgvegas.com) CONTRIBUTING EDITORS DON CHAREUNSY, JOHN KATSILOMETES, KEN MILLER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS DAWN-MICHELLE BAUDE, JIM BEGLEY, CHRIS BITONTI, JACOB COAKLEY, MIKE D’ANGELO, SARAH FELDBERG, STEVE FRIESS, SMITH GALTNEY, JASON HARRIS, TOVIN LAPAN, MOLLY O’DONNELL, DEANNA RILLING, CHUCK TWARDY, ANDY WANG, ANNIE ZALESKI LIBRARY SERVICES SPECIALIST/PERMISSIONS REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ OFFICE COORDINATOR NADINE GUY

ART ASSOCIATE CREATIVE DIRECTOR LIZ BROWN (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) SENIOR DESIGNER MARVIN LUCAS (marvin.lucas@gmgvegas.com) DESIGNER CORLENE BYRD (corlene.byrd@gmgvegas.com) STAFF PHOTO & VIDEO JOURNALISTS L.E. BASKOW, CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS, STEVE MARCUS PHOTO COORDINATOR MIKAYLA WHITMORE CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS SPENCER BURTON, BILL HUGHES, ADRIAN LUBBERS, ADAM SHANE

MMY’S A S

PRODUCTION

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ADVERTISING PUBLISHER OF INTERACTIVE DONN JERSEY ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER FOR INTERACTIVE KATIE HORTON GROUP DIRECTOR OF SALES OPERATIONS STEPHANIE REVIEA PUBLICATION COORDINATORS KASHMIR OWENS, KAREN PARISI ADVERTISING DIRECTOR JEFF JACOBS EXTERNAL CONTENT MANAGER EMMA CAUTHORN ACCOUNT MANAGERS KATIE HARRISON, BREEN NOLAN, SUE SRAN ADVERTISING MANAGERS JIM BRAUN , BRIANNA ECK, DANIELLE EL KADI, FRANK FEDER, KELLY GAJEWSKI, JUSTIN GANNON, KENNETH HARMON, TRASIE MASON, DONNA ROBERTS EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT KRISTEN BARNSON SALES ASSISTANT DENISE ARANCIBIA

SOCIAL CLUB

Enjoy a selection of our favorite

Red Blends Four Course Prix-Fixe Menu Wednesday, April 29th • 7:00pm $55 Per Person

(GRATUITY & TAX NOT INCLUDED)

Reserve Your Table Today

Call 702.567.4000 or Email gvp@sammyspizza.com

Sammy’s Restaurant & Bar

1501 North Green Valley Parkway • Henderson, NV 89074 www.sammysgreenvalley.com

VICE PRESIDENT OF MANUFACTURING MARIA BLONDEAUX ASSISTANT PRODUCTION DIRECTOR PAUL HUNTSBERRY PRODUCTION MANAGER BLUE UYEDA ART DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING AND MARKETING SERVICES SEAN RADEMACHER PRODUCTION ARTISTS MARISSA MAHERAS, DARA RICCI TRAFFIC SUPERVISOR ESTEE WRIGHT GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MICHELE HAMRICK, CARLOS HERRERA TRAFFIC COORDINATORS MEAGAN HODSON, KIM SMITH

CIRCULATION DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION RON GANNON ROUTE MANAGER RANDY CARLSON CIRCULATION SPECIALIST CHAD HARWOOD

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GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, PUBLISHER & EDITOR BRIAN GREENSPUN CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ROBERT CAUTHORN EXECUTIVE EDITOR TOM GORMAN MANAGING EDITOR RIC ANDERSON CREATIVE DIRECTOR ERIK STEIN

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Contents 7 mail Are Kevin James and

44 noise On the concert front

Hooters played out? A helpful tip on buying vinyl ... in Utah.

with Interpol, Kimbra and those old indie beasts Built to Spill.

8 as we see it Trees on the

47 the strip Planet Hollywood

brain! Why Vegas has a big heart. And a fond remembrance of the architects of neon.

brings us Weird Al Yankovic.

12 weekly Q&A SLS bigwig Scott Kreeger.

14 Feature | blockbuster

Delmonico Steakhouse by mikayla whitmore

season cometh! Gearing up for summer’s onslaught of movies, from superheroes to dirty-minded bears. Plus: originals vs. reboots.

24 nights Hitting Downtown’s

48 fine art Justin Favela and Sean Slattery drive conversation.

49 stage An unhinged holy man takes on everything.

50 food Emeril designs a menu with BAM! Family gravy at Rao’s.

54 calendar The Phil brings us 100 years of music in one night.

drinkeries with Flosstradamus.

with the purchase of any other entrée and two beverages of equal or lesser value*

39 A&E Quiz! How well do you know The Simpsons?

40 screen Ex Machina, The Water Diviner, The Salt of the Earth, The Age of Adaline—it’s a film feast on top of a film feast!

FREE ENTREE

Cover illustration By Adrian Lubbers

*Offer valid at participating Denny’s Nevada locations only. One coupon, per table, per visit. Second entrée must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with any other coupons or promotional offers. Coupon has no cash value. No change returned. Taxes and gratuity not included. Beverages not included. Selection and prices may vary. Only original coupon accepted. Photocopied and Internet printed or purchased coupons are not valid. No substitutions. © 2014 DFO, LLC. Expires 5/6/15. Offer valid at Denny’s Nevada locations only.

LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM

FEED YOUR EARS An indie-folk singer-songwriter, a country rocker known for his stoner style and a final night with heavy-metal royalty—those are just a few of this week’s Vegas concert on-sales. Get all the info at lasvegasweekly.com.

PROGRAMS FEATURE HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION FROM EXPERIENCED HOLLYWOOD MENTORS THAT PROVIDE YOU WITH THE SKILLS YOU’LL NEED TO BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

LET’S BE FRIENDS!

/lasvegasweekly /lasvegasweekly /lasvegasweekly

MOST READ STORIES lasvegasweekly.com 1. Extra cheese, please: Welcome back to Battista’s Hole in the Wall

CALL PAUL AT 702.475.5614 OR EMAIL PAUL@IAFT.NET 6363 S. PECOS RD, LAS VEGAS, NV 89120

2. Priscilla Presley talks preserving the King’s legacy at Westgate’s Graceland and beyond 3. Vegas is the only bright spot in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 4. The world’s largest Hooters is coming to the Palms 5. Vegas record stores new and old stoke the vinyl revival

LOS ANGELES • HONG KONG • PHILIPPINES • LAS VEGAS • BELGIUM

WILLIE NELSON BY JACQUELYN MARTIN/AP PHOTO; MONIKA HACZKIEWICZ BY L.E. BASKOW

CALL ABOUT OUR FREE WORKSHOPS

KITCHEN LESSON It’s time to revisit Mercadito, where chefs and bartenders are not only unleashing new menu specialties but also teaming up for a monthly cooking demo dinner where you can learn how to create your own flavors while indulging in theirs. Lasvegasweekly.com has the tasty details.

EN POINTE Last week, Las Vegas Academy student Monika Haczkiewicz traveled to New York to compete against top young dancers for the attention of prestigious ballet companies from around the world. Will she be gracing an elite stage soon or going back to high school? Find out at lasvegasweekly.com.

Mail > New Music 11th Street Records

FRIED CHICKEN + LIVE MUSIC + BOWLING + BEER

OPEN MON - FRI 5PM | SAT - SUN 12PM APR

STURGILL SIMPSON W VERY SPECIAL GUESTS THE LONE BELLOW ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N.

23 ............................................................................................

VINYL TIME Record Store Day and the old-school album industry are alive and well in Vegas.

Is Vegas (specifically Downtown) becoming a hipster city? The answers to these questions are absolutely interrelated. –Robert Herres Nice article. I wouldn’t dare add Wax Trax ... museum is not the word. More like step to the front door and walk away. No diggin’ allowed. –Jay Lee I think real diggers already know where to go and the hipsters should stick to Whole Foods. –Rebecca Reyna Go to Randy’s Records in downtown Salt Lake City. It’s the best. –Shane Haws

ASSEMBLY REQUIRED Ikea finally broke ground in Las Vegas, and some of us—most of us—are excited about it.

Who will assemble the building? Probably came without hardware anyway. –Joe Krathwohl Cheap dorm-room furniture. I don’t get the hype. –Paul Lessick

WINGS AND THINGS The world’s largest Hooters will soon open at the Palms, and some of us—just some of us—are excited about it.

It’s 2015. Is Hooters really that big of a deal anymore? –Robert Walsh

photograph by spencer burton

Who cares? They opened one down the street. The Palms is for tourists only. –John DeBaun Another bad idea. That place was cool a long time ago. –Laysi S. Wälte

That’s more class for Vegas. Thanks. –Candice Marie

BLART ATTACK Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 really shows off the beauty of Wynn Resorts.

I hope it wins a Razzie. Of all the things we could have spent $5 million taxpayer dollars on, we choose the film that has a 0 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating. –Phatfrank3 Kevin James’ 15 minutes of fame ended years ago. There is no reason for any film to include him going forward. –Vegas Pragmatist The movie will be a huge hit in Asia with middle-class tourists who will then want to visit where it all happened. Within two years there will be a Paul Blart musical at the Encore Theater starring a former reality-show contestant. –SpecialK702

CELTIC ACTION Continue to Trust Us to let you know about all of the cool local events you shouldn’t miss, even if we missed one.

Highland Games at Tule Springs. All the bagpipes, haggis and caber tossing you can stand. *mic drop* –Vicky Brogan

OLD FAVORITES

APR 24 ............................................................................................ APR 25 ............................................................................................ APR 26 ............................................................................................ APR 27 ............................................................................................ APR 28 ............................................................................................ MAY 1 ............................................................................................ MAY 2 ............................................................................................ MAY 3 ............................................................................................ MAY 4 ............................................................................................ MAY 11 ............................................................................................ MAY 14 ............................................................................................ MAY 15 ............................................................................................ MAY 19 ............................................................................................ MAY 21 ............................................................................................ MAY LATE SHOW 21 ............................................................................................ MAY 26 ............................................................................................ MAY 27 ............................................................................................ MAY THE SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS W JD MCPHERSON 28 ............................................................................................

ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA

SEBASTIAN BACH REGGAE BOWL: MORGAN HERITAGE

> OK GO < UMPHREY'S MCGEE PRESENTS UMBOWL VI UMPHREY'S MCGEE PRESENTS VEGAS BABY! >>> KINKY <<< MARIACHI EL BRONX

••• THE STEPPAS ••• THE EXPENDABLES <<< LITTLE DRAGON >>> -----SOJA----S H A K E Y G R A V E S BIG SAM S FUNKY NATION XAVIER RUDD A THE UNITED NATIONS GIANT PANDA GUERILLA DUB SQUAD ROBERT PLANT A > FREE SHOWS < SPARE TIME - 1/2 PRICE FOOD, DRINKS & BOWLING

APR LATE SHOW 24, 25, 27 ............................................................................................ MAY 16

PAPER TIGERS

New Weekly food columnist Rick Moonen—yes, celebrity chef Rick Moonen!—started his tour of old-school Vegas restaurants at Battista’s Hole in the Wall.

BEAT THE CROWD

Love this place, and love it when Gordy and his accordion come around the corner ... again! –Chris Barham

B BROOKLYN BOWL

My first visit was in the ’70s with all the family, and there have been many more visits through the years. –Mary Mclaughlin

LVWeekly@GMGVegas.com Letters and posts may be edited for length/clarity. All submissions become the property of Las Vegas Weekly.

>GAIN PRIORIT Y< ACCESS TO CONCERTS D I N E W I T H U S D AY O F T H E S H O W S H O W YO U R R E C E I P T T O S K I P T H E L I N E

CENTER STRIP AT THE LINQ // BROOKLYNBOWL.COM // 702.896.BOWL

AsWeSeeIt OPINION + POLITICS + HUMOR + STYLE

FEESABILITY Prepare to pay more and later for Downtown parking

A LEGACY IN LIGHTS

Last weekend, Las Vegas lost two designers who helped shaped its iconic skyline ∑ Buzz and Betty, Betty and Buzz. I first fell under the spell of

Betty Willis and Brian “Buzz” Leming from the back row of a panel discussion about sign design in 2008, transfixed by their incredible stories and mind-bending ingenuity. I had already succumbed to the luster of their signs, but here were the actual people who’d imagined what Las Vegas might look like and then went to work making it real. They told salty stories of inventing a magical cityscape, in a middle-of-nowhere town that took all of 10 minutes to cross on a bicycle. Everything was fodder for inspiration: magazines and comic books, TV shows and cartoons, books, movies, the library and even the five & dime. Art and design provided rules made for bending in the service of a sign’s fantasy du jour. And all of it became the fantastical architecture of this nocturnal oasis. Listening to Betty and Buzz humanize the signs demanded an appreciation for the mechanics of the spectacular—the kinds of things that are only visible during the day. Signs are so honest and mortal and exposed in the sunlight. We can see their imperfections, the bits and pieces cobbled together and paint colors that just don’t match, the framework for the fantasy. The logic of a design is revealed, the thinking behind the placement of this arrow or that letter. At dusk they get gussied up until

8 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

they unfurl their glory in the desert moonlight, like roadside showgirls: beautiful, vulnerable and real. Betty Willis (1923-2015) was a trailblazer, a brilliant designer taking names in a man’s world. Her designs are like seashells, self-contained and brimming with a delicate intricacy but grounded in geometry and industrial materials. Buzz Leming (1940-2015) was a distinguished draftsman, a terrific artist who brought to life some of the most iconic casino signage. His designs were thorough and cohesive, each themed detail attended to and refined. Their creations make up the skyline known and loved across the globe: Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Moulin Rouge, Bow & Arrow, City Center Motel, Blue Angel, Barbary Coast, Stardust, Westward Ho, Hacienda, Showboat, Las Vegas Club, Excalibur. At the heart of this vision are the designers, just people. This wondrous cityscape was made possible by their Wild West spirit, set in motion by tenacity, creativity, resourcefulness and likely sheer will. Their realness and humanity—alongside that of many other incredible designers—made possible a vernacular architecture that arguably changed the face of modern design. They are the architects of an incomparable art form, a constant and dazzling reminder that anything and everything is possible. -Danielle Kelly

∑ The recent announcement of the City of Las Vegas’ partnership with Parkmobile and PassportParking apps, with which users can add money to Downtown parking meters, stirred up social media more for its unveiling of new standardized meter fees—including a timelimited, seven-day-a-week $2-$3/hour premium zone in high-traffic areas until 10 p.m. and an unlimited $1/ hour supplemental zone farther away primarily for multi-hour customers and Fremont East employees. Critics took issue with having to pay more (and later), especially for something so famously free elsewhere, as well as the possibility of Downtown Project—which offers Fremont East a cheaper per-hour alternative at its Llama Lot—instigating the overhaul. Parking Manager Brandy Stanley says the changes were initiated internally in 2012, before the city partnered with DTP’s private lots, and finessed last year after a 2013 survey revealed deep dissatisfaction with parking accessibility, which the new plan aims to increase (albeit with a price bump) with high-turnover spaces closest to the area’s entertainment hub. “Any time you change things or there’s a rate increase, there will be some complaints,” Stanley says. –Mike Prevatt

LAS VEGAS CLUB BY MIKAYLA WHITMORE; STARDUST SUN FILE; SAHARA BY CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS

As We TREE It…

plant IN THE Desert There are reasons to celebrate Arbor Day even in drought-stricken Las Vegas

In the 1800s, Nebraska politician and newspaper editor J. Sterling Morton was such a zealous tree lover that he used his position with the paper to promote tree planting, calling it “the battle against the treeless prairies.” With a prize going to the most prolific planter, a reported 1 million trees were put in the soil that year, and Arbor Day became a thing. Today, the nationwide observance of trees teaches children that they serve as “nature’s lungs,” stabilize the soil and de-stress the mind. But in a drought-stricken desert, what exactly does Arbor Day mean? With daunting soil and so many “just passing through” types (some with water-guzzling lawns), the needle on the environmental respect-o-meter hiccups at best. And even though Arbor Day is the last Friday of April—past planting season for certain trees—Angela O’Callaghan, social horticulture specialist and associate professor

It’s a parklet! A new space shakes up the asphalt jungle Downtown just had another spirited ribbon-cutting ... for a parking space. The 160 square feet at the corner of Sixth Street and Carson Avenue were transformed into a “parklet,” inspired by micro-parks in cities like San Francisco and designed and constructed collaboratively over more than 1,000 hours by Downtown Project, UNLV, Iowa State University, the Resort Gaming Group and the Nature Conservancy. The self-contained chill spot was built with recyclable materials and aesthetically mashes up a bus stop and an Ikea dining room. A blooming perimeter of native globemallow and goldenbush insulates a long table and cube seats etched with trivia about local flora and fauna (black-tailed jackrabbits can run 40 mph?!), a topographic map pointing to the Valley’s wild places and boards for checkers or chess (game pieces can be checked out at adjacent businesses). The etchings are designed to darken with use, winking at the creators’ hope that the parklet will draw many passersby into spontaneous conversation and connection. They also hope it will be one of many. “There’s just two acres of park space for every 10,000 residents in Downtown Las Vegas, whereas citywide, we have over 30 acres per 10,000 residents. So we think it begins to address that shortage,” RGG’s John Curran said at Tuesday’s unveiling, adding that built-in nature lessons connect the urban core to the great outdoors. Councilman Bob Coffin lauded the creativity contained in such a small slice of Las Vegas. “You don’t need a lot of space to express yourself; you don’t need a lot of space to enjoy yourself.” –Erin Ryan

for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, says a little research can go a long way. “Just because you can buy it, doesn’t mean it will survive.” There are the obvious choices, she says: the resourceful mesquite tree, with roots that can grow 80 feet down into the soil, and the desert willow. For those who care less about the environment, there’s a rationale that real estate professionals and landscapers will sing in unison on: Trees raise the value of your home. Also, O’Callaghan says, a tree shading the house will lower the temperature a few degrees, cutting down the power bill. –Kristen Peterson

> the forest on fremont In the 1910s, our beloved street looked soooo different.

Bio-history Steve Evans wants to chart Downtown’s oldest trees The greatest day in Las Vegas history was a Valentine’s Day, according to a 1912 edition of Las Vegas Age. That was the day the Mesquite Club began planting 2,000 trees in the burgeoning city, from Garces to Stewart, First to Fifth (now known as Las Vegas Boulevard). Then-Mayor Peter Buol declared February 14 Arbor Day to celebrate the Mesquite Club’s efforts, and newspapers praised the much-needed beautification of the 7-year-old city. “Bowers of greenery give rest to the eye and pleasure to the tired mind and body during the hot summer days,” an Age reporter wrote. “If not for the Mesquite Club, Las Vegas would have remained a sun-scorched child of the desert.”

¶ There were umbrella trees and likely elms, but it’s unclear what other kinds of trees were planted or if any are still around. Judge and historic preservationist Steve Evans wants to know. Piqued by reading newspapers on microfiche at the Nevada State Museum, Evans hopes to find and map the old trees. “I want to see if any of them exist and what were their species,” Evans says. “If any still exist I want to graft them.” Though outside the initial project’s footprint, Evans thinks there might be old trees at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort state park, a property once owned by pioneer and Mesquite Club founder Helen J. Stewart. “If I can find some that still exist, I’d like to be able to replant them with signs that say, ‘This is the offspring of the trees that were planted to create the city,” Evans says. –Kristy Totten

parklet by l.e. baskow

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

AS WE SEE IT…

EXPERIMENTAL EXPERIENCE

> MUSIC BOX David Sanchez Burr at the Neon Boneyard for his artist residency.

The Neon Boneyard becomes a platform for citizen speak BY KRISTEN PETERSON Well aware that an interactive radio broadcast based on a multi-instrument sound apparatus is not something the average person comes across, artist David Sanchez Burr found the Neon Museum Boneyard fitting for his target audience—those who might not frequent contemporary galleries or art institutions. “I’m not interested in the usual art crowd,” he says about citizen speak, an experimental project that includes a theremin, drums, guitar strings, tuned copper piping and a mixing board. “To keep complex ideas alive, critical thinking alive, you can’t pander to the same people. If artists don’t try to reach out to the masses [art] loses its meaning and becomes irrelevant.” By the afternoon of Saturday, April 18, when as many as 80 people had already participated in citizen speak (including kids from the Boys & Girls Club the day before), things were going swimmingly. They scored their own music on paper that ran through music boxes; broadcast imagined, firstperson accounts in the characters of old hotels; ran sticks across beads and poked the screen on a tiny digital piano. The collective sound—timed to a onesecond delay—played through transistor radios set

about the museum’s north lot. They were composing, performing and listening in real time with a contemporary art project that had just returned from (re)happening, a celebrated event in North Carolina at the site of the legendary and short-lived Black Mountain College. Sitting at the center of historic Las Vegas signage, citizen speak welcomed anyone who approached and wanted to participate. The two-day event at the Neon Museum was part

THE POWER MATRIX

of the nonprofit organization’s first try at its artistin-residence program, one of many events designed to engage the community beyond its collection of storied neon signs. Next, some of the instruments and audio recordings from the experience will be displayed at the Barrick Museum. But for a few days, the live, experimental element at the Boneyard brought complex contemporary art into the hands of those not always likely to seek it out.

What’s most nerdy-cool about Wizard World?

What’s scarier—Freddy Krueger’s meat-face or Kevin Sorbo’s ultra-conservatism? There’s only one way to know. Touring fan-fest Wizard World peels back the curtain on pop culture, revealing a surreal assembly of action and fantasy actors, WWE wrestlers, cosplay models and influential comic-book artists, all available to shake hands and sign things. Here are the actors we’re most excited to meet, plotted by contemporary relevance and mass appeal.

PROUD FAN

Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) Elvira (Cassandra Peterson)

Hulk (Lou Ferrigno)

WIZARD WORLD April 24-26, $75-$85 weekend passes. Las Vegas Convention Center, wizardworld.com.

What seems to be the entire cast of The Walking Dead

Yondu from Guardians of the Galaxy (Michael Rooker)

DeLorean from Back to the Future

THROWBACK Green Power Ranger (Jason David Frank)

CURRENT Hercules (Kevin Sorbo)

YouTube Stars

Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (James Marsters)

Hannah & Hilly Hindi

GUILTY PLEASURE 10 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

Katie Wilson

Andre Meadows Melonie Mac

DAVID SANCHEZ-BURR BY BILL HUGHES

As We See It…

First Friday EVERYWHERE The monthly festival doesn’t need to expand, because it already has

vegas on my mind

The city that gives Las Vegas is a far more generous community than it gets credit for By Steve Frie ss A few months ago, I was driving around my new hometown of Ann Arbor, Michigan, putting up with the irksome programming interruptions that come with being a devotee of National Public Radio. Through the increasingly desperate pleas, I kept waiting to hear the tiers of giving as I weighed how much I’d kick in. I didn’t find anything on the Michigan Public Radio site either. From what I could tell, the only tangible benefit of giving $50 instead of $5 was a warm feeling. So I called to ask what I’d get for my donation. The perplexed volunteer replied, “Well, you get NPR.” The reason I was even in this odd moment was because of the often unnoticed generosity of the Las Vegas community. After many years of hearing Flo Rogers’ mellifluous British voice on KNPR asking for money and regaling the many corporate supporters who provide such marvelous incentives to do so, I assumed this is how public radio works everywhere. Not so. All those restaurant gift certificates, passes to museums and other attractions, tote bags and T-shirts and whatever else is on offer from KNPR depending on your level of generosity are, in fact, exceptional. What’s more, it all represents a vast community ethos in Las Vegas that does not receive enough respect. Everyone shrugs that the money-minting Vegas conglomerates are giving away cool stuff for the free publicity and the tax break, and those may be real motives. But I now live in a region that also boasts countless wonderful restaurants, theaters, casinos, sporting venues and weekend getaways. None of them uses its wares to encourage charitable giving by the general public. The KNPR example was on my mind when I received a press release touting an Aria event that would unveil to a 4-year-old local girl with kidney cancer that Make-AWish Southern Nevada was sending her to Disneyland. They were putting on a Cinderella ball for young Maya Cortes that included a limo ride to the hotel, a “mocktail” hour featuring lemonade and her favorite foods, an elaborate presentation of a glass slipper and a dance. Ordinarily, I regard press releases of this sort as selfserving. But I had just gone through the training to be a

Make-A-Wish volunteer in my area, and my first Wish Kid had recently learned he and his family were heading to Disneyland. They found out from a phone call. We volunteers are tasked with pulling together some sort of send-off for him but are strictly forbidden from either asking for donations from local companies or spending more than about $250. The fear is that if some volunteers go overboard for their kids, other Wish Kids might feel deprived. I get that, but again I wondered: Where are the big companies, the universities, the entertainment and hospitality industries around here to work with charities like this when it makes sense? The Make-A-Wish folks in Southern Nevada clearly believe Aria’s generosity won’t be a letdown of sorts for some other child. Instead, they’re reasonably confident that corporate givers will answer when they call. This would all be anecdotal but for the fact that empirical data emerged in December to back up the idea that Las Vegas may be a far more generous city than we thought. A Chronicle of Philanthropy analysis of IRS data found that Nevada has seen the fastest rate of growth of donations as a share of income between 2006 and 2012. Vegas topped the 50 largest urban areas in the same statistic. That is astounding. As the bottom fell out of Las Vegas’ economy in a way few other parts of the nation can really appreciate, Vegas gave more. A few years ago in this magazine I theorized that the brutality of the Great Recession could help the Vegas population, always so fluid and amorphous, coalesce into a stronger community. When the hard times subsided, I suggested, there would be a bonded sense that we all survived something horrific by suffering together. This data shows that might actually be happening. I’m aware there’s an honor to being charitable that’s separate from what donors receive in return. I gave to Michigan Public Radio even though they didn’t offer free Michigan football tickets or two-for-one coupons at Steak ’n Shake. I’m not dropping out of Make-A-Wish, either. But I’m also filled with a certain pride in being able to see, from this distance, the good in the soul of Las Vegas. I didn’t realize how much was there until I left.

As 18b Day approached in the Arts District, there were rumblings that First Friday’s Joey Vanas would announce changes to the festival’s footprint, extending (or moving) parts of it to Fremont East, something that had been done in the past. But when Vanas took the stage in Boulder Plaza at April 16’s 18b Day celebration, recognizing area growth and changes, First Friday pioneers and the loss of Trifecta Gallery, he said only this of the festival location: “First Friday doesn’t just happen in the Arts District. It’s in Fremont East and all of the places in between.” After the event, Vanas explained that people who have had a great time at First Friday talk about the dinner and drinks they had in Fremont East or elsewhere in the area, not the Arts District. It turns out the location expansion existed more in the minds of consumers than festival organizers. The footprint, he says, will remain as is: “We couldn’t move it if we wanted to.” That might be the understatement of the year. Ask Brian “Paco” Alvarez, a Downtown resident and First Friday devotee who has attended since its small beginnings. “It’s become such a big part of the psyche of this city. Whether it’s canceled or not, people will still come Downtown.” Even when previous owners announced a temporary cancelation of the event and tried to discourage attendance, people still showed up, Alvarez said. While some art-related businesses such as Blackbird Studios have expressed being adversely affected by the crowds and parking problems, others such as the Nevada Humanities office in Art Square see the increased traffic as positively exposing more people to its rotating exhibits. Restaurants are packed. A late 2013 economic and fiscal study retained by the City of Las Vegas reports that First Friday alone generates $2.9 million in spending and produces $1.5 million annually in attendance revenue (assuming 300,000 attend annually, each spending $5). Marc Abelman, an area business owner and president of the 18b Neighborhood Association, said that First Friday is now so big, “if it wasn’t there, it would still be there.” –Kristen Peterson

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

Weekly Q&A SLS has had some challenges to deal with early on. Is there any particular issue management is addressing right now?

Every new property has challenges, and I’ve opened several. Typically you don’t have a first year that’s your best year; you grow into a better performance over time, and we are certainly experiencing that like every casino does. There are things we’ve done phenomenally and things we could be better at. We excel in our restaurant product and entertainment, and that is the lifeblood of the SBE brand. We have been successful in establishing ourselves as a hip experience for the young, affluent traveler, and that differentiates us from the pack. Our two nightlife venues and our pool club are in full swing, and we think we’ll continue to be a dominant player in the nightlife business. We are looking at ways to create some more midweek drivers and group business. SLS has put a dent in the Strip nightlife scene, which is so competitive. It’s getting even more

> GOING BROAD Kreeger is aiming to expose SLS’ offerings to new customers.

Steering SLS Scott Kreeger is redefining the new Strip property, from gaming promotions to Rock in Rio overflow When Scott Kreeger was tapped as the new president and chief operating officer of SLS in October, it seemed the casino veteran was an ideal choice and yet still had his work cut out. The former executive for MGM Resorts and Station Casinos spoke with the Weekly about the ups and downs of taking the controls of the unique new Strip property, and how experience has shaped his approach to building something different at SLS. What was the most attractive thing for you about coming to SLS? I really like the entrepreneurial-

ism of a stand-alone property versus a more corporate role where everything is predetermined. I have a lot of control over the destiny of the project, and that’s attractive. It really is the first major hotel opening in a few years and the first in a series of projects at the north end of the Strip, which is very exciting to me. I get to take all the lessons I’ve learned as part of the community for 25 years and be a part of the growth that will continue to make Las Vegas a great destination into the future.

competitive, but that’s good for business and good for us as well. Omnia at Caesars Palace is here now, and I think that will force operators like us to think outside the box, diversify the programming and broaden what we do. We are looking at a ticketed summer concert series out at the pool. You spent more than a decade at Station Casinos, and SLS has targeted the locals market. Is there something about working with Station that you can specifically apply to building success at SLS?

Absolutely. It was a wonderful experience, and Frank and Lorenzo [Fertitta] taught me a lot. I was fortunate to be the general manager opening at Red Rock [Resort], and some of the takeaways from there are that you can broaden your appeal and cater to a larger group of people and still be relevant as to what your brand is. When I came on property at SLS, it was evident we needed to broaden a bit and look at other customer bases that we may not be speaking to and introduce them to this great

product. We did a comprehensive revamp of our local gambling strategy. This place is surrounded by residential neighborhoods, it’s easy to get in and out of, it’s convenient, and the food product is phenomenal. And we’re launching a new card program in the coming months with one of the most competitive pointredemption ratios in Las Vegas. We’re going to make our mark. Locals who originally thought this was not the place for them are now finding that it is. Rock in Rio is coming, and it’s right across the street. How will SLS take advantage of this first-time festival event? Well

it’s a great place to stay, first of all. If you’re not staying with us, the monorail is the most convenient way to get to the event, and we have a station in back of the property. And during Rock in Rio, our nightclubs will be fully programmed with top-name DJs and bands as well. We envision people going to the festival, coming to grab a bite and relax, going back over and coming back again. SLS also has a great big parking structure, and Rock in Rio has no onsite parking. Parking

can be a problem, but it’s an opportunity. We want to make sure we maintain the integrity of the guest experience and that there is plenty of parking for the folks staying or playing at the hotel, and past that, there’s an opportunity to allow others to pay and park on the property. We’re more concerned about the overall experience being great. It brings a business opportunity and it’s a wonderful event, but we want to make sure people walk away with the impression that the whole thing was great and they want to come back. We’re spending a lot of time on logistics and thinking through people’s needs, whether it’s transportation or refreshment or taking a break from the activity to having more entertainment options after the concert. We want to make sure it’s something you want to come back for, again and again. –Brock Radke

“I get to take all the lessons I’ve learned as part of the community for 25 years and be a part of the growth that will continue to make Las Vegas a great destination.” 12 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

photograph by adam shane

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> Terminator genisys

A BANK-ROBBING ZACH GALIFIANAKIS, SUPERHEROES GALORE AND THE RETURN OF THAT SWEARING BEAR. RECLINE YOUR CHAIR AND GRAB SOME POPCORN AS YOU DIG INTO OUR 2015 SUMMER MOVIE GUIDE > minions

By Josh Bell

> magic mike xxl

> mission: impossible ROGuE NATION

14 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

> AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

Sequels Avengers: Age of Ultron (May 1) Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth. Directed by Joss Whedon.

∑ The Marvel superheroes team up again to take down villainous android Ultron (played by James Spader). Thumbs up Whedon’s first Avengers movie was a wonderfully entertaining blockbuster and satisfying culmination of the first phase of Marvel movies. Thumbs down These Marvel movies have to fail sometime, right? Pitch Perfect 2 (May 15) Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow. Directed by Elizabeth Banks.

∑ The collegiate a capella singers return to enter an international singing competition. Thumbs up The first movie was a surprise hit with an infectious sense of fun. Thumbs down Are you ready to hear “Cups” 4 million more times on the radio over the next six months? Insidious: Chapter 3 (June 5) Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Lin Shaye. Directed by Leigh Whannell.

∑ The third movie in the horror series goes back to the beginning to discover the origins of the entity from the first two (so it should probably be called Insidious: Chapter 0). Thumbs up Whannell makes his

directing debut after writing the first two installments, so he knows the story in and out. Thumbs down A horror prequel featuring only minor characters from the previous movies? That always turns out well.

> PITCH PERFECT 2

Ted 2 (June 26) Mark Wahlberg, Amanda Seyfried, voice of Seth MacFarlane. Directed by Seth MacFarlane.

∑ Foul-mouthed talking teddy bear Ted returns, this time fighting in court for legal recognition as a person. Thumbs up Audiences loved the way the first movie combined cuteness and naughtiness. Thumbs down MacFarlane’s sense of humor clearly hasn’t evolved over the past decade.

> TED 2

Magic Mike XXL (July 1) Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Amber Heard. Directed by Gregory Jacobs.

∑ The male exotic dancers of Magic Mike are back, stripping their way from Tampa to Myrtle Beach on a road trip to a stripper convention. Thumbs up Although he’s officially “retired,” original director Steven Soderbergh serves as cinematographer and editor on the sequel. Thumbs down Soderbergh’s touch as director was really the only thing the original movie had going for it.

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

> ENTOURAGE

Minions (July 10) Voices of Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud, Sandra Bullock. Directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda.

∑ The little yellow creatures from the Despicable Me movies set off on their own adventure. Thumbs up The Minions are certainly the cutest part of the Despicable Me films. Thumbs down This seems like a textbook example of too much of a good thing. Sinister 2 (August 21) Shannyn Sossamon, James Ransone, Jaden Klein. Directed by Ciarán Foy.

∑ A new family moves into the cursed house from the first Sinister. Thumbs up The first Sinister was pretty scary. Thumbs down This sounds like little more than a rehash of that first movie.

Remakes & reboots Poltergeist (May 22) Sam Rockwell, Jared Harris, Rosemarie DeWitt. Directed by Gil Kenan.

∑ The classic horror movie about a suburban family haunted by evil spirits gets a modern update. Thumbs up It’s produced by genre legend Sam Raimi, of Evil Dead fame, who knows a thing or two about crafting an effective horror movie. Thumbs down There’s no way it can

16 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

MAD MAX ∑ The Mad Max trilogy has inspired many a filmmaker with its visual style, yet the three films couldn’t be more different. The first installment is basically a cop drama, the second a supercharged nightmare and the third a redemptive fable straight out of Disney. Taken together they cement Mel Gibson’s Max as one of the most iconic characters of all time. The story begins in OUR WRITERS REWATCHED THE ENTIRE SERIES SO YOU a world on the brink of WON’T HAVE TO chaos and ends in a postapocalyptic wasteland, where life is cheap and fuel is priceless. At the heart of the story is Max, who goes from loving husband to grieving widower to pissed-off vigilante to story-time legend. Through everything, series creator George Miller serves up some of the best stunt-driving ever to be put to celluloid. Blood was shed and bones were broken making these movies— there’s not a shred of CGI. pacing, terrifying villains and a plot All three films have thrilling that allows for maximum action. moments, but it’s clear which one The movie’s final set piece, a lengthy Miller used as the template for his chase involving a tanker truck, is upcoming summer reboot. Mad edge-of-your-seat intense. Whether Max 2, aka The Road Warrior, is still Miller can match it in Mad Max: Fury one of the best action movies ever Road will be a major question for the made. It has everything—perfect

> fashion apocalypse Mel Gibson explores the wastelands as the original Mad Max.

summer screen to answer. –Ken Miller Mad Max: Fury Road (May 15) Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult. Directed by George Miller.

> VACATION

live up to Tobe Hooper’s ’82 original, as multiple Poltergeist sequels have already proven.

ENTOURAGE (June 3) Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jeremy Piven. Directed by Doug Ellin.

∑ The bro-dudes from HBO’s longrunning Hollywood-set series return to hug it out on the big screen. Thumbs up The characters spent eight seasons building a following. Thumbs down The Entourage finale really left so many unanswered questions, didn’t it? PIXELS (July 24) Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Peter Dinklage. Directed by Chris Columbus. > PIXELS

∑ Aliens attack the Earth with giant weapons that look like ’80s video-game characters. Thumbs up Aliens attack the Earth with giant weapons that look like ’80s video-game characters. Thumbs down Instead of sticking to the wordless attacks of 8-bit giants in the short film that inspired the movie, the filmmakers have decided to turn it into an Adam Sandler/Kevin James comedy. VACATION (July 31) Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann. Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein.

∑ Rusty Griswold follows in his father’s footsteps and takes his family on a trip to theme park Walley World.

Thumbs up Helms seems like the

perfect heir to Chevy Chase’s role as the bumbling patriarch of the Vacation movies (and original stars Chase and Beverly D’Angelo will both appear). Thumbs down Remember Vegas Vacation? You probably wish you didn’t.

FANTASTIC FOUR (August 7) Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell. Directed by Josh Trank.

∑ The superhero team (featuring Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the Thing) gets a gritty rebooted origin story. Thumbs up Trank directed the popular found-footage superhero movie Chronicle. Thumbs down There should be a complete ban on movies that “reimagine” the origins of popular characters. THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. (August 14) Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander. Directed by Guy Ritchie.

∑ This update of the 1960s TV series about a team of two spies (one American, one Soviet) retains the period setting and combines it with modern action. Thumbs up Ritchie put together a fun, action-oriented update of a classic property with his Sherlock Holmes movies. Thumbs down The Man From U.N.C.L.E. is no Sherlock Holmes.

> THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.

APRIL 23-29, 2015 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM

> STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON

HITMAN: AGENT 47 (August 28) Rupert Friend, Zachary Quinto, Hannah Ware. Directed by Aleksander Bach.

∑ The series of video games about a mysterious assassin gets another chance to make the leap to the big screen. Thumbs up Infinite monkeys typing on infinite typewriters ought to come up with a decent video-game movie eventually, right? Thumbs down The terrible 2007 Hitman movie points to “no.”

TRUE STORIES MASTERMINDS (August 7) Owen Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig. Directed by Jared Hess.

∑ A group of inept bank robbers bungles a $17 million heist in this comedy based on a true story. Thumbs up The cast is full of comedy all-stars, including Jason Sudeikis, Mary Elizabeth Ellis and Ken Marino. Thumbs down Hess hasn’t done anything worthwhile since directing Napoleon Dynamite more than a decade ago. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (August 14) Corey Hawkins, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Jason Mitchell. Directed by F. Gary Gray.

∑ This biopic follows the career of pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A. Thumbs up It’s produced by the surviving members themselves, including Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.

18 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

THE TERMINATOR ∑ As the director and co-writer behind 1984’s The Terminator and 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day, James Cameron established the basics of the series, including Arnold Schwarzenegger as the nigh-unstoppable cyborg from the future and the idea of a war between humans and OUR WRITERS REWATCHED machines that was all THE ENTIRE SERIES SO YOU but inevitable. With the WON’T HAVE TO fifth installment about to be released, Cameron’s absence is still being felt. Given how huge a Hollywood juggernaut the series has become, it’s easier to forget that The Connor, now fully committed to Terminator was a scrappy B-movie. avoiding the future war. It’s more horror than sci-fi, at least Cameron felt that he had said in its first half, as the implacable all he had to say after Judgment killing machine guns down innocent Day, and 2003’s Terminator 3: Rise people for reasons that are initially of the Machines does indeed feel a unclear. Cameron creates consistent bit redundant. It might recycle the suspense with a minimum of special Terminator vs. Terminator plot of effects and explosions. the previous movie without most of Judgment Day is full of special the emotional resonance, but it’s still effects and explosions, but even the an entertaining action movie with a groundbreaking effects work exists couple of impressive set pieces and a in service of an emotionally affecting fantastically downbeat ending. story, anchored by a fantastic The less said about 2009’s performance from Linda Hamilton as Terminator Salvation, the better. It the traumatized but resilient Sarah

> TERMINATED Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Morton and Linda Hamilton in T2.

abandoned the central time-travel premise and made John Connor into a blustering, one-dimensional bore. The upcoming Terminator Genisys at least brings back time travel, and while it’s full of explosions, if the filmmakers are smart they’ll emulate some of Cameron’s ingenuity and emotional connection, too. –Josh Bell TERMINATOR GENISYS (July 1) Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney. Directed by Alan Taylor.

> MASTERMINDS

Thumbs down That means it probably

won’t include anything unflattering or controversial.

Adaptations Ant-Man (July 17) Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Evangeline Lilly. Directed by Peyton Reed.

∑ Marvel’s latest superhero is Scott Lang, who acquires a suit that allows him to shrink to microscopic size. Thumbs up Right after the Avengers sequel, Marvel’s latest movie cycle kicks off with the introduction of a new hero. Thumbs down Original director Edgar Wright left just weeks before production started, after years of troubled development. Paper Towns (July 24) Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams. Directed by Jake Schreier.

Mission: Impossible ∑ The TV series that ran from 1966 to 1973 was famous for its heroes receiving their missions via recorded tapes, followed by the line, “This tape will self-destruct in five seconds.” For the 1996 movie Mission: Impossible, nearly everything from the show was abandoned in favor of more advanced technology. New character Ethan Hunt, played throughout the film series by Tom Cruise, was now half spy and half action hero. Only the Jim Phelps character, played by Peter Graves on the show, survived, now played by Jon Voight. Additionally, the famous theme music was also used, but given a thumping, electronic update by members of U2. Director Brian De Palma conjured up some truly dazzling set pieces to bolster the patchwork plot, and the movie introduced Phelps’ daughter Claire (Emmanuelle Béart) as well as fellow agent Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames), who returned in the next four films. Hong Kong action master John Woo directed 2000’s Mission: Impossible II, with screenwriter Robert Towne borrowing heavily from Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious. Woo’s personalized action scenes were highly impressive, and the movie grossed more than its

> on a mission Tom Cruise as super-spy Ethan Hunt.

OUR WRITERS REWATCHED THE ENTIRE SERIES SO YOU WON’T HAVE TO

∑ A teenager heads out on a road trip to track down the mysterious girl he’s fallen for. Thumbs up It’s based on a novel by The Fault in Our Stars author John Green. Thumbs down It could end up being a second-rate version of Green’s last teen romance.

Allegedly original concepts Hot Pursuit (May 8) Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, John Carroll Lynch. Directed by Anne Fletcher.

∑ An inexperienced police officer attempts to protect the boisterous wife of a drug dealer from harm as she prepares to testify against her husband’s associates. Thumbs up Witherspoon and Vergara make for a refreshing and unconventional comedy duo. Thumbs down Fletcher’s résumé includes such leaden comedies as 27 Dresses and The Guilt Trip. predecessor, but critics were mixed. J.J. Abrams’ 2006 Mission: Impossible III had a great villain in Owen Davian (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and introduced tech nerd Benji (Simon Pegg), but the movie was ill-paced and overlong. In 2011, animator Brad Bird made his live-action debut with the crisp, bright Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and recharged the series. It introduced a new team for Ethan, including Paula Patton’s Jane and

Jeremy Renner’s Brandt, along with the returning Benji and Luther. Benji, Brandt and Luther all reappear in the new film, directed by the Oscarwinning screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie, who also directed Cruise in Jack Reacher. –Jeffrey M. Anderson Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (July 31) Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie.

Tomorrowland (May 22) George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie. Directed by Brad Bird.

∑ A teenage girl discovers a secret futuristic world. Thumbs up Bird (director of The Incredibles and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol) teams up with Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof for an exploration of technology and wonder. Thumbs down Remember how satisfying and cohesive Lost was?

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

> SELF/LESS

Aloha (May 29)

Inside Out (June 19)

Bradley Cooper, Emma Stone, Rachel McAdams. Directed by Cameron Crowe.

Voices of Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling. Directed by Pete Docter.

∑ A military contractor heads to Hawaii to work on a new NASA project and finds himself in the middle of a love triangle. Thumbs up Writer-director Crowe is the man behind beloved romantic dramedies Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous and Say Anything ... Thumbs down It was pushed back from a prestigious awards-season release date amid rumors of disastrous test screenings and studio dissatisfaction.

∑ Pixar’s latest animated movie features the personifications of a young girl’s emotions on an adventure inside her brain. Thumbs up Pixar has a great track record of smart, creative, animated films. Thumbs down That track record has been a little shakier lately with mediocre entries like Cars 2 and Monsters University. Trainwreck (July 17) Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Tilda Swinton. Directed by Judd Apatow.

San Andreas (May 29)

> spy

Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario. Directed by Brad Peyton. > ricki and the flash

∑ As California is struck by massive earthquakes, a helicopter pilot attempts to rescue his daughter. Thumbs up The Rock fights earthquakes! Thumbs down It looks like a remake of Roland Emmerich’s 2012.

∑ Schumer (who also wrote the script) stars as a commitment-phobic woman who falls for a sports doctor. Thumbs up Schumer’s stand-up and Comedy Central sketch show mark her as one of the most original voices in comedy today. Thumbs down Apatow’s directorial skills are in question after the sprawling, selfindulgent Funny People and This Is 40.

Spy (June 5) Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Jason Statham. Directed by Paul Feig.

∑ A mild-mannered CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover and rescue her partner from a dangerous arms dealer. Thumbs up McCarthy and Feig previously collaborated on crowd-pleasing comedies Bridesmaids and The Heat. Thumbs down McCarthy’s familiar onscreen persona is getting a little tired.

20 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

Self/less (July 10) Ryan Reynolds, Ben Kingsley, Matthew Goode. Directed by Tarsem Singh.

∑ A wealthy, dying man has his consciousness transferred into a healthy young body, but complications ensue. Thumbs up An original, thoughtful sci-fi concept in a summer of flashy sequels. Thumbs down Singh (Immortals, The Cell) is typically great with visuals, but not with story.

> SOUTHPAW

SOUTHPAW (July 24) Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker. Directed by Antoine Fuqua.

∑ A broken-down boxer attempts a comeback. Thumbs up Gyllenhaal has been on a roll lately with Prisoners and Nightcrawler, and this looks like another intense, committed performance. Thumbs down The story sounds like a parade of boxing-movie clichés. RICKI AND THE FLASH (August 7) Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, Mamie Gummer. Directed by Jonathan Demme.

∑ An aging rock star attempts to reconcile with her family. Thumbs up Meryl Streep as a glam rocker! Plus, a script by Juno and Young Adult writer Diablo Cody. Thumbs down Sure, Meryl Streep can do anything, but can she pull off playing the female Rick Springfield? (Also, Rick Springfield is in this movie.) REGRESSION (August 28) Ethan Hawke, Emma Watson, David Thewlis. Directed by Alejandro Amenábar.

∑ A detective unravels the secrets of a terrible crime by probing the memories of the alleged criminal. Thumbs up Amenábar has directed several effectively creepy movies, including Open Your Eyes and The Others. Thumbs down This sounds like an episode of Criminal Minds with a surprisingly strong guest cast.

JURASSIC PARK ∑ Jurassic World is currently the only major film release scheduled for June 12, with Universal’s rival studios apparently sitting the week out in deference to the power of Steven Spielberg’s 22-year-old franchise. While inaugural outing Jurassic Park continues OUR WRITERS REWATCHED to be regarded as a THE ENTIRE SERIES SO YOU great leap forward in WON’T HAVE TO terms of combining CGI and animatronics, it was destined to be a blockbuster from the get-go. Late author Michael Crichton conceived the story as a screenplay but wrote it as a novel that Spielberg optioned before publication, giving him a man vs. nature theme to work with that served him so well with Jaws. Jurassic Park remains inarguably duties to Joe Johnston (Jumanji) for impressive. It drew criticism for taking the Crichton-less third outing Jurassic minor paleontological liberties and Park III but remains producer of the thinning out the novel’s characters, franchise. but broke box-office records and Both sequels are established with helped set the pattern for future tentequal implausibility and feel like pole releases. With a few nods toward half-life echoes of their respective retroactive continuity Crichton was predecessors. None of the major convinced to write The Lost World: characters from the first three films are Jurassic Park, with Spielberg still at carried forward into the reboot, and the helm for the discovery of “Site we’re back on the original island with a B.” He would relinquish director’s

> NICE T. REX Sam Neill tames a dino in Jurassic Park.

new super-predator. Writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) worked on the script, so expect increased empathy for the nonhuman actors—and at least two more sequels. –Matt Kelemen JURASSIC WORLD (June 12) Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Johnson. Directed by Colin Trevorrow.

APRIL 23-29, 2015 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM

NIGHTS

HOT SPOTS

> SOLO ACT Nick Jonas shows up at Hyde Bellagio.

DINAH VEGAS Hey, girls! This is your weekend to take over the Strip. Dinah Vegas, which has roots in Palm Springs’ longtime lesbian circuit party Dinah Shore Weekend, sprawls out from Thursday to Sunday with a slew of nightclub and pool parties and social functions at venues like Chateau, Fizz, Diablo’s Cantina and the Flamingo pool. April 23-26, dinahshoreweekend.com. PEACE, LOVE AND HOPPY-NESS AT BIG DOG’S DRAFT HOUSE More than

40 beers will be available to sample and savor at the veteran brewery’s annual springtime brew bash, from specialedition Big Dog’s beers to varieties from local operations like Able Baker and regional beermakers like Ballast Point, Pizza Port and more. Raffles, live music and Big Dog’s barbecue platters round out the charitable brew-stravaganza. April 25, 3-9 p.m., free entry, bigdogsbrews.com. NICK JONAS AT HYDE Jealous ... of former Miss USA-turned-Miss Universe Olivia Culpo? Then there’s one place for you to be this weekend, when the beauty queen’s beau and former Jo Bro hosts the Bellagio nightspot’s three-year anniversary. And while the appearance isn’t being billed as a performance, we’re hoping Nick’s talent (and abs) will be on display Saturday night. In the booth: DJ Crooked. April 25, doors at 10:30 p.m., $30+ men, $20+ women. RJ MITTE AT CHATEAU Walter White, Jr. wasn’t mixing and mashing music on Breaking Bad, but the actor who played him knows his way around a DJ booth—and that’s where he’ll be at the Paris nightspot, with Mitte supplying sound for Chateau’s Breaking

CLUB HOPPING Nightlife News & Notes Just after the future of Further Future was threatened by an issue with its initial location east of Lake Mead, the DJ- and electronic music-dominant festival/experience quickly recovered, getting the okay to hold its inaugural edition at the Moapa River Indian Reservation, 45 minutes northeast of Las Vegas off the 1-15. Further Future is set for May 1-3, and passes remain available. More big-ticket Mayweather/ Pacquiao-related parties have surfaced for that same three-day stretch, setting the stage for one of Vegas nightlife’s biggest-ever weekends. New events include:

24 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

Tyrese hosting at Vanity (May 1); Justin Bieber hosting at Rehab (May 2) Ludacris performing at Vanity (May 2), then again at Rehab (May 3); Diddy hosting a daytime party at Foxtail Pool Club (May 2), followed by a post-fight event at the Tropicana later that night; Bow Wow and Erica Mena hosting at a Tropicana pool party (May 1), where Amber Rose will also appear (May 3); Travis Barker both DJing and drumming at Hyde (May 2); Dennis Rodman hosting with adult film stars both current (Teagan Presley and Tasha Reign) and retired (Katie Morgan) at Sapphire (May 1) and Sapphire Pool & Dayclub (May 2); and Meek Mill and Jeezy performing at Tommy Wind Theater (May 1 and 2, respectively). Meanwhile, Encore’s party spots chose that weekend to officially debut their nighttime pool parties, with Surrender/

Beats party during the Wizard World Comic Con weekend. April 25, doors at 10:30 p.m., $30+ men, $20+ women. SUNDOWN AT DAYLIGHT Oh, deep house, you remain a fleeting presence on the Strip. We get it—you don’t sell tons of bottle service, you don’t match well with streamer explosions and your DJs don’t throw food at us. Thankfully, Daylight is rolling the dice on a weekly night featuring underground-leaning DJs both international and local. For the launch, welcome back LA’s Guy Gerber, who will start as dusk begins. Local residents Spacebyrdz, M!KEATTACK and Brett Rubin will also christen the party. April 26, doors at 1 p.m., $30+ men, $20+ women. CYMATIC SESSIONS WITH PATRICK M AT DOWNTOWN COCKTAIL ROOM

You could check out respected Miami house DJ Patrick M at either Life or Foxtail Pool Club this weekend (where he’ll open for Erick Morillo)— or you could opt for a more intimate and local experience when he returns to Downtown Cocktail Room as a headliner for the venue’s weekly Cymatic Sessions promo. The buzz after his first appearance suggests househeads should attend the second. DJs Rob Dub and Laguerre support. April 28, 10 p.m., $20. NICKEL BEER NIGHT WITH OK GO DJ SET AT BEAUTY BAR So members

of alt-pop act OK Go think they can DJ. But can they do it while on their treadmills? Seems doubtful anyone at a party called Nickel F*cking Beer Night would possess the coordination to walk on a treadmill (much less push buttons and curate a music program while using them), but let them prove us wrong when they play to this thirsty Downtown crowd. April 28, doors at 9 p.m., $10.

Encore Beach Club first up on April 30 (with Martin Solveig), followed by XS on May 3 (headlined by Avicii). Want to sample beer technically made somewhere other than planet Earth? Ninkasi Brewing’s Space Oddity Ball at Mandalay Bay’s Eyecandy lounge on May 1 will debut the Ground Control Imperial Stout, made from fermented yeast that spent time in outer space. Tickets to the tasting/entertainment event are $50. RuPaul will produce what’s being billed as the first drag queen convention in LA, and a handful of Las Vegas performers will make the trip over as featured guests. Local LGBT nightlife figures Hot Chocolate, Coco Montrese, Derrick Berry and India Ferrah are scheduled to join RuPaul’s DragCon on May 16 and 17, along with viral teen star Brendan Jordan. —Mike Prevatt

TYRESE GIBSON BY JOHN SHEARER/AP

Nights

> DYNAMIC DUO J2K and Autobot get flossy at DCR.

J2K says with a sour face. Autobot sips his beer. “It’s like a Cry Baby! Remember that gum? It’s like a Cry Baby soaked in beer.” Later, J2K takes in the scene. “I would say this is like a Fleetwood Mac kind of bar, like a ’60s or ’70s kind of vibe, or it could be even older than that; it’s like a dungeon a little bit.” Adds Autobot, “It [has] a very Wiccan-y vibe.” Insert Coin(s) Song: “Total Recall” | Drinks: Zelda (Autobot), Black Ops (J2K)

After checking out the video game-themed cocktail menu, the guys are inspired to make up their own Mortal Kombat cocktail called the Finish Her. “It’s a double shot of Jäger,” J2K jokes. Before running with a handful of quarters to play arcade games, Autobot surveys the room and decides the bar would be perfect for breaking the ice on a date. J2K agrees. “It’s definitely a place I’d bring a girl, for sure. My wife and I, before we go to the movies, we always go a little early to hit up the arcade every time. We’re always playing Time Crisis.” Autobot then comes up with his own soundtrack for the venue. “You could be cliché and say ’80s [music], dance music, Hi-NRG—you could even say happy hardcore could get played here because Dance Dance Revolution, and that sh*t is all about that happy hardcore stuff.” Downtown Cocktail Room Song: “Soundclash” | Drink: Vieux Carre absinthe

The Griffin Song: “Lana’s Theme” | Drink: Blood Orange beer

“I’m gonna do it. I’m gonna turn it up,” Autobot says, looking at the menu and spotting the absinthe. “Last time I had absinthe, I set my whole hand on fire. It was on my 24th birthday or something, and I started off the night with absinthe and I blacked out really quickly. Then we had flaming shots at a bar and I cheersed it, but I was so drunk it spilled all over my hand and lit my hand on fire. Just keep the flames away.” “Liquor before beer, always,” J2K says. “Absinthe before beer, you set your hand on fire—lesser known thing.” Autobot suggests DCR—with its extensive craft cocktail options and high-end mixology—would be a night’s good first stop to get a tasty drink. “Then once you’re drunk, you can buy the cheaper sh*t, go to Beauty Bar and drink PBR or something like that.” The guys later return to Surrender, but not before one last sip of absinthe—and one last observation from Autobot: “Downtown Vegas—[where] the laws don’t apply.”

“This is a bar definitely for craft beers,” Autobot says upon arriving at the Griffin. The guys order a round of blood-orange drafts. “This is the most bitter, lemony thing I’ve ever drank in my whole life,”

Flosstradamus April 24, doors at 10:30 p.m., $40+ men, $30+ women, Surrender.

Downtown pre-game

Flosstradamus warms up with a Fremont East crawl—and takes us along

By Deanna Rilling If you’re going to name your party FlossVegas, it’s good to get in touch with the city you’re celebrating. Chicago trap/EDM duo Flosstradamus does just that when not performing at numerous Surrender and Encore Beach Club gigs. Members J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) are no strangers to venturing beyond the Strip. The first time they played in town was at the Double Down Saloon, they frequent the Pinball Hall of Fame and they even spent J2K’s bachelor party Downtown. “We’re always in the clubs on the Strip, so it’s more expensive there and it’s fun for someone our age—but we’re getting a little bit older,” Autobot says. “Anytime we come Downtown, the people around here just seem more real, it’s a little more gutter, but it’s cool. Everything’s cheaper, it seems like your dollar can stretch a little bit more if you’re trying to gamble, and it’s a little more organic and

better of a time.” Adds J2K: “We just found it a little more catered to our personality, our sense of style. There’s some places on the Strip that are real hoighty-toighty, like, ‘Take your hat off,’ and all that sh*t, so we avoided all that and just came and hung out with the people.” The personable pair were all-in when I invited them out to the Fremont East Entertainment District to expose them to a few more spots they might dig. They then paired each of their drinks— and the bar that served them—to a Flosstradamus track for a FlossVegas pubcrawl playlist.

Lo c a l T r ac k o f t h e M o n t h

Revolvr’s “Viper” Revolvr (born Touvan Sughiarto) doesn’t yet have the profile of fellow local producer/DJs 3LAU or Caked Up, but he’s on his way. He’s already amassed more than 43,000 followers on his Soundcloud page, and his creations have been played by international DJs like Tiësto, Laidback Luke and Armin van Buuren. On April 20, Revolvr released his latest single, “Viper,” a catchy electro confection—complete with the usual buzzsaw synths, whistling keyboards and pogo-signaling drops—that Hardwell has already slipped into his radio show, and which will likely make nightclubs bounce atop their foundations. With any luck, Revolvr will get a headlining gig on the Strip and make that happen himself. –Mike Prevatt soundcloud.com/revolvr/viper

26 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

flosstradamus by steve marcus

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LAS VEGAS WEEKLY CLUB GRID

VENUE

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1 OAK

Closed

Scott Disick hosts; doors at 10:30 pm; $40+ men, $30+ women

Doors at 10:30 pm; $40+ men, $30+ women

DJ Eddie McDonald

ALIBI

DJ M!KEATTACK 10 pm; lounge open 24 hours

TRL

Blackout Fridays

10 pm; lounge open 24 hours

MRCH

ARTIFICE

DJ Roc; 10 pm; free; doors at 5 pm

Almost Normal, Felix, 10 pm; free; doors at 5 pm

ARTISAN

Porn actresses host; 10 pm; free; lounge open 24 hours

Pornstaraoke

DJs Justin Hoffman, Eddie McDonald, Frank Richards, others; 10 pm; $10; women, locals free; open 24 hours

THE BANK

Doors at 10:30 pm; $30+ men, $20+ women

DJ E-Man; doors at 10:30 pm; $30+ men, $20+ women

Prawn

Frameworks, Bobby Meader Music; doors at 9 pm

Chicano Batman

BEAUTY BAR

DJ Kid Conrad

Latin Ladies Night

BLUE MARTINI

BODY ENGLISH

SPONSORED BY: drai's beach club

Listings are accurate as of press time. For more info, contact venues directly.

Warren Peace

Doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

Zedd

Rebecca & Fiona

April Rose, Crystal McCahill, Beth Williams host; doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

Blake Jarell

SATURDAY DJ E-Rock

Doors at 11 am; $40+ men, $10+ women

Dyro

Doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

Kaskade

Doors at 10 am; $60+ men, $40+ women

Steve Angello

Doors at 10:30 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

Scooter & Lavelle

Free Champagne for women, 11 am-1 pm; doors at 11 am; $40+ men, $20+ women

Andrew Reyel

SUNDAY Doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women

Feenixpawl

Doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

David Guetta

Doors at 11 am; $50+ men, $30+ women

Erick Morillo

Doors at 10:30 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

Free Champagne for women, 11 am-1 pm; doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women

MONDAY Industry Mondays Doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women, locals free

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Closed

Drai’s Yacht Club

Doors at 11 am; $20; locals free

MakJ; doors at 10 pm; $30+ men, $20+ women. Daytime: doors at 11 am; $20; locals free

Doors at 11 am; $20; locals free

Closed

DJ Savi

Doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women

DJ Lema; doors at 11 am; $40+ men, $20+ women

DJ Frank Rempe; doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women

Closed

Doors at 8 am; $20 men, $10 women, local women free

Doors at 8 am; $10+, local women free

Doors at 8 am; $10, local women free

Closed

Doors at 11 am

Closed

DJ Spider

Doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

DJ Javier Alba

Doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women

DJ Irie

Hot 100 contest; doors at 11 am

A-Trak

Doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

C*LA

Doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

Calvin Harris

DJ Burns; doors at 11 am; $100+ men, $50+ women

Sundown

DJs Guy Gerber, Spacebyrdz, Brett Rubin, M!KEATTACK; doors 1 pm; $30+ men, $20+ women

DJ Angie Vee

Doors at 11 am; $20+ men, $10+ women

Tiësto

DJ Zaxx; doors at 11 am; $30+ men, $20+ women

NIGHTS | Party Playback April 18

Carnage at Marquee Photographs by Tony Tran

38 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

Arts&Entertainment MOVIES + MUSIC + ART + FOOD

TRUST US

fairy tale has graced the small screen (remember that 1997 Brandy/Whitney special?) and theater stages around the globe, but was produced on Broadway for the first time in 2013. The Tony winner’s national tour rolls through the Smith Center starting Tuesday. April 28May 3, 7:30 p.m.; May 2-3, 2 p.m., $39-$139.

Stuff you’ll want to know about GO MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE Movies are great, but how can you top a live-action arena experience with pyrotechnics, stunts and motorcycles where your favorite superheroes—Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Spider-Man and Wolverine battling Loki, Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and the Red Skull—actually look like they do in the comics? April 23-26, times vary, $20-$125, Thomas & Mack Center. RODGERS + HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA

The musical writing duo’s telling of the classic

LAUGH

HEAR OK GO If you haven’t seen the video for the group’s funky single “I Won’t Let You Down”— filmed all in one take by a drone—drop everything you’re doing and watch it. Now. Then catch the foursome in the flesh on the tail end of its confetti-filled tour. With Kitten, April 28, 9 p.m., $21-$28, Brooklyn Bowl.

COMEDY DYNAMICS PRESENTS BILL HICKS

EAT

The best comedians make you laugh and think at the same time—like the acerbic, vice-embracing Bill Hicks, whose dark satire and thoughtful skewering of the status quo preceded The Daily Show and its alumni. Comedy Dynamics pays tribute to the deceased raconteur with this theatrical program, which includes his 1992 Relentless concert film plus supplemental footage. April 27, 8 p.m., various local theaters.

INDIAN FOOD & CULTURAL FESTIVAL Been meaning to try some fresh Indian joints? Do it all at once when 10 local spots like Mint Indian Bistro, Origin India and the new Urban Turban come together in one place, backed by traditional music, dance and more. Think of it as the ultimate buffet, served à la carte. April 25, 11 a.m.9:30 p.m, $5 (kids 12 & under free), Clark County Government Center Amphitheater.

SIMPSONS, EH? Prepare for Mr. Burns with our five-act quiz Three acts, three hours, so many Simpsons stories. Mr. Burns: A PostElectric Play by Anne Washburn transports viewers to an electricity-less, apocalyptic future, where survivors entertain themselves by recounting Simpsons episodes à la Fahrenheit 451. The play, a riff on the 1993 episode “Cape Feare,” explores the relationship between storytelling and memory; stories told in Act 3 vaguely resemble earlier versions. “That’s what happens to our pop culture; pop culture becomes myth,” director Troy Heard says. “In a sense, it’s like a big, twisted game of telephone.” ¶ Though die-hard fandom isn’t necessary to appreciate the play, it helps. Test your knowledge. –Kristy Totten

What is Bart Simpson’s full name? __________________________

How many eyebrows did Maggie’s nemesis have? a. One b. Two c. Three d. None

MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY April 24May 10; Thursday & Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; $12-$20. Art Square Theatre, cockroachtheatre.com.

Did Mrs. Krabappel ever kiss Principal Skinner with tongue? a. Yes b. No

What did Jebediah Springfield set out to find when he created Springfield? a. Paradise b. New Sodom c. His lost guinea pig, Jamal d. America’s Next Top Model

What is the first episode’s name? a. “The Crepes of Wrath” b. “Moaning Lisa” c. “Homer alone” d. “Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire” Miss a couple? Don’t have a cow, man. Heard scored three out of five.

Answers: 1. Bartholomew JoJo “Bart” Simpson; 2. a; 3. Trick question! We don’t know—but in researching we discovered that there’s such a thing as Simpsons fanfic erotica; 4. b; 5. d. APRIL 23-29, 2015 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM

A&E | Screen > SPIRITUAL MACHINES Vikander ponders her existence; Gleeson ponders the same (below).

film

Aussie melodrama Russell Crowe’s The Water Diviner is a mushy war tale

film

Robot in disguise Ex Machina is full of sci-fi misdirection By Mike D’Angelo power outages that disable Nathan’s cameras, howAlan Turing, the subject of last year’s Oscarever, Ava gradually reveals to Caleb that everything in winning biopic The Imitation Game, proposed what this techno-paradise isn’t as it appears—and that she would come to be known as the Turing Test: a practihas feelings for him. cal means of determining whether a machine can be Shot on a relatively low budget, given its premsaid to think. His idea was for the tester to converse ise, Ex Machina mostly sticks to the spare rooms of electronically with a human being and a computer Nathan’s home/laboratory, and its three lead actors program; if the computer is misidentified as human, it are pretty much the whole show. Gleeson passes the test. To date, no program has even (Frank), whose father is the far more charcome close. aaacc ismatic Brendan Gleeson, seems to be makThe human characters in Ex Machina EX MACHINA ing a career out of bland guilelessness, but talk a lot about the Turing Test, but Alex Domhnall Vikander makes Ava suitably ambiguous, and Garland’s directorial debut (his screenplays Gleeson, Oscar Isaac has fun with the surprisingly un-nerdy include 28 Days Later and Never Let Me Isaac, Alicia Nathan, who comes across more like a fitness Go) has something significantly different Vikander. instructor than a mad scientist. The movie’s in mind. Invited to spend a week at the Directed by biggest problem is that its basic premise—the futuristic, secluded estate of his employAlex Garland. modified Turing Test that Nathan has Caleb er, a dot-com genius named Nathan (Oscar Rated R. conduct—doesn’t make any sense, especialIsaac), coder Caleb (Domhnall Gleeson) is Opens Friday. ly in conjunction with some fairly obvious stunned to learn that Nathan has succeeded secrets lurking elsewhere in the compound. in creating an intelligent humanoid robot—a Consequently, it’s too easy to guess where the comely female whom he’s named Ava (Alicia story is probably headed, because that’s the only direcVikander). Even though Caleb can see that Ava, whose tion that would satisfactorily explain Caleb’s presence. limbs are transparent and stuffed with wiring, is a Garland throws in some red herrings, and he delivers a machine, Nathan wants him to conduct a version of nicely chilling finale, but Ex Machina isn’t as smart as the Turing Test with her, to determine whether she it pretends to be. It fails the test. can truly pass for human. Over a series of mysterious

40 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

For his directorial debut, Australian actor Russell Crowe takes on one of his homeland’s most famous national tragedies, the World War I Battle of Gallipoli, in which more than 10,000 soldiers from Australia and New Zealand were killed. Crowe plays the title character of The Water Diviner, Joshua Connor, an Australian farmer who travels to Turkey after the end of the war to retrieve the bodies of his three sons, all of whom apparently perished during the battle. The title refers to Joshua’s intuitive ability to find underground aabcc sources of water, and THE WATER the movie portrays DIVINER him using this ability to Russell “divine” the location of Crowe, Olga his sons’ remains on the Kurylenko, battlefield at Gallipoli. Yilmaz The pseudo-mystical Erdogan. elements never quite Directed by connect with Crowe’s Russell Crowe. old-fashioned, meloRated R. Opens dramatic storytelling, Friday. especially the cheesy romance between Joshua and a widowed Turkish hotel owner (Olga Kurylenko). Crowe stages some intense battle sequences in flashbacks to the fighting at Gallipoli, but they make up only a small portion of the slow, episodic narrative. The script by Andrew Anastasios and Andrew Knight hints at a few interesting ideas about the legacy of war via the relationship between Joshua and a Turkish military commander (Yilmaz Erdogan) who helps him in his search, but they’re never quite fleshed out. Crowe seems more focused on hearttugging than social commentary, and he slathers every emotional moment with a sappy, overbearing score. The movie ends with a dedication to all the soldiers whose bodies were never recovered after the war, but the story doesn’t carry the same historical weight. –Josh Bell

A&E | SCreen

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Open MonDAY – FriDAY 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM, SatURDAY 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM, & SunDAY 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

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film

Photo essay The Salt of the Earth chronicles a remarkable career world numerous times, docuThe work of Brazilian phomenting rural poverty, brutal labor tographer Sebastião Salgado is conditions and the plight of refuastonishing, and Oscar-nominated gees, and some of his photographs documentary The Salt of the Earth depict the lowest points of humandoesn’t need to do much more ity. The Salt of the Earth’s than present Salgado’s sketchy biographical elemost striking and vibrant ments are generally its images onscreen. To aaabc weakest points, but it’s both its credit and det- THE SALT OF affecting to see Salgado riment, that’s exactly THE EARTH talk about the emotionwhat it does, allowing Directed by al toll of witnessing so Salgado to provide a sort Wim Wenders much suffering, and how of commentary track on and Juliano the highlights from his Ribeiro Salgado. it triggered his shift in focus to the beauty of decades of work. Director Rated PG-13. nature. Whether capturWim Wenders has years Opens Friday. ing human anguish or of experience as an invennatural wonders, Salgado tive filmmaker, but workhas an eye for the transcendent, ing with Salgado’s son Juliano and this movie puts that skill front Ribeiro Salgado as co-director, he and center, letting the photograopts for a more straightforward pher himself remain mostly out of approach here. the way of the camera. –Josh Bell Salgado traveled around the

film

Immortal bore

The smash hit multimedia laser and light show features the music of Pink Floyd as you never have seen it before. LaserSpectacular carries fans away on a mind-expanding journey driven by cutting-edge effects, lasers, lighting and visual displays.

Henderson Pavilion • 200 S. Green Valley Pkwy.

Saturday, May 2 • 8pm Tickets start at $12

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aabcc THE AGE OF ADALINE Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford. Directed by Lee Toland Krieger. Rated PG-13. Opens Friday.

4/9/2015 3:59:44 PM

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Star Blake Lively’s stilted, mannered acting actually works in her favor in The Age of Adaline, in which she plays a seemingly immortal woman born in 1908. Adaline’s style and speech patterns are meant to evoke old-time movie stars, and Lively’s blank, earnest performance is reminiscent of the kind of charisma-free beauties that Hollywood often made into stars in the 1940s (and, of course, still does). Adaline falls in love with a rich philanthropist (Michiel Huisman) and wistfully looks back on her long, lonely life, but neither the romance nor the regret is

If Sporting Life Bar doesn’t become your favorite neighborhood bar, I’m not sure we can be friends anymore. It’s that good.

particularly convincing. ¶ The plot (complete with literary-sounding narration that over-explains everything) is dull and predictable, especially in its turgid second half, in which Adaline faces a man (Harrison Ford) she jilted decades earlier. Only Ellen Burstyn briefly

— Jim Begley, Las Vegas Weekly

enlivens the movie as Adaline’s feisty, now-elderly daughter. The Age

B E ST N E W R E STAU R A N TS O F 2 0 14

of Adaline aims to be as timeless as its main character, but it ends up feeling like a musty relic. –Josh Bell

B EST SP O R TS BA R 20 1 4

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BEST N EW R ESTAU R A N T 20 1 4

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C R ITIC ’S P IC K 20 1 4

A&E | Screen tv

Crappyish Even Philip Seymour Hoffman might not have saved Showtime’s cynical comedy Happyish

> I’M NOT DUMBLEDORE Michael Gambon and Julia McKenzie in The Casual Vacancy.

Small-town secrets

J.K. Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy becomes a downbeat HBO miniseries By Josh Bell but a crusading lawyer (Rory Kinnear) makes a rousing After author J.K. Rowling finished writing the argument for compassion and community. Harry Potter books, she made a major change with Then he drops dead, leaving his seat on the council The Casual Vacancy, a sprawling, satirical social-realist (and the deciding vote) up for grabs. As various communovel about a local election in a small British town. nity members vie for the open seat, dark secrets surface, Thanks to Rowling’s popularity, it was a huge bestseller relationships crumble, and the nasty underbelly of the and has now been made into a three-part miniseries seemingly idyllic town is revealed, if only briefly. Vacancy by HBO and the BBC. But with its dour subject matter dabbles in political satire, especially via Gambon’s bufand shapeless plotting, Vacancy would be unremarkable foonish character and his equally insensitive without Rowling’s name behind it. She gets wife, but it’s far too dreary to be a comedy, and top billing in the miniseries version, above its social commentary is often blunt and inefthe actors, the screenwriter and the director, aaccc fective. Worse, the narrative has no momentum, but anyone who tunes in thanks to a residual THE CASUAL spending three hours on the tedious minutiae of love for Harry Potter might be thrown by the VACANCY relationships among more than a dozen characprofanity, sex, drug use and general human April 29-30, ters, most of whom are barely fleshed out. misery on display. 8 p.m., HBO. The election issue is resolved with half an There’s nothing fantastical about the quaint hour left in the final episode, and from there but grim small town of Pagford, where a things really fall apart, as deaths and betrayals bring the charming village exists side by side with a drug-ridden story to a heavy-handed, melodramatic conclusion that housing project. The local parish council is weighing fails to resonate with what’s come before. Newcomer whether to demolish the dilapidated community center Abigail Lawrie gives the series’ best performance as a (which, among other things, serves as a food bank and troubled teen who ends up as the de facto main characmethadone clinic) and replace it with a new health spa ter, but by the end, she’s just more fodder for unearned meant to draw in tourists. The greedy head of the countragedy. Harry and his friends never had to deal with cil (played by Dumbledore himself, Michael Gambon) such poor treatment. has no sympathy for addicts and other welfare cases,

42 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

When Showtime first developed comedy series Happyish, it was a vehicle for Philip Seymour Hoffman, who starred in a pilot before his death last year. The network decided to revive and recast the show with Steve Coogan in the lead role, but it’s hard not to wonder how Hoffman would have fared instead, whether he would have been able to elevate this sour, condescending comedy into something more than faux-edgy nonsense. As it is, Coogan and the rest of the accomplished cast (which also includes Kathryn Hahn and Bradley Whitford) can’t overcome the smug, overwritten material from creator Shalom Auslander. Coogan stars as the aaccc pointedly named Thom HAPPYISH Payne, an advertising cre- Sundays, ative director experienc9:30 p.m., ing a bit of a midlife crisis Showtime. and feeling out of touch when his agency is taken over by a pair of hip, young Swedes. Like fellow Showtime comedy House of Lies, Happyish is aggressively cynical, using profanity-laced tirades in place of meaningful dialogue. Thom rails against social media and callow youth, but his words are empty, and the fantasy sequences involving pop-culture and advertising characters are belabored and unfunny (in the first episode, Thom has sex with an animated Keebler elf). Hahn brings a bit more heart and a bit less bluster to her role as Thom’s equally aggrieved wife, but mostly this is another show about a middle-aged, upper-middle-class white guy’s angst. Thom offers an angry dismissal of Mad Men in the first episode, but at least Mad Men knows how to make Don Draper worth watching each week. –Josh Bell

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A&E | noise c o n c e rt

> Built to Last Martsch (left) and his mates make new friends Downtown.

Weathering the storm A shivering crowd is rewarded with another solid Interpol set

c o n c e rt

tive of its audience’s evident exuberance. The band’s three-guitar array rang out forcefully and cleanly on old BTS tunes like “Distopian Dream Girl” (the one with the lyrics that go, “My stepfather looks just like David Bowie/But he hates David Bowie”), The Halo Benders’ “Virginia Reel Around the Fountain” (played, oddly, for the second straight Bunkhouse show) and “Carry the Zero,” the band’s best-known song. Martsch’s vocals started out strained again but improved over the hour and Built to Spill connects with the 40 minutes, to the point where a cover of Michael Downtown scene in its Vegas return Hurley’s twangy (and crude) “Slurf Song” and the band’s own “Liar” felt pretty perfect. By Spencer Patterson Even better were a trio of tunes off releasedthis-week album Untethered Moon, Built to Spill’s For a band that recently went six years first since 2009. “Living Zoo” and “Never Be the between Vegas visits, Built to Spill suddenly Same” crackled with the intensity fresh material seems to have fallen in love with our town—more tends to coax from a veteran band, and “When specifically, Downtown. On Monday, members I’m Blind” saw Martsch—stoic-faced even as he of Boise’s longtime indie-rock troupe shopped shredded—and fellow guitarists Brett at brand new 11th Street Records and Netson and Jim Roth stretching out durscoped out its adjacent recording studio ing a massive instrumental jam while before getting onstage for the group’s aaabc drummer Steve Gere and bassist Jason second sold-out night at the Bunkhouse BUILT Albertini coolly kept time behind them. in seven months. TO SPILL Even that bit of brilliance got trumped Last August, Built to Spill headlined April 20, by the encore, a near-20-minute version of the very first show at the relaunched Bunkhouse “Randy Described Eternity” that grew into Downtown music hub, and the occasion Saloon. something like Kraut-rock, throbbing and overshadowed the performance, which expanding to maintain the crowd’s rapt was enjoyable but marred by sound issues attention. If, somehow, it turns out to be the last and leader Doug Martsch’s road-worn voice. This Vegas sees of Built to Spill, it couldn’t have been a time, the five-piece put together a set that seemed better send-off, though judging from Monday’s vibe, to speak of a new connection, between a city left a quick return seems far more likely. off tour routes for too long and a band apprecia-

Reel around the Bunkhouse

For a place that suggests comfort and relaxation, the Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool required endurance from both its audience and performers last Wednesday, when alt-rock act Interpol headlined the fourthstory venue for the second time in eight months. In an instance of Alanis Morissette-style irony, Las Vegas’ wintertime chill and gusts showed up four months late, plaguing a setting that has historically faltered during inclement weather. (Wind prevented Lykke Li’s concert scheduled the night before from happening.) And it took the soundman aaabc almost four songs to make singer Paul INTERPOL Banks acceptably audible, another April 15, habitual issue concertgoers have freBoulevard quently encountered at the otherwise Pool. beloved venue. The gig was far from lost, though. Having become a well-oiled performance machine over the past 13 years—dating back to the NYC-based band’s 2002 breakthrough debut, Turn on the Bright Lights— and specifically during the current tour promoting its fifth album, 2014’s El Pintor, Interpol itself suffered few missteps. When we could hear him, Banks sang with enthusiastic vigor. Lead guitarist Daniel Kessler’s assertive but emotive riffs felt like warm respite from the brisk air. And underrated drummer Sam Fogarino impressively charged through standards like “Take You on a Cruise” and “Not Even Jail,” two of five performed tracks from Interpol’s sophomore album, Antics. The band largely—and wisely—balanced the setlist between its three aforementioned (and best) albums, with the El Pintor tracks being the most robustly executed and sounding the most vital. Gems like “My Desire,” “Anywhere” and “All the Rage Back Home” highlighted not only the trio’s reliable songwriting prowess, but its stubborn will to keep waving the post-punk flag—even when it’s no longer the rage to do so. –Mike Prevatt

c o n c e rt

I’m really hoping enough time has passed, and that the talented New Zealand singer Kimbra has established enough of a career in her own right that I don’t have to preface her as the female voice on Gotye’s (April 18, Hard Rock Live) “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Wait … aw, crap! Though Hard Rock Live is packed for the final stop of Kimbra’s West Coast tour, the bar’s completely empty, a telling sign that this crowd is young. I venture to the floor for further investigation and my suspicions are confirmed. I am easily the oldest person here, Kimbra has genre ADD. From smooth R&B to near-club-ready pop she frequently crosses the except for chaperone parents. spectrum. The universal thread woven throughout is her eccentric edge. She’s always enjoyably weird, and her willingness to turn At times the pop-porcelain doll evokes free-form jazz with how the feel of a song on a dime keeps us on our toes all night. loosely some songs are structured. She very rarely takes the straight path to a hook or melody, which makes it all the more Kimbra is just unusual enough to avoid being lumped in with Top 40 contemporaries (most gratifying when she does get there. of whom she can sing circles around), even as she maintains a strong pop-sensibility. It’s a fine line that she easily tiptoes, staying far closer to a Björk-in-training than a Rihanna-be. –Chris Bitonti

Five thoughts: Kimbra

44 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

built to spill by bill hughes; interpol by erik kabik; kimbra by spencer burton

A&E | noise lo c a l s c e n e

SUITING UP Rapper Rasar Amani and The Lique send jazzy sounds through the scene

photograph by sonia seelinger

By Leslie Ventura Before Rose.Rabbit.Lie. parted ways with unorthodox vaudeville show Vegas Nocturne, Rasar Amani’s job was to carry the midnight act’s feverdream energy into the early hours of the morning. “All I had to do was show up, rap one or two songs and dance with people,” Amani says. It was a gig he landed with the help of longtime friend, singer and beatboxing sorceress Butterscotch, who also performed full-time at RRL. “She’s the reason I’m even in Vegas,” Amani adds. “I would have never imagined that I would be living here under any circumstances. I didn’t even know you could live in Vegas.” The 29-year-old Sacramento native, who’s been rapping since 1999, has jumped at every chance to perform. He’s toured Europe and Taiwan with Butterscotch, laying down spiritualized, strippeddown lines against her larger-than-life beats, delivered a Ted Talk through spoken-word poetry and performed at jazz festivals with numerous bands. But when the Cosmopolitan ended Nocturne in 2014, Amani didn’t just find himself without a job, he was without a creative outlet. “I was really con-

> FUSION BLISS Get a peek at The Lique at Beauty Bar.

situations. It felt like we had known fused about what the hell I was going each other for years.” to do,” he says. THE LIQUE Comparisons to The Roots are Encouraged by local musicians opening for JMSN unavoidable—they play originals and CoCo Jenkins (Rhyme N Rhythm) with Jessica Manalo. perform covers, improvise riffs and and Cameron Calloway, Amani started April 26, 9 p.m., $10. throw in humor for comedic relief. going to open-mic nights. Soon he was Beauty Bar, 702-598It’s an old-Vegas-style concept that’s preparing for a new project: The Lique. 3757. Rasarmusic. finally coming back, and it’s landDreamed up by guitarist Sean com, facebook.com/ ed them an upcoming Beauty Bar Carbone, the four-piece (it’s protheliqueband. show opening for Kendrick Lamarnounced “leak”) fuses hip-hop and associated singer/producer JMSN. jazz, with Amani as MC, Nick Schmitt “We’re working for it and being proactive, geton stand-up bass and Jeremy Klewicki on drums. ting gigs that actually mean something,” Amani “We freestyled, and that solidified it,” Amani says says. “I’m not looking to struggle out here. I’ve of their first practice. “I’ve been in three or four already done that for years.” bands, and it was one of the most serene, obvious

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THIS FILM IS RATED PG-13 FOR SEXUAL CONTENT, VIOLENCE, LANGUAGE AND SOME DRUG MATERIAL. Please note: Passes are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. No phone calls, please. Limit one pass per person. Each pass admits two. Seating is not guaranteed. Arrive early. Theater is not responsible for overbooking. This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any audio or video recording device into the theater (audio recording devices for credentialed press excepted) and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person. Any attempted use of recording devices will result in immediate removal from the theater, forfeiture, and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. Please allow additional time for heightened security. You can assist us by leaving all nonessential bags at home or in your vehicle.

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A&E | The Strip T h e K at s R e p o rt

Cirque du Yankovic

> The Saga Begins Yankovic and his costume trailer pull into town next month.

“Weird Al” readies his act for May’s Planet Hollywood run By John Katsilometes

During an interview shortly before the release of latest album Smoke + Mirrors, members of Imagine Dragons were asked when they fully accepted they’d become rock stars. “I’m stealing this one,” drummer Daniel Platzman said, waving off his bandmates. “It was when ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic did a parody of ‘Radioactive.’ Yankovic’s take is called “Inactive,” and its release and accompanying video fired up the band. The song opens with, “I’m waking up, in Cheeto dust/My belly’s covered with pizza crust,” and he borrowed freely from the band’s studio and video acrobatics to make the whole package at once realistic and surreal. “It’s long, long been felt in the Platzman family that you know you’ve made it when ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic parodies your song,” Platzman said in an interview in Vegas magazine. “I called and said, ‘Everyone get on the phone at once!’ I told them, and they freaked out more than they did when we were on the Grammys. It was the biggest Platzman family freak-out of them all.” Earlier this month, that story was relayed to Yankovic. “Amazing,” he said while seated at a dining table in a suite at Planet Hollywood, where he headlines a five-show spree at the Showroom at Planet Hollywood from May 12-16. “They are absolutely the hottest rock band around, so it’s amazing. It’s very touching and very gratifying, and kind of hard to comprehend.” Imagine Dragons are among those on the list to visit Yankovic during his run on the Strip. He has already met at least one band member. “I met [bassist] Ben [McKee] a long time ago, because he posted a picture of he and I together when he was like, 12 years old, back in the day,” Yankovic recalled. The PH show will be classic Yankovic, replete with slickly assembled production numbers drawing from all across his 30-plus years as contemporary music’s leading satirist. Many of the songs rolled out are from his latest album, 2014’s Mandatory Fun, the first novelty

Photograph by ROBERT TRACHTENBERG

album in 50 years to debut No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Aside from “Inactive,” the release features sendups of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” (“Tacky”), Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” (“Word Crimes”), Lorde’s “Royals” (“Foil”), and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” (“Handy”). “I think my show is perfect for Vegas,” Yankovic said. “It’s very theatrical, highly produced and people have likened it to a Broadway production more than a rock show. There are a lot of costume changes. I get in the fat suit for ‘Fat,’ I dress like Kurt Cobain for ‘Smells Like

Nirvana.’ We dress in Amish costumes for ‘Amish Paradise.’ We all get in our Jedi robes for the Star Wars songs. “It’s not just five guys playing instruments. The whole thing is really like a traveling circus.” Cirque du Yankovic? “Yeah, yeah!” he said. “That’s it!” Yankovic’s introduction to Las Vegas came at age 5 or 6, watching his father yank the handle on a slot machine. “I don’t know why this is burned into my memory, but I have a real memory of my father playing the penny slot machine—it was a single

penny he dropped into the machine,” he said. “I don’t remember which casino, I don’t even know how I was allowed to watch him. But I remember him just throwing those pennies away. Then he hit a jackpot, which was maybe like 34 cents. He struck it big!” Sadly, the elder Yankovic played it all back. “I was going, ‘Noooo! What are you doing!? You had it all!’” Yankovic said. “It was like that old Twilight Zone episode, where the slot machine was telling the guy, ‘Franklin! Franklin!’ as he kept pulling the lever … That’s how I remember Vegas as a kid.” The weirdness of Yankovic’s act could conceivably work in Las Vegas for the familiarity of his songs, and also because he crosses so many demographics. “This kind of surprises me, that this is the first time I’m doing an extended run in Vegas,” he said. “What could be a better Vegas show than this? It’s family-friendly, it’s funny, it’s musical and my audience spans every demographic imaginable. You’d think this would be the Vegas show.” Yankovic attributes his longevity “WEIRD AL” to hard work and YANKOVIC a healthy compleMay 12-16, ment of profes8 p.m., $65sional good for$95. Planet tune. “It’s totally Hollywood, unexpected, and 702-785-5555. quite ironic that I have a career that has lasted this long,” said Yankovic, who has released 14 albums over 34 years. “Nobody expected it. Certainly, I didn’t expect it. It’s against all odds. Everybody I approached back in the beginning said, ‘Oh, you do comedy music? You’re going to be around for two weeks. It’s a novelty. Here today, gone tomorrow.’” As it is, Yankovic has outlasted and even outlived many of the superstars he parodied in the 1980s. “One thing is I’ve surrounded myself with very talented people, and I have the same band I’ve had since the early ’80s,” he said. “They are all great, extremely talented guys, very grounded. We’ve never had any Behind the Music kind of drama on the road or elsewhere. That would make for a great story, but this is a more civilized existence.” Yankovic won’t start writing new material until later this year, saving his energy and voice for the stage. He flashed his familiar grin as he spoke of his career. “I’ve got a fanbase that’s supportive and loving. I’m doing exactly what I want to do for a living,” he said. “I feel passionate about comedy and music, and the fact that I get to do both for a living and people actually care about it, that’s mind blowing to me. I never anticipated this train rolling for this long.”

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

A&E | Fine Art

> driving contemplation Car Show is no traditional memorial.

Cultural memory Car Show reframes infamous 20th-century tragedies—and the role of commemorative art By Dawn-Michelle Baude

fications and blood-red color produce a piquant Traditional commemorative sculpture meets work that weeps for death while, at the same time, car fetish in Car Show, the collaborative exhiproudly affirms life, community and culture. The bition by Justin Favela and Sean Slattery at contents of the cab—tufted tissue-paper the Clark Country Government Center flowers in Selena colors—read as both Rotunda Gallery. Instead of granite and funereal and celebratory. marble, Styrofoam and papier-mâché. aaaac “Proposal for a Memorial at Koval Instead of portrait busts and largerCAR SHOW and Flamingo” appears to take a more than-life figures, cars. No plaques, but Through May 8; somber note with the black-and-gray each of the monumental pieces in the Monday-Friday, palette of traditional European comshow commemorates a violent public 8 a.m.-5 p.m. memorative monuments. Lionizing death. No tears. This exhibition is less Clark County Tupac Shakur’s murder at the Las Vegas about eulogy than it is about the memes Government intersection, the sculpture consists of a that drive pop culture. Center Rotunda sarcophagus base, an uninscribed stele The most flamboyant of three sculpGallery, 702and oddly levitating silhouette of the tures is the “La Sangre Nunca Muere” 455-7030. BMW 750iL Shakur was riding in at memorial to Selena. The pop star’s busithe time of the shooting. Although the ness associate and murderer Yolanda wrinkles and folds in the papier-mâché recall Saldívar surrendered to Texas police after a nearly different grains of granite or veins of marble, the 10-hour standoff in her red truck. The artists have lack of text, combined with childhood associarendered to scale the 1993 GMC extended-cab tions of papier-mâché and a flying car, undercut pick-up in Favela’s trademark papier-mâché. The both pomp and ceremony. markedly long tissue-paper fringe, low-rider modi-

48 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

“Highway to Heaven” also spins traditional memorials, this time with a focus more on the suspect than the deceased. A white pyramid-obelisk hybrid with a tiny 1992 white Ford Bronco clinging to one side points the finger at O.J. Simpson for the murders of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. The incongruity of the 16-foot-tall papier-mâché monument and diminutive SUV alludes to the ludicrous 90-minute, 60-mile, low-speed car “chase” when O.J. failed to surrender to police. The sculpture ascends toward the Promised Land, but the parked Bronco won’t ever get there. In reframing the role of commemorative art, Car Show humorously raises issues surrounding the role of media in memory, the conflicted status of pop stars, and automobiles as accessories to infamous, 20th-century crimes. Although everywhere present, death is sublimated, not confronted. Mostly, the exhibit resolves the challenges of the busy Government Center gallery. These three works solidly weight the space through both form and palette, with a success rarely achieved.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKAYLA WHITMORE

A&E | Stage

> Oh, brother Brandon Burk plays hunchbacked Brother Lawrence with pleasing naivety and earnestness.

Apocalypse, soon

The Onyx’s religious satire offers hope to all, but not enough comedic slam dunks By Jacob Coakley it should either be filled with more lazzi (improvised Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends comic dialogue and physical gags) or come from some(A Final Evening With the Illuminati) crosses the wires of place else in the space. The timing in other bits, like sketch comedy and religion. But while the show does give Hanes playing a celestial bureaucrat processoff occasional sparks, it never truly ignites. ing Burk’s (channeling William H. Macy in Presented as the last sermon of the deluFargo) application to be a saint, also seemed sional Reverend Eddie (Taylor Hanes), aaacc off, never achieving the rapid-fire speed that assisted by hunchbacked Brother Lawrence SOME THINGS could pile on jokes until they accumulate (Brandon Burk), Some Things turns Reverend YOU NEED TO into a roar of laughter. Eddie’s judgmental gaze not just on sinners KNOW BEFORE Hanes does well with Eddie’s torment, but also on the church itself, railing against THE WORLD but that threatens to become his only charthe perceived absurdity and misogyny of ENDS Through acter trait. It shuts down opportunities for a Christianity while slyly offering a heartfelt May 2; Thursdaymore clowning, physically comic portrayal, affirmation of its promises of succor and Saturday, 7 p.m.; as Hanes shows he’s capable of in his St. Paul fulfillment. Sunday, 2 p.m.; Lynde impression. A more precise physicalThe show requires a quick-cutting, turn$25. Onyx Theatre, ity of a body at war with itself would offer a on-a-dime pace as it switches between real702-732-7225. sharper comedic counterpoint for times when ity and delusion, firing off one-liners in both Eddie’s vitriol rises. realms. It’s practically Commedia dell’arte Burk fares better with the physicality, imbuing his in its physical comedy, satirical bits and asides. But this crippled hunchback with a pleasing naivety and earnestproduction misses on the timing and struggles with the ness. His joy in discovering his body healed is infectious, physicality. The humor never snaps like it should. and when it ends it’s both funny and poignant. And his Under Troy Heard’s direction the transitions drag the delivery of Eddie’s last sermon offers hope to all, no matshow to a standstill at times. The opening processional ter the dogma. But there aren’t enough of these moments. requires the actors to leave the set, walk to the back of The humor never reaches heretical levels—it’s funny, but the house and then turn around and come right back not as funny as it could be. to the stage. It’s a lot of wasted activity that feels like

FOOD

THE PERFECT MEAL

FANTASY FEAST Emeril Lagasse concocts a meal we can only dream about This year’s edition of Vegas Uncork’d marks the first time a certain celebrity chef who’s had a major impact on the Strip (and everywhere else) has popped in for our annual mega-foodfest. Emeril Lagasse is hosting a Master Series Dinner at his 20-yearold(!) MGM Grand restaurant on April 23 and a New Orleans-style seafood extravaganza on April 25 (hunt for remaining tickets at vegasuncorked.com). Any time with Emeril is cause for celebration, so we asked the culinary icon to mark the occasion by constructing a perfect meal using dishes from his four Vegas restaurants. Check out this dream-feast:

Charred fresh spring peas at Table 10

(Palazzo) Table 10 is a seasonally-focused restaurant that uses market-fresh ingredients and locally grown products whenever possible. “This dish epitomizes that philosophy,” Lagasse says. “Just fresh peas in the pod with great olive oil, charred on the grill and eaten like edamame. It’s a simple and satisfying snack to start a meal.” Tuna poke chips at Lagasse’s Stadium

(Palazzo) “Lagasse’s Stadium is not your typical sports-bar food,” Lagasse says, as evidenced by this dish of fresh Hawaiian ahi tuna, avocado, ponzu vinaigrette, spicy mustard sauce and wakame seaweed salad. “This is my favorite way to eat ahi.” Wild mushroom gnocchi at Table 10

“Pasta is one of the best dishes to highlight fresh ingredients like many seasonal wild mushrooms available.” This decadent dish is rounded out with fresh herbs and Parmegiano Reggiano. Seared sea scallops at Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House (MGM Grand) “My first

restaurant in Las Vegas has been committed to sourcing the best seafood since opening, and this dish highlights that. The scallops with the black-eyed peas and sweet corn cream create a unique and delicious flavor combination.” Bone-in ribeye at Delmonico Steakhouse

(Venetian) “The only way to end a meal like this is with one of our prime, in-house dry-aged bone-in ribeyes. Add fresh asparagus on the side and it doesn’t get much better than that.” Caramel butter cake with vanilla double cream at Delmonico Steakhouse Don’t forget

something sweet ... and rich. “It’s one of my favorite desserts, deceptively simple with deep, rich flavors. Watch out, it’s very addictive!” –Brock Radke

50 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIKAYLA WHITMORE AND CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS

> TASTES LIKE HOME Frankie Pellegrino’s Sunday gravy is packed with meatballs, sausage, veal and beef braccioli.

GRAPE BURST

INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 oz. Skyy Infusions Moscato Grape Vodka 1 oz. St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur 1 oz. fresh lemon juice

SUNDAY IS FOR GRAVY

Exploring the wonderful warmth of family traditions at Rao’s BY BROCK RADKE

make it, she’d start at 10 in the morning and when she’d It’s a sacred thing. Be careful when tinkering with any fry the meatballs, she’d have to hide them before the sauce Italian family’s recipe for Sunday gravy, that meat-stocked was ready. Everyone would be coming in with bread to dip tomato sauce that gets simmered and reduced into a in the sauce.” savory explosion of nostalgic happiness. When all those fatty flavors have rendered in the pot, “If you tweak and twist my family’s recipe, you might be the meat moves out and the tomatoes come in. After subject to harm,” says Frank Pellegrino Jr., known a liberal seasoning and a rise in heat, Pellegrino adds best as Frankie, co-owner of the original Rao’s in RAO’S the meats, and the fried meatballs, back to the sauce Harlem and the Rao’s restaurants in Las Vegas and Caesars and simmers everything for at least two and a half Hollywood. At his Caesars Palace spot on April Palace, hours, until the meats are fork-tender. Pellegrino 26—as part of Vegas Uncork’d—Pellegrino will 702-731recommends serving it with a sturdy pasta shape demonstrate how Rao’s does Sunday gravy during 7267. Daily, like rigatoni. a special brunch event. 5-10:30 p.m. Sunday gravy has been around for centuries, he He invited the Weekly into his (incredibly says, built around the idea of making something delicious smelling) Caesars kitchen for a predelicious for a big group with whatever ingredients were view, cooking up a batch of family-feeding love stacked available. “Cooking this dish in this kitchen, creating with sweet and hot pork sausages, pork butt, veal these aromas and feelings, it makes this place feel like and braccioli—flank steak wrapped around basil and home,” he says. “This is a dish that can get you through Parmegiano Reggiano. the rest of your week.” He’s right, and he’s not just talking The first step is browning all the meaty goodness in about leftovers. garlic-laden olive oil. “It’s kind of like playing with blocks,” A secret tip for those who don’t make Uncork’d brunch: Pellegrino says as he arranges each piece of meat to fit and Sunday gravy will be a special at Rao’s on Mother’s Day. sizzle in a huge stockpot. “When my grandmother would

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS

1/2 oz. simple syrup 1/2 oz. pasteurized egg white (optional, for a frothy texture and look)

METHOD Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and fill with ice. Cover and shake thoroughly. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with white grapes on a skewer and sprinkle with zested lime peel.

Almost as familiar, but far more exciting, consider this cocktail an upgrade from a chilled glass of moscato. Sweet, crisp and inspiring, the Grape Burst is ideal for a leisurely lunch or a warm spring evening.

Cocktail created by Francesco Lafranconi, Executive Director of Mixology and Spirits Education at Southern Wine & Spirits.

APRIL 23-29, 2015 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM

A&E | Short Takes Special screenings

> childlike enthusiasm Jakob Salvati is the little boy of Little Boy.

Boozy Movie Wednesdays Wed, 8 pm, free with cocktail purchase, 21+. 4/29, Kill Bill. Inspire Theater, 107 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-489-9110. Cinemark Classic Series Sun, 2 pm; Wed, 2 & 7 pm, $7-$10. 4/26, 4/29, Tootsie. Theaters: ORL, ST, SF, SP, SC

Insurgent aabcc Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet. Directed by Robert Schwentke. 119 minutes. Rated PG-13. The sequel to Divergent bypasses the exposition about its dystopian future, but it remains just as nonsensical. There are more exciting action sequences and better special effects, but the characters are still flat, and the plotting is still an incoherent mess. –JB Theaters: AL, CAN, CH, DI, FH, GVR, ORL, PAL, RR, SF, SHO, ST, TX, VS

Comedy Dynamics Presents: Bill Hicks 4/27, performance by comedian Bill Hicks from 1992, plus bonus footage, 8 pm, $10.50-$12.50. Theaters: SF, SP, ST, VS. Info: fathomevents.com. Las Vegas Black Film Festival 4/23-4/26, feature and short films by black filmmakers, workshops, parties, more, times vary, passes $150-$500, individual events $25-$100. Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive. Info: lasvegasblack filmfestival.com. The Metropolitan Opera HD Live 4/25, Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci live, 9:30 am, $16-$24. 4/29, Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana and Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci encore, 6:30 pm, $15-$22. Theaters: COL, ORL, SF, SP, ST, VS. Info: fathomevents.com. Midnight Brewvies Mon, movie plus popcorn, midnight, free. Elixir, 2920 N. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, 702-272-0000. Sci Fi Center Sun, Game of Thrones viewing party, 6 pm, free. Mon, Cinemondays, 8 pm, free. 4/26, Charlotte’s Web (2006), noon, $5 suggested donation for V Animal Sanctuary. 5077 Arville St., 702792-4335, thescificenter.com. Tuesday Afternoon at the Bijou Tue, 1 pm, free. 4/28, Only Angels Have Wings. Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3400.

New this week The Age of Adaline aabcc Blake Lively, Michiel Huisman, Harrison Ford. Directed by Lee Toland Krieger. 110 minutes. Rated PG-13. See review Page 41. Theaters: AL, BS, CAN, CH, COL, DTS, FH, GVL, ORL, PAL, RP, SC, SF, SHO, SP, SS, TS, TX Desert Dancer (Not reviewed) Reece Ritchie, Freida Pinto, Nazanin Boniadi. Directed by Richard Raymond. 98 minutes. Rated PG-13. Biopic about Iranian dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, who defied the government by starting a dance company. Theaters: GVR, SC Ex Machina aaacc Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander. Directed by Alex Garland. 108 minutes. Rated R. See review Page 40. Theaters: AL, BS, CAN, DTS, FH, GVR, ORL, PAL, SC, SF, SP, TX Kid Kulafu (Not reviewed) Robert Villar, Alessandra de Rossi, Cesar Montano. Directed by Paul Soriano. 120 minutes. Not rated. In Filipino with English subtitles. Biopic about the life of boxer Manny Pacquiao. Theaters: ORL Little Boy (Not reviewed) Jakob Salvati, Kevin James, Emily Watson. Directed by Alejandro Monteverde. 106 minutes. Rated PG-13.

minutes. Rated PG. After the cute, clueless alien Boov invade and take over Earth, human tween Tip (Rihanna) teams up with misfit alien Oh (Parsons) to save the planet. It’s a familiar mismatched-friends story, tolerable enough for children who like funnycolored aliens but forgettable enough that parents should be able to easily ignore it. –JB Theaters: AL, CAN, CH, COL, DI, FH, GVL, ORL, PAL, RP, RR, SF, SP, SS, ST, TX, VS

An 8-year-old boy relies on his faith to end World War II and bring his father home. Theaters: AL, COL, FH, RR, SF, ST, TS, TX, VS The Salt of the Earth aaabc Directed by Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. 110 minutes. Rated PG-13. See review Page 41. Theaters: VS Walking With the Enemy (Not reviewed) Jonas Armstrong, Hannah Tointon, Ben Kingsley. Directed by Mark Schmidt. 124 minutes. Rated PG-13. A young Hungarian man disguises himself as a Nazi to save his family during World War II. Theaters: PAL The Water Diviner aabcc Russell Crowe, Olga Kurylenko, Yilmaz Erdogan. Directed by Russell Crowe. 111 minutes. Rated R. See review Page 40. Theaters: GVR, RR, SP

Now playing American Sniper aaccc Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Luke Grimes. Directed by Clint Eastwood. 132 minutes. Rated R. Cooper’s performance is the strongest element of this biopic about Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle. It’s a simplistic, pandering tribute to the American military, aimed at an audience that prizes patriotism over drama and isn’t interested in complexity when telling the stories of so-called American heroes. –JB Theaters: SC Chappie AACCC Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Ninja, Yolandi Visser. Directed by Neill Blomkamp. 120 minutes. Rated R. Writer-director Blomkamp (District 9) proves to be a one-hit wonder with his third feature, about a future police robot given artificial intelligence. Chappie is inconsistent, overreaching and often preachy, the second movie in a row in which Blomkamp demonstrates visual flair but fails at both social commentary and basic storytelling. –JB Theaters: TC Child 44 (Not reviewed)

52 LasVegasWeekly.com APril 23-29, 2015

Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Gary Oldman. Directed by Daniel Espinosa. 137 minutes. Rated R. In the 1950s Soviet Union, a former officer of the secret police investigates a series of murders. Theaters: ORL, VS Cinderella aabcc Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. 105 minutes. Rated PG. Branagh’s live-action remake of the 1950 Disney animated classic about a downtrodden girl who falls in love with a prince is a straightforward retelling of the fairy tale, without any twists or stylistic innovations. It’s a lavish production, but it’s also dramatically inert, led by a pair of good-looking but forgettable actors. –JB Theaters: BS, CH, COL, DI, ORL, PAL, RR, SC, SF, SP, TX Danny Collins aabcc Al Pacino, Annette Bening, Jennifer Garner. Directed by Dan Fogelman. 106 minutes. Rated R. Pacino plays a legendary rock star who discovers, decades after he’d started coasting on his success, that John Lennon had written him a fan latter that might have inspired him to try harder, had he only read it at the time. Pacino himself could use such a letter from Laurence Olivier. –MD Theaters: COL, SC Do You Believe? (Not reviewed) Ted McGinley, Mira Sorvino, Andrea Logan White. Directed by Jonathan M. Gunn. 115 minutes. Rated PG-13. A pastor goes on a journey to renew his faith. Theaters: BS, SC The Duff AAACC Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne. Directed by Ari Sandel. 101 minutes. Rated PG-13. It may be based on an idiotic catch phrase (the “designated ugly fat friend”), but The Duff is a fairly clever and heartfelt teen comedy about an awkward nerd (Whitman) who enlists her jock neighbor (Amell) to give her a makeover and, of course, falls in love in the process. –JB Theaters: DI, TC Fifty Shades of Grey acccc Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eloise Mumford. Directed by Sam TaylorJohnson. 125 minutes. Rated R. Existing

in a tepid middle ground apt to disappoint both hardcore fans of E.L. James’ bestselling novel and newbies expecting something scandalous, Fifty Shades of Grey flounders thanks to its leads’ lack of chemistry, inert direction and limp faux-salacious sex scenes. –NS Theaters: BS, COL Focus aaabc Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Adrian Martinez. Directed by John Requa and Glenn Ficarra. 104 minutes. Rated R. Smith and Robbie have fantastic chemistry as a pair of con artists in this glossy, uneven drama. The movie’s first half is playful and sly, but the second half is less successful, building up the suspense and then pulling back the curtain a few too many times. –JB Theaters: TC Freetown (Not reviewed) Henry Adofo, Michael Attram, Phillip Michael. Directed by Garrett Batty. 113 minutes. Rated PG-13. Six Liberian missionaries flee civil war in their country. Theaters: ST Furious 7 aaacc Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez. Directed by James Wan. 137 minutes. Rated PG-13. Replacement director Wan freshens the seventh film of this ridiculous series with a great villain (Statham) and several razzle-dazzle set pieces, and replaces the usual machismo with “family”-type bonding. But he also can’t stop the movie from raging too long and running out of gas early. –JMA Theaters: AL, CAN, CH, DI, FH, GVL, GVR, ORL, PAL, RP, RR, SF, SHO, SP, SS, ST, TX, VS Get Hard aaccc Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Alison Brie. Directed by Etan Cohen. 100 minutes. Rated R. A buffoonish finance executive (Ferrell) hires a man he believes to be an ex-con (Hart) to help him prepare for prison after he’s falsely convicted of fraud. For all its ill-advised humor about race and sexuality, Get Hard is less offensive than inconsistent and misguided. –JB Theaters: AL, CAN, CH, COL, DI, FH, GVL, ORL, PAL, RP, SF, SHO, SP, ST, TX, VS Home aabcc Voices of Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin. Directed by Tim Johnson. 94

It Follows aaaac Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Daniel Zovatto. Directed by David Robert Mitchell. 100 minutes. Rated R. Mitchell, who made the sweet teen romance The Myth of the American Sleepover, returns with a terrific, discomfitingly creepy horror film about a malevolent force that’s always walking in a straight line toward its victim (Monroe), no matter where on the planet she goes. –MD Theaters: BS, COL, DI, RR Jupiter Ascending aabcc Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne. Directed by Andy and Lana Wachowski. 125 minutes. Rated PG-13. This convoluted sci-fi epic from The Matrix filmmakers the Wachowskis boils down to another story of a Chosen One who saves the world and falls in love. The Wachowskis remain impressive stylists, and if Jupiter were as accomplished in its plotting and character development as in its visuals, it would be brilliant. –JB Theaters: TC Kingsman: The Secret Service aabcc Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by Matthew Vaughn. 129 minutes. Rated R. A street tough known as Eggsy (Egerton) is recruited to join super-secret private spy organization Kingsman in this loose adaptation of the comic book by Mark Millar (Kick-Ass). Meant as a self-aware parody of James Bond-style superspies, Kingsman lacks the wit and style of the best Bond adventures. –JB Theaters: DI, ORL, ST, VS The Lazarus Effect AACCC Olivia Wilde, Mark Duplass, Sarah Bolger. Directed by David Gelb. 83 minutes. Rated PG-13. A talented cast is wasted in this moronic horror movie about medical researchers attempting to bring people back from the dead. Once they do, something evil comes back, too, stalking the characters through underlit, sparse sets in predictable fashion. –JB Theaters: ST, TC The Longest Ride (Not reviewed) Britt Robertson, Scott Eastwood, Melissa Benoist. Directed by George Tillman Jr. 139 minutes. Rated PG-13. The lives of a young couple intersect with an older man who recalls his own youthful romance. Theaters: AL, BS, CAN, CH, COL, FH, ORL, PAL, RP, SC, SF, SHO, SP, SS, TX McFarland, USA aabcc Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Carlos Pratts. Directed by Niki Caro. 128 minutes. Rated PG. Costner’s weary, livedin performance as a high-school coach

A&E | Short Takes is the best thing about this predictable underdog sports drama, based on the true story of a cross-country team from the impoverished, primarily Latino central California town of McFarland that achieved surprising success in the late 1980s. –JB Theaters: ST, VS

> Vegas vacation Raini Rodriguez and Kevin James in Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.

Merchants of Doubt aaccc Directed by Robert Kenner. 96 minutes. Rated PG-13. There are brief flashes of something beyond the standardissue social-activism documentary in Merchants of Doubt, about experts who testify in favor of corporations on public-health issues. Instead, the movie rehashes familiar talking points and feeds its undoubtedly sympathetic audience a bunch of information they already know, in a smug and heavyhanded manner. –JB Theaters: VS Monkey Kingdom (Not reviewed) Directed by Mark Linfield and Alastair Fothergill. 81 minutes. Rated G. Nature documentary featuring the monkey population of Sri Lanka. Theaters: AL, CH, COL, FH, ORL, RR, SF, SP, SS, ST, TX, VS Nanak Shah Fakir (Not reviewed) Arif Zakaria, Puneet Sikka, Adil Hussain. Directed by Sartaj Singh Pannu. 138 minutes. Not rated. In Hindi with English subtitles. Biopic about Guru Nanak Ji, the first Sikh guru. Theaters: VS Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 abccc Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Neal McDonough. Directed by Andy Fickman. 94 minutes. Rated PG. Six years after thwarting a heist at a New Jersey mall, bumbling security guard Paul Blart (James) ends up doing the same at a Las Vegas hotel. Mall Cop 2 suffers from indifferent plotting, listless action and apathetic jokes that often don’t appear to have punchlines. –JB Theaters: AL, BS, CAN, CH, COL, DI, FH, GVL, ORL, PAL, RP, RR, SC, SF, SHO, SP, SS, TX Run All Night aaacc Liam Neeson, Joel Kinnaman, Ed Harris. Directed by Jaume ColletSerra. 114 minutes. Rated R. Neeson plays an aging hitman on the run with his estranged son (Kinnaman), dodging gangsters and cops, over the course of one long night. Director Collet-Serra concocts some sludgy, thrown-together action scenes, but he has an appreciation for actors, and the scenes between old-time wiseguys Neeson and Harris have a touching shorthand. –JMA Theaters: DI, SC, TC The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel aabcc Dev Patel, Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy, Judi Dench. Directed by John Madden. 122 minutes. Rated PG. Nearly all of the characters return for the continuing story of a ramshackle retirement home for British pensioners in India. The storylines are mostly half-hearted, centered on the romantic couplings that blossomed in the previous movie. The talented actors make the experience pleasant enough, even if it drags on for too long. –JB Theaters: SC Seymour: An Introduction aaacc Directed by Ethan Hawke. 84 minutes. Rated PG. Hawke’s documentary about Seymour Bernstein, a semi-retired concert pianist and still-active piano teacher, is rambling and hagiographic, and feels overlong even at 84 minutes. Bernstein is such a charismatic camera subject, however, that those flaws seem more forgivable than they otherwise might. –MD

Theaters: VS The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water aabcc Voices of Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence. Directed by Paul Tibbitt. 92 minutes. Rated PG. The second movie starring animated undersea creature SpongeBob SquarePants features all the familiar characters in an adventure to track down the stolen recipe for Krabby Patties. The story drags over the course of 90 minutes, with mild humor and a strained climax that mixes the animated characters with live action. –JB Theaters: TC True Story aaacc Jonah Hill, James Franco, Felicity Jones. Directed by Rupert Goold. 100 minutes. Rated R. Hill plays disgraced journalist Michael Finkel, who formed a strangely close relationship with accused murderer Christian Longo (Franco), in this adaptation of Finkel’s memoir. Even if the treatment of the story can be a bit lifeless, the facts themselves are so fascinating that the movie can’t help but be compelling. –JB Theaters: AL, COL, SF, SHO, SP, ST, VS

While We’re Young aabcc Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Adam Driver, Amanda Seyfried. Directed by Noah Baumbach. 97 minutes. Rated R. Baumbach follows his terrific Frances Ha with the story of a middle-aged couple (Stiller and Watts) whose lives are upended when they befriend a much younger couple (Driver and Seyfried). Alas, what starts off hilariously sardonic gradually turns uncomfortably sour. –MD Theaters: GVR, ORL, SHO, VS Wild Tales aaabc Ricardo Darín, Oscar Martínez, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Érica Rivas. Directed by Damián Szifrón. 122 minutes. Rated

Theaters (AL) Regal Aliante 7300 Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas, 702-221-2283 (BS) Regal Boulder Station 4111 Boulder Highway, 702-221-2283

R. In Spanish with English subtitles. A more sophisticated, less gory version of movies like the V/H/S series, Wild Tales features six segments that start with mundane events before building to violence, betrayal and (sometimes) death. It’s an inconsistent anthology, but a deft mix of comedy and thrills keeps things fresh and surprising. –JB Theaters: SC Woman in Gold aabcc Helen Mirren, Ryan Reynolds, Tatiana Maslany. Directed by Simon Curtis. 109 minutes. Rated PG-13. The true story of Maria Altmann, an Austrian Jew who fled the Nazis during WWII and later battled to reclaim paintings that

(DTS) Regal Downtown Summerlin 2070 Park Center Drive, 702-221-2283 (FH) Regal Fiesta Henderson 777 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, 702-221-2283 (GVR) Regal Green Valley Ranch 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson, 702-221-2283

(PAL) Brenden Theatres at the Palms 4321 W. Flamingo Road, 702-507-4849 (CAN) Galaxy Cannery 2121 E. Craig Road, North Las Vegas, 702-639-9779

(GVL) Galaxy Green Valley Luxury+ 4500 E. Sunset Road, Henderson, 702442-0244

Unfriended aaaac Shelley Hennig, Moses Jacob Storm, Renee Olstead. Directed by Levan Gabriadze. 82 minutes. Rated R. This impressively inventive horror movie takes place entirely on a teenage girl’s computer screen, using social media, video chats and other technology to tell a story of revenge from beyond the grave. The plot is familiar, but the execution is creative and involving, with strong acting and relentless pacing. –JB Theaters: AL, BS, CAN, CH, DI, FH, GVR, ORL, PAL, RP, RR, SC, SF, SHO, SP, SS, TX

(CH) Cinedome Henderson 851 S. Boulder Highway, Henderson, 702-566-1570

(ORL) Century Orleans 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., 702-889-1220

(DI) Las Vegas Drive-In 4150 W. Carey Ave., North Las Vegas, 702-646-3565

You’re My Boss (Not reviewed) Toni Gonzaga, Coco Martin. Directed by Antoinette Jadaone. 116 minutes. Not rated. In Filipino with English subtitles. A woman and her assistant switch places. Theaters: VS JMA Jeffrey M. Anderson; JB Josh Bell; MD Mike D’Angelo; NS Nick Schager

(SF) Century Santa Fe Station 4949 N. Rancho Drive, 702-655-8178 (SHO) United Artists Showcase 3769 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-221-2283 (SP) Century South Point 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-260-4061 (SC) Century Suncoast 9090 Alta Drive, 702-869-1880

Twenty (Not reviewed) Kim Woo-bin, Lee Junho, Kang Ha-neul. Directed by Lee Byeong-heon. 115 minutes. Not rated. In Korean with English subtitles. A trio of 20-year-old friends try to figure out their lives. Theaters: VS

(COL) Regal Colonnade 8880 S. Eastern Ave., 702-221-2283

the Nazis stole from her family, is stirring and complex, but the filmmakers smooth it out and simplify it, making every courtroom battle into a clichéd, heavy-handed triumph. –JB Theaters: AL, FH, GVR, RR, SC, SP

(RP) AMC Rainbow Promenade 2321 N. Rainbow Blvd., 888-262-4386

(SS) Regal Sunset Station 1301-A W. Sunset Road, Henderson, 702-221-2283 (TX) Regal Texas Station 2101 Texas Star Lane, North Las Vegas, 702-221-2283 (TS) AMC Town Square 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-362-7283

(RR) Regal Red Rock 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-221-2283

(TC) Regency Tropicana Cinemas 3330 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-438-3456

(ST) Century Sam’s Town 5111 Boulder Highway, 702-547-1732

(VS) Regal Village Square 9400 W. Sahara Ave., 702-221-2283

For complete movie times, visit lasvegasweekly.com/movies/listings.

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

Calendar LISTINGS YOU CAN PLAN YOUR LIFE BY!

> SO MUCH MUSIC The Philharmonic will play works from the 1880s to the 1980s.

A CENTURY OF THRILLS Titled “100 Years of Music,” the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s Masterworks V program could refer to any old century, but centers on wildly exhilarating and emotion-driven works, beginning with a 1985 John Adams composition written for an opera scene in which Mao Tse-tung and his wife do the foxtrot (an outtake from the minimalist composer’s Nixon in China). From there it heads into Rachmaninoff’s 1934 rousingly flamboyant piano concerto “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” featuring Joyce Yang on piano, before plunging into Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony—a crowd pleaser with beautiful melodies and a triumphant ending that will launch anyone into a standing ovation, making us wonder how the self-doubting, tormented Russian composer in the summer of 1888 believed himself (in many instances) to be “played out.” This powerful combination almost guarantees “100 MASTERWORKS V Years of Music” to be an easily accessible, thrilling ride for anyone April 25, 7:30 p.m., $26-$94. wanting a little end-of-Masterworks-season excitement to heighten Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall, the senses. –Kristen Peterson 702-749-2000.

LIVE MUSIC T H E ST R I P & N E A R BY

Big Concert ft. Cage the Elephant, Dirty Heads, New Politics, Big Data, Joywave 5/28, 5 pm, $40. Billy Currington 5/29, 8 pm, $35. Neon Trees, Alex Winston 6/12, 8 pm, $20. Barenaked Ladies, Violent Femmes, Colin Hay 7/18, 8 pm, $50. Slightly Stoopid 8/14, 9 pm, $35. Counting Crows, Citizen Cope 10/3, 7:30 pm, $55. 702-698-7000. Dive Bar One Eyed Doll, Irie, Someday Broken 4/25, 9 pm, $8-$10. 4110 S. Maryland Pkwy., 702-586-3483. Double Down The Gashers, Sounds of Threat, Spotted Dick & The Wylde Knights, Twat 4/24, 9 pm. The Psyatics, Thee Fourgiven, The Swamp Gospel, Wetbrain, CIphers of Transendence 4/25, 10 pm. The Phil Friendly Trio, Uberschall 4/26, 10 pm. Uberschall 4/28, midnight. Thee Swank Bastards 4/29, 10 pm. The Holy Smokes, The Astaires, The Ditch Diggers, The Psyatics 5/1, 10 pm. Bargain DJ Collective Mon. Unique Massive Tue, midnight. The Juju Man Wed, midnight. Punk Rock Bingo first Wed of the month. Blooze Brothers Third Sun of the month.

CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE CALENDAR LISTINGS AT LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS 54 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

Midler 5/22, 8 pm, $95-$310. Eagles 5/24, 8 pm, $85-$275. Rush 6/25, 8 pm, $60-$180. Aerosmith 8/1, 8 pm, $50-$150. Madonna 10/24, 8 pm, $43-$383. Andrea Bocelli 12/5, 8 pm, $78-$403. 702-891-7777. Orleans One Night with the King 5/165/17, 8 pm, $20+. NiteKings Wed, 4 pm. Rick Duarte Fri, 9 pm. Acoustic Den Sat, 9 pm. Shows free unless noted. 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., 702365-7075. Palace Station (Jack’s) Peter Love Trio Fri, 9 pm. Willplay Sat, 9 pm. Shows free unless noted. 702-547-5300. Palazzo (Palazzo Theatre) Frank: The Man. The Music. ft. Bob Anderson Tue-Thu, Sat, 8 pm; Fri 9 pm, $72. (Laguna Champagne Bar) Jimmy Hopper Thu-Sun, 9:30 pm, free. 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-4144300. Palms (The Lounge) Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns Mon, 10:30 pm, $10. Barry Black 5/1, 10 pm, free. Roxshow 5/2, 10 pm, free. 702-944-3200. The Pearl Joe Bonamassa 5/1-5/2, 8 pm, $89-$130. The Moody Blues 5/3, 8 pm, $63-$133. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Sharon Jones and the DapKings, Doyle Bramhall II 6/9, 6:30 pm, $63+. Alice in Chains 7/18, 8 pm, $53+. Melissa Etheridge 8/7, 8 pm, $49+. Jackson Browne 8/21, 8 pm, $63+. Alejandra Guzman 9/12, 8 pm, $33+. Palms, 702-942-7777. Piero’s Pia Zadora Fri & Sat, 9 pm, two-drink minimum. 355 Convention Center Dr., 702-369-2305. Planet Hollywood Britney Spears 4/24-4/25, 4/29, 5/1-5/2, 5/6, 5/8-5/9, 5/13, 5/15-5/16, 5/20, 8/5, 8/7-8/8, 8/12, 8/14-8/15, 8/18-8/19, 8/21-8/22, 8/26, 8/28-8/29, 9/2, 9/4-9/5, 9/9. $60-$195. Weird Al Yankovic 5/12-5/16, 8 pm, $59-$89. Na Ying 5/23, $28-$228. Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago 7/17, 8 pm, $70-$219. J. Cole, YG, Jeremih, Bas, Cozz and Omen 7/18, 8 pm, $41-$200. La Arrolladora 9/13, 9 pm, $59-$175. Ricky Martin 9/15, 8 pm, $50-$160. 702-234-7469. Rí Rá Craic Haus John Windsor 4/27, 8:45 pm. The Black Donnellys 4/23, 4/26, 8:45 pm; 4/24-4/25, 4/28-4/29, 9 pm. Mandalay Place, 702-632-7771. Rock in Rio Festival Ft. Taylor Swift, Metallica, Linkin Park, No Doubt, The Deftones, John Legend 5/8-5/9, 5/15-5/16, $298-$498. Rockinrio.com. Route 91 Harvest Festival ft. Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw and more. 10/2-10/4, times vary, $199. MGM Resorts Village, rt91harvest.com. Stratosphere David Perrico and Pop Evolution First & third Tue, 10:30 pm, $20. 800-998-6937. Silver Sevens All shows 9:30 pm, free. 4100 Paradise, 702-733-7000. Tuscany Danny Lozada Sun & Thu 10 pm, free. Kenny Davidsen Celebrity Piano Bar Fri, 10 pm, free. Live music Sat, 10 pm., free. 255 E. Flamingo Rd., 702-893-8933. Venetian The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Godesses ft. Las Vegas Philharmonic 6/10, 8 pm, $66-$176. 3355 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-287-5922. Vinyl Secondhand Serenade, Ryan Cabrera, Nick Thomas, Wind in Sails, Runaway Saints 4/24, 6:30 pm, $18+. Dr. John Cooper Clarke 4/30, 8 pm, $20. Alice: A Steampunk Concert Fantasy 5/20, 6/17, 7/15, 11 pm, $10+. Saxon 5/27, 8:30 pm, $22. Todd Rundgren 5/30, 8 pm, $30+.

PHOTOGARPH BY TODD ROSENBERG

Brooklyn Bowl Sturgill Simpson, The Lone Bellow 4/23, 8 pm, $22$24. Andy Frasco and the U.N. 4/24, $8. Zappa Plays Zappa 4/25, 9 pm, $39-$72. Sebastian Bach, Conflict of Interest, Bravo Delta 4/26, 8 pm, $20-$25. Morgan Heritage, Jemere Morgan 4/27, 8 pm, $13-$17. OK Go, White Arrows 4/28, 9 pm, $22-$28. Umphrey’s McGee 5/1, 7 pm; 5/2, 8:30 pm, $30-$99. Kinky, Daniella Spalla 5/3, 8 pm, $25. Mariachi El Bronx 5/4, 8 pm, $17-$22. The Steppas, Lovd Ones, For Twenty Daze, The L81z 5/11, 8 pm, $15. The Expendables 5/14, $15. Little Dragon, Sango 5/15. Soja, Blue King Brown 5/19, 8 pm, $28. Shakey Graves, Barr Brothers 5/21, 8 pm, $17. Big Sam’s Funky Nation 5/21, midnight, $9-$11. Xavier Rudd & The United Nations 5/26, 8 pm, $19-$22. Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squa, The Simpkin Project 5/27, 9 pm, $10-$15. Robert Plant & The Sensational

Space Shifters, JD McPherson 5/28, $77. Jenny Lewis 5/30, 8 pm, $28-$33. The Glitch Mob 5/31, 8 pm, $20-$23. Preservation Hall Jazz Band 6/11, 8 pm, $20-$22. Yelawolf, Hillbilly Casino 6/12, $15. Purity Ring, Braids, Born Gold 6/23, 8 pm, $22-$24. John Butler Trio, Anderson East 6/26, 8 pm, $28-$33. Adler 7/11, 8 pm, $22-$28. Kevin Fowler 7/15, 8 pm, $18-$22. Between the Buried and Me 7/18, $20. Everclear, Toadies, Fuel, American Hi-Fi 8/8, 8 pm, $40. Linq, 702-862-2695. The Colosseum Reba, Brooks & Dunn 6/24, 6/26-6/27, 7/1, 7/3, 7/4, 12/2, 12/4, 12/6, 12/9, $60-$205. Rod Stewart 7/31, 8/1, 8/5, 8/8, 8/9, 8/12, 8/15, 7:30 pm. Celine Dion 8/27, 8/28-8/30, 9/1, 9/4-9/5, 9/8-9/9, $55-$250, 7:30 pm. Elton John 10/13-10/14, 10/16, 6:30 pm, $55-$500. Aretha Franklin 8/14, 8 pm, $55-$160. The Who 9/19, 10:30 pm, $96-$501. Caesars Palace, 702731-7333. The Cosmopolitan (Chelsea) Brian Wilson, Rodriguez 7/10, 7 pm, $50. Brantley Gilbert, Carter Winter 7/24, 8 pm, $65. (Boulevard Pool) Our

Shows 10 pm, free unless noted. 640 Paradise Rd., 702-791-5775. Flamingo Olivia Newton-John 5/265/30, 6/2-6/6, 6/9-6/13, 7/7-7/11, 7/14-7/18, 7/21-7/25, 8/4-8/8, 8/11-8/15, 8/18-8/22, 9/1-9/5, 9/8-9/12, 7:30 pm, $69-$139. 702-733-3333. Gilley’s Easy 8’s Band 4/23, 5/7, 9 pm; 4/24-4/25, 10 pm. The Cadillac Three 4/27, 9 pm. Country Nation 5/1-5/2, 10 pm. The Kelly Rae Band 5/8-5/9, 10 pm. Scotty Alexander Band 5/14, 9 pm. 5/15-5/16, 10 pm. Shows $10-$20 after 10 pm. Treasure Island, 702894-7722. Hard Rock Hotel Courtney Love 5/15, 9 pm, $35+. Kottonmouth Kings 6/19, 9 pm, $25+. Rusted Root 6/26, 9 pm, $30+. Nelson 7/10, 9 pm, $30+. South of Graceland 7/17, 9 pm, $30+. Puddle of Mudd 7/31, 9 pm, $25+. Tribal Seeds 8/21, 9 pm, $25. Blue October 9/18, 9 pm, $30+. Live 10/2, 9 pm, $35+. Hard Rock Live Metro Station, SayWeCanFly, 7 Minutes in Heaven, The Runaway Lives 4/27, 5 pm, $14$17. Hard Rock Cafe (Strip), 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-733-7625. House of Blues Falling in Reverse 4/25, 5:30 pm, $22-$25. Nightwish 4/30, 7 pm, $43-$78. Mastodon 5/1, 8 pm, $30-$32. R. Kelly, Lil’ Kim 5/3, 8 pm, $150+. Walk the Moon 5/9, 6:30 pm, $22-$25. Juicy J 5/19, 8 pm, $28$40. Carlos Santana 5/20, 5/22-5/24, 5/27, 5/29-5/31, 9/16, 9/18-9/20, 9/23, 9/25-9/27, 11/4, 11/6-11/8, 11/11, 11/1311/15, $90-$350, 8 pm. Ministry 6/10, 8 pm, $40-$90. Steel Panther 6/13, 6/20, 6/27, 9 pm, $22. Dizzy Wright 7/4, 6 pm, $25-$30. Kelly Clarkson, Pentatonix 8/15, 7:30 pm, $40-$125. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers 9/5, 8 pm, $29-$44. The Tragically Hip 10/3, 7:30 pm, $43-$55. Rhyme N Rhythm Mon, 9 pm, free. Live swing music Tue, 9 pm, free. Blues Wed, 8 pm, free. Phil Stendek Thu, 8 pm, free. Singles Sat, 9 pm, free. Gospel Brunch Sun, 10 am & 1 pm, $27-$50. PJ Barth Trio Sun, 8 pm, free. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7600. The Joint Journey 4/29, 5/1-5/2, 5/6, 5/8-5/9, 5/13, 5/15-5/16, 8 pm, $60$250. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Rusty Maples 5/22, 9 pm, $35+. Gipsy Kings 5/28, 8 pm, $40+. Whitesnake 6/4, 8 pm, $35. Little Big Town 6/26, 8 pm, $35+. Kenny Chesney 7/3-7/4, 8 pm, $155+. Third Eye Blind, Dashboard Confessional 7/11, 8 pm, $40+. Steve Miller Band 6/25, 8 pm, $50+. Juanes, Ximena Sariñana 7/30, 7:30 pm, $60+. Brit Floyd 7/31, 9 pm, $35+. Peter Frampton, Cheap Trick 8/22, 8 pm, $50+. Scorpions, Queensrÿche 10/7, 8 pm, $60+. UB40 10/16, $40-$55. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5222. Mandalay Bay (Events Center) New Kids on the Block 5/1, 7 pm, $40-$125. Neil Diamond 5/17, 8 pm, $60-$175. Nickelback 7/3, 8 pm, $25-$105. 5 Seconds of Summer 7/17, 7:30 pm, $50-$100. Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa 8/7, 7 pm, $25-$70. (Mandalay Beach) 311 7/3-7/4, $55-$95. Sublime with Rome 5/22, $50. The Script 5/30, $45. Lee Brice 6/5, $45. Chris Young 6/7, $45. Switchfoot, Drew Holdcomb & The Neighbors, Colony House 7/10, $34. Pepper, Iration 7/17, $35+. Ziggy Marley 7/31, $43. Lost ‘80s Live ft. ABC, Wang Chung, Naked Eyes, A Flock of Seagulls and more. 9/26, $35. 702-632-7777. MGM (Grand Garden Arena) Bette

Calendar Amaranthe, Santa Cruz, I Prevail 5/31, 8 pm, $22+. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000. Wynn (Eastside Lounge) Michael Monge WedThu, 9 pm, $10. 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd.

D ow n tow n Artifice Vegas Blues Dance Tue, 7 pm, free. Thursday Request Live Thu, 10 pm, free. 1025 S. 1st St., Ste. 100., 702-489-6339. Art Bar Ryan Whyte Maloney Thu, 6 pm. Live music Fri-Sat, 6 pm. Downtown Grand, 206 N. 3rd St., 702-719-5100. Backstage Bar & Billiards Motograter, Thira, Dead Horse Trauma, Lydia Can’t Breathe, Wretched Sky, Hated Silence Unleashed 4/23, 7 pm, $10-$12. Joey Mazzola, Grom Zuks, Dana Dau, Woodrow Low, Pac D 4/24, 9 pm, $5-$15. Tenors of Rock 4/26 8 pm, free. Danny Wilde 4/29, 8 pm, free. Helmet 4/30, 8 pm, $18-$21. Felipe Esparza 5/1, 8 pm, $25-$40. Anaal Nathrakh, Incite, Secrets of the Sky 5/13, 8 pm, $12-$15. Agent Orange, In the Whale, Happy Campers, Assorted Jellybeans 5/30, 8 pm, $12-$15. 601 E. Fremont St., 702382-2227. Bar & Bistro Out of the Desert Bluegrass Band Sun, noon, free. Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., 702-202-6060. Beauty Bar Prawn, Frameworks 4/23, 9 pm. Chicano Batman 4/24, 9 pm, 8 pm. Inter Arma, Yautja 4/29, 9 pm. 517 Fremont St., 702-598-3757. The Bunkhouse Moving Units, Glass Spells 4/23, $10-$12. We Are Scientists, Kingswood 4/26, 9 pm, $10-$15. Buck 65, Astronautalis 4/27, 9 pm, $10-$15. Peach Kelli Pop, Sang Bleu 4/29, 9 pm, $5-$7. A Tribe Called Red 4/30, 11 pm, $10-$12. Soul Clap 5/2, 10 pm, $5-$8. Metalachi 5/5, 9 pm, $20. Local H, Battleme 5/8, 9 pm, $12-$15. Bearracuda Las Vegas 5/9, 10 pm, $7. Black Pistol Fire 5/19, 8 pm, $10. Crocodiles 5/21, $10. Frank Turner, Laura Jane Grace, Bob Log III 5/23, 10 pm, sold out. The English Beat, The Skints, Chris Murray 5/24, 10 pm, $20. Big Talk 5/26, 8 pm, $15. Pinata Protest 5/30, 9 pm, $10-$12. The Rentals, Rey Pila, Radiation City 6/3, 9 pm, $15-$18. E Life and Times 6/16, 9 pm, $8-$10. Melt Banana, Torche 6/26, $20. 124 S. 11th St., bunkhousedowntown.com. Clark County Government Amphitheater Jazz in the Park ft. Selina Albright, Jackiem Joyner, Steve Oliver 5/9. Elan Trotman 5/16. Marc Antoine 5/23. Spyro Gyra 5/30. Brubeck Brothers 6/6. 7 p.m., free. 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, 702455-8200. Downtown Container Park Jill and Julia 4/24, 9 pm. Patty Ascher 4/25, 5 pm. Rock and Roll Rebels 4/25, 9 pm. Haleamano 4/26, 2 pm. 707 Fremont St, downtowncontainerpark.com. Downtown Grand Roxy Gun Project 4/244/25, 9 pm, free. 206 N. 3rd St., 702-7195100. Fremont Country Club Amarionette, Shallow Like Me, We Gave It Hell, Twin Cities, Before Giants, Tonight We Fight, Foreign Sons, Smile Asterisk 4/24, 7 pm, $10. Streetlight Manifesto 5/21, 8 pm, $21$26. 601 Fremont St., 702-382-6601. Fremont Street Experience Carl Ferris 4/23, 7 pm, free. Yellow Brick Road 4/23, 8 pm, free. Monroy 4/23, 10 pm, free. Zowie Bowie 4/23, 10 pm, free. Carl Ferris 4/24, 7 pm, free. Remix 4/24, 8 pm, free. Spandex Nation 4/24, 10 pm, free. ‘80s Station 4/24, 10 pm, free. Carl Ferris 4/25, 7 pm, free. Sam Riddle 4/25, 8 pm, free. Spandex Nation 4/25, 10 pm, free. ‘80s Station 4/25, 10 pm, free. Carl Ferris 4/26, 7 pm, free. Elvis and his Band Tribute Show 4/26, 8 pm, free. Spandex Nation 4/26, 10 pm, free. Sam Riddle 4/26, 10 pm, free. Downtown Las Vegas, vegasexperience.com. Golden Nugget The Oak Ridge Boys 4/24, $54-$109. Earl Thomas Conley 5/1, 8 pm, $21-$76. Aries Spears 5/8, 8 pm, 10:30 pm, $21-$43. Christpher Cross 5/15, 8 pm, $32$109. Blood, Sweat & Tears 5/22, 8 pm, $32$109. Night Ranger 5/29, 8 pm, $32-$76. 129 Fremont St., 702-385-7111. Gold Spike Walk Off Hits 4/23, 10 pm, free. Dulcet Tones 4/24, 10 pm, free. Josh Royse 10/25, 10 pm, free. 217 Las Vegas Blvd. N., goldspike.com.

Griffin Live music Wed, 10 pm, free. 511 Fremont St., 702-382-0577. Hard Hat Lounge Transmission 4/24, 9 pm, $10. 1675 Industrial Rd., 702-384-8987. LVCS Fayuca, Haleamano, New Age Trive, Days After Hail 4/25, 8 pm, $8-$10. Ritz & Crooked I, Donnie Menace, Doms, JHornay, Horse Shoe Gang, Bom Green 4/29, 9 pm, $15-$18. Septicflesh, Moonspell, Deathstars, Pillars of Creation, EMDF, Vile Child, Nogiler 4/30, 8 pm, $15. Sage Francis, Ekoh, DOMS, The Tribe, TFY, Charlie Madness, Peril & Plague 5/2, 9 pm, $13-$17. Dog Fashion Disco, Beebs & Her Money Makers, Within the Cochlea, Meade Avenue, Autum in Stitches 5/7, 8 pm, $8-$10. Death at Midnight, The Daftys, Inazuma, The Peabrains 5/14, 8 pm, $12-$15. Twiztid, Kung Fu Vampire, Davey Suicide, The Damn Dirty Apes, Kissing Candice, Donnie Menace, Ne Last Words, Dim 5/15, 7 pm, $20-$23. Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Phenomenauts, Green Jello, Barbwire Dolls, Rule of Thumb, Since We Were Kids, Brutal Resistance 5/21, 8 pm, $15-$18. Eric Gales 5/13, 8 pm, $6-$8. Decide, Entombed A.D., Hate Eternal, Black Crown Initiate, Pillars of Creation, Spun In Darkness, Levitron 6/11, 5 pm, $20-$25. Potluck, Wrekonize, Prevail of Swollen Members 6/23, 9 pm, $10-$13. Geto Boys, Ne Last Words, Charlie Madness, The Tribe 6/28, 9 pm, $12-$15. Insomnium, Ominium Gatherum 8/29, 9 pm, $12-$15. Krisiun, Origin Aeon, Alterbeast, Soreption, Ingested 9/17, 8 pm, $17-$20. 425 Fremont St., 702-382-3531. The Smith Center The Piano Guys 5/11, 7:30 pm, $24+. Duncan Sheik 4/24-4/25, 7 pm, $39+. Spectrum and Radiance 5/8-5/9, 7 pm; 5/10, 3 pm, $37+. David Perrico 5/13, 10 pm. Lisa Hilton 5/15-5/16, 7 pm, $37. James Tormé 5/29-5/30, 7 pm, $37. Clint Holmes First Fri & Sat, 8:30 pm; first Sun, 2 pm; $35-$45. 361 Symphony Park Ave., 702-7492000.

The ’Burbs Cannery Clifton James 4/23-4/24, 8:30 pm, free. Lugnutt 4/24-4/25, 7 pm, free. Little River Band 4/25, 8 pm, $30. Zach Winningham 4/25, 9 pm, free. Van De Guzman 4/29-4/30, 5/6-5/7, 8:30 pm, free. Van De Guzman, Cat Daddy 5/1-5/2, 5/85/9. Ian & Chastity 5/2, 9 pm, free. Sinatra Forever 5/9, 8 pm, $25. Yvonne Silva 59, 9 pm, free. Shaun South 5/13-5/14, 8:30 pm, free. Shaun South, Dean Bradley 5/15-5/16, 7 pm, free. The Hipsters 5/16, 9 pm, free. 2121 E Craig Rd., 702-507-5700. Distill Summerlin Justin Mather 4/25. Phil Stendek 5/2. Tim Mendoza 5/9. Nick Mattera 5/16, 5/30. Rick Foell 5/23. All shows free & begin at 8 p.m. 10820 W. Charleston Blvd., distillbar.com, 702-534-1400. Eagle Aerie Hall Europa, New and Improved, Pool Party, Smarter Than Robots, Our Name Our Story, Venture, Twenty 81, Punchable Face 4/25, 5:20 pm, $11-$13. 310 W. Pacific Ave., 702-645-4139. Elixir Shaun South 4/25, 5/9. Nick Mattera 5/2, 5/23, 5/30. Marty Feick 4/24, 5/8. Stefnrock 5/16, 5/29. All shows at 8 p.m., free. 2920 N. Green Valley Pkwy., 702-2720000. Fiesta Henderson (Cerveza Lounge) Josh LaCount Wed, 8 pm. (Coco Lounge) Shows 9 pm, free. 702-558-7000. Fiesta Rancho (Club Tequila) Take the Stage Thu, 7 pm. (Cabo Lounge) Shows free unless noted. 702-631-7000. Green Valley Ranch (Drop Bar) Jared Berry Thu, 7 pm. Rick Duarte Fri, 6 pm. Tony Venniro Sat, 6 pm. Ryan Whyte Maloney, Cali Tucker Sun, 9 pm. (Hanks) Dave Ritz Tue, Thu, 6 pm; Sat, 7 pm. Nick Mattera Fri, 6 pm. Jeremy James Sat, 7 pm. Rick Duarte Wed, 6 pm. (Lobby Bar) Shai Peri, Christina L Thu, 8 pm. Christina L Fri, 8 pm. Cayce Andrew Sat, 8 pm. Shows free unless noted. 702-367-2470. M Resort (M Pavillion) Hotel California 5/23, 7 pm, $20-$30. Elvis, The Aloha Concert Tribute 8/8, 7 pm, $30-$42. Shows free with drink purchase. M Resort, 800-745-3000. Rampart Casino (Grand Ballroom) (Addison’s Lounge) Wes Winters Tue, 6 pm. Mark O’Toole Wed, 6 pm. All shows free unless noted. (J.C.’s Irish Sports Pub)

280945_4.75_x_6 4/13/15 9:41 AM Page 1

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CALENDAR All shows free unless noted. (Round Bar) All shows free unless noted. JW Marriott. 221 N. Rampart Blvd., 702507-5900. Red Rock (Rocks Lounge) Zowie Bowie Fri, 10 pm. The Dirty Sat, 11 pm, $10. David Perrico Pop Strings Orchestra Sat, 11 pm, free. (Onyx) Willplay Fri, 8 pm. Tim Catching Sat, 9 pm. The Dirty Sat. 11 pm, $10. (T-Bones) Dave Ritz Wed, 6 pm; Fri, 7 pm. Rick Duarte Thu, 6 pm; Sat, 7 pm. Shows free unless noted. 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., 702-797-7777. Santa Fe Station (Chrome Showroom) Blues and Bayou Brunch ft. Michael Grimm 4/26, 11 am, $35. Magic of Motown Sat, 10 pm. (Revolver) Bro Country Thu, 8 pm. 4949 N Rancho Dr., 702-658-4900. Sienna Italian Authentic Trattoria Vegas Good Fellas Thu, 7:30 pm. Red Velvet Fri-Sat, 8:30 pm. 9500 Sahara Ave., 702-360-3358. Silverton Wine Down Wednesdays ft. Scott Helmera 4/29, 6 pm, free. (Veil Pavilion) Los Lonely Boys 5/22, 8 pm, $25. 3333 Blue Diamond Rd., 702-263-7777. South Point Crystal Gayle 4/24-4/26. Kingston Trio 5/1-5/3, 7:30pm. Winter Dance Party 5/8-5/10, 7:30 pm. Deana Martin and Big Band Swing 5/29-5/31, 7:30 pm. Dennis Bono Show Thu, 2 pm, free. Wes Winters Fri-Sat, 6 pm, free. Spazmatics Sat, 10:30 pm, $5. 702-797-8005. Suncoast Franki Valli Tribute Show 4/25-4/26, 7:30 pm, $16+. Debby Boone 5/16-5/17, 730 pm, $16+. Earl Turner 5/30-5/31, 7:30 pm, $16. Bobby Brooks 5/1, 5/3, 7:30 pm, $16+. 9090 Alta Dr., 702-636-7075. Sunset Station (Club Madrid) Billy Dean & The Steel Horses Band 6/20, 7 pm, $25. Barry Black Fri, 9:30 pm. Zowie Bowie Sat, 10 pm. (Gaudi Bar) Ryan Whyte Maloney, Cali Tucker Sat, 7 pm. Willplay Sat, 7 pm. (Rosalita’s) Tony Venniro Fri, 7 pm. Peter Love Sat, 7 pm. (Sunset Amphitheater) Junefest ft. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Berlin, The Romantics, John Waite 6/6, 5 pm, $29-$59. Shows free unless noted. 1301 W. Sunset Rd., 702-547-7777. Texas Station (A-Bar) Darrin Michaels Fri-Sat, 7 pm. (South Padre) Crossfire Fri, 9 pm. Yellow Brick Road Sat, 9 pm. 702-631-1000.

E V E RY W H E R E E L S E Adrenaline Sports Bar and Grill For the Fight 4/24, 9 pm, $6. Someday Broken, Double Barrel Diplomacy, First Class Trash, Uprising, Someday Broken 4/25, 8 pm, $9. 3103 N. Rancho Dr., 645-4139. Arizona Charlie’s Boulder (Palace Grand Lounge) Go Big 5/1-5/2. In-AFect 4/17-4/18. Front Page 4/24-4/25. 4575 Boulder Highway, 888-2369066. Arizona Charlie’s Decatur (Naughty Ladies Saloon) Randy Anderson Band 4/17-4/18. Lil’ Elmo and the Cosmos 4/24-4/25. Jerry Tiffe Fri, 4 pm. 740 S. Decatur Blvd., 702-2585200. Boomers Live music Wed, 10 pm, $5-$10. Hip Hop Roots Fri, 10 pm, $5. 3200 Sirius Ave., 702-368-1863. Bootlegger Bistro 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-313-6778. Boulder Dam Brewing The Saturday Giant 4/11. Justin Mather 4/16. Rick Berthod Band 4/17. Out of the Desert 4/18. Holes and Hearts 4/25. Scott Helmer 4/30. All shows free unless noted, Fri-Sat, 8 pm; Wed-Thu, 7 pm. 453 Nevada Way, Boulder City, 702-243-2739. Boulder Station (Railhead) Bee Gees Gold Fri, 10 pm, $5. El Moreno

TO SUBMIT LISTINGS: Email listings@gmgvegas.com. Submissions received after Friday will be published in the following week’s issue.

Carrillo Sun, 11 pm, $5-$10. (Kixx Bar) Joey Vitale Fri, 8 pm. Reflection Sat, 8 pm. 702-432-7777. Count’s Vamp’d John Zito Electric Jam Wed, 9 pm, free. 9:30 pm, free. 6750 W. Sahara, 702-220-8849. The Dillinger Marty Feick Thu, 7 pm. Stefnrock First & third Sat, 8:30 pm, free. 1224 Arizona St., 702-293-4001. David Tupaz Couture Studio Nomadic Nocturne: Live Jazz Tue, 7:30 p.m., $15. 5275 S. Arville Rd., Ste. 112. Dispensary Lounge Uli Geissendoerfer Trio Fri-Sat, 10 pm. 2451 E. Tropicana, 702-458-6343. Eastside Cannery (Marilyn’s Lounge) Mickey Gilley 4/24, 8 pm, $15+. Claudine Castro Band Mon, 10 pm. Phoenix Wed, 9 pm. Spazmatics Sun, 9 pm. Shows free unless noted. 702507-5700. Italian American Club 2333 E. Sahara Ave., 702-457-3866, iac.com. Milo’s Cellar Live Music Thur, 8 pm, free. 538 Nevada Hwy., 702-293-9540. Ron DeCar’s Event Center Bruce Harper Big Band 4/18. Jim Fitzgerald and His Gold Coast Big Band 4/25. Jazz Conversations Big Band Series Sat, 1 pm, $15. Swingin’ Sundays Sun, 5 pm, $10. 1201 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-384-0771. Sam’s Town Osmani Garcia 4/24, 10 pm, $40+. NiteKings Sun, 7 pm, free. Shows free unless noted. 5111 Boulder Hwy., 702-284-7777. Star of the Desert Arena Foreigner 4/25, 8 pm, $11-$66. Merle Haggard 5/2, 8 pm. The Commodores 5/23, 8 pm. Buffalo Bill’s Resort & Casino, 31900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Primm, 800-386-7867.

COMEDY Louie Anderson Wed-Sat, 7 pm, $60$102. Plaza, 702-386-2110. Big Al’s Comedy Club Wed-Sun, 8 pm, $20. Gold Coast, 702-251-3574. Bonkerz Comedy Club Downtown Grand Fri-Sat, 8:30 pm, free (with two-drink purchase). 206 N. 3rd St., 702-719-5100. Bonkerz Comedy Club JW Marriott Shows 7 pm, $15. 221 N. Rampart Blvd., 702-507-5900. Bonkerz Comedy Club Primm Fri, 8 pm & 10:15 pm; Sat, 10:15 pm; $10. Primm Valley Resort , 31900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 800-386-7867. Bonkerz Comedy Club Silver Sevens Fri-Sat, 10:30 pm; $10. Silver Sevens Hotel & Casino, 4100 Paradise, 702733-7000. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club All shows at 8 pm, $65-$87. MGM Grand, 891-7777. Bruce Bruce 5/8-5/9, 7:30 pm, $16+. Suncoast, 702-636-7075. Bill Burr 6/26-6/27, 10 pm, $70+. Mirage, 702-792-7777. Carrot Top Wed-Mon, 8 pm, $50-$60. Luxor, 702-262-4900. Jeff Civilico Sat-Mon, Wed-Thu, 4 pm, $39-$50. Quad, 888-777-7664. Andrew Dice Clay 4/23, 4/25-4/26. All shows at 9 p.m., $59+. Vinyl, hardrockhotel.com. Comedy After Dark Wed-Sun, 10 pm, $40-$60. LVH, 702-732-5755. Whitney Cummings 5/22-5/23, 9:30 pm, $74-$118. Venetian, 866-641-7469. Jeff Dunham Wed-Sun, 7 pm; Sat-Sun, 4 pm, $72. Planet Hollywood, 702531-4320. Vinnie Favorito Nightly, 8 pm, $55$100. Flamingo, 702-733-3333. Fortune Feimster, Cameron Esposito 4/25, 8 pm, $40-$96. Venetian, 866641-7469. Craig Ferguson 5/23, 8 pm, $25+. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000. Eddie Griffin Mon-Wed, 7 pm, $90-

$182. Rio, 702-777-7776. Kevin Hart 5/24, 8 pm, $49-$129. Mandalay Bay Events Center, 702632-7777. HydroComics Unleashed Wed, 9 pm, free. Lucie’s Lounge, 3955 Charleston Blvd., 702-776-6417. The Improv John Melendez, Ronnie Schell, Jessica Michelle Singleton Thru 4/19. Max Alexander, Tracey MacDonald 4/21-4/26. Scott Henry, Dana Eagle, Candice Thompson 4/28-5/3. Vince Morris, Dylan Mandlsohn, Jake Baker 5/5-5/10. TueSun, 8:30 & 10 pm, $30-$45. Harrah’s, 702-369-5000. Gabriel Iglesias 5/23-5/24, 10 pm, $60+. Mirage, 702-792-7777. Eddie Izzard 6/12-6/13, 8 pm, $53+. Pearl, 702-942-7777. Jim Jefferies 10/3, 8 pm, $45. The Joint, axs.com. The Joe Show Thu-Sat, 8 pm, $30. Tuscany, 255 E. Flamingo Rd., 702629-0715. Jokes With Friends Thu, 10 pm, free. Nacho Daddy, 9925 S. Eastern Ave., 702-462-5000. L.A. Comedy Club Tue-Sun, 9:30 pm, $39-$62. Ballys, 702-777-2782. The Laugh Factory Shows at 8:30 & 10:30 pm. $29-$45. Tropicana, 702739-2222. Laughternoon Adam London Daily, 4 pm, $20-$25. The D, 702-388-2111. Jay Leno 5/15, 6/13, 7/4, 9/18, 11/20-11/21, 10 pm; 9/19, 9 pm, $60-$80. Mirage, 702-792-7777. M Resort Comedy Night Fri, 9 pm, free with drink purchase. M Resort, 702-797-1000. The Mac King Comedy Magic Show Tue-Sat, 1 & 3 pm, $33. Harrah’s, 702369-5000. Kathleen Madigan 6/12, 10 pm, $30+. Mirage, 702-792-7777. Party Improv Comedy Thu-Sun, 7 pm, $25, 2 drink minimum. Planet Hollywood, 702-531-4320. Russell Peters 9/6, 8 pm, $49+. Pearl, 702-942-7777. Puppetry of the Penis Thru 4/26, 4/285/3, 5/5-5/9, 8 pm, $45-$49. Erotic Heritage Museum, 3275 S. Industrial Rd., eroticheritagemuseumlasvegas. com. Red Skelton Tribute Sat-Tue, 2 pm; $35-$40. Westin Las Vegas, 160 E. Flamingo Rd., 702-245-2393. Don Rickles 4/25-4/26, 8 pm, $80+. Orleans Arena, 702-284-7777. Riviera Comedy 40 is Not the New 20 Mon-Sat, 10 pm, $40. Riviera, 855468-6748. Sapphire Comedy Hour Fri-Sat, 8 pm, $20. Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, 3025 Industrial Rd., 702-796-6000. Amy Schumer 4/24, 8 pm, $45. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000. S.E.T. Improv Comedy Mon, 8 pm, $10. Onyx Theatre, 953 E. Sahara Ave., 702-732-7225. Shaq’s All-Star Comedy Jam ft. Aida Rodriguez, Billy Sorrells, Kelly Walker. Aliante, 7300 Aliante Pkwy., 702-692-7777. Side Splitting Sundays Sun, 10 pm, free. Boomers, 3200 Sirius Ave., 702368-1863. Sin City Comedy & Burlesque Show 8:30 pm, $38-$49. Planet Hollywood, 702-777-7776.

PERFORMING ARTS Annie 5/26-5/31, 7:30 pm; 5/30-5/31, 2 pm, $34+. Smith Center, 702-7492000. The Breasts of Tiresias 5/16, 5/225/23, 7 pm; 5/24, 2 pm, $10-$15. Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Dr., 702-455-7030. David De Alba’s Tribute to Judy

Garland 6/21, 2 pm, $18. The Onyx, 953-16B E. Sahara Ave., onyxtheatre. com. Hansel & Gretel 5/15-5/16, 5/22-5/23, 7 pm; 5/24, 2 pm, $10-$15. Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Dr., 702-455-7030. Hal Prince’s Broadway: An Evening in Word and Song 5/14, 7:30 pm, $24+. Smith Center, 702-749-2000. Jeff McBride’s Wonderground Variety show. Third Thu of the month; 8, 9 & 10 pm; $10. Olive Mediterranean Restaurant Lounge, 3850 E. Sunset Rd., 702-451-8805 . Las Vegas Philharmonic Pops V: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Sinatra 5/16, 7:30 pm, $26-$94. Smith Center, 702-749-2000. The Legend of Tumbleweed Gulch A children’s play. 5/1, 7:30 pm, $15. Clark County Library Performing Arts Center, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., tumbleweedgulch.com. Marvel Universe Live 4/23-4/26, times vary, $20+. Thomas & Mack, marveluniverselive.com. Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play 4/244/26, 4/30, 5/2-5/3, 5/7-5/10, times vary, $16-$20. Art Square Theatre, cockroachtheatre.com. Native Speech 6/12-6/14, 6/18-6/21, 6/25-6/28, times vary, $16-$20. Art Square Theatre, cockroachtheatre. com. Nevada Ballet Theatre: Giselle 5/9, 7:30 pm; 5/10, 2 pm, $29+. Smith Center, 702-749-2000. Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella 4/28-5/3, 7:30 pm, 5/2-5/3, 2 pm, $39+. Smith Center, 702-749-2000. Some Things You Need to Know Before the World Ends (A Final Evening With the Illuminati) 4/165/2, Fri & Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm, $20-$25. The Onyx, 953-16B E. Sahara Ave., onyxtheatre.com. Steve Solomon’s Cannoli, Latkes and Guilt: The Therapy Continues 4/295/2, 7 pm; 5/2-5/3, 3 pm, $35+. Smith Center, 702-749-2000. Voice of Rudy: The Journey to the Movie 4/25, 7 pm, $34+. Smith Center, 702-749-2000.

SPECIAL EVENTS An Executive Chef’s Culinary Classroom With Executive Chef Edmond Wong. 4/30, 5/26, 6/30, 7/23, 8/27, 9/29, 10/13, 11/10, 7 pm, $135. Bellagio, 866-406-7117. Animal Foundation’s Best in Show 4/26, 1 pm, $8-$25. Orleans Arena, animalfoundation.com. Great American Foodie Fest 4/305/3, times vary, $8-$13. Rio, 3700 W Flamingo Rd, greatamericanfoodiefest.com. Harvest Festival 9/11-9/13, 10 a.m., $4-$9. Cashamn Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd N., harvestfestival.com. Las Vegas Car Stars: Back to the Future 5/14-5/16, times vary, free. Fremont Street, lasvegascarstars. com. Monday’s Dark with Mark Shunock 5/18, 6/15, 7/20, 8/17, 9/21, 10/19, 11/16, 9:30 pm, $20+. Vinyl, hardrockhotel. com. Switch: Trans* Clothing Swap Thu, 5 pm, free. Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, 401 S. Maryland Pkwy, 702-733-9800. Wizard World Las Vegas Comic Con 4/24-4/26, times vary, $35-$75. Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Rd., wizardworld.com. Winefest 5/15-5/17, times vary, $75$199. Golden Nugget, goldennugget. com. Wine Spectator’s Grand Tour 5/2,

CHECK OUT OUR COMPLETE CALENDAR LISTINGS AT LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM/EVENTS 56 LASVEGASWEEKLY.COM APRIL 23-29, 2015

7 pm, $225. The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd., grandtour.winespectator.com.

SPORTS Arenacross Championships 5/1, 8 pm, $40. South Point Arena, southpointarena.com. Arenacross 5/3, 8 am, $20. South Point Arena, southpointarena.com. Geico Endurocross 5/1, 8 pm, $38+. Orleans, orleansarena.com. Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend 9/17-9/19, 7 pm, $72+. Orleans, orleansarena. com. Lion Fight 22 Kem Sitsongpeenong vs. Jo Nattawut 5/22, 5 pm, $45+. Sunset Station, sclv.com. Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao 5/2. MGM Grand, mgmgrand.com. Takahiro Ao vs. Ray Beltran, Mikael Zewski vs. Konstantin Ponomarev 5/1, 5 pm, $50-$100. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7000. UFC: Jones vs. Johnson 5/23, 4 pm, $128-$1,003. Aldo vs. McGregor 7/11, 4 pm, $128-$103. MGM Grand, ticketmaster.com. Wacky World of Sports 5/2, 8 am, $100 per team. Sunset Park, clarkcountynv.gov.

GALLERIES Amanda Harris Gallery of Contemporary Art Thu-Fri, 5-8 pm, and by appointment. 900 S. Las Vegas Blvd., 702-769-6036. Arts Factory 107 E. Charleston Blvd, 702-383-3133. Galleries include: Joseph Watson Collection Wed-Fri, 1-6 pm; Sat, noon-3 pm; Sun, 11 am-2 pm. Suite 115, 858-733-2135. Sin City Gallery Wed-Sat, 1-7 pm; Sun, 11 am-2 pm. Suite 100, 702-608-2461. Suite 135, 702-366-7001, trifectagallery. com. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Daily, 10 am-8 pm, $11-$16. 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-693-7871. Blackbird Studios Fri-Sun, noon-7 pm. 1551 S. Commerce St., 702-782-0319. Brett Wesley Gallery Wed-Sat, 1-7 pm. 1025 S. First St. #150, 702-433-4433. Clark County Government Center Rotunda Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm. 500 Grand Central Parkway, 702-4557030. Clay Arts Vegas Mon-Sat, 9 am-9 pm; Sun, 11:30 am-6:30 pm. 1511 S. Main St., 702-375-4147. Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery MonFri, 9 am-5 pm; Sat, 10 am-2 pm. At UNLV, 702-895-3893. Downtown Spaces 1800 Industrial Rd., dtspaces.com. Galleries include: Wasteland Gallery Thu, 6 pm-9pm; Fri & Sat, 6 pm-11pm, Sun-Wed by appointment. Emergency Arts 520 Fremont St., 702-686-3164. Gainsburg Studio & Gallery Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. 1533 West Oakey Blvd, 702-249-3200. Left of Center Gallery Tue-Fri, noon-5 pm; Sat, 10 am-3 pm. 2207 W. Gowan Rd., 702-647-7378. Michelle C. Quinn Fine Art Advisory By appointment only. 620 S. 7th St., 702-366-9339. P3Studio Lucky Debellevue: Collaboration/Exchange Thru 4/12. Wed-Sun, 6-11 pm. Cosmopolitan. West Las Vegas Arts Center Wed-Sat, 9 am-7 pm. 947 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702-229-4800. Winchester Cultural Center Art Gallery Tue-Fri, 10 am-8 pm; Sat, 9 am-6 pm. 3130 S. McLeod Dr., 702455-7340.

HOROSCOPE

free will astrology

By Rob Brezsny

ARIES

LEO

SAGITTARIUS

March 21-April 19

July 23-Aug. 22

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

If you’re stumped about what present to give someone for a special occasion, you might buy him or her a gift card. It’s a piece of plastic that can be used as cash to buy stuff at a store. The problem is, a lot of people neglect to redeem their gift cards. They leave them in drawers and forget about them. Financial experts say there are currently billions of dollars going to waste on unredeemed gift cards. This is your metaphor of the moment, Aries. Are there any resources you’re not using? Any advantages you’re not capitalizing on? Any assets you’re ignoring? If so, fix the problem.

If you were a supporting character in a popular TV drama, the producers would be cooking up a spin-off show with you in a starring role. If you were in an indie rock band, you’d be ready to move from performing at 300-seat venues to clubs with an audience capacity of 2,000. If you have always been just an average egocentric romantic like the rest of us, you might be on the verge of becoming a legend in your own mind—in which case it would be time to start selling T-shirts, mugs and calendars with your image on them. And even if you are none of the above, Leo, I suspect you’re ready to rise to the next level.

As I climb the first hill along my regular hike, both sides of the path are dominated by a plant with glossy, three-lobed leaves. They’re so exuberant and cheerful, I’m tempted to caress them, even rub my face in their bright greenery. But I refrain, because they are poison oak. One touch would cause my skin to break out in an inflamed rash that would last for days. I encourage you, too, to forgo contact with any influence in your own sphere that is metaphorically equivalent to the alluring leaves of the poison oak.

TAURUS

VIRGO

CAPRICORN

April 20-May 20

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

I usually have no objection to your devoted concern (I won’t use the phrase “manic obsession”) with security and comfort. But there are rare phases in every Taurus’ life cycle when ironclad stability becomes a liability. Cruising along in a smooth groove threatens to devolve into clunking along in a gutless rut. Now is such a phase. As of this moment, it is healthy for you to seek out splashes of unpredictability. Wisdom is most likely to grow from uncertainty. Joy will emerge from an eagerness to treasure the unknown.

Free at last! Free at last! Thanks to the Lord of the Universe or the Flying Spaghetti Monster or a burst of crazy good luck, you are free at last! You are free from the burden that made you say things you didn’t mean! You are free from the seductive temptation to rent, lease or even sell your soul! Best of all, you are free from the mean little voice in your head—you know, the superstitious perfectionist that whispers weird advice based on fearful delusions! So now what will you do, my dear? You have escaped from the cramped, constricted conditions. Maybe you can escape to wide-open spaces that will unleash the hidden powers of your imagination.

Today the French Capricorn painter Henri Matisse is regarded as a foremost pioneer of modern art. Some critics say his innovative influence on painting nearly matched Picasso’s. But during the first part of the 20th century, his work often provoked controversy. When a few of his paintings appeared at a major exhibition in Chicago, for example, local art students were shocked by what they called its freakishness. They held a mock trial and burned his painting Blue Nude in effigy. I don’t expect that you will face reactions quite as extreme, Capricorn, but it will make sense to express yourself with such forceful creativity and originality that you risk inciting strong responses.

GEMINI

LIBRA

AQUARIUS

May 21-June 20

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

There may be a flood-like event that will wash away worn-out stuff you don’t need any more. There might be an earthquake-type phenomenon that only you can feel, and it might demolish one of your rotten obstacles. There could be a lucky accident that will knock you off the wrong course (which you might have thought was the right course). All in all, I suspect it will be a very successful week for benevolent forces beyond your control. How much skill do you have in the holy art of surrender?

“To me, there is no greater act of courage than being the one who kisses first,” says Libra actress and activist Janeane Garofalo. I can think of other ways to measure bravery, but for your immediate future, her definition will serve just fine. Your ultimate test will be to freely give your tenderness and compassion and empathy—without any preconditions or expectations. For the sake of your own integrity and mental health, be steadfast in your intention to always strike the first blow for peace, love and understanding.

Leonardo da Vinci had skills in many fields, ranging from botany to engineering to cartography, but he is best known as a painter. And yet in his 67 years on the planet, he finished fewer than 40 paintings. He worked at a very gradual pace. The Mona Lisa took him 14 years! That’s the kind of deliberate approach I’d like to see you experiment with in the coming weeks, Aquarius. Just for a while, see what it’s like to turn down your levels of speed and intensity. Have you heard of the Slow Food Movement? Have you read Carl Honoré’s book In Praise of Slowness? Do you know about Slow Travel, Slow Media and Slow Fashion?

CANCER

SCORPIO

PISCES

June 21-July 22

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Feb. 19-March 20

What is your biggest excuse? Or rather, what is your THICKEST, SICKEST, MOST DEBILITATING EXCUSE? We all have one: a reason we tell ourselves about why it’s difficult to live up to our potential; a presumed barrier that we regard as so deeply rooted that we will never be able to break its spell on us. Maybe it’s a traumatic memory. Maybe it’s a physical imperfection or a chronic fear. In accordance with the current astrological omens, you’d be wise to do an audit and reassessment of your own LAMEST EXCUSE. I suspect you now have insight about it that you’ve never had before. I also think you have more power than usual to at least partially dismantle it.

It will soon be that time when you are halfway between your last birthday and your next birthday. I invite you to make this a special occasion. Maybe you can call it your anti-birthday or unbirthday. How to celebrate? Here are some ideas: 1. Imagine who you would be if you were the opposite of yourself. 2. Write a list of all the qualities you don’t possess and the things you don’t need and the life you don’t want to live. 3. Try to see the world through the eyes of people who are unlike you. 4. Extend a warm welcome to the shadowy, unripe, marginal parts of your psyche that you have a hard time accepting, let alone loving.

Modern movies don’t scrimp on the use of the F-bomb. Actors in The Wolf of Wall Street spat it out 569 times. The word-that-rhymes-with-cluck was heard 326 times in End of Watch, while Brooklyn’s Finest racked up 270. But this colorful word hasn’t always been so prominent a feature. Before 1967, no actor had ever uttered it on-screen. That year, Marianne Faithfull let it fly in the film I’ll Never Forget What’s’isname. In the coming weeks, Pisces, I invite you to break a taboo that’s maybe not as monumental as Faithfull’s quantum leap, but still fabulously fun and energizing. Be a liberator! End the repression! Release the blocked vitality!

April 23-29, 2015 LasVegasWeekly.com

The BackStory

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. WORKOUT | MAYWEATHER BOXING CLUB | APRIL 14, 2015 Floyd Mayweather Jr. is a gym rat. His workouts are sometimes so long that I get tired just photographing him. And sometimes, there are so many media spectators that I get an actual workout. It happened at one of Mayweather’s recent gym sessions in advance of his May 2 matchup with Manny Pacquiao. There were so many photographers around the ring that I couldn’t get up, and ended up shooting through someone else’s legs. (I warned him ahead of time so he wouldn’t think I was being too forward.) –Steve Marcus