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06 las vegas weekly 08.24.17
Trust Us everything you absolutely, positively must get out and do this week
24 THURSDAY, 7 P.M.
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Kid, You’re No Fighter AT BUNKHOUSE SALOON We’ve been waiting to get our hands on a recording from this Las Vegas duo since we caught them stirring things up on a livingroom dancefloor at a Halloween party last year—and the time’s finally here. Head Downtown to catch Kyle Munro (vocals/guitar) and Blue Ramirez (drums, bass, keys) celebrating the release of their debut EP, Bullfight. Blending indie, pop and post-rock influences like Modest Mouse, Weezer and Explosions in the Sky, Kid, You’re No Fighter sounds like all of your house show dreams, rolled into one. With Dogyear, Bad Girls Smoking Lounge, $5. –Leslie Ventura
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THRU SEPTEMBER 9
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Saturday, 10 a.m.
The Drowsy Chaperone AT SUMMERLIN LIBRARY
Moondog Records sidewalk giveaway
The New York Times calls this comedy musical a “happy exercise in escapism, adorned with just enough postmodern footnotes to make you feel all insiderly.” Theater program Broadway Bound offers its take on the classic starting Friday. $15, 702-8385131. –C. Moon Reed
It’s exactly what you think: 7,000 free records and an open invitation to “bring boxes/bags and take as many as you like.” The event begins promptly at 10 and ends when the last vinyl vulture has picked the carcass clean. 4440 S. Maryland Parkway #112. –Geoff Carter
Friday, 8 p.m.
SUPER SUMMER BASH AT ORLEANS ARENA First thing’s first: Boy George is headlining this pop nostalgia show Friday night, with support from The Romantics, Tiffany, Tommy Tutone, Nu Shooz and more. But this could mark the beginning of George spending a lot more time in Las Vegas. He’s working with Caesars Entertainment on establishing a residency of some sort for 2018. “We’re throwing around ideas,” the pop icon says. “It will be exciting to be in one place for some time. We are talking about having some guests, too, a show that has the ability to adapt and have different people appear. That’s one thing about live music—things can change, you know.” $35-$195. –Brock Radke
07 las vegas weekly
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08.24.17
REASONS to rewatch Terminator 2 in theaters
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Tuesday, 3 p.m.
MICHAEL JACKSON ONE BIRTHDAY BASH AT MANDALAY BAY Cirque du Soleil’s popular Michael Jackson One production just celebrated its fourth year at Mandalay Bay, but that’s not the birthday in this bash. It’s the King of Pop’s b-day on August 29—he would have been 58 this year— and the show will once again team with his estate for a daylong celebration that includes a free peek behind the curtain during the show’s rehearsal; a Q&A sesh with some of the acrobatic performers from the show; games and prizes and other commemorative giveaways; an exclusive performance of a cast-produced number to “Blood on the Dance Floor” (created specifically for this year’s birthday event); a book signing with MJ’s longtime designer and dresser Michael Bush in the gift shop; and a meet-the-cast, birthday cake reception in the theater lobby. All this stuff is free and open to the public, and if that’s still not enough moonwalking and whatnot packed into one day, the show goes on at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Cirquedusoleil.com/michael-jackson-one. –Brock Radke (Photo Illustration by Ian Racoma/Staff)
The visual effects are still legit, 26 years on. And it’s not just because James Cameron and Industrial Light and Magic forced huge advances in computergenerated imagery to create the shape-shifting T-1000. It’s because they knew enough to use CGI sparingly, augmenting it with practical effects courtesy of Stan Winston. The T-1000’s “liquid metal” freak-outs amount to roughly five minutes of screen time; the rest is prosthetics, makeup and Robert Patrick’s unblinking scowl. Even the terrifying nuclear holocaust scene was done with scale models. That’s the stuff that will benefit most from a 3D conversion. It stands alone. Even though it’s a sequel—and the cornerstone of a franchise that’s never quite caught on—Terminator 2 feels like a complete thought. There’s no “worldbuilding,” no annoying cliffhanger ending, no after-credits scenes teasing the next installment. Everything you’d want from a Terminator movie is neatly packed inside T2. It’s a lesson that Cameron himself has forgotten: There is no earthly reason that the pretty but sleight Avatar should have four sequels. It’s peak Cameron and peak Arnold Schwarzenegger, too. After T2, Cameron succumbed to bloat (Titanic is three hours plus) and mawkish sentiment (again, Titanic). And Schwarzenegger made one junker after the next: End of Days, Junior, Cameron’s own True Lies. (No wonder he ran for governor of California.) But in the realm of T2, both men remain kings of the world. Begins August 24, various times, $11-$14, AMC Town Square. –Geoff Carter
08 las vegas weekly 08.24.17
martial Plan
the inter w h e r e
i d e a s
Inspired by Conor McGregor? Wimp 2 Warrior has you covered BY C. MOON REED
I
t’s 6 a.m. on a Monday, and mother-son duo Yiwikai and Rashaad Thomas have already been training for an hour. Now they’re sparring on jiu jitsu mats at Syndicate Mixed Martial Arts, along with the rest of their cohorts: attorneys, housewives and social workers. It’s all part of a new-to-Vegas program called Wimp 2 Warrior. Created in Australia by coach Richie Cranny, the course trains normal people in MMA for six months. At the end, they fight. W2W was televised as a reality show in Australia and has garnered the attention of UFC greats locally. Conor McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh, who leads W2W in the U.K., recently guest coached in Vegas. “My goal was to demonstrate what MMA had to offer the average [person] and break down the negative misconceptions surrounding our sport,” Cranny emails from Australia. “I’ve seen firsthand over the past 25 years as a coach what martial arts can give to people and how empowering it can be.” It has certainly worked wonders for the inaugural Las Vegas class. “From all these months and training and hard work, I kind of feel like a little beast,” Rashaad says. Since April, the group has followed a strict regimen of 90-minute training sessions every weekday. His mom has lost 30 pounds and feels stronger, physically and mentally. She plans to continue training after the midSeptember fight, just because she loves it so much. Wimp 2 Warrior Las Vegas head coach and pro MMA fighter Jessy Clark (aka Jessy Jess) sounds proud of her students. “They’ve all grown so much,” she says. “Every single one of them looks like a different person.” Clark found her own transformation through MMA, using it to work through anger and addiction issues. “There’s something about this controlled level of violence that really centers me.”
Wolfgang Puck changes tables The restaurant often hailed as the genesis of Las Vegas’ dining renaissance is moving out of the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace location it has inhabited since 1992. Next year, Wolfgang Puck’s Spago will relocate to Bellagio’s retail promenade, specifically the spot currently occupied by Todd English’s Olives, which will close this winter. The new
Spago will offer brass fixtures, oak floors, leather couches and an open-air patio with views of Bellagio’s fountains. “My partners and I are thrilled to join the Bellagio family,” Wolfgang Puck said in a statement. “We reimagined Spago in Beverly Hills more than 20 years ago and look forward to doing the same in Las Vegas.” –Brock Radke
rsection A ND L IF E M E ET
09 LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
PRIME MOVER Amazon’s local presence increases by the day BY GEOFF CARTER
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1 BIG PHOTO
With six months of training, you could be a warrior, too. (Mikayla Whitmore/Staff)
SHADE TREE IS STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE Last week the Shade Tree announced that it would close its long-term transitional shelter program at the end of the month. The closure will halve the nonprofit’s ability to help abused women and their families (the short-term emergency shelter will remain open). Coupled with maintenance fees and necessities, federal funding cuts have caused the nonprofit to scale back over the past few years. A new fundraiser, “Invest in Us,” will attempt to raise $2.3 million to reopen the long-term shelter, which offers up to a year of assistance. “We’ve done everything we can to try to keep [it] open,” says PR director Zakeisha Steele Jones. “Our building is old, and a lot of times our utilities are in the $10,000 range every month.” Shade Tree will host an August 24 ribbon cutting beginning at 10 a.m., “to invite the community to come see what we’re all about, so we can keep women and children off the streets.” –Leslie Ventura
Recently, Amazon opened an 800,000-square-foot “fulfillment center” in North Las Vegas. Contrary to my dearest hopes, that doesn’t mean it’s a place you can go to feel wholly and immediately fulfilled in your life’s pursuits. But it is one freaking ginormous warehouse filled with large-sized items—“like big-screen televisions, kayaks and patio furniture,” company strategic communications manager Ashley Robinson says. I might not find fulfillment there, but I could begin to look for it on a big-ass TV, shipped to my door within a day. (Full disclosure: I’m a Prime subscriber.) “The new fulfillment center will definitely support faster delivery speeds,” Robinson promises, especially for subscribers to Amazon’s Prime service. Formerly, local orders were shipped out of warehouses in California, Arizona and Reno; now, those items “are in your own backyard.” And soon, Amazon will add a local center where packages can be sorted by zip code; this will further speed up deliveries, allow Prime customers to order next-day shipping at later times and facilitate more Sunday deliveries. In a way, this is as big a retail happening as IKEA’s entry into our market last year. It’s another bellwether of the Valley’s population growth; after all, what was to stop Amazon from building yet another center in Reno? And the tourist dollar wasn’t really a factor, either: According to Amanda Ip, a communications manager specializing in the Prime Now service, tourists use Amazon while in Vegas, but the items are small—phone chargers, belts, shoes and, inexplicably, “yoga mats and dog beds.” None of that stuff requires an 800,000 square foot warehouse, and even if it did, there’s really only one set of delivery lockers in the resort district, at the Linq Promenade. So, if Amazon thinks Vegas important enough for a big fulfillment center, what else do we rate? Might we see the implementation of their grocery delivery service, AmazonFresh? Will the company add more distribution centers, more shipping ability? Robinson can’t comment on the company’s future plans, but does note that it currently employs 1,500 people in town, a number that will increase as the operation ramps up. “We want to be good neighbors,” Robinson says. That’s good to hear, because Amazon is moving in no matter what.
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THE INTERSECTION
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
THE NO-SPIN ZONE A savage journey to the heart of totally unironic fun don’t think it’s moving. Is it moving? There’s a sign hanging on one side of this casino carousel at Circus Circus, a round, two-story structure with slot machines on the first level and a defunct snack bar up above. “Watch Your Step Moving Platform.” But I don’t think it’s moving. I’m asking several casino workers, and no one seems to know when this merry-go-round actually goes ’round. A carnival-game booth attendant says she’s never seen it rotate. When I check in with them later, MGM Resorts spokespeople tell THE me the carousels are INCIDENTAL actually separate TOURIST machines, and the BY BROCK RADKE one with slot machines is constantly rotating at such a slow speed it’s hard to notice it’s moving. It’s difficult to focus on this thing to determine if it’s spinning; there’s kind of a lot going on at Circus Circus. I also assumed one of these carousels was the infamous rotating bar depicted in Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, but MGM shot me down. Although the midway carousel appears to have operated as the Horse Around Bar at some point,
I
Zoltar, we wish this carousel still turned. (C. Moon Reed/Staff)
I’m told there was a separate carousel bar on the midway level that is no longer there. I’m not sure I fully believe that, just like I can’t discern if this thing’s spinning or not. You don’t have to be in a Thompson-esque blur to wonder if what’s happening around you at Circus Circus is real or just in your head. Every part of this property is its own colorful cacophony, a dose of sensory overload that has survived generations. Certainly, it must be the strangest venue on the Strip, and it was probably just as odd a fit when it opened in 1968 as it is today. Other than the free circus acts on that midway level taking place throughout the day, there’s no show here. It’s the only casino where the casino is the entertainment, old-school Vegas thinking to the
extreme. Unlike the Flamingo, the Tropicana and Caesars Palace—the other oldies on the Strip—there has been nothing resembling a full-scale renovation or update of Circus Circus, no rebranding of the clowns. This is a place where you can sit at a bar and suck down a frozen mango margarita while watching Bruno Mars videos and eating shrimp tacos from Vince Neil’s Tatuado Eat Drink Party restaurant to kill time before your free 12:30 p.m. craps lesson begins. And you haven’t even made it to the roller coaster yet. That might not sound like everyone’s idea of a good time in Las Vegas, but it’s definitely working. Circus Circus is packed, from the blindingly pink Adventuredome to the stalwart Steak House to the RV park. Here I am, staring at this carousel, trying
to figure out why it’s not spinning around in a more obvious manner, because wouldn’t that be great for Fear and Loathing fans to visit the actual spot where their heroes finally caught the Fear? What I didn’t realize—until I got through that first mango margarita—is that Circus Circus, campy and cheesy as it is, doesn’t need people visiting for ironic fun. There are already plenty of folks having totally unironic fun here, now including me. Anyone waiting for MGM to revamp this property and add cool, millennial-friendly features is missing the point. Anyone looking for a real vestige of Vegas good ol’ days should look no further than this, a casino with the bits of architecture, neon, playfulness and value that are so hard to find on the Strip these days.
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12
> Doubt: A Parable
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
Las Vegas Little Theatre hits the big 4-0 as its new season opens By Steve Bornfeld
ll the stage is their world—and all the players, local men and women. Forgive us, Your Bard-ship, for inverting your words (for the original, see As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII). Yet the Shakespearean homage seems fitting for Las Vegas Little Theatre, which this season (opening September 8), celebrates 40 years of money wrangles, venue hopscotch, square-offs with politicos (cue onstage nudity), artistic maturation and—most importantly—stubborn endurance. “Usually around December every year, I was asking Santa: Please bring us rent money for January,” says LVLT President Walter Niejadlik, who has embraced the greasepaint of Southern Nevada’s longest continually-operating nonprofit theater—tucked in a semi-concealed strip mall off Spring Mountain Road and Valley View Boulevard—since he was cast in a bit role in 2000 in the satire, Run for Your Wife. “But somehow we always managed to get through with the kindness of our patrons and donors.” Longtime LVLT-goers point proudly to numer-
ous triumphant productions over the decades that sent full-house audiences home artistically buzzed: Avenue Q, A Streetcar Named Desire, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, A Few Good Men and Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile among them. “LVLT’s focus is on community in the very truest sense of the word,” says actor/director/ choreographer Lysander Abadia, artistic director of the theater’s Black Box, who has worked on Strip productions like Mamma Mia! and EFX. “Anybody is welcome there: Someone like me, a theater professional, can come and direct shows that are risky and hone my craft, take gigantic risks, and even if I fail, I’ll still be supported—all the way through the complete novice, and it’s hands-on training. They have the exact same opportunity I do.” Cofounded in 1977 by Jack Bell and Jack Nickolson in a storefront beside a 7-Eleven on Spring Mountain Road—a paltry 48 seats disrupted by a structural support pole in front of the stage— LVLT has created a sometimes colorful history.
> Beehive
> Picnic
> Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
An LVLT timeline A lead actress performing under an assumed name in a production of Equus— featuring nudity—turns out to be future Nevada Judge Jackie Glass (who sentenced O.J. Simpson). She’s canned from her news reporter job … and enrolls in law school. The City of Las Vegas objects when a production of P.S. Your Cat Is Dead! undrapes an actor’s wriggling rear. Flesh-colored briefs are the compromise, but LVLT’s board vows not to produce another play in city facilities. Whoopi Goldberg accepts an honorary board member position. LVLT mounts the world premiere of The Convertible Girl by Danny Simon—Neil’s older bro and famed TV writer, who makes an appearance. Tailoring theater for Strip show casts and crews, LVLT fashions the midnight showcase the Insomniac Project. LVLT takes home the Governor’s Arts Award for Leadership in the Arts. Highlights provided by playwright/director Paul Thornton.
Case in point: a 2006 staging of Take Me Out, about content over the years,” Niejadlik says. about a gay baseball player, with unapologetic pe- “Shows we’ve done in recent years, had I pronile exposure—plus the theater rental to a tour of posed them to the board years ago, I would have the play Making Porn, another penis-power probeen chased out of the building. I think we unduction—which had Clark Country threatening derestimated some of our patrons. God bless our to pull LVLT’s business license. After the theater senior audience, but we’re also cultivating that contacted the American Civil Liberties Union, millennial audience.” then-Commission Chair Rory Reid intervened. On the often friskier, riskier Black Box schedule “They suggested we do it with G-strings,” that frequently attracts that demographic, Abadia Niejadlik recalls, “and I said (sarcastically), says he slated plays with content that addresses ‘Yes, most professional baseball players wear Gquestions triggered by the unusual times we’re strings.’” Upshot: sold-out crowds. living through: searing drama Detroit Las Vegas (September 15; not to be confused with All this and many more milestones Little in a city where community theater—rife the current film); provocatively titled Theatre with upstart troupes over the years that black comedy The Motherf*cker With the 3920 Schiff arrived with promotional bravado and Hat (November 3); thoughtful character Drive, 702fled in silence—sometimes seemed like study Time Stands Still (February 2); Civil 362-7996, lvlt.org. an underground art form. Working to War-era drama The Whipping Man (March overcome that betrayal of trust after 16); and staging of the annual New Works other companies sold subscriber tickets contest winner (April 27). and then split, LVLT established reliable “I wanted to have this discussion with seasons decade after decade. Shows were anthe audience about our socio-political climate,” nounced. Shows were produced. Curtain up. Abadia says. “If you go through all four stories Bolting off the starting block on the mainstage you’ll see how the political has become personal, so with the screwball comedy One Man, Two Guvnors it’s how people’s entire lives have changed because (opening September 8), this landmark season of policy shifts. There’s a part of me that’s like, gathers speed with: The Birds (October 20), wow, I’m exhausted from living in this time period based on a story that also inspired the classic and I want to find out if other people are exhausted, Hitchcock flick; the frenetic farce What the Butler too.” Saw (December 1); iconic Sondheim-ian musical Drama and comedy, musicality and topicality Company (January 19); Arthur Miller’s trenchant (clothed and unclothed)—40 years on, the cozy, A View From the Bridge (March 9); and religious homey venue at 3920 Schiff Drive remains the satire An Act of God (May 4). Little Theatre That Could. All photographs courtesy LVLT “Our audience has gotten more open-minded
(Oil Painting by Reymarc Dayauon/Special to the Weekly)
14
WEEKLY | 08.24.17
COVER STORY
BY CASE KEEFER
15 COVER STORY
WEEKLY | 08.24.17
August 26, card begins at 3 p.m., tickets $500+, pay-per-view $89.95+. T-Mobile Arena, 702-692-1600.
Let’s copy from the betting market and say nine rounds. The over/under opened at 9.5 rounds in June, with the “over” slightly favored. That has now flipped, with the “under” 9.5 rounds at minus-170 (risking $1.70 to win $1) and the “over” coming back at plus-145 (risking $1 to win $1.45) at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. In exact-result wagering, Floyd Mayweather by ninth-round TKO is the most likely outcome at odds of 16-to-1. The odds imply only a 27 percent chance that the fight goes the full 12 rounds to reach the judges’ scorecards. That might sound surprising given Mayweather’s track record. He has only stopped two opponents in the past decade, with his most recent knockout coming in 2011 against Victor Ortiz (who wasn’t paying attention when the fight resumed after a penalty stoppage in the fourth round). Mayweather decked Ortiz, who had his hands down, with a left hook and justified the borderline dirty shot by referencing the sport’s “protect yourself at all times” creed. Mayweather’s most likely path to victory against Conor McGregor could more closely resemble his TKO victory over Ricky Hatton in 2007. For nine rounds, Mayweather picked apart Hatton, who was visibly exhausted by the decisive 10th round. Hatton could no longer effectively mount any defense, and Mayweather finished him with one final flurry of punches. Mayweather hasn’t pulled off a completely clean knockout since 1999 against Justin Juuko, and it’s difficult to imagine McGregor falling victim. Despite fighting in gloves weighing 4 ounces throughout his mixed-martial-arts career— compared with boxing’s standard 10-ounce gloves—McGregor has never been knocked out.
Catch Mayweather cleanly once. Sounds easy enough, right? It’s not. McGregor’s best fighting attribute is undoubtedly his preternatural power, a skill that should conceivably translate from the octagon to the ring. But Mayweather has built his career on making big punchers look foolish. From Diego Corrales to Manny Pacquiao, boxers who won championships by knocking out most opponents in their way have been totally flummoxed by Mayweather. He simply doesn’t get hit. Many boxing historians discount
Mayweather’s assertion that he’s the greatest of all time, but no one could deny he belongs in any conversation regarding the best defensive fighters of all-time. The thing about defense, though, is that it’s predicated on quickness, and quickness fades. Mayweather hasn’t fought in two years, and he has turned 40 years old since his last bout. McGregor, on the other hand, is in the prime of his career at 29. If Mayweather moves a split-second slower or tires a smidgen earlier than he used to, McGregor’s chances to land increase significantly. McGregor has knocked out eight of his 11 opponents in the UFC including Jose Aldo, who was ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter and looked almost as invincible as Mayweather before the loss. McGregor scoring a flash knockout feels far more feasible than outpointing a technician like Mayweather in an unfamiliar sport.
Plenty of embarrassment and some hurt in the immediate aftermath, but in the long term, the effects should be negligible. Boxing has been proclaimed dead more times than Jason Voorhees, yet it always comes back—and Mayweather has played a major role in a few of those resurrections. There was widespread indignation after his September 2013 win over Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, which grossed a then-record $150 million in pay-per-view sales. Many swore off ever purchasing another fight after Mayweather outclassed the previously undefeated Alvarez in a bout perceived as boring. But those threats proved empty less than two years later, when Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao made $600 million off of pay-per-view. Similar post-fight outrage ensued, yet Mayweather vs. McGregor is expected to produce a similar buy rate. Going back even further, the entire Mayweather regime was never supposed to happen. Pundits proclaimed boxing had hit its peak during the heyday of the heavyweight class in the 1990s. Yet history has shown that, regardless of any single result, a fascination to see the best fighters in the world compete against one another will endure. Boxing might never regain the mainstream appeal it once commanded, but it has a stronghold in certain communities that will continue to keep it alive.
The Vegas-based promotion would almost certainly get a boost, but it might be less significant than many expect. It was just a year ago, after all, that WME-IMG bought the UFC for $4 billion, an unprecedented price tag that proved the promotion was no longer a fringe sports franchise struggling for relevance. UFC President Dana White and Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe have both declared that Mayweather vs. McGregor isn’t a referendum on boxing vs. mixed martial arts. Rather, it’s a boxing match fans wanted to see so badly, disparate camps converged to put it together. Still, we won’t be surprised if the winning side gloats on behalf of its sport, especially if it’s McGregor and the UFC. A boxing novice beating one of the sweet science’s greats would provide too much of a bragging opportunity to pass up. And the UFC could use the momentum. With the likes of McGregor, Ronda Rousey and Brock Lesnar inactive within the octagon, the UFC hasn’t seen a single pay-per-view cross the 1 million buys threshold this year. It’s not a major concern, as these things tend to rise and fall on a continual loop, but a McGregor win could help kick-start the next rise.
The tide seems to be turning toward McGregor retiring from fighting, or at least mixed martial arts, after facing Mayweather. His original statements when the brash prospect first broke into the UFC now sound ominous: His game plan was to get in, get rich and get out. And he’ll be incredibly rich after the Mayweather fight. There aren’t any matchups in the UFC that can give him anywhere near the nine-figure payday he’s expected to earn on August 26. Even White, once adamant that McGregor would defend his UFC lightweight title before the end of the year, has softened to concede that the Irishman “might never fight again.” McGregor might be more likely to box next at this point. If he were to beat Mayweather, a rematch could be demanded. There’s also a rivalry possibility with former boxing champion Paulie Malignaggi, who flew to Las Vegas to help McGregor train but bolted when he felt mistreated.
16 COVER STORY
WEEKLY | 08.24.17
From the Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings Arena to Mandalay Bay Irish pub Rí Rá to Park Theater adjacent to host site T-Mobile Arena, several MGM sites will host the closed-circuit telecast—the only spots on the Strip where it’ll be available. $150, 855-329-2260.
O
The Henderson location of this fight fanfavored watering hole will close at 3 p.m., clear out and then reopen at 5 for the festivities, with a cover of $50. Advanced reservations are only available for groups of six or more. 594 N. Stephanie St., 702436-2255.
nce upon a time, fights cost $30-$40 to watch at home, so paying for your party’s broadcast on your own didn’t break the bank— especially if your guests contributed some food and drinks to the cause. Now that we’ve entered the era of $100 pay-per-views with Mayweather-McGregor (okay, $90 for the low-def feed … but who’s still watching low-def at this point?), we’ve heard folks asking whether they should put out a donation hat or even let
The popular Gentleman’s Club goes allout for Mayweather-McGregor, offering packages ranging from $150 (pay-per-view plus buffet) to $10,000 (10 bottles, booth seating, front-of-line admission, pay-perview and buffet, for 20 people). Doors at 6 p.m., 3025 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, 702-796-6000.
their pals know they’ll be ponying up in advance. Our advice: Don’t. Nothing gets a party off on a weird foot like charging a cover, and if you can’t afford $100 to host a big bash, you shouldn’t be hosting. Direct guests who offer to pay beforehand to bring snacks or beers for the group, and if anyone insists on putting some cash on your counter, graciously accept. Just don’t make it mandatory.
17 COVER STORY
WEEKLY | 08.24.17
29 “The Notorious”
40
Nickname
“Money”
Dublin, Ireland
Fighting out of
John Kavanagh
Trainer
Straight Blast Gym Ireland 21-3
Las Vegas Floyd Mayweather Sr.
Team
The Money Team
Record
49-0
Knockouts
26
5-9
Height
5-8
154 pounds
Weight
151 pounds
Reach
72 inches
18
74 inches $100 million
O
Age
scar De La Hoya is leading the brigade of boxing purists against Mayweather vs. McGregor, calling the fight “a joke” and "[something] our sport might not ever recover [from],” but he’s biased. Mayweather vs. McGregor has cut into the anticipation of the megafight between Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez that De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions will stage September 16 at T-Mobile Arena. Boxing fans had demanded the bout between the world’s two best middleweights for years before its official announcement in May.
Reported payday
$220 million
Golden Boy’s contract with MGM Resorts International, which owns T-Mobile Arena, stipulated that it couldn’t host any other boxing matches within three weeks of the event. Mayweather vs. McGregor is scheduled exactly three weeks before Golovkin vs. Álvarez. The 35-year-old Golovkin is undefeated and widely considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 27-year-old Álvarez is the most popular current boxer, and his only career loss came against Mayweather. No one from the boxing world is going to skip out on watching Golovkin vs. Álvarez because of Mayweather vs. McGregor, but casual fans seem unlikely to buy two pay-per-views within a three-week span. –Case Keefer
HEINEKEN CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS
SMASH MOUTH SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 DOORS OPEN AT 6:30PM
DRINK _ SWIM _ PARTY
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT TICKETMASTER.COM FOR BOTTLE SERVICE, CABANA & DAYBED RENTALS CALL 702.697.2888 FLAMINGOLASVEGAS.COM
@FlamingoVegas #FlamingoGoPool Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start. ® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2017, Caesars License Company, LLC.
A U G U S T
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about us
g r e e n s p u n m e d i a
g r o u p
Publisher Mark De Pooter (mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com) Editor Brock Radke (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writer Leslie Ventura (leslie.ventura@gmgvegas.com) Associate Creative Director Liz Brown (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) Designers Corlene Byrd, Ian Racoma Contributors Jim Begley, Brittany Brussell, Sarah Feldberg, Jason Harris, Deanna Rilling Circulation Director Ron Gannon Art Director of Advertising and Marketing Services Sean Rademacher CEO, Publisher & Editor Brian Greenspun Chief Operating Officer Robert Cauthorn Group Publisher Gordon Prouty Editorial Page Editor Ric Anderson Las Vegas Weekly Editor Spencer Patterson 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 300 Henderson, NV 89074 lasvegasweekly.com/industry lasvegasweekly.com /lasvegasweekly
Jo Koy
/lasvegasweekly /lasvegasweekly
September 1
on the cover
Ice Cube Photo by Amy Sussman/ AP Photo
T o
a d v e r t i s e
Call 702-990-2550 or email advertising@gmgvegas.com. 9PM TRE ASU RE ISL AND THE ATRE TICKETS 702 . 894 .7722
TI-17-014430_8-24LVWeeklyJoKoy_ad.indd 1
For customer service questions, call 702-990-8993.
6/29/17 1:57 PM
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Win, lose or whatever else could possibly happen at T-Mobile Arena Saturday night, the Notorious will make it to Nightswim at EBC afterwards. sat
26 sat
drai’s beachclub
DE ST R U CTO encore beach club
C E DR IC GE RVAIS mandalay beach
IR AT IO N
27 sun
drai’s
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encore beach club
intrigue
TH E CHAI NSMOKER S
CE DRIC G E RVAIS tao
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drai’s
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G U CCI MANE
DJ S NAK E
FA BOLO U S
intrigue
GI ANLUCA VACCHI
encore beach club
DJ S NAK E
THE CHAI NSMOKER S
rehab
IC E C UB E & MEEK MI LL
Connor McGregor by L.E. Baskow; 50 cent by Jesse Sutherland/Tony Tran Photography; N a s b y Am y H a r r i s / A P ; P u f f D a d d y b y J e f f R a g a z z o / K a b i k P h o t o G r o u p
big this week
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Fiddy’s gonna get the Strip all fired up at Drai’s Friday, and he’s not alone; Trey Songz and Jeezy will be there to help.
26
MARQUEE
Ahead of his October concert at the Chelsea, Nas comes to Cosmo (with Swizz Beatz) for an afterfight party at Marquee.
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He’ll do Rehab in the daytime, but Puff’s biggest party of the weekend will be at the Hard Rock Hotel’s Vanity space Saturday night.
visionary
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efore he even arrives in Las Vegas this week for the grand finale of his first-year Big3 pro basketball league on Saturday—and to perform at Rehab at the Hard Rock on Sunday—Ice Cube has already won the championship. His name will forever be linked to one of the biggest sports-event weekends in the history of Las Vegas. Big3, Cube’s three-on-three hoops league featuring former NBA players reprising their hardcourt glory, opened play for the first time in June and toured the country, garnering a
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fair share of buzz for an unorthodox sports league just getting started. Its “final four” championship was slated for T-Mobile Arena before the ridiculously huge Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight got locked in for the same date. Fight promoters compensated Cube and his team for use of T-Mobile, and the Big3 slid over to MGM Grand Garden Arena, a winwin-win situation. That third win is for Las Vegas, which is expecting record visitation for this late-August weekend. Cube has already proven he has no
limits in the worlds of music and movies. Now he’s taking on the sports world, and he’s off to a great start and still thinking big: He recently told an LA TV station his goal for next year’s Big3 is to bring in Kobe Bryant. Ice Cube with Meek Mill at Rehab at the Hard Rock Hotel, August 27. Photograph by Rebecca Cabage/AP Photo
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En cor e be ac h C lub diplo
aug 19 Photographs courtesy Encore Beach Club
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Download Sizzle app in the app store for previews of World’s Greatest Rock Show. >
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W O R L D E D X b r i n g s t o n s o f
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etween his constant international touring and sets at the biggest dance music festivals and venues in the world, and his collaborative work with the biggest names in the genre including Axwell, Armin van Buuren, Kaskade and Deadmau5, EDX is one of the most in-demand DJs and producers in EDM today. But the artist also known as Maurizio Colella has managed to make 2017 all about his own music, consistently releasing new tracks since January at a clip of at least one a month. The latest, “Daybreak,” just arrived August 11. “It’s just a very catchy melody, a very
happy song for the summer,” he says. Creating new music is a tale of two audiences for EDX. “As a DJ you have a very interesting situation where you have two audiences—the crossover audience, more radio-friendly, and then the people who are more club oriented and into the music that really works on the dancefloor. You have to surf both, and if you’re really lucky, you can hit both with one song. In my case, I try to stay true to the club and the dancefloor, because I think it’s where electronic music is from.” Even though he plays for people all over the world, EDX is able to broaden his audience in Las Vegas, where he has
performed for years before becoming a Wynn Nightlife resident in 2017. He has already turned up this week with a guest spot with Cheat Codes at Nightswim at Encore Beach Club. “It’s a hot spot that everyone loves,” he says. “I might meet friends in Brazil or play a show in Seoul and two weeks later I see the same people in Vegas. It’s very similar in that way to Ibiza, how people get together from all over the world.” EDX at XS at Encore, August 28. –Brock Radke
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S A L E T A G T S WE
S A G VE
L O PO
K A BE
N I A G A ID DJ , S E M , GA S Y A W ILS A T GIVEA K C E CODIE PERALES R U T A SIGN IST ED
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WITH C
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Y MI LEBRIT
THE SE beers, Y B D E HOST aturing $2 ritas Fe rga $5 ma
y g o l o MiX ays d ix 94.1 s e n d Wweith JC from M d n a l s i s fritdainamyent,
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r e ente ocktails v i l , d c i’ get le d inspired e m o c islan
G N I K R EE PA
FR
VIP CABANAS AVAILABLE To book VIP cabanas please email wglvvipreservations@wgresorts.com
3000 PARADISE ROAD | LAS VEGAS, NV 89109 702.732.5111 | WESTGATEVEGAS.COM
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m i x
Photograph by Christopher Devargas
fresh spin
R
ecent revelers at Wynn Nightlife clubs have been catching an unexpected but welcome dose of Golden Era hip-hop, complements of Milo Berger, aka DJ Mighty Mi. He has been releasing portions of his long-gestating OG House project—which features classic MCs rhyming over uptempo house beats—and playing some of the tracks and remixes during his opening sets at Wynn and Encore. The most recent release is the title track, a blaring banger featuring the unmistakable voice of Wu-Tang Clan legend Ghostface Killah.
“OG House is kind of a blending of my two worlds, because I grew up on those MCs. Those are my idols, and I always wanted to work with them, but I didn’t want to create traditional boom-bap hip-hop,” Mighty Mi says. “I started out with a song with MC Eiht and just kept on going, and 24 songs later, I’m sprinkling them out, one EP at a time.” Other hip-hop icons on the record include Grand Puba, Chubb Rock, Talib Kweli, Large Professor, Bushwick Bill, MC Serch and Kool Keith. Mighty Mi, a Philadelphia native who’s celebrating 10 years in Las Ve-
N E W gas and at Wynn this month, plans to eventually distribute the entire album and hopes to tour with a few OG House rappers. “My goal is to grab Keith or Bill or Talib and do some shows where I’m spinning throughout the night and they come out and emcee the party and do some of their classics, too,” he says. “I think Europe might be a more appropriate setting for it, since they really enjoy underground music more over there.” –Brock Radke
ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10 AM SHANIA TWAIN MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA
FRI, AUGUST 4, 2018 SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE THE PEARL @ THE PALMS
SAT, NOVEMBER 17
THIS WEEKEND RANCID & DROPKICK MURPHYS DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER
FRI, AUGUST 25 BRITNEY SPEARS THE AXIS @ PLANET HOLLYWOOD
NOW – DECEMBER 31
ON SALE NOW MARY J. BLIGE WITH SPECIAL GUEST LALAH HATHAWAY THE PEARL @ THE PALMS
FRI, SEPTEMBER 1 IDINA MENZEL THE PEARL @ THE PALMS
SAT, SEPTEMBER 2 LIFEHOUSE & SWITCHFOOT THE BEACH @ MANDALAY BAY
FRI, SEPTEMBER 8TH MELISSA ETHERIDGE THE PEARL @ THE PALMS
SAT, SEPTEMBER 9
B U Y T I C K E T S A T L I V E N A T I O N .C O M
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DRai ’ s 50 cent & S n o o p Do gg
aug 15
Photographs by Tony Tran Photography
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STEELPANTHERKICKSASS
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STEEL PANTHER
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STEELPANTHERROCKS.COM
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f radio and TV host Matt Pinfield and The Killers’ drummer Ronnie Vannucci both dig your band, chances are you’re on to something. Such is the case for Residual Kid, a garagerock trio out of Austin, Texas, that has impressed some of the biggest names in the industry with a provocative take on ’90s grunge. And its members are still teenagers. “I wish I had someone like you,” Deven Ivy sings in “Scentless Princess,” a song from 2016’s Salsa that evokes comparisons to contemporaries like Wavves and Together Pangea.
In this weekly series, we spotlight the performers and other participants who will combine for November’s Emerge Music + Impact Conference in Las Vegas.
In the past three years, the band has cut demos with the help of Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis and Off!’s Steve McDonald, signed to Warner Bros.’ imprint Sire Records and embarked on a European tour that including gigs at Norway’s Oya Festival and Sweden’s Way Out West Festival. “Me and the drummer [Ben Redman] met when we were like 11 or 10, and we’ve just been playing in bands since then,” says Ivy, now 17. “Music is really the only thing that I’ve known; it’s my only passion or
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hobby. It feels natural [that] it has just progressed and evolved.” The guys played their first Vegas gig in 2016 and returned this year for Neon Reverb, and they’ll be back in October to lay down some demos before returning to perform at this year’s inaugural Emerge Music + Impact Conference, once again sharing a bill with Vegas locals Mercy Music, plus East Coast punks Beach Slang and singer-songwriter Mondo Cozmo. “I’m probably most excited about just meeting people in Las Vegas that are a part of the music industry,” Ivy says. “I’m really excited to see a different side of it and learn.” –Leslie Ventura Emerge Music + Impact Conference on the Las Vegas Strip, November 16-18. Tickets available now at emergelv.com.
Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive Brooklyn Bowl experience >
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hey just don’t party like they did in the ’80s ... unless we’re talking about Steel Panther. The hair metal revivalists continue their residency at the House of Blues Las Vegas while bouncing back and forth to LA to play the legendary Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip. “The most important thing is that we bring the party wherever we go, really bring back what the ’80s was like whether we’re in Vegas or LA,” bassist Lexxi Foxx says. The campy rockers don’t hold back in re-creating their genre’s era of glory. When it’s time to return to the Vegas stage, there’s definitely a Steel Panther
Sin City routine. “We’ll have a couple beers on the plane just to shake off the night before, then a limo picks us up,” says Foxx. “Usually I’ll hit the tanning booth while Stix [Zadinia] starts signing some drum heads—we sell those to support our drug habit. [Guitarist] Satchel has a place in Vegas, so sometimes we go to his place and party, and his mom still lives there, which is cool. Then it’s time to head down to soundcheck, probably do another shot and beer and get to it.” The band has performed all over Las Vegas for years, so there are quite a few friends and followers looking for some
Panther when the show is over. “The afterparty usually comes to us, unless there are some new clubs to check out or strip clubs we need to start knocking out,” he says. “Sometimes we’ll go over to [Pantera drummer] Vinnie Paul’s house, which is bitchin’, and Carrot Top has a pretty cool Jägermeister bar setup backstage at Luxor. If you’re lucky, you can find us at the big [casino] bar at Mandalay Bay after the show.” Steel Panther at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, August 25 & September 1. –Brock Radke
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Mandalay Bay Ticket Office 702.632.7580 mandalaybay.com 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive PT’s Entertainment Group experience >
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o Flying Elvi this time. Sarah Jessica Parker’s Vegas visit last week was all about high style, opening the doors of her SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker boutique at Bellagio, a chic headquarters for her line of shoes, handbags and accessories. “It’s been amazing,” she told Industry Weekly. “We did this in December at [MGM] National Harbor and it was a great experience, and we learned an enormous amount. But I think being in Vegas, it was time to sort of dial
it up, like Vegas does, so this store is substantially bigger. The partnership [with MGM Resorts] has been the most satisfying part of the experience so far.” Exclusive to the first West Coast store is the Bellagio Blue collection, a shimmering, regal shade applied to several styles of shoes and a cute clutch. A sharp pair of these heels will certainly get attention, but the most captivating item in the store must be the twin “Fawn” walls, vintage lucite stackers displaying SJP’s popular pumps in a
multitude of colors. A never-ending wall of sexy shoes—sounds like Carrie Bradshaw’s dream come true. SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker boutique at Bellagio, 702-693-7921; daily 10 a.m.10 p.m. –Brock Radke
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Photographs courtesy Wynn Nightlife
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ith a constant flow of music, food and drinks, there’s always a lot going on at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay. The key is to find your own flavor and stick with it.
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Rockstar Karaoke goes off on the last Friday of every month, a chance for anyone and everyone to show their stuff onstage inside the HOB restaurant and bar. It’ll happen again this Friday, August 25, so be ready to rock. And come hungry, because this event has its own special menu. You can’t go wrong with the spicy, crispy Drunken Chicken Wings with stout molasses barbecue sauce and sweet chutney; or try the kicked-up Kentucky Hot Brown sandwich with layers of smoked turkey, roasted tomatoes and Cajun cheese sauce on thickcut toast. But the frontman of this band is the Southern Fish and Chips, one of the biggest and
boldest versions of this familiar dish you’ll find on the Strip. Tender, flaky, meaty catfish portions are coated in a zesty seasoning blend that fries up so perfectly, you’ll wonder how you’ve been eating it any other way. Served with Zapp’s Cajun Crawtators potato chips, grilled lemon, crunchy peas and crisp, cool coleslaw, this plate merges an Old English tradition with New Orleans style in an unforgettable way. Hurry up and finish that last bite—it’s your turn on the mic. House of Blues Restaurant & Bar at Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7600; daily 7 a.m.-midnight. –Brock Radke
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he labyrinthine Grand Bazaar Shops at Bally’s is essentially a nonstop happy hour, packed with fun spots serving up no-fuss booze and snacks. To fit into these rambunctious surroundings, the newest location of Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken has expanded its menu to include some frosty and flavorful new offerings—alcoholinfused milkshakes. This genius idea has created a culinary combo that can’t be beat: a boozy ice cream delight alongside crunchy, juicy fried chicken. Some might claim Baileys Irish Cream isn’t seasonally appropriate, but rules were meant to be broken. The Shakedown Street shake blends Baileys with bourbon plus whipped cream and chocolate sauce, while the Dude nods to the favorite cocktail of the character from The Big Lebowski
with Kahlúa, Hanson’s organic vodka and vanilla ice cream. Get even richer with the Caramelito, a delicious battle between tequila and caramel, or lighten up with the Tropic Twist, a creamy concoction using 99 Bananas liqueur and Malibu coconut rum. If you’re looking for a little luxury in your shake-and-chicken combo, go with the Hazelberry, super-smooth with Chambord and Nutella in the mix. It’s a little outrageous, but that’s why you’re on the Strip, right? Blue Ribbon Fried Chicken at the Grand Bazaar Shops at Bally’s, 702-8000404; daily 11 a.m.-2 a.m.
LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEKEND
LAS VEGAS LYFE 1 P A S S . 3 D AY S . 1 3 P A R T I E S .
F E AT U R I N G DJ CASH / DJ KAYOTIK DJ SHADOWRED / CAMP ZEROO
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
MEET & GREET HOSTED BY SUPER MODEL, DONNY SAVAGE
NOW OPEN
RICK ROSS PARTY LIGHT LAS VEGAS
FRIDAY AUGUST 25
SATURDAY AUGUST 26
SUNDAY AUGUST 27
CELEBRITY & VIP MEET & GREET UVX PARTY CRAWL (5 PARTIES 1 NIGHT) WHITE PARTY HOSTED BY AMBER ROSE - HARD ROCK JEEZY, 50 CENT, TREY SONGZ - DRAIS NIGHTCLUB
UVX POOL CRAWL (3 POOL PARTIES) ULTIMATE PARTY EXPERIENCE (5 PARTIES 1 NIGHT) COMPLIMENTARY PARTY BUS SHUTTLE FIGHT NIGHT VIEWING PARTY - CH3 ULTIMATE MANSION CELEBRITY PARTY HOSTED BY: DONNY SAVAGE CARDI B LIVE - HARD ROCK CHRIS BROWN LIVE - DRAI’S NIGHTCLUB RICK ROSS PARTY - LIGHT NIGHTCLUB PUFF DADDY POOL PARTY - REHAB
GOLF WITH THE STARS TOP GOLF LAVO BRUNCH PARTY PALAZZO UVX POOL CRAWL (3 POOL PARTIES) UVX PARTY CRAWL (4 PARTIES 1 NIGHT)
NEW GUESTS RECEIVE 10% OFF* *Must mention LVW. Some restrictions apply.
FRIDAY WHITE PARTY HOSTED BY AMBER ROSE
SATURDAY CARDI B PERFORMING LIVE HARD ROCK VEGAS
LIVE MUSIC FROM SHABAZZ BEY SEPTEMBER 10TH 11AM-3PM
WWW.LASVEGASLYFE.COM
VIP & TABLES (702)296-1239
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DRAI’ S
INTRIGUE COURTESY
8/24 DJ Esco. 8/25 50 Cent, Trey Songz & Jeezy. 8/26 Chris Brown. 8/27 Fabolous. 8/31 DJ Esco. 9/1 Rae Sremmurd. 9/2 Wiz Khalifa. 9/3 Lil Wayne. 9/7 TM88. 9/9 Jeremih. 9/10 DJ Franzen. Cromwell, Tue, Thu-Sun, 702-7773800. EM BASSY 8/24 Angie Vee. 8/26 DJ C-L.A. 3355 Procyon St, Thu-Sat, 702-609-6666.
F O U NDATIO N
RO O M
8/25 Graham Funke. 8/26 DJ Crooked. 9/1 DJ Baby Yu. 9/2 DJ Excel. 9/8 DJ Konflikt. 9/9 DJ D-Miles. Mandalay Bay, nightly, 702-632-7631. . F OX TAIL SLS, Fri-Sat, 702-761-7621.
G H OSTBAR
IN T RIGUE 8/25 Cedric Gervais. 8/26 Gianluca Vacchi. 8/31 Chuckie. 9/1 Marshmello. 9/2 RL Grime. 9/7 Marshmello. 9/8 Stafford Brothers. 9/9 Robin Schulz. Wynn, Thu-Sat, 702-770-7300. MARQUEE 8/25 Vice. 8/26 Nas & Swizz Beatz. 8/28 Carnage. 9/1 Kevin Hart. 9/2 French Montana. 9/4 Carnage. 9/8 DJ Mustard. 9/9 Dash Berlin. Cosmopolitan, Mon, Fri-Sat, 702-333-9000.
Snake. 9/3 Nightswim with Dillon Francis. 9/8 Nightswim with Brillz. 9/9 Nightswim with Alison Wonderland. Encore, Wed, Fri-Sat, 702-770-7300. TAO 8/24 Justin Credible. 8/25 DJ Scene. 8/26 Gucci Mane. 8/31 Justin Credible. 9/1 E-40. 9/2 Ty Dolla $ign. 9/7 DJ Five. 9/8 DJ Politik. 9/9 Vice. Venetian, Thu-Sat, 702-388-8588. XS
Palms, nightly, 702-374-9770. SURREN DER H Y DE 8/25 Joe Maz. 8/26 DJ D-Miles. 8/30 DJ D-Miles. 9/3 White Party. Bellagio, nightly, 702-693-8700.
8/25 Nightswim with Getter & Ookay. 8/26 Nightswim with Conor McGregor. 8/30 Nightswim with Yellow Claw. 9/1 Nightswim with Major Lazer. 9/2 Nightswim with DJ
8/25 DJ Snake. 8/26 The Chainsmokers. 8/27 Nightswim with Yellow Claw. 8/28 EDX. 9/1 The Chainsmokers. 9/2 David Guetta. 9/3 Nightswim with Marshmello. 9/4 Nightswim with Diplo. 9/8 RL Grime. 9/9 David Guetta. 9/10 Nightswim with Marshmello. Encore, Fri-Mon, 702-770-0097.
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8/24-8/25 DJ Mika Gold. 8/26 Amanda Rose. 8/27 Jenna Palmer. 8/31 Amanda Rose. 9/1 DJ Mika Gold. 9/2 DJ Kiki. 9/3 DJ Mika Gold. 9/7 Amanda Rose. 9/8 DJ Mika Gold. 9/9 Amanda Rose. 9/10 Jenna Palmer. Palazzo, Thu-Sun, 702-767-3724.
CABANA
CLU B
Red Rock Resort, daily, 702-797-7873.
DRA I ’ S
BEACH CLUB
8/25 Destructo. 8/26 Rae Sremmurd & Adventure Club. 8/27 DJ Franzen. 9/1 Boombox Cartel. 9/2 Adventure Club. 9/3 Rae Sremmurd. 9/4 Deux. 9/8 Savi. 9/9 Destructo & Grandtheft. 9/10 Henry Fong & Bad Royale. Cromwell, Fri-Sun, 702-777-3800.
Encore Beach Club Courtesy
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8/25 Cedric Gervais. 8/25 Nightswim with Getter & Ookay. 8/26 The Chainsmokers. 8/26 Nightswim with Conor McGregor. 8/27 DJ Snake. 8/30 Nightswim with Yellow Claw. 9/1 Kygo. 9/1 Nightswim with Major Lazer. 9/2 Alesso. 9/2 Nightswim with DJ Snake. 9/3 David Guetta. 9/3 Nightswim with Dillon Francis. 9/4 The Chainsmokers. 9/8 Chuckie. 9/8 Nightswim with Brillz. 9/9 David Guetta. 9/9 Nightswim with Alison Wonderland. 9/10 Vice. Encore, Thu-Sun, 702-770-7300. F OX TAIL
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SLS, Fri-Sun, 702-761-7619. G O
P O O L
8/24 Jenna Palmer. 8/25 JD Live. 8/26 Eric Forbes. 8/27 DJ Vegas Vibe. 8/28 DJ Tavo.
8/29 Greg Lopez. 8/30 DJ J-Nice. 8/31 Jenna Palmer. 9/1 JD Live. 9/2 Eric Forbes. 9/3 DJ Vegas Vibe. 9/4 DJ Tavo. 9/5 Greg Lopez. 9/6 DJ J-Nice. 9/7 Jenna Palmer. 9/8 JD Live. 9/9 Bebe Rexha. 9/10 DJ Vegas Vibe. Flamingo, daily, 702-697-2888.
T H E
PON D
Green Valley Ranch Resort, daily, 702-617-7744.
R E H AB T HE
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LIN Q 8/26 Puff Daddy. 8/27 Ice Cube & Meek Mill. 9/1 Dee Jay Silver. 9/8 Jamie Iovine. 9/10 DJ Jazzy Jeff. Hard Rock Hotel, Fri-Mon, 702-6935505.
Linq, daily, 702-503-8320.
MARQUEE
DAYC L U B TAO
8/25 Ruckus. 8/26 DJ Mustard. 8/27 M!KEATTACK. 9/1 Tritonal. 9/2 Dash Berlin. 9/3 Galantis. 9/4 Sunnery James, Ryan Marciano & Michael Calfan. 9/8 Cedric Gervais. 9/9 Tritonal. 9/10 Nora En Pure. Cosmopolitan, daily, 702-333-9000. PALMS
POOL
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8/24 Chuck Fader. 8/25 Angie Vee. 8/26 Eric DLux. 8/27 Mark Rodriguez. 8/31 Javier Alba. 9/1 DJ Five. 9/2 Kevin Hart. 9/3 DJ Mustard. 9/7 Javier Alba. 9/8 DJ C-L.A. 9/9 DJ Politik. 9/10 Mark Rodriguez. Venetian, Thu-Sun, 702388-8588.
DAYC L U B VE N U S
Palms, daily, 702-374-9770. Caesars Palace, daily, 702-650-5944.
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8/25-9/3 Britney Spears. 9/6-10/7 Jennifer Lopez. 10/11-11/4 Britney Spears. 11/8-11/18 Backstreet Boys. 11/29-12/16 Lionel Richie. Planet Hollywood, 702-777-6737. BOWL
8/25 J Boog. 8/28 The Fixx. 8/29 Simple Plan. 9/1-9/2 Viva Ras Vegas with The Expendables, Long Beach Dub Allstars and more. 9/6 X. 9/14 Lil Yachty. 9/15 Catfish & The Bottlemen. 9/16 Bob Saget. 9/20 The Magpie Salute. 9/23 Danzig. 9/24 Metal Alliance Tour. 9/28 Motionless in White. 9/29 Make America Rock Again. 9/30 Andrew W.K. 10/4 Chronixx. 10/5 Post Malone. 10/6 Jon Bellion. 10/12 Father John Misty. 10/13 The Church. 10/20 Run the Jewels. 10/21 In This Moment. 10/27-10/28 Trey Anastasio Band. 11/1 Capturing Pablo. 11/5 I Prevail. 11/16-11/18 Emerge Music + Impact Conference. Linq Promenade, 702-862-2695.
TH E
CH ELSEA
8/26 Trombone Shorty. 8/27 Foreigner & Cheap Trick. 9/1 Usher. 9/2 Kevin Hart & Friends. 9/3 Dave Chappelle. 9/15 Ricardo Arjona. 9/16 Pepe Aguilar. 10/6 Nas. 10/7 Maxwell. 10/14 Bob Dylan. 10/15 The Script. 10/21 Pixies. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-6797.
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8/25 Steve Martin & Martin Short. 8/26-9/3 Rod Stewart. 8/30 Jeff Dunham. 9/6 Jeff Dunham. 9/8-9/9 Jerry Seinfeld. 9/13 Jeff Dunham. 9/14 Gloria Trevi & Alejandra Guzman. 9/15-9/16 Enrique Iglesias. 9/17 Gloria Trevi & Alejandra Guzman. 9/19-10/7 Celine Dion. 10/8 Sebastian Maniscalco. 10/1110/28 Elton John. 10/22 Joe Bonamassa. 10/29 Steve Martin & Martin Short. 11/1-11/4 Elton John. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938.
8/25-9/2 Richard Marx. 9/5-10/7 Donny & Marie. Flamingo, 702-777-2782. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER 8/25 Rancid & Dropkick Murphys. 9/21 Banda Los Recoditos. 9/29 Sublime with Rome & The Offspring. 200 S. Third St., 800-745-3000.
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8/24 August Alsina. 8/25 Steel Panther. 8/30 Dude Ranch. 9/1 Steel Panther. 9/2 Farruko. 9/9 Aaron Lewis. 9/12 Reverend Horton Heat. 9/13-9/24 Santana. 9/14 Yuri. 10/4-10/21 Billy Idol. 10/8 Damian Marley. 10/19 Stone Sour. 10/22 Issues. 10/25 Hanson. 10/27-10/28 Marilyn Manson. 11/1-11/12 Santana. 11/7 Blues Traveler. 11/16-11/19 Joe Walsh. 11/17 Suicideboys. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7600. T H E
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FOUN DRY
8/26 Brian Culbertson. 9/1-9/2 Jon Lovitz & Dana Carvey. 9/16 Jonathan Butler. 9/23 Mindi Abair. 10/6-10/7 Jon Lovitz & Dana Carvey. 10/27-10-28 Jon Lovitz & Dana Carvey. SLS, 702-761-7617. GOLDEN N UGGET SHOW ROOM 8/25 BJ Thomas. 9/1 Tommy James & The Shondells. 9/8 Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. Golden Nugget, 866-946-5336.
GO
8/26 Yestival. 8/27 The Australian Pink Floyd Show. 9/15 Franco Escamilla. 9/30 Ellismania 14. 10/1 Apocalyptica. 10/6 Kings of Leon. 10/7-10/14 Incubus. Hard Rock Hotel, 702693-5000. M A N DA L AY
B AY
BEACH
8/25 Iration. 9/2 I Love the ’90s with Salt-NPepa, All 4 One, Kid ’n Play & more. 9/8 Lifehouse & Switchfoot. 9/9 Lost ’80s Live with Wang Chung, Berlin & more. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7777. M A N D A L AY B AY EVENTS CENTER
9/15 Marco Antonio Solis. 9/16 Marc Anthony. 10/14 Janet Jackson. 10/22 Arcade Fire. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7777.
POOL
8/27 Smash Mouth. Flamingo, 702-697-2888.
HARD
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9/14-9/15 Emmanuel. 10/11-10/28 Diana Ross. 9/20-10/7 John Fogerty. Wynn, 702-7709966. T HE
BLU E S
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9/1 Buygore. 9/29 Ellismania 14. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5555.
MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA 8/26 Big3 Championship Finals. 9/15 Maná. 11/16 Latin Grammy Awards. MGM Grand, 702521-3826.
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10/8 Brandon & James. 10/16 Mondays Dark. 3460 Cavaretta Court, 702-903-1070.
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T H E AT E R
8/25 Jay Leno. 8/25-8/27 Boyz II Men. 8/26 Tim Allen. 9/1-9/2 George Lopez. 9/1-9/17 Boyz II Men. 9/3 Iliza Shlesinger. 9/8-9/9 Bill Maher. 9/15-9/16 Gabriel Iglesias. 9/29 Jay Leno. 9/30 Tiffany Haddish. 10/6-10/29 Boyz II Men. 10/7 Wayne Brady. 10/20-10/21 Ron White. 10/27-10/28 Bill Maher. Mirage, 702792-7777.
Lil Yachty by Robb Cohen/AP
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ARENA
8/25 Super Summer Bash with Boy George & more. 9/15-9/16 Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend. 10/20 Andre Rieu. 10/21 Old School Party Jam. 10/27 Harlem Globetrotters. 11/23-11/24 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational. 11/25 PJ Masks Live. Orleans, 702-365-7469.
PA RK
TOPGOL F 8/24 Scotty McCreery. 8/25 Young Dubliners. 8/26 Empire Records. 9/15 Leroy Sanchez. 9/16 Through the Roots. 10/6 Turkuaz. 10/14 TR3. 4627 Koval Lane, 702-933-8458.
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PEARL VEN E T I AN
9/1 Mary J. Blige. 9/2 Idina Menzel. 9/8 Luis Fonsi. 9/9 Melissa Etheridge. 9/15 Miguel Bosé. 10/6 Megadeth. 10/14 Evanescence. 10/21 Tegan and Sara. 10/27 Hollywood Undead. 11/25 Ana Gabriel. Palms, 702-9443200.
T H E AT R E
9/20-9/30 Il Divo. 10/6-10/21 Rascal Flatts. Venetian, 702-414-9000.
VI N Y L
TH EATER
9/2-9/3 Bruno Mars. 9/9 Jonathan Lee. 9/129/23 Ricky Martin. 9/29 Bill Burr. 9/30 Ruff Ryders 20th Anniversary Tour. 10/7 Ali Wong. 10/14 Theresa Caputo. 10/27-10/29 Widespread Panic. 11/8-11/25 Cher. Monte
8/26 Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor. 9/1-9/2 George Strait. 9/15 Alejandro Fernández. 9/16 Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin. 9/22-9/23 iHeartRadio Festival. 9/29 Imagine Dragons. 9/30 Depeche Mode. 10/8 Los Angeles Lakers vs. Sacramento Kings. 10/14 The Weeknd. 10/28 Jay-Z. 11/111/5 PBR World Finals. 11/17 Guns N’ Roses. 3780 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-692-1600.
9/2-9/3 Rob Schneider. 10/28 Restless Heart & Shenandoah. 11/11 Peter Cetera. 11/18 Great White & Slaughter. Tropicana, 800-829-9034.
Carlo, 844-600-7275.
T HE
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SPAC E
9/11 Mondays Dark. 9/17 Daniel Emmet. 9/18 Mondays Dark. 9/22-9/24 ScoopFest. 10/2 Mondays Dark. 10/6 Alexandro Querevalu.
8/24 Terravita. 9/1 Dokken. 9/8 SZA. 9/15 Otherwise. 9/21 Zakk Sabbath. 9/22 Master of Puppets. 9/28 Andy Mineo. 9/30 Ellismania 14 Afterparty. 10/18 The Interrupters & SWMRS. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.
FIGHT WEEKEND PUFF DADDY PRESENTED BY
SAT, AUG 26
SUN, AUG 27
MEEK MILL SUN, AUG 27
REHAB@HRHVEGAS.COM | 702.693.5505 | HARDROCKHOTEL.COM | REHABLV.COM
/REHABLV #REHABLV
55 las vegas weekly 08.24.17
Losing A legend It’s tough to imagine Las Vegas without Jerry Lewis, who died on August 20 at age 91. The comedian’s performing legacy here stretched back even before the Rat Pack arrived, a career that saw him host his Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon here for more than 20 years. In 2012, when the Weekly counted down Las Vegas’ all-time greatest headliners, Lewis ranked 14th—and a good case could be made that was too low. Visit lasvegassun.com to read Ed Koch’s remembrance. (AP Photo)
Arts & entertainment Habit-forming Juice Bars
The Weekly 5
1. Simply Pure
2. Greens & Proteins
3. Violette’s Vegan
4. House of Alchemy
5. Fruits & Roots
Chef Stacey Dougan’s tiny Container Park café serves up big flavors in its vegan indulgences and fresh juices. Try Liquid Courage—kale, celery, romaine and cucumber. 702-810-5641.
This Vegas health-food chain caters to athletes, dieters and folks who just like delicious snacks. The juices retain the pulp and are blended with ice—like a super-healthy Slurpee. Greensandproteins.com.
Poker champ Cyndy Violette’s café offers juices and meals. The Hangover (fruit, ginger, coconut water and cayenne) will cure what ails you. 8560 W. Desert Inn Road #D5, 702-685-0466.
Go for the organic coldpressed juices, tonics and elixir, stay for the insta-zen vibe: a garden wall and a neon sign that reads “breathe.” 4245 S. Grand Canyon Drive, #103, 702-659-0961.
Daily deliveries of organic produce become raw and unpasteurized juices. Try a guided cleanse or enjoy a seasonal juice, like Vitality Beet. 7885 W. Sunset Road, 702-202-0922. –C. Moon Reed
56 LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
HALF-BAKED HERO THE TICK RETURNS WITH DISAPPOINTING NEW ADVENTURES BY JOSH BELL
B
en Edlund’s goofy superhero creation The Tick has had a surprisingly longlasting impact for a character created as a mascot for a store newsletter. The big blue doofus went on to star in his own comic books and entered mainstream pop culture via a 1994 animated series on Fox. Although the 2001 live-action version of The Tick didn’t even last a full season on Fox, it only added to the character’s cult following, which is still big enough to warrant a new revival on Amazon. Edlund, remarkably, has remained the primary creative force behind every incarnation of The Tick since 1986, and he’s back as creator and executive producer of the new show. Maybe because Edlund has spent so long with the same character, or maybe because The Tick’s malapropisms and endearing naïveté are a bit out of place in the world of prestige TV, Amazon’s The Tick takes a darker, more serious approach to the character’s adventures, while retaining some of the silliness of a hulking, exuberant manchild in a bright blue costume. While the hero himself (played by Peter Serafinowicz, not quite as charming as previous star Patrick Warburton) has a commanding presence whenever he’s onscreen, the show’s real main character is The Tick’s mild-mannered reluctant sidekick Arthur (Griffin Newman), a nervous accountant who’s been reimagined here as a victim of PTSD (early episodes even hint that The Tick might be a product of Arthur’s imagination). Arthur’s trauma ties into the series’ main villain, The Terror (Jackie Earle Haley), but it’s at odds with the often lighthearted, joke-filled dialogue (although The Tick seems to have abandoned his longtime catch phrase, “Spoon!”). The serialized story doesn’t allow much room for the fun detours and amusing side characters of the previous Tick series, although Yara Martinez makes the most of her role as the static electricity-powered villain Miss Lint. Even the show’s look is toned down, in line with the grittier style of modern premium TV fare. Neither a hilarious parody nor an engrossing superhero story, this version of The Tick ends up in a dissatisfying middle ground.
AABCC THE TICK
Season 1 available August 25 on Amazon.
Peter Serafinowicz’s Tick protects his fellow citizens. (Amazon Video/Courtesy)
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Pattinson’s Connie faces his poor life choices in Good Time. (A24/Courtesy)
city life Gook shows a different side of the LA riots
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Crime doesn’t pay
Robert Pattinson plays a misguided lowlife in Good Time
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Toward the end of Good Time, low-level dirtbags (many played by non-actors). criminal Connie Nikas (Robert There’s a fine line between depicting the lives Pattinson) gives a bitter speech of unpleasant people and making an unpleasant AABCC to a fellow degenerate about how the movie, and the Safdies don’t seem to have much GOOD TIME Robert Pattinson, other man has wasted his life by taking concern for it. Connie begins the movie by Benny Safdie, from others and not making anything of springing his mentally challenged brother Nick Taliah Webster. himself. The irony is that Connie is the (Benny Safdie) from an institution and enlisting Directed by Josh and Benny real parasite, spending the entire movie him as an accomplice in a bank robbery, just the Safdie. Rated R. destroying the lives of nearly everyone first in a series of terrible decisions that Connie Opens Friday in he comes in contact with (including, makes over the course of a day or so. Watching select theaters. eventually, the man to whom he gives him for 100 minutes (often in dizzying, that speech). The latest from filmmaker uncomfortable close-ups) gets to be tedious and brothers Josh and Benny Safdie, Good grating, and the movie’s chaotic plot is more Time is as tense and deliberately abrasive as their messy and unfocused than excitingly unpredictable. previous narrative films (including 2015’s acclaimed Eventually, Connie gets what’s coming to him, but not heroin-addict drama Heaven Knows What), with before alienating everyone around him, including the Pattinson immersing himself in their world of NYC audience. –Josh Bell
Set on the first day of the 1992 LA riots, writer-director Justin Chon’s Gook is surprisingly upbeat and funny for a movie about such a dark time. Although it eventually takes a very serious (and disappointingly manipulative) turn toward the end, Chon’s film is more celebratory than melancholy, emphasizing the connections rather than the divides among the city’s sometimes clashing ethnic groups. Chon stars as Eli, a first-generation Korean-American who manages his family’s rundown shoe store in the LA suburb of Paramount (which borders Compton). While Eli’s brother Daniel (David So) dreams of becoming a singer, Eli is determined to carry on their late father’s legacy. That legacy is threatened by the riots, which remain in the background for most of the movie, as Eli and Daniel carry on their daily business. Shooting in black and white, Chon seems influenced by the indie movies released around the time period of his story, most notably Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and, refreshingly, Kevin Smith’s Clerks. Rather than making big political statements, Chon builds a personal relationship between Eli and Kamilla (newcomer Simone Baker), a young black girl from the neighborhood who hangs around the store, to ground the larger conflict in something small-scale and relatable. Revelations about that relationship eventually take the movie into its contrived, disingenuous finale, but until then, it’s a heartfelt passion project that marks Chon as a filmmaker to watch. –Josh Bell
aaabc gook Justin Chon, Simone Baker, David So. Directed by Justin Chon. Not rated. Opens Friday at Village Square.
“
ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR”
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WEEKLY | 08.24.17
–Joey Nolfi, ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
“
spellbinding .
A HYPNOTICALLY BEAUTIFUL FILM!” –Peter Travers, ROLLI NG STON E
“
BURNS WITH A YOUNG ARTIST ’ S RAW INTENSITY” –Jason Bailey, FLAVORWI R E
A JUSTIN CHON FILM WINNER
Hashtag stalker
AUDIENCE AWARD
Ingrid Goes West explores social media’s dark side By Josh Bell hen the title character of Ingrid Goes West move to Venice Beach and insert herself into Taylor’s first appears onscreen, she’s frantically liking life, and soon the two are “best friends,” even though Instagram posts of a picture-perfect wedding both are pathologically phony in their own ways. Spicer that’s still in progress. But she’s neither an and co-writer David Branson Smith score some laughs attendee nor a distant observer—the camera by poking fun at the modern fixation on social aaabc pulls back to reveal that she’s sitting in her car media (with clever juxtapositions of online Ingrid right outside the wedding reception, which she posts against the actual onscreen action), but goes west then crashes in order to mace the bride in the the movie isn’t just about taking easy potshots Aubrey Plaza, face. It’s not easy to build sympathy after an at entitled millennials. Elizabeth Olsen, introduction like that, but director/co-writer Plaza gives Ingrid a haunted quality that O’Shea Jackson Jr. Directed by Matt Spicer and star Aubrey Plaza manage to makes good use of the actress’ naturally Matt Spicer. make the damaged, often unhinged Ingrid into sardonic demeanor, and the movie explores Rated R. Opens a sympathetic and frequently funny character, themes of grief, loneliness and mania that Friday in select theaters. even as she continues to metaphorically mace transcend whatever current technology is the people around her in the face. enabling them. The plot eventually descends The opening incident lands Ingrid in into blackmail, kidnapping and potential court-ordered rehab, but once she’s out she gets right suicide, and Spicer has trouble wrapping things up back to her social-media obsession, setting her sights convincingly. But his stars (including O’Shea Jackson Jr. on Instagram star Taylor Sloane (Elizabeth Olsen), a as Ingrid’s Batman-superfan neighbor) are charming, beach-dwelling California girl with a seemingly perfect even in their characters’ darkest moments, just like a life. Ingrid uses an inheritance from her late mother to well-curated Instagram account should be.
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SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS PRESENTS A JUSTIN CHON FILM ‘GOOK’ STARRING SIMONE BAKER JUSTIN CHON DAVID SO CURTISS COOK, JR. ORIGINAL MUSIC BY ROGER SUEN EDITED BY ROOTH TANG AND REYNOLDS BARNEY COSTUME BY EUNICE JERA LEE PRODUCTION DESIGNERS SHARON ROGGIO JENA SERBU DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY ANTE CHENG EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS JUSTIN CHON JAMES J. YI DATARI TURNER ALAN PAO PRODUCED BY JAMES J. YI ALEX CHI WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY JUSTIN CHON © 2017 BIRTHDAY SOUP FILMS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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Rancid just dropped ninth album Trouble Maker. (Courtesy)
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
RANCID & DROPKICK MURPHYS with The Selector, Kevin Seconds. August 25, 7 p.m., $32. Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, 800-745-3000.
PUNK MECCA BY IAN CARAMANZANA RANCID The two co-headliners on the bill are punk stalwarts that have essentially become synonymous with their cities over the years. Hailing from the infamous East Bay punk scene, Rancid—along with neighboring Green Day—is credited with helping bring punk to the mainstream. Songs like “Roots Radicals” and “Time Bomb” from the band’s third album, …And Out Come the Wolves, are catchy, melodic four-chord anthems that made punk’s gritty, anti-authoritarian message palatable to a wide audience. And they’re still at it: Rancid’s ninth album, Trouble Maker (released in June), marks a return to form, with the songwriting duo of Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen taking on the political climate over brash instrumentation—a nod to the band’s original formula. Don’t pass on the chance to see bona fide punk legends. DROPKICK MURPHYS You’d be remiss to dive into Boston’s rich punk rock history without mentioning Dropkick Murphys. Taking cues from the city’s ripe Irish heritage, the sextet incorporates
FOUR REASONS TO CHECK OUT THE FROM BOSTON TO BERKELEY TOUR
Celtic instrumentation and motifs to form a unique take on a genre. And while that might turn some off, the formula has been a hit: the Murphys have embarked on countless national and world tours across their 21-year career—giving thousands strong doses of banjo-twanging, bagpipe-blowing glory. Songs like the platinum-selling “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and “The State of Massachusetts” are love letters to the band’s hometown, told through bagpipe arpeggios and distorted guitars. The band’s recently released ninth effort, 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory, sees it expanding its sound—diving into singer-songwriter territory on songs like the Springsteen-esque “Until the Next Time” and “Kicked to the Curb.” The band has been around for two decades, so expect a career-spanning setlist. THE SELECTER As one of the premier two-tone ska bands, The Selecter helped usher in a new sound that mixed Jamaican music’s beloved upbeats with punk rock’s fury and anti-authoritarian message. The band’s seminal debut, 1980’s Too Much Pressure, is an acclaimed, commercially successful al-
bum that exemplified the intensity of the subgenre with songs like the rambunctious title track and the speedy “Three Minute Hero.” What separated The Selecter from its contemporaries: the woman on vocals. Pauline Black’s gruff vocals and sporadic yelps introduced a new element to ska. Including The Selecter as support makes this a well-rounded punk lineup. Just bring your dancing shoes. KEVIN SECONDS Kevin Seconds is a punk legend, full stop. He founded Reno’s highly influential punk band 7 Seconds (the first band to refer to itself as “hardcore” according to punk lore), and has also paraded on a fruitful solo career. Seconds’ folk-punk anthems have lent themselves to collaborations with punk A-listers like Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba and Gunmoll’s Mike Hale. As a solo artist, Seconds has released seven albums of catchy folk-punk perfect for sing-alongs. Take a listen to “Extra Something” and “1981” from his split with Skiba for prime examples of his infectious confections. In true punk fashion, Seconds has performed in support slots for greats like Bad Brains and Bouncing Souls.
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NOISE
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VEGAS’ MOST VEGAS JOB. NOW HIRING DANCING DEALERS AND BARTENDERS
Howe’s Yes (left) and ARW’s Yes are criss-crossing on tour. (Photo Illustration)
Say yes to the yes But which version of the prog-rock band should you choose? By Spencer Patterson
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Yes, it’s true—prog-rock giant Yes is playing the Hard Rock Hotel and the Smith Center within a six-day span … and it’s far more complicated than that sounds. Two entirely different bands calling themselves Yes are coming to town, and both have a solid claim to the name. Some background: In 2008, Yes—known best for ’70s albums like Fragile and Close to the Edge and ’80s hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart”—began touring and recording minus original vocalist Jon Anderson, recovering from acute respiratory failure at the time. Led by longtime guitarist Steve Howe, that version of Yes is the one headlining the Yestival tour stop hitting the Joint on August 26. Beginning last year, Anderson began touring with former Yes bandmates Rick Wakeman (keyboards) and Trevor Rabin (guitar and vocals) as Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman. Then this past April, two days after Yes’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—an event that saw members of both camps perform together briefly—the trio announced it would begin playing as Yes featuring Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin & Rick Wakeman. That’s the Yes playing Reynolds Hall on August 31. So the real question is, if you can only see one Yes this week, which should it be? Here’s the case for each:
Yes No. 1 (Steve Howe version). This Yes has recent history on its side, having played consistently for almost a decade, the past five years with ex-Glass Hammer singer Jon Davison on the mic. The group, which also includes longtime drummer Alan White, keyboardist Geoff Downes and bassist Billy Sherwood, released latest album Heaven & Earth in 2014, but its shows mostly consist of classic material. The current tour features an especially interesting setlist—touching on every album from 1969’s Yes through 1980’s Drama, but we’ll still give our vote to … Yes No. 2 (Anderson/Wakeman/Rabin version). Yes just doesn’t seem real without Jon Anderson. Davison might be 26 years younger, but Anderson was the voice and face of the group through its best years and most enduring songs, and he still sounds quite good today, if last year’s Anderson, Rabin & Wakeman performance at the Pearl was any indication. When that group delivered primo oldies like “And You and I” and “Awaken,” it felt exactly like Yes, whatever it’s actually called at this point.
YES with Todd Rundgren, Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy. August 26, 7 p.m., $45-$175, the Joint. YES ft. Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin & Rick Wakeman. August 31, 7:30 p.m. $39-$114, Smith Center.
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Inhumanly intense Swans drummer Phil Puleo keeps a close eye on leader Michael Gira. (Yasmina Chavez/Staff)
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WEEKLY | 08.24.17
LASVEGAS WEEKLY.COM Head online for photo galleries from Psycho weekend
PATH TO TOTALITY BY SPENCER PATTERSON he moon blacked out the sun on Monday, but a deeper form of darkness descended upon Las Vegas some 48 hours earlier, as Virginia doom-metal band Cough chanted about “ritual suicide” indoors on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Welcome to Psycho Las Vegas. For the second August weekend in as many years, the festival took devoted fans of metal, psychedelia and other heavy music on a consistently interesting trip inside the Hard Rock Hotel. As in 2016, Psycho fell short of selling out tickets but drew a sizable crowd—and overwhelmingly succeeded as a destination event, logistically and sonically speaking. This year’s Psycho played a bit like two festivals, one tucked carefully inside the other. Metal remains the main attraction—Virginia doom pioneer Pentagram headlined Thursday’s VIP pool party; stoner mainstay Sleep delivered an expectedly monster set on Friday; falsetto-voiced Danish veteran King Diamond re-created 1987 concept-album Abigail (complete with haunted-house staging) on Saturday; and Southern prog-metal favorites Mastodon closed out the long weekend on Sunday—and most of the crowd turned out for that, judging from turnout and the abundance of Motörhead patches. But Psycho creator Evan Hagen’s tastes clearly
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THE HEAVY PSYCHO LAS VEGAS FESTIVAL MAKES YEAR TWO JUST AS MEMORABLE
run in diverse directions, and he programmed the fest for others with wandering spirits. On Friday alone: Sludge champs the Melvins fuzzed-out The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” amid their noisy assault; French prog-rock outfit Magma wowed with an arty performance bordering on musical theater; Ethio-jazz legend Mulatu Astatke got the room grooving (even if the sound crew mixed the bandleader too low in the mix); and psych-rock warriors The Brian Jonestown Massacre droned indefatigably past 3 a.m. Psycho’s exploratory vision peaked with a twohour Swans concert Sunday night. Avant-garde icon Michael Gira steered his five bandmates through a series of long compositions—quite literally, the 63-year-old conducted them with his body as he played guitar and sang in his moaning baritone. Gira modulated dynamics so deliberately, at points it felt as if he were lobbing balls of sound onto the audience. It was less rock show than classical concerto, with electric guitars in place of strings. Oakland quintet Neurosis also produced a massive performance. Standing near the metal/experimental nexus at the heart of Psycho, the band fuses traditional metal sounds with less conventional song structures—and put those weapons to powerful use during a Saturday-night set that never let up.
The festival once again produced some cool discoveries, mostly inside intimate Vinyl. Ohio’s Mouth of the Architect dusted electronic weirdness onto its metal foundation on Friday; Brazilian trio Saturndust jammed out on tribal psych late Saturday; and Kansas City act Merlin—whose frontman wore a cape and sunglasses—left an endearingly semi-pro impression on Sunday. The host property remained a strength for Psycho, providing—along with its three venues—hotel rooms for much of the crowd, an array of solid dining options (Pizza Forte, Pink Taco, Culinary Dropout) and restrooms that put any festival equivalent to shame. On the downside: beefed-up security, which seemed overly concerned with would-be moshers, and the disappearance of free water inside the Joint on day two, with bartenders offering $8 bottles instead. The fest was again bolstered by excellent sound, its stage lighting was vastly improved and, though it hardly seemed possible after 2016, the merch area’s stockpile of T-shirts felt even more massive, with the room serving as de-facto festival HQ. Last year, Psycho established itself as a winner, standing out in a market cluttered with festival options. Last weekend, it proved it was no oneyear wonder, laying the groundwork for another successfully heavy edition in 2018.
63 FINE ART
WEEKLY | 08.24.17
SYMBOLS IN SIENNA
“Azimuth,” part of KD Matheson’s latest exhibit. (Courtesy)
KD MATHESON’S MASKS, SCULPTURES, PAINTINGS BELONGS TO ITS OWN WORLD looks at first like a canopic jar—an urn used by ancient Egyptians in the mummification process. Instead of an trange spirits are stirring in KD Matheson’s Egyptian deity topping the lid, Matheson substituted Masks, Sculptures, Paintings at Sahara West a bird’s head with a tribal, rather than pharoanic, feel. Library through August 27. Featuring 37 sculpThe sienna surface of the piece, with etched geometritures and large-format paintings, the exhibition cal feathers, links to pre-Columbian sculpture, while is an encyclopedia of symbols—some recognizthe bird’s crown—a bony, cylindrical projection—reable, some disturbing, some comic and poignant by calls unique headwear worn by dancing dervishes. The turns. Matheson’s strength as an artist partly resides in bird’s enigmatic expression mirrors other beings in his ability to glide from one set of symbolic references Matheson’s stable, while its texture, palette to the next—from Aztec, say, to Medieval AAAAC and headgear connect to various works, Christian, or from the dreamy terrain of KD MATHESON: including the impressive “Azimuth” (2003), a surrealism to the natural world. The result MASKS, 10-by-9-foot painting-on-paper resembling the is quirky, disarming work that seems to innards of a starship engine. In “Azimuth,” the belong to the jungles of Borneo on one hand SCULPTURES, feather texture covers machine parts, while the and the sci-fi frontier on the other. PAINTINGS Through August 27; bird’s crown relates to piping. Restraint is key. To control the profusion Monday-Thursday, 10 “Malabar,” one of the few chromatic works of symbolic forms, Matheson often limits a.m.-8 p.m.; Fridayin the exhibition, is another standout. Its his palette to black, white and sienna. Sunday, 10 a.m.6 p.m.; free. The weird, bulbous parts recall the photographs of His mark-making, too, is largely confined Studio at Sahara mainline Surrealist Hans Bellmer, while the to heavy contours and strong, patterned West Library, 9600 deformation of the human body alludes to Britsurfaces. Even more importantly, the W. Sahara Ave., 702-507-3630. ish giant Francis Bacon. In the switch to color, symbolic forms and shapes multiplying Matheson maintains flatness of the planes, before the viewer’s eyes are actually variareducing the background to hieroglyphic symtions on a small vocabulary of geometrical bols or calligraphic marks. Fiery, bright forms domishapes. These stylistic choices, among others, prevent nate the composition, as if Malabar’s inner shamanic most of Matheson’s symbol-laden works from having a force were itself portrayed. shopworn feel, instead propelling them into fresh, ExMasks, Sculptures, Paintings is both powerful and pressionist terrain. Revitalized symbols, whether from accomplished. As a mini-retrospective surveying 20 pagan or established religions, lend an edgy, intriguing years of work, it convincingly speaks to the mastery of air to Matheson’s content. Matheson’s signature style. Run, don’t walk, to see it. Take, for example, the ceramic “Corvus” (2015). It
BY DAWN-MICHELLE BAUDE
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64 LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
PERFECT PAIRING THE KITCHEN MAKES DOWNTOWN’S ATOMIC EXPERIENCE EVEN BETTER BY JIM BEGLEY estled next to the Downtown icon Atomic Liquors, the Kitchen nicely complements the bar with which it shares an outdoor space. Food on nights spent at Atomic was previously limited to delivery or an occasional food truck; now revelers can simply walk to the adjacent building, with its comfortable, modern industrial design, and bask in executive chef Josh Horton’s take on comfort food. But Horton isn’t serving any old bar food. The former Cili at Bali Hai executive sous has high-end chops. Chicken wings ($8) arrive atop a devastatingly good pepperoni pizza waffle with blue cheese mousse in Horton’s obscene homage to chicken and waffles. In a dish obviously owing its genesis to latenight drinking, house-made shrimp mozzarella sticks ($12) nestle a whole shrimp inside the crisp cheese. Dr. Frankenstein would weep tears of joy. I’ve previously espoused the virtues of the Fat Man Fries ($8), essentially a mound of regular and waffle fries laden with chili dog components and doused tableside with a molten adobo cheese from a cast-iron skillet. Order them. The Atomic Rollers ($9) are a trio of miniature hot dogs from differing locales. As a Chicagoan, I’m a purist, so anything purporting to be a Chicago dog without all the appropriate accoutrements (“dragged through the garden”) falls short. But the others— a traditional Michigan Coney and the potato chip, pineapple salsa and quail egg-adorned Columbian—are a treat. I’d be remiss to comment on the Kitchen without mentioning the outstandingly eclectic, albeit limited beer selection. Not wanting to outshine her older sister, the venue carries only 10 drafts and a concise bottle list. But beer aficionado and proprietor Rose Signor has offered some interesting pours recently, including To Øl’s coffee-laden Black Malts & Body Salts imperial black IPA, Avery’s peanut-forward Nuttiest Professor and Evil Twin’s awesomely named Pleasure to Meet You, I’m a Big Fan of Your Beers IPA. Frankly, the Kitchen is worth visiting for the beers alone. But why punish yourself like that?
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THE KITCHEN AT ATOMIC 927 Fremont St., 702-534-3223. ThursdaySaturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday & Wednesday, 4 p.m.-midnight. The Kitchen has a bar, but this ain’t ordinary bar food. (Jon Estrada/Special to Weekly)
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FOOD & DRINK
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 08.24.17
DINING NEWS & NOTES: LOCAL RESTAURANTS ARE EXPANDING ALL OVER
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Crunch up your sushi burger at Jjanga with panko breadcrumbs. (Mikayla Whitmore/Staff)
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE JJANGA’S NEW “BURGERS” EMBRACE THE SUSHI-SHAPING TREND
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At some point we have to come together Now, Jjanga Steak & Sushi, a southwest Japanese as a community and decide just how much restaurant that already boasts a gigantic menu longer we’re going to let goofy food including all-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi trends run. First, it was sushi burritos. Fastspecials, brings us the sushi burger ($9), JJANGA casual restaurants popped up all over the with a bun molded out of sushi rice and STEAK place serving giant-sized uncut maki rolls fillings including spicy tuna and crab with & SUSHI and calling them burritos. Although some seaweed salad, eel with avocado or cucum6125 S. Fort Apache of these monstrous creations offered unique ber, or a cooked option of Korean-style Road, 702ingredients—and it should be noted, pretty bulgogi beef slathered in yum-yum and eel 914-8821. much every sushi burrito we tried was tasty— sauces. You can upgrade your sushi burger MondaySaturday, we should all be able to admit we got tricked by requesting a panko breadcrumb crust on 11:30 a.m.into eating something we were told was new your rice bun, which adds a nice extra layer 2 a.m.; and special. of texture to these oversized bites. Sunday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. In July, sushi burrito favorite JaburriSushi burritos, cupcakes and burgers tos introduced sushi cupcakes, creating a could very well disappear as quickly as they resounding WTF. But before you freak out, arrived, flash-in-the-pan food gimmicks. please understand there’s no cake involved— Or maybe not. Maybe we love sushi so much the “cupcakes” are built with rice and fish in a baked we’re willing to put up with the silliness, even if only wonton shell. for the sake of our Instagram feeds.–Brock Radke
Two popular Downtown restaurants are opening additional stores around the Valley while a Chinatown favorite is expanding overseas. Carson Street’s plant-based VegeNation is planning to open its second restaurant this month at 10075 S. Eastern Avenue in Henderson, and Makers & Finders Coffee will launch a new location this fall at Downtown Summerlin. Meanwhile, Vietnamese eatery District One recently announced it will open a restaurant soon in Taipei, Taiwan. The Epicurean Charitable Foundation’s annual M.E.N.U.S. gala event—set for the Hard Rock Hotel pool on October 13—will feature visionary chef Hubert Keller as the honoree this year. For tickets and more information, visit ecflv.org. The Love & Vine tasting event returns to the Palazzo on October 6, and this year the Master Chefs of France will prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes paired with vegan, organic, biodynamic, sustainable or local wine, beer and spirits. The poolside affair starts at 7 p.m. at the Aquatic Club and tickets ($93) are available at venetian.com. We’re big fans of the Lucky Dragon’s Pearl Ocean, but the quickserve Bao Now deserves some attention, too, especially considering it just expanded its menu to include Filipino favorites including pork adobo ($12) and chicken pancit ($11). We’re also enthusiastic advocates of the weekend brunch at Chica inside the Venetian, which is no longer limited to the weekend. Chica is now open for breakfast Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., serving that stellar brunch menu in its entirety. –Brock Radke
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