SIP, SAVOR & CELEBRATE
MONDAY - FRIDAY • 5PM-7PM
SAMPLING MENU & COCKTAILS FROM
SUNDAY - THURSDAY • 5PM-7PM
DRINKS & SHARABLE PLATES
$5
FROM
IN OUR RESTAURANTS OR ON THE PATIO
$8
AT ALL LISTED GREEN VALLEY RANCH RESTAURANTS
VISIT SCLV.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
ENTERTAINMENT SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER
RICHARD CHEESE & LOUNGE AGAINST THE MACHINE RED ROCK ★ SEPTEMBER 22
FREDDIE JACKSON TEXAS ★ SEPTEMBER 29
THE AMAZING JOHNATHAN RED ROCK ★ OCTOBER 6 & 7
REEL BIG FISH BOULDER ★ OCTOBER 6
QUEENSRŸCHE & SKID ROW SUNSET ★ OCTOBER 7
DELTA RAE RED ROCK ★ OCTOBER 16
ON SALE SEPT. 22
AL DI MEOLA ELEGANT GYPSY 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR SUNSET ★ SEPTEMBER 23
BILLY GARDELL GREEN VALLEY ★ OCTOBER 21
BOBBY CALDWELL SUNSET ★ OCTOBER 21
CHRISTMAS WITH THE CELTS BOULDER ★ DECEMBER 22
MEGADEATH PALMS ★ OCTOBER 6
EVANESCENCE PALMS ★ OCTOBER 14
TEGAN AND SARA PALMS ★ OCTOBER 21
STEEPWATER BAND BOULDER ★ OCTOBER 19
SELWYN BIRCHWOOD BOULDER ★ NOVEMBER 2
ROY ROGERS BOULDER ★ NOVEMBER 16
PURCHASE STATION CASINO TICKETS AT STATIONCASINOSLIVE.COM Tickets can be purchased at any Station Casino Boarding Pass Rewards Center, the Fiestas, by logging on to SCLV.com/concerts or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Digital photography/video is strictly prohibited at all venues. Management reserves all rights. © 2017 STATION CASINOS, LLC.
✁
Group Publisher GORDON PROUTY (gordon.prouty@gmgvegas.com) Publisher MARK DE POOTER (mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com)
EDITORIAL Editor SPENCER PATTERSON (spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com) Associate Editor MIKE PREVATT (mike.prevatt@gmgvegas.com) Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Editor at Large BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writer C. MOON REED (cindi.reed@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writer LESLIE VENTURA (leslie.ventura@gmgvegas.com) Film Editor JOSH BELL Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, CASE KEEFER, KEN MILLER, ERIN RYAN Contributing Writers DAWN-MICHELLE BAUDE, JIM BEGLEY, IAN CARAMANZANA, MIKE D’ANGELO, SARAH FELDBERG, SMITH GALTNEY, JASON HARRIS, MOLLY O’DONNELL, JASON SCAVONE, CHUCK TWARDY, ANDY WANG, ANNIE ZALESKI Library Services Specialist/Permissions REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ Office Coordinator NADINE GUY
CREATIVE Associate Creative Director LIZ BROWN (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) Designers CORLENE BYRD, IAN RACOMA Photographers L.E. BASKOW, CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS, STEVE MARCUS, MIKAYLA WHITMORE Photo Coordinator YASMINA CHAVEZ
DIGITAL Associate Publisher for Interactive KATIE HORTON Digital Marketing Manager JACKIE APOYAN Web Content Specialist CLAYT KEEFER
ADVERTISING Group Director of Sales Operations STEPHANIE REVIEA Publication Coordinator DENISE ARANCIBIA External Content Manager EMMA CAUTHORN Market Research Manager CHAD HARWOOD Account Managers KATIE HARRISON, DAWN MANGUM, SUE SRAN Senior Advertising Manager JEFF JACOBS Advertising Managers KELLY DECKER, BRIANNA ECK, RICHARD JOHNSON, MITCH KEENAN, ALEX TEEL Business Development Specialist SANDRA SEGREST DEVELOP ED
AND
ADMI NIST ERED
BY
DR . CRAIG
WEI NGROW
PRODUCTION Vice President of Manufacturing MARIA BLONDEAUX Production Director PAUL HUNTSBERRY Production Manager BLUE UYEDA Art Director of Advertising & Marketing SEAN RADEMACHER Production Artists MARISSA MAHERAS, DARA RICCI Traffic Supervisor ESTEE WRIGHT Graphic Designers MICHELE HAMRICK, DANY HANIFF Traffic Coordinators MEAGAN HODSON, KIM SMITH
CIRCULATION Director of Circulation RON GANNON Route Manager RANDY CARLSON
Average Weight Loss of 15-20 lbs Per Month! • Phentermine and Topamax • B12 and Thyroid Enhancing medications
MARKETING & PROMOTIONS Director of Events KRISTIN WILSON Events Manager ALYSSA CRAME
GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, Publisher & Editor BRIAN GREENSPUN Chief Operating Officer ROBERT CAUTHORN Editorial Page Editor RIC ANDERSON Creative Director ERIK STEIN
ON THE COVER Karaoke duo Kevin Anderson & Robby Cunningham Photo by Christopher DeVargas Photo Ilustration by Ian Racoma
*Approximate price based on office consultation plus cost of medications
www.CraigWeingrowMD.com 702.570.6611
CRAIG WEINGROW, M.D. 7200 Smoke Ranch Rd. #120 Family Physician
Las Vegas, Nevada 89128
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 2275 Corporate Circle Suite 300 Henderson, NV 89074 (702) 990-2550 www.lasvegasweekly.com www.facebook.com/lasvegasweekly www.twitter.com/lasvegasweekly
All content is copyright Las Vegas Weekly LLC. Las Vegas Weekly is published Thursdays and distributed throughout Southern Nevada. Readers are permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies are $2, available back issues $3. ADVERTISING DEADLINE EVERY THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.
ON SALE 9. 22
ON SALE 9. 22
Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive House of Blues experience >
06 las vegas weekly 09.21.17
(Courtesy CBS Interactive)
Trust Us everything you absolutely, positively must get out and do this week
22
23
Thru September 24
Scoopfest Vegas AT THE SPACE Attention comedy nerds: Here’s your chance to watch (and mingle with) this gen’s up-and-comers. Back and bigger for its second year, Scoopfest delivers live comedy podcasts by day and entertainment by night, like musical sketch group The Apple Sisters. Local comics and event organizers Matt Donnelly and Paul Mattingly (of Matt and Mattingly’s Ice Cream Social podcast) will host. Other podcasters include magician Penn Jillette, Love + Radio’s Nick Van Der Kolk and the guys from Player One Podcast. The weekend starts with an official meet and greet and a variety show featuring Strip entertainers. “We’re building the best entertainment we can,” Donnelly says, “but also leaving room for people to hang out and meet each other.” $196, heyscoops.com. –C. Moon Reed
SATURDAY, 6 P.M.
Saul Williams AT Pearson Community Center The acclaimed poet, rapper and actor has spent two decades working in the arts, including starring in 2014 Broadway musical Holler If Ya Hear Me, based on the life of Tupac Shakur. The Poets of National Stature Reading Series present an evening with the poet, preceded by an afternoon workshop at 3 p.m. at Left of Center Art Gallery. Both events free. –Leslie Ventura
23
25
Monday, 7 p.m.
Dave Hickey ART LECTURE AT BARRICK MUSEUM OF ART The razor-tongued author and critic has been tearing up the art world for as long as we can remember. Hickey, a certified MacArthur “genius” and former UNLV prof, returns to discuss his favorite subject: art. (On October 2, he’ll give a second lecture about writing.) $5. –C. Moon Reed
SATURDAY, 8 P.M.
LORDS OF ACID AT BEAUTY BAR “Pop That Tooshie.” “The Wet Dream.” “I Must Increase My Bust.” The oeuvre of Lords of Acid hints at Judy Blume innuendo but largely indulges in Adult Superstore hardcore. But the Belgian/American techno-sexual act is also renowned for its seamless merging acid house, industrial and breakbeat, and for helping diversify the soundtrack of European rave culture. The outfit’s first American tour in six years will feature the front-to-back performance of 1994’s Voodoo U, which means Fremont East will be alive with the sounds of … “Dirty Willy” and “The Crablouse.” With Combichrist, Night Club, Skumlove, $20-$25. –Mike Prevatt
07 las vegas weekly
3
09.21.17
r easons to attend Life Is Sh*t Festival
+
24 Sunday, 6 p.m.
Star Trek: Discovery viewing party at the Sci Fi Center Twelve years. That’s how long it’s been since the Star Trek franchise has been on television. In that time, we’ve seen three “reboot” Trek films, the unfortunate closing of Star Trek: The Experience … and maybe, just maybe, some of you finally experienced pon farr. (Mazel tov.) But the great drought ends with the arrival of Star Trek: Discovery, a new Trek series created by Alex Kurtzman (co-writer of two of the Trek reboot films) and Bryan Fuller (creator of several acclaimed shows, including Hannibal and American Gods.) There’s no telling if it will be good or not; some of us are still trying to decide if Enterprise was worth the effort. Thanks to the Sci Fi Center’s viewing party, however, we can start having those blood-fevered arguments in real time. Cue the “Amok Time” fight music! I burn, T’pau! Free, 5077 Arville St. –Geoff Carter
The annual counter-culture gathering returns for its fifth year this weekend. In case you need extra motivation to attend … Hamell on Trial. Bad Moon Booking tapped the American folk-punk artist to headline this year’s event, and it’s a fitting choice. Known for touring with Ani Difranco in the ’90s, Ed Hamell blends music and comedy to address controversial political themes. Given the current state of things, he’ll have plenty of content from which to dig. Dude City. The Boulder City band, fronted by Vegas ex-pat and current Nashville singersongwriter Jack Evan Johnson, regroups to perform. The punkrock group has been working on new material, including just-released single “Nuclear Fusion.” Death Hymn Number 9. Last year’s SadGirl set by was so wellreceived at Life Is Sh*t, Vegas has since become a regular tour stop for that band. From this year’s lineup, we hope LA outfit Death Hymn Number 9 follows a similar path. The group combines its “collective rage and wild abandonment issues” into abrasively loud, thrashy surf and punk rock—the perfect soundtrack for all your beer-soaked dreams. September 23, 4 p.m., donations accepted. Dive Bar, 702-586-3483. –Leslie Ventura
08 las vegas weekly 09.21.17
Weathering THE STORM
the inter
where
i d e a s
Prized Thai restaurant Lotus of Siam vows to reopen in its longtime location By Spencer Patterson
O
ne of Las Vegas’ most beloved restaurants closed its doors without warning last week, and it could be months before Lotus of Siam reopens for business. The world-renowned Thai eatery, set to celebrate its 19th anniversary in November, suffered significant damage when portions of its roof collapsed during a heavy rain on September 8. In the days since, manager Penny Chutima— whose mother, Saipin, is Lotus’ chef—has made some pointed public statements about landlord Mark Kaufman. “We’d notified him about the [condition of] the roof before. We called him and let him know in writing, per our lease. We even told him we’d pay for half of it, but he said he’d do it,” Penny Chutima told the Weekly. “If it had been [fixed], I don’t think this would have happened.” If it sounds like a separation might be in the offing, think again. Chutima says she and her mother have no intention of leaving their longtime home inside the Commercial Center on east Sahara, even as other storefronts go dark throughout the historic plaza. “Chef has an attachment to it, and she doesn’t let go of things,” Penny Chutima says. “I literally grew up in this plaza, when Cue Club was three stores wide, when Mary K’s [arcade] was here. This used to be the place to hang out. … It’s sad to see how it’s come to what it is, with everyone leaving because it’s getting old. You don’t leave your grandparents because they’re getting old.” The Chutimas hope to return to the space by year’s end. In the meantime, Penny has been hunting for temporary digs—“something turnkey, where we can do pop-ups”—and trying to keep her mother’s spirits up. “It’s really tough for Chef. This is the longest we’ve ever been closed,” she says. “In the first couple of days, Chef was trying to keep a positive mind-set. When she realized how bad the damage was—I’d say 75 percent of the restaurant was damaged; it got into the walls, into our inventory, everything—I think reality finally hit her.”
The Week in Sex: QR Code tattoos and brothel co-ops Gimmick? Technological innovation? Or the endgame of human objectification? Instead of tucking a 10-spot under a stripper’s G-string, you can now tip at the Legends Room via “strategically placed” temporary tattoos of QR codes. The Strip-adjacent Gentleman’s Club now accepts Bitcoin and its own tokens—which are traded as LGD on the Bittrex exchange—along with old-
fashioned cash and credit. Also, brothel owner Dennis Hof is offering his prostitutes a chance to get a little more skin in the game by investing in his next business venture. He’s seeking $2.5 million to buy a stake in Pahrump’s Chicken Ranch, and he has said his goal is to have the first employee-owned brothel in the world. Okay, but in order to break that mirror-glass ceiling, wouldn’t it be better if the women skipped the middleman and raised the money on their own? –C. Moon Reed
rsection A ND L IF E M E ET
09 LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 09.21.17
LIGHT UP THE LOUNGES An argument for recreational cannabis clubs BY MIKE PREVATT
+
1 BIG PHOTO
COULD BOULDER CITY’S TRAIN BE HEADED TO HENDERSON? For now, the Nevada Southern Railway excursion train is a favorite among young children, intrepid tourists and train enthusiasts. But with the planned spring 2018 completion of a railroad bridge that’s being built as part of the Interstate 11 project, the train could be used for more than short joyrides. “The Nevada Department of Transportation is excited to be re-establishing a critical railroad connection that was severed when U.S. 93 was constructed,” says Ryan Wheeler, an NDOT project manager. The bridge will connect the train to the main line, so it could technically take you anywhere in the country. Expect it to start with trips to Henderson. –C. Moon Reed (Photograph by Steve Marcus/Staff)
Marijuana advocates scored a major victory last November, when voters approved recreational cannabis. But its pathway remains an obstacle course: the alcohol industry’s meddling, Henderson’s slowness to permit sales, the void of places where tourists can enjoy cannabis products (legal only at private residences). That last dilemma is a head-scratcher, and largely lies with a state legislature too sheepish to advance a bill opening the door for consumption centers after Gov. Brian Sandoval voiced his disapproval. The governor’s own task force predicted tourists would account for 63 percent of Nevada’s recreational marijuana sales. Where exactly did it expect those millions to toke up? They can’t inside hotel-casinos, and federal law forbids them from taking cannabis across state lines. That’s why we need Amsterdamstyle cannabis cafés and other sites for consumption. Such spots could appease partakers, local authorities and the pot-paranoid gaming industry. Las Vegas could also be a pioneer: the first U.S. city to legally permit the smoking and ingestion of cannabis inside certain venues (assuming we beat out Denver, also exploring possible pot clubs). And we’d have the market to ourselves. California likely won’t even address the subject until January, when it begins recreational sales, and that lag alone could mean millions of dollars from those traveling a few hours east for a cannabis vacation. That’s what Nevada’s municipal governments should be concerned about: the financial windfall that could benefit our local economies, entrepreneurs and the starved public education fund. What’s the hang up? Government. The Legislative Counsel Bureau recently opined that state law doesn’t forbid local municipalities from allowing public consumption, at businesses established for it or at the dispensaries themselves. But on Tuesday, the Clark County Commission—nervous about being first, endangering the gaming industry and possibly raising red flags for the anti-marijuana U.S. Justice Department—flinched, voting to “pump the brakes,” monitor Denver’s progress and revisit the subject in three to six months. That doesn’t mean Las Vegas, North Las Vegas or even the Las Vegas Paiute tribe can’t attempt to establish pot lounges in their own jurisdictions. We’ve squandered enough of marijuana’s economic opportunities through the years. It’s time to right that wrong.
NEW!
ORDER ONLINE AT DENNYS.COM
Saturday, September 30 8pm Tickets Starting At 34 $
Purchase tickets at the Silverton Box Office, by calling 702.263.7777 or online at silvertoncasino.com All ages show. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21+. Ticket price subject to Live Entertainment Tax “L.E.T.” and fees where applicable. Entertainment subject to change without prior notice. Management reserves rights.
Text DOD to 336697 to download the Denny’s app today. *Delivery available at select locations. For text to download, you will receive two (2) autodialed messages. Message & data rates may apply. Text HELP for info. Text STOP to cancel. View our Terms & Conditions at dennys.com/terms. © 2017 DFO, LLC. Printed in the U.S.A. At participating restaurants. Selection and prices may vary. While supplies last. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
DELIVERY AVAILABLE* I-15 & BLUE DIAMOND • 702.263.7777 • SILVERTONCASINO.COM
Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive Denny’s experience >
11 COVER STORY
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
he clinking of glasses. The chatter of boozed-up revelers. The sounds of a stranger singing your favorite song—and nailing it. The cheers that ensue. There’s something special about karaoke bars, and even more so about the people who frequent them. Whether it’s the older gentleman in the back with distant eyes and a voice like Dean Martin or the shy kid bellied up to the bar who hits “Piano Man” out of the park, all die-hard karaoke fans have a story. We talked to seven of the city’s finest karaoke stars to find out what makes them pour their hearts out onstage. In this land of nonstop entertainment, they’re some of the most Vegas folks of all. Photos by Mikayla Whitmore/Staff
With karaoke stars Kevin Anderson and Robby Cunningham behind the bar, you never know what might happen at this Art Square watering hole. Wednesdays, 10 p.m., 1025 1st St. #100, 702-489-6339.
The Downtown fave has been getting Vegas drunk since 1962, and it’s also one of the most popular places to show off your chops. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 p.m., 1516 Las Vegas Blvd. #D., 702-382-3894.
This friendly neighborhood Broncos bar clears room on the floor every week so you can sing. No guts, no glory. Wednesday, Friday-Sunday, 10 p.m. 2301 S. Eastern Ave., 702-4570053.
Dreamt of stepping on the same Downtown stage where Bob Mould and Rakim have performed? Head to Karaoke Mondays for a taste. Monday, 10 p.m., 124 S. 11th St., 702-854-1414.
This family-owned casino, bar and brewery hosts arguably the most legit karaoke night in the city. Come prepared. Nightly, 9 p.m., 4178 Koval Lane, 702-733-8901.
The beloved gay bar hosts Therapy Thursday Karaoke with its equally adored KJ, Shiela. Thursday, 9 p.m., 4213 W. Sahara Ave., 702-8262422.
Home of the legendary karaoke jockey Doug Price. If you can’t sing well, the stiff drinks will help. FridayMonday, 10 p.m.-2 am., 3557 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-737-1699.
Eat, drink and sing all in the privacy of your own room. What more could you want in a karaoke bar? Daily, 6 p.m., 3899 Spring Mountain Road, 702-586-1142.
You haven’t truly karaoke’d until you’ve drunkenly sung inside this Chinatown staple with your crew. Daily, 6 p.m., 4355 Spring Mountain Road, 702-257-9499.
12 cover story
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Home base: Dino’s Go-to song: Anything by Jay-Z or Kanye West hey say you don’t choose your nickname—it chooses you. Allan Smith, better known at Dino’s as Tiny, got his years ago while working construction. And though his voice is anything but Tiny, it stuck. The 34-year-old now works at Dino’s, running karaoke every Wednesday while going to UNLV fulltime to become a teacher. His main love, however, can always be found inside the pub. “I don’t try to sing well; I try to mimic what I hear,” Smith says, naming Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” as one of his sure-
fire crowd-pleasers. “I try to see what the crowd wants, what kind of people are in the audience,” he says. Hip-hop is another favorite among the Dino’s crowd. Whether its Jay Z or Tupac, the audience is bound to go wild. Karaoke has become such a huge part of his lifestyle, he’s always planning new songs to perform, and mining to the radio for the newest hits. “Karaoke definitely determines where I go on the weekends,” he says. “I don’t go out on the weekends without singing.”
13 Cover Story
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Home base: Jake’s Bar Go-to song: John Legend, “Ordinary People” ’m quiet, I’m not outspoken. I sing jazz, and I keep to myself.” Stepping to the microphone in Las Vegas’ smoky bars might be a pastime dominated by men, but 27-year-old Philena Carter has no problem owning the spotlight. Her shyness conceals a voice you must hear to believe. The Oklahoma-born Carter moved to Las Vegas eight years ago and almost immediately began karaoking through a meetup group. “They
started doing karaoke every Friday, and I really got hooked on it,” Carter says. “I’ve been doing it ever since.” An aspiring singer-songwriter, Carter calls karaoke the best practice a performer can get—so much so, she tries to go twice a week. “Usually, I’ll put in six or seven songs and tell them to choose randomly. I get in the mood of every song as it comes to me.” Inside Jake’s Bar, Carter is a standout. Bar staff and patrons come up to her to say hello.
“I missed that voice!” one man says of Carter’s singing style, slighty raspy and reminiscent of singer-songwriters like Corrine Bailey Rae and Colbie Caillat. She’s easily the youngest performer at Jake’s, but she keeps going back because it reminds her of home. “I’m from Oklahoma, and the people are so much different out there,” she says. “They’re genuine and nice and if you say something to them they listen. It’s a great vibe.”
14 Cover Story
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Home base: J Karaoke Go-to song: TLC, “Creep” esse Siharath comes out from behind the kitchen at Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, his crisp white shirt not yet dirtied from his shift. Aside from baking delicious pastries and cooking up killer grub at Emeril Lagasse’s MGM haunt, the sous chef is also known for rocking the mic. Having grown up in Nashville, Siharath has a wide arsenal of material from which to choose. He loves country music but also grew up listening to TLC and Toni Braxton, so he can kick it up a notch
when the timing’s right. “My music selection goes across the board. I’ll sing some bluegrass if I want to,” he laughs. Siharath moved to Las Vegas four years ago and began karaoking with his friend and fellow chef Diane, exploring spots like J Karaoke and Zizzy that cater to private parties. “When you’re in those individual rooms, you don’t care how stupid you look,” Siharath says. “Most people have things they do after work to get their mind
off it. One of my hobbies is singing. It’s time for you to just not think about anything else and have fun with your friends.” He once won a lip-syncing competition at nowshuttered Drink and Drag with a performance of Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor.” For Siharath, it’s all about living the dream, even if it’s just for a moment. “You can kind of pretend you are this awesome singer like Rihanna,” he says. “Or whatever you want to be.”
15 Cover Story
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Home base: Artifice Go-to song: The Darkness, “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” he first time I saw Kevin Anderson and Robby Cunningham sing at the Artifice, they were shirtless and kissing onstage, hitting every high note in “I Believe in a Thing Called Love.” “That was our thing,” Cunningham says cheekily while bartending in that very same building. “After we were done with the song, they were all just like, ‘Who the f*ck are you guys?’” I wasn’t the only one who thought they were memorable. The two best friends made such an
impression with the staff that the bar eventually hired them. “Essentially, karaoke is the whole reason both of us work here,” Anderson says. The pair moved to Las Vegas from Detroit three years ago in hopes of discovering something completely different, and while Vegas has surpassed those expectations, the duo’s love of karaoke followed them here. “I just get a weird gratification from it that I can’t explain,” Anderson says. “It feels good nailing a song
that you love, and it feels even better if there’s a completely random person who’s like, ‘Man, I didn’t see that coming.’” It even landed Cunningham a singing gig. After seeing him perform, Vegas musician Frank Sidoris—who once toured as Slash’s guitarist— asked Cunningham to join his cover band, Royal Electric, on the spot. “It was from karaoke and doing a really mean Michael McDonald impression,” Cunningham grins.
16 Cover Story
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Home base: Ellis Island Go-to song: Lou Rawls, “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine” he year was 1963, and 15-year-old Ronald Kasai was in his first band, cutting his teeth playing covers by The Beach Boys, Roy Orbison and The Animals. His group’s defining moment? Winning a battle of the bands competition and landing an opening gig for The Who, he says. During his 70 years, the retired software engineer and multi-instrumentalist’s life has revolved around rock ’n’ roll—from running sound at a venue in Utah in the 1970s to playing bass for
touring groups like Randy Hartfield & The Real McCoy Band. But it was his Army service from 1969 to 1972 that led him to develop software for car dealerships, which eventually connected him to Las Vegas. Kasai just moved here in the past year, but he’s worked—and sung karaoke—in the desert since the 1980s. “I think the very first song I sang was Barry Manilow’s ‘Mandy,’ at the Excalibur,” he recalls. Kasai never took the lead in any of his bands,
but his youthful charm, classic Western style and Johnny Cash-like voice certainly commands the stage now. The night I caught him singing at Ellis Island, he was performing Conway Twitty’s “Slow Hand” in his deep and rich register. The room went quiet to take in the singer’s smooth delivery. And even though he’s sold all but a few of his guitars, it’s his love of music that keeps him performing. “I like to sing,” Kasai explains. “Name a place, and I’ve probably sung in it.”
17 COVER STORY
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Catch a glimpse of these seven karaoke heroes in action at lasvegasweekly.com.
HOME BASE: Champagne’s GO-TO SONG: Anything by Elvis or Tom Waits hen Las Vegas native Chris Moinichen isn’t slinging drinks behind the bar at Champagne’s Cafe, he’s typically touring the country, singing in rockabilly band The Delta Bombers. When he isn’t doing that, he’s probably singing karaoke. Moinichen’s hobby originally started five years ago as a datenight activity when he met his wife. Today, it’s something the bartender gets to practice between pouring drinks for his customers. The Delta Bombers singer is a natural-born showman; that much is evident whenever Champagne’s KJ, Doug Price, calls the bartender to the stage. The gruff-singing, beer-spitting punk
singer transforms into a classic crooner under the bar’s red lights as he bellows the lyrics to Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” mimicking the King’s smoky vibrato. Before he got into punk and metal, Moinichen grew up listening to his dad sing Elvis songs, and he’s never lost his affinity for the oldies. “I like picking different songs than what we do in the band, because I can actually practice singing different styles,” Moinichen says. “[The Delta Bombers] is like a rockabilly punk band, and I sing very rough and hard. For karaoke, I like to sing everything.”
I
N
T
R
O
D
U
C
I
N
G
O
U
R
ADVANCED REFERRAL PROGRAM Earn FREE FLIGHTS and up to 5% COMMISSION when your clients fly privately with us. Restrictions apply. Call for details.
Book your flight by calling (702) 660.6546 or for more information visit www.cirrusav.com
INDUSTRY EDITION THU, SEP 21
FRI, SEP 22
REHAB PRESENTS
SUNDAY SCHOOL SUN, SEP 24
DJ ENVY SUN, SEP 24
REHAB@HRHVEGAS.COM | 702.693.5505 | HARDROCKHOTEL.COM | REHABLV.COM
/REHABLV #REHABLV
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
about us
presents
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 /lasvegasweekly BENEFITING
/lasvegasweekly
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
on the cover
09|29|17 at THE
JOINT
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW AT CIRCUS-COUTURE.COM
Miley Cyrus Photo by Chris Pizzello/ AP Photo
T o
a d v e r t i s e
Call 702-990-2550 or email advertising@gmgvegas.com. For customer service questions, call 702-990-8993.
W E E K L Y
I N D U S T R Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
22
22 fri
23 t ss ua n
T RAVIS B ARK E R
ENCORE BEACH CLUB
Kick off the weekend right with a big Wynn Nightswim party starring Gervais, powered by recent single “Somebody New” and a hot, new remix of “Dead.”
axis
intrigue
sat
fri
C E D RIC G ERVAI S
23
rehab
J E N N I F E R LO P E Z
FLOSST RADAMU S
B RE AT H E CARO LINA
intrigue
marquee
park theater
R L GR I ME
24 sun
T RITO NAL
encore beach club
THE CH AINS MO K E RS
RICKY MART IN
house of blues
SANTANA
DRAI’S BEACHCLUB
The drummer just teamed with Mike Will Made-It to produce ILoveMakonnen’s new single, “Love.”
tao
xs
J USTI N CR EDI BLE
DI P LO
surrender
THE CHAI NSMOKER S
DI LLON FR ANCI S
marquee dayclub
JAX J ONES
xs
C e d r i c G e r v a i s b y B r e n t o n h o / C O U RTESY ; T r a v i s B a r k e r b y r o b g r a b o w s k i / A P ; d j k h a l e d b y M a t t S t y l e s / a p ; p i a m i a b y J o r d a n S t r a u s s / Ap ; M i g o s b y W o o d y Hug h / T o n y T r a n P h o t o g r a p h y ; D a v i d G u e t t a b y D a n n y M a h o n e y / C O U RTESY
big this week
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
|
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
big this week
DJ KHALED
23 sat
MARQUEE D AY C L U B
Khaled leads the way with nine nominations for the upcoming BET Hip-Hop Awards in Miami.
23 sat
M I GOS
23 sat
HYDE
Hit the Bellagio club on Saturday to help Guam-born singer and model Pia Mia celebrate her birthday.
DRAI’S
The Atlantans appear to be hard at work on next album Culture 2, but the trio is also making time for its Drai’s residency.
DAVID G U E T TA
sun
P I A MI A
24
XS
The super-producer returns to XS fresh off a performance at San Diego’s Kaboo fest, which also featured the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer.
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
soundscape
S T I L L
H A V I N G
A
B A L L M i l e y h e r
C y r u s l a t e s t t o
M PHOTOGRAPH BY LIA M HE M S W ORTH / C OURTESY
iley Cyrus has been on a roller-coaster ride since the release of her 2013 album Bangerz. Four years ago, the actress and singer had just broken up with her now-fiancé, Hunger Games actor Liam Hemsworth, and the young star says she used that time to channel her broken heart into other creative projects. She made an album with The Flaming Lips, Big Sean and Ariel Pink. She chopped off all her hair, gyrated onstage with Robin Thicke and adorned herself with tattoos. Now Cyrus has a different message. She knows we won’t forget that “Wrecking Ball” happened, but she’s not that person anymore. “No one stays the same,” she sings on her latest single, the title track off her upcoming album, Younger Now, due out September 29. Cyrus, now 24, is well-aware of her own 180-degree change. The electronic and hiphop beats have been replaced with acoustic guitars and country twang, and her long, lightly pincurled locks lay gracefully on her shoulders.
b r i n g s p h a s e i H e a r t
And while her spring single “Malibu” might be more Hannah Montana than “We Can’t Stop” Miley, she’s okay with that. “This record is a reflection of the fact that yes, I don’t give a f*ck, but right now is not a time to not give a f*ck about people,” she told Billboard in May. “I’m giving the world a hug and saying, ‘Hey, look. We’re good—I love you.’ And I hope you can say you love me back.” If one thing is certain, it’s that Las Vegas loves Miley in all of her incarnations, and iHeartRadio always makes for a good excuse to catch the star sing. After all, that’s what Miley does best. Miley Cyrus at iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena, September 23. –Leslie Ventura
CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST
AT THE PARK! BEER • FESTIVITIES • GAMES LIVE MUSIC • FUN FOR A LL AGES!
LOCATED BETWEEN NEW YORK-NEW YORK AND MONTE CARLO VISIT THEPARKVEGAS.COM @theparkvegas
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
in the moment
IN T RI G UE Dillo n Francis
sep 16 Photographs courtesy Wynn Nightlife
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
{
U PCO M I N G E V E N T
}
O N S A L E F R I D AY
ADAM SANDLER NOVEMBER 10 & 17 AND JANUARY 27 MORE DATES TO COME FA C E B O O K : T H E C O S M O P O L I TA N T W I T T E R : @ C O S M O P O L I TA N _ LV I N S TA G R A M : @ C O S M O P O L I TA N _ LV S N A P C H AT: C O S M O P O L I TA N LV
THE CHELSEA
T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E T H R O U G H C O S M O P O L I TA N L A S V E G A S .C O M THE SHOW CO N TA IN S A DU LT CO N TE N T A N D IS IN TE N DE D FO R MATU RE AU DIE N CE S O N LY. MA N AGE ME N T RE S E RV E S A LL RIGHTS . S U BJE CT TO CHA N GE W ITHO U T N OTICE . © 2 0 16 THE COS MO P O LITA N O F L AS V E GAS . A LL RIGHTS RE S E RV E D.
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
on the rise
S P I C I N G I T U P J a x h i s
J o n e s
V e g a s
d e b u t
M a r q u e e
C
Photograph courtesy
hart-topping British DJ Jax Jones touches down for the first time ever in Las Vegas at Marquee Dayclub this weekend, and he’s bringing all the catchy, danceable beats you need. We caught up with the rising star before his poolside gig, where he plans to preview new cuts off his forthcoming album. You have a wealth of musical influences, but teaming up with Duke Dumont seemed to shape your sound. How has he influenced you? I feel like when I worked with Duke, he gave me a crash course in underground house music, something that I wasn’t as exposed to before. He’s got such an in-depth knowledge of that side of things that I just carried a lot of production techniques and lessons from that world, which influences my kind of poppier sound. In terms of what I do now, it was a vital learning experience. At heart I’m a hip-hop kid and an R&B kid, but I’ve always had an appreciation for club culture and dance music.
m a k e s a t
D a y c l u b
Right now you’ve got “Instruction” with Demi Lovato and Stefflon Don blowing up, and fans are sending in their own videos doing the dance from the video. I love it. That was always what that song was intended for. I was trying to do my own version of “ChaCha Slide.” I was hoping someone, just someone, please dance to this song. It started to happen at my shows; the front row fans started doing the dance. Explain your love of Sriracha and using that for the track’s artwork. Well, the track’s nice and spicy; it’s tropical, right? So hence the Sriracha bottle interpretation. But it comes back to me taking household goods [for artwork], and for the house music background that I’m coming from it just goes hand-in-hand. Jax Jones at Marquee Dayclub at the Cosmopolitan, September 24. –Deanna Rilling
Download Sizzle app in the app store for previews of World’s Greatest Rock Show. >
evolution
M G M
R E S O R T S
U N V E I L S
I T S
U N I F Y I N G ‘ W E L C O M E T H E
T O
S H O W ’
C A M P A I G N
E N T E R T A I N
E M P
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
|
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
evolution
Through the 60-second spot, the resort brand juxtaposed historical iconography against MGM’s modern and reimagined versions. An ancient statue cut to an image of the Bliss Dance sculpture at the Park, and the iconic Roman Colosseum flashed to a wide angle of the glowing T-Mobile Stadium, lit up with laser lights. The message was clear: From the arts to dance and sports, humans invented entertainment and MGM Resorts has perfected it. “Our new ‘Welcome to the Show’ campaign is an epic invitation, designed to
declare our point of view to the world and tie together our deep and diverse portfolio of resorts, from those that define the famed Las Vegas Strip to those across the U.S. and around the world,” Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International, said in a statement the next morning. The spot highlighted the company’s focus on its impressive entertainment catalog, from MGM’s award-winning theatrical shows and Cirque du Soleil roster to world-class dining options like Joël Robuchon and Morimoto—not to mention the star-studded nightlife, luxury retail destinations and sublime spa offerings. If you’ve visited an MGM property during the past decade, you already know how difficult it is to miss the epic level of entertainment that the company infuses into every aspect of the guest experience. And in a nod to the game-changing rise of social media, MGM Resorts integrated its “Welcome to the Show” campaign into two such platforms: Snapchat and Twitter. The
M E N T
“Welcome to the Show”-branded Snapchat filter exposes non-Nevadans to MGM brands and imagery of the Strip, while participants on Twitter can play an “emoji sweepstakes” to win prizes, including resort packages and a $40,000 grand prize. Launched during one of the busiest entertainment weekends of the year, the “Welcome to the Show” campaign rollout will continue with takeovers in highly-trafficked areas in New York City, Washington and LA. Because if there’s anything we’ve learned over the past three decades, it’s that MGM Resorts isn’t simply in the business of creating entertainment—it creates memories. –Leslie Ventura
P I R E
PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIK KABIK/COURTESY
L
os Angeles hosted the 69th Emmy Awards on Sunday, but Las Vegas made one unforgettable appearance. During the nationally televised broadcast, MGM Resorts debuted its brand new “Welcome to the Show” campaign, showcasing its expertise as a global entertainment company and shifting away from its identity as a hospitality and gaming brand.
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
emerge
V E G A S
V I B E S E M E R G E
A D D S
L O C A L T O
L
M U S I C I A N S I T S
In this weekly series, we spotlight the performers and other participants who will combine for November’s Emerge Music + Impact Conference in Las Vegas.
BRITTANY ROSE COURTESY
ast week, the Emerge Impact + Music Conference—set to make its first impact in November in Las Vegas— announced the addition of more than 50 acts to its already impressive lineup of up-andcoming artists. The conference’s curation committee didn’t have to look far to spot some of its fresh talent; a handful of the newly added acts hail from right here in Las Vegas. Brittany Rose is a soulful R&B singer whose profile is rising fast thanks to recently released EP Homegirl. With her personal lyrics and hip-hop edge, think of B. Rose as Vegas’ own Mary J. Blige. “I try to stay as honest and raw and emotional as I can be as a performer,” she told Las Vegas Weekly in July. Emotional lyrics delivered powerfully over intricate production are the elements that define 28-year-old Ekoh, an MC who has performed with Kottonmouth Kings, Dilated Peoples, Immortal Technique, Tech N9ne and many more.
M O R E
L I N E U P
Sabriel, a neo-soul singer and songwriter inspired by Prince, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo and Erykah Badu has also joined the Emerge bill, as has Dark Black, an infectious, guitar-driven postpunk quartet featuring threefifths the lineup of former Las Vegas hardcore favorite Caravels. Rose, Ekoh, Sabriel and Dark Black join previously announced local acts The Lique and Mercy Music, adding even more distinct Vegas flavor to the first-year fest’s exciting offerings.
Emerge Impact + Music Conference on the Las Vegas Strip, November 16-18. Tickets available now at emergelv.com.
LIFE IS
$1
DRAFT BEER
AVAILABLE 24 HOURS
LIFE IS
FREEDOM BEAT @ & FURNACE BAR
**offer valid Thursday, September 21 at 9am through Monday, September 25 at 9am
$20 ALL YOU CAN EAT BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS $10 OR BLOODY MARYS SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10AM - 2PM
LIVE MUSIC IN FREEDOM BEAT
FRIDAY & SATURDAY MIDNIGHT - 3AM
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
L V
S Q U A R E D V I S I T
L O U I S
V U I T T O N ’ S S P E C I A L F R A G R A N C E P O P - U P T H E
A T
F O R U M
S H O P S
S
ince it opened at Caesars Palace 25 years ago, the Forum Shops mall has changed the way Las Vegas does retail, setting a new standard for luxury shopping and creating a grand environment many have attempted to duplicate. It’s an ideal place for a special-event limited offering from a renowned legacy brand like Louis Vuitton, which is why the global fashion house is celebrating the first anniversary of Les Parfums Louis Vuitton with a special pop-up shop at the Forum
PHOTOGRAPH BY BRAD DICKSON/COURTESY
outf itted
Shops’ Fortuna Terrace, open through October 15. Seventy years after releasing signature fragrances Je, Tu, Il and Heures d’Absence, Louis Vuitton returned to its roots with the presentation of a new universe of seven fragrances, working with master perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, who traveled the world for four years to perfect the collection. Vogue reported that the perfumes “walk the line between rarefied and wearable, with a lineup of carefully sourced ingredients that echo the
company’s globe-trotting history. Even the bottles, by the design star Marc Newson, are elementally on point: rounded glass bottles, pareddown stopper caps, neat black type.” The pop-up launched on September 1 and is open Sunday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until midnight.
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
|
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
in the moment
HY D E DJ I KO N
sep 16
Photographs courtesy Hyde Bellagio
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
O C E A N V O Y A G E L A K E S I D E ’ S C U I S I N E T A K E S F R O M
Y O U N E W
E N G L A N D T O
H A W A I I
B
right, fresh and welcoming, Lakeside is one of the most overlooked restaurants in Las Vegas, perhaps because there are so many excellent fine dining choices at the Wynn and Encore resorts. But make no mistake: Lakeside offers one of the most spectacular seafood experiences you’ll ever have. Oven-roasted lobster or king crab is the specialty of the house, prepared simply or with red chili rub and served with drawn yuzu-basil or spicy harissa butter. But it’s not too late for
one of Lakeside’s new favorites, the Maine lobster bake—a summer classic featuring a 1.5-pound lobster with mussels, clams, sweet corn, potatoes, smoked sausage and cippolini onions. Each bite is a transportive experience. Favorite openers include the king crab and avocado salad, charred octopus with Spanish chorizo and tarragon-speckled lobster bisque. And when it’s time for the main event, you must consider a selection from chef David Walzog’s meticulously crafted Hawaiian dayboat ocean-to-table fish
program. Walzog works closely with small, sustainable fisheries in Maui to provide fresh sea treasures you won’t find anywhere else like monchong, shutome swordfish and Pacific ono. Choose your own preparation, condiments and accompaniments in order to customize your meal and co-create a dish you’ll never forget. Lakeside at Wynn Las Vegas, 888-352-3463; daily 5:30-10 p.m.
PHOTO BY JEFF GREEN/COURTESY
night bites
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
hot plate
’ T i S
t h e
s e a s o n L a g a s s e ’ s
S t a d i u m ’ s B i e r g a r t e n
e x p e r i e n c e f o r
O k t o b e r f e s t
I P H OTO B Y ANT H ON Y MA I R / COURTES Y
a r r i v e s
t might seem counterintuitive, but Oktoberfest actually begins in September—a reflection of generally unfortunate weather in Germany. Las Vegas isn’t wanting for outstanding October weather, and Emeril Lagasse knows this. He’s taken full advantage at Lagasse’s Stadium at the Palazzo, where the sports stadium and culinary theater has converted its outdoor, Strip-side patio into a Biergarten that opens daily at 4 p.m. The Biergarten’s chef de cuisine, Scott Pajak, has crafted a menu worthy of Munich. Crisp, flaky potato pancakes are made in house and accompanied by a handcrafted, cinnamon applesauce worth eating all by itself. His peppery, bright-orange Obatzda Brie cheese spread provides a worthy foil to salty mini pretzel bites imported from Germany.
On the sausage front, bratwurst and knockwurst fired on an outdoor grill in your line of sight are hearty bites, and the knockwurst is particularly buttery. Don’t overlook the chunky, hand-mashed potatoes served on the side, and save room for the warm apple strudel strewn with raisins and walnuts. It’s a beer garden, so be sure to order yourself a frozen beer, essentially a Bud Light slushie float on your choice of any of the draft options. Prost! Biergarten at Lagasse’s Stadium at Palazzo, 702-607-2665; daily 4-10 p.m. –Jim Begley
AT
& 0 3 R E B M E T P E S , Y A D 4 R R E B M SATU E K V C O E D N , L Y O A O D P R R U O T O A S E 3RD FL
TH N O D N E T O I A S C S I O M L 7PM FREE AD
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
first sip
L e g e n d
o f
l u x u r y S o p h i s t i c a t i o n l i v e s
a t
t h e
P e t r o ss i a n
B a r
F Photograph Courtesy
or nearly three decades, the Petrossian Bar’s luxurious style and sounds have formed one of the most recognizable experiences in the Bellagio, even if the lobby lounge is forever in the shadow of other iconic features like the dancing fountains, the everchanging conservatory display and Dale Chihuly’s “Fiori di Como” glass sculpture that looks down from the resort’s lobby ceiling. Gifted pianists such as Peter Radd, Whitney Phoenix, Larry Walker and the legendary David Osborne set the vibe from the Petrossian’s classic Steinway, welcoming guests and beckoning visitors to stop in for some sophistication. Afternoon European tea service begins at 1 p.m., featuring freshly baked scones with preserves, miniature
o n
pastries, English sandwiches and imported teas from around the world. Vodka flights with smoked salmon and caviar are a favored pairing, and the lounge offers an extensive menu of original cocktails. Those who truly enjoy the finer things in Las Vegas life consistently make the Petrossian Bar a regular stop. Petrossian Bar at Bellagio, 702-693-7111; 24/7.
@EMERGELV
FROM THE CREATOR OF LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL + A BEAUTIFUL PERSPECTIVE
TALENT LINEUP PHASE 02 LINEUP
ANIS MOJGANI AZA RASKIN DAN TAYLOR DYLAN MARRON GERARD WAY OF MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
NOVEMBER 16-18, 2017 LAS VEGAS
AJ ABIR ABOVE WAVES ASHE BAY LEDGES BEACH SLANG BEAM BILLIE EILISH BRITTANY ROSE CYN CADE CAT CLYDE CUCO DAKTYL DARK BLACK DEVAULT
DONNA MISSAL DUCKWRTH DYLAN GARDNER EKOH FLAMINGOSIS THE FEDERAL EMPIRE GAVIN TUREK GOLD STAR GRACE MITCHELL GRANDSON HARTS JESSE JO STARK JOHN SPLITHOFF JONATHAN TERRELL JORGEN ODEGARD JUSTIN CARUSO
CURATED WITH SPOTIFY SCAN FOR THE OFFICIAL PLAYLIST
H2THE (EREZ SAFAR) HENRY ROLLINS IMAGINE DRAGONS JAMIE DEWOLF JENA FRIEDMAN
K.FLAY KEMBA KING HENRY KOREY DANE L.A. WITCH LARRY JUNE LAUREN RUTH WARD THE LIQUE THE STAMPEDE LIZ COOPER AND LOWER DENS LUNA AURA MACHINEDRUM MACK MADAME GANDHI MAGIC BRONSON MALCOLM LONDON
JILL SOBULE KASKADE KHARY SEPTH KHE HY LOGAN BEIRNE LYDIA NIGHT MADAME GANDHI MATT PINFIELD MIRU KIM NICOLE PARIS AND ED CAGE NUSRAT DURRANI RAJ KAPOOR
MERCY MUSIC MOLLY KATE KESTNER MONDO COZMO MOON HONEY MORGXN THE NIGHT GAME ONR OPIA OFELIA K OPEN MIKE EAGLE OUTER SPACES THE PALMS PONYTRAP QUINN XCII R.LUM.R. RAFFERTY
GET YOUR TICKETS
LINEUP SUBJECT TO CHANGE
RICK SMOLAN ROB CAVALLO SIMON ADLER SIR THE BAPTIST SUHAIYMAH MANZOOR-KHAN TIM CHANG TIME FOR THREE VOGUE ROBINSON VON WONG Y-LOVE
RAINSFORD THE REGRETTES RESIDUAL KID ROTANA SABRIEL SEGO SIR THE BAPTIST SLUMBERJACK THE SPENCER LEE BAND STARCRAWLER STOKESWOOD TROI IRONS WARBLY JETS WELSHLY ARMS WHITE REAPER YOKE LORE
EMERGELV.COM
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
in the moment
REHAB DJ Jazz y J eff
sep 10
Photographs by Jeff Ragazzo/Kabik Photo Group
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
TRAVEL SMART PARK SMART ATTENTION VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS FANS THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS TO GET TO T-MOBILE ARENA: • Parkmobile: Reserve your parking at lasvegas.parkmobile.com • UBER: First ride free up to $20 with code: TMobileArena First-time riders only. Expires: 12/31/2020
• TAXI • Walking from nearby properties
Visit tmobilearena.com for upcoming season schedule & up to date parking information.
ARIA
MONTE CARLO
ARENA EVENT PARKING GARAGE
ARENA EVENT PARKING GARAGE
WEST SUITE VIP ENTRANCE
P
Audrie Steet
A
MAIN ARENA ENTRANCE
ARENA DRIVE RAMP
N
ARENA EVENT PARKING GARAGE
Excalibur Way
EXCALIBUR
E
MGM
M
ARENA EVENT PARKING GARAGE
Koval Lane
NY NY
Las Vegas Boulevard
EAST SUITE VIP ENTRANCE
ARENA EVENT PARKING GARAGE
LEGEND Excalibur Parking Garage
Direction Arrow/Lane
NYNY Parking Garage
North
Aria Parking Garage
VIP Entrance
MGM Parking Garage
Major Hotel/Casino
Monte Carlo Parking Garage
tmobilearena.com 3780 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158
Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive Brooklyn Bowl experience >
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
the resource
N
C
c
a
l
e
n
d
a
r
CH ATEAU 9/21 DJs Bayati & Casanova. 9/22 Yo Yolie. 9/23 DJ P-Jay. 9/27 DJ Shadowred. 9/28 DJs Bayati & Casanova. 9/30 DJ Brees. Paris, Wed-Sat, 702-776-7770. DRAI’ S 9/21 DJ Esco. 9/23 Migos. 9/24 DJ Franzen. 9/28 DJ Ross One. 9/29 DJ Esco. 9/30 Trey Songz. 10/1 DJ Franzen. 10/6 DJ Esco. 10/7 Big Sean. 10/8 DJ Franzen. Cromwell, Tue, Thu-Sun, 702-777-3800. EM BASSY 9/21 DJ YoungO. 9/23 DJ Volatyl. 9/28 Teenwolf. 9/30 DJ Ego. 10/5 DJ R2. 10/7 DJ Zea. 10/12 Mr. Wilson. 10/14 DJ Sam I Am. 3355 Procyon St., Thu-Sat, 702-609-6666. RO O M
9/22 DJ Sam I Am. 9/23 DJ Graham Funke. 9/29-9/30 Dee Jay Silver. 10/6 Greg Lopez. 10/7 DJ D-Miles. Mandalay Bay, nightly, 702632-7631. . F OX TAIL
IN T RIGUE 9/21 Dillon Francis. 9/22 Flosstradamus. 9/23 RL Grime. 9/28 Marshmello. 9/29 MakJ. 9/30 Flosstradamus. 10/5 Yellow Claw. 10/6 Diplo. 10/7 Marshmello. Wynn, Thu-Sat, 702-7707300.
SLS, Fri-Sat, 702-761-7621. MARQUEE H Y DE 9/22 DJ Sincere. 9/23 Pia Mia. 9/26 DJ Five. 9/27 DJ D-Miles. 9/29 DJ Ikon. 9/30 DJ Konflikt. Bellagio, nightly, 702-693-8700.
9/22 Vice. 9/23 Tritonal. 9/25 Vice. 9/29 Ruckus. 9/30 Vice. 10/2 Ruckus. 10/6 Vice. 10/7 DJ Mustard. Cosmopolitan, Mon, Fri-Sat, 702-333-9000.
SURREN DER 9/22 Cedric Gervais. 9/23 Dillon Francis. 9/27 Lost Kings. 9/29 RL Grime. 9/30 Marshmello.
10/4 Valentino Khan. 10/6 Lost Kings. 10/7 Flosstradamus. 10/11 Dillon Francis. Encore, Wed, Fri-Sat, 702-770-7300.
TAO 9/21 DJ Five. 9/22 Justin Credible. 9/23 Eric DLux. 9/28 Craig David. 9/29 Enferno. 9/30 Eric DLux. 10/5 DJ Mustard. 10/6 DJ Five. 10/7 Eric DLux. Venetian, Thu-Sat, 702-388-8588.
XS 9/22 Diplo. 9/23 The Chainsmokers. 9/24 David Guetta. 9/29 David Guetta. 9/30 The Chainsmokers. 10/1 Marshmello. 10/6 DJ Snake. 10/7 The Chainsmokers. 10/8 RL Grime. Encore, Fri-Mon, 702-770-0097.
XS PHOTOGRAPH BY KARL LARSON
F O U NDATIO N
ON SALE FRIDAY AT 10 AM STYX & DON FELDER THE VENETIAN THEATRE
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 3
ON SALE NOW IMAGINE DRAGONS T-MOBILE ARENA
FRI, SEPTEMBER 29 DEPECHE MODE T-MOBILE ARENA
SAT, SEPTEMBER 30 THE WEEKND T-MOBILE ARENA
SAT, OCTOBER 14 JANET JACKSON MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER
SAT, OCTOBER 14 ARCADE FIRE MANDALAY BAY EVENTS CENTER
FRI, OCTOBER 22 JAY-Z
T-MOBILE ARENA
SAT, OCTOBER 28 GUNS N ROSES T-MOBILE ARENA
FRI, NOVEMBER 17 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 Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive PT’s Entertainment Group experience >
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
the resource
d
c c
a
AQ UATIC
l
e
n
d
a
r
CLU B
9/21 Amanda Rose. 9/22 DJ Mika Gold. 9/23 Amanda Rose. 9/24 Jenna Palmer. 9/28-9/29 DJ Mika Gold. 9/30 Amanda Rose. Palazzo, Thu-Sun, 702-767-3724.
CABANA
CLU B
Red Rock Resort, daily, 702-797-7873.
BEACH CLUB
9/22 Savi. 9/23 Travis Barker. 9/24 Joe Maz. 9/29 Savi. 9/30 Cyberkid. 10/1 Luke Shay. 10/6 Dave Fogg. 10/7 Destructo. 10/8 Savi. Cromwell, Fri-Sun, 702-777-3800.
E NCO RE
BEACH
CLUB
9/22 MakJ. 9/22 Nightswim with Cedric Gervais. 9/23 David Guetta. 9/23 Nightswim with Dillon Francis. 9/24 The Chainsmokers. 9/27 Nightswim with Lost Kings. 9/29 Ookay. 9/29 Nightswim with RL Grime. 9/30 David Guetta. 9/30 Nightswim with Marshmello. 10/1 The Chainsmokers. 10/4 Valentino Khan. 10/6 Chuckie. 10/6 Nightswim with Lost Kings. 10/7 RL Grime. 10/7 Nightswim with Flosstradamus. 10/8 The Chainsmokers. Encore, Thu-Sun, 702770-7300.
DJ Vegas Vibe. 10/2 DJ Tavo. 10/3 Greg Lopez. 10/4 DJ J-Nice. 10/5 Jenna Palmer. 10/6 JD Live. 10/7 Eric Forbes. 10/8 DJ Vegas Vibe. Flamingo, daily, 702-697-2888.
T HE
POOL
AT
P O O L
SLS, Fri-Sun, 702-761-7619.
G O
LIN Q
DAYC L U B
9/22 Ruckus. 9/23 DJ Khaled. 9/24 Jax Jones. 9/29 Bonnie & Clyde. 9/30 Carnage. 10/1 Lema. 10/7 Tritonal. Cosmopolitan, daily, 702333-9000.
P O O L
9/21 Jenna Palmer. 9/22 JD Live. 9/23 Dave Aude. 9/24 DJ Vegas Vibe. 9/25 DJ Tavo. 9/26 Greg Lopez. 9/27 DJ J-Nice. 9/28 Jenna Palmer. 9/29 JD Live. 9/30 Eric Forbes. 10/1
PALMS
POOL
&
Palms, daily, 702-374-9770.
PON D
Green Valley Ranch Resort, daily, 702-617-7744.
R E H AB 9/22 Breathe Carolina. 9/29-9/30 Dee Jay Silver. Hard Rock Hotel, Fri-Mon, 702-693-5505.
Linq, daily, 702-503-8320.
MARQUEE F OX TAIL
T HE
T H E
TAO
BE ACH
9/21 Javier Alba. 9/22 DJ Wellman. 9/23 DJ C-L.A. 9/24 Javier Alba. 9/28 Mark Rodriguez. 9/29 Angie Vee. 9/30 DJ Wellman. 10/6 Sophia Lin. 10/7 DJ Wellman. 10/8 DJ V-Tech. Venetian, Thu-Sun, 702-388-8588.
DAYC L U B VE N U S Caesars Palace, daily, 702-650-5944.
Drai’s Beachclub by Mike Kirschbaum/Tony Tran Photography
DRA I ’ S
Download Sizzle from the app store for an exclusive PT’s Entertainment Group experience >
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
|
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
the resource
L c
a
9/22-10/7 Jennifer Lopez. 10/11-11/4 Britney Spears. 11/8-11/18 Backstreet Boys. 12/6-12/16 Lionel Richie. 12/19-12/31 Britney Spears. Planet Hollywood, 702-777-6737. BOWL
9/23 Danzig. 9/24 Metal Alliance Tour. 9/28 Motionless in White. 9/29 Make America Rock Again. 9/30 Andrew W.K. 10/1 The Green. 10/4 Chronixx. 10/5 Post Malone. 10/6 Jon Bellion. 10/7 Empire Records. 10/8 Zion I. 10/12 Father John Misty. 10/13 The Church. 10/17 Chief Keef. 10/20 Run the Jewels. 10/21 In This Moment. 10/25 Azealia Banks. 10/26 Flying Lotus. 10/27-10/28 Trey Anastasio Band. 11/1 Capturing Pablo. 11/3 Action Bronson. 11/5 I Prevail. 11/10 Common Kings. 11/11 The Front Bottoms. 11/12 Matisyahu. 11/1611/18 Emerge Impact + Music Conference. 11/22 Periphery & Animals as Leaders. 11/30 Wax Tailor. 12/3 Shaggy. 12/7 Chris Robinson Brotherhood. 12/14 The Drums. 12/16 Descendents. Linq Promenade, 702-862-2695.
TH E
CH EL SEA
10/5 Cake. 10/6 Nas. 10/7 Maxwell. 10/14 Bob Dylan. 10/15 The Script. 10/21 Pixies. 11/25 Wakin Chau. 12/8 Cole Swindell. 12/10 Dustin Lynch. 12/13 Dwight Yoakam. 12/15-12/16 Dierks Bentley. 12/22 Lindsey Stirling. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-6797.
TH E
e
n
d
DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER
AX IS
B R O O K LY N
l
CO LOSSEU M
9/22-10/7 Celine Dion. 10/8 Sebastian Maniscalco. 10/11-10/28 Elton John. 10/22 Joe Bonamassa. 10/29 Steve Martin & Martin Short. 11/1-11/4 Elton John. 11/29-12/10 Reba, Brooks & Dunn. 12-14/12-22 Mariah Carey. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938.
9/21 Banda Los Recoditos. 9/29 Sublime with Rome & The Offspring. 10/21 Odesza. 200 S. Third St., 800-745-3000.
EN CORE
T HEAT ER
9/22-10/7 John Fogerty. 10/11-10/28 Diana Ross. 11/1-11/11 Tony Bennett. 11/17-11/18 Harry Connick Jr. 12/1-12/2 Harry Connick Jr. Wynn, 702-770-9966. T HE
FOUN DRY
9/23 Mindi Abair & the Boneshakers. 10/610/7 Jon Lovitz & Dana Carvey. 10/27-10-28 Jon Lovitz & Dana Carvey. 11/3-11/4 Jon Lovitz & Dana Carvey. 11/18 Boney James. 12/15-12/16 Dave Koz. SLS, 702-761-7617.
a
r
T H E
J OI N T
9/30 Ellismania 14. 10/1 Apocalyptica. 10/6 Kings of Leon. 10/7-10/14 Incubus. 10/29 John Carpenter. 11/3 Bret Michaels. 12/8-12/9 Gary Allan. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000. M A N D A L AY B AY EVENTS CENTER
10/14 Janet Jackson. 10/22 Arcade Fire. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7777. MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA 11/16 Latin Grammy Awards. 12/5 UNLV vs. Oral Roberts. 12/9 UNLV vs. Illinois. MGM Grand, 702-521-3826.
OR L EAN S GOLDEN N UGGET SHOW ROOM 9/22 Jefferson Starship. 9/29 Chuck Negron. 10/6 The Guess Who. 10/13 Gary Lewis & The Playboys. 10/20 Dennis DeYoung. 10/27 Johnny Rivers. 11/3 Jay & The Americans. 11/10 The Buckinghmas. 11/17 Herman’s Hermits. 11/24 Eric Burdon & The Animals. 12/1 The Grass Roots. 12/7 John Michael Montgomery. 12/29 Loverboy. Golden Nugget, 866-946-5336. HOUSE
OF
AR EN A
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.
PAR K
T H EAT E R
9/22-9/23 Ricky Martin. 9/29 Bill Burr. 10/7 Ali Wong. 10/14 Theresa Caputo. 10/27-10/29 Widespread Panic. 11/8-11/25 Cher. 12/30-12/31 Bruno Mars. Monte Carlo, 844-600-7275.
BLUES
9/22-9/24 Santana. 10/4-10/21 Billy Idol. 10/5 Sin Bandera. 10/8 Damian Marley. 10/19 Stone Sour. 10/22 Issues. 10/24 Breaking Benjamin. 10/25 Hanson. 10/27-10/28 Marilyn Manson. 11/1-11/12 Santana. 11/7 Blues Traveler. 11/1611/19 Joe Walsh. 11/17 Suicideboys. 11/22 Molotov. 11/24 The Used. Mandalay Bay, 702632-7600.
T H E
PEAR L
10/6 Megadeth. 10/14 Evanescence. 10/21 Tegan and Sara. 10/27 Hollywood Undead. 11/17 So You Think You Can Dance. 11/25 Ana Gabriel. Palms, 702-944-3200.
S E P T E M B E R
2 1
-
2 7 ,
2 0 1 7
|
I N D U S T R Y
W E E K L Y
Kings of Leon Photograph Courtesy
the resource
TH E
SPACE
9/22-9/24 ScoopFest. 10/2 Mondays Dark. 10/6 Alexandro Querevalú. 10/8 Brandon & James. 10/16 Mondays Dark. 3460 Cavaretta Court, 702-903-1070.
TE R RY
FATO R
TH EAT ER
9/22-9/23 Daniel Tosh. 9/29 Jay Leno. 9/30 Tiffany Haddish. 10/6 Joe Rogan. 10/6-10/29 Boyz II Men. 10/7 Wayne Brady. 10/13-10/14 Daniel Tosh. 10/20-10/21 Ron White. 10/2710/28 Bill Maher. 11/3-11/4 Tim Allen. 11/10-11/11 Daniel Tosh. 11/10-11/25 Boyz II Men. 11/17-11/18 Ray Romano & David Spade. 11/24-11/25 Howie Mandel & Puddles Pity Party. 12/1-12/2 Ray Romano & David Spade. 12/8-12/16 Ron White. 12/22-12/24 Boyz II Men. 12/29 Joe Rogan. 12/30 Jay Leno. Mirage, 702-792-7777.
T-MOBILE
AREN A
9/22-9/23 iHeartRadio Festival. 9/29 Imagine Dragons. 9/30 Depeche Mode. 10/7 UFC 216. 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. 11/20-11/22 MGM Resorts Main Event Basketball Tournament. 12/8-12/9 George Strait. 12/16 Lady Gaga. 3780 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-692-1600.
TOPGOLF 10/6 Turkuaz. 10/14 TR3. 4627 Koval Lane, 702-933-8458.
T ROPICAN A
T HEAT ER
10/7 Abba the Concert: A Tribute to Abba.
10/14 Jim Norton. 10/28 Restless Heart & Shenandoah. 11/11 Peter Cetera. 11/18 Great White & Slaughter. Tropicana, 800-829-9034. VEN E T I AN
T H E AT R E
9/22-9/30 Il Divo. 10/6-10/21 Rascal Flatts. Venetian, 702-414-9000.
VI N Y L 9/21 Zakk Sabbath. 9/22 Master of Puppets. 9/28 Andy Mineo. 9/30 Ellismania 14 Afterparty. 10/3 Rakim. 10/18 The Interrupters & SWMRS. 10/20 Nothing More. 10/26 Passafire. 11/1 LANY. 11/2 Daniel Caesar. 11/3 Bayside. 11/15 Bad Suns. 11/16 Propaghandi. 12/1 Syd. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.
BEST SEATS
BEST
PRICES Get real tickets at the best prices for dozens of shows on The Strip.
Five locations on The Strip. todtix.com
55
(Photograph by Wade Vandervort/ Special to Weekly)
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 09.21.17
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PLACES YOU’LL SEE AUTUMN ACTUALLY HAPPENING 1. BELLAGIO CONSERVATORY & BOTANICAL GARDEN
THE WEEKLY 5
The Harvest Show transforms the 14,000 square-foot indoor garden into a wonderland tailormade for Instagram.
2. HAUNTED HARVEST AT SPRINGS PRESERVE Halloween comes early. Kids will love the trickor-treating and petting zoo; you’ll dig the wistful nostalgia. October 13-15, 20-22 & 27-29; $8.
3. MOUNT CHARLESTON Our mountain getaway typically turns gold and orange in late September, and it’s always sweater weather up there. Wear a nice wool one on a weekend hike.
4. HALLOWEEN TOWN PUMPKIN PATCH Offering up carnival rides, games and lots of potential jack-o’-lanterns in waiting. October 5-31. 510 S. Rampart Blvd., 702-664-9231.
5. FLOYD LAMB PARK Our summers are stubborn hangers-on, but when the moment comes, these cottonwood trees explode with color. 9200 Tule Springs Road, 702229-8100. –Geoff Carter
56 las vegas weekly 09.21.17
king nothing Kingsman returns with the loud, tiresome Golden Circle By Josh Bell he sequel to 2014’s Kingsman: The Secret Service starts out absurdly over the top, and then spends its bloated 141-minute running time heading further into the stratosphere. Rather than exceeding the original movie in vulgarity or violence (which would be tough to do), Kingsman: The Golden Circle capitalizes on its predecessor’s surprise success with large-scale franchise-building, adding in more supporting characters, bigger set pieces and an expanded mythology to support theoretical future installments. Taron Egerton returns as Eggsy, a former street hustler-turned-agent for the U.K.’s ultra-secret Kingsman spy agency, of which he is soon one of the only surviving members. Villainous drug cartel queenpin Poppy Adams (Julianne Moore, having plenty of fun) takes out nearly every other Kingsman agent in a series of targeted attacks, leaving only Eggsy and tech guru Merlin (Mark Strong) to pick up the pieces. They head to the U.S. to seek the aid of sister organization Statesman, which
T
allows director Matthew Vaughn and his co-writer callbacks to and re-creations of elements from the Jane Goldman (working very loosely from the first movie, but whatever freshness was present in comic books created by Mark Millar) to introduce the garish, often nasty take on James Bond-style a bunch of new agents, played by Channing Tatum, espionage, it has already faded away. Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges and Narcos’ With so many new characters, Eggsy Pedro Pascal, who’s the only one to get a sometimes gets lost in the shuffle, and aaccc narratively significant role. It also results the efforts to create emotional storyKINGSMAN: in the return of Colin Firth as Eggsy’s lines for him—in his romance with the THE GOLDEN mentor Harry Hart, despite having been Swedish princess with whom he hooked CIRCLE shot point blank in the head and left for up at the end of the last movie and in his Taron Egerton, dead in the first movie. paternal relationship with Harry—come Colin Firth, Julianne Moore. But that also means lots of downtime off as forced and disingenuous. Vaughn Directed by spent integrating the new characters, can still stage intricate, colorful action Matthew Vaughn. plus getting Harry to the point where he sequences, and some of the jokes land Rated R. Opens Friday citywide. can participate in the mission. Poppy’s (although they just as often fizzle, as main evil plan isn’t even set into motion in a belabored running gag featuring a until more than an hour into the movie, sad-looking Elton John as himself). For and while it’s nearly as loopy as the villain’s plan fans of the first movie’s cacophonous, CGI-filled in The Secret Service, it sort of fizzles out toward assault on the senses, The Golden Circle offers a the end, with a very similar twist (along with some louder, brighter version that’s just as empty and muddled social commentary). There are multiple even more exhausting.
SCREEN
BOSTON STRONG
JAKE GYLLENHAAL PLAYS A FLAWED REAL-LIFE HERO IN STRONGER
+
(From left) Colin Firth, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum and Taron Egerton as the men and women of Kingsman. (Photo Illustration by Ian Racoma/Staff)
So the world of Ninjago, in which a Power Rangers-like group of teen heroes protects the title city from maniacal supervillain Garmadon (voiced by Justin Theroux), ends up partially resembling the THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE SHOWS THE settings from The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman ANIMATED FRANCHISE’S WEAK SPOTS Movie, and main character Lloyd Garmadon (Dave In 2014, The Lego Movie was commercially and Franco) goes on a quest to reconnect with his evil critically successful because it did something (but mostly just misunderstood) father. unexpected, building a dense, quickThe movie’s three directors and nine (!) AABCC witted and self-referential story out of credited writers come up with a handTHE LEGO what could have been a 100-minute toy ful of clever jokes, but the pastiches of NINJAGO MOVIE commercial. Now three movies into the cheesy martial-arts movies aren’t nearly Voices of Dave animated Lego franchise, the once-unas rewarding as the deep dive into BatFranco, Justin expected has become formulaic, and the Theroux, Jackie Chan. man history in Lego Batman. The Directed by Charlie pop-culture quips and meta-humor have animation is still gorgeously Bean, Paul Fisher started to run a bit thin. It doesn’t help detailed, and kids will and Bob Logan. that The Lego Ninjago Movie is based on Rated PG. Opens have plenty of fun with Friday citywide. a popular, long-established Lego toy line the action-packed story that has already had its own animated (although it drags TV series, which necessitates combining at times). It’s a serious, mythology-laden existing storylines with well-made 100-minute toy the new movies’ joke-heavy, self-aware style. commercial. –Josh Bell
TOYING AROUND
Most movies about inspirational triumphs over adversity spend more time on the triumph than the adversity, but David Gordon Green’s Stronger never loses sight of its subject’s struggles, even while he’s being hailed as a hero. Jake Gyllenhaal plays Jeff Bauman, who lost his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and subsequently became a symbol of the city’s resilience. Although based on Bauman’s own memoir, Stronger (written by John Pollono) doesn’t go easy on its main character: Jeff is an irresponsible screwup before his injury, and he remains an irresponsible screwup afterward, even as the movie’s predictable plot arc steers him toward redemption. That redemption is built not only on his recovery from his injuries (he eventually walks thanks to a pair of prosthetic legs), but also on his relationship with his on-again, off-again girlfriend Erin (Orphan Black’s Tatiana Maslany), who becomes his biggest source of support. Their journey toward reconciliation is rote and predictable, giving the talented Maslany little to do while Gyllenhaal grunts and rages. Green, who has directed everything from dopey comedy to political satire to searing drama, trains an unflinching eye on Jeff’s most painful moments, indignities and agonies that another movie might elide via editing. The final act gives Jeff the conveniently uplifting happy ending that the genre warrants, but his journey there is tougher and more honest than usual. –Josh Bell
AAACC STRONGER Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson. Directed by David Gordon Green. Rated R. Opens Friday in select theaters.
57
LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 09.21.17
58 screen
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
By the book
Law & Order takes on The Menendez Murders in familiar procedural style By Josh Bell hanks to the success of The People v. O.J. Simpson, the first installment in FX’s American Crime Story anthology series, along with the proliferation of popular documentary series like The Jinx and Making a Murderer, true crime is big business in TV aabcc right now, and NBC has decided to jump LAW & ORDER TRUE on the bandwagon with trusted brand CRIME: THE name Law & Order. MENENDEZ The clumsily titled MURDERS Law & Order True Tuesdays, 10 p.m., NBC. Crime: The MenenPremieres Sep- dez Murders is the tember 26. first installment of a planned anthology series in the same mold as American Crime Story, focusing on a different famous crime in each season. But while producer Ryan Murphy
T
Gus Halper (left) and Miles Gaston Villanueva play the Menendez brothers. (NBC Universal/Courtesy)
brought his signature bold stylization to American Crime Story, True Crime is more like, well, a Law & Order series, complete with onscreen datelines in the familiar font and occasional use of the franchise’s signature chung-chung sound effect. Created by veteran L&O writer-producer Rene Balcer, the first edition of True Crime focuses on the murder case against brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez (Miles Gaston Villanueva and Gus Halper), who
CALL NOW for Warrant, Jail and Bail Needs
were accused of killing their wealthy parents in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. Although Edie Falco gets top billing as the brothers’ attorney Leslie Abramson, she doesn’t have a whole lot to do in the two episodes available for review, which mainly follow police as they build a case against the brothers. Already depicted in two 1994 network-TV movies (CBS and Fox), a recent Lifetime movie and numerous newsmagazines, the Menendez case
has little new material to explore over the course of eight episodes, and Balcer and his collaborators depict it in the simple, straightforward style familiar to viewers of decades of L&O episodes. The most successful shows of the current true-crime boom do more than just lay out the facts, but there isn’t much indication that True Crime will be more than a competently produced eight-part Law & Order episode.
ORDER ONLINE
GET IT DELIVERED.
Amanda Doyle,
Las Vegas’ Premier Bail Bondswoman Woman Owned & Operated LICENSE 2000044.081-124
WWW.BLONDIESBAILBONDSLV.COM
36 Valley Locations | capriottis.com Delivery only available with online orders through order.capriottis.com via 3rd party delivery services. Management reserves all rights. ©2017 Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, Inc.
59
(Columbia Pictures/Courtesy)
pop culture
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
VEGAS’ MOST VEGAS JOB. NOW HIRING DANCING DEALERS AND BARTENDERS
Third Kind’s a charm
Forty years later, Close Encounters remains a unique film experience his season marks the 40th anniversary of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, so naturally Steven Spielberg’s second-ever blockbuster has gotten the royal re-rollout: a restored print opened in theaters Labor Day weekend; a three-disc, Blu-ray edition came out this week; the Alamo Drafthouse even hosted a screening at the base of the Devil’s Tower in Wyoming, site of the movie’s climactic scene. It all befits this irrefutable classic, a film Vulture.com once said was “the closest [Spielberg]’s come to delivering a pure, unfiltered expression of his artistic voice.” And yet, despite the $3 million the re-release has earned at the box office so far, it can sometimes feel like no one’s ever heard of it. For those of us who happened to be breathing in the ’70s, the idea of someone not having multiple encounters with Close Encounters is utterly baffling. Back Cultural then, the lines to see it snaked around the attachment block, and its famous five-note musical by smith theme inspired even more disco vergaltney sions than Star Wars, which opened six months earlier. Then, after the hoopla died down somewhat, a “special edition” came out in 1980, featuring new footage and a souped-up ending, thereby introducing the really bad idea that great movies are never technically finished. (Spielberg later deemed the upgrade “unnecessary,” and the 40th anniversary restores the original version as definitive.)
T
Something funny happened as I geared up to rewatch it earlier this month: Two friends I asked to join me had never seen it, and my personal trainer barely even knew what I was talking about. Sure, all those people are five to 15 years younger than me, but they still crack Jaws jokes when they go in the water. They still hum the Raiders theme any time they swing from a rope. They all probably cried when it looked like E.T. was gonna die. How had Close Encounters—one of the highest-grossing movies of its era—escaped their radars? As it turned out, my friends and I were the only ones in the theater, and rewatching the movie I started to guess why. Despite several spectacular set pieces, Close Encounters lacks the consistent thrills, chills and spills of more popular Spielberg fare. It’s more of a long, slow build toward a mysterious arrival, and its jerk of a protagonist deserts his wife and kids along the way. Despite the grace of the movie’s most indelible moments—young Cary Guffey gazing at a spaceship through a doorway, Richard Dreyfuss making mountains out of shaving cream and mashed potatoes, the alien smiling at Francois Truffaut—they didn’t exactly make for lasting lunch box iconography. And that’s okay, really. It means that the children of the Me Decade don’t have to share Close Encounters with everyone else. We can keep its bygone era of chaotic, broken homes and self-absorbed, otherwise-engaged parents to ourselves. If you plan on cueing up that new Blu-ray, proceed with caution: Aside from making all those old special effects shine like new, the crystalline 4K restoration makes one thing painfully clear: The ’70s happened a long, long, long, long time ago.
• DANCING DEALERS EARN UP TO $300 IN TIPS EVERY DAY! • DANCING BARTENDERS AVERAGE $200 PER DAY IN TIPS • FREE PAID DEALER TRAINING • VERY FLEXIBLE HOURS
AUDITIONS AT 5:30PM TUESDAY-SATURDAY GOLDEN GATE HOTEL & CASINO 1 Fremont Street | Downtown Applicants must audition in dance-wear, GoGo attire or swimwear.
theD.com
GoldenGateCasino.com
60
The Killers (sans Dave Keuning). (Anton Corbijn/Courtesy)
las vegas weekly 09.21.17
‘WONDERFUL’ LIFE The Killers get personal—and a little bit weird—on their fine fifth album By Annie Zaleski t feels rather appropriate that the press and promotion cycle surrounding The Killers’ fifth studio album, Wonderful Wonderful, has been full of head-turning personal revelations—from drummer Ronnie Vannucci Jr. sharing that the band has jammed with Prince Harry for a decade to guitarist Dave Keuning and bassist Mark Stoermer’s decision not to participate in the band’s upcoming tour. Wonderful Wonderful feels like The Killers’ most introspective record, a project informed by Brandon Flowers’ family life and the vocalist’s accumulated, hard-fought personal wisdom. That approach suits the band well, since it’s done with sincerity and innocence. Flowers wrote the tender electro ballad “Rut” from the perspective of his wife, Tana, who has dealt with complex PTSD for years; the uplifting, plush song asks for forgiveness, understanding and empathy as she deals with insurmountable obstacles (“I’m climbing, but the walls keep stacking up”). The ominous ’70s glam-funk title track also refer-
i
ences Tana, taking solace and hope in religion, lessly transitioned into David Bowie’s “Fame.”) while “Tyson vs. Douglas” sees a young Flowers Produced by Jacknife Lee, Wonderful Wonderful becoming disillusioned by Iron Mike’s infamous harkens back to The Killers’ lively, keyboard1990 boxing loss. He sings about not wanting to focused early days. The brisk, riff-heavy “Run for disappoint his own kids in the same way. Cover” conjures the halcyon mid-’00s Unlike other Killers albums, Wonderful post-punk revival; “Out of My Mind” Wonderful also possesses a pronounced plays like a Pet Shop Boys synth-pop homsense of humor. “Out of My Mind” pokes age; and “The Calling” is a Kraftwerkfun at Flowers trying to impress his wife meets-Queens of the Stone Age stomp. by name-dropping Bruce Springsteen But Wonderful Wonderful also has the and Paul McCartney, and her totally not aaaac confidence to be far more inventive than being impressed, while “The Man” finds anything the band has released before. The Killers Wonderful Flowers satirizing the boastful persona “The Calling” boasts an inexplicable spoWonderful he assumed during The Killers’ early ken-word intro from Woody Harrelson, years. The protagonist affects an arrogant while the dreamy “Some Kind of Love” swagger best embodied by the line “’Cause fulfills a longtime Flowers wish by using baby I’m gifted/You see what I mean?/USDA, cerBrian Eno’s space-age “An Ending (Ascent),” from tified, lean.” Flowers leers those last three words in 1983’s Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks, as an exaggerated manner that’s gloriously absurd. source material. Wonderful Wonderful only falters “The Man” also ranks among The Killers’ best when The Killers aim for giant anthems, like “Life singles musically, with its robo-disco flourishes, to Come,” which sounds like warmed-over U2. The funky grooves and flashy glam guitars. (For conKillers’ latest proves that weirdness suits them text, a recent live performance of the song seamwell—and so does vulnerability.
61
NOISE
las vegas weekly 09.21.17
(Kyle Thomas/Courtesy)
THE LONG RUN
TRIBUTE TO THE EAGLES
Fri & Sat, Sept 29 & 30 8pm • tictets $995 GA
EVERLAST
Sat, Oct 14 • 8pm tickets start at $1995
use code LVWEEKLY to receive 10% off
Magic Wand Get to know the psych warriors of Wand before they invade the Bunkhouse
Sat, Oct 21 • 8pm
By Spencer Patterson
+
Who: An LA five-piece with close ties to Ty Segall (he released Wand’s first LP, 2014’s Ganglion Reef, on his Drag City sub-imprint, God? Records), Mikal Cronin, the Meatbodies and Together Pangea. Frontman Cory Hanson—along with drummer Evan Burrows—might be familiar to Las Vegans; they served in Segall’s backing band, The Muggers, last year, on a tour that stopped at the Bunkhouse for a memorable, moshpit-inspiring, Neon Reverb-capping performance. Since forming in 2013, Wand has released four full-length albums, along with a smattering of split singles and compilation tracks—all of which demand to be heard from a small stage in an intimate room. Spin: Start with second record Golem (2015), which lays out Hanson’s songwriting strengths: frenetic garage-rock and mind-bending psychedelic pop—often swirled up within the very same track. Highlights from that disc include trippy head-banger “Self Hypnosis in 3 Days,” pummeling punk workout “Floating Head,” atmospheric,
THE MANHATTANS & HAROLD MELVIN’S BLUENOTES
downtempo track “Melted Rope” and “Planet Golem,” which sounds a bit like Black Sabbath playing in your neighbor’s basement.
tickets start at $3495
Now: Wand kicks off a 24-date North American tour September 23 in its hometown, one day after releasing album No. 4, Plum. The record marks something of a departure—Hanson invited his bandmates to contribute songs this time, which might explain why Plum leans less toward Ty Segall and more to the poppier side of Tim Presley’s White Fence. “It’s definitely the most diverse of the Wand records, and it’s the most exciting for me,” Hanson recently told Stereogum. “It’s a little scary, too … a lot of fans are concerned with us retaining some heavy qualities. But we’re just in a different state. … I think it’s musically more challenging and interesting.”
QUEEN NATION
WAND with Darto, The Acid Sisters. September 25, 9 p.m., $10. Bunkhouse Saloon, 702-982-1764.
use code LVWEEKLY to receive 10% off
TRIBUTE TO QUEEN
Fri & Sat, Oct 27 & 28 8pm • tictets $995 GA
THE WHISPERS Sat, Oct 28 • 8pm tickets start at $2295
ENTERTAINMENT Done Right Ticket prices do not include taxes and applicable fees. Management reserves all rights. ©2017 Boyd Gaming® Corporation, LLC. All rights reserved.
FREE ADMISSION
62 NOISE
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Sound judgment
2ND ANNUAL
FOO FIGHTERS Concrete and Gold aaacc
More or less by default, Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters have become the standardbearers for classic rock in 2017, in whatever small space the genre still occupies in mainstream music. So the band’s ninth album, Concrete and Gold, dutifully upholds that position, with slight variations on the sturdy old-school rock Grohl has been creating since the band’s 1995 debut. After the inconsistent ambitions of 2014’s cities-spanning project Sonic Highways, Concrete returns to something a little simpler, although it’s not quite the back-tobasics rawk of 2011’s Wasting Light, still the band’s best effort in recent years. Indemand pop producer Greg Kurstin (Adele, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, etc.) gives the album some extra gloss, but it’s not like he has turned the Foos into a dance-pop act. Grohl screams a bit on lead single “Run,” and nearly every song builds to an arena-friendly hard-rock chorus. Guest vocalists including Justin Timberlake, The Kills’ Alison Mosshart and Boyz II Men’s Shawn Stockman blend into the walls of harmony vocals, and even Paul McCartney makes a mostly anonymous appearance, playing drums on the psychedelic groove “Sunday Rain” (featuring Foos drummer Taylor Hawkins on lead vocals). It all conforms nicely to classicrock standards, which, by now, seems to be precisely the point. –Josh Bell
LOCAL EATS. LIVE BEATS. CRAFT DRINKS.
RESTAURANTS: BRATALIAN NEAPOLITAN CANTINA • SONOMA CELLAR STEAKHOUSE PASTA CUCINA • VEGGIE XPRESS • TUCKY’S BBQ SLICE 19 BAR & GRILL • OYSTER BAR PHO KING PHONOMENAL NOODLE LAB & GRILL BRAVO CUCINA ITALIANA • CRAFTHAUS BREWERY
The National sleep well beast
ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY
aaaac
11AM - 2PM FOOD AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE
NC
E
CR
ES
515
E WA RM S
N
AT W
PR ING
ST
TA VE
CENTRAL PARK
RD
KE
E
Y
W
RD
.
DE
ER
ET
1170 EAST SUNSET RD., HENDERSON
CA
NS
AT CADENCE CENTRAL PARK
DR
SU
MEET US!
GALLERIA
D
EA
PK
M
LA
215
LIVE MUSIC, FUN GAMES & LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Join us again for Henderson’s favorite food and music festival featuring local restaurants, live music and activities. This event only happens once a year, so make sure you get a taste of the fun.
RSVP: CADENCENV.COM
N
There may be no National song more belabored than summer single “The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness,” which was recorded more than 70 times. It also may be the quintet’s most accessible song—spitslick production, a clingy chorus, a jaunty breakbeat by ace drummer Bryan Devendorf, even a tradition-breaking guitar solo—and, ergo, its first No. 1 adult album alternative radio hit. Was it a harbinger for the upcoming album? Would The National be the latest indie act to appeal to the masses this year? With Sleep Well Beast, its seventh studio longplayer, The National remains on an independent label, self-produced and true to its plaintive post-punk aesthetic—mostly. After its work on a Grateful Dead covers album, the band has learned to stretch out and experiment with more gusto. Its instrumental pallette has grown with brass (“System”) and synthesizers (“Born to Beg,” “Empire Line”), among others, and nothing in its catalog wilds out like the glitch-meets-chamber pop firecracker “I’ll Still Destroy You.” And yet, the familiar National consistently peeks out, whether through the gorgeous piano melody of “Carin at the Liquor Store” or “Day I Die,” the sort of propulsive guitar anthem U2 can no longer write. That The National so deftly balances the exploratory and the traditional may be its greatest masterstroke to date. –Mike Prevatt
63 FINE ART
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Truth in two colors
“My Friends and I” by Donald Corpier Starr. (Yasmina Chavez/Staff)
A Priscilla Fowler Fine Art group show finds expansiveness in Black and White By C. Moon Reed here’s a sense of whittling down to the truth of things when you look at monochromatic art. No wild colors to distract—just depth, value and emotion. Curator and artist Priscilla Fowler brings together a group of nearly 10 artists for her gallery’s latest show, Black and White. This collection of drawings, prints and photos features a variety of subjects and styles, from Hayden Senter’s ominous scenes wrought in graphite to Donald Corpier Starr’s loving, character-infused portraits. All of the pieces are united by their color scheme. (Do we need to tell you that it’s black and white?) It’s a joy to stroll the gallery and see how each artist interprets the challenge of art with a limited palette. As in life, each has found unique answers to the same question. A few highlights: Casino carpet designer and artist Terrien Hale offers a moment of joy with three whimsical line drawings. Varying line thicknesses provide depth, and curved lines create an organic feel.
T
Hale’s “Coming Home” teems with life. based on where they land. Like a progressive slot Alexander Lui’s ink drawings have the precimachine, each piece builds upon and overlays the sion of a naturalist. They’re intricate landscapes previous ones. Though it’s completely abstract, with just a little bit of psychedelica concealed the effect resembles a topographical map, with within the lines. Odd, little secrets are hidden in peaks and valleys. In a neat coincidence, like the nature, as if some talented kid a few Hale, he also designs rugs. grades ahead of you hacked your science Something else unites this collection Black textbook. of art works: They were all handpicked and White Through From most angles, Clarice Tara’s by Priscilla Fowler. The recent Denver October 28; “Anguish” looks like a ceramic vase. It’s transplant offers a fresh perspective for Wednesdaycylindrical and sits on a pedestal. But the Las Vegas art scene, spotlighting Saturday, noon- 6 p.m.; it’s actually a graphite-on-paper drawing emerging local artists and calling in free. Priscilla of a woman doubled over in pain. The out-of-state creators she knew elsewhere. Fowler Fine large sheet of torn paper has been bent Art, 1025 S. 1st It’s long been a struggle locally for small St. #155. and curved until it stands vertically like galleries to stay “in the black.” Fowler is a tower. Perhaps it alludes to the special using the vast database and marketplace kind of strength that’s born of suffering. Artsy.net to reach beyond the local buyers Denver-based artist Charles Livingston has the (her gallery’s pieces are available for purchase at most unique process in this show. For his Infinite artsy.net/priscilla-fowler-fine-art). We love that Drawing Series (one of which is one display here), she’s connecting our art scene with the rest of he has created an “organic grid” by dropping 100 the world, and all signs points to a fruitful Fowler rubber bands on a drafting table and drawing partnership with Las Vegas.
64 LAS VEGAS WEEKLY 09.21.17
SWITCHING IT UP CREATIVE FLAVORS AWAIT AT SALUD MEXICAN BISTRO BY BROCK RADKE ichael and Wendy Jordan’s Rosemary’s Restaurant (1999-2011) stood out as a beacon of quality in a neighborhood then dominated by cookie-cutter chains. That’s no longer the case in this not-quite-Summerlin section of town—interesting eats abound all over Sahara and its surrounding streets. The newest has popped up in the former Rosemary’s spot, and it’s already making its mark. Salud Mexican Bistro arrived this summer compliments of Stevee and Andres Topchi, whose relatives run the popular Toto’s in Boulder City. Salud is less traditional than Toto’s, with a modern Mexican menu plus creative cocktails, singing similar songs with a fresh voice. Start with a cucumber and grapefruit gimlet ($14) or a funky mezcal Old Fashioned ($14). If you want a margarita, they’ve got you covered there, too. If you’re having a few, better order the bountiful munchies platter ($14) with nachos, taquitos, and huge chicken and beef flautas. But be careful— you’ll fill up fast. Salud’s food is too hearty to sample several dishes in one sitting, but don’t skip the Octopus Salteado ($11), tender seafood drenched in a tongue-tingling romesco-lime sauce. It could pair nicely with the campechana seafood cocktail ($16)—mussels, crab, avocado and more in a chipotle broth. Familiar fare like fajitas, burritos, tacos and even combination plates find a home on this menu, but everything’s a bit different, like the pork belly tamale you can choose for a two-fer combo ($16); the beef cheek barbacoa or lamb birria that could plump up your burrito ($14); or the coconut shrimp or mushroom chipotle taco options. Early entrée highlights include shrimp enchiladas ($25) with a bone marrow-guajillo sauce and duck carnitas ($25) braised in red wine and citrus. The mushroom cream sauce on the Mexican gnocchi ($17) is delicious even if the pasta is a bit on the heavy side. Still, it demonstrates Salud’s creativity and willingness to experiment, and that’s the kind of kitchen that will keep us coming back instead of eating at some boring franchise joint.
M
SALUD MEXICAN BISTRO 8125 W. Sahara Ave. #110, 702-665-6423. MondayThursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday, 4-10 p.m.
From top, Salud’s duck carnitas, Mexican gnocchi and Octopus Salteado demonstrate creative flavor. (Jon Estrada/Special to Weekly)
65
FOOD & DRINK
las vegas weekly 09.21.17
Hooked on a feeling Diamante’s oysters with shrimp ceviche. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
Not-so-weird fishes Exploring the dynamic seafood at Cevicheria El Diamante
+
There are two kinds of people in this There’s a lot of deliciousness going on here, world: those who walk the path in front and you owe it to yourself to try as many dishes as of them and those who go to a small cevipossible. Aguachiles are the Mexican version of cheria on the eastside and see marlin empanadas ceviche, raw seafood dishes “cooked” by marinaton the menu ($2.50) and think, Oh my ing in citrus. Fully cooked options inGod, I have to eat that right now. Cevicheria clude bacon-wrapped shrimp with melted There’s no judgment being passed here. cheese ($20) and the bubbling, spicy, el When you visit the friendly Cevicheria El fantastic feast known as the Mariscos Diamante Diamante, go ahead and order some ceviMolcajete ($24)—a cauldron of crab legs, 2457 E. Tropicana che. Why wouldn’t you? The casero ($22) clams, shell-on shrimp and more in a Ave., 702is the most popular, shrimp marinated volcanic tomato broth. There are several 202-1157. in lime with avocado, onion, cucumber, other preparations of shrimp and oysters Daily, 10 a.m.9 p.m. cilantro and plenty of spicy bits of serrano with various sauces, seafood tacos and pepper. It’s big enough for two people, those perfectly flaky empanadas stuffed served with crispy mini tostadas and with cheese, shrimp, chorizo, or smoky, crackers. Upgrade if you need to with the 7 Seas salty bits of marlin, an odd but memorable bite. ceviche ($25), with boiled shrimp, white fish, abaMaybe it’s not for everybody. Or maybe you’ll lone, octopus, crab and scallops, with tomatoes order more. Why wouldn’t you? and cucumbers added to the veggie mix. –Brock Radke
+
Banger Brewing is my favorite local tap room. The beer is amazing, the people are nice and, thanks to its prime location between the touristy Fremont Street Experience and the more local-minded Fremont East, Banger has all the Vegas vibes you can handle. But those are obvious reasons to love hanging at Banger. Lesser known is the satisfying grub supplied by Food Junky, a catering company created by UNLV student and Bellagio line cook Maritza Purcell. I’ve been noshing on crispy golden potato tacos ($9) and piles of perfect fries decorated with barbacoastyle braised beef and cotija cheese ($12) for a while now, but I really developed an emotional attachment when a spaghetti sandwich popped up as a special in January—toasty garlic bread swaddling a mound of tender pasta plastered with mushroomy meat sauce and sprinklings of powdery parmesan. It’s like mom’s home cooking on a roll. Current addictive snacks include popcorn popped in bacon grease ($5) and pita and veggies served with roasted garlic hummus ($8). The French fry options have expanded with soyriso-topped ($12) and Greek-themed ($10) versions. There’s no spaghetti sandwich right now, but the Mexican Sloppy Jose ($12) is a zesty gut-buster, a spicy mélange of chorizo and ground beef contrasted by cool and creamy avocado. The pizza grilled cheese ($9) incorporates pepperoni, of course, and the carnitas burrito ($12) packs in enough tender pork, green salsa and jalapeños to account for several meals. And it also happens to go great with Banger’s El Hefe jalapeño hefeweizen. –Brock Radke
FOOD JUNKY At Banger Brewing, 450 Fremont St. #135, lvfoodjunky.com.
R
66 PRINT
WEEKLY | 09.21.17
Fire-to-Table Since 1989
sammyspizza.com
DEATH AND TEXAS ATTICA LOCKE’S BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD IS A SHAKESPEAREAN DRAMA FOR OUR TIMES BY HEATHER SCOTT PARTINGTON ttica Locke’s Bluebird, has “the appearance of an adolescent Bluebird is a thriller boy squeezed into his only good suit with a conscience. Locke, for a funeral no one saw coming, a a producer and writer for suit he’d long outgrown.” Lark is full Fox’s Empire, takes on issues of race, of distrusting citizens, intertwined property and family in East Texas in families and a newly emboldened this melodic rural noir. group of white supremacists; Locke Darren Mathews is a black Texas creates a town that breathes blues and Ranger whose badge is jeopardized beats with familiar warmth between due to his personal investment in a those whose lives have been intercase. He’s separated from his wife, twined for generations. who wants him to quit the Rang“There were things you just didn’t ers and return to law school. But do in Lark, Texas,” the Mathews’ ties to the state AAAAC author writes, “and picking run deep; he feels Texas in apart bloodlines was one his blood, and a filial duty to BLUEBIRD, of them.” When Mathews the badge. On a tip, he finds BLUEBIRD By Attica Locke, looks too long into the anhis way to the East Texas $26. cestral ties of the town’s oldtown of Lark to investigate est citizens, he endangers two deaths with suspiciously his own life and risks his inracial implications—a black vestigation. Locke avoids a surfaceChicago lawyer who had no business level discussion of hate crimes and being in the area, and a local white racial tension by getting to the core woman, both of whom were found in of obsession; her characters’ lives the same bayou. are so dependent on one another for Locke’s plot is Shakespearean, love and enmity that they don’t know owing its tension to extramarital afhow to live apart. fairs and a tiny community in which Bluebird, Bluebird is ultimately friends and enemies keep each others’ more about love than hate, and secrets. What makes it accessible and about how there’s as much injustice contemporary are the subtlety of the author’s details; Locke writes complex in a case left intentionally cold as there is in a wrongful conviction. characters with colloquial ease, often “It both saddened and infuriated dropping compelling details into [Mathews]... justice and despondenstretches about how a character eats cy were so inextricably intertwined or wears his clothes. When a Fed arthat the former was not often worth rives on the scene of the crime to take the trouble of the latter.” credit for Mathews’ investigation, he
A
T H E U LT I M AT E
WEIGHT
LOSS PROGRAM
▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶
Initial Medical Consultation Full Body Composition Analysis EKG (if required) RX for (3) month Appetite Suppressants (12) Weekly B12 Injections Bi-Weekly Body Composition Analysis Medication for (3) month treatment
395
$ $
NEW PATIENTS ONLY, CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS.
VIVACITYCLINICS.COM 702-457-3888 3365 E. Flamingo Road, Ste 2 Las Vegas, NV 89121
New strains and products available this week See the dispensary directory pages for details.
1
BLISS - DISTILLATE TERPENE BLEND OIL CARTRIDGE BY CITY TREES
3
Effects: Uplifting, euphoric Taste: Citrus, earthy, floral
RARE DARKNESS
5
JACK HERER
Effects: Relaxed, sleepy, euphoric Taste: Grape, citrus, sweet
Effects: Happy, energetic Taste: Earthy, pine, woody
Now available at: Euphoria Wellness
Now available at: Essence Cannabis Dispensary
Now available at: Oasis Cannabis 2
GORILLA GLUE #4 Effects: Relaxed Taste: Earthy, pungent, pine Now available at: Reef Dispensaries
4
PURPLE BUBBA BY DREAM STEAM Effects: Intense body high Taste: Fruity Now available at: Canopi
6
9LB HAMMER Effects: Relaxed, sleepy Taste: Earthy, sweet, berry Now available at: MMJ America
N
LAS VEGAS’ BEST MARIJUANA PRODUCTS IN ONE BOX
GET YOURS AT RAINBOW & SAHARA LOCATION ONLY
vegasweekendbox.com
@vegasweekendbox
MARIJUANA IS LEGAL FOR 21+ NOW
Henderson Pavilion 200 S. Green Valley Pkwy.
Saturday, October 7 Tickets start at $25 plus tax/fees
Recreating the studio sounds of Led Zeppelin in an awe inspiring live performance
HendersonPavilion.com | 702-267-4TIX www.gtlorocks.com Schedule is subject to change or cancellation without prior notice. Management reserves all rights.
SAT SEP
FRI OCT
OCT -
SUN OCT ........................APOCALYPTICA
FRI & SAT.............................GARY ALLAN
SUN OCT ....................JOHN CARPENTER ANTHOLOGY TOUR FRI NOV ..........................BRETT MICHAELS NOV - ...........................EMERGE MUSIC IMPACT CONFERENCE SAT DEC ..........................PATTON OSWALT
SUN JAN .........................MARKIPLIER’S YOU’RE WELCOME TOUR SAT JAN .......................THE NATIONAL
PLAYS METALLICA BY FOUR CELLOS TOUR
DEC &
FOR VIP PACKAGES & RESERVATIONS CONTACT JOINTVIP@HRHVEGAS COM OR
AXS COM |
- -AXS-TIX | HARDROCKHOTEL COM/THEJOINT