UPCOMING
Upcoming Pearl Concert Theater Shows
Pearl Concert Theater Shows Anderson .Paak JUNE 16
Machine Gun Kelly JUNE 29
Hammer's House Party
Gary Owen
Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Blondie
Third Eye Blind Jimmy Eat World
JULY 13
JULY 12
Seal
Rick Springfield, Eddie Money & Tommy Tutone
JULY 19
JULY 27
PRETTYMUCH
with Mackenzie Zeigler
Lady Antebellum RETURNING IN AUGUST
AUGUST 1
Russell Peters SEPTEMBER 1
AUGUST 11
AUGUST 2
Heart with Joan Jett and The Blackhearts
SEPTEMBER 8
FOR FULL SCHEDULE VISIT PALMS.COM/PEARL-THEATER Unstatus Quo
with RA RA RIOT
Purchase tickets at the Rewards Center, Pearl Box Office or Ticketmaster.com. Ticket information and purchasing available also at stationcasinoslive.com and at any Station Casinos Rewards Center or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Management Reserves All Rights. © 2019 Station Casinos, LLC.
IT’S SHOWTIME! T O P N A M E E N T E R TA I N M E N T
LA FAMILIA TOUR TEXAS ★ JUNE 7
CHRIS JANSON WITH JORDAN DAVIS
SUNSET ★ MAY 31
QUEEN NATION BOULDER ★ JUNE 8
HIROSHIMA SANTA FE ★ JUNE 8
ROOTS & BOOTS 90’s Electric Throwdown
RICHARD CHEESE & LOUNGE AGAINST THE MACHINE RED ROCK ★ JUNE 14
RHETT & LINK GREEN VALLEY ★ JUNE 21
ROOTS & BOOTS WITH SAMMY KERSHAW AARON TIPPIN & COLLIN RAYE PALACE ★ JUNE 22
BOBBY CALDWELL SANTA FE ★ JUNE 22
JOHN MAYALL SUNSET ★ JUNE 28
SINBAD GREEN VALLEY ★ JULY 5
JOHN NEMETH BOULDER ★ JUNE 6
VANESSA COLLIER BOULDER ★ JUNE 20
STEEPWATER BAND BOULDER ★ JULY 11
in The Railhead
PURCHASE TICKETS AT THE REWARDS CENTER OR STATIONCASINOSLIVE.COM TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT ANY STATION CASINOS OR FIESTA REWARDS CENTER, BY LOGGING ON TO STATIONCASINOSLIVE.COM OR BY CALLING 1-800-745-3000. UNDER 21 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AT ALL VENUES. MANAGEMENT RESERVES ALL RIGHTS. © 2019 STATION CASINOS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE OR SNOW MOUNTAIN SMOKE SHOP
PREMIUM CIGARS & ACCESSORIES *Cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts. Must be 18 years of age or older. Excludes contracted brands. Excludes bundles & individual sticks from bundles, cigarettes, and pipe tobacco. Must present this coupon for redemption. Cannot be redeemed for cash. No photocopies or digital copies accepted. EXPIRES 6/30/2019. LVW
PER CARTON* (CIGARETTES ONLY) *Must be 18 years of age or older. NO LIMIT on any brand of carton purchased. Excludes filtered cigars. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Limit 1 discount given per customer per day. Must present this coupon for redemption. Cannot be redeemed for cash. No photocopies accepted. EXPIRES 6/30/2019. LVW
15% OFF
MARLBORO
2 OFF
$
✁
SPRIN 3/17-G SALE 3/20
LAS VEGAS PAIUTE CIGAR SHOPPE OR SNOW MOUNTAIN SMOKE SHOP
THIS
24/7
PUBLISHER MARK DE POOTER mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER KATIE DIXON katie.dixon@gmgvegas.com EDITOR SPENCER PATTERSON spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com Culture, arts/entertainment, nightlife
EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR LIZ BROWN liz.brown@gmgvegas.com News, business, lifestyle
EDITORIAL
$65.79*
FINAL PRICE WITH COUPON
*PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
$36.79
FINAL PRICE WITH COUPON
$37.49
FINAL PRICE WITH COUPON
Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Managing Editor/News DAVE MONDT (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) Deputy Editor GENEVIE DURANO (genevie.durano@gmgvegas.com) Editor at Large BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writers JUSTIN EMERSON, KELCIE GREGA, MIKE GRIMALA, BRYAN HORWATH, C. MOON REED, JOHN SADLER, RICARDO TORRES-CORTEZ, LESLIE VENTURA, MIRANDA WILLSON Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, JOHN FRITZ, CASE KEEFER, WADE MCAFERTY, KEN MILLER, JOHN TAYLOR Special Publications Editor CRAIG PETERSON (craig.peterson@gmgvegas.com) Library Services Specialist/Permissions REBECCA CLIFFORD-CRUZ Office Coordinator NADINE GUY
CREATIVE Art Director CORLENE BYRD (corlene.byrd@gmgvegas.com) Designer IAN RACOMA Multimedia Manager YASMINA CHAVEZ Photographers CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS, STEVE MARCUS, WADE VANDERVORT
DIGITAL Publisher of Digital Media KATIE HORTON Web Content Specialist CLAYT KEEFER
ADVERTISING & MARKETING External Content Manager EMMA CAUTHORN Market Research Manager CHAD HARWOOD Publication Coordinator DENISE ARANCIBIA Account Manager DAWN MANGUM Senior Advertising Manager BRIANNA KOURETAS Account Executives ROBERT BLANKENSHIP, WAYNE LIECHTY, MIKE MALL, TIANA MILLIRON, ADAIR NOWACKI, MARLENA OCIO, SUE SRAN, ALEX TEEL Events Manager SAMANTHA PETSCH Sales Assistant LEXIE ARANCIBIA
PRODUCTION Vice President of Manufacturing MARIA BLONDEAUX Production Director PAUL HUNTSBERRY Production Manager BLUE UYEDA Production Artist MARISSA MAHERAS Senior Graphic Designer DANY HANIFF Traffic Coordinator JEANNE GLEESON
CIRCULATION
NEW IN LAS VEGAS! EXPERIENCE REAL GO-KART RACING!
Director of Circulation RON GANNON Route Manager RANDY CARLSON Fulfillment Manager DORIS HOLLIFIELD
GREENSPUN MEDIA GROUP CEO, Publisher & Editor BRIAN GREENSPUN Chief Operating Officer ROBERT CAUTHORN Editorial Page Editor RIC ANDERSON
LATEST POWERFUL SODIKART GO-KART NEW ASPHALT OUTDOOR RACETRACK ONLINE LIVE TIMING & SODI WORLD SERIES TEAM-BUILDING, BIRTHDAY & BACHELOR PARTIES
VEGAS LOCALS SPECIAL OFFER! FREE MEMBERSHIP IN MAY & JUNE AND $35 $25 PER RACE
702-802-5664 - EXOTICSRACING.COM
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
ON THE COVER Photos courtesy Photo Illustration
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.
Welcome to the New Normal Experience life in the New Normal today. Present this page at any MedMen store to redeem this special offer.
10% off your purchase
6
L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
5 . 3 0 .1 9
WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD EVENTS TO FOLLOW AND NEWS YOU MISSED
TRUST US
CHECK OUT UPCOMING EVENTS Turn to Page 30 in Culture Weekly
BUS TO THE BARRICK FUNDRAISER HELPS TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT ART In 2017, the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art launched its Bus to the Barrick program, providing more than 2,000 students in the Clark County School District with free field trips to the museum. For many of the K-12 students who went on the tour, it was their first time ever visiting an art museum. The program, which provides free transportation on CCSD-funded buses, as well as art supplies and materials, is dependent on a summer “Rebel Raiser” and community donations. “It feels important, and to have a chance to expose someone to art for the very first time is just such a privilege,” says Alisha Kerlin, the museum’s executive director and Bus to the Barrick program founder. This year’s fundraiser ends June 14. While it has reached its $6,000 goal, it’s still accepting donations to provide additional resources to students. For more information, visit rebelraiser.unlv.edu/project/15640. —Leslie Ventura
4
ACES SHOW DEPTH The Las Vegas Aces opened the season May 26 with an 8370 win against the Los Angeles Sparks, with Dearica Hamby coming off the bench to lead a second-quarter rally that opened up a 15-point lead the team held onto throughout. Hamby finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds, and A’ja Wilson and Kayla McBride scored a combined 41 points in the victory. Las Vegas, a betting favorite to win league this year after trading for 6-foot-8 Liz Cambage, plays at Phoenix on May 31, then hosts the Connecticut Sun at 3 p.m. June 2 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
THINGS THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK
FATHER’S TRAGIC MISTAKE Authorities say a 13-year-old Pahrump boy was shot by his father, who mistakenly thought the boy was an intruder on May 23. The Nye County Sheriff’s Office said the boy doesn’t live with his father and that the father hadn’t seen a text telling him that the son would be arriving at the father’s home. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the father said he heard a noise in the living room, left his bedroom and fired when he saw a figure moving toward the bedroom. The son’s injuries were described as non-life-threatening. ANTIQUE RIFLE FINDS A NEW HOME A 137-year-old rifle found five years ago leaning against a juniper tree in Great Basin National Park is now part of an exhibit dedicated to the “Forgotten Winchester” at the park visitor center near the Utah border. The weathered Winchester Model 1873 is in a case designed to capture the way it looked when park archaeologist Eva Jensen stumbled across it on a rocky outcrop above Strawberry Creek during an archaeological survey. Based on its condition, experts believe the weapon might have been abandoned in the forest more than a century ago. JENNINGS’ RECORD IN JEOPARDY Las Vegan James Holzhauer broke the $2 million Jeopardy! earnings mark on May 24 and on May 28 pulled within $270,000 of Ken Jennings’ record, reaching that figure in roughly a third as many games as Jennings played. Holzhauer’s response accuracy rate of 97% tops Jennings’ 91% rate, and he has hit on 63 of 67 Daily Doubles in 29 games. On May 27, he nearly broke his own record by earning $130,022 in a victory that included a $58,000 wager in Final Jeopardy.
L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
7
IN THIS ISSUE
BLUE DIAMOND GEARS UP FOR 13TH-ANNUAL JAM AT THE BARN Fewer than 300 people live in the village of Blue Diamond. Just west of Las Vegas and near Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the former gypsum mine company town is now a haven for creatives and nature lovers. “It’s a totally beautiful place and we have a really strong sense of community,” says Pauline Van Betten, a longtime resident who is also the director of Save Red Rock. “We have a lot of community events. We know each other and help each other, and we like to have fun together.” On June 1, the village will host the 13th annual Jam at the Barn, a music and arts festival. “This is one example of the fun we have together,” says van Betten, who helps organize the fest. About 18 bands will perform at the 12-hour fest, which starts in the town park at 11 a.m. and moves indoors to the rec hall (the titular barn) at sundown. “The music fest is really eclectic. We pride ourselves on a huge span of genres, different kinds of artists,” says festival founder, and Pauline’s son, Steven Van Betten. The music includes bluegrass, experimental, acoustic singer-songwriter, house DJs and even some contemporary dance and theater pieces. In a nod to the wild burros that wander through the town, LA’s Solarc Brewing created a unique festival beer called Donkey Piss. Vegan caterers Tacotarian and GFY Burgers & Fries will provide the sustenance. “It’s a very communal event. Everybody in the village gathers,” Steven says. “In addition to listening to music, it’s a great way to celebrate the beginning of summer.” —C. Moon Reed
Special counsel Robert Mueller walks away from the podium after speaking at the Department of Justice on May 29 in Washington, D.C., about the Russia investigation. Mueller said he was barred from charging President Donald Trump with a crime but pointedly emphasized that his Russia report did not exonerate the president. If he could have cleared Trump of obstruction of justice, he “would have said so,” Mueller declared. (Associated Press)
Las Vegas Aces forward Dearica Hamby (5) drives the baseline against Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike (30) during the Aces’ home opener at Mandalay Bay Events Center on May 26. The Aces won 83-70. (Yasmina Chavez/Staff)
10
Cover story: Emerge festival blends social justice and music
CULTURE
Christina Aguilera unveils her Xperience
CULTURE
Shark at the Palms, and an art museum update
56 58 62 64
Sports: Three Las Vegans gear up for MLB draft News: Ward 2 elections and the battle over Badlands News: NV’s majorityfemale Legislature coming to a close Vegas Inc: A look at the Plaza room renovations
8
5-MINUTE EXPERT
5 . 3 0 .1 9
COMPARING THE MANY RIDESHARE OPTIONS BY C. MOON REED | WEEKLY STAFF
N
owadays, there are more options than ever when it comes to transportation. So we’ve created this guide to help you get from here to there.
The Major Competitors UBER
LYFT
Founded a decade ago, Uber Technologies is the big daddy of rideshare companies. It’s so prolific that the company name now doubles as both a verb and noun describing all rideshares, similar to how people say “Kleenex” instead of “tissues.” ■ Upside: It’s easy, convenient and reliable. Being prolific has its advantages, especially when you’re trying to catch a ride from the suburbs in the middle of the night. ■ Downside: Uber is famously controversial. Through the years, it’s made headlines for safety issues, flouting local laws, treatment of workers and more. ■ In the news: Amid driver strikes for low pay and poor treatment, Uber went public in early May. Echoing Lyft’s recent and disappointing initial public offering, Uber’s share prices tumbled. A recent Los Angeles Times headline called it a “car-wreck IPO.” The article states that because of stock market volatility, “Uber shares could start soaring at any time, or collapse further.” Now that both companies have gone public, MarketWatch predicts that rideshare charges will increase to please shareholders. In a needed win for Uber, the National Labor Relations Board just determined Uber drivers to be contractors rather than employees, according to The New York Times. ■ Price: Cut-rate prices have allowed Uber to quickly vie for world domination. (Whether those investorsubsidized prices are sustainable is another matter.) As opposed to a running taxi meter, Uber sets an up-front trip cost tallied from a proprietary base rate, booking fee and surge pricing (if demand is high at that moment). Riders can tip in the app after the trip is complete. Variations on the typical ride (known as UberX) include a budget option (UberPool) and luxury options (Uber XL, UberSelect, UberBlack).
RIDESHARE SAFETY TIPS There’s always a certain element of danger when getting into a car with a stranger. But you can alleviate the risk by following these tips:
1
TAXI CABS
Developed six years ago, Lyft is the Pepsi to Uber’s Coke. Many people consider it to be the slightly more ethical alternative to Uber, but since many drivers use both Uber and Lyft interchangeably, the jury is still out. ■ Upside: As part of its City Works initiative, Lyft launched a Grocery Access Program to offer discounted rides to grocery stores to help alleviate food deserts. Unfortunately, the program hasn’t yet rolled out in Las Vegas. ■ Downside: Lyft went public on March 29 with a valuation of more than $24 billion, according to Reuters. Its stock quickly fell, casting a pall over similar tech companies’ ability to succeed. ■ Local connection: In 2018, Lyft debuted its selfdriving cars at CES, allowing intrepid riders to cruise from the Convention Center to various points on the Strip. ■ Price: Lyft’s website says it bases ride prices on “route, time of day, ride type, available drivers and current demand.” (Its version of surge pricing is called “Prime Time.”) Lyft’s calculation includes both estimated distance and travel time to account for traffic, whereas Uber only calculates mileage. Comparison shopping reveals Lyft to be a few pennies more expensive than Uber on typical rides.
Don’t assume the random vehicle driving up is the car you ordered. Some predators are pretending to be rideshare drivers in hopes of snaring unsuspecting passengers. To protect yourself, make sure that the info on the app [license plate, vehicle make and model] matches the driver picking you up.
It may seem like apps are taking over our world … until you see the taxi line outside any Strip casino on a Saturday night. ■ Upside: It’s still more convenient to catch a taxi from a casino or the airport than it is to use rideshare. ■ Downside: Taxis tend to be more expensive than rideshare. ■ App innovation: Taxis are keeping with the times via the Curb app, which allows you to hail a traditional taxi from your phone. ■ Price: By a significant margin, the O.G. of ride-hailing tends to be the most expensive non-luxury way to travel. For example, according to the A Cab Taxi website, it costs $2.76 per mile plus a $3.50 activation fee (and a $3 credit/debit fee) to ride in Las Vegas. Based on our calculations, it’s about $1.55 per mile cheaper to take a rideshare than a taxi, assuming surge pricing isn’t in effect.
the driver the 2 Ask name of the person they’re picking up. Don’t volunteer your information or say, “Are you Joe?”
3
Stay aware of your surroundings, and follow the route on your own phone to make sure the car is taking you where you want to go.
4
Let a friend or family member know your travel plans so they can keep tabs on you.
5 . 3 0 .1 9
5-MINUTE EXPERT
9
16.4-18.6 miles
Downtown’s
Green Valley Ranch
Distance (depending on route)
Golden Nugget
UberX traditional Uber (holds 1-4 riders) UberPool shared ride from a common pickup/drop-off point (may involve a short walk) UberXL holds up to six riders Uber Select high-end cars
$24.28
Estimated Price Per Mile $1.39
$10.03
$0.57
Price
$63.06
$3.60
$79.70
$4.55
Lyft up to four riders Shared Lyft 1-2 riders Lyft XL holds up to six riders Lyft Black XL luxury vehicle that holds up to six riders Lyft Lux high-end ride (up to four riders) Lyft Lux Black high-end ride (up to four riders)
$24.85
$1.42
$20.69
$1.18
$66.85
$3.82
$137.65
$7.87
$86.08
$4.92
$107.09
$6.12
Taxi (hailed via the Curb app)
$55.00
$3.14
CARPOOLING WAZE CARPOOL The map app that helps you avoid traffic jams and police speed traps has entered the rideshare business by helping facilitate actual shared rides. If you want to make extra money on your drive to work, you can simply use the original Waze app. If you want to catch a ride, then download Waze Carpool. The app allows drivers and riders to filter and connect based on star rating, profile, gender, distance, price and place of work. RTC RIDE MATCH The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada offers a free Ride Match program, helping connect people with carpools, vanpools, transit and bike partners. While you’re at it, join Club Ride, the RTC’s incentive program to reduce driving for perks and rewards.
TAXI EXPLORER Punch in your starting point and destination, then the Taxi Explorer app will do the comparison shopping for you. In Las Vegas, it will show the prices of Uber, Lyft, Curb and taxis.
JUST FOR FUN
Henderson’s
COMPARISON SHOP
SAMPLE PRICING
PICK ME UP If you want the experience of rideshare without actually going anywhere, then this rideshare simulator is for you. This game, in which you pretend to be a rideshare driver, is the No. 1 racing game on Apple’s App store.
THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK GET READY FOR THE NEW VEGAS-BASED RIDESHARE APP TRYP Las Vegas is home base for an upcoming rideshare company: Tryp Technologies. The company is unique in how it pays drivers. Instead of taking a cut of every ride, drivers pay a flat $199 monthly fee and then keep 100 percent of the fare. According to CEO Bob McNulty, the target launch date is June 15. The app will launch in a handful of flagship markets, such as Phoenix and Atlanta. McNulty hopes to debut the Vegas market in the next four months after that, once the model is finalized and perfected. “We like to think about ourselves as the hometown guys,” McNulty says. “Starting a real business like this in this market is exciting for us.” McNulty has a retail background (he started shopping.com) and is usshopping.com ing some of his marketing smarts to spread the word about the app. There’s a referral program that pays 40 cents every time a referred rider uses the app. The focus in building Tryp has been about improving the driver experience.”We really do listen to drivers and strive to do a better job for drivers,” says McNulty, who hopes to recruit 7,000 Las Vegas drivers before launching here. “I don’t think we’ll have any trouble filling out markets to get the right amount of drivers to launch.” He says that through wordof-mouth, they’ve already signed about 30,000 individuals across the country. Safety features include universal background checks for all drivers, car inspections, optional toddler seats in the cars and an emergency panic button that goes to either 911 or corporate officers, per the rider’s preference. Tipping and star ratings are built into the app, along with a feature called “Quiet Ride,” for when the passenger just wants to enjoy their “Tryp” in silence.
10
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
5 . 3 0 .1 9
5 . 3 0 .1 9
E M E R G E
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
2 0 1 9
Emerge blends music and conversation for a unique festival formula No matter how many festivals you’ve attended, you’ve never been to one like Emerge before … well, unless you went to last year’s inaugural edition. But really, aside from its mission—to unite music, speakers and socially conscious themes—Emerge 2.0 won’t be all that similar to its predecessor, either. This time, you’ll remain at a single property, the Hard Rock Hotel, to take in all that Emerge has to offer. The fest has been refocused and condensed into two, fat-free days stacked with big names like Brandon Flowers, Gerard Way, Andrew Bird and Laura Jane Grace and rising stars you’ll be hearing a whole lot more from soon. We suggest digging deep into the 2019 lineup before planning your weekend, starting with our interviews and our picks to produce some of the festival’s most memorable performances. EMERGE May 31 & June 1, times vary, $199/weekend, $130/day, $25-$55/show. Hard Rock Hotel, emergelv.com.
(Courtesy and AP Photo/Photo Illustration)
11
12
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Parkland survivor-activists Emma Gonzalez and David Hogg are trying to stem the gun-violence tide (AP Photo/Photo Illustration)
5 . 3 0 .1 9
E M E R G E
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
13
2 0 1 9
Hogg, who took a gap year from his studies this year to focus on activism, said he practices self-care BY MIRANDA WILLSON by making time for friends and One year and three months ago, the deadliest high school family. When back home in Florida, shooting in U.S. history took place at Marjorie Stoneman he enjoys surfing, snorkeling, divDouglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 and ining, tennis and frisbee. juring 17 others. Within days of the shooting, still-grieving Gonzalez took a step back from student survivors started Never Again MSD, a movement to the movement this year to study end gun violence, vowing that the mass shooting at their at New College of Florida, but with school would be the last. more than 1.6 million Twitter folSince then, there has been an average of one mass shootlowers, she remains a major face of ing per day nationwide. But Emma Gonzalez and David March for Our Lives and visits ofHogg, two of Never Again MSD’s most recognizable leaders, ten with student leaders. Like many aren’t discouraged by that statistic. Although gun violence young people, she hasn’t quite mastered the art of balancing her continues to devastate communities across the country, the life and priorities. “I’ve done very two survivors say that Americans are less willing to tolerpoorly,” she says, laughing. “There’s ate the violence, and that the movement against those who no part of me that’s done this well enable it—notably, the National Rifle Association and politiin any way, shape or form.” cians beholden to the powerful lobbying group—is winning. Although their lives have been forever changed and complicated “I think a lot of people seriously realize that Although their cross-country bus tour is since the shooting, the Parkland gun violence is an issue that we’re not going to over, the Parkland survivors aren’t staying activist-survivors’ experiences allow to continue to happen without putting put. On May 31, Hogg and Gonzalez will be since then have been invaluable. up a fight,” Hogg, 19, says during a phone in Las Vegas to speak at Emerge, an interdisFor Hogg, traveling the country and interview with Las Vegas Weekly. ciplinary festival that combines art, social meeting with community organizHogg’s confidence in the success of Never justice and music. ers has exposed him to the history Again MSD and a related movement he helped It won’t be their first time here; they visited of diverse, youth-led organizing start, March for Our Lives, isn’t based on the city last summer to meet with survivors of in the United States. “We’re not sheer optimism. It also stems from his experithe October 1, 2017, mass shooting taught that in our history ence traveling the country last year with other on the Strip that killed 58 people books,” he says. “We’re Parkland shooting survivors. They visited and wounded more than 800. always taught in history EMMA GONZALEZ more than 20 states, in communities as “I cannot tell you how horrifying that these old-ass white & DAVID HOGG disparate as Chicago and Standing Rock Sioux it was,” Gonzalez, 19, says of that men are the people that Protest showcase, Reservation, to discuss and learn how gun visit during a separate Weekly interchanged the country, and May 31, 5 p.m. violence impacts Americans from all walks of view. “Out of all the experiences that that’s almost never been life. In addition to giving talks and meeting anybody has ever told us, that was the case.” with local organizers, the group registered one of the ones that sticks out the Visiting communiyoung people to vote and educated them about most in my mind.” ties that faced gun violence long candidates’ ties to the NRA ahead of the 2018 Speaking in communities that have endured before it struck predominantly midterm elections. That election year, youth a mass shooting is quite different from visiting white and middle-class Parkland voter turnout soared. communities that haven’t, Gonzalez says. In a is not just educational for Hogg place like Las Vegas, she doesn’t have to dwell and others with March for Our on what surviving Parkland was like. “Maybe Lives. It’s also key to the moveyou just say to a group of people, say, for exment’s success, Hogg believes. ample, in Las Vegas: ‘You know what it’s like.’ “Ending gun violence in only the And that’s all you say, and you move on,” Gonwhite community is not ending gun zalez says. “It’s good sometimes to talk about violence at all,” he says. “One thing your trauma like that, because it’s healing.” I try to point out is how few people Healing and self-care have been critical cared about gun violence until for Gonzalez and Hogg since the Parkland white kids started getting shot.” shooting, as they have sought to balance their Hogg, Gonzalez and other stuactivism, academic and personal lives with dent leaders are now trying to use the grief and trauma of the shooting. Since their platform to elevate the voices entering the spotlight and advocating for gun of other organizers, especially control measures, they have also had to conyoung ones. tend with attacks from conspiracy theorists “Everybody who is in one or more and right-wing politicians and pundits. of those [marginalized] communi-
ties has so many valid things to say,” Gonzalez says. “It’s obvious they should have a microphone.” All the while, the Parkland students continue to inspire young leaders around the world, such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Thunberg, now 16, started the international School Strike for Climate last year, whereby young people walk out of school in protest of current climate policies and inaction on climate change. Like the Parkland kids, Thunberg has faced her share of critics, who have called her entitled, misinformed and much worse. But Hogg believes change won’t happen by waiting around for an invitation. Rather, he says, it requires young people like Thunberg and himself to take risks and demand that their voices be heard. “Movements have never been successful by asking for a seat at the table. They’re always bigger than the table,” Hogg says. Indeed, the influence of youthled movements from March for Our Lives to the Sunrise Movement (which launched the now-famous Green New Deal campaign) seems to be growing in recent years. Gonzalez noted that it sometimes takes only one leader or protest to create a domino effect of activism. “It’s like when there’s nobody on the dancefloor; there’s nobody out there even though the music is so good, and you think, ‘I wish I could dance to this song, but I do not want to be the first person out there,’” Gonzalez says. “The first person who does go out there opens a floodgate of people ... and they all start dancing.” With the 2020 presidential election approaching, the Parkland teens aren’t planning on leaving the dancefloor anytime soon. “I won’t go into the specifics, because [we’re] still working on it,” Hogg says of the upcoming election. “But I can tell you that we’re building a really big f*cking table for a lot of people.”
14
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Singer-songwriter Andrew Bird gets ‘brave’ at Emerge
(Courtesy)
5 . 3 0 .1 9
E M E R G E
lv w c ov e r s t o r y
15
2 0 1 9
By C. Moon Reed In March, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird released his 15th studio album, aptly titled My Finest Work Yet. ¶ He’s known for his virtuoso violin playing and whistling, echoed through a loop machine until it sounds like the sonic version of an infinity mirror. But Bird simplified things on this album: Each song can be played acoustically on a guitar, “like a traditional troubadour.” ¶ The Weekly caught up with Bird to discuss his festival intentions, how perfect isn’t perfect and more.
What can we expect from you at Emerge? [I’ll be] performing solo, so that involves a bit of a high-wire act. Given that the theme is “brave,” I might take that to more extremes. What does “brave” mean for Andrew Bird? [The] balance between mastering your craft and taking risks. To me, when I’m onstage, if I’m not risking anything, then I kind of think, “What’s the point?” A big part of the appeal of performing to me is the chance that I could completely embarrass myself. But I can play that game because I know what I’m doing. I know my instrument. But it’s kind of fun when things do go wrong to have to figure out a way out of it. In a sense, I’m saying to my old teachers: “Look, I’m failing, and it’s beautiful.” You’ve so mastered your craft, it must be hard to fail. How do you even find that risk? It’s not hard to fail. There’s so many things you’re dealing with, like your mental state at that time you’re onstage. It’s different all the time … so I try to write songs that have this elasticity. But, yeah, when a show goes perfectly according to plan, I’m kind of disappointed. A lot of times, what I’ll do in a set is each song will become increasingly more technically absurd and harder to do with the looping and
several plates being spun at once. Then, if I get through that, I’m like, “Well, let’s unplug everything. Maybe the real risky thing is to just play guitar and sing my lyrics and not have any of that impressive technical stuff to fall back on. That’s the real risk.” That’s the way I tend to structure my sets, to get to this absurdly tricky stuff and then unplug everything and play acoustically. Whether I can create an arc with that in 30 minutes, I’m not sure. But we’ll see. Your new album is called My Finest Work Yet. Is it indeed your finest work yet? Absolutely. I can’t say I’ve not had that feeling before on other records. That’s sort of the joke. But there was a sense of urgency with this material I haven’t felt before—a need to communicate, hopefully, something that could succeed in getting beyond the choir. What brought on that sense of urgency? I think being alive in these times. After the 2016 election, there was a panic in the streets, and people were saying, “Why aren’t you doing something? You have a voice.” It took six months to figure out what language to use. Once I figured out how to write that line between poetry and directness, it then came quickly. That’s when the urgency started to pick up.
Emerge corrals its ideas and ambitions within four relatable themes Emerge lineup of musicians, artists and revolutionaries is by no means a random assortment. The festival has carefully arranged its speakers and performers within four overarching themes, or “experiences”: Protest, Self, Brave and Sex. “These are themes that are meaningful to everybody, regardless of perspective,” says festival founder Rehan Choudhry. ¶ The Weekly asked Choudhry to unpack each theme a bit.
Protest “The biggest community gatherings of the last decade weren’t actually festivals. They turned out to be protests and rallies: The Women’s March, March for Our Lives, etcetera. … What we’re trying to dive into is, what does the future of protest movements actually look like? We’re doing that by bringing in the people who are leading the movements right now [and] try to figure out: How do they evolve from what’s worked in the past into a new era where we’re connected universally under large-scale social platforms, but [at the same time] feel more divided and isolated than ever.”
Self “What’s been really incredible over the last few years has been how aware we are of the not just mental illness, but the various degrees of it. Historically, mental illness has been stigmatized and buried, in a lot of cases and a lot of familial environments. Now, we’re striving to understand the way we tick, why we tick, why we feel the way we feel, why we make decisions the way we do, and more importantly, once we can identify some of the issues that we’re struggling with, how we can solve them.”
Brave “It’s funny, Brave was originally called Fear. The idea was to understand how fear is a good thing, and it’s not something that we should bury or shy away from. ... But we ended up flipping it and calling it Brave, because rather than going down the rabbit hole of negativity, we wanted to celebrate the people who were able to identify the root causes of their fear and work through them.”
Sex “[The rules of sex] have not necessarily changed, but they’ve become more defined and more universally relevant. … We want to show the baseline of understanding the rules of consent, because while awareness [of consent] has been generated through #MeToo, the response from mainstream male America is that our freedoms are getting taken away from us, that we live in a more restrictive era. The reality is, if you just understand and operate under the basic rules of consent, we’re actually living in one of the most progressive times in history, sexually.”
Those “experiences” aren’t the only way to experience Emerge, however. “The key is being able to approach it in whatever way you’re comfortable,” Choudhry says. “We still very much have our roots in emerging perspectives, so if you strip away the themes and topics, we’ve got an incredible lineup of emerging thought leaders and emerging musicians coming together to celebrate the things that matter most to them.” –Geoff Carter
Andrew Bird Brave showcase, June 1, 6:30 p.m.
16
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Seven acts to circle in your Emerge planner (Photographs Courtesy)
■ TANK AND THE BANGAS
■ LADIES OF LCD SOUNDSYSTEM
Protest showcase, May 31, 5 p.m. You shouldn’t need us to tell you to catch Killers frontman Brandon Flowers or Black Star rapper Talib Kweli at this Day 1 session, so let’s focus on this uplifting, funky New Orleans crew. Leader Tarriona “Tank” Ball and her mates know how to start a party—and say something meaningful while they’re doing it.
Hope X Human showcase, May 31, 9 p.m. Gavin Rayna Russom and Nancy Whang, synth players in electronic rock darling LCD Soundsystem, began touring in tandem—and with purpose—last year, spotlighting female and nonbinary local openers and donating proceeds to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN).
5 . 3 0 .1 9
E M E R G E
How did you get into bounce music? I was listening to it young, when I was a kid. My friend Katey Red was the first transsexual to come out in bounce music. I sang background for Katey for about two years and helped her on her project. And then—in about 2000, 2001—the Big Freedia story began, and I started to create bounce music and it’s been going ever since. Why do you think bounce has been a genre where queer and gender-nonconforming folks can express themselves freely? I just think that it’s a fun music, [and] a music for all walks of life. It’s something that lifts the spirit. The queens here in New Orleans— especially in the LGBT community— we have truly embraced it and use it to the best of our abilities.
BIG FREEDIA Self & Sex showcase, June 1, 10 a.m.
■ CULTURE ABUSE New Artist Showcase, May 31, 10 p.m. This Strokes-y, Weezerish Bay Area quintet, which released latest album Bay Dream on Epitaph Records last year, could emerge (get it?) from the weekend as your favorite new discovery. This Friday showcase, featuring six up-and-coming acts, is the perfect place to find out.
You and Lizzo worked together on “Karaoke.” How did that collaboration come about? Me and Lizzo have been friends for a while now, and it was just perfect timing for us
■ KAITLYN AURELIA SMITH Self & Sex showcase, June 1, 10 a.m. The classically trained, LA-based electronic musician works in and around the ambient realm, creating lush soundscapes with her synthesizer and voice on critically acclaimed albums like Ears (2016) and The Kid (2017) and her hypnotic January release, Tides: Music for Meditation and Yoga.
■ BEDOUINE Women, Wellness & Reclamation showcase, June 1, 1:30 p.m. “There is something so comforting about these songs—it’s like tuning into a lost radio station from the ’70s—rich in nostalgia, innocence and the warmth of old analog instruments,” The Guardian wrote of Syrian-born, LA-based singer-songwriter Azniv Korkejian, who opened Las Vegans’ eyes and ears while opening for Fleet Foxes at the Cosmopolitan in 2017.
17
2 0 1 9
New Orleans’ Big Freedia brings her infectious energy to Emerge She calls herself the Queen of Bounce, and it’s a title she rightly deserves. Known for bringing New Orleans’ musical style to the mainstream—and for her TV show on Fuse—Big Freedia delivers her big, bold personality wherever she goes. Last year, the queen released the critically acclaimed EP 3rd Ward Bounce, and on June 1, she’ll bring a taste of New Orleans to this year’s Emerge festival.
LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
BY LESLIE VENTURA
to do a song together. I’m not sure when it will be released, but I did a song on one of her projects first. And then I had a song and I wanted her to get on, which was “Karaoke.” She’s amazing. You mentioned in a Vice interview that a lot goes into prepping for a show. Can you elaborate? It takes energy, it takes a team of people. Me and my team, when we’re prepping to get ready, everybody has to go into hair and makeup and to wardrobe and [we do] stretching and we pray. We go into a zone where we get ready to entertain people. It takes really setting your mind to doing it every day, especially when we’re on tour. Your TV show, Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce, aired a segment in which you rode the SlotZilla Zip Line in Las Vegas. Would you ever do it again? Hell no! That was crazy. Girl, I could not—listen: My heart was racing so fast on that thing, I was really screaming, ’cause I was scared to death. You’re playing Emerge, which combines live music with interactive, communal experiences. What can people learn watching you perform? They’ll all know that I’m definitely the queen of bounce by the time I finish bouncing my ass all over the thing. They will enjoy a great show full of energy and fun and lots of love, and I hope that they can reciprocate that and give it back in return.
■ LAURA JANE GRACE
■ CHERRY GLAZERR
Brave showcase, June 1, 6:30 p.m. The frontwoman for punk rock favorites Against Me!, debuted a new project with November LP Bought to Rot, credited to Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers. Grace, who publicly came out as transgender in 2012, will perform music and speak as part of Emerge’s Saturday Brave session.
Depressed Monsters showcase, June 1, 9:30 p.m. Rock ain’t dead, as this LA trio—fronted by founder Clementine Creevy—demonstrates on its grunge-y 2019 LP Stuffed & Ready. Close out your Emerge experience air-guitaring like it’s 1995. –Spencer Patterson
* Las Vegas Weekly is a partnering sponsor of Emerge 2019.
ENJOY OUR CHEF-INSPIRED T H R E E - C O U R S E M E N U E X P E R T LY PA I R E D W I T H B O U R B O N S
$90
PER PERSON
For Reservations call 702.732.5277 or visit OpenTable.com
Nobody In Their Right Mind Would Enjoy A Show Like This
Packing Downtown’s Best Punchlines
To purchase tickets, visit the Downtown Grand Box Office or downtowngrand.com/shows.
THIS WEEKEND
SO FUNNY YOU’LL LOSE YOUR MIND
ON SALE NOW
TWO COMEDY SHOWS
OPENING THIS WEEK
®
UPCOMING 6.22 Khalid • 6.22 Hootie and The Blowfish 7.5-7.26 Gwen Stefani • 7.6 Pentatonix 8.16 Lynyrd Skynyrd • 8.17 Chris Young 9.13 Iron Maiden • 10.18 Jonas Brothers
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
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 Spencer Patterson (spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com) Senior Editor Geoff Carter (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Deputy Editor Genevie Durano (genevie.durano@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) Creative Director Liz Brown (liz.brown@gmgvegas.com) Art Director Corlene Byrd (corlene.byrd@gmgvegas.com) Designer Ian Racoma Circulation Director Ron Gannon CEO, Publisher & Editor Brian Greenspun Chief Operating Officer Robert Cauthorn 2275 Corporate Circle, Suite 300 Henderson, NV 89074 lasvegasweekly.com /lasvegasweekly /lasvegasweekly /lasvegasweekly
on the cover
Christina Aguilera Photo courtesy
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.
6
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
5 . 3 0 .1 9
BIG THIS WEEK Fri, May 31
(Brian Bowen Smith/Courtesy)
Reynolds Hall Derek Hough The Dancing With the Stars dynamo’s first solo tour stops at the Smith Center, and it’s a huge show with a live band and lots of singing and dancing. “There’s comedy, there are heartfelt moments, every different genre you can think of and really incredible dancing,” Hough says. “I’ve done a lot of tours, but the feeling and reaction and energy of the audience just feels different this time. It’s really amazing.” 7:30 p.m., $40-$100. –Brock Radke
MAY 31-JUN 2
ENCORE THEATER JO KOY Hail the conquering hero. Comedian Jo Koy may have the world in his pocket—he hosts a popular podcast and has two Netflix specials in the offing—but here in Vegas, he’s practically family. Seems like only yesterday he was burnishing his stand-up at the Huntridge Theatre. It’s good to have him home. 8 p.m., $50-$120. –Geoff Carter
(Robyn Van Swank/Courtesy)
May 31-Jun 2 Shin Lim Terry Fator Theatre When two-time America’s Got Talent champ and sleightof-hand wizard Shin Lim takes the stage at the Mirage this week, he’s hoping it will be the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship with Las Vegas. “I want to make the most of it,” he says. “It’s kind of like I’ve been given this lucky draw, and I don’t want it to go to waste. I just want to take the opportunity to see myself grow as a magician. Who knows, I might change it up and make things even bigger. We’ll see.” If Lim does follow in the footsteps of his room’s predecessors Siegfried & Roy— though a better comparison might be Lance Burton, another closeup specialist—to become the next great Vegas magic act, it will be on his own terms. “Sleightof-hand is what I’m known for and it’s what I’ll continue to do, but I want to be able to immerse the whole theater and make everything be a part of it. I think along the lines of shows like KÀ, something artistic that really makes an impact. That’s what I want to go for.” 7:30 p.m., $66-$88. –Brock Radke
5 . 3 0 .1 9
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
7
calendar p30
(Courtesy)
THU, MAY 30 |
KAOS SKRILLEX
He spent last year collaborating in the studio with rising star Kelsey Lu, and he just released a remix of the cellist-turned-vocalist’s song “Due West” on Friday. Start your weekend right when Sonny Moore spins at the Palms nightclub—and keep your ears peeled for his new track. $20-$30, 10:30 p.m. –Leslie Ventura
MAY 31JUN 1 WARHOL LOFT AT ARTS FACTORY SHOELACES IN PARIS Poor Richard’s Playhouse presents a fast-paced night of interactive theater—31 original short plays performed in one hour, with the audience choosing the order of performances by calling out numbers from a menu. 8 p.m., $20. –C. Moon Reed
MON, JUN 3 BUNKHOUSE SALOON REAL ESTATE Hard to believe it’s been 10 years since the then-Jersey (now-Brooklyn) band released its debut album. Time flies when you’ve got feathery indie-pop ditties stuck in your brain. 8 p.m., $25-$30. –Spencer Patterson
WED, JUN 5 BARRICK MUSEUM LATINOS WHO LUNCH LIVE TAPING Join co-hosts—and UNLV alums— Emmanuel “Babelito” Ortega and Justin “FavyFav” Favela as they record their podcast live, delving into the cultural intersection of everything queer and Latinx. 5:30 p.m., free. –Leslie Ventura
JUN 6JUL 24 NEVADA HUMANITIES THEN & NOW If you’ve ever wondered what old neon signs looked like in their heyday, this exhibit is for you. Then and Now: The Neon Boneyard Lighting Up Las Vegas juxtaposes the historic and the current. Reception June 6, 6 p.m., free, 1017 S. 1st St. #190. –C. Moon Reed
8
c u lt u r e w e e k ly n i g h t s
BREATHE POOL LOUNGE Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5505. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
5 . 3 0 .1 9
5 . 3 0 .1 9
The Hard Rock Hotel’s Breathe pool keeps summer afloat By Jason R. Latham
I
t’s not yet June and there’s already a “last days of summer” sensation flowing throughout the Hard Rock Hotel’s 5-acre pool complex. That’s something we ought to get used to—a foreboding feeling of finality—as the resort inches toward its rebirth as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. “This is a transition summer for us,” explains CEO Richard “Boz” Bosworth, who’s overseeing the planned renovation and reintroduction of the resort’s legendary pool scene. Rehab Beach Club is gone for good, and while a new daylife experience won’t debut until April 2021, the beat goes on—for one last summer, at least—at Breathe Pool Lounge. Heralded as one of the Hard Rock’s bestkept secrets, Breathe will spend its final summer playing host to blowout farewell parties and open format DJs—many of them local—offering an alternative to the Strip’s popular EDM. “We want to have some fun this summer,” Bosworth says. “It’s the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, [and] we’re planning some live music—country western and rock”—to go with a DJ lineup that includes Damien
c u lt u r e w e e k ly n i g h t s
9
Anthony, Yonny, Chuck Fader and Big Ben. Breathe’s location lives up to that bestkept secret reputation. Positioned on a second level rooftop above the Nirvana and Dish pools, it’s far less crowded than your average daylife venue, with unobstructed sunlight and views of the Strip. Once you’ve settled into your daybed, grab a menu and prepare to be pleased by the price point. Breakfast, snacks and sandwiches stay in the $10-$20 range, with platters serving up to five people running $65 to $95. Not bad for a group outing. “This summer we’re highlighting food,” Bosworth says of the expanded menu. “Personally, I love the Buffalo cauliflower, and we’ve got a firecracker chicken wrap that is crazy.” For the thirsty guest, Breathe offers a bevy of reasonably priced specialty cocktails (the Bomb Pop is highly recommend), “skinny” drinks, shots, beers and “spiked” seltzers. There’s bottle service, of course, but Breathe eschews the typical daylife model, Bosworth explains, by not relying on alcohol and other beverages to make up 85-90 percent of its revenue. That means you actually get to sip your Champagne, rather than taking it directly to the face from the barrel of a water gun. Drink up while you can, for as the song goes, summer lovin’ happens so fast.
(Erik Kabik/Courtesy)
5 . 3 0 .1 9
h o t
30
DRAI’S
John David Jackson—better known as New York rapper Fabolous—brings the early-aughts vibes to the Cromwell club. Here’s hoping he drops that classic Ashanti jam while he’s there. 10:30 p.m., $30-$50. Cromwell, 702-777-3800.
fri
A NNA LU N O E
31
ENCORE BEACH CLUB
The Australian DJ has performed at all the big festivals—Coachella, Lollapalooza, Ultra and more. Now you can catch her in her own “Blaze of Glory” at EBC Nightswim. 10 p.m., $25-$45. Encore, 702-770-7300.
MATO MA
sat
FA BO LO US
s p o t s
01
JEMAA
Let the Norwegian DJ and producer behind last year’s “Sunday Morning” collaborative hit with Josie Dunne set your Saturday afternoon pool vibes. 11 a.m., $20-$30. Park MGM, 702730-6784. –Leslie Ventura
Fabolous by Devin Jimenez/Tony Tram Photography/Courtesy; Anna Lunoe by Elizabeth De La Piedra/Courtesy; Matoma by Jimmy Fontaine/Courtesy
c u lt u r e w e e k ly n i g h t s
thu
10
THIS WEEK
WORLD FAMOUS GOSPEL BRUNCH
CHON
FONSECA
EVERY SUNDAY
JUN 7
JUN 3
7 PM ALL AGES
7 PM 18+
BLACKBEAR
10 AM & 1 PM
FEED ME JUN 23
JUN 29
UPCOMING
7 PM ALL AGES
HINDER
7 PM 18+
POUYA JUL 21
JUL 27
7 PM 18+
5.31 APPETITE 4 DESTRUCTION 6.8 LED ZEPAGAIN • 6.14 TRAP KARAOKE 6.15 AVATAR • 6.21 THE DAN BAND • 6.27 GASOLINA 7.5 NEW FOUND GLORY • 7.6 JON BELLION • 7.7 INTOCABLE 7.23 AUGUST BURNS RED • 7.24 THE ALARM • 7.26 WHISKEY MYERS 7.27 STATIC-X • 8.2 GOJIRA • 8.3 BUDDY GUY • 8.20 O.A.R. 8.26 LEONI TORRES • 8.30 BLACK FLAG • 8.31 SKILLET SEVENDUST 9.14 DEEP PURPLE • 9.30 BABYMETAL SEP, OCT, NOV AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH SANTANA 10.2 CALEXICO AND IRON & WINE • 10.4 ANGELS & AIRWAVES 10.11 UFO • 10.23 AMON AMARTH • 10.25 CHRISTIAN NODAL
7 PM ALL AGES
JUL 27 • AUG 3 • AUG 10
FOR FULL CONCERT & EVENT LISTINGS, VISIT HOUSEOFBLUES.COM/LASVEGAS | 702.632.7600 |
@HOBLASVEGAS
12
c u lt u r e w e e k ly N I G H T S
5 . 3 0 .1 9
E n co r e Beac h Clu b Davi d G u etta
m ay 11
Photographs by Danny Mahoney
Open format music Pool party redefined Sexy is back
FRIDAY - SUNDAY | 11AM NO COVER MAY ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP 5.31|DJ Ammo
6.01|Arnold & Lane
6.02|Wellman
RESERVATIONS AT HARDROCKHOTEL.COM 702-693-5505 | Must be 21 years or older. Management reserves all rights.
14
c u lt u r e w e e k ly N I G H T S
5 . 3 0 .1 9
D ra i ’s t y do l l a $ ign
Photographs by Devin Jimenez
may 16
SUNSET SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETING INFO VISIT STATIONCASINOSLIVE.COM TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT ANY STATION CASINOS OR FIESTA REWARDS CENTER, BY LOGGING ON TO STATIONCASINOSLIVE.COM OR BY CALLING 1-800-745-3000. DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY/VIDEO IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AT ALL VENUES. MANAGEMENT RESERVES ALL RIGHTS. © 2019 STATION CASINOS, LLC.
GET THE PARTY STARTED POOLSIDE BEFORE EACH SHOW AT 4 PM FOOD & BEVERAGES AVAILABLE | DJ, FUN & GAMES
COUNTRY MUSIC ARTIST
CHRIS JANSON
AND SPECIAL GUEST JORDAN DAVIS
FRIDAY, MAY 31 • DOORS 6 PM TICKETS FROM $20+TAX /FEES
LONESTAR SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 • DOORS 7 PM TICKETS FROM $25+TAX /FEES
JOHN MAYALL
AND SPECIAL GUEST CAROLYN WONDERLAND
FRIDAY, JUNE 28 • DOORS 7 PM TICKETS FROM $25+TAX /FEES
JOHN CONLEE
SATURDAY, JULY 6 • DOORS 7 PM TICKETS FROM $25+TAX /FEES
BERLIN FEATURING TERRI NUNN Suns et Ro ad @ US 93 / 95 • (702) 5 47-7777
sunsetstation.com • like us on Facebook.com/sunsetstation
SATURDAY, JULY 20 • DOORS 7 PM TICKETS FROM $30+TAX /FEES
AVERAGE WHITE BAND SATURDAY, AUGUST 24 • DOORS 7 PM TICKETS FROM $20+TAX /FEES
PARTY WITH US AND TAKE THE ELEVATOR HOME
BOOK YOUR ROOM TODAY | 1.888.786.7389 | SUNSETSTATION.SCLV.COM/PROMOTIONS/HOTEL-PROMOTIONS CALL-IN OFFER CODE: TAKETHEELEVATOR | ONLINE BOOKING CODE: ELEVATOR
16
c u lt u r e w e e k ly N I G H T S
5 . 3 0 .1 9
E n cor e beac h club e lrow
may 19 Photographs by Tony Tran
DAILY DRINK FEATURES 9AM TO NOON!
DYLAN SCOTT May 31
CONCERT SERIES Presented by
YUNG JOC June 2 SPLASH SUNDAYS
#DAYBEATS SATURDAYS JUNE 1 •ERIC FORBES
GO MONDAYS JUNE 3 • DJ DMILES
TWISTED TUESDAY JUNE 4 • JD LIVE
SWIMDUSTRY SWIMDUSTRY WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY MAY 85• JUNE •DANCING DANCINGDJ’S DJ’S
R
DOORS OPEN AT 9AM FOR BOTTLE SERVICE, CABANA & DAYBED RENTALS CALL 702.697.2888 • GOPOOL VEGAS.COM
@GoPoolVegas #GoPoolVegas Must be 21 or older to gamble. Know When To Stop Before You Start.® Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2019, Caesars
THROWBACK THURSDAYS JUNE 6 • DJ EXODUS
18
C U LT U R E W E E K LY
5 . 3 0 .1 9
SWIMMING WITH SHARK BOBBY FLAY’S NEW CONCEPT SPICES UP THE PALMS BY C. MOON REED or his most ambitious Vegas restaurant yet, celebrity chef Bobby Flay has ventured off-Strip to join the revamped Palms. With Shark, Flay applies his signature, Latin-inspired flavors to seafood and sushi. His menu samples a variety of spices, adding depth without sending smoke out diners’ noses. The menu mostly comprises shareable plates, except for a few truly grand entrées (whole grilled lobster, wild striped bass and a 36-ounce Porterhouse, for example). Our server recommend eating the food in a specific order: from cold to hot, mild to spicy. That means you can expect to taste the ceviche and sushi (by chef Kiyotaka Jet Asano) first. For something different, try the mackerel sashimi ($8), which benefits from a three-hour salt rub followed by a 30-minute rice-wine vinegar soak. Shark elevates the crowd-pleasing rock shrimp tempura sushi roll with aji amarillo chiles ($16). Each of the two ceviches boasts its own special chile. The bluefin tuna ($21) gets the more traditional treatment with serrano chiles, avocado and cilantro, while the server-recommended yellowtail ceviche ($19) is bathed in a sauce made from charred pineapple, chile de arbol and bitter greens. The signature items bring together all of Shark’s influences, celebrating the sea’s bounty by way of grilled octopus, black cod, scallops with panca chile, roasted salmon with yellow chile-ponzu dressing and tuna tartare with Peruvian chile sauce. Other dishes highlight Flay’s twist on Latin flavors. The crushed avocado ($16) is like a deconstructed guacamole, featuring an outstanding pistachio-serrano chile pesto. The warmest and spiciest of the dishes, tacos ($17-$24) come last. Save room for the pillowy fresh-made blue corn tortillas and layers of bright flavors. The tortilla-maker works in the dining room, like the sushi chef, allowing for a special connection between guest and food preparation. For dessert, don’t skip the tres leches cake ($14), which actually uses four milks: coconut, almond, soy and evaporated. It’s topped off by a sweet burnt tangerine caramel sauce.
F
SHARK Palms, 702-942-7777. Sunday-Wednesday, 5-10:30 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 5-11 p.m.
Shark suggests you start with raw fish. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
5 . 3 0 .1 9
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
Food & Drink Left to right: Choco Fresa, Chamango and Raspado Fresa at Kucara Makara. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
Drink up
the High Roller’s Happy Half Hour offers libations with city views
+
Treat yo’ self
Kucara Makara offers a kaleidoscope of Mexican flavors
+
On the outside, Kucara Makara announces ($16.50) and tostadas piled with zesty crustaceans ($10). itself with playfully swooshy pink letterThe left side of the restaurant leans to the sweet, being. On the inside, it’s the well-lit home to a ginning with an ice cream case filled kid-friendly flavors snacktastic cavalcade of Mexican treats. From gargandominated by various chocolate and vanilla combinatuan shrimp cocktails and elotes (corn niblets) topped tions (fitting for a shared Central American origin). For with crimson-orange crushed Flamin’ Hot chilly sips, go with raspados ($5.95)—slushKucara Makara ies available in tropical flavors like pineapCheetos to purplish unicorn ice cream sun4225 W. Sahara daes, the mom-and-pop shop’s offerings are ple, coconut, lemon, tamarind and guava. Or, Ave, 702-202-0741. Daily, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. eye-boggling. try chunks of sweet mango jazzed up with a Taking its name from a Spanish-language piquant pepper drizzle. Everything can be children’s counting rhyme (think “Eeny, topped with a host of nuts, sugar sprinkles, meeny, miny, moe”) Kucara Makara has a right side sour chewies, whipped cream and more. dedicated to seafood. A wall of photos shows off a roster This is all just a start. Kucara Makara also serves of elaborate dishes like the Torre Zota ($15), a lofty and nachos, crepes, sandwiches and more. It’s a lot to take hefty cylinder of poached prawns, octopus and white in on the first visit—a count-off rhyme just might fish topped with avocado slices and a shower of spicy come in handy to whittle down the delectable options. chili sauce. Other selections include citrusy aguachiles –Greg Thilmont
The view is tremendous, of course. The High Roller Observation Wheel takes riders 550 feet over the Strip, allowing for 360-degree vistas of the Vegas Valley. When I recently took the 30-minute ride, the sun was breaking through the clouds just so, shining beams of heavenly light over Spring Valley. But those suburban houses seemed far away from the world inside my cabin, where unlimited drinks were flowing from the roll-in bar as part of Happy Half Hour. The three other passengers—business tourists from Florida—and I became fast friends thanks to generous pours. Their only complaint? The trip felt short for the price—$35-$52, versus $22$37 for non-boozy tickets (locals qualify for significant discounts, though). The bartender was upbeat and friendly. The drink selection was what you’d expect from a casino open bar: a standard selection of well drinks, mixers and beer. “No shots or booze ‘on the rocks,’” the bartender explained as my group stepped into the moving cabin (the High Roller doesn’t stop for passengers; it’s like hopping onto a ski lift). As I looked down upon the quickly shrinking casinos, I noticed that the cabin was missing a key feature: cup holders. I placed my rum cocktail on the built-in bench and marveled at the smoothness of the ride. The liquid didn’t even quiver. –C. Moon Reed
HIGH ROLLER HAPpy HALF HOUR Daily, noon-1 a.m., $35$52. Linq Promenade, 702-322-0537.
19
20
c u lt u r e c ov e r s t o r y
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Christina Aguilera joins the march of strong female residents on the Strip By Brock Radke
T
he current Las Vegas Strip entertainment landscape isn’t dominated by musical residencies—it’s dominated by women as headliners. Celine Dion remains the most iconic name on this exclusive list as she closes out her historic run at Caesars Palace in the coming weeks, and the Colosseum also has Mariah Carey and Reba McEntire (with Brooks & Dunn) to balance its residency roster with Rod Stewart and next year’s show from Sting. The most successful male headliner is Bruno Mars at Park Theater, but the other solo act residents in that room are Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson and Cher, an unbelievable lineup. The other massively successful big room built by a female act is Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater (thanks to Britney Spears), and it has continued shining the spotlight on women with Jennifer Lopez, Gwen Stefani and now, Christina Aguilera, who debuts The Xperience on May 31. With the residency trend expanding into group acts like Aerosmith and Def Leppard, it’s becoming clear that there are simply more female solo artists who can command the required audience and attention to hold down a monumental headlining gig. But in the case of Aguilera, the multiple Grammy-winning singer who exploded across the charts with her Planet Hollywood pop predecessors Spears and the Backstreet Boys in 1999, playing Vegas was all about timing.
“The last time I had been on tour was when I was pregnant with my son [in 2008], and being such a mama bear and wanting to take care of my kids and all of that first, it was a long time coming,” she told Billboard in January. Aguilera returned to touring last year behind her latest album, Liberation. “The whole point of Liberation was getting back in touch with myself, finding that love, being in my artist body again, finding my true self and identity onstage again. It was just like coming home. And I want to take that to Las Vegas.” Aguilera has always been recognized first for her powerful, soulful voice, but right behind that, for her chameleonic and influential sense of style and fashion. From a midriff-baring teenager, to the rebellious and risqué vibes of “Dirrty” and Stripped, to the retro blonde bombshell of Back to Basics, her looks have been just as memorable as her hits. That factor bodes well for the creation of a splashy Vegas production. “I’m such a visual person, and I’ve been acquiring all these inspirations,” Aguilera told Billboard. “Las Vegas is an amazing place to put all of that together. People visit to experience something new, to escape their everyday world. I wanted to put together a fantasy and let people [slip] into a world of finding their own true selves … give the audience a chance to take off whatever mask they might have to wear in their regular lives.”
CHRISTINA AGUILERA: THE XPERIENCE May 31-June 16, $60-$370. Zappos Theater, 702-785-5882.
5 . 3 0 .1 9
c u lt u r e c ov e r s t o r y
21
(Courtesy)
T H E U LT I M AT E
WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 7PM–10PM 3 winners every 30 minutes will win a share of
$25,000 in Free Play! Earn entries all month long!
W W W. I U V E N T U S M E D C E N T E R . C O M Bi-Weekly Body Composition Analysis Initial Medical Consultation Medication for (3) month treatment Full Body Composition Analysis EKG (if required) S P EC I A L RX for (3) month Appetite Suppressants O FFE R $ (12) Weekly B12 Injections
395
New patients only, cannot be combined with other offers.
702-457-3888 | 3365 E. Flamingo Road, Ste 2 | Las Vegas, NV 89121
FEATURING ANDREW BIRD BIG FREEDIA BISHOP BRIGGS BRANDON FLOWERS DAVID HOGG EMMA GONZALEZ GERARD WAY LADIES OF LCD SOUNDSYSTEM LAURA JANE GRACE PATRISSE CULLORS TALIB KWELI TANK AND THE BANGAS
JOIN THE MOVEMENT ALECWITHPEN • ANA TIJOUX • BEDOUINE CHERRY GLAZERR • CULTURE ABUSE • DESSA DOJA CAT • THE DOSE • HOBO JOHNSON & THE LOVEMAKERS J.F. SEARY • J.I.D • JOHN FORTE • JONATHAN WILLIAMS JOSE ANTONIO VARGAS • JULIE MINTZ KAITLYN AURELIA SMITH • KARLEA • KIARA B KRISTY JOHNSON • LE1F • LEIKELI47 • LUNA AURA MARIAN HILL • MISS EAVES • NAHKO PAULA WILLIAMS • PRESTON • ROB CAVALLO RYAN BRUNTY • SADIE • SWSH • TASHA TAYLA PARX • WELDON ANGELOS • WHITNEY BELL YOKE LORE • DR. ZHANA
SINGLE SHOWCASES Limited tickets available for each showcase.
MAY 31 —
PROTEST • HOPEXHUMAN • NEW ARTIST SHOWCASE JUNE 01 —
SELF&SEX • WOMEN, WELLNESS & RECLAMATION BRAVE • DEPRESSED MONSTERS HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO, LAS VEGAS FOR SCHEDULE & TICKETS VISIT EMERGELV.COM
24
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Loud!
Local music news & notes by leslie ventura
P
ANIC ON THE STREETS Jerk! has been making fast and snotty pop-punk since 2015, when singer and guitarist Joshua Tussinger made the trek from the cornfields of Indianapolis to the neon jungle of Las Vegas. Elements of late-’70s punk a la Ramones are peppered among the three-chord skate punk sounds you spun while drinking malt liquor with your friends in high school (think The Queers and other Lookout! Records acts). Since Jerk!’s formation four years ago, the band has opened for some of its influences, like The Lillingtons and fellow Hoosiers Sloppy Seconds. In between booking shows at Evel Pie—Tussinger is the pizza jointslash-DIY venue’s talent booker—the group booked time at Digital Insight Recording Studios and is gear-
ing up to release its second full-length album, Panic Attack, June 13, with a show to mark the occasion scheduled that night at Backstage Bar & Billiards. The Teenage Radio Records LP is the follow-up to 2017’s Get Rad!, available at jerkpunkrock.bandcamp.com. The group embarks on a 15-date Midwest tour on May 28, starting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and twisting through Oklahoma, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Nebraska before heading home in mid-June. TWANG TIME Las Vegas’ honky-tonk foursome The Rhyolite Sound is about to have a very busy summer. The group has begun playing Hogs & Heifers’ monthly Honky Tonk Hangover party, and, starting June 7, the band will also hold down a monthly residency at the Golden Nugget’s shark-
filled pool. The band also recently finished recording its sophomore 11-song album at Downtown’s National Southwestern Recording. At press time, The Rhyolite Sound had raised $3,440 of a $6,000 GoFundMe goal to supplement recording costs. IN MEMORIAM On July 7, the Double Down Saloon will host a memorial show in honor of Vegas punk-scene mainstay Mike Briggs—frontman for longtime outfit Agent 86—who died in April after a lengthy battle with cancer. On the bill: Briggs’ Agent 86 bandmates, 3D6, Stagnetti’s Cock and Sickness in Motion. Agent 86 formed in 1982 and has remained a fixture ever since, bringing a spirit of political
5 . 3 0 .1 9
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
25
Noise Debris slide Three Pummelling metal masters team up to crush all hope at the Bunkhouse By Case Keefer n May 30, the Bunkhouse will offer a masochistic treat for those who prefer a dose of pain with their live music. One of the heaviest and loudest tours of the year in underground metal will make a local stop—a three-touring-band bill that promises to pummel. The best part? Full of Hell, Primitive Man and Genocide Pact each batter in their own distinctive way.
O
Jerk! (Tiffany Salerno/Courtesy)
HOTS TOPIC On June 6, Punks in Vegas will release The Complete Oral History of Holding Onto Sound, an eBook chroni-
Full Of Hell The headliners attack from all angles with a jagged approach that approximates Genocide Pact Part of the burgetting pelted with sharp pebbles geoning death metal revival scene, shot out of a pitching machine. this Washington, D.C., foursome The Baltimore workhorses—and sound like a descending avalanche frequent Las Vegas visitors— of rocks. It has taken started as a high school cues from all the greats hardcore group before FULL OF HELL of the genre’s mid-’90s with Primitive Man, edging into the death Genocide Pact, heyday to create a metal/grindcore realm God’s America. catalog of stomping, while also indulging Bunkhouse Saloon, midtempo blasts heavy in collaborative noise 702-982-1764. May 30, 8 p.m., on chunky bass slabs, projects with the likes $12-$15. growled vocals and wild of Merzbow and The drum patterns. Catch Hell. The band put out the group now, because Genocide its seventh full length release Pact likely won’t be an opening act in nine years, Weeping Choir, much longer. earlier this month, and it’s the fullest amalgamation of all their Primitive Man The Denverinfluences yet. Hearing new songs based sludge gods’ sonics are like “Thundering Hammers” and more consistent with being slowly “Burning Myrrh” should provide crushed by a loose boulder. Piercan appropriately punishing end to ing feedback, lumbering riffs, the night.
cling the revered Vegas punk band’s legacy through interviews with members and friends. The book will be available through Amazon, with GC Records providing an accompanying a digital compilation of HOTS music. HAVE YOU HEARD? In February, experimental musician and producer Cecil Purihin has released his first full-length album, Temporarily Unavailable, at cecilpurihin.bandcamp.com. Originally created for an art exhibit about grief and depression, the collection of eerie noise-scapes also works as an emotional stand-alone soundtrack.
Full of Hell (Courtesy)
resistance to its “rastacore”—the term Briggs used to describe the band’s reggae/hardcore blend. Briggs went on to found his own label, Rastacore Records. His artist bio reads: “While so many of punk’s pioneers lost faith in the movement or moved on to supposedly bigger and better things, Mike has stood firm, and his socially and politically charged lyrics are today still as pertinent as the lyrics he wrote 20 years ago.”
throaty roars and tactical blast beats create a unique, enveloping sensation. Beneath it all are Ethan McCarthy’s equally stifling lyrics, some of the most misanthropic ever penned. There’s no hope here. Only doom and sludge pushed to the absolute extreme, an oppressive joy to experience live.
26
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
5 . 3 0 .1 9 (Photo Illustration)
ART
Sweet symphony Plans for a Downtown art museum are swiftly moving ahead By Geoff Carter ve written about the prospect of a standalone fine art museum in Downtown Las Vegas at least once a year since I joined the Weekly staff in 2016. (Let’s take a moment to acknowledge that Las Vegas already has a fine art museum: UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art. Still, more is better.) Every time, I unearth at least one new piece of evidence that things are actually happening: an alliance with the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, for example, or the promise of a prime location in the Symphony Park neighborhood. But recently, a chance meeting with NMA communications director Amanda Horn yielded a veritable fount of museum info.
I’
There are boots on the ground. The entity formally known as the Nevada Museum of Art, Las Vegas now has a deputy director, Heather Harmon. She has several mountains of work to move: the building of a full museum board, the meeting of a $12 million fundraising goal (thus fulfilling a two-to-one value match set by the City of Las
Vegas for its commitment of land, construction funding and parking) by October 2019, and the creation of pop-up exhibitions like 2017’s Tilting the Basin. The location is set. The museum “will be located on approximately 1.2 acres in Symphony Park near the Smith Center,” Horn says via email. If you can imagine standing in the green space adjacent to the Smith, facing east—which you should, by the way; it’s a lovely spot—someday you’ll see an art museum directly ahead, nestled behind Tim Bavington’s totally tubular “Fanfare for the Common Man.” “Since the specific site was identified by the City in October 2018, the Museum [has been] refining its program and facilities planning,” Horn says. “Early estimates suggest the LEED-platinum building will be approximately 130,000 square feet.” Plus, the museum will have an adjacent parking garage (which, curiously, is already built) and will be connected to the rest of Downtown by a pedestrian walkway spanning the railroad tracks.
Next step: Deciding what the museum will actually look like. “We have just formed an architecture committee that is about to have their first in-person meeting,” Horn says. Once chosen, the architect will need to imagine a building that complements the art deco-inspired Smith Center, the no-nonsense industrial aesthetic of the railroad right-of-way and Auric Symphony Park, the 480,000-squarefoot, five-story mid-rise luxury apartment building that just broke ground northeast of the museum plot. NMA’s current Las Vegas installation will hang out for a while longer. Ugo Rondinone’s “Seven Magic Mountains,” the colorful, threeyear-old land-art piece that has become ground zero for Instagrammers, is getting a fresh coat of paint and an extension through at least the end of 2021. “We’re exploring ways to make [the installation] permanent, but we don’t know what that looks like yet,” Horn says.
basketball is back!
For tickets and a full schedule:
LASVEGASACES.COM (702) 692-ACES
28
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Scene
Pincushion owner Abby Stroot (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
Sewing Happiness Pincushion is the Downtown craft clubhouse of our dreams By C. Moon Reed incushion is a friendly little hangout in the Arts District. But instead of slinging beers or brewing coffee, the denizens of Pincushion are stitching, cutting and crafting. This not-so-secret clubhouse and all-things-sewing shop celebrated its first anniversary in March, but if haven’t heard of it, don’t feel bad. Pincushion doesn’t advertise, instead spending its money on quietly building a creative community. The shop makes its bread and butter on alterations and custom orders, but it also offers sewing classes and rentable workspace. At the front is an adorable shopping area, with a mix of fabrics, notions and local crafts for sale. One shelf features an array of handmade and elaborately decorated pincushions by local creative Carole Sidlow of the Ribbon Store. “Right now, we’re in a very DIY time period,” owner Abby Stroot says. “Everybody’s interested in doing Pinterest things and learning new hobbies. I wanted Pincushion to be a space that promotes that.”
P
With a background in theatrical costume design, Upcoming and recent classes range from the Stroot works with both Cirque du Soleil and compractical (DIY Alterations & Repairs) and whimsimunity theater companies. She noticed one constant cal (Creating Your Own Cosplay Costume) to the among Vegas’ diverse array of creatives: Everybody’s fashionable (Techniques of Costume & Fashion working on a side project, and they often need a Design) and artsy (Silk Painting). They’re open place to spread out. For Stroot, that to all skill levels and big on friendly, PINCUSHION served as a revelation. one-on-one instruction. The Pattern 4 E. Charleston Blvd., “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a of the Month Club allows participants 702-522-9551. Tuesdaycreative coworking space, somewhere Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; to work on an indie pattern handSunday by appointment. where you just come in by the hour, selected by Stroot; its participants work with other people or whatever you come away with a wearable garment want to do?” she thought. She set out to perfectly tailored to the maker. provide “a great central location for people,” and it One recent Friday afternoon found sewing “just kind of blossomed from there.” student Lauren Cecil-Fischer learning to sew darts Stroot enjoys sharing her passion with others. “I for a pair of suit pants she was making. For her, the love seeing people get excited about making their suit project is both a fun learning experience and own things,” she says. As such, her dream is to really a useful skill. “Suits don’t fit me; I’m a woman, and expand the classes and the social aspect of Pincushthey’re made for men. So I have to [buy] a larger ion. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know our customsuit and bring it somewhere like Abby’s shop and ers. … I like the community that’s starting to grow have them fit it to me,” Cecil-Fischer says. “Now I’ll around this business.” have the skills to be able to do it [myself].”
TOP DOCTORS 2019 05.22.19 PHOTOG: KRIS M. MAYESHIRO PRESENTED BY:
SPONSORED BY:
30
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
5 . 3 0 .1 9
calendar LIVE music 172 Crazy Town, Dropout Kings, Head Trauma 5/31. Bravo Delta, Systemec, The Scorched 6/1. Cody Joe Hodges 6/5. Dio Rising (Dio tribute), Baker’s Dozen 6/8. The Ataris, Mercy Music, ReVolta 6/12. Rio, 702-513-3356. Backstage Bar & Billiards Revolucion de Amor (Maná tribute), Fusion Vive (Mon Laferte tribute) 5/31. The Bright Light Social Hour, Swimm, Kasadoom 6/1. Kid Congo & The Pink Monkey Birds, Slim Cessna’s Auto Club 6/9. Neckbeard Deathcamp, Theories, Dryad 6/12. Jerk!, The Jasons, Chainsaw Fight 6/13. 601 Fremont St., 702-382-2227. THE BARBERSHOP Cory Edward Brown 5/30. Ryan Whyte Maloney 5/31. The 442s 6/1. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7434. THE BOXX Esham, Kay-O, Da Cychotic King, Donnie Menace, Fear Itself 6/3. Caskey 6/12. 1000 N. Nellis Blvd., 702-824-5281. Brooklyn Bowl Almost Queen (Queen tribute) 5/31. Saved by the Bowl ’90s Dance Party 6/1. Brown Sabbath (Black Sabbath tribute) 6/2. Snarky Puppy, Roosevelt Collier 6/3. American Aquarium, The Rhyolite Sound 6/5. Dizzy Wright, Demrick, Reezy 6/8. Blue October, Mona 6/14. The Music of the Grateful Dead for Kids 6/15. Chromeo, Touch Sensitive 6/18. Long Beach Dub Allstars, The Aggrolites, Tomorrows Bad Seeds 6/23. Dio Returns (Dio tribute), Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate 6/29. Linq Promenade, 702-862-2695. Bunkhouse Saloon Full of Hell, Primitive Man, Genocide Pact 5/30. Las Vaudeville 5/31. Real Estate 6/3. Cosmo’s Midnight, Pluko 6/6. Vundabar, Together Pangea, Dehd 6/9. Sadistik, Kno, Trizz, Rafael, Vigantics 6/12. Inner Wave, Claud 6/13. Death Bells 6/16. Froth, Versing 6/19. Bob Log III, The Fat Dukes of F*ck, Sheiks of Neptune, The Swamp Gospel, DJ Omar the Kid 6/22. Ho99o9, Hoddy the Young Jedi 6/27. Mystic Braves, The Acid Sisters 6/29. 124 S. 11th St., 702-982-1764. The Chelsea Ellie Goulding, Ally Brooke, Ava Max, Madison Beer, Fletcher 5/30. Silversun Pickups, AJR, SYML, SHAED 6/6. Catfish & The Bottlemen, X Ambassadors, K.Flay, Grandson, Meg Myers 6/7. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-6797. Chrome Showroom Hiroshima 6/8. Santa Fe Station, 702-658-4900. CLARK COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER AMPHITHEATER Jazz in the Park: Althea Rene, Selina Albright, Kayla Waters 6/1. Reggae in the Desert ft. Sly & Robbie, Yellowman & more 6/8. 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, 702-455-8200. CLEOPATRA’S BARGE Wayne Newton 6/3-6/5, 6/10-6/12. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938. THE CLUB The Spinners, Thelma Houston 6/1. 4NR (Foreigner tribute) 6/8. Cannery, 702-507-5700. The Colosseum Celine Dion 5/31-6/1, 6/4-6/5, 6/7-6/8. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938. Count’s VAMP’D Jetboy, John Zito & Electric Church 5/30. Kaos/Bender, Burn Unit 5/31. Ridin’ the Storm Out (REO Speedwagon tribute), Every Woman Band 6/1. John Corabi, Leaving Springfield 6/7. Smashing Alice, Dirt Halo 6/8. 750 W. Sahara Ave., 702-220-8849.
Jazzy Brooklyn jam band Snarky Puppy plays Brooklyn Bowl on June 3. (Stella K/Courtesy)
DALLAS EVENTS CENTER Los Lonely Boys 6/7. Texas Station, 702-631-1000. THE Dillinger Leo & Carmelo 5/31. 1224 Arizona St., Boulder City, 702-293-4001. THE Dispensary Lounge Gary Fowler 5/31. Karen Jones 6/1. John Abraham Band 6/5. Jo Belle Yonley 6/8. Jazz Jam 6/12. 2451 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-458-6343. THE DISTRICT AT GREEN VALLEY RANCH Richard Mann 6/1. Richard Cooper 6/7. Jonny Hazard 6/8. 2225 Village Walk Drive, 702-564-8595. Dive Bar AntiTrust, diM., Pariah Was One, Nebula X 6/1. Ch3, The Grim, Love Canal, FSP, False Cause 6/8. Murder Junkies, Fist Fight on Ecstasy, HMD 6/10. Stonebreed 6/13. 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-586-3483. DOUBLE DOWN SALOON Atomic Video Jukebox 5/30. Honduh Daze, Nuclear Tourism, Dirt Parade, Chameleon Queen 5/31. Three Rounds, Lambs to Lions, Kids N Propane, Cardboard Boxer 6/1. Burly-Q Revue w/Johnny Zig & The Force 6/2. The Bargain DJ Collective 6/3. Unique Massive 6/4. Franks & Deans’ Weenie Roast 6/5. Mike Briggs Memorial Show: Agent 86, 3D6, Stagnetti’s Cock, Sickness in Motion 6/7. Callshot, FoL, Better Broken, Squared 6/8. The Bargain DJ Collective 6/10. 4640 Paradise Road, 702-791-5775. Eagle Aerie Hall Modern Day Atrocity, 17 Below, Lowercase Committee, Still Life Replica, The Mad Rabbits, Model Citizen, Dead by Breakfast 6/1. 310 W. Pacific Ave., 702-568-8927. EMERGE Ft. Brandon Flowers, Laura Jane Grace, Andrew Bird & more 5/31-6/1. Hard Rock Hotel, emergelv.com. Encore Theater Diana Ross 6/5, 6/7-6/8, 6/12,
6/14-6/15. Wynn, 702-770-6696. EVEL PIE Year of the Fist, The Venomous Pinks, Crimson Riot 5/31. Wicked Bears 6/4. 508 Fremont St., 702-840-6460. Fremont Country Club Blessthefall, Slaves, Glass Houses, Chasing Addiction, Navarre 6/10. 601 E. Fremont St., 702-382-6601. Fremont STREET EXPERIENCE Nelly 6/15. vegasexperience.com. Gilley’s Saloon Scotty Alexander 5/30. Voodoo Cowboys 5/31-6/1. Chase & The Pursuit 6/5-6/6. Redneck Rodeo 6/7-6/8. Dynamite Draw 6/12-6/13. Treasure Island, 702-894-7722. GO POOL Dylan Scott 5/31. Flamingo, 702-697-2888. GOLD MINE TAVERN Michael Braun’s Acoustic Experience 5/30. William Neal, Blame Jason 5/31. The Point 6/1. Randy Williams American Acoustic 6/4. 23 S. Water St, 702-478-8289. Golden Nugget Showroom Jay & The Americans 5/31. Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals 6/7. 866-946-5336. THE Golden Tiki The Hypnotiques 6/2. 3939 Spring Mountain Road, 702-222-3196. GRAND EVENTS CENTER A Toast to the Rat Pack 5/31. A Tribute to the Eagles 6/7. Green Valley Ranch, 702-617-7777. HARD ROCK HOTEL POOL P.O.D., Nonpoint, Islander, Nine Shrines 6/8. 702-693-5000. Hard Rock Live Square Hammer (Ghost tribute), The Maension 5/30. For Peace Band, The Elovaters 6/2. Nattali Rize, Lady Reiko & The Sin City Prophets 6/5. Downlink 6/7. Well Lit, Redline Drive 6/9. 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-733-7625.
Henderson Pavilion Elle King 5/31. 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, 702-267-4849. House of Blues Appetite 4 Destruction (GNR tribute) 5/31. Ana Barbara 6/1. Fonseca, Spencer Ludwig 6/3. Chan, Domi, JD Beck 6/7. Led Zepagain (Zeppelin tribute) 6/8. Avatar, Devin Townsend, Dance With the Dead, ’68 6/15. The Dan Band 6/21. Grits & Biscuits 6/22. Blackbear, Elohim, Gashi 6/23. Gasolina Party ft. Rickstarr, 2DEEP, DJ Ocho 6/27. Feed Me, Teeth 6/29. (B Side) Denise Fuleihan 6/1. Mystery Skulls, Snowblood 6/21. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7600. The Joint Enanitos Verdes & Hombres G 6/7. RBRM: Bobby Brian + Bel Biv Devoe 6/15. Coheed and Cambria, Mastodon, Every Time I Die 6/28. Judas Priest, Uriah Heep 6/29. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000. Mandalay Bay BEACH Sublime with Rome 6/14. Ziggy Marley, Michael Franti & Spearhead 6/15. 702-632-7777. MGM Grand Garden Arena Khalid, Clairo 6/22. 702-531-3826. Orleans Arena Hillsong United, Amanda Cook, Mack Brock 6/5. 702-365-7469. Park Theater Lady Gaga (Enigma) 5/30, 6/1, 6/6, 6/8, 6/12, 6/14. Lady Gaga (Jazz & Piano) 6/2, 6/9, 6/15. Aerosmith 6/19, 6/22, 6/24, 6/27, 6/29. Park MGM, 844-600-7275. Pearl CONCERT THEATER Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, Earl Sweatshirt, Thundercat 6/16. Machine Gun Kelly 6/29. Palms, 702-944-3200. THE Railhead Queen Nation (Queen tribute) 6/8. Boulder Station, 702-432-7777. SAM’S TOWN LIVE The Sons of Soul Legends 6/8. 702-456-7777.
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Sand Dollar Lounge The Alpine Camp 5/30. Billy Ray Charles, Chris Tofield 5/31. Blues Society Jam 6/1. Mychael Pollard Experience 6/2. Oogie Birthday Jam 6/3. Jeremiah Johnson 6/5-6/6. Electric Mud 6/7. Billy Ray Charles, The Moanin’ Blacksnakes 6/8. Mechanical Roots 6/9. Open Jam 6/10. Stoked! 6/11. David Scott Cooper 6/12. Darius Jackson 6/13. 3355 Spring Mountain Road, 702-485-5401. South Point Showroom The Kingston Trio 5/31-6/2. Yesterday and Today (Beatles tribute) 6/7-6/9. 702-696-7111. STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA La Maquinaria Nortena 6/1. Foreigner 6/8. Primm, 702-386-7867. Stoney’s Rockin’ Country Kimberly Dunn 5/31. Stevie Monce 6/7. Town Square, 702-435-2855.
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
DJ D-Miles 6/1. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7631. GO POOL Jenna Palmer & Exodus 5/30. DJ Supa James 5/31. Eric Forbes 6/1. Greg Lopez & JD Live 6/4. Flamingo, 702-697-2888. Hyde DJ Sleep 5/30. DJ Konflikt 5/31. Bellagio, 702-693-8700. JEMAA THE NOMAD POOL PARTY DJ A-Plus 5/31. Matoma 6/1. Mark Ronson 5/26. Park MGM, 702-730-6784. KAOS Skrillex 5/30. Dayclub: Cheat Codes 5/31. Louis the Child 5/31. Dayclub: Kaskade 6/1. deadmau5 6/1. Dayclub: deadmau5 6/2. Breathe Carolina 6/2. Palms, 702-739-5267. Light DJ E-Rock 5/31. DJ Whoo Kid 6/1. Kid Conrad 6/5. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-4700.
SUNCOAST SHOWROOM Petty & The Heartshakers 6/8. 800-745-3000.
Marquee DAYCLUB CID 5/31. R3HAB 6/1. Candypants 6/2. Cosmopolitan, 702-3339000.
SUNSET STATION OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER Chris Janson 5/31. 800-745-3000.
Marquee Eric DLux 5/31. DJ Mustard 6/1. Boombox Cartel 6/3. Cosmopolitan, 702-333-9000.
Terry Fator TheatRE Boyz II Men 6/7-6/9, 6/21-6/23, 6/28-6/30. Mirage, 702-792-7777.
ON THE RECORD DJ Slyde 5/30. DJ Ease 5/31. DJ White Shadow 5/25. Who Runs the World? Girls 6/5. Park MGM, 702-730-7777.
T-Mobile Arena Jennifer Lopez, The Lab, Swing Latino, Briar Nolet 6/15. Hootie & The Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies 6/22. Paul McCartney 6/28-6/29. 702-692-1600.
TAO BEACH Deville 5/30. Kayla Collins 5/31. Justin Credible 6/1. Charlie Darker 6/2. Venetian, 702-388-8588.
Venetian Theatre Anita Baker 5/31-6/1, 6/5, 6/7-6/8. 702-414-9000.
TAO DJ Five 5/30. Jerzy 5/31. Chuckie 6/1. Venetian, 702-388-8588.
Vinyl Sam Riggs 6/6. Emo Night Tour 6/7. Chris Webby, Grieves, Locksmith, Ekoh 6/13. The Buttertones, Von Kin, Desert Island Boys 6/14. Kaylie Foster, Grey Noise 6/27. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000.
XS The Chainsmokers 5/31. Steve Angello 6/1. Nightswim: Alesso 6/2. Encore, 702-770-7300.
WESTGATE INTERNATIONAl THEATER Barry Manilow 6/6-6/8, 6/13-6/15. 800-222-5361. ZAPPOS THEATER Christina Aguilera 5/31-6/1, 6/5, 6/7-6/8, 6/13, 6/15-6/16. Rob Thomas, Abby Anderson 6/21. Ragheb Alama, Rahma Riad 6/22. Planet Hollywood, 702-777-6737.
clubs APEX SOCIAL CLUB Paul Ahi 5/30. DJ Shift 5/31. Saint Clair 6/1. Tommy Lin 6/2. Palms, 702-944-5980.
Comedy
THE SPINNERS
With Special Guest Thelma Houston
Saturday, June 1 · 8:00pm Tickets start at $2495
4NR
Tribute to Foreigner
Saturday, June 8 · 8:00pm Tickets start at $1995
QUEENSRŸCHE & SKID ROW
Saturday, June 22 · 8:00pm Tickets start at $2995
Baobab Stage Theatre The Spot Comedy Impov Wed thru 6/26. Town Square, 702-369-6649. BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB Alex “Koolaid” Ansel, Adam Dominguez 5/30. Rampart Casino, 702-507-5900. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club Brad Garrett, Mike Merryfield, Mark Ellis Thru 6/2. Rocky LaPorte, John DaCosse, Cheryl Anderson 6/3-6/9. MGM Grand, 866-740-7711.
BREATHE DJ Ammo & Chuck Fader 5/31. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5505.
COMEDY CELLAR Chloe Hilliard, Julian McCullough, Rocky Dale Davis, Owen Smith, Mark Cohen Thru 6/2. Eagle Witt, Veronica Mosey, Gregg Rogell, Eddie Ifft, Mark Cohen 6/3-6/9. Rio, 702-777-2782.
Chateau Bayati & Casanova 5/30. DJ Koko 5/31. DJ Dre Dae 6/1. Paris, 702-776-7770.
Encore Theater Jo Koy 5/31-6/2. Wynn, 702-770-6696.
DAYLIGHT DJ Neva 5/30. DJ Sincere 5/31. Ookay 6/1. DJ Whoo Kid 6/2. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-4700.
JIMMY KIMMEL’S COMEDY CLUB John Heffron Thru 6/2. Linq Promenade, 702-777-2782.
Drai’s BEACHCLUB Kat Nova 5/31. DJ Daddy Kat 6/1. DJ Pauly D 6/2. F3R & Jesse Saunders 6/4. Cromwell, 702-777-3800.
JOKESTERS COMEDY CLUB Don Barnhart, Krista Kay Thru 6/2. Don Barnhart, Shawn Fitzsimmons 6/3-6/9. The D, 702-388-2111.
Drai’s Fabolous 5/30. Wiz Khalifa 5/31. Gucci Mane 6/1. DJ Franzen 6/2. Cromwell, 702-777-3800.
L.A. COMEDY CLUB Kabir Singh, Ron Josol Thru 6/2. K-Von, Mike Merryfield 6/3-6/9. The Strat, 702-380-7711.
ENCORE BEACH CLUB Nightswim: Elephante 5/30. Alesso 5/31. Nightswim: Anna Lunoe 5/31. David Guetta 6/1. Nightswim: Dillon Francis 6/1. The Chain-smokers 6/2. Nightswim: Alesso 6/5. Encore, 702-770-7300.
LAUGH FACTORY Kev Orkain, Kevin Shea, Randy Lubas thru 6/2. Tim Gaither, Jeff Richards 6/3-6/9. Tropicana, 702-739-2411.
Foundation Room DJ Earwaxxx 5/31.
31
THE SAYERS CLUB Michael Blackson 6/2. Eddie Griffin Mon-Wed thru 9/30. Mo’Nique Thu-Sat thru 6/22. SLS, 702-761-7617.
METALACHI
Friday, June 28 · 9:00pm General Admission $15
COMING SOON VINCE NEIL - July 6 CELESTE BARBER - July 12 HOWARD JONES, MEN WITHOUT HATS & ALL HAIL THE SILENCE - July 13 MASTERS OF PUPPETS - Tribute to Metallica - July 20
ENTERTAINMENT Done Right Ticket prices do not include taxes and applicable fees. Management reserves all rights. ©2019 Boyd Gaming ® Corporation, LLC. All rights reserved.
253597Fsw_CN_LVWeeklyMay30_AD 4.5”x11”_4.26.19
32
c u lt u r e w e e k ly
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Terry Fator TheatrE Bert Kreischer 6/1. Mirage, 702-792-7777.
English pop singer Ellie Goulding headlines Summer Jam at the Cosmopolitan on May 30. (Courtesy)
TICKLE ME COMEDY CLUB Vince Royale, Lance Montalto, Mad Dawg Thru 6/8. Eclipse Theaters, 702-816-4300. TopGolF Jeff Dye 5/30-5/31. 4627 Koval Lane, 702-933-8458.
Performing Arts & Culture ArtificE Nevada Burlypicks 5/31. 1025 S. 1st St. #A, 702-489-6339. Clark County Library Katie Canfield piano recital 6/2. 2019 Base Company Preview Show 6/2. 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3400. Erotic Heritage Museum Freak Show— Viva Las Freaks! 5/30-5/31. 3275 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, 702-794-4000. SAM’S TOWN LIVE Ultimate Variety Live 6/16/2. 702-456-7777.
THU
5.30
The Alpine Camp JAM BAND
FRI
5.31
Billy Ray Charles 6:30-9:30pm Chris Tofield 10pm BLUES/CLASSIC ROCK
SAT
6.1
The Blues Society Jam
BLUES/CLASSIC ROCK
SUN
6.2
Michael Pollard Experience FUNK/R&B
MON 6.3 Oogie Bday Jam
BLUES/ROCK NO COMEDY & OPEN JAM
TUE
6.4
Carlos Silva & The Scatterbrains JAZZ FUSION
WED
6.5
Jeremiah Johnson BLUES
ALL SHOWS 10PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
THE Smith Center (Reynolds Hall) Derek Hough 5/31. Brody Dolyniuk: The Magic of Queen 6/1. Kidz Bop 6/2. Fiddler on the Roof 6/4-6/9. (Cabaret Jazz) Steve Tyrell 5/31-6/1. Uli Geissendoerfer Presents the Jazz Club 6/2. Michael Grimm 6/4. 702-749-2000.
Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (Artist Studio) Parker Ito Thru 6/23. 702-693-7871.
The Space Together We’ll Be Okay 5/30-6/1. Mondays Dark 6/3. 3460 Cavaretta Court, 702-903-1070.
Centennial Hills Library Wade Hampton: Palet Thru 6/30. 6711 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-507-6100.
Summerlin Library A Celebration of Russian Arts, Music & Culture 6/5. 1771 Inner Circle Drive, 702-507-3860.
Charleston HeightS Arts Center Gallery Salon des Refusés Thru 6/22. Remnant 6/26-9/28. 800 Brush St., 702-229-2787.
UNLV (Artemus W. Ham Hall) The Dance Zone: Dreams, Wishes & Goodnight Kisses 6/1. 702-895-2787. Whitney Library Magician Adam London 6/1. 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-507-4010. The Writer’s Block Vogue Robinson, Heather Lang-Cassera 6/1. 519 S. 6th St., 702-550-6399.
LOCAL THEATER Majestic Repertory Theatre The Legend of Georgia McBride Thru 6/16. 1217 S. Main St., 702-478-9636. POOR RICHARD’S PLAYERS Never Tie Your Shoelaces in Paris 5/31-6/1. The Playhouse, 528 S. Decatur Blvd., theplayhouselv.com. Super Summer Theatre Into the Woods Thru 6/8. Spring Mountain Ranch, 702-579-7529.
Galleries & Museums ALPHA VOYAGE GALLERY Introspection— Iconic Art by Larry Caveney Thru 6/8. 3105 W. Tompkins Ave., 888-831-4844. Barrick Museum of Art (East & West Galleries) Justin Favela & Ramiro Gomez: Sorry for the Mess Thru 8/3. (Braunstein Gallery) Vessel: Ceramics of Ancient West Mexico Thru 8/17. UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-895-3381.
Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery From Zero to 60 and Beyond Thru 6/4. 500 Grand Central Parkway, 702-455-7030. Clark County LIBRARY Thomas Shea Thru 6/18. 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3400. CORE CONTEMPORARY Leon Syfrit & Holly Lay: Blow-Out/Flow’r-Out Thru 5/31. 900 E. Karen Ave. #D222, 702-805-1166. CSN (Fine Arts Gallery) 2019 Juried Student Exhibition & Salon des Refusés Thru 6/22. (Artspace Gallery) Making a Mark Thru 6/28. 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., 702-651-4146.
Priscilla Fowler Fine Art Animals and Birds Among Us Thru 6/29. 1025 S. 1st St. #155, 719-371-5640. Sahara West Library Everybody Has a Dream Juried Exhibit 5/30-7/20. Reception 5/30. Denise R. Duarte: Unraveling Identity 5/30-7/20. Reception 5/30. 9600 W. Sahara Ave., 702-507-3630. Spring Valley Library Sunsets: Capturing a Moment in Time Thru 6/4. 4280 S. Jones Blvd., 702-507-3820. Springs PRESERVE (Big Springs Gallery) Forgotten Horizons: National Parks in Nevada and New Mexico Thru 6/23. Dinosaurs Unearthed Thru 9/3. 333 S. Valley View Blvd., 702-822-7700. Summerlin Library From Darkness Into Light Thru 6/9. 1771 Inner Circle Drive, 702507-3860. West Las Vegas Library Ted Polumbaum: Lives on the Line Thru 6/25. 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702-507-3980.
East Las Vegas Library Checko Salgado: 28th Street Thru 7/7 2851 East Bonanza Road 702-507-3500
Whitney Library Dale Cox: Paintings Thru 7/9 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-507-4010.
Enterprise Library Stephanie Serpick: A New Fall Thru 6/11. 25 E. Shelbourne Ave., 702-507-3760.
FOOD & DRINK
Historic Fifth Street School Nevada Watercolor Society: Signature Member Exhibition Thru 6/1. 401 S. 4th St., 702-229-6469. Las Vegas Natural History Museum Dinosaurs Take Flight 6/1-9/15. 900 Las Vegas Blvd. N., 702-384-3466. Left of Center ART GALLERY Transitions: An Exhibition of Women Artists and Writers Thru 6/1. 2207 W. Gowan Road, 702-647-7378. Nevada Humanities Program Gallery Then and Now: The Neon Boneyard Lighting Up Las Vegas 6/6-7/24. Reception 6/6. 1017 S. 1st St. #190, nevadahumanities.org.
Highway to Wine Tasting Tour 5/31. Residence Inn, 370 Hughes Center Drive, bit.ly/30Eeo5s. MonteLago Beerfest 6/1. 30 Strada Di Villaggio, bit.ly/2WkzI0x.
SPORTS LAS VEGAS ACES Connecticut 6/2. Mandalay Bay Events Center, 702-632-7777. LAS VEGAS AVIATORS Round Rock 6/4-6/6. Las Vegas Ballpark, Downtown Summerlin, 702-386-7200.
LAS VEGAS’ 1ST CBD DISPENSARY CBD TINCTURES • CBD Syrup • CBD FREEZE • CBD FLOWER • CBD BRAIN BOOSTERS • CBD SYRINGE CBD VAPE JUICE• CBD PET DROPS • CBD LOTION • CBD chocolates • CBD gummies • plus MORe
THU • JUN 6 | DOORS: 7:00PM
FRI • JUN 7 | DOORS: 8:00PM
SAM RIGGS
THE EMO NIGHT TOUR
LOVE & PANIC TOUR W/ KOLBY COOPER
W/ KOLBY COOPER
LAS VEGAS
THU • JUN 13 | DOORS: 7:00PM
FRI • JUN 14 | DOORS: 7:00PM
CHRIS WEBBY
THE BUTTERTONES
W/ GRIEVES, LOCKSMITH, EKOH
W/ VON KIN, DESERT ISLAND BOYS
THU • JUN 27 | DOORS: 7:00PM
SAT • JUN 29 | DOORS: 7:00PM
KAYLIE FOSTER: GREY NOISE
ROCK AND ROLL FANTASY CAMP
W/ ALMOST NORMAL, OLAN
Present your local ID at the box office for NO SERVICE FEES on all Vinyl Shows.
HARDROCKHOTEL.COM
FEATURING ALL-STAR COUNSELOR BAND
W/ VON KIN, DESERT ISLAND BOYS
Fitness Fanatic
Acrobat in Training
Mischief Maker
Luxury Condominium Living Ideally situated between the cosmopolitan excitement of the Las Vegas Strip and the natural grandeur of Red Rock Canyon, Park House is one of the best kept secrets in the Las Vegas Home Market.
Discover these characters (and your own) at our new adoption center.
1 and 2-bedroom condominium flats and 3-bedroom loft-style townhomes from 1,126-2,500 sq. ft. Starting from the high $200,000’s.
Amenities: • • • • • •
2 Story Wellness Center Resort Style Pool Rooftop Tasting Kitchen Firepit Veranda Grilling Stations Resident Lounge Underground Parking
animalfoundation.com
8925 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89147 (702) 998-4118 parkhouselv.com
56
LV W S P O R T S 5 . 3 0 .1 9
CLASS A RYNE NELSON
OREGON
(Courtesy)
5 . 3 0 .1 9 LV W S P O R T S
ACTION
THREE YEARS AFTER GRADUATING FROM LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, THREE LAS VEGANS APPEAR POISED TO GO HIGH IN THE 2019 MLB DRAFT BY JUSTIN EMERSON yne Nelson swears he’s not thinking about Monday, June 3. No one would blame him if he was because it’s a day every baseball player dreams about yet few actually get to experience. The University of Oregon right-handed relief pitcher and Basic Academy graduate looks like one of the lucky ones. He could be a first-round pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball Draft, leading a handful of Las Vegas locals expected to be selected early this year. “I’d rather finish strong and not have any regrets about how I ended my college career, if this is my last year,” Nelson says. “I want to put all my focus into this, and I feel like the draft stuff kind of just happens.” Nelson’s baseball career has shown a tendency to work itself out in unforeseen ways. College players with first-round grades like Nelson have often already been taken in the draft, as teams typically take high school players and dangle signing bonuses in front of them to incentivize turning professional. But Nelson got passed over by every team, going undrafted out of Basic three years ago. His high school statistics make his previous undrafted status all the more puzzling. Through 51 1/3 innings in his senior year, Nelson struck out 57 batters with a 1.91 ERA and posted a .415 batting average to help Basic win the state championship. Then in the summer, he helped the Wolves claim the American Legion national championship.
R
NICK QUINTANA ARIZONA
BRYSON STOTT NEVADA
57
Nelson headed to Oregon and continued to hit and pitch his first two years, but the results were divergent. While Nelson struggled at the plate during his sophomore year, batting .171, he dazzled on the mound with 37 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings to earn second-team preseason All-America honors going into this year. The Ducks then made him a full-time pitcher, which further elevated his draft stock. Nelson leads the Pac-12 Conference—and ranks fourth in the country—with a rate of 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings. He has a 4.29 ERA working mostly out of the bullpen with a .239 batting average against. He estimates that he has added four miles per hour to his fastball since his Basic High days. “I’ve learned how to pitch at a higher level,” Nelson says. “Facing better competition has made me better.” The Valley’s high school class of 2016 should make a mark on the early part of the draft. In addition to Nelson, UNLV shortstop Bryson Stott is almost unanimously slotted to go in the first round, with many mock drafts placing him in the top 10. Stott, a Desert Oasis graduate, also went undrafted out of high school before generating preseason hype with a spot on All-America lists this year. He responded with a season in which he hit for a .356 average with a 1.085 OPS with 10 home runs and 16 stolen bases. Rounding out the Las Vegas native triumvirate is Nick Quintana, who graduated from Arbor View and won the Las Vegas Sun’s Male Athlete of the Year award before heading to the University of Arizona. Like Nelson and Stott, Quintana was a preseason All-American. Unlike them, he has been drafted before: The Red Sox selected Quintana in the 11th round three years ago but he instead chose to attend Arizona. Las Vegas hasn’t produced a first-round pick since Bishop Gorman’s Joey Gallo went to the Texas Rangers in 2012. In addition to Quintana in 2016, Faith Lutheran pitcher Zack Trageton went in the sixth round and Bishop Gorman infielder Beau Campana was taken in the 21st round. But Nelson, Stott and Quintana could change that at the 2019 MLB Draft—and propel the local baseball class of 2016 to legendary status.
58
lv w n e w s
5 . 3 0 .1 9
In crowded Ward 2 race, most keep quiet on Badlands battle
A
By Miranda Willson We e kly staff
debate over the redevelopment of a closed golf course in one of the Valley’s wealthiest neighborhoods was the defining issue in the 2017 Las Vegas City Council race in Ward 2. Encompassing western Las Vegas and Summerlin, Ward 2 has an open seat on the council once again, and seven candidates have jumped into the race. But this time around, most have chosen not to make the future of the defunct Badlands Golf Course a focal point of their campaigns—at least not explicitly. Candidates running include contract analyst Patsy Brown, retired small-business owner Bruce Feher, public relations executive Hilarie Grey, attorney Derrick Penney, developer Richard Plaster, real estate agent and former Republican Assemblywoman Victoria Seaman, and College of Southern Nevada instructor and former Republican Assemblywoman Valerie Weber. All seven will face off in a winnertake-all special election June 11, the same day as the general municipal election. The seat in Ward 2 has been vacant since March, when former councilman Steve Seroka abruptly resigned for unspecified reasons. Seroka was elected in 2017 on a platform critical of a proposal to turn Badlands into a large housing development, saying it was unfair to neighbors who bought property nearby expecting to have open space in their community. He defeated then-incumbent Bob Beers, who had voted in favor of one Badlands proposal while on the council. In December, Seroka became subject to a recall attempt initiated by Seaman and two others, Kim Fergus and Ulrira Miyashiro (Seaman denies having instigated the recall). The recall campaign alleged that Seroka was only representing the interests of residents in the wealthy Queensridge neighborhood, where Badlands is located. Seroka resigned before the effort garnered enough signatures to move forward. Seaman entered the race shortly thereafter, having previously pledged to challenge Seroka if the re-
call effort prevailed. She said she was inspired to run by talking to voters who knew her as their assemblywoman between 2014 and 2016. “[Voters] were reaching out to me during the time when all the lawsuits were happening,” said Seaman, referring to the 11 ongoing lawsuits pending against the city associated with its handling of the Badlands proposal. “People of the ward didn’t feel like they were all being represented.” During the past four years, the city spent more than $747,000 in legal fees from Badlands court cases, city spokesperson Jace Radke said. The Badlands developer and opponents of the proposal have sued the city for bias in its handling of the case and on other grounds. Seaman described the lawsuits as a waste of taxpayer money and criticized city officials for failing to reach a solution without litigation. “I’m always going to be there and make sure we’re not wasting money when we can be solving problems,” she said. Seaman, who also ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the state Senate in 2016 and briefly for Congress in 2018 (she bowed out of that race after Presi-
dent Donald Trump endorsed Republican candidate Danny Tarkanian) described herself as a problemsolver with a record of bipartisanship and strong communication with constituents. Despite her criticism of Seroka’s handling of the Badlands case, she added that residents are more concerned about how the vacant golf course could draw crime and squatting to the neighborhood, two issues she would prioritize if elected. Taking a specific stance on Badlands now, she added, is a moot point. “Now it’s in the courts, and the City Council doesn’t have control over what the courts are going to do,” she said. Seaman is one of two candidates in the race with representative government experience. The other is Weber, who served three terms in the Assembly from 2002-08. She also ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2018. Weber touted her bipartisanship from her time in the Assembly and collaborative leadership style as assets she would bring to the City Council. If elected, she would also prioritize making city government “effective and efficient” and work to improve communica-
5 . 3 0 .1 9 LV W N E W S
Badlands Golf Course, surrounded by the Queensridge masterplanned community in 2018. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
59
WARD 2 CANDIDATES
Patsy Brown
Bruce Feher
Hilarie Grey
Derrick Penney
tion between city staff, council members and residents. The ward is experiencing tensions between “quality of life and development,” Weber believes, perhaps best exemplified by the Badlands case. On that case specifically, she expressed sympathy for the concerns of Queensridge residents. “The neighbors are just devastated that the beauty of their surroundings doesn’t look like the Mojave Desert,” she said, referring to the blighted state of the property. “I would hope there’s a way to mitigate our path forward so this doesn’t happen in any other neighborhoods.” Grey expressed concern as well about high-density development and growth generally in Ward 2. She sees the battle over Badlands as a symptom of a larger problem, much of which consists of master-planned communities. “I think one of the biggest issues we need to look at is protecting neighborhoods, from a public safety standpoint, but also to make sure growth doesn’t get ahead of infrastructure,” Grey said. Now the managing director of corporation communications for Allegiant Airlines, Grey previously worked for the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, UNLV and the Nevada Democratic Party. She said these experiences have given her insight on how to create a more “livable”
city, the need to diversify the region’s economy and on the importance of restoring ethics and transparency in local government. Grey pointed to her endorsements from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, labor unions including Las Vegas Firefighters 1285 and the Southern Nevada Building Trades Council, and others as evidence of her qualifications and wide-reaching support.
Richard Plaster
Crime and the changing Ward 2
While Grey, Seaman and Weber are highlighting their connections and experience, the other candidates take pride in their status as political outsiders. At age 44, Brown noted that she is the youngest in the race and said her experience with children in public schools inspired her to run. School safety and inclusivity initiatives in schools—especially following a racist incident at the predominantly white Palo Verde High School in Summerlin, which her daughter attends—would be priorities for Brown if elected. She would also strive to improve communication with constituents, which she said emerged as the No. 1 Continued on Page 60
Victoria Seaman
Valerie Weber
60
lv w n e w s
5 . 3 0 .1 9
Continued from page 59 issue from conversations city staff in various departments. As for her stance on Badlands, Brown maintains that she’s “always in favor of development” as critical for the future of the ward. Her campaign website also lists support for “fiscal responsibility” and improvements in pedestrian safety. Feher’s priorities would be addressing crime, homelessness and the effects of the opioid epidemic, all of which he says are on the rise in the community [Ward 2 is whiter, wealthier and has a lower homelessness rate than the city as a whole]. In addition, he wants the city to invest more in public transportation, public education and in diversifying the economy. “We cannot continually rely on the casinos to do all the heavy lifting,” Feher said. On Badlands, Feher lamented how the city “got caught in the crossfire” of the debate, and the fact that taxpayers are footing the legal bills. “I sympathize with the [Queenrsidge] residents, I really do,” Feher said. “And I respect the developer’s perspective. But something has to be worked out. What that is, I’m open.” Plaster agrees that crime and homelessness are rising issues. A developer himself who has built more than 12,500 homes in the Valley, he would push for the construction of more affordable homes as a solution to the growing homelessness crisis in the region. “In a country as rich as ours and a community as rich as ours, we shouldn’t have this type of situation,” Plaster said. Regarding Badlands and the race in general, Plaster described himself as a political outsider, rather than an “aspiring professional politician,” and said he would approach all issues in a neutral, even-handed manner. “I like to look at myself as being independent,” he said. Penney also characterizes himself as an independent and said he would prioritize “sustainable growth.” In addition, he would push to bring light rail to Las Vegas, something the Regional Transportation Commission Board recently voted against for Maryland Parkway. On Badlands, Penney said he would approach that debate the same way he would all development in the neighborhood: Developers must communicate and compromise with residents. He further believes his background as an attorney would allow him to “see both sides” of that and all issues. “The thing about Summerlin is it’s a planned community, and you’ve got to maintain the character of the community,” Penney added.
Badlands in the background
Although Badlands hasn’t been the defining issue for most candidates, the controversy remains
Badlands Golf Course, surrounded by the Queensridge masterplanned community. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
relevant to those with a direct stake. Frank Schreck, a Queensridge resident and outspoken critic of the Badlands proposal involved in one lawsuit against the city, believes that most Ward 2 residents sympathize with the Queensridge neighborhood in its fight against large-scale Badlands redevelopment. That’s in part because the ward has a high homeowner population, he said. “The issue that … has resonated is just neighborhood rights: Do you have any protection against a developer coming in, and in our case, irresponsibly taking action without really consulting with the community at all?” Schreck said. EHB Companies, which owns Badlands, ex-
pressed hope that the next representative elected wouldn’t further the delay the company’s ability to develop housing on the land, which is zoned for single-family residences. “The new city councilperson must be willing to consider a different course of action,” a representative of EHB wrote in an email. Councilman Bob Coffin, who represents Ward 3 and has been critical of Lowie and Badlands, said that even though there hasn’t been a lot of noise about the Ward 2 race, the Badlands controversy looms in the background. “Everybody knows it’s a one-issue campaign,” Coffin said.
SUN STANDOUT AWARDS 5.21.19 PHOTOG: KRIS M. MAYESHIRO & WADE VANDERVORT PRESENTED BY:
SPONSORED BY:
62
LV W N E W S
5 . 3 0 .1 9
NV majority-female legislature changing the conversation BY JOHN SADLER | WEEKLY STAFF
CARSON CITY—In just days, the first majority-female state legislature in the nation will come to an end and be written as another chapter in the history of Nevada. ¶ After the 2018 elections—and some resignations—there are 23 women in the 42-member Assembly and 10 in the 21-member state Senate. Their 2019 session has seen proposed legislation that includes abortion decriminalization, sex-worker safety measures and establishment of a board to review maternal mortality issues, all introduced by women. State Sen. Yvanna Cancela, D-Las Vegas, was elected for the first time in 2018. A past union worker and the daughter of Cuban immigrants, Cancela introduced the Trust Nevada Women Act, which would liberalize the state’s abortion laws at a time in which states—mostly in the South—are cracking down on abortion. She called the bill an extension of Nevadans’ belief that lawmakers shouldn’t regulate women’s bodies. “Following the 2016 election, it was clear that women’s reproductive freedoms were going to be under attack,” she said, drawing attention to the abortion crackdowns happening in states such as Missouri, Alabama and Georgia. She said conversations around legislation have benefited from having more women in the room, as they may have different ways of thinking about proposed laws than their male counterparts. Assistant Senate Majority Leader Julia Ratti, D-Sparks, agreed and also used the abortion laws being debated in other states as an example. “The contrast is—you just can’t help but notice,” she said. “Certainly having that female majority made a difference.” State Sen. Melanie Scheible, D-Las Vegas, said that while a majority-female legislature may not sponsor completely different legislation than a majoritymale one, the conversations around the topics could change. She touted the Legislature’s action this session on issues such as criminal justice reform and gun background checks. “I think a good example is when we’re talking about health care,” Scheible said. “Everybody cares about having access to affordable health care, and when you have more women in the room … people are more willing to talk about contraceptives and mammograms and screening for breast cancer. Not because men aren’t
aware of them or don’t think of them, it just kind of changes the tone of the conversation.” Scheible said stereotypical assumptions around who has what jobs—men as legislators, women as assistants—are breaking down. “What’s been really rewarding is seeing how the next generation of leaders coming up behind us is going to be used to something completely different,” she said. Experts and analysts say the effect of representation could make other women run for office, and the female legislators say they’re proud of what they’ve accomplished so far. Assembly Majority Floor Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson, D-Reno, says the more diverse the Legislature, the better the public body is because of increased representation of various demographic groups. “We need to mirror the public, and Nevada’s public face is changing very much, and so I expect that the Legislature would, too,” she said. Scheible had a quick piece of advice for women or girls who want to run for public office: “Do it.” Benitez-Thompson touted female lawmakers’ pushes on issues such as maternal health that in the past may not have been discussed as much. “We’ve got legislation that I am very proud of,” she said. “I think we’ve got legislation as a whole coming from the senators and the assemblywomen that is very much talking about community need and talking about social change, and I don’t think I’ve always seen that before in the Legislature.” Jean Sinzdak, associate director of the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University, said research on women in politics has shown that women
ASSEMBLY MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER
TERESA BENITEZ-THOMPSON
5 . 3 0 .1 9 LV W N E W S tend to bring up certain issues—pushing transparency in government, including marginalized groups in discussions, reaching across the aisle to build consensus. But there’s still more to do, she said, in ensuring women have equal representation. “If you look at the history of our country, it’s been a slow climb, and we’re still nowhere near parity,” she said. Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, D-Las Vegas, said a continued push for representation was paramount to the Nevada Democratic Party going forward. “Ultimately, more than half of the country’s population is made up of women. I’m hopeful that we will see more state legislatures become reflective of the communities they represent,” Cannizzaro said. “It will certainly remain a priority for this caucus to continue to recruit and elect candidates who are representative of the communities they serve. I very much believe that’s the way the best poli-
cies get made.” Cannizzaro said the dichotomy between the Nevada Legislature and legislatures with smaller numbers of women serving can be seen in the priorities being brought up. She pointed to the Trust Nevada Women Act as an example. “The bill sends a clear message to Nevada women that we trust them to make their own decisions about what is right for them and that, at a time when many women are feeling anxious about things happening at the federal level, we support a woman’s right to choose,” she said. Ratti said that, generally, she and her colleagues have tried to keep their focus on work. But, “there have been
key moments through the session where something happened that made me pause and reflect” about being in the first majority-female state legislature in American history, she said. Asked if it was surprising that Nevada had the first majority-female legislature, all of the women interviewed were quick to say no. Sinzdak said the frontier spirit and lifestyle of the West may have created a political environment in which it was more socially acceptable for women to enter politics. On the frontier, all hands were on deck, after all. “The culture of the West is much more free-spirited and open,” Sinzdak said. Assemblywoman Alexis Hansen, R-Sparks, said there had always been a culture of women involvement in Nevada—such as on county commissions and school boards. “In a way, I feel a little guilty that we, in the Legislature, get all the attention when really so much of the work that has gone on in the state in other levels of government has been [through] women in some of those rural districts, and even in the urban districts,” she said. Benitez-Thompson said she was surprised, to an extent, that Nevada was the first state to have a majority-female legislature, because of what she called a sometimes “paradoxical” electorate, making reference to the fact that the Legislature’s chambers see their majority flip control on a semiregular basis. “In some ways, it’s not surprising and in other ways, it’s very surprising. I think we’re kind of our own. … Nevada doesn’t necessarily seem to play by the rules of logic sometimes,” she said.
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER
NICOLE CANNIZZARO
(Associated Press/Photo Illustration)
63
64
V E G A S I N C B U S I N E S S 5 . 3 0 .1 9
Plaza renovation another piece of Downtown’s renaissance pie
A
BY BRYAN HORWATH VEGAS INC STAFF
trip to Fremont Street these days will offer views of the first ground-up casino to be built Downtown in decades. And while Derek Stevens’ Circa project may be the biggest job going in the area, another construction project, just a stone’s throw away, is set to transform the guest experience at the Plaza at 1 Main St. Four floors of the Plaza’s north tower—a total of 112 rooms—will be completely renovated and are expected to be done this summer. It’s the property’s second big renovation project of the past decade. “Many people would have said, ‘Knock down the Plaza and build a brand-new property,’ ” said Jonathan Jossel, the Plaza’s South African-born CEO. “I don’t believe in that. I believe in improving this facility. I think it has great potential.” The resort—owned by a private real estate investment company called Tamares Group—has been a mainstay Downtown since opening in 1971. Back then, according to the Plaza’s website, it was the largest hotel-casino in the world with 500 rooms, though it features about twice that many now. Las Vegas—Downtown and otherwise—has changed the past 50 years. Massive construction on the Strip has dwarfed Downtown properties, but there’s a renaissance of sorts happening Downtown, Jossel said. “I’ve lived Downtown since 2007 and, to me, the change and growth already has been monumental,” Jossel said. “In 2007, when I’d tell people I lived Downtown, they’d ask me if I was okay. They’d ask if I was getting harassed. Now, people want to live Downtown.” They’re also visiting more, at least the Plaza, which sits on a 17-acre site. Jossel, just 35 years old and the Plaza’s CEO since early 2015, said the property had its best April ever and has been focusing on investing profits back into the property.
“We’re on a great run these past few years of growing our market share of the Downtown gaming win,” Jossel said. “It’s all coming through to continual improvements. Our renovated rooms, I think, will be some of the nicest rooms in all of Downtown.” During the north tower renovation work, rooms were stripped down to the studs, Jossel said. They’ll feature new doors and new radio frequency identification entry systems, which all Plaza rooms have now. Two rooms on each of the four floors will be combined into a single suite. “We listened to our guests, and one of their biggest issues were with the old-style key card systems for the rooms,” Jossel said. “We upgraded all of that to RFID last year. We’re using our own resources through our profits
to reinvest in the property.” North tower renovations will cost about $15 million. A separate renovation project aims to replace all 19 of the Plaza’s elevators, though that won’t be done for another two or three years, Jossel said. While Jossel and Stevens are technically competitors, there’s also a distinct camaraderie among Downtown property owners and managers. Stevens also owns the D Las Vegas, Golden Gate and the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. “When we announced the plans for Circa Resort & Casino, we wanted to make sure all of our neighboring properties were aware of how it would complement their establishments,” Stevens said. “Any type of new addition or renovations that take place down here, such as the Plaza’s, are going to benefit everyone.” After all, the people who visit downtown, Stevens said, are most likely going to visit more than one gaming establishment. Jossel said he expects the renovated rooms to be finished in June. The public will likely have its first crack, Jossel said, sometime in July. “We’re going to take two weeks where team members, myself, front desk agents, vendors will stay in the rooms to make sure they’re perfect,” Jossel said. “When a guest walks into one of these rooms, we want them to say, ‘Wow, this is a brand new hotel.’ We want them to have a flawless experience.” Whether the talk is about renovations, the property’s Core Arena, outdoor pickleball courts or its unique artwork, Jossel believes in the Plaza and in Downtown. “Downtown is growing every month,” Jossel said. “There’s an experience here that there wasn’t even five years ago. We’ll never steal the Strip, the Strip is a monster, but if Downtown keeps growing the way it is, it’s going to be good for everyone.”
Recently renovated hotel rooms at the Plaza (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
5 . 3 0 .1 9 lv w n at i v e c o n t e n t
65
C r e at e d a n d p r e s e n t e d b y
DK Las Vegas
Tips for selling your home and rightsizing
SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE TODAY LVLUXURYCONDOS.COM
+
Conventional wisdom typically dictates that homeowners must sell their current home before purchasing their next. However, sellers who are rightsizing— which in this case means moving to a living space of optimum size and shedding the unused spaces of a large house—may be in a unique situation. “When it’s financially feasible, I strongly recommend that buyers purchase their condo before selling their old house,” said Uri Vaknin, partner at KRE Capital, which owns the DK Las Vegas portfolio of condos. “Doing so gives people the opportunity to ensure the home they’re selling is show-ready. Vacant, show-ready homes tend to sell much more quickly and at a higher price.” If you’re considering rightsizing, follow these tips to ensure an easy process as you transition to your perfectly configured new space.
R E S O R T- S T Y L E P O O L S & S PA S D E D I C AT E D CO N C I E R G E STAT E- O F-T H E-A R T F I T N E SS C E N T E R S ON-SITE MANAGEMENT L I F E ST Y L E D I R E C TO R & M O N T H LY E V E N T S
Why do people rightsize?
P E T PA R K S
Many who are shopping for condos are doing so because they’re rightsizing and looking to escape the maintenance of a standalone home. “The bulk of people rightsizing are empty-nesters and pre-retirees who are ready to forgo the responsibility and maintenance that comes with owning a house,” Vaknin said. Leaving suburban homes for urban condos can also offer buyers a new, exciting lifestyle, one in which they’re able to walk to restaurants, bars and cultural hubs.
SUMMER KITCHENS
X
DON’T show your home with your personal belongings in it All of your personal effects should be removed from the home before you start showing it to potential buyers. “In a buyer’s mind, a cluttered, disorganized home indicates that the house has not been well-cared for, and as a result, is likely worth less than its value,” Vaknin said. “Further, having your personal belongings sitting in the home makes it more difficult for potential buyers to project themselves into the space.”
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR MAY INCENTIVES!
X
DON’T leave the home completely vacant Moving out of your home before selling it makes it easier for Realtors to access it for showings, but it’s important to stage the home rather than leaving it entirely vacant. Vacant spaces appear smaller, whereas staged houses are appealing to potential buyers.
SALES GALLERIES AND NEW MODEL HOMES OPEN DAILY! SCHEDULE YOUR SALES APPOINTMENT TODAY!
702.602.9483 PRICED FROM THE LOW $200s TO OVER $1 MILLION
3
DO buy your condo before selling your home This gives you much more flexibility when moving into your new space, and will be an asset when listing your old place. “When you wait to sell your home first, the buyer, a stranger, will be dictating when and how you move,” Vaknin said. Buying your new home first grants you the ability to move in on your own timeline, design your space exactly as you want it and be thoughtful about the move.
VA APPROVED. FLEXIBLE FINANCING AVAILABLE!
PRICING SUBJECT TO CHANGE. SEE AGENT FOR DETAILS. A DK LAS VEGAS LLC COMMUNITY.
christopher devargas/staff
V e g a s i n c b u s in e s s 5 . 3 0 .1 9
Steve marcus/staff
66
Kathy Topp
Guerin Senter
Where were you when you received your 40 Under 40 award? I was head of marketing and community relations for Goodwill of Southern Nevada. At that time, one in 10 Las Vegans were out of work and lines at Goodwill career events wrapped around buildings.
Where were you when you received your 40 Under 40 award? I was just about to sell my first company in 2011.
Owner, Eleos Care
Owner, Red 7 Communications
Where are you now? I’ve realized I’m a much better owner than employee. I started Eleos Care 18 months ago to help those with mental and developmental disabilities. We went live March 1 and have hired nearly 20 people, and are providing almost 2,000 hours of care per month.
Where are you now? I own Red 7 Communications, a public relations and communications firm in Las Vegas. What’s been your biggest accomplishment since you were awarded? Red 7 produced several television specials called #VegasStrong for Vegas PBS in the months following 1 October. The goal was to make people aware of issues that can arise and community resources that are available. I am incredibly proud to be part of a team that champions this type of important community television programming.
What’s been your biggest accomplishment since you were awarded? I’ve attended 90% or more of my 10-year-old daughter’s ballet competitions in other states, all while building a new company. She is the most important thing in my life.
ALUMNI
What do you want to accomplish? I want to make a difference.
What do you want to accomplish? I want to build a business focused on altruism, fun and excellence. Culture and employee engagement are key. You don’t have to be perfect every day, but you have to always challenge your team for the best idea, regardless of whose idea it is.
Is there anything you learned the hard way? Follow your gut. It’s usually right.
Is there anything you learned the hard way? Contracts don’t matter if you’re not aligned with the right people.
What’s your favorite spot for a lunch meeting? Typically it’s a breakfast meeting at EggWorks, or I’ll meet over coffee at the Coffee Bean. I find mornings are an excellent time to connect. Plus, I love breakfast.
Who is your business hero? Mark Cuban. He’s smart and fun while maintaining passion in his projects.
Who is your business hero? My dad. He was also a small-business owner who taught by example the value of hard work. What’s the best advice you have to offer? Believe in yourself, and be authentic.
If you ran Las Vegas, what’s the first thing you would do? I would mandate that all public officials (fire, police and government) spend some amount of hours per year training on interacting with individuals with disabilities. What’s the best advice you have to offer? Wake up at 3 a.m. to work on your dream business until you start your “regular job” at 8 a.m. Transition out of your “regular job” in a year and start living the life you want.
S P O N S O R E D
B Y
For 17 years, Greenspun Media Group’s 40 Under 40 awards have honored the best and brightest in the Valley. If you’re an alum interested in participating in related features and events (or would like to update your contact information), email Publisher Mark DePooter at mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com.
68
V e g a s i n c b u s i n e s s 5 . 3 0 .1 9
VegasInc Notes FlixBus offers service from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City, St. George, Provo and Cedar City, Utah. Gov. Steve Sisolak joined the board of directors for Jobs for America’s Graduates. Sheila Hernandez is executive director of the Bridge at Paradise Valley, an assisted living community. The Camp Transformation Center, a national fitness center, opened Camp Las Vegas at 7885 West Sahara Ave., Las Vegas. Adel Bazzi, Blanca Tinoco and Jose Amezcua will manage daily operations.
Hernandez
The Summerlin app is available for download on iPhone and Android devices. Designed in partnership with Venuetize, a mobile technology company, the app offers information about the Las Vegas Ballpark and Summerlin community. Omar Saucedo is AT&T’s director of external affairs for Southern Nevada.
Higgins
Mary Beth Higgins is CEO of Affinity Gaming. Eric Fiocco, Affinity’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, is chief operating officer. He’ll also retain his
dispensary, and named for the dispensary’s mascot. Attorney Brenda Roubidoux Taylor joined Dickinson Wright’s Las Vegas office as of counsel. She specializes in aviation and tax law. North Las Vegas unveiled a bronze bust of legendary Mexican revolutionary General Emiliano Zapata. The bust is a gift and token of friendship from the International Confederation of Morelenses and Mexican Immigrants on behalf of the government of Morelos, Mexico, the birthplace of Zapata. It can be seen at North Las Vegas City Hall. Burke Construction Group President and CEO Kevin Burke was named a Kansas State Alumni Fellow for the College of Engineering. Burke earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in business management from Kansas State University. Premier Business Centers, a flexible workplace operator with locations in Henderson and Las Vegas, has changed its name to Premier Workspaces. Grand Canyon Development Partners completed construction on a Sprouts Farmers Market at 771 S. Rainbow Blvd. Leigh Ann Monk-Reyes served as the project manager on the 30,000-squarefoot store. Curry Zen is open at 225 W. Centennial Parkway, North Las Vegas. Denny’s is open at 420 E. Deer Springs Way, North Las Vegas.
marketing title.
Blaze Pizza is open at 1620 E. Craig Road, Suite 102, North Las Vegas.
Morty’s Joint is open at 4240 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. It is an esports lounge and arcade owned by and located above the Apothecary Shoppe, a marijuana
The Winchester Dondero Cultural Center’s 274-seat theater is being renovated. The project includes new theater seating, new lighting, a new sound system and a lift
to allow disabled access to the stage.
Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., as the best museum in Nevada.
Chris Hunter, senior vice president of business development for TMC Financing, joined the board of directors for Commercial Real Estate Women Las Hunter Vegas as its director of programs.
Water Wings Swim School spent $1.3 million to purchase a 6,001-square-foot space in Coronado Canyons at 660 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson.
The Strat unveiled “Look!,” a new sculpture at its entryway on the corner of South Las Vegas Boulevard and West Bob Stupak Avenue. The sculpture was created by a team of Las Vegas artists: Nick Stiley handled design and fabrication, Adin Fly created the artistic concept, and James Talbert handled computer-aided design and fabrication. Blake Sartini, chairman, president and CEO of Golden Entertainment, the parent company of the Strat, commissioned Kevin Barry Fine Art to create the sculpture. Andrea MessimerHenley is senior director of sales and business development for Adomni, a digital advertising company.
Brandon York is manager of Nevada State Bank’s Mountain’s Edge branch and Alberto Calderón is manager of Nevada State Bank’s Eastern York Avenue and St. Rose Parkway branch. Eric Speer is director of sales expansion for Logical Position, a digital marketing agency. Alicia Fernandez-Campfield Speer is senior vice president of customer service operations, Edmund Ng is senior vice president of customer acquisition marketing and Shalonda Webb-Hills is vice president of operations support at Credit One Bank. Michael Lane is Nevada State Bank’s executive vice president, director of commercial real estate.
Messimer
Atif Rafiq is president of commercial and growth for MGM Resorts International. Terrence Thornton is executive director of Special Olympics Nevada. Food Network ranks Golden Tiki, 3939 Spring Mountain Thornton Road, as one of the best tiki bars in the country. Las Vegas South Premium Outlets installed six electric-car charging stations. USA Today named the Mob
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum’s board of directors for 2019-20 is: Chairman of the Board Joe Tumminia of the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, Vice Chairman Joel Schwarz of Dickinson Wright, Secretary Marcel Bloomer of Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, Treasurer Robert Bulmer of Bank of Nevada, Member at Large Stephanie Stallworth of Cox Communications, Member at Large Donald Polednak of Sylvester & Polednak, and Past
Lane
Chairman Matt Engle of Insurance Office of America.
O’Keefe
William O’Keefe was named the No. 1 individual sales executive for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Nevada Properties.
The Foundation for Recovery announced its 2019 Recovery Award Winners. Recipients of the Bob Gray Community Partner Award included: Cherie Hughes, Dignity Health-St. Rose Hospital, Women’s Care and Outreach Centers; Debbie Isaacs, Unshakeable.org and Levy Production Group; and Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Clark County Commission. Recipients of the Steve Sigman Recovery Awareness Award included: Rhonda Fairchild, There is No Hero in Heroin and Mission High School; Jackie and David Siegel, Westgate Resorts; and Lawrence Weekly, Clark County Commission. Recipients of the Excellence in Research and Education Award included: Brad Donohue, professor, Psychology Department and Director of Family Research and Services, UNLV, and editor, Journal of Child & Adolescent Substance Abuse. Recipients of the Robert Rehmar Addiction Professional Award included Christie Medina, HELP of Southern Nevada. The recipient of the Foundation for Recovery Brick Award was Heidi Gustafson, Foundation for Recovery, Advocate. HealtHIE Nevada is collaborating with the Nevada Hospital Association and Collective Medical to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. In 2018, 15.6% of Nevada’s Medicare enrollees over age 65 were readmitted 30 days after hospital discharge, according to the United Health Foundation. HealthHIE Nevada and Collective Medical help health care organizations communicate and share records. Brenda Weksler replaced retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen.
Beads & Gemstones
Bead Renaissance Show May 31-June 2, 2019 Fri & Sat 10am-6pm Sun 11am-4pm Palace Station - Grand Ballroom 2411 W Sahara Avenue
FREE parking & admission
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Bring state-issued resale license to purchase as a Wholesale Buyer
www.WholeBead.com
5 . 3 0 .1 9 vegas inc b u si n ess
Records & Transactions BID OPPORTUNITIES June 6 2:15 p.m. Stephanie Campus, Automotive Shop: Emergency generator and transfer switch Clark County, 605233 Sandy Moody-Upton at scm@clarkcountynv.gov June 7 2:15 p.m. Flamingo Road and Cabana Drive storm drain improvements Clark County, 605302 Tom Boldt at tboldt@ clarkcountynv.gov 3 p.m. Contract for janitorial services at IT Operations Center and Public Administrator Warehouse Clark County, 605310 Deon Ford at deonf@ clarkcountynv.gov June 10 3 p.m. Dump truck with 3.5-cubic yard capacity
Clark County, 605312 Gemma Coronado at gemmac@ clarkcountynv.gov June 20 2:15 p.m. Regional Justice Center elevator modernization Clark County, 605298 Sandy Moody-Upton at scm@clarkcountynv.gov BROKERED TRANSACTIONS SALES $3,500,000 for 108,660 sq. ft. of retail 732,734,736 and 748 Racetrack Road, Henderson, 89002 Landlord/seller: CIII Asset Management Landlord/seller agent: Scot Marker of Colliers International Tenant/buyer: LV Capital Fund Tenant/buyer agent: Pat Marsh, SIOR, and Sam Newman of Colliers International $1,290,373 for 6,001
sq. ft. of commercial 660 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, 89052 Landlord/seller: Coronado Medical Center Landlord/seller agent: David Livingston of IREPLV Tenant/buyer: Abraham Shafshak Tenant/buyer agent: Susan Shafshak of Re/Max Excellence Lease $1,935,682 for 66,772 sq. ft. of industrial 3101 N. Lamb Blvd., Las Vegas, 89115 Landlord/seller: BCPF Northpoint Vegas Landlord/seller agent: Garrett Toft, SIOR, of CBRE Tenant/buyer: Westcoast Tradeshow Services Tenant/buyer agent: Did not disclose CONVENTIONS Couture 2019 Wynn Las Vegas
May 30-June 3 5,000 attendees Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show Las Vegas Convention Center May 30-June 3 7,500 attendees JCK Las Vegas Sands, Venetian May 31-June 3 35,000 attendees Health, Healing & Happiness— Holistic World Expo for Body, Mind & Spirit Enclave June 1-2 3,000 attendees Design Automation Conference Las Vegas Convention Center June 2-6 8,000 attendees Fire-Rescue Med (International Association of Fire Chiefs) M Resort June 3-7 400 attendees Amazon.com— re:MARS
Aria June 4-7 5,000 attendees Licensing Expo 2019 Mandalay Bay June 4-6 16,000 attendees Glimpse 2019 Venetian June 5 350 attendees AIA Conference on Architecture 2019 Las Vegas Convention Center June 6-8 21,000 attendees CMSA 2019 (Case Management Society of America) Mirage June 10-14 5,000 attendees World Tea Expo 2019 Las Vegas Convention Center June 10-13 7,500 attendees Amazing! Las Vegas Comic Con Las Vegas Convention Center June 14-16 15,000 attendees International Beauty
Show Las Vegas Las Vegas Convention Center June 15-17 25,000 attendees
$2,000,000, commercial building 3110 S. Durango Drive, Suite C-1, Las Vegas Momeni Construction
BUILDING PERMITS $3,600,000, commercial tenant improvement 1172 Center Point Drive, Henderson Williams General Contracting
$1,819,000, industrial tenant improvement 8355 Eastgate Road, Henderson Tradewinds Building and Development
$3,000,000, commercial building 3110 S. Durango Drive, Suite C-1, Las Vegas Momeni Construction $3,000,000, commercial tenant improvement 8804 Spanish Ridge Ave., Las Vegas Taylor International $2,300,000, commercial tenant improvement 5954 Edmond St., Suite 400, Las Vegas Capital West Construction $2,126,384, wall and/ or fence 6720 W. Serene Ave., Las Vegas Cedco
$1,584,241, commercial building 179 N. Gibson Road, Henderson Design Builders $1,284,736, commercial addition 5245 Sloan Lane, North Las Vegas Wize Solutions $1,000,000, commercial grading 3030 S. Highland Drive, Las Vegas Martin-Harris Construction $1,000,000, commercial building 3110 S. Durango Drive, Suite C-1, Las Vegas Momeni Construction BUSINESS LICENSES Ada’s 410 S. Rampart Blvd.,
69
Suite 120, Las Vegas Restaurant Owner/executive on file: FC Management Adrianna Coon 777 N. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 120, Las Vegas Real estate Owner/executive on file: Adrianna Coon Alterra Home Loans 350 S. Rampart Blvd., Suites 310 and 345, Las Vegas Professional services Owner/executive on file: Panorama Mortgage Group Amina Beauty 4300 Meadows Lane, Suite 2090, Las Vegas General retail sales Owner/executive on file: Khalid Mehmood Andrada Muay Thai 1820 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 101, Las Vegas General retail sales Owner/executive on file: Jason Andrada Angela Fong-Himber 10220 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 3, Las Vegas Real estate Owner/executive on file: Angela FongHimber
DO YOU HAVE GLAUCOMA OR DRY EYES?
LOW
TESTOSTERONE TREATMENT
SPECIAL OFFER $ 149
INCLUDES: MEDICAL CONSULTATION, LAB-WORK & FULL BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS
BENEFITS CAN INCLUDE: • I m p rove d e n e rg y l eve l s • I n c re a s e d l i b i d o • I n c re a s e d b o n e d e n s i ty • I m p rove d m u sc l e m a s s • Re d u ce d fat a ro u n d m i d s e ct i o n • I m p rove d m o o d
You may be able to participate in a research study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational eye drop for glaucoma or dry eyes. • FREE EYE EXAMS • FREE EYE DROPS • COMPENSATION
Call us today for a free appointment. 702-515-9648 CONTACT: WWW.IUVENTUSMEDCENTER.COM | 702-457-3888 | 3365 E. Flamingo Road, Ste 2 | Las Vegas, NV 89121
LINDSEY
Study@AdvanceMedCR.com
Launch Her Financial Future Our Junior Account Will Send Her Savings Skyrocketing!
THE DAY’S
Biggest News
Straight To Your Inbox Sign-up Now at LVSun.com/Optin
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that money growing in a savings account is better than money sitting in a piggy bank. Help your child gain valuable financial skills while making sure their deposits stay safe and sound.
ORDER ONLINE
GET IT DELIVERED.
No Monthly Maintenance Fee Free Online and Mobile Banking
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.
The countdown to adulthood is well-underway, so get your child on the right path today with a Junior Savings Account. Junior Savings Account available to youth members under the age of 18. Requires a legal adult as joint owner. Membership and eligibility required. Membership at SSSCU requires a savings account with a minimum balance of $25.00.
silverstatecu.com Silver State Schools Credit Union @SilverStateCU
INVITE YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 7:00 PM AMC TOWN SQUARE
For your chance to win a pair of tickets to the advance screening log onto www.AmazonScreenings.com and enter the code: LNIGHT /latenightthemovie
/LateNightMovie
/LateNightMovie
www.latenight.movie
#LateNightMovie
Rated R for language throughout and some sexual referemces. Supplied code will give instructions on how to download two tickets to the advance screening on June 5, 2019. The screening will be overbooked to ensure a full house. Seating is limited and not guaranteed. Tickets cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash in whole or in part. You must arrive early to ensure seating. No phone calls, please. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.
IN THEATERS JUNE 7
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
SAT, JUN 8 FRI, JUN 28
KOMP PRESENTS P.O.D. WITH NONPOINT, ISLANDER, NINE SHRINES, SIGIL POOLSIDE AT THE JBL SOUNDSTAGE
COHEED & CAMBRIA WITH SPECIAL GUESTS MASTODON, EVERY TIME I DIE
SAT, JUN 29
JUDAS PRIEST FIREPOWER 2019 WITH URIAH HEEP
FRI, JUL 5
GODSMACK OFFICIAL UFC INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK CONCERT
FRI, JUL 26
YES: THE ROYAL AFFAIR TOUR WITH ASIA AND SPECIAL GUESTS JOHN LODGE & CARL PALMER’S ELP LEGACY
SAT, JUL 27
CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER
FRI, AUG 2
THE GREEN POOLSIDE AT THE JBL SOUNDSTAGE
AUG 16 & 17
MARY J. BLIGE
SAT, AUG 31
BRIAN WILSON & THE ZOMBIES SOMETHING GREAT FROM ’68 TOUR
TUE, SEP 10
CAKE & BEN FOLDS WITH SPECIAL GUEST TALL HEIGHTS
FRI, SEP 27
GRETA VAN FLEET MARCH OF THE PEACEFUL ARMY
SAT, SEP 28
THE MIDNIGHT POOLSIDE AT THE JBL SOUNDSTAGE
SAT, OCT 5
DEMETRI MARTIN WANDERING MIND TOUR
SUN, OCT 6
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS + RIVAL SONS
WED, DEC 4
OLD DOMINION MAKE IT SWEET TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST RYAN HURD
THU, DEC 5
OLD DOMINION MAKE IT SWEET TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST RYAN GRIFFIN
FOR VIP PACKAGES & RESERVATIONS CONTACT JOINTVIP@HRHVEGAS.COM OR 702.693.5220 HARDROCKHOTEL.COM/THEJOINT | 702.693.5583