2019-12-26 - Las Vegas Weekly by Greenspun Media Group

GIFT THE EXPERIENCE! COOKIE WATKINS

TRIBUTE TO TINA TURNER

TEXAS ★ JANUARY 31

SHAUN CASSIDY GREEN VALLEY ★ FEBRUARY 14

BOBBY CALDWELL SANTA FE ★ FEBRUARY 15

EDWIN MCCAIN SUNSET ★ FEBRUARY 15

AMANDA Y DIEGO TEXAS ★ FEBRUARY 28

SURVIVOR BOULDER ★ MARCH 28

NEAL MCCOY BOULDER ★ APRIL 25

BRETT YOUNG RED ROCK ★ APRIL 25

REO SPEEDWAGON RED ROCK ★ MAY 2

NICK SCHNEBELEN BOULDER ★ JANUARY 9

ALBERT CASTIGLIA BOULDER ★ JANUARY 30

COCO MONTOYA BOULDER ★ FEBRUARY 13

UNCLE KRACKER

BOULDER ★ JANUARY 18

BOULDER BLUES IN THE RAILHEAD

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L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

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POUR ONE OUT FOR THE VANGUARD LOUNGE Writing obituaries is never fun, and though the Downtown Las Vegas nightlife scene is ever-changing, it stings when we must wave goodbye to a place that’s been so reliable for so long. Vanguard Lounge was among the first bars to bloom on Fremont East in the 2010s, breathing life into the street’s formerly seedy northside façade and fitting in comfortably between fellow hall-of-famers Emergency Arts and Insert Coin(s). Come 2020, Vanguard will join them on our Fremont Wall of Remembrance, as owners Jennifer and Andrew Wheatley have announced the bar’s closure following New Year’s Eve. With its street-side patio seating, modern industrial décor and always-inspired cocktail monikers (“That Escalated Quickly” and “The Ratio of People to Cake Is Too Big”), Vanguard played its part perfectly from the jump, whether you preferred it as a “starter” destination before the night really got going, or as a “closer” for one last sip before you sent yourself home. And let’s not forget the way Vanguard helped pioneer afterhours programming on Fremont East with its First Friday “Naked Neon” party and a rotating lineup of resident DJs, many of whom we look forward to seeing one last time before the doors close for good after the final NYE bash. –Jason R. Latham

WEEK IN REVIEW WEEK AHEAD EV E N T S T O F O L L OW A N D N EWS YO U M I SS E D

Pyrotechnics go off behind the speakers during a press conference December 18 for the Las Vegas Strip New Year’s Eve celebration “America’s Party 2020” at Fashion Show mall. Some 330,000 visitors are expected to ring in the new year in Las Vegas, where revelers will be treated to an eight-minute fireworks show over the Strip and a live entertainment extravaganza Downtown on Fremont Street. (Yasmina Chavez/Staff)

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

IN THIS ISSUE

Cover Story: A trip to Mount Charleston

CULTURE

New Year’s Eve options and our 2019 A&E favorites

56 62 64

Brothers are the talk of the local hoops community Are Nevada’s tax breaks working as planned? Vegas Inc: Fitness studio owner all in on group concept

STORIES FROM LAST WEEK BIOCHEMIST CROWNED MISS AMERICA Virginia biochemist Camille Schrier wowed a pageant audience with science on December 19. Dressed in a lab coat, she gave a colorful chemistry demonstration of the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Minutes later, she was named Miss America. “I’m not the beauty queen,” she said. “I’m the brand ambassador for this organization, and I’m more than just someone with a crown on my head.” TRUMP BLASTS CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE President Donald Trump on December 20 tweeted that Christianity Today, an evangelical magazine founded by the late Rev. Billy Graham, “would rather have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President.” The magazine’s editorin-chief published an argument for Trump’s removal on December 19, citing his “blackened moral record.” 50 MILLION PASSENGERS An Allegiant flight from San Antonio, Texas, arrived December 19 at McCarran International Airport to a water cannon salute, and passengers were greeted with gift bags and showgirls at their arrival gate and a reception at baggage claim to mark the record 50 millionth passenger of 2019. The previous record of 49.7 million was set in 2018.

HE SAID IT

“The biggest problem in our economy is simple: People are not getting paid enough. That is not the result of some mysterious cosmic force. It’s the result of bad policy. And we’ve got to change it by raising wages and empowering workers.” –Pete Buttigieg, at the December 20 Democratic presidential debate

A BIG STEP TOWARD BREXIT Lawmakers on December 20 gave preliminary approval to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s EU divorce bill in a decisive vote that broke years of political deadlock over Brexit. The bill commits Britain to leaving the EU on January 31 and to concluding trade talks with the bloc by the end of 2020. Trade experts and EU officials say striking a free trade deal within 11 months will be a struggle, but Johnson insists he won’t agree to any more delays.

A UNLV graduate celebrates the class of 2019 during the December 17 winter commencement ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center. She was among the many graduates who customized their mortarboards with personal decorations in a practice that has become a bit of a tradition at UNLV and other campuses throughout the nation. Some use humor or focus on achievement, while others highlight inspirational thoughts or make political statements. UNLV folklorist Sheila Bock has been studying the practice for several years, and Ohio State University’s Center for Folklore Studies is documenting the tradition at cfs.osu.edu/archives/collections/ gradcaptraditions. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

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SNOW & (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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& TELL W i t h p h o t o g r a p h s b y Wa d e Va n d e r v o r t & Ya s m i n a C h av e z

All right, snow people. Lee Canyon is officially open for the season, and there’s enough powder on the mountain for you to fill an entire weekend with winter activities. Sip some hot chocolate in the brandnew, 10,000-square-foot Hillside Lodge, ski up to the bar for a hot toddy or bring the kids along for their first snowboarding lesson. Not a skier or snowboarder? No problem. Head up to Mt. Charleston Lodge at Kyle Canyon, where you can catch live entertainment, enjoy a burger and take in the sweeping, gorgeous views of the snow-covered Spring Mountains. Mount Charleston is great in the summer, but this is the best time of year to visit and create those magical holiday memories. So suit up, break in your new board and keep reading to see what’s new at the mountain, and how to safely enjoy its winter wonderland. –Leslie Ventura

Let It Snow!

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New O digs By Leslie Ventura

(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

n December 14, the Lee Canyon resort opened for the season with its most expansive upgrade since the 1960s. New to the resort is the 10,000-square-foot Hillside Lodge, which features a ski-up, ski-out bar with sweeping views and a cozy café. Attendance to the mountain has grown steadily in the past decade, and the lodge renovation is long overdue, says Lee Canyon director of marketing and technology Jim Seely. “This is pretty spectacular to see this improvement,” Seely says. “This building came about because of the increase in business and what’s happened with recreation in Las Vegas. This was just to catch up with capacity.” The new two-story Hillside Lodge represents a $6 million investment from Lee Canyon’s

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Utah-based parent company, Powdr, Seely says. The traditional-meets-modern building was built by Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architecture, and Lee Canyon’s website touts it as “a phenomenal jumping-off point to better serve Las Vegas’ growing population and the growing demand for yearround, authentic outdoor recreation.” The Hillside Lodge will have its public grand opening, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, on Friday, January 10. The new addition provides space for a bar area called Bristlecone and a coffee shop dubbed the Brewin Burro. As for the old lodge, that now features a renovated Bighorn Grill dining area. “We’ve taken our old lodge, and we basically opened it up so that [one floor] can be all food and beverage,” Seely says, “[with] more restaurant seating for 21-andunder families inside.” Inside the new Hillside Lodge, Bristlecone doubles as a multiuse space with its floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive views of the mountain. The bar will be available for weddings and conventions in the summertime, Seely says. Downstairs, the lodge’s new coffee shop, the Brewin Burro, offers treats for kids and adults, as

well as grab-and-go food options. But the biggest upgrade beyond the coffee shop and bar is—wait for it—more restrooms. “When you build facilities in 1963, you can’t really have the foresight of how many people [will be] coming in 2019,” Seely says. “A lot of our locals and our dedicated guests that come up here are going to be pretty excited about our restrooms.” And while the Hillside Lodge opening is the talk of Lee Canyon at the moment, the mountain has more changes in store. The resort’s proposal for expansion with the United States Forest Service has been a years-long work in progress, particularly because the Spring Mountains are a critical habitat for the endangered Mount Charleston blue butterfly. While the Hillside Lodge project was completed under a special use permit (that new recreational site isn’t invasive to any of the blue butterfly’s natural habitats, Seely says), other changes could happen as soon as this summer if the Forest Service approves the plan. That proposed expansion would include more

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winter trails, two more chairlifts, improved parking facilities and new summertime activities like chairlift-loaded mountain biking, Seely says. “We’ll have around 12 mountain biking trails, and we’ll go from 27 winter ski trails to 50,” plus “more intermediate and beginner terrain.” In the meantime, families can head up the mountain to experience the Hillside Lodge for themselves. “The dedicated season pass holders that are three generations deep are going to see this new facility and be like, ‘Wow,’” Seely says. “Lee Canyon is growing; it’s really taking shape.’”

Let It Snow!

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SNOWBORN J

By C. Moon Reed osh Bean learned how to ski as soon as he could walk. The 38-year-old third-generation Lee Canyon denizen grew up on the mountain, following in the snowy footsteps of his father and grandfather. Today, Bean works as the director of mountain operations for Lee Canyon, a position his father held before him. The role, Bean says, encompasses “pretty much everything you see outside,” including snowmaking, grooming, prepping lifts and solving maintenance issues. “There’s a lot that goes into it.” Just in time for ski season, the Weekly got the latest from the mountain man. What’s your favorite part about Lee Canyon?

father included.

It’s the appeal of being able to bring my kids up here and watch them grow with the sport on a mountain that a lot of us in Vegas have learned to ski on. Lee Canyon offers a unique ability to grow a sport in the desert that we normally wouldn’t see.

How does it feel to follow in the footsteps of your father, Jack Bean?

What are the most rewarding aspects of your job? It sounds so

Let It Snow!

cliché, but the sunrises and sunsets you see from up here. If you don’t stop and look at those, I don’t think it’s even worth being up here. What does one study to become a director of mountain operations?

I just wouldn’t let them fire me. I was persistent and stayed here and learned from numerous different GMs along the way. I was lucky to work for some great men, my

(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

They’re big shoes to fill. People tend to compare me to him a lot. And I don’t always operate the same way as he has in the past. … So it’s been tough to kind of climb out of the shadow, but at the same time, there’s nobody I’d rather have learned from. What’s your earliest skiing memory? I was

skiing with my dad and sister up here in Lee Canyon. I was probably 7. And it was dumping snow and I was miserable—just your typical kid having a bad day. I had a breakthrough that day of learning to parallel turn, and I just remember the look on my dad’s face, of him being so excited. From that day on, I took to it and never looked back.

Read more from this interview at lasvegasweekly.com.

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By Kelcie Grega

A winter trip to Mount Charleston can provide much-needed respite from city life, but it does takes some planning. For those who aren’t used to navigating through ice and snow, here are some key things to know.

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Skiing and snowboarding: Lee Canyon receives around 129 inches of snow per year, offers skiing and snowboarding from Thanksgiving until mid-April, and is the most accessible ski resort in Las Vegas. The resort area provides 24 trails and three lifts, along with hike-to sky-country areas and a freestyle terrain park. Complimentary coaching is available for beginners. Single-day lift passes cost around $79 for adults and $62 for children ages 6-12 and seniors 65 and over. For more information on ticketing and where to rent gear, visit leecanyonlv.com. Safety comes first. n Wear three (or more) layers of clothing in extremely cold temperatures. Boots, gloves and face masks are recommended.

n Use sturdy sleds specialized for snow that can steer. Avoid makeshift sleds like trash can lids and cardboard boxes. Always sled feet-first.

n There are areas throughout the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area designated just for snow play. Safe snow play requires at least 12 inches of snow.

n Only sled in open areas, away from trees, fences and roads.

BEFORE YOU GO

Stock up on supplies. Be sure to pack extra blankets, clothes, chains, shovels, food and water and an ice scraper, in case you find yourself in a compromised situation. Don’t rely on the GPS on your phone, as cell service can be limited on the mountain. Instead, print or download a map at gomtcharleston. com/maps-guides.

Check your vehicle. Ensure your car or truck can handle icy roads and snow-filled parking lots. Snow tires are a must, and all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for navigating around the mountain and accelerating in slippery conditions. Cat litter can also provide traction for your tires if your vehicle gets stuck in the snow Make sure your tank is filled, too, as there are no gas stations on the mountain.

Parking is limited. Get to the mountain as early as possible, especially during weekends and holidays. Parking areas are designated on the mountain and on the sides of the road. There’s no roadside parking between Lee Meadows and the Ski Resort in Lee Canyon. Roadside parking is also prohibited in Kyle Canyon outside designated areas. When parking along the road, all wheels must be pointed to the right to ensure that emergency vehicles can pass. For more parking information, visit gomtcharleston.com.

Check weather and road conditions. The National Weather Service posts live updates on its website (weather. gov/vef) and on Twitter (@NWSVegas). You can also visit the mountain’s own Twitter account (@GoMtCharleston) for helpful weather and traffic information. Live webcam footage of weather conditions at Mount Charleston and Lee Canyon can also be found at mtcharlestonweather.com/webcam and leecanyonlv.com/themountain/webcams/mountain. For road conditions updates, try NVroads.com.

Where to hike: There are more than 60 miles of maintained trails throughout the Spring Mountains with elevations between 6,000 and 12,000 feet. Hikers should carry plenty of water and sunblock, even in the winter, since high elevations can lead to increased sun exposure and dehydration. Dressing in layers is especially crucial for hiking, as temperatures can drastically vary from the bottom of the trail to the summit of the mountain. Hikers at various levels should consider starting at a shorter distance when taking winter conditions into account. Mount Charleston also offers guided snowshoe hiking around the Spring Mountains. Email programs@gomtcharleston. com for more information. (Yasmima Chavez/Staff)

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(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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Let It Snow!

Mountain Songs quit when he joined a band in 1968. The rest, as they say, is history—and there’s photographic evidence on DeGreve’s website, which is dotted with candid photos of everyone from Neil Young to Axl Rose to Graham Nash (who, incidentally, was married for 38 years to DeGreve’s ex-wife). After a few years in LA, DeGreve found himself in Cheyenne, Wyoming, at the Hitching Post Inn, a historic venue nicknamed “the Western White House” for the number of presidents that passed through its doors. What was supposed to be a two-week gig lasted 30 years, with DeGreve performing six nights a week in the lounge. Reitinger, a musician and songwriter in her own right, joined his band about 12 years ago. DeGreve says the Lodge, much like the Hitching Post, feels like home, especially with the majestic Spring Mountains as its backdrop. “We’ve developed a nice following here,” he says. “It’s kind of like what I had in Cheyenne. Everybody knew me and raised their kids singing ‘Puff the Magic Dragon.’ It’s just real family-oriented.”

(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

f you’ve been to Mt. Charleston Lodge Friday and Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons, chances are you’ve seen Michael DeGreve and his partner, Kris Reitinger, perform on a stage in the corner of the restaurant. The duo, now in its eighth year here, covers the gamut of classic rock, folk and pop, along with DeGreve’s original songs from his two albums, Gypsy’s Lament and Live at the Hitch. The pair pass around a binder listing more than 500 songs, and anyone in the audience can make a request. “It’s got everything from The Beatles and the Eagles and Tom Petty to Cat Stevens and James Taylor. And Green Day,” DeGreve says. “I do a little country, just enough to get me by.” On a recent Sunday, the pair covered John Denver, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival and Jimmy Buffett, plus a handful of Christmas songs. DeGreve, a self-described hippie who came up during the ’60s counterculture movement in LA, has had a storied career in music. He started out on the editorial department at the Los Angeles Times reviewing concerts but

(Yasmima Chavez/Staff)

Stay Toasty

Michael DeGreve & Kris Reitinger Fridays & Saturdays, 5-8 p.m.; Sundays, noon-4 p.m. Mt. Charleston Lodge, 702-872-5408.

On the mountain, there’s no greater pleasure than escaping the cold with a hot cocktail. And Mt. Charleston Lodge offers 11 different “Fireplace Favorites” ($10) to warm diners from the inside out, each drink equipped with whipped cream, cinnamon, nutmeg and a cherry on top. Among whiskey hot chocolates, buttered rums and other sweet concoctions, the most noteworthy is the World Famous Mt. Charleston Coffee, with brandy and house-made vanilla milk. The special ingredient—well, other than coffee—is the honey-spiced Scotch whisky liqueur Drambuie. According to spokesperson Christina Ellis, the drink has made Mt. Charleston Lodge the No. 1 seller of Drambuie in the entire United States. –C. Moon Reed

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More than a hangover cure IV therapy offers medical treatment across the Valley, but how carefully is it regulated? By Kelcie Grega | Weekly staff

nyone who has ever spent a weekend drinking and felt the residual effects of ethanol in their system has probably yearned for instant relief that goes beyond popping an Advil or nursing a Gatorade. ¶ Dr. Jason Burke, owner of Hangover Heaven IV Hydration, says that while hangovers tend to be self-inflicted, it doesn’t make them a lesser medical condition. “I’ve always thought hangovers were a poorly addressed issue in the medical field,” he said. “Basically, the best medical professionals would come up with was Gatorade. For as pervasive a problem as it is, I thought [the solution] was pretty weak.”

In Las Vegas, intravenous therapy for hangovers has been booming since Burke started his business administering IV treatments on a 45-foot bus in 2012. He remembers seeing a few other “fly-by-night people who were just giving bags of saline” at the time—a practice, he said, that is not very effective for treating hangovers. “A bag of saline, especially for a 40-year-old with a bad hangover, is going to do very little.” A common misconception is that hangovers are mainly caused by dehydration, Burke explains. In reality, there’s much more going on. “Everything in the [IV solution] addresses the main components of the hangover, which is inflammation—mostly in the brain—oxidation and then the dehydration,” he says. “We give people medications that directly deal with nausea and dehydration. We also give them an antiinflammatory and intravenous antioxidants.” Hangover Heaven IV Hydration—located on Highland Avenue, two blocks west of the Strip—provides intravenous therapy not just for those looking to cure their hangovers, but also for patients like Ciera Clark, who receives IV vitamin therapy for her B12 deficiency.

Top: Dr. Jason Burke preps Ciera Clark for a vitamin injection at the Hangover Heaven IV Hydration clinic. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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Clark, who has been visiting Hangover Heaven once a month for the past two years, says she typically feels better within 30 minutes of receiving treatment. It’s Monday morning, and most of Burke’s staff is visiting the surrounding hotels on house calls. In-room treatments have a $100 house call fee in addition to the price of the treatment, according to Hangover Heaven’s website, an affordable price for Burke’s clientele. “Most people think it’s 21-year-olds coming here for spring break. That’s not exactly our clients,” he says. “Our average client is staying at Wynn, Aria, Encore—with an average income of well over $100,000 a year.”

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While most of Burke’s clients are well-off enough to front the cost of a house call to their hotel room, those on a tighter budget can get a treatment at Hangover Heaven, which starts at $199. A lounge area inside the business, with recliner chairs for patients, is decorated with Las Vegas memorabilia posters. A cardboard cutout of Zach Galifianakis’ character from The Hangover—wearing a Golden Knights jersey—is displayed in the corner. Burke, a licensed anesthesiologist, says he’s been called “too serious,” so he tries to walk a fine line between playful and professional as a “hangover specialist.” Still, he takes hangovers very seriously, treating them like he would any other medical procedure.

hurdles at all,” Burke says. That has opened the door for some operators to take advantage of the unregulated industry. Paul Edwards, general counsel for the state’s pharmacy board, says his group has received about a dozen complaints in the past 18 months involving IV therapy clinics in Las Vegas. Most involve unlicensed caregivers prescribing medication, or procedures being conducted by registered nurses before a doctor-patient relationship has been established. In March, the board reprimanded Dr. Raanan Pokroy of Reviv, which has three locations in hotels along the Strip, for violating a state statute by allowing his staff access to drugs without a practitioner’s supervision. Pokroy’s staff also prescribed medication to patients without him even seeing any of his patients, also illegal under state law. Dr. Adam Nadelson, who is affiliated with IV Doc, which has locations around the world and in Las Vegas, was reprimanded by the medical board in Louisiana for allowing nurses and medical assistants to practice medicine without a license. Dr. Kiarash Mirkia, former director of Reset IV, currently has two lawsuits pending, one involving the death of a patient at Spring Valley Hospital, and another regarding an incident in which he allegedly raped a woman at his wellness center on Rainbow Boulevard. Clark says she has experienced “unprofessionalism” at other businesses offering IV services. “They just seemed like they didn’t know what they were doing.”

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Though IV therapy has gained popularity and notoriety in recent years, it isn’t exactly a new area of medicine. It’s really just urgent care repackaged into something new, Burke says. “People try to make it out that this is some new area of medicine that has its own set of regulations, when that is tacitly untrue. It’s no different if someone has food poisoning” and they’re given fluids as part of their treatment, according to Burke. Still, the industry remains vastly unregulated. All it takes to open an IV therapy business in Las Vegas is a Clark County business license—no background check required—and a nurse practitioner or a physician to act as the prescribing provider (i.e., someone who can write a prescription). “There are no regulatory

Last month, Clark County discussed drafting an ordinance to regulate the IV therapy industry at a county level, requiring business owners to register IV therapy under a privileged business license. “The thought would be that before the service is approved, there would be some sort of checklist and hopefully a process where an inspector would visit the site to approve the business license,” County Commissioner Tick Segerblom said. Burke says he worries that if the system remains unchecked, people’s lives could be at risk. He says he has been working since 2017 with various regulatory boards and the county to “raise the bar” in the industry. He hopes a privileged business license will be the first step in that process. “At least the threat to the public would be dealt with in a quicker fashion,” he says.

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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) Art Director Corlene Byrd (corlene.byrd@gmgvegas.com) Designer Ian Racoma Circulation Director Ron Gannon CEO, Publisher & Editor Brian Greenspun

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BIG THIS WEEK (Scott Applewhite/AP)

FRI, DEC 27

Dallas Events Center SHEILA E. Sheila E., nee Sheila Cecelia Escovedo, has had quite the storied career. A solo artist in her own right, she worked for many years with Prince, starting with the Purple Rain recording. Catch “the Queen of Percussion” when she brings her pop, R&B, Latin jazz and funk music to Texas Station. 8 p.m., $24-$49. –Genevie Durano

JAN 7-12

REYNOLDS HALL ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE The Hollywood Reporter calls this jukebox musical “the perfect show for folks who would rather wear Hawaiian shirts and shorts than fancy clothing to the theater.” Featuring all the classic Jimmy Buffett tunes—”Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Margaritaville” and more—this Smith Center show should keep audiences smiling. Times vary, $37-$134. –C. Moon Reed

(Courtesy)

DEC 28-29 WEST LAS VEGAS LIBRARY KWANZAA CELEBRATION For more than 50 years, the African American and PanAfrican holiday Kwanzaa has brought communities together in a celebration of culture. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. There are also seven symbols of Kwanzaa, including the crops, the mat and the seven candles. Each symbol represents a different aspect of AfricanAmerican traditions, values and history. But don’t be intimidated if you don’t know or even understand all the holiday’s features. There’s no special knowledge or experience required, and all are welcome. If you’re looking for a local celebration, the West Las Vegas Library hosts two days of activities and cultural offerings to honor the holiday. Drop in for a short visit or spend your whole weekend there. Shop at the weekendlong Marketplace Bazaar while the kids attend a workshop with African dance, storytelling and cultural face painting. Stretch your body and mind in a Kemetic Yoga Workshop; the practice derives from what is now Egypt. Or simply listen to guest speakers, drumming, poetry and song. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free. –C. Moon Reed

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calendar p30 (Courtesy)

MON, DEC 30 |

XS DRAKE

It’s been a relatively quiet year music-wise for the Champagne Papi, but that doesn’t mean he’s stayed out of headlines. Rumors abound that Kylie Jenner and Drizzy are the next new power couple, as the duo has seemingly been dropping not-so-subtle Instagram hints about a budding romance. Will she show up at XS? Only one way to find out. 10 p.m., $150-$300. –Leslie Ventura

Dec 27-29 Terry Fator Theatre Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds In addition to reeling off his own hits onstage at the Mirage, Babyface will take you through a tour of the pop masterpieces he has written and produced for Madonna, Boyz II Men, Whitney Houston and others. 7:30 p.m., $33-$55. –Brock Radke

SUN, DEC 29 SAND DOLLAR LOUNGE PIZZA POP-UP The Sand Dollar’s holiday-themed Miracle on Spring Mountain pop-up bar brings in Chef Justin Kingsley Hall to run a one-off pizza kitchen, making this event a pop-up within a pop-up. Proceeds benefit Las Vegas Rescue Mission. 7-9 p.m. –Geoff Carter

THU, JAN 2

SAT, JAN 4

CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY LAS VEGAS STORIES: SECRETS OF SUNRISE MOUNTAIN

WEST LAS VEGAS LIBRARY CIVIL RIGHTS FILM FEST

The first 2020 installment of this monthly series explores the lore behind the oft-overlooked east side mountain. Learn about “the Cave Lady,” celebrity connections and more, when Channel 3 reporter Tom Hawley leads the talk. 7 p.m., free. –C. Moon Reed

This prelude to Black History Month, co-sponsored by the Las Vegas Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, features two cautionary accounts of social injustice and grassroots activism, Sisters of Selma and Cointelpro 101. Noon, free. –Geoff Carter

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Maroon 5 (Mandalay Bay Events Center, 8 p.m.) Move like Jagger when Adam Levine and his mates renew their annual tradition of ending the year on a Las Vegas stage.

Golden Knights vs. Ducks (T-Mobile Arena, noon) OK, it’s not technically a New Year’s Eve event if it’s over by sundown. But seeing a VGK win 2019 sounds like a pretty sweet way to end 2019, plus you’ll have time for dinner, a concert or a club (or maybe all three).

Lady Gaga (Park Theater, 8 p.m.) The Strip resident presses pause on her primary residency (Enigma) for a more formal Jazz & Piano gig, appropriate on a night made for dressing up and drinking champagne.

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C U LT U R E C OV E R S T O R Y

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

19 WAYS TO CLOSE OUT 2019 IN VEGAS BY SPENCER PATTERSON AND LESLIE VENTURA

he toughest part about December 31 this year? Trying to pick among these potential destinations … Christina Aguilera (Zappos Theater, 10 p.m. p.m.) Whether you’re there for Stripped Stripped, Back to Basics, Liberation or all of the above, the pop star’s Xperience residency has you covered. America’s Party Downtown (Fremont Street Experience, 6 p.m.) Go big with FSE’s annual outdoor blowout, featuring live acts like Empire Records and Zowie Bowie and the debut of an upgraded Viva Vision canopy. The Chainsmokers (XS, 8 p.m.) Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall teamed with Kygo for latest single “Family,” and its video chronicles filmographer Rory Kramer opening up about his mental health issues. It ends with the message “Checking up on your friends is cool,” strong advice heading into 2020. Forever Young ’80s Prom (Sparrow & Wolf, 10 p.m. p.m.) Channel your inner Pretty in Pink and indulge in passed bites from Chef Brian Howard, live entertainment, a costume contest and a champagne toast at midnight.

Future (Drai’s, 10:30 p.m.) Pitchfork recently credited the Atlanta rapper with “rewriting rap in his own image.” Hear for yourself at the Cromwell club. Guy Gerber (Encore Beach Club, 10 p.m.) The Israeli producer has underground accolades and big-name chops. He’s worked with Puff Daddy and launched a left-of-center house party in Ibiza, and now he’s ringing in 2020 with Kaz James at EBC. Journey (The Colosseum, 8 p.m.) “Wheel in the Sky.” “Don’t Stop Believin’.” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’.” “Any Way You Want It.” “Lights.” You know the songs. Go sing them. Lizzo (The Chelsea, 9 p.m.) The “Truth Hurts” singer has had quite a year, highlighted by album Cuz I Love You and a role in Hustlers. If anyone can ring in the new decade with positivity, style and fun, it’s this Minneapolis queen. Mustard (Marquee, 9 p.m.) Dijon Isaiah McFarlane has worked with everyone from Tyga to 2 Chainz and Young Jeezy. The Rocnation artist and Marquee resident sends out 2019 the way he knows best: Vegasstyle. Nas (Tao, 9 p.m.) If hip-hop’s your jam, it’s tough to find a better résumé among NYE contenders than this Illmatic rapper, who has 10 Top 10 albums to his credit.

Ozuna (Pearl Concert Theater, 11 p.m.) He’s regarded as the “New King of Reggaeton,” and his latest single, “Eres Top” features another hip-hop monarch, with Diddy’s “I Need a Girl (Pt. 2)” sampled heavily throughout. Hear it live when Ozuna plays the Pearl on NYE. Samantha Ronson (On the Record, 9 p.m.) The English DJ recently played a celebration hosted by the Tegan and Sara Foundation, which fights for “economic justice, health and representation” for LGBT+ girls, women and allies. Stick Figure (Brooklyn Bowl, 8 p.m.) Brooklyn Bowl has become the hub for reggae in Vegas, and this Northern California group—whose August album debuted atop Billboard’s reggae chart—is a strong choice for a NYE blowout. Taco Tuesday 2020 (Downtown Grand, 5 p.m.) What better way to celebrate NYE than with all-you-can-eat tacos? Enjoy gourmet grub prepared by Freedom Beat chef Scott Commings, tequila tastings, entertainment and more. Third Eye Blind (House of Blues, 7 p.m.) The veteran Bay Area band brings pop hits “Semi-Charmed Life,” “Jumper” and “Never Let You Go” back to the Strip. T-Pain (Light, 9 p.m.) The rapper behind 2007 smash hit “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” is still going strong nearly 13 years later.

Maroon 5, Lady Gaga (AP); VGK’s William Carrier (Steve Marcus/Staff) (Photo Illustration)

LOS STELLARIANS f/ SA MARTINEZ of 311

HOLIDAY BASS BASH FEATURING HEKLER

DEC

ADELITA’S WAY WITH DEAD GIRLS ACADEMY AND TAKING DAWN

MON

DEC

NYE COMEDY SHOW AND DINNER WITH DEREK RICHARDS

DEC

SAT

FRI

SUN

THU

SUN

SAT

FRI

SUN

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28 31 31

JAN

NYE PARTY WITH EAST SIDE RIOT

THE BREVET

JAN

RVLTN PRESENTS: DOCTOR P AND COOKIE MONSTA

JAN

RVLTN PRESENTS: ARMNHMR

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SCHOOL OF ROCK

JAN

BLESS THE RAINS: THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE TO TOTO

30 FEB

FEB

FRI

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THE BIG GAME

LOS STELLARIANS FEAT. SA MARTINEZ OF 311

FEB

ROCK ‘N COSPLAY VGM PARTY WITH GHOST L.V., MONSTER ZERO, VETIVS, SERIOUS DAMAGE, DECAYING TIGERS AND DJ SLUMBERLAND

MAR

LORDS OF ACID WITH AESTHETIC PERFECTION AND MXMS, DJ SET BY PRAGA KHAN

22 14

TICKETS AVAILABLE VIA TICKETWEB.COM HARDROCK.COM/CAFES/LAS-VEGAS OR 702-733-7625

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elrow at EBC (Courtesy)

NIGHTS

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT

REFLECTING ON A RED-HOT 2019 IN LAS VEGAS NIGHTLIFE BY BROCK RADKE

as Vegas doesn’t need new venues and parties to maintain its position as a global champion in the nightlife industry. But 2019 piled on some new and different options anyway, pushing the party scene to its limits. There were many movements and moments that made these 12 months memorable, but three key destinations defined a rather wild year in Vegas nightlife, and more importantly, set a course for the future.

THE SPARK In its first full year of operations, On the Record delivered on its promises to bring a diverse experience to the scene, prioritize the party over stars and get back to the locals-friendly vibe of the ultralounge era. That doesn’t mean the speakeasy-style club with the hidden cocktail lounge, karaoke rooms and double-decker British bus can’t go big; afterparties for Park Theater gigs from Lady Gaga, Aerosmith and Janet Jackson are already approaching legendary status. Halfway through the summer, it became clear that On the Record is something more: the cornerstone of a vibrant day-andnight experience at Park MGM, the closing act of a cool new Vegas itinerary that might include a stylish and sophisticated day by the pool at JEMAA: the NoMad Pool Party, food and drinks at Roy Choi’s Best Friend or Bricia Lopez’s Mama Rabbit and perhaps one of those superstar residency shows at Park Theater. There were weekends this year when you could catch a daytime DJ set from Mark Ronson, one of the most influential producers of his generation, before a concert from his most famous collaborators, Gaga or Bruno Mars, all on the same property.

Shepard Fairey at On the Record (Tony Tran/Courtesy)

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THE FIRE Wynn Nightlife made major headlines this year with a series of residency performances from Drake at XS and the sudden departure of managing partner Alex Cordova in the fall. But the return of Art of the Wild weekend and the expansion of Spain’s landmark elrow parties defined luxury clubbing in Las Vegas and created an overwhelming dance music festival feeling at XS and Encore Beach Club. After debuting in October 2018, Art of the Wild touched down for spring and

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fall weekends at both Encore venues, bringing a who’s who of house and techno DJs like the Martinez Brothers, Black Coffee, Guy Gerber, Jamie Jones, Pete Tong and even Idris Elba and Virgil Abloh to the Strip. Both events sold out several nights and attracted thousands of visitors from around the world, and the same thing happened (on a smaller scale) for several elrow events throughout the year. The EDM boom has evolved into a return to dance music roots with international influence, and Wynn has set the pace.

THE EXPLOSION The Palms announced plans for KAOS in January, opened the 100,000-square-foot dayclub and nightclub in April with arguably one of the biggest parties in Vegas history and shut it down in November. Burn bright, burn fast. In the end, the renovated resort took a big swing and didn’t connect, but there’s no question KAOS was one of the most impressive Vegas venues ever built and offered one of the most incredible collection of artists (Cardi B, Marshmello, Skrillex, J Balvin, deadmau5) ever assembled. Time will tell how the Palms will use these lavish spaces in the future, but KAOS will forever stand as an extraordinary part of the local scene’s sometimes outrageous history. Damien Hirst’s statue greeted KAOS partiers. (Courtesy)

Cardi B at KAOS (Megan Blair/Courtesy)

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(Amy Harris/AP Photo)

Meek Mill

CLUB GUIDE By Brock Radke

For more upcoming events, visit Culture Weekly Page 30.

1 OAK

DRAI’S AFTERHOURS

DJ Crooked 12/27. Kid Conrad 12/28. Lil Jon 12/31. DJ Dash 1/1. Justin Nyce 1/3. DJ Wellman 1/4. Desiigner 1/8. Wed, Fri-Sat, Mirage, 702-693-8300.

DJ Pauly D 12/31. Thu-Sun, Cromwell, 702-777-3800.

12/29. Tiësto 12/30. Steve Aoki 12/31. Fergie DJ 1/2. Party Favor 1/3. ThuSun, MGM Grand, 702-891-3838.

EMBASSY

JEWEL

Thu-Sat, 3355 Procyon St., 702-6096666.

Justin Credible 12/27. DJ E-Rock 12/28. Tory Lanez 12/30. Tyga 12/31. DJ Scooter 12/3. Mo Beatz 12/4. O.T. Genasis 12/6. Mon, Fri-Sat, Aria, 702590-8000.

APEX Thu-Sun, Palms, 702-953-7665.

ENCORE BEACH CLUB CHATEAU DJ ShadowRed 12/27. DJ Deville 12/28. Wed-Sat, Paris, 702-776-7777.

CLIQUE Nightly, Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7939.

DOWNTOWN COCKTAIL ROOM Tue-Sat, Sahara, 702-880-3696.

DRAI’S NIGHTCLUB Meek Mill’s big year included his acting debut in Sundance competitor Charm City Kings, a tale of dueling dirt bike racers in Baltimore. It’s set for a wide release in April, and Mill is set to fire up the crowd at Drai’s for New Year’s week on December 29. Also: DJ Franzen 12/27. Trey Songz 12/28. Gucci Mane 12/30. Future 12/31. Thu-Sun, Cromwell, 702-777-3800.

EBC’s Strip-shaking elrow parties close out a dominant year in the Vegas daylife scene with a big bash starting December 30 at 2 p.m. Expect heavy house sounds from Shiba San, Toni Varga and Rafa Barrios and a headlining set from Dirtybird boss Claude VonStroke. Also: Justin Credible 12/28. Guy Gerber and Kaz James 12/31. Fisher 1/1. RL Grime 1/8. Wed & Sat, Encore, 702-770-7300.

FOUNDATION ROOM DJ Sam I Am 12/27. DJ Excel 12/28. DJ Sam I Am 1/3. DJ D-Miles 1/4. Nightly, Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7631.

GOLD SPIKE DJ J-Krazy 12/27. DJ P-Dot 12/28. DJ Teenwolf 12/29. DJ Valid 12/31. DJ Exodus 1/2. DJ Dilemma 1/3. Wed-Sun, 217 Las Vegas Blvd. N., 702-476-1082.

HAKKASAN DJ Shift 12/27. Fergie 12/28. DMX

1/7. Tue, Thu-Sun, Caesars Palace, 702785-6200.

ON THE RECORD

LIGHT When Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker needed some key collaborators to launch his new label DTA Records, he called Rick Ross (and Lil Wayne) to drop verses on kickoff single “Gimme Brain.” Ross has one more show at Light left in the tank for 2019 on December 29. Also: DJ ERock 12/27. DJ Neva 12/28. Saweetie 12/30. T-Pain 12/31. DJ E-Rock 1/3. Kid Funk 1/4. Wed, Fri-Sat, Mandalay Bay, 702-632-4700.

MARQUEE Ruckus 12/27. Vice 12/28. Lizzo 12/30. Mustard 12/31. Mon, Fri-Sat, Cosmopolitan, 702-333-9000.

OMNIA DJ Mondo 12/27. Party Favor 12/28. Party Favor 12/30. Calvin Harris 12/31. Generik 1/3. Cash Cash 1/4. Steve Aoki

Skipping the Strip for New Year’s Eve doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll miss the big club headliners. Hit OTR on January 1 for “Industry Eve” and night two of Samantha Ronson spinning at the Park MGM hot spot. There’s even another Champagne toast at midnight. Also: DJ G-Squared 12/27. Phoreyz 12/28. DJ G-Squared 12/30. Samantha Ronson 12/31. DJ G-Squared 1/3. DJ Neva 1/4. Wed, Fri-Sat, Park MGM, 702730-6773.

TAO M!KEATTACK 12/26. DJ Five 12/27. Eric DLux 12/28. Nas 12/31. DJ Five 1/2. M!KEATTACK 1/3. Justin Credible 1/4. Thu-Sat, Venetian, 702-388-8588.

VANGUARD LOUNGE Nightly, 516 Fremont St., 702-8687800.

XS Diplo 12/29. Drake 12/30. The Chainsmokers 12/31. Dillon Francis 1/3. Alesso 1/4. Drake 1/8. Fri-Sun, Encore, 702-770-7300.

THIS WEEK JUST ANNOUNCED

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FOR FULL CONCERT & EVENT LISTINGS, VISIT HOUSEOFBLUES.COM/LASVEGAS | 702.632.7600 |

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Buffalo oysters at Hardway 8 (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Ada’s Esther’s Kitchen founder James Trees made his pizza and pasta more family-friendly for the ’burbs—with bonus ice cream!— without sacrificing his style or skimping on flavor. It takes a restaurant to raise a (Tivoli) Village. 410 S. Rampart Blvd. #120, 702-463-7433. –Brock Radke Best Friend The LA vibes are thick at Roy Choi’s uncompromising Korean barbecue-focused party diner. Go beyond the grilled meats and Kogi tacos and explore hoisin-chili baby back ribs and spicy soondubu and kimchi jjiggae. And definitely devour all the banchan. Park MGM, 888-769-2464. –BR Crack Shack Among all the chicken sandwiches, this San Diego import has one fowl to rule them all: the Firebird, a gigantic, juicy sandwich slathered in hot sauce and ranch that comes topped with crispy fried onions and pickles. And the rest of the menu (Mexican poutine, anyone?!) is fire, too. Park MGM, 702-8205991. –Leslie Ventura Hardway 8 With a menu originally fashioned by Valley veteran Johnny Church, this downtown Henderson watering hole isn’t slinging your typical bar fare. Think sharp Buffalo fried oysters, a fried bologna sandwich layered with crispy mortadella and even savory rabbit sausage bangers and mash. 46 S. Water St., 702-410-5124. –Jim Begley

La Monja Chef and restaurateur Dan Krohmer’s modern cantina cuisine (brilliant ceviches and seafood cocktails, cauliflower tacos on house-made tortillas) was inspired by his own sabbaticals to Mexico. You only have to get to Fergusons Downtown to catch those chill vibes. 1028 Fremont St. #190, 702-848-3530. –BR La Strega Chef Gina Marinelli’s Summerlin restaurant is one of the loveliest, sunniest spots to eat brunch. Come for dinner and enjoy handmade pastas, pizza and more, as well as an excellent wine selection. And definitely order a Witch’s Garden—artisanal vegetables served with whipped chickpeas—for the table. 3555 S. Town Center Drive #105, 702-7222099. –Genevie Durano Locale Mountain’s Edge gained a neighborhood favorite when Nicole Brisson stepped off the Strip and opened Locale Italian Kitchen and Craft Cocktails. The menu is rustic, meat-forward Italian, with housemade charcuterie and fresh pasts made daily. 7995 Blue Diamond Road #106, 702-330-0404. –GD Mabel’s BBQ Michael Symon’s Mabel’s cue joint elevates Vegas’ barbecue scene with a menagerie of meats, ranging from smoky burnt ends to tender beef brisket. The beef rib is Flintstones-size, while the Cracklin’—chicharrones paired with Lawson’s onion dip—are a must. Palms, 702-944-5931. –JB

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Mott 32 The epic Cantonese, Szechuan and Beijing-style cuisine at Mott 32 is matched perfectly by its layered, mesmerizing atmosphere. And get ready for year two, which will bring the dim sum brunch of your dreams. Palazzo, 702-607-3232. –BR Sadelle’s CAFE When it comes to smoked fish, Sadelle’s towers over the competition. Nestled in a 10,000-squarefoot space overlooking the Conservatory at Bellagio, the Mario Carbone venture is a most delicious homage to the NYC delicatessen and home to an outstanding pastry program. Bellagio, 702-693-7075. –GD Saga Pastry + Sandwich Nordic waffles and Swedish pancakes top the breakfast menu, and rosemary ham, smoked salmon and Arctic cold-water shrimp are lunchtime staples. Before you leave, relish in the Swedish coffee break tradition known as fika by relaxing with an espresso and a pastry. 10345 S. Eastern Ave. #100, 702-260-0860. –LV

Sushi Kame How many spots have you tried that serve Kagoshima-raised A5 Wagyu steak with a document of authenticity? Chef Eric Kim goes beyond conventional sushi with expressive offerings like Kamashida toro, risotto with trout roe and splendid alfonsino, while the omakase experience takes refinement to the next level. 3616 Spring Mountain Road #103, 702-665-5731. –LV

The Firebird at Crack Shack (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Tatsujin X Tatsujin is as unique a dining experience as there is in the Valley, the natural result of restaurateur Mitsuo Endo (of Raku fame) helping to open a traditional teppanyaki steakhouse. It’s not for everyone, but frankly, that’s part of the charm of this tiny, Chinatownadjacent spot. 4439 W. Flamingo Road, 702-771-8955. –JB

Tres Cazuelas Neighboring the infamous Sand Dollar Lounge, Tres Cazuelas offers a rotation of Mexican lunch specials amid a menu stretching from Spain to South America. Moles are dynamite, and pork belly skewers adorned with grilled peaches are an epiphany. 3355 Spring Mountain Road #35, 702-370-0751. –JB Vetri CUCINA Few restaurants in Las Vegas have a view this good (56 floors up), but James Beard Award winner Marc Vetri’s food is even better. Italian classics are recontextualized for these modern times using simple, time-honored techniques, and the results are nothing short of revelatory. Palms, 702-944-5900. –GD

Baja seafood cocktail at La Monja (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

Sushi Kame’s kaiseki experience (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Water Grill King’s Seafood Company brought the upscale SoCal favorite to the former Spago spot this summer and stunned with ample seafood towers stocked with oysters, clams, scallops, jumbo shrimp, Dungeness crab, lobster and sea urchin. The buttery Chilean sea bass with butternut squash gnocchi is so delicious, we haven’t stopped dreaming about it. Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, 702-832-4777. –LV

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NOISE

Magical music Our favorite albums of 2019

SPENCER PATTERSON 1 Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society, Mandatory Reality Tones, glorious tones, at the nexus of jazz and drone. One can get so deeply lost in this. 2 FKA twigs, Magdalene As much a statement about pop music’s future capabilities as a batch of gorgeous songs. 3 Pile, Green and Gray If you only hear one pissed-off rock album this year ...

4 Anna Webber, Clockwise A challenging and rewarding ride, through semi-composed avant jazz with seven crack NYC players. 5 Jamila Woods, Legacy! Legacy! Poetry in motion. 6 Tim Hecker, Anoyo The sound manipulator peels back layers, letting natural space shine through. 7 Lana Del Rey, Norman F*cking Rockwell! Listen, then decide for yourself.

8 Swans, Leaving Meaning Less intense is still pretty intense when Michael Gira’s at the helm. 9 Tyler, the Creator, Igor Fun in a jar, just waiting to be opened. 10 Nivhek, After Its Own Death/ Walking in a Spiral Towards the House Liz Harris, aka Grouper, re-explores the dark.

5 Jenny Lewis, On the Line Elevated Americana. The sound of sunrise hitting the highway ahead. 6 Maps, Colours. Reflect. Time. Loss. Splendidly produced chamber pop—lush and hypnotic. 7 Kelsey Lu, Blood The allegiance of this LA-based singer, songwriter and cellist is evenly divided between jazz, classical, rock and R&B. Good thing, too. 8 The Cinematic Orchestra, To Believe Think of it as the soundtrack to a bittersweet 1960s romance, set in a Europe that never really existed.

9 Lana Del Rey, Norman F*cking Rockwell! She’s not of this time or this place. This is legitimate siren song. 10 Underworld, Drift Series 1 “Listen to Their No” and “Custard Speedtalk” saved me from despair more than once this year.

GEOFF CARTER 1 Angel Olsen, All Mirrors Luxurious, heart-rending country death-pop. Just plain gorgeous. 2 FKA twigs, Magdalene Timeless. Lives on the same ethereal plane as Dead Can Dance, Bel Canto and Kate Bush. 3 DJ Shadow, Our Pathetic Age Warm, old-school hip-hop with a phalanx of killer guest vocals (Run the Jewels, Fantastic Negrito) and a timely warning to destroy all your social media accounts. 4 Weyes Blood, Titanic Rising Didn’t love it at first, but this Laurel Canyon-meets-Grandaddy set eventually got under my skin.

Glancing back January 4

Chameleon Queen releases new album Namaqua.

25 Killers guitarist Dave Keuning releases solo debut Prismism.

( Co u r t e sy

FEBRUARY

)

Lady Antebellum begins its Pearl residency.

Black Camaro releases new album Protocol of Dreams.

Be Like Max releases new album Save Us All.

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CASE KEEFER 1 Lana Del Rey, Norman F*cking Rockwell! She’d already dominated the decade with four strong records but they amounted to practice swings compared to this home run. 2 Lingua Ignota, Caligula A highly unsettling experience, this graphic aural depiction of abusive relationships brings to light the horror inflicted.

LESLIE VENTURA 1 FKA twigs, Magdalene The singer/composer pushes raw emotion and feminine power to the surface, with inspiration drawn from the misunderstood New Testament character. Ghostly, sinister and divine, 2 Weyes Blood, Titanic Rising A cinematic soundscape for the senses, providing an honest, heartbreaking assessment of modern life while still remaining hopeful. 3 Kelsey Lu, Blood The cellist, guitarist and avant-pop singer concocted a harrowing work that bubbles up through every pore (“Pushin Against the Wind”), while also providing delicate relief (“Due West”). 4 Orville Peck, Pony The masked cowboy—who keeps his face and real name secret—breathes rugged new life into the country genre. 5 Ceremony, In the Spirit World Now The former hardcore mainstays pivot to post-punk and New Wave reminiscent of Joy Division and New Order. 6 Fat White Family, Serfs Up! The infamous U.K. punks made a polished, disco-tinged LP that gets better with each play. 7 Sabrina Claudio, Truth Is The Miami singer has released four albums since 2016, and this is the evocative, hypnotizing best of them. 8 Taylor Swift, Lover Hate all you want, but T-Swift consistently churns out brilliant pop hits and societydefying tracks like “The Man.” 9 Foxygen, Seeing Other People After three somewhat haphazard records, Sam France and Jonathan Rado re-find their stride. 10 Mdou Moctar, Ilana (The Creator) The Tuareg musician grew up where secular music was forbidden, so he built a guitar and taught himself how to play. The result is mesmerizing.

MARCH

3 Cattle Decapitation, Death Atlas A benchmark for modern death metal, moving the genre into more experimental and accessible realms. 4 Greet Death, New Hell The Flint, Michigan, trio is among many bands taking cues from early-’90s alt-rock and shoegaze, but one of few pushing the sound forward. 5 Cult of Luna, A Dawn to Fear The Swedish post-metal trailblazers capture the power of the genre’s live shows in recorded form. 6 The Menzingers, Hello Exile The definitive punk rock band of the decade has never sounded less punk, leaning on Greg Barnett’s ability to craft catchy, relatable midtempo ballads. 7 Ceremony, In the Spirit World Now The Northern California band’s transformation from hardcore hell-raiser to post-punk powerhouse feels complete with this joyous blast of energy. 8 Brutus, Nest Stefanie Mannaerts emerged as a true triple threat on the Belgian post-hardcore band’s sophomore outing, with stunning vocals and drumming to go with undeniable songwriting. 9 Purple Mountains, Purple Mountains “Heartbreaking” will be the adjective most associated with David Berman’s final release, but it’s so much more than that—affecting, astute and even amusing at points. 10 Ceres, We Are a Team Quite possibly the best early-2000s emo record since the early-2000s, ditching sadness for elation.

Las Vegas’ House of Blues turns 20.

Robbie Williams begins his Encore Theater residency.

Dizzy Wright releases new album Nobody Cares, Work Harder.

Cass McCombs headlines Beauty Bar’s final show.

APRIL

Aerosmith begins its Park Theater residency.

Shamir releases new album Be the Yee, Here Comes the Haw.

Panic! At the Disco’s Brendon Urie guests on Taylor Swift single “Me!”

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May

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June

17-19

24-27

Janet Jackson begins her Park Theater residency.

Cromm Fallon releases new album Electric Bloom.

Bad Phantom releases new album Moon Garden.

Christina Aguilera begins her Zappos Theater residency.

Electric Daisy Carnival stages its ninth Las Vegas Motor Speedway edition.

Punk Rock Bowling turns 21 at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.

May 31- June 2

Emerge returns for a second installment, this time at the Hard Rock Hotel.

SHOW stoppers The concerts that ruled our year CASE KEEFER

GEOFF CARTER

1 Dark (January 24, House of

Vein (February 2, Eagle Aerie Hall) Nothing exemplified the Vegas hardcore scene’s 2019 ascension more than this innovative band laying waste to a room packed with flailing bodies. Ceremony (June 29, American Legion Post 8) There were probably only 50 people screaming every word into frontman Ross Farrar’s microphone, but it felt like 5,000 on this energetic night. Better Oblivion Community Center and Sloppy Jane (March 9, Bunkhouse Saloon) As if the second-ever performance of the Phoebe Bridgers/Conor Oberst supergroup wasn’t treat enough outside, performance artist Haley Dahl sorta stole the night with her wacky set indoors. Refused (May 26, Punk Rock Bowling, Downtown Las Vegas Events Center) Even PRB’s most beloved band, the Descendents, bemoaned having to follow the fiery 45-minute performance from this Swedish hardcore institution. Iron Maiden (September 13, MGM Grand Garden Arena) One of history’s best metal bands dug into a number of deep cuts—perfect for Friday the 13th.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the

Blues) A solidly au courant technopop set that got arty while still delivering the hits. Foals (March 27, Brooklyn Bowl) Perhaps no other band knows how to use this room quite so well. Pure rock energy and spectacle. Andrew Bird (June 1, Emerge, the Joint) Bird’s all-too-rare Las Vegas appearance was every bit as graceful and beguiling as we could have hoped. Elvis Costello & The Imposters and Blondie (August 1, the Pearl) Costello was in terrific voice, Deborah Harry was energetic and fearless, and the hits never let up. DeVotchKa and The Joy Formidable (September 19, Vinyl) Two studies in how to own a room: Joy Formidable made it intimate with an acoustic set, while DeVotchKa’s orchestra-like sound turned the soon-to-be defunct Vinyl into a cathedral.

20-22

Sonia Barcelona releases new album Bitter Melon.

Caesars Palace debuts its upgraded Colosseum for a Keith Urban show.

Life Is Beautiful takes over the streets of Downtown for the seventh straight year, while the iHeartRadio Festival plays inside T-Mobile Arena.

The Eagles perform the first of three Hotel California shows at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

OCTOBER

Cha ve z / S t a f f )

6-7 Elton John brings his tour to Vegas, for what he says will be his final shows here.

in a

5-8

The Big Blues Bender moves to the Hard Rock Hotel for year No. 6.

as (Y

September

(Yasmina Chavez/Staff)

NOVEMBER

18-19

1-3

Journey begins its residency at the Colosseum.

Las Rageous returns to Downtown Las Vegas Events Center.

The Rhyolite Sound releases new album Mojave Gold.

Hip-hop fest Day N Vegas debuts at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds.

Madonna angers the crowd by taking the stage at midnight for the first of three Colosseum shows.

The Killers announce new album Imploding the Mirage, due this spring.

Donny and Marie Osmond close out their longrunning Flamingo residency.

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July

Celine Dion plays the final show of her Colosseum residency.

Vegas-based Geykido Comet Records celebrates its 20th anniversary with a Dive Bar show.

Slump Lords release new album Maryland Hark Way.

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The Laissez Fairs release new album Marigold.

Jerk! releases new album Attack.

Rapper Common plays the Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall.

August 14

14-16

Def Leppard begins its Zappos Theater residency.

Psycho Las Vegas moves to Mandalay Bay for its fourth edition.

The reunited Curl Up and Die plays the Bunkhouse.

SPENCER PATTERSON

1 Chelsea) His year-later second Thom Yorke (October 26, the

(David Becker/Courtesy)

LESLIE VENTURA

1 tember 6, T-Mobile Elton John (Sep-

Arena) The Rocketman embarked on a farewell tour that felt especially memorable and poignant for Las Vegas, home to his two longtime residencies.

2 8, Bunkhouse Saloon) 3 (June 29, T-Mobile Spencer Krug (May

The Wolf Parade singer gave us an intimate solo set, coaxing magic out of the Bunkhouse’s rickety piano.

Paul McCartney

4 cember 11, Brooklyn

Modest Mouse (De-

Arena) Macca was so good on the night one, I plunked down for a second viewing one day later.

Bowl) Isaac Brock commanded a powerhouse band that included three drummers.

5 ruary 6, Bunkhouse

Alex Cameron (Feb-

Saloon) A small crowd resulted in lots of comic banter from the Australian and his right-hand man, saxophonist Roy Molloy.

solo stop was even better than the first, largely due to a superior visual performance—yes, performance. Electric Wizard (August 16, Psycho Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Events Center) For the second time in four years, the English doom lords ruled Psycho’s considerable lineup. Godspeed You! Black Emperor (August 16, Psycho Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Events Center) Another Psycho monster earlier the same day. Iceage (April 12, Bunkhouse Saloon) Frontman Elias Bender Rønnenfelt can hold a room’s attention for an entire set—and he did just that in the Danes’ overdue first Vegas visit. Shame (May 26, Punk Rock Bowling, Bunkhouse Saloon) In the moment, for a moment, this felt like the most exciting thing happening in the world.

December 23

6-7

Kurumpaw releases new album Biónico Cósmico.

Slayer plays its penultimate show, at MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Shania Twain begins her Zappos Theater residency.

Lo Dino releases new album Nostalgia.

The Amazon Web Services-produced Intersect debuts at Las Vegas Festival Grounds.

Elvis Presley tribute artist Trent Carlini dies at age 57.

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THE LATE BLOOMER “The Late Bloomer is named for how long it took to create and perfect (the cocktail),” Stangle says. “Once it was finalized, it really came together—it is actually a little bit of a busy cocktail for Milos’ style, however it pairs up very nicely with our cuisine.” Both sweet and savory, the cocktail is a mix of Grey Goose vodka, Bombay Sapphire gin, Italicus bergamot liqueur, Rothman & Winter Crème de Violette, champagne rosé syrup, fresh lemon juice, lavender bitters, Greek sea salt, egg white and sprigs of dill for garnish. Stangle suggests ordering it with a dish of Milos’ raw oysters.

SEAN STANGLE FROM AN EXPERT

Sean Stangle has had a 16-year love affair with the hospitality industry, 14 of those years spent bartending, and today you can find him plying his passion for cocktails at Estiatorio Milos at The Cosmopolitan as lead bartender. “Hands down, the best part of working at Milos is the support offered, from the tremendously talented kitchen management and staff to the ownership and one of the best bar teams in the city,” Stangle says.

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VISUAL ARTS

SCENE

Sights and sounds Immersive productions, relocations and foundation building defined Vegas arts in 2019 By Geoff Carter, Genevie Durano and C. Moon Reed

his year, Las Vegas visual, literary, theatrical and performing arts scenes took several decisive steps forward. Here are just a few of the year’s highlights.

LOCAL THEATER The Las Vegas theater community had a “glow up” in 2019, making big steps to grow and mature. Long-roving company Poor Richard’s Players began performing in its own permanent location, the Playhouse on south Decatur Boulevard. A Public Fit thoroughly renovated its Downtown venue, the Usual Place. Experimental Theatre the Lab LV announced its first full season and delivered several exceptional productions, including the tour de force boxing drama The Royale. Cockroach Theatre positioned itself for further respectability by changing its name to Vegas Theatre Company (the Cockroach name is now reserved for edgier stuff). Similarly, Sin City Opera became Vegas City Opera. Super Summer Theatre officially expanded its winter programming with its In City Series. Majestic Repertory Theatre continued to expand its immersive theater offerings, becoming Las Vegas’ first immersive event agency; in addition to its regular season, Majestic staged interactive experiences for Cirque du Soleil, Jack Daniel’s, the Golden Tiki and more. Vegas Theater Hub continued its mission of educating and hosting a sharp new wave of improvisational performers. And finally, staunch scene supporter Eat More Art! Vegas received congressional recognition for its service to the arts community. Bravo!

Three celebrity artists made a big splash this year with visiting exhibitions: Tim Burton brought his playful Lost Vegas to the Neon Museum, an unofficial Banksy show landed at the Fashion Show Mall and a 2018 holdover, Yayoi Kusama, drew crowds to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art to cram into one of her Infinity Rooms, if only for a few Instagram-friendly seconds. (The BGFA also hosted two more winning shows by Japanese artists: Yasuaki Onishi’s Permeating Landscape and the Material Existence group show.) The increasingly beer-centric Arts District nevertheless made news for several arts-related endeavors, chief among them an anti-ICE mural by Recycled Propaganda, the neighborhood departure of Clay Arts Vegas and a new gallery space for Priscilla Fowler. A new arts hub grew in Commercial Center’s New Orleans Square plaza, as Hiptazmic Studio, Random Alchemy and others relocated there alongside Nancy Good’s Core Contemporary. UNLV’s Barrick Museum and assorted galleries delivered one thought-provoking blockbuster show after another, including group effort Block 17, LA import Axis Mundo and Justin Favela and Ramiro Gomez’s Sorry for the Mess. And organizers Brent Holmes, Checko Salgado, Sierra Slentz and Joel Spencer were joined by Su Limbert, Heidi Rider, Mikayla Whitmore and others in creating an original desert art exhibition, the Bullfrog Biennal in Beatty.

Super Summer Theatre’s Death Is a Drag (Miranda Alam/Special to the Weekly)

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Eyob Mergia “What makes an artwork a masterpiece?” part of the Block 17 show at UNLV’s Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Ben Levi Ross in Dear Evan Hansen (Matthew Murphy/Courtesy)

PERFORMING AND LITERARY ARTS It was a big year for Nevada Ballet Theatre, which began its 35th year in the Valley by honoring Rita Moreno, that rare EGOT (Emmy/Grammy/Oscar/Tony) phenomenon of the stage and screen. The spring production of Alice in Wonderland was a highlight, bringing Lewis Carroll’s madcap tale to life with traditional ballet, modern and hip-hop. The Smith Center’s Broadway series started the year with hot-ticket Dear Evan Hansen; audience favorite Wicked returned later in 2019. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Philharmonic saved some surprises for the fall with its Very Vegas Showcase, a collaboration with Keith Thompson’s Composers Showcase at Cabaret Jazz. It was an evening of original music, Rat Pack favorites and vocal performances by some of the city’s most talented musicians. Speaking of local talent, Mondays Dark celebrated a milestone in December: $1 million for charity raised over six years of performances. On the literary side, the Believer Festival celebrated its third year, and Believer-sponsored author readings and events found a new home at the Lucy, a multipurpose culture hub that also houses a greatly improved Writer’s Block bookshop. And UNLV’s Barrick Lecture Series brought such luminaries as Ryan Coogler and Annie Leibowitz to share their experiences.

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calendar The Crystal Method, aka Scott Kirkland, plays Topgolf on December 27. (Courtesy)

LIVE music 172 Enuff Z’Nuff 12/27. Elviss Simmons 12/31. Greyson Chance 1/17. Rio, 702-513-3356. ACCESS SHOWROOM Rhythm Nation, DJ Twin 12/31. JTruthPA 1/11. Aliante Casino, 702-692-7777. AMERICAN LEGION POST 8 Creeping Death, Sanguisugabogg 1/20. Higher Power, Take Offense, Drain, Life’s Question 1/21. 733 N. Veterans Memorial Drive, 702-382-8533. Backstage Bar & Billiards Silver Snakes, Death Valley High, Taking Dawn, Hidden Scars 1/10. N.E. Last Words, Vegas Odds, Ill Patientz, We Predict a Riot, Huc Finn 1/25. The Toasters 1/29. 601 Fremont St., 702-382-2227. THE BARBERSHOP The 442s 12/28, 12/30. Heavy Petting Zoo 12/27, 12/31. Rawhide 12/29. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7434. THE BOXX Berdoo 12/31. New Year’s Rap Fest 1/1. 1000 N. Nellis Blvd., 702-824-5281. Brooklyn Bowl Simp City 12/27. J Boog 12/29. Stick Figure, Iya Terra 12/31. Rex Orange County 1/14. Raphael Saadiq, Jamila Woods,

DJ Duggz 1/24. Emo Night Brooklyn 1/25. The Marcus King Band, Early James 1/30. Black Tiger Sex Machine 1/31. Periphery, Plini, Covet 2/1. The Green 2/8. Black Uhuru, Etana, Onesty 2/9. Dweezil Zappa 2/20. Thrice, mewithoutYou, Drug Church, Holy Fawn 2/26. Linq Promenade, 702-862-2695. Bunkhouse Saloon The Dirty Hooks, The Rhyolite Sound 12/27. The Silver State, Rusty Maples, Indigo Kidd, Feigns 12/28. The Cavemen, Thee Saturday Knights, The Van Der Rohe 1/2. Mark Huff, Carlos Guerrero 1/4. The Obsessed, Haxa 1/7. 8kalacas, Chencha Berrinches, River Rats, Dead at Midnite 1/9. Netherfriends 1/10. Cold Showers, Fearing 1/11. The Live Fest 1/15. Merkules 1/19. …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead 1/25. Fog Lake, Dude York 1/26. Electric Guest 1/28. Cursive, Cloud Nothings, Criteria 1/29. Baynk 1/30. Wildermiss 2/1. Homeboy Sandman 2/9. Chastity Belt 2/11. Miniature Tigers 2/12. Tacocat 2/13. Big Business 2/17. The Frogs 2/24. Part Time, Gary Wilson 2/24. Saintseneca 2/26. White Reaper, The Aquadolls 2/28. Patrick Droney 2/29. 124 S. 11th St., 702-982-1764. CHEBA HUT Frosty Palms, Bernie & The Wolf 1/14. 2550 S. Rainbow Blvd., 702-685-0692. The Chelsea Lizzo 12/31. The Black Keys 1/19.

Dierks Bentley, Caylee Hammack, Hot Country Knights 2/14-2/15. Dave Matthews Band 2/28. Cosmopolitan, 702-698-6797. Chrome Showroom Will Downing 1/18. Santa Fe Station, 702-658-4900.

Unknowns 1/2. Rough Riot, Bad Little Sister 1/3. The Moby Dicks (Zeppelin tribute), Jason Walker & The Majestic 12 1/4. Burn Unit 1/8. Cheap Thrill, Mojave Sun 1/10. Electric Radio Kings, Jeff Carlson Band 1/11. Y&T 1/24-1/25. 750 W. Sahara Ave., 702-220-8849.

CLEOPATRA’S BARGE Wayne Newton 12/2612/30. Dionne Warwick 1/16-1/19, 1/23-1/26, 2/6-2/9, 2/13-2/16, 2/20-2/23, 2/27-3/1. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938.

DALLAS EVENTS CENTER Sheila E. 12/27. Jammin 105.7 NYE Party 12/31. Cookie Watkins (Tina Turner tribute) 1/31. Texas Station, 702-631-1000.

THE CLUB Kevon Tyrre & The NRB 12/27. DSB (Journey tribute) 12/31. Brett Rigby, The B.A.R. Band 1/3, 1/17, 1/24. Zowie Bowie 1/10. King James Brown (James Brown tribute) 1/11. The 5th Dimension 1/18. Cannery, 702-507-5700.

THE Dillinger Monk & The Po Boys 12/27. Locals Band 12/28. 1224 Arizona St., Boulder City, 702-293-4001.

CLUB MADRID Yellow Brick Road 12/27. Sunset Station, 702-547-7777. The Colosseum Journey 12/27-12/28, 12/3012/31. Keith Urban 1/10-1/11, 1/17-1/18. Van Morrison 1/31-2/1, 2/5, 2/7-2/8. Mariah Carey (The Butterfly Returns) 2/14-2/15, 2/19, 2/21-2/22, 2/26, 2/28-2/29. Caesars Palace, 866-227-5938. Count’s VAMP’D LA Guns, Taking Dawn 12/27. LA Guns, Crash Midnight 12/28. Count’s 77, Kaos Bender & The Traveling Trailer Park 12/31. Scattered, The Remainz, Louie Merlino & The

THE Dispensary Lounge Toscha Comeaux 12/27. A Jazz New Year’s 12/28. Joe Darro & Friends 12/29. Jazz Jam 1/1. Gunhild Karling 1/31/4. M&M Nonet 1/8. Juan Pedro Organ Trio 1/15. 2451 E. Tropicana Ave., 702-458-6343. Dive Bar Teenage Goo Goo Muck, The Hideaway, If They Love You They’ll Kill You, DJ Style 12/27. The O-Men, Lethal Injection, Life’s Torment, Horripilation 12/28. 4110 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-586-3483. DOUBLE DOWN SALOON Atomic Video Jukebox 12/26. The O-Men, Struck Nerve, Kapital Punishment, Skeleton Crew 12/27.

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Stagnetti’s Cock, The Industry, Damaged Savage 12/28. Uberschall 12/29. Bargain DJ Collective 12/30. Franks & Deans’ Weenie Roast 1/1. Thee Swank Bastards 1/3. The Burly-Q Revue w/Johnny Zig & The Force 1/5. Bargain DJ Collective 1/6. Johnny Zig & The Force 1/8. Atomic Mayhem’s Twisted DSKO 12/31. 4640 Paradise Road, 702-791-5775. DOWNTOWN CONTAINER PARK Jazz Session Sunday 12/29. 707 Fremont St., 702-359-9982. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER Zoology 1/11, 1/18, 1/25. 200 S. 3rd St., 800-745-3000. Eagle Aerie Hall The Goons, Elquan, Kid Umbra, High Sierra Club, Sunset and Paradise, Kauzum, Lacerath 1/10. Wayside, Kalani, No Etiquette, 17 Below, Sevial, Cosmo, HWY 93 1/11. Glee Club, Dead By Breakfast, Monochromatic Black, Mastiv, Symptom, Model Citzen, Headgore 1/19. 310 W. Pacific Ave., 702-568-8927. Encore Theater Brian McKnight 2/8. Sarah McLachlan 2/19, 2/21-2/22. Harry Connick Jr. 2/26, 2/28-2/29. Wynn, 702-770-6696. FLAMINGO SHOWROOM Paula Abdul 12/2712/28, 12/31-1/1, 1/3-1/4. Flamingo, 702-733-3111. Fremont Country Club Scary Kids Scaring Kids 1/18. 601 E. Fremont St., 702-382-6601. Fremont STREET EXPERIENCE America’s Party Downtown 12/31. vegasexperience.com. Gilley’s Saloon Dez Hoston 12/26. Just Dave 12/27-12/28. Michael Austin 12/31. Brett Rigby 1/1, 1/29. Chase & The Pursuit 1/2, 1/30. Kelly Rae Band 1/3-1/4. Left of Center 1/8-1/9. Ryan Whyte Maloney 1/17-1/18. Chad Freeman, Redline 1/22-1/23. Tyson Hanes 1/24-1/25. Scotty Alexander 1/31.Treasure Island, 702-894-7722. GOLD MINE TAVERN Local Singer-Songwriter Showcase 12/27. Tulgey Wood, Mondo Silicone 12/28. Radio Active New Year’s Bash 12/31. Randy Williams’ American Acoustic 1/1. 23 S. Water St., 702-478-8289. Golden Nugget Showroom. Night Ranger 12/27. Jack Russell’s Great White 1/3. Gary Puckett & The Union Gap 1/10. Ambrosia 1/17. The Cowsills 1/24. The Yardbirds 2/7. Blue Oyster Cult 2/14. Grand Funk Railroad 2/21. 866-946-5336. GRAND EVENTS CENTER Kenny Cetera 1/3. Queen Nation (Queen Tribute) 1/4. Green Valley Ranch, 702-617-7777. Hard Rock Live Adelitas Way 12/28. East Side Riot 12/31. The Brevet 1/5. Bless the Rains (Toto tribute) 1/30. 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-733-7625. HARDWAY 8 Dead Money 12/27. The Unwieldies 1/3. 46 S. Water St., 702-410-5124. House of Blues DJ Quik 12/27. The Cure vs. The Smiths tribute night 12/28. Third Eye Blind 12/31. Wild Child (Doors tribute) 1/3. David Lee Roth 1/8, 1/10-1/11. Santana 1/22, 1/24-1/26, 1/28-1/29, 1/31-2/1. Ana Barbara 2/15. (B Side) C.W. Stoneking 2/5. Mandalay Bay, 702-632-7600. M PAVILION Liverpool Legends (Beatles tribute) 1/11. M Resort, 702-797-1000. Mandalay Bay Events Center Maroon 5 12/30-12/31. Los Temerarios 2/15. 702-632-7777. NOMAD RESTAURANT Brian Newman 12/2812/30. Park MGM, 702-730-6785.

Orleans Arena Zapp, Atlantic Starr, Rose Royce, GQ, Deniece Williams, Delfonics, The Moments, The Deele 2/8. 702-365-7469. Orleans Showroom Merry Big Bad Voodoo Daddy 12/28. Confunkshun 12/31. Little River Band 1/18. Neil Sedaka 2/7-2/8. Loverboy 2/29. 702-365-7111. Park Theater Lady Gaga (Enigma) 12/28, 12/30; (Jazz & Piano) 12/31. Aerosmith 1/29, 1/31, 2/3, 2/5, 2/8, 2/10, 2/13, 2/15. Cher 2/19, 2/21-2/22, 2/26, 2/28-2/29. Park MGM, 844-600-7275. Pearl CONCERT THEATER The Offspring 12/30. Styx 1/19. Dermot Kennedy 2/7. Palms, 702-944-3200. THE Railhead Oh What a Night (Frankie Valli tribute) 12/31. Queen Nation (Queen tribute) 1/11. Uncle Kracker 1/18. Boulder Station, 702-432-7777. Rocks Lounge The Wind Jammers 12/26. Grey Street (Dave Matthews Tribute) 12/27. Phoenix 12/28. Lisa Marie Band 12/31. Red Rock Resort, 702-797-7777. SAM’S TOWN LIVE Serpentine Fire (Earth, Wind & Fire tribute) 12/31. 702-456-7777. Sand Dollar Lounge Combo Plate 12/26. Jimmy Carpenter 12/27. Chris Tofield 12/28. ZZ Twist (ZZ Top tribute) 12/29. Open Jam 12/30. The Moanin’ Blacksnakes 12/31. 3355 Spring Mountain Road, 702-485-5401. South Point Showroom The Alley Cats 12/31. Frankie Moreno 12/31, 1/17-1/18, 2/6, 2/20. Good Vibrations (Beach Boys tribute) 2/7-2/9. Herman’s Hermits 2/21-2/23. 702-696-7111. STAR OF THE DESERT ARENA Intocable 12/28. Fito Olivares, Sonora Santanera, La Sonora Tropicana 1/4. The Isley Brothers 1/18. Primm, 702-386-7867. Stoney’s Rockin’ Country CJ Solar, Mark MacKay 1/3. Alex Williams 1/10. Canaan Cox 1/31. Town Square, 702-435-2855. SUNCOAST SHOWROOM Bee Gees Gold (tribute) 12/28. Absolute 12/31. Petty & The

Heartshakers (Tom Petty tribute) 1/11. The Long Run (Eagles tribute) 1/18. Heart of Rock & Roll (Huey Lewis tribute) 1/25. 800-745-3000. The TAVERN Modern Mixtapes 12/27. 32 Dollar Pickup 12/31. Eleven Eleven 1/3. Gravel Band 1/10. 1113 S. Rainbow Blvd., 702-804-1113. Terry Fator TheatRE Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds 12/27-12/29, 1/17-1/19. Mirage, 702-792-7777. T-Mobile Arena Tool 1/17. Dia Nacional de la Banda 1/24. Calibash 1/25. George Strait, Gone West 1/31-2/1. 702-692-1600. TopGolF The Crystal Method 12/27. Sublime With Rome 1/8. Flor, Winnetka Bowling League 2/7. Marchfourth 2/25. 4627 Koval Lane, 702-933-8458. Venetian Theatre Foreigner 1/24-1/25, 1/29, 1/31-2/1. The Doobie Brothers 2/7-2/8, 2/12, 2/14-2/15, 2/19, 2/21-2/22. Chicago 2/28-2/29. 702-414-9000. Vinyl Joyce Manor, Oso Oso, Peach Kelli Pop 1/11. The Growlers 1/30-2/1. Hard Rock Hotel, 702-693-5000. WESTGATE INTERNATIONAl THEATER Barry Manilow 2/13-2/15, 2/20-2/22. 800-222-5361. ZAPPOS THEATER Christina Aguilera 12/2712/28, 12/30-12/31, 2/26, 2/28-2/29. Gwen Stefani 2/7-2/8, 2/12, 2/14-2/15, 2/21-2/22. Planet Hollywood, 702-777-6737.

Comedy ART SQUARE THEATRE DTLV Neon Nights 12/29. 1025 S. 1st St., 702-383-3133. BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB Derrick Stroman 12/26. Rick Izquieta 1/2. Mike Krasner 1/9. Rampart Casino, 702-507-5900. BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB HENDERSON Steven Pearl 1/18. Klondike Sunset Casino, 444 W. Sunset Road, 702-507-5900.

Reggae singer J Boog hits Brooklyn Bowl on December 29. (Courtesy)

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Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club Kathleen Dunbar, Heath Harmison, Chas Elstner 12/2612/29. Michael Loftus, Jeff Scheen, Chas Elstner 12/30-1/5. Paul Ogata, Jason Collings, Rick D’Elia 1/6-1/12. MGM Grand, 866-740-7711.

Hip-hop veteran DJ Quik stops at House of Blues on December 27. (John Salangsang/AP)

COMEDY CELLAR Traci Skene, Brian McKim, Nikki Carr, Jeff Leach, Mark Cohen 12/26-12/29. Rocky Dale Davis, Kathlene Dunbar, Leo Flowers, Quinn Dahle, Mark Cohen 12/30-1/4. Don McMillan, Emma Willmann, Orlando Leyba, Rafi Bastos, Mark Cohen 1/5-1/11. Rio, 702-777-2782. The COMEDY WORKS Tim Meadows 1/9-1/11. Plaza, 702-386-2110.

UPCOMING EVENTS

JAN

Encore Theater Chris Tucker 1/19. Wynn, 702-770-6696. Hard Rock Live Derek Richards 12/31. 3771 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702-733-7625. JIMMY KIMMEL’S COMEDY CLUB Jill Kimmel 12/26. Craig Shoemaker 12/26-12/29. L8NITE 12/28, 1/4. Luenell 12/29, 1/5. Luenell & Friends New Year’s Eve Party 12/31. Ian Bagg 1/2. Vicki Barbolak 1/7. Linq Promenade, 702-777-2782.

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JOKESTERS COMEDY CLUB Guy Fessenden, Don Barnhart 12/26-12/29. The D, 702-388-2111. L.A. COMEDY CLUB Samuel J. Comroe Mon-Wed thru 1/29. James Michael Thu-Sun thru 2/14. Jack Jr. 12/29. Greg Romero Wilson 12/30-1/5. The Strat, 702-380-7711. LAUGH FACTORY Greg Morton 12/26-12/31. Andrew Dice Clay 12/27-12/28. Brian Scolaro, Tom Clark 1/6-1/12. Tropicana, 702-739-2411. The Space ComedySportz 1/4. 3460 Cavaretta Court, 702-903-1070. THE SPARE ROOM Rick D’Elia, Penny Prince, Ralph Tutella 12/26-12/29. Derek Richars 1/1-1/5. Kathlene Dunbar 1/8-1/12. Downtown Grand, 702-719-5100. Terry Fator TheatrE Jay Leno 12/28. David Spade, Ray Romano 1/17-1/18. Ron White 1/251/25. Mirage, 702-792-7777. TICKLE ME COMEDY CLUB Isaac Israel, Thai Rivera 12/26-1/11. Eclipse Theaters, 702-816-4300. TopGolF Jim Florentine 12/27-12/28. 4627 Koval Lane, 702-933-8458.

Performing Arts & Culture Clark County Library UNLV Jazz Concert Series: Honors Trio 1/8. 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3400. FIRST FRiDAY 1/3. Downtown Las Vegas, firstfridaylasvegas.com.

Exhibits ALPHA VOYAGE GALLERY Antonio Snow: Eyes of Emotion: Wild Life Thru 1/4. 3105 W. Tompkins Ave., 888-831-4844. Barrick Museum of Art (East Gallery) Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya: Connective Tissue Thru 2/22. (Window Gallery) Zet Gold: On My Mountain Thru 2/22. UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 702-895-3381. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art Material Existence: Japanese Art From Jōmon Period to Present Thru 4/26. (Artist Studio) Sisyu Thru 1/30. 702-693-7871. Centennial Hills Library Vija Hamilton: Serendipity Thru 1/28. 6711 N. Buffalo Drive, 702-507-6100. Charleston HeightS Arts Center Les Folies Bergere Thru 1/11. 800 Brush St., 702-229-2787. Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery Imagine a World Without Hate Thru 1/16. Grand Central Parkway, 702-455-7030. Clark County LIBRARY Armand Thomas: Etectera Thru 1/21. 1401 E. Flamingo Road, 702-507-3400.

THE Smith Center (Reynolds Hall) Escape to Margaritaville 1/7-1/12. Las Vegas Philharmonic: Dvořák, Brahms & Smetana 1/18. The Piano Guys 1/25. Driving Miss Daisy 1/31. The Spongebob Musical 2/4-2/9. Las Vegas Philharmonic: Beethoven, Mozart & Britten 2/15. (Cabaret Jazz) Lon Bronson 1/11. The Composers Showcase 1/15. Megan Hilty 1/17-1/18. Frankie Moreno 1/21. Keola Beamer, Henry Kapono, Moanalani Beamer 1/241/25. Michael Grimm 1/26. 702-749-2000.

CSN (Fine Arts Gallery) Christopher McNulty: Days Thru 1/29. Miya Hannan: Buried Relations Thru 2/22. 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., 702-651-4146.

Theatre in the Valley Holidays With Family 12/26-12/28 10 W. Pacific Ave., 702-558-7275.

Neon Museum Tim Burton: Lost Vegas Thru 2/15. 770 Las Vegas Blvd. N., 702-387-6366.

West Las Vegas LIBRARY Kwanzaa Celebration 12/28-12/29. Civil Rights Film Festival 1/4. 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702-229-2787.

Nevada Humanities Program Gallery Snapshot: Culling Our History From the Family Album Thru 1/23. 1017 S. 1st St. #190,

IMMERSION VEGAS Banksy: Genius or Vandal? Thru 4/5. Fashion Show, immersion.vegas. Left of Center ART GALLERY Wade Hampton: Passages: Faces, Street and Land 1/7-3/7. 2207 W. Gowan Road, 702-647-7378.

nevadahumanities.org. Nevada State Museum Swinging ’60s Thru 12/31. 309 S. Valley View Blvd., 702-486-5205. Priscilla Fowler Fine Art Open Call Thru 1/4. 1300 S. Main St. #110, 719-371-5640. Spring Valley Library Ronaldo Dizon: Images Left Behind Thru 2/18. 4280 S. Jones Blvd., 702-507-3820. Springs PRESERVE (Big Springs Gallery) The Evolution of Ivanpah Solar Thru 1/5. (Origen Museum) Backyard Adventures Thru 1/12. 333 S. Valley View Blvd., 702-822-7700. West Las Vegas Library Las Vegas News Bureau: Vintage Vegas Thru 1/26. 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd., 702-507-3980. Windmill Library Cheng Yajie: A Las Vegas Symphony of Art II Thru 2/11. 7060 W. Windmill Lane, 702-507-6030.

SPORTS Fortress Invitational Men’s college hockey 1/3-1/4. Sam’s Town Live, 702-456-7777. UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL Eastern Michigan 12/28. Utah State 1/1. Air Force 1/4. San Jose State 1/15. New Mexico 1/18. San Diego State 1/25. Thomas & Mack Center, 702-739-3267. UNLV MEN’S Hockey Jamestown 1/4, 1/6. Minot State 1/9. Winter Hockey Classic 1/11-1/12. T-Mobile Arena, 702-692-1600. UNLV WOMEN’s BASKETBALL Boise State 1/8. Wyoming 1/11. UNR 1/22. Cox Pavilion, 702-739-3267. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS Arizona 12/28. Anaheim 12/31. Philadelphia 1/2. St. Louis 1/4. Pittsburgh 1/7. Los Angeles 1/9. Columbus 1/11. Carolina 2/8. St. Louis 2/13. New York Islanders 2/15. Washington 2/17. Tampa Bay 2/20. Florida 2/22. Edmonton 2/26. Buffalo 2/28. T-Mobile Arena, 702-692-1600.

Reservations call 702.732.5334 or visit westgatelasvegas.com 3000 Paradise Road | Las Vegas, NV 89109

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No Appointments | Open Evenings & Weekends | No Insurance Needed *Restrictions apply, see clinic for details. Initial visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment. NC: IF YOU DECIDE TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL TREATMENT, YOU HAVE THE LEGAL RIGHT TO CHANGE YOUR MIND WITHIN THREE DAYS AND RECEIVE A REFUND. (N.C. Gen. Stat. 90-154.1). FL: THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED OR REDUCED FEE SERVICES, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. (FLA. STAT. 456.02). Subject to additional state statutes and regulations. See clinic for chiropractor(s)’ name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary. © 2019 The Joint Corp. All Rights Reserved.

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T H E

HARDY BOYS

AMAURI AND JADEN HARDY ARE ’CHERISHING THE MOMENT’ ATOP THE VEGAS BASKETBALL WORLD BY CASE KEEFER

hree words are forever ingrained in the back of Amauri Hardy’s mind. Many of his childhood memories center on trips to the gym alongside his father, Ramsey and younger brother, Jaden. As far back as elementary school, Ramsey would run Amauri through basketball drills while the toddler-size Jaden mimicked the action in the background. “He’s watching you,” Amauri remembers his father telling him repeatedly. As it turns out, those sessions on suburban courts outside Detroit set the stage for the current state of Las Vegas basketball. Twenty-one-year-old Amauri and 17-yearold Jaden are the biggest hoops stars in the Valley at their respective levels.

Amauri, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound junior guard at UNLV, has been a bright spot in coach T.J. Otzelberger’s first season, leading the Rebels in scoring at 17 points per game. Jaden, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound junior guard at Coronado High, is one of the most top-ranked prep players in the nation. He has a chance to average double digits in points, rebounds and assists this year for the Cougars. “It’s been the experience of a lifetime getting to watch him in Las Vegas and him coming to see me,” Amauri says. “It’s something you don’t see happen a lot of times, two brothers playing at a high level in the same area. I’m cherishing the moment.” When Coronado’s playing, it’s easy to find Amauri, assuming UNLV doesn’t have a game. He’s always sitting in the first row, zoned in on Jaden’s every move on the floor. Sometimes, it’s almost like he’s watching game film of himself. Jaden looks a lot like Amauri when he’s in attack mode, beating primary defenders off the dribble before slicing through the help. Jaden spots up and shoots more than Amauri, but it’s always been that way. And Jaden makes no secret of the fact that Amauri has been the foundation for his playing style. “He was my role model,” Jaden says. “I was watching what he was doing and applying it to my game.”

CORONADO HIGH UPCOMING GAMES January 8 vs. Liberty January 10 at Green Valley January 14 vs. Foothill January 16 vs. Basic January 24 vs. Bishop Gorman (at Cox Pavilion)

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UNLV BASKETBALL UPCOMING HOME GAMES December 28 Eastern Michigan January 1 Utah State January 4 Air Force January 15 San Jose State January 18 New Mexico Thomas & Mack Center, 702-739-3267, unlvtickets.com.

Their brotherly bond has largely been collaborative. Sure, they occasionally played one-on-one growing up, and Jaden got frustrated that he couldn’t beat his older brother. But Amauri rarely gloated about those wins, and going head-to-head was never the focus. Ramsey stressed that competitiveness be saved for opponents, and Amauri and Jaden say they took it to heart. “It’s more of a relief when we’re playing together,” Jaden says. “We just focus on basketball and the hard work we know we’ve got to put in to build to where we want to go.” “We’ll compete every now and then, but we have different practices, different schedules, [so] we didn’t want to put too much pressure on our bodies,” Amauri says. “We didn’t want to use [the] energy we need for the next practice or game.” They do have differing recollections of when Jaden had progressed to the point where he could hang with Amauri on the court. Jaden is confident it happened during his eighth-grade year, and he considers it a seminal moment when he could finally beat Amauri 1-on-1. Amauri remembers it being a bit later—after Jaden’s freshman year at Coronado—when Amauri Jaden Hardy (Christopher DeVargas/Staff); Amauri Hardy (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

was blown away by Jaden’s upgraded passing and shooting abilities. Combine that with a growth spurt, and little brother suddenly had the length and tools to give him fits. They recommitted to working together in the gym as much as possible during that offseason, and the results show it. Amauri went from a reserve as a UNLV freshman to arguably the Rebels’ most efficient offensive player as a sophomore, averaging 13 points and 3.5 assists per game during the 2018-2019 season. Jaden went from a (mostly) four-star prospect to a unanimous five-star pick by recruiting services, with his name showing up as a lottery pick in early mocks of the 2022 NBA Draft. “I don’t want to take credit for his success,” Amauri says. “He’s done a great job staying humble, putting the right priorities first and creating good habits for himself. It’s a credit to him that he’s done it at such a young age. I didn’t see it coming this soon, but it’s the work he put in.” In other ways, not much has changed. On nights when they’re all free, it’s not uncommon for Ramsey, Amauri and Jaden to head to the gym together for a little extra work. But it’s no longer Jaden fixating on Amauri. They’re both watching each other now. “I think we’re always going to be like this—tight, close and working together,” Jaden says. “We’re always going to push each other to reach our goals.” “This is a special moment, but this isn’t the end of everything,” Amauri says. “We’ve got a long road to go, a lot of basketball ahead of us.”

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Nevada attorney general Aaron Ford focuses on the opioid crisis and building trust in government

W By John Sadler Weekly staff

hen President Donald Trump compared the impeachment inquiry concerning his dealings with Ukraine to a lynching, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford took to Facebook expressing his shock with the inaccurate comparison. “Mr. President, what you’re experiencing is not a ‘lynching.’ These are lynchings,” Ford wrote in a post that included graphic photographs of black lynching victims. With Trump in the White House, hate crimes are at a 16-year national high, with 4,571 reported in 2018, including a spike in violence toward Hispanics, according to The New York Times. The Trump anti-immigration stances—such as the executive order travel ban suspending entry into the United States from Muslim-majority nations or the border wall proposal to prevent illegal crossing from Mexico—has emboldened some on the far right. The words and actions are startling.

“As you might imagine, as an African-American living in our country, I have a particular interest in ensuring that everyone is free from that form of fear and intimidation,” Ford tells the Weekly. The Democrat has been on the job for about a year, establishing himself as a legal warrior in opposition to the Trump administration on many fronts, including the border wall immigration proposal and the push to declare the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. “I feel like I’m right where I’m supposed to be, representing Nevadans at this level,” Ford says. “I think it’s important to have someone that’s going to put Nevada families first, and every decision that I’ve made to this point has been based on exactly that question.”

Top priorities

Each state attorney general has certain issues that are integral to their office’s goals. For Ford, it’s consumer protection, ensuring constitutional and civil rights and tackling criminal justice reform. “Every attorney general brings their own focus and priorities to this office,” he says. “[Sen.] Cath-

erine Cortez Masto wanted to focus on sex trafficking and on the housing and foreclosure crisis. Adam Laxalt, to his credit, focused on guardianship issues and veterans’ issues, and I’ve continued those as well.” Ford’s test for whether an issue deserves his office’s attention is simple. “Whether it’s a state policy, a federal policy, a rule, a regulation, whatever the case is, the question is simple: How is it affecting Nevada families?” And two of the biggest issues affecting Nevada families have his attention. Ford is focused on combating human trafficking and the ongoing opioid addiction crisis. In October, Ford’s office hosted a human trafficking summit, where the latest research, law enforcement techniques and survivor resources were discussed with representatives from the social work and legal community. “Aaron Ford is building upon the vital work I did on human trafficking and is holding pharmaceutical companies accountable for the opioid crisis, standing up for civil rights and protecting our veterans,” says Cortez Masto, the Democrat who served the state attorney general from 2006 through 2014. “I look forward to continuing to

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Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford in his office at the Grant Sawyer Building in Downtown Las Vegas. (Richard Brian/Sun file photo)

work with AG Ford to help protect all Nevadans and their families.” Ford has positioned Nevada as one of the most voracious pursuers of legal action in the case focused around Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family, largely considered two of the parties most responsible for the opioid crisis due to their development and marketing of the drug OxyContin. Ford says that while he appreciates the evolving public view of drug addiction as a health problem rather than a criminal issue, he has based the push against certain opioid manufacturers on statistics rather than public opinion. “Make no mistake about it—the fact that it is a broader issue and is hitting more communities, I believe, has helped the public to view drug addiction as a crisis as opposed to an epidemic, if you will,” he says. “We’ve seen circumstances where crack cocaine was tearing up communities of color, but this form of outreach and effort to help those addicted to it wasn’t present.”

“We have a job to do here”

Ford says the mindset of residents could fall into one of three categories: those who trust and believe in the government, those whose trust has diminished and those who have no trust in the government. “It’s my estimation that the office of attorney general, at a minimum, should be focusing on augmenting trust where it already exists, restoring it where it’s been diminished and then creating it where it’s never existed in the first place,” Ford says. Ford’s office juggles responsibilities ranging from challenges to federal law, pursuing criminal charges in the state, and defending state law. Simply put, it represents Nevadans in legal matters. There are “400 or so people who work in this office who are truly dedicated public servants who understand the importance of what our position entails,” Ford says. “So I have people who help us to ensure that state crimes that we are responsible for prosecuting are, in fact, prosecuted.” And, Ford says, his office will continues to fight for Nevadans—regardless of their background or party affiliation. He stressed the attorney general’s position is not a partisan office. “I believe that the office of attorney general and the people who reside in this state deserve to have someone serving in it that wants to put Nevada families first,” Ford says.

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tax brea Nevada’s million-dollar

deserve more

By Miranda Willson Weekly staff

major employer opening shop in Nevada is usually cause for celebration and fanfare. But the way the state lures the new business, and at what cost, rarely receives much of the spotlight. Nevada doesn’t have a method for regularly reviewing and analyzing the effectiveness of business incentive programs, which annually waive millions of dollars in taxes and fees for businesses moving to Nevada or expanding their footprint here, according to the nonprofit, non-governmental organization Pew Charitable Trusts. Designed to boost the local economy and increase jobs, Nevada’s incentive packages offer businesses reductions on select taxes if they agree to certain requirements, such as a specific number of new jobs.

In Fiscal Year 2018, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development waived nearly $16.8 million in sales and use taxes, $4.7 million in the state’s modified business tax and nearly $6.7 million in property taxes for new businesses, the office’s biennial report on tax abatements shows. All told, the 34 new businesses that benefited from those incentive packages added 2,925 jobs statewide. While incentives and tax abatements are common nationwide, Nevada is one of 17 states that has not adopted a plan to review and evaluate these programs, Pew found in a state-by-state analysis last updated in August. Doing so would help Nevada consider program costs— rather than just the benefits touted by politicians—and determine ways to use the state’s limited financial resources strategically, says Greg LeRoy, founder

of the policy resource center Good Jobs First. “There’s a long [national] history of these programs being too loose and increasingly expensive, and we’re trying to help fix that,” LeRoy says of his organization, which promotes government accountability and checks on incentive programs. Nevada could soon rethink its approach to tax incentive packages under the leadership of a new director of the Office of Economic Development. As the first head of the agency appointed by Gov. Steve Sisolak’s administration, Michael Brown plans to review some of the state’s incentives programs, many of which date back to the Great Recession when unemployment was higher, Brown says. “The governor has asked me to do a big think on this, to go back to the

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ax aks review, some say framework on this and design something that matches Nevada and [the governor’s] goals to help working class families,” says Brown, who was appointed on October 28. In particular, he says he will assess what Nevada requires of businesses receiving incentive packages when it comes to employee health care and wages. The state encourages businesses receiving tax abatements and other incentives to pay employees a living wage and to sponsor their health insurance, but these aren’t difficult requirements, according to Nevada’s 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. To be eligible for partial abatements on select taxes, businesses currently must meet two of three requirements: Create a specified number of full-time jobs (at least 50

in urban areas or 10 in rural areas); commit to a capital investment in equipment of at least $1 million in urban areas or $250,000 in rural areas; and offer a “specified minimum” wage to new employees, along with health insurance coverage “by a specified time period,” per the report. The economic development office’s biennial reports track some of this information, like average pay for new jobs created by companies receiving incentives (in Fiscal Year 2018, that was $25.37/hour). But they don’t offer information on whether the businesses pay for employees’ health care. That’s one of the gaps in public reporting and evaluation that might have been addressed under Assembly Bill 444, a failed measure from the 2019 Legislative Session to create a legislative

committee that would study and make recommendations on tax incentive programs. Proposed by the Assembly Committee on Taxation, AB444 passed the Nevada Assembly and Senate but was vetoed by Sisolak. Although Brown says the office of economic development ensures that businesses receiving tax breaks are following through on their commitments, AB444’s legislative committee would have taken that evaluation further, says Assemblywoman Dina Neal (D-North Las Vegas), chair of the committee on taxation. The legislative committee would have considered whether each incentive program was “accomplishing its purpose, intent or goal;” the administrative costs and lost revenue associated with each incentive program; and potential negative side effects of tax abatements, among other factors. The committee would have also had the ability to recommend new incentive programs and to modify or eliminate programs that weren’t showing significant, positive results, according to the bill text. Gov. Sisolak vetoed AB444 because he felt it duplicated existing efforts undertaken by the Legislature and the office of economic development, according to his veto message. Responding by email, Neal disagrees with that reasoning. “It added to what was being examined.” The bill would have also seemingly created a more robust system of checks and balances for evaluating tax incentive programs, something LeRoy says would help ensure that government agencies giving out incentives are held accountable. “We don’t think cheerleaders can also be cops,” LeRoy says. “If you’re in the business of selling the state, giving incentives away to sell the state and to make a happy storyline for the governor or mayor, you’re not the person to evaluate these programs.” Brown defers to the governor’s veto message when asked whether additional reviews of incentive programs could benefit the state. He adds that the incentive programs

are established by state statutes written by the Legislature. “Ultimately, if there are changes, that will have to happen in 2021 legislative session,” he says. In the meantime, Brown intends to speak to Pew Charitable Trusts about how best to evaluate tax incentives. He also wants to strengthen the state’s methods for determining whether companies benefitting from these programs are “living up to their expectations,” he says. Especially as Nevada aims to diversify its economy and reduce dependency on gaming and tourism, LeRoy stresses that the state should not only evaluate the effectiveness of incentive programs, but also determine exactly what it hopes to accomplish from them. As far as best practices on incentive programs, he recommends that Nevada consider investing in programs that directly benefit workers, such as measures to help new employers guarantee employee health insurance or workforce training programs. Then, he suggests, those incentives should be offered to a group of companies in one sector in which the state can offer a comparative advantage over other states. “That way, you’ll know some companies aren’t going to make it, but some will, and the dislocated workers can walk across the street to the places that are succeeding,” LeRoy says.

There’s a long [national] history of these programs being too loose and increasingly expensive, and we’re trying to help fix that.” –Greg LeRoy, founder of the policy resource center Good Jobs First

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have to be for their jobs. In general, I think Vegas has a lot of opportunity from a cost perspective, as far as rents, construction and labor costs.

Redemption Fitness’ Bryan Ercolano talks franchising, networking and more

BY BRYAN HORWATH WEEKLY STAFF

hen Bryan Ercolano moved to Southern Nevada in 2013, he had his eye on creating a business that could be expanded nationwide. He worked at Zappos for a couple of years and then became a franchisee for an established fitness studio. But he never forgot his dream of launching his own brand. Last year, he took that leap, opening the first location of Redemption Fitness, a boutique group fitness studio, in Summerlin. He’s preparing to open a second studio in Henderson in March, and is negotiating a deal to franchise several dozen locations in Florida. Vegas Inc recently sat down with Ercolano at his Summerlin studio to talk about the business of franchising and the fitness industry.

What’s the ceiling for Redemption Fitness? At the end of the day, we want to sell regional development models throughout the United States. We’re interested in expanding rapidly, so we’re going to be partnering with people who have the capital to do that. We’re in discussions to sell the whole state of Florida for 60 locations. A lot of franchises will sell five locations, but we’re not interested in that. The biggest thing for us is competition and getting out there quickly. Is it hard to find those types of high net worth investors? People are really hot on the fitness space right now. It’s a lot of networking. But, also, people are starting to find us. We’re starting to get our name out there. As we advertise and open more locations, I think this is going to naturally grow itself.

modality, are here to stay. This is a value play. How did you end up in Southern Nevada? I went to school at James Madison [University] and lived in Washington, D.C., for a while. My background is project management consulting. You could have gotten this idea off the ground anywhere. Why here? I think Vegas is a unique market. You have a lot of industry people here who are working out and very health-conscious because they

As an entrepreneur, has it been scary going out on your own? Were there times when you thought it wasn’t worth it? This has been several years in the making, just creating the brand, raising capital and negotiating. There have been more dark moments than happy moments, but those happy moments kind of get you to the end of the tunnel with the larger vision. There are lots of ups and downs in business, but I’m excited. I know these studios will be successful.

Group fitness has become more and more popular in recent years. Why? It’s really a niche market. People have kind of gone away from the bigbox gym mentality where it’s not very personal. At those places, you go in, scan your key card, grab some weights and you don’t really know what to do. Group fitness is more of a social atmosphere. ... The three most popular concepts are indoor cycling, boot camp and boxing. Those are the three that Redemption Fitness incorporates. You created this studio with the idea of franchising it and taking it nationwide. Take us through that thought process. I traveled around the country and looked at about 60 boutique fitness studios. ... A lot of studios are just cycling or just boxing. I really think the market is going to condense over the next couple of years. Redemption, and whatever other businesses that are around that offer more than one

Redemption Fitness CEO Bryan Ercolano (Steve Marcus/Staff)

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VegasInc Giving Notes U.S. Vets Las Vegas and Communities in Schools of Nevada have been named 2019 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders awardees for their work helping homeless or extremely lowincome military veterans and their families transition into sustainable jobs and housing, and helping economically disadvantaged high school students graduate. The grant provides $200,000 to each honoree, a year of leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader at the organization, a network of peer organizations across the country and the opportunity to access capital to expand their impact. Mondays Dark celebrated its sixth anniversary December 9 at the Pearl in the Palms. The event celebrated hitting $1 million of funds raised for Las Vegas’ philanthropic organizations. The 2019 charity partners included more than 20 local nonprofits. Thirty community leaders raised awareness and more than $170,000 for the American Cancer Society to fight breast cancer as part of Real Men Wear Pink. Among the honorees at an awards ceremony were Jon Bilstein, executive director of Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada; Glen Simpson of Community Ambulance; Nathan Schweigart, president of NDL Group Inc.; and Scott Nelson, vice president and general manager of Red Rock Resort. The Mayor’s Fund for Las Vegas LIFE received a $3.8 million-plus donation from Cisco, a worldwide IT, networking and cybersecurity firms. Cisco’s donation includes networking equipment for advanced analytics and connectivity to the roadway for up to 25 intersections within city boundaries.

The equipment will be used to support the advancement of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies, as well as integrate within existing technologies to measure and manage the flow of vehicles and pedestrians, and provide increased safety and operational efficiency. Credit One Bank announced a charity initiative with the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation benefiting seven nonprofit organizations focusing on homelessness in Las Vegas. At select Golden Knights home games, a charity partner will benefit from a silent auction on the concourse at T-Mobile Arena near Section 13. The total amount raised for each charity will then be matched up to $12,000 by Credit One Bank. Charity partners for the 2019-20 NHL hockey season include Family Promise of Las Vegas, HELP of Southern Nevada, HomeAid Southern Nevada, Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, the Shade Tree and U.S. Vets Las Vegas. In addition, Credit One Bank employees donated 50 bikes, six bins of toys and over $1,500 to the 21st annual 98.5 KLUC Chet Buchanan Show Toy Drive. Fatburger hosted a private lunch at the Shade Tree as part of its seventh annual holiday give-back fundraising campaign. The event featured a visit from Santa, backpacks, gifts and a $1,500 donation from the Siegel Group, donuts from Pinkbox Donuts and live music from Timeless and Magic Touch. Additionally, Darin and Patricia Feinstein presented a check for $5,000 and Findlay Kia presented a check for $2,255. Opportunity Village hosted the 15th annual Las Vegas Great Santa Run with 6,644

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participants from 43 states and six countries. The race, presented by Circle K, featured special guests such as A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, the Chippendales, Santa Claus, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, former Mayor Oscar Goodman and the organization’s all-Elvis dance troupe, the OV Elvi. Proceeds will go toward the programs and services for adults with disabilities at Opportunity Village. The NV Energy Foundation donated $160,750 in grants to 23 Southern Nevada nonprofits, including Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Paralyzed Veterans of America-Nevada Chapter and Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada. The foundation, which is funded by NV Energy, addresses community needs in the areas of education and youth, environment and community enhancement, safety and wellness, and arts and culture.

Ron and Lynn Williams partnered with Southern Nevada recycling/waste management company Western Elite to host a free Christmas Express event for 13,000 people. The event included live entertainment, carriage and hayrides, photo opportunities with Santa, train rides to the North Pole and a live nativity scene. It takes more than 132 people to staff and run the event each year, totaling 11,700 hours of work. One Nevada Credit Union partnered with Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth for a donation drive to collect items such as gift cards, clothing, personal care items and bus passes. Communities in Schools of Nevada raised over $650,000 at its fourth annual Today for Tomorrow gala in an effort to provide at-risk students the means to graduate. Major event sponsors included Destinations by Design, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, the Bennett Family Foundation, Breakthru Beverage Group and PSAV. America First Credit Union donated $110,000 to 11 nonprofits

serving Southern Nevada and Utah. The two local nonprofits recognized were Safe Nest and Three Square Food Bank. The credit union also outfitted more than 200 students in need at Gibson Middle School and Red Rock Elementary School with gym shoes and new socks as part of the its annual “Warm the Soles of Kids” program. Project Homeless Connect, which brings together those who are homeless or low-income and the programs and organizations that can help them, served more than 2,000 people at its November event, which featured assistance services such as housing, job training, mental health counseling and substance abuse treatment, and also provided attendees with donated clothing items. Project Homeless Connect is coordinated by the Nevada Homeless Alliance in partnership with the Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care and the Clark County Social Services Department, and was sponsored by the Champion Center, Clark County, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, Wells Fargo Charitable Foundation and MGM Resorts International.

Piero’s Italian Cuisine served Thanksgiving dinner to 1,200 low-income families from 25 local nonprofit organizations, including Positively Kids and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada. The meal was served by dozens of the restaurant’s loyal patrons. The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors made its biggest donation yet as a sponsor of the 98.5 KLUC Chet Buchanan Show Toy Drive. GLVAR increased its support to $14,500 this year, including more than 90 bicycles and sponsoring a Giving Tree and a truck to transport donations. Desert Radiology’s Do-Gooders, a team composed of members from all Desert Radiology facilities in the valley, donated $3,000 to City Impact Center’s Thanksgiving dinner program.

PT’s Entertainment Group donated 752 bikes and $25,000 to the 98.5 KLUC Chet Buchanan Show Toy Drive. Fifteen trucks and 16 boxes were delivered to the toy drive, filled with items collected over six weeks at 64 PT’s locations across Valley. (Courtesy photo)

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“Brooding Season” by frank Longo

horoscopes

week of December 26 by rob brezsny

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Nazi Germany invaded and occupied Denmark during World War II. In 1943, Hitler ordered all Danish Jews to be arrested, but the Danish resistance movement smuggled them to safety. You may not have the opportunity to do anything quite as heroic in 2020, Aries. But you will have chances to express a high order of practical idealism that could be among your most valiant efforts ever. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Taurus writer Charlotte Brontë adopted a masculine pen name to get her novel Jane Eyre published. I propose that we make Brontë one of your role models for 2020, Taurus. May she inspire you to be audacious in expressing yourself, and may she embolden you to use ingenious stratagems to support your righteous cause. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): 2020 should be a healing year for you. Seek out these poetic remedies: 1. Truth Whimsies; 2. Curiosity Breakthroughs; 3. Delight Gambles; 4. Sacred Amusements; 4. Redemptive Synchronicities; 5. Surprise Ripenings; 6. Gleeful Discoveries; 7. Epiphany Adventures; 8. Enchantment Games; 9. Elegance Eruptions; 10. Intimacy Angels; 11. Playful Salvation; 12. Luminosity Spells. CANCER (June 21-July 22): “There are years that ask questions and years that answer,” wrote author Zora Neale Hurston. According to my analysis, Cancerian, 2020 is likely to be one of those years that asks questions. To ensure that this plan works out for your maximum benefit, it’s essential that you formulate provocative questions in the coming months. Generate too many, then whittle them down. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The Roman Emperor Vespasian (9–79 AD) built a huge statue of Apollo and the amphitheater now known as the Colosseum. Vespasian also created a less majestic but quite practical wonder: Rome’s first public urinals. I invite you Leos to be stimulated by his example in 2020. Be your usual magnificent self as you generate both inspiring beauty and earthy, pragmatic improvements. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): When Virgo author Mary Shelley was 18 years old, she had a vision of a mad chemist who created a weird creature out of nonliving matter. At age 20, she published Frankenstein. Let’s make Shelley one of your 2020 role models. Why? Because I suspect that you, too, will be able to generate a new source of energy by responding creatively to experiences that initially provoke anxiety.

2018 King features syndicate

ACROSS 1 Examined by touching 9 Smart — (know-itall) 14 Alphas’ opposites 20 All across the region 21 Indian city on the Yamuna River 22 Gil Blas novelist Alain-René — 23 Blemish-resistant bar seat? 25 Male flower part 26 Earth lighter 27 Autumn chill 28 Sentry allowing nobody to nap? 30 Monet, say 34 Interstices 36 — roll (hot) 37 Shoulder-hugging, horn-honking driver? 42 Thin and supple 47 Duck cousin 48 Actress Messing 49 More plucky 50 Lt.’s inferior 53 “I see mice!” 56 Ear-related 58 Indian city on the Yamuna River 59 Vehicle in a chase scene 63 Decorative pins worn by jockeys? 67 Yellow-and-black bird 68 16-Down, to Jacob 69 Flagged auto 70 Mao — -tung 71 Bit of pasta that’s really hard to find? 77 Bodily pouch 79 Spanish for “that” 80 Big pet food brand

81 “Infinite” rapper 84 Have pain from bending forward too sharply? 89 Tire type 90 Tolkien terrorizers 91 Up — (stymied) 92 — Lanka 94 Butter holder 95 More hideous 97 — liver (meat product) 100 Harvestable 104 Work layoff, slangily 105 Dive to attack with perfect form? 111 Texter’s “I think ...” 113 Neeson of Darkman 114 GMC pickup 115 Decide on Domino’s for dinner? 122 Taylor of Cleopatra, for short 124 Los Angeles’ Playa — Rey 125 Regular practices 126 Botching an April 1 prank? 131 Crops up 132 Ickily sticky 133 Enlarge 134 Quick 135 In any way 136 Power-supplying socket DOWN 1 Volkswagen model 2 Maestro Toscanini 3 Simple shed 4 — gow (casino option) 5 Grain beard 6 Up to, informally 7 Paradise 8 Blueprint 9 TV spots 10 “Show me”

11 College town in North Carolina 12 Toy train, when doubled 13 Quantity in a narc’s bust 14 Former NFLer Merlin 15 Annual ritzy NYC fundraising event 16 Biblical birthright seller 17 Explorer Vasco da — 18 Antiquing aid 19 Ship off, say 24 Petty quarrel 29 Saldana of the screen 31 “— so you!” 32 Hem, e.g. 33 Lilted syllable 35 Prof’s deg. 38 United 39 Israel’s Abba 40 Opiate, e.g. 41 Raiment 43 Apple option 44 Close, as a community 45 “— to you!” 46 Rub out 49 Person rubbing it in 50 Prefix with warrior 51 And not 52 Final washer phase 54 Noted Deco master 55 Furry fruit 57 Rocket paths 60 Pigeon noise 61 Balm plants 62 Betelgeuse or Antares 64 Clangor 65 How balloons float 66 Trump replaced him 72 Thief’s bagful 73 “Bali —”

74 Autos such as Gremlins and Pacers 75 Belgian river 76 Spain’s El — 77 Teapot part 78 “I’m so frustrated!” 82 Water, to Gigi 83 Rangers’ and Rays’ gp. 85 Brunei locale 86 Mean whale 87 High point 88 One-named sports legend 93 Lyric penner Gershwin 96 Lived 98 Ball of mashed chickpeas 99 — -fi movie 101 Electees, say 102 Greek letter 103 She baas 105 Swab 106 Film score com poser Schifrin 107 Iago’s wife 108 Hard trial 109 Bully’s threat ender 110 Warehouse platform 112 Hardly tidy 115 Cartoonist Addams 116 Celestial instrument 117 Off-Broadway prize 118 French river or department 119 TV actress Swenson 120 — suit (1940s duds) 121 Reverse alphabetical order 123 Bronze metal 127 Olive of Popeye 128 Lt.’s inferior 129 Despicable Me villain 130 Dewy, e.g.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libra-born poet Rumi (1207–1273) searched fruitlessly for holy sustenance and divine inspiration in temples, churches and mosques. Because of his disappointment, he was motivated to find sustenance and inspiration in his own heart. I feel you’ll have similar experiences in 2020, Libra. Much of the time, you will discover treasure not in the outside world but in your own depths. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio rapper Drake is an inventive rhymer. In his song “Diplomatic Immunity,” he rhymes “sacred temple” with “stencil.” Brilliant! According to my astrological analysis, many of you Scorpios will have Drake-style skill at blending seemingly disparate elements in 2020. I bet you’ll also be good at connecting influences that belong together but have never been able to combine before. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If there were a Guinness World Records’ category for “Time Spent as a Houseguest,” Sagittarian poet Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926) might hold it. Druing a four-year period, he lived at 50 different addresses. I hypothesize that 2020 will NOT be one of those years when you would benefit from being like Rilke. In fact, I hope you’ll seek out more stability and security than usual. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): 15th-century Italian metalworker Lorenzo Ghiberti turned the doors of the Florence Baptistry into a massive work of art. Michelangelo said Ghiberti’s doors could have served as “The Gates of Paradise.” Capricorn, I think you’re capable of creating your very own “gate to paradise” in 2020: an engaging accomplishment that will make you feel your life is eminently meaningful. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’re wise to cultivate a degree of skepticism and even contrariness. Your abilities to say NO to detrimental influences and to criticize bad things are key to your mental health. On the other hand, it’s a smart idea to keep checking yourself for irrelevant, gratuitous skepticism and contrariness. You have a duty to maintain just the amount you need, but no more. 2020 will be an excellent time to make this one of your cornerstone habits. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) finished writing The Divine Comedy in 1320. But it wasn’t translated into English until 1802. This is a metaphor for your life in the coming months, Pisces. According to my visions, a resource or influence that has previously been inaccessible to you will finally arrive in a form you can understand and use. Some wisdom that has been untranslatable or unreadable will at last be available.

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