2022-01-06- Las Vegas Weekly by Greenspun Media Group

PUBLISHER MARK DE POOTER mark.depooter@gmgvegas.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER KATIE DIXON katie.dixon@gmgvegas.com EDITOR SPENCER PATTERSON spencer.patterson@gmgvegas.com

EDITORIAL Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Editor at Large BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Deputy Editor EVELYN MATEOS (evelyn.mateos@gmgvegas.com) Managing Editor/News DAVE MONDT (dave.mondt@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writers HILLARY DAVIS, JUSTIN EMERSON, MIKE GRIMALA, CASEY HARRISON, JESSICA HILL, BRYAN HORWATH, ARLEIGH RODGERS, AMBER SAMPSON Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, JOHN FRITZ, CASE KEEFER, WADE MCAFERTY, KEN MILLER, JOHN TAYLOR Office Coordinator NADINE GUY

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The Mirage (Shutterstock)

WANT MORE? Head to lasvegasweekly.com.

SUPERGUIDE Your daily events planner, starring Sebastian Maniscalco, Shannon & The Clams, Katy Perry, David Perrico and boxing legend Joe Louis.

18 30 32 34 40 COVER STORY

NEWS

THE STRIP

NIGHTS

FOOD & DRINK

From new food to big concerts, don’t even think about starting to plan out your year without reading our recommendations first.

Conventions are coming back … and dealing with the coronavirus’ latest variant all at the same time.

Las Vegas Boulevard minus the Mirage? The Incidental Tourist explains why that hardly seems possible.

Chatting with electronic superhero Kaskade about EDC Vegas, new music and more.

You can count on the recently reopened Le Cirque to serve up the same quality food and service it always has.

ON THE COVER

TO DO IN ’22 (AP Photos/ Shutterstock/File/ Photo Illustration)

SPORTS Aces, Raiders, Golden Knights, March Madness and more … Case Keefer makes 12 bold predictions for 2022.

IN THIS ISSUE

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

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SUPERGUIDE THURSDAY06 JAN.

DISNEY ON ICE: DREAM BIG Thru 1/9, times vary, Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com. (Photo Courtesy)

S U P E R G U I D E

LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC SPOTLIGHT SERIES The Spotlight Series, which celebrates chamber music, kicks off its sixth season with an evening of music by Astor Piazzolla. The Argentinian, 20th-century great is well known for creating a new tango that blended elements of jazz and classical music. Select members of the orchestra, along with new artist-in-residence Joshua Roman, will perform pieces by Piazzolla and share the stories behind them. “The Spotlight Concerts have become some of the most anticipated concerts of the LVP season,” Philharmonic Music Director Donato Cabrera told Broadway World. “I enjoy them because they not only showcase the enormous depth of talent we have in our orchestra, but I also get to learn about the music that has been specifically written for the instrument that they play.” 7:30 pm, $72, Troesh Studio Theater, thesmithcenter.com. –Evelyn Mateos

JOE LOUIS: AMERICAN HERO On June 22, 1938, heavyweight boxer Joe Louis defeated Nazi Party-backed German Max Schmeling at Yankee Stadium. The fight, which barely lasted two minutes and was witnessed by a crowd of more than 70,000 in person and millions more on radios around the world, remains one of the most storied sporting events in U.S. history. Relive it, and other moments from Louis’ life, with this exhibit of memorabilia provided by his family, including a championship belt, gloves he wore while enlisted in the army during World War II and more. Thru March 22, free, West Las Vegas Library, lvccld.org. –Spencer Patterson (AP Photo)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. NEW YORK RANGERS 7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com. STEVE AOKI 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com.

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .

GREG HAHN Thru 1/9, 7 p.m., Laugh Factory, ticketmaster. com. HOWARD HUGHES & LAS VEGAS: SEPARATING FACT FROM FICTION 7 p.m., Clark County Library, lvccld.org.

KUROMI 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com. DEAN EDWARDS With Don McMillan, Michael Yo, Kathleen Dunbar, thru 1/9, 7 & 9:30 p.m., Comedy Cellar, ticket master.com.

ERIC DLUX 10:30 p.m., Tao Nightclub, taolvnc. taogroup.com. LAS VEGAS WOODTURNERS EXHIBIT Thru 1/9, Centennial Hills Library, lvccld. org.

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MUSIC

FRIDAY 07

PARTY

SPORTS

ARTS

FOOD + DRINK

COMEDY

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

MISC

JAN.

KATY PERRY: PLAY

DJ MARLON DASOUL 9:30 p.m., Azilo Ultra Lounge, azilolasvegas. com.

DRIPPY DRUMZ & JEREMY ESPINOSA 11:55 p.m., Terrace Afterhours, terraceafter hoursvegas. com.

He might have had to postpone some East Coast tour dates due to COVID spikes recently, but Sebastian Maniscalco was the funnyman-onthe-spot at Wynn during the pandemic, performing indoors and outdoors and bringing comedy back to the Strip in a big way. With an over-thetop delivery, following in the observational stand-up traditions of Jerry Seinfeld and Eddie Murphy, he’s at the peak of his powers, which explains why Encore Theater signed him on for another series of dates this year. January 7-8, 7 & 10 p.m., $50-$175, ticketmaster.com. –Brock Radke (AP Photo)

LON BRONSON BAND 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter. com.

STEVE SOELBERG & 1/8, 7:30 p.m., Wiseguys, vegas.wiseguys comedy.com.

SEBASTIAN MANISCALCO

NO MANA With Matt Lange, Julian Gray & Tripps 10 p.m., Discopussy, disco pussydtlv.com.

FIRST FRIDAY 5-11 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas, ffflv.org.

TOM SEGURA & 1/8, 10 p.m., Mirage Theatre, ticketmaster. com.

MURDA BEATZ 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com.

THE CHAINSMOKERS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.

ZEDD 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv. com.

DJ PAULY D 10 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, marqueelvnc. taogroup.com.

DAVID LEE ROTH & 1/8, 8 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster. com.

KASKADE 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, hakkasan group.com.

& 1/8, 1/12, 8 p.m., Resorts World Theatre, axs.com. (Getty Images John Shearer/Courtesy Resorts World)

P L A N Y O U R W E E K A H E A D

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SUPERGUIDE SATURDAY 08 JAN.

Like most of us, Brett Wesley Sperry spent quite a bit of time lost in his thoughts during the on-and-off pandemic slowdowns of the past two years. But where most of us made sourdough starter, Sperry made an art installation, showing through January 14 by appointment at the Cube LV, a pop-up space next to the Arts District’s Berlin Bar. Subconscious Sandbox is as good as its name—a room-sized art piece comprising giant fiberglass busts, geometric shapes and mylar curtains, arranged on a chessboard-like floor. At first look, you react on a surface level—”ooh, neat”—but it doesn’t take long for the why to kick in, as in: Why is that bust looking in that direction? Why is it that specific color? Sperry says the answers to those questions are even now revealing themselves, inspiring revisions and further iterations of the piece. “This is the first time I’ve done a body of artwork where I’ve said, ‘OK, I’m going to let my unconscious mind and my emotions guide me, and not plan anything,” he says. “This was the result, and it was a big, big catharsis for me.” 201 E. Charleston #150; viewing appointments available at thecubelv.com. –Geoff Carter (Photograph by GC/Staff)

MIKE XAVIER PRESENTS: HIP-HOP & POETRY NIGHT 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketweb. com.

JUSTIN GOLAN PIANO COMEDY TOUR 8 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com. HENDERSON PRIDE FILM FESTIVAL Thru 1/14, times & venues vary, henderson pride.org.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Ft. Frankie’s Obsession Cast, 10 p.m., Regency Tropicana Cinemas, rhpsvegas.com.

CASH CASH 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zouk grouplv.com.

PARTY FAVOR 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, hakksannight club.com.

CITIZENS AT RISK With Secos, Sage, Faded Prisms, 8 p.m., Taverna Costera, eventbrite.com. RAE SREMMURD 10 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. KRISTIN HOUGH: TIME OUT FOR TEARS Thru 1/11, times vary, Whitney Library Gallery, lvccld.org.

SUNDAY 09 JAN.

TALES OF THE MAD WIZARD 8 p.m., the Playhouse, theplayhouselv. com. DEORRO 10 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, marqueelvnc. taogroup.com.

(AP Photo)

S U P E R G U I D E

SUBCONSCIOUS SANDBOX

MARY DROPPINZ 10 p.m., Discopussy, discopussydtlv. com.

E-ROCK 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS The Knights have waved goodbye to several key players from their magical, inaugural season, but no departure has hit as hard as the July trade that sent goaltender Marc-André Fleury to Chicago. At press time, the surefire future Hall of Famer was sitting on 500 career wins and had just come out of the NHL’s COVID protocol, which means he should in the net for a chance to beat his old VGK buddies—and be recognized by a Vegas fanbase that continues to adore him. 7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com. –Spencer Patterson

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .

LIL JON 10 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, marqueelvnc. taogroup.com. (Nick Onken/ Courtesy) LAS VEGAS RAIDERS VS. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS 5:20 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticket master.com.

DJ SINCERE 9:30 p.m., Foundation Room, house ofblues.com. DINO À LA CARTE Noon, the Golden Tiki, eventbrite.com.

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MUSIC

PARTY

SPORTS

ARTS

FOOD + DRINK

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

COMEDY

MISC

MONDAY 10 JAN.

DJ C.L.A. 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, hakkasangroup. com.

ALLAN HAVEY

R G U I D E

Long before The Daily Show—before even the Craig Kilborn Daily Show, to say nothing of the Jon Stewart-hosted version—there was Night After Night With Allan Havey. It was, and still is, one of the oddest beasts ever to air on late-night television. Havey delivered long, stream-of-consciousness monologues and conducted offbeat, tangent-heavy interviews with his celebrity guests. (He was able to do this because his studio audience was invariably just one lucky person, and even when things got weird they were simply happy to be there.) Havey’s comedy is wonderfully dry, his delivery matter-of-fact and his stage manner just plain agreeable. You really like Allan Havey whether he’s making you laugh or not— which, by the way, he usually is. January 10-16, 7 & 9:30 p.m., $25-$45, Comedy Cellar, comedy cellar.com. –Geoff Carter

With Gabriel Rutledge & Jason Cheny, thru 1/14, times vary, Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgmgrand.mgm resorts.com.

BRAD GARRETT

GREG HAHN With Matt Fulchiron &Rob Sherwood, thru 1/9, 10:30 p.m., Laugh Factory, ticketmaster. com.

P L A N Y O U R W E E K A H E A D

(AP Photos)

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SUPERGUIDE TUESDAY 11 JAN.

MUSIC

SPORTS

PARTY

ARTS

FOOD + DRINK

COMEDY

MISC

WEDNESDAY 12 JAN.

S U P E R G U I D E

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .

(Courtesy)

SEWN TOGETHER EXHIBITION Thru 1/21, UNLV’s Richard Tam Alumni Center, unlv.edu.

UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. NEW MEXICO 8 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com.

SUPERTASK With Uymitsu, Alex Mei, SoManyFeels, 10 p.m., Discopussy, ticketfairy.com.

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

ZOMBIE RITUAL With Frenetic Trio, Dead at Midnite, 7 p.m., the Dive Bar, facebook.com/ divebarlv.

(Kristin Cofer/Courtesy)

Shannon & The Clams’ 2021 album rocks, and we have an eight-armed Hindu warrior goddess to thank for that. During a time of distress, singer/ bassist Shannon Shaw consulted an astrologist, who suggested she turn to the deity Durga for help. Shaw, who despises eight-legged creatures, ironically leaned into that advice, ultimately creating Year of the Spider, a rollicking example of the Oakland band’s punk-infused rockabilly/surf rock we’ve been in love with since 2009. For this sixth installment, the band fine-tuned its retro sound in Nashville, working with The Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach in his Easy Eye Sound studio. The record volleys between Shaw and guitarist Cody Blanchard on vocals, providing a varied ride over the course of 13 tracks. With The Paranoyds, Shanda & The Howlers, 9 p.m., $17-$34, Backstage Bar & Billiards, eventbrite.com. –Amber Sampson

SHANNON & THE CLAMS

THE WHISKEY CLUB 8 p.m., the Underground at the Mob Museum, the mobmuseum. org.

Win or lose, Raiders’ home games have benefited from a big musical boost all season long thanks to a unique union of the team’s entertainment legacy and the big band traditions deeply rooted in Las Vegas. Bandleader, composer and trumpet phenom David Perrico has been filling various Vegas venues with powerful sound for years, and this week, inside the Smith Center’s intimate Myron’s room, you can catch a different version of the versatile group that scores at the stadium. This time there will be four vocalists and a 16-piece all-female string section. Since this holiday-themed performance was postponed to kick off 2022, consider it your last blast of seasonal music. 7 p.m., $29-$45, thesmithcenter.com. –Brock Radke

UNLV JAZZ: COMBOS & VOCALISTS 7 p.m., Clark County Library, lvccld.com.

DAVID PERRICO POP STRINGS ORCHESTRA

FERGIE 10 p.m., the Library at Marquee Nightclub, marqueelvnc. taogroup.com.

P L A N Y O U R W E E K A H E A D

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

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FOOD THOUGHT T FOR

P E O P L E

Theresa Leeds with items from her “Snack Shack” at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (Wade Vandervort/ Staff)

Theresa Leeds, Las Vegas Academy’s “Snack Shack Lady,” volunteers to keep young creatives fed BY GEOFF CARTER

heresa Leeds keeps a busy schedule. The East Coastborn Las Vegan works full time as a real estate agent (“very full time,” she laughs) while raising two teenage sons. But that doesn’t keep her from running the “Snack Shack” at the Las Vegas Academy of the

Arts—a pop-up operation providing healthy brain food to LVA students who don’t have time to hit the cafeteria—on a strictly volunteer basis, week after week. (You can see the Shack for yourself on Instagram at @lva_snack_shack.) Leeds spoke to the Weekly about what it takes to keep budding creatives fed, and why she does it.

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to be interacting with, which as a parent is important to me.

And you’re sourcing the food? One hundred percent of it. The Costco Business Center down on MLK has been a good partnership;

Do you have regulars—kids whose orders you know before they even walk up? Oh, yes. I call them my Snack Shack groupies. I’ve got my goth gang right now. They look straight out of 1986; it’s adorable. They have their Cure and Smiths T-shirts. I’m like, “Do you really like them? Talk to me about Morrissey. What do you think about Siouxsie and the Banshees?” Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling well, and I asked on Instagram, “OK, guys, what movie recommendations do you have for me?” Not only did I get them, they came back today to discuss them with me. I mean, there’s truly no greater joy. Every now and again, I encounter somebody who grouses that the arts aren’t important. What would you say to someone who asks why we need creative education in Vegas? These kids teach me lessons, because of the environment that they’re in—an inclusive place that supports their creative imaginations. They’re tolerant. They’re patient. They’re kind. They’re good kids. We want more of them. And if we take away their ability to be creative or expressive in any way—recess, sports or even the arts—we’re creating robots. We want interesting individuals that have unique thoughts, who bring their own personal point of view to the table.

Q & A

That’s why you began volunteering at local schools. Yes, I volunteered at every level. Once my oldest hit middle school, though, things changed; parental involvement isn’t quite the same. I sort of dropped off, but was still very involved. When I got the chance to volunteer at the LVA Snack Shack … it allows me to interact with the kids, but the focus isn’t on my son. He was able to be kind of anonymous, and I still got to be the Snack Shack Lady (laughs). He was OK with me doing it, because I wasn’t embarrassing him, and I still got a chance to interact with everybody that he was going

they know we need our delivery before 9:30 in the morning. I’m not a big buyer there, but I need my stuff when I need it. So they deliver for me, and then I show up and make sure everything’s organized and ready for my volunteers. Like I said, the biggest thing is moving the food and getting the kids through the line as quickly as possible. We don’t want them standing in the heat. I bought a tent, so we can get a little bit of shade.

W E E K L Y

When did you come to Las Vegas? In the early 1990s. I was born in New York, raised in New Jersey. I moved here as a 19-year-old. It was really hard for me to make the transition, being a born-and-raised East Coaster. I wanted a family; that was very important to me. But I had a very difficult time deciding whether or not to raise a family here. One of the things I learned quickly was the more you invest, the more you get out in return. So it was important to me to invest completely in my children’s education. And I wanted to do it through the public school system.

Tell us a bit about the operation. What makes a Snack Shack go? It’s considered one of LVA’s historic buildings, one of its original buildings, but it’s tiny. I don’t have a lot of space, and I only have so much electricity, so I don’t have a microwave. I’ve got hot water, which we can do with Cup Noodles—my No. 1 seller—and hot cocoa. But it’s mostly just snacks, healthy things that will give them a little bit of fuel. Their lunch is from 10 to 11 a.m., so it’s just a nice mix of something lunch-y, something breakfast-y. And I never stop moving for a solid hour. I get there an hour beforehand to set up so I’m ready for them. We went through some iterations of the most efficient way to move as many people as possible through our line, because it is a lot of kids—LVA’s total [enrollment] is 1,600—and I’m getting at least half those kids.

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T H E

What is the LVA Snack Shack and why is it needed? When it was passed off to me, it was volunteer-based and relatively new; I believe that when [Principal] Scott Walker took over the school [in 2011], there were a couple of parents who saw a need for it. They started the Snack Shack … to facilitate being able to feed that many children in a very short amount of time. One of the reasons why LVA is a successful school is because they do block scheduling. Students have an hour for lunch, but that hour lunch is “lunch and learn”—their time to go to the teachers to get extra help, to do homework. So we want to make sure that they get something to eat, but also not lose any precious time to be able to study, get caught up or get extra help.

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

Q+A

ASTONISHING. UNPREDICTABLE. MIND-BENDING. Omega Mart is an immersive interactive experience from groundbreaking art collective, Meow Wolf. Featuring jaw-dropping work from international and local artists, Omega Mart sends participants of all ages on a journey through surreal worlds and immersive storytelling. Discover secret portals or simply soak up the innovative art as you venture beyond an extraordinary supermarket into parts unknown.

Get tickets at meow.wf/lvweekly LOCALS DISCOUNT AVAILABLE WITH NV ID

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

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Go big on beef. Dry-aged steaks from acclaimed domestic producers like Chicago’s Allen Brothers and California’s Flannery Beef are the stars at the brand-new Carversteak at Resorts World, where veteran chef Daniel Ontiveros is in the kitchen calling the shots for the first restaurant concept from Las Vegas-based Carver Road Hospitality.

Stay healthy! Omicron is raging as we write this, so there’s no telling what from our 2022 list might be canceled, postponed or otherwise modified. More important, of course, is the health of you and your loved ones, as well as those most at risk in our community. If you haven’t been vaxed or boosted, consider doing so. Continue wearing masks when out in public. And if you’re feeling unwell, stay home—it might feel like a tiny cold to you, but it could hit someone else much harder. Let’s all do what we can to help our neighbors.

Start making plans for the year ahead in Las Vegas

TO DO IN

F E A T U R E

Get wild again. Wynn Nightlife’s influential Art of the Wild weekend returns on March 18-21, flooding XS and Encore Beach Club with cutting-edge, international sounds and the world’s greatest parties.

Catch up with old Misfit friends. For Vegas Golden Knights fans, the new year opened with a big reunion, with O.G. defenseman Nate Schmidt and post-Misfits center Paul Stastny—both now with Winnipeg—returning to T-Mobile Arena for the first time since being traded. You may want a few more tissues handy on January 6, when original VGK coach Gerard Gallant and former enforcer Ryan Reaves—both in their first seasons with the New York Rangers—are back in the Fortress. And better bring the whole darn Kleenex box to the Strip two nights later, when Marc-André Fleury, the Flower who blossomed in our hearts throughout the team’s first four seasons, steps back into the T-Mobile goal … for the Chicago Blackhawks. –Spencer Patterson (AP Photo)

Legally puff inside a cannabis consumption lounge. Dinner and a drink is so 2021. Consumption lounges are set to open sometime in 2022, thanks to Assembly Bill 341, and local dispensaries are already racing to get started.

Follow the next evolution of the Palms. The ever-prominent and long-closed off-Strip resort is set to reopen in the spring, after San Manuel Gaming purchased it from Station Casinos last year. It’s still too early to tell what pieces of the Palms will remain or what new offerings might be in the mix, but it’s a definite that the new ownership will have a completely different approach, and that has us excited to see what comes next.

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(Denise Truscello/Courtesy)

Laugh at a new location. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club has moved from its subterranean origins at MGM Grand to the restaurant-rich district near the Grand Garden Arena, maintaining its intimate feel while adding more space for music, drinks and more.

Unlock the mystery of Amystika. Criss Angel’s new show at Planet Hollywood, a collaboration with the legendary director Franco Dragone set to begin in March, is billed as the prequel to his Mindfreak magical spectacular. Also, there’s a blizzard involved, which will envelope the audience, so it’s got that going for it.

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Try out a new Summerlin hot spot. Harlo Steakhouse & Bar opened suddenly at the end of the year in the former Andiron space at Downtown Summerlin, and the neighborhood is buzzing about chef partner Gina Marinelli’s take on this classic American cuisine. Are you ready for a pastrami wedge salad and scallops Rockefeller?

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Enjoy some offbeat entertainment Downtown. Sometime this spring, Corner Bar’s Cheapshot will move into the Fremont East space once occupied by Don’t Tell Mama, and transform the former piano bar into “the smallest showroom and discotheque in Las Vegas.” Its curator and host Amy Saunders—best known to locals as the glittering, fast-talking host of former Bally’s mainstay The Miss Behave Gameshow—was a huge fan of Don’t Tell Mama, but intends to take the space in new directions. “I want to run it like a minuscule Palace of Varieties,” she says. “It’s going to look like a beautiful red velvet dream, with decent lights—I’m a stickler for that—and a gorgeous stage design. And we’re going to run it like a little showroom.” The room might be small, but Saunders has immense plans for it. Cheapshot will offer “all the things you love in piano bars, from pianists to singers to surprises,” but also “comedy, variety, burlesque, circus, drag” and more. “It’s an intimate space, with high values for reasonable prices,” Saunders says. –Geoff Carter

D O

Celebrate a cultural milestone. Nevada Ballet Theatre has just begun its landmark 50th anniversary season, and a gala event and performance are planned for May 14. But first, the 38th annual Black & White Ball honors the one and only Judy Collins on January 22 at Wynn, before world premieres from renowned choreographers Trey McIntyre and Lauren Lovette spill into the Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall on February 5.

Get back inside a legendary music room. Some of Las Vegas’ most memorable concert moments have happened inside the Joint, and the beloved space lives on as the Theater at Virgin. The room’s upcoming calendar includes: AFI (February 12), Slash (February 19), Toto (February 25), Midland (March 5), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (March 6), Widespread Panic (March 11-13) and Incubus (March 25-26), to name just a few.

T O

Vote! This will be is a big election year for Nevada, with a lot at stake for Democrats and Republicans in the state and potentially huge national effects. In the U.S. Senate race in Nevada, a few Republicans—including former Attorney General Adam Laxalt and Army veteran Sam Brown—are looking to oust Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, and possibly flip the U.S. Senate red. Political analysts are now calling the once “Lean Democrat” race a toss-up, citing President Joe Biden’s low approval rankings and the country’s slow economic recovery. That’s a big deal for Nevada, a state Biden won by 2.4 points in 2020 and where Cortez Masto triumphed by a slim two points in 2016. Nevada’s seat in the Senate isn’t the only one Republicans have a chance to take back. Gov. Steve Sisolak is running for reelection in 2022, and there’s a large pool of Republican candidates battling it out ahead of the primary June 14. Democratic congresspeople Dina Titus, Steven Horsford and Susie Lee will be up for reelection, too. If the GOP wins one of those seats, the Democrats will no longer control the majority of Congressional seats in Nevada. At this point, it’s all still anybody’s game. As of November, there were 98,000 more Democrats registered than Republicans—and about 580,000 nonpartisan voters, who could be the ones to lean the scale one way or the other. Regardless of where you stand, get out and be counted! –Jessica Hill

Escape to faraway lands. Area 15 quickly became one the city’s hottest new attractions, housing popular experiences like Omega Mart and Lost Spirits Distillery, and it continues to amaze visitors with new additions. This spring, the warehouse will introduce Illuminarium, which promises to take viewers to “faraway lands and ‘bucket-list’ destinations.” That will be achieved through 4K laser projection, 360-degree audio, in-floor vibrations and scent systems, and the experience, estimated to last 45-60 minutes, won’t require any wearable hardware. There’s limited seating, but viewers are encouraged to move around the room to encounter all the elements, which will change frequently.

Hang out with Adele. The English singer isn’t big on touring, but you don’t need her to. Her new Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, will give fans the chance to experience the powerhouse vocalist in a pristine, palatial setting, starting January 21.

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Cheer the Aces to victory. Becky Hammon was a WNBA legend for this very franchise before she went on to shatter boundaries coaching for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs. As the new coach and GM in Las Vegas, she’ll be expected to make a tremendous impact on and off the court for the team and the league.

Seek out your piece of Resorts World. Lots of locals haven’t yet visited the first Las Vegas Strip megaresort to be built in the last decade, and that’s not surprising considering this whole ongoing pandemic thing. When the time is right for exploring, you’ll likely find that Resorts World is well on its way to achieving its ambitious goal of appealing to lots of different kinds of people, cynical locals included. Food is the obvious entry point and this place has it all. Start simple with a slice at Mulberry Street Pizzeria, chicken Parm at Mozz Bar, an ice cream cone at Craig’s Vegan, or a breakfast sandwich at Sun’s Out Buns Out; then work your way up to luxury spots like Genting Palace or the new Caviar Bar. There’s so much to do at Dawg House Saloon, a massive saloon, sportsbook and Southern-fried eatery with live music and more. The Zouk Group’s day- and nightlife offerings have quickly proven to be among the most dynamic experiences on the Strip, and you already know about the star residencies at Resorts World Theatre. But like the other Strip spots that have attracted Las Vegans through the years, this destination has plenty of spaces to stroll and linger and look, from the retail and restaurant district that runs along the Strip to the energetic food hall. There’s a lot to take in, and plenty of lovely lounges like Gatsby’s, the Conrad and Crockfords lobby bars and Eight Cigar Lounge to stop and process with a sip or a smoke. It’s worth it. –Brock Radke

See independent films. This city has had a long wait for a cinema dedicated to independent and international cinema. Thanks to benefactor Beverly Rogers and programmer Kip Kelly, we’re finally getting one— the Beverly Theater— in Downtown Las Vegas sometime in late 2022. Let’s see a lot of movies and keep their (projector) lights on. Take in a new Strip production show. Two distinct new shows offer two distinct subjects: a star of yesteryear and the next generation of stars. An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert at Harrah’s brings the legend to “life” (through stateof-the-art technology), surrounded by a live band and four backup dancers. It might not be the real thing, but expect to see plenty of real emotion expressed by audience members who grew up with classics like “How Will I Know,” “I Have Nothing” and “Greatest Love of All.” It’s a loving reminder of how one talent can change the world. And speaking of talent, NBC’s reality competition show, America’s Got Talent, which has given us acts like Shin Lim, Piff the Magic Dragon, Tape Face and Mat Franco, has assembled some of its greatest recent acts into a variety show, America’s Got Talent Las Vegas Live at Luxor. The production, featuring host and comedian Preacher Lawson and winners like singer Kodi Lee, spoken-word artist Brandon Leake and magician Dustin Tavella, isn’t only a wildly entertaining 90 minutes for the whole family; it’s a preview of some of the acts that will soon be populating their own showroom somewhere on the Strip. –Ken Miller

TO DO IN

Take an adults-only staycation. Opening in early 2022, the Todd English-curated English Hotel—a 74-room, adultsonly hotel in Downtown Las Vegas’ bustling Arts District—promises to offer the sort of deluxe boutique experience we often drive to other cities to get: a lobby appointed with rare antiques, cocktail shakers in every room and groundfloor patios that open directly to the pool area. Join the neon dance party at the Strat. The hardto-describe iLuminate is building buzz, thanks to an imaginative take on dance, an unbelievable use of technology and creativity and a talented cast including Las Vegan and So You Think You Can Dance winner Bailey Munoz. Assemble your foodie crew for a new Thai experience. Chef Kris Yenbamroong is something of a rock star in LA, and for good reason. Since 2012, his Night + Market restaurants there have been serving up memorable Thai dishes and good-time vibes, earning Yenbamroong semifinal James Beard honors as recently as 2019. Yet thus far, Night + Market’s Las Vegas expansion hasn’t been met with the same raucous reaction—probably because it happened a) during a pandemic and b) at a new resort still finding its footing, Virgin Hotels. In time, the Vegas Night + Market—situated near the Harmon-side parking garage—will surely become a pre- and postgame favorite for folks catching concerts at the Theater at Virgin (formerly the Joint) and 24 Oxford (formerly Vinyl). But even if you don’t have a ticket to an upcoming show, you should pop in with friends to share hey-ha “party wings,” decadent lobster pad Thai, the signature crispy rice salad and much more. Think of it as a Vegas bucket-lister in waiting. –Spencer Patterson

Dance to a throwback … or 20. Two days of R&B and hip-hop bangers from some of the biggest names in the industry, including Usher, Lil Jon and Ludacris? Yes, please. The Lovers & Friends Festival, running May 14-15 at Las Vegas Festival Grounds and presented by Live Nation, Snoop Dogg and Bobby Dee, brings back beloved sounds from the ’90s and early aughts through performances by Lauryn Hill, TLC, Ciara, Ashanti, Brandy, Monica, Ja Rule, Nelly, Timbaland, Pretty Ricky, Trick Daddy, Trina and many more. The lineup stays constant for both days, so you can see your favorites twice in one weekend. –Amber Sampson Shop for the unexpected at Daiso. This Japanese take on the dollar store—now with a southwest Valley location and two more local spots planned for later in 2022—is fun to shop even if you’re not in the market for bento boxes, kitchen utensils, gift items, cleaning supplies or kawaii. Lose yourself with Tyler. Tyler, the Creator albums— like his latest, Call Me If You Get Lost—transport the listener into a sonic universe. You’ll want to experience the journey live when the rapper’s tour hits Michelob Ultra Arena on February 12. Celebrate the Valley’s newest hockey headquarters. The AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights will move into their permanent home this year when the former Henderson Pavilion site becomes Dollar Loan Center, a year-round facility also set to host concerts and other community-based programming. Catch a country superstar. Is Garth Brooks gonna do a new Vegas residency? These one-man shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM February 4-5 could be the start of something big.

Catch all the country superstars. The Academy of Country Music Awards have always been a big deal in Las Vegas, and this year the show moves to its biggest venue yet, Allegiant Stadium, on March 7. If you don’t get a ticket, you can stream it live on Amazon Prime Video. Indulge in something sweet. Until recently, you could only find Bruster’s Real Ice Cream east of the Mississippi, but the old-fashioned sweet treat biz has gone the franchise route and expanded to nearly 200 independent locations in 22 states and two other countries. The Las Vegas store should be open any day now at 2862 S. Durango Drive, not far from the Beltway, scooping up slow kettle-processed ice cream for cones, cups, sundaes, cakes, pies and shakes in homemade premium flavors like birthday cake, butter pecan, cherry vanilla, New York cheesecake and Mexican chocolate. We can never have enough great ice cream shops in Las Vegas, but we’re getting closer. –Brock Radke Brunch it up at Boom Bang. The new Henderson bistro is slinging coffee rolls, oyster shooters, truffled egg tarts and chilaquiles on its wondrously diverse weekend menu, along with fun cocktails like the Chartreuse Swizzle and honey-kissed Gold Rush. Fly indoors. You won’t need wings at FlyOver Las Vegas, which journeys riders through nature’s greatest wonders— from the sky. Immersive technology simulates the sensation of flight as your legs dangle before a wraparound spherical screen displaying the Grand Canyon, Lake Tahoe and beyond.

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Tyler, the Creator (Shutterstock)

Boom Bang (Christopher Devargas/Staff)

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The Silver Knights’ Daniil Miromanov (Steve Marcus/Staff)

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TO DO IN

(AP Photo/Shutterstock/File/ Photo Illllustration)

Billie Eilish

Sahara Hotel

F E A T U R E

Las Vegas Movie Tours

Tony Hawk

Trevor Noah

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The Killers (Courtesy)

Fall in love with the new hot chicken. Sparrow + Wolf chef and owner Brian Howard is ready to change the game with a Szechuan chicken sandwich at his upcoming Halfbird eatery in Chinatown, expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2022. Drink all the local beers again. The event for which brew-thusiasts have been patiently waiting, the Great Vegas Festival of Beer, returns to Downtown Las Vegas on April 22-23. Take part in a pro sports explosion. Only Las Vegas could pull this off: NHL All-Star Weekend comes to T-Mobile Arena February 4-5, and the NFL Pro Bowl will be played at Allegiant Stadium on February 6— two massive events in one epic weekend.

Stay up late at the new Sand Dollar. The beloved blues lounge and industry bar is expanding with a second location at the Plaza, set to open in early 2022. What do we know? There will still be amazing cocktails, pizza (from Pop Up Pizza) and live music, Thursday through Saturday.

Laugh with Trevor. Daily Show comedian Trevor Noah was supposed to play Wynn’s Encore Theater back in 2020. He’s finally here July 9 and 10, one of the biggest names on the venue’s impressive comedy lineup. Welcome The Killers home. It’s been a minute since The Killers have made a hometown appearance that wasn’t a TV taping, corporate gig or private party. This August 26 T-Mobile Arena show—coming six years after the band played the venue’s opening concert—will likely feature songs we’ve never heard played live before.

Schedule the watch party to end all watch parties. Every game feels like the Super Bowl or the Stanley Cup Finals at Circa’s mind-blowing Stadium Swim, where you dip in a rooftop pool next to Downtown’s Fremont Street Experience light canopy while snacking and sipping and cheering for your team while watching all the action on a 40-foot-tall super screen. Do the residency thing in a whole new way. Carrie Underwood and Katy Perry have already opened their headlining shows at the gorgeous new Resorts World Theatre. Next up is Luke Bryan on February 11, Michael Bublé on April 27 and, likely later this year, the return of Celine Dion. Party with the Birdman. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk launches his three-day Weekend Jam in Downtown Las Vegas May 12-15, featuring competitions, street and vert park areas, live music and video games at an on-site gaming lounge.

Experience high-energy Italian. Lettuce Entertain You will open its sixth Las Vegas restaurant when RPM Italian lands at the Forum Shops this year. The modern menu is built around fresh pasta, great wine and a fun spritz program, and we can’t wait to see how it fits into the ever-expanding Italian portfolio on the Strip. Visit iconic film locations. LA isn’t the only cinematically rich city on the West Coast, and Las Vegas Movie Tours sets out to prove it. Hop aboard this 25-seat “theater on wheels,” which takes passengers to places where The Hangover, Casino and more than 200 other films, music videos and TV shows were filmed. Get down to a big name at Zouk. Zouk Nightclub has been a hotbed for headliners since it debuted at Resorts World in September. Tiësto, Jack Harlow, Zedd and G-Eazy are just a few of the resident artists the boutique megaclub has presented thus far, and we suspect 2022’s lineup will look even bigger.

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Be happier than ever. Billie Eilish is back on the road with a tour promoting her critically acclaimed sophomore album, Happier Than Ever. Catch the effortlessly melodic tracks and the singer’s silky soprano April 1 at T-Mobile Arena.

Get lost at the Ski Lodge. There’s plenty left to discover at Superfrico at the Cosmopolitan, including this hidden speakeasy inspired by Japan’s legendary Bar-Gyu, where it’s always a winter wonderland and there’s always a shotski ready for you and your friends. Pro tip: Go Monday or Tuesday, when the bespoke cocktails are just $10.

Witness a White Stripe. Jack White brings his Supply Chain Issues tour to the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan on May 29.

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Fall in love with John Legend. In a December interview with Billboard, John Legend called his Love in Las Vegas residency, which begins April 22 at Zappos Theater, a “full career show.” That’s seven album’s worth of material condensed into a single night. What’s not to love?

Party fresh at Sahara. Azilo Ultra Pool made a quiet debut last year, and now its indoor component, Azilo Ultra Lounge, has launched Friday- and Saturday-night parties blending DJ and live music performances.

Embark on a booze cruise. Lost Spirits at Area15 offers one of the most unique distillery experiences around. Billed as the “Willy Wonka of Booze” by Playboy Magazine, this lucid dream has it all: submarines, steampunk aesthetics, snake charmers, holograms, 122-proof rum and sublime storytelling.

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Catch a celeb or a spontaneous show at Delilah. The swanky Wynn supper club is now open seven days a week, but if you go for a late dinner when someone’s headlining at Encore Theater, there’s a solid chance you’ll see an impromptu onstage performance carrying the fun into the night. Doja Cat did it. So did Justin Bieber. Who will you see at Delilah?

Dine outdoors at Virgin. Attention locals: If you didn’t make the trip to the new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas during the warm fall, you might not know the comfy resort offers outstanding patio action and great food at Casa Calavera, Kassi Beach House, Todd English’s Olives and Money, Baby!, all wrapping around the renovated pool. Get ready for a delicious bloom in the springtime.

Stake out your spot at the biggest EDM reunion tour ever. Swedish House Mafia is back together and hitting the road with the Paradise Again world tour this year, and since the group had to cancel its planned CES performance at Area15, its September 2 T-Mobile Arena visit will be even more meaningful.

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Play the classics. Adulthood has its perks, but sometimes you just want to reconnect with your youth. Emporium Arcade Bar inside Area15 awakens that feeling with colorful, street-art murals and two floors of vintage arcade games— iconic ’80s games like Punch-Out!, rambunctious beat ’em ups like The Simpsons and many more— pinball, pool and air hockey. Emporium’s two bars can enhance anyone’s game, serving locally brewed craft beers and quirky cocktails like the “Grow a Pear Margarita” and the “Oogie Boogie Slushie.” Stick around for live DJs almost nightly, closing out the afterhours. –Amber Sampson

Eat the original Cronut. Innovative pastry chef Dominique Ansel will finally open a Las Vegas shop this summer at Caesars Palace, and his famous croissant-doughnut hybrid is only the beginning of the mouth-watering goodies he’s bringing to our city.

Immerse yourself in modern Japanese food. Tetsuya Wakuda is one of the few global greats who hasn’t opened a restaurant in Las Vegas, but that changes this year, when the Michelin Star winner teams with 50 Eggs Hospitality (which already operates four venues at Venetian/ Palazzo) to open his first Japanese restaurant in the United States, Wakuda Las Vegas at Palazzo. Taking the Strip-front space formerly occupied by Morels Steakhouse and expected to arrive in spring or summer, Wakuda will aim to combine traditional cuisine with the energetic influence of Tokyo nightlife and its creative universe of bar bites, but sophistication will be the common thread, and a unique omakase experience should serve as the centerpiece of the menu. –Brock Radke

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Let local culinary creativity wash over you. Former Ferraro’s chef Francesco di Caudo and EDO Tapas chef Oscar Amador are teaming up to push the boundaries of Italian and Spanish cuisine with Anima, set to open soon at the Gramercy. Expect the unexpected.

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See The Band’s Visit at Smith Center—at long last. The stage musical, winner of 10 Tony Awards—including Best Book, Best Score and Best Musical—was originally part of Smith Center’s 2019-2020 Broadway Las Vegas series, but its arrival was stymied by COVID. Finally, two years on, the show finds its way to Reynolds Hall for five nights of performances beginning February 15. Let’s welcome the members of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, wherever they’ve been. Catch a big ol’ stadium show. We love small clubs and ornate theaters, but there’s nothing quite like catching a favorite act on a football field among tens of thousands of cheering maniacs. Allegiant Stadium has you covered in 2022, with Metallica (February 25), Billy Joel (February 26) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers with The Strokes (August 6) on the schedule.

Get up close to a rising star. Breakout teen singer Olivia Rodrigo could surely fill arenas, but she’s mostly opting to play small venues in support of debut album Sour, which is why you get her at the Chelsea on May 20. Blow through $20 in quarters. Loved the old Pinball Hall of Fame on East Tropicana Avenue? Its new, 27,000-square-foot location just south of Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard offers even more pinball and arcade games. Hundreds upon hundreds of them! Come to think of it, $20 might not be enough. Watch the WWE’s return to Allegiant Stadium. After last year’s successful Summerslam pro wrestling event, the WWE seems to be following the NFL in correctly choosing Las Vegas as one of its favorite destinations. Another megacard, Money in the Bank, is set for July. Rock out with the Robinsons. The Black Crowes’ Shake Your Money Maker tour killed it at the House of Blues in November, so much so that the reunited blues-rock favorites are coming back for more, February 11 and 12.

Face your fears at Nightmare Toys. Why wait for Halloween? Horror fans can find killer collectibles at this year-old Downtown shop all year-round. From near-identical replicas of the puppet props from Gremlins to vivid Freddy Krueger art prints, this spooky shop screams authentic horror. Behold a metal memoir. Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson takes his spoken-word series—a “humorous and often satirical look at the world,” plus a Q&A session with the crowd—to the House of Blues on March 12. Run to the hills, er, box office! Chow down with Emmitt Smith. The NFL Hall of Famer opens Emmitt’s Las Vegas—a 30,000-square-foot space paying homage to the former running back’s playing career and offering food, drinks, and a venue to host watch parties, live concerts and corporate events—at the Fashion Show this spring. Make up for lost football fun. Since the 2020 NFL Draft couldn’t go on as planned, Las Vegas gets another chance to show its stuff this year, April 28-30. Will the chosen players still get to walk out over the Bellagio’s lake? Plans haven’t yet been revealed, but excitement is definitely in the cards. See the sisters Haim. Haim’s One More Haim Tour, in support of Grammy-nominated album Women in Music III, lands at the Chelsea on April 24.

TO DO IN

Metallica (AP Photo/Photo Illlustration)

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Justin Bieber (AP Photo/Photo Illlustration)

Immerse yourself in poetic surrealism. Asé: Afro Frequencies—the first solo show by “artivist” Vince Fraser, presented at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art through April 18 in cooperation with immersive art producer Artechouse and named for the West African concept of our ability to precipitate change in the world—is an eye-popping multisensory experience featuring Fraser’s morphing images and the spoken word poetry of Ursula Rucker.

Usher in a new Golden Knights era. We don’t know exactly when Jack Eichel will play his first game in a VGK jersey, but we’re pretty confident whenever he does, goal-scoring will ensue. The 25-year-old has a nose for the net, and Vegas has shown it could use more of that the past two postseasons.

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Cover yourself in a Blanket of Protection. Opening January 19 and continuing through March 26, this 12-artist group at Left of Center Gallery honors the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black aviators to serve in the U.S. military. Despite being highly decorated, the Tuskegee Airmen were subjected to discrimination both on the frontlines and the homefront. This exhibit will honor both their service and their sacrifices.

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The Golden Knights’ Jack Eichel (File/Photo Illlustration)

Be a Belieber. Instead of singing alone in your car, sing with Justin Bieber February 20 at T-Mobile Arena, where the Canadian star will perform songs from his two most recent albums, Changes and Justice.

Double down on indie icons. Dinosaur Jr. and Built to Spill are piloting separate headlining tours, but for one night only (February 4) they’ll intersect and share a bill at Brooklyn Bowl.

Experience Southern hospitality. It’s been a long … few years. Let warm biscuits and chicken and gravy comfort you at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, a Jonas Brothers family venture set to open soon in the former Hecho en Vegas spot at MGM Grand.

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Savor the flavors of a TV champ. Shaun O’Neale won Master Chef’s seventh season, and now he’s cooking for you, just off the Strip at Larrea at Panorama Towers, with dishes like honey-lacquered chicken, a Nevada-raised beef burger and confit duck tacos.

Explore Arcadia Earth. New York City’s immersive augmented reality experience arrives on the Strip, allowing guests to wander through a world of multisensory magic. Each of Arcadia Earth’s 15 exhibits tells impactful stories about our planet— and how to pitch in to protect it.

Enter the Swan Dive. We have faith, but nevertheless, please cross your fingers that this 400-capacity Arts District music venue—operated by Oddfellows proprietor Harvey Graham and veteran booker Mike Henry—opens its doors in late 2022. We’ve missed that old Bunkhouse shownight feeling.

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Find Romance in October. Revisit your emo-rock past when My Chemical Romance’s delayed tour makes its way from Europe to the states and arrives at T-Mobile Arena on October 7. Stock up on eyeliner.

Take flight with the Knight Hawks. Our city’s new pro indoor football team is set to open its debut season March 18 at Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, promising an entirely different local sports experience.

All Ages / Tickets @ AREA15.com ARE A15 / 3215 South Rancho Dr Las Vegas / 702 .846.1900

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VACCINE MANDATE Hundreds of unvaccinated employees who work at public colleges and universities in Nevada were fired December 31, a day after the state Board of Regents voted to keep a staff vaccine mandate in effect.

LAS VEGAS BOWL Wisconsin topped Arizona State, 20-13, in front of a light crowd of 32,515 at Allegiant Stadium on December 30—the venue’s first college football bowl game.

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NEVADA POLITICAL GIANT GONE BUT FAR FROM FORGOTTEN Harry Reid never felt the need to be loud or brash. The former U.S. Senate majority leader, who died December 28 in Henderson at age 82, instead often took a soft-spoken approach to politics that resulted in effective, lasting and historic results. The Searchlight native represented Nevada for 30 years in the Senate, where his even-keeled approach was vital in helping broker the Affordable Care Act, thwarting a proposed nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain and fostering laws to preserve public lands and encourage clean energy investment. Along the way he became a key player in the Democratic Party, encouraging then-Sen. Barack Obama to run for president and advocating for immigration reform. Following Reid’s retirement in 2017, he continued to wield power from behind the scenes, advising candidates running for office and remaining outspoken on current affairs. Reid’s legendary career in public service was recently memorialized when the name of the Las Vegas airport was changed to Harry Reid International. Private donors are raising $7 million for the rebranding, which started last

month. Some noteworthy moments from Reid’s political career: n 1968: Elected to Nevada Assembly at age 28, serving until 1970. Reid quickly built a reputation as a consumer advocate and introduced the state’s first air-pollution legislation. n 1971-1975: Served as lieutenant governor of Nevada. He won at age 30, the youngest in state history. n 1979: As chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, Reid banned Chicago gangster Tony “the Ant” Spilotro from all Las Vegas casinos. n 1981: Wife Landra found a car bomb wired to her gas tank. n 1986: Elected to the U.S. Senate. n 1989: The Nevada Wilderness Protection Act became law, creating 13 new wilderness areas, including Mount Charleston. n 2006: Named Senate majority leader by Democrats in a unanimous vote. n 2010: Helped pass the Travel Promotion Act, which boosted international tourism to Las Vegas. n 2012: Involved in a car accident in Las Vegas and refused to stop working from the hospital. n 2017: Retired in January.

A memorial service honoring Reid will take place January 8 at 11 a.m. at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which will also be livestreamed, will include family, friends and colleagues of Reid.

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COVID SPIKE On December 31, the Southern Nevada Health District reported the single-highest number of daily COVID-19 cases, 3,363, as the omicron variant surges. No new deaths were reported, however.

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offered more than 250 arcade games. That flagship site remained open for 15 years before Gameworks shut it down due to “high rent and too few customers,” according to a 2012 article in the Las Vegas Sun. The brainchild of Steven Spielberg, Sega and Universal Studios, Gameworks adjusted several times over the years as video gaming continued to evolve. But like many other businesses struck by the pandemic, it met a challenge previously unforeseen. “We hope you remember us fondly and wish you all the best,” the Gameworks post concluded. –Amber Sampson

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., leans on a stack of documents pertaining to campaign finance reform during a Capitol Hill news conference on December 3, 1996, when the Democratic leadership for the 105th Congress was announced. (Dennis Cook/Associated Press file)

2022 IS THE YEAR OF THE TIGER IN CHINESE ZODIAC

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Gameworks announced the closure of its only Las Vegas location, at Town Square, along with any others remaining around the country in a December 24 Twitter post. “Thank you for the many years of memories,” the post read. “[In] the past 20 months, we have seen our business turned upside down. The continued slow economic recovery has left us no choice other than to close.” Gameworks originally opened on the Las Vegas Strip in 1997, bringing family friendly fun to locals and tourists of all ages. At the time, the 47,000-square-foot space, located near MGM Grand,

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GAMEWORKS POWERS DOWN

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A young reveler watches a fireworks show on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas. Despite gusty winds and the coronavirus surging again, people packed the Strip to ring in the new year at a party with 300,000 festive participants. It was capped by a nearly 10-minute fireworks display rocketing from the roofs of many resorts as the clock hit midnight in a majestic changeover to a new year. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

Becky Hammon is coming back to the WNBA as a head coach. The veteran San Antonio Spurs assistant took the lead spot with the Las Vegas Aces on December 31. She will be the highest paid coach in the league, potentially earning three or four times more than the highest-paid player, according to a person familiar with the deal. Hammon has been an assistant for the Spurs for eight seasons. She has interviewed for several NBA head coach openings in the past, but hasn’t received an offer to be the first woman to lead a team. Bill Laimbeer has been coaching the Aces since they first moved to Las Vegas in 2017 and will continue to work for the club. He had taken a step back last season, letting assistant Tanisha Wright run more practices and in-game huddles. Wright left in the offseason to coach the Atlanta Dream. –AP

LV W N E W S

1.6.22

Convention

B U S I N E S S

o Las Vegas convention comeback could be complete without the largest technology gathering in the world. But as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) this week for the first time since January 2020, concerns about COVID’s rapidly spreading omicron variant has the world wondering once again what conventions here might look like going forward. During the past few weeks, more than 40 CES exhibitors, including leading brands like Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Intel have canceled their in-person plans. And even before that happened, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) officials projected CES attendance would be roughly half what it was in pre-pandemic 2020, when it drew a crowd of about 170,000. At press time, the trade show still expected more than 2,200 companies to appear on its exhibitor floor. Many of the giants that opted out will participate virtually, and for the second straight year, CES will offer an all-digital option for attendees. But the in-person experience is ultimately irreplaceable, says Lori Nelson-Kraft, senior vice president of communications for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). “Virtual meetings were a great interim solution, but from what we hear from our convention customers, nothing replaces in-person convening for networking and getting deals done,” Nelson-Kraft tells the Weekly. Brian Gordon, principal at Ap-

COMEBACK?

Continued COVID uncertainty makes Las Vegas’ 2022 large-gathering outlook somewhat murky BY AMBER SAMPSON

plied Analysis, a Vegas-based research and consulting firm, shares that sentiment. “That’s what created the convention industry as we know it today—people’s ability to meet face-to-face,” he says. “And I would expect that businesses would seek those opportunities out in the future.” As CES moves forward, the convention plans to take precautions to mitigate the virus’ spread. Participants must wear masks at all times, show proof of full vaccination and are requested to get a COVID test at least 24 hours before entering CES’ venues. Attendees will receive a complimentary rapid test when they pick up their badges, and free tests will also be available for international travelers before they head home.  In each of the past 26 years, Las Vegas has been named the world’s No. 1 trade show destination by the Trade Show News Network. “The convention sector is extremely important to the overall tourism industry in Las Vegas,” Gordon says. “Convention-related travel supports midweek hotel demand throughout the Las Vegas area, and that provides a stabiliz-

ing force throughout the week and throughout the year.” During an average year, conventions and meetings make an economic impact of $11.4 billion on the Las Vegas Valley, according to the LVCVA. And in 2019, such events drew 6.6 million visitors to town and, Gordon says, resulted in $6.5 billion in local spending. An economic impact report from LVCVA shows convention visitor spending also supported more than 43,000 jobs and $2 billion in wages in 2019. In 2020, convention attendance understandably plummeted to 1.7 million. But after months of lockdown, cancellations and

uncertainty, June 2021 marked a return for Las Vegas conventions, beginning with World of Concrete, which drew some 650 exhibitors and an undisclosed number of attendees to the LVCC. That space has hosted 43 conventions since, according to Nelson-Kraft—not that far off from the 54 conventions that took place in pre-pandemic 2019. “We’re still in unprecedented times,” Nelson-Kraft says. “What’s been terrific to see is how enthusiastic businesses have been to get back to getting deals done in person. With time, convention attendance numbers will continue to improve.” At press time, the LVCC had 45 conventions on the books for 2022, but, Nelson-Kraft reminds, that calendar remains “fluid.” The LVCC’s $1 billion West Hall expansion, which added 1.4 million square feet to the existing space, should bolster business by enabling the complex to host additional shows. Las Vegas’ convention economy extends well beyond the LVCC

Notable Upcoming Conventions CES (January 5-7, Las Vegas Convention Center) World of Concrete (January 18-20, LVCC) MAGIC (February 14-17, LVCC) LVL UP Expo (February 25-27, LVCC) Bar & Restaurant Expo (March 21-23, LVCC) International Pizza Expo (March 22-24, LVCC) NAB Show (April 23-27, LVCC) CinemaCon (April 25-28, Caesars Palace) Def Con 30 (August 11-14, Caesars Forum) Reptile Supershow (September 10-11, LVCC) Global Gaming Expo (October 10-13, Venetian Expo)

1.6.22

LV W N E W S

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(Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

N E W S

itself. The LVCVA’s convention calendar lists more than 100 meetings and conventions slated to take place in Southern Nevada in 2022 at various spaces around town, including the new Expo at World Market Center, which opened this past April. Big-name annual conventions such as World of Concrete, Bar & Restaurant Expo, Global Gaming Expo and MAGIC fashion trade show are all set to return to town this year. “We are thrilled [to be coming back],” says Kelly Helfman, president of the company that produces MAGIC, Informa Markets Fashion. “We have had to pivot and adapt to promote the safest environments possible, but it is worthwhile to ensure our industry is able to reconnect in person. The fashion industry is a very tactile one—people want to see and feel fabrics, and physical platforms are vital to that.” Some of those adaptations, Helfman says, include enforcing mask wearing and widening exhibit floor aisles for social distancing. Gordon suggests we’ll see an uptick in convention visitors once businesses grow more comfortable hosting events again. “But,” he says, “like we’ve seen over the last 22 months, things can ebb and flow based on any number of factors, including the COVID-19 health issue that we continue to face.” Adapting quickly remains key, and Gordon commends resort operators for doing so. “[They] have become very creative and thoughtful about how they go about their day-to-day business.” he says. “They all have implemented health and safety measures with the objective of protecting not only their guests, but their employees. “I think we’ll continue to see their creativity and ability to navigate the new market realities. And ultimately, we would expect to see convention related travel come back to its pre-COVID levels.”

T H E

1.6.22

FADING OUT

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

S T R I P

Impossibly, it’s time to say goodbye to the Mirage

THE INCIDENTAL TOURIST

C U L T U R E

BY BROCK RADKE

(Shutterstock/ Photo Illustration)

ast month’s announcement that Hard Rock Entertainment and MGM Resorts International have reached a deal that will transform the Mirage into a new Hard Rock Las Vegas hotel and casino may have flown below the radar a bit. The Super Bowl is coming to Las Vegas in 2024, which was announced at approximately the same time, and another COVID surge during the holiday season was obviously making big news, too. Hard Rock is acquiring the operations of the Mirage for $1.075 billion in one of the most significant Strip transactions in years. Seminole Gaming owns the Hard Rock resort brand, and this endeavor will mark the first time a tribal gaming company will run a casino resort on the Strip. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2022, and then all eyes will be on the historic property between Caesars Palace and Treasure Island, waiting to watch this evolution take shape. Hard Rock is planning to build a new hotel tower shaped like a guitar, just like the one that opened in 2019 in Holly-

wood, Florida. This will not be just a rebranding; the entire 77-acre site at center Strip will be overhauled, and all 3,000 hotel rooms will be gutted and remodeled. The Mirage will disappear, and a Hard Rock Hotel very different from the one that opened east of the Strip in 1995 will take its place. Now that we’ve had a few weeks to catch up on this Vegas news and process the announcement, I’m noticing a lot more friends and colleagues posting and commenting and texting about it. And most are having the same emotional reaction I had when I first heard the news—we don’t want this to happen. Hard Rock is a great brand, and many of us still hold fondness for its first Vegas casino, now Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. It will be exciting to see how the new version elevates the experience and how it complements the landscape on Las Vegas Boulevard. A guitar-shaped hotel fits here better than anywhere else. But this is the Mirage we’re talking about. For Vegas fans and followers of my generation, the Mirage marked the beginning, the foundation of every-

thing Las Vegas has become. When Steve Wynn opened its doors in 1989, the Mirage changed the way casino-resorts are developed, funded and executed, laying out the blueprint for more megaresorts and the Strip boom that followed. Beyond that, it was the first modern Vegas experience that expanded far beyond gambling and traditional entertainment. There was so much more to see and do at the Mirage, which is probably why we are more emotionally attached to this building than past generations were to the Sahara or Stardust or Riviera. Certainly, clientele of those classic casinos were sad to see them go, but this impending loss feels heightened because of the richness of the experience at the Mirage through the years. It’s difficult to imagine the Strip without the erupting volcano, the rainforest atrium, the dolphin habitat and the lions and tigers at Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden. These are definitive pieces of Las Vegas that have nothing to do with slot machines. In 1993, Cirque du Soleil performed for the first time on the Strip in a parking-lot tent at the Mirage. That led to Wynn enlisting the creation of Mystère for Treasure Island and set Cirque on its current course. We don’t know what will happen to Cirque’s incredible The Beatles Love, running at the Mirage since 2006, although it seems like a solid fit for the new Hard Rock. We don’t know what will happen to the volcano or the tigers, either. MGM Resorts will retain the brand and name and could create a new Mirage resort, in Las Vegas or some other place. As familiar as we are with this kind of change on the Strip, this one hits different.

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

1.6.22 KASKADE January 7, 10:30 p.m., $30-$50. Omnia, 702212-8804, hakkasan group.com.

Kaskade at Omnia (Sammy Dean/Courtesy)

N I G H T S

BY BROCK RADKE

hen Las Vegas last saw Kaskade, he was punctuating the summer’s comeback with a surprising Electric Daisy Carnival set, spinning classic techno and house. He’s back to pump up CES week with a gig at Omnia, having returned to Hakkasan Group venues last year following his 2019 residency at KAOS at the Palms. Now, after a year that saw him return to the road for some epic events like the first concert at LA’s new SoFi Stadium, the influential DJ and producer says he’s focused on the future and putting out a lot of new music.

The nature of the genre is to plow forward, and right when you think you have a handle on it and it’s in a comfortable spot, it’s already moved on. I suppose you played around with that progressive approach by revisiting your Fire & Ice album on its 10th anniversary. I

C U L T U R E

What was it like to come back for EDC and how did you decide to do what you did with that set?

I think EDC is so massive with so many people, it can already be overwhelming, but to be back for that event and to see all these old friends and hang out in the artists’ lounge … I haven’t seen Eric Prydz in two years. All the COVID protocols went out the door, and it was bear hugs all around. What I discovered when I was back on the road playing all those shows leading up to EDC is that during the lockdown, I was in the studio, still working and writing music, so for the first shows I was sort of pummeling everyone with all this new music. I felt like I was overshooting, because I was just so excited to be back. Once we got into a rhythm, it was like everyone wants to hear the jams, familiar stuff, and when I start playing that, the energy is through the roof. So it was a ton of nostalgia and classic tracks, and by the time I got to EDC, I felt the need to turn the page … and go into some new space. The majority of people enjoyed it, but I think I caught a lot of people by surprise.

PUSHING

FORWARD

Kaskade returns to the Strip, forging ahead with fresh sounds Do you feel like you’re still in that forward-looking mindset now, musically speaking? I was

thinking about how we roll all of it together as, for lack of a better term, the sound of EDM, and I think we’ve turned the corner. There’s a lot of different things out there. The sound has been maturing in the underground for a

while now since it first rose to a more prominent space in popularity and had that moment where it crossed over with the likes of David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia and other acts. There’s just something about electronic music that makes it so forward-leaning, so this is just bound to happen, it can’t stay in one space for too long.

started out [redoing the album] as a mashup and then realized, this is stupid, because I’m having a show to celebrate the originality of this record and I should be playing it in its original form. Then I thought, what if I re-recorded this thing? It didn’t start out as a big thing; I just phoned a few friends and asked, “Could you come over and sing this?” Everyone we reached out to was into it, and it turned into a fun way to reapproach the old catalog. What kind of output can we expect this year? I’m just starting

to work on a new album, and when I say that, that’s literally me speaking it into existence. It’s been a while since I’ve had a new album come out, so that’s my biggest priority, and there will probably be an EP in the first or second quarter. I have other big stuff on the horizon, a whole new project I’m in that I’m actually not prepared to talk about, but coming out of [the pandemic] I’m more devoted and focused on doing the stuff I really, truly love. It sounds a little ridiculous coming from my mouth, someone who makes a living doing what I love, but sometimes I love it so much it’s easy to say yes to everything and then I get caught up spinning my wheels.

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1.6.22

WALT HALEIGH

NOISE

Get to know a Vegas-based songwriter striking out on his own Backstory: Walt Haleigh, 30, started playing music at age 7, when he got his first drum kit. The singer-songwriter went on to play in bands—until recently. “I was at a point in my life where I was like, I just want to rely on myself …And it’s proven to be a great reset for me.” Sound: Haleigh draws inspiration from a melting pot of music. On “Woman So Fine,” he channels the country of Waylon Jennings. On “Not Afraid No More,” he embodies the psychedelic soul of My Morning Jacket’s Jim James. Man of 100 songs: Prior to the pandemic, Haleigh lived in LA, where a producer challenged him to write 100 songs to sharpen his skills. The artist started with one song a week, but soon, he Linktr.ee/ was writing several a day. That exercise led to a therapeutic debut album, which WaltHaleigh Haleigh recorded in his parents’ Las Vegas basement. “The last song is more of a letter to myself,” he says. “It’s a refresher of me moving back to Vegas and refinding yourself when you’ve been trying to find yourself in other people this whole time.” Next up: Haleigh already has another album’s worth of songs ready to go. He says he also intends to release music he recorded with his co-producers under the name Arnold, Benton, Smith, and plans to play shows in Las Vegas, LA and Arizona. –Amber Sampson

WALT HALEIGH

(Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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1.6.22

Ossetra caviar (Le Cirque at Bellagio/ Courtesy)

PERMANENT RELEVANCE Le Cirque at Bellagio remains an elite experience

C U L T U R E

BY BROCK RADKE

LE CIRQUE Bellagio, 702-693-8100. Thursday-Saturday, 5-10 p.m.

1.6.22

O.Onigiri’s shrimp tempura onigiri (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

MEET YOUR NEW

SNACK ADDICTION tamagoyaki-style egg, teriyaki sauce and furikake wrapped in crisp nori; and the kimchi version ($6.75), with veggie Spam, egg and crisp, sour kimchi. Other filling options include fried oysters, shrimp salad or shrimp tempura, softshell crab, unagi, or crunchy and savory chicken or pork katsu. Though Spam is a base for the onigiri, you can order yours without it. The curry potato croquette ($7.50) is a particularly fantastic meatless choice. O.Onigiri serves other savory small bites like spinach or pork gyoza ($6) and the battered octopus balls known as takoyaki ($6), along with various flavors of mochi ice cream for dessert. It’s a neat little eatery usually full of young people, so hit it when it first opens or in the late afternoon if you don’t want to wait for your onigiri sampling session, whether or not you’re down with the Spam. –Brock Radke

O.ONIGIRI 4258 Spring Mountain Road #102, 702-844-8857. Daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

D R I N K

n Commonly found at Hawaiian barbecue joints and island-style plate-lunch eateries all around town, the Spam musubi is one of my all-time favorite snacks. It’s also one of those if you know, you know food experiences. I suppose the infamous canned cooked pork product is still a bit polarizing, and maybe not everybody loves a mound of steamed white rice as much as I do. The latest snack shop in Chinatown has been built around the Japanese version of the musubi, and takes its name from this tasty morsel, too. Located in the increasingly busy and scrumptious Shanghai Plaza on Spring Mountain, O.Onigiri tacks on that extra “o” to represent Okinawa, the fifth-largest island of Japan, where these bites are most popular. The biggest-selling onigiri here are the classic ($5.50), a rectangle of rice, Spam,

dining restaurants, staying relevant amid Las Vegas’ constant evolution. Now open for dinner three nights a week with new chef Dameon Evers (Bouchon Beverly Hills, Gordon Ramsay West Hollywood, the Michelin-starred Angler in LA) at the helm and a space that absolutely sparkles, Le Cirque has to be at the top of the 2022 list for devoted Vegas diners. Evers’ menu offerings include the six-course “discovery” for $288; a vegetarian six-course menu also at $288; a full 10-course tasting for $388; and a pre-theater threecourse quickie for $128. Wine pairings are available and recommended at an additional $128, or $178 for the 10-course “Le Prestige.” Each dish was my favorite. There’s a soothing play on risotto featuring Koshihikari pearl rice, white truffles and fondue of aged comte and Parmesan. Beautifully delicate kinmedai (golden eye snapper) floats on a cloud of yogurt with flavors of lime, mint, and a subtle swarnadwipa curry spice mix. Hudson Valley foie gras torchon is impossibly light with a flaky layer of almond-hued Pain de Gênes, and Mishima ribeye brings rich umami with bordelaise sauce and smoked beet. Combining different elements on each dish is a magical experience. I need to return to try the ricotta gnudi, Hawaiian kampachi and red kuri squash velouté. But I can’t delay, nor should you. Le Cirque Las Vegas is back, and it’s not just an amazing meal—it’s the continuation of a leading legacy in hospitality.

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F O O D

he pandemic has taught several lessons to those of us who love restaurants, including a not-so-gentle reminder that we should not put off until tomorrow what we can do today. You are not promised another visit to your favorite restaurant. You are not promised a later chance to try that brilliant culinary experience you’ve been hearing about in a fancy casino on the Las Vegas Strip. In October, one of the most celebrated restaurants in the history of dining reopened its Vegas outpost after a 19-month closure. Le Cirque has been a Bellagio fixture since the resort debuted in 1998, and its intimate, whimsical dining room and sophisticated French cuisine grew even more significant when its New York flagship shuttered in 2018. There had been plans to relocate to a new NYC location, but the double-punch of the pandemic and the April 2020 death of the legendary Sirio Maccioni have cast clouds of uncertainty. (Le Cirque also has restaurants at Leela Palace resorts in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru plus the Ritz-Carlton in Dubai.) Though I’ve written about Vegas restaurants for nearly 20 years, I’d somehow never dined at Le Cirque until December 9, 2021—clearly, a ridiculous mistake. There were times, before and during the pandemic, when I suspected it might close and be converted into something else for Bellagio visitors. But throughout its history, Le Cirque has remained one of the Strip’s best-loved fine

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1.6.22

KELSEY PLUM

FRANCIS NGANNOU

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

(AP Photo/ Photo Illustration)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS JULIAN STRAWTHER

C U L T U R E

CRYSTAL

BALL Predictions for the year ahead in Las Vegas sports BY CASE KEEFER From new professional teams to entrenched local favorites, 2022 will surely deliver another slate of big moments and stories in the world of Las Vegas sports. Here’s one prediction for each of the 12 months ahead.

UNLV FOOTBALL January: The Raiders just miss the postseason, prompting owner Mark Davis to clean house by relieving both interim coach Rich Bisaccia and general manager Mike Mayock. After a failed run at Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Davis hires Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll as the Raiders’ next coach. It’s a terrific get, given what Daboll has done with Buffalo’s once-limited offense during the past two seasons, and he will receive some say on which general manager is brought in. February: Jack Eichel debuts for the Vegas Golden Knights slightly ahead of schedule coming off his neck surgery, and he plays alongside several

different forwards in his first few weeks as coach Pete DeBoer tinkers to find his preferred lineups. Even if the chemistry isn’t immediate, Eichel helps Vegas pull away for its third Pacific Division title in five years. March: Liberty High graduate Julian Strawther becomes a March Madness legend, continuing his breakout sophomore campaign by leading Gonzaga through the NCAA Tournament to its second straight Final Four appearance. This time, Bulldogs finish the job and win the national championship. April: Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is the first name called at the 2022 NFL

Draft on the Las Vegas Strip. Reports indicate the Jacksonville Jaguars are torn between Thibodeaux and Michigan counterpart Aidan Hutchinson for the first overall pick, but they ultimately settle on the former. NFL commissioner Roger Goddell makes the announcement from a stage set up within the Fountains of Bellagio, and Thibodeaux is ferried across the water to shake his hand. May: The Golden Knights beat their first two Stanley Cup Playoff opponents, the Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers, in six games or less but encounter trouble in the Western Conference Finals. The Colorado Avalanche get revenge after last year’s upset ouster by Vegas,

1.6.22

sending the Golden Knights home one round short of the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season. June: The Vegas Knight Hawks follow in the footsteps of their Foley Entertainment Group siblings, the Golden Knights, and reach the playoffs in their inaugural Indoor Football League season at Dollar Loan Center. The Knight Hawks don’t quite reach the finals as the Golden Knights did, but they build momentum for their second season.

August: The Aces enter the WNBA Playoffs as the overall No. 1 seed and leave behind the postseason failings of yesteryear. They win the title in their fifth season in Las Vegas behind the lethal inside-out combo of Kelsey Plum and A’ja Wilson. The former shows last year’s breakout was no one-off, as she becomes every bit as invaluable as the latter face of the franchise. September: UNLV’s football team shocks California in Week 2 of the college football season to pick up a victory over a power-conference team and give third-year coach Marcus Arroyo his first signature win. The Rebels show flashes of that

45I

RAIDERS Report

early strong play the rest of the year—though not in a blowout October road trip at Notre Dame—but ultimately finish 5-7 to come up short of bowl eligibility for the ninth straight season. October: Kyle Busch picks up a second victory in his hometown, and first since 2008, when he prevails in the South Point 400 NASCAR playoff race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The victory helps put the 37-year-old Durango High graduate into the Cup series’ all-important championship final four and breaks a tie with older brother Kurt Busch, who also has one Cup win in Las Vegas. November: The yet-again young, retooled Raiders start to show progress late in the season, but they’re too far behind in the NFL’s toughest division to make a real playoff push. The AFC West, already difficult with quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs and Justin Herbert’s Chargers present, gets significantly more so when future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers is traded to the Broncos in the offseason. December: Las Vegas’ National Lacrosse League team debuts at Michelob Ultra Arena and makes an immediate mark through the combination of affordable tickets and the spectator-friendly speed of the box lacrosse game. Community outreach efforts can’t help but succeed given billionaire majority owner Joe Tsai’s passion for the sport and partner Wayne Gretzky’s celebrity.

Las Vegas’ Daniel Carlson (2) kicks the game-winning field goal January 2 against the Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photo/ Photo Illustration)

n Last Week: Raiders 23, Colts 20 There’s a new entry in the conversation for the Raiders’ best win of the year, after Las Vegas kept its playoff hopes alive by beating what was arguably the hottest team in the AFC. Against the Raiders’ defense, Indianapolis’ offense never got going to the extent it had during a 6-1 stretch coming into the game. About half of Las Vegas’ defensive starters were on the COVID-19 list to start the week but came back to help hold the Colts to less than 5 yards per play. The Raiders’ offense did just enough to secure the win, including a late 24-yard pass from Derek Carr to Hunter Renfrow that was initially called a touchdown but overturned to set up a game-winning field goal from kicker Daniel Carlson. n This Week: Chargers (9-7) at Raiders (9-7) When: Sunday, January 9, 5:20 p.m. Where: Allegiant Stadium TV: NBC (Channel 3) Radio: 920-AM, 92.3-FM Betting line: Chargers -3, over/under 48.5 n Matchup: The playoffs come early this year in the NFL, with the final game of the regular season doubling as an elimination contest. The league moved the Chargers at Raiders to the Sunday Night Football slot, because it’s the only game on the schedule with direct playoff implications. The Raiders have won three straight to get into this position, while the Chargers have lost two of three to let their stranglehold on a wild-card spot slip. LA handed Las Vegas its first loss of the season in Week 4 at SoFi Stadium, a mostly noncompetitive 28-14 victory. The Chargers’ defense hasn’t played as well late in the season, but the offense remains formidable behind prolific second-year quarterback Justin Herbert.

n Raider to Watch: Edge rusher Maxx Crosby Las Vegas must take Herbert out of his comfort zone with constant pressure. Luckily for the Raiders, they have one of the best players in the NFL at creating constant pressure this season. Crosby didn’t get a sack against the Colts, but he was in quarterback Carson Wentz’s face consistently to alter the game. Pro Football Focus grades Crosby as the second-best edge rusher in the NFL this season, behind only Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. Herbert has been one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks under pressure since arriving in the league, but Crosby can be inescapable when he’s at his best. –Case Keefer

S P O R T S

July: Local UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, after edging former teammate Ciryl Gane in a unification bout in January, gets the megafight he wants against former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones as the headliner of International Fight Week. The bout lives up to the considerable hype and long wait, with Ngannou enduring early trouble to knock out Jones in the third round.

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1.6.22

TOURISM

LED video has become a big part of the Vegas experience, but it’s becoming almost a necessity for anyone who wants to deliver a message in a captivating way.”

Q+A: DOUG GREEN

AT NEWEST STRIP RESORT, SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON TRUSTFALL PRODUCTION GROUP

BY VEGAS INC STAFF hen it comes to creating a nightlife experience in Las Vegas, the bar is high. So when the first major resort opened on the Strip in more than a decade, the team at Trustfall Production Group had its work cut out for it with Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World. “Nightclubs are some of the most fun and challenging projects in our industry, so we really had a lot of fun being a part of that project,” said Doug Green, president of Trustfall. “In order to stand out, you have to think of new ways to do things that people have never seen before. So with Zouk, we built elements like a video ceiling over the Capital Bar, automated video pods over the main room and even installed fine pixel pitch in the entryway ceiling that elevates the entrance to stand out in a way no other club here does.” Trustfall designed and installed all of the interactive large-format LED displays throughout the interior of Resorts World, an assignment befitting the name for a company launched amid a pandemic. Resorts World is your highest-profile partner, but where else can we see your work, or where else might we be able to in the future? We are in negotiations with several other prominent Las Vegas

properties and well-known businesses to integrate LED video, but we like to let the work do the talking. Besides Resorts World, you can see our work in the MGM Grand at Losers Bar; Icon Park in Orlando, Florida; (Nissan) Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee; and several large places of worship across the country, just to name a few. We also have a live event side of the business where we provide production and support for arena shows, concerts, corporate events and trade shows. What specific piece of work has the most personal significance to you? Zouk will always be one of my favorite projects that we’ve done, as my start as an entrepreneur was owning nightclubs and bars. There was so much technical creativity, from ceiling automation to managing the volume of video, where the back-end support is equally as challenging as the installation itself. I will always enjoy projects that push the creative boundaries and challenge us. Discuss your work from a historical perspective. These aren’t Grecian statues that will be admired for centuries, and yet it’s still a visual appeal that attracts tourists and helps drive commerce, right? LED video has become a big part of the Vegas experience, but it’s becoming almost a necessity for anyone who wants to deliver a message in

Doug Green, president of Trustfall Production Group (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

a captivating way. Regardless of whatever the message is, we enjoy working closely with our clients to come up with a truly unique and creative way that may not last centuries, but will definitely stand the test of time. Describe your management style. How did you refine your management approach? I like to give our staff the ability to have autonomy in their work as much as possible. I believe that people take more pride in their work, and put forth more effort when they

feel that they get to “own” some part of a project. It also allows our management to know who is naturally a self-starter and who needs to be told what to do. What is your dream job, outside of your current field? Architect. I have always had a passion for architecture, which is one of the reasons that I enjoy what we do. We work closely with architects and contractors to find a way to add to the architecture of the space, rather than make it look like an afterthought.

1.6.22

VegasInc Giving Notes Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth announced the culmination of its Housing Expansion Campaign, exceeding the goal of $500,000 with $675,000 generated through the funding push that began in February 2019. Major investments of $200,000 from Las Vegas Sands and a $100,000 community matching grant from the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation led the campaign to rally the Las Vegas community around addressing the lack of housing capacity for homeless youths. HELP of Southern Nevada and Junior League of Las Vegas teamed up to assemble 2,500 nonperishable food bags for families and individuals in need. The annual “Done in a Day” event is dedicated to providing a complete meal for more than 1,000 prequalified families. ResCare Community Living of Las Vegas donated $5,000 to Three Square to help address hunger during the holidays. ResCare employees also volunteered to distribute meals and food items to those in need. Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada hosted its 56th consecutive

free Thanksgiving community meal to roughly 1,000 homeless and vulnerable men, women and children in its newly renovated St. Lied Vincent Dining Facility. Gov. Steve Sisolak also made an appearance at the event and helped other volunteers serve meals. Additionally, Catholic Charities received $150,000 from Behavioral Health Nevada. Funds donated will go toward efforts to assist in housing individuals who are chronically homeless. Nevada Gold Mines donated more than $780,000 to various nonprofits throughout Nevada thanks to 1,900 employees engaged with the Heritage Fund, its charitable workplace giving program that supports the communities where employees live and operate. The program allows employees to contribute to nonprofit organizations of their choice. In its inaugural year, the Heritage Fund contributed to 580 nonprofit organizations. NGM kicked off the fund in December 2020 with an initial $25 gift to employees to start their giving accounts. The company matches all donations made by employees to qualified nonprofits at 120%.

The UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law announced a $1 million endowment for its externship program thanks to a gift from Sam and Lexy Lionel. This gift will establish the Samuel S. Lionel Externship Program, which recognizes Lionel’s contributions to the Las Vegas legal community and provides support to Boyd students as they gain practical experience in the externship program. CREW Las Vegas donated $6,695 to the local nonprofit Project Marilyn to the help end period poverty. The Picerne Family Charitable Foundation donated $10,000 to Serving Our Kids Foundation. In addition, Ford Country, Ocean Spray and Don & Dee Snyder Elementary School assisted with a recent food drive for the nonprofit, and National Charity League, Young Men’s Service League and Green Valley Kiwanis also helped with bagging weekend meal bags. The 2021 Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada Pro Bono Awards ceremony recognized more than a dozen attorneys and law firms for their commitment to pro bono service, including Jason Onello of Robbins & Onello, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year; Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year; Cheryl Moss, Lied Award for Most Pro Bono Cases by an Attorney; and Robert P. Dickerson of the

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Dickerson Karacsonyi Law Group, Lied Award Most Pro Bono Hours by an Attorney. Additional winners from the event include: Lied Award Most Pro Bono Cases by a Law Firm – Lewis Roca; Lied Award Most Pro Bono Hours by a Law Firm – Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; Ask-ALawyer Community Commitment Award – Sagar Raich; Public Interest Law Student of Distinction – Greer Sullivan; Volunteer Education Advocate Award – Jordan Schuck; Myrna Williams Children’s Pro Bono Award – Atif Sheikh; Louis Wiener Pro Bono Service Award – Alyssa Aklestad; and Vince Consul Memorial Pro Bono Award – Maggie McLetchie and Adam Hosmer-Henner. Last year, hundreds of volunteer attorneys served more than 4,700 clients through Legal Aid Center’s Pro Bono Project. With support from underwriters Icy Hot and the Howard Hughes Corporation, Shaquille O’Neal made good on his promise to ensure that 100 youths from West Las Vegas received laptops. On December 11, Las Vegas Councilman Cedric Crear, Ward 5, city of Las Vegas, was joined by Danielle Bisterfeldt, senior vice president of marketing for Summerlin, to distribute Dell laptops at the Shaq Courts at Doolittle, 951 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Mead Law Group donated $10,000 to the local St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital - Nevada.

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