FEATURES

By NINA KING

Barry Manilow brings a lifetime of entertainment to Westgate stage

When you are talking about Barry Manilow’s accomplishments, it’s hard to know quite where to start. You could begin in New York in the 1960s, when he started in his teens, turning out a score for a play. You might end in the 2020s, where he has a multiyear residency at Westgate Las Vegas. But there’s so much in between to touch on.

That first play score was at his CBS job, where he was soon writing and singing jingles for commercials, and that’s where many fans first heard his voice, in Band-Aid and State Farm ads. That era ended as Manilow was signed to his first record company, and his work there led to his performing with Bette Midler and album releases throughout the ’70s, with his first No. 1 hit, “Mandy,” in 1975, which embedded itself in fans’ consciousness.

Manilow’s star continued to shine with albums like Tryin’ to Get the Feeling (with “I Write the Songs”); This One’s for You (with “Looks Like We Made It”); and Even Now (with “Copacabana” and “Ready to Take a Chance Again);” TV specials; touring and selling out concerts. He had much success throughout the rest of the decade, culminating in a Greatest Hits album. He released another 12 albums in the 1980s and ’90s, playing with different styles, from swing and show tunes to ’70s covers. In betwixt those albums, he did so much more, producing albums for stars like Midler, Dionne Warwick, Nancy Wilson and Sarah Vaughn.

When he entered the new millennium, Manilow also entered a new age of residencies, in Las Vegas in particular, where he played at the Paris in a long-running engagement, and on the International Theater stage, where his Westgate residency continues this week. An extension of Manilow: Las Vegas—The Hits Come Home into 2023 was announced last fall, complete with a flash mob dancing to “Copacabana” in front of the resort. (That extension means he’ll have appeared there more than Elvis Presley!) At the time, Manilow said, “I love it here. Westgate Las Vegas is my home away from home and I look forward to performing here for a long, long time.”

When you attend one of those shows at the Westgate, you are in for a treat, because Manilow touches on all those eras in The Hits Come Home. Not only will you hear “Mandy” and “Copacabana,” as well as many other songs, you’ll be treated to a retrospective, where Manilow talks a bit about the phases in his career. In addition, videos, dancers, singers and an ascending catwalk that stretches over the audience all contribute to this production, which has the feel of a mini-Broadway show.

And that all adds up to a great time, not only for the Barry faithful known as Fanilows, but to anyone who enters the theater.

Westgate Las Vegas 800.745.30000 Ticketmaster

BY KEN MILLER

Kick off a great Super Bowl experience

With the NFL expanding the regular season by one game, Super Bowl weekend now falls in

mid-February, giving fans a little extra time to plan their ideal weekend in Las Vegas. And as

you can probably guess, the options are mind-boggling in their variety. No matter where you

look, there’s a memorable viewing experience waiting for you and your friends.

At Mandalay Bay, choose from packages at the Foundation Room, House of Blues Restaurant & Bar and Music Hall. Foundation Room packages range from the ’89 49ers package ($600 for up to four guests) to the End Zone package ($3,600 for up to 18 guests), all featuring personal TV living room areas complete with plush seating and food and beverage options like sliders, wings, West Coast oysters, 18-ounce bone-in ribeyes and much more. The Restaurant & Bar has two tiers: Reserved premium seating directly in front of the big screen for $250; and reserved seating for $200. And Music Hall has an all-you-can-eat package starting at $70, with favorites like wings, pork sliders and Angus sliders. (All-you-can-drink packages can be added for an additional price.)

Over at Luxor, HyperX Arena’s stateof-the-art LED video wall will be used for maximum effect while fans enjoy a la carte bites like loaded nachos, pepperoni pizza bites, Philly cheese steaks, double beef patty burgers, chicken wings, and more. All seats are $100, which features an open bar through the third quarter. There are also VIP lounges available, which include consoles and PCs for those long waits between quarters or injury timeouts.

Over at The Cromwell, Drai’s keeps the Super Bowl party going all weekend long, starting with concerts at Drai’s Nightclub

Cabo Wabo Cantina

Wiz Khalifa

Tailgate Social

by w Khalifa on Feb. 11, 2 Chainz on Feb. 12, and Gucci Mane on Feb. 13, directly after the viewing party at Drai’s After Hours. The viewing party features a full menu of food and drink options. Be sure to reserve a table, as this event is bound to be in high demand!

Palace Station’s Tailgate Social promises a great view no matter where you sit, thanks to 30 high-definition TVs. Food options include wings, nachos and burgers, as well as a 4-foot stromboli for large groups. Themed cocktails like the Fumble Rumble (Bombay Sapphire gin, ginger, blackberries and lemon) and the Hall of Famer (Frey Ranch bourbon, Stirrings Old Fashioned mix, bitters and cinnamon) are sure to get you in the spirit of the occasion.

Cabo Wabo Cantina at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort features an all-you-can-eat-and-drink viewing party for $250 per person. Munch on homemade guacamole and chips and house margaritas to your heart’s content.

Over at Sahara Las Vegas, both Azilo Ultra Pool and Chickie’s & Pete’s offer packages ranging from $60 to $600. At Azilo, the 240-foot LED video wall offers a premium open bar and an all-you-can-eat menu including pizzas, mussels in Sicilian sauce and the Crabfries. At Chickie’s & Pete’s, pricing starts at $125 per person and includes a premium open bar and the bar’s famous menu.

Head to Circa Resort & Casino, where the massive sportsbook hosts a big party with multiple viewing areas of the 78-million-pixel screen. Outside at Stadium Swim, find another huge party with lots of packages and a 14-million-pixel LED screen.

At Resorts World Las Vegas, choose from a wide variety of packages, including an unlimited food and drink menu for $200 at the Dawg House.

Over at The Cosmopolitan, STK Steakhouse offers all-you-can-eat-and-drink specials starting at $349 (highlights include beef and tuna tartare, wagyu beef sliders and the End Zone Burger), all while enjoying the game on 70-inch high-definition TVs.

Chickie’s & Pete’s

Rich Robinson

Chris Robinson

By Brock Radke

Black Crowes flying into Vegas for new shows

The reunited Black Crowes had so much fun bringing their 30th anniversary Shake Your Money Maker tour to the House of Blues in Las Vegas in November, they’re coming back for more. Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson and their band will be back at the Mandalay Bay music hall Feb. 11-12, reigniting their fans’ passion for a uniquely soulful brand of blues-rock. In this conversation from those fall 2021 shows, Chris Robinson spoke about returning to live shows after the pandemic delayed the Crowes’ comeback, creating new music with his lifelong writing partner and brother, and lots more.

What was it like to finally get out on the road again and fulfill these tour plans?

A global killer virus will dampen any weekend, to say the least, so of course it was a lot. By the time Rich and I were on the same page to do it and we put a great band together … and then to put it on the back burner (because of the pandemic), that was frustrating. But it’s not like only our band had to deal with it; it’s been so tough for millions of people. To finally get out there and do exactly what we wanted to do—all the loud guitars in this era where there’s a lack of rock ’n’ roll—to do something that’s really alive and kind of woolly and wild, it’s amazing.

The Black Crowes have never really revisited this material like this. How does it feel to really dig into these songs that are so beloved by fans 30 years later?

We are a band that has spent a lot of time experimenting and being expansive in what we wanted our presentation to be, to put our passion and energy into focusing on playing “Shake Your Money Maker” every night, it just feels like we got better every night. And what a different mindset, not just to celebrate that record, but to have this new entrance into what we’ve been through. It’s a celebration of all the things Rich and I have done.

What drives that ambition to sort of move away from some of your earliest material and continue to experiment?

We didn’t want to fall into the trap of making the same album many times over. That might work for some bands, but not others. The Rolling Stones never made the same record twice. During our time apart, Rich and I had in our own solo worlds, I wandered off into the hippie wilderness and Rich was doing his thing, and at some point, those things coalesced, and my interest came back to the rock ’n’ roll side of things. When we started out, we felt passionate about something that was not very cool in 1989, and it was about what we were going to do in the face of all that other (stuff) that was going on in music. And I think we kind of feel like that again.

You’ve been working with your brother on new music as well, and that has fans wondering if there will be a new Black Crowes album. What kind of sounds are you coming up with?

We’ve written some songs but I think our focus is still on (the tour). We’re sitting on some tunes and we’re going to write more, but we don’t have plans to make a record. It’s very cool stuff. In a sense, doing “Shake Your Money Maker” again opened it up, got us thinking, let’s just have fun and do it while we still can, make music that has this kind of energy.

How has your creative process changed through the years?

No matter what we’ve been through, the writing is always just me and (Rich). There weren’t other guys or producers around; we were always left to our own to do the composition, and that would be the time we never really argued or got into fights. Rich plays me something that sparks something or inspires me, and it can be any little thing that dictates where the lyrics and melodies come from. That’s just always been there for us, and we’re lucky that way.

House of Blues at Mandalay Bay | 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster

For Luke Bryan fans, all dirt roads lead to the Strip this month (Feb. 11-12,16, 18-20, 23 & 25-26) for the kickoff of the reigning king of country’s new residency, Luke Bryan: Vegas. Bryan joins a roster of A-list headliners with extended engagements at The Resorts World Theatre including Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Michael Bublé, placing him in the pantheon of popular music’s top entertainers. His ascension comes without compromise, and Bryan seems to be handling it with customary ease.

The son of a Leesburg, Ga., peanut farmer who became an American Idol judge has become an American idol in his own right, with a 2021 five-part IMDb docuseries My Dirt Road Diary giving him even more exposure. Bryan has “it” like Elvis Presley had “it,” and is poised to rule in Las Vegas much like Presley did in his prime.

Luke Bryan follows path to debut residency at Resorts World

By Matt Kelemen

Bryan’s only problem is having more No. 1 hits than time to perform them all in one night. Still, his setlists will be career-spanning, from his first major single, 2007’s “All My Friends Say,” to his latest No. 1 Country Airplay hit, “Waves,” from last year’s Born Here Live Here Die Here album.

Bryan found his direction in life early, segueing from sports to singing by his mid-teens. His voice comfortably wrapped around songs by George Strait, Alan Jackson and Clint Black, whose 1989 hit “Killin’ Time” stoked his desire to become a musician. His older brother Chris Bryan’s breathless description of the audience’s enthusiastic response at a Garth Brooks concert cemented his desire to perform and similarly stir arenas full of fans.

Bryan began performing publicly backed by karaoke machines before he began meeting musicians

Resorts World Las Vegas

866.740.7111 or axs.com such as current lead guitarist and bandleader Michael Carter. A decision to take drama in his senior year of high school and performing in Annie Get Your Gun increased his performing confidence and made him stage savvy. His family was super supportive, but just as Bryan was ready to hit Nashville, Chris was killed in a car accident. Bryan decided to stay home and attend college until his father told him to pack his bags and get to Music City before it was too late.

Seasoned and serious, Bryan established himself as a songwriter before penning his own hits. He scored his first No. 1 in 2010 with

“Rain Is a Good Thing,” one of his personal favorites. The chart-toppers kept coming, with songs from current set closer “I Don’t Want This Night to End” from 2011 to 2020’s “One Margarita” and “Down to One,” each spending more than six months on the charts. He has a knack for painting vivid scenes lyrically as well as pumping out party anthems par excellence, and his creative well seems inexhaustible.

Luke Bryan: Vegas positions Bryan to take his career to the next level, expanding well beyond his huge country audience and firming up his stature as a mainstream star. Expect most every seat in the house at Resorts World Theatre to be filled with the possible exception of one. That would be reserved for Bryan’s late brother, the inspiration behind his latest single, “Songs You Never Heard.”

Chica

By Nina King

Get the maximum enjoyment at the corner of Spring Mountain Road and the Strip

If you’re in Vegas, you may now find you need to figure a few things out in advance, just to make your relaxing more … relaxing. And in Las Vegas Magazine’s ongoing Day Planner series, we’ll help you maximize your time. In this installment, we’ll talk some options if you are staying near Spring

Mountain Road and Las Vegas Boulevard South, where you could plan a different itinerary for every week of the year. Take a tip: Walking shoes are key, because although these places appear pretty close to each other, you’ll be getting plenty of exercise (allow 15 or 20 minutes between destinations for

FSLV—Fashion Show Las Vegas Mott 32

walking); and getting reservations and tickets early is a must for restaurants, shows and many attractions. 8 a.m.: Coffee, coffee, coffee! Head downstairs and grab a brew for you and your significant other at the hotel coffee shop or kiosk. If you are staying at The Palazzo, for instance, Illy Cafe is on the way to Restaurant Row, and the killer Go Greek yogurt place (opens at 9 a.m.) is right behind the escalators to the shopping complex in the same general area if you need a little morning pick-me-up. 9:45 a.m.: Head to your 10 a.m. brunch at Chica in The Venetian. This restaurant was remodeled this fall, with new décor reflecting a Miami vibe (Chica has locations in Miami and Aspen, Colo., currently) and new dishes. You’ll want to try out the eggs Benedict cazuela (pictured). With an 8:30 a.m. opening time, it’s tempting to make an early reservation and spend a little more quality time with a quality cocktail like the Bloody Mary, jazzed up with chipotle and ancho chili flavors. Really, though, all the cocktails are freaking good.

Noon-2 p.m.: We know, two hours is not enough time to do all the shopping you want, but it can get you started. Once you finish up brunch, sashay across the convenient pedestrian walkways past the Wynn’s gorgeous roses to FSLV—Fashion Show Las Vegas, where you’ll mosey through shops like the new Savage X Fenty, the intimates boutique that Rihanna recently helped introduce, swimwear shop Everything But Water, Coach, and bigger stores like Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstom and Saks Fifth Avenue. If you love those stogies, Davidoff of Geneva is right in the plaza, and putting a few in your pocket for later isn’t a bad idea.

The Golden Circle Sportsbook

2-3 p.m. Stash those shopping finds and put your feet up for half an hour, then head to Treasure Island to take the edge off your appetite.

3-6 p.m.: The Golden Circle

Sportsbook at Treasure Island is an excellent hybrid between a sports bar and book, with restaurant-style seating and something like 60 TVs. There’s plenty of space for social distancing, and even comfy VIP areas. While you’re checking out the sports teams Vegas now has plenty of, check out the massive nachos—they are seriously delish (cheese on every chip!) and way bigger than your head. 6-8 p.m.: Toddle down to The Mirage and let your eyes be dazzled by the free volcano eruption, on the hour starting at 7 p.m., (while it’s still here). 8-10 p.m.: Dinner, anyone? So many options, but for this trip, head back to The Palazzo, where Mott 32 gives you upscale Chinese cuisine. You might want to dress up here, as it is seriously cool, with a custom interior by lauded designer Joyce Wang. 10 p.m.-late, late, late: It’s your holiday, so late-night gaming is a good thing. Head back to your hotel— tables and gaming devices are wide open, and your cocktail servers will bring you a beverage. Remember to throw her or him a few bucks. 8 a.m.: Whattt? Is it the next day already? Durn.

Werk Room

Explore these hot spots to eat, drink

and be merry By Kiko Miyasato

When the Flamingo opened in 1946, it was a grand, three-day affair with celebrities and elite coming to Las Vegas to enjoy the most lavish casino-resort in the city. If you want to stand on a piece of the town’s great history—one that involved showgirls, mobsters, movies stars and more— then the Flamingo is a must visit. While the hotel and casino has been upgraded since its inception (it’s currently the oldest operating casino-hotel on the Las Vegas Strip), you can still feel the history within its walls. (And, oh, if those walls could talk!) A constant fun destination, the Flamingo offers tons of amenities, so we’ve narrowed it down for you and picked three of our favorite spots to grab a bite, have a cocktail and have some fun when on property.

It’s no secret that RuPaul’s Drag Race has become a powerhouse hit TV show—with everyone from family and friends to boyz and gurls sharing in the joy of watching the competition show. Luckily for Las Vegas visitors, the Flamingo houses the first-ever RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! production show starring many of the show’s favorite drag stars. While the show is a definite hot

spot, true fans will want to stop into The Werk Room. It’s a shopping destination absolutely filled with all things Drag Race and RuPaul. Shop show merchandise in addition to Anastasia Beverly Hills cosmetics, apparel with Mama Ru’s most famous sayings from the show, gifts and even RuPaul-branded chocolate bars.

Remember how we mentioned the Flamingo’s mob history? Well, relive it, in a way, with the kitschy entrance to the sophisticated restaurant Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse. While the venue is beautifully designed with various themed rooms for dining, one of the coolest features is how to get into the restaurant. You’ll come across a storefront and, inside, a “fake bakery.” The host will have to guide you through secret doors and pathways to get into the restaurant—all reminiscent of how the mob once entered establishments. Menu highlights include the gorgeous premium seafood tower, a curated collection of dry- and wet-aged steaks, wagyu braised short

Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse

Bird Bar ribs and a decadent chocolate banana dessert with layers of banana bread, devil’s food cake and milk chocolate mousse. Don’t miss the restaurant’s speakeasy— The Count Room where period décor pairs with handcrafted cocktails.

While Flamingo has watering holes aplenty, we suggest stopping by Bird Bar. It’s an awesome spot for people watching, as the spacious outdoor patio sits right on Las Vegas Boulevard South—so plenty of that Sin City foot traffic. It’s also a fun spot for groups that want to get down with some beer pong—multiple tables just beg for a friendly match. Sip on daily specials like buckets of five beers staring at $35. You can also get daiquiris and margaritas for $10 and $12, respectively, and $12 signature cocktails in an upgraded souvenir Flamingo yard cup for $26.