17 minute read
FEATURES
command excitement and anticipation with a new project or concert date on the scale of renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The vocal sensation recently completed his largest tour yet, a 21-city trek following the 2020 release of his 17th studio album, Believe, and has now returned to the U.S. for his annual In Concert For Valentine’s tour. His Las Vegas show on Feb. 18 at MGM Grand Garden Arena will be a special endeavor—his son Matteo, a burgeoning recording artist himself, joins Bocelli onstage. But as you’re about to find out, Las Vegas is always a special outing for this treasured performer.
You must be excited to return to Las Vegas once again. What was it like for you to be away from the stage for such a long time?
It is truly a great joy. During the forced hiatus caused by the pandemic, I very much missed the direct and intense relationship
MGM Grand axs.com
I was able to establish regularly with a live audience. I missed the physicality of live performances, whose power can never be replaced by a computer screen. I lost count of how many concerts I held throughout the years in your city, a place where I perceive powerful empathy. Las Vegas is a city I got to know and appreciate, a place of entertainment, of light-heartedness, but also of great solidarity. A land that is extremely fascinating for its modernity and, conversely, for its surrounding, even proudly wild, natural environment. I always have Las Vegas concerts at heart, because it’s a place where I have many friends and where the audience’s affection gives me enormous energy every time.
You released Believe in November 2020. How meaningful is it to be able to properly tour behind this material and perform these songs live in front of your fans?
During the first lockdown, I felt the impulse to realize a project dedicated to the driving force of the spirit, offering my contribution to what I believe is an ever-compelling need, that is, the need to find one’s own inner dimension. The album expresses a heterogeneous journey, alternating the work of great classic composers with popular romance and actual songs. I wanted to include in Believe a few unedited pieces of important composers such as Giacomo Puccini and Ennio Morricone, and others not strictly religious but full of religiosity, such as “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen and “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” These are songs that I love deeply, and that I am excited to be able to perform live.
The album contains themes of faith and hope, obviously helpful and potentially healing for people to connect to right now. Do you feel a responsibility as an artist to uplift people with your music?
It’s essential to me, as an artist and as a man of faith, to share the power of the message of a project that hinges on three concepts— faith, hope, and charity—the fundaments of Christian action. I see Believe as an incentive to find new optimism, to change our approach toward life, putting in play the values that I personally find in the gospel.
Your son and tourmate Matteo just released his new single, “Close.” What does it feel like to listen to him perform?
Before being an artist, I am a father. In my attempt to make the most objective assessment possible, I honestly believe that his new song is truly powerful, and that Matteo has found his way and his own style. I am extremely happy about that. When we are then able to have our commitments coincide and share the same stage, it’s always a great joy, great excitement for me. I never pressured my son into this profession. I can, in fact, say that I did the direct opposite: I warned him about a world whose pitfalls I know all too well. He was stubborn, and I believe that time proved him right, because these first steps in the industry have already shed light on his potential and, I believe, talent.
By Brock Radke
Andrea Bocelli talks about new endeavors and Vegas show
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens celebrates Lunar New Year
There’s a tiger hiding in plain sight at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. No, Mike Tyson did not leave a door open to a suite where he was keeping a pet big cat. This tiger is 8,000 pounds of bronze stripes with a massive head, lapping at water from a pond. The see-through spaces between stripes give it camouflage at some angles while causing it to leap into view at others. It’s the centerpiece of Eye of the Tiger, Bellagio’s decorative observation of Lunar New Year 2022, symbolized by the water tiger.
The Tiger follows the Rat and Ox as the third animal in the zodiac. The good fortune and prosperity promised by the tiger, sure-footed and confident, guided the development by Bellagio’s horticulture and engineering teams. There are colors associated with the tiger, the element of water associated with this particular year, and the tiger’s own personality to consider when creating a New Year concept.
The process begins with questions, says the exhibit’s designer, Ed Libby: “What are the tiger’s traits? What did we make our animal out of last Lunar New Year? What do we think is going to be new and exciting and innovative for our guests to see? Can we get another artist involved and create a beautiful art piece in the Conservatory, as well as beautiful floral work?”
Strength, passion, bravery and ambition had to be imbued in the graceful poise of the tiger, which stands in the west bed accompanied by two gold fu dog fountains. Sturdy bamboo, bonsai trees, copper cattails, giant cherry blossoms and oversized tangerines made of roses create the tiger’s habitat, while I Ching coins hang from a money tree that symbolizes affluence and nobility.
“Each year, I research more and more with Far East marketing and take a deeper and deeper dive into Asian culture,” says Libby. “The tiger’s keeping a watchful eye on our guests and helping them with good fortune. The money tree is on top of a waterfall, so the good fortune flows toward out guests. That whole scene is guarded by the fu dogs, who basically are temple guards and guardians.”
More than 5,700 plants fill the 14,000-square-foot Conservatory. Lotus flowers, lily pads, giant gold coins and silklantern chandeliers are laid out following
Bellagio
702.693.7111
the harmonic, positive-energy principles of feng shui. An eight-level pagoda, inspired by the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees (built in A.D. 537) of Guangzhou, China, dominates the south bed, while the north bed’s exquisite tea house overlooks regal red peonies and a pond in which live koi fish swim.
“Each bed has several great stories,” says Libby. “The tea ceremony is all about hospitality and discipline, just really about entertainment in a gracious and special way. The peonies are considered the king of all flowers and represent good fortune. In that same bed is a very hard bench and the book of knowledge. The intent is that when people read the book of knowledge, they’re not supposed to get too comfortable.”
By Ken Miller
Donny Osmond’s connection with fans continues
There’s a particularly touching moment during Donny Osmond’s production show at Harrah’s. The focus of the show is the long and winding path Osmond’s career took (he’s been performing nearly his entire life), and that includes the hits that made him a teen idol, both with his brothers and as a solo artist. Topping the list is “Puppy Love,” a song Osmond has probably sung more times than he’d care to remember. But perform it he does with all he has, and without a hint of irony; he knows this song is important, both Harrah’s, to his personal history and to his 855.234.7469 legions of fans.
And this month, “Puppy Love” celebrates its 50th anniversary, and Osmond wants to commemorate the occasion in style while at the same time thanking his fans. So, on Feb. 19, Osmond will host a VIP pre-show party. In addition to some personal storytelling, a Q&A, special musical moments and (socially distanced) photo opportunities, attendees will all receive: A special VIP commemorative laminated pass; A signed “Puppy Love” collector poster; a custom-branded Donny Osmond VIP mask; Early access to purchase show merchandise, including 50th anniversary “Puppy Love” merchandise.
In a way, this one-night-only event is quintessential Donny. Over his more than six decades of entertaining, he’s always embraced opportunities to reach out to fans, to embrace his past with gusto, to create special memories. It’s a testament to his drive and ambition that he’s known to many generations of fans. On any given night, there may be as many in the audience who remember him from Donny & Marie as those who remember him from Dancing With the Stars and The Masked Singer. Osmond may be 64, but unlike many of us who would be considering retirement at that age, when he takes that Harrah’s stage, Osmond feels like he’s barely getting started. Not only does he deliver full-throated renditions of hits like “Soldier of Love” and “Sacred Emotion,” he’s showing off the moves that won him Dancing With the Stars, busting out some stunt work during a performance of songs from Mulan, and paying tribute to his host city with a lively performance of “Viva Las Vegas.”
And while much of Osmond’s show is tightly scripted—especially the amazing “auto rap-ography,” in which he blazes through his career in just under 10 minutes—there’s a notable segment where he’s clearly flying without a net: He shows his 60-plus albums on a large screen and asks the audience to pick any song from any album … and he’ll sing it. Does it always work? Eh, no, it doesn’t, but that’s a huge part of the entertainment value. During a performance I attended, he improvised some of the words, and the audience ate it up!
Here’s the thing about puppy love: It’s fleeting (in fact, the song’s title came from Walt Disney, who used the term for songwriter Paul Anka’s infatuation for Annette Funicello). But when it comes to Donny Osmond and his fans, that love is real. Nothing fleeting about it at all.
Explore these hot spots to eat, drink and be merry
By Kiko Miyasato
While the Westgate Las Vegas has gone through many incarnations and names to become what it is today, its history dates back to 1969 when it opened as The International, the then-largest hotel in the world. From the early 1970s to 2012, the property was known as the Las Vegas Hilton, then LVH from 2012-’14, then finally the Westgate Las Vegas in 2014. Although the hotel’s owners have changed, the property has always offered stellar options to grab a bite, have a cocktail and have some fun—and we’ve picked three of our favorite spots. This restaurant has been part of the property since opening in 1974. The famed Benihana brand serves as the anchor eatery for the 38,000-square-foot complex that lies just off the casino floor. Once through the
doors, with the beyond striking Japanese architecture, it’s like being transported around the globe, as guests are fully enveloped in a world of cherry blossom trees, babbling brooks, the sounds and sights of pouring rainfall, bamboo forests and traditional Japanese elements such as wooden structures and tiled and thatched roofs. Inside this magical world, guests can dine at several different spots: the interactive teppanyaki tables with the talented and entertaining chefs of the iconic Benihana Japanese steakhouse; Asian cuisine at Silk Road Asian Bistro; and sumptuous sushi and sake options at Rikki Tikki Sushi.
While the Westgate Las Vegas offers different styles of bars and lounges around the property, one of our faves—and a hidden gem of sorts—is inside the property’s upscale Edge Steakhouse. Stop in and take a seat at the petite bar and lounge portion where one of the best bartenders in the biz, Mike Thompson, is whipping up all his own handcrafted specialty cocktails. The Edge
Mike Thompson
Super Karaoke Smash, Vegas Dream and Mojave Margarita are definite highlights. Thompson will regale you with fun stories, provide suggestions on where to go in the city and is the epitome of a bartender’s bartender. Plus, the space is inviting, beautifully designed and the perfect precursor to dinner.
If you’re a fan of karaoke, then the microphone is waiting for you every Thursday night inside Westgate’s ginormous Superbook sportsbook. Every Thursday night beginning at 10 p.m., guests 21 and over can take the stage to belt out their favorite songs as the words scroll across the sportsbook’s giant screens. Enjoy cocktails and light bites while partying down with your fellow aspiring singers. Whether you’re a novice or karaoke veteran, the goal of Super Karaoke is to have fun!
Venture into Penn & Teller’s tent for the sideshow of all sideshows
The more things change, the more they stay the same for eccentric tricksters Penn & Teller. A Sunday evening show in late January at Penn & Teller Theater inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino finds Penn Jillette jamming on upright bass with virtuoso pianist Mike Jones, who is about to observe his 20th year with the act. They play a snatch of Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” before Penn departs, leaving “the jazz demon” to dazzle with solo renditions of Fats Domino’s “I’m Walkin’” and Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” and “Take the A Train.” A camera captures his astonishing technique in close-up for the big screens above the stage.
It’s the traditional Show before the Show, preceding the 9 p.m.-sharp start time, when the magicians take the stage together. Penn cuts through the applause with his booming voice. “We are so, so happy to be here tonight,”
By Matt Kelemen
Rio
702.777.2782 he says as Teller nods along. “We’ve said some version of that onstage over 12,000 times, but tonight we really mean it!”
As Penn explains, the duo and their support team went 421 days without doing their headline show. As tonight’s new inventions indicate, they put their time to good use. The new tricks are inspired, bringing traditional elements such as decks of cards, disappearances and fire into new realms. Rather than eliminate audience participation, Penn & Teller adjusted and adapted, and the show flows as smoothly as ever.
Penn’s elucidations on magic-related subjects such as the misappropriation of the term “misdirection” and sideshows seem more engrossing than previously. Gratitude toward the crew is profusely expressed. Teller is poetry in motion, indicating back surgeries have been successful enough to allow him to continue to work at the craft he loves. He still has a way with goldfish that causes the audience to collectively respond with an involuntary “Ahhhhh!”
If there is one show to start with to break the pandemic blues, this is it. Nine of the tricks in the current set are brand new. It’s easier to witness the threading of a ribbon through doughnuts than to explain what’s magical about it, and any animals suddenly appearing onstage are too terrified of the audience to leave the stage. “Lies, cheats, swindles, rip-offs,” says Penn. “That is what we do.”
They’ve just signed on for a 10th season of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, for which the theater does double-duty as a television show set. A magician named Jandro is an integral part of one trick, fulfilling a Fool Us promise to feature winners from the show. It’s fast-paced, and at times intimate-feeling due to Penn’s heartfelt reminisces of his exposure to magic acts and other illusory endeavors. Penn & Teller are the ultimate sideshow act, passing on the senses of wonder they were inoculated with at young ages and performing with apparently endless wells of ingenuity.
Beefsteak tomato tartare at Bazaar Meat by José Andrés
By Ken Miller
Steak tartare is a dish whose time has arrived
Steak tartare used to be the Rodney Dangerfield of the food world—it got no respect. In fact, it spent quite a lot of time being the brunt of jokes, including a particularly cruel bit courtesy of Mr. Bean, in which the titular character spends his entire meal trying to hide the dish in question wherever he can find space on the table, rather than just telling his server he really doesn’t want to eat it. Those days are fully in the rear-view mirror. Savvy diners know that not only is
steak tartare a must-try dish at higher-end restaurants, it can often define the dining experience.
On its face, the dish can seem deceptively simple: It’s traditionally made with raw ground beef and served with any number of ingredients, from onions and Worcestershire sauce to capers and pepper. But take one bite of steak tartare at any of Las Vegas’ top steakhouses, and you’ll realize that description falls short. The only limits to steak tartare here are the chefs’ imaginations.
There’s the sublime Prime steak tartare at Aria’s Bardot Brasserie, a visual feast with its orange egg yolk seeping into every crevice of the dish. A small bit of sauce verte (green sauce) adds just a bit more color and flavor, and the deep flavors of the meat pair perfectly with house-made waffle fries.
Bazaar Meat by José Andrés at Sahara Las Vegas has a fantastic selection of tartares, each more inventive than the next. As good as Vittore 1950 is (small medallions of flawless tenderloin with black pepper, Parmesan, capers, brown-butter croutons and sherry dressing), fans—and especially vegetarians—will want to dive into Andrés’ beefsteak tomato tartare, which looks like the real thing but is a taste sensation all its own. Flavored with balsamic vinegar, cucumber and black olive, it will have you asking, “How did he do this?”
Hank’s Fine Steaks & Martinis at Green Valley Ranch provides an excellent wagyu beef tartare for its happy hour, and you won’t be happier than when you’re experiencing the flavor sensations of quail egg yolk and smoked paprika aioli on some toasted brioche.
You might not expect to find great steak tartare at an Italian restaurant; you would be dead wrong! Brera Osteria at The Venetian, which pays tribute to the famous Milan neighborhood, serves up a delicious version, using American wagyu beef, anchovies, capers, shallots and mayonnaise.
Certainly not the least on this list is the hand-cut Prime beef tartare at Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse at Flamingo. It’s easily one of the best things on the menu, served with a truffle crème fraîche and pan-toasted country bread. Odds are you’ll be fighting your dining companions for that last scoop.
Hand-cut Prime beef tartare at Bugsy & Meyer’s Steakhouse Prime steak tartare at Bardot Brasserie
IF YOU’RE INSPIRED AND WANT TO REPLICATE THESE DISHES AT HOME, HERE ARE SOME TIPS, COURTESY OF BUGSY & MEYER’S:
Use the sharpest knife you have available. Cut the tenderloin into very thin slices (1/8-inch thick, if
possible), cutting crosswise into bitesized pieces. Freeze a stainless steel bowl a day in advance, as you will
definitely want your tartare to be cold. Add ingredients you love. Once again, the only limits to this dish are your imagination.
