2024-02-29-Las-Vegas-Weekly by Greenspun Media Group

MAR 6 – OCT 26

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EDITORIAL

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CREATIVE

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AT THE SUNDRY

This week at UnCommons

Thurs 2/29

Happy Hour @ General Admission 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM 9:30 PM – 11:30 PM

Sat 3/2

Blues & Brunch @ The Sundry 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Sun 3/3

Market in the Alley Campus Wide 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Sun 3/3

All-Day Happy Hour @ Amari 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

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

Other Mama’s spicy salmon roll with shiso and fluke. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

IN THIS ISSUE

T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S

PLAN YO U R WEEK D! AHEA

08 18 28 38 32

SUPERGUIDE

DJ Pickle, Madonna, U2, Brian Setzer, Dave Matthews Band and Disturbed visit Las Vegas this week.

ON THE COVER

COVER STORY

Last year it was drag shows. Decades ago, gambling and divorce. When something is outlawed, people tend to flock to Las Vegas for it.

ASIA O’HARA OF RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE LIVE

Photo by Albert Sanchez/Courtesy

NEWS

Breaking down the stressful, complicated, not entirely balanced process of eviction in Las Vegas.

FOOD & DRINK Longtime neighborhood favorite Other Mama pulls the trigger on big changes to the menu and the atmosphere.

NIGHTS

Bruno Mars has already conquered the Strip. Now he has his own party palace at Bellagio and you’re invited.

SPORTS

When the going gets tough, Bruce Cassidy sticks to his vision for the Vegas Golden Knights: a hockey dynasty beyond a single Stanley Cup.

WANT MORE? Head to lasvegasweekly.com.

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

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SUPERGUIDE

THURSDAY FEB 29 DEORRO 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, taogroup.com.

POINT.BLANK With Monstr, Lootz, 10 p.m., We All Scream, seetickets. us.

SHEN YUN Thru 3/3, times vary, Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com.

FILM: THEY LIVE 9:30 p.m., (& 3/1, 9 p.m.) Beverly Theater, thebeverly theater.com.

E R

HUMAN NATURE 6:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com. GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter. com. CHAD FREEMAN With Redline, 8:30 p.m., Gilley’s, gilleyslasvegas.com.

EXTREME With Living Colour, 8 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com. SLEATER-KINNEY With Black Belt Eagle Scout, 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster. com. MILITARIE GUN With Roman Candle, Pool Kids, Spiritual Cramp, 6:30 p.m., Eagle Aerie Hall, seetickets.us. THE OCEAN With The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die, Shy Low, 8 p.m., the Usual Place, eventbrite.com. #HAPPENS ARTIST SHOWCASE 7 p.m., Gold Spike, eventbrite.com.

G U

DJ PICKLE Some DJs have a habit of shrouding in secrecy. From Daft Punk’s chromatic helmets to Marshmello and Deadmau5’s gigantic, mascot-like masks, concealing identity is a whole aesthetic. The latest in that chain of mystery artists is Zouk Nightclub house DJ Pickle. Not much is known about the DJ with the cucumber-shaped costume, except that he’s the real dill. Pickle is a tornado of tech house behind the decks, scratching infectious choruses like that of “Disko Demon” into ravers’ ears and airing zany, animated shorts on social media, featuring a cartoon version of his veggie self. As the owner of Brine Records, Pickle is primed for a musical takeover. So why not relish it? 10:30 p.m., $20-$30+, Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com. –Amber Sampson

I D E

(Courtesy)

S U P E R G U I D E

UNLV WIND ORCHESTRA: THE PRESIDENT’S CONCERT 7:30 p.m., Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, unlv.edu.

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 .

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FRIDAY MAR 01 DAVE MATTHEWS BAND 8 p.m., Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com. CHICAGO 8 p.m., & 3/2-3/3, 3/6, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com.

MADONNA 8:30 p.m., & 3/2, T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

DRAMA With Ric Wilson, 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticket master.com.

ADELE 8 p.m., & 3/2, the Colosseum, ticket master.com.

OLIVERSE 9 p.m., the Wall at Area15, area15. com.

NEW EDITION 8 p.m., & 3/2, 3/6, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com.

U2 (CLOSING DATES) 8 p.m., & 3/2, Sphere, ticketmaster.com.

S U (Courtesy/Sam Jones)

ONE NIGHT IN VEGAS With Darrell Medellin, Mayzin, 8 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com. FLIGHT 666 With Ghost LV, 8 p.m., Count’s Vamp’d, vampd vegas.com. REBECCA MILLER INTROSPECTIVE Thru 3/3, times vary, Beverly Theater, thebeverly theater.com.

MUSIC

PARTY

ARTS

DO IT ALL

IAN BAGG 7 p.m., & 3/2 (& 3/2, 9:30 p.m.), Wiseguys Arts District, wiseguys comedy.com.

HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS VS. TUCSON ROADRUNNERS 7 p.m., & 3/2, Dollar Loan Center, axs. com.

DOUG BENSON 7:30 & 9:30 p.m., & 3/2, Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com.

NITROCROSS 5 p.m., & 3/2, Nitrodome at Planet Hollywood, ticket master.com.

(Courtesy/Ricardo Gomes)

PINKY PATEL 7 & 9:30 p.m., & 3/2, Wiseguys Town Square, wiseguys comedy.com.

UNLV HOCKEY VS. COLORADO 7:30 p.m., City National Arena, rebelhockey.com.

LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS VS. TORONTO ROCK 7 p.m., Michelob Ultra Arena, axs.com.

NASCAR PENNZOIL 400 Thru 3/3, times vary, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, lvms.com.

SPORTS

FOOD

COMEDY

LAS VEGAS COLLEGE BASEBALL CLASSIC Thru 3/3, times vary, Las Vegas Ballpark, ticket master.com. QUAVO 10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. DILLON FRANCIS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com. AUDIEN 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com.

MISC

P E R G U I D E

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SUPERGUIDE SATURDAY MAR 02 MARCA MP 8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticket master.com.

(Courtesy/Tony Nelson)

U BRIAN SETZER 8 p.m., Pearl Concert Theater, ticketmaster.com.

DYLAN SCOTT 9 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience. com.

EMOTIONAL ORANGES With Chiiild, 7:30 p.m., the Portal at Area15, area15. com.

GOODBOYS 9 p.m., the Wall at Area15, area15. com. BLUE NOTE QUINTET 6 & 8:30 p.m. (& 3/3, 3 p.m., Myron’s, thesmith center.com.

U S U P E R G U I D E

CHRISTONE “KINGFISH” INGRAM With Artur Menezes, 7 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.

KONTRAVOID With Buzz Kull, Milliken Chamber, 9 p.m., the Usual Place, eventbrite. com.

IMOMSOHARD 7 p.m., Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster. com.

MUSIC

PARTY

ARTS

SPORTS

FOOD

COMEDY

NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP 6:30 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com. UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SAN JOSE STATE 7 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com. UNLV WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SAN JOSE STATE 2 p.m., Cox Pavilion, unlvtickets.com. ROB GUSON 11 a.m., Wet Republic, taogroup.com. LUDACRIS 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zouk grouplv.com. THE CHAINSMOKERS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com. 2 CHAINZ 10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. LIL JON 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, taogroup.com. AUDIOFREQ 10 p.m., Discopussy, seetickets.us.

MISC

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SUNDAY MAR 03 THE NETFLIX SLAM: RAFAEL NADAL VS. CARLOS ALCARAZ It was only a few years ago that this early part of March was billed as the “Ultimate Sports Weekend” in Las Vegas, mostly because the annual NASCAR race would coincide with something fun and random like a rugby event and the most exciting time for college basketball. In March 2024, post-Super Bowl and post-F1, it’s kinda funny to think about—but there really is a whole lot of different sports, more than ever, this weekend. And other than the NASCAR race, rugby at Allegiant Stadium and motocross behind Planet Hollywood (it’s all in this Superguide), there’s a special tennis event that will stream on Netflix from Mandalay Bay’s Michelob Ultra Arena. Legendary 22-time grand champion Rafael Nadal will square off against his fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, a 20-year-old phenom currently ranked No. 2 in the world. Las Vegas actually has a fascinating tennis history (before all these other sports came to play) and this event feels new and nostalgic at the same time. 11 a.m., $250+, Michelob Ultra Arena, axs.com. –Brock Radke

GUILTY BY ASSOCIATION & LAST RITES With Four Bolt Main, Trip to the Morgue, 187, Life’s Torment, Rule of Thumb, Scam Likely, 7 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us.

MONDAY MAR 04 FRANK MARINO’S DIVAS, DRAG & DRINKS 4 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com.

TRIPPS 11 a.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com.

VEGAS THRILL VS. ATLANTA VIBE 7 p.m., Dollar Loan Center, axs.com. MONDAYS DARK 8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdark.com. MIKE ATTACK 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, taogroup.com. ADAM SCHROEDER & MARK MASTERS 7 p.m., Vic’s, vicslasvegas.com. LES LULLIES With Glass Eye, Cromm Fallon & the P200, 9 p.m., Red Dwarf, reddwarflv. com. G PUPKIEWICZ’S SENIOR RECITAL 5:30 p.m., Lee and Thomas Beam Music Center, unlv.edu.

U P E R G U I

DISTURBED With Falling in Reverse, Plush, 6:30 p.m., Bakkt Theater, ticketmaster.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 .

(Courtesy/Travis Shinn)

D DO IT ALL

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SUPERGUIDE TUESDAY MAR 05

WEDNESDAY MAR 06

P E R

S U P E R G U I D E

G U

DJ PAULY D 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com. CHEE 10 p.m., Discopussy, discopussydtlv.com. JEN KOBER With Mark Ellis, Kristeen Von Hagen, thru 3/10, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgm grand.mgmresorts. com.

CARRIE UNDERWOOD 8 p.m., Resorts World Theatre, axs.com.

VICKI BARBOLAK 7 p.m., Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com.

I D

(Courtesy/Jeff Johnson)

UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. SAN DIEGO STATE 8 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com.

POTUS The title for this play twists the old saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” Vegas Theatre Company kicks off Women’s History Month with POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. In Selina Fillinger’s feminist satire, the president unwittingly spins a public relations fiasco into a global crisis, and the seven women he relies on must risk life and limb to keep the commander-in-chief out of trouble. “It’s not just about poking fun at our government’s quirks—it’s a full-on invitation to belly-laugh your heart out,” says Daz Weller, co-director. “[Fillinger] has this killer mix of wit, wisdom, passion and a knack for the absurd she’s sprinkled all over this play.” Thru 3/24, times vary, $40, Vegas Theatre Company, theatre.vegas. –Shannon Miller

DO IT ALL

MUSIC

PARTY

ARTS

SPORTS

FOOD

VEEZE With Talibando, 8 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com. HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS VS. BAKERSFIELD CONDORS 7 p.m., Dollar Loan Center, axs.com.

COMEDY

PAC-12 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Various times, & 3/7-3/8, 3/10, MGM Grand Garden Arena, axs. com. SNAKEHIPS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.

MISC

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

T H E

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W E E K L Y

Q & A

MAKING A MARK “W

Graffiti writer turned digital illustrator and muralist Spen Oner talks Vegas’ scene, street art and more

C U L T U R E

BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ

Q+A

hen I was arrested for graffiti, my mom told me, ‘You can keep doing art; you just have to find a way to make money off of it’.” The rebellious subculture has provided a platform for self-expression, political messages and territorial claims and, today, can be used as inspiration for various commissions. Yet, graffiti’s vibrant legacy is complex; associated with gangs and vandalism, it often leads to arrests and controversy, and historically it has had to fight for respect in the art world. A local digital illustrator and muralist, Spen Oner —he goes by Spen—knows this firsthand, having repurposed his graffiti background into a professional career. Spen’s vibrant style and characters are influenced by the cartoons and anime he watches and by the ‘80s B-boy style of his late business partner and friend Mex One. These standout attributes are showcased throughout Las Vegas—on murals, event flyers, billboards and more. His work is also sought after by local and national companies. Spen embodies graffiti’s evolution into a celebrated form of artistic expression, enriching public spaces and challenging conventional notions of art.

Can you share a bit about your journey from being a graffiti writer to becoming a digital artist and muralist? When I was growing up in New York—I was born in ‘81—I would see lots of graffiti… When I moved away to Florida I saw more and fell in love with it as a kid. I was 18 when I got arrested and after that I picked up digital programs like Photoshop. You moved to Vegas from Florida eight years ago. Was the move to pursue art? It was a huge part of it. At the time Wynwood [Florida] was a new thing and there were so many artists condensed into that one area. And I didn’t want

to compete with all those people. I needed to be somewhere that I could just do my thing and where the jobs are plentiful. How did you come to paint various murals all over Las Vegas? I heard all the locals would hang out at this place called the Bunkhouse [Saloon] and there I met a local DJ named Dialekt and he introduced me to Dana [Anderson] and Phil [Limon]. At the time I didn’t know that they were the I.S.I. Group [a local arts & entertainment collective], and from there, everything flourished. They gave me my beginnings on a lot of the murals I’ve done.

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Spen Oner at his mural at Game Nest arcade in Las Vegas. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

How do you see yourself contributing to or being influenced by Vegas’ art scene? I didn’t just come here and stick my flag in the ground. I think it’s important to talk to the people that have been here before me and have these art collectives. I’ve spent a lot of time meeting artists and shaking hands because when I’m accepted, then I can participate and people will support me. What inspires this unique style that you’ve developed? My style developed from watching cartoons and anime as a teenager while being in the graffiti scene, you know? Graffiti characters have a certain look so I was drawing them in a way that I thought they should look. But in 2004 my boy Mex needed a flyer for his B-boy jam and would send me reference pictures of himself. This was an era of clothes and he was very proud of his poses … he had all this retro ’80s breaking gear, and it just snowballed from there.

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

You’ve worked with companies like Red Bull, MGM Resorts, Downtown Project, Champion and Hoonigan. Can you tell me about a particularly memorable project? I’ve also worked with Balenciaga, Tiffany & Co. and Nike… All those people are cool and I appreciate them, but all I’m thinking of is all the flyers I did for my boy Mex. When he passed away, those things became special because I didn’t know how temporary they were going to be. He was my business partner and best friend, and that moment in time where we worked together for 11 or 12 years, they were a combination of his and my mind and I miss that. I would trade anything to go back and make flyers with him. How do you balance staying true to your artistic vision and meeting the expectations of clients? Just standing my ground, basically. I think if you want to get far and establish a style you have to stay true to you—give them what they want but your version of that. How do you see the role of street graffiti art in contemporary society? What changes have you noticed since you started as a teenager? It’s more welcomed because there’s a lot of areas and cities that are establishing art districts which helps us out a lot. Especially those of us who have been doing this for a long time, we’ve ended up becoming the OGs in the whole thing. But as far as real street graffiti—these art districts and gentrified areas are not going to change that scene. It has a mind of its own and can survive on its own forever.

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BRIAN SETZER ROCKABILLY RIOT! YATES MCKENDREE SATURDAY

MARCH 2

DANCING WITH THE STARS FRIDAY

MARCH 22

THE ISLEY BROTHERS SATURDAY

MARCH 23

HERE TO Scan & see how Palms does entertainment.

4321 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

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C O V E R

S T O R Y

Coco Montrese. (Christopher DeVargas/Staff)

? D E N S N A A B OT IN VEG N

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THESE DAYS IT’S DRAG AND CANNABIS, BUT ALL THE WAY BACK TO GAMBLING AND DIVORCE, LAS VEGAS HAS BEEN THE PLACE TO DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN’T EVERYWHERE ELSE BY BROCK RADKE When Coco Montrese takes the stage at the Flamingo Showroom just steps away from the Las Vegas Strip, it’s typically in front of a sold-out crowd of dedicated fans who adore the many queens of TV’s RuPaul’s Drag Race and have traveled here to see this fabulous live version of the show. After the performance, during the meetand-greet, she gets to connect with those fans, which can often become an emotional experience for all involved. “Especially after the pandemic, the main thing we were hearing was how this [TV] show got them through one of the toughest times in their lives, with the shutdown and not being able to see people, having something keep you from your family and losing family,” Montrese says. “Drag Race became therapeutic for people. And then Vegas brought them something where you can actually go see those people right before your eyes that you really enjoyed on TV. “I didn’t think about it that way until it was every night, in the meet-and-greet, hearing someone say, ‘You got me through this,’ or, ‘I was battling cancer and going through chemo and the only thing that kept me happy was watching you guys on TV.’ It’s a full-circle moment when they see us here

in Las Vegas.” RuPaul’s Drag Race is a global phenomenon now in its 16th season, and the wildly successful Las Vegas show opened in January 2020. Both have expanded the popularity of this storied art form, but that didn’t stop conservative officials in states such as Florida, Alabama, Tennessee and Montana from passing anti-drag legislation last year. In September, a federal judge struck down a Texas law signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott the previous June, deeming it unconstitutional and an infringement on freedom of expression. (It did not specifically cite drag, but expanded an existing law to prevent children from exposure to sexually explicit performances.) Similar judgments trickled out late last year in several states after civil rights groups brought legal action against an obviously anti-LGBTQ effort. “When people don’t understand something, they fear it,” says Montrese, who was on the fifth season of Drag Race and has been part of the Vegas show’s rotating cast from the start. “On the political side, they love to invoke fear to get people involved, to let people think there’s something different that’s threatening their livelihood or morals or standards. “Some of this stuff they are pushing and

saying, they don’t even believe, but they know if you use something people are not educated on and use certain talking points, people respond. That’s what’s fueling all of this.” Montrese points out that drag performances are not always inherently sexual, and while RuPaul’s Drag Race Live uses a bit of classic innuendo and a lot of comedy, it’s not among the more explicit shows on the Strip. The only age restriction is that guests must be 21 to consume alcohol. Drag has long been a significant piece of the Vegas entertainment landscape. Frank Marino has been performing as Joan Rivers for decades in showrooms across the Vegas Valley, including legendary headlining stints in An Evening at La Cage at the Riviera and in his own Divas Las Vegas production at different Strip venues. No one has done it here longer. “When I first got here, Kenny Kerr had opened the door for people to even have a show. He opened it and I kicked it down,” says Marino, who currently produces and performs in a drag brunch show at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. “Here, the drag show is in the same establishment any other show would be in. You didn’t have to go to seedy nightclubs or backdoor venues like you would in other cities.” The fact that drag has always been somewhat elevated in Las Vegas is the foundation

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“When I first got here, Kenny Kerr had opened the door for people to even have a drag show. He opened it and I kicked it down.” << FRANK MARINO

C O V E R

S T O R Y

BANNED? NOT IN VEGAS for a theory that before a huge TV show like Drag Race and a celebrity presence like RuPaul, Vegas entertainers like Marino, Kerr and others played a significant role in exposing audiences across the country to drag shows. “If you can imagine doing three shows a night for 25 years, the amount of people that would see our show and then go home and tell their friends about it … I definitely think we were part of the movement,” Marino says. “If you think about how far back it goes, to Kabuki [Japanese theatre], to Shakespeare when women couldn’t get onstage, to Milton Berle and Flip Wilson on TV, it’s always been this comical art form that just really catapulted with RuPaul’s Drag Race.” If drag bans had been or still prove to be successful, it’s safe to say Las Vegas would be viewed as a drag destination, a place to indulge in something deemed forbidden, unacceptable, or even outright illegal—because Las Vegas has always been that place. “Where else in the world can you have a drive-thru wedding?” laughs Montrese. “From the beginning, Vegas has always been that place to experience the taboo. Everyone knows you can go to Sin City and do what you want to do, and never talk about it again if you don’t want to.” * * * * * UNLV history professor and department chair Michael Green likes to joke that Las Vegas began to build that reputation in the ’30s—the 1930s, when it was nothing more than a pit stop on the Old Spanish Trail, one that horse thieves liked to visit. The actual origins of the townsite are linked with railroad development and the quick designation of Block 16, “a place to be able to have alcohol,” Green says. “If you had a hotel room you could sell alcohol, so my other joke is that even hardware stores had

hotel rooms. But Block 16 developed prostitution; and gambling became illegal in Nevada but some went on there; and during prohibition, Las Vegas was about as dry as the Pacific Ocean.” Gambling was legalized in Nevada in 1931 at the same time the divorce residency requirements were changed from six months to six weeks. Although Northern Nevada’s main hub Reno may have had “a greater sense of itself as a city” back then, Green says, Las Vegas also became known as a place to get divorced quickly and conveniently, and many men and many more women would live in “divorce ranches” and spend their days swimming, fishing and horseback riding while waiting for the paperwork to go through. “And then as the Strip and Glitter Gulch developed, you have what [journalist] Marc Cooper said in a documentary that we always go back to: Las Vegas is where you went to be certified as an adult,” Green says. “You’re now of age, you can gamble and drink and do all kinds of other things. And even if you could do these things elsewhere, there was and is the perception that you could do them here without getting into trouble with the law or with your community.” The legalization of some of these historically frowned-upon activities has stabilized the economy of Nevada. Las Vegas was built

on gambling and has diversified its hospitality-based engine by taking advantage of opportunities; Green points out that when gambling on cruise ships off the coast of California was shut down in 1939, it drove business people like Sam Boyd, Wilbur Clark, Marion Hicks and Guy McAfee to Las Vegas to develop casinos. Although recreational cannabis use is now legal in half of the United States—and federal prohibition is keeping Nevada casinos from wading into that industry—Las Vegas seems poised to become a leading destination for cannabis culture because of its refined hospitality infrastructure, especially as consumption lounges begin to expand the industry beyond dispensaries. “Colorado was ahead of us on cannabis, and there’s a tendency to think San Francisco allows everything, but it’s not so. And it isn’t that Las Vegas allows everything,” Green says. “But when you have for 20 years an advertising campaign, and offshoots of it, saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, there’s that hint. And if the slogan is still working, that suggests that’s the general attitude.” That famous slogan has been adjusted in recent years, both to tamp down the erroneous idea that you can do anything in Las Vegas, and to make business travelers and convention planners feel more secure (and less guilty?) in their choice of destination. But no marketing efforts have been able to completely clear up the confusion about some things; plenty of tourists assume prostitution is legal on the Strip in Clark County (it isn’t), and that they can legally smoke weed in casinos or their hotel rooms (they can’t). “To this day there are people coming here thinking there will be a mobster at the next table, or prostitutes all over the place, or whatever they think from what they do know of Las Vegas,” Green says. “That [perception] has changed to a considerable extent, but there’s still an undercurrent … and if they ever stop thinking that way, we’re in trouble, so it can’t completely go away.”

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(Photo Illustration)

Some might argue that the Vegas of today—packed with professional sports events, chart-topping pop music stars and technology-enhanced art installations—is less provocative and uncommon, and perhaps it’s becoming more similar to cities across the country from which visitors travel. Fifth-generation Nevadan Bo Bernhard is vice president of economic development and a professor at UNLV and served as the inaugural research director at the UNLV International Gaming Institute. His great great grandfather was a card dealer in Dust Bowl-era Texas and Oklahoma who got tired of ending up on the wrong side of the law while working and moved to Las Vegas. His own family’s story, Bernhard says, is an example of how gambling and tourism have resulted in many different people deciding to live and work in Las Vegas, and these days, “the stuff attracting people is more mainstream. The NFL is something that’s beloved, and you can find it in 32 locales across the United States.” But it’s going to take more than a routine pendulum swing to distance Las Vegas from that old Sin City reputation. Bernhard has worked on gaming and tourism research projects around the world, and although gambling is becoming more prevalent in most places, none of them carry the spirit of Vegas. “During that descent into Harry Reid Airport, I don’t think anybody is worrying they might get caught doing something bad,” he says. “I worked on the Singapore casino legalization stuff and they remind you when you’re landing there of things that are banned, that drug possession is a capital offense. You can look around the plane and see people’s eyes getting big. It’s the opposite of going into Vegas because you can get into serious trouble.” If Las Vegas is going more mainstream lately, Bernhard continues, it’s happening

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simultaneously as the world is becoming more like Las Vegas. “I’ve always thought it was bogus that tribal casinos [across the U.S.] would be the demise of Las Vegas. People get exposed to this experience, they might have a favorite slot machine, and they eventually want to go to the Super Bowl version of this,” he says. “They know in Las Vegas, there are rows of these. Once people find out these activities are possible, they want to seek it out in the most glorified, commercialized, magnified sense, and it’s often the case they can find that in Las Vegas.” And those favorite activities don’t have to be something that’s banned back home or even something that falls on the naughtier side. It might be something as simple as going out and having fun after midnight, tough to do in many places across the country. Or it’s smoking a cigarette indoors. Or maybe it’s firing a machine gun just for fun, because you’ve never done it before. Tourists may not travel to Las Vegas specifically to engage in activities like these, but the cumulative opportunity multiplied by that undying reputation is too strong a force to ignore. And it’s embedded in the identity of Las Vegas. It can’t be overwritten. Especially when those things that drive visitation—including shows, attractions, nightclubs and dayclubs, restaurants, bars and cultural experiences—continue to become more concentrated versions of themselves, while Las Vegas becomes more accessible overall. The fun economy, as Bernhard calls it, includes more options and opportunities than ever before, and familiar fare like NFL football is balanced out by something like the Erotic Heritage Museum on Sammy Davis Jr. Drive, just west of the Strip. Now in its 16th year exploring the history of erotica and socio-cultural perspectives on sex, the nonprofit venue currently hosts an exhibit on Spanish artist and illustrator Luis Royo and another exhibit featuring the music and memorabilia of director Michael Ninn’s films Catherine and Sacred Sin, which includes a collaboration with Eddie Van Halen. The mostly academic offerings at the museum catch first-time visitors by surprise, says director and CFO Victoria

Hartmann, as many guests expect different programming. “Some people expect to see live sex shows, not understanding the laws in Clark County. We actually have an exhibit built around that, where it is legal,” she says. “Some people come in here skittish, others come out irritated because we don’t have sex shows. Others aren’t sure what to expect … but it ends up being a learning experience and many guests say they didn’t know all there is to study around sexuality.” Sex museums are something of a dying

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breed, Hartmann says, with few such venues operating across the country. The museum recently sponsored a new UNLV Special Collections initiative designed to preserve the history of sexual entertainment, culture and economics in Southern Nevada and beyond. It will include collections on sex worker rights and activism, feminist entrepreneurship, adult film and media, and the history of Nevada’s legal brothel industry. If you think Vegas is going mainstream and getting less naughty, consider that the Erotic Heritage Museum is surging—gen-

(Courtesy)

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erating more revenue thanks to greater visitation with bigger events (sports and otherwise) landing in Las Vegas, and booked through 2031 for new exhibits. “As a result of the mainstreaming of sexuality and increased visibility of all different kinds of sexual expression, the museum quite surprisingly found itself becoming more subversive in its exhibits,” Hartmann says. “The exhibit opening in August is the most subversive we’ve ever had, and that’s what people seem to be craving when they come here, something unusual.” * * * * * If Old Vegas was a safe place for a card dealer to earn a living, today’s Las Vegas is a haven for all kinds of personal expression. The attempt to restrict or ban drag performances is truly a sad tale, politicizing art and weaponizing fear, and it has created real danger. Montrese admits there were threats while she was traveling to perform last year. “I had an FBI guy meet with me and talk about escape routes while I was onstage, if someone tried to shoot at me or anything like that,” she says. “That took some getting used to. There was protection for us and I did applaud that, but I didn’t want to invoke fear and I never want to cancel anything because I don’t want to buy into fear. “I love what I do and if something happens to me while I’m doing it, I’m okay with that because I don’t want art to be silenced.” Marino had a very different experience on tour, recently selling out a series of performances in Florida. The veteran entertainer says spending decades starring in Vegas shows gave him a privileged perspective on how drag is viewed. “I was going onstage and being applauded for doing something back then that, if I was in another city, I could get beat up or put in jail for doing,” he says. “Now it’s really everywhere. I toured through Florida and sold out every show, some 2,000-seaters and probably a dozen different venues.” There’s power in the freedom Las Vegas promises. It’s not really about having fun and getting away with it; sometimes it’s about escaping judgment. “Most of us drag queens come from a situation at home where we’re not understood, and this was an outlet for us to be able to express ourselves and perform,” says Montrese. “It wasn’t something perverted and crazy like politicians make it out to be. Drag is all about making people happy, not taking yourself too seriously, making people laugh and letting all of us escape from our regular lives.”

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NEVADA CLINICIANS STILL SEEING INFLUX IN ABORTIONS 20 MONTHS AFTER SCOTUS OVERTURNED ROE BY SHANNON MILLER Nevada has long been a haven for activities that are illegal or taboo in other places. And after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs decision in June 2022, the state is providing a safe place for abortions while other states, including Arizona, Utah and Idaho, have restricted the essential healthcare. Abortion is legal in Nevada up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. The law was approved by two-thirds of voters in a 1990 referendum. According to the Society of Family Planning’s WeCount report released in October 2023, Nevada’s average monthly abortions increased 33% after the Dobbs decision, from 1,035 in April and May 2022 to 1,382 in July 2022 to June 2023. Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has had to adjust to an approximate 40% increase in abortion care in their Las Vegas health centers from 2021 to 2023. “Abortion care is time sensitive and we’re committed to making sure patients, regardless of what ZIP code they are coming from, are able to receive the compassionate, quality, and timely care they need,” says Adrienne Mansanares, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. “In order to accommodate an increase in patients having to travel to places like Las Vegas, we have added staff, expanded our health center hours, and we’re making telemedicine more accessible.” According to the WeCount report, of the Western states where abortion is still legal past 18 weeks, New Mexico had the largest percent increase in average monthly abortions at 60%. Nevada had the second-largest increase at 33%, and Colorado had the third-largest at 29% after the Dobbs decision. The Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom PAC is gathering signatures on a petition that would put a question on the November 2024 ballot as to whether the right to abortion up to 24 weeks should be amended to the state constitution. Without a constitutional amendment, the law could be overturned by another referendum vote.

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NEWS

IN THE NEWS (Shutterstock)

No changes on schedule for F1 race

N E W S

A day after certain Clark County commissioners voiced their concerns over the 2024 Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, the county asserted no changes are coming for this year’s race. In a statement February 21, the county explained that the 2024 race events are set for November 21-23 and the race isn’t going anywhere in the coming years so long as the board reserves and authorizes the use of public rightof-way for the next three years. The clarification came a day after the county delayed a discussion on the inaugural Formula 1 race and its surrounding events that was proposed by Commissioner Tick Segerblom. ARTS IN COMMERCIAL CENTER The UNLV College of Fine Arts and Clark County have announced new, free programming that premiered at the Composers Room at the historic Commercial Center on February 28 and continue through June 5. Among the selections in the series’ “inaugural season” are the UNLV Joe Williams Quintet, a comedy night and an immersive theater experience called Parking Lot Plays. Visit unlv.edu for dates and more information. NEW FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center has announced a new music festival taking place October 11-13. The Best Friends Forever Festival features emo and indie rock acts from the ’90s to today, including Bright Eyes and Sunny Day Real Estate. Tickets go on sale February 29 at bestfriendsforeverfest.com.

Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, right, lights up a pre-roll with Thrive Cannabis Marketplace CEO Mitch Britten at 4:20 p.m. on February 24 at Las Vegas’ first regulated cannabis and cocktail lounge, Smoke and Mirrors. (Brian Ramos/Staff)

BUSINESS

First consumption lounge opens Smoke and Mirrors’ debut at 2875 S. Sammy Davis Jr. Drive is the first of what should be about 40 lounges to open throughout the state, giving visitors a place to legally consume cannabis—and, Clark County officials hope, take the smell of marijuana out of the air in the resort corridor. Under Nevada law, it had only been legal to consume marijuana in private residences, which put visitors purchasing recreational marijuana here in an odd

spot because it’s also illegal to use marijuana in hotel rooms or in public, including on the Strip. Now, those visitors have access to another venue to smoke their stash legally in Nevada. Some lounges are required to be adjacent to dispensaries, making it simple for customers to purchase and consume products. “Well, I’m just grateful I’m still alive,” Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom said. “Honestly, we did it in 2013 first

with medical and 2017 with recreational, and seven years later, the Speaker (Assemblyman Steve Yeager) brought it home to the goal line. it’s taken a long time. But thanks to these guys, we’re here, so let’s celebrate.” It’s the second lounge in Nevada, joining SkyHigh Lounge at Nuwu Cannabis, which opened in 2019 in downtown Las Vegas and is operated on sovereign tribal land and owned by the Las Vegas Paiute Tribe. –Grace Da Rocha

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WATCH THIS The last regular-season home game for UNLV men’s basketball is at 8 p.m. March 5 against San Diego State.

ENTERTAINMENT

“I believe strongly in freedom, in people making choices that are right for them, and politicians not interfering. And the truth is, the majority of Nevadans agree with that, too.”

Smith Center announces next Broadway lineup

-Caroline Roberson, director of state campaigns for Reproductive Freedom for All, at the February 24 kickoff of a campaign to codify abortion access into the Nevada Constitution

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has announced its lineup of Broadway productions coming to its stage in 2024-25. It boasts 10 stage productions, with eight new shows debuting and two favorites returning. The series begins this July with Mrs. Doubtfire, followed by a fresh spin on Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company in August. The Cher Show will take the stage in September. October heats up with the Back to the Future musical. And November brings an adaptation of a beloved animated classic with Shrek the Musical. In 2025, February offers the award-winning Kimberly Akimbo, followed by iconic productions The Wiz and Hamilton in April and May. Wrapping up the season is the revival of Parade and the romantic comedy & Juliet in June. Renewals for season ticket holders are now open, while new subscribers can register their interest for tickets for the upcoming season at TheSmithCenter.com/Broadway. -Gabriela Rodriguez

2.25.2024

OFF AND RUNNING

BY THE NUMBERS

1,075

Runners set off at the starting line for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series on the Strip. The half-marathon, 10K and 5K routes began southbound near the New York-New York and finished southbound near the Bellagio fountains. More than 27,000 participants registered. (Ryan Bethke/Courtesy of Rock ‘n’ Roll Running Series)

The water level, in feet, at Lake Mead as of late February, according to the website lakelevels.info. It’s the highest since May 2021 (1,073 feet). Water cuts and unusually heavy snowfall last winter helped the lake rally, said Bronson Mack, a spokesman for Southern Nevada Water Authority. But, he stressed, the water levels aren’t projected to last.

NEW ARTS DISTRICT APARTMENTS A large-scale, multifamily, mixed-use development is coming to the Arts District. Southern Land Company, developer of three apartment buildings in Symphony Park, held a groundbreaking February 27 for three seven-story mid-rise apartment buildings totaling 531,982 square feet, offering a combined 337 rental residences and 8,600 square feet of ground-level retail and restaurant space.

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N E W S

EVICTION EXPLAINER Breaking down summary evictions in Southern Nevada

I H O U S I N G

BY SHANNON MILLER t’s a Wednesday afternoon in Las Vegas Justice Court. “Would you agree you are significantly behind on rent?” asks Judge Daniel Westmeyer. The tenant agrees. “Is there some reason why I shouldn’t grant the landlord’s request?” The tenant explains to the judge that he moved to Las Vegas in December and is working with Clark County’s CARES Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) to help with rent. He says his phone was lost and he lost his job and access to credit in the last few months. “I’m trying my best,” he says. The landlord’s attorney has said the tenant owes more than $5,000 in rent. Westmeyer orders a summary eviction. He tells the tenant the earliest lockout would be Tuesday, less than a week away, and advises him to contact the landlord to see if they can’t work out a payment plan. The judge calls up the next de-

(Shutterstock/Photo Illustration)

fendant and plaintiff. The landlord or their attorney tells the judge the defendant owes $5,700 and has defaulted since December. They cycle through the routine questions. “Would you agree that you are significantly behind on rent?” Westmeyer asks the tenant. She explains to the judge that she works for the school district and recently had her hours cut. She promises she can have a payment by tomorrow afternoon. The landlord tells the judge he’s afraid the tenant will keep falling behind on rent. She responds that she will be able to pay rent moving forward, because her job has recently

given her more hours. In a final decision, the judge tells the parties that if the tenant can pay her outstanding balance in full by 5 p.m. Thursday, then the requested eviction would be dismissed. “If 5:01 rolls around and you haven’t paid it, the landlord can again request a summary eviction,” Westmeyer explains to the parties.  Westmeyer runs through the cases with efficiency. In less than 30 minutes, he gets through six of them. According to Legal Aid Center of

Southern Nevada’s analysis of the annual report of the Nevada Judiciary, for every day the courts were open in 2023, there were about 296 evictions filed. Clark County had 76,910 summary eviction cases filed or reopened in 2023. That’s in a metropolitan area of about 370,200 renters, according to Princeton University’s Eviction Lab, which conducts research and creates data about evictions nationwide. As of February 1, evictions have increased 155% since before the pandemic. And North Las Vegas, Sunrise Manor, Paradise, Las Vegas and Henderson all made Eviction

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Lab’s top 100 list of “evicting large cities in the U.S.” Rising rents and inflation, which have taken off since the pandemic, haven’t helped. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, a person making minimum wage ($11.25) would have to work 82 hours per week to afford fair market rate rent in Nevada ($1,196 per month). Considering that the median apartment rent in Las Vegas is $1,963 (according to Zillow), many people are having trouble finding housing that is affordable, or a job that can help them cover all their housing costs.

That’s why advocates are working to reform Nevada’s summary eviction process. “None of this is a surprise,” says Assemblywoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong, who attempted to pass a bill in the 2023 legislative session to reform summary evictions. After it passed both houses of the Legislature, Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed the bill saying in a veto message that it would make the eviction process “more time-consuming” and would give judges too much discretion. “We’ve known since before 2021 that we have some of the highest

rates of eviction in the nation. … That was the whole purpose of the eviction bills—not to stop evictions as a whole, but to make it more equitable for regular people to be able to have representation and have an equitable voice in the process,” Summers-Armstrong says. “In no other civil practice does the defendant have to file their pleading first.”  What is summary eviction? When a person receives an eviction notice in Nevada, they must file a response in court to prevent the eviction from

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going through. If a person isn’t aware of that legal obligation, that eviction notice can quickly lead to a lockout. This process is unlike most other states, where landlords must file eviction notices with the court in order for the notice to be valid. Summers-Armstrong’s bill would have required the landlord to make the first filing in court. But the assemblywoman says that moving forward, she will not be leading the effort to reform summary evictions in the Legislature because she will not be returning to the Legislature in 2025. She is running for Las Vegas City Council Ward 5. “Of course, I’m disappointed it was vetoed. But that’s always the risk you take when you bring legislation that’s making change,” Summers-Armstrong says. “I will not be bringing [the bill] back next time because I will not be returning to the Assembly. … But I have to believe that there has to be a change from the legislative perspective.” Organizations like Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) carry the mantle. The group performs court observing to collect data about evictions and to connect with community members who are experiencing eviction. David Lopez-Wade was there at Las Vegas Justice Court that Wednesday with a group of volunteers doing court observation. The data manager for PLAN, a nonprofit that focuses on social justice efforts, says the status quo in eviction court doesn’t seem just. “For me, I think it’s really important to monitor,” Lopez-Wade says. “This is supposed to be a justice system, and I want to make sure our justice system is actually serving out justice and not just supporting the status quo, because the status quo here in Nevada already caters to landlords more than it does to tenants.” The Weekly reached out to the Nevada State Apartment Association for comment on evictions from landlords’ perspectives. The association provided the following statement: “The Nevada State Apartment Association has always prioritized housing Nevadans through safe and affordable options. Keeping individu-

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N E W S

als and families housed on a longterm basis is a focus of our organization as well as our responsibility to the community. “However, situations arise that make that unattainable. When eviction is discussed, it is never something the property owner wants to do and is the final resort in a strenuous situation. Leading up to an eviction, there are typically several attempts at communication from the property owner to the tenant, including providing lists of resources for the tenant to seek assistance. “As the voice of the multifamily housing industry in Nevada, representing over 900 members, we will continue to work closely with community leaders and organizations as well as our elected officials to create and implement practices that keep Nevadans housed.” Las Vegas and Nevada rank last in the nation in terms of affordable housing. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Nevada needs about 84,000 more units to meet affordable housing demand. In the Las Vegas metropolitan area there are only 14 homes available for every 100 extremely low-income households (making $26,500 or less for a family of four) that need them.

H O U S I N G

 What happens in a lockout? There are several legal causes for eviction including nonpayment of rent, nocause, nuisance, or lease violation. “I deal solely with eviction,” says Nick Haley, an attorney from Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada’s Consumer Rights Project. “I do get other cases besides nonpayment, but the nonpayments are still the biggest chunk of what we’re seeing.” In Clark County, if a tenant does not pay rent on time, a landlord can request the constable to post a seven-day pay rent or quit notice, which the constable serves the following business day. When the tenant receives the notice, they have seven business days to answer the notice. If the tenant does not file a motion to stay the eviction in that seven-day

Valley evictions have increased 155% since before the pandemic. And North Las Vegas, Sunrise Manor, Paradise, Las Vegas and Henderson all made the top 100 list of “evicting large cities in the U.S.” -Princeton University’s Eviction Lab

timeframe, then the landlord can file a complaint for summary eviction in Justice Court. After judicial review, the eviction order can be granted and trigger a lockout by the constable’s office within two business days. “After the lockout, you would need the permission of the landlord to enter and you would have to arrange a time with the landlord to retrieve your items,” Haley explains. State law says a landlord must give the tenant five days following an eviction or lockout for the tenant to get back essential personal items like medication, baby formula, basic clothes and personal care items. For all other personal property, a landlord must safely store the property for 30 days. “The landlord has the right to charge for the inventory, storage and moving of your property if they

need to do so, for example, if they’re moving your property out of the unit so that they can clean it and re-rent it,” Haley says. “They have a duty to safe keep your property for up to 30 calendar days.” Directing Attorney for Nevada Legal Services in Las Vegas Kristopher Pre adds that a landlord cannot charge for the storage of essential personal items, legally known as “essential personal effects.” “It gets complicated. ... I’ve ended up in court arguing what’s just personal property and what’s an essential personal effect,” he says. “In one of my cases, we were arguing over whether a person’s mother’s ashes is an essential personal effect. … Also, things like a laptop computer. … I argued it was essential because it was for work, for them to continue working a remote job.”

Pre says it’s important for tenants to know they have a five-day timeframe after an eviction or lockout to retrieve essential personal effects. Tenants can file a motion to retrieve their property if the landlord isn’t compliant. “It goes so quick. ... Their window of opportunity to do this is within five days after they’ve vacated or been removed,” Pre says. “But I know there’s a lot of stress about trying to be rehoused or getting to a shelter or finding a friend or family member that can take them in. I think it’s important that people understand, especially tenants, that they have this right.” Those seeking legal information and resources can find help at Legal Aid Center’s Civil Law Self-Help Center located at the Regional Justice Center or at civillawselfhelpcenter.

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N I G H T S BY AMBER SAMPSON the space for privacy and a sense of exclusivity, tones have been mellowed out with light golds and earthy colors, and the stage has settled into the center of this circular room. Mars’ style can be traced all over this penthouse-style party pad. He even has his Grammy awards on display in The Pinky Ring’s entrance hall—you know, because the 14-time winner has some trophies to spare. Toward the back, there’s the brightly lit, vintage Champagne Room, where Mars is said to hang out with his crew. Big spenders can reserve the room and it comes with a massive ice pit to stash bottles. The glamor of the space really hits when the band kicks in. Mars’ longtime band, the Hooligans, have been playing multiple sets

C U L T U R E

Bruno Mars’ new Pinky Ring lounge delivers glam and grandiosity

The opening weekend of Bruno Mars’ new cocktail and jazz lounge, The Pinky Ring, had all the fanfare of an outrageous, star-spangled housewarming party. The global superstar and his band of Hooligans christened the Bellagio bar with soul-centric standards and duets with music sensations Janelle Monáe and Victoria Monét. It was, at its core, a fabulous Vegas party for one of the most fabulous Las Vegas showmen around. But it was also a solid sample of just how fun a venue can be when an entertainer’s vision is at the forefront. The Pinky Ring opened on the Strip over Super Bowl weekend, replacing the former Lily lounge with one of the grandest redesigns we’ve seen in some time. Solid walls encase

Bruno Mars, the Hooligans and Janelle Monáe performing at The Pinky Ring. (Courtesy/John Esparza)

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nightly since opening—in tandem with DJs—and it’s done nothing but contribute to the ’70s-era fever dream. Bootsy Collins’ “I’d Rather Be With You” breaks the funk-infused seal, with the eight-piece band, in their powder pink tuxedos, finessing their way through the song with style and charm. Eric “E-Panda” Hernandez, Mars’ brother, also keeps time on the drums. The Pinky Ring’s specialty cocktails were all named after the band, explaining why the Skin-E Panda, a fine take on a coconut rum mojito, sounds so familiar. All these drinks come in bold on flavor, especially The Hooligan, a spicy tequila-based margarita with tajin and freshly cut jalapeños that’ll leave your lips tingling. These are sexy drinks, expertly mixed to make the night even sexier. As the band slinks into Outkast’s “Prototype,” then The Whispers’ “And the Beat Goes On,” the dance floor fills up like something out of an episode of Soul Train. Couples grab their partners, ladies grab their friends—and there’s not a single cell phone in sight. The Pinky Ring being a no-phones venue might sound inconvenient or even sacrificial, but it’s the best thing that’s happened to nightlife. The Hooligans have such a magnetic energy, reading that last text is the last thing on your mind. People engage here. They drink in the scene with their eyes. It’s a beautiful place to be present, a snapshot of a bygone era to which we need to return. Mars deploys the no-phone policy at his residency show at Park MGM, so it makes sense to see it reprised here. But can we keep it that way? A venue of this ilk almost seems too retro for such technology.

THE PINKY RING Bellagio, bellagio. mgmresorts.com. Sunday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m.-3 a.m.

The Pinky Ring’s specialty cocktails (Courtesy/Bellagio)

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Blue Note Quintet saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins sheds lights on the current state of jazz

C U L T U R E

BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ

John Coltrane, Chet Baker, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter—just hearing these names can evoke memorized melodies. Beyond their enduring influence on jazz, these musicians share a profound connection through the revered Blue Note Records. The institution was established by immigrants Alfred Lion and Max Margulis in 1939 and went on to stay ahead of the times by recording artists whose compositions were deemed too experimental and confusing by others. For decades, Blue Note has been cultivating artistic prowess, quality and coolness. And beyond setting the standards of musical excellence,

the label revolutionized album art. Through the work of graphic designer and photographer Reid Miles, Blue Note initiated a new culture of visually striking cover art that matches the feelings jazz gives. In celebration of its 85th anniversary, the label has arranged an acclaimed quintet of modern day recording artists and sent them on an extensive 35-day tour. The band is composed of pianist and musical director Gerald Clayton, saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Matt Brewer and drummer Kendrick Scott. “We’ve all played in other iterations with each other before but never as a full ensemble in this

configuration,” Wilkins tells the Weekly. “Every night is a highlight just in terms of getting closer, musically, and figuring each other out on the bandstand.” Wilkins says the set is a collection of songs from each band member which opens the opportunity to learn each other’s writing style. Rather than covering the greats, Clayton chose to focus on original tracks. Improvisation is at the core of jazz and each show varies from the last. When asked about the challenges of onstage improvisation, Wilkins says, “I’m trying my best to be like water and shift with whatever parameter I’m being given, to make

music that feels like we’ve been playing together for a lifetime.” And instead of faking the funk when something goes wrong, Wilkins says the players naturally default to verbal communication and just ask for more piano or drums. This pause gives new life to the music and adds an honest flair to the already candid and risk-taking performance. Independent labels like Blue Note have been distinguishing variations of jazz that appeal to all audiences. From the complexities of bebop to experimental avant-garde and bluesy hard-bop style, there’s something for everyone in jazz, especially today. “Jazz is having kind of a renaissance right now,” says Wilkins. “There’s a lot of young musicians playing and it’s just becoming cool again.”

THE BLUE NOTE QUINTET March 2-3, times vary, $49-$85. Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.

LEGENDARY SOUND

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

M U S I C As a touring musician, he’s witnessed a shift in the scene in major cities. There’s an influx of younger people and people of color embracing the genre in a new capacity, and becoming the active audience members that jazz needs to thrive. No matter one’s introduction to these soulful sounds, the first impression is lasting and borderline addictive. The Blue Note Quintet’s tour is bridging the past and present through sound, offering the chance for veteran and new listeners to be swayed by the music that honors historical roots while fusing modern innovation. In jazz music theory, the solo is the height of arrangement, and there’s room for each instrumentalist to show out. ”There’s a beautiful ego in that,” says Wilkins. “But the solo can only shine when the supporting band members are strong—as much as it is about the ‘I’ it’s also about the ‘we’.”

Kontravoid (Courtesy/Nedda Afsari)

BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ

MASKED MUSIC

Chatting with Kontravoid’s Cameron Findlay ahead of his Vegas debut

The Blue Note Quintet: (left to right) Gerald Clayton, Immanuel Wilkins, Joel Ross, Kendrick Scott and Matt Brewer. (Courtesy/Photo Illustration)

KONTRAVOID With Buzz Kull, Milliken Chamber. March 2, 9 p.m., $10-$20. The Usual Place, eventbrite.com.

 Cameron Findlay says he’s always viewed his darkpop solo project Kontravoid as “a way to write music for a split personality.” A track like “Reckoning” is fashioned as a brutal club mix, while “For What It Is” maintains the vibe but stands on its own with more approachable tones. Live shows are amplified by strobe lights and thrashing beats that have the power to unleash the Berlin raver we all have embedded inside us. Onstage, Kontravoid vigorously controls the room with every step, shouting gender-switching distorted vocals. His disguise, just a plastic Halloween mask covered in something goopy, looks like it’s melting during the performance, and each gesture bumps along the beat and nudges people to dance. The Canadian-born, LAbased musician has been using the Kontravoid identity since 2012. As a teen he learned how to play the drums, and in 2008 he

founded his first synth-pop band Parallels and went on tour playing with early lo-fi electro legends Crystal Castles and darkwave project TR/ST. Now he’s finding new audiences in places like Las Vegas who are embracing his unique underground sound. Kontravoid’s full-length album Detachment is set to arrive March 1, representing Findlay’s journey of experimentation and growth. “It sounds [like] a bit of a departure from what I’ve done before, but not too different,” Findlay explains. “If you liked the previous record you’ll like this one.” He says the overall production has improved and the album will feature artists from the same electro-realm, such as vocalist Chelsea Crowley from Nuovo Testamento. Kontravoid’s highly anticipated Las Vegas debut marks the city evolving into a regular stop for more underground electronic darkwave artists, and invites all personalities to come to the dance floor.

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M U S I C

ALT APPEAL

Spreading out the sound with Militarie Gun frontman Ian Shelton

MILITARIE GUN With Pool Kids, Spiritual Cramp, Roman Candle. February 29, 6 p.m., $22. Eagle Aerie Hall, seetickets.us.

(Courtesy/ Daniel Topete)

C U L T U R E

BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ Militarie Gun stands as a dynamic force in the realm of alt-rock since the group’s 2020 debut. The band quickly garnered attention from listeners who were surprised by its melodic, pop-forward approach, given founding member Ian Shelton’s hardcore background. According to Shelton, the band harbors a vibrant energy and chooses to embrace goofiness over hyper-masculinity. Militarie Gun has released three EPs, full-length album Life Under The Gun, toured with bands like Scowl, Gel and Touché Amoré, and had its resonant track “Do It Faster” featured on a Taco Bell commercial. The band is composed of vocalist Shelton, William Acuña and Nick Cogan on guitars, Waylon Trim on bass and Vince Nguyen on drums. While on the road, Shelton took some time to chat with the Weekly about MG’s first headlining tour, the progression of alternative music, time spent with Post Malone, and of course, Taco Bell. On tour, you get little snippets of local scenes in various cities. Do you feel like hardcore culture is isolating, or is there more connectivity? It’s hard because the nature of hardcore punk is to be counter to the mainstream. People are writing really catchy songs right now and it’s get-

ting bigger audiences. It could be for everyone if you’re willing to accept the aggressive nature of it. I hate the gatekeeping nature of the internet. I don’t think that thing exists in real life because if you were a part of it pre-pandemic, you mainly played shows to 50 people and those were the big shows. And now we should all be grateful that there’s so many people choosing to spend their time doing this. Considering that shift to more people embracing hardcore and alt music, do you feel this takes away from the music at all? It depends on the style of the band. A band like us, we come from the hardcore scene and have the hardcore label, but we’re more or less just a rock band. We just want to write the catchiest songs we can, and when it comes to writing catchy songs, that’s where a greater audience can find appeal. I play in another band called Regional Justice Center and that is not meant to have a mass audience. That is meant to be antithetical to the mainstream, where Militarie Gun is very much a band that is about reaching wherever we can and trying to get our message into everyone’s head with a chorus. You’re well into the Life Under the Gun tour. Have there been any standout shows?

Austin was an absolutely incredible show that felt like something that I’ve waited my whole life to do. I’m very excited to get back to the West Coast, very excited for Vegas. We’ve played that venue before [Eagle Aerie Hall]and I think this will be a very different show than the previous times we’ve played there. You’re also playing with Vegas band Roman Candle on that last stretch of tour. What’s Militarie Gun’s connection to them? We played Vegas with them before and we keep our ear to the ground on bands that are getting a lot of attention and that we also creatively intersect with. How was it hanging with Post Malone? Can we expect a collab from you guys in the future? I love hanging out with Post Malone. He loves music more than most people and being around him is just very fun because he’s very good at making everyone else feel important in the room. But a collab? Who knows? One last hard-hitting question: What’s your Taco Bell order? The new Stacker … it feels like very nostalgic Taco Bell to me. Historically though, three Soft Taco Supremes and a Crunchwrap Supreme.

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

F O O D

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D R I N K

EVOLUTION OF A FAVORITE Dan Krohmer injects new life into the Other Mama experience

C U L T U R E

BY AMBER SAMPSON neighborhood dining treasure like the Summerlin-adjacent Other Mama doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel to stay relevant. But like any good relationship, “you can’t just put it on autopilot,” chef and owner Dan Krohmer says. “You have to keep it going, add new things to it.” That’s the intention behind the recent refresh at Other Mama, where Krohmer has expanded on the Japanese and seafood-centric fare with new menu items, and added an additional space for what he hopes will become an “underground, little weird boutique bar.” “My first job is doing sushi. We’ve always been kind of one foot in, one foot out with it, just because there’s so many places here with all-you-can-eat,” he says. “Now with the extra space, we’re going to be moving the bar program over here, and we’re gonna have more room to have more sushi chefs. We really want to be the presence of sushi on the west side of town.” Other Mama’s raw bar reputation has carried it through the last nine years. But Krohmer sees the refresh as a chance to reinvest. After juggling different projects in

Maine lobster chowder, spicy salmon roll with shiso and fluke, scallop carpaccio, king crab cakes and the Scarlett cocktail at Other Mama. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)

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OTHER MAMA 3655 S. Durango Drive #6, 702-463-8382, othermama.com. Daily, 5-10 p.m.

the past, the chef and restaurateur has settled back down to “perfect what we’re currently working on.” Food-wise, that means more ways to enjoy Other Mama. There are more a la carte options, more entrees, more sushi rolls and more ways to lure in the “fun, eclectic first date crowd.” But instead of using spectacle, Krohmer is banking on the basics. “I eat differently these days. I’ve traveled a lot in the past 10 years and I like being somewhere like the Dominican Republic, where you just get a fried fish with a thing of rice, slice of avocado and a little bit of salad,” he says. “The generation of chefs trying to impress everybody with their exceptional creativity is dying constantly. People want value. People want quality. People want communication. People want you to remember their name. That kind

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of stuff is important.” Krohmer digs into the classics on this updated menu, bringing Oysters Rockefeller ($21) back for the first time in years. The original, he says, featured a rich helping of foie gras, but he evolves the dish with creamed spinach and pork belly. The pan-crisp king crab cakes ($23), with a glaze of chili cashew sauce, is another memorable addition. “This is also the first time we’ve just had a classic fried calamari,” Krohmer says. “We’ve always had our Rhode Island-style and it was always heavily dressed. But this is one of those things where I just wanted to make it more comfortable for first time people.” And then there’s the presence of the oven-roasted black cod miso ($17), a wildly popular dish Krohmer has become more than a little familiar with over the years. “I worked for [chef Masaharu] Morimoto for a very long time, and I probably made 10,000 orders. Every Nobu person has made black cod miso for a bazillion years,” he says. “I didn’t want to put it on forever just because I was stubborn. I was like, ‘I’m done with this!’ Then I put it on as a special and it just went crazy.” Krohmer refuses to classify his “sidecar bar business” in the vacated space next door as a true expansion, but it will beef up Other Mama’s seating capacity by 50%. “It felt like adding a new addition to your home where all of a sudden you feel really happy to be at home again,” he says. He envisions the galley-style bar serving guests who pop in without a reservation while waiting for a table. A well-priced happy hour is in development, and while the bar does have a wall of TVs, don’t expect to see any sports on them. “What I want to bring back is that old-school sushi bar feeling,” he says. “It’s not some formal omakase or a tasting menu. It’s just, I like whiskey. I like toro, and that’s just what I want.”

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

2.29.24

BUILDING A DYNASTY

C U L T U R E

Bruce Cassidy keeps the Golden Knights motivated for a greater goal

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S P O R T S BY DANNY WEBSTER It’s six days before the Vegas Golden Knights begin the defense of their Stanley Cup championship. The vibes are still pristine, both on the ice during training camp and in the locker room. Players continue to soak in the memories of what happened four months prior and the celebrations that came with it. Coach Bruce Cassidy felt nothing wrong with that. He wanted the players to remember what it was like to be the last team standing and hoist the 35-pound silver trophy at the end of the season. It was a point that the Golden Knights’ coach also worked his whole career to reach. Even when he got to celebrate the championship on the ice with his wife, Julie, and children Shannon and Cole, it was one of the closest feelings to an outof-body experience that he’s had. Claiming the Cup is one thing, he said, “then the banner goes up that you could stare at for the rest of your life, if you want to. To the victor goes the spoils. You should be able to do that.” As quick as the four months were for the Golden Knights to celebrate winning the first Stanley Cup in team history, the past four months since the start of their title defense has gone by just as quickly. The Golden Knights have 23 games left to play. The trade deadline is March 8. Everything has crept up suddenly where, barring an unthinkable second-half collapse, the Golden Knights will be back in the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. And for the second straight year, the job done by Cassidy may go overlooked. Cassidy finished fourth in the Jack Adams Award voting last year given to the league’s coach of the year. That was despite leading the Golden Knights to the most points in the Western Conference, while not having captain Mark Stone for the second half of the season and using as many as five goalies throughout the run. Unless the Golden Knights storm their way past the Vancouver Canucks atop the Western Conference in these final two months, Cassidy won’t get

the recognition for that either. But this year is setting up for a similar path. The Golden Knights just got defenseman Shea Theodore back after missing 35 games with an upper-body injury that required surgery. Star center Jack Eichel has been out since mid-January with a lower-body injury that also required surgery. That doesn’t factor in the two months goalie Adin Hill missed due to injury and the month center William Karlsson was out. That’s a blip of the eight players who were put on injured reserve at one point this year. It’s part of the journey of motivation Cassidy is on. It’s not for the personal accolades, and it’s not to prove he’s still one of the best coaches in the NHL. He has the championship ring to prove that. The motivation is in trying to become a dynasty. He made the “Back to back!” proclamation at the championship parade, because it was how he felt, and how defending champions should feel in that moment. To be in the same breath as the Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning—the teams

that are remembered for multiple titles in the past 15 years—is now what drives Cassidy. “You remember the last decade, teams like Chicago that made it three times and won, Boston made it three times and only won once, but they were always there,” Cassidy said. “They didn’t settle for one and done. No disrespect to Washington (in 2018) or St. Louis (in 2019) but they got their Cups and they’ve gone (up and down). That’s my motivation to get the message to the guys: Do you want to be Chicago? Boston? LA? Pittsburgh? Or that one and done? Is that good enough? It’s a little bit of that, motivation to be a dominant team of the decade.” Winning can change how players and coaches approach a new season. That hasn’t been Cassidy. He’s not a loud, in-your-face coach. He articulates the game plan and expects his players to execute. When they do, the praise is clear. When they don’t, the criticism is evident. That’s not to say Cassidy hasn’t had to look at the mirror himself to change things. He’s acknowledged

he’s needed to change his approach over the years, especially after spending nearly 15 years with the Boston Bruins organization. “You don’t want him to change. You want him to have that same approach, that same mindset, that same desire to push us to be better and the desire for himself to be better,” defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. “That’s what pushes you through the season. I think it’s a good thing that he hasn’t wavered from who he was last year to now.” Despite the ongoing waves of adversity, Cassidy has found ways to adjust, and it’s worked. Though the Golden Knights aren’t in first place in the Pacific Division right now, they’re still firmly in a playoff spot. They’re going to get a chance to repeat. Just getting into the field of 16 and getting a chance to win is all that matters for Cassidy. “I have a better idea of what it takes now. I was close once, and so were several other players here,” Cassidy said. “That would be my goal every year, to go into the year every year with expectations to win the Stanley Cup.”

The Golden Knights celebrate winning the Stanley Cup at T-Mobile Arena on June 13, 2023. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

VEGAS INC BUSINESS

2.29.24 EDUCATION

BIZTOWN HELPS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE IN THE REAL WORLD

B U S I N E S S

BY EMMA BROCATO VEGAS INC STAFF unior Achievement of Southern Nevada is developing a facility to provide young people “the tools to dream big” while learning about business and personal finances, organization officials said. Junior Achievement is transforming a 40,000-square-foot building on Tropicana Avenue into an Inspiration Center to accommodate its BizTown and the Finance Park programs. The facility, which will also house the group’s administrative offices, will be able to serve up to 60,000 students annually, triple the current capacity. “Junior Achievement teaches K-12 youth about the ‘business of life’ through financial literacy, entrepreneurship and workforce development,” according to a statement from the group. In BizTown, students participate in a simulated economy where they have mock jobs and use play money to make transactions at faux banks and businesses. Some of the partner businesses included as storefronts include Google, Five Guys, Caesars Foundation, UNLV and PNC Bank. BizTown also has its own mayor and students participate in voting. Finance Park is a budgeting simulation where students are given a set of life circumstances and must learn to budget for them—similar to games like Monopoly or The Game of Life. Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada President and CEO Michelle Jackson said there is a strong need for financial literacy programs in Las Vegas. The Valley has one of the highest bankruptcy rates in the United States, she said. “There’s also a high percentage of households that don’t have secure employment, what would be considered secure employment,” she said. The program teaches participants budgeting skills and how to differentiate between needs and

Michelle Jackson, president/CEO of Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, poses with a map showing the layout of the JA Inspiration Center, under construction at 4440 E. Tropicana Avenue. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

wants. Jackson said it also tackles some lessons about credit. “Sometimes we see a lot of students that come from low-income families. They’re actually scared of credit,” Jackson said. “Credit can be a great financial tool if you know how to make it work for you.” Another subject the program covers is generating wealth using tools such as 401(k) and Roth IRA investment accounts, as well as the stock market. Through these lessons, the program aims to instill certain values and beliefs in the students, Jackson said. “The value of self-reliance is that it does not matter where you come from,” Jackson said. “You don’t have to be a product of the current environment that you live in.” By mentoring students and having them participate in a simulated economy, the program aims to prepare them for the real world. Director of Community Engagement Shanice Stevens has seen the program impact students by giving them confidence. Students embrace the programs, he said. So, a student who is elected mayor, for instance, may show up in a suit and tie to play the role, he said. The program is “really giving students the tools to dream big and giving them the blueprint on

how that may work for them,” he said. The program also helps students start focusing on future careers—and not just on how much money they might make but on what they would love to do, Jackson said. “That’s huge,” she said. “That affects your emotional health, your just overall happiness in life.” When students learn financial literacy from a young age, they become adults who know how to better manage their finances—whatever their income level—and need less outside support, Jackson said. Jackson said that opens up resources to further improve the community. “So now we have our philanthropists in the community that are not worried about making investments just to keep people fed because people are doing that on their own and they can redirect investments to other things in our community—whether that’s health care or the arts or even education,” Jackson said. Financial literacy has a lot to do with financial independence, Jackson said. “I think most young people want to be able to live on their own and buy their own home someday, own a vehicle. And you really can’t do that without understanding how financial literacy works, understanding the basics of it.”

CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT THE LIBRARY DISTRICT Fr e e a n d o p e n t o p u b l i c .

Storytime: Women’s History DUPLO Saturday, March 2: 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Rainbow Library AGE GROUP: KIDS

Poetry For Resilience Workshop with Clark County Poet Laureate Angela M. Brommel Saturday, March 2: 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Windmill Library AGE GROUP: TEENS, ADULTS

“This is a Woman’s Work” with Author DominiQue Christina Saturday, March 2: 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. West Las Vegas Library AGE GROUP: ADULTS

Lecture: Save Our Mother! Women Working for the Environment Sunday, March 3: 2 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. West Charleston Library AGE GROUP: ADULTS

Storytime: Notable Women in STEM Wednesday, March 6: 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. Centennial Hills Library

A Woman’s Thoughts in Song with Vegas City Opera

The Women Who Saved History: Live Podcast Recording

Friday, March 8: 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. Summerlin Library Saturday, March 16: 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. West Charleston Library Friday, March 29: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. Windmill Library

Saturday, March 23: 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. West Charleston Library

AGE GROUP: SENIORS, ADULTS

Movie Screening – “Barbie” Saturday, March 23: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Laughlin Library AGE GROUP: TEENS, ADULTS

STEM Meets Art: Women’s History Month Tuesday, March 12: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Summerlin Library AGE GROUP: KIDS

Women’s History Month Documentary

“Bombshell: The Hedy Lemarr Story (2017)” Saturday, March 23: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Clark County Library AGE GROUP: ADULTS

Women’s History Month Matinee “Hidden Figures”

Art Meet Up - Women’s History Month Watercolor Portraits

Thursday, March 14: 2 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. West Las Vegas Library Saturday, March 16: 12 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Windmill Library Wednesday, March 20: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. West Charleston Library

Wednesday, March 27: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Summerlin Library

AGE GROUP: ADULTS

Friday, March 29: 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. West Charleston Library

Take & Makes: Women’s History Month

Needlecrafts Women’s History Month Cross-Stitch

Friday, March 8: All Day West Charleston Library

Wednesday, March 20: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Summerlin Library

AGE GROUP: ADULTS

AGE GROUP: KIDS

AGE GROUP: ADULTS

Celebrating Women’s History Through Music with Nevada Chamber Orchestra AGE GROUP: ALL

Scan for even more events & programs this month

VEGAS INC BUSINESS

2.29.24 FINANCE

GUEST COLUMN

From real estate to the stock market and beyond, 2024 is a time to resolve to invest in your financial future BY JOHN BLACKMON

electing how and when to invest is always a challenge, and in 2024 investors face an often-confusing array of investment choices that present both opportunities and potential pitfalls. Those in search of safer, more conservative investments often turn to large cap stocks as their first stop. Given that the stock market is near or at an all-time high, it’s understandable that many investors would turn to stocks for reliable returns. However, while there may be some disagreement among financial advisers as to where to find the highest return on investment, most would agree on the critical importance of having a diversified portfolio. The agreed upon belief that it’s best not to “put all your eggs in one basket” certainly holds true in the field of investment. With that in mind, here are some investment options worth considering in 2024: Real estate investments: Not all choices are created equal There’s an old saying in the world of real estate: “Buy land, because God isn’t making any more product.” While no one can disagree with that premise, it’s also critically important for investors to select real estate investment opportunities where the risk and (potential) rewards are in line with their unique financial situation. After consulting with professionals

who understand the often-complex nuances of the real estate markets, investors will find themselves presented with multiple choices, ranging from residential, including multifamily, investments to office properties. Buying and leasing out a rental property—either for short-term or long-term rental—is an often-popular vehicle for investors. The benefits of this type of ownership investment include the many deductions available, ranging from property repairs and maintenance to mortgage interest and depreciation. Another investment option is private real estate lending. In this type of investment, an individual or a group of investors pool their funds and make a loan to a developer. Known as “trust deed investments,” they are often popular in the financial world as they don’t require the investor to own or manage any property. In addition, the investors directly recoup their funds, including both the principal and interest. Considered to be a real estate transaction agreement, the deed of trust allows a third party to hold onto the property until the borrower repays the full amount to the lender. Typically, a title company or real estate broker will serve as the third party in a trust deed

investment. To avoid any potential diversion of funds from their specific purpose, many financial firms—including my firm, NV Capital—ensure that clients’ trust deed funds go through a title and escrow company once the loan has been made. Third-party servicing companies then collect the monthly payments on behalf of the private lenders. To help mitigate risk, the rule of thumb in trust deed investment is to ensure that no more than half of all your investment funds are placed into trust deed loans. Diversity: An essential element for every investment portfolio The stock market: Times may change, but for many the stock market continues to be the first stop for investing funds. The popularity of stocks, combined with overall consumer confidence, have helped raise the Dow Jones Index to its current record-breaking heights. However, one of the most resonant lessons from the Great Recession of 2008-09 is that there is inherent risk in investing in even the safest of stocks. It’s also why it’s vital that smart investors do not rely upon stocks as their sole source of investment.

When selecting stocks as their investment vehicle, it’s also important to place funds in a diversified stock holding. Small cap, blue chip, and foreign stocks each present financial opportunities depending upon the investor’s respective comfort level. Regardless of the final selection, a diversified stock portfolio is essential. Even federal officials responsible for oversight of the investment industry point out the importance of ensuring that investors maintain a diversified portfolio. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) states that by holding a diversified investment portfolio, the goal should always be “to manage your risk by spreading out your investments … both within, and among different asset classes.” Beyond the stock market: Other investment options exist Depending on individual investment goals and risk aversion, other investment vehicles worthy of consideration include bonds, mutual funds and cash reserves. For example, take the case of bonds: supported by a strong national economy, in 2023 the average bond fund in the high-yield bond Morningstar Categories gained 12.1%. While that level of return will vary each year, it exemplifies the potential financial rewards presented by the bond market. As is true with all aspects of business, there can be no reward without a certain amount of risk; however, with the direction and assistance of financial professionals, smart investments made in 2024 can provide for financial security, both now and in years to come. John Blackmon is manager and owner of NV Capital Corp., which specializes in private lending by aggregating clients’ investment dollars together to fund loans on Nevada real estate.

Times may change, but for many the stock market continues to be the first stop for investing funds. The popularity of stocks, combined with overall consumer confidence, have helped raise the Dow Jones Index to its current record-breaking heights.

2.29.24

Amari Italian Kitchen & Wine Shop’s boutique retail and wine shop experience is now open at UnCommons.

VEGAS INC NOTES Highlights of the best in business

In honor of Black History Month, the city of Las Vegas presented Las Vegas-Clark County Library District Executive Director Kelvin Watson with the African American Trailblazer Service Award in the category of Community Activism and Politics. Watson’s approach to serving the underserved through technology has led to such national recognition as the American Library Association’s 2023 Medal of Excellence Award and back-toback wins as the 2022 and 2023 Library of the Future. Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development approved three companies that will receive $14,520,823 in tax abatements. In return, the companies are projected to create 148 jobs in the next two

years at an average weighted hourly wage of $37.49. That figure is expected to grow to 219 jobs in five years. Two of the companies receiving abatements are in Clark County—Edgewood Renewables and Hard Eight Nutrition. The third is in Storey County. SR Construction was recognized for various awards by Associated Builders and Contractors at the 32nd Excellence in Construction Awards. Among the awards it received were: Accredited Quality Contractor, Diamond Step Award for Safety, and first place in General Contractor Commercial, General Contractor Health Care, and General Contractor Industrial. In addition, SR Construction’s office manager, Kristina Mitchell, was named Volunteer of the Year Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center has received certification from

VEGAS INC BUSINESS

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DNV as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of competence for treating severe stroke events. The Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board has issued the first license to operate for a cannabis consumption lounge in Nevada to Smoke and Mirrors, attached to Thrive Cannabis Marketplace. There are 19 lounges that have been approved by the board for a conditional license, including 14 retail-attached and five independent lounges. SRG Residential has been awarded management of Vestra, a curated collection of apartment homes at UnCommons. It’s the first residential development at UnCommons and features three midrise towers comprised of 352 apartment homes. UnCommons’ third phase of the development will feature 455 residences upon completion.

JOB LISTING Firstline Supervisor Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, or related. $35,402/year.

Send resume to Orange Table, LLC., 7775 S. Rainbow Blvd., #105, Las Vegas, NV 89139

The Sales Engineer, East Coast & Canada will sell our services and products in virtual production, augmented reality, and extended reality technology in broadcasting industry by utilizing their strong understanding of real time 3D graphics, computer graphics, programming languages, and hardware components, such as processors, graphic cards, and motion tracking devices, which were acquired through their bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. The qualified applicant must have a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering or related field, and possesses a minimum of 3 years in Media and Entertaining industry at any Business Development or professional Sales positions, including 2 years of experience in B2B sales of virtual production/ augmented reality/ extended reality technology, and in utilizing camera tracking products, game engine technology (Unreal Engine, Unity), real time 3D graphics, video production and streaming products and workflows. This position is permanent, 40 hours per week, and located in Las Vegas, Nevada. Telecommute is permitted with 75% travel to various unanticipated locations throughout the U.S. Qualified candidates can email their resumes to: hr@zerodensity.io or mail to: Zero Density Inc. 7251 West Lake Mead Blvd. Ste 300 Las Vegas, NV 89128. EOE.

MGM Resorts Satellite, LLC has the following position in Las Vegas, NV. Senior Software Engineer II to develop and execute production grade code: through vision, definition, planning, execution, deployment and sustainment. Remote Work Permitted. Rapid Approval States: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio and Texas. Extended Approval States: Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, New York, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia. Apply online at https://careers.mgmresorts.com/global/en job number: 246212 or E-Mail resume to resume@mgmresorts. com and reference job number: 246212.

Every day 4 PM - 10 PM*

LV W P U Z Z L E & H O R O S C O P E S

2.29.24

PREMIER CROSSWORD “CORNER TO CORNER” BY FRANK LONGO

HOROSCOPES WEEK OF FEBRUARY 29 BY ROB BREZSNY ARIES (March 21-April 19): The coming weeks will be an ideal time to declare amnesty, negotiate truces and shed long-simmering resentments. Other recommended activities: Find ways to joke about embarrassing memories, break a bad habit just because it’s fun to do so and throw away outdated stuff you no longer need. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Tauruses have a robust capacity for doing diligent, effective work. Many also have a robust capacity for pursuing sensual delights and cultivating healing beauty. When your mental health is functioning at peak levels, these two drives to enjoy life are complementary; they don’t get in each other’s way. If you ever fall out of your healthy rhythm, these two drives may conflict. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Many people choose wealthy entertainers and celebrity athletes for their heroes. But consider other superstars to provoke your adoration, like author Rebecca Solnit, Potawatomi biologist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer, the four musicians in the Ukrainian band DahkaBrakha, poet Rita Dove or novelist Haruki Murakami. Now is a time to be extra proactive in learning from your heroes—and rounding up new heroes to be influenced by. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Work on coordinating two issues that are key to your life’s purpose: your fervent longing to make your distinctive mark on this world, and your need to cultivate sweet privacy and protective self-care. These themes may sometimes seem to be opposed. But with a little ingenious effort, you can get them to weave together beautifully. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If you don’t recognize the face in the mirror right now, that’s a good thing. If you feel unfamiliar feelings rising up in you or find yourself entertaining unusual longings, those are also good things. The voice of reason may say you should be worried about such phenomena. But the voice of mischievous sagacity urges you to be curious and receptive. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Study the fine art of sacred intimacy in the coming weeks. Life’s rhythms will redound in your favor as you enjoy playing tenderly and freely with the special people you care for. Ponder this: What aspects of togetherness might flourish if you approach them with less solemnity and more fun? Could you give more of yourself to your relationships in ways that are purely enjoyable, not done mostly out of duty?

2020 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE ACROSS 1 Fishhook end 5 Neophyte 9 Negate 15 “Kapow!” 19 “-- Ben Adhem” (Leigh Hunt poem) 20 Whole bunch 21 Opposed (to) 22 Nevada city on I-80 23 Mild-flavored lettuce 24 Dawn’s direction 25 Common corsage flower 27 2019 buddy-cop action-comedy film 29 Leaning Tower city 31 Co-avenger with Electra 32 Wooden shoe 34 Bestow 38 Feedbag grain 39 Jaguar, e.g. 41 “It’s not -- deal” 43 Guy who helps people get out of jail 48 Attila the -49 “I pass,” in cards 51 Bic -- Stic 52 Add up to 53 March 15, e.g. 55 Emperor before Caligula 58 In the direction of 62 Unsafe 64 Convent VIP 65 Quilt, e.g. 66 Small bouquets 68 Monkey in Aladdin 69 Die-hard devotees 70 What this puzzle’s solver does when filling in the upper-left to lower-right diagonal? 74 8-11 p.m., TV-wise 78 Exec’s deg.

79 Tattle 84 Old Russian revolutionary 85 German for the verb “love” 88 Sheer fabric 89 States of oneness 90 Filename display area 92 Not far at all 93 GQ or Us 94 Send forth 96 Some pinschers, for short 98 Completed 99 Male sibling by birth 105 Asian fusion restaurant chain 106 Taxing org. 107 French body of water 108 Like an ode 110 Marjanovic of the Rockets 112 Memory loss 116 Like eyesores 118 Citigroup alternative 121 Item for surfing on one’s stomach 125 Work for 127 Impose -- on (forbid) 128 Arm bone 129 Princess Beatrice’s mom 130 Ran away 131 1967 Peter Sellers film, with “The” 132 Casual tops 133 Brines, e.g. 134 Lays (down) 135 Spin -- (do like Spider-Man)

DOWN 1 Streisand, to friends 2 Slightly 3 Vigorous quality 4 -- Gump Shrimp Company 5 Mechanical-looking dance 6 Pro vote 7 Rub roughly 8 Sight-related 9 Beach hut 10 Selma director DuVernay 11 Lincoln loc. 12 Boohoo 13 Canadian gas choice 14 NBA star James 15 Twists to pull free 16 Sun output 17 Poker cost 18 Hardness scale inventor 26 Take in a novel, e.g. 28 Abba of Israel 30 Boohoo 33 Leg bone 35 Popular office plant 36 Building wings 37 Hitting stat 39 Bird sound 40 Video’s counterpart 42 Last name of the Bee Gees 44 Eight-armed creatures 45 The second Mrs. Trump 46 Actress Eve 47 Bird homes 50 Cheapen 54 Enjoy a slope 56 McEntire of country 57 Lead-in to a proposal 59 Bake-off needs 60 “As if that -- enough ...”

61 Pooch sound 63 Aden citizen 65 -- -de-sac 67 Composer Erik 69 Ocean floor 71 Mouth or face, slangily 72 Rescue squad VIP 73 Upscale Swiss watch brand 74 -- tuckered out 75 Of kidneys 76 The Princess Bride character Montoya 77 The Engineers’ sch. 80 It’s charged 81 Knotted like shoelaces 82 Huxtable mom on TV 83 Goat groups 85 Limber 86 Black, in verse 87 Honcho 90 Mambo king Puente 91 Ricochets 95 Janitorial tool 97 Deli heroes 100 Last Greek letters 101 Actor Arnaz 102 Court filings 103 Pianists’ exercises 104 Road semi 109 Staff symbols 111 Addis --, Ethiopia 112 Be up against 113 Yard pest 114 Not any 115 Aid in crime 117 New Haven university 119 Local theater, informally 120 Door handle 122 Iron -123 Iron -124 Tear 126 No longer in the mil., e.g.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Bandleader Count Basie asked a club owner to fix his piano. A few weeks later, the owner called Basie to say everything was good. But when Basie arrived to play, the piano still had sour notes. “I thought you said you fixed it!” Basie complained. The owner said, “I did. I painted it.” Make sure you identify what really needs changing, not some distracting minor glitch. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Most of us have received an inadequate or downright poor education about love and intimate togetherness. The good news is that you are cruising through a sustained phase of your astrological cycle when you’re far more likely than usual to acquire vibrant teachings about this essential part of your life. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The myths and legends of many cultures postulate the existence of spirits who are mischievous but not malevolent. They play harmless pranks. Their main purpose may be to remind us that another world, a less material realm, overlaps with ours. You may soon have encounters with some of these characters. They will bring you odd but genuine blessings. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Some studies suggest that less than half of us have best friends. If you are one of these people, the coming weeks and months will be an excellent time to remedy the deficiency. Your ability to attract and bond with interesting allies will be higher than usual. If you do have best friends, intensify your appreciation for and devotion to them. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Soaring high above the mad chatter and clatter is your birthright and specialty. However, you are overdue to spend some quality time here on the ground level. At least temporarily, trade the bird’s-eye view for a worm’s-eye view. Don’t fret. It’s only for a short time. You’ll be aloft again soon. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): In old Hawaii, the people loved their deities but also demanded productive results. If a god stopped providing worshipers with what they wanted, they might dismiss him and adopt a replacement. Experiment with a similar approach in the coming weeks. Are your divine helpers doing a good job? Are they supplying you with steady streams of inspiration, love and fulfillment? If not, fire them and scout around for substitutes. If they are performing well, pour out your soul in gratitude.

THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE HOOPS EXPERIENCE. 4 WATCH PARTIES. 4 GREAT VENUES. MARCH 20-24 & 28-31 3 STORIES OF GLORY VIEWING PARTY CIRCA SPORTSBOOK AT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO The Ultimate Hoops Experience is at the World’s Largest Sportsbook. Rising three stories high this venue is positioned in front of a huge 78-million-pixel screen. Indulge in delicious game-day favorites and quench your thirst with ice-cold beverages. You’ll feel the electrifying energy of the games while sitting in our grandstands, a plush recliner, or a luxury booth. There’s no bad seat in the house.

BOOK YOUR SPOT AT CIRCALASVEGAS.COM

POOLSIDE VIEWING PARTY STADIUM SWIM AT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO Get ready to make a splash as we celebrate the madness of basketball, and the thrill of victory, where the only thing hotter than the competition is our grill. With heated pools & cabanas, game-time snacks and drinks, and an epic 143ft screen to watch simultaneous game action - there’s simply no better place to be.

BOOK YOUR SPOT AT CIRCALASVEGAS.COM

GALAXY WATCH ZONE FREE WATCH PARTY LEVEL 3 GALAXY BALLROOM AT CIRCA RESORT & CASINO

2024

Witness the courtside action like never before. Transforming our ballroom into a basketball haven, we’re bringing the energy and excitement of the tournament to a whole new level. State-of-the-art audio, high-definition screens, a Circa | Sports® satellite betting station, cocktails & concessions, we’ve got it all.

LEARN MORE AT CIRCALASVEGAS.COM

NOT YOUR ORDINARY FREE VIEWING PARTY 12TH FLOOR DETROIT BALLROOM AT THE D LAS VEGAS Watch the quest for greatness unfold on the hardwood as the underdogs roar, giants fall, and the unpredictable becomes the beauty of the madness. Immerse yourself in the thrill of the game at our special basketball curated viewing party with multiple high-definition screens, a Circa | Sports satellite betting station, cocktails, and concessions.

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Must be 21+ to attend events. We encourage you to gamble responsibly. For problem gambling, call the Problem Gamblers Helpline at 800.522.4700. Management reserves all rights.