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Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, JUSTIN HAGER, CASE KEEFER, DAVE MONDT
O ce Coordinator NADINE GUY
CREATIVE
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Publisher of Digital Media KATIE HORTON
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ADVERTISING DEADLINE
EVERY THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 30TH -DECEMBER 23RD
SEMA Fest brings live bands to the Convention Center, heavy metal reigns with Crowbar at Backstage Bar & Billiards and more this week.
Genre-defying outfit King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard brings plenty of new music to PH Live.
Voltaire fits like a corset on Dita Von Teese’s new revue.
Huntridge neighborhood.
Flora Dungan Humanities at UNLV Photograph by Wade Vandervort
The Strat Tower (Steve Marcus/Sta )
SUPERGUIDE
SANTANA
7 p.m., & 11/9-11/10, House of Blues, concerts.livenation. com
BARRY MANILOW Thru 11/9, 7 p.m., Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com
ROCK ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
5 p.m., Downtown Container Park, downtowncontainer park.com
UNLV WOMEN’S BASKETBALL VS. NORTHERN ARIZONA
11 a.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets. com
NEVADA CONSERVATORY THEATER: A SKEPTIC AND A BRUJA Thru 11/9, 7:30 p.m. (& 11/8, 3 p.m. & 11/9-11/10, 2 p.m.), Alta Ham Fine Arts Black Box Theatre, unlv.edu
When it comes to car culture, not much can stand in the way of autophiles and their engines. That’s why SEMA Fest is back for another year of sexy automotives and live music to soundtrack the showcase. The festival is an arm of the SEMA show, a massive convention that drew more than 160,000 attendees to Las Vegas in 2023. Those who purchase tickets to the show or just GA passes to the fest will enjoy headlining performances by Cage the Elephant, Fitz and the Tantrums and Sublime, with original members Eric Wilson, Bud Gaugh and current frontman Jakob Nowell. Throughout the day, moto stars will also drop in for Optima Unleashed sessions, where they’ll perform stunts, showcase rides and really get your metal heart pumping. 3 p.m., $69+, Las Vegas Convention Center, semafest. com. –Amber Sampson
8 p.m., & 11/9, 11/13, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com
NAHKO
7 p.m., Area15, tixr.com.
HELLDORADO DAYS RODEO
6 p.m., & 11/9, Core Arena, plazatix.com
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: HOOPFEST
5 & 8 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com
METRO BOOMIN
10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com
LUDACRIS
10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com
SATURDAY NOV 09
BILLY JOEL & STING
7 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com
TRAVIS CLOER
8 p.m., Club Madrid, ticketmaster.com
MELISSA ERRICO
7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com
CHARGER With The Plagues, Antivision, 8 p.m., Sinwave, dice.fm
PEACE FROG
8 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com
UNLV MEN’S BASKETBALL VS. MEMPHIS
3 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvtickets.com
LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC: SLATKIN CONDUCTS GERSHWIN
7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com
ONE DROP FOUNDATION WALK FOR WATER
8 a.m., Springs Preserve, onedrop.org
KAYTRANADA
With Channel Tres, Lou Phelps, 7 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, universe.com.
BEST DAM WINE
WALK
3:30 p.m., Frank Crowe Park in Boulder City, eventbrite.com
RICK ROSS
10:30 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com
DJ SNAKE
10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zouk grouplv.com
MARK KNIGHT
With DJ AR, Midnight Afair, 10 p.m., Discopussy, seetickets.us
THE CHAINSMOKERS
10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com
CROWBAR
From the deeply rooted musical city of New Orleans comes the slow and heavy metal band Crowbar. Led by vocalist and guitar ri lord Kirk Windstein, who’s been the project’s sole constant member since its 1991 debut, this group is an American classic to metalheads around the world. Known for a crushing, sludge-infused sound, Crowbar combines doom metal’s weighty atmosphere with hardcore punk’s raw energy, delivering a sound that’s both punishing and deeply emotional. Over the decades, the band has carved out a loyal following with relentless touring and a discography filled with honesty and introspection, earning them a revered place in the world of heavy music. Now on a West Coast winter run, the band makes a stop in Downtown Las Vegas to give us an earful. With Morbid Visionz, Madzilla, Buried Vengeance, Haddonfield, 8 p.m., $25+, Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us. –Gabriela Rodriguez
STEVE AOKI
10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com
JAMES KENNEDY
10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com
NICK BIKE
10 p.m., We All Scream, tixrcom
JACKIE HOLLANDER
With Skye, GlittrGlitch, 11 p.m., La Mona Rosa, seetickets.us
(AP Photo)
SUPERGUIDE
SUNDAY NOV 10
MONDAY NOV 11
STAGED READING: A TIME FOR LOVE
3 p.m., Rita Deanin Abbey Art Museum, ritadeaninabbey museum.org
CANDLELIGHT: NEO-SOUL
FAVORITES
SARAH COLONNA
With Mark Ellis, Noah Gardenswartz, thru 11/13, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgmgrand. mgmresorts.com
Many of us have our Thanksgiving meal planning down pat. We’ve mastered the menu and are ready to celebrate with a fantastic feast, family and friends. And many of us have no idea how or why to cook a turkey, or much of anything else, and are more than a bit anxious about hosting the holiday meal this year. No matter where you fall on this spectrum, this event can easily be overwhelming.
For surefire hospitality tips, we’ve turned to the professionals, two of the Las Vegas Strip’s most experienced chefs working in two very popular restaurants at Paris Las Vegas. Vincenzo Scarmiglia is executive room chef at The Bedford by Martha Stewart, and Vincent Pouessel is executive chef at Mon Ami Gabi. It’s no surprise that both restaurants will o er tempting Thanksgiving day dinners (in case you decide to skip the kitchen and take the family out) because both chefs are big fans of the holiday, and they have more to share than just turkey tips and side dish recommendations.
Get organized and start early.
Decide on the dishes that need to be prepared, designate who is making and bringing which items, and get as much prep and cooking done in advance of the big day as you can. “Especially if you are preparing the whole meal on your own, you have to start a few days in advance. But you can ask everybody else to bring their casserole or mashed potatoes, whatever they want to bring,” Scarmiglia says. “You can do the traditional bread stu ng days before and just warm up the day of. Cranberry sauce can be done ahead, and gravy too, because there’s never enough gravy. You can cook the turkey and use the juice to [make gravy] but that won’t be enough, so make some or buy extra in advance.”
Don’t get trapped by tradition.
Pouessel says the Mon Ami Gabi dinner is shaped by the classics, because that’s what guests want every year. But home cooks shouldn’t feel bound by the standards, especially if those dishes aren’t what you want to make or what your guests want to eat. “Now you have unlimited access online, with videos on YouTube and every kind of recipe showing you how to cook a turkey or brine a turkey,” he says. “If you happen to cook a meal like Thanksgiving regularly, that’s how you master those dishes.” But there’s less pressure when you’re making food you love for people you love, so feel free to break the rules.
Shutterstock/Photo Illustration
+ Making cookies with kids (see page 18)
Brine and slow-roast that bird.
Both chefs get quizzed every year for tips on the perfect turkey.
“You’ve got to control the temperature. Cranking the oven all the way up may cook it super fast, but that’s the fastest way to make it dry,” Scarmiglia says. “It needs a slow cook and bastings [at] no more than 325 or 350 degrees. It can be higher, maybe 400, but only about an hour.”
SKIP THE KITCHEN
And brining the turkey—marinating the entire bird in a spice and herb soak to saturate the meat with flavor— is a must. The turkeys at Mon Ami Gabi will be resting for
Grazing sets the right tone.
two days in orange juice, vinegar, sugar and herbs including rosemary, thyme, bay leaves and sage. Then they’ll dry fully on trays in the refrigerator, an important step but not as easy for the home cook that doesn’t have hotel facilities, Pouessel says. That’s where that early organization comes in. “The brine can be made even weeks prior, just save the liquid in a pot or a ziplock in the back of the fridge so you’re ready to go,” Pouessel says. “Organizing everything you’ll need is critical to success.”
For the ultimate low-stress Thanksgiving that’s still sophisticated, try a prix fixe meal o ered at numerous local restaurants. Here’s what’s on the menu at these Strip spots:
THE BEDFORD BY MARTHA STEWART
Paris, 702-946-4361, caesars.com.
Thanksgiving dinner is not just turkey, it’s about providing a feast of options and variety, and serving tasty snacks before the dinner is a great way to showcase that approach. Scarmiglia recommends easy finger foods: “I like to have arancini, maybe a charcuterie board with some crostini and bruschetta,” he says. “It can be easy and quick. You have many items to prepare so you want to go easy when it comes to that stu .”
with shaved almonds “for a nice crunch.” At his home
Thanksgiving menu: Roasted honey nut squash salad; Big Martha’s pierogi; roasted turkey stu ed with herbed breadcrumbs and leg confit roulade with potato purée, haricot verts, bread stu ng, orange-cranberry sauce and white wine-sage gravy; pumpkin cheesecake with caramel sauce and whipped cream. Starting at $130 for two people.
MON AMI GABI
Paris, 702-944-4244, monamigabi.com.
sliced into medallions, and
I’ve found the maple glaze with a hint of salt and spice
The keep-it-simple approach can be applied to side dishes as well. Instead of the traditional heavy green bean casserole, Pouessel opts for green beans with sauteed garlic and shallots and finished with shaved almonds “for a nice crunch.” At his home holiday meal, his family prepares sweet potatoes every year, pre-cooking them in the oven so they can be easily peeled, sliced into medallions, and glazed with a mixture of butter, maple syrup, sage, rosemary and a touch of Tabasco. “Some people do marshmallow on top, but I’ve found the maple glaze with a hint of salt and spice works out perfect.”
Thanksgiving menu: Smoked salmon with pumpkin spice brioche OR endive and pear salad with blue cheese and candied pecans; Fairy Tale pumpkin soup; Herb-roasted turkey with caramelized yams, garlic and sage cornbread stu ng, haricots verts, potato purée, bourbon gravy and vanilla-cranberry relish; Pumpkin bread pudding with maple crème anglaise and vanilla ice cream OR pecan chocolate tart. $55 per person.
WHEN IT COMES TO BAKING, THE MORE THE MERRIER
BY BROCK RADKE
Charming Arts District bakery, café and restaurant 1228 Main recently added a fun Saturday morning session to its recurring bread-making classes. Just in time for the holidays, Kid’s Cookie Corner o ers a hands-on opportunity for kids 5 and older to bake and decorate their own cookies, held for free at 10 a.m. every Saturday. Parents can relax and enjoy a meal or snack while children get a possible first glimpse into the world of baking, making for an ideal weekend family activity. (Reservations can be made at 1228mainlv.com.)
Marking the holidays with favorite treats is a common tradition, but it can be made even more fun and meaningful when the whole family gets involved. Here are a few simple ways to get kids involved and excited to participate:
Expand your cookie horizons
Use your favorite sugar cookie recipe and create larger, personal pizza-sized cookies to act as larger canvases for holiday-themed decorations. Each participant can create their own festive scene with a variety of toppings, frostings, sprinkles, fruit and more.
Teach the favorites
Many kids have a top pick when it comes to holiday treats, something they’ll beg mom or dad to make this time of year. Share the recipe, line up and discuss the ingredients, and make it together,
Edible gifts rule
maybe even setting up your camera phone to make a video as if you were on your own
Get the whole family involved in crafting two or three di erent cookies, brownies, dipped pretzels or other simple treats and assemble gift packages for friends and neighbors. Trust us, your sweet treat drop-o missions will be more exciting than you’ll realize … and instill lots of holiday cheer.
Baking to last
Get everyone together to make salt-dough ornaments, something simple that’s not for eating but can last for years on your Christmas tree once they’re decorated with nuts, seeds, peppercorns and other toppings, baked and sprayed with acrylic sealant available at craft stores.
SUPER STRUCTURES
The architecture of Las Vegas stands apart
What is the de ning shape of Las Vegas’ skyline? Is it boxy or curvy? Slim or thick? Rectangular, triangular or (recently) spherical? Owing to our city’s relative youth and enormous cultural footprint, it’s all these things, thanks to the ambitious developers and marquee-name architects who, over the years, have one-upped each other in creating buildings that Las Vegas—and America, and the world—have never seen before. Some are enormous monoliths intended to humble us, while others are warm, pedestrian-scale buildings meant to reassure us—and we kinda love them all. Here are a few of the Weekly’s favorite Valley buildings, captured in all their glory.
Flora Dungan Humanities Building at UNLV
UNLV’s Flora Dungan Humanities building—named for the Nevada assemblywoman, activist and general boss— has buttress-like columns at her foundation, making the seven-story building appear as though she’s on stilts. Look up when stepping inside, and you’ll see a strong use of negative space—a hollow center contained by concrete pillars and stacked balconies. She’s a brutalist beauty with midcentury modern flair.
Fun fact: Flora Dungan was designed by modernist architects Walter Zick & Harris Sharp. Their firm made their imprint on Las Vegas with their designs of Union Plaza, the Mint Hotel and the Moulin Rouge. –Shannon Miller
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
Observation Tower at The Strat
The 1,149-foot observation tower formerly known as the Stratosphere was designed by Ned Baldwin, who was the supervising architect on Toronto’s 1,185-foot CN Tower, and willed into being by Bob Stupak, easily one of the most unique figures in Vegas history. Stupak wanted an Eiffel Tower or Space Needle for Las Vegas, and while it falls a bit short of that lofty ambition, it is as unique as the man who built it, with its swooping pillars and jewel-shaped observation pod topped with thrill rides.
Fun fact: The tower, while structurally sound, does have a pronounced bend in one of its legs, the easternmost one. After receiving assurances that its foundation was still stable, Stupak fired and replaced his original construction team. The bend is about 200 feet up.
–Geoff Carter
Sphere
Many different architectural styles have impacted and influenced the look of the Strip, but the ground-breaking Madison Square Garden Company entertainment venue Sphere can’t be categorized; there is no building like it anywhere in the world, at least until recently announced plans lead to a second Sphere in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Kansas City firm Populous was behind the overall design of the world’s largest spherical object at 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, creating a striking departure—and that’s truly saying something—from the towering buildings along Las Vegas Boulevard. As soon as that vast, mind-boggling LED exoskeleton switched on, a new conversation about physical spectacle began, and the exploration of those ideas is just getting started. –Brock Radke
(Steve Marcus/Staff)
The Shops at Crystals
Veer
Towers
Las Vegas’ skyline wouldn’t be complete without the awe-inspiring and anxiety-inducing Veer Towers leaning in such a delightful way. These 37-floor Strip high rises, designed by the architectural firm Murphy/Jahn, tilt five degrees in opposite directions through a feat of engineering that provides a sturdy framework and a gorgeous, unobstructed tenant view. The condos reflect sunlight through their huge glass panes and yellow fins, effectively saving energy. As off-kilter as they are, we can’t help but appreciate them.
–Amber Sampson
Architectural master Daniel Libeskind defines the shape of luxury with The Shops at Crystals, starting with a jagged exterior of angles that sharply contort and compete for the viewer’s eye. Like the retail district’s name suggests, they appear like natural crystals, channeling a bit of deconstructivism for which Libeskind has become known. Natural light pours in through several skylights to brighten up the mall, while interior designer David Rockwell brings the attention back to architectural statement pieces with his grand bamboo staircase and 70-foot-tall wooden treehouse, a dining area at Mastro’s Ocean Club. –Amber Sampson
(Steve Marcus/Staff)
LOU RUVO CENTER FOR BRAIN HEALTH
When Larry Ruvo enlisted Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry to design the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, he ensured that the medical research facility would have a memorable form.
The gleaming, curvilinear Ruvo appears like a faraway city glimpsed through a heat mirage—melting, folding in on itself. It’s also one of the most distinctive buildings Gehry has conceived—and considering that Gehry also designed Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum and LA’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, that’s no small thing.
Fun fact: Gehry initially refused to design the center, only agreeing after he got Ruvo’s agreement to expand the center’s research mandate beyond Alzheimer’s to include Huntington’s disease. –Geoff Carter
(Wade Vandervort/Staff)
ARCHITECTURE OF LAS VEGAS
LUXOR
A palatial relic of Las Vegas’ themed attraction past, the Luxor stands as a postmodern, pyramidic marvel, ominous in size and ba ing to observe once the sun strikes its capstone. The pyramid, constructed out of reinforced concrete and dark reflective glass panes, holds a 30-story atrium within, showcasing the impossible scale of this steeply built replica of ancient Egypt’s Great Wonder of the World.
Fun fact: Charles L. Silverman, of Yates-Silverman Inc., the casino interior design company behind Luxor, journeyed to Egypt several times to study its landmarks and culture. Egyptologists were also brought in to work on the theme in an e ort to keep it as authentic as possible. –Amber Sampson
GUARDIAN ANGEL CATHEDRAL
What do you get when you combine Catholic with Googie architecture? Guardian Angel Cathedral, a one-of-a-kind building east of Las Vegas Boulevard and just north of Desert Inn. Triangular shaped niches along the long, A-frame building create space for the Stations of the Cross. Like other works by architect Paul Revere Williams—the La Concha Motel lobby currently serves as the Neon Museum’s visitor center—Guardian Angel looks like it could’ve come from outer space. –Shannon Miller
(Brian Ramos/Sta )
(Steve Marcus/Sta )
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts ARCHITECTURE OF LAS VEGAS
The decades-long development to create a true home for arts and culture in Las Vegas couldn’t yield something simple or generic—or a building that didn’t represent the Valley. David M. Schwarz Architects, which had completed the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville and the American Airlines Center in Dallas, found inspiration in Hoover Dam, adding exquisite details to the Art Deco theme while building the first performing arts center of this size to obtain a LEED Gold rating. The Smith Center was built to look timeless and last forever, perhaps antithetical to the very idea of Las Vegas.
Fun fact: The 19-foot-tall chandeliers in the Smith Center’s Grand Lobby are roughly the size of George Washington’s nose on Mount Rushmore. –Brock Radke
(Wade
Vandervort/Staff)
ACADEMIC BUILDING AT LAS VEGAS ACADEMY OF THE ARTS
Our Valley doesn’t have many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places—about three dozen all told. (By comparison, LA boasts nearly 300.) That fact alone makes this Art Deco charmer, designed by Reno firm George A. Ferris & Son, an absolute standout in a city of disposable artifice and a perfect inclusion for the National Register. The Academic Building’s elegant façade, with its Aztec-inspired elements and graceful filigree, does the rest.
Fun fact: The Academic Building is just one structure in the “Las Vegas High School Historic District” that enjoys National Register inclusion. The school’s gymnasium (built in 1930) and Frazier Hall (1949) are on the list, too. –Geoff Carter
(Geoff Carter/Staff)
Built at the height of World War II while materials were scarce, the Huntridge Theater doesn’t have a lot of fancy flourishes. Today, its Streamline Moderne tower sign, with its marquee base and strip of neon lettering at the top, is really the only thing identifying it as a classic movie house. But when you dig into the work of its architect, S. Charles Lee—designer of LA’s Max Factor Salon, Fox Wilshire Theater and Los Angeles Theater, among others—its Tinseltown charms begin to emerge. Nearly all its sibling structures are on the National Register of Historic Places for good reason.
Fun fact: An effort continues to restore the Huntridge to its past glory. Its current owner is currently engaged in a lawsuit to relocate a cellular tower that needs to be moved before redevelopment can begin.
–Geoff Carter
Huntridge Theater
(Brian Ramos/Staff)
“Between an unfair summary eviction process, soaring rents, and corporate landlords buying up our neighborhoods, it’s clear that housing in the Silver State is in crisis. We deserve leaders who will stand up for tenants, make housing more a ordable, crack down on shady landlords, and treat housing as a basic human right — not a luxury.”
- Jarrett Clark, communications director at For Our Future Nevada, at a November 1 rally to highlight the importance of housing issues in the 2024 general election
HOT SHOT The Spirit of Wynn, a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Coupe, won in the Specialty Class and Exhibition category at Concours 2024, a luxury car event held at Wynn Las Vegas November 1-3. (Courtesy Wynn Las Vegas)
1
LIBRARY LICENSE PLATES
The Nevada DMV is partnering with the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District to o er a “I Love My Library” specialty license plate. Proceeds help fund essential library programs and services. Learn more at thelibrarydistrict.org/license-plate.
Area15 gets four haunted houses
Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) announced new details for its upcoming Universal Horror Unleashed attraction set for Area15 in 2025. As the Weekly has previously reported, UDX is developing a year-round horror experience as the anchor tenant in the 20-acre expansion of the Area15 immersive entertainment district in Las Vegas. The project will use the characters and content from Universal’s classic and modern horror films to create four unique haunted houses: Universal Monsters, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scarecrow: The Reaping, and The Exorcist: Believer. Fully-themed entertainment areas will surround each haunted house, each with additional live experiences and horror-themed food and drink offerings. Universal Horror Unleashed tickets go on sale in 2025 and you can sign up to receive updates at universalhorrorunleashed.com –Brock Radke
BY THE NUMBERS
$8.5M
That’s how much the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently awarded to Southern Nevada Homelessness Continuum of Care to bolster Clark County’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program to support young people facing housing insecurity.
CENTER OPENS
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City on October 30 opened the doors to its newest addition: a purpose-built residential campus for children who experienced sex trafficking.
“For over 58 years, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children as a whole has been committed to providing pathways to hope and healing for child victims of abuse and neglect and young people experiencing homelessness. … We know that there’s been a growing awareness about child sex trafficking and the need to provide a victim-centered approach for healing,” Christina Vela, CEO of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, said.
The $25 million Healing Center consists of three four-bedroom and three six-bedroom homes in
a neighborhood-style layout that overlooks Lake Mead.
There are also therapy offices, a multipurpose building, meeting spaces, a yoga and meditation room, a library, a computer lab, outdoor areas that include features like a tortoise habitat, and even a Clark County School District campus for students in grades 6-12.
Children who experienced sex trafficking will be paired with a survivor advocate when they arrive at the St. Jude’s Ranch, then encouraged to share their statement with Metro Police. The program is going to be constantly staffed by trained specialists and offer individualized healing plans for residents.
Southern Nevada had zero residential programs to care for
2 3 CIRCA EXPANDS
Circa has introduced 106 new rooms and suites to its 458-foot-tall hotel tower, increasing the resort’s room inventory by 20% with the addition of four panoramic “sunset suites,” single kings, double kings and premium rooms.
children who experienced sex trafficking, Vela explained, and many of these kids across the nation used to be sent to juvenile detention facilities or places like Child Haven—a county-operated temporary shelter.
Once the Healing Center is fully operational, Vela expects to serve about 45 to 50 children, but the program can house up to 62 residents with two additional emergency shelter beds that will be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Healing Center will begin accepting residents in November on a gradual intake process and hope to set a precedent that could lead to similar projects elsewhere.
–Grace Da Rocha
SKI SEASON STARTS EARLY
Lee Canyon turned on the Rabbit Peak chairlift November 2. In the resort’s first early-season opening in 13 years and Nevada’s first ski and snowboard resort opening this season, hundreds of skiers and snowboarders got their first runs in.
Helene hit Las Vegas indirectly
HURRICANE DISRUPTED IV SUPPLY LOCALLY
When Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina in late September, killing over 100 people and unleashing $53 billion worth of damage in the state, it also took out the facility at the center of the United States’ IV bag production.
Medical manufacturer Baxter has spent the past month trying to get the plant—which produces more than half of the IV bags American hospitals use— up and running. Recently, Baxter said it restarted the production line that is responsible for the plant’s highest throughput of IV solutions but that deliveries of the product wouldn’t resume until late November at the earliest.
After Helene dissipated, 85% of the nation’s hospitals reported having less than 20 days of IV fluids on hand, according to media reports. The IV shortage is also being felt here. Dignity Health, which operates seven hospitals in the valley, told the Las Vegas Sun that IV fluid “remains limited” and will be until the North Carolina plant is fully operational.
While IV bags are usually a rare sight outside of hospitals and ambulances, they’ve also become a luxury item in Las Vegas as a hangover cure for around a decade.
Chrisa Chen-Davis is a managing partner of Hangover Heaven, a medical clinic providing IVs to fight the effects of overdrinking. The company has had its IV supply cut in half, she said.
“Obviously, the hospitals have first right to the fluids, so we are getting a ration of IV fluids as they become available,” Chen-Davis said. –Kyle Chouinard
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTOPHER DEVARGAS
NEVADA SENATE RACE HANGS IN THE BALANCE OF UNCURED BALLOTS
BY SHANNON MILLER
Donald Trump, a twice-impeached former president convicted of multiple felonies, has been declared the next President of the United States.
And based on vote counts available early November 6, it’s possible he could have a Republican-controlled Congress. Republicans notched a majority in the Senate. As of press time, it was too early to call which party would have control in the House of Representatives.
It was also too early to call the race for Nevada’s U.S. Senator. Incumbent Jacky Rosen was down by about 870 votes in her race against Republican Sam Brown, according to o cial results as of Wednesday morning.
That race, as well as other down ballot races, could hinge on mail ballots left to be counted as well as whether more than 13,000 ballots that need curing statewide get cured. Ballots that were submitted without a signature or with a signature that didn’t match what the Election Department had on le need to be “cured,” a process by which the voter provides personal identifying information to their election department. If those ballots do not go through the cure process, they cannot be counted.
“We’ve still got [more than 13,000] ballots that need a signature cure, and apparently, that’s disproportionately impacting young people because we don’t teach cursive writing. My students literally do not have a signature the way we would recognize a signature,” says College of Southern Nevada political scientist Sondra Cosgrove.
Signature curing is initiated by a letter from the Election Department, as well as an email or a phone call from 702-4558683. Voters should check their mail and email and be on the lookout for a call from that number, and make sure their mailing address, phone number and email address are updated in their voter registration by going to registertovote.nv.gov.
Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar also announced an online method of curing your ballot at cure.nv.gov, which provides a QR code for voters to scan and submit their information electronically without having to call the county. All signature curing must be completed by 5 p.m. on November 12.
“We’ve got a bunch of races that are a couple 100 votes in between the two top candidates. … The voter’s ballot includes all down ballot races, too. There’s legislative races and other races that are very, very close that their vote could really matter,” Cosgrove says.
She adds that less than 63% of eligible Nevada voters turned out this year, compared to 77% in 2020. Lack of turnout from Democrats could have contributed to Trump’s win.
UNLV associate professor of political science Dan Lee says Trump’s win wasn’t the result of either campaigns doing anything extraordinary to win or lose, but rather perceptions of the economy—the top issue among voters, according to exit polls.
“Harris tried to distance herself from Biden by campaigning on her promises for the future rather than the accomplishments that Biden’s administration had. …
But at the end of the day, we have a sitting Democratic president. People perceive the economy not to be doing well, so they’re going to vote for a Republican. It’s kind of that simple,” Lee says.
League of Women Voters of Nevada president Barbara Wells says the nonpartisan nonpro t is bracing for counties to not certify election results, as Washoe County did in 2024 primary recounts.
“We need to gird our loins, and be ready for whatever might develop from here on in. And of course, there are a number of down ballot elections still in progress here in Nevada. We want to be sure there is no refusal to certify those results. And this too is a threat to democracy on the local level, if that were to happen. [We want to be sure] that there are no irregularities that would prevent a free and fair election in our state,” Wells says.
Cosgrove says regardless of who is declared the winner in races, constituents will have to work with their elected o cials in the coming years to advocate and ght for their interests.
“If somebody got elected you didn’t agree with, you still have to interact with them. They’re your representative. And it’s doubly important … that we have conversations about being civil to each other and not name calling. We need to make sure, if there’s something that needs to get done, like a ordable child care, … they’re going to hear from me about that,” Cosgrove says.
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard isn’t just a band. It’s a shape-shifting beast that devours genres for breakfast and spits out sounds you didn’t even know you needed.
Psychedelic rock, thrash metal, jazz, electronica, prog, folk, synthpop and more; nothing is sacred and everything is up for grabs for this Melbourne-based sextet. We’re talking 26 studio albums and counting, 39 live recordings, stacks of singles and enough music videos to keep you glued to your screen for days. And it’s all been done over the course of just 14 years.
The latest record, Flight b741, was released in August right in the middle of a 44-date world tour. Its sound is heavily in uenced by no-frills Southern rock n’ roll bands from the late ’60s and early ’70s—pedal steel, harmonicas, bluesy twang and all.
“We had a rule for this album—if it took longer than two hours to be satis ed with a take for a song then the song was too complicated for this project,” says bassist Lucas Harwood.
“While the ideas are fresh and owing … someone would bring in ideas to the table, write the chords down and we would all learn it on the spot and go for it.”
The initial tracking sessions for the album lasted two weeks before the band separated to work on individual parts or in smaller groups before regrouping for the over-dubbing
process, which took a few months to complete. Given the holistic, collaborative nature of the band, anyone has the ability to fully pitch a song idea.
The title track was Harwood’s time to shine, as he took the lead on the song’s composition, piano and vocals.
“It was a big thing for me … I don’t write as many songs as the other guys and I feel the things I write don’t usually t in the Gizzard canon, but I had this one that just felt right,” he says.
Harwood, who also plays in the psych-pop rock band Heavy Moss, calls back to his childhood and his early exposure to folk music, which undoubtedly gave him the perfect backing to bring “Flight b741” to life. He nods to Elton John when it comes to the song’s piano style, and says that his bandmates gave him a helping hand with wrapping up the arrangements.
“It was the perfect environ-
ment for me where I had this idea, it’s not fully formed and when I brought it to the table with the guys, everyone just collaborates,” he explains.
“Which is really cool because it probably still wouldn’t be a nished song.”
The listener is met with a fuzzy opening ri , a wailing harmonica and a chorus of vocals. And although getting on the mic was a bit of a learning curve for Harwood, his tone is rich and ts perfectly with his bandmates. The song encapsulates the feeling of a weekend road trip with your buds.
Just as the dust began to settle, King Gizzard kicked it up again.
Only two months after releasing Flight b741, they’re already cooking up another record—and, of course, exploring another genre. Their latest teaser, the melodic and orchestral single “Phantom Island,” o ers a taste of what’s to come. And they’re set to take this sound on a special nine-show run backed by a 28-piece orchestra next summer.
But before embarking on that orchestral escapade, they’re nishing up their current world tour, with a stop in Vegas on November 9—a familiar city for King Gizzard.
“I don’t mean this negatively at all: It is a huge novelty,” says Harwood. “It’s really crazy and fun and we’re usually just playing some blackjack after the show. I reckon the last time we did it, we took over a whole table too.”
Voltaire fi ts like a corset on Dita Von Teese ’s new revue
STRIP
BY SHANNON MILLER
The Queen of Burlesque has done it again. After running her first Vegas show in the storied Jubilee Theater at Horseshoe, she has moved over to one of the Strip’s newest showrooms, Voltaire, with a new revue.
Cabaret seating in Voltaire’s 1,000-capacity room makes for a more intimate show without sacrificing any glitz and glamor, Von Teese says. The venue’s long runway helps, too.
“Jubilee Theater—I loved that show so much, and I loved the heritage of that room. But I think it was very, very big,” she tells the Weekly “You can feel the difference in the room already. … Some people don’t know, but the runway was invented for burlesque before it was used in fashion or anywhere else.”
It’s the perfect platform for the haute couture outfits adorning Von Teese, and the historic costumes that she and her dancers bring to life. The Pete Menefee and Bob Mackie-designed costumes from Jubilee—which was Vegas’ longest running showgirl revue at Bally’s (now Horseshoe) from 1981 to 2016—are revived here to “breathtaking” effect, Von Teese says.
So there’s the room. There’s the costumes. And then there’s the variety of acts performed by Von Teese and her troupe of showgirls and showboys, as well as some of the best burlesque performers from around the globe. From cowgirl Von Teese’s mechanical bull ride, to Tosca Rivola and Amber Snow whipping rose petals off their stem, to Dirty Martini’s carousel ride and masterful tassel twirling, the show is a feat of pure fabulousness—so fabulous that Voltaire recently announced the residency would extend through May 2025.
At that venue, the Weekly spoke with Von Teese about her inspirations, and what to know about this new revue.
THE BIG TIME
Von Teese says the word “burlesque” is thrown around perhaps more casually than it should be. And she’s here to remind people what burlesque really is, and what it’s capable of.
“I’m doing burlesque on the biggest scale it’s ever been done on. And I’m not saying that just to say ‘Look at me.’ I’m saying that because it’s true. We have been trying, [designer] Catherine D’Lish especially, to innovate what is done in costuming, what is done with props and the debris of decadence. And that has been our mission statement since we met 25 years ago.”
ONCE MORE, WITH FEELING
Each of Von Teese’s performances within the revue melds mind, body and soul to create an intimate work of art.
“Because sometimes what people don’t realize [is] behind every dance move, there has to be a thought and something you feel. And that’s when it becomes magic. And I know I connect my thoughts and what I’m doing and my dancing. … I know what I’m going to be thinking every time I take something off.”
FOR THE LOVE OF BURLESQUE
Bringing her signature style to Las Vegas is a beautiful, fleeting moment. It comes through in her work as playfulness and humor.
“I started doing this when I was 19, when there was no audience for it. But I didn’t care, and I felt like the rewards were always in the doing, not in the goal. I never had a goal to be here in Vegas. … I didn’t think it was possible. I was happy just doing it and living for it.”
Geoff Carter contributed to this story.
(Photos/Courtesy)
NIGHTLIFE NOTES
Terrace Afterhours, Travis Scott, Mayfair Supper Club and more
BY BROCK RADKE
Terrace Afterhours celebrated its grand reopening at Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club on October 26 after a year-long hiatus. “We are beyond excited to welcome back our guests and share the incredible sunrise parties Las Vegas has been missing,” producer Brett Rubin said in a statement. “Terrace Afterhours has always been about fostering the local community, celebrating creativity and breaking new talent. We can’t wait to bring that spirit back to life.” For more info, visit terraceafterhours.com
ComplexCon, the ultra-cool expo that brings together music, style, sneakers, pop culture, art, food and more, is coming to Las Vegas for the first time November 16-17 and Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World is hosting the official afterparty headlined by Travis Scott. The rapper and Zouk resident is also ComplexCon 2024’s artistic director, and his performance is set for November 17 with doors opening at 10:30 p.m. Make plans at zoukgrouplv.com
Speaking of Zouk, it will become the home of Rodeo Vegas December 5-14 when the National Finals Rodeo takes over the town, serving up live music from the likes of Wade Bowen, Easton Corbin, Paul Cauthen and more, plus DJs anchoring afterparties for more than a week.
Just before ComplexCon arrives, cigar bar and more Eight Lounge at Resorts World will partner with the Goodie Two Shoes Foundation for a special charity shoe drive edition of Sticks and Kicks at 8 p.m. on November 14. The local charity provides disadvantaged children and children in crisis with new shoes and socks, as well as other essential items. Guests are encouraged to wear their finest kicks and bring a pair of new shoes and socks to donate, then enjoy the night with other cigar and sneaker aficionados as well as a set by DJ J-Krazy Franky & The All Nighters, the all-star Vegas band including frontman Franky Perez and guitarist Christian Brady, will continue its Hot
Vegas Nights residency at Rocks Lounge at Red Rock Resort on November 9 and 30, and December 14 and 28.
Renowned Mykonos culinary and entertainment destination Nammos will take over Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio for a residency on November 11-24. The Strip hot spot will have an entirely different, Mediterranean-style menu as well as DJ and dance performances and “immersive moments that transport guests to the pristine beauty and allure of the Greek Isles.” And that’s not all; legendary Ibiza cabaret Lío will make its return to Mayfair December 30-January 12. Reservations will be required at themayfairlv.com. In case you hadn’t heard, Anyma will become the first electronic artist to perform at Sphere at the end of the year, and he’ll make his Las Vegas nightclub debut at XS at Wynn on December 30. For tickets and reservations, visit wynnnightlife.com
The bar and lounge at Mayfair Supper Club (Courtesy/MGM Resorts International)
TAKING THE DIVE
Jive Turkey brings mirth and mayhem to the Huntridge neighborhood
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Neighborhood bars often take years, if not decades, to fully establish their character. Jive Turkey, a new Downtown dive located across from Huntridge Center on Maryland and Charleston, feels like an exception to that rule.
Housed in the former space of the historic Mahoney’s Drum Shop and founded by bar industry veterans Sam Pulliam and Adam O’Donnell, Jive Turkey is every bit as funky as its name suggests.
The 4,300-square-foot bar, which features an outdoor courtyard and an adjacent building with seating and a stage for live music, nails a number of retro motifs, from kitschy wallpaper in the restrooms to a vintage mural of bursting stripes behind the bar. There’s even natural light inside— what a concept!
A time capsule comes to mind when Pulliam thinks of the space, but he’s quick to add that Jive Turkey isn’t a ’70s-themed bar, “but a bar that could have existed in the ’70s.”
“Downtown spoke to us because it’s actually got some style and history. Vegas is known for knocking things down and building anew,” says Pulliam.
“We looked at the Arts District, but then this area just felt like the right timing and opportunity to get into. …This building was built in 1963, so trying to shoehorn a bar into a unique space was exciting.”
Jive Turkey highlights local history and pays respect in several ways. Its Bonneville cocktail tips its hat to the Downtown street, but also delivers a banging recipe. There’s also a section of the menu for Other People’s Property, which features cocktail staples like the Cable Car and Infante from household names like Tony Abou-Ganim and Giuseppe González, respectively.
The rest of the menu is exceptionally playful, with cocktails like Birds Aren’t Real ($14) tapping into our inner conspiracy theorist, and Take It In the Can ($14) unlocking a new appreciation for vacation drinks with a bite. In contrast, the Over 21 ($14), a concoction of cinnamon amaretto, rye whiskey and—wait for it—Yoo-hoo chocolate drink, sings back to our childhood in a way no other cocktail can.
On top of those o erings, you can also choose … mayhem. Jive Turkey’s menu o ers a list of silly activities. You can pay to “ice” someone with a bottle of Smirno . You can pay to have your Polaroid taken and pinned to the wall. You can even pay to have a good cry in the bar’s walk-in, though hugs might come with an extra fee.
It’s totally unserious, and Pulliam knows it. But it’s also what makes a memorable night.
That’s why there’s also a “family meal.”
“In restaurants, you have a family meal before your shift,” Pulliam explains. “If you stay with us until close, most nights, we are going to o er some kind of fun food item for those people who make it to the end of the night.”
Pulliam doesn’t identify Jive Turkey as a gastropub but sees its food menu as “our best possible version of classic bar food.” Being from Chicago, he had to have a Chicago dog ($9) on the menu—the man’s got a tattoo of one on his forearm, for crying out loud. Pulliam says they dice all the traditional toppings of the hot dog into a relish, ensuring texture and consistency in every bite. The Oklahoma-style onion smashburger ($9) also knocks it out of the park with a chuck, short rib and brisket beef blend, thinly sliced onion, housemade burger sauce and pickles wedged into a potato bun.
Acknowledging those tasty bites, the Short Rib Sando ($16) is the standout.
(Christopher DeVargas/Staff)
JIVE TURKEY
608 S. Maryland Parkway #160, 702-202-0023. Daily, 3 p.m.-3 a.m.
FOOD & DRINK
LAVO REVAMPS WITH A BRIGHT NEW LOOK AND MODERN ITALIAN FLAIR
The Italian word lavo means “wash,” and that’s what has been done at Lavo at the Palazzo on the Las Vegas Strip. Dark wood has been replaced by whitewashed brick, simple black-andwhite chairs have been traded out for botanical-inspired upholstery with light wood and paper lanterns have been swapped for Italian glass with gold flakes, all part of a redesign that started in June and wrapped up in September. The result is a transformation into a bright and breezy slice of southern Italy.
And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the return of the famous meatball ($31), 16 ounces of fresh imperial Wagyu beef, Italian sausage and veal with marinara and fresh whipped ricotta.
“Our chef, Bruce Flowers, is braising short ribs for three to four hours in the back with tons of vegetables and aromatics, and it becomes super tender. Then he makes a gravy out of that, the renderings from all the short rib,” Pulliam says. “It goes on a sandwich with arugula, dijonnaise, caramelized onions and local sourdough from a bakery by my house, the Daily Bread.”
If you’ve saved some room, you can also order Mom’s Dessert of the Week ($7) from Jive Turkey’s “other” chef.
“Adam’s mom literally volunteered herself as tribute to make us desserts,” Pulliam says. “The first week she brought in Texas sheet cake, a chocolate cake that she made. We had an apple rhubarb pie and a blueberry pie. She’s busy!”
It’s the perfect setting to enjoy the sophisticated southern Italian cuisine that Lavo is slinging. The Tao Group venue has been known as much for its party brunch as its evening offerings, and the new dinner experience centers around fresh ingredients, proper preparation and modern flair. The refreshed beverage program features citrus-forward cocktails and an extensive wine list that staff will happily help pair with your meal.
For antipasti, tuna tartare ($27) is mixed with avocado and black olive dressing with a crispy cracker to scoop it all up. Grilled octopus ($28) comes with celery hearts, castelvetrano olives, cipollini onions and baby potatoes.
Brick-oven pizzas, freshly made pastas and more await for the main course. Cacio e pepe pizza ($24) is topped with pecorino crema, cracked black pepper and refreshing escarole. It’s hard to pick one pasta, as the dough is all made fresh in house, but we recommend either the lobster fra diavolo ($56) featuring scallops and calamari with linguini, or the comforting garganelli Genovese ($32) with sweet onions, braised short rib and pecorino. Hearty proteins like grilled branzino ($42) with laurel, lemon and parsley salad, or the 48-ounce prime Meyer Ranch porterhouse ($350) with spring onions and crispy smashed fingerlings round out the dinner menu.
And of course, dessert should not be skipped, especially considering the hazelnut tart ($20) with gianduja mousse and the lemon olive oil cake ($21) with crème fraîche and almonds. With a fresh, clean look and a modernized menu, Lavo is ready to serve up its renewed take on Italian.
–Shannon Miller
Grilled octopus (Courtesy/OKAMI)
‘NOT IF, BUT WHEN’
UNLV hockey visions on becoming an NCAA Division I program after building one of the best club programs in the nation has
BY JACK WILLIAMS
Utica University never felt like the right t for Mattias Dal Monte.
The NCAA Division III program went 25-3-1 in Dal Monte’s freshman year and even won the United Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship, but he saw little opportunity at Utica.
Instead of transferring to another Division III program, going to play juniors, or looking to make the jump to Division I, Dal Monte decided to play club hockey at UNLV.
“I just got that feeling on the academic and athletic side of things that this was exactly where I wanted to be,” he said.
Playing in Division I of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), UNLV is still classi ed as a club program but operates under an “umbrella of its own.” The program has aspirations of becoming the second college hockey program in the Southwest to achieve Division I status.
“My sta and I know we’ve assembled a team that could make that jump,” UNLV coach Anthony Vignieri-Greener said. “It’s just about when. Obviously, we have to bring in some more transfers and get some kids on the portal, but we’re closer than most people think.”
UNLV is looking to become the fourth ACHA program to transcend divisions, joining Penn State (2012), Arizona State (2014) and Lindenwood (2022).
On the ice, the Rebels already look capable. They’ve gone 80-20 collectively over the last four seasons following a COVID-canceled 20202021 campaign. They’re coming o their best season in program history, nishing as national runner-up to Adrian College (Michigan) last year.
This year’s team is 5-3 through its rst eight games. The group is rebuilding after losing eight seniors, but gained 12 new players including three transfers from NCAA programs—Long Island (D-I), New Hampshire (D-I) and Concordia
SKATIN’ REBELS
UPCOMING HOME SCHEDULE
Dec. 6 — vs. Grand Canyon
Dec. 7 — vs. Grand Canyon
Dec. 13 — vs. Arizona State
Dec. 14 — vs. Arizona State
Jan. 10 — vs. University of Jamestown
Jan. 11 — vs. University of Jamestown
All games scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at City National Arena. Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for children at rebelhockey.com
Seating on a first-come, first-serve basis.
(D-III).
While it may seem like a step down from playing in the NCAA’s upper divisions, Vignieri-Greener said good college hockey players fall through the cracks and UNLV o ers a place where they can ourish.
“I pitch to them, if you want to come here, it’ll be really competitive hockey and we have aspirations to make that jump (to Division I) one day,” Vignieri-Greener said. “But right now, we want to win.”
The club operates scally o the ice like any other o cial college athletic team. UNLV hockey’s annual budget is $700,000, which is higher than some of the university’s o cial sports like golf and tennis.
But the hockey team receives only $20,000 from UNLV’s Registered Student Organizations. The rest comes from sponsors, bene ts, fundraisers and ticket sales.
The Vegas Golden Knights have been one major supporter as they’ve provided a home venue at City National Arena in Summerlin, where the NHL team is also headquartered.
While UNLV hockey has gured out how to make it work monetarily, one of the most signi cant bene ts of becoming an NCAA Division I program would be scholarships. Vignieri-Greener said he lost three to four players to other ACHA programs this summer because UNLV does not o er nancial assistance to club sports athletes. UNLV hockey players’ dues are $3,000 each.
“I don’t fault them for that,” Vignieri-Greener said of prospects leaving for other programs due to nances. “I have two daughters. If they go to a compatible school, where they’re going to go for free, and the education is good, obviously, you’re going to take the free one.”
But the product on the ice and the shared vision of the future have UNLV hockey in an excellent place to make history. The next step to its Division I journey will be UNLV athletic director Erick Harper approving a feasibility study and securing $30 million in
investments.
“A lot is moving forward with these NIL deals and major junior hockey players being allowed to play college hockey where you have so much talent and not enough teams (on the West Coast),” UNLV assistant coach Nick Robone said. “It’s about which team on the West Coast will take another stab at it after Arizona State.”
It’s not only the coaches and donors who understand what it will take for the program to achieve Division I status, but also the players. Most of them will likely not be playing for UNLV if it makes the Division I jump, but they are just as invested in making it happen.
“If we have a historic year and win a national championship, it’s going to set in motion the steps to get this program to Division I,” Dal Monte said. “For me, and I know the other guys feel the same way, that’s such a cool part of this.
“I know 10 years from now, I’m going to look back, this program is going to be Division I, and I’m going to be one of the guys that got to play on one of those founding teams.”
On the ice, winning consistently is critical to ensuring that UNLV has a chance to make the jump. All three previous programs that moved from the ACHA to Division I had won a national championship. Penn State won ve titles from 1997 to 2003, Lindenwood won the ACHA national championship three times and Arizona State won it once in 2014.
Vignieri-Greener is in his 10th season as coach and working tirelessly to ensure the program’s support of the blue and white NCAA crest. Even if that means he may eventually have to watch games from the stands, he wants the best for the Skatin’ Rebels.
“I’d love to stick around and coach this team when we make that jump, but if it’s not me and they went with the bigger name, I would be proud either way,” Vignieri-Greener said. “I know how much we’ve put into this program and the sacri ces we made for them to be able to do that.”
CYBERSECURITY PROGRAM AT UNLV NEW BUT ALREADY AMONG NATION’S BEST
BY KATIE ANN MCCARVER VEGAS INC STAFF
HIGHER EDUCATION
The master of science in cybersecurity program at UNLV launched in 2021 with a handful of students.
Now, it’s graduated nearly seven times that and recently came in second on a ranking of master’s in cybersecurity programs for 2025 by Fortune
Greg Moody, director of the program, said it’s unique in that it’s interdisciplinary. Whereas many peer programs, which are relatively as new, may focus more on the business or engineering side of cybersecurity, UNLV’s degree is provided by both the Lee Business School and Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering.
“That structure between business and engineering is a rather unique approach,” he said, “that is well-liked by the students and by the employers.”
To Rakitha Perera, who works at UNLV in IT and is set to graduate from the cybersecurity program in December, marrying the technical and administrative sides of the cybersecurity field seems like a “no-brainer.”
“The whole program was a very, very nice balance between the two, and I really appreciated that,” said Perera, who also noted that he appreciated the program’s flexibility. “(For) someone like me who kind of has been exposed to both sides, it was very refreshing.”
The program, which Moody said was formed as a response to local leaders in technology needing more of a talent pipeline, is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
It’s also notable for its network of professionals with decades of experience in cybersecurity, Moody said, as well as application-based learning experiences.
“We have them actually do cybersecurity with an actual business, and take that book learning and the university setting and go do it in the real world—usually for a smaller business that doesn’t have someone who is devoted to cybersecurity,” he said. “And that helps them, helps the business and it helps the student.”
The program, which Moody estimated has about 75 students, provides a mentor to each student, with whom they meet on a regular basis to assess how they’re doing
or talk about their future opportunities in cybersecurity.
Sowmya “Sri” Nemani, a junior security analyst in the Office of Information Technology at UNLV graduated from the program in August. She said it gave her a clear idea of the breadth of careers she could pursue in cybersecurity.
There’s a multitude of opportunities for employment in cybersecurity, she said.
“It’s a good employment opportunity,” Nemani said when asked what she would tell people considering the program. “And also, (whoever) loves solving problems and (whoever) likes to deal with computers, it’s a pretty good opportunity to pursue.”
A 2023 report by Cybersecurity Ventures showed more than 750,000 available positions in the field in the U.S. alone, with a disparity between demand and supply in the market expected to remain through next year.
At UNLV, Moody said he has more internship offers than students to fill them.
Cybersecurity is increasingly relevant because more and more businesses rely on technology, Moody said. Cyberattacks are not just a global issue, but a local one. For example, last fall both MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment experienced cyberattacks, causing chaos for the hospitality giants.
“Cybersecurity is just about ensuring that (the) data that we like to access and the resources that allow it are available and they’re free from errors,” he said. “And so increased reliance on stuff means we need to have people who are really well-trained to do that exact role.”
Moody said the program will work to incorporate artificial intelligence, like how it can help with cyber defense.
UNLV is also moving forward with a bachelor’s degree program, he said, which would give students straight out of high school a pathway to a career in cybersecurity.
“We have a very healthy contingent of students at all ages and levels and skill sets who come back to the university programs to retool and enter into this new space,” Moody said. “And so we anticipate that that will keep happening and keep allowing this program to grow and to adapt to the needs of our major employers here in the Valley.”
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BY TEDDY LIAW
After spending more than 15 years living in the Bay Area, between my college years at Berkeley and many of my formative professional years, I finally committed to San Francisco in 2019 by buying a four-bedroom home. I couldn’t see myself living anywhere else.
On March 11, 2020, I tuned in to watch the Oklahoma City Thunder-Utah Jazz game, which would become the infamous “COVID NBA game.” It was initially delayed, then ultimately canceled by officials as the players were getting ready for tipoff. Players on the court and fans were all shocked. It was the first domino to fall for U.S. sports to be canceled indefinitely. It was also the same day the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.
Within months, the world changed. San Francisco, like many cities, became a shell of itself. Safety issues grew rampant and amplified an already horrible situation. Some questionable policy issues made things worse. By the end of the year, I was committed to leaving San Francisco.
Ultimately, I decided on Las Vegas for a combination of reasons. Austin, Texas, was too far. Seattle was too cold. Despite growing up in Los Angeles, and my parents still being there, crime and safety issues seemed to be no respite from what I was trying to escape. Las
Housing, entertainment, tax structure and other advantages position this city to become a major player in tech world
Vegas felt like a great option. It was still in the backyard of California, which would be a huge advantage for my professional career. But I wondered what it would be like to live in “Sin City.”
Moving my family wasn’t easy, but after visiting Summerlin, the community quickly felt like the Irvine of Las Vegas. We found a home, and for around the same price as what we were paying, gained three times the space. We also felt confident in the private school choices nearby. Being surrounded by both natural beauty and an abundance of great places to shop and dine has made our adjustment easy.
In just a few years, I’ve been inspired by the city’s growth. My view of Las Vegas as a thriving city with culture, food, sports, entertainment and lifestyle has been cemented. But I believe Las Vegas is just scratching the surface.
The people and spirit here have inspired me to be all-in, and part of that means having the mindset to give to the community as much—or more—than it gives me. Since Vegas has given me so much already, I felt compelled to do my part in return. When I moved here, some amazing local leaders, businessmen, elected officials and community groups welcomed me. That was the genesis for my founding of the former governor’s Nevada Startup and Venture Council with local community leaders.
In 2022, I also founded the Vegas Tech Summit, which has become a premier
annual event that hosts technology entrepreneurs and investors, primarily from California, to introduce them to Las Vegas and encourage them to consider relocating here. Several individuals who have attended the Vegas Tech Summit have moved here, and a growing number have relocated or are in the process of relocating their businesses.
My vision for the Vegas Tech Summit is to bring some of the top tech entrepreneurs, executives and investors to Vegas through amazing programming and world-class experiences. We take our attendees off the Strip and host all of our events at some of the world-class sites and venues that they normally wouldn’t see on the Strip—from Summerlin and the Summit Club on the west side to MacDonald Highlands on the east side. Past speakers have included businessman and investor Ben Horowitz, Panda Express owner Andrew Cherng, Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan, DCM founder David Chao, Congressman Ted Lieu and UFC chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein, among others.
Attendees leave the tech summit inspired by the content, some with new relationships that have led to funding of their companies. Many attendees leave in disbelief as they say, “Wow, I can live in this spacious house for such a reasonable price, enjoy affordable access to top golf clubs, live this amazing quality of life, and have a thriving tech communi-
ty to lean on.”
Vegas is well positioned to become a major tech hub. The tax savings are obvious, but this benefit is not just about putting more money in people’s pockets. Over 90% of U.S. startup businesses fail, so every advantage is important. This becomes a matter of survival or collapse.
Companies in Las Vegas can take advantage of tax incentives and savings, which can mean hiring two more engineers, adding five more employees, or having six extra months of runway to prove that their company is viable. This can be the difference between success or failure. Office space is cheaper, and labor is more affordable.
And it’s not just the executives who benefit from the superior quality of life here. The average worker benefits, too. The hypothetical $100,000-a-year tech employee can barely afford a 500-square-foot apartment in San Francisco, but that salary can likely allow them to live in a 2,500-squarefoot house in Las Vegas, which means a healthier life for them and their families. Execs and workers alike win in Vegas, which leads to better employee retention.
Las Vegas is also a major destination for both work and play, with over 40 million visitors a year and over 10,000 annual conventions. Austin has roughly 25 million visitors by comparison. This means that companies based in Vegas have the luxury of being at home while having a flood of clients, partners, distributors or other prospectives fly into their hometown—another huge advantage of doing business here.
Las Vegas isn’t just fancy lights, tall buildings and transient visitors. Nevadans are working hard to ensure it keeps on thriving. I believe in the people. And the people inspire me. Vegas has always been a gaming and entertainment mecca, and it is now morphing into a major sports town, too. The next horizon for Vegas is its evolution as a future tech hub. The diversity of its identity and economy will ensure prosperity for generations to come.
Teddy Liaw is CEO of NexRep and president of Vegas Tech Summit.
VEGAS INC NOTES Spotlighting the best in business
Fontainebleau Las Vegas appointed Thomas Evans to the role of chief marketing officer. A lifelong Nevadan with nearly 30 years of leadership experience in hospitality marketing and brand development, Evans is responsible for shaping the global image of the resort. He was previously chief marketing officer at Dreamscape Companies, where he oversaw marketing during the renovations and rebrand of the Rio.
Golden Entertainment promoted Skylar Dice to senior vice president and general manager of the Strat. With more than two decades of experience in hospitality and gaming, Dice brings a wealth of industry knowledge and leadership to his new position. Dice joined the Strat in November 2021 as vice president and assistant general manager, where he was instrumental in overseeing day-to-day operations. In his new role, Dice will lead all aspects of the resort’s operations, including its 2,427-room hotel, 80,000-square-foot casino and observation tower.
Viva Las Norms! Restaurants, born and raised in Southern California, announced the grand opening of its Las Vegas location, 4605 W. Charleston Blvd., on November 9. Norms Las Vegas marks the 24th outpost for the diner concept, and the group’s first restaurant outside of California.
Netflix and MGM Grand announced plans to open a dining experience with Netflix Bites Vegas, a one-year culinary residency. Netflix Bites begins construction
this month and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner when it opens its doors at MGM Grand in early 2025. Netflix series have inspired confectionary collaborations such as Stranger Things Eggo waffles, New Coke, Scoops Ahoy ice cream, Bridgerton International Delight creamer, Ladurée pastries and Williams Sonoma sweet treats.
Flipper’s World, the Venetian and Tao Group Hospitality will partner to bring roller skating to the Las Vegas Strip destination this winter at Tao Beach Dayclub Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace at the Venetian will open this month and run through early 2025. The roller-skating experience will be open to all ages and will include special programming for 21 years of age and older. Flipper’s World, co-founded by Liberty Ross and Kevin Wall in partnership with Usher, creates skate-inspired apparel and immersive experiences around the world. The 47,000-square-foot venue will feature a skating rink totaling 3,250 square feet. Roller skating will take place Thursday through Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. Guests may bring their own skates or rent them at the venue.
The Mob Museum’s original podcast, Inside the Life, earned multiple honors at this year’s Signal Awards and MUSE Creative Awards. At the Signal Awards—a program that is mission-focused on uplifting the podcast medium by recognizing potent, meaningful and unprecedented audio projects—the museum received gold for “best new podcast”
and silver for “best trailer.” The MUSE Creative Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the realms of creative design, advertising and digital media. Inside the Life received platinum awards for “website - podcasting” and “audio - podcast.” Additionally, the museum itself received platinum MUSE Awards for “integrated marketing - integrated marketing campaign” and “advertising - advertising campaign.” Created and produced in-house and hosted by former undercover agents Giovanni Rocco and Dutch McAlpin, Inside the Life offers a look into the high-stakes world of undercover operations, featuring firsthand accounts from the agents’ careers.
The Nevada Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada) awarded Bill Hornbuckle, CEO of MGM Resorts International, the inaugural Battle Born Legacy Award during the Governor’s Conference on Tourism. This award recognizes exemplary leadership within the hospitality industry. Hornbuckle, who began his career in Las Vegas as a room attendant and busboy, has built a legacy in the hospitality sector. Over his more than two decades at MGM Resorts, he has held various senior leadership roles, influencing the company’s domestic and international growth strategies. In addition to his role at MGM, Hornbuckle has been instrumental in the development of major sports franchises in the city. His influence extends to the broader tourism landscape, where he serves on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, offering guidance on industry policies and emerging trends.
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businesses. We are seeking nominations for exceptional C-level executives across all industries and specialties. The Vegas Inc C-Suite Honors recognize these leaders who work to inspire their teams, drive success in their business and serve as stewards in our community.
