LAS VEGAS’ WEEKLY CITY MAGAZINE
|
FOUNDED FEBRUARY 2010
PUBLISHER
Michael Skenandore
EDITORIAL
Nicole Ely Genevie Durano SENIOR EDITORS Paul Szydelko, Xania Woodman SENIOR EDITOR, A&E Geoff Carter ASSOCIATE EDITOR Camille Cannon SENIOR WRITER Lissa Townsend Rodgers CALENDAR COORDINATOR Ian Caramanzana EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
MANAGING EDITOR
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Melinda Sheckells (style)
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Michael Green (politics), Al Mancini (dining), David G. Schwartz (gaming/hospitality)
ART
Ryan Olbrysh Cierra Pedro Anthony Mair, Krystal Ramirez
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS
VEGASSEVEN.COM
Herbert Akinyele Zoneil Maharaj SENIOR WRITER, RUNREBS.COM Mike Grimala ASSISTANT WEB PRODUCER Amber Sampson TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
ENGAGEMENT EDITOR
PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION
Marc Barrington Jimmy Bearse DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Jasen Ono
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION ADVERTISING MANAGER
SALES
Christy Corda Nicole Scherer ACCOUNT MANAGER Brittany Quintana ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Alyse Britt, Robyn Weiss
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DIGITAL SALES MANAGER
INTERNS
Kayla Dean, Troy Fosgate, Tia Keys, Sierra Lomprey, Jonmaesha Shadrick, Mitchell Weiss
Ryan T. Doherty
| Justin Weniger
Michael Skenandore Keith White DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Michael Uriarte CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sherwin Yumul PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING AND EVENTS
Comments@VegasSeven.com Sales@VegasSeven.com DISTRIBUTION Distribution@VegasSeven.com
LETTERS AND STORY IDEAS ADVERTISING
PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE OBSERVER MEDIA GROUP Vegas Seven, 302 East Carson Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 Vegas Seven is distributed each Thursday throughout Southern Nevada c 2015 Vegas Seven, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Vegas Seven, LLC is prohibited.
THE LATEST
Manneken Pis marks his territory Downtown.
of the recently arrived replica of Brussels’ 500-year-old Manneken Pis statue. But looking to the past doesn’t mean being mired in nostalgia; it’s possible to connect with contemporary audiences while still appreciating history. Manneken Pis, for example, has its own Twitter account (@MannekenPis_LV), and the all-volunteer museum uses its website (MuseumOfGamingHistory.org) to stay connected to chip collectors and those who love Las Vegas history. For the Museum of Gaming History, the Plaza installation, which opens this January, is one in a series of exhibits that, it hopes, will get its passion in front of more Las Vegas fans. Silverman says that next summer the museum will unveil an exhibit in the Neon Museum’s lobby. After that, who knows? “We would love to do something with the Flamingo or Caesars Palace,” he says, although the museum has had no talks with those casinos yet. Every trend starts somewhere. Could history displays become the next fad for Las Vegas casinos? Those who have toiled to preserve the past hope the answer is yes.
If you haven’t heard by now, Las Vegas’ most deeply branded football contest, The Great Giveaway, at Station Casinos, is no more. Don’t panic—it’s been replaced by a new contest called Gridiron Glory that, played properly, figures to be a better deal for most players. Note the “played properly” part. This contest has a few twists that must be considered to get the most out of it. The big change is that it’s now absolutely free to play. Previously there was a $25 entry fee that you could get back by playing all 17 weeks. The 17-week requirement no longer exists; however, if you want to maximize your return, playing all, or close to all, 17 weeks is still the way to go. Here’s why. The weekly cash prize for the player with the most wins is $10,000, and if there’s a tie, another $5,000 is distributed to the players who lose the tiebreaker. But even if all 17 weeks pay out $15,000, that’s only $255,000. Then there’s $100,000 more for the postseason contests, for a total of $355,000, far below the contest’s advertised $750,000 payout. The other $395,000 is being paid out in “instant prizes,” and the more you play, the more instant prizes you’ll win. At sign-up, you choose a “team helmet” that moves down a virtual football field (on the kiosk) after every winning pick. When you reach the end zone you get an instant prize of free-play, club points, comps or gifts. So any player who plays enough to score a touchdown comes out ahead. How much is enough? It depends on how many yards a win is worth. That’s not disclosed anywhere in the rules, but based on the information available now, I think two yards per win is likely. Your first drive starts on the opposing 40-yard line, so you’ll score your first touchdown after 20 wins, which is about two to four weeks of play. Once you score the first touchdown, you start again, but from your own 20-yard line. Keep playing and you’ll score more TDs for additional instant prizes. But there’s another reason to continue, which is to qualify for the postseason contests with the additional $100K in prizes. That requires playing all 17 weeks or scoring four touchdowns. In the postseason, the field will be significantly reduced, which makes getting to this point is even more valuable. One important piece of strategy is to play the Thursday games. No other contest of this type includes Thursday games, so many players will forget them, giving a big edge—in both the weekly contest and in qualifying for the postseason—to those who do. Also, you can make selections for four weeks at a time, which will reduce the effort required to keep playing, and continuing to play is the key here.
David G. Schwartz is the director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research.
Anthony Curtis is the publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and LasVegasAdvisor.com.
Now Trending Lately, Downtown casinos are all about the past
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
YOU BARELY HAVE TO GET “LAS VEGAS
16
blows up” out of your mouth before someone fnishes your sentence with … “its history.” That thought is so ingrained in the Las Vegas psyche that we seem to accept it as a matter of course. On the heels of the Las Vegas Club’s closing, however, comes news that a revived interest in casino history is spreading on Fremont Street. In late August, the Museum of Gaming History, a 501(c)(3) nonproft organization, announced that it would install an exhibit in the Plaza celebrating the hotel-casino’s four decades of history. The Plaza installation will be the second for the museum. Last summer it created an exhibit for El Cortez—exploring late owner Jackie Gaughan’s tremendous legacy through chips, dice, ashtrays, various artifacts and a 30-minute video that runs on a continuous loop. The display was initially slated for a six-month run. Its popularity, though, forced a change. “It was extended to 12 months, then two years. As of today it is going to run indefnitely,” says Neal Silverman, chairman of the Museum of Gaming History’s board of directors. According to Silverman, these exhibits offer a chance for the Museum—an offshoot of the Casino
Chip and Gaming Token Collectors Club—to get its work before the public at a relatively small cost. “We have a nine-member board, and we are 100 percent volunteer,” he says. “Opening a museum is very costly, so we needed to do something a little different.” So what will the Plaza display include? In addition to artifacts and memorabilia, the display will honor the careers of Jackie Gaughan and Sam Boyd, both of whom were associated with the property. While Strip casinos frequently let milestone anniversaries pass without much of a fuss, the approach is clearly a bit different on smaller, older, closer-to-theground Fremont Street. El Cortez has probably done the most to embrace its past: The recent opening of Siegel’s 1941 restaurant is a case in point. The D, renamed and remodeled, highlights its secondfoor vintage casino, to say nothing
PHOTO BY KRYSTAL RAMIREZ
GETTING A GRIP ON GRIDIRON GLORY
Bolormaa
WATER BOWL, ZUMANITY
Ulziibayar
WATER BOWL, ZUMANITY
Ulziibayar started contortion when she was 5 years old, joined the Mongolian state circus at 7, then Cirque du Soleil at 9, and has been with the company for 20 years. Ulziibayar says growing up in the circus and watching other performers take pride in their looks influenced her sexy, chic style. “As a performer, fashion has always been a big part of our lives. Most of the performers around the world are glamorous looking. In [real] life, they want to be like that, too.” For fall, Ulziibayar loves knee-high boots. Shoes are her particular favorite— she has more than 100 pairs. GIVENCHY KNIT TOPS.
|
VegasSeven.com
NEIMAN MARCUS.
September 10–16, 2015
OPPOSITE PAGE: BALENCIAGA MINI BAG. GUCCI SUNGLASSES. NEIMAN MARCUS FASHION SHOW. MODEL’S OWN TROUSERS AND SHOES.
A contortionist since age 11, Bolormaa has been with Zumanity since it debuted in 2003. She says she is currently getting back to show-ready shape after having her third baby, but you would never guess she wasn’t there already. “Fashion is really fun for me, [but] I’m not a tall fashion model,” she says. “Because I’m a contortionist, we can’t really be so tall. Luckily I have the talent to do other sorts of fashion [modeling],” like performing onstage for the 2012 Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Bolormaa describes her personal style as “funky, cool and classic,” and although she is personally interested in makeup and skin care, she equally loves purses. “I am obsessed with Prada bags.”
19
Betsy Lucas
COMPANY ARTIST, NEVADA BALLET THEATRE
Originally from Oregon, Lucas joined the Nevada Ballet Theatre in 2010. For her it’s all about developing a critical eye for detail, a skill she’s honed from spending eight hours a day in front of the mirror, making each subtle physical movement perfect. “As an artist, we have to be a little judgmental of ourselves and make sure we really like what we see, especially when we are dancing. There is a lot of self-coaching.” She thinks this attention to detail is why dancers are oftentimes so fashionable. For fall, her favorite accessory is riding boots, but she says pearls truly embody her personality.
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
GIVENCHY PONCHO. NEIMAN MARCUS.
20
➜ See Lucas on the Mystère stage in TI for the NBT Choreographers’ Showcase blending Cirque du Soleil and ballet on Oct. 11 and 18, or at The Smith Center for A Balanchine Celebration, Nov. 7-8.
Lea Hinz
AERIAL HOOP, ABSINTHE
Lea Hinz celebrated her one-year anniversary with Spiegelworld’s show Absinthe in July. Being a performer has allowed her to be more outgoing when it comes to her personal style. “If I feel like I need to wear green with yellow stars and blue dots, I will probably do that,” she says. “Back in the day when I was young, I was probably too shy.” Her favorite thing about dressing for fall? Jeans, which she wears on and offstage. The character she developed for Absinthe, The Girl in Jeans, is meant to represent an everyday person you would meet on the street. “I do love jeans in private [too]—ripped jeans, a little bit washed out, high-wasted, lowwaisted—I don’t care. They are all awesome.” TOPSHOP HAT.
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
TOPSHOP FASHION SHOW.
21
Bernard H. Gaddis FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF LAS VEGAS CONTEMPORARY DANCE THEATER AND PRINCIPAL DANCER IN MYSTÈRE
With more than 32 years of dance experience, Bernard H. Gaddis puts as much detail into his personal style as his choreography and costume design for LVCDT, and his lines are equally beautiful in both dance and wardrobe. “I always believe that a welltailored piece of clothing will last you a lifetime and will never go out of style.” He has pieces that he’s owned since he was 17 because they still fit. “I find that my clothes that I keep, they’ve gone back in style two or three times.” SALVATORE FERRAGAMO BAG. DVF MAXI DRESS. NEIMAN MARCUS. MODEL’S OWN TROUSERS AND GLASSES.
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
➜ See Gaddis in Mystère and the upcoming LVCDT performance Simply Ella, a tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, which includes Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature, at The Smith Center on Nov. 13.
22
NIGHTLIFE Your city after dark, photos from the week’s hottest parties and the duo that uses music to transcend political lines
She’s Got It
DJ, event producer and wordsmith Lisa Pittman readies for the biggest Shedonism yet By Ian Caramanzana
SHEDONISM MIGHT BE A MADE-UP WORD,
but the culture and events that revolve around it are a grand reality. Since launching in 2005 the “sinful women’s weekend and hotel takeover” has turned Las Vegas into a lesbian destination, at least for a few days. This year’s main event takes place September 17-21 at SLS (ShedonismVegas. com), and features such talent as DJs Alie Layus, Angie Vee and C.L.A. We chatted with Shedonism’s founder and “executioner” Lisa Pittman about the event’s history and future.
VegasSeven.com
|
I was driving in my car in Las Vegas and putting a bunch of words together. I remember thinking, “I want [this event] to be something that people will remember—something that’ll encompass the Vegas experience and make it liberating for the LGBT community.” I wanted to bring something they’ve never seen before—not in Vegas, at least. The concept of Shedonism is to have the Las Vegas experience and make it enjoyable for women, but for the lesbian travelers specifcally. Vegas is an amazing place but it’s geared toward the mainstream, even though everybody has a great time. [As] women, you go out, and you don’t really have that great of a time because guys are holding onto you, or you might not be interested in talent, or other factors. Basically, my whole concept is to carve a niche in the city I love—the city I’m from—and give that to the gay and lesbian community so they can experience Vegas—their best Vegas.
September 10–16, 2015
PHOTO BY ANTHONY MAIR
“Hedonism” is in the dictionary, but “shedonism” is not. What is it exactly?
25
NIGHTLIFE
Scenes from Shedonism 2014: Eden at Rumor, Salvation at Commonwealth (bottom right) and Envy at Rain (bottom left).
26
How has Shedonism changed since 2005?
It’s defnitely gotten bigger. Shedonism changes every year, and that’s part of the beauty of it. You can go to a party that’s the same thing every year. Like in Miami, you’ll stay in the same hotel and dance on the same
beach. But this is Las Vegas. The concept changes with the city, and there’s always potential for new venues, new hotels and great spaces. What else have you been up to?
I do Marquee in the Cosmopolitan, Sayers Club in SLS and other weekly Vegas residencies. I also travel. I’ve played national Pride events and festivals. Shedonism is a different animal than when it was born, because of all the things going on in my [DJ] career. I want it to be the biggest party for all lesbians in the biggest party city. Are you trying to focus on your career as a gay DJ or mainstream DJ?
I’ve never identifed as a gay DJ. Studio 54 was my frst residency. Then I went to Tao, the Palms and then Marquee. Now I stay with Tao Group. I do gay events here and there, but I was always a mainstream DJ. What differences do you see between the two?
The crowds are different in terms of energy. The room changes with the kinds of energy the crowds bring—a roomful of guys or a roomful of industry people is vastly different from a roomful of girls or an 18-and-up
crowd. Industry crowds and guys aren’t so energetic. Lesbian clubs, in particular, are different. It’s all women in the room, and the energy is different. But it differs from place to place, venue to venue and city to city. What were some of your favorite Shedonism moments from years past?
I love when it’s over! I swear to God— it’s like delivering a baby. There’s preparation, and when you fnally have the “baby,” you feel a sense of relief. But really, with everything in life, you face a series of successes and failures, and you remember every part and detail. You take those, move on and create bigger and better events with the goal being “don’t make the same mistake twice.” There are so many moving parts in Shedonism, with all of its people, events, entertainers and crowds. What can we expect this year?
This might just be one of the best years. It’s being held at a brand-new, beautiful hotel on the Strip with a ton of amenities. That’s never happened before, and I think girls are really gonna like it. With gay bars, there’s an evolution—they always come from successful bars that have failed, then they
eventually become gay bars. They’re kinda like the little sisters or brothers of other bars in that they’re a niche market. Shedonism used to be that way, but it’s not like that anymore; we’re no longer having [the parties] in hand-me-down spaces, like the gay community is accustomed to. We’re having it at the best venue, and getting the best people in the business. It’s a whole different level. What about in the future?
The goal of Shedonism is to take over a main hotel in Las Vegas—every single room. We want that many people to know our name and our event. It’ll be its own gay city—its own world—for the weekend. Where would you like to see it happen?
I’m a big fan of Hard Rock Hotel. It’s got its own scene that embodies what our event is. We’re rebels—we don’t necessarily ft into society as a whole. We’re fghting for our space and our place just to have a great time. I’d like to eventually have it at the Delano, Mandalay Bay or MGM, but it’ll always be annual—never more than once a year. Right now we’re just building and going with the fow. I’m just here to develop it and letting the rest happen.
PHOTOS BY ANGIE ORTALIZA
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
What’s is the role of the “executioner”?
I make it all happen. The [Shedonism] concept happened a long time ago. I took it to other cities. [I remember] in the early 2000s, I was trying to hold an event at Hard Rock Hotel, and I was laughed at. They said, “Listen, we’re at 90 percent occupancy all year long. We’re not gonna put our current clients in jeopardy if these aren’t A-list clients.” Ever since that day, I told myself, “This is gonna happen. It might take awhile, but it’s gonna happen.” Las Vegas continued to grow, which created more available spaces for me to take my business. Then the recession hit, which, in reality, opened up so many doors. Businesses became hungry for anything and everything, including gays. So the [gay] events entered the Strip—the Cosmopolitan, SLS and eventually the Hard Rock after a decade. Now it’s widespread. Gays are trending!
NIGHTLIFE
PARTIES
TRYST NIGHTCLUB TO CLOSE AFTER HALLOWEEN
The Cosmopolitan [ UPCOMING ]
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
Sept. 11 DJ M!keAttack spins Sept. 12 Vice spins Sept. 13 Havana Brown spins
40
See more photos from this gallery at SPYONvegas.com
MARQUEE PHOTOS BY TOBY ACUNA; TRYST BY DANNY MAHONEY
MARQUEE DAYCLUB
After lasting a decade as one of the city’s must-see nightlife venues, Tryst nightclub will close. Staff members were reportedly notified on September 3 that the venue will shutter following Halloween for a total remodel. Sources hint that this could take up to six months. While abrupt, this news is not exactly shocking, as the property has already announced a string of changes this summer. First we learned that Paul Bartolotta would decamp from his namesake Italian-inspired seafood house on the Esplanade, and that Botero’s Mark LoRusso would take the reins. Then Joe Zanelli of Andiron Steak & Sea was announced as LoRusso’s replacement at Botero, which will shutter for a new concept in November. Managing partner Jesse Waits also departed Wynn in July for the impending Alon resort, set to open in 2018 on the former site of the New Frontier. Tryst opened on New Year’s Eve 2005, replacing the shortlived La Bête nightclub. While details about Tryst’s replacement are still scarce, Michael Weaver, Wynn’s senior vice president of marketing and communications, has confirmed the closure, and that a new look is forthcoming. One insider who has reportedly seen renderings of the new venue calls it simply, “gorgeous.” - David Morris
NIGHTLIFE
PARTIES
LAX Luxor
[ UPCOMING ]
46
See more photos from this gallery at SPYONvegas.com
PHOTOS BY BOBBY JAMEIDAR
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
Sept. 10 Throwback Thursdays with Aybsent Mynded Sept. 11 Aybsent Mynded and Charlie Darker spin Sept. 18 Brenmar spins
DINING
“It’s handled very cleanly and very conservatively by a family member who appreciates the animal and the life it sacrifces.” {PAGE 52}
PHOTO BY KRYSTAL RAMIREZ
Fourth Meal-Ready Fremont East’s new burger spot delivers on the basics By Al Mancini
|
Your order: A double Farm Burger, hand-cut fries and a frosty concrete.
end restaurant. Perhaps I just lucked out, but mine was better than what I’ve had at many gourmet restaurants, with a runny yolk that oozed out of its center at the slightest poke of a plastic fork. I also really liked the bacon cheeseburger, topped with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, bacon and melted cheese. But that burger also has Flippin’ Sauce, which is little more than a spin on Russian dressing, and will completely dominate the burger if you don’t get a double portion of meat. That said, while I’m not generally a fan of Russian dressing, these guys deliver a tasty version. I found the basic Flippin’ Good Cheeseburger about as generic as you can imagine. And The Flame, which comes topped with lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, grilled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese and a spicy Flippin’ Sauce, was sadly lacking in heat. The folks at Flippin’ Good are very proud of their hand-cut fries made in cholesterol-free oil, and rightfully so. These fries are much better than what you’ll fnd at most fast-food burger chains. The menu will tempt you to drench them in sauces like the aforementioned Flippin’ Sauce, a cheese blend or a bit of both, but do yourself a favor and resist, so that their crispy goodness isn’t drowned out. Given its location in Downtown’s prime cocktail corridor, it’s no surprise that Flippin’ Good serves booze. The beer selection consists of Bud Light, Goose Island, Banger Brown Ale and Una Mas Amber Lager on tap. They also have eight favors of
September 10–16, 2015
IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY OTHER
week I’m writing about a new restaurant opening on either Fremont East or Carson Avenue. And for the most part, they’re pretty sophisticated establishments, offering serious food. But let’s face it, when you’re Downtown taking in a live show or enjoying some cocktails, you don’t always want something sophisticated. In fact, you might just want a burger and fries. And that is exactly what Flippin’ Good Burgers and Shakes has to offer. Make no mistake about it: This is fast food. The rolls, patties and cheese are a touch better than what you’ll fnd at a McDonald’s or Burger King, but not quite as good as Smashburger. (One of my friends disagrees with me on the rolls, which she loves.) Each of the six preparations is available as either a single or a double stack. If you really want to dig into the beef, be sure to double up, because the patties aren’t terribly thick, and sometimes get overpowered by the toppings. This being a burger spot, I have concentrated my attention on the hamburgers, fries and shakes, and have yet to move on to the sliders and chicken offerings (though early reports tell of a fantastic chicken sandwich). At the top of my list is the Farm Burger, which comes topped with a fried egg, grilled onions, smoked bacon, ketchup and American cheese. While the entire combination is excellent, I was amazed by the preparation of the egg. Cooking an egg properly is deceptively simple, and far too frequently botched at even a high-
VegasSeven.com
Restaurant reviews, news and a very important date with a margarita festival
49
A&E
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
C I S U M GET FAMILIAR WITH UPCOMING MUSIC FESTIVALS iHEART RADIO This mass gathering of
stars has sold out, but you can try your luck at iHeart.com to see Kanye West, Sam Smith, The Weeknd, Disclosure and pretty much every artist whose song you can’t get out of your head. Sept. 18-19, MGM Grand Garden Arena, iHeart.com. KAABOO You’ll need to travel to this one,
but music from No Doubt, the Roots, Dawes and dozens more, comedy from acts including Joel McHale and Lewis Black, and actual restrooms to boot … all of that’s got to be worth a drive to Del Mar. Sept. 18-20, KaabooDelMar.com. LAS VEGAS JAZZ FESTIVAL Erykah
BY ZONEIL MAHAR AJ
s we approach the outro of 2015, there will no doubt be a contest to see who will fnish the year strong. Will Kanye surprise us with Swish? Will Frank Ocean fnally release Boys Don’t Cry? Will Meow the Jewels and Run the Jewels 3 both happen before 2016? While we keep our fngers crossed for those in limbo, we can rest easy knowing we’ve got some solid releases on the calendar. As if Young Thug’s rhymes weren’t unintelligible enough, the melodic babbler has named his debut album Hy!£UN35 (Sept. 24), the title apparently leetspeak for “Hi-Tunes.” The project comes after his unexpectedly excellent Barter 6 mixtape and his surprising dancehall collaboration with Jamie XX and Popcaan, “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times).” If you’re into deciphering codes, Hy!£UN35 will be another lyrical Rubik’s Cube. October looks like it’ll bring a lot more treats than tricks. First up is Louisville’s Bryson Tiller,
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
A
56
the latest half-R&B, half-rap Internet sensation. His singles “Don’t” and the Street Fighter-sampling “Sorry Not Sorry” have earned him comparisons to Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, a co-sign from Timbaland and rumors of major label biddings. Let’s see if he lives up to the hype when his TRAPSOUL (Oct. 2) mixtape drops. If Wavves’ collaborative project with Cloud Nothings, No Life for Me, released in June, wasn’t enough, the SoCal punk outft strikes again with their ffth studio album, aptly titled V (Oct. 2). It already sounds as fun as you’d expect. New joints “Way Too Much” and “Flamezesz” are righteous surf-punk jams. Neon Indian broke a fouryear silence when the one-man electronic act dropped the funky, tropical-tinged “Annie” in May. He followed that up in August with the groovy synth-pop of “Slumlord” and the announcement of his new LP, VEGA INTL. Night School (Oct. 16). Though the album is inspired by his adventures in the dark, what we’ve heard so far is certainly ft for a day in the sunshine.
The holidays inevitably bring forth some extra-cheesy Christmas albums, but I have high hopes that Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings’ It’s a Holiday Soul Party (Oct. 30) will extend beyond a seasonal novelty. The release will feature original cuts and traditional holiday tunes— given retro-soul makeovers, of course. There’s even an “8 Days (of Hanukkah)” on the track list. Break out the menorah and let’s get funky. But before the holidays actually hit, the music world will get a gift from Jordan Asher, a.k.a. Boots. Aquaria (Nov. 13) is one of the mostanticipated albums of the year for good reason. After co-writing and producing much of Beyoncé’s selftitled 2013 record, Boots dropped a mixtape featuring a host of critically acclaimed artists, and released the short flm (and accompanying soundtrack) Motorcycle Jesus. His music is painted from an electronic palette, but touches everything from hip-hop to industrial rock. Aquaria will be co-produced by El-P of Run the Jewels, too. Imagine if Beyoncé hops on a track.
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL A solid mix of
legends (Stevie Wonder, Duran Duran), contemporary heavyweights (Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons) and up-andcomers (Halsey, Shamir) round out Life Is Beautiful’s third go-round. Sept. 25-27, Downtown Las Vegas, LifeIsBeautiful.com. WINE AMPLIFIED Bottles full of bub!
Wine Amplified has blossomed into a full-on music festival featuring 50 Cent and G-Unit, Panic! at the Disco, Passion Pit, Fitz and the Tantrums, Cold War Kids and more. Oct. 9-10, MGM Resorts Village, WineAmplified.com. ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL Got a
thing for Tim McGraw? The country crooner co-headlines this second annual trip down Route 91, with Keith Urban and Florida Georgia Line. Oct. 2-4, MGM Resorts Village, RT91Harvest.com. POW WOW MUSIC FEST Where can you
find Tyga, DJ Mustard, Riff Raff, Lil Dicky and roughly 50% of the Wu-Tang clan? In Pozo, California, naturally. Join us now in finding the place on a map. Oct. 3, PozoSaloon.com. HEMPFEST Weed ain’t fully legal yet, but
celebrating it is. Hempfest returns for another hit of music (Afroman, Chanel West Coast), vendors, carnival rides and talks by Tommy Chong and state Senator Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas. Oct. 3, Clark County Government Amphitheater, LasVegasHempFest.com. – Camille Cannon
SHARON JONES BY JAKE CHESSUM; IGGY AZALEA BY KEVIN MAZUR/WIRE IMAGE
SOUNDS FROM THE OUTRO: HIP-HOP, SURF ROCK AND SHARON JONES
Badu, Musiq Soulchild, Toni Braxton, Brian McKnight, the Isley Brothers, Anthony Hamilton and 11 other smooth, soulful acts. Need we say more? Sept. 25-27, Henderson Pavilion, LVJazzFestival.com.
A&E
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
MOVIES BY UNA L AMARCHE
f i had to bestow a general theme on fall’s most-anticipated flm releases, it would probably be Things I Don’t Want to Happen to Me, But That I Still Want To Watch. And I’m not even talking about the fnal installment of The Hunger Games, which, compared to the Republican debates, looks positively civil. Here are fve such stories I look forward to not actually experiencing.
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
I
58
THE WALK September 30
Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars as Philippe Petit, the real-life, somehow still-breathing Frenchman who walked across a high wire stretched between the Twin Towers in 1974. There’s already a popular documentary, Man on Wire, about Petit’s incredible feat, but The Walk director Robert Zemeckis has mind-bending CGI on his side. Why I Don’t Want It to Happen to Me:
The vertigo, the likelihood of falling to my death. Why I Still Want to Watch: The entire plot revolves around the World Trade Center buildings, so it’s a chance to see the fallen towers rise again. In 3-D, no less. EVEREST September 18
As the title implies, this is a movie about Mount Everest. Specifically, it’s a movie about the 1996 blizzard that killed eight people. Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Clarke play two seasoned climbers who take separate groups up on doomed expeditions, and Keira Knightley plays the pregnant wife of one of them, because God forbid there’s a disaster movie that doesn’t involve a long-distance phone call that makes pretty people ugly-cry. Why I Don’t Want It to Happen to Me: The vertigo, the wind chill factor, the likelihood of falling to my death. Why I Still Want to Watch: A gripping true story with an A-list cast rarely fails.
STEVE JOBS October 9
As the title implies, this is a movie about Steve Jobs. Specifcally, it’s a movie about the time the late Apple co-founder killed eight people. Wait … sorry, I cut and pasted that too soon. This is just a nonviolent biopic about Steve Jobs, who is not a murderer. But it’s written by Aaron Sorkin, directed by Danny Boyle, and stars Michael Fassbender, so it’s got both buzz and brawn. Why I Don’t Want It to Happen to Me: In this case, “it” refers to Steve Jobs, who the film depicts as a total nightmare of a perfectionistic boss. Why I Still Want to Watch: Crackerjack dialogue, a window into the mind of a genius. Also, turtlenecks. THE MARTIAN October 2
Sadly, this is not a Steve Jobs-ian study of the popular Looney Tunes character, Marvin, but it’s almost as good: A Ridley Scott-directed sci-f action drama about an astronaut (Matt Da-
BRIDGE OF SPIES October 16
Steven Spielberg. Tom Hanks. The Cold War. Any one of these three nouns individually would be enough to set Oscar voters’ hearts afre, but in combination, there is a real danger that the Dolby Theater may actually burn to the ground. Nevertheless, 20th Century Fox is proceeding with the release of this historical thriller co-written by Joel and Ethan Coen (and there’s another potentially fammable set of nouns), which stars Hanks as a Brooklyn lawyer who’s asked by the government to negotiate the release of an American spy captured by the Soviets. Why I Don’t Want It to Happen to Me: Espionage is one of those professions that comes with a high risk of being shot with a poisoned dart. Why I Still Want to Watch: When Spielberg directs Hanks in a period piece based on a true story, we get movies like Catch Me if You Can and Saving Private Ryan. (The Terminal doesn’t count.)
PHOTO COURTESY OF SONY PICTURES
BETTER YOU THAN ME: THE MARTIAN, EVEREST, THE WALK
mon) on a mission to Mars who’s left for dead when his team has to evacuate the red planet in a hurry. Why I Don’t Want It to Happen to Me: The claustrophobia, the loneliness and the complete lack of oxygen. Why I Still Want to Watch: Matt Damon. On Mars.
FALL ARTS PREVIEW Lula Washington Dance Theatre soars at Reynolds Hall.
STAGE THE WORLD'S A STAGE FOR SHOWGIRLS AND DRONES BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS
CIRQUE SPECTACULARS and occasional Broadway transplants are fine for tourists, but there are plenty of offbeat theater choices to be found beyond the Strip.
LULA WASHINGTON DANCE THEATRE WITH KAMASI WASHINGTON AND MARCUS L. MILLER The Lula Washington Dance Theatre fuses ballet, modern and African dance into provocative pieces. A pair of live jazz bands will join the company to present pieces such as “Beautiful Venus and Serena,” which finds the ballet in a backhand. Reynolds Hall, Sept. 16, TheSmithCenter.com.
THE BOOK OF MORMON Two young missionaries journey to Uganda in this wildly popular and gleefully profane musical satire from the creators of South Park and, inexplicably, one of
the songwriters of Frozen. Through song, dance, and cameo appearances by Jesus and Darth Vader, this musical mocks everyone's beliefs—while acknowledging that holding those beliefs is often necessary. Reynolds Hall, Sept 22-27, 29-30; Oct. 1-4, 6-11, 13-18, TheSmithCenter.com.
A SUMMONS FROM THE TINKER TO ASSEMBLE THE MEMBERSHIP IN SECRET AT THE USUAL PLACE A Public Fit Theater Company earned praise and awards last year for its first full production, Foxfinder. It returns with an original work based on Fritz Lang’s classic German Expressionist film, M, which follows a child murderer and the parallel efforts of the police and other criminals to stop him. 100 S. Maryland Pkwy., Oct. 15-18, 22-25, 29-31; Nov. 1, APublicFit.org.
MISS MARGARIDA’S WAY In this interactive theatrical experience from Table 8 Productions, the audience assumes the position of eighth graders on their first day in the tyrannical Miss Margarida’s class. This 1971 black comedy
was censored in author Roberto Athayde’s native Brazil, but remains relevant today as a critique of how educational systems can enforce conformity. Troesh Studio Theatre, The Smith Center, Oct. 22-25, Table8LV.com.
CASA VALENTINA The most recent play by Harvey Fierstein is based on an actual resort in upstate New York that catered to heterosexual cross-dressers in the '60s and '70s. Casa Valentina has its whimsical makeover moments, as well as a more serious consideration of how gender defines—or does not define—our sexuality. 3920 Schiff Dr., Oct. 23-25, 29-31; Nov. 1, 5-8, LVLT.org.
GROUNDED George Brant’s harrowing one-woman play tells the story of an Air Force pilot who, after taking maternity leave, becomes a drone operator. At first, firing missiles in Afghanistan from a trailer outside of Las Vegas seems easier than leaving her family, but it gradually takes a psychological toll. Art Square, 1025 First St., Nov. 19-22 and Dec. 3, 5-6, 10-13, CockroachTheatre.com.
PHOTO BY EARL E GIBSON III
SHOWGIRLS! THE MUSICAL! After a run Off-Broadway in New York, Showgirls the Musical comes home to Sin City, where actual showgirls can join its cast. Nomi Malone’s climb from stripper to Strip star is related through plenty of pelvic thrusts and jazz hands, as well as tunes such as “Don’t Lick That Pole, Girl!” and “Let Me See Those Tits.” 953 E. Sahara Ave. Suite 16B, Sept. 10-12, 17-20, 24-26; Oct. 1-3, OnyxTheatre.com.
MARKETPLACE
$9.95 Month to Month Join the NEW Name in Fitness! 5 Las Vegas Locations: Las Vegas Northwest/ Las Vegas South/ Las Vegas Centennial/ Las Vegas Aliante/ Las Vegas Southeast
702-529-2139
MARKETPLACE
SEVEN QUESTIONS
LAS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC
Beethoven & Brahms, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12, $26$96, TheSmithCenter.com
monic, which [will perform 18 concerts this season]. In New Hampshire the season is fve weeks out of the summer. So while it is still somewhat of a jigsaw puzzle, everything works out quite nicely! Your opening concert in Las Vegas is Beethoven & Brahms, but you’re also including a work by a living composer, Dan Visconti. Why is there such a mix?
In any great museum, you also have exhibits of artwork from today. It must be the same way forward for an orchestra. You can’t just play Beethoven and Brahms and expect the art form to remain relevant. Your family has roots in Las Vegas dating back to 1959, and you know the Strip is filled with entertainment choices. Why should people attend the Las Vegas Philharmonic?
The Las Vegas Philharmonic conductor on how he discovered his passion, juggling roles around the country and what he hopes to impart to audiences By Nancy Dunham
September 10–16, 2015
|
VegasSeven.com
How did you decide to become a conductor?
70
My grandparents were very supportive of my musical interests. One [grandmother] was a pianist and loved to play at family gatherings. She was the life of the party, and I wanted to be like her! What really started me out on a professional path, though, was my (Edward C. Reed High School in Sparks) band director. He was an inspiring and remarkable educator. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be a professional musician. In high school, I had a
friend who was similarly interested in music and we discovered it at the same time. When you’re in high school, you are always looking to belong, and being involved with music was what helped me belong to something. I always thought high school students liked only rock music.
I think that music is music, no matter what the form. What classical music affords is the same as all other forms of music, and that is its ability to tap into emotions in a unique way. You can’t quite create
that same response through painting or other art forms. You’ll see that with children’s reactions when attending a concert. I conduct many educational concerts for the San Francisco Symphony and elsewhere. There is nothing like seeing 2,700 young people actively engaged with the music being performed for them by more than 60 musicians. Adults experience similar reactions. It’s exciting to talk to someone who had never heard the Las Vegas Philharmonic before after they have experienced its power. It is
overwhelming for someone to have the opportunity to hear music in that way. It is an honor to present it to them. You conduct the San Francisco Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, and you are music director of the California Symphony and the New Hampshire Music Festival. How do you juggle all of those roles?
They are not all equal. The San Francisco Symphony is a major symphony orchestra that performs about 150 concerts throughout the year, as opposed to the Las Vegas Philhar-
And when the audience walks out the door after a concert, what do you hope they’ve learned, heard or experienced?
The most important thing is that they are feeling—that they felt the passion and engagement the artists are trying to get across to them. They will realize that all of the myths one might feel about these art forms are not true. Get a ticket and just come to a concert. That’s all I ask.
So you started all of this, in a way, thanks to your grandparents’ support. Did they ever see you conduct in concert?
Yes. They saw me conduct and they all had smiles on their faces from ear to ear. That was enough for me!
PHOTO BY ERIK K ABIK/L AS VEGAS PHILHARMONIC
Donato Cabrera
We offer something that you can’t experience with any other concert in Las Vegas. What I’m trying to achieve with the Las Vegas Philharmonic is for it to become an integral part of the community and a cultural representative of what Las Vegas has to offer. It is already that to a certain degree, but I want to greatly expand its presence and importance to the community. That is my overreaching goal. When you come through the doors of The Smith Center, you have an experience you cannot fnd anyplace else.