FREE May 25–31, 2017 « JAPANESE WHISKY AND WAGYU PAIR UP / DTLV’S FASHION SCENE IS KICKING / ¡HOLA, CHICA! »
SPLASH MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
2017
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
3
UPCOMING EVENTS MAY
ELECTRIC BEETHOVEN
MAY
80s STATION
26 + 27
28
MAY
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND POOLSIDE DJs
MAY
DEEJAY SILVER
MAY
INDUSTRY POOL PARTY with DJ STRETCH
JUNE
DRIVE + DIVE IN MOVIE NIGHT: VACATION
JUNE
UFC 212 POOLSIDE VIEWING PARTY
26 - 29
27 + 28
30
01
03
NO COVER L O C AT E D AT
SATURDAY, MAY 27
LIVE IN CONCERT! 9PM | $35
General Admission plus taxes & fees
All your favorite hits poolside including: All Star, Then The Morning Comes, I’m a Believer, Can’t Get Enough of You Baby, and Walkin’ on the Sun.
Purchase online at StratosphereHotel.com Must be 18 or older. Doors open at 6:30pm.
Stratosphere Las Vegas
lvstratosphere
StratosphereHotel
A NEW LATIN RESTAURANT FEATURING CHEF Lorena Garcia
ON THE COVER
MAY 26-28
AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH SANTANA
7:00PM 18+
JUNE 3 6:00PM 21+
LOCAL BREWS LOCAL GROOVES
16+ BREWERIES & 9+ LOCAL GROOVES
JUNE 9
BRIAN SETZER’S ROCKABILLY RIOT
8:00PM 18+
JUNE
11:30AM - 4:30PM
KIDS EAT FREE* LUNCH ONLY
JUNE 3
7:00AM - 12:00PM
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND GUIDE Photography JOHANNES LOVUND Pictured KYGO IN TOPMAN SHIRT Topman in Fashion Show Mall
*RESTRICTIONS APPLY
DUELING PIANOS
10PM - 1AM 18+ NO COVER
JUNE 16-18
Read Vegas Seven right-side up and then flip it over and start again with Seven Nights, featuring after-dark entertainment and the week’s nightlife happenings.
Kygo ramps up for a summer of spinning at Wynn Las Vegas.
NOW TAKING REQUESTS
CRAZY DAISY BREAKFAST SPECIAL
$8.99 WITH FESTIVAL WRISTBAND
JUNE 2
MARK MAC
10PM | 21+
SEVEN NIGHTS
JUNE 3 10PM | 21+
EXCEL
JUNE 9
10PM | 21+
HOUSEOFBLUES.COM/LASVEGAS @HOBLASVEGAS
Punk Rock Bowling & Music Festival 2017 Illustration CIERRA PEDRO
GRAHAM FUNKE
702.632.7600
The festival returns for its 19th year in Las Vegas with headliners Iggy Pop, Bad Religion and Pennywise, plus Late Night Club Shows in Downtown venues.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chica’s Brazilian beef tenderloin
MAY 25–31, 2017 TO DO
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
13 24/7
33 Kick Landing
What to do around the clock. BY SHANNON MILLER
14 The Deal A prime play.
BY ANTHONY CURTIS
Direct from Switzerland, a sneaker shop arrives in DTLV. BY DAPHNE-JAYNE CORRALES
34 Vegas for Everyman (and Woman)
Our town’s (tourist) values are changing.
FEATURE
BY DAVID G. SCHWARTZ
16 On Cloud Nine
Sisterhood of the Traveling Treasures
Kygo brings tropical house to his first residency at Wynn Nightlife.
Curated shop and creative space opens Downtown. BY DIANA EDELMAN
BY MONICA ACUÑA
20 How To Do Memorial Day Weekend Right
From adults-only pool parties to family-friendly happenings. BY JASON R. LATHAM
23 Putting a Bloom on Memorial Day
Reflecting on the meaning of the national holiday. BY SEAN DEFRANK PLUS: Fun
in the sun, summer jams, boozy fruit and steakgrilling tips
PLUS: Makers
Camp
SPACES & PLACES
36 You Better Work DragCon.
BY KRYSTAL RAMIREZ
CONVERSATIONS
39 Ask a Native
Shipped storefronts and questionable boundaries. BY JAMES P. REZA
40 Lucky No. 7
Our favorite summer songs.
TASTE
27 Spice Makes Nice Chica brings Latin flavor to The Venetian.
BY WENDOH STAFF
SEVEN NIGHTS
What To Do After Dark
BY MARISA FINETTI
Concerts, nightclubs, food and experiences.
28 Dish & Tell
BY JASON R. LATHAM
Japanese Whisky duos, a master class in grilling and no-risk cookie dough. BY MARISA FINETTI
30 Tasty Tour
Shonen Knife hits a stage—and a ramen joint—near you. BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS PLUS: A
new food court on the Strip, Jaleo’s jamón Ibérico
OUR SITES TO SEE
Jello Biafra Tells It Like It Is The Dead Kennedys lead singer sounds off on Trump and Sin City.
VegasSeven.com Joel McHale Brings His Stand-up to Las Vegas The Soup is over. The Great Indoors just got canceled. But Joel McHale still serves up laughs with stand-up—this week at Treasure Island. Read our interview with the pop culture comedy king at vegasseven.com/joelmchale.
DTLV.com Homelessness Analysis Matt O’Brien has been covering homelessness since the late 1980s as a freelance writer and coauthor of two books on people living in Las Vegas’ underground flood channels. Read about what he’s learned over the past 20 years on DTLV.com.
BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS
7 Great Iggy Pop Moments Gang fights, nude modeling and an honor from the French government.
BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS PLUS: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
RunRebs.com Recruiting Continues The search for next season’s team goes on for Marvin Menzies. Read about the latest developments on runrebs.com.
SpyOnVegas.com The Hookup Find upcoming events, see highlights from the hottest parties, meet the DJs and more.
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK FavyFav and Babelito give former RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Dida Ritz a kiss. Photography KRYSTAL RAMIREZ
SUNDAY, MAY 28
FRIDAY, JUNE 2 Ryan T. Doherty | Justin Weniger President Michael Skenandore Chief Financial Officer Sim Salzman Vice President, Marketing and Events Keith White Creative Director Sherwin Yumul Graphic Designer Javon Isaac Technical Director Herbert Akinyele Controller Jane Weigel
Letters and Story Ideas Comments@VegasSeven.com Advertising Sales@VegasSeven.com Distribution Distribution@VegasSeven.com
Mandalay Bay Ticket Office 702.632.7580 mandalaybay.com 800.745.3000 ticketmaster.com
VEGAS SEVEN 701 Bridger Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 702-798-7000 Vegas Seven is distributed each Thursday throughout Southern Nevada. © 2017 Vegas Seven, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Vegas Seven, LLC is prohibited.
Publisher
Michael Skenandore Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Melinda Sheckells MANAGING EDITOR, DINING
Genevie Durano SENIOR EDITOR, LIFESTYLE
Jessi C. Acuña ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Mark Adams EDITOR AT LARGE
Lissa Townsend Rodgers EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Shannon Miller EDITORIAL INTERNS
Katie Michaels, Ryan Vellinga Senior Contributing Editor Xania V. Woodman (Beverage) Contributing Editors Michael Green (Politics), David G. Schwartz (Gaming/Hospitality) Art CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Benjamin Ward SENIOR DESIGNER
Cierra Pedro STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Krystal Ramirez Online DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT
Zoneil Maharaj EDITOR, DTLV.COM
Jessie O’Brien WEB EDITOR
Amber Sampson CONTRIBUTING WRITER, RUNREBS.COM
Tyler Bischoff Production/Distribution DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION
Marc Barrington ADVERTISING MANAGER
Jimmy Bearse Sales BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Christy Corda DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SALES
Nicole Niazmand ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Brittany Quintana, Mimi Tran ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Robyn Weiss DIRECTOR OF SALES, BILLBOARD DIVISION
John Tobin
EIGHTH Annual
Saturday, May 27, 2017 4 - 8 p.m. Try beers from around the world and hear some of the best bands jamming live.
$35 in advance $40 day of (if available) / $75 VIP TICKETS ARE LIMITED. Buy in advance. Visit VEGASBREWSANDBLUES.com for more information. Springs Preserve 333 S. Valley View Blvd. • Las Vegas, NV 89107
Sponsored by:
Follow us on
TO DO
What to do around the clock in Las Vegas By Shannon Miller
THURSDAY 25
Ben Harper
Spanning styles from blues and folk to reggae and rock, you never know what to expect with Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals, so put on your dancing shoes and get over to Brooklyn Bowl. 7:30 p.m., $45–$75, at The Linq Promenade, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas Hailing from Osaka, Japan, Shonen Knife brings its playful garage rock (case in point: “I Am a Cat”) to Beauty Bar. Local band Candy Warpop opens. 8 p.m., $15, 517 Fremont St., beautybarlv.com. Read more about Shonen Knife on page 30. Get ready for Punk Rock Bowling with a late-night club show: the Sonics, the Mutants and Throw Rag play Fremont Country Club tonight. 9 p.m., $20, 601 Fremont St., punkrockbowling.com
PHOTO BY DANNY CLINCH
FRIDAY 26
Get a taste of a Hollywood-based comedian’s Life on the D-List when Kathy Griffin takes the mic at Terry Fator Theatre tonight. 10 p.m., $66–$88, inside The Mirage, mirage.com George Wallace is no stranger to Las Vegas—he celebrated
his 10th anniversary headlining at Flamingo in 2014. This weekend, he’s back for another round of stand-up at South Point Showroom. 7:30 p.m., $40–$50, inside South Point Hotel Casino & Spa, southpointcasino.com
After spending a decade rising in the underground ranks (and touring with Sky Ferreira), Fatal Jamz frontman Marion Belle is getting well-deserved attention with the release of his band’s new Coverboy LP. Check out the group tonight at The Griffin. 10 p.m., free, 511 Fremont St., facebook.com/fataljamz In addition to singing bilingually, Jessica Fichot plays accordion and piano with backing from a clarinet, saxophone, upright bass and guitar. Catch her performance, featuring everything from French chanson and 1940s Shanghai jazz to swing and international folk, at Winchester Cultural Center. 7 p.m., $15–$18, 3130 McLeod Dr., clarkcountynv.gov SATURDAY 27
Since its first installment in 2009, the We Heart Maggie Golf Tournament has raised more than $675,000 for the Children’s Heart Foundation. In store this year is a silent auction, raffles and activities for the kids, with 100 percent of proceeds going to benefit the foundation. Help children living with heart conditions receive the support they need to live full, happy lives. 11 a.m., sponsorships and donations vary, Revere Golf Club, 2600 Hampton Rd., weheartmaggie.com
You better run faster than a bullet to get a good spot for Foster the People at The Chelsea. 8 p.m., $20–$60, inside The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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24/7
TO DO
THE DEAL BY ANTHONY CURTIS
A PRIME PLAY
Sarah Silverman
For the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s season finale, Donato Cabrera conducts pieces by Mozart and Richard Strauss, saving Anton Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 for the grand finale. 7:30 p.m., $30–$109, Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com The Voodoo Cowboys bring hard-drivin’ country music to MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas. 7–10 p.m., 30 Strada Di Villaggio, lakelasvegas.com Lee Canyon opens its doors for the season’s longer days with scenic chairlift rides, its 18-hole disc golf course, hiking, a miniskateboard ramp and patio games. 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri.–Sun., ticket prices vary, 6725 Lee Canyon Rd., leecanyonlv.com
Nevada Conservatory Theater puts on Clowntown: A Musical, in which one clown returns to the city to find a
lost love and solve a murder. 2 p.m., $30, Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV, unlv.edu
At Karma Night With the Women of The Bachelor —a fundraiser for Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Lwala Community Alliance—attendees can enjoy a silent auction and enter the raffle for a chance to have dinner and drinks with the reality show’s contestants. 6:30 p.m. (VIP early entry with Champagne at 5:30 p.m.), $55–$85, Foundation Room inside Mandalay Bay, houseofblues.com/lasvegas SUNDAY 28
Learn about local crime and self-defense at a Community Safety Forum presented by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and The Mob Museum. Would free admission to the museum afterward pique your interest? 2–3 p.m., free, The Mob Museum, 300 Stewart Ave., themobmuseum.org
Today at Brightside Breakfast & Burgers, say the magic words “National Burger Day” to get 20 percent off any burger on the menu, served on soft Hawaiian brioche with freshly ground Angus beef. Try the Anytime burger topped with a fried egg, bacon and cheddar cheese. 7 a.m.– midnight Sun.–Thurs., 7 a.m.–2 a.m. Fri.–Sat., $7–$9, inside Plaza Hotel & Casino, plazahotelcasino.com Medellín-born Latin superstar J Balvin, whose style is influenced by reggaeton and urban music, plays Mandalay Bay’s Concerts on the Beach series. 9 p.m., $46, Mandalay Bay Beach, mandalaybay.com
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May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
The Hip Priests come all the way from Nottingham,
England, to put on an outrageous punk show for you, with support from West Coast bands Jonny Manak and the Depressives and Midnight Staggers. 11 a.m., free, Beauty Bar, 571 Fremont St., beautybarlv.com MONDAY 29
Renowned henna artist and healer Renu Lal Henna offers Prayers You Can Wear—in which she adorns your skin with sacred symbols that, according to the tradition of Mehndi, the art of henna, connect you with the divine. 11 a.m.–6 p.m., designs start at $20, Enchanted Forest Reiki Center, Spiritual Items ’n’ More, 2280 S. Jones Blvd., facebook.com/enchantedforestreiki TUESDAY 30
Those already in love with David Sedaris’ personal essays found in best-sellers such as Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls will not be able to resist reading Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977–2002), featuring excerpts from the renowned humorist’s personal journals. $28, Little, Brown and Company, publishersweekly.com Lately, Sarah Silverman’s comedy has been all about making fun of our nation’s reality–star–turned–President. See her latest stand-up special, Sarah Silverman: A Speck of Dust, on Netflix today. netflix.com Flock to Techno Taco Tuesday for good people, good music (provided by special guest Hector Couto) and, most importantly, good tacos and beer. 9 p.m.–3 a.m., Tacos & Beer, 3900 Paradise Rd., facebook.com/technotacotuesdaylv WEDNESDAY 31
BJ Barham of alternative-country outfit American
Aquarium plays a solo show tonight at Beauty Bar. Listen to the artist’s acoustic performance of “Northern Lights” to prime yourself for his heartfelt lyrics and vocals. 8 p.m., $15, 517 Fremont St., beautybarlv.com Not ready to read your fan fiction in daylight? The Writer’s Block offers a Nighttime Writers’ Group for authors to prepare their work. 6 p.m., 1020 Fremont St., facebook.com/ thewritersblocklv Looking for more stuff to do? Go to vegasseven. com/calendar.
the Las Vegas Strip at 6020 W. Flamingo, Jackson’s is one of those local bars that’s really into its food. For years the steaks here have been almost untouchable in terms of their price-to-quality ratio and 24-hour availability, even though prices have gone up a couple bucks recently to $15.99 for the 16-ounce ribeye and $13.99 for the 10-ouncer. Even better is the prime rib that’s served on Mondays for $14.99. It’s listed at 16 ounces, but I’ve yet to have one that’s only a pound. These cuts come right out of the roaster, so there’s rarely a problem getting it cooked just the way you want it. You won’t find a better prime rib value anywhere on Monday night, and now the deal is even better. Through July 26, earn 100 base points playing video poker or keno on Wednesdays and you’ll receive a voucher for a free prime rib the following Monday. It’s what’s known as an instacomp. Easy deal. Good deal, too. One-hundred points is $100 coinin, which is about 15 minutes of play on quarter machines. Play your normal game and keep an eye on the screen that will announce (silently) that you’ve qualified, then call the bartender over to get your voucher. If you felt like gambling a little anyway, it’s a pure value-added. Think about it: You’ve budgeted forty bucks or so that you don’t mind blowing on video poker. Of course, you might win. But even if you don’t, you’re gonna get a prime rib dinner in the bargain—and a really good one at that. Of course, we’ve all heard that you shouldn’t gamble just to get a comp but, in this case, the numbers don’t support that advice. In the best scenario: For an expert player choosing the best gambling option available (6/5 Bonus Poker with a $1,199 royal flush), the expected loss on $100 coin-in is just $2.73! Putting that in perspective, most casinos will give back comps worth 30 percent of the expected loss (which they refer to as “theoretical loss” or “theo”). Jackson’s is giving you 500 percent back, and more when you factor in comped drinks. Even unskilled players on games with a lower return (like Double Double Bonus) will have an expected loss in just the $5 range. Why do they do it? As a good marketing loss-leader? To introduce new customers to an excellent food product? Because gamblers can easily lose more than $15 while qualifying? Who cares? You have the best of it on this play! Look for Teah behind the bar on Wednesdays, whom you might recognize as the unmistakable voice of the “Packer Moment” commercials that you’ve heard a hundred times during the NFL season. If you don’t want to gamble, a draft Busch is just $2.50, or get two pitchers for $12. Incidentally, this is the rare bar with a bitcoin machine on the premises. And don’t forget about those awesome steak deals. 7 Anthony Curtis is the publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and LasVegasAdvisor.com.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL ROWE
LOCATED ABOUT THREE MILES WEST of
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ALWAYS FREE PARKING
Wy t a cy
O K YG
Kygo is wearing a T-shirt from his line, Kygo Life—where music meets fashion— and Dior sunglasses.
iden s e r rst fi s i to h e s u ho l a c i trop s g brin
nn
egas V s La
9 On Cloud
by Monica AcuĂąa photography Johannes Lovund Photography Johannes Lovund / JL Visuals. Grooming Claude Baruk claudebaruk.com. Location Encore Beach Club wynnsocial.com. Photography Assistant Mike Riley
P
ICTURE YOURSELF POOLSIDE AT A LAS VEGAS NIGHTCLUB—PALM TREES, A MOJITO IN HAND, BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE SPLASHING AROUND, GROOVING TO THE SOUNDS OF A DREAMY SYNTH, PAN FLUTES AND THE PULSE OF STEEL DRUMS. THE MAESTRO BEHIND THAT POOL-PARTY VIBE IS KYGO, ONE OF THE BIGGEST PRODUCER/ DJS IN ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC RIGHT NOW. AS THE NORWEGIAN SUPERSTAR RIDES A WORLDWIDE WAVE OF SUCCESS, HE’S SETTING US UP FOR AN EPIC SUMMER WITH HIS FIRST RESIDENCY AT WYNN LAS VEGAS.
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May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
This Page: Topman shirt and pants Topman in Fashion Show mall. Opposite Page (from left): Kygo Life T-shirt and custom necklace. Topman shirt.
BORN KYRRE GØRVELL-DAHLL,
Kygo has been credited as one of the originators of tropical house music alongside Australian DJ Thomas Jack, who actually coined the term. In seemingly record time, the 25-year-old has gone from making music in his bedroom to becoming the fastest artist in history to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify. For 10 years he studied piano. His teacher hoped he would start playing classical pieces, but he was only interested in pop artists and Coldplay. At age 16, he quit piano lessons and began composing his own songs. Then he discovered progressive house music and mega EDM producer Avicii. He was captivated by Avicii’s melodic house sound. The melodies were simple but catchy, reminiscent of what he’d been playing on the piano. “Whenever I listened to it, I got so happy. So I thought that if I learned how to produce as [well] as Avicii, then I could make a similar style of music and make other people happy [too],” he says. With a new dream in mind, Kygo bought a keyboard and music production software called Logic Studio, and he spent countless hours learning how to use the program to create electronic music via YouTube videos. Luckily, a lot of users had shared their knowledge online. “Without those tutorials, I don’t know if I would be here today,” he says. Kygo went to college in Scotland to pursue a business and finance degree. While most college students juggled classes with partying, he was experimenting with beats and audio plug-ins. Starting with progressive house, he moved on to deep house, opting for a more mellow tempo that complemented his melodies and wasn’t so repetitive. After testing different sounds, he finally landed on the tropical house genre that he’s known for. In 2014, the artist was gaining attention in the dance community for his remixes of Marvin Gaye and Ed Sheeran, which he had uploaded to Soundcloud. After posting his trop-infused version of a
Passenger ballad called “Let Her Go” that year, the song took off. Jack’s manager, Myles Shear, reached out and immediately began promoting Kygo. When Shear called to say Coldplay wanted him to remix their single “Midnight,” he thought it was a joke. “How would Coldplay know who I was at that time? That was just a crazy dream for me,” he says. When Avicii got sick and couldn’t play electronic dance music festival TomorrowWorld, Shear got Kygo booked as his replacement. Then came exclusive record deals with Ultra Music/Sony International. “Firestone,” with Australian vocalist Conrad Sewell, became a hit single on his first try. Eventually, Kygo left college. By 2015, the artist/producer/DJ was playing Coachella, Lollapalooza and Downtown’s Life Is Beautiful festival. Cloud Nine, his debut album, was released in May 2016 to much acclaim. Tour dates preceded the record, and the performance “Carry Me” with singer-songwriter Julia Michaels at the 2016 Rio Olympics Closing Ceremony followed. This year he’s excited about many things. Kygo Life, his sound gear and fashion line, is doing well. His recent singles, “It Ain’t Me” with Selena Gomez and “First Time” with Ellie Goulding, debuted in the same Billboard Hot 100 Chart. In June, he’ll be taking the stage at Electric Daisy Carnival for the “first time.” Nightswim, a pool party–turned–nightclub at XS and Encore Beach Club, has him DJing this Memorial Day Weekend as part of his new Wynn residency. He was nominated for a 2017 Billboard Music Award in the category of Top Dance/Electronic Album. The Chainsmokers nabbed the award, also beating out DJ Snake and Gorillaz. It’s OK. Kygo is still on cloud nine as he perfects his next album. 7
KYGO May 26, June 10, Encore Beach Club. May 28, June 25, Nightswim at XS Nightclub. June 7, Surrender Nightclub. June 9, 16, XS Nightclub. ENCORE BEACH CLUB NIGHTSWIM at Wynn Las Vegas encorebeachclub.com, @encorebeachclub May 26, DJ SNAKE. May 27, DILLON FRANCIS. May 28, MARSHMELLO. June 2, THE STAFFORD BROTHERS. June 3, ALISON WONDERLAND. June 9,16 YELLOW CLAW. June 10, ROBIN SCHULZ. June 17, RL GRIME. June 23, GETTER. June 24, DUKE DUMONT. June 30, EDX XS NIGHTCLUB NIGHTSWIM at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. xslasvegas.com, @xslasvegas June 4, ALESSO. June 11, THE CHAINSMOKERS. June 18, NICKY ROMERO
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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HOW TO DO MDW RIGHT ADULTS-ONLY POOL PARTIES, FAMILY-FRIENDLY HAPPENINGS AND HOW TO THROW THE BEST MEMORIAL DAY BASH IN YOUR BACKYARD
Five years flew by fast. Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas celebrates its fifth birthday after reopening in Las Vegas with cake, giveaways and a DJ spinning for guests. 11 a.m., $10–$35, wetnwildlasvegas.com
POOL PARTIES FRIDAY 26
Memorial Day weekend means dayclubs are bringing out the big guns. Let’s start on the north end and work our way through the Strip: You’ve heard Kygo’s “It Ain’t Me” collab with Selena Gomez. Catch him at Encore Beach Club. 10:30 a.m., $30–$75, at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, encorebeachclub.com. Read more about Kygo in this issue of Vegas Seven.
And in North Las Vegas, Cannery Casino Hotel is hosting the Summer of Fun Kick-Off Festival and Car Show, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting homeless veterans organizations. 4 p.m., $5, cannerycasino.com
SATURDAY 27
SUNDAY 28
Up on The Cromwell rooftop, G-Eazy and Adventure Club will take the stage at Drai’s Beachclub. $20–$40, draisbeachclub.com
Like cover bands? Downtown’s Third Street is blowing up with the best of ’80s and ’90s rock as Downtown Grand hosts Tribute Nation on 3rd starring Pyromania, Trinity and Faux Fighters. 3 p.m., free, downtowngrand.com
And MGM Grand’s Wet Republic will counter with Kaskade. 11 a.m., $50–$125, wetrepublic.com If you haven’t worn yourself out yet, you should get up and get to Tao Beach in time to see Snapchat king DJ Khaled. 11:30 a.m., $33–$92, at The Venetian, taolasvegas.com Or you can take in J. Cole’s performance at Mandalay Bay’s Daylight splash spot. 11 a.m., $75–$125, daylightvegas.com Marquee Dayclub dials up the one-two punch of Deorro and W&W. 11 a.m., $23–$42, at The Cosmopolitan, marqueelasvegas.com Machine Gun Kelly takes the spotlight at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Rehab party. 11 a.m., $40–$80, rehablv.com And if you want to keep the party going without changing out of your swimsuit, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is holding its grand opening Plaza Pool Nights party with fireworks and tunes by DJ
Bonez and tribute band Red Not Chili Peppers. 8 p.m., free, plazahotelcasino.com SUNDAY 28
Had enough yet? Of course not. Grab your sunscreen once more and join hip-hop king Rick Ross at Daylight. 11 a.m., $125–$250, at Mandalay Bay, daylightvegas.com And Grammy winner Usher plays Rehab. 11 a.m., $75-$125, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, rehablv.com MONDAY 29
Got Memorial Day off? Lucky you. Now you’ve got time to see Cedric Gervais at Marquee. 11 a.m., $23-$33, at The Cosmopolitan, marqueelasvegas.com Over at Wet Republic, Afrojack performs for the Monday-morning crowd.
11 a.m., $20-$30, at MGM Grand, wetrepublic.com And The Chainsmokers play Encore Beach Club. 10:30 a.m., $35-$80, at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, encorebeachclub.com FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENTS FRIDAY 26
It’s getting hot around here. You don’t have a pool. What are you going to do?
Take the family to Henderson’s Cowabunga Bay water park, where admission is $8. 5 p.m., cowabungabayvegas.com Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas hosts Splashdown for Kids, an ’80s-themed party with a foam pit (and beer garden for adults). The event benefits Communities in Schools of Nevada. 6 p.m., $25–$35, 7055 S. Fort Apache Rd., wetnwildlasvegas.com
By Jason R. Latham 20
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
Get stuffed and support the community at Boulder City’s 13th annual Best Dam Barbecue Challenge. This two-day event, held in the city’s Bicentennial Park, features a classic car show, barbecue lessons and the Police vs. Fire Department Rib Eating contest. Proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Boulder City, among other organizations. 4 p.m., free, bestdambarbecue.com SATURDAY 27
Looking for a place to cool off that’s close to your neighborhood? Saturday is the preseason opening of Clark County’s water parks. The Hollywood Aquatic Center, Walnut Waterpark, Paradise Waterpark and Desert Breeze Aquatic Center pools will be open ahead of the summer season that begins June 10. Noon, $3 adults, $2 kids, $1 seniors, clarkcountynv.gov/parks
And we can’t explain why, but the ’80s are huge this Memorial Day weekend. Maybe people love Ronald Reagan or Family Ties or whatever. Topgolf is hosting “Las Vegas’ finest ’80s tribute band,” 80s Station, for a free concert in the Toyota Yard. 8 p.m., topgolf.com MONDAY 29
Celebrate Memorial Day at South Point, where all active duty personnel and veterans with military ID will receive a free buffet for two at Garden Buffet. The deal includes breakfast, lunch or dinner, but you should know that breakfast comes with bottomless Bloody Marys. 7 a.m.–9 p.m., southpointcasino.com The Las Vegas 51s will face the El Paso Chihuahuas at Cashman Field. The Memorial Day game will feature discounts on food throughout the ballpark as part of the Smith’s Value Menu Monday promotion. 7:05 p.m., $5–$30, lv51.com
Summer JamS
Our eSSential playliSt fOr the next three mOnthS Memorial Day weekend fun can start in your own backyard. Here are some pool and yard accessories and games to keep the kids—and adults— entertained. –Amber Sampson
FUN IN THE SUN
Our picks for this season’s top outdoor toys Zuru X-Shot Sports Bubble Ball
At a family-friendly event, the quickest way to impress a kid is to hook them up to a zip line. With a couple of tools and a sturdy tree, a line goes up within 30 minutes. Hang on tight, kid, or your family won’t be invited back. $155, amazon.com
GoPong Pool Lounge Beer Pong Inflatable
Described as “if volleyball and four square had a baby,” Spikeball’s probably the most fun an adult can have without tequila. The game is simple: Someone bounces the ball off the hula hoop net, and your team of two has up to three hits to get it back there. Sounds easy enough, until people start believing they’ve got a Serena Williams serve. $53, spikeball.com 7
AquaClimb Climbing Wall
Swimming is already one of the most enjoyable exercises, but AquaClimb decided it was missing a wall. Aquatic climbing obstacles are a fun introduction to the sport and a break from your usual poolside routine. Visit aquaclimb.com for a quote.
The first in a series of the EDM darling’s recent pop smashes, it’s been on repeat since it dropped in February— and will remain that way even after his Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 drops June 30. GOLDLINK – “HAVE YOU SEEN THAT GIRL?”
This is what we’ll be asking strangers when the sundresses come out.
PORTUGAL. THE MAN – “FEEL IT STILL”
If there was a 2017 Beach Blanket Bingo reboot (please don’t, though), this would fit swimmingly on the soundtrack. TUXEDO – “2ND TIME AROUND”
MOOSE THE COOLEST FEAT. JR AQUINO AND MARION WRITE – “CITY NEVER SLEEPS”
Why rep other cities when you can rep your own? Roll down the windows, turn up this Vegas anthem and drive slow, homie.
Ripline Epic Zipline
You often look your silliest when you’re having the most fun, so remember that when you’re reprising Jake Gyllenhaal’s role in Bubble Boy. Our suggestion: Get the kids and adults together and charge each other like you’re auditioning for Braveheart instead. $52, Toys “R” Us, toysrus.com
No one should ever have to choose between beer pong and swimming, and this floating party island ensures you never have to. And if the kids want to play, how about some juice pong? $35, amazon.com
CALVIN HARRIS FEAT. FRANK OCEAN AND MIGOS – “SLIDE”
Anything off Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One’s recent sophomore LP will funk you up, but this might just be the grooviest. POST MALONE FEAT. QUAVO – “CONGRATULATIONS”
If you graduated from college this year, this will be your song all summer—until you realize you’re in inescapable debt and still working for minimum wage. Congrats, fam! SYLVAN ESSO – “DIE YOUNG”
Contrary to its name, this shimmery synth-pop jam will give you life. BLEACHERS – “EVERYBODY LOST SOMEBODY”
Spikeball Kit
DRAKE – “PASSIONFRUIT”
The tropical jam from Drizzy’s More Life playlist pairs perfectly with a mai tai. KENDRICK LAMAR FEAT. RIHANNA – “LOYALTY ”
“Humble” and “DNA” will no doubt be played at every cookout, but bump this one for the chill out.
KHALID FEAT. GOLDLINK – “LET’S GO (REMIX)”
The song directly instructs you to do something uninhibited, which is the sole purpose of summer. HAIM – “WANT YOU BACK”
It sounds like something from a John Hughes soundtrack, yet somehow this indie-retro jam also sounds ohso-fresh.
When the party’s over and it’s just you and your closest friends reminiscing about the ones who couldn’t be there, put this on for a beautiful, ’80s-inspired group hug. GHOST TOWN DJ’S – “MY BOO”
If someone’s not dancing and singing along when this comes on, you kick them the fuck out ASAP. THE DOVE SHACK – “SUMMERTIME IN THE LBC”
Every city becomes Long Beach when this g-funk era classic comes on. RAMONES – “ROCKAWAY BEACH”
Because “Surfin’ USA” is for yuppies. BLUE CHEER – “SUMMERTIME BLUES”
There actually is a cure for the summertime blues. This is it. ALICE COOPER – “SCHOOL’S OUT”
So burn all your books.
—Zoneil Maharaj
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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PUT THE LIME IN THE COCONUT—AND HIT IT WITH CARBON DIOXIDE!
I
f the intersection of booze and fruit is a place you’d like to park your lounge chair this summer, alcohol-infused fruit is for you. Sure, by now everyone can spike a whole watermelon with vodka (if you can’t, we’ve got a few recipes for you at vegasseven.com/ boozyfruit). But we believe you can do better. Here are some more tips from your friendly local Las Vegas bartenders. –Xania V. Woodman
A Diageo Reserve Consultant and barbecue professional at Black Tiger BBQ, Gene Samuel suggests, “If you have access to a Cryovac machine, this would be the easiest and least time-consuming way.” Fill a vacuum bag with the desired fruit and add an equal amount of booze to the bag. “After you set it, you will begin to see it ‘boil’ (well, not really) as the pressure forces the booze through the fruit.” The process only takes a few seconds—voila!
Grill Glory HOW TO GRILL THE PERFECT STEAK
Behind every good steak is a carnivore who gave a damn. Grilling steak requires a specific technique, best explained by a pro. So we tapped Edge Steakhouse Chef de Cuisine Steve Young to give us some pointers.
–Amber Sampson
The Maceration Method
The Vacuum Method The Carbon Dioxide Method Fill the can of an iSi dessert whipper (isi. com) with equal parts alcohol and fruit—think blackberries and strawberries but also cubed watermelon, kiwi, melon or even jicama. Pass on the citrus. “I find citrus works better the other way (fruit into alcohol) because of its high water content and low porosity,” says Sarah Delgado-Rith, a bartender at The Dorsey in The Venetian. Twist on the cap and charge it with a CO2 cartridge or even two for more staying power. (Samuel: “This is awesome to do with Champagne and grapes!”) This process takes a little longer to get the desired effects, but the fruit should be ready in 35–45 minutes.
1. Always consider the cut of your meat. Young recommends using ribeye, hanger, flat-iron or New York strip steak. “Choose something that’s preferably bone-in and looks marbly,” he advises. “You start with quality and you’re gonna end with quality.” 2. Let your steak reach room temperature before grilling. Season it liberally with salt, depending on its thickness. Afterward, let it sit for a minimum of 45 minutes.
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Using a handheld pit remover, extract the stem and pits from a large package of firm, fresh cherries. In a 2-liter jar, combine cherries with your choice of booze (we suggest brandy, rum or rye whiskey), close tightly and allow to infuse for one to three weeks (“It depends on the weather,” Zuma barman SeongHa Lee says. “In summertime, seven to 10 days, other seasons two to three weeks.”). These are great for keeping in your fridge to toss into cocktails and atop frozen blended drinks. Find three of Lee’s go-to cherry infusion recipes at vegasseven. com/boozyfruit. 7
3. Heat your grill to about 500 degrees so the steak can sear. Flipping it frequently also produces better results. Cook both sides for about four and a half minutes. 4. Once the steak’s finished, place it on the grill rack for a minimum of five to 10 minutes. “If you rest it on a plate or a tray, all the juice kind of pools,” Young explains, “and it still continues to cook much more than it would if [it was] on a rack.” Now, top off with sea salt.
5. What about side dishes? Young suggests grilling shishito peppers, asparagus or baby potatoes to pair with the steak. Cook your protein on the bottom rack, then let it finish on the top so its juices drip down and season the veggies. Cook them for one to two minutes per side, or until blistered. 7
PHOTOGRAPHY JIM K. DECKER EDGE STEAKHOUSE
FRUITY, BOOZY BLISS
Putting a Bloom on Memorial Day Reflecting on the meaning of the national holiday By Sean DeFrank Photo illustration Krystal Ramirez
T
he flowers on the graves every year are a big salute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. For there is no more solemn a national holiday than Memorial Day—which recognizes those who died in U.S. military service, not those who served—and it is treated with such reverence at ceremonies throughout the country. It is as good a day as any to remember how strong our country can be when united, as well as the cost we’re willing to pay to protect our way of life, but also one to reflect on exactly how divided we can become—and the possible consequences of it. Memorial Day itself was born from the greatest internal conflict the United States has ever faced—the Civil War. The first Memorial Day, originally termed Decoration Day, was officially established after the war in 1868 by Gen. John A. Logan. commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, who designated May 30 as a day “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.” The first national celebration of the holiday took place that same year at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 participants decorated the graves of 20,000 Confederate and Union soldiers. With up to 750,000 men perishing in the Civil War, however, women in both Northern and Southern states had already begun the practice before the war’s end at the many veterans’ cemeteries. By the end of the 19th century, Decoration Day had given way to Memorial Day, but the South didn’t acknowledge the national holiday until after World War I, when Memorial Day became a day to honor Americans who died in any U.S. war. The spirit of Memorial Day, though, can be found even before General Logan
made his proclamation. The holiday’s humble beginnings happened on April 25, 1866, when a women’s memorial association in the hospital town of Columbus, Mississippi, decorated the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers. That unprecedented act of compassion and reconciliation prompted Horace Greeley, publisher of the New-York Tribune, to print an editorial praising the gesture, and inspired New York judge and academic Francis Miles Finch to write his most famous poem, “The Blue and The Gray,” which honors soldiers on both sides, concluding with the stanza: Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment-day, Love and tears for the Blue, Tears and love for the Gray. As we approach this Memorial Day, and wars continue to be waged and American lives are still lost to enemies who seek to take away our freedoms, the holiday unfortunately remains as necessary today as it was in the 1860s, if only for different reasons. But the empathy shown by those Mississippi mothers who decorated Union soldiers’ graves should be embraced with the same fervor as we seemingly move closer to a 21st-century Civil War, one that has already begun to divide families and turn brother against brother. Until we learn to stop fighting one another, we really haven’t begun to honor those who fought and died for us. 7 Sean DeFrank is a former Vegas Seven senior editor and a twice honorably discharged U.S. Army Infantry veteran who served as part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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800.274.5825 | thed.com | 301 Fremont Street | Las Vegas, NV 89101
AMPLIFY
YOUR SUMMER!
200 S. 3rd Street Las Vegas, NV 89101 800.745.3000 Get your tickets now at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center Box Office or ticketmaster.com.Â
J O I N U S F O R L U N C H A N D S U N D AY B R U N C H
BOLD ITALIAN. SMALL PLATES.
Lakeside Dining, Day and Night Lunch • Dinner • Sunday Brunch Reservations at bellagio.com/lago or call 702.693.8865
ONE BITE
TASTE
SPICE MAKES NICE
The slow-grilling Brazilian barbecue tradition known as rodizio hails from the southern part of the country. It’s a gaucho technique of cooking in the wideopen country after a long day of wrangling cattle. Wielding hefty skewers of meat from all manner of beast, one can say this is the way to enjoy the carnivorous side of things. The newly opened Chica inside The Venetian (venetian.com) showcases a menu crafted by celebrity chef Lorena Garcia, and it explores the flavors of Latin American cuisine as one culture, with influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina. For the main-event portion of the menu, executive chef Mike Minor presents Brazilian beef tenderloin, just one of many dishes that go with the lively musica Latina that plays in the background. Slow-roasted on a skewer to lock in the juices and flavors, this dish is a generous portion of succulent beef topped with a bright and zesty Brazilian pico. Served atop a soft bed of luscious red flint grits and blistered Padrón peppers, it adds extra spice to the Strip dining scene.
By Marisa Finetti
Photography Krystal Ramirez
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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TASTE
DISH & TELL
Japanese whisky duos,
summer grilling
I love food and wine. The two are inextricably linked, and a good pairing is an experience to relish. Having said that, staying open to discovering new pairings with other types of beverages, namely Japanese whisky, is a discovery one should fully explore. Sushisamba (The Palazzo, sushisamba.com) recently introduced a Japanese whisky experience that made an impression on my palate. Each week a different pairing is offered, or, if you call in advance, you can request all eight tasting experiences. The Wagyu Cocktail is one of the most interesting. It’s a classic riff on an Old Fashioned that sees Japanese whisky treated to a wash of the highest-grade wagyu before being stirred with maple and salted caramel. That’s just for starters: The menu that follows features dishes such as Crispy Tempura Minter Sweet Oyster With Butter Lettuce alongside a Passion Fruit Whisky Sour; the Robata Grilled Hamachi Kama with Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt Whisky; and the A5 Wagyu Roll with Akashi Single Malt 5-Year Sherry Cask, of which only 1,000 bottles were produced. The dessert course is made for coffee lovers—the Café Bom Bom is a dark-roasted coffee custard with chocolate hazelnut crumble, ice cream and whisky foam, paired with an Iwai Japanese whisky granita made with Antica Formula Carpano vermouth, cherry bitters and maraschino cherry syrup. Over at Wynn Las Vegas, things are heating up for those who want to master their way around the summer grill. David Walzog, executive chef of SW Steakhouse and Lakeside and author of The New American Steakhouse Cookbook, invites guests to an exclusive “Grilling With a Master” workshop, which includes an outdoor
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By Marisa Finetti
Sushisamba’s Wagyu Cocktail
cookout class and casual lunch on the SW Steakhouse patio, overlooking the Lake of Dreams. Learn how to select the right cuts, season your steak and achieve the perfect char for your summer BBQ. Price is $150 per person, inclusive of tax and gratuities. The Master Class is a series of workshops led by master chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and artisans. I learned about it after attending the first one, which was led by Sinatra’s executive chef Theo Schoenegger and the legendary performer’s granddaughter AJ Lambert. They taught us how to craft handmade pasta and prepare it the way Ol’ Blue Eyes liked it. The chef would know, as he cooked for Sinatra at San Domenico in New York City. Apparently, Frank preferred the fusilli-shape pasta. During the workshop, Frank’s Fusilli al Filetto Di Pomodoro was demonstrated and was one of the featured items during the luncheon portion in addition to osso buco, another of Frank’s favorite dishes. (Encore, wynnlasvegas.com) Finally, for something that many of us find irresistible: cookie dough. The sweet indulgence has proven to be a temptation even before the dough is baked. But we’ve all had our fingers swatted from the mixing bowl because of the raw egg and flour. Now, safe, edible cookie dough has made its debut at Malena’s Yogurt Plus (Treasure Island, treasureisland.com). Executive pastry chef and edible cookie dough mastermind Debra Mitchell offers up three flavors: chocolate chunk, PB&J and cinnamon roll brown sugar. And more flavors are already in the works. 7 Marisa Finetti savors with all five senses. Read more at vegasseven.com/ dishandtell or visit her blog, loveandrelish.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SUSHISAMBA
and no-risk cookie dough
TASTE
SMALL BITES
Celebrate the Blackfooted Pig The story of Ibérico Week (May 20–25) at Jaleo by José Andrés (The Cosmopolitan, jaleo.com) begins in the rangelands of western Spain, where black-hoofed Ibérico pigs run free in family groups, feasting on sweet encina acorns. The acorns impart a delicious nutty flavor, making jamón Ibérico de bellota Spain’s culinary jewel. In celebration, Jaleo offers
Tasty Tour
SHONEN KNIFE HITS A STAGE—AND A RAMEN JOINT—NEAR YOU By Lissa Townsend Rodgers
a weeklong event showcasing the beloved pig in a tasting menu. Enjoy side-by-side tastings of jamón Ibérico from two different regions—Cinco Jotas and Fermin—Solimillo bellota de manzana, bellota tenderloin with roasted apples and rosemary; or Fricando de carilleras, braised cheeks with morel mushrooms and grilled
“Brown Mushrooms.” “Strawberry Cream Puff.” “Mayonnaise Addiction.” “Man-
go Juice (for George Harrison).” No, they’re not dishes from some edgy new fusion restaurant: They’re songs by legendary Japanese pop-punk band Shonen Knife. “I’m ashamed to sing about love, but I can sing about food or animals. Eating is a universal topic, and people all over the world could understand,” says singer-guitarist Naoko Yamano. Shonen Knife, which just released their 22nd album, Adventure, has toured with Nirvana, and their songs have been covered by the likes of Redd Kross and Sonic Youth. The Osaka band has been crafting tunes so sweet you could bite into them for more than 30 years, and now they are finding a new way to combine their love of eating and playing music on their 2017 Ramen Adventure tour. “How wonderful it is to fuse music and food! It became a good opportunity to introduce delicious American ramen to people in the world,” Naoko explains. Along with all of their songs about bananas and wasabi, Shonen Knife also has a tune called “Las Vegas,” a fittingly swinging little number in which Naoko croons, “At buffet, I eat so much food/ Breakfast, lunch and dinner every time.” So, where will the ladies of the Knife be dining before their gig in Sin City? “At Jinya Ramen Bar,” she says. “I can’t wait to eat there!”
New Food Court Opens on the Strip
There’s a new place to stuff your face on The Strip— Boulevard Food Court (3763 Las Vegas Blvd. South, blvdfoodcourt.com). Located across from Monte Carlo, there are eight options for chowing down, including El Dorado Cantina’s new fast casual brand, El Dorado Express; all the different fries you can imagine at Mighty Fries (including the Sriracha Hawaiian Fries, with spicy curry, Spam, poached egg, green onions and sriracha) and Cookie MUFU, serving ice cream cookie ’wiches, crepes, ice cream burritos and more sweets. Rounding out the options at the 24/7 food court are Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, A A A Sandwich Co., VooDoo Pizza, RebDog and Cannonball Buffalo Wings & Fingers. –Diana Edelman
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presa Ibérica, cooked to rosy-pink medium rare and so exquisite it’s like eating a fine cut of beef. Of course, there is Arroz de costillo Iberico, paella with Ibérico shoulder and rib meat. There are 12 dishes to enjoy, including a refreshing dessert featuring gin and tonic sorbet with lemon and aromatics. $150/person ($75 additional for wine pairing). –Marisa Finetti
CITRUS SUMMER SERIES ALWAYS FRESH. ALWAYS FUN. FREE WEEKLY ROOFTOP PARTIES
THURSDAY
GROOVE WITH US
FRIDAY
DANCE WITH US
SATURDAY
ROCK WITH US
SUNDAY
SALSA WITH US
Live Music. Fresh Cocktails. Swim Parties. No cover. Doors open at 7PM
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
By Daphne-Jayne Corrales Photography Krystal Ramirez
Kick Landing
DIRECT FROM SWITZERLAND, NEW SNEAKER SHOP ARRIVES IN DTLV
In November 2016, Ivar Blankevoort and his wife
left their long, monotonous days in banking and marketing jobs in Geneva, Switzerland, to pursue a long-awaited dream in Las Vegas. After 15 years of comfortable Swiss living, Blankevoort, 30, is now the owner of Kaviar Kicks shoe store, which opened its doors April 1 in Downtown Container Park. “It was scary at first,” Blankevoort says. “We just told each other we need to do this now. We saved up a little bit of money in Switzerland and decided to move our asses out here.” Born in Glendale, California, Blankevoort attended high school in California and Las Vegas, as well as a vocational school in Nyon, Switzerland, where he ended up studying accounting and eventually transitioning to trademark prosecution and management for branding firms. “I don’t feel rooted in any area in particular,” Blankevoort says. This perspective helped his willingness to move and create a career around his true passion: “I had a respect for shoes at a very young age. 1994 was a big turning point culturally for me, because I got into hip-hop. I got into sneakers. I got into basketball. Those things made my identity.” Blankevoort put his personal shoe collection on a website he created himself as a trial run for his business. After it sold out within a week, he
knew he wanted to pursue the shoe biz as a career. He’s continued to approach his business the same way—by professionally collecting and selling. Located on the second floor of Container Park, Kaviar Kicks’ handmade wooden shelves that Blankevoort cut, sanded and painted himself are stocked with rare Adidas NMDs and Ultra Boosts as well as Nike Dunks and Foamposites, among others. His mission to “re-infuse the ‘O.G.’ and classic sneaker styles” into the current shoe culture— think hype-driven celebrity fads such as Kanye West and his Yeezy Boost 350s everyone camps out for—is just getting started. The digital-era shoe market is about “the right plugs” from the right people and requires a little tech savvy, according to Blankevoort. Although this opens the access to collectible shoes, it still is an unreliable process that could result in counterfeits if the product is not coming from a trusted source. Kaviar Kicks hopes to influence and create more clarity in the sneaker market by carefully curating shoes rather than just trying to sell to the sneakerhead hype, Blankevoort notes. “I want to make [Kaviar Kicks] feel authentic and pure,” he says. In June 2016, Blankevoort made connections with hip-hop artists including DJ Whoo Kid and Tdot Illdude, which caught the attention of Instagram followers seeing the guys rocking kicks from
his consignment. Blankevoort understands the buzz a few shoutouts can create, particularly from a celeb endorsement. “I gave Whoo Kid some Air Jordan 4 Retro ‘Cavs’ and Waka [Flocka] some Jordan 4 Columbia’s,” Blankevoort says. He’s continuing to build his own social media presence by maintaining relationships with his customers, and it’s working. Since opening, Kaviar Kicks has already attracted customers from Florida and Texas, and internationally folks from countries such as Germany, Morocco and Chile have specifically sought out his store, he says. “We just made something out of [a] feeling that we had, and now we’re building something bigger than our dreams.” 7
Kaviar Kicks Downtown Container Park Mon.–Thur. 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. kaviarkicks.com Instagram: @kaviarkicks
May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
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SOCIAL INFLUENCE
A New Way to Exercise the Imagination
By Diana Edelman
The Sisterhood of
the Traveling Treasures Curated shop and creative space opens on East Fremont
S
ister House Collective is many things: a local artist hotbed featuring everything from jewelry to hand-painted cards, a venue that hosts workshops to grow the creative community in Downtown and a home for handmade products from around the world that benefit marginalized people and nonprofits. Open since April 8, the idea for Sister House came in 2014 after founder Ashley Ayala made a career shift. She left her job as an in-home care provider and summer camp art director for special needs adults to instead travel to Southeast Asia with the intention to work with victims of sex trafficking. While there, Ayala learned that many of the sex trafficking survivors were thriving in rehab programs while making handmade goods. “I wanted to bring these beautiful products to the U.S., specifically Las Vegas, and engage the public
GREEN FELT JOURNAL
By David G. Schwartz
Vegas for Everyman (and Woman)
Our city’s values are changing Back in January 2015, the Stratosphere launched a marketing campaign aiming to capitalize on people who miss the old Las Vegas. “Take Vegas Back,” declared a series of billboards. Since then, the casino has amplified that message, promoting an alternative to a Las Vegas that some say has lost its roots. According to Rachel Hunt, the Stratosphere’s assistant vice president of marketing, it was the right idea at the right moment. “At the time,” she says, “Las Vegas as a whole seemed to be boasting about their over-the-top experiences, which come at lavish prices. Research showed us that many visitors are looking for a fun time with value. While more and more casinos were abandoning this part of the market, we saw a growing segment that was not being served.” Currently, the campaign features a robust web presence as well as magazine and TV ads. A series of videos features characters ranting against (for lack of a better term) pretentious Las Vegas. Mixologists, vapor-infused steaks, entourages—all face the friendly wrath of the Stratosphere’s everyman/everywoman.
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through handcrafted commerce, opening the door to conversations about things that really matter—like men, women and children being abused all over the world for the sake of human consumption,” she says. Ayala’s goal for Sister House is to serve as a place where people can buy quality products and know that the purchases directly impact the lives of the artisans behind them. The store also includes ethically and sustainably produced goods from the U.S. Locally, Ayala has also brought in a handful of talented artists including Emma Kelly of Desert Daisy Jewelry, illustrator Abbie Paulhus and macramé artist and owner of Nostalgia Resources, Veronica Torres-Miller. With creative events such as calligraphy and journaling already on the calendar, the space is another way to foster the Downtown community, making it a house for all. 1110 Fremont St., 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and noon– 5 p.m. Sun., sisterhousecollective.com
Since 2015, Las Vegas has moved just a bit further from its value-added roots. Resort fees (which the Stratosphere, like most Las Vegas hotels, charges) have increased and paid parking has implanted itself on the Strip. Slot machines are tighter, comped drinks rarer. Meals are more elaborate but more expensive. The average visitor is spending over 42 percent more on their room since 2014. And yet tourism continues to increase and many would say because of, not in spite of, those changes. After all, Reno offers far better slot payback percentages than even local Las Vegas casinos, but visitors have not abandoned Sin City for more northerly pastures. And if the vast majority of Vegas visitors really preferred classic, value-conscious properties, then the Riviera would have bought Wynn Las Vegas to use for its overflow parking. But with about 43 million visitors a year, there is going to be a (big shock) diversity of tastes. Some people want a mixologist to craft them a bespoke beverage from artisanal, locally sourced ingredients. Others just need a bartender to pour them a stiff drink. And that’s not just okay—it’s good. If history proves anything, it’s that Las Vegas needs to offer more than one thing to be successful. Gambling used to be the main draw for Las Vegas—then came the proliferation of casinos in America. Last year, only four percent of visitors to Las Vegas said they came primarily to gamble. And 31 percent—the highest proportion in history— didn’t hit the tables at all. Gone are the days when the city could market itself to groups as dissimilar
Makers Camp, a retreat for creative entrepreneurs, takes place Downtown at the newly opened Sister House Collective on May 27. “The goal of the retreat is to help people figure out what they want to do,” says event organizer Abbie Paulhus. This includes sessions such as “Starting and Growing a Creative Business,” led by Kelly Bennett, creative director of VegeNation, and “Your Value as an Artist,” by mental health advocate and public speaker Samuel Goulet. The day starts with coffee and light bites set to music by local singer-songwriter and artist Sonia Seelinger, followed by an introduction from Paulhus, also a Sister House resident artist. “I’m going to talk about how I started my business as an illustrator and why,” she says. “I want to encourage other [artists and say] that, despite a lot of discouraging voices out there, with a little hard work, it’s definitely possible to make your dream job happen.” There’s also a Q&A with local business owners. So what if you can’t tap your ingenious potential? Enjoy the catered lunch by VegeNation and some inspiring cocktails at the after-party. May 27, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., $100 –Jessi C. Acuña
as gamblers who prefer Frank Sinatra and gamblers who prefer Liberace. More than ever, Las Vegas has to be many things to many people. Some find the upper range of offerings off-putting or pretentious. That doesn’t mean that all of Las Vegas should go back to basics, but an alternative is always welcome. “Now some Strip casino operators,” says Hunt, “have started charging gamblers for drinks, and even free parking has become a rarity in this city built on accessibility. These are some of the perks that have historically made our city so unique and hassle-free. ‘Take Vegas Back’ remains relevant because our target market segment still exists.” The most illuminating thing about “Take Vegas Back” might be that the Stratosphere, which opened in 1996, has become representative of classic Vegas. Retro Vegas doesn’t mean that Rat Pack any more— that’s old, old Vegas. Now it means themed casinos and amusement rides. The Stratosphere might not have Dorothy and the gang from MGM Grand or the Luxor’s talking camels, but it still gives the vibe of a Vegas that was safe but not yet sanitized and offers, as Hunt puts it, “real Vegas fun at a good value.” Odds are, 20 years from now an enterprising marketing executive will hit on a brilliant campaign that recalls the golden days of Las Vegas, when Gordon Ramsay and Cirque du Soleil were competing for Strip presence and cocktails cost less than $30 (and were served by real human beings). As Hunt suggests, there is a future for the past. 7 David G. Schwartz is the director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research.
SPACES & PLACES
AWAY MESSAGE
you better
work
Vegas Seven photographer KRYSTAL RAMIREZ visited RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles, which took place April 29–30. Inspired by the hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, the third annual convention drew 40,000 visitors to the Los Angeles Convention Center. A celebration of everything drag and queer culture, Ramirez documented local podcast hosts FavyFav and Babelito of “Latinos Who Lunch,” who led a panel discussion and broadcast from the event, highlighting the convention and its stars.
This page, above: Babelito and FavyFav of Las Vegas-based podcast “Latinos Who Lunch” moderate an “Art of Resistance” panel. Middle column, from top: Nicole Paige Brooks, Season 2 contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, with FavyFav. Season 3 contestant and All Stars darling Manila Luzon strikes a pose with Season 3 winner Raja Gemini. FavyFav and Babelito interviewing Season 3 contestant and Las Vegas resident Yara Sofia (left) and Season 2 contestant Jessica Wild (right). Right column, from top: Larry Edwards of Frank Marino’s Divas Las Vegas on the convention floor. Season 9 contestant Jaymes Mansfield answers questions with “Latinos Who Lunch.” FavyFav and Babelito pose with original artwork from Culture Strike. Opposite page, from top: Conventiongoers striking a pose. FavyFav, Season 8 contestant and Divas Las Vegas star Darrick Barry, Babelito and Mackenzie Claude, a.k.a. Nebraska Thunderfuck. Middle row, from left: “Attendees smile from ear to ear and offer me their fiercest looks as I point the camera in their direction,” Ramirez says. “The energy at the convention center was exceedingly vibrant and palpable. There was this unmistakable feeling that everyone was free—free to be with whomever they wanted to be and free to love whomever they wished. I’ve been to many Pride parades, but this was different. I think it was the kids. Seeing so many diverse queer sex-gender kids running around without a care made me hopeful—hopeful for a future filled with love.” Bottom row, from left: Katya Zamolodchikova looks down at the Los Angeles Convention Center floor. Sasha Velour and FavyFav prep for flattering camera angles before the panel. For more on DragCon, Vegas Seven hit the pink carpet to find ask, “What is drag today?” See the responses and some answers of our own at vegasseven.com/stateofdrag.
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Janua r y 26 -Februa r y 1, 2017 vegasseven.com
CONVERSATIONS
ASK A NATIVE
107 N. 4th Street
By James P. Reza
Photography Krystal Ramirez
Stripped Storefronts and Questionable Boundaries What’s the story of Downtown’s Coach Room, where White Castle is building a new restaurant? Thanks to a tweet from @ecgladstone, I spent time scraping layers off another tidbit of Vegas history. Gladstone sent a photo of 107 N. 4th Street, where construction has peeled away the facade of two closed storefronts (a jewelry shop and a cigar factory) to reveal weathered Wild West lettering reading “Coach Room.” Was this the horse-drawn version of an automobile dealership? A Vegas location of Orange County’s venerable live music venue, the Coach House? Nah. My research suggests the Coach Room was part of the facade of Trader Bill’s, the legendary souvenir shop owned by Margaret Mirabelli. Originally opened in 1912, a 1930s UNLV Digital Libraries photo depicts it as a tiny souvenir stand attached to the back of the El Cortez. By 1943, Bill’s had moved to a new building at Fourth and Fremont Streets. Trader Bill’s was a classic souvenir outpost, selling western wear and Native American “curios” to eager tourists back when the world was a larger place and the west was still wild. By the 1960s, the exterior of the relatively huge Trader Bill’s was themed to look like an old west village. The “Coach Room” was undoubtedly part of that theming. Today, a Trader Bill’s sign, featuring bright yellow incandescent bulbs arranged in the shape of an arrow, still adorns the Fremont Street side, but since the 1990s, most of the building was a Harley-Davidson store. White
Castle is currently under construction in the jewelry and cigar shop portions facing Fourth Street, while a remodeled Harley-Davidson store may reappear on the Fremont Street side. And, if we are lucky, the Trader Bill’s sign will remain as a mysterious non sequitur along a pedestrian mall that was once the most unusual main street in America. Where are the borders of Downtown (again)? Growing up, Downtown was a small place centered around Fremont Street (casinos, lawyers, retailers), City Hall and various public utility offices nearby. You could live at Charleston and Las Vegas boulevards and still say, “I need to go Downtown!” Today, some might say the Springs Preserve is Downtown. And the news media? Every time something goes sideways anywhere in Las Vegas other than Summerlin, they headline reads “near downtown.” Clearly, Downtown needs a better PR machine. Here are my boundaries (for now): Sahara Avenue, Valley View Boulevard, Washington Avenue and Maryland Parkway. And when a crime happens at Decatur and Charleston? The headline had better say “near Summerlin.” Have a question or comment about Las Vegas past, present or future? Send them to askanative@vegasseven.com.
May 18 –24, 2017 vegasseven.com
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CONVERSATIONS
LUCKY NO. 7
We asked the WENDOH Media staff:
What’s your favorite summer jam of all time?
One song that stands out is Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” It came out in 1995, before everyone cranked their personal playlist through private headphones and, all over sweaty New York City, you’d hear whatever tune Hot 97 was transmitting bumping from every car stereo. That weird piano hook, the off-kilter beat, the inimitable Ol’ Dirty vocals—you could walk down the street and “Shimmy Shimmy” would follow you from Honda to Cadillac to deli doorway to teenager’s boom box. –Lissa Townsend Rodgers, editor at large
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince: “Summertime.” This was the hit of the summer the year I left for college. –John Tobin, billboard sales director
“Party” by Beyoncé. I’m not a member of the Beyhive, but “Party” is the stuff of high-waisted shorts, barbecue in the backyard and too many Coronas. The chorus is one hell of an earworm, compelling you to dance and pretend you know what you’re doing. –Amber Sampson, web editor Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg— “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang.” The song reminds me of the video, though we don’t condone any of the antics in it, such as removing a woman’s top during a barbecue/volleyball match or showering another with malt liquor—unless it’s consensual. In which case, shake up that OE. –Zoneil Maharaj, director of digital content
“Springsteen” by Eric Church. The laid-back pace and Church’s Southern drawl just sends my mind straight to Independence Day celebrations after the sun has gone down—the smell of the smoke from sparklers and fireworks, lightning bugs, cheap beer, cool grass ... And the lyrics just take me there: “Funny how a melody sounds like a memory / Like the soundtrack to a July Saturday night, Springsteen.” –Xania V. Woodman, senior contributing editor My favorite summertime jam is “Want to Want Me” by Jason Derulo. The song has become a tradition with my cousin and me. At the end of our trips, we make a video collage of all our pictures and it plays that song. –Ruth E. Martinez, graphic design intern
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May 25–31, 2017 vegasseven.com
D. J. JAZZY JEFF AND THE FRESH PRINCE, 1988
“Feel Good Hit of the Summer” by Queens of the Stone Age, because it’s a laundry list of everything you need for a rocking good time. –Ben Ward, creative director
HIGHLY SUSPECT
MIX 94.1 PRESENTS
THU MAY 25
LUKAS GRAHAM
FRI MAY 26
IAN BAGG
THU JUN 1
POOLSIDE AT THE JBL SOUNDSTAGE
THE YARDBIRDS
POOLSIDE AT THE JBL SOUNDSTAGE
FRI, MAY 26
THE PROTOMEN
THU JUN 15
DAMIEN ESCOBAR
THE HEART & SOUL TOUR
PHORA
THU JUN 22
YOURS TRULY 2017 TOUR
FRI JUL 14
SHOOTER JENNINGS
FRI JUL 21
W/ BUCK-O-NINE
W/ 3D6. TIME CRASHERS
FRI, JUN 2
T PRESENTS
LESS THAN JAKE
P O O L S I D E AT T H E J B L S O U N D S TA G E
THU JUL 27
TAKING BACK SUNDAY
FRI AUG 4
TURNPIKE TROUBADOURS
W/ EVERY TIME I DIE, MODERN CHEMISTRY P O O L S I D E AT T H E J B L S O U N D S TA G E
FRI - SUN AUG 18 - 20
COREY FELDMAN & THE ANGELS FRI, JUN 9
W/ CHARLEY CROCKETT
P O O L S I D E AT T H E J B L S O U N D S TA G E
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WED NOV 15
BAD SUNS
Grand Opening Memorial Day Weekend
THE LANY TOUR: PART 2
WITH YOUR CELEBRITY HOST AND CAMP COUNSELOR
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