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THE CITY GOES PRO WHERE TO GET IN ON THE SPORTS ACTION AND WHO IS MAKING IT HAPPEN
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GRAHAM FUNKE
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Cheering on Vegas’ sports industry, from physical therapy to pro teams.
MAYWEATHER VS. McGREGOR VIEWING PARTY
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SEVEN NIGHTS Gianluca Vacchi plays Intrigue Nightclub.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Balos Beach, Crete page 28
AUGUST 24ñ30, 2017 TO DO
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
13 24/7
33 Only a Thousand Words?
What to do around the clock in Las Vegas.
BY SHANNON MILLER AND LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS
14 The Deal
Old Vegas at the Longhorn. BY ANTHONY CURTIS PLUS: Steve Martin and Martin Short return to The Colosseum.
After over 50 years of photojournalism, Barry Sweet gets his own gallery show. BY MARK ADAMS
34 From Sketches to Sequins
Dancer-turned-costumer Pete Menefee’s designs put on a show of their own. BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS
FEATURE
35 200 Columns of Green Felt Journal
16 Behind the Lights
From Wonder Pets to the big leagues, a look back.
BY JESSI C. ACUÑA
PLUS: Titles from Imbrifex Books get Vegas right.
A local sports rehabilitation company expands its reach far beyond physical therapy.
18 The Good Fight
Reflecting on the 45th anniversary of Title IX and its enduring impact. BY JESSI C. ACUÑA
20 The Cost of Change
Athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois aims to make UNLV fans believe again.
BY DAVID G. SCHWARTZ
CONVERSATIONS
37 Ask a Native
OUR SITES TO SEE
BY JAMES P. REZA
VegasSeven.com
Will Las Vegas change with the pending arrival of pro sports?
38 Lucky No. 7
BY TYLER BISCHOFF
The Vegas teams we are most excited for.
23 When the Pros Hit the
BY WENDOH STAFF
Residential Scene
Players have money to spend as they move into a prime housing market. BY JASON R. LATHAM PLUS: UNLV athletes to look for, Las Vegas’ soccer league, where to watch the game
TASTE
27 Dim Sum Delights Ping Pang Pong rolls out authentic Chinese bites. BY GENEVIE DURANO
28 Opa!
SEVEN NIGHTS
What To Do After Dark Concerts, nightclubs, food and experiences. BY JASON R. LATHAM
Gianluca Vacchi Wants Us To Take Off Our Shirts and Dance The Italian playboy arrives for his DJ set at Intrigue Nightclub. BY JASON R. LATHAM
[ See This ] MMA’s “Notorious” is taking nightclub gigs. BY JASON R. LATHAM
Exploring Greece’s treasures. BY MARISA FINETTI
PLUS: Elia’s Mediterranean flavors.
[ Pool Tour ]
Everything You Need to Know About Tao Group’s Left Coast Expansion The company’s vice president of marketing in Los Angeles gives us the scoop.
DTLV.com
Be Still, Our ’90s Heart How the Bunkhouse Saloon actually became a nostalgic Disney destination.
LifeIsBeautiful.com
How Does a Garden Grill Grow? With lots of patience and a spectacular vegan lineup from food truck owner Leslie Marroquin.
SpyOnVegas.com The Hookup Find upcoming events, see highlights from the hottest parties, meet the DJs and more.
The Aquatic Club aims to be “timelessly cool.” BY LARRY BRAVERMAN
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK Photography KRYSTAL RAMIREZ Pictured TAI PAN AUSTRALIAN LOBSTER DISH FROM PING PANG PONG page 25
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Michael Skenandore Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Melinda Sheckells MANAGING EDITOR, DINING EDITOR
Genevie Durano SENIOR EDITOR, LIFESTYLE
Jessi C. AcuÒa ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Mark Adams EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Lissa Townsend Rodgers EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Shannon Miller EDITORIAL INTERNS
Michaela Chesin, 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 WEB EDITORS
Jessie OíBrien, 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
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TO DO
Work from artist Ginger Bruner’s Unnatural Landscapes
What to do around the clock in Las Vegas
By Shannon Miller and Lissa Townsend Rodgers
THURSDAY 24
FRIDAY 25
Ginger Bruner works with neon and gold leaf to create abstract visions in Unnatural Landscapes. 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 McLeod Dr., clarkcountynv.gov
It’s been a whole three months since Punk Rock Bowling and, admit it, you miss the mosh pit. Luckily, Rancid and Dropkick Murphys make a stop at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center with the From Boston to Berkeley tour. With the Selecter and Kevin Seconds. 7 p.m., tickets start at $32, 200 E. 3rd St., dlvec.com
Stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 bring you Rifftrax Live commentary for the 1983 Doctor Who film The Five Doctors. Times and ticket prices vary, at Century Orleans 18 inside The Orleans Hotel & Casino and Colonnade 14 (8880 S. Eastern Ave.), fathomevents.com Given that bombs could be launched at any moment, is there any better time to see an Orange County punk band named after artillery and a Queens group named after our last performerturned–chief executive? Catch U.S. Bombs and Reagan Youth with support from Dirk Vermin & the Hostile Talent. 8 p.m., $12, The Dive Bar, 4110 S. Maryland Pkwy., divebarlasvegas.com Dig some swingin’ jazz by the Sharps at The Golden Tiki. 8 p.m., 3939 Spring Mountain Rd., thegoldentiki.com Longtime guitar hero Greg Howe has played with everyone from Michael Jackson to Rihanna. Tonight he’s on his own. 9 p.m., $15–$20, Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill, 6750 W. Sahara Ave., vampdvegas.com
And if that isn’t enough, old-school British street punks GBH return to Las Vegas tonight with support from Infested and False Cause. 8 p.m., $20–$25, Backstage Bar & Billiards, 601 Fremont St., backstagebarlv.com Comedy! Burlesque! Stunts! Prizes! Cardboard! The Miss Behave Gameshow encourages the Vegas inclination to scream, drink, throw things and ogle the guy in hot pants. 8 p.m., Wed.–Sun., tickets start at $54, inside Bally’s Las Vegas, caesars.com SATURDAY 26
The Big3 League aims to bring hardwood thrills with a new take on the game—retired NBA stars playing fast-paced, super-physical three-onthree matches, with the first team to score 60 declared the victor. 1:30 p.m., tickets start at $28, MGM Grand Garden Arena, big3.com
Have a fantastic night out for a good cause at the annual One Drunk Puppy wine-tasting event. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit The Animal Foundation. Attendees will enjoy complimentary appetizers, entertainment and a wide selection of international wines from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits of Nevada. A silent auction offering unique packages to support the nonprofit organization will be available. 6–9 p.m., $40, Silverton Casino, 3333 Blue Diamond Rd., silvertoncasino.com Head to the Clark County Library for food and fashion from a far-away continent at the Fudamike African Fashion Show. 6 p.m., $40–$45, Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., lvccld.org Neil Diamond was once Las Vegas’ highest-paid entertainer. He doesn’t play here anymore, but you can check out Rob Garret’s Hot August Night tribute to Neil to get your “Sweet Caroline” fix. 8 p.m., $20, Cannery Casino & Hotel, cannerycasino.com
and set the record straight in another installment of the Summer Mob Series. 2 p.m., Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., lvccld.org Australian Pink Floyd has been per-
forming for nearly three decades now and are still going strong with the Best Side of the Moon 2017 tour. 7 p.m., tickets start at $30, at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, hardrockhotel.com
MONDAY 28
Is Superman Jewish? Maybe so—the creators of the comic book hero were. The Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada hosts a discussion on themes of gender, power and heritage with “comic book rabbi” Simcha Weinstein. 7 p.m., $18, Inspire, 107 Las Vegas Blvd. South, facebook.com/JCCSN
SUNDAY 27
Documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse reveals that the drama behind Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now film may have been even greater than what was captured on screen. 8 p.m., The Sci-Fi Center, 5077 Arville St., thescificenter.com
Casino manager and entrepreneur Bill Friedman lived and worked through the Rat Pack era in Las Vegas when the majority of the casinos were mobbed up. He’ll separate fact from fiction
As cheesy as the film is, Steve Martin elicits genuine laughter in Father of the Bride. Take in a screening of the flick at this week’s Dive In Movie installment at Boulevard Pool.
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24/7
THE DEAL BY ANTHONY CURTIS
Simple Plan
Don’t wanna waste your time and become another casualty of society? See Simple Plan on its No Pads, No Helmets … Just Balls 15th anniversary tour tonight at Brooklyn Bowl, with special guests Set It Off and Patent Pending. 6 p.m., $32–$41, at The Linq Promenade, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas WEDNESDAY 30
7:30 p.m., $5, at The Cosmopolitan, cosmopolitanlasvegas.com TUESDAY 29
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John might be the oldest high school seniors in history in Grease, but that shouldn’t keep you from seeing the 1978 musical at Clark County Library. 1 p.m., 1401 E. Flamingo Rd., lvccld.org
Michael Jackson: ONE celebrates the King of Pop’s birthday with a behind-the-curtain look at the Cirque du Soleil show, MJ trivia for prizes and a birthday cake reception where you can meet and greet the members of the Michael Jackson Estate as well as cast members from the show. 3–6 p.m., starting at $69, inside Mandalay Bay, mandalaybay.com
What’s myrcene? Is it true limonene improves creativity? Is pinene made from trees? Find answers to these questions and more at Terpenes 102: The Aromatherapy of Cannabis. 6:30 p.m., Oasis Medical Cannabis, 1800 S. Industrial Blvd., oasismedicalcannabis.com Treat yo’self without breaking the bank at Cleo’s social hour, with $2 raw oysters on ice, lamb shawarma sliders for $9 and other modern, reasonably priced Mediterranean delights (not to mention drink specials). 5–7 p.m. daily, inside SLS Las Vegas, slslasvegas.com Looking for more stuff to do? Go to vegasseven.com/calendar.
DOS AMIGOS STEVE MARTIN AND MARTIN SHORT RETURN TO THE COLOSSEUM By Nicole Cormier
Their relationship was first showcased in the 1986 cult classic ¡Three Amigos! and they massaged their tumultuous dynamic in Father of the Bride and its sequel. And now, some 30 years later, Steve Martin and Martin Short are taking jabs, crooning tunes and touring the country together like nothing has changed. The hilarious pair returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on August 25 for An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Lives. On top of belly laughs and awkward snorting, showgoers will also be treated to a performance by Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers. The Grammy Award–winning bluegrass band will be promoting its forthcoming project, The Long-Awaited Album. The pair recently caught up with Vegas Seven. Get a taste of our chat with the duo here, then head to vegasseven.com/martinandshort for the full interview.
Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Lives August 25, 7:30 p.m., $50–$175, The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, thecolosseum.com
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In your shows, do you allow for improvisation or is it mostly scripted?
Steve Martin: We’re partly scripted and partly improvised. The improvised part is really the rapport [we have with each other]. … It’s not like you ad lib a five-minute routine; you might ad lib a line or an attitude or something physical. And that’s what keeps the performance alive.
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So is each show on tour fairly unique?
SM: We really don’t know what’s going to happen. Martin Short: I think what’s important when you’re known for a long time is for the audience to not necessarily feel that every joke is perfect, but that we seem loose and like we’re having fun. And that they were there on an evening when we were really happy to be there. SM: And we’re really good at faking that! Any good Vegas stories you want to share?
SM: We like coming to Vegas. It has been a big part of my career my whole life. … I remember going there when I was 20; my girlfriend was a dancer in one of the shows there. I think I had a total of $4, and I put some money in a slot machine and won 50 cents. And it literally changed my entire vacation, because I now had 50 cents more. That’s how cheap things were back then. MS: So you were really taking that date out for some great meals, huh?
Old Vegas at the Longhorn AH, OLD VEGAS. “It was so much better back then!” I hear this sentiment an awful lot. And while I don’t necessarily agree, I certainly understand it. The reality is, oldtime Las Vegas isn’t gone, you just have to go out and find it. One place still offering old-school deals is the Longhorn Casino & Hotel, located on Boulder Highway across from Eastside Cannery. Want a cheap beer? All brews in the bottle are $1.50 around the clock, including Corona and Heineken. There’s a good paycheck-cashing promotion, some of the best blackjack rules in town and daily blackjack tournaments with a $10 entry fee and 100 percent of the money returned in cash prizes. It’s all solid old Vegas fare, but where this place really shines is its food deals. The Chuckwagon Restaurant is anything but fancy, but it’s one of the great throwbacks to old Vegas bargain dining, packed with tasty food at low prices. It would take you a couple months to work through this menu, but the highlights include several steak and prime rib specials, starting with the good 24-hour $6.99-er and topping out at $17.99 for a 20-ounce porterhouse—plus liver and onions for $9.99, fried chicken for $8.99, huevos rancheros for $5.99 and the only ongoing creamed (chipped) beef on toast in town, served from midnight to noon for $3.99 (just 20 cents more than it was a decade ago). Great pricing for sure, but that’s not the whole of it. If you ask at the register when paying, each member of your dining party will be given a first-card-ace coupon for a $5 bet at blackjack. Starting your hand with an ace is worth 52 percent of the amount bet, so each ace represents $2.60 in expected return ($5 x .52). Recently, a friend and I gave this deal a whirl. We ordered the 1-pound “monster” burger ($10.99) and the 24-hour ham and eggs ($4.99). The total for both meals, plus a Heineken, came to $17.48 before tax. Our two ace coupons had a combined expected value of $5.20, which dropped the theoretical cost of our meal to only $12.28. Of course, theoretical and actual are two different things—we had to play our aces off (oof!) to determine the real bottom line. On the first hand, my ace was paired with a 9 for 20, a $5 winner. On the second, a ten was dealt for a snapper and a $7.50 win (they still pay 3–2 on naturals at Longhorn). The $12.50 win reduced the actual price paid for lunch for two (including leftovers) to $4.98! Yep, that’s the way they used to do it in old Vegas. By the way, for the past several years the Longhorn has run one of the better free NFL contests, where you can win up to $1,000 every week. I’ll check it out and let you know next time. 7 Anthony Curtis is the publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and lasvegasadvisor.com.
SIMPLE PL AN BY CHAPMAN BAEHLER; STEVE MARTIN AND MARTIN SHORT BY ANNA WEBBER
TO DO
BEHIND THE LIGHTS By Jessi C. Acuña
Photography Anthony Mair
Opposite page, top: Scott Pensivy works on Kenneth “Flex” Wheeler. This page, top: Scott Piercy receives treatment.
LOCAL SPORTS REHABILITATION COMPANY EXPANDS ITS REACH FAR BEYOND PHYSICAL THERAPY NOT FAR FROM THE PROPOSED RAIDERS STADIUM,
a hotbed for sports has begun to develop. Roughly three miles down the street on Dean Martin Drive is one of five Fyzical Therapy & Balance Centers locations, which is leading the way in bringing the latest technology and treatment to its physical therapy and fitness patients, from online services to patented products. Owner Scott Pensivy has built a healing machine, and now it’s part of a national health care behemoth. Fyzical was founded in 2012 and launched nationwide the following year with 10 clinics. Now it serves 36 states with more than 200 centers. After successfully running his own practice—Scott Pensivy Orthopedic Rehabilitation Services (S.P.O.R.T.S.)—since 2007 and being an integral player in his field since moving here nearly 30 years ago, it took about a year of courtship from founder and now business partner Jim Abrams before Pensivy joined the group in 2015. Pensivy now operates and serves as CEO of the five Las Vegas locations, and he still manages to treat patients. For more than 20 years, Pensivy has been healing patients as a physical therapist and licensed athletic trainer. Well known in the world of sports medicine, he’s acknowledged for bringing an added element to health care. “At the highest level, they all have their personal touch to everything,” says Kenneth “Flex” Wheeler, a three-time Mr. Olympia runner-up in the ’90s. After retiring because of a kidney transplant and other injuries 15 years ago, Wheeler, 52, is currently filming a documentary about his unlikely return to Mr. Olympia, taking place September 14–17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He’s been seeing Pensivy and his staff for the past few weeks. “He’s a huge asset to help me be able to come back,” Wheeler says. “I wish I would have known about him years ago. It definitely would have made things easier for me.” Wheeler has joined a long list of high-profile athletes that are in Pensivy and his team’s care, including local stars who’ve made it pro—Xavier Grimble in the NFL, Joey Gallo in the MLB and Scott Piercy in the PGA, to name a few, as well as former and current members of the Golden State Warriors such as Leandro Barbosa, Harrison Barnes and coach Steve Kerr.
THE OUT-OF-STATE FYZICAL FRANCHISES have access to Pensivy’s patient practices,
treatment protocols and his intellectual property—and there’s a lot. One in particular that has gained a lot of traction since becoming FDA-certified in January is his proprietary pain relief cream, Fyzical 123—Kerr and brand ambassador Olivia Newton-John are regular users. An adapted formula from a version with a different name, Pensivy first started tinkering with creams in 1998. “I was treating people with fibromyalgia who were in pain all the time,” Pensivy says of his early career. “There wasn’t a topical cream for them; there was nothing good. I knew I could come up with something.” He eventually created his own applicator. It was a fusion of what he learned in Korea— what tools healers there were using—and the Graston Technique, which is a series of instruments used directly on the skin to address scar tissue and fascia restrictions. “That magic isn’t just the cream; it’s the combo of the applicator and the cream,” Pensivy says. “Together they make the healing properties. The applicator breaks up the scar. It causes friction and heat and stays on longer.” Another part of the magic is access and education. About twice a month on Saturdays, he and a few other PTs host sessions to discuss best practic-
es as well as to invite certain patients to attend, to either be test cases for other Fyzical employees to learn from or to work out treatment plans if the patient has a complex issue. “The most important thing is we get our patients better,” Pensivy says. “If I could do it for free, I’d do it free.” Pensivy has found two ways in which to get more people treated. Fyzical First is his online solution to saving time and money for a patient. By filling out and uploading a picture of the concerned area on a short online application, a patient is contacted within 24 hours and given free medical direction. That means a Fyzical staff member will either suggest that person come in for a free assessment “to be evaluated, treated and educated on the health challenge,” or get a referral to a preferred provider. With Pensivy’s short list of Las Vegas’ best sports medicine doctors, that often means an appointment with a specialist much quicker than a cold call. Another solution is his Play It Forward for Kids nonprofit. Children and young adults between the ages of 8–24 without insurance or financial means can get access to free or discounted health care ranging from surgery costs to athletic training and everything in between. The nonprofit even paid for a dentist appointment for an athlete who got his front teeth knocked out. It started as word of mouth but is now accessible through an online application, which is then sent to a board for review. Though they’ve only treated about 50 people so far, Pensivy has a goal of a half million dollars in annual donations to provide access for athletes across the country. Three-time PGA Tour winner Piercy is one of many athletes and businesspeople who have donated to the nonprofit. A patient of Pensivy’s for nearly 18 years, he says it’s out of respect for Scott. “I always ask him, ‘How can I help?’” Piercy says. “This is how I repay him.” 7
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THE GOOD FIGHT REFLECTING ON THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF TITLE IX AND ITS ENDURING IMPACT By Jessi C. Acuña Photography Andrew Sea James
n March, Tommi Stockham, then 14 years old, verbally committed to play Division I volleyball for perennial powerhouse University of Southern California. More impressive, the current Bishop Gorman sophomore is slated to play both indoor and beach volleyball for the Trojans—and is reportedly the university’s first student-athlete projected to receive a dual scholarship for both. Stockham is on track for volleyball greatness, taking into consideration she stays healthy and motivated by her love of the sport. But whether the Vegas native decides to go pursue the pros in the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals league) after college or chooses a different path altogether, her life trajectory has already been transformed. This summer marks the 45th anniversary of the landmark law that is now simply referred to as Title IX. Meant to prohibit federally funded educational institutions from discriminating against participants in any program or activity based on sex, President Richard Nixon signed Title IX of the Education Amendments on June 23, 1972. Athletics is where this change has been most visible: There are more than 3 million female high school athletes participating today, a ten-fold increase since 1971. The law also requires colleges to hand out a proportional number of athletic scholarship dollars to female and male student-athletes. Beyond the benefits afforded by the opportunity to compete—self-confidence, resilience, leadership skills, to name a few—a 2014 Ernst & Young study found that of the businesswomen in the C-suite (think top execs such as CEO and CFO) polled, 94 percent played sports in high school and 52 percent continued through college. That’s a strong correlation of female athletes going on to have success in the boardroom. But Title IX is far from perfect. It disproportionately has left behind minority and underprivileged girls. According to an NCAA report, “Black and Hispanic female student-athletes have experienced slight gains in participation, up 1.1 and 2.8 percentage points, respectively,” in the past 15 years. And because Title IX goes beyond sports, it has become “the basis of complaints against schools charged with not properly responding to the issue of sexual assault,” according to a recent Time magazine article. But its reach is still being felt positively. Stockham has a few more years before college. When asked about her biggest dream for volleyball, she says, “My senior year, I have the goal to be the Gatorade Player of the Year,” an honor awarded to exceptional high school student-athletes. This is a lofty aspiration, but highly plausible for a player who, as a freshman, led her high school team to its first-ever state championship. Whatever may come for the young athlete, it’s thanks to Title IX that she gets to live out her dreams on an even playing field. 7
“NO PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES SHALL, ON THE BASIS OF SEX, BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATION IN, BE DENIED THE BENEFITS OF, OR BE SUBJECT TO DISCRIMINATION UNDER ANY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.” –TITLE IX EDUCATION AMENDMENTS OF 1972
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THE ONES TO WATCH
THE COST OF CHANGE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR DESIREE REED-FRANCOIS AIMS TO MAKE UNLV FANS BELIEVE AGAIN AS THE RUNNIN’ REBELS men’s basketball team struggled to an 11-win season, game attendance plummeted to its lowest mark in a decade. Even the football program saw nearly 1,000 fewer fans per game last season. For new athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois, who took the reins June 1, the goal is to get UNLV supporters back in the building. “I want people to know that our fans are appreciated,” Reed-Francois says. “They are a huge part of our success. We can’t do it by ourselves. It has to be a total community effort.” The importance of Rebel fans was felt last season, as the athletic department faced a budget deficit of nearly $5 million. The decline in attendance was the major contributor to that deficit: UNLV needs its fans. But fans need a reason to show up. Last year’s combined 15 wins between the basketball and football teams were the fewest of any Mountain West program, with Utah State struggling to the second lowest mark at 17. Eight of the other 10 Mountain West members had at least 20 combined wins in both sports. “We need to create a reason for people to re-engage. It’s a relationship,” Reed-Francois adds. “We need to show people we care just as much as they care about the Runnin’ Rebels.” There are a few reasons to return this season, and they come in the form of freshmen. Five-star, 6-foot-11 recruit Brandon McCoy changed the direction of UNLV basketball when he committed to play for coach Marvin Menzies. Redshirt freshman Armani Rogers has been named the starting quarterback by Tony Sanchez and could provide star power at the most prominent position. While play will dictate fan interest, Reed-Francois wants to make each UNLV game a memorable experience regardless of the outcome. “We all want to be a part of something special,” Reed-Francois says. “And if we can create that special game-day environment, it’s going to go hand in hand with putting on a really special event. So, I think it’s more than just wins and losses:
As Desiree Reed-Francois takes control of the UNLV athletic department, it will still come down to the players and coaches to create success. As far as talent, the Rebels will have some of the best in the Mountain West, including Brandon McCoy, who is the No. 1 reason to celebrate Marvin Menzies’ second go with the Runnin’ Rebels. Here are three other athletes worth tuning in for. –T.B.
By Tyler Bischoff
It’s that total package. Do people feel valued? Are we putting on an entertaining, safe and cost-effective event? When we hit that sweet spot, people are going to connect with the Runnin’ Rebels.” Valuing fans and giving them a reason to feel special is something ReedFrancois picked up from legendary coach Pat Summitt. While at University of Tennessee, Reed-Francois, who was the first female administrator to oversee a men’s basketball program in SEC history, crossed paths with Summitt. But it was one interaction following a meeting about facilities that hit home with Reed-Francois. She went into the meeting overprepared but nervous, and left feeling like she didn’t really connect on her points. It was Summitt, the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, who offered some advice. “She said, ‘You are going to be so much more effective when you have an opportunity to show people that you care. That’s when you are really going to create buy-in,’” Reed-Francois says of the exchange. Now she is tasked with creating that buy-in for UNLV athletics. It is a program that has struggled, despite having some of the best resources in the Mountain West. It is a program that has fallen backward when it should be reaching for a power conference. Instead, UNLV hasn’t won a conference title in football or basketball since 2008. The football team has continued to fall below mediocrity, as they haven’t posted back-to-back winning seasons since 1984. After reaching the NCAA Tournament six times in seven seasons, from 2007 to 2013, UNLV men’s basketball hasn’t been to the big dance the last four seasons. “With Pat, it wasn’t just about telling people what to do,” Reed-Francois says. “It was about getting people to believe.” With one of the best media markets in the conference and an athletic budget that surpasses most of its conference foes, UNLV has the potential to be the best in the Mountain West. It is up to Desiree Reed-Francois to instill that belief in the community. 7
ARMANI ROGERS The Rebel football team will be counting on a freshman as well. After redshirting last season, Rogers has been named the starting quarterback. For the first time, head coach Tony Sanchez has a quarterback he is confident about. Last season the team cycled through three quarterbacks due to injuries and poor play, and completed just 47 percent of passes, the fourth worst in the country. As one of the highest-rated recruits in program history, Rogers is likely to change that stat.
BROOKE JOHNSON In 2016–2017 the Lady Rebels basketball team had a tremendous season, posting a 22–11 record and nabbing a spot in the coveted Women’s National Invitational Tournament. It was the Lady Rebels’ first postseason appearance since 2012. Senior guard Johnson will be the key to getting UNLV back to the postseason. She was second on the team in scoring last year and is a do-it-all star. She can play point guard, lock down the opponents’ best player and clean up on the glass.
DANNY MUSOVSKI Musovski is UNLV soccer. The prolific forward led the team in scoring last year with 12 goals and six assists despite missing four games due to injury. His role as star was never more apparent than in the 2–1 Rebel win over Air Force in the WAC Tournament Final. Musovski scored both UNLV goals; his teammates combined to take just one other shot. Musovski enters his senior year with 32 career goals, good for eighth all-time at UNLV. With another solid season in Las Vegas, he should be selected in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.
GOOOOOOOAL!
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT PROFESSIONAL SOCCER IN LAS VEGAS Las Vegas officially has a pro soccer team. The United Soccer League awarded an expansion franchise to owner Brett Lashbrook and the city at Zappos headquarters on August 11. Here’s the 411. –Tyler Bischoff
1. TEAM NAME GETS A VOTE Fans get to decide the name of the team in an online vote. The six finalists are: Las Vegas FC, Las Vegas Lights, Las Vegas Action, Viva Vegas, Club Vegas and Las Vegas Silver. Those are all flexible, as the team is looking for fan input on different parts of the name such as using Las Vegas or just Vegas, as well as if the team should be referred to as a Soccer Club, Football Club or Fútbol Club. The team is taking fan votes and input until August 28 on its website (vegasprosoccer.com). The official name will be announced the following day.
2. IMPRESSIVE NUMBER OF SEASON TICKET DEPOSITS Cashman Field, which seats 9,334, is the future home of Las Vegas’ soccer team. So far, the team has taken more than 1,000 deposits for season tickets. That is a solid number for a USL team that wasn’t official until August 11. The average attendance at USL games in 2017 is 4,403, with FC Cincinnati leading the way at 20,466 and New York Red Bulls II coming in last at 565. Season-ticket deposits are $20 and can be placed online.
3. RIVAL UP NORTH The city may not have a name for its new soccer team yet, but it already has a rival. Reno 1868 FC began play in the USL last season, and the simple mention of the team drew boos from the crowd at the event at Zappos. Las Vegas’ introduction to the USL might be a Nevada derby: Gov. Brian Sandoval suggested that the first game be against our Northern neighbors, and Las Vegas’ owner Brett Lashbrook publicly requested that. USL president Jake Edwards’ response: “It’s done.”
4. GOODMANS’ GOAL ACHIEVED Bringing pro sports to Downtown has been the goal for Oscar and Carolyn Goodman for nearly two decades. And now it is reality. “If I fell over dead right now, I’d drop dead happy,” says Mayor Carolyn Goodman. “This has been a dream for the past 18 years. My husband talked about pro sports every night.” She also took some time to tell everyone that Cashman Field will not have parking or traffic problems unlike the current concern with the Raiders’ Las Vegas stadium.
5. USL EXPANSION With 30 teams currently competing in the USL 2017 season, Las Vegas is one of three teams that will join next year. The league is working toward a three-division structure, with East, Central and West divisions. “I can imagine a number of teams in each, maybe 13 in each,” Edwards says. “And then there will be a point after 2020 when expansion will stop.” 7
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VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS FINDS ITS HOME TEAM SPOTS The NHL preseason starts September 17, the first regular season game is October 6 and the Vegas Golden Knights begin their first home stand when the puck drops October 10 at T-Mobile Arena. So now that you know the big dates, where will you watch your home team beyond the arena? –Jason R. Latham
HERE’S WHERE YOU’LL FIND PROOF LAS VEGAS IS A HOCKEY TOWN BROOKSY’S BAR & GRILL Hockey sweaters (jerseys, to the uninitiated) adorn the walls at this west-side spot, located at the Las Vegas Ice Center, and, come this fall, the TVs will show every NHL game of the season. 9295 W. Flamingo Rd., Suite 100, brooksys.net CRAZY HORSE III Viewing parties start October 4, with $20 beer bucket specials and a free drink if you have your game-day ticket stub. 3525 W. Russell Rd., crazyhorse3.com THE D LAS VEGAS The team’s official Downtown hotel will host viewing parties and player appearances, and you’ll be able to buy merch and game tickets inside. thed.com HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO Every Golden Knights game will be shown on seven 55-inch TVs at Hard Rock’s Side Bet Bar in its sportsbook. hardrockhotel.com
HOP NUTS BREWING Main Street’s big draw for craft beer enthusiasts just unveiled The Golden Knight, a Belgian golden strong ale served year round. 1120 S. Main St., Suite 150, hopsnutsbrewing.com MCFADDEN’S LAS VEGAS Home to a Golden Knights Fan Club, McFadden’s, located in Town Square, is offering deals and specials during all the team’s games that will be shown on its 40-plus televisions. mcfaddensvegas.com NACHO DADDY There’s a new Golden Knights Nacho on the menu, and Nacho Daddy on West Sahara Avenue will host official viewing parties on December 8 (vs. Nashville Predators) and February 26 (vs. L.A. Kings). 9560 W. Sahara Ave., nachodaddy.com NAKED CITY PIZZA The Paradise Road location will have pregame parties before every home game, with limo party bus rides to and from T-Mobile Arena. 4608 Paradise Rd., nakedcitylv.com
FRONT & CENTER
FOOTBALL PRESEASON ENDS SOON. TIME TO LOCK DOWN A VENUE FOR THE REGULARSEASON VIEWING. We still have a few more years before the Raiders come to town, but Las Vegas can still enjoy plenty of NFL action on the tube. The Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and, whether you like ’em or not, New England Patriots are shaping up to be teams to keep your eye on this season. You just need to know the best places for watching a game. –Rob Kachelriess
REBEL REPUBLIC Contrary to common misconception, this busy sports pub doesn’t hold particular loyalty to UNLV … or any other team, for that matter. But it does have a boss selection of over 50 draft beers, some of which will be $3–$5 during football games. And why bother with pitchers when you can have $15 Blue Moon beer towers at your table. But if you need another sort of “Rebel” fix, UNLV kicks off its football season September 2 at Sam Boyd Stadium. 3540 W. Sahara Ave., rebelrepubliclv.com
THE STILL This vibrant sports bar at The Mirage always seems to have a TV in perfect position, no matter where you turn your head. It’s also offering a new breakfast menu at 9 a.m. for early rising football fans on Saturdays and Sundays, which includes a 35-ounce “Hail Mary” Bloody Mary. You may need more than one of those if you’re a fan of the New York Jets, the team with the lowest Vegas odds of reaching the Super Bowl this season. thestillvegas.com
RED ROCK RESORT RACE & SPORTS BOOK Station Casinos is promising to give away $750,000 in cash and prizes during its season-long Gridiron Glory contest for Boarding Pass members. Take advantage of it at Red Rock Resort Sports Book, where about 32 yards of wall is covered in video screens. It’s the best way to watch Jay Cutler make his big return from retirement as part of the Miami Dolphins. redrock.sclv.com
THREE ANGRY WIVES PUB The New England Patriots are defending their Super Bowl championship this season, and the best place to cheer them on is at Three Angry Wives. The Boston-friendly Irish pub is all about the Pats and even serves a “Brady Brunch” with bottomless mimosas. Enjoy deals on regional bites like Wexford wings and tater skins while buying $5 raffle tickets to win items such as jerseys, custom T-shirts and gift cards. The money raised last season was put into upgrading the sound system and adding a new projection screen in the dining room. 8820 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 105, threeangrywivespub.com SPORTING LIFE BAR This southwest sports bar is the Las Vegas home to the Ohio State Buckeyes, but when it comes to the NFL, you’ll be able to catch any game at any given time on 26 televisions and two big screens. Listen in on individual speakers at each table and check out the latest betting information on a real-time electronic odds board. Sorry, no wagering allowed. But the menu is a foodie-friendly step up from traditional bar grub. 7770 S. Jones Blvd., sportinglifebar.com
When the Pros Hit the Residential Scene Vegas Golden Knights and Raiders players have money to spend in a prime housing market By Jason R. Latham Even before goalie Marc-André Fleury became the de facto face of the Vegas Golden Knights at June’s NHL Expansion Draft, he and his wife, Véronique Larosée, were reportedly sizing up the city’s housing market on the chance that he’d be selected to the team. Fleury’s $5.75 million salary means his housing options are wide open, and even though many of his teammates make less, the NHL minimum wage is $650,000 for the 2017–2018 season. That’ll get you a lot of house, and make a lot of local realtors happy. “It’s good to be in real estate in Las Vegas right now,” says Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices president and COO Gordon Miles, whose organization has partnered with the Golden Knights to help relocate players, personnel and their families to Southern Nevada. The market, he explains, is healthy. Inventory is tight, but don’t assume you can price your house at pre-recession levels and expect these incoming athletes, or anyone, to buy. “If you look back, those prices were totally out of line,” Miles says. “Now, if it’s not priced correctly, it won’t sell.” And where will our Golden Knights, with NHL dollars to spend, look to get the best deals on homes? “There’s a lot of interest in the Summerlin area because of the team practice facility,” Miles says, adding that some of the youngest players will probably choose convenient and accessible over gaudy and excessive. Located on Pavilion Center Drive, the practice facility is adjacent to Downtown Summerlin. Either way, they’ll be saving money. A state without an income tax ranks high on the list of priorities for athletes and agents negotiating contracts and contemplating trade scenarios. “[Nevada] is just an easy place to live and it makes sense financially,” says Dave Tina, Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors president. “There’s enough action on the Strip to compare with a Chicago or San Francisco or Los Angeles.” Tina, who also heads Urban Nest Realty, agrees that Summerlin will likely be the first choice for Golden Knights players. But when the Raiders arrive and start scouting “super-high-end” homes, the commute to practice won’t mean as much. “Summit in Summerlin, The Ridges, Ascaya in Henderson, Southern Highlands Country Club,“ Tina says, rattling off a list of ideal landing spots for the multimillion-dollar athlete. “We’re already a market that is attractive to high-end entrepreneurs who are moving themselves and their companies [here] from Southern California,” he says. “That’s already happening before you throw in the athletes.” 7
UMAMI BURGER, BEER GARDEN & SPORTS BOOK Burgers, beer and betting at the SLS Las Vegas. What more do you need? How about half-off food for groups of 10 or more during fantasy draft parties (until September 6) and $25 Rolling Rock beer towers on game days? The very first Umami Burger opened eight years ago in Los Angeles—which is also the new home of the former San Diego Chargers this season. umamiburger.com
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s our luck would have it, the city’s best dim sum spot just got better. Locals favorite Ping Pang Pong, inside the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino (goldcoastcasino.com), relocated to a larger space. The room debuted in July to great fanfare, complete with a lion dance and a drum ceremony. The always bustling kitchen is now able to accommodate more diners, offering dim sum selections such as har gow, cha siu bao, chicken feet and pork dumplings—more than 80 in all, served in pushcarts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. In addition to the regular lineup, there’s a rotation of favorites such as an aromatic duck bun and a mango lobster scallop roll. But for our money, we go straight for the Tai Pan Australian Lobster (pictured)—sweet, tender chunks served artfully with the shell. Sure, it’s not for folks who don’t like their food staring back at them, but for crustacean lovers, it’s as authentic Chinese as we’re going to get in our mainland. 7
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By Marisa Finetti Photography By Craig Finetti
exploring greece’s treasures When considering a family vacation for four, the challenge is to discover a destination that everyone can amicably agree on. Greece rose to the top for these reasons: beaches, culture, food and drink, and adventure. My husband, two boys and I spent most of the time eating and drinking in Hellenic territory, embracing Greece for all its beauty in Athens, Santorini and Crete.
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Historic Plaka is one of the oldest districts in Athens. Crammed with shops and tavernas along narrow pedestrian-filled cobblestone streets, Plaka is for those who have a burning desire to buy something for everyone back home. Artisan-crafted gold jewelry, leather sandals, local herbs and seasonings, evil eye pendants and miniature replicas of the Parthenon—the supply is astounding. But Plaka is also for the hungry and thirsty. A street-side table at a taverna offering fresh seafood, Greek salad, moussaka, pastitsio, souvlaki and more is the perfect energy-refueling spot. With full stomachs, a hike to the Acropolis, the ancient hilltop citadel, is a cinch. The Acropolis Museum, itself an architectural wonder, is a treasure trove of ancient art history. After a day spent on foot in the bustling city of Athens, dining on white linen feels like the natural thing to do. Cookoovaya (cookoovaya.gr), which is located behind the Hilton Athens near Syntagma Square, is a place stomachs and hearts desire. Five well-known chefs fuse their knowledge and imagination to create an inspiring cuisine. Pericles Koskinas, Manos Zournatzis, Vangelis and Spyros Liakos, and Nikos Karathanos work together to offer a unique menu inspired by Greek cuisine with a twist. The impressive, well-lit space and a busy, wide open kitchen provide a theatrical experience. Things to try include savory pies baked in the wood oven with spinach or truffle creamed mushroom, grilled beef filet, seasonal menu items (when I was there, they featured grouper collar braised in orzo, cinnamon and tomato sauce), charred fresh octopus served with fava spread, and skirt steak with mushroom infused with thyme puree--- and steamed wild rice. The wine list features stunning Greek wines, and it is not by accident that they go with the food merrily.
Clockwise from top right: Oia, Santorini; Santa Irini Bakery; Zeas’ baklava; the Acropolis; Plaka taverns; Cookoovaya octopus
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santorini
A 35-minute flight to the volcanic island of Santorini reveals the supermodel of the Greek islands. She is a head-turner, instantly recognizable around the world, with her multicolored cliffs that soar out of a sea-drowned caldera, topped by drifts of whitewashed buildings. But beyond the dazzling panoramas are the pristine wines that grow from wind-swept landscapes—so harsh at times, growers shape the vines into coils, which are trained low on the ground, to provide protection for the grapes that grow inside of them. The assyrtiko grape variety is native to the island and delivers crisp, dry, alluring, food-friendly wines. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Aegean Sea, Venetsanos Winery (venetsanoswinery.com) is a picturesque spot to taste indigenous varietals, local cheeses and cured meats, while learning about the chemist who developed the site and leveraged the power of hillside gravity to make his wines. Volcanic sand beaches are unique to Santorini’s terrain. The Marsred sand of Red Beach and the black sand beach in Perissa are two to visit. Along these beaches, the sea is clean and calm. In Perissa, tavernas hug the shoreline, making eating and swimming an all-day affair. The Magic Bus (magic-bus.gr) offers an assortment of delicious local fare, such as its popular Magic Bus Burger, made medium rare with grilled peppers. A Greek salad topped with a brick of feta is a cool and refreshing side to the burger and Greek fries. For a little adventure, a private sailing ship (bluewavestrips.com) with our skipper Vangelis brings us to the hot springs for a relaxing, warm-water dip at sunset. A volcano in the area erupted just over 60 years ago and sulfuric gasses and heat continue to emerge from the earth, creating a soaking tub, if you will, in the middle of the cool sea. And bakeries are huge in Greece and all its islands. For less than one euro, you can grab a large crusty loaf to go. Zeas (bakerysantorini.gr/zeas) is one of two bakeries we frequented, which also has an assortment of baklava. The other is the Santa Irini Bakery, a 24-hour shop attached to Santa Irina Hotel, where one can stock up on breads, cookies, savory pies, sesame sticks and more.
A Taste of Greece Elia brings Mediterranean flavors to the Southwest
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Going farther south to Crete by high-speed jet to visit Greece’s largest island, it’s evident that it has a long and complex history. Minoan palaces, Venetian towns, Medieval Castles and Byzantine monasteries constitute the most important sightseeing. And the most distinctive characteristic is its beaches. Many say the best on the island (if not all of Greece) is Balos Beach, and after a treacherous drive on unpaved roads that hug the cliff, followed by a mile hike down, it’s arguably one of the most breathtaking spots in the world. Walk far into the turquoise sea for a refreshing dip and bask in the sun-kissed, pink-hued sandy beach. The hike back up is for the fit, however. You’ll need a good pair of hiking sandals, water, more water and determination. Crete also has a wine industry experiencing a revival, with producers focusing on elevating indigenous grapes. High up on a hill above the quaint town of Houdetsi in appellation of Peza is Rhous Winery (rhouswinery.gr). The husband-and-wife team, Maria and Dimitris, strive to modernize their winemaking practices to provide terroir-driven wines of indigenous grapes, such as Vidiano, Plyto, Muscat of Spina, Mandilaria and Kotsifali. These are beautiful wines and can be found on-premise at places like Milos inside The Cosmopolitan. 7
pies and more pies Pies are the thing in Crete and throughout Greece. They are called pites (pita: singular), and the one we are most familiar with is spanakopita, which is filled with feta and spinach. In Greece, there are hundreds of different types of pies. They come in all sizes and shapes: rectangular, coiled, sticks, triangles. Some are savory, others are sweet, and they are filled with a number of different local cheeses, meats and vegetables. But apart from the wholesome ingredients, they are all made of the layers of light and airy, crispy phyllo, whose crunch is addictive and deliriously delicious.
Can’t make it to Greece this summer? There are plenty of options in town to experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The newly opened Elia (4226 S. Durango Dr., elialv.com) is a standout, offering bright flavors that’ll make you feel like you’re dining on a seaside spot overlooking the Aegean Sea rather than the southwest desert. The restaurant is small and unassuming, and the olive tree (“Elia” is olive in Greek) outside is a nice touch. One side of the menu is dominated by appetizers that all look tempting—but one you shouldn’t miss is the kolokythakia, thin slices of pan-fried zucchini served with a cool and tangy tzatziki. The spanakopita, perhaps the most recognizable dish in Greek cuisine, is a hearty portion here—tender layers of phyllo dough ensconce baby spinach, fresh onions, dill and feta cheese, each bite giving way to a satisfying crunch. Seafood preparation is second nature in Greek cuisine, and the grilled octopus at Elia delivers. Tender cubes of the mollusk are prepared simply with extra virgin olive oil, red onion and red wine vinegar. You can practically taste the ocean with each bite. And there’s no better complement to this briny flavor than a refreshing salad. The horiatiki— composed of tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives, green peppers, wild oregano and hunks of creamy feta cheese—is a meal by itself. The tomatoes are juicy, almost like eating a watermelon, with the feta giving the dish a tangy kick. Elia’s entrées are a good mix of land and sea, with dishes such as Mediterranean sea bass, grilled salmon, souvlaki made with pork and chicken, gyros and a rib eye steak, for pescatarians and landlubbers alike. Sure, you can’t smell the ocean from here, but it’ll do until you book your tickets to Santorini next summer. –Genevie Durano
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SOCIAL INFLUENCE
? s d r o W d n a s u o h T a y l On
After more than half a century of documenting history, local photojournalist Barry Sweet gets a gallery show all to himself
Barry Sweet Through Sept.; artist appearance: Aug. 31, 5 p.m., The Corner Gallery, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., #220, lasvegascornergallery.com. Find our full Q&A with Sweet at vegasseven.com/barrysweet
By Mark Ad
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e made friends with Bobby Kennedy on the presidential candidate’s campaign trail, witnessed a handful of NASA’s Apollo mission landings while based on a ship in the Pacific Ocean and captured a few of the early images of a then up-and-coming star called Madonna. Some have said that journalism is the first rough draft of history—if that’s right, then photojournalist Barry Sweet has compiled a fascinating visual encyclopedia of modern America throughout his illustrious 56-year career. And while the now-local photographer’s pictures have likely been seen by millions of people in the pages of prestigious publications across the country (including The New York Times and Life magazine)—Sweet served as the Associated Press’ dedicated Pacific Northwest photojournalist from 1968 to 2004—his slices of life are getting some well-deserved treatment in an exhibit at Downtown’s The Corner Gallery through September. The exhibit encompasses the 73-year-old’s lifelong catalog—and all prints are on sale. While working for the AP, Sweet documented important moments that now are a part of the fabric of American history—including the return of American troops from Vietnam in 1973 and the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, both of which earned the photographer nominations for the Pulitzer Prize. Sweet began taking assignments here in Las Vegas while he was at the AP (including a 1980s boxing bout featuring Muhammad Ali), and after retiring from the organization and relocating to Southern Nevada, he was soon asked by a number of wire services to lend his talent to cover the city’s entertainment scene—think red-roped events such as Elizabeth Taylor’s 75th birthday in 2007. Sweet—who still works today (you might see him at this weekend’s Mayweather–McGregor fight)—says his exhibit will feature a room devoted to his historical-leaning photos, another devoted to his travels in China and one space devoted to the glitz and glamour of celebrity-studded events right here in Sin City. The event is truly an opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of someone who has literally stood on the sidelines of history, and a rare opportunity in a city known for tearing down its past—the past that Sweet captured in the latter years of his ongoing and ultimately exciting adventure. 7
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SOCIAL INFLUENCE
By Lissa Townsend Rodgers Photography Karan Feder
FROM SKETCHES TO SEQUINS Dancer-turned-costumer Pete Menefee’s designs are in the spotlight again IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR A PERFORMER
to transition to a role behind the scenes. However, few have done it as fabulously as Pete Menefee, whose costume designs for shows such as Jubilee! and Splash took center stage on the Strip. The Nevada State Museum’s new exhibit, The Artistry of Pete Menefee: Costume Design for the Nevada Stage, contains many of his whimsically glamorous sketches, as well as a number of the costumes they inspired. Menefee’s career as a dancer included appearances in Mary Poppins and Viva Las Vegas. During a discussion at the opening of the exhibit, he said, “I always brought my dance background into fittings. When I’m drawing, I know how things move, how dance influences the costume.” Menefee did many of the costumes for Jubilee!, from glitzy, barely-there rhinestones and feathers to high-necked lace gowns for the show’s “Titanic” sequence. Examples of both are in the exhibit and it’s fascinating to see the translation from paper and pencil to sequins and spandex. Some of Menefee’s wildest designs were for Hello, Hollywood, Hello!, an enormous spectacular at Reno’s then–MGM Grand. He fondly recalled the “Futu-
By Jarret Keene
From Pixels to Print Imbrifex Books founder turns the (literal) page on an internet venture
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ropolis” sequence, which he says was inspired by Star Wars but “naked-naked,” with sexy robots and mirror-clad showgirls. Menefee’s work on that show led to his stint designing for KISS. “I had done Diana [Ross] and the Supremes, the Temps [Temptations] and the [Four] Tops, but I had never done kinda trashy rock ’n’ roll. I had a good time doing it,” he said. Still, it was Menefee’s work for the Las Vegas stage that was dearest to his heart. His designs for Splash included a lineup of sea-creature showgirls—a seahorse, an angelfish and even a lobster showgirl—whose silly/sexy costumes are included in the exhibit. Will we ever see the likes of this
It’s now a common thesis in media coverage of the book industry: The independent bookstore is resurging, ebook sales are tapering and print is back. Anecdotally, in Las Vegas anyway, the fact that The Writer’s Block on East Fremont Street remains alive and kicking supports this idea. So it shouldn’t be surprising that a new local press, with an emphasis on regional travel and local crime fiction, has emerged in the post-Kindle age. What is unusual is that Imbrifex Books was launched by locals with a serious stake in, and experience with, internet publishing. Indeed, before making a go in the realm of printed books, publisher Mark Sedenquist (who is also the VP of Flattop Productions,
again? Menefee is The Artistry of Pete Menefee: doubtful: “I don’t Costume Design for the think it’ll ever Nevada Stage happen again. Through Dec. 31, Tue.–Sun., Besides the cost, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., inside Nevada you need someone State Museum at Springs with the vision,” he Preserve, 333 S. Valley View explained. “You Blvd., springspreserve.org need suits that understand this and don’t just want to make a profit.” If the days of showgirls ever return, Pete Menefee is ready. Until then, his dazzling creations are in the spotlight once more. 7
which owns Imbrifex) created one of the very first travel blogs, roadtripamerica.com, in 1996, well before the term “blog” was even coined. What may appear as a leap of analog faith is, in his view, a natural progression—even an extension—of his trip-planning website’s aesthetic. “We’re having a great time,” says Sedenquist, clearly pumped on the eve of releasing his fourth title, Strings: A Love Story by Megan Edwards. “It’s an exciting moment to be a publisher. The tech just gets better and better, and there are so many stories people want to share in print.” Sure, some stories sell better on the web, and in ebook and audiobook formats, but there’s still nothing like a
book that you can hold in your hands. “This is a challenging field to be working in, no doubt,” concedes Sedenquist. “But I’m of the opinion that, if you deliver good products, you’ll find success.” On a literary level, Imbrifex products are quite good, even genreexpanding. Take, for instance, H.G. McKinnis’ A Justified Bitch: A Las Vegas Mystery, about a cat-engulfed, hallucination-prone hoarder who finds a severed finger in her yard, leading authorities—and her friends—to suspect her of murder. The dialogue is quirky, the plot headlong. Then there’s Edwards’ Full Service Blonde, the second installment in the Copper Black Mystery series, in which the journalist-narrator, Black, begins her
GREEN FELT JOURNAL
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
By David G. Schwartz
200 Columns FROM WONDER PETS TO THE BIG LEAGUES, A LOOK BACK
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his is the 200th Green Felt Journal column I have written. Over the past eight years, I’ve used this space to explore Las Vegas, gaming and hospitality. Please indulge me as I look back over the first 199 columns. My first GFJ came in the first issue of Vegas Seven, released February 4, 2010. The column itself (and its name) was the brainchild of then-editor Phil Hagen; it’s a take on Ed Reid and Ovid Demaris’ anti-Vegas potboiler, The Green Felt Jungle (see “The Book That Tried to End Las Vegas” for the whole story on that volume). That first column was about The Wonder Pets and Las Vegas. These animated heroes of a Nick Jr. show had flown to Las Vegas to rescue the Rat Pack—in this reality actual rodents who are having trouble with their act. A dose of teamwork solves the problem, and the pets celebrate with a G-rated night on the town. I was struck by their outside view of Las Vegas as “a place with lots of sparkly lights” that wasn’t about style or luxury, but about fun and freedom. I closed by suggesting that a return to these roots would help the city climb out of the recession. You can decide for yourself how prophetic that was (not). That column epitomized everything I wanted to do in this space: take the reader on an exploration of one part of Las Vegas or gaming/hospitality that I found interesting. Looking back, these stories mapped out a city still in the throes of a recession and my own naïve optimism that things would work out for the best. My second column was about resort fees, which—horror of horrors—were as high as $30 a night. “Those that charge fees,” I concluded, “had best deliver real value to their guests, or they may find fewer of them arriving for check-in in the future.” Seven years later, resort fees in Las Vegas are nearly universal, top out at $39 a night plus tax, and do not deliver much perceived value. Yet business is apparently booming. Other topics over that first year included the rise of baccarat and high-end Asian players on the Strip, new casinos (Aria and The Cosmopolitan), and something I called egaming—in this case, represented by a proprietary sports-betting mobile device deployed by
story by summarizing her adjustment to Southwest desert living: “Not that I haven’t learned a lot in my nearly eight months in Las Vegas. I know about high pollen counts and flash floods, the shortage of obstetricians, and the abundance of Mormon churches. I’m an expert at giving directions using casinos as landmarks. I know even when real Nevadans said “Nevada,” the VAD rhymes with MAD. Only newscasters broadcasting from Rockefeller Center say Ne-VAH-da. Well, I used to, too, but I’ve acclimatized.” Getting the details right is part of Imbrifex’s aim, a holdover from Sedenquist’s work on roadtripamerica.com. “I’ve always sought out voice-driven authors who possess an intimate and particular knowledge of their settings.
We’re after a similar quality with our novels and travel guides.” Sedenquist’s roster comprises, for the most part, experienced mid-list authors represented by agents. A few are making their debut and relish the collaboration and mentorship, which today’s big publishers have mostly abandoned in favor of blockbuster releases. “Imbrifex has been amazing,” says McKinnis, a first-time published author. “They took me by my inexperienced hand, walked me through the whole process.” Edwards (Sedenquist’s wife and Imbrifex’s acquisitions editor), meanwhile, shouldered the burden of being the indie company’s first author. “I refer to my first novel [with
what is now CG Technology. I also considered social games. Technology would become one of the major strands of the column, as I remain fascinated by the way that we develop new machines and systems to mediate ancient and universal desires such as gambling and self-parking. I also looked back a lot, talking with longtime employees, including El Cortez’s Liz Butler and Palace Station’s Lynda Allan, about how the city has changed around them. The Tropicana was renovated. So was the Riviera, but that didn’t end as happily. And the Sahara inched towards becoming the SLS. Then there were annual events, from the Global Gaming Expo (still waiting for zero gravity fruit) to the National Finals Rodeo to the Star Trek convention. Writing about these over multiple years, I think, gave me a feel for the city’s rhythm. Recent columns have mirrored the present hopes and fears of Las Vegas’s gaming-hospitality complex. Can it appeal to millennials? How will gaming itself evolve? And how much pain can guests endure before they cry? These are problems that anyone in 2010 would have taken in a heartbeat given the then-current climate. In about 150,000 words (two decent-length books), I got to explore quite a bit of Las Vegas. The recession is over, but, as always, new problems and new opportunities are in abundance seven years later. People are still worried about the future, but much of the city’s pre-recession swagger is back. With two big-league sports teams arriving, you might argue that the golden age of Las Vegas is still around the corner. That’s at odds with my hometown of Atlantic City, New Jersey, which has had a very different seven years. Frankly, the erosion of that resort’s gaming industry colors my view of Las Vegas: The industry isn’t nearly as bulletproof as we’d like to think, and despite several close calls (1955, 1979, 2002 and 2009 are just a few), we don’t seem to be nearly as aware of that as we should be. Dice have neither memory nor mercy. Fate, fortune or whatever you call it is likely no different. So while the past 199 columns might have chronicled a city triumphantly back from the brink, we never know what the next roll will bring. But if we’re lucky, we might be having as much fun as those animated pets. 7 David G. Schwartz is the director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research.
Imbrifex] as the ‘monkey in space,’” says Edwards. “Somebody had to go first, and I was glad I had a manuscript ready for the launchpad. Nothing went wrong, the monkey lived.” Now all Imbrifex needs is a steady stream of great manuscripts. Given their commitment to Las Vegas and the surrounding areas, there shouldn’t be a shortage of stories. Indeed, four more books are slated for 2018. “One of best lessons I’ve learned from running a travel website is that there’s no such thing as a boring place,” insists Sedenquist. “We want to find authors who have unique and authentic stories to tell. When readers pick up our books, we want them to have a sense of what a place is really like.” 7
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Will Las Vegas change with the pending arrival of pro sports?
I
t will, but not in the ways you might think. As the cliché says, Las Vegas is a weird sports market in some obvious, oft-discussed ways: We offer legal sports betting. We are a city largely comprised of outsiders, many with pre-existing team allegiances. We hate losers. Sure, Vegas has changed, our ever-expanding suburbs shifting us closer to the social patterns associated with more “traditional” cities. But professional sports has changed as well. Thanks to a host of issues, from free agency to team relocations, teams are no longer so closely and emotionally aligned with their host cities. Instead, they are more national brands made up of a shifting rotation of hired guns. Of course, this makes it easier for an organization to relocate to Las Vegas, but it hardly means that hordes of local fans will suddenly abandon their favorite squad and join Raider Nation. Because pro sports teams have become national attractions rather than extensions of their home cities, the Raiders aren’t “our team” any more than they belonged to Los Angeles, where they played for 13 years (1982–1994) before running back to
Oakland. So the Raiders might do well in Las Vegas, but as to how having them here will change us as a city? I see that more a matter of practical benefits rather than some kind of renewed metropolitan pride. Especially if they lose. It can be said that Las Vegas is getting the NFL more than it is getting the Raiders. Combined with the arrival of the NHL, this could mean a shift in the public perception of Las Vegas as a city, rather than an overgrown town. So we’ll gain respect. We’re also building a massive new stadium, which means Las Vegas can bid on events that we otherwise could not have, from the Super Bowl to the World Cup. That plays right into our business plan. And solving stadium parking issues may eventually point in one obvious direction: If we are lucky, we’ll get a fast-track development of rapid transit infrastructure out of the deal, too. Touchdown! 7 Have a question or comment about Las Vegas past, present or future? Send them to askanative@vegasseven.com
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CONVERSATIONS
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We asked the WENDOH Media staff:
Which professional sports team coming to Las Vegas are you most excited about and why?
“I think an MLS team would be positive for Nevada. Soccer is internationally loved, so getting Vegas involved would make us relevant to the global community in a new way.” –Shannon Miller, editorial assistant “While I’m not a football enthusiast, I do enjoy football season. Who doesn’t like cheap drinks and appetizer specials at a kickass bar just because some dudes are throwing a pigskin around? I’m not a die-hard Raiders fan by any means, but I can’t wait to see what the black-and-silver influence on Las Vegas’ entertainment landscape will be.” –Mark Adams, Arts & Entertainment editor “I don’t care about sports unless it’s basketball, but I can tell you that I hate the Raiders already.” –Lissa Townsend Rodgers, editor-at-large
“I’m actually really excited for the Vegas Golden Knights despite never having seen a hockey game—unless you count The Mighty Ducks. I love the idea of it. I get cold easily so wearing a jersey sweater indoors would be amazing, and the possibility of an icerink fight is the stuff of my dreams. Let’s puck it up!” –Amber Sampson, web editor “The Raiders will expand the possibilities for other potential professional sports teams and build a stronger relationship to our neighbors in California. Raider Nation is a big thing, and we are excited about having them join us the city of Las Vegas.” –Melinda Sheckells, editor-in-chief “The Raiders. I haven’t lived in a state with its own professional football team, so I’m excited to rep their gear.” –Ruth Martinez, production artist
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“Probably the Golden Knights because NHL games are a blast to go to and hockey players are so cute—even if they’re missing teeth.” –Jessie O’Brien, web editor
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