Ricky Martin Goes All In At Park Theater | Vegas Seven, Seven Nights | April 6-12, 2017

RICKY MARTIN GOES ALL IN AT PARK THEATER FREE April 6–12, 2017

WHAT TO DO

AFTER DARK

By Seven Staff

THURSDAY 6 DANCE: Maybe it’s just our hazy, liquor-soaked

memories, but it’s hard to recall nightlife before Hakkasan Las Vegas arrived in April 2013. This week, the mother ship is calling home its biggest hit makers for a fourthanniversary bash that will leave your ears ringing. It begins Thursday night with Steve Aoki in the main room. 10:30 p.m., $20–$30, inside MGM Grand, hakkasanlv.com TASTE: Lend a paw to local dog rescue orga-

nizations and enjoy a night of food, music and beer at Zia Records’ Second Annual Charity Dinner at Brooklyn Bowl. Proceeds benefit Adopt a Rescue Pet and A Home 4 Spot. 6 p.m., $33.30, at The Linq Promenade, ziarecords.com

HEAR: While some ’90s acts have moved into the greatest-hits era of their careers, rock trio Green Day is still turning out critically acclaimed, relevant music. The band brings its Revolution Radio Tour to MGM Grand Garden Arena. 8 p.m., $45–$65, inside MGM Grand,mgmgrand.com TASTE: Find a designated driver or call a car, because the Great Vegas Festival of Beer is back and taking over Downtown Las Vegas.

The first night features the Mad Craft Experience, a blind taste test of beers concocted by the state’s top brewers. Your ticket includes unlimited samples of beer and food. 7 p.m., $75–$80, greatvegasbeer.com HEAR: These eyes cry every night for The Guess Who to return to Las Vegas. At last, the reunion takes place when the Canadian rock group performs at Golden Nugget as part of the resort’s 52 Fridays concert series.

Get an extra ticket for your best “American Woman.” 8 p.m., $49–$159, goldennugget.com DANCE: End your evening with DJ Snake

at XS Nightclub. $20–$30, inside Encore, xslasvegas.com

April 6 –1 2, 2017 vegasseven.com

AOKI BY CAESAR SEBASTIAN; THE BOXMASTERS BY VAN REDIN; DRAI’S BEACHCLUB COURTESY

FRIDAY 7

PASS THE SUNSCREEN,

IT’S POOL SEASON WHERE TO GET YOUR FILL OF VITAMIN D AND DANCE MUSIC

SATURDAY 8 TASTE: Executive Chef Jamaal Taherzadeh prepares a VIP tasting menu for 13 lucky guests at Libertine Social’s Fireside Chats series. If you miss out on the intimate dinner, its five courses can still be enjoyed in the main dining room. 7 p.m., $75, inside Mandalay Bay, mandalaybay.com DANCE: The Hakkasan Las Vegas anniversary

continues with Tiësto performing in the main room. 10:30 p.m., $20–$100, inside MGM Grand, hakkasanlv.com

TUESDAY 11 EXPERIENCE: The Las Vegas 51’s begin their 35th season in Southern Nevada with an Opening Day game against the Fresno Grizzlies. Fans will be treated to $1 specials on hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn and churros. 7:05 p.m., $11–$16, Cashman Field, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North, lv51.com

HEAR: George Strait lights up T-Mobile Arena for

the second night of his 60 Number 1 Hits residency.

In between chart-topping hits, the King of Country will regale audiences with the stories behind his songs. 8 p.m., $20–$200, t-mobilearena.com

EXPERIENCE: We’ve been teased long enough, but now

we’re finally getting a look at Magic Mike Live at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Based on the films and conceived by series star Channing Tatum, this “360-degree dance and acrobatic strip tease spectacular” should start climbing the charts of mustsee Las Vegas attractions and bachelorette-party destinations. 7:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m., $100–$128, magicmikelivelasvegas.com (check out our interview with emcee Lyndsay Hailey in this issue)

SUNDAY 9 HEAR: British punk icons The Damned bring their 40th-anniversary tour to the House of Blues with guests Bleached. While the band’s lineup has changed over the decades, original vocalist Dave Vanian and guitarist Captain Sensible remain fixtures of the Damned. 7 p.m., $26, inside Mandalay Bay, houseofblues. com/lasvegas

MONDAY 10 HEAR: It’s not unusual for a great actor to dabble in music on the side—just look at the recording legacies of Jamie Foxx, Jack Black and Don Johnson. Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton has a second career as a singer/songwriter with his rootsrock band the Boxmasters, and they’ll perform at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. 7 p.m., $39–$75, thesmithcenter.com

FRIDAY 7 How sweet would it be to skip work and

WEDNESDAY 12 HEAR: Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Steely Dan

begin a nine-night residency at the Opaline Theatre at The Venetian. We’re humming “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” right now. 8 p.m., $82–$251, inside The Venetian, thevenetian.com 7

Steve Aoki (opposite page), Drai’s Beachclub (top) and the Boxmasters

run into a sexy coworker who’s also skipping work to spend the day in the sun? It would be your little secret. You might want to look for this person in the crowd at Encore Beach Club, where “Get Low” and “Anywhere” DJ/producer Dillon Francis is taking over the turntables for the day. 11 a.m., $20–$75, at Encore, encorebeachclub.com

Or perhaps you might find this alluring coworker at Drai’s Beachclub, where he/she will be taking in views of the Strip while dancing to the sounds of New York City’s Jesse Marco. 11 a.m., $20–$30, at The Cromwell, draisbeachclub.com

SATURDAY 8 Looking at the Saturday daylife

calendar is like browsing a cocktail menu or staring down a Strip buffet. Where do we start when it all looks so good?

For the uninitiated, just go ahead and dive in with David Guetta at Encore Beach Club. The Grandfather of EDM just dropped a collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne titled “Light My Body Up.” Make it your daylife anthem. 10 a.m., $40–$100, at Encore, encorebeachclub.com “Mmm Yeah” singer Austin Mahone is celebrating his 21st birthday with a party at Rehab Beach Club, just in case you wanted to compare his celebration to yours. 11 a.m., $10–$20, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, rehablv.com DJ Vice is spinning at Marquee Dayclub, which means you can party all day and then stop by the DJ’s CRSVR Sneaker Boutique on your way out. 11 a.m., $23–$42, at The Cosmopolitan, marqueelasvegas.com

SUNDAY 9 Endless mimosas. Endless shrimp. Endless Sundays with Zedd. We’re dreaming of all three, and we can definitely get two of them at Wet Republic.

11 a.m., $20–$30, at MGM Grand, wetrepublic.com When dragging songs into your next Spotify Pool Party playlist, reserve a spot for Sage the Gemini’s “Now and Later.” Then reserve your spot to see the rapper at Daylight Beach Club. 11 a.m., $20–$30, at Mandalay Bay, daylightvegas.com And maybe it’s just us, but Rehab’s Bikini Invitational College Edition conjures memories of Girls Gone Wild commercials from the 2000s. We’re not saying we won’t be there, we’re just saying it’s happening. 11 a.m., $10–$20, at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, rehablv.com —Seven Staff

April 6 –1 2, 2017 vegasseven.com

[ HEAR THIS ]

House The Dirty Dutch brings dirty house to Wynn Las Vegas

With explosive bass drops and scorching beats, DJ Chuckie makes crowds go wild. Born Clyde Narain, the 38-year-old’s distinctive hip-hop and house style is infused with the Caribbean flavors of his current home, Aruba. As a Wynn resident, catch DJ Chuckie spinning April 8 at Surrender Nightclub.

By DAPHNE-JAYNE CORRALES

What’s your history in Las Vegas? The first time I came

APRIL 8 Surrender Nightclub MAY 3 Surrender Nightclub JUNE 3 Intrigue Nightclub Instagram: @wynnsocial

April 6 –1 2, 2017 vegasseven.com

Rules because I wanted to make something [that was] missing in my set. You try to bring a certain flavor that identifies you behind the decks. If you want to be different from the rest, you have to make your own music, so whenever I call the studio, I say, “I’m not trying to make these chart bangers; I’m just trying to make stuff that works on the dance floor for me.”

to Vegas was 2008. A friend of mine invited me to work with Jermaine Dupri—because he put out a bootleg of my track “Let the Bass Kick.” So I [said], “Yo, I gotta go to Vegas and finish that song.”

Then in 2010, I [was offered a] residency in Las Vegas.

Ever since then, I’ve been coming back almost every week.

It seems like me and Vegas have a great connection: It’s fun and the people appreciate the music.

It’s important to be in Vegas. I know a lot of acts complain, “In Vegas, I can’t be myself, I have to play so-and-so kind of music,” and [I say], “You know, it’s good to challenge yourself, right?”

What’s your biggest challenge as a DJ? My challenge is that, next to being a DJ, I’m also a dad. I have kids, I have a wife, and it’s really hard to combine. Because 80 percent of the time, I’m gone and on the road. Sometimes you’re on tour and you’re like, “Ah, I just want to be home.” I think that’s the biggest challenge.

Who influenced you early on? When I started out I was a

hip-hop DJ, and it was guys like Kenny Dope and Armand van Helden. They made me feel OK doing hip-hop and house music at the same time, because they had been doing it forever. If they can do it, I can do it.

What is your main goal when performing? I’m not trying to display myself in my latest jewels, I’m just trying to put smiles on people’s faces, whatever song I have to pull out. I could play a Lady Gaga record if I have to. Or a Lady Antebellum record. 7

How did you start producing? I started producing records

Follow @djchuckie or check out wynnsocial.com for upcoming events.

What do you think of Wynn nightlife? The first nightclub I walked into [at the resort] was XS. I remember back then [how small] the DJ booth was. Ten years later, they have a big DJ booth, and they have a crazy, crazy setup. Everything is on point.

KEVIN HART SUN, APR 30 • 11AM

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RICKY MARTIN BRINGS THE WORLD TOGETHER AT PARK THEATER

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

By Mark Adams

Photography Nino Muñoz

T

he familiar and seductive rhythm of salsa music emanated from the stage doors to T-Mobile Arena as I jetted past them, in an attempt to keep up with a rather fit, cherry-haired publicist while dodging lighting crews and backup musicians. It wasn’t exactly the afternoon exercise I had in mind, but when international superstar Ricky Martin summons you to an in-person interview, you get up and hustle.

After my jog through the inner bowels of the arena, I arrived at a dimly lit greenroom where Mr. Martin was sitting ever so patiently in a slick and suave suit. He was there for Calibash, a concert that featured himself and 13 other Latin music acts—but that wasn’t what I was planning to talk about with the Puerto Rican icon. Just weeks before that January 26 megaconcert at T-Mobile, Martin announced his then-upcoming All In residency, which began on April 5, at Monte Carlo’s Park Theater.

With millions of records sold, Grammys on his résumé and a global popularity that cannot be denied, Martin was an obvious choice to further diversify the sparkling new venue’s lineup—Bruno Mars and Cher have already launched ongoing engagements at Park. Martin talked to Vegas Seven about the show’s production value, why offering Las Vegas audiences a bilingual show is important to him and his role-model status for the LGBT community.

Las Vegas is experiencing a residency trend right now, with Cher, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and more calling Strip theaters home. It almost hearkens back to the city’s Rat Pack days. There’s something very special happening, huh? … We can’t compare, but at this point—Bruno, Jennifer, Britney—we’re doing things that people gravitate to. And we can put up a show in Vegas [that is] not limited, production-wise. What we can do [here] is the best thing that could happen to an artist. It’s the best thing that could happen to an audience that is used to amazing shows. It inspires me to become a greater artist.

Do you enjoy exploring and performing in Las Vegas? I’m really looking forward to it. My entire family knows Vegas better than me, even though I’ve been here many more times. [Before], when I [would] come to Vegas, I [would] perform and leave. I was here maybe 15 years ago with my father, and we [were here for] three days. I did the typical thing of going hotel to hotel, walking down the Strip, and it was fascinating. I saw a couple of shows and saw Céline [Dion]. I remember I said, “One day I would like to do this. I want to feel the energy of this place and make it mine.”

What do you think your legacy will be within the Vegas entertainment landscape? I have no idea yet, but I’m telling you that the plan that we have is for people to be able to talk about my show for a while. We’re going to do things with substance—things that make people think—but at the same time, I want people to have fun. An hour and 45 minutes of highs and lows, but at the end you will definitely feel the Carnival atmosphere.

We’re going to bring very Latin sounds, [including] Afro-Caribbean—sounds I grew up with.

We’re going to infuse [that] with the Anglo sounds that I’ve been working with for so many years. It’s going to be a very special show.

You will perform songs in both English and Spanish. Why is it important to offer a bilingual show? I am not a purist. I am fusion and I have fun with it. … Language has never been an issue for me. The important thing is for people to leave with something.

I’ve recorded in Portuguese, I’ve recorded in French and Italian. I recorded in Filipino—in Tagalog—once. And in Spanish and English. … Sometimes I start singing in English and I’m like, “Oh, I’m in Spain and I’m singing in English. I don’t know why, but that’s OK! No problem.” I’ve never been criticized for not being politically correct because I’m singing in the wrong language.

What do you think about your new home, Park Theater? It’s the most beautiful theater. … When I walked into the [venue] and I saw what home was going to look like, it was just so amazing. Did you see the mouth of that stage? It’s massive! We’re talking stadium length—these are the measurements we use every time we’re going to do a stadium show. But yet it’s going to feel intimate. … We’re going to play with that duality. It’s going to be 23, 24 people onstage, from dancers [to] musicians. It’s going to be great.

As an international superstar, you coming out as a gay man in 2010 was part of a worldwide discussion. Does it cross your mind often that you’re a gay icon? The amount of love that I’ve received since I came out, it’s one of those things where I go, “Why didn’t I do it earlier?” I did it when it felt right, before I was forced to come out. It was a heavy struggle. I finally saw the light and I’m so comfortable in my skin. The fears that I had in my head were just that.

As a gay man nowadays in the United States, do I feel fear? Yes. I am afraid, but I am going to turn that fear into action. More than ever, we need to use our social media to tell our congressmen, our senators, our president what needs to be done.

[We need] to let them know that we’re not going back. All we want—it’s really basic— is respect. We need to be loud [now] more than ever.

Back to your residency: What are you looking forward to most? I’m really looking forward to that first roar. I’m visualizing right now the opening, and that first “Aahhh!”—that’s what I’m looking forward to. The introduction to the show is pretty spectacular. I’m living for that first roar. 7

Ricky Martin: All In April 7–8, 11, 14–15; June 23–24, 27, 29; July 1–2; September 12, 15–16, 19, 22–23; 8 p.m., prices vary, Park Theater at Monte Carlo, montecarlo.com

April 6 –1 2, 2017 vegasseven.com

MAGIC

MIC MEET LYNDSAY HAILEY, THE EMCEE REPRESENTING ON BEHALF OF WOMEN EVERYWHERE IN MAGIC MIKE LIVE LAS VEGAS

Magic Mike Live Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hours: 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Tickets: $44–$128 magicmikelivelasvegas.com Instagram: @magicmikelive

April 6 –1 2, 2017 vegasseven.com

IN MAY 2016, Channing Tatum announced Magic Mike Live Las Vegas with a two-minute puppies-and-muscles daydream of a video on Cosmopolitan.com. He ended it by soliciting feedback from women on what they would want to experience at the male revue. As creator and co-director, Tatum said he wanted to build “a world where women are given the same options men have been given for centuries.” And when he spoke about it on Ellen in September, he promised that the production would emphasize “women’s empowerment.”

How so? While Tatum and company were searching for 13 muscular and rhythmically gifted male dancers, he also decided to cast one female comedian who would a) entertain the Magic Mike Live audience in her own right and b) ensure that women’s real desires are accounted for onstage.

“When I read the description of the role, I felt like my life all of a sudden made sense,” says Lyndsay Hailey, the woman who landed the job.

The Virginia native has spent the last 12 years of her career studying and teaching improvisational and sketch comedy, most recently in Los Angeles, as well as did a stretch in the Chicago-based Second City touring company.

We recently sat down with Hailey to discuss the significance, challenges and sometimes, awkward rehearsal moments that come with being the female lead in a male-dominated production.

How does the female perspective shape this show? Through the audition process, I learned

a lot about the typical male revue. Our role as a collective is not to condemn any of those shows, by any means, but to redefine what is actually sexy for a woman to experience in that environment. I had to research a guy that [performs as] Neo from The Matrix. You just kind of go, “Who is this for?” He’s like, “I know what women find sexy! I’m going to put on black [sunglasses], a trench coat and bad graphics and they’re all just going to rip their panties off!”

We’re looking at the whole thing and asking: “What do women actually find attractive? What actually makes her feel empowered?” Every cast member [got involved] because they felt like they knew how to handle that line. Channing’s job in this is really fascinating because, above all, he wants the show to come from the female voice.

He’s got a lot of women in place. Female consultants, choreographers. And even in his training with the men, they’ll converse about how to engage with the women. This is their show.

What responsibilities do you feel in your role?

We’re in a phenomenal point in history where the paradigm is reversing. [Women are really] stepping in to their power. I feel very strongly about not becoming the female version of the men that we were condemning for all of time and history, not objectifying men by any means, but just having an equal and honest conversation.

That moment of “What’s she doing up there?” is gonna happen. We have to be aware of that as a production entity and tackle that conversation. I love the challenge of that. Not falsely winning over the ladies in the audience but actually having to work for it. The truth of the matter is that they’re there to see a male revue and that I’m something else inside of that they’re going to have to deal with for a second. It’s just going to make me have to really work for it, and I like that.

How comfortable is it for you to work inside of this dynamic? The first day we all got together,

[the producers] were playing some song cues to introduce the guys to the feeling of the show, and this one fella, he just gets up! I’m trying to be a professional and take notes or whatever, and he just comes in and pushes his chair back and puts his leg up on the table. He just can’t contain himself! I’m like, “Oh my gosh. Where have I landed?”

There are moments like that where [the guys] are so comfortable in the most beautiful way that I think it’s elevating my comfort also, with my body, with my sexuality, with the role of being a woman inside a male revue.

The show gives me a platform to be funny from a feminine point of view, instead of me feeling the need to be funny from a masculine point of view, as a female. Compartmentalizing that is a little weird, I know, but that’s been my greatest challenge [as a comedian]. I can fall back into that very easily.

But that’s not the goal of this show. The goal is to embrace the feminine perspective. 7 Camille Cannon is the founder of skirrt.com, a small corner of the internet where rap, comedy and feminism grind together. See her exclusive video interview with Lyndsay Hailey on vegasseven.com/magicmikeemcee.

By Camille Cannon Photography Krystal Ramirez

[ SAVE THE DATE ]

By DAPHNE-JAYNE CORRALES Photography STACEY TORMA

The Big

Four

As Hakkasan Nightclub turns 4, here are our favorite moments from more than 1,400 great nights out

4 Biggest Moments

When Hakkasan Nightclub held its

1

4 Top Talents

2

Presently, one of the biggest challenges for Las Vegas nightclubs is to wow repeat guests as talent comes through on regular rotation. For flair, Hakkasan puts on a show within the show.

Even before opening, Hakkasan caused a buzz by announcing its stacked DJ lineup—with more than 27 artists—in March 2013. At the time, it was the largest nightclub the city had ever seen.

It was double the celebration when Hakkasan hosted a star-studded grand opening and Pharrell Williams’ 40th birthday party in April 2013.

1

Resident DJ Steve Aoki never met a raft he didn’t want to crowd-surf on, or a cake he didn’t want to throw.

3

2

4

3

Where the celebs play: Rita Ora, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Upton and Swizz Beatz all stopped by on the same night in September 2013.

In 2015, DJ Mag named Hakkasan the No. 1 nightclub in the country.

Lil Jon loves to open his About Last Night parties by taking shots with fans on the dance floor.

The big show isn’t just behind the decks. Hakkasan’s skilled aerialist team dangles high above the crowd with silks.

4

Elaborately costumed dancers perform choreographed numbers in every corner of the venue.

The Lineup: Hakkasan Las Vegas Anniversary Weekend THURSDAY, APRIL 6

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

SUNDAY, APRIL 9

Main Room: Steve Aoki Ling Ling Club: DJ Stretch

Main Room: Zedd Ling Ling Club: Phoreyz

Main Room: Tiësto with Dzeko Ling Ling Club: OB-One

Main Room: Above & Beyond

Tickets start at $20, prices vary; hakkasanlv.com

April 6 –1 2, 2017 vegasseven.com

official grand opening in April 2013 with a thunderous DJ set by Calvin Harris and a sparkling red carpet starring Jennifer Lopez, Las Vegas nightlife welcomed with open arms a venue that was expected to have an impressive tenure. Four years later, there are countless memories and moments that have proved that notion to be true week in and week out. ¶ We’ve rounded up all the top fours that make the club a must-visit for devotees of Las Vegas nightlife.

4

Bottle Presentations Who knew making an entrance with a bottle of booze would become such a big deal? But in Las Vegas that is the service that big spenders have come to expect. Hakkasan is known for having some of the most spectacular liquor presentations on the Strip. After all, a party isn’t a party until the dragon comes out. Bottles have been bestowed upon guests in a number of unforgettable ways:

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Socially Engaged Experiences

Hakkasan is always selfie-ready:

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There’s a photo-perfect Hotpoint station with the best lighting for every selfie queen (and king).

2

Club staff hands out props and frames to guests, making every photo a memorable one.

A giant dragon makes its way through the club with the bottle.

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A cocktail server is seated on a throne and carried to the table, bottle in hand.

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1 2

3 4

A neon-lit drum line accompanies the bottle.

At the minimum, your presentation could include costumed servers, flags and signs.

Customized Snapchat filters are available for special engagements and recurring events.

The venue was designed by Paris’ Gilles & Bossier and New York’s 212 Design—with consulting from London’s Isometrix Lighting + Design—to capture every amazing moment. So wait patiently for that “confetti raining down on the crowd with hands in the air” money shot. 7