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FREE November 24-30, 2016
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SEVEN NIGHTS YOUR WEEK IN PARTIES By Ian Caramanzana
THURSDAY 24
Still awake? Congratulations! You’ve managed to avoid the post-Thanksgiving food coma! This calls for a celebration. Head to Tao to catch a set by local spinner DJ Five. The self-proclaimed “Thai Brad Pitt” is known for crafting dynamic hip-hop-heavy sets that juxtapose the hottest chart-topping tunes with classic bangers and off-the-wall EDM hits. Don’t believe us? On Halloween, he teamed up with social media personality YesJulz to bring the nightclub an epic, eclectic mix. Considering this is a holiday as well, he’s bound to do the same. Supplement the overwhelmingly good food with some quality tunes! (In The Venetian, 10 p.m., taolasvegas.com.)
FRIDAY 25
Living Legends
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You filled your Thanksgiving plate, and then you filled shopping bags with goods from half a dozen stores. Now, whet your cultural appetite with a variety show like no other with Las Vaudeville at Bunkhouse. This engagement, hosted by Oddity and house band Brother Mister, may be held at DTLV’s beloved music venue, but don’t be fooled, it’s much more than just a live performance. Las Vaudeville features dancers, comedians, jugglers, live art and whatever creative expression its performers decide to bring to life
onstage. The troupe includes Hypno Tribe, Lisa Mac, Mitzy Mayhem, Mizz Absurd and many more. And if any money is still burning a hole in your pocket, you can spend it on a special Black Friday art sale featuring works from Tagzi, Mark Goddard, Recycled Propaganda and more. Spend away! (124 S. 11th St., 7 p.m., bunkhousedowntown.com.)
SATURDAY 26
Wind down the wild weekend by witnessing a New York ragtime/swing band put classy, classic twists on modern tunes. If you’ve followed Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox at all over the years, you know the group uploads quirky covers of popular hits on a weekly basis to its YouTube channel. Lately, the band has crafted a ’40s big band rendition of Sublime’s “Santeria,” a cheesy, hilarious ’50s prom-style take on the Chainsmokers and Halsey’s hit “Closer” and a bouncy lounge cover of Maroon 5’s “This Love.” Take a listen to any one of their several hundred covers, and you’ll find that while refreshing, the music explores certain aspects of songs we often overlook. Get your fill at The Joint. We suggest ordering some Scotch to bring it all together. (In Hard Rock Hotel, 7 p.m., hardrockhotel.com/thejoint.)
Let it be known that Mark Eteson has a soft spot for trance, but he wants to expand his reach to become a jack of all trades. Last month, he made a cameo at Hakkasan, appearing onstage alongside the Chainsmokers—a New York duo who has crossed over from being underground EDM producers to certified pop-chart mavens thanks to hits such as “Closer” and “Roses.” That event was a pleasant surprise, leading us to believe that it won’t be long before Eteson starts crafting tunes that have the golden pop appeal of the Chainsmokers. We’ll see if they’ve got the Midas touch. Eteson will rock the room alongside techno/ deep-house spinner Jeff Retro —check out the set to see if either debuts new tunes. (In MGM Grand, 10:30 p.m., hakkasanlv.com.)
MONDAY 28
We all know Richie Hawtin as a champion of house and techno, but only the hardcore fans know that he curates his own sake brand, ENTER.Sake. The three-time DJ Awards-winner fell in love with the Japanese rice wine after making frequent visits to Japan since 1994, and he adores it so much that he decided to spearhead the brand and promote the events—especially in the dance-music community. Try his sake (available for purchase all night) at Marquee, where you can sample soulful sets by house staple Lee K, as well as DJs Spacebyrdz, Bad Beat and Brett Rubin. Best of all, admission for locals is free, so you can sip, spin and swoon all night long. (In the Cosmopolitan, 10:30 p.m., marqueelasvegas.com.)
November 24-30, 2016 vegasseven.com
TUESDAY 29
Get ready: The next two days are filled with legendary hiphop goodness. It all begins with veteran Bronx emcee Kool Keith at Beauty Bar. You may know Keith as a member of the Ultramagnetic MCs, for his work with masked rapper MF Doom or from his prolific solo career. He’s known for his unique style that takes the classic Bronx swagger and flips it on its head by mixing it with abstract, singsongy, almost incomprehensible lyrics. Lend your ear to some of his most popular songs such as “Livin’ Astro” and “Plastic World,” and get a taste of the formula that’s enabled him to be a fixture in hip-hop since the early ’80s. (517 Fremont St., 9 p.m., thebeautybar.com.)
WEDNESDAY 30
You caught a legend last night; now catch Living Legends. The California-born indie hip-hop collective consisting of Murs, The Grouch, Eligh, Scarub, Sunspot Jonz, Aesop, Bicasso, Arata and Lucyiam enjoyed considerable success from the late ’90s to the early 2000s by showcasing the eclectic styles of the rappers through its DIY approach. It’s a true underdog story: In its heyday, the nine rappers embarked on several self-funded tours and released three albums under the Legendary Music imprint. Since then, several of the emcees, such as Murs and The Grouch, have branched out into solo careers, and some have even launched their own labels. It seems as if being members of the double Ls gave them a boost. They’re back now, so celebrate the timelessness of “Purple Kush,” “Flawless” and others at Brooklyn Bowl. Throw up those “Ls!” (At the Linq Promenade, 8 p.m., vegas.brooklynbowl.com.) 7
PHOTO BY JORDI CERVEIRA
SUNDAY 27
Richie Hawtin
UPCOMING SHOWS
FRIDAY • DECEMBER 2
frankie ballard SATURDAY • DECEMBER 3 CHRISTMAS WITH
jennifer nettles SATURDAY • DECEMBER 31 N Y E 2 017 C E L E B R AT I O N
cheap trick
The Power of
Production ZEDD TALKS HIS UPCOMING HAKKASAN GROUP RESIDENCY
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hree years after his first residency on the Las Vegas Strip, DJ and producer Zedd is bringing his Grammy-winning beats to Omnia, Jewel, Hakkasan and Wet Republic in 2017. The transition to global hospitality firm Hakkasan Group came after Zedd noticed the high quality of production at its nightclubs. “As an artist, I like to create a show that is more than just the music, [one that] also takes care of all the visual aspects,” Zedd says. He cites the lights, graphics and special effects as the paramount elements of his performances. “When I saw the potential for my show [at Hakkasan Group’s venues], I was excited to create something that would give people a night [that was] different than any other night they [can] experience in Vegas.” The Russian phenomenon’s affinity for a multisensory event was noticeably prominent on his 2015-16 True Colors tour, in which the visuals took more preparation than his past shows. He plans to incorporate features of that tour’s graphic spectacle in his Hakkasan Group residency, with the hope of re-creating the experience fans received but still offering something distinct for devoted enthusi-
November 24-30, 2016 vegasseven.com
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asts. “We’ll have to spend some time [on] special looks to make it different and not just repeat the same thing we did on tour,” Zedd says. Zedd looks forward to the challenge that creating shows for multiple clubs brings. “The first time I play in these venues I’ll have to get the vibe, see how people react to certain things and adjust,” he says. “I’m excited to create productions that represent me, and yet differ from [location] to [location].” And in preparation for his upcoming shows here in Las Vegas, Zedd definitely did his homework. He sought out DJs who have held residencies at Hakkasan Group venues to discuss club layouts, and often visited Omnia and Jewel to observe and take notes. “They’re all extremely different in the way they’re built. Options that I have at Omnia I won’t have at Jewel, and options at Jewel I won’t have at Hakkasan,” Zedd says. Those differences allow him to tailor his productions, with separate looks and edits for each venue in order to generate distinctive experiences. “There really are countless possibilities for us to create something unique [that] people will want to see over and over again,” Zedd says.
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He also took into account the changing landscape of Las Vegas’ nightlife scene, and how clubs have altered their venues to meet the production levels that artists require and fans want. “Over the last six years I’ve seen a change. [Initially], people didn’t focus on the DJ, and clubs didn’t have crazy production. Now, a good portion of people go to these venues because they have crazy [presentation] you can’t see anywhere else in the world,” the DJ says. He embraces the changing atmosphere, but takes precaution against letting it influence who he is as an artist. “I’m trying not to go too far from where I like to be. I think, ultimately, that’s why fans [want] to see me live—to watch my show and see who I really am,” Zedd says. The artist’s shows at Hakkasan venues begin January 7 at Omnia in Caesars Palace, and he hopes to leave fans with something worth remembering. “My goal is always to create something different that makes people want to tell their friends [about it],” he says. “I want people to go home thinking it’s the best night they’ve ever had, because that’s really what it’s all about.” 7
R A B T OS
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Photography Zach Mckee & Joe Fur y
YOUR TOUR GUIDE: CISCO TORRES
Francisco “Cisco” Torres (above) is Ghostbar Dayclub’s first male cocktail server. His role includes establishing the party vibe and fulfilling bottle service requests for his guests. “I love that we get to dress up for the different themes each week. It’s pretty much the best costume party in Vegas.” He adds, “I also love all the props and special effects, such as the confetti cannons and fog machine.” In case you missed it, GBDC is a winter-only daytime party at the Palms’ 55th-floor club, Ghostbar. When pools close for the off-season, parties like GBDC step in to fill the void.
November 24-30, 2016 vegasseven.com
SAVE THE DATE
Torres’ tip for gaining access to the spectacle: “The unique aspect of this party is that there is no dress code, and costumes and themed squads are highly encouraged and they will receive complimentary entry.” Upcoming events include Daisy Dukes & Deejay Silver (Dec. 10); an ugly sweater and gift-giveaway party (Dec. 17); and New Year’s Eve during the day (Dec. 31), when you can get a jump on the New Year by partying all day and into the night.
ON DECK
Local and resident turntable talent set the scene for some of the craziest wintertime parties each season. “The great part about GBDC is that the party is not centered around a superstar DJ, but rather it’s about the music and the vibe,” Torres says. “Our resident DJs, Mark Stylz and Exodus, are amazing and always play the best music for all tastes.”
A MUST-TRY
Among the fun options from the bar, GBDC offers hilarious and highly Instagrammable 40-ounce bottles of malt liquor served in brown bags. Torres also recommends trying one of the specialty cocktails. “My favorite drink on the menu is the Unicorn Punch: Belvedere Wild Berry Vodka, peach liqueur, fresh lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters and ginger ale in a souvenir yard glass. You also receive a token to play our new claw arcade game.”
WAIT, DID YOU SAY “ARCADE GAME”?
“I love the new GBDC claw machine. You can win some cool prizes and swag,” Torres says. Those include emoji stuffed animals, GBDC gear, extra drink tickets and one grand prize, a stay in the Hardwood Suite. “It’s the unexpected elements about this party that make it so great. Speaking of unexpected, we also surprise our guests each week with some sort of food, either pizza, cheeseburgers or doughnuts.”
GBDC at Ghostbar In the Palms Saturdays 1-6 p.m. $20 men, $10 women $10 local men; local ladies and guests in costume are free. palms.com Instagram: @ghostbarlv
November 24-30, 2016 vegasseven.com
[ DRINK THIS ]
VENDING MACHINE CHAMPERS
It was Noël Coward who once posed the question, “Why do I drink Champagne for breakfast? Doesn’t everyone?” Had the late English playwright been alive today, we can only imagine his delight if he were to arrive at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas’ 23rd-floor Sky Lobby to find the city’s only Champagne vending machine. The recently installed Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas effervescent-wine mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas dispenser proffers the Instagram: @mo_lasvegas same 187-milliliter splits of Moët & Chandon Imperial Champagne that were served at this year’s Golden Globe Awards. (The only other such machine currently lives in the Moët-Hennessy’s Manhattan offices.) Simply proceed to the registration desk, purchase a $20 golden coin to drop into the machine and push the buttons to select either a brut or rosé mini. Naturally, a Champagne flute bottle topper is included, so you can drink your bubbly on the go. Chop chop—you have places to be. 7
By David Morris
November 24-30, 2016 vegasseven.com
Photography Zach Mckee