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NO. 42 SPRING FASHION 2015
CONTENTS 12 HIGHLY/RATED This month in Las Vegas: a Coachella crossover we can only dream of; ride a custom Harley; lust after a very expensive bottle of Scotch; and celebrate a new way of Light.
FEATURES 24 DINING ON A DARE Eat these outrageous dishes and build up your foodie street cred. 32 METAL URGES Celebrate the 20th anniversary of an icon—David Yurman’s Albion. 36 CHATEAU VEGAS A wild romp through the Versailles of Vegas.
THE INSIDER’S GUIDE
ON THE COVER AZZEDINE ALAIA coat Neiman Marcus Fashion show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com Photography by JACK WATERLOT, styling by JIMI URQUIAGA. Model CAROLINE @two management.
55 BUY His-and-her trendspotting, a Bazaar opening, at-home healing and designer digging. 65 DO Experience the richness of Downtown, order up a blowout and stay well on the high and on the low. 71 EAT Build a Shackmeister, pile on Korean-Mexican nachos, belly up to a bar that only serves ceviche and get schooled on the new wave in Southern Italian cooking. 79 SEE Art, music, culture and a DJ who sparks great interest. Plus, another megaclub cometh. 88 THE END Before Mariah and The Colosseum, there was Diana and Circus Maximus.
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M O C E TO M L E W ! A A L C O Y’S ¡H
Advertised merchandise may not be carried at your local Macy’s and selection may vary by store. 5010018.
ONLY ONE STAR BRINGS YOU THE MAGIC OF MEXICO
RACHEL RACHEL ROY Only at Macy’s.
Cropped top. $79. Matching skirt. $79. Misses.
MACY’S BY APPOINTMENT Contact our personal shoppers for our free service. Make an appointment today. Call 1-800-343-0121 or log on to macys.com/mba
THE EDITOR’S AGENDA
THIS MONTH, IN MY LIFE 1 Shop, shop, shop. Coterie, one
of my favorite local boutiques, will be “building out” its location with new fun features such as a lounge and expanded specialevent programming. Check out the So So Happy/Iron Fist collaboration, an exclusive to this homegrown store. co-te-rie.com
2 Remember to save my best
blue ensemble for March 20, when Cirque du Soleil’s One Drop returns, this time to The Beatles LOVE theater at The Mirage. The charity event, which raises awareness for worldwide water issues, is now in its third year, and guests of the special performance are asked to come dressed in their best blue attire. onenight.onedrop.org
3 Gear up for Omnia opening weekend March 13, where I will be
making back-to-back appearances ... frst on Friday for Calvin Harris and a look at the main room, and then on Saturday for Justin Bieber’s birthday, where I’m excited to experience the Heart of Omnia. Read the full story on page 84.
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Spend the night roaming the streets with a mobster. 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of everyone’s favorite movie about Las Vegas, Casino. In honor of this occasion, the Mob Museum is offering the Casino tour, which takes guests on a whirl around town checking out locations that are both signifcant to history and to the movie. It is hosted by former Tony Spilotro (a.k.a. Nicky Santoro) associate Frank Cullotta. frankcullottacasinotour.com
5 Mark my calendar for March 26 when L.A. designer Gilbert Chagoury will be hosting an event in honor of his spring/summer prêt-à-porter at Scoop NYC in The Forum Shops at Caesars. For more info, visit vrated.com/scoopnyc
6 Go to Disclosure’s Wild Life party at Light Nightclub. This
revolving event is a mini-festival launching March 28 curated by the British DJs, giving them the opportunity to do shows with artists they admire. thelightvegas.com
MELINDA SHECKELLS Editor-in-Chief @melindasvegas
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CONTRIBUTORS NO. 42 SPRING FASHION 2015 MICHAEL SKENANDORE Publisher Associate Publisher Editor-in-Chief
CHRISTY CORDA MELINDA SHECKELLS
Creative Director
BEN WARD
Managing Editor
GENEVIE DURANO
Copy Chief Editorial Interns
PAUL SZYDELKO MATT FRASER, ARIC LAIRMORE, SAM MENDOZA
Contributing Editors
GRACE BASCOS (DINING) GEOFF CARTER (CULTURE) XANIA WOODMAN (BEVERAGE)
Contributing Writers
DANNY AXELROD, KAT BOEHRER, LAURIE BROOKINS, IAN CARAMANZANA, JEN CHASE, GENESIS GONZALEZ, AL MANCINI, JESSIE O’BRIEN, STEPHANIE RIVERS, LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS, DONNA STEFFY
Senior Graphic Designer Contributing Graphic Designers Senior Contributing Photographer Contributing Photographers
JESSE J SUTHERLAND LISA CHEUNG ANTHONY MAIR JON ESTRADA, JAVON ISAAC, JACK WATERLOT
Interactive Developer Director of Digital Media Assistant Web Producer Engagement Editor Digital Sales Manager Account Manager Director of Production/Distribution Advertising Manager Distribution Coordinator
HERB AKINYELE NICOLE ELY AMBER SAMPSON ZONEIL MAHARAJ NICOLE SCHERER BRITTANY QUINTANA MARC BARRINGTON
Editor
MICHAEL SKENANDORE MATT JACOB
Creative Director
SHERWIN YUMUL KYLE MARKMAN
Marketing Manager
MAUREEN HANK MICHAEL URIARTE
Vice President, Finance
REY ALBERTO
Assistant Controller
DONNA NOLLS
Senior Accountant Human Resources Coordinator
LAURIE BROOKINS
WRITER Brookins is an award-winning fashion journalist based in New York. Her work has appeared in such publications as The Hollywood Reporter, Ocean Drive, Robb Report, Newsday and The Miami Herald. For this issue, she profled designer David Yurman (“Metal Urges,” page 32). “I love his backstory, the idea that he started as a sculptor and, with the help of his wife, Sybil, transitioned into a jewelry designer,” Brookins says. “And yet that idea of being a sculptor never leaves him. You’ll still fnd him at trade events handling the stones, thinking about design. That’s a passion for craft that can’t be duplicated.”
JON REYMAN
JASEN ONO
Vice President, Marketing & Events Director of Strategic Partnerships
PHOTOGRAPHER Waterlot, who shot this month’s fashion story, “Chateau Vegas” (page 36), was born in Paris to parents who were artists, painters and movie-set designers. He was introduced to fashion in his teens and soon realized that the industry offered the perfect blend and contrast of his passion for photography and the world of artistic expression that he inherited from his parents. Waterlot’s work has appeared in international editions of Vogue, Elle, Interview and L’Offciel, and he has photographed some of the top models in the world, including Behati Prinsloo, Missy Rayder, Heidi Mount, Noah Mills and Willy Cartier.
JAMES BEARSE
RYAN T. DOHERTY | JUSTIN WENIGER President
JACK WATERLOT
LINDA NASH KARA DENNIS
HAIRSTYLIST As the lead stylist of up to 30 shows during New York Fashion Week, Reyman is a seasoned hair director and collaborative partner to some of the most infuential designers in the industry including, Carolina Herrera, Betsey Johnson and Nautica. His work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, WWD, GQ, Cosmopolitan and Elle. He has appeared on Project Runway, The Apprentice and Good Morning America, and with such celebrities as Lana Del Rey, Paris Hilton, Christina Milian and Sienna Miller. For this issue, Reyman styled “Chateau Vegas” (page 36).
GRACE BASCOS
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WRITER Bascos hails from Chicago, where eating is often considered a sport. But for this month’s “Dining on a Dare” (page 24), she scoured Las Vegas for bites that would earn any serious food lover their stripes. Discovering these daunting dishes wasn’t all fun and games, especially when it came to taking on the spice. “I would rather eat my way through a bathtub full of ma po tofu from Lao Sze Chuan than eat anything that has touched a ghost chili pepper again. I haven’t been right since.”
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BY JEN CHASE
The People, Places and Things We Can’t Stop Talking About
femme Formerly Known As To be an “FKA”-anything and not be Prince is ballsy. That’s why we like FKA Twigs. That, and her addictively breathy songstressing. And maybe her palling around with Robert Pattinson. See Twigs at Coachella April 10-12, 17-19, and judge for yourself if she’s worth the acronym.
PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID BURTON
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The
Root of it All
They may be ugly, but what they lack in aesthetics they make up for in nutritional value. Root vegetables such as rutabaga, celeriac beet and sunchokes are super hot right now thanks to America’s obsession with farm-to-table cuisine. Bored with the run-of-themill beets and crunchy carrots? Don’t judge a book by its cover, as there’s a whole wide world of underappreciated yet nutrient-rich options that are slowly finding their way into your daily diet. PHOTOGRAPHY JON ESTRADA
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Save A Horse,
Ride A Harley
Oh, you city cyclers … we can tell your chaps are in a bunch. Taking tight turns that are more stop than go, you really do need a bike that handles more narrows than straights. Lucky for you, Harley-Davidson answered the call with its newest beast, the Street 750. Bred for cities with its low-end torque, LEDs for improved visibility and a 749-cubiccentimenter Revolution X™ engine, from stock model to this tricked-out puppy by Las Vegas Harley-Davidson’s parts manager Matt Shimak, the 750’s ’tude is cool. So saddle up, you urban cowboys and gals. lasvegasharleydavidson.com PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY MAIR
A New Direction Maximiliano Torandell. Rolls trippingly off the tongue, no? Right. Well, know what Maximiliano Torandell does roll off? High wires, and other amazing acrobatic feats. And now, the Light Nightclub aerialist will be calling the shots as the new artistic director. What should we expect from the Argentine producer and choreographer? A fawless integration of performance and party as well as specially crafted new moments that will make up the sexy and avantgarde 2015 Light show.
PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY MAIR
Your Name Here “Star light, star bright, what would look better in my house at night: you, or my name in neon?� Funny, Jonathan Adler clearly wondered the same damn thing. And, since constellations are, like, impossible to ft through a doorway, he designed these. So spell what you want, plug in and make a wish. $95; jonathanadler.com
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great scotch!
Collectors of The Macallan’s single-malt Highland Scotches will have to come to Las Vegas to complete their 1824 Masters Series lineup; the newest marque, which retails for $3,000, is only available in Nevada and is in limited quantity. With a color fttingly described as “Spanish sunset,” The Macallan No. 6 takes its natural hue and raisin/date/fg character from 100 percent frst-fll Spanish sherry casks. The six facets of the exquisite Lalique crystal decanter (of which Nevada has just 134) celebrate the six pillars of Macallan craftsmanship. Rare Cask, Refexion and M bookend the collection, selling for $300, $1,500 and $4,50w0, respectively. You can fnd the complete set at luxury properties, including Aria, The Mirage, Bellagio, MGM Grand and the Venetian. XANIA WOODMAN / PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY MAIR
LALIQUE Sitting Tiger in amber crystal, Rayons bowl in gold luster crystal and Mistral Horse in clear crystal The Shops at Crystals, 702.507.2375; lalique.com
DINING ON A DARE
BY GRACE BASCOS PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY MAIR
Las Vegas has its share of eating challenges. At one bar you might finish an 8-pound burger and it’s free, or eat some of the hottest wings on the Strip for a T-shirt. But there are dishes that need to be eaten not because you get a prize or a photo on the wall, but simply for the love of food. Here’s how to eat your way to hard-core food street cred and bragging rights.
tastes like chicken:
EMERIL’S
NOLA ambassador chef Emeril Lagasse specializes in New Orleans dishes, from traditional NEW ORLEANS barbecue shrimp and crawfish FISH HOUSE étouffée to more interesting Bayou delicacies such as alligator. But what we’re after here—sorry, Kermit— are frogs’ legs. Emeril’s are buttermilk marinated and crispy fried, served with hot sauce, celery slaw and buttermilk ranch dressing. Everyone says that frogs’ legs taste like chicken. Who are we to argue? Inside MGM Grand, 702.891.7374; mgmgrand.com
hurts so good:
The heat from Lao Sze Chuan’s ma po tofu isn’t delivered just from chilies; Szechuan cuisine LAO SZE CHUAN relies on heady spice derived from red and green Sichuan peppercorns that deliver a numbing experience. When you eat enough, you don’t get the searing heat, but rather a tingling, buzzy sensation with light citrus notes. Lao Sze Chuan immerses bits of silky tofu along with a layer of thick, red chili oil for an added lash of delicious pain. Even when you’re not sure you can take any more, you fnd yourself spooning it up. Inside Palms, 702.942.7777; palms.com
where’s the beef?
The most old-school steakhouses dry-age their beef for an average of 30 days or CARNEVINO so, allowing the beef to dehydrate and deepen in flavor. Carnevino goes way beyond that, with rib eyes and strip steaks aging at least 90 days in the controlled climate of an off-site dry-aging chamber. Its special riserva steaks, which can be ordered by the inch, age for 180 to 240 days. In The Palazzo, 702.789.4141; palazzo.com
MINT
serious heat:
In Mint Indian Bistro’s Inferno Menu, naan, kabobs, biryani and curry cross paths with some of the hottest chilINDIAN BISTRO ies on the planet: ghost chili peppers. Also known as Bhut Jolokia, these tiny devils can clock in at more than 1 million Scovilles—the unit that measures a pepper’s heat. By comparison, a jalapeño has only 8,000 Scovilles, while the habanero has 350,000. No matter what you try on this specialty menu, all you’ll get is the fame, but the curry earns you a spot on the Wall of Fame. 730 E. Flamingo Rd., 702.894.9334; mintbistro.com
The Shack-A -Palooza is not your average sundae. It has three scoops each of chocolate, vanilla and the flavor of SHAKESHACK the week, all drowned in chocolate, caramel and marshmallow sauces. A few more toppings are thrown in, such as chocolate truffle cookie dough, chocolate toffee and sprinkles, and Belgian waffles. The whole shebang is meant to be devoured by four to six people, so you can willfully ignore the 3,320 calories listed on the menu. Inside New York-New York, 725.222.6730; nynyhotelcasino.com
the Sweetest tooth:
size matters:
Pin-Up Pizza’s 30-inch pie uses 4 pounds of dough, PIN-UP PIZZA and slices measure 15 inches long by 6 inches wide. The crispy, chewy neo-Neapolitan style of crust gets great tang from a 7-year sourdough starter and flour direct from Naples. Pepperoni and sausage might be popular, but don’t miss out on toppings such as artichokes, or go full carnivore with the Big Meat. Just don’t try to walk and eat at the same time. In Planet Hollywood, 702.785.5888; planethollywoodresort.com
Metal Urges 32 000
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David Yurman highlights the redesign of his legendary jewelry collection in honor of its 20th anniversary WRITTEN & STYLED BY LAURIE BROOKINS PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS STEIN VRATED.COM
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avid Yurman’s roots as a sculptor can most defnitely be seen in his signature Albion collection, not only in its artfulmeets-refned aesthetic, but also in the effortless way he’s been able to romance the look of these pieces over the years.
“As a designer, I’m always revisiting collections and evolving them,” Yurman says. Even a cursory glance at his latest Albion pieces proves this to be true: Based on a cushion cut that Yurman notes “has been around for more than 100 years,” this has always been a collection that combines brilliant colors with the label’s iconic cable design, all wrapped in a casually elegant vibe. But these new pieces, some part of a limited-edition “Collectors Series” Yurman has debuted to celebrate Albion’s 20th anniversary throughout 2015, boast an air that’s undeniably more polished. “In the new editions, the profle is subtly different—sleeker and more modern,” Yurman explains, noting that there’s a bit more fuidity about the way a shank is joined to the head of a ring or bracelet, for example. You can view the latest Albion collection in a setting that’s also celebrating its debut: Yurman’s boutique in The Forum Shops at Caesars, which recently reopened after an expansion and redesign. Its restrained luxury serves as a ftting framework for Yurman’s always-tactile pieces, from the ultraversatile Albion and Hampton Cable designs to the splashier Chatelaine and Starburst collections.
Opening spread and this page, from left: Earrings in sterling silver with Black Orchid (lavender amethyst over hematine) and diamonds, $850; ring (top) in sterling silver with prasiolite and diamonds, $1,550; ring (bottom) in sterling silver with sterling silver bonded with 18-karat gold and diamonds, $1,850; ring in sterling silver with black onyx and diamonds, $1,650; pendant in sterling silver with diamonds, $2,950, on a small box-chain necklace in sterling silver, $300; pendant in sterling silver with blue topaz and diamonds, $1,725, on a small box-chain necklace in sterling silver, $225; pendant in sterling silver (sterling silver bonded with 18-karat gold), $1,800, on a baby boxchain necklace in sterling silver, $375; earrings in sterling silver with Black Orchid (lavender amethyst over hematine) and diamonds, $1,200; pendant in sterling silver with prasiolite and diamonds, $1,550, on a medium box-chain necklace in sterling silver, $295; bracelet (top) in sterling silver with Black Orchid (lavender amethyst over hematine) with diamonds, $1,275; and bracelet (bottom) in sterling silver with black onyx and diamonds, $1,125. 000
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Since he founded his eponymous label in 1980, Yurman’s designs have attracted legions of fans— most notably, for his famed cable bracelet, which he debuted in 1983. First released in 1994, Albion is a collection likewise close to Yurman’s heart, both in its aesthetic and the resulting advantages. “I wanted to refne [the cushion cut] and create jewelry with dramatic center stones to complement a relaxed contemporary lifestyle,” he says. Calling jewelry “the marriage of form and color,” Yurman notes that the accent on the center stone is assuredly the highlight of each Albion piece; in rings, for example, the goal was to create “a large, faceted cut that was low to the fnger and still had brilliant color and light.” In the limited-edition Collectors Series, Yurman put a decided accent on “exotic and unusual stones and colors,” from Black Orchid and champagne citrine to the brilliance of a vivid blue topaz. Set in sterling silver or 18-karat yellow, rose or white gold, the cushion-shaped gemstones are surrounded by white diamonds, or, in the case of a Collectors Series ring, purple sugilite is set in darkened sterling silver and surrounded by pink sapphires for a particularly brilliant color pairing. Such ideas reveal one notion above all others: When it comes to Albion, David Yurman forever remains open to new possibilities. Indeed, not unlike any artist, he points to one steadfast tenet: “It’s all in the details.” David Yurman in The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.794.4545; davidyurman.com
Take a twirl and spin around a true original:
Hartland Mansion, the Versailles of the Desert
Chateau
Vegas PHOTOGRAPHY JACK WATERLOT STYLING JIMI URQUIAGA
AZZEDINE ALAĂ?A coat Neiman Marcus Fashion Show. WALTER STEIGER heels waltersteiger.com.
EMILIO PUCCI dress Neiman Marcus.
GIVENCHY bag Barneys New York in Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian and The Palazzo.
THE DETAILS
Extraordinary only begins to describe Hartland Mansion—at 31,000 square feet it’s one of the largest estates in Las Vegas and a truly “special” events space. Gold laméd and glue-gunned beyond even the most ardent crafter’s wildest dreams, Hartland has a history rich in Vegas lore since the 1940s. Modern-day Hartland is the product of singer and composer Larry Hart, who was recently responsible for its extensive renovation, including the opulent indoor pool. Here, photographer Jack Waterlot envisions Vegas’ version of the Palace of Versailles—gilded, chandeliered and macraméd, but far more Elvis than baroque. Hartland Mansion, 525 Park Paseo, 702.387.6700; hartlandmansionlv.com
GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI harness Giuseppe Zanotti in The Forum Shops at Caesars.
BALENCIAGA necklace Neiman Marcus.
VERSACE dress Neiman Marcus.
DOLCE & GABBANA bodysuit Dolce & Gabbana Women’s The Shops at Crystals. Earrings, cuffs and BARRERA necklace Neiman Marcus.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN suit, JOCELYN fur scarf and ALEXIS BITTAR earrings and necklace Neiman Marcus. GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI shoes.
BALENCIAGA bag Barneys New York.
ROBERTO CAVALLI dress Saks Fifth Avenue Fashion Show.
ROBERTO CAVALLI dress Saks Fifth Avenue. OSCAR DE LA RENTA earrings and necklace Neiman Marcus.
CÉLINE bag Barneys New York.
WHERE TO BUY BARNEYS NEW YORK Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian and The Palazzo, 702.629.4200; barneys.com DOLCE & GABBANA The Shops at Crystals, 702.431.6614; dolcegabbana.com GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI The Forum Shops at Caesers, 702.866.0055; giuseppezanottidesign.com NEIMAN MARCUS Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com SAKS FIFTH AVENUE Fashion Show, 702.733.8300; saksffthavenue.com
Location HARTLAND MANSION hartlandmansionlv.com Photographer JACK WATERLOT waterlotdiaries.com for opusreps.com Stylist JIMI URQUIAGA jimiurquiaga.com for opusbeauty.com Hair JON REYMAN jonreyman.com for Spoke + Weal Salons spokeandweal.com using AVEDA Makeup ANTHONY H. NGUYEN anthonyhnguyen.com for DLM LA Agency using KOH GEN DO Manicurist MARIA GARAY mariamgaray.com using PRITI NYC Talent CAROLINE W. twomanagement.com Producer HEATHER VINCENT Photographer’s 1st Assistant SONALII CASTILLO Stylist’s First Assistant JASON KLAIBER
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN scarf. DOLCE & GABBANA dress and coat. MIU MIU sunglasses Neiman Marcus. WALTER STEIGER heels.
ICON
The LBD Turns 30 DOLCE & GABBANA WOMEN’S In The Shops at Crystals, 702.431.6614; dolcegabbana.com Spaghetti-strapped, no-strapped, heart-shaped and bustier-ed. Tea-length, knee-length, buttoned, zipped … and praised. For 30 years, Dolce & Gabbana has had many iterations of its iconic little black dress. Each season’s frock is changed subtly by a cut, length or sleeve, making it contemporary for the year, and sought after through the ages. Buon Compleanno, Bella. THE STRIP
JEN CHASE
Dolce & Gabbana Collectors’ Dolls made their way down the runway during the spring/summer 2015 fashion show. Each were carried by a model wearing a matching outfit.
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guide buy do eat see VRATED.COM
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OPENINGS THE GRAND BAZAAR SHOPS THE STRIP grandbazaarshops.com The Grand Bazaar Shops at Bally’s debuts with retailers such as Honolulu Cookie Company, Havaianas, Martin & MacArthur, Swarovski, Hammitt and Superdry among many others. At its centerpiece is the Swarovski Crystal “Starburst” and Midnight Celebration, a nightly sound and light show that is meant to welcome a new day. With 924 custom-cut Swarovski crystal spheres, the Starburst features 1,800 points of LED light, choreographed to an original score.
STEPHANIE RIVERS
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COLLABORATIONS
team PINK & green TARGET X LILLY PULITZER
VARIOUS LOCATIONS target.com What do you get when you mix Lilly Pulitzer, the doyenne of Palm Beach chic, with Target? Resortwear at its best. The debut collaboration showcases Pulitzer’s eye-catching prints and beachy colors of greens, yellows, pinks and blues. The 250-piece collection, available April 19, features retro-inspired swimsuits, caftans, sleeveless shifts and three-quarter sleeve tunics, as well as accessories, travel essentials, dishes, bar and glassware. All eyes will be on the new prints, 15 in total, created by Lilly Pulitzer artists as modern interpretations of the brand’s original, exuberant colors and textiles. “The Lilly Pulitzer for Target collection marks a new chapter for our brand, and we’re excited to give Lilly fans everywhere, including those who have loved the brand for years and those who will get to know it for the frst time through this collaboration, a chance to experience this incredibly chic lifestyle collection,” says Jane Schoenborn, Lilly Pultizer’s vice president of creative communications.
STEPHANIE RIVERS
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OPENINGS
BUNDLE UP MONCLER THE STRIP The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.323.7129; eng. moncler.com A favorite of the celebrity set including Rihanna, Blake Lively and Salma Hayek, the FrenchItalian apparel manufacturer, known for down jackets and sportswear, opens its first Las Vegas boutique.
LOCAL LOVE
A Great Deal on Designer Clothes THE REFINERY CELEBRITY RESALE BOUTIQUE EAST 3460 E. Sunset Road, Suite D, 702.384.7340; refineryresale.com Are you dying for a wild night out on the town with some big names such as Dior, Gucci, Versace, Saint Laurent, Louboutin and Zanotti? Look no further than The ReFinery. This offthe-Strip gem carries the city’s largest collection of designer resale, including ready-to-wear for men and women, shoes and accessories. Much of its inventory is powered by exclusive connections to celebrities and socialites. Fans of The ReFinery tout the great condition of the merchandise and the wide range of prices.
STEPHANIE RIVERS / PHOTOGRAPHY JESSE J SUTHERLAND
STORE FRONT
‘Suite’ Street Style
SUITE 160
THE STRIP In The Shoppes at Mandalay Place, 702.304.2513, suite160.com In Las Vegas’ ever-evolving retail landscape, Suite 160 is one boutique that has stood the test of time. The sneaker and clothing enclave has remained a staple in street style since the first location opened in 2001, expanding to a second store at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place in 2007. The focus here is sneakers from brands such as Nike and Adidas, taking up the majority of the store’s real estate. Suite 160 caters to the seasoned sneakerhead, offering rare and limited kicks that can’t be found anywhere else in Las Vegas. In fact, it’s one of the few stores in the country to have Nike, Jordan and Nike SB under the same roof. Even if shoes aren’t your thing, there’s an impressive array of T-shirts and cut-and-sew pieces from streetwear giants Obey and Stüssy, while lesser-known brands such as Us Versus Them and Staple are represented as well. Nixon and G-Shock provide choices for accessories.
IAN CARAMANZANA / PHOTOGRAPHY JESSE J SUTHERLAND
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SHELTER
At-HOME
HEALING SCULPTURES BY DORIT SCHWARTZ
THE STRIP Home Store in Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.3470; wynnlasvegas.com Inspired by the random beauty found in organic forms, Dorit Schwartz’s sculptures, which range from 15 inches to 7 feet and use crystals, rare woods, marble and hand-carved selenite, reflect the artist’s 20-year journey to expose the light within. “The serenity, calmness and harmony that I embody directly transmutes into each work,” says Schwartz, who moved to Las Vegas from Israel in 1995. “I hope I can bring the light that shines within us all to more and more [people] with each new display.” Her installations can be seen at City Hall, Downtown Summerlin and Symphony Park at The Smith Center. The Wynn Home Store in Encore features 10 pieces from the artist’s collection on display for viewing and purchase.
GENESIS GONZALEZ / PHOTOGRAPHY JON ESTRADA
In her series The Light Within, Schwartz uses rare and reclaimed woods combined with semiprecious gems, minerals and crystal stones to represent the vibrant energy of the soul.
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FORECAST
From the Catwalk to the Closet POWER SHOULDERS It is all about the shoulders— but not padded. Designers let the skin do the talking with sexy, shoulder-baring styles. Slightly off-the-shoulder looks or one-sleeves are sexy and sophisticated for day or night.
Above: Diane von Furstenberg in Grand Canal Shoppes
Every fashion cycle draws influences from past eras. Right now it’s the 1970s. More of a subtle nod than a full-on redux of oversize bell bottoms and floppy hats, pant silhouettes have minimum to wide flare; color hues range from citrus to berry; fabrics trend toward denim, denim and more denim; and don’t forget a jacket with a retro lapel.
THE SUBTLE ’70S Left: Halston Hertiage in Fashion Show. Right: Burberry in Grand Canal Shoppes
GINGHAM Gingham is not a new fabric by any means, but Spring/Summer 2015 made everyone want to reach for the picnic tableclothinspired print. Sexier styles came sheer with plunging necklines, bolder versions came on crop tops and midi skirts worn with kicks, and you can still wear it to the office courtesy of smaller patterns and tailored pieces.
Macy’s (right) and Kate Spade (below) in Fashion Show
Diane von Furstenberg
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SPORTY & SPICE Alexander Wang is a master of athletic wear, but other designers have taken his cue and gotten into the game. Oversize summer sweaters got the lace-up effect on sleeves and bodices, knee-length knits were freshened with racing stripes, and wristbands and zipper pulls adorned everything from handbags to shoes to jackets.
STEPHANIE RIVERS
Bally
TIME LAPSE
watches on the
Three Menswear Trends to Embrace This Spring
HIGH Low THE DESIRE: Hublot in The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.489.9444; hublot.com Hublot Big Bang Unico in Magic Gold (price upon request) THE STRIP
CRAYOLA Bolder colors in menswear have been on the runway for a while now, but this season, it is searing Crayola colors. Gone are the days of bolder hues worn as accents; now it is full-on brights for outerwear, jackets, bags and hats.
THE ATTAINABLE: WORLD.WIDE.WEB
jackthreads.com Breda Mitchell watch, $49
Right: Lacoste in Fashion Show
DENIM Everyone’s favorite fabric has made what’s old new again. Tom Ford gave us the hip denim-on-denim effect with sleek jackets and shirts paired with jeans. Prada gave us chic, fitted denim suits with piqued lapels, and cropped jackets worn with pullovers, jeans and sandals. If sandals aren’t your thing, trainers are the next best thing.
Bally
TRAINING DAY
Trainers, or kicks, the haute version of the everyday running shoe, continue to reign as the footwear of choice for designers. They are the ultimate accessory, as they pair well with everything, notably suiting. If Alexander McQueen, Dior Homme and Louis Vuitton are a little too haute for your taste, Adidas Stan Smith in canvas or leather continue to be the choice for arbiters of style.
Roberto Cavalli from Macy’s
THE POSSIBLE: Movado in Las Vegas North Premium Outlets, 702.383.9616; movado.com Movado Bold with yellow gold-toned sunray dot, $395 DOWNTOWN
STEPHANIE RIVERS
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BEAUTY
CHANEL FRAGRANCE & BEAUTY AND SUNGLASSES THE STRIP In The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.735.2555; chanel.com The first of its kind in the United States, Chanel Fragrance & Beauty and Sunglasses is a one-stop shop for all the things a cosmopolitan woman can’t live without. The drama starts right at the entrance as the iconic CC logo takes on the form of a 12-foot chandelier. In the Makeup Studio, costumers are able to experience makeovers tailored to various light conditions thanks to the “Miroir Lumières” lightbox mirrors. Skincare consultations are available in a private room inspired by the staircase in Coco Chanel’s apartment. A fragrance library gives the full tour of Chanel’s vast line of scents. Don’t miss the menu of complimentary makeup services developed specifically for the Las Vegas customer: The Star, The Jetsetter, The Illusionist, The Natural and The Performer can be booked at all of Chanel’s Las Vegas locations. And then there are the shades—not just hundreds of nail polish and lipstick hues, but the kind of shades that protect your eyes from the sun or the glare of the Strip. The Sunglasses salon offers the complete line as well as the spring/summer 2015 collection, designed by brand vanguard Karl Lagerfeld.
SAM MENDOZA
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Main Street ~ 360 words
24 hours in
the oasis STAYCATION
THE OASIS AT GOLD SPIKE DOWNTOWN 217 Las Vegas Blvd. North, 702.768.9823; oasisatgoldspike.com In spite of the fact that I live and work in a town with thousands upon thousands of swank hotel rooms, I don’t often do the staycation thing. I’m too enamored of the comforts of my home—the crazy-expensive mattress, the never-empty wine rack, the personally curated libraries of books and recorded music—to shell out money for a room that is near to them, but doesn’t actually have them. (Continued on next page)
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(Continued from previous page) That said, I do love a good boutique hotel. If you get me started talking about the things I love about the Farmer’s Daughter in Los Angeles or any of the McMenamins properties in the Pacifc Northwest, you’ll have to beg me to stop. I love the juxtaposition of luxury and kitsch that results when a crusty old hotel or motel is converted to new use. And The Oasis at Gold Spike, the frst hotel from the Downtown Project, absolutely nails that sweet spot, while offering a few of those aforementioned home comforts. Built on the skeleton of a 50-plus-year-old motel called the Travel Inn, The Oasis is a solid boutique property. Every room has a unique look, with different furnishings, fxtures and artwork. Six of the rooms are double-size suites, with plush couches, a coffee table and even record players. (A borrowing library of vinyl LPs is available to peruse in the lobby.) All the bathrooms are ftted with barn-style sliding doors and shelving units that rotate to reveal full-length mirrors—both savvy space-saving measures that help to make even the smaller rooms feel more spacious. The foors are wood-style laminate, which accentuates the low, muffed roar of traffc from Las Vegas Boulevard, but it’s a small price to pay for a cool, clean step. The pool and outdoor areas are every bit as cheerful. Bicycles are parked out in front, free for guest use. Local artist Jerry Misko was brought in to paint the hotel’s directional and promotional signage, which he did in his unique Old Vegas style. A gate connects the hotel to the backyard area of the Gold Spike next door; it requires a room key during the evening hours, so the Spike’s party crowd won’t wander in looking for additional cornhole tables. And though I’m a teeny bit weirded out by the communal sinks outside the pool-area restrooms— seriously, why do you want to see me wash my hands?— the comical restroom signs, which I won’t describe here, more than make up for it. Midweek room rates are nice and cheap, starting at $40 with a $20 resort fee. I can easily imagine crashinglanding there by happenstance after an evening of intrepid drinking. With enough wine in me and some good vinyl on the turntable, The Oasis might just feel a bit like home. GEOFF CARTER/PHOTOGRAPHY JON ESTRADA
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WELLNESS
The Healthy Approach WORLD.WIDE.WEB wellthily.com Las Vegas-based wellness-consulting firm Wellthily creates wellness guides for those who travel frequently. The guide, available quarterly online and in print, is broken down by neighborhood and highlights the best places to dine, move and live “wellthily.” Co-owners Jen Batchelor and Suzie Baleson launched Wellthily at the Spring Into Yoga Fest at Downtown Grand in April and are currently at work expanding their presence in New York, where hotel partnerships are on the horizon. “We want to spread this and make health and wellness accessible to every traveler,” Batchelor says.
JESSI C. ACUÑA
INSIDER INTEL
BEAUTY ON THE GO
Stress-free HAIRSTYLES
A massage for every budget ZEN FOOT SPA & MASSAGE
VIVA BLOWOUT
CHINATOWN 4770 Spring Mountain Rd., 702.768.9977; footmassagevegas.com Head off-Strip to Chinatown for a selection of the best (and cheapest!) Asian massages in Las Vegas. Try Zen Foot Spa for an affordable deep-tissue massage or foot reflexology session. With its punch card system, frequent customers enjoy a massage on the house after 10 visits.
844.214.8482; vivablowout.com Viva Blowout will give you a ’do that would make Farrah Fawcett proud. How it works: Call to make an appointment four hours ahead, and a licensed stylist will show up wherever you are with their own products to give you a fab blowout for $60. Just make sure your hair is damp. “We’re at the convenience of the customer,” says owner Mickey Norton. So don’t stress about your hair and remember: breathe in, blowout. EVERYWHERE
KAT BOEHRER
JESSIE O’BRIEN
D-I-Y
Carry-on
Cocktails
Sure, you could spend $25 on a carry-on cocktail kit … and still have to buy the booze on the plane. Or you could totally DIY that task. All you need is to free up a little space in your carry-on bag for a few key ingredients.
XANIA WOODMAN/ ILLUSTRATIONS BY JAVON ISAAC
For seven more carry-on cocktail recipes by Delmonico Steakhouse barman Max Solano, visit vrated.com/ carryoncocktails
Wheels Up You’ll need: one or two 50-milliliter bottles of whiskey (bring or purchase on the plane), one sugar packet, one 20-milliliter bottle of bitters (find The Bitter Truth or Scrappy’s on amazon.com), a little soda water, one stirrer and two cups or glasses, one empty, one with ice.
CRUISING ALTITUDE
Final approach
Add the sugar to the empty cup. Add three to four dashes of bitters and ½ ounce water; mix well with the stirrer. Add the booze and fill with ice. Give it a quick stir, and pat yourself on the back.
If you’re feeling extra fancy, you could also carry on a swath of orange rind to zest over the top of the drink and drop it in, or—if you’re from the fruited Old Fashioned camp—a few Marasca cherries and a slice of orange to muddle before adding the booze and ice.
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SHOP AROUND
The New Faces of Main Street
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vintage kitchenware, starburst clocks, memorabilia from defunct casinos and other ephemera that might be the very thing for that birthday gift or blank space on your wall. Even more of a rummage is Armstrong’s Emporium, where Mission sideboards and ceramic lady lamps huddle alongside 45s and action fgures. If all the digging and discovering has left you a touch dehydrated, there are also a few beverage options on Main Street. Makers & Finders Coffee pours salted caramel lattes and espresso shots as well as standard coffee, and serves up Latin-infuenced comfort foods, from the traditional arepas and ceviche to new twists such as sofrito sliders. Neighborhood cocktail lounge the Velveteen Rabbit offers a sophisticated cocktail menu that changes seasonally, along with house punches and cask cocktails in a chill yet chic atmosphere. Hop Nuts Brewing is also joining the Main Street lineup—all of its beer is created in-house with unique pale ales and IPAs each month.
LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS / PHOTOGRAPHY JAVON ISAAC
RETRO VEGAS 1131 S. Main St., 702.384.2700; retro-vegas.com PATINA DÉCOR 1211 S. Main St., 702.776.6222; patinadecorlv.com FUNKHOUSE 1228 S. Casino Center Blvd., 702.678.6278; thefunkhouselasvegas.com VINTAGE VEGAS ANTIQUES 1229 S. Main St., 702.539.0799 ARMSTRONG’S EMPORIUM 1230 S. Main St., 702.366.1995 MAKERS & FINDERS 1120 S. Main St.; makersandfnderslv.com VELVETEEN RABBIT 1218 S. Main St., 702.685.9645; facebook.com/ velveteenrabbitlv.com HOP NUTS BREWING 1120 S. Main St.; facebook.com/hopnutsbrewing
MAKERS AND FINDERS: JON ESTRADA
Main Street in the Arts District is a street in transition, where glossy vintage boutiques and elegant lounges live alongside rummage stores and auto body shops. You can select a curated showpiece or dig up a buried treasure, sip a cocktail or down a beer: It’s all on Main Street. Seeking the perfect piece? Retro Vegas was one of the frst shops on the Street and continues to deal in furnishings from the ’50s to the ’70s—fulfll your homebar fantasies, be they tiki and bamboo or chrome and tufted leather, and seating from Danish egg to crushed-velvet Mediterranean. Patina Décor smells delicious and sells all manner of fabulous items, from Valley of the Dolls-style mini-dresses to a set of glasses embellished with Modigliani paintings to a pair of matched midcentury sofas. Main Street also offers the opportunity to unearth your own gems. Vintage Vegas is a group of merchants selling ’40s neon gas-station signs,
DOWNTOWN HAPPENINGS
COFFEE TALK
PUBLICUS
DOWNTOWN
1126 Fremont St., 702.331.5500; publicuslv.com Opening this March, PublicUs is marrying top-of-the-line coffee with restaurantquality food. Everything on the menu changes seasonally, including the signature coffee drinks developed by award-winning barista Cole McBride (pictured). JESSIE O’BRIEN
WELLNESS
The Yin to Vegas’ yang
MANDARIN ORIENTAL
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, 702.590 8888; mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas The mind, body and spirit balance reaches new heights inside Mandarin Oriental, situated between Aria and Monte Carlo. Every environment within this temple of fine hospitality is dedicated to increasing a guest’s sense of well-being. Instead of starting on the ground level, the journey begins on the 23rd-floor Sky Lobby, where East meets West in The Tea Lounge and neighboring Mandarin Bar, affording a panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip. Guests experience fine teas in one of two ways: by opting to participate in the sacred traditions of the Chinese Tea Ceremony—a demonstration of patience, balance and poise—or by ordering up High Tea—the dainty sandwiches, delicate sweets and heartier tea THE STRIP
blends the British are fond of. On the third-floor pool deck, a hemp and almond milk smoothie is the perfect treat to soothe one’s body after a swim in one of the double lap pools; surrounded by the visually stunning green and white cabanas and lounge chairs. Every item you can think of, including water, fresh fruit and towels—as well as a poolside hut that offers sunglasses, sunscreen, hats and a variety of products for purchase—is already on display in full presentation. Retreating to the spa, the Hammam treatment, which originated in Turkey, is much more than a regular massage. The 90-minute service starts as you recline on a heated slab of marble. The body is washed in warm and cold water and then vigorously scrubbed, followed by a rubdown in warm scented oils. Expect to feel tingly and detoxified afterward. DONNA STEFFY
HOSPITALITY
No Key? No PROBLEM THE CROMWELL
GAME ON
Get Lucky With Ellen EVERYWHERE Beloved daytime talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has two new slot machines, Ellen’s Dance Party Video and 12 Days of Giveaways, both inspired by The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Each game features bonus rounds that fans of the show will recognize, including “Know or Go” and “Wheel of Riches.” Players have the chance to win one of two progressive jackpots as memorable moments from the show play on a 42-inch vertical touchscreen between spins.
JESSIE O’BRIEN
702.777.3777; caesars.com/cromwell You know that 3 a.m. key-card fumbling after a long night of Vegas shenanigans? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Now thanks to eKey, which recently debuted at The Cromwell, you can use your smartphone to get into your hotel room. Download the app, plug in your reservation access code, hold up your phone to the door and—voilà!—dignity restored. eKey will soon be available in the majority of Caesars properties, but for now, you can dance with abandon at Drai’s After Hours. Just don’t lose your phone. THE STRIP
GENEVIE DURANO / ILLUSTRATION LISA CHEUNG
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SEE VEGAS IN A WHOLE NEW LIGHT
Park House sits on four acres where the Strip meets Summerlin. A limited collection of just 83 lofts with a 75-foot swimming pool, two-story fitness center, clubhouse and underground parking. ONE- TO THREE-BEDROOM CONDOMINIUMS FROM $199,000.
8925 West Flamingo, Las Vegas 89147 Between Fort Apache and Durango PARKHOUSELV.COM
702 985 9100
Sales Center Open Tuesday through Saturday This is not an offer to sell, but is intended for information only. The developer reserves the right to make modifications in materials, specifications, pricing, plans, designs, scheduling and delivery of the homes without prior notice. Exclusively represented by The Mark Company Nevada, LLC.
LOCAL LOVE
International Flavor KOMEX FUSION 4155 S. Buffalo Dr., Suites 103 and 104, 702.778.5566, komexexpress.com The second location of this innovative little spot boldly mixes Korean and Mexican influences. Marinated grilled meats such as bulgogi (beef), dak-bulgogi (chicken) and daeji bulgogi (pork), as well as Korean vegetables and tofu, are offered in tacos, burritos, chimichangas, enchiladas and other traditional Mexican dishes. Shown here: Bulgogi nachos.
SOUTHWEST
AL MANCINI / PHOTOGRAPHY JON ESTRADA
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FOOD COMA
Doing Vegas Uncork’d
Like a Boss THE STRIP Various properties; vegasuncorked.com Vegas Uncork’d returns to the Strip, this time a little earlier in the year: April 23-26. But with 23 events and more than 40 renowned chefs and personalities hosting each meal, navigating the food- and booze-flled weekend can be daunting. Here’s my dream Vegas Uncork’d itinerary. GRACE BASCOS
Thursday, April 23 EMERIL MASTER SERIES OG celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse fnally makes his Uncork’d debut, the frst of which is at New Orleans Fish House. MGM Grand, 6:30 p.m., $250 CHEF’S COUNTER ALL-STAR FEAST Take your classic Las Vegas buffet but replace the generic all-you-can-eat fare with food from some of the world’s best chefs—including Shawn McClain, Masa Takayama and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Aria, 7 p.m., $199 DREAM EVENT: THE BLOCK PARTY Actor Jon Favreau rolls in with the food truck based on his flm Chef—and a feet of others—for an outdoor, late-night casual extravaganza with live bands and the best of street food.
Friday, April 24 THE CHEFS OF WOLFGANG PUCK The emperor himself may not be there, but Wolfgang Puck’s empire is supported by loyal captains such as Spago’s Eric Klein and Matt Hurley of CUT, who along with other chefs from the Puck arsenal present a fvecourse lunch. The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, 11:30 a.m., $175 GRAND TASTING The one big party where all the celebrity chefs, restaurant executive chefs, and industry movers and shakers are in
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attendance. If you only go to one event, you’ve gotta go to the prom. Caesars Palace, 7:30 VIP ($330), 8 p.m. ($225)
to feel the true pressure of Gordon Ramsay watching your every move? Caesars Palace, 6:30, $325
DREAM EVENT: AFTER-AFTER PARTY Sure, there’s the offcially sanctioned after-party, but the one I’d go to is the impromptu gathering in the private dining room of a closed restaurant. The chefs who have been busting their butts all night at the Grand Tasting fnally let loose, pulling perrons of wine José Andrés style.
CELEBRITY CHEF BEER PONG Chefs used to play blackjack for charity. I want to see them go back to their roots, pounding beers and playing for bragging rights. Beers would be provided by Stella Artois and French chefs would have Champagne in their cups.
Saturday, April 25 MIX MASTER: POUR LIKE A PRO Mixology afcionados will fock to the interactive cocktail competition, hosted by Aria’s beverage guy, Craig Schoettler. Others will be using this opportunity to ease into Saturday while also recovering from Friday night. Aria, 1 p.m., $110 IN HELL’S KITCHEN Wherein you pay money to be split up into teams and experience the action of the reality cooking show. Because who doesn’t want
Sunday, April 26 LITTLE ITALY FROM CITY TO THE STRIP: RAO’S BRUNCH This OG has been an Uncork’d standby since the beginning. Meatballs and prosecco remain a favorite way to wrap up the weekend. Caesars Palace, 11 a.m., $155 DREAM EVENT: DETOX TO RETOX This poolside beverage event will not only have mimosas and Bloody Marys to ensure you don’t get the shakes, but also fresh, cold-pressed juices to jump-start the process of recovering from the weekend.
SPRING FOR WINE
Three Parties We Love
UNLVino April 16-18 THE STRIP The Venetian, Paris Las Vegas SUMMERLIN Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa unlvino.com What began 40 years ago as a fundraiser in a liquor warehouse for Las Vegas’ hometown university has become an institution that now spans three days: Bubble-Licious at The Venetian, Sake Fever at Red Rock Resort and the Grand Tasting at Paris Las Vegas. $125-$350
VEGAS UNCORK’D April 23-26 THE STRIP Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Aria and Bellagio; vegasuncorked.com Bon Appétit presents its ninth celebration of food and foodies with a robust menu of events, including the Master Series dinners, Celebrity Chef brunch and the Grand Tasting. $110-$325
BURGER BITES
Building the shackmeister
THE STRIP In New York-New York Hotel and Casino, 725.222.6730; nynyhotelcasino.com The popular New York burger chain recently expanded for the first time out west with its Las Vegas outpost. But building a burger empire starts with building a simply fantastic burger. Here’s how the off-menu item at Shake Shack stacks up.
GRACE BASCOS / ILLUSTRATIONS JESSE J SUTHERLAND
WINE SPECTATOR’S GRAND TOUR May 2 THE STRIP The Mirage; grandtour.winespectator.com Winemakers steal the show at this high-level affair, where more than 200 of the world’s top wineries pour their best wines. A gourmet buffet ensures that you are fortified for the challenge. $225 XANIA WOODMAN
SWEET TREATS
[TOP BUN] Buttered and toasted on the griddle, the potato bun is soft but doesn’t fall apart under the weight of its contents.
[SHACKSAUCE] We have a good guess of what the tangy, creamy sauce is made of: mayo, pickles, mustard and vinegar maybe?
[SHALLOTS] Shallots are marinated in ShackMeister Ale created especially for the restaurant by Brooklyn brewmaster Garrett Oliver.
[BEER AND BURGER] The pale ale has just the right malt flavors to complement Shake Shack’s proprietary beef blend.
just desserts Indulging in the finer things in life doesn’t have to mean ingesting calorie-dense foods you’ll regret gobbling minutes after. Here are two places to satisfy that sweet tooth without the guilt.
VEGAN BITES SOUTHEAST 8876 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 101, 702.487.3111; vegan-bites.com This newly opened vegan bakery in Henderson offers tons of vegan delights, including gluten-free brownies, pumpkin loaves, filled chocolates and carrot cakes.
THE PERFECT SCOOP WEST 7377 S. Jones Blvd., 702.269.8225; perfectscooplv.com With three locations serving the valley, the Perfect Scoop is Las Vegas’ best-kept vegan secret. The ice cream shop carries a handful of vegan ice cream flavors, using almond milk instead of dairy. Flavors include mint chocolate, pistachio, cookies and cream, and peanut butter.
IAN CARAMANZANA/ PHOTOGRAPHY JESSE J SUTHERLAND
[BOTTOM BUN] A hinge connects the top and bottom buns to keep the burger together. If the hinge is missing on any burger, it doesn’t get served to guests.
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New-School Italian TASTING MENU PORTOFINO THE STRIP In The Mirage, 866.339.4566; mirage.com Portofino chef Michael LaPlaca is all about taking those familiar Italian dishes we know and love and putting his spin on them. After all, this is the same restaurant that over the holidays gave us the Diamond and Gold lasagna, which sported Kobe beef, jamon Iberico and foie gras alfredo, dressed with White Diamond truffles and 23-karat gold flakes. But Portofino’s offerings sparkle even without the extra bling. Take the beet salad, which can often fall into an old pattern of the root vegetable with goat cheese and walnuts. Here LaPlaca has pickled and roasted the bright red gems and paired them not only with tangy chevre, but also with a creamy, pink peppercorn panna cotta for an extra pop. Arugula, candied walnuts and poached pears add lots of varying textures to the starter dressed with Minus 8 vinaigrette, made from ice wine grapes. Similarly, you won’t go back to plain ol’ steak and lobster once you discover surf-and-turf done the Portofino way: roasted bone marrow served with gorgeous, grilled Mediterranean sardines. This is an Italian restaurant after all, so pasta is an obvious course. Which one, exactly? Burratafilled agnolotti (little Pope’s hats) will bring you back to summer with good hunks of lobster, earthy chanterelles and roasted corn butter. Dense and rich gnocchi with wild mushrooms, arugula and truffle fonduta might make your eyelids heavy, but not your stomach. My favorite? The ripatelli—which LaPlaca proudly claims to have invented himself—are large sheets of fresh pasta torn by hand and tossed with sausage and peppers, broccoli rabe and pesto, making this quite possibly the most Eye-talian dish on the menu. Yes, you must save room for an entrée as well. Go fresh and Mediterranean with your fish options, such as the roasted branzino. Or up your seafood game with the snapper in cartoccio, or cooked in a sealed parchment paper bag with tender pearls of fregola (a grain similar to couscous), artichokes and olives in a white-wine tomato broth. The parchment is opened at the table, releasing a heady aroma that will make you hungry all over again. One of the signatures at Portofino is a play on chicken Parmesan, except this version isn’t pounded thin. This chicken gets some height as a rollatini—stuffed with cheese and crusted on the outside—resting in a pool of marinara. You may know Italian food, but so does LaPlaca. Just don’t tell Nonna.
GRACE BASCOS / PHOTOGRAPHY ANTHONY MAIR
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Clockwise from top right: Chicken rollatini parmesan, arugula and beet salad, agnolotti with lobster, ripatelli pasta, snapper in cartoccio.
BELLY UP
Ceviche up close and personal THE STRIP Border Grill, in The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.854.6700; bordergrill.com The newest Border Grill has its very own ceviche bar (across from the more traditional booze bar), where seafood is enhanced with modern Mexican flavors. Ceviche, for the uninitiated, isn’t exactly raw, per se. As with sushi, it starts with pristine, fresh seafood, such as the mahi mahi for the Peruvian version, or Baja-style white shrimp. The addition of acid—usually in the form of citrus or vinegar—“cooks” the protein, affecting its texture and flavor. Regional flavors are represented at Border Grill’s bar, such as the Veracruzano, which takes the sustainable catch of the day and combines it with picholine olives, Mexican oregano and shaved Serrano peppers. For lots of clean flavors, have them put together the cooling Aguachile Verde, made with calamari, Alaskan King crab, avocado, cucumber Serrano broth and mango. Don’t miss out on oysters on the half shell, which, while not truly ceviche, are topped with frozen, spicy granitas to enhance the brininess of the mollusk. No matter how you order it, you’re not getting a raw deal.
OPENINGS SEARSUCKER THE STRIP In Caesars Palace, 702.866.1800; caesars.com Brian Malarkey’s Searsucker makes its debut right next to new megaclub Omnia. The Top Chef alum has made a name for himself in California and Texas with his laid-back take on contemporary American food, meaning bold flavors on familiar dishes, such as anchovy red wine jalapeño vinaigrette dressing your Brussels sprouts.
GRACE BASCOS
GRACE BASCOS
SWEET TREAT
VIVE LE MACARON!
PAYARD PÂTISSERIE & BISTRO
THE STRIP In Caesars Palace, 702.866.1800; caesars.com Food crazes come and go (we’re looking at you, cronut), but the macaron is here to stay. The colorful discs of meringue goodness even have their official day (March 20), which is celebrated all over the world. But no need to book a ticket to Paris to get the real deal. Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace produces some of the best you’ll find anywhere, in flavors such as chocolate, coffee, pistachio, raspberry lychee, passion fruit chocolate and vanilla. GENEVIE DURANO
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CAULIFLOWER VEGGIE DELIGHT
(psst ... IT’S Not Your Mama’s)
Typically, when we think of caulifower we think of the
neglected, boring white forets that somewhat resemble broccoli but don’t have nearly the cachet. (A president has yet to declare a ban on this veggie.) Today’s caulifower is done hiding in the shadows of its prettier sister and is letting its freak fag fy— whether on the side, in a sandwich or as a main attraction.
RAINBOW CAULIFLOWER
offer just caulifower as an appetizer,” says chef William DeMarco. “But with people trying to eat healthier nowadays, vegetable items are starting to be ordered more and more, as they should be.” These multicolored forets are sautéed until golden brown, then reduced in red-wine vinegar before being mixed with garlic, chili fakes and mint, and fnished with butter, salt and pepper.
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$8, Carson Kitchen, 702.473.9523; carsonkitchen.com Caulifower comes in all shapes and colors. In this kaleidoscopic, high-fashion side dish at Carson Kitchen, a mix of yellow, purple and green caulifower is blanched, shocked in an ice bath to stop the cooking process, coated in olive oil and roasted until charred. Next, chopped garlic, chili fakes and fresh lemon juice are added before the dish is fnished with fresh parsley, salt and pepper. Don’t hate it because it’s beautiful.
and pepper, and roasted until slightly tender. It is then fnished in reduced coconut milk and topped with toasted coconut shavings. Coconut and caulifower are the new peas and carrots.
COCONUT ROASTED CAULIFLOWER
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SANDWICH
HENDERSON $6, Whist Stove & Spirits, 701.307.2694; facebook.com/whiststove “This dish is a tasty, healthier way of enjoying what can be sometimes boring, plain caulifower,” says Ricardo Romo, chef at Whist Stove & Spirits in The District at Green Valley Ranch. Tricolor caulifower is tossed in extra virgin olive oil, seasoned with salt
DOWNTOWN $5, The Goodwich, 702.910.8681; thegoodwich.com “We’ve all probably had caulifower and cheese, just never in a sandwich,” says Josh Clark, chef and owner of The Goodwich. And that’s exactly what makes this grinder so unique. Caulifower and bell peppers are roasted and caramelized on the
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CAULIFIRE SOUTHWEST
griddle, then topped with sweet onion fondue and puffed wild rice with curry powder for texture. The gooey, crunchy goodness is served on your choice of bread. Werk it, caulifower!
ROASTED CAULIFLOWER THE STRIP $10, Crush in MGM Grand, 702.891.3222; crushmgm.com This next high-fashion caulifower creation will humiliate you in a vogue-off. “Not a lot of restaurants
$6, SkinnyFats, 702.979.9797; skinnyfats.com. This far-more-healthful standin for the traditional bucket of wings consists of steamed caulifower that has been tossed in hot sauce and is served Buffalo style with crunchy carrot and celery sticks and—natch—fat-free ranch salad dressing for dipping. “CauliFIRE offers our customers the ability to enjoy the buffalo favor without having to forgo their vegetarian preference,” SkinnyFats’ chef Josh Green says. JESSIE O’BRIEN
DESTINATION
BANDS TO SEE AT COACHELLA INDIO, CALIFORNIA April 10-12, April 17-19. 888.512.7469; coachella.com Coachella is undoubtedly the big daddy of music festivals, and it brings out an impressive string of A-list talent. But it also allows smaller, lesser-known bands to shine. One not to miss? Tycho. Scott Hansen’s music project mesmerized a large Vegas audience during a sunset set at last year’s Life Is Beautiful festival. If we’re lucky, we might be able to pair the band’s ethereal soundscapes with a beautiful sunset once again in Indio, California.
IAN CARAMANZANA
WEB EXCLUSIVE: See more bands we love that are performing at Coachella at vrated.com/coachella.
CONCERTS & CULTURE
DON’T MISS JASON MRAZ AND RAINING JANE THE STRIP March 14 The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com Tickets start at $50 DISNEY’S NEWSIES DOWNTOWN March 16-22 The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 702.749.2012; thesmithcenter.com Tickets start at $39 KOOL KEITH DOWNTOWN March 20. LVCS, 702.382.3849; lvcountrysaloon.net Tickets start at $8 DAN + SHAY THE STRIP March 21. Brooklyn Bowl, 702.862.2695; vegas.brooklynbowl.com Tickets start at $22 DIRTY HOOKS DOWNTOWN March 27. Backstage Bar & Billiards, 702.382.2227, backstagebarandbilliards.com Tickets start at $9 HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS DOWNTOWN March 28 The Bunkhouse, 702.854.1414; bunkhousedowntown.com Tickets start at $12 TRAMPLED BY TURTLES THE STRIP March 30. Brooklyn Bowl Tickets start at $22 ED KOWALCZYK: THROWING COPPER UNPLUGGED OFF THE STRIP April 2 Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel, 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com Tickets start at $40 RATATAT THE STRIP April 8 Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan Tickets $28
HOZIER THE STRIP April 9 The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan Tickets start at $30
MILKY CHANCE THE STRIP April 9. Brooklyn Bowl Tickets start at $18
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One Haute Doc
FILM diorandimovie.com The fashion world was rocked in 2012 when Dior appointed designer Raf Simons as its creative director. You can follow Simons’ journey creating his first haute couture collection in only eight weeks for the legendary house in Frédéric Tcheng’s documentary Dior and I. WORLD.WIDE.WEB
IAN CARAMANZANA
WORKSHOP
ROPE 101:
An intro to rope bondage March 14. Donations of $5-$20 encouraged. Sin City Gallery, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, 702.608.2461; sincitygallery.com You’ve read about it in books. You’ve seen it in popular movies based upon those books—movies that aren’t quite as good as the books, but still. Now it’s time you actually learned the art of Shibari, the sexed-up Japanese macramé that’s hit the mainstream. (I mean, once something shows up on your Pinterest boards, you know your parents are doing it. Sorry to gross you out.) Sin City Gallery, in association with Las Vegas Rope Social, is offering introductory courses in rope bondage to “current or aspiring fetish models,” or anyone with an interest in tying up patient partners in pretty, ornate knots. This is really a thing that’s happening. See for yourself. ARTS DISTRICT
GEOFF CARTER
LIFESTYLE
rock aroUnd the clock VIVA LAS VEGAS ROCKABILLY WEEKEND
THE STRIP April 2-5. Tickets start at $30. The Orleans Hotel & Casino, 702.365.7111; orleanscasino.com A friend of mine once described rockabilly as “a sort of costume party for popular kids,” which is a statement I’d heartily agree with well outside of rockabilly earshot. I don’t mean that in a derogatory way; I have an immense respect for the amount of work that the average rockabilly puts into their hair and wardrobe, to say nothing of the love they bestow upon their vintage cars. The music … well, that’s another story. Rockabilly is a fun sound for about 30 minutes, after which you really need lots of beer to wash it down; it’s pretty much the only reason Rolling Rock is still in business. Still, it’s a hell of a lot of fun to go to the Orleans for this annual celebration of rockabilly music and culture even if, say, your favorite kind of music isn’t rockabilly or anything remotely like it. It’s fun to check out the good-looking people with their elaborate hairdos and tattoos, and the burlesque showcase, car show and bowling tournaments are always a damned good time. Huh. Maybe I’m just jealous because I can never fit into stovepipe jeans, and I never will.
GEOFF CARTER
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STAGE
one man’s dream
BRAVE April 2. Tickets are $22-$99. The Smith Center, 702.749.2000; thesmithcenter.com. We all have dreams, but some are more difficult than others to actualize. What if your dreams need a helping hand? Who ya gonna tweet? Charles Ressler, that’s who. When Ressler enters the room, his enthusiasm and passion fill it first. With his booming personality, there is no better voice than his to spark a social movement. A New York native who has lived in Las Vegas for four years, Ressler became embedded in the fabric of the city as the former head of communications, programming and sponsorship for First Friday Las Vegas. Then in late 2013, he came up with a life-changing idea. “Doing my best and making it matter is the only thing I have as a human,” Ressler says. “The fear of becoming disillusioned became the impetus behind finding something constructive to reignite the altruism. After meditating on it, the universe called #dreamMaker into being. The subsequent days and weeks were spent furiously working on
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figuring out how it could work.” The idea behind #dreamMaker is to introduce “‘dreamers’ to ‘makers’—those with the ability to connect and constructively add to the realization of dreams,” he says, and it all started with a tweet: “It begins … #dreamMaker.“ In a year’s time, this idea helped facilitate the achievement of 35 dreams via social media, elbow grease and the kindness of friends and strangers. Taking #dreamMaker to the next level, Ressler is debuting an app on April 2. The app will allow dreamers and dream makers—who are able to remain anonymous--from around the world to create a profile, post their dreams and receive notifications, as well as designate favorite dreams. “My hypothesis is that the more dreams you assist with, the closer you are to your own,” Ressler says. In that vein, Ressler has been working on a dream of his own—using his voice to effect positive change. Never one to just be content with the status quo, he has produced, written and is starring in an upcoming performance in The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall, also scheduled for April 2,
appropriately titled Brave and directed by Larry Pellegrini, creator and director of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding. This is a platform to raise awareness and funds for three not-for-profit organizations. “You only get to keep what you give away,” Ressler says. It will benefit Opportunity Village, I Have a Dream Foundation and the Las Vegas Philharmonic. “One person, five people or 2,000 people, I hope this calls people to believe in the community around them,” he says. In preparation, he has been practicing aerial routines three hours a day, three days a week with Delphine Gaillard (an original cast member in The Beatles LOVE) and working with vocal coach Jimmy Lockett (Broadway cast of Cats and Starlight Express). “Of all the brave people in that room that night, I need to be the bravest in order to get the message across about what living a brave life can garner,” he says. GENESIS GONZALEZ
To read more about the dreams that are coming true all over the world as a result of #dreamMaker, visit vrated.com/dreammaker.
THE BIG DEBUT
THE STRIP Heart of Omnia and Omnia Nightclub in Caesars Palace; omnianightclub.com Following in the footsteps of bygone giants such as Tabu and Blush, Heart of Omnia will be the first ultra-lounge concept from a major Las Vegas nightlife company in recent years and the first ever from Hakkasan Group, best known for its global pantheon of mega nightclubs and high-profile restaurants. Occupying the space adjacent to Omnia’s main entrance (in its former life, Pure’s White Room), Heart of Omnia is also the city’s debut venue with an “influence” from Los Angeles nightlife company, the h.wood Group. Founded by John Terzian and Brian Toll, and acquired by Hakkasan Group in 2014, h.wood has been a rising star in the Southern California party market and is best known for posh West Hollywood nightclub Hooray Henry’s and celebrity-charged theatrical hot spot Bootsy Bellows. “We wanted to ensure [Omnia] had an experience for every individual,” says Alex Cordova, Hakkasan Group’s executive vice president of marketing. “Not all of our guests have the desire to be within the main club for the duration of the evening; some may be looking for a more intimate setting.” Heart is branded as a VIP enclave with a “collection of iconic artists” dotting the open-format entertainment roster such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rev Run and Questlove—an obvious departure from the EDM-centric lineup inside Omnia. Its interior is described as possessing design elements that are both masculine and feminine. It will also be connected to the main club. “The design intent was to create a seductive lair, with dark woods alongside a rich and sultry material palette,” says Hakkasan Group president Nick McCabe. “The entry is a collage of black-on-black moldings; the flooring an elegant parquet pattern made from sleek stone tiles. Seating banquettes for guests are made of crocodile-embossed leather along with other highly textured details.” Heart of Omnia’s multilevel space has a capacity of 1,000, with 24 tables. It promises well-curated “special moments” and “elevated interaction.” Omnia Nightclub opens March 12 with a performance by Calvin Harris, who also returns the following night.
MELINDA SHECKELLS
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WHAT TO EXPECT AT OMNIA Hakkasan Group President Nick McCabe shares the inspiration behind Omnia’s interiors and a special feature that will wow guests: What was the inspiration for Omnia’s design? It was created with a classic, rich ambience similar to that of the grand opera houses of the world—the Metropolitan Opera and Palais Garnier were both looked at for inspiration for the interior design. What is one “wow” element that guests can look forward to? The 22,000-pound kinetic chandelier in the Main Club; the production elements of the chandelier include theatrical lighting effects, video projections and LEDs. It’s a true masterpiece.
CONCERT
CONCERT
oh so cute and cuddly
PANDA BEAR
DOWNTOWN April 10. Tickets are $20. The Bunkhouse, 702.854.1414; bunkhousedowntown.com The man born Noah Lennox seems less a musician to me than a naturally occurring element. His best works—among them Animal Collective’s “My Girls,” his 2011 solo effort “Friendship Bracelet” and his recent single “Boys Latin”—seem somehow airborne, intangible to the grip; you don’t listen to them so much as you ingest them through your lungs and skin. He comes to the Bunkhouse on his way to Coachella, and if you ask me, we’re getting the better deal. Music as personal as Panda Bear’s belongs in a club setting. Anything bigger than that and you run the risk of some of that genius escaping into the atmosphere, unconsumed, unappreciated.
the legend
GEOFF CARTER
RINGO STARR THE STRIP March 15. Tickets start at $73. The Pearl Concert Theater at Palms, 702.942.7777; palms.com We love you, Ringo. Truly we do. I mean, we love Paul—not many are willing to humor Kanye these days, are they?—and we loved John and George. Especially George. But there’s something about our love for you, Ringo, that transcended our love of The Beatles … and I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say it’s because you’re the only one who ever seemed relatable, even touchable. You were always a regular bloke who just happened to be part of a pop phenomenon. You never surrendered to mysticism; you never had loud and public brawls with your bandmates and/or their spouses; you never strove for anything below the full esteem of your audience. It doesn’t even matter that you were The Beatles’ fourth most prolific songwriter, or that you made “Caveman,” or that we’re kind of sick to death of “Octopus’ Garden.” You’re the People’s Beatle, and we love you all to pieces. GEOFF CARTER
EXPERIENTIAL ART
The web we weave LUCKY DEBELLEVUE: COLLABORATION/EXCHANGE
THE STRIP March 11-April 12. P3 Studio Art Gallery at The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com Lucky DeBellevue deserves to be one of The Cosmopolitan’s artists-in-residence solely on account of his name. (Las Vegas is always pleased to receive a gentleman called “Lucky”; it’s just one of our little things.) In Collaboration/Exchange, the New York-based artist “will use nontraditional materials to make an experimental and inventive wedge-shaped sculpture and an evolving wall print, encouraging guests to expand their perception of sculpture and inspiring creative thought around everyday objects.” Guests are invited to help DeBellevue by weaving together stems that will be added be to the sculpture, and to collaborate on a printing project that relies on the user’s memory. They are not invited to rub the artist for luck, but who knows what he’ll say if you ask him nicely.
GEOFF CARTER
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Shows not to miss FRANK—THE MAN. THE MUSIC. THE STRIP The Palazzo Theatre in The Venetian and The Palazzo, 702.414.9000; venetian.com. Tickets start at $71; Tuesday– Thursday, Saturday. Tribute shows are a dime a dozen in this town. But what Bob Anderson has done to Ol’ Blue Eyes’ legacy is something to behold. From his mannerisms to his spot-on vocals, it’s the Vegas of yesteryear come to life for the new generation.
ZUMANITY: THE SENSUAL SIDE OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL THE STRIP New York-New York, 702.740.6815; cirquedusoleil.com. Tickets start at $69; Tuesday– Saturday. Not surprisingly, in a country that’s 50 shades more comfortable with sexual expression as mainstream entertainment than when it debuted in 2003, the Cirque du sex show has refreshed about 30 percent of its arty carnality.
SEXXY OFF THE STRIP Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, 800.222.5361; westgatedestinations.com. Tickets start at $29.95; Wednesday–Sunday. This burlesque show most deservedly merits that extra “x,” but keeps it classy enough to not venture into the triple category. Choreography and dancers who are as likable as they are alluring make for a titillating and fun time.
RESIDENCIES
The artist is in THE STRIP Various; ticketmaster.com; axs.com It was actor Tony Curtis who said, “If you know how to live in Vegas, you can have the best time.” And every year, many performers vie for a chance to call Las Vegas their temporary home thanks to the Vegas “residency.” Here are a few you won’t want to miss: • Legendary rockers and karaoke stalwarts Journey invade The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for a nine-day Journey Las Vegas residency April 29–May 16. Expect to hear all the hits, including “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Wheel in the Sky.” Speaking of classic rock, celebrated guitarist Carlos Santana’s residency at House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay extends to May 31. • Let’s talk country. Singer Reba McEntire joins Brooks & Dunn for Together in Vegas, opening June 24 and continuing into July and December in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. • Songstress Mariah Carey confirmed on an episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that she’ll be heading to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for her first residency. Her show will focus on her 18 No. 1 hits. See her Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays throughout May and July.
Set the night on fire STEVE ANGELLO “REFLECTIONS”
THE STRIP April 4 and April 24. LiFE Nightclub in SLS Las Vegas; slslasvegas.com Giving new meaning to the term “hot spot,” Steve Angello is the first DJ on the Strip to incorporate fire into an indoor nightclub production. Angello says the music made him to do it. “There is an aspect of danger found in the music that the flames enhance,” he says. “When you see them, it instills a sense of fear and excitement, and many parts of the music speak to that. They make you feel alive.” The flames are dispersed via a three-tier ladder truss that runs off a single propane line behind the DJ booth. The result is a wall that shoots flames in time with the music. The vessels are known as FirePixels, and they are the invention of San Francisco-based company LiveSpark. While Angello employs the standard nightlife bells and whistles such as LED lights and confetti during his production, he knows that the fire is what people will remember most about his visuals. “Flames bring the rawness and intensity found in the music to life,” he says. “It breathes and explodes—just like fire.”
IAN CARAMANZANA
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IAN CARAMANZANA
Welcome Back,
Diana When Mariah Carey announced she would be taking up residency this spring in The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, it prompted our very own Hot Tub Time Machine moment. We recall with sequinned fondness Vegas’ original diva, Diana Ross, who crossed that stage many times during its Circus Maximus heyday and also in recent times. But even this 4,200-seat room isn’t big enough for two divas, so Ms. Ross is spreading the wealth down the street at The Venetian for The Essential Diana Ross: Some Memories Never Fade, a three-weekend affair starting April 1. And you thought you’d never have occasion to wear that Mackie gown again. JEN CHASE
Archival image from Diana Ross’ 1983 world tour book. Photo by Douglas Kirkland.
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