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five questions with mark graham, ilovedust creative director
from the editor I love new things and hidden spots. I love the thrill of the hunt. I love to wander. I love being messy. I love chaos. I love abandoned buildings. I love hot dogs. I love Las Vegas. And ilovedust. No, not the kind you are thinking of, although there’s plenty of that out here in our desert, too. A British design firm, ilovedust’s savvy illustrative style has graced the pages of magazines such as Wired, .net and lamono. They have been part of Nike’s stable of visual communicators for years and are the collaborative partner du jour for Karl Lagerfeld. Their boastful, colorful, hyperrealistic visual language is akin to that of Las Vegas, with much of the typography appearing as if it could have been ripped out of some sort of mythic city brand-guideline manual. I first encountered ilovedust’s work (ilovedust.com) on a T-shirt; coincidentally, it was a special-edition Vegas graphic that drew my attention. From there it became a pursuit, which wouldn’t end until a signature illustration was procured for our inaugural Editors’ Picks issue. In my research I discovered that ilovedust loves Las Vegas. And when I approached their team, they were excited to work on a project for Vegas/Rated, the only nationally distributed magazine about the city. There aren’t many people who can so fluidly capture Vegas in simple symbols, colors and shapes. The lack of complication is what makes this city so divine. The editors of Vegas/Rated are pleased to expose our audience to the brilliant style of ilovedust’s creative director, Mark Graham, and his team across the pond. We can’t wait to see what they do next and are eagerly awaiting their return to our city so we can share a cocktail and an adventure. We hope you enjoy our 2012 Editors’ Picks, Vegas/Rated’s curated look at the best of Las Vegas.
Melinda SheckellS Editor-in-Chief Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated
some of my favorite works by ilovedust
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V/R: is there a little bit of ilovedust in vegas or a little bit of vegas in ilovedust? graham: I think we have left certain parts of ourselves in Vegas; I can certainly think of a few times in the Double Down Saloon. We like to think Vegas is a very complementary place to us—a little crazy, beautifully colorful and vibrant. We have a serious side, and we know how to party, too. V/R: What’s your favorite thing to do here? graham: People watch. You will never see a more interesting set of people than in Vegas. Grab a beer and just watch. V/R: hoW do you describe the ilovedust aesthetic? graham: We are big on storytelling. We like to create work that you look at once and then look at it again and see something new; that’s very important to us. We also make sure our work is always moving forward. We’re doing stuff all the time that we hope is fresh and exciting. V/R: so What’s next? graham: We have collaborated on three collections with Karl Lagerfeld and traveled a lot working on projects for Nike and 1800 Tequila. We have some interesting jobs coming up with a few famous athletes that we can’t say too much about, and something very interesting for Lamborghini hopefully! It’s very humbling.
melinda PhotograPhy ryan reason; styling nicole chandler; hair marshall vanierland; makeuP natasha chamberlin; dolce & gabbana dress, neiman marcus, fashion show
Vegas/Rated: Why do you love las vegas, and hoW frequently do you come to the city? graham: Vegas is really something new every time we come over. We worked on a few projects over there, and we got to hang out a bit too. It’s great how you can have so much to do in such a small space.
contributors Vegas/Rated editoR Melinda sheckells waxes poetic about why the /Rated staff is heR pick foR gReatest of all tiMe
scott Lien, Art Director in the late 2000s, i had the pleasure of working in close proximity to scott … but, quite sadly, we never actually worked together. now it seems as if we’ll be making up for lost time as he recently came on board as Vegas/Rated’s art director. (if you’re reading this, it means we survived our first issue together.) According to several former colleagues, scott is now the keeper of the “Melinda sheckells wacky idea file”—a full-time job all on its own.
PAuL szyDeLko, coPy eDitor Paul is a man of many talents. My favorite—other than his keen ability to catch deeply buried typos—is his quick wit. Don’t let that mild-mannered gent in the corner fool you; he’s razor sharp on the comeback, and i’d like to think a secret reveler in my inappropriate humor. What i most appreciate about Paul, though, is that he’s never (to my knowledge) shushed me when i’m being too loud and he’s trying to edit. How he concentrates in the thick of the /Rated zoo (we have a zebra!, see below) is a gargantuan feat.
LAurA J. DoWney, MAnAging eDitor our team Frizzy co-captain, Laura is the keeper of Vegas/Rated’s two most valuable assets: mascots rita rated (a tiara-ed baby doll) and z (an inflatable Party rock zebra). Laura is a force to be reckoned with. Her steely gaze when editing text and doling out deadlines sparks fear in the hearts of even the most hardened warriors. Alas, for someone so good at giving direction, Laura is completely directionless when it comes to geography. A perpetually lost cause, she’s the only person i’ve ever met who gets more lost with the navigation system turned on. if she asks me one more time how to get to circus circus …
eLizAbetH seWeLL (A.k.A. “beAns”), eDitoriAL AssistAnt the only member of the team to bear an (official) nickname, beans is our go-to girl for all things editorial, both large and small. the origins of her moniker are a closely guarded secret, and you probably wouldn’t get it even if i told you. We never really quite know where beans is, even when we’re all in the same room, which adds an element of the unexpected to all conversations. one thing you can set your watch by, however, are her daily mail deliveries. this girl has a passion for fashion and online shopping that can’t be tamed, and her boxes of goodies always yield something cool.
MAtt JAcob, AssociAte eDitor Matt was the first crew member to join the ss Vegas/Rated, right before its launch last year. He’s taught me more about casino games and sports betting than i ever cared to know. conversely, he’s learned more about body waxing and high fashion than he ever thought possible. He’s the gayle to my oprah. And he’s extremely particular about his sandwich order. but that’s ok, his expertise with cover lines does the trick in a pinch. He’s also charged with, ahem, “uncurling” any tangled copy that might appear in the first draft of my monthly editor’s note.
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Contents
VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 12
26 Pulse
THE PEOPLE WHO MATTER
SUPER EIGHT Meet the city’s Trailblazers, Class of 2012
shoP
In STORE & On TREnd
18 v/RATEd Get dressed: The best places to shop CURREnT Fashion inspired by edible delights
Dine
THE CULInARy SCEnE
Relax
THE bEST PLACES TO GET AWAy fROM IT ALL
38 v/RATEd eat this: Chow down at these foodie favorites
48 v/RATEd 62 Be well: Recharge at our favorite hotels, spas and beauty salons
40 SInGE CITy scorching dishes for spice lovers
52 MEET 68 Martine abbey fights aging with her high-tech beauty tools SPA dAy 70 a day at the Ranch ... Canyon Ranch spaClub
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vRATEd.COM | AUGUST 2012
80
86
114
Discover
WaTch
v/rated 76 Get cultured: explore the bubbling hub that is Downtown
v/rated 86 v/rated see it live: What’s new and next step out: Where to play on the entertainment scene by day and by night
the city is the MUseUM Find public art in unexpected places
all access The smith center for the Performing arts’ jazzy performance space
the city beyond the strip
MUst-see concerts & shows
80
Play
on the list & on the lips
90 libations Belvedere lemon Tea is made for summer swilling
laBor Day the holiday weekend experience
94 Mood liGhtinG cover up as the sun sets the GUide 100 People, pools, cabanas and adult ice cream
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the dayliFe dossier Take a dip and beat the sizzling sun
120
on the list Places to see and be seen
122
hotel hot sheet Where to stay
124
on a roll Mark your calendar—these are the most exciting days to spend at the sportsbook
128
on the cover:
Design ilovedust
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15
pulse meet the people who matter
TO
the trailblazers
ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
Vegas/Rated’s inaugural editors’ picks issue celebrates those who are profoundly changing the city in 2012. Get up close and personal with the movers and shakers. onstage, in the club or tearing up the kitchen, these extraordinary individuals help elevate las Vegas’ reputation as one of the world’s most intriguing destinations.
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Penny Pibbets shot on location at RetRo Vegas, 1131 s. Main st., 702.384.2700; retro-vegas.com 18 vrated.com | aUGUSt 2012
Super eight pioneerS. trendSetterS. innovatorS. and one crazy broad with a filthy Sock puppet. Meet Vegas/Rated’s trailblazerS claSS of 2012. photography by toMo vrated.com | aUgUSt 2012 19
Steck is an avid guitar player who jams out at home to relieve stress
Styling Christie Moeller
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eNteRtAINmeNt eNtRePReNeUR AdAm Steck ScoReS BIG WheN tRUStING hIS GUt BY JoSePh doNNellY
AdAm St eck l ook S At t he cornf ields of Iowa, the cathedrals of the kremlin and the bright lights of the Vegas Strip and sees the same thing: what’s missing. In the cornfields, it was raves. In moscow, it was liza minnelli. on the Strip, it was nearly naked men, then Aussies singing motown, then mike tyson doing a one-man show. “It’s a very unconventional path that got me where I am,” Steck deadpans. No kidding. In Bayside Queens, Steck was raised by a single mom who “was sort of a hippie, not too granola.” his mom was a rocker, and the young Steck was told musicians such as Jimi hendrix and kISS drummer Peter criss hung around the house. “they used to call me the cosmic kid when I was young,” the 42-year-old says. When he was just entering his teens, Steck’s mother moved him and his older sister to Fairfield, Iowa, so she could attend the town’s renowned transcendental meditation school named after the Beatles’ former yogi: maharishi University of management. his sister chose another path and went back to New York, where she became a top model. It was the ’80s—the Bright Lights, Big City era of nightclubs such as the limelight and the tunnel. Big sis let Steck ride her coattails, but he did more than just occupy her shadow. he learned about house music, mixtapes and how to raise the roof— knowledge he took back to Iowa, where he started throwing corn-fed dance parties. “I was the kid who got along with the stoners and the jocks and the weirdos. that’s what gets me off is connecting everybody.” Before long, Steck was a big player in a wide-open field, literally and figuratively. his regional renown led to jobs promoting shows for Bob dylan; tina turner; crosby, Stills &
Nash; and, yes, that liza minnelli-in-moscow gig (a story unto itself). The founder and CEO of SPI Entertainment moved his operations to Las Vegas in 1999 and noticed that among the burlesque shows, cabarets and gentlemen’s clubs, there was very little here for the ladies. His first local score was the all-male revue, Thunder From Down Under. It’s currently celebrating its 10th year at Excalibur. he seized another unconventional opportunity with human Nature, the former Australian boy band that had reinvented itself as top-notch interpreters of motown classics. the group quickly gained the attention of Smokey Robinson, who signed on as a mentor and presenter, and opened to rave reviews at the Imperial Palace a few years ago. But Steck’s keenest insight may be his most recent—Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth. the former boxer’s one-man show had a successful weeklong run in April at mGm Grand. Now it’s on Broadway under the direction of Spike lee. “I think it’s the first time a show’s been created in Vegas and gone to Broadway, so inadvertently, I created history, which is mind-blowing,” says Steck, who—along with tyson and tyson’s wife, kiki—developed the show from concept to premiere. Steck retains the executive producer title for the Broadway show. “If we get a tony, I get a tony!” he laughs. As golden as the tyson show has turned out to be, few saw it that way at first. “everybody thought I was out of my mind to do this,” Steck says. “But it was in my gut that he could pull this off.”
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tRAIlBlAZeRS 2012
A kNockoUt SUcceSS
the QUeeN Z bow to ZARNAZ ZANDI, whose ReIgN Is eLeCtRIFYINg NIghtCLUbs wIth toP DJ tALeNt bY mIRIAm CoLemAN
tRAILbLAZeRs 2012
the QUeeN oF hoUse hAs met heR moment. After years of tirelessly promoting electronic dance music in Las Vegas, Zarnaz “Zee” Zandi is watching her dominion spread across the country, as the signature sound of Vegas’ glittering night world seeps into pop radio, tV commercials and even Disney movies. hired last summer as the nightlife entertainment director for wynn Las Vegas and encore, Zandi is using her knowledge of the eDm scene—knowledge she built for more than a decade—to make her venues a regular stop for top artists such as skrillex and Deadmau5. Staying ahead “Zee has been in the scene as far back as I can remember,” says Pauly Freedman, the director of operations for encore beach Club and surrender, who first met Zandi in 1997 when she was a regular at Club Utopia. “she has always had a pulse on the scene and the DJ mix, which gives her the edge on identifying up-andcoming artists.” her job now takes her to party capitals like Ibiza to check out new talent. the SeedS of an obSeSSion Zandi’s family moved from tehran to the U.s. when she was a toddler, and she grew up in a strict Persian household in seattle that forbade short skirts and makeup. while her friends were going out, Zandi stayed home recording music videos off mtV and making mixtapes. her favorite artists, such as New order and Information society, were already skewing electronic. “honestly, I wanted to be a DJ back in 1996,” she says. “my mother told me she’d throw me out of the house.” Moving on Up Zandi began her Vegas career as the 19-yearold owner of a small coffee bar across from the metz nightclub (later Utopia), whose DJs became regular customers. once she’d reached
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the legal drinking age, her friendships with DJs such as Duane King helped her gain access to the nightlife industry. she rose steadily through the hierarchy, moving from cocktail waitress and go-go dancer to bartender to VIP hostess, and was soon booking venues such as Risque and Jet, gradually dedicating more rooms to house music. Along the way, Zandi’s mother remained less than pleased with her career choice. “my mom is as Persian as they get,” Zandi says. “she wanted me to be a doctor or a lawyer and nothing less.” a Man’S World? Zandi possesses a rare degree of power in an industry where women are more commonly represented among the ranks of cocktail waitresses and showgirls. “I think that my position is a little unique, because I don’t know anyone who’s done what I’ve done, being a woman,” she says. but she’s never found her gender to be an obstacle in her ascent. “Yes, there’s a lot of men in this business, but you can’t let that get in your way,” she says. “You just have to be tough-skinned.” Where do We go froM here? how long can eDm last? Zandi says the key to longevity will be collaborations with an everexpanding roster of pop artists such as Rihanna and Kanye west. “I don’t think this music is going anywhere, because it’s such a positive sound on the radio,” she says. “even if it starts going down the roller coaster again, it’s something that I would always stick with. It’s where my passion is, so it’s definitely not a fad for me.”
Heart and Home, off tHe CloCk Despite her job’s constant demands, Zandi’s flexible work schedule allows her to be there for her 11-year-old son, Dimitri. And when she’s not helping Dimitri with his homework or cheering him on at basketball games, Zandi can be found working out and hiking the hills around Las Vegas with her boyfriend, going to the movies and dining out—she recommends Piero’s for a taste of old-Vegas history. Shot on location at Retro Vegas, 1131 S. Main St., 702.384.2700; retro-vegas.com BETTIE PAGE dress The Forum Shops at Caesars; CAROLYN’S KITCHEN apron carolynskitchenonline.com Styling Christie Moeller Hair and Makeup Rachelle Robson
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PUShING hImSELf TO ThE LImIT IN ThE kITchEN, BRIAN hOwARd dOLES OUT PERfEcTION ONE PLATE AT A TImE
By GRAcE BAScOS
THE NASTY BITS “We’re constantly trying to evolve and create a trendsetting brand at Comme Ça,” howard says of the nearly 2-year-old restaurant. “Nothing like any other brasserie experience.” Which means Comme Ça’s patrons have come to expect one thing: the unexpected. as such, the menu changes seasonally, and so do howard’s goals. for the michigan native, that means making charcuterie in-house, offering ridiculously decadent brunch items like duck confit cinnamon rolls or oxtail eggs Benedict, and featuring offal on his Bistronomy menu. Serving offal? to tourists? howard makes it happen as the Wednesday special, dishing up “the nasty bits” such as tongue, tail and tripe in concoctions that don’t necessarily reveal their true identity. take the pork jowl, which is braised and served to resemble a steak cut, a disguise that perhaps makes it easier for some to swallow. “vegas is this culinary mecca with world-class chefs, but … we have all these menus with shrimp cocktails and Caesar salads,” howard says. “We need to put [in] a lot more layers, to push boundaries and express ourselves as the true artists that we are.” THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT attempting to alter the landscape of a city whose culinary roots are based in said shrimp cocktails and Caesar salads might appear daunting. But howard embraces the challenge, thanks in part to his connection to myers (his mentor) and a culinary team that’s as adventurous and innovative as he is. “on our management end, we work like a think tank, like a design firm,” he says. “We stay connected daily using different iPhone apps and technology. We can pull up each restaurant and its different data or new standards they’ve implemented.”
With easy access to Comme Ça Los angeles and vice versa, the staff can see what works and what doesn’t, and can offer tips for improvement or encouragement through constant communication. “We’re trying to challenge ourselves. We allow our culinary team to think for themselves; we’re not bogged down,” howard says. “i don’t think a lot of places give you that freedom.” howard has come a long way since his start in Detroit, working his way through the Las vegas kitchens of thomas Keller, andre Rochat and Kerry Simon before getting his first shot in his own kitchen at Nu Sanctuary Lounge at town Square, the outdoor shopping and dining district at the south end of the Strip. and working with myers has helped howard grow even more. “he gives me freedom to operate this business as [if] it’s my own, letting me do my own menu development, make my own mistakes,” howard says. “he’s a great mentor on many levels.” PERFECTION IS A MOVING TARGET howard doesn’t take that freedom for granted, nor does he ignore the responsibility that comes with it. for instance, while working under Keller, howard learned to try to impact someone’s life every day, whether it’s through food or service. “i don’t believe in perfection, but i believe in the pursuit of it,” he says. “When you’re surrounded by people who look up to you, the ultimate goal is to see them succeed and grow—see cooks succeed and guests become educated. Because when they’re successful, i get off on that. it’s not about me—it’s about everyone around me.” WHAT’S IN A NAME? the space where the words “executive Chef Brian howard” would normally appear on his chef’s whites is conspicuously blank. the notion that the team is more important than the individual is ingrained at Comme Ça, right down to the kitchen crew’s uniforms. “We want [anyone] to be able to walk into the kitchen and ask, ‘Who’s the chef?’ it’s about [the team]. Without them, there would not be an ‘us.’”
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TRAILBLAZERS 2012
PIGGIN’ OUT
Comme Ça exeCutive Chef Brian howard could have ridden an easy wave to success by sticking to a classic menu featuring steak frites, beef bourguignonne and a killer Prohibition-inspired cocktail menu. But since he was brought in to oversee the vegas outpost of chef David myers’ successful french brasserie concept, howard has become renowned in vegas foodie circles for pushing the culinary envelope both on the plate and in the kitchen. that stellar reputation earned him a spot competing on the food Network’s Chopped.
pRETTy smART ThE cREATivE BRAiN BEhiND ThE cOsmOpOLiTAN’s EvER-EvOLviNg BRAND, LisA mARchEsE TAkEs ThE hOTEL TO UNExpEcTED hEighTs By LAURA J. DOWNEy
HEAD OVER HEELS ABOUT WHEELS “Biking lets you see the world at a different altitude. It changes your perspective, and it gives you a sense of selfdirection and freedom. MARCHESA dress; LANVIN belt; WALTER STEIGER shoes Styling Emma Trask Hair and Makeup Rachelle Robson
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trailblaZers 2012
You might remember the Cosmopolitan’s first television ad, in which a pantless bellman transports luggage through a desolate hallway and an elderly lady pats the ass of a guy more than 40 years her junior. and if you didn’t catch the tV spot, perhaps you’ve seen the murals of famed street artist shepard Fairey lining the first floor of the hotel’s parking garage, or the pop-up wedding chapel that occupied a spot on the casino floor earlier this year. these nuances are the direct influence of lisa marchese, chief marketing officer of the 2-year-old resort who was brought onboard by Ceo John unwin to spearhead a marketing a-team that would create a branding strategy unlike any the hospitality industry has ever seen. “i remember before we showed our first tV commercial, i was so nauseous. i was like, ‘i’m gonna get fired, this is going to be the end, people are going to think i’m an idiot,’” marchese says. but after showing the 60-second ad three times to staff and gauging their reactions, “it was such a powerful moment infused with risks that you sort of get used to the ‘oK, i’m going to push it, i’m going to push it again.’” the experience has been gratifying. “there are few, if any, opportunities to launch a first-of-its-kind brand,” marchese says. “i had an existing relationship with John [from harrah’s entertainment] and felt a strong alignment in our perspectives and philosophy about hospitality and what it could be in this market.” above all else, the 39-year-old is responsible for fostering an innovative environment that promotes creativity and risk-taking. along with her internal team and external agencies, marchese is a champion of the resort. she hires savvy agencies and production companies such as Fallon and art production Fund to execute clever strategies. the Cosmo’s latest visual endeavor, produced by Digital Kitchen, is titled “52 stories.” the viral video displays such eclectic characters as a bear and a luchador staring each other down in a vintage elevator. this type of campaign is meant to pique the curiosity of the creative class, the Cosmo’s target market. “the assumption is that our guests are sophisticated. they’re discerning, and they value creative choices. We take a lot of informed risks— some of them work for us, and some of them don’t. i think being oK with failure is a part of what makes being more provocative, more progressive possible.” and with this formula she has been winning since before Day one. With an extensive background in brand marketing (marchese has worked for the best in class: siegel+gale, prophet and harrah’s entertainment), she is always thinking of ways to craft the guest experience. “i’m constantly looking for the next story.” WHAT INSPIRES HER “i get a lot of ideas from travel. i also read more creatively driven magazines like Frame, Azure, Taschen and
Flaunt. i’m an avid reader. i’ve gone back and resurrected some old stuff like Valley of the Dolls. i have a really strong reaction to visuals, too—so a lot of the museum books, a lot of what comes out of moCa [museum of Contemporary art] or Fade In presents interesting ideas.” WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET “i’m an aesthetically driven person. i love fashion, and i love art. it speaks to the way i look. it’s a statement of what’s on the inside—and not in a superficial way, but more of an artistic, spirited way.” VEGAS VS. NYC “new York is a part of my Dna, and i like that Vegas doesn’t mind that i’m a new Yorker. We have permission to do really amazing things here. Combine that with the renaissance the city is going through—from what tony hsieh is doing Downtown with Zappos, the smith Center opening and what we’ve done—it makes Vegas a really compelling place to be.” ROUTINE SCHMOUTINE “i try to minimize the amount of time i spend getting ready and out the door. my morning regimen is about 14 minutes. i get to the car as fast as humanly possible, and my day starts when i get to the office. i’m not an über-planner.” THE JET-SETTER “i’ve lived in tokyo, went to tel-aviv, lived in Dubai and spent time in eastern europe. i also biked through Vietnam.” IN HER SPARE TIME “i dirt-bike, play tennis and i’m learning golf.” ANIMAL LOVER “there’s a place called the Wildlife Friends of thailand where i’ll go volunteer for three or four weeks. You end up just doing the drudge work—cleaning the cages and cutting up fruits—but they rescue a lot of animals that are a part of the illegal animal trade from malaysia to China.” THE GOODS “i have a really eclectic mix of clothing; it’s one of the things that keeps me entertained—showing up in things i probably really shouldn’t wear to work. i also have these rings that look like long brass knuckles. i’m absolutely in love with [alexander] mcQueen, so it’s just this stuff that is a little edgy new York, combined with a little Vegas gold.” MEMORAbLE MOMENTS “it was the first concert we ever put on at the boulevard pool. seeing brandon Flowers perform was magical, and [it was] the same with Jay-Z, Coldplay and adele. this is the only city in the world where you can get Jay-Z and Coldplay onstage for our private audience. the city’s got this sophistication of spectacle and absurdity—if you push it in the right direction, what you get is really compelling and unexpected.”
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fREEdom foR ALL
WITh hIS pASSIon foR ThE ARTS, JoEy VAnAS IS ouT To ChAnGE doWnToWn—onE STRokE AT A TImE By GEoff CARTER
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TRAILBLAZERS 2012
Joey Vanas wants to m ak e an artist out of you, even if only for a night. as one of the managing partners of First Friday— the cultural festival that happens in Las Vegas’ arts District every month—Vanas has a full plate: He coordinates with artists, galleries, food trucks, shops, bars and street vendors, all of which are vying for your attention in what amounts to one massive street fair. But to the 35-year-old Vanas, the most hands-on member of First Friday’s brain trust, there’s always time to make art. at the First Friday in July, he directed the creation of a temporary Freedom wall—a blank slate on which anyone could paint or draw in celebration of creativity. “It’s an amazing world we live in where we have the ability to express ourselves however we want to,” Vanas says. “kids as young as 5 and 6 years old painted images, or their names, or the names of loved ones lost in wars. and some people told us, ‘this is the first time I’ve ever taken a paintbrush and put paint on something.’” Vanas is pleased to hear such things. It’s been nearly a year since tony Hsieh, the Ceo of Zappos, and a group of investors bought the First Friday trademark from a nonprofit that founded the event in 2002 but could no longer financially support it. Hsieh, one of the main drivers behind revitalizing Las Vegas’ Downtown core, is moving Zappos’ corporate headquarters into the former City Hall. He saw a twofold opportunity in First Friday: It brings people Downtown, and it fosters the growth of the city’s creative class. If his plans to spark residential expansion and new business in Vegas’ urban core were to move forward, he needed First Friday—and a like-minded partner to run it, someone who shared his notion of a cultural utopia. “tony and I are inspired by Burning man— the ‘un-production’ of it,” Vanas says. “we’re trying to bring that ethos to First Friday.” meaning: Vanas is trying to cultivate an environment in which little things become
something big. Just as the Burning man Festival is a group of camps—some arty in nature, and some just plain bizarre—that add up to the weeklong metropolis that is Black Rock City, Vanas would like Vegas’ artists, businesses and patrons of the arts to form something bigger than just themselves … even if they’ve never so much as doodled on a notepad. more than anything else, Vanas wants people to interact with Vegas’ art scene, not just look at it—“First Friday is not a spectator sport,” he says—and with ideas such as his Freedom wall, the festival is heading in that direction. Vanas himself hasn’t had time to be a spectator since Hsieh recruited him to create offbeat marketing campaigns for Zappos in 2006. when Hsieh published his best-selling memoir, Delivering Happiness, in 2010, Vanas put together a book launch that included a marathon 23-city, 90-day bus tour and charity events. organizing First Friday requires all the fluid, seat-of-the-pants event management skills that Vanas brought to the book tour, and then some. only this time, he’s tasked with not only promoting Vegas’ art scene, but an entire part of the city many have underestimated or dismissed. “I know how important this is for the city,” Vanas says. “Hundreds of thousands of people have come Downtown for the very first time because of this event. and it changes the perception of what Las Vegas has to offer as a whole, as well as what Downtown is.” In the near future, Vanas would like to see First Friday grow to fill the void between the arts District and the bars of Fremont east, about 10 blocks’ worth of bail bondsmen and vacant storefronts. (“It seems like 5 miles because there’s nothing in between there; it’s a lot of dead space,” Vanas says.) and he’d like to see this “un-production” spread organically to the smith Center and beyond. Ultimately, Vanas wants First Friday to become no less than a citywide event—and it begins with everyone doing something they’ve never done before, as he himself did last month. “I picked up a brush, and I started painting on the Freedom wall,” he says, grinning. “It was so much fun. I was drinking the kool-aid, you know?”
LInckEd In
SocIAL mEdIA SAvAnT LAuREn LInck fIRES off AS mAny AS 100 TwEETS A dAy— And ShowS no SIgnS of SLowIng down By BRjdEn cREwE
Those looking from The ouTside in at las Vegas’ notorious nightlife scene would assume the lucky individuals who party for a living dance until dawn, drink unlimited free booze and maybe sit for an hour or two each day behind a desk. in the case of lauren linck, Angel management group’s social media manager, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. it would be easy to mistake the 28-yearold as your prototypical nightclub socialite because of her flowing blond locks and TV teen-queen good looks. But what sets her apart is good old-fashioned work ethic. The las Vegas native typically starts checking in at 7 a.m. (since opening nightlife venues in revel in Atlantic City, Angel management group is now bicoastal), and it’s not uncommon for her to work past 6 p.m. while promoting the nightlife company via status updates on Twitter and facebook. even before her life was all about the night, linck aspired for more. her employment path began at age 15 as a lifeguard at the hard rock hotel & Casino and continued as a food runner and cocktail waitress. Although the tips she made in her 11 years at the resort, including eight seasons at rehab—the hard rock’s famous sunday pool party—were great for her wallet, linck wanted more than just a perfect tan so she also pursued an education at the university of nevada, reno. After graduation, she landed a job in the socialmedia department of r+W Advertising, where she learned how to use social media to increase a brand’s visibility. she then used it to increase her own.
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A chance Tweet in late 2010 with Alex Cordova, Angel management group’s vice president of marketing, set her on a professional ascent. “We had playfully interacted for a few months over our competition for the ‘mayorship’ on foursquare for rehab [Amg was then managing hard rock’s nightlife accounts],” linck says. Turned out that Cordova loved linck’s online banter, and after formally interviewing for the job in february 2011, she was hired as social media manager. for a girl whose job it is to network in 140 characters, a quick, dry wit is part of the job description. “i manage all the social media accounts at Angel management group, which includes 15 unique accounts both on facebook and Twitter, the east Coast projects and the account of @mauriceCordova [Cordova’s dog], whom i made a Twitter [account] for as our official company mascot.” As the dot-com era transitions into the Twitter era and social media becomes an integral marketing tool, linck’s job title has become one of the most coveted in the city. “many nightlife companies outsource social media, which in my opinion doesn’t do it justice,” she says. “The people acting as the voice of the nightclub/restaurant should live and breathe the atmosphere and vibe of that place every day.” linck spends her time mingling with the biggest movers and shakers in town, and has tens of thousands of facebook friends and Twitter followers absorbing her frequent updates. “i never made a conscious decision to get into nightlife and social media; it just kind of happened. But after a few months doing it, things took off, and i fell in love with it.” las Vegas is the kind of city where the kid parking cars becomes the president of the casino one day. Although linck’s path may be a little more glamorous, she’s well on her way to establishing herself as a major player, one Tweet at a time.
FIFTEEN TWENTY blouse, FRENCH CONNECTION skirt and CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN shoes Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show Styling Christie Moeller Hair and Makeup Rachelle Robson
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GroUndBreaKInG GenIUs roB oseLand’s tHe man WItH tHe next-Gen master pLan For Las VeGas BoULeVard
traILBLaZers 2012
By josepH donneLLy
In many respects, modern Las Vegas began as a sort of country club for Hollywood gangsters and glitterati—a place where the likes of Bugsy siegel and Frank sinatra could undo collar buttons and chill. the scene was intimate, adult (as in grown-up) and loose, like an after-party for L.a. back when it was still rolling up its sidewalks by 10 p.m. For rob oseland, who has been closely identified with steve Wynn’s decades-long supersizing of the strip, the past is prologue. “over the course of my career, we’ve done the most beautiful, the biggest and the grandest,” says oseland, who at 45 is unfairly youthfullooking. “and while they are the most desired, they are also the most expensive to build, and I don’t believe we’ll be building more of those in the future. We’ve got to find a new scene, and the new scene is renovating distressed assets with an appealing and approachable brand.” the distressed asset he’s focused on these days is sLs Las Vegas (formerly the sahara), the iconic, vacant husk blocking the path of tumbleweeds on the north end of the strip. the appealing and approachable brand is sam nazarian’s sBe entertainment, a kind of Hollywood-centric lifestyle collection of restaurants (Katsuya, Gladstones, cleo, etc.), hotels (the redbury in Hollywood and sLs Beverly Hills) and clubs (the colony, eden, the abbey). often designed by superstars such as philippe starck, the venues cater to upscale, nouveau rat pack types. “We’re taking the best of these brands and putting them under one roof,” oseland says of the revamped sahara. still, sLs Las Vegas is a gamble for president and chief operating
officer oseland, a step into uncertain territory after rising to the top of the strip via steve and elaine Wynn’s inaugural University of nevada, Las Vegas management program, from which he graduated in 1991. But oseland is a maverick in his own lowkey way. He grew up in the comfortable, conservative conf ines of chicago’s north shore. He first got the hospitality bug working at a specialty food store in Winnetka, Illinois a star hockey player, oseland wanted to continue skating while pursuing his interest in food service, so he ended up at the culinary Institute of new Hampshire college. after a couple of years, though, he realized his future wasn’t in hockey. so he transferred to UnLV. “my goal was to go back to the midwest and manage a country club,” he laughs. at first, Vegas was a bit of a culture shock, but at the same time, “it was something that caught my eye and excited me.” that something, of course, was opportunity. the turn-of-the-century strip was a big wave, and oseland rode it well, culminating in his stint as coo of encore Las Vegas, during which he had an integral role in the property’s design and development. these days, though, he’s devoting all his energy to sLs Las Vegas. He says sBe and stockbridge capital Group have secured 75 percent of the $415 million needed to get the project rolling, and insists that “we’re in the fifth inning of nine innings of raising the remaining $115 million.” Groundbreaking is planned for late this year; the opening is slated for the middle of 2014. “It’s a blast,” oseland says. “creating the next generation of Las Vegas is the best part.” somewhere, the King of the swing, Louis prima, who frequently performed at the sahara’s iconic casbah Lounge, is smiling.
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tHe Money SHot
SHe’S HoRny, SHe’S HoneSt anD SHe’S HilaRiouS— Absinthe’S Penny PiBBetS giveS it to you Raw By geoff CaRteR
Halfway tHRougH ouR inteRview, Penny Pibbets decides that she wants cotton candy. the petite, charming and impressively foulmouthed co-star of the Spiegelworld production Absinthe flags down one of the bartenders at Central and asks if he’s got a line of some cotton candy—“like from a dealer or something,” she says. the bartender says he might know how to score some, but asks what’s in it for him. “He’ll give you a blow job,” says Pibbets sweetly, motioning to the journalist sitting to her left. if you’ve seen Absinthe—the circus/cabaret that’s currently disgusting and delighting audiences at Caesars Palace—you know that little exchange is the least Pibbets is capable of. as the assistant to the smarmy, goldtoothed gazillionaire, Pibbets shotguns beers, performs XXX-rated fairy tales with sock puppets … and very nearly steals the show. Pibbets, formerly of los angeles, has been with the Absinthe company since before it came to las vegas in april 2011. She credits the gazillionaire with getting her out of a “bunch of shitty jobs” (“i worked in a vietnamese nail salon,” she says with a shudder) ; before Absinthe she played accordion in the gazillionaire’s backing band, fish Circus. onstage and off, Pibbets clearly adores her partner. “you know, he’s kinda like gandhi,” she says. “People follow him, and he has his own set of values. … i guess he eats a lot more than gandhi does. and he drinks more, and is a little ruder to people. i guess he’s not very much like
gandhi at all. But to me, he’s kinda like a god. you follow certain people in your life, and they lead you to belief systems.” Bits of Pibbets’ belief system spill out as we talk. She detests most of the music played in vegas clubs: “there is house music that’s not douche-y. i swear i’ve heard it.” She respects strong women, like her grandmother: “She can bench-press like 50 pounds, man. She sweats in weird places—right in the crotch area.” She loves her co-stars, especially the gazillionaire, singer Melody Sweets (“my best friend forever”) and the high-wire performers, “because they’re all hot and they do, like, sexual things to me. But in a harmless way.” and she loves las vegas—but that’s not to say she wouldn’t make some changes around here if she could. “i want a roller coaster to go from our tent here at Caesars all the way to Downtown,” she says, beaming. “that would get more people Downtown, which i think is an awesome thing to do, because Downtown is the shit.” as it happens, we may be seeing more of Pibbets in that very spot: fish Circus is reuniting and looking for a Downtown venue to play. and the band she formed with Melody Sweets—Sisters from anotha Mista— has already played Downtown shows, most notably at artifice. But all of this occurs only when she’s not under the inf luence of Absinthe. She proudly says that she’s never missed a show and that she relishes every time someone’s offended deeply enough to leave the tent. (there’s a running tally of walkouts on a board in the dressing room.) and she owes this glorious reign of comic terror to a dearly held philosophy that she relates with an emphatic nod of the head: “Don’t be scared to be honest.” and at that exact moment, the cotton candy arrives.
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Hair and Makeup Rachelle Robson
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Jumpsuit provided by Stella McCartney. Jewelry provided by de Grisogono.
shop in store & on trend
Get DresseD ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
From high-fashion boutiques to stores filled with antiques, check out our picks for the best in retail right now.
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retail therapy
spend your hard-earned (or easily won) dollars at these haute shops
Soles with Soul Music, art and fashion collide at Feature Sneaker Boutique, where colorful rows of rare sneakers line the walls, and select brands such as Billionaire Boys Club and G*Star grace the clothing racks. In FIve Words ...
Super-fresh style with ease don’t MIss … their selection of Retrosuperfuture sunglasses. These handcrafted Italian shades with premium Zeiss lenses are favorites of Kanye West, Daft Punk and Simian Mobile Disco. dId You KnoW … they give away free fruit snacks and stickers with every purchase.
–Laura Mier
Think Small, Buy Local the Market LV opened August 1 in Summerlin’s Tivoli Village. It brings together about 20 independent clothing boutiques, upscale food vendors, beauty salons and gift shops under one roof. A juice bar and wine shop are slated to open as well. In FIve Words ...
A two-level modern bazaar don’t MIss … Artifact, a boutique featuring eclectic items made from repurposed materials, such as wine-bottle chandeliers and handmade pillows crafted from colorful bridesmaid dresses. dId You KnoW … Fashion Camp LV offers hands-on sewing and styling classes for kids and teens looking to learn about fashion design. Tivoli Village, 440 S. Rampart Blvd., 702.570.7400; tivolivillagelv.com; themarketlv.com
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–LM
Market lV, Crystals: andrew sea JaMes; Gypsy den: anthony Mair; John VarVatos: Jana Cruder
3735 W. Spring Mountain Road, Suite 205, 702.463.3322; featuresneakerboutique.com
V-RATED /
Accessories to Satisfy Your Inner Bohemian Gypsy den owner KT Cewe has established her Downtown boutique as the
place to go for handcrafted jewelry and custom headdresses. Although she creates one-of-a-kind pieces, which incorporate materials like crystals, copper and bone, her talents aren’t limited to baubles. Cewe also repurposes vintage clothing, such as high-waisted shorts and concert T-shirts, making each piece sold an exclusive. In FIve Words ...
Earthy jewels anyone can wear don’t MIss … the headpieces created from vintage headbands that Cewe makes for the city’s stylish set, who in turn wear them to events like the Electric Daisy Carnival and Midsummer Lingerie Masquerade at Palms Casino Resort dId You KnoW … Cewe customizes many of her items in the store. If you want to add studs to a pair of shorts or need a new accessory, she can create something extraordinary—often right on the spot. 213 E. Colorado Ave., 702.684.1628; thegypsyden.tumblr.com –Elizabeth Sewell
For the Wild Child Combining the edginess of rock ’n’ roll culture and the streamlined aesthetic of tailored menswear, the John VarVatos brand offers everything from supple leather jackets and impeccable suits to premium T-shirts and exclusive Converse sneaker collaborations. In FIve Words ...
Classic menswear with rock-star appeal don’t MIss … the all-new boys collection, which debuts this fall at department stores. dId You KnoW … John Varvatos boutiques also sell limited-edition photographs of music legends such as John Lennon, Steven Tyler and Jimi Hendrix. The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.939.0922; caesarspalace.com Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.6370; hardrockhotel.com –LM
Don’t Call it a Mall There are very few situations in which a man shudders at the thought of his girlfriend/ fiancée/wife shrieking, “Oh my God! It’s so big!” But in the case of Crystals at CItyCenter, he might feel a bit of a pinch—in the wallet, that is. Filled to the brim with the finest luxury brands in the world, Crystals is modern, bright and ultraswanky. The retail center even has its own lingo! A man’s carry-on is a satchel. Watches here aren’t watches; they’re timepieces. Even the pizzas are Wolfgang Puck.
In FIve Words ... Holy interna-
tional luxury brands, Batman don’t MIss … Kiki de Montparnasse—accoutrements pour le boudoir—and Eres, Chanel’s lingerie and swimwear brand. dId You KnoW … the Louis Vuitton boutique at Crystals has 4,000 LEDs integrated into its façade, forming a dazzling light show. CityCenter, 702.590.9299; crystalsatcitycenter.com –Michael Shulman
InsIder Intel / Don’t be weigheD Down by heavy shopping bags. For a small Fee, your crystals purchases can be DelivereD Directly to your hotel room or shippeD straight to your home. vrated.com | aUgUSt 2012 39
Jumping Jelly (beans) melissa peace Wedge Swim in Wynn Las Vegas
Dress up, eat up anD toy arounD three great finDs inspireD by fanciful fooDs by elizabeth seWell photography anthony mair styling Jan ruDe 40 vrated.com | aUGUSt 2012
PHOTO CAPTION FOR RED CURRY DUCK AT LOTUS SIAM
CANDY LAND A utopia of all things sweet, It’Sugar in The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian is brimming with enough treats to fuel a sugar addict for weeks. The more than 5,000-square-foot candy paradise offers classic treats such as Baby Ruth and 100 Grand, along with walls of gummies, sour candies and (our favorite) jelly beans. 702.457.0731; itsugar.com
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Tiny bubbles
CiATÉ Caviar Manicure Sephora in Town Square Las Vegas
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Fancy Fares Tucked away in a retail center off sunset road, artisanal Foods is the one-stop shop for chefs looking for hard-to-find, and often luxurious, ingredients such as truffles and spanish saffron. Owner Brett Ottolenghi scours the globe to locate foods no one else has, including this beautiful tin of Mediterranean naccarii caviar. 702.436.4252; artisanalfoods.com
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look of love
kIDRoBoT Heidi kenney Yummy Plush The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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Cookie Crumble A box of deliciously sinful black-and-white cookies from Caked las Vegas represents the perfect mixture of chewy goodness and creamy icing. These confections are just one of the treats coming out of Carolyn Portuondo’s bakery, which is also featured this season on TlC’s Fabulous Cakes. 702.834.3582; cakedlasvegas.com
Where to Buy SWIM Wynn Las Vegas 702.770.5461 wynnlasvegas.com IT’SUGAR the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian 702.457.0731 itsugar.com SEPHORA town Square Las Vegas 702.361.3727 sephora.com ARTISANAL FOODS 2275 e. Sunset road 702.436.4252 artisanalfoods.com KIDROBOT the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 702.698.7670 kidrobot.com
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DINE the CULINARY SCeNe
EAT THIS
ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
there’s more to Vegas than steak dinners and Caesar salads. take a bite out of what we do best: break the law with foie gras, be served sushi you didn’t even order and so much more.
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a culinary adventure explore the latest trends, foodie hotspots and under-the-radar gems
v-rated /
Where to dream of Jiro’s Sushi the recent quintessential foodie film Jiro Dreams of Sushi made us want to hop on the next plane to Japan and have a sushi master feed us. the next best thing is omakase at kaButo, the 18-seat restaurant that recently opened in vegas’ Chinatown, where their own trained sushi gurus meticulously handcraft each piece of nigiri to order on still-warm sushi rice.
dish that Gives the Middle Finger to California’s Foie Gras Ban
In FIve Words ... Forget about ordering
In FIve Words ...
California rolls don’T MIss … the five- or eight-course
Where We’re Getting Our Sugar High the cozy storefront of Drago SiSterS Bakery on the southwest side of the valley is churning out custom cakes, but they’ve also got danish, brownies and perfect oatmeal raisin cookies. In FIve Words ... everyone loves bite-size desserts don’T MIss … Our favorite cake truffles pack lots of intense
flavor—like rich chocolate, red velvet and chocolate chip—into tiny iced bites. dId YoU KnoW … drago Sisters doreen and diana may have a large assortment of baked goods, but their biggest seller is their creamy, custardy tres leches, which is available in various cupcake and mini forms. Make sure you swing by early if you want to score more than a sample of the Cuban-style dessert. 6870 S. Rainbow Blvd., 702.483.6811; dragosisters.com
omakase menus come with your choice of either six or 10 pieces of nigiri sushi. Go with an open mind and leave yourself in the hands of the chefs behind the counter, for they truly do know best. dId YoU KnoW … the fish at Kabuto is so pristine and localized to specific regions of Japan that some of the product they procure isn’t even available in tokyo’s famed tsukiji market. 5040 W. Spring Mountain Road, Suite 4, 702.676.1044
Foie Gras Custard Brûlée. Please. don’T MIss ... Get your foie fix at Shawn McClain’s restaurant Sage. the decadent product is whipped into an airy custard and served as a brûlée (a caramelized layer that you crack into with a spoon). accompanying citrus segments, crispy chocolate nibs and toasted brioche all add textural contrast to the rich and silky custard. dId YoU KnoW ...
California residents, don’t worry: It’s legal in Las vegas. remember that what happens here stays here—and that includes our foie. Sage in Aria Resort & Casino at CityCenter, 877.230.2742; arialasvegas.com
inSiDer intel / there’s jumBo shrimp, and then … there’s the stuff coming out of Old HOmestead’s kitchen. the nigerian spot prawns at the caesars palace steak house are so Big, they’re nearly the length of your palm. (occasionally, the restaurant has to switch the shrimp if its local purveyor can’t keep up with demand, But trust us, you’ll know it when you see it.) old homestead serves plenty of the sweet, flavorful, colossal crustaceans in shellfish platters and shrimp cocktails—to the tune of 120 to 180 per night. Old HOmestead in Caesars PalaCe, 702.862.3530; CaesarsPalaCe.COm 48 vrated.com | aUGUSt 2012
drago sisters Bakery and Buldogis: kacie lochner; kaButo: anthony mair; project dinner taBle: nate ludens
By grace Bascos
Giving Back Never Tasted So Good Project Dinner table gives new meaning to enjoying a familystyle meal with complete strangers. The monthly community pop-up event started two years ago and quickly turned into one of the most popular social gatherings in town. Here’s how it works: Notable chefs prepare several courses using ingredients from local growers (such as Quail Hollow, which produces fruits and veggies, and Herbs by Diane). Guests dine and socialize at a long banquet table while artists like guitarist Glenn Nowak jam the night away. Proceeds from each event go to a local charity, such as Safe Nest and Shade Tree, and to date, more than $52,000 has been donated. In FIve Words ... A plate with a purpose don’t MIss … The next Project Dinner Table is on September
8 at Town Square on Las Vegas Boulevard South. Bellagio executive chefs Roy Ellamar and Edmund Wong will prepare an End of Summer Fare feast featuring a barbecue, including Skuna Bay salmon, Pitman Farms beer-can chicken and grass-fed beef. dId You KnoW … There’s more to do at this affair than just eat. Take pictures at a Photoboxi photo booth, drink beer and cocktails by Bacardi, and peek inside gift bags, which include the quirkiest of items (such as neon-colored condoms). $140 per person Project Dinner Table Las Vegas, 3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., projectdinnertable.com –Laura J. Downey
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers With Exotic Flair One of our favorite recent trends has been the Asianization of allAmerican comfort foods. Local spots bachi burger and bulDogis have taken everything we love about the humble burger and hot dog and infused them with some Asian persuasion. In FIve Words ... Asian fusion knows no bounds don’t MIss ... We love Bachi Burger’s transformation of the
Vietnamese banh mi sandwich into a burger, creating a patty from pork and shrimp, then topping it with grilled pâté and serving it with sweet and spicy nuoc cham and pickled vegetables. Buldogis embellishes upon the humble hot dog and piles their all-beef franks with thinly sliced, marinated Korean beef bulgogi, Asian slaw and bulgogi mayo. dId You KnoW … The trend has paid off well for both restaurants. Bachi Burger was recently featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, and Buldogis has opened a second location closer to the Strip, ensuring that their Korean-influenced burgers and dogs are getting maximum exposure. Bachi Burger, 470 E. Windmill Lane, Suite 100, 702.242.2244; 9410 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 150, 702.255.3055; bachiburger.com Buldogis, 2291 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 102, 702.570.7560; in MVP’s, 6120 W. Tropicana Ave.; buldogis.com
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Chat room / Our Wine Muse Courtney rich has an alter ego. that is, if you go by the pictures that the Las vegas wine blogger posts on her website, quitWINEing.com. When rich isn’t pairing wines for clients in the traditional manner, she’s matching them with Big Macs, Cheetos and tuna-fish sandwiches … and bubble baths, drunk-texting and Fifty Shades of Grey … and creating whimsical scenes while donning elaborate costumes to explain them on her blog. Wine really does enhance every situation.
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VEGAS/RATED: The first image on your blog is of you dressed as Alice in Wonderland. How did you get your start? COURTNEY RICH: I had a wine-consulting company where I would do tastings and whatnot. I was just getting that company going, when it all kind of fell apart. … So I thought, “I’ll start a blog and show people what I’m having with wine.” I wasn’t eating a fancy beet salad or making something like salmon with dill. I wanted to have fun and try doughnuts with wine or french fries. So originally I was like, “Let’s do dessert and wine,” and I had the idea of the alice in Wonderland photo. V/R: What are your top three pairings from your blog? RICH: I love the Otter Pop [paired with astoria Lounge prosecco moscato blend], because I thought it was a crazy photo. It’s sexy and at the same time it was Fourth of July, so my tongue was red, white and blue. Otter Pops with wine. Who even thinks of that? the [picture] I did with my dad was super special; I think it was barbecue chicken [paired with Oregon pinot gris]. the alice in Wonderland photo is probably where my heart’s at. It sparked everything, and it is the birth of my idea. V/R: Why a Riesling and not a red for the Big Mac? RICH: the tangy thousand Island dressing plays off the riesling.
eat your vegetables and like it to be fair, we realize august isn’t exactly the season for the hearty Brussels sprout. But we still can’t get enough of the tiny cabbage-like vegetable. Shaved and tossed with just a few other ingredients, the humble sprout has come a long way since you abhorred it as a kid. We’re excited about seeing this veggie pop up on menus year-round. recently at the Luckyrice Festival at the cosmopolitan, former Wazuzu chef Jet tila returned to vegas with his braised short-rib taco with sprouts and crispy pork-belly buns, a dish featured at his new Los angeles restaurant, the charleston. at Jaleo in the cosmopolitan, check out the warm salad of Brussels sprouts, sweetened and salted with apricot, apple and Serrano ham. the ultimate Brussels sprouts surprise dish goes to Wolfgang Puck’s Pizzeria & cucina in crystals at citycenter. the crisp green goes on the potato pizza, along with guanciale, rosemary and creamy mascarpone cheese. Jaleo in The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7950; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
InsIder Intel / secret shrImp Tao asian bisTro is besT known for iTs Trendy pan-asian fare, buT whaT you may noT know is ThaT There are some special iTems noT disclosed on The menu. The sTs, or spicy shrimp Tempura roll, is an off-menu dish ThaT was once only enjoyed by Tao’s sTaff. The shrimp Tempura and spicy Tuna inside-ouT roll—which is wrapped wiTh soy paper, Topped wiTh avocado and jalapeño, and served wiTh spicy mayo—was creaTed by an advenTurous sushi chef who has a knack for experimenTing wiTh new rolls. order one, and when The server asks how you heard abouT iT, coyly respond, “we know people who know people …” in The VeneTian, 702.388.8338; TaolasVegas.com
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courTney rich: sabin orr
Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina in Crystals at CityCenter, 702.238.1000; crystalsatcitycenter.com
Too hoT To handle? Tease your palaTe wiTh These fiery foods by danny axelrod PhotograPhy anthony mair
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Las Vegas is a food mecca; no other city in the world boasts more gourmet celebrity chef-driven restaurants. But it is also a place chock-full of food challenges and epic portions. Can you pound that yard-long drink? What would it take to get you to eat that “heart attack” burger? With the heat of summer upon us, why not seek out some dishes that break the thermometer? Many of Las Vegas’ eateries serve up sizzling, sweat-inducing spicy fare (some of which may cause real damage). Here’s our guide to the city’s hottest dishes, along with some spicy sauces categorized as the good, the blazing and the wickedly hot.
RED CURRY DUCK AT LOTUS Of SIAM
The Good
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Boiled haliBut in red chili pepper sauce at J&J szechuan
The good Boiled haliBuT in Red Chili PePPeR SauCe hoT PoT J&J Szechuan, 5700 Spring Mountain Road, 702.876.5983 not familiar with hot pot? head to J&J for soup served as the main course. This dish stands out with a pitch-perfect blend of spice and everything nice, and here’s what makes it a winner: The heat level doesn’t overpower the flavor of the entrée, which in itself is reminiscent of pouring red chili pepper on a slice of your favorite pizza. $10.99
Red CuRRy duCk Lotus of Siam, 953 E. Sahara Ave., Suite A5, 702.735.3033; saipinchutima.com if you visit Vegas, you must visit lotus, quite possibly the greatest Thai restaurant in the country. For the spice enthusiast, it is nirvana. Thai cuisine, using bird’s-eye Thai chilies, incorporates heat in a way that never kills flavor, and this sumptuous duck breast in red curry sauce has you spooning more onto your plate even as tears roll down your cheeks. Want to let your server know you’re not messing around? no matter what heat scale you’re offered, tell them you’d like it “Bangkok hot.” $20.95
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The Blazing FiRe-BReaThing dRagon Roll Rice & Company in Luxor, 702.262.4774; luxor.com/restaurants This whacked-out roll has so many heat sources running through it, you can argue that some cancel each other out. Mixing habañero with bhut jolokia (or “ghost”) peppers—along with a sauce made from the same—and we’re heading into the danger zone. order one to impress your sweetheart; just don’t expect a congratulatory kiss afterward. $21
The Blazing
FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON ROLL AT RIcE & cOmpANy
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The wickedly hoT
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INFErNO LAMB CUrrY At MINt INdIAN
heLLiShLy hot chicken WinGS at diaBLo’S cantina
The wickedly hoT
Sauce on the Side
if what you order comes with a waiver …
Want to feel the heat without committing to a total mouth meltdown? these scorching sauces kick up (by a couple of notches!) any of the fine fare at these restaurants.
inferno lamb curry Mint Indian Restaurant, 730 E. Flamingo Road, 702.894.9334; mintbistro.com This perfectly yummy curry should be a culinary delight, if not for the addition of more than enough ghost pepper extract. our theory about ghost pepper: it doesn’t come (as many would have you believe) from northeastern india; it’s concocted in an evil lab and engineered to hurt people. finish a bowl of this “lamb of the damned” and earn a $50 gift card. $19.99
deaTh wings Diablo’s Cantina in Monte Carlo, 702.730.7979; lightgroup.com This sauce combines almost every heat source imaginable, plus (yep, you guessed it) more ghost pepper. another thing about ghost pepper: once it’s inside you, you become aware of every place it travels as it works its way through you. down 20 wings in 20 minutes, and you win a T-shirt and a photo on the wall of fame. $25
Charif Sababa Grille
Satan’s Blood cravin’ cajun
Get a little taste of “hebrew habañero” with this killer kosher sauce. don’t mess with the Zohan, indeed! 3220 S. Durango Drive, 702.547.5556; sababarestaurant.com
didn’t they open up for Slayer in the 1980s? Seriously, at 800,000 Scoville units (the heat scale by which chili peppers are rated), what better way to say, “Look Ma, no brains!” 3400 S. Jones Blvd., Suite 8, 702.384.0020; cravin-cajun.com
Thai Ghost Pepper Sauce chicago Brewing co. Goes well with almost anything on the menu. having a brewery on premise will help you cope. 2201 S. Fort Apache Road, 702.254.3333; usmenuguide.com/ chicagobrewing
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relax
the best places to get away from it all
Be Well ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
recharge in the lavish spas, hotels, gyms and salons that keep las Vegas’ beautiful people in tip-top shape.
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unwind time
v-raTed /
what’s new and notable in hospitality, beauty and body
The Mandarin Oriental’s afternoon Chinese Tea Ceremony is fit for royalty. During the Classic English Afternoon Tea, select from more than 20 beverages, including the white-tea favorite Jasmine Pearl and the traditional black tea Mandarin Orange Blend. Plus, nosh on tiny Black Forest ham and curried chicken-salad sandwiches; tasty, warm scones with Devonshire clotted cream; and a variety of tea pastries, including our weakness: Kalamansi lime white-chocolate truffle. $36 in Five WOrds … Have your own tea party dOn’t Miss … the Gong Fu Cha Service, which details the art of the tea-brewing process, from the
warming of the pot to the rinsing of the tea leaves. The customary experience requires a three-person minimum and features a special blend of Dragonwell tea. did YOu KnOW … you’re not limited to a pot of hot tea with your crumpets. Ask for the Veuve Clicquot Afternoon Tea, and treat yourself to a glass of bubbly for $56. Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas (Tea Lounge on the 23rd floor), 702.590.8888; mandarinoriental.com –Laura J. Downey
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CouRtesy mandaRin oRiental, las VeGas
Teatime With the Queen Can’t Top This
The 30,000-square-foot davId Barton GYM in Tivoli Village mirrors its other locations in New York City, Miami, Chicago, Seattle and Los Angeles, with neon-green nightclub lighting, minimalist décor with an edge and killer classes such as Ass Blast and Six-Pack Attack. With amenities such as a eucalyptus-infused steam room, dry sauna and locker rooms packed with essential toiletries, it’s no wonder celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Kendra Wilkinson and Diddy choose to work out at David Barton Gyms nationwide. In FIve Words … Break a sweat in style don’t MIss … the hourlong Pilates class with
Not Your Average Man Cave Even if you’re a manly man, you can still enjoy luxurious spa treatments in Vegas—especially when you visit the Men’s Zone at Qua Baths & sPa, which offers a lineup of therapeutic massages, body treatments and facials that are specifically designed for guys. In FIve Words … Spa, minus the girly stuff don’t MIss … the straight-razor shave and hot-towel facial by Qua’s master barber, Sal
Jeppi, who has more than 30 years of experience with precision haircutting and shaving. dId You KnoW … during the Shorebreak Sports Massage, therapists use icy-hot Biofreeze
to relieve pain and loosen tight muscles. Caesars Palace, 866.782.0655; caesarspalace.com
–Laura Mier
instructor Lisa Rice. She’ll have you doing everything from the Hundred to the Roll Up (yes, your abs will be killing you afterward … but in a good way). Rice, who is also a certified Cirque du Soleil instructor, offers private lessons in the Pilates studio, which features state-of-the-art Peak reformer machines. dId You KnoW … upon joining the gym, new members receive a complimentary David Barton Gym bag, perfect for toting your iPod Nano, water bottle, towel and more. David Barton Gym in Tivoli Village, 702.331.7773; davidbartongym.com
–LJD
An App the Romans Would Not Abolish Before you stay at Caesars PalaCe, download the hotel’s free iPhone mobile app to get detailed information on nightlife, shopping events, restaurant menus and entertainment showtimes. In FIve Words … Like having your own butler don’t MIss … sending an electronic postcard. Just take a
picture on your iPhone, put yourself on the iconic Caesars Palace marquee and send the digital postcard to your friends. dId You KnoW … as you walk through the resort, this handy app can use your iPhone’s GPS tracker to spot your location and send you special offers to nearby attractions. itunes.apple.com –LM
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david barton gym: andrew sea james
v-RAteD /
A Gym that Doesn’t Feel Like One
Get a room Upgrade
You’ll be worth your weight in gold after experiencing the 50-minute Gold Sugar Scrub ($165) in the sPa at Four sEasons. Get rubbed down with granules from Omorovicza Cosmetics, which are infused with gold particles, cane sugar and ylang-ylang. The scrub is rich in vitamins A and C and eliminates dead skin cells, stimulates microcirculation and softens the dermis. After rinsing off, the therapist applies a gold shimmer oil from head to toe, which replenishes nutrients and repairs the skin. Four Seasons Hotel, 702.632.5000; fourseasons.com/lasvegas Need more karats in your life? Try the 24K Gold Facial Masque at Quick wEight loss anD skin carE. The 90-minute treatment ($350) helps eradicate wrinkles while brightening the face with a warm, golden tone. 7460 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Suite 6, 702.568.7546; beautyhasaname.com –Laura J. Downey
in FivE worDs …
Sophisticated retreat with sensual accents Don’t miss … the vibrant 16-foot mural by Klai Juba Architects that’s displayed in each of the rooms and suites. DiD you know … Klai Juba is the same firm responsible for redesigning a number of Las Vegas resorts, including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Planet Hollywood. Palms Casino Resort, 702.942.8050; palms.com –LM
Trendsetter / Blow and Go Built on the philosophy that there’s someone you can pay to do that for you, blow-dry bars are a coast-to-coast phenomenon that puts a modernday spin on your grandma’s weekly trip to the beauty salon for a wash and curl. Nowadays, the luxurious, lengthy sojourn has been condensed into a 45-minute session where the hair is washed and a stylist handles the painstaking process of getting it silky straight via a combination of high-powered heat and elbow grease. The magic number appears to be 35—dollars, that is (the average cost of the service)—and guests are presented with a menu of styles packaged with clever names (the Vintage Veronica, the Sugarfree, the Rockstar) to match the desired look. In 2010, Las Vegas jumped on the blow-out bandwagon when Platinum EntouragE Blow Dry Bar opened its doors. Since then, others have cropped up, including DollhEaDs at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops (which takes it one step further by throwing extensions in the mix) and iBlowDry (which stays open till midnight). The Platinum Entourage Blow Dry Bar, 6670 S. Tenaya Way, Suite 200, 702.410.5459; blowdrybarlasvegas.com Dollheads Blowdry & Extensions Bar, in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 702.431.4315; dollheadslv.com iBlowdry Salon, 5120 S. Decatur Blvd., Suite 102, 702.256.9379; iblowdry.com –Melinda Sheckells
InsIder Intel / If you enjoy the fountaIns of BellagIo, you’ll love the choreographed danza delle ManI Massage at spa BellagIo, where two therapIsts use flowIng MoveMents to Massage your Body In perfect unIson. 70 minutes, $475 66 vrated.com | aUGUSt 2012
gold sugar scruB: laura j. downey
v-raTed /
Trendsetter / Golden Girl
Starting in September, be the first to experience newly renovated guest rooms and suites in the Palms towEr at Palms Casino Resort, which is part of the property’s $50 million transformation. The new rooms feature warm wood tones, velvet fabrics, bold horizontal lines and a sleek entertainment center.
beauty artist martine abbey sculpts skin like fine clay / by benedetta pignatelli
The ebullient Martine abbey is a citizen of the world, being half-British, half-Italian and having lived in Spain’s Costa del Sol. She came to this country as a personal nurse—and, after landing in los angeles, she naturally decided to make medical aesthetics her calling. In 1997, she relocated to las Vegas and opened Just Face It, a medical spa in Summerlin with a satellite location in Henderson, where health and beauty seekers will find a massage therapist, OB-GYN, homeopathic doctor, laser technician, four aestheticians and a nail specialist on staff. The skilled injector completed her aesthetics and laser degree in California and Nevada and continues to earn new certificates with advanced training. She’s favored by supermodels and Strip headliners (both male and female), whose names she closely guards. It’s no surprise that many New York, l.a. and San Francisco aficionados prefer her to their vast local choice of beautifiers. “I’ve had clients come in for services from as far away as Hong Kong and Brazil,” abbey says. “I have a gift with the face, like a sculptor with a good eye. I’m an artist.” Just Face It MedSpa, 8645 W. Sahara Ave. (at Durango), 702.562.2882; justfaceitlv.com
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fill Me up
fillers are abbey’s favorite discipline. the Radiesse (a volumizing filler for wrinkle reduction) people adore her, as she is an elite provider for the Valley. She is a proponent of filling the cheekbone and temple areas for lifting purposes, as opposed to treating the nasolabial folds. the folds around the nose and mouth develop due to gravity pulling on the upper cheek area, so it makes sense to address the origin of the aging process by lifting from the upper face. that said, abbey doesn’t treat each client with the same cookie-cutter approach. She also offers a guarantee that provides free touch-ups for up to 10 days (botox) and 30 days (Radiesse and Juvederm).
a bRight Spot
a medical-grade chemical peel, the Vi peel was developed to fight melasma (dark skin discoloration), but it also treats fine lines, acne scars, moderate-tosevere sun damage, wrinkles and uneven skin texture and tone. the treatment is painless; the skin will peel about four days later, revealing a fresh dermal layer. While the general guideline calls for one treatment, severely sun-damaged skin may require up to four.
the finiShing touch
Roll it on
a Dermaroller is meant to spark collagen production via microneedling. the instrument is rolled over one’s skin (when the needles are longer than a quarter-millimeter, the skin is anaesthetized). it’s also recommended for acne scarring and hyperpigmentation.
abbey just introduced a ipl laser system for hair removal, skin-tightening (including the everinsidious abdomen), photo facials/rejuvenation and vascular lesions (broken capillaries). also on hand is a Sudatonic detox, cellulite and weight-loss system.
abbey: anDReW Sea JaMeS; pRoDuct: beneDetta pignatelli
Relax / meet
about-face
Heaven on eartH By Maureen Hank
Quite literally right in the middle of it all, Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts offers numerous ways to relax before ever stepping foot inside a treatment room. The 134,000-square-foot therapeutic haven rejuvenates and beautifies both the body and mind. Pick up a $40 day pass and indulge in the Aquavana experience, a suite of thermal spa cabins, tubs and bathing experiences that includes an igloo, an herbal laconium and a crystal steam room. But before you relax, grab a quick bite at Canyon Ranch CafĂŠ. Choose from breakfast and lunch options including Raisin Walnut French Toast ($12), Vegetable Pesto Flatbread ($12) and the $10 Manchego Chopped Salad (think garbanzo beans, tomatoes and Manchego cheese). Once your food has digested, work it off in a stateof-the-art fitness facility. Try Canyon Ranch Boot Camp, Muscle Max, Venice Power Walk and Feel Good Yoga classes designed to get the blood flowing and increase energy levels. 702.414.3600; canyonranch.com
MoMMy tiMe Moms-to-be can enjoy services such as the yummy tummy and Mellow Mama Maternity Massage. Pampered patrons receive lots of tLC with these nurturing pleasantries.
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Happy Feet among the spa’s highly specialized services are treatments for your feet. therapists at Canyon Ranch’s Healthy Feet center, which was developed in partnership with leading foot specialist Dr. Glenn Copeland, analyze your tootsies with such services as a foot and lower-leg massage focusing on calluses and dry skin.
FaCe-to-FaCe Canyon Ranch is the first spa destination
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/ Spa Day
in the country to offer the sophisticated and eco-friendly about Face advanced aesthetics services. Featuring the Medik8 brand of green cosmeceuticals that meld natural botanicals with the finest high-tech ingredients, about Face treatments are expertly tailored to your specific skin type and desired results. the signature pure treatment is a comprehensive facial, which includes cleansing, skin analysis, exfoliation, steam, toning and extractions ($180–$190, 50 minutes). Designed specifically for men, the Detail treatment features the same pampering, plus a facial massage to invigorate the visage ($180–$190, 50 minutes). the Uplifting facial expands on pure by incorporating microdermabrasion to visibly reduce the signs of aging ($285– $295, 80 minutes). Custom enhancement options using the environmentally savvy Medik8 cosmeceutical line, such as oxygen Mask and Vitamin Infusion, are also offered as treatment add-ons.
SEAL
with MACY GRAY
ROCK ‘N’ BLUES FEST
SATURDAY AUGUST 4
SUNDAY AUGUST 5
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
JOE WALSH
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22
BECK
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8
AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29
PALMS CASINO RESORT
YES
with PROCOL HARUM SUNDAY AUGUST 19
DON FELDER
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20
tickets at ticketmaster.com // pearl box office // 702.944.3200 // palmspearl.com palms.com |
palmscasinoresort |
@palms |
palmstv
©2012 FP Holdings, L.P. dba Palms Casino Resort. All Rights Reserved.
Discover The ciTy beyond The sTrip
TO
get cultured ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
There’s a wide world out there, so hit the road, take a break from the strip and discover the best of downtown and beyond.
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EXPLORE thE CItY want tO knOw what thE LOCaLs dO? ChECk Out thEsE Off-thE-stRIP fInds
New Gem Shining in a Familiar Setting Up-and-coming jeweler Polly Weinstein, in collaboration with designer Hannah Deutsch, creates audacious pieces that are perfectly balanced between European grace and Vegas extravagance. in Five Words …
896 E. Sahara Ave. (at Tower of Jewels), 702.735.4145; thejewelersdaughter.com –GC
Power to the People and the Pedals String lights on your Schwinn and join the BlinKing Man BiKe Posse on its treks to First Friday (Downtown’s monthly arts/culture happening), responsible Fremont/Arts District bar crawls and costumed rides. in Five Words … A human-powered rolling party don’t Miss … Next up: “Heroes vs. Villains” on October 20. did you KnoW … Blinking Man belongs to all: Just show up, and
you’re in. And if your bike has no “blink,” they’ll lend you some. facebook.com/blinkingman
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–Geoff Carter
Elite pizza Since opening last year, pizza newcomer doM deMarco’s has been attracting a lot of attention. President Obama picked up a bunch of pies from the Brooklyn-style pizza joint during a visit in January. When NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, James Harden and Russell Westbrook were filming a commercial in Summerlin, 20 pizzas were ordered for the cast and crew. And during the World Series of Poker, when the Main Event was narrowed down to the final table, Dom Demarco’s was there during the dinner break. The catch? Dom Demarco’s doesn’t deliver. So you’ll have to pick up your own DiFara special with hand-cut pepperoni, fresh and aged mozzarella, grana padano, fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. Unless you’re a championship poker player, an NBA star, or the leader of the free world. Dom Demarco’s, 9785 W. Charleston Blvd., 702.570.7000; domdemarcos.com –Grace Bascos
bLInkIng bIkE POssE: gRaham kahR; POLLY wEInstEIn: andREw sEa JamEs
New jewelry meets old Vegas don’t Miss … Weinstein’s art deco-inspired Second Season Bridges collection, now available online. did you KnoW … Polly’s father is Tower of Jewels proprietor Jack Weinstein, who has spent more than four decades in the business.
See Indie Films in an art Gallery
theatRe7 is an art house in every sense, featuring independent and foreign films, local theater productions, gallery shows and more. It’s a First Friday must-see.
1406 S. Third St., 702.568.9663; theatre7lv.com
–GC
Situated along Casino Center Drive and Main Street in the Arts District, Antique Alley is a cluster of stores that specialize in things related to the past. Here are five of our favorites: RetRo Vegas offers vinyl records and such local relics as old stage props, showgirl headdresses and an entire (pink) vintage kitchen from a 1950s Las Vegas home (1131 S. Main St., 702.384.2700; retro-vegas.com). Charming and eco-friendly reclaimed-wood furnishings abound at CoRneR stoRe FuRnituRe Co. (1201 S. Main St., 702.331.6009; cornerstorefurniture.com). the Funk house carries that art-deco bullet lamp or authentic Eames chair you’ve been craving (1228 S. Casino Center Drive, 702.678.6278; thefunkhouse.com). eleCtRiC lemonade’s strictly vintage men’s and women’s clothing inventory nurtures your inner mod/bohemian (220 E. Charleston Blvd., 702.776.7766; facebook.com/ electriclemonadeshop). And Cowtown guitaRs carries that 1968 Fender Telecaster—in pink paisley, so you can rock out in classic style (1009 S. Main St.,702.866.2600; cowtownguitars.com). –Maureen Hank
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CoCkroaCh TheaTre: ryan reason; reTro vegas, Corner furniTure: andrew sea james; eleCTriC lemonade: anThony mair
in FiVe woRds … Movies, theater, art—say when. don’t miss … the rack of indie DVDs—this is stuff you won’t find anywhere else. did You know … owner Derek Stonebarger is part of the team raising classic Fremont dive Atomic Liquors from the dead.
antique alley: antiquities, objets d’art and bygone fashions
Surest Way to Catch the Livetheater Bug An independent theater company that specializes in “defiant” productions, CoCkRoaCh theatRe is taking up residence in Downtown’s 80-seat artSQUARE Theatre. The company’s first season in the new space begins this month. in FiVe woRds …
Edgy theater meets arty venue don’t miss … the first production, Johnna Adams’ Nurture, winner of this year’s Sin City New Play contest. did You know … Cockroach once staged a Mac Wellman play called 7 Blowjobs. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was a political satire. 1025 First St. (in artSQUARE), facebook.com/cockroachtheatre
–GC
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Event That Puts Las Vegas on the International Philanthropy Map Conceived by two couples whose lives had been upended by Alzheimer’s, Keep MeMory Alive’S annual Power of Love gala would grow from a simple dinner to becoming the fundraising arm of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health—located in the Frank Gehry-designed building in Downtown’s Symphony Park. One of the country’s biggest annual philanthropic affairs, the gala has raised more than $120 million, not just for those afflicted by memory disorders (such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis) but also their families and caregivers, as well. in five wordS … We heart this fund-raising soiree don’t MiSS … whatever founder and chairman Larry Ruvo’s got up his sleeve for 2013. did you Know … with more than 22 trials, the Alzheimer’s research program at the
Cleveland Clinic is now the largest Alzheimer’s clinical trials program in North America. 702.263.9797; keepmemoryalive.com
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–Michael Shulman
a Colorful Explosion in the arts Factory Hellpop!
feeds your nerd urge with racks full of cool comics, collectible action figures, pop-culture T-shirts and other righteous geekery. in five wordS …
Concentrated dose of geek bliss don’t MiSS … its
stacks of collectible back issues, all priced to move.
did you Know … you
can sometimes score a free comic with your purchase. 107 E. Charleston Blvd. (in the Arts Factory, Suite 105B), 702.518.0767; facebook.com/hellpop —GC
ethan miller/getty images
V-raTEd /
InsIder Intel / looking for lunch while Downtown, simpo sanDwich is a welcome aDDition to the area’s emerging Dining scene. locateD in the arts factory, simpo specializes in everything that’s gooD between two slices of breaD (anD in salaD anD wraps). most items can be maDe vegetarian or vegan, anD free Delivery is available. who says Downtown’s fooD offerings are limiteD to steak anD Deep-frieD twinkies? 300 E. CharlEston Blvd., suitE 101, 702.868.0215; simposandwiChEs.Com
INTRODUCING
O T D E T I V N I E R ’ U YO ER’S
L D N A H A E S L E CH Y T R A P POOL SATURDAY, AUGUST 18TH 2:30PM UNTIL 4:30PM
THE BLVD POOL AT THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS 3708 LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD SOUTH LAS VEGAS Belvedere is a quality choice. Drinking responsibly is too. Belvedere Vodka 40% ALC./VOL. (80 PROOF) 100% neutral spirits distilled from rye grain. ©2012 Imported by Moët Hennessy USA, Inc., New York, NY.
The CiTy is The MuseuM
THe guIde / dIscover
TexT aNd pHOTOgrapHY BY geOff CarTer
In a city with fake Venetian canals and towering statues of strippers, it’s too easy sometimes to overlook public art—even when it’s a piece by the likes of Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, whose works appear in museums and collections from New York to Tokyo. The great art museum we’ve always wanted for Las Vegas is on its streets, unrecognized in public plazas and in tourist centers where larger, brighter distractions loom. Here are four pieces of public art you might not have known existed— and all of them are well worth leaving the distractions of the Strip behind you.
Flashlight BY CLaeS OLdeNBurg aNd COOSje VaN BruggeN, 1981 University of Nevada, las Vegas, located between the Judy Bayley theatre and artemus W. ham Concert hall This towering steel version of a common household object is part of a series of such sculptures Oldenburg and van Bruggen created for cities from 1969 to 2009. (Visit oldenburgvanbruggen.com to meet its many cousins.) unlike the Luxor, the beam of this giant lamp points earthward, directly into the campus of uNLV.
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Film StarS oF Early yEarS by Steven Liguori, 2006 maryland Parkway and Franklin avenue Like Flashlight, Huntridge Circle Park’s Film Stars depicts objects—three reels of film, rising into the heavens. Liguori’s piece pays homage to irene Dunne, the classic film star (love affair, the awful truth) who donated the land on which the park sits, as well as playfully referencing the shape of the park itself.
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Nitelite by Mary Warner and rayann Figler, 2005
1 Fremont St., Fremont Street garage, first floor incandescent lightbulbs (not the current led) illuminated the Fremont Street experience canopy when it was first built. Warner and Figler gave the obsolete bulbs a second (and arguably better) life in this strikingly illuminated sculpture, located near the elevators of the Fremont Street parking garage.
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Poets Bridge by GreGory Crosby, DayviD FiGler anD Deborah Kohen, 2002
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dIscover / the GuiDe
Lewis Avenue Corridor between Fourth street and Las Vegas Boulevard lawyers and city workers crossing downtown’s lewis avenue Corridor can take a moment to reflect on this footbridge, lined with words from the pens of local poets. Kohen, Crosby and Figler (brother of Nitelite artist rayann) chose poets ranging from the raw (harry Fagel) to the playful (German santanilla). it’s the story of las vegas, guiding your every step.
FRIdAY, AUGUST 24 TICKETS START AT $29.25 PLUS TAX/FEES PURCHASE TICKETS AT SCLV.COM/CONCERTS
2300 PASEO VERDE PARKWAY, HENDERSON, NV 89052 | greenvalleyranchresort.com | 617.7777 MANAGEMENT RESERVES ALL RIGHTS :: 21+ONLY. © 2012 STATION CASINOS LLC. LAS VEGAS, NV. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEd.
WATCH MUST-SEE CONCERTS & SHOWS
See it live ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
A concert featuring your favorite artist, a Cirque du Soleil show you will never forget and that new performance space you have been dying to see: Don’t miss Vegas’ top entertainment hotspots.
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All the world’s A ... vegAs stAges lArge And smAll welcome A vAriety of entertAinment options
red rock AmphitheAter
An Outdoor Venue with Range Watch top acts spanning a variety of musical genres from Def Leppard to Toby Keith to Blink 182 at Red Rock AmphitheAteR, a seasonal 10,000-seat stadium next to the resort’s 3-acre pool area in the heart of Summerlin. in Five WoRds … Fill your night with music don’t miss … upcoming performances
by Pitbull on August 10 and Jason Mraz on October 7. did You knoW … the venue is the largest amphitheater in Nevada, after expanding from its original capacity of 8,000. 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., 702.797.7777; redrock.sclv.com –Elizabeth Sewell
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Highly Anticipated New Entertainment Lineup It’s uncommon for a resort to undergo a major refresh of all its stage shows at the same time. But in Vegas, anything goes. Always the trendsetter, The Palazzo brought Broadway to Las Vegas audiences in 2008 with Jersey Boys, which took its final bow last year before moving to Paris Las Vegas. Phantom of the Opera bids adieu to a six-year residency at sister property The Venetian in September, while Blue Man Group migrates from The Palazzo to Monte Carlo this fall. So what’s with all the changes? A total revamp of live-entertainment offerings, as The Venetian and The Palazzo once again welcome first-time-in-Vegas shows, including the recently announced Rock of Ages. in Five WoRds … One announced, more to come don’t miss … What’s behind door No. 2? It’s rumored to be a limited-engagement
performance from one of country music’s hottest couples. (Shh, you didn’t hear that from us.) did You knoW … Rock of Ages opens in December in the space formerly occupied by
Blue Man Group, but the vibe of the show can be experienced now at The Bourbon Room, a new bar on The Venetian’s casino floor that’s inspired by the musical. 702.414.9000; thevenetian.com
–Melinda Sheckells
It’s a Dance Dance Revolution The JabbaWockeez all-male hip-hop group first garnered attention when they won Season 1 of America’s Best Dance Crew. Their captivating dance moves and high-profile mystique have made their resident show MÜS.I.C. one of the most exciting on the Strip. This summer, catch their stunning choreography (complete with head spins and break dancing) in the tent adjacent to the Monte Carlo, before they move into their brand-new, custom-designed theater at Luxor Hotel & Casino next spring. In FIve Words … Masked men with amazing moves don’t MIss … their hot new routines set to LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” dId You KnoW … the dance group gets its name from the nonsense poem “Jabberwocky,” written by Lewis Carroll in his children’s book Through the Looking-Glass.
A Show So Good They Made It Permanent
JabbawoCkeez: Chelsea laureN; zarkaNa: JohN davis
We’ve known for some time that the end is near. It’s 2012, after all. But soon after Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis officially leaves the building—a.k.a. Aria—on August 18, the King will be replaced by a new demigod named Zark. Cirque’s acrobaticsinfused rock opera Zarkana, which debuted last year at Radio City Music Hall before touring the world, tells the story of Zark, a magician who inhabits the surreal world of an abandoned theater. As Zark pines for his lost love—and his lost powers— mutants, clowns and other strange circus characters pass through.
In FIve Words … Zark casts a dramatic spell dId You KnoW … in addition to showcasing all the
mesmerizing tricks that Cirque has become known for, Zarkana also features many of the Canadian theater group’s newer production elements, such as video projections and state-of-the-art digital technology. And if you’re interested in taking the young ones, go for it: Zarkana is family-friendly. don’t MIss … The show presents many of the famous acts from other Cirque productions. For instance, if you’ve seen KÀ, you may recognize two of Zarkana’s scenes. In “Wheel of Death,” acrobats glide aerially from one spinning orb to another. And in “Sand Drawings,” an artist vividly paints scenes from the show’s plot in sand. Aria at CityCenter, performances start November 1; tickets at cirquedusoleil.com –MS
best tip / NothiNg ruiNs a Cirque du soleil show like sittiNg behiNd someoNe tall. avoid this NuisaNCe by purChasiNg froNtrow tiCkets to aNy show at least two moNths before your desired date. (tiCkets are sold six moNths iN advaNCe.) cirquedusoleil.com
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/ v-RATeD
Monte Carlo, 877.386.8224; montecarlo.com –Laura Mier
zarkaNa
the Newest Place to See Live Music Live music in an intimate setting puts fans within arm’s length of their rock favorites. The newest addition to the city’s burgeoning scene, Vinyl at the Hard Rock, grooves with a format that presents bands of all genres on a regular basis. IN FIVE WORDS … New
venue, same great music DON’T MISS … the chance
DID YOU KNOW …
Programming at Vinyl includes surprise acts, as well as popular groups such as Strung Out and Reverend Horton Heat playing intimate shows. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com –Craig A. Nyman
the Place to Cool Off While Getting Cultured
to see rising bands such as Julien-K, The Sheepdogs and Black Box Revelation—before
For 37 years, there’s been no better way to escape the summer heat and experience great theater productions under the stars than Super Summer TheaTre. This Las Vegas tradition draws thousands every season to Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, a 30-minute drive from the Strip, where temps typically run 10-20 degrees cooler than the Las Vegas Valley. Patrons can see musical and dramatic productions while picnicking on the grass.
Still Rockin’ After All These Years
IN FIVE WORDS ... Closer than Utah Shakespeare Festival DON’T MISS ... this season’s productions of Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat August 5-25 and Leader of the Pack September 6-22. DID YOU KNOW ... the Ranch House was built in the 1940s by radio personality Chester “Lum” Lauck, then purchased by Vera Krupp, wife of German industrialist Alfred Krupp (known for cast-steel works) in the 1950s. The Krupps added an entire west wing and a swimming pool to the property. 6375 Highway 159, Blue Diamond, 702.594.7529; supersummertheatre.org –Danny Axelrod
Get your live-music fix at one of the premier concert venues in Las Vegas. Add special programming on non-concert nights with Steel Panther (the hair-metal band that mocks the 1980s genre) and the Gospel Brunch, and the House of Blues is always rocking. And if all that dancing makes you hungry, head to Crossroads for a bite to eat from celebrity chef Aaron Sanchez’s new menu, which includes irresistible meatball sliders and Mexican street tacos. IN FIVE WORDS … A funky and intimate space DON’T MISS … the chance to see resident act Carlos Santana
as he performs such hits as “Black Magic Woman,” “Soul Sacrifice,” “Smooth” and “Maria Maria.” DID YOU KNOW … the venue recently installed a brand-new lighting rig and sound system. Mandalay Bay, 702.632.7600; houseofblues.com
–CAN
It’s No Mirage: This Place Is a Joke If laughter truly is the best medicine, then the Terry Fator Theatre in The Mirage has to be our favorite pharmacy. At 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night, the aceS of comedy takes over the popular impressionist’s stage, where A-list comedians deliver sidesplitting stand-up sets that are guaranteed to cure the blues. IN FIVE WORDS … Heckle at your own risk DON’T MISS … Ron White on September 1-2. Or Jay Leno on August 31 and September. Or Ray Romano
and Kevin James on September 21-22. Or Daniel Tosh on September 28-29. (What, you thought we were lying when we said “A-List comedians”?) DID YOU KNOW … the Terry Fator Theatre was previously home to the late singer/impressionist Danny Gans, one of the most popular entertainers ever to perform on the Strip. The Mirage, 702.792.7777; mirage.com
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–Matt Jacob
SUPER SUMMER THEATRE: BARnEy GoRdon
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they reach stardom.
All ThAT JAzz By ElizABETh SEwEll phoTogrAphy gEri KodEy
With its art deco architecture and numerous entertainment spaces, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts became the darling of Downtown when it opened in March. The campus features three venues designed to host everything from Broadway productions to cozy club shows. Cabaret Jazz falls into the latter category. The 3,000-square-foot space emulates great jazz clubs from around the country. Performers who have taken the stage include singers Clint Holmes (who appears monthly) and Andrea Marcovicci. Don’t miss Tony Award-winning vocalist Barbara Cook (August 16-19) and master guitarist Esteban playing his greatest hits (September 13 and 16). 702.749.2000; thesmithcenter.com
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Movin’ on Up original architectural plans for The Smith Center had Cabaret Jazz on the building’s ground floor, but CEo Myron Martin suggested moving it to the second and third floors to allow views of Symphony park and to cut back on outside noise.
CLOSE QUARTERS The split-level Cabaret Jazz
theater seats just 250 people, making it one of the city’s most intimate performance spaces.
Mix and Match the stage can be arranged in a
Have a TasTe adding to that “jazz joint” feel, seating is at four-top tables where guests enjoy small bites, such as andouille-stuffed hush puppies or st. Louis-style barbecue ribs from The smith Center’s menu.
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/ All Access
variety of styles (adding flexibility to the types of acts that can be booked), or it can be removed, exposing the Brazilian cherrywood floor to accommodate large groups or non-performance events.
play
on the list & on the lips
Live it Up ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
in a 24-hour town, the fun happens around the clock. Follow our advice, and you won’t miss a second of it.
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step out
what’s new, now and notable in gaming, nightlife and cocktails
Cocktail that Takes the Guilt Out of Drinking A mixology retreat in the middle of the Bellagio casino floor, LiLy Bar & Lounge offers a program of handcrafted libations created by the Light Group’s master mixologist Emilio Tiburcio. Inspired to develop a spritzer that’ll get you tipsy but still help your body (at least a little), Tiburcio looked to a purple power veggie—the beet. Packing a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals and detoxifying agents, the beet serves as the base for Lily’s health-inspired drink, the BEETing Heart. in Five Words … Nourish while
getting a buzz don’t Miss … trying the BEETing Heart both ways it was intended—with gin or tequila. The cocktail’s recipe calls for 1½ ounces of fresh organic beet juice, 1½ ounces of organic orange juice, ¼ ounce of lime juice, and the rest is up to you—Bombay Sapphire Gin or Peligroso Silver Tequila? did you KnoW … beet juice is best known for its liver-detoxifying properties, so swill some with your spirits to jump-start the fight against toxins.
Bellagio, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com –Elizabeth Sewell
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Get to Know / Tommy Trash
Night-Swimming Without Having To Hop Your Neighbor’s Fence When temperatures soar into triple digits, partiers ditch the club-wear for swimwear and take a dip under the stars at spLashdance on Thursday nights at Surrender Nightclub. In FIve Words … Work on your moon tan don’t mIss … open bar for ladies in bathing suits from 11 p.m. to midnight. dId You KnoW … Surrender Nightclub’s adjoining outdoor complex is
Encore Beach Club by day.
If you’re a clubber—especially in Las Vegas—you’re no doubt familiar with headlining “superstar” DJs like Tiësto, Deadmau5, Kaskade and Steve Angello. So allow us to introduce you to someone you probably don’t know—and who might just be the next big thing on the DJ scene: Meet Aussie import Tommy Trash. Born Thomas Olsen, Trash is building quite the loyal following, even though he admits he’s still got plenty of ground to cover. “I got into the dance-music game quite late,” says Trash, who refuses to reveal his age. “I was studying to be a trumpet player at the university. Dance music wasn’t even on my radar. A lot of these people who are younger than me blew up before I even started to make dance music.” Still, thanks to tracks such as “The End” and “Future Folk,” Trash has established himself as a favorite producer for the big names. His recent Vegas sets include Electric Daisy Carnival, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub (marqueelasvegas.com) and XS (xslasvegas.com). –DR
The Property Where A-List DJs Go Wild (and crowds go wilder) / v-rATeD
cocktail: anthony mair; SplaShdance: Bryan marc Schnitzer; tommy traSh: JameS demitri
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.7300; surrendernightclub.com –Deanna Rilling
What do you do when you’ve got the world’s most successful nightclub? Well, if you’re Steve Wynn, you build an even more successful nightclub. And another—with an over-the-top pool reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum. And you have them all designed by Roger Thomas. And you stock them with the world’s most popular DJs, from Calvin Harris to Diplo to Tiësto to Afrojack to Deadmau5. And—well, you get the idea. In FIve Words … Surrender, Tryst, XS and EBC don’t mIss … Pick a weekend, any weekend. dId You KnoW … the powers that be at Wynn Las Vegas and encore
are so devoted to their club operations that billboard and taxi-top ads for the property feature only the face and moniker of the DJ next to Steve Wynn’s iconic signature against a field of black. Now that’s hot. Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, 702.770.7000; wynnlasvegas.com –Michael Shulman
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Amusing Cinema Coupled with Exotic Cocktails Grindhouse films—the bizarre retro-flicks that play on over-the-bar televisions at FrAnkie’s Tiki room—create unique ambience. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see Black Devil Doll, a seriously creepy film about a Black Power puppet that goes on a rampage killing young, beautiful women. In fIve words … Rum, rum, give me some don’t mIss … Frankie’s Original tiki drinks
(such as the delicious Kahiki Kai) with an onscreen side of burlesque dancers or surfers. dId You Know … all tiki drinks are $9, but for $23 you can take home a souvenir mug (which will be useful, because the drinks are so potent you probably won’t remember much the next day). 1712 W. Charleston Blvd., 702.385.3110; frankiestikiroom.com –Chanelle Besette
Man Who Sets the Line on Glamour As director of race and sportsbook operations for Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, Johnny Avello is a bit of a legend. He’s the man people call for offbeat oddsmaking—whether it’s US Weekly inquiring about the odds of a celebrity couple getting hitched, or Variety wanting to know the likelihood of Meryl Streep winning another Oscar (this year he actually predicted that Viola Davis would win). And while the odds he sets on these events (where the winner is selected by vote) are purely for entertainment purposes, they are made public, and certainly give a gal a leg up in the office pool. In fIve words … Octavia Spencer for the win don’t mIss … Avello’s prognosticating of reality competitions, such as American Idol and
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for his predictions on the premiere season of Survivor. Wynn Las Vegas and Encore, 702.770.7000; wynnlasvegas.com
–MS
Bringing International Cool to the Strip Not content to merely import internationally renowned DJs for weekend blowouts at Wet Republic, the operators of such clubs as Pure, LAX and the posh Savile Row are opening hAkkAsAn at MGM Grand in early 2013. The 75,000-square-foot Las Vegas outpost will mirror the London-based, Michelinstarred, contemporary Cantonese restaurant and feature five levels of dining, lounging and clubbing. In fIve words … London, Dubai, Mumbai, Las Vegas don’t mIss … Hakkasan’s steamed dim sum platter and Peking duck with Kaluga caviar. dId You Know … The famous interior of the original Hakkasan in London’s Hanway Place was designed in the chinoiserie style by Christian Liaigre, and
the signature design elements are carried out in all the Hakkasans around the world. hakkasanlv.com
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–MS
AVELLO: ANTHONY MAIR; FRANKIE’S TIKI ROOM: ANDREW SEA JAMES
Dancing With the Stars. dId You Know … in 1999, he got into handicapping reality shows when TV Guide called
Tea IT Up!
Belvedere’s newest expression is summer’s missing link
LIBATIoNS /
By xania woodman photography anthony mair
Summer is pretty much a nine-month experience in Las Vegas. Sunshine is a given, and for long stretches, oven-like heat is the norm. Here, seeking refreshment is a genuine pastime. Belvedere can work with that. This month, the super-premium vodka brand launches its latest expression in a parched, party-ready Las Vegas: Belvedere Lemon Tea. Not only does it play well with others—lemongrass, peaches, mint, tonic—but, as the name implies, it shines brightest with its kissing cousins, iced tea and lemonade. That’s probably because this sixth release from Belvedere’s Macerations Collection is distilled with 100 percent natural black and green teas, ginger, chamomile, lemongrass, rosebuds, honey and lemon. Tao Group beverage director Tim Keller uses Lemon Tea at Marquee Dayclub for the Mulligan, an approachable, thirstquenching, pool-friendly adult play on the Arnold Palmer. That virgin classic (a simple half-and-half blend of iced tea and lemonade) takes Keller back to the beginning of his career, working at a world-class four-star, four-diamond resort in northwest Washington. There, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course prompted, he admits, many a mulligan for the Canadian transplant. New to the Marquee Dayclub menu this summer—and capitalizing on the timely release of Belvedere’s newest expression— the Mulligan blends Lemon Tea with real iced tea and frozen lemonade. “I am a big fan of classic cocktails,” Keller says, “so to take a classic nonalcoholic drink and adapt it with alcohol so that it was a great fit for our venue was a no-brainer. It’s fun, approachable and extremely easy to drink.”
The Mulligan, $14,
($48 pitcher) As served at Marquee Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan, 702.333.9000; marqueelasvegas.com Pour 1¾ ounces Belvedere Lemon Tea vodka and 2 ounces Sweet Leaf iced tea into a frosted 14-ounce highball glass. Float two ounces of frozen lemonade on top. Garnish to your taste with a lemon wheel, fresh fruit such as raspberries or a sprig of mint.
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INSIDER INTEL
Brand spokeswoman chelsea Handler hosts the official invite-only Las vegas launch of the new Belvedere Lemon Tea from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. august 18 at the Boulevard pool at The cosmopolitan.
labor day THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SUMMER’S LAST STAND
The LasT hurrah
ILLUSTRATION ILOVEDUST
As the sun sets on another summer, it’s time to take full advantage of one last big blowout weekend. Make the most of the Labor Day holiday by booking a room at a swank hotel and letting each day take you where it may.
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post-plunge ROBERTO CAVALLI caftan Crystals at
CityCenter; GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI shoes The Forum Shops at Caesars; CUSP BY NEIMAN MARCUS earrings and ring Fashion Show
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MOOD LIGHTING
As THe suN seTs ON A DAy AT THe pOOL, IT’s TIMe TO wIND DOwN IN suLTry cOver-ups pHOTOGrApHy ANTHONy MAIr sTyLING cHrIsTIe MOeLLer
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NocturNal Nymph BCBG MAXAZRIA dress Fashion Show; KT CEWE headpiece Gypsy Den
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the Details
Afternoon delights await guests at Moorea Beach Club in Mandalay Bay, a pleasant respite from the typical pool-party vibe, where European bathing is encouraged. Get sun-drenched on a daybed, receive personalized service in a pavilion (accommodating up to eight people) or go straight to the pinnacle of poolside luxury with a Moorea Villa. Each villa shares a private pool and has a 50-inch television and space for 16 of your closest friends. Don’t let the sun have all the fun; come back at night on Labor Day weekend and catch performances by 311 and Slightly Stoopid on September 1 and Sugarland on September 2, part of the resort’s Beach Concert Series. 702.632.4760; mandalaybay.com
Fringe BeneFits
INCA tunic Molly Brown’s in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; VC SIGNATURE shoes vincecamuto.com
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Decent exposure ERES bikini top Crystals at CityCenter;
BCBG MAXAZRIA skirt Fashion Show; KARA ROSS FOR CUSP BY NEIMAN MARCUS necklaces Fashion Show
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undercover NANETTE LEPORE swimsuit Crystals at CityCenter
Photography ANTHONY MAIR Styling CHRISTIE MOELLER Hair SHELBY KELSEY Makeup NATALIE LANE Model KASIA Wilhelmina Models WHERE TO BuY BCBG MAXAZRIA Fashion Show, 702.699.9315; bcbg.com ERES Crystals at CityCenter, 702.477.0210; eresparis.com GIuSEPPE ZANOTTI The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.866.0055; giuseppezanottidesign.com GYPSY DEN 213 E. Colorado Ave., 702.684.1628; facebook.com/gypsydenlasvegas MOLLY BROWN’S The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7615; mollybrownsswimwear.com NANETTE LEPORE Crystals at CityCenter, 702.739.9722; nanettelepore.com NEIMAN MARCuS Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com ROBERTO CAVALLI Crystals at CityCenter, 702.736.7300; robertocavalli.com
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A PlAce in the Sun
the greAt outdoorS—VegAS-Style: who to know, whAt to eAt And drink, where to buy the Perfect bikini, And how to Secure Prime wAterfront reAl eStAte
new & imProVed find Something freSh At PAlmS Pool & bungAlowS Palms Pool & bungalows has been a mainstay on the daylife circuit since the launch of ditch fridays in 2006. but this summer, you’ll find a whole new list of reasons to make this your go-to party spot. A few months ago, the resort unveiled its $600,000 pool renovation, which included an improved sound system, custom dJ booth, artificial-turf areas, revamped cabanas, 40 new daybeds and eight new lily pads (“floating” daybeds in the shallow end of the pool). Along with this stylish facelift, the pool is now home to two more exciting parties. on Saturdays, dance to beats by resident roger Sanchez, the grammy Award-winning house dJ known for his upbeat remixes, as well as los Angeles-based duo Sex Panther, who play a high-energy mix of electro, progressive house and dubstep (interspersed with confetti cannon explosions, champagne showers and cryo-gun blasts, of course). on Sundays, you can recover from the weekend with its laid-back industry day, where you’ll find food and drink specials, an open mimosa bar for ladies and zerodrink-minimum cabanas and daybeds. Palms Casino Resort, 866.942.7775; palms.com
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Dream Team: Tomo
LA B O R DAY / the guide
BY LAURA MIER
The dream Team It’s amazing how far a few new ideas can take you. When N9Ne Group co-general manager Chuck Oliverio and general pool manager Nolan Lambertsen (pictured in ditch tee) came over from encore Beach Club, they knew just what to do to take the Palms Pool to the next level, starting with a cosmetic overhaul that added 48 new parcels of poolside real estate. They also sought to enhance the guest experience by adding two weekend pool parties, while placing a greater emphasis on customer service. “They really brought a lot of new things to the table as far as service goes and all their renovations,” says rachel Wenman, senior manager of brand marketing (pictured in red shorts). “Between the three of us, I think it’s a very successful combination.”
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EAt ME | Drink ME All thAt frolicking cAn work up An AppEtitE
To EaT: kobE bEAch burgEr At MArquEE DAyclub Marquee Dayclub’s food menu is packed with tempting snacks (crab-cake sliders, anyone?), but for the ultimate indulgence, order this over-the-top burger with all the fixings. in one mouthful, you’ll get a juicy kobe beef patty, sliced tomato, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and a fried egg, all slathered with savory steak sauce. $26 The Cosmopolitan, 702.333.9000; marqueelasvegas.com
To SharE: icE-colD SEAfooD plAttEr At wEt rEpublic this lavish spread of cold, fresh seafood is enough to satisfy you and your entourage. bite into plump pieces of giant shrimp, jumbo lump crab, broiler crab claw and lobster salad, all served with spicy horseradish, cocktail sauce and mustard sauce. As they say, go big or go home. $195 MGM Grand, 702.891.3715; wetrepublic.com
To Snack: tEquilA-liME SpicED wAtErMElon At EncorE bEAch club grab a refreshing bite (and possibly a buzz) with these juicy watermelon slices, which are soaked in tequila and lime juice. it’s the closest you’ll get to a margarita without actually ordering one. $6 Encore Las Vegas, 702.770.7300; encorebeachclub.com
To rEchargE: frozEn rED bull At tAo bEAch
kobe beach bUrGer at marqUee daycLUb
[InsIder Intel] ever dream of having a parade thrown in honor of your awesomeness? Just order a large-format bottle of champagne at Liquid Pool Lounge, and you’ll get something close to it: the champagne Fire drill, a procession of sexy costumed cocktail waitresses (think: firewomen and airline flight attendants) who spray you with a bottle of bubbly. Now there’s a fun way to cool off. Liquid Pool Lounge, Aria Resort & Casino, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com
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Vegas is a 24/7 kind of town—fortunately, there’s a drink for that. when your long day in the sun starts catching up with you, order a rejuvenating pitcher of frozen red bull (spiked with belvedere vodka, of course). part slushy, part adrenaline rush, this powerful concoction will restore your game face in no time. $14 each, $48 pitcher The Venetian, 702.388.8338; taobeach.com
To Drink: SwEEt tEA At bArE Sweet tea has been a Southern staple for ages, but this summery cocktail adds a uniquely Vegas twist. Along with tart lemonade, it uses belvedere lemon tea vodka, a fragrant mixture of green and black teas, lemongrass, chamomile and ginger. So instead of syrupy and simple, you get a complex, refreshing cocktail to sip in the sun. $15 The Mirage, 702.791.7442; barepool.com
The Goods
make a Grand enTrance wiTh These sTylish finds syrup swimwear finding the perfect swimsuit is a lot like dating—it often takes more than one (frustrating) try to find that perfect, complementary match. fortunately, bathing-suit companies, like las Vegas-based syrup swimwear create suits that are just the right blend of sexy and sweet. “we’re a high-end, sexy brand, and it’s something you can look good in,” says John “JT” Thomasson, co-owner of syrup swimwear. his business partner, aaron fust, designs the collections with an outfit-oriented focus—meaning the pieces can easily transition from the daytime pool scene to an upscale night swim at the club. This season, you’ll find neon lace bikinis, sporty-sexy pieces with nautical stripes and gold hardware, and sultry, exotic suits featuring colorful snakeskin prints and Brazilian-inspired silhouettes. $68–$116 per piece Available at Terrene in Aria Resort & Casino, 702.590.8730; syrupswimwear.com
eres This intimate boutique opened in april, making it the first swimwear store in crystals at citycenter. as chanel’s lingerie and swimwear brand, eres features demure pieces with clean, simple lines, as well as a selection of sophisticated bags and highend resort wear. $135 for bikini top, $145 for bikini bottom Crystals at CityCenter, 702.477.0210; eresparis.com
molly Brown’s with racks of colorful designer swimwear, plenty of poolfriendly accessories and a range of fashionable bathing-suit cover-ups, it’s hard to go wrong at this swim-focused retailer. choose from a number of hard-to-find brands, including Vitamin a by amahlia stevens, salinas, cia marítima and ondademar. $120–$350 The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7615; mollybrownsswimwear.com
From top: raeN opticS WomeN’S daYtoN matte BriNdLe aNd WomeN’S FLoWerS SeagLaSS; meN’S ivi viSioN
For the Girls: raeN opticS
For the Guys: ivi viSioN
tapping into the retroclassic style favored by musicians and artists, this unique eyewear company touts a number of limitededition glasses and one-time collaborations. expect understated, vintage-inspired shades interspersed with bold, avant-garde statement pieces. check out their newest releases, such as the dayton, featuring a round-eye silhouette in a matte brindle tortoise frame. $102–$142 Available at Powder and Sun Ride Shop, 4555 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 15, 702.221.7669; powderandsunrideshop.com
Launched earlier this year by pro skater rob dyrdek, action sports designer Jerome mage and Fox Head ceo pete Fox, each pair of ivi vision sunglasses features premium carl Zeiss lenses that deliver first-rate optical clarity and protection. this eyewear brand harnesses the sporty-cool vibe of their customer thanks to unique designs and color schemes. $140–$160 Available at Hart & Huntington Tattoo Company in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.216.5360; ivivision.com
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triple play
three luxurious retreats, a sweet adult treat and a great place to meet the Bungalows at encore Beach cluB when a luxurious cabana simply won’t do, upgrade to one of these eight opulent bungalows. each palatial poolside spread features flat-screen tVs, refrigerators, private bathrooms with showers, temperature-controlled climates and private infinity hot tubs. it’s like being at home—you know, if home also included a waterfront gaming pavilion, world-renowned dJs and throngs of bronzed bodies. Encore Las Vegas, 702.770.7300; encorebeachclub.com
Villas soleil at mandalay Bay Beach situated atop the Beachside casino at mandalay Beach, the Villas soleil offer unbeatable views of the rolling waves, sandy beaches and palm trees that dot the 11-acre paradise. these five parcels of coveted real estate provide plenty of luxe amenities, such as 50-inch flat-screen tVs, mp3 players, ceiling fans and access to the private rooftop pool. when you score the 900-square-foot Villa rotui, you also get your own bar, private deck with an outdoor shower, and a dancing pole (because you never know when the mood might strike). Mandalay Bay, 702.632.4760; mandalaybay.com
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looking to stay where you play? these ultraexclusive bungalow suites, which are technically hotel rooms at the cosmopolitan, are some of the most sought-after plots of poolside property. with three levels of custom-designed furniture, plush bedrooms and lavish amenities, the 10 bungalows overlook the marquee pool deck and are typically reserved for high rollers. on the first floor, enjoy direct access to marquee dayclub, where you can get in on the action with your own poolside cabana. when it’s time to party in private, retreat to the third level, where you’ll find a rooftop terrace, outdoor kitchen and Jacuzzi plunge-pool overlooking the dayclub. The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
EncorE bEach club: barbara Kraft
the Bungalow suites at the cosmopolitan
we all ScReam FoR … the ice cream man doesn’t stand a chance next to the Neapolitan of las Vegas, the recently opened adultsonly ice cream lounge adjacent to the cosmopolitan’s boulevard Pool. its menu is packed with booze-spiked floats and spirited shakes, so whether you’re in the mood for a maker’s mark and peach-tea popsicle or a blood orange mimosa made with frozen moët & chandon ice imperial champagne, you’ll find something here to whet your whistle. The Cosmopolitan, 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
NeapolitaN: Beverly poppe ; Night Swim: michael reilly
Night Swim at XS Nightclub Returning for a third season, XS Nightclub presents Night Swim, its Sunday-night party that promises another summer of bikini-clad patrons and special performances by the hottest electronic DJs from across the globe. Shimmy out of your nighttime attire and into your best swimwear for an unforgettable night of swimming (and dancing) under the stars. Encore Las Vegas, 702.770.0097; xslasvegas.com
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rehab
the Daylife DossieR
make a splash all over town, from european-style pools to meGacluB wet wonderlands
BaRe
The Mirage, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com the name says it all. You don’t have to worry about tan lines at this hideaway that features two dipping pools surrounded by large daybeds and vIP cabanas. InsIder Intel: order Bare’s exclusive pitcher service rather than bottles of booze. signature drinks include mojitos, margaritas and sangrias.
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Palms Casino Resort, 702.942.7777; palms.com this is the place to party with 3,000 of your closest friends while enjoying top-notch entertainment. a recent $600,000 renovation added 40 new daybeds and a custom dJ booth, along with other amenities. InsIder Intel: If the heat gets the best of you, head for the climate-controlled gaming area, where you can cool off and hit it big. On labOr day Weekend: Wiz Khalifa performs at ditch Fridays, and roger sanchez and the Black eyed Peas’ taboo take over on saturday.
RehaB Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5555; rehablv.com ever wonder where the term “daylife” came from? Look no further than Hard rock’s rehab. World-class dJs, “swim-up” blackjack, delicious drinks and sexy servers come together to make rehab an experience you’ll never forget.
InsIder Intel: after a full weekend of partying, head back to the pool for relax mondays, where you can lounge on the beach and soak up the sun in a much calmer atmosphere.
maRquee DaycluB The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.333.9000; marqueelasvegas.com extending across a sundeck on the cosmopolitan’s 17th floor, this 22,000-square-foot pool club features a front-and-center dJ booth where you can see all the top names. InsIder Intel: this summer, marquee teamed with event producer Insomniac (electric daisy carnival) to create Wet Wonderland, a sunday pool party that featured cutting-edge production and worldclass acts such as Kaskade. On labOr day Weekend: cedric gervais and 3Lau get the party going Friday, with avicii stopping by on saturday and Kaskade on sunday. above & Beyond close out the weekend on monday.
Bare: JacoB andrzeJczak; david Guetta: erik kaBik
Palms Pool & Bungalows
VenuS Pool club
Caesars Palace, 702.650.5944; venuspoolclub.com You’ll feel like royalty at this roman-inspired venue when you sunbathe on one of the oversize chaise lounges. InsIder Intel: enjoy complimentary frozen grapes and evian face spritzes while relaxing by one of vegas’ first european-style pools.
weT RePublic
MGM Grand, 702.891.3715; wetrepublic.com Wet republic is the place to be seen when the order of the day is fun in the sun. and the place to have a good time is on the 4,100-square-foot party deck that transforms into a stage featuring the music industry’s top talent. InsIder Intel: Wet republic offers five places to, well, get wet, including two spectacular saltwater pools measuring 2,500 and 3,500 square feet. But if you book one of the ultra-luxe bungalows, you’ll get a private dipping pool all to yourself.
liquid
Red Rock cabana club
Red Rock Resort, 702.797.7509; redrocklasvegas.com take a trip off the strip and head for this adult oasis that overlooks the resort’s 3-acre pool complex. InsIder Intel: stay into the evening on Fridays and saturdays and party at cherry Nightclub.
Sway Pool & lounge
Silverton Casino Hotel, 702.263.7777; silvertoncasino.com this tropical off-the-strip getaway provides guests a serene environment in which to relax and escape the vegas heat. InsIder Intel: reserve early and hold court during one of the silverton’s poolside concerts.
The Venetian, 702.388.8588; taobeach.com escape to this sun-drenched Balinese-inspired retreat where lavish cabanas, exotic cocktails and booming dJ beats provide the perfect balance between a high-energy party and a relaxing experience. InsIder Intel: the cabanas at this extravagant getaway come equipped with Hdtvs, a dvd player and an XBox 360, as well as a full library of games. On labOr day Weekend: dirty south rolls through on saturday, with Nicky romero performing sunday and Benny Benassi finishing the weekend monday.
MooRea beach club Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, 702.632.7777; mandalaybay.com this adults-only “top-tional” pool has its own deck with a view of the 11-acre mandalay Beach complex. InsIder Intel: a poolside massage is a great way to kick off the day.
encoRe beach club
Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.7300; wynnlasvegas.com this 55,000-square-foot venue is home to some of the most famous dJs and has a capacity of 3,000. For the ultimate in relaxation, lounge on a Lily Pad in one of the glistening pools, or recline on a plush daybed. InsIder Intel: encore Beach club has a custom audio system designed by John Lyons systems, making it easy to party all day with your favorite dJs. On labOr day Weekend: encore Beach club features a holiday performance roster to envy, with Bingo Players, steve angello, david guetta (pictured) and deadmau5.
heaRTfelT hangouT
missed your sunday flight and ready to take in an extra day of vegas sunshine? Put your money toward a good cause by booking a spot at the Palms Pool & Bungalows. each monday through september 24, the resort hosts cabanas for a cause, with bungalows available for $100. Proceeds are donated to a different charity each week, with past recipients including HeLP of southern Nevada and the Boys & girls clubs of Las vegas. this month, the Jump For Joy Foundation (august 20) is among the beneficiaries. trust us: this will help ease the guilt of missing your flight … on purpose. 702.942.6832; palms.com
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Tao beach
Aria Resort & Casino, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com a sun worshipper’s secluded paradise, relax on a chaise lounge or reserve one of the 35 daybeds at this adults-only playground. InsIder Intel: Hungry? enjoy poolside dining at Liquid, which offers figure-conscious food from executive chef Brian massie.
1 oaK
On THe LiST An All-Access pAss tO the hOttest nightspOts
the grand canal shoppes at the venetian, 702.388.8588; taolasvegas.com Partygoers in search of a sexy sanctuary usually find their way to this asian-inspired destination, which features waterfalls, lush fabrics, and striking statues. InsIder Intel: Book a table by the catwalk and bottles are lowered from the ceiling by the tao bottle fairy. On labOr day Weekend: Party until the wee hours when erick morillo plays his annual Labor day set on sunday.
LAVO
The Palazzo, 702.791.1818; lavolv.com dine first, then dash out to the dance floor at this Italian restaurant/nightclub. a favorite of locals and tourists, Lavo hosts an array of bashes, from pop and rap performances to superstar dJs. InsIder Intel: Forget about walking into the club surrounded by security; former host angel Porrino made her entrance in a mini escalade golf cart packed with servers toting bottles of champagne.
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VAniTy
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5555; vanitylv.com From the mirrored walls adjacent to the escalators at the club’s entryway to the cyclone chandelier illuminated by 20,000 crystals, all eyes will be on you at vanity. InsIder Intel: What better way to honor the city of sin than to order the sin package? It includes a bottle of ultimat vodka and Piper-Heidsieck champagne.
Surrender
Encore, 702.770.7300; surrendernightclub.com two experiences in one, surrender features an intimate indoor space that opens onto a poolside escape, complete with a gaming pavilion and 26 private cabanas. InsIder Intel: the glittering silver snake behind the bar is the room’s charming centerpiece. On labOr day Weekend: Kick off the weekend a day early at thursday’s “splash dance” with dada Life and morgan Page. Young phenom Porter robinson and steve aoki spin Friday, calvin Harris plays saturday and afrojack closes the show sunday.
HAze nigHTcLub
Aria Resort & Casino, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com With a 70-foot wall of lights and some of ve g as ’ f i er cest d a ncers, Ha z e is the destination for awe-inspiring live performances. InsIder Intel: every Friday night is an Ibizastyle escapade as dJs such as Laidback Luke, Bob
1 OAK: WireimAge; VAnity: eriK KAbiK; bOterO: AnthOny mAir
TAO
sinclair and mark Knight perform as part of “In the House.” On LabOr Day WeekenD: Boyz Noize play dance beats all night on Friday, grammy award-winning rapper t-Pain hits the stage saturday and Paul van dyk spins on sunday.
XS
Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.0097; xslasvegas.com dJs, celebrities and nightlife impresarios—you name it, they’ve all stamped this the “golden god” of megaclubs. about the only thing more impressive than Xs’s unique indoor-outdoor experience is the stunning crowds that pack the space night after dark. InsIDer InteL: Xs is home to 36 of the industry’s biggest dJs, including afrojack, calvin Harris, dada Life and steve aoki. On LabOr Day WeekenD: tiësto comes to party on Friday, with steve angello spinning on saturday. david guetta takes over sunday Night swim and deadmau5 closes out monday.
LiLy Bar & Lounge
The Bank
Bellagio, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com all that glitters really is gold in the Bellagio’s party palace. among other highlights, this hotspot is famous for staging the best industry parties on sunday night. InsIDer InteL: Work your way into the champagne room, where you’ll find 500 bottles of cristal lining the walls. On LabOr Day WeekenD: Ne-Yo hosts his album-release party with a live performance on saturday, and dJ eric d Lux plays an exclusive sunday-night set.
Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.3375; trystlasvegas.com a 90-foot-tall waterfall is the centerpiece of this posh nightlife venue. decorated in red snakeskin and gold, tryst has been a top destination since it opened in 2006. InsIDer InteL: If you hit it big in the casino, order tryst’s signature drink, the ménage à trois. a mixture of cristal rose champagne, Hennessy ellipse, 150-year-old grand marnier and 23-karat gold flakes, it’ll set you back $3,000. On LabOr Day WeekenD: max vangeli and aN21 kick off the weekend thursday, with afrojack spinning Friday and deadmau5 performing saturday.
SaviLe row
Luxor Las Vegas, 702.222.1500; luxor.com classy is an understatement when describing this London-inspired nightlife destination. Be sure to arrive dressed to the nines to fit in at savile row, which is adorned with crystal chandeliers and lush, velvety fabrics. InsIDer InteL: If you’re looking for a new goto drink, mixologists create specialty cocktails to suit your taste.
Marquee
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.333.9000; marqueelasvegas.com marquee is billed as the hottest of nightlife hotspots thanks to its cozy Library room, intimate BoomBox room and main floor, all of which
regularly host a weekend lineup of notable dJs. InsIDer InteL: Fifteen minutes before any house headliner takes over marquee, the club gives out free glow sticks. On LabOr Day WeekenD: marquee has a roster of top dJs. see avicii, Kaskade, Benny Benassi and martin solveig throughout the holiday weekend.
hyde BeLLagio
Bellagio, 702.693.7111; bellagio.com; sbe.com Hyde Bellagio is the first Las vegas nightlife venture by renowned hospitality leader sBe. It boasts a seamless indoor/outdoor space, floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive terrace that showcases the Fountains of Bellagio. Hyde has 40 vIP tables, a diverse rotation of dJs, live performances and the city’s most exclusive clientele. InsIDer InteL: starting at 5 p.m. daily, Hyde Lounge offers an exclusive early-evening experience, featuring sBe’s mixology program with a menu of small plates from circo.
1 oak
The Mirage, 702.693.8300; lightgroup.com Famed for catering to a-listers, 1 oaK lives up to its name: It really is one of a kind. InsIDer InteL: artist roy Nachum painted the surrealist works lining the walls. On LabOr Day WeekenD: rapper tyga is in the house Friday, followed by a special live sunday performance by childish gambino.
TaSTy deLighTS
You can’t last all night in the club without sustenance, and the newest spot to fuel up before heading out is Botero supper club. the steak house features a special small-plates menu after 9 p.m., transforming the space into a pre-party dining destination. chef mark Lorusso created a menu filled with dishes ripe for sharing, such as turkey and mozzarella meatball sliders and beef carpaccio rolls. a newly constructed dJ booth sits adjacent to the bar. But here’s what really appeals to clubgoers: specialty cocktails for just $6 a pop. Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, 702.770.7000; wynnlasvegas.com
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nightlife / la B o r day
Bellagio, 702.693.8300; bellagio.com If a tranquil and intimate lounge better suits your nightlife needs, head to Lily Bar & Lounge, where you can catch your favorite team on one of several Hdtvs dotting the space. InsIDer InteL: the lounge’s signature drink is as pretty as the decor. this Lily is made with vanilla vodka, prickly pear puree, lime, simple syrup and a pinch of ground clove. as for the lifelike lily that comes as a garnish? It’s made of gum paste … and it’s completely edible. Bottoms up!
TryST
aria resort & casino
hoTel hoT sheeT discover megAsuites, worLd-renowned restAurAnts And spA sAnctuAries Among the city’s resort oFFerings
CaesaRs palaCe
866.227.5938, caesarspalace.com roman rule lives on at this regal resort, which is adorned with majestic marble statues and all-white façades. enjoy an authentic Italian dinner at rao’s, or get some serious retail therapy by browsing the sprawling Forum shops, which boasts more than 160 boutiques and stores. InsIder Intel: take part in roman rituals at Qua Baths & spa where you can unwind in three distinct pools and the steamy Laconium room.
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877.551.7778; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com the pinnacle of contemporary luxury, the cosmo has you covered from top to bottom. Party at marquee Nightclub & dayclub, relax at sahra spa & Hammam, dine in one of 13 cuttingedge restaurants and sip cocktails at an array of stunning bars. If you can’t find something to do at the cosmo, check your pulse. InsIder Intel: redefine your idea of a power suit when you shop at stitched, an upscale men’s boutique offering personalized garments, impeccably tailored suits, jewelry and accessories.
mandalay Bay
877.632.7800; mandalaybay.com From the sandy shores of mandalay Bay Beach to the underwater experience at shark reef aquarium, mandalay Bay feels like a world away. complete your getaway with tickets to see carlos santana at the House of Blues. InsIder Intel: certified scuba divers with deep pockets—it’s $650 per plunge—are welcome to explore the 1.3-million-gallon aquarium at mandalay Bay’s shark reef aquarium, complete
with a shipwreck exhibit and live sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and tropical fish.
Red RoCk Casino, ResoRT & spa
866.767.7773; redrocklasvegas.com Near pristine golf courses and just minutes from the brilliantly hued red rock canyon, this dynamic resort proves there’s a lot to see away from the strip. revel in the 35,000-square-foot spa, chill out at the laidback lounges and bars, cool off in the relaxing pools, or refuel at any of the quality restaurants. InsIder Intel: experience the outdoors with the adventure spa at red rock resort, which offers excursions such as kayaking the colorado river, hiking through red rock canyon and horseback riding at Wilson cliffs—culminating with a soothing spa treatment, of course.
haRd RoCk hoTel & Casino
702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com Legendary pool parties, unforgettable concerts, tattoo-covered rockers—it’s all in a day’s work at the Hard rock. stay in the luxurious all-suite HrH tower, which comes with its own valet, spa and
AriA Lobby: FrAnces scott
la B o r day / HOTELS
The CosmopoliTan of las Vegas
check-in desk. Planning to leave on Sunday? Stick around for the infamous Rehab pool bash. You have to experience it to believe it. InsIder Intel: Party like a reality-TV star by booking the luxe Real World Suite. It comes fully loaded with a bowling lane, giant Jacuzzi, billiards table, multiple flat screens … and plenty of memories.
boutiques, Cirque du Soleil’s O and access to the exclusive Shadow Creek Golf Course. InsIder Intel: You can re-create the Bellagio experience at home by purchasing the Bellagio by Serta mattress, bedding, signature bath products and sumptuous bathrobe, all available at bellagioathome.com. If only it came with room service.
Wynn las Vegas
mandaRin oRienTal, las Vegas
702.590.8888; mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas This nonsmoking, nongaming hotel in CityCenter is the ultimate sanctuary from the chaos of the Strip, all while being in the center of the action. Rejuvenate your mind and body at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, which earned an esteemed Forbes five-star award. InsIder Intel: Head outdoors and rent a cabana at one of Mandarin Oriental’s pools, where you’ll be treated to a minibar, fresh fruit, sun-care amenities and plush robes.
877.321.9966; wynnlasvegas.com This vibrant resort from casino mogul Steve Wynn seamlessly combines opulence and excitement with an impressive assortment of lounges, bars and restaurants. For late-night partying with friends, reserve a coveted VIP table next to Tryst Nightclub’s spectacular 90-foot waterfall. InsIder Intel: Brush up on your wine knowledge at La Cave. The restaurant and wine bar has a Sommelier Night from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. every Saturday and Tasting Hour from 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday, when you can ask questions, taste wine and mingle with fellow oenophiles.
LA B O R DAY / HOTELS
Bellagio
888.987.6667; bellagio.com The archetype of classic elegance, this AAA Five-Diamond Award-winning resort is home to luxurious accommodations, decadent fine dining with James Beard Award-winning chefs, designer
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866.359.7757; arialasvegas.com This striking hotel in CityCenter features hightech rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, exciting nightlife venues (including Haze Nightclub and Gold Boutique Nightclub and Lounge), and popular dining destinations such as Jean Georges Steakhouse and BarMasa. InsIder Intel: Treat yourself like a VIP and book a Sky Suite, which comes with panoramic views of the Las Vegas Valley, plus perks such as limousine airport service, iPad or laptop use, and personalized concierge services.
Palms Casino ResoRT
The Palazzo
866.263.3001; palazzo.com Like its sister property, The Venetian, The Palazzo boasts all-suite accommodations, with remotecontrol Roman shades, a sunken living room and marbled bathrooms. Pamper yourself with a rejuvenating spa treatment at the glamorous Canyon Ranch SpaClub. InsIder Intel: Hungry for a slice? Head to Grimaldi’s in The Shoppes at The Palazzo and indulge in a pizza pie you won’t soon forget.
aRia ResoRT & Casino
VdaRa hoTel & sPa
866.745.7767; vdara.com Visitors looking for a unique (read: quiet) Vegas experience can find one at the allsuite Vdara Hotel & Spa, a nongaming, nonsmoking, eco-friendly resort with an 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness facility. Located at CityCenter in the heart of the Strip, guests looking to live it up have easy access to nearby nightlife, dining and gaming venues. InsIder Intel: Go wild with an exotic snakeskin pedicure at Vdara Spa & Salon, which uses real snakeskin and special Bio Sculpture Gel, which lasts up to eight weeks.
866.942.7770; palms.com Make your dreams come true at the Palms, where you can dance under the stars at Moon Nightclub and throw a Vegas-style party in one of the Fantasy Suites, such as the Kingpin Suite or Erotic Suite. InsIder Intel: As a little girl did you dream about living in Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse? Well, now you can do just that, if only for a few nights. The hot-pink Barbie Suite is decked out with Barbie dolls and signature patterns by Jonathan Adler.
The VeneTian
866.659.9643; venetian.com This all-suite resort transports guests to romantic Italy with its cobblestone walkways, intricate murals, cathedral-like ceilings and gondola rides through canals. Start the night with dinner at Tao Asian Bistro, then follow the sexy crowds upstairs to Tao Nightclub. InsIder Intel: Get up close and personal with the celebrities and dignitaries of yesterday and today at Madame Tussauds wax museum.
on a roll /
BOOK IT By maTT jacOB
Upscale hotels, luxury shopping, spectacular nightlife, mesmerizing production shows, fivestar restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs— there’s a lot to love about las Vegas, as my colleagues have explained in great detail on the preceding pages. But allow me to reveal a dirty little secret: You can find all these things in other major american cities, too. You know what you can’t find in those cities? a place that will (legally) accept wagers on sporting events. Sportsbooks remain exclusive to the state of nevada, and during a marquee event the energy and excitement rival a stadium or arena—and sometimes exceed it. Which is why, if you’re a sports fan, you can’t go wrong planning your next Vegas vacation around one (or all) of the following events. I can’t guarantee you’ll go home a winner, but I can promise you’ll never have more fun losing money.
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KicK Off the New Year
College football bowl games are as much a New Year’s tradition as hangovers and unplanned pregnancies. If you can shake yourself awake early enough, you’ll catch a half-dozen games—almost always involving high-profile, Top 25 programs—that begin at about 8 a.m. and end just in time to hit your first nightclub of the New Year.
the MadNess BegiNs!
There are two ways to enjoy the opening weekend of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament: 1) at your favorite sports bar around the corner, or 2) in Vegas, where—from the opening tip early on Thursday morning until the final buzzer sounds early Sunday evening—you get to bet on a total of 48 games (not to mention first-half and halftime wagers). On second thought: There’s only one way to enjoy the opening weekend of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament …
aNd awaY theY gO …
One of these years, I’ll dip into the savings account and actually attend the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Until then, you’ll find me in the next best place: a jam-packed sportsbook taking in the most exciting two minutes in sports—and praying I finally hit the trifecta.
the real super suNdaY
Fact: Super Bowl Sunday is the single craziest day in a Vegas sportsbook all year. Fact: The Super Bowl is just one commercial-filled four-hour game. Show up to the book on the opening Sunday of the NFL season, though, and you can watch (and wager on) 14 games shown on multiple high-def screens. Make an extended weekend out of it, and you get a full slate of Saturday college football games, plus Monday Night Football. After seven long, pigskin-less months, this is called nirvana!
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