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from the editor This month, I celebrate six years living in Las Vegas, and just in the last six months, I’ve had two life-changing concert experiences. Since this is the kickoff to our annual Music Issue, allow me to recount them for you.
2. Pink at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Not only is Pink, whose The Truth About Love tour stopped here in February, an amazing dancer and singer, but she also possesses acrobatic skills that rival that of a Cirque du Soleil performer. She literally few across the arena in a succession of aerial stunts—some she even performed upside down. Her presence is compelling and real. She’s a bit gritty and very saucy, but it all comes together in a brightly polished package without a bit of pretense. Plus, she is married to hometown boy Carey Hart, which doesn’t hurt her popularity status in Sin City. Whatever your musical taste, there is no shortage of bands to see when visiting Vegas this summer, and I hope at least one creates a lasting memory for you, in the way these two have made an impact on me.
The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tere is no better way to witness a concert than from one of the private second-foor boxes at Te Joint. Plush seats and a perfect, unobstructed view of the action make you truly feel like a vIP. and this year, Hard rock is celebrating the ffth anniversary of the new Joint. coincidentally, I was there for the opening-night performance of Te Killers in 2008. 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com Mandalay Bay Events Center If your favorite act is playing a big-arena show, hopefully it’s at this venue. Parking is convenient, and there really is no bad seat. If the floor seats are sold out, try finding a ticket right above it. I recently saw rihanna here, which was my third favorite vegas concert experience. mandalaybay.com The Pearl Concert Theater I highly recommend the skyboxes at the Pearl. What’s better than not having to wait in line for a cocktail? really, nothing. In addition to music acts, I’ve seen some great comedy shows here, including Lisa Lampanelli, Bill maher (who has a residency returning august 9) and an evening of rapid-fire quips with chefs anthony Bourdain and eric ripert. 702.944.3200; palms.com
tHe JoInt at Hard rocK HoteL
MELINdA SHECkELLS Editor-in-Chief Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated
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Ryan Reason; styling: nicole chandleR; haiR: MaRshall VanieRland; Makeup: natasha chaMbeRlin; dRess: dolce & gabbana, neiMan MaRcus, Fashion show; the Joint: eRik kabik
1. Prince at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. I have been a Prince fan since shortly after birth, and seeing him live was a dream fulflled. All built-in biases aside, I can honestly say this was the best concert I’ve ever attended. Channeling Jimi Hendrix in an afro, fringed jacket and bell-bottoms, the Purple One appeared in a mysterious haze with a guitar, a piano and an all-female band. Eschewing the video big screens that have become so prevalent at concerts, audience members were forced to watch the action as it unfolded onstage—not magnifed or amplifed. Prince was also very strict about cameras: Before the show began, everyone was warned multiple times the consequences of flming, and the venue staff was seen repeatedly removing people who were trying to sneak video or still shots. Over the course of his two nights in Vegas, Prince played four shows, each one different, according to diehard fans who attended all of them. His voice, instrumental prowess and presence are simply breathtaking. Normally, I take a trip to the ladies’ room when an artist plays lesser-known “new” material, but in this case, I stayed glued to my seat for the entire 90-minute-plus performance. The only thing missing: “Raspberry Beret.” But there’s always a next time … which can’t come soon enough.
Where i go to see live music
CONTRIBUTORS “WHAT’S YOUR VEGAS ANTHEM?” UNA LAMARCHE LaMarche is a Brooklyn-based writer whose work has appeared in The New York Observer, Gotham and The Huffington Post. Her debut novel, Five Summers, was released in May, and she’s writing a second, when she’s not busy chasing her toddler all over New York City. LaMarche has never been to Vegas, but that didn’t stop her from getting to know native band Imagine Dragons (Page 78). “I readily admit that I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I have always loved Frank Sinatra’s ‘Luck Be a Lady.’ It makes gambling sound so brassy and classy and trashy all at once, much like Ol’ Blue Eyes himself.”
TODD PETERSON When Peterson, who went behind the scenes at The Cosmopolitan’s music series for this issue (Page 72), frst landed in Las Vegas in 1998, home was a seedy rent-by-the-week motel room on East Fremont Street. He quickly upgraded to better digs, but when he left town a couple of years later, nothing much had changed Downtown. After more than 12 years away, mostly spent in NYC, the change east of the Fremont Street Experience was like sticker shock. “Everything happening Downtown is cool,” he says, “but I kinda miss the element of full-on danger.” “My original move here was more of a dare, really. I’d been bumming around the country, and part of the soundtrack to those travels was the Grifters’ album Full-Blown Possession. Its opening track, ‘Re-entry Blues,’ is an excellent nod to Sin City.”
JESSI C. ACUÑA For all the traveling and adventuring Acuña does, there is one thing Vegas/Rated’s editorial assistant refuses to do when she leaves town: see a Cirque du Soleil show. Growing up with Vegas’ version of the circus, it is too dear to her heart to experience anywhere but locally. You can imagine her excitement when she was asked to cover Cirque’s latest venture, Michael Jackson ONE (Page 24). “My Vegas anthems change seasonally, but one mainstay is anything by The Killers. Picking a local band may seem cliché, but their numerous references to my hometown are as authentic as any. Few can capture the pains and joys of living in such an electrifying city. When I want a piece of home, I know I’m just an album away.”
DAVID MORRIS Between working as an internal medicine resident at UC San Diego and covering the dining, nightlife and travel beats, Morris keeps busy. In addition to Vegas/Rated, he also contributes to askmen.com, Modern Luxury and Vegas Seven. For June, Morris explores Vegas’ biggest music festival, Electric Daisy Carnival (Page 88). “As for musical beats, I’m really excited about Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories, and ‘Get Lucky’ has already become a summer anthem.”
ANTHONY MAIR Mair hates bios but loves movies and Mila Kunis, and if he could take anyone’s picture it probably would be Leonardo DiCaprio’s. He likes creating a whole mood in a picture; if someone says it looks like a scene from a movie, he’s a happy chap. For this issue, Mair captures rock stars Imagine Dragons (Page 78) at the renowned Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater in Colorado and gets gritty in a Downtown motel for a rock-inspired fashion story (Page 34). “My song is Notorious B.I.G.’s ‘Living the Life.’ The hook goes: ‘Big cities and bright lights/short days and long nights/no stress and no strife/I’m high off living the life.’ It’s an anthem to live by.”
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T H E
W O R L D ’ S
P R E M I E R
C O L L E C T I O N
O F
L U X U R Y
Ryan T. DoheRTy | JusTin WenigeR PuBLisheRs assoCiaTe PuBLisheR eDiToR-in-ChieF aRT DiReCToR
michael skenandore melinda sheckells scott lien
Managing eDiToR
genevie durano
assoCiaTe eDiToR
matt jacob
CoPy eDiToRs eDiToRiaL assisTanT eDiToRiaL inTeRns
sean defrank, paul szydelko jessica acu単a camille cannon, ashley gates, yazmin kelley, amanda pamblanco, trey tagliaferri
ConTRiBuTing eDiToRs
grace bascos, geoff carter, michael shulman, xania woodman
ConTRiBuTing WRiTeRs
tiffany bosman, jen chase, sam glaser, maureen hank, una lamarche, david morris, todd peterson
gRaPhiC DesigneR senioR ConTRiBuTing PhoTogRaPheR ConTRiBuTing PhoTogRaPheRs
jesse sutherland anthony mair teddy fujimoto, andrew sea james, sabin orr, tomo
VP Business DeVeLoPMenT, Business DeVeLoPMenT DiReCToR
jacqueline bicknell christy corda
senioR aCCounT ManageR
nicole feely
aCCounT seRViCe ManageR
nicole bullis
DiReCToR oF PRoDuCTion/DisTRiBuTion aDVeRTising ManageR DisTRiBuTion CooRDinaToR
marc barrington james bearse jasen ono
Ryan T. DoheRTy | JusTin WenigeR ViCe PResiDenT, PuBLishing ChieF FinanCiaL oFFiCeR assisTanT ConTRoLLeR eDiToRiaL DiReCToR
michael skenandore kevin j. woodward donna nolls phil hagen
CReaTiVe DiReCToR
sherwin yumul
CReaTiVe DiReCToR CusToM PuBLiCaTions
benjamin ward
ViCe PResiDenT, MaRkeTing & eVenTs
kyle markman
eVenTs & PRoMoTions CooRDinaToR
robert opacki
iT DiReCToR geneRaL aCCounTing ManageR senioR aCCounTanT
francis Shiroma erica carpino luyin zeng
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Vegas/Rated速 is a registered trademark of Sandow Media, LLC and used in partnership with WENDOH Media Companies. Vegas/Rated (ISSN 2162-6340) Vol. 2, No. 10 is published monthly by WENDOH Media Las Vegas, NV.
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contents
voluMe 2 | issue 10
64 Pulse
v/Rated exclusives
dine
V/RATED 30 Discover the hottest headphones on the market
V/RATED Meet seven chefs who rock the kitchen
in stoRe & on tRend
Things To Do RighT now New and notable this month
19
PLAY Beat the heat at Wet ’n’ Wild
22
DinE 22 VDKA at Encore fnds strength in numbers RELAX 22 How to look like a bronze goddess wATCh 24 Cirque du Soleil celebrates the King of Pop with Michael Jackson ONE
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shoP
ChAsing ThE DREAm 34 If you want to be a rock star, you’ll need to dress the part
the culinaRy scene 46
46 Relax
68
86
watch
play
54
v/rated 64 Your guide to the hottest concerts and events this summer
v/rated 86 Beyond Electric Daisy Carnival: Insomniac has an event for every occasion
suite sensation 56 See how the other half lives in this presidential suite
the scene 72 Backstage at Te Cosmopolitan’s music series
the Guide 60 Treat yo’ self in the city’s best spas
meet 78 Imagine Dragons: Hometown band to play Life Is Beautiful festival
get away fRom it all v/rated Te concierge is your key to happiness
must-see conceRts
the Guide 81 Get excited for Life Is Beautiful
download:
need a theme song for your summer adventures? Check out our recommended downloads throughout the issue and discover today’s hottest music.
on the list
till the break of dawn See the festival unplugged
88
the Guide Meet these EDC frst-timers
92
ephemera An invite to Vegas’ past
96
ON the cOvers Imagine Dragons photographed by AnTHonY MAIr at red rocks Park and Amphitheater in Colorado ; Summer Music Issue photographed by AnTHonY MAIr at Vinyl in Hard rock Hotel & Casino.
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Exclusives
PHOTOGRAPH BY XX
PULSE vrated.com / 25
5. Clockwise from top left, opposite page: 1: Goco’s sketch of a “Triller“-inspired costume 2: Te actual costume, which lights up, with guts spewing out. 3: Goco’s sketch of a Jackson-inspired costume with the iconic shin guards; 4: Te actual costume; 5: One of many colors of the jacket for the warrior characters; 6: Gagné applies makeup to a performer during dress rehearsal; 7: Te ONE logo; 8: Goco shows of the intricacies of the paparazzi characters’ costume.
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ANTHONY FRANCO swimsuit anthonyfrancodesigns.com; AMERICAN APPAREL top Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood
shop emILIo PUccI dress Emilio Pucci in Te Shops at Crystals; vINtaGe earrings vrated.com / 35
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shop
playing hard to get On her: NovIS dress novisnyc.com; BLoNde amBItIoN shoes Shoooz in Te Forum Shops at Caesars; NaNIS ring nanis.it/en On him: doLce & GaBBaNa vintage suit; Prada shirt Prada in Te Shops at Crystals; GUccI shoes GUCCI in Te Forum Shops at Caesars; GotI ring antonioli.eu vrated.com / 37
Header Here the chasing ck n bla man i
On him: JoHN varvatoS shirt, belt, necklace, bracelets, shoes and ring (left hand) John Varvatos in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; vINtaGe pants; GLadYS tameZ hat gladystamez.com; room 101 ring (right hand) Stitched in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas On her: emILIo PUccI dress Emilio Pucci in Te Shops at Crystals; mIeZKo shoes miezko.com; JeWeLmINt ring jewelmint.com 38 / vrated.com
closing in On him: BILLY reId shirt billyreid.com; JoHN varvatoS jeans John Varvatos in Hard Rock Hotel; GotI ring antonioli.eu On her: eredaPPa dress eredappa.com; aLeXaNdre BIrmaN shoes alexandrebirman.com; emILIo PUccI purse Emilio Pucci in Te Shops at Crystals; JoHN varvatoS scarf John Varvatos in Hard Rock Hotel
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chord striking a On him: JoHN varvatoS vest, jeans and bracelet John Varvatos in Hard Rock Hotel; room 101 rings Stitched in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; GotI ring (index fnger) antonioli.eu On her: ereS lingerie Barneys New York in Te Shoppes at Te Palazzo Guitar courtesy of mark chatfeld, musician and vintage guitar dealer mchatfeld74@gmail.com 40 / vrated.com
WHERE TO BUY EMILIO PUCCI Te Shops at Crystals, 702.262.9671; emiliopucci.com PRADA Te Shops at Crystals, 702.740.3000; prada.com JOHN VARVATOS Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.6370; johnvarvatos.com STITCHED Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.698.7630; stitchedlifestyle.com SHOOOZ Te Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.734.7600 GUCCI Te Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.369.7333; gucci.com BARNEYS NEW YORK Te Shoppes at Te Palazzo, 702.629.4200; barneys.com
Photography aNtHoNY maIr amairphoto.com Photography assistant JoHN eStrada Stylist avo YermaGYaN avoyermagyan.com Stylist assistant armoNd HartoUNIaNS makeup NataSHa cHamBerLIN makeup supplied by mac coSmetIcS Hair BreeaNa dIULLo models SeaN & PaGe NEXT Management assistant camILLe caNNoN
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shop
living the dream On her: dINa JSr dress dinajsr.com; oSKLeN shoes osklen.com On him: PaUL & Joe shirt paulandjoe.com; BILLY reId pants billyreid.com; GotI ring antonioli.eu vrated.com / 43
Meet Jeremy Berlin created the pork Belly roll specifically for the gordon ramsay puB & grill menu.
rocking the kitchen get to know the chefs who really run the show By grace Bascos photography anthony mair
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even though beef rules at carnevino, don’t miss italian yellowtail crudo with aperol from nicole brisson.
steak is decidedly what’s for dinner if you’re eating with rob moore at Jean georges steakhouse.
Jean paul labadie reveals his puerto rican roots with his take on ropa vieja at todd english pub.
fresh pasta is a must at scarpetta, especially if it’s scott conant’s signature spaghetti.
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EvEryonE’s a vIP The Four seasons never offers vIP programs and instead treats everyone the same: presidential. an attentive concierge is available to all, as is the car service that’s good anywhere within a three-mile radius. vrated.com / 57
THE MIRAGE Whether you take in a show or dance all night in its nightlife destinations, there’s plenty to keep you busy inside this desert retreat. Spa Day: For premium treatments at a discounted price, mention “Radiant” at booking, then choose from a variety of massages, manicures and body treatments. 702.791.7111; mirage.com THE PALAZZO Te Palazzo boasts all-suite accommodations with remotecontrol Roman shades, a sunken living room and marbled bathrooms. Spa Day: Rehydrate at Canyon Ranch Spa’s Aquavana thermal environments and discover water in all its forms, from an aromatic steam room to invigorating rain to three Arctic mist experiences. 866.263.3001; palazzo.com PALMS CASINO RESORT At the Palms, 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. Spa Day: Try the Pineapple Paradise Wrap at Drift Spa and Hammam, a 50-minute ritual that includes a sensuous scalp massage and fragrant exfoliation. 866.942.7770; palms.com RED ROCK CASINO RESORT & SPA Just minutes away from Red Rock Canyon, revel in the 25,000-squarefoot spa, chill out at the laid-back lounges and bars, cool off in the relaxing pools or refuel at any of the quality restaurants. Spa Day: Red Rock’s Adventure Spa ofers horseback riding, hiking, kayaking, river-rafting, biking and
rock climbing. 866.767.7773; redrock.sclv.com VDARA HOTEL & SPA Those desiring a unique (read: quiet) Vegas experience can find one at the all-suite Vdara Hotel & Spa, a nongaming, nonsmoking, eco-friendly resort with an 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness facility. Spa Day: Go wild with an exotic snakeskin pedicure at Vdara Spa & Salon. The treatment uses real snakeskin and a special Bio Sculpture Gel, which lasts up to eight weeks. 866.745.7767; vdara.com THE VENETIAN Te all-suite resort transports guests to Italy with its cobblestone walkways, intricate murals and gondola rides. Start the night with dinner at Tao Asian Bistro, and then follow the sexy crowds upstairs to Tao Nightclub. Spa Day: Canyon Ranch SpaClub caters to your feet with signature remedies after a long day spent trekking the Strip. You’ll be walking on air after an 80-minute lower-leg rejuvenation. 866.659.9643; venetian.com WYNN LAS VEGAS Tis resort combines opulence and excitement with an 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. Spa Day: Why settle for two hands when at Wynn’s spa, two synchronized therapists whisk you into relaxation during the Four Hands Massage. 888.320.7123; wynnlasvegas.com
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V/Rated
ALABAMA SHAKES July 19 The Pearl at the Palms Tickets $45 702.942.7777; palms.com/ las-vegas-pearltheater
JULY
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Tickets start at $60, 702.632.7777; mandalaybay.com Back in the late 1980s, we called them “boy bands.” Today, we call them prescient. The pop R&B of New Kids on the Block (pictured), 98 Degrees and Boyz II Men pretty much set the tone for what constitutes modern pop music, and their sound holds up surprisingly well. A side note to all single dudes: If ever you’ve entertained the notion of hitting on the fans of these bands, have at it. They’re now way past legal age.
WIDESPREAD PANIC July 12-13 The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel Tickets start at $46 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com Here’s a cool thing: Widespread Panic picks a different playlist for every single show it plays. That means that during the Athens, Georgia-based jam band’s two-night stand at The Joint, it will play two shows that are entirely different from one another. The chance of you hearing all your favorite songs increases if you double down.
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july 19
Widespread panic: andy Temille; alabama shakes: pieTer m van haTTem
-13 july 12
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, 98 Degrees, BOYZ II MEN July 6 / Mandalay Bay Events Center
It’s easy, and cynical, to think of Alabama Shakes as being little more than a showcase for the distinctive singing of Brittany Howard or a Jack White vanity project. But this a true Southerninfused powerhouse of a band, one that’s going to go the distance by being true to its Alabama roots.
Exclusives
till the break of dawn
in the weeks before electric daisy carnival, the festival’s stages and attractions rise from the ground up
by david morris PhotograPhy tomo
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Exclusives PULSE vrated.com / 89
INSIDER INTEL/ PASQUALE ROTELLA, FOUNDER AND CEO OF INSOMNIAC
When electric daisy carnival moved from Los angeles to Las vegas in 2011, the man behind it all was soon to follow. Insomniac founder and ceo Pasquale rotella has been splitting time between the two cities ever since. Now he spends his time exploring local hot spots, caring for his fiancée (reality star Holly madison) and newborn daughter rainbow aurora, and, of course, planning the biggest electronic dance music experience to ever hit the city. the festival will surely keep you busy come nightfall, but whether you want to pass time downtown or shop on the Strip, heed rotella’s top picks. –Camille Cannon Where to eat “Piero’s and Golden Steer when I want an amazing dinner with family or friends. Peppermill and Pho Kim Long for after-hours grub. all of these places have a great atmosphere.” Piero’s, 355 Convention Center Dr., 702.369.2305; Golden Steer, 308 W. Sahara Ave., 702.384.4470; Peppermill, 2985 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702.735.4177; Pho Kim Long, 4029 Spring Mountain Rd., 702.220.3613
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Caspa / Alpha Omega London dubstep/bass leader caspa’s new album is cinematic and driving, pushing forward a sound instead of staying in the predictable stream. It comes in hard and marching with opener and title track “alpha omega” but continues to give the listener a full spectrum of sound. From the pumped-up “techno terry” to the booty-bouncing “on It,” the vocal-driven “Smoke and mirrors” and “one by one” featuring ayah marar and a reggae-toned “Let the rush Kick In,” there’s something for everyone. and if you’re someone with a wide range, this will satisfy all your taste buds in one sitting. also, check out the ofcial music video for “War” featuring Te Prodigy’s Keith Flint. Te Hits: “on It” featuring mighty High coup,” “War” featuring Keith Flint, “one by one” featuring ayah marar –tifany Bosman
Where to drink “commonwealth for the great drinks, cool rooftop patio and an intimate speakeasy feel. also, Park on Fremont for its delicious comfort food and teeter-totter out back.” Commonwealth, 525 Fremont St., 702.445.6400; Park on Fremont, 506 Fremont St., 702.834.3160 Where to play “red rock canyon for hiking and real results Fitness for a great workout.” Red Rock Canyon, 3205 State Highway 159, 702.515.5367; Real Results Fitness, 1201 S. Commerce St., 702.331.3172
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