Ammar Asim Faruq Harris, the suspect wanted in connection with last week's deadly Strip shooting, and resultant car crash, which left three people dead, has been apprehended in North Hollywood, reports CNN. For local coverage of the incident and the parties involved, check out columnist John L. Smith's recent articles in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Red Rock's central Lucky Bar has undergone a complete facelift. We haven't checked it out in person yet, but according to the press release, the walls have been removed to open up onto the casino, transforming the venue into a "sleek, verandah-style space". Gone is the dark-cherry decor, replaced with a palette of bright fall colors and metalics, plus new chandeliers and hi-def TVs. Sounds cool.
The second, $40-million phase of Bellagio's room-remodeling project, which was announced last summer (see "Today's News" 8/14/12) has been completed, with the remodel of 928 rooms in its Spa Tower. The upgrade includes the addition of energy-efficient lighting throughout, plus new fixtures and fittings that use renewable resources like wool and eucalyptus, plus the addition of three new including three new 2,500-square-foot Executive Parlor Suites, that come complete with a billiards lounge and home theater. The latest project is the continuation of a $70-million 3,387-room renovation project that was completed at the end of 2011.
It's been officially announced that as of May 15, the Florida will join 42 other states in selling tix to the Mega Millions lottery game, in addition to the Powerball and Florida Lotto tickets that are already available. Last March's $656 million Mega Millions jackpot, shared between three winners, remains the largest lottery payout of all time, while the last summer saw the Florida Lottery wrap the most financially successful year in its history, with sales of $4.45 billion.
What's still billing itself as the "New Tropicana" has upgraded its Trop Plus Players Club and is marking the launch with a month-long promo period through the end of March, including $150,000 in slot free play and prize giveaways for logged-in players (six winners will be chosen at random daily between noon and midnight), plus discounts for new and enrolled members that include 50 percent off beer, wine, and well drinks from 5-8 p.m. daily in the Lounge, twofer tix to the Laugh factory, and 10 percent of hotel-room rack rate. See the players club for more info.
Following the collapse of a deal in 2011 between Boyd Gaming and a company hoping to convert Boyd's Dania Beach jai alai fronton into a casino and deep-water marina (see "Today's News" 11/29/2011), comes an announcement today that a a new buyer for the facility has been found and has agreed to purchase the facility for $65.5 million in cash. Boyd once had designs on building its own casino complex on the land, but instead will use the money from the sale to pay off debt, among other things, said CEO Keith Smith in a statement.
Today's online edition of the Wall Street Journal carries an in-depth feature examining the possible outcome and ramifications of CET's recently announced possible plan to sell all or most of its online assets, among other things (see "Today's News" 2/5/2013), including an interview with newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Donald Colvin.
Further to today's question about full-service gas stations in Las Vegas, we just heard from a valley-wide company who'll happily pump your gas for you for no extra charge, so check out the update added to Question of the Day.
From redneck comedy to Broadway, via ecofriendliness, there's pretty much something for everyone this weekend. Here are some of the highlights:
Kokomo's Lounge, located between the front entrance and the casino, is now called the Lobby Bar and is open 24/7 daily. The restaurant, which closed last year, is due to reopen later this summer as Tom Colicchio’s Heritage Steak. Meanwhile, a new mini bar (as in, a small bar with seating for ten, as opposed to a small fridge stocked with overpriced peanuts) called True Pour has opened "in the cozy recesses" between Samba and The Watch Boutique, serving eight draught beers and a selection of cocktails and wine from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. daily (note that hours may change).
The March issue of the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter is now live online and it's a particularly awesome issue, if we do say it ourselves. With news of a top new video poker bar, a $1-oyster happy hour, all-you-can-eat caviar -- buffet-style, how to catch two great shows for $10, and an ATM machine that actually pays you to take money out, we're not sure how A.C. does it, but he outdid himself this month, so check it out, Vegas deal hunters!
Simon Malls, which own and operate numerous high-end retail complexes around the nation, including the Forum Shops at Caesars, is looking for literate fashionistas around the nation to blog as local "Style Setters". If you think you've got what it takes, click here for more information and to fill out an application.
That popular bar-renovation show is at it again this week, with another struggling Las Vegas watering hole in need of your help. So, if you're at a loose end tomorrow night and want in on some reality-TV antics, get your drinking head on over to the The Hammer (3990 W. Russell Rd.) by around 10 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) night. (Tip: These things often run behind/over schedule, so be prepared to hang out for a few hours.)
Yes, we've made it onto top-city lists for most stupid, unemployed, dirty, depressed, foreclosed-on, dangerous to pedestrians, badly dressed, and allergy-inducing, but following our recent #3 ranking on the Valentine's Day list of "Sexiest Cities" comes word that, according to the habits and interests of the 25 million users of the Stumble Upon social media site, Las Vegas comes in at #7 on the list of Top Ten Healthiest Cities in the U.S., beating out Sacremento, L.A., and Gainesville. Miami came in at #1, ahead of Fort Lauderdale and Boston. Who would've thought?
The "Kats Report" in last Friday's LV Sun also has word that the Red Rock Amphitheater closed quietly last October, ahead of the more publicized shuttering of GVR's Ovation Lounge. Word is that RR will focus its entertainment lineup on the Backyard Pool area, until further notice.
Rumors abound today that Louie Anderson is departing the Palace Station Showroom, where his Big Baby Boomer show has been performing. Guest comedians have been filling in for the larger-than-life comic while he took part in celebrity-diving reality show "Splash!", he has an upcoming tour of the Midwest and South kicking off March 14 and running through May 19, but the word on the street is that he won't be returning. When we called the Bonkerz Comedy Club box office at Palace, we were told tix are available for his show on March 21, 22, 28, 29, and 30, but according to Louie's own website, he has performances in Lexington, Kentucky on 28 through 30, so unless he has a secret time machine, our advice is that if you want to take advantage of the twofer ticket option in the 2013 Member Rewards Book, catch those March 21 and 22 shows. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything else that clarifies the confusion, but according to John Katsilometes in the LV Sun, the showroom may be closing for good, since no gigs are booked there for the rest of the year, following Louie's apparent double-booking on March 30.
First it was Cosmo (see "Today's News" 1/16/2013), then Caesars Ent. (see "Today's News" 2/21/2013), and now comes word that as of March 1, South Point will be jumping on the resort-fee bandwagon. The mandatory charge will be $14/night ($12.50, plus tax), and for many people this might be good value, since the existing daily charge for Internet access is $12.99, and the resort fee will also cover boarding-pass printing, access to the fitness center, local/toll-free calls, airport shuttle to and from the property (currently complimentary), valet parking, and a funbook that contains offers like 50% off the buffet, complimentary showroom admission, and free cocktails (but no gaming offers).
Several Las Vegas taxi companies have come together to offer a $35,000 reward for information leading to the the arrest of Amar Harris, who's wanted for three counts of murder following last week’s fatal shooting on the Strip of rapper and pimp "Kenny Clutch," which also resulted in the deaths of a cab driver and his passenger. Click here for more information.
Robin Leach is reporting in his Vegas DeLuxe blog that a team of four E.R. pros will be opening an hangover-curing "salon" in the subterranean shopping mall area at MGM Grand early this summer, following an apparently successful test run in Miami. The "hangover spa" will offer intravenous or oral remedies to cure all the ill effects of excess and jetlag, from prices starting at $150.
This led us to wonder whatever happened to Hangover Heaven, the similar concept that took to the streets of Sin City in a "hangover bus" around a year ago. While the phone number wassn't working when we just tried it, they're still tweeting and the website/blog looks live enough, with recent tips on hangover avoidance and cures, so we assume both their mobile and office-based clinics (the latter's located across the street from Spearmint Rhino) are still up and running.
Las Vegas Weekly has details of the just-announced summer "Set Your Life to Music" pool-concert series at Cosmopolitan's Boulevard Pool, which kicks off Thursday, April 18 with Hot Chip with Four Tet ($26).
Park on Fremont is due to debut next month as the latest addition to the Fremont East nightlife scene. The 5,000-square-foot gastropub/artsy hangout, brought to us by a group of local entrepreneurs, including the businessmen behind behind Wendoh Media (Vegas Seven, Commonwealth etc.) and Insomniac Events, will offer indoor and outdoor dining, music, and art (and reminds us conceptually of a long-gone and much lamented beatnik bar in south London called Fungus Mungus that probably no one reading this has ever heard of).
After numerous postponements, "Muppet-sized, sequin-styled international Lady Killer" (that's the official description) CeeLo Green will actually arrive, with much fanfare, at Planet Hollywood tonight. Since his "surreal, supernatural, sexified" brainchild LOBERACE opens tomorrow, we sure hope he makes it this time. Fans and visitors are encouraged to be on hand in front of the resort to greet the "megasuperstar," who's due to arrive at 8 p.m.
CET's official blogger has spilled the beans on the latest tenant confirmed for the LINQ complex, currently under construction at center-Strip. F.A.M.E. will be a two-story Asian night market and lounge, which, if it comes off even half authentically, should be a cool place to hang out, people watch, and of course eat (we're really hoping they have fried locusts, larvae, and 'roaches on the menu, which will totally take this news column back to a drunken eating dare in Bangkok...). If you're not familiar with the concept of night markets, check out Pulse of Vegas blog.
Today's Question of the Day revisits a topic we haven't covered in a while, namely which hotels in Las Vegas have in-room coffee makers, which don't, and why. Aside from being informative for anyone who likes to enjoy a morning coffee in their pjs, without having to trek downstairs or order room service, the "why" part is a more interesting read than you might think. Thanks to the readers who are writing in with their thoughts and experiences, too, some of which we're adding as "Updates" to today's answer.
In this week's column, Bob Dancer expounds about the concept of Expected Value, in relation not to video poker but to a blackjack promotion he played recently. While discussing a table game is a break from the norm for the video poker expert, the principals of EV are universal and apply not just to gambling, but to decision-making in life in general, so it's worthwhile checking out Dancer's latest, whether you're a player or not.
Downtown's El Cortez, which first opened in 1941, has been named to the National Register of Historic Places, the official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation, to which the iconic "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" was also added, back in 2009.
Casa de Shenandoah, the estate of "Mr Las Vegas" headliner Wayne Newton, is now officially on the market, following approval from a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge, although the entertainer and his wife are appealing the decision and the terms of the sale are complicated by ongoing grazing rights for Newton's herd of Arabian horses, and ongoing leases on the three homes located on the estate.
The sale comes as a result of the breakdown in relations between the Newtons and CSD, the company that was to convert the estate into a theme park. Potential buyers are required to post a 5 percent cash deposit of their proposed price by May 15 with broker Cheryl Kypreos of Nathan & Associates. An auction is scheduled to be conducted on May 31.
Tickets go on sale this Frida for Trent Reznor's collective project How to Destroy Angels' April 13 live performance at the Pearl at the Palms, which will kick off a North American tour, following the band's Coachella debut. Tix are $30, plus fees.
MOzen Bistro at Mandarin Oriental in CityCenter has launched a new "Jazz Sundays" brunch for $58, featuring sushi, a seafood station including crab claws and Kumomoto oysters, live carving options, traditional Dim Sum, entrees, and desserts, plus live jazz and a special cocktail menu. All-you-can-drink Veuve Cliquot Champagne is available for an additional $35 per person (or $19 mimosas). Brunch is served from noon – 2:30 p.m.
Argo is a big -1500 favorite to win Best Picture at tonight's Acadmey awards. Daniel Day Lewis is a monster -8000 to win Best Actor for Lincoln, Jennifer Lawrence is -400 to win Best Actress for Silver Lingings Playbook, Christopher Waltz is -105 to win Best Supporting Actor for DJango Unchained, and Anne Hathaway is a Lewis-esque -8000 to win Best Actress for Les Miserables.
The historic unincorporated town of Searchlight, located about 40 miles south of Las Vegas, is for sale. Owned by the Doing family since 1967, the package consists of 41.13 acres and includes the Searchlight Nugget Casino and the 21-room El Rey Motel, along with all associated mineral rights. It's yours for $4.99 million.
A stoplight and crosswalk have been approved for the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign in an attmept to increase pedestrian safety there. Alternate proposals for bridges, or even a relocation of the sign to the west side of Las Vegas Boulevard, were rejected. The crosswalk will be built as part of an overall expansion of the sign's parking lot, which is expected to be in place by early 2014.
Ronda Rousey is a prohibitive -1200 favorite over Liz Carmouche in the first ever UFC Main Event featuring females. In the other featured fights, Lyoto Machida is -255 over Dan Henderson and Urijah Faber is -410 over Ivan Menjivar.
MGM Resorts International, which currently has $13.6 billion in long-term debt, is considering divesting itself of some non-gaming Vegas assets, CEO Jim Murren has confirmed, with a sale of the high-end Crystals mall in CityCenter already having been under discussion, although no deal is imminent, apparently.
The state's gaming regulators have announced that they will award two casino licenses, one in February and one in March ... of 2014. The licenses will be for Western Massachusetts and the Boston area. There was no timetable given for the naming of the state's third licensee.
New reports indicate that the main purposes of the gambling bill passed this week were to repeal an existing law barring interstate online gambling and give Nevada the ability to offer online play across state lines when other states eventually legalize it. As of now, only poker has been authorized for online play in Nevada, so we assume that poker is the only game to which the new bill currently applies. We'll continue to provide updates as we get them.
The SHe nightlife venue, located above the restaurant of the same name in the space formerly occupied by Eva Longoria's Beso in Crystals, has closed less than two months after opening and will be converted into some kind of special-events venue. SHe steakhouse, owned by Morton's with Longoria as its public face, remains open.
The new tribute to Michael Jackson by Cirque du Soleil, due to open in May at Mandalay Bay, will be named Michael Jackson One, it's been announced. The production, which has already passed through Las Vegas on tour, as a prelude to settling in its permanent home, had previously been dubbed The Immortal and has also been undergoing some stylistic changes, it's being reported.
Former WSOP champ and Full Tilt Poker co-founder Chris "Jesus" Ferguson has settled with federal prosecutors to the tune of millions of dollars, in the wake of the civil lawsuit filed by the DoJ alleging that he and his partners in online gambling site Full Tilt Poker defrauded customers out of almost half a billion dollars.
Coco Austin has extended her contract with Peepshow, the long-running topless show at Planet Hollywood, through July, it's been announced. Her guest-starring role was originally scheduled to end in March.
Nevada has become the first state to pass a bill legalizing online gambling. Assembly Bill 114 was rushed through process in order to keep Nevada ahead of other states that are close with similar legislation. While it's been assumed that legalization would target poker, there's no language in the bill that stipulates which gambling games might be included or not. Clarifications should be forthcoming as regulations are put in place by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Here's what we've heard so far in terms of promos around town -- we'll post more if we hear about 'em:
Now through March 15, locals can purchase half-price admission to the Madame Tussauds wax museum at Venetian when tickets are purchased online, with a minimum purchase of two tickets ($12.98 each, with discount). Out of state visitors will still receive a 20 percent discount for tix bought online. (Non-locals: We have a twofer offer that works for anyone in the 2013
No, not Barack Obama, but George Washington, thanks to a belated Presidents' Day celebration by the Nevada State Museum at the Spring's Preserve, which is hosting a live presentation exploring the life of the first President of the United States tonight, who recently celebrated his 281st birthday.
The presentation, hosted by historians from Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens in Virginia, consists of 90 minutes of "historical theater" featuring three costumed performers playing significant characters from the president's life, including Dr. James Craik, surgeon general of the United States and Washington's best friend; an enslaved housemaid known only as Caroline, who attended to Washington in his final hours; and Billy Lee, his valet, who rode with him throughout the Revolutionary War and was the only slave freed outright in Washington's will. The program, which is free to attend, starts at 7 p.m. at the museum, located at Valley View just south of the US 95.
It's a strangely ecclectic lineup this weekend; but, then again, it's been a pretty bizarre week:
The CeeLo red-carpet arrival event scheduled to take place this evening from 7 p.m. at Planet Hollywood, and to which fans were invited, has been postponed due to this morning's deadly shooting incident. A new date for the grand entrance is being scheduled, and while the latest delay would seem to be a legitimate response to outside factors, anyone watching the history of CeeLo Green is LOBERACE will hardly be surprised by another postponement, since according to the original announcements last spring, the entertainer was already meant to have completed his run in the desert, which was scheduled to take place starting Aug. 29, 2012 and wrap Dec. 29. The show's debut on the Strip is now slated for Wednesday, Feb. 27.
Here, verbatim, is the official statement from Caesars Entertainment corporate spokesman Gary Thompson, with regard to the rumored -- now confirmed -- introduction of resort fees at CET properties:
"Resort fees at Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas resorts will begin March 1st and vary based on resort ranging from $10-25 and offer a mix of amenities and services, including Wi-fi, local calls, and fitness center access. The resort fees are in line with standard practices by many resorts in Las Vegas and worldwide.
"Based on the current industry standards in the market and evaluation of the services our guests choose and use, a comprehensive package of bundled services and amenities proves to be the best and most meaningful value to our guests. This is in response to the increasing demand from our guests to provide a package price instead of the inconvenience of separate fees. We continue to do all we can to provide our guests with the best value, best products and best experiences in Las Vegas."
We can also confirm that the new resort-fee policy will also apply to Caesars' Lake Tahoe properties, but so far has not been extended to other markets. We have a couple more questions in to the PR department and will pass on the responses if we hear anything of additional interest or use. Anthony Curtis will comment in more detail in the March issue of the LVA newsletter, which is in production as we write.
It's been several hours since we first posted about the fallout from last night's deadly shooting outside the former Bill's, but a friend of LVA's who just got caught up in the road closures confirms that there's still no access to traffic at the Flamingo/Las Vegas Boulevard intersection, so avoid the area at all costs until further notice.
As an aside, according to his latest tweet, it sounds like Eating Las Vegas author Al Mancini was actually a witness to the incident this morning and spent "three and a half hours shivering at a crime scene." We'll pass it on if we hear anything more from Al.
Stay tuned! We just received a call from Caesars Entertainment's corporate HQ and will be receiving all the facts about the new resort fees -- which as of that phone call can now be considered official -- any moment now.
It was Wednesday afternoon that we first caught wind of a breaking story that Caesars Entertainment was pulling a complete volte-face and that after a long-running "no resort fees" campaign, which included having indignant showgirls from Jubilee! stopping Strip traffic to protest the iniquities of other hotels' mandatory nightly add-ons, not to mention former Peepshow star Holly Madison prominently displaying the "No Resort Fees!" rallying cry on the bosom of a custom t-shirt, the company would be implementing nightly resort fees ranging from $10-$25 at all of its Las Vegas properties, commencing on or shortly after March 1.
Some calls placed immediately to a number of CET-property front desks were consistently met with reactions ranging from bewildered ignorance of any such move, to passionate denial, and when calls and emails to both CET corporate PR and the Vegas.com blogger who originally posted the story went un-returned, we held off posting the story assuming official confirmation or denial would follow shortly. But not only did no response materialize from any source overnight, but today the blog entry in question has mysteriously vanished. There have, however, been other tangential indications that the story is legit. But in the ongoing absence of any official comment, we can only continue to report on the speculation. Watch this space for updates.
Three people were left dead this morning, and several more hospitalized, following a dramatic shooting incident in the southbound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard at approximately 4:30 a.m. outside the shuttered Bill's casino. According to reports, a passenger shooter in a black Range Rover Sport opened fire on a Maserati, killing the driver and injuring the passenger, which resulted in the Maserati colliding with three other vehicles, including a taxi which exploded in a fireball, killing both the driver and passenger. The perpetrators in the SUV escaped the scene and currently remain at large.
The intersection at Flamingo and the Strip is expected to be closed for the foreseeable future as the investigation into the incident continues.
Liquid, the adult "pool lounge" at Aria and Bare, the intimate topless party pool at Mirage, will both debut for the summer season on March 14, it's just been announced. Both will be open for limited days of the week until April 21, and April 30, respectively; thereafter they'll be open daily.
While we await confirmation regarding a huge, but as yet unconfirmed story, that's rocking the blogsphere, here's some totally unrelated good news: The new westside Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas water park, located at 7055 S. Fort Apache, is now taking online applications for 300+ seasonal workers, including supervisor positions, for positions including admissions, life guards, food and beverage, and security.
Thursday, Feb. 21 will finally see the much-awaited arrival of CeeLo Green at Planet Hollywood, ahead of the opening of CeeLo Green is LOBERACE on Feb. 27. Fans are encouraged to be on hand tomorrow evening from around 7 p.m. to officially welcome the star to his new Vegas home.
The Mirage is in the process of installing state-of-the-art Sony 4K Ultra HD screens to its sports book, as we type, for 85-foot wide and 16-foot high display, so if you're looking for 8 million pixels of sports action, this is the place for you.
Less than twelve months after it opened, years behind schedule but with much fanfare, Atlantic City's troubled Revel resort-casino has announced that it will file for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late March, having reached an agreement to convert $1 billion of its $1.5 billion in debt into equity for lenders, reports The Associated Press. The ambitious project, which took the radical step of banning smoking outright and sought to attract business-leisure travelers as opposed to the more typical Atlantic City slot player, has been on a losing streak since it debuted last April, not helped by the general malaise that the New Jersey gaming destination has been experiencing for some years -- a trend that the city and its casinos is working hard to reverse with creative new marketing initiatives.
This Saturday, Feb. 23, Krave nightclub, currently housed in Crown at the Rio, will be hosting auditions for "go go boy dancers" for the new Krave Massive venue that's slated to open downtown. DJ Lisa Pittman will be providing the tunes.
While nobody called Oprah and its contents didn't include any gold bars or mob secrets, the safe that the new owners of downtown's historic Atomic Liquor -- proud owner of the oldest liquor license in town -- recently discovered during renovations did contain some items of historic curiosity that appear to be more interesting than whatever "secret" the much-hyped hidden safe discovered at Bill's Casino in Lake Tahoe contained (see QoD 2/4/2013), including a 1950s receipt for just $300 for 20 cases of booze and an old newspaper ad they plan to re-run when the bar reopens as The Atomic later this spring, which apparently simply boasts "beer, bar, the coolest spot in town". The owners plan to display the memorabilia and put a piece of glass over the safe, which was found in the floor, as reminder of the venue's history, "Fox5 News" reports.
Las Vegas locals dining at Mood restaurant at the Artisan from Feb. 7 to April 30 will receive 30% off their meal.
Starting next Wednesday, Feb. 27, as part of the Spring Break festivities, Señor Frog’s at TI will hold weekly "Glow Party Wednesdays," for which the entire upper level of the bar will be transformed into a black light/glow bracelet/body paint wonderland, with a staggering array of drink specials and an open bar for females from 9 to 11 p.m.
The rumor that the Top of Binion's Steakhouse, or even the casino itself, might close this summer turned out to be just that -- a rumor. "Neither the casino nor the steakhouse is closing" says Binion's owner Terry Caudill, who called us diretly to set the record straight. "We have minor projects slated for the summer, but they're all positive improvements and there will be no interruption in operations." That's good news, and if you haven't yet tried the rooftop steakhouse, be sure to give it a try using the the 25% discount in the LVA Member Rewards Book.
In this week's column, video poker expert Bob Dancer addresses the story of the gambling scandal involving former San Diego mayor Maureen O'Connor, who reportedly lost one billion dollars playing video poker, and takes serious issue with the reliability of the "facts" at the center of the story (while sharing some useful tidbits about record-keeping that are relevant to any player).
Hooters Restaurant at Hooters Casino, which formerly opened at 11 a.m., is now open 24/7 and serving breakfast. (Don't forget, we have an exclusive "50% off your stay" deal in the 2013 2013 Member Rewards Book, valid for up to three nights, and Hooters rates are usually very competitive, especially for a just-off-the-Strip hotel, even without a discount!)
In a weird coincidence of timing/possible "jinxing" by LVA, after our Jan. 24 "Today's News" item announcing that "Coyote Ugly is Hiring," which prompted us to realize we'd heard so little (i.e., nothing) about the place in so long we subconsciously assumed it was already long-gone, comes word today, via Las Vegas Weekly, that the bar will indeed close its doors at some point later this month, although New York-New York owners MRI have yet to confirm this officially. A case of of left-hand, right-hand, or were they simply unable to find that "next generation of 'coyotes'" during last month's live auditions?
Following our posting in this column last week that an Adele impersonator was being added to the lineup in Frank Marino's Divas Las Vegas comes word, again from Robin Leach, this time with subsequent back-up from Perez Hilton, that the real Adele may be heading for a Las Vegas residency, with the encouragement of her recent mentor Elton John.
Celine Dion has been forced to cancel performances of her shows at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace from Tuesday, Feb. 19, 20, and 22 due to a sinus infection. Those who purchased tickets with a credit card for the cancelled performances will be automatically refunded; anyone who bought with cash may present their ticket9s) at the original point of sale for a refund, while anyone who purchased via Ticketmaster should call 1-877-4-CELINE.
The "Queen of Comps" herself Jean Scott just wrote to us with a valuable update to today's Question of the Day regarding the best sources for finding up-to-date information about players club promos, for both new and existing members, so check it out.
As far as we can tell, no one in Las Vegas is doing any promos for National Pancake Month, nor National Cherry Month (see @LVA_Tweet -- we'll keep you posted if anyone comes forward, or is shamed into coming up with a deal ... c'mon, this is Vegas!) However, it's just come to our attention that Due Forni, the only pizzeria to make it into the "Essential 50" restaurant list in the Eating Las Vegas 2013 restaurant guide, IS celebrating National Wine Day, with a free carafe/bottle of wine tonight for all fans who "Like" them on Facebook and order a dine-in pizza. (Who needs pancakes or cherries now?)
More from the Vegas gossip mill, this time courtesy of the R-J's Norm!, who reports that rumors are flying that event giant Live Nation has purchased the Electric Daisy Carnival, and that Eli Roth's Goretorium, the "permanent" hardcore house of horror in the Harmon Corner Retail Center, may be closing. (Whoever could have guessed that? See "Today's News," 1/18/2012.)
Tomorrow "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks will host a Google+ Hangout (virtual social meet-up) with 10 fans, hosted by Paris, where the singer's show is now performing in Napoleon's Lounge. Click the link to see if you qualify to be chosen for one of the ten spots; if you do, you can fill in the application form for a chance to be selected.
Downtown's Mob Museum has some job openings, including in the box office, store, and marketing department. Click the link for details and to apply.
The plot continues to thicken on the whole Britney Spears/Las Vegas-residency front, with word today from celebrity-gossip guru Robin Leach, in his Vegas Deluxe blog, that an unnamed Strip nightclub (our money's on ********) has now entered the fray in the race to woo Ms Spears. Up until now, Planet Hollywood had emerged as the likely favorite, but with money reportedly not an issue for the latecomer to the table, who's willing to match and raise PH's offer, the final decision will apparently rest with the pop diva.
Although revenues were down at half of its 10 casinos, including Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs and Mount Airy, overall Pennsylvania experienced a 12 percent uptick in gaming revenue in January, with the state evidently still experiencing success at the expense of Atlantic City, whose gambling halls continue to struggle in the face of neighboring competition, among other factors.
The West is a -2.5 favorite over the East in tonight's NBA All Star game. The total is a lofty 295, down from a high of 297 earlier.
Trump Plaza in Atlantic City has been sold to a California company for $20 million. The bargain-basement price is the lowest in the history of Atlantic City and leaves Donald Trump with just one casino, the Taj Mahal, from his one-time Boardwalk empire. Trump Plaza cost $210 million to build in 1984.
Several offshore sports books are taking bets on who will be the next pope. There's a lot of diversity in the lines, but the favorite in most spots is Peter Turkson at about 2-1, followed by Marc Oulette and Angelo Scolla, each at slightly over 4-1. Meanwhile, Loto-Quebec, has prohibited betting on the event, in part because Cardinal Oulette is from Quebec.
Buffalo Bill's at the state line in Primm has completed a $2 million renovation that upgraded the rooms and casino floor. An improved poker room and William Hill sports book have also been opened.
Sapphire Pool & Dayclub, the new adult (non-topless) pool from the gentlemen's club of the same name, is holding an open casting call on February 18 and 19th, from 11 a.m. to three p.m., and again from 5 to 9 p.m. Positions to be filled include: lifeguards, cocktail servers, bartenders, barbacks, cabana attendants, go-go dancers, porters, cashiers, security, VIP hosts, promoters, models, and hostesses.
For a candid, informative, and totally (at times brutally!) honest guide to navigating the Las Vegas adult-entertainment scene, check out Topless Vegas, a fully-illustrated guide that includes reviews and details for every strip club, topless pool, and adult review.
The cover story in today's LV Review-Journal suggests there's big trouble for the Krave Massive LGBT nightclub planned for the Neonopolis complex downtown. Finanacial and management problems are alleged and the already delayed nightclub is, at best, unlikely to meet its announced March opening date.
After a six-year stint in Las Vegas, the Miss America pageant is returning to Atlantic City. The fit with Sin City didn't work for the pageant, which reportedly wants to project a more conservative image.
The Fremont Street Experience has debuted a new show on the LED canopy titled "Heart -- Crazy on Vegas. It features footage from live performances by the rock band Heart and features their hits "Magic Man, "Barracuda," and "Crazy on You." Viva Vision shows run daily on the hour from 7 p.m. to midnight.
The former Sand Dollar Lounge at 3355 Spring Mtn. Rd. is now Bar 702, following a transformation that will be chronicled on the TV show Bar Rescue. Anthony Curtis was brought in to improve video poker play and as a result the bar now offers some of the best schedules available in any bar in town. The show will air on Spike TV some time this summer.
Members of band Linkin Park will host an autograph-signing session tonight at 7 p.m. inside Club Tattoo (co-owned by Chester Bennington) in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
America's Got Talent Live in Las Vegas returns to the Palazzo Theater for a seven-week engagement beginning Feb. 25. Tickets, which start at $45, are on sale now.
This weekend marks the grand opening of Heraea, the new sports bar and restaurant at the Palms, and to celebrate the debut, employees and guests of the hotel receive 25% off their meal tab today and tomorrow.
Tonight, from approx. 10:30 p.m., that "popular bar renovation" television show that's been filming this week is looking for players and drinkers to make up the crowd at the totally new-look Sand Dollar Lounge (Polaris and Spring Mountain). So, if you'd like to be on TV, email [email protected] for additional info.
It's very rare to see a discount on O by Cirque du Soleil, but we've just learned that the 20%-off deal we highlighted in our Feb. 1 LVA Gold deals weekly newsletter, which originally ran through the end of this month only, now has available dates through April 7th. So, hurry and snap up this rare opportunity for a deal on O tix.
Having exited Caesars Palace to make way for one of Gordon Ramsay's new ventures, chef Bradley Ogden will be returning to Las Vegas this May with a new concept at Tivoli Village, which is rapidly becoming quite the culinary destination. Hops & Harvest will take over the spot formerly occupied by Bottles & Burgers (hopefully they'll be able to recycle the ampersand), serving a signature Ogden farm-to-table-style menu. Other new restaurants coming to the west-side retail complex include Pizza Lounge, due to open next month, and to be joined later this summer by Echo & Rig this summer, an "old-school style steakhouse and butcher shop" concept out of L.A.
All the Las Vegas Caesars Ent. properties will be hosting dragon dances over the next couple of days in honor of the Lunar New Year. Caesars Palace has been celebrating this Asian festival since 1975 and this year will mark the commencement of the Year of the Snake with property-wide festivities. On Saturday at 5 p.m. Rao's restaurateur Frank Pellegrino, Jr., will initiate initiate the Lion Dance by painting the eyes on the lion at 5 p.m. this Saturday. The hotel has been decked out in traditional red and gold decorations, including cherry blossoms and lanterns, and firecrackers will be lit to ward off evil spirits as the dance parades through the property. There are also two exclusive live concerts by "Cantopop" star Sandy Lam on Feb. 16 and 17 at 8 p.m. at The Colosseum, while Beijing Noodle No. 9 will be offering a traditional Chinese New Year menu through Feb. 24.
Eight other Lion Dances will also take place across the city at Caesars' sister properties. Here's the schedule:
Friday, Feb. 15
5 p.m. at Harrah’s
6 p.m. at The Quad
7 p.m. at the Flamingo
9 p.m. at the Rio
Saturday, Feb. 16
Noon at Planet Hollywood
1 p.m. at Paris
2 p.m. at Bally’s
5 p.m. at Caesars Palace
We received an intriguing email from a reader this morning, indicating that they'd recently heard from a long-time member of staff at Binion's that either just the steakhouse, or perhaps the entire property, would be closing this July. Since that was the first we'd heard of what would be pretty major news, we were reluctant to post any such rumor, but then additional coverage came to our attention, courtesy of the downtown ear-to-the-ground fremontstreetbars.com blog, that rumors are circulating of a major renovation -- perhaps à la Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon -- that could involve everything from remodeling and reopening the hotel tower, to redesigning the casino floor, to the addition of a nightclub and a showroom. We hasten to add that none of these plans has been officially confirmed, or even mentioned, so far as we know, by owners TLC Casino Enterprises; we'll keep you posted if we we hear anything more substantial.
What could be more romantic than a bonus-point promotion? Hence, today enjoy 2X points on video poker, 10X points on penny reels, and 5X points on all other reels at South Point.
The pool at the Golden Nugget, which boasts a shark tank with a water slide running through the middle of it, has been picked by TripAdvisor as #8 on a list of 10 incredible hotel pools, as recommended by readers of the site.
There’s no shortage of special ways to celebrate Valentine's Day in Las Vegas -- you can check out all the parties and other romantic (and not-so-romantic) options in today's Question of the Day. Here are some of this weekend's other entertainment highlights:
Clubs will be hopping and restaurants are offering special deals all around town. Be sure to check today's Question of the Day for all of today's happenings.
It was only yesterday that we tweeted about the special Mardi Gras festivities at Rio's Show in the Sky, the airborne-float show that's been flinging beads at crazed tourists in the Masquerade Tower for years; now comes confirmation (via a Chippendale, so it must be true) that the show will be terminated as of March 30. No word as to what might take its place, if anything.
We just learned, via the Vegas Chatter blog, that psycho-comedy-magician Amazing Johnathan has been offered the task of completely redesigning the Vegas Club and making the lackluster downtown casino "Fun!" Congrats to the management for thinking outside the box and hiring someone who's only prior relevant experience, as far as we know, consists of designing haunted houses. Now downtown can be home to the World's Biggest Gay Nightclub and, perhaps, the World's Scariest Casino (after Circus Circus, obviously).
Oh, we of little faith! Less than two weeks since our Reader Poll about which "pipedream" you thought was least likely to make it off the drawing board, comes word that SBE Entertainment today actually broke ground on SLS -- the new identity for what was formerly the Sahara, which garnered 10 percent of the votes in our survey. It's taken almost two years to raise the necessary funds, and $300 million in eskrow was about to expire, but with the $415 million needed now in place, the completely revamped 1,620-room boutique hotel-casino is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014.
There were some sneak previews granted to media (we were too busy doing a TV shoot ;-) of rooms at the Downtown Grand yesterday, so we're pretty sure that ones going to happen -- finally -- too.
Hard Rock just tweeted that comedian Andrew Dice Clay will be the next "resident" entertainer, but his 20-show stint, due to kick of March 14, will be at Vinyl, rather than The Joint. More details as we get 'em.
Not, as the press release would have us believe, the feisty English Grammy-Award winning and multi-platinum recording artist herself, but cast member Sammy Gonzalez, who's added Adele to his repertoire, which already features Liza Minnelli and Mariah Carey, for Frank Marino's long-running Divas Las Vegas, which performs at The Quad. "Adele" will be featured in the show, alongside "Katy Perry," "Beyonce," "Rihanna," "Britney Spears," "Lady Gaga," and others starting Feb. 16.
Season XI of the World Poker Tour begins airing on Fox Sports Network on Sunday, Feb. 24, airing weekly at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. The series will feature 33 around-the-world hour-long episodes, with regular hosts Mike Sexton, Vince Van Patten, Kimberly Lansing, Tony Dunst, and the Royal Flush Girls covering events including the WPT Legends of Poker, Borgata Poker Open, Grand Prix de Paris, Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, and the WPT World Championship at Bellagio.
Imagine Exhibitions, the outfit behind slick presentations like the revamped Mob Attraction at the Tropicana and "Da Vinci: The Genius," today unveils its latest show, with a media preview of "50 Greatest Photographs of National Geographic," featuring the 125-year-old magazine's most iconic photos, plus stories about how they were taken, the photographers responsible, etc. The exhibit opens its doors to the public tomorrow, for a limited engagement, and will be open daily from 9:30 a.m.–7 p.m., with General Admission tickets priced at $16 and a $3 discount for locals, students with a valid ID, members of the military, and seniors.
The Spike TV show Bar Rescue is filming at the Sand Dollar Lounge. The once-great blues bar is obviously in for some changes. We'll keep you posted.
It's been more than a decade and a half since Amtrak's Desert Wind service between Southern Nevada and Southern California was terminated, but the dream of a new hi-speed rail link between Las Vegas and L.A remains just that, for now. It was back in Dec. 2009 that the plan was first announced, with the "X Train" website announcing that this "hi-speed rail link between Las Vegas and L.A. will make its inaugural journey on New Year's Eve, 2010." That date came and went, and while on May 31, 2010, we wrote how: "There's certainly been no shortage of publicity about this project, with new press releases being issued virtually on a daily basis, including the most recent that announced celebrity chef Rick Moonen is on board to run the food and beverage side of operations," in January the following year we noted that, "According to the most recent announcement on the X Train Twitter feed @TheXTrain, the locomotives won’t start rolling until 2012." In December 2012, Vegas Inc. then reported that the X Train, which, it points out, is a conventional train, not hi-speed, will now commence service in 2014.
Meanwhile, today's R-J reports how the rival WestXpress project, which is high speed, is still at least 18 months away from breaking ground, due to the ongoing lack of decision as to whether the venture will receive the necessary cash injection ($33 million) from the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing fund. We'll keep you posted...
Dick's Last Resort at Excalibur is celebrating "marDICKSgras" (no comment) by throwing beads around and offering refills of eight Fat Tuesday flavors (of cocktail, presumably), while House of Blues at Mandalay Bay hosts Sailor Jerry's Swingin' (Fat) Tuesday, featuring The Lucky Cheats, with a special menu including seafood gumbo and beignets, plus you can attend to your last-minute bead and mask needs in the retail store. The entertainment runs from 9 p.m. to midnight and there's no cover.
While comedian Louie Anderson takes a hiatus from his Big Baby Boomer show to compete in the upcoming celebrity diving-contest series (no, we're not making any of this up) "Splash!", which premieres Tuesday, March 19 on ABC, the theater where he normally performs at Palace Station is welcoming a series of top comedians, including "That Metal Show’s Jim Florentine (Feb. 13 to 15), comedian/actor Dean Napolitano (Feb. 20 to 23), and "Rescue Me" star Ken Rogerson (Feb. 27 through March 2).
It's Mardi Gras time and, naturally, Las Vegas has some events lined up to celebrate. The Rio, where it's Mardi Gras every day, will welcome a variety of Vegas headliners who'll join the regular cast of the 6 p.m. Show in the Sky. Performers taking part include cast members of The Chippendales, Divas Las Vegas, and Peepshow, plus hypnotist Anthony Cools. As normal, members of the public can get a place on one of the floats for $12.95.
In addition, RA in the Fashion Show Mall will put its own spin on things tonight with a "Mardi RA" celebration from 7 p.m. to close, featuring food specials, New Orleans-inspired cocktails, and a guest DJ. Both Rockhouse at Venetian and Ranch House Kitchen at Town Square will be serving $5 Hurricane cocktails, while PBR Rockbar in the Miracle Mile Shops will offer a $10 package that includes beads, a bourbon drink, and a ride on the mechanical bull.
We'll post any other events as we hear about them.
The first hotel in Las Vegas to have a topless pool is now also going to star as the backdrop -- literally -- for a sexy swimsuit campaign. This Wednesday, Feb. 13, Sports Illustrated will celebrate the launch of its 50th annual swimsuit edition by projecting a state-of-the-art live 3-D display, showcasing images from the magazine, onto the exterior of the Octavius Tower.
World-renowned gaming-industry expert and long-time Professor of Economics at UNR, Bill Eadington, passed away Monday at his Reno home after an 18-month-long battle with cancer.
If you haven't already read today's Question of the Day, then read it (right now, before it turns into a pumpkin!) If you have, check back for some good updates to our survey of current Las Vegas food challenges, which are many and varied.
Magic iconoclasts Penn & Teller are celebrating their 20th year performing in Las Vegas with another six-year contract at the Rio, where they're now booked to play through 2018.
Starting Feb. 22, "Rock of Ages" star Daisy De La Hoya will join the cast of iCandy Burlesque in the Saxe Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops for a limited-duration guest spot, running through sometime in May.
Here's an exclusive locals entertainment offer from Travelzoo Vegas: Get tix for Steve-O and Tom Green's "Original Pranksters Comedy Tour" at the Riviera for $25 (reg. $72). The show performs at 10:30 p.m. and choose from performances Feb. 14-17 and March 14-17. Click the link fore more info. and to snap up this deal.
The exclusive LVA Member Rewards discount for the Las Vegas Monorail, which you can access online at couponsinvegas.com has just been renewed for another year, it's been confirmed, so enjoy $4 off a 3-day pass, among many other deals, when you become an LVA subscriber (from just $37/year).
A popular bar renovation television show will be filming in the Las Vegas area on Tuesday, Feb. 11, from around 8 p.m. If you'd like to be a crowd member in the bar, please email [email protected] for additional info. (There will be some drink specials, but it's not all freebies, just FYI -- email for the deets.)
Australian acrobatic spectacular Circus Oz, which is in its fourth decade of performing, will bring its "From the Ground Up Tour" to the Smith Center for just three nights, Feb. 21-23. Tickets start at $24 and the show comes with a warning that it's "so funny you might wet your pants." So, consider yourselves duly warned.
Sirc Michaels Productions is looking for two male and two female performers for
The January figures are out and, just as MRI expresses its desire to return to the east coast gambling market comes word that revenue at Atlantic City’s casinos was down more than 13 percent in January compared with the same month in 2011, with the effects of Hurricane Sandy exacerbating the ongoing trend that's seen seven straight years of gambling-revenue decline. Newcomer Revel continues to lag near the bottom of the heap, while Trump Taj Mahal suffered the worst, experiencing a massive 41 percent drop.
We just learned via @Robin_Leach that Celine Dion has confirmed a third year of residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, with 37 new dates announced starting June 4 and running through September 1.
Gaming columnist Howard Stutz reports in today's R-J that MGM Resorts International has petitioned New Jersey's gaming regulators to be allowed to return to the Atlantic City casino market. The company was forced to pull out back in 2010 because of its business associations in Macau with the controversial Ho family. The company has been unable to sell its 50 percent share in the Borgata, which has been in trust since the 2010 settlement was reached, saying that it has taken a controlling interest in MGM Macau’s parent company, MGM China Holdings, from Pansy Ho and citing the fact that MGM China Holdings is now listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The state Gaming Control Board has yet to respond publicly to the request.
Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the AAA Travel office on Charleston Blvd. hosts its annual Community Blood Drive, in conjunction with United Blood Services. There will be complimentary refreshments for all who participate, plus free gifts for those who donate blood and/or request an auto or travel quote.
The hit Spike TV show Bar Rescue is coming to Las Vegas. We have an inside line on this one and will post the names of the targets as soon as we have confirmation.
Southwest Airlines has announced a daily direct flight to Flint, Michigan. Southwest is taking over the AirTran route to Flint and will begin direct service in August.
According to an article in the Las Vegas Sun, with the closing of Drai's (for the renovation of Bill's Gambling Saloon), only two dedicated after-hours clubs remain: Artisan and Body English at the Hard Rock. We honestly don't know what the distinction is, given that most of the nightclubs are now open till early morning hours.
Check the weekend edition of USA Today for two Las Vegas references. The first is a feature in the "Life" section about the new Nobu Hotel. The second, in the same section, is in the list of "10 Great Places to Indulge Your Senses, Steal a Kiss," where Cirque du Soleil's O at Bellagio was cited.
The championship rounds of the USA Sevens rugby tournament are today at Sam Boyd Stadium, beginning at 9:30 am. The tournament championship will be played at 2:30 p.m. and The U.S. team is still playing for a possible 5th-place finish. More than 30,000 attended yesterday's matches, setting a new record for the event.
Today marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year and Cirque du Soleil is celebrating with a parade through MGM Grand at 5 p.m., plus Cirque tickets starting from $50! Visit: cirk.me/KACNY for details. New Year events and displays are also in place in the Chinatown Plaza, on Fremont Street, at Bellagio, and at Venetian/Palazzo, where you can also see a huge Year of the Snake exhibit through Feb. 24. We'll keep you posted of other upcoming celebrations over the next few days.
Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday in February, you can win buffet vouchers good for 48 hours for earning a specified number of same-day club points. Redemption requirements range from 100 (breakfast) to 500 (seafood dinner) points on slots and 700 to 2,200 on video poker. In most cases, $1 coin-in equals 1 point, but higher-paying video poker schedules require addtional coin-in, or may not qualify at all, so read the notices on the machines or check first at the club booth before playing.
The sports books won $7.2 million in the Super Bowl, which was 7.3% of the handle. The strong result came in spite of claims that the books lost on the prop bets, due in large part to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick's good performance after he was backed solidly by bettors. In the most famous of the prop bets, the length of the National Anthem, Alicia Keys flew over the total of 2:05 by 20 seconds.
The iron token is on its way out in Monopoly games, following a vote in the "Save Your Token" campaign held on Facebook. The most popular token was the dog, and a cat was voted in as a new piece, leading to speculation about what will happen when the dog and cat land on the same square. The results of the voting hit Anthony Curtis particularly hard, as the iron was the piece he always used while honing his games skills on the probability-dependent game while growing up.
Fiesta Henderson is celebrating its 15th anniversary this weekend. Several "throwback" specials are offered, including 98-cent margaritas and $19.98 surf & turf in Fuego's.
The USA Sevens rugby tournament runs today and tomorrow at Sam Boyd Stadium. These are fast 14-minute games that follow one another immediately, so there are about 20 games today starting at noon. Tomorrow's championship play begins at 9:30 a.m. An announced crowd of more than 11,000, many from outside the U.S., showed up for yesterday's session. The games air today at 1 p.m. PST on NBC.
Today until 4 p.m., donate blood at downtown's Mob Museum and receive two complimentary tix to the attraction. It's part of the museum's first-anniversary celebration month and donors are encouraged to make an appointment online at www.bloodhero.com or by calling 877-827-4376 and quoting sponsor code: MobMuseum.
Now through Feb. 24, members of the new players club at Aliante Casino + Hotel are eligible to receive one 2-for-1 buffet offer daily at Medley. Swipe your club card at any kiosk to receive a voucher.
It's been more than a week since we discovered empirically that Aria's website was down (see "Today's News" 1/31.) Although the site was up again within a couple of hours that day, evidently the problems are ongoing: We just called to research something for an upcoming QoD and found ourselves on "hold" for a long time, during which it was explained that the phones are super-busy because of ongoing technical problems people are experiencing with the website.
As an aside, we also learned that while the Skybox Sports Grill closed at the beginning of the year, the Skybox Bar is still operating, but does not serve any food.
LGBT club KRAVE is encouraging everyone to come to its temporary home in Crown Theater at the Rio by waiving the cover charge for everyone tonight, which features DJ Lisa Pittman on the decks.
Circus Circus, which already spoke last year about introducing a new indoor water park to its Adventureome attraction, is about to commence construction on a new El Loco roller coaster, reports Fox5 News. Famed for their hair-raising twists and drops, there are currently five other El Loco's in the world; the Las Vegas ride, when completed, will last 75 seconds.
There's plenty of good news for Sin City in reports released from various sources: Having already been named the nation's "sexiest city" by users of Orbitz.com and recently coming in at #3 on a "Valentine's Day sexiest City Index, it's not such a surprise that Las Vegas is the top spot for romantically inclined couples this Valentine's Day. In other news, as predicted Las Vegas had a record-breaking year for tourism, welcoming a total of 39,727,022 visitors in 2012 -- up two-percent on the previous year and beating the previous record, set in 2007, by an estimated half-million people. And, to make it a hat-trick, gaming revenues in December were also up more than 10 percent on the same month in 2011, with the Gaming Control Board reporting a $943 million win during the month.
The city of Alcorcon, which lies on the outskirts of Madrid, has been picked as the location for Las Vegas Sands' ambitious "EuroVegas" project. The work is planned in three phases, with an initial opening date scheduled for 2017; if completed, the massive complex will ultimately include as many as six casinos, 12 hotels, nine theaters, and three golf courses, with a price tag quoted as being anywhere between $22 billion and $35 billion. 2023 has been cited as the proposed finishing date for phase three, if the project goes ahead as currently intended.
Commencing Saturday, March 9, LVH is to become home to Raiding the Rock Vault, an audio-visual musical homage to the rock genre through the decades, featuring a band comprising musicians from top acts performing "the greatest set list ever," featuring everything from Hendrix and the Stones to AC/DC and Bryan Adams. Tix, which start at $49, go on sale Saturday. Raiding the Rock Vault is scheduled for a year-long run.
Eating Las Vegas co-author and about-to-be-TV-host-star John Curtas has broken the news, straight from the source, that Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali, who already have three restaurants at Venetian/Palazzo, are two open two new ventures in the latter, including a tribute to the Bronx's classic Arthur Park, and some kind of gastropub concept.
Curtas also disclosed, unofficially, that Daniel Boulud is planning a return to Las Vegas with another new restaurant for Palazzo, which will also reportedly see a secret star sushi chef debuting yet another new eatery there soon. Stay tuned...
It's an eclectic one to be sure
According to the latest inside gossip, Britney Spears, around whom rumors of a Las Vegas residency started to swirl once more, after she was not invited back to judge for the next season of "X Factor," has narrowed negotiations down to be between two potential venues, one of which is owned by Caesars Ent. but is not The Colosseum, it's been confirmed (Planet Hollywood seems the most likely choice), plus one other mystery venue.
Southwest Airlines has just launched a massive nationwide sale, with one-way tickets on some routes, including several to/from Las Vegas, starting at $49. Click the link for details.
After last year's City of Las Vegas ruling that food trucks may only ply their trade a minimum of 150 feet away from any brick-and-mortar restaurants came the announcement Tuesday of a new program giving mobile kitchens three dedicated parking zones available for $5/hour. In addition to 2012's zoning ruling, currently trucks are only allowed to park on a regular street meter for a maximum of 30 minutes, which barely gives enough time to set up, let alone vend, as today's LV Sun points out. Food truck owners can now register with the city’s business licensing department to reserve the new parking spots, which will operate as a pilot scheme for six months to test results.
Henderson City Council has given the OK to allow The District outdoor shopping mall at Green Valley Ranch to introduce vehicular traffic and parking to the main street. The retail complex was taken over by lenders in 2011 after defaulting on loan payments.
The Cosmopolitan is to revive its Stripside "Pop-Up Wedding Chapel" Feb. 11, ahead of Valentine's Day. Services include a "faux" ceremony for $125, up to the legally binding "Going to the Chapel Package," for $495. (The space it returns to has a revolving-door policy, apparently, having also housed a temporary EA Sports Bar last spring.
Dom DeMarco's pizzeria in Summerlin, a top pizza pick in Eating Las Vegas 2013 and assured of its place on the Vegas pizza map when President Obama ordered pies and canolis for his staff during one of his frequent Las Vegas sojourns, is hosting a contest in the run-up to Valentine's Day. To enter Dom DeMarco's "Greatest Love" contest, visit
Bravo has confirmed that the popular "Top Chef" TV contest will return for an 11th season, and will commence holding a series open casting calls around the country over the next month, kicking off on Feb. 11 in Austin on Feb. 11, with the Vegas auditions taking place on ?Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, at STK in The Cosmopolitan.
In his latest weekly column Bob Dancer takes a diversion from the usual topic of video poker, to give his account of the 2013 annual Blackjack Ball, an invitation-only party and contest attended by professional gamblers, including LVA publisher Anthony Curtis, vying for recognition as the world's current top blackjack player.
Downtown's Artifice bar and live-music venue hosts the first in the series of free monthly concerts showcasing a lineup of local bands vying for a spot in this fall's "Life is Beautiful" music festival. Tonight's show kicks off at 8 p.m. and admission's free. Must be 21+. Acts interested in auditioning for a future "battle of the bands" spot can find out more at lifeisbeautifulfestival.com.
Caesars Entertainment Corp., which is scheduled to release its Q4 and FY 2012 earnings report on Feb. 25, has announced that it may sell off minority stakes in its online division, Caesars Interactive, which owns the World Series of Poker brand, among other things, plus stakes in Planet Hollywood Las Vegas and its proposed casino in Baltimore. The company also plans to offer offer $1.5b of seven-year, 9% senior secured notes to help pay off some of its gargantuan debt load, which totals almost $23 billion.
The estimated Q4 loss for the company is predicted to range range from $452 million to as much as $556 million, resulting in no small part from the effects of Hurricane Sandy, which shut down its Atlantic City properties for several days last October.
Citizens Kitchen and Bar, which opened at Mandalay Bay this past weekend in the spot formerly occupied by Red, White and Blue, features Chef Brian Massie's second Las Vegas food challenge (the other being the 120-ounce steak, with sides, at Monte Carlo's Brand). The new "Muffalata Challenge" is a gargantuan $135 sandwich, designed to feed six people; if one guest finishes it solo, however, Chef Massie will tear up the check.
It's been awhile (about two years, to be precise), since we last did a survey of Vegas food challenges, and at that time there were no less than 15 in town that we knew of. We found a couple more since then, but some have, to our knowledge, fallen by the wayside. If someone want to submit a QoD on the subject, we'll revisit and find out the current lay of the land (or rather the lay of the steak/burger/nacho/yogurt/pizza/pho/dog).
Our current Reader Poll, about which Las Vegas "pipedream" you think is least likely to come to fruition. A new poll goes live at midnight PST.
Stoney's Rockin' Country, which is now located at Town Square, is closed for a private event tonight. Two-Step Tuesdays will be back as normal next week.
Several southbound lanes of the I-15 will be closed from Lake Mead to Cheyenne from 9 p.m. tonight until 5:30 a.m. Wednesday morning as the bridge work continues on the North Fifth Street Arterial.
Lane closures will then continue in the same spot through the week, but at more inconvenient hours, with Wednesday, Feb. 6 seeing several southbound lanes along the same stretch being closed from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., while several southbound lanes will also be closed from 9 p.m. that night until 5:30 a.m. Thursday.
Finally, both southbound and northbound lanes will close along that Lake Mead to Cheyenne stretch from 9 p.m. Thursday to 5:30 a.m. Friday. You have been warned.
Check out Monday's item in "Today's News" for details of the open auditions to fill summer pool positions at both Tao Beach and Rehab. There will be plenty more of these events coming up, we anticipate, for the likes of Wet Republic, Palms Pool, the new adult pool at MBay, etc., plus the follow-up event from Cosmo, so keep your eye open -- we'll post details as soon as they're released.
Wednesday Feb. 6, the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will host a rally for the upcoming US Rugby Sevens tournament, which kicks off Friday at Sam Boyd stadium. Tomorrow's event, which begins at 10:30 a.m. outside the entrance to PBR Rock Bar, will feature music and light bites, followed by performances by the USA Sevens cheerleaders and the Arbor View High School Drum Line, some words from USA Eagles Head Coach Alexander Magleby, and a singing performance by the students of Glen Taylor Elementary School.
The figures have just been released and we can confirm that the betting handle for Super Bowl XLVII was a record-breaking $98.9 million. More details to follow as they're released.
Just as Bill's closes for a remodel, a few doors down the street the newly incarnated The Quad continues to embrace its new identity, with installation commencing today of the new marquee, bearing the property's new logo, which, according to the official press release, "was developed to evoke a sense of the unexpected with a playful and whimsical touch." That's a lot to expect of a one-letter logo. The process will apparently take approx. two weeks to complete (that's a lot for a one-letter logo).
TAO Beach at Venetian is hiring for pool season, which open calls Feb. 5-9 and 12-16, from Noon to 5 p.m. inside TAO Nightclub. Available positions include cocktail servers, bartenders, bar backs, bussers, porters, security officers, cooks, dishwashers, cashiers, go-go dancers, runners, VIP hosts, promoters, set-up, restaurant servers. Please bring a resume and any head shots to the interview. Beach attire preferred.
And Hard Rock's (in)famous Rehab pool party, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this summer, is also recruiting Tuesday and Wednesday this week, with an open casting call Feb. 5 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. inside Vanity Nightclub, and again on Feb. 6 from 2–6 p.m. inside Body English. Positions to be filled include "model" servers and bartenders, VIP hosts, security and lifeguards, food runners, cabana attendants, and barbacks. Bring your resume and come dressed to impress in your best beach attire (audition photos will be taken).
All applicants for both venues must be 21+ with valid ID.
It's one of those "slow" times of the year, when casinos offer discounted room rates to entice us, and as usual Caesars Ent. is leading the pack, with up to 40% off rooms at casino destinations nationwide (Atlantic City, Reno/Tahoe/San Diego, etc.), including rates under $40 — and even under $30 — on the Las Vegas Strip — like Flamingo for $35, Bally's for $30, or the newly remodeled Quad for under $20! Plus, CE properties charge no resort fee, so tax is the only "hidden" extra on those rates.
Check out the complete list of Caesars hotel deals and lock in a bargain rate before Feb. 9, when the sale ends.
The time for the annual Station Casinos "$4 Million Car-A-Day Giveaway" is approaching, with 153 cars and $300,000 in cash up for grabs for Boarding Pass members from Feb. 8-24. All Station and Fiesta properties in the valley are participating and will each give away one car during the promo period, with drawing held daily at 8:15 p.m. in each casino. Vehicle winners will be able to choose from four select Chevrolet models: Camaro, Malibu, Silverado, and Cruze, plus four $500 cash winners will be drawn nightly at each location. Winners don't have to be present at the drawing, but prizes must be claimed within 24 hours. Visit www.sclv.com for full contest details.
We've long been following and promoting initiatives by the casino industry, both in Las Vegas and elsewhere, to introduce policies aimed at increasing sustainability, conservation, and other "green" practices, via our Green Vegas Guide, where we list and describe those restaurants, hotels, and attractions that have embraced eco-friendly policies, and via our @GreenVegas twitter, where we also post the latest news stories, both local and national. Now the American Gaming Association has come out with a report that details the widespread and often surprising efforts the casino industry has taken to become a leading industry in the eco-friendly field. All in for the Environment showcases the green initiatives implemented by nine top companies in the casino business, with Caesars Entertainment in particular being singled out for its efforts, which have not only been government-recognized, but have also had a significant positive effect on the company's bottom line -- something other industries can learn and take note from. Boyd Gaming, Las Vegas Sands, and MGM Resorts Int'l have also shown themselves to be pro-active when it comes to green initiatives, with Excalibur in particular, being a surprising national leader in this field.
The Vegas Chatter blog just posted pictures of the doors actually being locked at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon, which is now definitely closed. No word on whether there will be any kind of sale or auction of the fixtures and fittings, but we've heard nothing to that effect, so it's unlikely. The property is due to remain shuttered until some time in 2014, when it will reemerge with a new name, new look, and new rooftop pool, among other things.
While filming for the next seasons of History Channels' popular "Pawn Stars" series takes place, fans will have a chance to meet members of the team at Gold & Silver Pawn at a series of autograph sessions with the stars of the show and some of its favorite experts. The sessions will take place once a day during the week at random times, as filming allows and availability of the protagonists permits, on Monday through Friday from now to February 22; March 11 through April 5; April 22 through May 24; June 3 through 28; September 3 through October 11; November 1 through 22; and December 2 through 20. More than 4,000 people a day visit the small store at 713 South Las Vegas Blvd. and filming taking place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, year-round. We suggest following the store on Twitter and/or Facebook for updates on daily signing times, which they may or may not post -- basically, it's going to be a matter of getting lucky and being in the right place at the right time, as far as we can tell.
United Way of Southern Nevada is hosting it's fifth annual "Earn It Keep It Save It" program, offering free tax preparation by IRS trained and certified volunteers at more than 30 sites across the Las Vegas Valley. Households with an income of less than $51,000 in 2012 can receive free tax preparation and may be eligible for an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refund of up to $5,891. More than 30 VITA sites across the valley will be open through April 15, with two large-scale tax preparation days open to the public on February 23 at HopeLink
(178 Westminster Way, Henderson) and again on March 16 at the Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA
(4141 Meadows Lane). Dial 2-1-1 or visit uwsn.org/free-tax-help or eksnv.org to find the nearest tax preparation site, eligibility requirements, and documents you will need to bring.
Shrove Tuesday (English "Pancake Day") may not be until the following Tuesday, ahead of the first day of Lent, but IHOP is getting into the spirit a week early by offering free pancakes on Feb. 5, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Diners will be offered a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes, and in return will be encouraged to leave a voluntary donation to support the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals programs and help support this year’s National Pancake Day goal to raise $3 million, nationwide.
With 30 minutes to kick-off, the San Francisco 49ers are -4.5 over the Baltimore Ravens. The total is 47.5.
The revamped center bar has opened at the Palms. Now called Society, the bar has lots of seating and the video poker machines have been removed. A Heineken is $7.
Eva Longoria and Tilman Fertitta host the grand opening of SHe steakhouse in Crystals at CityCenter tonight. The venue formerly housed Beso Steakhouse, which was owned by Longoria, but was sold to Fertitta's Landry's group after it succumbed to financial woes. The new restaurant is being touted as a "modern boutique steakhouse and theatrical nightclub that integrates a fine-dining concept into fashion and music," whatever that means, and will particularly be geared toward a female clientele, reportedly.
If you want to get some early action on today's game, get down on the the National Anthem prop. This year's over/under on Alicia Keys' rendition is a longish 2:05.
Tonight is the last night for Drai's After Hours at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon. The nightclub is closing for the renovation of the casino and is expected to reopen when work is complete. Doors open tonight at 10 p.m.
Money is coming in on San Francisco for today's Super Bowl. After being as low as -3.5, the 49ers are now -4.5 against the Ravens. The total is also rising, currently at 48.
We just received a report from the field that the lines have now swelled at the LVH race and sports book, which is packed to the gills with standing room only, ahead of tomorrow's game. Some people will probably be camping out there overnight to reserve their spot in the granddaddy of Vegas sports books.
A new "restaurant" is opening this spring that will allow you to eat dinner at a table elevated above Las Vegas. Dinner in the Sky will hoist tables 180 feet in the air, providing diners with panoramic views of Las Vegas as they eat. The $4 million tower that will support the tables, accommodating up 22 diners, a waiter, and a chef, will be located near CityCenter. Cost of the meal will be $290 per person.
Jose Aldo is a -200 favorite over Frankie Edgar in tonight's UFC championship match. In other big matches, Rashad Evans is -600 over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and Alistair Overeem is -425 over Antonio Silva.
Las Vegas is buzzing with the Super Bowl crowd in early and partying. A check downtown found packed casinos almost everywhere. Even with the crowds, lines in the books are still tame.
Here's a good one from an equity standpoint at Spectator's bar on the west side at Flamingo and Durango. Pay $50 for a game square and get unlimited food and drink during the game. A total of $1,500 is being taken out of the till from the squares, which means your equity in the pool is $35. Hence, you're paying just $15, expected-value speaking, for the food and drink. Call first before going -- they were down to about 15 openings when we checked. See our earlier post in this space for other game-day party options.
Las Vegas' Walker Furniture is repeating an annual Super Bowl offer that works out to a free prop bet of sorts. If the opening kick-off of the Super Bowl is returned for a touchdown, anything you buy at Walker between now and game time is free. Though stats indicate that there's less than a 1% chance of any given kick-off being returned for a TD, if you want to buy furniture and you've priced Walker to be at least equal to other options, now's the time to do it for this freeroll (and a good sweat).
As the one-and-only Dana White just tweeted via ?@danawhite (always worth following), the weigh-ins take place at 4 p.m. today at Mandalay Bay for UFC 156, featuring Rashad vs. lil Nog, Overeem vs. Bigfoot, Fitch vs Maia, and Aldo vs. Edgar (two of the best P4P, in Mr White's opinion). And UFC fans, if you can't make it in person, catch it live on Fuel TV.
Over the past couple of years, Las Vegas has made (often in high positions) numerous "worst of" city lists over the past couple of years, including most stupid, unemployed, dirty, depressed, foreclosed-on, dangerous to pedestrians, badly dressed, allergy-inducing (see "Today's News" archives), comes a more positive accolade for Sin City, which apparently comes in at the #3 spot on the "Valentine's Day Sexiest City Index," behind Atlanta and Seattle. The ranking is apparently based on the dubious criterion of most erotic-novel readers per capita, although we can think of some other factors that might qualify Las Vegas to rank high on a "sexy city" list. (See Topless Vegas for some ideas...)
It's "Crab Lovers" month at Shuck's Tavern (9338 W. Flamingo), featuring three courses of "crab toast" (French bread topped with crab and Parmesan), Maryland blue crab soup, and "crab bucket," featuring one pound each of Dungeness and Snow Crab, served with drawn butter and lemon. The meal is $39.99 per person.
As promised in the Feb. issue of the LVA newsletter, here's the first, major installment of our round-up, in totally random order, of happenings for Super Sunday 2013; more events will be posted as we hear about them.
Forbes has calculated the cost for companies advertising in commercial breaks during Super Bowl XLVII, and it comes out at a record $8 million/minute, or $4,444.44 per frame (blink, and that's a super-expensive "you missed it.") Catch their full video presentation at Forbes.com. And speaking of Super Sunday, our first summary of events around Las Vegas will be posted any minute now -- and it's totally free to read!