In an interesting development, boxing megastar Floyd Mayweather Jr., who faces Marcos Maidana in Laas Vegas Saturday night, has expressed a serious interest in putting together a team to purchase the Los Angeles Clippers, at whose games he's a regular attendee. "Me and my team do want to buy the Clippers and we can afford the Clippers," Mayweather stated while addressing reporters at MGM Grand. Known for his serious sports-betting action, the fighter underlined his seriousness by adding, "Once I get ownership in the Clippers I can no longer bet, so I have to stop that completely."
Fellow boxer Oscar De La Hoya has separately expressed interest in owning a piece of the team.
With the scoop on the High Roller, The Cromwell, pool season, pot roasts, and so much more, check out the May issue of Las Vegas Advisor, which we just posted.
Flights were grounded at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport earlier this afternoon as a result of a computer glitch at air traffic control operations in Southern California. Normal operations have now been restored but some flight delays are to be expected as the the backlog of take-offs clears.
The Clark County Department of Air Quality has issued a dust advisory for the Las Vegas Valley as a result of the gusting 20 to 30 mph winds that southern Nevada has been experiencing since this morning. While the breezy conditions should subside into the evening, expect more of the same tomorrow, with a brief respite on Friday followed by a windy weekend.
Sometimes, a casino will give you money to play with just for showing up, but is it worth your while taking them up on the offer? In this week's column, video poker pro Bob Dancer breaks down the variables and advises on how to assess the value of "appearance money".
The transformation of THEhotel to Delano Las Vegas, first announced way back in the summer of 2012 but postponed for various reasons, including an unexpected spike in convention trade and disagreements over room design, has now been set for completion September 1. The new incarnation of Mandalay Bay's non-gaming tower will feature a South Beach theme, three new restaurants (the last we heard), and a new lounge. Click the link for sneak virtual tour.
**Note: The original version of this item stated, incorrectly, that a new nightlife venue would also be coming to Delano, but Light Group's current quota at MBay has already been filled by the new Daylight and Light concepts. Our bad.
Following the recent news about a $35-million upgrade for Red Rock's F&B roster (see Today's News 4/14) comes word that sister property Green Valley Ranch is also getting a major facelift, with $20 million in improvements slated for the Henderson property, including the addition of the valley's second Pizza Rock venue, plus a second venue from pizza chef Tony Gemignani called Slice House. As predicted, a second branch of the Mexican chain Mercadito will also be added, plus a new bar/pub called Tippling Hall. As part of the upgrade, 300 rooms and 30 suites will also receive a remodel over the course of the coming year, as will the buffet and spa.
A confluence of events, including the massive CONEXPO-CON/AGG construction convention, March Madness, and NASCAR Weekend brought a total of 3.7 million people to Las Vegas in March, up 4.3 percent on the same month the previous year and an all-time record for visitation, reports the LVCVA. As a result, room-rates for March were up 21 percent on 2013, with an average daily rate of $134, while high-limit table-game action, combined with college-basketball action, contributed to a 10 percent jump in Clark County gaming revenues.
The luxury retail mall at Caesars Palace continues the upgrade program that to-date has seen a major overhaul of the animatronic Atlantis show and expansions or remodels for a number of the high-end retail tenants, including David Yurman, Jimmy Choo, Tod’s, Tory Burch, Pandora, and Peter Lik Gallery, plus the addition of new brands, including Van Cleef & Arpels, REDValentino, Sergio Rossi and L.K. Bennett. In the latest wave, 2014 will see more new venues debuting, including: watchmaker Blancpain; NARS cosmetics; Polo Ralph Lauren, and the city's second Border Grill. The third level will also undergo a remodel to improve ease of customer access.
Restaurant magazine has announced its prestigious list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants and, despite our new rep as a dining destination, Las Vegas' top eateries failed to make the list (we didn't even make the extended Top 100), although three of the city's celebrity-chef proprietors are represented, including: "Chef of the Century" Joël Robuchon, for his original L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon in Paris (the Las Vegas namesake is at MGM Grand); Thomas Keller for The French Laundry in Yountville, CA (Venetian here is home to outposts of Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery); and Daniel Boulud for his eponymous Daniel in New York (the chef just returned to Las Vegas after a half-decade absence, recently debuting db Brasserie, also at Venetian).
Carson Kitchen, the new collaborative project from Chef Kerry Simon and restaurateur Cory Harwell, is looking to hire 40 to 50 positions including: hosts, bussers, servers, dishwashers, cooks, prep cooks, bartenders, and bar-backs at a job fair to take place Friday, May 2 at the Gold Spike, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant, which will feature social plates, entrées, sandwiches, and stone-oven flatbreads, is scheduled to open in early June at 124 6th St. downtown.
Scottish rocker Rod Stewart has added additional dates to his ongoing residency at The Colosseum at Caesars, with 18 new shows added Sept. 17 through Nov. 23, 2014.
Today's Question of the Day is all about what formerly stood on the sites of all the current hotel-casinos on the Strip, but an observant reader pointed out that we'd accidentally left Trump off the list. Oops, sorry Donald! That site's extensive history has now been added.
It was back in October of last year that downtown casino owner Derek Stevens (Golden Gate, the D) purchased the old courthouse building, located a block off Fremont at Third and Carson, for $10 million at auction. At the time, Stevens remained silent about his intentions for his purchase, although he did reveal the plan was to demolish the building and re-purpose the site. Now, the entire edifice has been deconstructed and Stevens has revealed that the 2.76-acre land parcel will be turned into festival grounds, hosting music, concerts, food festivals, and other outdoor festivities.
After multiple delays and postponements, the new mega-zip-line attraction on Fremont Street has opened, or at least the lower-level more sedate portion of Slotzilla has debuted; the higher, longer, faster "zoomlines" are expected to debut in coming weeks. The cost is $20 for the two zip-line and $30 for the zoomlines, which will see riders lying flat in harnesses "super-hero style" propelled 1,700 feet at speeds of up to 35 mph by a novel power-launch system. So far, we've been unable to ascertain the hours for this much-anticipated new thrill ride, but we do know that riders must weigh between 60 and 300 pounds and cannot be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Cowabunga Bay, the new 23-acre Henderson waterpark that broke ground in December 2012 and was originally slated to open by Memorial Day 2013, is now hoping for an early-summer debut. As co-owner and park General Manager Shane Huish put it, "If we don’t open now it will be like opening a Christmas tree lot in January." 400 people are being hired to staff the attraction, which includes eight water slides, three pools, the largest lazy river in Nevada, a kids' cove, cabanas for rental with their own pool area, and a Surf-a-rama Wave Pool, which has a '50s drive-in theme and will generate 4-foot waves. Season passes will start at $59 and it's anticipated that the park will be open into October.
The landscaping project currently underway in the area between and around New York-New York and the Monte Carlo will feature natural landscaping including 75 mature trees, a range of desert plants, cobblestone walkways, and a variety of water features, plus man-made shade-providing structures that will light up at night, it's been announced. The pedestrianized urban outdoor space, dubbed The Park, will also feature live entertainment, bench seating throughout, and an array of shopping and dining options, including the much-anticipated Hershey's Chocolate World anchor tenant that's set to open sometime next month. The rest of the $100-million renovation to the two properties and their surroundings will begin rolling out this year and throughout 2015, culminating in the opening of the new joint-venture 20,000-seat arena project from MGM Mirage Int'l and AEG in 2016.
Pioneering celebrityh-tribute show Legends in Concert will celebrate 31 years in Las Vegas on Monday, May 5 with the launch of a new performance schedule that includes new nightly 9:30 p.m. shows (dark Friday), perhaps also reflecting the 10 p.m.-show gap left by the departure yesterday of George Wallace. The current tribute lineup includes Tina Turner, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, and Shania Twain and tickets start at $61.06.
The rapper who now bills himself as both Snoop Dogg and Snoop Lion (sometimes on the same billing) is now a resident of Las Vegas with a soon-to-commence residency at Venetian's TAO nightclub. Performing under yet another moniker, namely his DJ persona Snoopadelic Cabaret, the veteran hip hop icon whose family recently relocated to Las Vegas so that son Broadus can play wide receiver for Bishop Gorman high school, will emcee a series of themed nights at the popular nightspot, juxtaposing live performances from Snoop with the look and feel of a 1920s-style speakeasy, including Twenties-inspired specialty acts and dance numbers, period costumes, and a cocktail menu echoing the era. If successful, the guest appearances are due to extend through the summer.
From 9 p.m. tonight, downtown's Beauty Bar, in the Fremont East district, is hosting "Dia de los Tacos," with El Guanatos taking on The Taco Man. In addition to lots of taco eating, there will be a live Mariachi band, DJs, dancing, and beer and tequila specials. No cover; party runs till 2 a.m.
Churchill Downs has announced that it's increasing the takeout in its pari-mutuel pools from 16% to 17.5% on straight bets and from 19% to 22% on exotics. That's a big vig made bigger.
Today is a bonus-points day at all Station and Fiesta casinos. While there have been changes in the way Station awards points, the advertised "10X points" on slots and "6X points" on video poker still works out to a real multiplier of 3.3X and 2X, respectively. However, you must swipe your Boarding Pass card at a kiosk to get the bonus. A detailed explanation of the changes in the Stations system is provided in Jean Scott's Frugal Vegas blog on the home page.
With convention business continuing to boom, Mandalay Bay has announced plans that it hopes will turn its existing meeting and expo facility into "the most flexible and customer-focused convention facility in North America," with a $66-million expansion that will add an extra 350,000 square feet of exhibit space to the existing 1.7 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center, as well as adding underground parking, additional carpeted ballroom space and, continuing the property's commitment to "green" practices, particularly in connection with its meeting/exhibitor business, a rooftop solar photovoltaic array that will be the largest at any convention facility in the world. Construction is scheduled to begin in late fall 2014, with new exhibit space available in August of next year and the anticipated completion of all spaces by January 2016.
Jon Jones is a -500 favorite over Glover Teixeira in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Phil Davis is -250 over Anthony Johnson.
Are you starting to notice a theme here? It's a shame the weather sucks - with all of these outdoor events we strongly recommend checking with their official websites/Facebooks/Twitters etc. in case of cancelation, but in theory the three day pirate/steampunk festival continues at Lorenzi Park today and tomorrow, with lots of family-friendly activities. GA is $12 for adults, $8 for kids, and there's a $1-off coupon you can print from the event website.
Downtown welcomes the Great Vegas Festival of Beer, with more than 80 breweries showcasing 250+ craft beers. General admission is $40, or $20 for bone fide designated drivers.
The 22nd annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz Festival continues through Sunday at the Clark County Amphitheater. Visit yourJazz.com for more information and to buy tickets ($95/day).
Beginning at 1 p.m. today, New York-New York will host the first qualifying round, plus some friendly events, for competitive eaters hoping for a spot a the July 4 finals at New York's Coney Island. The pros get chowing at 3 p.m., so go and root for our local contestants, who'll be competing in front of the property where the new park/recreation area has been built.
KNPR is hosting one of its regular recycling drives today, in conjunction with various associated businesses around the valley, so bring your glass, clothing, electrical and household items, furniture, documents for shredding, and more (but please, no ammo, weapons, or water beds) to the radio station's parking lot (1289 S. Torrey Pines) from 8 a.m. to noon for complimentary disposal/re-purposing.
We're sorry to report that, due to the insane winds we're currently experiencing, tonight's Las Vegas Foodie Fest has been canceled. The event, which has moved from the Silverton to The Lot (on the Strip, across from the Luxor), is due to continue through Sunday, although the last we heard tomorrow's weather is likely to be even worse, so stay tuned for updates.
How did we possibly miss this? There's a three-day pirate, steampunk, and faerie festival in North Las Vegas' Lorenzi park, with giant alligators, hangmen, a cardboard regatta (free to enter, you just need to build your boat!), a beer garden, mead tastings, rope-making (it's good to know someone's looking after the needs of the BDSM crowd now that the Erotic Heritage Museum is no more), pirates, faeries, steampunks, and a bunch of strippers from the Palomino. Sounds like a lot of fun to us so we're glad it runs for two more days. General admission is $12 ($8 for concessions); let's just hope it's not too windy tomorrow or the cardboard boats could morph into paper planes! Visit the official piratefestlv.com website for more details and a $1-off printable coupon.
The cool party pool debuted last summer by Sapphire Gentlemen's Club is now open for the 2014 season, from noon to 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Last year this venue experimented with pricing, but this season it's free to locals and $20 for non-locals (guys and gals) and they say they intend to keep it steady at that price all summer, although we're guessing major events and name hosts may come into play down the line -- time will tell. For now, it's definitely among the more affordable and fun of the party pools, especially if you're a a male out-of-towner, so check it out! The Grand Opening, with hosts Tasha Reign, Lolly Ink, and Brook Haven, is set for May 3.
We have completed our annual round-up of Las Vegas show-ticket prices and guess what? They're up! Again. The findings of our unique and long-running survey, which calculates the average price of a ticket to a production show now as being $82.86, are garnering lots of local media attention, including from the R-J's Mike Weatherford and KXNT 100.5 FM's morning co-host Dayna Roselli.
It's been reported that Caesars Entertainment has sold its 500-room Claridge Hotel Tower in Atlantic City to TJM Property Management Inc. for $12.5 million. The property was originally operated as a casino-hotel, but all the gaming floors had since been removed and deed restrictions prevent them from being reinstated.
No less than 22 perspective casino developers have each paid $1 million application fee to compete for the four land-based casino licenses currently up for grabs in upstate New York. Included among the applicants, most of whose interest is focused on the areas closest to New York City, are: Malaysia's giant Genting Group; Caesars Entertainment; the Mashantucket Pequots, operators of Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut; and real-estate developers Cordish Companies in a partnership with Penn National Gaming. Many of the owners of the state's existing racinos are also in the running, with detailed bids due to be submitted in June and license winners announced in the fall. The chosen four bidders will then have two years to complete their respective projects.
For the 22nd time, the annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz Festival is back at the Clark County Amphitheater this evening through April 27, with headliners including Crisette Michele, Kem, Joe and 10-time Grammy winner Chaka Khan. Single-day tickets start at $95, with discounts available on multi-day packages. Visit YourJazz.com for more information and a complete schedule of all three days' lineup.
SpyOnVegas.com's long-running annual search for the hottest beach bod in Las Vegas gets underway today at Wet Republic, with the launch of the Hot100 contest. Click the link to access the online entry form to sign up for free.
Ugh. We discovered today that during our recent server move, a couple of things fell through the cracks, with the main one being all the emails submitted via links on our site. Hence, if you sent in a Question of the Day suggestion after April 14, or submitted feedback to the previous (airline) Reader Poll, or the new one about buffet habits that went live on Wednesday, then please kindly resubmit your message, as we did not receive it and have no way of retrieving those "lost" emails. Sorry! But we want to read your feedback and answer your QoD queries, so do please take the time to re-send when you can. Thank you.
Following an almost four-year absence from the Strip, Chef Daniel Boulud is back, with the opening today of db Brasserie inside The Venetian. "Like me, 'the brasserie' was born in France but has traveled the world," observes the renowned chef. "I wanted to create a menu with my favorite French dishes, charcuterie, shellfish—all the 'brasserie staples'—and international flavors from my travels that are a bit exotic and transporting."
Just a quick reminder that impersonator Jeff Tracta is bringing his multi-media show, A Journey Through Pop Culture, to the LVH Theatre tonight for a single performance to raise funds for St. Jude's Ranch for Children, the non-profit that seeks to turn around the lives of abused, neglected, and homeless children and young adults in Southern Nevada. Tracta will be joined by 5-piece country a cappella group Home Free, winners of Season 4 of NBC's "The Sing-Off." Tickets for the event start at $49 (plus tax/fees) and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the charity.
The venues are coming thick and fast now, and the latest tenant of The LINQ to host a grand opening party is new piano bar BLVD. Cocktail Company, which hosts an evening of Champagne, handcrafted cocktails, live music, and rides on the high roller for invited guests this evening.
Here are this weekend's highlights:
We all know that drinking and driving is a no-no and if you're attending the Great Vegas Festival of Beer this Saturday (or even if you aren't), you'll find a section of downtown streets closed off for the festivities. The city block delimited by Carson Avenue, Sixth, Seventh, and Fremont streets will close at midnight tonight and reopen at 11:30 p.m. Saturday (once all the beer's been drunk). VIP passes are sold out, but regular tickets to the event start at $40 and are available at the gate, which opens at 4 p.m. (or pay a $10 upgrade for 3 p.m. "early bird" access). Visit the greatvegasbeer.com website for more info.
Drivers are being urged to avoid Decatur Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Bonanza Road while the Las Vegas Valley Water District works on fixing a burst water main. Northbound traffic lanes are now open, but the last we heard southbound lanes were still closed for repairs and it's unclear how long the fix will take.
Clark County has officially declared Thursday, April 24, to be "Las Vegas Foodie Fest Day," with an official proclamation handed to representatives from Red Dragon event organizer and White Castle, the cult "original slider" brand. The event, which features a massive gathering of food trucks both from Las Vegas and neighboring states and was formerly hosted by the Silverton, will take place for the fifth time in three years this April 24-27 but this time will be in conjunction with MGM Resorts Int'l at the venue known as The Lot, across from the Luxor. In addition to 50+ trucks, entertainment will include carnival rides, games, contests, and live performances from dance crew Jabbawockeez, the cast of FANTASY, and others. Early-bird tix, which offer access to the full four days for just $8, are currently available via lasvegasfoodiefest.com.
From April 25 to May 4, Caesars Palace will host the 2014 WSOP Warm-Up Poker Series, featuring 25 tournaments with over $110,000 in guaranteed prize pools and WSOP Main Event seat packages. Cash games and regular daily tournaments will still be held around the clock, while single-table satellites for all events will be offered daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
As predicted (see "Today's News" 4/14) Terra Verde Italian restaurant, as featured on Gordon Ramsay's "Hell's Kitchen" series, has suffered the same fate as its sister Terra Rossa at Red Rock, and has closed. New plans for the space have yet to be confirmed, but the word on the street is that it's likely to become home to another Mercardito Mexican joint.
On the back of our recent post about a new prime rib-eating challenge at Jerry's Nugget (see Today's News 4/21) comes news that at 3 p.m. this Saturday, April 26, New York-New York will again welcome competitive eaters from across the region for the 17th annual qualifying event for the 99th Annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which takes place in Coney Island, NY. Vegas is the first stop on this year's qualifying route, with a special employee challenge and a "Heroes" competition for charity kicking things off at 1 p.m., so get on over to the new Strip-side park/plaza thingy and support our local eating talent!
It's kicking off at Beauty Bar this Sunday, April 27, with the "Dia de los Tacos" showdown between El Guanatos and The Taco Man. There will be a live Mariachi band, DJs, beer and tequila specials and, obviously, tacos, so head on down between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
A lot has changed on the Las Vegas buffet scene of late, with everything from all-you-can-eat caviar and bottomless booze, to chef's tables and seating reservations, while some properties are cutting back on their buffet offerings, or even doing away with the concept altogether. So, we're intrigued to find out if, how, when, where, and why you patronize this classic Las Vegas dining tradition and encourage you to vote in our new Reader Poll and email us your feedback!
Popular local food truck Fukuburger will be the first to occupy the rotating truck stand at FAME (Food Arts Music Entertainment), the Asian night-market concept debuting at The LINQ in May. The burger-with-an-Asian-twist eatery will offer new menu items to coincide with the launch, with other fixtures in the market set to showcase the best of Japanese, Taiwanese, Thai, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese cuisine, on menus serving dim sum, stir-fry, ramen, barbecue, crepes, and more, plus a huge selection of Asian microbrews and live "Asian-inspired" entertainment, including tiger and dragon dances, Taiko drum performances, and Gangnam-style beats.
From Wednesday, May 7 through Saturday, May 10, PBR Rock Bar inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Ho will host a four-day "Last Cowboy Standing" fest, with mechanical bull-riding competitions, drink specials, and the unveiling of a brand new ‘Ring of Honor’ wall, with 2010 NFR barrelman Robbie Hodges on-hand as emcee for the duration. Highlights include a last chance on May 8 for revelers to win tix to see PBR's Last Cowboy Standing event, taking place at Mandalay Bay May 9-10, by entering PBR's "Last Mechanical Bull Rider Standing" contest, held in conjunction with 95.5 FM The Bull. All contestants who sign up will also receive a 15% discount off any PBR Rock Bar food or drink item. On Saturday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m., big-name bull riders including Ty Murray, Cody Lambert, Jerome Robinson, J.W. Hart, and Justin McBride will be in attendance to sign the new "Ring of Honor" wall and greet fans.
Following the recent closure of the storied Hollywood Park race track comes word that Suffolk Downs, New England’s only thoroughbred facility, has warned that the 2014 season, which kicks off May 3, will likely be its last unless Mohegan Sun is awarded the sole eastern Massachusetts resort-casino license currently up for grabs. The Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority has proposed a $1.3 billion casino on land Suffolk Downs owns in Revere and without the additional income and customer base that a major resort is hoped to drive, track officials do not believe sustaining racing will be economically viable.
Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts has a competing $1.6 billion proposal for an eastern Massachusetts casino license, but that bid is attached to a site along the Mystic River in Everett.
A 5-vehicle crash on southbound U.S. Highway 95 at Jones earlier this morning has rendered most lanes out of commission, with only the HOV lane open according to the last report we read. Apparently, no major injuries were sustained in the accident, although two people have been transported to hospital.
On Monday, April 21, the Stratosphere Tower welcomed its 40 millionth guest, a British man here on vacation who was surprised by the property's Vice President as he waited in line for the attraction. James Kennedy, who hails from Birmingham, was rewarded for his random good fortune with balloons, streamers, and a stay-and-play suite package valued at $2,500, including a two-night stay, dinner at Top of the World, and more than $1,000 in slot free play.
It's all happening on the Strip, with regular openings at The LINQ, yesterday seeing the debut of the The Cromwell casino, and now news that SLS, housed in the former Sahara, is accepting reservations starting August 25. The property continues its recruitment drive, too, and is updating available positions daily at slslasvegas.com/careers.
It's literally "earth" day, with facefuls of dust currently blowing around, but in terms of today's eco-conscious initiatives and promos, we're happy to say local ABC affiliate Channel 13 has done some of the legwork for us, so click the link for a round-up of who's doing what and how you can participate now through the end of the weekend (and beyond). Plus, other events include:
Slot-manufacturing giant IGT took a huge Q2 hit, with a reported 66 percent decline in earnings to $25.7 million, compared with $78.2 million in the same three-month period a year ago, with independent analysts attributing the drop to intense competition from large and small vendors domestically, while the company also blamed a "challenging business environment" in foreign markets. The only of the game-maker's reporting divisions to show a revenue increase was the company’s interactive segment, which includes the DoubleDown Casino social gaming application, plus revenue generated from distributing content to legal online casinos in New Jersey.
Carlos Santana has extended his relationship with House of Blues at Mandalay Bay for an additional two years. Tickets for November and January dates for An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live, which start at $99.50 (plus tax and fees) will go on sale Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m., for performances on November 5, 7–9, 12, 14–16 and 18 and January 21, 23–25 and 28–31, 2015.
James Packer, son of deceased Australian tycoon Kerry Packer, could once again be attempting to gain a foothold in the U.S. gambling market, with word that he's considering making a $2 billion bid on The Cosmopolitan, whose owners Deutsche Bank are looking for a buyer for the struggling Las Vegas Strip resort-casino. Packer is the owner of Australia's Crown Resorts casino group, which also operates casinos in Macau and Manila and is currently hoping to debut a $400 million resort in Sri Lanka (see Stiffs & Georges for more details).
The casino at The Cromwell has opened. There's been almost no publicity, as the property is in super-soft mode, but the casino is completely accessible to the public, while the hotel is accommodating invited guests only. The public opening, including all the restaurants and clubs, is Memorial Day weekend.
At 6 p.m. this evening, the Neon Museum downtown will host its next PRISM Times of the Signs event, with a panel discussion featuring leading representatives from the sign-making world, followed by a Q&A. The evening is free and open to the public, but will be preceded by a meet-and-greet reception from 5:00 p.m. for museum members only. Space is limited so attendees are encouraged to reserve a spot in advance to [email protected]. (Note that additional parking is available at the Cultural Corridor Theater across from the Neon Museum.)
Want to start earning some money from video poker but don't know which game to play? VP pro Bob Dancer has some advice in his latest weekly column.
The Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management has issued a dust advisory, with winds expected to pick up Tuesday and those with respiratory diseases and sensitivities are advised to stay indoors if possible, although dust levels are not anticipated to be dangerous to the general populace.
Today's QoD repeated the information we were given last week by Green Valley Ranch, when we were informed that this year, The Pond was open once again to non-guests and that The Backyard pool complex was also free to all. Not so! A reader confirms that today he was required to run at least a $25 bar tab to gain access to the former, or rent a $100 daybed for the latter. Pool season is always like this, with misinformation a-go-go, especially this early in the season. The rules change like shifting sands on a windy day Mandalay Bay beach so, as we continue to emphasize, call ahead (possibly even more than once) to any pool before you embark on a special trip, as we cannot be held responsible for the whims and vagaries of Las Vegas pool policy, although we'll continue to keep you abreast as best we can.
"Are casino comps a dying breed?", asks Frugal Vegas blogger Jean Scott. Check out her latest post for the answer (and don't worry, it's not as dire at it sounds!)
Our massive publisher's discount on the newly released Third Edition of The Killing of Tupac Shakur ends 5 p.m. PST Friday, so get your order in now before it's too late! We're offering almost 50% off cover price, plus $3 reduced shipping, but only for a few days more... The book (also available for Kindle, Apple devices, and all that good stuff) is now in full-on trade paperback, with a new chapter and lots of updates throughout; it's acknowledged as the best bio ever penned of the iconic rapper, who's so far the only deceased hip hop icon to be resurrected via hologram, as far as we know, even if those sightings in South America are a little dubious.
We have been monitoring the Las Vegas food-challenge scene assiduously since 2009, having penned no less than four Questions of the Day dedicated to the subject, plus a bunch of "Updates" added along the way. Sin City is home to some serious contenders on the professional guzzler circuit (shout out to @OMGitsMIKI!), so we're excited to announce a new eating contest to be launched by Jerry's Nugget in advance of National Prime Rib Day (April 27). On Wednesday, April 23, the casino, in partnership with the North Las Vegas Fire Department, will host a Prime Rib Eating Challenge with participants including firefighters from the NLVFD attempting to conquer the signature Double Cut Prime Rib meal at Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop.
Thereafter open to willing participants weekly Sun.–Thur., from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the entire meal comprises a dinner salad, 48-ounce prime rib entree served with baked potato, corn, and garlic toast, and a banana split. If you finish the whole shebang (no substitutions) in the allotted time, the $41.89 meal is on the house (you're still down for the tip, however), plus you'll receive a commemorative t-shirt and crown, and a spot in the Prime Rib Wall of Fame photo gallery. Fail and, well, you know how it goes... Click the link for a rull set of contest rules.
Bookmaking and online-casino giants including William Hill, BetFred, PartyPoker, and Ladbrokes were among a number of European-based operations knocked offline Sunday afternoon when a fire, and subsequent explosion, at a power station caused a massive power outage on the island of Gibraltar. Many residents of the rocky tax haven had to be evacuated, but no injuries were reported and by late afternoon most businesses were up and running once again.
Las Vegas Foodie Fest, organizer of major food-truck events, plus the iconic White Castle "original slider" brand and Jabbawockeez dance troupe are all joining forces Tuesday April 22, from 4 to 6 p.m., to host a community event for the women and children of The Shade Tree women’s shelter, which is dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, and their pets affected by domestic violence.
Chef and TV personality Guy Fieri's much-anticipated new Vegas Kitchen & Bar in The Quad is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
On Thursday, April 22, Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef Aquarium will join more than 130 other zoos and aquariums for the annual Party for the Planet Earth Day-awareness event, an open and complimentary celebration aimed to provide guests with information about conservation and sustainable living. Other local and national organizations, including Reef Check, The Nature Conservancy, Las Vegas Electric Vehicle Association, Republic Services, and Go Outdoor Nevada will also be in attendance.
The travel site smartertravel.com included Las Vegas on a list of the "10 Most Disappointing Destinations in the World." Do they know something the rest of us don't? Nah -- we're thinking someone probably had a bad run at the slots. Also on the list were Niagara Falls, Disney World, Hollywood, and Liberty Island (Statue of Liberty), all of which also seem like pretty cool places to us.
A new bar called Sporting Life has opened at 7770 S. Jones. It's owned by the former manager of Crown & Anchor West, which runs some of the best gambler-friendly deals in town, so the potential is high.
Whether you're celebrating Easter or not, join us for some poker today. Registration for the noon PST tournament is open now at the LVA Casino. It's completely free and we're playing for Amazon gift cards today.
It's not one of the bigger holidays in Las Vegas, but the town is still busy. Look for Easter dinner deals all over town. And check out our listings of Easter happenings earlier in this space.
Travis Browne is a -220 favorite over Fabricio Werdum in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured matches, Miesha Tate is -180 over Liz Carmouche in a woman's match and Edson Barboza is -165 over Donald Cerrone.
The steak special at Irene's has sustained its second big price hike in as many months. The complete dinner that jumped from $9.95 to $12.95 last month is now $16.95. The rising price of beef may eventually take its toll on many of Las Vegas' steak specials.
Las Vegas' newest bingo room opens today at the Rampart. The 300-seat room will begin with sessions running every two hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. While you're there, check out Rampart's excellent video poker, which will be highlighted in the May Las Vegas Advisor.
The '50s lifestyle festival continues at The Orleans, with the auto show today, featuring more than 800 classic cars on display, plus live entertainment from retro bands and DJs and sexy pin-up girls a go-go.
There's plenty to do this holiday weekend, whether you're a child, adult, or zombie, but it's going to be a hot one, so just make sure your bunnies don't melt. The LV R-J has a listings of area church services; below you'll find some of the main family and social events taking place around town:
Egg Hunts, Bunny Appearances, Etc.:
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The observation wheel at The LINQ has officially been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the "World’s Tallest Observation Wheel," at 550 feet, 9 feet taller than the Singapore Flyer, which previously held the record.
Below is our round-up of non-Easter-specific entertainment highlights this weekend; stay tuned for our Easter listings (there are a lot, but we're on it!)
The next major project to break ground on the Las Vegas Strip will be AEG and MGM Resorts International's joint arena project, with construction on the $350 million, 20,000-seat venue scheduled to commence May 1, it's been officially announced. The arena site is located behind New York-New York's parking garage, east of the I-15.
Mexican music star Juan Gabriel is due to be released from a Las Vegas hospital this weekend, after being admitted Monday with pneumonia after he was rushed to intensive care Sunday following his concert at Mandalay Bay. The performer was forced to reschedule upcoming "Volver" tour dates in California, which have been moved to May.
The Las Vegas City Council voted four to three Wednesday to allow horse-drawn carriages to return to downtown Las Vegas on a trial basis, following a 30-year absence stemming from an accident on the Strip in which four people were thrown from a carriage, reports the R-J. A year-long test period will commence, pending the approval of business licenses, with various streets excluded and restrictions on when the carriages may operate in the interests of animal safety (including any days on which the temperature reaches 90 degrees or more, which will presumably cut out a huge swathe of the year).
The four-day celebration of Island culture kicks off today at the Rio, with scores of food vendors and live bands and more. Check out yesterday's Today's News item for more details; G.A. is $8/day.
Cabo Wabo Cantina in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood will offer a 20% discount on all food and drinks for active-duty military members and vets with valid ID in honor of National Military Appreciation Month in May.
That's "B.Y.O.B." as in, Bring Your Own Blow-Up for National Blow-Up Day and anyone showing up at Liquid Pool at Aria today with an inflatable receives open bar all day. Plus, the best blow-up item wins a full-on bouncy house! (We wonder what ever happened to that infamous Beastie Boys stage prop...)
The Vegas episode in the current season of CNN's "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" series airs this Sunday, April 20, at 6 p.m. and takes the feisty food critic on an epic journey downtown and on and off-Strip, exploring the latest culinary delights the city has to offer, while pondering some of the less welcome developments he perceives. We want to know how much of his infamous spat with former Mayor Oscar Goodman made it to the final cut...
The Killing of Tupac Shakur, penned by acclaimed local crime writer Cathy Scott and acknowledged as the definitive biography and account of the iconic rapper's final days, has now been released in an expanded and updated 3rd Edition, containing the never-before-published eye-witness testimony from 'pac's personal bodyguard, which could not be printed until after the death of "Big Frank." Upgraded from "pocket pulp" to trade paperback format, for a limited time only Huntington Press is offering a deep discount and reduced shipping on this best-selling title, so snap up a copy of the new edition while you can! Also available for all major e-book readers, including Kindle, Nook, and Apple devices (just click the above link for all the details).
Thursday, April 17 sees the 13th Annual Spring Pure Aloha Festival kicking off at the Rio. Running through Sunday, April 20, more than 20,000 guests are expected at the event, which features traditional live entertainment, evening concerts featuring the best in island music, 100+ specialty food and retail vendors, and a large carnival with midway rides. General admission is $8/day ($6 for kids, seniors, and members of the military with valid ID) and a complete list of performers is available at Vizzun.com, where tickets may also be purchased. Note that this year, an Easter Egg Hunt for children ages 3-12 has been added on Sunday, which includes the chance to take photos with the Easter Bunny and over $500 in prizes.
On Friday, July 25, The Voice Tour, with Tessanne Chin, Jacquie Lee, Will Champlin, and Dia Frampton, hits The Joint at the Hard Rock and through 10 p.m. today there's a pre-sale on tix, which start at $45 and aren't officially available until Thursday. Use password: VOICE.
Deutsche Bank is in talks with potential buyers of The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, reports Bloomberg News, and is seeking more than $2 billion for the resort, although sources close to the deal set the value lower, at $1.5 billion. Apparently, there are at least four possible bidders for the property, which foreclosed on the money-losing property back in Jan. 2008, which cost $3.9 billion to build. Germany's largest bank always stated that its takeover of the property was intended only as a temporary investment; although Cosmo has yet to turn a profit, the resort’s revenue rose 9.6 percent to a record $653 million in 2013.
Aliante Casino + Hotel will honor veterans, active military personnel, and their families throughout the month of May, with dining and hotel specials for Military Appreciation Month. Special offers will include a three-course prix-fixe menu at Bistro 57 (named for the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base - who knew?) for $18, with 10% of proceeds benefitting Operation Warmheart dedicated to helping airmen in need). The property will also offer a 10% discount on admission to The Deck salwater pool and on all food purchases at Bistro 57, MRKT Sea & Land, The Salted Lime, Medley Buffet, and FARM 24-7 for veterans and active military members with a valid ID.
The ongoing controversy surrounding the local tapas-restaurant chain and its repeated run-ins with the Southern Nevada Health District continues, with an announcement from the owners that the Firefly location on Eastern Avenue in Henderson closed permanently on Monday. Meanwhile, the former Firefly location on Paradise Road has been reopened, under the same ownership, as Imperial Tacos & Beer, serving lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and dinner from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. The new Firefly on Paradise remains open, as does the original venue on W. Sahara.
If you're a video poker player and you like playing deuces (who doesn't?), you should definitely check out Bob Dancer's latest weekly column, where he lays out which pay schedules to look for and how to play optimally when you find them.
Renaissance man that he was, it figures that Leonardo Da Vinci's birthday would be on some sort of red-letter day -- like tax day. Today is the 562nd birthday of the legendary inventor/sculptor/painter, and to commemorate it, you can get $5 off admission at Da Vinci the Exhibition at the Venetian. Mention "Happy birthday, Leonardo" at the box office from now until April 29 to get the discount.
It's been a confusing Monday, with more than one property apparently not knowing what's going on in-house. First the PR company for Royal India Bistro at the Rio countered that we had been misinformed by the restaurant and that the happy hour there is still alive and well. Now we don't know who to believe, so a trip across that expansive parking lot in front of our office is firmly on the agenda. (Note to self: What is going on with that VooDoo ZipLine? There's been a return to what appears to be the former state of complete inactivity, since we reported on some apparent line-stringing and testing early in March...)
Meanwhile, it looks like the helpful receptionist at Red Rock at least got things partially correct when we called earlier. T-Bones will indeed receive a facelift, while Mercadito will take over the spot formerly home to LBS Burger. Terra Rossa does have a remodel in its future, but this will likely involve not just a lick of paint, but a complete re-branding, although it's set to remain Italian (the same fate is almost certainly in store for sister restaurant Terra Verde at GVR, too). Oh, and despite pending cases in two courts, stemming from separate allegations of assault, battery, sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, and drug use, the Light Group is said to be opening yet another "small plates" concept in the spot formerly occupied by Hachi.
Clear skies permitting, there should be a great sky-gazing opportunity tonight, with the first of four visible total lunar eclipses that are scheduled to take place over the next year, and the College of Southern Nevada's planetarium, located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. in North Las Vegas, will be open to the public from 10 p.m., offering a telescopically enhanced view of the phenomenon for free. The beginning of the total eclipse will occur at 12:06 a.m. and end at 1:25 a.m.
Big things are afoot at Red Rock, with a new outpost of Chicago's Mercadito Mexican joint set to open sometime this summer. The representative with whom we spoke said it has yet to be announced where the 5,500-square-foot restaurant will be located, but we do know it will also feature a lounge and indoor/outdoor patio, with seating altogether for 170 guests. She also informed us that remodels are in the works for Terra Rossa, T-Bones, and the spa.
Down on the Strip, La Cave at Wynn has introduced a new gourmet-sandwich lunch menu (with prices starting at $14!), while the Burger of the Month & milkshake combo at Kerry Simon's KGB gourmet burger joint at Harrah's is Chef Reg’s Burger Special (two beef patties topped with American cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce, grilled tomato, pickles, and secret sauce on a brioche bun), served with a similarly limited-edition pralines and cream milkshake ($18).
And a little off the Strip, Royal India has scrapped its happy hour ("it wasn't working," we were told -- contrary to the confusing press release we just received) but has updated its dinner menu, including the addition of three types of masala dish (goat, tandoori shrimp, and vegetable).
Ex-Public Enemy rapper-turned-chef Flavor Flav this morning pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges stemming from an altercation in 2012 in which he allegedly threatened his fiancees teenage son with a knife. Flav, who's real name is William Drayton, Jr., was sentenced to a year of informal probation and ordered to complete 12 counseling sessions by August. He's not out of the woods yet, however: Drayton still faces felony and misdemeanor charges in New York for aggravated unlicensed operation of a vehicle and criminal possession of marijuana from earlier this year, when he was pulled over for speeding on the way to his mother's funeral.
For more on the ups-and-downs of this ever-colorful Las Vegas resident, check out our recent Question of the Day (3/25) which you can find in the QoD Archives (access is one of the many exclusive benefits afforded to LVA subscribers).
The "Culinary Battles" quest to find the nation’s top Asian chef, an initiative launched by CET in conjunction with various food and beverage partners to promote appreciation of Asian cuisines, will hold its final in Las Vegas April 26. After intense regional competitions in Atlantic City and Los Angeles, the final four contestants in the East Coast vs West Coast culinary rivalry will compete in the grand finale at Caesars Palace, to be judged by a panel of esteemed foodies and hosted by TV personality and author Diane Henderiks. Tickets to be a member of the live audience are free but space is limited; interested parties should RSVP via the culinarybattles.com website.
Here's a quick reminder that if you haven't yet filed your federal tax return, for the 12th consecutive year Mandalay Bay's Shark Reef exhibit is working in conjunction with USPS' Post Office on Wheels to offer a mailing service from noon to 8 p.m. Taxpayers who drop off their returns at the Official Shark Reef Station, located outside of the aquarium, will receive a voucher for one complimentary admission to the attraction valid through May 22.
A "Celebration of Life" meet-up for recently deceased gambler Denny Mason was held tonight in Las Vegas. Anthony Curtis attended and says, "Wow! What an amazing gathering. Gamblers, telemarketers, casino hosts, reality-TV participants, attorneys, gaming-business owners -- what a turn-out for an amazing character, that wasn't all that much of a good guy, but kinda was." Anthony says he'll explain in the May LVA.
If you can get your hands on the Neon section of the Friday LV Review-Journal, it contains a 2-for-1 coupon for Frankie Scinta at the D. This is the same show formerly called The Scintas and it's good.
According to Time magazine, the 550-foot High Roller's place at the top of the list of the world’s tallest observation wheels may be in jeopardy. Time writes, "… the New York Wheel (630 ft.) and Dubai Eye (689 ft.) are both racing to open by 2016 and claim the title."
Registration is now open for our "Sunday Funday III" poker tournament with more than $500 in prizes that begins at noon PST/3 p.m. EST today. Prizes are $100 for first, a full LVA membership for second, a suite of our top four poker books for third, and gift cards and other prizes will be awarded to all who make the final table. See the entire prize pool and register to play at the LVA Casino (once signed in, click on "Poker Tournaments" and register for Tourney ID 4493). This tournament is completely free to play and we're adding bounties for knocking out Anthony Curtis (LVA membership) and Blair Rodman (signed copy of Kill Phil). There will also be other tourneys running all day for gift cards and play chips. Come have some fun! See you at noon.
Going into today's final round of the Masters golf tournament, Bubba Watson is the +300 favorite. Jordan Spieth, tied with Watson for the lead going in, is +385 and Matt Kuchar is +400.
Manny Pacquiao is a -280 favorite over Timothy Bradley in tonight's big fight. The line has risen steadily today, with Pacman money coming in. The total is 10.5 rounds, with over the favorite at -300.
An interview with Anthony Curtis was recently published on an online site called The Pogg, and the subjects covered were definitely not of the usual variety. Read Anthony's take on what aspiring gambling pros should be aware of, playing with Stanford Wong, and why tournament blackjack didn't work (as well as his five favorite albums) at ThePogg.com.
If resort fees are important to you, and we know they are, you won't want to miss the results of our most recent poll on which amenities are important to you. The poll garnered nearly 14,000 votes and particularly interesting are the comments about resort fees in general. Click "Poll Results" in the "Features" section on the home page.
Don't forget to set aside time to play our "Sunday Funday III" poker tournament tomorrow, with more than $500 in prizes. The game begins at noon PST/3 p.m. EST, with registration open two hours prior to the event. In the meantime, there's a full schedule of tournaments today, beginning at 10:30 a.m. PST. All are free to play at Play.LasVegasAdvisor.com.
The Tropicana is following the example of the Luxor, whose Temptation Sunday's LGBT pool party will this year be back for its sixth season, and from May 3 (we think - that's the first date for which a DJ has been announced) will host a weekly Saturday gay pool party, with a $20 cover.
Just in time for the Rehab pool-party season, Pink Taco has introduced a means for party-goers to line their stomachs with the launch of a new Sunday Brunch menu starting tomorrow. In addition to complimentary pastries, sopapillas, and spiced tropical fruit being provided to each table, signature menu items will include machaca deviled eggs served over a tortilla strip nest; mini lobster quesadillas; pollo churrasco skewers; beef empanadas with lime and pique sauce; goat cheese enchiladas; chorizo sliders; and bacon-wrapped jalapenos.
We first heard from an associate, and just confirmed via Fox5 News, that there's a fire in the northeast part of the valley, in the vicinity of the I-15 and 215, generating a large plume of black smoke. As yet, the source of the blaze has not yet been identified but we'll keep you posted.
For the 12th consecutive year, tardy taxpayers are invited to drop off their federal tax returns to USPS Post Office on Wheels clerks at Mandalay Bay on Tuesday, April 15, from noon to 8 p.m., in exchange for free admission to Shark Reef Aquarium, valid through May 22.
The cast of Evil Dead: The Musical just don't seem to be able to sit still, and tonight they're out and about yet again, this time as special guests at the "Attack of Fandom" art show at Zombie Zone (931 S Rainbow Blvd.), where they'll be giving out prizes, hosting raffles, posing for pix from 7 to 8 p.m.
Following approval from gaming regulators first in Nevada (see Today's News 11/22/13) and then New Jersey (2/27/14), this week game maker IGT launched its Powerbucks inter-state progressive system, linking the games of casino operators Caesars Ent. and Boyd Gaming in the two states. Under the new system, certain slot games at Caesars’ 13 casinos in Nevada and Boyd’s nine Las Vegas casinos will be linked with similar games at CET's four Atlantic City properties and Boyd’s Borgata casino in the same jurisdiction, which should generate multi-million dollar jackpots to rival those from multi-state lotteries.
El Sombrero, the diminutive Mexican hole-in-the-wall joint that opened at 807 Main St. in 1950, will close tomorrow. Look out for a tribute by R-J columnist John L. Smith this Sunday, while for our history of this venerable and much-loved institution, check out the Question of the Day archives from 8/30/2006.
At 1 p.m. today, the new Siri's Casino will open its doors to the public at 241 N. Virginia St., in what was formerly the location of the Primadonna Club. Owned by Jeff Siri and affiliated with the Club Cal Neva, the new slots-only casino boasts a bright blue South Beach-style façade and is expected to serve 151-proof daiquiris.
Our own Anthony Curtis is the guest on Bob Dancer and Richard Munchkin's weekly radio show tonight, so tune in to KLAV 1230 AM at 7 p.m. local time for whatever the conversation may entail -- while we're not sure what they'll be chatting about, the recent death of a legendary Vegas old-time gambler may be on the agenda and whatever else these three brains come up with, you know it will be interesting and informative.
Here are this week's highlights, folks!
Culinary Union Local 226 has released a statement indicating that picket lines downtown will form on Saturday, apparently not on both Saturday and Sunday as reported here earlier. The demonstrations will take place between the D and the Four Queens.
The Jacksons are out and as yet to be replaced, but the intimate RockTellz & CockTails series at Planet Ho will pick up again with a third stint from Meat Loaf confirmed, with dates running May 6-June 21. More of an interactive musical bio than a regular concert, live performance is supplemented with personal stories and anecdotes, Q&A sessions, archive film and photos, for a journey through the performer's full career.
Thanks to USA Today Travel's dedicated "Experience Las Vegas" site for sharing the love: Apparently, Anthony Curtis' Vegas Basics introductory video was their most-viewed in the past year. It's good; you should watch it!
The last of four defendants indicted by a federal grand jury back in July 2012 for their part in a scheme that rigged horse-race wagers at the Palms pleaded guilty Wednesday. The other three defendants, including a former supervisor in the race and sports book, have already previously pleaded guilty and are waiting sentencing. The scheme, which involved staff accepting quinella bets on races that should have been withdrawn from the betting due to a reduced number of runners, allegedly defrauded the casino of $800,000 between 2006 and 2007.
Tickets for Justin Timberlake's Nov. 28 "20/20 Experience World Tour" stop at MGM Grand Garden Arena went on sale today, with a presale running through Friday, April 11 at 5 p.m. Use password "priority" to purchase advance tix; the public sale begins Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m.
Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, which has been quietly on the market for a year or so and was recently at the forefront of the hacking scandal that potentially compromised the data of many casino customers, could have found a buyer in Tropicana Entertainment Inc.'s Carl Icahn, according to sources close to the companies, although nothing official has been confirmed as yet.
Somehow, this announcement passed us by and we can find very little mention of it elsewhere, but it turns out that last month, Caesars Entertainment began offering to the public those of its ultra-exclusive high-roller and celebrity accommodations that hitherto had not been available to reserve at any price. Included in the new "Anthology Collection" are the Palazzo Suites at the Rio, the opulent European-style private villas located behind the pool area, which were designed with close attention to the principles of feng shui and have been home to both Prince and Celine Dion, among many others, and the Marcus Aurelius and Titus Villas at Caesars. These accommodations, are now available starting at $9,000 and $25,000/night, respectively. Other accommodations in the collection, all of which typically feature such luxury amenities as 24-hour butler service, movie-theater rooms with state-of-the-art sound systems, and private pools and spas, include suites, villas, and penthouses at Bally’s, Nobu, Paris, and Planet Hollywood. Some of the bigger and most opulent suites feature private elevators, kitchens, dining rooms, billiards rooms, fireplaces, grand pianos, and the kind of OTT pampering only previously afforded to whales.
The Culinary union has announced that there will be picketing downtown this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., presumably on both Saturday and Sunday. It's being termed an "informational picket," which should mean a relatively tame presence by the demonstrators, though there's never a guarantee of that. Check out tomorrow's Question of the Day for more details on the current labor-contract situation.
Today is the last Bob Dancer video poker seminar of the semester at South Point. Today's subject is "What Video Poker Players Should Know About Slot Clubs," beginning at noon and admission is free. Following this class, Dancer will take a break for a couple months before launching a new schedule later in the year.
The Sporting House bar and restaurant at New York-New York will close in June to make way for two new restaurants -- Shake Shack and Tom's Urban. Both are part of the ongoing transformation of the facades at NY-NY and Monte Carlo.
The reservations lines are open at SLS, the north-Strip resort at the site of the old Sahara. The first night for booking is Aug. 25 and rates opened at $109 weekdays and $139 weekends, with a two-night minimum.
Comedian George Wallace was awarded a $1.3 million judgment from the Bellagio for injuries sustained during a performance there. Following the announcement of the jury's verdict, Wallace expressed disappointment about the size of the award, then disclosed that he'll end his show at the Flamingo on April 27 to pursue other opportunities, which may include a Las Vegas-based TV show.
Connecticut is a -6.5 favorite over Notre Dame in tonight's championship game featuring the two undefeated teams. The total is 143.
Downtown Grand restaurants will give you 50% off meals on Sundays in April if you're dining before or after a Smith Center show. Show a ticket stub or other proof of ticket purchase to get the deal.
Ben & Jerry's in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood is holding its 36th annual Free Cone Day today. Just show up between noon and 8 p.m. to get a free scoop. Donations are also being accepted for the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Nevada.
An anti-online-gambling ad being distributed by Sheldon Adelson's Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling apparently portrays Angry Birds and other online games as gateways to online gambling. We haven't seen the ad, so can't comment further, but pro-online forces are taking umbrage at the ad that's titled 'Don't Bet on It."
Kentucky is a -2.5 favorite over Connecticut in tonight's championship game. The total is 135.
Blvd. Cocktail Company will debut soon at The LINQ and is currently hiring for all positions. Send your resume to [email protected] if you're interested and qualified.
Adopt a pet from any area rescue shelter today through March 12, bring along your receipt for fees paid to the Double Down Saloon on Saturday, and enjoy a complimentary matching bar tab, up to $100. (Please, don't just adopt an animal for the free booze; we feel dumb even saying this, but...)
Keep Memory Alive, the fundraising arm of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, will hold the 18th annual Power of Love Gala on April 16 at MGM Grand Garden Arena, featuring an all-star lineup including guests of honor Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Quincy Jones, plus performers Ricky Martin, Carole King, and Jon Secada. Other stars scheduled to attend the fundraiser include: Andy Garcia; Sharon Stone; Queen Latifah; Rita Moreno; Christopher Meloni; and Jordin Sparks. The cheapest individual seat for the event now is $3,000, with tables for parties of 10 starting at $1,500.
So, the question is which, of any of the useful and not-so-useful amenities commonly included in hotel resort fees to you generally use and pay for anyhow? Vote in our current Reader Poll! (We're really surprised by what's leading the pack among the options we listed...)
It's National Beer Day all day today, and we've found a few promos around town worth sharing, including: PT's pubs are serving free Dos Equis today (limit one per person, and you need to show the promo email to your bartender, so make sure you're on their list); Cabo Wabo Cantina inside the Miracle Mile Shops is offering buy-one, get-one drafts of owner Sammy Hagar's signature Red Head beer ($8 - it's the Strip); Rockhouse at Palazzo is celebrating with twofer brews all day until midnight; and Ellis Island is serving $1 20 oz EI Micro Beer drafts. If we hear of more, we'll let you know; please reciprocate!
On April 15, to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the sinking, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor will offer free entry to anyone bearing the same name as any of the 2,228 passengers or crew members on board the ill-fated liner. Check your name against the ship's manifest at premierexhibitions.com/titanic.
After we wrote in the April Las Vegas Advisor that the Klondike Sunset "might be heading for its own Sunset," the Henderson casino was hit with a complaint for not maintaining the required minimum bankroll. The Klondike was put on a sort of probation and the rule is the rule, but when we stopped by there was one player, which suggests that the realistic bankroll requirement was probably satisfied.
A Las Vegas company called Robocoin has created a Bitcoin ATM of the same name that has made it to market in several cities. Thus far, Robocoin machines haven't been installed in casinos, but we've heard they are being considered in a few. Downtown's D and Golden Gate are still the only casinos that accept Bitcoins.
Picnic, the pool area at the Donwtown Grand, has opened. Ads describe it as an "urban rooftop pool experience," and the fine print says "public access subject to availability."
Get in on the fun today at the LVA Casino, with free-to-play poker tournaments for prizes running all day. Today's featured tournament runs at 3 p.m. EST/noon PST, and the entire schedule is presented below. NOTE: All times quoted are EST.
Wynn Las Vegas put up the first line for Monday's NCAA Basketball Championship. Kentucky opens as a -3 favorite.
Kentucky is a -1 favorite over Wisconsin in today's second Final Four game of the NCAA Basketball Championship. The total is 138.5.
The Friday edition of USA Today contains a big story in the "Life" section on the Linq. Predominantly a tallying of what's now open, the coverage is favorable, as has been almost all that we've seen to date.
Florida is a -7 favorite over Connecticut in today's first Final Four game of the NCAA Basketball Championship. The total is 127.
Players get a free slice of Marie Callender's strawberry pie today at El Cortez from noon to 6 p.m. The pie is delivered to your machine or table while you play.
The parking situation at the Linq we warned you about on Thursday is as bad as advertised. Last night there was no self parking anywhere. We were able to get into Linq valet, but it took 15 minutes to get there from Flamingo.
The off-Strip party spot has announced that Moon nightclub is joining the ranks of Rain and relatively new venue The View, in being closed for anything other than one-off private/special events for the foreseeable future, pending remodels and new identities for the nightlife locations. Ghostbar, which underwent a makeover while retaining its name last year, remains open.
May 29 sees the second "Our Big Concert" event hosted by The Cosmopolitan, in conjunction with X107.5 FM and, as of 10 a.m. this morning, tickets ($35, plus tax/fees) are now on sale. The lineup includes Phantogram, Kongos, Cherub, The Orwells, and Bad Things, with announcements about additional bands expected in the coming weeks. The concert takes place by the Boulevard Pool, with views overlooking the Strip.
In case you hadn't noticed, it's all country, all weekend, with the ACM Award show taking over at Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The LINQ, and suitably tailored entertainment elsewhere, from the Mirage to Hard Rock to Sunset Station. But there's plenty of other stuff going on too, if country ain't your thang (or even if it is):
There are still two open tournaments today at the LVA Casino: 10:30 p.m. ET $10k Play Chips; midnight ET $10 Amazon Gift Card. Below is the full lineup for Saturdays's events and we'll post Sunday's schedule tomorrow. NOTE: All times quoted are ET.
Saturday, March 5:
"Oh, the sickness that is SD Fandom," as a reader (and SD fan) put it this morning, as they wrote to inform us of the latest news on the Sigma Derby-sighting front, in response to today's Question of the Day, so check back for the "Update" that was just added.
But as aside, we only just discovered that our friends over at Vegas Chatter coincidentally wrote about Derby only yesterday, just as we were writing something entirely independently in answer to a recent reader query. It is, indeed, a highly contagious disease, apparently borne on the wind! And to return the favor to Chatter, whose quest was to find Sigma Derby outside of Las Vegas (and confirms there are two in Tahoe, plus one at the Royal River Casino & Hotel in Flandreau, South Dakota), we can add that back in 2005, we tracked down an original Derby game at the Salamis Bay Conti Resort Hotel in northern Cyprus, and heard rumor that it had been spotted in a casino in Venice, Italy, but were unable to verify the latter. Plus, an updated version called Derby Mark VI was reported as being spotted in a slot arcade in the Asakusa district of Tokyo (we saw photographic proof, too!), at Ontario's Casino Windsor, and at Grand Boulevard Hotel in Manila (now closed). This high-tech futuristic version features eight horses and seats 28 players around a two-tiered track, with races that can also be viewed on TV screens around the section where the game is located. It goes without saying that if anyone out there knows of any other examples, whether gambling versions in casinos or modified games in arcades, then drop us a line!
Michael Mina's American Fish at Aria will close in July. Another Mina restaurant, BARDOT Brasserie, will open in the space later this year.
A large oil spill around lunch time today is causing traffic delays in the vicinity of Decatur Boulevard and Vegas Drive and motorists are requested to avoid the area while the clean-up operation is concluded.
Talking of the Academy of Country Music Awards, the R-J's Mike Weatherford reports that the annual event, which has been hosted by Las Vegas for more than a decade, will next year relocate to the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Texas. Fear not, however, since this is just a one-off move in honor of the ACM Awards' 50th anniversary and they should be back in Vegas the following year.
We just learned two things from a friend of LVA who happened to go try to ride the new observation wheel at The LINQ: Although the ticket office opens at 10 a.m., currently the attraction isn't open to ride until 1 p.m. Also, due to the Country Music Awards this weekend and the big shindig that's moved from downtown to The LINQ, there is no parking available out back, and they're not allowing customers to use The Quad parking lot instead, so try the Flamingo (don't don't tell them where you're going) or be prepared for a walk from Bally's or the Westin etc., if you can find a spot in their lots.
To boost the burgeoning nightlife scene downtown and jump-start new venues, for the past four years "taverns and urban lounges" have been receiving a break on the costly one-time origination fees, with collective savings among 33 venues amounting to three-quarters of a million dollars. But all that's about to end, or at least the origination-fee waiver break in the Fremont East district will be cut in half, to $10,000; new venues opening in the less-developed Arts District, however, will continue to receive substantial financial incentives for the next two years.
This Saturday, April 5, Sunset Park hosts the 15th Annual Pet-a-Palooza, in conjunction with Mix 94.1 and PawNation.com. Admission to the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and features music from live bands, food and drink vendors, and even lions, is free both to owners and to pets (on leashes). There will be more than 40 non-profit animal-rescue groups on-site offering pets in need of adoption, so head on over to support a great cause if you're looking for a new furry friend.
At 3 p.m. today Anthony Curtis will be the guest on the Mark Hoke Radio Show on KLAV 1230 AM radio show, which features a mix of poker luminaries and news, with updates on the Las Vegas entertainment scene.
The fifth show in the YouTube-only web series featuring magician and poker pro Antonio Esfandiari baffling tourists on Las Vegas Vegas Boulevard went live today.
The past year or so has seen some changes introduced to the classic Las Vegas hotel-buffet scene, from the discontinuation of breakfast at several venues (LVH, Rio, and M), to the introduction of unlimited caviar (Bellagio), to the ability to make reservations (Paris). The latest innovation we just learned about from a reader, with confirmation that Cravings buffet at the Mirage (for which we have an ongoing twofer deal in the 2014 MRB) now offers a take-out option. For $16 (any meal), the buffet will give you a to-go box, which you may cram with as many goodies as you can fit into it (apparently a challenge that many patrons are rising to, according to our source). Interesting.
Pole Position Raceway, the indoor racetrack experience, today kicks off a month-long fundraising campaign in support of World Autism Awareness Day (March 2). The fundraiser, being held in conjunction with Chapman Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram and Families for Effective Autism Treatment, will enable children with their families to visit the track and race during off-peak hours, with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit the FEAT foundation. In addition, throughout the month of April, Chapman Automotive will give $250 to customers purchasing a car who mention the word "autism."
Evil Dead: The Musical, which continues to enjoy a long run at V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops, is introducing a new dimension to the production, with the debut of wedding packages. Couples celebrating wedding and commitment ceremonies, or vow renewals, can now choose from a range of on-stage experiences including being showered in blood after saying "I do," with the option to invite up to invite up to 200 guests. Wedding packages start at $750, plus tax and fees.
Adding yet another string to his already eclectic bow (see today's Question of the Day, irrepressible magician Penn Jillette, along with sidekick Teller (himself no slouch), each has chalked up yet another impressive accolade, with word that the duo won Hash House a Go Go's recent celebrity pancake contest. With their tangy orange-honey invention, the pair has proved that while fellow Rio headlining performers, Chippendales and X Rocks, may look better naked, the beauty of a flapjack lies not in the eye of the beholder but in the belly of the eater. Congrats to the bad boys of magic, whose uncharacteristically fluffy-sounding creation, with its positively cuddly warm-maple-syrup-and-honey-butter garnish, raised almost 900 bucks for Opportunity Village.
Yup, folks, it's true. John Curtas this (April 1) morning finally broke the news on his Eating Las Vegas blog that a major merger is on the cards and it promises to be a messy one, what with all the peanut butter and porn stars...
There's been a flurry of activity here this morning, so we can reveal that the April issue of the LVA newsletter has been posted for your enjoyment and edification, featuring the scoop on The LINQ, a killer bargain-breakfast find (with spaghetti!), and all kinds of other cool stuff. Plus, Bob Dancer's regular weekly column also just went live, in which you'll find him sharing some interesting tips and observations about irrational behavior, which you may be more guilty of than you think...
We just learned, via a reliable LVA scout, that half of the dining room at Ellis Island is currently closed for a remodel, so the lounge area is currently being seconded to handle the overflow of diners. The work is expected to be complete in a week or so, we understand.
Thanks for the cake, guys but your #prank was a #fail! (Well, Anthony Curtis looks like he just filleted a small squid, but it's all smiles at LVA, if you know what we mean.) We're just relieved that no one's clothes came off, as we were in the middle of a staff meeting and it could have gotten awkward.
So, may we extend a warm April Fool's welcome to the new experience in town (is like "Extreme Kidnapping Lite"? If anybody out there is asking themselves, "Is this a movie, or is this my life?", it could just be The Game.
Even if you're not a regular Question of the Day reader (and you should be), be sure to check out today's April Fool's Day submission for a laugh. This comes courtesy of our Internet-content manager, Jessica Roe, who's responsible for having kept this only-at-LVA feature going strong for nearly a decade.