Vanessa Selbst won the inaugural $25K buy-in Mixed Max event and the first prize of $871,148. It was Selbst's third gold bracelet, tying her with Barbara Enright for most WSOP championships by a woman.
One of the biggest tournaments in the World Series of Poker, the $1.5K buy-in "Millionaire Maker," begins today. Last year's inaugural event drew 6,343 entrants, the largest for a non-Main Event in history and the size of this year's field will provide insight into what to expect for overall participation this year.
Despite several casinos agreeing to deals with the Culinary and Bartenders unions, there's still a possibility of a downtown strike on tomorrow. Workers are poised to walk off their jobs and set up picket lines at Binions, Four Queens, Plaza, Las Vegas Club, and Golden Gate if labor agreements aren't reached by 5 a.m. Sunday morning.
Gegard Mousasi is a -275 favorite over Mark Munoz in today's UFC main event. On a second UFC card tonight, Stipe Miocic is -550 over Fabio Maldonado in the main event.
Today from 4-8 p.m. Springs Preserve hosts its fifth annual Brews & Blues Festival, featuring beers from numerous local, regional, domestic, and international brewers, plus a lineup of top blues acts, including Chris Zemba & The Late Shift Band, John Earl and the Boogieman Band, and Mac Arnold & Plate Full O'Blues. Tickets are $36; 21+ only.
The bankrupt New Jersey casino that was sold a few months ago, basically for scrap, in a deal involving Caesars Ent. and the Tropicana, has now been sold once again to developers out of Florida and, according to the terms stipulated by Caesars, will likely never again revert to a gaming property.
KLAS-TV News Anchor Paul Joncich just posted via his Twitter that billionaire Carl Icahn has rejected a $450 million offer for the incomplete Fontainebleau resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Icahn paid $150 million for the abandoned shell during a bankruptcy hearing back in 2010 and has been sitting on it ever since. The name of the aspiring purchaser has not yet been released, to our knowledge.
Whether this is related to the story just broken by the Wall Street Journal, we don't know, but coincidentally the paper is reporting this afternoon that federal investigators are pursuing a major insider-trading probe involving a triangle comprised of legendary Las Vegas sports bettor and golf-course impresario Billy Walters, and pro golfer Phil Mickelson, who are under investigation for having traded on inside information provided by Carl Icahn relating to his investments in public companies.
The new Zappos HQ downtown is hosting a massive 3-day outlet sale today through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with shoes, clothing, accessories, handbags, and more all marked at 45%-off MSRP. Tomorrow and Sunday, additional free parking will be available at the 7th and Stewart Zappos parking lot. There will also be food-trucks, a petting zoo, music, and more, with 100% of the profits from the Downtown Shoe Down going to Opportunity Village.
It's a busy weekend, not to mention an eclectic one, with a diverse musical lineup, from crooners to reggae to rock, and there's also some notable comedy talent in town, too:
On Saturday, May 31, United Way of Southern Nevada is teaming up with Las Vegas City Councilman Ricki Barlow to host a family-friendly event aimed at inspiring kids to read during the summer. "Flip Through Summer," emceed by Chet Buchanan, will feature readings from popular children's stories, themed book nooks with live characters (including a pig), a book swap, live entertainment, face painting, autographs by BMX Pro Ricardo Laguna, a Las Vegas Fire & Rescue fire truck, special giveaways, complimentary healthy snacks, and more! To join in the fun, head over to the band shell inside Lorenzi Park (3333 W. Washington Ave.) from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow.
Following the reaching of tentative agreements between members of the Culinary and Bartenders Unions with downtown casinos including Golden Nugget, Fremont, Main Street Station came word earlier this week that El Cortez had joined their ranks. Now comes word that the D has also reached a tentative agreement. Last-minute negotiations continue behind the scenes in an effort to avoid strike action at the Four Queens, Binion's, Plaza, Las Vegas Club, and Golden Gate, ahead of the 5 a.m. June 2 deadline when current contracts are set to expire.
The eclectic (and not particularly compellingly named) Wednesdays Downtown, which was launched in early May and featured entertainment including food trucks, painting classes, a "silent disco," and a collective happy hour featuring all the Fremont East District Bars, has closed for the season, it's been announced, although there are plans to revive the event in the fall.
On June 4, local eccentric, former Lt. Governor, and memorabilia collector Lonnie Hammargren will be auctioning off one of the centerpieces of his extensive and eclectic collection, when his model of the Apollo Command Module goes under the hammer, reports the R-J. The piece, which is presumed to be one of the official 1960s mock-ups of the module that were created for testing purposes, has been living in the former neurosurgeon's backyard for many years, but is to be sold, along with a bunch of other items from his stash, including a letter written by Howard Hughes and some Russian space art, via the live online Space, Coins & Autographs Auction #105, set to take place at 10 a.m. PST from an auction house in St. Louis.
Tune in tonight to Bob Dancer and Richard Munchkin's Gambling With an Edge radio show and catch guest Eric Raskin, author of The Moneymaker Effect, discussing how the 2003 World Series of Poker and the victory of an unknown amateur, who qualified via an online satellite tournament would, for better or worse, forever change the game of poker.
Michael Jackson One, the Cirque tribute spectacular at Mandalay Bay, will begin offering a 4:30 p.m. Sunday matinee June 29 that will continue through year’s end.
The coffee-shop franchise is celebrating summer with an "open house" from 2-6 p.m. today, offering all beverages (excluding 32 oz. size) for $2 at neighborhood locations.
Global restaurant franchise Johnny Rockets has opened a location at Excalibur, on the casino level near Tower I. The restaurant is open 24 hours daily.
Now through the month of June, locals with valid ID receive $5 off any High Roller ticket with promo code LOCALS.
May is National Burger Month, with May 28 being National Burger Day, and Distill (10820 West Charleston) and Elixir (2920 N Green Valley Parkway) are celebrating this double dose of burgerness with FREE BURGERS today from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. All people named Hamilton, Eisenberg, Hamm, Burger, and Berger -- or with any variations thereon in their legal name -- are invited to feast on any of the gourmet burgers served at either venue, both of which are 21+ only.
To-date, this is the only cool promo we've come across, but we'll post any others we come across -- drop us a line if you know of one.
April was only a slightly negative month for Nevada gaming revenues, which saw a drop of less than one percent, while the Strip saw a 3.2 percent uptick, for the second positive month in succession. Meanwhile, Lake Tahoe took the biggest hit, with gaming revenues down a massive 42.3 percent.
After a failed "Bar Rescue" makeover experiment, Bar 702 has changed ownership once more and will sport the venerable Sand Dollar sign once again. The new owners are experienced bar owners and restaurateurs out of New York who have ripped out all the gaming machines and are focusing on restoring the location to the live-music hub it once was (they've already had visits from an enthusiastic Clint Holmes and John Katsilometes) and a sports bar catering to the local construction-worker crowd. Big screens should be in place in time for the World Cup. They only took possession of the keys on Saturday and there was a lot of cleaning up and fixing to do (several year's worth...) but they're still welcoming guests, just be prepared for a modicum of friendly chaos for a couple of days.
Check out the debut of the LVA Casino's Turbo Tuesdays tonight. It's fast poker, with levels that advance every three minutes, meaning the tournaments absolutely fly. Still remaining on tonight's calendar are tourneys at 10:30 p.m. EST/7:30 PST and midnight EST/9 p.m. PST. They're free to play and the prizes include Amazon gift cards and free chips to play in the casino. Register at the LVA Casino, where you'll get $250,000 in free chips for joining.
Today Eastside Cannery is running a competition on their Facebook page to win a pair of tix to see Paul Rogers this Saturday. The winner will be announced on Wednesday.
After mobbed appearances at successive Las Vegas food-truck festivals (with a rumored rate of 20,000 burgers per day sold at the most recent event), cult brand White Castle Slyders is hoping to open its first brick-and-mortar venue on the West Coast, with the venue rumored to be Casino Royale. In the meantime, during the month of June members of the El Cortez players club can receive complimentary White Castles every Thursday, from noon to 6 p.m.
With interesting coincidental timing, following our recent Reader Poll about getting sick in Sin City, comes an announcement that McCarran International Airport is to open a Medical Clinic and Pharmacy to service locals, airport employees, and tourists. Located near the A/B checkpoint in Terminal 1, the facility will serve as a full-service pharmacy with licensed medical providers on staff, as well as an extensive selection of TSA-approved toiletries and sundries.
The 45th World Series of Poker begins today with the traditional Casino Employees tournament and the inaugural $25K buy-in Mixed Max event. All play is free to watch throughout the meet, which concludes on July 14. We'll post important results in this space.
Boyd Gaming, operator of the Fremont and Main Street Stations downtown, has reached a tentative settlement with the Culinary and Bartenders Unions for new 5-year contracts, following the terms of the contract ratified by workers at the Golden Nugget May 1. The settlement comes just days ahead of a 5 a.m. deadline on June 1, which will see workers including bartenders, cocktail servers, restaurant staff, and housekeepers walk off their jobs at the D, Four Queens, Binion’s, Plaza, Las Vegas Club, El Cortez, and Golden Gate if agreements have not been reached.
So says Bob Dancer in his latest Tuesday column, or at least some money-management concepts can be counter-productive for some players, at least some of the time. So check out his thought-provoking breakdown of what works and what might not be in your best interests.
Beginning June 2, Station Casinos launches a "$1.5 Million World of Winners" swipe-and-spin giveaway, with three days each week to win. Prizes on Fridays and Saturdays include cruises and cash, with additional cash prizes up for grabs on Sundays, while every Thursday in the month is a Margarita Gift Day, with the chance to win a complete margarita set. The promo will operate across all of the company's Station and Fiesta properties in Las Vegas. Eligible points for all promotions may be earned by playing slots and video poker.
Preceding the World Series of Poker and the other alternative poker tournaments that will run concurrently, the Orleans is running the Orleans Open Poker Tournament from now though next Sunday. Tournaments begin at 2 p.m., most with buy-ins of $225. The main event is June 1, where the buy-in will be $540.
You won't recognize the downtown area directly behind the Four Queens. The site of the former downtown courthouse has been completely transformed, with the 2.76-acre parcel now completely cleared and paved. It's been announced that the area will be used as a festival grounds for the D.
The Culinary and Bartenders unions have called for a June 1 strike downtown. To date, only the Golden Nugget has come to labor terms, leaving nine downtown casinos still with expired contracts.
Look for deals all over town today; see the post earlier in this space for details on several promotions. You can also get a free buffet for two by showing military ID at South Point, and Station and Fiesta casinos are running a free slot tourney until 7 p.m.
We can verify that the Rio's VooDoo Zip Line debuted today as promised, as the lines are visible from our office. The ride lasts 1:10, which includes traveling down and back. Once the Zip reaches the Ipanema Tower, it immediately reverses and riders travel backward, returning to the Masquerade Tower. The ride descends at a top speed of 33 MPH and reaches 20 MPH traveling back up.
Tonight Silverton's Sway Pool Lounge hosts smooth jazz saxophonist Will Donato, performing poolside from 6-10 p.m. Tickets are $10, plus tax/fees at the door (it's free to hotel guests). Must be 21+.
Although there is no mention of it on the new BLT Steak page on Bslly's official website, we called the restaurant to confirm if the Sterling Brunch was indeed going ahead, and were informed by the somewhat flustered-sounding person who answered our call that the price for the gourmet Champagne Sterling Sunday Brunch has been set at $90, the same price back in February when it went on hiatus for the remodel. This is the only brunch in town to serve genuine French Champagne, with which (historically) it's been very free-pouring, while the quality and diversity of the spread is legendary. As we wrote in the LVA newsletter back in August, 2006, when some balked at the latest price hike: "At $65 per person, the Sterling Champagne Brunch at Bally’s is Las Vegas’ most expensive buffet. Does it measure up to its lofty price tag? There’s certainly a case to be made that it does. From the Perrier Jouët Champagne ($35-$40 per bottle in a wine shop) to the spread of high-caliber dishes and the excellent service, this brunch remains one of the city’s most recommendable splurges. By January 2012, however, it had hit the $90 mark (with a new $5 discount introduced for Total Rewards members), and for some that seemed to cross a pain threshold. Still, that was two years ago now; time will tell if that price holds steady now.
From 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 11, the Moulin Rouge will open for live gambling. The shuttered casino-hotel was destroyed by a fire in 2009, so the gambling will take place in a trailer with 16 slots, a move that's necessary to preserve the site's gambling license.
It's another bonus-points day at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam's Town. Get 15X points on penny slots, 11X on all other slots, and 7X on video poker all day. with no maximum on points earned.
Renan Barao is a big -1000 favorite over T.J. Dillashaw in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured matches, Daniel Cormier is -930 over Dan Henderson and Robbie Lawler is -190 over Jake Ellenberger.
After only six months at the helm, Daniel Lee has resigned his position as CEO of the Palms. Lee said that a recent bicycle accident contributed to his decision. A successor has not been announced.
After opening with no discounting, there are now a couple of ways to save a little on the High Roller observation wheel. While prices remain $26.95 and $36.95 after 6 p.m., you can now get $2 off by showing a Total Rewards card and $5 off with local ID.
We have several free poker tournaments scheduled over this holiday weekend. Play for books, gift cards, and other prizes in several tournies running through Monday. Register and check the schedules at the LVA Casino, where you'll get $250,000 in free chips for joining.
Elton John and David Furnish's Champagne lounge at Caesars host "Pop & Shop" -- a Champagne and shopping experience -- from noon to 4 p.m. today, with each package ($50) including a signature FIZZ champagne flute complete with endless refills and a FIZZ gift bag containing special offers, discounts, and samples from various retailers inside The Forum Shops at Caesars.
Here are the major discounts and events we're aware of this coming weekend, with many of the Memorial Day promotions kicking in today and running through Monday.
This July 11-13, TAO Beach at the Venetian hosts the 3rd annual World's Largest Bachelorette Party, welcoming hundreds of prospective brides and their friends for a three-day VIP event, featuring gift bags, open bars, a mixer event at Lavo, and a "Final Fling" party at TAO nightclub. Presale tix are currently available for $50, but not for much longer, so bag your spot while you can.
From our vantage point behind the Rio we have observed additional testing of the VooDoo ZipLine this week, but we confess to still being surprised when we received an out-of-the-blue press release announcing that the long-promised rooftop attraction at the Rio is set to open this Sunday, at noon. Apparently MMA announcer Bruce Buffer (huh?) will be on hand to launch the ride with his signature catchphrase, but a visit to the official website revealed some cool new birds-eye photos, but nowhere to purchase tickets... We spoke with the GM, who said they'd likely go on sale tomorrow, and that something is planned for Sunday morning, but it's a surprise. If and when tickets do go on sale, it will apparently be $24.99 during the daytime, rising to $37 at night (after 5:30 p.m.); there's an FAQ on the website with more information.
On Saturday the Springs Preserve hosts its annual Ice Cream Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with all-you-can-eat sundaes, root beer floats, and other novelty frozen treats, plus entertainment for all ages, including airbrush tattoos, a photo booth, pony rides, family bingo, and a bubble play station. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12. (Note: There's an additional $1 fee if you book online; members receive a 50% discount on the entry price.)
It's being reported that Donald Sterling has agreed to surrender his stake in the Los Angeles Clippers to his wife Shelly, who is authorized to sell the team, although apparently her terms include the retention of a minority interest in the team, which she currently owns jointly with her husband. It's unclear whether this proviso will be accepted by the NBA, which on April 29 banned Sterling for life following a series of racist remarks and stated at the time that the move would also terminate any other current ownership interest in the team.
Malaysia-based casino giant Genting Berhad has been approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission to do business in the state, with representatives from the company confirming that construction will now get underway this summer on Resorts World Las Vegas, the reincarnation of the abandoned Echelon Place project. Genting estimates it will take a $4 billion investment to realize their plans for the Asian-themed Strip megaresort.
After a 10-day trial, that saw the accused take the stand in his own defense, the jury yesterday found former Beatles LOVE dancer Jason "Blue" Griffith guilty of second-degree murder in the 2010 killing of his former girlfriend, dancer Debora Flores-Narvaez who performed in Fantasy at the Luxor. Sentencing is set for July 23.
Memorial Day Weekend is traditionally the beginning of pool season, so check out our Cool Pools section for the lowdown on the best party pools in town, while our Memorial Day-specific events and promo listings will follow. In the meantime, here's all the other stuff going on:
It's Poker Season, with the WSOP traditionally inspiring tournaments elsewhere around town, including Caesars, Venetian, and downtown's Golden Nugget, where from June 4-July 6 the poker room will host more than 200 live poker tournaments during the seventh annual Grand Poker Series. Buy-ins range from $65 to $1,100, with new additions to the lineup this year including several Senior Satellites during the opening week of the tournament. Special room rates are available for participating players, starting from $47 per night. Visit the official website for the complete tournament schedule and event structures for the complete tournament schedule.
The winners of the first-ever First Friday Film Competition will be invited to walk the red carpet at downtown's new Inspire Theater (107 Las Vegas Blvd. S.) as part of the next Wednesdays Downtown event, to be held May 28. The event will kick off at the Wayfarer Bar and be followed by screenings of the three winning short films at 7:45 p.m. The event will be free and open to the general public (21+) with valid ID.
All-vocal group MO5AIC has released a new block of tickets for upcoming performances through July at the Shimmer Cabaret Showroom at LVH. The family-friendly, 70-minute show performs at 8:30 p.m. on select nights May–July, with GA tix starting at $39 (plus tax/fees). Nevada residents with valid ID are entitled to a discounted $29 seat.
Check out the debut of the LVA Casino's Thursday Deep Stack Poker Tournaments, beginning tonight at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST. This tournament will have a $20K play-chip buy-in, and a $12K starting bankroll and 10-minute levels will test your poker skills. Following will be a freeroll at 11:30 p.m. EST/8:30 PST, with $250,000 in play chips up for grabs. Beginning next Thursday, we'll add cash/prizes to the mix. Another weekly event, Turbo Tuesdays, begins next week. All are free to play. Register at the LVA Casino, where you'll get $250,000 in free chips for joining.
It's just five days until they shuffle-up and deal for the first event -- the $500 Casino Employ event, as is the tradition -- at the 45th Annual World Series of Poker, hosted by the Rio, which runs through July 14. Among the first crowd-pulling events is May 31st’s Millionaire Maker $1,500 Buy-In No-Limit Hold’em tournament, which guarantees a million-dollar prize to the victor. In total, more than $200 million is expected to be awarded this year, with $10 million guaranteed for the Main Event champion.
That prize is four times the amount unknown Internet player Chris Moneymaker took home when he shocked -- and rocked -- the world to take home the championship bracelet in 2003, but it was more than the accountant from Tennessee had earned in his entire lifetime and he won it off the back of an initial $40 stake, winning his seat via an online-poker tournament. Get inside the minds of the famous pros he took out one by one along the road to victory and read about how his victory changed the world of tournament poker forever in The Moneymaker Effect, newly released by Huntington Press and available -- but not for much longer! -- with a special 50%-off introductory discount, plus $3 reduced shipping.
This Memorial Day Weekend will see the return to the Strip of a Las Vegas institution, with the May 27 debut of Bally's Sterling Brunch in the newly remodeled steakhouse, now BLT Steak. The brand originated in New York back in 2004 and is known for its signature warm popovers and deserts, plus of course steaks and seafood, while fans of the famous brunch may once again indulge in the caviar, lobster tails, fresh-shucked oysters, Alaskan king crab legs, and never-ending glasses of Perrier Jouët Champagne that made the brunch famous. Efforts to find out the price for the Sterling Brunch have so far met with abject failure, however; having escaped from a hideous call-center/front-desk loop, only to be connected to the voicemail of the general manager at Planet Hollywood's Spice Market... The closest we got to a relevant human was someone apparently on the front desk at Bally's, who said it would be "$40+". Seeing as it went out at the $90 price point, and seeing as they're serving unlimited real Champagne (the only buffet in town that does), not to mention caviar and oysters, we're pretty sure that suggesting it's going to be more than forty bucks per is a safe bet. We await feedback on the actual cost and will pass it on as soon as someone gets back to us.
There's a new shuttle service between Las Vegas and L.A. operating out of Henderson, we just discovered via their Twitter follow (thanks!). The BlackJack Xpress uses the new Nissan NV Passenger Van and offers complimentary water and Wi-Fi during the ride to/from Vegas/L.A., with one stop only en route. The ride takes 4.5 hours, with two departure windows daily; and it's $35 one way, $65 for a round-trip; refer five friends and bag a free trip, while the first ten customers to book from Vegas or SoCal receive free round trips from May 23-25, only. Check the website for more information.
We just learned that the popular and venerable Prince tribute act, which has performed all over town, including at the Boardwalk, Monte Carlo, House of Blues, Hooters, the D, and finally Planet Hollywood, has left town, possibly on a cruise ship, and there's no word of a future return.
As chunks of over-sized confectionery continue to arrive on the Las Vegas Strip, an opening date of June 3 has been announced for the much-anticipated Hershey's Chocolate World at The Park (or whatever the new pedestrianized indoor/outdoor retail complex thingy at New York-New York and Monte Carlo is called these days).
Wolfgang Puck is to open his first off-Strip Las Vegas restaurant, with a new Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill destined for the Downtown Summerlin complex (formerly The Shops at Summerlin) on the west side of town, close to Red Rock. The 200-seat casual eatery, designed by the team behind Spago, is slated to open this fall.
his Saturday, May 24, South Point will host the 2014 Las Vegas Badass Dash, a fundraiser for Autism Speaks that involves an obstacle course with features including: climbing, crawling, mud, slip 'n slide, heavy carrying, balance beams, and more. Visit the site for registration details and to sign up (it's a little confusing, but as far as we can tell it starts at about $100, including booking fee, for individuals).
This is a quick reminder about the panel on casino cheating to be hosted by the Mob Museum this evening (and not yesterday, as we accidentally posted Tuesday - our apologies for any confusion caused). "Beating the Odds, An Inside Look at Casino Cheating," features a panel of experts including former Gaming Control Agent and casino operator Bill Zender, author of Huntington Press' acclaimed Casino-ology series and Advantage Play for the Casino Executive. The discussion will be moderated by author and award-winning newspaper columnist Jack Sheehan, with book signings afterward by Zender and fellow panelist George Joseph. Tickets to the event, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m., are $25 (museum members get 10% off); to make reservations call 702/229-2734 or visit the museum website.
Following the collapse of plans for a rooftop rink downtown, Las Vegas' currently-homeless hockey team today announced that they'll be taking a season off, following the ECHL's granting of a voluntary suspension. They intend to return to the ice for the 2015-'16 season.
Our current Reader Poll, regarding whether or not you've ever gotten sick in Sin City, closes at midnight to make way for an all-new singing-and-dancing survey, so get your votes in now if you haven't already. We can reveal at this late juncture, however, that not a single one of our readers reports ever having been bitten by a rabid bat, so we can all sleep a little easier tonight.
It must be something in the air, because there's been a frenzy of activity on our site. First up, video poker expert Bob Dancer uses the unorthodox platform of his weekly Tuesday column to extend an open invitation to his upcoming wedding reception (yes, really although note that Bob being Bob, there will be no booze, although there will be finger foods, square dancing, and a prize drawing -- don't worry, no basketball hoops will be involved, to the best of our knowledge).
Meanwhile, when it comes to James Grosjean's Beyond Numbers, it's just like waiting for a bus: After an unforeseen temporary hiatus due to other commitments, the world's #1 gambling expert is back with a vengeance, with not one, but THREE simultaneous new posts, including the final long-promised reveal of his all-time favorite gambling movie. Like we said, there's something in the wind, because James also has seen fit to throw open an invitation to a screening of said movie prior to next year's Blackjack Ball (possibly working on the assumption that everyone will have completely forgotten about it by then). In subsequent posts, you'll find a reasoned discussion of why pro athletes and beautiful people tend to suck at gambling (this could be music to the ears of many and Grosjean has studied both species "in the wild," so these conclusions were reached empirically) and, well, post #3 we're going to leave as a surprise...
Today marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere, in 1964, of Viva Las Vegas, Elvis' highest-grossing movie ever and the source of the city's unofficial anthem. In celebration of its 50th anniversary, on Aug. 12 Warner Bros. will be releasing the film as a Premium Blu-ray Digibook package that includes rare behind-the-scene photos. Meanwhile, for the definitive list of the more than 40 cover versions of the song "Viva Las Vegas"--from Engelbert Humperdink to the Dead Kennedys, via Bruce Springsteen and the Blues Brothers--check out the QoD Archives (8/31/07).
What was once the largest -- and most profitable -- casino in the world has announced that
it will be closing some slot banks and table pits in its Rainmaker Casino from 4 a.m. Mondays to 9 a.m. Fridays, commencing June 9, as a response to declining visitation. The tribal megaresort will also be downsizing its staff, following four years of falling slot revenues in the face of increased competition from new and expanded gaming in Rhode Island and New York in particular, with more casino properties in the pipeline from both Massachusetts and New York.
Tomorrow, Weds. May 21, downtown's National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, better known as the Mob Museum, will host "Beating the Odds, An Inside Look at Casino Cheating," with a panel of experts including former Gaming Control Agent and casino operator Bill Zender, author of Huntington Press' acclaimed Casino-ology series and Advantage Play for the Casino Executive. The discussion will be moderated by author and award-winning newspaper columnist Jack Sheehan, with book signings afterward by Zender and controversial surveillance operative George Joseph. Tickets to the event, which kicks off at 5:30 p.m. with some light refreshments, are $25 (museum members get 10% off); to make reservations call 702/229-2734 or visit the museum website.
Firefighters are currently on the scene of a three-alarm fire at the premises of Republic Services, the Valley's principal recycling company, located at West Gowan Road, near the intersection with North Commerce Street, in North Las Vegas. Many of the materials the company accepts are highly flammable but there is no word yet as to what caused the blaze, which is generating thick black smoke.
While on hold for Aria to ask them about something else, we caught the recorded message informing us that there's now a $10 "processing charge" for booking a room over the phone, with the fee applying to each reservation made. This has long been standard with many show reservations (where the fee often also applies online and can be avoided only by purchasing in person at the box office) and it isn't the first we've heard of this practice being applied to hotel-room reservations, but that stiff $10 fee particularly caught our attention. The message informs you that you can avoid the surcharge by booking online; there's no equivalent way to avoid Aria's $28 (inc. tax) nightly resort fee, however.
We'll be pursuing this matter further and getting to the bottom of who else is levying this phone fee; we'll be sure to report our findings in due course.
Although it's being billed as a "Summer Concert Series," the upcoming concerts at M Resort will take place not poolside, but in the 2,300-seat Pavilion Theater, apparently, with Beach Boys tribute Papa Doo Run Run taking the stage for a one-night only performance on Saturday, June 21, followed by Sinatra Forever, with Rick Michel alongside a 24-piece orchestra, on Saturday, July 12. Tickets for these two events start at $19.99 (plus tax/fees), while the Ultimate Elvis Tribute plays Aug. 25, just after what would have been the star's 79th birthday (yikes!), with GA tix starting at $25.
This June Palace Station is slated to debut its own version of the Charcoal Room steakhouse concept, originated by Santa Fe Station, while Little Tony's (coming soon!) will be a casual trattoria and pizzeria.
Yes, that's right, your neighborhood convenience store is holding a summer promotion, in conjunction with some of its finest craft beer and hard cider products, encouraging customers to enjoy the great outdoors with a bunch of adventure packages up for grabs in Nevada and Utah, including rappelling in Valley of Fire or a desert ATV tour. Visit the GVGrocery.com site for a list of participating stores, then visit the nearest one for details on how to win.
Check out today's Question of the Day for the latest possible round of upgrades under consideration for the Las Vegas public transit system, in light of some surprising and unwelcome statistics about driver assault. (Fortunately, no one was harmed in the naked-hijacking incident...)
Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the cheapest airline of all? A recent airfare-comparison survey conducted by USA Today Travel found that in 60 percent of cases, Southwest Airlines did not offer the lowest fare on a route serviced by rival operators (in one instance coming in 145% more expensive!), while fares in general have increased disproportionately to the rate of inflation and rising fuel costs, leading the publication to question whether the much-vaunted "Southwest Effect" of yore is no more?
New Jersey reported a slight drop in online gambling revenue in April, its first month-to-month decline. Revenue was $11.4 million compared to $11.9 million in March. Borgata continues to lead the way with $16.4 million for the year, ahead of Caesars Interactive with $13.1 million.
Steve Wynn has purchased Jeff Koons' Popeye for $28.2 million. The 7-foot-tall sculpture will be displayed at Wynn Las Vegas. Wynn previously purchased the Koons sculpture Tulips for $33.7 million, which is displayed in front of the theater at Encore.
We're adding a big blackjack freeroll to today's tournament line-up at the LVA Casino. If you bomb out of poker, the blackjack tourney, with $250,000 in play chips up for grabs, begins at 5 pm EST/2 pm PST. The play chips can be used to play other games in the casino. This one figures to have a smaller field, so it's a chance to try tournament blackjack while also taking advantage of a good overlay opportunity.
Today’s Sunday Funday poker tournament will feature bounties on Anthony Curtis and Arnold Snyder. Knock AC out of the tourney and get a full LVA membership. Knock AS out and get a suite of five books. Arnold is running our new site ToplessVegasOnline.com, so the package includes Confessions of a Stripper, Madam, and the Topless Vegas Pocket Guide. However, Arnold has also written two respected poker books – Poker Tournament Formula and Poker Tournament Formula 2 – and signed copies of both are included. These additions push the value of today's prize pool up to more than $850.
Registration is now open for our "Sunday Funday IV" 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 4824). In addition, all final-table players will get a copy of our new book, The Moneymaker Effect. This tournament is completely free to play. There will also be other tourneys running all day for gift cards and play chips. Come have some fun! See you at noon.
Progress continues at The Cromwell, with the new marquee signage for Giada Di Laurentiis' highly anticipated restaurant now in place. Reservations are now being accepted from June 3 (dinner) onward by calling 855-GIADAS1 or via the Cromwell's official website.
Set some time aside tomorrow for our Sunday Funday 4 poker tournament, with our biggest prize pool to date. In addition to more than $500 in prizes, all final-table participants will get a copy of our new book, The Moneymaker Effect. The tournament kicks off at 3 p.m. EST/noon PST, with registration opening two hours in advance. It's free to enter at the LVA Casino.
The morning line for today's Preakness Stakes makes Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome the favorite at 3-5. Social Inclusion is 5-1 and Bayern and Ride on Curlin are both 10-1. The long shot is Ria Antonia at 30-1.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Lake Mead Recreation Area, which was the first of its kind to be designated in the U.S.. While it wasn't until October 8, 1964 that the LMNRA was officially established, they're getting the festivities started early, with a kick-off event taking place today that starts at noon with a Lake Mead cruise to Hoover Dam. See the official flyer for more details; admission to the park area for non-members is $10.
We haven't been down yet to check it out and are not quite sure what Downtown Grand's new Street Dice game comprises, but they're rollin' the bones till 10 p.m. tonight, so drop us a line with the scoop if you go see or actually play the new game. They're also holding a block party in conjunction with The Coyote 1027, featuring a free show at the new Picnic rooftop pool with Chris Heers & the Dirt Rich Band.
We just caught some more testing going on with the VooDoo ZipLine; still no word on when the attraction may open, however.
It's rodeo time downtown, with the annual Las Vegas Elks Helldorado Days festival now at a new location at Symphony Park, by the Smith Center. The event runs through Sunday, with vendors, live music, a carnival and, of course, lots of professional rodeo action. Tonight, kicking off at 6 p.m., it's the "Whiskerino Contest," hosted by the Pullman Grille at Main Street Station, with prizes for categories including longest moustache, most unique beard, and best goatee.
Keep abreast of traffic issues with the Las Vegas Sun's guide to ongoing and upcoming road projects that may impact your travel plans.
In honor of the 300th birthday of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, who was one of Johann Sebastian's sons and a fellow composer, this Sept. 3-7 the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay will host a German music festival, in conjunction with Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas. Tickets are on sale now at germanicvm.com and Ticketmaster outlets for "GERMANICVM XL," which will feature an array of musical performances, from classical to pop, culminating in a Bavarian-style Brunch at Hofbräuhaus on Sunday, Sept. 7, when a raffle drawing will be held to benefit the German American School Association, which hopes to establish a permanent German school in Las Vegas.
It's going to be a hot one; luckily, there's lots of cool stuff going on inside:
The project formerly known as The Shops at Summerlin, mothballed back in 2008, has now been rebranded Downtown Summerlin and is set to open October 9, the developer has announced. It's been a year since the Howard Hughes Corp. finally broke ground on the 1.6 million-square-foot retail and shopping complex located at Sahara Avenue and the 215 Beltway, which is designed to be home to more than 125 stores and restaurants, a five-screen movie theater, condos, apartments, and a nine-story office building.
Friday is forecast to be the first 100-degree day of the year, while Saturday is set to be the second. You know how it goes after that...
As wildfires rage in California, restrictions are now in immediate effect for several recreational areas surrounding the Las Vegas Valley, including Big Bend, the Spring Mountains, and Valley of Fire. Campfires using wood are prohibited (camping stoves and propane only, or charcoal if you’re in a designated picnic area, and please be careful!), while smoking outside of vehicles and driving off-road are also outlawed. Other "fire-creating instruments," including welding torches and fireworks, are banned (obviously) and adventurers must carry at least one gallon of water in remote areas. Break any of the rules and you could find yourself slapped with a $1k fine or six months in jail -- not to mention the guilt if you're one of the idiots who triggers a blaze -- so be fire smart!
LIPSHTICK – THE PERFECT SHADE OF STAND UP is a new all-female lineup of comedy talent that will be taking up residence in Venetian's Sands Showroom, opening July 11 with an opening slate of 14 comediennes, including Whitney Cummings, Joy Behar, Lisa Lampanelli, and Rita Rudner, who already has a long history performing at the venue, with upcoming dates on June 22 and 29 ahead of the new-format series for this theater. Tickets, which start at $37.50, went on sale for the first show, featuring Wendy Williams. Performances will be at 10 p.m. on Fridays and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays (with some shows featuring an additional 10 p.m. performance).
Husband-and-wife restaurateur team Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau, most recently of Summerlin's Honey Salt, have announced that they will open two new restaurants, reports Eater Vegas. Expected to open late summer, Made.LV will apparently be "a modern American tavern" in the spot in Tivoli Village briefly occupied by Bradley Ogden's Hops & Harvest and which, in addition to a menu of healthy comfort foods and craft beers, will feature retro arcade games, a bocce court, and outdoor patio seating.
Meanwhile, the duo also have plans for another restaurant in the as-yet unopened Shops at Summerlin. Although as yet unnamed, it sounds like this will have a surf-and-turf orientation, featuring "seasonal market sides."
Rumor no more, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas has been sold. The resort was reportedly purchased by Blackstone Real Estate Partners for $1.73 billion. This is Blackstone's first significant foray into the casino business. We'll report as additional details surface.
A state of emergency continues in San Diego County, where thousands of homes and businesses have been evacuated in the face of a fast-moving wildfire that has already destroyed more than thirty homes in the suburb of Carlsbad. This is one among multiple fires burning in Southern California following months of drought, but to-date no injuries have been reported.
Let's hope it stays that way.
Following recent announcements about dining venues and other amenities, comes the latest news from the new boutique hotel-casino taking over the former Sahara site this Labor Day weekend. Today's release relates to the nightlife offerings at SLS Las Vegas, which will include Foxtail, an 8,000-square-foot stylish (of course) yet edgy (naturally) indoor/outdoor daylife/nightclub experience, featuring all the bells and whistles that every self-respecting club offers these days, including a pool and giant outdoor 3-D projections.
Fire crews are currently at the scene of a blaze at Faith Lutheran Middle and High School on the west side of the valley, after solar panels on the roof were spotted on fire. No further details have been released as yet.
The longest-running headliner in Las Vegas history, female impersonator Frank Moreno, known for his iconic take on Joan Rivers, will celebrate his 25,000th appearance on the Strip this May 31 with a milestone performance at the Quad. Marino will be presented with the Key to the Strip by Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani and a special commemorative $25 poker chip will put into play at The Quad, host of Divas Starring Frank Marino. (Remember to be discreet if you're just going to the casino cage as a collector -- the rules about not "selling" chips are being more strictly enforced these days -- see Question of the Day 1/27/14) regarding Chinese New Year commemorative chips), so be sure to make it clear that you are "buying in," not just buying a chip, in case you have a stickler for protocol attending to you.)
When we addressed a "Question of the Day" on the subject back in early February of this year, there were no less than four separate proposals for sports arenas on various Las Vegas drawing boards (see
An LVA member just texted us with the breaking news that they were informed this morning by a front-desk clerk at The Quad that the property is set to change its name again to some new incarnation to be announced in July. This is the first we've heard of this and ditching the new brand sounds like a very expensive way to go -- and so soon! -- but The Quad was part of the recently announced $2.2 billion property-transfer from Caesars Entertainment to Caesars Growth Partners, which is undertaking to invest a further $223 million in completing the redevelopment of The Quad (where the pool and other amenities are currently closed for ongoing construction). Does "redevelopment" now mean another new ID? Time will tell and we'll keep you posted if/when we hear more, but we do note that when the former Imperial Palace's new name was announced, back in the fall of 2012, we ran a Reader Poll and initial feedback in reaction to "The Quad" was not positive: Only 3% of voters actively liked the name, while the top result was that it conjured up images of a prison exercise yard or college campus...)
We're aware of a current redirect bug on the LVA message boards that is masquerading as a new Adobe upgrade. Our tech is looking into the problem, but for the time being do NOT follow the prompt to download the bogus Adobe upgrade; hit the "Back" button and it should take you back to the forums without any further problem.
Las Vegas and Henderson have both been recognized as a bicycle-friendly communities by the League of American Bicyclists, it's been announced, achieving bronze-level status for efforts and initiatives aimed to promote cycle use and safety. Henderson in particular has been proactive, with substantial investment each year on community initiatives and events.
When it first opened, this nightclub at Caesars Palace was the hottest hotspot in town, with celebrities practically falling over each other to get in. Since then, however, the competition has been relentless, plus the place has had its brushes with unwelcome publicity, and these days we tend to forget that Pure even exists still. Hence, it comes as no surprise that the club will be closing later this month for a major remodel. An official announcement is expected tomorrow, but the word on the street is that it will shut May 26, ahead of the Memorial Day madness.
Having already sold off the furniture and fixtures in the megaresort equivalent of a yard sale a few years back, making the Plaza and Buffalo Bills to-date the only "winners" (with the probable future exception of Carl Icahn) when it comes to the incomplete Strip resort, this week sees the removal of the giant crane from the Fontainebleu construction site. The giant piece of hardware has also been sold off and is now being dismantled and transported out of state in a move that underscores the project's unsalvageability.
Tomorrow evening sees the second "Wednesdays Downtown" event, from 6 p.m. to midnight in the Fremont East District. We stopped by the inaugural session last week and it was fun, plus the weather's perfect right now, so go and support some local food trucks, artists, and the general revitalization of the downtown 'hood.
That would be Deuces Wild, which is the topic of his weekly video poker column, just posted.
Tickets are now on sale for the 13th annual Reggae in the Desert one-day reggae-and-roots festival at the Clark County Amphitheater, with scheduled headliners to include dancehall legend Barrington Levy, Collie Buddz, Morgan Heritage, and Don Carlos. It's $25 in advance or $30 at the gate and seating is first-come, first served (bring a blanket!). In addition to the musical lineup, there will also be vendors of Caribbean arts and crafts, food, drink, and more.
Justin Teixeira, the University of California, Berkeley law-school grad who drunkenly beheaded an exotic bird at the Flamingo in 2012 (see Question of the Day 5/5/13 has been sentenced to four years of probation, plus 16 hours/month community service at an animal shelter, following his completion of a prison boot-camp program.
Tomorrow at 11 a.m., the Blue Man Group will be at the HQ of their new BFFs Zappos, for the unveiling of their latest novelty gadget, the "ShoeZaphone." The interactive installation will be debuted by the trio during Zappos’ annual Bald and Blue fundraiser and will henceforth be permanently located in the lobby of the shoe giant's downtown campus. Having read the press release, we still have no clue what the "ShoeZaphone" actually is, but presumably all will be revealed tomorrow.
Pole Position Raceway (4175 South Arville), the indoor electric go-karting attraction, is holding a Military Appreciation event this Friday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering all active and retired military personnel a special membership package during the month of May in celebration of the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. The special military-membership package includes one free race the day of sign-up and an additional free race during the recipient’s birthday month, plus discounts won all arrive-and-drive races for one year. The offer is limited to one per person and proof of past or present service is required at time of race. Prizes will be awarded to the top serviceman at the end of the month and special member t-shirts will be available for purchase at a discounted rate of $9.95.
The women's 7-on-7 tackle American football league, originally known as the Lingerie Football League before being re-branded as the Legends Football League last year, comes to Thomas & Mack Center May 15, when local team the Las Vegas Sin take on the Green Bay Chill at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $22. The Las Vegas-based franchise, which grew out of a pay-per-view alternative Super Bowl halftime TV special called The Lingerie Bowl, has now expanded outside the U.S., with leagues in Canada and Australia and plans to launch in Europe this year.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 16 for the Legends of Hip Hop event, hosted by The Joint at the Hard Rock August 2. The line-up of artists set to appear includes: DMX, EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Naughty by Nature, Biz Markie, Slick Rick, Black Sheep, and Rob Base, and tickets start at $39.50 (plus tax/fees).
The Pepcid brand of heartburn relief is running a photo contest in conjunction with the "Eater" brand of regional foodie sites, with a grand prize of $5,000 cash. To participate in the "Perfect Plates" challenge, contestants need to submit an imaginative photograph of the aftermath of a great meal, together with a caption encapsulating why is was a satisfying repast. The deadline for entries is May 18 at 11:59 p.m. ET; click to see the Official Rules and submission guidelines.
Britney Spears' residency at Planet Hollywood is proving to be a success (see Question of the Day 4/3/14), leading the pop diva to add additional dates within her ongoing two-year performance window at Planet Hollywood, while gossip site TMZ reports that she is close to signing up for another two years. Britney has been spotted apparently house-hunting in Sin City in recent weeks.
The Mirage has announced that it's opening a new restaurant called the Pantry. Described as a "family kitchen, the 24-hour restaurant is scheduled to debut in September.
The Golden Nugget has come to labor terms with the Culinary Union, signing a five-year agreement. The deal staves off potential problems downtown, but several casinos there still don't have agreements.
See the earlier post in this space for lots of Mother's Day happenings. For gamblers, Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam's Town are awarding 15X points on penny slots, 11X points on other slots and 7X points on video poker, with no maximum on points earned. South Point is awarding 5X points on slots and 2X points on video poker.
Erick Silva is a -205 favorite over Matt Brown in tonight's UFC main event. In the other featured match, Lorenz Larkin is -290 over Costas Philippou.
There's no shortage of ideas if you haven't yet made plans to celebrate your mom (tsk, tsk!), although some of these are most likely sold out/fully booked, so strop procrastinating, before it's too late (and note that the Marriott is celebrating early, as in, today!)
There are two ongoing promos at the PT's chain throughout the month of May, with five Weber gas grills (which each come with a case of Sam Adams and a bunch of steaks) and one staycation package at Hard Rock up for grabs every Saturday starting now through May 31. Check with your local PT's for details of the rules, but every 25 base points wins you one entry for the barbie giveaway, while every $10 spent earns you an entry into the "Beer & Bites" promo for the weekly staycation prize.
Don't forget that at 3 p.m. today there will be a belly-dancing flash mob outside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, in celebration of World Belly Dance Day -- take this as a useful reminder or a warning, depending on how you feel about belly-dancing mobs.
Northbound lanes of Interstate 15 were closed at Oak Hill Road in California this afternoon after a truck carrying carrots crashed and spilled its load all over the road, in addition to more than 50 gallons of diesel fuel and oil spilled. Two right lanes have since been reopened, but northbound lanes will remain closed until the hazardous-materials have been cleared; after that, all you'll have to worry about is a possible stampede of burros.
Don't forget that through the month of May, Hooters Casino is offering 5X points on select slot and video poker machines Fri-Sun.
While March 16 marked the 111th anniversary of Reno's incorporation as a city, it's today that the "Biggest Little City in the World" celebrates the date, 146 years ago, when the first public auction of lots in the City of Reno was held. There will be lots of cake, with festivities taking place throughout the weekend, kicking off at 2 p.m. Saturday with a fantasy "just-pretend" walking tour and auction, inviting play-money bids on Reno's oldest treasures and prime historic locations (visit reno.gov/residents/nv150 for more details.
It's going down at our favorite "daylife" venue, with an open bar for locals from right now until 2 p.m. in conjunction with Fireball Whiskey. It sounds like Fireball Friday will be an ongoing event, and there's a volleyball tournament, too! Don't forget to sign up for email alerts about ToplessVegasOnline - our new site will launch any day now and you want to be in the loop about special offers and exclusive reviews.
Liaison, the 7,000-square-foot LGBT nightclub from Victor Drai, slated to open at Bally's this summer, will be the first-ever gay nightclub inside a Las Vegas Strip casino and will feature two club rooms, a stage, and multiple bars, with opulent fixtures and fittings. The club is scheduled to be open nightly, with a mix of hip hop, rap, and top 40, plus a drag night. The venue is also holding two open casting calls front front and back-of-house staff, one set for Las Vegas on May 17 at Bally's and a second, at Drai's Rare property in L.A., on May 20. Both auditions will run from noon to 3 p.m.
This weekend sees the annual Arts Festival on Henderson's Water Street, to coincide with Mother's Day. The street will be pedestrian-only Saturday and Sunday, with arts and crafts stalls, live demos, a host of food trucks, and complimentary valet parking for bikes! This free family-friendly event kicks off at 9 a.n. both days this weekend; visit the hendersonlive.com website for more information.
Huntington Press best-seller The Killing of Tupac Shakur, which was just released in an updated and expanded Third Edition, once again made the front page of TMZ today as the argument between author Cathy Scott and the team behind Wyclef Jean's latest music video reached a settlement. The story has since gone viral, with coverage from multiple entertainment outlets, including BET, but in case you missed it, here's the lowdown: Scott took issue with the producers' living recreation for Wyclef's "April Showers" of the iconic photograph of Tupac's autopsy published exclusively in her account of the rapper's still-unsolved murder. It's an image to which she and her publisher have exclusive reproduction rights and she felt the video constituted a de facto infringement of the copyright, executed without her permission. The video is now being re-edited to include a closing credit for Cathy Scott and will be reinstated on YouTube. Everyone seems to be happy again.
These days, it's seeming like Las Vegas is basically just one long food festival, with the ongoing San Gennaro festivities over on the west side now seguing into the Vegas Uncork'd gourmet food n' drink extravaganza that runs today through May 11 at numerous venues around town. It all kicks off tonight with an East-Meets-West Night Market hosted by Mario Batali, Thomas Keller, and Buddy Valestro in the Doge's Palace at the Venetian. Tickets for these events ain't cheap - tonight's affair will set you back $140, although you will be in the presence of some veritable culinary luminaries. Click the link for info on other scheduled happenings and how to reserve tickets.
SLS Las Vegas, which is due to open Labor Day weekend, has announced that its dining offerings will include a classic Las Vegas-style buffet, of the new "gourmet" variety, with food stations including "artisanal Mediterranean," wood-grilled, Chinese, Japanese, and fresh desserts, plus a signature-cocktail program. adds to its impressive selection of culinary experiences on property with two original food and beverage concepts by global hospitality leader sbe, The SLS Buffet and The Perq coffee bar. The modern buffet is an original design by Gensler architects in collaboration with renowned design consultant Philippe Starck. A coffee bar called The Perq, apartnership between sbe and LAMILL Coffee, will also debut with the property.
The venerable Chinese seafood-specialty restaurant at Caesars Palace is set to close later this spring, with the second-floor space it occupies scheduled to undergo a rebranding as the seventh venue in the MR CHOW chain, which specializes in "refined Beijing cuisine with European-style service" and a menu featuring signature dishes, including Green Prawns, hand-pulled MR CHOW Noodles, and Beijing Duck.
Station Casinos has announced that the first quarter of 2014 was its best in five years, with a nearly 6 percent growth in revenue, to a consolidated net figure of $329.3 million, reversing a net loss of more than $140 million for the same period in 2013. The company has recently announced major upgrade programs for its upscale Red Rock and Green Valley Ranch properties.
Following news earlier this week of Caesars Entertainment Corp's intention to launch a multi-faceted debt-restructuring initiative in order to address that portion of the company’s $23 billion of long-term debt that's scheduled to come due in 2015 and avoid a possible bankruptcy comes word that the gaming giant is considering closing one or more of its properties in the besieged Atlantic City market, with CEO Gary Loveman observing that, "In some cases reducing supply is the right answer." He did not name any specific property/ies as being earmarked for closure; the company has already implemented some cost-cutting measures in that market, including cutting restaurant hours.
Oops! Somehow Thursday and Friday's QoDs got transposed in the database, and tomorrow's briefly went live. Order has now been restored in QoDland, so check back for a Question of the Day that actually comes with an Answer of the Day, too!
A perennially topical Huntington Press title unexpectedly made the front page of celebrity-gossip site TMZ.com today when author Cathy Scott took objection to what appeared to be unauthorized use of the iconic autopsy photograph published exclusively in her best-selling bio. of the rapper, The Killing of Tupac Shakur, which coincidentally was just released in an updated and expanded Third Edition. It turns out the image in Wyclef's "April Showers" video is a meticulous recreation of the gurney shot that used a live actor and a lot of make-up, and our understanding is that the author and the video's creator have been in touch and are working amicably to resolve any copyright issues, but for the time being the video has been taken down from YouTube (you can view a clip via the TMZ piece if you click the link above).
This latest storm in a teacup is just the most recent in a stream of incidents, rumors, and tributes that have kept Tupac's presence as substantive in death as it was in life, from his 2012 "virtual resurrection" for an eerie performance with Snoop Dogg and Dr Dre a the Coachella music festival, to Death Row Records owner Suge Knight's unexpected remarks while in Las Vegas just days ago that not only was he unconvinced that the rapper was dead -- a comment he made back in 2012, despite having been the driver of the vehicle and sitting next to 'pac when he was shot -- but that the former Death Row artist is definitely alive and "smoking a Cuban on some island." The myth rolls on and on...
Here are some of the highlights for your general entertainment this weekend:
It's the first of the two annual feasts for San Gennaro, kicking off this evening and running through May 11 at 4245 S Grand Canyon Dr., with lashings of Italian food offerings, carnival rides, and more. Admission is $9 for adults and kids over 54" $8 for seniors and the military).
We're not sure if it's the time of year, or a genuine sign of growth in the local economy, but everyone and their hedgehog* seems to be hiring these days, which is news we're more than happy to share. The latest recruitment drive we've heard about comes from the PT’s group, which is on the lookout for approximately 100 outgoing, qualified, and experienced candidates to work at various of their 43 valley pubs and taverns. Open positions include: bar hosts, managers, servers, and cooks. The hiring sessions will take place next Wednesday, May 14, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 3 p.m.–6 p.m. at the Sierra Gold Tavern at 6515 S. Jones Blvd. (2nd Floor).
*We needed a reason to share this, too.
The massive GameWorks arcade formerly located on the Strip by MGM Grand will reopen at Town Square this summer, with new attractions including bowling lanes and a social-gaming zone with 80 PCs for local area network multi-player gaming and "e-sports" tournaments. In the run up to opening, the company is hiring to fill around 100 positions including bartenders, servers, hosts, cooks, techs, and customer service personnel; visit the local Gameworks website for more details and to apply.
The plan announced back in February for the Las Vegas Wranglers hockey team to relocate to a custom-built facility atop downtown's Plaza hotel -- a scheme that sounded both ambitious and somewhat bizarre -- has been scrapped, apparently due to prohibitive costs. The original proposal came on the back of the minor league team's termination of an 11-year relationship with The Orleans; what the future holds both for the Wranglers, and for the Plaza's roof, remains to be seen.
All lanes of Interstate 15 are now open in both directions, following a lengthy closure earlier this week after an under-construction bridge at Hisperia caught on fire, causing massive tailbacks from both southern California and Las Vegas.
The inaugural Wednesdays Downtown event kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. in the area around Las Vegas Boulevard and 6th Street. In an apparent change of headliner, the Food Truck Village will feature Chef Chris Palmeri and Christian Dolias of Naked City Pizza and Desnudo Tacos, among others (an earlier release had named Nina Manchev of Forte European Tapas), plus The World's Greatest, Happy Hour involving area bars and restaurants including Commonwealth, Park on Fremont, The Griffin, Beauty Bar, Triple B, Le Thai, Inspire, Wayfarer, The Beat, Insert Coins, El Cortez, Vanguard, La Comida, and Vanguard. For the creative (or pleasantly tipsy) among you, The Painters Lounge will be a guided painting class for participants of all skill levels, with guided sessions for $30 per person from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 to 11 p.m. Reservations can be made at iloveintuition.com/painters-lounge or by calling 702-527-4166.
Blackjack card counting "is a game of science and art: The science is being able to do it; the art is being able to get away with it," said Anthony Curtis yesterday in his interview with the L.A. Times. Ben Affleck evidently needs to work on the art part, although being a major Hollywood celebrity doesn't help when you're trying to beat the house on the down-low. Ironically enough, his well-publicized backing-off by the Hard Rock in Las Vegas recently was probably a shot in the arm for the game of blackjack, however, while the D downtown has apparently extended a classic old-school "Old Vegas" invitation for the actor/producer to hit their 21 tables whenever he likes (Benny Binion would be proud!). Check out the full feature via the link above for ex-pro Curtis' take on this whole story.
We don't know if it will be rebranded the "Miracle Mile-and-a-Half" Shops, but the center-Strip retail mall has announced plans to expand eastward along Harmon Avenue, with new stores and eateries, with construction to begin in 2015.
Yup, and so are cute go-go dancers, bussers, bar backs, promoters, bartenders, servers, and an ops manager, because KRAVE is not only giving its venue a facelift, but is apparently upgrading the whole shebang including the peeps, so head on over for an open-call hiring session this Thursday, May 8, from 2-4 p.m., in the Tommy Wind Theater on the Strip (3765 Las Vegas Blvd. South, behind Walgreens).
Gaming industry icon Burton Cohen, who ran a number of Las Vegas casinos including the Dunes and Desert Inn, the latter which he agreed to allow to be used as the set for the TV series "Vega$" with Robert Urich (a very progressive move at the time), died Monday at his home in the Regency Towers in the Las Vegas Country Club, it's been reported. For a full bio. of Cohen, who was a legend among casino execs, check out the "Question of the Day" about him which we ran as recently as January 19 this year and which you can locate in the QoD Archives.
The northbound section of the I-15 at Hisperia, about three hours south of Las Vegas, is scheduled to reopen at some point this afternoon having been shut down since yesterday due to a bridge fire, of all things. (We've heard of not burning your bridges, but how does a bridge catch fire?)
Commencing tomorrow, May 7, the Fremont East Entertainment District downtown will introduce a new social event encouraging locals to mingle while supporting local biz. Wednesdays Downtown aims to transform the area into a festive block party, featuring a Food Truck Village, Painters Lounge, the "World’s Greatest Happy Hour," and other entertainment from 6 p.m. to midnight, with the inaugural spring series to be held every Wednesday through May 28 around the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and 6th Street, which will be closed for the night.
In this week's column, video poker expert Bob Dancer teaches a couple of important lessons: One is a reminder about being careful about to whose advice you pay attention, especially when it comes to video poker strategy, but with all things in life; the second point, which we acknowledge is slightly more niche but nonetheless equally valid, is why you hold 443 but not 442 when you're playing 9/6 Double Double Bonus Quick Quads.
AAA is offering free Tipsy Tows tonight. If you overindulge for Cinco de Mayo and your car is within a 10-mile radius of your home, call 800-222-4357 and tell the operator, "I need a Tipsy Tow," for a free tow and ride until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Anthony Curtis will be a guest on Channel 3's 7 o'clock news this evening, discussing his thoughts on the recent notorious ejection of Hollywood actor Ben Affleck from the off-Strip Hard Rock casino, which apparently backed-off the the star from its blackjack tables last week for allegedly counting cards; in an official statement it was announced that Affleck had not been officially 86'd (i.e., read the Trespass Act). Curtis is an ex-pro himself who's been backed off many times, including from the Hard Rock, while he continues to know pro players -- and their attorneys -- so his perspective should be interesting.
Details remain sketchy, but apparently an overpass bridge in Hesperia, about three hours southwest of Las Vegas, erupted in flames this afternoon, closing Interstate-15 in both directions in the vicinity.
It looks like Victor Drai is making good on his promise to convert his after-hours club's temporary digs into a new gay nightspot, now that Drai's is poised to relocate to its rooftop residence at The Cromwell. So, from noon to 3 p.m. tomorrow, auditions will be held to fill positions at LIAISON Nightclub at Bally's, including openings for bartenders, servers, go-go dancers, and VIP hosts. There's no mention of a venue, but we assume its in the Drai's space.
Chuy Bravo, of "Chelsea Lately" fame, will be hosting the Cinco de Mayo festivities at Hustler Club Vegas tonight, with "Foxy Boxing," "Salsa Wrestling," and adult-pinata fun with the Hustler Honeys.
Evil Dead: The Musical's apparent bid for world domination continues, with word that even more cast members are needed. The ongoing production performing at Planet Hollywood's V Theater, is on the prowl for two new female and two new male performers. Must be 18+, live locally, have comedic timing and the ability to sing, and enjoy having fun on stage. Auditions are in-person, only, and will take place the week of May 12. Interested parties should submit a headshot and resume to Sirc Michaels Productions at [email protected]; potential candidates will be contacted to schedule an appointment to audition.
OTA Travelocity has released its booking data for Memorial Day destinations for 2014, and Las Vegas just scraped in at #10, behind Seattle in #9 and the San Francisco Bay Area, which came 8th place. For the third consecutive year, New York City topped the list, also coming in significantly cheaper, at $328, than Las Vegas' $375 average nightly rate, which was second only to L.A. ($447).
The parties that got underway over the weekend are still rockin', while some establishments actually saved their Cinco celebrations until May 5; check out the item we posted in this column on Friday for a round-up of the major drinking fests.
W. Flamingo Road is closed at the intersection with Torrey Pines following a crash earlier this morning involving a moped and a school bus. The driver of the moped was rushed to UMC in critical condition and all traffic was being diverted around the area when we attempted to drive east on Flamingo earlier this morning.
The Belterra racino has opened in the Cincinnati area. It's the fifth racino to open in Ohio, joining the state's four full-fledged casinos.
Quinn's Irish pub has closed at Green Valley Ranch. It's part of the recently announced $20 million renovation there that's revamping the restaurant and bar line-up. The bar Tippling Hall will take its place.
Actor Ben Affleck was reportedly barred from playing blackjack at the Hard Rock over the weekend, due to suspicion of counting cards. Affleck has a reputation for being a good poker player and has been linked with professional sports bettors, so it wouldn't be a stretch for him to have honed his blackjack skills. The Hard Rock made a statement that Affleck had not been 86ed from the property. Counting cards is not illegal, but casinos have the right to deny play if they suspect it.
It's bonus-points day at Gold Coast, Suncoast, Orleans, and Sam's Town. Get 15X points on penny slots, 11X on all other slots, and 7X points on video poker all day.
Holly Madison's 1923 Bourbon & Burlesque has opened at Mandalay Bay. The club is designed as a 1920s speakeasy and features non-ticketed burlesque performances.
In tonight's championship fight, Floyd Mayweather is a big -845 favorite over Marcos Maidona. The fight is expected to go the distance, with over 10.5 rounds the favorite at -265.
Soon after California Chrome won today's Kentucky Derby, William Hill put up a line on his chances to win the Triple Crown, which would also require victories in both the Preakness and the Belmont. California Chrome is an underdog (underhorse?) to complete the task, with the NO lined at -240, meaning you have to bet $240 to win $100.
The Golden Nugget Biloxi is holding a "grand opening" this weekend to celebrate the completion of its $100 million renovation. Along with redesigned rooms and new restaurants, the resort is the new home of the "Hand of Faith," the largest gold nugget in the world that was formerly displayed at the Golden Nugget Las Vegas.
Not the hotel, but the road, which will receive $30 million in upgrades over the next two years, from Grand Canyon Drive at the west to Jimmy Durante Boulevard at the east end, including new medians, dedicated bus and bicycle lanes, 86 enhanced bus shelters with shade and seating, and fresh pavement on about half of its 14-mile length.
It's okay, the ever-migratory LGBT venue is just shutting down briefly for a facelift, as of today, but it'll be back to business as usual May 9.
The line for the Kentucky Derby makes California Chrome the favorite at 5-2, followed by Wicked Strong at 6-1 and Danza and Intense Holiday, both at 8-1. The longshots are Pablo Del Monte, Harry's Holiday, and Commanding Curve, all at 50-1.
Contrary to recent rumor, Las Vegas Sands Corp. is not selling its Bethlehem casino, apparently, today announcing that it will continue investing in the property and has appointed a new president in Mark Juliano from the company's Marina Bay Sands property in Singapore.
Cadillac Mexican Cantina and Tequila Bar officially opens today at 3 p.m. at the Golden Nugget. With regular hours 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, the restaurant features a menu of moe than 70 boutique tequilas an extensive selection of Mexican tapas and entrees.
Las Vegas gets the party started early this year, with Cinco de Mayo festivities kicking off today in many instances. Here's the current main-event lineup, featuring all the usual suspects:
Tonight sees the fifth annual Las Vegas Broadway Bares fundraiser returning to the Strip as Planet Hollywood hosts "Got Wood?", emceed by "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" star Jai Rodriquez. Featuring performances by entertainers from headlining productions, including Rock of Ages, Le Rêve, Dreamgirls, Jubilee!, Divas Las Vegas, Véronic Voices, and performers from Cirque du Soleil, tickets start and $25 and all proceeds will be donated directly to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Lots of shows and attractions around town routinely offer a discount to veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, so always check with the box office, but May is "Military Appreciation Month," and some properties are offering special limited-time discounts. Some of the more notable specials include:
Here are some of the highlights, as we build up to Cinco de Mayo and Mother's Day:
According to information provided by a fan to VegasChatter, it looks like popular ventriloquist Jeff Dunham has bagged himself some kind of residency at Planet Hollywood, commencing this November. No further details have been confirmed as yet, but remember, you read it here second and we'll keep you posted now that we're on the scent...
The two Hard Rock Cafes in Las Vegas (on the Strip and at Hard Rock Hotel on Paradise) are giving away two pairs of tix each to the highly anticipated Mayweather vs. Maidana fight that goes down this Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena. To enter the drawing, request a free official entry form at either venue (you'll receive one automatically if you order a bucket of Corona beer or a "Coronarita"). The winners will be determined at Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip at 6 p.m. tomorrow and at Hard Rock Cafe on Paradise at 4 p.m. Saturday and entrants must be present to win.
Using special shiny polished gold-colored shovels, the official groundbreaking for MRI's new $375 million arena took place earlier today, on the site located behind New York-New York. It's the first major new Las Vegas arena project to make it off the drawing board in 30 years. The 20,000-seat joint venture between the casino giant and AEG is slated to open in spring 2016 and host between 100 and 150 events per year.
First it was just a lowly downtown pawnbroker, but now Pawn Stars is a not only a television series and a Strip production -- it's going to be a TV game show, too, and they're searching for contestants. Airing this summer on History, like the original reality show, the show will feature members of the public recruited to compete against "Pawn Stars" principals Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin "Chumlee" Russell, in a test of history and trivia knowledge. Interested participants are invited to meet at Ballroom E on the First Floor of the Sunrise Tower at Circus Circus from noon to 4 p.m. for an open call; if you can't make it, you may also submit your profile online.
May 2, the long-running Ditch Friday pool party returns to the Palms, with a new burger bar in place for hungry party animals. Admission is $10 for ladies, $20 for guys. For all the details on the 2014 daylife scene, check out Cool Pools feature, which we'll be updating all summer long.
With the Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and this writer's birthday* all occurring this month, there are casino promos a-go-go for May. Luckily, Queen of Comps Jean Scott has just posted her monthly round-up of deals and updates at FrugalVegas, thereby saving you the bother of figuring it all out yourself.
*The b'day promos probably only apply to people with, um, birthdays this month, just to clarify.
The monthly community-arts festival downtown features an outer-space theme, with specially designed installations, including a scale model of our solar system, documentary screenings, entertainment, and lots of hands-on astronomy-oriented activities for kids, plus special guest appearances from Smokey Bear, Mojave Max the desert tortoise, and an anonymous shark from Shark Reef. First Friday runs from 5 to 11 p.m. and the majority of attractions and activities are free (unless you're purchasing from one of the many groovy vendors, of course, which is always a good thing to do), plus there's a complimentary shuttle or, if you're lucky, hitch a ride on the magic carpet (with an average monthly attendance of 20,000 visitors, parking can be tricky). Visit firstfridaylasvegas.com for the bus route and more info about the event.