The Sirens of TI was the sexed-up and revamped (in every sense of the word) free nightly pirate spectacle that replaced the earlier more historically-inclined Battle of Buccaneer Bay show in front of Treasure Island (itself now known as TI). Between them, these two over-the-top theatrical presentations kept passers-by on the Strip entertained multiple times nightly for a whole decade.
All good (and even some mediocre) things must come to an end, however, and in October 2013 the Sirens seduced their last sailor (or whatever it was that those sirens did). Initially, there was talk of a temporary closure during the construction phase of the new "retail-tainment" complex that is currently taking shape out front at TI. However, when it was made known that the "Siren's Cove" performance area would have to be be reduced by a third in order to accommodate 46,000 square feet of stores and restaurants, so it came as little surprise to us, but a definite shock to the cast, when late last November it was announced abruptly that the show would be closing for good.
We assume your query relates not to what ousted the pirates, since the mall at TI is pretty well known about and is now starting to bear a close resemblance to the artists' renditions and, at three stories, is hard to miss; what we figure you're wondering about is whether or not there will be any kind of replacement for the free al fresco entertainment that has long been a staple of that corner of the Strip. The answer, to the best of our knowledge, is a resounding "no," as strongly suggested by the fact that that the new project has coined the phrase "retail-tainment" in defining its raison d'être, thereby reinforcing the contemporary principle being touted up and down the Strip that shopping and dining are the new entertainment, in these times of "celebrity chefs," in which we wear fashion lines designed by movie and rock stars, who make as much money from their signature perfume lines as they do from album sales.
It was Steve Wynn who pioneered the duel concepts of "extravagant" and "free" when it came to outside entertainment here, ensuring the immersiveness of the "Vegas experience" that wowed at every turn and made you feel like you were getting a great deal just by not having to pay for the entertainment. Since then, however, Wynn has shifted his position on the pirates, volcanoes, and dancing fountains of yore and both his Wynn and Encore properties debuted with the conspicuous absence of any such glitzy Strip-side come-on. The combination of the bursting of the economic bubble and a notable shift in the demographic profile of the average Vegas visitor, away from families and toward young clubbers, left a show like Sirens looking like an expensive anachronism.
Since the initial announcement from TI last August about yet another mall coming to the Strip, there's been remarkably little further word, aside from an early statement that the tenants would include a CVS pharmacy and some kind of car salesroom, with bar and restaurant brands selected to complement the existing offerings a la Senor Frogs and Gilley's. Tenants are slated to start opening in the three-story structure this fall.
So much for the Sirens. As to the second query, however, regarding something going on at Fashion Show Mall, we confess to being totally in the dark. We haven't heard of any major renovations over there since the Apple Store relocated and enlarged its presence last year, amid a fanfare that included a free live performance by Pitbull (further proof of how shopping and entertainment are inextricably interwoven these days).
What today is among the largest enclosed malls in the world started out at a far more modest 64,000 square feet, back in 1981, but has since undergone a number of expansions. Most notable among these was the major remodel back in 2003, when both the food court and "The Cloud" were added, while several of the anchor tenants, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Dillard's, and Macy's, relocated and/or expanded, contributing to a total footprint today of 1,888,151 square feet.
For those of you who aren't familiar with The Cloud, it is an (un-cloudlike) elliptical steel architectural canopy, larger than a football field, which serves the dual purposes of providing shade to a 72,000-square-foot outdoor plaza during the day, while transforming by night into a giant projection screen to advertise the vendors and events within. As far as we know, Fashion Show Mall is among the few retail centers in Las Vegas that isn't currently subject to ongoing construction or planning some major expansion, and to the best our knowledge The Cloud is safe. If anyone out there knows otherwise, do please drop us a line.
