contributors
James Weber
Weber has been shooting fine art and fashion for 19 years. He has shot advertising for companies such as Hennessy, Kensie, Finesse and CoverGirl. When not shooting fashion he’s focused on his fine art, using the wet plate collodion process that dates back to the Civil War. You can see more of his work at jamesweberstudio.com.
mindy saad
Saad’s impeccable style and consummate professionalism keep her in high demand. She was born and raised in Canada, where she split her time between Montreal and Toronto. Her frst international campaign was with world-renowned director Floria Sigismondi shooting a Converse All-Star ad for Vogue. She then moved to Vienna, Austria, where she worked for several European publications, including German GQ and Vogue Bambini. While working in Europe for three years, she traveled to France, Spain and Israel to style ad campaigns for Gottex Swimwear and Palmers Lingerie.
ZaCk W
Zack W’s interest in photography stems from his interest in architecture, which he originally planned to study in college. After a beginning course in black-and-white print photography, he switched majors to graphic design and never looked back. Although he still greatly enjoys the process of developing flm, he has a newfound love for digital, especially when it comes to capturing the perfect color treatment.
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Jen Chase
Chase started her career 15 years ago writing about food, libations and the rad stuff folks do to keep happy after office hours. For this issue she had the tough job of breaking down Fú’s cosmic menu of astrologically inspired cocktails, but her real work was at Reliquary Spa and Salon, figuring out what it takes to go from workday drab to club-ready fab. A contributing editor at Vegas Rated magazine, Chase also writes for the dining and style sections of Vegas Seven.
erik kabik
Kabik began his career as a concert photographer, his first passion, and he also shoots celebrity portraits, events, architecture, and food and beverage. His concert work can be seen on permanent display throughout Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. His collection, Classic Rock for the Future: Volume 1, is on display at John Varvatos stores across the United States. For more on Kabik and to view his complete collection, visit erikkabik.com.
Geoff Carter
The two-time Las Vegan (he did a long stint in Seattle to rehydrate) is Hard Rock Hotel magazine’s workhorse, and he did several pieces for this issue. For the Artifact page about Joey Ramone’s glasses (“Gabba Gabba Shades”), Carter got help from his favorite source on the property, Warwick Stone, curator and designer of memorabilia.
flashback
Words and photography
R
erik kabik
ock ’n’ roll has always been a male-dominated art form, but women who rock make such a roar that they have left an indelible mark on the music world. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has been one of the leading forums for them. Over the last few years, since the new Joint and Vinyl opened their doors, a wide range of women have graced the stages of these epic music halls, and I wanted to highlight some of those memorable moments and pay tribute to The Women Who Rocked the Hard Rock Hotel.
PARAMORE
Hayley Williams of Paramore worked The Joint stage about as hard as any performer I have ever seen there. From the second she appeared, the chase was on for me to get the right frame of her to capture her raw and colorful presence.
Katy Perry
In 2009, Katy was on her way to becoming a super diva as “I Kissed a Girl” dominated the charts. On Valentine’s Day that year, she performed to an intimate crowd at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Photographer Cody Boor captured this glimpse of the fresh new star.
the XX
Guitar player and lead vocalist Romy Madley Croft brought her soft, rich guitar tones and emotionally charged vocals for the debut of The xx at The Joint.
Courtney Love
Courtney helped Vinyl celebrate its frst birthday by proving that time has made her even more ferce, edgy and vibrant onstage. She was so much fun to photograph that I went back without my camera for her second show the next night, just to watch her perform.
Kelly ClarKson
She was one of the frst performers to hit the stage of the new Joint. The original American Idol champ brought down the house while paying tribute to rock ’n’ roll royalty in her Stones T-shirt.
juliette lewis
Juliette is not just a great actress but a full-on rocker—she even has moves like Jagger. Her ferocious raw performance at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was one of my favorite shoots in nearly two decades of capturing concerts here.
Melissa etheridge The legendary singer-songwriter, captured here by photographer Bill Hughes, brought her smoky, raspy vocals and polished guitar work to The Joint.
Fiona apple
I fell in love with Fiona when I heard the frst song on Tidal, her 1996 debut album. She is one of the most intense performers, evoking a visceral experience every time I see her. Capturing her in this light felt like her music to me—a lot of dark with a glimmer of light.
No Doubt
Gwen Stefani, the highly photogenic queen of pop rock, got back to her roots at The Joint in 2009 as she toured the world with her original band, No Doubt.
Lady aNtebeLLum
This country-music phenomenon, featuring Hillary Scott, has crossed over to reach pop and rock music audiences. And in 2011, Lady A joined the list of country artists who have rocked The Joint.
Stevie NickS
Her vocals are legendary, and both with and without Fleetwood Mac, Stevie has cast her spell and mesmerized audiences for 40 years.
Sheryl Crow
Photographing a legend like Sheryl in such an intimate venue as The Joint is rare, and I felt lucky to have had the chance.
headliners
Here’s Jenny! By
Matt jacoB
illustration
chris jones
MccartHy stays true to Herself witH coMedy sHow debuting at Vinyl
V
irtually from the moment she landed in the public eye two decades ago, Jenny McCarthy has pranced through life sans filter. And never once apologized for it. Whereas celebrities of her ilk religiously heed the call of paranoid publicists to walk ever so carefully on politically correct eggshells, McCarthy busts out a pair of five-inch stilettos and starts stomping. Now 40, she is still, by her own admission, “real, raw and edgy.” And so when the onetime Playboy Playmate of the Year and present co-host of The View decided two years ago to put another stamp on her unique brand by developing an all-female comedy troupe, it was a given that she’d seek out talent with a penchant for pushing the envelope. The end product is Dirty Sexy Funny, a standup showcase that debuts November 29-30 in Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and features host McCarthy and four of her newest friends—Rachel Feinstein, Tiffany Haddish, Tammy Pescatelli and Lynne Koplitz—telling it like it is, female-style.
How did this show come about? I literally went from club to club to club, open-mic nights, just doing the legwork. I wanted to find women who would knock me dead—so to speak—laughing. I would write down names on napkins, and I was really picky, because it’s hard to make me laugh. I finally got a group of women together, we did a couple of test shows in New York, and I was blown away. And the audience was blown away—although I was bit nervous, because I looked out in the audience and was like, “Oh, my God—everyone’s like my mom and dad!” [Laughs.] How filthy do things get—is basically no topic off limits? The material, I would say, is not that crazy—it’s really funny, it’s edgy, but it’s not insulting. It won’t make people get up and leave. It’s just that women are sometimes not supposed to talk about certain things, and I realized with my first book, Belly Laughs, when I kind of spoke the truth about how women really feel, it worked; women told me, “Oh, my God, thank you. It’s maybe stuff that we think about but don’t say.” So I figured, if men could do it, why not women? Was Las Vegas and the Hard Rock Hotel a natural landing spot? I was asked, “Where would you want to launch?” And I said,
“Well, the Hard Rock.” I’m kind of old-school Vegas. I’ve been in the business for 20 years, and the Hard Rock was the happening, cool spot, so I kind of have a history with them. And I do like the audience and the gamblers that they attract there—it’s kind of our audience. So I think it’s a perfect ft. More important for a man to come to this show or a woman? Good question. I always consider myself as someone who is always in touch with their masculine and feminine energy that … I don’t really know. That’s a good fucking question to ask! I just want people who are open to this kind of sense of humor. I really don’t mind if it’s either sex. I’m happy with 50-50. At the test shows, I kind of spied on people after it was over, and I heard the women say, “Oh, my God, this is the funniest night I’ve ever gone to for comedy!” And the guys were like, “Holy shit, that was amazing.” So I think they’ll take different things away from it—I think girls will tend to talk about it later at work or with friends; they’ll carry on the message. Where did your raw sense of humor come from? It came from going to Catholic school my entire life and being kind of put in a box to not speak my mind. I think the more you’re confned to
the cage, the bigger the breakout will be. I was taught by nuns my whole life, and … by the time I got to college, I noticed myself saying things that maybe people don’t want to talk about or are controversial or edgy, just to see the reaction. But it was also kind of freeing for me. I feel everyone should be open about everything, because I was so confned in my childhood. People who went to school with me, when I see them back in Chicago, they go, “Who is this person? You grew up so shy and quiet!” You started working on The View back in September. How surreal is it that you’re on TV every day sitting alongside Barbara Walters? Incredibly surreal. Every day I look to my left and go, “It’s Barbara Walters!” It’s her last year there, so I feel like I would’ve felt gypped if I didn’t get to work on The View with the queen. I feel blessed, honored, and I am just writing down every single moment that I get to experience with Barbara Walters. More nerve-wracking: Standing onstage with a microphone in your hand for the first time, or posing nude for Playboy? Without a doubt, standing onstage with a microphone. Don’t get me wrong: I was terrifed [posing nude]. My frst pictures were like a
mug shot; they had to throw everything away because I was so scared. But, you know, it’s not brain surgery to pose naked. You’re just standing there, and you’re so used to looking at your own body. And you have to trust the photographer—I had one who was there for 50 years shooting, so I was like, “Well, he’s seen everything, and I’m just standing here. It’s not like I’m giving everyone a gynecological shot. So I can’t be that freaked out.” But the microphone—I love hosting; I’ve always loved it since [her 1990s MTV show] Singled Out. But your goal is to try your best to stay relevant to keep working in the business, so there’s a lot more pressure with that microphone in my hand. You’re dating a New Kid on the Block (Donnie Wahlberg), you work alongside Barbara Walters, you’re hosting your own comedy show in Las Vegas, you’re an author, and of course you were once Playmate of the Year—what the hell is left on your bucket list? Ha! [Pause.] I would say maybe to get to Broadway and do a play. Yeah, to spread my wings in front of an audience and perform in that way would be kind of cool. Dirty Sexy Funny in Vinyl, November 29-30, $30; ticketmaster.com; hardrockhotel.com
hardrockhotel.com 29
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headliners
nEw & nOtAblE bOOkS, FilmS
30 YEARS AGO in ROck hiStORY...
The Cult, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Flaming Lips, the Jesus and Mary Chain and Bon Jovi are formed. Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell, Yes’ 90125, Duran Duran’s Seven and the Ragged Tiger and The Cure’s Japanese Whispers are released. Phish plays its frst show. Joe Strummer fres Mick Jones from The Clash, setting the stage for the group’s slow creative decline and eventual breakup a few years later. KISS appears without its stage makeup for the frst time. Phil Lynott performs his last show with Thin Lizzy. Quiet Riot’s Metal Health tops the Billboard charts. And Michael Jackson’s classic “Thriller” video makes its MTV debut; shortly after, his hair catches fre while flming a Pepsi commercial.
thEY PlAYEd thE JOint ChuCk Berry March 31, 1995 Jimmy Cliff August 8, 1996 ChemiCal Brothers and the orB May 2, 1997 morrissey October 11, 1997 Van halen October 1, 1998 neil young March 25, 1999 the roots April 8, 1999 DepeChe moDe August 8, 2001 the White stripes September 20, 2003 Willie nelson September 28, 2007
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You like music? Then you’ll love fall and winter 2013, because it’s fatty-packed with it—and in so many tasty forms. We’re getting a documentary flm on the life and times of CBGB, starring Alan Rickman as the legendary punk club’s owner, Hilly Kristal, with Malin Akerman as Debbie Harry and Justin Bartha as Stiv Bators. Also coming to theaters is Inside Llewyn Davis, a kind of valentine to the folk music of the 1960s directed by the Coen Brothers. There are some fairly intriguing music-themed books coming out soon: Johnny Cash: The Life by longtime Los Angeles Times music columnist Robert Hilburn; Robert Plant: A Life, which author Paul Rees promises to be a defnitive biography of the Led Zeppelin frontman; Eminent Hipsters, an autobiography by Steely Dan’s sharp-tongued Donald Fagen; and That Close: My Story by Suggs, lead singer of venerable pop-ska band Madness. And if you prefer to take your music directly in the ear, prepare yourself for new albums by Pearl Jam (Lightning Bolt), Cults (Static), The Avett Brothers (Magpie and the Dandelion), Katy Perry (Prism), Lady Gaga (Artpop), James Blunt (Moon Landing), M.I.A. (Matangi) and an album from Arcade Fire (Refektor), produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy. – Geof Carter
Dave Gahan & Martin Gore of Depeche Mode perform live at The Joint in Las Vegas August 8, 2001, Photography Scott Harrison/Getty Images.
And AlbumS
Shop Around
’tis tHe season to sHop By
Jessi C. ACuñA photogrAphy Anthony mAir
Hard rock Hotel delivers tHe goods, one sHop at a time in true rock ’n’ roll fashion, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers shops that cater to a freethinking, spirited crowd. Whether looking for something for loved ones back home or for a distinctive piece to spruce up your stay, the coolest shops in the city surely won’t disappoint.
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ArethA FrAnklin
Rocks necklace, Rocks the Jewelers ($10,980); Dior watch, Rocks the Jewelers ($15,500); Rocks ring, Rocks the Jewelers ($9,200); Whiting & Davis clutch, Love Jones ($190); Voluspa candle, Love Jones ($20); John Varvatos scarf, John Varvatos ($298); John Varvatos sunglasses, John Varvatos ($220); Ryszard Horowitz photo, Rock Paper Photo ($1,200)
Cyndi Lauper
Nixon watch, The Hard Rock Store ($105); IVI sunglasses, Hart & Huntington ($160); Hard Rock Hotel & Casino logo fask, Fuel ($13.85); Fluff Los Angeles coin purse, Fuel ($11.95); Melissa shoes, Love Jones ($85); 2 Chic scarf, Love Jones ($24); Simona V necklace, Love Jones ($99); Deborah Feingold photo, Rock Paper Photo ($2,100).
The BeaTLes & Maharishi Mahesh yogi
Takkoda cards, Fuel ($3.95-5); Gama-Go the fipper, Fuel ($14,95); Rolling Stones Forty Licks wine, Fuel ($26); Hard Rock Hotel guitar picks ($0.75); Hipster soap, Fuel ($9.95); Hard Rock guitar picks, The Hard Rock Store; Vinyl keychain, The Hard Rock Store ($7.95); The Joint sticker, The Hard Rock Store ($1.75); Skull mints, Fuel ($4.95); The Art of Classic Rock book, The Hard Rock Store ($49.95); Henry Grossman photo, Rock Paper Photo ($3,750).
BeasTie Boys
IVI sunglasses, Hart & Huntington ($140); John Varvatos cologne ($82), Converse ($170), duffel bag ($1,895); Rocks dog tag necklace, Rocks the Jewelers ($19,320); Mighty Wallet, The Hard Rock Store ($15); Sunny Bak photo, Rock Paper Photo ($1,000).
l l i t S
the intimate concert venue
g n i n n i Sp By
jarret keene
photography
y ungerer e o j d n a ik B a erik k
vinyl celebrateS itS firSt anniverSary
H
as it only been a year since Vinyl began exposing Las Vegas, and in turn people from around the world, to some of the best live-music shows ever? It has. What an impressive list of diverse shows we saw and heard in the past 12 months—from a rousing bluesheavy set by Dhani Harrison-fronted thenewno2, to the lush reggae-pop of Anuhea, to jugular-throttling clamor courtesy of Newsted, former Metallica bass player Jason Newsted’s new band. Other terrifc Vinyl performances were by Vintage Trouble, Band of Skulls, Rival Sons and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, not to mention crowd-pleasing residencies by Street Drum Corps and Andrew Dice Clay. In August 2012, Vinyl launched as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s venue of choice for up-and-coming rockers and alternative icons alike. It can be fun to view Vinyl as the edgy younger sister of the property’s larger, more mainstream concert hall, The Joint. In truth, Vinyl is what it aimed to be—an organic, 650-capacity venue where people seeking gritty and electrifying live music can fnd it fve or six nights a week. Diversity of bookings and bright acoustics are Vinyl’s most compelling features. But the venue’s look and atmosphere play a role in securing raves, too. With a speakeasy atmosphere—brick facades, wood foors and a high, exposed ceiling—Vinyl transports concertgoers into a Chicago-industrial environment. The bar running along the venue’s perimeter lets you watch the onstage action while sipping a drink. Walking into Vinyl for the frst time, you fully expect to catch a raw, energetic performance by an on-the-verge artist or underground star. You very often do. Vinyl’s booking and entertainment director, Max McAndrew, plans to keep it this way: “We’re excited about the busy schedule ahead of us. In particular, we look forward to nu-gaze/dreampop band The 1975 [November 2], who hail from Manchester, England, and Boise-based indie-rock outft Built to Spill [November 26].” Also, in September, Vinyl launched Metalachi Mondays, featuring Metalachi, the world’s frst and only heavy-metal mariachi band. There’s a coolness factor with those old vinyl records—they’re fun, quirky and possess warm sound quality. And as we now know, that’s very similar to what you experience at the new Vinyl.
c i t e g r e n e , w a r a H c t a c t o s t i t t r c e a p e x g e r you fullyance by an on-tHe-veery often do. performrground star. you v or unde
hardrockhotel.com 49
After dArk the mAgic begins james weber
photography
styling
minDy saaD
Dragon laDy
Enter the Dragon Salon and enjoy Asian gaming in high style. The Dragon Salon features pai gow, baccarat and high-limit blackjack tables, along with a lounge area and butler service. .Bally trousers, Bally. Ralph Lauren top, Saks Fifth Avenue. Whiting & Davis bag, Love Jones. Smoky quartz and diamond ring (right hand), black onyx ring (left hand), Roberto Coin earrings, Dior watch and Nialaya bracelets, Rocks the Jewelers.
The look of luxe
Located in the center of HRH Tower is the lustrous Luxe Bar. Illuminated by dimly lit cast-iron chandeliers and adorned with dark-wood paneling and chains, the space has the ambiance of true rock ’n’ roll decadence. Basix Black Label dress, Neiman Marcus. Vince Camuto heels, Vince Camuto. A.link clove earrings and rose gold diamond ring, Rocks the Jewelers.
rock star
This outpost replicates Nobu’s original TriBeCa location, both in its modern Zen dÊcor and authentic award-winning cuisine. Combining world-class hospitality and innovative use of favors and textures, Nobu takes guests on a culinary adventure that transcends the dining experience. Herve Leger dress, Neiman Marcus. Grey moonstone ring, Rocks the Jewelers. Femme Metale necklace, Love Jones.
tunnel vision
Fú is Chinese for “luck,” and the restaurant features a fusion of Asian fare with authentic Chinese cuisine and regional inspirations. Bamboo, metal textures, and red, gold and black accents impart a contemporary elegance to the main dining room. Roberto Cavalli gown, Roberto Cavalli. Herve Leger heels, Neiman Marcus. Smoky quartz ring, Rocks the Jewelers. Whiting & Davis clutch, Love Jones.
just wait
Herve Leger dress, Neiman Marcus. Jimmy Choo boots, Jimmy Choo. Tarina Tarantino bracelets (top and bottom) and Whiting & Davis gold clutch, Love Jones. Nialaya bracelet with onyx and gold-plated silver beads, Rocks the Jewelers.
bedroom eyes
Extraordinary drama is created throughout this ultra-lush, sleek Infnity Suite with Asian-inspired dĂŠcor and aesthetic. The rooms are flled with luxuriously dark custom-made furnishings that project a peaceful and positive feng shui environment. Valentino bolero, Saks Fifth Avenue. Bally trousers, Bally. Damaris lace bra, Love Jones. Vince Camuto shoes, Vince Camuto. Black diamond and rose gold earrings, Rocks the Jewelers.
round about
Versace dress and Wolford tights, Saks Fifth Avenue. Herve Leger pumps, Neiman Marcus. Femme Metale earrings, Love Jones. Natasha Couture bracelet, Nordstrom. Silver “Fuck Of“ band, Rocks the Jewelers.
WHERE TO BUY
BALLY The Shops at Crystals, 702.732.7800; bally.com JIMMY CHOO The Shops at Crystals, 702.366.0503; jimmychoo.com LOVE JONES Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5007 NANETTE LEPORE The Shops at Crystals, 702.739.9722; nanettelepore.com NEIMAN MARCUS Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com NORDSTROM Fashion Show, 702.862.2525; nordstrom.com ROBERTO CAVALLI The Shops at Crystals, 702.736.7300; robertocavalli.com ROCKS THE JEWELERS Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.4445; thejewelers.com SAKS FIFTH AVENUE Fashion Show, 702.733.8300; saksffthavenue.com VINCE CAMUTO Fashion Show, 702.816.5884; vincecamuto.com Photography JAMES WEBER jamesweberstudio.com Photographer 1st assistant LAWRENCE BAGLIO Photographer 2nd assistant JONATHAN ESTRADA Styling MINDY SAAD mindysaad.com for celestineagency.com Styling Assistants CARLA FERREIRA, JIMI URQUIAGA Hair DENNIS MARSHALL COOPER dgreps.com using Kerastase, ORIBE, and Bumble & Bumble Makeup ZEE CLEMENTE zeestyle.net Manicurist MARIA GARAY mariamgaray.com Talent JULIA LESCOVA wilhelmina.com Assistants KIARA BASS, CHANEL CASSANELLO, ASHTON HALL, MONICA KRAN
Lounge FLy
Cynthia Vincent dress and Whiting & Davis clutch, Love Jones. Nanette Lepore heels, Nanette Lepore. Rose gold diamond ring and rose gold and black Rhodium diamond earrings, Rocks the Jewelers.
photography
james weber styling
mindy saad
live the suite life real world
the real world suite was dubbed as such after mtV’s cast inVaded the hotel and captured their sin city experiences on tape for the world to see. this signature accommodation consists of three luxurious bedrooms and three spectacular bathrooms, including a six-person mosaic hot tub with a View of the las Vegas strip.
silver lining
Rachel: Burberry jacket, Neiman Marcus. Femme Metale earrings and rings (left hand), Love Jones. King Baby bow ring and necklace, The Hard Rock Store. BRandyn: King Baby necklaces and bracelets, The Hard Rock Store.
made up
Diesel jeans, Diesel. Chord vest and black and silver belt, Dillard’s. John Varvatos chain belt, John Varvatos. Orion wrap bracelet and silver cross cuf, Nordstrom. King Baby bow ring, The Hard Rock Store. Femme Metale rings and Tarina Tarantino bracelet (right wrist) and earrings, Love Jones.
LAID OUT
RACHEL: 7 For All Mankind jeans, Lauren Moshi top and Femme Metale rings, Love Jones. Belt, Dillard’s. Vince Camuto heels, Vince Camuto. King Baby necklace and silver bracelet, The Hard Rock Store. Leather cuf, stylist’s own. BRANDYN: John Varvatos jeans and boots, John Varvatos. Afiction tank top, Afiction. King Baby necklace, rings and bracelets, The Hard Rock Store. Femme Metale necklace, Love Jones.
solitary man
Diesel jeans, Diesel. Calvin Klein tank top, Dillard’s. John Varvatos belt and shoes, John Varvatos. Femme Metale rings, Love Jones. King Baby necklaces and bracelets, The Hard Rock Store.
crushed
RACHEL: Diesel dress, Diesel. Jimmy Choo boots, Jimmy Choo. King Baby necklace and bracelets, The Hard Rock Store. Hat, stylist’s own. Femme Metale ring, Love Jones. BRANDYN: John Varvatos jeans, boots, belt and wallet chain, John Varvatos. King Baby bracelets, necklaces and rings, The Hard Rock Store.
Where TO BuY
AFFLICITION Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.473.9285; afictionclothing.com DIESEL Fashion Show, 702.696.1055; diesel.com DILLARD’S Fashion Show, 702.733.2008; dillards.com THE HARD ROCK STORE Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5003 JIMMY CHOO The Shops at Crystals, 702.366.0503; jimmychoo.com JOHN VARVATOS Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.6370; johnvarvatos.com LOVE JONES Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5007 NEIMAN MARCUS Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com NORDSTROM Fashion Show, 702.862.2525; nordstrom.com SAKS FIFTH AVENUE Fashion Show, 702.733.8300; saksffthavenue.com VINCE CAMUTO Fashion Show, 702.816.5884; vincecamuto.com
Photography JAMES WEBER jamesweberstudio.com Photographer 1st assistant LAWRENCE BAGLIO Photographer 2nd assistant JUSTIN GAZMEN Styling MINDY SAAD mindysaad.com for celestineagency.com Stylist assistant CARLA FERREIRA Hair DENNIS MARSHALL COOPER dgreps.com using Kerastase, ORIBE, and Bumble & Bumble Makeup ZEE CLEMENTE zeestyle.net Manicurist MARIA GARAY mariamgaray.com using Orly Liquid Vinyl and Essie Blanc Talent RACHEL MORTENSON wilhelmina.com & BRANDYN FARRELL nextmanagement.com Assistant MONICA KRAN
after midnight
Nighttime is the Right time
it’s beeN a seasoN of beats, bubbly aNd behiNds at body eNglish Nightclub & afteRhouRs, made eveN moRe beautiful by a backstReet boys ReuNioN photography
Joey Ungerer and erik kabik
pink taco
Hop over to Pink Taco, where the health-friendly items are just as savory. The wheat mini tacos are bursting with shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and avocado. It’s 30 grams of protein and lots of dietary fber packed into a delicious appetizer. For seafood eaters, the blackened shrimp salad—a bed of greens topped with jicama, mango, pepitas and four large grilled shrimp drizzled with mango vinaigrette— is a flling alternative to a heavy entrée. Finish your meal with Pink Taco’s outstanding fruit popsicles, a favorful and surprisingly tasty dessert infused with herbs such as kiwi-lime cilantro. Served over an ice cloud and with less than 100 calories, you’re guaranteed to feel virtuous and satisfed.
Left, clockwise from top: Green bell pepper taco salad; blackened shrimp salad; mini avocado tacos. Above: Kiwi cilantro lime, strawberry basil and pineapple chipotle popsicles 92 hardrockhotel.com
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spectating
SportS FanS, rejoice all betS are on at the ainSworth F By
irst thing that hits you when you walk into The Ainsworth at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: This ain’t your pop’s sports bar. Second thought: And that’s a very good thing! Rather than the grimy, smoky setting that served as the sports-hangout template of past generations, The Ainsworth falls very much under the new-age category of “upscale sports lounge.” The 2,300-square-foot space sits in the hotel’s Casino Tower, just steps from the main gaming foor. It sports barn-wood pine and leather throughout, a masculine motif that was fashioned in concert with the New York-based lifestyle and hospitality company Paige Hospitality Group (which designed similar venues in the Big Apple). Now here’s how your Ainsworth itinerary reads: First, place your bets at the onsite satellite sportsbook, then pull up a barstool or sink into one of the oversize leather chairs or booths while watching the action unfold on the nearly two dozen TVs. When hunger strikes, order up one of the signature dishes, such as the Ainsworth sliders (sliced roast beef, melted cheese and pickles on a pretzel bun) or tuna tartare tacos. Wash it down with your beer of choice—or better still, go for a signature cocktail (try the Six and Two, which consists of Ketel One vodka, beer and ginger ale on the rocks). When the games end, the fun continues, as The Ainsworth doubles as a nightlife venue, with a rotation of entertainment that includes DJs and karaoke (among other offerings) throughout the week. Oh, and those HDTVs that were just broadcasting football? Some of them transform into antique frame mirrors. Yep, dear ol’ Dad might feel out of place here. But you? You ft right in … Open 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, noon- 1 a.m. Thursday, noon-3 a.m. Friday, noon-4 a.m. Saturday, noonmidnight Sunday; ainsworthlasvegas.com
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Matt JacoB photography Erik kaBik
resort
vip
Done for you
Demi GonGos helps you have a rockin’ GooD time By
GRACE BASCOS phOtOGRAphy ZACk W
W
ant to be that person who always gets the best seats to sold-out shows? Demi Gongos, VIP service manager for The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, is the person you want to see. Her job is to work with guests who want to up the ante on their concert experience by creating an entire evening around the show. Gongos develops VIP packages based on the genre of music, so she researches the history of the band, as well as the guest, to put together a night that speaks to the fow of the evening. For the Hall & Oates shows this past August, Gongos’ VIPs were treated to an open bar with a private cocktail server on the second level of The Joint. But before they even walked into the theater, they had been noshing on appetizers at Hard Rock Hotel’s 35 Steaks + Martinis. For more hard-core acts such as Mötley Crüe, who had their second residency at The Joint in September (or anyone “where there’s going to be a mosh pit,” Gongos qualifes), guests may not be as interested in going to the steakhouse for a bite, so she’ll “work in a nightlife angle, maybe access to one of our nightclubs.” The tickets available through Gongos are better than your average general admission price. “I can secure tickets prior to a show’s on-sale date, and I have access to the best tickets in the house,” she says. Not only can you catch the show from premium box seats with an unobstructed view, but you’ll enjoy perks those on the main foor are not privy to, such as picking up your credentials from an exclusive box offce (usually from Gongos herself ) and being escorted into the venue to your seats. “They’re working with me from start to fnish,” Gongos says. “I make dining arrangements, I follow up with how they’re doing after the show, ask if they had a good time and send everybody thank-you letters.” With Gongos, now you can be that person. For VIP reservations, call 702.693.5220; jointvip@hrhvegas.com
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GABBA GABBA SHADES 96 hardrockhotel.com
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he Ramones played here only once, on August 25, 1995. The legendary punk band played at the original Joint in the midst of their farewell tour and packed the house; there were so many screaming fans in attendance that you couldn’t really move except vertically, which was fne by the band. They got the crowd bouncing early on with whiplash versions of “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “I Wanna Be Sedated” and “Psycho Therapy,” and they kept everyone pogoing until the band’s signature Pinhead character jumped onstage with the “Gabba Gabba Hey” sign, some two dozen songs later. Evidently the late, great Joey Ramone was happy to see such a great crowd for the band’s fnal Las Vegas appearance. He even dedicated “The KKK Took My Baby Away” to Bugsy Siegel, the man “who took a wicked piss and envisioned all of this.” And who knows? Joey might have seen that crowd through the very pair of eyeglasses now on display at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “These are John Lennon-style wire-rimmed round glasses with blue tint—his trademark, really,” says Warwick Stone, curator of the property’s memorabilia collection. In any case, it looks like Joey needed them. “This is a serious prescription,” Stone says. “We should send these off to the optician to see if he was shortsighted or farsighted. The lenses are actually quite thick.”