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SEPT 10
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SEPT 29
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What not to miss this fall. Photography TANJA HOLLANDER Pictured TRAVEL EPHEMERA STILL LIFE 741, SEA URCHIN (KOUFONISSI, GREECE), FROM HOLLANDER’S PHOTO PROJECT ARE YOU REALLY MY FRIEND?
ROCKSTAR KARAOKE
ROCK OUT WITH YOUR OWN LIVE BAND! FREE September 7–13, 2017
20-plus years later, Incubus still has the "Drive"
From Skateboards to Tour Buses
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Incubus will play a five-show residency October 7–14 at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 7–13, 2017 TO DO
11 24/7
What to do around the clock.
BY SHANNON MILLER, JESSIE O’BRIEN
12 The Deal
Milo Miloscia + John Nelson, Las Vegas, Nevada from Are You Really My Friend? page 16
Instacomp, golf happy hour and Well & Being buffet. BY ANTHONY CURTIS
FEATURE
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
16 Friends Everywhere
27 Second Chances on
A new documentary explores the meaning of friendship in the digital age. BY BENEDETTA PIGNATELLI
18 Culture Calendar
Pencil in these seven arts and entertainment happenings. BY MARK ADAMS
20 Celebrating Difference With The Curious Incident
The next show on The Smith Center’s Broadway Las Vegas lineup reframes how we think about autism. BY SHANNON MILLER
21 Get Creative
Around the Country
Seven arts and entertainment events to travel for. BY NICOLE CORMIER
22 Fall Into Music
Our picks for the season’s 10 must-see concerts. BY MARK ADAMS
24 The New Classic
Wynn’s Encore Theater announces a packed roster of talent. BY NICOLE CORMIER
the North Strip
Will the Fontainebleau finally fulfill its promise? BY DAVID G. SCHWARTZ
28 Lave Gallery’s Got You When Your Kicks Get Scuffed
12AM:RUN alum steps out with sneaker cleaning boutique. BY JASON R. LATHAM
CONVERSATIONS
33 Comedic Relief
For the legendary Lily Tomlin, laughter lifts the spirit. BY LISSA TOWNSEND RODGERS
34 Lucky No. 7
Our favorite local artists. BY WENDOH STAFF
SEVEN NIGHTS
What To Do After Dark Concerts, nightclubs, food and experiences. BY JASON R. LATHAM
Incubus Through the Years
Brandon Boyd on the band’s beginning, coming full circle and his shirtless reputation. BY JESSIE O’BRIEN
[ Club Tour ]
Hakkasan inside MGM Grand. BY KAT BOEHRER
[ Hear This ]
OUR SITES TO SEE
VegasSeven.com
Fit for a Queen Cleo’s daily Social Hour offers Strip dining at happy hour pricing.
DTLV.com
Food for a Cause Local chefs rally to host a benefit dinner at The Bunkhouse for The Shade Tree.
LifeIsBeautiful.com
Bring Your Imagination Meow Wolf promises a digital wonderland of art, custom-made sound, lighting and projections for this year’s iteration of the festival’s Art Motel.
SpyOnVegas.com
The Hookup Find upcoming events, see highlights from the hottest parties, meet the DJs and more.
Las Vegas’ open mic nights offer talent and a sense of community. BY NICOLE CORMIER
September 7–13, 2017 vegasseven.com
7
PHOTO OF THE WEEK
Artwork VALENTIN YORDANOV
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VEGAS SEVEN 701 Bridger Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89101 702-798-7000 Vegas Seven is distributed each Thursday throughout Southern Nevada. © 2017 Vegas Seven, LLC. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of Vegas Seven, LLC is prohibited.
Publisher
Michael Skenandore Editorial EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Melinda Sheckells MANAGING EDITOR, DINING EDITOR
Genevie Durano SENIOR EDITOR, LIFESTYLE
Jessi C. Acuña ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Mark Adams EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Lissa Townsend Rodgers EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Shannon Miller Senior Contributing Editor Xania V. Woodman (Beverage) Contributing Editors Michael Green (Politics), David G. Schwartz (Gaming/Hospitality) Art CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Benjamin Ward SENIOR DESIGNER
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Tyler Bischoff Production/Distribution DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION
Marc Barrington ADVERTISING MANAGER
Jimmy Bearse Sales DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL SALES
Nicole Niazmand ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Brittany Quintana, Mimi Tran ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
Robyn Weiss DIRECTOR OF SALES, BILLBOARD DIVISION
John Tobin
TO DO
Blade Runner
What to do around the clock in Las Vegas By Shannon Miller and Jessie O’Brien
THURSDAY 7
The Writer’s Block’s Bourbon Book Club is back. Attendees can sip on a selected bourbon while discussing Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook. 6 p.m., thewritersblock.org We might have professional sports now but the Legendary Pole Classic is a sport we can all root for. Ten women and 10 men will compete for the championship title. 6:30–11 p.m., tickets start at $59, at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, hardrockhotel.com Local jazzy outfit the Sharps play their weekly gig at The Golden Tiki. 8 p.m., 3939 Spring Mountain Rd., thegoldentiki.com Throwback Thursdays at Italian American Club
features a live band playing jazz and swing classics. Dancing is encouraged and there’s also live music in the lounge. 6 p.m., $10, 2333 E. Sahara Ave., iacvegas.com
Enjoy sci-fi classic Blade Runner before the upcoming reboot tarnishes it. Millennium Fandom
Bar’s screening features discounted drinks and free pizza. 6:30–9 p.m., 900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, #140, millenniumfandombar.com It’s pronounced Fronkensteen! The musical Young Frankenstein opens at Super Summer Theatre today. 7 p.m., $16.50, Spring Mountain Ranch, 6375 NV-159, Blue Diamond, supersummertheatre.org
Feed that late ’80s/early ’90s radio–rock craving with Tom Petty and U2 tribute acts. 9 p.m., Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar & Grill, 6750 W. Sahara Ave., vampdvegas.com Evil manifested comes to screens for the second reboot of Stephen King’s It. Showtimes, ticket prices and theaters vary, fandango.com
FRIDAY 8
SATURDAY 9
From today through September 24, see One Man, Two Guvnors on the Main Stage at Las Vegas Little Theater. Showtimes vary, $21–$24, 3920 Schiff Dr., lvlt.org
The Las Vegas Philharmonic opens its season at The Smith Center with a performance of Richard Strauss’ Don Juan. Come early for the preconcert conversation at 6:30 p.m. and stay late for the cocktail party at 9:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m., tickets start at $30 (additional $50 for cocktail party), thesmithcenter.com
Learn the history of Yucca Mountain and the radioactive waste disposal program at the latest installment of the National Atomic Testing Museum’s Distinguished Lecture Series. 6–8 p.m., 755 E. Flamingo Rd., nationalatomictestingmuseum.org The Silver State’s finest poets go live at Battleborn Slam, Las Vegas’ longest-running poetry slam. 7 p.m.,
PublicUs, 1126 Fremont. St., facebook.com/battleborn.slam
The Bite of Las Vegas Food and Music Festival takes over Desert Breeze Park with food from local and national restaurants and performances by Neon Trees, LeAnn Rimes, Eve 6 and more. 11 a.m.–10 p.m., $25 plus fees, children under 6 free, 8425 Spring Mountain Rd., mix941fm.cbslocal.com
September 7ñ13, 2017 vegasseven.com
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TO DO
24/7
THE DEAL BY ANTHONY CURTIS
An Instacomp, a Golfer’s Happy Hour and a Well & Being Buffet
Top: Learn the art of charcuterie Sept. 10 at Artisanal Foods; Bottom: Mike Tyson
Lala Brooks, the voice of the Crystals, returns to take
you back to the days of “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “When He Kissed Me.” See her with the Surfaris, Eddie Holman, 1910 Fruitgum Co. and Izon Eden in Cannery’s End of Summer Concert. 4:30 p.m., $9–$19, Cannery Casino Hotel, cannerycasino.com
SUNDAY 10
Learn how to put together a charcuterie board that would impress any cured-meat expert. Artisanal Foods hosts a charcuterie class and tasting of 10 types of cured pork in Spanish, Italian, French and American styles. Bring your own beverage! 6–8 p.m., 2053 Pama Lane, facebook.com/artisanalfoods
TUESDAY 12
Broncho brings its ’80s college radio sound to The Bunkhouse Saloon, with support from garage rockers Billy Changer. 9 p.m., $10, 124 S. 11th St., bunkhousedowntown.com
Undercover Brother Eddie Griffin does stand-up at Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. 7 p.m., tickets start at $80, caesars.com “Can’t live with them, can’t live without them” is what they say about family. Your Shitty Family: Real Texts. Crazy Relatives hits shelves today to shed some light on that. $15, abramsbooks.com
Tuscany Suites’ Piazza Lounge hosts jazz musician
WEDNESDAY 13
golden-era classics. 7–11 p.m., Tuscany Suites & Casino, tuscanylv.com
Crooner Mark O’Toole entertains at Addison’s Lounge inside Rampart Casino at the Resort at Summerlin. 6–10 p.m., theresortatsummerlin.com
Nik at Nite for some Sinatra sing-alongs and other
Opera Las Vegas hosts its annual season reveal party
to start its 2017-2018 season, with five of the Valley’s best singers entertaining the cocktail-fueled crowd. 6:30 p.m., minimum $10 donation, Classic Jewel, 353 E. Bonneville Ave., facebook.com/operalasvegas Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth—Round 2 delivers
the former boxer’s autobiography straight from the horse’s mouth. 10 p.m., tickets start at $60, at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club inside MGM Grand, mgmgrand.com MONDAY 11
Hand-paint your own wineglass in a class guided by Le Painted Grape at the Food Network– featured Buon Gusto Ristorante in Henderson. It might not take you the whole two hours, in which case, you can put that glass to use! 6:30 p.m., $30, 2642 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy., facebook. com/lpglasvegas
Johnny Zig & the Highlighters play Double Down Saloon. 10 p.m., 4640 Paradise Rd., doubledownsaloon.com Looking for more stuff to do? Go to vegasseven.com/calendar.
starting with the return of the cool instacomp at Jackson’s bar on West Flamingo. Play $100 on a Friday and get a comped 10-ounce rib eye and shrimp dinner the following Tuesday. This is a smokin’ gambler’s deal that equals a full dinner comp for an expected loss of less than $5. The promo runs through the end of September. Mandalay Bay has a resort-wide happy hour on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. until closing, with drinks and appetizers from $5 to $10. This is similar to inclusive HHs that run at The Cosmopolitan and Red Rock Resort, where you can move from place to place within the same property. Some of the specials at Mandalay include oxtail crostini at Libertine Social ($5), crab Louie cups at Stripsteak ($6), black-cod lettuce cups at Kumi ($9) and bacon-wrapped sliders at Aureole ($10). Happy hours can come in many forms, so why not golf? TaylorMade Golf Experience is a cozy little par-3 course and driving range located on the Strip just south of Mandalay Bay. Prices are always low, but the best play is to go for its happy hour that runs daily from 4 p.m. to close. For $25 per person, you get a round of golf, one bucket of balls, two drinks and a cart. Night golf is fun out there, and you can hang with the cool ’tenders in the Flight Deck bar till around 11 p.m. What’s left to be done that can set one buffet apart from the rest? I keep asking and the casinos keep finding ways to do it. The latest comes from the Feast Buffet at Red Rock, where they’ve added a “Well & Being” station. It’s an area for health-conscious diners that features “vegan, paleo, low-carb, high-protein, raw foods, gluten-free and super foods that are pH-balanced and rich in antioxidants and omega-3 and -6.” Brilliant! Remember Davy’s Locker on Desert Inn? It’s Bert’s Gaming now. Not much pizazz in that name change, but you can partake in a 24/7 special of two domestic beers or well drinks for $3. If you’re a player, join the players’ club for a play$20-get-$20 sign-up bonus. Four—count ’em, four—new sportsbooks have come on line in time for football: a big and shiny one at the Wynn, smaller books at the formerly sports book–less Encore and Cromwell and a complete redo at Rampart. On the negative side, the excellent show-and-buffet offer at the Golden Nugget is off the board with the conclusion of the engagements of Frankie Moreno and Clint Holmes. A similar deal at Hooters with the magic show Jarrett & Raja is also kaput. It’s tough to find a dinner show these days; however, there are still two: Tournament of Kings at Excalibur and Marriage Can Be Murder at The D. 7 Anthony Curtis is the publisher of the Las Vegas Advisor and lasvegasadvisor.com.
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September 7ñ13, 2017 vegasseven.com
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THE END-OF-SUMMER DEAL RUSH IS ON,
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Late Registration Opening Ceremonies 5K superhero Timed Run 5K superhero Walk & 1 Mile
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Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada
Credit One Bank
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Glen Lerner Injury Attorneys
Palm Mortuary
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Southwest Medical Associates
We’ve Got Friends in All Places
A new documentary explores the meaning of friendship in the digital age
Leave it to Las Vegas cultural lighthouse—producer, director, philanthropist—Robin Greenspun to find inspiration in a third party’s run-in with a hurricane. One that Tanja Hollander, a photographer based in Auburn, Maine, found herself in the middle of— while in Texas— working on her Are You Really My Friend? photo project. The acquaintances connected while both were in Austin for a six-hour overlapping window in fall 2015, shortly after the hurricane. It was then that Greenspun first asked a weather-enervated Hollander if she had documented the making of Are You Really My Friend? Greenspun says Hollander “was very quiet. Then proceeded to tell me that she was in [the] hurricane, alone in her car in an alley not knowing whether it would float away. I asked her if she had shot video as well as stills, and then asked her if she had thought about making a documentary about the journey.” Greenspun edited about 100,000 of Hollander’s digital files into a 37-minute documentary. At the time, Hollander had been in the solitary throes of her five-yearlong project. She had set out to photograph all of her 626 Facebook friends in their homes (including some in the Las Vegas area), in a bid to explore the renewed flexibility of the meaning of friendship in the temporal arc of social media. Eventually, Hollander photographed 451 friends for 430 portraits in 424 homes, traveled 203,206 miles through 180 cities and towns, 260 zip codes, 34 states, 12 countries and four continents, adding 72 new friends and portraits along the way. Greenspun, who along with Las Vegas-based Chris DeFranco and his production company Quiet Film produced and directed Are You Really My Friend? The Movie, saw immediate value in the subject. President of CineVegas Film Festival, Greenspun
made her documentary directorial debut with Semicolon: The Adventures of Ostomy Girl. Her own intricate history with Hollander, that predates her involvement in the project, is testimony to the tentacular power of the friendship superhighway that is social media. “I knew Tanja through my daughter Moira, a photographer who lived in Maine for a while.” Hollander had photographed Zoe Tarmy and her brother George for the project before Tarmy began dating Greenspun’s son James. They are now married. The documentary was quite transformative for Hollander, who also found herself in Paris on the night of the terrorist attacks in November 2015 and ended up writing Instagram essays observing the aftermath with writer Jeff Sharlet. “I try to say ‘yes’ more than ‘no’ after this five-year journey, when friends ask to do things I had a preconceived notion about,” says Hollander, who also found herself way more tolerant and understanding of the ways of the rest of the country, once she self-realized she was an “East Coast liberal.” “What I saw driving those long expanses, mostly in the Midwest and West, was isolation and poverty. I realized how different a person’s outlook on life must be if you live without access to different kinds of people and information. I think we grow more compassionate when we live with and learn how other people and communities exist.” The documentary is now part of the AYRMF? exhibit at Mass MoCA— Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art—until January 17, 2018, which includes photographs, video, data visualization/mining travelogue and landscape images. 7
By Benedetta Pignatelli
September 7–13, 2017 vegasseven.com
17
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
Culture Calendar Seven arts and entertainment happenings to pencil in By Mark Adams
Clockwise from top left: The King and I, Bob Saget, Daniel Handler, a work by Cayetano Ferrer featured in Preservation, Nevada Ballet Theatre
THE KING AND I BY MATTHEW MURPHY; NBT BY THE GEORGE BAL ANCHINE TRUST; DANIEL HANDLER BY MEREDITH HEUER
THEATER
COMEDY
Bob Saget
Sure, we all know him as the TV dad on the nauseatingly family-friendly series Full House and its recent Netflix reboot Fuller House. But when Bob Saget is off the set and onstage behind a mic, you’ll forget all about Danny Tanner. The title of his critically acclaimed New York Times best seller, Dirty Daddy: The Chronicles of a Family Man Turned Filthy Comedian, is quite telling of what to expect when he makes a stop at Brooklyn Bowl this season. Sept. 16, at Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas LITER ATURE
Vegas Valley Book Festival
Nevada’s largest literary event returns for a 16th year with some serious star power, as authors Sharon Draper and Daniel Handler headline the festival as keynote speakers. Draper is a five-time recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award and is most recognized for her Jericho and Hazelwood trilogies. Handler is better known as Lemony Snicket, the pen name under which he wrote the hit series A Series of Unfortunate Events, which was adapted into both a blockbuster film starring Jim Carrey and a Netflix series with Neil Patrick Harris in the lead. VVBF also features panel discussions on contemporary literary subjects, exhibits, workshops, YA programming and children’s activities. Oct. 21, at the Historic Fifth Street School, vegasvalleybookfestival.org
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The King and I
A true Broadway classic, The King and I was based on Margaret Landon’s novel, Anna and the King of Siam, and tells the story of British schoolteacher Anna Leonowens’ time spent educating the king’s many wives and children (and falling in love with her difficult-at-times employer). The original 1951 Broadway production and its four revivals on the Great White Way have been decorated with a number of Tony Awards and the 1956 film adaptation snagged five Academy Awards. Plus, its score produced some of the most recognized songs of the Broadway canon, most notably the delightful “Getting to Know You.” With drama, humor and fantastic music, there’s something for everyone. Oct. 25–29, at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com EDUCATION
Capturing Pablo: An Evening With Javier Peña & Steve Murphy
The DEA agents who took down so-called “king of cocaine” Pablo Escobar spend a night discussing the drug lord’s capture and the rise and fall of the Medellín Cartel. Sound familiar? That’s because Peña and Murphy’s story is what inspired the Netflix megahit original series, Narcos. The discussion will also hit on the duo’s roles in the production of the series and will end with an audience Q&A. Nov. 1, at Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas
MUSIC
Las Vegas Philharmonic: Copland in Mexico
The Phil fuses the arts with education for its November performance, which is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The program features works by American composer Aaron Copland and Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas, with each piece inspired by Mexico and the American Southwest. As part of the NEH’s Music Unwound initiative, the special production is augmented by additional performances, lectures, exhibitions and more, through collaborations with UNLV and other community partners. Just don’t say “Beef: It’s what’s
for dinner” at the end of Copland’s Rodeo. Nov. 4, at The Smith Center, lvphil.org
phony, another Balanchine work set to traditional American folk songs. Nov. 11–12, at The Smith Center, nevadaballet.org
DANCE
Nevada Ballet Theatre: Classic Americana
NBT celebrates Veteran’s Day this year with a special performance featuring pieces with a patriotic focus. The program begins with Tchaikovsky’s Serenade, the first ballet that master choreographer George Balanchine created in America. The performance then moves into all-American music with two NBT premieres: Company B featuring music by the Andrews Sisters (best known for their “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” hit) and Western Sym-
FINE ART
Preservation
Funded in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Preservation is a group exhibit focusing on themes of survival and renewal and the preservation of everything from land to history. Curated by Aurora Tang, program manager at the Center for Land Use Interpretation, the mixed media show features contemporary artists’ work in sculpture, film and more. Sept. 28–Jan. 20, at UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, unlv.edu/ barrickmuseum 7
September 7ñ13, 2017 vegasseven.com
19
FALL ARTS PREVIEW
Celebrating Difference With The Curious Incident
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
Sept. 19–24, times vary, $36–$127, Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com
The next show on The Smith Center’s Broadway Las Vegas lineup reframes how we think about autism
By Shannon Miller
“Everyone has special needs,” asserts the protagonist of Mark Haddon’s 2003 novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Soon coming to The Smith Center in the form of Simon Stephens’ Broadway stage adaptation, the book’s tale is told from the perspective of 15-year-old Christopher. The teen informs readers they are reading his very own “murder mystery novel,” about who killed the dead dog he found on his neighbor’s lawn. Math puzzles, ironic humor and other elements of nontraditional storytelling offer quite a challenge for the beloved book’s theatrical adaptation. Another factor Stephens had to consider was how the play would approach the book’s representation of special needs, as it is unmistakably implied—but not explicitly stated—that Christopher has Asperger’s, a form of autism. “Autism or Asperger’s is a condition, our understanding of which is in constant flux. So to define Christopher as being autistic or having Asperger’s would really limit him and alienate any other people who might identify in any kind of non-neurotypical way,” Stephens said during an interview for azcentral.com. His comment echoes
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September 7ñ13, 2017 vegasseven.com
the author’s, who maintains the story is about how making ourselves understood can be difficult—not for just the autism community, but for everyone. The play has drawn both praise and criticism from the autism community. The latter mainly stems from the fact that the production has solicited minimal involvement from autistic theater professionals. With its criticism, the book is dually praised for its ability to break down the communication barriers of its non-neurotypical narrator and to get the reader to deeply empathize with him. Theatergoers have been laughing and cheering him on, as Christopher not only attempts to solve the murder, but also learns some hard lessons that come with growing up. Living with a struggling single father in a small English suburb comes with its share of hardship— in fact, more than its fair share. Revelations much bigger than a dead dog unfold, leaving Christopher feeling overwhelmed at times. Something as simple as someone touching him can make his very logical, mathematical mind “short circuit,” so to speak, and it will be interesting to see how
Photography Joan Marcus
this production will immerse the audience in that experience. “We see this play as [one] that celebrates difference. … It doesn’t matter what you’re going through, you can connect to Christopher,” says Adam Langdon, the actor who plays Christopher in the touring Broadway production, during an interview with Vegas Seven. Furthermore, the character Siobhan (played by Maria Elena Ramirez) is there to pick up when the story becomes too much for Christopher to communicate to the audience. “That was [the aha] moment when [writers/directors] were trying to adapt this book into a play, because no one really thought it could be done, especially Mark Haddon,” Langdon says. The story continually points to themes of communication and connection with others, as each character has moments in which it is difficult, for one reason or another, to say what they mean. What makes The Curious Incident a must-see this season is how its story creatively uses Christopher as a proxy for a wider theme that underlines how our differences can both isolate and connect us. 7
Get Creative Around the Country SEVEN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS TO TRAVEL TO THIS SEASON By Nicole Cormier
CRUSH
A3C FESTIVAL
DENVER
ATLANTA
Beautifying the drab, gray scenery that can sometimes plague a city is just one of the ways that graffiti and street art can transform a dull neighborhood into something captivating. CRUSH (formerly Colorado Crush) takes over multiple city blocks in the heart of Denver. Artists from around the world repaint the entire area, creating an enormous outdoor gallery. From hares riding turtles to gorgeous geishas, CRUSH attracts art appreciators from all over to see what each year will bring. Don’t miss the pop-up art gallery by the Meow Wolf collective (which is also included in Life Is Beautiful’s art program this year). Sept. 11–17, free, crushwalls.org
As one of the only hip-hop festivals still standing, A3C works hard each year to bring a mixture of relevant and legendary rap artists to Atlanta. This year’s bill boasts Your Old Droog, Nas, Ghostface Killah, J-Live, Kool Keith, Day Off, A-Trak, Masta Ace and many more, but it’s not only the music that makes the pilgrimage worth the trip. The conference and speaker panel are full of successful influencers and businesspeople who have made an impact on the music industry, all willing to pass their knowledge along. From aspiring artists and veteran industry figures, A3C is the who’s who of rap. Oct. 4–8, $70–$485, a3cfestival.com
RED BULL AIR RACE INDIANAPOLIS
Indianapolis is no stranger to the fast-paced world of racing, being the home to the Indianapolis 500 and all. But the Red Bull Air Race takes racing to another level—literally. This in-air spectacle shocks and awes viewers as expert pilots navigate a variety of obstacles and unthinkable speeds. The race takes place at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway over two days this fall. Hold onto your hats. Oct. 14–15, $45–$65, redbull.com
OPEN HOUSE NEW YORK NEW YORK CITY
For architecture buffs, there are few locations in the U.S. that are as historically captivating as New York City. While it’s one thing to appreciate a Gothic revival or art deco building from the outside, the opportunity to see their interiors is a luxury that isn’t afforded to many. That’s why traveling to the Big Apple during Open House New York weekend is a getaway that must be made at least once to truly experience the city’s buildings from the inside. More than 250 locations will be unlocked for public view across the five boroughs, most not even requiring a reservation. Now that’s a warm welcome! Oct. 14-15, free–$5, ohny.org
CRUSH brings an outdoor gallery to Denver.
SUPER MEGAFEST COMIC CON MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS Comic book lovers and Comic Con enthusiasts who didn’t get enough
at the San Diego installment have countless second chances all over the country. The Super Megafest Comic Con is working its way up the circuit, though, and the early guest list boasts names including Edward James Olmos (known for his role in the Battlestar Galactica reboot) and Bai Ling (recognizable for her work in Wild Wild West and The Crow), bringing out everyone’s inner nerd. Wrestling, book signings and, of course, cosplay will give you an excuse to pull that latex costume out of your closet. Oct. 21–22, $15–$100, supermegafest.com
ART OF REBELLION: BLACK ART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT DETROIT
Art almost always has a story to tell, one that is often up to the interpretation of the viewer, and in the case of a current exhibition at the Detroit Institute of Arts, it’s one of struggle and triumph. The Art of Rebellion: Black Art of the Civil Rights Movement showcases a black artist collective that formed during the civil rights era of the ’60s and ’70s. Through paint, photograph, sculpture and installation, the pieces each speak to the social injustices of the time that unfortunately remain relevant today. Through Oct. 22, $14, dia.org
INTERNATIONAL CHURCH OF CANNABIS DENVER
Imagine a church that focuses on the beauty of art and community, then sprinkle in some positivity and a joint, and you have Denver’s International Church of Cannabis. The old renovated church is already appealing, with ivy vines crawling up the original brick construction, but once inside, the colors take over. The interior is an artistic explosion created by well-known Spanish street artist (and Life Is Beautiful 2017 participant) Okuda San Miguel, creating a trippy and almost overwhelming experience, and that’s without consuming the church’s sacrament— weed. The church is open to those over 21 Thursdays through Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m., but no consumption is allowed during those hours. For a truly uplifting experience, inquire at 303-800-5644. Open now, free, elevationists.org 7
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FALL ARTS PREVIEW
FALL INTO LIVE MUSIC
SEPTEMBER 30
Depeche Mode T-Mobile Arena, t-mobilearena.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS: Octo-
ber 6, 2013, at Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
T-Mobile Arena won’t stop booking legendary rock stars—and we “Just Can’t Get Enough” of that. Depeche Mode’s Global Spirit Tour stop is likely its most anticipated booking of the season. Why? The English new wave rockers took a four-year break from releasing new music (and taking a Las Vegas stage)—and the latest effort has received critical praise. WHAT TO SPIN: “Enjoy the Silence,” for pure nostalgia’s sake. SEPTEMBER 29
Imagine Dragons
T-Mobile Arena, t-mobilearena.com
LAST TIME IN VEGAS: September 26, 2015, at Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The hometown band sure has come a long way from playing Beauty Bar and the Gypsy Den stage during First Friday. The pop-rockers’ latest effort, Evolve, is chock-full of arena-ready tunes. “It’s Time” to see what the quartet can do in a 20,000-seat venue, no? WHAT TO SPIN: “Walking the Wire.” Remember what we said about “arena-ready tunes”? This is the epitome of that sound.
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Clockwise from left: Imagine Dragons, Depeche Mode, Arcade Fire, Jay-Z, Run the Jewels, Father John Misty
OCTOBER 6
Kings of Leon The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, hardrockhotel.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS:
September 27, 2014, at MGM Resorts Village WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The
By Mark Adams
Southern rock quartet’s previous two local shows were at outdoor festivals—perfect venues for its thrashy, guitar-driven tracks and lead singer Caleb Followill’s calculated wailing. The band’s latest effort, 2016’s Walls, has a tighter sound than past releases—seeing that maturation live should be a treat. WHAT TO SPIN: “Waste a Moment,” for its catchy chorus and effervescent, anthemic sound. OCTOBER 12
Father John Misty Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade, brooklynbowl.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS: October 15, 2015, at The Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Two years have passed since the indie/folk artist packed the Cosmo’s rooftop pool (with both people and his dreamy vocals), so who knows when he’ll touch down in town again? Plus, there’s been plenty of time to become acquainted with January’s Pure Comedy, which he’s touring to support. WHAT TO SPIN: “Ballad of
Our picks for the season’s 10 must-see concerts Photography hew burney, filmmagic, Erik Kabik, ron koch, jeff kravitz, Denise Tuscello
the Dying Man.” The layered vocals over a simple trio of piano, acoustic guitar and drums should give attendees a good idea of what they’re in for. OCTOBER 14
Janet Jackson Mandalay Bay Events Center, mandalaybay.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS: April 24, 2011, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace WHY YOU SHOULD GO: After canceling shows at Planet Hollywood in 2015, Jackson postponed her last tour (which included a stop at T-Mobile Arena) in 2016 to focus on starting a family. The icon is now a mother and is hitting the road this month. Fans should jump at the opportunity to hear her fabulous soprano and witness her kickass dance moves. WHAT TO SPIN: Megahit “All for You.” Because after two Vegas cancellations, it really is all for us.
OCTOBER 14
The Weeknd T-Mobile Arena, t-mobilearena.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS:
December 30, 2016, at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Sure, he’s touring to support the same album that he was promoting the last time he was in town, but that album is both a critical and commercial success—and Daft Punk lent their talents on it, no less. But similar to Imagine Dragons, this will be Abel Tesfaye’s first arena show in Las Vegas. After a run of nightclub sets and an NYE weekend show at The Chelsea, it should be interesting to see how he works MGM Resorts’ massive room. WHAT TO SPIN: “I Feel It Coming.” The pulsating beat has Daft Punk written all over it, and Tesfaye’s smooth vocals are the perfect complement. OCTOBER 20
Run the Jewels Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade, brooklynbowl.com/las-vegas LAST TIME IN VEGAS:
September 27, 2015, at Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The hip-hop duo’s upcoming show marks only the second time they’ve played in Las Vegas. A quick Google search reveals RTJ’s festival performance at Life Is Beautiful musically set Downtown on fire—just think of
the inferno that’ll happen when they play a full concert set at Brooklyn Bowl. WHAT TO SPIN: With infectious energy and Killer Mike’s and EI-P’s speedy spitting, it’s gotta be “Talk to Me,” the lead single off RTJ’s latest album, Run the Jewels 3. OCTOBER 22
Arcade Fire Mandalay Bay Events Center, mandalaybay.com
Coachella (and thus another on-the-way-to-Indio show here) again? Plus, the multi-instrumental group released Everything Now in late July—that’s two albums to mine for fresh setlist tracks for the Vegas crowd. WHAT TO SPIN: Get lost in the simple piano melody and driving synths of the lead single and title track off Everything Now, which has climbed the charts—even topping Billboard’s Adult Alternative list, a first for the band.
OCTOBER 28
Jay-Z T-Mobile Arena, t-mobilearena.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS: Decem-
ber 13, 2013, at Mandalay Bay Events Center
WHY YOU SHOULD GO:
LAST TIME IN VEGAS: April
14, 2011, at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The French Canadian indie rockers seem to have an aversion to Las Vegas, having skipped the city on both their Reflektor and 2016 tours. Who knows when they’ll be booked for
een weekend in Las Vegas, so we’re going with “The Beautiful People.”
OCTOBER 27–28
Marilyn Manson House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay, houseofblues.com LAST TIME IN VEGAS:
February 14, 2015, at House of Blues
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: The industrial rock icon is set to release his 10th studio album, Heaven Upside Down, on September 29. Fans of The Pale Emperor should expect a healthy dose of new tunes, along with wellknown successes such as “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).” Start dusting off those ’90s goth threads! WHAT TO SPIN: It’s Hallow-
Do we really need to give you a reason to see one of the top-selling musical acts and most decorated rappers of all time? Well, here’s one: The 4:44 album he’s promoting has received high praise from critics, many of them impressed with the vulnerability of his extremely personal lyrics. WHAT TO SPIN: The title track, “4:44.” With lines like “I apologize to all the woman whom I / Toyed with you emotions because I was emotionless / I apologize ’cause at your best you are love,” it’s almost like a response to Beyoncé’s Lemonade. Maybe they planned it? 7
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FALL ARTS PREVIEW
THE NEW CLASSIC
WYNN’S ENCORE THEATER ANNOUNCES A PACKED ROSTER OF TALENT
WYNN LAS VEGAS has been setting a new standard for accommodations, dining and nightlife since its opening, and on August 28 it was announced that a lineup of chart-topping live entertainment would be added to its repertoire. In cooperation with AEG Presents, Encore Theater will be home to Tony Bennett, Harry Connick Jr., the Moody Blues, John Fogerty and Diana Ross for the fall and winter seasons. Each headliner will play a series of dates from September through January, putting the luxuriously intimate venue to great use. “After ShowStoppers ended, we had to find something to go in there,” says Rick Gray, the general manager of entertainment at Wynn Las Vegas. “After talking to Mr. Wynn, we thought it would be excellent to find some headliners who would really benefit from playing in a place that is acoustically perfect.” According to Gray, the lineup was crafted with care and thoughtful planning, bringing in talent that Wynn had its eye on for some time. “Well, for one thing, Tony Bennett is a slam dunk,” Gray says. “Since Tony is still out there in his 90s just wowing people, we thought that he was a natural to marry with the property.” Bennett’s American pop standards are an easy fit for Las Vegas, even today. He evokes nostalgia in those who grew up with him, and he has the potential to introduce himself to younger generations. His recent collaborations with Lady Gaga have also solidified a modern relevance to his cherished catalog. He will be performing six shows in November.
Tickets and schedules: wynnlasvegas.com/entertainment
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By Nicole Cormier
Bennett isn’t the only contributor to the Great American Songbook featured at the Encore Theater this fall. Harry Connick Jr. will bring a completely different—albeit equally beloved—style to Wynn Las Vegas for a total of four dates in November and December. “Harry Connick Jr. is also a natural, in a way. He played for Mr. Wynn’s 70th birthday, and we’ve been looking for an excuse to bring him back. When we found out he might be available to come do something for us, we were thrilled,” Gray says. Connick Jr. is a man of many talents. As a musician and actor with multiple Grammys, Emmys and a Tony nomination, his voice and face are both widely recognizable. He’s also the host of a nationally syndicated talk show, Harry, but it’s his boisterous big-band numbers that will envelop the Encore Theater’s intimate space. The diverse and recollective lineup continues with the Moody Blues, who will be stopping through Las Vegas for four nights in January as part of their Days of Future Passed 50th Anniversary tour. Selecting the classic rock band came just as easily as with the rest of the lineup. “Booking the Moody Blues dovetailed off our association with John Fogerty and those 1970s rock acts that seem to still generate a great crowd. In this particular case, we were really thrilled to highlight their Days of Future Passed album. It is going to be 50 years old [in November]!” The only lady on the lineup is Diana Ross, who will play nine dates in October, branded Diana Ross: Endless Memories. John Fogerty will also return to Encore Theater for 15 dates in September, October and January after selling out his spring and summer residencies this year. The forthcoming live-music season at Wynn will pull on heartstrings, evoke memories and give full permission to rock out all in one gorgeous theater. “There’s such a wide variety of people who come here. I think this year we’re going to have 44–45 million [visitors coming to Las Vegas]. And these acts really speak to an age and a demographic that loves [the resort]. It just fits into who we are.” 7
EMPANADAS Housemade pastry dough stuffed with braised ground beef, sweet plantains, black beans, queso fresco, spicy guasacaca pico
CHICALASVEGAS.COM | @CHICALASVEGAS
GREEN FELT JOURNAL
By David G. Schwartz
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Photography Anthony Mair
Second Chances on the North Strip WILL THE FONTAINEBLEAU FINALLY FULFILL ITS PROMISE?
L
ast week, investors from the Witkoff Group and New Valley LLC purchased the Fontainebleau site from Carl Icahn for $600 million. It launches a new chapter for a piece of land that has long been an ego check for the Las Vegas Strip. Ancient history: the Thunderbird opened at 2755 Las Vegas Blvd. South in 1948. It was most notable for being the resort that Meyer Lansky was proven to have a secret ownership share of thanks to a 1954 Las Vegas Sun investigation. With Lansky (allegedly) removed from the picture, the Thunderbird continued as a middle-of-theroad Strip hotel until 1972, when Caesars World bought the property. Caesars planned to redevelop the site as the Marc Antony, a mass-market, convention-geared brother to its flagship, Caesars Palace. But the early ’70s oil shock dried up financing, and the company sold the Thunderbird without having built its mega-resort. It was renamed the Silverbird and then the El Rancho (an homage to the Strip’s original El Rancho Vegas) before closing in 1992. A succession of owners made plans for the property that say a lot about the possibilities of the early ’90s: the futuristic Starship Orion and the down-home Countryland USA. The El Rancho’s marquee, reading “Future Home of Countryland USA,” was at first a signal that this old property would soon have new life and then, as Countryland USA failed to materialize, a constant reminder that not all promises come to fruition. In 1997, Countryland USA was the outlier: the Sands, Dunes and Hacienda were all being replaced by fantastic resorts that tourists had a hard time imagining, i.e., The Venetian, Bellagio and Mandalay Bay. You would be forgiven for thinking that every Las Vegas developer had the Midas touch—if you didn’t ponder Countryland USA. The sign and property came down in 2000, a tidy marker for the end of the ’90s boom. The Fontainebleau’s construction began in 2007 and stopped amid the recession in 2009. As with the Marc Antony and Countryland USA projects, lack of financing was the culprit. But the scale of its failure reveals much about how Las Vegas’ ambitions and potential for disaster have grown. The Marc Antony’s fizzle was a disappointment to Caesars World executives and shareholders, but it left no visible impact—business as usual continued at the Thunderbird. Countryland USA’s failure to launch was more obvious, with the derelict property an eyesore on
the North Strip, but its 13-story tower remained intact. From afar, you could easily forget about the closed El Rancho. The Fontainebleau, however, has been unavoidable visual litter in the Las Vegas skyline for the past eight years and is the most representative of the three recession busts (with the Stardust/Echelon and Frontier/Plaza). And for all the good news of the last few years—including record visitation and major league sports coming to town— the Fontainebleau has been a nagging reminder of Las Vegas’ fallibility, a 735-foot memorial to misplaced hopes. I would say that failed development became the new normal for post-recession Las Vegas, but it wasn’t new: No one under the age of 25 was alive when there was last a functioning resort there. The successful redevelopment of the Fontainebleau site would upend two generations of redevelopment misses. So should the new owners finish the project, open it with great fanfare and spearhead a revival of the North Strip, they would create a new normal of their own. That would have an obvious economic impact but a subtler (though no less potent) psychological one: That hunk of blue glass would no longer be a daily reminder of failure, but instead a symbol of the indomitable Vegas spirit, that willingness to rush in where angels fear to tread. Las Vegas has been called the city of second chances, and a reborn Fontainebleau would be a mammoth monument to the power of a second chance. As we in Sin City should know, it’s all in how the dice fall. The Marc Antony, Countryland USA and Fontainebleau all seemed like sure things—until they weren’t. Deep pockets and executive talent don’t guarantee success, and it is very difficult to predict how a resort whose design has not been revealed will fare in a market whose dynamics can’t be known in advance. But should the ghosts of failures past be exorcised, the building will be a symbol of a new Las Vegas. Just as the implosion of the El Rancho closed the ’90s boom, this would close the book on the Great Recession. The next downturn, however, will produce its own monument to failure. We shouldn’t necessarily dread that: A town of second chances shouldn’t lose sight, physically or emotionally, of shattered dreams. 7 David G. Schwartz is the director of UNLV’s Center for Gaming Research.
By Jason R. Latham Photography Anthony Mair
12AM:RUN alum steps out with sneaker cleaning boutique
Got You When Your Kicks Get Scuffed
Lave Gallery’s
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
September 7–13, 2017 vegasseven.com
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and collared shirts were the required wardrobe if you wanted to set foot in a Las Vegas nightclub. It wasn’t that long ago—we remember the aughts—but you wouldn’t believe it if you saw today’s doormen pairing Stan Smiths with suits. Dress codes didn’t go away or devolve—sneaker culture just became mainstream. “I remember [doormen] staring me in the face, and I had to name-drop 20 people just to get in because I had my Jordans on. It was completely taboo,” recalls Lowell Raven, a Los Angeles native who helped create the shoe culture in Santa Barbara with sneaker boutique and lifestyle shop CRSVR and moved to Las Vegas when a second location opened at The Cosmopolitan. After reteaming with CRSVR creator Nick Sakai for 12AM:RUN at The Linq Promenade in 2014, Raven was struck with the idea of a “shoe dry cleaner” that caters to 12AM’s clientele of athletes, celebrities and “sneaker heads” who, like Raven, proudly sport a collection of highend and limited-edition footwear. “Now I probably have 200–250 [pairs],” he says of his own set. “At the most I’ve had, like, 500.” This fall, Raven and his business partner, Jesse Babico, will open The Lave Gallery, a premium drop-off sneaker cleaner and curated retail spot in Las Vegas’ Chinatown (3533 Valley View Blvd., thelavegallery.com), a short walk from Mayweather Boxing Club. “That [location] made the most sense,” he says. “I think it plays hand in hand with what we’re trying to do.” Every pair of shoes will be hand-washed, Raven explains, showing off Lave’s secret weapon: an eponymous brand of cleaning products he helped create using coconut and jojoba oils. “When you go out after you’ve cleaned your shoes, you smell like a cleaner,” he says. “That was one of the main things I didn’t want our product to have—that cleaner smell. “I derived the scent from a candle I found a long time ago. It’s based on vanilla and tobacco.” The Lave (pronounced like save) solution will be among the gallery’s launch products, with plans to add wipes and other items based on the formula and scent. Raven says the typical customer will get a pair of shoes back in two to three days, although, he explains, “if you need a rush done, we can do it in probably an hour or so, for a fee.” “I’ll be back there washing and cleaning shoes myself,” he says. 7
There were days when dress shoes
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CONVERSATIONS
COMEDIC RELIEF For the legendary Lily Tomlin, laughter lightens the load
By Lissa Townsend Rodgers THESE DAYS, IT SEEMS THAT STARS MUST CONSTANTLY RETOOL, REINVENT AND BE REBORN TO SUIT THE TREND OF THE MOMENT. LILY TOMLIN, HOWEVER, JUST KEEPS BEING LILY TOMLIN, AND OCCASIONALLY WE CATCH UP. “Laughter is the whole scheme of life,” she says. “It renews people.” And it’s been renewing her for nearly five decades, from her start during the late ’60s in comedy clubs and on TV’s Rowan & Martin’s LaughIn through Broadway and Hollywood, indie films and streaming television. In her work, she took on topics such as cougars and marijuana before they were fashionable or even acceptable. Whether she’s on the screen or stage—she’ll be making a rare appearance at The Smith Center on September 16—Tomlin continues to prove that to be funny is also to be fearless. Tomlin’s current project is the Netflix hit Grace and Frankie, in which she reteams with her friend and 9 to 5 costar Jane Fonda. It’s the tale of two very different women—free-spirited artist Frankie (Tomlin) and highstrung businesswoman Grace— whose husbands leave them for each other and who become unlikely pals because of it. “This is exactly what we wanted to do in terms of a comedy: Play women like ourselves,” Tomlin says. “The dismissal of women our age, we’re shunted aside. And we won’t have any of it. We’re going to be assertive and be who we are.” Grace and Frankie proves that sex, drugs and start-up companies aren’t just for millennials: the pair down whiskey flights and duck sliders in a faux–dive bar and go into the vibrator business. “Grace is a businesswoman. I’m an artist, so I do the box, the painting of the vagina,” explains Tomlin. “My boyfriend, Jacob, he [grew] yams for my yam lubricant.” But it isn’t just a sitcom. Grace and Frankie explores not just the women’s friendship, but how their husbands’ relationship evolves from down-low affair to marriage, as well as their adult children’s struggles with relationships, recovery and their roles in their parents’ new lives—all rendered with a graceful mix of bawdy wit and genuine sensitivity that has drawn a wide-ranging audience. “Most
people watch it and see it as funny. of them are in the office,” she says. But it’s also very moving, it’s sort of “Any more recent awards are sitting a drama. … We’re on the last quarter around someplace, I don’t know of our lives, and everything that where. And there are just numerous happens is more significant in many terrible awards. Especially when you ways,” Tomlin says. “It’s also about get to be my age, they think you’re how you can start over—you can on your way out.” However, accepreinvent yourself.” tance speeches do provide a golden While many shows take their own opportunity for a raconteur like characters for granted, Grace and Tomlin. “If you give me an award, I’ll Frankie avoids sitcom shorthand, hook you up with some anecdote,” finding plot points where others she says, laughing. would go for the laugh track. Part of One of those Emmys was for her the show’s power comes from the 1981 special Lily: Sold Out, in which chemistry between Tomlin and she spoofed playing Vegas by flying Fonda—the pair even recently gave a on wires à la Peter Pan and singing TED Talk on female friendship. The “I Gotta Be Me” in a sequin gown betwo met back in the ’70s and evenfore backflipping into a water tank. tually starred in 9 to 5, a movie that Can we expect another big, spangly became a TV show and a Broadway splash at The Smith Center? “Oh, musical, which Tomlin credits to the dammit, I wish I could,” she laughs. film’s continuing relevance: “It’s about oppression and a boss who has his way with office workers. All this stuff about equal pay … childcare.” Will the third member of the movie’s trio appear on Grace and Frankie? It’s possible. “We’re hoping and praying. We’re praying and hoping. We love Dolly [Parton] so much we want to have her on the show,” she says. “We’ll kind of work on a schedule.” Tomlin has been nominated for three Emmy Awards for Grace and Frankie—and a win would bring another to join the seven Tomlin already has, in addition to her two Tony Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award she collected earlier this year and countless other An Afternoon of honors. “Some Classic Lily Tomlin September 16, 2 p.m., $29–$85, The Smith Center, thesmithcenter.com
“That was special.” Instead, she’ll be unleashing the barrage of quips, observations, satire and “I do a lot of characters”—perhaps we’ll see Ernestine, the telephone operator with the nasal laugh, or Edith Ann, the wise child in the big chair, or Suzie Sorority, who was Becky before there was Becky, yet another example of Tomlin’s ahead-of-her-time insight. Whether it’s a one-woman show, an ensemble part in a Robert Altman film or being part of Grace and Frankie’s dynamic duo, Tomlin sees comedy as part of humanity. “I think most people say, ‘You know, the show gives me hope,’ or ‘The show makes me laugh at myself,’” she says. “It makes people feel like they’re not isolated. That’s the most we can do for each other—lighten the load.” 7
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CONVERSATIONS
LUCKY NO. 7
We asked the WENDOH Media staff:
Who is your favorite local artist or performer?
“Local artist Valentin Yordanov, who produces dynamic landscapes rendered in colorful free-form geometry. Check him out at valentinyordanov.com.” –Ben Ward, creative director
Caption goes here
“Dancer and choreographer Torrey Cole is a native Las Vegan who has done some amazing pieces Downtown. ‘Artikulation’ was a standout: early electronic music mixed with a group of modern and interpretive dancers that culminated in the group scaling a local art installation and smashing glass candy. The crowd that gathered guerrilla-style was an impressive feat of marketing. Any art that makes you reflect on meaning is a home run for me; unexpectedly, it was dance.” –Mauricio Morales, marketing manager, Corner Bar Management “Cherreys—great local band who are going to do great things!” –Adam
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Christopher Smith, production coordinator, Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival
at a time. He’s a hometown hero. See for yourself at jessejsuth.com.” –Amber Sampson, web editor
“My favorite local artist is photographer, graphic designer and closeted superhero Jesse J. Sutherland. He’s barely broken 25 years old and has already photographed everyone from Taylor Swift and Chester Bennington to Justin Bieber and Tegan and Sara. On any given weekend you can catch him at Drai’s Nightclub or 1 OAK, snapping away in the photo pits, capturing every artist’s best side. And in September, he’ll be at Life Is Beautiful, soaking in the experience one click
“I’ve been really digging the illustrations that Zet Gold has been creating. Some are so simple and sweet, while others are a little more complex. They are playful and filled with youth, and I admire her for that. Find her work at @zetgold.” –Cierra Pedro, senior designer “Samantha Ciarlo, a violinist, used to play with Frankie Moreno’s band at the Stratosphere and now plays for Baz: A Musical Mash-Up at The Palazzo. She is fabulous in so many
ways—fashion, food, art. See for yourself on her Instagram, @samanthavln.” –Shannon Miller, editorial assistant “One of my favorite local performers is Ernest Hemmings of Tstmrkt. He creates theater based on time, minimalism, the absurd, film and audio collage. His most recent project is a play that addresses gender inequality in fiction called Cancer Dog, which is performed by an all-female cast. The work is being crowdfunded through Kickstarter, so it’s a great way to support the arts, too.” –Krystal Ramirez, staff photographer
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B O B S A G E T with MIKE YOUNG THE MAGPIE SALUTE MORGAN HERITAGE D A N Z I G with DEAFHEAVEN, VAMPS + 3TEETH METAL ALLIANCE TOUR with OVERKILL, CROWBAR, HAVOK + MORE! MOTIONLESS IN WHITE with THE AMITY AFFLICTION, MISS MAY I + WILLIAM CONTROL MAKE AMERICA ROCK AGAIN feat. SCOTT STAPP ANDREW W.K. THE PARTY NEVER DIES TOUR THE GREEN CHRONIXX P O S T M A L O N E sold out JON BELLION FATHER JOHN MISTY with WEYES BLOOD T H E C H U R C H with THE HELIO SEQUENCE RUN THE JEWELS with DENZEL CURRY IN THIS MOMENT with OF MICE & MEN + AVATAR AZEALIA BANKS FLYING LOTUS IN 3D TREY ANASTASIO BAND CAPTURING PABLO AN EVENING WITH DEA AGENTS STEVE MURPHY & JAVIER PENA COMMON KINGS with SAMMY J, BIG BODY CISCO + LEX THE FRONT BOTTOMS with BASEMENT + BAD BAD HATS I PREVAIL with WE CAME AS ROMANS, THE WORD ALIVE + ESCAPE THE FATE EMERGE MUSIC + IMPACT CONFERENCE PERIPHERY / ANIMALS AS LEADERS with ASTRONOID WAX TAILOR: SOLO SET + GUESTS with DIRTY ART CLUB CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD T H E D R U M S with HOOPS DESCENDENTS NIGHTWISH: DECADES NORTH AMERICA 2018 PETER HOOK + THE LIGHT
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UNLV President Len Jessup
We could all learn something at UNLV. The campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a model of landscaping that’s both beautiful and waterefficient. Over the past decade, UNLV has converted more than a million square feet of turf to desert-friendly landscape resulting in annual water savings in excess of 45 million gallons. Through landscape conversions and technology enhancements, UNLV has decreased its annual water usage by 76 percent since 2001. And that’s a good lesson for all of us. Learn what your company can do to save water. Go to snwa.com or call our conservation specialists at 702.862.3736.
The SNWA is a not-for-profit public agency.