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With Is He Izzy, Danco, Ayva, Sxctime, 10 p.m., Discopussy, posh.vip
THE JIGGLE ROOM
Former Absinthe performer Raquel Reed and her hammer-swinging hunk Enzo Iron have been steadily building the local burlesque scene with the annual Sin City Burlesque Festival and The Jiggle Room at Cheapshot. Earlier this year, the variety striptease went dark due to scheduling issues, but this Friday it returns with more sexy, quirky antics and more support for the art form than ever before. “The support from regulars and the faces of tourists both have been unbelievably encouraging, not to mention the sta who have told us repeatedly they really look forward to The Jiggle Room night,” Reed says. “It’s di erent, it’s silly, and it’s unforgettable in a time where most things going on right now seem oppressive, stressful, and discarded forgettably and so easily. Ultimately our return says we belong.” 8:30 p.m., $20-$30, Cheapshot, thejiggleroom.com
With Adam Daudier, F3R, Michael Wagner, 10 p.m., Rouge Room, rougeroomlv.com
SPACE LACES
With Kumera & K4inen, Endy Bros, 10 p.m., Substance, seetickets.us
SUPERGUIDE
SUNDAY JULY 27 MONDAY JULY 28
LAS VEGAS BEAT BATTLE
Prepare for full immersion in the local music scene, specifically DJ, vinyl, hip-hop and R&B culture. Swan Dive in the Arts District hosts the Las Vegas Beat Battle presented by Academy Studios and the Culture Collective, featuring tagteam battles between top rising producers in Vegas including Noewan, Weirddough, Hatter, Lord Speed, Diego Lo, Prince Gold, Kurious Karma and more. Spread it around with plenty of vendors, performances by Shakes, TrapKitty and other guest DJs and the Love Jones R&B showcase. 9 p.m., free, Swan Dive, eventbrite.com. –Brock Radke
LIL JON
11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, taogroup.com
MAX STYLER
11:30 a.m., LIV Beach, wynnsocial.com
ACRAZE
11 a.m., Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com
BOB MOSES
10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com
LESS THAN JAKE
With The Suicide Machines, Codefendants, Catbite, 6 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.
CARDIEL
With The Crotches, Mersa, 8 p.m., the Gri n, tickettailor.com.
BODYBOX
With Asylum of Ashes, Species, Mugatu, Deathtape, 6 p.m., Eagle Aerie Hall, dice.fm.
DJ E-ROCK
10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com
EAGLE WITT
With Andy Haynes, Nathan Macintosh, Cookie Hull, thru 8/3, 7 & 9:30 p.m., Comedy Cellar, ticketmaster.com
6 p.m., B-Side at House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.
STEPMOM
With Spring Breeding, Same Sex Mary, 9 p.m., Red Dwarf, reddwarflv.com.
JULIAN MIRANDA’S UNPLUGGED
VOCAL JAM
6 p.m., Composers Room, thecomposersroom.com.
IMPORTANT EARS ONLY
7 p.m., the Usual Place, theusualplace.vegas.
CARLOS MENCIA
10 p.m., & 7/30, Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com
MICHAEL PALASCAK
With Landry, Robert Powell, thru 7/31, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com
JIMMY SHUBERT
With Johnny Pizzi, thru 8/3, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy.com
DILLON FRANCIS 10:30 p.m., EBC at Night, wynn social.com
BLACK CHILD 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com
UNWIND PILATES
6 a.m., UnCommons, uncommons.com.
DR. HARPO & THE ACE TONES
8 p.m., Fat Cat, fatcatlv.com.
OFF THE RAILS
7 p.m., Sand Dollar Downtown, thesanddollarlv.com.
LOCAL MUSIC SHOWCASE
7 p.m., the Usual Place, theusualplace.vegas
DO IT ALL
(Courtesy/Parkwood Entertainment,)
BY AMBER SAMPSON
If there were any doubts about Beyoncé’s status as a generational talent, they were laid to rest at the NFL’s first Christmas Day halftime show seven months ago.
The global superstar made her grand entrance into NRG Stadium in Houston on horseback, wearing a feathered coat and chaps, a snow-white Lipizzaner serving as her trusty steed. As she opened with a chilling performance of “16 Carriages,” Queen Bey rode past raised Cadillacs and a semi truck bearing the name Cowboy Carter, a surprise country album that needed little introduction.
For the next 13 minutes, we were thrust into the world of a performer whose stagecraft and storytelling have moved the needle of the music industry in an irreversible way.
With unflappable grace, Beyoncé breezed through a cover of The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” joined by country collaborators Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts and Brittney Spencer. But in the very next breath, she unholstered her vivacity for “Ya Ya,” firing off the hip with a jubilant procession of Black joy and theatricality as the Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul marching band provided the soundtrack to Bey’s lively, stadium-sized hoedown. Shaboozey and Post Malone bridged the gap next with their southern soul ties, and Beyoncé, conqueror of pop and R&B, appeared right at home with them. You can take the girl out of the country, but as she reminds us on her Cowboy Carter tour, “You can’t take the country out of me.”
Netflix reported that Christmas Day football game remains among the most streamed NFL events in history. It was a night for the books, one many now refer to as the Beyoncé Bowl. It also marked the first time Beyoncé had performed songs from her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, in front of a large live audience—and in her hometown.
That incredible country spectacle will soon take Las Vegas by storm when Beyoncé brings the final shows of the tour to Allegiant Stadium July 25 and 26. Vegas became one of the last additions to the tour,
BEYONCÉ
July 25 & 26, 7 p.m., $103$521+.
Allegiant Stadium, ticket master. com
but there’s no way Beyoncé could leave us out—not with the history we share.
For years, rumors of a Las Vegas residency for this superstar have swirled, but it sorta already happened. In 2009, Encore Theater at Wynn hosted Beyoncé’s special four-night engagement, I Am … Yours. At the time, she had just married hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and released I Am … Sasha Fierce, an album that unleashed the cultural phenomenons of “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “Diva.” Already a seven-time Grammy winner, Beyoncé performed in the 1,500-seat venue with an 18-member all-female band.
“My whole objective here is for people to see what they don’t get to see,” Beyoncé told ABC News in a 2009 interview. “Just give me my band, give me a stage, some cool smoke and lights and you see the sweat, you see the pain, you see the love, you see the soul and it’s about music.”
The Wynn engagement might pale in comparison to the pageantry of Beyoncé’s current performances, but the fact that Vegas got to see her in such an intimate way speaks volumes. It takes a special kind of star to settle on the Strip for a residency. Beyoncé’s musical legacy and peerless performance reputation go beyond the qualifications. Will it happen?
Estevan Daniel Velasco-Romero, a Las Vegas performer who stars in Dita Von Teese’s show at Voltaire, Rouge at the Strat and at Gipsy’s Glitz: The Showkids Show, thinks so.
“She definitely should. I heard a rumor about the Sphere, and that would be incredible. But I think it would also be really great for Vegas. I think we’re ready. The biggest thing that she could ever do could be there,” he says.
As an entertainer, Velasco-Romero can’t sing Bey’s praises enough. Onstage, he transforms into his alter ego, Estee, a feisty and very physical performer—just like Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce.
“When I started coming into my own as
a person I guess, that was the B’Day era, so it was ‘Deja Vu’ and ‘Ring the Alarm’ that period,” he says. “I’ve always been super inspired by her ever since.”
Velasco-Romero also reveres Beyoncé for her connection to the LGBTQ+ community. From drag bars to ballroom, she’s bolstered the visibility of both in her music.
“The Renaissance album was definitely a reflection of that, because she was inspired by her uncle, who was gay, and I think he passed away. She dedicated it to him and his culture, the ballroom culture, the Black culture,” he says. “What I have noticed is the confidence that people have, especially gay people and people of color and minorities, I think, in just the state of our world right now politically. I feel like now more than ever, minorities need to be able to use their voices and feel confident in using their voices. I know that she’s definitely made me feel that way.”
Beyoncé’s historic sweep at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where she won her long-awaited first Album of the Year trophy for Cowboy Carter and became the first Black woman to win Best Country Album, also amplified that confidence for various communities.
That night stands out in many fans’ minds, including Los Angeles-based DJ Rosegawd, who has spearheaded the highly publicized Beyoncé fan parties Club Renaissance and Club Cowboy Carter since those album releases, gaining public recognition from the Bey Hive and even Beyoncé’s own mother. In celebration of those wins, she and event producer Ed Wynn threw a party.
“Ed Wynn brought a fake Grammy for people to hold up. I feel like that’s still probably one of the best nights we had, and it wasn’t even our biggest night as far as capacity,” says Rosegawd. “Everyone in the room was just really proud that she was able to conquer something that she had been trying to do. She always wanted [Album] of the Year, but just by breaking the rules completely. The energy that night was something else.”
Rosegawd, a fan since Destiny’s Child’s 1999 album The Writing’s on the Wall, essentially grew up with her icon.
“We do have an age gap, but there are some artists I used to love that I followed from the beginning, and their music
didn’t grow with me. With Beyoncé, you’re growing,” says Rosegawd. “I appreciate that aspect of her being one of those artists who have constantly evolved, and it inspires me to do the same.”
For the Cowboy Carter tour, Wynn, Rosegawd and her event company Ladera Hearts have taken Club Cowboy Carter on the road, following Beyoncé to every city, including Paris and London. Rosegawd spins Cowboy Carter the album from top to bottom for these traveling parties, splicing in deeper cuts as a warmup. Vegas audiences can get a taste when the parties land at the Space just west of the Strip—and close to Allegiant Stadium— for two concert afterparties.
Las Vegas singer-songwriter Natalie Kalei was exposed to all of Beyoncé’s eras early, having hailed from a musician-filled family. But one Beyoncé album came during a formative time in her life.
“I really locked in for the Lemonade album, because at that point I had graduated, I was getting into music on my own. And I vividly remember my mom telling me to listen to this album,” Kalei says. “At the time, I was going through my first breakup and experiencing that kind of pain. I feel like that album spoke to me as an artist, not just as a listener. … The relatability, I think it inspired me to want to have that too in my music, and just to tell my story and to speak on things that I’m experiencing.”
To Kalei, Beyoncé’s music has also brought a sense of cultural liberation. The release of Cowboy Carter didn’t surprise her in the least.
“Cowboy Carter … spoke to me,” she says. “I grew up listening to country as well, but I always felt like it had to be a guilty pleasure. When she came out and she had all the greats like Willie [Nelson] and Dolly [Parton], it was like … I can be that person as well and dip my toes into that genre because that’s a part of me.”
As a country album, Cowboy Carter ruffled a lot of feathers. But who better to celebrate Black cowboy culture than a Black woman from the South? Who better to create hoedown heaters honoring Black rodeo than a woman who grew up
watching them? Since 2022’s award-winning disco epic Renaissance, Beyoncé hasn’t just been on a victory lap, she’s been on a statement tour.
“When she makes an album, everybody’s like, oh, it’s Beyoncé. But when you look into what it is, you’re like, this is a trailblazing project. This is something to pay attention to,” says Ayaka Taylor, a Las Vegas-based singer-songwriter, model, dancer and actress. “I think there’s been a lot of effort to undermine what she does. But I think people are beginning to realize how impactful every step is with what she’s doing right now.”
Since childhood, Taylor has studied Beyoncé’s attention to detail and physical prowess like a musical syllabus.
“When she’s on stage, she genuinely looks like she loves doing what she does. And I feel like that really speaks to people, because energy is contagious,” Taylor says. “As an artist, I want to make people feel something. Because that’s how I connected to the arts growing up.”
To Taylor, who grew up overseas and was raised in a multicultural household, it’s been refreshing to see how Beyoncé “incorporates her upbringing into her art,” and has shifted culture, unapologetically embracing a bit of everything.
“People are shocked at listening to Cowboy Carter and how much soul is in it. It’s an everything album,” Taylor says. “That’s inspired me to slow down and focus on what type of elements I want to put in my music and genuinely to have something be an experience, rather than categorized as this or that.”
But back to the big Vegas question: Will Beyoncé set up an epic residency one day? Taylor, Rosegawd and Kalei all think it’s too soon for this icon to settle down.
“She definitely has more to say,” Taylor says. “I would love her to stay in Vegas longer, because that’s where I call home. But I think she has a ways to go before she does a residency. She’s got a lot more trailblazing to do.”
–LAS VEGAS SINGER-SONGWRITER
NATALIE KALEI
(Courtesy/Parkwood Entertainment,)
IN THE NEWS
East Las Vegas golf course to become $500 million housing development
The Las Vegas City Council unanimously approved a transformative affordable housing proposal in East Las Vegas that has been in the works for nearly five years.
The nearly $500 million project will deliver at least 1,500 units to address the severe housing shortage in the working-class, predominantly Latino community.
The development, slated for the former Desert Pines Golf Course at Bonanza and Pecos roads, will convert the 95-acre site into a vibrant mixed-income community, officials said.
The project represents one of the largest residential developments in the city’s recent history and marks a significant victory for affordable housing advocates in the area.
Open green spaces and an early learning center are also planned for
BY THE NUMBERS
$45.4M
the property to encourage community-building and mitigate impacts of heat, according to the proposal. The council approved selling the cityowned golf course at below-market value without offering it to the public so it can eventually be redeveloped.
The site offers access to existing infrastructure including public transportation, schools, parks, grocery stores and cultural resources. It also will be adjacent to a future College of Southern Nevada Training Center, which will eventually sit on the corner of Bonanza and Pecos.
The city is partnering with McCormack Baron Salazar (MBS), a St. Louis-based real estate development firm that specializes in economically integrated urban neighborhoods, and Urban Strategies, Inc. (USI), a nonprofit focused on comprehen-
sive community development, on the project. About $424 million in construction costs for residential, commercial and infrastructure on the property will be undertaken by MBS, according to the proposal. It will additionally be funded through a variety of public and private sources, including $25 million from the Nevada State Infrastructure Bank, which approved the loan last fall; $8 million in Clark County Affordable Housing Funds; and $14 million from two different American Rescue Plan Act allocations. The Economic Development Administration also awarded Las Vegas a $5 million grant for the project.
Construction will be handled over two phases. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2036.
–Grace Da Rocha
As a result of the “big beautiful bill” President Trump signed into law and its cuts to Medicaid, University Medical Center in Las Vegas is facing an annual revenue loss of $45.4 million, according to a report by Third Way. The report projects a total loss of $232.5 million to hospitals across the state.
RISE FESTIVAL ADDS VIP EXPERIENCE
Rise Festival, which takes place 45 minutes from Las Vegas in Jean Dry Lake Bed, is introducing an upscale hospitality experience for attendees seeking premium amenities in the event’s desert setting.
The festival is partnering with Tao Group Hospitality to launch The Sanctuary, which includes luxury viewing terraces with VIP table and bottle service, offering elevated viewing positions overlooking “one of the largest music festival stages in the country,” according to a news release.
This year’s 10th anniversary lineup includes performances by Rüfüs Du Sol, Calvin Harris, John Mayer, Disclosure, Goose and Ben Böhmer. Tickets are available at risefestival.com. –Staff
HOT SHOT
Poker pro Leo Margets became the first woman in 30 years to reach the World Series of Poker’s Main Event final table at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas on July 15. The 41-year-old Barcelona native finished in seventh place for a prize of $1.5 million, a record payout achieved by a woman in poker’s world championship.
(Courtesy/World Series of Poker)
LOCAL BUZZ
Coffee shops seek to capitalize on community as corporations struggle and smaller chains thrive
BY SHANNON MILLER
Coffee is all about ritual—the smell of the beans, the personalization of cream and sugar and the comfort of enjoying the cup, whether it’s in your kitchen, your car or at a cafe. And while routine is central to the coffee experience, customer behavior points to a paradigm shift when it comes to where people choose to get their morning joe.
Since 2019, small and mid-sized chains have increased their share of the market. According to Placer. ai, which conducts location and foot traffic analytics, the share of visitors to mid-sized coffee chains like Dutch Bros grew from 10.8% to 17.6% in 2024. Small chains experienced a more modest visitor increase from 3.2% to 4.4% of the market since 2019.
Coincidentally, corporations like Starbucks have experienced a loss in customers and are desperately trying to get them back. At a Leadership Experience event in Las Vegas in June, CEO Brian Niccol told more than 14,000 store managers in attendance that the corporation is continuing “refocusing” on providing “a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather, and where we serve the finest coffee, handcrafted by our skilled baristas.”
Scott Jackson, an economist and assistant professor at UNLV, says the company’s turnaround strategy
reflects a bit of an identity crisis.
“Starbucks is kind of in this weird space. What do they want to be branded as? The quick service coffee, like Dutch Bros? Or do they want to be your neighborhood cozy coffee shop where you can sit and get to know your barista? I think they’re trying to be both right now, and it’s kind of hard to play in both spaces,” he says.
As Starbucks works to re-establish itself as the “community coffeehouse,” other businesses like Vegas-based Mothership Coffee Roasters have taken hold.
“Starbucks was able to market the idea of the third place, and they’ve progressively removed themselves from that category,” says Mothership founder Juanny Romero.
She cites how Starbucks has removed more than 30,000 seats from its stores in recent years as they shifted to a more app-based, grab-and-go model—a move that Niccol promised would be reversed.
“It’s really funny how the CEO’s plan is just coming back to their original concept, which is for our customers to feel seen, to feel heard, to feel loved, to participate, to feel like they matter,” she says.
Mothership opened its flagship Green Valley location in 2012 and since has grown to five Valley locations and 128 employees. The roaster and cafe has
announced a sixth location at Dapper Companies’ Arts District development.
The founder, who was also Mothership’s first barista, attributes its success to a strong foundation in community and connection. She says the business is much more than a sales transaction.
“I think what Mothership does is, the minute you walk in the door, whether you’re an employee or customer, you feel [like you’re a] part of it,” she says.
Romero has cultivated that culture through decisions like starting a bartering program during the pandemic, where bakers and artists could trade things like bread, cookies or jewelry for Mothership’s roasted coffee beans—“anything we could do to facilitate feeling part of the community,” she says.
Creating a good working environment is another company tenet. Romero says it’s important for every employee to feel like they have “a seat at the table.”
“Every other month, we send out a report asking for feedback, and based on that feedback, we try to fine tune our program in order to increase our retention,” she says.
And through Mothership’s philanthropic program, an added layer of significance is added to each cup of coffee. The company has given $75,000 to organizations like Opportunity Village, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children and more.
“If you put people before profits, the profits do take care of themselves,” she says.
Mothership Coffee Roasters at The Bend (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
CAMP COMPETITION
Keep an eye on these four positional battles as the Raiders start training camp
BY CASE KEEFER
Every job on the field is up for grabs over the next month when the Raiders go through training camp, starting with their first practice on July 23 at their Henderson headquarters. That’s been new coach Pete Carroll’s philosophy throughout his 52-year career: Forcing everyone to earn their role regardless of reputation or contract status. Still, it’s hard to see most of the Raiders’ starting spots producing major surprises. A lot of the positional battles appear easy to handicap, but there are a handful that lack clarity. Here are four spots where there will be the most competition for playing time with the Raiders heading into the 2025-2026 season.
SPORTS
GUARD
There are four primary contenders for two starting spots on the interior o ensive line—Alex Cappa, Dylan Parham, Jordan Meredith and Caleb Rogers.
Cappa seems the surest to lock down one of the positions, likely right guard, after coming to the Raiders in free agency after three years with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 30-year-old has a close relationship with new general manager John Spytek, who helped draft him out of Humboldt State in 2018 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Cappa emerged as an above-average blocker with Tampa Bay, but his play dipped with Cincinnati. All signs indicate that Las Vegas is con dent he can rebound with a fresh start.
Parham, a fourth-year Raider, has been reliable since being taken in the third round out of Memphis but might be in a battle for his job with a longtime teammate in Meredith. The former undrafted free agent was a revelation late last season when injuries forced him into action.
The rookie Rogers, taken in the third round out of Texas Tech, is the wild card. Carroll was among the Raiders who praised him for a fast start during minicamp and o season team activities.
NO. 2 WIDE RECEIVER
This role might hold less importance with the Raiders than it does with other teams.
Tight end Brock Bowers is clearly the team’s top target in the passing game coming o a record-breaking rookie season, with No. 1 receiver Jakobi Meyers all but entrenched as his sidekick. Slot receiver/ gadget weapon Tre Tucker also seems to have a fairly secure place within the o ense, so the No. 2 receiver is more like the fourth option for Las Vegas.
But the ght for snaps should still be fascinating to watch. Jack Bech seemed like a natural t for the spot after the Raiders took him in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft out of TCU, but he was outplayed by another rookie in pre-training camp practices.
Fourth-round pick Dont’e Thornton, out of Tennessee, earned a spot with the starters in June while Bech slipped to the second team. Bech didn’t do anything wrong but Thronton’s combination of size and speed shined and could add dimensions to the Raiders’ o ense.
Both rookies should get opportunities this season, but whichever one performs better at training camp will have the best chance at establishing themselves.
BROCK BOWERS
DYLAN PARHAM
DEFENSIVE TACKLE
Las Vegas was counting on the defensive front to be the strength of its team with stars Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins leading the way, but it’s looking increasingly unlikely the latter will be ready for the start of the season.
CORNERBACK
Minicamp broke with rookie third-round pick Darien Porter and former Packer/free-agent acquisition Eric Strokes as the starters at the outside cornerback spots.
Wilkins su ered a Jones fracture in his left foot last year only ve games into the four-year, $110 million deal he signed with the Raiders. Carroll has described his recovery as “long (and) challenging.”
Wilkins’ absence leads to a hole next to pass-rushing specialist Adam Butler in the interior line. Second-year player and Centennial High graduate Jonah Laulu should have a head start in lling it after surging at the end of last season.
But Spytek and Carroll drafted a pair of defensive tackles, fourth-round pick Tonka Hemingway out of South Carolina and sixth-round pick J.J. Pegues out of Ole Miss.
Veterans Zach Carter and Leki Fotu could also challenge Laulu for playing time until Wilkins is able to return.
That was a big surprise to those who gured holdovers Jakorian Bennett and Decamerion Richardson were the likely rst stringers. Bennett should still be considered probable to claim one of the jobs. He ashed multiple times throughout last season despite having a torn labrum that eventually shut him down and required surgery.
He was still getting up to 100% during early practices, which could explain his backup designation. Richardson had a rough rookie season lling in for Bennett late, but gained valuable experience that could lead to a sophomore breakout.
That’s the path Bennett took last year. Stokes is considered something of a rst-round bust after failing to stay on the eld and keep his job with the Packers, while Porter was regarded as more of a longterm project after being selected out of Iowa State.
The Raiders will be in an advantageous position if both Porter and Stokes outplay their scouting reports.
MAXX CROSBY
JAKORIAN BENNETT
LARGER THAN LIFE
Backstreet
Boys blast o with their most ambitious concert yet at Sphere
BACKSTREET
BOYS
July 25-27, August 1-5, 8-10, 15-17 & 22, 8 p.m., $298+. Sphere, ticket master.com.
BY AMBER SAMPSON
It’s a strange thing, being abducted by a boy band. But if you asked any concertgoer at Sphere on July 11, they’d swear it happened.
Night one of the Backstreet Boys’ Into the Millennium residency began where many Sphere concerts inevitably end up: in another world. A leviathan-sized spacecraft—the kind Will Smith warned us about in Independence Day, the kind that makes Denis Villeneuve’s ships from Dune look like imsy kites—bore down from the ceiling, heralding the arrival of the Backstreet Boys.
Nearly every fan in the 18,000-seat venue gleamed in white, a nod to the 1999 album Millennium that gave us so many timeless bangers. Preparing for lifto with album opener “Larger Than Life,” the global stars of our childhood blasted o with a 25-song set, christening Sphere as the rst pop act to perform there.
“Forgive me, but holy s**t dude, look at this place! This is insane,” vocalist AJ McLean blurted out onstage. “You guys
are the best fans in the universe, period. Usually, [Kevin’s] the crier. I’ve cried at least four times tonight.”
Emotions ran high, as did our endorphins, as Sphere quickly demonstrated why it’s one of the greatest entertainment venues of all time. That 16k resolution screen, a vision of technological wizardry, shapeshifted before our eyes to bring the Backstreet Boys’ vision into the modern age. We were thrust into a living, breathing music video as the landscape shifted onscreen, the rocky terrain of a lone ice planet whizzing past our heads so realistically, one concertgoer ducked while another whooped. Our seats shook and rattled as we made the galactic voyage. As one fan put it, “It’s all about the screen.” And though that might’ve been true, the real spectacle came from the audience—and their icons.
After an initial residency run on the Strip in 2017-2019, the Backstreet Boys have found themselves at the height of their powers—and paving a way for new pop acts at Sphere. Their harmonies, while muted slightly by Brian Littrell’s vocal condition, beamed with warmth on
sway-worthy classics like “As Long as You Love Me” and “All I Have to Give.” Nick Carter’s boyish lilt has remained untouched, and McLean will forever sound erce and resonant on tracks like “Don’t Want You Back.”
The band fully closed the distance between their music and fans with an intimate medley of deep cuts. Howie Dorough led with “Spanish Eyes,” showcasing his vocal range and amazing skin care routine—the man never ages—while McLean huddled the group for a snap-worthy rendition of “No One Else Comes Close.” You could sense the brotherhood from a mile away, and fans ate it up with appreciative eyes and hands over hearts.
Of course, no song came close to the nale of “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).” No one gains immunity from it. It’s genetically wired into us to go mad for it—and mad they went. Even as the Sphere wind-blasted its best and biggest intense graphics, fans kept their attention riveted to the moment and to the music. After 30 years of performing, the Backstreet Boys have certainly earned that kind of devotion.
(Courtesy/Justin Segura)
THEY’VE GOT JOKES
Where you experience comedy matters just as much as who’s cracking jokes onstage. Las Vegas has no shortage of amazing clubs—Comedy Cellar, Wiseguys, LA Comedy Club, Jimmy Kimmel’s and Brad Garrett’s, to name a few—but lately, other local venues have stepped up their game, bringing jokesters to smaller rooms and unexpected places. Here are some of our favorite spots to catch a comedy show outside of a traditional club.
You can find laughs in Las Vegas in all sorts of places beyond comedy clubs
BY SHANNON MILLER, AMBER SAMPSON, TYLER SCHNEIDER
EAT THIS COMEDY
eatthiscomedy.com
After longtime local food writer and comedian Jason Harris grew tired of having to grab a meal before or after the shows he attended, he decided to mash the two together by founding Eat This Comedy. The variables of this venture—like the host restaurant and participating comics—are constantly in flux, but the experience always includes a full-service meal and an hour or more of top-flight humor from Harris and a rotating cast of his closest stand-up friends. The grandson of legendary comedian Van Harris, Jason Harris cut his teeth experimenting with the concept through his former Live From The Monkey Bar sessions at Piero’s, but Eat This Comedy has since eclipsed those early shows at non-traditional venues like Ada’s Food & Wine, Echo & Rig, Honey Salt, Metro Pizza and more. Follow along on Instagram (@eatthiscomedy) to find out where the next show will satisfy your comedy appetite. –Tyler Schneider
BAGELMANIA BACKROOM
siegelsbagelmania.com
A Jewish deli with jokes? Say no more. Comic power couple Noah Gardenswartz and Ester Steinberg founded the Backroom last year at Siegel’s Bagelmania on Convention Center Drive with every intention of being the place to “laugh your bagels off.” It’s a return to form for Steinberg, who previously ran the Kibitz Room Comedy Show at LA’s Canter’s Deli for seven years. “The comedy clubs and the big theaters are awesome, but we have such an intimate vibe,” she says. “It just feels so close up and homey.” The monthly stand-up event returns from a summer hiatus on September 25, kicking off sophomore season on the last Thursday of each month with a rotating cast of hand-picked comedians and specialty menu items from the host kitchen. Gardenswartz, a writer for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, promises “a great mix of professional comics doing some of their best jokes, while also working out and feeling comfortable to explore with a local crowd.” –TS
DELIRIOUS
COMEDY CLUB deliriouscomedyclub.com
Looking for a regular Downtown comedy fix? Consider planning your next outing at Delirious Comedy Club inside Hennessey’s Tavern along the Fremont Street Experience. Since resident comedian Don Barnhart launched the space in 2019, the Dry Bar Comedy star has transformed the Delirious Showroom into a crucible where upand-coming comics can pay their dues alongside more established acts. Shows usually run six days a week Tuesday through Sunday starting at 7 p.m., while Fridays and Saturdays include a second 9 p.m. slot. In addition to Barnhart himself, featured mainstays include locals Ron Coleman, Kathleen Dunbar and Guy Fessenden, plus visiting veterans like Canadian quipper Erin O’Connor and Chicagoan Keith Lyle. More recently, Barnhart scheduled a slew of evenings hosted by House of Magic resident magician Justin Rivera. A former America’s Got Talent semifinalist, Rivera’s appearances promise a blend of illusion, audience interaction and a dash of comedic flavor. –TS
COMEDY
DON’T TELL COMEDY donttellcomedy.com
It’s said that the key to any lasting relationship is spontaneity, and Don’t Tell Comedy has that down pat. Audiences don’t know where the show will be until that morning. And shows pop up in a variety of businesses, from gyms to hair salons to coffee shops. In fact, the nationwide company’s Las Vegas chapter started in someone’s Inspirada living room. More than six years later, lead producer Nick Arellano has grown Don’t Tell into a showcase fit for a swanky Strip speakeasy. It recently held its first show at On the Record at Park MGM with Jaye Devan, Jozalyn Sharp and J.C. Currais. Stay tuned, as it’s about to announce a show at Punk Rock Museum this fall.
–Shannon Miller
THE B WORD AT FAT CAT
posh.vip/series/the-b-word-comedy-hour
Coming off the release of a one-hour special, Shanna Christmas hosts the B Word comedy hour every third Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. at Fat Cat Lounge at Downtown Grand. A born-andraised local, Christmas makes us proud with a show she’s built from the ground up. The author, producer and comedian books other comics, hosts and keeps things moving as she regales us with hilarious tales from her dayjob as an occupational therapist at a nursing home, her child-free life and playing the dating field. July’s lineup, including New York’s James Mattern and LA’s Jasmine Ellis, had the room clutching their sides. Members of jazz group Sol Fixx provided the intro and outro music befitting of a jazz and blues joint converted into a comedy club. –SM
LEFT PAGE
(Clockwise from left)
Shanna Christmas at Fat Cat (Wade Vandervort/Staff); Jason Harris at Eat This Comedy (Courtesy/Michael Chandler/ Third Eye Vision); Ester Steinberg at Bagelmania Backroom (Courtesy).
RIGHT PAGE
(Clockwise from left)
J.C. Currais performs at On the Record; audience at On the Record (Wade Vandervort/ Staff); audience at NuWu’s Sky High Lounge (Courtesy); host Gabe Lopez at Sky High Lounge (Courtesy).
NUWU’S SKY HIGH LOUNGE skyhighlv.com
NuWu has mastered the art of toke and joke with Las Vegas’ first cannabis comedy night. Gabe Lopez hosts this smoke-friendly show at the Sky High Lounge in Downtown every Friday, bringing new side-splittingly funny comics like Bret Ernst, J.C. Currais and Trixx to keep you guessing and giggling all night. The lounge also has dab and THC-infused drink specials, and NuWu’s new Munchie Machine—an actual ghost kitchen vending machine full of Sicilian pizza slices, sandwiches, cinnamon rolls and chicken tenders—will be there when those canna cravings kick in. –Amber Sampson
CRUNCHY TUNA, HIDDEN SASHIMI
Nomikai ’s “sushi speakeasy” is a Strip surprise worth discovering
Las Vegas loves its sushi, and loves it in mass quantities. We enjoy it from conveyor belts, at omakase counters, sometimes burrito’d.
We also appreciate a good speakeasy lounge, as evidenced by the fact that the Valley now boasts more than a dozen of them, hidden away inside ice cream parlors, doughnut shops and taquerias. Vegas has, arguably, reached peak easy. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for one more speakeasy, especially if it’s hidden within a top-notch sushi joint. Nomikai has one of those, and it’s wonderful.
The public face of Nomikai— located on Venetian’s jam-packed restaurant row and named for a Japanese word that translates roughly to “social gathering” or “drinking party”—is a diner-style counter that serves up nigiri, sashimi, rolls and poke. And while the speakeasy concealed behind that counter isn’t a big secret (it’s listed on the counter’s neon sign, right after “sushi” and “sake”), there’s no denying the exclusive feel of this subdued and inviting space.
That exclusive feel manifests not through ooh-I’m-an-influencer superiority, but through attentive, personalized service. Our server pretty much befriended us, describing the cocktails and menu items at length, naming their personal favorites and engaging us in a freewheeling convo about Arts District bars. We stopped just short of sharing our IGs.
There’s lots of good stuff to talk about in the speakeasy, beginning with fascinating reinventions of popular cocktails. The Yuzu Drip ($19) reimagines the lemon drop with Haku vodka, limoncello, creme de cassis, grapefruit, yuzu and a bit of edible gold. True to its
name, the Rice Washed Negroni ($21) tempers its bittersweet combination of Nikka coffey gin, Blanc vermouth and bitter bianco with a bit of sushi rice. The Nomikai Spritz ($19) brings together sparkling sake, Passoa, creme de cassis and orange juice in a splash of Fever Tree club soda. And fans of the whiskey mule—and Cobra Kai—will find much to love in the Daniel Was the Villain ($20), a real crane kick of Akashi Japanese whisky, Domaine de Canton, lemon, cucumber, white pepper, sparkling hop tea and wasabi. Speaking of wasabi, you can get it freshly grated ($15) alongside the amazing sushi coming from the kitchen of chefs and brothers Nick and Jun An. Selections vary depending on what’s been caught, but you can generally depend on the Trust Us Deluxe plate ($85) and Nomikai Sushi Set ($78) to include sparkling fresh, premium cuts of tuna, salmon, hamachi, fluke, ocean trout and other delights, served in a near-to-perfect seaweed wrap and with lightly-seasoned rice. You could also enjoy seared A5 Wagyu, tuna tataki, ocean trout or hirame nigiri ($15$26), or delve into the cut rolls: miso black cod, baked Alaskan crab, California king crab or one of the best dang spicy tuna rolls I’ve ever had ($18-$28).
And try the small plates, I beg you. The spicy tuna chips ($18), with shiso and gochujang miso, are crunchy perfection. Ditto the chicken truffle dumplings ($19), which dunk very nicely in a black truffle sauce, and the bluefin tuna pizza with heirloom tomatoes, an absolute summertime delight. This stuff would be worth seeking out even it was locked up in a vault hidden inside a labyrinth. By comparison, Nomikai’s speakeasy makes it simple, even fun, to find its hidden treasures.
CAFE LANDWER BRINGS MEDITERRANEAN STAPLES AND SATISFYING FLAVORS TO BOCA PARK
In 1933, a small Berlin coffee shop was just a year short of its 15th anniversary when the Nazi regime took control of Germany. The owners decided to flee to Tel Aviv, which was then in British-occupied Palestine.
Nearly a century later, the business is thriving. Now known as Cafe Landwer, it boasts 80 locations throughout modern-day Israel and has expanded to more than a dozen in North America, including a recent addition in Las Vegas’ ever-bustling Boca Park.
smorgasbord of flavor featuring short ribs, poached eggs, kalamata olives, black beans, avocado, tahini and fresh pita bread.
CAFE LANDWER 8704 W. Charleston Blvd. #101, 702-333-1913, landwercafe.com.
Daily, 8 a.m. -9 p.m.
Though it just opened in April in the space formerly occupied by Chinglish, the Mediterranean-focused eatery recently extended its service from dinner to include breakfast and lunch, plus a bolstered drink menu.
Staples like schnitzel and shawarma—including vegan and kosher versions—are popular draws, but there’s so much more to explore across Cafe Landwer’s diverse selection. Weekly favorites included appetizers like mouth-watering halloumi sticks and a bangin’ falafel plate with tahini and hummus, plus the hefty shakshuka carne ($25)—a
The shakshuka was undoubtedly the highlight for me, but Cafe Landwer doesn’t slack on its endgame, either. As far as desserts go, one can’t go wrong with the rosalach ($9$15)—a delicious blend of oven-baked dough filled with flavors like chocolate and Oreo, Nutella, or caramelized Biscoff spread. More adventurous parties may opt for the knafeh ($13)—a cheesy dessert hybrid made from Arab pastry dough that’s layered with cheese and soaked in a sugar-based syrup called attar.
Regardless of which dessert you choose, it’s not a bad idea to pair it with the halva espresso martini or any of the non-alcoholic, coffee-centric options. If you’re looking for something with a little more oomph, the Figenza vodka-fueled Mediterranean mule had me feeling like a million bucks as I went home and proceeded to immediately crush my leftover rosalach before I could even put it in the fridge. –Tyler Schneider
Chicken shawarma hummus (Courtesy/Eugene Dela Cruz)
NCA
At the Nevada Contractors Association, we are committed to ensuring that the voices of our contractors are heard and that the future of our industry is protected. We provide uni ed industry leadership and strong advocacy on initiatives that re ect the priorities and values of our members—nearly 500 general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and a liated rms.
Together, we are building more than just structures—we are building Southern Nevada’s future.
The Contractor of the Year Awards represent the highest honors in our industry. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding general contractors, subcontractors, industry professionals and the year’s most impressive projects. Each recipient exempli es excellence in craftsmanship, innovation and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in our community.
We are proud to honor and celebrate the individuals and companies that de ne the very best of the construction industry.
Ann Barnett CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
DROPPING JAWS SINCE
GENERAL CONTRACTOR OF
2025 CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
THE PENTA BUILDING GROUP
With more than $12 billion in projects nationwide, The PENTA Building Group has earned its reputation as a leader among general contractors. Founded in Las Vegas 25 years ago, PENTA has strategically expanded into Arizona and Southern California while maintaining a steady focus on operational excellence and relationship-driven project delivery.
PENTA is known for its collaborative approach with clients, design teams, trade partners and communities. This commitment to people and process has enabled the successful completion of high-profile and logistically complex builds, including T-Mobile Arena, Caesars Forum convention center, Las Vegas Ballpark and the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix Pit Building.
While PENTA has made a remarkable impact in Las Vegas’ hospitality industry, it also tackles a diverse range of other sectors including healthcare. A recent example is the $70.8 million Culinary Health Fund’s North Las Vegas health center, a 97,000-square-foot facility completed within only 20 months to serve more than 100,000 union members and families.
Bringing its people-first philosophy to every project and partnership, PENTA is also recognized for its strong safety culture and forward-thinking integration of technology. Through culture, technology, and craftsmanship, PENTA continues to shape skylines—and futures.
CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR TOMORROW’S NEEDS
New-Com is the consolidated parent company of TAB Contractors, MMC, and Acme Electric. With a proven ability to implement efficient operational strategies and cost-competitive building practices, New-Com has become one of the largest selfperforming construction entities in the Southwest. As a vital contributor in the growth of the Las Vegas Valley’s infrastructure, New-Com has successfully constructed numerous treatment plants, pumping stations, pipelines, power lines, and street and roadway lighting – helping to build a stronger future for the residents of Southern Nevada.
• Construction Management at Risk
• Design/Build
• Heavy Civil Construction
• Industrial Electrical
• Jet Fuel Installation
• Mass Excavation
• PCCP Paving
• Line Jetting
• Specialty Process Facility Construction
• Underground Wet Utilities
• Water/Wastewater Facility Construction
• CCTV/Panorama 3D Mapping
• Trenchless Pipe Replacement
• Hydro-Excavation Safe Dig
Subcontractor of the year
HELIX ELECTRIC
Helix Electric is a nationally recognized electrical contractor specializing in complex design-build projects across the United States. Established in 1985, Helix has grown into one of the largest and most accomplished electrical contracting firms in the country. With a team of more than 1,000 skilled professionals and more than 800 field electricians in Nevada alone, the company o ers unmatched expertise in sectors including data centers, healthcare, renewable energy, education, mass transit and more.
As the largest merit shop electrical contractor in Nevada, Helix has significantly influenced the state’s infrastructure. The company’s dedication to innovation, integrity, quality, safety and collaboration guides every project, from high-voltage power distribution to residential installations. One of the company’s recent achievements is the $14.6 million Crown Cork & Seal project in Mesquite, which required advanced construction solutions and strict adherence to safety protocols.
Helix maintains a robust 24/7 emergency service department and continues to expand its footprint nationwide. Safety excellence is embedded in its culture, reflecting a proactive commitment to both employee welfare and project success. With a strong foundation and forward-looking strategy, Helix Electric remains a trusted leader in delivering high-performance electrical solutions while setting new standards in the construction industry.
Supplier of the Year
PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR SUPPLY
Professional Contractor Supply, formerly known as Fasteners, Inc., is a premier supplier of construction and industrial solutions, proudly serving contractors across Nevada and beyond for more than 60 years. In the past year, PCS underwent a strategic rebrand to better reflect its expansive product o erings and services, while maintaining its trusted ownership, leadership, and customer-first values.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, PCS operates as a fast-paced distributor committed to maintaining exceptional in-stock availability and delivering real-time, productivity-enhancing solutions. Through advanced distribution capabilities and cutting-edge technology platforms, PCS supports a wide spectrum of professional contractors, continuing its legacy of reliability and excellence.
As a recognized leader in the safety supply market, PCS goes beyond product delivery by o ering safety training through its on-site training facility, reinforcing jobsite safety and compliance. Its ongoing investments in technology have significantly boosted operational e ciency and customer responsiveness.
Guided by a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, PCS remains deeply connected to its community. In the past year alone, the company contributed more than $200,000 to local charities, reflecting its commitment to meaningful community engagement.
UES
UES delivers a wide range of professional services including environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, geophysical technologies, materials testing, field inspections and code compliance. With a commitment to innovative, technology-driven solutions, UES serves federal, public and private clients across diverse sectors such as transportation, education and commercial development.
UES plays a vital role in Nevada’s continued growth, not only through impactful projects—such as Henderson Hospital, Showcase Mall, Brightline Las Vegas Station and the Dry Lake East Energy Center Solar Project—but also through deeply rooted community engagement. The Las Vegas o ce is home to 150 dedicated professionals who prioritize continued education, technical excellence and service.
Its state-of-the-art construction materials testing lab in Las Vegas also supports the development of new engineers and technical sta , ensuring long-term excellence. UES prides itself on a passionate team, resource flexibility, specialized expertise and client-first service. Trusted by leading organizations, UES consistently redefines industry standards through responsive solutions and a steadfast commitment to both clients and community.
Safest General Contractor of the Year
CORE CONSTRUCTION
At CORE Construction, safety is more than a policy—it’s a deeply rooted core value and a moral obligation. With a companywide commitment to the motto “Zero Incidents, Zero Accidents,” CORE places the safety of its employees and trade partners above all else. CORE’s commitment to safety is evident: 2025 marks the company’s 14th consecutive year without a recordable lost time incident. Safety is the cornerstone of CORE’s Operational Excellence program, which sets and tracks goals across all projects. CORE uses a multipoint strategy to ensure that safety remains the highest priority, and trade partners are introduced to CORE’s stringent safety standards early, reinforcing a shared responsibility throughout every phase of work.
Recently, CORE implemented a technology-driven safety management system for the $100 million Nevada DMV project in Clark County. This system combined digital tools, rigorous inspections and ongoing education to foster a proactive safety culture across the 21-acre site. The project includes a 17,000-square-foot CDL facility, an 80,000-square-foot DMV building with a 40,000-square-foot open lobby and significant road construction.
At CORE Construction, safety isn’t just compliance—it’s a fundamental value guiding every decision.
Safest Subcontractor of the Year
PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING, INC.
Performance Contracting fosters a safety culture rooted in open communication, shared responsibility and employee empowerment. Every team member is entrusted with Stop Work Authority, emphasizing that safety is a collective e ort where every voice counts. The company’s expectations are transparent and practical, allowing everyone on-site to come prepared, understand their role and be vigilant.
The company combines union-supported training with company-specific development, exceeding OSHA standards through comprehensive programs that include fall protection, sca olding and MEWP operation. In the past year, Performance Contracting has enhanced its safety program with digital tools providing easy access to resources such as safety videos and inspection forms.
This commitment has yielded impressive results. In the past year, only two injuries were reported with zero lost workdays or transfers. The recent Chicken N Pickle project exemplified their safety excellence, with foreman William Sanchez Prado leading proactive safety planning that earned praise from the general contractor and resulted in zero injuries recorded.
Professional Service Firm of the Year
Private Building Project of the Year
(Under $15 Million)
General Contractor
CAPITAL ONE LOUNGE TAYLOR INTERNATIONAL
The Capital One Lounge at Harry Reid International Airport sets a new standard for luxury airport amenities. Delivered by Taylor International, this 8,200-square-foot space features a full-service kitchen, quiet room, elegant bu et, stylish bar, six private restrooms and expansive lounge seating. Completed early and under budget, the project is a model of e cient management and expert craftsmanship.
Defined by its sophisticated, custom architectural design—angled walls, radiused corners, and extensive millwork— the lounge demanded an extraordinary level of precision. Taylor International employed advanced technologies to manage complex geometries and reduce rework, ensuring flawless execution. Seamless integration of MEP systems within an active airport environment required meticulous coordination and proactive problem-solving.
Beyond aesthetics, the project positively impacted the local Las Vegas community by creating construction-phase jobs and adding more than 100 permanent positions at the airport. Local procurement of materials and services further supported regional businesses. The Capital One Lounge blends innovation, craftsmanship and community impact into one elevated travel experience.
Private Building Project of the Year (Under $15 Million) Specialty Contractor
AINSLEY AT PARADISE HELIX
ELECTRIC
Ainsley at Paradise is a premier multifamily development in Las Vegas featuring 388 units and a host of luxury amenities tailored for modern lifestyles. The project includes a five-story woodframed residential structure and a seven-story concrete parking garage, alongside a clubhouse, resort-style pool, coworking spaces, fitness center with yoga and spin rooms and a dog park. Helix Electric delivered all electrical systems per current IBC and NEC standards, including lighting, appliance connections, EV charging infrastructure, and data cabling coordination. Despite facing global supply chain disruptions and inflation-driven material cost increases, the team implemented a proactive procurement strategy. By diversifying suppliers and timing purchases strategically, they minimized budget impacts. Design innovation played a key role in preserving resort-style quality amidst material shortages and within budget constraints. Creative collaboration with architects led to multifunctional spaces that blended e ciency with elegance. The result is a vibrant, amenity-rich community that o ers contemporary comfort in the heart of Las Vegas.
Public Building Project of the Year (Under $15 Million)
General Contractor
FOUNDERS CLASSICAL ACADEMY ADDITION BUILDERS UNITED
The Founders Classical Academy addition is a 25,368-square-foot, two-story educational facility that features 17 modern classrooms, specialized rooms for science, music and art and a versatile multipurpose space for assemblies and community events. A standout pedestrian bridge connects the new structure to the existing campus, enhancing safety and accessibility.
Builders United delivered this project under an accelerated schedule, overcoming supply chain disruptions and scope changes through strategic planning and innovative problem-solving.
Sustainability was a key focus, with the use of local materials, e cient HVAC systems, and high-performance roofing suited to the Nevada climate. The project also improved surrounding infrastructure, enhancing safety and connectivity. This addition not only addresses the Founders Classical Academy’s urgent educational needs but also sets a new standard for school design in Southern Nevada.
Public Building Project of the Year
(Under $15 Million)
Specialty Contractor
RTC BUS STOP SOLAR LED STANDALONE PHASE 3
HELIX ELECTRIC
Helix Electric led the Regional Transportation Commission Solar Bus Stop LED Standalone Lighting Phase 3 Project, installing 750 solar-powered light poles across Las Vegas bus stops to enhance nighttime safety and visibility. Completed in 2025, the project reflected Helix’s expertise in sustainable infrastructure and complex urban construction.
Despite logistical hurdles, including high-tra c lane closures, Helix maintained a flawless safety record. The custom-designed light poles—engineered and fabricated by a minority-owned business to support an 11% diversity goal—were precisely installed and inspected to meet environmental and safety standards.
Helix’s collaborative approach with the RTC and key partners ensured timely, budget-conscious delivery. This initiative not only improved transit infrastructure but also showcased Helix’s commitment to innovation, inclusive partnerships and community-focused execution—setting a new benchmark for sustainable public works in Nevada.
Private Building Project of the Year
($15-$30 Million)
General Contractor
EL CORTEZ HOTEL & CASINO EXPANSION
MCCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES
A beloved Las Vegas landmark since 1941, El Cortez Hotel & Casino recently underwent a $20 million expansion delivered by McCarthy Building Companies that honors its storied past while enhancing the guest experience. The project introduced a high limit lounge, two themed cocktail bars and Hot Noods, a vibrant Asian noodle restaurant—all designed to reflect the casino’s vintage charm and downtown energy.
The renovation converted and upgraded 18,000 square feet—transforming unused space and modernizing the existing casino floor. Among the most complex undertakings was the reconfiguration and raising of the casino ceiling, requiring precise coordination with decades-old infrastructure.
Despite the challenges of working within an 80-year-old structure, the project was delivered on time, under budget and with zero recordable injuries. With the Roulette Bar and ShowBar nodding to Las Vegas entertainment history, the expansion blends modern luxury with timeless appeal—ensuring El Cortez continues to thrive as a downtown icon.
Public Building Project of the Year
($15-$30 Million)
General Contractor
CITY OF LAS VEGAS PARKWAY GARAGE EXPANSION
MCCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES
Funded by the City of Las Vegas, the $29.7 million City Parkway Garage expansion is a key infrastructure upgrade supporting the growth of the Symphony Park district and future Medical District. The project added three new levels to the existing four-level municipal garage, increasing capacity by 474 stalls for a total of 1,092.
McCarthy Building Companies skillfully executed the expansion, which included structural reinforcements, stair and elevator extensions, and façade treatments to ensure seamless integration with the existing facility. A new twolane vehicle bridge over Union Pacific Railroad tracks connects the garage to Downtown Las Vegas, requiring careful coordination with UPR and a year-long easement process.
This expansion supports key cultural and civic venues like The Smith Center and the Discovery Children’s Museum, enhancing accessibility while aligning with the city’s long-term vision for a walkable, vibrant downtown corridor.
Public Building Project of the Year ($15-$30 Million)
Specialty Contractor
LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER
FARRELL ROOFING
Farrell Roofing successfully completed a 48-acre reroofing project at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Spanning more than 2 million square-feet, the project required three distinct scopes of work including installation of an 80 mil Sika PVC roofing system for superior wind resistance and durability in the desert climate.
In areas with buried conduits, crews executed a precise partial tear-o , replacing roofing systems with careful attention to safety and code compliance. Complex roof geometries and high-exposure zones were further protected using a seamless, reinforced liquid-applied membrane coating to enhance waterproofing and flexibility.
Despite a tight 18-month schedule, Farrell completed the project in just nine months. Through expert coordination, skilled labor and innovative planning, the team delivered an exceptional result in one of the world’s busiest convention centers—demonstrating unparalleled e ciency and excellence in large-scale commercial roofing.
Private Building Project of the Year (Over $30 Million)
General Contractor
UNCOMMONS
BURKE CONSTRUCTION GROUP
UnCommons is a first-of-its-kind 40-acre mixed-use development built by Burke Construction that redefines how people live, work and connect. As Nevada’s first project built to achieve WELL Certification and Green Globes Certification, UnCommons prioritizes health, sustainability and innovation. The campus blends nearly 500,000 square-feet of Class A o ce space with 90,000 square-feet of dining and retail, residential living at Vestra and immersive public art—all within a walkable, wellness-driven environment.
Construction was completed in three phases—Commercial Phase I, Commercial Phase II, and Residential—requiring strategic coordination across an active campus. The project team ensured public safety and seamless operations by implementing real-time communication protocols and phased turnovers.
From drought-tolerant landscaping and EV parking to shaded walkways and community-focused amenities, UnCommons exemplifies forward-thinking design. With collaboration and human connection built into every detail, UnCommons sets a new benchmark for vibrant, people-centered development in the Las Vegas Valley.
Public Building Project of the Year (Over $30 Million)
General Contractor
CITY OF LAS VEGAS DOWNTOWN CIVIC CENTER BUILDING AND PLAZA CORE CONSTRUCTION
CORE Construction delivered one of the most complex and transformative projects in Las Vegas history: the Downtown Civic Center Building and Plaza. Located across from City Hall, this 300,919-square-foot civic campus spans a tight three-acre site and includes two multi-story buildings and a 1.5-acre public plaza. The six-story main building houses city administrative o ces, meeting spaces and a rooftop event deck with panoramic views. A four-story companion structure o ers restaurant spaces, an art gallery and the Vegas Chamber’s new headquarters. At the heart of the development is a vibrant outdoor plaza featuring mature trees, public art, lawns, picnic areas and a fully equipped event pavilion. Designed to consolidate city operations and foster community engagement, the Civic Center is a cornerstone of the city’s broader downtown revitalization strategy—blending civic, commercial, and cultural uses to create a dynamic public destination and longterm catalyst for redevelopment.
Member of the Year
BENJAMIN BOJDA
Benjamin Bojda, Director of Colorado and Nevada Operations at Dominion Environmental Consultants and a 12-year Nevada Contractors Association member, plays an active leadership role within the NCA As an NCA Ambassador, he supports membership recruitment and retention while representing the committee at events and welcoming new members. He also serves as the Hands-On Project Lead for the Construction Leadership Council, recently overseeing the New Vista Ranch Legacy Pavers Project. Bojda contributes to the Safety Committee, drawing on his experience as former president of the Southern Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals, to enhance discussions on worker safety and industry trends. He regularly attends national CLC conferences and volunteers at community events. Bojda and Dominion Environmental Consultants proudly supports various charitable causes in Southern Nevada. 2025 CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
Public Building Project of the Year (Over $30 Million) Specialty Contractor
UMC REVITALIZE FAÇADE HELIX ELECTRIC
Helix Electric played a pivotal role in illuminating University Medical Center’s historic hospital façade with more than 14,870 linear feet of color-changing LED lighting. The team led design-assist e orts, beginning with a comprehensive structural and site assessment to ensure a non-invasive, preservation-focused installation. Collaborating with the general contractor, architect and lighting designers, Helix enhanced architectural features with uplighting, downlighting and linear accents.
Custom mounting solutions and concealed conduit pathways were developed to maintain the building’s historic character. The system integrated seamlessly into the hospital’s infrastructure, with centralized smart controls for dimming, scheduling and color tuning— complete with theatrical lighting scenes.
Maintaining hospital operations during installation presented logistical challenges, requiring after-hours work and precise scheduling with facility sta . Helix’s commitment to technical excellence and minimal disruption resulted in a transformative, visually stunning system that elevates the building’s nighttime presence while honoring its historic legacy.
VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR DOMINION ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS
Member Company of the Year
BERGELECTRIC CORP.
Bergelectric Las Vegas has been a proud member of the Nevada Contractors Association since 1996, actively contributing to the industry’s growth and workforce development. The team plays a key role in the Construction Career Outreach and Recruitment Committee and the Construction Leadership Council, with employees serving in leadership, liaison, and volunteer roles to nurture the local construction talent pipeline. Regional Vice President David Franke also represents Bergelectric on the NCA Board of Directors, underscoring their commitment to industry leadership. Bergelectric stands among the nation’s top electrical contractors, delivering innovative, high-performance electrical systems on complex projects. Its dedication to integrity, craftsmanship and community impact drives continued excellence and strengthens partnerships across Nevada’s construction landscape.
2025 CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
Diverse Subcontractor of the Year
FENCING SPECIALISTS, INC .
Fencing Specialists, Inc., a proudly woman-owned business since 1983, has become a trusted leader in commercial and industrial fencing throughout Southern Nevada. Known for resilience, inclusivity and a commitment to safety, they deliver high-quality fencing solutions combining premium materials with expert craftsmanship. Their transparent and streamlined process—from consultation to installation—ensures each project meets the highest standards. Recently completing the Laughlin High School turf replacement and renovation for Clark County School District, Fencing Specialists demonstrated excellence in collaboration and timely delivery. Beyond quality work, the company is deeply community-focused, actively supporting local charities and youth programs. Dedicated to elevating the fencing trade, Fencing Specialists champions professionalism, innovation, and integrity, making them a valued partner and community leader in Southern Nevada.
Diverse Supplier / Professional Service Firm of the Year
LINDA Q MEDIA PRODUCTIONS
Linda Q Media Productions began as Linda Q Photography in 2006 and has since expanded to o er comprehensive media services, including aerial and ground-based video and drone operations. Over three years, it documented the construction of West Henderson Hospital, capturing intricate trade work and dynamic scenes like overnight concrete pours and steel lifts. Its portfolio also includes coverage of Fencing Specialists projects in Mesquite and Laughlin, as well as warehouse photography for Martin-Harris Construction. With recent upgrades to cinema-level video cameras and a fleet of 15 drones, Linda Q Media continues to deliver high-quality, innovative visual storytelling across diverse construction and commercial projects.
J.A. Tiberti Spirit Award
KEVIN E. BURKE BURKE CONSTRUCTION GROUP
Kevin Burke is the CEO of Burke Construction Group, an ENR Top 400 general contractor known for sustainable building and construction management. Based in Las Vegas, Burke Construction’s portfolio features projects for Tesla, Amazon, UNLV, DraftKings and the Las Vegas Aces. Co-founder of Matter Real Estate Group, Burke develops innovative, custom-building solutions for projects like UnCommons and the DraftKings Las Vegas headquarters. He has served on various boards, including Kansas State University’s College of Engineering and Nevada Contractors Association, and was appointed Chairman of the Nevada State Contractors Board multiple times. In 2025, he was inducted into KSU’s Engineering Hall of Fame, honoring his industry leadership and impact.
JOB LISTING
RMG Steel USA Inc. seeks Vice President of Operations and Sales in Las Vegas, NV to serve in executive management capacity to establish, build and manage operations and growth of a greenfield-start-up distributionmanufacturing facility in the onshore and offshore wind turbine generator industry. Manage yearly budgeting and strategic planning and finances. Develop and implement U.S. business strategy. Ensure high-quality commercial output and maximize profitability. Create, implement and optimize operations system. Manage the Request for Quotation and quotation process. Manage accounts receivable and accounts payable. Manage U.S. workforce. Position requires approx. 25% U.S. domestic and international travel, approx. 8-12 weeks per year in North America, Europe and Asia to conferences, customer sites and company offices. For full duties, requirements, and to apply, email resume to job@rmgsteel.com.
JOB LISTING
DLC Empire LLC seeks Operations Data Analyst in Las Vegas, NV - Proactvly anlyzng data to answr key bus questns frm stakhldrs with an eye for what drivs bus perf & invstgtng & commnctng areas for imprvmnt in effcncy & prodctvty to stakhldrs. Reqs deg & exp. For full details & how to apply visit: bit. ly/dlcempire0050
