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17 WOMEN INSPIRING NEVADA
COVER ART Photo by Wade Vandervort
n Highlighting 10 visionaries leading the community with grace and ingenuity.
08 Sasha Colby serves glammed-up glory at Virgin, High Vis brings London post-hardcore to Swan Dive and more this week.
14 HOME LIFE No soil, no problem. Grow herbs, lettuce and other produce with hydroponics.
38 NEWS Local tattoo shops lend a helping hand to Clark County foster kids.
42 SPORTS The best bets to make in the four professional sports championships.
44 MUSIC R&B darling Ravyn Lenae and Colombian psych-funk trio Balthvs make their Vegas debuts at Paradice Festival.
52 FOOD & DRINK Ahead of his Strip steakhouse opening, chef Kwame Onwuachi looks to a local farm for food rooted in heritage.
Want More? Visit
Women Inspiring Nevada honoree Mandy Cordia, founder of The Kindness Cause
(Photo by Wade Vandervort)
SUPERGUIDE
SEPT 25
FRIDAY SEPT 26
PRESEASON: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. UTAH MAMMOTH
7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.
REVELRY Thru 9/27, event times vary, Wynn, lasvegasrevelry.com.
SANTANA
7 p.m., & 9/27-9/28, House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.
CRYPTA
With Madzilla, Eloteros, 8 p.m., Fremont Country Club, seetickets.us.
With DJ Vice, 10:30 p.m., Tao Nightclub, taogroup.com
CASPA
10:30 p.m., We All Scream, tixr.com
BEARS 1985 CHAMPIONSHIP REUNION
It’s been 40 years since the Chicago Bears last won a Super Bowl, but fans’ nostalgia for that iconic 1985 squad remains timeless—and that includes many local transplants. As the current squad preps for a road game at Allegiant Stadium, Amore Taste of Chicago is bringing back beloved “Super Bowl Shu e”-era players like William “The Refrigerator” Perry, Jim McMahon, Dennis
McKinnon, Otis Wilson and Willie Gault for a reunion that’ll include a Q&A session, charity auction and iconic Windy City bites. 5 p.m. (& 9/27, noon & 5 p.m.), $200+, 3945 S. Durango Dr., eventbrite. com.
–Tyler Schneider
FILM: UNSEEN TERRITORIES
Unseen Territories cuts through the noise, giving voice to the often overlooked. Fourteen local artists, each creating a flag that speaks to their
core identity, engage in a public display that fuses personal narrative with political commentary. It’s a powerful caravan of self-expression, where BIPOC stories and struggles are brought to the forefront. Directed by Sydney Galindo with filmmaker Shahab Zargari, the documentary is an unflinching look at what it means to belong. 5 p.m., free, Nuwu Art, nuwuart.com.
–Gabriela Rodriguez
LAS VEGAS GREEK FEST
INSOMNIAC & TOMORROWLAND: UNITY With Meduza, James Hype, Slander, 11:15 p.m., & 9/27, Sphere, ticketmaster.com.
7 p.m., & 9/27 (& thru 10/31, dates vary), Adventuredome at Circus Circus, fearzonevegas.com.
HENDERSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: TOY STORY IN CONCERT
7 p.m., Water Street Plaza, cityof henderson.com.
CHRIS TUCKER
8 p.m., & 9/27, Encore Theater, ticketmaster. com.
NEON RODEO
8 p.m., Bel-Aire Backyard, axs.com
MUDVAYNE With Static-X, Vended, 7 p.m., Pearl Concert Theater, axs.com.
AMERICA 8 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com.
FALLING IN REVERSE 7 p.m., PH Live, ticketmaster.com.
JOHN LEGEND
8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com.
MARSHALL TUCKER BAND
7 p.m., Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com.
RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL STARR BAND 8:30 p.m., & 9/27, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com.
BENSON BOONE
p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.
SASHA COLBY
Even before she was Chappell Roan’s drag mother or the first trans Hawaiian woman to win RuPaul’s Drag Race, Sasha Colby put in werk. The seasoned performer had already been crowned Miss Continental in 2012 and later became a widely known trans advocate and fashion model. Drag Race fans will get to experience Colby in all her glammed-up glory when her Stripped II tour hits 24 Oxford. That room lends itself to these kinds of intimate, up-close performances, and you won’t be disappointed with this icon. There’s a reason Colby calls herself “your favorite drag queen’s favorite drag queen,” and you’re invited to find out. 8 p.m., $36$70, 24 Oxford, etix.com. –Amber Sampson
LAS VEGAS
PHILHARMONIC:
BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY
2 & 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, the smithcenter.com.
THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD
WEBBER
7 p.m., Centennial Hills Park Amphitheatre, lasvegasnevada.gov.
BEER & LOAMING
MOUNTAIN BIKE RICE
11 a.m., Lee Canyon, leecanyonlv.com
THE STROKES
8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com.
PARADICE FESTIVAL
With Thee Sacred Souls, Ravyn Lenae, more, 3 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, universe.com.
BAND OF HORSES AND IRON & WINE
8 p.m., Bel-Aire Backyard, axs.com.
FISHBONE
With The Slackers, 8 p.m., Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com.
ARCHER OH
7 p.m., B Side at House of Blues, ticketmaster. com.
NAHKO AND MEDICINE FOR THE PEOPLE
7:30 p.m., Fremont Country Club, tixr.com.
IRIS AND THE SHADE
With Rhaina Yasmin, Joobilee, Maybe Katie, 7 p.m., the Griffin, dice.fm.
PRAYERS
With with Malcriada, Desmadre, 8 p.m., Swan Dive, swandivelv.com.
With Billy Idol, 7:30 p.m., MGM Grand Garden Arena, axs.com.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS VS. CHICAGO BEARS
1:25 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com
ZOMBIE RUMBLE Noon, Area15, area15.com
FILM: SPINAL TAP II
7:15 p.m., Beverly Theater, thebeverlytheater.com
CANNABIS AWARDS MUSIC FESTIVAL
With Dizzy Wright, TKO, more, 2 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, 601fremont.com.
THIS IS A MAN’S WORLD...BUTTT
STARRING ANÉ
3 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.
HIGH ON FIRE
With Charger, Bastardane, 7 p.m., the Usual Place, dice.fm.
PINKY PATEL
4 p.m., Wiseguys, wiseguyscomedy.com.
ACRAZE
10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com
CASSIAN
10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com
EXHIBIT: REMEMBERING 1 OCTOBER
The Downtown government center’s Rotunda Gallery is hosting this exhibit of remembrance, borrowing a selection from the Clark County Museum’s 22,000-piece 1 October collection. Among the items are letters, stu ed animals and mementos left at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign and other locations as o erings of support and symbols of grief following the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival eight years ago this week. Renderings of the Forever One Memorial will also be on display, as will the Art of Healing mural created by local artists and students at Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Thru 10/9, Mon.-Thu. 7:30 a.m.5:30 p.m., Clark County Government Center Rotunda Gallery, clarkcountynv.gov. –Brock Radke
EXHIBIT: CONVERGENCE BY EDUARDO TAVARES Thru 10/12, times vary, Centennial Hills Library, thelibrarydistrict.org
NORTHLANE
6 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.
SANDWICHES OF HISTORY: LIVE 7 p.m., Beverly Theater, thebeverlytheater.com
DJ SCOOTER
10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, taogroup.com
Courtesy/Rick Guest
SUPERGUIDE
TUESDAY SEPT 30 WEDNESDAY OCT 1
HIGH VIS
Relentless post-hardcore juggernauts from London High Vis are bringing their blistering sound to Swan Dive for a midweek rager. Formed in 2016, these veterans of the U.K. music scene—each member hailing from a range of hardcore punk bands—know how to make the floor tremble. With third album Guided Tour released in 2024—the band’s most ambitious work yet—they’re armed with the goods to deliver an all-out feast for new and old listeners. Expect pounding rhythms, jagged guitars and lyrics that demand you shout back.
Secret World, Direct Threat and Cold Gawd are slated to open. 8 p.m., $25, Swan Dive, swan divelv.com.
–Gabriela Rodriguez
CARCASS
6 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.
FRANKIE MORENO
6:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com.
JAMES MCCANN
7 p.m., Wiseguys, wiseguyscomedy. com.
MIKEY FRANCIS
10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup. com
SHORELINE MAFIA
7 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster. com.
PRESEASON: VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE
DJ FRANZEN 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, taogroup.com
BLACK LAGOON POP-UP
Thru 11/2, times vary, Jammyland, blacklagoonpopup.com
Courtesy Austin Simkins
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
Forget backyard farming, soil under your nails and playing the gardening guessing game. There’s a way to grow your own produce in the comfort of your home without the backache, without the endless war on pests, and without battling nature’s elements.
Vertical hydroponic gardening is here. Consider it farming’s sleek, space-age sibling. And if you’re picturing some overly complex science fair project gone wrong, stop. According to Amber Bosket, chief operating o cer of Energy Tree, an environmental research firm specializing in sustainability, the process is surprisingly simple and incredibly e cient—perfect for those with or without a green thumb.
“In as little as four square feet, you can grow enough leafy greens to feed a household year-round,” Bosket says. “Hydroponics can save up to 95% of the water compared to traditional outdoor farming.” That stat hits especially hard in Southern Nevada, where drought is an ongoing concern.
SOIL-FREE SUCCESS SOIL-FREE SUCCESS
An expert’s approach to using vertical gardening to grow greens at home
WHAT IS HYDROPONICS?
At its core, hydroponics is just a fancy word for growing plants without soil. Instead, you feed the plants through nutrient-rich water that’s constantly cycled through a system. Pair that with LED lighting tuned to the exact spectrum plants need, and suddenly you’re growing your own salad bar.
“LEDs changed everything,” Bosket explains. “It used to be too expensive, too energy intensive to grow indoors. But now that LEDs are cheap and e cient and the technology can hit the exact light spectrum plants need. We’re seeing a whole new world of indoor farming open up.”
And don’t worry, you won’t need a science degree to pull this o . There are plenty of plug-and-play systems out there now, some no bigger than a co ee maker.
WHAT CAN YOU GROW?
The MVPs of home hydroponics are lettuces and herbs. “I’ve been really successful with oak leaf, Black Seeded Simpson, romaine,” says
Amber Bosket of Energy Tree
Bosket. “One thing that’s cool about growing romaine hydroponically is that it has a softer texture because when it’s not exposed to the elements, it’s almost a different style of lettuce than what you get at the grocery store.”
Beyond greens, Bosket says you can level up to cucumbers, strawberries and even tomatoes if you’re ready to dive into the more technical aspects of hydroponic systems.
“I think every person that I’ve ever seen respond to trying hydroponically grown food for the first time expresses their surprise,” says Bosket.
“They always say, ‘Wow, it’s so flavorful and the texture is different.’”
That’s because plants grown indoors respond to their environment differently. No harsh sun, no wind damage, no bugs gnawing at the leaves, just a cushy, spa-like life for your veggies. They grow cleaner, faster, and with fewer problems. Even better? The system is virtually pest-free.
STARTING YOUR VERTICAL GARDEN: NO DIRT, NO DRAMA
HOMEGROWN PERKS
Aside from saving water and money, there’s another big reason to give hydroponics a try. If you have kids, it can be the secret to getting them to try new veggies and fruits.
“When children are involved in the growing process of their food, you would be surprised how excited they are to actually give that a try,” says Bosket. “They can’t wait for it to be ready to eat.”
You don’t need to be an engineer, but you do need to understand a few basics before growing food with hydroponics: plumbing, electricity and how to manage a water reservoir.
These systems come in all shapes and sizes, from grow towers to LED-lit boxes, just make sure to pick one that suits your space and your planting goals.
Here are a few things to consider before getting started.
SMART INDOOR GARDEN SYSTEM
Look for a plug and play unit with built-in water cycling and LED lighting.
LED GROW LIGHTS
Make sure they’re adjustable and full spectrum. Red and blue wavelengths are key.
RESERVOIR AND PUMP
A solid pumping system keeps water circulating and plants hydrated. Fewer leaks equal happier herbs.
CONSIDER YOUR PLANT GOALS
Want herbs like basil or mint?
A box-style system with space to grow tall is ideal. Growing lettuce? Vertical towers with tight spacing are great.
SPACE AND SIZE
Match your system to your available real estate. Some are as small as a countertop. Others need a dedicated corner.
–Gabriela Rodriguez
Photos by Wade Vandervort
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at The Library District
SEPTEMBER 15 – OCTOBER 15
Hispanic Heritage Oral History Project
Friday, September 26
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Thursday, October 2
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, October 3*
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
East Las Vegas Library
Record your stories to enrich and help future generations understand Hispanic history.
*Visit our website for more dates.
Age Group: Teens & Adults
The Groove Culture Band
Saturday, September 27
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Summerlin Library
An original music project created by drummer and percussionist
Jose Pepe Jimenez.
Age group: Teens & Adults
Family Crafternoon: Alebrijes
Monday, September 29
4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
East Las Vegas Library
Come and make Alebrijes –brightly colored Mexican folk art depicting fantastical creatures or familiar animals.
Age Group: All
Little Artists – Justin Favela’s
Piñata-Style
Saturday, October 4
Saturday, October 18
11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Sahara West Library
Little ones will enjoy ministorytime, learn about an artist, and then create artwork!
Age group: Toddlers, Preschoolers & Kids
Scan here for more:
Flower Portals of Iztacalco
October 4, 11, 18, 25 & November 1
Fridays from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
East Las Vegas Library
Help create a floral portal for our Día de Muertos festival.
Age Group: Teens & Adults
Día de Muertos:
Acrylic Painting
Sunday, October 5
3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
East Las Vegas Library
Paint a glowing calavera (skull) using stencils and glow-in-the-dark paint.
Age Group: Teens & Adults
Flavio Enchanted Flutes
Saturday, October 11
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Windmill Library
Sunday, October 12
3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
West Charleston Library
Friday, October 17
7 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Whitney Library
Enjoy enchanting and exotic South American Flute music.
Age Group: Adults
A Tribute to Astor Piazzolla: In Concert
Thursday, October 16
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sahara West Library
Argentinian composer Astor Piazzolla revolutionized traditional tango music with jazz and classical music elements.
Age Group: Adults
Fiesta FolkloricoA Celebration of Culture and Dance!
Saturday, October 18
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
West Charleston Library
Enjoy a journey through Mexico’s rich dance traditions.
Age group: Teens & Adults
Astor Piazzolla en 1971.
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Entertainment & Guest Experience, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
A letter from the editor
Each year, Vegas Inc has the privilege of highlighting a dynamic group of women whose work continues to shape and strengthen our community. They tackle some of our most pressing challenges, whether in health care, public policy, education, the nonpro t sector or the arts. Not only does their in uence reach far beyond their job titles, but it also helps raise the bar across their respective industries. To say these women are inspirational is not an overstatement.
Women Inspiring Nevada remains one of our most meaningful projects. It honors individual achievement and highlights what is possible when local leadership is deeply connected to the people and places it serves. To our 2025 honorees, thank you for your work, your vision and your example. We are happy to honor you.
Likewise, I’d like to thank our sponsors, Cox Business, UNLV Lee Business School and Ta er’s Browned Butter Bourbon. We appreciate your continued support. Thank you as well to Tivoli Village for hosting this year’s celebration. Congratulations to the 2025 honorees! Thank you for your leadership.
Alexander Haase Associate Publisher and Special Publications Editor
Co-founder and CEO, Green Our Planet
Ciara Byrne grew up in Dublin where her happiest moments were spent working in her family’s garden, walking along the Irish coast and picking blackberries behind her home. That early connection to nature influenced much of her life and later inspired her to combine storytelling with action.
After working as a documentary filmmaker, Byrne realized she wanted to do more than tell stories about the planet—she wanted to help protect it. In 2013, she co-founded Green Our Planet, a nonprofit that brings garden and hydroponics programs into schools to teach science, sustainability and entrepreneurship. What began with five Las Vegas schools has since grown into the largest program of its kind in the country. Today, it reaches more than 1,100 schools in 44 states and impacts more than 500,000 students.
Byrne also helped launch the Giant Student Farmers Market, where students sell what they grow and learn real-world business skills. Byrne believes that when children connect with nature, they gain confidence, curiosity and the ability to envision a brighter future.
by
Photo
Wade Vandervort
Founder and CEO, RGD Construction
Dawn Barnes was raised in a big Italian-Hispanic family where resilience, hard work and competition were daily lessons. She gravitated toward building and creating, taking woodshop in high school, before starting her construction career in 1995. Nearly three decades later, she is founder and CEO of RGD Construction, a certified woman-owned firm in Las Vegas with more than $2 million in sales in an industry where fewer than 1% of firms are owned by women.
Barnes has established herself not only as a builder but also as an advocate. Through leadership roles with the National Association of Women in Construction and Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West, she champions women in construction and small business. She mentors entrepreneurs on certification and growth, while also expanding youth scholarships, launching welding programs and creating hands-on opportunities for students interested in the trades.
For Barnes, construction is about more than projects. It is about paving the way for her daughter and ensuring that the next generation has the confidence to build and lead.
Litigation Attorney, McDonald Carano LLP
Balancing academics and athletics, including competing as a regional track and field champion, Karyna Armstrong learned the value of hard work and resilience. Her drive carried her through degrees at Boise State University, the University of Miami and the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, which laid a strong foundation for her legal career. She is now a litigation attorney at McDonald Carano LLP and serves as vicechair of the firm’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
Armstrong’s dedication has earned recognition on a national level. Armstrong received the “Diverse Lawyers Making a Difference” award from Profiles in Diversity Journal and was named “Rising Star of the Year” by the Meritas Women’s Leadership Congress. She also serves on the executive board of the Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association and the board of directors for Family 2 Family Connection. Alongside her professional commitments, Armstrong provides pro bono legal services to children in need. She views success not only as courtroom victories but as creating opportunities and supporting others in the community.
by Christopher DeVargas
Photos
Congratulations to our city of Las Vegas Councilwoman Nancy Brune for receiving the award of
Women Inspiring Nevada
Thank you for inspiring the women and men you work with each day. You are a shining example of kindness, community dedication and achievement.
Senior Vice President of Marketing, Entertainment & Guest Experience, Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Family vacations to Las Vegas left a lasting impression on Dawn Rawle. She was drawn to the city’s energy, creativity and drive, and inspired by its willingness to take risks and strive for excellence. That inspiration paved the way for Rawle’s hospitality career that now spans more than 30 years.
As senior vice president of marketing, entertainment and guest experience at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, Rawle has revitalized the property’s entertainment legacy. She has balanced nostalgia with innovation, honoring icons like Elvis while introducing new programming, including Las Vegas’ first lifetime residency with Barry Manilow. Her leadership has helped Westgate remain both historic and progressive.
Her influence also reaches into the community. Rawle has mentored hospitality professionals, especially women, and served on the boards of the Epicurean Charitable Foundation and the American Cancer Society. She also supports organizations such as Victoria’s Voice Foundation, The Shade Tree and HELP of Southern Nevada. For her, hospitality is about creativity, community and creating moments that guests never forget.
Councilmember, Ward 6, City of Las Vegas
Councilwoman Nancy Brune was born into a family that emphasized service to God, country and community. That foundation inspired a wide-ranging career dedicated to service, including work with women in rural Nicaragua on micro-enterprises, advancing national security programs at Sandia National Laboratories, building partnerships through the World Bank and consulting in the private sector with JPMorgan Chase.
In 2013, Brune became the founding executive director of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, Nevada’s only bipartisan policy institute. Under her leadership, the center grew into a respected statewide resource, providing research that informs decision-makers on issues ranging from education to economic development.
Since 2022, Brune has represented Ward 6, one of the city’s fastest growing areas, on the Las Vegas City Council. She also serves as a principal at Luz Development Institute and sits on numerous boards, including the Southern Nevada Health District and Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada. Brune’s leadership emphasizes listening, collaboration and practical solutions that strengthen communities and prepare them for the future.
Photos by Wade Vandervort
CEO, Signs of HOPE
Guided by a commitment to service and compassion, Kimberly Small has spent more than 30 years advocating for marginalized communities. She now leads Signs of HOPE, a Southern Nevada nonprofit dedicated to providing help, healing and prevention services for those affected by sexual violence and human trafficking.
Since joining the organization in 2023, Small has guided Signs of HOPE through major milestones, such as serving as the lead human trafficking non-governmental organization for both the Las Vegas Grand Prix and Super Bowl LVIII. These roles placed her team alongside law enforcement to provide crisis response and victim support. She also led the nonprofit through its 50th anniversary, expanded prevention programs in schools and businesses, and is the leading community spokesperson during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Small brings resilience, empathy and transparency to her work. She defines success as giving survivors a voice, building safer communities, and ensuring that healing and prevention remain at the center of her mission.
by
Photo
Wade Vandervort
Founder, The Kindness Cause
After more than a decade in corporate retail buying for brands like Zappos, Dillard’s and HSN, Mandy Cordia shifted her focus to a career that better reflected her values. In 2022, she launched The Kindness Cause, an e-commerce platform that turns shopping into a way to support nonprofits. Through curated, fashion-forward gifts, the company has partnered with more than 15 organizations and donated more than $16,000 to causes, ranging from breast cancer support and refugee resettlement to disability inclusion and veteran services.
Alongside leading The Kindness Cause, Cordia consults with nonprofits to develop sustainable merchandise strategies. She recently helped Opportunity Village’s Artworks Studio redesign its online store, expanding the reach of artists with disabilities and creating new opportunities for them to share their work.
Her leadership has been recognized with the 2023 Woman of Distinction award from the National Association of Women Business Owners Southern Nevada, and the 2023 Activism Through Service award from the ACLU of Nevada. Cordia proves that business can thrive while also driving meaningful change.
President and CEO, Periwinkle Group
After arriving in Las Vegas with only $20 in her pocket, Jo Cato never imagined she would one day lead a multimillion-dollar enterprise. Today, she is president and CEO of The Periwinkle Group, a nationally recognized communications and branding firm that has advised Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and community organizations for more than 20 years.
Her entrepreneurial drive has led to multiple ventures, including Cruzin Vegas, Nevada’s only Black woman-owned mobile billboard company, and a workforce placement agency connecting underserved communities to jobs. Beyond business, Cato has helped more than 200 minority-owned businesses gain DBE and MBE certifications, mentored women re-entering the workforce and organized Military, Veterans and First Responders Appreciation Day in North Las Vegas, which welcomes more than 5,000 attendees each year.
This year, Cato was named to Forbes’ 50 Over 50 list, a national recognition that celebrates women whose influence and impact grows stronger later in life. She continues to use her platform to open doors, elevate voices and create lasting impact across Nevada and beyond, proving that success is strongest when shared with the community.
Photo by Wade Vandervort
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
Director of Student and Community Engagement, UNLV College of Liberal Arts
Jenna Heath built her career on the belief that education can transform lives. As director of student and community engagement for UNLV’s College of Liberal Arts, she oversees programming that reaches nearly 4,000 students each semester and manages a $28 million scholarship portfolio. She also leads the college’s internship program, which connects more than 300 students annually with career-aligned opportunities through industry partnerships and advisory councils.
Her commitment extends beyond the university. Heath has raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits, served on boards including the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, and volunteers with Gamma Phi Beta sorority. In 2024, she launched Tearin’ Up My Heart: Emotional Leadership Lessons, a podcast designed to help listeners understand the emotional side of leadership and make education more accessible.
As she pursues a Ph.D. in educational policy, Heath continues to mentor first-generation students, teach leadership development and champion inclusive, emotionally intelligent leadership. Heath’s work brings her research into practice while empowering others to find confidence and purpose through education.
Photo by Christopher DeVargas
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Vice President of Marketing, AEG Presents
Kristine Lingle-Griffith has always been inspired by the power of live music and the way a show can bring people together. A college marketing internship with Feld Entertainment introduced her to the world of live entertainment and after moving to Las Vegas, she joined AEG Presents to help launch Celine Dion’s groundbreaking residency—an experience that set the course for her career. Now vice president of marketing for AEG Presents Las Vegas, she has spent more than 20 years shaping the city’s entertainment landscape. Lingle-Griffith has led campaigns for residencies by artists including Shania Twain and Rod Stewart, while overseeing marketing for venues such as the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Resorts World Theatre. Her efforts helped redefine Las Vegas entertainment and earned her recognition as a 2022 Billboard Women in Music Top Executives honoree. Her contributions extend beyond the stage. She serves as vice president of WISE Las Vegas, mentoring women in male-dominated industries, and as a board trustee for Olive Crest, supporting its mission to prevent child abuse and strengthen families. She is proud to help shape both the industry and the community she calls home.
by
Photo
Wade Vandervort
Q&A: PRISCILLA VILCHIS
Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Premium
Produce
Priscilla Vilchis, also known as “Queen of the Desert” or the “Hollyweed Queen,” is the owner and CEO of Premium Produce, a family-run cannabis business with operations in Lynwood, California and Las Vegas. A trailblazer in the industry, Vilchis became the youngest female minority to be awarded cannabis cultivation and production licenses in the state of Nevada. Among her partnerships, she recently teamed up with Ice Cube to bring his iconic Fryday Kush brand to Vegas.
You’ve been called the “Queen of the Desert” and the “Hollyweed Queen.” How do those titles reflect your approach to leadership?
The nicknames were born out of recognition of my fearlessness. Winning one of Nevada’s coveted cannabis licenses was no small feat. It was a process designed to weed people out. Instead of backing down, I leaned in. And the Hollyweed Queen title really comes full circle with my ties to the Los Angeles community, where I call home, and the business I’m building there.
What personal qualities or strategies have been most important to earning respect and authority in a space historically dominated by men?
JOB LISTING
MGM Resorts Satellite, LLC seeks a Digital Engineering Ld Engineer in Las Vegas, NV to provide strategic and tactical direction in the performance of all levels of test within the Enterprise Quality Assurance function. Remote Work Permitted. Approved remote states include Nevada, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Apply online at https://careers.mgmresorts.com/global/en job number: 266350 or E-Mail resume to resume@mgmresorts.com and reference job number: 266350.
Quality Assurance Manager (CROWN Cork & Seal USA, Inc. / Mesquite, NV)
– Accomplish QA HR objectives by hirng, trainng, & overseeing a team of QA employees, planng & reviewng compenstn actions, & enforcng policies & procdres. Reqs Bach in Mechanical Engrng or clsly relatd field & 5 yrs exp in job offrd or as Back End &/or Front End Maintenance Supervsr, Custmr Technical Service Mngr, or Key Accnt Mngr, or in simlr positn(s) in the metal beverage packgng indus. Bkgrd in educ, trainng, or exp must incld: QA supervsry exp; exp w/ the mfg & engrng process of standrd-sizd & specialzd beverage aluminum cans, incldng knwldg of specialzd tools & equipmnt such as iron rings, redraw dies, punches, redraw sleeves, domer dies, & cupper die sets; thorough understndng of product devlpmnt concpts, material properties, & finishd prodct reqs; thorough workng knwldg of extrnl custmr reqs, processes, & expectatns; thorough understndng of common quality & problm solvng tools incldng stat analysis, Pareto charts, Gage R&R, PFMEA, process capablty, & histograms. Approx 10% domestic trvl req’d to visit plants & clients. Email resume to Yomari.Luna@crowncork.com; ref job title in subjct line.
Fearlessness, persistence and being unapologetically myself. I’ve learned that when you walk into a room with confidence—not arrogance, but conviction—people take notice. Working with Ice Cube to bring his iconic brand Fryday Kush to Nevada reinforced that for me. Ice Cube operates with authenticity and zero hesitation, and that validated my own approach.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced starting your cannabis business, and how did you overcome it?
Securing that first license in Nevada. The application process was grueling, competitive and expensive. I overcame it by refusing to accept that failure was an option. I studied every detail, built the right team and submitted applications that reflected not just compliance, but vision.
What advice would you give women who want to break into industries where they’re underrepresented?
Stop waiting to be invited. Walk in, claim your space and trust that your voice belongs. Industries won’t change unless women show up and demand to be seen.
Join us Friday, October 10 officially proclaimed Junior Achievement Day in Las Vegas — for a spirited evening of wine, beer, and spirits tastings, gourmet bites, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes fashion experience with designer Sondra Falk Couture.
Friday, October 10 7:00 - 10:00 PM (VIP entry at 6:00 PM)
Junior Achievement Inspiration Center 4440 E. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89121
Sponsors:
Partners:
(Courtesy/Vincenzo Pires)
IN THE NEWS
A teenage suspect has been arrested in connection with sophisticated cyberattacks that targeted multiple Las Vegas resorts two years ago, Metro Police said Friday.
The juvenile surrendered on Wednesday to the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center, where he was booked on multiple charges related to the network intrusions that occurred between August and October 2023.
Metro didn’t indicate the resorts the attacks targeted, but MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment properties on the Strip acknowledged being victimized two years ago.
Data from members in the loyalty program at Caesars Entertainment was
BY THE NUMBERS
compromised when an unauthorized actor acquired a copy of the program’s database, including the driver’s license and Social Security numbers of members, the resort said in a report to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The MGM shutdown prevented credit card transactions, and crashed the sports betting mobile app and company websites. It also prevented digital access to guest rooms and halted some slot machine play.
Caesars reportedly paid a multimillion-dollar ransom to hackers to return to full operations. MGM didn’t.
Due to the sophisticated nature of the crimes, the FBI’s Las Vegas Cyber Task Force, which includes Metro’s Cyber Investigative Group, took over the investigation.
Through their investigation, detectives were able to identify the teenage male as a suspect in the case.
The juvenile faces six charges: three counts of obtaining and using personal identifying information of another person to harm or impersonate that person, one count of extortion, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, and one count of unlawful acts regarding computers.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office is seeking to transfer the case to the criminal division, where the juvenile would face the charges as an adult. –Las Vegas Sun Staff
HOT SHOT
That’s the number of notices Las Vegas Metro’s Detention Services Division sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement from February 7 through September 1, telling the agency it had booked someone believed to be a “foreign-born individual” charged with (not convicted of) at least one crime among a variety of crimes defined by Metro policy, according to data obtained by the Las Vegas Sun in a public records request. A total of 441 people with detainers (which ICE uses to request that law enforcement hold people for up to 48 hours past their release date) and 173 with warrants were picked up from police custody by ICE during that period. Metro’s internal data suggests the agency took custody of around 74% of people Metro released with a detainer or related warrant this year. –Kyle Chouinard Read the full story at lasvegassun.com.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Beverly Theater to screen classic horror throughout October
Las Vegas’ home for arthouse cinema brings back a Halloween tradition this October.
The Beverly Theater will screen 50 classic horror movies in 31 days, including The Blair Witch Project, Alien, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Halloween, It, Scream, The Amityville Horror and more.
In addition to general admission, the nonprofit theater offers a “slash pass” granting access to all of the horror program’s screenings and priority seating. A limited number are available for $100 at thebeverly theater.com. –Staff
Representing Mexico, Danza del Carrizo dances to its own percussion during the first Latin Heritage Parade held at Downtown Summerlin on September 16. The parade showcased the music and dance of Latin American countries including Peru, Nicaragua and Bolivia with diverse groups including mariachi and folklorico.
Photo by Wade Vandervort
County foster care children benefi t from “unconventional” tattoo shop partnership
BY TYLER SCHNEIDER
Clark County Department of Family Services (CCDFS) foster care manager Jennifer Erbes recently leveraged what she dubbed an “unconventional public and private partnership” with Las Vegas-based Koolsville Tattoo to collect hundreds of donated items for the more than 3,000 county foster children who are awaiting adoptions.
Koolsville owners Robert and Mari Gonzalez launched the drive across all eight of their Valley locations in July. Over the course of six weeks, community members contributed 180 pajamas, 42 stu ed animals, 100 personal care items and nearly 40 boxes of diapers and wipes.
The cause has been “a soft spot in the hearts of our owners for years,” Koolsville marketing manager Zach Saucier says, noting that several of the company’s tattoo artists were also deeply invested in the “huge, mutual group e ort.”
“This last drive really resonated with a few of our artists who said it was important to them because they were also from that lifestyle—a foster care situation,” Saucier says. “So, while Koolsville absolutely spearheads these drives, it’s also the artists who are donating their time, supplies and e orts.”
Through July, CCDFS nalized 263 adoptions at an average of 38 per month, according to its most recent report. Erbes, who has led the department’s foster program since
TOYS FOR TATS
2016, credits city and county o cials for bolstering their rehoming e orts by bringing dozens of collaborators like Koolsville into the fold through the county’s Proud Partners Program.
In turn, Saucier says Koolsville tapped into its 120,000 social media followers to help bridge at least one noticeable donation gap after employees noticed “there was actually very little coming in for teenagers.” According to the Nevada Department of Child and Family Services (NDCFS), children over the age of 15 represent just 3% of all Clark County adoptions since 2022.
“Because a lot of these teens are going unrecognized, we created some promotions to push a little bit harder and get more toiletries and things we often take for granted. ... It really stood out to me how people responded and stepped up for that group,” Saucier says.
Allison O’Connor-Lambert, an adoptive parent of three and president of the Hannah’s Closet North foster resource center, echoes Saucier’s observations. Though that do-
nation center, which provides goods to 90 foster families each month, is ush with baby clothes, she says it could use more teenage-centric supplies like sweatshirts, jeans, shoes, cosmetic items and earbuds.
“To be a foster teen, you’ve already been through so much, and we just want those kids to have something special so they can feel good about themselves when they’re going to school,” she says, adding that Hannah’s Closet also hosts support groups and other programs.
The relief these local organizations provide is more than welcome in Clark County, which recorded a 4% year-over-year increase in the number of new youths entering its foster program through June, according to the NDCFS. On average, those kids will spend 17 months in the system.
CCDFS public information coordinator Holly Kelsven says the department is always recruiting new foster parents—particularly those who are open to taking in the 35% of county
(Courtesy)
foster children under ve years old or can accommodate three to six siblings at once.
Today, Erbes says more than half of the county’s foster children end up staying with a quali ed relative or an unrelated caretaker known as ctive kin. While she currently has around 300 registered regular foster homes and 145 specialty accommodations for “higher need kids” on her side, she says even a few more would go a long way.
“Our licensed families range from retirees, multi-generational homes that have live-in grandparents, singles, married couples and LGBTQ individuals—every and all dynamics,” Erbes says.
She adds that one major qualication is an aptitude for patience as kids work through traumas. According to the latest NDCFS data, 80.6% of county foster children are taken in due to “neglect,” while 27% of cases cite either “parental drug abuse” or “domestic violence.”
Koolsville plans to continue to take part in future campaigns like the county’s Give Joy holiday toy and gift card drive.
“There’s never really a moment where we’re not thinking about giving back to the less fortunate in our community,” Saucier says.
“Because we have spent so many years building a brand and doing well, it’s always bene cial to do our best to provide some sort of help—a means to know that these people are being seen, heard and appreciated.”
Interested in becoming a foster parent? Visit clarkcountyfostercare.com for more
BY CASE KEEFER
The busiest stretch of the sports calendar is quickly approaching. October is the only month of the year when all four of the country’s biggest major professional sports are in action, so now is the time to prepare accordingly from a betting perspective.
Betting futures is a good way for the masses of recreational gamblers to establish some rooting interest without poring over the day-to-day matchups and intricacies of each sport.
So let’s celebrate the end of the baseball season and the arrival of hockey and basketball to join football’s midseason accordingly. I’ve dug through all the championship odds at all nine licensed sports betting apps licensed in Las Vegas to find the most valuable wager available in each.
WORLD SERIES
SUPER BOWL
Seattle Mariners at 13-to-1 STN Sports
The Major League Baseball postseason is notoriously high variance, especially with the expanded 12-team format in place since 2022.
It’s hard to justify backing one of the favorites even though the Los Angeles Dodgers look tempting at as high as 5-to-1 with their pitching rotation finally healthy and solidified. They’ve underachieved in the regular season, but there’s no question they have the most talented roster in baseball.
The Mariners should be in the conversation for second-best roster—at least in terms of well-roundedness. Seattle’s lineup has been better than expected with the emergence of switch-hitting slugger Cal Raleigh and the trade-deadline acquisition of Eugenio Suarez. There’s never been any question about the Mariners’ pitching ability. A Dodgers vs. Mariners World Series feels most likely, and the price on the latter is much more palatable.
STANLEY CUP
Green Bay Packers at +725 (i.e risking $100 to win $725) Circa Sports
Jumping on the Packers could be seen as an overreaction to their redhot start to the season, especially considering they were as high as 16-to-1 to win the Super Bowl in the o season.
But it might be more dangerous to underreact to how dangerous they looked in stifling two of last year’s final four NFC teams, the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders, to start the season. Green Bay’s only surefire weakness in training camp looked like its pass rush, and it has since added the best pass-rusher in the NFL in former Dallas Cowboys edge Micah Parsons.
The early returns make it look like Green Bay has the NFL’s best defense by a wide margin. The o ense is elite, too, with the constant improvement from quarterback Jordan Love and the veteran leadership and consistency of former Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.
The Baltimore Ravens still rate out as the best overall team in the NFL by most metrics, but the Packers are a close second and their price is almost twice as high.
Tampa Bay Lightning at 16-to-1 Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook
The two-time defending champion Florida Panthers are listed as the clear favorite at as low as 5-to-1, but there’s a reason no NHL team has three-peated in more than 40 years.
Don’t forget that the Panthers looked more beatable for a large part of last season too. In fact, they were underdogs in two playo series—to the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final and in the first round against the in-state rival Lightning.
Yes, they rolled in both showdowns, but the Panthers’ roster is only getting older and more injury-prone with all the extra games played throughout three straight trips to the Final.
The Lightning, which went back-to-back in 2020 and 2021, have extended the championship window by getting younger, including most notably letting franchise linchpin Steven Stamkos walk last o season and using the space to sign underrated star Jake Guentzel.
The best championship bets to make in all four major professional sports
NBA FINALS
Cleveland Cavaliers to win the Eastern Conference at +255 Circa Sports
The Oklahoma City Thunder loom large as the likeliest NBA Finals champion, but their price is around +250 and they must first get through the Denver Nuggets. Denver, which won the title in 2023, pushed Oklahoma City to seven games in last year’s Western Conference semifinals and should be improved this season.
Why not bypass both of them and just bank on the Cavaliers being the team waiting to challenge the winner of what feels like the inevitable Thunder vs. Nuggets showdown? Cleveland and Oklahoma City were both historically dominant last season, but no one remembers the former after they bowed out of the playo s in a shocking Eastern Conference semifinal upset loss to Indiana.
Cleveland, with a young roster led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and scoring maestro Donovan Mitchell, should be even better this year while the rest of the East is weakened. The Cavaliers won’t collapse again.
Micah Parsons/AP
Photo by
Je rey Phelps;
Eugenio Suarez/AP
Photo by Matt Slocum
MICAH PARSONS
Rising R&B star Ravyn Lenae makes her Las Vegas debut at Paradice
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
Ravyn Lenae is a name that’s becoming synonymous with the future of R&B.
After gaining over 30 million monthly listeners on Spotify, being awarded Billboard’s R&B Rookie of the Year in 2025, and a string of standout collaborations with artists like Steve Lacy, Childish Gambino and Kali Uchis, Lenae has stepped into a new era.
Fans have declared her song “Love Me Not” as the jam of the summer, and now, she’s headlining the inaugural Paradice Festival alongside retro-soul group Thee Sacred Souls, the musica tropicale trio La Lom and more.
For Lenae, music is an expression of who she is, and the genres she’s held close since childhood have deeply shaped her musical identity.
“My music is directly rooted in a lot of genres, but one of the main ones being R&B and soul. ... I was raised on that,” she says. “That’s the anchor of me so I’m excited to play with other artists who’ve had the same story and connection to R&B, funk and soul music.”
Her career, which began at age 16, quickly took o with the release of Moon Shoes, an EP that helped her nd her voice and a loyal following. Soon after, she signed with Atlantic Records, marking the start of her o cial industry journey. By 2022, she dropped Hypnos, an album that introduced her to the mainstream. But it was her 2024 follow-up, Bird’s Eye, that revealed a much deeper layer of her artistry.
“I think the most notable change between those albums is internal for me,” Lenae says. “When I wrote Hypnos, I had just moved to LA from Chicago. I had never moved away from home and there were lot of transitional things, a lot of emotional things were happening during that time. I was almost living in a cloud, so I associate that album with some of those feelings and struggles and having to navigate through them.”
But Bird’s Eye feels sonically di erent. It lulls the listener into adolescent spaces once forgotten with age. It’s reminiscent of the life-or-death feelings of a rst kiss or rst heartbreak— the things that shape a young mind. Lenae’s whispering falsetto is the lullaby we wish we had during those times. But we’re lucky to have it today.
A pivotal moment for Lenae during the creation of Bird’s Eye came when she returned to Chicago for the holidays. Walking through her childhood home, memories ooded in, like a symbolic homecoming of sorts.
“I went downstairs in the basement and just kind of had these re ections, these memories of who I was, of all of these rooms and the things I decided,” she says.
This re ection inspired the album cover. “I texted my manager immediately like, ‘I think the cover is literally me, but over the sink, my hair dyed.’ It’s so mundane but really struck me as a moment of me de ning myself.”
As Lenae continues to evolve as an artist and as a person, it’s clear that she’s just getting started.
“In moments where I get to be in a room full of my peers and be acknowledged, it’s special to me. So I de nitely don’t take it lightly and don’t take it for granted.”
GLOBAL ATTRACTION
Colombian psychedelic trio Balthvs captures the spirit of the times with its worldly Latin grooves
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Balthazar Aguirre, guitarist and vocalist of the Colombian psych-funk trio Balthvs (pronounced ball-thus), doesn’t seem to mind your comparisons to Khruangbin. In fact, he welcomes them.
“We’re getting more globalized, and I see it as a positive thing. ... I think we’re more interconnected as a species, on our little rock in the middle of space,” he says. “Khruangbin got interviewed … on PBS, and they were asking, ‘Why do you think this music is getting popular?’ And it’s like, ‘Well, our music has an international language. People from Turkey go see our shows, and we don’t speak their language, but the music speaks for itself.’ I think we also fit into that whole phenomenon that’s happening right now.”
Since Aguirre founded Balthvs with Johanna Mercuriana (bass/vocals) and Santiago Lizcano (drums) in 2020, the band has toured the world and recorded four electrifying studio albums in the most unconventional places.
“Harvest was in the tropics, so Harvest ended up being the most tropical of our albums,” Aguirre says. “We had Afrobeat there. We had reggaeton beats there, dembow beats. It really felt like you were literally soaking in sweat in the middle of the tropics by mango trees.”
Mostly instrumental, Balthvs colors its music in warm, languid ri s and textured basslines—the kind of playing that’s born out of the rhythmic corners of Colombia.
“It’s also very danceable because in Colombia, you are not allowed to make music that [doesn’t] get people dancing. That’s part of the culture,” Aguirre says.
Now, Balthvs will bring that global sound for the first time to Las Vegas, at Downtown’s Paradice Festival.
“We just love all of these bands,” he says. “Just like the Khruangbin genre is exploding, retro soul is also exploding. I’m very excited about that.”
PARADICE FESTIVAL
ZOMBIE RUMBLE
September 28, noon, $44. West Lot at Area15, area15.com
VINTAGE AND VIRAL
The second annual Zombie Rumble returns to Area15 with more punk rock and classic rides
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Last year’s Zombie Rumble proved to be a match made in mosh pit and motorhead heaven. A horde of hot rods and zombie-painted pin-up girls descended upon Area15 for the classic car show, anchored by punk vets like The Bronx, Tsunami Bomb and Face to Face.
“The response was so overwhelmingly great that we realized we could have brought in probably 50 to 70 more cars,” says Jennifer Falcione, associate director of programming and strategy for Area15.
And so, they did. Dragstrip Zombies and the Punk Rock Museum will revive Zombie Rumble this weekend with more than 100 retro rides, a pin-up contest and a stacked rotation of punk acts, including psychobilly band Reverend Horton Heat, Chicano rockers Manic Hispanic, the Voodoo Glow Skulls, Codefendants and the McCharmlys.
“The punk scene and car culture may seem like they’re from two di erent worlds, but there’s a lot of overlap in their values, the way they approach life and that spirit of rebellion and individual expression,” says Kelly Campbell, Area15’s vice president of events and entertainment.
In addition to the Punk Rock Museum showing o its own classic Cadillac, a eet of pre-1975 foreign and domestic cars will join the show. “We didn’t want to exclude any types of vehicle,” Campbell says. “We have a few cars that are post-1975, up to ’95, but they’re heavily modi ed, whether it be through paint or custom interiors.”
“We just want to let them have a home,” she continues. “Something that’s core to Area15 is being open for all and being a place that all can come. We’re a gritty venue. Our original, main black box building is really diverse, and we found that this group of folks identi es with what we’re doing here.”
Auto enthusiasts can certainly argue that classic cars are pretty punk rock themselves, and Zombie Rumble will have loads rolling into Area15’s West Lot.
Anything more than 25 years old can be considered a classic car. Dragstrip Zombies has shown o everything from rugged rat rods to vintage station wagons at annual events like the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, and Zombie Rumble will be no di erent. Gearheads can check out rides, explore the vendor village and enjoy cocktails from Punk Rock Museum’s Three Star Punk Bar pop-up (the one with the Pringles can!) while headliners perform on the main stage. They’ll also have a chance to discover new local talent as pop-punk trio the Dollheads, hardcore band Guilty by Association, garage-rock out t Cromm Fallon & the P200 and others take the Punk Rock Museum stage.
Car a cionados, families and fans of punk music will have no shortage of things to do here. So, who’s ready to rumble?
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Pumpkin Pecan Pancake Slam®
Congressman Steven Horsford, Cheyenne Kyle, Kwame Onwuachi with certificate of congressional recognition and Tameka Henry at the Obodo urban farm.
Celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi tours the Obodo Collective’s urban farm as he prepares to open Maroon at Sahara
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Over Labor Day weekend, celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi paid a visit to the Historic Westside’s Obodo Collective urban farm. The James Beard Award winner—who will open Maroon, his rst West Coast restaurant, at Sahara Las Vegas later this year—arrived ready and willing to hear the story of the farm’s sustainable mission, because much of it mirrors his own.
“I think it was something that was ingrained in me at a young age, caring about where my food came from. I also grew up in a food desert in the Bronx,” said Onwuachi. “Inherently, growing up, it was you get what you can. Sustainability in some forms is a privilege to think about, especially in a food desert. But as I have grown in my career to this point, it’s something that’s necessary that I think about.”
In recent years, Onwuachi has emerged as one of the driving forces in Afro-Caribbean cuisine in the U.S. It’s compelling, Creole-inspired, and vibrantly enhanced by his Nigerian, Jamaican and Trinidadian upbringing.
At his New York restaurant Tatiana, he serves everything from crispy okra and cornbread to curried goat patties and braised oxtails. At his restaurant Dōgon, he honors his West
African heritage through pillowy coco bread, berbere-spiced chicken and Jollof rice.
Onwuachi quite literally takes his history and turns it into a heartwarming dish.
The Top Chef star will expand on that lore with Maroon, a Caribbean steakhouse rooted in the untold story of his ancestors. The name of the Vegas restaurant refers to enslaved Jamaicans who ed British rule to form new communities and farm o the land in the mountains.
In his book, My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef, Onwuachi describes their settlement as being full of Jamaican peppers and Thai bird’s eye chilies—ingredients he’s become enamored with in his own cooking.
During his farm visit, the chef crushed some Thai basil between his ngers, inhaling the aromatics as Obodo food programs coordinator Cheyenne Kyle discussed the trials and triumphs of running a farm. “The wind is the biggest challenge,” Kyle told Onwuachi, proudly showing o a batch of peppers and leafy chard she’d grown.
Onwuachi said Maroon would be a whole di erent experience from his East Coast operations; think avorful jerk rubs, lots of seafood and
ALSO COMING SOON ...
Michelin-starred Cote Korean Steakhouse is set to make its West Coast debut October 4 at the Venetian. If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a classic American steakhouse merged with a boisterous Korean barbecue joint in a fun and fancy casino environment, you will soon nd out.
lots of soul.
“There should be more Caribbean restaurants on the Strip. Seeing yourself on a plate of food is also representation. And I don’t think we should forget that,” he said. “The goal of my restaurants has always been for people of color to go in and celebrate their culture while celebrating such a special occasion as getting engaged or graduation or an anniversary. They’re going to look down and see themselves in the food. I think it’s going to be a very special restaurant. I’m truly proud and grateful to be able to do this.”
Did someone say Michelin star? Gymkhana, one of London’s most celebrated restaurants, founded by siblings Jyotin, Karam and Sunaina Sethi, has two. Its bold and acclaimed Indian cuisine will land on the Strip at Aria in December. Chef Shawn McClain and master sommelier Nick Hetzel are bringing their sophisticated yet playful wine market and bar concept Wineaux—already established at UnCommons—to Summerlin at JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa in October.
And some time this fall at Bellagio, in the fabled former Picasso space, Carbone Riviera will take Italian-American culinary legacy of Major Food Group’s Carbone in a new direction—one driven by seafood, which seems like a natural match for its prime fountain-side location. -Brock Radke
Portraits courtesy; garden by Wade Vandervort; tomatoes by
Steve Marcus
Kwame Onwuachi takes in the smell of Thai basil at the Obodo Collective urban farm.
