7 p.m., Water Street Plaza Amphitheater, cityofhenderson.com.
LUKE COMBS
6 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com.
I SEE STARS
7 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com.
WE’RE ALL MAD HERE MASSIVE
With CloZee, Memba, more, 8 p.m., Area15, area15.com.
SNOW THA PRODUCT
7:30 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster. com.
NIM VIND
With Evelyn’s Casket, The Out There, 8 p.m., the Gri n, dice.fm.
THE HOT SARDINES 5 & 8 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.
PUDDLE OF MUDD With Eve 6, 8:30 p.m., M Pavilion, ticketmaster.com.
LAS VEGAS MEN’S CHORUS
7 p.m. (& 3/22, 2 p.m.), Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, lvmenschorus.org.
ANIME LAS VEGAS Thru 3/22, times vary, World Market Center, animelasvegas.com.
HENDERSON SILVER KNIGHTS VS. TEXAS STARS
6 p.m. (& 3/22, 5 p.m.), Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com.
ANDREW SANTINO
8 p.m., Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com.
11 a.m., Palm Tree Beach Club, taogroup.com.
DOM DOLLA 11 a.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.
50 CENT 10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.
ZEDD
10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com.
MARSHMELLO
10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.
DON TOLIVER 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com.
CLÜB DE COMBAT 10 p.m., Discopussy, tixr.com.
OMRI. 9 p.m., Rouge Room, rougeroomlv.com.
MARTIN GARRIX
With Justin Mylo, 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com.
DJ LEX
10 p.m., On the Record, ontherecordlv.com. Courtesy
Emily King has the type of voice you can’t help but revel in. In a taping of NPR’s Tiny Desk, she’s an angelic vessel of harmonies, her vocals coasting across the room like a gentle breeze. A Grammynominated sister of soul and R&B, King released her full-length debut East Side Story in 2007, shortly after guesting on Nas’ 2004 album Street’s Disciple. She’s released several works since then, including silky classics like “Distance” and “Georgia.” The warmth she delivers is something akin to a kindling of campfire wood. And that vibe should suit the scene of Dustland Bar perfectly when King takes the stage, along with local artists Scorpio and B. Rose. 7 p.m., $50, Dustland Bar, thedustlandbar. com.
–Amber Sampson
SUPERGUIDE
MONDAY MAR 23
VOLUMES With Notions, Catsclaw, Words From Aztecs, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us.
LVMPD K-9 TRIALS
9 a.m., South Point Arena, behindtheblue.org.
OPERA LAS VEGAS: PASSION FOR PUCCINI
3 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.
KATIE BOYLE
7 p.m., Wiseguys, wiseguyscomedy.com.
LAS VEGAS
SINFONIETTA: MOSTLY BACH
3 p.m., Clark County Library Theater, las vegassinfonietta.com.
EXHIBIT: EMPOWERED: WOMEN OF CLARK COUNTY Thru 5/25, daily 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Clark County Museum, clarkcountynv.gov.
MONDAYS ON MY MIND 11 a.m., Marquee Dayclub, taogroup.com.
UNLV BASEBALL VS. ARIZONA STATE 6:05 p.m., Las Vegas Ballpark, ticketmaster.com.
SLICE OUT HUNGER
PIZZA EXPO
TAILGATE PARTY
4 p.m., Pizza Rock Downtown, slice outhunger.org.
MONDAYS DARK
8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdark.com.
BAR & RESTAURANT EXPO
Bar & Restaurant Expo brings the hospitality community together in Las Vegas for education, tastings, networking and access to top suppliers. Discover new trends and profitdriving strategies to stay ahead in hospitality. The expo runs March 23-25 at the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall and you can use code LVWeekly to save 20% on tickets. barandrestaurantexpo.com.
Courtesy/Lindsey Byrnes
BUY TICKETS
SUPERGUIDE
TUESDAY MAR 24
VARIALS
With Unity TX, Heavy//Hitter, Boltcutter, 9 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us.
THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS Thru 3/26, 6:30 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com.
THE MAINE Back in 2008, The Maine had us in a chokehold with sunny singalongs like “Everything I Ask For” and “Into Your Arms.” But in the years following those pop-punk hits, it has evolved into a proper rock band with new classics (See: “Quiet Loud Part”). Fans of The Maine have gotten a taste of its refined sound at the When We Were Young festival for the past several editions, but the band’s performance at Brooklyn Bowl marks its first full-length Vegas show in years. We caught up with founding member and drummer Pat Kirch about what we can expect from the gig and the band’s forthcoming album, Joy Next Door, at lasvegasweekly.com 5:30 p.m., $55-$80, Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com. –Amber Sampson
VALGUR With Spelling Hands, 8 p.m., the Gri n, dice.fm.
Eva Jacqueline on transforming the surreal into the tangible at local fabrication powerhouse
Break All Productions
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
Turni ng ideas, dreams and fantasies into physical form is not for the timid or faint of heart. It requires a particular strain of creative audacity, the kind that thrives in the space between art and illusion.
Las Vegas artist Eva Jacqueline knows this terrain well. Through a constant evolving blend of technical skill and artistic instinct, she helps craft hyperrealistic creations that unsettle, fascinate and captivate global spectators in equal measure.
Jacqueline’s creative lineage is an eclectic one. With roots in photography, painting and graffiti, she once pursued archaeology, drawn to the craft of excavation. That academic curiosity eventually led her toward casting techniques, a foundational skill in the world of special effects.
That path ultimately brought her to Break All Productions, a local fabrication studio founded in 2013 by master special effects craftsman Joshua Brokaw. Over the past seven years, Jacqueline has honed her artistic abilities within the studio’s workshop, developing skills that range from sculpting and painting to large-scale building and scenic design.
Break All has built a reputation for embracing projects that demand both imagination and technical bravado, whether it’s constructing blood-gushing prosthetics for film, engineering stage environments for massive events like EDC, or crafting immersive worlds for major conventions and entertainment experiences.
Today, Jaqueline is s an integral part of Break All’s network of visionary builders, artists and craftspeople. She’s in it for the long run, and only wants to go bigger and get better.
Was there a specific project that made you realize working in special effects could be a career for you?
When we were about to pull off a rushed job and worked over 24 hours. I was like, I think I was born to do this.
What was the job?
These columns for Louis Vuitton; it was for a window display. The thing with foam is it’s usually two parts, so you’ll have that kind of foam that you can carve, and then you can mold that. And then you can also pour foams. So, we were pouring foams ... You mix it together, and then it rises 10 times, 20 times. They have so many different grades. And then we were beating the clock, we’re like, the van’s going to get here at 8 a.m., we have this amount of material left! And for scale, these columns were 16 feet high.
That’s bigger than I was picturing.
That’s the thing that’s a little different about Break All. Other special effects shops, sometimes they’ll make regular props that are smaller scale, and they’re more like prosthetic application. We do large scale, full builds, sets and molds.
What were some early projects or mentors that helped shape your approach to your work?
Joshua [Brokaw], that’s the owner. He [has] an ability to recognize abilities. He can choreograph all of these different types of people together; everybody is very misfit. We all come from various backgrounds, and nobody’s here to challenge each other. We get to create together and then fashion these ideas. And Frank Marano, he’s another local, awesome effects artist. Joshua Counsel, a body painter from Aus-
tralia, he used to work for Universal Studios. And Jake Wyman ... He’s one of the first Break All employees.
What’s the most surprising skill you’ve picked up throughout your career so far?
Ooh, carpentry. I didn’t have much of a builder background, but now I’m fusing building with making. So not only learning how to do carpentry for structural integrity, but learning how to do it creatively. I’m not just building tables and furniture. I’m building the housing of the skeletal structure.
Has a client ever pitched an idea that seemed impossible? How does the team approach that?
Don’t tell us what can be done. One of our hashtags that we use all the time is “fabricate anything.” Dude, we want the alternative clients. We want the people who are daring to push boundaries on the materials we’re using. Maybe not push bound-
aries on time limits or budget, but more on the idea of what we can do to translate cool ideas and activations of visions.
What project are you most proud of working on?
I really enjoyed Particle Ink. I like to be a part of something that may not be forever permanent, but I liked the temporary permanence that our set had and that it served a purpose of inspiration. It was really special. We didn’t just perpetuate consumerism on that job.
What’s something that the average person might not realize about your job?
The manipulation of everyday items. You’d be surprised what some of these materials are—a lot of household things.
You’re a woman in a male-dominated field. What has that experience been like? I think when you get into the builder side of it ... sometimes it can be hard to define credibility in certain ways. Sometimes there’ll be little arguments with tough guys, but that’s the thing—you’ve got to break that at the door at a place like this. It’s a creative building, so throw your rules out of the window.
What continues to excite you about your job?
It’s exciting to create something that’s used for our growing visual, audio and textural culture of art. We’re contributing to whether something is amateur or professional. We’re contributing to the expression and the fulfillment of art and the perpetuations of that being a way to storytell, using tangible, large, physical items to supplement some type of portrayal, versus giving material to be read and seen.
We’re half experience, half art. Stuff gets pretty freaking redundant and we need more exciting things. We need things that stop us, that confuse us.
Able Baker Bewing Company photos by Christopher DeVargas
BY TYLER SCHNEIDER
Las Vegas will sell you a drink at any time of day, but for most of the 20th century, it couldn’t brew one. Commercial craft brewing was effectively dormant statewide from 1957 until 1993, when the Nevada Legislature finally created the brewpub license that made the industry economically viable again.
Even now, 98% of beer sold in Southern Nevada comes from somewhere else—a wild stat for a city where the party never ends. But despite the challenges of pandemic policies and shifting consumer demographics, the Valley now has more breweries than ever before. Locals are even asking for Nevada-made brews by name.
So, are we living in a legitimate brewing city?
A BRIEF BREWSTORY
The story of brewing in the Silver State is one of persistence. Great Basin Brewing Company—credited as the first modern brewery anywhere in Nevada— emerged in Sparks in 1993 after founders Tom and Bonda Young successfully lobbied state policymakers to establish specific brewpub licenses.
With those floodgates opened, Vegas echoed a familiar trend in that most of its earliest breweries were tied to casinos. Southern Nevada’s first microbrewery launched in 1993 as Holy Cow Casino and Brewery before moving and rebranding itself as Big Dog’s Brewing Company a decade later. This Wild West era also saw Triple 7 open at Main Street Station in 1996 and the establishment of Ellis Island Brewery in its namesake casino in 1998.
The turn of the century saw breweries branching out beyond casinos, starting with Tenaya Creek Brewery in 1999 and Chicago Brewing Company in 2000. More joined the fold ahead of the Great Recession, which ushered in some closures just before the craft beer boom took hold nationally.
According to the Brewers Association, the number of craft breweries in Nevada has grown from just 18 in 2011 to at least 50 today. In that same period, the number of national operations increased from 2,252 to close to 10,000.
A major local barrier fell in 2014, when CraftHaus founders Wyndee and Dave Forrest helped convince the City of Henderson to reduce its brewpub license fee from $60,000 to $10,000.
Kyle Dolder, a former medical device sales professional who founded Las Vegas Brewing Company (LVBC) with his wife Jamie in 2023, credits that effort as a crucial step forward.
“From the beginning, [the industry] was heavily restricted based on some of the laws that were in place in the City of Las Vegas,” he says. “Henderson really started adopting and accepting craft beer in a way that could allow breweries to start, and that’s why you saw the early adopters of the craft movement down there.”
Lawmakers pressed on to incrementally reshape the brewery landscape before and after the pandemic. Passed in 2017, Assembly Bill 431 included significant updates to brewpub regulations and notably increased the annual production cap from 15,000 to 40,000 barrels.
The City of Las Vegas made its move in May 2023 when the City Council approved a temporary waiver of certain alcoholic beverage license charges within an area it designated as “Brewery Row.” Encompassing a 1.6-mile stretch along Main Street in the Arts District, the zone is now home to at least a dozen distinct brewery branches and craft beer bars, including a second LVBC location that opened last spring.
“That was probably the biggest change that I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Dolder says. “It helped valleywide, and you’re even seeing tap rooms from those breweries that started in Henderson moving to the Arts District as well.”
Today, the Valley’s brewery count is approaching 30, with the vast majority of them coming in as a direct result of all that bureaucratic tinkering. Other newer additions include the opening of North Las Vegas’ first brewery, North 5th Brewing, in 2021, followed by Cin-Cin Brewhouse & Seafood Bar in the Arts District in 2024, Evolve Brewing by Aces & Ales at The Bend in 2025 and Brewery Row’s Modest Brewing Company in January.
SETTING UP SHOP
It takes years of preparation to even begin brewing your own commercial products. Able Baker Brewing founder Randy Rohde got an initial taste when he and his friends started dabbling in hobby brewing off stovetops and
in garages more than a decade ago. He became proficient enough to start contract brewing under the now-defunct Joseph James Brewing Co. in 2016.
“I just jumped off the cliff, basically. I decided to quit my job bartending at the Wynn, and my wife was working there as well. She supported us, and I didn’t get paid for almost four years,” Rohde says. “It was very rough for a long time, and the contract brew set up was not profitable at all. But then we started getting our name out there.”
Three years later, in April 2019, Able Baker moved into its first brick-and-mortar space in the Arts District. Since then, its atomic theme and diverse tap list has been popular enough to warrant a second location in Centennial Hills set to open this spring. The existing headquarters and brewery includes 31 taps, 85 seats and 22 employees, while the sister space—dubbed the Bomb Shelter—will feature 26 taps, 255 seats and add 45 to the payroll to help bolster its new kitchen offerings.
Chris Jacobs of Beer Zombies is another former Strip bartender who took the plunge after real-
Able Baker Brewing founder Randy Rohde
izing his side hobby—sharing his art and images of beers he liked on his original Beer Zombies Instagram account—had enough of a following in 2013 to eventually support a full-fledged brewery.
“It all started with me coming home after work, having a beer, doodling, drawing, taking pictures and posting them for the world to see,” Jacobs says. “I came up with a cool logo that resonated with a lot of people, and from there, we started doing merchandise and traveling around doing events. That led into collaboration brewing, where I would go to other breweries and we would make beer together.”
Beer Zombies opened its first taproom and bottle shop off Warm Springs Road in 2019 and then expanded to Downtown Summerlin and Boulder City in 2021 and 2022, respectively. While the Summerlin taproom closed its doors last year due to leasing challenges, Jacobs already had plenty on his plate after acquiring Tenaya Creek and its Downtown building on West Bonanza Road in 2023.
“We worked it out that if I were to buy the property and the equipment that I would also continue the legacy of Tenaya Creek—taking it and pushing it into a newer era,” Jacobs says.
“Over the last two years, I’ve done a full rebrand. We went from 12-ounce cans to 16-ounce and rebranded the packaging to a very Nevada-specific theme.”
He moved Beer Zombies’ headquarters there the following year. With both brands under one roof, Jacobs took on another creative challenge in finding a way to keep both in their own lanes.
“It was actually harder to
rebrand Tenaya Creek, because anything that you see in Beer Zombies, that’s just me, that’s in my head. I didn’t want this to feel like it’s Beer Zombies part two. So, not only do we have two completely separate styles and brands, we also have two distributors,” Jacobs says. “It’s a lot of moving parts, but it does make it feel like it’s two different breweries living under the same roof. It doesn’t cross over. There’s not a style that we’re not doing and that lives within both of those brands.”
Between both operations, Jacobs says they produce an average of 15 new varieties each month—or approximately 157 in 2025.
GROWTH BY THE GROWLER
Over in Henderson’s Water Street District, Mojave Brewing Company and Lovelady Brewing Company took advantage of the city’s business-friendly outlook to carve out their own regional followings a bit further from the urban core.
Lovelady has become known
for local themed brews like its 9th Island Pineapple Sour, as well as its emphasis on sustainability. One block over at Mojave, founder John Griffith opted to differentiate his business by also operating as a cidery—an inspiration driven by the fact that his wife, Kristi, has celiac disease, as cider is gluten-free. It remains the only cidery in Nevada.
Ever since opening in 2020, Griffith has remained a regular behind the bar, serving locals who all affectionately refer to him as “Griff.” On a sunny day filled with couples playing Connect Four, several good dogs and a squad of retirees plotting their move over Pilsners, the Michigan native and former schoolteacher discussed his journey and the tradeoffs brewery owners have to make to succeed.
“I got to the point where running the business was becoming a full-time job. Even though I love making beer and still get to get my hands dirty from time to time, I knew that I either had to commit fully to being the head brewer or I really had to be the owner,” Griffith
MOJAVE BREWING COMPANY
Mojave Brewing
photos by Christopher DeVargas
John Griffith
says. “The choice was obvious.”
He hired longtime local brewer Andy Kohon to take the reins in late 2022. And while Las Vegas hasn’t yet developed a signature style of beer, Griffith says bold experimentation is the key to getting there.
“When I get a chance to travel, I always drink the beer where I’m at to get a feel for what’s going on. That way, I’m not just taking ideas from our little pond here, but from the greater ocean of ideas,” he says.
Jacobs seconds this tip, adding that the Valley’s status as a growing and largely transient community helps bring fresh perspectives into the mix.
“People tend to brew within their own boundaries, but if you have people that are bringing stuff in that you’ve never seen, all of a sudden, it’s going to start elevating everything,” Jacobs says.
For Jacobs, the most successful Nevada breweries over the next decade will also be the ones that embrace distributing outside state borders.
“Luckily for us, that was already something that I’ve been working on since day one, and we’re now distributed in 32 states and 20 countries. Vegas is such a destination, so now you’re making fans that are eventually going to come here. It kind of keeps this whole cycle going,” he says.
A HOPPY ENDING?
“Growth took place largely between 2013 and 2021. Since then, we have seen some balancing,” Griffith explains.
Lately, the buzz has been around
Gen Z’s habit of drinking less than older generations. Some speculate that it’s played a role in softening the craft beer market and contributing to decreased alcohol sales in general, but it’s likely just one of several economic factors.
It comes at a time when numerous owners and brewers say the local scene is still 10 to 15 years behind other developed Western metros like LA, San Diego, Denver, Seattle or Portland—or as Griffith says, “areas where you can throw a rock and hit the door of a brewery.”
Beer Zombies head brewer Weston Barkley doesn’t buy it.
“I’ve been hearing that now for 13 years, and I’m like, are we 23 behind? I don’t feel like we’re ever hitting that leap forward,” he says. “Craft beer has always been very distinct and aggressive, and we need to find new ways to dig into that and evolve.”
So, is Las Vegas beer legit yet? It depends on who you ask—and maybe also who’s pouring.
“What do you do when the industry that you’re in is on a downward slope? You can either double down on what you’re doing, or you can try to find out what the next step is,” Jacobs says. “I think the next evolution is learning that you need to do more than just open the door and pour beer. … You’re not just a brewery; you’re an entertainment company, a social gathering spot and community hub.”
That ethos has arguably fueled the Valley’s accelerating brewing culture just as much as the changing regulations have.
“We can’t predict how tourism is going to go, and so the craft brewing scene in Las Vegas lives and dies by our local community,” Griffith says. “To see the friendships made across the bar and the first dates that have turned into weddings is everything that I could have hoped for here. It’s not always about money, right? This is a labor of love, and to have a community that loves us back just means the world to us.”
MOJAVE BREWING COMPANY
LOVELADY BREWING COMPANY
Lovelady photos by
Steve Marcus
Photo by Fred Morledge/Courtesy Wicked Creative
BY TYLER SCHNEIDER
GREAT VEGAS FESTIVAL OF BEER March 28, 3 p.m., $55-$135. Downtown Las Vegas, greatvegasbeer.com.
One unifying force in our brewing landscape is the state’s largest recurring beer gathering, the Great Vegas Festival of Beer. On March 28, the 14th annual event will assemble around 20 local and Nevada breweries and 60 total—everything from Lazy Dog, Brewdog and Big Dog’s to Hop Nuts, Triple 7 and Lovelady— under a shared banner at a 200,000-square-foot space near 6th Street and Carson Avenue.
Back when founder Brian Chapin launched the inaugural event under the Motley Brews brand in 2011, the Valley was home to just half a dozen breweries. Today, it’s closer to two dozen.
“I saw a niche for not only craft beer—because it was at its infancy and starting to evolve in surrounding states—but also to try and bring the community together as locals,” Chapin says. “It was neat, because it truly was friends who hadn’t seen each other in years getting together. It was breweries who hadn’t had a chance to reach local Las Vegans yet.”
Great Vegas has served as a showcase for the state’s ever-expanding roster of breweries ever since, and it’s moving to a new but familiar location this year after spending most of the last decade at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. It will instead return to Fremont East, where it was previously held in 2014.
And don’t forget the lineup of food vendors, which this year includes Fast Eddie’s Burgers, Di Sab’s Mangia Mobile, the Glazed Nut Hut, Sharp BBQ, Golden Oven Pizza and more.
“It’s gone way farther from an o ering and quality standpoint than I thought it ever would,” Chapin says. “We’re known as an entertainment and service city, and these are products that people can taste and touch. The festival leans deeply into that.”
BREWERY AND TAPROOM CHECKLIST
Able Baker Brewing
1501 S. Main St. #120, 702-479-6355, able bakerbrewing.com
Triple 7 Restaurant & Microbrewery Main Street Station Casino, 200 N. Main St., 702-387-1896, main street.boydgaming. com. Monday-Thursday, 4-9 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-midnight; Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-midnight.
Photo by Wade Vandervort
+Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart at AREA15 is the sideways, mysterious grocery store that houses secrets at every turn. Within the supermarket experience is a lineup of unexpected and hilarious products, and if you happen to wander near the pharmacy, you might stumble upon Datamosh, the hidden in-house bar. Many Omega Mart shoppers walk right by while hunting for other portals and dimensions, but if you’re lucky enough to find it, you’ll discover an entire world of unique cocktails.
A quintessential summer cocktail, palomas are always on the menu in Las Vegas. This one is especially flavorful, featuring tequila, grapefruit juice and a unique Champagne and pink peppercorn simple syrup that o ers a depth of flavor that will leave you wanting more.
WHAT’S A BUZZ BUTTON?
Also known as a Szechuan button or an electric daisy, this garnish is an edible flower that creates a tingling or numbing sensation in the mouth.
What’s a happle? It’s an exotic and extremely rare fruit that exists only in the Omega Mart universe. This cocktail is presented like the delicate produce product it is and includes the signature Happle Juice blend— apple sake, aloe liqueur, citrus, apple bitters and buzz button.
Described as Datamosh’s pièce de résistance, The Source o ers one of the most stunning cocktail presentations in Las Vegas. It’s made with blue butterfly infused gin, bergamot liqueur, rhubarb, strawberry puree and lemon, and it’s topped with a smoke-filled bergamot bubble. The name of the cocktail references an Omega Mart Easter egg, so once you’ve gone through the rest of the experience, The Source is the ideal cocktail with which to celebrate.
WOLF
Yes, it’s an Old Fashioned, but it’s blue. And slanted. And the alcohol is sprayed out of the Old Fashioned Spray bottle. Though it may look similar to window cleaner, it’s actually Rye Whiskey. This kooky cocktail is not for the faint of heart; it packs a punch in flavor and proof. In addition to the whiskey, this cocktail features Italian orange liqueur, simple syrup and orange bitters.
The Meowjito is a best seller at Datamosh, and it’s easy to understand why—it’s balanced, refreshing and just sweet enough. Featuring white and golden rums, lemongrass syrup, guava puree, ginger, lime, sugar and mint, it’s an elevated take on the classic that’s purrfect for anyone.
There are Easter eggs scattered throughout the Datamosh menu, from cocktail names to key ingredients, everything is chosen for a reason. Even the smallest details, such as the use of rosemary, pay homage to Rose The Herbalist, one of Omega Mart’s many characters.
Meow Wolf collaborated with Albuquerque-based Marble Brewery to craft a Japaneseinspired rice lager called Day Ghost. The signature beer is crisp, balanced and dangerously easy to drink.
Omega Mart is an immersive experience that’s so cohesive and convincing, it’s easy to lose yourself and hours within the space.
One of Omega Mart’s most consistent characteristics is its sense of humor, which is whimsical and surreal. This also applies to the menu at Datamosh with cocktails that are full of personality.
Another fresh take on a classic cocktail, the Omegarita is a dark, smoky, orangey and chocolatey masterpiece. It’s made with tequila, mezcal, ginger agave syrup, citrus, cocoa bitters and an orange omega salt rim.
Determining whether to buy or sell every top NCAA Tournament contender at local sports books
BY CASE KEEFER
STOCK REPORTS
Twelve years have passed since a team seeded No. 5 or higher has won the NCAA Tournament. It’s only happened three times total in 41 years since the event expanded to 64 teams—No. 8 seed Villanova in 1985, No. 6 seed Kansas in 1988 and No. 7 seed Connecticut in 2014. Teams outside the top four have also only reached the Final Four less than 22% of the time. So, it feels more or less already evident what group of teams will determine this year’s tournament—those in the top 16 overall.With that in mind, let’s go back to a once-annual tradition of plotting how to handicap every one of them going into the tournament. Brackets can bust on the first day, but betting goes on and here’s whether to target betting on or against all the contenders both on a game-to-game and futures basis.
DUKE’S PATRICK NGONGBA II
IOWA STATE’S
JOSHUA JEFFERSON
Joshua Je
erson by Charlie Neibergall/AP
Photo; Patrick Ngongba II by Marc Lebryk/AP
Photo
East Region No. 1 seed Duke
The Blue Devils looked somewhat shaky in the ACC Tournament without point guard Caleb Foster and center Patrick Ngongba II despite still winning the event. Foster will remain out for the tournament, but Ngongba is set to return and that’s enough to confidently deem Duke the team to beat and rightful NCAA Tournament favorite. Verdict: Bet On.
West
Region No. 1 seed Arizona
The Wildcats attempt fewer 3-point shots than any team in the field and too often settle for midrange jumpers. The ine cient strategy didn’t catch up to them much in the regular season, but the deeper rounds of the tournament could be a di erent story when they encounter teams with comparable athleticism more frequently. Verdict: Bet Against.
Midwest Region No. 1 Michigan
The Wolverines were on a historic pace early in the season, including when they won the Player’s Era tournament at MGM Grand Garden Arena, but are now sputtering with five straight against the spread losses. But they have too much talent to ignore and merit serious buy-low consideration. Verdict: Bet On.
South
Region No. 1 seed Florida
The Gators won it all last year behind an electric backcourt, but they are more big man-oriented this season. They dominated the SEC, but it’s hard to ignore their mediocre performance in non-conference play. Verdict: Bet Against.
East Region No. 2 seed
Connecticut
Whispers that this year’s Huskies are on the same level as the 2023 and 2024 national championship versions ignore how the quality of the Big East conference has fallen since then. Connecticut beat up on outmatched teams for the last four months and won’t look the same against increased competition. Verdict: Bet On.
East Region No. 3 seed
Michigan State
Coach Tom Izzo’s reputation for March Madness mastery is much exaggerated, and mostly built when his current players were either in elementary school, diapers or not yet born. There’s a constant Spartans’ tax in the tournament not worth paying. Verdict: Bet Against.
East Region No. 4 seed Kansas
The Jayhawks haven’t made the second weekend since winning the 2022 tournament with a series of weirdly-constructed teams. This might be the weirdest season of all with the soap opera surrounding presumed No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Darryn Peterson, who may or may not care about the Jayhawks’ fate. Verdict: Bet Against.
South Region No. 2
seed Houston
The defending national runner-ups had a relatively underwhelming season at 16-18 against the spread, but might have more talent than ever. The Cougars’ physical defensive style has served them well repeatedly in the tournament as a nightmare matchup. Verdict: Bet On.
South Region No. 3 seed Illinois
Few starting lineups in the nation are more naturally complementary than the one the Illini employ. They’ve stumbled down the stretch with three losses in their last five games, but their length and rebounding prowess should play well in the tournament. Verdict: Bet On.
South No. 4 seed Nebraska
The Cornhuskers captured the imagination of the college basketball world with a 20-game win streak to start the season and now look for their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. That could be harder than it seems given a pair of Achilles heels in their poor rebounding and free-throw shooting. Verdict: Bet Against.
West Region No. 2 seed Purdue
None of the top 16 teams in the field have been unluckier than the Boilermakers per Shot Quality, which measures the value of every field goal attempt all season. It might finally be coming together for Purdue, though, after winning the Big Ten conference tournament. Verdict: Bet On.
Midwest Region No. 2 seed
Iowa State
Few players in the nation have been better than local standout Joshua Je erson. The Liberty High graduate can do it all, much like his Iowa State team as a whole. Verdict: Bet On.
West Region No. 3 seed Gonzaga
The Zags could have been a threat placed elsewhere but have a tough draw that all but promises a dangerous second-round matchup ahead of a potential Sweet 16 game against surging Purdue. They’ve had better teams in the past. Verdict: Bet Against.
Midwest Region No. 3 seed
Virginia
The Cavaliers will get back to a Final Four under new coach Ryan Odom, but not in his first year. Similar to Gonzaga, Virginia received some misfortune in slotting into a seed that could see it at a talent disadvantage as soon as the second round. Verdict: Bet Against.
West No. 4 seed Arkansas
Fresh o leading the Razorbacks to the SEC tournament title, freshman guard Darius Acu Jr. is one of the most electric players in the field. Arkansas is built similarly to Arizona and could give it a major scare if the teams hold serve and meet in the Sweet 16. Verdict: Bet On.
Midwest No. 4 seed Alabama
The Crimson Tide shouldn’t stand much of a chance against Michigan in a possible Sweet 16 showdown, but they couldn’t have landed a better starting pod. The Crimson Tide look extremely likely to go 2-1 against the spread in three tournament game and therefore wind up profitable. Verdict: Bet On.
SPORTS When the Las Vegas Lights Football Club takes the field for its home opener on March 28, there will be some extra special guests cheering them on at Cashman Field.
Ualett, a financial technology company with over 600,000 users that offers cash advance solutions for gig economy workers, rideshare and delivery drivers and small business owners, has partnered with the local soccer team to invite 1,000 gig workers to attend the game. Tickets will be distributed to a mix of Ualett customers and local gig workers
Nevada AG seeks court order to stop Trump tariffs
BY THE NUMBERS
IN THE NEWS $100,000
through community and industry associations, and eligible workers can receive tickets through a unique access code distributed by participating associations or directly via the Ualett platform for active users.
“Las Vegas is a city built on the work of independent and flexible labor,” said Shawn McIntosh, CEO of the Lights.
“We’re proud to welcome gig workers into the stadium and celebrate the people who keep this city moving.”
The Ualett initiative is an extension of a home-opener partnership last season and will also include
programming like spotlighting gig workers before the match and using the event as a launchpad for broader community engagement throughout the season, according to a release.
“Gig workers are essential to how Las Vegas runs, yet they’re often left out of moments like this,” said Ualett CEO and co-founder Ricky Michel Presbot. “Inviting gig workers to the Lights’ home opener is about recognition, access and visibility, and doing it in a way that celebrates their contributions all year long, not just for one night.” –Staff
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford on March 13 joined a coalition of 24 Democratic attorneys general in filing a motion in federal trade court to block President Trump’s latest round of tariffs. In a statement, Ford said the 10% tariffs Trump imposed on most U.S. trading partners in February posed “unnecessary economic harm” and were “unlawful.” Trump announced the new tariffs after the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs he had imposed starting in April 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Trump now invokes Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to provide legal cover for the new tariffs, which the White House has said will “address fundamental international payments problems.” The attorneys general’s motion asks the U.S. Court of International Trade to order federal agencies to stop collecting the tariffs. –Shannon Miller
That’s the baseline annual household income for 75% of Las Vegas tourists in 2025, according to new data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. Adjusted for inflation, the percentage of visitors with a household income greater than $107,335 has doubled since 2019.
HAIR FOR CHARITY Gabo Cadena, 9, and Gabriel Cadena participate in the annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation head-shaving event raising money for childhood cancer research at New York-New York on March 14. (Wade Vandervort/staff)
UNLV alumni honored through Oscar-nominated films
The 2026 Academy Awards, Hollywood’s biggest night in film, highlighted Oscar-nominated works that two UNLV alumni helped develop. Former film student Tamiya Nadine served as assistant art director on The Singers, a musical comedy short that tied for Best Live Action Short Film with Two People Exchanging Saliva. And UNLV alum Berenice Chávez served in an editing role on Best Documentary Feature nominee Come See Me in the Good Light, which follows two queer poets navigating their love for each other and the ticking time bomb of a cancer diagnosis. The film was directed by Ryan White and produced by comedian Tig Notaro. –Amber Sampson
ARTS
Classes
Celebrate Maker March at the Library District through exploring, making, designing & engineering with these FREE events!
3D Printing Training
Learn the basics of using a 3D printer at the Library District.
Multiple Dates & Times
Enterprise Library
AGE GROUP: TEENS & ADULTS
LEGO Club
Build with others to your heart’s content!
Every Tuesday
4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Sandy Valley Library
AGE GROUP: ALL
Crochet Club
Learn to crochet or teach someone else.
Every Wednesday
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunrise Library
AGE GROUP: ALL
Take Better Photos on Your Cell Phone
Learn cell phone camera features, angles, lighting, setting up a shot, and more from photographer Victor Esquivel.
Thursday, March 19
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Rainbow Library
AGE GROUP: TEENS & ADULTS
Digital Drawing
Learn digital drawing basics using the Wacom tablet
Friday, March 20
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Enterprise Library
AGE GROUP: TWEENS, TEENS & ADULTS
Adult Tech StudioCD Keychains
Make a CD keychain of your favorite artist!
Friday, March 20
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Whitney Library
AGE GROUP: ADULTS
Maker March Craft Stick
Engineering Challenge
Join us for the Building Challenge.
Saturday, March 21
11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Moapa Town Library
AGE GROUP: KIDS, TWEENS & TEENS
Music Production 101 for Teens
All levels are welcome to join this hands-on workshop.
Tuesdays, March 24 & 31
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Clark County Library
AGE GROUP: TEENS
Creating with Canva Learn how to create amazing and eye-catching graphics, documents, and more.
Wednesday, March 25
4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Enterprise Library – Flex Lab
AGE GROUP: ADULTS
Teen Maker Fair
Design, build, and create using Cricut machines, laser engravers, and hands-on craft stations.
Thursday, March 26
3 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Centennial Hills Library
AGE GROUP: TEENS
Free and open to the public.
Seating and supplies are on a first-come, first-served basis and may be limited. Scan QR Code for more events, programming, and maker resources.
West Las Vegas Library Maker Fair
See and explore the latest trends in arts, crafts, and maker technology!
Thursday, March 26
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library
AGE GROUP: ALL
Podcasting 101: Basics for Adults
Learn the basics of operating podcasting equipment in our recording spaces.
Thursday, March 26
4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Enterprise Library
AGE GROUP: ADULTS
Intro to Machine Sewing and Safety – Ready, Set, Sew!
Registration is strongly encouraged.
Friday, March 27
3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library
AGE GROUP: ADULTS (16+)
Procreate Workshop
Explore the world of digital art!
Tuesday, March 31
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
East Las Vegas Library
AGE GROUP: KIDS, TWEENS & TEENS
LONE WORKERS
After voting to unionize, Pahrump brothel workers push for increased safety measures following shooting
BY TYLER SCHNEIDER
It’s been a turbulent year for the sex workers of the Pahrump-based legal brothel Sheri’s Ranch.
On February 6, the majority of its 74 workers filed a petition to unionize with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as the United Brothel Workers (UBW) affiliate of the Nevada-based Communications Workers of America Local 9413—a historic first in the only state that permits legal sex work.
The movement began in December, when management asked workers to sign a revised contract giving the brothel sweeping control over workers’ content, image, and likeness, plus power of attorney to transfer their intellectual property without consent. After taking steps to unionize, seven of the most vocal union advocates
were subsequently fired, according to UBW representative Scott Goodstein.
“They have good records, high earnings and never had disciplinary issues. The only thing that has changed is that they’re now participating in union activities,” Goodstein says of the terminated workers.
Their collective bargaining push also faces a major hurdle in the fact that Nevada’s sex workers have historically been classified as independent contractors and not employees. To be officially recognized by both the NLRB and Sheri’s Ranch, union members will have to convince the NLRB that their working conditions qualify them as employees under existing labor law.
In an email, Sheri’s Ranch communications director Jeremy Lemur noted that “Sheri’s
Ranch has operated within that same framework for more than 50 years.”
“Nevada’s licensed brothel industry has historically operated under a system in which the women working at licensed establishments are independent contractors rather than employees,” Lemur said in a partial statement.
One fired worker, Genevieve Dahl, says this precedent needs to change.
“I see so much potential for what Sheri’s could be. And by working with us and hearing our voices and implementing the things that we know need to change, it’s going to make it such a better work environment for everyone,” Dahl says.
The Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) presents the “ABC test” as a method
A sex worker who goes by the name Jupiter Jetson at Sheri’s Ranch in Pahrump. (AP Photo/Ian Maule)
of determining if someone is an independent contractor, with one requirement being that “the person has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of the services.”
Because Sheri’s Ranch workers can reside on-site for weeks at a time and cannot work from home, the union argues they should instead be considered employees.
DETR also states that “a written contract, in itself, does not establish independent contractor status,” adding that the “burden of proof rests upon the employer to demonstrate” that independent contractors they work with pass the test criteria.
After filing a petition to unionize, the next step is typically to wait for the NLRB to administer an election in which Sheri’s Ranch workers would vote to make it official. Because it’s illegal to fire an employee for union involvement under the National Labor Relations Act, the union also filed a February 17 unfair labor practices complaint alleging that worker Molly Wylder was terminated for discussing the union with the media. The document also notably includes a request for a Gissel bargaining order, which, if granted, would allow the NLRB to legally bypass the election phase and directly order Sheri’s Ranch to recognize the UBW.
“I would like to return to my job, but not if they offer it back to the way it was,” Wylder tells the Weekly . “That’s no longer good enough for me. I want them to come to the table and negotiate with us in good faith, to actually believe us and address our concerns.”
Amid all these moving pieces, another unexpected development brought safety concerns to the forefront. On February 28, Sheri’s Ranch workers were startled by the sound of a
shotgun firing just outside. One worker, who spoke to the Weekly anonymously to protect her job, says it was only through “pure luck” that no one was harmed.
“A repeat client who had some known mental health issues came to the ranch, I think, having experienced some kind of mental breakdown,” she says.
“A door that is typically unlocked was locked fast enough, and shots were taken at the building. It was very scary and traumatic. I think the staff was operating on instinct, because they had as little preparation as we did.”
After a 71-year-old suspect was arrested by the Nye County Sheriff’s Office, the worker says they were expected to resume working immediately—“as if nothing had happened.” The next day, management called a staff meeting.
In it, workers say they proposed metal detectors, bag checks and other measures that the anonymous worker says are common at bars and strip clubs.
“No resources were offered to us, and no sympathy was offered for our experience,” she says. “People were questioning the safety procedure, and the reaction was, ‘well, it worked out yesterday, didn’t it?’”
Citing OSHA’s general duty clause and Nevada law requiring employers to address foreseeable workplace hazards, the UBW believes these safety considerations could strengthen their push for recognition.
One of the first to be terminated, an eight-year Sheri’s Ranch veteran who uses the stage name Jupiter Jetson, recently drafted a five-point safety plan that she hopes to use as a reference point if or when her former employer comes to the bargaining table.
The plan calls for securing the property with a perimeter fence, controlled entry points and reinforced doors. It also
asks the brothel to separate the bar entrance, which currently opens directly into the main parlor and worker hallways. And because employees’ rooms have no functional locks, it suggests adopting a keycard system and installing discreet in-room panic buttons that workers can press to alert security when they feel threatened. The final point urges “clear security staffing and reporting protocols.”
“All of these are based on the safety standards that have become commonplace throughout the rest of the Nevada brothel industry,” Jetson says. “We’re not asking for anything the other houses don’t have.”
Jetson added that if workers ever encountered a violent client in their rooms, the only way to alert security is to knock the phone (that’s ordinarily used to inform management that they’re in a session) off the hook.
Wylder, who previously worked at Mustang Ranch near Reno before joining Sheri’s Ranch in 2018, says security policies there “completely dwarf” that of Sheri’s Ranch. She recalls Mustang Ranch having multiple armed guards stationed throughout the property, a perimeter fence with a staffed gate and a separate parking area for workers. Security was given 30 seconds to respond to a distress call placed via a hidden panic button in the rooms.
“That’s just the level of secu -
rity I think we should all have,” Wylder says. “Truly, the absolute basics are so much better everywhere else, including some of the least financially well-off strip clubs in Vegas. They have these security features, but we don’t.”
While Lemur from Sheri’s Ranch declined to discuss specific safety measures publicly, he said safety remained a priority for the company.
“Sheri’s Ranch takes the February 28 incident very seriously. This appears to have been an isolated situation in which an individual fired toward a building on the property. Thankfully, no one was injured. We are cooperating with law enforcement and reviewing our security procedures as part of our response. Our focus remains on maintaining a safe environment for all guests, independent contractors, and staff,” Lemur said via email.
Like Wylder, Dahl and Jetson aren’t ruling out a return to Sheri’s Ranch, but only if the scales are balanced.
“I can’t go back,” Jetson says. “But I can’t wait to get to the negotiating table.”
The anonymous worker faces a different reality—she has to go back.
“I still have to work and pay my bills,” she says. “I just have to move forward the best I can and hope conversations like this push them to make changes so we can all feel safe.”
“All of these are based on the safety standards that have become commonplace throughout the rest of the Nevada brothel industry. We're not asking for anything the other houses don't have.”
–a brothel worker who goes by the stage name Jupiter Jetson
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
A good emcee can make or break an event, and Arturo Cecena, better known as MP Art, understands that better than most. Over 14 years, he’s been behind the mic, guiding crowds and setting the tone. An ’80s baby raised on breakbeats, popping and funk, Cecena turned early influences into a career built on movement and music. From street performances to becoming one of Las Vegas’ most recognizable hosts, he’s earned his reputation through consistency, presence and a genuine love for the culture.
Zapp & Roger
Music is what keeps the ball rolling for Cecena, and he recently spoke with the Weekly about three albums that continue to move him.
KEY
Las Vegas host and hip-hop dancer
MP Art shares three albums that helped build his bounce
by
All the Greatest Hits
“‘More Bounce to the Ounce,’ ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ and ‘I Can Make You Dance’ are so embedded in Chicano culture. When it comes to funk-style dance and the popping that I do, there’s a certain style to it. It embodies not just dance, but culture, family and our people. And the cool thing is, it’s created by a Black artist, so it’s universal.
Roger Troutman displays so much personality, character and emotion. His voice and talk box expression are incredibly inspiring. The way he commands feeling through sound has influenced how I dance and how I host, bringing energy, soul and presence into every performance.”
Musical Youth
The Youth of Today
“What’s really beautiful about this album is that it talks about the youth taking up space and hearing those voices. As a little kid, I would have the headphones on with the huge wire all the way to the stereo set up. I would be singing so loud that they’d come in and tell me to be quiet. The whole album is a journey.”
Black Star
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
“If you listen to a Black Star album, you’re listening to the last tribute to a true hip-hop record, but done in a modern fashion. You have that hip-hop, b-boy flavor emcee, and what I love most about Talib Kweli, he gives you a message of unity and moving forward— just being dynamic and redefining the culture instead of being defined by other people.”
Photo
Wade Vandervort
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Puppet designer Michael Curry got his Awakening call early, back when Wynn’s spectacular, e ects-and-acrobatics-laden production show was still only a wild dream.
“I’m known in the industry as a bit of a rainmaker,” he says, calling from his studio in Scappoose, Oregon. “I have a reputation of being attached to successes, and so I’m brought in very early. Many times, it’s not with an idea that there’s even characters or puppets in the show. It’s for me to work as a conceptual designer and consultant with the director.”
Awakening bears out that reputation. Curry—whose creations have appeared in the Broadway adaptation of Disney’s The Lion King, Universal’s new Epic Universe theme park, multiple Cirque du Soleil productions including KÀ, and even Taylor Swift’s Eras tour— lled Awakening nearly to over owing with puppets, many of which don’t resemble puppets so much as living scenery. There are lumbering, elephant-like beasts. A benevolent guide for the heroine that assembles itself from stones lying about on the stage. A oating, life-sized whale, controlled by a single puppeteer who ies it as you would a kite.
uid motion, but I wanted it to look robotic. It looks like it’s machine-made, but it moves like a ballet dancer. Also, I wanted to hide the human that’s in it, but I don’t really care that you [see the operator]. I love the second read that you get with my puppetry. The next time you see the whale, you’re going to enjoy watching that single puppeteer below him. We did a lot to disguise the Dark Lieutenants.”
Awakening performer Kyle Tanguay, a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader who worked alongside Curry while the Dark Lieutenant was created, talks me through the mechanics of getting inside the puppet, a process that involves a special ladder, stilts with articulated toe joints, and a harness lowered from the ceiling. The puppet feels so intuitive to Tanguay that he can focus on his performance, not the mechanics.
Today, however—in anticipation of World Puppetry Day on March 21, a meaningful day for Awakening’s crew—Curry is talking about the “Dark Lieutenants”—mysterious, towering entities whose artfulness, grace and sheer invention bridge the gaps between puppetry, costume and scenery. Curry needed literal storytelling devices, so he built them.
“They’re the acolytes of Darkness, our femme fatale, and I wanted them to be at a scale that they created a portal, a gateway for her,” Curry says. “I couldn’t put her on a throne; furniture doesn’t work in our show. But I wanted her to have a sense of place and station and wanted her not to be lost. We have a bunch of ve to six-foot-tall characters in costumes, and our show is complicated, always moving around. I wanted a way nder, so I always know where she’s at. And I wanted them to have a menacing quality, but also a weird juxtaposition of beauty…
“They have almost a childlike, mask face. It almost looks like a Noh mask from Japanese theater, without expression, and it’s illuminated,” he continues. “I wanted a
“That’s what I want as a performer. I like when I’m not stuck inside of some system,” he says. “It makes the story feel real, and it makes it fun to adapt when things [on stage] go a little di erent. … Working with [Curry] has changed the way I approach everything. I love his thought process. He’s so collaborative. And I love watching him work with his team. When his team was out here, you could tell that it’s like it’s not a paycheck or just a business to him. It’s a passion project.”
And in a time when the artless are proudly bragging that they can generate a blockbuster lm using only AI, Curry’s passion for hand-built art feels almost revolutionary in tone.
“My worry is not that AI will be used or not be used [in art], but if the audience loses their ability of aesthetic judgment, about quality, if AI [causes] audiences to be dumber. … That’s my worry. People will start settling for it, and it’ll make art even more rare ed, which isn’t a good thing.
“Since [computer graphics] started being so heavily used in lm—and especially the genre of family cinema that we nd today, from Harry Potter to Game of Thrones—puppetry is almost your only chance at presenting those elements live, those fantastic creatures. Actors can’t do them, and it’s what the audience expects them to look like,” Curry says. “Puppetry is one of the only choices you could turn to if you want to do that in a live entertainment presentation. There’s a heyday of puppetry going on because we need these characters on stage.”
Courtesy Wynn Las Vegas
Drag parody
Golden Mean Girls brings a brilliant pop-culture mashup to Majestic Repertory Theatre
Courtesy/Michael Todd
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
What happens when two iconic cliques collide? You get a production like Golden Mean Girls
The wildly clever mashup blends the silver-haired, beloved sitcom The Golden Girls with early 2000s cult classic film Mean Girls, creating a campy drag parody that leans heavily into nostalgia, satire and plenty of cat fights.
Without giving too much away, the story follows Cady Heron, who arrives in Miami after living in Africa. After a deep sleep, she awakens to her new reality as a fresh-faced student at Miami High. The school is still run by the Plastics, but these Plastics come with a certain age and attitude. Dorothy, Rose, Blanche and Sophia are the dominant girl group, led by Regina George, and they quickly take Cady under their wing.
The show, running March 19-22
at Majestic Repertory Theatre, is written by Jamie Morris, a seasoned theater professional and playwright whose past works include parody favorites like Mommy Queerest, The Devil Wears Payless and Silence of the Clams. Many of Morris’ productions have premiered in Provincetown, Massachusetts, where he and his creative and life partner, director and performer Christopher Kenney, have built a reputation for irreverent, high-energy stage spoofs.
“For years, everyone would ask me, when are you doing Golden Girls?” says Morris. “Years ago, you would get a cease and desist. You could not even parody The Golden Girls. Then that kind of died down even and everyone started doing Golden Girls. Whether it’s a Golden Girls tribute show, live episodes, brunches, I mean, it’s kind of now saturated.”
The breakthrough came unexpectedly while Morris and Kenney were
working on another show.
“My partner Christopher, I forget where we were, but his eyes lit up and he just said three words: Golden Mean Girls.”
The idea lingered for nearly a year before Morris finally wrote the script in just two weeks. Four weeks later, the team mounted the first production in June 2025.
Much of the original cast returns for the Las Vegas run, alongside local performers. Actress Kady Heard plays Cady Heron, while Rick Winters assumes the roles of high school heartthrob Aaron Samuels and “She doesn’t even go here!” icon Damian.
The script is entirely original but packed with nods to both the television series and the film. Above all else, Morris hopes the show delivers some genuine laughter.
“We’re just trying to create some joy and escapism in this world that really needs it right now,” he says.
GOLDEN MEAN GIRLS March 19-22, times vary, $34-$45. Majestic Repertory Theatre, eventbrite.com.
BY AMBER SAMPSON
It isn’t hard to nd SMKD BBQ; simply follow your nose. Outside the new Henderson restaurant, a pitmaster res up the o set smoker. The aroma of slow-cooked meats perfumes the air with a hint of sweetness from the post oak wood burning in the rebox.
The low-and-slow art of barbecue is rustic, but Top Chef alum Alex Reznik— who once beat Bobby Flay in a kosher cuisine showdown—likens the process more to baking.
“Once you’ve started it, you won’t know the result until after you’re done all the way. You can’t change it. You can’t taste it on the way,” says Reznik, who launched SMKD BBQ under his Ogden Hospitality Group late last year. “If I’m cooking, I can taste that my sauce needs more salt, needs more pepper. That smoker, it changes with the weather.”
SMKD BBQ brings new flavors and homey vibes to Henderson Community cookout
family. I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. I came to Brooklyn when I was two years old,” he says. “My father worked two jobs. My mother worked two jobs. But on the weekends, everyone would get together, and there was always some sort of barbecue in the backyard.”
The food that brought his Brooklyn neighborhood together is the very food he strives to deliver at SMKD BBQ.
Barbecue is a di erent animal for Reznik. It’s a challenge, no doubt. But that’s hardly why he does it. When Reznik remembers his upbringing, it all comes back to barbecue.
“It reminds me of my childhood happy days. I come from a rst-generation
Photograph by Christopher DeVargas
“It had to be here in Henderson. My mother lives up the street,” he says. “My aunts and uncles, my cousins, my friends live here in Henderson. It must be a restaurant for us.”
For Reznik, who also recently opened the upscale steakhouse Hayworth a few miles away, cooking for his community means sourcing with intention. He begins with certi ed Angus beef and halal chicken, nothing frozen. “The only thing we have in our freezer is ice cream and our apple pies,” he says.
Brisket is seasoned with a Texas and Memphis-inspired rub before smoking for 13-plus hours. SMKD pitmaster Wendell Jones oversees the process. Ribs cook for six hours and are served until they sell out. The meat is never held overnight to avoid losing perfect texture.
“When they overcook, they fall o the
bone. I don’t want that,” Reznik says. “I want to be able to take a bite, leave a bite mark in the ribs and chew that rib. I’m not looking for cat food.”
Reznik maximizes avor through dry and wet brining methods that enhance the meat without disrupting the protein. The result is a menu that ranges from caramelized burnt ends to St. Louis ribs, and coarse-grained Andouille sausage so peppery and avorful, you won’t give barbecue sauce a second thought.
Reznik even throws some curve balls. You’ll nd a French Dip ($19), a nod to his work in French kitchens; a pastrami sandwich ($18), inspired by his trips to Katz’s Deli; and the creamy kugel, honoring his Jewish heritage. The herb-dusted potato salad ($5-$20) rivals the best family cookouts. The fried apple pie with will have you seeing stars. And don’t even think of sleeping in on the weekend brunch.
Throughout all this, Reznik’s mission remains pure: Create a restaurant that feels like home.
“We built this restaurant for the community. I love this community. On the same token, I hope the community gives us a chance,” he says. “Go in with open eyes, not a predisposition of what barbecue should be.”
Minitinis, cocktails and shareable bites at Scotch 80 Prime
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
Girl dinner has been having its moment on TikTok for nodding to the light fridge-grazing femmes tend to munch on instead of a full meal. A bit of cheese here, maybe picking at some bread there, and between all of that you’ll have your share of fruit, pickled things, deli meats and more. It feels personal and low effort, yet still indulgent.
Now it has slipped on heels and headed to the bar.
At Scotch 80 Prime’s lounge inside the Palms, girl dinner trades the kitchen counter for a leather booth and a proper pour. The ritual begins in the lounge, with low light, polished elements of brass, and the hum of a good night unfolding.
Gather your crew and order the minitini flight, three tiny martinis for $20. It’s the only correct decision. There’s the Skyy High with raspberry and spicy mango vodka, lime and Tajín. The Showgirl mixes rosé Champagne and elderflower with a cotton candy garnish and a hint of sparkle. Lychee Me brings vodka, elderflower and lychee puree with fresh lemon juice.
Other cocktails ($10) lean playful. Not Your Dad’s Old Fashioned is made with Jefferson’s bourbon, a pomegranate rinse, simple syrup and bitters, or try the Pumpkin Spice Latte spiked with Crown Royal vanilla and espresso liqueur. The food keeps things indulgent without tipping into excess. A crisp Caesar with a side of golden shoestring fries ($15) hits that salty, creamy sweet spot. Filet mignon tips ($22) crusted in peppercorn and dunked in blue cheese fondue brings a filling swagger. Or go for shrimp toast on pillowy Hokkaido milk bread, Iberico lumpia, and blistered shishitos ($16).
This version of the trend isn’t about eating less, it’s about tasting more, together.
Filet mignon tips and mushrooms
Minitini cocktail tower with The Showgirl, Lychee Me and Skyy High cocktails (Photos by Christopher DeVargas)
PREMIER CROSSWORD HOROSCOPES
“CONTAIN YOURSELF!”
BY FRANK LONGO
Container holding
ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1960, primatologist Jane Goodall began studying chimpanzees. Her observation revealed that animals use tools and possess distinct personalities, revolutionizing our understanding of intelligence. I recommend her approach to you. Your attention can supplant outmoded assumptions. Let details reveal deeper truths; your watchfulness will change the story.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Ancient Romans honored Cardea, goddess of hinges and thresholds, who protected the places where one state transforms into another. Pay eager attention to your own metaphorical hinges: portals, transitions and in-between times. They may feel awkward without the certainty you crave, but these liminal spaces are where the best magic congregates.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You are fluent in the art of fruitful contradiction. While others pursue consistency, you thrive on the wild, multifaceted nature of truth. In the coming weeks, express your affinity for paradox to the max. The world doesn’t need more neat categories; it needs your nimble intelligence and charming multiplicity. Those are the gifts your allies need most.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): The Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi celebrates the soulfulness of imperfection and age. In the coming months, don’t treat your incompleteness as a deficit requiring correction. Consider that your supposed blemishes and idiosyncratic traits are actually your most interesting features.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Medieval Japanese swordsmiths practiced ritual purification, believing their consciousness influenced the quality of the blade. Because your inner condition will now have potent effects on everything you initiate, prepare yourself with impeccable care. Purify your motivations and clarify your vision. The projects you generate now could serve you for a long time.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Master chess players often bypass complex analysis, using “compressed expertise” to perceive trends in a single glance. You are in a phase where your accumulated experience will crystallize into immediate knowing. Don’t second-guess your first assessments, Virgo. Trust the pattern recognition you have cultivated through the years.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The cosmic powers have granted you a triple-strength dose of fresh certainty. During this grace period, you will be less tempted by doubt and indecision. A fountain of resolve will rise whenever needed. You may grow so accustomed to this lucid serenity that you permanently lose 20 percent of your chronic tendency to vacillate..
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Crows remember both grudges and acts of kindness for years. You are entering a period where you must decide which quality to emphasize. You have legitimate grievances, but you also have gifts worth honoring. Spend 20 percent of your energy remembering wrongs to protect yourself, and 80 percent on gratitude.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You can be both a discontented rebel and a sunny celebrant, seeing what needs adjustment without losing your wry tolerance. This double capacity is vital now. Lean on your instincts to be a generous agitator and open-hearted critic. Blessings will find you as you subvert the stale status quo with creativity and kindness.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Your commitment to building useful structures is a gift to the world. You understand that real power comes from showing up consistently for unglamorous work rather than seeking superficial victories. Your pragmatism is a form of loving faith. More than ever, the rest of us need you to express these talents with full vigor.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your power symbols right now are convergence points: where tributaries blend, where trees enter the earth or where shadows overlap. Access extra inspiration in these liminal areas. Seek the vibrant revelations that arise in the boundary between cloud and sky, or the time between sunset and night. Find the mystery where one thing coalesces with another.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Mark Doty wrote that the sea rewards those who are patient and “choiceless as a beach.” This captures the Piscean genius for receptivity. While others exhaust themselves forcing results, your best gifts will come through openness and relaxation. Protect your permeability like the superpower it is.
INTERVIEW:
SNOW THA PRODUCT
There’s no one quite like Snow Tha Product in today’s rap game. Raised in the Bay Area’s hip-hop scene, the Mexican-American, bilingual, queer MC has built a career on doing things her own way, standing on business regardless of shifting trends or outside influences.
Proudly Latina, she keeps her roots close, channeling the voices and stories of underrepresented communities into sharp, fearless lyricism. That authenticity has earned her a fiercely loyal fan base, one that has only grown since she chose to go independent in 2018. More than 15 years in, Snow isn’t slowing down. If anything, she’s getting bigger, bolder and more intentional.
“I’m really on legacy mode right now,” she says. “These are the memories I want people to remember me by, and I want to remember my career by.”
Now touring behind her sprawling 30-track album Before I Crashout, the spicy wordsmith is set to perform at House of Blues on March 21. Read our full interview with the artist now at lasvegasweeky.com. –Gabriela Rodriguez
Photo courtesy/Miguel Madriz
Take and Make - Women in Music
Kits will include a guitar craft, writing prompt, word search, and more.
Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
During business hours, while supplies last.
BLUE DIAMOND LIBRARY
AGES: All
Tales and Mocktails – “The Women”
Enjoy a drink, make new friends, and discuss Kristin Hannah’s popular historical fiction.
Friday, March 20 | 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
WINDMILL LIBRARY
AGES: Adults
Celebrating Women’s History Through Music
CELEBRATE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH AT
THE LIBRARY DISTRICT
Marina Pendleton Concert
Performing songs written by Dolly Parton, Elizabeth Cotten, Loretta Lynn, Ola Belle Reed, and Cindy Walker.
Saturday, March 21 | 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
WINDMILL LIBRARY
Sunday, March 22 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
SAHARA WEST LIBRARY
AGES: Adults
Join the Nevada Chamber Orchestra for this extraordinary tribute to women composers.
Friday, March 20 | 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
WEST CHARLESTON LIBRARY
AGES: Adults
Women’s Adventure Film Festival
Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled showcase of courage and triumph that will ignite your spirit.
Saturday, March 21 | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
CLARK COUNTY LIBRARY - MAIN THEATER
AGES: Adults
A Celebration of Women’s History: presented by EmpowerHer
Performing artists with Miss Juneteenth Nevada & the Queens Court will honor the achievements of six women throughout history through narration and music.
Saturday, March 21 | 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
WHITNEY LIBRARY
AGES: Adults
Yayoi Kusama Art: Women’s History
Explore the colorful, dot-filled world of the Japanese artist!
Tuesday, March 31
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
WHITNEY LIBRARY
AGES: Kids and Tweens
Shop ... Slay ... and Soul
Shop our Women’s Marketplace, network at our Mixer, enjoy a fashion show by Veronica Rene, and live soulful music.
Tuesday, March 31 | 4 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
WEST LAS VEGAS LIBRARY
AGES: Adults
Free & open to the public. Scan for even more events & programs this month.
