2026-04-16-Las-Vegas-Weekly

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EDITORIAL

Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com) Managing Editor BROCK RADKE (brock.radke@gmgvegas.com) Arts & Entertainment Editor AMBER SAMPSON (amber.sampson@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writer GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ (gabriela.rodriguez@gmgvegas.com) Staff Writer TYLER SCHNEIDER (tyler.schneider@gmgvegas.com) Contributing Writers GRACE DA ROCHA, HILLARY DAVIS, KATIE ANN MCCARVER Contributing Editors RAY BREWER, CASE KEEFER, DAVE MONDT Office Coordinator NADINE GUY

CREATIVE

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STEP BACK INTO TIME...

THAT MUSIC HISTORY WAS MADE. Experience the exact setlist that captivated the world and cemented The King’s reign.

IN ADDITION TO THE SHOW, EXPERIENCE: Special Guest Speakers including:

Karaoke with The King at 8:00 p.m.

Sam Thompson & Charles Stone on July 31

Live Music in the I-Bar and Lobby

Estelle Brown, Kim Davis & Sandi Miller on August 1

Blue Hawaii Pool Party on August 1

Theater Tours Drink and Food Specials

T A B L E

O F

C O N T E N T S

ON THE COVER

16 WRESTLEMANIA RETURNS WWE’s premiere event turns up the theatrics for its second straight year in Las Vegas.

COVER PHOTO Courtesy/WWE

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WEEKLY Q&A UNLV professor Thomas Bjelic builds worlds of cinema through sound.

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SPORTS A look at positions the Raiders will target in the NFL Draft.

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NEWS An assessment of the threatened desert tortoise and conservation efforts.

MUSIC Darkwave duo Ultra Sunn channels club catharsis at Bizarre Bar.

THE STRIP Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis bring a legacy of hit songs to Voltaire.

FOOD & DRINK Vegas Unstripped returns to Palms with a killer lineup of chefs.

Nevada Shakespeare Festival stages Henry V, a chalk festival takes over the Arts District, San Diego’s Raised by Wolves pops up at Nocturno and more.

Want More? Visit lasvegasweekly.com.

WWE superstar Liv Morgan (Courtesy WWE)

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SUPERGUIDE THURSDAY APRIL 16

FRIDAY APRIL 17 DOWNTOWN SAZON LATIN BLOCK PARTY With Dani Flow, more, 7 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, seetickets.us.

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JACKSON DEAN 8 p.m., Bel-Aire Backyard, axs.com.

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WWE SMACKDOWN 4:30 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

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JERRY SEINFELD 8 p.m., & 4/18, the Colosseum, ticketmaster.com.

WET LEG 6 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.

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CHELCIE LYNN 8 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.

BILLY GARDELL 7 & 9 p.m., the Railhead, ticketmaster.com.

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NEVADA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: HENRY V “Every subject’s duty is the king’s, but every subject’s soul is his own,” says the titular character in Shakespeare’s King Henry V, arguing that subjects should serve the king, but when it comes to death in battle, that’s on them. That logic might hit close to home for anyone paying attention to the recent actions of our Commander in Chief or his war secretary.

Current events and politics aside, Nevada Shakespeare Festival promises 80 minutes of wigs, masks, puppetry, mediocre French accents and plenty of epic swordfights in its creative staging of the play at the new Las Vegas Civic Center. Don’t forget to reserve your spot! 7 p.m., free, Carolyn G. Goodman Plaza, eventbrite.com. –Shannon Miller

PHISH Thru 4/18, 8 p.m., Sphere, ticketmaster.com.

MENT’OR YOUNG CHEF & COMMIS COMPETITIONS 8:30 a.m., UNLV, mentorbkb.org.

THIRD DAY With Zach Williams, 7 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com.

EGGY 11 p.m., & 4/17, Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.

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ZEDD 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com.

METRO BOOMIN 10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.

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DOWNTOWN MAIN EVENT Fremont Street Experience throws down for WrestleMania weekend! Featuring multi-platinum hard-rock band Drowning Pool, best known for their hit “Bodies,” this free concert takes over the 1st Street Stage near Binion’s and Circa. Plus, visit the WWE Undisputed Championship Title belt photo op, the ultimate fan photo moment in Downtown Las Vegas. 9 p.m., vegasexperience.com.

DO IT ALL

ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK 7 p.m., & 4/18, Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com.

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BULLY RAY’S ROOFTOP ROCKER With Jenna Palmer, Spandex Nation, 9 p.m., Ghostbar, palms.com.

JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS 9 p.m., & 4/18, 4/22, Voltaire, voltairelv.com.

HOME & HISTORY LAS VEGAS HERITAGE FESTIVAL Thru 4/19, times & venues vary, nevada preservation.org.

TY SEGALL With Primitive Ring, 8 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com.

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CHEAP TRICK 8:30 p.m., & 4/18, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com.

FRANKY PEREZ AND THE ALL NIGHTERS 8 p.m., Carnival Midway at Circus Circus, circuscircus.com.

(Courtesy)

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ARTS

SPORTS

FOOD

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L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

MISC

SATURDAY APRIL 18 DO IT ALL

S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 42 2:30 p.m., & 4/19, Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com.

LAS VEGAS DESERT DOGS VS. SAN DIEGO SEALS 7 p.m., Lee’s Family Forum, axs.com.

REGGAE IN THE DESERT 11 a.m., Clark County Government Amphitheater, seetickets.us.

MASTER BBQ SHOWDOWN 6 a.m., Downtown Grand, eventbrite.com.

LAS VEGAS CELTIC FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES 9 a.m., & 4/19, Craig Ranch Park, lasvegasceltic society.org.

TOUR DE SUMMERLIN Times vary, Downtown Summerlin, tour desummerlin.com.

Chalk art by Chris Ogburn Courtesy/Greg Anderson

CHALK IT DOWN! When people hear the words “street art,” they tend to think of graffiti and murals and write off the impermanent medium of chalk. It’s true that it can be wiped away with one powerwash, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful or impactful. To prove it, the 18b Arts District Association and Market in the Alley host the third annual Chalk It Down!

Festival with 60 artists making chalk art in real time along Main and Commerce Streets. Imperial and Colorado Avenues will be closed to traffic for this event, where visitors can watch from first sketch to finished masterpiece, vote for their favorites and enjoy family-friendly activities, demonstrations and vendors.

10 a.m., free, Arts District, 18b.org. –Shannon Miller

BOXING: MANNY PACQUIAO VS. RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV 5 p.m., Thomas & Mack Center, unlvticktets.com.

LAS VEGAS ROCKERS VS. PENNSYLVANIA BENJAMINS 6:30 p.m., Orleans Arena, ticketmaster.com.

TASTE OF STATION 6 p.m., Red Rock Resort Pool, redrockresort. com.

CHELSEA HANDLER 8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com.

TIM ALLEN 10 p.m., David Copperfield Theater, mgmgrand.com.

BERNADETTE PETERS 7:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter. com.

JSTJR 7 p.m., Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, seetickets.us.

MATISYAHU 6 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.

GRAHAM LESH & FRIENDS 11 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.

DIPLO AND RIC FLAIR 11 a.m., Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com.

DAVID GUETTA 11 a.m., LIV Beach, livnightclub.com.

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TIËSTO 11 a.m., Palm Tree Beach Club, taogroup.com.

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STEVE AOKI 11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, taogroup.com.

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LIL WAYNE 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com.

MARSHMELLO 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.

50 CENT 10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.

MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK 7 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.

F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY.C O M .

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SUPERGUIDE SUNDAY APRIL 19

MONDAY APRIL 20 S P OT L I G H T E V E N T

ARI LENNOX 8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com.

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D.R.I. With Deathwish, Clusterfux, Terror Attack, Mersa, 8 p.m., Backstage Bar & Billiards, seetickets.us.

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CHUWI 7 p.m., House of Blues, ticketmaster.com.

Courtesy

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Courtesy/Shervin Lainez

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J BOOG Reggae favorite J Boog brings his smooth vocals and island-infused sound to Bel-Aire Backyard at Durango Resort on April 20. Known for hits like “Let’s Do It Again,” J Boog blends soulful melodies with classic reggae rhythms, creating an uplifting, feel-good live experience.

8 p.m., axs.com.

FRANK MARINO’S DIVAS, DRAG & DRINKS 4 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com.

MANIFEST ACADEMY UPRISING 1 p.m., Downtown Container Park, manifestacademylv. org.

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JERMAINE DUPRI 11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, taogroup.com.

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GRONK BEACH 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com.

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HNTR 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.

MUSIC

DO IT ALL DAVID BYRNE 8 p.m., the Colosseum, ticketmaster.com.

PARTY

YASMIN LEVY 8 p.m., Sahara Theatre, ticketmaster.com.

WWE RAW 4:30 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

KEPI GHOULIE With Femaliens, Suburban Resistance, 9 p.m., Red Dwarf, reddwarflv.com.

MONDAYS DARK 8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdark.com.

ARTS

SPORTS

SIP & SAVOR GRAND TASTING 7 p.m., UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality, Downtown Grand, whleadershipconf. com.

FOOD

EXHIBIT: SIAPO: CONTINUING A SAMOAN LEGACY Thru 5/21, Mon.-Thu. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Henderson City Hall, cityofhenderson.com.

COMEDY

MISC

*Spotlight events are sponsored

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SUPERGUIDE MUSIC

PARTY

ARTS

TUESDAY APRIL 21

SPORTS

FOOD

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WEDNESDAY APRIL 22

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RAISED BY WOLVES POP-UP If you’ve dabbled in San Diego cocktail culture, chances are good you’ve heard of the award-winning Raised By Wolves.

This upscale speakeasy, hidden behind a revolving fireplace entrance inside a bottle shop, is highly regarded for its aged spirits and creative cocktails like the Tiramisu Tini and Island Old-Fashioned. Now, the San Diego bar has teamed up with Downtown’s Nocturno for a one-night tasting experience designed around Raised by Wolves’ seasonal menu with paired bites from Nocturno. Hear the stories behind the best sips and drink in the atmosphere as mixologists from Raised by Wolves set the scene over a four-course presentation. Times vary, $120, Nocturno, nocturnovegas.com.

–Amber Sampson

Courtesy

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THE B-52S 8 p.m., & 4/24-4/25, Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com.

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LAS VEGAS AVIATORS VS. SALT LAKE BEES Thru 4/25, 7:05 p.m., Las Vegas Ballpark, ticketmaster.com.

TERRY FATOR Thru 4/23, 7 p.m., South Point Showroom, ticketmaster.com.

DO IT ALL

JIMMY HOPPER 6 p.m., Composers Room, thecomposers room.com.

JUSTIN MYLO 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com.

CARLOS MENCIA Thru 4/23, 9:30 p.m., Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com.

JACK EVAN JOHNSON & JAMES NORMAN Spoken word and acoustic sound bloom and break open in Dustland’s backyard oasis this week. Former journalist and lifelong wordsmith Jack Evan Johnson brings Nashville twang through rock and roll bones with songs that wander and remember.

James Norman, homegrown poet and carpenter, reads from a body of work that is shaped by distance and return. The two are working this thing out here before driving off into the sunset to share their art with venues in Arizona and California. Get in on this unique and moving dynamic and absorb what the artists’ Americana-inspired work has become. 6 p.m., free, Dustland Bar, thedustlandbar.com.

–Gabriela Rodriguez

PHARCYDE With Mike Xavier, 7:30 p.m., Brooklyn Bowl, ticketmaster.com.

BUCKY HEARD & JOHN WEDEMEYER 8 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com.

DAVE DAMIANI & SAL VALENTINETTI 7 p.m., Vic’s, vicslasvegas.com.

GREEN OUR PLANET STUDENT FARMERS MARKET 9:30 a.m., Downtown Summerlin, green ourplanet.org.

UNLV COMMUNITY CONCERT & NEW HORIZONS BANDS 7:30 p.m., Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall, unlv.edu.

ERIC FORBES 9 p.m., Ghostbar, palms.com.

OMAR+ 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com.

UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS

SPECIAL OFFER:

UNLV’s annual series featuring nationally and internationally known guest lecturers

$

215

Brooke Shields Actress, Model, Bestselling Author, & Founder, Commence LASTING RESULTS. REAL CHANGE. Includes an initial consultation with a licensed medical provider, a full physical exam, complete body composition analysis, and your first dose of medication.

New patients only, cannot be combined with other offers

2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: 3365 E. Flamingo Road, Ste 2 Las Vegas, NV 89121 4966 S Rainbow Blvd STE 100 Las Vegas, NV 89118

From Icon To Author: Brooke Shields On Life In The Spotlight

Monday, April 20, 2026 | 7:30 p.m.

Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall Tickets are strictly limited to 2 per person and are ONLY available at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office, Tuesday–Saturday 12 p.m.–6 p.m. For information, call (702) 895-ARTS; however, tickets cannot be reserved by phone.

UNLV Faculty, Staff and Students may obtain tickets beginning at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1. A valid UNLV Rebelcard is required.

The General Public may obtain tickets beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 4.

THE EDWARD BARRICK Endowment Fund was established at UNLV in 1980 and makes possible the Lecture Series and the Barrick Graduate Fellowships, Barrick Faculty Development and Travel Fund, and the Barrick Research Scholars Fund.

AA/EEO

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SOUND ADVICE

Film industry vet and UNLV professor Thomas Bjelic on building worlds of cinema through sound

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W E E K L Y

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BY AMBER SAMPSON

Photo by Christopher DeVargas

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here are a few key items UNLV assistant professor Thomas Bjelic doesn’t leave the house without: his keys, his wallet … and his microphone. A sound designer for more than 30 years, Bjelic has built a career on a lifetime of listening. He’s amassed hundreds of credits while working on blockbuster horror franchises like Saw, BBC sci-fi thrillers like Orphan Black and films for the father of body horror, David Cronenberg.

“We are all very sophisticated listeners, especially people who are cinephiles. We have a high bar. We may not know exactly what’s going on in all the minutiae of what it is that we’re hearing, but we’re very sophisticated,” Bjelic tells the Weekly from his home studio.

“If there’s a line of dialogue that’s out of sync, we’re on it. You’ll bump on it.

You’ll get knocked out of the film bubble. There’s that old expression: The greatest compliment film sound people can ever get is to not be noticed.”

Before Bjelic captured sounds for the silver screen, he lived in Toronto, Canada, where he originally planned to produce music. That all shifted after he enrolled in film school—initially just to use the recording studio—and became immersed in the medium. The award-winning designer eventually became a founding partner of Urban Post, one of Canada’s largest sound and picture post-production studios, before finding his calling in the classroom. Drawn to the “unbridled creative capacity” of student filmmakers, Bjelic joined UNLV’s Department of Film in 2021.

You worked on two films that are in theaters this year—the hockey drama Youngblood and the queer romance Maya and Samar. How did you work between such drastically different genres?

That’s what I love, is the fact that you never know what you’re gonna get when you work on the film. And that’s why it is not even for an instant, ever boring.

It never feels tired because one day I’m working on trying to figure out the sound of center ice in an intense hockey game where it’s gladiatorial, they’re ripping

each other apart. And you want to try and build that world on ice. And then the next part, you’re trying to figure out that you’re world-building for the alternative underground dance scene in Greece. It’s a completely different kind of a world.

You’re painting with sound like it’s colors, and you’re trying to figure out all the different layers and tones in your palette to try and make that feel legit.

In Greece, you have the crowds. Even things like the traffic ambiance are all different in Europe than they are here.

You’re building that world, and it changes with every film. When I was doing Everest, suddenly you’re in Kathmandu, and you’re trying to build the world of Kathmandu, or you’re on the Kumba glacier with the sound of the climbers, and all of their movements with their ice axes. They’re very different worlds.

Every film is a completely different set of principles.

What’s the research process like for a sound designer?

You have to spend a lifetime listening and collecting sounds. I’ve been doing it now for three and a half decades. I have a vast library of just sounds I’ve collected over the years so that I always have some sort of place to start. …We talked about the climbers on Everest right? Of course, I get the film delivered to me, and it’s mid-summer. It’s 95 degrees in Toronto.

So, I needed to find a way of recording all that human movement, because, again, it’s a very specific sound. They have their crampons. They have their ice axes.

They’re covered in climbing gear, and they have a jangle when they walk. It’s a completely different sort of sound.

So late at night, when the city is really quiet, I’d go to hockey arenas and where the Zambonis clean the ice, they’d pile big piles of snow and ice out in their parking lots. And I thought, This is it. So I would go out there, set up microphones in the middle of the night with my laptop and my recorders, get the crampons on and record all these sounds. Of course, the security or a cop car always drives up, and it’s one of these, what the hell are you doing moments. I have to sort of explain what it is that I’m doing. And a lot of the time, they’ll join me in the recording.

What’s the weirdest way you’ve captured a sound?

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I know one where I’ve had to recreate someone having a vision and a dream sequence of being born. The birthing canal, the whole thing. It was a surrealistic moment. So one day, I took apart a microphone, took the capsule, put it in a condom, and wrapped it up and flushed it down the toilet, and pulled it back up in the mic cable, and went and listened to it. It is the most insane sound that I’ve used so much for spaceships launching and all kinds of stuff.

You just have to do a lot of experimentation, a lot of recording. I’ve recorded a lot of vehicles. I’ve accidentally blown up vehicles. Lots of mistakes have been made, but a lot of it is part of that trial and error. Every time I go on vacation, I’m always bringing a microphone.

How do you feel about films where sound becomes the central character? A Quiet Place had such a heavy emphasis on sound, and that new podcast horror film Undertone, too.

There’s something really cerebral about how a human being reacts to sound. We react to visual media differently than we react to sound. I remember cutting a very gruesome scene of Saw one day in my home studio. It was one of the pretty crazy, full-on body horror scenes.

While I was working on it, I heard a stir in the back of the room. I saw my two young kids standing at the door in shock.

And I thought, uh-oh! [Laughs.]

So I sat them down. I got rid of the horror, and we started doing silly things like putting burps in and putting farts in and weird stuff like that. They started howling and laughing, but the visual media didn’t change. It’s like, wow, sound really does take it into the realm of our psyche in ways that visually might not get there.

You mention A Quiet Place. Like, how great is that? Even just a bare foot walking on sand suddenly becomes the loudest thing in the film, and how much tension you derive from that. When we strip things away, and suddenly things that we normally expect to be really quiet … we’re hearing in great detail, takes on another level of our experience to it.

Read more of this interview at lasvegasweekly.com.

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Randy Orton, shown during last year’s WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Allegiant Stadium on April 18.

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WRESTLEMANIA 42 April 18-19, 2:30 p.m., $164+.

Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com.

L A S V E G A S W E E K LY

How pro wrestling has reached unprecedented global popularity, and why Las Vegas is a perfect fit

BY BROCK RADKE Have you been watching the latest smash on Netflix? It’s quite the spectacle. There’s pageantry, elaborate costuming, heroes and villains battling through tests of strength and unbelievable acrobatic artistry—kinda reminds us of the Cirque du Soleil shows that have played out on the Las Vegas Strip for decades.

And there’s a whole lot of drama.

One of the show’s main storylines centers on two weary warriors with a long, complicated history. One is a true rebel, a champion who won’t be compromised, a fighter whose words are at least as lethal as his fists. The other is descendant of a legendary lineage, a dominating and charismatic figure worshiped by his followers.

They’ve been sparring verbally and physically on the show every week, exchanging their most powerful blows, building up to the ultimate battle—but it won’t be a season finale.

It will happen live in Las Vegas.

The show is WWE Raw, the professional wrestling television flagship broadcast every week on cable for more than 30 years before moving to Netflix in January 2025. And the ultimate battle between CM Punk and Roman Reigns is one of the main events of WrestleMania 42, held for the second straight year at Allegiant Stadium April 18-19.

“I like a little Shakespeare, good versus evil. But what we’re doing is something with a lot more gray area.

It’s way more nuanced,” Punk tells the Weekly of his feud with Reigns. “Roman has his fans and he is who he is, and I have my fans and I am who I am.

The best way to describe it is, we’re two a**holes and people just like watching us be a**holes to each other.

“We’re trying to ride that wave and let the chips fall where they may. Boo me, cheer me, the plan in Vegas is to make them ride that rollercoaster and

be real loud when they’re doing it.”

That audience response is what pro wrestling is and has always been about, and it’s never been more loud.

Every Monday night episode of WWE Raw—and every Friday night episode of the company’s other weekly show, Smackdown on the USA network—is also a live event taking place in an arena across the country or around the world, packed with thousands of fans. That gives the TV broadcasts the energy of a highly-charged sporting event, but one with considerably more theatricality.

In its first year on Netflix, Raw placed on the platform’s Global Top 10 English TV chart 47 of 52 weeks, averaging over three million viewers each week. On cable, the show averaged around 1.6 million weekly viewers.

WWE’s live events broke arena gate records three times in 2025, first at the Netflix debut in January at the Intuit Dome in LA, second at the same venue in June for the Money In The Bank premium live event (PLE, the term used now for pay-per-view events), and finally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. in December during the retirement match of John Cena, one of wrestling’s all-time most popular performers. And WrestleMania 41 in April 2025 was hailed as the biggest event in WWE history, drawing 124,693 fans over two nights at Allegiant, with viewership up 114% from the previous year.

It’s clear that pro wrestling—and specifically its leading company, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)—has never been more popular than it is today. But how did it expand from that initial mainstream cultural breakthrough in the 1980s and intense cable TV competition in the 1990s into today’s landscape of massive corporate partnerships, global streaming and live events worthy of Las Vegas’ biggest and best venues?

“Ask me that 10 times and you’ll

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get 10 different answers,” says Punk, a 47-year-old veteran who began his career as a teenager on the independent circuit (real name: Phil Brooks). “I fancy myself a bit of a historian and I know the roots of wrestling, and when color TV got introduced in the ’50s, one of the first programs as a whole was pro wrestling. It’s always been this bedrock of American subculture.

“It’s ebbed and flowed and I think people disrespect it, look down on it as a form of entertainment, say it’s fake and other stuff. I’ve been doing it so long, this stuff doesn’t offend me anymore.

I liken it to religion: any explanation I give you will not suffice, but if you get it, you don’t need to defend it or try to make an explanation to anyone else.”

* * * * * * Always a powerful cultural influence, nostalgia has played a significant role in the current popularity surge of pro wrestling.

Canadian-born entertainment reporter Chris Van Vliet, who started posting videos of his interviews with celebrities and wrestling stars on YouTube leading to the creation of his Insight podcast, believes the pandemic-era shift in entertainment was a factor as well.

“People were searching for a live experience, being part of something with other people after they weren’t able to do it. Some of the biggest moments of the last 10 years in wrestling were coming right out of the pandemic,” he says.

“WWE had some really strong storylines led by the Bloodline

and Roman Reigns, which injected something new.

“I also think we’re at this interesting crossroads right now where there are iconic characters people grew up with—John Cena, Randy Orton, AJ Styles—and then a new era of young superstars who are just coming up, an interesting intersection of young and old generations.”

A lifelong fan, Van Vliet approaches his in-depth interviews on Insight with a passion for pro wrestling and an appreciation for the little details that go into this unique form of entertainment; that’s why his wrestling podcast is likely the most successful one out there. Just like he did last year, he’s bringing a live show to Las Vegas during WrestleMania week, April 16 at Circa.

“This is my 14th WrestleMania and I’ve gone to all

S T O R Y

kinds of different cities for it, but Las Vegas is the perfect place to host,” Van Vliet says. “There’s so much going on that in some cities, it’s so spread out, you can almost forget this massive event is happening. When it was in New York, there were all these events in Brooklyn and the convention in Manhattan, but WrestleMania itself was in New Jersey.

“I love that in Vegas, from the convention to the appearances to the Hall of Fame to Smackdown to Raw to WrestleMania itself, it’s all right there on the Strip. It’s a beautiful thing that just doesn’t exist elsewhere.”

The Miz, a consistent presence in WWE for 25 years and multiple-time champion, carries an extra appreciation for WrestleMania’s return to Las Vegas, because he moved here about a year ago.

“I was expecting to be on the Strip a lot, but I barely go. The parks are unbelievable, the best I’ve seen. The hiking trails, the amount of stuff to do here for how small it is, it’s insane.

I don’t think there’s any other place like this,” he says. “No city can handle WrestleMania better in my opinion, or a Super Bowl, or soon, the World Series or the NBA. It’s got everything.”

The Miz (real name: Michael Mizanin) is a veteran TV personality in addition to his wrestling life; he first appeared on MTV’s The Real World and Road Rules reality shows, and eventually starred in his own reality series with his wife. WrestleMania Vegas week also brings the premiere of his new gig, hosting the reboot of American Gladiators debuting on Amazon Prime Video on April 17.

“WWE shows have always been exciting and loud, but it’s more popular now than it’s ever been

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since we started with Netflix, as well as USA and the ESPN app for [pay-per-view] events, and that benefits the live audience because it brings a bigger audience to us,” Miz says. “When I started, it wasn’t always sold-out arenas. Now there are so many elite superstars, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk and Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre—and myself, of course—all these big names we put on the marquee.”

There are more superstars and more ways to watch them battle it out these days, but as Van Vliet explains, wrestling is not just in arenas and on TV anymore.

“One of the biggest differences now is everything counts. In the past, storylines began when the episode started and ended when the show ended, then it picks up the following week,”

Courtesy

he says. “In this era, you have social media, where someone puts something out on Instagram or X that stirs the pot a bit, and that can be worked into the story. Someone says something during a podcast or TV appearance, and that’s a part of this. It all plays into how these storylines have been able to grow and develop.” * * * * * * If you were a fan as a kid and returned to pro wrestling now as a grownup, you’d notice that not only are the matches better and the stories more enthralling, they’re also more diverse.

In-ring performers from all over the world are featured regularly, and there’s been an influx of Mexican wrestlers since WWE acquired leading lucha libre

promotion AAA last year—notably including the mysteriously masked Pénta, who will defend the Intercontinental Championship against five opponents during night two of WrestleMania.

But the biggest difference from decades past has to be the women.

Early pay-per-view events would typically feature only one women’s match, and when the female roster expanded, the characters and storylines were overwhelmingly sexualized and objectified. That changed gradually, but today, the women are some of WWE’s biggest stars, their matches are often the highlight of any TV episode or live event, and their storylines are at least as compelling as those of their male counterparts.

“Women’s wrestling can always improve but it’s at the top

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Lo from Wrestling Winedown (Courtesy)

of its game right now,” says Lo, a Vegas native, UNLV graduate and the founder of Wrestling Winedown, a podcast and female-centric merch store. “In WWE, Rhea Ripley is a household name. You have superstars like Jade Cargill, Charlotte Flair—Ric Flair’s daughter— and all different women from all different walks of life who are so talented. They’re also able to do media events, be in movies, and just show how they can be a Jane-of-all-trades inside and outside the ring.”

Lo is one of those fans who caught the bug in her youth and came back to it as an adult, and then she launched Wrestling Winedown (wrestlingwine downlv.com) in 2019, likely one of the pioneering female-focused content creators in the genre. She’ll be slinging her unique apparel at WrestleCon at Horseshoe Las Vegas during the weekend.

“As a woman who likes pro wrestling, it’s always a defense type of thing. Male fans think that women don’t know as much, they’re not as in tune. But I’ve been around so many different women and they know everything about wrestling,” Lo says.

“They just have this enthusiasm and hunger, they go to shows

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and understand it fully just like any sport. And WWE has said that 40 to 50% of the fanbase is women. They are here and passionate about it.”

One of Lo’s most anticipated WrestleMania bouts this year is the Women’s World Championship match between upstart champ Stephanie Vaquer and troublemaking mainstay Liv Morgan. But since she’s a big part of the villainous group known as the Judgement Day, don’t be surprised to also see Morgan spring into action when her boyfriend Dirty Dominik Mysterio battles former group member Finn Bálor.

“If you’re talking about Judgement Day, you can expect the unexpected, and expect things to get a bit messy,” Morgan tells the Weekly.

The 31-year-old from New Jersey (real name: Gionna Daddio) has been performing in WWE for more than a decade and is a prime example of the evolution of women’s wrestling— given a bigger spotlight and juicier role, she’s shined as a captivating performer. In 2024, Morgan anchored a main storyline that saw her take out her chief rival (Ripley), steal Ripley’s boyfriend (Mysterio) and title in one

C O V E R

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night, and essentially take over the Judgement Day. After an injury kept her out of action for portions of 2025, Morgan returned to win the Royal Rumble in January and earn her shot at Vaquer’s title.

“My whole career has always been really focused on the wrestling aspect, and the one thing I was missing was a solidified character and story to sink my teeth into,” she says. “It’s hard to have that character if you’re not in the storylines. I got injured before my revenge tour, and it gave me time to sit with myself for the first time as an adult woman who started in this business when she was 20 years old, and it gave me the perspective I didn’t know I was looking for. It also allowed me to prepare what I wanted my comeback to look like.”

After all that growth and development, she’s back for another big battle in Las Vegas. “It’s chaotic,” Morgan says of visiting this city.

“Last year we had a record-setting WrestleMania and we’re set on outdoing ourselves.”

WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque at WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium in 2025. (Courtesy)

Like Electric Daisy Carnival or National Finals Rodeo, WrestleMania has a way of taking over the city. But WWE events are far from the only offering—there are comedy shows, karaoke, parties, conventions and other ring action that should not be missed, such as the first standalone event ever held outside of Mexico in the 92-year history of Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre. Here’s a schedule:

THU 16

FRI 17

■ WWE World at Las Vegas Convention Center, thru 4/20, wweworld.com.

■ Slam Fest with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling and more at Palms, thru 4/18, palms.com.

■ WrestleCon Las Vegas at Horseshoe, thru 4/19, wrestlecon.com.

■ WrestleLit Vegas Kickoff Party at Substance, substancelv.com.

■ West Coast vs. The World at Bizarre Bar, eventbrite.com.

■ Future Stars of Wrestling at HyperX Arena, thru 4/18, fswvegas.com.

■ Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet at Circa, cvvtix.com.

■ First Crush by Trish Stratus at Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, thru 4/19, flankerlv.com.

■ WrestleVault Weekend at CardVault by Tom Brady at Mandalay Bay, thru 4/19, cardvaultbytombrady.com.

■ Mic Drop Mayhem at the Wall at Area15, area15.com.

■ WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony at Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com.

■ WWE Friday Night Smackdown at T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

■ PrideStyle: Out of This World at Bizarre Bar, pridestylepro.com.

■ Wrestlemania 42 Vegas Kickoff Party at Area15, area15.com.

■ The World’s Strongest DJ and Grip Strength Competition with Mark Henry at New York-New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, newyorknewyork.com.

■ Divas and Drag Wrestling at the Portal at Area15, area15.com.

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Courtesy

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SAT 18 ■ Kill Tony: WrestleMania at Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com.

■ PrideStyle: Sobre La Luna at Fergusons Downtown, pridestylepro.com.

■ Hardcore Karaoke with Mick Foley at Ellis Island Casino, ellisislandcasino.com.

■ WhatCulture Wrestling podcast at Public House Luxor, thru 4/19, whatculture.com.

■ GCW presents Effy’s Big Gay Brunch at Horseshoe, eventbrite.com.

■ Country Mania at Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Bar, jasonaldeansbarlv.com.

SUN 19 Gronk Beach at Night at Marquee Dayclub, taogroup.com.

MON 20 WWE Monday Night Raw at T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.

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+

Every Earth Day is a reminder that small, daily choices can have a lasting impact on our environment. From what we buy to what we discard, simple decisions affect how much waste ends up in landfills, and donating clothing and household goods can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Goodwill of Southern Nevada’s efforts in the Valley showcase this cycle in action. The nonprofit serves as a hub for donations that are resold, reused or recycled, with proceeds directed toward free workforce development programs, career services and training that support the local economy.

WHAT ITEMS CAN GO TO GOODWILL? Goodwill accepts a wide range of household items, including housewares, furniture, physical media, sporting goods, appliances, home decor, holiday decorations, electronics and even used vehicles.

Drop off at several retail locations and donation centers throughout Southern Nevada or schedule a home pick-up appointment. Goodwill may not be able to accept items that are large, damaged, require specialized handling, or otherwise cannot be resold. A full list of accepted items is available at goodwillvegas.org.

Goodwill of Southern Nevada diverted 30.3 million pounds of usable items away from landfills in 2025. Instead of a negative impact on the environment, these donations made a positive impact on the community.

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23I

CREATED AND PRESENTED BY

G O O DW I L L O F S O U T H E R N N E VA DA

WHAT’S THE COMMUNITY IMPACT? Revenue from the sale of clothing and household items donated to Goodwill fuel community programs that have had a profound impact on Southern Nevada residents.

The nonprofit offers free career coaching, information sessions and workshops, as well as trainto-hire programs that prepare participants for in-demand careers and employment in three months or less.

Job-specific training is available in fast-growing local industries such as health care and stagehand, and Goodwill of Southern Nevada offers five disability training programs for those living with disabilities, including the Community Based Training program, the Student Work Experience and more.

Additionally, Goodwill offers career coaching for veterans, military families and spouses of active-duty service members.

In 2025, Goodwill of Southern Nevada reported that 12,100 Southern Nevadans were supported by its free career services and nearly 3,500 were placed into local employment. That impact was directly fueled by 877,800 donation drops from the local community.

WHERE ELSE CAN I DONATE? Consider resources like Trashie to earn cash and rewards for sending used but clean clothes, sheets, comforters, towels and other textiles.

Terracycle accepts clothing, hygiene items, pens, toys, kitchen items and more.

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N E W S

IN THE NEWS

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HOUSING HELP

Officials break ground at an April 9 ceremony for the Marble Manor project near Washington Avenue and H Street. The redevelopment effort will nearly triple the number of housing units at the Historic Westside public housing complex. From left: Las Vegas City Councilwoman Nancy Brune; Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev.; Fred Haron, chief administrative officer for the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA); Congressman Steven Horsford, D-Nev.; Lewis Jordan, executive director of SNRHA; and Clark County Commissioner William McCurdy II. (Steve Marcus/Staff)

POLITICS

Rosen pushes against resuming explosive saying in October, “We’ve halted [testing] many years ago, but with nuclear testing at Nevada site others doing testing I think it’s approU.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., visited the Nevada National Security Site last week to observe how scientists certify the nation’s nuclear stockpile without detonating weapons, her office said in a news release.

The site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, is the only facility in the country where subcritical experiments are conducted to verify the safety, reliability and effectiveness of the nuclear stockpile.

Rosen toured an underground laboratory undergoing a major mining and construction project that will house two advanced radiographic machines, her office said. Experts say those machines will provide greater data certainty about stockpile performance than an explosive test would.

“Nevada knows firsthand the

terrible effects from explosive nuclear testing,” Rosen said in a statement.

“When it comes to the radiation unleashed by these tests, what happens in Nevada won’t just stay in Nevada— the entire country will feel the harm from these explosive tests.”

Rosen, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said she received commitments from every nominee to lead the National Nuclear Security Administration that there is no need to resume explosive nuclear testing.

The Nevada National Security Site served as the primary location for U.S. nuclear testing from 1951 to 1992, where 100 atmospheric and 828 underground tests were conducted.

President Donald Trump has brought up the possibility of the U.S. resuming testing of nuclear weapons,

priate to do so.”

However, Energy Secretary Chris Wright sought to dampen the language coming from the administration, telling Fox News that the U.S. would not do nuclear explosion tests, but system tests or “noncritical explosions.”

For decades, directors of national laboratories, commanders of U.S. Strategic Command, and secretaries of Defense and Energy—including during both terms of the Trump administration—have annually certified the military effectiveness of the stockpile and confirmed that explosive testing is not required.

Rosen led the Nevada congressional delegation in sending a letter to the administration expressing opposition to any presidential directive to restart such testing. –Las Vegas Sun Staff

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I am grateful to God for sending us Pope Leo XIV, who is willing to speak truth to power just when we need him the most. … We know that he will be unfazed by the President’s ad hominem attacks and sophomoric rhetoric. He is doing what every spiritual leader is called to do—to pray for peace, to call for the protection of helpless civilians, and to plead for world leaders to end mass destruction and armed conflict in every part of the world.”

–Las Vegas Archbishop George Leo Thomas. President Trump criticized Pope Leo on Truth Social after the faith leader suggested that a “delusion of omnipotence” is fueling the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

DINING

Bellagio’s landmark Le Cirque to close in August The evolution of fine dining on the Las Vegas Strip continues at a rapid pace as Bellagio announced one of its original signature restaurants, Le Cirque, will close permanently after service on August 23.

A legendary New York City culinary destination founded by Sirio Maccioni in 1974, Le Cirque was one of the first restaurants to sign on for a Bellagio location prior to the resort’s opening in 1998.

The Maccioni family and Bellagio also operated Italian restaurant Osteria del Circo there until 2014.

Le Cirque in Las Vegas garnered a Michelin Star and Forbes Five-Star rating, among many other achievements. It’s currently open for dinner Thursday through Monday.

–Brock Radke

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EARTHLY CREATURES

N E W S

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E N V I R O N M E N T

Drizella (Courtesy/Tortoise Group)

Checking in on the state of Mojave desert tortoise conservation

BY TYLER SCHNEIDER

The typically solitary Mojave desert tortoise spends 95% of its life sheltering from the desert sun in self-made underground burrows.

When they do come out, they can be found snacking on native shrubs, getting in a quick tan or searching for a mate.

The official state reptile of Nevada has been classified as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 1990, with habitat loss due to human development, increased predation and disease all contributing to their declining numbers. According to a 2023 study published by Ecological Society of America, the total population fell by 36%—or an estimated 129,000 adults—between 2001 and 2020.

In honor of Earth Day, the Weekly takes a closer look at how Southern Nevada is addressing the issue.

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The captive conundrum

One can legally keep a captive desert tortoise in Nevada so long as the animal was acquired before the species was listed as threatened in 1990, is a descendant of one that was, or is adopted through the proper channels. Because it’s still illegal to take a tortoise out of state, Nevada law considers tortoise keepers to be “custodians” rather than owners.

A 2018 study from UNLV and the local nonprofit Tortoise Group estimated that more than 150,000 desert tortoises are being kept as pets throughout the Valley. Backyard breeding is a major driver of this overpopulation problem, and there simply aren’t enough people to house all of them. Ill-suited for the wild, roughly 1,000 of these captive creatures are displaced or put up for adoption annually.

As the only statewide entity permitted to facilitate desert tortoise adoption, Tortoise Group also bears an outsize responsibility in making sure these captive tortoises aren’t released into the wild.

“Things happen, people’s housing situations change, and that’s where we step in to offer resources to help people rehome them,” Tortoise Group executive director Aerial West says. “In certain emergency situations—if someone has become unhoused, or if they’re getting deployed— we will oftentimes find a way to bring that tortoise into our care.”

The nonprofit does not have enough funding or capacity to take in more than 40 to 45 tortoises at any given time, however. Under those constraints, they typically oversee 50 to 100 adoptions annually—leaving far more in need of new homes.

In addition to helping connect those who need to rehome their tortoise with new custodians, Tortoise Group provides extensive care sheets on their website and hosts public information sessions to promote proper care and handling.

Desert tortoises are strictly outdoor pets who need a minimum of 600 square feet of backyard space with an extensive burrow area, plenty of shade and fresh water and a variety of plants to forage.

Tortoise Group also cautions against transparent fencing.

“If they can see through it, they will spend every waking moment trying to dig out,” says executive director Aeriel West.

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The wild

Wild tortoises continue to face the negative impacts of the Valley’s growing urban footprint. A 2024 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey recorded 1.1 adults per square kilometer in Amargosa Valley and 1.9 in the Pahrump area—well below the agency’s minimum viable threshold of 3.9 per square kilometer.

According to a 2023 University of Nevada, Reno study, major highways like I-15 tend to isolate the tortoises—stifling their seasonal mating habits and ultimately compromising their genetic diversity in just a few generations. Roads and other developments like solar panel farms can also increase the spread of invasive plants, cut off access to water sources and erode the soils they use for burrowing.

West says Tortoise Group often inspects roadside fencing to keep wild tortoises from the roadways. But because those same fences are also the cause of isolation, the 2023 UNR study recommends adding more culverts—or underground bypass tunnels—to mitigate that problem.

Audrie Locke, public outreach coordinator for Clark County’s Desert Conservation Program, says the desert tortoise is also a “keystone species” that’s crucial for the greater Mojave ecosystem.

“They will actually dig up to 12 burrows in a year on a habitat, and those are also used by Gila monsters, snakes, burrowing owls, kit foxes and other desert wildlife,” she says. “For the sake of so many other species, it’s critical that it continues to thrive.”

The biggest non-human threat comes from a Nevada raven population that has grown five-fold since 1966, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. Ravens prey on defenseless baby tortoises, while coyotes hunt adults.

ADOPTION 101 Backyard bunker

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Preventative measures

Myrtyle (Courtesy/Tortoise Group)

Looking ahead

Locke also coordinates the county’s Mojave Max program, which utilizes a live tortoise at the Springs Preserve and a costumed mascot to educate thousands of local students on the importance of conservation.

Noting that future development of some tortoise habitat areas is “inevitable,” Locke says the educational campaigns are one way to ensure future generations continue to “balance protection with progress.”

For West, the plight of both domestic and wild desert tortoises “is not a tortoise problem, but a people problem.”

“It’s only because we decided to take them out of their natural habitat—which is also being destroyed because of human development—that these issues even happened,” West says.

The nonprofit is currently searching for a larger facility, and West says they always welcome new volunteers.

Thinking of adopting a desert tortoise? Consider this checklist your starting point to meeting your newest old friend. For more information, visit tortoisegroup.org.

Tortoises can be spayed or neutered and also microchipped. West says both are crucial for curbing the captive overpopulation issue. She recommends neutering males, if possible, as it’s a less invasive procedure than spaying a female.

Tortoise Group maintains a list of local veterinarians who perform these services and hosts a series of wellness and vaccination clinics that include free microchipping.

Plan ahead

Mojave desert tortoises can live as long as 80 to 100 years in captivity, which often makes their care a multigenerational affair. West urges people to consider this “legacy planning” before adopting.

Shutterstock

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Fernando Mendoza looks to throw during Indiana University’s NFL pro day April 1 in Bloomington, Indiana. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)

C U L T U R E

Defensive tackle Las Vegas is set on the edge of the defensive line after signing former Indianapolis Colt Kwity Paye, resigning veteran Malcolm Koonce and, most importantly, retaining superstar Maxx Crosby following a voided trade to Baltimore. But it should require a more prototypical space-eating, physical presence in the middle of the new 3-4 base defense that new coordinator Rob Leonard plans to install.

Potential Day 2 targets: Ohio State’s

MORE THAN MENDOZA A look at the positions beyond quarterback that the Raiders will target in the NFL Draft

BY CASE KEEFER

The Las Vegas Raiders were the most active team in the NFL during free agency in March, adding nearly $300 million to their personnel payroll with several high-profile signings, but that was all secondary to their top offseason focus.

The 2026 NFL Draft, which runs April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, looms as one of the biggest in the history of the franchise.

“I like the draft way more than I like free agency,” general manager John Spytek recently told Raiders. com at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting in Phoenix.

That must be especially true this year with the Raiders slotted to pick No. 1 overall while holding nine more selections through the seven total rounds. It’s a virtual guarantee they select Heisman Trophy and national championship-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza out of Indiana with the top overall pick, but there’s a lot of work to be done after that.

Despite the free-agent spending spree, Las Vegas still has several roster holes it needs to patch up beyond quarterback, starting with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round and No. 67 pick in the third round.

Here are the four positions the Raiders need to address—it’s highly likely the pair of players they take with their other two highest picks come from one of these categories, so here are some of the bigger names they could target.

Kayden McDonald, Texas Tech’s Lee Hunter.

Offensive lineman The Raiders have a first-rate center, newly-signed Tyler Linderbaum, and left tackle, franchise cornerstone Kolton Miller. They also have a promising guard in third-year player Jackson Powers-Johnson, whom they could play on either side of the line.

But it would be ideal if they could land one more tackle and one more guard to provide competition for an unproven set of other returners.

Potential Day 2 targets: Oregon

guard Emmanuel Pregnon, Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor.

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S P O R T S

Wide receiver Las Vegas has a glaring hole at No. 1 receiver, though it’s not as much of an issue as it may appear, considering tight end Brock Bowers is guaranteed to be the focal point of the passing game.

Still, the Raiders need someone with gamebreaking upside to complement the current core of Jack Bech, Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker.

Potential Day 2 targets: Indiana’s

Elijah Sarratt, Alabama’s Germie Bernard.

Defensive back Free safety looks like the biggest need with last year’s stagnation in the development of mainstay Isaiah Pola-Mao, but another strong safety is also possible given the option of using trusty veteran Jeremy Chinn more like a linebacker. The cornerback room is also thin beyond 2025 breakout signing Eric Stokes, especially if second-year player Darien Porter fails to take a leap forward.

Potential Day 2 targets: LSU safety

A.J. Haulcy, South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse.

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C U L T U R E

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M U S I C

MOVING SHADOWS Belgian darkwave duo Ultra Sunn channels club catharsis, personal reckoning and road-born mysticism on latest album and tour

Courtesy/Kris Parenti

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ULTRA SUNN April 21, 8 p.m., $20-$25. Bizarre Bar, bizarrebarlv. com.

BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ

Darkwave has been having a moment, and Ultra Sunn is making sure its audience fully feels its sonorous capacity. The Brussels-based duo has swiftly become one of the genre’s most promising up and coming acts, turning cold wave textures and EBM (Electronic Body Music) into something that moves bodies as much as it rattles the psyche.

So, it makes sense that “Keep Your Eyes Peeled,” the breakout title track from its 2024 album, lands as a predetermined club classic. It’s a trance-worthy song, filled with urgent and sharp synth lines that sound like they’re from another decade.

The band points to the track as a turning point.

“We are still amazed when we start the song and people start to freak out,” says vocalist Sam Hugé. “It’s always a gift. It’s something the

universe gave to us somehow.”

Intentional connection is central to Ultra Sunn’s rise. Viral traction may open doors, but the band’s real power arrives onstage, where eye contact and movement collapse the distance between performer and crowd.

Grounded in Belgium’s electro lineage, the band balances reverence with reinvention. Its sound pulls from the past without getting stuck in it, pairing Gaelle Souflet’s hypnotic synth lines with Hugé’s commanding baritone.

Ultra Sunn’s latest album, The Beast in You, pushes that dynamic even further. The hooks hit harder, the lyrics cut deeper. Hugé leans into personal history, unpacking adolescence, mental health and survival with a directness that gives the music a new weight. Recent single “Flirt with

Death” captures that shift, turning emotional vulnerability into something defiant and at the same time, uplifting.

“This album is tinted by our North American experience. We wrote a lot on the road,” says Hugé. “We collected a lot of memories on tour, so this is maybe also a souvenir album.”

Writing in the Nevada desert brings a mystical sense to the song “Fluorescent Sun.” And time spent in New Orleans carries a ghostly undercurrent into the writing of “Guardian of Your Dreams.”

Now on a 25-plus date U.S. run, Ultra Sunn has translated those memories into something immediate and shared. Onstage, they aim to conjure the same intensity night after night, pulling fans into their orbit and holding them there.

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JOB LISTING Director, Digital Operations Center sought by American Wagering, Inc. dba William Hill US for Las Vegas, NV office.

Develop & implement strategic vision for Digital Operations Center, aligning it with organization’s overall digital strategy.

Telecommuting ok. Apply to Req #: DDOC7145, Attn: Rosie Trinkle, 101 Hudson St, Ste. 2800, Jersey City, NJ 07302 or rtrinkle@caesars.com.

Job Duties: Identify and develop a client pipeline of potential clean energy project investments, including community solar projects, renewable energy on Tribal lands, and others.

Conduct outreach to and build partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including local lenders, community groups, business associations, vendors, and project developers.

Develop appropriate communications strategies and presentations to reach diverse audiences. Assess potential clients for suitability to become NCEF partners. Prepare plans of action for NCEF investments, using financial analyses.

Work closely with the Director of Investments to implement NCEF’s investment policies and procedures, including ensuring compliance with funding agreements. Support the deployment of NCEF financial assistance through a variety of programs and financial products, including affordable loans, bridge loans, and rebates. Inform NCEF’s investment decisions by analyzing financial information to forecast business, industry, or economic conditions for NCEF’s prospective client partners.

Provide technical assistance to NCEF partners in matters such as financing, grants, incentives, and tax credits for clean energy implementation. Employ financial models to assess the financial impact of NCEF investments. Interpret data on future investment-risk trends, economic influences, and other factors affecting NCEF investment programs. Identify opportunities to refine, improve, and scale existing financial products and programs and how they are brought to market, including NCEF’s affordable housing and community solar products. Conduct research and analysis on emerging market opportunities and develop proposals for new NCEF products and program opportunities based on identified market trends.

Assist in the design and launch of new financial products and programs that unlock low-income solar opportunities. Prepare weekly, monthly, and annual investment-related analysis and reports. Supervision of loan officers.

Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Economics or closely related field; 24 months previous employment experience in investment, finance, or financial consulting.

Other Special Skills or Requirements: Proficiency with collaborative software solutions, such as CRM, loan processing, or financial software. Experience with financial modeling.

Experience and comfort with engaging and presenting to a variety of stakeholder groups. Experience with impact investment or community development. Familiarity with solar project development.

Location and Travel Requirements: The position is located in Las Vegas, NV. Occasional travel to NCEF’s headquarters in Reno, NV required. Occasional travel to unanticipated client sites in Nevada required.

Compensation: This position is salaried at $95,000.00 per year. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, paid time off, and a retirement fund match.

How to Apply: Send a resume and proof of meeting the above requirements to NCEF via e-mail to info@nevadacef.org.

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C U L T U R E

Legendary talents Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis bring Nothing But Hits to the Venetian

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BY GEOFF CARTER ­­ oo many. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have too many hits to pack into this introduction. Almost from the day Prince dismissed them from the Morris Day-led party funk band The Time, Jam and Lewis began co-writing and producing an unprecedented streak of Billboard Top 20 hits for dozens of artists, including Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, the Human League, Michael Jackson, George Michael, New Edition, Usher and Karyn White. Their best-known collaboration, a decades-long working relationship with Janet Jackson, has yielded nine No. 1 singles, from “When I Think of You” to “Escapade.” Nothing But Hits, Jam and Lewis’ upcoming residency at Voltaire at the Venetian, will see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees playing beloved favorites from that storied Billboard chart run, joined on stage by powerhouse vocalists Ruben Studdard and Shanice Wilson. Sitting at the end of Voltaire’s runway in their signature suits, hats and sunglasses, they gave the Weekly a brief look at what’s sure to be a packed playlist.

T

I know you want to surprise us, but can you reveal maybe one hit from the show?

Jimmy Jam: I guarantee you, if you think about

your 10 favorite hit songs from the Jam and Lewis catalog, you’ll probably hear all 10 of them. … I won’t say each song will be a full meal, but it’ll be like a tasting.

Photo by Wade Vandervort

I’d like to ask what you remember of those hits, beginning with Janet Jackson’s “Rhythm Nation.”

JJ: “Rhythm Nation” was just an idea. Lyrically, we

our melody, our lyric. The other song in our time capsule would be...

Terry Lewis: “Open My Heart” by Yolanda Adams, just because it’s one of those songs that gives you a spiritual reaction. People call me and say, “I heard this song and I had to pull over to the side of the road, and I just cried. It just allowed me to just refresh myself and connect with myself again.” So that kind of visceral reaction is important in any kind of art, I think.

knew what we wanted it to be, but we couldn’t figure Are there tracks of yours that you wish had gotout what kind of track to do, although we knew it needten more attention than they did? ed to be up-tempo, it needed to be powerful. We were JJ: The first one that always pops into my head was a at dinner and Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You song we did with Gladys Knight called “Home Alone.”

(Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” came on …

I love the arrangement of it. Gladys’ voice It kind of became background noise, until … to work with her was just amazing. It was the little break in the song came in. And I never a single, [but] I think it’s a beautiful JIMMY JAM & was like, “Check, please.” I knew immediarrangement with beautiful words.

TERRY LEWIS April 17-18, TL: I have two. Deborah Cox, “Did You ately that was the foundation of the song.

22, 24-26, 9 p.m., Ever Love Me?” and Patti Austin, “Summer We put it in a little AMS sampler that only $100-$205. Voltaire, is the Coldest Time of Year,” which is just a had maybe six seconds of sampling time, voltairelv.com. brilliant song. but it was enough to get the [Jam sings JJ: That was our Quincy Jones homage. the jagged guitar riff], and we just looped After he said, “Hey, work with Patty Austin,” we it. And I remember, as we were doing the track, Janwere like “Okay!” We tried to make as many Quinet walked in, and she just said, “Is that ‘Rhythm Nacys as we could. tion?’” And we said, “We think so.”

That record hasn’t aged a second.

TL: There’s a bunch of Usher [tracks]. There’s a JJ: We’re very proud that the Rhythm Nation albunch of Janets, even. bum has stayed in people’s minds … It was kind of Come back and do “You Should’ve Made This a Hit.” a solution-based album where we were trying to get TL: [Laughs.] For me, there’s three kinds of songs. people to realize we have more in common than we There are good songs, bad songs and hit songs. We do apart from each other. Hopefully, those messagcan dispute good and bad. Can’t dispute hits, but es continue to resonate, and make some change in a what makes things hit for me is how it makes me positive way. feel. It doesn’t necessarily have to be on top of a chart Sounds of Blackness, “Optimistic.” or anything like that, because everybody makes it a JJ: Ah. Our favorite song. Actually, we have two hit. It’s not just us. We just make music, and then you favorites. I always say, if there’s ever a time capsule need people to take it and market it and play it and that says “Jam and Lewis,” and 100 years from now listen to it and to buy it and consume it, and that’s the aliens came down and open it up, what would be what makes it a hit. All we can do is make music. It’s the song it would play? It would be “Optimistic,” begot to be fun for us. We just love to play the music. cause I think it explains everything about Terry and myself that you would want to know—our rhythm, Read more of this interview at lasvegasweekly.com.

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STORYTELLING THROUGH STRIPTEASE

Photos by Wade Vandervort

C U L T U R E

Based on the murder mystery movie, burlesque parody ClueX has landed a residency at Notoriety Live

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CLUEX Through April 25, Friday-Sunday, 7:30 p.m., $20-$140. Notoriety Live, cluextheshow.com.

BY SHANNON MILLER

The same sound of claves that introduce Chicago’s famous “Cell Block Tango” pierce the air, which is thick with mystery and anticipation. After shedding much of their clothes, six dinner guests strut across the stage, dragging chairs with them—props for the “Pool Boy Tango” in the burlesque parody ClueX, running at Notoriety Live through April 25.

“He had it coming,” they sing of the pool maintenance boy, who is found murdered at the manor in a story loosely based on the 1985 film Clue. Now, was it Miss Cherry with the revolver? Or Col. Mushroom with the rope? Or Mrs. Woodpecker with the candlestick?

The answer is revealed through comedy, song and dance—and the audience submitting their accusations on which suspect they think did it. Even the actors don’t know who the murderer will be until the votes are cast.

“Secretly, everybody wants to be the murderer because it’s fun. You get to take over, and the show is all about you at the end,” says creator and co-producer Simone Skold, who goes by “Simone.”

Whoever it is, you can bet their costume is killer, too, thanks to co-producer and costume, hair and wig designer Jason Bennett.

“So much more than in regular shows or straight theater, burlesque costumes themselves are a silent character,” Simone says. “It’s another part. The way we interact with it, take it off and peel out of it. And the

Keaton Johns (left) and Jackie Lakoudis in ClueX at Notoriety Live.

wigs, of course. …The silent characters he’s brought to the table are so big, and part of the show.”

The costumes mark just one upgrade the production has had since it first premiered at Vegas Theatre Company in 2024. It now moves to a bigger stage at Notoriety, which offers more bells and whistles in terms of set design, effects and acoustics. Luke Allen, who played the pool boy in the show’s 2024 run, has stepped up as choreographer this time.

In this residency, Simone also plays Mr. Grass, a politician with a drug habit who loves to party. Jackie Lakoudis plays Ivet—that’s Ivet with an “I”—a sassy, Latina version of the film’s French maid. Ali Vesey plays a tantalizing Miss Cherry. Jaymes Mansfield slays as Col. Mushroom.

Brandi Glass embodies a coy Mrs. Woodpecker. And Keaton Johns, Luke Phillips, James MacLeod and Tia Bean round out an allaround stellar cast.

“Burlesque is really the artform through which we are telling the story. …There’s this

undressing happening for everybody in the show. We’re getting to know more about their dirty deeds, and it’s coming to reckon with them. Burlesque pairs really well with that,” Simone says.

Live music adds a richness and electricity to the show. Miss Cherry locks eyes with you and crawls to the edge of the stage as a live singer chants the lyrics to the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself.” An electric guitar from Kaleo’s “No Good” drives the action as Mr. Grass snorts lines of “coke” off of the audience’s cabaret tables.

All in all, ClueX is an escape into a curious world where not all is as it appears, the macabre can be funny, and striptease is a plot device. And that’s needed in the current political atmosphere, Simone says.

“The show is obviously satirical and pointed, and has a point of view,” he says. “To be together in a room and acknowledge it through laughter and jokes, I do believe, is a bit healing. It allows us to laugh away some of the stress.”

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C U L T U R E

DRIVEN BY CREATIVITY

BY BROCK RADKE

Now in its seventh year and third time at the venerable Palms Casino Resort, fancy food fest Vegas Unstripped has grown up quite a bit from its humble but ambitious origins on the patio/ parking lot space behind the original Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District. But most things about the event haven’t changed, most importantly that it remains a showcase for many of the Las Vegas Valley’s most creative chefs.

“We’ve had different opportunities when it comes to how you would grow an event, but we just refuse to give up on the original ideas,” says Eric Gladstone, who operates the Feast of Friends agency and co-founded Vegas Unstripped with chef and restaurateur James Trees. “We created it for a clear reason and people really responded to all those things, both the guests and the chefs, and we’re proud that this is one event that chefs really clamor for and look forward to. We started it saying it’s as much for them as for guests, and we’re sticking to that.”

Unlike other culinary events that Vegas has seen come and go through the years, Unstripped is about the chef (instead of the restaurant), and

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For chefs and by chefs, Vegas Unstripped returns with a killer lineup

although it’s not a competition, participating chefs are required to serve a dish created specifically for the event—a one-night-only special. So when you wander the Palms pool deck on April 26 sampling anything and everything, you know you’re tasting something truly special.

“I’ve done it when we had (former restaurant) Eatt and it was behind Esther’s Kitchen, and it was pretty dope. I enjoyed the vibe,” says Partage owner and executive chef Yuri Szarzewski. “That first year, I got my ass kicked, I was short on staff. The good thing this year is it’s on a Sunday and the restaurant is closed … so I’m bringing the whole team. We’re going to have fun, and I’ll get to talk to more people.”

Szarzewski is one of three Unstripped chefs who were named James Beard Award semifinalists this year, along with Trees and Calabash African Kitchen’s Oulay Ceesay Fisher. It’s an interesting development, because this event has been putting these Las Vegans on the culinary pedestal long before national media and awards organizations started consistently recognizing our local stars.

“It feels like we’re getting somewhere, in terms of people really understanding what we

Courtesy/Vegas Unstripped

have here,” says Gladstone, who also teased a second event coming later this year, Vegas Bites, which will focus on classic dishes from favorite Vegas restaurants.

You know the food will be off-the-charts great at Vegas Unstripped—which always donates net proceeds to local charities every year—but the exposure for the people behind the food and restaurants that are constantly pushing for higher ground is so meaningful.

“We are a small restaurant in Chinatown and a lot of locals know us, but not everyone knows,” Szarzewski says. “(Awards) are important because they give us more visibility, and they can attract more tourists off the Strip, which for us is amazing. There is such a great local scene growing and it’s been amazing to witness that over the eight years since we opened Partage, and to be able to change and grow with the community.”

VEGAS UNSTRIPPED CHEF LINEUP • Oscar Amador Amador Cocina Fina • John Arena Metro Pizza • Myrhissa Bautista SoulBelly BBQ & Burgersmith • Dio Buan Istorya • Daniel “Izzy” Cabrera Gyu+ • Anthony Carron Alexxa’s • Johnny Church Johnny C’s Catering • Francisco Cortes Alebrijes by Chef Paco • Oulay Fisher Calabash African Kitchen • Kari Garcia TSP Bakery

• Anothony Jamison La Casa de Juliette • Dylan Jobsz Esther’s Kitchen • Bruce Kalman SoulBelly BBQ • Gary LaMorte Fortune Events • Marty Lopez Scotch 80 Prime • Gina Marinelli La Strega & Harlo Steakhouse • Marc Marrone Diamond Spur Provisions • Matt Meyer Earth A.D. • Tayden Poha-Ellamar Braseria • Alex Reznik Hayworth & SMKD

• Adam Rios & Jake Yergensen & Sean O’Hara Timeless Hospitality • Jackson Stamper Ada’s • Yuri Szarzewski Partage • Yuka Takamizawa Moignet & Milk Bread • Rang Tan Rang’s Cocina Moderne • James Trees Esther’s Kitchen & Bar Boheme • Joe Valdez Basilico • Tyler Vorce Lilli • Kai Yau Send Noodles

VEGAS UNSTRIPPED April 26, 6 p.m., $158+.

Palms Pool, vegasunstripped.com.

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ARIES (March 21-April 19): Anthropologist and author Clifford Geertz loved to use “thick description.” He wrote detailed reports that captured not just the surface level of what happened but the deeper levels of meaning. Instead of “he winked,” Geertz saw a “playfully conspiratorial communication.” This month, Aries, enjoy the pleasures of thick description. Unleash your curiosity to dig into rich, complex truths. Exploring personal and historical contexts will enhance your options for responding to life.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): New beginnings and final chapters will be overlapping in the coming weeks, and they’ll push you in the direction of robust growth. Sharpen your discernment to read the signs. Ask yourself: Which sagas have finally played out? Which half-forgotten dreams yearn to blossom? Once you have the answers, move boldly. Feed what is being born and assist in the graceful dismantling of whatever is ready to end.

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GEMINI (May 21-June 20): One of your go-to tools or assets is still functioning, but now is exactly the time to repair or refurbish it—before it breaks. A power outage looms unless you head off an impending overload. Even the monster in your closet is asleep—the perfect moment to act before it stirs. Are you getting the picture, Gemini? These horoscopes are your advance warning to sidestep potential glitches and diversions.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Ask the big questions now; you are unusually likely to get good answers. Inquire about the meaning of your life or the nature of identity. I also urge you to formulate humorous, satirical questions. Ask how to fine-tune your loved ones to perfection, if there are shortcuts to getting everything you want or how to sign up for a life of nonstop pleasure, free from all discomfort.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Albert Einstein reached his breakthroughs by ignoring supposedly fundamental truths. He didn’t dismiss mere opinions; he set aside theories so deeply accepted they were treated as facts. He didn’t waste energy fighting them, but simply proceeded as if they didn’t exist. Consider doing the same. Set aside at least one incontestable assumption and be alert for the new realities that become possible when you proceed as if those “facts” didn’t exist.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Astronauts see 16 sunrises daily, a disruptive but beautiful cycle. Your routine may feel similarly unsettled, Virgo. Transitions are coming faster than feels natural, but this “blessing” gives you access to patterns that aren’t intelligible at slower speeds. You’re beholding the way things change as well as the changes themselves. This is a valuable gift. The insights will be worth the disorientation.

Berry Waffle Slam

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libras are often accused of indecision, but your weighing of possibilities is actually a search for fairness. The problem isn’t your process; it is a culture obsessed with one-dimensional certainty. I give you permission to resist the rush to resolution. The most honest thing you can say right now is, “I’m still deciding,” or “Both of these feel true.”

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You are growing your skills at turning tension into treasure. This doesn’t mean you’ll be immersed in melodrama; rather, you will handle differences of perspective with increasing aplomb and curiosity. Instead of treating conflict as a debilitating hassle, you’ll try to find value in it. Treat debates as exploratory missions rather than showdowns you must win at all costs.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I predict you will be wildly resourceful as you experiment with love. I hope and predict that you will research the art of tender, inspiring intimacy in new frontiers. Reinvent passion, you subtle intensity freak. Be a bold explorer who breaks the boring rules to discover new varieties of companionship that require you to innovate and improvise.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You might usually ignore a dime on the ground, but in the coming weeks, you should break that rule. Symbolically speaking, the act of stooping down to pick up a dime will set off a chain reaction that ends with you acquiring a hundred-dollar bill. By saying yes to small, unexpected blessings, you’ll position yourself to receive larger ones down the line.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The coming weeks are an excellent time to begin a project on the scale of the Great Pyramid or the Taj Mahal. You should at least initiate work toward a magnificent masterpiece or creation. My analysis suggests you could even coax an armada of helpers to work on your behalf. As you set out on this labor of love, I bless your quest.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Origami artists create structures stronger than flat paper through strategic creasing. Engineers now use these principles to design everything from solar panels to artificial blood vessels. Take this as a lesson: Your flexibility is a strength, not a liability. You will wield your pliability to produce a high degree of structural integrity.

© 2026 DFO, LLC. At participating restaurants for a limited time only. Selection and prices may vary. While supplies last.

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P H O T O G R A P H Y

BRUNO MARS DAY | TOSHIBA PLAZA | APRIL 10, 2026 Fans young and old sprinted down Las Vegas Boulevard, eager to catch T-shirts being lobbed out of a caravan of cars making up a parade for longtime Strip headliner Bruno Mars. Many raced to squeeze into the packed Toshiba Plaza, where officials renamed Park Avenue to Bruno Mars Drive in honor of the superstar singer’s Vegas legacy. Fans clutched red roses and sported merch from The Romantic Tour, cheering as Silk Sonic collaborator Anderson .Paak welcomed Mars onstage. After performing a few hits, Mars shook hands with Gov. Joe Lombardo and accepted the Key to the Strip, along with a state flag and the designation of April 10 as Bruno Mars Day in Las Vegas. Later that night, and again on Saturday, Mars took the stage for sold-out shows at Allegiant Stadium. You could say this Las Vegas entertainer has certainly hit a winning streak. –Grace Da Rocha

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