Vegas Holiday Kickoffs and Bar Crawl

BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
contributed by Jackie Brett

RICK SPRINGFIELD WILL ROCK NEW RESIDENCY AT THE STRAT: Grammy award-winning artist, Rick Springfield, will kick off his Las Vegas residency next year at The STRAT on Friday-Saturday, March 24-25. Subsequent show dates will be announced later. His shows will start at 8 p.m. in the 900-seat STRAT Theater. Tickets start at $75. Recognized globally for his pop and rock style, Springfield will perform back-to-back hits such as the number one Billboard Hot 100 smash hit, “Jessie’s Girl” and other classics like “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Love Somebody, “State of the Heart” and more. Over the past four decades, Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer. The singer, songwriter, musician has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits. His latest album “Orchestrating My Life” was released in April 2019. He’s an accomplished actor who has starred opposite Meryl Streep in the feature film “Ricki and the Flash,” given a chameleonic performance as the creepy Dr. Irving Pitlor in HBO’s drama “True Detective,” portrayed Lucifer on the CW hit “Supernatural,” and most recently played the insane Pastor Charles on FX’s hit series “American Horror Story.” As an author, his 2010 candid memoir “Late, Late at Night” was named one of the 25 greatest rock memoirs of all time by “Rolling Stone.” His 2014 comedic novel “Magnificent Vibration” earned rave reviews and spots on “The New York Times” Best Sellers list.

VETRI CUCINA IS NOW OPEN AT THE PALMS: Vetri Cucina has officially returned to the Palms with the elevator ready to whisk guests to the 56th Floor of the Palms Ivory Tower high above the Las Vegas Strip to take in the stunning city views. Owner/Chef Marc Vetri’s Las Vegas restaurant features only 75 seats and offers an intimate dining experience. Originally debuting in November of 2018, Vetri was quickly recognized as one of the city’s most treasured restaurants. The style and warmth were inspired by the flagship location with 25 years of rich history in Philadelphia, where it was widely regarded as one of the most influential Italian restaurants in the country. Chef Vetri and his team are proud to share their award-winning interpretation of modern Italian cuisine, showcasing the highest quality local and specialty ingredients. Designed to give each guest a unique taste of Italy, the à la carte menu is inspired by both classic recipes and the culinary team’s extensive research and travels. The menu includes a seasonal variety of antipasti, pasta, meat and fish, as well as delectable desserts. Additionally, the extensive wine menu features an outstanding collection of wine from around the globe by the glass and the bottle, as well as an impressive beer and cocktail selection. In honor of the opening, San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority along with the Palms donated $100,000 to Just One Project, the largest mobile food bank in Las Vegas to further focus on their work strengthening the community in providing access to needed food services.

‘BATTLEBOTS: DESTRUCT-A-THON’ WILL BE NEW LIVE SHOW: “BattleBots,” the hit television show featuring fighting robots, has announced an exclusive live Las Vegas show: “BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon,” which will open Feb. 3, 2023, at BattleBox Arena at Caesars Entertainment Studios, 4165 Koval Lane. The daily live show follows the enormous success of the BattleBots World Championship filming season. “BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon” will be the world’s first robotic combat show and exclusive to Las Vegas. Shows will take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 6 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 6 p.m., and Sundays at noon. Several types of tickets will be offered starting with general admission at $49. “BattleBots: Destruct-A-Thon” contains all the drama, action and destruction of the TV series, condensed into an intense, fast-moving, 80-minute theater show, featuring many of the most famous robots – with names such as Witch Doctor, Kraken, Mammoth, Lock-Jaw, Hypershock and Whiplash, as well as several new robots being specially created for the show. The robots are currently being built by existing robot combat teams. In addition, some shows will feature fights from rookie teams eager to try out for the next BattleBots World Championships, which will be held at the BattleBox Arena in 2023.

DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN® KICKS OFF HOLIDAY SEASON: Downtown Summerlin®, a master planned community, will kick off its holiday season plans on Friday, Nov. 18 with the return of popular holiday activations, headlined by the arrival of Santa Claus, the return of the Holiday Parade, and the opening of the Rock Rink outdoor skating rink. Running every Friday and Saturday evening at 6 p.m. from Nov. 18–Dec. 17, Downtown Summerlin’s hallmark holiday parade will be back and run along Park Centre Drive. The magical tradition will be free and open to the public and feature lively holiday music, notable floats, dancers, snow and Santa. Santa Claus’ Chalet, presented by Tri Pointe Homes and located in the Macy’s Promenade, will be open daily through Dec. 24. Photo packages will cost $35. Santa will offer photos with pets on Tuesdays through Dec. 20 between 7 and 9 p.m., and on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to noon. Visits with Santa for sensory conditions are available via reservation at Summerlin.com. At the Santa Chalet, kids can drop off letters to Santa and for every letter received, Downtown Summerlin will donate $1 to Goodie Two Shoes. At Rock Rink, presented by Live Nation, skate rentals will start at $16, and all ages are welcome. Hours vary, and appointments are encouraged so check the website for details. Downtown Summerlin’s festive holiday train will offer rides throughout the destination for $5 per person (adults and kids). Both Rock Rink and the holiday train will run from Nov. 18–Jan. 16. On Wednesday, Dec. 21, Downtown Summerlin will partner with Jewish Nevada to host a one-night Hanukkah celebration with the lighting of the Menorah, family skate night, entertainment, kids’ activities, and hot cocoa with lite bites. The Giving Machine will return from mid-November to year’s end and give visitors an opportunity to make a holiday donation at a giant vending machine to one of several local nonprofits and international charitable initiatives. Participating local nonprofits this year include Catholic Charities, HELP of Southern Nevada, Project 150, Volunteers in Medicine, and Three Square. Returning for its second year is Lights for Flights – a fun activation featuring six giant lighted words will be spread throughout Downtown Summerlin: LOVE, JOY, HOPE, PEACE, SOAR, and MIRACLE. The jumbo words will be holiday backgrounds for all Instagram-worthy holiday moments. The signs are sponsored to generate awareness and funds for nonprofit Miracle Flights, which provide free commercial flights for folks needing life-changing medical care. Finally, at Las Vegas Ballpark, Enchant will be a whimsical and heartfelt Christmas light maze and village creating a world of festive wonder and returning after its successful inaugural year in 2021. Enchant runs from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1, 2023, visit EnchantChristmas.com for details.

MILK BAR FOUNDER, CHEF CHRISTINA TOSI HOLDS COOKBOOK SIGNING: Award-winning chef, television personality and author Christina Tosi will host a meet and greet book signing event at Milk Bar inside The Cosmopolitan on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. Tosi will greet fans and sign copies of her latest book, “All About Cookies: A Milk Bar Baking Book.” Her book features a staggering collection of more than 100 new cookie recipes from classic crunchy and chewy cookies to bars and more. Copies of “All About Cookies” in addition to Tosi’s other cookbooks including “Momofuku Milk Bar” and “Milk Bar Life” will be available for purchase at the event for $35.

THE LINQ PROMENADE WILL KICK OFF HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES: The LINQ Promenade in the heart of the Strip is inviting guests to kick off the holiday season with a spectacular Christmas tree lighting event on Thursday, Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at The Fountain Stage. The evening’s festivities will begin with the cast of “Potted Potter,” the funny Harry Potter parody show performing at Bally’s, welcoming guests to the Promenade. Next will be appearances by select members of the 12-time Grammy award-winning Las Vegas Academy Vocal Department, and Nevada Rhythmic Academy, the premier rhythmic gymnastics training center in Nevada. Finally, Farrell Dillon, the Las Vegas comic slated to perform at the newly reopened Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club at the Promenade, will entertain the crowd as he combines comedy and magic. Dillon will also officially lead the countdown as The LINQ Promenade illuminates its festive, 30-foot-tall Christmas tree. Admission to the tree lighting ceremony is complimentary.

‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ AT LUXOR CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY: The star-studded cast of “American’s Got Talent Las Vegas LIVE” celebrated its first anniversary last week inside the Luxor Theater. The talented ensemble of past winners, finalists, golden buzzer and fan-favorite acts from the hit television show, including dance troupe Light Balance, danger acts Deadly Games and Duo Transcend, and quick-change superstar Lea Kyle, posed for a cast photo and enjoyed a cake-cutting ceremony to mark the milestone performance. One year ago, executive producer and creator of the “Got Talent” franchise Simon Cowell debuted the variety-style spectacle on the Las Vegas Strip. The show is scheduled Wednesday and Saturday at 6 and 8:30 p.m. and Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $49.

DOWNTOWN HAS A HOLIDAY BAR CRAWL: During the Holiday Bar Crawl offered from Nov. 3-Dec. 30, imbibers can enjoy libations at five of Fremont Street Experience’s cocktail destinations – Legacy Club, Vegas Vickie’s, MEGA BAR, One Bar, and BarCanada – in their order of preference. Guests can take in the sights and sounds of the Las Vegas Valley at Circa’s 60th floor cocktail lounge Legacy Club or revel with iconic kicking neon cowgirl Vegas Vickie at Vegas Vickie’s Cocktail Lounge. Patrons can indulge in three festive options, Sugar and Spice, Whiskey Wonderland and Stocking Stuffer. Thirsty visitors can stop by Nevada’s longest indoor bar MEGA Bar or “travel” to the Great White North with BarCanada. Drink options at each venue includes Bourboneezer Scrooge, Jingle Bitters, and Miracle on Fremont. One Bar at Golden Gate is located on the exterior of the city’s first hotel. The drink there is a red and green frozen specialty drink, which can be enjoyed while taking in the atmosphere of Fremont Street Experience and its Viva Vision light show. Tickets can be purchased for $100. Tickets are valid for one specialty cocktail per bar. Passes can be picked up at the Circa or the D’s concierge desk.

MINUS5º ICEBAR AT MANDALAY BAY IS CONSTRUCTING NEW DISPLAYS: New ice construction inside Minus5º ICEBAR at Mandalay Bay will begin on Sunday, Nov. 13. When completed on Thursday, Nov. 17, the attraction will feature new ice displays throughout, including all-new “Alice in Wonderland” as well as Las Vegas wedding themes. Specific “Alice in Wonderland” displays will include the Queen of Hearts, Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter tea party. Wedding sculptures will highlight a “Just Married” Las Vegas wedding chapel photo opportunity and other imagery from cheesy and celebrity Las Vegas wedding moments. The new construction represents part of Minus5º ICEBAR’s quarterly Staying COOL re-theming program to keep the experience fresh for guests. New blocks of ice will be used in the construction, each ice block weighs 250 pounds, requiring four men to lift and hoist into place. Minus5º ICEBAR is kept at 23-degrees Fahrenheit with a technologically advanced climate-control system that can make continuous adjustments to account for body heat or changes in humidity.

THE PLAZA HOSTS LAS VEGAS DAYS RODEO AT CORE ARENA: The Plaza downtown will again host the Las Vegas Days Rodeo at its outdoor equestrian center, the CORE Arena, on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 11-12 starting at 6 p.m. The event will also feature a free Whiskerino contest, Mutton Busting, historical exhibits, and coloring contest for Southern Nevadan children in grades kindergarten through six. The Las Vegas Days rodeo is fully sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. It will feature bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, breakaway, and bareback riding, with prize purses totaling $40,000 and custom belt buckles for champions. Admission is free but RSVP is recommended online at plazatix.com.

‘FANTASY’ LADIES MAKE APPEARANCES SUPPORTING RAIDERS’ FANS: The ladies of “Fantasy,” the award-winning topless female revue at the Luxor, will meet fans on Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 12-13 at The Fan District hosted by Mandalay Bay and Luxor to celebrate the Las Vegas Raiders’ upcoming home game on Sunday afternoon. Participating fans will enjoy photo opportunities with the stunning cast and Raiders’ legends, as well as raffles for the chance to win gifts from the female revue. The schedule of events for the ladies starts on Saturday in the Centra Bar & Lounge at the Luxor from 8:30-9:30 p.m. On Sunday, the stunning cast will appear at Rhythm & Riffs Lounge at Mandalay Bay from 11 a.m. to noon and later in the day again at the Centra Bar & Lounge at Luxor from 6:30-7:30.

DISCOPUSSY TO SOUND OFF ON SECOND ANNIVERSARY: DISCOPUSSY, the after-hours dance haven at 512 E. Fremont St., will dance deep into the night during the nightclub’s second anniversary, featuring headliners and a hosted bar starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday Nov. 17. For the event, DISCOPUSSY will welcome house producer Bender and Canadian powerhouse Tiga to the decks. While dancing under the venue’s iconic disco-octopus, guests may also enjoy a hosted open bar. Complimentary guest list is available online. DISCOPUSSY, a 6,500-square-foot after-hours dance haven, brings mainline house and techno to Fremont East.

WINE TASTING EVENTS ABOUND THIS WEEKEND: New Vista, Nevada’s largest nonprofit residential provider supporting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), will host an upcoming Wine Walk with more than 18 vino tasting stations at Town Square on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. General admission tickets start at $40 and $50 at the door. Downtown Container Park will hold the “Around The World” Wine Walk on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. Guests can take a walk through the Park enjoying unlimited sips of wine from all over the globe while enjoying live music by Roxy Gunn on The Lawn. Each presale $35 ticket includes unlimited sips of red, white, Rosé and sparkling options. Sponsored by Francis Coppola winery, the evening will also feature pours of Prosecco and Rosé from its Diamond Collection of varietals. Check out the Park’s website. The Food Truck Wine Walk, which will help benefit nonprofit Project 150 helping serve homeless students in Clark County, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 6-10 p.m. at Tivoli Village at 400 S. Rampart Blvd. The event will encompass 15 wine stations spread throughout Tivoli Village with one food truck/ restaurant at each station providing food pairings for each wine brand/ variety. Presale general admission tickets are $70 and $100 VIP Experience at GreatAmericanFoodieFest.com. At the gate, cost will be $85 and $120. Patriots Hall of Famer and acclaimed winemaker Drew Bledsoe will be the special guest for an exclusive wine tasting event celebrating his world class Cabernet Sauvignon, Doubleback, at the SW Steakhouse kitchen on Friday, Nov.11 starting at 1 p.m. Wynn’s executive director of wine Brian Weitzman will curate the experience, leading guests on a blind tasting of Cabernets from both Napa Valley and Washington State. The Cabernet Sauvignon Smackdown with Drew Bledsoe costs $295 and includes the wine tasting, snacks from SW Steakhouse and a bottle of Doubleback autographed by Bledsoe.

PT’S TAVERNS HONOR NATIONAL HAPPY HOUR DAY: PT’s Taverns, well known for its happy hour with half-price drinks from 5 to 7 p.m. and midnight to 2 a.m. daily, will celebrate National Happy Hour Day on Saturday, Nov. 12. Through November, PT’s is offering $1 pints of Bud Light during happy hour, with a limit of two per guest per happy hour. PT’s Taverns owns and operates a portfolio of 64 taverns, including: PT’s Gold, PT’s Pub, PT’s Ranch, Sean Patrick’s, Sierra Gold and SG Bar. PT’s has been awarded “Best Happy Hour” in many local publication polls since 2018.

The post Vegas Holiday Kickoffs and Bar Crawl first appeared on Vegas Only Entertainment.