Billboard Music Awards 2012
LIVE at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It’s gonna be one helluva night for music lovers. A gathering of the world’s greatest music artists on Sunday May 20. Get tickets now at ticketmaster.com or mgmgrand.com or call 800-745-3000.
Taylor Hicks of American Idol get Vegas Gig
at the Indigo Lounge at Bally’s from June 26 – August 21. He won AI in 2006 and was the oldest contestant to win. I hope he does great. Break a leg Taylor!!
The 13th Annual Latin Grammy Awards
are coming back to Vegas for the 5th year and are scheduled to happen on Thursday, Nov 15 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Bueno!!
Drink and Drag is Coming Downtown!
No, it’s not a legal get wasted and drag race down Fremont. It’s the first drag queen staffed bar and gaming venue. It’s way more than a bar. It’s the former location of Jillian’s in the Neonopolis and still has the bowling alleys and air hockey, etc. I hope they stay open late. Jillians always closed way too early. Grand Opening is Saturday, May 5th 2012.
A New Zipline in the Works
between the Excalibur and the Luxor. The plans have been submitted and they’re just waiting for the OK. Should be awesome. It’ll start at the Luxor…almost from the very top! Wweeeeeee. Bring it on.
Senor Frog’s
is coming to Treasure Island and have finally announced an opening date…..Cinco de Mayo of course!! That’s May 5th gringos. Can’t wait!!
Dancing with the Stars is Coming to the Trop
Yep, starting April 14, 2012 the Tropicana will have an 80 minute live version of DWS at the Tropicana Theater.
It’s Coming Back!!!
The I Heart Radio Music Festival is coming back to Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena scheduled for September 21 – 22. Last year it was the biggest live concert in radio history and was an amazing success. No word on what the line-up will be yet. We’ll keep you posted.
Race for the Cure
The Susan G Komen 17th annual Race for the Cure will take place Downtown Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Fremont Street Experience. Registration is open online at www.komensouthernnevada.org. Get your track shoes on and rrrun!
22nd Annual Aids Walk Las Vegas
will take place at the UNLV campus on April 15th and for the 11th consecutive year good guys, magicians and favorite locals Penn& Teller will be the Grand Marshalls. This is a terrific benefit to take part in. Go here for all the info.
Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational
golf tournament is set for March 29 – April 1 2012. Great charity event held at Shadow Creek Golf Course. One of the most exclusive courses in the country. Tickets on sale now.
Extreme Thing 2012 March 31 Saturday
at Desert Breeze Park and has a line up of 20 bands that will play on 2 stages all day from 11:30am – 9:30pm and over 65 of the best PRO BMX dirt jumpers will be competing. If that’s not enough action step over to the ring for some pro wrestling. It’s EXTREME!! Check here for more info.
The Fitz – Another Renovation Downtown!
It’s hard to keep up with all the additions and renovations going on downtown and here’s the latest….the Fitzgerald’s Casino is undergoing a big renovation (about time) and will be renamed the D Las Vegas. Kinda catchy. Let’s go hang at the “D”. They’re going to have a new bar called the long bar that’ll be out front along Fremont and run the length of the hotel. Best part is that it’ll be a flare bar! It’ll be open during renovations and should be finished by fall 2012.
Zarkana to Replace Elvis Show at Aria
Another Le Cirque show. Oh goodie. This one had not so hot reviews in New York. It’s amazing to me that we are so close to LA and nobody can come up with an idea for a show that isn’t another freakin Le Cirque show?! C’mon! Get Billy Joel out here!
Vince Neil of Motley Crue to Open Strip Club
as in topless club NOT a nightclub on the Strip. He’s taking over what was formerly Deja Vu and turning it into a strip club that’s gonna ROCK Las Vegas! Well at least it’s not another former rocker turned restaurant owner. That’s getting pretty cliche around here. Speaking of opening new restaurants……
Flavor Flav is Opening a Chicken Joint!
It was bound to happen. We’ve got rock stars and pop stars opening restaurants; it was only a matter of time before a rapper got in on the trend. But hey, Flav is such a cool down to earth guy and extremely well liked in Vegas (he’s a local). His place will be called Flavor Flav’s House of Flavor Restaurant and is opening on March 15, 2012 at 3333 S. Maryland Pkwy. Good luck man. I hope it’s a hit!
ROK Vegas nightclub at NY NY to close!
Yep, April 1 2012 will be the end. It’s going to reopen as a performance venue.
Cee Lo Green Show “Loberace” will Launch Aug 29
The ever talented and flamboyant Cee Lo Green is going to have a semi-permanent residency at Planet Hollywood and will be there through the end of 2012 with a show that’ll have show girls, magic and lots of Cee Lo style. Cee Lo and Vegas is like a hand in glove…..a long, shiny, hot pink satin glove with matching feather boa. Yeah baby.
Mike Tyson to have one-man show!
It’s all over the news that Mike Tyson is going to do a show in Las Vegas titled The Raw Truth at the MGM Grand April 13 – 18, 2012. Should be interesting. He’s had a colorful life. It’s working for Chaz Palminteri. Although I do think if they could talk Lindsay Lohan into doing a “True Confessions” style show they’d sell twice as many tickets…..especially if she brings photos. Ha!
The Playboy Club is Closing
this June and will part company with the Palms Hotel after a 6 year run. No word yet on what’s to replace it. Hey, it’s Vegas. Easy come, easy go.
Carlos Santana to Headline at Mandalay Bay
The legendary guitar player, Carlos Santana will be doing a two year gig at the House of Blues (leaving the Hard Rock). Carlos will do shows in May and June and then be back in September and his residency will run through 2013. Tickets go on sale March 3, 2012. A portion of each sale goes to Santana’s foundation which supports kid’s art, education and health. What? No restaurant?
Kiss Mini Golf in Las Vegas
in the way of a Kiss themed rockin, indoor, glow- in-the- dark, mini golf. The mini golf will open March 15 at The Shoppes at Harmon Square and will coincide with the anniversary of the band’s “Destroyer” album. It’s going to be loaded with Kiss memorabilia, party rooms for rent, a cafe, Wedding Chapel, DJ and a fan wall of photos. Sounds crazy. Sounds very Vegas.
Topshop/Topman – Flagship Store at Fashion Show Mall
on March 8, 2012. This British based company is full of trendy style and will be a welcome addition to the malling experience in Vegas. Lovely!
The Mob Museum is Open!
Go Downtown and check it out. Awesome. Read our review here. Open from Sunday – Thursday 10am – 7pm. Friday – Saturday 10am – 8pm. Tickets from $10 – $18.
Madonna’s Coming to Vegas
Her world tour starts May 29th and she is scheduled to appear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Oct. 13 2012. Tickets go on sale Feb 27.
Splash Canyon Postpones Opening!!
It’s just been announced that the opening of the water park will not be until 2013. They are offering a really good deal to those who have already purchase season passes or you can get a refund. This sucks. We were really looking forward to going there this year.
The Beach Boys Good Vibration Restaurant
is opening soon at Bally’s. What’s going on? Is this a new mandatory ritual by retired rockers? We’ve got Lynyrd Skynyrd’s new restaurant at the Excalibur, Kiss is opening a cafe, Jimmy Buffets got Margueritaville and a casino at the Flamingo and don’t forget Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina at the Miracle Mile Shops in Planet Hollywood. Wouldn’t you think at least one of these would be at the Hard Rock? Oh well…..rock on guys.
Caesars Palace Opens New Tower
The Octavius Tower is now open and has standard rooms with 550 sq ft of space including a sitting room, whirlpool tubs and direct access to the pool. Very upscale with a price to match. Weekday rates start at $249 a night.
The Chuck Jones Experience (think Bugs Bunny)
at Circus Circus will have its official grand opening on January 17. Chuck Jones is the legendary animator who brought to life some of animations most famous characters; Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Pepe Le Pew, Wile E. Coyote, and the TV version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (still my favorite Christmas show) The Chuck Jones Experience is aprox 10,000 sq ft of exhibits that seeks to “Educate, Inspire & Entertain.”
Phantom of the Opera
at the Venetian has announced it will be giving their last performance Sept 2. Better go see it while you can.
Gordon Ramsay of TV show Hell’s Kitchen
is coming to Vegas! Gordon is opening a London themed Steak House at the Paris Hotel this spring. Sounds yummy!
Rod Stewart
opened his new show at Caesar’s Palace where he has signed on to perform 52 shows over the next two years.
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
is opening March 10, 2012 featuring Broadway Shows, Concerts and Events and is located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue downtown. You can get great deals on season tickets now. Check out there calandar here.
$550-million entertainment district – The Linq
called the Linq has been unveiled by Caesar’s Entertainment that will be an open air venue with bars, shops, restaurants and revamped casinos. It’s main attraction will be a 550 ft tall Ferris Wheel. Demolition for the site is in the works.
The Lady Luck
is finally going to undergo renovations and will be the Downtown Grand. This is good news for all of Downtown. It’ll have 11 restaurants, seven bars, 50,000 sq ft of casino space and 22,000 sq ft of retail space. The Downtown Grand is scheduled to open in September of 2013.
