Friday Five
UFC 303 parties; Nas, Tom and Brad at Encore; Shin Lim transports; Reeve Carney timewarps The Space; Illuminarium's Lite-Brite Retro Nights
Who is best attired: Sir Tom Jones, Nas or Brad Paisley? The sharp-dressed men have all added respective dates at Encore Theater inside Wynn Las Vegas, with Nas inviting the Las Vegas Philharmonic along to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Illmatic, a five-mic masterpiece released in 1994 that caused everyone in hip-hop to up their game,
“Las Vegas has always served as a creative outlet for my music, and these performances will take that to the next level,” said Nas in the press release. The Labor Day Weekend dates include Thursday, August 29, Saturday, August 31, and Sunday September 1.
It’s not unusual to find Tom Jones back on the Strip. The wailing Welshman’s classic 1969 Live in Las Vegas was recorded at The Flamingo and redefined the public perception of Vegas entertainment while becaming a party album for adults too old to rock ‘n’ roll in the early ’70s but young enough to rock out to Jones’s uptempo versions of contemporary pop hits of the time such as “Proud Mary” and “Hard to Handle.” His own hits such as “What New, Pussycat?” were all over AM radio. The female gaze could not avoid his swinging hips and men emulated his sideburns and hairstyle.
Sir Tom returns to Encore Theater, which he sold out in 2022, with his Ages and Stages Tour on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29. Expect to sing along with “Delilah” and “Green Green Grass of Home,” as well as standards and songs from his more risqué recording eras such as “Kiss” and “Sex Bomb.”
Brad Paisley just announced he’s coming back to the Encore Theater October 18-19, and December 6-8, 2024, while comedian Nate Bargatz resumes his residency with 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm shows October 2, 4 and 5. Magician David Blaine reappears August 21, 23 and 24 and December 29, 30 and 31, while New Edition takes the stage next week for six shows beginning July 3, then return Halloween Night for three consecutive evening. Tonight and tomorrow night the stage belongs to Lionel Richie, with tickets starting at $125 and available through Ticketmaster.
FIGHT NIGHT
Where to watch UFC 303? If Stripstack wanted to be outiside by a pool it would be Stadium Swim at Circa in Downtown Las Vegas. A nice air-condition lounge? Juliet Cocktail Room inside the Venetian on the north end of the Strip or Clique Bar & Lounge at Cosmopolitan for a mid-Strip destination. Chickie’s & Pete’s at the Sahara promises the ultimate closed-circuit sports bar viewing party starting at 6:30, and PTs Tavern locations across the Vegas Valley will offer $5 Bud Light pints, $7 Amsterdam vodka and Red Bulls and $10 “monkey bombs,” which Stripstack would like to think are a tribute to Jiří Procházka’s unorthodox hairstyle choice.
PICK A CARD
Speaking of The Venetian, Shin Lim takes his act to the property’s Palazzo Theatre in October, with tickets going on sale July 15. The Canadian-American Asian-Pacific magician who rose to fame on America’s Got Talent transfers his Limitless residency from the Mirage. He will likely celebrate his 1000th Las Vegas performance at The Venetian.
Shin Lim’s personable style and state-of-the-art technology that projects his handiwork onto giant screens combine to create a contemporary spectacle using time-honored four-suited 52-count decks of cards. He uses a lot of cards and may leave some attached to chair backs that should not be opened, or you will ruin the trick for yourself. It’s a great show and Shin Lim’s part of a next generation of magicians including Mat Franco and Jen Kramer that are carving out the way forward for the arts of illusion and mentalism as a vital part of live entertainment in Vegas.
Limitless continues its run at Mirage Theater through July 14.
THE HORROR. THE ROCKY HORROR
Broadway sensation Reeve Carney brings his one-man cabaret-style version of The Rocky Horror Picture Show to off-Strip event venue The Space for one-night only, Friday October 18. Carney, who role in Tony-winning musical Hadestown garnered him a Grammy, was picked by Julie Taymor and U2's Bono and The Edge as the original Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Broadway musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.
He survived and took on the role of Orpheus as part of the original Broadway cast of the Hadestown. He also starred as Dorian Gray in Showtime's Penny Dreadful and Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver. Rocky Horror is just a jump to the left and then a step to the right compared to those outings, but it's a passion project of Carney’s and a season highlight for cosplayers and Tim Curry aficionados.
Our friend Hannah with Kirvin Doak Communications sends word that Illuminarium Las Vegas is “reimagining nightlife with a nostalgic new event series, “Lite-Brite Retro Nights.” The 18-and-up Illuminarium After Dark experience features visuals and interactive elements from the recently opened Lite-Brite: Worlds of Wonder attraction at 3246 West Desert Inn Road.
DJs, dancing and specialty cocktails accompany the retro-themed rediscovery of the iconic toy introduced in 1967 that enabled kids to be creative with a light box and colored pegs. Lite-Bright Retro Nights begins this evening and runs on select Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer.
The full schedule can be found at showclix.com/tickets/LV-AfterDark.