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it’s our anniversary!
Get ready to paint the town as Vegas/Rated celebrates its first anniversary this month. We’re inviting you to party with us and Swedish sensation The Hives as they rock the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan on September 13. Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated for more details.
(Left): miH shirt mih-jeans.com; G-Star pants dNa 2050 in Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas; WaLter SteIGer shoes waltersteiger.com; LIe SaNG BoNG jacket liesangbong.com; LarUIccI earrings Beckley in Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas; PUSH BY PUSHmataaHa ring pushmataaha.com (right): G-Star denim shirt dNa 2050 in Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas; GeoFFreY mac striped shirt geoffreymac.com; aLLSaINtS pants and jacket Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas; WaLter SteIGer shoes waltersteiger.com; dINoSaUr deSIGN rings dinosaurdesigns.com.au
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Dress provided by Roberto Cavalli. Jewelry provided by de Grisogono
Who i KnoW
from the editor
MELINDA SHECKELLS Editor-in-Chief Follow us on Twitter @vegasrated
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What i Want Javier’S I am counting the days till the aria resort & casino welcomes Las vegas’ version of the famed Laguna Beach mexican eatery. during a recent trip to Southern california, Javier’s once again convinced me why everyone else in this town should be counting the days as well. Coming this fall!
Where i’ll Be UndergroUnd I love being in the fashion trenches … and in a city like this, sometimes style goes subterranean. See Page 38
Sarah Nami ahN Still doeS it the oldfaShioNed way—with peNcilS, peNS aNd paper. She illuStrateS our guide to fall’S beSt lookS. See Page 122
Melinda: Ryan Reason; styling: nicole chandleR; haiR: MaRshall VanieRland; Makeup natasha chaMbeRlin; dolce & gabbana dRess, neiMan MaRcus, Fashion show
As a kid, I was always a big fan of connect the dots. It was the first page I would complete in my “Big Activity” book. As an adult, I have come to appreciate the magic of drawing straight lines between unrelated and nonsensical bubbles, but now those spherical abstractions are people, projects, things and concepts. Sometimes all it takes is one person to start the ball rolling, and before you know it, there’s a previously unanticipated masterpiece brewing. This month, photographer Denise Truscello was the domino at the head of the chain reaction. On one fine sunny day in early summer, Denise and I were having a leisurely lunch when we started discussing upcoming projects. Las Vegas rockers The Killers came up—their new album, their past, their present, their future. Denise had recently photographed them for a featurette in Rolling Stone. Needless to say that was enough to pique my interest. At that point, it became clear that The Killers would make an ideal cover story for Vegas/Rated—and when Denise and I realized that the release of our hometown heroes’ new album, Battle Born, was coinciding with our first anniversary issue (lucky No. 13, to be precise), well, let’s just say the dots came together quickly. Then I turned to Miriam Coleman to pen the story. Most know Miriam as the brilliant writer whose byline has appeared in such publications as the aforementioned Rolling Stone, V and GQ … but I first became aware of her in my 10th grade English class, when we both attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. She is quick to point out we shared other classes—“Biology and history, too. All the honorsnerd classes. Oh, and P.E.!” Somewhere, I’m sure our English teacher, Mrs. Hunter, is proud of us. My P.E. teacher, probably, not so much. While The Killers anchor this month’s cover, this issue—much like the first year of Vegas/Rated—is filled with many wonderful games of connect the dots. Over the past 12 months, we met a lot of people, sipped a lot of cocktails, ate a lot of stuff our P.E. teacher would not approve of and told the stories we thought you’d enjoy, all while living by our claim to be the ultimate guide to Las Vegas. The good news is there’s still a lot left to say—and many, many more issues to come! Happy Birthday, baby!
Simon HammerStein Te act, debuting this fall at Te Palazzo, is the next big thing in Las vegas nightlife, and I, for one, am ready for something fresh. Hammerstein is one of the most important figures to come through vegas this century. a true visionary, he captivates us with his every eccentric move. Tis nightlife spot will not be for everyone, but it’s definitely for me. See Page 17
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COnTriBuTOrS “wHaT iS THe MOST exPenSiVe PieCe OF DeniM yOu’Ve SPlurgeD On?” reka nyari nyari started painting even before she could walk or talk, which led her to new york at the age of 17 to study at the School of Visual arts. Her love of photography grew when she started modeling, traveling to asia and europe. Currently, nyari works and plays in new york City, creating fashion editorials, artistic portraits and erotic photography. She braved the heat of The Cosmopolitan’s parking garage in the middle of June to shoot denim for our fall fashion feature (“Subterranean Subculture,” Page 38). “A pair of custom-made denim jeans with alligator trim in my modeling days. They were discounted from $2,000 to $400.”
newHearT OHanian Ohanian is a graduate of the Fashion institute of Technology, and began her career as a designer. She studied apparel design and textiles in Florence and Milan, italy, and, after several years in the industry, embarked on a career as a stylist. Her flair for fashion and passion for styling have led to editorials in publications such as Vogue Taiwan and Harper’s Bazaar Español. She put denim to the test as the stylist for our fall fashion feature (“Subterranean Subculture,” Page 38). “I was in a denim phase a long time ago in my life, and I purchased a denim suit for just under $1,000—tragic but expensive.”
MiriaM COleMan Coleman grew up in Southern California and has lived in Brooklyn, new york, for the last decade. She writes on varying subjects such as astronomers, race-car drivers, movies and music for publications including V Man, Tablet, GQ and Rolling Stone, and has written several dozen children’s books. For this issue, Coleman caught up with las Vegas-based rock stars The killers (“Down Home,” Page 86). “I’m such a cheapskate that all my fancy jeans come from thrift stores, so probably a black APC denim skirt that I found for $20.”
SaBin Orr Orr previously specialized in photographing people and products when, out of the blue, he was commissioned to shoot food, and it was a perfect fit. He is grateful to reside in las Vegas among some of the nation’s most well-respected culinary artists. This month, we sent Orr to legendary eatery Piero’s to capture the restaurant’s history (“The Vegas Standard,” Page 64). “I don’t go crazy. I’d say $100 tops. But, when I was 17 and working at a hotel, I delivered room service to a French woman, and she must have had more than 300 pairs of jeans piled up in her room. She said it was because they cost $500 each back home.”
MiCHael SHulMan Shulman is our go-to writer for everything from las Vegas’ thriving philanthropy scene to changing mores in popular culture to luxury living to local history. He’s written for PAPER, BlackBook and W, and is the founder and editor of shulmansays.com. For this issue, he previews Fashion’s night Out at Crystals at CityCenter (“The Divine Miss P,” Page 50). “My wedding suit—a knee-length coat made from charcoal-gray stretch denim trimmed in quilted black satin with matching slacks—that I designed and had custom-made in Hong Kong. It cost nearly $2,000.”
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vegas/rated速 is a registered trademark of Sandow media, LLc and used in partnership with WeNdoH media companies. vegas/rated (ISSN 2162-6340) vol. 2, No. 1 is published monthly by WeNdoH media Las vegas, Nv.
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contents
voluMe 02 | issue 01
48
64
Pulse
shoP
dine
Relax
v/Rated exclusives
in stoRe & on tRend
the culinaRy scene
best Places to Get aWay FRoM it all
shoP 18 the Juicy couture founders debut their new clothing line—skaist taylor
v/Rated 30 try these ties, belts and socks on for size
v/Rated 62 vintage restaurants offer a taste of old-school vegas
v/Rated 74 arch support: Meet the city’s top brow-shapers
cuRRent 36 a lipstick for a good cause
the veGas standaRd 64 Piero’s celebrates 30 years of serving the city’s heavy hitters
suite sensation 76 Welcome to your room with a canyon view at Red Rock Resort
culinaRy calendaR 70 the monthly guide to food in las vegas
the Guide the hotel hot sheet
dine 19 culinary dropout invades the hard Rock hotel & casino Play eli Roth’s Goretorium is ready to open (your head with an ax)
20
Relax 21 the Four seasons las vegas gets a facelift discoveR a new novel by P Moss inspires a soundtrack
subteRRanean 38 subcultuRe denim rules in the cosmo’s underground 48 Meet Wynn las vegas designer Roger thomas reveals yet another new project—and it’s a real gem
21
the cover: 48 on Photography williams + hirakawa
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78
110
96
122
Discover
watch
play
style file
the city beyonD the strip
must-see concerts & shows
on the list & on the lips
looKs, tips & trenDsetters
v/rateD 84 sounds of the city: the best vegas-inspired songs
v/rateD 96 must-see concerts, from fiona apple to madge
v/rateD 108 DJ ob-one’s beats are out of this world
v/rateD e!’s George Kotsiopolous shares fashion tips
Down home vegas rocks: the Killers release a new album
meet 98 the hives land at the cosmo just in time for Vegas/Rated’s anniversary
libations 110 rum + whiskey = rumskey. only in vegas
the GuiDe 122 meet five fashionable folks who have something to say
the scene 112 an artrageous spectacle at the cosmopolitan
on a roll 128 fan-tastic: football season is here, and the lvh welcomes you to its living room
86
calenDar 90 the monthly guide to art and culture in las vegas
100 calenDar your monthly resource for shows on the strip
120
calenDar 114 this month’s guide to gay pride festivities
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PULSE VEGAS/RATED EXCLUSIVES
PULSE
DENISE TRUScELLO
Caught in The Act When Te Palazzo opened in 2008, everyone wondered what would become of the expansive third-floor space in Te Shoppes (adjacent to Barneys New York). It seemed perfect for a nightclub, but it would take four years before the right match was found in visionary Simon Hammerstein (pictured), proprietor of New York city’s Te Box. Part cabaret, part vaudevillian showcase with exotic performances between interludes of roaring music, Te act, opening this fall, is not your typical nightclub. Beyond the two stages (one main and one telescoping platform), Te act’s characters (performance artists, aerialists and poly-gender impersonators among them) engage the crowd from all angles in the 15,000-square-foot labyrinth. Te act aims to elevate vegas’ nighttime playtime with sexy, salacious and bawdy partying that will leave you asking: Which is more sinful—the city or this hotspot? theactlv.com vrated.com / 17
V/RATED EXCLUSIVES SECOND TIME AROUND For years, A-list celebrities from Eva Longoria to Kim Kardashian have sported Juicy Couture’s iconic velour tracksuit with the J-logo zipper. And they weren’t alone, as women everywhere have turned to Juicy for contemporary casual wear by founders Pamela SkaistLevy and Gela Nash-Taylor. Fastforward 15 years, and the designing duo has done it again, this time with advanced contemporary line Skaist (pronounced Sky-ssst) Taylor. “Tis is Chapter 2 and what we’re obsessed with right now,” Nash-Taylor says. “We have this crocheted gold-sequin peasant top, which is very us. Tese pieces are really autobiographical—things that we love and were dying to own.” Te stylish Sin City shopper will love them, too. “We’ve got a one-shoulder gold lamé dress that is for the Vegas girl,” Skaist-Levy says. “And we have a sequined little jacket to wear with anything.” Teir must-have pieces? Te Long Goodbye, a chiffon gown with trumpet sleeves ($925); Bleach Sky Mongolian fur Chubby jacket ($950); and the military-inspired band jacket, which is lined with raccoon fur ($1,210). Paying homage to the tracksuit, the Skaist Taylor line also includes a chocolate velour pant ($330). –Laura J. Downey
BANd JACKET
GoLd LAMÉ drESS
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SKaiSt taylor
THE LoNG GoodBYE
PULSE v/rated exclusives
a rebellious restaurant There’s a new kid in town, and we’re not ashamed to say it’s a dropout. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s newest restaurant, Culinary Dropout, is part of a trend of casual yet food-driven gastropubs arriving in Las Vegas. The concept began in England, where bars began serving gourmet cuisine to go along with more upscale drinks, a sort of middle finger to the classic dining establishment. At Culinary Dropout’s first outpost in Scottsdale, Arizona, the restaurant established itself as a day-drinking destination, a trait that fits right in with its new location along the Hard Rock pool. The menu aims high with signature dishes such as fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits and a drizzle of honey, and housemade soft pretzels with provolone fondue. Wash it all down with a fun cocktail, such as the nostalgic, tequila-based After School Special, while listening to live music acts. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com –Grace Bascos Housemade soft pretzels witH provolone fondue
a culinary dropout Handcrafted cocktail
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Oh the hOrrOr Consider it a 21st-century update of late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas … only minus the “Loathing” … and extremely heavy on the “Fear.” On September 27, Eli Roth’s Goretorium welcomes horror fans to its permanent dungeon at Harmon Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. “I’ve spent years planning this, and all my nightmares are finally coming true,” says Roth, the director of such splatter-films as Hostel and Hostel: Part II. The 14,500-square-foot attraction features ghastly actors personally trained by Roth, plus state-of-the-art, ghoulish animatronics, all of which promise to push even the most hardened gore fan to his limit. “You can come in six times and get six different experiences,” says Goretorium CEO Robert Frey. “There are so many unique features that every time you go through, you’re going to encounter something you didn’t before—but that’s under the assumption that you make
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it through.” The morbid tour begins in the second-floor lobby of the fictional Delmont Hotel, where the elevator shafts echo with an ominous wind (or are those screams from people in distress)? Goretorium’s multilevel, self-guided maze gives visitors horrifying glimpses of the carnage that once took place in the now-condemned Delmont. Guests can take home a disturbing souvenir scalp-peeler from the retail shop or grab a gory, fresh-from-the-torso cocktail at Goretorium’s to-go bar, dubbed Bloody Mary’s. Also onsite is Baby Dolls, a retro-lounge overlooking CityCenter where zombie dancers “feed” on body parts. “We’re having some problems getting our permits to keep them, but we only have real zombies,” Frey says. Thankfully, these dancers are caged. 3717 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702.263.4569; goretorium.com –Maureen Hank
PULSE V/rated exclusiVes
artful accommodations
p moss: studio west photography / Bedroom suite: Four seasons hotel las Vegas
Known as a plush escape for vacationers and business executives alike, the four seasons Hotel adjacent to mandalay Bay will glam up its already stellar reputation by december 17 with a stylish remodel of guest rooms and suites. Harnessing the elegance of the art deco period, rooms will be outfitted in geometric wallpaper, shimmering metallic fabrics, high-gloss furniture and custom, contemporary artwork. Te bathrooms seamlessly blend this vintage aesthetic with modern-day features, such as backlit mirrors with built-in television screens and frameless glass showers offset by marble flooring and vanity tops. along with thick, terry-cloth bathrobes and a lineup of premium l’occitane body products, these spa-like amenities set the scene for a weekend of relaxation. But what is a hotel stay without those oh-socomfortable beds? not to worry—four seasons has you covered there, too, with fluffy down duvets, down pillows, velvet accent pillows and curvilinear upholstered headboards. Te excitement of the strip might keep you out all night, but when you’re ready to rest and rejuvenate, this nongaming sanctuary is the perfect home base. Four Seasons Hotel, 702.632.5000; fourseasons.com/lasvegas –Laura Mier
Vegas Lit on Fire When P Moss—owner of two of the city’s most popular off-Strip bars, the Double Down Saloon and Frankie’s Tiki Room—handed an early manuscript of his novel Vegas Knockout to his friend Allan Carter, founder of Las Vegas-based record label SquidHat Records, he never expected to end up with a soundtrack to his book. But that’s exactly what he got. “The thought of a book having a soundtrack the way a movie does was intriguing to me,” says Carter, who moonlights as the drummer for Portland, Oregon, punk band Attack Ships on Fire. “Theater of the mind, if you will. It seemed like a perfect mix of mediums.” Vegas Soul, the soundtrack to Vegas Knockout, hits shelves the same day as Moss’ book, September 6. And the musical release already has a fan. “I think they capture the tone of the book very well,” Moss says. “They based the songs on characters instead of stories, which I thought was inventive.” Although I haven’t read the book, I can say the soundtrack positively burns. “The Magnificent Dr. Zombo,” “Hands Down Chin Up,” and “Dear Annie, Love, Bug” land like rabbit punches. And damn if that isn’t Moss himself, delivering the spoken-word introduction to “Chop Suey.” This is literature to make the ears ring. –Geoff Carter
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in the moment
16 photographs taken around las vegas
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PULSE
PHOTOGRAPH BY XX
IN THE MOMENT
Opposite page, clockwise from top: Dev onstage at Palms Pool & Bungalows, photographed by Aaron Garcia. Cobra Starship’s Gabe Saporta and Victoria Asher party at Ditch Fridays at the Palms, photographed by Aaron Garcia. Taye Diggs at Surrender in Encore Las Vegas, photographed by Bryan Schnitzer. Paul Oakenfold at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, photographed by Hew Burney. Foster the People at Boulevard Pool at Te Cosmopolitan, photographed by Erik Kabik. New Edition at the Ford Hoodie Awards hosted by Steve Harvey at Mandalay Bay, photographed by Isaac Brekken. Tis page: Jenny McCarthy at 1 OAK, photographed by Denise Truscello.
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Tis page, clockwise: Art Downtown, photographed by Hew Burney. CollectiveZoo partners Leonard Hendricks and Jarrett Applewhite, Michael Crandall of Te Siegal Group and Matthew McClure, also a partner in CollectiveZoo, at Rumor Boutique Hotel, photographed by Claire Hart. Busta Rhymes at Vanity Nightclub in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, photographed by Hew Burney. DJ Alie Layus at Midsummer Lingerie Masquerade at Palms Pool, photographed by Joe Fury. Opposite page, clockwise: Rita Ora performs at Lavo in Te Palazzo, photographed by Powers Imagery. Rob Dyrdek at Te Bank in Bellagio. DJ Ruckus and Rev Run at Rehab in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, photographed by Hew Burney. Zedd at Wet Wonderland at Marquee Dayclub in Te Cosmo, photographed by Powers Imagery. Angela Simmons at Sugar Factory in Paris Las Vegas, photographed by Bryan Steffy.
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PULSE IN THE MOMENT
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CUSTOM TAILORING & FASHIONABLE READY TO WEAR.
MEASURING BY APPOINTMENT 702.698.7630
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REKA NYARI
Going Underground Fall fashion dominates the pages of magazines around the country in September—and Vegas/Rated is no different. of course, ours comes with a bit more sparkle. read on to see what legendary stylist Patricia Field has in store during her appearance at Fashion’s Night out at crystals in citycenter (See Page 50). Te best part: 10 pages of autumn’s most delightful denim looks shot against an artful backdrop in Te cosmopolitan’s parking structure (pictured). See Page 38
G-Star denim shirt dNa 2050 in Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas; SaNdra WeIL blouse sandraweil.com; J BraNd pants dNa 2050 in Te cosmopolitan; JImmY cHoo boots crystals at citycenter; LaUreN BaGLIore coat laurenbagliore.com; SUGar ScoUt coUtUre earrings sugarscoutla.com
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shop
MAN UP!
V/Rated
Don’t sweat the small stuf. If you’ve left home without a crucial accessory there are plenty of places to pick up that tie, socks or belt you can’t live without PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTHONY MAIR PROP STYLING BY JAN RUDE
FIT TO BE TIED 1/ GItMaN BROS. and 2/ JOHN G. HaRdY Stitched at Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; 3/ tOM FORd Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show; 4/ ORIGINaL PeNGUIN Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood; 5/ tHOMaS PINK Te Shoppes at Te Palazzo
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V/rated
shop
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BELT IT OUT
1/ JOHN VarVatOS Te Forum Shops at Caesars; 2/ OrIGINaL PeNGUIN Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood; 3/ JOHN VarVatOS Te Forum Shops at Caesars; 4/ Prada Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show; 5/ aLLeN edMONdS Stitched in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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SOCK IT TO ME
V/RATED
shop
1/ PAUL SMITH Crystals at CityCenter; 2/ PSYCHO BUNNY (gray and purple stripe) Saks Fifth Avenue in Fashion Show; 3/ STANCE CRSVR in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; 4/ PAUL SMITH Crystals at CityCenter; 5/ TED BAKER Te Forum Shops at Caesars
WhErE TO Buy CRSVR Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.698.7605; crsvr.com
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JOHN VARVATOS Te Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.939.0922; johnvarvatos.com NEIMAN MARCUS Fashion Show, 702.731.3636; neimanmarcus.com ORIGINAL PENGUIN Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 702.734.0089; originalpenguin.com
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PAUL SMITH Crystals at CityCenter, 702.796.2640; paulsmith.co.uk SAKS FIFTH AVENUE Fashion Show, 702.733.8300; saksfifthavenue.com STITCHED Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 702.698.7630; stitchedlifestyle.com TED BAKER Te Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.369.4755; tedbaker-london.com THOMAS PINK Te Shoppes at Te Palazzo, 702.369.2469; thomaspink.com
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from your lips to ‌ Photography and Styling by Benedetta Pignatelli
Helmut Red, the lipstick devoted to photographer Helmut Newton and conceived by online concept boutique House of Exposure, is the spawn of a glamour trifecta: Australian lipstick engineer Poppy King, model-mechanic Jenny Shimizu and HOE art director Periel Aschenbrand. And it possesses not merely a high-pigment body but a soul, too. To wit: Part of the proceeds from sales will go to Bantwana, a nonprofit that works to improve the lives of women and children affected by HIV and AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa. houseofexposure.com
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shop current vrated.com / 37
Hidden Playground reBecca mINKoFF shirt and LarUIccI earrings Beckley in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; KatYa LeoNovIcH jacket katyaleonovich. com; PUSH BY PUSHmataaHa ring pushmataaha.com
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Metropolitan environments have long been the canvas of street artists armed with spray-paint cans, an ideological mindset and a desire to beautify bleak urban surroundings. But the squeaky-clean avenues of Las Vegas, scrubbed of the old buildings and in constant transition, are strikingly void of graffiti art. The landscape changed when The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas enlisted five of the genre’s top names to create its permanent installation, Wallworks. Shepard Fairey, Curtis Kulig, Retna, Kenny Scharf and Shinique Smith were tapped to embellish the walls leading to casino elevators in the resort’s underground parking structure, with each artist employing their signature aesthetic. Created in association with New York’s Art Production Fund, the murals—completed before the hotel’s grand opening in 2010—add an urban flair to an otherwise clean and commercialized city. But the creativity doesn’t stop there. The Cosmo also features digital installations in its lobby and a rotating artist-in-residence program. Want a little piece to take home? Check out the palm-size creations that are dispensed from Art-o-mat vending machines throughout the property.
Photography by Reka Nyari Styling by Newheart Ohanian
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SUBTERRANEAN SUBCULTURE
Fall’s denim-heavy palette complements Te Cosmopolitan’s underground street art gallery
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subterranean subculture
SUB-Stationed G-Star denim shirt and HaBItUaL pants DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; GeoFFreY mac dress geoffreymac.com; dINoSaUr deSIGN necklace dinosaurdesigns.com.au
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shop SUBTERRANEAN SUBCULTURE
CORNERED LaKo BUKIa top lakobukia.com; SaSS & BIde pants Beckley in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; KaNGarooS sneakers kangaroos.com; crUX earrings cruxny.com; vIvIeNNe WeStWood bag DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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RUN AND HIDE LIe SaNG BoNG blouse liesangbong.com; G-Star pants DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; LarUIccI necklace laruicci.com; dINoSaUr deSIGNS rings dinosaurdesigns.com.au; reBecca mINKoFF bag Beckley in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
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shop SUBTERRANEAN SUBCULTURE
IN DISGUISE miH denim shirt mih-jeans.com; caLvIN KLeIN pants Nordstrom in Fashion Show; aLLSaINtS jacket Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; aNNa-KarIN KarLSSoN sunglasses gregorysshoes.com; LarUIccI necklace laruicci.com
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shop SUBTERRANEAN SUBCULTURE
WALK THE WALK (Left) miH shirt mih-jeans.com; G-Star jeans DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; WaLter SteIGer shoes waltersteiger.com; LIe SaNG BoNG jacket liesangbong.com; LarUIccI earrings Beckley in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; PUSH BY PUSHmataaHa ring pushmataaha.com (right) G-Star denim shirt DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; GeoFFreY mac striped shirt geoffreymac.com; aLLSaINtS jeans and jacket Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; WaLter SteIGer shoes waltersteiger.com; dINoSaUr deSIGN ring dinosaurdesigns.com.au
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blindsided G-Star denim shirt and reBecca mINKoFF neon tank top Beckley in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; G-Star pants DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; LaKo BUKIa shoes lakobukia.com; KatYa LeoNovIcH jacket katyaleonovich.com; LarUIccI earrings Beckley in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; PUSH BY PUSHmataaHa rings pushmataaha.com
Photography REKA NYARI Photography Assistant DHANANJAI NADGAR Styling NEWHEART OHANIAN Styling Assistants JIMI URQUIAGA; KAT SCHIEBEL Hair KIMBERLI LOPEZ Makeup HOMA SAFAR Models ALONA Pinkerton Model & Talent; EMILY No Ties Management
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WHERE TO BUY ALLSAINTS The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 702.722.5252; allsaints.com BECKLEY The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 702.698.7600; beckleyboutique.com DNA 2050 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas 702.698.7610; dna2050.com NORDSTROM Fashion Show 702.862.2525; nordstrom.com
DOUBLE TROUBLE (Left) G-Star denim shirt DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; SaNdra WeIL blouse sandraweil.com; J BraNd jeans DNA 2050 in Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; JImmY cHoo boots Crystals at CityCenter; LaUreN BaGLIore coat laurenbagliore.com; SUGar ScoUt coUtUre earrings sugarscoutla.com (right) LaKo BUKIa tank top lakobukia.com; SaNdra WeIL blouse sandraweil.com; aLLSaINtS pants Te Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; KaNGarooS sneakers kangaroos.com; LIe SaNG BoNG jacket liesangbong.com; LarUIccI necklace and ring laruicci.com
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DesigneR extRaoRDinaiRe
Meet
roger thomas lends his imaginative flair to everything from Wynn las vegas to (noW) Watches and jeWelry
by elizabeth sewell He’s designed exquisite interiors for steve Wynn for more than 30 years and conquered the design world with a signature collection of furniture. now über-designer roger thomas has his sights set on fine jewelry. But the man who has come to define gracious hotels as well as gracious living couldn’t just design a line of simple baubles. instead, thomas partnered with italian mosaic company siCis to take on one of the most complicated and historic processes in jewelry making: the micro mosaic. Whereas micro-mosaic pieces were originally historical mementos for the wealthy to remember their travels, thomas’ collection takes visions from his adventures and creates something more abstract. each piece begins
as a sketch that thomas jots down in his never-ending supply of Hermès notebooks. And his inspiration is equally as endless. “if i’m in europe, i’ll usually do one sketch book every four or five days,” thomas says. “in any given drawing book, it’ll be a combination of patterns, chandeliers, chests of drawers, chairs or landscapes.” His jewelry collection contains more than 30 pieces and is filled with rings, necklaces, cuffs and even cufflinks for the gentlemen, all created using minute pieces of glass handplaced to create brilliant designs. there are jewels inspired by 17th century columns in Mexico or a Chinese cloud from Asian art that thomas loves, all set in 24-karat gold. the pieces—it can take up to a day to make a single
cufflink—display the gems in such a way to create the illusion of giant rubies or emeralds, but without the weight of too many carats. And since everything thomas does is such a hit, he has signed on to design a line of watches with mosaic faces for siCis, scheduled to debut sometime next year. the tireless designer has also set out to create a fourth collection of home furnishings for the roger thomas Collection, and recently released a line of handmade wall coverings for Maya romanoff. He’s also in the process of developing printed leather for townsend. of course, such multitasking is exactly what thomas specializes in, having worked on such a grand scale for so long. “that’s my imagination.”
Work in scale Dating to the 16th century, micro mosaics were often of landmarks such as the Roman Forum and were brought home as momentos. Creating micro-mosaic jewelry requires a steady hand and ample time, with each tiny shard of glass—or tessera—laid create intricate designs.
PoWer of the Pen sketChes by RoGeR thoMas
to keep track of his thoughts, Tomas looks to none other than hermès and their Grand Modèle notebooks. Te leather cover can be continually refilled with bound sketchbooks, and Tomas never leaves home without them—sometimes using a sketchbook a week while traveling.
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THE DIVINE MISS PAT Fashion’s most prominent stylist brings her sophisticated looks and edgy persona to Crystals at CityCenter By Michael Shulman
steve finn/getty images
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Time named Field one of the “100 Most Influential Fashion Icons of All Time”
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ll fashionistas within eyeshot of the Strip should have their scopes keenly focused on Crystals at CityCenter on September 6, when celebrated stylist/costume designer/retailer Patricia Field (made famous by her Emmy-winning work on Sex and the City and Oscar-nominated work on The Devil Wears Prada) hosts Fashion’s Night Out 2012. In addition to curating a live presentation featuring looks from such Crystals retailers as Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana and Lanvin, Field will meet with attendees in an intimate setting, ready to answer questions and offer insights. Earlier this year, Time named Field one of the “100 Most Influential Fashion Icons of All Time”—the only stylist, and one of only two costume designers, to be so honored. The recognition was hardly surprising, given Field’s long list of accomplishments— most notably influencing the way an entire generation has come to view style, through her contributions to Sex and the City. But there’s so much more to Field than that. She was just 24 years old when she opened her eponymous boutique in Greenwich Village in the mid-1960s. Field’s shop became known as the place where the hipsters and scenesters visited before setting out for a night in the city at hotspots from the Paradise Garage to the Palladium. In the ’80s, Field expanded into costume design for television and film, starting with the cops-and-mobster drama Crime Story, which was shot in Las Vegas in 1987-1988. Her TV work continued into the 1990s as she designed costumes for Mother Goose Rock ’n’ Rhyme for the Disney Channel (which garnered Field her first Emmy, for Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program), Wiseguy, The Substitute and Miami Rhapsody. Then she got the gig that would elevate her into the pantheon of those rare few individuals who wield the power to—in the words of Joanna Lumley on Absolutely Fabulous—“raise hemlines so high that the world’s your gynecologist.” In addition to Sex and the City (for which she was nominated for an Emmy every year from 2000 to 2004, winning in 2002 for Outstanding Costumes for a Series), the new millennium brought TV series work on such shows as Spin City, Hope & Faith, Guiding Light and Ugly Betty. Additionally, her work appeared on the big screen in both Sex and the City movies, Confessions of a Shopaholic and The Devil Wears Prada (for which she was nominated for a Best Achievement in Costume Design Oscar in 2007). Along the way, Field produced a line for Marks + Spencer and HSN called Destination Style, with her talented House of Field collaborator, David Dalrymple; designed a line of customized Diet Coke bottles; and has consulted and/or collaborated on collections for such brands as Rocawear, MCM, Candie’s and Mattel—for which she designed a signature Barbie.
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BarBie: Brad Barket/gettyimages; Field with streep: Barry wetcher/ap; Field with model: raine Bascos
THREE QUESTIONS WITH PATRICIA VEGAS/RATED: Do the different aspects of your career give insight into the others? For instance, have you found that being a designer helps with styling? Does being a stylist help with retail? FIELD: Yes. Each “aspect” is like a puzzle piece. The more pieces you have, the more complete the picture. V/R: Which is more important, style or fashion? FIELD: Style and fashion do not compete, as they are partners on the same relay-race team: “Team Aesthetic!” V/R: What are your three favorite looks for this fall? FIELD: Simple clothing, tech accessories and classic men’s shoes for women.
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Shop Till You Drop
retailers pull out all the stops for fashion’s night out
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when anna wintour says spend, you spend, which is why September 6 is marked on every fashionista’s calendar as the return of the annual Fashion’s night out. while we couldn’t list every happening surrounding the Vogue-endorsed event aimed at boosting retail sales, here’s a sample of what’s in store at some of the chicest destinations across the city. The Bungalow 7024 W. Charleston Blvd. 702.303.3353; thebungalowlv.com get an early start on the fashionable events at this off-Strip boutique. From noon–5 p.m. the clothing and home store offers makeovers from Makeup by Didi, goodie bags and, of course, champagne. Shoppers are also rewarded with a 35 percent discount on brands such as anna Sui and Monrow. chloe aT wynn laS VegaS 702.266.8122; chloe.com having debuted august 16, chloé is the newest boutique to join wynn las Vegas’ stylish lineup, and it’s diving head first into Fashion’s night out with the release of the line’s latest bag—the alice. From 6-9 p.m. the store serves a signature libation named after the 1970s-inspired purse, which comes in three colors. guests who spend more than $1,000 receive exclusive gifts.
Town Square 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South 702.269.5000; mytownsquarelasvegas.com an open-air shopping experience, Town Square at the south end of the Strip has 120 stores along with dining and entertainment. For Fashion’s night out, Tommy Bahama gives a limited-edition scarf to guests who spend $50 or more from 6–9 p.m., and Banana republic serves refreshments to shoppers and offers an exclusive umbrella to those who spend more than $75. tommY Bahama limited-edition scarf
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Fashion show 702.369.8382; thefashionshow.com saks Fifth avenue kicks off the evening with a fall fashion preview on the runway at Fashion show. This includes makeovers, champagne and prize drawings in store from 5–9 p.m. neiman Marcus partners with Make-a-wish Foundation of southern nevada to give fashionistas a chance to shop for a cause. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres are served from 6–9 p.m., and there is a chance to win a neiman Marcus gift card. The ForuM shops aT Caesars palaCe 702.893.4800; forumshops.com with 160 stores, there are no shortage of giveaways and fashion festivities scheduled at this roman-inspired shopping mecca. For instance, skincare giant Kiehl’s gives 10 percent off and complimentary skin consultations with a $65 purchase, while DKnY serves bubbly to shoppers as a guest DJ spins, and high-end lingerie shop agent provocateur offers a sexy gift with purchase. The restaurants get in on the fun, too, with Joe’s seafood, prime steak & stone Crab offering a special menu and donating $1 to Three square Food Bank from every piece of seasonal pie sold. MiraCle Mile shops aT planeT hollYwooD 702.866.0703; miraclemileshopslv.com stores throughout the 1.2-mile shopping destination are celebrating Fashion’s night out in style. head to steve Madden to receive a limited-edition studded ipad case with purchase, while a DJ spins at Guess and a free gift awaits those who spend more than $100. The shoppes aT The palazzo anD The GranD Canal shoppes aT The VeneTian 702.414.4525; theshoppesatthepalazzo.com; 702.414.4500; grandcanalshoppes.com who better to kick off a sartorial soiree than George Kotsiopoulos from e!’s Fashion
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de GrISoGoNo at crYStaLS
mIKImoto at crYStaLS
FENDI SUNGLASSES Police? The celebrity stylist and TV star is on hand from 6-8 p.m. at The shoppes at The palazzo to answer fashion questions, showcase his top fall picks and give away a $1,000 shopping spree. Canyon ranch spaClub adds a little relaxation to the mix, offering shoppers mini-services and a chance to win a $1,000 spa giveaway. Finally, head over to Tao asian Bistro for special Fashion’s night out libations and light bites.
H.SterN at crYStaLS
CrYsTals aT CiTYCenTer 702.590.9299; crystalsatcitycenter.com The luxury retail center pulls out all the stops for Fashion’s night out, enlisting stylist patricia Field of Sex and the City to host a fashionable fête. From 6–11 p.m. attendees can shop the Charity Crawl where stores such as assouline and paul smith align with local charities to donate a percentage of their sales. Make sure to stop by Bottega Veneta to get your hands on one of their ecofriendly 2013 cruise collection bags, which are part of a special Fashion’s night out pre-release ($1,950). Fendi also gets in on the action with its tan and black wayfarer-style pequin sunglasses produced just for this night.
DINE THE CULINARY SCENE
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If These Walls Could Talk … although founded in 1905, Las vegas is still considered a relatively young city, yet there’s more than enough history to fill its short timeline. and much of that history can be traced to dim, smoky restaurants where deals could be quietly made with a handshake over a slab of prime rib or a plate of linguine and clams. Fortunately a few connections to this legacy continue to thrive, and several of these iconic restaurants (including Piero’s, pictured) are still serving up the same vintage charm, warm hospitality and delicious menu items that they did when they first opened. See Page 64
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Old SchOOl
Long before five-star restaurants and ceLebrity chefs, vegas’ gourmet dining rooms were the pLace to be by grace bascos photography by Jeff green
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tabLeside service stiLL happens at goLden steer battista’s hole in the wall
Since 1970, the simple menu at Battista’s has featured the best of Italian-American fare: your choice of red-sauced pastas, or hearty entrées such as veal parmigiana and chicken alfredo, and sides of sausage and meatballs. Not only do dinners include a soup and salad, but also unlimited house red or white wine. Now that’s amore! 4041 Audrie St., 702.732.1424; battistaslasvegas.com golden steer
hugo’s cellar
Opened with the Four Queens in 1966, Hugo’s Cellar continues the tradition of the gourmet room, with gracious service and
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pamplemousse
When this pink-hued restaurant debuted in 1976, there was no menu, just servers reciting the evening’s offerings. These days, it has prix-fixe menus written on paper, as guests transport themselves to the French countryside while indulging in escargot, potau-feu or steak onglet with pommes frites. 400 E. Sahara Ave., 702.733.2066; pamplemousserestaurant.com peppermill
This popular 24-hour coffee shop, which opened on the north end of the Strip in 1972, features a low-lit lounge with an indoor fire pit for late-night (or early-morning) cocktails, while the restaurant still powers through crowds serving stacks of pancakes, towering deli sandwiches and colossal sundaes at all hours of the day. 2985 Las Vegas Blvd. South, 702.735.4177; peppermilllasvegas.com
CIRCUS CIRCUS: ANTHONY MAIR
Founded in 1958, Golden Steer is considered the oldest steak house in Las Vegas, and its bullhead logo lives among the pantheon of Vegas icons. The Steer has always served USDA Prime beef and been renowned for its prime rib, New York strip and filet. Among the guests who have enjoyed what the restaurant trademarks “The Best Steaks on Earth” are mob legend Tony “The Ant” Spilotro, Elvis Presley and Joe DiMaggio. 308 W. Sahara Ave., 702.384.4470; goldensteersteakhouselasvegas.com
a menu of continental cuisine that’s both elegant and vintage, from the tableside salad preparation to tournedos of beef filet served Hugo-style, topped with foie gras, artichoke hearts and Béarnaise. Four Queens, 202 Fremont St., 702.385.4011; hugoscellar.com
Te steak house at circus circus celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, and ron randazzo has been there for all but two of them. now the general manager, randazzo has seen his share of vegas icons and clandestine celebrities pass through the classic restaurant, which was once a popular gathering spot for the city’s well-heeled set, thanks to its close proximity to Las vegas country club, an early enclave of sin city’s rich and powerful. Tese days, randazzo’s clientele skews younger, a demographic that’s genuinely excited to have a classic vegas dining experience. randazzo attributes Te steak house’s popularity, then and now, to word of mouth. “in the old days, we were all behind the scenes, no one ever knew about it, we never advertised it,” he says. “today, we’re on facebook. people would actually tell their friends, ‘i’ll pay for your dinner if you don’t like it.’ it’s amazing— that’s how they’d have to talk them into coming! and they’re coming back and telling their friends!” Circus Circus, 702.794.3767; circuscircus.com
The Vegas Standard The Glamour of The old days, CapTured in Veal
By GraCe BasCos phoToGraphy saBin orr No matter where you sit iN Piero’s italiaN cuisiNe, you’re sharing space with Vegas history, which is a rare find in this ever-changing city. Piero’s is as Vegas as Vegas gets, at least the kind of Vegas most people know it to be from films and television. the restaurant’s coveted “a room,” an intimate 10-table enclave, has played host to a long a-list of celebrities over its three decades, from casino moguls (Kerkorian) to icons new (timberlake) and old (sinatra). even the mob made its mark here. in fact, clientele such as this has made Piero’s patriarch a legend in his own right, too. and on any given night, you’ll still run into Freddie Glusman. these days the scion is in charge, running the dayto-day business alongside his son evan. while the younger Glusman is more low-key in his guest interaction, Freddie waltzes in like the mayor, often holding court among old friends in one of the booths. there’s no doubt about who is old school and who is not. evan grew up in the biz, keeping a close eye on his father’s restaurant management style. “my dad runs a restaurant how he wants service for himself,” evan muses. “there’s no gray area. it’s black or white—it is or it isn’t.” evan himself allows the patron to dictate the pace at which they’d like to dine. “my father wants to be seen and heard,” evan says. “i think i just need to be seen.” although the father and son team use different practices in the dining room, they both want the same result. “we both agree that service comes first; you have to be in the restaurant, and you have to eat your own food. i’m eating at my restaurant five nights a week,” evan admits. “if you don’t know your product, or your waiters, how do you know what’s going on? how can anyone else know what’s going on?” Piero’s Italian Cuisine, 702.369.2305; pieroscuisine.com
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THE HISTORY ClaSSIC VEgaS, If wE’RE TalkIng abOuT THE RaT PaCk and cold martinis and Steve and Eydie, is alive and well at Piero’s, so much so that it was a natural location to shoot several scenes for Martin Scorsese’s Casino. It hasn’t changed much since Tony Spilotro and the boys used to hang out when it was its previous incarnation, Villa d’Este. The dark woods, oil paintings by Jose bellver, lithographs from aldo luongo and white tablecloths convey a certain era that Piero’s still occupies. It was a time when a handshake still meant something and under-the-table deals were commonplace. The restaurant is named for its original chef, Piero broglia. Soon after its opening however, broglia left, but the name stayed the same. glusman opened the original Piero’s in 1982, and five years later he would relocate it to its current location on Convention Center drive. The city’s power brokers, accustomed to the discretion of the servers and the comfort of knowing that no one would be bothersome, came along with the move. names such as al Sachs of the Stardust and Sid Chaplin of Southern wine & Spirits made their mark on las Vegas, and as regulars at Piero’s, they left their stamp there as well. as a tribute to Vegas icons who have passed and were regulars, Piero’s has their names engraved on plates on their booths. growing up, Evan never wondered why Sachs, one of the most connected men in las Vegas at the time, was always at the restaurant. “busing and waiting tables, I grew up with what I thought was a super sweet nice old man, and he was, but I didn’t know what he did,” Evan admits. “It was always ‘uncle al.’” Sachs, it turned out, had loaned the elder glusman $100,000 to purchase Villa d’Este to turn it into the new Piero’s. freddie told Sachs that not only would he pay the debt back, but Sachs would eat for free at the restauarant for the rest of his life. “He ended up living another 20 to 30 years,” Evan laughs. “It was a great deal on his end!” Carl Thomas, who started bingo Palace, (which is now Palace Station), was another fixture at the original Piero’s, which Evan remembers fondly. “I was 3 or 4 years old, my mom and dad would be busy, and I’d get left at a table to fend for myself to some extent,” he recalls. “I’ve always loved eating clams, but at that age they’re a pain to eat. [Thomas] would sit next to me and shuck clams for me. I would eat two bowls of these things.” “People in town didn’t fuck with these guys, and they’re taking the time to talk to a 4-year-old or a 16-year-old, and they have nothing in common with me. They’re just being genuine guys.” Evan pauses. “The town was better then—people looked out for each other.”
joe pesci, longtime patron
a note from former mayor ron lurie
still shot from casino
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the famed monkey bar
the “a” room for piero’s regulars
main bar in the “a” room
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Veal OssO BucO
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stuffed artichOkes
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“UnFOrTUnaTEly clams givE mE HEarTbUrn nOw,” Evan says sadly. “but my kids—stella’s 5, bo is 3 and luke is 8 months— that’s the first thing they order.” Evan’s go-to these days is the veal. “you gotta try the veal,” Evan orders. The veal dishes—the osso buco, the saltimbocca—as well as the French chef who’s preparing the veal, gilbert Fetaz, have been with the restaurant almost since the very beginning, according to the original menu hanging near the office. Faded and yellowed, the only real difference between the old and new menus are the prices. The saltimbocca and parmigiana—today $37 and $36, respectively—were $13 in the mid-’80s. chicken vesuvio rings in at $29; back then it was only $10. Even Frank sinatra was a fan of the scaloppine milanese. “i eat there so much, and if i can’t make up my mind i go for veal and peas,” Evan concedes. “but when we have the special of the wild-mushroom pasta— five different types of wild mushrooms, and sautéd in their own broth and served in that broth on a bed of fettuccine, it’s sick. i’ll do a half order of that and a prime new york strip sliced. if i died tomorrow, i’d make that my meal tonight.”
pEnnE with shrimp and asparagus
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the vegas standard
THE FOOD
dine CuLINARY CALENDAR
Calendar: The MonThly Guide To Food in las VeGas
Strip HouSe 5-year anniverSary Through September 30 Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino 702.737.5200; striphouse.com Strip House celebrates five years in Las Vegas with specials throughout the month. Raise a Blueberry Thyme cocktail, made with Stoli Blueberrry and shaken fresh with blueberry lemon-thyme puree, for only $13, or cut into a massive 38-ounce bone-in rib eye for $88. project Dinner table September 8, 6:30 p.m. Town Square projectdinnertable.com With sold-out dinners earlier in the year by chefs Geno Bernardo and Michel Richard, the third season of Project Dinner Table has been a smashing success. The early fall installment features Bellagio executive chef Edmund Wong and Sensi executive chef Roy Ellamar, a long table, family-style service and 150 of your closest friends, sharing inspired, locally sourced cuisine. $140 per person
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laS veGaS Wine & FooD FeStival September 22, VIP 8 p.m., General Admission 9 p.m. Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa 702.509.4636; vegaswineandfood.com Now in its second year, the Las Vegas Wine
& Food Festival arrives at Red Rock’s pool complex with more than 100 wineries from all over the world. Sip vintages from storied estates such as Pacific Coast Vineyards and Cas’Almare, as well as brews from Beverly Hills Beer and Speakeasy Ale and Lager. Local’s favorites including Ethel M Chocolates, Pink’s Hot Dogs and Kabuki Japanese Restaurant provide bites. Proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation. $35-$75 M.e.n.u.S. September 28 M Resort Spa & Casino 702.932.5098; ecflv.squarespace.com Epicurean Charitable Foundation’s annual M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring & Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students) not only offers dishes from more than 30 of Las Vegas’ finest restaurants but also raises scholarship funds for future culinary and hospitality leaders. $500 per person
StarS come out of the Kitchen / food & Wine all-Star WeeKend Food & Wine magazine’s third annual celebrity chef-studded culinary weekend expands to other properties along the Strip this year. foodies can now attend events at aria, mGm Grand, mandalay Bay and Bellagio, rubbing elbows and eating bites with famous kitchen talent. Top Chef: Just Desserts’ Gail Simmons hosts this extravaganza, which includes the all-Star tasting featuring chefs such as rick moonen and laurent tourondel poolside at Te mirage on october 5. other highlights include a grand meal at Sage in aria with each course prepared by a different powerhouse resort chef: masa takayama, Shawn mcclain, Jean-Philippe maury, michael mina, Julian Serrano and Jean-Georges vongerichten. Plus there’s a cooking demonstration and lunch with chefs claude letohic and Steve Benjamin of Joël robuchon and l’atelier de Joël robuchon at mGm Grand. October 5-7, tickets for individual events $50-$275; mgmresorts.com/foodandwine
PROJECT DINNER TABLE: NATE LuDENs
San Gennaro FeaSt September 11-16 Silverton Casino 702.227.0295; sangennarofeast.com Little Italy can be anywhere you want it to be. The weeklong festival dedicated to all things Italian features carnival rides, live entertainment, games, and, yes, lots of food. Just follow the scent of sausage and peppers. Admission starts at $8
DiSH laS veGaS September 20, 6:30 p.m. Palms Pool and Bungalows Palms Casino Resort 702.644.3663; threesquare.org Local food bank Three Square holds its fourth annual dine-around event to help raise money and awareness in the fight against hunger in Southern Nevada. Guests can sample noshes from more than 20 different culinary stations provided by some of the Valley’s best chefs, sip signature cocktails, bid in a silent auction and dance to the rock sounds of Vegas favorites Zowie Bowie. $100 in advance, $150 day of event
RELAX THE BEST PLACES TO GET AWAY FROM IT ALL
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View from the Top In the shadows of all the pretty lights, the natural beauty that surrounds Las vegas often gets forgotten. But if you head west, the lights from the Strip dim and the fiery mountains of red rock canyon come into focus. the best place from which to view these famous formations is the canyon Suite at red rock resort. the 20th-floor penthouse offers not only unobstructed canyon views, but 4,000 square feet of luxury accommodations that answer the call of the day, whether it’s relaxation or play ‌ or a little bit of both. See Page 76
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Around the world in four scents
Brow Down Get Your eYeBroWS IN tIP-toP SHaPe at tHeSe NeIGHBorHood SPotS
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BY Laura J. doWNeY fabulous eyebrow threading call in advance to get on the books with mearcy, as the Nepal native is the go-to expert for eyebrow threading in Las vegas. mearcy, who has seven years of experience, uses a special organic cotton thread from India to shape the arch. In addition to being skilled at threading the lip, chin, forehead and cheeks, mearcy also does eyelash extensions and a variety of waxing services. $10 2960 S. Durango Drive, Suite 112, 702.445.7971; fabulouseyebrowthreading.com box human landscapers Grab a seat on the soft brown leather couch inside Box and take it all in—the vanilla-scented candles, gilded mirrors and old-school barber chairs. While waiting to get those brows cleaned up, sip on cherry pomegranate tea. co-owner and seasoned aesthetician Bree Goldwater’s special blend of wax is perfect for the face and other body parts—you know, like the tummy, buttocks and toes. $29 4750 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 28, 702.893.9993; bikiniwaxing.com
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the kids (flat-screen tv included), four treatment rooms and products from Te Birthday Suit line, including Ingrown Hair Serum, Pink Lava exfoliating Body Wash, Black currant Berry Body cream, and boy shorts. Stacey uses a highquality custom-blended wax from Paris and ensures repeat eyebrow customers get in and out in 12 minutes flat. $15 7645 S. Rainbow Blvd., Suite 101, 702.425.1343; thebirthdaysuit.com wax in the city If you have sensitive skin, stop by Wax in the city for an eyebrow treatment handled with care. coowners Kelly Knapp and dee Lennon stock technicians with caron wax imported from australia, which is gentle for all skin types. First-time visitor? receive $10 off when you spend $45 or more. also, be sure to sign up via e-mail for specials like a
free eyebrow wax with a Brazilian ($60 for women, $90 for men). Eyebrows: $16 for women, $20 for men 9555 S. Eastern Ave., Suite 290, 702.889.2727; waxinthecitylv.com belly bliss You don’t have to be preggers to visit Belly Bliss. Te cute pink and brown salon is equipped with four treatment rooms, three pedicure stations, a yoga studio and a snack bar filled with goldfish, animal crackers and pretzels. Lead aesthetician tessa martinez, who has more than 15 years of experience, applies a satin smooth wax with zinc to shape the eyebrow before trimming and tweezing those tiny hairs into proper form—all in 25 minutes. $20 Desert Perinatal Associates, 5761 S. Fort Apache Road, 702.597.5158; desertperinatalspa.com
LISHESKI: ANDREW SEA JAMES
the birthday suit waxing Birthday Suit Waxing makes all of your wishes come true. owners Jason and Stacey Laricchia operate a chic urban loft-style shop (exposed brick walls and hardwood floors) that offers something for everybody. Tere’s a playroom for
brow and beauty bar Bubbly beauty tara Lisheski uses an eyebrow-mapping system to achieve the shape you’ve always wanted. Her attention to detail and one-on-one approach result in a personalized face map for each client, which shows the eyebrow, lists products used during makeup-application sessions and specifies services such as brow tweezing, brow tinting and more. $20 Rain Salon, 6575 N. Decatur Blvd., Suite 107, 702.303.1239; rainsalonstudios.com
A human’s sense of smell is so powerful that we can detect up to 10,000 different odors. One whiff that is beautiful, exotic or homey can remind us of past experiences or transport us to places on the other side of the planet. Kiehl’s has tapped into our olfactory assets with its new body collection, Aromatic Blends. Available as a fragrance, body lotion and cleanser, the new line was created by chemists who sought to locate the finest natural, sustainably sourced ingredients. Take in elements of the Far East with orange and lychee, signature ingredients from Morocco and China. Earth and sweet are perfectly balanced in responsibly sourced Ugandan vanilla and cedarwood from the dense forests of the United States. Nashi blossoms, which are found in many neighborhoods in Kyoto, are extracted and paired with the Brazilian pink grapefruit to produce a floral, yet refreshing, finish. Or inhale the verdant, aromatic notes from the combination of Provence fig and Mediterranean sage. Traveling the world never smelled so good. $24-$75 Kiehl’s in The Forum Shops at Caesars, 702.784.0025; kiehls.com –Grace Bascos
KIng Of ThE hILL unWInd—WITh a mOunTaIn VIEW— In ThIS SuBuRBan SuITE By Elizabeth Sewell The penthouse level atop the Red Rock Resort in Summerlin is home to seven of the chicest accomodations off the Strip. With names such as the Viva, the Lucky and the One-Eighty, each massive suite has a distinct flavor to satisfy any guest’s needs. If entertainment space and an impressive view of Red Rock Canyon are what you’re after, then the Canyon Suite is the perfect hideaway. The 4,000-square-foot Bentel & Bentel-designed space has two master bedrooms, a butler’s pantry and a dining area that seats 12—but those are just a few of the amenities. 702.797.7777; redrock.sclv.com
Spin SenSaTion
Take a Load off
a rotating couch dominates one of the two separate sitting areas in the living room. Turn it to face the television or toward the bar for guest interaction.
Tanks to a private massage room adjacent to the master bedroom, guests can enjoy one of the resort’s luxurious spa treatments in the privacy of their suite. Te Zen escape has floor-to-ceiling windows with an impressive view of the mountains and direct-access to the balcony, in case you need a little fresh air.
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canyon crazy
Life of the Party
twenty stories up a balcony runs the length of the suite—accessible from the master bedroom and the living room— featuring breathtaking snapshots of red rock canyon.
it’s not a celebration without music, and the canyon Suite features two 65-inch flat-screen tVs controlled by a ScreenPlay entertainment system that integrates programmed music with video images. Te digital jukebox has a roster of thousands of tracks, so there’s a song for every mood.
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relax the Guide
MANDARIN ORIENTAL
The Palazzo Like its sister property, Te venetian, Te Palazzo boasts all-suite accommodations, with remote-control roman shades, a sunken living room and marbled bathrooms. Pamper yourself with a rejuvenating spa treatment at the glamorous canyon ranch Spaclub. insider intel: Hungry for a slice? Head to Grimaldi’s in Te Shoppes at Te Palazzo and indulge in a pizza pie you won’t soon forget. 866.263.3001; palazzo.com
Hotel Hot Sheet discover megasuites, world-renowned restaurants and spa sanctuaries among the city’s resort offerings Mandarin orienTal, las Vegas Tis nonsmoking, nongaming hotel in citycenter is the ultimate sanctuary from the chaos of the Strip, all while being in the center of the action. rejuvenate your mind and body at Te Spa at mandarin oriental, which earned an esteemed Forbes five-star award. insider intel: Head outdoors and rent a cabana at one of mandarin oriental’s pools, where you’ll be treated to a minibar, fresh fruit, sun-care amenities and plush robes. 702.590.8888; mandarinoriental.com/lasvegas
Bellagio Te archetype of classic elegance, this aaa Five-diamond awardwinning resort is home to luxurious accommodations, decadent fine dining with James Beard awardwinning chefs, designer boutiques and cirque du Soleil’s “o.” insider intel: You can re-create the Bellagio experience at home by purchasing the Bellagio by Serta mattress, bedding, signature bath products and sumptuous bathrobe, all available at bellagioathome.com. If only it came with room service. 888.987.6667; bellagio.com
AriA resort & CAsino Tis striking hotel in citycenter features high-
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Mandalay Bay From the sandy shores of mandalay Bay Beach to the underwater experience at Shark reef aquarium, mandalay Bay feels
AriA: FrAnces scott
tech rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, exciting nightlife venues (including Haze Nightclub and Gold Boutique Nightclub and Lounge), and popular dining destinations such as Jean Georges Steakhouse and Barmasa. insider intel: treat yourself like a vIP and book a Sky Suite, which comes with panoramic views of the Las vegas valley, plus perks such as limousine airport service, iPad or laptop use, and personalized concierge services. 866.359.7757; arialasvegas.com
red rock casino, resorT & sPa Near pristine golf courses and just minutes from the brilliantly hued red rock canyon, this dynamic resort proves there’s a lot to see away from the Strip. revel in the 25,000-square-foot spa, chill out at the laidback lounges and bars, cool off in the relaxing pools, or refuel at any of the quality restaurants. insider intel: experience the outdoors with the adventure Spa at red rock resort, which offers excursions such as kayaking the colorado river, hiking through red rock canyon and horseback riding at Wilson cliffs—culminating with a soothing spa treatment, of course. 866.767.7773; redrock.sclv.com
The Guide
relax
like a world away. complete your getaway with tickets to see carlos Santana at the House of Blues. insider intel: certified scuba divers with deep pockets—it’s $650 per plunge—are welcome to explore the 1.3-million-gallon aquarium at mandalay Bay’s Shark reef aquarium, complete with a shipwreck exhibit and live sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and tropical fish. 877.632.7800; mandalaybay.com Palms Casino ResoRt make your dreams come true at the Palms, where you can dance under the stars at moon Nightclub and throw a vegas-style party in one of the Fantasy Suites, such as the Kingpin Suite or erotic Suite. insider intel: as a little girl did you dream about living in Barbie’s malibu dreamhouse? Well, now you can do just that, if only for a few nights. Te hot-pink Barbie Suite is decked out with Barbie dolls and signature patterns by Jonathan adler. 866.942.7770; palms.com
HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO
THE PALAZZO
VDARA garments, impeccably tailored suits, jewelry and accessories. 877.551.7778; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com the Venetian Tis all-suite resort transports guests to romantic Italy with its cobblestone walkways, intricate murals, cathedral-like ceilings and gondola rides through canals. Start the night with dinner at tao asian Bistro, then follow the sexy crowds upstairs to tao Nightclub. insider intel: Get up close and personal with celebrities and dignitaries of yesterday and today at madame tussauds wax museum. 866.659.9643; venetian.com haRd RoCk hotel & Casino Legendary pool parties, unforgettable concerts, tattoocovered rockers—it’s all in a day’s work at the Hard rock Hotel & casino. Stay in the luxurious allsuite HrH tower, which comes with
its own valet, spa and check-in desk. Planning to leave on Sunday? Stick around for the infamous rehab pool bash. You have to experience it to believe it. insider intel: Party like a realitytv star by booking the luxe Real World Suite. It comes fully loaded with a bowling lane, giant Jacuzzi, billiards table, multiple flat screens … and plenty of memories. 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com Wynn las Vegas Tis vibrant resort from casino mogul Steve Wynn seamlessly combines opulence and excitement with an impressive assortment of lounges, bars and restaurants. For late-night partying with friends, reserve a coveted vIP table next to tryst Nightclub’s spectacular 90foot waterfall. insider intel: Brush up on your wine knowledge at La cave. Te restaurant and wine bar has a Sommelier Night from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.
every Saturday and tasting Hour from 3-5 p.m. every Wednesday, when you can ask questions, taste wine and mingle with fellow oenophiles. 877.321.9966; wynnlasvegas.com VdaRa hotel & sPa visitors looking for a unique (read: quiet) vegas experience can find one at the all-suite vdara Hotel & Spa, a nongaming, nonsmoking, eco-friendly resort with an 18,000-square-foot, two-level spa, salon and fitness facility. Located at citycenter in the heart of the Strip, guests looking to live it up have easy access to nearby nightlife, dining and gaming venues. insider intel: Go wild with an exotic snakeskin pedicure at vdara Spa & Salon. Te treatment uses real snakeskin and a special Bio Sculpture Gel, which lasts up to eight weeks. 866.745.7767; vdara.com
INSIder INteL / Be tHe FIrSt to StaY IN oNe oF tHe NeWLY remodeLed HoteL roomS at PaLmS caSINo reSort. tHe uPdated accommodatIoNS are Part oF a $50 mILLIoN overHauL at tHe reSort. 866.942.7770; palms.com
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Vdara: Frances scOTT; hard rOck: erik kabik
the CosmoPolitan of las Vegas Te pinnacle of contemporary luxury, Te cosmopolitan of Las vegas has you covered from top to bottom. Party at marquee Nightclub & dayclub, relax at Sahra Spa & Hammam, dine in one of 13 cutting-edge restaurants and sip cocktails at an array of stunning bars. If you can’t find something to do at Te cosmo, check your pulse. insider intel: redefine your idea of a power suit when you shop at Stitched, an upscale men’s boutique offering personalized
THE COSMOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS
DISCOVER ThE CiTY BEYOND ThE sTriP
DISCOVER
ROCK OF VEGAS
Tere are countless songs about Las vegas, that unforgiving yet beautiful muse that has inspired many bands (See Page 84). But it takes a special group of musicians to emerge from its shadowy music scene.
williams + hirakawa
and that band would be hometown heroes Te Killers. In may, photographer denise truscello captured the native sons at work inside their Las vegas studio as they recorded their fourth album, titled in honor of their home state: Battle Born. See Page 86
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SIN CITY MUSE everYBodY BetS on vegaS For HIt InSPIratIon. Here are SIx oF our FavorIte tuneS
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BY geoFF carter “sin city” by ac/dc Strictly speaking, every song in ac/dc’s repertoire could be a soundtrack to Las vegas, especially “moneytalks” and “Highway to Hell.” But “Sin city” is explicitly about this town, and while it’s not all compelling lyrically (“I’m gonna win in Sin city/where the lights are bright”), Las vegas should feel proud of this song for two reasons: It features the band’s late, great original singer Bon Scott, and it’s the favorite ac/dc song of aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. “queen of las vegas” by the b-52s virtually every B-52s song has unexpected depths—yes, even “Love Shack”—but this shimmying new-wave stalwart takes the cake. It may well be the perkiest song ever written about watching your mother die at the roulette table and absorbing her strength. Listen to this with “Legal tender,” from the same 1983 album (Whammy!). It’s a primer for making counterfeit money.
“heaven or las vegas” by the cocteau twins this is the most beautiful song ever written about Las vegas—I think. elizabeth Fraser’s vocal is mostly vowels, and her lyrics are all but incomprehensible. You
can easily hear the title (“am I in heaven or Las vegas?”), and some business about “singing on that famous street” and playing cards, but the rest … eh. I got nothin’. But the guitars are gorgeous. they sparkle like desert lightning.
“vIva laS vEgaS” bY ElvIS prESlEY / WHILe eLvIS PreSLeY PerFormS tHe BeStknoWn—and arguaBLY moSt deFInItIve verSIon—oF tHIS doc PomuS/mort SHuman cLaSSIc, HIS take IS JuSt one oF manY WortH SeekIng out. “vIva LaS vegaS” HaS Been dISco-FIed BY nIna Hagen, turned Into a BLueS-BoogIe StomP BY ZZ toP and rIPPed to SHredS BY tHe dead kennedYS. But You SHouLd Start WItH eLvIS’ verSIon. It’S tHe LeaSt IronIc-SoundIng oF tHe BuncH.
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perry: Frank Micelotta; elvis: las vegas news Bureau
“straight to the top (vegas)” by tom waits disclaimer: the word “vegas” doesn’t actually appear in the song. But it doesn’t have to. tom Waits puts the vegas into every syllable of this bent lounge song. It’s easy to imagine Frankie and Sammy and dino and—why the hell not?—Hunter S. thompson sitting in the copa room, smoking, drinking and nodding along with tom’s ode to a place where “the air is fresh and clean.”
“waking up in vegas” by katy perry / Here’s a Vegas song for the kids, from a real-life Disney princess. Where Sheryl Crow’s “Leaving Las Vegas” is about the moment when you decisively put this town in your rearview, “Waking Up in Vegas” is about making up your mind to stay or go. “You wanna cash out/and get the hell outta town? Don’t be a baby,” sings Perry, reminding her cohort, “You got me into this.” That’s how people end up living here.
DOWN The Killers proudly wave the Nevada flag on their new album Battle Born By Miriam Coleman Photography by Williams + Hirakawa
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N HOME MEET
PHOTOGRAPH BY XX
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A
fter a four-year hiatus from the studio, The Killers are on the march with a new album, a declaration of allegiance to the sun-scorched corner of the country from which they emerged. And while the Las Vegas-based quartet has always seeded their catalog with references to the region, Battle Born—named for the motto on the Nevada state flag—features their most defiantly overt tribute to their hometown. Battle Born’s landscape is one of desert highways and neon lights, of weary young lovers vowing to be accountable, all set against The Killers’ hallmark glittery synths, explosive choruses, chiming guitars and galloping drums. They name-check the Starlite Motel and Charleston Boulevard, and sing wistfully of busing enough tables one summer to take a girl out. A series of cinematic trailers for the album casts a burnished light on copper mountains, dusty exurbs and the silhouette of the Stratosphere tower. “It wasn’t until we left Las Vegas that it became apparent to us just how different this place is,” front man Brandon Flowers says. Their last tour together, in support of 2008’s Day and Age, kept them on the
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road for 18 months before various members took a break to pursue solo projects. “Coming back, all of a sudden you have this pride, this ethnocentrism,” says Ronnie Vannucci Jr., the band’s drummer. “You either carry the torch or you don’t carry the torch—and we’re torchcarrying motherfuckers.” Over a humid week in late July, The Killers were hard at work carrying the torch in New York City. They spent their days promoting their new album in velvet-draped hotel rooms and TV studios, and nights working long hours mixing the record for its September 18 release. The band had just played a sold-out show at Webster Hall in the midst of a string of festival gigs. Battle Born’s first single, “Runaways,” had hit the radio earlier in the summer and its video soon followed. After a grueling yearlong recording process, The Killers were finally bringing their fourth studio album into the open air. “This one has a lot of blood and sweat and tears in it,” Vannucci says. There’s a taste of classic FM rock radio in the sound of Battle Born, with traces of Springsteen, Don Henley, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and ELO. “I think the shit we used to listen to while driving around
It’s rare that a homegrown Las Vegas band goes on to make it big— and The Killers have made it huge while stubbornly maintaining their base in a city that places its priorities on other forms of entertainment. “It has always been a struggle for local bands in this town,” Flowers says. His first performance, with Keuning, was at an open-mic night at Café Roma, a coffee shop across from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. “I have fond memories of playing in bars that no longer exist, and from what I hear, it’s difficult to find places to play.” “I think Vegas doesn’t get the attention, it doesn’t have the venues, it doesn’t have the outlet—a lot of times, it doesn’t have the seriousness,” Vannucci says, comparing the city to music scenes in places like New York or L.A. Yet Vegas has proven a rich vein to mine for The Killers’ brand of atmospheric, narrative pop, and judging by the tracks on Battle Born, the area continues to inspire their songwriting. Even while touring or adding vacation homes in other places, the band’s members have maintained residences in Las Vegas, and they established a studio— also called Battle Born—here in 2008. “I’ve been to more cities than I ever imagined I would in my life, and I still come back to this one,” Flowers says. “I love the people. I love the excitement of the service industry. I love the neon lights. I love Lake Mead. I love the smell of the creosote when it rains.” Flowers says that as he’s gotten older (he’s all of 31), gotten married and had three sons, he feels more inclined to take pride in where he’s from and to define Las Vegas in his own terms. And as the band plays the festival season in Europe this summer, they’ll proudly represent their hometown all around the world—in a way no other rock band ever has. “We try to bring a little bit of Las Vegas with us everywhere we go,” Flowers says, “from the Wild West to the feather boas.”
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DISCOVER
BATTLE BORN STUDIO: DENISE TRUSCELLO
The Killers (from left to right) Ronnie Vannucci, Mark Stoermer, Brandon 'Mowers and Dave Keuning at their Battle Born Recording Studio in Las Vegas
MEET
with our dads in the truck in Las Vegas, in the desert, is now starting to come through us, onto the tape, onto your CD,” Vannucci says. Bridging the gap in time and style from their Britpop-influenced first album, Hot Fuss, The Killers included “Miss Atomic Bomb,” a shimmering, expansive number that serves as a sister song to their breakout hit, “Mr. Brightside,” revisiting the characters and grafting echoes of its melody onto the new album’s epic Western mood. The title refers to the beauty pageants held alongside the spectacle of open-air atomic testing that took place in Nevada in the 1950s, and the iconic image of showgirl Lee Merwin standing in the desert in a mushroom-cloud-shaped bathing suit. “I think they were still doing “I have fond underground testing when I grew memories of up,” Vannucci, 36, says. “And so playing in bars every once in a while there’d be this that no longer weird gaseous pink cloud in the sky, and [because of it] I’ll probably exist, and from only live to around 40 or 50.” The what I hear, it’s song suggests a sinister seam difficult to find running through marvels such as atomic science or the Vegas Strip, places to play.” or love, while an eerie light radiates behind other tracks, such as “Flesh and Bone” and “Matter of Time.” The band’s local roots run deep. With the exception of guitarist Dave Keuning, they all grew up in Nevada, and they held jobs in casinos—busing and waiting tables, working as bellhops and wedding photographers, sorting out lost luggage—in the days before rock ’n’ roll began to pay for itself. Flowers spent part of his childhood in Utah, but his Nevada bona fides are for real: Asked why he chose to make his home here as an adult, he says his grandfather used to fish in Lake Mead during the Depression and sell the fish on Boulder Highway, and that his grandmother worked at the Golden Nugget during its heyday. “Being born here,” he says, “I will forever be tied to it.”
discover
Culture CalenDar
calendar: your monthly resource for art & culture NEW THRILLS BY GIOVANNI MORALES September 6-October 27 Brett Wesley Gallery 1112 S. Casino Center Blvd. 702.433.4433; brettwesleygallery.com Taking equal inspiration from Roy Lichtenstein, Banksy and the unsung artists who once created Las Vegas’ hand-lettered signs, local stencil artist Giovanni Morales produces kinetic, colorful explosions on canvas. His richly layered pop-culture collages are at once familiar and futuristic, like decades-old television signals returning from space, spiked with intergalactic distortion. THE BEAUTIFUL ACCIDENT BY FRANÇOIS DUBEAU September 6-October 20 Sin City Gallery 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100 702.608.2461; sincitygallery.com Until now, François Dubeau only worked in black and white, conjuring up alluring forms—
mostly female, often erotic—with only a few curving lines against neutral backgrounds. The Montreal-based artist has nothing against color, except for the fact he has difficultly perceiving it: He’s colorblind. The Beautiful Accident finds him confronting his liability head-on with an outburst of bold colors. MACHINA EX MACHINA, MENS ET MANUS BY BRIAN HENRY September 6-26 Trifecta Gallery in The Arts Factory 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 135 702.366.7001; trifectagallery.com More than mechanical art and more than video art, Las Vegas artist Brian Henry’s parametric artwork uses computer programming, motorized elements and LED screens to create something akin to sorcery. Henry promises two kinds of “machines”: “Mortal,” which employs physical elements such as wood and aluminum, and “Immortal,” which employs projections and video. These works give you something different every time you look at them; they’re designed to generate an infinite number of distinctive patterns.
Over the years, scores of music writers and musicians, from Lester Bangs to Cee-Lo, have tried to figure out exactly what makes popular music popular. Now it’s Aaron Nemec’s turn: On September 6 at Contemporary Arts Center, the Indiana-based artist hits “play” on Less Popular Music, a multimedia exploration of popular music and how it figures into our lives. Nemec plans to accomplish this in three ways. One is a listening station featuring handmade vinyl records, whose “flaws” are anything but. Another is a public-participation work “that harnesses the unoccupied radio frequencies of the exhibition’s location, at the Contemporary Arts Center, to create remote amplifiers out of everyday boom boxes,” and really, it’s tough to go wrong with boom boxes. But the third of Nemec’s projects has the capacity to haunt our nightmares: a soundless video montage of “faces made during guitar solos,” all drawn from YouTube. You know those faces Santana makes when he’s playing? Imagine a nonstop video of nothing but those, featuring guys who think they’re Santana. The mind recoils. How did Lester Bangs sleep at night? Less Popular Music runs September 6 to October 27 at Contemporary Arts Center in the Arts Factory, 702.382.3886. lasvegascac.org
Revenge of the CReatuRes IllustratIon : Brett WesleY GallerY
JOW September 7-October 3 Tasty Space at Emergency Arts 520 Fremont St., Suite 150 617.513.7336; facebook.com/tastyspace Vancouver-schooled, Los Angeles-based Jow comes to Tasty Space just as both entities are in a state of ascent. Jow’s 2011 show A California Minute received glowing reviews from the Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal, and locals are beginning to learn about the discerning eye of Tasty Space curator Dana Satterwhite. This show of Jow’s latest works, featuring contemporary sayings ingeniously cut from vintage advertisements, is a perfect example of the right art in the right place.
music to the eyes
watch MUST-SEE CONCERTS & SHOWS
The Apple of Our Eye the brilliant and beautiful Fiona apple is just one highlight of an autumn concert season that features hot up-and-comers (the xx, Gotye), indie rock stalwarts (metric, the Hives) and a few living legends (madonna, Hall & oates). If you love live music, Las vegas is about to reward you in a spectacular way. See Page 96
LIONEL DELUY
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CONCERTS NOT TO MISS
With fall in high gear, get ready to groove With gotye, fiona apple, madonna and more By geoff Carter
FIONA APPLE September 15 The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tickets start at $26 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com We always knew she was beautiful and eccentric—but on margaret Cho
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GOTYE September 7 House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Tickets start at $79 702.632.7600; houseofblues.com “Now you’re just somebody that I used to know,” sings a plaintive man from every device that produces sound. Now, here’s your chance to see, live onstage, the evil mastermind who created the most-played single in recent memory.
the strength of her masterful new album The Idler Wheel, Fiona Apple has conclusively proven that she’s a genius. That her live show will be equally brilliant is a given. DARYL HALL AND JOHN OATES September 20 The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tickets start at $41 702.693.5000; hardrockhotel.com The greatness of Hall and Oates is established simply by reciting the names of their songs. Why see them live? Because of “Sara Smile,” “Maneater,” “She’s Gone,” “Out of Touch,” “You Make My Dreams” … say when. METRIC October 6 House of Blues at Mandalay Bay Tickets start at $40 702.632.7600; houseofblues.com Metric takes the cool of Blondie and the mechanical stomp of The
gotye
Cars and fuses it into something that makes our hearts beat like a hammer. Put another way: This wonderful Canadian band makes new wave sound new again. THE XX October 10 Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan Tickets start at $37 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com When the post-punks of the 1980s added dance beats to rock guitars, they created a new sound. The xx is so true to that sound that it’s unfair to say
they’re influenced by it; rather, they’re the last band of that genre, perhaps even the ultimate. MADONNA October 13 and 14 Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand Tickets start at $57 702.891.7777; mgmgrand.com It’s a rare occasion that Madonna favors Las Vegas with a show, let alone two of them. Word is that this tour’s set list leans heavily toward newer songs, while giving short shrift to her hits—but even a smattering of the Material Girl’s classics goes a long way.
IT’S A DATE
V/R: Was the nomination something you expected? CHO: it was a total surprise. i was so thrilled. it’s such an honor, and i love [30 Rock star] tina fey. She was amazing. it was all her idea.
VEGAS/RATED: Wow! an emmy nomination. What’s that like? CHO: i’m so excited! nominated for an emmy; and for playing the deranged and deceased world dictator who divided the small
V/R: What are the topics you address in your new show, Mother? CHO: it’s all about my mom. it’s the material that audiences have been asking for my entire career. i wanted to do a show just about her.
country of my origin in two. Tat’s the best part. Tat’s what i’d call “iron Curtain irony.”
a look at both the institution of motherhood and the ways in which we view strong women and maternal figures, nothing is off limits in Mother, as Cho delivers hilarious observations on pop culture, drugs, race, politics, celebrity and sexuality (straight, gay, curious, deciding, decided and everything in between). Margaret Cho performs mother at Te Mirage at 10 p.m. on September 6 as part of the aces of Comedy series. Tickets start at $50. 702.792.7777; mirage.com –Michael Shulman
Margaret Cho: Miss Missy PhotograPhy
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margaret Cho has a lot of irons in the fire—and these days, more than usual. hot off her first emmy nomination (outstanding guest actress in a Comedy Series for portraying Kim Jong-il on nBC’s 30 Rock)—and in addition to co-starring in the lifetime series Drop Dead Diva—Cho recently unveiled her latest stand-up comedy tour, Mother.
MARY J BLIGE STONE TEMPLE & D’ANGELO PILOTS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20
CHRIS TUCKER
DON FELDER
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20
// MOODY BLUES
SATURDAY DECEMBER 15
JOE WALSH
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22
STYX
FRIDAY & SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16 & 17
PALMS CASINO RESORT
AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29
ALICE COOPER FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30
tickets at ticketmaster.com // pearl box office // 702.944.3200 // palmspearl.com palms.com |
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Worth the Wait
after five years, the hives emerge with an album that’s one for the ages by mosi reeves
what we do. in order for us to put out a new album, it has to be something that adds to that [catalog]. When you make four to five albums, it gets harder to beat them, basically.” Lex Hives is a back-to-basics record. On their previous effort, 2007’s The Black & White Album, the hives, says almqvist, “fucked with our formula and identity” by collaborating with hip-hop heavyweights The neptunes. but Lex Hives is “simple rock ‘n’ roll,” albeit with slight modifications. “We listened to a bunch of glam, and a lot of groovy ’60s pop,” almqvist says. The result: The old-school rockabilly and Del shannon-like chorus of “Wait a Minute,” and the fuzzy keyboards and choral handclaps of “go right ahead.” There are social anthems about the global recession, like “if i had a Cent” and “Without the Money,” and one—“patrolling Days”— about surviving in a rapacious music industry seemingly on the verge of a meltdown. “The
ANNIKA BERGLUND
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The hives have been pushing garage rock to its punk extremes for nearly 20 years, earning such famous fans as Cyndi Lauper, Timbaland and Jack White (formerly of the White stripes). Known for raucous performances full of theatricality, The hives please riotous crowds with the sounds of “hate to say i Told You so” and “Tick Tick boom.” The hives are so focused on playing live, in fact, that they rarely have time to make albums. Which is why the recently released Lex Hives is so impressive; it’s their first album in five years, and arguably their best to date. “playing onstage is easier,” lead singer howlin’ pelle almqvist says. “but i can’t imagine not making albums. We make the albums so we can tour, not the other way around. having said that, we’re at a point where we’ve released a bunch of albums. people who are into our kind of music know who we are and
Played in vegas
downloads To gET you in ThE Mood
by Tiffany bosMan
A Thing CAlled divine FiTs divine Fits
credited with pioneering the electronic-dance-music movement, Paul oakenfold has spent his career molding, contributing to and crusading for the genre. Te follow-up to last year’s We Are Planet Perfecto, his latest compilation album features a mammoth 40 tracks across two cds and showcases oakenfold’s stateside sound. a u.s.themed album inspired by the country where he has made his home, Volume 2 features killer tracks and remixes from oakenfold himself, as well as richard Beynon, tommy trash, Hardwell, nicky romero and many more. if you have the chance, catch him live this fall as he divides his time between his own We Are Planet Perfecto Americas tour, his Four Seasons world tour, and opening for madonna during the north american leg of her MDNA tour. the hits: dave silcox & matt nash ft. chris Warne – “change my World” (radio edit) Paul oakenfold ft. J Hart – “surrender” (maison & dragen radio edit) Joyriders – “top of the World” (carl noren & swedish egil remix) Hardwell – “Tree triangles” (original club mix) connect: pauloakenfold.com, facebook.com/oakenfold, @pauloakenfold
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WATCH
The Hives perform at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas at 9 p.m. on September 13. Tickets are $20. 702.698.7000; cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Te self-produced third album from this Brooklynbased band features songs ranging from funky with manic drum machines and handclaps (“devil and the deed,” “damaged Goods”) to moody and weird (“no Bones,” “reagan’s skeleton”). Te trio employs distinct layers of textured sounds and vocals to dig into the subconscious and evoke repeat listens. to control the unavoidable album leak, Yeasayer took matters into their own hands by creating a scavenger hunt for fans— setting each of the 11 tracks to psychedelic “moving visual” pieces created by artist Yoshi sodeoka, followed by cryptic messages, clues and hints on where to find the videos scattered across the Web. Te first single, “Henrietta,” wins my most interesting subject matter award, being inspired by Henrietta Lacks, whose cancerous cells were cultured without her knowing and were later used to produce the first living cell line, revolutionizing medical research. the hits: “Glass of the microscope,” “Blue Paper,” “Henrietta” connect: yeasayer.net, facebook.com/yeasayer, @yeasayer
We Are PlAneT PerFeCTo, vol. 2 PauL oakenFoLd
MEET
major [labels] aren’t doing that well. It gets to the point where they can’t offer you that much to release an album, so you might as well do it yourself,” says Almqvist, explaining why the group formed its own label, Disques Hives, and released Lex Hives independently. The best news about Lex Hives? It’s really just a prelude to what Almqvist promises will be years of touring through Europe, South America, Australia, the U.S. and beyond. Will it take five years for the band to release another album? “No, I definitely hope not,” he laughs. “Two, tops.” But don’t quote him on that.
it’s not every day two of my favorite vocalists join forces with another respected musician and then get a sought-after producer to put the finishing touches on their first album. Tada … divine Fits is here. Te “supergroup” consists of Britt daniel (spoon), dan Boeckner (Wolf Parade, Handsome Furs) and sam Brown (new Bomb turks), sprinkled with the production skills of nick Launay (arcade Fire, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). Te trio introduced themselves to the blogosphere this year with three abstract video trailers featuring only blobby star shapes, a face with creepy images projected on it and chops of a song, leaving in-the-know fans longing for more insight. now their devotees will clamor for every pop-synth line, garage-rock touch and honest lyric like “my love is real, until it stops.” admission to their first shows were awarded Willy Wonka-style, with “golden tickets” placed in random copies of their debut single at participating record stores in chicago; austin, texas; columbus, ohio; and montreal. Your best bet to catch them live is this fall at san Francisco’s treasure island Fest. the hits: “shivers,” “Would Tat not Be nice,” “What Gets You alone” connect: divinefits.com, facebook.com/divinefits, @divinefits
FrAgrAnT World YeasaYer
CALENDAR: youR MoNTHLy REsouRCE foR sHoWs oN THE sTRIP ABSINTHE Performing: Ongoing Dark: Monday Caesars Palace Tickets start at $89 800.745.3000; absinthevegas.com Staged in a tent, Absinthe is a carnival on acid. A leering ringmaster who calls himself The Gazillionaire banters profanely with his assistant, Penny Pibbets, a kind of potty-mouthed Betty Boop. In between the sex-obsessed shtick, they introduce truly astounding acrobatic acts.
WATCH
CAlENDAR
DoNNy & MArIE Performing: Ongoing Dark: Sunday-Monday Flamingo Las Vegas Tickets start at $104 702.777.7776; flamingolasvegas.com
KÁ
Old-school entertainers right down to their toenails, the singing sibs perform their clean-cut hearts out. Throwing a G-rated party, they cut loose with a roster of their hits, their patented needling banter, highenergy production numbers—and a highfiving, “Grandpa” Donny skipping along the tabletops. KÀ Performing: Ongoing Dark: Sunday-Monday and September 25-29 MGM Grand Tickets start at $69 702.531.3826; cirquedusoleil.com
Different than other Cirque shows, KÀ features an ever-changing stage, which depicts landscapes such as a calm beach, a snowcovered mountain and an uneven sea. MATT GoSS Performing: Ongoing Caesars Palace Tickets start at $40 866.462.5982; caesarspalace.com Bringing back memories of Vegas’ vintage days, Goss croons (and even looks) like Frank Sinatra, only unlike the Chairman of the
Board, he even sits down to play piano and guitar. Not only does he perform, but the Englishman has published two books as well. MySTÈrE Performing: Ongoing Dark: Thursday-Friday and September 8-12 Treasure Island Tickets start at $69 702.894.7722; cirquedusoleil.com Performing for nearly two decades, Mystère— Cirque du Soleil’s first resident show in Las Vegas—continues to hypnotize audiences with its upbeat music and thrilling acrobatics.
The newly minted Smith Center for the Performing Arts picked a surefire winner for its first fall show: Wicked. The smash hit, based on Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, tells of the origins of everyone’s favorite green-skinned broom rider. Winner of three Tony Awards and a Grammy, Wicked has been enchanting audiences with a brilliant soundtrack by legendary Broadway songwriter Stephen Schwartz, with songs such as “Popular,” “Dancing Through Life” and “Defying Gravity.” August 29-October 7, Reynolds Hall, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, $42$165, 702.749.2000; thesmithcenter.com –Grace Bascos
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KÀ: ERIC JAMESON ; WICKED: JOAN MARCUS
IT AIN’T EASy BEING GrEEN
MaRRieD … WiTH CONCeRTS Restocking its entertainment slate after booking Rock of Ages, and with the imminent departure of Phantom— The Las Vegas Spectacular and the Blue Man Group, the Venetian has secured a limited residency by hitched hitmakers Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Moving into the 1,815-seat Venetian Theater, the connubial country stars will begin a 10-weekend run starting December 7, ducking in and out through april. Hosting what’s titled Soul2Soul—the same title as their tour—the theater will be refitted with “innovative lighting and set design technologies” consistent with their tour presentations. Throw in Shania Twain’s coming residency at Caesars Palace and Garth Brooks’ continuing success at Wynn Las Vegas, and the country factor is turning our big boulevard into a Southern Fried Strip. Soul2Soul, December 7-8, 14-15; January 18-19, 25-26; February 1-2, 15-16, 22-23; March 1-2; April 12-13, 2627; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Venetian Theater, $95.50-$295.50, 702.414.9000; thevenetian.com
WATCH
Calendar
Shania Twain’s Still the One, December 1-2, 5-6, 8-9, 1112, 14-15; March 19-20, 23-24, 26-27, 29-30; April 2-3, 5-6, 9-10; 7:30 p.m. The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, $55$250, 702.731.7208; caesarspalace.com Garth Brooks, August 17-18; September 21-22; October 5-6, 26-27; November 16-17; 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Encore Theater, $253, 702.770.1000; wynnlasvegas.com –Steve Bornfeld
crooning couple: Faith hill and tim mcgraw come to the venetian
“O” Performing: Ongoing Dark: Monday-Tuesday and October 14-16 Bellagio Tickets start at $104 702.796.9999; cirquedusoleil.com From the French word for water, “O” consists of 85 cast members performing sensational acts in and above a 1.5 million-gallon pool. You have to see it to believe it.
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PENN & TELLER Performing: Ongoing Rio Hotel & Casino Tickets start at $75 702.777.7776; pennandteller.com Some of the mind-blowing illusions in this famous duo’s bag of tricks include swallowing needles, throwing knives and shooting bullets at each other—real bullets. The pop-culture icons continue to leave fans shaking their heads.
ZUMANITY, THE SENSUAL SIDE OF CIRQUE DU SOLEIL Performing: Ongoing Dark: Wednesday-Thursday New York-New York Hotel and Casino Tickets start at $69 702.740.6815; cirquedusoleil.com Zumanity’s erotic acts feature contortionists and more. The adultthemed show is sure to leave you feeling naughty.
penn & teller
PLAY ON THE LIST & ON THE LIPS
Say It Loud, Say It Proud during its annual Pride celebration in September, the city’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender community opens its arms, hearts and minds to celebrate awareness and equality (See Page 114). also on the LGBt radar, megaclub Krave becomes Krave massive when it opens its new downtown digs, and in the process becomes the world’s largest gay nightclub. meanwhile, leading up to this month’s festivities, artrageous at the cosmopolitan of Las vegas presented a smorgasbord of visuals to challenge people’s perceptions. See Page 112
ANDREW SEA JAMES
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LArGEr THAN NIGHTLIfE
the Force Is WIth hIm
dJ oB-oNe PumPS out Hot BeatS SoLo aNd WItH HavocNdeed
play
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By craIg aSHer NymaN
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InsIder Intel / CAN’T wAIT fOr KrAvE MAssIvE TO swING OpEN ITs DOOrs? yOu CAN sTILL vIsIT THE OrIGINAL LOCATION IN MIrACLE MILE sHOps AT pLANET HOLLywOOD, A vENuE THAT’s KNOwN TO OffEr A surprIsE Or TwO. TO wIT: CELEBrITIEs suCH As LADy GAGA AND BETTE MIDLEr HAvE HIT THE sTAGE wITHOuT wArNING.
DJ OB-ONE: JOE fury
with reggae and drum-n-bass, which prepared him If Star WarS’ famed ObI-Wan KenObI Is a for his most recent undertaking, Havocndeed, a legendary Jedi master, the same can be said for dubstep-glitch-rock production and performance ben Garcia (a.k.a. dJ Ob-One) when it comes to trio. When he’s not dropping electronic-dance the Las Vegas nightclub scene. for more than a and top-40 tracks in nightclubs, Ob-One and his decade, he’s kept the dance floor packed from Havocndeed partners (J.Paul and skaught Parry) sunset to sunrise by spinning every musical blend dJing, guitar licks, genre. pulsating drum beats and since 2005, he’s served as What’s hot rIght noW? here’s oB-one’s current live vocals to create a unique a resident dJ at Palms Casino playlIst sound. The trio can be heard Resort, performing at Rain, 1) HavocNdeed – “vision” on official remixes for such Ghostbar, moon and the now2) chuckie, mrK1 & doctor – “mek money” established musicians as shuttered Playboy Club, as well 3) m.I.a. ft. missy elliott & rye rye – Linkin Park, she Wants as the weekly summertime “Bad girls” (Switch remix) Revenge, Cypress Hill and pool shindig, ditch fridays. 4) N-type & Surge ft. Pyxis – “September Sun” Rusko. and this summer, Ob-One was 5) ruby goe – “Badman” (tough Love as one of the mainstays on display at Gallery nightclub remix) in the ever-changing Las in Planet Hollywood, providing 6) doorly & Jaguar Skills – “double dutchie” Vegas nightlife scene, Obthe soundtrack for late-night 7) HavocNdeed – “Breathing In One’s expansive music revelers every friday. Seconds” knowledge and versatility Originally from Chicago, 8) die antwoord – “I Fink u Freeky” 9) French montana ft. rick ross, has allowed him to flourish Ob-One grew up listening to drake & Lil Wayne – “Pop that” and keep the party going— rock and hip-hop with a side no matter what club he’s in. of punk, but later fell in love
For its move from miracle mile Shops at Planet Hollywood on the Strip to its new location in Neonopolis downtown, Krave Nightclub is going big. Really big. Te city’s top gay nightlife spot is quadrupling in size, growing from 17,000 square feet to a colossal 80,000, and promoting itself as the largest gay nightclub in the world. With the move comes a new (and appropriate) name: Krave massive. and now in the expanded space, owner Kelly murphy aims to offer entertainment that appeals to every type of reveler. a maze of five themed dance rooms will blast music ranging from house and hiphop to country and Latin. meanwhile, for non-dancers, there’s a comedy club, a members-only vIP lounge and a performing-arts theater. Krave massive joins murphy’s other Neonopolis-based endeavor, drink & drag, a bowling alley completely staffed with drag queens. Opening late 2012. 702.836.0830; kravelasvegas.com –Elizabeth Sewell
hendertucky, $12
as served at vesper in the cosmopolitan
Te menu at vesper is a study of inspiration and innovation. “at vesper, we love to take the idea of a classic cocktail and reinvent it for the modern and sophisticated palate— fun, creative recipes that have the ability to transform a recognized drink into something special,” says chris Hopkins, property mixologist and vesper’s general manager. He capitalized on rumskey’s earthiness to craft a modern and locally inspired twist on the caipirinha (literally, “hillbilly”), traditionally made with cachaça. 1½ ounces rumskey 1 ounce aperol ½ ounce Hum Botanical spirit 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice 1 bar spoon Bonne maman blueberry preserves 2 drops Fee Brothers rhubarb bitters dash of egg white
PASSION PLAY rum and wHiskey comBine For a tasty aFFair
combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker; add ice, cover and shake. double-strain over fresh cubed ice into a 12-ounce tumbler glass, and garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
play
liBations
By Xania woodman
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nevada vodka, seven Grain vodka, Rumskey (silver medal winner at the 2012 san Francisco World spirits Competition) and, coming this fall, bourbon, whiskey and gin—all made with locally grown or foraged ingredients whenever possible. Be sure to call ahead, and after a tour of the facility, you can pitch in labeling bottles and help Rácz check up on the day’s mash. think of that the next time your friends want to hit the buffet, then loll around the lazy river all afternoon. White Rumskey, $35 Whole Foods Town Square, 702.589.7711; wholefoodsmarket.com Las Vegas Distillery, 702.629.7534; lasvegasdistillery.com
hendertucky: anthony mair
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. and when in Las Vegas, drink Las Vegas distillery spirits. You probably didn’t see this one coming, but while you were brushing up on your hand-shaken daiquiris and perfecting your manhattans, your rum and whiskey made like two teenagers and ran off to Vegas. the resulting marriage is called Rumskey, a 50/50 blend of fermented molasses and white whiskey. officiating this spirited union is George Rácz (pictured), a Romanian craftsman so passionate about operating the first legal nevada distillery since Prohibition that he opens the place up to visitors on saturdays. Rácz is an ambitious artisan with a number of products already on the market including his
Outrageous Expressions a philanthropic event with panache By Maureen hank photography By andrew Sea JaMeS
avant-garde artistry set the tone at artrageous vegas, the gay & lesbian community center of Southern nevada’s annual benefit gala. held at the cosmopolitan of las vegas, the affair showcased more than 40 visual artists along with performers, body painting and enough fashion for, not one, but two runway shows. cutting-edge styles flanked the catwalk, as 12 local designers were tapped to craft couture creations for the over-thetop presentation. the comedy of Jeff civillico, a performance by recycled percussion and fun photo-booth pictures staged in a colorful “ball pit” were a few of the additional goodies rounding out the fundraiser. 702.733.9800; thecenterlv.com
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The Scene
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Calendar: THe MOnTHlY GUIde TO GaY PrIde ongoing parties
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Calendar
Pride Family Bingo SnaPi hour 6 p.m., bingo starts 7 p.m. First Wednesday of every month grand Ballroom, Circus Circus Table reservations: savemeatable@lasvegaspride.org revo SundayS Sundays The Beatles revolution lounge, The mirage 702.693.8300; mirage.com BoyS & BurgerS Sundays Blue moon gay men’s resort 2651 Westwood drive 702.784.4500; bluemoonlv.com Kream HiP-HoP nigHT mondays Krave in miracle mile Shops at Planet Hollywood 702.836.0830; kravelasvegas.com
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Full-THroTTle THurSdayS Second Thursday of every month The garage 1487 e. Flamingo road, Suite C 702.440.6333; thegaragelv.com
FraT HauS Wednesdays Piranha nightclub 4633 Paradise road 702.791.0100; piranhavegas.com SnaPi SaTurdayS Fourth Saturday of every month Charlie’s las vegas 5012 S. arville St., Suite 4 702.876.1844; charlieslasvegas.com
Pride Week events Pride kickoff Party September 1, 9 p.m. charlie’s Las vegas 5012 arville St., Suite 4 702.876.1844; charlieslasvegas.com Let’S Get PhySicaL Pride famiLy Skate NiGht September 3 Boulder crystal Palace Skating center 4680 Boulder highway 702.458.7107; skatevegas.com Gay dayS LaS veGaS September 4-10 tropicana Las vegas 702.739.2222; troplv.com
Pride Boy’S Party September 6 Share Nightclub, 4636 Wynn road 702.258.2681; sharenightclub.com Pride NiGht Parade September 7, 7 p.m. pre-show; 8 p.m. start downtown, route starts at charleston Boulevard, heads north on fourth Street to ogden avenue. Grandstand is at Bridger avenue, two blocks south of fremont Street experience. Pride feStivaL September 8, 12 p.m.-10 p.m. adults $15, children $10, 5 and under free clark county amphitheater 500 S. Grand Central Parkway; lasvegaspride.org
TOMO
WTF WedneSdayS Wednesdays Krave in miracle mile Shops at Planet Hollywood 702.836.0830; kravelasvegas.com
Booze & BriTCHeS underWear nigHT Third Wednesday of every month Charlie’s las vegas 5012 S. arville St., Suite 4 702.876.1844; charlieslasvegas.com
style file Looks, tips & trendsetters
Creative Vision
style File
BeLLa Long dress FaLL 2012 iLLustration: sarah nami ahn
Hand-drawn fashion illustrations are quickly becoming a thing of the past, as designers turn to digital imaging for quicker and more precise results. But the art is not lost on women’s-wear designer Sarah Nami ahn, who still creates animated representations of her designs using markers, pens and colored pencils. ahn lent her skills to Vegas/Rated’s curated look at fall’s fashion trends, illustrating the fabulous folks whom we have tapped as top tastemakers. See Page 122
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Golden rules for Glamour
First-rate Fashion advice From e!’s GeorGe kotsiopoulos By laura J. downey illustration By sarah nami ahn
STYLE GUIDE
V/RATED
THREE QUESTIONS WITH GEORGE
clothes can make a difference. For the past two years, Fashion Police Tip 2: No UGGs, especially with miniskirts and shorts. on e! entertainment television has been our gothey are great slippers, but not a fashion item. to source for both the best and worst in celebrity Tip 3: white is fine after Labor Day—as long as fashion. the hilarious hourlong show, co-hosted the fabric is season-appropriate. by Joan rivers, Giuliana rancic, white linen is a no-no, but douKelly osbourne and George ble-ply white cashmere is fine. Kotsiopoulos, succeeds at scaring Tip 4: with just a little effort, viewers into not repeating you can be glamorous. trackthe same style mistakes many suits and yoga pants are perfect a-listers make. which is why for the gym, not to wear to dinthis month, to coincide with the ner, the airport or shopping. flurry over fall fashion, we’ve Tip 5: Dress for the weather. turned to Kotsiopoulos, a stylist one should always dress for and consultant who has worked the temperature and location, with everyone from heidi Klum regardless of the time of year. to Gwen stefani, to share his style Tip 6: Don’t overdo it. someguide—one important lesson at a times keeping it simple and time. tip 6: aleXander mcQueen classy wins best-dressed. Tip 1: right fit. tailoring your
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VEGAS/RATED: if you were to create a fashion line for las vegas, what would it look like, and who would be your ideal customer? KoTsIoPoulos: i remember when my parents used to go to vegas in the ’70s; they always packed elegant clothing, so i would want all the ladies to look like modern versions of marilyn monroe in Te Seven Year Itch and michelle pfeiffer in Scarface. and all the gentlemen to look like Frank sinatra, sammy davis Jr. and dean martin. i like when the ladies ooze sex appeal without showing all their goods, and nothing makes a man look better than a slick suit or blazer. V/R: what was your biggest personal fashion mistake, and how quickly did you learn from it? KoTsIoPoulos: while i don’t really think of anything as too cringe-worthy—because finding one’s style is really a situation of trial and error—i would have to say wearing my suit sleeves and jackets too long in the late ’90s. i suppose it was “fashionable” at the time, but there is no excuse for bad tailoring. i’m 5-foot-8 and have come to terms with the fact that pretty much half of what i buy will need to be tailored. V/R: who are your style icons and why? KoTsIoPoulos: Tere are so many, it’s difficult to choose. i’m a sucker for nostalgia, so every hollywood era fascinates me. my style icons [as a form of reference for clients] range from katharine hepburn, doris day, lauren hutton and Bette davis to mary tyler moore and all [the girls of] Charlie’s Angels. personal style icons would be steve mcQueen, cary Grant and James dean, with a teeny-tiny pinch of kurt cobain.
FASHION FOLIO MEET FIVE TRENDSETTERS, AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY FANCY FOR FALL BY ELIZABETH SEWELL ILLUSTRATIONS BY SARAH NAMI AHN
PHOTOGRAPH BY XX
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treasure hunting
molly Gaddy-walters GIves reclaImed Gems a second lIfe In her summerlIn boutIque The motto at Molly Gaddy-Walters’ boutique, Artifact LV, is sustainability with a community focus. She concentrates on contributing to the city, and aims to make the world a better place for her two children. The former assistant director of retail for Wynn Resorts yearned to open a Summerlin-based boutique that specialized in artists who work in reclaimed materials (many local) and hand-picked vintage clothing. With the debut of the small-space centric The Market LV in Tivoli Village in August, GaddyWalters found a perfect fit. The eclectic store is brimming with art, classic clothing and one-of-a-kind finds. All of the merchandise is repurposed, including reclaimed wood tables created by Scott Hawley of Stoneoak Woodworks and handcrafted leather accessories by designer Nancy Golden. Plus, Gaddy-Walters personally seeks out each artisan she features. Her vintage clothing, housed on what she calls the Art of Fashion Wall, is from stores along the West Coast. Each month, Gaddy-Walters curates a selection of pieces, which reflect the life of a style icon. This month’s inspiration: Audrey Hepburn. Finding quality items locally can prove difficult, which forces her to search far and wide. “Vintage clothes in Vegas are not as easy to find as in most metropolitan cities,” Gaddy-Walters says. “With Vegas being such a melting pot of people, there is a market for it, and the demand is not being met.” When searching the Valley, Gaddy-Walters isn’t afraid to hunt through unlikely places such as Savers and The Salvation Army. “The most important element to shopping vintage is to never go with the intention of finding something specific. You have to wait to be inspired.” Artifact LV, 420 S. Rampart Blvd., Building 6, Suite 240, 702.672.2780; artifactlv.com
trend watch fall/wInter ’12: molly says ...
the guide
“evening cocktail dresses that leave something to the imagination. to think in the 1950s my grandparents would wear gowns and tuxedos to dinner in casinos is fascinating.” H&M in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood
“Te best accessory is a great pair of glasses. I found a 1954 Givenchy pair in a thrift store. It was such a rush.” Vintage Givenchy Glasses from Gaddy-Walters’ collection
style File
“a Kate middletoninspired riding coat. I love her style and fashion, and bringing back a riding coat with a funky vintage shirt underneath paired with jeans is sharp.” Ralph Lauren in Te Forum Shops at caesars
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a new View
Fashion isn’t limited to what you put on your back. Just ask daren gray, a high-end eyewear expert Clothing may be the meat and potatoes of a look, but the accessories are the delicious dressings, and few stand out more than glasses. Daren Gray, one half of the team behind Sunglass Optic Studio in Summerlin, is the man to see if you need stylish frames. Years spent helping companies such as Maui Jim and Oakley test cuttingedge lens technology gave Gray a background in crafting prescription glasses and sunglasses. Thanks to his expertise, he can cut lenses into a variety of shapes with such a high degree of accuracy that wearers can choose frames they never could before. Gray is proud to say he can put prescriptions in 85 percent of the 2,000 frames he sells. Along with partner David Bauman, Gray has turned Sunglass Optic Studio into a hotspot for eyewear designs you can’t find elsewhere in the city. But it’s not just the obscure he seeks. The store also carries high-end lines such as Chanel, Prada and Chrome Hearts. Gray is happy to help customers wade through the cases of glasses that line the boutique’s walls, adding that the help of a professional often sheds new light on what people think they can wear. “Face shape is a great starting point,” he says about picking out a frame. “But as far as fitting eyewear, I don’t believe in it.” 10300 W. Charleston Blvd., 702.822.2199; sunglassopticstudio.com
trend watch Fall/winter ’12: daren says ...
“we’re definitely seeing people use color a lot more, with purples and blues being really popular.” Chanel eyewear, Sunglass Optic Studio
“cat-eye styles modeled after 1960s looks are emerging, and brands are really playing with shapes.” Oliver Goldsmith sunglasses, Sunglass Optic Studio
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SunglaSSeS: jeSSe Sutherland
“we’re starting to see embellishments and fancy detailing on more lenses than ever before. chrome hearts is etching designs into the arms of their glasses, and prada brought their famed swirl arm to prescription eyewear.” Prada eyewear, Sunglass Optic Studio
Saved by the blog
an unhappy high school experience led bebe zeva to start a blog and become a fashion darling High school isn’t a lot of fun for many adolescents, and 19-year-old Rebeccah Hershkovitz, a.k.a. blogger and Internet sensation Bebe Zeva, was no different. “I had a terrible experience,” Zeva says pointing to her outspoken attitude about politics and quirky style as reasons. The alienation led her to use the Internet as a form of self-expression. Her first brush with celebrity was at just 15, when she modeled a line of T-shirts for Hipster Runoff, a website chronicling indie happenings and celebrities. “I wanted to be an it girl,” she says. And her wish was granted. Zeva launched her blog, Fated to be Hated, in 2008 (it currently gets as many as 4,000 views per day), posting outspoken opinions along with photos of her unpredictable and playful style. “I like to dress with a sense of humor,” she says. That quirkiness has garnered her press in publications such as Elle and The New York Times. Currently, she’s obsessed with Hawaiian shirts, which plays well into the laid-back vacation vibe that permeates the Strip. But Zeva says that true Vegas fashion is best represented at the monthly Downtown art festival, First Friday. “Steam punk and pinup style are big in Vegas,” she says. “It’s very retro and very Bettie Page. We have a lot of vintage style.” Zeva is currently building a career as a stylist, and says she might even design a fashion collection. But she faces a dilemma over whether to stay in Las Vegas and develop with the burgeoning Downtown scene or move west to Los Angeles. “It might behoove me to stick around and stay Downtown and try to help it earn recognition.”
trend Watch fall/Winter ’12: bebe says ... “hawaiian shirts are something i can’t get enough of. super tropical is a theme i’m going crazy over right now.” Topshop in Fashion Show
“anything floral. spring is usually the season for floral, but that’s so cliché. fall is a great season to do flowers like hibiscus.” Topshop in Fashion Show
“i still love anything dip-dye or gradient. i know it’s been around for a while, but i’m still wearing it, especially if there’s a nautical hint.” shopwasteland.com
the guide
style File vrated.com / 125
A SArtoriAl QueSt
cardiologist by day, designer by night, roderick tung balances two demanding careers
A staple of men’s fashion in Las Vegas, the collared shirt is a necessity for any guy hoping to get into a top nightclub. And if you must button down a shirt, you might as well be buttoning the best— an Italian-made creation from Roderick Tung. The UCLA cardiologist launched his line of 100-thread-count shirts as an answer to his inability to find a superior off-the-rack creation. This obsession to build the perfect shirt led Tung to Italy where he began sourcing the highest quality fabrics and adding details like a taller collar that wouldn’t slouch, while cutting the shirts to fit an athletic body type. Now in his seventh season, Tung says the growing pains of creating a line have faded, but he’s started to run into unexpected questions. “The challenges I face are, how far can you go with a dress shirt?” he asks. “Most men are very conservative and don’t want you to do crazy things, but I still want to pump some sort of youthful energy into my designs and make them stylish.” When planning a Las Vegas wardrobe, Tung recommends one of his designer shirts and something most men don’t pack for vacation: a classy three-piece suit. “It intimidates people at the poker table.” Tung’s shirts start at $295 and can be found at Scoop NYC in The Forum Shops at Caesars. 702.734.0026; scoopnyc.com
trend watch Fall/winter ’12: roderick says ... “midnight blue or navy will be a popular counterpoint in fall to all the color of spring and summer.” Tung Collection shirt, Scoop NYC in Te Forum Shops at Caesars
“Te denim-inspired look is current, especially in shirts.” Tung Collection shirt, ScoopNYC in Te Forum Shops at Caesars
“a return to the monochromatic palette, with neutrals such as black and camel is big this season.” Banana Republic in Fashion Show
126 / vrated.com
take two
sarah nami ahn gave up the scalpel and got in touch with her artsy side Sarah Nami Ahn was well on her way to becoming a neurosurgeon when her life path was altered by her brother’s near-fatal motorcycle accident. Helping to nurse him back to health gave the doctor, who earned a Ph.D. from UCLA, an epiphany. She uprooted her life, went back to school and pursued her passion for art and fashion. Ahn, who is pregnant with her first child, says going back to study at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles wasn’t the easiest choice. She had to leave her husband in Chicago, who was studying at Northwestern University, and she no longer speaks to her parents, who didn’t approve of the career change. But Ahn trusted her instinct, and after just six months in school won a contest to design the perfect little black dress for Laundry by Shelli Segal. Now working on the fourth collection for her women’s line— called Nami—Ahn has garnered praise for her flowing silhouettes and incorporation of worldly influences (she was born in Korea but moved often because her father was in the Army). While her design aesthetic is ladylike, using lace and silk, the Los Angeles-based designer says when it comes to her annual girls’ trip to Las Vegas, it’s all about standing out and feeling sultry. “You can’t go wrong in a form-fitting dress, probably long sleeve, that’s both classy and sexy,” she says. And if there’s a place to go all out, Vegas is definitely it. “You can never be overdressed,” she says. “Wear a lot of accessories, and go for a lot of bling.” As for Ahn’s most important Vegas fashion advice: Don’t be afraid to battle the neon. “It’s hard to compete with all the lights on the streets,” she says. “There’s so much glitter that you want to shine as well.”
trend watch Fall/winter ’12: sarah says ...
the guide
“Jewel tones are a big trend for fall. it’s nice to welcome winter with celebratory colors, and you’ll be able to continue wearing them into spring.” Annabelle vest, Neiman Marcus in Fashion Show
“embellished motorcycle jackets in lightweight leather, with asymmetrical hems and big lapels are a dynamic look.” H&M in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood
style File
“Funky tights can be layered under lighter dresses and skirts, and they’re a great way to transition to fall without having to buy a whole new wardrobe.” houseofholland.co.uk
vrated.com / 127
ON A ROLL
Man’s Best friend by matt jacob
For a hard-core Football Fan, there’s nothing better than waking up on saturday and sunday mornings, plopping onto the recliner or sofa, firing up that 60-inch widescreen and never moving for 16 hours (except to walk to the fridge or answer nature’s call). Unless, of course, that hard-core football fan has a spouse who thinks the only grass you should be watching is in the backyard, while pushing a lawn mower. or kids who believe the 60inch flat-screen is better suited for watching SpongeBob instead of a majestic, 70-yard tom brady touchdown pass. If only there was a place that was just like home … without all the distractions. Welcome to the Ultimate Fan cave at the lVh (formerly las Vegas hilton).
caPtaIn caVeMan located in an alcove in the southeast corner of the hotelcasino, the Ultimate Fan cave offers comfortable lounge seating for about 40 (plus standing-room area). and that seating faces three 120-inch high-definition televisions. but what happens when there are more than three games to watch, you ask? Fear not, those three screens can be divided to show as many as 16 games at once. Plus, there are four additional flat-screens in the cave. (God bless modern technology!)
coMe earlY, staY late the Fan cave is open and available to the public whenever there’s a live sporting event. that’s the great news. here’s the flip side: the room (generally) cannot be reserved, so seating is first-come, first-served. In other words, get here very early on saturdays (college football) and sundays (nFl).
Place YoUr bets Fan cave too crowded? no problem, just steps away from the room is the world-renowned lVh superbook. not only is it the world’s biggest race and sportsbook, but it’s known for offering the most diverse wagering opportunities and competitive odds in all of las Vegas. For pure energy and excitement, there is no better environment during football season.
128 / vrated.com
JEFF GREEN
insider inteL / ONE wORd: COCktails! twO (bEttER) wORds: FREE COCktails! whEthER yOu hOlE up iN thE FaN CavE OR paRk it iN thE supERbOOk, all COCktails aRE COmplimENtaRy as lONG as yOu havE aN aCtivE bEttiNG slip ON a hORsE RaCE OR spORtiNG EvENt (aNd as lONG as yOu tip yOuR sERvER). lEt’s sEE: NONstOp FOOtball, FREE dRiNks aNd a ChaNCE tO wiN mONEy? yOu miGht NEvER GO hOmE …