NASCAR Parade Return, Vegas Hotel Goes Cannabis Friendly

BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
contributed by Jackie Brett

ARTISAN HOTEL TRANSFORMS INTO THE LEXI AND CANNABIS-FRIENDLY: Open while undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, the once Artisan Hotel Boutique off I-15 and Sahara Ave. is evolving into The Lexi – Elevations Hotels and Resorts, a new 64 room hotel concept, which will be the first in Las Vegas to introduce the idea of cannabis-friendly hospitality. The new reimagined property is set to make its debut this spring. The Lexi, embracing its small and cheeky mentality, will feature all new guest rooms and suites, including an entire fourth floor designated cannabis-friendly with each room featuring a state-of-the-art RestorAir filtration system employing Advanced Oxidation Cell (AOC) technology. While normalizing the idea of cannabis in travel, The Lexi is focused on creating a premium hospitality concept and is set to be the flagship property for Elevations Hotels and Resorts based in Arizona. The Lexi will be home to a new Cajun inspired steakhouse concept helmed by Executive Chef Jordan Savell from Season 19 of “Hell’s Kitchen,” the newly designed Artisan Bar & Lounge, The Lexi Pool (European style pool), and the re-imagined Chapel Room. Additionally, The Lexi has created a new welcoming grand lobby for visitors and locals seeking a seriously good hang while serving as the nucleus of The Lexi social scene. The lobby is highlighted by towering ceilings, a one-of-a-kind indoor water feature, and a new walk-up café, which will offer breakfast, late night treats and cocktail service. Ultimately, The Lexi will offer a membership initiative as part of Elevation Hotels & Resorts proprietary program, Elevations Nation, a unique community of individuals with a wanderlust mindset, cannabis enthusiasm, and taste for new experiences. Members will enjoy invitations to inclusive events, wellbeing activities and more. The Lexi is located near the Strip, Downtown Las Vegas and the eclectic Las Vegas Arts District. It offers a non-gaming, urban oasis close to the action, but set in its own Shangri-La like setting.

VEGAS STAND UP & ROCK ENTERTAINMENT VENUE OPENS AT OYO: Bringing music and comedy to the same stage, the new Vegas Stand Up & Rock, located inside OYO Hotel & Casino on E. Tropicana, is showcasing live entertainment by Vegas JEM, the producers of the award-winning L.A. Comedy Club inside The STRAT. Home to comedy and live music nightly, Vegas Stand Up & Rock features nationally touring comedians during its 7 p.m. shows with resident host, Byron Kennedy, and live music on Thursday through Sunday at 9 p.m. More information, full schedules and tickets are available at the Vegas Stand Up & Rock website. OYO, which was formerly Hooters, features 657 rooms and suites, and has the world’s busiest Hooters Restaurant & Saloon. OYO Las Vegas is owned by OYO Hotels & Homes, the world’s second largest and fastest-growing hotel chain.

GUY FIERI’S FLAVORTOWN SPORTS KITCHEN WILL OPEN AT HORSESHOE: Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen will open this summer as part of the Horseshoe (formerly Bally’s) resort’s ongoing brand transformation. The restaurant will be a prime destination for guests to watch sporting events while enjoying celebrity Chef Fieri’s signature American-style cuisine and bold flavors. Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen is slated to open in the former Burger Brasserie space. It is Fieri’s third Las Vegas restaurant with Caesars Entertainment, following Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar at The LINQ and El Burro Borracho at the Rio. Designed by Aria Group Architects, the funky interior will boast relaxed seating and vividly colored murals. The restaurant will span 6,540 square feet and seat up to 279 throughout the bar, main dining area and rotunda. The interior will feature a colossal, 360-degree island bar with decorative liquor displays and enough LED screens to satisfy sports fanatics. For a special viewing experience or a private event, guests may enjoy a more intimate space in the MVP lounge.

THE BEVERLY THEATER PLANS GRAND OPENING WITH PREMIERE WEEK: A new locally forward entertainment venue has its sights set on shining a bright spotlight on imaginative indie films, intimate musical performances, and thought-provoking literary moments. As Las Vegas’ only indie film house, storytelling headquarters, and intentional live music venue, The Beverly Theater, is set to debut with a week of events showcasing its programming pillars of Film, Lit, and Live beginning Friday, March 3. The celebration begins with the VIP red-carpet special presentation of Sundance-screened “Past Lives,” a Korean romance film. The independent movie premiere will be followed by a public Q&A with Oscar-winning producers Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon (Killer Films) moderated by Amanda Fortini, and an Open House for all to discover the locally-forward cultural hub and technologically advanced venue .The Beverly Theater Premiere Week continues with a public movie viewing on Saturday, March 4, and a robust schedule of LIT events on March 4 and 5. Free and open to the public, LIT events will take place in the theater, courtyard, and at Segue, the modish overlook, and jazz terrace on 6th complete with a beer and wine bar. While community events are free and open to the public, space is limited and will require an RSVP. With more details coming soon, keep an eye on @beverlytheater and sign up on The Beverly Theater’s website. The brainchild of namesake philanthropist Beverly Rogers, The Beverly Theater further underscores The Rogers Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts.

COMEDIAN MIKE E. WINFIELD PERFORMS IN AGT SUPERSTARS LIVE: Mike E. Winfield, stand-up comedian from season 17 of “America’s Got Talent” and Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer recipient on the current season of “America’s Got Talent: All-Stars,” is guest host for the variety-style spectacle “America’s Got Talent Presents Superstars Live” at the Luxor through Sunday, Feb. 12. Tickets start at $49. The Baltimore native moved to California to pursue comedy, earning a reoccurring role on NBC’s “The Office” and “Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo” on Netflix. Winfield’s “America’s Got Talent” journey began when he first auditioned during season 17, quickly becoming a popular act securing an enthusiastic “Yes!” from the four judges and remained a fan favorite making it all the way to the season finale. Winfield joins the new lineup of incredibly talented artists including percussion group Pack Drumline and aerialist Aidan Bryant, as well as original showstoppers Kodi Lee, Light Balance and The Silhouettes. The show’s schedule is Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Thursday-Friday at 7 p.m.

COMEDIAN DANE COOK RETURNS TO THE COSMOPOLITAN APRIL 1: Platinum selling comedian and actor Dane Cook will make a return visit to The Chelsea stage at The Cosmopolitan on April Fools’ Day, Saturday, April 1. He was the second comedian after Andrew Dice Clay to sell out Madison Square Garden. Tickets start at $59. Cook is known for his legendary stand-up comedy specials, stage presence and observational humor. He has released many record-breaking comedy specials including “Vicious Cycle,” “Isolated Incident,” “Harmful If Swallowed,” “Retaliation,” “Tourgasm,” and “Rough Around the Edges: Live from Madison Square Garden.” In October 2022, Cook released his latest special “Above it All,” through the emerging platform, Moment, quickly soaring to the top of the comedy album charts. “Above it All,” his second collaboration with famed director Marty Callner, debuted at the World Famous TCL Chinese Theatre. Most recently, Cook announced a partnership with Super Channel to produce a documentary on his life titled, “Brace for Impact: The Dane Cook Story.” Outside of comedy, Cook has had multiple acting roles in movies such as “Good Luck Chuck,” “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Dan in Real Life,” “Employee of the Month,” “Waiting…” and more.

NASCAR HAULER PARADE RETURNS TO LAS VEGAS MARCH 2: The NASCAR Hauler Parade is returning to Las Vegas for fans to see their favorite drivers’ haulers make their way up the Las Vegas Strip beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 2 as Las Vegas Motor Speedway (LVMS) kicks off the spring 2023 NASCAR Weekend. The parade will begin in front of the Luxor Hotel and Casino. Approximately 40 brightly colored, 18-wheeled NASCAR Cup Series haulers will receive a police escort as they drive north on the Strip before making their way onto Interstate 15 at Sahara Avenue and heading for the 1.5-mile superspeedway. All trucks will stage earlier in the day at South Point. The haulers will proceed to Speedway Boulevard and make their way through the LVMS tunnel under turns 1 and 2 to their garage stalls outside the Neon Garage. A much-anticipated convoy, the hauler parade is a great way for NASCAR fans to get excited about the action-packed weekend March 3-5. LVMS’s spring 2023 NASCAR Weekend begins with the Victoria’s Voice 200 Presented by Westgate Resorts NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday, March 3. The Alsco Uniforms 300 NASCAR Xfinity race will be Saturday, March 4 and the Pennzoil 400 Presented by Jiffy Lube will run on Sunday, March 5. All children 12 and under get in free on Friday and Saturday with a ticketed adult and can attend the Pennzoil 400 alongside a ticketed adult for just $10 on Sunday.

WEDDING OR RENEWAL VOWS WITH A ROYAL TOUCH: Available now is an opportunity to get married or have your vow renewal held at the Princess Diana: A Tribute Exhibition in The Shops at Crystals adjacent to Aria. Vegas’ newest attraction offers the opportunity to get married surrounded by Princess Diana’s iconic wedding dress and more than 700 authentic artifacts telling her life’s story. The exhibit is more than 10,000 square feet with 12-themed rooms with royal artifacts amassed over 45 years. Guests wanting to channel Princess Di, can get married in the exhibit thanks to a special wedding package which includes a ceremony and private dinner near a recreation of Diana’s wedding dress. Information is available on the Las Vegas Wedding Connection website.

TUFF HEDEMAN BULL RIDING TOUR RETURNS TO SOUTH POINT ARENA: The annual Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour, presented by Boot Barn and Discount Tire, will return to Las Vegas for one night only at the South Point Arena. On Saturday, March 4, top ranked bull riders will complete in the invitation only, action-packed three-round competition for a chance to win a total prize purse of $30,000. Tickets start at $30 for general admission. Doors open at 6 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m. Four-time World Champion and ProRodeo Hall of Fame bull rider, Hedeman is a living legend and the world’s most recognized cowboy. He is a staunch supporter of the bull rider as a professional athlete. In addition to 30-plus years of producing great family friendly events, Hedeman is known for his historic clashes with the bucking bull Bodacious and his friendship with the late Lane Frost, which was depicted in the 1994 film “8 Seconds.”

FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME AT THE VENETIAN® ENDS JAN. 29: Improvisational phenomenon and hip-hop sensation “Freestyle Love Supreme” continues through Jan. 29 at The Summit Showroom inside The Venetian®. The 90-minute show blends hip-hop, improvisational comedy, singing, beatboxing and more. “Freestyle Love Supreme” was conceived by Anthony Veneziale, and created by Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Anthony Veneziale. Tickets start at $57.45. Recording artist, actor and writer Benjamin Earl Turner will hit the stage as a special guest on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. Las Vegas philanthropist and legendary host, Mark Shunock will serve as a special guest on Friday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. Fresh from Broadway and the recipient of a 2020 Special Tony Award®, each show is built on audience suggestions and participation, resulting in no two shows being the same. The array of talented cast members takes stories and anecdotes from the audience and quickly spins suggestions into instantaneous riffs and full-length musical numbers.

LEGACY CLUB THROWS INAUGURAL ‘KREWE DE LEGACY’ CELEBRATION: Legacy Club at Circa is bringing New Orleans to downtown Las Vegas with its inaugural “Krewe de Legacy” Mardi Gras Jazz Party on Friday, Feb. 17 from 8 to 11 p.m. Krewe de Legacy will combine the mystique and glam of Mardi Gras with the shimmering lights of the Las Vegas Valley. Guests can indulge in all the best parts of Mardi Gras culture as cocktails, music, festive décor, carnival beads, king cakes and Southern hors d’oeuvres engage all five senses. Tickets to the party are $150 per person. The night will feature a live jazz band; cuisine flavors influenced by Creole, Cajun and soul food; a grand king cake display; and an open bar with southern-style cocktails. Guests are encouraged to don their Mardi Gras-inspired formal attire for a night of libations and dancing. Legacy Club boasts wraparound views of the Las Vegas Valley from Circa’s 60th floor. The 8,400-square-foot cocktail lounge features a $2 million dollar display of pure gold bricks at the entrance; large fire pits on its outdoor terrace; and a walk down memory lane with historic photos and tributes to Las Vegas’ founding fathers.

BALLYHOO! TO HEADLINE SAND DOLLAR DOWNTOWN AT THE PLAZA: Reggae rockers Ballyhoo! are bringing their contagious sounds to The Sand Dollar Downtown at the Plaza on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $18, and guests must be 21 years or older. Baltimore’s Ballyhoo! is a rock band with punk energy and pop reggae grooves. These road dogs have tirelessly toured coast-to-coast taking their music to the people. Between the road and the studio, Ballyhoo! have crafted a sound distinctly their own. They released their 5th studio album “Pineapple Grenade” in 2013 and broke through the Billboard Top 200 at #189 as well as reaching #4 Billboard Heatseekers and #5 at iTunes Alternative charts. The band has performed with a myriad of national touring acts; 311, Slightly Stoopid, SOJA, The Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, and more. They were listed on MTV’s Top 100 Bands to Watch and even featured two downloadable songs on the popular video game Rock Band.