By Andrew Fersch
Weekends in Vegas are supposed to be things of legend and no matter how many attempts at becoming family friendly the city makes, that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. Even Hollywood is still churning out movies dedicated to getting drunk in Sin City and making bad decisions. The only bad decision that most folks make though these days is sticking to drinking too much and ignoring the stupendous selection of entertainment options that are available on any given weekend. With the snow finally off the roads, the nine hour trip to Vegas shouldn’t be so daunting and it is just in time for some excellent entertainment.
So many genres, so little time
This Friday, May 30 country’s most prolific punk rock greaser/crooner Gary Allan is headlining the House of Blues while Vegas stalwart Barry Manilow spreads the love at the Las Vegas Hilton. And as for Saturday night Cher takes over the Colesseum at Caesars Palace competing with the Jaegermeister Music Tour featuring Hatebreed and Type O Negative. For Godsmack fans, lead singer Sully Erna will be performing at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and for those folks who want a little more twang and a little less rage, Charlie Daniels and Shooter Jennings share the stage on the 31st at the Orleans Arena.
Big Laughs and Loud Metal
The first weekend of July sees some equally huge names when comedic magician and imitation mute Penn and Teller vie with the comic powerhouse duo of Kevin James and (much less humorous counterpart) Ray Romano for Saturday the 7th’s fun playing at the Rio and the Mirage respectively. Waiting to wipe that smile off your face later that night is Soilent Green, the band Rolling Stone once lumped in with Pantera and Black Sabbath as one of the most important metal bands of all time, who are tearing the roof off the House of Blues. Guitarist Brian Patton shared his feelings about Vegas and why their show is the one to go to that night with the Daily.
“[I’ve] been [to Vegas] once before and it was one of the most depressing experiences in my whole life. There are pawn shops next to casinos, a bunch of drunken women from out of town looking to get laid. It was 103 degrees at midnight when we rolled in, hot and miserable. [It] makes people even more pissed off….but we’re a happy bunch of fellows, we get drunk, we get stoned and we go f@#$ing crazy. If you like rock and you like metal hopefully you’ll like us, if you haven’t [heard us], by all means check us out. Live is way better than the studio for us.”
Rock and Roll Holiday
The weekend of Friday the 13th might be scary if you aren’t a Reginald Dwight fan (more commonly known as Elton John) as he rocks the Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace Friday night while actor Jason Schwartzman’s band Phantom Planet plays the Civic Tour with Panic at the Disco at the Palms. It doesn’t slow down on Saturday and you can start kicking up dust after the sun goes down with the Stone Temple Pilots who are playing the Pearl Concert Theatre.
Country Comes to Town
A shorter Saturday trip might be in order for the 21st although there are so many options, choosing just one will likely make you feel slighted. George Michael plays the MGM Grand and country superstar Tim McGraw plays Mandalay Bay Events Center with the terrifically talented Jason Aldean.
Aldean, who has penned such hits as “Why” and “Laughed until we cried” said it’s “really weird” that he is getting an opportunity to tour with the man who he used to play covers of in Macon, Georgia before he himself got big – and he also shared his excitement for a temporary stay in Vegas.
“First of all Vegas is one of the coolest towns that there is. There’s always something going on there, it’s just a fun town. I’ve played there quite a few times, the big rodeo they have to some of the casinos with guys like trace Adkins, it’s a cool town and there’s tons of stuff to go and do. Go win a bunch of money or lose a bunch of money. It’s one of my favorite cities to go and visit but I probably wouldn’t want to live on a full time basis.”
In addition Gnarls Barkley goes crazy for the Outernational Music Festival at Mandalay Bay Beach, and if all those choices just put you in a rage then maybe the UFC Ultimate Fighter show is for you at the Pearl Concert Theatre.
Bette shares more than a feeling
Some might say that the best was saved for the final weekend of the month though. The Divine Miss M – Bette Midler can be found headlining Caesars Palace on Friday the 27th. While in other parts of town Smash Mouth plays the Hard Rock, Social D front man and quintessential Vegas (think late 70’s and seedy) rocker Mike Ness rocks the House of Blues.
Mike Ness said he always looks forward to playing Vegas since it was one of the few places that would regularly give Social Distortion shows back in the day. He also didn’t rule out the idea of becoming the house entertainment sometime in the not too near future.
“I think some day Vegas would be the perfect place for me to be house entertainment, whether its once a month same venue or more. As far as the commercial side of [that happening] I don’t know if they recognize us yet - maybe Wayne Newton has to die first and the new generation has to take over. Vegas is a place people just go to for the hell of it and they get to see bands when they’re there too.”
Saturday is just as nice with another show by Bette, Styx and Boston at the Thomas Mack Center, and Blood, Sweat, and Tears at the Tropicana.
Although it might be hard to choose just one weekend or one show, it would be much harder to live with yourself for choosing to forgo the experience known as a weekend in Las Vegas. Sure, it’s a swelter and they thrive on taking away your life savings but at least they do it all in style and with a mighty fine soundtrack to boot – and that still counts for something.
Where to eat
The World famous, the romantic, and the affordable
Trader Vic’s
3663 Las Vegas BLVD South, Ste. 160, Las Vegas, NV 89109 - 702.405.4700
Rosemary’s Restaurant
8125 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117 • 702-869-2251
Mr. Lucky's 24/7
4455 Paradise Rd, Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NV 89109 • 702-693-5592
Where to stay
The poor man’s Italy. A themed hotel with its own ¼ mile mini version of the Grand Canal and the single largest spa in North America inside (at $300 + / night)
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Phone: 877.883.6423
The poor man’s dream trip turned reality (at under $40 / night) Replete with a 24 hour diner and a whopping 350 slot machines
The Gold Spike Hotel and Casino
400 E. Ogden
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: 877.467.7453