BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW
Contributed by Jackie Brett
‘DISNEY ANIMATION: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE’ WILL OPEN IN VEGAS: Lighthouse Immersive Studios, the creators of “Immersive Van 
Gogh,” and Walt Disney Animation Studios are bringing new immersive experience to nine Lighthouse ArtSpace venues across the United States. Following a celebrated world premiere at Lighthouse ArtSpace Toronto in December 2022, Lighthouse Immersive’s “Disney Animation: Immersive Experience” will open on March 30 at Lighthouse ArtSpace at The Shops at Crystals on the Strip. Tickets start at $39.99 and are on sale now at disneyimmersive.com. Creating memorable animated stories for all ages for nearly a century, Walt Disney Animation Studios has joined forces with North America’s top creator of experiential projection exhibitions to present the music and artistry within Disney Animation’s canon of films—from today’s hits like “Encanto,” “Zootopia” and “Frozen,” to all the classics including “The Lion King,” “Peter Pan” and “Pinocchio.” Audiences become one with the Disney characters. Additional interactive features within the projection show include responsive projection design moving with the audience and custom bracelets that light up in sync with the projections and based on the audiences’ movements through the galleries. In a particularly show-stopping moment, the Gazillion Bubbles special effects team fills the 500,000 cubic feet of galleries with bubbles.
JAMMIN’ 105.7’S LOVE AFFAIR CONCERT RETURNS TO ORLEANS ARENA: Jammin’ 105.7’s 19th annual Love Affair Concert, presented by Pacific Concert Group, will return to the Orleans Arena on Saturday, Feb. 4,
with its biggest lineup of artists to date. Headliners will feature R&B group The Isley Brothers, along with romantic throwback hits from Blackstreet, All-4-One, Color Me Badd, The Jets, Deniece Williams and Atlantic Starr. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $49.50. The Isley Brothers rose to prominence in 1959 with the major hit “Shout,” the first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and sell more than a million copies. One of the few groups ever to have hit the Billboard Hot 100 with new music in six different decades, The Isley Brothers are influenced by gospel and doo-wop harmonies but experimented with many different styles over the course of their more than seven-decade career. They continue to impress fans releasing a new album last September titled “Make Me Say it Again, Girl.” Among the group’s many honors, The Isley Brothers have won two Grammy Awards, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and Hollywood’s Rockwalk in 1997 and followed with the Vocal group Hall of Fame in 2003.
SPIEGELWORLD BOUGHT THE TOWN OF NIPTON: Spiegelworld, the production company behind the Las Vegas Strip hit shows “Absinthe” and 
“Opium” are the new owners of the tiny town of Nipton, Calif., which is located off Interstate I-15 and about 15 minutes beyond the Nevada state line. The town is about an hour southwest of Las Vegas, 20 minutes from Primm, and includes approximately 80 acres of land on the edge the Mojave Desert. Spiegelworld acquired the town for $2.5 million in cash several months ago. As serious owners of this town with a population of 25 people, plans are for the entertainment group to create a “global headquarters” for the circus. Already 250 tons of trash from the desert have been removed. On the drawing board this year are plans to refurbish the current hotel and general store, re-open the local restaurant and build large tents and buildings where the company’s show performers can train and practice. The company plans to spend around $3 million during the initial stages of the project. Nipton was established as a mining camp in the early 20th century. With its rail line, it supplied numerous mines with supplies, was a cattle-loading station for several ranges, and was a social center for the sparsely populated area back then.
MANILOW EXTENDED THROUGH 2023 AT WESTGATE: Grammy®, Tony®, and Emmy® Award-winning singer-songwriter, arranger, producer and musician, Barry Manilow has extended his residency, “Manilow: Las Vegas – The Hits Come Home!” at Westgate through 2023. This year marks
Manilow’s 14th year at the legendary resort and will set a new record for the number of concert performances in Las Vegas. 2023 also marks Manilow’s 50th Anniversary as a recording artist. Manilow returns Feb. 16-18 and 23-25. “Manilow: Las Vegas – The Hits Come Home!” debuted in May 2018 to rave reviews and sold-out audiences. This spectacular show is unlike anything Manilow has ever done with massive video walls, elabrate sets, and special effects. It’s a non-stop evening of Manilow’s impressive catalog of Top 40 Hits like “Mandy,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” and “Copacabana.”
PAW PATROL ®LIVE! VISITS ORLEANS ARENA: “PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure,” presented by Nickelodeon and VStar 
Entertainment Group, will bring an action-packed, family-friendly production to Orleans Arena for a four-show run Thursday-Saturday, Feb. 9-11. The family-friendly event sets the heroic pups from the top-rated animated preschool series Paw Patrol on a pirate-themed adventure to uncover hidden treasure. Showtimes are 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets start at $30. In the show, Mayor Goodway is getting everything shipshape for a big Pirate Day celebration in Adventure Bay. When Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s Paw Patrol to the rescue. Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap’n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map, which takes them with the newest pup Tracker on an adventure. Since its debut in the Fall of 2016, “PAW Patrol Live!” has been seen by more than 4.3 million people, providing fans happy times in over 40 countries. With a Broadway-style production, the performance is an interactive live stage show, encouraging audiences to learn pirate catchphrases, dance the pirate boogie and help the pups follow the treasure map solving picture puzzles throughout their mission.
MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES YEAR OF THE RABBIT: MGM Resorts is celebrating Lunar New Year 2023, the Year of the Rabbit. According to Chinese culture, the Rabbit is the fourth animal of 12 in
the Chinese Zodiac and known as the luckiest. Colorful dragon and lion dances will commemorate the Year of the Rabbit at Aria Friday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at the main valet; Bellagio Saturday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at main valet; MGM Grand also on Jan. 28 at 5 p.m. at the main porte cochère; and The Cosmopolitan Sunday, Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. at the east side resort doors near Starbucks. Yau Kung Moon will perform the Chinese dragon and lion dances at all four resorts in a traditional Southern Shaolin Kung Fu system, which is a collection of martial arts with more than 1,000 years of history. Known for its trademark gold uniforms and innovative routines, Yau Kung Moon has been recognized internationally for being the first U.S. team to compete in the 1990 Invitational World Lion Dance Festival in Malaysia. In celebration of Lunar New Year, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens open 24 hours daily unveiled its new display, “Year of the Rabbit,” through March 4. Upon entering the Conservatory, visitors are invited to embrace what’s to come in the Year of the Rabbit, with each bed welcoming new beginnings, layered with meaningful creations conveying messages of harmony, good luck, enlightenment and prosperity. The display honors the Black Water Rabbit, which signifies deep wisdom and a connection to Earth. Guests can enjoy an epicurean journey at The Garden Table, a one-of-a-kind, immersive dining experience set within the Conservatory. Hosted in a traditional tea house setting, The Garden Table features an indulgent dim sum lunch or dinner feast created by the talented culinary team at Noodles, Bellagio’s Pan-Asian restaurant. The Garden Table experience can accommodate up to four guests and reservation time is limited to 1.5 hours, call 702-693-7317 or go online.
WHETHAN TO HEADLINE DEBUT ‘GET LUCKY’ ST. PAT’S DAY PARTY: We The Beat will present the critically acclaimed synth-pop producer Whethan as the headliner for the debut Get Lucky St. Patrick’s Day event at
Fergusons Downtown on Friday, March 17 at 7 p.m. He’ll get support from Dos Lonely Boys, Fama b2b Keo, Evan Durant and Edwin Kugler. Roll the dice and get lucky at Fergusons Downtown with a complimentary signature cocktail from Peyote, boozy open bar packages, interactive photobooths, elevated viewing experiences and free entry into We All Scream’s after party with VIP purchase. Early bird tickets are available online, with GA starting at $20 and VIP Balcony starting at $40. Chicago-born, Los Angeles- grown, Ethan Snoreck aka Whethan has been pushing the boundaries of dance music since 2016. Whethan has developed an alternative and experimental signature sound that has captivated millions across the globe. Touting an impressive catalogue by the age of 23, Whethan boasts collaborations with some of today’s hottest artists including Charli XCX, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Dua Lipa and more. Following the release of “Fantasy” in 2020, Whethan challenged himself to develop something unlike anything he had created before. He introduced “Midnight” in 2022.
SKYE CANYON HOSTS ANNUAL FIT FEST: Skye Canyon’s annual Fit Fest will return on Saturday, March 4, 2023. The family-friendly race and fun 
run event is open to all and early registration for the general public, Skye Canyon residents, and active or retired military is now open at Skye Canyon’s website. The day will kick off with an opening ceremony and a warmup by Club Pilates marking the start of the 5k/8k Road Race and the 1-Mile Fun Run. The wellness celebration will continue with a cool down by YogaSix and an awards ceremony. The day will also include yoga and guided meditation by Skye Fitness. There will be plenty for the kids to do with a rock wall and inflatable obstacle course and games. Racers can refuel after the run with fare from local favorite food trucks. Skye Canyon, a 1,000-acre master-planned community in Northwest Las Vegas, is designed to promote and facilitate a healthy and active outdoor lifestyle. This year, Fit Fest will offer a Wellness Festival and Vendor Village featuring more than 20 health, wellness, and fitness merchants. Those interested in being a vendor can register by Feb. 22. All proceeds from Fit Fest will directly benefit the Kline Veterans Fund, a charitable organization providing financial assistance and other support to homeless, at-risk, and indigent veterans and their families in Southern Nevada.
UNLVINO ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR FIVE EVENTS: UNLVino returns, in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine, Spirits & Beer of Nevada and the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, with the 49th Annual UNLVino Food and Wine Festival. With an ode to its humble beginnings in the beverage company’s warehouse, UNLVino continues its unique twist on the beloved event with “UNLVino Presents,” a five-part epicurean experience. All proceeds benefit UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality scholarship fund. UNLVino Presents expands its Bon Vivant Dining Series to include four immersive dining experiences featuring three local chefs and their restaurants; Chef James Trees of Al Solito Posto, Chef Tal Ronnen of Crossroads and Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse, as well as a final dinner at UNLV. The festival concludes with the beloved Grand Tasting. Festivities began in November 2022 at Al Solito Posto. On Feb. 19, dinner will be at Crossroads, the first fully “plant-based” inspired Italian/Mediterranean fine-dining restaurant on the Strip, with Chef Tal Ronnen preparing a three-course dinner with wine pairings from Gérard Bertrand for 50 people. Chef Emeril Lagasse’s Delmonico Steakhouse on March 6 will have wine pairings by Domaine Serene. The exclusive dinner for 12 will round out the selection of Southern Nevada restaurants featured in the 49th UNLVino Bon Vivant Dining Series. The Bon Vivant series will conclude with a dinner and wine pairing at UNLV on April 20, hosted by UNLV Alum Hunter Fieri and the University’s Executive Chef, Mark Sandoval. UNLV hospitality students will work alongside Hunter and Chef Sandoval to create a four-course meal plated for 40 inside Hospitality Hall featuring wine pairings from Hunter Fieri’s winery, Hunt and Ryde. The Grand Tasting on April 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. will be limited to 500 attendees. Tickets are $200 per dinner and $500 for the dinner at Delmonico. The Grand Tasting is $200 per person if purchased in advance and $250 at the door. Those who purchase a ticket for a Bon Vivant Dinner can buy a discounted ticket to the Grand Tasting for $100, and Delmonico attendees will get a complimentary ticket.
HASH HOUSE A GO GO CELEBRATES NATIONAL BLUEBERRY PANCAKE DAY: Hash House A Go Go is celebrating National Blueberry Pancake Day, which is officially Jan. 28, in a big way as part of its continuous
“give back with flapjacks” initiative. Hash House A Go Go will donate $1 from every popular twisted Blueberry buttermilk flapjack sold to support Grant A Gift Autism Foundation – Ackerman Center. Since Hash House A Go Go’s pancakes are oversized, they are stretching the fundraiser over the entire weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28-29. The five Hash House A Go Go locations including the one inside the LINQ Hotel on the Strip and at the Plaza downtown are participating.
CIRCA WILL HOST ALLER DREAM CELEBRITY POKER TOURNAMENT: The Baller Dream Foundation will join Circa Resort & Casino downtown for a celebrity poker tournament and three-day weekend 
April 28–30 benefiting cancer warriors ages 0-29. Hosted by Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, the Baller Dream Celebrity Poker Tournament will raise funds to create unique experiences and provide financial support for pediatric and young adult “Ballers.” The celebrity-filled weekend will include appearances from Las Vegas hockey player Deryk Engelland, baseball legend Roger Clemens, football star Evan Mathis and more. The weekend-long event will consist of a private dinner on Friday at Circa’s secluded steakhouse Barry’s Downtown Prime; a welcome party on Saturday from 5-8 p.m. at the outdoor pool amphitheater, Stadium Swim; and a celebrity poker tournament on Sunday held at the resort’s 60th floor rooftop lounge, Legacy Club. The tournament will include a silent auction, cocktail reception and wraparound views of the city’s skyline. The poker tournament will feature cash prizes for first through fifth place with winnings up to $75,000. All funds raised from this event will stay local to Las Vegas and help Baller Dream Foundation provide community programming. Packages for the weekend range from $10,000 to $75,000 and include hotel accommodations, seats at the tournament (including buy-in), marketing packages and access to the events.