Random Vegas Drummer for the Killers Ronnie Vannucci worked at the Little Chapel as a photographer while the band recorded their first album Hot Fuss (@tmobilearena) Twitpic of the week  Some call her the dirty castle but I call her part of the unique landscape that is the strip.  Excalibur is an example of an “only in vegas” experience you can have if theming remains.  I’m not saying you have to have people dressed up in character but you need to keep the castle…and the wall decorations to help sell the theme. Leave it to @maverickhelifor capturing a picture of her all lit up and looking pretty.  Say what you will about her, she’s got a hell of an ass on her. News ·  Waldorf Astoria changes

Random Vegas Drummer for the Killers Ronnie Vannucci worked at the Little Chapel as a photographer while the band recorded their first album Hot Fuss (@tmobilearena) Twitpic of the week Some call her the dirty castle but I call her part of the unique landscape that is the strip.  Excalibur is an example of an “only in vegas” experience you can have if theming remains.  I’m not saying you have to have people dressed up in character but you need to keep the castle…and the wall decorations to help sell the theme. Leave it to <a href="https://twitter.com/maverickheli/status/1670902121569345539?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@maverickheli</a>for capturing a picture of her all lit up and looking pretty.  Say what you will about her, she’s got a hell of an ass on her. News ·  <a href="https://twitter.com/vitalvegas/status/1684010510021451779?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Waldorf Astoria changes</a>

E-450: Shit-Your-Pants Hot

On the next "Chicks you don't want to break up with:"  I think there’s been more talk about this show since it opened than any other Vegas show in memory.   Good or bad, people are talking about Awakening.  We saw the show in late February 2023, when we were in town for the Half Marathon and 360 Vegas Winter Vacation.  Before we get to the review, let’s talk about how Wynn got here.  When the resort opened in 2005, it opened with the production show La Reve. Like Awakening, La Reve had its share of problems.  Developed by Franco Dragone from Cirque, who Steve Wynn poached from Cirque.  Dragone was instrumental in developing Mystere and “O” for Wynn at Treasure Island and Bellagio. The sort-of Steve Wynn biography “Winner Takes All” talks about the mixed reactions to La Reve in the beginning, including bewildering acts like pregnant women falling from the ceiling during the show.  We almost saw Le Reve in July of 2020, but shows weren’t cleared to reopen, and our front row seats were refunded to us. Permanent closure of La Reve was announced Aug 14, 2020.    Complete with giant mythical forest creatures!  Wynn announced Awakening  in October, 2022.  The show was developed by Bernie Yuman, Baz Halpin, and puppeteer Michael Curry.  Theater aficionados might recognize Michael Curry’s puppet work from The Lion King Broadway production. Awakening opened November 7, 2022 but closed briefly for a few weeks for rehearsals/changes in January. The show closed again April 17, ‘22, and at the time of this writing is scheduled to reopen Friday, June 23.  So you want my opinion?  I think this is a really good show. It has a unique story and great visuals, which include fantastic costumes, innovative puppets, and a state of the art stage.  The story is like nothing I’ve seen on a Vegas stage. It has its own mythology, and the groundwork for the story set up in the prologue. (I believe the prologue was added after the January hiatus, and the addition of this prologue has cleared up a lot of confusion around the story that surrounded the show’s brief first run.)  Essentially, the story goes: Light and Dark are lovers, and together create Magic. Light leaves, Dark freaks out, and Dark imprisons Magic. Custody battles suck. Heroine “IO” sneaks into Black and White ball that Dark is holding in a sort of heist. IO finds Magic, and ends up on a quest to unite Dark and Light, and free Magic.  Together with her companions, she travels through multiple “realms,” like Water, Earth, Air, and Fire.  The Awakening theater is gorgeous. It is a theater in the round, so there are really no bad seats.  At the time I saw the show, Wynn charged the most for seats in the back, presumably because you can see it all better?  (A look at ticket prices for the June reopening indicates that this is not the case in the future.) There are individual surround sound speakers at each seat, so every seat has great audio.  Seats are also quite comfortable.  Have you heard the word?   The stage itself is a technological marvel.  It is constantly changing levels in sections to create different environments. The stage floor is translucent, and underlit, for additional effects.  Michael Curry’s puppets - the word “puppet” seems way too insignificant for his creations - are incredible. Personal favorites include a giant whale that seems to swim above you, and a rock creature that comes alive on the stage.  Of particular note is the creepy blank-face dark creature that serves as Dark’s chief henchman.  The show makes full use of the theater space, so the story feels like it plays out everywhere, not only are you looking side to side, but up and down as well.  Audience Fuckery Factor: Zero.  No one's messing with you, so sit back and just enjoy the show.  Not sure if drinks were allowed in the theater. No drink service during show, but there was a bar in the theater lobby.  When the show resumes on June 23, showtimes are set for 7 and 9:30 pm. Shows are Tuesdays through Saturdays, dark Sundays and Mondays. Tickets start at $99 on Vegas.com.  

On the next "Chicks you don't want to break up with:" I think there’s been more talk about this show since it opened than any other Vegas show in memory.   Good or bad, people are talking about Awakening. We saw the show in late February 2023, when we were in town for the Half Marathon and 360 Vegas Winter Vacation. Before we get to the review, let’s talk about how Wynn got here.  When the resort opened in 2005, it opened with the production show La Reve. Like Awakening, La Reve had its share of problems.  Developed by Franco Dragone from Cirque, who Steve Wynn poached from Cirque.  Dragone was instrumental in developing Mystere and “O” for Wynn at Treasure Island and Bellagio. The sort-of Steve Wynn biography “Winner Takes All” talks about the mixed reactions to La Reve in the beginning, including bewildering acts like pregnant women falling from the ceiling during the show.  We almost saw Le Reve in July of 2020, but shows weren’t cleared to reopen, and our front row seats were refunded to us. Permanent closure of La Reve was announced Aug 14, 2020. <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Complete with giant mythical forest creatures! Wynn announced Awakening  in October, 2022.  The show was developed by Bernie Yuman, Baz Halpin, and puppeteer Michael Curry.  Theater aficionados might recognize Michael Curry’s puppet work from The Lion King Broadway production. Awakening opened November 7, 2022 but closed briefly for a few weeks for rehearsals/changes in January. The show closed again April 17, ‘22, and at the time of this writing is scheduled to reopen Friday, June 23. So you want my opinion?  I think this is a really good show. It has a unique story and great visuals, which include fantastic costumes, innovative puppets, and a state of the art stage. The story is like nothing I’ve seen on a Vegas stage. It has its own mythology, and the groundwork for the story set up in the prologue. (I believe the prologue was added after the January hiatus, and the addition of this prologue has cleared up a lot of confusion around the story that surrounded the show’s brief first run.)  Essentially, the story goes: Light and Dark are lovers, and together create Magic. Light leaves, Dark freaks out, and Dark imprisons Magic. Custody battles suck. Heroine “IO” sneaks into Black and White ball that Dark is holding in a sort of heist. IO finds Magic, and ends up on a quest to unite Dark and Light, and free Magic.  Together with her companions, she travels through multiple “realms,” like Water, Earth, Air, and Fire. The Awakening theater is gorgeous. It is a theater in the round, so there are really no bad seats.  At the time I saw the show, Wynn charged the most for seats in the back, presumably because you can see it all better?  (A look at ticket prices for the June reopening indicates that this is not the case in the future.) There are individual surround sound speakers at each seat, so every seat has great audio.  Seats are also quite comfortable. <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Have you heard the word? The stage itself is a technological marvel.  It is constantly changing levels in sections to create different environments. The stage floor is translucent, and underlit, for additional effects.  Michael Curry’s puppets - the word “puppet” seems way too insignificant for his creations - are incredible. Personal favorites include a giant whale that seems to swim above you, and a rock creature that comes alive on the stage.  Of particular note is the creepy blank-face dark creature that serves as Dark’s chief henchman.  The show makes full use of the theater space, so the story feels like it plays out everywhere, not only are you looking side to side, but up and down as well. Audience Fuckery Factor: Zero.  No one's messing with you, so sit back and just enjoy the show. Not sure if drinks were allowed in the theater. No drink service during show, but there was a bar in the theater lobby. When the show resumes on June 23, showtimes are set for 7 and 9:30 pm. Shows are Tuesdays through Saturdays, dark Sundays and Mondays. Tickets start at $99 on <a href="http://Vegas.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vegas.com</a>.

360 Vegas Reviews: Awakening

Random Vegas Caesars Palace legendary casino dome has a crystal chandelier that weighs approx 3,200 pounds and is comprised of 12,000 individual crystals (@VegasTravelNews) Twitpic of the week  I may not like the city center complex on the strip but that isn’t saying they are sexy as hell buildings.  Especially Aria.  It’s a Vegas conundrum.  I never have any luck playing at the property and yet I still enjoy visiting it.  Did they crack the code on this one?  Is that the ultimate goal is to make it clear to people you are going to lose but you’re going to enjoy your stay.  @maverickheli really provides a fun perspective of the property that anchors an office park.  Thanks Murren. News 360VV12 Clarifications Caesars Meth Party More Fontainebleau Details Ole Red Pedestrian Bridge  Barbie Stadium Swim new rooms at Rio

Random Vegas Caesars Palace legendary <a href="https://twitter.com/vegastravelnews/status/1680899716186292228?s=12" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">casino dome</a> has a crystal chandelier that weighs approx 3,200 pounds and is comprised of 12,000 individual crystals (@VegasTravelNews) Twitpic of the week I may not like the city center complex on the strip but that isn’t saying they are sexy as hell buildings.  Especially Aria.  It’s a Vegas conundrum.  I never have any luck playing at the property and yet I still enjoy visiting it.  Did they crack the code on this one?  Is that the ultimate goal is to make it clear to people you are going to lose but you’re going to enjoy your stay.  <a href="https://twitter.com/maverickheli/status/1677138373369114626?s=12" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@maverickheli</a> really provides a fun perspective of the property that anchors an office park.  Thanks Murren. News <ul><li><a href="http://www.360vegaspodcast.com/p/360.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">360VV12 Clarifications</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/reviewjournal/status/1681287752220831744?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Caesars Meth Party</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/meltzvegas/status/1679240303763685376?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">More Fontainebleau Details</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/meltzvegas/status/1681359768437551105?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ole Red Pedestrian Bridge</a> </li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/vegastravelnews/status/1681468060740329472?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Barbie Stadium Swim</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/reviewjournal/status/1681287752220831744?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new rooms at Rio</a></li></ul>

E-449: Foresetful

Random Vegas The pool complex at Fontainebleau is six acres and will have seven pool experiences as well as gaming. The casino floor is 150k square feet with a sportsbook a little larger than 13k square feet. (@Meltzvegas) Twitpic of the week  Look Familiar?  For most of you, it does not.  At least not in this incarnation.  This week @_GrandPaD shared a photo of the Sundance under construction circa 1979-80.  This was the last property Moe Dalitz opened in Las Vegas and before Circa was built, it was the newest property on Fremont St, opening in 1980.  Still stumped?  For a while it was known as Fitzgerald’s.  Today it’s known as the D Las Vegas News 360VV12  NBA In-Season Tournament Gaming Revenue Down The Sphere Dets Vegas Arena and Entertainment District Hostage Situation

Random Vegas The pool complex at Fontainebleau is six acres and will have seven pool experiences as well as gaming. The casino floor is 150k square feet with a sportsbook a little larger than 13k square feet. (@Meltzvegas) Twitpic of the week Look Familiar?  For most of you, it does not.  At least not in this incarnation.  This week <a href="https://twitter.com/_GrandPaD/status/1675557447753437184?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@_GrandPaD</a> shared a photo of the Sundance under construction circa 1979-80.  This was the last property Moe Dalitz opened in Las Vegas and before Circa was built, it was the newest property on Fremont St, opening in 1980.  Still stumped?  For a while it was known as Fitzgerald’s.  Today it’s known as the D Las Vegas News <ul><li><a href="http://www.360vegaspodcast.com/p/360.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">360VV12</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/nba-summer-league/in-season-tourney-brings-las-vegas-1st-nba-games-of-consequence-2828357/?utm_campaign=widget&amp;utm_medium=latest&amp;utm_source=sports&amp;utm_term=In-season%252520tourney%252520brings%252520Las%252520Vegas%2525201st%252520NBA%252520%2525E2%252580%252598games%252520of%252520consequence%2525E2%252580%252599" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NBA In-Season Tournament</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.playnevada.com/8437/gaming-revenue-down-vegas-visitation-up-may-2023/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Gaming Revenue Down</a></li> <li><a href="https://travelzork.com/the-sphere-lights-up-las-vegas-but-inside-could-be-the-real-gamechanger/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sphere Dets</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.playusa.com/ovg-eyes-nba-team-las-vegas-entertainment-arena/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vegas Arena and Entertainment District</a></li> <li><a href="https://lasvegassun.com/news/2023/jul/11/las-vegas-police-in-standoff-with-person-in-strip/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hostage Situation</a></li></ul>

E-448: Journalism

Random Vegas The 2023 WSOP main event at Horseshoe Vegas is officially the largest of all time with 8,846 total entries (CardPlayer.com) Twitpic of the week  So often people share pictures with us that we have to encourage them to share the photo via Twitter so it can be a candidate for Twitpic of the week.  This week’s winner by @TheCrybabyVegas is an example of that situation.  Here we get to see the view from his room at NYNY during his most recent trip and it’s a beauty dominated primarily by the property's roller coaster with a nice shot of MGM and Tropicana in the background.  Much like arial photographs, pictures of things like the behind the scenes needed to make the magic real of Las Vegas happen will always catch my attention.  The trick is to collect both something we’ve all seen with something most people don’t in the same photo.  You now have your mission.  Go out and impress us. News Death Defying Cirque VegasNearMe

Random Vegas The 2023 WSOP main event at Horseshoe Vegas is officially the largest of all time with 8,846 total entries (<a href="http://cardplayer.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CardPlayer.com</a>) Twitpic of the week So often people share pictures with us that we have to encourage them to share the photo via Twitter so it can be a candidate for Twitpic of the week.  This week’s winner by <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCrybabyVegas/status/1668672123416743936?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@TheCrybabyVegas</a> is an example of that situation.  Here we get to see the view from his room at NYNY during his most recent trip and it’s a beauty dominated primarily by the property's roller coaster with a nice shot of MGM and Tropicana in the background.  Much like arial photographs, pictures of things like the behind the scenes needed to make the magic real of Las Vegas happen will always catch my attention.  The trick is to collect both something we’ve all seen with something most people don’t in the same photo.  You now have your mission.  Go out and impress us. News <ul><li><a href="https://www.casino.org/news/osha-investigates-cirques-las-vegas-o-show-after-diver-breaks-neck/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Death Defying Cirque</a></li> <li><a href="https://link.vegasnearme.com/vnm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">VegasNearMe</a></li></ul>

E-447: Knocked...the...Fuck...Out

Random Vegas While preparing the Landmark for implosion, two men were accused and convicted in April 1998 of violating the Clean Air Act by improperly removing asbestos from the hotel before its 1995 demolition. The jury found a third defendant innocent. In March of 2001, he 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed the convictions. (Vintage Research) Twitpic of the week  In a city where you are mathematically certain to lose, perspective is critical.  It’s beating the odds that still attracts people to the tables over and over again.  That sort of perspective is prevalent in this week’s winner.  Despite nightly baths, Fremont St is largely considered dirty.  Maybe its because of all the buskers, maybe its because it’s a pedestrian mall.  Whatever the reason, this week @LuckyTraveling shows us that perspective can also showcase just how beautiful Fremont is, showcasing some of the oldest properties on the famed road with the Viva Vision screen shading all.  We typically lament the loss of a canopy less skyline downtown but this picture shows just how well they complement each other News Sky Dipshittery Rio Renovations Oceans 14

Random Vegas While preparing the Landmark for implosion, two men were accused and convicted in April 1998 of violating the Clean Air Act by improperly removing asbestos from the hotel before its 1995 demolition. The jury found a third defendant innocent. In March of 2001, he 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco reversed the convictions. (Vintage Research) Twitpic of the week In a city where you are mathematically certain to lose, perspective is critical.  It’s beating the odds that still attracts people to the tables over and over again.  That sort of perspective is prevalent in this week’s winner.  Despite nightly baths, Fremont St is largely considered dirty.  Maybe its because of all the buskers, maybe its because it’s a pedestrian mall.  Whatever the reason, this week <a href="https://twitter.com/LuckyTraveling/status/1659203830117175297?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@LuckyTraveling</a> shows us that perspective can also showcase just how beautiful Fremont is, showcasing some of the oldest properties on the famed road with the Viva Vision screen shading all.  We typically lament the loss of a canopy less skyline downtown but this picture shows just how well they complement each other News <ul><li><a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/southwest-passenger-allegedly-tries-to-kiss-flight-attendant-during-mid-air-meltdown" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sky Dipshittery</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/luxury-designers-tapped-to-lead-rio-renovation-2800961/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rio Renovations</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/multiple-las-vegas-casinos-ripped-off-by-sophisticated-scammers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Oceans 14</a></li></ul>

E-446: Stank

Random Vegas The million dollar display at Binion’s has returned.  The display case holds $42,000 in $1 dollar bills, $688,000 in $20 dollar bills and $270,000 in $100 dollar bills. (Vital Vegas) Twitpic of the week  Yup, this is a picture of Caesars Palace in the 1970s, after their first expansion tower, the Centurion tower, was built.  The place looks almost unrecognizable except for the famous fountains.  While they have been Re themed to look more like Roman architecture, both of these hotel towers are still in use to this day.  This picture, shared by @las_when, makes one wonder if people bitched about parking back in the day.  You’ll have to see this picture to understand what I’m talking about.  You should see a link in the show notes of your podcast player. News Pinky Ring Plaza Carousel bar Lupo Bye Bye

Random Vegas The million dollar display at Binion’s has returned.  The display case holds $42,000 in $1 dollar bills, $688,000 in $20 dollar bills and $270,000 in $100 dollar bills. (Vital Vegas) Twitpic of the week Yup, this is a picture of Caesars Palace in the 1970s, after their first expansion tower, the Centurion tower, was built.  The place looks almost unrecognizable except for the famous fountains.  While they have been Re themed to look more like Roman architecture, both of these hotel towers are still in use to this day.  This picture, shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/las_when/status/1653166807472295936?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@las_when</a>, makes one wonder if people bitched about parking back in the day.  You’ll have to see this picture to understand what I’m talking about.  You should see a link in the show notes of your podcast player. News <ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/reviewjournal/status/1667637805743321089?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinky Ring</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/meltzvegas/status/1668398272812122113?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plaza Carousel bar</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/reviewjournal/status/1668349955482738718?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lupo Bye Bye</a></li></ul>

E-445: We Have Nice Stuff

Random Vegas There is enough concrete in the CityCenter complex to build a 4 foot sidewalk from Las Vegas to New York and back (sincitytalk.com) Twitpic of the week  Say what you will about Stratosphere but its undeniably a landmark in the Vegas skyline, captured in stunning fashion by @MaverickHeli.  Even just as a silhouette its instantly recognizable.  Anytime I lose my bearings I just look to the Stratosphere to reorient myself.  Some say the property broke Bob Stupak but Bob would tell you it was his dream to build it and that goal was accomplished, even if it did cost him his stake in the company.  While its debated if Stratosphere is located on or off strip what isn’t challenged is its status as an icon. News Las Vegas studios Special Session

Random Vegas There is enough concrete in the CityCenter complex to build a 4 foot sidewalk from Las Vegas to New York and back (<a href="http://sincitytalk.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sincitytalk.com</a>) Twitpic of the week Say what you will about Stratosphere but its undeniably a landmark in the Vegas skyline, captured in stunning fashion by <a href="https://twitter.com/MaverickHeli/status/1652771873543913474?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@MaverickHeli</a>.  Even just as a silhouette its instantly recognizable.  Anytime I lose my bearings I just look to the Stratosphere to reorient myself.  Some say the property broke Bob Stupak but Bob would tell you it was his dream to build it and that goal was accomplished, even if it did cost him his stake in the company.  While its debated if Stratosphere is located on or off strip what isn’t challenged is its status as an icon. News <ul><li>Las <a href="https://www.8newsnow.com/news/politics/nevada-legislature/disney-interested-in-las-vegas-as-sb496-gains-momentum-wahlberg-talks-jobs-opportunities/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vegas studios</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/2023-legislature/as-ballpark-plan-goes-to-special-session-at-nevada-legislature-2789763/?xxyy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Special Session</a></li></ul>

E-444: Apropos

Random Vegas All the rooms at the Golden Nugget are now non-smoking.  It’s believed the practice was put into place after the last room fire they had on the 11th floor of the Gold Tower in 2021.  That fire damaged about 200 rooms, mostly water damage from the sprinklers. (Vital Vegas and Vintage Research) Twitpic of the week  Seems no one remembers that Stardust was a run down, low-roller joint at the time of its closure.  Similar to my love for Dunes, when we lose something we only had limited or no exposure to we romanticize it.  Like this week’s winner from @Summacorp.  It is not disputed that the Stardust marquee is one of the most iconic in Vegas history. Fortunately that sign was donated to the Neon Museum.  The bad news is the sign is so large odds are it will never be refurbished and relit at the Neon Boneyard but one can hope. News Downtown Shooting Slide to win A’s Update Todd English exodus part 2

Random Vegas All the rooms at the Golden Nugget are now non-smoking.  It’s believed the practice was put into place after the last room fire they had on the 11th floor of the Gold Tower in 2021.  That fire damaged about 200 rooms, mostly water damage from the sprinklers. (Vital Vegas and Vintage Research) Twitpic of the week Seems no one remembers that Stardust was a run down, low-roller joint at the time of its closure.  Similar to my love for Dunes, when we lose something we only had limited or no exposure to we romanticize it.  Like this week’s winner from <a href="https://twitter.com/summacorp/status/1651061619471044609?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@Summacorp</a>.  It is not disputed that the Stardust marquee is one of the most iconic in Vegas history. Fortunately that sign was donated to the Neon Museum.  The bad news is the sign is so large odds are it will never be refurbished and relit at the Neon Boneyard but one can hope. News <ul><li><a href="https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/i-was-trying-to-survive-las-vegas-woman-speaks-out-after-brutal-attack-in-downtown-parking-garage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Downtown Shooting</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.playusa.com/dice-sliding-cosmopolitan-las-vegas-casino/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Slide to win</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/as-release-las-vegas-ballpark-renderings" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A’s Update</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/rumor-another-todd-english-restaurant-to-close-the-beast-at-area-15/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Todd English exodus part 2</a></li></ul>

E-443: ”Am I Not in Vegas?!”

Random Vegas The original MGM Grand, now Bally’s, had the first movie theaters ever built into a hotel (@vitalvegas) Twitpic of the week  One of the challenges new residents of Vegas that love the city like we do have to learn how to drive, is paying attention while you’re driving and not gawkin.  This week’s pic by @_GrandPaD illustrates that better than any I’ve seen before.  It’s just fuckin miles of eye candy and I have to try and ignore all of it.  While I am a giant fan of the FSE and Turing all that space into a pedestrian mall, at night, it must have been impossible to drive down Fremont St.

Random Vegas The original MGM Grand, now Bally’s, had the first movie theaters ever built into a hotel (@vitalvegas) Twitpic of the week One of the challenges new residents of Vegas that love the city like we do have to learn how to drive, is paying attention while you’re driving and not gawkin.  This week’s pic by <a href="https://twitter.com/_GrandPaD/status/1647736628084105216?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@_GrandPaD</a> illustrates that better than any I’ve seen before.  It’s just fuckin miles of eye candy and I have to try and ignore all of it.  While I am a giant fan of the FSE and Turing all that space into a pedestrian mall, at night, it must have been impossible to drive down Fremont St.

E-442: He Won’t Remember

Las Vegas News, Reviews and our Vintage Vegas feature segments that look at the people, resorts and events in history that make Las Vegas the greatest

Random Vegas The lead singer of Devo did the cool/creepy art in the men’s room at Park on Fremont restaurant. (@VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week  In what can be agreed is the sexiest Golden Nugget exterior signage ever looked as in the late 60s.  A time when Gold didn’t look like yellow.  The glow of the signage somehow embodies the phrase “feel all warm and fuzzy inside.” But Golden Nugget’s story is longer than that and even the signage couldn’t keep up with the demand caused its evolution into the property it is today.  Thanks to @las_when for sharing it News El Cortez expansion New Sphere, Same Problems The Match @Wynn

Random Vegas The lead singer of Devo did the cool/creepy art in the men’s room at Park on Fremont restaurant. (<a href="https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1659073682185269249?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@VitalVegas</a>) Twitpic of the week In what can be agreed is the sexiest Golden Nugget exterior signage ever looked as in the late 60s.  A time when Gold didn’t look like yellow.  The glow of the signage somehow embodies the phrase “feel all warm and fuzzy inside.” But Golden Nugget’s story is longer than that and even the signage couldn’t keep up with the demand caused its evolution into the property it is today.  Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/las_when/status/1645659337678008338?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@las_when</a> for sharing it News <ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/meltzvegas/status/1658981976320212995?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">El Cortez expansion</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/meltzvegas/status/1659014892945567744?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">New Sphere, Same Problems</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/meltzvegas/status/1656374722874212354?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Match @Wynn</a></li></ul>

E-441: Carousel Comping

Random Vegas 40% of MGM Resorts guests decline daily housekeeping (VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week  Simply Elegant and somehow sexy, like the leg lamp in a Christmas Story.  Milton Prell’s Aladdin’s original marquee was a looker, shared this week by @summacorp.  It’s not a marquee often featured in the great marquees of Las Vegas but it should be.  I can’t describe it without doing a huge disservice.  It’s like a neon ice cream cone but with an ad for Nudes On Ice on it. News Tropicana Stadium Play Playground Las Vegas BLVD complex

Random Vegas 40% of MGM Resorts guests decline daily housekeeping (VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week Simply Elegant and somehow sexy, like the leg lamp in a Christmas Story.  Milton Prell’s Aladdin’s original marquee was a looker, shared this week by <a href="https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1641870659000356864?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@summacorp</a>.  It’s not a marquee often featured in the great marquees of Las Vegas but it should be.  I can’t describe it without doing a huge disservice.  It’s like a neon ice cream cone but with an ad for Nudes On Ice on it. News <ul><li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/athletics/as-new-las-vegas-ballpark-plan-comes-with-a-strip-view-2775451/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tropicana Stadium</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ktnv.com/vegas-things-to-do/giant-playground-coming-to-the-luxor" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Play Playground Las Vegas</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/MeltzVegas/status/1656733859361480704?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BLVD</a> complex</li></ul>

E-440: Personal Space

To summarize, although there were multiple service issues, it didn’t spoil our enjoyment. This place should do very well, having good beers, burgers and pizza right off the bat. The draw is going to be that roof terrace, the drawback is going to be the location. Price wise it’s in line with the rest of the strip with $11 beers and food at resort level pricing. Overall in our opinion, it’s worth a visit. It will be interesting to hear what other people think.

To summarize, although there were multiple service issues, it didn’t spoil our enjoyment. This place should do very well, having good beers, burgers and pizza right off the bat. The draw is going to be that roof terrace, the drawback is going to be the location. Price wise it’s in line with the rest of the strip with $11 beers and food at resort level pricing. Overall in our opinion, it’s worth a visit. It will be interesting to hear what other people think.

360 Vegas Reviews: Brew Dog

Random Vegas Caesars hotels in Vegas had 95% occupancy in Q1.  21% of those rooms were occupied by groups/conventions (@MeltzVegas) Twitpic of the week No doubt this week’s winner by @summacorp is a screenshot of a scene in a film but then again, film is just thousands of pictures capturing seconds of action.  Call it what you want, I call it beautiful.  I love the Fremont St experience canopy but I will always find pictures without it breathtaking.  Something about a pitch black sky illuminated by miles of neon tubing that does it for me. If you feel the same way your gonna love this week’s winner News Horseshoe Fire Parisian Expansion Aheren &gt; Lucky Dragon?

Random Vegas Caesars hotels in Vegas had 95% occupancy in Q1.  21% of those rooms were occupied by groups/conventions (@MeltzVegas) Twitpic of the week No doubt this week’s winner by <a href="https://twitter.com/summacorp/status/1634408750835716097?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@summacorp</a> is a screenshot of a scene in a film but then again, film is just thousands of pictures capturing seconds of action.  Call it what you want, I call it beautiful.  I love the Fremont St experience canopy but I will always find pictures without it breathtaking.  Something about a pitch black sky illuminated by miles of neon tubing that does it for me. If you feel the same way your gonna love this week’s winner News <ul><li><a href="https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/high-rise-fire-breaks-out-at-las-vegas-resort/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Horseshoe Fire</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/horseshoe-hotel-tower-getting-a-parisian-remodel-2769577/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Parisian Expansion</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/vitalvegas/status/1653842818312572936?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aheren &gt; Lucky Dragon?</a></li></ul>

E-439: Or Its the Tequilla

Random Vegas Vegas is a trending topic on twitter almost 365 days a year. (@vegasClub) Twitpic of the week  It’s a sign o’ the times.  The only thing that never changes is change.  However seldom does a brand from the past resurrected in Las Vegas.  This week’s winner by @jamesInLasVegas captures the conversion from Bally’s to Horseshoe, well, at least the signage.  So far the conversion has been little more than an updating of signage but that doesn’t matter.  What matters is the Horseshoe has returned to the market.  Make sure you enjoy it while you can because again, the only constraint in life is change this to will pass. News Bent Inn FSE 2023 concert lineup Illuminating Vic Sphere Tour w/U2 

Random Vegas Vegas is a trending topic on twitter almost 365 days a year. (@vegasClub) Twitpic of the week It’s a sign o’ the times.  The only thing that never changes is change.  However seldom does a brand from the past resurrected in Las Vegas.  This week’s winner by <a href="https://twitter.com/vitalvegas/status/1634030471326896129?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@jamesInLasVegas</a> captures the conversion from Bally’s to Horseshoe, well, at least the signage.  So far the conversion has been little more than an updating of signage but that doesn’t matter.  What matters is the Horseshoe has returned to the market.  Make sure you enjoy it while you can because again, the only constraint in life is change this to will pass. News <ul><li><a href="https://t.co/3qKIblOPcH" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bent Inn</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/vitalvegas/status/1650940838418219008?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FSE 2023 concert lineup</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/reviewjournal/status/1651375643479736323?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Illuminating Vic</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/ticket-sales-for-u2s-msg-sphere-gig-arent-going-well-there-are-complaints/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sphere Tour w/U2</a> </li></ul>

E-438: All the Happys

One of the great things about a Vegas trip is all the opportunity for surprises. Not bad surprises, like the bell desk lost your luggage or you just checked in and there’s a used prophylactic in your sheets.Good surprises, like a jackpot, or a delicious new drink, or finding out that random restaurant you decided to try has the best food ever.   On my most recent trip to Vegas, I got to experience one of those good surprises when we decided to check out SIX: The Musical during its limited residency at the Venetian. (An aside: I think that I’m a little more tapped into the theater scene than the average straight American male. This is due to a rather diverse resume that includes a non-zero amount of time working backstage in professional theater.  So I still hear stuff from friends in the entertainment industry.  But this show was not on my radar at all.)    Werk.  Part of the reason for this is that SIX: The Musical is a relatively new show.  Conceived in 2017 for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX quickly made its way stateside, where it had an unfortunately-timed Broadway debut in March of 2020.  Once it was able to actually open, it was a smash hit. In the 21/22 Broadway season, it received multiple awards, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score.The “SIX: Live on Opening Night” album also debuted at #1 on the Billboard cast album charts.  While the show plays on Broadway, there are also two touring productions traveling the US right now.  But didn’t know any of this when we sat down to see the show.  The premise is a sort of time-bending pop concert, where the six wives of Henry VIII are having a competition to see who was the most wronged by him, and who, therefore, should lead the “band.” The band is an all-woman four-piece rock/pop band who back up the six all-female cast members. Each queen gets a chance to say and sing her piece, arguing why each “she” was hurt the most by her marriage to Henry VIII.  To keep things interesting, the show creators gave each queen a “Queenspiration,” or a real pop star or two that their historical character and song style is modeled after.  For instance, Catherine of Aragon is styled after Beyonce and Shakira, while Jane Seymour is styled after Adele and Sia.  All of the music is modern styled, like Hamilton. You won’t find any lyres or harpsichords here. Unlike Hamilton, the costumes are also modern, but still manage to evoke Renaissance era England.     Damn, Jane! I want to see more!  The result is a unique and entertaining show that moves along on at a decent clip. The Broadway production is only 80 minutes long, so the Venetian production didn’t have to remove anything to accommodate Vegas audiences (or more accurately, casino bosses who would prefer show patrons be out of the theater and gambling.)  I found SIX: The Musical to be immensely entertaining. The performers are all extremely talented, and have gorgeous voices that compliment their “Queenspirations” and ensure that each of the songs have their own distinct sound. There were enough great tunes that we found ourselves streaming the soundtrack in the car next day. It’s also a funny show; especially Anne Boleyn repeatedly asking all the other wives how they could have possibly had it as bad as her when they have their necks intact.  During the remainder of its Vegas run, SIX: The Musical will be at the Palazzo Theater.  It’s a large, well kept theater. There is no drink service during the show, but there is a bar in the theater lobby.  Note that the exit for most patrons forces you through a single staircase, so it’s a little slow getting back out.    Things might get a little funky...  The Audience Fuckery Factor for SIX: The Musical is virtually zero. There’s some calls out to the audience for cheers or to get on your feet like you’re at an actual concert. No one in the audience is getting picked on or called onstage.  Performances are Tuesday through Sunday, up until May 7, 2023.  Tickets start at $78.

One of the great things about a Vegas trip is all the opportunity for surprises. Not bad surprises, like the bell desk lost your luggage or you just checked in and there’s a used prophylactic in your sheets.Good surprises, like a jackpot, or a delicious new drink, or finding out that random restaurant you decided to try has the best food ever. On my most recent trip to Vegas, I got to experience one of those good surprises when we decided to check out SIX: The Musical during its limited residency at the Venetian. (An aside: I think that I’m a little more tapped into the theater scene than the average straight American male. This is due to a rather diverse resume that includes a non-zero amount of time working backstage in professional theater.  So I still hear stuff from friends in the entertainment industry.  But this show was not on my radar at all.) <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Werk. Part of the reason for this is that SIX: The Musical is a relatively new show.  Conceived in 2017 for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, SIX quickly made its way stateside, where it had an unfortunately-timed Broadway debut in March of 2020.  Once it was able to actually open, it was a smash hit. In the 21/22 Broadway season, it received multiple awards, including the Tony Award for Best Original Score.The “SIX: Live on Opening Night” album also debuted at #1 on the Billboard cast album charts.  While the show plays on Broadway, there are also two touring productions traveling the US right now. But didn’t know any of this when we sat down to see the show. The premise is a sort of time-bending pop concert, where the six wives of Henry VIII are having a competition to see who was the most wronged by him, and who, therefore, should lead the “band.” The band is an all-woman four-piece rock/pop band who back up the six all-female cast members. Each queen gets a chance to say and sing her piece, arguing why each “she” was hurt the most by her marriage to Henry VIII. To keep things interesting, the show creators gave each queen a “Queenspiration,” or a real pop star or two that their historical character and song style is modeled after.  For instance, Catherine of Aragon is styled after Beyonce and Shakira, while Jane Seymour is styled after Adele and Sia.  All of the music is modern styled, like Hamilton. You won’t find any lyres or harpsichords here. Unlike Hamilton, the costumes are also modern, but still manage to evoke Renaissance era England. <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Damn, Jane! I want to see more! The result is a unique and entertaining show that moves along on at a decent clip. The Broadway production is only 80 minutes long, so the Venetian production didn’t have to remove anything to accommodate Vegas audiences (or more accurately, casino bosses who would prefer show patrons be out of the theater and gambling.) I found SIX: The Musical to be immensely entertaining. The performers are all extremely talented, and have gorgeous voices that compliment their “Queenspirations” and ensure that each of the songs have their own distinct sound. There were enough great tunes that we found ourselves streaming the soundtrack in the car next day. It’s also a funny show; especially Anne Boleyn repeatedly asking all the other wives how they could have possibly had it as bad as her when they have their necks intact. During the remainder of its Vegas run, SIX: The Musical will be at the Palazzo Theater.  It’s a large, well kept theater. There is no drink service during the show, but there is a bar in the theater lobby.  Note that the exit for most patrons forces you through a single staircase, so it’s a little slow getting back out. <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Things might get a little funky... The Audience Fuckery Factor for SIX: The Musical is virtually zero. There’s some calls out to the audience for cheers or to get on your feet like you’re at an actual concert. No one in the audience is getting picked on or called onstage. Performances are Tuesday through Sunday, up until May 7, 2023.  Tickets start at $78.

360 Vegas Reviews: Six - The Musical

Random Vegas 39 Las Vegas poker rooms closed since 2012.  10 of those closed for the pandemic and never reopened. None have closed in since Sept of 2021.  Currently there are 19 poker rooms in Las Vegas.  (@john_mehaffey) Don’t ask me where they are because that information wasn’t in the tweet. Twitpic of the week  Possibly the best picture of how the strip has evolved to today taken by @maverickheli.  True, it shows a still in progress Resorts World but that doesn’t take away from the picture.  It’s still an excellent capturing of Mandalay to Strat.  To top it all off, something that most visitors overlook all the time are the mountains.  Locals are surrounded by picturesque mountains because the strip and downtown are in a valley. Next time you get a chance, allow our eyes to venture beyond the builds and appreciate just how beautiful southern Nevada is. News Mirage/Hard Rock Local Offers Las Vegas Athletics Golden Nugget Sports Betting App Mekka Walgreens Little Brother 

Random Vegas 39 Las Vegas poker rooms closed since 2012.  10 of those closed for the pandemic and never reopened. None have closed in since Sept of 2021.  Currently there are 19 poker rooms in Las Vegas.  (@john_mehaffey) Don’t ask me where they are because that information wasn’t in the tweet. Twitpic of the week Possibly the best picture of how the strip has evolved to today taken by <a href="https://twitter.com/vegastravelnews/status/1631270221599199234?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@maverickheli</a>.  True, it shows a still in progress Resorts World but that doesn’t take away from the picture.  It’s still an excellent capturing of Mandalay to Strat.  To top it all off, something that most visitors overlook all the time are the mountains.  Locals are surrounded by picturesque mountains because the strip and downtown are in a valley. Next time you get a chance, allow our eyes to venture beyond the builds and appreciate just how beautiful southern Nevada is. News <ul><li><a href="https://www.hardrockhotelcasinolasvegas.com/local-rewards" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mirage/Hard Rock Local Offers</a></li> <li><a href="https://t.co/AvJb5olJg1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Las Vegas Athletics</a></li> <li><a href="https://t.co/zQJ3OdKYYU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Golden Nugget Sports Betting App</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/vitalvegas/status/1647314194457591809?s=61&amp;t=mbAYG670WXAEIFrcmOHhSg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mekka Walgreens Little Brother</a> </li></ul>

E-437: Spastic

Random Vegas Sin City Sindy, formerly identified as the world’s biggest stripper at 31 feet tall, used to stand outside of the stripper bar located at the back of the Miracle Mile shops, by the V Theater and Blonde’s sports bar.  While Sindy is still there today, the name of the bar has been changed to the more politically correct “showgirl bar”.  While her stripper pole still remains her breasts, formerly said “Stripper Bar” now only says Bar. (VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week  Proof that photoshop isn’t always a bad thing, or that you can create a pretty cool version of the strip with a light bright.  This week’s winner, shared by @Begas_Vaby, shows photoshop’s ability to enhance the view into something more like we see in our dreams.  Awash with various colored lights the strip is unrivaled in their use of exterior illumination, even if those have been dimmed to save money. News 360VV12 GA Harlem Nights Hotel &amp; Casino Strat Still doesn’t Get It Strip Tiki Bar Returns Absinthe Expansion White Sands Motel Tilman Fertitta's Plan  Tony Hsieh emaciated Hard Rock x Mystery Island FountainBleau Marquee  Hawaiian market Rubble

Random Vegas <a href="https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/absolute-proof-las-vegas-no-longer-tolerates-sexism/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sin City Sindy</a>, formerly identified as the world’s biggest stripper at 31 feet tall, used to stand outside of the stripper bar located at the back of the Miracle Mile shops, by the V Theater and Blonde’s sports bar.  While Sindy is still there today, the name of the bar has been changed to the more politically correct “showgirl bar”.  While her stripper pole still remains her breasts, formerly said “Stripper Bar” now only says Bar. (VitalVegas) Twitpic of the week Proof that photoshop isn’t always a bad thing, or that you can create a pretty cool version of the strip with a light bright.  This week’s winner, shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/Begas_Vaby/status/1631364970792341505?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@Begas_Vaby</a>, shows photoshop’s ability to enhance the view into something more like we see in our dreams.  Awash with various colored lights the strip is unrivaled in their use of exterior illumination, even if those have been dimmed to save money. News <ul><li><a href="http://bit.ly/360VV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">360VV12 GA</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/historic-westside-may-see-harlem-themed-60-story-resort-2757379/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Harlem Nights Hotel &amp; Casino</a></li> <li><a href="https://news3lv.com/news/local/the-strat-las-vegas-introduces-parking-fees" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Strat Still doesn’t Get It</a></li> <li><a href="https://vegas.eater.com/2023/4/5/23671606/tiki-bar-opens-las-vegas-strip-genting-palace-closes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Strip Tiki Bar Returns</a></li> <li><a href="https://vegas.eater.com/2023/4/3/23667431/absinthe-spiegelworld-speakeasy-really-good-burger-las-vegas-strip" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Absinthe Expansion</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/it-cannot-be-salvaged-boarded-up-strip-motel-site-sold-to-be-demolished-2761071/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">White Sands Motel</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1641985872727015424?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tilman Fertitta's Plan</a> </li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1643066292222705666?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tony Hsieh emaciated</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/MeltzVegas/status/1642910326243958789?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hard Rock x Mystery Island</a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1646207413530546177?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FountainBleau Marquee</a> </li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/VitalVegas/status/1646328883313090560?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hawaiian market</a> Rubble</li></ul>

E-436: Words Are Hard

My heart just got all achey-breaky. This next review is one that I’ve been hanging on to for some time.  Listeners with excellent memories might recall that back in spring of 2022, when I submitted my first review to be read on the show, we figured out that my wife and I were at a show the previous week that Mark was also at. I’m kind of in awe at how much has changed since then. I started as a regular contributor, then I attended my first Vegas Vacation, then we all started hanging out together on the many trips I’ve taken to Vegas since, and then Keren got tired of reading my reviews on the show, and so now here we are recording together. So today, let’s talk about the first time Mark and I hung out in the same room, even though we didn’t know it at the time. Let’s talk about X-Country.  Okay, so let’s get this out of the way. I like women. If women choose to be naked in front of me, I like that, too. As I type these words out onto the screen, it occurs to me that I probably cannot review this show without coming across like a dirty old man. But in the words of Popeye the Sailor, “I yam what I yam.”  So if you share or even merely tolerate my indulgences, then keep listening.    I'm rooting for your team, miss.   I’ve said before that for me, going to see shows in Vegas is more for my wife than me. However, since I’m the one who plans the trips, I’m often the one who chooses the shows. As a result we occasionally see a topless revue because I want to, damn it. My wife does not object to this.  There’s some tradition here. Vegas is where we let our freak flags fly.  Going back a few years to our first trip to Vegas as a couple, the first show we saw was “Fantasy” at the Luxor. (Note: It technically was “Brilliant!” at the Neon Museum earlier the same evening, but that kind of depends on how you define “show.”) So yeah, as a red-blooded straight male who loves Las Vegas, I’m kind of a connoisseur of these shows, or at least I’d love to be.  Since then, we’ve seen Fantasy three times, X Burlesque, BurlesQ (you have to pronounce the letter “Q” in their name because who the fuck knows?), Rouge, and now X Country.  Some words here about the change, the nature of Vegas, and regret: Like Mark, I consider myself a Vegas history buff. I never got to see any of the classic “showgirl” type shows; Mrs. Jaydubs and I kind of discovered Vegas as a couple just a little too late and Jubilee, the last true showgirl style show, had already closed.  Now Crazy Girls is gone (they say it will return with a new home, but that’s a song we’ve all heard before) along with X Rocks and Sexxy at Westgate. This has created a sense of urgency in me that has me treating topless shows like Pokemon: “Gotta See Em All!”  So if you’re still listening, and have never seen a topless show in Vegas and would like to, let me share more about the overall experience. First, just do it. I think most are reluctant to see a topless show because they’re worried about how they will be perceived. The audience is full of all kinds of people. Men, women, couples. Young people. Older people.  There’s more women and more couples in the audience than one might think at first, and the women cheer louder. It’s a hell of a lot of fun. Fantasy at the Luxor is probably my favorite. It has the nicest venue, the largest number of performers, and the most advanced choreography (which isn’t really that advanced, but hey, boobs!) I think it’s the longest running topless revue currently playing. We’ve seen it three times, and you can expect a review for Fantasy soon.   If it seems like I’m providing a lot of context and haven’t yet really reviewed X Country, you’re absolutely right. Because how much can you say about a show whose entire premise is young women dancing in nothing but boots and g-strings? And that is basically what you get with X-Country. It’s a fun, sexy show that got the Mrs and I warmed up for the evening. It served its purpose. We laughed, we cried, we got turned on, and we all learned a little something about ourselves along the way.  Just in case you’re starting to think I’m incapable of actually providing a critical review of this show:  There was a time that I thought there could be no such thing as a bad topless show, because hey boobs!  Check out episode 409, “Jennifer Grey Nose Job” formy review of BurlesQ (Why the FUCK do you pronounce the “Q” in their stupid ass name?!) to find out why that’s not necessarily true.  The good: I have to admit, I’m not a fan of country music. I know the lyrics to “Friends in Low Places” and I know that the Chattahoochie is a river in the south and not a nickname for my ex, but that’s about as far as my interest and knowledge of the country music scene goes. So I was a little worried that this show would be country-trashy, in a straw-chewing, cousin-fucking kind of way, rather than just Vegas-trashy in a paying-to-see-tits kind of way.  There are A LOT of different numbers in this show, and they quickly switch between the sub-genres of country songs to keep the energy going.  (What’s that line from The Blues Brothers? “We got both kinds, we got country and western.”)  I thought I might get bored after 80 minutes of country music, but the show managed to keep it fresh, and the boobs probably didn’t hurt either.  Still not a country music fan, though. The good news is that you don’t have to be one to enjoy the show.    Something for everyone: tits and ass!  There are five different performers, with a good mix between solo numbers, duos, and ensemble bits.  There was a variety of body-types between the performers, but zero variety in skin color, which I guess is consistent with the theme.  My wife is a dancer, (no, not that kind of dancer) and she informed me that at least three of the girls demonstrated that they have had some formal dance training. There’s an aerialist number that uses a silk web; it was pretty impressive how much she could do in such a small venue.   Comedian John Bizarre provides some laughs between numbers. We were seated right by the stage on stage right, and there was an occasional moment of terror when he looked our way as he was scanning for audience members to interact with.  Fortunately, he ended up picking on the four young guys opposite us who were legit farmers from Iowa. By the way, while our seats were close, I don’t recommend sitting to the side of the stage. There was a number in which I had a better view of the crew member holding up a set piece rather than the two girls writhing on the set piece.  Seats were decently comfortable, and ours had a small table between them for drinks.  X-Country performs nightly at Harrah’s at 10:00, and is dark Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Tickets start at $60, and you should click through the vegas.com link on the website or the show notes to get your tickets.

My heart just got all achey-breaky. This next review is one that I’ve been hanging on to for some time.  Listeners with excellent memories might recall that back in spring of 2022, when I submitted my first review to be read on the show, we figured out that my wife and I were at a show the previous week that Mark was also at. I’m kind of in awe at how much has changed since then. I started as a regular contributor, then I attended my first Vegas Vacation, then we all started hanging out together on the many trips I’ve taken to Vegas since, and then Keren got tired of reading my reviews on the show, and so now here we are recording together. So today, let’s talk about the first time Mark and I hung out in the same room, even though we didn’t know it at the time. Let’s talk about X-Country. Okay, so let’s get this out of the way. I like women. If women choose to be naked in front of me, I like that, too. As I type these words out onto the screen, it occurs to me that I probably cannot review this show without coming across like a dirty old man. But in the words of Popeye the Sailor, “I yam what I yam.”  So if you share or even merely tolerate my indulgences, then keep listening. <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> I'm rooting for your team, miss. I’ve said before that for me, going to see shows in Vegas is more for my wife than me. However, since I’m the one who plans the trips, I’m often the one who chooses the shows. As a result we occasionally see a topless revue because I want to, damn it. My wife does not object to this.  There’s some tradition here. Vegas is where we let our freak flags fly.  Going back a few years to our first trip to Vegas as a couple, the first show we saw was “Fantasy” at the Luxor. (Note: It technically was “Brilliant!” at the Neon Museum earlier the same evening, but that kind of depends on how you define “show.”) So yeah, as a red-blooded straight male who loves Las Vegas, I’m kind of a connoisseur of these shows, or at least I’d love to be.  Since then, we’ve seen Fantasy three times, X Burlesque, BurlesQ (you have to pronounce the letter “Q” in their name because who the fuck knows?), Rouge, and now X Country. Some words here about the change, the nature of Vegas, and regret: Like Mark, I consider myself a Vegas history buff. I never got to see any of the classic “showgirl” type shows; Mrs. Jaydubs and I kind of discovered Vegas as a couple just a little too late and Jubilee, the last true showgirl style show, had already closed.  Now Crazy Girls is gone (they say it will return with a new home, but that’s a song we’ve all heard before) along with X Rocks and Sexxy at Westgate. This has created a sense of urgency in me that has me treating topless shows like Pokemon: “Gotta See Em All!” <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> So if you’re still listening, and have never seen a topless show in Vegas and would like to, let me share more about the overall experience. First, just do it. I think most are reluctant to see a topless show because they’re worried about how they will be perceived. The audience is full of all kinds of people. Men, women, couples. Young people. Older people.  There’s more women and more couples in the audience than one might think at first, and the women cheer louder. It’s a hell of a lot of fun. Fantasy at the Luxor is probably my favorite. It has the nicest venue, the largest number of performers, and the most advanced choreography (which isn’t really that advanced, but hey, boobs!) I think it’s the longest running topless revue currently playing. We’ve seen it three times, and you can expect a review for Fantasy soon. If it seems like I’m providing a lot of context and haven’t yet really reviewed X Country, you’re absolutely right. Because how much can you say about a show whose entire premise is young women dancing in nothing but boots and g-strings? And that is basically what you get with X-Country. It’s a fun, sexy show that got the Mrs and I warmed up for the evening. It served its purpose. We laughed, we cried, we got turned on, and we all learned a little something about ourselves along the way. Just in case you’re starting to think I’m incapable of actually providing a critical review of this show:  There was a time that I thought there could be no such thing as a bad topless show, because hey boobs!  Check out episode 409, “Jennifer Grey Nose Job” formy review of BurlesQ (Why the FUCK do you pronounce the “Q” in their stupid ass name?!) to find out why that’s not necessarily true. The good: I have to admit, I’m not a fan of country music. I know the lyrics to “Friends in Low Places” and I know that the Chattahoochie is a river in the south and not a nickname for my ex, but that’s about as far as my interest and knowledge of the country music scene goes. So I was a little worried that this show would be country-trashy, in a straw-chewing, cousin-fucking kind of way, rather than just Vegas-trashy in a paying-to-see-tits kind of way.  There are A LOT of different numbers in this show, and they quickly switch between the sub-genres of country songs to keep the energy going.  (What’s that line from The Blues Brothers? “We got both kinds, we got country and western.”)  I thought I might get bored after 80 minutes of country music, but the show managed to keep it fresh, and the boobs probably didn’t hurt either.  Still not a country music fan, though. The good news is that you don’t have to be one to enjoy the show. <a href="#" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a> Something for everyone: tits and ass! There are five different performers, with a good mix between solo numbers, duos, and ensemble bits.  There was a variety of body-types between the performers, but zero variety in skin color, which I guess is consistent with the theme.  My wife is a dancer, (no, not that kind of dancer) and she informed me that at least three of the girls demonstrated that they have had some formal dance training. There’s an aerialist number that uses a silk web; it was pretty impressive how much she could do in such a small venue. Comedian John Bizarre provides some laughs between numbers. We were seated right by the stage on stage right, and there was an occasional moment of terror when he looked our way as he was scanning for audience members to interact with.  Fortunately, he ended up picking on the four young guys opposite us who were legit farmers from Iowa. By the way, while our seats were close, I don’t recommend sitting to the side of the stage. There was a number in which I had a better view of the crew member holding up a set piece rather than the two girls writhing on the set piece.  Seats were decently comfortable, and ours had a small table between them for drinks. X-Country performs nightly at Harrah’s at 10:00, and is dark Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Tickets start at $60, and you should click through the <a href="http://vegas.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">vegas.com</a> link on the website or the show notes to get your tickets.

360 Vegas Reviews: X-Country

Random Vegas In a casino cage, damaged currency (slot machines refuse to accept) is referred to as “mute money.” “Mute” is shorthand for “mutilated.” (Vital Vegas) Twitpic of the week  The more I look at this picture the more I appreciate the evolution of the Riviera.  Not just the hotel towers but the signage as well.  While she wasn’t in the best of conditions at the end she was still a classy broad…or gawdy.  The two tend to often blur in Vegas.  This arial picture of the property in March of 96, shared by @summacorp, showcases a few things about the Riviera.  It shows the rooftop pool that never came to fruition as well as just how much of the marquee signage tower was an employ shell in the inside.  This property will always have a special place in my heart because of how much the Martin Scorsese movie Casino was filmed at the property.  For more on that, you’ll have to check out our 360 Vegas POV series on the film, available exclusively to Patreon subscribers for $7 per month, less than a fancy cup of coffee circa 2023. News TITO Loophol  Fan Girl 2.0

Random Vegas In a casino cage, damaged currency (slot machines refuse to accept) is referred to as “mute money.” “Mute” is shorthand for “mutilated.” (Vital Vegas) Twitpic of the week The more I look at this picture the more I appreciate the evolution of the Riviera.  Not just the hotel towers but the signage as well.  While she wasn’t in the best of conditions at the end she was still a classy broad…or gawdy.  The two tend to often blur in Vegas.  This arial picture of the property in March of 96, shared by <a href="https://twitter.com/summacorp/status/1626017924418007040?s=20" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@summacorp</a>, showcases a few things about the Riviera.  It shows the rooftop pool that never came to fruition as well as just how much of the marquee signage tower was an employ shell in the inside.  This property will always have a special place in my heart because of how much the Martin Scorsese movie Casino was filmed at the property.  For more on that, you’ll have to check out our 360 Vegas POV series on the film, available exclusively to Patreon subscribers for $7 per month, less than a fancy cup of coffee circa 2023. News <ul><li><a href="https://www.dailydot.com/news/woman-collects-left-over-cash-casinos/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">TITO Loophol</a></li> <li> <a href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/food/famed-chef-jose-andres-to-open-2-new-restaurants-on-the-strip-2753312/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Fan Girl 2.0</a></li></ul>

E-435: Talkie Tony

Absolutely love this show .. Now that they are Vegas LOCALS it&#39;s even better!

So Awesome

I really love this show.  It’s the best. Ty. Ty. Ty.

Really great

360 Vegas

360 Vegas Vacation 10, Can Can Room Lawsuit, Ruff Plans for Circus Circus, New Flamingo Food Options and the Craps Fire Bet

360 Vegas Vacation 10, Can Can Room Lawsuit, Ruff Plans for Circus Circus, New Flamingo Food Options and the Craps Fire Bet

E-321: Lake Charles Water Spout

Zorkfest Individual Events Available, MGM Explores Wynn Acquisition, Yogurteria Coming to Palazzo, Aria Esports, Park MGM Pool Prices Points, Kind Heaven Coming to LINQ, Chocolate Chair @Bally's Grand Bazaar, Knights Vow and why they call it a Brazilian

Zorkfest Individual Events Available, MGM Explores Wynn Acquisition, Yogurteria Coming to Palazzo, Aria Esports, Park MGM Pool Prices Points, Kind Heaven Coming to LINQ, Chocolate Chair @Bally's Grand Bazaar, Knights Vow and why they call it a Brazilian

E-264: Savory Yogurt

Patreon Pregame, 360VVX Mic Drop, Luxor Light Bright, Downtown Grand Comedy Club, Silver City Sold, Sexual Misconduct Forgiveness and Fergusons 2.0

Patreon Pregame, 360VVX Mic Drop, Luxor Light Bright, Downtown Grand Comedy Club, Silver City Sold, Sexual Misconduct Forgiveness and Fergusons 2.0

E-322: An Uncomfortable Conversation

E-278: #360VV7

KAOS and Disorder @Palms, Winnebago parking at the Cannery, Ms. Las Vegas, Diablos 2, Signage Updates, R.U.N. Stopped and the Homeless Eradication Bill

KAOS and Disorder @Palms, Winnebago parking at the Cannery, Ms. Las Vegas, Diablos 2, Signage Updates, R.U.N. Stopped and the Homeless Eradication Bill

E-318 Cannery

E-274: Run a Train of Nuzzle

In 1955, the Dunes Hotel and Casino was the 10th property to open on the Las Vegas strip.  This is her story.

In 1955, the Dunes Hotel and Casino was the 10th property to open on the Las Vegas strip.  This is her story.

PCP - 360 Vintage Vegas: The Dunes Hotel &amp; Casino

Exclusive Access with Patreon, Xmas in Las Vegas, UnLucky Dragon, Lady GaGa Vegas Residency and the rage of white noise

Exclusive Access with Patreon, Xmas in Las Vegas, UnLucky Dragon, Lady GaGa Vegas Residency and the rage of white noise

E-254: The Value of the Worthless

MGM Sells Bellagio, NGC Looks to Ban Steve Wynn, Vegas Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Friends, Battle Born Pin "Sam's Town"

MGM Sells Bellagio, NGC Looks to Ban Steve Wynn, Vegas Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Friends, Battle Born Pin "Sam's Town"

E-317: One of Those Two Statements is True

Tim Burton Neon Museum Exhibit Coming, Hard Rock Closing, Nevada's Black Book Gets New Members, Wynn Resorts Sues Resorts World, Palms Replaced Vandal with Greene St, The RJ Lies about MGM Grand and 360FHE Boulder Highway/Boyd Inspired

Tim Burton Neon Museum Exhibit Coming, Hard Rock Closing, Nevada's Black Book Gets New Members, Wynn Resorts Sues Resorts World, Palms Replaced Vandal with Greene St, The RJ Lies about MGM Grand and 360FHE Boulder Highway/Boyd Inspired

E-288: Opening of the Virgin

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best podcast episodes on non-current politics. Covering topics such as universal basic income, democracy, poverty & justice and more. For anyone interested in learning more about politics that affect that world, not just now, but in the longer term. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!