David Becker/WireImage
Kevin Hart celebrates his 32nd birthday at Gallery Nightclub in Planet Hollywood on Thursday, July 5, 2012.
Thursday, Sept. 3, 2015 | 6 p.m.
The Kats Report Bureau at this writing is Fuel coffee bar at the Hard Rock Hotel, where the home entertainment center is playing video and audio of Bob Marley & The Wailers in concert, “I Shot the Sheriff” the selected number.
Opening this weekend is the new Center Bar, which has been under construction behind tall wooden panels since June 29 — a bow-down to the crew at the Hard Rock for finishing this project a day before the announced completion date. The weekend here will be wrapped around the new-and-improved circular bar.
And down the hall a spot is Vinyl, where last Saturday Michael Grimm performed and where “Mondays Dark” is held once a month. The room is a strong comedy venue, too, with Andrew Dice Clay’s next appearances in his residency scheduled from Sept. 25-27.
We mention the Dice Man as much of this column near the Center Bar centers on the funny. Put your hands together for this lineup …
• Kevin Hart, headlining Saturday night’s “Kevin Hart & Friends Comedy All-Stars” lineup at the Chelsea in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, has become a force on the standup and comic-acting front.
Hart is hosting back-to-back shows at 7 and 10:30 p.m., with tickets starting at $50. He got big rapidly and recently, similar to how Amy Schumer has vaulted to stardom from her days as a club comic (she headlined at the Riviera not so long ago).
Boosted by his 2011 CD, tour and documentary tour, all titled “Laugh at My Pain,” and his recent roles in “About Last Night,” “Think Like a Man” and “The Wedding Ringer” (and in the reality-TV series “Real Husbands of Hollywood”), Hart has become a bankable act. He also is hosting what’s billed as “Hartbeat Weekend,” supporting Drake’s sold-out show at Boulevard Pool at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Hart is not to be underestimated: At 5-feet-4 inches, he has twice been named MVP of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, in 2012 and 2013.
• Rocks Lounge is expanding its entertainment lineup for a yet-to-be-named comedy series (Laughs Behind the Glass?) beginning in October. Opening is Mark Curry at 8 p.m. Oct. 17, followed by Orny Adams on Nov. 21 and Hal Sparks on Jan. 23.
Really funny individuals, all, and Sparks and I shared a memorable episode at the old Shimmer Cabaret in the former Las Vegas Hilton a few years back (hashtag-poke). Maybe do an online search to remember that event. … Anyhow, tickets are $25 to $35, and Curry’s show goes on sale Sept. 11.
Beyond comedy — and Rocks Lounge is known for a lot more than the funny — the venue is going with a rotating collection of acts, as David Perrico and Pop Strings have dropped their Saturday night shows.
Cornwell, the band fronted by longtime Las Vegas singer/songwriter/musician Jeremy Cornwell, opens Sept. 12. On Sept. 19, its Empire Records; Sept. 26 The New Retros (great name, that). All of those bands play a mix of contemporary dance music and, at least in Cornwell’s case, originals.
In October, the lineup shifts to a consistent series: With Cornwell the first Saturday of each month, followed by The Jone$, Empire Records and The New Retros. Doors are at 10 p.m., shows 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., and there is no cover. We’ll give the new approach a spin, even if it means taking the dance floor …
• Bonkerz Comedy Club has extended its stay at the Sayers Club in SLS Las Vegas. Originally scheduled through Labor Day Weekend, the series now moves through the end of September. Ending his run Saturday is Steve McInnelly. Jodi White headlines Sept. 10-12, followed by Bobby Wayne Sept. 17-19 and Mia Jackson Sept. 24-26. Shows are 7 p.m., and tickets are $10.
• A quick goose for Brad Garrett (something he needs more of, from what I understand) as his Maximum Hope Celebrity Poker Tournament is set for Sept. 19 at MGM Grand in the open space between the entrances of Ka Theater and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill (the buy-in is $250; rebuys and add-ons are $100; and the grand prize is $10,000).
Garrett raised more than $100,000 in last year’s event. Maximum Hope Foundation is named for Garrett’s kids, Max and Hope, and provides money and assistance for needs of families caring for children with life-limiting illnesses.
Garrett still appears monthly as host at his self-named comedy club in the resort’s Underground promenade. He is especially fired up about Season 2 of the FX series “Fargo,” which premieres Oct. 12. He’s a member of a high-powered cast that includes Ted Danson, Jean Smart, Jesse Plemons, Kirsten Dunst and Patrick Wilson. Garrett has a future with this TV-acting thing …
• Comedy has not been so prevalent at Westgate’s International Theater (though there was a Steampunk show that played for about four shows there a few years ago that was unintentionally hilarious).
But a proper comedy production, “Heavyweights of Comedy,” is set for the theater at 10 p.m. Sept. 11. The show stars Earthquake (Nathan Stroman, who has appeared in the film “Clerks 2,” the Chris Rock TV series “Everybody Hates Chris” and HBO special “One Night Stand”) supported by Capone, Red Grand and Aida Rodriguez.
Capone is a club and college-tour vet. Grant is famous for his appearances at Apollo Theater for HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam” and was featured in the film “American Hustle.” Rodriguez was a contestant on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” This is a one-off show; tickets are $55 and on sale now at the Westgate box office.
So, as we say, get on it.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas dares to be different. From the hotel’s red reservations desks to fine art found throughout the resort, The Cosmopolitan’s signature style is helping to pave its own path on the Las Vegas Strip.
Upon entering the resort, you’re greeted by pillars of video boards playing video art by Digital Kitchen and David Rockwell Studio exclusively produced for The Cosmopolitan. Just beyond that, you’ll find all your favorite casino games on the resort’s 100,000-square-foot casino floor.
The Cosmopolitan’s rooms standout as the resort’s most unique feature. About 2,220 of The Cosmopolitan’s 2,995 rooms have 6-foot deep terraces that span the length of the room, a first at a modern Strip hotel. Other in-room amenities include soaking tubs, kitchenettes and quirky accessories like artsy coffee table books.
The dining experience at The Cosmopolitan isn’t something you’ll find at other Strip resorts, either. All of The Cosmopolitan’s 13 restaurateurs are new to the Las Vegas market. You’ll find American steakhouse fare in a modern setting at STK, top-notch sushi at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill and the freshest fish flown in from the Mediterranean daily at Estiatorio Milos.
Whether the sun is up or down, Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub is the place to find the party at The Cosmopolitan. The venue is a dayclub/nightclub, complete with a pool and cabanas outside and three different rooms with three different vibes inside.
If nightclubs aren’t your thing, you can grab a drink at one of The Cosmopolitan’s five other bars, like The Chandelier, which is encased in 2 million dripping crystals.
Situated at the entrance to Red Rock Canyon and minutes from the world-renowned Las Vegas Strip, Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa offers five-star luxury in a modern property, built in 2006.
The casino features features 3,000 slot and video poker machines, 60 table games including blackjack, baccarat, craps, poker, roulette, a 206-seat Race and Sports Book with a 96-foot video wall a 20-table smoke-free poker room open 24 hours a day, a 600-seat bingo hall with separate smoking and non-smoking sections, open 7 days a week with sessions running every other hour from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., a 20-seat keno lounge and a private high-limit room.
A recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award since opening and named one of the world's best new hotels by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Red Rock redefines casino resort architecture by incorporating natural light, a convenient layout and the comforts of a modern lifestyle.
The centerpiece of the property is the three-acre pool complex with 19 cabanas and swim-up gaming. Its location allows for balcony views from several of the property's restaurants and Cherry Nightclub. Aside from Cherry, guests can grab a drink at Onyx or Lucky or listen to live music in Rocks Lounge.
Dining spans the globe at Red Rock with more than 10 restaurants, including the Italian food of Terra Rossa, the Japanese fusion of Hachi, the Mexican spices at Cabo Cantina or a bit of everything at the Feast Buffet.
Unlike some resorts in town, Red Rock has activities for the whole family, such as a 16-screen movie theater and an arcade. The 72-lane bowling center features a VIP area and carpet that glows in the dark for after hours at Cosmic Bowling.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.
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