Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Weekend Rewind: Carlos Santana, Josh Groban, Stevie Wonder and more

Carlos Santana

Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau

Carlos Santana is sticking around and that’s a good thing.

This edition of the Rewind begins with sadness as the Las Vegas Strip and the global culinary community are grieving a tremendous loss: “Chef of the Century” Joël Robuchon died Monday in Geneva after a long battle with cancer; he was 73. One of the world’s most awarded chefs and restaurateurs, Robuchon was a frequent visitor in Las Vegas after he opened two restaurants at MGM Grand in 2006, the city’s only Michelin three-star winner Joël Robuchon and the adjacent L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon.

“Mr. Robuchon always set the bar when it came to delivering the very best cuisine, service and hospitality. The many renowned awards and accolades he received during his career are a testament to his devotion to his craft,” said MGM Resorts International Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage Ari Kastrati. “Even more so, though, it was the way he inspired people that is so memorable. Whether in the kitchen working alongside his chef teams or at a culinary event where fans lined up to see him, you could always tell that he brought an immense amount of happiness to others. His culinary genius will continue to live on in the minds and hearts of all he touched.”

I met with Robuchon several times and interviewed him at length five years ago, asking the master about global trends in cuisine and his hospitality philosophy. He told me he loved spending time in Las Vegas because of its diverse visitors: “Perhaps more in Las Vegas than anywhere else in the world I travel, there is a melting pot of customers, really a beautiful international base. It’s incredible to see all these different international reactions to the same food.” You can read that 2013 interview at Las Vegas Weekly.

Click to enlarge photo

Josh Groban backstage at "Opium."

Friday night’s opening of “The Stevie Wonder Song Party” was another epic concert event at Park Theater, but Saturday night’s performance was extra special because another music legend was in the house. Sheila E brought her family to the show and even sat in on drums for a bit with Stevie, who has three more dates this week.

Speaking of legends, the great Carlos Santana and the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay announced an extension of his musical residency “An Intimate Evening with Santana: Greatest Hits Live” into 2019. Santana is back on the HOB stage in September, October and November, and now he’s planning to return for six shows in January and two in February, marking the seventh year of the blockbuster jam session. Hit Ticketmaster and get yours.

Is “Opium” the hottest show on the Strip? In terms of attracting celebs, it might be on top. On Saturday night, the Spiegelworld comedy at the Cosmopolitan hosted singer, songwriter and actor Josh Groban as well as “Tanked” star and Donut Mania owner Brett Raymer, and Friday saw a visit from longtime Harrah’s headlining magician Mac King. And if you spent your Sunday night cruising downtown Las Vegas, you may have caught several “Opium” cast members cutting loose and singing along at Fremont East watering hole Don’t Tell Mama.

Finally, the weekend may be over but today is a special day for Matt Goss. The stylish crooner is celebrating his 100th show at 1 Oak, the nightclub at the Mirage, by receiving a Key to the Las Vegas Strip as Clark County proclaims Wednesday, Aug. 8, as Matt Goss Day. “I am so incredibly honored and grateful to this town for taking me under its wing for almost 10 years,” he Instagrammed. “Please come and celebrate my 100th show at the Mirage on Tuesday night. My deepest love and thanks.”