David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Carlos Santana ponders a question during an interview at the unveiling of a third in a series of benches at the Henderson City Hall Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018, in Henderson. The wooden bench entitled “Peace” eventually will live within Habitat for Humanitys historical project in the Pittman community of Henderson.
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2018 | 2 a.m.
Diana Ross at Encore Theater on November 3.
The word “icon” is one of the most overused descriptors around these days and I’ve certainly been guilty of throwing it around generously. But I’m almost always justified; Las Vegas is absolutely spoiled when it comes to hosting performances by true legends and I’m lucky enough to see and hear most of them. It seems like one of the biggest names in music is playing the Strip every week so it’s hard to choose which one you should spend your time and money to see, but it’d be a shame if you don’t catch Diana Ross at Encore Theater. I caught the show again Saturday night and her performance was even more powerful the second time around. She sang “Missing You” (from 1984 album “Swept Away”) as well as Billie Holiday’s “Don’t Explain,” two songs I don’t recall from her previous shows, both stunners. Ross keeps it flowing through the Motown and disco eras, sprinkling in hits and favorites and so much glamorous style. She’s back at Wynn November 7, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 17, and hopefully she’ll sign on for more dates next year.
House of Blues headliner Carlos Santana and wife and drummer Cindy Blackman Santana joined Henderson Mayor Debra March at Henderson City Hall Thursday morning to unveil the third bench, titled “Peace,” in a series of five created by artist Justin Leppar for Habitat for Humanity’s historical project in the city’s Pittman community. Santana is back at the Mandalay Bay music hall November 7, 9, 10 and 11, then he’ll resume his residency in January.
The tables were turned on comedian Doug Benson Friday night. He’s used to generating the laughs but he visited “Opium” at the Cosmopolitan and hilarity ensued, space odyssey-style. After the show Benson went backstage to meet the ridiculous and talented crew of the OPM 73.
The Comedy Cellar at the Rio has been running full-speed since opening in the spring, packing in big happy audiences and all the same stars that hit the renowned original underground venue in NYC’s Greenwich Village. Now it’s expanding with 7 and 9 p.m. shows on Mondays and Tuesdays, kicking into a full nightly schedule. This week’s comedians are Mike Yard, Usama Siddiquee, Nicole Aimee, Rich Vos and emcee Mark Cohen and Whitney Cummings returns November 12 and 13.
Caesars Entertainment made headlines Thursday when it announced CEO Mark Frissora will be leaving the company in February, but that may have overshadowed other big news last week. Caesars will be the first founding partner of the Las Vegas Stadium, the future home of the Las Vegas Raiders currently under construction just across from the Strip near Russell Road. The partnership marks the first Raiders deal with a gaming and hospitality company and will provide select Caesars customers and Total Rewards members access to exclusive experiences like the Caesars-branded Owners Suite at the 50-yard-line, VIP dinners on the field, stadium tours, game tickets and more.
The Palms has released new details about its three upcoming restaurants. The rustic Italian Vetri Cucina, helmed by Philadephia-based chef Marc Vetri, is set to open November 19 featuring signature dishes such as Swiss chard gnocchi with ricotta salata and brown butter. Veteran Vegas chef Josh Bianchi will be on duty in Vetri’s kitchen. Celebrity chef Michael Symon’s Mabel’s BBQ will expand from Cleveland in December, a high-energy eatery with barbecue favorites, a food truck on the back patio and live entertainment. And longtime Strip star Bobby Flay will debut Shark in March, a seafood restaurant with sushi and raw bar offerings and a menu influenced by ingredients from South America, Mexico and the Mediterranean. Also planned for 2019 openings are Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan and a new, unnamed concept replacing the spot where New York City’s Vandal was originally slated.
Speaking of dining at the Palms, pro golfer Rickie Fowler hit the resort’s hot spot Scotch 80 Prime on Saturday night and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger ate there on Friday.
“Raiding the Rock Vault,” the recurring live music extravaganza at Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel, is going on tour. Along with its sister production “Raiding the Country Vault” of Branson, Missouri, the show will be launched as a worldwide concert tour next year across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Europe, Japan and South America, produced by “Sir” Harry Cowell and Simon Napier-Bell. “Rock Vault” has logged more than 1,300 performances in Las Vegas since launching in 2013. Latin and metal-focused spin-off shows are planned in the coming years.
