Tony Tran/Global Media Group
Migos at Drai’s on October 6.
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018 | 2 a.m.
Last year at this time, NBA great Magic Johnson was in town to speak at the annual Global Gaming Expo, predicting major league sports success for Las Vegas. He’s back on the Strip this week to be honored ahead of the preseason game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors at T-Mobile Arena Wednesday, hosting the Magic Johnson’s Showtime pop-up concert tonight at 9 p.m. at Mandalay Bay Beach. Snoop Dogg will perform along with a few surprise guests. On Wednesday, Mayor Carolyn Goodman will proclaim October 10 Magic Johnson Day in the city of Las Vegas and give the point guard-turned-entertainment mogul a key to the city. (UPDATE: The Mandalay concert and party has been postponed.)
Flashing back to the action-packed weekend (and if you were anywhere around T-Mobile Arena for Saturday’s chaotic UFC event, maybe there was a little too much action): On Friday, golfer Rory Mcllroy celebrated his Team Europe Ryder Cup win with dinner and fun at Tao Nightclub at the Venetian. Rapper French Montana dined with “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star Scott Disick at Tao Saturday night before Montana’s Marquee Nightclub performance at the Cosmopolitan. Montana had already partied at Drai’s Nightclub Friday night with NBA names Paul Pierce and Trevor Ariza as Migos performed the first of two nights at the club. And of course, celebs ranging from actors Matt Damon and Chris Pratt to musicians Anthony Kiedis and Drake (who packed MGM Grand Garden Friday and Saturday nights) were spotted at the fight, hopefully avoiding any physical contact.
A true internet sensation hit the Strip this weekend, too. On Sunday, Turkish chef, butcher and restaurateur Nusret Gökçe — you know him as Salt Bae — stopped in at the Cosmopolitan’s sleek Japanese izakaya Zuma for a memorable meal and was certainly celebrated by the restaurant’s staff. Did stylish seasoning ensue? Most likely.
Salt Bae at Zuma.
One floor below, the Cosmopolitan’s hip Block 16 Urban Food Hall project is now complete. New York City mezcal and tequila bar Ghost Donkey opened its Vegas version there over the weekend, serving specialty crafted cocktails and an extensive collection of Mexican spirits alongside exotic nachos topped with wild mushrooms, black truffles, chorizo and tripe stew and more.
Actor Jonathan Bennett is best known for playing Aaron Samuels in the 2004 movie “Mean Girls” and he’s still milking it … or, in the case of what happened Sunday at the Fashion Show mall, milkshaking it. Bennett was at Sugar Factory American Brasserie signing copies of his new “The Burn Cookbook” (like the movie’s “Burn Book,” in case you forgot) with co-writer Nikki Martin from “Food Network Star.” He sampled the Twinkie Dinkie shake and signature Rainbow Sliders between signing sessions.
Esports Arena Las Vegas, the first dedicated esports venue on the Strip opened six months ago at Luxor, was named Venue of the Year last week at the inaugural Tempest Esports Business Awards, which are designed to recognize the industry’s most innovative companies and executives. The arena hosted the awards event, part of the Esports Business Summit.
It’s that time of the year: The ladies of “Fantasy” will debut their 2019 calendar on Thursday, October 11, to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the burlesque revue at Luxor. The new calendar has a “golden goddess” theme as the show collaborated with fashion photographer and stylist Oscar Picazo, the man behind The Black Tape Project, for images featuring the cast clad in nothing but gold tape. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each calendar benefits Keep Memory Alive in memory of the great Robin Leach.
