Elyzabeth Diaga and James Oleson perform during a Queens of Rock show at The Mosiac on the Strip Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021.
Wednesday, April 27, 2022 | 2 a.m.
Michael Bublé pre-empted the opening of his special limited engagement at Resorts World Theatre (six shows starting tonight, April 27) when he joined David Foster onstage at Encore Theater Saturday night, April 23, to perform “Feeling Good.” It was Foster’s finale of a three-concert set at Wynn, although we wouldn’t be surprised to see him return soon, and the two musical collaborators surprised the audience when Bublé came out of the crowd to sing.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the NFL Draft is taking over the Strip this week, and while Curtain Up reported on some of the entertainment included in the massive football party, the headliners for the NFL Draft Concert Series presented by Bud Light were announced a few days ago. Weezer will take the stage first at the outdoor Draft Theater setup just east of the High Roller observation wheel on the Linq Promenade on April 28, then Ice Cube will perform on April 29, with Wynn Nightlife masked resident DJ Marshmello closing things out on April 30. If you’re planning to check out one of these free concerts, you’ll need to register asap at nfl.com/onepass.
There are still a handful of Vegas production shows that haven’t officially shuttered but also have not yet returned to the stage after the pandemic closures of 2020. One of the funniest is back this week when “Friends! The Musical Parody” reopens at the Venue at the Orleans on April 28. It’s taking up in the same new space that is hosting the long-running “Marriage Can Be Murder” dinner show and comedian Adam London’s “Laughternoon” show. “Friends,” which previously ran at Paris Las Vegas, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
Drag brunch shows seem to be having a moment in Las Vegas these days, but you won’t believe which Strip venue will be hosting such a performance this weekend. Taco Bell Drag Brunch is going on tour in select cities starting on May 1 at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the flagship Taco Bell Cantina at the Harmon Corner on the Las Vegas Strip. Each show will be hosted by Kay Sedia and feature different artists in different cities, with Vegas seeing performances from local drag stars Coco Montrese, Mirage Amuro and Anetra. The concept for Taco Bell Drag Brunch was developed by the fast food franchise’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group, Live Mas Pride, and along with the tour, the Taco Bell Foundation is partnering with the It Gets Better Project to collaborate on future programming opportunities. After Sunday’s Strip shows, the tour moves on to Chicago, Nashville, New York City and Fort Lauderdale.
Legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper will perform the first concert event at the new Dollar Loan Center in Henderson as part of his Detroit Muscle Tour on October 8, joined by guitarist Ace Frehley. More concerts and live entertainment announcements this week include: Pop radio stalwart 98.5 KLUC will reinstate its Summer Jam concert, starring Charlie Puth, Tate McRae, Iann Dior, Bibi and Ylona Garcia, on June 1 at the Resorts World Events Center; Comedian Sal Vulcano lands at the Theater at Virgin on July 15; Country artist Cam will play Club Madrid at Sunset Station on August 7; Classical crossover vocal group Il Divo returns to the Strip at Wynn’s Encore Theater on September 11; Hard rock outfit Staind will perform at the Theater at Virgin on September 18; Flogging Molly and The Interrupters with guests Tiger Army will play Mandalay Bay Beach on September 25; And The B-52s will perform three shows at the Venetian Theatre on October 19, 21 and 22.
The cast rotations continue at “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live” at the Flamingo. All May long, newcomers Ginger Minj (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 7) and Jasmine Kennedie (season 14) will join the squadron of stars in the Flamingo Showroom. The show performs Thursday through Monday at 9:30 p.m.
After an extended, post-holiday season break, the hard-charging “Queens of Rock” show is back in action at Mosaic on the Strip starting on May 19, performing at a new time at 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday. “We were very touched by the numerous messages we have been receiving from fans during our short pause asking us when we will return,” producer Gilles Beaulieu explained in a statement, “And we are really looking forward to taking them back though memory lane with these fabulous iconic rock songs performed with such energy and passion by Elyzabeth Diaga and our first-class spectacular rock band.”
The Life Is Beautiful festival, returning to downtown Las Vegas September 16-18, announced its daily music lineups this week, available at lifeisbeautiful.com. Friday’s headliner will be Arctic Monkeys, along with Migos, Cage the Elephant, Charli XCX, Shaggy and more; Saturday’s star act is Gorillaz, bolstered by Lorde, Wynn Nightlife resident DJs Kygo and Gryffin, Alessia Cara, Coi Leray and others; and Calvin Harris headlines Sunday night to close out the fest after performances by Jack Harlow, Beach House, Dermot Kennedy, Big Boi, Said the Sky and many more.
