Renell Medrano
Kendrick Lamar’s tour stops at T-Mobile Arena in September.
Wednesday, May 18, 2022 | 2 a.m.
We knew Sahara Las Vegas was planning something interesting for its theater space, the versatile entertainment venue that was built out as a nightclub when the property transformed into SLS Las Vegas in 2014. Only steady comedian Eddie Griffin’s weeknight stand-up show has been a consistence presence in the room since shows reopened after the pandemic. But now beloved local band Reckless in Vegas is ready to move in, starting performances Thursday and Friday nights at 8:30 p.m. June 30. The ongoing engagement is expected to hearken back to a bygone era of Vegas entertainment and classic Sahara vibes with rock and roll, comedic banter, showgirls and more. Band members Michael Shapiro, Jack E. Roth and Chris Nichols have made the rounds as recording artists, touring musicians and support or opening acts for the likes of Cheap Trick, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, Meat Loaf, Willie Nelson, Chris Isaak and more. The announcement for the new show puts it simply: “Think the Rat Pack meets Green Day.” Tickets go on sale soon.
R&B star Chris Brown will be performing on the Strip before his scheduled co-headlining tour stop with rapper Lil Baby at T-Mobile Arena on August 27. Brown is returning to a multi-year residency at Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub, starting with a live concert on June 11. The Grammy winner will be performing at the rooftop club at the Cromwell on a brand-new, two-level stage setup that will bring him closer to fans than ever before. The singer and dancer was one of the first live artists nightlife impresario Victor Drai brought to his club when it debuted seven years ago, and Brown’s shows helped the club establish its unique identity in the Las Vegas Strip nightlife landscape as the primary club destination for full, live, concert-style performances instead of the standard DJ sets. That emphasis also cast Drai’s as one of the country’s leading nightclubs for hip-hop and R&B, moving beyond the electronic dance music that defined the scene. Tickets for the June 11 show are on sale now and it’s Brown’s only Drai’s date at this time.
Barry Manilow will be back onstage at the Westgate International Theater for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, but this week he added plenty of performances to his 2022 Las Vegas schedule. Eighteen new Manilow dates are set for September, October and November, and the music legend will bring back his “Very Barry Christmas” holiday shows December 1-3 and 8-10. Tickets for all new shows go on sale this Friday, May 20.
Other new entertainment event announcements this week: Comedian and roastmaster Jeff Ross plays the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on June 24; The Shins play the Theater at Virgin on July 22; Brett Eldredge will perform at the Venetian Theatre on July 24; Melissa Etheridge returns to Las Vegas for a show at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on August 20; The Rockzilla Summer Tour starring Papa Roach, Falling in Reverse, Hollywood Undead and Bad Wolves visits the Theater at Virgin on August 25; Hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar brings his Big Steppers Tour to T-Mobile Arena on September 9; R&B artist Kehlani will perform at the Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan on September 9; The ALV Comedy Fest, featuring top Mexican comedians such as Franco Escamilla, La Cotorrisa, La India Yuridia, Mike Salazar and more, is set for MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 16; Nelly, who recently rapped his biggest hits at the Lovers & Friends festival, will be back in town at the M Resort Pool on September 17; Fuerza Regida’s U.S. tour brings the California-based, regional Mexican music act to Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay on October 28; And Steve Treviño returns to the Aces of Comedy series at the Mirage Theatre for rodeo week on December 1 and 8.
