George Lopez

Thursday, April 03, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Go: What to Do, Where to Go & Why

By James P. Reza

It's hard to say exactly where Vegas nightlife is heading. Nothing new suggests any firm direction beyond "bottle service" and "intimacy," which translates as "expensive" and "hard as hell to get into." Today's upscale, exclusive lounges and bars have upstaged the megaclubs ushered in by Utopia in the mid-1990s, but the logistical limitations of these spaces suggests they are not the be-all, end-all of the scene.

At the Paris resort's newest entry, there is a bit more going on than expensive cocktails, however. Hoping to capitalize on the immediate and continuing success of its sidewalk cafe Mon Ami Gabi, Paris recently opened Ah Sin (967-7999), an expansive Pan-Asian/Pacific Rim eatery with multiple dining rooms and plenty of streetside seating. A scene unto itself, Ah Sin nevertheless offers diners direct access to Risqué (967-4729), the ultra-sexy lounge upstairs, which, keeping in spirit, has balconies overlooking the Strip. The very New Yorkey Risqué offers some impressively intimate spaces that include nooks of flat "lounges" that feel remarkably like beds, as well as a small but busy dance floor (currently presided over by DJ Frank Richards). As with any hotspot, the staff is engagingly beautiful, and a separate area across a footbridge is made even sexier with a lurid decor of red velvet, making the entire venue seem like a 21st century rendering of the now-late, once-great Velvet Lounge. Uniquely adding to the Risqué mix is a dessert menu that includes some of the most impressive after-dinner sweets ever plated, all of which can be served to your table, bed, whatever.

Rock 'n' cold music

When Jersey metal guitar virtuoso Zakk Wylde got over touring with mentor Ozzy Osbourne, he first tried going solo before settling on creating the new Black Label Society. The band's first album, Alcohol Fueled Brewtality--ironically a live recording made during BLS's tour with Ozzfest--remains its best, but the band currently tours behind 2003's Blessed Hellride. To be honest, however, we'll be at the Huntridge Theater to see sleazy psychobilly rockers Nashville Pussy, who rough up the middle slot after Meldrum (April 3, 7 p.m.; 678-6800).

If you though Bjork and the Sugarcubes remain the only good music to come from Iceland...well, you could be right, depending on your taste. But Reykjavik's Sigur Ros is giving those alt.poppers a good fight. Sporting a signature sound that is kind of ambient, spacey pop, Sigur Ros was awarded Iceland's "Best Album of the Century" for 1999's Agaetis Byrjun, and has toured with Radiohead. With 2002's untitled release, Sigur Ros is experimenting with a more raw version of their sound. See Sigur Ros Saturday at the Hard Rock (April 5, 8 p.m.; 693-5066), where you can expect them to voice their opposition to the war in Iraq.

That's not funny

To him it's a badge of pride; to many it's a indicator of something far less. Either way, Andrew Dice Clay remains the only comedian banned for life from MTV, a kind of Pete Rose of pop culture. The sad thing is that what he said that got him banned isn't even funny enough to repeat. No matter, as Clay continues to repeat it. If that's your thing, check him out Friday and Saturday at the Stardust's Wayne Newton Theater (April 4-5, 11 p.m.; 732-6325).

We prefer the honestly funny Hispanic humor of George Lopez, star of his own network television sitcom and frequent host of Univision's "Que Loco" standup comedy show. Lopez, a native (and honorary mayor) of Los Angeles, continues to maintain an active touring schedule despite the success of his television show. See him Friday through Saturday at the Hilton (April 4-5, 10 p.m.; 732-5755).

Get cultured

Think of them as the Three Tenors Lite. Aping the style of the original Three Tenors (José Carreras, Plácido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti), Three Mo' Tenors (Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon and Thomas Young) are a bundle of pop and classical inspiration delivered in multiple languages. See them Friday night only at the Aladdin Theatre (April 4, 8 p.m.; 736-0111).

Also this weekend, the Invitational Native American Arts Festival returns for its 14th year to the Clark County Museum Friday through Sunday (April 4-6, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 455-7955). With an inexpensive admission ($3 adults, $2 children), this three-day program highlighting the history and artistry of Native American arts, crafts and cultures makes a great family day. Similarly, Friday also sees the first visit to Las Vegas of an authentic Japanese shamisen music and dance troupe. The Yukio Koma & Maihibiki Group plays traditional music on the three-string shamisen while dancers perform the unique steps, all at the Winchester Theater (April 4; 455-7340).

Arty stuff

Just in time to silence the prattle of those no-nothing naysayers who sit back in their know-it-all stances and declare Las Vegas a cultural void ("Why can't it be more like...San Diego?!"), First Friday weekend is back and as badass as ever. We'll take to calling it a weekend, because the success of First Friday has spurred other cultural venues to tie events to it...such as the new "Adults Only" art exhibition at Gallery Au Go-Go. According to the official release, the art of "Adults Only" will be "sexy, risque, erotic and bad taste"--perfect for Las Vegas--and restricted to those 18 and older. In addition to the art (including works by Justice Howard, Armando Huerta, Rolo, Dray and Carrie McCutcheon), the Saturday night reception (April 5, 8 p.m.; 419-5681) will feature live music, fire breathing, nude body painting and other edgy, naked arty-type stuff. The exhibit runs through April 27.

That's Saturday, but Friday...is of course, First Friday, now in its sixth month (almost an institution!), and it just keeps getting bigger and better. And, evidently, sexier. At the compass point Funk House, Cliff Licko unveils "Creating Art with Nude Photography," which will be accompanied by live music, poetry, fortune telling...oh, it goes on. At the Arts Factory, things are off the hook as usual, with the hugely successful upstart Dust gallery previewing "In the Middle" by Sean Slattery and James Hough. Receptions and performances will happen throughout the Arts Factory, while live music will again grace the Iowa Cafe (Poppermost and Paradox) and Gypsy Caravan Antiques (Vista Four and Temporarily Us). And the culture machine rolls on...

Correction: Ann-Margret is still smoking hot at 61 years old, not 51, as reported last week.

James P. Reza is the editor of the Best Places-Las Vegas guidebook. E-mail nightlife, cultural event & dining tips to jpreza@lvcm.com. Deadline is the Saturday prior to publishing.