Tommy Chong and Shelby Macy Gray

Thursday, February 27, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Go: What to Do, Where to Go & Why

By James P. Reza

In the coming weeks, Las Vegas will see three new nightlife venues open along the Strip--the same Strip where the events of recent weeks leaves one to wonder whether the city can sustain any more hot (or not) spots. The Aladdin's recent entry Sevilla is not proving to be the silver bullet to that resort's seemingly unending struggles (Charo...will she stay or will she cha-cha?). Elsewhere on Aladdin property, the vaunted live music Blue Note Jazz Club is history, replaced by a nightclub known as Ibiza (named for that Spanish island's well-known nightclub scene), offering, among other themes, Tuesday night "Hedonism" parties geared toward couples and single women.

Hoping to break the cycle of mediocrity (at least we're hoping they do), both the MGM Grand and Paris resorts are launching new nightlife alternatives in the next few weeks. The MGM jumps first this weekend with Tabu, a bar promoted as an "ultra lounge." Let's hope there's more to Tabu than offered by recently opened personality lounges Mist (Treasure Island) and Caramel (Bellagio); there's going to have to be to draw people off the Strip and into the behemoth that is the MGM. Though it remains to be seen, the Paris stands to have better luck with Ah Sin and Risqué, each opening March 13. Ah Sin, an eatery offering Asian comfort food and Pacific Rim fusion, appears to be aiming for the Little Buddha nosh-and-groove cocktail culture, while its lounge and nightclub counterpart, Risqué, is clearly doing so with a dessert and coffee bar to complement the liquor, lounging and grinding. The two venues are stacked neatly atop one another overlooking the Strip, with Risqué's balconies offering views of the Bellagio fountain show. Perhaps most important, Risqué will be the only resort nightclub with direct pedestrian access from the Strip.

Poetic license

His website (www.tommychong.com)--replete with sound bites from his films disrupting your browser at every click--features a hemp museum. He recently toured an art exhibit titled "Vases and Incense Burners." Unlike his partner Cheech Marin, his biggest claim to fame has been films whose plot points were almost always better described as pot points. And to this day, Tommy Chong embraces the marijuana persona that has paid his bills for decades. If you're the kind of dude or dudette who still doubles over in tears at the mere mention of Sister Mary Elephant, then Friday night at the Sunset Station--when Tommy Chong will be joined by Shelby--is perfect for you (Feb. 28, 7 p.m.; 547-7969).

From potheads to punk rockers, and Henry Rollins is the punk rocker every one loves to, well, they love to love him, baby. The second (and defining) vocalist of seminal SoCal hardcore band Black Flag, Rollins emerged as a punk icon during that band's heyday. After Black Flag's 1986 breakup, Rollins continued making music with his own group (named, appropriately, the Rollins Band) to critical acclaim and success among alt.metal fans. In recent years, Rollins has emerged as the Punk Rock Renaissance Man, recording electrifying spoken word albums backed by a seemingly permanent spot on Bill Maher's then-revolutionary (and now canceled) "Politically Incorrect" television show. Rollins has also starred in television and film, as well as held a spoken word residency at L.A.'s Luna Park.

Just recently turned 42, and as stump-necked and angry as ever, Rollins brings his spoken word skills to the mic at the House of Blues on Friday (Feb. 28, 8 p.m.; 632-7600).

Around the world

Eclectic bookings are the flavor this week, and all of them are at Mandalay Bay. One show evidently too big for the House of Blues (can he really fill the Mandalay Bay Events Center?) is new age keyboardist Yanni. It certainly isn't the Acropolis, but the cavernous events center will be filled with sound nonetheless. Sound that builds and floats like a Moog synthesizer, meditating and levitating over a bed of quartz crystals, while visions of an ashram where everyone drives a Rolls-Royce fill your mind... And, sorry, that was Vangelis who recorded "Chariots of Fire." See...hear...experience Yanni (and his hair) for yourself on Saturday (March 1, 8 p.m.; 632-7600).

Meanwhile, back at the House on the same evening, Macy Gray returns to Las Vegas with her funky brand of alt.soul in the vein of Erykah Badu, Lauren Hill and Mary J. Blige. Gray last performed in Vegas during the Palms' anniversary party, making it the second time her voice was destroyed by the sound and "acoustics" of Rain. The House of Blues is an immeasurably superior live music venue (but a crappy nightclub, so we'll hand that to Rain), and the show will likely sell out. See Gray on Saturday (March 1, 8 p.m.; 632-7600).

On Sunday at the House of Blues (March 2, 11:30 p.m.; 632-7600), critically acclaimed Mexican band Kinky will perform its unique style of worldbeat. A energetic sextet, Kinky is renowned as much for its live performance skills as its recordings, and delivers its sound to appreciative audiences around the world. Then, closing out a busy week at the HOB comes 1980s synth-pop band Berlin, performing on Wednesday (Mar. 5, 8 p.m.; 632-7600). Formed in L.A. in 1982, Berlin was perfectly n'sync with Euro-pop hair-wave bands of the era--so in sync, in fact, that one of the band's biggest hit songs "Metro," was set on a German subway. You may know them for their schmaltzy Top Gun theme "Take My Breath Away," but we prefer to remember them for their timeless nightclub/strip club song, "Sex (I'm A...)." Naughty, naughty.

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.