Jeff Foxworthy

Thursday, May 29, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Mercury

Go: Where to Go, What to Do & Why

By James P. Reza

Yet another "ultra lounge," yet another VIP event, yet another bustling soiree jammed with all the right people making all the right moves, right? Unfortunately for Wolfgang Puck, the answer is no. Last Thursday, OPM--the new nightlife venue on the previously underused top floor of Puck's Chinois at the Forum Shops--staged its requisite free-food-and-booze shindig, attended by all the regulars (Robin Leach, Monti Rock) and a few ringers (Michael Keaton, Tony Curtis). Early evening music from the DJ was an excellent selection of groovy electro-lounge, but something about the place just wasn't right.

The VIP lounge was lighted like an operating room, and most of the seating therein consisted of parallel rows of benches, making the experience more like waiting for the next Greyhound than for a $300 bottle of vodka. A mid-party live music performance was unnecessary, the struggling sound system seemed an afterthought and the later-evening DJ music deliberately unhip, clearly geared for an invited crowd skewed toward pensioners. As Caesars Palace is noticeably void of any dance venue aside from the cheesy camp of Cleopatra's Barge, OPM undoubtedly will be busy by built-in demand, but do not expect it to be the next Ghostbar. With six drinks in three hours providing only the mildest buzz, the folks at OPM may consider checking with their liquor distributor--we think they are being shipped a bad batch.

Laugh and Vegas

laughs at you

With Memorial Day weekend but a hazy memory, beat the post-party depression with one of the many comedy shows filling the roster this week. There's nothing edgy or unexpected in the big rooms, however, so if you'd prefer something untested or unexpected, you're better off chancing one of the smaller comedy clubs (former "Saturday Night Live" star Ellen Cleghorne is at Harrah's Improv, for instance; Jun 3-8, 369-5111). Las Vegas stand-up vet Don Rickles--one of the few willing to go toe-to-toe with Frank Sinatra back in the Rat Pack days (earning him Sinatra's respect)--comes to the Stardust with vocalist Peggy March Thursday through Sunday (May 29-June 1, 8 p.m.; 732-6325). The once vigorously anti-establishment George Carlin returns to Vegas with a two-week engagement at the MGM Grand (through June 4, 9 p.m.; 891-7777), while David Brenner continues his Sin City comeback with three nights at the Orleans (May 29-June 1, 8 p.m.; 365-7075). More Vegas regulars (will any hotel booking agent take a risk?) return this week with redneck-schtickster Jeff Foxworthy at the Paris (May 30-June 1, 9 p.m.; 946-4567) and New York-New York contract gal Rita Rudner continuing her lengthy run at the Cabaret Theatre (8 p.m. Sun-Thu.; 9 p.m. Fri-Sat; 740-6969). Sleeping yet?

Alternative is

what you make it

Hey, kids! It's emo-time again, so save your pennies and shine your sneer for this big, bad, ironic arena show by New Found Glory, ska-punks Good Charlotte, punk revivalists The Movielife and (yes, you read this properly) Christian punx MxPx. New Found Glory is touring behind its third effort, All About the Girl (May 30, 7 p.m.; 739-3267).

He's thoughtful, he's good looking, he has hair, he can play drums and write songs. He's puddle-making adult-alternative singer-songwriter Pete Yorn--best known for his soundtrack work on Me, Myself & Irene ("Strange Condition") and television's "Dawson's Creek" ("Just Another")--comes to the Hard Rock's Joint Saturday on the heels of his sophomore album, 2003's Day I Forgot (May 31, 8 p.m.; 693-5056).

Neo-soul artist Musiq has also appeared on soundtracks (Nutty Professor II with "Just Friends (Sunny)"), but his success stretches beyond the celluloid. With influences from Erykah Badu to Billie Holiday, Musiq has captured the attention of neo-soul fans around the world. Touring with Musiq is fellow Philly soul singer, the Jill Scott-esque Jaguar Wright. See them Saturday at the House of Blues (May 31, 8 p.m.; 632-7600).

Saturday night's

all right for rockin'

Classic rock is the dinosaur that refuses to die, and Las Vegas always seems happy to take on these guys--the many, the stoned, the deaf--and give them a room for a night. Profound lyrics blessed by a delivery through impressive harmonies is what made Crosby, Stills & Nash a hit with the Haight-Ashbury set. Once, and occasionally still, they have (Neil) Young to stroke the electric gee-tar, but not this tour, when the three aging hippies will perform Saturday only at the Aladdin Theatre (May 31, 8 p.m.; 736-0111).

The same night, rock enigma Meat Loaf performs at the Palms' Skin, the second in a series of odd bookings at the venue (May 31, 8 p.m.; 924-7777). First recognized for his wall-smashing, motorcycle-riding appearance in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Meat Loaf's acting and stage aspirations shined in his rock-opera album debut, 1977's Bat Out of Hell. Without ever realizing radio success aside from four Top 40 hits culled from more than a dozen albums, Meat Loaf is one of the few conventional rock artists to build a substantial cult audience.

Not nearly so obscure (we bet all of you can sing at least two songs by each) are Bad Company's Paul Rodgers, Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult, appearing Saturday at the Stratosphere's Outdoor Events Center (May 31, 6 p.m.; 380-7711). Given the heat of the past few days, we can only imagine the pale skin and potbellies that will strut around the place, knocking back draft beer and rocking out, dude.

Something else

The Fremont Street Experience presents its second annual Las Vegas Jazz Festival, with live jazz performed on various stages outdoors under the canopy, Friday through Sunday (May 30-June 1, 678-5777). ... Kruse International, one of the world's most recognized classic car auctioneers, brings its second Collector Car Show & Auction to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center Friday through Sunday (May 30-June 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 632-7400). Tickets are a pricey $15, but in a city distinctly lacking in automobile-related events, this is a rare opportunity for gearheadz. ... Underground art represents Saturday night as well, when the Theory of Revolution event goes down at the Katherine Gianaclis Park for the Arts on Boulder Highway (May 31, 7 p.m.; 226-2057). ... And local arts organization WorldFolk stages its fifth annual Battle of the Bands starting Saturday and running through July 12. The performances of more than 100 bands from across the country will take place at venues around the city; call 227-5017 or click to www.worldfolk.org for more info.

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.