In Las Vegas this weekend: John Mayer, ‘Magic Mike Live,’ Kylie Jenner, Tove Lo
It is The Mother of All Weekends — we have everything going on all at once over 72 hours. If I say the names Sir Elton John, Channing Tatum, John Mayer, The Backstreet Boys, Snoop Dogg, Avenged Sevenfold, Kylie Jenner and Kansas, you know what to expect.
But if I write the name Hans Zimmer, you might stop and think. He’s the musical genius behind more than 120 films that have grossed more than $24 billion. Despite a Lifetime Achievement Award, 10 Oscar nominations and a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, he labors in relative obscurity, yet millions play video games around the world every day to his music.
The anonymity might change this year with his first U.S. concert dates, including a Coachella performance. Last year, “Hans Zimmer Live” was his first European tour. Hans appears at Park Theater at Monte Carlo tonight. His resume includes “Rain Man,” “Thelma & Louise,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “The Da Vinci Code” and his Oscar-winning “The Lion King.”
In a clash of cultures, handsome actor Channing officially premieres his male striptease show “Magic Mike Live” tonight at Club Domina in the former Body English at The Hard Rock Hotel. It’s the most eagerly awaited production of the season, and Mark Shunock is MC of the saucy and sassy shenanigans.
On Thursday night, the Sugar Factory Fashion Show grand-opening celebrations featured The Backstreet Boys, who return to their Axis at Planet Hollywood residency and hosting their Chateau Nightclub after-parties at Paris Las Vegas this weekend.
Our thanks to Denise Truscello for the photo gallery of the group. Denise also will have photos of reality-TV star Kylie Jenner, founder of Kylie Kosmetics, who will be at Sugar Factory on Saturday to continue the celebrations.
If you’re into eating this weekend, then combine it with a party for Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at New York-New York’s Brooklyn Bridge. It’s the 20th-annual qualifying event of the stomach-centric sport. The winning male and female competitors advance to the 101st-annual July 4 finals at Coney Island, New York.
Saturday also is the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day, and our Caesars Palace headliner Sir Elton, who returns to The Colosseum next week, is commemorated as the first worldwide Record Store Day Legend. He also releases his live album, “17.11.70+.” It is on vinyl with six previously unreleased tracks in a two-LP set.
To mark the start of the summer splash at Wet Republic at MGM Grand, there’s $100,000 in prizes up for grabs to the bikini beauties. And three other items of importance before our rundown of weekend events:
On Sunday, The Animal Foundation presents its “Best in Show” at The Thomas & Mack Center where you can provide a forever home for the more than 50 puppies awaiting adoption from The Lied Animal Shelter.
On Saturday night, the 8th Annual Ladybug Ball benefits our Nevada Blind Children’s Foundation at Red Rock Resort.
And The Rio headliner magicians Penn & Teller serve as grand marshals for the 16th consecutive year of the Aid for AIDS of Nevada’s 27th Annual AIDS Walk. More than 5,000 people are expected to start the fundraiser from Town Square. Penn & Teller have promised to match dollar-for-dollar every challenger’s $250+ donation.
So let’s make magic with our weekly look at all of the weekend attractions that we lovingly refer to as The Royal Robin Rundown:
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
MUSIC
The Backstreet Boys are at Axis for two nights.
Steely Dan is at The Venetian for two nights.
Snoop Dogg and Cypress Hill are at Mandalay Bay Beach.
Hans Zimmer is at Park Theater.
Tove Lo is at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas at The Linq Promenade.
Boyz II Men is at The Mirage for two nights.
Lucy Woodward is at Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts for two nights.
Destructo is at World Market Center Pavilion.
The Romantics is at Golden Nugget.
Hard rock fans get a new, two-day music festival, Las Rageous, with Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, Anthrax, Breaking Benjamin and more at Downtown Las Vegas Events Center for two nights.
COMEDY
Ray Romano and David Spade are at The Mirage for two nights.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
Tickets are on sale for Common at The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel on June 10; Sister Hazel on June 18 and AFI and Circa Survive on July 29 at BBLV; and Alejandro Fernandez at T-Mobile Arena on Sept. 15
“Magic Mike Live’s” official grand opening is at Club Domina.
Black Cover’s retail debut is at MGM Grand.
The Cannery hosts Mopars & Muscle Cars at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for two days.
Pirate Fest is at Craig Ranch Regional Park all weekend.
Real MMA is at Sam’s Town.
PARTY PATROL
Calvin Harris is at Omnia at Caesars Palace.
Tip is at Drai’s atop The Cromwell.
The Backstreet Boys after-party is at Chateau for two nights.
John Mueller’s Winter Dance Party is at South Point all weekend.
SATURDAY, APRIL 22
MUSIC
John Mayer headlines T-Mobile Arena.
Kansas’ “Leftoverture 40th Anniversary Tour” stop is at The Smith Center.
Biz Markie’s ’80s vs. ’90s is at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay.
Clint Black is at Red Rock Resort.
Billy Gillman is at The Orleans Showroom for two nights.
KISS is at Laughlin Event Center.
Bostyx with David and Victor is at Cannery.
COMEDY
Louie Anderson presents “The After Show” at The Space.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
The Real Estate Expo is at The Orleans Arena for two days.
Police Unity Tour’s fundraiser concert is at Sam’s Town.
National Association of Broadcasters begins at Las Vegas Convention Center through Thursday.
Recycled Materials Fashion Show celebrates Earth Day at The Linq Promenade.
Bristol and Aubrey Marunde of HGTV’s “Flip Flop Las Vegas” present a designer showcase at Tivoli Village.
“The Primer Exhibition” of weapon photography by Jon Rouse debuts at Centaur Art Gallery.
Kylie Jenner appears at Sugar Factory Fashion Show.
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is at New York-New York.
PARTY PATROL
Zedd is at Omnia.
Big Sean is at Drai’s.
SUNDAY, APRIL 23
MUSIC
New Found Glory is at HOB.
Orgone and Monophonics is at BBLV.
OF SPECIAL NOTE
“Best in Show” is at The Thomas & Mack Center.
AIDS Walk is at Town Square.
Las Vegas’ Italian-American Community offers scholarships at Italian American Club.
“Community Safety Forum: The Active Shooter” is at The Mob Museum.
Battle of the Bands is at Bunkhouse Saloon.
PARTY PATROL
Emo Night Brooklyn Official After-Show Party is at HOB.
Next week, we get ready for the incredible Vegas Uncork’d with more than 100 celebrity chefs, and we welcome more than 100,000 NAB delegates. On Thursday, the 21st Annual “Power of Love Gala” for Keep Memory Alive of our Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is at MGM Grand with Gwen Stefani, Jon Bon Jovi, Andre Agassi, Steve Aoki, Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina.
Join us Sunday here and in Sunday ENT with Adam Rapoport’s preview of Vegas Uncork’d and Graceland Wedding Chapel, where Jon Bon Jovi had his secret wedding that changed owner Dee Dee Duffy’s life forever.