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SUPERGUIDE
Your daily events planner, starring Thundercat, Wiz Khalifa, Monster Jam, Area15’s Happy Camper Party and more.
18 30 34 36 42 COVER STORY
NEWS
NIGHTS
NOISE
FOOD
Revisit iconic moments and explore lesser-seen imagery with the Las Vegas News Bureau’s 75th anniversary collection.
Protesters show solidarity for neighboring states that could move to ban abortion.
Electronic dance music world-builder Destructo brings heavy grooves to Fremont East.
The Shins return to Las Vegas to play their 2001 debut album at the Theater at Virgin.
The team behind Sparrow + Wolf is preparing to open Half Bird, a casual spot specializing in rotisserie and fried chicken.
ON THE COVER
IN THIS ISSUE
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LAS VEGAS NEWS BUREAU’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION Courtesy/Las Vegas News Bureau
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SPORTS Diving into the Raiders training camp to see who might emerge as the missing piece of the receiving corps.
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SUPERGUIDE THURSDAY 21
WIZ KHALIFA 10 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. (Photo Courtesy/ Atlantic Records)
JUL.
MUSIC
PARTY
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FOOD + DRINK
MEATBODIES With Spoon Benders, DJ Jacob Savage, 9 p.m., Artifice, eventbrite.com. SHOWTEK 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv. com.
CHRIS SPENCER Thru 7/24, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m., Laugh Factory, ticketmaster. com.
CATHERINE EATON SKINNER: ACCUMULATIONS Thru 10/4, times vary, Summerlin Library, lvccld. org.
JAIME WYATT With Paige Overton, 9 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com.
GG MAGREE With DJ AR, Emonix, Dxrty, 10 p.m., We All Scream, seetickets.us.
NOX VAHN With Robert Stern, 10 p.m., Commonwealth, seetickets.us. NERD HALEN 8 p.m., Count’s Vamp’d, eventbrite.com.
DOPPLEBANGER 7 p.m., Emporium Arcade Bar, emporium arcadebar.com. SHADOWRED 10 p.m., Chateau, events.chateau nights.com.
ULTIMATE NINJA ATHLETE CHAMPIONSHIPS After narrowing from 7,000 to 1,500 finalists, top athletes will go through obstacle courses vying for the title of Ultimate Ninja. Whether it’s balancing on rolling logs or slack lines, swinging from ropes or scaling rock walls and peg boards, these ninjas will put their months of training to the test. This year’s competition includes two events—the World Ninja Athlete Games, where athletes go through identical obstacle courses to set new records, and the Obstacle Course Racing 3K Championships. Thru 7/23, 8 a.m., $22, Orleans Arena, orleansarena. com. –Shannon Miller (Photo Courtesy)
DEADMAU5 With Freeman, 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com. JUVENTUS VS. CHIVAS DE GUADALAJARA 8 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticket master.com. THE SHINS With Joseph, 7 p.m., Theater at Virgin, axs.com. DIPLO 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com. USHER 9 p.m., & 7/16, 7/20, Dolby Live, ticketmaster.com. BILL MAHER 10 p.m., & 7/23, Mirage Theatre, mirage.mgm resorts.com. JOURNEY 8 p.m., & 7/16, Resorts World Theatre, ticket master.com. MARK CURRY 9 p.m., Treasure Island Theatre, tickets.treasure island.com.
COMEDY
THE POLISH AMBASSADOR With Tone Ranger, 9 p.m., Area15 Portal, area15.com. BRIAN MCKNIGHT 8 p.m., Encore Theater, ticket master.com.
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CHRISTOPHER TITUS 7 & 9:30 p.m., & 7/23, Wiseguys, vegas.wiseguys comedy.com. FRESH YARD TOUR With Planet Asia, Fashawn, Mitchy Slick, Sir Veterano, Flii Stylz, 8 p.m., Taverna Costera, tavernacostera. com. BLACKBEAR 10:30 p.m., Hakkasan Nightclub, events. taogroup.com. TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION With Gravel, Madzilla, Haddonfield, My Own Nation, 7 p.m., Dive Bar, event brite.com. LILY ROSE 10 p.m., Stoney’s, stoneysrockin country.com.
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F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .
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DJ PAULY D 11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, events. taogroup.com.
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REAL MADRID VS. FC BARCELONA 8 p.m., Allegiant Stadium, ticketmaster.com.
FRANKIE VALLI & THE FOUR SEASONS 8 p.m., Reynolds Hall, thesmithcenter.com.
KASKADE 11 a.m., Tao Beach Dayclub, events.taogroup.com.
ZEDD 11 a.m., Ayu Dayclub, zoukgrouplv.com.
COUNTING CROWS 8 p.m., the Chelsea, ticketmaster.com. DAVID GRAY 8 p.m., Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com. ANIME AND DISNEY ART CONVENTION Thru 7/24, times vary, Plaza, eventbrite.com.
S U P E R G U I D E
SKID ROW, WARRANT, WINGER, QUIET RIOT 8 p.m., Sunset Station Amphitheater, livenation.com. WHITNEY SUMMER BOOK FESTIVAL 10 a.m., Whitney Library, lvccld.org. RICK ROSS 10 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com. THE CHAINSMOKERS 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com. LAS VEGAS ACES VS. LOS ANGELES SPARKS 7 p.m., Michelob Ultra Arena, axs.com.
MEMPHIS MAY FIRE 7 p.m., 24 Oxford, etix.com. ZHU 10 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com. SEBASTIAN BACH 9 p.m., Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience.com. LOUD LUXURY 11 a.m., Wet Republic, events.taogroup.com. HIROSHIMA 6 & 8:30 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com. JAYE MCBRIDE 9 p.m., Comedy Works, plazatix.com. STANDARDS With Glacier Veins, Post NC, So as To Be, 8 p.m., the Usual Place, theusualplace.vegas. DESTRUCTO 10 p.m., Discopussy, discopussydtlv.com. SIMON PATTERSON & GREG DOWNEY 10 p.m., We All Scream, seetickets.us.
HAPPY CAMPER PARTY “This one time, at summer camp”… You’ll be hearing a lot of that after Area 15’s Happy Camper Party returns this weekend for the second summer in a row. As if revelers needed an excuse to stay out past camp curfew, this outdoor playground located in the heart of the A-Lot will have inner childs running wild with photo installations, quirky camp games, competitions for which you’ll want to team with your best bunkmates, DJ sets from Passion Pit and Matthew Dear, and live sounds from SNBRN, Freak On and Dangerhouse. Playing like a kid and partying like an adult has never been more fun. Settle in, campers, you’re in for a memorable night. 9 p.m., $30, Area15 A-Lot, area15.com. –Amber Sampson (Photo Courtesy)
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THE SONZ 10 p.m., the Barbershop, thebarbershoplv.com. SHAUN DEGRAFF 7 p.m., the Underground, themobmuseum.org. JEREMIH 10 p.m., Drai’s Nightclub, draisgroup.com.
JUL.
MONDAYS DARK 8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdark.com. LENNY CLARKE With Kenny Rogerson, Jimmy JJ Walker, thru 7/31, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m., Laugh Factory, ticketmaster.com. KEVIN SHEA Thru 7/31, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy. com.
MUSIC
GARY CANNON With Nikki Carr, Michael Yo, Orlando Leyba, thru 7/27, 7 & 9:30 p.m., Comedy Cellar, ticketmaster.com. LAS VEGAS CLASSICA MUSIC 7:30 p.m., Whitney Library, lvccld.org. DJ SHIFT 10:30 p.m., Jewel Nightclub, events. taogroup.com.
PARTY
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Butterfly, to which he made substantial contributions, and his own terrific solo records Drunk and It Is What It Is— Thundercat has refined his mix of 1970s funk sauce, punk swagger, video game references and studio wizardry into a tonic that compels movement, from gentle head-bobbing all the way up through deep, committed hip action. 7 p.m., $35-$55, Brooklyn Bowl, ticketweb. com. –Geoff Carter
FOOD + DRINK
(Photo Courtesy/Jesse Lirola)
PURITY RING 8 p.m., Area15 A-Lot, area15.com.
THUNDERCAT The artist born Stephen Lee Bruner is a lot of things: a bassist, a singer, a songwriter, a producer, a Grammy winner, a former member of foundational LA thrash band Suicidal Tendencies and a denizen of the Star Wars universe (he played a “mod artist” who installed droid parts into humanoids, in the Disney+ limited series The Book of Boba Fett). But what Thundercat is, above all things, is funky. Over the course of several albums—most notably Kendrick Lamar’s celebrated To Pimp a
COMEDY COMEDY
F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .
SUPERGUIDE
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CLINT HOLMES 7 p.m., Myron’s, thesmithcenter.com.
PARTY
MIKE AND THE MOONPIES 8 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com.
THE RISE OF BIG DOPE: ORGANIZED CRIME AND AMERICA’S RAGING OPIOID CRISIS 7 p.m., Mob Museum, themob museum.org.
LOUD LUXURY 10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, events. taogroup.com.
TEEN SPIRITS 10 p.m., Sand Dollar Lounge, thesanddollarlv.com.
WEDNESDAY 27 JUL.
LAS VEGAS LIGHTS VS. SAN ANTONIO FC 7:30 p.m., Cashman Field, lasvegaslightsfc.com. (Steve Marcus/Staff) ARTS
COMPOSERS SHOWCASE 9:30 p.m., Myron’s, the smithcenter.com.
S U P E R G U I D E
FOOD + DRINK
COMEDY
THE RUMOURS With Crimson Riot, The Negative Nancys, 8 p.m., Artifice, eventbrite.com. HANNAH WANTS 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, events. taogroup.com.
MISC
F O R M O R E U P C O M I N G E V E N T S , V I S I T L A S V E G A S W E E K LY. C O M .
MAXWELL If you remain transfixed by the Stranger Things-sparked viral success of a 37-year-old Kate Bush track, you might want to revisit the British singer’s late ’80s song “This Woman’s Work,” and especially the beautifully delicate cover recorded by Maxwell for his MTV Unplugged album almost 10 years later. Since he first broke through as part of the neo-soul movement with the groove-heavy “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” fans have been clamoring for Maxwell to use his inimitable falsetto, and “This Woman’s Work” is the perfect showcase. It’s also become a favorite at his live shows, and the next three stops along his Night Tour—preceding the upcoming release of the trilogy-completing blacksummers’Night album—are at Wynn Las Vegas. 8 p.m., & 7/297/30, $75-$225, Encore Theater, ticketmaster.com. –Brock Radke
SUPERGUIDE
SPORTS
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There’s something for everyone—and every activity—at the dispensary. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite products and recommendations for any summer pastime.
BACKYARD CAMPING AND YARD GAMES Looking for a mood boost? Get outside. Even a relaxing backyard session can do wonders for your health and happiness. Consider a Bluebird pre-roll to take your leisure time to another level. Look for a sativa or sativa-dominant hybrid if you’re playing lawn games and hanging with friends. For a laidback firepit session, an indica-dominant strain is ideal.
POOL PARTY/BBQ AT HOME A summer mainstay deserves edibles. Two of the most versatile and tasty options are Cheeba Chews and Helix Gummies. Hosting? Try Cheeba Chews’ 1:1:1 Trifecta Caramel Taffy, which are lower in THC and offer a buildable, balanced high with equal parts THC, CBD and CBG. If you’re a guest enjoying the day, the Key Lime or Blood Orange Helix Gummies are great options. If you’re just having a solo float in the pool, consider a Sour Blue Raspberry Helix gummy.
What are terpenes? Terpenes are aromatic, bioactive compounds found in plants that may have health benefits and contribute to varying effects for users. They also contribute to the smell and taste of marijuana. Common terpenes include limonene, pinene and myrcene. Limonene (also found in citrus rinds) may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Pinene is associated with mental clarity and executive function, and myrcene may increase the effects of THC and CBD.
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What is CBN? CBN is a cannabinoid that’s been linked to better sleep, pain relief and neuroprotectant properties. As the popularity of CBN grows, so do the number of studies examining the effects, but it’s most known for its sedative qualities.
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What is CBG? CBG is a cannabinoid that may help promote a healthy stress response and overall sense of well-being. It’s also been shown to help support appetite, making it a perfect addition to your summer BBQ.
SURROUND SOUND CONCERT OR AT-HOME KARAOKE NIGHT Even with the great live music options in Las Vegas, sometimes the best place to enjoy a show is from the comfort of your own home. Enhance the experience with Prospectors by Gold Rush Concentrates, which are disposable vape pens that feature blends never cut with ethanol or other chemicals. Try Wedding Cake or Northern Lights if you’re kicking back watching a live-stream. For a lively athome karaoke night, try XJ-13.
Public consumption of cannabis products is prohibited by law. Please use cannabis products responsibly and in the comfort of your own home.
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LV W C OV E R S T O R Y
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SEE THE LIGHTS
C O V E R
S T O R Y
Before there were three television networks, before Ocean’s 11 and long before the internet, there was the Las Vegas News Bureau. Founded in 1947 as a component of the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Authority, the News Bureau has two jobs: to assist the LVCVA in marketing this city as a destination and to serve as a resource for national and international news organizations in reporting on Vegas. It does this mostly through photography, and over the past 75 years, the News Bureau has captured the sights of this city like no one else. To commemorate the anniversary, it’s opening up a one-of-a-kind photo archive (lvcva.com/who-we-are/75th-anniversary-gallery).
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HELLDORADO PARADE TOP RIGHT The beloved city institution makes its way down Fremont Street on May 15, 1947. This was the Las Vegas News Bureau’s first assignment, and its staffers lassoed it like real buckaroos. (Note the photographer’s shadow in the lower right.)
SHOWGIRL GLITTER RIGHT A showgirl takes the stake in Jubilee, a glitzy production show at the former MGM Grand (later Bally’s, soon to become the Horseshoe) in July 1981. Showgirl photos like this one remain a visual shorthand for Las Vegas.
(All photographs courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau)
BELOW The Sahara’s pool buzzes with activity in this promotional photo from June 1953. The city’s tourism slogan at the time was “Fun in the Sun.” And it still is fun to be here, really, even on those days when the sun overdoes it.
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LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER ROTUNDA TOP RIGHT The Convention Center rotunda opened in April 1959, and this photo is from June of that year. This 6,300-capacity rotunda hosted concerts, boxing matches featuring Sonny Liston and Muhammad Ali and even a speech by President John F. Kennedy, before it was demolished in 1990. The current Convention Center’s main hall now stands where the rotunda once did.
CAESARS’ GRAND PRIX
(All photographs courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau)
C O V E R
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TOP LEFT The Caesars Palace Grand Prix roars up the Strip on September 25, 1982, The Las Vegas Grand Prix, a Formula One World Championship race, is scheduled to take place on our streets next year—Vegas’ first Grand Prix race in 40-plus years.
FORBIDDEN BLACKJACK RIGHT Forbidden Planet’s Robby the Robot tries his luck at the Sands’ blackjack table. The pioneering science fiction film had been in theaters for two months when this promotional shot was taken in May 1956. Robby’s Earthside incursion was done in the name of a great Vegas tradition: the bizarre photo op.
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THE JACKSON 5 AT MGM GRAND LEFT It’s true: Michael Jackson and his brothers had what we now call a “residency,” at the original MGM Grand from August 21 to September 3, 1974. This photo is from August 29—Michael’s 16th birthday. His family presented him with a cake offstage.
MGM GRAND FIRE BOTTOM LEFT The deadliest fire in Nevada history, the MGM Grand blaze of November 21, 1980 took 87 lives. This tragedy, along with a less deadly but still destructive fire at the Las Vegas Hilton just three months later, led to strongly upgraded state fire regulations.
SAMMY DAVIS JR. MARRIES BOTTOM RIGHT Sammy Davis Jr. weds singer/dancer Loray White at the Sands, January 10, 1958. It was a marriage of necessity for Davis, who was facing racist death threats as a result of his relationship with Vertigo star Kim Novak. Davis and White divorced after only a year.
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BLAST WATCH BELOW No, not a sunrise. Reporters and photographers observe a June 24, 1957 above-ground atomic test from “News Nob,” a spot at the edge of Yucca Lake at the Nevada Test Site. The reporters are stationed some 10 miles away from the blast.
VEGAS LOVES THE BEATLES RIGHT The Fab Four play to a capacity crowd at the Las Vegas Convention Center, August 20, 1964. A single show had been planned for the Sahara’s 700-seat Congo Room, but Beatlemania intervened. The average ticket price for the band’s two Vegas shows: $5.
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PACKED HOUSE LEFT The Rat Pack headlines at the Sands on January 20, 1960. The classic heist film Ocean’s 11 came out in August of that year—and this sign had a prominent cameo at the end of the film, when its stars walked up the Strip, sauntering coolly beneath their own names.
FIRE IN PARADISE BOTTOM LEFT While the Mirage’s signature volcano doesn’t look much different today that when this photo was taken in January 1995, it’s good to have a beauty shot of this beloved Strip landmark. Odds are good that once the Hard Rock Hotel takes over this property, this fire is going out.
HANGING WITH LIBERACE BOTTOM RIGHT Careful up there, Lee. Liberace dangles above his massive birthday cake in this May 16, 1967 promotional photo. The cake was so large that the extravagant performer needed to be suspended above it in order to cut the top tier.
(All photographs courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau)
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ROME IS SINKING LEFT Every now and again, the Valley’s monsoon season produces an honest-to-goodness flood, like this one in July 3, 1975. While the News Bureau’s main objective is to promote Las Vegas, it also documents historic events like this one: the day Caesars Palace became Venice.
BOTTOM LEFT This is the way it was done. Louis Prima and Keely Smith perform at the Sahara’s Casbar Lounge, where they had a five-year residency, on March 10, 1956. Back in the day, Vegas entertainment was close and intimate,
VEGAS ROYALTY BOTTOM RIGHT Siegfried & Roy take a bow at the Stardust on October 2, 1980. The professional partnership of Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn arguably defined an entire era of Vegas entertainment. They have a statue on the Strip, and they deserve it.
(All photographs courtesy Las Vegas News Bureau)
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PLAZA POOL BELOW Before Oscar’s Steakhouse, the Plaza had a swimming pool overlooking the hotels of “Glitter Gulch.” This promotional shot was taken on August 29, 1972, some 23 years before Fremont Street became a semi-enclosed pedestrian mall.
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BENNIFER OFFICIAL Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck tied the knot July 17 at an “intimate ceremony” in Las Vegas. Their wedding comes almost 20 years after their initial engagement, which was called off in January 2004. Each has since been married with their own children.
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WHITE HOUSE AIDES TO TESTIFY Two former White House aides are expected to testify July 21 at the House Jan. 6 committee’s eighth, and possibly final, hearing. The panel will examine what former President Donald Trump was doing as his supporters broke into the Capitol.
UNLV PROFESSOR: IMAGES OF FAR-OFF GALAXIES HAVE EARTHLY APPLICATIONS
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When someone asks UNLV astrophysicist Jason Steffen why people should be interested in the images coming back from the James Webb Space Telescope, he asks them what they value before he responds. The existential? The pragmatic? Awe at the cosmic aesthetic? All of those can be satisfied by the images that have started beaming back to Earth, explains Steffen, a physics professor who studies exoplanets, or planets that orbit other stars. NASA released a set of colorized images recently that looked further into the universe than ever before and showed the breadth of science the Webb telescope, the $10 billion successor to the Hubble telescope, could accomplish from its deep-space position a million miles from Earth, he said. Other than getting to the root of humanity and the physical environment that existed long before man, astronomy research also develops new technology that is literally and figuratively down to earth, he added. “The medical industry is filled with astronomers who have developed image processing. So when people take ultrasounds and they can actually see the features of the face of the baby, or when they have here’s what your brain looks like and here’s the tumor that’s sitting in there, that capability was developed by people who basically did image processing as graduate students in astronomy,” he said. Webb is so powerful because it sees in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic energy travels in waves. Radio waves are long. Gamma rays are short. The human eye can only detect “visible light,” a small portion of the spectrum. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so we can’t see it. Webb’s camera can. Because the Webb is an infrared instrument, it has the sensitivity to see through the thick galactic dust that obscures the processes of star birth and death and see the light of further galaxies with sharper clarity, to the dawn of time and the origins of the universe. -Hillary Davis
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TRAINING CAMP OPENS It’s officially NFL season, with the Las Vegas Raiders opening camp early this season as they prepare for the league’s first preseason game, August 4 in Canton, Ohio, against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
HOTELS
STATION CASINOS TEARING DOWN THREE PROPERTIES
FIRE AT THE HOOVER DAM A transformer caught fire at Hoover Dam on July 19, but there was no risk to the power grid and power was still being generated, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. No employees or visitors were injured, Jacklynn Gould, director of the bureau’s lower Colorado region, said in a statement. William Herro, 13, of San Francisco, was on a viewing bridge with his parents when he heard a “big boom.” “A ton of black smoke just exploded in the air. It looked almost like a mushroom, and then a
HOT SHOT
fire followed,” said Herro, who posted cellphone video of it on TikTok. “I was really surprised, and I started filming.” The fire occurred about 10 a.m. and was extinguished within about 30 minutes by the dam fire brigade, according to the bureau, which operates the dam. “We are investigating the cause of the fire and will provide additional updates as they are available,” Gould said. The extent of damage the fire caused was unknown at press time, officials said. –Casey Harrison
Station Casinos will tear down three shuttered casinos—Texas Station, Fiesta Rancho and Fiesta Henderson—and sell the land. The properties have been shut down since all Nevada casinos were ordered temporarily closed in March 2020 at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Casinos started to reopen on June 4, 2020, after the state order was lifted. The company broke ground this year on its Durango Casino and Resort near the 215 Beltway and Durango Drive. Tim Brooks, owner of the Emerald Island and Rainbow Club, said the downtown Henderson casinos picked up some business after Fiesta Henderson closed. “In a way, I’m glad we know what’s going to happen now so there’s no more suspense. Fiesta Henderson was a great property. I enjoyed going there myself,” Brooks said. –Bryan Horwath
Espen Jorstad, of Norway, won the World Series of Poker main event July 16 at Ballys. His championship bracelet is valued at more than $1,500, and he earned $10 million in prize money. Jorstad’s win was the fourth in a row claimed by an international player, and the first by a Norwegian. (Steve Marcus/Staff)
NEVADA DEMOCRATS COMBINED TO SPEND ABOUT $4.3 MILLION ON THEIR MIDTERM ELECTION CAMPAIGNS OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS, WHILE REPUBLICANS SPENT ABOUT $4 MILLION.
NEWS
BIG MONEY
Nearly a month after the COVID-19 vaccine was approved for the youngest children, 1,212 doses have been administered in Clark County to those between 6 months and 5 years old, according to state health officials. That’s less than 1% of the 200,000 children in that age group.
(John Locher/AP Photo)
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STRIPPING AWAY Las Vegans rally against waning abortion rights
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BY SHANNON MILLER PHOTOS BY BRIAN RAMOS
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n the same day that former president Donald Trump spoke at Treasure Island in support of Republican candidates for Nevada governor and U.S. Senator, hundreds marched just outside in 107 degrees on the Strip. Enthusiastic horns from Las Vegas Boulevard drivers joined in with chants of, “My body, my choice,” and “Abort the court.” Organizers say more than 1,000 showed up for the July 8 Bans Off Our Bodies demonstration, which started at Bellagio and ended at the hotel and casino where Trump was singing the praises of Republican primary winners Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo, who is running for governor, and former state attorney general Adam Laxalt, running for U.S. Senator. The two candidates have voiced support for the Supreme Court’s 6-3 vote to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which has left states to decide whether they would protect the right to abortion. “It’s a huge disappointment … to think that my girls and granddaughters don’t have the same rights that I did,” said Las Vegas resident Nikki Murdock, 59. She is concerned that, although Nevada allows for abortion up to 24 weeks post fertilization, the right itself has been compromised, and
women in other states don’t have access to it. As a rape survivor and advocate for victims of sexual violence, she believes that women who obtain abortions do so out of necessity, not out of convenience. “Regardless of how you got pregnant, it’s hard to make that decision,” she said shortly before joining the Strip march. Local physician Farzad Alikozai attended with a group of friends, carrying a sign that read, “Keep it between doctors and patients.” From what he has observed in Southern Nevada, abortion care infrastructure already is seeing a “strain,” he said, after the Supreme Court’s decision. “It’s widespread among us in the medical community that we don’t support what’s going on,” Alikozai said, pointing to
statements from several medical organizations including the American Medical Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization. He said his and medical colleagues’ No. 1 concern is the “safety” of patients, and that the high court’s ruling has compromised that. Wearing matching pink feather boas, Lanyne Russie, daughter Amanda Russie and 9-year-old granddaughter Fay represented three generations of their family at the march. “There are other little girls not as fortunate to have a solid family dynamic,” Amanda said, adding that it’s important to teach kids about reproductive rights before they hit puberty, so they can better protect and advocate for their reproductive health. Grandmother Lanyne
said the SCOTUS ruling left her “disturbed,” and she expects there could be further restrictions on emergency contraceptives, LGBTQ and other rights. Sabrina Roggie recalled anecdotes from pre-1973 (before the Roe v. Wade ruling) of several friends who ran away or who died, because of the stigma of pregnancy and abortion, or for not being able to obtain a safe abortion. “People have died for this right. We have to stay strong and united,” said Roggie, who attended the march with her 20-year-old daughter. Many protesters said they wanted to show solidarity for the states that are likely to ban abortion, which racks up to 26, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a policy research nonprofit. Before the high court’s ruling came down, 13 states had “trigger laws” in place
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Las Vegas resident Nikki Murdock protests at the Bans Off Our Bodies march.
The Bans Off Our Bodies’ peaceful march on Las Vegas Boulevard gathered near the Bellagio Fountain on July 8. Farzad Alikozai (left) and friends at the march.
seeking to prosecute abortion providers or patients, and prohibits extradition of anyone for charges related to reproductive health care services. It also protects providers who are disciplined based on anti-abortion laws in other states, saying that Nevada medical boards should not count that discipline against them. On July 8, President Biden announced an executive order with official guidance for the Department of Health and Human Services to push back on anti-abortion state laws, and directed staff to prop up a team of pro bono lawyers to defend people who face charges under those laws. The order also prompted the Federal Trade Commission to emphasize that it will investigate and hold liable companies that misuse digital data related to obtaining an abortion, such as location or search engine data that would reveal whether a person visited an abortion clinic or searched for information about accessing that care. Additionally, doctors are protected under federal law when performing abortions to save the mother’s life, Biden said. On the legislative side, the House of Representatives has passed two bills that could change the course of abortion policy nationwide—the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which would protect the right to travel across state lines for medical care as well as interstate access to medication abortion; and the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify abortion protection under federal law. Reports say the legislation is unlikely to receive the 60 Senate votes needed to pass.
NEWS
to ban abortion in the event that Roe was overturned. At press time, seven states have completely banned abortion “with very limited exceptions,” and four have banned abortion at 15 weeks or less. Other states like West Virginia, Louisiana and Utah recently have had abortion bans or restrictions struck down by lower court rulings, allowing abortion services to resume temporarily, pending further litigation. The patchwork of policies nationwide has become more pronounced, leaving many questions about liability and enforcement. If someone in an anti-abortion state travels to another state to receive legal care, will they be prosecuted? And will abortion providers be held liable in other states? The Wild West Access Fund, a nonprofit fund in Nevada to assist people seeking abortions, has seen a fivefold increase of out-of-state callers. Board member Lauren Beal, who coordinates intake managers, says the organization does everything it can to protect the privacy of patients, who could be held liable by other states’ laws. She says Nevada Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak’s executive order protecting access to reproductive health services was reassuring. “That was the thing that let us feel safe, to be able to continue to support travelers,” Beal says. “We were very concerned about what it would mean for us, even [though remote and never having] been in these restrictive states, to support someone coming to Nevada.” The order, which came days after the high court overturned Roe, says Nevada will not provide information or assistance to any state
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7. 2 1 . 2 2 DESTRUCTO With DJ Glen, July 23, 10 p.m., $15. Discopussy, seetickets.us.
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FREESTYLING Electronic music maverick Destructo dances to the beat of his own 808s
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hen you’ve influenced the electronic dance music scene for as long as Gary Richards has, you earn the right to stop caring what other people think. In fact, that’s when things start to get interesting. “I got really lucky when I was younger,” says Richards, the promoter and festival founder who DJs as Destructo. “I worked with [producer and Def Jam Records co-founder] Rick Rubin. He made the Beastie Boys’ first album, and I loved that album when I was in high school. That was my sh*t. So I was like, ‘What was your secret?’ “And Rick was like, ‘I just make stuff that I like.’ So I try to do the same thing.” Rubin’s advice not only stuck, it set Richards on a 30-year musical trajectory, landing him on Rolling Stone’s list of the 50 Most Important People in EDM. His legacy dates back to the ’90s warehouse rave scene in Los Angeles, around the time he hosted the first two Electric Daisy Carnivals; and stretches into his creation of the Hard Summer Festival, where many major acts cut their teeth; and Holy Ship, a dance-music cruise party that inspired Richards’ follow-up called FriendShip. Throughout all of these endeavors,
Richards has always done it his way. Now the kingpin of G-house and techno has hit the road again for his new F With Me tour, coming to Fremont East’s Discopussy on July 23. The tour is inspired by the eponymous ’80s-infused party tune he funked up with electro-funk duo Chromeo and songwriter Tima Dee. “My dad was on the radio in New Orleans, and he had this station called Wail 105. It was the No.1 urban R&B radio station in New Orleans,” Richards says. “He had a club that he used to go to and DJ, and he would take me there when I was eight years old. And it was like Rick James and the Gap Band [playing], all this funk music was hot. He was playing it when it was all new, and all that sh*t was in my head.” “F With Me” serves as a worthy sequel to Richards’ and TroyBoi’s 2021 release “You’re the One for Me,” a fresh take on a silkened disco anthem. “There’s nothing better than funk. It’s better to dance to instruments played by people and not a computer. That groove is different,” he says. “It’s hard as sh*t though to mix. That’s probably why more people don’t play it.”’ So far, Destructo’s happily accepted that challenge on tour. Because ultimately, it all goes back to doing what he
enjoys. “It’s a blessing and a curse,” he says, “because for my soul and my creativity, it’s a 10. It’s amazing. But to fit into the algorithm on Spotify, with ‘F With Me’ and the TroyBoi song, those songs don’t fit anywhere.” Still, that’s not enough to put him off. Rather than chasing the charts, Richards seems to be chasing that genuine feeling. The kind where you’ve got “500 people on the dance floor,” he says, “just losing it because it’s just so f**king good. They can’t stop dancing.” One project he’s most excited to reveal is his sessions with the masked DJ known as MxNxSTxR (pronounced “Minister”). The duo released the infectious dance track “All of Me” in May, but not much was known about this mysterious collaborator until now. “You saw Drake and Beyoncé just put out house records. The MxNxSTxR is on that level as an artist, writer, singer and producer, in the hip-hop and R&B world,” he explains. “During COVID, he was like, ‘I want to make house records and I thought that you would be the dude to help make sure it’s f**king dope.’” One upcoming track they worked on together, called “What You Need,” features Thundercat on bass and rapper Channel Tres. “And that’s one of 40 of them,” Richards adds, citing the MxNxSTxR corralled a ton of high-caliber artists. “I’ve been in the studio with a lot of cool people but this is just different,” he says.
7. 2 1 . 2 2 Destructo (Courtesy)
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7. 2 1 . 2 2 James Mercer (Courtesy/Marisa Kula Mercer)
BY SPENCER PATTERSON
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James Mercer’s parents in front of Circus Circus in 1969 (Courtesy)
“Nowadays, it’s kind of dictated by the kids. Fortunately, my eldest daughter has really good taste in music, and my wife has playlists. I have no playlists; I just listen to the stuff my wife and kids listen to,” he says. “There’s a lot of Lana Del Rey in the house, Taylor Swift, Angel Olsen—a lot of lady singers, which is my favorite anyway.” Mercer has also been at work on a new album from Broken Bells, the project that pairs him with Brian Burton, better known as producer Danger Mouse. “Brian and I both feel like it’s the best thing we’ve done together, for sure,” he says of third Broken Bells LP Into the Blue, the duo’s first since 2014, due out later this year. In the meantime Mercer will continue looking back, on the album that changed his life. “I think that’s part of why I was so emotional in San Francisco, because I was in a very different place when this record came out,” he says. “Now I’ve got three children and a wonderful wife. It’s just a very different life I’m living now.”
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Inverted World—including “Caring Is Creepy” and “New Slang,” both of which were featured in the 2004 film Garden State and on its platinum-certified soundtrack (“It’ll change your life,” Natalie Portman’s character famously said of “New Slang”)—will forever epitomize a wave that saw underground music reach new listeners and, ultimately, mainstream charts. And for Mercer, playing those 11 songs in succession has brought quite a rush of personal memories from the days when he wrote them. “[That album] summed up a lot of the feelings I had as my 20s were coming to a close and I didn’t really have my life figured out,” the 51-yearold Mercer says. “I had a job I didn’t like, [and] I was in a relationship I knew was probably going to end at some point, so everything seemed up in the air for me at that time, which is kind of a nice feeling in a strange way but also scary.” Oh, Inverted World, released on Seattle’s iconic Sub Pop Records, went on to sell more than half a million copies, “but before you’re signed, when you’re working on music, it doesn’t sound good on paper,” Mercer recalls. “I think my parents were getting a bit frustrated with me that I had dropped out of college and was doing this music thing. You know, it just seemed ridiculous.” In May, The Shins participated in Just Like Heaven, a California festival that gathered acts from the early 2000s: Interpol, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, Wolf Parade and more. And while Mercer says he feels a certain kinship with some of those bands—especially Modest Mouse, “the ones who really got us our big break”—these days his listening habits lean elsewhere.
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THE SHINS with Joseph. July 22, 7 p.m., $45+. The Theater at Virgin, axs.com.
The Shins’ James Mercer looks back on Oh, Inverted World and ahead to Las Vegas
or most visitors, Las Vegas conjures up images of blackjack, cocktails and flying aerialists. For James Mercer, it will always be associated with … his parents? “They got married in Vegas at one of those little chapels over by the Stratosphere,” he explains in a phone interview with the Weekly. “My parents love Vegas and always have, so when we play there, they make the drive from Albuquerque and it’s a big family get-together.” Those family reunions have been relatively frequent here through the years. Mercer and his indie-pop band, The Shins, have played Vegas close to 10 times since 2003, beginning with a slot opening for Modest Mouse at House of Blues in 2003 and continuing with appearances at the Halloween-themed Vegoose festival in 2005 and ’07 (the former swigging cans of Budweiser while dressed as nuns), at the Cosmopolitan’s Boulevard Pool, at Downtown fest Life Is Beautiful and beyond. On July 22, The Shins will return to town for the first time since 2017 with a concert at the Theater at Virgin—one that will begin with a full presentation of 2001 debut album Oh, Inverted World. The tour, celebrating the 21st anniversary of that indie touchstone, kicked off July 12 at the Warfield in San Francisco—and the night caught Mercer a bit off guard. “I had a surprisingly emotional response to the crowd there. They were really ebullient,” he says. “It felt like a long time coming, not only with the preparation for this tour, but the whole 20 years of my life that has been devoted to this music.” The undeniably catchy, wistful-yet-uplifting tunes on Oh,
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DESERT VIEWS Joy Goldstein’s Southwest Spirit celebrates the serene beauty all around us
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“Desert Home in Calico” (opposite page) and “Peace Within” (Photos Courtesy/ Joy Goldstein)
BY EVELYN MATEOS
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out of the house, she explains. Goldstein never set out to create a whole collection of work based on the getaway, but upon returning home the trip photos inspired her to paint. In the long run, that process helped her “fall in love with painting again.” The longtime artist has been painting since childhood but says that she began to take it seriously during her college years. She has a bachelor of fine arts degree from UNLV as well as certifications in graphic design from CSN. In recent years, Goldstein has kept busy running a successful Etsy account where she accepts commissions for portraits (etsy. com/shop/PaintUPortraits). “I love doing commissions and portraits … I like the challenge. I like interacting with clients and forming something together that we are both satisfied with,” she says. “But when it comes to my personal stuff, I’m more experimental—it’s more freeing.” Instead of copying the photo references exactly—as she does when painting commissioned work—she allowed herself to digress and let the paintings take form throughout the process. Goldstein says she played with different materials, techniques and textures, like utilizing different brush strokes and paint splatter, which she says she really enjoyed. “I tried to express the beauty that I see out there and the serenity as well as my inner experience,” Goldstein says. “I hope folks see [that] and their own surroundings in a different way.”
ART
JOY GOLDSTEIN: SOUTHWEST SPIRIT Through October 2;. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Enterprise Library, 702-507-3760.
ften, we’re inclined to admire art based on faraway lands or even fantasy worlds. But Las Vegas-based painter Joy Goldstein’s latest show at Enterprise Library, Southwest Spirit, reminds us how magnificent our own backyard is. The collection on exhibition through October 2 includes 26 pieces. It depicts scenes like the Narrows at Zion or the Colorado River at Buckskin Mountain State Park in Arizona. And, of course, dreamy desert views based on Red Rock Canyon are painted in burnt siennas and umbers with pops of luscious greens. The collection is a direct passage to a peaceful state of mind. Each painting translates the love that Goldstein has for the desert. But originally, the local artist had a hard time loving it. It was during the dog days of summer that a 10-year-old Goldstein made the move with her family from Panorama City, California to Las Vegas. “When I first moved here it was July. It was hot and all I saw was brown and dry. There were no trees,” she says. “That’s what I remember experiencing.” Eventually, she came to enjoy and appreciate the desert and even became an avid hiker. In the wake of the pandemic, she packed her family into a travel trailer and toured the Southwest landscape, including stops in California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. It was one way for them to stay safe and get
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ROTISSERIE BLISS Half Bird promises to ‘level up’ the local chicken game
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BY BROCK RADKE
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Half Bird will do Spring Mountain hot chicken with Szechuan peppers, pickled cucumbers and green curry ranch. The rotisserie method, inspired by Howard’s days opening Bouchon at Venetian and roasting dozens of birds daily, will yield wings, half bird or full bird meals with choices of seven house-made sauces (like sweet miso barbecue and yuzu hot honey) and a side of fries cooked under the chicken drippings, then smothered in rich gravy. The team particularly enjoyed breaking down the idea of chicken nuggets until the result was “Holy sh*t, these are insane,” Howard says, and then his son Brix chimed in with orders to add mac and cheese to the menu. “I asked him if we had enough stuff for kids. He’s seven. I wasn’t gonna put it on the menu, but he said to do it with crispy Spam, so I was like, ‘Okay, go on.’ Then I’m going back and forth with a seven-yearold about types of cheeses.” There were already plenty of challenges to tackle with the opening of a different style of restaurant when supply chain issues are still predominant. But the project has also endured an unimaginable loss with the sudden death of Anthony La Mantia, aka “Chef Tony,” on June 5 due to a heart condition. He worked with Howard for more than a decade and was the “right-hand man” on the Half Bird concept. He was only 37 years old. “We had our morning meeting and everything was fine, and an hour and a half later, everything changed,” Howard says. “My first thought was I don’t even want to do it. He put his heart and soul into this, but you have to take all those good things from him and put them out there, and hopefully make him proud. He’ll live within this place every day, and everybody here understands how much work he put into it.”
Half Bird will do chicken several ways, including wings, nuggets and its signature Spring Mountain hot chicken sandwich. (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
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Top Round’s Horse & Hole sandwich (Wade Vandervort/Staff)
REVOLUTIONARY
ROAST BEEF n When a new hockey season arrives in the fall, Vegas Golden Knights fans will have a new pregame meal option to consider among the tasty bites available in the vicinity of New York-New York and Park MGM. I highly recommend you scout the sandwich situation ahead of time with a trip to the Strip to sample Top Round; in my initial assessment, it already rivals Shake Shack’s burgers and the brats at Beerhaus for hand-held snack satisfaction. Top Round was founded in LA by a group of chefs and restaurateurs hailing from the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the country, where simple sandwich shops and beloved bar foods are a bigger deal. The Vegas version opened in early June in the former Bruxie chicken and waffles quick-serve spot at the Park, and the concise menu is focused on slow-cooked roast beef or hand-breaded chicken
sandwiches, crispy wings and tenders, hot dogs, salads, fries and shakes. The well-assembled Beef & Cheese ($12) seems like the obvious starting point, but skip ahead to the rich Horse & Hole sandwich ($13) and revel in umami from roasted mushrooms, horseradish cream, Provel cheese and a pile of that savory, sliced beef on a sesame bun. You’ll immediately notice the care given to each ingredient, the distinguishing factor at Top Round. If you can’t get enough meat, get the OG ($10) and add two more ounces for $3; you’ll never even think about going to Arby’s again. Just so you know, we’re also considering the home-made Cheese Whiz-covered tater tots ($5) with a pistachio gelato shake ($8) as the possible victory celebration when the Knights beat Chicago in the home opener at the Fortress on October 13. –Brock Radke
TOP ROUND The Park, eattopround.com. Sunday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday & Saturday, noon-11 p.m.
FOOD & DRINK
fter recently celebrating five successful years of business and culinary adventure at Sparrow + Wolf, Brian Howard and his team at Spaghetti on the Wall Hospitality could be content, it would seem, to continue along their proven path. Instead, the ambitious organization is charting a new course with the upcoming opening of casual concept Half Bird along the same stretch of road in the city’s Chinatown district. “After [Sparrow] I can do full-service [dining] in my sleep, but this one gives me a little discomfort like I’m opening a first restaurant again,” says Howard. “There’s all these things taking place that don’t happen at the other restaurant and there’s been learning curves for sure.” Located at the corner of Spring Mountain and Wynn roads at the western tip of the bustling plaza that also contains the Golden Tiki, Pho Kim Long, Lee’s Sandwiches, Partage and others, Half Bird is a chicken joint, but one twisted to suit Howard’s style. There will be fried chicken, but rotisserie birds are the weapon of choice, pasture-raised, free-range poultry slow-cooked for maximum comfort-food vibes. It’s expected to open in early August, and when it does, don’t expect similar environs as Sparrow + Wolf. The bright, orange-hued space definitely falls into the fast-casual category, and it looks and feels like a concept that can expand. “We didn’t spare any expense, we wanted to build a brand right from the get-go,” he says. “We’re not reinventing the wheel by any means. These are tried-and-true classics. We’re just turning the dial a bit, the way we do, with flavor profiles, and raising the bar on quality. We’re trying to put a brand out there that’s a level up.” Forget Nashville hot chicken.
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L A S V E G A S W E E K LY
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THE
THIRD
Who will emerge as the Raiders’ No. 3 wide receiver out of training camp? BY CASE KEEFER
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fter signing superstar Davante Adams this offseason, the Raiders have one of the best pass-catching groups in the NFL. That’s the consensus, anyway, with Adams, the longtime Green Bay Packer, coming to Las Vegas and joining a pair of other Pro Bowlers in slot receiver Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller as quarterback Derek Carr’s primary options. There’s only one element missing and holding the Raiders back from fielding a truly elite receiving corps—depth. Three reliable pass catchers, only two of whom are technically receivers, isn’t enough in the pass-heavy NFL, especially not in a more modern offense like the one new coach Josh McDaniels is installing. Underrated tight end Foster Moreau returns alongside Waller, but McDaniels and new general manager Dave Ziegler overhauled the receiver room. Renfrow is the only receiver on the roster who
caught a pass for the Raiders last season. McDaniels is expected to split Waller out as a receiver frequently, but even with that wrinkle, the Raiders will need more than the trio of him, Adams and Renfrow. Finding the right complements and how they fit is a focus of training camp, which kicked off in full July 20 at the team’s headquarters in Henderson and runs through final roster cut day on August 30. The Raiders will surely develop a rotation of receivers as the regular-season opener September 11 at the Los Angeles Chargers nears, but most teams also prefer to have a defined No. 3 guy. Las Vegas has eight receivers on the roster beyond Adams and Renfrow, but four of them are unlikely to make the team—three undrafted second-year players in Dillon Stoner, DJ Turner and Jordan Veasy, and one undrafted rookie in Justin Hill. That leaves four others vying for the wide-open No. 3 receiver spot. Here’s a look at each of them.
MACK HOLLINS
(AP Photo/ Photo Illustration)
The 28-year-old former Miami Dolphin and Philadelphia Eagle must be considered the favorite to be the No. 3 receiver, even though he’s not the biggest name. Hollins signed the largest deal out of everyone listed here—a one-year, $2 million contract—and got the most action with the starters during minicamp in June. The 6-foot4, 221-pound former fourth-round pick out of North Carolina was the Dolphins’ special teams captain last year, and that’s where he’s done most of his work in the NFL. One of his best offensive moments came against the Raiders when he helped eliminate them from the playoffs in 2020. He caught a 34-yard-pass with 19 seconds remaining to set up a game-winning field goal for the Dolphins in a late-season game at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders would be counting on Hollins making more plays like that, as a downfield threat would be the best type of receiver to put next to grade-A route runners Adams and Renfrow.
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DEGREE KEELAN COLE
TYRON JOHNSON
The 27-year-old Robinson is probably the most well-known newcomer given that he’s spent the past six years as a part of the Kansas City Chiefs’ high-flying offense. The potential of the 6-foot-1, 202-pound veteran has tantalized NFL coaches ever since he was a college standout at the University of Florida. The problem has come with tapping into that potential. Robinson was considered an annual breakout candidate with the Chiefs, but despite some highlight moments, never became a go-to guy for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Robinson appeared to fully fall out of favor by the end of last season, going without a single catch in the Chiefs’ final two games. Kansas City didn’t show much interest in keeping him, leading to a one-year, $1.1 million deal in Las Vegas. Sometimes a change of scenery can ignite something new, and the Raiders are hoping that’s the case with the highly athletic Robinson.
With 187 catches for 2,691 yards and 13 touchdowns over a five-year NFL career, the 29-year-old Cole has the most production of those competing for playing time. He’s just considered more of a solid contributor via route-running and blocking than a game-breaking, big-play threat. Cole is also slightly undersized at 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, though he’s used to fighting through such limitations. He was neither recruited out of high school nor drafted out of Division II Kentucky Wesleyan in college but developed a reputation for outworking his peers. Cole had a career year in 2020 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading to a oneyear, $5.5 million contract with the New York Jets last season. He took a step back with the Jets, never developing a strong connection with rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. That allowed the Raiders to buy low and sign him to a discounted one-year, $1.2 million deal late in this year’s free agency.
The third-year undrafted receiver out of Oklahoma State is a long shot next to Cole, Robinson and Hollins, but one that shouldn’t be totally ignored. The Raiders signed him to the practice squad late last year, and he was quickly promoted to the active roster, where he appeared in five games as a kick returner. His value as a returner could help the 6-foot-1, 193-pound speedster claim one of the final roster spots out of training camp this year, as could his knack as a deep threat in the passing game. He had seven catches for 25 yards or more, and four catches for 50 yards or more, during the 2020 season with the Chargers. Johnson is considered limited in other parts of the receiving game but having someone who can stretch the defense down the field is exactly what the Raiders need next to Adams, Renfrow and Waller.
SPORTS
DEMARCUS ROBINSON
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VEGAS INC BUSINESS
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CANNABIS
NOT A GIMMICK: MIKE TYSON SERIOUS ABOUT CANNABIS INDUSTRY, SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE IT A SUPERFOOD
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BY BRYAN HORWATH VEGAS INC STAFF
oxing icon Mike Tyson says he has never felt mentally and physically healthier in his life. The reason: his consistent use of cannabis. It’s a way of existence that is priceless, the part-time Las Vegas resident says, even though it costs him $40,000 monthly. “Mike is lightning in a bottle,” said Chad Bronstein, his business partner with Tyson 2.0, a company that makes an ear-shaped cannabis gummy. “There are a lot of celebrity brands, but Mike is an authentic brand user. He smokes a lot of weed, and for different reasons. Mike talks a lot about mental health, and I think people can see that he’s an authentic person. People like that.” The cannabis gummies pay homage to Tyson’s “Bite Fight” heavyweight championship bout with Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas in 1997. In one of the boxing history’s most memorable moments, Tyson bit off a small piece of one of Holyfield’s ears and was disqualified, precipitating chaos at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He lost his Nevada boxing license, though it was later reinstated. The incident represents an avenue to help Tyson and his company move a fledgling cannabis empire forward. The gummies, human-shaped ears with a small chunk missing, are called “Mike Bites” and can be found at various cannabis dispensaries in Las Vegas. The idea came from Tyson’s wife, Lakiha “Kiki” Tyson.
“She’s kind of our head of creativity and she thought that up and has made it a phenomenon, so to speak,” Tyson said. When Mike Bites hit the market in the spring, Bronstein said they were almost instantly dubbed a marketing success and sold out on a regular basis. They come in black raspberry, watermelon and sour apple, though Bronstein said additional flavor options are forthcoming. Some customers consume the bites to aid in sleep, as each gummy packs 10 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive compound
Mike Tyson (Courtesy)
found in marijuana, Bronstein said. “When we heard about the idea, we knew it was something we had to take to market,” Bronstein said. “When we launched, we just put a little teaser up on Instagram and it went viral pretty quickly thereafter. For those who thought it was a gimmick, it’s not. It’s a quality product.” Bronstein said it’s been relatively easy to market Tyson products because of his lasting worldwide popularity. Though he hasn’t been active at boxing’s highest levels in years, Tyson, 56, has remained a pop culture icon. Through it all, Tyson has
long maintained that cannabis use has been important for his well-being. Tyson said that, like the Tyson 2.0 brand, the cannabis industry in the U.S. will continue to grow and evolve. He said he sees a future where cannabis products are sold in grocery stores and places that sell health food items. “I think we’re just experiencing the tip of the iceberg,” Tyson said. “My goal is to make cannabis a superfood.” Bronstein said it’s possible that Las Vegas could eventually be home to a Tyson 2.0 cannabis lounge. Lounges were approved this year by Nevada industry regulators, though none have opened yet. Earlier this month, Tyson 2.0 announced that its products will be sold in Arizona, Maryland, Ohio and Pennsylvania. “The cannabis industry is very competitive, but I’d say we’re the No. 1 brand in the space as far as growth,” Bronstein said. “A lot of celebrities are using our products. Our product has a lot of staying power because of the premium aspect of it, and I think we will see these lounges in hotels. That’s coming.”
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7. 2 1 . 2 2 CANNABIS
GUEST COLUMN
STATE, FEDS MUST REMAIN VIGILANT IN CURBING CRIMES RELATED TO UNREGULATED CANNABIS
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BY TYLER KLIMAS
ecently, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford led a bipartisan group of 23 attorneys general in a letter to congressional leadership detailing the dangers of unregulated cannabis products and urged immediate action to address certain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) “copycat” products. THC is the active ingredient that is primarily responsible for the effects a person feels from using marijuana. The letter was in response to a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory warning to the public about “copycat” edible cannabis products containing THC. These products resemble commercially available food products like Starbursts, Crunch Berries or Nerds Rope, but contain psychotropic or impairing elements, like THC, are untested and unregulated, and can cause illness. The advisory described minors becoming ill, including one death, following the ingestion of a suspected Delta-8 THC edible. The FDA warning, and subsequent attorneys general letter, underscore a critical issue that cannabis and hemp regulators across the nation have been grappling with recently. Copycat products undercut comprehensive public health and safety measures that states like Nevada have worked to put into place as part of their well-regulated and legal cannabis
marketplaces. Where do these copycat products come from? Not from Nevada’s legal cannabis industry. Nevada boasts one of the strictest regulatory regimes in the nation, with extensive rules and regulations surrounding all aspects of the cannabis industry, including prohibitions against any packaging and labeling that might look like commercially available products or that appeal to children. Additionally, like most legal cannabis markets, Title 56 of the Nevada Revised Statutes prevents any adulteration of commercially available products. That means our licensed operators cannot add THC or infuse it into an existing product like popular cereals or candy. Any violation of these laws or regulations will jeopardize an operator’s license. These copycat products are coming from the illicit market; sometimes using products sourced from the global hemp market. Legalizing cannabis for recreational or adult use has not totally eradicated the illicit market. Illicit market participants do not have to follow the same rigorous production, packaging and testing standards as legal operators, and can sell
cheaper products to minors and others. Illicit market operations offer many of the same products as legal operators, such as edibles and vape devices, though they are untested and often made in unsanitary conditions. If consumers of illicit market products knew they could be ingesting or inhaling dangerous mold and bacteria, unsafe pesticides, heavy metals and other dangerous additives, they might think again. When hemp was broadly legalized in the United States for commercial purposes in 2018, the effort left a significant loophole in the definition of hemp. The definition only addressed a single type of THC called Delta-9, but failed to address other isomers like Delta-8. When chemically derived from hemp, Delta-8 can be added into manufactured products like gummies and other edibles in high concentrations. This loophole allows for illicit operators to create hemp-derived products or highly concentrated distillates and oils from hemp, specifically designed to get someone high. There is no regulation or scrutiny, products can be purchased online and, more important, there are no age-restrictions on their purchase. These concentrates can then easily be added to commercially available
foods or even made into copycat products that look like Starbursts, Crunch Berries or Nerds Rope. During Nevada’s last legislative session, when cannabis regulators across the nation began sharing information on reported illnesses with Delta-8 products, we plugged this loophole with an amendment to Senate Bill 49 that effectively banned synthetic, chemically derived cannabinoids, including Delta-8 and any other new isomers or compounds that could be created, unless they are approved by the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board. This change made it illegal in Nevada to produce synthetic cannabinoids—like Delta-8—outside of our state’s strictly regulated cannabis market. Although this change helped put crucial protections in place within Nevada, the continued availability of illicit products online, the loopholes in the current federal definition of hemp, and the lack of clarity and action at the federal level regarding unintended consequences of the hemp legalization effort make enforcement a challenge. The issues we face today in the cannabis and hemp industry are complicated given the explosion in cannabis popularity and lack of research as a result of longstanding classification as a controlled substance. More work must be done in Nevada and elsewhere to continue combating the illicit market. Congress will also need to do its part, leaning more heavily on experts who are in the field, and ensuring, as state regulatory bodies and chief legal officers do, that public health and safety remains the top priority. Tyler Klimas is executive director of Nevada’s Cannabis Compliance Board. He also serves as treasurer for the Cannabis Regulators Association, a national organization of government officials involved in cannabis regulation in over 40 U.S. states and Canadian territories.
Copycat products undercut comprehensive public health and safety measures that states like Nevada have worked to put into place as part of their well-regulated and legal cannabis marketplaces.
7. 2 1 . 2 2 communications leader with more than 16 years of experience. She served as director of communications and brand management at Vegas PBS and as an adjunct professor at the UNLV’s Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies.
VegasInc Notes U.S. Integrity, a sports betting integrity-monitoring company, announced the appointment of Lauralyn Sandoval to Sandoval its board of directors. Sandoval is vice president of new markets at Aristocrat Technologies. She has worked at IGT and Scientific Games in business-building roles including technology, product, emerging markets and acquisitions. The Public Education Foundation welcomed Latoya Holman as the organization’s chief development officer. She will rally community support on behalf of students in the Clark County School District by overseeing fundraising initiatives and events. Prior
to joining the foundation, Holman served as director of projects and community outreach for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Foundation, overseeing donor relations and development, events and marketing. CenterWell Senior Primary Care announced the addition of Dr. Khozema Rajkotwala to its center at 2601 N. Tenaya Rajkotwala Way in Las Vegas. Board certified in internal medicine, Rajkotwala has been a practicing physician for 25 years treating patients living with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, COPD, asthma, cardiac conditions, coronary artery disease and depression.
The Abbi Agency, a marketing communications firm, was named the 2022 Bulldog PR Awards’ Gold winner for “Midsize Agency of the Year.” It was recognized as one of the most outstanding public relations and marketing agencies in the United States. Blueprint Sports hired Allison Monette as vice president of marketing and communications. As part of the executive leadership Monette team, she will be responsible for directing strategic initiatives, branding, marketing and communications across BPS’ national portfolio of name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives. Monette is an Emmy Award-winning
United Way of Southern Nevada welcomed Stephanie Lewton as vice president of finance and promotLewton ed Aaron Krolikowski to vice president of programs. Lewton has more than 24 years of experience in accounting and has spent Krolikowski a majority of her career working in the Las Vegas construction industry. Krolikowski joined the United Way in 2016 as a community impact consultant. In his new role, he oversees programs such as Community Impact
VEGAS INC BUSINESS
Grants, the Nevada Ready! State Pre-K program, Project REACH, United Against Human Trafficking and the Emergency Food and shelter program. Nevada State Bank hired Laurel Lukesh to work in its commercial real estate division as senior vice president/commercial real estate relationship manager. She brings 24 years of banking experience and 18 years in commercial real estate to her role. In June, Optum Care celebrated the graduating class of orthopaedic surgery residents from the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Dr. Michael Daubs, medical director of Optum Care Orthopaedic and Spine attended, along with the graduating class: Drs. Jessica Albanese, Greg Daubs, Janel Pietryga and Jeff Surina. TSK Architects announced that Windom Kimsey, FAIA, LEED AP, was appointed to the board of directors for the Council for a Better Nevada. Kimsey is president and CEO of TSK Architects and oversees all company projects.
DESIGNER TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST Designer Technology Specialist (FT, multiple opening) sought by M.Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates, Inc d/b/a Gensler to work in Las Vegas, Nevada to identify and develop progressive training programs to prepare design professionals for advance design research and realization strategies through the implementation of computational design thinking, design performance simulations, Building Information Management (BIM), and digital fabrication methods. Incidental telecommuting may apply. Apply at https://gensler.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/genslercareers/ job/Las-Vegas-NV-US/Design-Technology-Specialist_R-8706
Motional AD Inc. – Las Vegas, NV. Engineer P2(Validation Programs & Systems). Develop test scenarios that use simulation tools to validate autonomous vehicle behavior at a high level. Submit resume to jean.curley@motional.com, ref. NK2023LV.
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7. 2 1 . 2 2
“SUITABLE ACTIVITIES” BY FRANK LONGO
HOROSCOPES
WEEK OF JULY 21 BY ROB BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Whatever gender you may be, visualize yourself as the “Snakewaist woman” from eighth-century poem by Andal: “Arouse, Snakewaist woman! Strut your enchantment! Swoop your mirth and leap your spiral reverence! As wild peacocks shimmer and ramble and entice the lightning-nerved air! Summon thunderheads of your love! Command the sentient wind! Resurrect the flavor of eternal birth!” TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Tips to get the most out of the next three weeks: 1. Work harder, last longer and finish with more grace than everyone else. 2. Be in love with beauty. Crave it, surround yourself with it, and create it. 3. Taste the mist, smell the clouds, kiss the music, praise the earth and listen to the moon in the daytime sky. 4. Never stop building: your joy, your security, your love, your beauty, your stamina, your sense of wonder. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Astrologer Astrolocherry says that while Geminis “can appear naive and air-headed to onlookers, their minds usually operate at light speed. They naturally absorb every surrounding particle of intellectual stimuli.” These qualities will function at peak intensity during the next four weeks. You could learn more in a month than most people learn in four. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Naeem Callaway founded an organization that mentors at-risk youths. Here’s one of his central teachings: “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take the step.” Focus on just one of the many possible tasks you could pursue and carry it out with determined focus. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): A Leo astrologer said, “Here’s a secret about us Lions. No matter what happens, despite any pitfalls and pratfalls, my ego will stay intact. It ain’t gonna crack.” Allow a slight ego deflation in the coming days. If you do, it will generate a major blossoming of your ego by August. And that would be a very good thing. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Poet Claude de Burine described how one night when she was 3 years old, she sneaked out of the house with her parents’ champagne bucket so she could fill it up with moonlight. Activities like this will be a worthy pursuit for you in the coming days. You’re entering a favorable phase to go in quest of lyrical, fanciful experiences.
2020 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE ACROSS 1 Saudi, say 5 Raptors’ gp. 8 In a stupor 13 GMC crossover SUV model 19 Reduces the worth of 21 Lead-in to a bit of bad news 22 What “(” and “)” are, for short 23 Capital of South Australia 24 Actress Dennis leaps? 26 Boxer Marciano begins? 28 — Canals 29 Thurman of film 30 Saloon 31 “I could — horse!” 33 Newspaper based in McLean, Va. 37 Racing driver Wallace does some hammering? 42 Singer Benatar replies? 44 This, in Lima 45 Dancer Charisse 46 Waterproof canvas cover 48 — out an existence 49 Founder of Taoism 51 Hair removal brand 53 Gmail competitor 56 Teensy 59 Yosemite peak, in brief 60 “... — my brother” 61 Quarterback Bradshaw dries himself off? 66 Reindeer kin 67 Jurists’ org. 69 Emmy winner Baldwin 71 Like whiteboards
72 Actor Slater goes on vacation? 76 Most thickset 78 Huge hero 79 Sink down 80 Free TV spot, for short 83 Comedian Buttons gains a lot of weight? 85 “True —!” (“Yep!”) 87 Heroic tales 89 Ending for duct or infant 90 Lead-in to glottis or Pen 91 Stadium level 93 Employed for the purpose of 94 “Help us!” 97 Light in signs 99 “Son of,” in 1-Across names 101 Russo of Big Trouble 102 Architect Gehry speaks? 107 Singer Aiken woos someone? 110 Helicopter or glider 111 Whittle down 113 Lovey 114 Tatty cloth 115 “-ology” kin 117 Dancer Rogers loses control? 123 Singer Gayle plays tenpins? 128 Niagara River source 129 Oration of adulation 130 10th-century German king 131 Ester in plastics 132 Money in the form of coins 133 Reveals 134 JFK guess 135 Agenda unit
DOWN 1 Jewish month 2 Totally fix up 3 With, in Paris 4 Pitcher’s goof 5 Pain in the neck 6 Accessory for a meal fit for a queen? 7 Far offshore 8 Mild aversion 9 Make — buck 10 Buddhist branch 11 Actor George of CSI 12 Dehydrate 13 iPhone extra 14 Freeway sight 15 Actress Meyers 16 Make bare 17 Filmmaker Bergman 18 Analyzes 20 Put away for the future 25 Slugger Sammy 27 Islam, e.g.: Abbr. 32 Fourth mo. 34 Meth- ending 35 “Bad boy!” 36 Have debts 37 Gen. at Gettysburg 38 “Heaven help —!” 39 Security ticker symbol 40 “Ciao!” 41 “... — baked a cake” 43 On — with 47 Takes care of 50 Ancient Greek city 52 Morales of Rapa Nui 54 Baseball’s Hershiser 55 Greek harp player of yore 56 “Crawling” internet bot 57 Kay-em link 58 Ending for Peking 60 Pain in the neck 62 Cave effect 63 “Look what I just
did!” 64 Missouri tribespeople 65 System 68 Jessica of 7th Heaven 70 Reclined 73 Wheel center 74 Sporty auto roof 75 Ye — Shoppe 76 — Lankan 77 Phone no. 81 Deficient 82 Donkeys 84 Sow’s sound 86 Opera song 88 Lima’s land 92 Very troubled 93 Opened, as a wine bottle 94 — -cone 95 Approved 96 Sow’s home 98 Psychic skill 100 From memory 102 Outrageous comedies 103 Rise on the hind legs 104 Sock pattern 105 Indigo dye 106 Sappho’s Greek island 108 Writer Deighton 109 Opening 112 Shining 116 Closet pest 118 Pasty stuff 119 Classic soda brand 120 “I smell —!” 121 Fir relative 122 Appear 124 Part of SSN: Abbr. 125 — Fridays 126 Vote in favor 127 Global commerce gp.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): There is a distinction between being nice and being kind. Being nice is often motivated by mechanical politeness, by a habit-bound drive to appear pleasant. Being kind is a sincere expression of care and concern for another. One of Libra’s lifelong tasks is to master the art of being kind rather than merely nice. Now is a favorable phase to refine your practice. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You sometimes feel you have to tone down your smoldering intensity, avert your dark-star gazes, conceal your sultry charisma, dumb down your persuasive speech, pretend you don’t have so much stamina, and refrain from revealing your skill at reading between the lines. But the real you always leaks out. It’s a favorable time to freely pour forth your blessings. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): If a butterfly lands on you in a dream, it may mean you’re prepping for a spiritual transformation. It could be a sign you’re receptive to a breakthrough insight you weren’t previously open to. If you dream of a baby animal, it might signify you’re ready to welcome a rebirth of a part of you that has been dormant or sluggish or unavailable. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Develop a disciplined, well-planned strategy to achieve more freedom. Keep clambering upwards even if you have no competitors and there’s no one else at the top. Loosen your firm grasp and steely resolve just enough so you can allow the world to enjoy you. Don’t let the people you love ever think you take them for granted. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Embody an attitude about intimacy articulated by author Hélène Cixous: “I want to love a person freely, including all her secrets. I want to love in this person someone she doesn’t know. I want to love without judgment, without fault. Without false, without true. I want to meet her between the words, beneath language.” This is a monumental undertaking. If it appeals to you, just do the best you can to incorporate it. Perfection isn’t required. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): A doctor of Chinese medicine says one of the best things to do for your health is to walk barefoot— everywhere. He says that being in direct contact with earth can provide you with energetic nourishment. The coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to try it. In fact, anything you do to deepen your connection with the earth will be extra healing. Lie in the sand, hug trees, converse with birds, shout prayers to mountains and bathe in rivers or lakes.
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