WE ARE CELEBRATING EVERY SUNDAY AND MONDAY IN JULY WITH A GUARANTEED
Beginning July 5th, 2026 at 12:01am, a floorwide Cash Blast Progressive Bonus of $1,000 will begin and start to increase immediately and continue to grow until one active carded slot player is randomly awarded the Cash Blast Progressive Bonus
The Cash Blast Progressive Bonus will be awarded before it reaches
When the Cash Blast Progressive Bonus is awarded, all active carded slot players will have $15 in Free Play downloaded to their account $ 5,000
After the Cash Blast Progressive Bonus hits, it will immediately reset to $ 1,000 and begin to increase and this process will be repeated continuously every Sunday and Monday in July until it ends on July 27th at 11:59pm
INTERIM PUBLISHER
MARIA BLONDEAUX
maria.blondeaux@gmgvegas.com
EDITOR
SHANNON MILLER
shannon.miller@gmgvegas.com
EDITORIAL
Senior Editor GEOFF CARTER (geoff.carter@gmgvegas.com)
All content is copyright Las Vegas Weekly LLC. Las Vegas Weekly is published Thursdays and distributed throughout Southern Nevada. Readers are permitted one free copy per issue. Additional copies are $2, available back issues $3.
ADVERTISING DEADLINE EVERY THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.
LOCALS SWIM STAY PACKAGE
Your perfect staycation begins poolside. Escape to seven sparkling pools, elevated amenities, and exclusive perks reserved for Nevada locals. Your next getaway is just minutes away.
YOUR STAY INCLUDES:
Up to 25% off your room
Complimentary self-parking with valid Nevada license plate
Early access to the resort pool complex with a dedicated Sun Kissed Pool area
Bottle of Rosé or Prosecco
Curated food & beverage menu
Discounted cabana or daybed with fruit platter
16 SUMMER UNLOCKED
From morning coffee to last call, how to burn through an entire day Downtown.
32 MUSIC
Big-ticket acts may be canceling Vegas shows, but there’s still plenty of sound to go around.
36 SCENE
Hot dog eating contests, fireworks, pool parties and more Fourth of July fun.
28 NEWS City of Las Vegas considers new rules for busking on Fremont Street Experience.
34 THE STRIP Reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump completes her Vegas empire with her very own hotel.
38 FOOD & DRINK
Marc Marrone makes delicious, ethically raised meats more accessible at Diamond Spur. Close-to-home deals for sports fans, families, foodies, music lovers and more.
Don Toliver brings high Octane to MGM Grand, the Aces take on the Indiana Fever at T-Mobile Arena and more this week.
The Pool at Sahara (Courtesy)
SUPERGUIDE
THURSDAY JULY 2
COYOTE
With Unsound Upgrade, 7 p.m., Bizarre Bar, eventbrite.com.
With Blanco Brown, Lonestar, more, 5:30 p.m., & 7/4, Moapa Paiute Festival Grounds, rockthesky festival.com.
VOIC3S
8 p.m., M Pavilion, ticketmaster. com.
JOYAS PRESTADAS
7 p.m., House of Blues, ticket master.com.
AZÚCAR BANDA & LATIN NIGHTS
Las Vegas finally has its Latin party and it’s happening every Friday and Saturday on the Strip. Azúcar brings together a live banda performance, Latin DJ and an open bar with breathtaking rooftop views of Las Vegas Boulevard at Sugar Factory. From reggaeton to cumbia, bachata to salsa, Azúcar is the most electric Latin night in the city. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, bachelorette, or just an unforgettable weekend, this is the party you’ve been waiting for. Ages 21+. azucarvegas.com
LAS VEGAS ACES VS. CHICAGO SKY
7 p.m., T-Mobile Arena, axs.com.
STEVE AOKI
10:30 p.m., Omnia Nightclub, taogroup.com.
DON TOLIVER
From the first few notes of its lush and layered opening track, and throughout an 18-song run featuring guests like Travis Scott, Yeat, Rema and Teezo Touchdown, Houston rapper Don Toliver’s fifth studio album, Octane, drew enough hype to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts in February. Now, he’s riding that momentum into the penultimate stop of his 33-show tour in Las Vegas, where he’ll come with plenty of dreamy, synthy trap hits to spin—plus spirited openers like SahBabii, SoFaygo and Chase B. 7:30 p.m., $93+, MGM Grand Garden Arena, $93+, axs.com. –Tyler Schneider
Photos
SATURDAY JULY 4
SPOTLIGHT EVENT
DIVE IN MOVIES
The Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas transforms into a rooftop open-air movie experience each week with Dive In Movies. Guests can float in the pool or lounge poolside while blockbuster favorites play across the resort’s 65-foot digital marquee, set against the Las Vegas Strip skyline. Specialty cocktails, poolside bites and upgraded seating options, including daybeds and cabanas, round out the experience. On Mondays, locals can enjoy additional Unlock Your Mondays perks throughout the property, including complimentary parking Doors at 6:30 p.m., movies at 8 p.m., ticketmaster.com.
FISHER 11 a.m., Palm Tree Beach Club, taogroup.com
SUMMERLIN COUNCIL PATRIOTIC PARADE
9 a.m., Trails Village Summerlin, summerlinpat rioticparade.com.
NATHAN’S FAMOUS HOT DOG EATING CONTEST
QUALIFIER
4 p.m., Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York, newyorknewyork. com.
KATSURA SUNSHINE RAKUGO
7 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com.
LAS VEGAS LIGHTS VS. EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC 7:30 p.m., Cashman Field, lasvegaslightsfc. com.
SAID THE SKY 10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.
DON TOLIVER 10:30 p.m., Zouk Nightclub, zoukgrouplv.com.
MAU P 10:30 p.m., XS Nightclub, wynnsocial.com.
SPOTLIGHT EVENT
GEORGE BIRGE Celebrate Independence Day under the Canopy with George Birge at Downtown Rocks. This free concert takes over the 3rd Street Stage, anchoring a night of live entertainment at Fremont Street Experience. Then look above as fireworks and a special Tribute to America music reel transform the Canopy into a patriotic spectacle in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas. 9 p.m., free, Fremont Street Experience, vegasexperience. com/dtr.
SUBTRONICS
10 p.m., Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com.
STAR SPANGLED BANGER With SayMyName, Hi I’m Ghost, Vastive, more, 7 p.m., the A-Lot at Area15, posh.vip.
MIDLAND 8 p.m., LIV Beach, livnightclub.com.
SMASH MOUTH 7:30 p.m., the Pool at Sahara, ticketmaster.com.
FIREFALL, ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION & ORLEANS 7 p.m., Westgate International Theater, ticketmaster.com.
a For more Fourth of July events, see page 36.
Photos courtesy
S U P E R G U I D E
SUPERGUIDE
TERRIE RIMSON’S FIRST SUNDAY GOSPEL BRUNCH
3:30 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com.
DJ GOODVYBE & HALAU/HAKA 10 a.m., Palms Pool, palms.com.
DILLON FRANCIS With Vavo, noon, Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com.
NGHTMRE 11 a.m., Palm Tree Beach Club, taogroup.com.
BIGXTHAPLUG 11 a.m., Tao Beach, taogroup.com.
DEVAULT
11:30 a.m., LIV Beach, livnightclub.com.
VICE 10:30 p.m., LIV Nightclub, livnightclub.com.
LAS VEGAS ACES VS. INDIANA FEVER
As of press time, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was nursing a recurring back injury, so it’s tough to say whether she’ll suit up against the Aces in the second holiday weekend game to be held at T-Mobile Arena (instead of the local squad’s usual home, Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay). But Sunday’s game is still a key matchup between two of the best teams in each conference, and the Aces will be coming off the Commissioner’s Cup Championship against the Liberty in New York so expect some heat at the Fortress. 4 p.m., $26+, T-Mobile Arena, axs.com. –Brock Radke
EXHIBIT: JUNETEENTH IN THE PRESENT Thru 7/20, Mon.-Thu. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Henderson City Hall, cityofhenderson.com.
EXHIBIT: FREEDOM MOVES Thru 7/23, times vary, Pearson Community Center Gallery, clarkcountynv.gov.
MONDAYS DARK 8 p.m., the Space, mondaysdark.com.
DOOMED POETRY BY AVANTPOP BOOKS 8 p.m., Red Dwarf, reddwarflv.com.
TIMOTHY LUNTUNGAN & FRIENDS
7 p.m., Maxan Jazz, maxanjazz.com.
RONDELL SHERIDAN With Matt Kirshen, Luca Ferro, thru 7/12, 8 p.m., Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club, mgmgrand.com.
GREG WILSON With Ron Josol, thru 7/12, 8 p.m., LA Comedy Club, bestvegascomedy. com.
ERIC DLUX 10:30 p.m., Marquee Nightclub, taogroup.com.
SUPERGUIDE
LAS VEGAS AVIATORS VS. TACOMA RAINIERS Thru 7/11, 7:05 p.m., (& 7/12, noon) Las Vegas Ballpark, ticketmaster.com.
JULIAN MIRANDA 6 p.m., Composers Room, thecomposersroom.com.
SHEPARD’S HONKY TONK CENTRAL 10 p.m., Sand Dollar Lounge, thesanddollarlv.com.
ART BECOMING 7 p.m., the Space, thespacelv.com.
JOHN CAPARULO 9:30 p.m., Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com.
7:30 p.m., Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club, ticketmaster.com.
PRIDE FAMILY BINGO 7 p.m., Area15, lasvegaspride.org.
ENVY & ANDREW DIESSNER 6 p.m., Downtown Summerlin, summerlin.com.
D-MILES 11 a.m., Palm Tree Beach Club, taogroup.com.
ODD MOB 10 p.m., Encore Beach Club, wynnsocial.com.
ERIC FORBES 10 p.m., Ghostbar, palms.com.
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
As temperatures heat up, many of us are longing for the pace of a European summer—a slow morning in a cafe, book in hand or catching up with a friend; browsing in the cool retreat of stores. And while that leisurely tempo can be hard to find in Vegas, it happens almost naturally while spending a day Downtown.
It all starts at Vesta Coffee Roasters, where the smell of house-roasted beans permeates the air. I watch as the in-house master roaster takes his time churning them in the metallic drum until perfectly browned—true craftsmanship. As I weigh my options (should I get the mont blanc, or the half-sweet flat white?), the light pouring in the front window and early-morning hum of the cafe join in a gentle symphony that
slowly nudges me awake. That first sip of foam and brew sooths my spirit and stimulates my mind. Now, I have the wherewithal to think about what’s next in this wide-open day. I jot down some notes in my journal, and as the room begins to fill with busy bees on laptops, I simply stand up and head for the door, cold brew in hand.
Walking deep into the Arts District, my aimless exploration rewards me with remnants of intricate chalk art on the sidewalk, countless murals and, of course, window shopping. One block turns into three and before long, I’ve spent an entire morning browsing storefronts, shelves and racks at Alt Rebel and The Red Kat, picking up bits of small talk and vintage along the way.
After hours of shopping, the sun is high in the sky and unforgiving. I take shelter next
to the ovens of Good Pie. Lucky for everyone there, the pizzeria is blasting its air conditioning, so we can sit elbow to elbow with strangers at the bar and devour our slices and cold beverages comfortably.
Around early afternoon, the objective becomes clear: seek shade. And what better place to do that than in the dark of a matinee at the Beverly Theater? I pay for my ticket and popcorn and settle into velvet-lined seats, ready to kill an hour or two. Moonstruck drags me into a romantic mess, making me feel like a bystander at a family argument that’s too awkward to leave. When it’s over, the noise fades, and I give my eyes some time to adjust in the lobby before stepping back out into the sunlight.
Downtown has begun its daily transformation into a nightlife destination. Where just a few hours ago, Fremont East was practical-
ly empty, it’s now beginning to come alive—bar staff stock fridges, the Griffin switches from serving coffee to booze and revelers wander into Taco Escobar and Evel Pie to line their stomachs before a night of drinking. I thank my past self for making a reservation at Le Thai, where short rib fried rice justifies the trouble I had parking around this area.
I take in the golden hour under Fremont Street Experience’s light canopy. Wandering a little further east, a playground of shipping containers springs up. And while Downtown Container Park needs no introduction, the fire-blowing praying mantis in front does just that. As kids play on the playground, I sit on the patio and gobble up ahi poke nachos, a cold beer and a live violin playing slow jams to the courtyard.
BUY STUFF
Bounce between Sin Amor Studio, Akin Cooperative, Antique Alley Mall and the neighborhood’s growing collection of vintage and resale shops and pick up your
EAT THIS
Packed with egg, bacon, hash brown, cheddar and habanero ketchup on brioche, it’s the kind of breakfast sandwich that makes you reconsider every breakfast sandwich that came before it.
HANG OUT
As the sun goes down, Fergusons Downtown, Atomic Liquors and Fremont Street become prime people-watching territory. Grab a drink, claim a patio seat and settle in as the neighborhood shifts into a nighttime rager.
Embark on a cinematic journey through the glittering streets of Las Vegas with the Movies Tour at The Neon Museum. Our guided experience invites film enthusiasts and city explorers alike to delve into the iconic backdrops and neon-lit landscapes that have graced the silver screen.
Photo illustration
Vesta by Steve Marcus; jeans and truck Shutterstock
CREATED AND
PRESENTED BY
STATION CASINOS
Station Casinos celebrates 50 years with plenty of shows, displays, deals and much more
From humble beginnings (a 5,000-square-foot room with 100 slot machines), Station Casinos has become one of the titans of the Las Vegas Valley over the last five decades, accommodating both visitors and locals and boasting some of the best restaurant, entertainment, gaming and pool party options in Southern Nevada. It’s an empire that just continues to grow and thrive, and this month the company—which now includes Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock Resort, Durango Casino & Resort, Boulder Station, Santa Fe Station, Palace Station and Sunset Station—celebrates its 50th birthday in style with celebrations all month long.
LIVE MUSIC! + GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY G O L D E N O P P
The fun continues throughout July with live entertainment (all shows begin at 8 p.m.), including:
• Beatles tribute Fab Four at Santa Fe Station’s Chrome Showroom (July 3-4).
• Complimentary poolside show ’90s Station, featuring the pop hits of that decade, at Palace Station (July 4).
• American singer-songwriter Grace Potter at Green Valley Ranch’s Backyard Amphitheater (July 10).
• American rock band Los Lonely Boys at Boulder Station’s Railhead (July 11).
• American country singer-songwriter Cole Swindell at Red Rock Resort’s Sandbar (July 18).
• Sunset Jazz Series Presents: Patrick Lamb at Sunset Station’s Side Lawn (July 18).
• The hits of legendary band Queen at One Night of Queen at Durango Casino & Resort’s Bel-Aire Backyard (July 24).
One Night at Queen photo by pixL photography by Laura Mullen, Palace Station fireworks by David Becker, Red Rock Resort fireworks by Denise Truscello, all other courtesy photos
Cole Swindell
Boulder Station
Grace Potter
One Night of Queen
FIREWORKS!
Palace Station kicked off the festivities this past Wednesday night, on the exact day of the property’s 50th anniversary, with a fireworks and drone show to remember!
On July 4, most of the Station properties launch their own fireworks displays (presented by Fireworks by Grucci), all at 9 p.m. The shows at all properties (except Durango Casino & Resort) can be viewed for free from surface parking lots, while the Sunset Station show can be viewed for free from either the surface parking lots or the outdoor amphitheater. The following upgraded fireworks viewing packages can be purchased at Durango Casino & Resort, Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Resort, starting at $35 for adults and $10 for children. You can either buy these VIP packages online (plus applicable fees) or in person at gift shops:
of the property’s 50th anniversary, with a fireworks and drone show to remember! can be viewed for free from surface parking lots, while the Sunset Station show can be for free from either the surface parking lots or the outdoor amphitheater. The following upgraded fireworks viewing packages can be purchased at Durango Casino & Resort, Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Resort, starting at $35 for adults and $10 for children. You can either buy these VIP packages online (plus applicable fees) or in person at gift shops: compli-
• Durango Casino & Resort’s Bel-Aire Backyard includes a live DJ, complimentary glow sticks, a cash bar and food for purchase.
mentary glow sticks, a cash bar and food for purchase.
• Green Valley Ranch’s poolside party at The Backyard features a live DJ, a cash bar and complimentary Bomb Pops and glow sticks. Burgers and hot dogs are available for purchase.
cash bar and complimentary Bomb Pops and glow sticks. Burgers and hot dogs are available for purchase.
• Red Rock Resort’s poolside experience includes a live DJ, a cash bar, complimentary Bomb Pops and glow-in-the-dark swag, and food for purchase.
OPPORTUNITY P O R T U N I T Y
THROWBACK DEALS! GIFTS AND COLLECTIBLES!
Local invited guests will enjoy exciting 50th anniversary-themed gift days throughout the month! Also, guests can sign up for a Boarding Pass and earn 300 same-day base points to quality for each gift on that day—it’s that easy!
Gifts include:
• A 50th full-zip windbreaker (July 10).
• A 50th hat and T-shirt combo (July 24).
• A 50th quarter-zip pullover (July 31).
Collectibles include:
• Commemorative Collector’s Chips for purchase.
• Branded Boarding Pass cards for eligible guests.
• Hit a slot jackpot of $2,000 or more and get a throwback reversible satin casino jacket all month long.
Party like it’s the old days of Las Vegas with some truly amazing drink and food specials across the Station Casinos properties, including:
• $1.99 margaritas and $3 beers and shots at all casino bars.
• $2.99 shrimp cocktail at Palace Station and Boulder Stations (with a Boarding Pass).
• $5.99 cheeseburger and fries 24/7 across all cafes (with a Boarding Pass).
• $9.99 late-night steak and eggs at select properties from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (with a Boarding Pass).
MAKING A MEMORY
Time once was, if you wanted a photo, you had to find the nearest photo booth. Well, this month, every property in the Station Casinos family will feature vintage photo booths! For $5 (for those 21 and over), you can get a vintage photo strip and a digital copy. So put that phone away and truly savor the nostalgic moment.
Station from moment.
Red Rock Resort
Palace Station
STAYCATION SEASON
BY LAS VEGAS WEEKLY STAFF
Gas prices are, oh my, so high. Jet fuel hikes, the loss of low-price carriers like Spirit and off-again, on-again TSA staff shortages have made air travel a chore. But you have a distinct advantage over many others looking to take some time off this summer: You already live in one of the world’s top vacation spots, and its famous resort properties are cutting summertime deals. You can take the bite out of Vegas’ sizzle season by enjoying a prime staycation on the cheap. We’ll tell you how, where, how much you’ll pay and how much you get.
Some Vegas observers have described Fremont Street’s nearly 6-year-old, adults-only, 600-room hotel and casino Circa as the first sports-themed resort in Las Vegas. The entire property feels built around the magnificent sportsbook, and most of its amenities frame that energetic experience in a special way. Whether you’re betting or just watching, this is the place, and fans truly appreciate the old-school Downtown Vegas vibes woven into a very modern environment.
But you don’t have to be obsessed with the World Cup, Major League Baseball or any other summer sport to take advantage of the $400 All-In Package, a grand slam of a deal that gets you a two-night stay Sunday through Thursday, a $100 beverage credit, a $100 dining credit and a daybed at the one-of-a-kind rooftop pool experience Stadium Swim, with all resort fees and taxes included. If you can’t travel this summer to catch your team’s away game at a great ballpark in a great city, the luxurious Stadium Swim will be the next best thing. And the dining credit goes a long way at Circa’s stellar eateries including Barry’s Downtown Prime, Saginaw’s Deli, Victory Burger, the local favorite 8 East or Project BBQ out on the Fremont Street Experience.
And you’re Downtown, so when the game or match concludes, it’s a short journey to finally catch up on all the Fremont East and Arts District bar-hopping you’ve been procrastinating. Available through September 10. (circalasvegas.com)
The newest big and fancy sportsbook in the neighborhood is the STN spot at Durango, where VIP seating reservations are available for select World Cup games, drink specials include $2 margaritas and $3 shots, and nearby, The George Sportsmen’s Lounge is hosting watch parties and serving up a killer $6 cheeseburger special around the clock. With the Nevada Locals StaCation discounts—available with a Nevada ID at all Station Casinos—you’ll get the best available rate at Durango and pay no resort fees. (durangoresort.com) –Brock Radke
The George by Christopher DeVargas
Courtesy/Black Raven Films/ Edyta Sokolowska
LEFT STADIUM SWIM at Circa
BELOW THE GEORGE at Durango
Pack that bag and pile the kids into the car. We’re staying in Vegas, baby. MGM Resorts International just dropped an all-inclusive package across two hotel-casinos, with experiences built for the whole household.
For $330, you’ll land two nights at either Luxor or Excalibur, with the added bonus of three meals a day for two, covered across select restaurants: The Buffet and Tap Sports Bar at Excalibur and Pyramid Café, Backstage Deli, Public House, and Diablo’s Cantina at Luxor. Kids ages 10 and under eat free at The Buffet and Tap Sports Bar’s Excalibur and MGM Grand locations. And the deal feeds you off-property, too, at Mandalay Bay (Noodle Shop, Seabreeze Cafe) and New YorkNew York (Tom’s Watch Bar).
Now with meals off the table, you can focus on some fun. The package scores a free ride on New York-New York’s thrill-seeking Big Apple Coaster, plus two show tickets at Luxor and Excalibur. Catch the acclaimed Mac King Comedy Magic Show with the kids or wander into the whimsical world of Blue Man Group. (mgmresorts.com)
Over at South Point, a family friendly playground rolls out the welcome wagon. The Stay and Play package delivers $25 resort credit, $25 free slot play and two poolside cocktails if you book by July 31. Parents can indulge while kids lounge at South Point’s stadium-seated movie theater or strike up some games at the 64-lane bowling center. As for food, picky eaters will love the Garden Buffet, where breakfast, lunch and prime rib dinner all stay under $60 per person—and kids eat at discounted rates. Who said Vegas isn’t a family-friendly town? (southpointcasino.com) –Amber Sampson
GARDEN
by Wade Vandervort
Photo
BUFFET at South Point
BIG APPLE COASTER at New York-New York
Resorts World feels like it’s approximately half restaurant. Many of the Valley’s heavier hitters—Brezza, Carversteak, Stubborn Seed and the kitchen stalls at Famous Foods Street Eats—are situated here, not to mention Zouk Nightclub, a 5.5-acre pool complex and a world-class theater with a packed summer schedule, from country to comedy.
If you’d like a taste of what’s on Resorts World’s menu, the Conrad Complete package, beginning at $150 per guest, per night with a twoguest minimum, checks nearly all the boxes. The add-on for guests of the property’s Conrad tower gets you free valet service for the length of your stay; private access to the Club 66 VIP Lounge, with its complimentary continental breakfast and three-drink social hour (beer, wine or well), plus a breathtaking Strip view; early access to those seven epic resort pools, with a reserved poolside space and hosted domestic beers and sodas; and most significantly, a prix fixe meal at your choice of Agave Bar & Grill, Fuhu, Kusa Nori, Viva by Ray Garcia or Wally’s. Cap off your day with complimentary admission to Zouk Nightclub any day it’s operating. (rwlasvegas.com)
And if you’d like to sample the newest taste on the Boulevard— Kwame Onwuachi’s Caribbean steakhouse Maroon—the Sahara, its host resort, has a juicy deal for you. Sahara’s Summer Stays deal offers free valet, a “digital savings pass” that includes discounts for poolside concerts and performances of Magic Mike Live, plus BOGO drinks at Casbar Lounge; and a $50 dining credit to Maroon. A two-night stay is required at the property’s standard rates, which generally fall below $100 per night. (saharalasvegas.com) –Geoff Carter
MAROON at Sahara Crispy Chilean sea bass by Wade Vandervort; interior courtesy
FAMOUS FOODS STREET EATS at Resorts World
Photo by Wade Vandervort
For locals, relaxation on the Strip can be hard to find among the overstimulating billboards, street performers and flashing lights—not to mention that for some of us, it’s just another day at the office. The antidote? Navigating the waterways of Vegas’ very own version of Venice. Through September 13, the Venetian is offering 33% off rooms (two-night minimum stay) plus 5% off for those who join Venetian rewards. The booking also includes a credit for spa services ($50 for one service and $100 for two), a $50 beverage credit and BOGO gondola rides.
Let the magic-workers at Canyon Ranch Spa & Fitness (a Forbes Travel Guide-notching destination) melt your stress away with a massage, ritual bath or fabulous blowout. Transport your senses to the south of Italy with a bright and breezy lunch at Lavo—fuel to peruse more than 160 stores at the Grand Canal Shoppes. While you’re there, get some shots for the ‘gram on the charming gondola ride. Refresh with expertly crafted cocktails at Juliet Cocktail Room or Rosina. Take an afternoon nap, and get dressed for your next destination. Mott 32, Nomikai or Tao Asian Bistro offer delectable delights for dinner. Round out the night at Spiegelworld’s engrossing Atomic Saloon Show, where locals can get up to 50% off tickets at spiegelworld.com. (venetianlasvegas.com)
For an off-Strip alternative, Palms offers up to 30% off stays, free cabanas for locals and a $25 food and drink credit at the pool. Eat to your heart’s content at A.Y.C.E. Buffet, relax by the pool, and after the sun goes down, soak in a panoramic view of the Strip at Ghostbar. (palms.com) –Shannon Miller
THE POOL AND GHOSTBAR at Palms
GONDOLA RIDES at Venetian Shutterstock
Courtesy Palms/Ghostbar photos by Patrick Gray
Las Vegas may be the Entertainment Capital of the World, but for devoted music fans, it’s becoming the capital of the long weekend. If you’re already making the pilgrimage to see a favorite artist, why not turn the show into the main event and the afterparty?
Westgate has rolled out packages that bundle two-night stays with two tickets to some of the city’s biggest concerts, like Sphere residencies by the Eagles (starting at $799) and Kenny Chesney (starting at $449). That puts you within walking distance of the Venetian’s endless dining options and the LINQ Promenade’s tourist playground. Other packages from Westgate include Ed Sheeran at Allegiant Stadium (starting at $449) and Mary J. Blige at Dolby Live (starting at $749), pairing the shows and a two-night stay with a cocktail reception with drinks and appetizers, and late checkout for those inevitable post-concert hangovers. The Sheeran and Blige packages sweeten the deal further with an on-call concierge. Considering what concert tickets alone cost these days, the math is surprisingly favorable here. (westgateresorts.com)
For locals looking to escape without really leaving town, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas offers its Very Important Vegas Local package, with up to 35% off room rates and waived resort and parking fees. Time your stay around a show (like Interpol on August 16) at The Theater, which has become one of the city’s most reliable rooms for touring acts. Then settle into the property’s lowkey cool factor, coastal Italian plates and picturesque interiors at Kassi Beach House, followed by cocktails at the luxurious Shag Room. This is the kind of staycation that reminds you why people travel here in the first place. (virginhotelslv.com) –Gabriela Rodriguez
WESTGATE
KENNY CHESNEY
KASSI BEACH HOUSE at Virgin
PAUL BANKS of Interpol
Hotel photos courtesy; Interpol and Kenny Chesney/AP
IN THE NEWS
Nevada invests millions in conservation and outdoor recreation
A $42 million investment announced this month by Gov. Joe Lombardo and the Conserve Nevada Program is heading into the next phase, with money directed to trails, habitat restoration and recreation infrastructure across the state.
Conserve Nevada, under the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will distribute more than $12 million in grants to preserve nearly 35,000 acres of recreation area and critical habitats while opening
ARTS DISTRICT TO WELCOME NEW PARKING GARAGE
nearly 49,000 acres to the public.
Much of the money is flowing into Northern Nevada waterways. Officials also flagged “significant investments” at marquee destinations including Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and McCullough Hills in Clark County.
Rounding out the conservation work: wildfire mitigation in the Ruby Mountains and Warm Springs Natural Area, postfire landscape restoration
in the Carson City Bureau of Land Management District, and wetland and riverbank enhancements in Smith Valley in southwestern Lyon County. Outdoor recreation is a $24 billion industry in Nevada, generating nearly $14 billion in total economic output, supporting more than 75,000 jobs and contributing $8.8 billion to the state’s gross domestic product, according to a November report from the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation.
–Grace Da Rocha
A new 500-space parking garage coming to the Las Vegas Arts District will cost drivers $3 per hour with a daily maximum of $15, officials with the city of Las Vegas announced, along with a package of street parking changes designed to ease access to the popular neighborhood. The five-story, $25 million garage at 1421 S. Casino Center Blvd. is set to open at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 29 at 1421 S. Casino Center Blvd. The structure will also feature leasable retail space and a large mural. The project was funded by the city and its redevelopment agency, with $5 million coming from the city’s parking enterprise fund, which draws revenue from downtown parking meters. Up to 50 spaces will accommodate electric vehicle charging. –Las Vegas Sun Staff
“Today, the Supreme Court upheld a fundamental American value: if you’re born in the United States, you’re an American citizen. There is no question—birthright citizenship has been and will continue to be a part of our Constitution. It’s past time for the attacks on our nation’s core ideals to end.”
–U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) on the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Barbara, which found that President Donald Trump’s executive order outlawing birthright citizenship was unconstitutional.
RED, FLIGHT AND BLUE
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the official aerial demonstration team of the U.S. Air Force, perform a flyover above Hoover Dam, adorned with a 300-foot-wide by 150-foot-tall American flag, on June 30. The Thunderbirds will travel to Washington, D.C., for the Salute to America250 celebration.
TWIN PEAKS AT THE BEV
David Lynch’s 1990 surrealist horror drama series Twin Peaks—about a small Pacific Northwest town shaken by the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), and the FBI agent (Kyle MacLachlan) trying to crack the case—is hitting the big screen. The Beverly Theater presents the complete first season of Twin Peaks on Tuesdays in July (some nights with multiple episodes). Settle in with your popcorn and remember—the owls are not what they seem. Tickets are available at thebeverlytheater.com. –Staff
(Photo by Steve Marcus)
READTO WIN!
Sign up for the Library District’s Summer Challenge program to enjoy reading whatever you like, earn cool rewards, and participate in fun events!
COOL EVENTS!
All participants ages 0 – 17 receive a book reward, and participants ages 18+ receive a Book Buck that can be redeemed for any one item at any Library District bookstore. Participants of all ages also receive a voucher for five free boneless wings from Wingstop.
Then, when you complete the challenge, you will receive a voucher for a free treat from Freed’s Bakery, one free personal pizza from Pizza Hut, and your choice of one of these cool rewards.
& TEENS AGES 0 – 17
Paige Hernandez - Havana Hop*
Dance along in this interactive play as the hero discovers her fun, multicultural heritage by blending hip-hop and salsa.
Tuesday, July 14 at 11 a.m.
West Charleston Library
Wednesday, July 15 at 11 a.m
Clark County Library
Enjoy a fun, magical show highlighting the importance of a growth mindset!
Tuesday, July 14 at 4 p.m.
West Las Vegas Library
Wednesday, July 15 at 11 a.m.
Centennial Hills Library
Ages 3-12
Make a fun craft honoring this year’s Summer Challenge theme!
Monday, July 6 at 4 p.m.
Enterprise Library
Paige in Full with Paige Hernandez*
Move your body in this beat-filled visual mixtape that blends poetry, dance, media, and music.
Tuesday, July 14 at 4 p.m.
West Charleston Library
Ages 12 – 17
Scan here for event details
Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m.
Clark County Library & 4:30 p.m.
Summerlin Library
The New York Times, NPR, and the Harvard Journal of African American Public Policy, among others.
Wednesday, July 29 at 6 p.m.
Sahara West Library
Magical Mindset with Miss Fairy G*
CrafTeen - Mythical Beast Shadowboxes
Forgotten Fiddles with Medusa* Enjoy a music workshop exploring the history of some of the rarest instruments in the world.
Author Visit with Tochi Onyebuchi Tochi will discuss his book “Goliath” and his creative writing process. His work has appeared in
Buskers push for fairness in Fremont Street Experience lottery system
The state of
STREET PERFORMING
BY TYLER SCHNEIDER
On the night of October 10, 2025, Toney Foote was only doing what he’d done on Fremont Street for the past decade—moonwalking in Michael Jackson garb— when a city of Las Vegas security officer handed him a citation. The charge? Stepping just outside of his designated six-foot performance circle.
According to court filings, Foote wasn’t even caught in the act by the officer who wrote the ticket. Instead, a city surveillance investigator at the Fremont Street Experience spotted him on the security footage and reported it. Foote returned home with a misdemeanor hanging over his head.
He linked up with the ACLU of Nevada, which agreed to defend him on the grounds that a Las Vegas city ordinance—dictating where, when and how performers like Foote can busk in the Fremont Street area—violated his First Amendment rights.
The city relented, officially dropping the charges in early June. Weeks later, it hosted a June 22 town hall event to hear feedback from performers and discuss potential changes to the ordinance. Foote and roughly three dozen others showed up.
Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the ACLU of Nevada, described Foote’s experience to the Weekly as “an insane outcome that should never happen.”
“I don’t know if Foote’s nowdropped case played a role in the [city’s] latest revision efforts,” he added. “But that matter highlights why the circle system is problematic.”
City Attorney Jeff Dorocak opened the town hall by noting that it was still early in the process, with any rule revisions ultimately subject to city council approval.
“We took our medicine right away,” Dorocak said of the early feedback the city has recieved.
“We’re here to work together and find a way to come up with ideas that we think will help make that pedestrian mall enjoyable again for everybody.”
Karina, a tourist from Nicaragua, poses for a photo with street performers
Justin Wright, left, and Emilio Rodriguez at the Fremont Street Experience on June 26 in Downtown Las Vegas. (Photo by Steve Marcus)
THE RULES
Last updated in 2015, the ordinance establishes a daily lottery system that’s used to assign participating independent street performers to one of at least 38 designated sixfoot performance circles along Fremont Street. Winners can occupy their chosen circle for two-hour increments between 3 p.m. and 1 a.m.
Outside of the lottery hours, performers are free to use any circle on a first-come, firstserved basis without having to register. There’s also a designated “free zone” in the middle of the mall area where no registration is required at any hour. However, most performers say the assigned circles are the best real estate at the perfect times of day.
One issue is that the ordinance’s current enforcement policies leave little room for nuance. As Foote discovered, any violation—including stepping outside a circle—is a misdemeanor.
Nearly every performer at the town hall also cited a “broken” lottery system that has made it difficult for them to win a circle. Unknown individuals or parties have been creating duplicate accounts, they say, effectively rigging it in their favor by registering for multiple daily entries. Some of them will then auction off spots they won to buyers through platforms like CashApp. City officials acknowledged both issues as legitimate.
Kelvin Gordon, a Chicago-born contortionist and tai-chi instructor who’s been fitting himself into a box on Fremont Street since 2012, tells the Weekly the lottery has been “abused by people with computer hacking skills.”
“They get their friends to sign up, or they’ll make bogus emails, and the next thing you know, you have people with like 150 [entry] numbers,” Gordon says.
Justin Wright, a strongman performer and daily lottery candidate, estimates that he wins a circle roughly once a
week. And when he does, he says the city inconsistently enforces its own sound ordinance capping the maximum speaker volume in the area.
“You can have a good circle, but then it’s ruined because the person next to you is just blasting music. You can’t even hear yourself talk,” Wright tells the Weekly “Enforcement needs to be possible, and it needs to be fair.”
POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
At the town hall, Deputy City Attorney Gillian Segerblom outlined a set of suggested changes, starting with expanding the lottery circle assignment and enforcement period from its current 3 p.m. start time to 1 p.m.
Other revisions would rewrite how violations are penalized. Segerblom outlined a new proposal that she called “civil enforcement alternative to criminal prosecution.”
First-time offenders would receive a warning, followed by a maximum fine of $250 per subsequent violation. Performers with three or more citations could be suspended from entering the lottery for up to 180 days—though a ban wouldn’t include the free space or extend beyond the enforcement hours.
The city would also rework its anonymous registration portal by issuing free physical street performer identification cards that would include only a photo and a lottery identification code.
In addition to drawing a winner, the lottery would also determine an alternate. If neither claims the circle within an hour, it becomes a first-come, first-served zone until that twohour time slot is up.
The city also floated creating a five-foot buffer zone around each circle to prevent overcrowding, and a “public safety” consideration that would prohibit activities like aerial flips,
jumping, vaulting, balancing maneuvers and simulated fighting in the zone.
THE FEEDBACK
Following the city’s presentation, performers spent the next hour asking questions and pitching their own. Most expressed some support for photo ID cards, with some audibly cheering when Wright suggested adding a small registration fee to discourage fraud.
However, Haseebullah says both possibilities are “nonstarters” for the ACLU of Nevada.
“The ID piece raises serious concerns for us... namely because Fremont Street remains a public street, and data security remains a very real issue. We think that’s illegal,” Haseebullah says. “And if they were to charge a single penny in exchange for entering into this lottery system, it would violate the state constitution instantly.”
He’s also concerned with the proposal to expand the city’s enforcement hours, arguing that it would further “preclude the ability for performers to engage in activity without participating in this lottery.” The city’s rationale is that pedestrian traffic peaks far earlier than the current 3 p.m. start time.
Many performers, including magician Victor Cephas, say they simply want to continue making rent money on their own terms.
“Within the last four years, I actually went homeless,” Cephas says. “And Fremont was my escape, where I don’t have to worry about a job or wait for a check. I haven’t looked back.”
A sign from the Fremont Street Experience (Photo by Steve Marcus)
EXTENDED RESIDENCY
BY GEOFF CARTER
was publishing a full afternoon edition, which meant that to meet the deadline I needed to write the review immediately after the show. I’d go to the Sun’s former offices on Valley View and write a 300 to 400-word review while the assignment photographer, Ethan Miller, developed the photos he took a few hours earlier. We would finish around the same time, at 1 or 2 a.m.
But let me tell you about the venues. For the most part, I’d bounce between the Huntridge Theater, with an audience capacity of approximately 1,000; the original Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel, capacity 1,200; the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, capacity 1,800; and every so often, the Aladdin Theatre (now PH Live), capacity 7,000. In a two-year span, from January 1998 to December 1999, I saw Bauhaus, Van Halen, Morphine, Garbage, Beck,
back further, in 1996, I saw Alanis Morissette, the Fugees, Duran Duran and Tori Amos all in the same month.
Now let’s talk about the present. In the past few months, The Black Keys, Kid Cudi, Post Malone, Meghan Trainor and Zayn, among others, have cancelled shows or entire tours. The music industry nickname for this reticence is “blue dot fever”— meaning, artists and management are possibly looking at all the unsold, blue-dotted seats in a Ticketmaster seating chart and deciding it’s not worth the money and headache.
I fear we’re losing touch with live music in significant ways. I think about the shows that have gotten Vegas pumped up in recent months—No Doubt at Sphere (capacity 20,000), BTS at Allegiant Stadium (concert capacity 50,000 to 70,000). They’re like luxury cars: expensive, available with high-priced extras and seemingly too big to fail. Their seating charts have mercifully
their audiences are drawn to them for reasons that go beyond their music: fan worship, nostalgia. And they’re presented in ways that stress their novelty: “Just wait until you see Gwen Stefani on a 24-story screen.”
The music itself no longer sells the show. People aren’t going to Coachella for the bands; they’re going to make content. Speaking as someone who went to a lot of damn concerts for his job, maybe too many—someone who had the privilege of seeing Lauryn Hill on one night and the responsibility of seeing the [expletive] Rembrandts on another—it’s depressing to think that COVID, corporate consolidation, rising prices and TikTok have managed to do what irate parent groups, government clench-butts and religious zealots couldn’t. They’ve very nearly killed off the simple pleasure of standing too close to the PA, raising your hands in the air and reveling in the sound of a song you’ve only heard before on earbuds.
Listen, though: There’s still hope. My second great burst of Vegas show going, in 2014-2015, was as starry as my 1990s streak: Elvis Costello with The Roots, The Drums, Rakim, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Laura Jane Grace, Yo La Tengo. I saw most of those shows at Brooklyn Bowl, capacity 2,000, and the Bunkhouse, capacity 250— and while the Bunkhouse is gone, the new Swan Dive is proving to be a worthy successor of equivalent intimacy. (And the former Swan Dive, now Bizarre Bar, continues to book shows.) Brooklyn Bowl, House of Blues are still in the game, making solid bookings. And the midsize halls at Park MGM, Fontainebleau and Virgin are decently booked this summer and fall. We must turn back the clock. I don’t even know if that’s possible, with the big bites streaming
the recording artist’s financial ability to take their music on the road. But we have venues smaller than arenas that can accommodate big-ticket artists willing to downscale. We have a growing number of club venues that can be actively and successfully booked if we just freaking show up and engage with the bands—buy vinyl, buy T-shirts, tell our content creation-crazed friends that they missed something real and great. That’s how I start building my show numbers again. That’s how we cure blue dot fever, now and always.
SHOW RADAR
Local creative collective We the Beat announced it is bringing Grammy Award-winning Turnstile back to Las Vegas for a headlining takeover of The Amp at Craig Ranch Regional Park on October 15. Riding the momentum of Never Enough and a years-long ascent from underground fixture to festival mainstay, Turnstile has become one of those rare bands capable of translating hardcore into something fresh that resonates across the broader alternative landscape without sacrificing its roots. Acclaimed comic and rapper Vince Staples , hardcore punk outfit Trash Talk and local skramz band Febuary will round out the bill, reflecting the genre-fluid interests that have come to define Turnstile’s rise. Tickets are available at wethebeat.com –Gabriela Rodriguez
Photo
Illustration
Reality TV icon and restaurateur
Lisa Vanderpump completes her Vegas empire with the fabulous Vanderpump Hotel
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Bravo TV fans will be the first to tell you that what happens in Vegas usually ends up on Vanderpump Rules. Lisa Vanderpump’s messy, West Hollywood reality TV series thrives on a chaotic episode filmed in Vegas. But where the Strip used to be a borrowed backdrop, it now boasts her name on all the marquees, including those on her very first hotel.
At the June grand opening of the Vanderpump Hotel, Vanderpump arrived like a royal in a RollsRoyce, bellmen in lilac purple trailing behind as guests gazed on. In front of a star-studded crowd that included Sharon Osbourne, Lance Bass and reality TV stars from Vanderpump Rules, Vanderpump Villa, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Marciano and Jessi, you’re never beating those dating rumors), she claimed her newfound throne.
“For many years you’ve been coming to my restaurants. We’ve been eating, drinking, chatting the night away, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” Vanderpump said onstage. “So in a way, we’ve been dating. And now finally, after all these years, you get to sleep with me!”
The Strip has seen its share of celebrity chefs but reality TV hoteliers are a first. The opening caps off a Vegas takeover Vanderpump has been mounting
for years, one that started with an early discussion with Caesars Entertainment’s Sean McBurney.
“During that conversation, she said, ‘Why don’t we just take this whole place and make it Lisa’s pal ace?’” said McBurney.
Little did he know, that cheeky comment would come true.
After a blur of Strip openings—Vanderpump Cocktail Garden in 2019, Vanderpump à Paris in 2022, Pinky’s by Vanderpump in 2025—the restau rateur aimed her sights on the Cromwell, reimagin ing the 188-room hotel-casino with lavender accents and vintage, romantic flair. Vanderpump also expands that sultry aesthetic to the gaming floor, adding the new cocktail lounge Gigolo—a tribute to her late Pomeranian Giggy—along with new chande lier crystal, rebranded carpets and fun homages to her London roots.
“I wanted it to be something so different, so personable, so sexy, that it made you feel like you were coming home, even if it was with somebody else’s wife,” she joked. “What nobody sees is what it actually takes, and bloody hell, it was a lot. But I learned something from this project. If you want to look good, surround yourself by brilliance.”
How to get the most out of a night at Vanderpump Hotel’s new Gigolo cocktail lounge
BY AMBER SAMPSON
Those who binged earlier seasons of Vanderpump Rules or The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills still adore Lisa Vanderpump’s fluffy companion, Giggy. The popular Pomeranian stole the hearts of TV viewers for years, up until his death in 2020. With Gigolo, Vanderpump immortalizes her furry friend, who inspired the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, a nonprofit that’s rescued thousands of animals. Begin your night by raising a glass to the 62-inch-tall sculpture of Giggy guarding the lounge.
Located in the former space of Bound Bar, Gigolo captures the essence of every Vanderpump concept that came before. Moody and elegant, it wraps guests in foliage and plush seating made for candlelight conversation. This place welcomes naughty nights and even naughtier company.
Gigolo’s cocktails bear the same flirtatious charm. The jalapeño-infused Hush Hush ($26) comes with a tiny envelope for you to share a secret and lock it away in the Vanderpump vault. And the Talk Dirty to Me ($47) is a shareable martini for two, served with a skewer of olives and a side of innuendo.
The luxury doesn’t end with the libations. The lounge’s caviar service ($160) goes above and beyond your standard bar snack. A tin of Petrossian caviar—the finest you can buy—comes served with potato chips, and a side of Crème fraîche, feta, minced chives and capers. While you’re at it, chase that snack with a Pump ’N’ Bump ($35) caviar martini. You deserve it, darling.
Since 1988, Paymon’s Fresh Kitchen & Lounge has served Las Vegas the best in Mediterranean cuisine, from Persian and Greek to Lebanese, Italian, and more. Celebrate any occasion with us and taste the difference!
Jazz on Wednesdays. Live Entertainment on Weekends.
Talk Dirty to Me cocktails (Courtesy Nikki Ryan Photography)
Catch the fireworks and celebrate Independence Day Vegas-style
BY BROCK RADKE
For those ready to celebrate early, the 32nd annual Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade, Southern Nevada’s largest Fourth of July parade, is an official America250 Nevada designated event. This year’s parade, starting at 9 a.m. at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive in The Trails village of Summerlin, is stocked with 70 entries, including giant inflatable balloons, veteran and military organizations, patriotic and pop culture-themed floats and performing groups ( summerlinpatrioticparade.com ).
As you’ve no doubt noticed, Las Vegas is celebrating America250 with extra fireworks, launched from different Strip resorts on eight consecutive Saturdays through July 25. For the Fourth, a synchronized display will be fired off at 9 p.m. from nine rooftops spanning the Strip Caesars Palace, Treasure Island, Venetian, MGM Grand, Aria, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, Fontainebleau and The Strat. Plan to get to your favorite viewing spot by 8:30 p.m. and bring water.
Station Casinos properties Boulder, Santa Fe and Sunset will offer complimentary fireworks viewing experiences, with upgraded poolside experiences available at the Durango,
Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock resorts (stationcasinos.com).
The Plaza Hotel & Casino is big on fireworks, so much so that it kicks off the holiday with its standard Welcome to the Weekend fireworks show at 9:10 p.m. on July 3. Festivities for the Fourth continue with an all-day rooftop pool party, the Great American Wing Contest, the Happy Dad Beer Pong Tournament, and grand finale fireworks starting at 9 p.m. (plazahotelcasino.com).
The Strat brings back its Party in the Sky on the Observation Deck starting at 5 p.m., including food and drinks, face painting, music by DJ Jerry and the return of the property’s hot dog eating contest for kids and adults (thestrat.com).
Now recognized as an official Major League Eating event—and you can’t get any more patriotic than that—the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Qualifer will be part of the America250 Bridge Bash at the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York at 4 p.m. The event also includes food and beverages, oversized games, face painting, live music and more (newyorknewyork.com).
Henderson’s Heritage Park (350 S. Racetrack Rd.) will host its annual free celebration starting at 6 p.m., featuring live music from Mindy Miller, Collin Raye and the Swing It Girls and a fireworks display starting at 9 p.m. And as part of the celebration, all Henderson public pools offer free swimming on July 4 (cityofhenderson.com).
Sahara will offer a Fourth of July party at its pool starting at 9 a.m., including poolside games and interactive challenges, cocktails and backyard barbecue-inspired food, Perritos by the Pool from LA radio stations Power 106 and KDAY, a concert by Smash Mouth and smashburgers available from NADC Burger (saharalasvegas.com).
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen & Bar at 63 CityCenter will host a party starting at 10 a.m. with barbecue grazing stations, drink specials, fireworks viewing from the terrace and more (jasonaldeansbarlv.com).
The Rockin’ 250 Poolside Firework Celebration at M Pool opens at 10:30 a.m. with live entertainment from Crown Avenue and DJ Justin Sayne starting at 6:45 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. (mpool.uvtix.com).
Area15 is offering a fireworks viewing experiences aboard LIFTOFF, its 130-foot-tall open-air panoramic observation ride. The Red, White & Views experience boards at 8:45 p.m. and the package includes drinks, a light bite at Oddwood, 20 tokens at Asylum Bar & Arcade and admission to Laser Maze, Origin Quest and Looper (area15.com).
Fontainebleau is not just a Strip fireworks launch station, it will also host a viewing party from the elevated outdoor Oasis Pool Deck starting at 7 p.m. Guests can enjoy small bites and drinks poolside ( fontainbleaulasvegas.com ).
UnCommons will host a Fourth of July fireworks viewing party starting at 7 p.m. on its Parking Structure 1, offering views of the Durango’s display set for 9 p.m. Guests may purchase wine from Wineaux and beverages from Blue Bottle Coffee. Free parking is available when entering between 7 and 10 p.m. (uncommons.com).
High Steaks Vegas at the Rio, always offering panoramic views of the Las Vegas skyline, hosts a fireworks viewing party starting at 7 p.m. including specialty drinks and live music. Reservations are required for those planning to dine (highsteaks.vegas).
Ellis Island Casino offers fireworks viewing from the Deck Rooftop Bar starting at 8 p.m., a party including a live DJ, full bar service and lounge seating (ellisislandcasino.com).
Courtesy/David Becker
At Diamond Spur , chef turned rancher Marc Marrone makes ethically raised meats more accessible
BY GABRIELA RODRIGUEZ
Marc Marrone has spent much of his career feeding Las Vegas.
As a longtime executive chef for Tao Group Hospitality, he built menus for some of the city’s busiest and iconic restaurants and dayclubs. Today, he’s focused on feeding families through a different kind of destination.
The chef turned rancher recently opened Diamond Spur Butcher Shop & Deli with business partner Todd Lunger, bringing regeneratively raised meats, prepared foods and neighborhood market charm to southwest Las Vegas.
At the heart of the concept is a simple promise that customers should know exactly where their food comes from.
“We realized that the only way that I could confidently look you in the eye and tell you what’s in something is to do it ourselves and raise it,” Marrone says.
His path to ranching was unconventional. It began through a friend’s equine therapy program that paired rescued wild mustangs with veterans and first responders coping with PTSD. After completing the program himself, Marrone learned to train horses, acquired land to support rescue efforts and, through veteran rancher Cindy Tolle, found himself immersed in the world of cattle ranching.
What he discovered was a food system increasingly detached from the people it serves.
“Traceability is a word that’s being thrown around quite a lot lately,” Marrone says.
Today, through Evergreen Ranching, Mar-
Marc Marrone
8241 S. Fort Apache Road #101, 702-763-3567, instagram.com/ eatdiamondspur. Daily, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
rone and his partners steward tens of thousands of acres across Arizona and South Dakota, where cattle roam open pasture rather than crowded feedlots. Their approach embraces regenerative ranching, a philosophy that views livestock not as industrial inputs but as participants in a larger ecological choreography.
“Regenerative ranching is using herd animals the way they’re supposed to be used,” Marrone says. “They free-graze, fertilize the land and help create a self-sustaining ecosystem.”
The result, Marrone says, is beef and other proteins raised without antibiotics or added hormones at prices often lower than those found at grocery stores.
Despite its lofty agricultural ideals, Diamond Spur remains refreshingly unpretentious. Inspired by the neighborhood markets Marrone grew up on in New York City’s Arthur Avenue, the shop is filled with vintage touches and playful details, from framed Las Vegas memorabilia and retro cowboy motifs to a decorative payphone with names of characters from The Sopranos
on the call card.
Most tellingly, customers stream through the door and only weeks after opening, many are already greeted by name.
The butcher case glistens with meticulously trimmed cuts of pasture-raised beef—ribeye marbled like topography, thick New York strips, briskets destined for low-and-slow transformation, and oxtails rich with possibility. Nearby, shelves of sauces and pantry provisions stand ready to complete the meal, while a refrigerated case overflows with housemade accompaniments designed to make dinner feel effortless.
Then there’s the deli, where culinary pedigree meets blue-collar comfort. Made-toorder steak frites, succulent meatball heroes, cheeseburgers and chicken Caesar Parmesan sandwiches emerge from the kitchen piping hot and ready to be devoured.
For Marrone, Diamond Spur is a true effort to reconnect people with the source of their food while making quality ingredients accessible to the community that has supported his career for decades.
Photos by Wade Vandervort
Hot Chicken Caesar Hero
Ranch steak frites
SHOPPERS KEEP SPENDING EVEN AS INFLATION HITS THE PUMP
BY KATIE ANN MCCARVER VEGAS INC STAFF
American consumers have remained relatively resilient against gas prices that spiked as a result of the war in Iran, according to David Tinsley, managing director and senior economist at the Bank of America Institute.
While people may have been expected to reduce discretionary spending as gas costs about $4.50 a gallon, Bank of America’s credit and debit card spending growth data in May showed spending— without gas—still ran close to the strongest it’s been for three or four years, Tinsley said.
“The overall story we found in our data, actually, is that the consumer has been really amazingly resilient to higher gas prices, all told,” said Tinsley, who uses Bank of America’s proprietary data of more than 70 million consumers and small-business accounts to assess consumers.
For some time, lower-income households’ spending growth has been weaker than higher-income households, Tinsley said, though he noted he doesn’t believe that gap has widened in the past few months with the conflict in the Middle East. If anything, he said, the gap may have narrowed.
Lower-income households may be more likely to work in service, leisure and hospitality, construction or other industries that cannot be completed in a work-from-home framework, Tinsley said.
“When you think of a lower-income household’s budget, they have much less flex in it than, say, a higher-income household’s budget, to absorb the gasoline,” he said. “So that’s been a kind of increased headwind to them. But we haven’t overall found, even for lower-income households, that they’ve had to pull back too aggressively on spending growth outside of gas.”
One reason for the latter may be higher tax refunds this year compared to the last, Tinsley said. Bank of America’s data show a bump of roughly 10% in the money in people’s accounts as a result of such refunds, he said.
“I think those higher tax refunds ... have helped people weather the gasoline shock,” Tinsley said. “Back in the end of last year, everybody thought that One Big Beautiful Bill Act higher refunds would probably support spending, and then the gasoline shock came along, and people got a bit blindsided by the gas shock.
“But actually, as of now, it sort of does look like the refunds have supported spending. So there’s a … very important question mark about where we’ll go from here.”
Tax refunds will wane, for example, Tinsley said, and a boost in spending that can likely be attributed to World Cup events in the U.S. will also decline over time, so he thinks “the situation will become more challenging.”
Bank of America’s findings seem to contradict other studies on the impact of high gas prices on household budgets in the U.S., including the results of a Gallup poll published June 25 in which two-thirds of Americans surveyed said fuel costs have caused them financial hardship.
Moody Analytics also estimated that war-induced inflation and its impact on gas, groceries
and utilities is costing the average American household several hundred dollars, noted Stephen Miller, professor of economics and director of research at the Center for Business and Economic Research at UNLV.
The demand for gasoline is fairly inelastic, meaning there’s little reduction in the quantity purchased even as prices rise significantly, Miller said. The price of crude oil affects, down the line, the price of food and groceries, he said.
“The average person is pretty much aware that grocery prices have gone up—question is, how much? And how much has it affected their budget?” he said. “And we also know that people are eating more at home. … That’s a function of affecting restaurant prices, as well.”
President Donald Trump signed an agreement with Iran in June calling for an end to hostilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The passageway’s closure prompted the energy crisis, as reported by the Associated Press.
Crude oil still has to come through the Strait of Hormuz, go to a refinery, ship to wholesalers and then to retailers, Miller said. So it takes time for a change in the market to be reflected in the price at the pump.
“The price rise for gasoline tends to be pretty rapid. … The price fall tends to be much slower,” Miller said.
Photo illustration
Red, White & Delicious
Red Rock Resorts Inc. appointed J. Colby Williams as executive vice president and general counsel, succeeding Jeffrey Welch, who is retiring. Welch will continue to provide transition support and other services through December 31. Williams is expected to join the organization on or around September 8 and will oversee and execute the company’s legal, regulatory and compliance matters.
KemperSports unveiled the venue’s new identity, Henderson Sport & Social at the corner of St. Rose and Maryland Parkways. It is designed as a destination where competitive play and community connection carry equal weight.
The leadership behind Yaham LED US announced that Elite Displays, its specialized division for custom engineering and global sourcing, will take the lead as the primary brand for international operations. Under the leadership of CEO Cici Zhang, a UNLV Lee Business School alumna, Elite Displays bridges the gap between global production and local execution.
Henderson was named a finalist for the 2026 National Gold Medal Award for excellence in park and recreation management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration
Southern Nevada Senior Law Program appointed Dr. Brittnie Watkins, chief compliance officer at Boyd Gaming Corporation and former chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, to its board of directors. A former litigation partner at Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, she also clerked for
Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael Douglass (retired) and has given countless hours to pro bono service and community advocacy.
Wow Carwash is turning miles into hope with Racing for Wishes, a multistate racing campaign dedicated to raising at least $10,000 for Make-A-Wish Nevada to help grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in Nevada. There are three ways for people to support Racing for Wishes through September 30:
n Pledge per mile: Commit to a donation amount for every mile Wow Carwash CEO Heath Pomerantz completes on racetracks by signing up on the Racing for Wishes Pledge-Per-Mile donor page.
n Wash for Wishes: Visit any Wow Carwash location and use promo code WISH when purchasing a single wash via the WOW app, and Wow Carwash will donate $2 from every qualifying wash to Make-A-Wish Nevada.
n Give directly: Make a one-time or recurring donation online.
Illusions Attractions, the company behind Dinosaur Outpost, has acquired Velocity Esports, a family entertainment venue at Town Square Las Vegas. The space will be rebranded as Velocity Vegas with a renewed focus on its arcade, bowling, and food and beverage offerings, serving families, groups and visitors a dynamic, social experience. While the venue previously featured competitive gaming elements, the new ownership plans to emphasize accessible, high-energy attractions designed for broad, all-ages appeal.
JOB LISTING
UTILITIES COORDINATOR PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATE
at Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Henderson, NV: Coordinate utility on roadway and transportation projects. 10% local travel. Salary: $125,986 - $132,775/yr. Apply at: https://careers.jacobs.com/. Req # 40994.
JOB LISTING
DIRECTOR FOR RESEARCH, TEACHING, AND CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE (LAS VEGAS, NV)
Resp for planning & execution of research-facing technologies for the university, in collaboration w/ other institutions, & the national research & education technology community. PhD, Comp Sci, Electrical Engg, or rltd field. 1 yr exp providing research info technology svcs in a research-intensive higher education setting, to incl some solid exp in each of the following: leading & managing a research IT team, incl strategic planning, budgeting, stakeholder collaboration to meet institutional research technology needs; dvlpg & implmtg research cyberinfrastructure strategies; dsgng & implmtg data governance, cybersecurity, & compliance frameworks aligned w/ federal stds, incl NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, export control, & IRB reqmts. MUST send CV & cover letter to rochelle.hauburger@unlv.edu or Rochelle Hauburger, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154 w/in 30 days, ref Job #W2025-033. #LI-DNI #DNI
Inc’s Angel Awards recognize Southern Nevada’s most philanthropic businesses and nonprofits. Nominate to help us honor the kindness and generosity of some of the community’s most service-minded individuals and organizations.
PREMIER CROSSWORD HOROSCOPES “NO HAIR HERE”
BY FRANK LONGO
BREZSNY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Archaeologists studying ancient wells discovered that communities dug to the current water table, used it for years, then probed deeper when water levels dropped. This is a useful metaphor for you. You don’t yet have the tools to reach the deepest layers you aspire to reach. Go as far as you can now; later, you will build on what came before.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The superstition that Mercury retrograde causes scrambled messages is dull and misguided. The planet’s apparent backward motion happens about three times a year and is perfectly normal. It isn’t threatening unless you obsess over the idea that it is. Treat the time between now and July 23 as a rich opportunity to upgrade how you communicate.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): You Gemini readers have decreed that I must halt all musings about riddle-drenched ambiguity and deliver plainspoken facts. Well, OK. I will advise you: 1. Unexpected gifts are coming from situations in transition. 2. Tough but friendly interventions will nudge you toward healthy course corrections. 3. Mysterious assistance is on its way.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): There are phases when cosmic energies urge you to put others first, but this isn’t one of them. Right now, sacrificing yourself would obstruct the flow of righteous grace into your life. Summon your inventive brilliance to imagine generous ways to care for yourself. Take the loving care you pour into others and lavish it wholeheartedly on yourself.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In most fields, a few people are brilliant, a handful are harmful, and most fall between “not great” and “pretty good.” Never assume an authority figure is wise based on longevity or slick promotion. Balance your hopefulness with judgment, with your own clear-eyed review.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Architects trying to balance the human need to see expansively with the need for safe retreat know that too much exposure creates anxiety, while too much enclosure brings claustrophobia. Use this as a metaphor for your life. Create an equilibrium between engagement and privacy, making it easy to observe the larger scene and withdraw when needed.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Skeptics love to sneer at astrologers, yet mainstream forecasters routinely trigger false alarms and miss major shifts. Honestly, those professionals of probability create more confusion than those of us who read the heavens. Every forecast or projection crossing your path over the next month will miss the mark—except for this one. Free yourself of their meddling.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Certain Indigenous traditions work with “teacher plants” that offer spiritual instruction when approached with extraordinary attention. In the spirit of reinventing your education, expand your understanding of your teachers. What ordinary elements of daily life might offer wisdom if you engage them with deep respect? Now is an excellent time to seek new apprenticeships.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Tantra and other spiritual paths propose that the universe is born afresh in every instant through the sacred, erotic interplay of God and Goddess. When humans approach lovemaking as an experimental sacrament, we can tune into the union of those primordial forces. Are you ready for a bit of world-making erotic play? The current indicators say yes.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): A common obstacle to healthy intimacy is the belief that a beloved ally should automatically know what you need without a word. This romantic delusion sabotages even the most promising bonds. In the weeks ahead, Capricorn, starve this fantasy. Your intimate world is ripe for a fresh infusion of lucid, straightforward honesty.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your next few weeks will be sponsored by CoffeeBeer, the paradoxical elixir that pumps up your energy and decompresses your defenses. You will epitomize what occurs when a sensitive soul gets excited and mellows out simultaneously. You will soon explore intriguing opportunities available because of your supercharged calm, with cosmic forces conspiring to help you.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Finish this sentence: “The one thing that really keeps me from being myself is ____.” Whether it is an old story, fear of loss, or a secret shame, whatever first pops into your mind is closest to the truth. Loosen the grip of this stressor by just 20 percent, and your real self will bloom more fully.
BACKSTORY
HARD ROCK HOTEL GUITAR TOWER CONSTRUCTION
JUNE 26, 2026
Nearly at its planned height of 660 feet and 42 stories, the guitar-shaped tower of the new Hard Rock Las Vegas Hotel & Casino rises on the land formerly occupied by the Mirage and its tropical volcano. This massive hotel—already the third-tallest structure on Las Vegas Boulevard, behind the Strat tower at 1,149 feet and the Fontainebleau at 735 feet— has redefined our skyline, and that’s saying something for a resort corridor with a giant sphere, a Lego-like replica of Manhattan and a pyramid with a beam of light shooting out the top. It blocks views of the Trump hotel tower from northbound Strip traffic and completely dominates everything surrounding it—a visual power chord.
–Geoff Carter
Photo by Steve Marcus
THE BEST FIREWORKS VIEWS
60 FLOORS UP
Celebrate summer high above Las Vegas with panoramic 60th-floor views, live DJs, handcrafted cocktails, and front-row seats to the city’s most spectacular fireworks.
WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND
EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT | 9PM
Kick off your weekend at Legacy Club with complimentary entry, live DJ sets, specialty cocktails, and breathtaking views of fireworks from the 60th floor.
STAR-SPANGLED GLAMOUR
SATURDAY, JULY 4 | 7PM
Take in breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Valley as fireworks light up the summer sky. Sip specialty cocktails, enjoy patriotic bites, and experience live music from the rooftop.
FREEDOM FIREWORKS PARTY
SATURDAY, JULY 18 | 9PM
Celebrate America250 from 60 floors above the city, where the spirit of the nation comes alive. Enjoy complimentary entry, a live DJ, and an electric atmosphere for the fireworks display.
