The Mirage
Music
Maybe He’s Amazed
How does it feel to be Paul McCartney on the fifth anniversary of Beatles Love?
June 16th, 2011
In the end, from what I could tell from the rest of the audience, we all agree. The Beatles Love has become a work of art in its own right, almost independent from its inspiration. Beyond all the hubbub of a visiting legend, there’s still this incredible show, which has already performed for a slightly less-than-exclusive 4.3 million audience members. And for those who seek inclusivity, there’s even a Summer of Cirque promotion, during which you can get a pair of Love tickets for $100. Read more »
Cocktail Culture
Patrón of the Arts
The Fresh King, as served at King Ink in The Mirage, $14
June 2nd, 2011
Hot, hot heat! Patrón Silver tequila gets crowned with the aid of fresh jalapeño, cilantro, muddled cucumber and a bit of lime. Bar manager, award-winning mixologist and world champion flair bartender Christian Oldan says the Fresh King is a perfect gateway cocktail for someone who might have some preconceived notions about tequila. “Something refreshing for summertime with a bit of a kick from the jalapeño—a bit sweet and tart at the same time.” Oldan said. Read more »
Summer Survival Guide: The Job
Someone’s Gotta Do It
The hard-knock life of a Vegas Strip lifeguard
May 19th, 2011
You can see the world unfolding in front of Jon Berberich. He’s got this little grin, it’s a half grin, a grin that says, Is this for real? He’s 18, and he’s a lifeguard on the Las Vegas Strip. Eighteen, with a cool haircut, sitting on a chair at The Mirage’s pool, surrounded by hot chicks in bikinis under a waterfall, being paid to jump in and perform CPR at a moment’s notice. Is this for real? Read more »
The Deal
Moms eat free
May 5th, 2011
I’ve never liked eating holiday meals in a casino restaurant. The spreads they put together are good and usually represent a value, but something about spending Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter in a casino just doesn’t seem quite right. Mother’s Day, on the other hand, is different. Eating out means that Mom doesn’t have to cook, and that’s the way it should be. It’s not a question of where special Mother’s Day meals will be available. They’ll be everywhere. But some are better than others. Read more »
Dishing
Hot Rocks at Stack
April 14th, 2011
Very little today allows you to bring out your inner caveperson so much as searing your own meat on a hot rock. And all without sullying your hands. Read more »
Stage
A Man, a Voice and a Handful of Felt
With two years under his belt and a new puppet, Terry Fator continues his run at The Mirage
March 31st, 2011
As the second anniversary celebration of Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert reached its midway point on March 18, Terry Fator put down his puppets to sing his original song “Horses in Heaven,” about a young boy with cancer. It was a rare solemn moment in an evening dedicated to straightforward gags involving handheld people made of felt. The America’s Got Talent winner seemed to enjoy the solo spotlight, almost as if he was trying to prove that he was a legitimate singer who didn’t need to rely on plushy partners. Read more »
Dishing
Miso Black Cod at Stack
March 17th, 2011
Miso isn’t just for soups, you know. Fresh black cod is immersed for 24 hours in a miso marinade that has been slightly sweetened with maple syrup. The broiled fish is topped with crispy kataifi (shredded phyllo puff pastry) and pickled vegetables, then served in a baby gem lettuce cup along with miso-mustard vinaigrette dressing and lime. Read more »
Stage
Wonderful Wanda
Sykes might be a jack-of-all-stages, but she’s returning to her stand-up roots
March 10th, 2011
Since coming up in the mid-’90s, Wanda Sykes has ranged far and wide. She’s been on TV and in movies, was an Emmy-nominated television writer, a talk-show host, a Crank Yankers puppet and, recently, played Miss Hannigan in a run of Annie. Really, doesn’t everyone want to terrorize Depression-era orphans just once in their career? Yet the constant has always been stand-up. In 2009, she scored an HBO special with I’ma Be Me. After Fox canceled The Wanda Sykes Show last year, the comedian went back on the road with an eye on putting together another hour. She appears March 11-12 at The Mirage’s Terry Fator Theater. Read more »
Music
Dreams in the Key of Jazz
After a lifetime playing music, Bobby Barnes finds a home on the Strip
September 16th, 2010
Michael Frey, owner of Rhumbar at The Mirage, decided that he wanted to add a jazz night to his Strip bar’s weekly schedule, but the question of who would be the resident jazz master lingered. Then one night, Frey walked into the Seven Seas and chanced upon the musician he had been seeking. At the historic venue Frey heard a 78-year-old saxophonist play. Hearing his music, Frey knew that he’d found the man to helm Rhumbar’s jazz night. “They were such great musicians, it was like walking into a time warp into Vegas in 1958,” Frey says. Read more »
Cocktail Culture
The Don Harlow
As created by Kristen Schaefer of Rhumbar at The Mirage
August 12th, 2010
Bombay Sapphire and GQ presented the fourth annual Nation’s Most Inspired Bartender Search’s Las Vegas regional competition recently at Noir Bar. Ten finalists were chosen from 26 entrants to compete for a chance to represent Sin City in the finals to be held here later this month. “I think that we are doing a great job developing our underground mixology market,” says Vegas-based Team Enterprises special events manager Katie Dodd, on behalf of Bombay Sapphire. “We have some of the best in the nation in Vegas.” Read more »
