Seven Questions
Seven Questions
John Legend
The crowd-pleasing crooner on his favorite song, playing Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve and how he’s remained grounded
December 22nd, 2011
John Legend has worked with some of the biggest names in music, from Alicia Keys to Janet Jackson. He owns nine Grammy Awards, three of which followed the release of his multiplatinum debut album Get Lifted. He’s performed at the pregame show for the Super Bowl, as well as the halftime show for the NBA All-Star game. And his girlfriend is supermodel Chrissy Teigen. About the only thing Legend hasn’t accomplished in his rise to stardom? Playing Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. And now he’s about to check that off his list, too, as he takes a break from working on his upcoming album to stage a concert at the Pearl in the Palms (10 p.m., tickets start at $99). Read more »
Seven Questions
Kevin Stickelman
The Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort boss on the property’s transportation challenges, his grand vision and his dream winter vacation
December 15th, 2011
Fifteen months ago, 33-year-old Kansas native and lifelong snowbird Kevin Stickelman took the job as general manager of Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort in Lee Canyon with crystal-clear marching orders: oversee a massive, decadelong expansion aimed at turning an antiquated, little-used, lightly regarded ski area into a year-round playland that would attract upward of 250,000 visitors annually. Read more »
Seven Questions
Misti Yang
The local Yelp manager talks about her passion for community, her fascination with Las Vegas history and her obsession with Mr. Tofu
December 8th, 2011
When Misti Yang and her husband relocated from Atlanta in 2008, she was aware of Las Vegas’ perception as a place where the concept of “community” is as foreign as a blackjack table in Amish country. She just didn’t believe it was true—or perhaps more accurately was determined to prove it wasn’t true. Two years ago, she came across a job posting for Yelp, the online city guide whose mission is to bring people together through the support of quality locally owned businesses and activities. Read more »
Seven Questions
George Wallace
Las Vegas’ resident stand-up comedian on his relationship with Jerry Seinfeld, what’s irritating him these days and the last funny joke he heard
December 1st, 2011
George Wallace isn’t the first stand-up comedian to land a regular gig on the Las Vegas Strip. He is, however, the first to arrive with a 30-day contract and stay for nearly eight years (with at least another two to come) … without a traditional act (his material changes nightly) … while riding an economic roller coaster … during an era when the competition in the epicenter for entertainment is as stiff as ever. Read more »
Seven Questions
José Andrés
The high-energy chef on his favorite American dishes, his biggest challenge and what’s next on his plate
November 24th, 2011
Washington, D.C.-based chef José Andrés never runs out of energy, which is a good thing because he never runs out of things to do. He’s got restaurants all over the country, including three in Las Vegas (Jaleo, É by José Andrés and China Poblano, all at the Cosmopolitan); he’ll soon open one in Puerto Rico; and he’s constantly doing cooking demos, charity events, celebrity appearances and TV shows. Read more »
Seven Questions
Waddie Mitchell
The buckaroo bard on the state of storytelling, cowboy poetry’s allure and the strangest place he’s ever performed
November 17th, 2011
If you’ve lived a few years in Nevada, you’re likely aware of the cowboy poetry gathering held each January in Elko. The event was co-founded 27 years ago by a fella whose name you might also recognize: Waddie Mitchell. Mitchell grew up a cowboy, working ranches and telling stories using rhyme and meter around the campfire. In his 20s, he made the leap, supporting himself and his family as a verse-slinging vaquero, and success followed success. Read more »
Seven Questions
Rick Faugno
The former Jersey Boy on leaving the hit show, launching his own one-man production and why he was born 50 years too late
November 10th, 2011
Not long after he slipped on his first pair of tap shoes at the age of 4, Rick Faugno knew he was destined to be a performer. The New York native just never envisioned the performing would take place in Las Vegas. “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would ever live in Las Vegas—and I don’t think many people do.” Read more »
Seven Questions
Paul Oakenfold
The outgoing resident DJ on how his show resembled a Cirque production, what’s next for the local electronic music scene and the best advice he’s ever received
November 3rd, 2011
Vegas is the new Ibiza.” How often have we heard that phrase in the electronic dance music world this year? From the wildly successful Electric Daisy Carnival to the DJ-in-residency phenomenon, Las Vegas has stamped itself, at the very least, as the top EDM destination in North America. And at the forefront of the movement was DJ/producer Paul Oakenfold. Read more »
Seven Questions
Claudia Vecchio
The state’s incoming tourism director on Las Vegas as a cultural destination, our famous ad campaign and her gambling strategy
October 27th, 2011
With the state on financial life support, there’s a critical need to fortify our primary industry, and that includes diversifying our image to attract more niche-oriented travelers. The task of guiding us through these challenges falls to Claudia Vecchio, whom Gov. Brian Sandoval recently appointed director of the new Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. Read more »
Seven Questions
Branch Whitney
The hiking expert and author on what makes Las Vegas the ideal outdoor recreation destination, why he’s the man to guide you and his scariest fall
October 20th, 2011
After a stint as a serious blackjack player and working in sales in the health-club industry, Branch Whitney turned his focus outdoors, exploring his first mountain in 1995. It was the first of hundreds of hikes that have covered—by his estimate—about 3,000 miles of terrain. Read more »
