Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

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Imagine Dragons Plays to a Sold Out Crowd, credit Laura BucklinThere aren’t many bands that come from or claim my home state, Iowa. The only one I know is Slipknot, because that’s the only association my friends abroad had with the corn state – it’s random, I know. So even being present at Imagine Dragons during their Las Vegas homecoming at The Joint in Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was a treat! Throughout my lifetime, I’ve seen hundreds of concerts between the Van’s Warped Tour for four consecutive years; free country concerts since the day I put on my first pair of cowboy boots (complete with fringe, my favorite); the occasional splurge on my guilty pleasure, Britney Spears; and more. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen or experienced anything quite as unique and special as the concert last weekend. You could feel the love the superstar band had for its hometown and the crowd was sending the love back. Finally, when Dan Reynolds took that leap of faith to swing over the crowd the night was complete, pure bliss.

˜Laura Bucklin

2.9.13 Credit Erik Kabik, Erik Kabik Photography - Dan Reynolds, lead singer of Imagine Dragons, flies over the crowd at The Joint

 

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I’ve always heard their music in the background of movies, on the “oldies” station, blasting from a car passing by on the highway, booming from Guitar Hero in my friend’s basement etc. “Welcome to the Jungle” was even my high school’s song for football my brother’s senior year. But I never took the time to sit back and think about who was behind those songs until recently. Yes, I’ve always known Guns N’ Roses were rock ‘n’ roll “legends,” but what that meant really didn’t kick in until I saw them all come together and ceremoniously rename one of Las Vegas’ roads on Monday. I know all the diehards that read this will just shake their heads in disbelief, but according to my colleague Devin, you can’t make fun of me because I was born in the 90s (hah!). That day, I saw the passion each band member and the fans had for one another and saw the real guys behind “Sweet Child ‘O Mine” and “November Rain.” It was a moment I will never forget, and I am truly a fan now. They’re great – Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal is hilarious, Dizzy Reed seems really down to earth and as a Vegas resident, DJ Ashba is technically my neighbor so of course I like him! I’m also ecstatic to see Axl’s crazy genius – let’s just hope he shows up on time to his 12 shows at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (fingers crossed). Therefore, you can bet I will be there at The Joint rocking out with the Roses throughout their residency. Might even do my hair 80s style – it’s going to get weird. ;)  

˜Laura Bucklin

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Last night, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino celebrated the addition of its newest music hangout Vinyl with Robert Randolph and the Family Band at the venue’s official grand opening party. I got the privilege of working this fun event with my colleagues Terri, Lindsey and Devin- it was even my first grand opening event!

 For many attendees, including myself, it was the first time they had experienced a show in Vinyl. Guests indulged in complimentary cocktails while marveling in the space’s distinct speakeasy atmosphere and listening to the funky and soulful music provided by Robert Randolp

Robert Randolph and the Family Band at Vinyl

h and the Family Band. Everyone was dancing and there was an overall feel-good mood as the crowd came together to celebrate the open

 ing of this unique, new entertainment venue in Las Vegas.

  Vinyl made its debut in August 2012 and was created to showcase the newest local, regional and national must-see artists. The multi-functional room already has had a diverse group of musicians visit its stage including Julien-K, “The Red Rocker” Sammy Hagar, local hard rock group Sin City Sinners, Blaqk Audio, reggae artists Mishka and Anuhea, Static-X and more.

 Many of my fellow Kirvin Doak employees came to enjoy the concert and we all decided we can’t wait to come back and see more shows in this remarkable space. Each week as I review the ever-changing, exciting show lineups, I learn more and more about incredible musicians I had previously not heard of (which has expanded my never ending, and may I add amazing, Pandora station list). There are so many great upcoming shows of all sorts of genres, so after the awesome party experience I had last night, I definitely recommend everyone check out a show here! 

-Laura Bucklin

 

 

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Living in Las Vegas for the past six years, I’m well aware of how easy it is to become inundated with options. Entertainment, dining, nightlife – there are so many things going on and off the Strip that it can be easy to forget what all our city has to offer. However, I am a firm believer that the newest kid on the block is unique enough to become this town’s finest hot spot for many years to come.

Culinary Dropout opened last Friday inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and is the perfect combo of everything both locals and tourists look for in their dining locale. The food is incredible (I cannot stress enough – save room for the monkey bread!). The design is hip but fresh and rebellious, and the staff look like the cool kids whose iPods you want to steal for the best new music that no one has heard of yet.

During our sneak peek event one thing was clear, no one wanted to leave! It’s the kind of setting where you could easily stay all night. Start out belly up at the bar with an After School Special, move to one of the unique dining tables to dig into some fried chicken, and end it on the patio with live music and good friends. Once the summer heat passes, the fire pits will be the hottest addition to any group outing.

As a Las Vegas local who has seen and done so much (no one has really done it all), I can tell you to run – don’t walk to this new restaurant. You’ll be glad that you were one of the first to check it out!

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Culinary Dropout is open seven days a week: Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. – midnight, Friday from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – midnight. Reservations can be made by calling (702) 522.8100.

 ˜Alison Monaghan

Photo credit Erik Kabik.

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When The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino announced it would be teaming up with the world’s most notorious band MÖTLEY CRÜE, I was extremely excited because I knew this was going to be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I knew very little about the band when we first announced the show back in December 2011 but as each week goes by, I find myself loving them a little more.


MÖTLEY CRÜE is comprised of Vince Neil (vocals), Mick Mars (guitars), Nikki Sixx (bass) and Tommy Lee (drums).  They’ve been around for more than three decades! They’ve introduced the world to songs such as “Kickstart my Heart,” “Shout at the Devil,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood” and many, many more. They have accumulated album sales exceeding 80 million worldwide, seven platinum or multi-platinum albums, 22 “Top 40” mainstream rock hits, six “Top 20” pop singles, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, three Grammy nominations and countless sold out gigs across the globe.
 

As I had never experienced a MÖTLEY CRÜE show before, I didn’t know what to expect but let me tell you, the band has really lived up to its reputation for being over-the-top. It is definitely a one-of-a-kind, only-in-Vegas experience. The show is an incredibly interactive production unlike anything seen in their previous shows. The second you walk into the property, you enter a “Carnival of Sins” extravaganza with stilt walkers, fun house mirrors on your way to the box office and even the hotel bar is draped to look like the inside of a circus tent. That is just the beginning because the show gets crazier! Mötley Crüe in Sin City features fire breathers, acrobats and Tommy Lee’s 360 degree drum coaster, where he literally plays his drums while riding a rollercoaster upside down. AMAZING!
The show is a must-see and even if you’re not a fan, you’ll leave as one.

 

 
Remaining dates include February 8, 10 – 12, 14 – 15 and 17 – 19. Tickets start at $45 and are on sale now at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, online at hardrockhotel.com, ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.

˜Lindsey Rathjen

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Early this month I had an amazing afternoon when Carlos Santana met Imani who was the winner of the Santana t-shirt design contest at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas‘ Lied Memorial Clubhouse. Imani age 12 is a member of the Lied Memorial Clubhouse. During Carlos visit, Imani gave him a tour of the Clubhouse and her favorite place, the art room, of course.

Carlos is an incredible entertainer, but an even better person. He continues to give back to the Las Vegas community every time he returns to perform at The Joint. Over the years, he has partnered with Three Square, Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy and Project Sole.

Don’t miss his final shows inside The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this spring. Thank you Carlos for all you do!

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Carlos Santana and the Santana Band return at The Joint

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com 

   It’s only six days into the New Year and The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is already buzzing with the debut of Tiësto and return of Carlos Santana. To kickoff the final shows of Supernatural Santana – A Trip Through The Hits at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, a few Las Vegas “Twitterlites” (the social butterflies of the Twitter world) were invited to enjoy the show from one of the exclusive balcony suites. The view from the suite allowed Tweet Up guests to see the entire stage layout as well as the sea of people below who danced the night away to Santana classics. 

 Gracing the stage a little after 8 p.m., Santana and vocalists, Andy Vargas and Tony Lindsay, began the night with a band staple “Jingo”. The supergroup then played radio favorite “Maria, Maria” and instantly the crowd responded, dancing and singing in the aisles of The Joint’s arena. The Tweet Up guests followed suit, all the while sharing the experience via Twitter. Through twitpics, tweets and retweets, much of Las Vegas received a play-by-play review of the show. The online conversations were like wildfire, generating buzz throughout the Las Vegas Valley. During the show, the Twitter handle @SantanaCarlos became one of the top trending topics in the city.   

Carlos Santana and the Santana Band return at The Joint

Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com

  Nearing the end of the set, Santana had guests on their feet waiting for more as he took them on a ride through his legendary career with songs including “Smooth”, “Black Magic Woman” and “Oye Como Va”. The guitar great has created the perfect formula of Latin, African and rock rhythms, making his sound one for the record books. With only a few shows remaining, the Tweet Up attendees proved that Carlos Santana is a must-see in Las Vegas. 

 Carlos Santana performs several shows through January and April, finishing the history-making residency on May 1. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.thejointlasvegas.com/.

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