Endless Love
His mother was a classically trained pianist, and his uncle a big-band jazz musician who gifted him his first saxophone. So was there any doubt that Lionel Richie’s life would head down a musical path? Actually, there was a bit of doubt.
Early on, the man who would win four Grammy awards and an Oscar, and who would write and record some of the most popular and enduring hits of the 1970s and ’80s, initially set his sights on being an Episcopal preacher. Even when that aspiration fizzled, Richie didn’t immediately make a right turn toward music, instead leaving Illinois for his native Alabama to study economics and accounting at Tuskegee Institute.
It was during his freshman year that Richie finally caught the music bug, joining a campus band as their saxophonist/composer/part-time singer. Ultimately, that band would morph into The Commodores, with Richie front and center, and the rest is, well … you know. For nearly 50 years, behind a silky smooth voice and charismatic stage presence, Richie has melted hearts and buckled knees all around the world—in fact, one could argue that during his heyday, the master balladeer’s string of love songs was undoubtedly responsible for countless romances.
Despite nearing his 70th birthday, the American Idol judge remains the rare American treasure who delights audiences as much today as he did at the height of his fame. And thanks to a deep and diverse catalog that hops from one genre to the next—R&B, pop, funk, soul and even country—those audiences often represent all walks of life. So in a way, Richie really did fulfill his childhood dream of uniting people through his words—it’s just that instead of preaching the good book, he’s been preaching his own remarkable songbook … and doing so, yes, all night long. –Matt Jacob
Planet Hollywood Resort, 8 p.m. Oct. 3, 5-6, 10, 12-13, 17, 19-20, starting at $59 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
Fit for the Gods
In 2012 Bacchanal Buffet changed the buffet game in Las Vegas. It’s a gourmet-buffet experience with hundreds of offerings, many individually plated. There’s nine show kitchens and guests can indulge in everything from dim sum and red velvet pancakes to smoked wagyu, chicken and waffles and lump crab avocado toast. –Kiko Miyasato
Caesars Palace, 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 702.731.7928
One of a Kind
It might be on the small side for a nightclub in Las Vegas (16,000 square feet), but 1 OAK at The Mirage packs a huge party within its walls. Highlights here are the plush VIP tables and stripper poles placed strategically throughout the club. This week, catch DJ Ikon (Oct. 3), DJ Karma (Oct. 5), and a special performance by Tyga (Oct. 6). –Kiko Miyasato
The Mirage, 10:30 p.m.-4 a.m. Wed. & Fri.-Sat., 21+. 702.792.7900
Get Swept Away
The Spa is a calm, intimate and welcoming environment. There are 10 treatment rooms, relaxation lounge, herbal steam rooms and even a couples massage suite. After a night of Vegas partying, the detoxifying body treatment, hot stone massage, energizing body scrub or detoxifying facial is the perfect refresh. Another menu highlight that’s absolute bliss is the Moroccan oil scalp massage. –Kiko Miyasato
SLS Las Vegas, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, 18+. 702.761.7088
