Bringing the Party

Somewhere between the current superstar residency show that’s all the rage on the Strip these days and a slickly produced, musical variety spectacular, Salt-N-Pepa’s I Love The ’90s: The Vegas Show wasted no time in creating a phenomenon all its own when it opened at the Paris Theater in October. After a short holiday break, the high-energy, hip-hop-flavored production reignites on Jan. 17, running Thursdays through Mondays. This time, the rotating cast includes the anchors and co-producers of the show, iconic female rap trio Salt-N-Pepa, along with old-school rhymesmith Rob Base (“It Takes Two”), a capella quartet All-4-One (“I Swear”) and chart-topping R&B divas En Vogue, who can be expected to join SNP onstage for 1994 smash “Whatta Man.”

Must-See: George Wallace

Las Vegas has always been a stand-up comedy hot spot, but the laughs keep getting bigger these days, thanks to a combination of classic comedy rooms still going strong, new clubs on the way and big names making repeat visits to the Strip throughout the year. But there aren’t many resident comedians working the mic in the same room night after night, and there’s only one George Wallace. His return to the Vegas stage last year brought fun and familiar energy to the Westgate Cabaret and his inimitable style—like your favorite, politically incorrect uncle who’s traveled the world and is back in town to tell you what’s what—is a perfect fit for the property and the current Vegas comedy landscape. Don’t miss this guy.

Around the Strip

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl partied Vegas-style to ring in the new year. After checking out Absinthe at Caesars Palace with Survivor host Jeff Probst on Dec. 27, the rock legend was spotted chatting with Pauly Shore at Tao Nightclub at The Venetian. The next night, Grohl was among the many stars (Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Regina King, Jeremy Renner and Adam Lambert, to name a few) attending Lady Gaga’s opening of Enigma at Park Theater and toasting the performance afterwards at Park MGM’s new On The Record speakeasy and nightclub. Perry, King, Oscar-winner Marisa Tomei and musician Samantha Ronson were among the big names dipping into chef Roy Choi’s new Best Friend restaurant for late-night bites.

Criss Angel debuted his new MINDFREAK show at Planet Hollywood the day after Christmas, and it didn’t take long for his star friend Gary Oldman to visit Vegas and check it out.

Comedy superstar Kevin Hart fulfilled his hosting duties at Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell over New Year’s weekend, but Dec. 30 was an extra big night as stand-up icon Dave Chappelle joined Hart and rapper Big Sean onstage.

A particularly woolly Jack Black powered up for his New Year’s Eve weekend Tenacious D performances at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel by dining at the resort’s hip chophouse MB Steak. Chef Patrick Munster made sure to shave extra truffles on Black’s entrées.

Brock Radke is an award-winning entertainment reporter who has been covering the city since 2000, and interviews key movers and shakers on his All The Vegas podcast, available at allthevegas.com