A Well-Rounded Experience
“Life is beautiful.” Those words took on a new meaning in 2013 when the annual Life Is Beautiful festival was introduced. A multilevel celebration of music, arts and culture, Life Is Beautiful may be the biggest pop-culture event that downtown Las Vegas has ever seen.
Life Is Beautiful has left an indelible mark on the look of downtown. Artists from all over the world have permanently transformed 18
city blocks into a functioning, ever-growing canvas. Dozens of striking murals enhance the downtown region, two of the largest adorning the iconic Plaza Hotel.
The Black Keys
This year’s lineup promises to attract music lovers of all kinds. Longtime hit makers Lil Wayne, Dashboard Confessional and Toto will share the stages with current sensations The Black Keys, Janelle Monáe and Portugal. The Man. Groundbreaking DJs Zedd, Oliver Heldens, Nervo and Louis the Child provide sharp contrast to the smooth sounds of Billie Eilish, King Princess, Maggie Rogers, Pink Sweat$ and Carly Rae Jepsen.
Hip hop and rap enthusiasts can thrill to the beats of Gunna, Shoreline Mafia, Chance the Rapper, Sheck Wes and Rae Sremmurd. Rock and pop get healthy representation from groups like Lord Huron, Of Monsters and Men, WALK THE MOON, Australia’s Rüfüs Du Sol and Grammy winner Vampire Weekend.
Life Is Beautiful is as much a cultural experience as a music fest. Foodies can indulge in tastes from more than 70 culinary artists. Comedy from Jonathan Van Ness of web parody Gay of Thrones, Portlandia’s Fred Armisen and Saturday Night Live’s Chris Redd, politics with Jon Favreau’s Pod Save America and pop culture analysis with Desus & Mero will cook up food for the mind.
And for the first time ever, Brooklyn artistic temple House of Yes brings a nonstop dance party and Pride Parade to celebrate our society’s many diversities. –Sam Novak
Downtown Las Vegas, 2 p.m. Sept. 20-22, starting at $145 single day, $315 three-day pass plus tax and fee. lifeisbeautiful.com
Hot Picks
Bailamos!
Celebrate the second anniversary of Omnia nightclub’s Deseo Latin Sundays event on Sept. 15. Not only will DJs select the hottest Latin sounds, but you’ll enjoy a live mariachi band and Latin-themed bottle presentations, plus anniversary décor and party favors—all set outside on Omnia’s terrace that overlooks the lights of the Strip. –Kiko Miyasato
Caesars Palace, opens at 10:30 p.m. Sept. 15, 21+. 702.785.6200
Sing Fling
Grab the girls and pick a song to sing together during Smoked Burgers & BBQ’s Liquid Courage Karaoke Night, Tuesdays (8-11 p.m.) and Fridays (9 p.m.-midnight) on the venue’s recently opened Stripside patio. This week, guests can also catch Smoked Burgers & BBQ’s Bartender Brawl series, beginning Sept. 17 at 8 p.m., which is an eight-week contest of local flair bartenders competing for the grand prize. –KM
The Forum Shops at Caesars. 702.816.0897
Ferraro’s
Time For …
Listen up, wine lovers! A one-night-only four-course dinner at locals favorite Italian restaurant Ferraro’s on Sept. 18 features wine pairings from Mt. Etna’s Benanti Winery, from the Mt. Etna region of Italy. Guided by winery owner Antonio Benanti, the dinner features several wine varietals plus dishes like Mediterranean prawns and lamb ravioli. –KM
4480 Paradise Road, 6 p.m. Sept. 18, $150 per person, 21+. 702.364.5300
