Soul Sensation
Rolling Stone magazine has called Grammy Award-winning soul artist Raphael Saadiq's new album Jimmy Lee a masterpiece. The New Yorker described his new music as "a novelistic song cycle that seems at once intensely private, broadly political and undeniably funky."
For those who know Saadiq best as one of the leaders of seminal Oakland R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné! or the neo-soul supergroup Lucy Pearl, his recent work is striking, ambitious and unforgettable.
But even though he's telling an important story through song, Saadiq continues to craft thick grooves that will stick in your head long after you catch his live performances, including at Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas in the Linq Promenade on Jan. 24.
Blue Man Group Photo by: Lindsey Best
Must-See: Blue Man Group
Street performers work without the advantage of a captive audience. Their artistry must be thrilling enough to disrupt your day, to steal you away from your ordinary existence and to ultimately inspire. That experimental, exciting spirit is deeply embedded in each Blue Man Group performance at Luxor, a show that originated with three friends hitting the streets on Manhattan's Lower East Side and making an eclectic spectacle of themselves. Sometimes the Blue Men's stunts are silly and funny, while at other moments they are slyly commenting on the human condition. The Blue Man phenomenon has come a long way from those NYC streets but it remains one of the most unique and enchanting shows on the Strip.
Paul Shaffer
Around the Strip
I recently hit the Bellagio for my first Mayfair Supper Club experience, and while my table had a great view of the new venue's stage with the legendary fountains serving as a cinematic backdrop, music and TV legend Paul Shaffer had the preferred corner booth. Seems fair. He was dining with friends on prime rib, Dover sole, tomato salad and Baked Alaska and paying close attention to the electrifying entertainment. MGM Resorts International executives were also part of his group, so don't be surprised if we see Shaffer at a Strip venue soon. He's played at Cleopatra's Barge at Caesars Palace in recent years and would be an ideal fit. Also that week, Back to the Future star Christopher Lloyd hit the supper club with friends.
Vegas Golden Knights Ryan Reaves, Deryk Engelland and Marc-Andre Fleury celebrated their big win over the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues with dinner at Scotch 80 Prime at the Palms. The group enjoyed new chef Daniel Ontiveros' salmon tartare, oysters, the burger, the rib cap steak and more.
Megan Bomgaars
Megan Bomgaars of A&E's documentary series Born This Way celebrated her birthday Saturday night with friends, family and fellow cast members at Best Friend at Park MGM, feasting on Korean barbecue.
Two shows at V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort recently reached landmarks. All Shook Up, a tribute to Elvis Presley, celebrates six years and 2,000 performances on the Strip this month. In December, Zombie Burlesque also marked its six-year anniversary there.
Brock Radke is an award-winning entertainment reporter who has been covering the city since 2000. Listen to his Sun on the Strip podcast every Wednesday at Apple Podcasts.
