Unforgettable Evening of Music
Born in Belfast in 1945, George Ivan Morrison began working as a traveling musician (playing guitar and saxophone in several bands) at the age of 13. He was only 19 years old when he formed the rhythm and blues group Them and released the iconic garage-rock hit “Gloria,” a classic that’s been covered by everyone from the Doors and AC/DC to David Bowie and Tom Petty.
Another unforgettable tune, “Brown Eyed Girl,” arrived just three years later in 1967, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending 16 weeks on the charts. That song established Van Morrison as a solo act and began one of the most celebrated catalogs in music history, much of which you can see the legend perform live at Caesars Palace Feb. 5 and 7-8.
Must See: Atomic Saloon Show
Atomic Saloon Show
Spiegelworld’s latest Vegas production takes the “immersive theater” tag to another level, thanks to a truly unique Strip venue that has been saturated with creativity and memorable details. Atomic Saloon Show takes place in a third-floor space at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and The Palazzo as a bawdy, modern and clever version of a Wild West-style cabaret, and you could make a case that the space is the star, a two-story Victorian theater loaded with winding hallways, multiple bars, fascinating décor and secret rooms for VIPs and special events. Upon entering, you’ll first notice the Traveler’s Bar, which boasts a serious cocktail menu and is open to everyone; you don’t need a ticket to the show to drink here.
Around the Strip
Conor McGregor
Fight night in Las Vegas also marked the first anniversary of the On the Record nightclub at Park MGM, just next door to T-Mobile Arena and UFC 246. Among the celebs joining club operators Jonnie and Mark Houston to celebrate were Avengers actor Jeremy Renner, Suicide Squad actor Joel Kinnaman with Victoria’s Secret model Kelly Gale, Magnum PI actor Jay Hernandez, actor Shane West and actress Bella Thorne. Also spotted partying were model Tina Louise, rapper and TV personality Flavor Flav, actor Daniel Baldwin and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone after his loss to Conor McGregor in the UFC main event.
Matthew McConaughey
McGregor’s victory party was at Encore Beach Club, where he toasted the win with his own Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey while a crowd cheered him on.
Oscar winner and star of new crime flick The Gentlemen Matthew McConaughey took his wife Camila Alves and their three children to see The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. The family was invited backstage before the show to get a sneak peek.
Las Vegas Aces star Liz Cambage spent an offseason week in Vegas, attending the fight at T-Mobile, bumping into Jon Bon Jovi for a selfie and partying with DJ duo Loud Luxury at Hakkasan at MGM Grand. Cambage and teammates open play on May 17 at Mandalay Bay.
Alyssa Edwards of Netflix show Dancing Queen attended Celestia at The STRAT while celebrating her birthday, joined by fellow RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Coco Montrese.
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.
