For more than 20 years, guests to our magnificent city have had one thing in common: Access to Las Vegas Magazine, the official guide to getting the most out of your stay. And for more than 20 years, Las Vegas Magazine has photographed all the Strip’s wonderful shows, restaurants, attractions and so much more, presenting it to you in a way designed to make you feel like you’ve already experienced it. We hope you enjoy this look back at our favorite 20 photos. And we hope you get the most out of your stay.
Mike Tyson, promoting his MGM Grand show, Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth
(Appeared in the April 24, 2016 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
It’s hard to believe that Mike Tyson is eyeing a return to the ring after being retired since 2005. In fact, when his one-man show became a hit (touring dozens of cities in the process), most assumed Tyson was destined to be performing on stages for the rest of his career. But as has always been the case with Mike Tyson, expect the unexpected.
Melody Sweets, The Green Fairy in Absinthe at Caesars Palace
(“It’s Easy Being Green,” which ran in the Jan. 12, 2014 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
When Absinthe debuted in 2011, few were prepared for how astronomically popular it would become in Las Vegas. It was brought into town on a limited run, but the crowds kept coming, and nine years later it still remains one of the hottest tickets in town. Sweets is no longer with the show and is pursuing her own music career, but there is no doubt she was a huge part of the show’s initial success
Crush at MGM Grand’s filet mignon with blue cheese fondue
(“Get Social,” which ran in the June 18, 2017 issue. Photographer: Peter Harasty)
Restaurateurs Jenna and Michael Morton’s contribution to the city’s burgeoning dining scene has been a hit since opening. If you’re planning a trip here soon and are a fan of modern American cuisine, look no further than Crush.
Carrot Top, clowning around for Las Vegas Magazine’s Halloween issue by re-creating Jack Nicholson’s classic shot in The Shining
(“Halloween is Child’s Play,” which ran in the Oct. 30, 2016 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
No single Las Vegas performer has been quite so accommodating to Las Vegas Magazine as Carrot Top. As you’ll see later on in this feature, no request is too great for the prop comic, who really got into his role(s) in this shoot, which also included Linda Blair in the Exorcist and Janet Leigh (and Anthony Perkins) in Psycho.
Chef Marlon Simbulan
(“Yes, Chef,” which ran in the April 10, 2016 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
Simbulan and a host of other young and up-and-coming chefs were profiled as part of this feature, and all the photos for this particular package were stunning, but this one is pretty hard to beat. After all, whom among us hasn’t fantasized about taking a bite out of the largest meatball known to man?
Fashion feature for Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
(“Spring Radiance,” which ran in the May 21, 2017 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
The Las Vegas Magazine creative team has put together some truly spectacular packages for Miracle Mile Shops (they are well worth seeking out for the fashion photography buff), and if shots like these don’t make you want to hit the stores, we don’t know what will.
Nobu at Caesars Palace
(“Perfect Harmony,” which ran in the Nov. 6, 2016 issue. Photographer: Sabin Orr)
Food and music. All humans have a basic emotional connection with both, and Sabin Orr’s photo essay combined the beauty and poetry that great music and great food share.
The Maestro in Baz: Star Crossed Love at The Palazzo
(“What’s Love Got To Do With It,” which ran in the Jan. 8, 2017 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
One of the boldest failed experiments in Las Vegas entertainment history combined the movies of Baz Luhrmann (The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet and Moulin Rouge!) into one giant mashup. It was visually and aurally stunning, but ultimately too ambitious. We hope it surfaces again in some form—to this day, it remains one of the most stunning achievements ever to grace a Las Vegas stage.
Fashion feature for Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
(“Hot Styles,” which ran in the July 22, 2018 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
Ultimately, we just had too many good choices for this category, so we cheated and used more than one. Hey, it’s our list!
Valrhona Grand Cru milk chocolate pancakes at The Pantry at The Mirage
(“Breakfast, Grandma-Style,” which ran in the Sept. 7, 2014 issue. Photographer: Peter Harasty)
It’s the quintessential breakfast (pancakes!) with a serious twist. We just can’t get enough of this photo—everything about it just makes us hungrier and hungrier.
Pole Position Raceway
(“Hang on Tight,” which ran in the May 14, 2017 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
Our very own art director, Wes Gatbonton, served as the driver in this shot, which ended up being our cover. That’s right—at Las Vegas Magazine we do it all, and we look good doing it!
A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces
(“The Air Up There,” which ran in the June 17, 2018 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
The Las Vegas Aces have been very giving of their time and resources to Las Vegas Magazine, and we’re particularly proud of this shot of the team’s star.
LVB Burgers & Bar at The Mirage
(“Stack Them Up,” which ran in the Aug. 28, 2016 issue. Photographer: Peter Harasty)
Unfortunately this restaurant is no longer there (we are seriously still Jonesing for their milkshakes!), but that doesn’t diminish the quality or effectiveness of this shot, which features three of the venue’s signature burgers stacked on top of one another—The K.I.K. burger, O.M.G. burger and L.V.B. burger.
Jason Tenner of Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show at Westgate Las Vegas
(“Purple Memories,” which ran in the April 16, 2017 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
We timed this feature to run almost a year to the date of the real star’s death on April 21, 2016, as a tribute. It remains one of our favorite packages of all time, mostly because Tenner was an utter pro throughout the whole shoot, even performing a mini-concert for our crew during the shoot. Tenner’s show has since moved to Tropicana Las Vegas, but it has lost none of its ability to get crowds on their feet.
Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights
(“The Puck Stops Here,” which ran in the Nov. 12, 2017 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
This was shot when the Golden Knights were just hitting the ice for the first time as a team, and their magical first season led to this cover being one of the most-sought-after in Las Vegas Magazine’s history.
Drai’s Beachclub & Nightclub at The Cromwell
(“A Night at the Beach,” which ran in the June 14, 2015 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
In our experience, the best photo shoots are those where the art crew is in complete sync with the models they are shooting. When the ideas are flying fast and free and everyone is on board, great things happen—like this shot.
The Boys & Girls Club and Blue Man Group
(“World of Pure Imagination,” which ran March 16, 2014. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
Our art director, Wes Gatbonton, headed up this shoot from beginning to end. The main goal of the project was to make the Boys & Girls Club children feel like integral members of the shoot. The results speak for themselves. This shot features Damien, Travis and Alden.
Carrot Top with straightened hair
(“Straight Talk,” featured in the April 17, 2011 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
If this one seems familiar, there’s a good reason for that: Of all our photo shoots, this one got the most national recognition. And it’s easy to see why. After all, who would have ever thought Carrot Top would agree to straighten that legendary orange ‘do of his? But as we said earlier, he’s up for everything.
Cirque du Soleil’s One Night for One Drop promotion
(“Water Works,” which ran in the March 17, 2013 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
It’s one thing to visualize a shoot. It’s quite another to bring it to actual fruition. This shoot could not have gone better. It’s in a class by itself and a no-brainer for this list.
Chippendales the Show at Rio
(“Mind, Body and Bros,” which ran in the Sept. 25, 2016 issue. Photographer: Christopher DeVargas)
So many things had to go right for this shoot to go down, but the results were well worth it. Some of the cast members in this shoot—James Davis, Mikey Perez, Matt Marshall and Jon Howes—are no longer with the show, but no doubt they are still proud of this photo.
