Rock ’n Roll Cocktail Competition at Hyde Local bartenders gather at the Bellagio nightspot for another installment of cocktailcityvegas.com’s mixology series, this time with Dewar’s Highlander Honey whiskey serving as the contest’s inspiration. Sample the contenders and don’t forget to cast your vote, as the winning mixologist takes home a cool $2K. August 22, 7 p.m., $50.
Escort at Chandelier Bar We caught this NYC nu-disco act during a Magic party last year that turned the Foundation Room into a sea of writhing, sweaty bodies. Though Cosmopolitan’s Chandelier Bar stage can’t offer that same atmosphere, Escort will reliably enthrall with its expertise in applying funk, R&B, synth-pop, Latin and jazz atop hypnotizing 4/4 beats. August 22-24, 9 p.m., free.
Wolfgang Gartner at Surrender The LA electro-house producer/DJ is so prolific, he’s probably got an entire new album hiding in his current DJ sets. A casual search on Spotify reveals several new productions since his 2011 album debut, Weekend in America. And if you think he works hard in the studio, wait until you see him behind a mixing console—the zealous knob-twiddler barely has time to look up. August 23, 10:30 p.m., $32-$42.
Lupe Fiasco at Palms Pool “The Show Goes On” for the hip-hop artist perhaps best known for 2007 hit “Superstar” Friday afternoon, when he takes the mic for the hotel’s weekly Ditch bash. In the booth: resident DJs Alie Layus and Exodus. August 23, noon, $25+ men, $20+ women.
Black & White Party at The Joint AFAN’s annual monochromatic charity bash offers roving performers (sword swallowers! magicians!), creative costumes (from body paint to balloon gowns to bedazzled football gear) and an entertainment lineup featuring Nevada Ballet Theatre, Chippendales, Recycled Percussion and the ladies of Fantasy. The event also includes raffles, fashion contests and culinary offerings from more than 25 food and beverage vendors. August 24, 9 p.m., $35.
Markus Schulz at Marquee Markus Schulz has been spending a lot of time recording and gigging with fellow trancehead Ferry Corsten, so fans of the German-born, Miami-residing jock—the most popular DJ in the U.S., says DJ Times’ 2012 ranking—ought to catch this solo tour date before he commits any more to the duo’s New World Punx project. August 24, 9:30 p.m., $50 men, $20 women.
Soul Shakedown Party at Beauty Bar It’s not often you get to hear a DJ throw down some northern soul, Mod, Afrobeat and rocksteady in Las Vegas—in fact, Soul Shakedown only does it once a year. So treat this as your only shot to groove both inside and outside of the Beauty Bar to old underground music. Ska/reggae live acts Kingston A Go-Go and Liveska Allstars join the scheduled DJs. August 24, 10 p.m., $5 men (patio), free for women.
Tommy Lee at Hard Rock Hotel Pool While the glam-rock drummer won’t call HRH home until next month (when he joins his Mötley Crüe bandmates for a second residency run at the Joint), he stops by Sunday afternoon to spin a set under the sun at Rehab with DJ Aero. Also supplying sound: Nick Thayer. August 25, doors at 10 a.m., $50+ men, $30+ women.
