Leslie Ventura
Story Archive
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A&E
Hubert Keller's 'Secrets of a Chef' premieres January 11 on PBS
Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 "Today, if you’re in another city or country and you don’t have a restaurant in Vegas, you feel like the loser, because you should be a part of that city."
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A&E
Nineteen ways to close out 2019 on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 Lizzo, The Chainsmokers, Future, the Golden Knights and more.
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Noise
Magical music: Our favorite albums of 2019
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 FKA twigs, Lana Del Rey, Weyes Blood and some you might not have heard yet.
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A&E
Show stoppers: Our favorite concerts of 2019
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 From Thom Yorke to Elton John, and OMD to Refused.
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Features
Snow & Tell: Get up to Mount Charleston for a white winter minutes from Las Vegas
Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019 A peek inside Lee Canyon’s new Hillside Lodge, tips for a day on the mountain and more.
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A&E
Tease & Tails gifts Vegas with a burlesque ‘Nutcracker’
Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019 This year’s performers include former Jubilee! dancers, a former Moulin Rouge dancer all the way from Paris, a drag queen and more.
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A&E
Unfiltered Soul keeps Downtown’s Fremont East sound groovy
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 “You can hear R&B in our sets, you can hear disco in our sets, downtempo,” Rob Alahn says. “We’re house heads for sure, but we’re passionate about good music.”
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A&E
Velveteen Rabbit co-owner Christina Dylag turns author with ‘Tiny Little Boxes’
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019 “I’m basically getting a trailer and outfitting it as ‘Nihilist Ice Cream.’ People will be bartering their souls for ice cream.”
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A&E
Repeal Day Swings Into the mob museum
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 Dance to live jazz and swing music while imbibing cocktails like the Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the Rum Row.
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A&E
RL Grime continues following the beat of his own heart
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 Last month he released “Formula,” an uplifting collaboration with Canadian producer Juelz that finds the DJ honing in on his ability to captivate big rooms.
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A&E
Ten acts to catch among Intersect fest’s impressive first-year offerings
Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 Weyes Blood, Anderson .Paak, Flying Lotus (in 3D!) and more.
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Noise
Vegas six-piece Kurumpaw releases kaleidoscopic first album ‘Biónico Cósmico’
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 "When we started the album, we were influenced a lot by psychedelia—’60s and ’70s classic rock and surf and whatever we were listening to at the time,” says guitarist/vocalist Miguel Flores.
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A&E
Firefly brings its beloved tapas to the southwest Valley
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 Sliced filet mignon with potato and piquillo pepper puree, and rosemary shrimp skewers with heirloom tomatoes are new additions only available at the new location.
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A&E
Fergusons Downtown aims to pack a community into one rehabilitated motel
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 The co-founder, creative strategist and main brain behind the newly renovated complex is former Stitch Factory managing partner Jen Taler, and the other face behind the massive communal undertaking is none other than Zappos and Downtown Project founder Tony Hsieh.
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A&E
DJ Mckenzie keeps Vanguard’s Friday nights shaking Downtown
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 “I have nights where everybody is just feeling the vibe that I’m putting down, and that’s when it’s fun.”
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News
New KUNV GM Ashton Ridley talks format and the future of the public radio station
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 “Coming into this role, I looked at the mission of KUNV: to teach, inspire and connect. [For] the teaching aspect, it doesn’t matter what the genre of music is.”
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A&E
Able Baker adds to the Downtown Las Vegas brew scene
Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019 Able Baker boasts more than 30 beers brewed in-house—and its gorgeous brewery equipment is on display for all to see while drinking, eating or watching a game on the TVs.
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Noise
Time to attend: priming you for MGMT’s performance at the Pearl
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 The Connecticut band has shape-shifted sonically since 2007 indie-pop debut Oracular Spectacular, dipping into different genres, including psychedelic and progressive territory.
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Taste
LGBTQ favorite Hamburger Mary’s returns with a fun, beefed-up menu
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 There are 11 different burger styles, including the Sloppy Mary with steak or vegan chili and the Queen Mary with grilled onions, bacon, cheese and Mary’s Thousand Island sauce.
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A&E
See Strip performers in a different spotlight at Co-Op Cabaret on Main
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 Founder Kathleen Langford says her original twofold goal—to meet fellow artists and to share art among like-minded professionals—has been realized.
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Noise
Dark and sunny: Vegas band Sunroom mixes serious subject matter with upbeat music
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 Hear the quartet on November 8 at Cheba Hut with Arizona’s Twin Ponies and fellow locals Farangs and Homebodys.
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Breaking News
KAOS club at Palms closes abruptly days after reopening
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 Five days after reopening, KAOS dayclub and nightclub at the Palms has closed. “This afternoon, Red Rock Resorts Inc. announced the closing of KAOS dayclub and nightclub at ...
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A&E
With its In City Series, Super Summer Theatre works right through its winter break
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019 The series kicked off October 17 with Death is a Drag, which runs through November 3.
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A&E
Five Finger Death Punch prepares for two hometown shows at the Joint
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019 “I moved out to Vegas before any of the other guys. We were still rehearsing in Burbank, and I would get there faster than the guys who lived in LA, because the traffic there is so bad,” guitarist Zoltan Bathory says.
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Noise
Armed with “magical mountain” songs and a new lineup, the Black Lips return to Las Vegas
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 “I didn’t know what day it was; time didn’t really matter. It was like a very productive and creative summer camp,” says bassist/vocalist Jared Swilley.
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A&E
Local creatives are transforming the way Vegas does First Friday
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 For the past year, Rayce Rayos has been throwing one of the biggest DIY First Friday events inside Union House, a warehouse, art gallery and studio space.
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A&E
Get to know birria, Mexican specialty of the moment in the Vegas Valley
Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019 Three spots where you can get the savory stew traditionally made of shredded goat meat.
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A&E
Roberto Raad invites you to an evening of performance art and cringeworthy moments
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 “It’s a very interactive, immersive show. As an audience member, you may get touched and danced on. I like to up the ante.”
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Noise
Vegas honky-tonk crew The Rhyolite Sound celebrates new album ‘Mojave Gold’
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 “We get called outlaw country, but none of us are even remotely outlawed at all. How country could I be if I’m updating Instagram from my cell phone?
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A&E
The Cosmopolitan’s Rose. Rabbit. Lie. reinvents the Sunday dinner
Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019 The truffled potato gnocchi with Pecorino, roasted corn and smoked bacon and the spaghetti with “Sunday gravy,” short rib and sausage are the rib-sticking, comfort-food stars of this meal.
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A&E
As Pride approaches, Vegas drag performer Salem Night speaks out on the importance of being your true self
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 “I do identify as genderqueer. I identify as gender nonconforming, trans-femme. I feel like Vegas is just having a hard time swallowing this pill, and I don’t get why.”
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A&E
Mark your calendar for these October Vegas pride events
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 From the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center’s festival to Urban Pride to the We Are All One Festival and beyond.
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A&E
Wynn’s dance-focused Art of the Wild returns for a Fall party weekend
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 Elrow featuring Fisher and Pete Tong; Paradise with Jamie Jones and Nicole Moudaber; Guy Gerber, Idris Elba, Black Coffee and more.
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A&E
Marc Marrone’s Graffiti Bao reflects his many influences
Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019 Last month, the former Tao Group corporate executive chef launched his spot in the southwest Valley, marking his official debut as a Vegas restaurateur.
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Nightlife
Vegas DJ mainstay M!KEATTACK continues lighting up Marquee and points beyond
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 With hip-hop and house dominating most Vegas clubs, he’s a natural at getting a party moving, and he’ll do that again October 4 at Marquee Dayclub.
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A&E
Hard Rock Hotel closes its Vegas run with a memorabilia celebration
Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019 A picture Jimi Hendrix drew while on acid. Ringo Starr’s bright-green, rhinestone-emblazoned Nudie Cohn suit. Britney Spears’ iconic schoolgirl outfit from her “...Baby One More Time” video. And much more.
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A&E
R&B triple threat Mýa splashes down at Go Pool
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019 She worked with Blackstreet, Blinky Blink and Mase on The Rugrats Movie soundtrack single “Take Me There”—an earworm of a song that remains stuck in heads today.
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Nightlife
Gunna closes out Life Is Beautiful with a Monday party at Marquee
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 “Before it was ‘drip,’ I used to be like, ‘swag.’ That’s what we used to call it back then. It’s just a lifestyle.”
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A&E
Major Lazer sets its sights on a possible farewell album
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 The new-look trio might tease tunes from the upcoming LP at Saturday’s Encore Beach Club gig.
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A&E
Sausagefest has something for early risers, too
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 Owner Oliver Naidas has a traditional brekkie menu with the classics everyone craves, with enough imagination to make every dish unique.
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A&E
Five reasons to hit the Strip for iHeartRadio Music fest
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 Miley Cyrus, H.E.R. and Cage the Elephant, for starters.
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A&E
Film composer David Rosen explores new territory through podcasting
Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019 A year and a half ago, the composer and producer launched the Piecing It Together, which analyzes movies through the lens of what other films might have inspired them, kick-starting a whole new passion for podcasting.
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Hot Spots
Migos at Drai’s and other Vegas club musts this week
Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019 San Holo stops at Marquee Dayclub on September 20.
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Taste
Mocktails are surging in boozy Las Vegas
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 Abstinence is back in style—at least when it comes to alcohol.
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A&E
Head straight to the Crack Shack for your new favorite chicken sandwich
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 My favorite bite? The behemoth Firebird sandwich. The giant, spicy fried-chicken thigh is the crispiest, crunchiest fried chicken I’ve tasted, yet it maintains the perfect balance of juicy, mouthwatering tenderness inside.
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A&E
DJ Duo Natalia & Esther help launch new Park MGM spot Mama Rabbit
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 Head to the pair’s YouTube channel to watch clips of them getting ready in their Vegas hotel room, fielding questions and performing at festivals like 2018’s Baja Beach Festival.
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A&E
DJ Viva La Vivi digs up throwback ‘magic’ for Love on the Beat
Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 She spins rock, pop, punk and garage vinyl—mostly recorded by European artists from the 1960s through the 1980s.
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Hot Spots
J Balvin at KAOS and other Vegas club musts this week
Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 Blueprint Sound celebrates its anniversary at On the Record.
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A&E
Elton John bids farewell to Las Vegas with a memorable three-hour sendoff
Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019 "I’m going to miss you guys. You’re in my heart, you’re in my soul, every fiber of my being. I will never forget you."
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A&E
Poor Richard’s Players and Super Summer Theatre get on their game with ‘Noises Off’
Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 We spoke with directors Maxim Lardent and Benjamin Loewy about the Michael Frayn-authored play-within-a-play, the duo’s last show before Poor Richard’s debut its new playhouse in October.