Regular readers will testify that I've been on a change-things-up kick for awhile. Thankfully, some new events have been popping up that help keep the scene from getting stale.
The Hard Rock is leading the charge. You already know about the club replacing Baby's, scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend. The new spot, whose name will be revealed at its opening, features Paul Oakenfold as musical director and will debut as a new reality show from Survivor and The Apprentice producer, Mark Burnett. Now, this is all very exciting, but what's got me really jazzed is the Hard Rock's new Sunday afternoon pool party, Rehab.
I have one word to describe Rehab: Genius! The idea isn't wholly original. Whiskey Beach at Green Valley Ranch tried something along these lines but it never caught on. Other resorts also have done pool parties, most notably the Palm's Skin Pool Lounge. They were fun, but went later in the evening and didn't feature Rehab's lounging-around aspect.
I got there after Mother's Day festivities with Mama Llapur. I gotta tell ya, it was weird leaving wholesome family goodness to bask in debauchery, but those feelings subsided once I hit the deceivingly enormous pool area. DJ Scotty Boy's music was pumping and the place was packed with partiers. There were booze-spiked tropical fruits, drinks with umbrellas, a working beach, and massages from the Hard Rock's spa staff. And the bikinis? Man oh man … There was more floss going down than at an American Dental Association convention.
Rehab goes every Sunday, noon until 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 for locals, $30 for out-of-towners.
Worth a thousand words
Another party that sticks it to the Man and does something different is the new Snapshop at Marc's World Cuisine, 7290 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Snapshot is dedicated to electro-clash and other rock/new wave/punk-flavored music.
It also features something no other club dares: live freakin' bands! Saturday was a birthday party for DJ Jonny Rox, with performances from two Texas acts: Artistic Noise and Swerve. I didn't get a chance to hear Artistic Noise, but I got an earful of Swerve. The band was as solid as any I've seen, performing tracks that effortlessly melded dance and rock, featuring lovely and haunting vocals from Jaclyn Blackenship.
I had a great time. I got to see a hot band and hear good sets from Barry Weaver, Jason Rios and Korby Roxstar.
Snapshot happens every second and fourth Saturday of the month at Marc's. Doors open at 1 a.m., with a cover that's only five bucks. The May 22 Snapshot features an electro set from Studio 54's Jose 2 Hype and a performance by Phoenix's XOXOXO.
Antonio Llapur walks softly and carries a big club. E-mail him at [email protected].