Opening Night at Drai’s Nightclub Say you were there first and attend the opening night of operation for Victor Drai’s new rooftop nightspot. And if DJ Irie isn’t your jam, stop by the next night for Eric Prydz, the prog DJ on the cusp of a giant breakthrough. May 22, doors at 10 p.m., $30+ men, $20+ women.
Belgian Beer Tapping at Shakespeare’s Following American Craft Beer Week, Nevada Beer Weeks keeps the hoppy happenings going with tastings, tappings and a festival or two throughout the Silver State. Henderson pub Shakespeare’s gets in on the action Thursday night, pouring freshly tapped versions of Belgian ale by three local breweries (Joseph James, Triple Seven, Chicago). May 22, noon, free.
Matinee Las Vegas The multi-day, multi-event gay dance music festival returns this weekend, with parties at Rain, Rumor, Share and the Trop. If you’re into beats and bois, there’s no other place to be this MDW, and if you’re a RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, Ms. Nina Flowers is DJing at Share Friday and Monday night. May 23-26, times and prices vary.
Ditch Fridays at Palms Pool Red Bull’s aviation-themed splash bash Air Race hits the off-Strip hotel Friday afternoon, its party pool to be filled with inflatable airplanes for the occasion (somewhat of a reprise for those who remember the hotel’s popular Floatopia parties last summer). And if you need a name to get you down there, Gabe Saporta of Cobra Starship takes the mic for the MDW bash. May 23, doors at noon, $20+ men, $10+ women.
'Fancy' fun: Find Iggy Azalea at the Bank Saturday night.
Iggy Azalea at The Bank She’s so fancy, you already know! The rising hip-hop artist is in the fast lane from LA to Tokyo, but Saturday night she’s making a performance pit stop at the Bellagio—with Mike Posner and Far East Movement in tow. Who that, who that? I-G-G-Y! May 24, doors at 10:30 p.m., $55 men, $33 women.
After at Posh Boutique Nightclub Just as the EDM-thwarting afterhours promo was building some momentum, it had to vacate its host club and cancel its Memorial Day Weekend bookings. However, After will nonetheless maintain a presence this holiday weekend with a four-act throwdown at its newest venue partner, Posh (inside Crazy Horse III). Check out After residents Spacebyrdz, locals Justin Baulé and Hold3th (that’s the techno project from Light regulars Stellar and Ryne Green), and Chicago’s Scatter. May 24, doors at 2 a.m., free, $40 for cab passengers dropped off at the front entrance.
Afrojack at Wet Republic It’s a momentous week for the Dutch house pioneer: Not only is Afrojack playing Las Vegas twice (Hakkasan on Thursday, followed by Wet Republic on Sunday), but he also released his full-length debut album, Forget the World, on May 19. One of its songs, “Dynamite,” features Snoop Dogg, who plays Vegas Sunday night and supposedly resides here. Barring a non-compete in the latter’s Tao contract, we smell an opportunity for a live collaboration. With guest DJ Apster. May 25, doors at 10:30 a.m., $100+ men, $40+ women.
Big Boi at Chateau Missed the big OutKast reunion at Coachella? Bummed the group hasn’t booked a local concert among its many 2014 dates? This DJ set by the Speakerboxxx half of the Atlanta hip-hop duo may be as close as you get. DJs Drama and Koko support. May 25, doors at 10 p.m., $50+ men, $30+ women.
Porter Robinson at Marquee Dayclub The genre-swerving youngster has conveniently left Las Vegas off the huge “live” tour promoting his soon-to-be-released album, Worlds. However, this daytime DJ gig is likely to give revelers an exclusive preview of tracks from said album—a prospect sweetened by the fact that Robinson is exclusively DJing in Las Vegas. May 25, doors at 11 a.m., $100 men, $50 women.
Canvas at LAX Luxor is quickly becoming an LGBT hot spot, thanks to the long-running Temptation Sundays pool party (see Page 34) and newer nightlife ventures such as Canvas. Eat up all the eye candy as human hard-bodies serve as easels for the evening. This week’s installment features an “EightTease Night” theme—don’t forget those parachute pants! May 26, doors at 9 p.m., $10, text VEGAS to 77948 for free entry until 10 p.m.
The Melvinator at Beauty Bar Surely few things would rankle the punk constituency more than seeing a member of one of their favorite bands performing as a DJ. And the fact that NOFX’s Eric Melvin—billed as the Melvinator when behind the booth—plays both punk and old-school rap ought to further inflame genre loyalists. But if a punk rocker hasn’t pissed off his own fanbase, what good is he? May 27, doors at 9:30 p.m., $10.
