PurrView #66 - Pennies About Town

It’s been a whirlwind year right from the get-go. I started working full time at a Las Vegas media company at the beginning of January, so it’s back to the daily grind pour moi in 2013. My blogging’s been scarce, but that’s because my schedule hasn’t been. What have I been up to? Besides work and studies, I’ve been out and about enjoying the pleasures of the “neon playground.” Here are a few of my recent stops…

COMMONWEALTH

I love this steampunk/speakeasy lounge located Downtown at Fremont and 6^th. I live down the block (Yay, walking distance to the bar!) and gotta admit that my bosses are part-owners. But despite my valid reasons to immediately be partial, it’s still my favorite new joint in the Fremont East District for reasons unique to the establishment itself. The rooftop area overlooking Fremont Street provides Instagram-worthy views of Old Downtown. The hand-crafted vintage/Americana motif is impressive—complete with decoupage walls and drink menus, eerie paintings, and random (non-operating) steam-powered machines. There’s even a trap door on the first floor that leads to a Prohibition-inspired secret space dubbed the “Laundry Room.” CommonwealthLV.com

PINK – THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE TOUR

I've never really been much of a fan of Pink. But as I checked her out at the Mandalay Bay Events Center for the second stop on her The Truth About Love Tour, I realized just how many songs of hers I knew the words to. Radio has apparently drilled more than half the songs in her set into my head over the past decade or so. All in all, it was a great show. She has wicked chiseled abs, as well as agility and acrobatic talent to match her strong vocals. Check out my review of the show at VegasSeven.com.

BOYZ II MEN

The latest throwback musical act to jump on the Las Vegas residency bandwagon put on one hell of a show at the Mirage. Three of the original members of Boyz II Men crooned their ‘90s babymaking hits, and also threw in a Motown montage to add even more heart, soul and rhythm to the poppin’ show. I was there for the debut performance, and the vibe in the crowd felt more like a party than an audience at times. Just about every woman (and even some guys) sang along, clapped and bobbed their head to the Boyz’ memorable R&B hits. Nathan Morris accidentally kicked over his mic stand mere seconds into the first song, but after a quick recovery, it was smooth sailing the rest of the show. The performance had everyone in attendance leaving with a smile, including me and Chumlee! 



 LOBERACE

I love Cee Lo’s music, but Loberace was only so-so. His eclecticism—which I admire dearly about him—ran rampant in his limited-residency show at Planet Hollywood. For the most part homage to his favorite songs, the performance was all over the place, and even at times boring. Like I said, I love Cee Lo’s music, but I do miss the Goodie Mob days—which is why the highlight of the show for me wasn’t Cee Lo walking around barefoot, dashiki’d and rhinestoned-out with 10 female back-up dancers; it was when Goodie Mob (Big Gipp and all!) joined him onstage for a song, clothed in bedazzled, white gospel robes. Not the best, but not a bust… this performance was just “pretty good.”  

RAACK N ROLL

It’s respectable how simple and honest this topless revue at The D was. Each of the six dancers had their own physique and style. Perhaps more cut out for burlesque than shows on the Strip, these girls were talented and, well, normal. They did have great moves, engaging stage presence and nice boobs though. A Robert De Niro impersonator provided decent comic relief, and rock and roll such as AC/DC, Motley Crue and Nickelback set the tone for the performance. Not a bad show if you get comped tickets.  ;)      

 NEON TREES

I was invited to an X107.5 Studio X session last weekend. Basically, the radio station hosts intimate, in-studio performances with bands such as Owl City and Fun.—this time featuring Provo, Utah’s own pop-rock act Neon Trees. Myself and a handful of contest winners got to catch the band play their three most popular songs, Animal, Everybody Talks, and Lessons in Love, acoustic. We even got to meet-and-greet, grab an autograph and snap some pics with the band.  

Greetings from Las Vegas... Wish you were here!

~Meow~

Pennies