For this “mixtape,” I experienced night fever, nuclear war paranoia, and a new Asian food hall in the unlikely area of Spring Valley Ranch. I was also in the presence of a titanic rock band railing against addiction and depression and returned to my favorite Indian restaurant in the northwest part of town. As always, it’s all about how you “mix” it up in Vegas.
Track #1: The Australian Bee Gees Show” @Excalibur Hotel and Casino
Looking to experience “Night Fever”? Head to the intimate Thunderland Showroom at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino to see “The Australian Bee Gees Show.” The worldwide touring show (since 1996) and Vegas fixture (since 2011) will “celebrate its 4000th Vegas show sometime later this year,” Wayne Hosking (a founding and performing member) told me.
This musical tribute truly stands out, with finely etched performances and lush, impossibly high three-part vocal harmonies. Their sound faithfully honors the legacy of the long-defunct Bee Gees (brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb), encompassing their ‘60s melodic pop balladry and subsequent rhythmic dance hits.
The show engagingly weaves together the Australian trio’s musical story with archival footage and comedic spoken bits. The energy level, unsurprisingly, spikes during rousing renditions of Bee Gees songs from the disco-fueled “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack (1977). An area near the stage turns into an impromptu disco where the audience grooves to classic lyrics like “Here I am praying for this moment to last.”
“We see 80-year-olds and 8-year-olds alike mouthing the words to every song,” says Hosking, “which is such a wonderful feeling for us to witness.”
Track #2: “Atomix” Event, “The Definitive Oppenheimer” @Beverly Theater, downtown
With the foul scent of Putin’s nuclear war threats in the air, I was drawn to a special event, “The Definitive Oppenheimer,” hosted last week by the city’s Atomic Museum at downtown’s elegant arthouse cinema/performance space, The Beverly Theater. The evening began as a cocktail mixer in the theater’s lobby and outdoor terrace, followed by a fascinating conversation with Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jon Else, who directed the 1981 documentary “The Day After Trinity: J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Atomic Bomb.”
Excerpts from the movie were shown, along with more clips from Else’s other documentary film, “Wonders Are Many” (2007),” about the making of the modern opera “Dr. Atomic,” which premiered at the San Francisco Opera in 2005. The Day After Trinity is about the days leading into the first atomic bomb test known as “Trinity.”
The US atomic bomb drops on Japan were horrific, but nuclear war deterrence since Hiroshima/Nagasaki has been successful, Else noted during the Q&A portion. His words helped calm my nerves—somewhat—for a few days until I saw the New York Times’ “Sunday Opinion” cover story (on March 10), urgently sub-headlined “It’s Time To Protest Nuclear War Again.”
Track #3: Cheongdam Food Hall @Spring Valley Ranch
In late December last year, the Asian Cheongdam Food Hall (“cheongdam” is Korean for “clear pond”) opened under the radar in a standalone building in the Spring Valley Ranch neighborhood on Spring Mountain Rd near Durango Dr. The owners chose this location for its diversity and because it’s situated a few miles away from restaurant-saturated Chinatown.
Cheongdam is open daily from 9:00am to 11:00pm and currently features six food concepts. When I dropped in last Saturday, the place was packed. I was immediately attracted to Teddy Butter House, with its all-day breakfast items and coffee options. I ordered a fine spinach and feta cheese omelette, served with salad and potato skins, and washed it down with a dreamy lavender cream latte. Next, I walked over to Hoho Crunch and took home a few of their (subtly deep-fried) Korean twisted donuts.
This is not your typical foodie food hall. Families were eating together all around me, and the price point was noticeably affordable. Try Curry-Ya (Japanese curry dishes), Tacos By Carmen and Jose 1982, Hal Ga Tteok (Korean street food items), and Smile Shota. The latter is a separate restaurant—adorned throughout with smiley face motifs—offering “all you can sushi” as well as a la carte choices, including five different sushi burritos like the “Batman Burrito” and “Hulk Burrito” (the eatery’s sense of humor is appreciated).
Track #4: Disturbed @Bakkt Theater, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Multi-platinum heavy rockers Disturbed chose Vegas as the city to end their US tour, and they roared into the sold-out Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The quartet brought a formidable tower of sound (like a modern Black Sabbath), a startling stage production highlighted by multiple levels of pyro, and bold songs denouncing the demons of addiction and depression.
As a vocalist, Draiman dazzled onstage by shouting, growling, and wailing, while letting the crowd know that “sometimes darkness can show you the light” (a lyric from “The Light”). At one point, he asked audience members to stand up if they’ve suffered from mental health issues and/or knew others who have.
It was heartbreaking that many in the crowd (known as “Disturbed Ones”) rose to their feet—but reassuring, too. Fans felt vulnerable enough to unashamedly come forward. Ultimately, the show—part of their fittingly named “Take Your Life Back” tour—worked as both a powerful metal concert and group therapy session.
Track #5: Saffron Flavors of India, in Northwest Vegas
Indian restaurants in Vegas are few and far between compared to the city’s Italian, Mexican, and Asian restaurants. With that in mind, I wanted to spotlight an exceptional Indian eatery here that hits the mark.
That place is Saffron Flavors of India—in the northwest part of town, on Tenaya Way near Craig Road—where I’ve dined a few times. The restaurant and bar opened in 2010, and chef/owner Raj Patel creates a striking mix of exotic flavors, fresh ingredients, and healthy vegetables.
The seduction starts with their perfectly made samosas—the deep-fried pastry with a potato filling, spices, and herbs. Next, we ordered the juicy Malai Chicken Tikka (marinated with ginger and other spices) and two vegetarian options: the Bhindi Masala (made with okra and tomatoes) and the Aloo Gobi (prepared with potato and cauliflower). Next time, I’m exploring their Indo-Chinese fusion offerings.
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