Features & Editorials

Las Vegas Mixtape v28: Anyma’s Sphere Takeover, $10 Rock & Roll Haircuts, and More

Here’s a “mixtape” to pass around.

It begins with the surrealism of an electronic artist in residency at the Sphere, segues into an iconic SoCal restaurant now lighting up W Charleston Ave, and eventually weaves into a new Italian eatery in Desert Shores. 

Track #1: Anyma @Sphere

Salvador Dali might be looking down from above to give his thumbs up to the surrealism of Anyma’s show. (Image: Vegas 411)

Experiencing electronic music artist Anyma’s eight-show residency at the Sphere, now running through January 11, is like going to an aerobics class for your eyes. And your butt gets quite a workout as well, thanks to the venue’s vibrating seats.

Billed as Afterlife Presents Anyma “The End Of Genesys,” after the global star’s two albums “Genesys” and “Genesys II” (released in 2023 and 2024, respectively), the future-is-now extravaganza marries electronic music (melodic techno, with elements of trance) to non-stop, synchronized, and surreal visuals. The effect is both transcendent and exhausting.

The electronic artist known as Anyma achieves liftoff at the Sphere. (Image: Vegas 411)

For two hours (between 11:00pm-1:00am), Italian-American DJ Matteo Milleri—the first electronic music artist to perform at the venue—takes the audience inside the emotional heart of his albums. They are built around the “themes of technology, nature, humanity, and coexistence” (according to his press bio). It’s all visually depicted on the venue’s wraparound screen by haunting man-machine creatures that suggest post-modern Cirque du Soleil characters.

Nightmarish or inviting? Anyma leaves it up to his admirers at the Sphere. (Image: Vegas 411)

“Genesys” ultimately feels like the last word in EDM live experiences. The visual bar is raised so high at this show—the hyper-surrealism on display would seem to have Salvador Dali’s approval—that I can’t help but wonder: who could possibly top it?

Track #2: Norms Restaurant @West Charleston Ave

The sharp neo-mid-century design touches at Norms are definitely welcome in an ordinary world. (Image: Vegas 411)

The other night I dreamed I was eating at Norms Restaurant in LA on La Cienega Blvd. It turns out the dream was real—well, kind of. While I was definitely at Norms, it wasn’t in SoCal but instead at their new Vegas branch at Charleston and Decatur.

It’s the longtime (since 1949) brand’s first location outside of SoCal and yet another example of the ever-expanding Cali presence in Vegas. It’s open 24/7 and serves beer, wine, and specialty cocktails. It’s, in fact, the first Norms with a full bar (take that, Cali).

For dinner, I enjoyed their new menu item, “Cali-Cado Benny”—an updated eggs Benedict offering, with avocado and bacon—and we all split the chocolate fudge cake from Cheesecake Factory, with a scoop of Thrifty ice cream (restaurant collabs are cool). “Norms Classics”—like their “ultimate meatloaf,” with garlic mushrooms, bacon and brown gravy, and country fried steak—are all on the menu (no worries, you can start eating healthy tomorrow).

Please give Norms a warm round of applause for debuting in Vegas. (Image: Vegas 411)

The architecture is not as mid-century Googie-wondrous as the truly iconic La Cienega Blvd location (which opened in 1957). Still, there are enough neo-mid-century touches to keep folks visually engaged, like the bold orange color used throughout and the geometrically patterned visuals. As someone who lived in Los Angeles for some 40 years, it’s both exciting and heartwarming to see Norms’ self-described neon “iconic sawtooth pennant sign” glowing while cruising down Charleston.

Track #3: Get A Haircut @New Orleans Square in Commercial Center

This groovy rock ‘n’ roll roll couple serves up haircuts and hard rock & roll memorabilia all under one roof. (Image: Vegas 411)

If my head wasn’t shaved, I would definitely have my hair cut by JJ Jones at Get A Haircut at New Orleans Square in historic Commercial Center. Owned by Jones and Traci Simon, an ultra-sweet and rocking couple who both moved years ago to Vegas from LA, the barber shop has been open at this spot since 2021. Haircuts are attractively priced at $10.00, and a beard trim is $7.00. No wonder there’s a steady stream of customers here.

Notably, the eye-catching Get A Haircut doubles as a rock & roll museum. It’s stuffed with all kinds of memorabilia: stage wear by the artists who wore them, like Stephen Pearcy of Ratt; various instruments, including a guitar signed by Motley Crue’s new guitarist John 5; and concert posters and live photos, including some taken by Vegas-based David Plastik.

At this home of the $10 haircut, you can pose with a replica of Gene Simmons of KISS. (Image: Vegas 411)

The space is a loving tribute to many of the artists, like Poison and Guns N’ Roses, who defined the Sunset Strip ‘80s era with hard chords, big hair, and even bigger dreams. If you worship at the shine of hard rock legends KISS, have your picture taken here with a life-size statue of Gene “God of Thunder” Simmons and show off your new Simmons-approved “cut.”

Track #4: Parlour Coffee and Cooking @Downtown

This is what the world needs now.  (Image: Vegas 411)

Parlour Coffee and Cooking in the East Fremont area downtown is a breakfast/brunch hot spot that bills itself as a “Social Sitting Room.” Truth to tell, it’s an easy place to settle into, with its charmingly artsy decor and many eclectic sweet and savory creations.

As a native Bronx boy, I immediately (and wisely, it turns out) went for the “New Yorker” on the Kaiser roll, with eggs over easy, American cheese, grilled ham, and a spicy Italian chili sauce. I’m also heartily recommending the immediately mood-lifting tiramisu coffee with cookie syrup, double espresso, mascarpone, and whipped cream. We all shared the Crème Brule French Toast, a dreamy offering with caramelized sugar and topped with fresh fruit. If everyone tasted this, it could likely bring about world peace.

Walk down E Carson Avenue and step inside this standout brunch spot. (Image: Vegas 411)

Parlour has its guests covered on many levels. Try the vegan hash, BBQ corn beef sammy, and Banana Foster crepe. Wash it all down with a Bullet Espresso, made with unsalted butter and coconut oil, or one of its signature “Adult Coffees,” like the “Nutty Irishman,” made with Jameson and Baileys Irish Cream.

This is definitely one “parlour” worth stepping into, and it’s conveniently located around the corner from Container Park. There are two more locations—one on East Flamingo Road, the other in Henderson. I could easily see this brand expanding beyond Vegas.

Track #5: Vino Aromi @Desert Shores

Desert Shores adds another excellent restaurant from an essential Vegas chef. (Image: Vegas 411)

I’m already mad for the culinary pleasures at Aromi. That’s the Italian restaurant in Summerlin North owned by South American chef German Castellanos who previously turned heads for 12 years at the old Valentino at the Venetian.

And now, just four minutes away from Aromi—at Lakeside Village within Desert Shores—comes his latest place, Vino Aromi.  It’s a casual, moderately priced Italian bistro and bar offering a tighter menu, happy hour, brunch, and outdoor patio.

It’s worth driving to Desert Shores for this pizza. (Image: Vegas 411)

The environment here is warm and cozy, with brick, wood, and circular red leather tufted booths. Our three choices on a recent evening were just as striking as the food at the Aromi mothership: the Pappardelle Pesto, the Rigatoni Vodka with Italian Sausage, and the Porchetta Pizza accented with caramelized onions and truffle oil.

Vino Aromi is a wonderful and worth-the-drive addition to the other restaurants at Lakeside Village—Marche Bacchus, Americana, and Buena Vista Kitchen—plus the Daily Bread bakery. If you go during the day, park alongside one of Desert Shores’ four artificial lakes—I prefer the one on Breakwater Drive—and sit on a bench there. The ducks will instantly befriend you and make you forget about life’s obstacles.

###

 

Author

  • Mitch Schneider is a Las Vegas-based writer and publicist. He has written for publications such as Rolling Stone, and his current PR music clients include contemporary and legacy artists.

    View all posts
Mitch Schneider is a Las Vegas-based writer and publicist. He has written for publications such as Rolling Stone, and his current PR music clients include contemporary and legacy artists.