Why experience only one thing when you can enjoy it all, which is the beauty of cultural life in Vegas. For this “mixtape,” I saw electronic rock pioneers play on The Strip before darting downtown for an all-female blues-soaked jam. On other nights, I danced at a dinner-disco event at an off-Strip hotel and got lost inside a supersonic warehouse rave. I also experienced pure culinary nirvana by finding a two-restaurants-in-one establishment serving Mexican food and sushi.
Track #1: Kraftwerk @Encore Theater at the Wynn
Kraftwerk illuminated the strange relationship between man and machines. (Image: Vegas 411)
At Kraftwerk’s show at the Encore Theater at The Wynn, I boarded the “Trans Europe Express,” raced on the “Autobahn,” experienced “Radioactivity,” and became a “Man Machine,” to quote the titles of some of their classic songs. Before an adoring and arty-looking audience, the music performed by these electronic/art rock visionaries was minimalist, stubborn, and, at its best, hypnotic. With the state of the world right now, why not simply opt out and transform oneself into a “Robot”?
Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Kraftwerk were formed in 1970 in Germany by Ralf Hutter, the only original member left, and they’re now on tour celebrating “50 Years of Autobahn.” Hutter and his three cohorts walked onstage at the Encore precisely at 8pm, all dressed in their form-fitting and illuminated matching suits that evoked the film “Tron.” Accompanied by high-tech graphics and vintage films, they stood in front of their synthesizers and drum machines for two hours, barely moving.
Kraftwerk—the ultimate modern group, awash in color. (Image: Vegas 411)
And yet—they absolutely owned the stage, reminding everyone how they audaciously saw the future of music 55 years ago. Who needs blues, folk, and country when you can create machine music and head to space with repetitive beats and concise melodies? At the Encore, Kraftwerk served them up with their electronically treated vocals and chilling ahead-of-their-time lyrics.
Their 1978 song “The Man Machine” remains both a dead-on celebration of, and warning about, mankind’s relationship with technology: “MAN machine, semi human being.” Kraftwerk also cautioned us, in 1981’s “Computer Love,” that you can fall in love with your machine, but you’ll be lonely too, singing, “I don’t know what to do/I need a rendezvous.” Their words resonated eerily tonight.
Track #2: Mi Casa Grill Cantina/Su Casa Sushi Bar @Silverton Hotel and Casino
Mexican and Japanese cuisines excitingly come together here. (Image: Vegas 411)
Ever had the urge to eat Mexican food—and sushi/sashimi/poke—at a single restaurant? What about enjoying a margarita, guacamole, and enchiladas along with edamame, seaweed salad, and a crispy tuna roll?
This adventure is possible at the visually spectacular Mi Casa Grill Cantina and the Su Casa Sushi Bar inside Silverton Casino Hotel. I didn’t even know that these two restaurants under one roof existed until I went to the Silverton to see the live mermaids in their huge aquarium. As a fan of Jose Andres’ China Poblano at the Cosmopolitan, which serves both Mexican and Chinese food, I was thrilled to discover a Vegas eatery offering Mexican and Japanese cuisines—and doing it well.
Walk into Mi Casa and to the right you’ll see Su Casa nestled in there. (Image: Vegas 411)
My margarita and sushi choice—the “Angry Tuna,” with spicy tuna and shrimp tempura—segued seamlessly into the excellent “Chile Relleno Oaxaca” entree with asadero cheese, Spanish rice, and refried beans. This bi-ethnic culinary experience works, enough so that I’m tempted to return immediately and try Su Casa’s Chirashi tacos, served with truffled furikake fries, which sound positively surreal. I also can’t help but wonder about a restaurant, which may already exist somewhere, serving Mexican and Indian food.
Track #3: “Oddyssey Noir” @Area15
This is one “Oddyssey” worth exploring. (Image: Vegas 411)
Looking for freedom from the mundane and oppressive? “Oddyssey Noir” has debuted just in time.
Located in a separate building at Area 15, it’s an endlessly imaginative “warehouse rave” experience, with two dance floors and multiple bar areas. As you wander through the labyrinthine space with nine themed rooms and enticing alcoves, there’s no shortage of artful eye candy here—thanks to the roving carnival and burlesque performers, dazzling electric sculptures, and circus-themed murals.
The space is dimly lit and fog machine-enhanced—everyone looks fabulously ageless, as it should be. The pumping house and techno sounds, curated by the Vegas electronic dance music radio station ViBE 99.7 FM, took everyone deeper into oblivion.
Step inside a faux chapel and watch couples tie the knot—well, kind of. (Image: Vegas 411)
The crowd on opening night was all-inclusive—it felt like being at the NYC clubs at the dawn of disco before the velvet ropes at Studio 54 ushered in snobbery. “Oddyssey Noir” is billed as “the first iteration of our exclusive-access party series.” The next installment of this creative madness is Saturday, April 26.
Track #4: Weera Thai @S Rainbow Blvd
The colorful ambience here sets the stage for one outstanding dish after another. (Image: Vegas 411)
On a recent evening, when an early taste of summer was in the air, my guests and I bookended our dinner at the southwest location of Weera Thai with a shredded papaya salad and juicy mango dessert. Both selections were light, refreshing, and flavorful. Everything else we had in between was also home-run-level, not to mention invitingly plated, including the Pad Thai, the silky eggplant, and Thai shumai.
Here’s one way to get to heaven—order the juicy mango dessert (Image: Vegas 411)
Having not been to this “Northeastern Thai food” restaurant in a couple of years, we were elated to see how it has been expanded. There are many sexy, colorful, and gorgeous design touches—both traditional and modern—under its soaring ceiling with an array of visually commanding lighting fixtures. It sets the tone for first-class dining that competes with the elegant Thai eatery Lemongrass at the Aria.
Weera is located on S Rainbow Blvd where many Asian businesses continue to flourish, earning the area the unofficial name of “the other Chinatown.” There are three other Weera branches in town, with a fifth one, Weera Thai Street Food, on track to soon open on West Sahara Ave in the same plaza where the Golden Steer Steakhouse packs them in.
Track #5: Around Town Medley:
Gal power in full effect at the “Ma’am Jam.” L-R: Katie Schamze, Sabrina Richmond, Marissa Hollenbeck, and Betty Vance. (Image: courtesy of Dave Plastik)
They say “the future is female,” and that led me to the all-gal “Ma’am Jam,” presented by the Las Vegas Blues Society Community. It was held at the packed Sand Dollar Downtown inside the Plaza Hotel & Casino, with two bands belting out red-hot blues classics including Otis Redding’s “Hard To Handle,” a song that’s been covered by many artists including ‘60s singer Patti Drew (as noted from the stage), Tom Jones, and later, The Black Crowes.
You can never go wrong with the blues. (Image: Vegas 411)
Two musicians whom I know—drummer Sabrina Richmond and bassist Betty Vance—proved to be a formidable rhythm section, laying down tight grooves over which the other musicians and rotating vocalists also generated serious heat. If you’re feeling down and out, what else can you do but “Bet On The Blues”?
Celebrated author Pamela Des Barres (left) and Vegas 411’s Staci Layne Wilson brought their disco best. (Image: courtesy of Lisa S. Johnson)
The guest of honor at the debut of the “Groove Is In The Heart” dinner and vintage ‘70s disco event—at the luxe Laguna Pool House & Kitchen, on the sixth floor of Palms Place—was celebrated author and famous ‘70s groupie Pamela Des Barres whose book “I’m With The Band” is regarded as one of rock’s best memoirs. Visiting from LA, Miss Pamela was among the disco-dressed revelers on the dance floor overlooking the pool. The crowd also included Grammy winner Micki Free, a former member of Shalamar whose 1983 hit “Dancing In The Sheets” was on the evening’s playlist.
Vintage disco sounds ruled the night along with tasty food. (Image: Vegas 411)
Chef Luke Palladino’s delicious globally influenced creations comprised the menu, and the rhythm-is-king music that I curated—with tracks by Barry White, First Choice, O’Jays, Sylvester, Labelle, the Trammps, and more—celebrated inclusivity, freedom, and good times. Look for another “Groove Is In The Heart” blowout to take place later this year.
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