Steve Aoki’s favorite comedian and collaboration partner, Sebastian Maniscalco, has joked about Las Vegas dayclubs in his show at the Encore Theater. Maniscalco has told his audiences at Wynn Las Vegas that he has checked into the resort’s Encore Beach Club, only to be told he needs to spend like $10K for a VIP bungalow.
Probably an exaggeration.
Nonetheless, Las Vegas visitors who want a premium club experience under the sun continue to populate these hot spots. Aoki is, naturally, a popular headliner at Strip dayclubs. He is among this month’s stars at Omnia Dayclub, premiering June 28.
Aoki’s experience at Omnia has been as a guest during its opening two weekends ago. He was impressed, nonetheless.
“It’s massive. I haven’t played there yet, but I’ve walked around it to check it out,” Aoki said on the red carpet of the American Music Awards show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Memorial Day. “I think the layout is the best I’ve seen.”
Omnia’s upcoming headliner lineup is loaded with Lavern on Friday (back June 19), Alesso on Saturday and Deorro on Sunday. Further out, it’s Twinsick (June 12 and 26), Tiesto (June 13), Louis the Child (June 14), Martin Garrix w/Justin Mylo (June 20), Cedric Gervais (June 21) and Fisher (June 27), leading to Aoki.
Club operator Tao Group Hospitality has previously redesigned existing spaces, including the rooftop Tao Beach Club at The Venetian and Palm Beach Club (formerly Wet Republic) at the MGM Grand. But Omnia was constructed as an extension of Omnia Nightclub, extending to the edge of the Strip.
A great spot to party and perform motorcycle stunts, from Tao Group.
“I think it’s smart. They’ve gotten the ones they’ve opened to work, and now they get to build it from the ground up instead of retrofitting a current space,” Aoki said. “They really did it right. It’s going to be one of the best dayclubs, and not just here. Las Vegas is contending to be one of the best places in the world to see DJs.”
Breakaway at Wynn
On the topic of electronic music on the Strip, Wynn Nightlife’s Breakaway Takeover is back June 12 to 14, it was announced Monday. Encore Beach Club’s headliners are It’s Murph on Friday, Major Lazer on Saturday and Arcase on Sunday. Kaskade takes over XS Nightclub on Friday, with The Chainsmokers closing the event June 13.
Marshmello, Calvin Harris and Diplo were among Wynn Nightlife’s May headliners. And that guy who looked like Russell Westbrook, taking the booth with The Chainsmokers at XS Nightclub on May 24 — yes, that really was the NBA star.
Manilow at Westgate
Not a ticketed show, but a performance just the same: Barry Manilow was back at the Westgate’s International Theater on Sunday to prep for his upcoming arena tour of the U.K., the Northeast U.S. and then back to his Vegas residency.
Manilow’s husband and manager, Garry Kief, reports, “So far, so good,” for the 82-year-old superstar trying to rebound from recent health problems.
Manilow’s Westgate production is scheduled to resume July 9 to 11, with dates extending into December. “Between that and the new album coming out, it’s going to be a great year,” Kief says.
The new release, “What a Time,” is due out Friday. The singles “Sun Shine,” “Once Before I Go” and“Another Life” are out now.
Transition!
The smoke alarm sounded during the 7 p.m. performance of “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace on Friday night. This was the chosen option for several folks who had planned to be at the Rod Stewart show that night, including Stewart’s backup singer Becca Kotte, who was in the crowd.
We met Kotte during her days in “Rock of Ages” at The Venetian and the Rio from 2014 through Jan. 1, 2017. She performed in more than 1,000 shows, mostly as Sherrie Christian.
Anyway … the alarm broke into the performance just as Wanda Widdles, played by Sarah Lowe, was to dive into her vulgar mid-show speech. Many audience members laughed, as if the alarm were part of the show.
Even when Widdles and the Gazillionaire (played by Michael Rahhal) asked the crowd to remain patient, sit tight and buy a drink, people laughed. The show resumed after about 15 minutes, with the Widdles’ speech lopped for time. This audience had no idea what it missed.
Cool Hang Alert
The scene is upscale — yet the entertainment is no-cover — at Mayfair Supper Club. The Lake Bellagio-facing nightspot’s new lineup from The Box Amusements debuted on New Year’s Eve.
We swung back in a couple of weeks ago. The pairing of performances and dining, overlooking the Bellagio fountains, is uniquely Vegas. Try the grilled branzino. Check out “hair-ialist” Sienna Martinez. Also, pose for pics with bottle walker Ashlee Montague.
Famous people at Mayfair this year have included the Backstreet Boys, Ja Rule on his 50th birthday, Neil Patrick Harris, Lil Jon, Jeremy Renner, Raiders safety Treydan Stukes … who else … ah, Zooey Deschanel with Jonathan Scott of “Property Brothers.” It’s a variety show, on and off the stage, at Mayfair.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykatson X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.
Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio Cast List:
Kimberly Nichole- MC Marcella
Myia Butler – Chanteuse
Dejan Daskov – Pianist swing
Jacob Greenwald – Magician
Amadeus Luevanos – M Dancer
Angel Spenser – Dancer
Grace Richey – Dancer
Cassidi Zuna – Dancer
Mario (Comedy paparazzi) – Jimmie Cervera
Mayfair Magic – Jacob Greenwald
Duo Del Canto – Roller Skaters (swings)
Nia Millan – Mermaid Pole
Holland Lohse – Hand-to-Hand and Flying Pole
Sienna Martinez – Hair Hang and Hand-to-Hand
Ashlee Montague – Bottle Walk
Sofia Rolão – Balance contortion
Emily England – Quick Change
Roman Tomanov – Straps