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Fall means Artscape, John Waters, The Wiz, and more in Baltimore

Major concerts, opening of M&T Bank Exchange among highlights

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John Waters brings his show ā€˜A John Waters Christmas: Letā€™s Blow It Up,ā€™ to the Baltimore Sound Stage on Dec. 21. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Can Baltimore walk and chew gum at the same time?

The question came up this summer when leaders of several local arts organizations voiced concerns that the fall arts calendar is so full of events that they feared the city wouldnā€™t be able to handle them all.

The biggest change is that Baltimoreā€™s popular three-day Artscape festival, one of the largest free arts gatherings in the country, is shifting from its usual mid-July date to mid-September for the first time. In the past, it has drawn upwards of 350,000 people over three days.

The dates selected for Artscape this year, Sept. 22-24, coincide with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestraā€™s Sept. 23 fall gala at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, where new music director Jonathon Heyward will begin his tenure, and four comedy shows by Nate Bargatze at Lyric Baltimore ā€“ all within the relatively compact Mount Royal Cultural District.

How will the city control all the traffic, the doubters asked. Where will everyone park? And what about the Ravens-Colts football game at Camden Yards the same weekend?

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott promised that the city can put on more than one big event at a time.

ā€œWe are a major city,ā€ he said last month. ā€œMajor cities are going to have multiple events at the same timeā€¦Walk and chew gum, as my grandmother would say.ā€

The concerns about Artscape weekend are a sign of how much Baltimore has rebounded from the lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused festivals and other public gatherings to be cancelled for public health reasons. This monthā€™s event will be the first time Artscape has been held since 2019.

But itā€™s not just one weekend that has so much going on. Artscape is one of many big festivals, shows, and exhibits that are coming to Baltimore this fall, including the launch of a new national touring production of ā€œThe Wiz,ā€ Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks appearing at the M&T Bank Stadium; and another packed lineup at the recently refurbished CFG Bank Arena, including Queen + Adam Lambert; the Jonas Brothers; Kiss and Pentatonix. Just about every weekend this fall has multiple big events scheduled, even without factoring in how the Orioles do in the playoffs.

Here are some of the highlights:  

Artscape 2023: Artscape celebrates the visual arts, dance, fashion, music, the culinary arts and other creative endeavors. This yearā€™s musical headliners will be: DJ Pee.Wee (the persona of Anderson .Paak) on Friday night; composer, producer, arranger and guitarist Nile Rodgers & Chic on Saturday afternoon; Angelo Moore of Fishbone performing with his band Dr. Madd Vibe on Saturday night; and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra on Sunday afternoon.

The festivalā€™s footprint has expanded from the Mount Royal cultural district to include part of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District farther north. A complete list of events is available at Artscape.org.

Fellā€™s Point Fun Festival: Two weeks after Artscape, from Oct. 6-8, the Fellā€™s Point Fun Festival will draw crowds to Baltimoreā€™s waterfront (fellspointfest.com) This annual showcase for Baltimoreā€™s art, crafts, food and music typically draws 50,000 visitors, while helping raise funds to support the programs and activities of the Preservation Society of Federal Hill and Fellā€™s Point, a non-profit that works to protect two of the cityā€™s most historic neighborhoods.

Baltimore native and country music star Brittney Spencer will be the headliner Friday night. The eclectic lineup for the three-day event includes: Better Off Dead, a band that celebrates The Grateful Dead; ilyAIMY (i love you And I Miss You); Shelby Blondell; the Baltimore Symphony Orchestraā€™s OrchKids; Orquestra Nfuzion from Washington, D. C.; The Cover Up; Old Eastern; DJ Allure; Annapolisā€™s 8 Ohms Band, Rufus Roundtree & Da Bā€™more Brass Factory; The Trinidad & Tobago Steel Drum Band; Baltimore All-Stars; DJ G-Money, and, in honor of Indigenous Peopleā€™s Day on October 9, Mark Tayac and the Piscataway Nation Singers and Dancers, a group that educates audiences about Native American history and culture as part of their performances.

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks concert: On Saturday, Oct. 7, Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks will perform at M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St., starting at 7 p.m. It will be one of the only times that the Camden Yards sport complex is used for a major concert this year, after Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band cancelled a Sept. 9 performance at Oriole Park.

More performing arts events:

CFG Bank Arena, 201 West Baltimore St. (cfgbankarena.com): Concerts include: 50 Cent: The Final Lap Tour, September 19; Jonas Brothers: Five Albums. One Night. September 22; SZA ā€“ SOS Tour with special guest D4VD, September 28; Queen + Adam Lambert ā€“ The Rhapsody Tour, October 4 and 5; Carin Leon ā€“ Colmillo De Leche Tour, October 7; Disney on Ice presents Magic in the Stars, October 12-15; John Mayer ā€“ Solo, October 20; Lauren Daigle ā€“ The Kaleidoscope Tour, Oct 21; Katt Williams, October 27; Baltimore R&B Music Experience: Xscape, Bell Biv DeVoe, 112, October London, Silk, Next, October 28, and Romeo Santos ā€“ Formula Vol. 3 Tour, November 2.

Also, The 1975 Stillā€¦at their very best, November 8; Bronco ā€“ En Vivo y A Todo Color!, November 17; Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On Earth, November 24 to 26; Kiss ā€“ The End of the Road Tour, November 29; Old Dominion ā€“ No Bad Vibes Tour, December 2; Pentatonix The Most Wonderful Tour of the Year, December 3; Travis Scott Utopia Tour Presents Circus Maximus, December 6; Billy Strings, December 8 and 9, and Andrea Bocelli, December 10.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: The Baltimore Symphony marks the arrival of Jonathon Heyward as its new music director with a gala celebration at Strathmore in North Bethesda on September 22; a gala celebration at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore on September 23 and a free public concert at the Meyerhoff during Artscape on September 24. More information about the symphonyā€™s fall schedule at the Meyerhoff, including speakers such as Sonia Sotomayor (September 27); David Sedaris (October 5); Fran Lebowitz (October 6) and Jane Fonda (October 12) is on its website at bsomusic.org.

Hippodrome Theatre, 12 S. Eutaw St., Baltimore.Broadway.com: The fall season starts with an all-new revival of The Wiz, a musical that debuted in Baltimore in 1974, with shows from September 23 to 30. Other shows include: Heilung, October 19; The Rocky Horror Picture Show 48th Anniversary Spectacular Tour with Patricia Quinn, the original Magenta, on October 21; Chris Tucker: The Legend Tour 2023, October 22; Funny Girl, October 24 to 29; the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine Presents Snow White, November 4; ā€˜Twas the night beforeā€¦by Cirque du Soleil, November 24 to December 3; Moulin Rouge! The Musical, December 5 to 17, and Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet, December 18 and 19. A new performing and events venue next to the Hippodrome, called the M&T Bank Exchange, will have its grand opening on October 11.

Lyric Baltimore, 140 West Mount Royal Avenue, lyricbaltimore.com: Justin Willman: Magic for Humans in Person Tour, September 16; Wild Kratt Live 2.0 Activate Creature Power! Starring the Kratt Brothers, September 22; Nate Bargatze — The Be Funny Tour, September 23 and 24; Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Tone! Just Me and You Tour, September 26; Trey Kennedy Grow Up Comedy Tour, September 28; Buddy Guy — Damn Right Farewell, September 29; Ms. Pat: Ya Girl Done Made It Tour, September 30; Casting Crowns: 20th Anniversary Tour, October 1; Anthony Jeselnik: Bones and All, October 5; Charm City Blues Festival, October 6; Blippi: The Wonderful World tour, Oct 7, and Stavros Halkias: The Fat Rascal Tour, October 12-14;

Also, Nick Offerman: Live! October 26; Steve Martin & Martin Short, October 28; Encanto: the Sing-Along Film Concert, October 29; Maverick City Music, November 2; The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute, November 3; Nikki Glaser: The Good Girl Tour, November 4; One Night of Queen, November 9; Shane Gillis Live, November 10; The Princess Bride, November 17; Chris D’Elia: Donā€™t Push Me, November 18; Brian Culbertson: The  Trilogy Tour: November 19; Joe Bonamassa, November 25; A Drag Queen Christmas, November 26; Peppa Pigā€™s Sing-Along Party1, November 30; David Spade: Catch Me Inside, December 1; The Nutcracker, December 14; A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live On Stage, December 15, and Mark Normand: Ya Donā€™t Say Tour!, December 16.

Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., (creativealliance.org): In the main gallery through September 30 is ā€œGod Couldnā€™t be Everywhereā€¦Thatā€™s Why He Made Momma,ā€ an exhibit by Salome Sykes and Lendl Tellington. In the Amalie Rothschild Gallery through October 21 ā€œTaking Space,ā€ an exhibit featuring work by Baltimore based Latino artists, including Tito Rosa; Christina Delgado; Jessy DeSantis; Jaz Erenberg and Edgar Reyes. Other events: Tianquiztli, a Latin American Artisan Market and Festival on September 16; the Alejandro Brittes Quartet, September 23; Walters Art Museum he Charm City Burlesque & Variety Festival September 29 to October 1; and Kavita Shah & The Cape Verdean Blues Project, October 4.

Baltimore Center Stage, 700 North Calvert St. (centerstage.org): In partnership with the Baltimore American Indian Center, the theater recently opened an Indigenous Art Gallery that is free and open during box office hours. Shows include: Lady Day at Emersonā€™s Bar and Grill, September 14 to October 8; Imprint: Jazzā€™s Timeless Legacy, September 30; Locally Grown Festival, October 21 to 22; The Rocky Horror Picture Show Interactive Movie Night, featuring Chocolate-Covered Rocky Horror in Partnership with Creative Alliance; October 27-28; Baltimore Butterfly Sessions, part of a civic dialogue series, November 10, and Cinderella (Enchanted Edition, co-produced with Artscentric), November 25 to December 23.

Robert C. Marshall Recreation Center, 1201 Pennsylvania Ave.: Amal Walks Across America, September 16, 4:30 p.m. Little Amal, an internationally celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will arrive in Baltimore as part of a 6,000-mile journey across the United States.

Everyman Theatre, 315 West Fayette Street (everymantheatre.org):  The current production, running through September 29, is A Dollā€™s House. It will be followed by The Chinese Lady, a Baltimore premiere, October 22 to November 19; and Dial M for Murder, December 3 to 31.

Arena Players, 801 McCulloh Street (arenaplayersinc.com): Celebration A Musical Revue, with shows September 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24 and 29 and October 1.

Baltimore Soundstage, 124 Market Place: Writer and filmmaker John Waters returns with: ā€œA John Waters Christmas: Letā€™s Blow It Up,ā€ on December 21. The complete fall lineup is at Baltimoresoundstage.com. 

Visual arts events:

Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, (artbma.org): ā€œMaking Her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400-1800,ā€ opens October 1 and runs through January 7, 2024. This blockbuster exhibit will feature more than 200 paintings, sculptures, textiles, works on paper, pieces of furniture and decorative arts that show how women contributed to the visual arts of Europe from the 15th to 18th centuries. Other exhibits opening this fall include: ā€œTiona Nekkia McClodden: Play Me Home,ā€ September 13, 2023, to May 12, 2024; ā€œArt/Work: Women Printmakers of the WPA,ā€ November 5, 2023, to June 30, 2024; ā€œEyewinkers, Tumbleturds and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott,ā€ November 12, 2023, to April 28, 2024, and ā€œRaul Nieves: And imagine you are here,ā€ November 19, 2023, to May 1, 2025. Current exhibits closing this fall include: ā€œRecasting Colonialism: Michelle Erickson Ceramics,ā€ and ā€œThe Matter of Bark Cloth,ā€ which will end October 1, ā€œMatsumi Kanemitsu: Figure and Fantasy,ā€ which ends October 8, and ā€œWild Forms: Fauve Woodcuts,ā€ which ends October 15.

American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, (avam.org): The next ā€œmega exhibitā€ at the American Visionary Art Museum is ā€œIf You Build It, They Will Come,ā€ a look at visionary artists and their handcrafted environments, from October 7, 2023, to September 1, 2024. Featured artists include: Zebedee Armstrong; Gayleen Aiken; Ruby C. Williams; Leslie Payne; DeVon Smnitha nd Loring Cornish.

Walters Art Museum, 600 North Charles Street, (thewaltersorg.) Opening on December 3 and continuing until March 3, 2024, is ā€œEthiopia at the Crossroads,ā€ celebrating the artistic traditions of Ethiopia from their origins to the present day. ā€œNew on the Bookshelf: Expanded Narratives,ā€ a look at recent additions to the museumā€™s Rare Books and Manuscripts collection, runs through December 7, 2023.

The Peale, 225 Holliday Street, (thepealeorg.) Exhibits include ā€œThe Guardians of Baltimore,ā€ a documentary and storytelling project that celebrates the unrecognized community work of Black female leaders from city neighborhoods, through October 1; ā€œDark Beauty,ā€ featuring artist Daisy Brownā€™s portraits, stills and filmed interviews of Baltimore women with dark skin completions, through October 1, and ā€œSoul of a Butterfly,ā€ a look at Chicory, a poetry magazine published by the Enoch Pratt Free Library from 1966 to 1983, through October 8.

Maryland Center for History and Culture: 610 Park Avenue, (mdhistory.org.): ā€œThe Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited,ā€ a multi-media tribute to the creator of the Muppets, continues through December 30.

Doors Open Baltimore, citywide, (doorsopenbaltimore.org): A popular annual program that allows participants to tour places that arenā€™t usually open to the public returns on October 7 and 8, with approximately 50 sites open this year.

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Photos

PHOTOS: Taste of Point

Annual fundraiser held for LGBTQ youth scholarship, mentorship organization

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Taste of Point DC (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The Point Foundation held its annual Taste of Point fundraiser at Room & Board on May 2.

(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

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Theater

Miss Kitty tackles classical mythology in ā€˜Metamorphosesā€™

Folger production seen through the lens of the African diaspora

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Miss Kitty (Photo by Sarah Laughland Photography)

ā€˜Metamorphosesā€™
May 7-June 16
Folger Theatre
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
$20-$84
Folger.edu

Miss Kittyā€™s words are thoughtful and measured, occasionally punctuated by flamboyant flourishes and uplifting proclamations. Her tried and tested tagline is ā€œlive in fierce not fear.ā€Ā 

She describes herself as ā€œAMAB (assigned male at birth), nonbinary, genderqueer, transfemmeā€ as well as ā€œchanteuse, noble blacktress, and dancer.ā€ 

Currently, Miss Kitty is testing her talents in Mary Zimmermanā€™s ā€œMetamorphosesā€ at Folger Theatre on Capitol Hill. 

At 90 minutes, ā€œMetamorphoses,ā€ is made up of interwoven vignettes from classical mythology including the tales of Midas and his daughter, Alcyone and Ceyx, and Eros and Psyche. 

ā€œItā€™s all stories that relate to the human condition: the follies, the happiness, the love, the loss,ā€ Miss Kitty explains. ā€œAnd a thorough knowledge of mythology isnā€™t a requirement for enjoyment.ā€ 

The language is contemporary and with its 11-person ensemble cast ā€“ comprised exclusively of Black or indigenous people of color ā€“ theyā€™re adding their own spin to its present-day feel, she adds. 

In Zimmermanā€™s famously staged premiere production, the actors performed in and around a pool of water. At Folger, director Psalmayene 24 has ditched actual aquatics; instead, he suggests the element by introducing Water Nymph, a new character constructed around Miss Kitty. 

Water Nymph doesnā€™t speak, but sheā€™s very visible from the opening number and throughout the play on stage and popping up in unexpected places around the venue. 

ā€œItā€™s a lot of dancing; I havenā€™t danced the way Tony Thomas is choreographing me in a very long time. At 40, can she still make theater with just my body as her instrument?

The name ā€œMiss Kittyā€ was born over a decade ago. 

Miss Kitty recalls, ā€œShe was still presenting as male and going by her dead name. Someone commented that with the wig she was wearing for a part, she looked like Eartha Kitt whom she deeply admires.ā€

Her penchant for illeism (referring to oneself in third person) isnā€™t without good reason. She explains, ā€œItā€™s to reiterate that however she might look, sheā€™s always there; and if you misgender, she will let you know.ā€

Initially, the moniker was a drag persona at Capital Pride or the occasional fabulous cabaret performance at a nightclub.

But as time passed, she realized that Miss Kitty was something she couldnā€™t take off. She had always been a part of her. 

ā€œSheā€™s helped me to grow and flourish; sheā€™s given me the strength that I never would have had before. Iā€™m so proud of myself for realizing that before it was too late.ā€ 

Bringing Miss Kitty into her theatrical career presented some concerns. Would theater folks be open to the new her, especially those sheā€™d worked with before? 

Not always, but sheā€™s found new companies whoā€™ve welcomed Miss Kitty with open arms including Avant Bard, Spooky Action Theater, and now Folger. 

Last fall, Miss Kitty appeared in Spooky Actionā€™s Agreste (Drylands), a stunning queer story penned by gay Brazilian playwright Newton Moreno. 

After being invited to audition and reading the script, Miss Kitty was determined to be a part of the production. 

A work dealing with love and being trans, and transphobia, and how people can turn on a dime once they learn the truth about someone, resonated deeply with the actor. 

ā€œThe play speaks to the idea that if people just let people be who they are and love who they want to love weā€™d all be a lot happier,ā€ she says. 

For her sublime efforts, Miss Kitty nabbed a Helen Hayes Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Performer category (winner to be determined on Monday, May 20 during a ceremony at The Anthem). 

Itā€™s her first time nominated and first time attending. Sheā€™s thrilled. 

Miss Kitty grew up in Oxen Hill, Md., and now lives near Washington Harbor. Her entry into performance was through music followed by high school plays. She graduated from Catholic University with a degree in music/concentration in musical theater, and from there dove directly into showbiz. 

Looking back, Miss Kitty says, ā€œbeing a person of color AND queer can be a double whammy of difficulty. You have to live in light and do the things youā€™re afraid to do. Thatā€™s the game changer.ā€ 

Presenting ā€œMetamorphosesā€ through the lens of the African diaspora (the cast also includes Jon Hudson Odom and Billie Krishawn, among others) helps us to realize that every story can be universal, especially for marginalized people ā€” South Asian, Native American, or fully queer perspectives, she says.  

ā€œHaving an all-Black ensemble opens all new worlds for everyone.ā€

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Travel

Pride journey: Las Vegas

Start planning now for the October celebrations

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Las Vegas (Photo courtesy of Joey Amato)

Las Vegas, known for its vibrant and inclusive atmosphere, embraces LGBTQ culture with open arms, making it a thriving hub for the community. Iconic events like the annual Las Vegas Pride Parade and Festival bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate diversity and unity. The 2024 Las Vegas Pride festival is scheduled for Oct. 12, so start planning now.

The city’s commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the diverse range of LGBTQ-friendly accommodations, ensuring that visitors feel welcome and respected. Beyond the nightlife, Las Vegas hosts a variety of LGBTQ-focused community organizations, support groups, and cultural events that contribute to the rich tapestry of the city’s inclusive ethos. Whether exploring the famous entertainment offerings or participating in community-driven initiatives, LGBTQ individuals and allies alike find a warm and accepting home in the vibrant tapestry of LGBTQ culture in Las Vegas.

Ever since I was young, I have always wanted to stay at Bellagio. Its iconic foundations have fascinated me for decades. The hotel stands as an epitome of luxury and sophistication, offering an unparalleled experience that seamlessly blends opulence, entertainment, and fine dining. From the moment you step into the grand lobby, it’s evident that Bellagio is committed to providing a world-class stay, especially when you glance at the ceiling adorned with Chihuly glass sculptures.

I stayed in a recently renovated room in the Spa Tower with an unobstructed view of the Vegas Strip and the fountains. The attention to detail is evident in the tasteful decor, plush furnishings, and modern amenities. Beginning at 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends, the choreographed water show set against the backdrop of the Las Vegas Strip is a mesmerizing display of artistry, combining music, light, and water in perfect harmony. It sets the tone for the exquisite experiences that await within Bellagio.

Bellagio is also home to the famous Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, a lush oasis that undergoes seasonal transformations, displaying stunning floral displays and thematic installations. This botanical escape provides a serene contrast to the lively atmosphere of the casino and the bustling Strip. During our stay, the staff were completing the new springtime exhibition, which gave us Alice in Wonderland vibes. 

For those seeking entertainment, Bellagio offers the spectacular “O” by Cirque du Soleil, a water-themed extravaganza that complements the hotel’s overall theme. Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is another cultural gem within the hotel, featuring rotating exhibitions that display masterpieces from around the world.

Although it is possible to never leave the hotel, we wanted to experience other MGM Resorts properties, so we headed to LPM at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas for dinner. LPM offers an exquisite dining experience that effortlessly marries Mediterranean charm with the vibrant energy of the Strip. From the moment you step through the entrance, you are greeted by an ambiance that strikes a perfect balance between sophistication and conviviality.

LPM’s interior is a visual feast, adorned with chic decor, warm lighting, and an intimate atmosphere. The combination of contemporary design elements and classic French accents creates a welcoming space that feels both elegant and comfortable. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or seeking a romantic dinner, LPM’s ambiance sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

LPM’s menu is a culinary triumph, highlighting the rich and diverse flavors of the French Riviera. The emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in every dish. We began our meal with a variety of appetizers, including the Yellowtail Carpaccio, Escargots, and their signature Burrata prepared with heritage tomatoes and basil and topped with white truffles. For our main courses, we decided to focus on seafood entrees, so we tried the Lobster Risotto and grilled Chilean Bass. Both were prepared to perfection and paired very well together if you are looking to share entrees.

Of course, one of the biggest attractions of Las Vegas is the Strip itself. Spend a few hours meandering through each hotel and taking in the Vegas vibe. There is no other place in the world quite like it.

If you are in the mood for a little adventure, head to Area15, located about 10 minutes from the strip. Area15 is an immersive entertainment complex that blends art, technology, and entertainment in a unique and captivating way. Boasting an otherworldly exterior and a dynamic interior, Area15 is home to a variety of innovative experiences, including interactive art installations and virtual reality adventures. Its anchor tenant, the Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, is a surreal supermarket-like environment filled with mind-bending art and hidden mysteries. The venue also hosts concerts and live events including Beyond Brunch, a variety show hosted by drag queen extraordinaire Andrew Ryan. The two-hour spectacle includes a wonderful buffet and performances by talented acts ranging from hoop dancers to Cirque-style entertainers. The show is well worth the price of admission; it is not your typical drag brunch.

Spend the afternoon touring Area15 or head to The Sphere, Las Vegasā€™s newest concert venue. Rock icons U2 opened the venue with a 40-night run, but guests can purchase tickets to Darren Aronofsky’s multi-sensory film ā€œPostcard from Earth.ā€

For a trip down memory lane, especially if you are in you were born in the ā€˜70s or ā€˜80s, check out Retro by Voltaggio at Mandalay Bay. The restaurant owned by Top Chef stars, Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, takes diners on a nostalgic journey through time, blending modern culinary techniques with comforting flavors reminiscent of classic American dishes set in a retro-chic environment. The space is adorned with quirky memorabilia, neon accents, and a colorful palette that captures a sense of nostalgia without feeling overly kitschy, creating a welcoming environment for diners to unwind and enjoy the culinary adventure.

Retro by Voltaggio’s menu is a playful exploration of classic American favorites. We started our dinner with the deviled eggs with smoked trout roe along with the beet steak tartare, which was incredible. Next came the bluefin tuna ceviche served over coconut crushed ice. For our entrees we tried the trout meuniere, which was served in a lemon and caper sauce, as well as the lobster thermidor with lobster waffles ā€” yes, you read that correctly. It was as delicious as it sounds.

Save room for the dessert cart, which contains innovative creations that satisfy the sweet tooth. Whether you’re a fan of nostalgic flavors or simply seeking a unique and enjoyable meal, Retro by Voltaggio is worth the visit.

After dinner, catch a performance of Michael Jackson ā€œONEā€ by Cirque du Soleil also at Mandalay Bay. The show is a captivating tribute to the King of Pop that seamlessly blends the magic of Cirque du Soleil with the timeless music and iconic choreography of Michael Jackson. From the moment the lights dim to the final bow, the show is a high-energy, emotionally charged celebration of the legendary entertainer’s life and legacy. This isnā€™t your typical Cirque du Soleil show and is more like a concert featuring all of Michaelā€™s greatest hits, memorable dance moves, and state-of-the-art production. I felt like ā€œONEā€ is the type of concert Michael would have wanted to perform if he were still with us.

The thing I like most about Vegas is it is always evolving. Every time you visit, there is something new to see or do. Viva Las Vegas!

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