Go: Where to Go, What to Do & Why

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GMI

By James P. Reza

There are weeks when we scramble around, lifting up cryptsters and examining the rubble of yet another local hangout, trying desperately to uncover something agreeably pleasant for us--and you--to do. Not this week. With MAGIC in town the clubs are hopping; plus there are two motor-based happenings that warrant attention, or at least a sniff of exhaust. That, and punk rockers bowling. Off we go.

Manhandled, old school

Alt.culture has seemingly always embraced an ironic-retro component, as if somehow what the hipsters of past generations rejected as either too popular or too bourgeois has become, when one looks over his shoulder at it through the caffeine-fogged lenses, cool. How else to explain the ongoing resurgence of Tony Bennett--Frank Sinatra's favorite vocalist who eventually won favor with the cocktail revivalists of the '90s? How about the voice, for starters? Cynics may call it a gimmick, but Bennett's modern-era performances always include an a capella number. A spotlight shines, silence covers the room, and a still-strong version of, perhaps, "The Best is Yet to Come" flows from the 78-year-old Bennett, illustrating why calling Jessica Simpson a singer is a pop culture joke. And also why sometimes, hipsters discover things only after the masses exploit them. Hear Bennett at the Golden Nugget, Friday-Sunday (Feb. 18-20; 385-7111).

And as the world goes retro, so goes Vegas. After three-plus decades of domination by sequins-and-feathers extravaganzas, headliners are back in a big way and Tony Bennett is just the tip. In the sleepy 'burb of Green Valley, Sinatra's (and, for that matter, Bennett's) heir apparent Harry Connick Jr. will play Green Valley Ranch Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 19-20; 547-5300). A longtime jazz singer and pianist (his first public performance was at six), the 37-year-old swung into pop consciousness by composing a movie soundtrack in 1989, proving that there was more to When Harry Met Sally than Meg Ryan's table-banging fake orgasm.

This week also launches the Hilton's latest headliner, Barry Manilow, whose long-term Manilow: Music & Passion engagement begins Wednesday (Feb. 23; 732-5111). And though Celine Dion may not be our idea of a headliner, pinch hitter Elton John certainly qualifies. Sir Elton is back at Caesars this month (through Feb. 26; 731-7110). We'll catch up with Celine later--when she's ironic and can be found on the jukebox at the Double Down Saloon (791-5775).

Mods and rockers

Speaking of the Double Down...Stuff like this doesn't happen by accident. Nearly 40 years after the original mods and rockers dusted it up on the British beaches of Brighton, modern-day folks who still identify with their subcultures will be in town this weekend for High Rollers Weekend (Feb 17-21; lvscooterrally.com/events.html)--four-plus days of mods riding shiny Vespa scooters from pub to gig to pub to gig--and the Las Vegas Winter Bike Rally (lasvegaswinterrally.com), a weekend of Harley Davidsons, rock music and men in leather that culminates on Sunday (Feb. 20) with a rally at the Hard Rock Cafe. Add to the mix that this is also Punk Rock Bowling Weekend, and that the Double Down is hosting parties/gigs for all three of these events, and you get the idea that the city's fave dive is either going to be the best or worst place to be this weekend.

The mods will be at the Double Down Thursday night (Feb. 17) for punks Putnam Hall and Left Alone, and then move to the New Frontier Casino for Friday's Vegas Shakedown, a dance party featuring some top mod-scene DJs spinning Northern Soul, ska, and Britpop. Friday will see a Double Down double feature with an 8 p.m. party for the Winter Bike Rally with music by The Heathens, and then a 10 p.m. Punk Rock Bowling afterparty with Jackass, Drag the River and The Groovie Ghoulies. On Saturday, Vespas will shine at the Westward Ho, where the mods will gather for a scooter show before that evening's big Scoot-Do bash at the Sahara Casino, featuring All Mod Cons, a tribute band of the Jam, traditional ska from The Unsteady, plus all those DJs from the night before. As these events are big for those in the know but promoted on the down-low, check the websites for all the details.

And, as if all that's not enough, a great (and cheap) show is going down at the House of Blues on Saturday (Feb. 19; 632-7600): the 7th Annual Tales from the Gutter, featuring punk rock's premiere cover band, Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, New Jersey punk revivalists the Bouncing Souls, and the Briefs. Who can pass up punk covers of John Denver and Neil Diamond, all for 13 bucks?

You go now

Last week, there was much lamenting regarding the lack of cool places to hang out when Starbucks gets old and it's way too early for the bar. Depending upon how closely you listen to your foodie and oenophile friends, you may have just heard of Sonny Ahuja's recently opened Bleu Gourmet (363-2538), the west side's almost-answer to this dilemma. Is it a wine store? An espresso café? A bistro? Much like the original incarnation of Jazzed Café, it's all three, but unlike that favored establishment's late night crowd, Bleu Gourmet is meant to be enjoyed early, as its ambitious 7 a.m.-9 p.m. hours suggest.

Its urban feel (concrete floors, open-frame ceiling) and expansive bar seating make it a comfortable stop for everyone from suits to sweats. Where else can you enjoy a bottle of wine from a large, well-tended retail selection (with no corkage fee), a scrambled egg, Fontina cheese and fresh asparagus sandwich on baked-to-order bread, watch the news or the game, and freely surf the Internet from your wireless laptop in a smoke-free environment? Answer: nowhere but here--at least for now. It's new, and there are surely improvements to be made (more desserts? later hours?), but for Bleu to be this pleasant right out of the box keeps us hoping that they thrive.

Native Las Vegan James P. Reza will be the old guy at the scooter rally. E-mail the author at jpreza@cox.net.