Absinthe is a spectacular new show in Las Vegas.

Five New and Fun
Attractions in Las Vegas

By Malea Ritz

Ah, Las Vegas – the ultimate gambling getaway. With its garish glitz and gaudy glamour, it can be easy to become swallowed up in the stereotypical Vegas stay.

But besides the obvious, what else is there to do? What’s up and coming and new to do there? We’ve got the hook up on the latest and greatest Las Vegas has to offer, so grab a pen and paper and take notes.

Music, Comedy and Circus

Recently named the “Best New Show” on the strip by Vegas SEVEN and Las Vegas Weekly, Absinthe is a creative concoction of carnival and performance. Strange is an understatement when it comes to this show; the out-of-control acrobats and musical madness are one of a kind.

Audiences will experience ‘thrills and chills’ as they witness unbelievable feats right before their very eyes. Absinthe just celebrated its one year anniversary and 500th show milestone on April 1, 2012. It gets even more bizarre when they do the show in the dark!

Absinthe show times are Tuesday, Thursday-Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Wednesday and Sunday at 8:00 p.m., with no show on Monday at Caesar’s Palace. However, the schedule is subject to change without notice. Absinthe will take place in the dark for all performances on the dates of April 30, May 1, May 7, May 8, May 14 and May 15.

For groups of 10 or more, please call 702-785-5394 / 866-633-0195 or Groups@BASEentertainment.com. For additional information on ABSINTHE, visit www.AbsintheVegas.com.

Celebrity Burlesque

On April 16, Peepshow starring Holly Madison, located at Planet Hollywood, will celebrate its third

Holly Madison stars in Peepshow in Las Vegas.

anniversary. With the direction of Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jeff Mitchell, Peepshow combines a burlesque performance with celebrity power.

Full of high style and impressive choreography, Peepshow provides enticing fun in a ‘glamorous enchanted adult playground.’ The 30th annual Las Vegas Review-Journal voted the show to have the “Best Showgirls.”

The night prior to April 15, Peepshow will participate in the fight against AIDS with the third annual Las Vegas Broadway Bares, this year titled “Barelesque: Do You Have the Dare to Bare?” The performers will take the stage to raise money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations.

Peepshow will perform a special show to present other Strip
show performers including dancers from Matt Goss, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Jubilee!, Divas Las Vegas and many others, with a special performance by PEEPSHOW’s male lead singer Josh Strickland.

Excellence in Performance

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a $150 million performing arts complex in downtown Las Vegas that recently opened on March 10, 2012. With a focus on diverse entertainment, the Smith Center is home to Broadway touring productions, dance, music and theater from around the world.

Absinthe.

Their mission is “To build and establish a high-quality performing arts center that is embraced by the community and recognized as a vital force by supporting artistic excellence, education and inspiration for all.”

The events, organized by genre on the website, consist of Broadway, classical, contemporary, dance, family, special attractions and cabaret jazz.

The box office is open for ticket sales Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. On show days, the office will remain open three hours before the first curtain and one hour after the last curtain time. Those interested in buying tickets can also call the office at 702-749-2000 or online at patronservices@thesmithcenter.com.

The Mob Museum

The Las Vegas Mob Museum opened on February 14, 2012 on Stewart Avenue. This modern day museum is one of a kind in its experimental and interactive aspect. Guests can use interactive touch screens and other methods to explore law enforcement and crime tools.

Visitors have the opportunity to shoot a simulated tommy gun, listen to real FBI surveillance tapes on wiretapping equipment and take part in FBI weapons training. The museum also includes some iconic features like the wall from the Valentine’s Day Massacre.

Some of crime’s biggest names are a part of the museum such as Al Capone, Dion O’Bannion, George

The Mob Museum, new in Las Vegas as of February 14, 2012.

Moran, Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Ben Siegel, Sam Giancana, Joe Bonanno, Frank Rosenthal, Mickey Cohen, Tony Cornero, Tony Spilotro, John Gotti and Whitey Bulger to name a few.

The Mob Museum is open Sundays through Thursdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults ages 18 and over; $12 for children ages 5 to 17 and students ages 18 to 23 with ID; $14 for seniors, military, law enforcement and teachers; and $10 for Nevada residents of all ages. Tickets are available to purchase by phone by calling 702-229-2734.

The Neon Museum

The Neon Museum opens May 2012 and will exhibit Las Vegas’ most iconic flashy signs. The mission of the museum is to “collect, preserve, study and exhibit” the best neon signs of the city for “educational, historic and cultural enrichment,” according to the website.

Office hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The museum is not yet open to the public, but to Neon Boneyard tours and photo or film and video shoots that are available by advance private appointment only. Guests can visit their website at neonmuseum.org or contact staff at info@neonmuseum.org.

Malea Ritz is an editorial assistant at GoNOMAD and a student at UMass. She writes our daily Travel News Notes Blog.

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