Kimo’s Vegas
The Incredible Steve Wonderstone. Photo from Kimo Akane
Welcome to Kimo’s Vegas… the Players Edge!
THE NEW STEVE Carell, Jim Carey, Steve Buscemi, Olivia Wilde flick, The Incredible Steve Wonderstone, was filmed in Vegas. The movie’s magical rivalry is not based on a specific real-life riff, but does reflect the intense competitive conflict that exits among magicians. David Copperfield created the film’s signature illusion “The Hangman” that was shot in one continuous take … no camera tricks.
IF YOU POSSESS a palate that appreciates the subtle difference in fine cuisine, your taste buds may find interest in the latest issue of Las Vegas Weekly. There’s an interview with Chef Rick Moonen of RM Seafood that gets into the science of eating… like the enzyme papain that digests 20 times its weight in protein. So powerful it’s even used as a meat tenderizer. Next time you get one man-o-war or bee sting or step on da vana, try treat it with a paste made from Accent. Chef says it sucks the poison right out.
THE BELLAGIO BUFFET has added a Caviar Bar to its Friday and Saturday menu. Before you drop the $40 for a seat at the feast, keep in mind … chefs serve the salty delicacy on blinis and recommend you not pig out on the roe.
THERE ARE MORE than 800 live butterflies in the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens spring presentation. They import them from all over the world, including Costa Rica, Kenya and the Philippines. The ones with the electric-blue wings remind me of Carlos Santana’s sixth album, Borboletta, Portuguese for butterfly.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL is closed March 22 … yep, for the first time ever, all seven Vegas shows are taking the same night off. You’ll find everyone contributing their time off to a special production called “One Night for One Drop.” The nonprofit organization founded by Cirque creator Guy Laliberte celebrates World Water Day with a 90-minute performance featuring 237 Cirque du Soleil artists and guests. Tickets go for $150 to $1,500. Or get online access and your $5 donation will get a pass for you and a friend to watch the show and help provide water-access to people who need it. Go to onenight.onedrop.org or call (877) 767-0715 for details.
CAESARS PALACE, HARRAH’s, Bally’s, the Flamingo, the Quad, Paris Las Vegas and Planet Hollywood have exchanged their longtime “no resort fee” policy for a $15-to $25-(varies by property)-per-night resort fee. The new charges go into effect for reservations made after March 1. These fees are not always charged to comp’ed guests, but check before you check-in if you have an aversion to the assessment.
THE FIRST STEP is the toughest … in the last three years SkyJump at the Stratosphere has had more than 100,000 folks leap off the building. Slightly loftier than its Auckland sibling – 629 feet compared to 855 feet – but either way, it’s the trip of a lifetime.
Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and get the latest Vegas news online at KimosVegas.com and every week here in MidWeek. Send me your Vegas questions, manao, photos and reunions to Kimo@KimosVegas.com.
