A Las Vegas Lifestyle Guide

The Galavantier Blog

She’s known as the Empress of Soul, and for a little longer, Gladys Knight is belting out her R&B tunes at the Tropicana. The seven-time Grammy Award-winning performer doesn’t come off like the diva she is, giggling with the audience and picking on her older brother Merald “Bubba” Knight, one of the original members of the Pips and performing with her in the show dubbed "A Mic and a Light.” The Trop even renamed the Tiffany Theater the Gladys Knight Theater while she’s in the house through October.

Before I talk about the food at Prime Steakhouse at Bellagio, I'd like to give the ultimate Vegas Strip pro tip: Make sure you reserve a table outside at or after dusk. Sitting outside at Bellagio with the fountain show is wonderful, especially if you’re with someone you love. The patio of Prime sits on the edge of the Lake Bellagio and is quite possibly the most perfect atmosphere for dinner.

Every year, about 150,000 couples tie the knot in Nevada, making it the wedding capital of the world. And no wonder. The state doesn’t require a pre-wedding blood test or a waiting period, and you can buy a marriage license at the county clerk's office, which stays open until midnight on weeknights and around the clock on weekends. Even if you are from outside the United States, you can get hitched with an Apostille from the Nevada Secretary of State. Make your big day memorable at one of these unusual places to get married in Las Vegas.

Entertainment will be at an all time high in Las Vegas this weekend as the two day iHeart Radio Music Festival gets underway today at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.  The music festival features an amazing collection of today’s top musicians including Jay-Z, Coldplay, Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jane’s Addiction, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Kenny Chesney, Nicki Minaj, Rascal Flatts, David Guetta and Sublime with Rome.  Special performances by Usher, Sting and Jeff

Hey everyone, Tour Manager here with a rundown of some of your best bets in Las Vegas entertainment to look forward to this weekend, including the iHeart Radio Music Festival at MGM Grand.

Thursday, September 22

• Rising indie rockers Smith Westerns play a free show at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan.

Friday, September 23

I think just about everyone has had an airplane experience where you wound up with a seat that didn't recline, lacked leg room or perhaps was located next to the restroom and you found yourself kicking and screaming because it caused you to have a miserable flight experience. I want to make sure it doesn’t happen to you again.

If you have ever been to Vegas or are remotely familiar with the nightlife in town, chances are you've heard of a swanky new club called Surrender. You'll find it located within the opulent Encore Casino (3121 Las Vegas Blvd S.), sister property to the Wynn. Brain child of Steve Wynn and long time nightlife operator Sean Christie, Surrender Nightclub opened up but a year ago on Memorial Day Weekeend to sold out crowds and has been packed ever since.

Just when you thought Elvis Presley couldn’t get any bigger in Las Vegas, along comes Cirque du Soleil to give the King of Rock and Roll his biggest tribute yet. He may have performed his last show in Sin City in 1976, but he’s back on stage in “Viva Elvis” at Aria at CityCenter.

This weekend Vegas is going to be electric with many happenings but if you are into fitness and health, be sure to make your way to The Orleans to check out the Joe Weider’s Olympia Weekend which culminates with the 2011 Mr. Olympia competition.  Make sure to head on over early in the day to check out the Olympia Expo for the latest and greatest in bodybuilding, nutrition, workout equipment and more.

Hey everyone, Tour Manager here with a rundown of some of your top bets in Las Vegas entertainment to look forward to this weekend.

Thursday, September 15

• Rising indie rockers The Joy Formidable take the stage for a free show out at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan.   Showtime is set for 9 p.m. and it’s free.