-
5 Outstanding Options for Las Vegas Afternoon Tea
Tea is wonderful any day and at any time. However, there is something special about the tradition and civility of afternoon tea. It’s a chance to slow down and appreciate the finer things in life. Technically, two of the five places below are not in Las Vegas (they’re in Henderson). But each location has earned its place on this list. Whether you need a breather from the hustle and bustle of the Strip, are in search of a sophisticated activity to complement your afternoon show or are simply looking to relax after indulging in the city’s nightlife, here are some teatime spots that are sure to strike your fancy. Proper-Tea inside The Stove Proper-Tea…
-
Artist Feature: Joel Spencer and Nova May
In a nondescript warehouse behind the Strip on Harmon Avenue, magic happens. Not the abracadabra kind, but another more exciting sort. Ordinary everyday items are transformed into art. Real, tangible, immersive art. This warehouse is Joel Spencer and Nova May’s home away from home. It’s in this space that the partners in art (and life) create their impressive installations. Conjured from found, discarded, or unwanted materials, the couple conceives and builds fantastical experiences. We’re talking in the office of their commercial endeavor, ArtDepartment.Vegas, where clients can hire the pair to deliver anything from set design to public art, temporary or permanent. They’ve been involved nearly seven years, and have been…
-
Beyond the Experience: Your Fremont Street Day Checklist
The Fremont Street Experience draws millions of visitors a year, with its LED canopy and classic Las Vegas casinos. But beyond this attraction’s Las Vegas Boulevard border lies a whole other area worthy of exploration. It’s around 11 a.m., the sun is shining, and crowds haven’t flooded the streets yet. Another beautiful Las Vegas day awaits you. Park on Fremont Across the boulevard from The Fremont Street Experience, on the corner, is Park on Fremont, a bar/restaurant. The charming brick-and-wood exterior calls to you, but which seating area will you choose? The front patio offers people-watching opportunities, the back patio is a secluded hideaway with eclectic touches, and the interior…
-
5 Reasons to Visit The Neon Museum
Before The Neon Museum came along, the Neon Boneyard was just what the name implies– heaps of old neon signs baking in the scorching desert sun. But through the dedication of passionate and resourceful people, it has transformed into a fun, uniquely “Vegas” excursion that adds to the city’s eclectic selection of museums and exhibits. For visitors and locals alike, here are 5 reasons to visit The Neon Museum now. View Vegas History Sin City is not a place known for its appreciation of history. The Strip is littered with new construction planted in the resting place of the many establishments that came before it. This lack of sentimental attachment, luckily...read…
-
Must-Visit Vegas: Off-Strip Shopping on Main Street
While many venture to Vegas for the shows, nightlife and other attractions on or near The Strip, there’s plenty to explore outside of this glitzy region. One such destination is Main Street, between Charleston Boulevard and Wyoming Avenue, which has seen plenty of changes as part of the city’s Downtown renaissance. One thing has remained constant on this straight stretch of road: it continues to offer...read the rest here This post was written for Best of Vegas
-
Reading: Daughters & Mothers
This novel was another book club pick, and although it’s almost three times as long as the previous one, I tore through it in half the time. Tayari Jones’ prose forges compelling, realistic characters on a heartbreaking journey toward love in its many forms. The narrative in Silver Sparrow unfolds through the eyes of two teenage girls—Dana and Chaurisse—who have much more in common than they realize. Beyond sharing (unbeknownst to Chaurisse), a father, they also share the real and consuming desire to be seen. This is not a need for attention, but a need to be understood and loved in a way that recognizes who they are as people.…
-
Brunch at Griddlecakes: Your Best Beginning
Its Labor Day weekend, as I write this, and what better time to let you know about my favorite Las Vegas brunch spot than on a holiday weekend. Brunch business has been growing steadily for what seems like a lifetime. This means entries into the market happen on a regular basis. New restaurants that push culinary boundaries and blur the lines of brunch are as popular in Vegas as artisanal locally sourced organic avocado toast is in California. But this post is not about any of those places. This post is about Griddlecakes, part diner, part modern eatery, all delicious. Griddlecakes has two locations on opposing sides of the valley.…
-
Must-Visit Vegas: Velveteen Rabbit Bar
If you want a gin and tonic or some other basic cocktail, Velveteen Rabbit is not for you. They’ll serve you anything you like, but that’s not what this place is about. The Velveteen Rabbit is not a bar, it’s a temple of magic elixirs, brewed seasonally with creativity and panache. Witch’s Jewelry Box Stepping into Velveteen Rabbit is like falling into a witch’s jewelry box. Dim lighting, patterned wallpaper, tufted ornate couches all in saturated tones of garnet, onyx, malachite and amber. The atmosphere inside this temple is lived-in vintage. Behind the chocolate-colored bar...read the rest at Best of Vegas This post was written for Best of Vegas. Photo…
-
Why I’m Holding Out for Traditional Publishing
We live in the golden age of accessibility. The democratization of media has reduced barriers to entry in a variety of industries. With the advent of self-publishing, disseminating literary work has never been easier. The twin splintered ends of traditional and self-publishing offer opposing experiences. Each one speaks to different strengths and personalities. It runs contrary to my impatient nature, but I’m holding out for traditional publishing. This is why. Finances An argument I often hear in favor of self-publishing is the larger percentage of sales an author can earn. Yes, it’s true that traditional publishers take a big cut of your sales per book, but self-publishing carries many hidden…
-
Artist Feature: Krista Diamond
“The world is a violent place” Krista Diamond offers as an explanation for the often gruesome ends characters in her short stories suffer. We’re sitting in Lofti Café, enjoying iced beverages on another sweltering Vegas afternoon. She talks about “the feeling of dread that follows you around…as a woman, the world is a violent place.” When she repeats the last sentence her voice is steady and calm but a little softer than it was the first time. As if the addition of the word ‘woman’ demands compensation in tone. However, Diamond’s writing is not limited to reflecting the punishing anger women endure. She writes a combination of nonfiction as well,…
