The Las Vegas Lights FC made their debut in the United Soccer League in 2018, bringing even more of a sports craze to the city of lights. They are the first professional soccer team in Las Vegas since 1979 when the Las Vegas Seagulls of the American Soccer League played so bringing soccer back to Las Vegas was a big deal for many soccer fans. The name for the team was decided from a poll which included other names Las Vegas Silver Club, Club Vegas, Viva Vegas, and Las Vegas Action. However, Las Vegas Lights was ultimately decided on as the name of the team. Plaza Hotel & Casino is a proud sponsor of the Las Vegas Lights. The Plaza logo can be found on the front of their match shorts. Zappos, a large internet retailer with deep downtown Las Vegas roots, also sponsors the team. The Lights play at Cashman Field, which is in downtown Las Vegas so it’s safe to say that the team has many ties to the downtown area. Most of the team’s players are from the United States or Mexico, but there are also team members from Canada, El Salvador, Japan and even some Las Vegas locals, bringing great diversity to the team. The team has taken over the hearts of many Las Vegas locals and people are finding new ways to celebrate and support the team. After each Las Vegas Lights home game in downtown Las Vegas, fans from everywhere can come over to the Post-Game Pitch, which is outside in front of The Plaza Hotel & Casino, next to the Porte-cochere, to celebrate the team. If you were at the game supporting the team in person, show your game ticket to the bar staff at The Omaha Lounge to receive a Las Vegas Lights specialty drink on us! You might even get to meet some of the players while you’re there as they’ve been known to come celebrate with their fans. Come share your passion for soccer and grab a cold one to celebrate the Las Vegas Lights! See Schedule  

Having formed their band in Las Vegas, The Killers are well known in the Las Vegas music scene for their iconic rock sound and Vegas subject manner. Their new album being released on September 22, 2017, “Wonderful Wonderful” brings Plaza Hotel & Casino into the spotlight with them. This will be The Killers’ fifth album and it’s already looking like it will be a great success. The music video for the first single off the album is “The Man” and it was filmed almost exclusively at The Plaza. The video features shots of The Plaza lights and valet, as well as the showroom and casino. In the video, you can see lead singer of The Killers, Brandon Flowers, living large in Las Vegas amongst showgirls and high roller players in the casino (one of which is played by former Mayor Oscar Goodman.)

About The Killers

The Killers were formed in Las Vegas in 2001 and are familiar with the downtown Las Vegas scene. They even played as headliners at the first Life Is Beautiful festival in 2013. Since The Plaza has been a staple of downtown Las Vegas since the 1970’s, it was an obvious location choice for The Killers to film a music video with a classic old Vegas feel to it. In the beginning of the video you can see the camera panning to the entrance of The Plaza where you will see the hotel’s marquee letters and valet drive up. The whole music video is an ode to Las Vegas living. Classic scenes of Las Vegas are pictured throughout the video like members of the band having fun gambling in The Plaza Hotel & Casino and Brandon Flowers singing on stage surrounded by beautiful Las Vegas showgirls in The Plaza Showroom.

Music History and The Plaza Hotel Casino

The Plaza’s music scene has been growing over the past few years. During Life Is Beautiful at the end of September, The Plaza will even hold a private MGMT concert for festival goers staying at the hotel. The hotel and casino has become a cultural hub for the artistic vibe of downtown Las Vegas. With its classic old Vegas feel mixed with modernism and artistic design, The Plaza is a great visual setting for bands and artists to shoot their music videos. The Plaza combines the best of both worlds, the old and the new. The fifth album from The Killers, “Wonderful Wonderful”, is being released towards the end of September 2017. To gather ideas for the album the band members

• Brandon Flowers (lead vocals)
• Dave Keuning (lead guitar)
• Mark Stoermer (bass)
• Ronnie Vanucci, Jr. (drums)

began working at their own Battle Born studios as well as renting houses in San Diego and Joshua National Tree Park. Brainstorming together for the album is an integral part of The Killers creative process. The album was recorded with Jackknife Lee, who was recommended to them by U2, in his private studio in California as well as at National Southwestern Recording Studios in Las Vegas. The album features guest artists like Mark Knopfler from Dire Straights and Australian musician Alex Cameron. “Wonderful Wonderful” has already received noteworthy praise. Mark Savage from BBC News referred to the album as The Killers most vital album since “Sam’s Town”, which was released in 2006. Q Magazine called it a “glossy indie-pop album with sonics as slick and glistening as a brand-new Vegas skyscraper”. The album has three singles, “The Man”, “Run for Cover” and “Wonderful Wonderful”. However, “The Man”, which was released on June 14, 2017 has definitely earned the most play time on the radio and has woven its way into fans hearts as one of The Killers big hits and a staple song of the summer. The Killers refer to the song as “funkier than anything we’ve ever done before”. With its synth liftoff, backup choir, the overdubs, and the unique bass, the song is different than any of the band’s previous hits. There is speculation about what the song means among fans. Some say that “The Man” is an ode to Brandon Flowers’ ego and others say the song is him making fun of himself and his fame. The intentionally overdone glitzy music video plays well into the second concept that The Killers are in on the joke of the egotistical aspect of the song. On the band’s Twitter profile they posted a photo of Brandon Flowers in front of The Plaza with the caption “Who’s the man?” The Killers had a fun time making their music video at The Plaza and many other stars have enjoyed filming at the hotel and casino over the years. Many movies such as Back to the Future II, Casino, Girl Next Door, and even The Hangover have been shot at The Plaza. To inquire about filming location, please e-mail plaza.marketing@playlv.com Watch the Full Video Here

There’s no event to bring out the spirit of the Wild Wild West like the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. From December 7th to 16th, the NFR 2017 will take over Las Vegas for 10 days and bring the true spirit of the country to Sin City. Rodeo fans will be seen all over the city wearing cowboy boots, blue jeans, and big hats. The strip and downtown Las Vegas welcome the rodeo goers with a Vegas spin on Southern hospitality. The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. However, you will be able to watch a live feed of the NFR in the comfort of the Plaza Events Center from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. every day. There are 17 flat screen TVs in the events center for your viewing pleasure and the live feed will also be played throughout multiple locations in the casino. The night doesn’t have to end when the events stop. Starting at 9 p.m. and running late into the night, The Plaza Hotel & Casino will host The Cowboy Fresh After Party. During the week, you can enjoy food and drink specials from several locations at The Plaza. Oscar’s Steakhouse will offer braised short rib, prime rib, and BBQ glazed sirloin steak with classic Southern sides like grits, loaded mashed potatoes, and green beans. Brightside Breakfast and Burgers will pull inspiration from the South and offer a Good Ole Boy Breakfast complete with biscuits and gravy in addition to the Bustin’ Britches Platter which is a classic barbecue plate served with brisket, pulled pork, chicken, ribs, baked beans and cornbread. There will be specials on the country classics, whiskey and beer starting at $3. If you’re visiting from out of town and need a place to stay we’d love to have you at The Plaza. We even provide a free shuttle service to and from the Thomas & Mack Center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and then 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Traveling with some four legged friends or in an RV? We have oversize parking available on site. So put on your best boots, grab a cold one, and join us for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!  

Downtown Las Vegas is a vibrant area full of art and culture that speaks to both a great past and promising future. The Life is Beautiful festival, which returns to Downtown Las Vegas on Friday, September 22nd, and runs through Sunday, September 24th, is a testament of this unique culture. The festival will bring some of today’s greatest musicians, chefs, artists and speakers to the downtown art district for a three-day inspirational social platform and celebration of life. The Plaza Hotel and Casino has been an integral part of Downtown Las Vegas throughout its historic past. Today, as the area continues to undergo substantial change and growth we continue to create the perfect combination of comfort and sophistication while providing an old school Vegas feel paired with modernism. The effort put forth by the Life is Beautiful team is something we admire and as a fellow Downtown Las Vegas business, we certainly appreciate the buzz it creates for our community and downtown culture. Adjacent to the arts district, The Plaza has been a hub for those who have attended previous Life is Beautiful festivals and will continue to be one this year as well. Whether you need a room to rest between days of the festival, something to eat and drink, or just some help with directions, we are here to help make your Life is Beautiful experience as enjoyable and empowering as possible. There are three free re-entries per day for all general admission festival guests, so come enjoy a meal and drink with us at one of our many restaurants and bars and sit back and rest your feet. The Plaza Hotel and Casino will also offer event parking for the festival at a competitive price. If you’re looking to relax during the day before the festival we will host a Life Is Beautiful pool party at The Plaza on Saturday and Sunday starting at 11 a.m. with music, dancing, and drinks.

Plaza Hotel Casino: Official Hotel Partner of Life is Beautiful

The Plaza is an official hotel partner of the Life Is Beautiful festival and festival goers.

The Music at Life is Beautiful

There will be around 80 artists playing at Life is Beautiful. With headliners like Muse, MGMT, Chance the Rapper, Gorillaz, Lorde, and Blink-182, there’s no doubt the festival will be packed with good vibes. There are four stages where you and your group can enjoy the music, including one stage that is a dome with an electronic feel where most DJs will play. The first shows on the lineup will start around 3 p.m. and headliners will close out the festival around 11 p.m. or midnight. The festival provides music lovers with a variety of genres to listen to and you’ll find everything from rap and hip hop to EDM and alternative.

Special Exclusive Performances and After Parties

On Saturday, September 23rd, festival headliners MGMT will play a private show in the iconic Plaza Showroom. Also on Saturday night, DJ Tokimonsta will be playing at the Plaza Events Center with free entrance. Both shows start at midnight. The night doesn’t have to end when the festival is over! Join us every night after the festival for a late night dance party under The Plaza’s dome with a variety of DJs or in the casino lounge where 70s disco funk band Wonder Boogie will play until 4 a.m. on Saturday. Full Calendar of Events Below

Event Name	Venue	Date	Doors Open	Cost
MGMT	Showroom	9/23	Midnight	Private Concert
Tokimonsta	Plaza Events Center	9/23	Midnight	Free Show
DJs	Under the Dome	9/22 – 9/24	11:30 pm	Free Show

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The Art of Life is Beautiful

Life is Beautiful is a celebration of art and culture. There will be modern art exhibits, walk through art exhibitions like the “Art Motel”, and traditional art exhibits with photography and paintings. Art cars, which take festival goers to and from different stages, will be back in 2017 providing people with the opportunity to experience the marvels of light, sound, color and technology all working together seamlessly in one art piece. The whole festival can be thought of as a work of art, providing an opportunity at every corner to enthrall the senses of festival attendees. Outside festival grounds in the downtown Las Vegas community there is also plenty of art to be seen.

Murals At Plaza Hotel Casino

The Plaza Hotel & Casino is adorned with murals by street artists Shepard Fairey and D*Face that scale the whole building from top to bottom. These murals were some of the most challenging murals they’ve ever created. Each artist had to overcome personal and unexpected challenges like changing weather patterns. Using scaffolding and the natural curvature of the Plaza Hotel, each artist transformed a side of the hotel into a living piece of art. Both murals will add color and life to an already vibrant downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street Experience. Come see the murals today for yourself and explore the rest of the art downtown. Above: Shepard Fairey’s piece “Cultivate Harmony”. Fairey, known for his iconic 2008 “Hope” poster of President Obama has transformed American pop culture with his modern art and now he’s transformed the Plaza into a living piece of artwork Above: One of the latest pieces of art to join the Downtown Las Vegas area is a large mural created by D*Face, an English multimedia street artist known for his sold-out galleries and collaboration with the world’s top music artists

The Food

Over 40 eateries with a variety of cuisine will be present at Life Is Beautiful 2017. Attendees can enjoy food from different cultures such as Mexico, Asia, and India among others. There will be many places for festival goers to enjoy food and learn about the art of cooking. If you’re looking for a bite to eat after the festival you can come over to The Plaza to grab a late night bite at Pop Up Pizza or Brightside Breakfast & Burgers, which will even have a DJ for your entertainment.

The Drinks

For those over the age of 21, there are plenty of excellent alcoholic drink options. Drinks will be available from specific alcohol vendors as well as at full-service bars. There are also plenty of bars to enjoy outside festival grounds in the downtown Las Vegas area. Come join us for a drink at The Plaza where we will have drink specials for festival goers. We look forward to seeing you at The Plaza in September to celebrate Life Is Beautiful!

One of the longest running shows in Vegas, The Scintas, provides guests with a night full of entertainment. Brothers Frankie and Joe Scinta dazzle the audience along with “honorary Scintas” Peter O’Donnell and Janien Valentine. The show is full of music, comedy, and striking impressions. During the show, every audience member is invited to join the cast at Oscar’s steakhouse at the Plaza for a nightcap after the show, bringing back the true feeling of “Vintage Vegas”. The show has been so popular that it was extended through the end of 2017 at the Plaza Hotel & Casino. Audience members love the authenticity of the show and Frankie says that no show is ever the same because they interact with the audience and cater the performance to the people who are there. The Scintas have performed at many venues in Las Vegas since 2000, but they have formed a connection with the Plaza and are proud to call it the current home of their show. Both The Plaza and The Scintas work to bring alive the feeling of Old Vegas, reminiscent of the Rat Pack era. The last date of the show at the Plaza Hotel & Casino will be on New Year’s Eve, December 31st, 2017. The remainder of the schedule can be found online. For guests looking for a special experience, tickets can be purchased which includes a three-course meal at Oscar’s Steakhouse, referred to by Frankie as “one of the best steaks in Vegas”. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this iconic show in Plaza’s vintage showroom. More Info about The Scintas