Talked Into Seeing Freddy
That’s good enough to enjoy Chardonnay, popcorn, and Netflix while nationally newsworthy events happen on The Strip.
My friends know that 99.5% of my Friday evenings are spent at home, and that’s by design. I have no need, usually, to go out. Part of it is because I enjoy spending my time at home at rest. The other part is because it’s Las Vegas and there are crazy people out and about on Friday nights. (Actually, most of the time, but especially Friday nights). That’s a good enough reason to enjoy Chardonnay, popcorn, and Netflix while nationally newsworthy events happen over there on The Strip. Which is why I initially said no when my friend Debbie asked if I wanted to go to the Queen tribute show starring Adam Lambert. She had access to tickets and just had to “push the button” to order them for the night. Against my better judgment- and The Budget’s™ nagging – I said yes. I did not want to go.
At first.
We met some friends (yay Lyft!) at the Primrose Restaurant at the Park MGM (née Monte Carlo) and Debbie and I began the night with a Lavender Sgroppino (Absolut, Lavender Syrup, Prosecco, Crème de Violette, and a small scoop of lemon sorbet – delish!), and enjoyed a surprisingly budget-friendly meal. I enjoyed the Filet Mignon and a glass of Cabernet.
OMG The Show!
The show was presented in the Park Theater, which is also located in the Park MGM. The theater itself has no bad seats. In fact, I found myself envying two groups of ticketholders: those on the floor next to the stage ($$$$) and those seated in the middle of the very last (nosebleed) row. They got to stand up and rock out without having to worry about people behind them. Those on the floor, well, that’s what $$$$ and/or connections can get you!
While Queen is gone from the local scene for a while, upcoming acts include Aerosmith, Cher, and Lady Gaga, who will take up residency (here for a very extended period) for several months.
Back to Queen.When they came out on stage, the first thing that Adam Lambert addressed was the oft-made comment that he’s not Freddy Mercury.
When they came out on stage, the first thing that Adam Lambert addressed was the oft-made comment that he’s not Freddy Mercury. Well of course not. He does not do an impression of Freddy or try to sing like him. Adam has his own amazing style and gave full tribute to Freddy, who passed away TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS AGO! Hard to believe.
He was joined by several new musicians and original members Brian May (guitar, vocals) and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). They both had the opportunity to do their own solos – and one with Brian May and Freddy Mercury was incredible – because it was not the Adam Lambert show.
I don’t have the words to express how much I loved the show and how entertained I was. I was, however, surprised at how many Queen songs I actually knew! Young TJ, the 18-year-old grandson of Debbie’s friend Faye, and I were the two in our group who were rocking out! We bonded!
Enjoy the photos – I wish my hosting company allowed my videos because they don’t really need to be on YouTube – so that I could share them. If I can fiddle with them a bit, I’ll create a link. Meanwhile, enjoy the colorful, they-don’t-give-the-stage-enough-justice photos of the concert.
If I didn’t mention it before, I need to say it now – this is easily the best concert I’ve ever attended. I want to go again, and if they’re around, I recommend moving heaven and earth to get the best tickets that you can and don’t miss it. The singing, the memories, the rocking, the lights, the Jumbotron (omg. The Jumbotron!), all of it was amazing.
And I can only thank Debbie for talking me into it. I don’t regret it a bit. The Budget™ will just have to get over it! By the way, We Are the Champions won’t leave my brain. It’s a Freddy earworm. Continue to scroll below the gallery for THE STRIP adventures!
And Then There’s The Strip!
Naturally, there was still a lot of energy left after the concert was over. We decided to stroll down to New York New York to grab our Lyft. We passed by – and stopped into – a couple of open doors while we moseyed to NYNY.
There’s one in particular that I found particularly annoying.
The Double Barrel Roadhouse is connected to the Park and has amazing decor. It really looks like a Roadhouse, with 1800s-era stenciled decor and a high stage. It is great to look at and I was smiling as we went in. Free drinks for ladies till 12:30! Woohoo! Would could be bad about that?
How about there was almost no one in there? I think that counting 30 people would have been generous. I knew immediately why there was a paucity of folks attending.
In the Double Barrel Roadhouse, an early Western Americana-themed venue, the DJ was spinning Hip-Hop.
And, because most Hip-Hop sounds the same and is generally (in my opinion, at least) pretty undanceable, even the Millenials who were there weren’t dancing.
I mean really? Hip Hop? And, because most Hip-Hop sounds the same and is generally (in my opinion, at least) pretty undanceable, even the Millenials who were there weren’t dancing. And I, the Baby Boomer dance machine, wasn’t even tempted. Various searches have reviews that said they do/don’t serve food, close too early/late, etc. They were open when we went through, but we weren’t tempted to stay. Personally, I could have had the place rockin’. With PBR and NFR coming here in the next few months, there’s no excuse for such a great venue not to be packed until closing. That is if they close!
Rant over.
The walk from the Park to NYNY is a pretty quick one despite the construction going on. “Construction” is an epidemic here in Vegas.
But I digress.
Walking along the Strip on a Friday night is always fun. At this time it was quite late, so the characters who usually show up just as the sun reaches its peak, have all apparently retired for the evening. At least at this end.
I found the following video online. This is pretty typical of a day on the Strip, and I thought it was highly entertaining. And just to put it out there, not that I would necessarily be stalking them, but about halfway through the video, there are two half-dressed cowboys. I’ve seen them downtown, too. Mmm.
The shops that sit in the shadows of the casinos are interesting, fun, and catnip for people-watchers. There’s music of all types playing, and bleary-eyed tourists with pronounced cases of “Las Vegas Syndrome” abound.
We reached NYNY pretty quickly, with Debbie stopping to take a photo with a handsome young dreadlocked man, we all stopped to dance a little Reggae, we considered stopping at the Nine Fine Irishmen (the outdoor booth or the indoor bar), but decided that getting home at a decent hour – about midnight – would be best for us.
Hello again Lyft!
Enjoy the photos! All of the photos today, by the way, were made on my iPhone 8 Plus, with no extra “stuff” added. Cell phones are notoriously horrible at night photos, but these didn’t come out too badly I think.
