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PhotoDump RoundUp Week Ending 7/12/25

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PhotoDump RoundUp Week Ending 7/12/25

Superman, Queen, Rolling Stones, and Backstreet Boys at SPHERE...it's another wild week through the Vegas Unfiltered lens...

MONDAYS DARK at The Space

After a sleepy Sunday around the Valley, things came alive when The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" ripped through THE SPACE. Songs by the Stones and Queen made a terrific theme for the latest bi-weekly MONDAYS DARK fundraiser.

The non-profit for this performance was Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada. Our pal Nino Galloway of the annual Firefighter Auction and Southern Nevada Burn Foundation was helping to collect donations, and one stellar performance after another kept the capacity crowd cheering.

Dai Richards

Colin Cahill

Maya Cohen

Derek Ferguson

Cheyenne Adams

The Flying Stones are reportedly eyeing a residency at Ahern Hotel

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Joey Derby is Sin City's own Benson Boone

[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://vegas411-images.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/10225838/20250707_211558.mp4"][/video] Plaza Hotel CEO Jonathan Jossel was host Mark Shunock's guest for Roadcase Conversations. The interview segment was introduced last year. It highlights the city's influential and philanthropic individuals.

Host Mark Shunock

Guest Jonathan Jossel (left) of Downtown's Plaza Hotel

Shunock closed out the show by presenting a ten-thousand-dollar check to the Professional Fire Fighters charity. Mondays Dark will return on July 21st at 8 pm (tickets here) with a salute to Broadway. The featured non-profit will be Super Summer Theater at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park.

Harrah's Hotel Casino ... a ghost town...

This column will continue to cover the drop in tourism, hotel occupancy, gaming revenue, and show/restaurant closures in 2025. Numerous factors are to blame, but the one above is a biggie.

Don't believe other news outlets that are downplaying the drop in tourism. Our pictures taken on July 8, 2025, at 7:45 pm are legit. Summer tourism is down significantly, and we're rightfully concerned.

During our trek through the dining area and casino, we saw fewer people than were inside Harrah's Cabaret. That's where we enjoyed the excellent COLIN CLOUD - MASTERMIND. You can read the full review here.

PIECING IT TOGETHER Podcast

Movies are undeniably linked to the Las Vegas experience through screenings, shooting locations, and an abundance of local filmmakers. Downtown Cinemas in the Arts District is one of two local movie houses where David Rosen hosts PIECING IT TOGETHER. The podcast takes place immediately after the screening of a brand-new film.

This entry covered the new James Gunn-directed SUPERMAN starring David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult. Panelists for the discussion included Mike Davis (of FOX5), filmmaker Antonio Llapur, and film instructor David Tovar.

You can listen to the Superman LIVE episode in its entirety here: [embed]https://youtu.be/UbqRyw1ofqY?si=aQzO3jeW3ad51dIk[/embed] DOWNTOWN CINEMAS is located at 814 S. 3rd Street. Free covered parking is available.

Chef Fabio Viviani opens 'ai Pazzi' at Rampart Casino

The wonderful Rampart Casino/JW Marriott complex in Summerlin is undergoing an extensive renovation. We've already covered their surprisingly satisfying buffet, spa, and barbershop. And this week, we popped in for the opening of ai Pazzi, an Italian restaurant by Chef Fabio Viviani.

"ai Pazzi, which will be joined by ai Pazzi Pizza and Pearls Oyster Bar this September, is the latest highlight of the recently announced partnership between JW Marriott Las Vegas, Rampart Casino, and Fabio Viviani Hospitality."

Daavid Hawkins (ABSINTHE) with Chef Fabio Viviani

"Blending a refined and inviting atmosphere with a thoughtful menu of handmade pasta, fresh seafood, indulgent entrées, decadent desserts, and handcrafted cocktails, ai Pazzi officially opened its doors to the public on Thursday, July 3, 2025."

Marty Morawski, Daavid Hawkins, Fabrizio Di Rienzo, and Stacey Gualandi (L to R)

ai Pazzi is open daily from 5 pm to 9 pm (until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday). Click here for more information or to make reservations. Rampart Casino is located at 221 North Rampart Boulevard.

Backstreet Boys Debut at SPHERE

MILLENIUM was the album that propelled Backstreet Boys into superstardom and secured their place in music history. Twenty-five years later, they're celebrating that recording with a special edition re-release entitled MILLENIUM 2.0 (available here) and a new residency at SPHERE.

Entering the SPHERE

I was invited to attend the opening weekend of BACKSTREET BOYS - Into The Millennium by performer/entrepreneur Davide Zongoli. Read his VEGAS 411 profile here.

Davide Zongoli (formerly of Atomic Saloon Show)

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The Show

There aren't enough superlatives in the English language to fully describe this concert. The sights, sounds, songs, energy, pacing, and presentation are on a global scale. Whether you're a die-hard fan or casually know Backstreet Boys songs, INTO THE MILLENIUM at SPHERE is an absolute must-do. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://vegas411-images.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/10230624/20250712_204428.mp4"][/video]

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BACKSTREET BOYS - Into The Millennium at SPHERE plays weekends through August 24th. Various VIP experiences and an official after-party at VOLTAIRE are available. Learn more and get tickets by following this link.