A Latino guide to Las Vegas

Posted by admin Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - 05:38
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Las Vegas-city of lights, libations, and Latino Heat? Yes that is right.
Las Vegas is a city that has something for everyone and the Hispanic population is no exception.
I took my last Vegas trip this past June and it was hot! Despite the heat wave it was one of the best trips to Vegas I have taken. I got to experience Las Vegas in a new light and became aware that if you want to visit Las Vegas and still feel a touch of your Hispanic culture it is truly possible.
According to Alicia Malone, Public Relations Manager Leisure for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, when in Vegas you can't go wrong with visiting a location that caters to the Hispanic population.
Malone guided me in my recent visit to Las Vegas and told me that a few favorites among Hispanics that I should visit are The Rio Hotel & Casino and its VooDoo Lounge, which I might mention has an amazing view of the Strip from its rooftop. The VooDoo Lounge has two indoor dance floors, featuring a live band playing Latin dance and funk music, as well as an outdoor dance floor that plays hip hop and pop music.
Some restaurants such as Texas de Brazil at Town Square or Pampas Brazilian Grille at Planet Hollywood are also excellent choices for some exotic Hispanic eats. If you are in the mood for a more traditional Mexican meal you can visit T&T (Tacos & Tequila) at the Luxor, which features a very notable collection of tequilas.
Owner Michael Frey describes the restaurant as Pink Taco meets Coyote Ugly interpreted by Quentin Tarantino. The restaurant is definitely not your grandma's cantina but still allows you the opportunity to grab some good tacos and amazing tequila.
If you are in the mood for an action packed weekend then you might want to visit Las Vegas on Sept. 14, 15 and 27-30 and get a glimpse of some indoor Bullfighting. According to Malone, Don Bull Productions will be bringing six days of bloodless bullfighting to Las Vegas in conjunction with Mexican Independence Day festivities at the South Point Arena located inside the South Point Hotel & Casino. The event will feature world famous Mexican bullfighters Eulalio Lopez “El Zotoluco”, Federico Pizzaro, Jorge Hernandez and Spanish bullfighter Antonio Barrera.
Other events and performances that might catch your eye include:
• Carlos Santana - permanent headliner at the Hard Rock Hotel
• Marco Antonio Solis & Pepe Aguilar - Sept. 12 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
• Luis Miguel - Sept. 12-15 at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
• Ricardo Arjona - Sept. 13 at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel
• Alejandro Fernandez - Sept. 15 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
• The International Mariachi Festival - Sept. 12 at the Paris Theatre in Paris Las Vegas
• The Hispanic International Parade & Festival - Oct. 10 on Fremont Street
• The 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards - Nov. 5 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center
Remember that Las Vegas is truly a city for fun and flair, and perhaps a little sin if you choose, but you also can experience a touch of Latin flavor in the form of food, drink, dance and music.
• To get more information on Las Vegas and its attractions visit this Web site: www.VisitLasVegas.com.