The Vantage LV #24

Good morning, Vegas—and thank you. Our John Wick contest brought in more responses than we expected, and it was genuinely great to see how many of you jumped in. Congratulations to @jenchaos for winning the 4-pack—I’ll be reaching out on Instagram. Everyone else stay tuned for the next one, it’ll be coming soon!

As spring settles in and the heat ramps up fast, the city is definitely in motion. Patios are filling up. Parks are louder. And the calendar? Packed in a way that only makes sense here. There’s a rhythm to it all—busy, unpredictable, but strangely comforting. We’re glad to be in it with you, so let’s go!

🍽️ Off-menu, off-script, and all heart.
🌴 Island beats in the middle of the city.
🎸 Four days of fringe and fury.

Here’s what’s worth your time this week:

Vegas Unstripped
📍 Sunday, April 27 @ Palms Casino Resort
​The chefs’ favorite food festival is back—and it’s still breaking all the rules. Vegas Unstripped returns this weekend with its signature no-sponsors, no-PR, just-good-food ethos, bringing together 20+ of the city’s most respected chefs in a backyard-style block party. This isn’t about name recognition or slick branding—it’s about what chefs actually want to cook when no one’s watching. Expect off-menu experiments, wildly personal dishes, and a crowd full of industry folks and in-the-know locals. If there’s one event that truly captures the soul of Vegas dining, this is it.

H-Mart
📍 Thursday, April 24 @ 2620 S Decatur Blvd
​Two years of rumors, Reddit threads, and wishful thinking finally pay off tomorrow: H-Mart is here. The long-awaited Korean mega-market opens its first Las Vegas location in Chinatown, and expectations couldn’t be higher. Think aisles of imported snacks, house-made banchan, fresh seafood, and enough instant noodles to fuel your next five midnight cravings. A food hall is on the way too, but the grab-and-go hot bar already looks like a standout. For locals who’ve been counting the days since the 2023 announcement, this isn’t just a grocery store—it’s a huge win.

Holo Holo Music Festival
📍 Sat–Sun, April 26–27 @ Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
​The island vibes are back in the desert. Holo Holo returns for its third year, bringing a stacked lineup of reggae and island soul to the heart of DTLV. Saturday’s bill features Common Kings, Josh Tatofi, and Stan Walker, while Sunday delivers legends like Steel Pulse and Fia. Expect a crowd that knows every word, a host of local food vendors, and that unmistakable aloha energy pulsing through the city.

LVL UP Expo
📍 Fri–Sun, April 25–27 @ Las Vegas Convention Center
LVL UP Expo is back—and it’s still the biggest game in town. One of the largest independent conventions in the country, it draws over 120,000 fans for a full-spectrum celebration of gaming culture. At its core, it’s a competitive playground, with esports tournaments, card game clashes, and retro showdowns that turn spectators into superfans. But it’s more than just matches—it’s cosplay, collectibles, indie creators, and panels that dive deep into the stories behind the screens.

Pirate Fest LV
📍 Sat–Sun, April 26–27 @ Craig Ranch Regional Park
Craig Ranch gets a full-blown fantasy takeover this weekend, and the crew behind Pirate Fest isn’t cutting corners. The festival blends immersive storytelling with hands-on adventure: kids complete a nautical quest to earn their Letter of Marque, while parents sip rum, shop handmade wares, and watch costumed crews clash in the Captain’s Challenge. There’s a live stunt show on horseback (Gladius), mermaid encounters, and a tavern with just enough mischief to keep things interesting. It's lively, locally built, and more theatrical than your average themed fair—come curious and bold!

Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend
📍 Thurs–Sun, April 24–27 @ The Orleans Hotel & Casino
​Every April, a very specific kind of time travel hits The Orleans—and it rolls in on whitewalls. Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend is the largest event of its kind in the world. Over four days, the hotel transforms into a living love letter to mid-century style, with more than 100 bands and DJs, a sprawling vintage market, and a car show that looks like a pin-up calendar sprung to life.

City of Lights Music Festival
📍 Sat–Sun, April 26–27 @ Clark County Gov. Amphitheater
Now in its 33rd year, this festival offers an intimate setting for jazz, R&B, and soul enthusiasts. Bring a picnic basket, lay out on the soft grass, and enjoy performances from artists like Ledisi and KEM. With free parking and a relaxed atmosphere, it's a weekend of smooth sounds under the stars.

Fork Cancer
📍 Thurs, April 24 @ Atomic Golf
Join the fight against cancer at this culinary fundraiser hosted by the American Cancer Society's Young Professionals board. Enjoy small plates and cocktails from top Las Vegas establishments, engage in interactive golf games, and participate in a silent auction—all while supporting a vital cause.

Caribbean Heritage Festival
📍 Sat, April 26 @ Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza
​Celebrate the rich cultures of the Caribbean with live music, dance performances, and authentic cuisine. From calypso to reggae, the rhythms will have you moving, while artisan vendors and cultural exhibits provide a deeper understanding of the islands' heritage.

Down and Ghibli
📍 Thurs, April 24 @ Gold Spike
​Lace up your skates for a night where anime meets K-pop on the dance floor. This themed roller skate party features drink specials, a skate limbo contest, and DJs spinning your favorite tracks from Studio Ghibli films and beyond. It's a whimsical, high-energy event that brings your favorite animations to life.

The Las Vegas Exchange
📍 Sunday, April 27 @ AREA15
This isn’t your average flea. The Las Vegas Exchange takes over AREA15 this weekend with a curated mix of vintage, streetwear, and collectible culture. It’s part fashion drop, part cultural swap—where sneakerheads, retro diehards, and casual browsers all cross paths. Expect rare pieces, creative styling, and a crowd that actually knows what they’re looking at. Whether you’re hunting for a grail or just scoping the scene, this is where Vegas resale comes to flex.

Glow Together Market
📍 Sunday, April 27 @ Fergusons Downtown
Wellness meets makers market in this Sunday pop-up at Fergusons. Glow Together is all about community energy—offering free yoga and sound baths alongside stalls stocked with crystals, skincare, vintage, and handmade goods. It’s peaceful without being precious, with a low-key vibe that blends self-care with good local shopping. Come early for the mats and music, stay for the cold brew and incense.

702 Cinco De Mayo Market
📍 Saturday, April 26 @ Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet
The 702 Cinco de Mayo Market takes over the parking lot at Fantastic Indoor Swap Meet with food vendors, local crafts, live performances, and family-friendly activities that lean into the celebration. It’s festive, approachable, and packed with energy—more about community connection than curated curation. And yes, there will be tacos.

Dogstar
📍 Sat, April 26 @ BleauLive Theater, Fontainebleau
Keanu Reeves trades action for alt-rock as Dogstar plays BleauLive, bringing moody guitar riffs and early-2000s energy to the Strip’s newest luxury stage. It’s not a gimmick—Dogstar’s comeback album has bite, and their live show has the feel of a band that never stopped playing. Nostalgic? Sure. But also surprisingly dialed-in.

Oddysey Noir
📍 Sat, April 26 @ AREA15
This isn’t a concert—it’s a descent. Oddyssey Noir turns AREA15’s Portal into a pulsing vortex of house, techno, and immersive visual art. There’s no set schedule, no VIP rope, just deep beats, surreal installations, and a crowd that came to dance until the lights come up—or the walls start melting.

Senpai Squad
📍 Fri, April 25 @ AREA15
Anime, EDM, cosplay—choose all three. Ready Set RAVE! is the official LVL UP afterparty, hosted by Senpai Squad, and it’s leaning hard into the fandom. Expect hard drops, animated visuals, and a dance floor full of Gokus and goths. For anyone who grew up on Toonami and never stopped raving.

Johnny Deadly Trio
📍 Sat, April 26 @ The Sand Dollar Lounge
The Sand Dollar’s small stage gets loud this weekend as Johnny Deadly Trio rolls in with their breakneck rockabilly set. Upright bass, swing tempos, and enough grit to make your pomade sweat—this is the sound of 1957 in a bar that knows how to party like it’s still happening.

Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers
📍 Sat, April 26 @ Brooklyn Bowl
Southwestern rock with a loyal following and a bottle of tequila to match. Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers bring their feel-good desert anthems back to Brooklyn Bowl for a night of singalongs, storytelling, and low-key rowdiness. Come thirsty—fans know the setlist starts with shots.

We spend a lot of time telling you what’s good in Vegas. So this week, we’re taking a moment to share what you’ve been saying about us. Your kind words and notes remind us why this thing matters. Thanks for reading—and for letting us be part of your week.

Our DMs are open, both via email and over on Instagram, so if you got some spicy news, hidden secrets, or just have a place you can’t get enough of, let us know!

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