What Vegas Forgot

Friday Dec. 27, 2024 

Anyone who came to Vegas in decades previously knows that in today's corporate town, there's something missing.

Food halls, de-themed resorts, kiosks, QR codes, resort fees, no free parking, no free entertainment attractions, no lounge acts, bar drink lights, on and on...

Vegas has forgotten the Show.

And my experience here at Rio just got lifted because of one skilled musician who can put on a show.

I went down to a bar to play $100 worth and have a couple of Absolut rocks. Grabbed a seat at the Lapa Lounge, played some VP and Keno, and listened to the music playing.

After a song or two I realized that I wasn't listening to a recording - I looked around and finally spotted a single guitar player with a slew of technology that let him sound like an entire band. Great backing tracks, great voice.

The longer I stayed, the more of a party and sing-along it became. He would wander through the bar, interacting with people, elevating the experience far beyond what it normally would have been - just another bar.

I had a great time, got about 20 more three-of-a-kinds with no quads, hit no 5/5s, lost $100 and didn't mind.

We had a quick chat and compared musician's notes. I told him about the Tragically Hips and he showed me some of his gear.

I wanted to know if he would be back tomorrow night - and I realized how hungry I am in Vegas to be entertained by something as simple as a talented lounge performer.

All in all it was a great day in Vegas. V-shaped... a long straight slope into the pit of loserdom, and then a long climb back into happiness and non-loserdom.

And tomorrow I get to do it again.

"And I think I will travel to Rio

Using the music for flight

There's nothing I know of in Rio

But it's something to do with the night"  Michael Nesmith - Rio