Luxe Life Blog
Star parties for Mexican Independence Day: Grito Mexicano!
Mario Lopez at Wet Republic.
Photo: Isaac Brekken
All the fun and celebrations for Mexican Independence Day start today, even though the official holiday is tomorrow on the calendar. Las Vegas, of course, has turned it into a four-day holiday weekend extravaganza with amazing attractions, entertainment and restaurant and nightclub parties. The festivities draw thousands from Mexico, California and U.S. cities with large Mexican populations
The highlight will be the welterweight title fight between champion Victor Ortiz and Floyd Mayweather Jr. at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night. Latin music superstar Luis Miguel also is in the spotlight with a four-night run of romance that starts tonight at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace.
The heartthrob recorded his first album at age 12 in 1982, and he not only catapulted to the top of the charts with the ballads but also has become the most successful Latin American artist in history. He’s sold more than 60 million albums during his 30-year career, with more than 30 recordings going platinum. No wonder that he’s nicknamed “The Sun of Mexico.”
People confuse this weekend with Cinco de Mayo, but the parties are just as large and fun despite the different dates. Here are other events in town:
*Extra and America’s Best Dance Crew host Mario Lopez walks the red carpet and serve as the official star guide for Mexican Independence Day tomorrow at Club Nikki at the Tropicana.
*Top Chef stars and Border Grill partners Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken have a nonstop cavalcade of fun at their Mandalay Bay restaurant with modern Mexican cuisine and handmade margaritas, which won them a spot in the book Eating Las Vegas: The 50 Essential Restaurants.
Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger at the Champagne Saber-Off for Bon Appetit's Vegas Uncork'd at the Bellagio on May 5, 2011.
*The Cosmopolitan kicks off its first celebration with the cry of patriotism Grito Mexicano! performed by mariachis and a ceremonial bell ringing at The Chandelier tonight. Mexican recording artist and actor Pedro Fernandez performs at Boulevard Pool tomorrow, and a Saturday street fair features folkloric dancers, candy sculpting and a book signing by The Food Network star Marcela Valladolid.
*Dos Caminos at the Palazzo starts its Viva La Independencia fiesta tonight, and the restaurant has holiday-specific specials through Sunday.
*At Hussong’s Cantina at Mandalay Place, the fiesta starts tonight with Rock and Roll Mariachis and a Foosball Tournament. A pinata contest is added to the fun tomorrow.
Mexico is ranked third in foreign visitors to Las Vegas behind Canada and Great Britain. Our Strip room rates are less than vacation resort properties in Mexico, and as a result, more than 20 charter flights are being added to the normal plane trips scheduled from Mexico over the four days. McCarran Airport executives are reopening part of the shuttered Terminal A for the weekend to handle traffic.
So a warm welcome to our amigos: Tequila wishes and taco dreams for a great holiday! Grito Mexicano!
Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.
Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.
Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.
Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.
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