Bellagio - Clockwork Performance & the Famous Fountains
As yes, Las Vegas...the city of lights...the town that never sleeps. In a city of big lights, big dreams and big money, it is truly an adult playground. Popularized over the last 10 years by the catchy phrase "What happens in Vegas STAYS in Vegas" this town is certainly never one to disappoint in the arena of entertainment. Whether it be the bottomless cocktails, the endless all you can eat buffets, or the NYC-style Broadway shows, this city breaths life and excitement into the lives of the hundreds of thousands of tourists that are drawn in to the glitz and glamour that is Vegas.
So I asked myself "why did I move hear?" As I travel beyond the glamour of the Las Vegas "strip" I find myself 
wandering further and further away from what the beating heart of the city, where I end up on the very outskirts of town. Out here, the lights aren't so bright, buffets are a good 20-minute drive (hey, I'm not complaining),and you can never seem to escape the "clink, clink, clinking" of the slot machines that are planted in every grocery store, gas station, and WalMart. Only in Vegas! It has taken me a while, but I have grown to appreciate the "city of sin." And, as I become more familiar with my new home, I am also becoming more familiar with the best of the best that Vegas really has to offer.
Back in Orange County, if a friend wanted to get together for coffee, we would typically meet in a crowded strip mall where it took longer to find a parking spot than it did to drive to the beach! Now, when I want to get together with a friend, it is usually over a cocktail and our meeting locations (and parking sports) are endless.
The other night I met up with a friend of mine to listen to the live band "Clockwork" that performs in Bellagio's Fontana Bar & Lounge. Being that it was Sunday, I was a bit skeptical about the type of crowd that we would see and the quality of the band. In the OC, live bands that perform on a Sunday night are either 18-year old punk rockers, or retired rockers that are playing beats that would make my grandfather jump out of his seat and start rocking out! So what was I to expect of this band, Clockwork? What kind of music would they play? Would there be more to their performance than just their singing? What kind of crowd would they draw in? So, when the lights went down and the curtain went up, I was astonished to hear a voice almost identical to Joe Walsh from the Eagles. Their voices were flawless...they entertained....they were having fun! But would the second song be as impressive as the first? Yes, even better!
As the night went on they began taking on requests from the audience, which had grown from a small dozen to well over 100 in less than 30 minutes! What was even more impressive was that they played every musical request...and every song was just as impressive as the last! People were actually dancing to their songs...and their music was amazing. But what was more impressive was that every member of the 7-person band was multi-talented - they each performed a solo song and played a musical instrument! One of the band members even attracted a young girl on stage...I was almost positive she wanted to stick around for his number after the performance. Bottom line - they were fun, they sounded good, and it was an upbeat and entertaining venue. Not to mention that every 15 minutes the powerful Bellagio fountains water show, which is typically a crowd-stopper to tourists walking & driving down the strip, was displayed outside the floor to ceiling windows that graced the East side of the lounge. Many patrons would step outside onto the oversized patio for a cigarette, cigar, or cocktail and watch the show from the balcony. There are no strip crowds here to block your view of the spectacular water show. With a great view, entertaining band, and energetic crowd, I have definitely scored this bar with an A+ and look forward to returning on a Friday or Saturday night...hopefully I will be able to get in (I would recommend making reservations first if you are planning to visit on a Friday or Saturday). In fact, my friend was so impressed that she decided to hire them to perform at her wedding here in Vegas that is scheduled for early fall! Their performance alone will grant her the award for the wedding of the year!
As yes, Las Vegas...the city of lights...the town that never sleeps. In a city of big lights, big dreams and big money, it is truly an adult playground. Popularized over the last 10 years by the catchy phrase "What happens in Vegas STAYS in Vegas" this town is certainly never one to disappoint in the arena of entertainment. Whether it be the bottomless cocktails, the endless all you can eat buffets, or the NYC-style Broadway shows, this city breaths life and excitement into the lives of the hundreds of thousands of tourists that are drawn in to the glitz and glamour that is Vegas.
So I asked myself "why did I move hear?" As I travel beyond the glamour of the Las Vegas "strip" I find myself wandering further and further away from what the beating heart of the city, where I end up on the very outskirts of town. Out here, the lights aren't so bright, buffets are a good 20-minute drive (hey, I'm not complaining),and you can never seem to escape the "clink, clink, clinking" of the slot machines that are planted in every grocery store, gas station, and WalMart. Only in Vegas! It has taken me a while, but I have grown to appreciate the "city of sin." And, as I become more familiar with my new home, I am also becoming more familiar with the best of the best that Vegas really has to offer.
Back in Orange County, if a friend wanted to get together for coffee, we would typically meet in a crowded strip mall where it took longer to find a parking spot than it did to drive to the beach! Now, when I want to get together with a friend, it is usually over a cocktail and our meeting locations (and parking sports) are endless.
The other night I met up with a friend of mine to listen to the live band "Clockwork" that performs in Bellagio's Fontana Bar & Lounge. Being that it was Sunday, I was a bit skeptical about the type of crowd that we would see and the quality of the band. In the OC, live bands that perform on a Sunday night are either 18-year old punk rockers, or retired rockers that are playing beats that would make my grandfather jump out of his seat and start rocking out! So what was I to expect of this band, Clockwork? What kind of music would they play? Would there be more to their performance than just their singing? What kind of crowd would they draw in? So, when the lights went down and the curtain went up, I was astonished to hear a voice almost identical to Joe Walsh from the Eagles. Their voices were flawless...they entertained....they were having fun! But would the second song be as impressive as the first? Yes, even better!
As the night went on they began taking on requests from the audience, which had grown from a small dozen to well over 100 in less than 30 minutes! What was even more impressive was that they played every musical request...and every song was just as impressive as the last! People were actually dancing to their songs...and their music was amazing. But what was more impressive was that every member of the 7-person band was multi-talented - they each performed a solo song and played a musical instrument! One of the band members even attracted a young girl on stage...I was almost positive she wanted to stick around for his number after the performance. Bottom line - they were fun, they sounded good, and it was an upbeat and entertaining venue. Not to mention that every 15 minutes the powerful Bellagio fountains water show, which is typically a crowd-stopper to tourists walking & driving down the strip, was displayed outside the floor to ceiling windows that graced the East side of the lounge. Many patrons would step outside onto the oversized patio for a cigarette, cigar, or cocktail and watch the show from the balcony. There are no strip crowds here to block your view of the spectacular water show. With a great view, entertaining band, and energetic crowd, I have definitely scored this bar with an A+ and look forward to returning on a Friday or Saturday night...hopefully I will be able to get in (I would recommend making reservations first if you are planning to visit on a Friday or Saturday). In fact, my friend was so impressed that she decided to hire them to perform at her wedding here in Vegas that is scheduled for early fall! Their performance alone will grant her the award for the wedding of the year!
