Resorts World taps Zedd as headliner
ZEDD is the first resident DJ, and first resident headliner of any type, at Resorts World Las Vegas. The famed Strip DJ is set to headline Zouk Nightclub and Ayu Dayclub at the new resort, the hotel announced Wednesday. The twin nightlife fortresses, with the hotel, could open as early as June. Resort World does have the express goal of opening sometime this summer.
Performance dates and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Zedd will play both clubs, which are the first U.S. venues from Zouk Group of Singapore. Zouk group has operated in Asia for nearly three decades.
“Las Vegas has become a massive part of my life. Having the opportunity to play so many shows there throughout the years has made it like a second home to me,” the 31-year-old artist said in a statement. “My Vegas shows have become a central hub to connect with fans, friends and artists from all over the world.”
Zedd, whose legal name is Anton Zaslavski, was most recently in the Hakkasan Group lineup in 2020. Those venues included Omnia at Caesars Palace and Hakkasan Nightclub and Wet Republic at the MGM Grand. Thus, Zouk Group and Resorts World has plucked a proven draw from a prominent Strip’s nightlife company.
“We’re super-excited to have Zedd join the resort family,” Resorts World President Scott Sibella said Tuesday. “His talent will not only play a big part of our nightlife experience but also throughout the property.”
The Russian-born German entertainer has headlined Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas and been featured in Zouk Group’s ultra-nightclub in Singapore.
“After several iconic performances at Zouk Group venues over the last decade, we are proud to now partner with Zedd and continue our longstanding relationship with him,” Zouk Group Chief Executive Officer Andrew Li said in a statement. “To provide such a visionary in the music industry with a brand-new stage at the Strip’s newest resort is truly an honor, and guests can expect an immersive show experience that extends well beyond a traditional DJ set.”
Comedy Cellar returns
Noam Dworman kept his attitude from falling into the cellar throughout the pandemic.
“I’m not optimistic, nor am I pessimistic,” the owner of the Comedy Cellar at the Rio said Tuesday. “But I am hopeful.”
The Vegas outpost of Dworman’s famous New York club reopens April 17-18, with Mark Cohen emceeing a night with veteran stand-ups Rick D’elia, Brian Mckim and Kathleen Dunbar. From April 22-25, it’s Cohen with Traci Skene, Dennis Blair and Orlando Leyba. From April 29-May 2, it’s Cohen with Blair, D’elia and Dunbar.
The schedule is two shows per night, at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays. Naturally, seating is adjusted for safety directives, and the audience is required to wear face covers while not actively eating or drinking.
The Comedy Cellar in New York City’s Greenwich Village has opened its three venues to 30-percent capacity, the relaunch celebrated last Friday. Such famed comics as Dave Chappelle, Amy Schumer, Dave Attell and Louis C.K. (who has dropped in a few times PRE-COVID in reviving his stage career) made unbilled appearances.
“We had a lot of famous people come in,” Dworman said. “It was almost like the old days.”
In Vegas, Dworman was waiting from afar to learn when the Rio would reopen. When those plans were initiated, so were plans to relaunch the club.
Asked how he held up personally and financially, Dworman said, “Personally, the obstacle was psychological. I have three small kids that needed homeschooling, so you can imagine that challenge. You have to compartmentalize what you are doing to prevent something disastrous from happening. It’s a lot harder than running a club.
“Financially, we were able to survive on loans from the government, the PPP loans that we will need to repay. That held us together.”
The Comedy Cellar joins almost every other comedy club on and off the Strip to reopen during the pandemic. Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club at MGM Grand and the Laugh Factory at the Tropicana have been open for weeks. The only outlier at the moment is Jimmy Kimmel’s Comedy Club at The Linq Promenade, and Caesars Entertainment officials say they plan to bring back that destination club, too.
Dworman assessed the Vegas entertainment scene and returned to his optimistic/ pessimistic comment.
“I will say I am optimistic about the vaccines,” he said. “They will allow things to bounce back to where they were in New York City, and from what I see, the same is true in Las Vegas.”