NFR-related events and activities

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

11 years ago

Willie Nelson performs during The Smith Center for the Performing Arts’ opening night gala March 10, 2012. Las Vegas’ new performing arts center is “as beautiful as any place I’ve ever been,” says Mickey Raphael, Nelson’s longtime harmonica player.

Ten-time Grammy Award nominee Dierks Bentley performs at 10 p.m. Friday in The Pearl at the Palms. Tickets start at $60.

Rodney Carrington performs at 10 p.m. nightly Thursday through Dec. 14 at the Hollywood Theatre at the MGM Grand.

Country star Gretchen Wilson performs at 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Showroom at the Golden Nugget.

The National Finals Rodeo’s nightly performances at the Thomas &Mack Center are surely the centerpiece of the next 10 days. But there are plenty of other related events. Following is a schedule that includes a variety of things to see and do to enhance your NFR experience.

MAIN EVENT

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

6:45 p.m. daily, Thursday through Dec. 14 at the Thomas &Mack Center, Tropicana Avenue and Swenson Street. The annual rodeo features contestants competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding; $53 for single day admission, ticket packages are available (nfrexperience.com).

SHUTTLE SERVICE

Complimentary shuttle service to and from the NFR will be available with routes from the Las Vegas Convention Center and NFR official host hotels on the Strip and Downtown to the Thomas &Mack Center. NFR performances will begin at 6:45 p.m. Shuttle buses will begin pick-ups at 5 p.m. and include return service until 10:30 p.m. There is no shuttle bus service during actual rodeo performances. The shuttle service from the convention center is a one-way route to the Thomas &Mack Center only. There is no return service to the convention center. For a complete list of shuttle bus routes and schedule, visit nfrexperience.com.

HEADLINERS

SHANIA TWAIN

7:30 p.m. today, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday-Dec. 11, Dec. 13-14 in the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, $55-$250 (800-745-3000).

RODNEY CARRINGTON

10 p.m. daily Thursday-Dec. 14 at Hollywood Theatre at MGM Grand, $85.94-$107.94 (702-891-7777).

BILL ENGVALL

9 p.m. Friday and Dec. 13 in the Theatre at Treasure Island, $65.95-$82.45 (702-894-7722).

CLAY WALKER

10 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Sands Showroom at The Venetian, $62.50-$160 (702-414-9000).

DIERKS BENTLEY

10 p.m. Friday in The Pearl at the Palms, $60-$140 (702-944-3200).

GRETCHEN WILSON

10 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, $46.85-$112.85 (866-946-5336).

NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE

9 p.m. Friday at Hard Rock Live, $20 in advance or $25 at the door (702-733-7625)

RON WHITE

10 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 13-14 in the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage, $75.84-$97.84 (702-792-7777).

WYNONNA &THE BIG NOISE

8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Showroom at The Orleans, $82.50-$110 (702-365-7075).

DWIGHT YOAKAM

10 p.m. Sunday and Monday in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, tickets start at $99 (866-946-5336).

CHRIS YOUNG

10 p.m. Monday in the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, $34.50-$50 (702-632-7600).

AMERICAN COUNTRY AWARDS

5 p.m. Tuesday at Mandalay Bay Events Center, $39.75-$160.50 (702-632-7580).

WILLIE NELSON

10 p.m. Tuesday-Dec. 11 in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, tickets start at $129 (866-946-5336).

MERLE HAGGARD

10 p.m. Dec. 12-13 in the Showroom at Golden Nugget, $90.85-$178.85 (866-946-5336).

MONTGOMERY GENTRY AND THE CHARLIE DANIELS BAND

9:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Orleans Arena, $10-$60 (702-284-7777).

NFR EVENTS

COWBOY FANFEST

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, Thursday-Dec. 14, adjacent to the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show at Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road. Features live music, a rodeo arena, exhibits, demonstrations, mini bucking bulls, Miss Rodeo America activities and more; free admission. For a complete schedule of events at the FanFest, visit nfrexperience.com.

DOWNTOWN HOEDOWN

At Fremont Street Experience. The 27th annual NFR kick-off event will feature free concerts by Joe Diffie, Chris Janson, Chase Rice, Cole Swindell and Rodney Atkins, starting at 4:30 p.m. today. The Fremont Street Experience’s “12 Days of Country” will feature nightly free concerts Thursday-Dec. 15. Scheduled performers include Fairchild, Sam Riddle, Southern Stue and VooDoo Cowboys. The “Country Christmas” live musical revue will be presented at 7 p.m. daily (dark on Thursdays). For a schedule, visit vegasexperience.com.

HOME OF THE CHAMPIONS

At MGM Grand. The free Crown Royal Gold Buckle Zone will feature appearances, live feeds of the rodeo, entertainment and dancing starting at 6 p.m. daily, Thursday-Dec. 14 near Ka Theatre. LoCash Cowboys and Damsel will perform daily, and Neal McCoy will join them Monday-Dec. 13. The “Gold Buckle Zone Cowboys” autograph sessions will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Dec. 13 in the main lobby. The NFR live feed and “The Draw” Talk Show, with Stran Smith and Jennifer Smith, featuring door prizes, giveaways and drink specials, will be at 5:45 p.m. daily, Thursday-Dec. 14 at Hollywood Theatre. The RAM Ride &Drive outdoor track test will be 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 12-14, admission is free. Events for the 2014 Miss Rodeo America Pageant will be held through Monday. For a schedule, visit missrodeoamerica.com (mgmgrand.com/nfr).

NFR AT BOYD GAMING PROPERTIES

Gold Coast: National Finals Tonight free post-show wrap-up of rodeo events at 10:30 p.m. daily, Thursday-Dec. 14 in the Showroom. Buck’n Ball free rodeo after-party featuring entertainment and drink specials at 8 p.m. daily, Thursday-Dec. 14 in the Arizona Ballroom. The Farm will perform Friday, Craig Campbell on Saturday, Brett Eldredge Dec. 13 and Parmalee on Dec. 14. All shows start at midnight. To benefit the Las Vegas chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the Bob Tallman Celebrity Bowling Tournament will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Gold Coast, $50. Sam’s Town: Roxy’s Buckin’ Bull mechanical bull riding contest will be at 5 and 8:30 p.m. daily, Friday-Dec. 14, free for participants (boydgaming.com/nfr).

NFR AT CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT

Harrah’s Las Vegas: pro bull rider Rocky McDonald will sign autographs from 10 p.m. to midnight Dec. 12 and 10 to 11 p.m. Dec. 13 at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar (702-369-5000). The Quad: “Nashville Unplugged” will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday-Dec. 11 in the Showroom, $19.99-$49.99. For tickets, call 702-794-3261. Planet Hollywood Resort: PBR Rock Bar &Grill in the Miracle Mile Shops will host bull riding competitions, drink specials and meet-and-greets daily, Thursday-Dec. 14 (pbrrockbar.com).

NFR AT GOLDEN NUGGET

Doors open at 6 p.m. for free viewing parties daily, Thursday-Dec. 14 in the Showroom at the Golden Nugget. A barrel racers autograph session will be from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 11 in the Galleria Hallway (goldennugget.com/LasVegas).

NFR AT LVH

At Rodeo Central in the Tempo Lounge. Live rodeo broadcasts, entertainment and free boot shines daily, Friday-Dec. 14, free admission (thelvh.com).

NFR AT MANDALAY BAY

Mizuya Lounge will feature live viewing parties hosted by trick roper Anthony Lucia, drink specials, autograph sessions and giveaways daily, Thursday-Dec. 14. Live music will follow the viewings with Brad Duvall &the Wild West Show performing Thursday-Dec. 11 and Randy Brown from Dec. 12-14 (mandalaybay.com).

NFR AT THE MIRAGE

At The Mirage Race &Sports Book. The 10th annual “Rodeo Vegas” will feature live broadcasts, giveaways, appearances and entertainment daily, Thursday-Dec. 14, free admission. Daily concerts will start at 10 p.m. and feature Dustin Lynch on Thursday, Josh Thompson on Friday, Casey Donahew Band on Saturday, Craig Morgan on Sunday, Brit Stokes Band on Monday and Tuesday, Justin McBride on Dec. 11, Daryle Singletary on Dec. 12, Jerrod Niemann on Dec. 13 and Easton Corbin on Dec. 14 (mirage.com/nfr).

NFR AT MONTE CARLO

At the Rodeo Corral at The Pub. A pre-rodeo party will be at 5 p.m. today featuring autographs, photo opportunities, meet-and-greets, line dancing, karaoke and giveaways. NFR broadcasts will be shown daily, Thursday-Dec. 14. Line dancing will be offered at 6 p.m. daily. Karaoke will be at 9 p.m. and meet-and-greets at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday to Dec. 12. Gold Rush Country will perform at 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Dec. 13 and 14 (montecarlo.com/nfr).

NFR AT PALMS

Features live rodeo feeds at SOCIAL, the Lounge and the Mint, drink specials, entertainment and more, Thursday-Dec. 14. The “Whiskey &Words” songwriter series, featuring Bridgette Tatum, Jason Matthews and Philip White, will be presented at 10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday in the Lounge, $12 (palms.com).

NFR AT SILVERTON

Features live rodeo feeds at all casino bars daily, Thursday-Dec. 14. The Lindgren &Lewis Band will perform at 9 p.m. in Shady Grove Lounge Friday-Sunday (silvertoncasino.com).

NFR AT SOUTH POINT

“Vegas Cowboy Central” will feature viewing parties and entertainment in the Showroom and Grandview Lounge starting at 6:30 p.m. daily, Thursday-Dec. 14, free; a tailgate viewing party at 6 p.m. daily in the Grand Ballroom, free; the Benny Binion Bucking Horse and Bull Sale at 9 a.m. Thursday and Saturday in the arena, $12; Go Round Buckle Presentation at 11 p.m. daily in the Dance Hall, free; World Futurity Bronc Finale at 1 p.m. Friday in the arena, $18; World Series of Team Roping in the arena Sunday-Dec. 15, free; the Art of the American Cowboy Sale &Auction in the Exhibit Hall, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday-Dec. 14, free. For a complete schedule, visit vegascowboycentral.com.

NFR AT TREASURE ISLAND

Free NFR satellite feeds will be shown at Gilley’s Saloon, Dance Hall &Bar-B-Que and in the casino. Events at Gilley’s will include the Toughest Cowboy Competition at 10 p.m. Thursday and Dec. 12 and Bikini Bull Riding at 10 p.m. Sunday. NFR bull riders will sign autographs from noon to 2 p.m. Tuesday (treasureisland.com).

WESTERN GIFT EXPOS

COWBOY CHRISTMAS GIFT SHOW

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Dec. 14 at Las Vegas Convention Center, 3150 Paradise Road; features western wear, jewelry, furniture, art and more; free admission (nfrexperience.com).

NRS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Dec. 15 in Marquee Ballroom at MGM Grand; features more than 60 rodeo brands, tack equipment, rope making displays, fashion shows and more; free admission (nrsevents.com/nfr).

ROPER COWBOY MARKETPLACE

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Dec. 14 in Bayside Hall D at Mandalay Bay; features more than 300 vendors, entertainment, demonstrations and more; free admission (cowboymarketplace.net)

STETSON COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Dec. 15 at Sands Expo, 201 Sands Ave; features exhibitors, entertainment, demonstrations, meet-and-greets and more; free admission (countrychristmas.com).

— MADELON HYNES/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL