Las Vegas Weekly

September 15, 2009 · 11:24 AM

Photo Galleries: Bloodless bullfights and Ricardo Arjona

By Robin Leach

Matador Julio "El Cordobes" Benitez stares down a bull during Toros Las Vegas.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

The weeklong celebrations for tomorrow’s Mexican Independence Day continue onward. Our contributing photographer Erik Kabik captured the spectacle, excitement and action of the bloodless bullfighting that began yesterday at the South Point Arena.

The Toros Las Vegas Bloodless Bullfighting at South Point Equestrian Arena kicked off yesterday and will be followed by another session today. The matadors and bulls return here Sept. 27-30.

Erik commented: “The matador and banderilleros, all wearing their monteras (hats worn by matadors), help prep the bull for the matador by first getting the bull to chase the pink and yellow capes, then thrusting banderillas into the bull (in this case Velcro tipped as not to wound or inflict pain on the bull), which tires the bull, making it an easier foe for the matador to defeat the bull (or kill the bull in traditional bullfighting).

“The matador then removes his hat and challenges the bull with a red cape, and then finishes the bull with a targeted banderillas (which in traditional bullfighting kills the bull). In bloodless bullfighting, the final Velcro-tipped banderillas is stuck to the bull’s back, signifying the end of the match. No animals were harmed, and all banderillas were Velcro tipped.”

Before the bullfights, Erik was front and center for Ricardo Arjona’s concert at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel. The Guatemalan singer has won two Grammy Awards: the 2007 Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album and the 2006 Grammy for Best Latin Male Pop Album, both for his album Adentro released in 2005. Hailed as Bob Dylan south of the border, Ricardo also plays guitar and piano.

Tonight, one of the most accomplished vocalists and top-selling artists in Latin music, Alejandro Fernandez, brings his Viento a Favor tour to Mandalay Bay Events Center. He has captured Mexico’s rich traditions of music over his 16-year career, which has won him two Grammys, five Billboard Music Awards and multiple gold and platinum records. It’s also the 30th anniversary of Enanitos Verdes, who present their Reloaded USA tour concert at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

Over at Dos Caminos in the Palazzo, Mexican Independence Day starts a night early with this evening’s official party complete with special drinks and menus. Tomorrow’s entertainment at Dos Caminos’ fiesta features DJ Carlos Sanchez, Rico DeLargo of Vibe Elevator, percussionist Frankie Metaphase and DJ Cyber Kid of BeatClan. At nearby Lavo in the Palazzo, Chuy Bravo from E!’s Chelsea Lately celebrates with a red carpet celebrity party that will rock past midnight into the big day itself.

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.

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