Las Vegas Weekly

September 15, 2010 · 11:06 AM

Ole! Strip festivities in abundance for Mexican Independence Day

By Robin Leach

The cast of Thunder From Down Under with Lorena Peril at Flair for the Cure at Rock & Rita's in Circus Circus on Aug. 18, 2010.

Photo: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Greetings to all of our friends South of the Border and to our Mexican community here in Las Vegas as Mexico celebrates 200 years of independence today. It also commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution, and our resort casinos along the Strip are rolling out the red carpet for the fun, the fiestas and the fajitas right through the weekend.

Perhaps the most unique festivity is hotel mogul Steve Wynn declaring that his Encore Theater will become one giant viewing party of Mexico City celebrations via live telecast. The event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis today.

There’s an action-packed lineup at Tacos & Tequila’s (T&T) in the Luxor hosted by sexy Lorena Peril, the new lead singer and headliner of the resort’s sizzling topless adult revue Fantasy. The event includes mariachi music, an Elvis Presley look-alike contest and the worldwide premiere of Viva T&T, a lively mariachi rendition of the classic Elvis film Viva Las Vegas starring T&T’s own mini Mariachi Elvis. Additionally, Carrot Top and yours truly, plus the casts of Fantasy, Thunder From Down Under and Menopause the Musical will all be attending the fiesta.

Latin superstar Luis Miguel celebrates with an exclusive three-night engagement today, Friday and Saturday at The Colosseum in Caesars Palace. Luis was just 12 years old when he recorded his first album in 1982, and he’s been at the top of the Latin music charts ever since with unrivaled world records and sales.

Latin pop star Alejandro Fernandez brings his Dos Mundos Tour to MGM Grand Garden Arena tonight with his sultry romantic ballads and traditional rancheras that have captivated audiences in more than 25 countries since 1992. He’ll have four choirs, 10 musicians and an 11-piece mariachi band onstage with him with more than 120 lights and 100 square feet of video screens. His after-party is at the Foundation Room at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay.

On Saturday, expect fireworks in MGM Grand Garden Arena when two division world champions, Juan Manual Lopez and Rafael Marquez, collide, and the warriors fight for the featherweight title.

All the Harrah’s properties in town are celebrating with food and drink offers through the weekend. The Rio features Las Vegas Tequila Fest and 20 years of historic Mexican musical flair at the Mariachi Festival, with guests Shaila Durcal and Antonio Aguilar Jr. performing Friday and Saturday. There’s a free performance tonight of Kumbia Kings in The Rio’s Amazon Ballroom. Also Saturday, soccer legend Claudio Suarez hosts a meet-and-greet with fans in the Tequila Bar at Bally’s.

Through the end of the month, Fusion Mixology Bar at the Palazzo is offering Ambhar tequila specials to mark the bicentennial year of Mexico’s independence. Ask for the special drink “El Grito de la Independencia” after the battle cry of the Mexican War for freedom from Spain.

For our colleague Allison Duck’s full, comprehensive and detailed list of all the celebrations, please check our sister Web site at LasVegasWeekly.com. Ole!

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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