March 14, 2010 · 6:15 PM
Neon what?
By April Corbin
“We’re sponsored by Neon Reverb music festival,” says Lenny Fortunato, guitarist for Santa Cruz-based Los High Tops, during their set at Las Vegas Country Saloon. “So, thank you, wherever you are.”
A vague thank-you from the surf/rockabilly (surfabilly!) band is warranted. I see nothing here to suggest the venue is part of Neon Reverb. No festival banner. No sponsor signs. No fellow attendees sporting yellow wristbands like mine.
Suddenly: Hope!
A trio of drunken youngsters runs toward the empty dance floor. The ringleader, a charming lad in green, swings a reluctant girl around. Guy number two rips open his button-up shirt and spins in a circle. “That’s what buttons like these were made for,” he explains to me later. They’re younger and hipper than anyone else in the slow bar, just the type Neon Reverb attracts.
“Are you here as a part of Neon Reverb?” I ask.
“No,” replies guy number two, whose real name is Randy Kauffman. “What’s that?”
Turns out Kauffman and company are from Minnesota, basically tourists with enough Vegas acquaintances to know better than to hang out on the Strip. Kauffman is en route to South by Southwest, like some of Neon Reverb’s bands. He seems genuinely interested in the concept of Neon Reverb, which is great, but does nothing for my current quest to find a sense of the music festival at this venue.
With a shrug, I leave the Minnesotans to their beer pong and bull riding. Time to trod back to Beauty Bar and a packed house of hipsters. At least they know what they’re a part of there.
-
Friday
2013-05-24
The Strip
-
Friday
2013-05-24
Activities-Pool Parties
-
Friday
2013-05-24
Comedy
- More ›
-
Saturday
2013-05-25
The Orleans
-
Saturday
2013-05-25
The Strip
-
Saturday
2013-05-25
The Strip
- More ›
-
Tuesday
2013-05-28
Concert
-
Tuesday
2013-05-28
Paris
-
Tuesday
2013-05-28
Drink Specials
- More ›
-
Wednesday
2013-05-29
Museum (ongoing)
-
Wednesday
2013-05-29
The Strip
-
Wednesday
2013-05-29
UNLV
- More ›
Most Popular
- Most Read
- E-mailed
- 1. Photos: Wet ’n’ Wild water park is ready to make a splash in Las Vegas
- 2. Photos: Criss Angel’s buried alive in cement stunt at The Mirage is shut down
- 3. Joe Downtown: Tony Hsieh leads Ashton Kutcher on downtown tour
- 4. Events guide: Memorial Day Weekend 2013
- 5. Preview: Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Michael Jackson One’ opens at Mandalay Bay
- 6. Meet five additions to Las Vegas nightlife and entertainment
- 7. Rio plans zip line ride between two towers
- 8. Joe Downtown: Does Starbucks herald 'arrival' of East Fremont?
- 9. Joe Downtown: Restaurant serving 'Fresh American' coming to East Village
- 10. MDW Hot Spots
Facebook Activity
Featured Cocktail
May 15, 2013
by
Sabrina Chapman
The Golden Pillar: An architectural cocktail built for XS
This Sunday, XS nightclub celebrates the grand reopening of its after-dark pool party, Night Swim. Along with the bash comes a new offering of signature cocktails served by the pitcher, ...
Read more...








Discussion:
In an effort to increase the dialogue on our blogs, we will be requiring Facebook accounts to leave comments on lasvegasweekly.com blogs. We believe that Weekly readers are likely to have Facebook accounts already and more apt to comment on this site with that account rather than have to create an account with us. If, however, you do not have a Facebook account, click here to sign up for one. If you have questions, comments or concerns about this new commenting policy, please let us know.
For any other questions related to commenting on Weekly stories, please read our full policy.