Las Vegas Weekly

Happy 311 Day!

Are you ready to listen to these guys for five whole hours?

What does March 11 mean to you?

If the answer isn't obvious, you probably are not a fan of rock band 311, who, since 2000, has declared the 11th day of the third month of the year as its own. Considered a "worldwide holiday" by their fans, 311 Day, celebrated officially on even-numbered years, is far more than your typical concert experience.

Las Vegas is hosting this year's festivities, which typically have been held in New Orleans but were moved after a large medical conference in the area promised to hog hotel rooms. Omaha-bred 311 will begin performing at 8 p.m. tonight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and will continue playing. For five hours. That translates to more than 60 songs.

The five-hour set allows 311 to perform a variety of material, including covers, rarities and their hits, which include songs like "Amber" and "All Mixed Up," as well as their cover of the Cure's "Love Song."

While it may be all about the music at 311 Day, that doesn't mean there won't be some nice perks offered alongside that end-all, be-all set list. Many Mandalay Bay restaurants, nightlife spots and attractions are offering deals in the spirit of 311 Day.

Eyecandy and Mizuya/J Pop Lounge are offering drink specials for fans sporting ticket stubs. Mix is granting free entry and 2-for-1 shot specials, and Foundation Room is giving VIP line passes to fans. Many of the resorts restaurants, including the House of Blues Restaurant, Raffles, Mizuya and The Café, are offering 20 percent discounts as well. Finally, Shark Reef will be offering $5 off admission to fans. Most deals will be honored today and tomorrow.

The Mandalay Beach and Wave Pool, typically open to all guests of the hotel, will host a 311 Beach Party beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow only for ticketholders of tonight's concert. It promises to be the perfect spot for fans to socialize and debate just how hard 311 rocked the night before.

Tickets for the performance have been long sold out — they went on sale in late October — but for any fan not lucky enough to be one of the more than 11,000 people in attendance at tonight's concert, the performance will be filmed for a webcast made available live (for $11.99) through the band's Web site, 311.com, and through television's Video-on-Demand.

The last installment of 311 Day brought fans from all 50 states and 13 different countries together for a 63-song set. Vegas' debut event is promising to live up to the legacy.