Entertainment in USA
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A
Gusman Center for the Performing Arts
This elegantly renovated 1920s movie palace services a huge variety of performing arts including film festivals, symphonies, ballets and touring shows. The acoustics are excellent.
reviewed
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Malamute Saloon
Rowdy saloons that are throwbacks from the mining days are this area's specialty. The Malamute Saloon, 7mi west of Fairbanks in Ester, offers honky-tonk music, skits, vaudeville and a ritual reading of Robert Service poetry. The bar is a classic, and the show is perhaps one of the best locally produced acts in Alaska. They'll have you laughing in the sawdust by the end of the evening.
There's free bus transportation from Fairbanks that stops at major hotels, including the Bridgewater. Or you can make it an evening by booking a room or a tent site at Ester Gold Camp.
reviewed
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B
Motherloaded Tavern
The choice dive in Breckenridge isn't all that divey. Sure it's a bare bones tavern, but it also attracts the local hipsters and anyone else who dreams of a tastier, well-crafted brand of comfort food best paired with something buzz-inducing: black bean burgers, grilled PB&Js, homemade mac-and-cheese, meatloaf paninis and a menu of martinis, shooters and hot, steaming boozey sips.
Surprisingly, there are no microbrews on tap so it'll have to be a Pabst, Hank. There's live music every Friday and Saturday night, and Trivia Night draws draws a crowd on Tuesday.
reviewed
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C
Hard Rock
The world’s first rock ’n’ roll casino, the hot, hot, hot Hard Rock embraces what may be the most impressive collection of rock-star memorabilia ever assembled under one roof. Among the priceless items being watched over by the ‘eye in the sky’ and eagle-eyed security guards suited up like bouncers are some of the more bodacious fashion statements by Elvis and Britney Spears; a custom motorcycle (donated by Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe) that once belonged to the Hell’s Angels gang; and Jim Morrison’s handwritten lyrics to one of The Doors’ greatest hits.
reviewed
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D
Mo Pitkins
Words really can't do justice to the whacked out, high energy shows that appear at Mo Pitkins, a 'Judeo-Latin' restaurant/cabaret/literary salon. Mo Knows Songwriters is a popular weekly crooner event, but you'll also see acoustic sets and all-out big band swing on other nights. Either way, it's innovative entertainment with some kicking kosher Latin food. Monday night is literary night; expect live readings.
Dishes include mac-n-cheese, garlic fries with manchego, fried artichokes, rotisserie kosher chicken and other delights, like flourless chocolate cake.
reviewed
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E
Balcony Music Club
Balcony is all about the acts; if there’s a dud band playing you can pass it up, but on good nights it forms a very convenient crux in the French Quarter–Faubourg Marigny Decatur St stumble o’ fun. The 1920s flapper nights, held on a semi-regular basis, are the best; if you’ve ever seen the 1996 movie Swingers, it’s kind of exactly like the scene in the Brown Derby. If that cultural reference soared past, imagine walking into a speakeasy circa the Al Capone days and you’ve got an idea of what’s going on.
reviewed
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F
Chicago Blackhawks
The 2010 Stanley Cup winners skate in front of big crowds. They share the United Center with the Bulls.
reviewed
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G
House of Blues
The House of Blues is back! It was a sad day when the little blue house in Harvard Square became another Irish pub. But as of 2009, there is a new HOB on Lansdowne St and it is bigger and better than ever. Never mind the ridiculously tight security measures. Open only a few weeks at the time of research, it had already seen the likes of the reunited J Geils Band, BB King, George Clinton, George Thorogood, the Gypsy Kings and the Dropkick Murphys. Standing room only; two levels. Dig the gospel brunch on Sundays. We still miss the little blue house, though.
reviewed
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H
Vic’s Kangaroo Café
Here’s a little something to make Australians either sick or prone to bust out the Anzac Day regalia: Vic’s phone number is, no joke, 524-GDAY. There are all kinds of other Australia-themed tat here, and while we admittedly haven’t met any diggers at the bar, there must be some around. There’s a kangaroo with boxing gloves on the sign, right? Well, if there aren’t any Australians here, there certainly are plenty of service staff from downtown’s restaurants, who pour into Vic’s when they get off their shifts and generally turn it upside down under (heh).
reviewed
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I
Round Robin
The bar at the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel is likely the most famous drinking institution in the city. The word ‘lobbyist’ was invented here during the Grant administration, and too many politicians, heads of state, journalists and other bigwigs have passed through for this book to list. The small, circular drinking space is done up in Gilded Age accents, all dark wood and 19th-century flourishes, and while it’s a bit tourist-y, you’ll still see folks here likely determining your latest tax hike over a single-malt Scotch.
reviewed
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J
Den
Harlem for the stars: this sexy, jazzy lounge has welcomed plenty of big names – Spike Lee, Rosario Dawson – plus comics like Tracy Morgan and a rowdy karaoke Tuesday night. It’s a candlelit, dressed-up spot with local art on the walls and plenty of nouveau soul on the menu (including a $21 Sunday brunch). Cocktails are half off 6pm to 8pm Tuesday to Saturday.
reviewed
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K
9:30 Club
This spacious dive features two floors and a midsize stage (watch the action from the balcony or join the dancey mayhem below), with an excellent lineup of bands. Arrive early for a prime spot.
reviewed
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L
Bacaro
Behold Venice in Chinatown (minus the rising canal waters). Based on a blue-collar Venetian pub, Bacaro serves up filling snacks called cicchetti, which you can wash down with robust wine from northern Italy. The downstairs is a spacious and cavernous dining area, while the rustic bar space on the 1st floor – made from reclaimed barn wood – is where the drinking gets done. Popular cicchetti include fried rice balls, asparagus with baked egg, crostini, bruschetta, meat and cheese platters, and insalata polpi (octopus salad).
reviewed
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M
Alex Theater
For more than 80 years, Glendale's Alex Theatre has been the centerpiece of the City's arts, culture and community programming. The Theatre's diverse schedule boosts roughly 250 events and attracts more than 130,000 patrons per year. Program offerings range from classical, contemporary and world music concerts, to film screenings, live theatre and stand-up comedy. In addition, the Alex Theatre also hosts award shows, fundraisers and a variety of other special events and frequently serves as a location for television, commercial and film productions.
reviewed
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Ford Hall Forum at Suffolk University
The oldest continuing public lecture series in the country (begun in 1908), this forum sponsors lively and spirited dialogues on topical world issues ranging from stem-cells to terrorism to attitudes toward ageing. Venerable past speakers have included Martin Luther King Jr, Maya Angelou, Winston Churchill, Cokie Roberts, Al Gore and MacArthur Genius Award recipient John Bonifaz. Lectures are held in the fall, winter and spring at various locations around the city, including the BPL and the Old South Meeting House.
reviewed
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N
Tropicana
Built in 1957, the Trop has had half a century to sully its shine, lose its crowds and go the way of the Dunes and the Sands – ashes to ashes, dust to dust. But thanks to a massive new facelift, it just keeps hanging in there. The sleek, new Miami-meets-Havana theme is a spirit-lifting change, especially in airy, light Paradise Tower rooms. Investigate the casino’s mini mob museum for more vintage Vegas atmosphere. Out back, the tropically inspired pool complex has multilevel lagoon pools, streaming waterfalls and classic swim-up blackjack tables.
reviewed
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O
Woody Creek Tavern
- Aspen, USA
- Entertainment › Pub
Enjoying a 100% agave tequila and fresh-lime margarita at the late, great gonzo journalist Hunter S Thompson's favorite watering hole is well worth the 8-mile trek from Aspen. Here since 1980, the walls at this rustic funky tavern, a local haunt for decades now, are plastered with newspaper clippings and paraphernalia (mostly dedicated to Thompson).
The menu features organic salads, low-fat but still juicy burgers, popular Mexican food including some quality guacamole, and plenty of alcohol. Eleven gallons of margaritas a day can't be wrong.
reviewed
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P
Looking Glass Lounge
Petworth's best nightspot is an artfully designed neighborhood dive with a great jukebox, DJs on weekends and a fine outdoor patio.
reviewed
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Q
Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse
Ice-cold beers and second-run films at bargain-basement prices? Who could resist that? Not many people. You need to be 21 to enter (or with a parent), but once inside you will find comfy chairs for flick-viewing, a menu of sandwiches, pizzas and, of course, popcorn, as well as a selection of alcoholic drinks (this is one of the few places in DC where you can drink and catch a movie at the same time). Some nights the theater skips the movies and hosts stand-up comedy instead. Check the website. There are also family-oriented programs some weekends.
reviewed
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R
Spotted Cat
A throwback retro cool permeates through this excellent Frenchman staple you might recognize from numerous episodes of Tremé. Hipster jazz is on nightly and there's never a cover unless a special event is on.
reviewed
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Sam’s Town
It’s such a landmark on the local Vegas scene, the Killers named their sophomore album after it. Ranchers, cowboys and RVers flock here, and there’s a helluva lot to keep ’em all amused. It’s a rip-roarin’ place to get your feet wet at table games, including some single-deck blackjack and electronic roulette. Or you can just peruse the country-and-western outfitter Sheplers, go bowling and take in a flick at the cinema, or feed your inner glutton at Billy Bob’s Steak House and Saloon, which dishes up a foot-long Grand Canyon chocolate layer cake.
reviewed
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S
Seattle Seahawks
The Northwest's only National Football League (NFL) franchise plays in the 72,000-seat Seahawks Stadium.
reviewed
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T
Sputnik
The Sputnik does it all – it’s simultaneously a plucky brunch spot, a neighborhood dive bar and an excellent place for espresso. Still, it’s never more fun than when there’s a show next door at the Hi-Dive and the indie rockers spill over for strong pours and a seat in the old school photo booth.
If spending a long night of drinks, snacks, and rock and roll still isn't enough for you, the long-running ‘Hangover Brunch’ does it right, with spicy Bloody Marys and lots of ragged morning-after style.
reviewed
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U
Le Bar
Ah, Le Bar, elle est si belle. This is the kind of spot you should rightly enter in a trench coat in the midst of occupied Paris whilst delivering secret documents to a very attractive member of the Resistance…er, we’re getting carried away again, aren’t we? But seriously, that’s kind of the vibe: all chandelier-like European glitz mixed with a bit of Washington power-player muscle, a heady combination that’s as strong as the bourbon. The outdoor patio is wonderful on spring and humid summer nights.
reviewed
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UIC Pavilion
The bang-’em-up sport of roller derby was born in Chicago in 1935, and it’s made a comeback in recent years thanks to the battlin’ beauties of the Windy City Rollers (www.windycityrollers.com) league. Players boast names like Sassy Squatch and Juanna Rumbel, and there is a fair amount of campy theater surrounding the bouts. But the action and the hits are real, and the players are dedicated to the derby cause. Matches take place once a month at the UIC Pavilion from late January to mid June; tickets cost $20.
reviewed