Sept. 26
Sunday
Salvation and Sin
$100 of Free Slot play signs were quite inviting so we signed up for their Players Card and picked up our tickets for Purple Reign that night. We were then directed to the promotional slot machines which were to be played. They were five dollar machines so it wasn’t long after the attended loaded our machine with a hundred dollar bill that we were done. NO winnings there. Well at least the beer as advertised was $1.00 a bottle!
Sunday morning we headed out and walked across to MGM to get an early start to the day. Our plans were to go see Purple Reign the Prince Tribute Show at Hooters for 10 PM and before we would go to dinner at the Border Grill which we had bought a $25 Gift Certificate on restaurant. com. We wandered through some of the hotels including the Tropicana which isn’t looking as tired and the renovations have certainly brightened it up from what we saw. We walked up the strip from the MGM to Planet Hollywood where we crossed over to the other side and back to Mandalay Bay to the House of Blues for the Gospel Brunch.
Two years ago, we went to the show and things have changed. It was in the basement and the buffet was a sea of long tables. This time, it was right in the restaurant and the stations were set up; mains, salads and dessert/fruit. There was a combination of foods but to note there was Jambalaya, shrimp, grits, chicken, turkey, salads and mostly home cooked Southern style food. I would say that the food quality was the same but the variety wasn’t what it 2 years ago. However, this time the setting is more intimate so you are more interactive with the performers and on that morning the choir that was on stage. Toss in some Lord Have Mercies and music that makes you want to get up and clap while singing the praises of the day. We are by no means religious but it is certainly a fun way to start your day! This time we chose to do the 1 PM brunch. The locals tell me that it’s a sell out so book your tables early. We booked five weeks in advance and got a table close to the stage. Tickets were $84.00 for two adults. We had bought the tickets and picked them up at House of Blues box office one hour before the show.
Afterwards we played some of the slot machines in the Mandalay but ended up donating instead of winning. While playing we were offered several complimentary cocktails. We then decided that we would hop on the Gold line in front of Mandalay Bay and head out to the Outlet Mall. The ticket vending machine outside of the Excalibur wasn’t working so we headed down to the Mandalay bus stop where we bought the three day pass to make use using the Deuce or the Gold line. We spent the afternoon and early evening at the Outlet shopping. I bought a Coach handbag for 50% off the regular price here in Canada along with other goodies there. This is the fourth time I have been to Vegas and the fourth Coach I have bought! As well, I checked out Dress Barn which we don’t have here in Canada and walked away with a shopping bag of clothes. Not on sale but selection like we don’t have here in Canada. Along the way we stopped at the food court for a hot dog and frozen lemon aid for $3.50. It filled the void. My partner was happy to get a pair of khaki Haggar pants for 75% off so he bought another pair and two shirts for under $80.00! There were some great shoe sales but I had to resist. A fraction of what I had spent. Time crept really fast so we knew there was no way we were going to make our dinner reservation at Border Grill so we cancelled it and rebooked for the next night before we were to see Love at the Mirage Theatre.
Purple Reign show was in the Night owl Lounge located to the side of the casino. While waiting in the line-up for general seating, the band was practicing so we got a glimpse of what was to come. A small and intimate lounge hosted a scattering of tables near a dance floor by the stage area and then ledge seating that sat up higher so once dancing started you could still see the stage. We chose that seating and Prince was at 12 o’clock in front of me. For anyone who wants a discount on this show, go see it full price or if you want to try and get a discount then grab a 24 coupon book and get in for $20.00. The band is talented musicians that play live. The backup dancer is very talented and is obviously skilled in hip hop, ballet and dance. Prince. What can I say? He is so talented that you will forget this is a tribute band and think you are watching Prince live! The costumes, the music and the choreography right down to the signature moves are amazing! They have performed on the David Letterman show and are THE tribute band. It’s a great time. They got us to raise our hands on who the Hooters guests were and its obvious that word of mouth gets around fast because people came to see the show from surrounding hotels and also the locals. All the songs you know: Raspberry Beret, Doves Cry, Get Off, Little Red Corvette, etc. As an added bonus, a tribute to Morris Day and the Time performing The Bird as well as other music. Loads of energy and lots of dancing. You can participate on the dance floor or look on while sitting in your seat. Afterwards, take the opportunity to meet Prince and get your picture with the band for $10.00.
The meet and greet went like this for me..
Prince: "Hey baby.. where are you from?"
Me: Uhm, Canada.
Prince: "Thanks for coming out to the show tonight."
Me: It was great. Realy enjoyed it.
Prince: Brushing his lips on my cheek and and a light kiss. "Make sure you come to the afterparty next door. See you there.. They sure have pretty girls in Canada"
Me: Blush. Swoon. Giggle. (LOL)
So we ended up at Dixie's Damn Bar ..next door. Me, I was a smitten kitten.
When we arrived at Dixie’s, the place was intense with lots of grinding going on to thumping dj beats and at points it was like a train wreck which I couldn’t turn away from to watch. Lol.. . I was sober at the time and as the place filled up with tourists the photographer came with pictures in hand. Some of the band trickled in through the doors. Prince, I have no idea.. But he was a sexy mother…
Once outside the door we realized that we hadn’t eaten more then a hotdog so we wandered over to Mad Onion and ate nachos and took advantage of the beer specials from the bar. Two adults in our early 40’s and it had been awhile since we got in at 2:30 Am. 3:30 in Canada!
Good Night.
Watch Purple Reign
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