I can’t remember the last time we went to Las Vegas just to play! Past trips were for work and trade shows. When I saw Lady Gaga tickets go online I jumped on them! Marla went to Vegas every summer as a child as this was her Dad’s sales’ territory. Harry called on clients and Joline played craps. Mar saw all the shows and met many stars from Pat Boone to Tom Jones. Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz, etc) gave her younger sister, Lora, swim lessons in the Sahara pool! Years later when Marla and 
I saw the “Jackson Five,” Michael pulled Marla up on stage to dance as we had front row seats!  !

Marla,upper right, was 12 when this was taken at the “Painted Desert Room” in “Wilbur Clark’s DESERT INN.” This was the era when everyone dressed to the nines! The Desert Inn (Or “DI” as the knowing called it) was eventually torn down and the Wynn resort was built.

Marla attended this show as a child with her family at the “New Frontier Hotel” in 1956, courtesy of a relative who was a “Pit Boss.” 7000 people were turned away on opening weekend. Listen to this recording of Judy Garland on opening night: http://www.thejudyroom.com/songs/Lucky-Day-1956.mp3

We wanted to try a new hotel for us so we booked the “Aria.”

Two days later almost every chair was occupied as the temperature reached a whopping…60 degrees!

The design of the “Aria Hotel” is very dramatic! The “Aria Campus”(formerly known as “City Center”) is comprised of the Aria Resort and Casino and the Vdara Hotel & Spa. The Waldorf Astoria Hotel (formerly the Mandarin Oriental) is next door.

I loved the creative use of wood columns in front of the Aria Spa.

The Aria has a number of fascinating artworks spread throughout the building. I love this work composed of undulating strips of silk. 

An art installation near their fine dining area.

We saw interesting buildings walking to the Park Hotel before the Lady Gaga “Enigma” performance at the Park Theater.

I’m channeling my “not-quite” super hero pose!

We ordered a spritz at “Eataly” before the show. Eataly has a number of exciting Italian eateries and bars. Highly recommended!

Lady Gaga’s “Enigma” was a full-blown musical & dance extravaganza and of course over-the-top! She was truly amazing!

All the Vegas hotels decorated their lobbies with colorful displays and good luck symbols for the Chinese New Year, the “Year of the Pig.” The Bellagio Hotel’s atrium was spectacular!

We loved breakfast at “Sadelle’s” in the previous “Cafe Bellagio” space. The decor and food are wonderful, including the best Belgian waffle on the planet! 

Spectacular Bellagio lobby and their famous “Chihuly” glass ceiling.

I had to include these super cute soft pigs! The Chinese New Year is a huge event in Las Vegas!

We dined at “Piero’s”, a Vegas Classic for great food and fascinating clientele! Years ago on a visit I thought we were on the set for the “Godfather” or the “Sopranos.” So deliciously old school and so much fun! The image is a bit blurry and so were we when we left! Check out this great link on Piero’s history:https://vegas.eater.com/2015/1/28/7932091/the-inside-secrets-of-the-timeless-classic-piero-s

The “Beatles Love”, a Cirque du Soleil”show at the Mirage Hotel was a fitting close to a fabulous trip to Vegas!

***Next week I’ll take you shopping for $1400 Christian Louboutin trainers and luxury boutique window shopping in Las Vegas.

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.