Move over Elvis, it’s now Viva Gila as the Gila River Resorts & Casinos has launched a “Vegas Residency” with high-end entertainment.
The months-long effort is “designed to deliver an immersive, Strip-worthy experience without leaving Arizona,” according to a release, “with headline acts, nightlife experiences, and culinary pop-ups, such as Chris Tucker, Diana Ross, Jeff Foxworthy, Robin Thicke, The Beach Boys, The Chippendales, Drai’s Nightclub, and more.”
The goal is to offer “world-class performances and elevated culinary experiences that bring the energy, glamour and star power of Las Vegas directly to the Phoenix metro area.”
On Jan. 23 and Jan. 24, Gila River Resorts & Casinos Wild Horse Pass has scheduled a culinary pop-up featuring Chef Akira Back, a Michelin-starred chef; Chris Tucker’s live stand-up comedy show; and Drai’s Nightclub pop-up experience featuring 50 Cent.
“The residency showcases Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ commitment to delivering nationally recognized entertainment alongside luxury hospitality and award-winning dining,” according to the release.
Tucker, the star of movies like “Rush Hour” and Friday,” will perform both days and tickets start at $59.
Drai’s Nightclub, a fixture on the Vegas nightlife landscape since 1997, will present a live performance by 50 Cent on Jan. 26.
With tickets starting at $49, “Vegas-style VIP tables and table service” are also available to purchase online.
Chef Akira Back is a globally recognized and Michelin-starred chef renowned for his innovative approach to Japanese-Korean fusion cuisine.
With restaurants in major cities worldwide, including Las Vegas, Dubai, Singapore, Toronto, Seoul, London, Paris, Beverly Hills, and Delray Beach, his signature dishes “blend traditional techniques with modern twists, offering a one-of-a-kind dining experience available for the first time in Arizona,” according to the release.
The exclusive menu will include Chef Akira’s Tuna Pizza and the event will be hosted at the resort hotel’s rooftop fine dining restaurant, Prime Steakhouse, 4-10 p.m. both days.
“Gila River Resorts & Casinos has long been a destination for premier entertainment, and the Vegas Residency elevates that experience to an entirely new level,” said Dominic Orozco, president and chief marketing officer of Gila River Resorts & Casinos.
“As travel patterns evolve, more guests are seeking fresh, elevated gaming and hospitality experiences, such as event-centric travel. We’re seeing that consumers aren’t just booking a night out – they’re booking entire experiences.
“By anchoring our entertainment calendar with national acts and Las Vegas-style experiences, Gila River Resorts & Casinos is tapping into a powerful travel trend that turns live events into destination anchors and positions Phoenix as a must-visit destination in its own right.”
As one of the largest casino gaming enterprises in Arizona, he added, Gila River Resorts & Casinos Wild Horse Pass “stands as a modern luxury resort and premier entertainment destination that blends award-winning hospitality with the rich vibrancy of the Southwest.”
Owned and operated by the Gila River Indian Community for more than 30 years, the AAA Four Diamond flagship property offers an elevated desert escape with 446 guest rooms and 100,000 square feet of Las Vegas-style gaming, including modern table games, over 1,300 slot machines, High-Limit Salon, a BetMGM Sportsbook, and an indoor TopGolf Swing Suite.
The resort also boasts two temperature-controlled pools, including an adults-only pool with private cabanas, daybeds and concierge service; championship golfing at Whirlwind Golf Club, a 36-hole PGA course honoring the cultural heritage of the Community; and the Forbes Five-Star Aji Spa with traditional healing practices of the Pima and Maricopa tribes.
The resort’s new 11-story tower includes stylish rooms, luxurious suites and rooftop fine dining, and rises 150 feet above the Valley. Its Prime restaurant is the only Shula’s Steakhouse location in the U.S.
Guests can also enjoy immersive onsite experiences such as Rawhide Western Town, Koli Equestrian Center, and Phoenix Premium Outlets.
Throughout the Vegas Residency, guests can enjoy Las Vegas-inspired property events hosted across all four of Gila River Resorts & Casinos’ properties, such as cabaret shows, cocktail parties, live entertainment, giveaways, and more, for a full-scale entertainment destination experience through April.
“We are excited to pair the energy of Las Vegas-style entertainment and gaming with desert tranquility that differs from the pace of the Las Vegas Strip,” said Kenneth Manuel, CEO of Gila River Resorts & Casinos.
“Our Vegas Residency offers guests a travel experience that is the ‘best-of-both-worlds,’ redefining the future of tribal gaming.”
The resort is offering a “‘You Do You’ Resort Package” that includes a daily $100 food and beverage credit to use during your stay.
Information: playatgila.com.
