Jazz is Coming Back to Water Street

Catch a Slice of Contemporary Jazz on Water Street

The Jazz Series is back at the Water Street Plaza Amphitheater from September 22nd through September 24th. Enjoy three nights of spectacular jazz performances in a beautiful outdoor setting. This year's lineup includes three contemporary artists you won't want to miss: Brandee Younger, Jumaane Smith, and the Lao Tizer Band.


Brandee Younger:

Brandee Younger, an innovative harpist, is reshaping the harp for the digital age. Over 15 years, she's pushed the boundaries for harpists, earning Grammy and NAACP Image Award nominations in 2022. Collaborating with cultural icons like Common and Lauryn Hill, her latest album "Brand New Life" celebrates her musical influences and charts new artistic, personal, political, and spiritual paths. The New York Times hails her as a modern harp pioneer, and she won the DownBeat Critics Poll's "Rising Star" harpist in 2020. Her presence in contemporary jazz is evident through her side work and curatorial efforts, honoring the legacies of black women harpists Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane.


Jumaane Smith:

Jumaane Smith, a versatile artist as a jazz trumpeter, vocalist, and composer, boasts an impressive resume. He's contributed to the success of five GRAMMY Award-winning records, collectively selling over 60 million copies, and earned two Emmy Award nominations for his TV performances. Notably, he's shared the stage at the GRAMMY Awards with Stevie Wonder and appeared in Steven Spielberg's "West Side Story." For the past 17 years, Smith has been the lead trumpeter and vocalist during extensive tours and recording sessions with Michael Buble. His own band has graced renowned venues worldwide, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Vail Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Loew's Regency, North Star Festival, Joe's Pub, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Catalina Island Jazz Festival, and many others.


Lao Tizer Band:

Nominees for "Jazz Group of the Year," THE LAO TIZER BAND featuring Eric Marienthal, Karen Briggs, and Elliott Yamin, will make their debut appearance at the Water Street Plaza Amphitheater on Sunday, September 24. This performance supports their latest release, "Songs From The Swinghouse," which has earned a spot in the Billboard Jazz Top 10. Led by accomplished keyboardist and composer Lao Tizer, a former nominee for "Best New Jazz Artist" known for his work with Special EFX and Down To The Bone, the band includes American Idol sensation Elliott Yamin, the exceptional violinist Karen Briggs (known for collaborations with Yanni, Chaka Khan, and Diana Ross), Grammy-winning saxophone legend Eric Marienthal (with credits including Chick Corea and the Rippingtons), Grammy-winning drum virtuoso Gene Coye (known for collaborations with Terence Blanchard, Hiromi, and Larry Carlton), Grammy-winning percussion maestro Munyungo Jackson (recognized for his work with Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock), and the talented Senegalese bassist, composer, and producer Cheikh N'Doye, known for his work with Baaba Maal and Mike Stern.


Tickets can be purchased through the City of Henderson, here, for $15 a piece. As of writing, there is no discount for purchasing tickets to all three nights.



Step Into the Shadows: Exploring Las Vegas’ Mob Museum

July 28, 2025
Tucked away in the heart of Downtown Las Vegas, just steps from the flashing lights of Fremont Street, the Mob Museum offers something wildly different than the typical Vegas experience. Officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, this one-of-a-kind destination invites you to step into the gritty, gripping world of the American mob—and the people who tried to stop it. Housed in a historic 1930s U.S. Post Office and Courthouse—where real mob hearings took place—the building itself sets the tone. This is no ordinary museum. It’s immersive, intense, and at times, jaw-dropping Your journey begins at the top, tracing the rise of organized crime through Prohibition. Real artifacts tell real stories, including the actual bullet-riddled brick wall from Chicago’s infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. As you make your way down each floor, the exhibits dive deeper into how the mob operated, how Las Vegas became a haven for crime families, and how law enforcement fought back - with wiretaps, undercover agents, and televised trials that captivated the nation. One of the museum’s standout features is its fully restored courtroom, where the 1950s Kefauver Hearings were held - bringing mob activity into the public spotlight for the first time. It’s surreal to sit in the very space where America watched the mob be put on trial. Downstairs, visitors can try hands-on exhibits like a police training simulator, or step into a forensics lab to test their CSI skills. But the real hidden gem is in the basement: The Underground, a fully functioning speakeasy and distillery that serves up Prohibition-style cocktails and house-made moonshine. It's a delicious way to end your tour through history. Beyond the drama and intrigue, what makes the Mob Museum truly special is how educational and engaging it is. It’s not just about the mobsters—it’s about the impact organized crime had on American culture, law, and justice. Whether you're a true crime junkie, history buff, or just looking for something different to do in Vegas, the Mob Museum is a must-visit. It’s raw, real, and fascinating from start to finish. L ocation: 300 Stewart Ave, Las Vegas, NV Hours: Daily 9am–9pm Admission: Starts around $35; discounts available for Nevada residents, students, military & law enforcement Don’t Miss: The Underground speakeasy (open later hour s)

800+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting: Why Las Vegas Trusts McKenna Property Management

July 21, 2025
McKenna Property Management is proud to have earned over 800 five-star reviews on Google — real feedback from property owners, investors, agents, and tenants all across Las Vegas who’ve experienced the difference working with us makes. Led by our owner and broker Jenni McKenna, with over 30 years of local real estate experience, we focus on making property management smooth, efficient, and refreshingly personal. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all service or sending you in circles with automated systems. When you call our office, you’ll get a live person on the phone — not a robot or endless phone tree. Our team is organized into specialized departments, so whether it’s leasing, maintenance coordination, accounting, or HOA coordination, you’re always connected with the right person who knows how to help. That means quicker responses, clearer communication, and less frustration all around. Owners and investors trust us to handle everything from marketing and tenant screening to rent collection and repairs, helping maximize returns without the usual headaches. Agents feel confident referring clients to us because they know we respect their relationships — when it’s time for their clients to buy or sell, we never interfere or poach. Our focus remains solely on providing top-tier property management, while preserving and protecting their business. And tenants enjoy well-maintained homes, easy online systems, and a team that truly listens and responds. At McKenna Property Management, we treat every property like it’s our own and every person like part of our community. If you’re looking for reliable, experienced property management in Las Vegas with real people and real results, we’d love to connect.

Discovering Fergusons Downtown: Vegas’s Creative Heartbeat

July 14, 2025
Tucked at 1028 Fremont Street, Fergusons Downtown is where the spirit of old Vegas meets the creativity of a new generation. Once a mid-century motel, the property has been transformed into a vibrant community hub that pulses with life, art, food, and connection - a must-visit for anyone seeking the authentic soul of Las Vegas beyond the glow of the Strip. Originally the Franklin Motel in the 1940s and later renamed Fergusons Motel in the ’60s, the site was reimagined in 2019 by the late Tony Hsieh’s Downtown Project. What was once a simple roadside motel is now a full city block dedicated to innovation, small business, and creative risk-taking. The former motel rooms have been turned into studios and retail spaces, now home to an eclectic mix of local businesses. You’ll find everything from Neon Cactus Vintage to plantlovers’ haven LV Plant Collective. For foodies, Fergusons delivers with the Vegas Test Kitchen, a rotating lineup of pop-up culinary concepts that keep things fresh. Highlights include Mothership Coffee Roasters (offering everything from vegan pastries to charcuterie), La Monja for ceviche and housemade tortillas, and Hatsumi for seafood and sake with a Japanese twist. Cocktail lovers can settle into F the Bar, a cozy greenhouse-style lounge serving drinks like the hibiscuslavender “Vegas Playground.” At the center of the space is Big Rig Jig—a towering, 50-foot sculpture made from repurposed oil tankers. It’s bold, unexpected, and the perfect metaphor for what Fergusons stands for: turning the ordinary into something unforgettable. The community vibe continues in The Yard, a grassy gathering space that hosts jam sessions, yoga classes, comedy nights, open mics, and weekend markets. Monthly events like the Hey Maker Market and Pour in the Alley spotlight local artisans, performers, and mixologists, making every visit feel new. Fergusons Downtown isn’t just a redevelopment project—it’s a living ecosystem. It’s where artists, entrepreneurs, families, and visitors collide over coffee, cocktails, creativity, and conversation. It’s a place that proves Vegas is more than casinos and clubs; it’s a city full of soul. If you're ready to experience a different kind of Las Vegas—one rooted in community, creativity, and a touch of magic—step into Fergusons and see what’s blooming in the heart of downtown.