Carnival of Soul

For 25 years, the Hard Rock Hotel has dominated the off-Strip scene: It was the place to go for live music when Las Vegas didn’t have many venues. It innovated the pool dayclub concept with Rehab. Its lively Center Bar was the place to see and be seen. Tragically, it was the location of The Who guitarist John Entwistle’s death. But above all, it was a relatively small casino with a big heart.

Before closing to be reborn as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the Hard Rock will throw its “Last Great Party Weekend” from January 30 to February 2. Free, live performances will take place throughout the casino, featuring veteran touring act The English Beat (Saturday, 5 p.m., Peacock Lounge) and such Vegas music scene anchors as Shawn Eiferman (Thursday, 6 p.m., Peacock Lounge; Saturday, 4 p.m., near Fu Asian Kitchen), The Rhyolite Sound (Friday, 7 p.m., Peacock Lounge), Otherwise (Saturday, 8 p.m., near Fu), Ekoh (Saturday, 9:30 p.m., near Fu) and Moksha (Sunday, 10:30 p.m., Peacock Lounge). Food and beverage specials will roll back to 1995 prices, and daily giveaways will send some guests home with pieces from the venue’s famous memorabilia collection.

“We are especially thankful to the Las Vegas community for its support over the past 25 years and for allowing us to be a part of their most cherished memories,” CEO Richard “Boz” Bosworth—who’ll lead a farewell toast Saturday at 8 p.m. in the Peacock Lounge said in a news release. “We look forward to giving the property the send-off it deserves.”