Widespread Panic Sweeps Las Vegas! - May 2026 edition
Here we go again!
May 8-10 (Fri - Sun) at the Virgin Theatre. I plan on hitting town Thu May 7, currently have a room booked at Ellis Island, but am willing to relocate if a better deal is offered.
Usual plan, concerts first, then pokers, low-steak gambool and casual eating.
2025 kinda sucked, so I'm really looking forward to good times in 2026!
No WSOP? It's just a few weeks later.
as ever, I’m left waiting longer than I would like for the wsop schedule announcement
Things are already starting to take shape. Secured my tickets (pre-sale codes FTW) yesterday. My Bay Area (henceforth to be known as BA) friend from the 2023 trip should be joining us, along with College Roommate (CR). CR and I saw our first Panic show together at the Huntridge Theater on Charleston Blvd in Apr 1997. His 1st, my 3rd, I believe. BA and I first hit Panic together in Nov 97 in Phoenix. I have been to many concerts and festivals with them both.
No WSOP? It's just a few weeks later.
No specific plans, will probably do a long weekend near mid-June. Panic first, then pokers. That's the rule. Of course, if my other favorite band announces their usual Memorial Day stand in SLC, I may have to amend/curtail my WSOP plans. Time will tell. Would make time for a 2+2 meet-up if it materializes.
Rush head friend and former cow'orker (CW), wingman on several Vegas trips also in line for various and sundry shenanigans if not actual attending concerts. Also heard from the local (phx) dude I drove up in 2023. Call him LD. His mother lives in LV (way east towards Sam Boyd Silver Stadium) and she's attended many WSP concerts with him (like every Vegas stand, at least one show). We've already made tentative travel plans.
Actual dates for specific tournaments? I know the year I'm going with a friend we have to time it around 8 game and 9 game tournaments as thats what he wants to play.
WSOP Schedule was released February 17th last year, according to this link:
Widespread Panic’s Jimmy Herring to “Step Away From Band Temporarily” to Focus on Health, Nick Johnson to Fill In
Today, Widespread Panic shared an update on lead guitarist Jimmy Herring. The musician will step away from his post in order to temporarily focus on his health, following a return of the illness that plagued him and caused a 2024 performance hiatus. The band noted that Herring’s prognosis is positive, and with the right care, he will be able to return to the stage in the near future. Filling in for Herring is guitarist Nick Johnson, who previously joined the band for sit-ins during their New Year’s Eve run in Atlanta.
So, not great news from the band, just after ticket went on sale for their May Vegas stand. Jimmy is actually their 3rd guitarist (no jokes about Grateful Dead keyboardists, please). OG Panic Mikey Houser passed away in 2002. George McConnell "GMac" took over in 2004 (I saw more shows with GMac in 2004 than any other year, 12 total). Was pretty happy when Jimmy took over from him in 2005, though. I saw Jimmy Herring with Col Bruce Hampton's Aquarium Rescue Unit back in 92 or 93, and was blown away by the whole band, but especially JH. Oteil Burbridge (ABB, Dead n Co), Col Bruce, Jimmy, Kofi Burbridge (Tedeschi Trucks Band) and Apt Q238 - What a band! Rip Kofi and the Col :-(
Keeping an open mind about Nick, gonna check out some of those New Years tracks he sits in on.
WSOP Schedule was released February 17th last year, according to this link:
Yeah, I’m expecting (and hoping for) a release in the next week with the dates for the big weekend events - Milly, Monster Stack, Senior’s, big Bounty etc
and then full schedule a few weeks later
Trip report within a trip report!
Don't want to start a new thread, but I just got into Las Vegas for a very quick (one night) trip to Sin City. Mrs One and AzDaughter1 are attending the big Zahn (??) concert at the ParkMGM tonight, and I'm chauffeur. Jokes on them, room is at the Park and I've parked myself at the Aria $200 daily. I'm not planning on moving from here until we leave [emoji41] Max late regged after late lunch at Posh Burger (-$100)
First fotos:
Trip report within a trip report!Don't want to start a new thread, but I just got into Las Vegas for a very quick (one night) trip to Sin City. Mrs One and AzDaughter1 are attending the big Zahn (??) concert at the ParkMGM tonight, and I'm chauffeur. Jokes on them, room is at the Park and I've parked myself at the Aria $200 daily. I'm not planning on moving from here until we l
Ouch, doesn't look very posh. For a hundred buck burger, I figured they would at least give you a plate and cloth napkin.
Flamed out of the $200 well short of the money. The max late reg was probably not a great idea (I wasn't last) 400/800/800 and a 20k stack. Worked it up to ~35k before pkt 9s crashed into the k10s on a 10 hi board. -$200
After quiet time back in the roomGrabbed dinner at the Library in ParkMGM with the Mrs and offspring. Got a little sloppy on their craft cocktail and some free wine (entrees took longer than expected. Unprompted.) Fantastic meal. All 8/10 - lobster bolangese, fillet and pork chop. Popovers 10/10. I'm a sucker for a good popover.
Now on the 1/3 list at Aria. Not sure how long I can last tonight.
Opened a new 1 3 game at Aria. In for $300, out for $500 after 2ish hours. Good game, but I can't keep my eyes open.
Great music, terrible stage lighting. No front or spot lighting. Everyone is in the mud with nice highlights on their hair.
