Mirage closes July 17, 2024, but the process is already under way. Or possibly “underway.” We are too busy staying abreast of the closure of Mirage to know the difference between an adjective and an adverb, so let’s just plod forward.
For starters, a popular Cirque du Soleil show, “Love,” closed July 7, 2024 with much fanfare and artsy gesticulation.
Mirage is also giving away $1.6 million progressives before it shutters to transition to Hard Rock Las Vegas. Let’s dive in, shan’t we?
What can we say about The Beatles “Love” that hasn’t already been said by people who actually liked the show?
It was always our least favorite Cirque show, if you don’t count “Zumanity” or “R.U.N.” How bad was “R.U.N.”? We hated it despite never having seen it. Sort of like Jennifer Aniston movies.
Anyway, “Love” was beloved by many, and there was hope it would find a home somewhere else in Vegas, which isn’t happening. Cirque, however, has been pitching new show ideas to the Seminoles for the Hard Rock when it opens in 2027.
“Love” ran for an impressive 18 years, an incredible feat given it features the music of The Beatles, a band that broke up in 1970, or half a century ago.
“Love” felt more like a Broadway musical than a traditional Cirque show, although, Cirque shows have become less Cirque-like over time. The company owns Blue Man Group, and also created “Mad Apple” for New York-New York.
“Love” featured a lot of interpretive dance, at the expense of what makes Cirque shows awesome, daring feats of agility, strength and skill. Acrobatics. Contortioning. Aerialism. You know, circus stuff.
The closure of “Love” was the end of the line for more than 200 members of the cast and crew, a big punch to the gut for these talented artists and techs. We are also not sure how the surviving members of The Beatles are going to manage the financial hit.
“Love” was not the best performer for Cirque in terms of ticket sales, so the expedited closure actually solved some problems for the formerly bankrupt company. The issue of lagging ticket sales never had to be addressed.
Vegas moves forward. As does this blog post, eventually.
What else is up at Mirage?
We get lots of questions about when the Mirage volcano closes, so we’ll clear that one up.
The Mirage’s volcano show will run through the closure of Mirage on July 17, 2024. The volcano show won’t run past that date, as construction in that area will begin almost immediately, according to Mirage officials.
If you start getting weepy about the cheesy volcano show, just remember we’re getting a slick new guitar hotel. Here’s the volcano show for posterity.
In other Mirage news, the casino is giving away $1.6 million in progressive jackpots leading up to the closure. It’s a gaming requirement that casinos pay off their progressive jackpots when they close.
Players have a shot at winning $1.2 million in slot prizes, $400,000 at table games.
Mirage’s “Progressive Finale Cash Giveaway” started July 9, 2024. You can find out all the details on the Mirage Web site.
On the slot side, cash is being given away “hot seat” style. Drawings are every half hour from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Players just have to use their players club card and they can win a piece of $200,000 (July 11), $250,000 (July 12-13) and $100,000 (July 16).
For table games, it’s a drawing format. Here’s what the Mirage site says, “Play any qualifying table game with your Unity card from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 12 and Saturday, July 13 for a chance to win your share of $400,000 in Cash guaranteed! Drawings at 8:30 p.m. on July 12 and 13.”
“Cash” is the only word we approve of being randomly capitalized.
Mirage is already shutting down a lot of slots, so there are only about 350 left. They’re in high demand, for obvious reasons, so good luck finding an open machine during the giveaway.
Here’s a walk-through from a few days ago.
Mirage is going out with a bang!
Now, for a little housekeeping. Here’s what you need to know about redeeming chips and slot vouchers after Mirage closes. Chips can be redeemed at Treasure Island through Nov. 15, 2024.
Mirage chip and voucher redemption details. pic.twitter.com/dBlyzQGBph
— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) July 5, 2024
Mirage has already dropped the curtain on its famed aquarium in the hotel’s registration area. The fish are being relocated to Mandalay Bay.
The aquarium at Mirage is no more. (h/t @LvPitboss) pic.twitter.com/oXkcJy1ikz
— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) July 9, 2024
The tram between Mirage and TI has closed, but Mirage says the plan is to bring it back in 2027.
If you’d like to say farewell to Mirage, in the words of our generation, you’d better move your ass.
Make sure to check in with Mirage employees, many of whom have been there since the day Mirage opened on November 22, 1989. They have incredible stories, and Mirage’s looming closure is a great opportunity to chat with these longtime staffers.
We had an excellent meal at Heritage Steakhouse, and reservations were wide open during Independence Day weekend, with half-off pricing on wine to deplete the rest of the restaurant’s wine collection.
Mirage had its moment, and changed everything in Las Vegas. It’s time for what’s next.
