SPHERE TO LIGHT UP THE FOURTH—SANS GUNPOWDER

Sphere will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Exosphere’s debut on the Fourth of July with what’s being touted as a “dazzling” holiday presentation on the hot Vegas venue’s external dome. This spectacle will be timed to coincide with the launch of XO Stream, a livestream viewable at thesphere.com, and a corresponding sonic feed, XO Audio.

Earlier on 7/4, Sphere will honor Vegas kids who participated in the "Sphere XO Student Design Challenge." Eight student winners whose art will be featured in the XO presentation will be recognized.

"Sphere has become a global landmark that has redefined the live experience, including the Exosphere, a captivating platform for storytelling since it first illuminated last Fourth of July," noted Sphere Entertainment Executive Chairman/CEO Jim Dolan (pictured) while shopping for cherry bombs. “We’ve only scratched the surface of what Sphere is capable of both creatively and technologically. Now, with the addition of XO Audio and XO Stream, we are building on our commitment to immersive experiences that create a deeper multi-sensory connection—one that can be shared across the Las Vegas community and around the world."

A contingent of local dogs expressed the hope that the XO presentation would be far less traumatizing than actual fireworks but noted that they would be hiding under the bed just in case.

In other Sphere news, a music-trade editor at one of the Dead & Company shows decided the shrooms he'd taken 20 minutes earlier weren't working and ate some more. He will be missed.