By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
www.theflickchicks.com
Terry Fator Celebrates First Anniversary as Mirage headliner with Introduction of New Puppet Character
Terry Fator, the comedy ventriloquist/ singer/impressionist, who wowed TV audiences to win the 2nd season of America's Got Talent, celebrated his first anniversary as strip headliner at the Mirage on Saturday night, March 13.
Celebrities attend Terry Fator 1st anniversary celebration at The Mirage
An array of celebrities, including several who were at Fator's Opening night celebration, attended Terry Fator’s first anniversary show at The Mirage. Following the performance, there was an After Party at B.B. King's Blues Club, where, to the delight of the crowd, Fator jammed with his band.
Bellagio's Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Unveils New Spring Exhibit
In celebration of spring, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens has unveiled a spectacular floral exhibition filled with vivid blooms and a magnificent one-of-a-kind series of large-scale sculptural ants made entirely of bronze.
ShoWest 2010 Showcases 3D, Upcoming Movies and Star Power
The annual ShoWest convention convened at Bally's and Paris from March 15 through March 18, 2010. As the largest movie industry trade show in the world, this is where movie executives, distributors, theatre owner/managers, manufacturers of products and services, gather together to share the latest most exciting technologies, discuss ways to preserve their big screen product, enhance the movie going experience, and to honor the films, stars and filmmakers that brought in the big box office bucks. As customary, there was also a trade show floor filled with concession vendors and a daily schedule that includes seminars, sponsored breakfasts, luncheons and dinners, and special trailors and preview screenings of some of the most anticipated films of the year, many of which are expected to be blockbusters.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Smashburger opened its first location in Las Vegas at 7541 W. Lake Mead, Suite #2, on the corner of Lake Mead and Buffalo. Smashburger sets itself apart from other burger restaurants by bringing Las Vegas residents a great tasting, cooked-to-order, one-third or half-pound, $5 Smashburger, served on a toasted artisan bun and topped with a selection of real cheeses, the freshest produce and top-quality condiments.
Smashburger offers diners “a better burger” experience and also features special menu items that highlight the spirit of the city such as a Sin City Smashburger (also available as a Sin City Smashchicken sandwich) made of 100-percent Certified Angus Beef, fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, American cheese, grilled onions, haystack onions and smash sauce on an artisan egg bun. The All Nighter salad is made up of a crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce, topped with chopped Applewood smoked bacon, fried eggs, guacamole, fresh diced tomatoes, haystack onions, and cheddar cheese, with buttermilk ranch dressing. Smashburger also serves delicious Smashchicken sandwiches, Smashdogs, and Smashsalads, with sides like veggie fries, sweet potato Smashfries, rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries and fried pickles. Liquid refreshments such as beer, wine, Häagen-Dazs shakes and root-beer floats are also on the menu.
Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower hosted the second annual Scale the Strat 2010 extreme stair climb on March 13 and 14 that raised more than $90,000 for the American Lung Association in Nevada (ALAN) to help prevent lung disease and promote lung health in Nevada. Approximately 135 participants from across the United States and Mexico competed in the two-day event.
1st Place Overall
Javier Santiago, a teacher and dedicated climb athlete from Mexico, was the overall winner of the 2nd annual 108-floor, 1,455-step vertical race with a time of 7:26.
1st Place Female
Local Las Vegan, Courtney Swenson, was the top female finisher for the second year in a row with a time of 9:59.
Legendary musician and Las Vegas headliner, Carlos Santana, received the 2010 Mayor’s Art Award on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at a private event hosted by the San Francisco Arts Commission. Santana, who currently headlines in Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the Hits inside The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino accepted the award in-person from San Francisco’s Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Basketball legends, Bobby Knight and Billy Packer will engage in pre- and post-game commentary inside Lagasse’s Stadium at The Palazzo during the March Madness basketball tournament. They will discuss the teams to beat, the players to watch out for, and which school is going to win the National Championship! The KNIGHT-PACKER COLLEGE EXPERIENCE will take place inside Lagasse’s Stadium for two exciting weekends, March 25-28 and April 3. Each day, pre- and post-game commentary will begin at 3:00pm and 9:30pm, respectively. There is no cost to attend this event.
Local celebrities will work to help raise money by scooping ice cream at all three Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, from Noon to 8 p.m. The 32nd Annual “Free Cone Day” will take place at Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops inside the Galleria at Sunset, the District at Green Valley Ranch and, for the first time, adding the Sunset Station Hotel & Casino location in Henderson, with celebrity scoopers to benefit Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, the Nevada Community Learning Centers (formerly Classroom on Wheels) and St. Jude’s Ranch for Children. All small cones are FREE with no purchase necessary, but patrons are invited to make a donation to the respective local charity.
Young pianists in three age divisions: Junior (ages 6–10) Intermediate (ages 11-15) and Senior (ages 16-21) from southern Nevada are invited to compete in the College of Southern Nevada’s 10th Spring Piano Concerto Competition, on Saturday, March 27 at 9 a.m. in the Recital Hall (Room 1430) at the Cheyenne campus. The auditions, which are free and open to the public, are part of CSN’s Piano Festival 2010. All winners receive cash awards, and those in the senior division will receive scholarship credit toward music studies at CSN. Competition winners receive their awards and perform their selected concerto at the Festival Finale on Sunday, May 23, in conjunction with a performance by the Las Vegas Youth Camerata Orchestra, under the baton of Oscar Carrecia. The Finale will be held in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at 2 p.m. For more information contact Dr. Victor Hugo Alvarez at 651-4659 or visit the website at http://sites.csn.edu/finearts/piano.
Viva Las Vegas! Rockabilly Weekend Returns to The Orleans Hotel and Casino for four days, April 1-5. It is the largest event of its type in the world, and features bands and fans from all over the globe who come to experience Rockabilly, ‘50s music, the Classic Car Show, burlesque performers, dance lessons and contests, a Tiki Pool Party and more than 120 vendors. Four-day unlimited admission passes to Viva Las Vegas! Rockabilly Weekend are available at $99 per person. Tickets purchased at the event are $125 and are subject to availability.A ticket for the Car Show only on Saturday is just $25 and includes the Chuck Berry concert on Saturday, April 3.
The King Lives! Starring Pete Wilcox in a tribute to Elvis, will debut in the Night Owl Showroom at Hooters Casino Hotel in Las Vegas on Friday, April 2, 2010. “I’m going to take the stage just as Elvis would, if he were alive today” stated Willcox. He added, “In honor of the King, I’ll perform some of his treasured classics, but will cover other songs that may have been recorded by Elvis later in his career. We’re certainly going to have fun.” The King Lives! is set take stage in the Night Owl Showroom at Hooters Casino Hotel. Tickets are only $24.99. The King Lives! will be presented Wednesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m.
Jay and the Americans, a ‘60s pop group known for their doo wop-influenced vocals perform their greatest hits at the Cannery Casino & Hotel on Saturday, April 3 at 8 p.m.Tickets are $19.95.
Aaron Kwok, aka the “Asian dancing king,” is bringing his “Dancing King Concert – World Tour” to North America exclusively at the Encore Theater for concerts on April 2 at 11 p.m. and April 3 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Kwok is the first Asian entertainer ever invited to perform at the Encore Theater, and this will be his first performance of the “Dancing King Concert – World Tour” in Las Vegas.Tickets are now on sale for $48, $118 and $168, inclusive of tax and service charge.
Popular American country music singer Gary Allan will bring his high-energy hits to the Mandalay Bay Beach for a performance Saturday, April 17. The concert is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. Tickets priced at $40, not including applicable service charges, are now on sale and available at the Mandalay Bay Box Office.
On Tuesday April 13, poker pro Jennifer Harman and the Venetian Poker room host the Fourth Annual Poker Tournament to benefit the Nevada Animal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Nevada SPCA) No Kill Animal Sanctuary. The event is open to the public.Players and fans will mingle and compete against Hollywood celebrities and dozens of world famous poker players.The grand prize is a $10,000 World Series of Poker® MainMain Event Seat, and a Curtis & Co. watch. The top ten finishers will share sponsored prizes valued at $30,000. All proceeds will benefit the Nevada SPCA.
For more information visit www.GreasieWheels.com or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Southern rock band The Outlaws will perform their hits “Green Grass and High Tides” and “There Goes Another Love Song” among other favorites at The Club inside Cannery Casino & Hotel on Friday, April 16 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14.95.
Celebrity sightings:
Friday, March 12...
Katie Cassidy hosted an evening at The Bank Nightclub in the Bellagio to raise awareness for H.E.L.P.’S What Love Means campaign and accepting a donation from THE LIGHT GROUP to fund the completion of the library for the children of Malawi. The Light Group President, Jodi Myers was on-hand to personally present the $15,000 check to Cassidy and the Founder of H.E.L.P. Jillian Wolstein.
Jillian Wolstein, Jodi Myers and Katie Cassidy
Katie Cassidy
SATURDAY, MARCH 13
Hip-hop sensation, Common celebrated his 38th birthday at HAZE Nightclub at ARIA Resort & Casino.
Common
Sunday, March 14...
British rockstar, Gavin Rossdale performed a special live set at The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio,. Rossdale enjoyed dinner at STACK before hitting the stage for a packed house.
Gavin Rossdale
Gavin Rossdale
Celebs wrapped up the weekend at TAO and LAVO on Sunday night. Gossip Girl’s Chace Crawford was spotted dining at TAO with friends. After dinner they headed over to a VIP table at LAVO to dance to the sounds of DJ Obi One.
Also spotted at LAVO was Kevin Alejandro from TV’s True Blood and Southland.
One week before March Madness begins, football phenom Jason Sehorn started the celebration early as he enjoyed a luxurious stay at The Palazzo Las Vegas. Sehorn hung out at hotspot Lagasse’s Stadium.
The next night he was spotted at Mario Batali’s Carnevino, enjoying a delicious tavern burger and potato chips with a few close friends. Sehorn was overheard talking about his three beautiful children and wife, actress Angie Harmon.
Wednesday, March 17...
Peepshow star Holly Madison had lunch at Society Café Encore. A few days later on Saturday, she returned for a three course lunch.
Comedian Carlos Mencia spotted holding court at a VIP table on the dance floor at Blush Boutique Nightclub. Also enjoying the House music night was French electronic music duo Daft Punk.
On Thursday March 18...
Actor/comedian Martin Lawrence had dinner with some friends at Nove Italiano inside the fantasy tower at the Palms Casino Resort.
Chingy celebrated a belated 30th birthday at TAO’s Worship Thursday. The rapper and friends took over the private dining room inside the Asian bistro for dinner. The birthday boy grinned when the cake was brought out and his friends sang Happy Birthday to him – taking a picture of the masterpiece with his phone and toasting with a shot of Patron.
Chingy with birthday cake
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
After dinner the group headed up to a VIP table in the nightclub where Chingy got on the mic and thanked the crowd for coming to his birthday.
Chingy
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Also at the restaurant was Access Hollywood host Billy Bush who returned to TAO for his third annual benefit dinner for the Lollipop Theater Network.
Billy Bush
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Roslyn Papa, who was ousted from this season of The Bachelor, was joined by friends at a VIP table in the Opium room.
E!’s Ben Lyons was also spotted with friends in the nightclub.
On Friday, March 19...
Angelica Bridges shared some of her favorite story books with students at MJ Christiansen Elementary School in Summerlin. The “Fantasy” starlet and former “Baywatch” actress was one of many local celebrities to participate in Nevada Reading Week by reading to students at schools throughout the Las Vegas valley.
Angelica Bridges at MJ Christiansen Elementary School
Angelica Bridges reads to students
Friday night Zach Galifianakis of The Hangover was spotted dining at TAO with his family.
Fashion designer and socialite Nicky Hilton stopped by world-famous confection retailer Sugar Factory inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The fashionista spent over $1,000 on custom Sugar Factory gift baskets for her boyfriend, David Katzenberg, who celebrated his birthday this weekend.
Nicky Hilton at Sugar Factory
Photo credit: Sean Reichle
Canadian Olympic athletes, including members of the gold medal winning women’s bobsled team were spotted in the nightclub at LAVO.
Saturday night, March 20...
Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher spotted at Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas This was the second time this month that Urlacher visited the hotspot.
Comedian/Actor Chris Rock was backstage with Martin Lawrence after Martin’s sold out performance inside the Pearl Concert Theater at the Palms Casino Resort.
Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence
Photo credit: Ryen McPherson
Martin Lawrence
Photo credit: Shane O'Neal
Power percussion performance group Recycled Percussion, who placed third in NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” competition this past season, visited a performance of “X Burlesque” at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
Recycled Percussion with "X" Burlesque
Yvonne Strahovski the blonde bombshell and sexy CIA agent on NBC’s hit series “Chuck” hosted a captivating evening of intrigue and allure at Tabú Ultra Lounge inside the MGM Grand. The actess enjoyed a night on the town inside Las Vegas’ hottest ultra lounge with her friends and family members.
Yvonne Strahovski
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Yvonne Strahovski
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Here in town to celebrate her boyfriend’s (Timothy Loden) birthday, the group hit up all of the top spots at the MGM Grand. Before making their way to Tabú, the group spent the day poolside at the ultra chic WET REPUBLIC at one of the exclusive and lavish cabanas. The group later dined at Fiamma Trattoria and Bar.
Yvonne Strahovski and Timothy Loden
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Also spotted at a separate cabana at WET REPUBLIC was Cedric Yarbrough who plays Deputy S. Jones on Comedy Central’s hit TV show Reno 911. Cedric was also celebrating his 37th birthday with friends and family members. Cast member Carlos Alazraqui (Deputy James Garcia) also joined Cedric for the poolside birthday festivities. They were overheard talking about plans to go to the Hard Rock Hotel later that evening.
Sunday, March 21...
English rock group Duran Duran, in town for a private concert, stopped by WET REPUBLIC at the MGM Grand to soak up some fun in the sun. The laid back Brits relaxed in one of WET REPUBLIC’s iconic bungalows with their manager.
Duran Duran
Photos are courtesy of Eric Ita of Angel Management Group/ MGM Grand
In the bungalow next door, funny man and Last Comic Standing host Bill Bellamy was partying with a slew of friends. Bellamy was here in town for a live stand-up routine at the Southpoint earlier this weekend.
Bill Bellamy
Photos are courtesy of Eric Ita of Angel Management Group/ MGM Grand
Pop star Kristinia DeBarge was spotted indulging in a few sweet treats at Sugar Factory inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The young singer was accompanied by her mother as the duo purchased some of Sugar Factory’s most popular items.
I'll be back next week with more of what's "happening" in and around Las Vegas.