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
Barry Manilow Premieres New Show At Paris Las Vegas
After a five year stint at the Hilton, legendary singer/songwriter Barry Manilow has moved to Paris. The hotel/casino, that is, not the city. His new show, directed by film and stage veteran Jeffrey Hornaday, is staged in the Theatre des Arts at the French themed casino/resort and it seems fitting that Barry has incorporated a distinct French flavor into it by featuring several video screens which descend from the ceiling depicting framed works of art by such masters as Renoir, Van Gogh and Matisse. The beautiful paintings make a splendid backdrop and work to complement the music icon's love songs.
Completion of local indie film, ACCUSED, celebrated at Wrap Up Party
In celebration of the film's completion, A Wrap Party for the indie drama/thriller “Accused” was held on Saturday evening, April 3 at the home of the film's executive producer/writer Chris Battle in the southwest part of town. The guest list included the the film's director/indie filmmaker Marko Sakren, co-producer Patty Fantasia, the cast of local Las Vegas actors (many of whom are recognizable from commercials and shows up and down the strip),including Sarah Saunders, Rosemary Rock, Brenda Whitehead, Timery Middleton, Lynn Steinhurst, Ross Alzina and Stu Chaiken plus several important behind the scenes people whose input helped make it all possible: the film's music composer Dave Rosen, sound mixer Dan Cristinou; George Tesoro who handled lighting as the film's gaffer and Joshua Brokaw,who took care of the Special Effects makeup needs. Also in attendance were screenwriter John Hill who wrote “Quigley Down Under” and episodes of TV's “Quantum Leap”, Nicholl Fellowship semi-finalist Tony Cobb and Project Greenlight semi-finalist Ryan Golchuk, and of course, yours truly.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
As part of her opening night celebration as the featured guest performer of Crazy Horse Paris at MGM Grand March 31- April 7, International Queen of Burlesque Dita Von Teese appeared on the red carpet with the female cast. The show featured Von Teese's new performance numbers that she developed especially for the Crazy Horse stage for her sold-out performances in Paris in early 2009.
Dita Von Teese
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Dita Von Teese with Crazy Horse dancers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
After 14 successful years Master Magician Lance Burton will end his historic run at the Monte Carlo on September 4, 2010. Beloved by fans worldwide and named the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s “Best Magician” for a dozen years running, Burton has been with Monte Carlo since its opening day on June 21, 1996.“Performing at Monte Carlo and introducing more than five million people to the world of magic has been a fantastic experience for me,” said Burton. “I have loved every minute of this historic run and look forward to turning my attention to new opportunities.”
Panevino Ristorante, located on Sunset Road, one block east of Las Vegas Boulevard, was voted Readers’ Pick for “Best Restaurant with a View” in this year’s Best of Las Vegas poll conducted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The awards, which were published in the March 28 Sunday Edition of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, noted the restaurant’s “…breathtaking vista, the Strip undulating…in a panorama of glittering, out-of-the-fantasy-books colors.”
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and its headliners were honored with five awards from the 2010 Las Vegas Review-Journal’s 29th annual “Best of Las Vegas” awards. Bette Midler was named by the readers as “Best All-Around Performer”; Cher was named by the staff as “Best All-Around Performer”; Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On took home the “Best Showgirls” honor, according to the staff; The Review-Journal readers claimed Bette Milder as “Best Singer” and The Review-Journal staff awarded “Best Concert” of 2010 to Leonard Cohen at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
A new boutique designed to resemble a stock market has opened at Mandalay Place. The new boutique is called The Las Vegas Sock Market and offers a full variety of hosiery and footwear items for men, women and children in every color, style, pattern and size and features a playful business theme with sections of “preferred socks” and “blue chip socks.” “Sock Certificates” also are available for holiday shopping needs.
The Playboy Club at the Palms is holding a birthday celebration on April 10 for Playboy empire/founder Hugh Hefner who is turning 80.The public is invited to share the momentous occasion with Hef along with Playboy Club Bunnies. '80s attire is encouraged! Special guest is Bryan Batt from the hit TV show Mad Men showcasing the Hef Loveseat. Party starts at 10pm.
The Village Lake Las Vegas presents “Jazz on the Lake”, a FREE concert series in April on Saturday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The lineup for April is: April 3 - Ronnie Rathers feat. Michael Speaks, guitarist and vocalist duo specializing in Top 40, R&B, Classic Soul and Jazz. The Village Wine Walk*
April 10 - Paris Red, serves up Jazz, R&B, Country and Rock.
April 17 - Brothers Ali, cutting edge Jazz band featuring twin brothers, Jimmy & Jerome Ali.
April 24 - Rocky Gordon & The Killer Groove Band, smooth jazz with a saxophone kick.
1.Concerts are free and open to the public and will take place at The Village lakeside lawn,15 Costa di Lago, Henderson, NV 89011
*Tickets for the Wine Walk are available at the event for $30 per person with proceeds benefiting New Vista Community.
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor Commemorates 98th Anniversary of RMS Titanic’s Sinking with a Series of Events April 12-17. Visiting guests can enjoy complimentary guided tours, specialty drinks, a survivor’s party, high tea and the chance to win a grand prize package. Guests can also pay tribute to Titanic’s passengers by sharing condolences and laying flowers at the Memorial Wall where the names of all 2,228 passengers and crew are displayed.
Anniversary events at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition include:
·April 12 – 15: complimentary guided tours at 5 and 8 p.m. with paid admission.
·April 13: Tacos & Tequila (T&T) offers a complimentary drink or appetizer to Exhibition guests who show their boarding pass.
·April 15: T&T hosts a survivor’s party to feature specialty drinks and dining discounts to guests who show their boarding pass.
.April 16: Visitors who receive John Jacob Astor’s and Madelyn Astor’s boarding passes upon entrance win a private tour, Titanic gift basket, complimentary dinner at T&T, complimentary entrance and drink at Minus5 Ice Lounge, and VIP card for Luxor nightlife.
·April 18: Experience Titanic-style culture inside Fusia on the Atrium Level with an afternoon high tea. Guests can socialize with friends as they enjoy an assortment of delicious teas, sandwiches and desserts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. as well as entrance into the Exhibition for just $49.
Tickets for Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition are $27 for adults, $20 for children, $25 for seniors and $24 with a Nevada ID.
The Academy of Country Music is hosting two days of all-star concerts at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas during The Week Vegas Goes Country. ACM Weekend on Fremont Street Experience will feature top newcomer category winners, Luke Bryan, Joey + Rory and Gloriana, special guests and headliners Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert performing on two different stages to crowds downtown. The weekend-long party leading up to the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards is sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and will feature Emily West, The Band Perry, Danny Gokey, David Nail and Lady Antebellum on April 16, 2010 and Joey + Rory, Gloriana, Randy Rogers Band, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert on April 17, 2010.
Entertainment legends Liza Minnelli and Judy Garland are “re-united” through award-winning portrayals by Suzanne Goulet as Liza and Denise Rose as Judy in “Judy & Liza…Together Again” at the Suncoast Showroom April 17 and 18.In “Judy & Liza…Together Again,” Goulet and Rose have perfected their personifications of the famous daughter and mother duo and will perform recreations of “Get Happy,” “Swanee,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Bye Bye Blackbird,” “Cabaret” and “New York, New York” from popular Garland and Minnelli films and concerts. Together the entertainers will perform duets “Hello Dolly,” “Alexander Ragtime Band,” “Be A Clown” (in their tramp costumes,) and a medley of other well-known songs.Tickets are now available starting from $19.95, plus tax. Showtime is 7:30 p.m
Men of “X,” the sexy male revue at Hooters Casino Hotel, has moved from the Night Owl Showroom into Dixie’s Dam Bar. The show, which recently celebrated its first anniversary, will become even more interactive inside the 3,000 sq. ft. space, allowing the Men easy access to mingle with their audience. Men of “X” perform Wednesdays through Sundays at 8 p.m. inside Dixie’s Dam Bar. Tickets are priced at $34.99 for General Admission and $44.99 for VIP seating (plus tax and service fees),
Jeffrey Hatcher’s successful off-Broadway play, Three Viewings, is being staged by the College of Southern Nevada’s Department of Fine Arts. Performances are April 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. and April 18 and 25 at 2 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre on the Cheyenne Campus. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.
Fresh from Coachella, The Dead Weather, consisting of White Stripes and The Raconteurs front man Jack White, The Kills’ Alison Mosshart on vocals, Queens of the Stone Age guitarist Dean Fertita and The Raconteurs bassist Jack Lawrence, will perform at The Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, April 18, 2010, at 8:00 p.m.Tickets are $30, plus any additional service fees.
A spectacular five-act concert featuring The Doo Wopp Hall of Fame inducted recording stars from the 1950’s and early 1960’s will perform at The Venetian Showroom beginning 7 p.m, on Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24. Featured in the premier concert will be: Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners (“Since I Don’t Have You”, “Pennies from Heaven” and “This I Swear”; The Marcels (“Blue Moon” and “Heartaches”); The Legacy of Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters with son Ron McPhatter (“Money Honey”, “Treasure of Love”, “A Lover’s Question”); George Galfo’s Mystics (“Hushabye”); The Royalty of Rock ‘n Roll All-Stars featuring Billy Davis.
Tickets are priced at $62.50 and $49.50 exclusive of tax and service fees, with a limited VIP ticket to include a meet and greet with the artists at $100.
The Kottonmouth Kings will perform at Rock the Block: 420 Freedom Fest show on Saturday, April 24 at Las Vegas’ Fremont East Entertainment District. Kottonmouth Kings will be joined by special guests Unwritten Law, (Hed)p.e. and Big B with more to be announced shortly.Tickets are $25 plus tax and applicable fees. This is an all ages show; bar is available for those 21 years or older with ID.
One of the top bands that came out of the ‘70s, Cheap Trick, performs at Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nevada on Saturday, April 24 at 9 p.m. Ticket prices are $35 plus tax and $45 plus tax for premium seating.
For the ninth consecutive year, Penn & Teller serves as Grand Marshals for AFAN’s (Aid for AIDS of Nevada) 20th Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas and will lead the Penn & Teller Challenge AIDS Walk team at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 25. The AIDS Walk serves as AFAN’s largest fundraiser of the year, providing funds for programs to assist and educate more than 3,000 men, women and children infected with HIV and AIDS in southern Nevada. For everyone who joins the Penn & Teller Challenge, the famous duo will match all monetary funds raised by pledges and donations to AFAN. Harrah’s Entertainment has joined the Penn & Teller Challenge this year, adding not only their generous support but a variety of reward items from their Strip properties. To join the Penn & Teller Challenge click here, follow the Penn & Teller Challenge link to 'Join Our Team.’ Registration for the Walk is free, but a minimum donation of $35 per person is encouraged and includes an official AIDS Walk Las Vegas t-shirt. This year’s AIDS Walk will be held downtown at the World Market Center on the corner of Bonneville and Grand Central Parkway. To register and find out about details on various fundraising levels and their rewardsplease visit www.afanlv.org.
As part of their U.S. arena tour, Daughtry will be making a stop in Las Vegas at the Orleans Arena on Thursday, April 29. Singer Chris Daughtry, bassist Josh Paul, drummer Joey Barnes, and guitarists Brian Craddock and Josh Steely will be joined by special guests Lifehouse and opening band Cavo. Tickets are priced at $29.50 and $39.50 inclusive of tax and fees.
Celebrity sightings:
Tuesday night, March 30, burlesque superstar, Dita Von Teese was spotted dining at TAO.
Wednesday night, March 31
Marsha Thomason from LOST was spotted dining at LAVO. Joined by her husband, the actress enjoyed specialties including Calamari, Seabass and Strip Steak, along with Belvedere cocktails.
Taking over LAVO’s private dining room were Vegas Magazine’s Best Dressed honorees, who after dinner adjourned to the nightclub to receive their awards and enjoy LAVO’s Label Junkie Wednesday. The group included such Vegas headliners as Matt Goss and Robin Antin, Rick Faugno from Jersey Boys, and Holly Madison and Josh Strickland from Peepshow. The magazine’s Dame and Socialista categories were well represented by Elaine Wynn, Susan Molasky and Jane Schorr as well as Jennifer Harrington, Lacy Schorr and Barbara Bell. Fashionable foodies there to pick up awards included Carla Pellegrino, Franck Savoy and Tom Kaplan. Nightlife category honorees included Bree Cohen and TAO Group’s own Jason Strauss and Marklen Kennedy, while Tim Poster represented the Hoteliers.
Thursday night, April 1...
Vanessa Minnillo threw a surprise bachelorette party dinner at Dos Caminos Las Vegas inside The Palazzo. The TV personality feted the bride-to-be Renee by bringing together a group of girlfriends for a Mexican fiesta at the hot spot.
Vanessa Manillo and Renee
Photo credit: Al Powers
Gossip blogger Perez Hilton celebrated his 32nd birthday at TAO’s Worship Thursday where he dined with friends under the watchful eye of TAO’s famed Buddha. Headliner Matt Goss stopped by with Robin Antin to help Perez blow out the candles on his birthday cake before the group headed up to the Moat skybox in the club to continue the celebration. Holly Madison arrived with Good Charlotte rocker Benji Madden, best friend Laura Croft as well as Peepshow co-star Josh Strickland. Cacee Cobb, who can currently be seen with Jessica Simpson in VH1’s Price of Beauty, arrived with boyfriend, Scrubs star Donald Faison and joined the celebration with a table next to the birthday boy.
Perez Hilton with birthday cake
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Matt Goss, Robin Antin, Perez Hilton and Holly Madison
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Perez Hilton on red carpet
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Cacee Cobb and Donald Faison
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Christian Combs, the 12 year old son of hip hop mogul Sean Combs, kicked off a three day Vegas getaway at Lavo Italian Restaurant inside The Palazzo. Arriving in style in a black tour bus straight from Los Angeles, the group included other celeb royalty spawn, including Tyson Beckford's son Jordan, Faith Evans’ son Josh and Master P's son Hercy, along with Christian’s brothers Justin and Quincy. Mom Kim Porter joined as well, keeping a watchful eye on the group.
Sean "Diddy" Combs with Christian Combs
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Dad made the toast when it was cake time, as mom Kim looked on lovingly. Christian was in awe of his three tiered custom cake from Gimme Some Sugar that covered all his favorite things, from the Hollywood sign to the Yankees, basketball and even an IPod.
Comedian Jim Jefferies seen enjoying dinner inside Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Friday April 2...
Actor and Comedian Bobby Lee, best known for his work on “MADtv,” enjoyed chicken and waffles with a couple of friends at the Sahara location of Hash House A Go Go. He is in town headlining at Playboy Comedy at The Palms.
Members of the recording group Girlicious were spotted at TAO.
Saturday afternoon, April 3...
MTV reality star, Audrina Patridge hosted a posh party at WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand with seven of her closes friends. She strutted her way into VIP wearing a chic L*Space black cover up before showcasing her beach body in a revealing bikini made by the same designer.
Audrina Patridge
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Audrina addressed the partygoers from the DJ booth and welcomed everyone to the ultimate pool party for a truly lavish celebration as DJ Crooked spun heart-pumping beats all afternoon long.
Audrina Patridge
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
After enjoying the fun in the sun, later this evening Audrina and her gal pals enjoyed Cirque du Soleil’s KA and then headed over to Craft Steak for dinner.
Saturday night, former NFL defensive Michael Strahan was spotted dining at TAO in Las Vegas with girlfriend Nicole Murphy and a large group of friends, before heading upstairs to the nightclub.
Mad Men’s Alison Brie also dined at TAO.
Sum 41 rocker Deryck Whibley returned to his favorite hot spot, hitting TAO Nightclub.
The Madden family came out in force to support Benji Madden knocking out Riki Rachtman in Ellis Mania at The Joint, by Rogue at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Holly Madison and a group of her girlfriends wore "Team Benji" shirts and cheered for Madden as he entered the ring. Joel Madden was also in attendance, walked out with his brother and was in the ring the entire time rooting for him.
Benji Madden
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Benji Madden knocking out Riki Rachtman
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Also seen taking in the fight was, M shadows, lead singer of Avenge Sevenfold; Tony Hawk; and Madden’s brother Josh and father Roger Combs.
Tony Hawk
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Benji Madden and his father Roger Combs
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Following the main event, Holly Madison and Benji Madden celebrated the win at Wasted Space.
Over at Vanity, Earl Stevens of E40 celebrated his album release with Clinton Sparks, performing live for the crowd throughout the night.
Sunday, April 4
Britney Spears-ex husband, Kevin Federline and two pals enjoyed a late lunch at Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina.
Tuesday night, April 6
Burlesque queen and Crazy Horse Paris guest star, Dita Von Teese, attended Donn Arden's Jubilee. Before taking in the late show, Teese graciously posed with showgirl Sarah Sutter.
Dita Von Teeze with showgirl Sarah Sutter
Photo credit: Amazing Pictures
I'll be back next week with more of what's happening in and around Las Vegas...round the clock.