By Judy Thorburn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
http://www.theflickchicks.com
Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical Opens at The Venetian
The first national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical began an 11-week engagement at The Venetian Las Vegas on Tuesday, June 18.
Staged in the beautiful theatre that was home to Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular before it ended its long and successful run in Sin City, Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical is based on the 1994 surprise hit film, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, that starred Hugo Weaving, Guy Pierce and Terence Stamp (who was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor).
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
Photo credit: Joan Marcus
The show tells the story of three “outrageous” performers, each with their own personal issues, who board a dilapidated old bus they've dubbed Priscilla, and embark on a cross-country road trip through the Australian outback to play a drag queen show at a casino in a remote desert town. Along the way, they face mechanical problems, intolerance, and meet up with an assortment of colorful characters. The show stars Wade McCollum as “Tick”/”Mitzi, Scott Willis as “Bernadette”, formerly Ralph, Tick's aging transsexual friend who's lover recently died, and Bryan West as“Adam/Felicia”, a wild child, and the most flamboyant of the trio. Joe Hart plays Bob, the mechanic that joins up with them.
With the action performed in and around the bus, what grabs and keeps the audience's attention are the superb and very talented main leads that give genuinely effective and moving performances. Add over 500 dazzling 2011 Tony® Award-winning costumes and the catchy music score featuring more than 20 classic favorites including “It's Raining Men,” “Finally,” “I Will Survive,” “Material Girl,” “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,” “Like a Prayer,” and the combined elements equal an uplifting, fun show, with lots of heart. Wrapped in a musical comedy, the story of friendship, bonding and tolerance is universal and has what it takes to appeal to all audiences, regardless of gender.
“BASE Entertainment is pleased to bring the national tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert to the bustling city of Las Vegas,” says Scott Zeiger from BASE Entertainment. “Already an international hit, Priscilla is a feel-good show that embraces individuality; making it a perfect addition to Las Vegas.”
I couldn't agree more. However, I would be remiss if I didn't also include flashy and fabulous to describe Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical. Those two words say it all.
Ticket prices for Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical start at $59 plus all applicable taxes and handling fees.
Cast of “Vegas! The Show” Celebrate 3 Year Anniversary
The cast and crew of “VEGAS! The Show” gathered in between shows Wednesday night, June 26, in the Saxe Theater to celebrate the success of the past three years and to toast to many more! The show opened to rave reviews on June 26, 2010. Since its opening, over 1.5 million guests have enjoyed the production that tells the story of the history of Las Vegas through music and dance from Vegas’ most memorable icons and features favorite songs from beloved artists who put Las Vegas on the map including The Rat Pack, Wayne Newton, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones and Sonny & Cher.
After enjoying delicious treats from local favorites Capriotti’s and Nothing Bundt Cakes, the excited cast posed for photos with producer and creator, David Saxe, and choreographer and director, Tiger Martina.
Looking out over the packed house, David Saxe was all smiles as he opened bottles of celebratory champagne. After a fun champagne toast, it was back to work for the busy group who jumped right back into hair curlers and costumes in time for the opening number of their second show of the night.
Tiger Martina reflected on the milestone, noting, “There is nothing more rewarding than hearing our audiences react to the show and then come back over and over again. It's an honor and a privilege to bring our audiences a product that brings dignity to Las Vegas entertainers of the past while educating a whole new generation of a time when simple, raw talent could still give you that wow factor. The moments in ‘VEGAS! The Show’ will stay with guests long after their trip to Las Vegas is over.”
Photo credit: David Saxe Productions.
Photo credit: David Saxe Productions.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
In its first ever Travelers’ Choice awards, Trip Advisor has named THE FOUNTAINS OF BELLAGIO RESORT & CASINO the nation’s top landmark. The awards, based on millions of reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travelers, pushed the iconic dancing fountains to the top of the list for landmark destinations in the United States.
Created by WET Design, The Fountains of Bellagio is one of the largest musical fountain systems in the world with more than 1,200 fountains spanning 1,000 feet and choreographed to send water soaring as high as 460 feet into the air. Since first launched in 1998, The Fountains of Bellagio have performed more than 190,000 times.
VÉRONIC VOICES, the one-woman show, starring vocal phenomenon Véronic DiCaire, performs at the Jubilee! Theater at Bally’s Las Vegas for a limited engagement, now through Saturday, August 31. Known for her unique ability to transform her voice into those of the world’s biggest superstars, Véronic effortlessly imitates the voices of Christina Aguilera, Sheryl Crow, Billie Holiday, Susan Boyle, Whitney Houston, Katy Perry, Dolly Parton and many, many more. Show dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings most weeks through August 31. Tickets range in price from $60 to $120 (additional service fees apply).
ELVIS MONROE has announced the expansion of their hit show across the Las Vegas valley. In addition to their monthly performance at Red Rock Resort, the renowned band will perform the final Friday of each month at Club Madrid inside Sunset Station, beginning Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m.The band also performs the final Thursday of each month at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort. Doors for both shows open at 8 p.m. The show is open to adults 21 years or older and there is NO COST for admission. Entry will be first come, first served and based upon venue capacity.
Rockers COUNT'S 77, featuring the star of HISTORY’s “Counting Cars,” Danny "Count" Koker with Stoney Curtis, John Zito, Barry Barnes and Paul Disibio will perform a FRE show at Count’s Vamp’d Rock Bar and Grill (6750 W. Sahara Ave.) 10:00 p.m Saturday night June 29. All-female rockers Brazen kick off the night.
Premier illusionist RICK THOMAS will return to the Suncoast Showroom June 29 and 30. Showtime each evening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and convenience fees.
The National Atomic Testing Museum presents ERIC LOPRESTI; TEST SITE showing large-scale paintings related to the Nevada Test Site and its aftermath. The series speaks to technology's complex impact on civic and moral issues, as well as the American southwest's cultural history.
LoPresti's aerial landscapes of nuclear sites convey the moral ambiguity of Cold War-era historical conflicts by way of an inclusive, yet pleasurable aesthetic.
LoPresti's paintings are based on archival photographs showing vast southwestern landscapes crisscrossed with roads and pocked with nuclear craters. Drawing from this photographic source material, he overlays color fields with geometries that suggest military satellite imagery and vector graphics. The exhibit dates are: Monday, July 1, - Sunday September, 1, 2013. Admission is FREE and open to the public.
Comedian PAULA POUNDSTONE will perform at The Orleans Hotel and Casino July 5th and 6th. Showtimes are Friday & Saturday 8:00PM. Tickets range from $22 - $44.
At KEEP MEMORY ALIVE'S ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE RANCH & RODEO DINNER on July 19 and 20, Trish Lynn and the All American Cowgirl Chicks® will give a special performance during the Friday afternoon rodeo. The event raises funds for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health’s work toward enhanced treatments and research of neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and dementia. This is the second time the group has participated in the Shakespeare Rodeo.Tickets to the rodeo are $275 for adults and $75 for children under 13.
Incorporating elements of doo-wop, rhythm and blues, pop and rock into his music Dion DiMucci, known singularly as DION, will perform at The Orleans Showroom July 20 and 21. Showtime each evening is 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $39.95, plus tax and convenience fees.
For the first time since the league’s inception in 2004, NBA SUMMER LEAGUE will feature a format that includes preliminary games followed by a single-elimination tournament leading to an eventual champion. The schedule tips off on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas on Friday, July 12, and will conclude with a championship game on Monday, July 22. All participating teams will play a minimum of five games. After the conclusion of games of July 16, all participating teams will be seeded for single-elimination tournament play that will result in a champion being crowned on July 22. Tickets for the 2013 NBA Summer League can be purchased by visiting any UNLV ticket outlet.
Night School 4 Girls is teaming up with Frank Marino, star of Divas Las Vegas, for a special experience, NIGHT SCHOOL 4 GAYS, Friday, July 26 at 3:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip. For the first time ever, the fun and frisky class invites male participants to join in and help a cause.Portions of proceeds from the class will be donated to The Gay & Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. Night School 4 Girls advocates a message of empowerment that emphasizes the feeling of being sexy at any age and any shape. Tickets are available at http://www.nightschool4girls.com for a special price of $25, with promo code: NS4Gays. Ages 21 and up.
The 16th Annual ADVERTISING AND COMMUNITY TALENT SHOW (A.C.T.S.), featuring acts from the Southern Nevada advertising and media community, returns to Las Vegas Saturday, July 27 at 7 p.m. at Chrome Showroom inside Santa Fe Station. All proceeds raised will benefit Safe Nest , a local charity dedicated to providing temporary assistance for those going through domestic crisis in Southern Nevada. Tickets are $25 for general admission. The silent auction begins at 6 p.m., with the show at 7 p.m. Guests must be 21 years or older. The talent portion of the show is non-competitive. All talent entries must be received by Friday, June 14 and all applicants must be employed within the Southern Nevada advertising and media community. For more information on how to submit an application, general rules and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.actslv.org.
Openings and closings include:
FOR GOODNESS SHAKE, located at 4220 S. Grand Canyon Drive Suite #8, opened to the public Tuesday, June 25. The 1,100-square-foot shake shop features custom milkshakes, smoothies and shaved ice creations, allowing customers to indulge in delicious drinks while making a difference in the community. With the purchase of any milkshake or smoothie, a donation will be made to provide a meal for a child in need through Three Square Food Bank. Guests can step up to the blending bar and choose their non-fat yogurt base (milk or lactose free) and then select from more than 40 toppings including chocolate bars, candy, cookies, fruit and more to create their custom shake or choose from the signature shakes and smoothies.
THE CHUCK JONES EXPERIENCE at Circus Circus Las Vegas has closed.
Celebrity Sightings:
Friday, June 21...
Actress Sophia Bush was spotted soaking in the sun at a VIP cabana at TAO Beach. In Las Vegas for a friend’s bachelorette bash, later that night, the group of ten ladies continued celebrating at LAVO Italian Restaurant & Nightclub.
Arriving from the Electric Daisy Carnival, Paris Hilton was also spotted at a VIP table at LAVO Nightclub with a group of girlfriends as well as DJs Afrojack and Dirty South.
Las Vegas' 'It' pool party at Wet Republic had the anticipated Electronic Daisy Carnival weekend in full effect as world renowned DJs NERVO and Steve Aoki manned the turntables for thousands of electronic music fans.
Later in the day, Dutch DJ master R3hab made a surprise appearance in the DJ booth.
Spotted at a VIP table next to the DJ booth was actress Tara Reid.
NERVO and Steve Aoki
Photo credit: Al Powers of Powers Imagery LLC.
Tara Reid
Photo credit: Al Powers of Powers Imagery LLC.
R&B singer, songwriter and record producer Keyshia Cole was spotted partying at PURE Nightclub inside Caesars Palace.
Saturday night, June 22...
VH1's "Mob Wives" star Ramona Rizzo celebrated her bachelorette party at Crazy Horse III Gentlemen's Club.
Ramona Rizzo on the red carpet at Crazy Horse III
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/WireImage
Ramona Rizzo with her bachelorette cake at Crazy Horse III
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy/WireImage
Hip-hop legend Too $hort as he took over the mic for the first time at the Las Vegas hot spot, LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino.
Actress Sophia Bush spent her second day in a row at TAO Beach continuing to celebrate her friend’s bachelorette party weekend. After soaking up the sun in the afternoon, they were later spotted at TAO Asian Bistro.
Sophia Bush and Friends
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery
