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
Men The Experience Debuts at Riviera Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas’ hottest new male revue, Men The Experience, recently premiered at the Crazy Girls Theatre inside Riviera Hotel & Casino.
Men The Experience
Photo credit: Red Mercury Entertainment
The 75-minute action paced show features some of Las Vegas’ most sexiest men, high-energy choreography and a multimedia set.
Straight from the pages of a romance novel, the hunky group of guys deliver the goods, whether performing as a James Bond-like secret agent, uniformed military officers and firefighters, 1930's gangsters in zoot suits and gun toting cowboys. With a variety of talented men that are masculine, sexy and of course, very handsome, Men The Experience leaves audiences breathless and wanting more.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Men The Experience to Riviera Hotel & Casino and to continue our partnership with Red Mercury,” said Alex Rangel, Riviera Hotel & Casino’s Vice President of Marketing and Entertainment. “There’s no question our guests will enjoy the addition of this sexy and fun show to our already diverse entertainment lineup.”
Men The Experience is performed at the Crazy Girls Theater inside the Riviera Hotel & Casino nightly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 inclusive of tax and applicable fees for general admission. VIP seating is available for $69 inclusive of tax and applicable fees. Guests must be 18 years or older.
April's Edition of Monday's Dark with Mark Shunock benefits The Miracle League of Las Vegas
The sixth edition of “Mondays Dark with Mark Shunock" (narrator/cast member of Rock of Ages), took place Monday evening, April 21, at Body English, inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The evening's musical theme was "Movie Night: Soundtracks Live". All of the proceeds from this month's charity event benefited The Miracle League of Las Vegas, whose goal is to provide special needs children, young adults and adults alike with an opportunity to play baseball.
Local entertainers who donated their time and talent in support the worthy cause were: The Bella Electric Strings featuring Lydia Ansel, Nina DiGregorio, Princess Ashley and Adrianna Thurber; singer, Marc Love Chemerys; comedienne Shayma Tash; lead singer of Starship, Stephanie Calvert; Graham Fenton of Jersey Boys; illusionist Chris “Scandal” Randall; internationally acclaimed performer Peter Anthony Garcia, aka Chi Chi Rones; Maren Wade of Vegas! The Show & FANTASY; and Felice Garcia of Million Dollar Quartet.
Mark Shunock
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Erica Vanlee and Jennifer Romas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lydia Ansel, Nina DiGregorio, Princess Ashley, and Adrianna Thurber of Bella Electric Strings
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Marc Love Chemerys
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Maren Wade
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Chi Chi Rones
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Stephanie Calvert
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lydia Ansel and Chris Phillips
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The next edition of Monday's Dark with Mark Shunock will take place on Monday, May, 19, inside Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with proceeds benefitting the Neurofibromatosis Network. The theme for the night’s entertainment will be ‘boy bands’ music.
At a ticket price of only $20, the monthly event is one of the best entertainment deals in Las Vegas.
Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.MondaysDark.com
Artist Graham Knuttel and Students from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Begin Artwork for Downtown Mural
On Monday morning, April 21, world-renowned Irish artist Graham Knuttel and art students from Las Vegas Academy began work on a project that will result in a huge mural to be hung on the Neonopolis building Iin downtown Las Vegas. They began work on the original painting that will serve as the basis for the massive mural. Knuttel and the LVA students plan to work at the school for two weeks to create a painting that will be 4 feet by 8 feet in size. That painting will then be screened and vastly enlarged into the huge piece that will be affixed to the wall of Neonopolis, at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd. (the exact date for the actual hanging is yet to be determined. The final piece is expected to be approximately 30 x 60 feet, but the exact dimensions are also yet to be determined.) Prints of the completed mural will be available for sale at the Knuttel Gallery, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Friends of Las Vegas Academy.
The piece is expected to be influenced by Fremont Street and the places and characters of downtown Las Vegas, and will be greatly influenced by Knuttel's unique style of painting, with bold and vivid colors.
Knuttel, who opened the Knuttel Gallery at the Venetian-Palazzo Resort on the Strip last year, decided to do this project because he wanted to make a contribution to the downtown arts scene.
In honor of the kickoff to the mural and Knuttel’s contribution to the downtown scene, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman named Monday, April 21, Graham Knuttel Day in Las Vegas.
Graham Knuttel, Kelly Mabel, Visual Arts Department Chair and students.
Photo courtesy of the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Clark County celebrated the return of LAS VEGAS FOODIE FEST by officially declaring Thursday, April 24, as ‘Las Vegas Foodie Fest Day’ during a proclamation ceremony on Wednesday morning, April 23, in front of the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign.
Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak honored the occasion by presenting the official proclamation to representatives from Red Dragon and White Castle. The White Castle Crave Mobile was on hand as tourists gathered around the famous sign for photo opportunities and complimentary tickets.
(L:R) Mark Logsden, general manager of White Castle; Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak; Marc Tolentino, Noel Casimiro and Ranier Galgana, managing partners of Red Dragon LLC.
Photo credit: Jeff Ragazzo
Jabbawockeez with the White Castle Crave Mobile at The Shade Tree
Photo credit: Jeff Ragazzo
Las Vegas Foodie Fest will be held from Thursday, April 24, through Sunday, April 27 at The Lot across from Luxor Hotel and Casino on the Strip. The event will feature more than 50 gourmet food trucks and specialty vendors including headliner White Castle, America’s first hamburger chain and home to the Original Slider.. Family entertainment will include carnival rides, games, contests and live entertainment by world-class dance crew Jabbawockeez, FANTASY and more.
RED DRAGON is committed to giving back to the local community and recently partnered with WHITE CASTLE and JABBAWOCKEEZ to host a charity event at The Shade Tree on Tuesday, April 22. White Castle grilled up more than 300 signature sliders for residents while the Jabbawockeez entertained children with dance moves and photos. The Shade Tree is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, children and their pets affected by domestic violence and crisis in the Las Vegas valley.
The sexy girls of X BURLESQUE celebrated the show’s 12th anniversary in Las Vegas Wednesday evening, April 23rd at Flamingo Las Vegas. Partying alongside the X Girls was the seductive cast of X ROCKS, model and judge of Oxygen’s “Best Ink” Sabina Kelley, comedian Robert Nash, The Quad headliner Jeff Civillico, BMX pro and MTV reality star Ricardo Laguna, Zowie Bowie, actress Grace Morley and son Montel Williams, model Allie Finley, burlesque legends Bambi and Bambi Jr, Frank Sidoris, lead guitarist from SLASH featuring Myles Kennedy & the Conspirators and son of X Burlesque producer Angela Stabile, musicians Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz and YouTube host Heather Marianna.
FOREVER DOO WOP, showcasing the music of the 1950's, recently premiered at the Riviera. Featuring an all star eight-person ensemble that includes singers from some of America’s most influential musical groups such as The Coasters, Platters, The Drifters and The Marvellettes, audiences are taken on an unforgettable, entertaining journey down memory lane with terrific renditions of those oldies but goodies, classic songs from the era known as Doo Wop, that will have you singing along. Cast credits include Early Clover, Grammy Award-winning singer Jerome Jackson, Tonja Foster and Terrence Forsythe, among others. Forever Doo Wop is performed at the Casino Lounge inside the Riviera Hotel & Casino. Tickets are $29 all-inclusive for general admission and $49 (plus tax and applicable fees) for a VIP package that includes premium seating. Forever Doo Wop will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Forever Doo Wop
Photo courtesy of the Riviera Hotel and Casino
Cast members of Forever Doo Wop with director, Misty Rowe
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Opportunity Village and Business Enterprise of Nevada (BEN) celebrated the grand opening of the KITCHEN CREATIONS CAFE on Thursday, April 11 at 11 a.m. The partnering organizations welcomed the surrounding community down to sample Café offerings and enjoy exclusive entertainment from the OV Elvi. County Commissioner Steve Sisolak officiated the event as Opportunity Village’s Executive Director Ed Guthrie and Benita McHenry, Business Enterprises of Nevada (BEN) Operator cut the “ribbon” that was made out of linked smoked sausages.
Kitchen Creations Cafe ribbon cutting
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
Kitchen Creations Cafe staff
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
OV Elvi
Photo courtesy of Opportunity Village
On Wednesday, April 16, the acro-cabaret variety show, ABSINTHE celebrated its third anniversary at Caesars Palace. Following a full standing ovation during the show’s finale, ABSINTHE’s eccentric producer – The Gazillionaire – took the stage to address the crowd, expressing gratitude for the community’s ongoing support of the show. At the conclusion of his speech, the company was presented with a commemorative Spiegeltent-shaped cake onstage featuring The Gazillionaire, his zany assistant Penny Pibbets and her infamous sock puppets, and ABSINTHE’s “Green Fairy” Melody Sweets. In conjunction with the anniversary celebration, the ABSINTHE tent was adorned with red and white LED lights, beautifully illuminating the outside of the venue.
Cast of Absinthe
Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg/Vegas Kool
Gun Garage, formerly Guns and Ammo Garage, hosted the first-ever “SHOOT FOR THE STARS” range shooting competition and safety fair with local law enforcement officers on Wednesday, April 16. Amateur shooters and gun enthusiasts participated in the event to demonstrate their skills against top active local law enforcement officers. 100% of the event proceeds will help the more than 3,000 Special Olympics athletes who participate in sports training and competitions at no cost to the athlete or their family.
Shoot for the Stars participants
Photo courtesy of Gun Garage
Steve Cabrale and Darby Neagle
Photo courtesy of Gun Garage
Emmy award winning set designer and producer ANDY WALMSLEY has launched a unique and fun website where tourists can post funny photos of themselves or their friends acting silly, drunk, wacky or outrageous, while having a great time in Las Vegas. The site is called http://www.vegashungover.com and its a place for anyone wanting to prove to the world that what happens in Vegas doesn't necessarily stay in Vegas.
Cast members from the Las Vegas company of the high-octane musical ROCK OF AGES performed on “The Queen Latifah Show” Monday, April 21. The show aired in the Las Vegas area at 2 p.m. on KTNV-TV.
HOUSE OF BLUES LAS VEGAS at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino and Carlos Santana proudly announce a TWO YEAR EXTENSION OF AN INTIMATE EVENING WITH SANTANA: GREATEST HITS LIVE after a successful two-year run. Tickets for the November 2014 and January 2015 show dates go on sale Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. Show dates are November 5, 7 – 9, 12, 14 – 16 and 18 and January 21, 23 – 25 and 28 – 31, 2015. Shows will begin at 8 p.m.
EPICUREAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF LAS VEGAS (ECF) has selected four outstanding Clark County high school students as scholarship recipients for the 2014 class to honor National Pay it Forward Day on Thursday, April 24.
“We’re proud and excited to award scholarships to these gifted students and actively play a role in changing their lives,” said Jason Shkorupa, ECF president and vice president of food and beverage for MGM Grand. “I was honored to be able to personally reveal the announcement to each of the students with our board, and the overwhelming emotion we all shared during the process reinforced how important our mission continues to be.”
The 2014 scholarship class is made up of four brilliant young women who will attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the fall. The students, with a combined GPA of 4.21, include: Cindy Fuentes, Candace Kozell, Melanie Saucedo and Jacqueline Vasquez.
The 2ND ANNUAL IT GIRLS SPRING GARDEN PARTY will take place on Saturday, April 26 at Equiinet’s corporate House from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The afternoon event will feature a boutique that will showcase the best of local vendors, including: Jewelry by Candy, Sundee Morning Hats, Las Vegas Fruit & Nuts, and many more. Following the Boutique will be a buffet-style luncheon provided by Wild Truffles Catering and a fashion show highlighting Opportunity Village’s Thrift Store fashions modeled by OVIPs. Guests will also have the option to purchase these looks for the models during the show. Tables and seats are available now for $75 per person and $600 for a table seating ten and can be purchased by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or calling 702-880-4068.All proceeds go directly to support individuals with profound intellectual and similar disabilities at Opportunity Village.
This Friday, May 2, FIRST FRIDAY LAS VEGAS, the largest arts and culture festival in the Western United States that takes place throughout Downtown Las Vegas on the first Friday of each month, will have visitors seeing stars with an outer space-themed event featuring a variety of cosmic programming including specially designed installations, documentary screenings, entertainment and other family-friendly activities.
A space-themed Kid Zone, scale representation of the solar system and cosmic entertainment is part of May 2 event. North of Charleston, there will plenty of opportunities to see live music at Artifice and Bar + Bistro and teens attendees can dance at the Shuffle Zone, behind Art Square, featuring DJs and electronic music all night.
California Hotel and Casino hosts the 17th ANNUAL LEI DAY POLYNESIAN FESTIVAL on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The annual Polynesian festival brings together musicians, dancers, artists, craftsmen and food and beverage vendors to showcase the very best of Hawaii. Entry to the two-day event is FREE. On Friday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m., inside the Ohana/Maile Room at the California Hotel and Casino, Hawaiian recording artists and musicians Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Keao Costa, George Kuo and Mike Ka’awa will perform, with Makani Tabura emceeing the event. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m.
On Saturday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m., Hawaiian recording artists and musicians Kata Maduli, Brother Noland and Beyond Country will perform on the festival grounds,. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Gates open at 7 p.m.Parking is available at Stewart and Main Street, adjacent to the California Hotel and Casino.
FRANK The Man The Music, a theatrical production honoring the life and music of the legendary Frank Sinatra, will take the stage for one-night-only, Sunday, May 4 at 7 p.m. inside the Venetian Theatre. Starring the most revered Frank Sinatra tribute artist in the world, BOB ANDERSON, the production features an impressive 32-piece live orchestra and benefits from musical direction by Sinatra’s own Vincent Falcone.
“Our goal in hosting this showcase is to find a permanent home for FRANK The Man The Music,” said its star Bob Anderson. “We are confident that this production will provide a new spark on The Strip, filling a void for an upscale and authentic Sinatra tribute show.”
Public interested in attending may order tickets through The Venetian Box Office. Tickets to FRANK The Man The Music on Sunday, May 4 at 7 p.m. are FREE and can be reserved on a first-come-first-served basis by calling 702-414-9000.
The House of Blues Las Vegas is celebrating STAR WARS DAY with a PARTY KNOWN AS MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU. The galactic event, back in its second year by popular demand, will begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2014 in Crossroads – the epicenter of food, art and music. A DJ will provide music throughout the night courtesy of Red Bull, and the original version of Star Wars Episode IV (where Han shot first!) will be played on the House of Blues televisions and projector screen, allowing fans to relive the epic space opera. The festivities will include food and drinks specials and General Star Wars and ‘Slave Leia’ costume contests that will give Star Wars fans the chance to win prizes from House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and other sponsors. Prizes including The Dan Band and Boogie Knights, and a House of Blues package with dinner and tickets for two to a future House of Blues show, plus a one-night stay at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. PLEASE NOTE : Masks and face paint are NOT permitted in casino areas; please make sure those portions of costumes are kept off until you are inside House of Blues Las Vegas Party goers must RSVP to http://maythe4thbewithyou2014.eventbrite.com and must be 21 years of age or older.
BLACK FLAG, featuring new vocalist Mike Vallely, comes to Hard Rock Live (3771 Las Vegas Blvd S., Across from Monte Carlo) on Sunday, May 18. Supporting Black Flag on the Victimology Tour will be Ginn’s own HOR, an electronic, psychedelic, instrumental band, and Brooklyn, NY two-piece atmospheric punk band, Cinema Cinema. Doors open 7 p.m. Ages 18 and up. Tickets are $22 in advance and $26 day of show.
Friends of the Shade Tree has announced that local Strip headliner, musician Frankie Moreno, will be the featured entertainer for the 12TH ANNUAL GIRLS NIGHT OUT CHARITY GALA on Wednesday, May 21 at Hyde Bellagio. The largest annual fundraiser for The Shade Tree will kick off with Emmy Award-winning FOX 5 anchor, Jason Feinberg; resuming his role as emcee of the extravagant affair beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will be able to bid on a variety of items in a live and silent auction hosted by celebrated auctioneer, Christian Kolberg. An appearance will be made by Miss Nevada, Nia Sanchez, who will participate in the auction and model a beautiful Camille Flawless designer dress. Southern Wine & Spirits will generously donate libations for the evening and Hyde will provide hors d’oeuvres throughout the event. Towbin Motorcars, which is the exclusive retailer of Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls-Royce in Las Vegas, will also have the new 2014 Neiman Marcus special edition Aston Martin Vanquish Volante on display the day of the event at Bellagio’s North Valet.
Proceeds from the night will benefit The Shade Tree, a local organization that provides safe refuge to physically abused and homeless women, children and their pets. Guests may purchase individual tickets for $150 and tables are available for $300 per person with seating in groups of 6, 8, 10 and 12 guests. Tickets are available at Friendsoftheshadetree.net. Guests may receive 10 percent off their ticket if purchased before May 1.
THE LAS VEGAS EPICUREAN AFFAIR returns to The Palazzo® Las Vegas on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Sponsored by the Nevada Restaurant Association (NvRA), the Las Vegas Epicurean Affair showcases prestigious restaurants and beverage purveyors that have elevated Las Vegas to an international dining destination. Hosted at The Palazzo for the fifth year, guests attending the Las Vegas Epicurean Affair will partake in an enticing evening, sampling cuisine from the best chefs in Las Vegas and cocktails at the luxurious poolside setting at The Palazzo. This year, participants include Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, Delmonico Steakhouse, Morels French Steakhouse, STK, Bouchon, TAO Asian Bistro, and Il Mulino, as well as many other illustrious Las Vegas restaurants.
The Las Vegas Epicurean Affair is open to the public and will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2014, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at The Pools at The Palazzo. Tickets go on sale April 21 and can be purchased at www.palazzo.com or any Venetian or Palazzo box office. Tickets for the event are $155 for early admission at 6:00 p.m. and $105 for general admission. Proceeds benefit NvRA’s educational and scholarship programs, including ProStart®, a national high school culinary skill and restaurant management program.
Celebrity Sightings:
Tuesday night, April 22, 2014...
For one night only, ABSINTHE’s “Green Fairy” Melody Sweets joined the cast of the smash-hit musical MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET at Harrah’s Las Vegas, for the sizzling encore performance of Janis Martin’s “My Boy Elvis.”
Melody Sweets performing with Million Dollar Quartet
Photo courtesy of Caesars Entertainment
Melody Sweets with the cast Million Dollar Quartet
Photo courtesy of Caesars Entertainment
Saturday, April 19...
R&B superstar Jason Derulo hosted the grand opening party at TAO Beach. He was accompanied by girlfriend and “American Idol” winner Jordin Sparks.
Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Joining in on the grand opening party and celebrating her 21st birthday was Olympic slopestyle skiing silver medalist, Devin Logan. Logan was joined by fellow Olympians Kaitlyn Farrington, Travis Jayner, Rebecca ‘Possum’ Torr, Peter Adam Crook as well as X Games medalists Tom Wallisch and Jen Hudak.
Olympic medalist Devin Logan
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Also at TAO Beach was “True Blood” star Ryan Kwanten, Emily Osment from “Hannah Montana” and Rex Lee from HBO’s “Entourage.”
