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
VooDoo Zip Line at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Opens at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
VooDoo Zip Line, the feet-dangling, adrenaline rush attraction, at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino launched its grand opening event hosted by mixed martial arts announcer Bruce Buffer on Sunday, May 25.
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
Hours before the event started, thrill seekers lined up at the door to be among the first to ride Las Vegas’ newest attraction. Buffer kicked off the event as he buckled up and yelled his signature catchphrase “it’s time!” while soaring almost 500 feet in the air. To maximize guests’ experience, VooDoo Zip Line reduced unnecessary wait times by allowing patrons to dine, gamble and enjoy the property while waiting for their reservations. An alert was sent to guests’ cell phones when their ride time was ready. Prior to boarding, all riders received a safety briefing and ride operators were available to answer questions.
Created by New Capital Ventures, VooDoo Zip Line accommodates two riders at once and connects the two towers of the Rio Las Vegas. The attraction begins on the patio of VooDoo Steakhouse, located on the 50th floor of the Masquerade Tower, and propels riders at speeds up to 33 miles per hour to the adjoining 20-story Ipanema Tower. Guests make a return trip to the starting point traveling backwards at 20 miles per hour. Offering one of the best views of Las Vegas, VooDoo Zip Line boasts a 360-degree panorama of the Strip and scenic views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The heart-pumping adventure covers one-third of a mile in one minute and 10 seconds.
VooDoo Zip Line is open from noon to midnight Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to midnight Friday through Sunday. Admission is $24.99 (plus applicable services fees) per person from noon to 5:30 p.m. and $37 (plus applicable services fees) per person from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Only patrons 21 years of age or older are allowed to ride after 8:30 p.m.
Friends of the Shade Tree Celebrated a Glamorous "Girls Night Out" Charity Gala at Hyde Bellagio
Friends of The Shade Tree, a local Las Vegas organization founded to financially support The Shade Tree Shelter, celebrated a successful and glamorous Girls Night Out event on Thursday night, May 21, raising more than $200,000 for The Shade Tree through auctions, donations and a raffle at HYDE Bellagio.
The Friends of Shade Tree
Photo credit: Jeff Ragazzo
Frankie Moreno
Photo credit: Jeff Ragazzo
Miss Nevada USA Nia Sanchez
Photo credit: Jeff Ragazzo
The evening began as a slew of Las Vegas celebrities walked the red carpet including, the ladies of FANTASY at Luxor, Emmy-award winning anchor, Jason Feinberg Miss Nevada USA, Nia Sanchez, and local Strip headliner, Frankie Moreno.
Women clamored around the silent auction table throughout the evening, bidding on items such as a Miami Beach Vacation including a two-night stay at SLS Miami; a Valentino Red Lacca Bow Clutch; a two-night stay at ARIA with two rounds of golf at Shadow Creek and Southern Highlands Golf Courses; and a Gucci leather tote. In total, the 32 silent auction items consisted of 13 luxury handbags, six vacations and getaways, seven spa packages and four shopping spree packages.
One of the most anticipated events of the evening, the live auction, kicked off with a bang as the Master of Ceremonies, Jason Feinberg, passed the microphone over to celebrated auctioneer, Christian Kolberg. Bidding got heated over several of the 13 items up for auction. Some of the most sought after packages included a package for 15 to 20 to travel to Oakland, Calif. to attend a Golden State Warriors game from the luxury of the Owner’s Box; a trip for two to New York Fashion Week to attend the Lanvin Fashion Show and a two-night stay at the Gansvoort Hotel; a year-long family four-pack membership to the new Life Time Fitness in Green Valley; and a gorgeous Camille Flawless dress, modeled by the stunning Miss Nevada.
Following the close of the live auction, Moreno took the stage to rock HYDE. Presented by Towbin Motorcars, Moreno’s performance was received with a roar of enthusiasm and had guests dancing in the center of the ultra-lounge until the event’s conclusion.
Proceeds from the night benefited The Shade Tree, a local organization that provides safe refuge to physically abused and homeless women, children and their pets. Friends of the Shade Tree is a local, Las Vegas, organization founded to financially support The Shade Tree Shelter. Over the past 11 years, Friends of the Shade Tree has raised more than $2,500,000 to help provide life changing services to the women and children of The Shade Tree, promoting stability, dignity and self-reliance
L Makeup Institute Opens new 4,000 Sq. Ft. Facility
L Makeup Institute, which opened in 2010 as the first educational academy in Las Vegas offering a full curriculum in makeup artistry, has expanded to a new 4,000-square-foot facility and added a retail offering at 5525 S Decatur Blvd., Suite 102, that is open to consumers for the first time.
L Makeup Institute
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
L Makeup Institute
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
L Makeup Institute
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
L Makeup Institute
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
L Makeup Institute
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The general public now has access to brands previously only available to professional makeup artists, including Kryolan Pro Zone, Ben Nye, exclusive products from Makeup Forever, RCMA and more. As L Makeup Institute’s core platform is education, there is always a professional artist on hand to assist consumers with selecting the appropriate products and providing expert beauty advice. Unlike the behemoth beauty emporiums which can so easily overwhelm shoppers, the Institute’s offerings have been carefully curated to showcase only the most revered pro products.
April Leopardi Anneberg, Anne Martinez and Claudia Mitra of BBR Las Vegas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
In conjunction with the new retail area, L Makeup Institute will debut a series of complimentary consumer workshops designed to impart professional beauty tips and tricks. Workshop topics include: waterproofing your makeup, teen makeup, how to look HD camera ready, the beauty of color for ethnic skin tones and how to use cosmetics to look more youthful.
L Makeup Institute offers courses in beauty, airbrush, body painting and special effects, along with specialized workshops, all taught by established professional, media and film production artists. The facility features separate training areas for beauty and special effects, individual learning stations, superior lighting for proper skin tone matching and technical applications, a photography studio, surround sound and high definition television and video screens and production, along with a library and resource center. Each course is limited to twelve students in order to deliver the personalized instruction necessary for developing elite artists.
More than 150 students have graduated from the school since its opening, many who have gone on to work in the industry and job placement assistance is offered to graduates. Sessions range from 100 to 600 hours with tuition from $2,000-$20,000 which includes the necessary products and materials required for each course. Financing is available.
Retail hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
ROCKHOUSE and PBR ROCK BAR & GRILL honored Memorial Day by presenting donation checks to the WOUNDED WARRIOR AMPUTEE SOFTBALL TEAM (WWAST) AND UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO) LAS VEGAS, respectively, Monday afternoon, May 26, at Rockhouse located inside the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian and The Palazzo.
The two Strip-side party spots each donated 5 percent of their respective Sunday sales to the notable organizations. David Van Sleet, general manager and CEO of WWAST, traveled from across the country to accept the donation from Rockhouse on behalf of the organization, which is comprised of military veterans and active duty soldiers who have lost limbs while serving their country. Jennifer Earl, USO Las Vegas center director, accepted the donation from PBR.
Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team (WWAST) and United Service Organizations (USO) Las Vegas receive donation checks at Rockhouse
Photo credit: Jeff Ragazzo
The farm-friendly gluten free eatery and bar, WILD (located on the first floor of high-rise residential building, The Ogden, in the heart of downtown Las Vegas at 150 N. Las Vegas Blvd.) welcomes indie acoustic performer, MANARCHY, every Friday night, 9 p.m. to midnight.
Legendary singer, JOHNNY MATHIS, with special guest, comic GARY MULE DEER, will perform in concert at The Smith Center's Reynolds Hall, Friday, May 30th, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.
Comedian/impressionist HARRY BASIL will be performing May 26–June 1, at the Tropicana Hotel, along with Dean Delray and Traci Skene. The month of May, 2014 is a milestone for the entertainer as it marks the 30th year that he has been working on the Las Vegas Strip. Show times are 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $34.95 and $44.95.
Las Vegas entertainer, TONY SACCA will hold two more 2 book signings for his tell-all biography "Tony Sacca: A 50 Year Journey From The City of Brotherly Love to the Entertainment Capital of the World" that reveals his life story and reflects his 50-year journey in show business. Scheduled for May 31, his first appearance will be at Barnes and Noble at 567 N Stephanie St. in Henderson from 2-4 p.m. The second is at The Italian American Club at 2333 E. Sahara Ave. in Las Vegas from 6-8 p.m.
The third annual HEALTH, HEALING & HAPPINESS CONFERENCE will be held at Springs Reserve Saturday, June 7 from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 8 from 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. The two day event will cover natural solutions that embrace the whole body, mind and spirit. Twenty two world-class speakers will offer presentations about nutrition, fitness, spirituality and personal development and many authors will be on hand helping with topics such as getting rid of cancer naturally; the secrets of “winning at the (weight) losing game;” plant-based nutrition; living a “should-free” life; preventing dementia; combating common diseases with food; detoxing; the “happiest life seminar,” etc. Attendees will have a chance to win great raffle prizes, visit the vendor marketplace for giveaways, get a free massage, attend free classes, network and much more. Costs are as follows: Full weekend $99 in advance and $139 at the door. Day Pass for either Saturday or Sunday is $65 in advance and $75 at the door. An optional Vegan Lunch Buffet is $17/day in advance and $20/day at the door.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents LEGENDS! unimaginable family fun featuring amazing performers from around the globe performing awe-inspiring feats of daring, spectacles of strength and thrills of wonder to summon the mythical and the mysterious visions that have only existed in your imagination and now materialize before your eyes: the Unicorn, Pegasus and a Woolly Mammoth! Drama, surprise and wonder build the excitement so BIG that it could only be The Greatest Show On Earth®. The brand new show is June 19 – 22, 2014 at Thomas & Mack Center. Ticket Prices: range from P4: $15 (upper deck) to Ringmaster Zone (Front Row+ experience): $80. Opening Night Tickets are $10 (excludes Ringmaster Zone and VIP) / $3 facility fee on all tickets.
PLANT WORLD NURSERY, located at 5311 W. Charleston Blvd., introduces a FREE MONTHLY KID'S POTTING SESSION beginning Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Open to all children ages 3 to 12, children will have the opportunity to plant various types of seeds that they will be able to take home and nurture, while their parents have the convenience to shop for gardening needs. Taking place every third Saturday of the month, the kid’s flower potting session will allow kids to experience the joy of gardening, and offer them a chance to spend time visiting Plant World Nursery’s tropical birds, turtles and desert tortoises. Limit one pot per child.
Stand up comic, MIKE MARINO, affectionately known to his fans as “New Jersey’s Bad Boy of Comedy,” brings his act to The Orleans Showroom on June 21. Showtime each evening is 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $19.95, plus tax and convenience fees,
After two sold-out shows in 2013 at Station Casinos’ properties, Academy Award-winning actor JEFF BRIDGES and his band The Abiders returns to perform two live performances at Rocks Lounge inside the Red Rock Resort, Friday, June 20 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 21 at 7 p.m.
Grammy-nominated 70’s rockers and chart toppers, THREE DOG NIGHT will perform at The Orleans Showroom on June 28 and 29. Showtime each evening is 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $39.95, plus tax and convenience fees
SCOTT KEO, soulful singer and notable DJ, will perform his tribute to Michael Bublé at the Suncoast Showroom June 28 and 29. Showtime each evening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and fees.
French beauty brand SISLEY has opened its first ever freestanding boutique in the United States at The Shops at Crystals. The exclusive new location will feature the brand’s full array of skin care, color cosmetics and fragrances as well as a dedicated spa cabin where guests may receive Sisley's signature anti-aging and radiance-enhancing facial treatments. The new boutique is located on the second level between Wolfgang Puck Pizzeria & Cucina and Social House.
MCCARRAN MEDICAL CLINIC AND PHARMACY will soon open its doors to locals, airport employees and tourists. Located near the A/B checkpoint in Terminal 1, the facility will serve as a full-service pharmacy with licensed medical providers on staff as well as an extensive selection of TSA-approved toiletries and sundries. As the ninth largest airport in North America, McCarran sees nearly 42 million passengers annually. McCarran Medical Clinic and Pharmacy hours will be 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily for the medical clinic, 9:30 – 6 p.m. for the pharmacy and 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. for the store.
Celebrity Sightings:
Wednesday, May 28...
Award-winning actor, producer and director Nicolas Cage and his wife, was spotted enjoying a delicious lunch at Social House at The Shops at Crystals.
Monday, May 26...
Illusionist Criss Angel was spotted at Reynold Alexander's show at the Clarion Hotel & Casino. The Puerto Rican native is billed as “The Greatest Latino Illusionist of Modern Times”.
Criss Angel and Reynold Alexander
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Sunday, May 25...
Puff Daddy transformed REHAB into one of his notorious parties as he took the sold-out dayclub by storm with Alfredo Flores, Busta Rhymes, Cassie, DJ Clue, DJ Whoo Kid, Hit-Boy, Karrueche Tran, Meek Mill, Mike Tyson, Quincy Combs and YG. Spotted in the audience was professional football players Anthony Barr, C.J. Spillman, Cortez Allen, NaVorro Bowman, Tony Carter and overseas basketball player TJ Bannister.
That night, Cassie hosted Vanity Nightclub. The singer was joined by Alfredo Flores and Quincy Combs.
Dan Henderson stopped by the property again on Sunday evening to dine at Nobu Las Vegas.
Natalie Skyy, best known for her role in FX’s “Sons of Anarchy,” was seen watching Guns N’ Roses’ perform at The Joint.
Saturday, May 24...
Rapper Busta Rhymes continued his birthday celebrations at TAO Beach.
Later that evening, Busta Rhymes dined at TAO Asian Bistro with several friends. After dinner, they all headed upstairs to TAO Nightclub.
Rapper T.I. was also seen enjoying dinner at TAO Asian Bistro inside the restaurant’s private dining room.
Upstairs at TAO Nightclub, celebrity gossip guru Perez Hilton was spotted taking in the party scene. Prior to hitting up the nightclub, Hilton dined downstairs in the restaurant and posed with TAO’s Executive Chef Sean Kinoshita in the kitchen.
UFC fighter Francisco "Cisco" Rivera was also seen partying in a VIP skybox with friends. The fighter was sporting a cast after breaking his hand in his recent matchup, stating that he wasn’t going to miss his night at TAO. Across the room was Utah Jazz forward Marvin Williams, celebrating a friend’s birthday and taking in the sounds of DJ Vice.
Busta Rhymes
Photo credit: Deb Fass
Perez Hilton
Photo credit: Mike Snedegar
Renowned illusionist, David Copperfield and Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain enjoyed a late night out in Las Vegas as they toasted cocktails at the owner’s table at FIZZ, the lavish new champagne lounge at Caesars Palace, fashioned by Creative Director David Furnish.
At Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop, Outkast’s Big Boi wrapped the weekend’s festivities with his best beats and a surprise appearance by friend and rapper Coolio.
Chart-topping artist J. Cole took over on the poolside stage at REHAB After finishing up his show, J. Cole he then partied on stage with up-and-coming rapper Vic Mensa. J. Cole continued the celebrations that evening as he and his crew closed out Vanity Nightclub.
Friday, May 23...
UFC fighter Julianna Pena and Kenda Perez, host of the UFC’s Best of Pride Fighting and Best of WEC, were spotted attending ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace.
Julianna Pena and Kendra Perez
Photo Credit: Ben Lewis/Spiegelworld
Taboo of Black Eyed Peas returned to Hard Rock Hotel as a guest DJ at Paradise Beach’s Summer Camp session. Spotted in the crowd was Sharna Burgess, professional dancer on ABC’s hit series “Dancing with the Stars.”
That evening, mixed martial arts fighter Dan Henderson held his weigh-in after party at the property’s premier dining destination, 35 Steaks + Martinis.
Across the casino, mixed martial arts announcer Bruce Buffer let his laughs out while watching Andrew Dice Clay’s show at Vinyl.
Comedian Kevin Hart and professional football player Adrian Peterson were also on property as they hosted Vanity Nightclub. The two were joined by Peterson’s teammate, Anthony Barr.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson enjoyed a midday feast at Social House inside The Shops at Crystals.
Legendary hip hop artist Busta Rhymes celebrated his birthday at TAO Nightclub where he was surprised with a three-tier custom-made birthday cake.
Busta Rhymes with birthday cake
Photo credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery
Busta Rhymes performs at TAO
Photo credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery
LeSean McCoy, running back of the Philadelphia Eagles, kicked off the weekend Friday night with an affair fit for a top professional athlete at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop.
Rose. Rabbit. Lie. at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas celebrated Memorial Day Weekend in style with a three-day #MansionParty featuring a number of unexpected surprises and celebrity sightings. Notable names in attendance throughout the weekend included Carlton Gebbia of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (Thursday, May 22); Shania Twain, David Copperfield and celebrity blogger Perez Hilton (Friday, May 23); and comedian Brad Garrett (Saturday, May 24).