By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic - Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
www.theflickchicks.com
Rhumbar Opens at The Mirage
On March 18th, Drive This! Entertainment celebrated the Grand Opening of Rhumbar, a stylish rum lounge and outdoor patio located near the main entrance of The Mirage just off the Las Vegas Strip, at The Mirage.
Michael Frey, managing partner of Drive This! Entertainment describes Rhumbar, as “A modern interpretation of classic Caribbean culture. Through an eclectic soundtrack of lounge and world music and contemporary architecture, RHUMBAR delivers a distinctive atmosphere with a Latin vibe.”
Encompassing 2,000 square feet that accommodates up to 100 guests, the design concept was inspired by a minty mojito on a white beach overlooking a teal ocean with white as the prevailing color and touches of cool greens throughout. Luring passersby to take a peek inside are abstract white mint leaves that adorn the 20-foot-tall glass walls. The arched ceiling displays 15 Jeff Koons-esque sculpted chrome fighting cocks encased in glass protruding from the wall above guests. An array of specialty rum cocktails, along with daiquiris and other classic libations are available and served by Stylish cocktail servers. Rhumbar also features a humidor offering an impressive cigar selection.
In addition, for those wishing to enjoy a tropical retreat, the spacious patio framed by lush landscaping, acts as an oasis where guests can enjoy the atmosphere and stunning views of the Las Vegas Strip skyline.
Rhumbar is open from 10 a.m. until midnight Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub
The Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub located at 3535 Las Vegas Blvd South, held its grand opening Monday evening, March 23. The venue originally opened in 2006 as Beacher’s Rockhouse, but quickly transitioned to The Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub with Jonathan Fine as sole proprietor. The change resulted in a completely new type of venue that is edgy and rock and roll inspired. The Rockhouse now blends the local bar with the glamour of Sin City’s party scene to create an atmosphere that can only be described as the only ultra dive bar on the Strip.
Rockhouse
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Papillion Airways Unveils $9 Million Boulder City Aerocenter
On Monday evening, March 23, Papillon Helicopters and Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines, the largest premiere "flightseeing" companies in the world, unveiled their $9 million dollar Boulder City Aerocenter located at 1265 Airport Road in Boulder City, Nev. 89005 (Off 95 and Veteran's Memorial Drive). The terminal, which was completed in less than one year, is the realized dream for the Halvorson family who oversaw the project on all levels.
The event marked the official debut of this ultramodern, 30,000-square-foot terminal that will house all of the Halvorsons' Nevada operations under one roof including Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines and Canyon Flight Trading Company. The new terminal enables guests to seamlessly check in for all flights and tours offered by Papillon and Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airlines. They can also leave belongings in a secure storage area and can purchase food, beverages and gifts inside the terminal. The terminal features 26-foot high ceilings and modern décor, with the center rotunda adorned by an enormous, avant-garde propeller with 24-foot long blades that slowly turn above passengers as they wait to board. Additional special touches include the air-conditioning vents that resemble airplane engine exhaust ducts. Space for Papillon’s local fleet of 15 helicopters and Grand Canyon Airlines/Scenic Airline’s 16 airplane fleet lies on the outside ramp.
The grand opening event included inspirational music, introductions of company leaders and city officials, followed by a traditional Christian blessing and a Hualapai Tribal blessing. It was a symbolic evening as Chairman of the Board Elling Halvorson handed over the keys of the building to President and CEO Brenda Halvorson as she and the Mayor Roger Tobler of Boulder City cut the ribbon.
The terminal, which was completed in less than one year, is the realized dream for the Halvorson family who oversaw the project on all levels.
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Celebrates its 6th Anniversary
The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, which has provided audiences with extraordinary entertainment experiences, celebrated its sixth anniversary on March 25, 2009. To commemorate the occasion, a cake cutting ceremony and recognition of The Colosseum’s original employees was held in The Colosseum lobby in Caesars Palace. On hand was John Meglen, president and co-CEO of AEG Live/Concerts West, Gary Selesner, President of Caesars Palace, Bette Midler’s Caesar Salad Girls, Roman Centurions and Colosseum’s employees.
“The Colosseum is one of the most technologically advanced performance spaces in North America and has been the permanent home to some of the biggest stars in the history of Las Vegas,” said John Meglen, president and co-CEO of AEG Live/Concerts West. “We are thrilled to celebrate its anniversary and acknowledge the loyal workers who have made The Colosseum one the most respected venues in the industry.”
Built in 2003, for the premiere of Celine Dion A New Day, The Colosseum has since showcased only the biggest names in entertainment and has welcomed the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Luciano Pavarotti, Gloria Estefan, Mariah Carey, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Luis Miguel and The Comedy Festival to its stage. The Colosseum is currently home to Bette Midler’s The Showgirl Must Go On, Elton John’s The Red Piano and Cher.
Monster Circus Opens at the Las Vegas Hilton
Platinum Masters’ Monster Circus is not your typical family friendly, traveling, three ring circus. The word monster in its title kind of gives that away. “Las Vegas has never seen a show like this,” Las Vegas Hilton executive vice president, Ken Ciancimino, said.
Dee Snider
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
Monster Circus which debuted inside the legendary HiltonTheatre on March 19, is for those serious fans of good old, classic, rock and roll and that is exactly what it delivers, a live, hard hitting, high octane, 75 minute rock and roll concert extravaganza within a circus atmosphere featuring sexy dancers, aerialists, freaks, a sinister clown, and best of all, classic rock from an all star line up of some of the greatest bands of the 70, 80s and 90s.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
I was in the audience on media night, March 27 when Twisted Sister front man Dee Snider, was the special guest (for the first installment of Monster Circus, March 19-21 and March 26-28). He shared the stage and rocked the house with fellow master musicians, The Monster Circus band featuring artists Rudy Sarzo (DIO and formerly of Whitesnake, Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne), John Corabi (formerly of Mötley Crüe and Ratt), Fred Coury (Cinderella), Bruce Kulick (formerly of KISS) and Tony Montana (formerly of Great White).
As a special treat, various guest artists will “join the circus” and perform during the show. Two additional, six-night engagements are planned for April 16 – 18 and 23-25; and May 21-23 and 28-30. The additional installments will both feature other Snider-sized rock legends at center stage who have yet to be announced.
The circus is in town six nights a month on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with an 11 p.m. show time. Tickets are $39 - $66 eiyh a VIP package availabe for $86.
Other recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Three members of the UNLV College of Fine Arts Faculty have received honors in education. Francisco Menendez, Department of Film, has received the 2008 Charles Vanda Award for Excellence in the Arts; Timothy Jones, Department of Music, is awarded 2008 Outstanding Teacher of the Year; and Justin Williams, School of Architecture, is awarded 2008 Outstanding Part-Time Teacher of the Year.
The UNLV Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery located in Alta Ham Fine Arts Building at UNLV, 4505 Maryland Parkway, presents “Lipstickaforkinme,” the thesis exhibition of Master of Fine Arts candidate Aaron Sheppard, March 30 - April 4. A reception for the exhibit is 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 and is free and open to the public.
Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce at Mandalay Bay closed on March 30. A new bar & lounge is slated to open in late summer.
From March 27 – April 9, 2009, America’s favorite houseguest, Kato Kaelin joins the cast as the celebrity “Wedding Crasher” in Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, the entertaining interactive show that satirizes an Italian-American wedding, presented at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Performances will be held on Monday through Saturday at 7 pm and dark on Sundays.
Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. UNLV Concert Singers and Chamber Chorale featuring guest organist Walter Strony present “Cathedral Classics” at Guardian Angel Cathedral. The concert is Free and open to the public. The church is located at 302 Cathedral Way, north of Encore Las Vegas and south of Convention Center Drive and is accessible from Las Vegas Boulevard or Channel 8 Drive.
Country stars Alan Jackson and Trace Adkins are scheduled to perform back to back concerts inside the Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill’s in Primm, Nevada on April 3 and 4. Jackson will perform 9 p.m. Friday, April 3 and Adkins’ performance is 8 p.m. Saturday, April 4. Tickets to Alan Jackson are $124.95, $74.95 and $59.95. Tickets to Trace Adkins are $64.95 and $39.95.
The 15th annual Glass Craft & Bead Expo, one of the most exciting art glass events in the country, will be held at the South Point Hotel & Casino, April 3rd -5th, 2009. The event includes more than 250 classes taught by some of the most prominent instructors and a show floor packed with art glass and jewelry. Opportunity Village will once again be the recipient of the annual Charity Auction to be held the last day of the event on Sunday, April 5th at noon.
Las Vegas Film Festival set to roll April 9 through 12 at the Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel. The event will showcase more than 100 original films and documentaries including feature films, shorts, foreign films, documentaries, animation, music videos, television pilots, a Nevada filmmakers showcase, experimental films, and more, highlighting the talents of some of the newest and brightest cinematic innovators in the business. In addition, the schedule of events include exclusive Las Vegas premieres, fun-filled celebrity tributes, red carpet parties, interactive panel discussions, a screenplay competition and an awards ceremony. Tickets for individual screenings are $7. To purchase tickets to film screenings, filmmaker panels, parties and celebrity panels please visit, www.lvfilmfest.com.
The UNLV Department of Music Beethoven class presents “Exploring Beethoven,” an all-Beethoven concert featuring faculty and students at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 in the Paul Harris Theatre of the Alta Ham Fine Arts building on the UNLV campus. The concert is free and open to the public, and also includes greeters in period costume and typical Viennese pastries.
Las Vegas favorite family act, The Scintas will be bringing their signature Las Vegas act to the Suncoast Showroom for a limited engagement April 17-19. Tickets are now available starting from $29.95, plus tax. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
British sensation UB40 will take the stage at Mandalay Bay Beach Saturday, April 18. The concert is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are priced at $50, not including applicable service charges.
Lance Burton will be the master of ceremonies at "Dancing With the Stars - A Battle Against Cancer" at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 19 in the Rain Nightclub at the Palms Resort. The judges are Robin Leach, Frank Marino, Louie Anderson and Bryan Scofield. Among the dancers will be Mayor Oscar Goodman, Chris Phillips, Chett Buchanan and Brent Barrett. The admission is $50 which includes the show, one drink and appetizers. You must be 21 or older to attend. For more information visit thecaringplacenv.org.
The eighth annual Pure Aloha Festival featuring delectable cuisine, arts and crafts, performances and entertainment straight from the islands of the Pacific will take place on Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19 at The Club inside The Cannery Casino & Hotel. The celebration will feature evening concerts on both Friday and Saturday and a daytime festival that will showcase the best of the Hawaiian culture on Saturday and Sunday. The concert on Friday will feature performances by Katchafire, Rebel Souljahz and HaleAmano, Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door. Saturday’s concert will feature performances by Willie K and Hawaiian Soul. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $24 in advance and $29 at the door. Children under 10 will be admitted into the concerts for free.
Edward Albee’s successful Broadway comedy “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?”, which won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Play and turned heads because of its subject matter, will be staged by the College of Southern Nevada’s Department of Fine Arts. Performances are April 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m. and April 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre on the Cheyenne Campus. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 651-LIVE (5483).
The Children’s Heart Foundation will be awarding $2500 scholarships to two qualified Nevada high school students who have excelled academically and have been affected by heart conditions. Students meeting the eligibility requirements can submit an application with a resume, cover letter, and high school transcript to the Children’s Heart Foundation. Along with the application, students must submit a letter form the patient’s pediatric cardiologist that includes diagnosis and last medical visit, an essay on how experiences related to heart issues will help later in life, and two letters of recommendation. Applications should be submitted to Children’s Heart Foundation no later than Friday, May 1, 2009 and winners will be notified by July 10, 2009. Scholarship applications are available for download at www.chfn.org.
Grammy Award Winning rockers Bon Jovi are taking the excitement of opening The New Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to the next level. Bon Jovi will perform at The New Joint on Friday, April 24. Tickets are now on sale.
Celebrity sightings:
Tuesday afternoon March 24, actor and comedian Eddie Griffin was spotted browsing around in the Hard Rock Retail Store inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
On Wednesday, March 25, yours truly spotted Penn Jillette, of the comedy magic team of Penn & Teller, driving a Mini Cooper with the license plate that reads “atheist”, as he was headed into the entrance of the Rio Hotel and Casino. Jillette and his partner headline at the casino resort.
On Thursday evening, March 26, Rapper MC Hammer was spotted filming his upcoming A&E reality show inside Moon Nightclub and ghostbar, located inside the Palms Casino Resort. Hammer was joined by a group of friends and were seen hanging out at VIP tables inside both venues.
Also at Moon Nightclub, Dieter Schmitz from MTV’s Laguna Beach, was hanging out with friends and a large group of girls. Friday night, March 27, actress Jaime Pressly was spotted at Rain Nightclub, inside the Palms Casino Resort, last night. She was with a group of 10 girlfriends celebrating a bachelorette party. Pressly was wearing a ‘70s-style afro wig.
Jaime Pressly
Photo credit: Joe Fury
Alison Waite, Playboy Playmate of the Month (Miss May 2006) was also spotted in Rain Nightclub hanging out at a separate VIP table near the DJ booth.
Alison Waite
Photo credit: Joe Fury
NFL star Trai Essex of the Pittsburg Steelers, was also in Rain Nightclub with a group of friends at a table on the dance floor. He was seen leaving Rain around 2 am to continue his night inside Moon Nightclub.
Actor and comedian Jon Lovitz was seen with a friend at a VIP table inside Playboy Club.
Saturday, March 28…
Kim Kardashian kicked off this season’s ultimate pool party scene at Las Vegas’ first ultra pool WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand with sister Khloe Kardashian (Celebrity Apprentice, Keeping Up with the Kardashians), brother Rob Kardashian (Keeping Up with the Kardashians), and boyfriend Reggie Bush (New Orleans Saints) all basking in the Vegas sun. The seductive adult hot spot transformed into a reality stars’ playground with friends Frankie Delgado (The Hills, Bromance) and Brittny Gastineau (Gastineau Girls, Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive) joining in on the soiree.
Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush
Photo credit: © RD/ Erik Kabik/ Retna Digital
Saturday night, NFL free agent, Melvin Fowler chose N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort to celebrate his 30th birthday with a group of 25.
Over at Playboy Club, poker player Wayne Boich and actor Adrian Brody partied it up with one other friend. He arrived at the club around 11 p.m.
Also at Playboy Club were professional skateboarders Jake Brown and Jeremy Rodgers. They came in with a party of eight. Onlookers noticed the group dancing and joking around for most of the night, as they bounced back and forth between Playboy Club and Moon Nightclub.
Sara Underwood, Playboy Playmate of the Year 2007 celebrated her 25th birthday at Tabú Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand. The blonde bombshell was presented an adorable cake by the staff wishing her a happy birthday. Underwood danced and partied with friends until the early hours of the morning.
Sara Underwood
Sopranos star Michael Imperioli celebrated his 43rd birthday weekend in Las Vegas. Arriving from New York with his wife Victoria, his brother John and several other friends who flew in for the occasion, Imperioli headed straight for TAO. The group dined on a feast of items from the Asian Bistro, topped off with birthday cake.
Michael and Victoria Imperioli
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
His celebration continued on Saturday as Imperioli and friends attended the opening day of TAO Beach, and then dined at LAVO on Saturday evening.
Also spotted enjoying an amazing Las Vegas day at TAO Beach was Missouri Tiger Chase Daniels.
Oscar winner and TAO regular Adrien Brody was seen inside TAO, while Allen Evangelista from the series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” was at sister club LAVO.
Rapper Pittsburgh Slim and hip-hop artist / host of MTV's "From G's to Gents" took over Body English while DJ Clinton Sparks kept the crowd pumped.
DJ Clinton Sparks and Pittsburgh Slim
Photo credit: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Over at Wasted Space, Mark McGrath spotted hanging out with Unwritten Law singer Scott Russo. McGrath performed two songs for the crowd.
Mark McGrath
Photo credit: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.