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
FANTASY celebrated its 10th anniversary on Tuesday evening, Oct 13 at Luxor with a performance of the newly revamped production followed by an after party with champagne, cake and hors' devoures.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Entire cast of Fantasy with Angelica Bridges (center)
Baywatch” star and Playboy model Angelica Bridges, who had signed on to headline the show throughout the end of the year, sang in three numbers during the evening’s production. However, just days later, it was announced that Bridges had dropped out of the show. According to a statement released on October 16 from FANTASY’s producer, Anita Mann, “Angelica Bridges will not be performing in FANTASY until further notice due to personal matters that require her immediate attention. Once Angelica is able to resolve her personal matters, we certainly would welcome her back to FANTASY with open arms”, said Mann.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Angelica Bridges
With or without Bridges the show continues to wow audiences as a steamy, topless adult revue to tempt the imagination, especially for the male gender. Talented, petite blonde Katie Dix has replaced the production’s longtime featured performer, Las Vegas native Stephanie Dianna (formerly Jordan) as lead vocalist after she departed from the Fantasy cast at the end of September. In addition to Katie, the newest version of FANTASTY includes the debut of several new musical numbers and choreography, all conceived by Mann in conjunction with award-winning choreographer Cris Judd, Gustavo Vargas from Canada’s “So You Think You Can Dance” and Tiger Martina, as well as a brand new cast of stunning and talented dancers.
For comedy relief, and as the only male performer in the otherwise all female production, multi talented comedian/impressionist/singer and dancer Sean E, Cooper does hilarious takes on entertainment icons, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and Sammy Davis Jr. that will blow you away.
FANTASY performs nightly at 10:30 p.m. in the Atrium Showroom at Luxor. Tickets start at $45 and guests must be 18 years or older. Please visit www.luxor.com or call (702) 262-4400 for more information.
The King’s Ransom On Display at Imperial Palace
On Tuesday evening October 20, members of the media and VIP guests were invited to the Grand Opening of an exhibit on display at the Imperial Place that is sure to draw thousands of Elvis Presley fans. The one of a kind multi million dollar collection is aptly titled A Kings Ransom and consists of artifacts and priceless personal treasures belonging to the late great entertainment icon Elvis Presley, aka the King of rock and roll.
Located in the Imperial Palace’s Royal Halls, on the third floor of the casino, the “museum” showcases pieces from both Elvis’ personal life and his acting and singing career including items from his stage and film wardrobe, personal clothing, jewelry, guns, badges and a variety of Elvis’ law enforcement objects, personal artifacts from his Graceland home including the Bible that was on his nightstand when he passed away, and much more.
Photos credit: Stephen Thorburn
In attendance at The King’s Ransom’s Grand Opening at Imperial Palace were the owners of the collection, Budd Glass and Russ Howe, along with some of those who worked with, and/or had a personal connection to Elvis Presley. They included one of Elvis’ long time girlfriends, Linda Thompson; Elvis’ friend and bodyguard Sonny West; Elvis’ road manager, Joe Esposito; Elvis’ bodyguard Sam Thompson; Elvis' friend Shirley Dieu; actress Cynthia Pepper who co-starred with Elvis in Kissin Cousins; actress Darleen Tompkin who co-starred with Elvis in Blue Hawaii and Fun In Acapulco; Mindy Miller who dated Elvis, and Elvis’ friend and singer Jimmy Velvet. Several members of the media who became friends with Elvis during the 1970’s including Frank and Karen Lieberman and Kathy Behar were also on hand for the museum’s unveiling.
Big Elvis (aka Peter Vallee) and Linda Thompson
Budd Glass and Russ Howe
Joe Esposito
Linda Thompson and Jimmy Velvet
Cynthia Pepper
Judy Thorburn, Darleen Thompkin and Dianne R. Davis
Sonny West
Photos credit: Stephen Thorburn
The King has indeed left the building forever, but along with his music and movies he left behind a collection of priceless memorabilia that local and visiting fans can view up close and personal. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to visit Elvis’s Graceland estate in Memphis, The King’s Ransom Museum provides an exciting opportunity to get a rare glimpse into the life and career of one of the world’s greatest entertainers.
The Kings Ransom is open seven days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is scheduled to remain at Imperial Palace until April 2010. Admission is $10. For more information, visit www.imperialpalace.com, www.thekingsransom.com or call 1-888-777-7664.
Additional recent and upcoming happenings in and around Las Vegas include:
MesmerEyes, offering a collection of luxury eyewear including such renowned brands as Porsche Design, Barton Perreira and Alain Mikli, has opened at the Bellagio and is located off main lobby next to the concierge desk.
Jim Rees, co-owner of Hash House A Go Go, was recently named 2009 “Restaurateur of the Year” by The Nevada Restaurant Association for his efforts as an individual in the restaurant community. “Restaurateur of the Year” recognizes an individual who administers an excellent restaurant business and also helps the community and overall advances the culinary industry.
The Long-Running concert event on the Las Vegas Strip, starring The Platters, Cornell Gunter’s Coasters, The Marvelettes, has moved to the Steve Wyrick Theater inside the The Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The great evening of Rock ‘n Roll music and memories is presented nightly at 7pm. Ticket prices are $56, $66 and $86.
“The Vegas Dog” celebrates its 10th anniversary at The Village at Lake Las Vegas with Dogtoberfest, a day of fun for dogs and their owners from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 Guests can enjoy the high-flying dog show, Gregory Popovich Comedy Pet Theater, vendors, pet adoptions, food and games. A costume contest will be held and prizes will be given for the dog with the spookiest look. Admission for adults is $10 and $5 for children under 12. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the NSPCA.
United Way of Southern Nevada’s Volunteer Center is celebrating “Make a Difference Day” on October 24 with various hands-on projects throughout the Valley to encourage widespread community involvement. The activities are designed to improve local neighborhoods and provide immediate help to those in need. Seven separate projects across the LV valley include: Color Me Red (9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Henderson): Volunteers will grab paint brushes and red paint to refresh old and worn out curbs; Make A Difference in N. Las Vegas (9 a.m. – 1 p.m., N. Las Vegas): Beautifying the community to its original state, volunteers will help remove graffiti and repaint curbs and fire hydrant; Shots for Tots (10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Southern Nevada Health District): Safeguarding children against harmful diseases, the Southern Nevada Health District is offering free childhood immunization and an interactive community fair; Soup and a Smile (6:15 - 7:30 a.m., Cashman Center): Serving hot soup, tea, bread and other warm items, volunteers will feed the homeless. For additional volunteer opportunities and more information on “Make A Difference Day,” visit volunteercentersn.org.
Stratosphere Hotel & Casino and the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation (FSNBF) have partnered to hold the Firefighter’s Tower Run on 9 a.m. on Saturday, October 24. One hundred local firefighters from Clark County Fire Department, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, North Las Vegas Fire Department and Henderson Fire Department will take on the 108-floor, 1,455-step tower in a friendly competition to raise money for FSNBF which provides assistance for sick or injured children through financial aid, clothing and furniture donations. “The money raised from this event will specifically go toward our Displaced Fire Victims Program, helping fire victims who have lost their homes. Already this year, we’ve distributed approximately $30,000 to some 100 local families – the need for this assistance in our community is definitely there and we’re excited to have the opportunity to generate more funds to help more people” said Mike Mossel, Programs Director of FSNBF.
Club Fortune Casino, located at 725 S. Racetrack Road in Henderson, celebrates its 10th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 with gaming, live entertainment, giveaways, dining specials.
A 60-minute program “Fit Kids, Healthy Families” which draws attention to how childhood obesity has become a critical threat to children’s health, airs on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. during primetime on local PBS Channel 10 and 10.1. The show also educates parents with solutions on how families can actively engage in developing a healthier lifestyle. Footage from the program comes from local students and families incorporating healthy eating habits and lifestyle changes into their daily routines.
Nevada Pops, under the direction of Dr. Richard McGee, will present its first annual Halloween concert, “Tricks and Treats,” on Friday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. at UNLV’s Artemus Ham Concert Hall. “This is a family concert,” says Dr. McGee. “It’s going to be a fun and casual evening filled with great, recognizable Halloween-themed music that people of all ages will enjoy.” Prior to the concert, balloon art and face painting will be featured in Ham Hall’s lobby, along with student performers from area schools. An all-ages costume contest will take place during the concert, and safe trick-or-treating will follow the performance. Following the concert, attendees will be given bags they can use to collect candy from costumed volunteers on the way to their cars.
Nevada Pops once again partners with the Clark County School District and Make Music Matter…Las Vegas for this concert to help get more instruments into the city’s music classrooms. Each person who brings a musical instrument to donate to CCSD will
receive a free ticket.
On Saturday, Oct. 31, The Village at Lake Las Vegas and Action Sports United (ASU) celebrate Halloween by hosting “Tricks & Treats” an evening of FREE events starting at 5 p.m. BMX athletes will perform the “tricks” while the shops and restaurants throughout The Village give out the “treats.” In addition, guests can enjoy the spooky haunted house, piñatas full of candy, games, raffles, pumpkin patch and prizes.
Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay will eerily transform into Haunted Reef on Halloween, Saturday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fearsome predators including sharks and a rare Komodo dragon with dagger-like teeth and piercing razor-sharp claws will lurk in exhibits, terrorizing spectators. Rattling chains, creaking doors and haunting music will replace the normally soothing sounds of the ocean and the jungle. As visitors walk through Haunted Reef’s dark and spooky tunnels they will pass ghostly decorations and jack-o-lanterns lining the walls. Costumed children 12 and under will receive complimentary admission and sugary sweets. Guests 17 years of age and older donating or pledging to give blood at the United Blood Services booth also will receive complimentary entry into Shark Reef Aquarium. The booth, set up just for Haunted Reef, will be open Saturday, October 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV presents the New Play Festival, Nov. 4-22 in the Black Box Theatre. They include "Pink Champagne" a zany comedy by Neil Haven; “The Way It Has To Be" by Jeremiah Munsey and "Whales, Save Us!" by Elizabeth Leavitt. For tickets and show times, please call 895-ARTS (2787).
Comedy-magician Mac King will be interviewed on CBS’s “Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood” on Sunday, November 1. King will be discussing his career in comedy-magic, his show “The Mac King Comedy Magic Show” that will be celebrating its upcoming 10-year anniversary at Harrah’s Las Vegas, and performance in the 53rd Annual “It’s Magic,” on Sunday, November 8 at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
On Sunday, November 8th, a host of top-ranked Major League Eaters, including #1-ranked Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, will meet at Martorano’s inside Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for the first-ever Martorano’s Masters Meatball Eating Championship. The winner, declared the world meatball-eating champion will take home the lion’s share of a $3,000 total cash purse. The MLE-sanctioned contest will take place at 12:00 noon and the public is invited to attend.
Celebrity sightings:
On Wednesday (10.14.09) professional boxer Floyd Mayweather was spotted sitting in the lounge at N9NE Steakhouse with eight others.
Also at N9NE Steakhouse was Sacramento Kings athlete Tyreke Evans, accompanied by two friends.
Thursday, October 15…
Nicky Lachey, former 98 Degrees singer and on-again flame of television beauty Vanessa Minnillo, was spotted at the Stratosphere Hotel & Casino trying his luck at the blackjack tables than taking a turn on the thrill rides at the top of the tower. After the rides were over, he took time out to take photos and sign autographs with fans.
Rockstar Alice Cooper and his wife were spotted shopping inside Betsey Johnson at Miracle Mile Shops.
Michael “Mikey” Joseph Teutul, 31, from the popular TLC series “American Chopper” stayed at the Pahrump Nugget and was spotted playing blackjack on the casino floor.
The Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson was spotted walking around Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Thursday night actor and comedian Pauly Shore kicked of the first annual TAO Toga Party & Beer Garden at TAO’s Worship Thursdays. The funnyman hammed it up in his toga on the red carpet before heading into the nightclub
Photo credit: Al Powers
Pauly Shore
Over at LAVO, Vince Neil joined Chazz Palminteri and a group of their friends for spotted having dinner. Palminteri was later spotted checking out the toga party at TAO.
Professional boxer Floyd Mayweather returned to N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort with a party of ten.
Friday afternoon, October 16, comedian Carlos Mencia was spotted dining at Dos Caminos inside The Palazzo with friends.
Actor Alfonso Ribeiro, best known as Carlton Banks from the hit show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” spotted dining with friends at Rare 120 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Following, the group partied at Body English.
Friday night Kim Kardashian, who turns 29 on Wednesday, had an early birthday celebration at TAO Asian Bistro and Nightclub/ Kim was surrounded by friends and family including mother Kris Jenner, sister Kourtney and brother Robert. Younger sister Khloe, who had planned to attend the festivities, ended up missing the party.She stayed home with her new husband, LA Laker player Lamar Odom, who was injured during a game on Thursday.
After arriving at The Venetian early in the day, and checking into checked into the 8,000 square foot, four bedroom Chairman Suite, the women hit The Shoppes at The Palazzo, heading to Barneys New York, first, then to Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin and the vintage boutique, Annie Creamcheese. While the ladies shopped, Robert Kardashian and Scott Disick, Kourtney’s boyfriend, enjoyed the fabulous weather at TAO Beach.
Songstress Ciara and MTV VJ La La Vazquez arrived just in time to walk the red carpet with Kourtney, Kris and Kim, with the birthday girl.
Photo credit Denise Truscello
Ciara and Kim Kardashian
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
Kim, Kourtney and Kris
The group made their way towards the private dining room at TAO, where an Asian feast was served. Scott Disick, socialite Brittny Gastineau and family friend Jonathan Cheban were among the guests.
After dinner the large group (minus Kourtney who headed back to the Chairman Suite at The Venetian to rest) took command over two sky boxes in the nightclub.
Also spotted dining at TAO on Friday was comedian Carlos Mencia, joined by friends Kevin Federline and girlfriend Victoria Prince were in the dining room as well.
Golfer Anthony Kim checked out TAO Nightclub later in the evening with friends.
Friday, Oct. 16
“Fame” star Asher Book celebrated his 21st birthday with a group of six male friends at Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops.
N9NE Group and Palms Casino Resort presented Z-Trip’s Revolution featuring world-renowned musical talent and new resident DJ Z-Trip inside Rain nightclub. During Z-Trip’s Revolution, the mix-master was joined by musical talents of the hip hop group De La Soul. Additional celebrity guests in attendance included X Games champion and Australian skateboarder Jake Brown.
Prior to taking the stage Z-Trip was presented with a Playboy Key by two Playboy Bunnies on the red carpet outside the nightclub.
Photo credit: Shane O'Neal
Jessa, Z-Trip and Denise
Singer Matt Goss and Robin Antin were also presented with Playboy Keys on Friday night during Goss’ show inside the Gossy Room at the Palms Casino Resort.
Photo credit: Shane O'Neal
Robin Antin, Jessa, Denise and Matt Goss
Inside ghostbar, rapper Pittsburgh Slim was spotted hanging out with friends and enjoying the view of the Strip before heading up to Moon Nightclub. Jake Brown was also spotted inside ghostbar prior to heading to Rain nightclub.
Saturday, Oct. 17…
Kevin Federline spotted enjoying dinner last night inside Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
Jake Brown was seen at Moon Nightclub with four friends at a VIP table.
Photo credit: Shane O'Neal
Jake Brown (far left) wit friends
Kelley Thompson, Playmate of the Month for November 2009, was at Playboy Club with a few friends.
Photo credit: Shane O'Neal
Kelley Thompson (right)
At Rain Nightclub, hip hop music producer Justin Blaze was joined by six friends.
X Games champion and Australian skateboarder Jake Brown was seen at Moon Nightclub inside Palms Casino Resort.
Kelley Thompson, Playmate of the Month for November 2009, was at Playboy Club with a few friends.
At Rain Nightclub, hip-hop music producer Justin Blaze was joined by six friends.
Monday night, October 19 actor, director and producer Laurence Fishbourne and actor George Eads were spotted at Playboy Club inside Palms Casino Resort with two others.
I'll be back next week with more of what's happening in and around Las Vegas.
