By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
www.theflickchicks.com
i♥burgers Opens at the Palazzo
i♥burgers, a modern take on the classic American burger joint, recently opened inside The Shoppes at The Palazzo. With a name like “i♥ burgers”, it has a lot to live up to, and it does, offering an array of scrumptious burgers and great value in a fun, family friendly casual atmosphere.
i♥burgers entrance
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
i♥burgers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
i♥burgers sets itself apart from the typical burger experience by providing build your own premium gourmet burgers with a variety of toppings including farm-fresh vegetables, smoked meats and an array of cheeses and sauces.
Executive Chef/GM Errol LeBlanc, formerly of R.E. Tapas Kitchen and Aureole, explains, “At i♥burgers, I’ve had the opportunity to re-engineer the quintessential American dish. I made 16 different proprietary bun recipes before I got it right, I’m grinding our meats in-house because no one had the flavor and texture that I wanted, and I’ve experimented with more than 50 different fry variations to compose the best fry menu. Ever. Getting on this menu is harder than getting on the Olympic curling team: there’s no room for weak sauce.”
Executive Chef/GM Errol LeBlanc
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The eatery also boasts having the largest fry menu in Las Vegas, to suit any taste with options that include truffle-butter tossed fried Yukon Gold potatoes, New York-style chips and baked potato fries.
Fries
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Burgers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
And Veggie Burgers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Every burger is a half-pound experience in taste, ranging from angus, sirloin and kobe to ahi tuna, turkey and buffalo. Not to exclude vegetarians, there is even a vegan burger to satisfy their hungry palate. The restaurant also offers one of the largest selections of domestic, imported and artisan beers on the Strip, including more than 15 varieties of drafts. Other drink menu items include specialty cocktails and a variety of frozen beverages and frosty milkshakes such as a blueberry "panshake," made with blueberries, maple syrup, freshly made pancakes and homemade ice cream. One of the signature cocktails is the i♥ bloody mary, which boasts pork cracklins and apple-wood smoked bacon salt circling the rim.
Frozen Specialty Milkshakes
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The i♥ bloody mary
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
“Unlike most cocktails on the Strip, my drinks don’t get their flavors from premade syrups and pre-infused liquors. We're focused on fresh ingredients and creating complex tastes organically,” says Head Mixologist Myke Ramos. “We're carbonating exotic fruits, popping corn and flipping pancakes in the search of the perfect drink.”
i♥burgers is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week - Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight and features a full-service ♥togo counter.
The restaurant is located inside The Shoppes at The Palazzo on the second floor between Cole Haan and Elton’s.
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas Unveils WILL SMITH wax figure in celebration of BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The Black History Celebration at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas kicked off Wednesday, February 16 with the unveiling of the newly created Will Smith figure that will be on display throughout the end of February. Present at the event was Napoleon McCallum, Pres., Urban Chamber of Commerce and other dignitaries.
Wax likeness of Will Smith and Napolean McCallum
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA erikkabik.com
Superstar Will Smith is among the new wax figures making their public debut.
Wax likeness of Will Smith
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA erikkabik.com
Twenty-five outstanding wax figures will be featured throughout the attraction, from the historical “Martin Luther King, Jr.” to the hysterical “Whoopi Goldberg.”
The “President Barack Obama” figure and Oval Office Replica will also be included, as will the soon-to-retire from daytime TV, “Oprah Winfrey.”
Geared to be both educational and entertaining, the Madame Tussauds Las Vegas “Black History” tour represents figures of historical importance from multiple decades to present celebrity favorites.
Among the other celebrated African American figures featured are: “Sammy Davis, Jr.,” “Louis Armstrong,” “Jamie Foxx,” “Michael Jordan,” “Muhammad Ali,” “James Brown” and “Jimi Hendrix.”
“We are very excited to bring the public an exhibit where they can learn more about their favorite African American figures and their historical accomplishments and contributions, while being able to interact with them for memorable photos,” said General Manager Rosita Chapman.
Each authentic Madame Tussauds figure is created at the world famous attraction’s London studios at an average cost of $300,000. Along with receiving an Oscar® or a Grammy®, a Madame Tussauds figure is considered a career milestone.
General admission $25.00, Seniors (60+) $18.00, Students (13 & up) $18.00, N.V. residents $18.00, Children (7-12) $15.00, Children 6 and under are free.
Celine Dion Returns to Caesars Palace
Superstar singer, Celine Dion made her triumphant return to Caesars Palace on Wednesday February 16 to begin rehearsals for her brand new show at The Colosseum. The new show, which begins March 15 and kicks off Celine’s three-year engagement is directed by long-time Grammys director Ken Ehrlich and produced by AEG Live.
Upon arriving at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, Celine went directly to Caesars Palace where President Gary Selesner and AEG Live/Concerts West’s Co-CEO/President John Meglen along with more than 200 Caesars Entertainment and AEG Live employees greeted her and her family with a warm welcome.
Celine Dion, husband Rene Angelil, twins Nelson and Eddy, and Rene-Charles are greeted by hundreds of fans at Caesars Palace. Dion's new show at The Colosseum begins March 15.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
This was the first photo opportunity to see Celine and family since the birth of her twin sons, Eddy and Nelson, along with husband René Angélil and son René-Charles.
Celine Dion, husband Rene Angelil, twins Nelson and Eddy, and Rene-Charles are greeted by hundreds of fans at Caesars Palace. Dion's new show at The Colosseum begins March 15.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Celine will continue her record of creating groundbreaking concert performances with this next adventure promising to be the most spectacular yet. The new show will feature 31 musicians, consisting of a full orchestra and band, and will include her biggest hits performed with a stunning visual presentation.
Tickets for Celine Dion’s new Las Vegas show can be purchased by calling 877-4CELINE (423-5463) or by logging on to www.ticketmaster.com keyword “Celine Dion.” Prices range from $55 to $250, not including taxes and fees.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
The City of Henderson, in conjunction with the Missoula Children’s Theatre, will present King Arthur’s Quest starring local children, Saturday, March 12, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 S. Water Street, in the Water Street District, as well as Saturday, March 19, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, 250 S. Green Valley Parkway. Tickets start at $5 and can be purchased at the door. Cash and checks will be accepted.. In order to fill roles, the Missoula Children’s Theatre will hold open auditions for kids, Kindergarten-12th grade, for both performances. Auditions will be held March 7 at the Henderson Convention Center and March 14 at the Henderson Multigenerational Center, both days beginning at 4 p.m. Children wishing to audition must be registered by a parent or guardian on-site between 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. Registration is mandatory.
Las Vegas’ sexiest ladies are invited to compete for the chance to become an official ring girl at all 2011 MGM Grand boxing events and win $5,000 in prizes. Every Thursday in March, legendary Studio 54 will host preliminary rounds to lead up to the “main event” March 31 where three lucky ladies will be awarded the title of “Miss Knockout.” They will begin their reign at the highly anticipated title fight featuring the main event between Erik Morales and Marcos Maidana Saturday, April 9 in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Las Vegas ladies can enter the Miss Knockout competition by logging on to mgmgrand.com/ringgirl. Contestants for the preliminary rounds will be pre-selected by MGM Grand.
Unparalleled ventriloquist Terry Fator will welcome special guest Miss Arkansas Alyse Eady to Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert March 4-5 in the Terry Fator Theatre at The Mirage. Eady will open the show at 7:30 p.m. each night. Eady, who was first runner-up in the 2011 Miss America Pageant, captured the nation’s attention when she performed the ventriloquist act “I Want To Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart” during the talent round of the competition. Although she did not win the coveted crown, the runner-up Eady received significant media attention including a guest appearance on Late Show with David Letterman. After seeing her on TV, Fator was excited to invite her to perform in his show at The Mirage. Tickets start at $59, plus tax and service fees.
Southern rock legends The Marshall Tucker Band roll into The Orleans Showroom March 5 and 6, each evening at 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $29.95, plus tax and convenience fees,
The UNLV Performing Arts Center welcomes Russian-born Irina Kulikova, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9 as part of the Classical Guitar Series. Kulikova has been called “a powerful presence on the guitar scene” by Classical Guitar magazine and winner of five international competitions in 2008. Tickets to Irina Kulikova are $37.50 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. A $1.25 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets.
Whoopi Goldberg has cancelled her May dates at Treasure Island Theatre, but will still perform Friday, March 25 @ 8 p.m. Tickets are $79 and $99, plus taxes and service charge
Celebrity sightings:
Valentine's Day weekend began with a veritable buffet for the full house of diners at Capo's on West Sahara when Engelbert Humperdinck, Alan Thicke, and Frankie Scinta all came to dinner at the popular restaurant. Engelbert, long ago dubbed "The King of Romance" by his millions of fans, was in town to perform a three-night engagement at the Orleans.
Capo's owner Nico Santucci dined with Alan Thicke and friends at a nearby table. He and Thicke came over to say hello to Engelbert, who had met Thicke once before long ago in Canada
Before the evening ended, Scinta and Thicke took turns getting up to sing with Kevin DeCosta, who sings and plays piano nightly at Capo's.
Thursday, Feb. 17 - Members of the hit show “Smokey Robinson Presents Australia's Human Nature – The Ultimate Celebration of the Motown Sound” sang a special rendition of "My Girl" to three of the lovely 2011 Sports Illustrated swimsuit models on the indoor patio of Rao's at Caesars Palace. Following the performance, the models held an autograph signing.
Human Nature and three 2011 Sports Illustrated swimsuit models
Friday night. Feb. 18…
Vincent Kartheiser was spotted at TAO. The Mad Men star partied in the nightclub with a group of female friends.
At LAVO, E! Entertainment’s Giuliana Rancic dined with her husband Bill as well as Greg Olsen of the Chicago Bears and a group of friends.
Nick Lachey and Matt Leinart were spotted checking out DJ Roger Sanchez at Marquee inside The Cosmopolitan. At another table New York Jets running back Shonn Greene was seen with friends including Charles Godfrey and Jonathan Stewart of the Carolina Panthers. It was Greene’s first visit to Las Vegas.
Also spotted, NY Giants heir Alan Tisch with a huge party of 30 taking over VIP tables.
Saturday, February 19, E! News host Giuliana Rancic and husband Bill Rancic were joined by Chicago Bears tight end Greg Olsen and wife Kara for dinner at Lagasse's Stadium at the Palazzo.
Bill and Giuliana Rancic
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak / Images of Vegas
Saturday night Tony Parker hosted the Baller’s Ball at LAVO. The San Antonio Spurs star flew to Las Vegas for the festivities from the NBA All-Star weekend in LA.
He called out in his native French to have his friends and family, including his brother join him on the carpet for a photo before heading in to dinner in LAVO’s private dining room.After feasting on specialties at the Italian eatery, Parker headed upstairs to the nightclub where he hopped into the DJ booth with DJ Reach, taking in the scene.
Also spotted at LAVO was Shane West with friends.
David Walton from the new NBC comedy Perfect Couples was seen celebrating his bachelor party with friends. The actor is set to marry actress Majandra Delfino in March.
Tony Parker with cocktail waitresses
Photo Credit: David Becker
DJ Reach and Tony Parker
Photo Credit: David Becker
Chord Overstreet celebrated his birthday at TAO Las Vegas. The Glee star, who turned 22 on Thursday, brought along fellow cast mate Harry Shum Jr. and a group of 15 friends for the party. The group dined at TAO before heading up to the nightclub.Upstairs Chord and friends took over the elevated VIP tables in the moat section overlooking the entire club. He was surprised with a birthday cake in the shape of a guitar by Gimme Some Sugar. He pretended to play the cake and took pictures of it with his camera phone, even asking to have the cake delivered to his room once he left the club
Chord Overstreet
Photo Credit: David Becker
Harry Shum Jr., Chord Overstreet and friend
Photo Credit: David Becker
Above & Beyond made their DJ residency debut at Marquee Nightclub inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Spotted in the crowd taking in the sounds of the UK favorites were The Black Keys, who celebrated following their sold out concert earlier at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The group of 15 people took over a VIP section.
Also partying at Marquee after they opened for Linkin Park earlier in the night was English band The Prodigy.
DJ Steve Aoki was spotted checking out the scene at Marquee as well.
Actress Ashley Greene of the popular Twilight Saga celebrated her 24th birthday at PURE Nightclub with a “Candy Land” themed party and very special guest boyfriend Joe Jonas of the Jonas Brothers. Upon her arrival, Greene immediately walked up to the line of fans and individually met with a few lucky admirers and took pictures with them. Meanwhile, Jonas discreetly parted ways before seen by the public eye as he was privately escorted inside the megaclub through the side entrance while his stunning girlfriend dazzled in a classic strapless black dress on the red carpet and posed for pictures.
After the red carpet, Greene was escorted through the packed club to her VIP tables located on the PURE’s main stage where she joined Jonas. When she first arrived, Greene was surprised as her entire VIP area was themed out with Candy Land décor including the classic board game, a sweet candy bar full of her favorites and giant three pound lollipops just for her special day.
The twosome was seen earlier dining on Social House’s Executive Chef Joe Elevado’s delicious assortment of sushi and sashimi with 18 of Ashley’s closest friends, but her friends had yet to join them.
Ashley Greene
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image www.wireimage.com.
Ashley Greene
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image www.wireimage.com.
“Iron Man,” Mike Tyson was spotted celebrating his daughter, Rayna’s 15th birthday at Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino.
Sunday night, February 20, Tony Parker dined at TAO with friends and family. After dinner they headed to LAVO to hit the nightclub.
Also checking out Vice Sundays at LAVO was Glee star Chord Overstreet. The group first dined at LAVO where his parents and friends serenaded him as he continued his birthday celebration.
Redfoo from LMFAO dined at LAVO with members of his Party Rock crew.
Monday night, February 21 marked the second installment of the monthly Party Rock Mondays at Marquee Nightclub inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Redfoo of LMFAO joined with DJ Vice for a special DJ set.
When not on stage he held court at a dance floor table. Earlier in the night Redfoo fueled up by dining at TAO with a group of Party Rockers.
Redfoo
Photo credit: Al Powers
Redfoo performs at Marquee
Photo credit: Al Powers
Marquee party atmosphere
Photo credit: Al Powers