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
The 20th Annual The Reel Awards at the Golden Nugget
The 20th Annual THE REEL AWARDS, a spoof on the Academy Awards, took place on Thursday afternoon, February 24, 2011 in the Showroom of the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino. The award show was held in conjunction with the 11th Annual Celebrity Impersonators Convention and 2nd Annual Vegas Tribute Idol competition that took place at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, from February 21 to 25.
Janna Joos Producer and Director of THE REEL AWARDS
Seventy celebrity impersonators hailing from 25 states throughout the United States, and five countries, including: Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland and Spain, participated in the awards show acting as co-hosts, nominees, presenters, entertainers and event attendees.
Awards were presented in 16 categories for excellence in the field of impersonation. Emcee was Marcel Forestieri as Jay Leno (of Las Vegas, NV) and Jeff DeHart as Johnny Carson (of Medford, NJ). Janet Valentine as Marilyn Monroe served as the Hostess. Performers included: Nick D’Egidio as Frank Sinatra (of Fontana, CA); Michael Firestone as Michael Jackson (of Las Vegas, NV); Roy Hammock as Willie Nelson (of Las Vegas, NV); Harmik as Tom Jones (of Las Vegas, NV); Ron Keel and Leonard Quenneville as Brooks & Dunn (of Las Vegas, NV); Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler (of Las Vegas, NV); Heidi Thompson as Cher (of Las Vegas, NV) and Hollie Vest as Tina Turner (of Las Vegas, NV).
Award Presenters included: Athena as Lady Gaga (of New York, NY); Monica DeDiego as Amy Winehouse (of Logrono, Spain); Joe Dimmick as Clint Eastwood (of Las Vegas, NV); Ryan Fraley as Brad Pitt (of Newhall, CA); Louise Gallagher as Elizabeth Taylor (of San Diego, CA); Sharon Holmes as Martha Steward (of Anaheim, CA); Janna Joos, Co-Founder of THE REEL AWARDS (of Palm Springs, CA); Dennis Keogh as Sean Connery (of Phoenix, AZ); Joe Manuella as Robert DeNiro (of Glen Rock, NJ); Bill Pantazis as George Michael (of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada); Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler (of Las Vegas, NV); Jeff Richards as Tim McGraw (of Stockton, CA); Samira as Tina Turner (of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada); Jason Scott as Neil Diamond (of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada); Tatiana Turan as Angelina Jolie (of Valley Glen, CA) and Carole Woodle as Oprah Winfrey (of Tarzana, CA).
Inaddition, there was a special video tribute to the late celebrity impersonator, Gene Greytag, who is best known to the public for his appearances Pope John Paul II in films like 1992’s “Sister Act” in 1992 and 1994’s “Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insultt”. Greytak’s son, Lee was on hand to present the Gene Greytak Most Professional Impersonator Award to Hollie Vest as Tina Turner.
The winners of the 20th Annual THE REEL AWARDS were as follows:
- Best Actor: Steve Weber as Forrest Gump (Hamilton, MT)
- Best Actress: Bettina Williams as Whoopi Goldberg (San Antonio, TX)
- Bea Fogelman Lifetime Achievement: Heidi Thompson as Cher (Las Vegas, NV)
- Comedy: Marcel Forestieri as Jay Leno (Las Vegas, NV)
- News Hound: Deborah Smith Ford as Trinity from “The Matrix;” www.examiner.com (Ft. Myers, FL)
- Peter Banks Humanitarian: Sheri Rae Parker as Bette Midler (Las Vegas, NV)
- Tribute Band: Danny D as Rod Stewart & The Vagabonds (Detroit, MI)
- Print Media: Frank Marino as Joan Rivers & “Divas Las Vegas” (Las Vegas, NV)
- Rising Star: Shannon Michaels Taylor as Brett Michaels (Toledo, OH)
- Country’s Hottest Hitter: Richard Hampton as Kenny Rogers (Las Vegas, NV)
- Pop N’ Rock for REEL: Michael Firestone as Michael Jackson (Las Vegas, NV)
- R & B Feelin’ Good: Garry Moore as Little Richard (Honolulu, HA)
- Classic Crooner: Troy Anderson as Louis Armstrong (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- Impersonator I Love To Work With: Bettina Williams as Whoopi Goldberg (San Antonio, TX)
- Gene Greytak Most Professional Impersonator: Hollie Vest as Tina Turner (Las Vegas, NV)
- Director/Producer: Bernhard Kurz & Paul Langley for “Stars In Concert” (Berlin, Germany)
The winners of the 2nd Annual Vegas Tribute Idol contest were as follows. Each received a trophy, cash prize and performance opportunities.
-1st Place: Troy Anderson as Louis Armstrong (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
- 2nd Place: Jason Scott as Neil Diamond (Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada)
-3rdPlace: Steve Weber as Forrest Gump (Hamilton, MT)
-4th Place: Joe Manuella as Robert DeNiro (Glen Rock, NJ)
- 5th Place: William “Bill” Johnson as Bob Hope (Las Vegas, NV)
Following the award ceremonies, a cocktail party, dinner buffet and dancing was hosted by International Celebrity Images to honor the award winners and nominees.
Photo Gallery courtesy of The Reel Awards
Johnny Stuart
Aaron Norvell as President Barack Obama
Alexander Rae as Christopher Reeve
Brandon Register Watford as Robert Pattinson
Heidi Thompson performing as Cher
Howie Slater as Steven Spielberg
Darrell Duffy as President Nixon, Debbie Cavalier as Sarah Palin and Brent Mendenhall as President Bush
Dennis Keogh as Sean Connery, Classic Crooner Winner Troy Anderson
Joe Dimmick as Clint Eastwood and Janet Valentine as Marilyn Monroe 
Don Rugg as Ozzy Osbourne and Barbara Drake as Sharon Osbourne
Larry Edwards as Tina Turner and Heidi Thompson as Cher
Marcel Forestieri as Jay Leno and Jeff DeHart as Johnny Carson
Marv Cline as Kramer, Lee Graytak, Most Professional Impersonator Award Winner Hollie Vest as Tina Turner
and Janet Valentine as Marilyn Monroe
Ryan Fraley as Brad Pitt, Tatiana Turan as Angelina Jolie
Comedy Award Winner Marcel Forestieri and Janet Valentine as Marilyn Monroe
Samira as Tina Turner, Peter Banks Humanitarian Award Winner Sherie Rae Parker as Bette Midler
Joe Manuella as Robert DeNiro and Janet Valentine as Marilyn Monroe
Michael Firestone performing as Michael Jackson
Robert Anderson as Criss Angel
15th Annual Keep Memory Alive's Power Of Love Gala To Benefit Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center For Brain Health
The 15th Annual Keep Memory Alive charity gala to benefit Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health was held Saturday evening, February 26 inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino.
The benevolent donations made at each Power of Love gala have helped Keep Memory Alive support its mission to provide enhanced treatment for patients suffering from neurocognitive disorders, raise awareness for these conditions, and help support Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
For the 1,100 guests in attendance, the unforgettable night included a magnificent, four-course dinner created by celebrity chefs José Andrés, Michael Mina, Wolfgang Puck and François Payard and top notch entertainment from comedians Brad Garrett and Ray Romano, Motown group Human Nature and singing sensation Eric Gomez . The festivities also included an exclusive silent and live auction items with luxurious one-of-a-kind items ranging from jewelry to world travel.
Celebrity attendees who showed their support for the charity included Lisa VanderPump from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, PEEPSHOW and Holly’s World star Holly Madison, Laura Croft from Holly’s World, actress Teri Hatcher, Caesar Headliner Matt Goss, choreographer Robin Anton, comedians Gilbert Gottfried and David Brenner, and actors Chazz Palminteri and Steve Schirripa, casino mogul Steve Wynn and Senator Harry Reid.
Stirred by the generosity of the evening, Hatcher added a large, exclusive Oscars 2011 gift bag to the auction and Garrett and Romano spontaneously added additional seats to their auction item - dinner and poker game at one of their houses.
Chairman and Founder of Keep Memory Alive, Larry Ruvo, gave a highly anticipated speech announcing exciting news that Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health will expand its clinical services in 2011 to include two neurological disorders that are currently underserved in Nevada, Parkinson ’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. Directed by nationally-recognized physicians who have been recruited to lead their respective specialties, both programs will begin seeing patients this summer.
Photos courtesy of Keep Memory Alive credit: Dahl Photography
Brad Garrett and Isabella Quella
Matt Goss
Chazz Palminteri
Chefs Michael Mina, Francois Payard and Jose Andres
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried
'Peepshow' star Holly Madison
Laura Croft
Larry Ruvo, chef Jose Andres and Camille Ruvo
Lisa VanderPump of Housewives of Beverly Hills
Ray Romano
Teri Hatcher
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
More than 2,000 young Jewish professionals, ages 25-45, from across North America, the United States, and Canada will descend upon Las Vegas for Tribe Fest, a three-day event unlike any other, from March 6 -8 at Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino. The mega conference will be a happening and experience of Jewish life and living, Israel, community service, networking and most importantly fun! Dietary laws observed. A kick off event for the conference will take place from 8-10pm, Saturday night, March 5 at Surrender, located inside the Encore. For more information, or details about how to register, contact Stefanie Szlamkowicz, Director of Young Leadership (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 732-0556).
Zappos.com West Coast Conference Championships Returns to the Orleans Arena Friday, March 4 through Monday, March 7. The eight teams competing in the Zappos.com West Coast Conference Championships at the Orleans Arena include Gonzaga University, St. Mary's College, University of San Diego, Santa Clara University, Pepperdine University, University of San Francisco, University of Portland and Loyola Marymount University.Ticket Information: Combined All-Session Reserved Seating Ticket Package includes access to seven men’s and seven women’s games. General seating - $135; Courtside seating - $225; Court floor seating - $500. Women’s All-Session Ticket includes access to all seven women’s games. General seating - $35
Golden Rainbow, a local HIV/AIDS nonprofit, will announce the venue for the 25th annual “Ribbon of Life Spectacular” during a kickoff fundraising mixer at Revolution Lounge inside The Mirage on Tuesday, March 8 at 8 p.m. Guests will enjoy entertainment, music and premium raffle prizes. Raffle prizes include: a three-night stay at a condominium in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a two-night stay at The Artisan Hotel Boutique, a pair of tickets to Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular and a dinner and show package that includes dinner for two at Isla Mexican Kitchen at Treasure Island and two tickets to Mystère by Cirque du Soleil. Doors open at 8 p.m. and admission is $20. Guests will be entered into the raffle with price of admission and all proceeds from the event benefit Golden Rainbow.
The UNLV Performing Arts Center presents the Opole, Philharmonic of Poland at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 12 as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series. Pianist Evgeni Mikhailov joins the Opole, Philharmonic of Poland in a program that includes Paderewski’s Piano Concerto in A minor and Beethoven’s immortal Symphony No. 5. Hailed by critics for his “incontestable musical talent and musicality” (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany), “refinement of his sound” (Piano, Great Britain) as well as “passion, sincerity and lyricism” (Culture, Russia), Mikhailov has performed more than 400 concerts around the world. Tickets to Opole, Philharmonic of Poland are $35, $50, and $70 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $13 each and available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts also are available. A $1.25 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets.
Korn and Disturbed, two of rock's biggest acts, are teaming up to co-headline this year's “Monster Energy Music As A Weapon 5 Tour”. Opening up the show will be Sevendust and In This Moment. The tour will make a stop at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday, March 12. Tickets start at $49.50 (plus applicable service fees).
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Hash House A Go Go, country station KWNR and Certified Angus Beef are hosting the third annual corned beef eating contest on Thursday, March 17. Contestants can enter the contest beginning March 3 at www.kwnr.com or at the Hash House A Go Go Sahara location. Up to eight participants will vie to be the first to finish 1.5 pounds of cooked corned beef and a quarter head of cabbage. After 15 minutes, if none of the contestants have finished, the competitor who has eaten the most will be crowned the winner. The grand prize is $100 cash and breakfast once a week at Hash House A Go Go for a year. Second place will receive a $75 Hash House A Go Go gift certificate and a Certified Angus Beef gift box and third place will receive a $50 Hash House A Go Go gift certificate and a Certified Angus Beef gift box. All participants will receive a Hash House A Go Go t-shirt to wear during the competition and additional prizes from KWNR.
The 45th annual Southern Nevada Sons of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival will be held at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street, in the Water Street District of Henderson, from March 17-20.
The Festival features a variety of family-friendly activities, including a carnival, car show and two stages of entertainment with local favorites, Killian’s Angels and Finnegan’s Wake, performing at the Henderson Events Plaza. From food demonstrations to an Irish stew cook-off and unique tasting contests, many will enjoy the sweet smells and flavors of some of these popular treats from the Emerald Isle. Additionally, many will be able to participate in the Krazy Knees competition and a shillelagh toss. In addition, the Southern Nevada Sons of Erin welcome back the Irish dance and Bodhran lessons after a year absence. Performing artist, Dona Brown, will teach the “Reel & Jig”, the first basic routine of Irish step dancing, as well as provide musical instrument lessons on the Bodhran, a traditional Irish drum, to people of all ages.
The Irish celebration incorporates a parade in the Water Street District on Saturday, March 19, showcasing over 100 parade units with one-of-a-kind floats, special interest vehicles, dance groups, horses and marching bands dressed to the theme, “Shamrocks & Shillelaghs”. Admission and parking is complimentary (*Some activities may require paid admission). A portion of this year’s event benefits the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research.
BASE Entertainment and internationally renowned Spiegelworld are thrilled to announce the latest addition to the famous Las Vegas Strip. ABSINTHE, the imaginative combination of an adult circus, magical carnival and burlesque will make its West Coast premiere Strip-side at Caesars Palace beginning March 21. Tickets for ABSINTHE go on sale today, February 24.
Extreme Thing Action Sports and Music Festival recently announced performers for this year’s festival taking place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 26 at Desert Breeze Park, 8275 Spring Mountain Road near Durango Drive. Last year, the festival debuted a fourth stage, and due to popular demand, it’s back, bringing the national bands to 21 for 2011. Bands set to perform are Hollywood Undead, Sum 41, P.O.D., Sage Francis, Senses Fail, Suicide Silence and Winds of Plague on the main stage with Attack! Attack!, Asking Alexandria, Emmure, Chiodos, Miss May I, Evergreen Terrace and Across the Sun performing on the Atticus Clothing Stage. Black Veil Brides, Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows, I See Stars, Versa and Conditions will rock the Alternative Press Stage. The XPOZ ZONE, a smoke-free zone featuring local bands, will announce its lineup closer to show date.
Also returning is the Professional Wrestling Exhibition, Ricardo Laguna’s Pro BMX Dirt Jump Challenge, large band merchandising area and plenty of food and beverage options.Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 on the day of the show. A limited VIP Package is also available for $30 and includes a general admission ticket, commemorative event T-shirt and event poster.
Local bands are competing for seven spots on the XPOZ stage during the annual Battle of the Fans competition. For additional information on performance times for registered bands, visit www.xpozlv.com.
Celebrity sightings:
Wednesday night, Feb. 23, Jill Zarin was spotted dining at TAO Asian Bistro. The Real Housewives of New York star was joined by friends to help celebrate her husband Bobby’s birthday.
At LAVO, Ricardo Laguna hosted Glam Rocks in the nightclub, headlined by DJ Shift. The BMX pro was joined by his girlfriend, Fox 5 reporter Amy Carabba. The night included giveaways such as a guitar from Sam Ash Music Center and a BMX experience with Laguna himself.
Amy Carabba and Ricardo Laguna
Photo Credit: Al Powers
DJ Shift and Ricardo Laguna
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Thursday night, February 24, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. celebrated his 34th birthday with a surprise dinner at TAO Las Vegas. The boxer was joined by a group of forty family members and friends, including 50 Cent and rapper Red Café .No ordinary birthday, Mayweather blew out candles on not one, but two cakes, one shaped as a glove, the other was a stack of money symbolizing his boxing moniker, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, prompting 50 Cent to take pictures of the cakes with his camera.
Stone Temple Pilots front man Scott Weiland and two friends also dined at TAO Asian Bistro before heading to the nightclub for Worship Thursday.
50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Scott Weiland and Josh Lazie
Photo Credit: Al Powers
Reality star Duane “Dog” Chapman of A&E’s fast-paced, bail bonds television show, Dog the Bounty Hunter, made a stop at Sugar Factory at Paris Las Vegas. Dog was joined by his beautiful wife, Beth, his son, Leland, and his daughter, “Baby” Lyssa, who werein town for a bail bonds convention and wanted to check out the confectionary shop’s newest location.
Dog and Beth Chapman
Friday night, February 25 Glee’s Darren Criss was spotted dining at TAO with friends, a day in advance of his birthday celebration at LAVO. After dinner they made their way to the nightclub.
Darren Criss with friends
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Also spotted in the club, Anthony Smith of the Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers and Quinn Ojinnaka of the New England Patriots.
Maurice Jones of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Brian Orakpo of the Washington Redskins were spotted at Marquee Nightclub inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Reality star and "Peepshow" headliner, Holly Madison, stopped into Sugar Factory's newest location at Paris Las Vegas with her two best friends Josh Strickland and Lara Croft. The trio snacked on chocolate-covered Gummi Bears and rock candy while they checked out the brand-new flagship location of the confectionary shop. Madison will be joining Kim Kardashian and other Hollywood favorites at the famous candy emporium's big grand opening event on Friday, March 4.
Holly Madison
Photo courtesy of the Sugar Factory
Saturday night, February 26, actor Seth Green was spotted at Marquee Nightclub inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The group, which included Macaulay Culkin, commanded a VIP table on the dance floor to take in the sounds of the EC Twins.
Also seen in the club was electro rock band Pendulum, who stopped by LAVO after their show before making their way to Marquee to finish the night.
Actor Chazz Palminteri made a late night stop for Champagne in the Library at Marquee.
San Diego Charger Luis Castillo was spotted in the club with friends from LA, New York and San Diego. Also seen with a group of 30 friends was Cleveland Brown cornerback Eric Wright, who played for UNLV.
Glee actor, Darren Criss who turned 24 earlier in the month, held a belated birthday celebration at LAVO Las Vegas with a group of 25 friends. After enjoying favorites from the kitchen the large group made their way to the club, taking over a section of VIP tables on the dance floor. Criss was surprised with a birthday cake from Gimme Some Sugar shaped in the form of his signature hot pink sunglasses.
Darren Criss with friends
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Secret Life of the American Teenager actress Camille Winbush, who turned 21 earlier this month, celebrated a belated birthday with a girls’ night at LAVO and a group of friends that included actresses Francia Raisa and Logan Browning.
Camille Winbush and Logan Browning
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Electro rock band Pendulum stopped by LAVO after their show earlier in the night.
Magician David Copperfield was spotted grabbing a late night dinner with a female companion at TAO Asian Bistro.
Former Major League Baseball player Frank Thomas (aka Big Hurt) and his girlfriend stopped into Beso Steakhouse inside Crystals at CityCenter for dinner.
Sunday, February 27,
Disney star, Brandon Smith, was seen celebrating a friend's 21st birthday at Cabo Wabo Cantina. After enjoying their meal, the friends headed over to Sugar Factory Paris for dessert.
Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and producer The-Dream was spotted treating himself to a manicure and pedicure at Michael Boychuck’s AMP Salon inside the Palms Hotel & Casino around 4 p.m.
