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
3rd Annual Hippie Fest at the Las Vegas Hilton
Hippies are still alive and well. And to prove it, several hundred baby boomer “flower children”, now well into their fifties and and sixties, gathered at the Las Vegas Hilton on August 7 for the 3rd Annual Hippie Fest to share peace, love and the music that changed a generation.
Rock legends Dave Mason ("We Just Disagree," "Feeling Alright") solo artist and a former member of the band, Traffic; Singer/guitarist extraordinaire, Rick Derringer ("Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo," "Hang On Sloopy) of The McCoys; Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals (Good lovin'); Gary Wright ("Dream Weaver”) and special guest Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad (I'm Your Captain) “rocked” the stage in the Hilton Theatre performing their chart topping hits. What a blast from the past! Most of the audience at this concert, dressed in tye die shirts, bell bottoms and love beads, were seen waving their arms in the air, singing along to the songs, dancing in the aisles and having a great time.
It was groovy, man!
Below are photos from the concert.
Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Rick Derringer
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Rick Derringer is joined on stage with Gary Wright
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Gary Wright
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Dave Mason
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Hippiefest poster
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Aid for AIDS of Nevada Celebrates New Housing Development with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Elected officials, invited guests and AFAN employees previewed AFAN’s new social living environment, Esperanza, through a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house on Wednesday morning, August 10. Jennifer Morss, executive director of AFAN calmed the excited crowd shortly after 10 a.m. by sharing the story of how AFAN became proud owners of the development after it sat vacant for more than two years. After gaining ownership in June, AFAN staff and volunteers quickly flipped the development into a warm and welcoming home that 20 residents will move into on September 1.
AFAN was presented with a Congressional Recognition for Esperanza de Casa and Jardin from Senator Joe Heck’s office as well as a Certificate of Commendation from Senator Harry Reid’s office. Various plaques were giving to contributing partners as a token of AFAN’s appreciation for assisting in the project including Dennis Dunn of Nevada AIDS Project, Tim Whitright and Shawn Bolster from the City of Las Vegas' Economic and Urban Development Department, and to the members of HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development).
Magdalena Brandon closed the ceremony by sharing the heartfelt story of losing her son to AIDS back in March. From decorating the space to helping secure furniture for the cottages and group home, Magdalena’s commitment to the property was overwhelming. In memory of her son the fountain in the middle of Esperanza's courtyard was dedicated to him.
Photo credit: Mary Essa
Morss thanked attendees for joining in the celebration of a milestone accomplishment and reassured supporters that AFAN will continue to look for new ways to better serve its 4,000 clients. Esperanza de Casa will feature social living for 12 residents within the properties group home and Esperanza de Jardin houses eight individuals within single bedroom cottages.
Cottage
Photo credit: Mary Essa
Jennifer Morss cutting the ribbon
Photo credit: Mary Essa
Jennifer Morss presenting Plaques to Whitright and Bostler
Photo credit: Mary Essa
Jennifer Morss receives certificate from Sentor Hecks' representative
Photo credit: Mary Essa
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas includes:
Newly single superstar, JENNIFER LOPEZ, who recently split with husband, Marc Anthony, proved she still has it, as suitors from CHIPPENDALES at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino flocked around her figure on Wednesday, August 3, at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.
Chaun Thomas, Nathan Minor, Kris Davis and Chippendales’ special musical guest Jeff Timmons were invited on the ultimate summer speed date with the world’s sexiest new single and presented her figure with special gifts to woo her wax likeness.
“J.Lo has always been one of our most popular figures, but she’s been getting even more attention since the news of her separation,” said Rosita Chapman, General Manager of Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. “We decided to give her fans the opportunity to get up close to their heroine and practice their best pick up lines. She certainly has no shortage of suitors judging by the response!”
ARIA RESORT & CASINO, the crown jewel of CityCenter, has earned the prestigious AAA FIVE DIANMND AWARD for its SKY SUITES, joining an elite class of resorts recognized with two AAA Five Diamond Awards for two distinct hotel experiences within one property. The AAA Five Diamonds are North America’s most sought-after symbol of excellence in the hospitality industry, representing the upper echelon of hotel and dining establishments.
The Riviera Hotel & Casino is opening A NEW BINGO ROOM, the only one on the Las Vegas Strip, on August 12, 2011. The state-of-the-art 6,000-square-foot bingo room, featuring handheld and fixed-based units, will offer six sessions daily: 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm and 9pm. Every session will feature Progressive Double Action, Progressive Bonus Double Action and Progressive Cash Ball games. On the grand opening day of the bingo room, players will receive a logo t-shirt with any bingo buy-in, while supplies last.
PRIMM VALLEY CASINO RESORTS celebrates National Roller Coaster Day on August 16 by offering FREE RIDES on The Desperado roller coaster, from the time the coaster begins operation at 12:15 p.m. to the last ride at 7:45 p.m. Primm Valley Casino Resorts is located 25 minutes south of Las Vegas on Interstate 15 at the Southern Nevada/California state line.
SAMMY'S WOODFIRED PIZZA, located along the 215 and Flamingo, will donate 20% of its sales on August 18 to local arts organization, Super Summer Theatre. From 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. guests who would like to assist in the fundraising effort can bring in a featured flyer, which is available for download on Super Summer Theatre’s Facebook Page, or at upcoming performances of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF from Aug. 10-17, and present it to their server for the 20% to be donated to the organization. The promotion is valid for dine-in and carry-out and cannot be combined with other promotions (excludes alcohol sales).
Superstar female impersonator FRANK MARINO will be honored with his own building wrap on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Marino will celebrate his new wrap on Friday, August 19, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. at Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino, where he performs his show, “Divas Las Vegas.”
Additionally, Marino is announcing that after more than 26 years, 20,000 shows, 10 million audience members and 350,000 costume changes performing as Joan Rivers, he will gradually phase Rivers out of his show, and will soon perform solely as Frank Marino, Superstar Female Impersonator. He will open the show with his ever changing comedic monologue and narrate the production throughout, but since he has achieved such high levels of stardom, he no longer feels it necessary to attach himself to another star.
One of the most well-known DJs in the nation, SAMANTHA RONSON will continue her residency at Las Vegas’ ultimate nightlife destination, Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas on Friday, August 19.
The musical revue, OH WHAT A NIGHT ! A MUSICAL TRBUTE TO FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS will be performing August 17-28 in the Starlite Theatre at Riviera Hotel & Casino.Written by Motown producer George Solomon and directed by award-winning producer-director Michael Chapman with choreography by Paul Holmquist, Oh What a Night ! features all the original hits including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” and many more. Shows will run nightly Wednesday through Sunday at 7:30pm in the Starlite Theatre. Tickets are $39.95 for preferred seating and $59.95 for VIP seating. As a special offer, locals will receive 50 percent off tickets. All prices are exclusive of tax and fees.
“Nina Blackwood’s Absolutely 80s” music festival at Fremont Street Experience will feature TONY HADLEY OF SPANDAU BALLET with MEN WITHOUT HATS on Saturday, August 20 at 9 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage. The concert is FREE and open to the public.
LAS VEGAS IMPROVISATION PLAYERS perform on Saturday, August 20 at 7:00pm. The “all new, every time” comedy improv show is hosted at the American Heritage Academy, located at 6126 South Sandhill Road in Las Vegas. Tickets are only $10 and available for purchase at the door which opens at 6:40 p.m.
Mark Kalin and Jinger Leigh-Kalin, along with comedian Jeff Hobson are bringing their unique magic show, CARNIVAL OF WONDERS, to Las Vegas. Named Magician of the Year by The Academy of Magical Arts, Kalin and Jinger have been astonishing audiences around the world since the ‘90s with their ever changing productions. Due to their success they have made multiple television appearances including NBC’s “World’s Greatest Magic” and FOX’s “World Magic Awards” where they received the award for Best Magic Show. During their brief Las Vegas appearance they will be opening at the industry only ‘Magic Live’ convention on August 17th before heading to The Orleans for a two night, public performance August 20th - 21st. Tickets are $19.95 plus tax and applicable fees. Show time starts at 8:00 p.m
After a $35 million renovation, THE PLAZA HOTEL, in downtown Las Vegas, which will begin its reopening on Aug. 24 will name its main steakhouse OSCAR'S in honor of former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. The new restaurant replaces Firefly, which had been the hotel's signature restaurant. The opening date for Oscar's was is scheduled for early fall.
“Summer of Love” -- featuring the soulful sounds of chart topping R&B performers TANK, AVANT AND CARL THOMAS, -- plays The Orleans Showroom August 27 and 28, each evening at 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $39.95, plus tax and convenience fees,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has announced that VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN will give the keynote address at the NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY SUMMIT 4.0 in Las Vegas on Aug. 30. Other speakers scheduled to attend include Reid, Gov. Brian Sandoval, MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, California Gov. Jerry Brown and Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire. The summit is scheduled for Aug. 30 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at CityCenter's Aria.
Psychedelic rockers BUTTHOLE SURFERS are set to perform at the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, August 28, 2011, at 9 p.m.Tickets are $34, plus any additional service fees.
The Foundation for the Pure Spanish Horse, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and rescue of the Pure Spanish Horse (P.R.E.), invites the public to attend the 2011 P.R.E. NATIONAL CELEBRATION OF THE PURE SPANISH HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP HORSE SHOW on Tuesday, Aug. 30th through Saturday Sept. 3rd at the SouthPoint Hotel & Casino Equestrian Event Center . These glorious horses known as P.R.E.’s (Pura Raza Espanola’s) or Andalusians, with their flowing manes and tails, are one of the rarest breeds in the United States. They will be a feast for the eyes as they compete in dressage, halter, performance and specialty classes. The show starts at 8:00 a.m. all days and the daily horse show is FREE to the public.
Highlighting the show will be two ticketed events: on Thursday Sept. 1st beginning at 7 p.m., Mexican Heritage Night will feature the Mexican Heritage Freestyle Event followed by the El Puma de Sinaloa Concierto y Baile with special guest La Sonora de Colombia. At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 3rd enjoy an all new production of The Horse of the Kings Theater which tells the story of the P.R.E. through a new and spectacular must-see theatrical event. There will be a special appearance by the incredible stallions and trainers of the renowned Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. Just prior to the Theater will be a live auction of a beautiful P.R.E. filly – take a real live Pegasus home with you! Both special events are fundraisers for the Foundation and tickets (VIP packages available) can be purchased through the SouthPoint Box Office (702-797-8055.)
Celebrity Sightings:
Wednesday night, August 3, Spinderella, The DJ and rapper, who was a member of the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa, celebrated her 40th birthday by manning the decks at LAVO’s Old School Wednesday.
Spinderella
Photo credit: Al Powers
Spinderella with cake
Photo credit: Al Powers
Friday night, August 5, magician and illusionist David Blaine was spotted at Marquee, taking in the sounds of Roger Sanchez with a large group of friends.
Saturday night, August 6...
Hip-hop artist Fatman Scoop celebrated his birthday at LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino with a very special live performance. Just before 1 a.m. the guest host for the night entered the venue with his small posse of six including his wife and close friends. Resident DJ Gusto got the party started by spinning one of Fatman Scoop’s track before the artist immediately jumped on stage and started his birthday performance.
Fatman Scoop
Photo credit: Scott Berry
Fatman Scoop with cake
Photo credit: Scott Berry
NBA champion, Ron Artest of the Los Angeles Lakers,who recently petitioned to have his name legally changed to “Metta World Peace,” enjoyed a slam dunk dinner at Sugar Factory American Brasserie inside Paris Las Vegas. Afterward he partied at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens. Also walking the red carpet at Chateau was Angel Porrino of E! Entertainment’s hit reality show, “Holly’s World,” and the Strip’s newest revue, “Absinthe,” before heading to Gallery Nightclub at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to host an Angels & Demons party.
"7th Heaven" sweetheart Beverly Mitchell was also spotted satisfying her sweet tooth at Sugar Factory. The petite actress then headed up to Chateau Nightclub & Gardens with her family and friends.
Ron Artest at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Ron Artest in the DJ booth at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Angel Porrino on the red carpet at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Ron Artest enjoying a cookies and cream milkshake at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Ron Artest indulging in red velvet and cookie jar ice cream sundaes at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Ron Artest shopping for sweets at the flagship Sugar Factory retail store at Paris Las Vegas.
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage
Studio 54 at MGM Grand welcomed rap sensation Asher Roth for a special performance and night of partying.
DJ Wreckineyez warmed up the crowd, taking it back to the old school with remixes of hits like the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back.”
Asher Roth
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty
Asher Roth performing
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty
Saturday, Aug. 6, actor Taye Diggs and a friend were spotted enjoying Blue Man Group at The Venetian Las Vegas.
Taye Diggs (left)
