Vegas Happenings | Taylor Hicks Headlines at Bally's Indigo Lounge | Du Barry Fashions Holds Special Sale to Benefit Susan G. Komen and Child Focus Charities

Taylor Hicks Headlines at Bally's Indigo Lounge

Winning the fifth season of American Idol was a dream come true for Taylor Hicks. Now, six years later another dream has come true for the 35 year old Birmingham, Alabama born singer/musician who is presently headlining in the new intimate Indigo Lounge at Bally's through Aug. 20.

Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

It's about time.  After watching him perform live with his six piece “soul patrol” back up band,  I wondered what took so long for Taylor to land a headlining gig in Las Vegas. He certainly has the talent, charm, and quirky, but likeable on stage mannerisms to fill the house.

I am not a musician, but know I what sounds good, and Hicks and his superb band deliver a memorable set that you won't soon forget.

What really blows me away is how Hicks has taken some of the most well known hits from R&B, soul,  blues, rock, pop, country, and honky tonk and made them his very own with his unique arrangements and extremely soulful voice filled with emotion.

Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Often accompanying himself on harmonica, guitar or tambourine, Hicks opens his show with the high energy “Just Enough for the City”.  Some of the other songs he performs include one he co-wrote called “The Deal” (“an ode to Stephen Bishop and AM gold”), followed by Delbert McClinton’s “Back to Louisiana”; “Battlefield” (not former Idol winner, Jordin Sparks’ hit) that he spins into a bluesy version; “Maybe You Should” (another song he co-wrote);  Michael McDonald’s “Taking It to the Street”; “What's Right Is Right?” (“one of my better “soul” tunes”, he says) and a patriotic tribute to the military honoring a fallen soldier called “19”, that received a standing ovation.   Taylor's cover of Elvis Presley’s “In the Ghetto” (he calls it a “cool version”) and his highly soulful take of Frank Sinatra's That's Life, are like no other renditions you have ever heard before.

Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

If you weren't a Taylor Hicks fan before, I guarantee you will be after seeing his show at Bally's. While he certainly has what it takes to fill a larger music venue, the intimate Indigo lounge is “Taylor” made for Hicks and his solid, powerful band.  I actually felt like I was sitting in on an extraordinary jam session.  How sweet is that!

Taylor Hicks performs inside Indigo Lounge at Bally’s, 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Saturday. The show is dark Wednesday and Sundays. Check the Bally’s box office for ticket prices.

Du Barry Fashions Holds Special Sale to Benefit Susan G. Komen and Child Focus Charities

Du Barry Fashions, a unique store that sells a beautiful and eclectic mix of costume jewelry, watches, clothing, and all sorts of accessories, held a special sale on July 4th to help free breast cancer patients and children separated from their siblings from pain. The sale, which drew so many people that they overflowed the store and were lined up outside on the sidewalk waiting to get in, consisted of  half off Du Barry’s $1 and $5 items. It raised enough to be able to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Child Focus each a $250 check.

Katie Bruer, Executive Director of the Southern Nevada affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Stephanie Kriby, Derek David, Rita Bliss-David, 16 year old Joseph and Program Manager for Child Focus Jeff Grandy
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

“We decided that we needed to give back to the community,” says Derek David, an entertainer and former member of The Platters, who owns Du Barry Fashions with his wife Rita Bliss-David. “We’ve been here 20 years and these are two worthwhile charities. Susan G. Komen is very close to my heart because my mother died of breast cancer. And we also wanted to do something for the children in Las Vegas.”

According to Stephanie Kriby, executive director of the Southern Nevada affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 75 percent of all monies donated to the organization goes to the Las Vegas community while the other 25 percent goes to research.

“All dollars help,” said Kirby, who was accompanied by the organization’s affiliate operations manager, Katie Bruer. We just posted a grant cycle in which we granted $834,000 to seven local organizations that provide direct services and treatment to the community.”

Jeff Grandy, Program Manager for Child Focus, was accompanied by 16-year-old Joseph, who gladly accepted the check.

“Everything helps” Grandy echoed, as Joseph nodded in agreement. “We re-unify brothers and sisters who were separated while in foster care. We sponsor visitation events whereby they can go to Mt. Charleston or go swimming or experience a holiday celebration together – family-type excursions and trips. We take this kids back-to-school shopping and give them each $100 so that they can buy a new outfit and some shoes.”

Additional recent and upcoming happenings in and around Las Vegas include:

As part of the Super Summer Theater series at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, the musical, Charles Dickens' OLIVER TWIST, will be performed outdoor, under the stars Wednesday – Saturday,  July 11- 14 and  Wednesday – Saturday, July 21- 28.  Performances start a 8 p.m each evening. Tickets are $12 - $20.

New to the Cosmopolitan resort’s dynamic and cutting edge mixology program is THE NEOPOLITAN OF LAS VEGAS, a  indoor/outdoor lounge serving playful, booze-driven concoctions, from infused ice cream sundaes to CO₂ sorbets, created by The Cosmopolitan’s resident mixologist, Mariena Mercer.  Constructed as a refreshing air-conditioned respite along the south edge of the sunny Boulevard pool deck, The Neapolitan allows guests to escape the heat with cool spiked treats and innovative beverages. The lounge will be open throughout the summer offering sun bathers and ice cream fanatics sweeping views of the Vegas skyline and an outdoor playground from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

PT’s Entertainment Group, operator of PT’s and Sierra Gold taverns and a Golden Gaming subsidiary, opened another SIERRA GOLD location on 2400 North Buffalo Drive, just north of Smoke Ranch Road  on Saturday, July 14. The new Sierra Gold is PT’s Entertainment Group’s 40th tavern in Las Vegas.

As of Sunday July 15th the following three shows closed at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino:GRANDMA LEE, ANHONY PADILLA'S HAPPY HOUR COMEDY, AND GEECHY GUY'S “DIRTY JOKE SHOW”.

NBA legends, including former New York Knicks star Jerome “Junk Yard Dog” Williams, along with Las Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow will host “JYD PROJECT'S 4th ANNUAL BASKETBALL BOOT CAMP” at the Doolittle Community Center, located at 1950 North J Street, from Monday July 16 to Wednesday, July 18. Designed to provide the participants with life skills, while giving expert advice and instruction in the game of basketball, the “Basketball Boot Camp” is open to all children ages 9 – 14. All registered campers will receive lunch, a souvenir t-shirt and more. Registration is free for the first 50 participants and camp will run from 10 a.m. – 1p.m.

Premier Exhibitions and RMS Titanic, Inc. are installing new, never-before-seen artifacts at Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor Hotel and Casino, Thursday, July 19. Never displayed publicly before, The Exhibition will introduce recovered paper and textile items that recently underwent the conservation process. Following the installation, the public will have immediate access to view the artifacts which include: .Two postcards from Tonopah, NV that were sent to Howard Irwin and Henry Sutehall. The first postcard shows “The Can House,” a house built entirely out of oil cans in the mining town. The second card features a poem intended as an apology for not writing when letters were expected. A pair of cotton long underwear labeled “unshrinkable” with a lace-up back. For the working man, long underwear was one of the easiest ways to keep warm on a cold day. A Selvyt polishing cloth found in a suitcase with a variety of other brushes and similar materials. Selvyt is a well-known British company that has manufactured high-end polishing cloths for over one hundred years.

Hook Jaw Net Radio’s “ON AIR WITH ROBERT & CC” will host a live interview with singer ERIC BENET from PBR Rock Bar inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Friday, July 20. The interview will begin at 5 p.m., followed immediately by a meet-and-greet with the singer. Patrons can stick around to partake in the daily happy hour consisting of $3 domestic drafts, two-for-one well cocktails, $5 shots and $19 Budweiser buckets from 3 until 6 p.m.

The bands Warrant (Cherry Pie” and “Heaven”) and Skid Row will put on a free concert on Saturday, July 21 at 9 p.m. on the 1st Street Stage during Fremont Street Experience’s ‘Rock of Vegas’ summer concert series. Throughout the weekend, visitors can also enjoy free entertainment on three stages as the 100-day ‘Rock of Vegas’ summer concert series takes over downtown through Labor Day Weekend.

Aestheque (formerly the Horizon Ridge Wellness Clinic), in Suite 100 in the Horizon Ridge Medical and Corporate Center, is hosting a complimentary Special Women’s Event, “IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU” , from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, It’s the perfect opportunity for women to meet and have a free mini-consultation with Aestheque’s Medical Director, Dr. Garry Lee, M.D., who specializes in Adult VIP Weight-Loss Medicine, Antioxidant Carotenoid Scanning, and non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as JUVEDERM,, Restylane, and  BOTOX®, ,sclerotherapy for spider veins and Latisse eyelashes.

“It’s All About You,” sponsored by and LV Promo Models, will also offer tours of the facility as well as a fashion show displaying fashions from Jazzee Boutique and jewelry worn by LV Promo Models; Lipsense, 12-hour-and longer lasting lipstick; footwear from My Last Shoe, fashionable women’s shoes with interchangeable shoe tops; a meet-and-greet with LV Promo models, and products such as the groundbreaking new anti-aging products.  In addition, Dr. Lee will be offering special discounts on all Aestheque services.

Free refreshments will be served and there will be some surprises and surprise guests as well as drawings for prizes including a necklace and earring set from Jazzee Boutique; a Women’s Executive Workshop and complimentary makeover with before-and-after pictures from LV Promo Models, a Body by Vi Shape Bag and mini blender, and more.

SARAH TRESSLER, the reporter who was previously employed at the Houston Chronicle, will perform at Crazy Horse III, the world-renowned gentlemen’s club, on Friday, July 20, and Saturday, July 21. Tressler will get up-close and personal with fans where she will sign autographs, take photographs and perform alongside hundreds of the hot spot’s exquisite entertainers. Crazy Horse III is part of Playground, a lavish nightlife and dancing destination, located minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip, just a few blocks west of I-15 on Russell Rd.

LAS VEGAS LEGENDS professional arena soccer team is auditioning talented, outgoing, well-spoken women for its dance team on July 22 at 10 a.m. This spirited team will entertain fans and help cheer on the newest professional team in Las Vegas. Open auditions will be held at The Beat Dance Academy, located at 1400 N. Rampart Blvd. in Las Vegas. Candidates for this all-female team must be over 18 years of age and previously trained in hip-hop, contemporary, jazz and ballet styles of dance.

After more than 40 years in business, one of Las Vegas' oldest German restaurants, CAFE HEIDELBERG closed its doors on June 30.

PBR Rock Bar & Grill’s new Rock Bar inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino will dedicate a day to the girls with complimentary drinks on Wednesday, August 1. In honor of National Girlfriend's Day, ladies can bring their best girlfriends to rock out in the “Girls Only” section of Rock Bar that will be stocked with bottles of champagne and vodka on the house from 9 p.m. until midnight. Patrons can also take advantage of Rock Bar’s College Wednesdays from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., when partygoers can show their college ID for an open bar, priced at $10 for guys and $5 for gals.

Smash Magazine and Frequency Events present FREQ THE BLOCK on Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 7 p.m. in downtown Las Vegas.  The outdoor event will take place on Fremont St. and 6th in the Fremont Street East Entertainment District and will feature a massive downtown dance party with DJs Craze, AC Slater and Flinch with special Las Vegas-based guests Mike Attack and Teen Wolf.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of show, plus any service charges.

This show is 18+ only, bar 21+ with valid ID. The official after party will take place at Beauty Bar with secret special guest performances.

Renowned Las Vegas restaurateur and nightclub executive MICHAEL MORTON will open his first venture in downtown Las Vegas at 106 Sixth St. later this year. Morton’s yet-unnamed restaurant will combine Mexican food with American rock, offering a sensory departure from reality with a mix of spice, sound, color and many tequilas.

Celebrity Sightings:

Saturday night, July 7...

R&B heartthrob Jason Derulo took Sin City by storm as he thrilled partygoers with a live performance at PURE Nightclub inside Caesars Palace. Accompanying him was girlfriend, singer Jordin Sparks.

Earlier in the afternoon, the singer and songwriter also performed his chart-topping hits poolside at Venus Pool Club also at Caesars Palace.

Jason Derulo
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com.

Jordin Sparks
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/ erikkabik.com.

Celebrities and world class athletes packed into Las Vegas’ premier nightlife venue, XS, inside the luxurious Encore to catch the boasting beats of the young and talented DJ sensation, Avicii. Among the crowd was one of the most influential MMA fighters, Tito Ortiz with wife Jenna Jameson. The couple was later joined by former UFC champion Chuck Liddell.

Later in the evening, Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard, Kobe Bryant stepped into the building. In town for the USA Olympic basketball tryout training sessions, the recently announced roster contained the Lakers’ stud and Bryant celebrated the achievement from a private table at XS.

In a separate group, actor Sean Patrick Flanery, most famous for his role as Connor MacManus in The Boondock Saints, came out to join the Independence Week festivities. As the stars and athletes continued to party into the early hours of the morning, international producer Tiesto paid Avicii an onstage visit.

Avicii
Photo credit: XS Nightclub/Emilio Gonzales.

Avicii and Tiesto
Photo credit: XS Nightclub/Emilio Gonzales.

Sunday afternoon, July 8...

Redfoo of LMFAO and his Party Rock Crew were spotted at a cabana at Marquee Dayclub's Wet Wonderland.

Tuesday, July 10...

Lebron James joined by his fiancé and Chris Paul joined by his wife were spotted dining at LAVO Restaurant.

Wednesday, July 11...

Comedy magician MURRAY's good friend from EXTRA TV and THE VIEW, 'Dr. GADGET' and resident magician, Jan Rouven from the Riviera Hotel, dropped by to see Murray' show at The Tropicana.

Magician Murray and Dr Gadget

Magicians Jan Rouven and Douglas "Lefty" Leferovich

Thursday night, July 12...

Joey Fatone of the pop group N’SYNC dined at TAO Asian Bistro with a group of friends.

Band of Heathens jammed the night away for the crowd at BLVD Social Club - Thursdays Live at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Band of Heathens
Photo credit: Tony Tran/SpyOnVegas

Band of Heathens
Photo credit: Tony Tran/SpyOnVegas

Band of Heathens
Photo credit: Tony Tran/SpyOnVegas

Friday night, July 13...

NBA star Metta World Peace, also known as Ron Artest, was spotted dining with a group of friends at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas. Afterwards, he headed straight towards the Sugar Factory flagship retail store.

Metta World Peace with a green apple Couture Pop inside Sugar Factory
Photo Credit: Sugar Factory

Taboo, of Black Eyed Peas, celebrated his birthday at Rain Nightclub at Palms Casino Resort with a surprise birthday cake presentation from band member Apl.de.ap and a special performance from Taboo’s upcoming solo album. The night ended by Taboo surprising his wife, Jaymie Dizon, by pulling her on stage while Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ played.

Taboo with wife Jaymie Dizon
Photo credit: Joe Fury, 9Group Las Vegas

Taboo and Apl.de.ap with birthday cake
Photo credit: Joe Fury, 9Group Las Vegas

Diddy hosted TAO Nightclub with sounds by DJ Five.  Diddy was joined by Swizz Beatz, Shawne Merriman, Ray J and former N'SYNC manager Johnny Wright.

At Marquee, Actress Hayden Panettiere was seen at VIP table with football pro Mark Sanchez.

A popular hangout for athletes, JR Smith of the New York Knicks, Roger Mason of the Washington Wizards and Brandon Rush of the Golden State Warriors, as well as former basketball pros Tyronn Lue and Damon Jones were all spotted at Marquee.

Diddy
Photo Credit: Al Powers | Powers Imagery

Saturday night, July 14...

World Champion boxer Amir “King” Khan hosted his official post-fight party at LAX Nightclub.

Amir Kahn
Photo credit: Brenton Ho of Powers Imagery LLC.

Reality star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino celebrated his 30th birthday at the New Señor Frog’s inside Treasure Island Hotel & Casino (TI). Joining him were his brothers, Marc and Frankie, his sister, Melissa, and his mom, Linda. The group was also joined by Melissa’s boyfriend, Michael Sussman, Marc’s girlfriend, Andrea Bevilacqua, and Mike’s good friend, Peter Dicatalda.

After dinner in the restaurant, the group went upstairs to the second story nightclub, where his family surprised Sorrentino with a custom tiered-cake topped with an exact replica of his prize possession, a black Lamborghini.

The Situation and family on the red carpet at Señor Frog’s Las Vegas.
Photo Credit: David Becker/WireImage


The Situation sits in his VIP booth at Señor Frog’s Las Vegas.
Photo Credit: David Becker/WireImage

The Situation poses with his birthday cake at Señor Frog’s Las Vegas.
Photo Credit: David Becker/WireImage

Songstress Cassie hosted LAVO's Stereo Saturdays and celebrated her new single "King of Hearts." Diddy showed up as DJ Reflex played a selection of his hits. After Cassie performed for the crowd, she was joined by Buffalo Bills player Shawne Merriman and singer Ray J.Earlier in the day, Diddy was spotted at Marquee Dayclub with a group including NFL pro Shawne Merriman. Dropping by to greet Diddy was CEO of Paul Mitchell and Patron Spirits John Paul DeJoria.

At night, NFL pro Mark Sanchez was also spotted at Marquee Nightclub.

Cassie
Photo Credit: Al Powers | Powers Imagery

Cassie and DJ Reflex
Photo Credit: Al Powers | Powers Imagery

Sunday night, July 15...

actress Sarah Hyland of TV's  Modern Family was spotted dining at LAVO.

Also at LAVO was NBA pro Baron Davis with several other basketball players taking in the sounds of DJ Vice for Vice Sundays at the club.