Vegas Happenings | “Surf The Musical” Red Carpet Grand Opening | Opportunity Village kicks off "Christmas in July" | Lucille's Dueling Pianos debuts at BB King's Blues Club

“Surf The Musical” Red Carpet Grand Opening at Planet Hollywood

Surf the Musical, the feel-good production featuring the songs of the Beach Boys, celebrated its world premiere at the Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Tuesday night, July 17 with a star-studded red carpet prior to showtime and an after party at Gallery Nightclub.

In attendance for the sold-out opening night performance were celebrity guests and Vegas headliners including: 2006 American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, prop comedian Carrot Top, singer/musician Frankie Moreno, singer Debbie Gibson, comedy magician Nathan Burton, the hunks from Chippendales, the cast from Tony & Tina’s Wedding, accapella groupMo5aic, comedy Hypnotist Marc Savard, BMX and reality star Ricardo Laguna, singer Josh Strickland (Peepshow), Rock Star Artist Michael Godard, the hunks from Thunder from Down Under and Marissa Jaret Winokur (Dancing with the Stars, Hairspray on Broadway).

Adrian Zmed, Lauren Zakrin and Marshal Carolan
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

'Surf the Musical' cast
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Marissa Jaret Winokur, Deborah Gibson
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Carrot Top
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Chippendales performers
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

'Fantasy' performers
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Frankie Moreno and Taylor Hicks
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Peepshow's Josh Strickland
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Hypnotist Marc Savard
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Absinthe's Melody Sweets
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Artist Michael Godard
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Ricardo Laguna
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/erikkabik.com

Set in the nostalgic, happy times of the 1960s Southern California beach community, Surf the Musical features an energetic sun-tanned cast and cleverly incorporates legendary Beach Boy songs along with dazzling dance moves within a story of love and fun.

Surf the Musical comes from an all-star creative team, including Broadway’s hottest director, Kristin Hanggi and choreographer to the stars, RJ Durell. The show also features incredible scenery, fun costumes and providing a unique take on the sets and design, are 136 of the world’s thinnest bezel 60-inch class monitors in a wall installation, courtesy of Sharp Electronics Corporation, that delivers unparalleled brightness and quality. With the years of experience and unmatched talent, as well as Sharp’s brilliant technology, this team has assembled a production that will impact audiences on every level—sight, sound and emotion.

Surf the Musical performs eight shows per week in the Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Show times are Mondays, Fridays and Sundays: 7 p.m; Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m; Saturdays: 5:30 p.m.,Dark on Thursdays. Tickets are priced at $64, $84, $104, $144.

Read Jacqueline Monahan's review of Surf The Musical in this week's edition of her About The Town column.

Opportunity Village kicks off "Christmas in July" at New York-New York

Opportunity Village kicked off registration for the 2012 La Vegas Great Santa Run with a “Christmas in July” opening ceremony on Thursday, July 18. The rollercoaster platform at New York-New York was filled with Santas riding reindeer (a.k.a. the rollercoaster at New York-New York), hanging out with Mrs. Clauses (festively clad Vegas showgirls) and even receiving presents (the “World Santa Challenge” trophy!).

The highlight of the ceremony was when Alan Rothwell, Event Director of the Liverpool Great Santa Run returned the “World Santa Challenge” trophy to Las Vegas and Opportunity Village as a result of last year’s record-breaking participation. “We are so excited we have won the championship for the most Santa Clauses…in the world,” said Linda Smith, Associate Executive Director of Opportunity Village.

Linda Smith accepts trophy
Photo credit: Opportunity Village

George Dare
Photo credit: Opportunity Village

Photo credit: Opportunity Village

Photo credit: Opportunity Village

The 2012 Las Vegas Great Santa Run will be held on December 1 at Town Square. Las Vegas set the “World Santa Challenge” record last year with 8,123 participants. Opportunity Village is partnering with several companies in the community to make this year’s run an even bigger success.

“[New York-New York’s] Liberty Torch organization has adopted Opportunity Village,” said Cynthia Kiser Murphey, President and COO of New York-New York. “We volunteer at events. We raise awareness in the community about its services; we are actually customers of the services that Opportunity Village provides.”

In addition to representatives from New York-New York and Opportunity Village, Great Santa Run sponsors from Circle K, Town Square and Real Water were in attendance to pledge their support. “We are so happy that Alan from Liverpool could come all this way,” said Brent Jones, Founder and CEO of Real Water.” I just want to say I’m sorry were going to send you back empty handed again [next year].”

The perfect finale included vocalist George Dare serenading the crowd with the official Las Vegas Great Santa Run song, “Run Santa Run!” followed by dozens of team captains dressed like the big guy in red taking off on the rollercoaster while cheering for Opportunity Village.

Lucille's Dueling Pianos debuts at BB King's Blues Club

BB King’s Blues Club Las Vegas, an intimate supper club style restaurant located in the Mirage Hotel and Casino, debuted Lucille's Dueling Pianos on Thursday, July 5, which blends live music blends with Southern flavors.

Guest can enjoy dinner and a show while two pianists entertain the crowd with their vast repertoire of songs, spanning decades of hits from Billy Joel to Bon Jovi and beyond. Audiences are encouraged to participate and guests will never see the same show twice while they enjoy singing along to their favorite tunes.

Lucille's Dueling Pianos
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Lucille’s Dueling Pianos perform Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. with a cover charge of $5 on Thursdays and $10 on Fridays and Saturdays. Guests must be at least 21 years of age.

With four full-service bars, a large dining area, and television monitors throughout the restaurant, BB King’s Blues Club Las Vegas offers a perfect blend of live music and Southern flavor in the heart of Vegas action.

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

On Tuesday, July 17, Clark County commissioners recognized Clark County Museum administrator Mark Hall-Patton and "Pawn Stars" star Rick Harrison for their efforts in boosting Las Vegas tourism and museum attendance.

In celebration of National Sock Puppet Day, on July 18, ABSINTHE’s adorable, yet raucous assistant to The Gazillionaire, Penny Pibbets created a sultry sock puppet dedicated to ABSINTHE’s beautiful Green Fairy, Melody Sweets. To commemorate the momentous occasion, the Burlesque Hall of Fame presented a special ceremony unveiling the newest addition to its organization, the Melody Sweets sock puppet. ABSINTHE cast members Tony Hernandez and Maxime Clabaut were also at the ceremony to show their support for the latest sparkling sensation.

Absinthe cast members
Photo credit: Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

MOUNTAINVIEW HOSPITAL was recently presented with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes MountainView’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment for at least 24 months according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

For the third consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report named SUNRISE HOSPITAL/SUNRISE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL the only hospital in the state of Nevada recognized for meeting the publication’s standards for high performance! In addition, in its annual hospital rankings, U.S. News and Wold Report recognized the following services at Sunrise as high performing: Neurology/Neurosurgery, Gynecology and Nephrology.

FRANK MARINO'“DIVAS LAS VEGAS” celebrated it 1,000th performance on Saturday night, July 21 at Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. At the end of the show a 4 foot tall pink high heel made with 1,000 cupcakes was wheeled on stage and presented to Marino and his talented cast to commemorate the occasion.

'Divas Las Vegas'
Photo credit: Cashman Photo

Brandon Bennett embodies “The King of Rock and Roll,” in “ELVIS MY WAY” for one night only – July 28 – at the Suncoast Showroom. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and fees.

The Leeds-born DJ and producer who ascended with the original U.K. dubstep movement, RUSKO, is launching his first-ever residency at Palms Casino Resort every Saturday in August. Starting August 4, Rusko will bring 90 minutes of his signature sound to Rain Nightclub.

Orleans Arena hosts the 11th annual WORLD HIP HOP DANCE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS on Sunday, August 5 – 7:30 p.m. More than 2,000 of the world's top street dancers will come together for the Finals. World Champions from Japan and New Zealand will return for a chance to defend their titles, gold medals and $25,000 in cash and prizes.

Reserved seating is priced at $25, $39.50 and $59.50. Prices include tax.

RANCH HOUSE KITCHEN at Town Square Las Vegas will host a viewing party with food and drink specials to kick-off the World Football Challenge game in Las Vegas on Sunday, August 5.

Deep-rooted Vegas rock outfit ROMANCE FANTASY will be reuniting in mid-August for a few exclusive shows in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. This will be the first time Romance Fantasy has performed as a 5-piece rock band since 2009. The Las Vegas performance will take place Thursday, August 16 at Royal Resort.

English rockers YES will perform at the Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Sunday, August 19, at 8 p.m. with special guest Procol Harum, best known for the hit single “A Whiter Shade of Pale”. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $44, $54, $64 & $74.

Guest host TONY DOVOLANI will be among the final cast members taking the stage for the highly successful entertainment show, DANCING WITH THE STARS: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS at the New Tropicana Las Vegas. A fan favorite and veteran professional on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, Dovolani has signed on as a guest host for performances Wednesday, Aug. 1, through the show’s final performance Sunday, Aug. 5.

CeeLo Green's planned Planet Hollywood residency, "CEELO GREEN IS LOBERACE," originally scheduled to debut in late August, has been pushed back to February 2013 due to Green's role as a mentor on the TV show "The Voice." The new schedule includes dates in February, March and April. Tickets for the new shows go on sale Aug. 1. Those who already have tickets may request a refund or exchange them for next year's shows. Ticket prices, not including tax and fees, range from $49.50 to $149.50 for table seating.

14 months after it opened, the AMONIX SOLAR MANIFACTURING PLANT in North Las Vegas, heavily financed under an Obama administration energy initiative, has closed its 214,000-square-foot facility

Celebrity Sightings:

Monday, July 16...

Real Madrid footballer Mesut Ozil partied with friends and made sure to say hello to DJ Vice at Marquee Mondays.

Also taking in the sounds of DJ Vice was Dexter Pittman. The Miami Heat center and his teammates along with development league player Jeremy Wise were seen in the main room.

Wednesday Night, July 18...

Basketball pro Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies was spotted at LAVO Nightclub’s Hip-Hop Wednesdays. He and friends took in the sounds of DJ Crooked.

Friday night, July 20...

The Airborne Toxic Event performed to a packed poolside area at SOUNDWAVES at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The night was started with opening band The Henry Clay People.

Airborne Toxic Event
Photo credit:© Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik photography LLC

Airborne Toxic Event
Photo credit:© Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik photography LLC

Henry Clay Boys
Photo credit:© Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik photography LLC

Star of the Real Housewives of Orange County, Vicki Gunvalson, and two girlfriends dined at LAVO. Entertainment TV journalist Ben Lyons was spotted in LAVO Nightclub taking in La Freak Fridays with sounds by DJ Politik.

Chad Rodgers from Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing was seen at TAO Nightclub where DJ Dash Berlin entertained the packed club.

Former journalist, Sarah Tressler, stole the spotlight as a special guest entertainer at Crazy Horse III.

Sarah Tressler
Photo credit: Scott Harrison

Six members from the cast of the critically acclaimed variety show “Absinthe” as they hosted an evening at PURE Nightclub.

Absinthe's cast members
Photo credit: Amit Dadlaney of SpyOn Vegas.

Saturday night, July 21...

Jamie-Lynn Sigler, best known for playing Meadow Soprano on the HBO hit, was spotted at LAVO on Saturday night celebrating the bachelorette party of a girlfriend. After dinner the actress and friends headed over to Marquee Nightclub to take in the sounds of EDX.

Lance Bass enjoyed dinner at TAO Asian Bistro with a group of male friends, celebrating the marriage of two of the gentlemen.

Saturday, July 21...

R&B legend Ginuwine as he wowed clubgoers with an unforgettable performance at LAX Nightclub.

Ginuwine
Photo credit: Al Powers of Powers Imagery LLC.

Ginuwine performing at LAX Nightclub
Photo credit: Al Powers of Powers Imagery LLC.

American Idol Season Five winner Taylor Hicks enjoyed a night out at PURE Nightclub with his band members and friends.

Taylor Hicks and his band at Pure Nightclub
Photo credit: Amit Dadlaney of SpyOnVegas

The Real Housewives of Orange County's Vicki Gunvalson escaped to Las Vegas for a girl’s night out at Moon Nightclub in Palms Casino Resort.