By Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com

 

 Press Conference announces Jay-Z's 40/40 Club to Open at the Palazzo Resort

On Thursday, shortly after noon Rob Goldstein, President and COO of the Venetian and the upcoming luxury Palazzo Resort and Casino set to open in December 2007, held a joint press conference with hip/hop mogul, entrepreneur Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, to announce the opening of his new $20 million, ultra sports bar and lounge. At 24,000 square feet the 40/40 Club inside the new casino resort will be larger than the other two 40/40 Clubs that Jay-Z already owns in New York and Atlantic City. The club’s name refers to baseball’s exclusive 40/40 club that includes players who have hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in one season and exemplifies both speed and power.

40/40 Club at the Palazzo
Photos by Judy Thorburn

Goldstein said that “40/40 will be a very important component in the Palazzo. It is a great compliment for us that the 40/40 Club chose the Palazzo for their Las Vegas debut.”

Shawn Jay-Z Carter with Rob Goldstein, President and COO of the Venetian and the upcoming luxury Palazzo Resort and Casino
Photo by Judy Thorburn

Jay Z thanked everyone “for letting us bring this club to the entertainment capital of the world. I always believed that sports and entertainment are cousins to each other. Its only natural we open here.”

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter
Photo by Judy Thorburn

Jay-Z’s main squeeze, superstar singer/actress, Beyonce was also in attendance and looked beautiful (as usual) in waist length hair extensions, a short dress and tall platform heals. She didn’t appear with her man on the stage, but allowed photographers to snap away while she sat in the first row of the invited guest section.

On to more personal business, asked if he had plans to tie the knot soon with his 26 year old girlfriend, 37 year old Jay Z told reporters “One day soon. Let’s leave it at that”.

 Blush Nightclub Debuts at Wynn

On Thursday evening Wynn Hotel celebrated the recent opening of its newest nightspot Blush by throwing a party for the media and invited guests. What was formerly the location of Lure, has been transformed into what managing partner Sean Christie has termed the first “boutique nightclub” in Las Vegas. “We wanted to create an intimate nightlife experience”, said Christie. “Blush offers a unique option to the Las Vegas scene as the club seamlessly transforms from elegant lounge to high energy nightclub”.

Entrance to Blush Nightclub at the Wynn

Blush Nightclub dancefloor	Blush Nightclub dancefloor	Blush Nightclub seating area
Blush Nightclub Bar	Blush Nightclub Interior	Blush Nightclub Patio

Photos by Stephen Thorburn

Completely remodeled with an entire new look, décor, and dance space, I found the 4,500 square foot venue to have a very inviting atmosphere that offers patrons a venue decorated in rich colors of deep green, chocolate brown, gold and shimmering metallics, and features a bar, a lit onyx dance floor, a ceiling filled with Asian style crème lanterns, edgy, contemporary paintings displayed on the walls, and dark grey plush crushed velvet couches for comfy seating. In addition, floor to ceiling glass doors in the back of the main room open to an outdoor patio and bar and seating that has been enhanced by lighted sculpted bushes. There is also a private, draped VIP room available that can accommodate up to 25 people.

Dianne R. Davis, Chef Josette LeBlond of Josette's Bistro, Mel Carter and "Entertainment Las Vegas Style" host/entertainer, Tony Sacca
Photo by Stephen Thorburn

Delicious appetizers from Red 8 are served from 5- 9 p.m. but from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights Blush transforms into an energetic, sensual club when renowned music director and resident DJ Mighty Mi brings his signature style into the fold, and spins an eclectic mix of rock, hip hop and house music.

Table reservations are recommended. Admission is free for local ladies and service industry professionals. Visitors cover is $30. Call 702-770-3633 for more information.

 Madame Tussaud's and Rocker Pete Wentz Unveils 1st Ever Computer Game Character to be Immortalized at the Wax Museum

On Saturday afternoon Madame Tussauds Las Vegas held a press conference to unveil a new attraction, the first computer gaming personality/gaming icon to be immortalized in the museum’s 250 year history. Rocker Pete Wentz, singer/song writer/bass player of the Grammy nominated band Fall Out Boy, joined representatives from Madame Tussauds and Xbox 360 to introduce an impressive life-sized figure of Halo’s Master Chief, one of the most iconic heroes in the history of video games. “Who better to unveil (this new attraction) than one of the leaders at the forefront of today’s multi media culture”, stated Adrian Jones, Manager of Madame Tussaud’s Las Vegas, before introducing Wentz, an avid gamer. The slightly built rocker said he was excited about unveiling it and jokingly went on to say, “The only reason I did this was to get Halo 3 and maybe get my own wax figure.”

Adrian Jones with rocker Pete Wentz of Fallout Boy
Photo by Stephen Thorburn

Invited guests were the first to get to see the massive 7’2” figure up close and personal from the Halo game that has sold over 15 million copies and has become a bonafide pop culture phenomenon. According to Jones, “The project idea sprung up just seven to eight weeks ago. Recognizing the ‘celebrity’ of the Halo series we had to capture Master Chief. He was created at the Madame Tussauds Studios in London specifically for the Las Vegas attraction.”

"Master Chief" character from the video game "Halo" by Bungie

Rocker Pete Wentz with team from Bungie, creators of Halo and the computer game character "Master Chief"
Photo by Stephen Thorburn

Like all the attractions at Madame Tussaud's Las Vegas, visitors will have the opportunity to see, interact, and have their photos taken with the digital game world hero, Master Chief before the most anticipated game release of 2007 – Halo 3, scheduled for September 25, 2007. With his towering presence, Master Chief will be stationed at the attraction’s front entrance area – providing guests with a “disarming” greeting at the door and is sure to bring out the most devoted fan base – Halo Nation.

Madame Tussauds Las Vegas is open seven days a week. For attraction hours and pricing, please call 702-862-7800 or visit online at www.mtvegas.com  <http://www.mtvegas.com> .


 Other recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:

The Las Vegas production of Broadway’s Tony Award winning musical, MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT that is being staged at Wynn Las Vegas has launched a Very Important Person Package (V.I.P.P.) that includes a behind the curtain tour backstage to see the inner sanctum of the Strip’s funniest show. The V.I.P.P. tickets include premium seating, a 45-minute “Secrets of the Grail” backstage tour after the show and, a commemorative Grail cup (filled with beer or soft drink). Guests will be able to take once-in-a-lifetime photos with cast and crew, set pieces and props. The Very Important Person Package is priced at $159 per person, plus tax. A limited number of V.I.P.P. tickets are available exclusively on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Tours begin immediately following the performance.

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT plays at The Grail Theater at Wynn Las Vegas at 8pm on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. There are two performances on Saturdays at 7pm and 10pm. The theater is dark on Thursdays. Tickets are $69, $89, $99 and $159, plus tax. Please call 888 320 7110 or 702 770 WYNN, or go online to www.montypythonsspamalot.com  or www.wynnlasvegas.com . Groups of 10 or more persons may contact 702 770 3720 or showsales@wynnlasvegas.com .


Light Nightclub at Bellagio closed its doors on Monday, Sept. 3 for renovations and remodeling. When its completed, the space is set to reopen as a revolutionary nightlife concept named The Bank on New Year’s Eve 2007.

On Saturday, September 15 at 8 p.m., The Seventeenth Annual Las Vegas International Mariachi Festival, Las Vegas' longest running Hispanic entertainment event will take place inside the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. The three and a half hour musical event that celebrates Fiestas Patrias (Mexico’s Independence) will feature some of the world's greatest mariachi: Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlán, Americas premier mariachi: Mariachi Sol de México De José Hernández, and Mariachi Estrella de Jalisco de Ernesto Molina . Also scheduled to perform are special guests Vikki Carr, Lupillo Rivera, and Armando Manzanero. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre for the Performing Arts Box Office.


On Sun., Sept. 23 at 4 p.m. concert artist David de Alba performs “A Live Tribute to Judy Garland” in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the College of Southern Nevada’s Cheyenne Campus. “I bring to the stage the true essence of Judy Garland,” says de Alba. “My concert is a comedic/bittersweet play format in which I sing all the songs live and narrate well-known anecdotes that Judy’s fans will remember from her TV appearances during the ‘60s.” Admission for the show is $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors. For tickets and information, call the CSN Box Office at 651-LIVE (5483). The CSN Performing Arts Center is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Ave., one mile east of I-15 North.

Nevada Conservatory Theatre’s production of Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus opens September 21 in the Judy Bayley Theatre at UNLV. Set in Vienna in 1823 and recalling the events in the decade of 1781-91, the play weaves a provocative confrontation between mediocrity and genius into a tale of breathtaking dramatic power. Following the performance on Thursday, September 27 the actors and members of the production staff will discuss Amadeus. Performances are September 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on September 23, 29 and 30. Tickets are $30, $25 and $20 and on sale at the Performing Arts Center Box Office, which can be reached at 895-ARTS (2787).

On Saturday, September 29, to pay tribute to the German based Octoberfest season, The Cannery Casino & Hotel will be hosting its 4th annual Rocktoberfest that combines fantastic music, great beer and delicious food in one event. This year’s entertainment features two popular tribute acts: Space Oddity, David Brighton’s Tribute to David Bowie, and Journey Unauthorized as well as Los Angeles-based rock band Sugarwall who will be opening the show. Along with the great music, Rocktoberfest vendors will be selling a wide selection of German beers and dishes. The festival begins at 6 p.m. at The Club, an indoor/outdoor venue located at the Cannery Casino & Hotel. Admission is $5 at the door.

Husband and wife superstars Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony will co-headline their first concert tour together that kicks off Saturday, Sept. 29. The Las Vegas stop is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets priced at $200, $125 and $75, not including applicable service charges and taxes are limited to 8 per person and can be purchased at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call the MGM Grand box office at (702) 632-7580. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com .

The 12th annual Andre Agassi Charitable Foundations’ Grand Slam Benefit for Children concert will take place on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Performers scheduled to appear are Tony Bennett, Kelly Clarkson, Matchbox Twenty, Carlos Santana, George Wallace and a special performance by Jerry Seinfeld. Grammy award-winning producer, arranger and composer David Foster will return for his 12th year as musical director. Tickets (limited to eight (8) per person) are priced at $90, $70 and $50, not including applicable service charges can be purchased at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office or on line at www.mgmgrand.com
 
Beginning October 8, three legendary game show hosts, Bob Eubanks of “The Newlywed Game” & “Card Sharks,” Chuck Woolery of “Love Connection” & “Lingo,” and Jamie Farr of “The Gong Show” and “M*A*S*H,” will come together to bring some of America's most recognizable game shows together for the first time on one stage at the Las Vegas Hilton.

The $250,000 Ultimate Game Show will have more winners on stage (more than 50 per show at nine shows a week) and will give away more money and prizes (more than $50,000 each week in guaranteed cash and prizes) than any other live game show in recent history. At each show, an audience member will have the chance to win $250,000. If that person wins $250,000, every audience member who has a valid ticket for that show will also win $100. Each show will feature one of the legendary hosts as Bob Eubanks, Chuck Woolery, and Jamie Farr rotate days during the week.

Showtimes for The “$250,000 Ultimate Game Show” are 1:30 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Participants in the game shows must be 21 or older. Tickets are priced at $42 (plus tax and service charge) and can be purchased at the Las Vegas Hilton box office or by logging on to www.lvhilton.com  or by phone at 702-732-5755 or 1-800-222-5361.

I’ll be back next time for what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.