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By
Judy Thorburn
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
On the evening of September 26, dancers from the Nevada Ballet
Theatre joined forces with dancers and musical artists from Celine
Dion’s show “A New Day” for a special fundraising performance called the
“Inhabitants Project”. The event, which took place at Chameleon Studios,
was to draw attention to the environmental crisis of coral reefs around
the world that are being destroyed by pollution and over fishing. Using
music, costumes, and interpretive dance movements inspired by the sea
and its creatures, along with video projections, a message was delivered
about the importance of saving the coral reefs and how it affects our
daily lives. In addition to the marvelous performers who donated their
time and creative talent, the evening would not have been possible
without Paolo Santos, creator and spearhead of the project. All of the
proceeds from the $100 admission price went to Reef Check, an
organization dedicated to preserving coral and temperature reefs around
the world. For all that attended, the evening was not only entertaining
and visually beautiful but an eye opening experience with the proceeds
going to a very worthy cause.






Performers of "Inhabitants" project fundraiser at Chameleon Studios
Now here is a story with a “twist”, pun intended. I can’t find a better
way to describe the International Contortionist Convention, which took
place on September 26-28 at Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino. Forty five of
the most flexible performers from all over the world ranging in age as
young as 3 to over 60, and including some Cirque due Soelil artists
gathered for the three day event produced by Ska von Schoning’s company
Showbiz, that is based in Cologne, Germany. The convention included
workshops and panel discussions with contortionists, contortion
trainers, medical professionals, and promoters of the art form.


Tall, attractive, platinum haired Ska, who has been teaching contortion
for 15 years, and co-promoter Klaus Bischoff were host of the ceremonies
during Wednesday and Thursday evenings’ gala stage presentations that
showcased the performers and their various contortion moves. Ska was
indeed right when she said, “contortion has many faces”, as there was a
mix display of acrobatics, gymnastics, dance moves and amazing balance
incorporated in the performances. Soloists, pairs, and other larger
ensembles demonstrated their unique abilities to gracefully bend their
bodies in, what to the average person, appears to be unbelievable ways.
To say they each bend over backwards (in their case it is literally
true) in presenting their talents of hyper flexibility and strength, is
an understatement. They don’t just come on stage and contort. Each,
adorned in gorgeous colorful costumes and accompanied by props and
international music, has turned their ability to stretch and contort
their muscles, arms, vertebrae and legs into a graceful art form. As
trained professionals, many have appeared as popular audience-pleasing
acts in shows such as the aforementioned Cirque du Soleil and other Las
Vegas productions. Members of the audience included fans, orthopedic
specialists, talent scouts, agents, other members of the media and
photographers. It would not be a stretch for me to say you can add these
amazing, limber performers to the list of wonders of the world.
SPECIAL SHOWCASE GALLERY
Click on any thumbnail below to see full size picture
Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at the Venetian Hotel and Casino has a special
treat in store for visitors, just in time for the Halloween season. The
scare fest has begun thanks to a deal signed with New Line Cinema, to
bring the scariest, goriest, attraction in all of Las Vegas, the New
Chamber of Horrors, Live experience to the world famous wax museum. At
no extra charge, guests are invited to walk through a dark and spooky
maze environment and interact with live actors who, along with
accompanying special effects, portray a few of New Line Cinema’s most
frightening film characters, the horrifically scar faced Freddy
(Nightmare on Elm Street), Jason (Friday the 13th) and chainsaw wielding
Leatherface (Texas Chain Saw Massacre). It’s up to visitors to guess
where and when they will pop out of the dark recesses, guaranteeing all
those who enter some hair raising thrills and chills. Of course, it is
all harmless and done in fun so nobody gets hurt. For attraction hours
and pricing call (702) 862-7800 or visit
www.mtvegas.com



The "Professor", Jason (Friday the 13th) and Leatherface (The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre)
Ethel M Chocolates recently celebrated the opening of its first ever Las
Vegas chocolate lounge inside the Fashion Show Mall on Las Vegas Blvd, a
concept that originated in Chicago in 2005 and grew to ten in that area.
What a better place to debut another one of their warm and friendly
chocolate lounges than Las Vegas, a city known for offering the best
indulgences life has to offer. Instead of just paying for the delectable
desserts and leaving the store, shoppers can feel free to stay for a
while, indulge in one or more of their favorite “sinfully” delectable
sweets and relax in a laid back, casual environment that offers cozy
couches and overstuffed chairs. In addition, the retail store/lounge
features a range of beverages including hot chocolate, coffees, teas,
sparkling beverages, juices and of course, water that go great with any
of the scrumptious chocolates available from the unique premium 50 piece
chocolate collection or that special treat, chocolate fondue for two.
The chocolates come in five collections: Truffles, Nut and Caramel,
Fruit, Cocktail (inspired by drinks such as Mojitos, Margaritas and
Cosmopolitan) and American Pop, besides the usual seasonal and special
holiday collections. Ethel M has got a chocolate guaranteed to delight
even the pickiest of palates. Ethel M’s chocolate lounge is one pretty
sweet idea that should draw anyone who wants to experience the ultimate
chocolate experience. Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge is opened Monday through
Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-7pm.



Ethel's "Chocolate Lounge" in the Fashion Show Mall
Other present and upcoming “happenings” are as follows:
The Spa at the Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino is offering a
complimentary Hand or Foot Paraffin Wax treatment, valued at $20, to
clients who purchase a Swedish, sports, shell or hot stone massage or an
ultimate anti-aging or wrinkle-control facial between September 26 -
October 9. Each hand or foot is put into a pouch of hot wax, which then
conforms like a soft glove or sock. Unlike a melted candle, the wax does
not harden but remains supple as it soothes the skin for the ultimate
moisturizing experience. To make an appointment, call The Spa at
702.794.3242.
As part of its 25th anniversary celebration at Bally’s Las Vegas, Donn
Arden’s Jubilee! is offering Nevada residents a special $25 ticket price
throughout the month of October. The special offer, limited to four
tickets (upgraded seating is available at an additional cost) can be
redeemed at the Bally’s Box Office at the time of purchase by showing a
valid Nevada identification. Show times for Donn Arden’s Jubilee! are
7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. nightly, dark on Fridays. For more information
call (702)967-4567.
International recording artist, actor, impressionist and comedian Jeff
Trachta, best known for his role of Thorne Forrester on TV’s soap opera,
The Bold & the Beautiful for over eight years, has brought his one-man
show, Jeff Trachta Live! to Las Vegas for a limited engagement (which
began on September 24) at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino. Tickets to
see Jeff Trachta Live! in the Masquerade Showroom are $19.95 and $24.95
(V.I.P.) not including taxes and applicable charges and can be purchased
by calling 702-777-7776. Show times are 3 PM daily (dark Friday).
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino presents Australian garage rock band Jet at
the Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday, October 7th
at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the show are $20.00 plus applicable fees, and
are available at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Box Office and at all
Ticketmaster locations. For more information, call the concert hotline
at 702-693-5583.
To raise awareness and funds for the battle against breast cancer
everyone is invited to take part in the four mile fundraising walk at
8AM on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and
Spa in Summerlin. In addition, Aquae Sulis Spa at JW Marriott is
offering relaxing 25 minute “Think Pink” Manicures at a cost of $35 and
50 minute “Think Pink” Pedicures at a cost of $65 for the month of
October, with 10% of the profits from each treatment going directly to
the seventh annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. To make an
appointment, call Aquae Sulis Spa at (702) 869-7807.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 14 and 15, The Fourth Annual Fine Arts
Festival, consisting of over 65 artists from California, Arizona,
Colorado and Utah as well as many of Nevada’s best will be displaying
their original works in the picturesque MonteLago Village at Lake Las
Vegas Resort in Henderson. The FREE event (with plenty of free parking)
will take place between the hours of 10am to 5pm on the weekend and is
open to the public.
I’ll be back next time for what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.
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