Judy Thorburn and Debbie Hall

There was an opera, ballet, the World’s Largest Buffet and the Las Vegas debut of Himalayan cuisine.

The second annual Afternoon Irish High Tea to benefit Opera Las Vegas on Sunday, March 19 was held in the Palm Room at the Four Seasons. Guest artists Robert Tota, Matthew Edwardson and Hayden DeWitt provided the entertainment by performing selections from world-renowned operas with Marek Rachelski accompanying them on piano. While the artists sang, guests dined on lunch that featured wild mushroom salad with sherry vinaigrette, country cole slaw with honey peanut dressing, chicken breast with red wine and sage, three cheese ravioli with basil pesto, rice pilaf, and a choice of sweets for dessert. Afterwards, Matthew Edwardson announced that he was going to Los Angeles while Hayden DeWitt was all packed and ready to drive cross-country to Florida. But, both opera singers, who are immensely talented and dedicated to their art, promised to return to Opera Las Vegas when called again to perform for this wonderful company. Next on the schedule for Opera Las Vegas is an April 30 concert at Charleston Heights featuring other young artists singing selections from Salzburg, Paris and Rome. For more information on this event or to find out about you can support Opera Las Vegas call 451-9101.

About ShoWest….For those who may not know, the annual ShoWest trade show and convention is the largest gathering of motion picture industry professionals and theatre owners from all over the world. And, it takes place every March at Bally’s and Paris Hotel, right here in Las Vegas. For Media Diva Judy, who is also the Flick Chick movie critic, this four-day event held March 13-16 was not to be missed. If only Judy could be cloned than she wouldn’t have missed all the other great media events that coincided with ShoWest. Nevertheless, it was a busy week for Judy, with lots to cover from morning to night. The daily schedule consists of trade show exhibitors and vendors showing off everything from concession goodies, state of the art comfy seating, the latest technical innovations and everything in between to enhance the movie going experience. But, the icing on the cake is being in the presence and listening to studio bigwigs, directors and movie stars talk about their work and latest films at various functions. Every day there was a variety of events on the roster: starting with breakfast receptions, luncheons, seminars, exclusive movie preview screenings and clips of upcoming studio releases, and Diva Judy’s favorite event, the Final Night Gala Banquet and Award Ceremonies where some of the biggest Hollywood stars and filmmakers are honored in various categories for their art achievement and contribution in bringing in the box office bucks. For Judy’s extensive report on ShoWest, and to find out what stars attended, read her coverage in last week’s issue of the Las Vegas Tribune or go to www.theflickchicks.com where it is posted.

After agreeing that we had discovered one of the most unique and tasteful culinary treasures offered to Las Vegas locals and visitors alike, The Media Divas are happy to say Las Vegas now has it first authentic Himalayan restaurant, which is a combination of Indian, Tibetan, and Nepalese food. Centrally located at 730 East Flamingo (between Paradise and Swenson), this new find features a variety of aromatic dishes that delight all of the senses. For vegetarians, there are over 16 dishes featuring soups, salads, eggplant, vegetables, and curry, with all entrees (except one) served with basmati rice. Poultry, lamb and seafood are also featured and can be included in the same dishes such as chau chau, thukpa, and korma. Eight varieties of bread, pastry wrapped meats and vegetables with traditional Indian sauces can be savored along with a drink made from homemade yogurt and a touch of rose water called Lassi in choices of mango, cinnamon or strawberry flavors, or Chia tea, a Himalayan favorite made with milk. Last but not least, desserts consist of mango or pistachio flavored Indian style ice cream called Kulfi, Lal Mohan which is two fluffy round milk balls in a very sweet syrup, or Khir, Basmati rice cooked in milk with raisins and nuts.

The restaurant’s interior design is one of burnt orange walls to stimulate spices, a mirrored wall to give depth, and the Goddess of Wealth, Laxmi, prominently displayed on a large poster. The whole experience is one of aromatic flavors, blended spices and the peace of the region. Himalayan Cuisine is the third to be opened in the U.S. with one in Durango, Colorado and the other in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

From a taste of the Himalayas to the World’s Largest Buffet inside a huge banquet room at the Las Vegas Hilton . . . what a way to eat! The World’s Largest Buffet was sponsored by Alka Seltzer during its 75th Anniversary to attempt to break the record for the largest buffet for the Guinness World Record. Hundreds of people waited in line to get into this unique buffet event that opened to the public at 11 AM on March 28 and served 848 guests in three seatings. Yes, they DID break the record with 510 items ranging from soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees, side dishes, and, of course, desserts. Actress and lively comedian Kathy Griffin, was the celebrity host and opened the ceremony by asking, “What are you going to eat first?” Her answer was, “dessert, of course.” After introducing the 24 chefs who had been working over 24 hours, Executive Director of Culinary Arts, George Bargisen, was asked by Kathy what he was going to eat first and his answer was, “Alka Seltzer.” The inaugural crowd lifted their glass and to the tune of, “plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is, and then Kathy declared the buffet officially opened.

Complete with dazzling ice sculptures, bubbling décor (in honor of Alka Seltzer of course), effervescent columns and Alka Seltzer relief stations, over 100 different salads, 40 varieties of hot and cold soup, 12 types of meats, 10 seafoods, and 50 unique cold items were featured. There were 12 ethnic stations including Asian, Southern, Spanish, Middle Eastern, Irish, Italian, Creole, English, French, New England and Mexican. Most importantly, there were 150 different desserts and Media Diva Debbie could have very easily just made a meal out of that. Media Diva Judy stuck with vegetarian offerings and there was plenty ranging from an assortment of salads and their fixings, sushi, pasta dishes, and veggie wraps, to name a few.

Besides setting a new Guinness World Record partnered with Alka Seltzer’s 75th Anniversary, there was more cause for celebration since the event also will benefit the needy with proceeds donated to the nation’s largest charitable hunger relief organization -America’s Second Harvest- The Nation’s Food Bank Network. With such taste and generosity the event couldn’t help but be a success.

Along with food comes drink, and we learned everything about teas at the World Tea Expo. For more on this exciting event, please read our accompanying article.

For our cultural outing, Nevada Ballet Theater presented, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s comedic play of the same name. With eye popping, colorful, stunning costumes, impressive scenery and a cast of wonderful dancers the ballet tells the convoluted love story between four people and how an impish wood elf brings everyone together to realize their true love. This three-act ballet may not have the easiest narrative to follow. But like opera, which is performed in languages that are foreign to a great deal of the audience, it’s the magnificent performances that touch the audiences and beings them back over and over again. Once you experience the beauty and grace of a ballet, you are forever hooked.

Read our column next time where we share our upcoming ventures in Las Vegas entertainment.

Remember, The Media Divas make entertainment news DIVALICIOUS!