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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
Lance
Burton & Friends Entertain at Zelzah Shrine Temple Christmas Party for
Kids
On Sunday, December 9 Lance Burton performed for over 300 children at
Zelzah Shrine Temple. This annual Christmas show for children and their
families began with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope in the early 1950s. The
event which was put on by the Shriners, also featured comedy juggler
Michael Goudeau, who has performed with Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo
since it opened in 1996, singer Gabriella Versace, who most recently
performed at the Rio, and comedy magician Fielding West.
Photos courtesy of Wayne Bernath
Culinary
Guru Rachael Ray Comes to Las Vegas to Promote Her Latest Cookbook
From 5 pm to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, TV personality and culinary
guru Rachael Ray made a live, in person appearance at Sur ls Table
inside the Miracle Mile shops at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino to
meet fans and sign copies of her latest cookbook, Just In Time!
Rachael Ray
Photo by Judy Eddy
Las
Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Cast of Bight Lights On Ice Celebrate
Official Tree Lighting at Fremont Street Experience
At 6:30pm on Tuesday, December 11 Mayor Oscar B. Goodman had the
pleasure of flipping the switch that turned on the lights of Las Vegas’
official Christmas tree at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las
Vegas. The 50-foot festively decorated tree stands below the 12.5
million lights of the Viva Vision screen. Also on hand was Las Vegas
City Council members Jeff Victor, President of the Fremont Street
Experience and the cast of Bright Lights on Ice, the skating show that
made its debut with a dazzling display of lifts, spins and acrobatics on
the 3rd Street stage following the ceremony. The official Las Vegas
Christmas tree will be on public display at the Fremont Street
Experience through the Christmas holiday. Bright Lights on Ice is free
and open to the public every night from December 11-22 at 7:30 pm, 8:30
pm and 9:30 pm.
Official Las Vegas Christmas Tree at Freemont Street Experience
Mayor Oscar Goodman
Sean Rice and Jodeyne Higgins
Palazzo
Resort Announces Participation in Tournament of Roses Parade
On Thursday December 13 Rob Goldstein, President of the soon to open,
Palazzo Resort-Hotel-Casino, hosted a press conference at the Venetian
to announce participation in the 119th annual Tournament of Roses®
Parade in California on New Years Day 2008 and to reveal the renderings
of a float. The Palazzo will make history as the first modern Las Vegas
resort to enter a float in the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses®
Parade in California. The Palazzo will serve as the stage for the
opening ceremonies and will be the first float to start down the
five-and-a-half mile Parade route. The opening ceremonies will also
feature an appearance from the Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal, which
this year happens to be celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, operator of the
wildly popular Delmonico Steakhouse at The Venetian, and is getting
ready to open his newest restaurant, Table 10, at The Palazzo Resort.
President of the new Palazzo Hotel Casino, Rob Goldstein
The Palazzo’s float, showing the splendor and romance
of Italy, is perfect for this year’s theme and as the first float to be
featured during the event we are sure that it will set a spectacular
tone for the entire Parade,” said CL Keedy, president of the 2008
Tournament of Roses. “We were very excited to begin discussions with the
resort, when we heard from them earlier this year.”
Mamma
Mia! at Mandalay Bay Welcomes 2 Millionth Guest
On Thursday evening, December 13, MAMMA MIA! the longest-running and
most successful full-scale Broadway musical to ever hit Las Vegas that
is currently in its fifth year at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
welcomed its 2 millionth guests, Jack Elliot, Ph.D. and Stacey Rich.
Since premiering on February 13, 2003, the show based
on the songs of ABBA, has remained an absolute sensation and a locals’
favorite that keeps the audiences dancing in the aisles night after
night. Show times for MAMMA MIA! at the Mandalay Bay Theatre is Sunday -
Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. & 10 p.m. (dark Fridays).
Tickets are priced at $110, $82.50 and $49.50 (including tax).
Mamma Mia's 2 Millionth Guests Jack Elliot and Stacey Rich surrounded by
Cast Members from the Show
Photo by Dave Burdett
Other
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Congratulations to illusionist Rick Thomas, who has amazed Las Vegas
audiences for years with his magic show that has appeared on the Strip,
for being the recipient of this year’s “Illusionist of the Year” award
at the World Magic Awards. The event, hosted by former 007 Roger Moore,
was aired on Fox Television Friday, December 14 at 8 p.m. and featured
the very best practitioners of prestidigitation.
Nevada Public Radio has teamed up with Wynn Las Vegas to offer listeners
chances to win one of 31-$500 gift certificates to one of eight fabulous
Wynn Las Vegas restaurants. Through December 31st, News 88.9 and
Classical 89.7 listeners who make qualifying new, renewing or additional
pledges will be entered into drawings for gift certificates to selected
fine dining restaurants at Wynn, including two recent Michelin Star
winners, Wing Lei and Daniel Boulud Brasserie. Winners can also choose
from Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare, Corsa Cucina, Country Club – A New
American Steakhouse, Okada, SW Steakhouse and Tableau. “We are delighted
with the partnership we’ve formed with Wynn Las Vegas,” said Flo Rogers,
president and general manager of Nevada Public Radio. “It gives us the
chance to not only raise funds for our continuing programs, but to give
our listeners an opportunity to experience Wynn’s world–class
restaurants and their highly gifted, award–winning chefs.”
Entertainer Clint Holmes is bringing his “Clint Holmes Unplugged Holiday
Show” to the Sahara Hotel and Casino from December 17th through December
31 at 9 p.m. (closed on Sundays). The show, which is being produced by
David Saxe, will also feature musical director Bill Fayne and the former
lead singer of Foreigner, Domenick Allen.
“Clint Holmes Unplugged Holiday Show” will be the only show of its kind
in Las Vegas for the holiday season. Clint Holmes was recently chosen as
“Best Kept Secret” by Las Vegas Life Magazine and “Best All-Around Las
Vegas Performer,” “Favorite Male Las Vegan” and “Best Singer” by the Las
Vegas Review-Journal.
Tickets start at $25 for Las Vegas residents, $49 for adult general
admission and $59 for VIP seating (taxes and fees are not included for
all ticket prices). For reservations, call (702) 737-2515 or purchase
online at www.saharavegas.com.
Lounge singer Lou Martin is performing every Saturday night from 7-11pm
at the Cabo Lounge inside Fiesta Rancho. Martin, performing with a live
band, sings favorite hit songs from singers such as Frank Sinatra, Bobby
Darren, Santana, Dean Martin, James Brown, Neil Diamond and more. There
is no cover charge.
Santa will be appearing at the Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay,
December 21 through 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With each paid admission,
children 12 and under, may visit St. Nick and have their picture taken
with him inside this unique aquatic environment, plus they’ll receive a
candy treat to remember their fun adventure with Santa and his
water-based elves.
Shark Reef Aquarium, home to more than 2,000 dangerous animals including
sharks, crocodiles, sawfish, turtles and piranhas, will transform from
an undersea adventure into a winter holiday-themed tropical reef
complete with Santa’s throne direct from the North Pole. The Shark Reef
Aquarium staff also will be on hand to share their knowledge about the
exhibits and help youngsters of all ages finish their last-minute wish
lists.
Ticket prices are $15.95 for adults and $10.95 for children; children,
FREE for children under four. Discounts are available for Nevada
residents with identification. For more information, call (702)
632-4555.
Tickets are now on sale for the highly anticipated Las Vegas production
of the hit Broadway musical, Jersey Boys to be staged in the
custom-built, 1600-seat theater at the lavish Palazzo Resort Hotel
Casino. JERSEY BOYS’ only resident show on the West Coast will open on
the Las Vegas Strip with previews beginning on April 4, 2008 and an
opening night gala scheduled for May 3, 2008.
Ticket prices, exclusive of handling fees, range from $65 to $135, with
VIP Packages available and can be purchased by calling The Venetian Box
Office at 1-866-641-SHOW or 702-414-9000, or online at
www.VenetianTickets.com
On Saturday, January 19, 2008 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Southern Nevada
Public Television and Southern Wine and Spirits will present Splendor in
the Glass, its 19th annual wine and beer tasting event benefiting Vegas
PBS inside the Las Vegas Hilton. Splendor in the Glass features 65
wineries and breweries, a live wine auction, in addition to a silent
auction and live jazz music by Manny Kellough Jazz Trio with featured
vocalist Ronnie Rose. All funds raised go toward the continued funding
of Vegas PBS’ quality programming and productions. Advance tickets are
$60 and $80 if purchased at the door. Individuals must be 21 years or
older to attend. Tickets may be purchased at
www.VegasPBS.org . or at Khoury’s
Fine Wine & Spirits, Las Vegas Wine Co. and Lee’s Discount Liquor. For
additional information, please call 702-799-1010, ext. 5428.
ESPN will be airing a Live New Year’s Eve Special from the Rio All-Suite
Hotel & Casino parking lot-turned-action sports venue called “New Year
No limits featuring Record-Setting Jumps by Action Sports Stars Robbie
Maddison and Rhys Mill. As the clock approaches 2008, sports fans will
get the chance to see two record-setting jumps during ESPN’s live New
Year No Limits telecast. New Year No Limits will feature action sports
stars Robbie Maddison and Rhys Millen performing two Red Bull
Experiments: Maddison, a freestyle motocross star from Australia, will
attempt to jump the length of a football field to set a new motorcycle
distance jumping world record and Millen, a champion drifter and movie
stunt driver hailing from New Zealand, will attempt the first-ever
back-flip of an off-road racing truck. Representatives from the Guinness
Book of World Records will be in attendance to validate each jump.
The first jump will air in Part One of the broadcast from 8:15 P.M.
-9:30 p.m. PT. The next jump will take place during Part Two, from 11:00
p.m. - 12:30 a.m. PT.
The public may purchase tickets to the Red Bull Experiment for $12
(includes fees & taxes), at
www.newyearnolimits.com or the Rio box office or at
702-777-7776. Day-of tickets will be available as well.
Two original plays from UNLV’s playwriting program and its directors are
getting national recognition. Oscar Limón’s Archaic Friendship, directed
by Nate Bynum, and Laura Neubauer’s Brick directed by Michael Tylo have
been invited by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival to
attend the New Play Development Workshop at the California State
University taking place in Los Angeles February 12 to 16.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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