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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
Happy Holidays goes out to all my readers, family and friends. Here’s
hoping the New Year of 2008 brings good health, happiness and peace to
all.
Unfortunately, I must begin this week’s column by reporting some sad
news. Marvin “Sweet Louie” Smith, a member of the “Checkmates”, one of
Las Vegas’ most popular lounge acts, suffered a heart attack and passed
away last week at age 68 while performing on a cruise ship with long
time partner Sonny Charles. Funeral services took place 6 p.m. Saturday,
December 22nd at Palm Mortuary in downtown Las Vegas, 1325 N. Main
Street. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. As
one of Las Vegas’ beloved entertainers, he will surely be missed.
Marvin “Sweet Louie” Smith
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Sonny Charles & The Checkmates will pay tribute to
the late Sweet Louie in a New Year’s Eve concert performance at the
Rampart Casino. The show is scheduled to begin 9 p.m. on Monday,
December 31 at Addison’s Lounge inside the resort. Admittance is $10 at
the door.
Primarily
Prime Rib Opens at South Point Hotel
On Monday evening December 17, members of the media were invited to
enjoy dinner at one of South Point Hotel and Casino’s two new
restaurants, Baja Miguel for Mexican food, or Primarily Prime Rib (the
same says it all) which are part of the new multi million dollar hotel
expansion. I opted for dinner at Primarily Prime Rib, located upstairs
on the mezzanine level away from the noise of the casino, and I could
not have been more satisfied. Now, I can’t wait to go back and try out
the Mexican eatery.
Although the restaurant’s specialty is four separate cuts of prime ribs,
Primarily Prime Rib’s menu offers guests the choice of chicken and
seafood dishes, so non meat eaters can happily dine. Everything was
delicious, starting with fabulous cocktails and appetizers and ending
with the sharing off three delectable desserts: a generous slice of a
New York cheesecake and a chocolate layer cake and tall serving of
strawberry sherbet. My colleague Dianne Davis and her spouse, Burt,
shared a table with yours truly and hubby Stephen and we decided to
begin our meal by sharing 3 different appetizers as the first course:
hot spinach and cheese dip, onion rings, and 2 pop corn shrimp
cocktails. As an entrée Stephen and I both went for the oven baked,
maple glazed salmon served on a sweet potato pancake with corn relish;
while Dianne chose sautéed sesame seed crusted sea bass on a bed of stir
fried vegetables in light teriyaki broth and Burt had the Cowboy Cut
roast prime rib of beef, which is aptly described in the menu “for the
really hungry, extra thick, double cut with the bone”. And so it was!
All entrees include a house salad or split pea soup and a baked potato
or rice pilaf.
 
  
  
  
Photos by Dianne R. Davis
Check Out Dianne
R. Davis' Video interview:
We could not have been happier with the palate
pleasing meals that filled our stomachs. Everything at Primary Prime Rib
is first rate. The atmosphere is inviting, the quality of the food is
excellent and the accommodating service can’t be beat. What’s more, the
restaurant is also affordable. The average cost per person is around
$25. Hours of operation are 5pm - 10pm Sunday – Thursday, and 5pm - 11pm
Friday & Saturday. For reservations call 702-797-8075.
I can’t forget to mention that the opening of the two new restaurants
coincided with South Point’s second anniversary. I wasn’t able to stop
by for the celebration on Wednesday, December 19, however approximately
2,000 visitors were treated to cake and champagne.
Photos by Dianne R. Davis
Other
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Just in time for the New Year festivities, The Golden Nugget Hotel &
Casino unveiled its $60 million expansion at First and Fremont Streets
in downtown Las Vegas. The new addition, located just west of the
current property location, includes a large multi-purpose events center,
expanded gaming floor, the new Red Sushi restaurant which offers the
best in traditional Japanese cuisine, and Gold Diggers’, a
state-of-the-art exciting nightlife entertainment venue. The new
addition brings the total in renovations and expansions to more than
$170 million since the property was purchased by Landry’s Restaurants in
2005.
The Golden Nugget Hotel is also proud to report that The Automobile
Association of America has named the property one of its coveted 2008
Four-Diamond award winners for the 31st consecutive year. The AAA
designation, which rates properties on customer service and quality of
accommodations among other factors, exemplifies the Golden Nugget’s
standard of distinction in the hospitality industry.
Last week I mentioned that Rick Thomas was the recipient of the Best
Illusionist award at the 2007 World Magic Awards that aired on TV
December 14. I neglected to report that several other magicians who
perform in Las Vegas also won awards and were featured on the show.
Category honorees were as follows:
Best Classic Magic - Jason Byrne (performing in V-The Ultimate Variety
Show)
Best Comedy Magic - Mac King (performing at Harrah's Las Vegas)
Best Comedy Illusionist - Kevin James (performing in "The World's
Greatest Magic. Show")
Best Cabaret Magic Female- Luna Shimada (most recently seen in "The
World's Greatest Magic Show").
The top honor, the Magician of the Year award, went to Hans Klok, whose
show “The Beauty of Magic” recently closed at Planet Hollywood Hotel and
Casino.
On Saturday, December 15, The Four Queens Hotel & Casino’s owner Terry
Caudill and his employees held a festive, gift giving, four hour holiday
party at The Canyon Club in the Four Queens that brought some joy to 90
of Las Vegas Valley’s homeless teens associated with Catholic Charities,
Homeless Youth, and St. Thomas Moore. All of the food, many of the gifts
and prizes and the site itself were donated by Terry Caudill plus gift
cards to area retail stores and food chains were purchased and donated
by Four Queens employees In addition, NIKE donated duffle bags filled
with gift cards, t-shirts and prizes for the teens. The charitable event
also included music provided by a live DJ and prizes were awarded for a
dance contest and trivia events.
“Mind Freak” master illusionist Criss Angel returned to Silverton Casino
Lodge on Sunday December 16 at 5 p.m. and successfully completed a
dangerous Houdini style escape while submerged underwater in the
resort’s 117,000-gallon aquarium. This was his second attempt at the
stunt. His first try was in March 2007, when Angel was forced to abandon
the perilous escape after he almost failed to break free from handcuffs,
metal chains and foot restraints while stuck at the bottom of the
aquarium. At that time he cheated death with only minor cuts on his back
thanks to the rocks in the shark and stingray populated tank.
On December 18, Carmen Electra released her newest aerobic striptease
video, “Vegas Strip,” which was shot exclusively at Studio 54 in MGM
Grand. Delivering total body fitness straight from Studio 54 at MGM
Grand, “Vegas Strip” combines body-sculpting dance moves and burlesque
sets with sultry stretches and toning exercises to help viewers take off
those extra pounds while taking it all off in routines by Electra set to
a mix of club-style music. To celebrate the release of her new video,
Electra will host a sexy DVD launch party at Studio 54 on January 4. The
first 100 guests will receive both “Vegas Strip” and “In the Bedroom”
striptease DVDs.
Liquidity, a new venue featuring a bar and three
separate lounge areas opened on December 26 in the center of Luxor
Resort’s trademark pyramid. Open daily 24/7 the modern, sleek design
offers a projection system that uses cutting-edge technology to create
an ever-changing canvas of water patterns set to music.
On December 28 Las Vegans have the opportunity to participate in a local
qualifying event for a chance to perform with the Dancing with the
Stars-The Tour when it comes to the Orleans Arena on October 30. The
Superior Performance Local Dance Challenge” will be held at the Arthur
Murray Dance Studio at 4550 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite N, Las Vegas on
Friday, Dec. 28 from 8:15-9:15 p.m. to select 10 semi-finalist couples
that will be judged on talent, presentation, content and personality. On
the night of the show, the semi-finalists will perform and be judged by
a professional dancer from the show’s cast. Two final couples will dance
the Jive or Cha Cha in front of the sold-out audience. The winning
couple will earn the title of Soft Scrub® Dancing with the Stars
Superior Performance Champion and receive an official trophy. The
Superior Performance Local Dance Challenge is open to dance couples of
all ages but dancers under the age of 18 may compete as long as they
have the official Dance Challenge waiver signed by a parent or guardian.
For more information on the pre-qualifying event contact the Arthur
Murray Dance Studio directly.
The winner of a new televised 14 episode talent competition in the U.K.
titled "The One and Only” which is set to air in prime time beginning
January 5, 2008 will receive as the grand prize an unprecedented
three-month performing contract at "Legends in Concert" Las Vegas’
celebrated tribute artist production. The weekly live show in front of a
studio audience will be hosted by British television personality Graham
Norton and features aspiring tribute artists that excelled in tryouts
during a nation wide search throughout Great Britain. A combination of
superfans and viewers votes will be used to select 10 finalists –
representing five male and five female solo musical artists with a
one-by-one weekly elimination until the winner is crowned.
Norton and a BBC crew came to Las Vegas in mid November to visit
"Legends in Concert" to shoot segments for the series and to have
current and recent "Legends" performers offering expert opinions and
advice to help contestants capture the essence of their superstars and
to share what it takes to make it on the world's greatest tribute
concert stage. When the competition has been trimmed down to four
finalists, they, Norton and the BBC crew will return to watch "Legends,"
raising the stakes as they vie for the prize – performing with "Legends
in Concert."
The CineVegas Film Festival and the Las Vegas – Clark County Library
District have teamed up to present “CineVegas From the Vault,” a new
screening series highlighting films that CineVegas has either premiered
or shown throughout its ten-year history. The FREE screenings that are
open to the public will be held at 7 pm at the Clark County Library on
the first Thursday of every month, beginning Thursday, January 3, 2008
with the film HAPPY HERE AND NOW (which premiered at the 2002 CineVegas
Film Festival). Set in the very near future, the film explores the inner
reaches of isolated souls searching for connection in a contemporary
wilderness. Other films to be featured in the series include APART FROM
THAT from the 2005 Festival, which explores the small moments that
harbor life’s greater meaning; WINDY CITY HEAT from the 2004 Festival, a
hilarious cult classic directed by Bobcat Goldthwaite; and MITCHELLVILLE
from the 2004 Festival, which follows a Wall Street lawyer who finally
learns the mysterious truth about his own past.
Beginning January 7, 2008 The Springs Preserve is presenting its newest
art exhibit, Playground of the Gods by internationally acclaimed
photographer Nicholas A. Price that will be on display thru April 30,
2008 from 10 am to 6 pm daily. This one-of-a-kind exhibit, an
enlightening look at the landscape of Nevada, showcases over 30
traditionally hand printed photographs of untouched rock displays that
depict faces and scenes portrayed in the rocks, clay and mountainsides
of the Valley of Fire. The Springs Preserve Gift Shop will also be the
first retail store in Southern Nevada to showcase examples of Price’s
original fine art photographs, quality prints and posters that capture
the natural beauty of Nevada. Playground of the Gods will be located in
the Big Springs Gallery of the ORI•GEN Experience building at the
Springs Preserve, 333 Valley View Blvd.
Beginning January 9, 2008 and every Wednesday thereafter at 10 p.m. and
concluding with the finals on March 26, 2008 the hottest swimwear models
and other ladies who think they have what it takes are invited to strut
their stuff in bikinis to capture the crown of the first ever Miss LAX
at the Luxor. Up for grabs is $100,000 in cash prizes including the
$50,000 grand prize and a guest appearance on the hit A&E television
program Criss Angel MINDFREAK.
After a panel of celebrity judges narrow down the field every Wednesday
night, club goers will then have the opportunity to pick the finalists
by voting online at
www.LAXtheNightclub.com . Contestants interested in registering can
visit www.LAXtheNightclub.com
or www.SpyOnVegas.com . Walk-ins
will also be welcomed each Wednesday evening.
As part of its Second Saturday Concert Series, Red Mountain Music
Company, a nonprofit valley-wide musical performing arts organization,
presents “Moving Too Fast” on Saturday, January 12, 2008 The
cabaret-style performances will feature favorite Broadway songs and
showcase the music of Jason Robert Brown, and takes place at 5:30 p.m.
and 7 p.m. at the Los Angeles Water and Power Building Auditorium –
located at 600 Nevada Way, just east of where Nevada Highway meets
Buchanan Boulevard in Boulder City. Tickets for the performances are $10
and can be purchased in advance at the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce
– located at 465 Nevada Way, just north of Wyoming St. – or at the door.
The 25th annual Adult Video News (AVN) Awards, commonly referred to as
the “Oscars of Adult Entertainment,” will take place 9:30 p.m. at
Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday January 12, 2008. Hosts for the
event will be Wicked Pictures’ contract star Tera Patrick and comedian
Greg Fitzsimmons. Tickets (limited to 8 per person) priced at $200 and
$100 (not including service charges and taxes) are now on sale at the
Mandalay Bay Events Center box office. To charge by phone with a major
credit card, call (702) 632-7580.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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