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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
McFadden’s
Restaurant and Saloon Opens at The Rio
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon, with locations all over the country,
and famous for Irish-American cuisine, fun-loving atmosphere, happy
hours and bachelorette parties, recently opened a new
7,000-square-foot-plus tavern inside Masquerade Village at the Rio
All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The Vegas venue features two rooms (including a
150-person private party room with its own island bar), over 20
high-definition plasma TVs, dance floor and a breathtakingly long
100-foot mahogany bar that is perfect to dance on. The full bar features
dozens of favorite draught beers and 90-ounce fishbowl cocktails and a
menu offers customers choices of food items that include McFadden’s
Almost Famous Boneless Buffalo Wings, Irish Stew, and of course,
Shepherd’s Pie topped with air-whipped potatoes, from Chef Brian
Ratheun’s kitchen.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
McFadden's is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m.
until the 4 a.m. Their beauteous Lucky Charms and jovial Ministers of
Hospitality ensures that everyone has fun, whether they’re there to
watch the game, get their drink on with the dueling pianos and DJ Soup
Can, or celebrate happy occasions.
For more information, call 702-777-2463 or visit
www.McFaddensSaloon.com .
Latest
Trends in Home Furnishings Unveiled at 2008 Winter Las Vegas Market
If you an interior designer, retailer, buyer or manufacturer of
furniture and/or home furnishings and accessories, The Winter Las Vegas
Market was the place to be last week from January 28 - February 1, 2008.
The state of the art trade show, the industry’s biggest event of the
year, was held in buildings A & B and the Pavilions at The World Market
Center (which is located on 57 acres in the heart of downtown Las Vegas)
and, for the first time, extended to the MGM Grand.
It was a spectacular event that showcased 1,300 exhibiting companies and
attracted industry professionals from around the world who were able to
preview the latest trends in home furnishings and also take some time
for some networking fun during daily after hour parties that featured
entertainment, drinks and hors devours.
You name it. Every category you could think of to satisfy the preference
and taste of any individual was on display at this Winter Market; from
contemporary to classical, antique, modern, European, country,
avant-garde and more as well as showcasing a plethora of high design
décor, art, lighting products, and accompanying accessories in every
range of style and color.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
Of course, it was virtually impossible to visit every
showroom or booth, but a few things stood out as being the latest
trends. One is the industry’s attention on the eco (or environmentally)
friendly movement which was showcased in the Living Green Pavilion. This
specialty pavilion centered on sustainable furnishings or furniture
using wood, cushioning, fabrics, and finishing materials, that are made
from renewable resources. Sustainable furnishings are not only
environmentally friendly smart business, but also high fashion. One of
the booths that exemplified the eco friendly trend is Alpha Omega
Western Furnishings which features home furnishings recycled and 100%
hand made from original old and rebuilt authentic wagon wheels and
reclaimed hardwood timbers. Another was High Desert Naturals, a designer
and manufacturer of all natural and 100% organic cotton bed, bath and
baby collections that include sheets, decorative pillows, bumper pads,
shams and more for a child’s room.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
For those who love fireplaces but do not want to
pollute the environment with toxic smoke, Planika, an
innovative-technology company set up 10 years ago, offers Planika Fires
which give everybody the chance to experience real fire without smoke;
therefore a chimney is no longer necessary. The fire is created using a
non toxic, biofuel called FANOLA® of plant origin. As a result, the fire
is free of smoke or smell. It constitutes a wholly renewable source of
energy.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
L-Shape - the latest product of Planika - represents
a modern style Planika Fire. The L-SHAPE features double-sided tempered
glass and is a great solution for dividing a space or creating a special
interior arrangement. The L shape is one of several unit designs, but
all units are suitable for an apartment, an office, a restaurant, or an
impressive mansion. This is the only company in the world which obtained
the patent for Glassfire® and Digifire® technologies.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
Along with eco friendly furnishings, the other
industry trend is the blending of fashion and furniture in the form of
colors, fabrics and textiles. In addition to the new products on the
showroom and tradeshow floors, buyers were presented with the Home
Furnishings Runway; dramatic highly stylized presentations on display in
the World Market center’s atriums that highlighted the nature of
furniture and fashion. Live models were dressed in fashions that matched
the lamps or fabric of the furniture on which they were seated.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
Besides exhibits, a series of educational seminars
were presented that addressed this trend. Jayne Mountford, director of
trend reporting for Stylesight, enlightened Las Vegas Winter Market
attendees about the growing overlap between fashion and furnishings in a
seminar sponsored by Furniture Style magazine. And a three part
educational series called “The Forecast” offered up the latest relevant
information in color, style, the convergence of fashion and fabric, and
the latest in home furnishings trends.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
For those who wanted to take some time for a “green”
education, additional seminars and events were offered to attendees
covering all aspects of sustainability in the industry and what it means
to go “green”.
Several celebrities are making a mark as furniture designers and have
showrooms in the complex. I had a chance to meet with former super model
Kathy Ireland at the Martin showroom which features her “Kathy Ireland
Home” collection of furniture and accessories. Kathy, described by
Forbes Magazine as “super-model-turned-supermogul,” told me that her
mission was to find a solution for families, especially working moms,
that has been a priority for her since she, herself, became a mom.
“Fashion, quality and safety must be honored. I have teamed up with my
creative director Jon Carrasco to design furniture that follows the
architectural guide for safety. All the furniture comes with
instructions for parents to know how to secure the piece to the wall.
Every piece of furniture is also child friendly; designed with no sharp
corners so they are safe for children.”
Judy Thorburn and Kathy Ireland
Through her Kathy Ireland WorldWide design and
marketing firm, Kathy has, in little over a decade, become a dominant
and trend-setting force in the world of furniture design and
manufacture, with retail sales approaching $1.5 Billion annually.
Photo credit: Judy Thorburn
As a special treat for journalists like me who were
trying to cover as much territory in this incredibly huge event, a
“Re-charging Center” was set up for some deserved rest and relaxation,
courtesy of the International Sleep products Association and World
Market Center. Credentialed journalists were able to book a 20 or 40
minute nap on their choice of comfy sleep surfaces – many of them being
the latest, premium models to hit the market – from inner spring to
visco-foam and latex, to air, gel and magnetic mattresses. I was too
busy to take them up on this fabulous offer, but it was a great idea
that deserves a big thank you anyway. Maybe, next time. I expect to
attend The Summer 2008 Las Vegas Market which is scheduled for July 28
to August 1, 2008.
World Market Center will be the largest trade complex in the world
dedicated to home furnishings when its 57-acre campus is fully developed
to encompass 12 million square feet. Construction is still underway.
For more information about the World Market Center visit
www.LasVegasMarket.Com.
Additional
recent or upcoming “happenings” in Las Vegas include:
On Wednesday, January 30 Master Magician Lance Burton entertained
employees of the Monte Carlo Hotel during a lunch break at the resort.
Burton helped to relieve some tension from the employees who are hard at
work making repairs after the exterior fire forced the property to
temporarily close last Friday. As part of his special appearance, he
performed an illusion assisted by Monte Carlo worker Francis Espirito.
Several restaurants and nightclubs inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet
Hollywood including Trader Vic’s, Lombardi’s Romagna Mia, Pampas
Churrascaria, Triq Ultra Lounge and Krave have been recognized in
Zagat’s “Best of Las Vegas 2008” guide.
Mosaic, the Las Vegas-based music group, comprised of six members: Josh
Huslig, Sean Gerrity, Corwyn Hodge, Troy Dolendo, Heath Burgett and John
Gibson, was named the “Next Great A Cappella Group” on “The Early Show.”
The nationwide search was judged by Boyz II Men, the best-selling Motown
group ever, and the winner determined in late December. MOSAIC received
the grand prize – performing on national TV on CBS’ “The Early Show”.
Although The Smith Center for the Performing Arts will not open until
2011, it is already planting the seeds to develop an artistic and
cultural heart in Las Vegas with its sponsorship of the first Las Vegas
appearance by Ailey II, an exceptional group of young, talented
individuals from the prestigious Alvin Ailey Organization. Other
sponsored events include a series of Ailey II workshops, master classes,
and a public performance as part of its education outreach program.
Activities are scheduled at various locations around the valley
including the Nevada Ballet Theatre, West Las Vegas Library Theatre,
Andre Agassi College Preparatory Charter School and West Preparatory
Institute.
Ailey II’s sold out performance will take place on Monday, February 4 at
the West Las Vegas Library Theatre beginning at 7:00 p.m. Master classes
are scheduled on Tuesday, February 5 at the Nevada Ballet Theatre from
4:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m., and workshops are scheduled on Monday, February 4
at Preparatory Institute from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and Tuesday,
February 5 at Andre Agassi College Preparatory Charter School from 9:00
a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
On Monday, February 4th at 7 p.m., Alberto Guevara, assistant professor
of fine art and cultural studies at York University in Toronto will be
giving a lecture on “Pesticide, Performance, Protest: The Theatricality
of Flesh in Nicaragua” in the Architectural Studies Library of the Paul
Sogg Architecture Building at UNLV. The lecture is preceded by a
reception in the lobby at 6:30 p.m. Both the reception and lecture are
FREE and open to the public. For more information, please call 895-3031.
In celebration of Valentine’s Day, on Saturday, February 9th at 7 p.m.,
members of the UNLV Opera Theatre’s upcoming production of Così fan
tutte present a concert of love songs (including excerpts from Mozart’s
opera) at Christ the King Community (corner of Torrey Pines and
Tropicana). The concert is FREE and open to the public.
At 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12th, The UNLV Performing Arts Center
Classical Guitar Series welcomes the internationally renowned
Quaternaglia – formed by Brazilians Paola Picherzky, Joao Luiz, Fabio
Ramazzina, and Sidney Molina – in the Doc Rando Recital Hall. Tickets to
Quaternaglia are $35.
At 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 14th - as part of the Charles Vanda
Master Series, The UNLV Performing Arts Center celebrates Valentine’s
Day with the St. Petersburg State Ballet Theatre performing Giselle –
the tale of never-ending love.
Tickets to Giselle are $40, $55, and $85.
Tickets for all the above concerts at UNLV can be purchased at the
Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting
www.pac.unlv.edu . Student rush
tickets are $13 each (plus $1 facility fee) and available one hour prior
to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV
faculty and staff discounts also are available. Information about all of
the season’s performances can be found on the Performing Arts Center
website, located at www.pac.unlv.edu
.
David Brighton and one of the best all-star backing bands in the
business, The Space Oddity Band, pays tribute to David Bowie at The Club
inside the Cannery Casino & Hotel on Friday, February 22 and Saturday,
February 23, beginning at 8 p.m. each night. This unforgettable stage
production is complete with flamboyant costume changes, elaborate
staging, and perfectly emulated vocal stylings. Admission is $5 at the
door.
Beginning Feb. 26, Winchester Cultural Center will present classes in
Mexican Folkloric Dance during a 12-week program. Classes are offered
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. for children ages 6 to 12,
and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. for those ages 13 and older at the center, 3130 S.
McLeod Drive. Cost is $60. Those interested in the Winchester Mexican
Folkloric Dance Program can call Winchester Cultural Center at
702-455-7340 or visit the Web site at
www.accessclarkcouny.com/parks .
On Friday, February 29 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.comedian Bill Engvall
will perform his side-splitting stand-up routine inside the Treasure
Island Theatre Friday, February 29 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. This
one-night engagement marks Engvall’s debut at Treasure Island (TI).Tickets
priced at $60 and $45 plus tax and handling fees now are on sale at the
Treasure Island Ticket Office (702) 894-7722. Tickets also are available
for purchase at
www.treasureisland.com . Must be 16 years or older to attend.
On February 17, 2008 between 1 and 3 p.m The UNLV Department of Film
will hold its Spring 2008 Open Casting call for the Film Production II
and III short film productions. This unique opportunity will present
actors of all types and experience with the chance to collaborate with
the successful filmmakers of tomorrow. A “meal & reel deal” is included
on all productions (on-set meal and a copy of the finished film for
future auditions). Bring a current headshot and resume, as well as your
talent, to Classroom Building Complex A-110 (located on the UNLV campus)
On Friday, March 7th at 7:30 pm in the C building, room 133. The College
of Southern Nevada proudly presents the ‘CSN Choral Program’ performing
music in all genres from Renaissance to Jazz. Admission to this event is
FREE, and open to the public. There will be a reception following the
event. To get to the Henderson campus of CSN, travel south on US 95 to
College Drive, and turn north (left) for two blocks. For more
information about this or other cultural events at CSN's Henderson
campus, please call 651-3000.
On March 8 Rascal Flatts will stop at the Mandalay Bay Events Center as
part of their Still Feels Good Tour. Their concert is scheduled to begin
at 8 p.m. with special guest Former American Idol contestant, Kellie
Pickler. Tickets (limited to 8 per person) priced at $115, $90 and $70,
not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale at the
Mandalay Bay Events Center box office.
Celebrity
Sightings:
NASCAR driver Kurt Busch was spotted Wednesday afternoon (1/30) stopping
by PT's Gold on St. Rose and Eastern. Busch will star in the new PT's
commercial set to launch during the Super Bowl pre-game this Sunday,
Feb. 3rd.
Professional snowboarders Shaun White and Danny Kass were spotted
separately inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Wednesday night
(1.30.08). White won the Olympic gold and Kass won the silver in the
2006 Olympics. Both athletes were in town for the Transworld Snowboard
Awards that was held 2/1 inside the Hard Rock.
Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
continues living up to its reputation for surprise celebrity
appearances. Danny Masterson rolled solo through the club Saturday night
(2/2/08) and was quickly invited to join a table with E! Entertainment
Television's Sal Masekela and DJ Clinton Sparks. When Sparks finished
his set at the turntables, he and Masterson shared DJ secrets and
reminisced about a house party they played together in Miami a few years
ago with ZTrip, Nelly and Andrew W.K.
Spotted elsewhere around Hard Rock on Saturday were Tera Patrick and
hubby Evan Seinfeld having a cozy dinner at AGO and rapper E-40 trying
his luck at the roulette wheel.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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