February 17, 2008 - Vegas Happenings
Fan Yang's Mega Bubbles Debuts at the Steve Wyrick Theatre
Mamma Mia! Celebrates 5th Year Anniversary at Mandala Bay

By Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com

 Fan Yang’s Mega Bubbles Debuts at the Steve Wyrick Theatre  
Photos by Stephen Thorburn

A special VIP reception and performance was held on the evening of February 8th for Mega Bubbles the newest show to open inside the Steve Wyrick Theatre at Planet Hollywood. Whether called the Gazillion Bubble Show or its new title, Mega Bubble Show, the interactive production starring its creator Fan Yang, considered “the greatest bubble artist in the world”, is a one of a kind treat for kids all ages.

Blending science with art, Fang, a 14 time Guinness World Record holder, who has been featured on numerous TV shows and broadcast stations all over the world, mesmerizes the audience by creating a feast of eye dazzling, gorgeous bubbles that incorporate lights, smoke and lasers. It was obvious from the wide eyed looks of wonder and sounds coming from the children in the audience that they loved the show. Several cute and excited kids were chosen to come onto the stage where Fang made them the centerpiece of a huge bubble surrounding their body.

From one to a mega amount of bubbles that include tiny, huge, one inside the other, and in all shapes and sizes that bounce, float through the air, and rest in Fang’s hand, you have to see to believe the amazing bubbles Fang is able to produce and manipulate from his “special liquid formula”.

Performances for the 70 minute afternoon Mega Bubble Show are Saturday – Thursday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with an additional show on Saturday at 11 a.m (dark Fridays). Ticket prices range from $32.50 for general admission to $69.50 for Bubble Zone VIP seating (not including taxes and surcharges) and can be ordered by visiting www.SteveWyrickTheatre.com  or by calling 702-777-9974.

Fan Yang with Judy Thorburn

 Mamma Mia! Celebrates 5th Anniversary at Mandalay Bay

On Thursday evening February 13, the acclaimed musical Mamma Mia! celebrated its 5th Anniversary at Mandalay Bay with a performance followed by an After Party at The House of Blues. This was the third time I had seen the Las Vegas production since it opened. Although there have been several changes in the cast, the upbeat, fun show is still be one of the best productions on the strip and continues to gets audiences up on their feet, singing and dancing along with the contagious music.

(from left) Vicki Van Tassel, Carol Linnea Johnson, Robin Baxter photographed by Joan Marcus


Cast of Mamma Mia! at 5th Anniversary party at House of Blues

With more than 1,900 performances and two million guests to date, MAMMA MIA! has set the precedent for musicals in Las Vegas as no other full-length Broadway show has ever enjoyed, breaking all box office records at the Mandalay Bay Theatre.

Inspired by the music of Swedish pop sensations ABBA, writer Catherine Johnson weaves their memorable hit songs including “Dancing Queen”; “The Winner Takes It All”; “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance on Me” within a charming story set on a Greek Island about a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father. On the eve of her wedding, she secretly invites 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago.

Leading the talented and enthusiastic present cast is Carol Linnea Johnson as Donna Sheridan, the independent single mother whose carefree past catches up with her, Moriah Angeline as Donna’s daughter Sophie, and Marshal Kennedy Carolan as Sky, Donna’s fiancé. Donna’s best friends and former back-up band Rosie and Tanya are played by Robin Baxter and Vicki Van Tassel, who reunite on the island for Sophie’s wedding. The trio who make up Sophie’s possible dads are played by Victor Wallace (Sam), Ron McClary (Bill) and Don Brewer (Harry).

Vicki Van Tassel, Carol Linnea Johnson, Robin Baxter

Due to popular demand MAMMA MIA!, which was previously scheduled to end in August after more than 2,300 performances, recently announced it will now play through January 4, 2009.

MAMMA MIA! performs at the Mandalay Bay Theatre Sunday - Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. & 10 p.m. (dark on Fridays). Tickets are $110, $82.50 and $49.50, tax inclusive. Tickets are available by calling the Mandalay Bay Box Office at 800-632-7400, online at www.mandalaybay.com  or www.mamma-mia.com

 Other recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:

At 10:30 pm on Wednesday, February 13, Brannon Hair Salon held their four year anniversary celebration and launch party for their new hair care products, created by the talented Brannon Zimbelman, at Body English, inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The evening’s event featured the sounds of guest DJ Fedde Legrand and the unveiling of Brannon’s new product line of shampoo and hair conditioner known as the “01” Series. Since the opening of Brannon Hair Salon, Brannon has attracted a loyal following of trend-setting, fashion conscious individuals. His style and innovations have been featured in numerous national magazines including Allure, Vogue, Marie Claire and InStyle. Brannon’s client list includes countless A-list names of the fashion, music and film industry including Britney Spears, Jon Bon Jovi, Leeann Tweeden, Jaime Pressly, Pink, Cary Hart and Vince Neil.

Brannon Zimbelman

On Friday night, February 15, during its weekly evening event just for ladies called Indulge, Body English nightclub showered hundreds of ladies with more than $8,000 in Smashbox Cosmetics at their beauty-gifting suite inside the Parlor. Attendees were also eligible to win the grand prize of a makeover by celebrity Smashbox makeup artist Patrick Tumey whose celebrity clients include; Nicky Hilton, Paris Hilton, Michelle Kwan, Kimora Lee-Simmons, Bai Ling, Taryn Manning, Alyssa Milano, Mandy Moore, Sandra Oh and Amber Tamblin.

As it turned out, the lucky winner happened to be getting married the next day. She received her complimentary makeover and free makeup set from Smashbox at noon on Saturday, just in time for her wedding.

Zagat, widely viewed as the most trusted name in travel has named Bass Pro Shops at Silverton Casino Lodge the number one men’s and women’s wear store in Las Vegas in its Best of Las Vegas 2008 guide. The guide also ranks the outdoor lover’s paradise among the top 20 stores in Las Vegas in any category overall.

From 5 – 9 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21, award-winning nature photographer Tom Mangelsen will visit Miracle Mile Shops’ Images of Nature gallery inside Planet Hollywood. During the free reception Mangelsen will present 18 new images being released in his 2008 Collection that span Canada, the United States, Mexico and Africa. Mangelsen will be available for a meet and greet and sign any of his works, including books and calendars. Complimentary refreshments will be served. In 2005, Mangelsen was named "One of the 100 Most Important People in Photography" by American Photo Magazine. His photography has been published in leading magazines such as Audubon, National Geographic, Life, Wildlife Art and National Wildlife and featured on multiple television programs including The Today Show, Good Morning America, CNN’s World News and ABC’s World News Tonight.

Beginning 7 p.m on Friday, February 29, The Annual Race Jam takes place at the Fremont Street Experience featuring a fun fast paced weekend of free live concerts and NASCAR merchandise booths. Two days of rocking entertainment include performances by Blake Shelton, LoCash Cowboys, Bruce In the USA and Garage Boys. The performance schedule is as follows: Friday, February 29, Garage Boys, 6-8 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Bruce In the USA, 9-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Saturday, March 1, LoCash Cowboys, 6-8 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Blake Shelton, 9-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage. For motor sports thrill-seekers, the motorcycle daredevil team Bela Tabak’s Riders of the Thunderdome will perform on Friday and Saturday night at 9:15 pm and 11:15 pm on the Main Street stage. The NASCAR merchandise trailer will be out for fans to support their favorite racing team. All concerts are free and open to the public and parking is available at the Fremont Street Experience parking garage located at Carson and 4th Streets.

In a special promotion with Miller Lite Rock ’n Racing and the Palms Casino Resort, Mighty Mighty BossTones kick off NASCAR race weekend in Vegas with a special performance at the Pearl Concert Theater on Friday, February 29, 2008, at 9:00 p.m. Free tickets will be given away to concert goers who stop at any Short-Line Express, Green Valley Grocery or Speedee Mart and look for specially marked 18-packs of Miller Lite to acquire a sticker redeemable for two free tickets to the concert. The consumer will then take the sticker, along with the receipt showing proof of purchase, to The Pearl Box Office between the hours of noon and 7:00 p.m. to receive their tickets. Additional Miller Lite Rock ‘n Racing activities include broadcasts of The Adam Carolla Show and Xtreme Disorder, as well as an autograph signing by NASCAR star Kurt Busch. For more information on all activities, as well as a list of retail locations to purchase specially marked 18-packs of Miller Lite, please visit www.palms.com . Must be 21 years or older to get tickets and receive admission. While supplies last; ticket does not guarantee admission.

Country music star and former finalist on Season 2 of America Idol, Josh Gracin will perform on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 8 p.m. inside Sam’s Town Live! at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall. Tickets for this performance are on sale now for $15 and can be purchased at www.tickets.com  or the Sam’s Town Live! Box Office. Gracin also will be singing the National Anthem at 1 p.m. that day to kick off the Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Immediately following the National Anthem, the United States Marine Corps is scheduled to perform a flyover.

On Saturday, March 1st, in honor of Nevada Reading Week, the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd, will hold a special celebration for families and children of all ages. Festivities include a story reading by Channel 8 anchor, Paula Francis from 10 – 10:30 a.m., and an interactive scavenger hunt from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. allowing participants to visit the intriguing galleries and exciting exhibits of the Springs Preserve. Lead by the Springs Preserve’s Youth Education Team, the scavenger hunt will also incorporate lessons learned in the story reading. The winners, to be announced at 11:30 – 12 noon, will receive unique and sustainable gifts from the Springs Preserve gift shop. Participants of Nevada Reading Week activities will be admitted free until 2:00 p.m. Space is limited so please call 822-7744 to reserve a space for your child.

Comedian Magician Mac King and Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza Join Forces to Support “Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids” during Mac King’s March Book Drive March 1-March 31. The book drive promotion drive kicks off March 1 at all Nevada Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza locations and encourages Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza guests to bring in a new or gently used children’s book targeting ages 4-12. In exchange for the book donation, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza will provide a free “Giant Messy Sundae” certificate to customers. Mac King Comedy Magic Show ticket holders are also encouraged to donate a new or gently used book at the show to receive a free autographed Mac King Tricks With Your Head book.

Mac King’s March Reading Soirée, a special reading and pizza-eating event, is scheduled for Monday, March 10 at Sammy’s Green Valley location and Monday, March 24 at Sammy’s Centennial Hills location. During both events, Mac King will read to a group of children and perform magic and comedy entertainment. There will be Sammy’s pizza and sodas available to the children and families. Mac King’s March Reading Soirée will begin at 4 p.m. at both locations. For more information go on line to info@spreadthewordnevada.org

At 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series, The UNLV Performing Arts Center welcomes the 49 members of Great Britain’s The Band of the Coldstream Guards and The Pipes, Drums, and Dancers of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Tickets for their concert are $35, $50, and $80 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $13 (not including a $1 facilities fee) each 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.

 Celebrity Sightings:

On Sunday night, 2/10, Rock icon Vince Neil of Motley Crue celebrated his birthday at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The rocker started off the evening at AGO dining with his wife and a group of close friends including Body English Managing Partner Cory McCormack, Jason Giambi, Dennis Haskins and John O’Hurley of Spamalot and Dancing with the Stars. The party then continued to Body English where they met up with more friends such as Carey Hart, UFC Champ Rampage Jackson, John Dolmayan of System of a Down and rapper Too Short. Guests said the party was “off the hook” when Neil was presented a 6-foot birthday cake shaped like a guitar.

Monday night, 2/11, the world’s best known free-style motocross rider, Carey Hart, partied at the infamous Rok Box at Tabú Ultra Lounge. Accompanied by his entourage, Hart and company indulged in Absolut vodka and shots of Patron, while wife Pink was conspicuously absent. The Las Vegas native did not shy away from fans as he signed autographs and took photos with his many admirers.

On Tuesday evening, 2/12, a number of famous faces were seen around The Hard Rock Hotel around property. Hip-hop and R&B artist Akon checked into a hotel room and was seen having dinner at AGO. Affliction Clothing owner Todd Beard partied in the Hard Rock Penthouse with friends including UFC fighter Randy Couture, illusionist Criss Angel and UFC Champ Rampage Jackson. Beard and his crew continued the party downstairs enjoying the energy and atmosphere of the famous Peacock Lounge where they spent a few hours testing their luck at the blackjack table. Music mogul Steve Rifkind also spent the night at the Hard Rock endulging in the amenities of one of the new Hard Rock suites. Lastly, but not least, actress/rocker Juliette Lewis was seen getting into a limo in valet.

On Wednesday night, 2/13, St. Louis Rams players Steven Jackson and Drew Bennett were seen having dinner at AGO. This morning (2.15.08) actor and comedian Pauly Shore enjoyed breakfast at Mr. Lucky's.

Spotted inside Body English (also located inside the Hard Rock) on Wednesday were Frostee Rucker(Cincinnati Bengals), Matt McCoy (New Orleans Saints), Heath Farwell (Minnesota Vikings) and Mark Stoermer (The Killers).

On Wednesday, February 13, Paris Hilton introduced her Fall 2008 Paris Hilton Collection at LAX Nightclub inside the Luxor. Than on Saturday evening, February 16, the socialite/party diva celebrated her birthday by performing with the Pussycat Dolls on stage at the Pussycat Lounge inside Caesars Palace.

On Thursday night 2/14, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosted an exclusive Valentine's Day performance by Snoop Dogg. He was spotted arriving at the Hard Rock in a Bentley before performing an hour long set for a fully-packed crowd inside The Joint. After the show, Snoop hung out backstage in the dressing room for nearly two hours with a group of close friends. Also spotted on Thursday walking through the casino was actor Mario Lopez.

Snoop Dogg

Saturday night 2/16, at Studio 54 in MGM Grand Las Vegas, Grammy Award winning hip-hop artist Common blew up the stage with a knock-out performance at the Taylor vs. Pavlik after-fight party hosted by boxing legend, Winky Wright. Following his performance, Common joined Winky Wright and entourage in Studio 54’s VIP skybox, to celebrate by sipping on Silver Oak Cabernet and Ciroc vodka.

Photo credit: Chris Farina/Getty Images


Photo credit: Chris Farina/Getty Images


Photo credit: Chris Farina/Getty Images

Just after 3 a.m. Common and company showed up at Tabú Ultra Lounge, also in MGM Grand, to keep the party going into the early hours of the morning.

I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.