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By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
ShoWest 2008
My coverage of last week's ShoWest 2008 can be read
at:
http://www.theflickchicks.com/showest_2008.htm
First
“Yard House” Eatery in Las Vegas Debuts at Town Square
On Friday evening, the award winning upscale casual eatery Yard House,
known for its great food, classic rock, and the world’s largest
collection of beer, held a Preview party to celebrate the debut of its
first Las Vegas venue which is located at the new Town Square on the
southern end of the Las Vegas strip.
The popular dining destination with franchises
throughout Southern California, Denver, Chicago, Palm Beach, Waikiki,
Kansas City and Phoenix now includes this free standing 12,609 square
foot restaurant that boasts both indoor and outdoor dining with a guest
capacity of nearly 400. The interior decor showcases a contrasting mix
of warm woods, stainless steel accents, original artwork, and a central
signature oval bar with 160 taps of beer, and a transparent keg room
containing more than 600 barrels, some 1,000 gallons of beer.
A state of the art sound and visual system includes
two dozen flat plasma screens strategically placed throughout the
restaurant for guests to enjoy the latest sports or news, and since
music is a key theme of the Yard House concept, the audio system
features a music library of more than 6,000 classic rock tunes.
Adding to the ambiance is a menu by award winning
Executive chef and partner Carlito Jackson who has created many dishes
featuring favors of the Pacific Rim that have been inspired by his
Filipino heritage. The over 100 items on the menu includes a creative
list of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, rice and pasta dishes as well as
steak and seafood. As one of the invited guests, throughout the preview
event I was offered an array of samplings from the menu by the very
cordial and accommodating servers who walked around with trays upon
trays of mouth watering choices that were all delicious.
“We strive for our guests to have fun and a truly
enjoyable experience at Yard House” said Steele Platte, founder and CEO
of the popular restaurant chain. From my experience, I think he has
accomplished just what he set out to do.
Yard House is open daily from 11 am and features,
lunch, dinner, a weekday happy hour and late night dining. For more
information call 702-734YARD (9273).
Other
recent and upcoming “Vegas happenings” include:
The opening of CUT at the Palazzo Resort marked Wolfgang Puck’s sixth
fine dining restaurant in Las Vegas. “I believe that we have some of the
finest restaurants in the world in Las Vegas,” said Wolfgang Puck. “It’s
wonderful to bring CUT to local residents and visitors. We’re offering
something new and exciting – our own version of the American steakhouse
– modern, innovative food in a contemporary, energized environment.”
Bellagio recently announced the induction of Joseph Phillips of Sensi
into the Court of Master Sommeliers. Phillips becomes the fourth of
Bellagio’s already impressive team of Master Sommeliers, joining Robert
Smith of Picasso, Jason Smith of Michael Mina Bellagio, and Director of
Wine Robert Bigelow. Phillips’ induction establishes the record for the
most Master Sommeliers at a single property anywhere in the world.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is celebrating March Madness by offering
players the opportunity to participate in the “Shoot for Loot” prize
drawings. The Rockstar Club will have a table set up inside The Joint
from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, March 20 – 21. Rockstar
card members are permitted one shot per day. Players can win extra shots
by earning 500 base points on slots, placing a $100 or more sports bet
or getting a suited blackjack during the promotion period (up to ten
extra shots per day). Those that make a basket may choose two prizes,
and those that miss may choose one prize. Prizes include $500 cash;
dinner gift certificates; comped rooms; free slot play; free table bets;
Rock Spa treatments; and free entrances into Rehab and Body English
nightclub. For additional information visit the Rockstar Players Club or
www.hardrockhotel.com.
Spirit Therapies, which provides therapeutic horseback riding for
special needs children, is having a yard sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. The sale will help raise money
for the children who attend the facility, as well as assist with the
maintenance and care costs of the horses. To see a demonstration of a
therapeutic horseback riding session, guests should arrive between 8:30
a.m. and noon on Saturday.
Spirit Therapies is located at 9140 La Madre Way off 215 North and Lone
Mountain Rd. To RSVP for this event, call Laurie Wilmott at 702.219.1728
or email her at
horsemom59@hotmail.com.
On Saturday, April 5 at 8 p.m. Fran Cosmo, the co- lead singer of Boston
since 1990 will play the hits of Boston at The Club inside the Cannery
Casino & Hotel. Joining him on stage will be special guests Barry
Goudreau, former lead guitarist and original member of Boston and Orion
the Hunter and former Boston guitarist, Anthony Cosmo. This amazing trio
provides audiences with the powerful vocals, intense guitars and
melodies of the great Boston classics like “Rock and Roll Band,” “Smokin,”
“Piece of Mind,” “Something About You,” “Cool the Engines” and many
more. Tickets are $19.95 plus tax and fees and can be purchased either
at the Cannery Casino & Hotel’s ticket sales counter located at the
front desk,, by calling (702) 617-5585 or (866) 287-4643 (toll free), or
by visiting
www.cannerycasinos.com.
On Thursday, April 3 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., The Springs Preserve at
333 S. Valley View Blvd. will host its April lecture, “The Untold
Stories of St. Thomas that explores the evolution of St. Thomas from
early settlement to today’s ruins. St. Thomas historian Eva Jenson,
Boulder Dam historian Dennis McBride, and local historian Dr. Michael
Green will discuss the history of St. Thomas in addition to the
importance of the Dam and bringing water to the West. The cost is $12
for non-members, $10 for members, $6.50 for children ages 5-17, and
children 5 and under is free. For more information or to reserve your
space for the event call 822-7786.
Blue Man Group is holding an open casting call for aspiring Blue Man
performers at The Venetian’s Blue Man Group Theatre inside the Venetian
Hotel, on Monday, April 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a unique
opportunity to be a part of the Blue Man sensation that has earned
itself countless fans throughout the world. Male and female performers
are encouraged to audition. All necessary audition equipment will be
provided. The basic criteria for Blue Man performers are:
• Height between 5’10” and 6’1” tall (athletic build)
• Solid drumming skills
• Excellent acting skills
• Willingness to relocate
For more information about ongoing Blue Man Group casting efforts,
performers may visit
www.bluemancasting.com and
www.blueman.com.
Upcoming jazz singer, 24 year old Sophie Milman, returns to Henderson
Friday, April 11 at the Henderson Events Plaza to perform a free concert
where she will entertain the welcoming crowds with her powerful voice,
beautiful melodies and catchy lyrics. Her sultry singing has been
compared to the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, and has helped build a huge
international fan base from Canada to Europe, from the U.S. to Asia.
Milman has topped the iTunes jazz charts in five territories as well as
sold out shows in Canada, United States, Japan and Europe. She has also
been nominated twice for the prestigious Juno Award and most recently,
was nominated for a Canadian Independent Music Award. Her song “Make
Someone Happy,” from the album with the same name, was listed second on
iTunes Best Song of The Year for the jazz category. For additional
information on Sophie Milman or other events, call (702) 267-2171 or
visit www.HendersonLive.com.
Comedian Mike Epps is set to perform inside The Pearl at the Palms
Friday, April 18, 2008, at 10:30 p.m. Epps brings with him fellow
comedian Lavell Crawford. Tickets for are $53 and $78. The Pearl Box
Office is open from noon – 7 p.m. daily. For more information on
upcoming concerts; please call 702-942-6888.
On Saturday April 26, Pop rock band Goo Goo Dolls will headline the The
Lili Claire Foundation’s 6th Annual Benefit Dinner and Concert sponsored
by Colliers International and Links for Life Foundation at the Mandalay
Bay Events Center. Josh Kelley and Sugar Ray will open for the Goo Goo
Dolls. Tickets (limited to 8 per person) are priced at $75, $60 and $35
and will go on sale beginning Saturday, March 22 at 10 am. at the
Mandalay Bay Events Center box office (702) 632-7580.
The Lili Claire Foundation Benefit Dinner will begin with a VIP cocktail
reception and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dinner program
and live auction at 7 p.m. The concert is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.
Celebrity
Sightings:
Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil was spotted at the Hard Rock Hotel &
Casino last Tuesday afternoon 3/11. He was overheard talking about how
excited he was to be back at Hard Rock after returning from LA where he
is currently recording his next big project.
On the night of 3/12, Hellyeah! drummer, Vinnie Paul Abbott, celebrated
his birthday with a party at AGO inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. He
was joined by a group of friends.
Hard Rock regulars, Tito Ortiz and Jenna Jameson, were also spotted
having lunch at Pink Taco.
Last Thursday evening, 3/13, Bette Midler was spotted dining with a
guest at Spago, inside the Forum Shops at Caesars.
On Saturday 3/15, Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel
and Casino held it's weekly Smashtime party hosted by E!'s "Daily 10"
cast members Sal Masakela, Ben Lyons and Clinton Sparks. The stunning
Cat Sadler joined her "Daily 10" teammates and partied amongst the
nightclub’s fully packed crowd. Jason Feinberg, local Fox 5 on-air
personality and former correspondent for "E! News Daily" was also
spotted enjoying the sounds of DJ Clinton Sparks spinning on the
turntables.
Spotted checking into the hotel on Saturday was actor Paul Rudd who was
in town taking a break from filming.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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