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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
Danity Kane
Celebrate the Release of Their New Album at The Bank Nightclub
On Friday night, after dining at FIX restaurant, award winning all girl
singing group Danity Kane celebrated the release of their new album
Welcome to the Dollhouse, at The Bank Nightclub inside the Bellagio
Hotel and Casino. Upon their arrival on the red carpet, they were met by
droves of screaming fans and a sea of flashbulbs before they made their
way into The Bank. The girls were ushered into the VIP section where
they immediately got on the raised banquettes and danced up a storm...in
between texting furiously on their phones all night. Later in the
evening the quintet performed their current hit single, “Damaged” from
the skybox then thanked the audience for helping them make Welcome to
the Dollhouse a number one album. Also in the house were Rapper Lupe
Fiasco and NFL player Shaun Merriman.
Danity Kane
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Matt Levine, football player Shaun Merriman, D. Woods and Aubrey O'Day
of Danity Kane
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Rapper Lupe Fiasco
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
British
Singing Sensation Joss Stone Presents Case Dedication Inside the Hard
Rock Hotel and Casino
On Saturday evening prior to her performance inside The Joint, British
sensation and multi-platinum artist, Joss Stone, presented a case
dedication at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Stone was joined by Paul
Davis, vice president of entertainment for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The
unique display includes a dress, which Stone wore in the music video
"Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now." Stone was overheard telling fans that
she has vivid memories of wearing the dress during the video shoot
because it was freezing outside.
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Joss Stone
Photo credit: J. Ludwig
Click here for
Rob Goald’s review of Joss Stone’s concert at the Joint
Other
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Las Vegas locals’ favorite barbecue restaurant, Memphis Championship
Barbecue, will be featured on the Travel Channel’s new show, “Barbecue
Paradise.” The episode, featuring a taste of real American barbecue,
will air this coming Wednesday, April 2 at 8p.m. PST.
Thursday April 3 through Saturday April 5 The William F. Harrah College
of Hotel Administration Food and Beverage Management Department at UNLV
and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada are presenting the annual UNLVino
wine experience that once again promises to be educational and fun.
Proceeds from this event will go towards scholarships for students who
will go on to become leaders in the hotel administration and food and
beverage industries—-not just in Las Vegas but worldwide.
The first event scheduled is titled “Bubble-licious” and takes place
Thursday from 7-10 p.m. at the Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel Casino where
guests will be able to sample over 60 champagnes and sparkling wines,
munch on elegant appetizers and be treated to live cool jazz. Tickets
are $100 per person.
Friday evening from 7-10 p.m., “Auss-some and Then Some” at the District
at Green Valley Ranch features the most exciting new wines from
vineyards in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Chile.
Delicacies will be prepared by local restaurants, and smooth, live jazz
will complement the wine and, the festivities. Tickets are $75.
Saturday afternoon from 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. is the Grand Tasting, inside
the Paris Las Vegas ballroom at Paris Las Vegas where wine enthusiasts
and wine experts from all over the world will meet to enjoy the latest
offerings.
Last but not least, a spirited wine-themed silent and live auction will
be held. Items up for bid include art, trips, dining, rounds of golf at
exclusive clubs, collectibles and rare vintage wines generously donated
by artists, winemakers and suppliers in support of education. Live
auction starts at 3pm and ends at 4:30pm. Tickets are priced at $100 in
advance, $125 at the door.
Tickets can be purchased at
www.UNLVtickets.com or call 702/739-(FANS) 3267. For more
information log on to: www.unlvino.com
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino is proud to
announce that it has raised $136,394 for Habitat for Humanity. The money
will go to Habitat for Humanity’s local Las Vegas programs, as well as
their Gulf Coast region relief efforts. Miracle Mile Shops continues to
contribute money to this vital organization by collecting donations from
the center’s free entertainment program, which includes a popular indoor
rainstorm feature.
People.com, the number-one celebrity site on the internet, has named
Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino a “celebrity hot
spot.” Not the traditional steak house, Strip House, is recognized for
its unparalleled menu, atmosphere and elite celebrity clientele such as
Sylvester Stallone, David Spade and Cameron Diaz.
TAO, Las Vegas’ premier nightclub located on the Grand Canal Shoppes
level of The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino, won the “Best Bottle Service”
Award at the 6th Annual Club World Awards ceremonies held at Set
Nightclub in Miami. The winners were picked by nightlife industry
leaders and nightclub peers from around the globe. TAO Las Vegas won the
coveted category, beating out many powerhouse venues of the nightlife
industry.
Premier Exhibitions, Inc. has signed a ten year agreement with Luxor
Resort & Casino in to develop a new exhibition complex which will
include the highly successful BODIES…The Exhibition and Titanic: The
Artifact Exhibition. The complex, which will include almost 50,000
square feet, is slated to include an all new Titanic exhibition with an
enormous presence, along with at least one themed bar and restaurant, a
“Photo Op” on Titanic’s soon to be constructed Ship’s bow utilizing a
moving lifeboat to gain access to the blockbuster BODIES exhibition and
multiple expanded gift shops.
KRAVE, an alternative lifestyle nightclub located at Miracle Mile Shops,
has been named the “Best Gay / Alternative Bar” in “Best of Las Vegas”
2008 awards according to Las Vegas newspaper, The Review Journal. Voters
praise KRAVE for its multi-faceted space, which houses the Harmon
Theater as well as a club and a lounge. The alternative lifestyle
hot-spot is also noted for its interesting themed nights including
CandyBar Thursdays, Tigerheat Fridays and regular wet boxer contests.
The Golden Nugget Las Vegas was also recognized for the eighth
consecutive year as the Best Downtown Hotel at the annual Best of Las
Vegas Awards, March 22. The hotel was chosen through print and online
readers’ polls for 2008, with nearly 8,000 people worldwide
participating in the survey.
The Rio All Suite Hotel and casino has opened Las Vegas’ Only Seafood
Buffet featuring customizable sushi prepared right in front of the
guest, to sommeliers available to pair seafood selections with the
finest of wines. Refined, elegant and boldly designed, the Village
Seafood Buffet is under the direction of acclaimed Chef Richard Leggett,
serving the freshest seafood from around the world, flown in daily with
restaurant-style execution. Village Seafood Buffet is open daily at 4
p.m., closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday
and Saturday. Price is $38 (plus tax) per person and $23.99 for children
ages four through eight. Children under three are free.
Beginning March 31, impressionist Gordie Brown, brings his
fast-paced, energized new show to the V Theater located in the Miracle
Mile Shops at the Planet Hollywood. The show consists of comedy, music,
parody, and impression with Brown performing over 50 voices, including
the likes of Elton John, Billy Joel, Robert Deniro, Garth Brooks, Ozzy
Osbourne, and Jack Nicholson. Show times are Monday through Saturday at
10 p.m. General admission tickets start at $59.00 plus taxes and fees.
For ticket reservations, call the V Theater Box Office at 702-932-1818.
Psychic John Edward, noted for his unique ability to connect with those
who have passed on, will be appearing at the Flamingo Las Vegas showroom
for two exclusive one day engagements - 7p.m. on both Sunday, April 13
and Sunday May 15. Tickets for John Edward are on sale for $175.
On April 4, a new version of Lysistrata will be presented in the Black
Box theatre at UNLV as part of the Nevada Conservatory Theatre Main
Season. This fifth century play tells the story of Athenian and Spartan
women refusing their husbands sex in order to end the war. Lysistrata is
not recommended for children under 13. Following the Thursday
performances on April 10 and 17, the audience is invited to join the
actors and members of the production in a discussion about Lysistrata
with Nakia Ogelsby. Additional performances are April 5, 9, 10, 11, 12,
16, 17, 18, 19 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. on April 6, 12, 13, 19
and 20. Tickets priced at $25 are on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts
Center Box Office which may be reached by calling 895-ARTS (2787).
On Wednesday, April 9th, Clark County Medical Society Alliance, Emilio
Pucci fashion house and M.J. Christensen jewelers will Host the 7th
Annual Silent Auction and Fashion Show at the Four Seasons Hotel to
benefit The Shade Tree, a local organization that helps women and
children in crises with nowhere to go. The Shade Tree’s mission is to
provide safe shelter to homeless and abused women and children and to
offer life-changing services promoting stability, dignity and
self-reliance. This one-of-a-kind fashion show brings together on one
runway Pucci, M.J. Christensen’s Hearts on Fire and the H. Stern
cobblestone collections. Tickets for this worthy charity event are $150
each. For additional information, call 702-739-9989 or visit
www.ccmsa-lv.org.
On Saturday, April 12, 2008 Lied Discovery Children’s Museum, will
present a new educational children’s travel series, TINO TURTLE TRAVELS
and a special visit from the Tino Turtle Mascot! Tino, a young tortoise
from the Mojave Desert, who loves to visit far-away places and through
his experiences teaches children about the adventure of travel. In the
Performing Arts Staging Area at 10:15 am, celebrated Las Vegas
entertainer Ryan Ahern will perform a live reading and multi-visual
presentation of the award winning book, “Tino Turtle Travels to London,
England” by Carolyn L. Ahern. Following the presentation, there will be
a Q&A session and a book signing. . Lied Discovery Children’s Museum is
located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North. Admission is $8 for adults and
$7 for children ages 1 through 17, seniors and military families,
Children under one are free. For more information call (702) 382-KIDS
(5437) or visit the Museum website at
www.ldcm.org
On Sunday, April 13, Grammy-nominated 19/RCA recording artist Daughtry
will perform hits from his self entitled album in a live acoustic set at
The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge at The Mirage. All proceeds from ticket
sales will go to the ONE Campaign (ONE.org) to fight the emergency of
global AIDS and extreme poverty.
Please note, Irving Berlin’s “I Love A Piano”, the Off-Broadway musical,
will take place on FRIDAY (not Saturday, as previously mentioned in last
week’s column) April 18 at 8 p.m. at the Henderson Pavilion, located at
200 S. Green Valley Parkway.
Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Lied Discovery Children’s Museum
will hold their Mad Hatter Tea Party & Fashion Show at the Main Stage of
Fashion Show Mall! This magical event will feature a children’s fashion
show comprised of outfits generously donated by Macy’s, a tea party and
entertainment by Alice and her Wonderland friends… Plus an electrifying
raffle of unique items for children of all ages! All proceeds from the
Mad Hatter Tea Party & Fashion Show will go to Lied Discovery Children’s
Museum’s programs and operations. Tickets and tables are available as
well as modeling opportunities. Please contact Helen Boyack, Community
Affairs Director (702-382-2445 ext. 116) for additional information.
On Sunday April 20, rock band Everclear will launch their new album “The
Vegas Years” with a special “release concert” at Mandalay Bay Beach. The
concert, marking Everclear’s 15th year as recording artists, is
scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. The show will be presented by MIX 94.1-FM
and Mandalay Bay and tickets will be appropriately priced at only $9.41,
including applicable taxes and will go on sale Saturday, March 29 at 10
a.m. at the Mandalay Bay Theatre box office.
The Everclear performance will be held in conjunction with the annual
Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) walk held earlier in the day. AFAN
provides support and advocacy for adults and children living with and
affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada. For more information about AFAN
or the 18th Annual AIDS Walk Las Vegas visit
www.afanlv.org.
Thursday May 1, the 18th annual Epicurean Affair returns to the fabulous
Flamingo Las Vegas for the third consecutive year. The Flamingo’s
poolside 15 acre tropical oasis is the setting for the epicurean affair
that will allow partygoers the opportunity to sample savory cuisine and
succulent cocktails from over 100 of Las Vegas’ top bars and
restaurants. Doors open at 6:30 PM for VIPs and 7:30 for General
admission. General admission tickets are priced at $125 each if
purchased prior to April 29, $150 if purchased 48 hours before the event
starts, to $175 for VIP tickets. To purchase tickets call the Flamingo
Box Office at (702) 733-3333. For additional information and a list of
participating restaurants visit:
www.nvrestaurants.com or
www.nvhotels.com.
Celebrity
Sightings:
Saturday afternoon March 21, Michael Symon, Iron Chef and the owner and
executive chef of the restaurants Lola and Lolita - both in Cleveland,
was spotted having lunch at Spago, inside the Forum Shops at Caesars.
Last Monday afternoon, 3/24, Panic at the Disco, made up of band mates
Brendon Urie, Ryan Ross, Jon Walker and Spencer Smith, were spotted
having lunch at Pink Taco inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
On the evening of 3/26, America's favorite reality show villain, Spencer
Pratt from MTV's The Hills, was seen checking in to the Hard Rock Hotel
& Casino with a group of friends. They were also seen at the WEC fight
that took place inside The Joint. In addition, Spencer and his sister,
Stephanie dined at Wolfgang Puck's new restaurant, CUT on 3/27 inside
The Palazzo.
Also at the Hard Rock were Las Vegas locals Ronnie Vannuchi and Mark
Stoermer of The Killers. They enjoyed dinner at Mr. Lucky's followed by
Body English where they joined their manager.
Last Friday afternoon British sensation Joss Stone was spotted shopping
at Love Jones inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. She was a sweetheart
and chatted casually with the salesperson as they compared each other's
funky sunglasses. Stone purchased a hot pink swimsuit with Swarovski
crystals by Chio, a fragaria scented candle by Voluspa, multi-color
flower print tights and a bronzing body shimmer by Booty Parlor.
On Saturday afternoon, the singer was spotted at the Hard Rock pool
lounging on a day bed.
Later in the evening she performed inside the Joint and rocked the
house. Spotted in the audience were comedian and actor, Drew Carey, who
was joined by four women. Also enjoying the concert was Sal Masakela of
Body English's Smashtime and the "Daily 10."
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Sal Masakela and DJ Clinton Sparks
of Body English's Smashtime and The Daily 10
Photo credit: J. Ludwig
Michael Bennett, running back for Tampa Bay, checked
into the Hard Rock last weekend.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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