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 By
Judy Thorburn
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic
Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer
www.theflickchicks.com
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
I was saddened to hear that on Tuesday, October 30,
the entertainment world lost another legendary music star with the
passing of Las Vegas resident, singer/actor and Tony Award winner,
Robert Goulet who shot to stardom in 1960 with his role of Sir Lancelot
in the Broadway musical, Camelot opposite Julie Andrews and Richard
Burton. Goulet died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles of
pulmonary fibrosis. He was 73 years of age. Sincere condolences go out
to Goulet’s wife Vera and family.
Robert and Vera Goulet
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
Magician Lance Burton issued this statement on the
passing of his friend: "I feel lucky to have known Robert Goulet and
been able to call him my friend for the past 15 years. I feel sorry for
anyone who did not get the opportunity to see him perform live. My most
cherished memories are sitting with him and Vera at dinner and listening
to him tell stories. He was funny and charming and just the greatest guy
in the world to hang out with. At my 10th anniversary show at the Monte
Carlo Resort I drafted him into the show. He did exactly what I was
hoping for. He charmed the audience and received a standing ovation. His
passing has left a huge hole in the Las Vegas entertainment community
and many of us have lost a great friend. My thoughts and prayers are
with Vera."
The
Amazing
Johnathan's 3rd Annual Halloween Bash
On the evening of October 31 in celebration of Halloween, there were
innumerable costume parties throughout Las Vegas, but none could have
been more fun than the one I attended. For the third consecutive year,
magician “The Amazing Johnathan” threw a Halloween bash at his warehouse
located in the southeast part of the Las Vegas Valley, and this was his
best ever.
Amazing Johnathan
Every year he and his staff come up with some new
thrills for those guests who are brave enough to tour the dark and scary
maze of passageways of his haunted “mortuary” that leads to the entrance
to the “party” room. That’s where offerings of food and refreshments
were available as well as a stage for a various acts, such as a singer
on keyboard, a pair of aerial acrobats, and a freak show among others
who performed for the packed room of guests during the course of the
evening. The party extended into the parking lot that gave way to
additional outside entertainment provided by a several performers who
work with fire (see videos).
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
As expected, guests showed up in a variety of
creative costumes, some intended to dazzle the eyes while others were
simply humorous or even X-rated. There was a guy who came dressed in a
bathrobe and slippers as a dirty old man and a young guy in a suit with
a gift box attached to the crotch area of his pants. For these two, just
use your imagination. Among the gamut of costumed characters were
pirates, cross dressers, American Indians, historical figures, movie and
cartoon characters, plus a pair of robots, Kiss impersonators, and my
favorite; a female dressed as rapper, Snoop Dog complete with fur coat,
bling, and face makeup. But surprisingly, I don’t recall seeing one
witch or ghost. Magician Nathan Burton turned heads in a blonde wig as
fellow magician Hans Klok, and he was accompanied by his gorgeous
girlfriend Britney, who “stacked” up fine as Pamela Anderson.
Nathan Burton as Hans Klok and Britney Palmer as
Pamela Anderson
Photo by Stephen Thorburn
I want to thank my friend
Penny Wiggens, The
Amazing Johnathan’s stage assistant and integral part of his act, for
inviting me to TAJ’s entertaining and fun filled Halloween bash. I can
only imagine what he has in store for next year.
Judy Thorburn as "Gypsy Fortune Teller", Jacqueline
Monahan as "Dorothy, from the Wizard of Oz" and Stephen Thorburn as
"Hippie Dead-Head"
City of
Henderson Unveils The Da Vinci Experience at Grand Opening
On Thursday, November 1, the City of Henderson unveiled its newest
addition to the Water Street District, the Da Vinci Experience, a
one-of-a-kind cultural exhibit celebrating Leonardo’s Inventions of
Genius, that is on display through March 2, 2008.
Henderson Mayor, James B. Gibson and members of City Council welcomed
invited guests during a brief reception before turning the microphone
over to a special guest, Leonardo da Vinci himself (an impersonator, all
decked out in period costume). Leonardo spoke about his scientific
devices and creations before he led the guests into the exhibit to see
the 60 detailed replicas of his inventions first hand.
from left to right – Councilman Steven Kirk,
Councilman Andy Hafen, Mayor James Gibson, guest, and Andrea Primo
(Interim Director of the Department of Cultural Arts and Tourism)
welcome VIP guests to the Da Vinci Experience.
from left to right – Leonardo Da Vinci (impersonator) and
Henderson Mayor James Gibson inside the Da Vinci Experience.
Upon entering the Da Vinci Experience, guests first
viewed a short film about Leonardo, then were guided by docents dressed
in period costumes, through the exhibit to give insight to some of the
objects on display. Guests observed working replicas based off of more
than 13,000 pages of notes and drawings that Leonardo left behind. These
items have been recreated using the same techniques and materials that
existed during his time. Some of the displayed prototypes include the
first bicycle, the first car, the first helicopter and the first
parachute, among others. Many of the guests were able to interact with
the exhibits to help understand how the designs of modern day machinery
have evolved.
Docent provides information about the Heavy-Lifting
Mechanism to Mayor James Gibson
Flywheel: The three balls comprise Leonardo's design
of what we now call a flywheel - a heavy device that can store the
energy it receives to release it in even amounts to maintain a steady
speed. Leonardo worked on ways to allow the flywheel to spin longer yet
use less energy to start it turning.
Study of a Wing: After studying the anatomy of birds,
Leonardo decided to apply the results of his observations to his flying
machines. In this study of a wing, he envisaged a single sheet of cloth
stretched over a structure of wood and cane in the manner of the wing of
a bat.
In addition to the exhibits, several reproductions of
Leonardo’s paintings are on display for viewing, including the Mona
Lisa, the Virgin of the Rocks and the Last Supper.
The Da Vinci Experience is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday
and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $17 for adults,
$12 for seniors (ages 65+) and students (ages 7-17) and active duty
military, and $55 for families of five. Children age six and younger are
free. Groups of ten or more are $11 each and Clark County School
District school groups, also with ten or more, are $5 each. Nevada
residents with a valid Nevada state ID or driver's license can take
advantage of a 2 for 1 admission offer Monday thru Friday. Tickets are
available at the exhibit. For more information call 267-4TIX or visit
www.HendersonLive.com .
NBC’s
New TV Reality Show Phenomenon and the Las Vegas Connection
NBC’s new TV reality show Phenomenon, which is broadcast live from Los
Angeles, has more than a few connections to Las Vegas. For one, Mind
Freak illusionist Criss Angel, who will debut his spectacular new magic
show at the Luxor in 2008, is one of the series’ two judges; the other
being world renowned mentalist, Uri Geller. Second, I am thrilled to
find out that Las Vegas performer, “The Mentalist” Gerry McCambridge,
who has his own show at Hooters here in Las Vegas, has survived last
week’s cut and is moving on in the competition, thanks to voting viewers
who disagreed with the negative feedback from the judges.
Criss Angel and Gerry McCambridge
Photo of Criss Angel by Stephen Thorburn
Photo of Gerry McCambridge courtesy of
http://www.mentalist.com
I am a skeptic, but I must admit McCambridge is
amazing, and I know that because I personally experienced his astounding
mental abilities up close as someone who was chosen at random from the
audience to assist him in the telephone book demonstration during one of
his shows a few years back at another venue. I can honestly say I was
not a plant and do not know how he does what he does. I haven’t a clue
as to what he has planned for his next appearance on the show, but I
recommend everyone tune into Phenomenon on Wednesday, 8PM PST. And don’t
forget to vote for whom you think is the next, best Phenomenon.
Other
recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which will be built in
downtown Las Vegas, has received a $100 million “challenge” grant from
the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to provide funding for a second hall
and education center once fundraising is completed for the main 2,050
seat performance hall. The Reynolds Foundation “challenge” gift means
that construction of the entire complex can occur simultaneously, rather
than in two phases as originally planned.
Phase 1 features a magnificent 2,050 seat performance hall which will be
the new home of the Las Vegas Philharmonic and touring Broadway shows,
among others. Phase II of the complex includes a 650-seat proscenium
theater, which will be home of the Nevada Ballet Theatre as well as a
cabaret theater, studio theater and the education and community outreach
complex. In order for the grant to be completed, Smith Center officials
must raise an additional $75 million by next summer.
The Smith Center Challenge Grant is the single largest philanthropic
gift in state history, surpassing the foundation’s initial grant to the
Smith Center of $50 million in 2005, which created an operating
endowment for the center.
“This extraordinary second gift means the Smith Center has cemented its
position as the center of the performing arts scene in Las Vegas,” said
Don Snyder, Chairman of the Smith Center. “Our vision to build a
world-class facility that will stimulate, entertain and educate Southern
Nevada for generations is shared by Fred W. Smith, the chairman of the
Reynolds Foundation, and the entire Reynolds board.” Groundbreaking for
the Smith Center is planned for late in 2008 with a projected opening in
2011.
Monday, November 5th from 10am to 6pm and Tuesday, November 6th from
Noon to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm, The Bank Nightclub at Bellagio is having an
opening casting call to fill the following positions: Marketing VIP
Host, Marketing Bar Host, VIP Table Host, Bus Person, Apprentice
Bartender, Promoters, and Security. The casting call will take place at
JET Nightclub located inside the Mirage. Call (702) 693-8300 or visit
www.lightgroup.com for
more information.
In celebration of the 5-year anniversary, “V-The Ultimate Variety Show”
is offering $5 tickets to Las Vegas locals with all of the proceeds
going to a select charity each month. The November “Charity A Month”
will begin November 12th and continue through the 16th with proceeds
benefiting Operation School Bell® of the Assistance League® of Las Vegas
which provides new clothing to children in need.
On Saturday, November 10 beginning at 9 p.m., Gin Blossoms, one of the
most popular alternative rock bands of the ‘90s, will appear in concert
at the Club inside the Cannery Casino & Hotel.
Tickets are on sale for $19.95 plus tax and at the Cannery Casino &
Hotel’s ticket sales counter located at the front desk. or by calling
702-617-5585 or 866-287-4643 (toll free), or by visiting
www.cannerycasinos.com .
Beginning Nov 16-Feb 17, for the fourth year, Lake Las Vegas Resort
opens their Rockefeller-style ice rink that floats on the 320-acre lake,
off the shore of MonteLago Village, for the entire family and people of
all ages to enjoy.
In addition, skaters can visit the village’s diverse boutiques, play a
round of golf, or just sit back and enjoy the holiday scenery. Decorated
for the holiday season, Lake Las Vegas Resort will feature a ceremonial
tree lighting, appearance by Santa Claus and a special musical
performance by Green Valley High School Choir and Helen Joy Choir on
Friday, Nov. 16. The Lake Las Vegas ice rink will open on November 16 at
8:00 p.m. and will run through February 17, at 9:00 p.m. (these hours
are subject to change due to weather conditions). The cost is $15 per
person, $12 for children 12 years of age and under. Groups of 20 or more
are $8 and season passes are also available for $125, which includes the
cost of skate rentals.
For more about the holiday events at Lake Las Vegas resort, call
564-1600 or visit
www.lakelasvegas.com
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre production of The Heiress opens November
9 in the Black Box Theatre at UNLV. The play, written by Ruth and
Augustus Goetz, is based on Henry James’ novel Washington Square.
Performances are in the Black Box Theatre November 9, 10, 14, 15, 16,
and 17 at 8 p.m. with matinees at 2 p.m. November 10, 11, 17 and 18.
Tickets are $15 general admission, $13 for students, seniors and the
military.
The UNLV Opera Theatre presents a fully-staged production of Händel’s
Alcina on Tuesday, November 27 and Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at the
Black Box Theatre in the Alta Ham Fine Arts Building on the UNLV campus.
Performances start at 7:30pm, and will be sung in Italian with projected
English subtitles. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $8 for
seniors/military/faculty & staff, and $5 for all students with ID.
Tickets for the above UNLV cultural events may be purchased at the UNLV
Box Office or by calling 895-ARTS.
Kim Flowers Talent Development Academy™ in Las Vegas will host open
auditions Saturday, November 17, with in-house casting director for MGM
Worldwide Television, Paul Weber. Kim Flowers and guest Weber will be
searching for actors, models and performing arts talent for upcoming
commercial, television and film projects. Auditions will be held at the
Wingate by Wyndam Hotel located at 3041 St. Rose Pkwy, Henderson, Nev.
89052 at 2:30 p.m.
November 23 through December 16, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza will be
collecting new, unwrapped toys for its fifth annual Las Vegas Toys for
Tots program. Each customer who brings in a toy donation at the
following three locations: 6500 West Sahara Avenue, just east of Rainbow
Boulevard; 4300 East Sunset Road at Green Valley Parkway and Sunset in
the Town Center shopping plaza, between Courtyard by Marriott and
Barley’s Casino or 7160 North Durango drive in Montecito Marketplace in
Centennial Hills, will receive a coupon for a free giant Messy Sundae®.
Beginning Wednesday, November 21, 2007 until Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008,
families can stroll down the illuminated cacti pathways of ethel’s®/Ethel
M® Chocolates Botanical Cactus Garden and experience the sights, smells
and sounds of the Chocolate Wonderland from sundown to 10 p.m., seven
days a week (the garden will be closed on Christmas Day). As always, the
Chocolate Wonderland is free of charge and also offers a chance to visit
to the chocolate factory where visitors are invited to see how ethel’s®/Ethel
M® Chocolates are handcrafted. Award-winning Chocolate Chef Jin Caldwell
will also display her chocolate sculptures throughout the season. At
various times during the holiday season, local choirs will perform
holiday tunes, and Santa will be making appearances in the garden every
Friday and Saturday evening through December 22.
To commemorate Green Month, The Springs Preserve promises a November to
remember with a series of environmentally friendly activities and events
throughout the month. Check our Calendar of Events to see what is on the
agenda.
Beginning Friday, November 23 with festivities continuing through the
end of the year, The Springs Preserve presents its first Winter Lights
Festival. The lights display in the 8-acre garden and throughout the
Preserve will be created from half a million LED lights illuminated by
solar power. Performances by the Chaparral High School orchestra, Sign
Language Performing Arts Team, Sign Design Theater and Cockroach
Theater’s original puppet show “Dicken’s Done Over”, are scheduled for
the Springs Preserve’s Courtyard Plaza, Garden Amphitheatre and Tool
Shed Theater throughout the holiday season. The Winter Lights Festival
is open Friday through Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. starting
November 23. It will be open daily starting December 24 through December
30. Cost of admission to gardens only is $4 for adults and $2 for
children ages 5-17 and cost of admission for gardens and galleries is $9
for adults and $4.50 for children ages 5-17 (ages four and under
admitted free.) The Preserve is located at 333 S. Valley View Blvd. For
more information, please visit
www.springspreserve.org .
 “Hans
Klok - The Beauty of Magic” featuring Pamela Anderson ends its run at
the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort and
Casino following the 10 p.m. show on Saturday, Dec. 8. Current show
schedule is as follows: 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, 7 and 10 p.m. on
Thursdays, 8 p.m. on Fridays and 7 and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. The show
will be dark on Nov. 17. Tickets are priced at $45, $75 and $105.
I’ll be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las
Vegas.
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