By Judy Thorburn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
http://www.theflickchicks.com
Couple Marry on 11/12/13 With Smashburger-Themed Nuptials
At the stroke of midnight, the first couple to marry in Las Vegas on the iconic date of 11/12/13 said “I do” at Smashburger (located on 5130 S. Fort Apache Rd). The burger-themed nuptials was officiated by Elvis, a.k.a. Brendan Paul from Graceland Chapel. The wedding kicked off the nation’s busiest wedding date of the year – 11/12/13 with more than 2,500 couples around the country expected to marry throughout the day.
Photo courtesy of Smashburger
Once Elvis pronounced the couple “husband and wife,” the newlyweds cut into a 6-tier, piping hot wedding cake made entirely of Smashburgers. Nearly 100 hamburgers were needed to make this unique creation to come to life.
The lovebirds, Darlene Hielscher and Bryan Porter, are both from Ormond Beach, Fla. Smashburger searched nationwide for the couple. Couples submitted videos via social media regarding why they loved burgers and one another. Ultimately, Darlene and Bryan were selected thanks to their story about being high school sweethearts, losing touch and then reconnecting decades later over beers and burgers. Two years after their magical date, they got married in Las Vegas.
“This was the most exciting thing we’ve ever done,” says the new Mrs. Porter. “We’ve always wanted to get married in Las Vegas. When we were talking about when to get married, Bryan thought it would be fun to get married on 11/12/13.”
Bryan adds, “Well, I thought of the date 11/12/13 because I wanted an anniversary I could easily remember.”
“Smashburger is a young and vibrant brand. As such, we love adding a modern twist to traditions, that’s why we wanted to have this unique wedding. What says new and trendy more than getting married by Elvis on a unique date like 11/12/13 with burgers,” says Stacie Lange, senior vice president of communications, Smashburger.
As for the full package of what the couple received as Smashburger’s winning couple, in addition to the Elvis-and-burgers-themed nuptials:
-Roundtrip airfare from their hometown to Las Vegas courtesy of Smashburger.
-Two nights of accommodations in the spacious and stylish all-new Bally’s Jubilee Tower suites
-Couples’ Massage at Bally's Las Vegas Spa
Two tickets to"Jubilee”, the longest-running show on the Las Vegas Strip and the last showgirl production of its kind.
-One year’s worth of Smashburgers that can be experienced at any Smashburger location throughout the U.S.
Poppy Den Asian Bistro by Chef Angelo Sosa celebrated Grand Opening of The Den at Tivoli Village.
Poppy Den Asian Bistro by Chef Angelo Sosa celebrated the grand opening of The Den, a hip new second-story ultra-lounge, November 8 at Tivoli Village.
Chef Angelo Sosa and Ken Henderson
Photo credit: Omar Gomez
Dim Sum and The Poppy Den
Photo credit: Omar Gomez
The Poppy Den interior
Photo credit: Omar Gomez
The Celebrity Chef mingled and took photos with guests and served his house-made dim sum. As a Las Vegas local, Chef Sosa will often be seen at Poppy Den Asian Bistro working with the staff, developing new menu items and interacting with guests.
Guests began the party with a journey up an elevator illuminated with Asian starlets to The Den, an indoor-outdoor lounge with red accents and swanky décor, along with vintage Asian black and white films projected onto the wall. Signature cocktails included: the Singapore Swing made with gin, cherry, pineapple and grenadine; the Scorpion made with dark and light rums, orange, lime and almond; the Absinthe Dream made with dark rum, absinthe, grenadine and lime; and the Desert Rose made with sake elderflower, passion fruit and jasmine. Attendees enjoyed dancing to an energized mix by internationally-renowned DJ Tatiana and a spacious outdoor patio overlooking Tivoli Village’s decorated streets.
The Den will be open from 8 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday and Thursday nights and 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Bottle service is available with selections including vodka, gin, bourbon, tequila, whiskey and rum ranging from $105 to $150 per bottle for up to four people. ‘DJ Tatiana’ Alvarez and ‘DJ Steve’ Walker will split time spinning eclectic mixes on weekend nights.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Vocal impressionist Véronic DiCaire joined forces with Hard Rock Cafes in Las Vegas as part of the 14th Annual PINKTOBER™ campaign to raise funds to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Collectively, they raised a total of $6,069.39, through pink ribbon sales, a special Night School 4 Girls class, collections at VÉRONIC Voices at Bally’s Las Vegas and more. Present for the donation were Susan G. Komen of Southern Nevada Executive Director, Stephanie Kirby, Michelle White-Sukala, Véronic DiCaire, and Hard Rock Cafes Las Vegas General Managers Greg Thomas and Darcy Byers. The donation was made in honor of Michelle White-Sukala, who is currently battling breast cancer.
Photo courtesy of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hard Rock’s PINKTOBER program encourages guests around the world to support breast cancer awareness by attending live music performances and pink-themed events at Hard Rock locations across the globe during the month of October.
To commemorate this month and to recognize our military families in Las Vegas and the State of Nevada, B-BEATLESHOW at Saxe Theater has invited military families to sign up for free tickets to the show from November 1-15.
Photo courtesy of Saxe Theater
This past weekend, members of the local government honored B-Beatleshow and OPERATION HOMEFRONT with a proclamation during the show. Sonia Joya from Governor Brian Sandoval’s office presented the official proclamation to members of B-Beatleshow and Operation Homefront. Keith Hughes from Congressman Joe Heck’s office also presented a certificate of appreciation for B-Beatleshow’s generous donation. Director of Operation Homefront, Annie Baca, presented a special plaque to the cast in thanks for their commitment to honor and entertain Nevada’s troops and veterans.
Students and board members of EPICUREAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF LAS VEGAS (ECF) will honor National Philanthropy by volunteering their time at a local soup kitchen, St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility, 1502 N Main St. from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Nov. 15. ECF will prepare and serve more than 800 lunches along with assisting families at the site’s food pantry. Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada provides daily meals to those in need throughout the Las Vegas area, including St. Vincent Lied Dining Facility.
Acclaimed Broadway, television and film star ROBERT KLEIN will perform his Grammy®-nominated comedy routine at the Suncoast Showroom November 16 and 17.
Showtime each evening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and fees.
RANDY COUTURE will be co-hosting a painting class at Buzz’N Brushes, located in The Orleans Hotel and Casino on November 16, 2013 at 8 p.m. The event will run approximately two hours and will feature a painting session hosted by Couture, with photo opportunities and autograph signing to follow. The ticket price of $75 ( limited availability) includes a two-hour painting session with supplies and a drink. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to the XTREME COUTURE G.I. FOUNDATION, a nonprofit organization founded by Couture. Its programs fulfill unmet needs of veterans of America’s armed forces as they return to civilian life, which includes assistance in financial crises.
The second annual BATTLE OF THE BANDS will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19 at PBR ROCK BAR & GRILL, located inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The party spot will co-host the competition with Las Vegas Events and 102.7 The Coyote’s on-air host, Kris Daniels. Starting at 7 p.m., patrons will enjoy performances by Nashville Drive, Thrillbilly Deluxe and defending champions, The Rowdy Band. Special guest judges including Ricardo Laguna will score and select the winner, who will go on to perform at Cowboy Corral during NFR. Throughout the night, the hot spot will also give way three pairs of NFR tickets to lucky patrons. Partygoers who dance up a thirst will cool off with Coors Light drafts and bottles, priced at $5 each, and Heineken drafts, priced at $7.
Las Vegas headliner, RED SKELTON TRIBUTE ARTIST BRIAN HOFFMAN is donating all proceeds from his show on Saturday, November 23 inside the Westin Las Vegas Hotel Casino and Spa, 160 East Flamingo Road, on. to benefit the Southern Nevada Alzheimer's Organization. The money will go towards taking care of people with the disease and to help find the cure. Tickets for Nov 23rd's show can be reserved by logging on to http://www.redskeltoncomedyshow.com Reserved tickets can be picked up at the box office between 12 and 1:30pm on the day of the show.
Following the highly anticipated 14TH ANNUAL LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS on November 21 there wll be an unforgettable after-party at LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino. The Las Vegas hot spot will feature a live performance by celebrated reggaetón artist J. Alvarez and a special guest DJ set by DJ Nelson. Famed artists including Fito Blanko, renowned duo Crooked Stilo, Echo Hits and Yexian, among others, will keep the party going all night when they host an evening filled with non-stop entertainment.
CASTLE WALK FOOD COURT AT EXCALIBUR HOTEL & CASINO will celebrate their first anniversary by offering guests buy-one-get-one for a dollar deals at six of the restaurants in the food court from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Castle Walk Food Court’s offerings have a deal for guests of all cravings, including:
·Cinnabon: Receive $1 “Minibon” with the purchase of a “Classic”
.Hot Dog on a Stick: Receive $1 regular lemonade with purchase of any stick item
·Pick Up Stix: Receive $1 appetizer with purchase of an appetizer
·Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen: Receive $1 regular drink with purchase of a dinner
·Schlotzsky’s: Receive $1 regular drink with purchase of a medium sandwich
·Tropical Smoothie Café: Receive $1 smoothie with purchase of a smoothie
To celebrate Castle Walk’s anniversary, the following entertainment will be available throughout the anniversary party: balloon animal artist from noon to 3:30 p.m., airbrush tattoo artist from 2 to 6 p.m., a strolling magician from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a caricature artist from 3 to 7 p.m
For the first time in more than a year, HOLLY MADISON takes the stage in Las Vegas during a special encore performance of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in the Harrah’s Las Vegas Showroom. For one-night-only, Madison will perform the Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret duet “The Lady Loves Me” from the hit movie “Viva Las Vegas” alongside the cast during the finale.
Celebrity Sightings:
Friday night, October 25...
Kim Kardashian celebrated her 33rd birthday at TAO, surrounded by fiance Kanye West, mom Kris Jenner, sisters Khloe and Kourtney, Scott Disick, Glee’s Naya Rivera, rapper Tyga and his girlfriend Blac Chyna, Jonathan Cheban, Simon Houck and Robin Antin.
Comedian Chris Rock also joined the partiers later in the night.
Also spotted at TAO was country music superstar Faith Hill, who took over a sky box overlooking the club with a group of girlfriends.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Kris Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Kim Kardashian and Naya Rivera
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Wednesday, Nov. 6...
Race car legend Mario Andretti was spotted enjoying a Campari and orange juice at Luxe Bar inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Wednesday night Bevy Smith and Derek J from Bravo TV’s Fashion Queens celebrated their birthdays with dinner at LAVO.
Poison drummer Rikki Rockett attended Rock of Ages at The Venetian. Following the performance, he met with the cast backstage.
Carrie St. Louis with Rikki Rockett
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ROCK OF AGES Las Vegas
Rikki Rockett with the Rock of Ages Las Vegas Company
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ROCK OF AGES Las Vegas
Rapper, Sage the Gemini, hosted TAO’s Worship Thursday. The rapper and friends dined at TAO Asian Bistro, enjoying signature favorites and fueling up for the night. After dinner they headed up to the nightclub, taking over a VIP table on the dance floor. Sage also hopped in the booth with DJ Justin Credible.
Sage the Gemini
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Sage the Gemini performing
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Recording artist, song writer and record producer, Ron Isley and his family were spotted dining at Carmine’s inside the Forum Shops at Caesars with his wife and son.
Friday, Nov. 8....
Among the crowd at the 2013 Soul Train Awards after party at Body English Nightclub & Afterhours at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was music and TV personality Flavor Flav. Recording artist Bobby Valentino, DJ J-Nice, Craze and DJ Mark Stylz provided music as guests partied into the early morning hours.
Actress and producer, Vivica A. Fox, had lunch at TREVI Italian Restaurant inside The Forum Shops at Caesars with a friend.
Adult film actress and car model, Charmane Star, hosted a late-night party at Crazy Horse III for SEMA show partiers.
Charmane Star on Red Carpet
Photo Credit: Jeff Ragazzo
Charmane Star with Fans
Photo Credit: Jeff Ragazzo
Rapper T.I. dined at TAO Asian Bistro.
Maxwell Scherzer of the Detroit Lions was spotted at TAO Nightclub. Joined by friends, the pitcher took in the sounds of DJ Eric D-Lux and celebrated being named a finalist for the American League Cy Young Award.
Saturday, Nov. 9...
Spotted at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was MTV’s “Awkward” actress Jillian Rose Reed celebrating a friend’s 21st birthday. The group enjoyed lunch at the property’s funky gastropub, Culinary Dropout. That evening, the group grabbed drinks and south-of-the-border meals at the mega-hip Mexican cantina, Pink Taco, before heading into Body English where DJ Ikon and DJ Presto One spun at the on-stage turntables. The venue also hosted a surprise performance by Cali Swag District.
Former “Gossip Girl” actor Chase Crawford was seen dining at the popular Cantonese hot spot Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
Selena Gomez was spotted at Marquee. After taking in the sounds of DJ Dash Berlin in the main room, the pop star and a dozen girlfriends made their way to Marquee’s BoomBox room.
Tennis legend, Andy Roddick hit up TAO Nightclub with a group of male friends.
Sir Mix-a-Lot took in the scene at LAVO Nightclub where DJ OB One manned the decks.
Hip-hop legend Rev Run celebrated his birthday at the Ling Ling Club inside Hakkasan Las Vegas at MGM Hotel & Casino with an unrivaled set alongside turntable sensation Ruckus. Rev Run’s daughters Vanessa and Angela Simmons along with son Joseph “Jo Jo” Simmons were spotted celebrating alongside their dad for his birthday.
Rev Run performing
Photo credit: Brenton Ho of Powers Imagery LLC. /hakkasanlv.com
Jojo and Angela Simmons
Photo credit: Brenton Ho of Powers Imagery LLC. /hakkasanlv.com
Sunday, November 10...
Actor Will Smith, wife Jada Pinkett Smith and children Trey Smith, Jaden Smith and Willow Smith gathered together to celebrate the 21st birthday of Will Smith’s eldest son, Trey, with a special private dinner at Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant inside MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
The famous family were joined by 50 of their closest family and friends, including Trey’s mom (Will Smith’s first wife) Sheree Zampino. The private dinner took place at Hakkasan’s Ling Ling Lounge as the room was closed off to the public for the event.
Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaden Smith, Trey Smith and Willow Smith
Photo credit: Denise Truscello of WireImage.com
Trey Smith, aka DJ ACE, continued his 21st birthday celebration at LAVO. Trey arrived with dad Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, siblings Jaden and Willow, Trey’s mom Sheree Zampino and her husband former NFL pro Terrell Fletcher, along with a large group of extended family and friends in LAVO’s main dining room.
