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
“Mondays Dark with Mark Shunock” Charity Event Celebrates Music of Queen
The February edition, the fourth in series of “Mondays Dark” with Mark Shunock from Rock of Ages, took place on Monday evening February 17, at Vinyl, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s intimate music venue. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from this month's charity event benefitted The Saint Therese Center HIV Outreach and featured the music of legendary rock group Queen, whose charismatic frontman Freddie Mercury, died of Aids at age 45.
Mark Shunock
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
“For this month’s show we are adding a new twist by featuring the music of the legendary rock band Queen,” said Shunock. “Every month the show evolves and it keeps getting more and more exciting. I’ve personally been a huge fan of Freddie Mercury and Queen and can’t wait to see what our talented guest stars from the various shows on the Strip do with this classic material.”
Aptly put, the talented lineup of singers, “rocked the house” delivering dynamic, electrifying performances, with the help of back up band Arsenal, a group of fantastic musicians from “Rock of Ages”.
Performing celebrity guests were Amanda Avila from Sirens at Treasure Island, Jamie Lynch of Fantasy, Savannah Smith of Vegas! The Show!, Michael Buble tribute artist Scott Keo of Legends In Concert, and the casts of Rock of Ages, Jersey Boys and Million Dollar Quartet, who individually took to the stage, belting out an amazing song rendition from Queen's memorable repertoire of hits. Also, as part of the eclectic guest list that donated their time and talent in support of the worthy cause, were hypnotist Anthony Cools and comedy magician Murray Sawchuck offering up some humor and tricks of their trade.
Amanda Avilla
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Becca Kotte
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Brandon Nix
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Carrie St Louis
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Justin Mortelliti
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Tiffany Engen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Robert Torti
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Chris Cicchino and Andy Gerold of Arsenal
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Buck Hujabre, Jason Martinez, Douglas Crawford & Lauren Tartaglia of Jersey Boys
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Father Joseph O'Brien and Mark Shunock
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Chris 'Scandal' Randall
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jaime Lynch Thompson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jamie Ross of VH1
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jeff Civillico
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Joey Galona
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
UK Comedian Lenny Windsor
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lydia Ansel and Chris Phillips
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Morea Reveen and Anthony Cools
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Murray Sawchuck
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Peter Pavone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Pip and Mark Bennick
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Ron Gutierrez and Jennifer Romas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Scott Keo
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Skye Dee Miles, Mark Shunock, Jennifer Romas and Lydia Ansel
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The evening's festivities included a red carpet for celebrity arrivals, a silent auction, and for the first time, a live auction led by Mark. AEG, which produces shows such as Shania Twain, Elton John and Celine Dion donated two tickets to see Rod Stewart at Ceasars Palace that included orchestra seats and a back stage meet and greet with the rock icon. After an opening bid of $600, a lucky audience member raised the bar by offering up a winning bid of $1500.
Mark thanked AEG for their donation, adding that they have promised to donate a prize for each coming month's edition “Mondays Dark” to benefit the Las Vegas charity of choice.
The next edition of “Monday's Dark with Mark Shunock” will take place on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, inside Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to benefit the Shine Family Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money to help the families of US MILITARY PERSONNEL who are deployed overseas. The event's theme will be 80's music unplugged featuring guest performers that have yet to be announced. Mark Shunock is very passionate about giving back to the community and said he wants to make his “Mondays Dark” charity event an ongoing tradition.
Tickets for “Mondays Dark With Mark Shunock” are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.MondaysDark.com . There simply isn't a better entertainment deal in town. What's more, all of the proceeds goes to a worthwhile cause.
Sixth Annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards at The Venetian Las Vegas
The Sixth Annual Fighters Only Mixed Martial (MMA) Awards took place inside The Venetian Theatre at Venetian Las Vegas on Friday, Feb. 7.
The show, which was hosted by former fighter and Silver Star-awarded Marine-turned-FOX Sports commentator Brian Stann and television personality Nicole Dabeau, featured awards from 21 categories that celebrated all that is the sport of MMA.
Awards and their recipients included Fighter of the Year - Chris Weidman, Knockout of the Year- Vitor Belfort, Comeback of the Year – Travis Browne, and Fight of the Year – Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson.
Also in attendance to show their support and to present awards alongside industry leaders were celebrity fans including rock legend Gene Simmons and son Nick Simmons, Chumlee from HISTORY’s “Pawn Stars,” actor and television personality Mario Lopez, former NFL star Terrell Owens, reality star and Vegas headliner Holly Madison, Sabina Kelley of Oxygen’s “Best Ink” and rapper Daddy Yankee, among others.
Chris Weidman
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Chumlee
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Daddy Yankee
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Gene Simmons
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Holly Madison
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
ICan Showbot and Jabbawockeez
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
James Davis and Ryan Stuart
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Mario Lopez
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Nick Simmons
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Sabina Kelly
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Terrell Owens
Photo credit: David Becker/Wire Image
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas includes:
Thursday, February 20 is National Love Your Pet Day and SHAGGY CHIC, a luxury and eco-friendly pet salon and boutique at Tivoli Village (400 S. Rampart Blvd., Suite 140) will be hosting an ADOPTION EVENING from 5 to 8 p.m., with A Home For Spot. The dogs up for adoption will be treated to a Shaggy Chic grooming, and customers will enjoy 15 percent off all retail items, including hand crafted beef jerky and freshly sliced butcher bones.
The National Tour of THE GERSHWINS’ PORGY AND BESS, winner of the 2012 Tony Award® for Best Musical Revival, will makes its Las Vegas Premiere at the Smith Center April 15-20. Tickets ranging in price from $26 to $129 will go on sale Feb. 21 at 10 a.m.and will be available at The Smith Center box office located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue or by phone at 702-749-2000.
THE BLONDE DIVAS, sisters Dixie Lu Sims and Nancy Renée Emmerich, and their “soul sister” Dixie Jo Henson, will debut their show in Las Vegas at the Italian American Club, Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m backed by the Michael T. Band. The group sings “oldies” from the ‘40s, ‘50s, and ‘60s, including songs made famous by the McGuire Sisters, Andrews Sisters, and Glenn Miller, and original material. Tickets for The Blonde Divas are $20. The Italian American Club is located at 2333 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104.
HELENE NEVILLE, transcontinental runner, nurse and author, will hold a “Fit or Frustrated” juicing demo at 2 p.m. and book signing at Eccoci Boca Park, located at 750 S. Rampart, Suite 8, on Saturday, Feb. 22 from 1 – 5 p.m. This FREE afternoon event is open to the public and includes refreshments.
Three performers from the Strip’s hottest Broadway productions will come together for the first-ever BROADWAY ROCKS VEGAS concert on Monday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. at Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Featuring Graham Fenton of JERSEY BOYS, Martin Kaye of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and Justin Mortelliti of ROCK OF AGES, BROADWAY ROCKS VEGAS will showcase the talents of these individuals and their bands for one-night-only. Tickets begin at $20 and are on sale now.
HYPNOSIS UNLEASHED STARRING KEVIN LEPINE, will host a night to raise funds for THE SHADE TREE, a local shelter supporting victims of domestic violence. The performance will take place inside the Night Owl Showroom at Hooters Casino Hotel on Thursday, February 27 at 8 p.m. In honor of the non-profit’s 25th Anniversary, 25% of ticket proceeds and merchandise sales from that evening will be donated to the organization. General admission tickets are priced at $48.30 and VIP tickets are $59.30.Guests must be 21 years old or over.
On Friday, February 28, popular Las Vegas classic rock cover band CROSSFIRE will perform at a special event at Sam’s Town Live! benefiting the POPLICE UNITY TOUR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty through an annual bike ride. The concert will specifically commemorate the life of David VanBuskirk, whose end of watch was July 22, 2013. Tickets are $10 in advance and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming box office. Tickets will be available at the door for $15, starting at 7 p.m. the night of the show. Guests must be 21 years of age and older.
REO SPEEDWAGON will take the stage at Fremont Street Experience for a free performance on Saturday, March 8 at 9 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage. The iconic rock band will rev up crowds with iconic songs including: “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Take It On the Run,” “Keep on Loving You,” “Roll with the Changes” and more. The concert is part of the 11TH ANNUAL RACEJAM 2014, a three-day event celebrating all the NASCAR action taking place with NASCAR merchandise booths and free nightly entertainment taking place Thursday, March 6 – Sunday, March 9.
Celebrity Sightings:
Tuesday, Feb. 18...
TV personality Whitney Port enjoyed dinner at TAO Asian Bistro.
Rapper Young Jeezy was also spotted dining with friends.
Additionally, the Asian bistro played host to actor and singer Eric Balfour who was seen dining with his family.
Hip-hop icon Ice Cube gave a memorable live performance at hot spot Hakkasan Las Vegas Nightclub at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, which opened its doors for a special mid-weed bash for the official Creative Recreation and Hudson Jeans party during PROJECT|Magic Las Vegas.
While seated in VIP, Ice Cube enjoyed a glass of champagne with his wife, Kimberly Woodruff, and prepared for his performance while taking in the sights and high energy of the crowd in the main room. Thousands of partygoers were bursting with excitement as DJ Vice got on the mic from behind the DJ booth to announce Ice Cube’s arrival and anticipated performance.
Also in attendance at Hakkasan Nightclub was the band Capital Cities, who headed over to the complex following their concert which took place earlier in the evening. Band members Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, sat in a VIP booth located on the mezzanine but headed to the main stage following Ice Cube’s performance, to congratulate the hip-hop artist on an amazing show.
Ice Cube performance at Hakkasan
Photo credit: Al Powers of Powers Imagery LLC. /hakkasanlv.com.
DJ Irie performance at Hakkasan
Photo credit: Al Powers of Powers Imagery LLC. /hakkasanlv.com.
Monday, February 17...
The world-famous dance crew Jabbawockeez debuted its latest project, the new short film “Regenerate,” during a special screening atat Luxor Hotel & Casino. Notable guests including champion boxers Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire and Zab Judah, artist Juan Muniz, dancers B-Boy Bailrok and D-Trix and Chumlee of the hit reality show “Pawn Stars.” There was also a special appearance by Seychelle Gabriel, the lead actress of “Regenerate.” Guests celebrated the occasion in style during a reception held in Rice & Company before the screening, enjoying beats spun by DJ Cutso of The Bangerz. Prior to the “Regenerate” screening, director Kevin Tancharoen gave his personal remarks about the making of the short film. Tancharoen is best known for his work on “Fame,” “Mortal Kombat: Rebirth,” and “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie.”
Chumlee, friends and Nick Ngo
Photo credit: Joshua Jose
D-Trix
Photo credit: Joshua Jose
Jabbawockeez, D-Trix and Bailrok
Photo credit: Joshua Jose
Jabbawockeez, Schychelle Gabrial, and Kevin Tancheroen
Photo credit: Aaron Garcia
Jabbawockeez
Photo credit: Joshua Jose
Kevin Tancheroen
Photo credit: Aaron Garcia
Nonito Donaire
Photo credit: Joshua Jose
Zab Judah
Photo credit: Joshua Jose
Sunday evening, Feb. 16...
Former NFL Quarterback Vince Young attended the late show of Absinthe with friends. At the conclusion of the performance he posed for a photo with The Gazillionaire, Penny Pibbets and The Green Fairy Melody Sweets.
Vince Young at ABSINTHE
Photo: Courtesy of ABSINTHE
Marquee Dayclub joined forces with Insomniac to host the third annual Halfway to EDC bash celebrating the six-month countdown to EDC Las Vegas. DJs Dash Berlin, Candyland, Paris Blohm, Firebeatz, Kennedy Jones and Jason Lema composed the talented lineup of heavy hitters as thousands of guests poured onto the rooftop venue, 17 stories above Las Vegas Blvd, to witness the monumental event.
Halfway to EDC with Dash Berlin
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
From the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance to a residency at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ The Chelsea theatre, Bruno Mars took over Marquee Nightclub with his official concert after party.
Actor Darren Criss from “Glee” was also spotted at Marquee Nightclub with girlfriend Mia Swier.
Rapper, actor and television host, Bow Wow and Grammy award-winning song writer and producer, Jermaine Dupri were spotted at Crazy Horse III.
Saturday, Feb. 15...
GLEE star, Darren Criss, attended Rock of Ages at The Venetian Las Vegas. Following the performance, Criss headed backstage to share words of enthusiasm with Rock of Ages star and former GLEE cast member, Jon Robert Hall, and to take a photo with the cast.
Darren Criss with the cast of Rock of Ages
Photo: Courtesy of Rock of Ages Las Vegas
Philadelphia Eagles Tight End Zach Ertz attended ABSINTHE at Caesars Palace with his girlfriend. Following the performance, Ertz met with The Gazillionaire and Penny Pibbets for a photo.
Zach Ertz at ABSINTHE
Photo: Courtesy of ABSINTHE
DJ Havana Brown, best known for her smash hit "We Run the Night" featuring Pitbull, celebrated her 29th birthday at TAO Asian Bistro & Nightclub. Joined by friends in the dining room, the blond bombshell and her group enjoyed cocktails and a range of signature entrees and desserts before making their way to a VIP table in the nightclub. Havana later hopped in the DJ booth alongside DJ Vice where she hyped the crowd and jumped on the turntables. Soon after returning to her VIP section, Havana was surprised with a three-tier cake as DJ Vice and the entire room wished her a very happy birthday.
At Marquee, DJ group Cash Cash headlined the night followed by a special late night set by international underground artist Jamie Jones. Commanding the DJ booth in the main room, Jones kept the party going for club-goers, spinning until 5 am on Sunday morning.
DJ Havana Brown_Cake at TAO Nightclub.jpg
Photo Credit: Al Powers, Powers Imagery
DJ Havana Brown performing at TAO Nightclub.jpg
Photo Credit: Al Powers, Powers Imagery
DJ Vice and DJ Havana Brown at TAO Nightclub.jpg
Photo Credit: Al Powers, Powers Imagery
Jamie Jones
Photo Credit: Al Powers, Powers Imagery
Miss Nevada USA Nia Sanchez was spotted celebrating her 24th birthday at Hakkasan Nightclub at MGM Grand. Arriving just after 11 p.m. the stunning beauty and her close friends including Miss Arizona USA 2009 Alicia Blanco, Miss Arizona USA 2010 Brittany Bell and more, took their seats at a VIP booth inside the Ling Ling Club located on the third level of the nightlife mecca. Sanchez spent her evening dancing the night away to the beats provided by renowned DJ Ruckus. Nearing midnight, the pageant beauty was presented with a three-tiered cake topped with a beautiful crown.
Miss Nevada Nia Sanchez and Alicia Blanco
Photo credit: Brenton Ho of Powers Imagery, LLC/hakkasanlv.com
Friday evening, Feb. 14...
Mike Shouhed of "Shahs of Sunset" enjoyed a romantic Valentine's Day dinner with girlfriend Jessica Parido at LAVO Italian Restaurant.
At TAO Nightclub, famed NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice was spotted celebrating Valentine's Day at a VIP table with a large group of friends.
Daughtry with special guest Beware of Darkness rocked the Mophie Stage inside The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Chris Daughtry
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Wednesday, Feb. 12...
Musicians Chris Kael, drummer of Five Finger Death Punch, and Frank Sidoris, guitarist for Slash, were spotted enjoying the rocking rhythms of Blue Man Group inside Monte Carlo Resort and Casino on. Following the show, the artists posed for pictures with the Blue Men during a private backstage meet-and-greet.
Chris Kael of Five Finger Death Punch
Photo courtesy of Blue Man Group
Frank Sidoris of Slash
Photo courtesy of Blue Man Group
Sunday, February 9...
Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell attended ABSINTHE. Following the performance, Bell posed for a photo with The Green Fairy, Melody Sweets.
Joshua Bell at ABSINTHE
Photo: Courtesy of ABSINTHE
