Vegas Happenings | GEORGIA ON MY MIND Red Carpet Event | Alumni Join Chippendales Las Vegas for 35th Anniversary Celebration | Taiji Dolphins: The Truth Behind the Tarps

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

'GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles' Launches into The Venetian with Star-Studded Red Carpet Event

GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles held its Grand Opening  in the Venetian Theatre on Tuesday night, September 23, which would have been Ray Charles' 84th birthday.

The groundbreaking new show, GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles, stars Emmy award winning singer and entertainer Clint Holmes who is joined on stage by 10-time Grammy award-winning vocal group TAKE 6,  six-time Grammy nominee and DownBeat Vocalist of the Year Nnenna Freelon, Stella Gospel Award and Grammy award-winning saxophone star Kirk Whalum, and the Las Vegas All-Star Big Band, under the direction of pianist and conductor, David Loeb.   Also featured are the Las Vegas Mass Choir, under the direction of James R. Smith and Edie Aikels.

Clint Holmes and his wife Kelly Clinton-Holmes
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Kirk Whalum
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Nnenna Freelon
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Take 6
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

The Raylettes
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Musical director, David Loeb
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

The evening's festivities began with a pre show reception at db Brasserie where invited guests, including members of the media and celebrities, were treated to a delectable variety  of appetizers and cocktails.

Red carpet arrivals included singer Patti Austin, singing quartet Human Nature, prop comedian Carrot Top,  cast members of PANDA!, Melody Sweets (Absinthe), bmx star Ricardo Laguna, singer impressionist Bob Anderson, comedy magician Mac King, rock star artist Michael Godard, Travis Cloer (Jersey Boys), Zowie Bowie's Chris Phillips, singr Frankie Moreno, a capella group Mo5aic, celebrity magician Murray SawChuck and his lovely wife, Fantasy dancer Chloe Louise Crawford, stage assistant and slight of hand card trickster Doug “Lefty” Leferovich, dancer/ choreographer Jennifer Romas; Miss Asian Las Vegas Catherine Ho, Miss Chinese Las Vegas Elisa Chan, Merald "Bubba" Knight, Jr., Jason Baney (Naked Magicians), and more.

Bob Anderson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Bubba Knight
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Carrot Top
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Cast Members of PANDA!
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

db Brasserie's chef David Middleton
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Douglas 'Lefty' Leferovich
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

FANTASY! dancers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Frankie Moreno
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Dancer/choreographer Jennifer Romas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Mac King
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Rock of Ages cast members: Mark Shunock, Tiffany Engen, Becca Kotte, and Justin Mortelliti
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Absinthe's Melody Sweets
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Artist Michael Godard
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Miss Chinese Las Vegas Elisa Chan
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

A capella group Mo5aic
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Magician Murray Sawchuck and his lovely wife FANTASY! dancer Chloe Louise Crawford
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Patti Austin
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

BMX star Ricardo Laguna
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Naked Magician Jason Baney and assistant
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Jersey Boys star Travis Cloer
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

 “We are excited to bring this unique show to The Venetian and to fans from around the world who visit Las Vegas,” said John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo. “It’s a joy to bring audiences back to the golden age of renowned artists performing great songs with a live big band and choir on a world-class stage. The artists in this performance have a combined 11 Grammys, and Vegas’ own Clint Holmes is making his return to the Las Vegas Strip after eight years. This is a celebration of the genius Ray Charles and an evening with GEORGIA ON MY MIND will be a night to remember.”

GEORGIA ON MY MIND, Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles is performed in The Venetian Theatre for a limited engagement through Oct. 29, 2014. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at The Venetian Box Office.

Read Jacqueline Monahan's review of GEORGIA ON MY MIND: Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles in this week's edition of her  “About the Town” column.

Alumni Join Chippendales Las Vegas for 35th Anniversary Celebration

The world's #1 male revue, Chippendales, celebrated its 35 year anniversary on Saturday night, September 20 at the Rio All Suite Hotel, with a reunion of 100 former cast members from 1979 – 2014.

Chippendales alumni
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chippendales alumni and current cast
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

The evening's festivities consisted of a invite only cocktail reception with the appearance of the current cast of Chippendales and former cast members spanning nearly four decades, including three cast members from the original Los Angeles Chippendales club and show from 1979. In addition, six former Chippendales were incorporated into various numbers of the current Las Vegas show for one night only.

Current Chippendales cast and performing alumni
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

The sexy all male production began with a video documenting the history of Chippendales that included appearances by several cast members on TV talk shows throughout the years.

Chippendales Show
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chippendales risky business
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chippendales smooth criminal
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chippendales country western number
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Chippendales cast and alumni with show creator Richard Barash (second from right)
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Performing with the current Las Vegas cast  in dance segments titled “Chipp Shot,” “Old Time Rock & Roll” (aka Risky Business), “Party Rock” and finale/bows were the following Chippendales alumni:

58 year old Michael Rapp (aka, “Mr. Perfect”), Chippendales Star/Host from 1981-2001 Performed in the Los Angeles, NYC and world touring productions; 47 year old Dean Mammales, Chippendales Dancer from 1987-1992, Performed in the NYC and touring production; 47 year old Kevin Casper, Chippendales Dancer from 1992-1993, performed in the European and UK Tours; 49 year old Dino Manriquez Chippendales Dancer from 1990-1994 Performed in the European Tour; 49 year old Terry Lenley Chippendales Dancer from 1988-1995 Performed in the World Tour and  47 year old Tor Kristiansen Chippendales Dancer from 1989-1994, Performed in the Los Angles and tour productions.

Chippendales host Jaymes Vaughn (left) with several alumni performing in the evening's show
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

What an evening it was! The audience was packed with women ages 18 and up, eager to feast their eyes on the plentiful serving of handsome beefcake who, as always, delivered the goods with their hot and seductive dance moves. And for this momentous occasion, the Chippendales alumni added to the excitement proving that they still have the complete package of looks, fit bodies and moves to drive the women wild.

Chippendales, one of the world’s most recognized brand names, is the premier provider of entertainment for women.  Locals and visitors alike can see The Chippendales perform nightly in Las Vegas at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Named after the Chippendales-style classic furniture that adorned the original club in Los Angeles, the brand quickly became a pop-culture phenomenon in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The success of the Los Angeles club spawned a New York club as well as other permanent locations and touring troupes that traveled the world, producing shows across Europe, the UK, Australia and Asia. Over the last 35 years of Chippendales, the men have performed for more than 100 million women in over 100 countries, have traveled more thank 6.7 million miles while touring, have torn away over 1.2 million tank tops, worn 56,000 bowties and cuffs and have been photographed more than 70 million times.

VIP Reception Held for Gallery exhibit – Taiji Dolphins: The Truth Behind the Tarps

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society hosted a VIP reception on Friday night, September 19 inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, for the presentation of the gallery exhibit – Taiji Dolphins: The Truth Behind the Tarps

On hand to show their support for the organization’s efforts to raise awareness of the horrific annual dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan were Claire Sinclair, star of Pin Up and Playboy’s 2011 Playmate of the Year, Kevin Burke of Defending the Caveman, Patrick Murray of Ja-Makin’-Me-Laugh, Jodie McDonald and Danial Brown of LIMELIGHT and State Senator Mark Manendo.

Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians Erwin Vermeulen, who was jailed for 64 days in Taiji in 2011 for allegedly pushing a dolphin trainer and was later acquitted, and Scott West, former Cove Guardian leader and Director of Intelligence & Investigations for Sea Shepherd, were on hand along with Susan Hartland, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society Executive Director and other Sea Shepherd executives and volunteers to share the need for awareness and action to stop this annual slaughter.

A live feed from Taiji was shown, where actress and dedicated Sea Shepherd supporter Shannen Doherty spoke to viewers from around the world, sharing that a pod of dolphins had just been driven into the cove to be captured or killed.

Taiji Dolphins: The Truth Behind the Tarps presents a gallery of 25 start and graphic images by Sea Shepherd’s international volunteer crew, the Cove Guardians, during the annual Operation Infinite Patience Defense Campaign.  In the small coastal town thousands of dolphins and small whales are captured for entertainment or killed for human consumption for six months of each year during the annual dolphin drive hunt.

Since 2010 Sea Shepherd has had an ongoing presence of volunteers from around the globe who remain on the ground in Taiji, documenting the slaughters in the Cove throughout the entire dolphin season.  These ocean sentinels, known as Cove Guardians, document and report on the atrocities in the Cove to pressure Japan to end Taiji’s unnecessary hunt and capture of these incredibly intelligent, sentient beings.  The exhibit is presented free of charge.  Remaining gallery hours are: Saturday, September 20 until 8 pm and Sunday, September 21 from 10 am – 5 pm.

Claire Sinclair
Photo credit: Karl Larson

Cove Guardian Erwin Vermeulen and Susan Hartland
Photo credit: Karl Larson

Jodie McDonald and Danial Brown of LIMELIGHT
Photo credit: Karl Larson

Kevin Burke and Patrick Murray
Photo credit: Karl Larson

Shannen Doherty
Photo credit: Karl Larson

Additional recent and upcoming happenings in and around Las Vegas includes:

PANDA! performer Boran Yu was honored with the MERLIN AWARD from the International Magicians Society on Sunday, Sept. 21. The lauded magician was presented the award on stage before PANDA!’s 200th show by IMS CEO/Co-Founder Tony Hassini, IMS World President Linda Osterman, and Juliana Chen—the first female and Chinese magician to win the World Championship at the World Congress of Magicians.

Jianan Zhou, Tony Hassini, Boran Yu, Linda Osterman, and Jiaqi Shen
Photo courtesy of PANDA!

“The Merlin Award is one of the most prestigious recognitions in magic,” said Yu. “I am humbled and grateful to be a recipient this year. Performing in PANDA! has been a great honor and I am happy the IMS was able to attend the show and present the award here in The Palazzo Theatre.”

Yu, whose magical feats in the show include pole climbing, ZhongFan, Changing Faces, and Ancient Color Tricks, begin learning traditional Chinese magic in 1988 from his father, Bing Yu, who is also a famous magician and top-ranked performer in China. The same year, he became an acrobat in the Beijing Acrobatic Troupe. Throughout his career, he has won several accolades in both magic and acrobats, including the gold medal in the Heng Yuan Cup National Close-Up Magic Competition and the Gold Lion Award at The Fourth Session of National Acrobatics Competition. Yu’s renown has led to invitations to perform internationally in countries including France, The Netherlands, Panama, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, and the United States. In 2013, Yu joined the cast of PANDA! the first-ever Chinese produced show to take up a Las Vegas residency.

In honor of “NATIONAL TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY”, landlubbers across the Las Vegas valley flocked to KRISPY KREME on Friday, September 19 to collect a sweet, glazed bounty. Exclusively to celebrate the annual event Krispy Kreme offered all guests who talked like pirates a complimentary Original Glazed doughnut. In addition, Swashbucklers who visited Krispy Kreme in full pirate costume were awarded a dozen of the Original Glazed doughnuts, free-of-charge.

Krispy Kreme - Talk Like a Pirate Day
Photo credit: Neon Sun Photography

Krispy Kreme - Talk Like a Pirate Day
Photo credit: Neon Sun Photography

Comedy hypnotist MARC SAVARD celebrated his 2,000th Las Vegas show at the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Thursday, September 18. In true Las Vegas style, the headlining hypnosis master hosted a party with Champagne and cake to commemorate the occasion after the show.

Jacky Pagone, Marc Savard, and Summer Soltis Celebrate Marc Savard’s 2,000^th Show

Effective immediately, the FARMER'S MARKET AT SAM'S TOWN LIVE! is taking a seasonal hiatus and will return with more great local vendors and offerings in the coming months.

Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino has announced the addition of two new entertainment offerings in the Shimmer Cabaret. NEIL DIAMOND: THE TRIBUTE STARRING ROB GARRETT as the “King of Diamonds” and the K.O.D. Band will begin on Wednesday, September 24 and a revamped PURPLE REIGN: THE PRINCE TRIBUTE SHOW starring Jason Tenner will debut on Wednesday, October 1.Neil Diamond: The Tribute can be seen nightly at 8:30 p.m., dark Monday and Tuesday. Tickets start at $45. Locals can receive 2-for-1 pricing and military personnel can purchase tickets for $19. Purple Reign: THE Prince Tribute Show can be seen nightly at 10:15 p.m., dark Monday, Tuesday and Saturday. Tickets start at $49 and locals can receive special $19.99 pricing. Both shows add to the already existing Shimmer Cabaret lineup that includes THE KING starring TRENT CARLINI which can be seen nightly at 6:30 p.m., dark Tuesdays.

Former Spice Girl and “America’s Got Talent” Judge Mel B is set to host the stage show version of the Summer’s #1 rated show, “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT LIVE”, at  the Axis Theatre inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on September 26 and 27. In addition to Mel B as host, America’s Got Talent Live will include performances by Season 9 winner, magician Mat Franco, as well as the show’s top finalists including runner up sultry singer-songwriter Emily West, acrobat group AcroArmy, sibling musical virtuosos Emil & Dariel,  singer and songwriter Miguel Dakota, 12-year-old singing sensation Quintavious Johnson and the musical group Sons of Serendip, as well as Season 8 runner up, comedian Taylor Williamson.Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $59.50 - $129, plus applicable tax and fees.

Ron Decar's Event Center, located at 1201 Las Vegas Boulevard South, hosts another in the FAYNE & FRIENDS musical series on Saturday, September 27th.  Bill Fayne will be joined by special guests, Michelle Johnson and Rita Lim, as they celebrate the music of Burt Bacharach and Carol King, plus hits by Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Vinton, Herb Alpert, Jackie DeShannon, Neil Diamond, The Carpenters, James Taylor, The Fifth Dimension, Diana Ross and others. The 75-minute show starts at 7 p.m. Arrive early for dinner and a 30 to 40-minute pre-show. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and $30 with $30 VIP tickets including a buffet.

DANGEROUS CURVES, made up of soprano Lisa Smith; mezzo Margaret "Gret" Menzies; and alto Karen Michaels, alto,  perform on Saturday, September 27th, at the Starbright Theatre, 2225 Thomas W. Ryan Blvd, in Sun City Summerlin.  Showtime is 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). The popular trio take on the timeless music of yesterday with timeless classics made famous by the Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Andrews Sisters,  as well as an eclectic mix of Broadway, jazz, contemporary pop, and even country.   Tickets are only $15.

The DIANA KRALL performance scheduled for Nov. 8, 2014 at The Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort is being postponed to 2015. Due to ongoing complications brought on by a severe case of pneumonia, the GRAMMY Award-winning jazz pianist and singer has been forced to postpone her scheduled album release and U.S. Fall Tour. Ticket holders can retain their tickets for the future date or obtain a refund from the original point of purchase.

KRISPY KREME will celebrate National Coffee Day on Monday, Sept. 29, by offering guests a FREE 12-ounce cup of Krispy Kreme® House, Decaf or Dark Roast coffee, or a $1 12-ounce mocha, latte or iced coffee. One 12-ounce coffee will be available per person, per visit at participating Krispy Kreme locations in the Las Vegas Valley.

MARRIAGE CAN BE MURDER Las Vegas’ longest running dinner theatre show, will celebrate 15 bloody years of performances with a YEARLONG PROMOTION offering locals specially priced $30 tickets on the 15th of each month through July 2015. The whacky cast of characters serve up murder, mayhem, mystery and tricks at 6:15 p.m. nightly in the showroom at the D Las Vegas.

Officials of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced BRENNA R. MISHLOVE, a senior at The Dr. Miriam & Sheldon G. Adelson Educational Campus, as a 2015 semifinalist in the NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLOARSHIP PROGRAM. The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes the top one percent of America’s high school seniors based on their PSAT scores of the previous year. It is considered the most prestigious academic honor a high school student can receive. Ms. Mishlove will have the opportunity to compete for one of 7,600 National Merit Scholarships to be awarded this spring.

Adelson Educational Campus Upper School senior Brenna R. Mishlove will compete as a 2015 semifinalist for the 60th annual National Merit Scholarships awarded this spring. As a semifinalist, Ms. Mishlove has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Program among the top one percent of America’s high school seniors.
Photo courtesy of the Adelson Educational Campus Photography

The popular LASER LIGHT AND WATER SHOW AT MYSTIC FALLS WITHIN SAMS TOWN HOTEL & GAMBLING HALL will be dark from October 1-31 for maintenance and repair, including work on the water features and front of the mountain. During this time, the bridge located directly in front of the mountain will be closed. However, all other walkways throughout Mystic Falls Park including access to the property’s restaurants, stores and casino will remain open.  The show will resume on November 1, in advance of Mystic Falls Park Light and Water Show’s annual transformation into an immersive winter wonderland experience on Thanksgiving Eve (November 26).

ONE DROP will pay tribute to the 780 million people that lack access to water, and are forced to walk miles every day to retrieve it, with the third annual ‘ONE DROP WALK FOR WATER AT THE SPRINGS PRESERVE' presented by UFC.  On hand will be Forrest Griffin, UFC Hall of Famer and former Light Heavyweight Champion, Jenna Morton, Springs Preserve Foundation President of the Morton Group,Catherine B. Bachand, ONE DROP Chief Executive Officer and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman.   The 2.7 mile walk will start 9:30 a.m. at Symphony Park at The Smith Center and end at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve with a congratulatory celebration including music, food, face painting, games, raffle and more. All proceeds will benefit ONE DROP, along with innovative educational programming in Nevada through a partnership with the Springs Preserve.

Veteran performers THE OSMONDS  – brothers Merrill, Jay and Jimmy (Donny and Marie's siblings) – will return to Las Vegas at the Suncoast Showroom October 4-5. Showtime each evening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $29.95, plus tax and convenience fees.

Wednesdays Downtown will return to FREMONT EAST ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT (occupying Fremont Street, between Las Vegas Boulevard and 7th Street)  starting on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The weekly event unites local businesses to transform the area into a festive block party featuring a Food Truck Village (located directly west of Park on Fremont), Painters Lounge (located at Fremont Street and 6th Street),  the “World’s Greatest Happy Hour by Coors,” Silent Disco and more, from 6 p.m. to midnight. The fall series of Wednesdays Downtown will run through the end of October.

Union Village, LLC and The Valley Health System will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to kick off construction ONE OF THE WORLD'S FIRST INTEGRATED HEALTH VILLAGES. Construction on the $1.2 billion project will begin as The Valley Health System breaks ground on a brand new acute care hospital, its sixth facility in Southern Nevada.  Called UNION VILLAGE, the visionary model for health care will offer a world-class hospital complex and health center, residential, entertainment and specialty retail space, a vibrant senior retirement community and a civic and cultural arts center integrated into a master-planned community.

Rock ‘n Roll Wine and MGM Resorts International announced several new bands will perform at this year’s expanded WINE AMPLIFIED FESTIVAL, Friday, Oct. 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11. These acts will perform on an added stage, the Beach Stage, and join the lineup on the main stage headlined by Train and Blink-182. The ninth annual Wine Amplified Festival will transform the 15-acre MGM Resorts Village, located on Las Vegas Blvd. across from Luxor Hotel and Casino, into a sublime slice of wine country.
 
Featured acts on the Beach Stage will include New Beat Fund, Magic Giant, Van Lady Love, Pet Tigers, Avalon Landing, The Dirty Hooks, Almost Normal, Jordan Mitchell, Ryan White Mahoney and The Perks. The Beach Stage will offer a beachside oasis complete with 125 tons of sand, palm trees and an enormous waterslide. Friday’s lineup on the main stage will include headliner Train, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Better than Ezra, Of Verona and Ayron Jones & The Way while Saturday’s main stage lineup includes headliner Blink-182, as well as Violent Femmes, Magic!, The Mowgli’s, and Mystic Roots Band. Bands will perform on a massive main stage set with the backdrop of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. In addition to the performances on the Beach Stage and main stage set, Frankie Moreno will be hosting and performing Saturday night at the Shellback Rum Speakeasy, powered by Gibson Guitar Brands.

In all, more than 150 wines from 60 wineries will be poured at the event, including Caymus, Justin, Ferrari-Carano, Francis Coppola and Chateau Ste. Michelle, all featured wineries presented by Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada. New to this year’s Wine Amplified Festival will be Food Truck Blvd, set to offer a variety of delicious food options from more than 12 top gourmet food trucks within the Las Vegas Valley and surrounding states.

General admission tickets are priced at $69 per day and $129 for a two-day pass. VIP tickets are priced at $159 per day and $299 for a two-day pass. In addition to general admission offerings, VIP tickets also include access to a premium VIP stage viewing area, complimentary snacks and sodas, hand-selected VIP wines available for purchase, and complimentary wine happy hours from 4-6 p.m. each day.

Celebrity sightings:

Sunday evening, September 21...

Arnold Schwarzenegger and son Patrick were spotted dining at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. In town celebrating Patrick’s 21st birthday, the large group of friends included Beacher’s Madhouse creator Jeff Beacher and Robert Earl,. After dinner, the group enjoyed a custom birthday cake from the steakhouse.

 
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert Earl and Patrick Schwarzenegger
Photo courtesy of the Strip House

Saturday, September 20...

In the afternoon, television personality and fashion designer Whitney Port was spotted at Marquee Dayclub.

Grammy™ award-winning DJ and producer Fatboy Slim kicked off the night at LiFE Nightclub inside SLS.

Fat Boy Slim
Photo credit: Powers Imagery

Multi-award winning R&B artist Chris Brown was spotted making a late night stop at LiFE where he partied with friends.

Over at The Sayers Club, the American indie pop band Capital Cities gave a special performance on the iconic stage for Sessions. Earlier in the evening, singer/keyboardist Sebu Simonian and his wife dined at The Griddle Cafe.

Capital Cities
Photo credit: Powers Imagery

Tryst nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas transformed into Jermaine Dupri’s ultimate birthday headquarters as the rapper-turned-DJ took over the stage with R&B singer Chris Brown and Karrueche Tran. The lovely ladies of Tryst presented Dupri with a birthday cake shaped as turntables.  XS and Tryst Managing Partner Jesse Waits was alongside Dupri as partygoers sang “Happy Birthday.”

Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, Niall Horan, and Jesse Waits
Photo credit: Danny Mahony/XS Las Vegas

Niall Horan, Ed Sheeran, Jermaine Dupri, Macklemore and David Guetta
Photo credit: Danny Mahony/XS Las Vegas

Lil Jon
Photo credit: Danny Mahony/XS Las Vegas

Across the property, XS Nightclub at Encore welcomed award-winning DJ and producer David Guetta for another unforgettable show. One Direction band members Niall Horan and Zayn Malik showed up at the sophisticated venue around 2 a.m. with singer Ed Sheeran and rapper Macklemore.

Following his set, Lil Jon and Dupri joined the group on stage before passing the mic to Macklemore.

Additional guests included reality star Brody Jenner, who was seen with his girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter, and four-time Mr. Olympia champion Phil “The Gift” Heath, who was celebrating the competition’s official after-party at XS.

Phil 'The Gift' Heath 
Photo credit: Michael Reilly/XS Las Vegas

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas saluted the troops with members of the military and representatives from the  Douglas J. Greene J. Greene Memorial Foundation who were be assisted by the lovely ladies of Fantasy.

FANTASY! dancers Tracey, Mariah and Yesi with Douglas J. Green founder Suni Chadbrow and friend
Photo courtesy of Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas

Liaison Nightclub, the first gay nightclub in a casino, celebrated its official Grand Opening with history making transgender actress Laverne Cox as the host.  After walking the red carpet in a stunning kelly green Stephen Mikhail dress,  the “Orange Is The New Black” actress joined nightlife impresario and club owner Victor Drai for a special ribbon cutting ceremony.

At Drai’s Nightclub – located just across the street from Liaison and perched on the rooftop of The Cromwell –  rapper Iggy Azalea put on  surprise performance. After Azalea’s performance, Cox joined in on the action at Drai’s following her Liaison Nightclub revelry.

Victor Drai and Laverne Cox cuts the ribbon at Liason
Photo credit: Erik Kabik

Iggy Azalea Performs at Liason
Photo credit: Erik Kabik

Iggy Azalea and Laverne Cox at Liason
Photo credit: Erik Kabik

Friday, Sept. 19...

Dirk Vermin, Las Vegas personality and star of A&E’s “Bad Ink,” tapped the keg and got the party started for the weekend at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas  Vermin and his friends enjoyed the Oktoberfestbier and had a great time visiting with fans!

Dirk Vermin
Photo courtesy of Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas

Young entrepreneur Patrick Schwarzenegger (Arnold's son) and chart-topping artist Nick Jonas were spotted celebrating their birthdays  Hakkasan Restaurant. As his dinner came to a close, the restaurant presented Schwarzenegger with a two-tiered custom cake to celebrate the actor’s milestone birthday. Afterwards, Schwarzenegger and his group of friends made their way up to the fourth level of the complex and began dancing to the beats of legendary DJ icon Tiësto.

Patrick Schwarzenegger
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage/Hakkasan Las Vegas

Just tables away, “Chains” singer Nick Jonas was also seen enjoying a night out as he celebrated his 22nd birthday with a group of close friends including gorgeous girlfriend Olivia Culpo.  Later in the evening, Jonas was surprised with a stunning four-tiered cake presented by the former Miss Universe.

Olivia Culpo and Nick Jonas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage/Hakkasan Las Vegas

Also spotted at Hakkasan Nightclub was TV personality and fashion designer Whitney Port.

Multi award winning music artists Usher, Chris Brown were spotted hanging out with One Direction band member Niall Horan, hip-hop artist SchoolBoy Q, rock ‘n’ roller Tommy Lee, his fiancée Sofia “Sofi” Toufa and XS Managing Partner Jesse Waits at XS nightclub. The  Usher and Brown showed up at the Wynn Las Vegas hotspot to celebrate rapper Jermaine Dupri’s birthday.

Jesse Waits, Jermaine Dupri, Chris Brown, Usher, Skrillex
Photo credit: Danny Mahony/XS Las Vegas

Sofia 'Sofi' Toufa, and Tommy Lee
Photo credit: Danny Mahony/XS Las Vegas

Other notable guests include mixed martial arts fighter and former Olympic wrestler Dan Henderson, and videogame programmer and designer Markus “Notch” Persson.

Skrillex and Markus 'Notch' Persson
Photo credit: Danny Mahony/XS Las Vegas