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
Nevada Champions Crowned at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at New York - New York Hotel & Casino
The 19th annual qualifying competition for the 100th Annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY. took place Saturday, April 23 at New York New York Hotel & Casino.
Photo courtesy of New York - New York Hotel & Casino
Photo courtesy of New York - New York Hotel & Casino
Rich LeFevre, a local Henderson, Nev., resident, and Michelle Lesco earned the title of “Nevada Hot Dog Eating Champion” with each securing a spot to compete in the legendary Coney Island competition on July 4. During the ten-minute challenge, LeFevre earned top male honors, finishing 30 hot dogs while Lesco won the female division, eating 28 hot dogs.
Michelle Lesco
Photo courtesy of New York - New York Hotel & Casino
Rich LeFevre
Photo courtesy of New York - New York Hotel & Casino
The Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest has occurred each July 4 in Coney Island, N.Y. since 1916, the year Nathan Handwerker opened the legendary restaurant.
Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports, sanctions the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Circuit and ensures the contests are judged professionally and safety standards are upheld at each event.
Photo courtesy of New York - New York Hotel & Casino
Photo courtesy of New York - New York Hotel & Casino
Human Nature Debuts New Show “Jukebox”
Human Nature, the sensational vocal quartet from Australia, who have headlined in Las Vegas for 7 years, thrilling audiences with their spin on Motown's greatest hits, held the grand opening of their brand new show called 'Jukebox', inside the Sands Showroom at The Venetian on Thursday night, April 21.
Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Comprised of brothers Andrew and Michael Tierney and their best friends, Toby Allen and Phil Burton, Human Nature have expanded their repertoire with this new show, once again taking their audiences on a musical journey down memory lane to oldie but goodie songs that inspired them, by performing spectacular renditions of classic Jukebox favorites from the 50s, 60s and 70s ranging from Doo Wop, Pop, Soul standards, Rock and of course Motown, and up to contemporary hits such as Pharrell Williams' 'Happy', Sam's Smith' 'Stay With Me', Megan Trainor's 'All About the Bass' and Bruno Mars' 'Uptown Funk'. Boy, can they sing, and I don't think there is a musical genre these guys can't cover, making it their own.
Michael Tierney, Toby Allen, Phil Burton, and Andrew Tierney
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
I loved Human Nature's Motown show, which was deserving of all the high raves. In fact, I didn't see how they could improve or top it. But, I must say Jukebox is even better. All the right elements are fine tuned, starting with the group itself, who seem to get better and better every time I see them perform. Possessing outstanding vocals, harmonies, dance moves, loads of charisma and stage presence, the group really knows know to please the crowd. Blend all that with fantastic production values such as state of the art sound, lighting, new graphics and video, plus the addition of a pair of superb dancers (Jami Jones and David Oliveri) and the terrific 7 piece All Stars Band as backup, and the result is nothing short of an incredibly entertaining, high energy show that is one of the best, if not THE best in Las Vegas.
Put this gem on your list of must see Las Vegas shows.
In attendance at the Grand Opening of Jukebox were a bevy of celebrities. Red carpet arrivals included boxing champ Mike Tyson; Twisted Vegas star Alex Goude; magician Murray Sawchuck with stage assistant April Annenberg, and master slight of hand artist Douglas 'Lefty' Leferovich; The Australian Bee Gees; chef Carla Pellegrino; dancers from FANTASY; female impersonator and star of Divas Las Vegas, Frank Marino; Absinthe's Gazillionaire and Melody Sweets; Rock Of Ages cast member Becca Kotte; rocker John Payne of the group Asia; the hunky men of Thunder From Down Under; magic and music performers Jarrett & Raja; star of 50 Shades: the Musical Parody, Maren Wade; singers Skye Dee Miles and Vanessa LeGrand, among others.
'Jukebox' performs Tuesdays through Saturdays at 7:00 pm in the Sands Showroom. Tickets starting at $49.95 can be purchased at any Venetian or Palazzo Box office.
Alex Goude
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
April Annenberg and Douglas "Lefty" Leferovich
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Australian Bee Gees
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Chef Carla Pellegrino
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
FANTASY dancers
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Frank Marino
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Absinthe's Gazillionaire
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Absinthe's Melody Sweets
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Rock of Ages Becca Kotte with Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Rocker John Payne with Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Boxer Mike Tyson with Human Nature
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jarrett & Raja
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jeff Molitz and Vanessa LeGrand
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Maren Wade
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Celebrity Magician Murray Sawchuck with musician Jenni Lee
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Skye Dee Miles
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Thunder From Down Under
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Read more about Human Nature's new show, Jukebox, in this week's edition of Dianne Davis' column, Views of Vegas.
Recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
On Sunday, April 17, THE ROGERS FOUNDATION held a private block party from 2-4 pm at its Downtown Las Vegas office awarding 31 Clark County School District high school seniors with almost half a million dollars in college scholarships.
After reading through hundreds of applications, The Rogers Foundation narrowed the pool down and called dozens of students in for interviews. After committee discussions, 31 students were selected. 16 Rogers Achievers scholarships were awarded. Recipients have the opportunity to use their scholarships at any college or university in the country. Of the 16, ten students received $5,000 scholarships, five received $10,000 scholarships and one received a $25,000 scholarship. The scholarships renew every year for four years. 15 Rogers' Fellows scholarhships were awarded. Recipients will have all college expenses paid for at Kentucky Wesleyan College. KWC is an institution close to The Rogers Foundation, and the alma mater of many in the Rogers family. Over the next 10 years, The Rogers Foundation will provide $10,000,000 to cultivate a community of Southern Nevada scholars at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
The full list of scholarship recipients are:
• Amy Frias Chavarria | Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy | $5,000
• Maribel Dafinone | College of Southern Nevada High School | $5,000
• Guadalupe Gomez | West Preperatory Academy | $5,000
• Derek Hegna | Coronado High School | $5,000
• Georgina Martinez | Silverado High School | $5,000
• Yaqueline Martinez | Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy | $5,000
• Tiffany Mata | Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy | $5,000
• Ximena Paz | Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy | $5,000
• Austin Smith | Coronado High School | $5,000
• Frank Vitiello | Clark High School | $5,000
• Reilly Barth | West Career and Technical Academy | $10,000
• Philip Gustilo | Valley High School | $10,000
• Iris Martinez | Rancho High School | $10,000
• Gargi Pandey | Green Valley High School | $10,000
• Natasha Waters | College of Southern Nevada High School | $10,000
• Madison Brown | Liberty High School | $25,000
• Zakyra Lumumba Carroll | Andre Agassi College Prep | Full ride to KWC
• Lionel Campbell III | Arbor View High School | Full ride to KWC
• Sari Stissi | Arbor View High School | Full ride to KWC
• Andrew Gee | Desert Pines High School | Full ride to KWC
• Artemio Gonzalez-Castelo | Desert Pines High School | Full ride to KWC
• Natron Auelua-Naki | Desert Pines High School | Full ride to KWC
• Brooklyn Stepro | Green Valley High School | Full ride to KWC
• Brian Morales | Legacy High School | Full ride to KWC
• Doreen Chloe Lubag | Las Vegas Acadamy of Performing Arts | Full ride to KWC
• Kaylee O'Donnell | Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts | Full ride to KWC
• Raneem Sweis | Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts | Full ride to KWC
• Terrell Michalowski | Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts | Full ride to KWC
• Eva Sampson | Mojave High School | Full ride to KWC
• Chandler Young | West Career and Technical Academy | Full ride to KWC
• Cheyanne Fiel | Western High School | Full ride to KWC
The Rogers Foundation plans to continue awarding college scholarships every year. Details on next year's application process will be available in the coming months.
DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN, the 106-acre premier fashion, dining and entertainment destination located in the heart of the acclaimed Summerlin® master planned community, has earned Silver certification status from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Downtown Summerlin’s LEED Silver certification was achieved, in part, by reducing energy consumption by 24.5% to optimize energy performance as well as reducing water use by 40% for enhanced water efficiency. Downtown Summerlin also boasts 320 parking stalls for low emission and fuel efficient vehicles.
Due to popular demand, Las Vegas’ first family of entertainment, THE SCINTAS, is extending their limited engagement performance schedule of their legendary and critically acclaimed music and comedy show at the Plaza Hotel & Casino through November 2016.
With pool season in full force, STRATROSPHERE CASINO HOTEL AND TOWER'S COMLETELY RENOVATED AND RENAMED ELATION POOL is now open. Located on the eighth floor of Stratosphere’s hotel, Elation Pool offers guests breathtaking city views and an array of poolside amenities including new cabanas and luxurious daybeds, premium plasma TVs, new custom hot tubs and strategically placed overhead wind sails to complete the resort pool experience.
On World Wish Day, April 29, Make-A-Wish® Southern Nevada, the nonprofit organization that grants magical wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses to empower them with hope and joy, will got its own magical wish: more than 7,500 square feet of office space generously donated by Allegiant Airlines.
The College of Southern Nevada Department of Fine Arts is hosting an exhibition of drawings and poetry created through a collaborative effort between students and faculty of CSN Department of Fine Arts and Department of English. “ILLUSTRATING THE WRITTEN WORD: A COLLABORATIVE INTERSECTION OF ART AND LANGUAGE” that began on Friday, April 29, and will run through Saturday, June 11, 2016. An Artists Reception will take place of Friday, May 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Artspace Gallery. All CSN Gallery events are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is located upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas Cheyenne campus at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.
STEELE, Las Vegas' hottest new male revue experience, makes it debuts Saturday, April 30, at The Tommy Wind Theater (located at 3765 S Las Vegas Blvd, across from Monte Carlo Resort & Casino). Produced by London Steele, inspiration for box office hit Magic Mike character “Dallas”,STEELE stars some of Las Vegas’ most seductive, chiseled men and features tastefully daring choreography,and fresh, fantasy fun. Performances run Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 9:30 p.m. General Admission is $49.95 plus tax and fees, and VIP Seating is available for $69.95 plus tax and fees. Guests must be at least 18 years of age and guests 18 to 20 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
In celebration of National Pet Week, May 1-7, HAUTE DOGGERY located inside THE LINQ Promenade at 3545 Las Vegas Boulevard will host a "Haute Dog" adoption event on Friday, May 6 from 5 to 7 p.m. benefitting the LAS VEGAS HOT DIGGITY DACHUND CLUB & RESCUE (LVHDDCR) and its mission to "save the world, one wiener at a time." Guests are invited to attend this pet-friendly event to meet the rescue pups up for adoption and partake in giveaways and photo opportunities while enjoying the tastes of Haute Doggery's gourmet menu.
Las Vegas’ Favorite Charity, Opportunity Village, is partnering with Lev Restaurant Group for the ‘SPREAD THE LOVE WITH LEV’ fundraising promotion at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Jamba Juice Las Vegas area locations from May 2 through May 16. The campaign kicks-off on April 30 and includes a meet-and-greet with one of the Opportunity Village artists from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at The District at Green Valley Ranch. During the event on April 30, individuals will have the opportunity to view a collection of the artwork from Opportunity Village. Throughout the promotion spanning from May 2 through May 16, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Jamba Juice employees at locations in the Las Vegas area will be inviting customers to donate one dollar or more to Opportunity Village. Donating customers will receive a Las Vegas Great Santa Run silicon bracelet in appreciation of their support.
The LAS VEGAS OFFICE OF SUSAN G. KOMEN NEVADA has announced that registration for the 21st ANNUAL RACE FOR THE CURE is open and available at http://www.komennevada.org/. The Race, will be held on Saturday, May 7 at 8:15 a.m. at the Fremont Street Experience in historic downtown Las Vegas. This one-day event raises hundreds of thousands of dollars to find a cure for breast cancer and provide life-saving breast health services to Southern Nevada.
Participants can register online, by mail or in-person at the Las Vegas office (1091 S. Cimarron Road, Suite A-4) for the 5K, which is approximately 3.2 miles, or a 1-Mile Fun Walk. Registration at the pre-Race expo will be located at 7311 W. Lake Mead Blvd., on the southwest corner of Lake Mead and Tenaya. This location will be open on Wednesday, May 4th and Thursday, May 5th 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, May 6th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Race will start at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Clark Avenue and will finish at the intersection of Fremont East and 6th Street. Survivors and their guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast inside the Pretty in Pink Cafe starting at 6 a.m. with festivities on the Third Street Stage beginning at 6:45 a.m. Runners and walkers may form teams of 10 or more people, join existing teams or participate as individuals. Race registration fee is $30 for individuals and $25 for team members. Race day registration is $40 and will be available in the Jackie Gaughan Parkway, located directly off Las Vegas Boulevard and Ogden. Children, ages 2-12, and babies are welcome to participate in the Race for $10. Running and walking is acceptable on either route. Free parking is available on Race Day at Cashman Cashman Center and at the Molasky Corporate Center located on City Parkway near Ogden.
WALKER FURNITURE will become the exclusive Las Vegas retailer for DONNY OSMOND HOME BRAND FURNISHINGS. The Grand Opening for the gallery will be held on Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with Osmond doing a personal meet-and-greet autograph-signing session for fans from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. following the ribbon cutting in Walker’s Showroom Atrium. Festivities during the Grand Opening will include drawings every 15 minutes for a pair of tickets to the “Donny & Marie” show at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Also, guests can enter for a chance to win a Beautiful Donny Osmond Home three-drawer accent cabinet made from solid mango wood just for attending. Free gifts will be given away and refreshments will be served.
BEERPARK at Paris Las Vegas will host KENTUCKY DERBY VIEWING PARTY sponsored by Veuve Clicquot champagne on Saturday, May 7. In addition to viewing the race on one of numerous flat screen televisions throughout the venue, derby enthusiasts dressed in traditional Kentucky Derby style will receive a complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne.
The Howard Hughes Corporation, developer of the master planned community of Summerlin, has announced the first age-qualified community for residents ages 55-plus in more than 15 years - REGENCY by Toll Brothers. Located along the western rim of the Las Vegas Valley, Regency is in Summerlin’s newest village, The Cliffs, which stretches south of Bishop Gorman High School near the southernmost tip of the 22,500-acre community. The village, as its name suggests, positions homes along the base of the Spring Mountains with picturesque cliffs as the backdrop. Regency is the first neighborhood in the 450-acre village to start selling. Models are now open.
On Mother’s Day, May 8, WALKER FURNITURE will be giving a FREE BOX OF SEE'S CANDIES TO MOTHERS who visit the showroom that day. No purchase is necessary. There’s a limit of one box per mom while supplies last.
The award-winning Faith Conservatory of the Fine Arts (located at 2015 S. Hualapai Way, Las Vegas) presents CRAZY FOR YOU, the spunky, hilarious, romantic musical comedy to life for a limited engagement, for six stunning performances, May 13 - 22, 2016. Crazy For You is a truly delightful homage to the beloved, optimistic musicals of the 1930s: a world of showgirls and cowboys, in which a city boy and a country girl reconcile their differences, fall in love, and save a theater, the old-fashioned way. Performances are at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, and 4 p.m. for matinee performances on Sundays, from MAY 13-22. Tickets start at $12.
NATHAN ADELSON HOSPICE, the largest non-profit hospice in Nevada, will hold its annual ‘FLAIR FOR CARE’ FASHION SHOW' on May 13, in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue. The event, which serves as a major fundraiser for the hospice’s uncompensated care program, will be held at Wynn Las Vegas. Each year, Nathan Adelson Hospice provides more than $1 million in uncompensated care to individuals.This year’s fashion show will feature the fall collection of international designer Etro. The reception starts at 10:30 a.m., and the fashion show begins at 11:30 a.m. Tickets may be purchased for $250 per person. To learn more about the “Flair for Care” Fashion Show, contact Stephanie Forbes at Nathan Adelson Hospice at 702-938-3910.
CELEBRITY CARS LAS VEGAS, located at 7770 Dean Martin Drive, is hosting the 2016 Las Vegas Rotary Car & Bike Show on Sunday, May 15 from 11 am to 2 pm. Admission is FREE. Come experience fun for all ages and give to a great cause. All proceeds from the raffle and auction will be used to help the Rotary Club as they support multiple charitable organizations in Southern Nevada.
Celebrity sightings:
Thursday, April 28...
One Direction superstar and international heart-throb Louis Tomlinson was spotted at Hakkasan Las Vegas Nightclub in MGM Grand. Tomlinson, joined by a group of about ten friends, arrived at the hot spot around 10:30 p.m. where he and his group of friends socialized and danced as resident DJ Steve Aoki spun his chart-topping hits.
Hip-hop legend Naughty by Nature celebrated the 25th release of its eponymous album at LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino. The music trio, which led the night with "Jump Around," was presented with a specialty cake to celebrate its monumental anniversary.
Naughty by Nature at LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino
Photo credit: Powers Imagery
Naughty by Nature at LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino
Photo credit: Powers Imagery
Saturday night, April 23...
French Montana joined Cash Cash for a special edition of “Make that Cash Cash Las Vegas” at Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Spotted in the crowd at Marquee were band members of the a cappella group Pentatonix.
French Montana and Cash Cash at Marquee
Photo credit: Tony Tran
French Montana
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Sports stars were out to play in Las Vegas surrounding Saturday night’s explosive UFC 197 bout as Oakland Raiders offensive line coach, Mike Tice and Oakland Raiders offensive tackle, Donald Penn, were spotted at Jenna and Michael Morton’s CRUSH inside MGM Grand Las Vegas, before heading to the fight. Aso spotted were Buffalo Bills linebacker, Stevenson Sylvester, and former professional Muay Thai kickboxer, Mark DellaGrotte.
UFC Flyweight Champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson celebrated a resounding win at UFC 197 with a post-fight victory party at LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casinomwhere he and his wife, Destiny Bartels, enjoyed music by DJ Cyberkid and DJ A3.
Demetrious Johnson and Destiny Bartels at LAX Nightclub at Luxor Hotel and Casino
Photo credit: Powers Imagery
Friday night, April 22...
Actor Ryan Phillipe and his fiancé Paulina Slagter were spotted at LAVO Italian Restaurant in The Palazzo enjoying dinner with a group of friends. Celebrating Slagter’s birthday, the group kept the party going as they headed to Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Over at TAO Asian Bistro in The Venetian, Pentatonix band members Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi and Avi Kaplan were seen having dinner with a large group of friends.
Wednesday, April 20...
International superstar and GRAMMY-Award Nominee Flo Rida was spotted at Red Square Restaurant & Vodka Lounge inside Mandalay Bay.
Fifth Harmony’s Ally Brooke Hernandez was spotted at TAO Asian Bistro with friends.
Monday, April 18...
Redfoo and The Party Rock Crew returned to Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and took over the night as they party rocked into the wee hours of the morning.
Red Foo
Photo credit: Al Powers
Earlier in the day, rapper Wiz Khalifa was spotted at Marquee Dayclub in a VIP cabana. Keeping the party going, Wiz took to the nightclub where he joined Redfoo and the Party Rock Crew in the DJ booth.
Red Foo and Wiz Khalifa
Photo credit: Al Powers
