Vegas Happenings 08-25-09

In celebration of the historic music festival from the Summer of 1969 that took place in upstate New York, Fremont Street Experience took guests back 40 years with the “Woodstock Tribute Palooza: 40th Anniversary of Woodstock” Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16. The event featured the country’s best tribute artists paying homage to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Joe Cocker, The Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Crowds enjoy Fremont Street Experience’s newest Viva Vision, “From Havens to Hendrix – A Tribute to the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock.”
Photos courtesy of Fremont Street Experience / Larry Burton Photography.

Byron Bordeaux takes the Fremont Street Stage as Jimi Hendrix in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Woodstock.
Photos courtesy of Fremont Street Experience / Larry Burton Photography.

The top floor of the Monte Carlo, which was devastated by fire in 2008, reopened on August 10 as Hotel 32, the exclusive boutique hotel offering room guests a VIP treatment fit for a celebrity. Travelers can choose between a collection of five room types, ranging from studios to 2-bedroom penthouses that fit every occasion and budget, all featuring comfy, oversized custom furnishings along with a variety of hand-selected stone surfaces, including marble, onyx and granite, and luxurious amenities. Spacious bathrooms, rich in detail and design provide a serene, spa-like sanctuary, with each suite features soothing hydrotherapy soaking tubs. A shower with modish overhead panels which produce a gentle rainfall throughout the enclosure – and chromatherapy, the use of colored lights for added relaxation, is another highlight in many of the suites.

High-tech amenities available in several suite types include a Crestron remote system makes for an easy, one-stop control of the room’s drapes, lights and electronics; a BluRay player and a TV integrated into the bathroom mirror, HDTV flat-screen plasma television, use of an iPod touch with mobile concierge application and iHome clock radio with an iPod docking station are standard in all HOTEL32 accommodations. For business travelers laptop computers are available upon request; a tech-savvy workstation featuring complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access and dual phone lines. Other complimentary amenities include fax services, local and toll-free calls as well as daily fitness center passes, newspaper and water.

All Hotel 32 guests have exclusive access to a dedicated Suite Assistant, who provides butler and concierge services throughout the stay beginning with the curbside greeting and a custom itinerary to fit individual interests to bath services and complimentary clothes pressing. At HOTEL32, where everyone is a VIP, touches such as a welcome amenity, a signature turndown gift and a pre-stocked refrigerator based on the guest’s preferences makes every guest feel special.

Rates begin at $250 per night, excluding tax and fees.

Children’s Heart Foundation has received a $1,500 CVS Caremark Community Grant. The funds will be used for Family Outreach, a program that helps families with costs associated around medical travel including food, travel expenses and medical costs such as prescriptions. The goal of the program is to provide relief for both adults and children who lack medical insurance to get the proper medical attention needed. "Through this grant, we are assuring that more uninsured individuals in Las Vegas receive needed care, that the care received is of high quality, and that the uninsured are served by medical providers and professionals who are dedicated to improving their lives and the lives of others," said Chris Bos," area vice president, Las Vegas, CVS/pharmacy.

Hundreds of coats for adults and children were collected in July through Community Connections, a charitable program run through American Casino & Entertainment Properties. Employees at all four of the properties (Stratosphere Hotel & Casino, Arizona Charlie’s Decatur, Arizona Charlie’s Boulder and Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, Nev.) were able to collect hundreds of coats for adults and children which were donated to each of the four properties’ adopted schools – Fremont Middle School, Doris Hancock Elementary, Will Beckley Elementary and Coyote Canyon Elementary. Coats were also donated to the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Praise Chapel and the Golden Valley Food Bank. All the donated coats were dry-cleaned free of charge by Mission Linen.

Grammy Award winner Larry Hart won “Best Male Gospel Artist” at the 2009 Las Vegas Gospel Jubilee Awards held on Sunday, Aug. 23 at Cashman Theater. The annual event was presented by The Black Music Association and Academy, The Answer Newspaper, and Rick Warren.

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will host their monthly Eye Candy event and showcase stylish clothing and accessories from Scruples Boutique in the Caesars Palace in the Forum Shops with two fashion shows -11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. - on Friday, August 28. Eye Candy is a night dedicated to the ladies as McFadden’s and Scruples will giveaway chic clothing and accessories from the boutique throughout the night. McFadden’s will also have an open bar from 10 p.m. to midnight with the purchase of a wristband, priced at $10 for girls, $20 for guys.

Back by popular demand, entertainer Clint Holmes returns to the Suncoast Showroom in An Evening of Romance with Clint Holmes, musically directed by Bill Fayne, August 28, 29 and 30. Tickets start at $29.95, plus tax. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Las Vegas’ top entertainers will come together for one special performance Las Vegas Celebrates the Music of Michael Jackson on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 3 p.m. inside the Pearl concert theatre at the Palms Casino Resort.  The roster of artists that will be performing in this celebration of The King of Pop include cast members of Jersey Boys, Lion King Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular, “Cirque Du Soleil’s Zumanity,” “America’s Got Talent” winner and headliner Terry Fator, “Britain’s Got Talent’s” group Signature and “Peepshow” star and pop culture icon Holly Madison – in addition to many other acts. The Las Vegas Mass Choir, who recently performed for President Obama, will also be a part of the stellar lineup.

This unique show will also include video montages throughout from those who knew Michael or were inspired by his work. The multi-faceted acts will be backed by a 10-piece band comprised of musicians led by Las Vegas’ own Joey Melotti. This special event will commemorate and celebrate Jackson’s life while raising funds to help kids across the U.S. and right here in Nevada keep music alive in the schools. 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales of this event will benefit Music Education programming in Clark County Public Schools. Tickets are $29, $54, $79, $104 & $129, plus applicable box office fees.  A VIP package is available for $504 and includes VIP seating, admission to the exclusive after party with the cast, gift bag and limited edition autographed poster.

At 7 p.m. Michael Jackson will be honored with a Brenden Celebrity Star at Brenden Theatres at the Palms. The star will be accepted by Jackson’s father Joe Jackson and longtime manager and executor of his estate, Mr. Frank DiLeo will be on hand to make a special dedication. At 8 p.m.  Brenden Theatres will host a rare showing of Michael Jackson’s 1988 film “Moonwalker,” presented by Cinevegas. Following this screening, there will be a Q&A session with Choreographer Vincent Paterson, Producer Frank DiLeo and Co-star Kelley Parker.

Cable TV’s Captain Phil Harris and his sons from the Cornelia Marie, along with Captain Johnathan Hillstrand from the Time Bandit, will make two appearances at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino Showroom Saturday, August 29 at 1 p.m. and at 4 p.m. More than meeting fans – they are on a nationwide search for a new “Greenhorn” that will join the Cornelia Marie crew in October for the upcoming King Crab season this fall. The first 200 people in line for each session at the Gold Coast Showroom will have the opportunity to meet these famous crab-boat fishermen and receive an autograph. The first 400 people in line at each session will attend a special question and answer session where the captains will reveal unique stories about their adventures at sea. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Wristbands will be required for admission to the two sessions with the Captains and will be available beginning at Noon on August 29th on a first-come, first-served basis. Limit of one wristband per person and attendance at one session per person.

Two-time Grammy Award winner Petula Clark will perform at the JW Marriott’s GrandBallroom on Sunday, August 30 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $40 and includes the Rampart buffet and taxes and fees.

Monte Carlo’s Brew Pub reopens on September 2 as The Pub, offering for great food, great beer and a great place to watch your favorite sporting events and the talented musical duo, Zowie Bowie.

The Village at Lake Las Vegas is celebrating Labor Day Weekend with free concerts, a Margarita Festival, pig roast and barbecue. Festivities include a free lakeside classic rock concert by a Billy Joel tribute band on Friday night and the free series “Jazz on the Lake” with local artist Bobby C. on Saturday night. The Margarita Festival, hosted by Sonrisa Grill on Sunday afternoon, will be open for bartenders to enter and mix up their best margarita recipe for cash prizes. Margarita tasting is $20 per person. There will be also a tequila bar, barbecue and live entertainment to keep the energy flowing throughout the day. A portion of the proceeds from the Margarita Festival will be donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. On Labor Day, Monday afternoon. Sunset & Vines will hold a pig roast and barbecue. The barbecue, which will start earlier in the day, will feature all-American favorites like burgers, barbecue chicken, ribs and much more with prices starting at $12. The pig roast will start later in the day and feature a variety of specialties including chicken, seafood and wine pairings in addition to the featured pork. Prices for the pig roast range from $25 to $27, with wine pairings starting at $40.

Female impersonator Frank Marino brings “Divas Las Vegas” to the Imperial Palace for a limited engagement this Labor Day weekend, September 4 – 7. Marino is the emcee and stars as comic icon Joan Rivers alongside a cast of superstar female impersonators in the 75-minute energetic show featuring superstar female impersonators who not only recreate but almost uncannily duplicate the likeness of stars such as Britney Spears, Cher, Diana Ross, Beyoncé, Madonna, Dolly Parton and more. Tickets for Frank Marino’s “Diva Las Vegas” are $69 and $79 (plus tax & fees).

Purple Reign the Ultimate Prince Tribute Show will be performing in the Night Owl Showroom at Hooters Casino Hotel starting September 4th with a special preview performance. The show will officially open on September 11th with shows taking place every Friday and Saturday evening. Doors open at 10:30 p.m., with the show beginning at 11:00 p.m. Ticket price is $19.99. Locals are “Buy One, Get One Free”. You must be 21 years or older to attend the show.

Vanilla Ice and Naughty By Nature are set to perform at Rok Las Vegas Nightclub at New York-New York Labor Day Weekend, September 4 and 5th.

Acclaimed movie and TV actor Gary Sinise (star of TV’s CSI NY) shows his musical side when he performs with his group The Lt. Dan Band for a military appreciation concert inside the Club at The Cannery Casino & Hotel on Sunday, September 6 at 8 p.m. The special one-night engagement pays tribute to the men and women of our nation’s armed services. Tickets start at $19.95 plus tax and fees. Discounts will be available for active duty and retired members of the military.

El Cortez Hotel & Casino celebrates Labor Day by serving up free White Castle burgers on Monday, Sept. 7.to Club Cortez members while they play slots and table games. The complimentary burgers will be served from noon to 6 p.m.

Frank Sinatra Jr. pays homage – in song and in style – to his father’s music in Sinatra Sings Sinatra at the Suncoast Showroom, September 5 and 6. Tickets start at $29.95, plus tax. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Members of the community will come together to kick off the 3rd annual One Book Henderson movement with its Walk this Way Mall Walk & Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Galleria at Sunset mall – located on the corner of Sunset Road and Stephanie Street in Henderson at 1300 W. Sunset Road. The event marks the beginning of the one-month movement designed to encourage all Henderson residents to read and discuss Dean Karnazes’ “Ultramarathon Man.”

Showtime’s Kiki Melendez’s Hot Tamales Live celebrates the show’s 7th anniversary with this special performance Sunday, September 13, 2009, 8:00 p.m inside the Pearl at the Palms. Host Kiki Melendez will be joined by comedians Amy Anderson, Carla Collins, Tiffany Haddish, Jill Michele Melean, Nadine Rajabi and, direct from New York City, “The Ambassador of Love” Mucho Macho Valentino. Tickets are $25, $30 & $35, plus any additional service fees.

The City of Henderson in partnership with the Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club will present the 19th annual Prince Jonah Kuhio Ho’olaule’a Pacific Islands Festival on September 12-13 at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street, from 9 a.m.-6 p.m., daily. Admission and parking is free. Attendees will enjoy over 100 exotic food and craft vendors including a selection of unique culinary demonstrations, as well as two stages of live entertainment including an array of dance teams, hula groups and award-winning artists and bands. For additional information, call (702) 267-2171.

Motown legends The Temptations Return to The Orleans Showroom for four nights September 17-20 starting at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets are priced from $49.95 plus tax.

Artsy rock trio the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are set to perform at The Pearl Concert Theater inside Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, September 19, 2009, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $32.50, plus fees.

Superstar Mariah Carey is set to perform the most intimate shows of her career in a special engagement at The Pearl inside the Palms Casino Resort. Performances will take place Friday, September 11; Saturday, September 12; Friday, October 9 and Saturday October 10, 2009. Show time for each performance is 8 p.m. Tickets are $129, $179 & $254, plus fees.

Popular comedian and star of television and film, Bill Engvall will perform at the Aquarius Outdoor Amphitheater at The Aquarius Casino Resort in Laughlin, on Friday, September 18 at 8 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 plus tax and $30 plus tax for premium seating.

Monday, August 17… Shaq & Oscar De La Hoya filmed a lunch at Simon at Palms Place for Shaq’s ABC show called Shaq Vs. Shaq & Oscar went back to the kitchen with Kerry Simon and created a burger.

Tuesday August 18…

Alternative rock band Kings of Leon hung out poolside at Hard Rock’s world famous Beach Club, relaxing with loved ones. In the evening the band enjoyed an Italian feast at LAVO inside The Palazzo before their Sin City gig on Wednesday.

X Games professional skateboarder Jake Brown was spotted partying at Moon Nightclub inside Palms Casino Resort. Rapper Too Short also arrived a little after midnight with two friends.

Wednesday night, August 19…

Professional race car driver Marco Andretti and a party of four dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside The Palms.

Also at N9NE Steakhouse was former MLB pitcher Greg Maddux with four men.

Kings of Leon took the stage at the Joint and rocked out to a sold out crowd that included celebrity fans such as singer Rihanna and illusionist David Blaine.

On Thursday, Aug. 20…

Rocker Marilyn Manson spotted at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Manson was seen having dinner at Rare 120 and later, stopping by the poker lounge to play a few hands. He stayed on property as he was set to perform Friday evening to a full house at The Joint.

Also at Rare 120 Thursday evening, guitarist Kerry King from the metal band Slayer.

At TAO’s Worship Thursday Flavor Flav arrived just after midnight, followed several hours later by Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.

The star wattage got even brighter at 4 am when Rihanna arrived with friends.

At LAVO, actress Missi Pyle and her husband Casey Anderson from National Geographic’s Expedition Grizzly, dined at the Italian hot spot in celebration of Anderson’s 34th birthday.

Up in the nightclub at LAVO, boxer Fernando Vargas was spotted at a VIP table with a group of guys.

Friday night, August 21…

Renowned hip-hop and rap artist, Ludacris enjoyed dinner at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort.

Also at N9NE Steakhouse was comedian, actor and producer Seth Green.

Following dinner, Ludacris put on a high-energy performance that had the crowd going all night long, poolside at Palms Pool & Bungalows. Spotted amongst the crowd was professional skateboarder, Jake Brown who was accompanied by an entourage of about 20 people.

At Rain Nightclub, multi-platinum group Black Eyed Peas (Fergie was not in attendance) enjoyed the scene from the VIP table on the stage near the DJ booth.

DJ AM and Black Eyed Peas
Photo credit: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Apl.De.Ap and Taboo of Black Eyed Peas
Photo credit: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Taboo of Black Eyed Peas
Photo credit: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Will.I.Am of Black Eyed Peas
Photo credit: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Amongst the crowd at Rain Nightclub was professional poker player Michael Matusow and a lady friend. They were later spotted at Moon Nightclub .

Seth Green was also at Moon Nightclub with his girlfriend and friends. They were celebrating his girlfriend’s birthday.

Late at night Ludacris was also spotted at Playboy Club playing blackjack with a friend.

Ludacris
Photo credit: Shane O’Neal/N9NEGroup

Actress/model Mena Suvari and fiancé Simone Sestito spent the weekend at The Palazzo Las Vegas. The blushing engaged couple checked-into their luxurious Siena Suite Friday and then dined at TAO Asian Bistro at The Venetian with friends.

Mena Suvari and fiancé Simone Sestito

Carey Hart and DJ AM were spotted enjoying the Marilyn Manson concert at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Over at Body English, Catt Sadler, host of “Daily 10” on E! celebrated her birthday with fellow E! personality Ben Lyons.

Catt Sadler and Ben Lyons
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Lauren Conrad kicked off a Vegas weekend celebrating the bachelorette party of her cousin Cheryl with dinner at TAO Asian Bistro.

Lauren Conrad
Photo credit: Denise Truscello

Lauren and Kathy Conrad
Photo credit: Denise Truscello

Saturday night August 22…

The party continued on Saturday as Conrad and friends took over a cabana at TAO Beach. Despite having to move the red carpet from TAO Beach to indoors in front of TAO due to the threat of rain, the show went on.Conrad and crew arrived at LAVO for the final night of the bachelorette weekend.

Also spotted Saturday night dining at LAVO was Evan Goldberg, one half of the writer/producer team of films such as Knocked Up, Superbad and Pineapple Express.

At TAO, producer/rapper/songwriter Jermaine Dupri arrived at the nightclub with a male friend and his security guard.

Danny Masterson and a large group of friends were seen at TAO as well.

NBA pros Jermaine O’Neal of the Miami Heat and Houston Rocket Tracy McGrady were also spotted in the nightclub.

On Saturday, not even intermittant rain showers and high winds could keep Mena Suvari and her fiance away from Absolut Saturday at AZURE pool at The Palazzo. Very much in love the couple giggled, kissed and relaxed with friends while having lunch at Wolfgang Puck at Azure.

Legendary English electronic band, Depeche Mode, who headlined at The Pearl earlier that evening, was at Rain Nightclub inside Palms Casino Resort.

Over at Moon Nightclub, TV personality and weekend producer of Access Hollywood, Tony Potts hung out at a table with a lady friend.

In Playboy Club was actress Sarah Lancaster, who arrived with a party of nine to celebrate her brother's 21st birthday.

Sarah Lancaster
Photo credit: Joe Fury/N9NE Group

Jermaine Jackson and Michael Jackson’s three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II (Blanket), enjoyed dinner at N9NE Steakhouse. They dined in the private dining room with a party of twelve, which included Joe Maloof.

Sunday, August 23…

Ice-T and his wife Coco were spotted dining with four others inside the private wine room at Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Professional wrestler, in-ring announcer and producer, Vince McMahon was spotted at Moon Nightclub inside Palms Casino Resort.

Monday night, August 24...

Executive and part-time professional wrestler, Shane McMahon was spotted at ghostbar inside Palms Casino Resort.

Also at ghostbar former NFL athlete Walter Briggs arrived with three others.

Professional wrestler Michael Mizanin, best known by his ring name, The Miz, was at Playboy Club with a group of six.

I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.