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
T-Mobile Arena Debuts on the Las Vegas Strip
After two years in the making and with an investment of $375 million, the much anticipated 20,000-seat world class venue, T-Mobile Arena, located on the Las Vegas Strip between New York-New York and Monte Carlo, celebrated its grand opening Thursday, April 7 with a blowout concert in the evening headlined by local legends including The Killers; "Mr. Las Vegas" himself, Wayne Newton; and Las Vegas born emerging pop artist Shamir.
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile Arena
Earlier in the day, The Killers joined executives from MGM Resorts International, AEG and T-Mobile for an official press conference in Toshiba Plaza. Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak presented the hometown heroes with a Crystal Key to the Las Vegas Strip and proclaimed April 6, 2016 "The Killers' Music Appreciation Day."Brandon Flowers and Ronnie Vannucci accepted the accolades and addressed the crowd of officials, venue partners and executives convened at the plaza, including Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts; Dan Beckerman, President and CEO of AEG; Andrew Sherrard, Chief Marketing Officer of T-Mobile; Scott Maccabe, President and CEO of Toshiba; and Mary Beth Scow, Clark County Commissioner.
The Killers performing at T-Mobile Arena's grand opening celebration
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile Arena
Blue Man Group joins The Killers on-stage during T-Mobile Arena's grand opening celebration
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile Arena
The Killers and Wayne Newton perform "Johnny B. Goode" at T-Mobile Arena
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile Arena
The official proclamation of "The Killers' Music Appreciation Day" in Clark County, NV. From Left to Right: MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, Clark County Commission Chairman Steve Sisolak, Ronnie Vannucci Jr., Brandon Flowers, Clark County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow, AEG CEO Dan Beckerman
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile Arena
Crowd watching fireworks for grand opening of T-Mobile Arena
Photo courtesy of T-Mobile Arena
Flowers said, "We've been lucky and we've had a lot of boxes checked that were dreams for us; this is another one of those, and this is going to be one that we're never going to forget. We're really proud to be from Las Vegas and we take a little bit of it with us everywhere we go, we really do.
The evening's concert featured a series of unexpected collaborations, which kicked off with a video introduction from late-night TV host and Las Vegas native Jimmy Kimmel.
An on-stage cameo by Blue Man Group during The Killers' performance of "Human" fired up the crowd with their dynamic combination of music, comedy and technology. Old school blues met The Killers' alternative sound as Wayne Newton joined Flowers onstage for a rocking collaboration of "Johnny B. Goode."
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was when Imagine Dragons' frontman and fellow Las Vegan Dan Reynolds shared the stage with Flowers - for the first time - to perform "Jenny was a Friend of Mine."
In an epic finale, Reynolds joined Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, comedian Carrot Top, Wayne Newton, magician Jeff Civillico and others in The Killers' rendition of "Viva Las Vegas."
Guests were treated to samplings of T Mobile's Arena gourmet food and drink as they partied to dynamic entertainment throughout the evening. As they exited the building onto Toshiba Plaza, magenta fireworks lit up the evening sky.
Grand opening celebrations continued throughout the weekend with "T-Mobile Arena Opening Celebration Concert" featuring multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated artist Nicki Minaj with special guest Ariana Grande on Thursday night, April 7. The singers kick off an extensive schedule of more than 70 events booked for T-Mobile Arena's first season, including the first stop on Guns N' Roses' reunion tour, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, UFC 200 and more.
Fremont Street Experience Presents The Animal Foundation a Check for $15,742 Raised at SlotZilla
Fremont Street Experience hosted a SlotZilla Charity Challenge to benefit The Animal Foundation. On Thursday, March 24 from 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., 100% of SlotZilla revenue from flights on the lower Zipline or upper Zoomline went to The Animal Foundation.
Thomas Bruny, Director of Marketing of Fremont Street Experience; Monica Liban, Director of Development of The Animal Foundation. Fremont Street Experience presents a check for $15,742 to The Animal Foundation. The proceeds were raised from SlotZilla revenue
Photo courtesy of Scott Roeben of Fremont Street Experience.
Fremont Street Experience Director of Marketing, Thomas Bruny, presented the organization a check for $15,742 on Monday, April 4. “We are thrilled that so many pet lovers came down to support The Animal Foundation by flying on SlotZilla,” said Bruny. “This event was a great way for Fremont Street Experience and members of the community to give back to The Animal Foundation. All of that money will go to this terrific organization that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals in the Las Vegas Valley. Every year The Animal Foundation takes in approximately 35,000 lost, unwanted and abandoned pets, the money raised will go towards these animals’ well-being.”
Recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
CHINA NATIONAL DANCE TROUPE, a world-renowned dance company, will perform “NATIONAL BEAUTY” at the Orleans Showroom on Tuesday, April 12, at 7:30 pm. National Beauty” is a dance poem inspired by white-and-blue porcelain, bamboo painting, the art of calligraphy, tea ceremony, and traditional Chinese medicine. It derives from the concept of freehand and realism painting, reflecting the intrinsic elegance of poetry, calligraphy, rites and music. The performance resembles a colorful flowing poem – a moving painting – and carries forward Chinese culture. Tickets start at $41.42 plus tax and convenience fees and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming box office location
Following two sold-out shows in 2015, comedy legend and longtime Las Vegas headliner RITA RUDNER is returning to the Comedy Rocks series for two shows at Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort on Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 at 8 p.m. Tickets for both shows start at $25.
DIAMONDFEST, a collection of tribute shows celebrating 50 years of the iconic singer-songwriter Neil Diamond, will make its way to the Suncoast Showroom April 22 and 23. DiamondFest kicks off at 7 p.m. on April 22 with “American Trilogy,” a tribute to legendary artists Neil Diamond, Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley that stars Las Vegas-based Neil Diamond impersonator Rob Garrett. Later that evening, at 10 pm Philadelphia’s best Diamond tribute band “Real Diamond,” will make its Las Vegas debut featuring Neil Diamond’s famed percussionist King Errisson as a special guest star. DiamondFest comes to a close April 23 at 7 p.m. with “Diamond Mountain Live!” featuring “The Diamond Collection” tribute band and starring Las Vegas-based “King of Diamonds” Rob Garrett and Neil Diamond tribute artists from around the world! Special guest stars include the world famous Las Vegas Mass Choir and King Errisson. Tickets for each DiamondFest show start from $29.95, plus taxes and fees, and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming box office.
Hundreds of local residents will be meeting at the LAS VEGAS FREE TO BREATHE 5K/RUN AND 1 MILE WALK on Saturday, April 23 at Sunset Park – Area F (2601 E Sunset Road, Las Vegas, NV 89120) in the hopes of raising money for programs specifically designed to ensure that more lung cancer patients become survivors. The day will also include opening and closing rallies and fun for the whole family. Special recognition will be given to top finishers and fundraising heroes. All proceeds from the event support Free to Breathe, a lung cancer research and advocacy organization dedicated to doubling lung cancer survival by 2022.
Every dollar counts to the more than 224,000 people diagnosed in the U.S with lung cancer each year. In Nevada alone, an estimated 1,700 residents will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2016. The Free to Breathe events community has raised over $14 million to support groundbreaking research and educational programs since 2005. This year the organization will be funding two new lung cancer research grants totaling over $1.2 million dollars. Gather your superhero squad, and join up for an inspiring day focused on doubling lung cancer survival. To register and begin fundraising, visit www.freetobreathe.org/lasvegas.
GRANT A GIFT AUTISM FOUNDATION'S 7th ANNUAL RACE FOR HOPE AND FUN WALK will take place on Saturday, April 30 at Town Square. This annual day of fun, fitness and fundraising ends April’s National Autism Awareness Month and supports children, youth and families affected by autism living in Southern Nevada. Online registration is available online through April 28 at www.GrantAGiftFoundation.org. Day of race registration will be $40.
THE NEVADA BLIND CHILDRENS FOUNDATION (NBCF) will host the 7TH ANNUAL LADYBUG BALL on Saturday, April 30 at 6 p.m. at Red Rock Casino Resort Spa. The event will honor Ledcor Group for their contributions to helping families with visual impairments throughout the valley.This year’s event will give attendees a little insight into the world of those with visual impairments. During the hosted cocktail reception, guests will be invited to visit mixologist booths where they can awaken their other senses with smells and sounds coordinating with each booth’s specialty cocktail. The Lon Bronson Band will provide the night’s entertainment as guests are treated to a gourmet multicourse meal prepared by culinary master chefs from Cut & Taste and the pastry team from Red Rock Casino Resort Spa. The event will conclude with an exclusive VIP after party where guests can dance the night away around piano man Billy Kraus into the wee hours. The 7th Annual Ladybug Ball benefits the educational, social and adaptive recreational programs and services offered to children with visual impairments in the Las Vegas valley – free of charge. Individual tickets are available for $300 or $3,000 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets or get more information on the event visit www.nvblindchildren.org.
Internationally renowned Kabuki masters will take the stage in the David Copperfield Theater at MGM Grand Las Vegas May 3 - 7 in "KABUKI LION SHI-SHI-O: THE ADVENTURES OF THE MYTHICAL LION," for six special performances. The visual spectacular, produced by Japan's leading entertainment company Shochiku, stars Ichikawa Somegoro, the world's most celebrated Kabuki artist, and brings to life one of Japan's national treasures. Tickets start at $65.
FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE will host the 21ST ANNUAL SUSAN G. KOMEN LAS VEGAS RACE FOR THE CURE on Saturday, May 7 with registration starting at 6:00 a.m. Individuals can participate in a 5K (approximately 3.2 miles) or a 1-Mile Fun Walk. The Race will start at the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Clark Avenue at 8:15 a.m. and will finish at the intersection of Fremont East and 6th Street. After the event, Fremont Street Experience encourages all those brave and giving enough to fly on SlotZilla, with 100% of all revenue to benefit Susan G. Komen Nevada. For everyone that flies on SlotZilla from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the full ticket price will benefit the charity –$40 for the upper Zoomline and $20 for the lower Zipline. Flight times can be purchased at the SlotZilla box office or can be booked in advance online at www.vegasexperience.com.
Celebrity sightings:
Saturday, April 9...
Redfoo and The Party Rock Crew hosted TAO Beach’s season grand opening. Later that night, the group kept the party going when they headed over to Marquee Nightclub.
At night, R5 band member Riker Lynch was spotted at TAO Asian Bistro with family and friends before heading up to the nightclub.
“Harry Potter” star Tom Felton enjoyed dinner at LAVO Italian Restaurant. Afterwards, Felton and his friends continued their night at TAO Nightclub.
Playboy Playmate, Kennedy Summers, hosted an unforgettable night of partying at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris Las Vegas.
Kennedy Summers at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop
Photo courtesy of Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, cycling star Lance Armstrong and legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum were spotted at Jenna and Michael Morton’s CRUSH inside MGM Grand Hotel & Casino following Manny Pacquiao's final fight.
