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
Magical Memories featuring Disney Fine Art Hosts Wish Reveal on Behalf of Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada
In honor of its February partnership with Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada*, Magical Memories featuring Disney Fine Art** had the honor of being the location of a special wish reveal on Feb. 4, in which Boulder City resident and "wish kid" Ariez Black and her family was told that her wish to go to London has been granted.
Wish reveal highlights included Ariez meeting a couple of her favorite Disney princesses, Anna and Elsa from "Frozen," receiving a personalized piece of art from Disney artist Tennessee Loveless, meeting Paige O'Hara, the original voice of Belle from "Beauty and the Beast," and receiving a signed Belle painting. Anna and Elsa also presented Ariez with a "Frozen" painting along with a world map indicating her wish had been granted and her family would be traveling from Las Vegas to London.
*Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada is part of one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children living in Clark, Nye, Lincoln and Esmeralda Counties. With the help of generous donors and more than 500 volunteers, Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada has granted over 1600 wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Ariez helps Tennessee Loveless create her one-of-a-kind painting of Mickey Mouse
Photo credit: Ira Kuzma Photos
Ariez Black celebrates her wish reveal with Anna and Elsa from "Frozen" Neil Cantor managing director and Disney artists Paige O'Hara and Tennessee Loveless
Photo credit: Ira Kuzma Photos
Ariez Black celebrates her wish reveal with Anna and Elsa from "Frozen"
Photo credit: Ira Kuzma Photos
Paige O'Hara gifts Ariez Black with a personalized painting of Belle from "Beauty and the Beast."
Photo credit: Ira Kuzma Photos
**Magical Memories featuring Disney Fine Art is the premier dealer of a diverse portfolio of limited edition, hand signed, and numbered fine artwork by some of the world's most popular artists, inspired by the rich artistic heritage of Disney.
The gallery features both limited edition and original artwork from notable Disney artists such as Trevor Carlton, James Coleman, Rodel Gonzalez, Manuel Hernandez, Rob Kaz, Tennessee Loveless, James C. Mulligan, Tim Rogerson, John Rowe, Michelle St. Laurent, Jim Salvati, as well as Disney Legends Peter Ellenshaw and Paige O'Hara. Additionally, the gallery features a selection of Disney animation art and Disney themed toys and collectibles both vintage and new.
Twisted Vegas Arrives in Style at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino
Twisted Vegas,, the hilarious new anchor show at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, featuring the U.S. debut of one of France's most famous faces -- multi-talented funny man, Alex Goude, dropped off its cast of zany, flamboyant, over-the-top talented characters right in front of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino on Wednesday morning, Feb. 3. It was the most extravagant welcome event to hit Vegas since Shania Twain shut down the Strip with her mighty stampede of horses. Attendees at the morning's Welcome Ceremony were treated to a six-foot long table adorned with French croissants and coffee.
Twisted Vegas cast
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The cast arrived in style at Westgate's porte cochère where a U-Haul, driven by Twisted's version of Celine Dion, pulled up to the red carpet. Out of seemingly nowhere, a miniature Elvis popped out of the passenger side door, too short to be seen above the dashboard as the U-Haul approached.
Once Celine and Elvis opened the truck, a gaggle of some of the most strangely impressive performers in town unloaded onto the carpet. Celine led the cast's grand entrance with a rendition of her hit single "I Drove All Night," (it did appear as though she had been driving all night) before being abruptly stopped by Rob Kunkle and Tim Cook, Westgate's Executive Vice President & General Manager and Head of Security respectively. Following a slight miscommunication ("Hey, you can't be here with your U-Haul, we're waiting for our new show to arrive!"), Rob and Tim realized this was indeed the cast of Twisted Vegas.
"It was a grown French man's American dream come true," said Goude.
Closing out the event, the full cast performed "Viva Las Vegas." Afterwards, guests were invited inside the mythological Elvis Presley Theater for a short preview of the show.
Twisted Vegas is performing in the same showroom that Elvis & Liberace performed in at the height of their careers. The show opens to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 9 with a Grand Opening event slated for Thursday, Feb. 18. Performances start at 7 pm. every Tuesday through Sunday (Mondays dark). Tickets are now on sale.
Next week: Dianne R. Davis interviews cast members.
Jon Carmichael Hosts Star-Studded Photography Exhibit at FIZZ Las Vegas
Contemporary photographer, Jon Carmichael, hosted his first exhibit on Sunday night, January 31, with a red carpet event at FIZZ, the upscale champagne lounge located inside Caesars Palace. Hundreds of guests were in attendance including comedian Carrot Top; actor Rex Lee, who is best known for his long-time role in HBO’s hit series and movie, “Entourage;” and members of Sir Elton John’s band.
Photographer Jon Carmichael and Actor Rex Lee
Photo credit: Omar G. Photography
Photographer Jon Carmichael, John Mahon of Sir Elton John’s Band, and Carrot Top
Photo credit: Omar G. Photography
Jon Carmichael Debut Exhibit at FIZZ Las Vegas
Photo credit: Atom’s Eye Photography
Photographer Jon Carmichael with Carrot Top in front of “Anonymous”
Photo credit: Omar G. Photography
Carmichael, a Las Vegas native, debuted his series, titled “The Decade,” showcasing his works, contemporary landscape and astrophotography from across the country. Sir Elton John, whose husband, David Furnish, is a partner in FIZZ, has become Carmichael’s biggest collector since first seeing his work this past October. The exhibit was scheduled to correspond with John’s final night of his current engagement at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. Guests at the soiree enjoyed champagne and other fine cocktails. Proceeds from the photo sales benefitted the Perry J. Cohen Foundation and AID for AIDS Nevada.
Carmichael has become one of the youngest high profile photographers in the world with shots of President Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder and others, and has been featured on FOX, ABC and ESPN, to name a few major outlets
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE recently announced that it raised over $145,000 in its first year through 12 different SLOTZILLA CHARITY CHALLENGES. Local charities are chosen to partner with SlotZilla on a specific day and 100% of SlotZilla revenue from flights on the lower Zipline or upper Zoomline is donated to that charity. Fremont Street Experience challenged all the charities to raise the most amount of money through their databases, media partners and social media. The first SlotZilla Charity Challenge kicked off on Oct. 30, 2014 with Susan G. Komen of Southern Nevada. Other charity partners have included American Heart Association, Opportunity Village, Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Muscular Dystrophy Assocation, Three Square, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Photo courtesy of The Fremont Street Experience
Photo courtesy of The Fremont Street Experience
Photo courtesy of The Fremont Street Experience
We are honored that so many people came down to support these terrific charities to raise $145,368 via the SlotZilla Charity Challenge program,” said Thomas Bruny, Director of Marketing of Fremont Street Experience. “We are excited to announce that we will be continuing the SlotZilla Charity Challenges in 2016 with the first one taking place on Thursday, February 25 with Spread the Word Nevada.”
Award-winning journalist and Army Vietnam veteran CHUCK N. BAKER, has released "VETERANS: A MOTION PICTURE ", a documentary to help dispel news stories and editorial opinions that he says often tend to paint all veterans as having PTSD and other mental and emotional problems. "Too many veterans have not received their fair share of positive media coverage," Baker said. "I have produced a documentary film that illustrates in brief interviews and vignettes how most American veterans return from military life and become positive citizens. Overwhelming media depictions of soldiers who come home and who can't adjust to civilian life is just plain wrong, and is an insult to the veterans community as well as to the active-duty military."
“Celebrity Magician” MURRAY has resigned with Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and Sin City Theatre, extending his contract for another year till Feb. 2017 as their resident headliner in the 4pm time slot, 5 days a week (dark on Tues. & Fri.). Murray, along with his sidekick Lefty and stunning assistant April Leopardi, resumes performances at the venue, on Feb. 11, 2016.
On February 13, hundreds of Las Vegas residents will brave the weather in CUPID'S UNDIE RUN’s, a one mile-ish fun run, sponsored by Sock It To Me, in just their undies to raise awareness and fund the research of Neurofibromatosis (NF) through the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF). This year, the world’s largest organized undie run will take place in 36 cities across the United States.
To date, this must do Valentine’s Day event has raised nearly $8 million for CTF. This year, the hundreds of volunteers behind this 501(c)3 non-profit are further committed to the fight against NF after the recent passing of Drew Leathers, the younger brother of Chad Leathers, co-founder of Cupid’s Undie Run, and inspiration behind the event.
MAVERICK HELICOPTERS, an award-winning division of Maverick Aviation Group, recently received the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 2015 AAWARD OF EXCELLENCE “DIAMOND AWARD” . The prestigious honor, which the company has now received five years in a row, is a result of Maverick Helicopters’ ongoing dedication to maintenance training and aircraft safety.
Life Time Athletic Summerlin and Life Time Athletic Green Valley invite fathers and daughters of all ages to enjoy a special night at the annual Daddy Daughter Dance from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20. The event, which will be held at both clubs simultaneously, will include dinner, music, games, crafts, special appearances and a night full of dancing for fathers and their special little girls. The dances are open to both members and non-members of Life Time Athletic.
At LIFETIME ATHLETIC SUMMERLIN, located at 10721 W. Charleston Blvd. fathers and daughters can journey to “A Galaxy Far, Far Away”. This year’s dance will feature a galactic theme, and is priced at $50 per daddy-daughter couple for members and $60 per non-member couple. Additional children may join any daddy-daughter duo for an extra $10 each.
LIFE TIME ATHLETIC GREEN VALLEY - located at 121 Carnegie Street in Henderson, invites fathers and daughters to enjoy “A Night in Wonderland.” The event will feature a whimsical “Wonderland” theme and will be priced at $25 per daddy-daughter couple. Each additional child will increase the cost by $5.
THE LAS VEGAS NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM in downtown Las Vegas is partnering with the The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) to place the spotlight on forensic sciences at the Museum during two exciting events on Sunday, Feb. 21. Families will get up close and personal with forensic scientists from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. during the “CSI MINI-CAMP” at the Museum. Attendees will experience criminal investigation techniques such as bone identification, fingerprinting and DNA analysis with law enforcement officers, crime scene investigators, evidence analysts, medical examiners, and many more. Event goers can also explore the connections between forensic sciences and the work done by paleontologists when following the clues of the past. The Museum’s “Live Paleo-Lab” will be open for visitors to interact with paleontological work being done on dinosaur and pre-historic mammal fossils excavated locally. This family-friendly event is FREE thanks in part to the generous support of the Galleria Mall. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For adults, a second event, “Demystifying the Forensic Sciences,” will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. The forensic showcase will be moderated by Dr. Bruce Goldberger, past president of AAFS and director of the UF Health Forensic Medicine. Dr. Goldberger will be joined by AAFS President-Elect John Gerns, Instructor, Criminal Justice/Forensic Science for Central Texas College, Killeen, Texas; Lisa Gavin, MD, MPH, Las Vegas Medical Examiner; Ken Melson, MS, JD, Adjunct professor at George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C.; and Jose Almirall, PhD, Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, who will discuss forensic science disciplines and how each contributes to solving crimes. The showcase will be followed by a reception where ticket holders will have an opportunity to meet the scientists. Advance tickets for the Forensic Showcase are required. Tickets are $10. This event is not recommended for children.
“TONY SACCA IN CONCERT” featuring the Sexy Saccettes will perform in the main showroom at the CasaBlanca Resort & Casino on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Mesquite, Nev., at 7:30 p.m. The live orchestra will be conducted by Grammy Award winner Gary Anderson. Tickets are $15.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA is encouraging Las Vegans to “unleash their inner polar bear” this March and take an icy dive for the nonprofit’s annual Polar Plunge, a national movement to raise funds and awareness for the Special Olympics. THE POLAR PLUNGE will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at Sunset Station's chilly outdoor pool.
Costumes are encouraged and will be judged by a group of local celebrity guest judges. Pool cabanas will transform into booths featuring games; activities; “Ask an Athlete,” an opportunity to speak with Special Olympics athletes; and meet and greets with members of local law enforcement—departments that have chosen Special Olympics as their charity of choice nationwide.
Following the plunge, all participants are invited to join in the After-Splash Bash inside Club Madrid at Sunset Station, complete with a catered lunch, entertainment, a cash bar and awards for top fundraisers and best costumes. The party will also feature a raffle opportunity to bid on up to 15 different unique prizes.
Individual participants must raise a minimum of $125 to plunge into the pool. Registration includes a Polar Plunge sweatshirt and free entry to the post-plunge party. Those not interested in plunging may raise $125 and register as a “Chicken.” “Chicken” registration includes a Polar Plunge sweatshirt and admittance to the post-plunge party. More information and sponsorship opportunities may be found at www.ipolarplunge.com.
The master-planned community SUMMERLIN®, developed by The Howard Hughes Corporation (HHC), is adding to its robust list of 23 public and private schools with the OPENING OF DORAL ACADEMY RED ROCK, a public charter school set to open fall 2016. Located near the southwest corner of Sky Vista Drive and Alta Drive, near West Charleston Boulevard with Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area as its backdrop, the school will offer kindergarten through ninth grade. It will eventually expand to include tenth, eleventh and twelfth grades as its student population matriculates. According to Peggy Chandler, senior vice president of HHC, the opening of this new Summerlin charter school is the result of strategic planning by HHC to create additional classroom space and accommodate the community’s growing population.
Celebrity sightings:
Friday night, Feb. 5...
Stars from the worlds of sports and entertainment gathered last night at The Venetian Las Vegas to celebrate the Eighth Annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards. In attendance were “The California Kid” Urijah Faber, actress Alison Haislip, UFC Champion Holly Holm, actress and model Carmen Electra, Chumlee of HISTORY’s Pawn Stars, actor Shane West, actor and former UFC Champion Randy Couture, former UFC champion Frank Mir, UFC fighter Paige VanZant, UFC fighter Max Holloway, UFC announcer Bruce Buffer, model and ring card girl Arianny Celeste, MTV host and X –Games champion veteran TJ Lavin, professional skateboarder Ryan Sheckler and reality stars Liz and Julia Nolan from Big Brother Season 17.
Other Las Vegas notables in attendance included world-famous dance crew the Jabbawockeez, BMX pro Ricardo Laguna, model and former Ms. Nevada Lisa Song, Dirk Vermin of A&E’s Bad Ink and cast members from some of Las Vegas’ biggest shows including X Burlesque, X Rocks, Absinthe, Rock of Ages, Jersey Boys, SEXXY and Fantasy.
Arianny Celeste
Photo Credit Wire Image - David Becker
Bruce Buffer
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Carmen Electra
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Chumlee
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Frank Mir
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Holly Holm
Photo Credit Wire Image - David Becker
Jabbawockeez
Photo Credit Wire Image - David Becker
Lisa Song and Ricardo Laguna
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Liz Nolan and Julia Nolan
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Paige VanZant
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Randy Couture
Photo Credit Wire Image - David Becker
Shane West
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
Urijah Faber and Alison Haislip
Photo credit Wire Image - David Becker
HGTV hunk and co-host of the popular television series “Property Brothers,” Drew Scott, and his girlfriend stopped by Michael and Jenna Morton's Downtown Las Vegas hotspot La Comida for dinner.
Juicy J kicked off The Big Game weekend with a blowout performance at TAO Nightclub in The Venetian.
Tiesto performs at Marquee Takeover at Verso - Big Game Weekend presented by Hennessy V.S - Day 2 on February 5 2016 in San Francisco California
Photo by Noel VasquezGetty Images for MHUSA
Juicy J at TAO
Photo credit: Tony Tran Photography
NFL star Julio Jones was spotted with friends at Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan taking in the sounds of DJ Vice.
