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
Centaur Gallery Presents the Extraordinary Art of Chinese Master Hu Jundi
To celebrate the Chinese New Year (The Year of the Monkey 2016) and the cultural diversity in America, Centaur Art Gallery, located on 4345 Dean Martin Drive, presented the extraordinary art of contemporary Chinese Master Hu Jundi during a special private event titled “East Meets West”, on Friday, February 12.
Master artist Hu Jundi Exhibit at Centaur Gallery
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Hu Jundi's paintings are completely Chinese with sage and hunter green hues reflecting the landscape and terrain of China's Sichuan province. Featuring models taken from his memory, with the unique ability to paint the characters in his mind's eye, Hu paints the stoic, elegant beauty of the Sichuan Chinese women in their classical Chinese garments. Rather than depicting the violent past of his nation's history or the hardships of his family, he points to the simple beauty of mastering Chinese life.
The Year of the Monkey 2016 represents the year of the clever, the witty, the wise. With that in mind, “I chose to present Master Hu Jundi from China,” said Denise Wilbourne, Centaur Gallery event coordinator.” “He remains the most amazing of all the artists that I have known, who can see beauty in sorrow...a man who has stayed his course despite what life has thrown his way, and most importantly, a man of gratitude.”
Master artist Hu Jundi
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Master Hu was in attendance to embellish and dedicate all art pieces collected at the event. Among the invited guests were Hu Lim-An, Regional Communication and Development Director of the National Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.), an organization committed to equality and justice in the rights and welfare of Chinese Americans; Las Vegas dignitaries Justice Court Judge Melissa Saragosa and Republican Congressional District Candidate Danny Tarkanian; and several patrons of the arts including Dr. Laurence Schiff, President of the Conservative Republican Club of Kingman, AZ who purchased the masterpiece of the show, Hu Jundi's “Down By The Lotus Pond”, for his collection.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
During this prestigious, catered event, guests were treated to wine and a delectable buffet featuring Chinese salad, sushi, dumplings, trays of fresh vegetables and assorted fruit and cheeses. In addition, musical entertainment was provided by world renowned musician, Lily Yuan from China, who mesmerized everyone with her beautiful renditions of ancient Chinese art music, the yangqin (pronounced yang chin), performed on piano and hammered dulcimer.
Musician Lily Yuan
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The Extraordinary Art of Chinese Master Hu Jundi will be on display and available for purchase at Centaur Gallery through March 15, 2016.
The LINQ Promenade Welcomes Chinese New Year in the Desert with Opening Ceremony Celebrations and Cultural Performances
Chinese New Year is recognized as the most important Chinese holiday and is known as "Spring Festival" in China, “Tet New Year” in Vietnam and “Seol-lal” in Korea. For the first time, Chinese New Year in the Desert™ is held in multiple locations throughout Las Vegas over a one-week period, including The LINQ Promenade. The fifth annual celebration centers around the Year of the Monkey, which officially began with opening ceremonies on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 9.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Photo courtesy of The LINQ
The entire LINQ Promenade was adorned with Chinese red lanterns and festive decorations, a tradition that symbolizes prosperity and vitality. The opening ceremony included City Councilman Stavros Anthony, Bruce Bommarito (vice president of international marketing for Caesars Entertainment) and Michael Goldsmith (vice president of international marketing for Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority), who spoke to guests about the importance of sharing in the Chinese New Year traditions and welcoming the many guests who visit Las Vegas during this citywide celebration. Guests also witnessed a traditional Lion Dance performance with an eye painting ceremony, before being treated to a special performance by the Hunan Provincial Song & Dance Troupe.
The Chinese New Year festivities continue all week at The LINQ Promenade with special nightly performances through Friday and extended performances on Saturday and Sunday.
The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas Ring in the Year of The Monkey with Traditional Lion Dance
The Venetian and The Palazzo Las Vegas ushered in the Year of the Monkey on Monday, Feb. 8, with a traditional lion dance and eye ceremony. To kick off Chinese New Year 2016 were president and COO of Las Vegas Sands Corp., Robert Goldstein; George Markantonis, president and COO of The Venetian, The Palazzo, and Sands Expo; Larry Chiu, president of international marketing; and Pete Boyd, senior vice president of operations.
The Venetian and The Palazzo Celebrate Chinese New Year 2016
Photo courtesy of The Venetian and Palazzo
The Dragon circles the Armillary Sphere in The Venetian Lobby
Photo courtesy of The Venetian and Palazzo
The Lion Dance Stops in the Waterfall Atrium and guests look on
Photo courtesy of The Venetian and Palazzo
Venetian and Palazzo Executives Participate in the Lion Dance
Photo courtesy of The Venetian and Palazzo
Starting at The Venetian porte-cochere, dancers and drummers paraded through both properties, circled through the casino to The Waterfall Atrium and Gardens of The Palazzo, and continued through The Palazzo. Other celebratory visuals included a "Year of the Monkey" display inside The Waterfall Atrium and Gardens of The Palazzo. To honor the "Year of the Monkey" the resort's floral and horticulture department partnered with a team of artisans, and consulted with a feng shui master, to produce the massive "Year of the Monkey" art installation. Guests were encouraged to revel in the enchanting beauty of this display while strolling through The Waterfall Atrium and Gardens of The Palazzo.
The "Year of the Monkey" art installation features:
• 78 handcrafted monkeys around property, each with a unique, hand-painted face.
• A five-foot tall, 300-pound Monkey King draped in Swarovski crystals, His chest plate is made up of more than 8,000 hand-sewn gold coins.
• A 38-foot-tall wishing tree with 8,000 branches of golden foliage.
• 28 young and mischievous monkeys
• Eight giant, hand-painted peaches covered in Swarovski crystals.
• 88 gold and red six-foot lanterns that are suspended over the walkways of the Waterfall Atrium and Gardens
• More than 1,000 blooming flowers including golden Phalaenopsis, cymbidium orchids, chrysanthemums, and Oriental lilies
• More than 1,200 plants including phormium grasses, philodendrum, Ogon grass, tangerine trees, lucky bamboo trees, ivy, ferns, and cast-iron plants
The Year of the Monkey art installation will run through Feb. 29.
Eccoci Boca Park Hosts ‘Super Bowl of Fashion’ Event With Mrs. Nevada-America Contestants
Eccoci Boca Park, located on the outskirts of Summerlin, hosted the “Super Bowl of Fashion” to showcase their latest fashions on Saturday afternoon, February 6. The event featured refreshments, a fashion show and live musical entertainment provided by John Anthony, who delivered smooth vocals and keyboard melodies. An exclusive sale also was available for all attendees.
The 2016 Mrs. Nevada-America contests took center stage as featured models for the 2016 Eccoci fashion show. The Mrs. Nevada-America Pageant is the preliminary pageant to Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageant and gives married women the opportunity to challenge themselves and expand their horizons while providing a way to give back to their communities.
Mrs. Las Vegas, Marissa Castillo is wearing the gorgeous ECCOCI "Gravity" black crepe dress. Marissa's platform is for Best Buddies Nevada.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Red Rock, Natalie Manning wearing ECCOCI "Anaconda" jeans with the "Saddle" suede jacket. Natalie's platform is for Communities in Schools of Nevada
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Sloane Canyon, Corinna Cook looking lovely in ECCOCI coral "Pique" jacket and "Upscale" skirt. Corinna's platform is for Operation G I Jane
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. North Las Vegas, Melissa Cunningham wearing ECCOCI red "Inspire" jacket. Melissa's platform is Refuge for Women.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Queen's Ridge, Brenda Beltran is wearing ECCOCI black and shell pink "Sydney" pants. Brenda's platform will benefit St Jude Hospital.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Summerlin, Lauren Cahlan wearing the stunning ECCOCI "Zenith" dress. Lauren's platform is for The Shade Tree.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Southern Highlands, Kim Cowherd-Iacovazzi wearing the pretty ECCOCI "Etched" skirt. Kim's platform is for Make A Wish Foundation.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. City Center, Pamela Ellis wearing the ECCOCI "Sculpture" dress. Pamela's platform is for Keep Memory Alive.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Aliante, Samantha Rivera wearing the fabulous ECCOCI "Skyscraper" skirt in leather and mesh. Samantha's platform is for The Veterans Village.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Mrs. Lake Las Vegas, Kimberly Alexander wearing the ECCOCI "Tanzania" skirt with the fun "Turtle" belt. Kimberly's platform is for Kids in Transition.
Photo courtesy of Ecoci Boca Park
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
David Siegel, Founder and CEO of Westgate Resorts, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and champagne toast at the newly-renovated RACE & SPORTSBOOK Tuesday afternoon, February 9 at WESTGATE LAS VEGAS RESORT & CASINO. To commemorate the unveiling, Commissioner Steve Sisolak, Commissioner Larry Brown, Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Former Mayor Oscar Goodman presented proclamations on behalf of the Clark County Commissioner’s Office and City of Las Vegas, respectively. Also in attendance was Mark Waltrip, Chief Operating Office of Westgate Resorts.
Ribbon cutting
Photo credit: Edison Graff-Stardust Fallout
The Fremont Street Experience Board has named Cannery Casino & Hotel Vice President and General Manager, PATRICK HUGHES, as the NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO OF FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE. Hughes, who will begin work at FSE on Feb. 29, succeeds former President Jeff Victor, who departed the company last fall. A native of Ireland, Hughes has had an extensive career in gaming, hospitality and entertainment over the last two decades. He moved to Las Vegas at the age of 25 and has worked for a number of hotel-casino resorts including Boulder Station Casino & Hotel, New York-New York Casino and The Resort At Summerlin.
The February edition of the entertainment filled fundraising event, MONDAYS DARK WITH MARK SHUNOCK will take place Monday night, February 15, at Vinyl inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The music theme will be Elton John The Collection with event proceeds benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities. Doors open at 8:30 pm. how starts 9:30 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance and $30 at the door.
The new weekly lifestyle show "LAS VEGAS GOOD NEWS" debuts on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016 with filming at The LINQ Promenade with JEFF CIVILLICO, headliner at Flamingo Las Vegas, as the show’s main host. A team of vivacious co-hosts will also present and discuss various facets of Las Vegas including: music, food, nightlife, art, fashion and so much more. While the show is filmed at The LINQ Promenade, a variety of Vegas experiences will be covered both on and off The Strip.
The entertainment-news program will focus on the latest destination happenings each weekend, and will be recorded live in front of an audience at The LINQ Promenade with the iconic High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel, as its backdrop. The first live taping is slated for Thursday, Feb. 18 at The LINQ Promenade fountains from 5 to 8 p.m. Every Thursday evening locals and visitors are encouraged to view and participate in the live TV show taping which is FREE and open to the public. The show will air weekends on KTNV-TV in Las Vegas.
THE GALLERIA AT SUNSET, which opened in 1996, celebrates its 20th year with an anniversary kick-off party for the whole family from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the mall — located at 1300 W. Sunset Road in Henderson. The event will include live music by local band Holes & Hearts on The Plaza, family friendly entertainment in Kohl’s Court including a show by Twinkle Time, face painting and a balloon artist, and a fashion lounge in Center Court, which will feature a live DJ, mini-makeover station and sweet treats. The first 200 guests to the event also will receive a $20 Galleria at Sunset gift card.
AID FOR AIDS OF NEVADA (AFAN) and HOUSE OF BLUES LAS VEGAS join forces to host a CHARITY ALTERNATIVE ROCK CONCERT on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Mandalay Bay at 7:30 p.m. There will be live performances by 90s grunge tribute band Wicked Garden, eclectic alt-rock from Roxy Gunn Project and additional performances by Hope's Edge and My Fair Rosalie. A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit AFAN.
As Nevada's largest HIV/AIDS service organization, AFAN continues to benefit the men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS and provides support to the community through client services, prevention education, transportation to healthcare providers, rent and utility assistance, nutritional counseling, food vouchers and kids' programs. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 18+ show and general admission tickets are available on the House of Blues website for $10 each plus tax and fees with VIP table seating options available.
THE ROLLER COASTER AT NEW YORK NEW YORK HOTEL & CASINO will close Tuesday, February 16 for maintenance upgrades and reopen to the public Wednesday, February 24. The Roller Coaster’s operating hours are Sunday – Thursday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 10:30 a.m. – midnight.
ESSENCE VEGAS, Las Vegas’ premier medical marijuana dispensary and treatment facility, has announced the opening of three new locations across the Las Vegas valley this spring, including the first and only location on the famed Las Vegas Strip. Providing the purest and widest selection of quality cannabis products to patients in Las Vegas, Essence Vegas will open its West-Side location, located at 5765 W. Tropicana Ave., on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 and follow with locations on Las Vegas Blvd. and Henderson over the subsequent two months. In addition, a state-of-the-art cultivation facility will be opening this spring, in conjunction with the three Essence Vegas dispensary locations.
Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino will host the WARGAMING.NET LEAGUE NORTH AMERICA (WGLNA) SEASON 2 2016 REGIONAL FINALS FOR THE POPULAR VIDEO GAME WORLD OF TANKS, on Saturday, February 27, 2016. A championship eSports tournament for one of the world’s most popular video games, WGLNA will feature four teams competing at the Downtown Grand for the chance to win the first place grand prize of $75,000. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet fellow tankers, WGLNA pro gamers, the Wargaming team and can check out the Wargaming Hummer and Alienware Live Tour outside the hotel for swag. The event is FREE to the public, and the doors to the Fremont Room will open at 12:45 p.m. PT.
The critically-acclaimed show MIKE TYSON UNDISPUTED TRUTH – LIVE ON STAGE, starring boxing legend Mike Tyson is returning for round two at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Tyson’s captivating one-man show will return for a limited run at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club inside MGM Grand, with riveting new, never-heard-before stories from the champ’s tumultuous life and career. Mike Tyson UNDISPUTED TRUTH – Live On Stage steps back into the ring beginning Thursday, March 3 at 10 p.m. Performances are scheduled for Thursday through Sunday from Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, June 26, with select dark dates. All shows begin at 10 p.m. Tickets start at $54.95 plus tax and service fees and can be purchased at any MGM Grand box office. Tickets on sale Friday, Feb. 12 at 1 p.m.
Grammy Award-Winning, Scottish born pop star SHEENA EASTON will perform at the Suncoast Showroom March 5-6. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $24 plus tax and fees and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming Box Office.
Celebrity sightings:
Saturday night , February 13...
DJ trio Cash Cash and rap legend Busta Rhymes took over the party at Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Bringing together the two genres of music, Cash Cash set the soundtrack to the party with an array of EDM hits before Busta Rhymes took the stage to delight club-goers with a special performance.
Busta Rhymes at Marquee
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Cash Cash at Marquee
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Friday night, February 12...
Denver Broncos players Malik Jackson, Sylvester Williams, Derek Wolfe, DeMarcus Ware, Brandon Marshall, Vance Walker, George Uko, Kenny Anunike and Darius Kilgo celebrated their NFL Championship win at TAO Nightclub in The Venetian with dinner at TAO Asian Bistro before heading up to the nightclub.
Brandon Marshall at Broncos Championship Celebration at TAO
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, and Sylvester Williams Celebrate Championship at TAO
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Denver Broncos Championship Celebration at TAO
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Brandon Marshall at Broncos Championship Celebration at TAO
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Over at Marquee Nightclub in The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas was “Gossip Girl” star Ed Westwick taking in the scene at a VIP booth with friends.
Wednesday afternoon, February 10...
Strip entertainer, comedian Carrot Top enjoyed lunch on the patio of MTO Café at Downtown Summerlin.
Carrot Top at MTO Cafe
Photo courtesy of MTO Cafe
Tuesday, February 9...
Superstar Jennifer Lopez was spotted at OMNIA Nightclub inside Caesars Palace alongside boyfriend Casper Smart and a number of talented cast members of her Las Vegas show “All I Have”.
Jennifer Lopez, DJ Shift, and Casper Smart
Photo credit: Aaron Garcia
Monday night, February 8...
Actress, singer and dancer and Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino headliner Jennifer Lopez dined at the luxurious Beijing cuisine eatery, MR CHOW inside Caesars Palace.
Former NFL star Jerome Bettis was spotted at Marquee Nightclub at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas taking in the sounds of Justin Credible.
Superbowl Sunday, February 7...
Chris Kael, bass player for Five Finger Death Punch and former Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas bartender, attended the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip’s Big Game party.
Chris Kael
Photo courtesy of the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas
Charlie Frye, former NFL quarterback (Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Cleveland Browns), also enjoyed the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip’s Big Game party with friends.
Charlie Frye
Photo courtesy of the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas
Actors Nicolas Cage and Crispin Glover were spotted hanging out at XS Nightclub, Wynn Las Vegas' award-winning venue.
Saturday, February 6...
Olivia Pierson and Natalie Halcro, stars of E!'s reality show "WAGS," were seen XS Nightclub with Halcro's boyfriend and NFL player Shaun Phillips. Giancarlo Stanton, professional baseball player for the Miami Marlins, spent the evening partying with friends at a table next to the DJ booth.
