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
Local Food Critics Roasted at Special Affair at Three Square Food Bank
Local food critics and authors of “Eating Las Vegas” Al Mancini, John Curtas and Max Jacobson were “roasted” by renowned local chefs as well as food and beverage directors in front of a packed crowd during a special affair at Three Square Food Bank on Thursday, Sept. 3. Proceeds from ticket sales benefited Three Square Food Bank, Southern Nevada’s only food bank, and more than $3,100 was raised, translating to more than 9,300 meals for food-insecure individuals in our local community.
Photo courtesy of Three Square Food Bank
The Roastmasters Dave Farra and Jason Mahoney of the Dave, Mahoney & DK Morning Show on X 107.5 FM played host for the evening, taking their own friendly jabs at the critics in between the featured food and beverage executives. Las Vegas chefs who have been critiqued over the years and dished it back to them included: Todd Harrington – Executive Chef of Central by Michael Richard; Stephen Hopcraft – Executive Chef at STK Las Vegas inside The Cosmopolitan and former contestant on Bravo TV’s Top Chef; Gary LaMorte – Corporate Chef with The Michael Mina Group; Carla Pellegrino – Founder and Executive Chef of Bratalian Neapolitan Cantina and former contestant on Bravo TV’s Top Chef; Beni Valasquez – Executive Chef at Bar + Bistro; Vic Vegas – Founder and Executive Chef of Vic’s restaurant and finalist on Food Network’s series, Food Network Star; and Theresa Woo – Executive Food & Beverage Director for Fu restaurant at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
“Roasting Las Vegas” is in conjunction with Hunger Action Month (September), a national initiative of Feeding America to raise awareness about hunger in local communities. Locally more than 340,000 people struggle with having consistent access to food and nearly 57 percent of Clark County School District students receive free or reduced priced lunch. Through its various programs, Three Square is working to build a hunger free community ensuring families, children and seniors have access to nutritional meals.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
V-THE ULTIMATE VARIETY SHOW at the V Theater celebrates its 11th anniversary on September 12. The show broke the mold for Las Vegas productions when it opened in 2002 focusing its format exclusively on the best specialty acts from around the world. Today, has been voted #1 variety show in Las Vegas V-The Ultimate Variety Show presents a rotating cast of the top variety acts including internet sensations and TV talent show winners, all in one show.
Iouri & Nikolai
Photo courtesy of "V" The Ultimate Variety Show
The Skating Aratas
Photo courtesy of "V" The Ultimate Variety Show
After a very brief run in the Shimmer Cabaret at the LVH, THE D*WORD: a Musical (*Ditched, Dumped, Divorced and Dating), has closed.
Las Vegas Strip headliner Anthony Cools presents THE PARTY IMPROV COMEDY SHOW at the Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino starting at 7 p.m. every Thursday through Sunday. Comedy takes on a refreshing party vibe in the hilarious new comedy show featuring performers’ witty improvisation of audience suggestions where anything goes; anything can happen. Tickets start at $24.99 plus a 2 drink minimum.
Six-time “Vocal Group of the Year”, Country Music Superstars, DIAMOND RIO perform at Henderson Pavilion (200 S. Green Valley Pkwy.) this Friday, September 13. Las Vegan Ryan Whyte Maloney is the opening act. Tickets are $15.
Former UNLV basketball coach JERRY TARKANIAN will make a personal appearance at Henderson Hyundai Superstore, 460 N. Boulder Highway, Friday September 13 From 5-7 p.m. Jerry Tarkanian was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept 8. He coached the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels 19 years, from 1973-1992. During that time he led 4 teams to the NCAA Final 4, and his UNLV 1990 team won the National Championship. The public is invited for this special Event “Tribute to TARK!”
Desert Spring Theatre Arts presents Neil Simon's GOD'S FAVORITE, a modern day, fast-paced comedy about the Book of Job, directed by Scott Miller. Performances are Friday, September 13th; Saturday, September 14th; Friday, September 20th and Saturday, September 21st at 7 p.m., with added 4 p.m. matinees on Saturday, September 14th and 21st. Tickets are only $7.50 each and may be purchased at the door. Performances are at Desert Spring United Methodist Church, 120 N. Pavilion Center Dr.
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas hosts a four-day MEXICAN INDEPENDANCE DAY CELEBRATION Sept. 13 – 16, complete with a number of exciting cultural events. This year’s festivities include roaming mariachi bands and folkloric dancers, the patriotic “Grito Mexicano” at The Chandelier, a tantalizing concert afterparty at China Poblano with Chef José Andrés and Casa Noble tequila, Mariachi El Bronx at Book & Stage, world-renowned DJ Avicii at Marquee Nightclub and two performances by Grammy award-winning Enrique Iglesias at the Boulevard Pool.
The third annual FIESTA LAS VEGAS LATINO PARADE & FESTIVAL will be held Saturday, September 14 at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas to celebrate the commencement of the Hispanic Heritage Month festivities beginning with the parade from 10 a.m. -12 p.m. and continuing with the festival from 12-10 p.m. The event is FREE to the public and offers an array of rich musical experiences featuring local, national and international artists.
AUTHOR TERRENCE KING, a former Las Vegas resident, will be holding a book signing for his debut novel, “THE SILENT PARTNER”, an urban fantasy novel in which extraordinary things happen to ordinary people, on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in Northwest Las Vegas. Proceeds from “The Silent Partner” book sales and book donations will be donated to Spread the Word Nevada, a a local charity organization dedicated to advancing early childhood literacy by placing books into the hands and homes of children within Southern Nevada’s at-risk, low income communities.
The UNLV Jazz Studies Program celebrates the 40th anniversary of the DownBeat Magazine Award-winning UNLV Jazz Ensemble in a concert featuring the UNLV JAZZ ALUMNI BAND AND UNLV JAZZ ENSEMBLE I at 7:30pm on Tuesday, September 17. It is also the release event for the 2013 UNLV Jazz Studies Program CD, "The Four of Us," on TNC Recordings. The concert is in Artemus Ham Concert Hall, with general admission tickets priced at $10 and available through the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office at pac.unlv.edu or 702-895-ARTS (2787). It will feature the UNLV Alumni Jazz Band, conducted by Nathan Tanouye, and UNLV Jazz Ensemble I, conducted by Dave Loeb and Nathan Tanouye, with special guest Dennis Mackrel, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the UNLV Jazz Ensemble.
REVOLVER SALOON inside Santa Fe Station presents “BACK IN THE SADDLE LIVE CONCERT SERIES” featuring FREE performances from some of country music’s up-and-coming artists, beginning Sept. 19. The dates and lineup of performers includes:
Thursday, September 19 – Katie Armiger
Thursday, October 3 – JT Hodges
Thursday, November 21 – Randy Montana
Thursday, December 12 – Krystal Keith
Doors open at 8 p.m. with all shows beginning at 9 p.m. There is no cover charge and guests must be 21 years or older. Entry is first-come, first-served and based upon venue capacity.
The NEVADA CONSERVATORY THEATRE AT UNLV opens its 11th season Sept. 20 with Sean Clark’s dark comedy “DOG EXPLOSION” in the Black Box Theatre. Francisco Menendez, chair of the UNLV department of film, directs.Show times are at 8 p.m. on Sept. 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28. Matinees are at 2 p.m. on Sept. 22 and 29. Tickets are $15 for adults, and $13.50 for those under 18.
The UNLV Performing Arts Center is proud to present the HUNGARIAN STATE FOLK ENSEMBLE, featuring the rich and colorful repertoire of folk dances and stunning costumes from Hungary, at 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 26. Established in 1951 and arguably the greatest folkloric dance ensemble in the world, the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble has performed in 44 countries across four continents and won the admiration of more than 7.5 million people. Tickets are $25-$40-$55-$75 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787). Student rush tickets are $13 each (not inclusive of the facilities fee), and available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts also are available. A $1.50 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets.
Celebrity Sightings:
Thursday night, Sept. 5...
Hall of famer Warren Moon kicked off the NFL season at HERAEA inside Palms Casino Resort as part of the restaurant’s Legends Series.
Warren Moon at Heraea
Photo courtesy of Heraea
Also in attendance was comedian Carrot Top with friends. The performer enjoyed football fare while watching the first NFL match of the season on the 12-by-16 foot big screen.
Carrot Top and Warren Moon
Photo courtesy of Heraea
Los Angeles Clippers player Jared Dudley was spotted at TAO Nightclub.
Friday, Sept. 6...
FANTASY's newly announced headliner, Jaime Lynch, comedian Sean E. Cooper and the rest of the cast of stunning ladies hit LAX Nightclub at Luxor Hotel and Casino where they hosted the second installment of its monthly “FANTASY Fridays” party.
Also spotted at LAX nightclub was Jabbawockeez performer, Joe “Punkee” Larot.
Sean E. Cooper, cast of FANTASY with Jamie Lynch (center) and DJ Wellman
Photo credit: Karl Larson/Powers Imagery, LLC.
Cast of FANTASY with Joe Larot
Photo credit: Karl Larson/Powers Imagery, LLC.
Miami Heat player Chris Bosh was spotted partying at TAO Nightclub.
Saturday afternoon, Sept. 7...
Actor Nicolas Cage and Scott Thompson, best known as comedian Carrot Top, were spotted having lunch at Due Forni. Cage shared with Chef Carlos Buscaglia how much the pizza reminded him of trips to Naples.
Carrot Top, Chef Carlos Buscaglia and Nicolas Cage
Photo courtesy of Due Forni
Saturday, September 7...
"The Voice" returning judge Cee Lo Green, actor Taye Diggs and R&B star from Boyz II Men Wanya Morris, were spotted at Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
Actress Vanessa Branch, best known from Orbit Gum television commercials, was spotted dining with a few friends on signature dishes at LAVO Italian Restaurant.
At Marquee, Miami Heat player Chris Bosh was seen partying with friends at a VIP table in the Boom Box Room.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas welcomed the Backstreet Boys for their official concert after party at Body English Nightclub & Afterhours on Saturday, Sept. 7.
The night kicked off as band members Nick Carter, Howie Dorough and Kevin Richardson allowed 150 lucky fans to quit playing games with their heart during a special meet and greet at the property’s small, intimate music venue, Vinyl. The boys then proceeded to Body English Nightclub & Afterhours where they were welcomed by a full-house of supporters.
Back Street Boys
Photo Credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
Howie Dorough
Photo Credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
Nick Carter
Photo Credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
Sunday night, Sept, 8...
American Idol winner and Las Vegas entertainer, Taylor Hicks was spotted at the recently opened Carmine’s inside The Forum Shops at Caesars.