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
RockTellz & CockTails at Planet Hollywood Presents Music Icons The Jacksons
As part of RockTellz & CockTails at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino legendary musical group and Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame inductees The Jacksons, featuring Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon, held their Grand Opening performance on February 20.
The Jacksons
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA
RockTellz & CockTails Presents The Jacksons offers audiences the unique brand of soulful pop-funk and impeccable live performances that have made The Jacksons one of the most beloved musical acts of all time. During their high energy, rock solid show, The Jacksons incorporate their signature harmonies and dynamic stage presence with a trip down memory lane in which they recollect personal stories about their rise to fame, and pay tribute to their late brother, Michael. The show also includes a video retrospective featuring Jackson family matriarch, Katherine and Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. offering up never before told stories and insights about the famous brothers.
Idols unlike any other in music history, The Jacksons redefined, reinvented and reinvigorated popular music as we know it, with nine number-one hits and 14 top-10 hits. During the media night preview performance, a medley of hit songs such as “ABC,” “I Want You Back”, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, “I’ll Be There,” the latter of which remains the group’s most successful single to date, had the audience up on their feet, swaying their arms and singing along.
In attendance and seated in the audience were members of the Jackson family including Katherine and Joe Jackson and Michael's children, Prince Michael and “Blanket”.
“We’re honored to welcome The Jacksons, American music royalty and one of the most trendsetting and captivating artists of all time, to the RockTellz & CockTails stage,” said Adam Steck, RockTellz & CockTails creator & producer and CEO of SPI Entertainment. “Audiences are going to love hearing their unbelievable stories and of course, the songs that have helped them become so treasured and adored worldwide.”
“We are thrilled to be a part of RockTellz & CockTails at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino,” said Jackie Jackson. “As a Las Vegas resident, I couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this amazing series at one of the most iconic entertainment destinations in the world. My brothers and I can’t wait to take the stage and bring our hits - and the stories behind them - to life for the fans.”
The Jacksons
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA
RockTellz & CockTails Presents The Jacksons will be performed Thursday – Sunday inside the PH Showroom at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino from Feb. 20 to April 27. All shows begin at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $54, $59, $79, $99 and $129 plus tax and applicable fees. An exclusive meet and greet package, including a souvenir photo, VIP laminate and The Jacksons merchandise, is available for an additional $400 plus tax and applicable fees on any ticket level. RockTellz & CockTails Presents The Jacksons is an all-ages show.
A portion of all tickets sold to RockTellz & CockTails Presents the Jacksons will once again benefit the GRAMMY Foundation’s GRAMMY® Signature Schools Community Award program, which will directly benefit high school music programs in the Las Vegas community.
Yard House Opens at The Linq
One of my favorite places for dining out, Yard House, the upscale casual eatery known for its extensive draft beer offering, opened its third location in Las Vegas on February 28. The newest restaurant is located prominently at The Linq, overlooking the High Roller ferris wheel, and is the largest in the nation spanning more than 18,000 square feet. It is also the only Yard House that encompasses two stories, with seating for more than 400 guests inside and dozens more on the massive outdoor patio. The open floor plan features a décor that blends warm woods and cool stainless steel accents, as well as an original collection of abstract art commissioned by California artist Jerome Gastaldi.
Yard House
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House artwork
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House keg room
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House upstairs outdoor patio
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House wine room
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Tasting samples
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House main central bar
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House dining area
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House downstairs patio
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Yard House reception counter
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Living up to its reputation, Yard House at the Linq delivers the goods in every aspect when it comes to a great dining experience. Along with excellent, reasonably priced food and inviting atmosphere, the service by the friendly, accommodating servers can't be beat. As one of the concept’s trademark elements, a continuous playlist of classic and contemporary rock fill the restaurant. Sports enthusiasts can also enjoy watching sporting events from a fleet of flatscreen televisions that are strategically placed throughout the restaurant and visible from nearly every seat.
Yard House’s award-winning menu includes more than 150 items, each updated with quality ingredients and innovative flavors, including appetizers, salads, grilled burgers, tacos, seafood, steaks and ribs as well as a large selection of vegetarian friendly options. Signature menu items include the Spicy Tuna Roll, tuna stacked and layered with cucumber, edamame, avocado and a trio of sauces, as well as (Mac + Cheese) with pulled chicken, applewood bacon and fried wild mushrooms. In addition to its full menu, the restaurant offers an “Eat Late” menu available only after 10 p.m. that includes a Black Truffle Cheeseburger, Pastrami Dog, Chilaquiles and Monte Cristo Pops. For beer lovers, the restaurant features 160 taps of imported, craft and specialty ales and lagers, so guests can order their favorite draft beers as a half-yard, traditional pint, shorty or six-pack sampler.
Yard House is opened daily from 10am to 12:30 a.m.
LOOK Style Society's Celebrates Grand Opening
LOOK Style Society, a revolutionary new concept in the world of beauty destinations, marked its official grand opening at Town Square Las Vegas with a ribbon cutting event on Friday, Feb. 21. LOOK executives and staff celebrated the inaugural moment in true Las Vegas fashion with showgirls by their sides as they cut the ceremonial ribbon. In addition, executives and staff from Sam Villa’s HairShow Blowout Bar, located inside LOOK, were on hand to commemorate the opening of the new beauty venue.
(left to right): Elizabeth Lesser (principal of Elle Concepts), Shannon Mariani (director of operations of LOOK Style Society), Niko Siton (office manager of LOOK Style Society), Kailee Coll (director of operations of Sam Villa’s HairShow) and Magda Korczynski (operations manager of Sam Villa’s HairShow)
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
LOOK Style Society
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
Sam Villa’s HairShow Blowout Bar
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
essie Nail Lounge
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
“It’s a great feeling to see all of our hard work and dedication pay off to create not only a beautiful venue but a unique and comprehensive experience for our guests,” said Kimberly Stuhmer, brand manager of LOOK. “There’s truly no other beauty destination in Las Vegas like this and we’re so excited to be officially open.”
Throughout the afternoon, guests toured the innovative destination while indulging in light bites and refreshments. Strip headliner Claire Sinclair and performer Angel Porrino were also spotted in the crowd mingling with friends and getting treatments during the grand opening event.
Claire Sinclair and Angel Porrino at LOOK Style Society
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik / Erik Kabik Photography
The all-inclusive venue offers services for hair, skin and nails in the acclaimed Sam Villa’s HairShow Blowout Bar, providing fashion-forward trendsetting services in a contemporary salon setting; a flagship essie Nail Lounge, offering over 300 color options including every shade in the essie nail color and gel collections; Sunless Tanning by Chocolate Sun, featuring safe, high-quality, sun-kissed tanning treatments; The Mezzanine Lounge, serving as an ideal setting for bridal parties, social events, product launches, trunk shows, educational seminars and a photographer studio; a Makeup Lounge seating up to four guests at once; a Salon Loft providing eight stylist stations; The Beauty Boutique, offering a wide selections of industry products; and LOOK Café, seating 12 guests and serving gourmet Nespresso, Suja Juice, Harney & Sons Fine Tea, a curated selection of artisan chocolates and items from Chocolate and Spice Bakery.
LOOK Style Society is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas includes:
Three performers from the Strip’s hottest Broadway productions came together for the first-ever BROADWAY ROCKS VEGAS concert on Monday, Feb. 24 at 10 p.m. at Vinyl at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. GRAHAM FENTON of JERSEY BOYS, MARTIN KAYE of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET and JUSTIN MORTELLITI of ROCK OF AGES. BROADWAY ROCKS VEGAS showcased their talents and their bands for one-night-only.
Martin Kaye of Million Dollar Quartet
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Justin Mortelliti of Rock of Ages
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Originally conceived by Fenton, who stars as Frankie Valli in the smash-hit musical JERSEY BOYS, the concept behind BROADWAY ROCKS VEGAS was to introduce his band, A Million Pieces, to the Las Vegas community. His partnership with other Broadway production performers on the Strip, including Kaye and Mortelliti, serves as a collaborative effort to showcase the talents and passions of each musician and their counterparts off-stage.
Graham Fenton of Jersey Boys
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
"I became a huge fan of Justin and Martin after seeing them perform onstage in ROCK OF AGES and MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET,” said Fenton. “Once I found out that they both not only rocked onstage, but offstage as well, I knew the three of us had to come together for a concert. Eventually, we would love to create an ongoing BROADWAY ROCKS VEGAS concert series, inviting other Las Vegas entertainers to share their original works alongside us.”
The evening’s lineup included performances by Fenton and his band A Million Pieces, Mortelliti alongside band members from ROCK OF AGES, and solos by Kaye.
On Wednesday Feb. 19, the electrifying musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, celebrated its first anniversary in Las Vegas at Harrah’s Las Vegas. Following a full standing ovation during the show’s finale, cast member Marc D. Donovan (“Sam Phillips”) took the stage to address the house, sharing words of gratitude for the audience’s support of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET in its first year. At the conclusion of his speech, the company was presented with a commemorative guitar-shaped cake onstage.
Million Dollar Quartet
Photo courtesy of Caesar's Entertainment
Wednesday night, February 19, the founders of UNLVino, LARRY RUVO AND DR. JERRY VALLEN, were honored at the UNLV men’s basketball game vs. New Mexico at Thomas & Mack Center. The duo was recognized for their influential role in raising millions of scholarship dollars for students in the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. Ruvo, Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Senior Managing Director, and Vallen, the founding dean of the hotel college, started UNLVino in 1974 as a humble wine tasting fundraiser. It has now evolved into a four day food and wine festival, and will celebrate its 40th anniversary as Nevada’s original wine event April 9-12, 2014.
Ruvo and Vallen were presented with honorary game basketballs and joined by UNLV Executive Vice President and Provost, John White; Athletic Director, Tina Kunzer-Murphy; NSHE Board of Regents Chairman, Kevin Page; William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration’s Dean Stowe Shoemaker; and Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada’s Director of Marketing & Events, Michael Severino.
Tickets are now on sale for the 40th UNLVino, and can be purchased by visiting www.UNLVino.com.
Larry Ruvo, Dr. Jerry Vallen and Dean Stowe Shoemaker
Photo Credit: UNLV Photo Services
The city of Henderson presents the 11th ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION 7 GOSPEL FEST, Friday, February 28 from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. The event, which moves to a new location this year, features performances of gospel music and Motown classics inside the Henderson Convention Center. Comedian George Wallace is a special guest at the celebration with other scheduled performances by Markevius Faulkner, the Voices of Mountaintop Faith Ministries, and Second Baptist Church. The event also includes food and community vendors. Admission is FREE. The Henderson Convention Center is located at 200 Water St., Water Street District.
THE VENETIAN AND THE PALAZZO LAS VEGAS have received several accolades during the New Year. In January, the properties received the following notable honors, including:
•Travel + Leisure (World’s Top 500 Hotels in 2014 for The Palazzo)
•Condé Nast Traveler (Gold List 2014 for The Palazzo)
•Condé Nast Traveler (Top 50 Hotel Spas 2014 for The Venetian)
•Forbes Travel Guide (Four-Star Hotel for The Venetian and The Palazzo)
•U.S. News & World Report (Best Hotels 2014 for The Venetian and The Palazzo)
Comedian and impressionist HARRY BASIL will be performing at the Laugh Factory, inside the Tropicana Hotel, along with ANDREW NORELLI, Monday through Sunday, Feb. 24-March 2. Show times are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.Tickets range in price from $38.95 and $49.95
PLANT WORLD NURSERY will celebrate its inaugural SPRING GROWING EVENT Growing event on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Partial proceeds from sales during the event will benefit Create A Change Now, a non-profit organization that educates children on healthy eating habits by building edible gardens at at-risk elementary schools in the Clark County School District. Mayor Carolyn Goodman will be in attendance to proclaim March 1 as “Plant World Spring Growing Day, ” and to honor the start of growing season with a ribbon-cutting. Special activities will take place throughout the day to introduce the spring season’s flowers, vegetables and herbs. The event is FREE and open to the public. Plant World Nursery is located at 5311 W Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV
Entertainer and TV host TONY SACCA, who recently celebrated 50 years in show business, will present “TONY SACCA: LISTEN TO MY HEART” at The Smith Center’s Cabaret Jazz on Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m. Listen To My Heart” will be a captivating musical journey featuring the Michael T. Orchestra, a 10-piece ensemble with strings, rhythm section and horns along with The Saccettes. His riveting personal song exploration will be sprinkled with his hometown sounds of Philly, tributes to Barry Manilow and Four Seasons, Doo Wop, his original Vegas songs and a touch of Broadway. Tickets for “Tony Sacca: Listen To My Heart” are $33 and $39 plus a ticket fee.
Drawing from his real-life experiences growing up in New Jersey, BILL BELLAMY brings his clever comic routine to the Suncoast Showroom, March 1 and 2. Showtime each evening is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from $15.95, plus tax and fees.
THE NEVADA CONSERVARORY THEATRE AT UNLV presents the reimagined classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine in “EURYDICE,” Mar. 6-9 in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Laura Gordon directs. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story. Show times are at 8 p.m. on Mar. 6, 7 & 8, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Mar. 8 and 9, in the Judy Bayley Theatre. Tickets are $20-30, and 10 percent off for children 18. For tickets or additional information, visit pac.unlv.edu or call 895-ARTS (2787).
On Friday, March 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, March 8 from 1 to 5 p.m., author and historian SU KIM CHUNG, head, special collections public services, UNLV, will sign copies of her popular book, “Las Vegas Then and Now,” now in its second edition. Friday’s signing takes place at Bosses and Bulbs at the Container Park and Saturday’s will be at The Mob Museum. There is no charge for either book signing event.
Beginning at noon on Friday, March 7, and throughout the entire weekend, the Downtown Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and Downtown3rd, encompassing Third Street adjacent to the property, will become a HUB OF CELEBRATION FOR NASCAR ENTHUSIASTS, including the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a genuine NASCAR that has been retrofitted into a racing simulator.
Located just outside the entrance to the Downtown Grand, the NASCAR racing simulator will offer guests immersive experience inside the retired NASCAR vehicle that has been specially outfitted as a two-person competitive simulator. Players will slide behind their respective steering wheel and race against each other on the realistic track that is projected onto the windshield. Spectators will also be able to view the race through the translucent film on the windshield.
Event models will hand out prizes to winners of the racing simulator game as well as other giveaways to visitors on Downtown3rd and inside the hotel/casino. Also along Downtown3rd will be a food and beverage booth, where visitors will be able to enjoy fare from area restaurants, including Stewart + Ogden, Triple George Grill and The Commissary. Downtown Grand will also sponsor an airbrush tattoo artist who will offer complimentary temporary tattoos to visitors. Capping off each day will be live entertainment at the Mob Bar beginning at 8 p.m.
The UNLV PERFORMING ARTS CENTER welcomes the Utah Repertory Dance Theatre in “ELEMENTS” – a dance program that defines earth, air, fire, and water – at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. The performance also features UNLV department of dance students.Tickets to Utah’s Repertory Dance Theatre’s performance of “Elements” are $15-$30 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $13 each (not inclusive of the $1.50 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.
Sandy Hackett brings his critically hailed one man musical comedy show 'MY BUDDY”, about his dad and the special father-son relationship they shared, to The Starbright Theatre in Summerlin, March 15-16 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 16 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for residents, $18 for non-residents. The Starbright Theatre is located at 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89134. For tickets, call (702) 240-1301.
Actor, director, writer and comedian Jason Alexander, best known for playing the much-loved character George Costanza on “Seinfeld”, will headline his hilarious one-man show, AN EVENING WITH JASON ALEXANDER AND HIS HAIR at Harrah’s Las Vegas Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings for a four week engagement beginning Friday, April 11. All shows begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are priced at $39.99, $59.99 and $79.99.
THREE SQUARE FOOD BANK invites the public to explore many of our city’s top dining establishments during LAS VEGAS RESTAURANT WEEK, March 7 – 14, marking the 10th occasion of the popular culinary fundraising event.
Since its inception in 2007, Las Vegas Restaurant Week has raised more than $786,000 for Three Square, helping to provide more than 2.3 million meals to those in need in Southern Nevada. During Restaurant Week, diners can enjoy a specially created multi-course, prix fixe menu at price points ranging from $20.14 to $50.14, with a fixed portion of the proceeds benefiting Three Square in the fight against hunger in Southern Nevada.
A variety of restaurants at Station Casinos’ properties join restaurants on the Strip and throughout the Las Vegas Valley in participating in Restaurant Week. Some of Station Casinos’ participating restaurants include Pasta Cucina at Boulder Station, Cabo Mexican at Sunset Station, Terra Rossa at Red Rock Resort, Hank’s Steakhouse at Green Valley Ranch Resort, the Oyster Bar at Palace Station and Fuego Steakhouse at Fiesta Henderson.
Additional participating restaurants include: Slice of Vegas at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino; Canonita at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino; Andrea’s at Encore Las Vegas; Tommy Bahama at Town Square, Pizza Rock in Downtown Las Vegas and The Martini on South Fort Apache.
Nightclub & Bar Media Group has named The Laundry Room at Commonwealth (located at 525 E. Fremont St.) as the ‘Best Las Vegas Cocktail Bar of the Year’ in the 2014 Nightlife & Bar Awards.The Laundry Room, Commonwealth’s discrete backroom speakeasy, features a pre-Prohibition-inspired drink menu independent of the main bar and is accessible only to those with a reservation or password. The cocktail-exclusive drink selections include handcrafted rum, whiskey, bubbles, tequila and gin varieties created by Boozologist Dan Marohnic. Finalists for ‘Cocktail Bar of the Year’ included The Chandelier and Vesper Bar inside The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
Celebrity Sightings:
Thursday, Feb. 27...
Rock star, Sammy Hagar, accompanied by his wife, Kari Karte, and business friends, dined at his spot on the Strip at Cabo Wabo Cantina at Miracle Miles Shops inside Planet Hollywood.
Sammy Hagar with his wife Kari Karte
Sammy Hagar with Beach Bar Rum
Sammy's Tequila Shrimp
The Red Rocker was in town to support the Keep Memory Alive fundraiser to benefit Kerry Simon Says Fight MSA. That evening he performed with Slash on-stage.
Sammy Hagar performing with Slash
Wednesday, Feb. 26...
Rob Marnell, best known as “Bob Gaudio” in JERSEY BOYS at Paris Las Vegas, along with his fiancé Laurel Harris, who will play “Elphaba” in the upcoming national tour of WICKED, were spotted checking out Blue Man Group inside Monte Carlo Resort and Casino.
Pentatonix, an a capella group best known for winning the third season of “The Sing-Off” on NBC, dined at TAO Asian Bistro after a performance earlier that evening.
Monday night, Feb.24..
Famed rocker Jon Bon Jovi was spotted with friends at LAVO Italian Restaurant.
Sunday, Feb. 23...
Bon Jovi was also seen enjoying dinner at TAO Asian Bistro.
Mark Stoermer, bassist of the award-winning band The Killers, was spotted hanging out in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Saturday, Feb. 22...
Platinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated recording artist 2 Chainz brought his “2 Good To Be T.R.U. Tour” featuring Pusha T and August Alsina to The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Spotted at the show was professional boxer Floyd Mayweather.
That same evening, 2 Chainz went across the casino to host his official concert after party at Body English Nightclub. Among the crowd of partygoers were professional football players Reshad Jones and Terrell Suggs.
2 Chainz
Photo credit: © Chase Stevens / Erik Kabik Photography
August Alsina
Photo credit: © Chase Stevens / Erik Kabik Photography
Pusha T
Photo credit: © Chase Stevens / Erik Kabik Photography
Actress Lyndie Greenwood was spotted at TAO Asian Bistro with friends.
At TAO Nightclub, UFC fighter Francisco Rivera partied to the sounds of DJ Eric D-Lux with friends including fellow fighter Jason House.
The stars came out to Hakkasan Las Vegas Nightclub at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Spotted were “Pitch Perfect” co-stars and gal pals, Anna Kendrick and Brittany Snow.
At another table nearby, “That Awkward Moment” actor Miles Teller was spotted celebrating his birthday, just days after turning 27, with a large entourage that included Chase Crawford. Around 1:00 a.m., Teller was presented with a three-tier cake decorated with a “Fantastic Four” theme, in honor of his newly announced role as Mr. Fantastic in the upcoming reboot.
Also in attendance was Teller's “Divergent” co-star and UK heartthrob, Theo James. Seated on the main stage at a VIP table next to Kendrick and Snow, James was seen with girlfriend Ruth Kearney and a small group of friends.
Earlier in the evening, all of the above were spotted at Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant.
Theo James
Photo credit belongs to: Erik Kabik/ RETNA
Anna Kendrick
Photo credit belongs to: Erik Kabik/ RETNA
Miles Teller with birthday cake
Photo credit belongs to: Erik Kabik/ RETNA
Hakkasan atmostphere
Photo credit belongs to: Erik Kabik/ RETNA
DJ photo credit belongs to: Brenton Ho of Powers Imagery LLC
Wednesday night, February 19...
Breakout hip hop artist A$AP Ferg headlined the Official PROJECT Party, sponsored by clothing brand Moods of Norway, at Marquee Nightclub
A$AP Ferg
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery
A$AP Ferg
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery