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
Fitz and The Tantrums Honored with Memorabilia Case at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas
Indie pop group Fitz and The Tantrums unveiled their first-ever memorabilia case at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 24. Band members Michael Fitzpatrick, Noelle Scaggs, James King, Joseph Karnes, Jeremy Ruzumna and John Wicks were all on hand to reveal the case in front of eager fans awaiting to see the surprise behind the black veil.
Fitz and the Tantrums
Photo credit: Wayne Posner/Erik Kabik Photography
Fitz and the Tantrums memorabilia display
Photo credit: Wayne Posner/Erik Kabik Photography
Frontman Fitzpatrick acknowledged the crowd and the property stating “Thank you so much for coming out and a special thanks to the Hard Rock for doing this, this is kind of a big dream come true for all of us.”
The display features Fitzpatrick’s trademark leather jacket and striped shirt, Scaggs’ leather jacket, Yamaha bass guitar, Panther keyboard, DW kick drum with signed drumheads and drumsticks, percussion instruments, assorted t-shirts and posters, a menu from the 101 Coffee Shop and a neon heart from the More Than Just a Dream album cover.
After posing for pictures in front of the display, memorabilia curator Beau Dobney opened the case and retrieved a Yamaha guitar for each band member to sign to help commemorate the experience. Then Scaggs and her fellow band members posed for photos with fans.
Fitz and The Tantrums’ debut album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces, received critical acclaim and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. Rolling Stone deemed them a “band to watch.” Their follow up album, More Than Just a Dream, featured the hit singles “Out of My League,” and “The Walker" which both landed the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Alternative chart.
Andy Walmsley Presents The First Edition of ENTSpeaks with Las Vegas Performers
On Tuesday night, October 21, Emmy award winning producer/ production designer Andy Walmsley presented ENTSpeaks, the first in a series of one night only intimate evenings with the people that made Las Vegas the entertainment capital of the world.
The event took place inside the Inspire Theatre in downtown Las Vegas and featured a Showgirl , a Cirque Du Soleil performer, a Producer, a legendary music star, a legendary comedian, and a magician that took their turn to walk onto an empty stage with nothing but a microphone. Given 15 minutes to speak, each of the six entertainers offered up revealing insight about their career.
Singer Mary Wilson (best known as a founding member of The Supremes) kicked off the evening's event. Although Walmsley announced that there would be no singing or music, the delightful, vivacious and very talented Wilson used part of her allotted time singing a song about life and every joy it brings, before revealing some of the highlights of her 56 years in show business, that included her early years in Detroit, Michigan, rise to fame as a member of the Supremes, becoming an international star, touring the world and meeting Britain's Princess Margaret.
Mary Wilson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Wilson was followed by legendary Las Vegas producer/choreographer and former dancer Jeff Kutash. With a career that began in TV, as dancer for The TV show Dancing Machine and led to working on the late night, Midnight Express with Wolfman Jack back in the 1960's, and then Vegas, where he worked with Steve Wynn and later as producer and creative director of the show Splash at the Riviera, the rest, as they say, is history. Besides being responsible for teaching John Travolta his dance moves prior to Saturday Night Fever, Kutash said his “joy was putting hundreds of street dancers to work”.
Jeff Kutash
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Next was retired showgirl, former cast member of the world famous Crazy Girls, Shellee Renee. Originally from a small town in Washington state, Shellee began working in a hair salon before auditioning for a show in Seattle. With no singing experience, she got her first real break in “show biz” with Greg Thompson Productions doing a balloon striptease in “Ladies of Burlesque” before friend, Robin Leach advised her to go to Las Vegas, where she was hired as an opening presenter, in Jubilee. One thing led to another and the curvy, statuesque beauty became one of the original cast members of the topless revue, Crazy Girls. She is the third showgirl from the left whose naked butts are showcased in the famous, scandalous Crazy Girls poster. These days, Renee, no longer in that end of the business, has gone on to working in public relations.
Shellee Renee
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Christina Jones, whose favorite past time as a young teen was choreographing dance routines with girlfriends in her living room, was eventually introduced to synchronized swimming and was so good it that at age 20 she made the Olympic team that went on to finish 5th at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The award winning athlete spoke about what it is like to train 8 – 10 hours a day and being able to travel all over the world. Regarding her career as a featured performer in a major Las Vegas production, Jones said “When Cirque du Soleil’s “O” needed a swimmer, I was whisked away from San Francisco to Las Vegas to be part of the show where every move is choreographed in the synchronized swimming routines.” According to Jones, “Dad was happy his Vegas showgirl was in a full body suit.” Presently Jones performs in 10 nightly shows a week and goes to school as a full time student during the day.
Christina Jones
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Fifth to take the stage was legendary comedian,Marty Allen, who at 92 years of age is as sharp and as funny as ever. Beginning with self deprecating humor, he stated that at his age he finally got what he always wanted... “regularity”, then added he wanted an antique for his birthday, so his wife framed his photo. Allen went on to talk about his career beginnings, working with his comic partner Steve Rossi, doing the Ed Sullivan Show where he met the Beatles and an array of famous entertainers he worked with through the years including Sarah Vaughn, Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra, whom he referred to as “superstars like we shall never see again.”One of Allen's happiest memories was when he was invited to the White House and he danced with First Lady Betty Ford. Although he split from Steve Rossi professionally, they remained friends till the end of Rossi's life and “will always think of him with a great deal of love.”
Marty Allen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
In recent years, Allen has been performing with his wife, singer Karon Kate Blackwell, whom he met at Cyrano's in Los Angeles. Blown away by her talent, he asked her to be his on stage partner/straight lady, and eventually when loved bloomed, she became his life partner/wife. Allen closed by stating, “I will never retire as long as I can walk on the stage.” Why should he, as long as he has what it takes to make people laugh.”
Last to come on stage and talk candidly about his life and career was comedy magician, The Amazing Johnathon, who has been dubbed The Freddy Krueger of Comedy, a most fitting title for the edgy/dark performer. Rather than stand with a mic, Johnathon sat on a chair throughout his allotted time spewing out what can only be called an acquired taste for those who like sardonic wit. He began by stating,”I am an alcoholic and drug addict. Let me start all over again. My heroes were drug addicts. I am to magic as John Wayne Gacy was to clowning”, before actually going on to talk about how his career began. “I wanted something to set me apart, so I wandered into magic. It showed me the power of what magic can do.” Johnathon recalled working as a street performer and performing in nightclubs that led to appearances on HBO, The Thick of the Night, David Letterman, and Comedy Central specials before coming to Las Vegas and getting a gig at the Golden Nugget. Whether it was meant to shock, in the manner he does best, or if he was actually revealing the truth about his health, Johnathan's tone turned serious as he stated he can no longer do shows because his heart is failing.
Amazing Johnathan
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
With The Amazing Johnathan's sad announcement ending the event, when all was said and done, the first in a series of ENTSpeaks most certainly worked as an enlightening, informative evening those in the audience will not soon forget.
Red Carpet Arrivals included:
Alicia Perrone and Victor James of the electro pop dance band 'Fans of Jimmy Century'
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Amazing Johnathan and his wife Anastasia Synn
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Andy Walmsley
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Tina Marie Nathalia, Andy Walmsley, Samantha Ratcliff and Mark Bennick
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Antonio Fargas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn<
Brian Thomas
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Paul and Carmen Shortino
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Chloe Louise Crawford and Murray Sawchuck
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Christina Jones
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Crazy Jay Bird
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Douglas 'Lefty' Leferovich
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Eric Jordan Young
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Erika Moul
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Geechy Guy
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Gerry McCambridge
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jeff Molitz
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jerry Jones and Janit Paige
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jim D'Arrigo
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Carl John and Jonathan Scott
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Kelly Clinton-Holmes and Clint Holmes
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lana Reiss
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Liz Clark
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Louie Anderson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lydia Ansel and Chris Phillips of Zowie Bowie
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Maren Wade
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Maria Gara and Steven Lee August
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Marty Allen and Karon Kate Blackwell
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Marty Romley and Jeff Kutash
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mary Wilson and Andy Walmsley
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mistie and Kyle Knight
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Onyx Muse
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Paul Scally
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Penny Wiggins
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Peter Pavone
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Peter Pavone, Jerry Jones, Janit Paige, and Bill Fayne
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Robert Nash
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Shellee Renee and Mistinguett
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Stephen and Carolyn Jacobs
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Tim Molyneux
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Tony Felicetta
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Tony Sacca
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Will Edwards
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Additional, recent, and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas includes:
On Thursday, October 23, master artist GRAHAM KNUTTEL was joined by the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s Music Director Donato Cabrera to unveil a painting of Cabrera and the orchestra at The Smith Center. The Knuttel Gallery, located in the Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian/Palazzo Las Vegas, held a special reception that welcomed members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic including President and CEO Jeri Crawford, Vice President of Marketing, Pat Fink, and a number of their supporters, along with Honorary Consul to Ireland for the State of Nevada, Terry Murphy, among others. Guests enjoyed Italian dishes by Canaletto and a beautiful assortment of sweet treats provided courtesy of Gimme Some Sugar Bake Shoppe.Limited edition prints of the piece are available for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Las Vegas Philharmonic.
Photo credit: Edison Graff/ Stardust Fallout Media
Condé Nast Traveler announced that in its 27th annual Readers’ Choice Awards, M RESORT SPA CASINO ranked eighth among the Top 10 Hotels in Las Vegas, with a score of 82.1.
On Monday, Oct. 27, INSOMNIAC donated $90,000 raised through their annual music festival, ELECTRIC DAISY CARNIVAL(EDC), Las Vegas to three local organizations, honoring the company’s commitment to giving back to the communities where they produce their shows. This year’s recipients included the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SOUTHERN NEVADA, INJURED POLICE OFFICERS FUND (IPOF) – Las Vegas, and the UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA SCHOOL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE.
Brian Knudsen - Dr. Dale Carrison - Minddie Lloyd - Pasquale Rotella
Photo Credit Denise Truscello - Courtesy of Insomniac
In honor of the scariest holiday of the year, ABSINTHE’s outlandish producer, The Gazillionaire, is offering patrons a fang-tastic discount. On Friday, Oct. 31, fans who use code BOO will save $25 on their purchase of reserved seating. This spooktacular offer is valid for the 8 p.m. performance on Halloween only and may be redeemed in-person at the Absinthe box office, online and over the phone.
THE TOY BOX, an unordinary retail store from Edmonton, Canada, featuring an eclectic array of toys, board games, action figures, pop culture collectibles and more, is scheduled to open at 1980 Festival Plaza Dr #175, in the heart of Downtown Summerlin, by the end of this week.
ROTELLA GALLERY, the definitive fine-art photography gallery, located at The Forum Shops at Caesars, adds to its impressive collection of Resident Artists with acclaimed photographer DAVID YARROW’s limited edition prints. Yarrow, who claimed the Outstandingly Produced Book award at this year's Spear's Awards, will display his award-winning prints as well as several new, previously unseen works for guest viewing and purchase.
THE LAS VEGAS DIVERSITY JOB FAIR is being held at the MGM Grand's Conference Center rooms 113 and 114 on November 3, from 11 am to 2 p.m. Job seekers will be able to meet with representatives from Las Vegas' TOP companies. Make sure to bring plenty of resumes and Dress For Success! General admission is FREE.
Guitar legend and House of Blues Las Vegas headliner CARLOS SANTANA will host a BOOK SIGNING of his new memoir THE UNIVERSAL TONE: Bringing My Story to Light , Tuesday, Nov. 4 at Barnes & Noble book store– Rainbow Promenade, 2191 N. Rainbow Blvd. At 9 a.m. books will go on-sale and wristbands for the signing will be given out first-come, first-served . The signing will begin at 12:30 p.m.
Rock ‘n’ roll legends KISS partners with Nellis Air Force Base to select three local, active military members to serve as “ROADIES FOR A WEEK” during the band’s KISS Rocks Vegas residency at The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Nov. 5-23.After submitting applications, Master Sergeant Jason Borkhuis of Nellis Air Force Base, Sergeant First Class Cory DeMille of the U.S. Army Reserve and Technical Sergeant Richard Reichert of Nellis Air Force Base were chosen by the band to become a “Roadie for a Week.” The three brave men have a combined 60 plus years of service, are highly-decorated and well respected in the armed forces community.
Borkhuis, Demille and Reichert will all work closely with the KISS crew and the band’s VIP program for a total of three shows each for their designated week. Each roadie will create his or her own video and photo diary to keep as a memento from their week working with one of the greatest rock bands in the world. In addition to assisting with the show, roadies will also receive a complimentary hotel stay at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino during their volunteer week.
The Nevada Conservatory Theatre presents the critically-acclaimed production THE LAST FIVE YEARS Nov. 6-9 at the Judy Bayley Theatre on the UNLV campus. The limited engagement stars Adam Kantor and Betsy Wolfe of the record-breaking 2013 off-Broadway revival and will also feature an on-stage, live orchestra. Single tickets are on sale now and are available for purchase at the UNLV Performing Arts Center box office.
The Downtown Las Vegas Events Center will host BRET MICHAEL'S LIFE ROCKS TOUR concert for a cause held under the stars on Friday, Nov. 7. Five dollars from every ticket will go directly to Bret Michaels’ own LIFE ROCKS FOUNDATION, benefiting a myriad of charity organizations championed by the legendary rock star including Operation Homefront and the American Diabetes Association. General admission tickets are $20 and VIP tickets are $100. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m.
The 2014 CENTRIC SOUL TRAIN AWARDS will be held on November 7 at the Orleans Arena. The show will be hosted by media personality Wendy Williams and will feature a lineup of unforgettable performances by industry icons and today’s leading musicians. The Soul Train Awards will broadcast on Centric and BET on November 30 at 5 p.m. PST. The show kicks off a weekend of events at the Orleans, including Centric Comedy All Stars on Saturday, November 8 and two shows of Centric Presents: The Soul Train Review on Sunday, November 9. Tickets and room and ticket packages are on-sale now.
Jazz lovers will enjoy the College of Southern Nevada’s VOCAL JAZZ SOLO NIGHTS on Friday, November 7, and Saturday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m., in the Recital Hall on the Cheyenne campus. Audience members will be treated to a special evening of vocal music as the CSN Jazz Singers take to the stage, with each student performing a solo, with selections ranging from jazz standards to Broadway.
Admission for each performance is $8 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For reservations, call the CSN Ticket Office at 651-LIVE (5483) The CSN Performing Arts Center is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.
LEGENDS IN CONCERT, Las Vegas’ longest-running live tribute show at Flamingo Las Vegas will honor the military this Veterans Day by offering a FREE TICKET TO ANYONE WITH A MILITARY ID for the 9:30 p.m. show on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
The west side’s new tavern MADE L.V. in Tivoli Village, In conjunction with the Las Vegas Cornhole Association, is set to host the valley’s first-ever TURKEY TOSS CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. The cost is $20 per team. An American tailgate tradition, cornhole (aka bags, baggo or bean bag toss), is easy to learn, but hard to master. Competitors will show their skills, challenge their friends and compete for prizes, including a cash purse and bragging rights, in this all-day, 10 board, double elimination tourney. For those without the competitive edge, there will be multiple PBR viewing lounges, all-day drink specials including 2 for $5 PBR tall boys, and seasonally inspired menu items including Made L.V.’s special house smoked turkey leg. Fans and eliminated players can enjoy Made L.V.’s mini arcade, library of retro board games and three outdoor patios until the 5 p.m. awards ceremony.
Celebrity sightings:
Saturday, Oct. 25...
Grammy-nominated musician, actor and now Las Vegas DJ, Joe Jonas played his second Sin City set inside The Sayers Club at SLS Las Vegas. Earlier that day, Jonas took in some rays at Foxtail Pool Club before kicking off the night at Katsuya with a large group of friends.
Celebrity chef José Andrés personally delivered desserts from his Bazaar Meat to Jonas during his set and hung out with the star behind the DJ booth to check out the scene. Lauren Conrad alongside husband William Tell were also spotted checking out the set.
At LiFE nightclub, DJ/producer Dirty South celebrated the release of his new album With You . Earlier that night Desiree Hartsock, best known for her season on ABC's The Bachelorette, popped into The Sayers Club prior to celebrating her bachelorette party with pals. Former Bachelor Bob Guiney and friends partied at a separate VIP table at LiFE.
Actor, director and producer Fred Savage, best known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the American television series “The Wonder Years,” was also spotted at a VIP table at LiFE. Clint Eastwood’s son Scott Eastwood was also seen during the night.
Outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Kemp, enjoyed game 4 of the World Series at Umami Burger, Beer Garden and Sports Book where he cheered on the San Francisco Giants. Kemp stopped by Bazaar Casino and grabbed a drink with a friend after the game.
Desiree Hartstock
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Dirty South
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
Joe Jonas
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery
BMX pro Ricardo Laguna tapped the keg at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas in celebration of Oktoberfest
Friday night, October 24...
Kim Kardashian West celebrated her 34th birthday at TAO Las Vegas along with friends, family and husband Kanye West. The entire group, which included Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Malika and Khadijah Haqq, Robin Antin, Jonathan Cheban and Simon Huck took in Kanye's performance at the Life Is Beautiful music festival in downtown Las Vegas before heading to the birthday celebration.
The entire group then made their way upstairs into TAO Nightclub where Kim was surprised with a special birthday presentation featuring TAO's mirror man along with a custom four-tier cake from Gimme Some Sugar as her husband's song "Bound 2" rang out. DJ Eric D-Lux kept the party going, dropping several of Kanye's hits to which Kim and sister Khloe sang along.
Also spotted at TAO was LA Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, who came over to Kim’s table at one point to say hello to the family.
Earlier that evening, Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner dined at TAO Asian Bistro with friends.
Robin Antin, Simon Huck, Joyce Bonelli, Kim Kardashian West and Jonathan Cheban at TAO
Photo credit: Denise Truscello, WireImage
Kim Kardashian West, Khloe Kardashian, Stephanie Sheppard, Malika Haqq, Khadijah Haqq at TAO
Photo credit: Denise Truscello, WireImage
Kim Kardashian West, Khloe Kardashian and Kris Jenner at Kim's 34th Birthday at TAO
Photo credit: Denise Truscello, WireImage
The Australian Bee Gees performed three songs following the tapping the keg at Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas, in celebration of Oktoberfest.