By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic - Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
www.theflickchicks.com
Penn & Teller Celebrate 35 Years as Comedy Magic Duo with Larger Than Life Image Unveiled on side of the Rio
The “Bad Boys of Magic” Penn & Teller, who have headlined at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino since 2001, are celebrating their 35 years together as a comedy-magic team in a big way. The duo has spent most of their lives playing with knives, guns, livestock and fire-eating showgirls. So, on Tuesday evening it seemed perfectly fitting that they unveiled a 27,000 square image of themselves wrapped around the south east side of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino that shows them performing (what else!) a death defying illusion. The larger than life replica depicts Penn precariously dangling Teller over fire, which perhaps does not qualify as their craziest stunt but certainly the largest—standing 26-stories high overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.
Penn & Teller
"Many animals keep growing well into adulthood. If Teller and I began growing when we started working together, the picture taking up the whole side of the Rio is the size we would be now,” declared Penn, the larger, louder half of Penn & Teller. “In 10 years we will be etched on the side of the moon.”
As Las Vegas headliners, have been shocking Sin City audiences with their daring and distinctive brand of comedy. “35 years together and everything is right on schedule. We’re a third of the way through our 105 year plan. We have lots of surprises planned for the world,” says Penn.
Penn & Teller’s live show has been called, “Pure entertainment and demented originality,” “Hilarious! Mind-bending! Mind-boggling!, “One of the best evenings at the theatre one can have”. They perform in the Penn & Teller Theatre at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino nightly (dark Thursdays and Fridays) at 9 p.m.
Dixie's Dam Bar at Hooters Reopens with an Edgier Rock N' Roll Atmosphere
Dixie’s Dam Bar, the 3,000 square foot venue located inside Hooters Hotel and Casino was formerly called Dixie’s Dam Country Bar, where visitors were welcomed by country music and a down home atmosphere. But, recently Hooters decided to change the name of the bar and its theme to have an edgier feel. In place of country, the décor has been changed to rustic with a touch of rock and roll. What’s more, there is no longer a live band. All the music comes from a digital jukebox playing all rock hits and when the beautiful female bartenders, called Dixie’s Divas, aren’t pouring patrons a mean drink they will hop up on the bar and perform choreographed dance moves to songs. Tables and booths are available in the place but seating is on a first come, first serve basis. For the ladies who aspire to be a Dixie’s Diva for the night, raised dance platforms have been built around the room for everyone to watch.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Dixie’s Dam Bar is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 p.m. until the party stops and entry is free for locals and $20 for out-of-towners.
The following are some St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and festivities for your consideration:
Las Vegas’ legendary Fremont Street Experience brings free live concerts with Whiskey Galore, Tempest and Celtic and Irish Performers on Tuesday, March 17. The performance schedule is as follows: Tempest, 8-11 pm, 1st Street Stage; Whiskey Galore, 8-11pm, 3rd Street Stage; Celtic and Irish Performers 8-11pm, Main Street Stage. In addition to live entertainment, Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino will be hosting “Shamrock & Roll 2009” with green beer on tap, Irish coffee and signature Irish specials. At 5pm on the 3rd Street Stage, the Fitz will have three exciting contests including a Leprechaun Look-A-Like, Green Jello Eating Contest and an Irish Jig Off.
On March 17, The Strip’s only Irish-themed casino, O’Sheas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd South, is throwing the wildest St. Patrick’s Day party in Sin City. Open to the public age 21 or older, O’Sheas will host a full day of open-air drink specials, entertainment, contests and fun. And if you are a redhead lady, you can drink FREE green beer all day.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, located at 335 Howard Hughes Center, will be hosting its 5th annual St. Paddy’s Day party starting at 4 p.m. with offerings of Irish drink specials all evening featuring pints of green beer, Guinness, Bushmills and Baileys, and a special Irish themed menu items including corned beef and cabbage and Irish stew, in addition to the famous $1.95 bar menu. The revelry continues throughout the night with a live DJ.
The restaurant will also fete the city’s cab drivers with its 5th annual St. Cabby’s Day celebration offering a complimentary buffet breakfast complete with green eggs and ham and Lucky Charms cereal between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. to cab drivers. The first 20 non-cab drivers dressed in green to arrive at the restaurant during that hour will also be given a complimentary breakfast. In addition, cab drivers can stop by the restaurant anytime before 5 p.m. and pick up a special gift certificate. Each cab driver with a valid a TA card will be given one certificate while supplies last.
MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with multiple events beginning with the Village Craft Beer Festival on Saturday, March 14 with live entertainment by The Wedge Brothers. Tickets are available at the event for $20 per person with proceeds benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southern Nevada Vegas.Then, on Sunday, March 15, Finnegan’s Wake takes over Auld Dubliner for an evening of entertainment featuring their unique blend of traditional Irish music and rock ‘n roll. The pub and restaurant will feature food specials, raffles, an appearance by the Guinness Girls and everyone’s favorite recreational game – beer pong.
Yard House, heralded as having the world’s largest selection of draft beer, is going green in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. The restaurant’s annual celebration will last two days, March 16-17, at the Las Vegas location in Towns Square and each of the other 20 Yard House locations throughout the U.S. and will feature an Irish-inspired menu worthy of a celebration, holiday libations and contemporary Irish music. In addition, Chef Jocson's signature menu of American Fusion cuisine, which features more than 100 items, will also be available throughout the day. For hours, directions and information to the Yard House of your choice, visit online at yardhouse.com or call 949.727.0959.
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Las Vegas is putting a new spin on St Patrick’s Day. Festivities kick off at 3:17 p.m. with drink specials including $3.17 Green Margaritas and $317 in prize giveaways. And if your birthday happens to fall on this auspicious day (must produce valid identification) you will receive a $31.70 gift letter to be used to celebrate. Besides Las Vegas participating locations include: Key West - FL, New Orleans - LA,Orlando - FL, Myrtle Beach - SC, Glendale - AZ, Panama City Beach - FL, and Mohegan Sun - CT.
Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray is hosting a St Patrick’s Day Celebration at LAVO inside the Palazzo. Ladies dressed in the sexiest leprechaun outfit will be able to compete for a $1,000 cash prize. Doors open at 11 p.m. Regular cover charges apply: Gentlemen $20, Ladies $10, locals are complimentary.
Coyote Ugly Bar and Dance Saloon inside New York New York offers patrons two-for-one draft beers from 6pm – 9pm. While guests enjoy the unbeatable drink specials, exciting bar-top performances will be provided by The Coyotes.
Other recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Golden Gaming celebrated local NASCAR driver and partner Kurt Busch's win at the Kobalt Tools 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, Mar. 8, by giving away free Miller Lite to guests at all 32 PT's taverns and 3 Sierra Gold ultra-taverns across the Las VegasValley. Busch gave a shout out on national television to Las Vegas and all the fans watching the race at PT's. On Mar. 22, guests are encouraged to visit all PT’s and Sierra Gold tavern locations to cheer on Busch as he defends his title at the Bristol Motor Speedway Food City 500.
Food Express located at 2003 S. Decatur Blvd., featuring authentic Cantonese cuisine. has opened its second restaurant in Las Vegas, Food Express II Chinese Restaurant at Palace Station.
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has presented Vegas PBS with two of its “My Source Community Impact Award for Education” for the station’s efforts in the creation, distribution and promotion of its Vegas PBS Learning Tools for the blind and visually impaired, and its TeacherLine program. The awards ceremony took place as part of the CPB/PBS-hosted Council of Chief State School Officers Legislative Conference on Saturday, March 7 at The Westin Washington, D.C. City Center.
Award-winning soap opera star Doug Davidson, who stars as Paul Williams on the #1 daytime drama, “The Young and the Restless,” will host the interactive “The Price is Right – Live” Stage Show at Bally’s Las Vegas through March 14. The live show is presented Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. in the Jubilee! Theater.
Bette Midler is continuing her 2009 schedule at Caesars Palace with 22 additional performances of her critically acclaimed “Showgirl Must Go On” from May 27 through June 28, 2009. Midler's official one-year anniversary at Caesars Palace was on Friday, February 20.
Comedian/Oscar winning actor, Robin Williams has postponed his one-man show, “Weapons of Self-Destruction,” scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at MGM Grand due to the fact that he underwent surgery for an aortic valve replacement. The tour is expected to resume in the fall. Previously purchased tickets will be honored once the new date has been confirmed or tickets can be refunded at place of purchase.
The Las Vegas tennis community is invited to “Battle of the Sexes III,” a lively competition between the women’s tennis team from Indiana University and local male tennis pros to be held on Thursday, March 19 at Spanish Trails Country Club at 7450 Mission Hills Drive. The battle will begin at 4 p.m. with the singles matches followed by doubles matches at 5 p.m. and will conclude with mixed doubles matches at 6 p.m. Admission is free and children are welcome to attend. There will be cold beverages for all and a barbeque will be available for $10 per person. RSVP to Rob Kinas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Best selling author/psychic Dannion Brinkley, who wrote about his near death experiences in the book “Saved ByThe Light” will appear in person on March 21 at the MGM Conference Center. A meet and greet with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres starts at 5:30 with a lecture following immediately afterwards. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.dannion.com or call (702) 651-2485.
On Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m., the ultimate classic rock all-star band, World Classic Rockers, featuring former members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Toto, Steppenwolf, Journey, Santana and Boston, will perform inside The Club at the Cannery Casino & Hotel, the official MOPARS at the Strip after party location. Admission is free with a MOPARS at the Strip wristband. Limited wristbands are available at the door. Tickets are $20 for non-wristband holders.
Sugarcane Lounge, an intimate, chic venue at The Shoppes at The Palazzo, transforms into Sugarcane Live! with the appearance of The “Undisputed Bad Boy of Comedy,” Andrew Dice Clay who will be performing up close and in your face beginning March 25 thru April 5. Showtimes are 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; 10:00 p.m Friday March 27 and Saturday March 28 and 10:30 p.m. on Friday April 3 and Saturday April 4. Tickets are priced at $65, not includes taxes and surcharges.Tickets priced at $65, not including applicable service charges and taxes, are on sale now.
Legendary singer Neil Sedaka will perform at The Orleans Showroom March, 26, 27, 28 and 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced from $39.95, plus tax.
60’s rock and roll icon Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon will performs his classic hits at Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28 at 8 p.m. each night at Marilyn’s Lounge inside Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel. Admission is $5 at the door.
Kathleen Dunbar, recently named the Midwest’s newest and funniest female comedienne, headlines the award winning Riviera Comedy Club March 23-29. Joining her will be versatile and entertaining comic Dave Russo, one of the contestants on E! Entertainment Network’s series “The Entertainer”, starring Wayne Newton. Wildman Steve Marshall will add to the week’s line-up. Show times for the Riviera Comedy Club are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $24.99 plus tax and fee.
On Saturday, March 28, as a joint effort with The Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas, a nutrition exhibition titled “ Its Your Choice” designed to highlight the importance of developing healthy eating habits for a healthy life, will open at Lied Discovery Children’s Museum. Families, children and parents are encouraged to experience this fun and interactive exhibit located on the second floor of the museum. Lied Discovery Children's Museum is located at 833 Las Vegas Boulevard North, Las Vegas. Admission is $8 for adults and $7 for children 1 through 17 years of age, seniors and military families. Children under one year old are free. For more information call 702- 382-KIDS or visit www.ldcm.org.
Las Vegas-based microbrewery, Sin City Brewing Co. will open its second Las Vegas location inside the Flamingo Las Vegas in late March. The bar, located near the hotel's guest entrance and valet, lives up to the brand's vivacious image by touting multiple plasma screen televisions, etched red metal surfaces, vibrant Sin City Brewing Co. logo merchandise and a patio adjacent to the 15-acre pool and wildlife complex.
Spirit Therapies, a non profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with special needs, is having their first annual Open Spring Play Day (Horse Show) on April 25. For more information visit their website www.spirittherapies.org or call Meghann Peterson at (702) 525-5065.
Tickets are now on sale for the all-star country concert television taping of GEORGE STRAIT – ACM ARTIST OF THE DECADE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Monday, April 6 to be aired at a later date on CBS. This live concert event will feature an amazing line-up of country music superstars including scheduled performances by Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and more paying tribute to “The King of Country” George Strait and his legendary 25-year career. Tickets are priced at $200, $150 and $100, not including applicable service charges and taxes.
On Wednesday, April 1, Las Vegas based band, Heavy Honey, winners of Fusion Productions and the Beauty Bar’s Battle of The Bands, will appear in concert at The Farm, 5597 South Rainbow Blvd. The show starts at 8 pm. Admission is $5. For more information on Heavy Honey visit myspace.com/heavyhoney2
Celebrity sightings:
Actor Alan Thicke was surrounded by his wife and friends, including Vegas headliner Clint Holmes as he celebrated his 62nd birthday Friday night, February 27. The group started the evening with dinner at TAO Asian Bistro. Afterwards they journeyed to LAVO for industry night where DJ Five played “Wanna Love U Girl,” by his son, R&B star Robin Thicke.
With the nightclub and bar convention in town last week, Playboy Playmates Jennifer Pershing, Jessica Burciaga, Tiffany Selby and Kara Monaco celebrated Monday night (March 2) by hosting ‘The Greatest Party on Earth’ inside Playboy Club at the Palms Casino Resort.
Jennifer Pershing
Photo credit: Joe Fury
Spotted Wednesday night (March 4)…
At LAVO inside The Palazzo was Chicago Cub Jeffery Samardzija with a big group of friends.
American professional poker player Phil Ivey, dined at Nove inside the Palms Casino Resort Tuesday night (3.3.09) with two friends. The group sat outside in the terrace and enjoyed the view of the Strip.
Also at Nove was rapper Earl Stevens, better known by his stage name E-40. An entourage of 11 friends followed, and they sat in the main dining room drinking wine. Following dinner, E-40 and five others headed to Playboy Club.
American TV host and actor Jason Bryant Acuna, better known as Wee-Man, partied at ghostbar with a group of eight before heading to Playboy Club.
On Thursday night (March 5)…
Pittsburgh Steelers Hines Ward and Ike Taylor made a quick stop at N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort. Hines was seen drinking Red Bull, while chatting with friends. The two then made their way over to Moon where they hung out with Chris Hope and Nate Washington, both of the Tennessee Titans.
TAO's weekly Worship Thursday party celebrated a decade this week with TAO Worships the 80's hosted by pop icon Tiffany. Surrounded by club goers decked out in their finest 80's attire, the red headed singer took over TAO's stage to give fans a taste of something old and new. She first wowed the crowd with her new dance single "Dust Off and Dance" followed by the song that made her famous, "I Think We're Along Now," prompting the club to happily sang along. When asked how she liked performing again she said, "The crazier the crowd gets, the better it is and this TAO crowd was crazy tonight."
Tiffany
Photo Credit: Aaron Thompson
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon was spotted dining at LAVO with friends.
Friday (March 6)…
Paris Hilton arrived at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Friday afternoon ready to kick off her weekend-long birthday celebration. Hilton, along with rumored flame Doug Reinhardt and 15 friends flew by private jets and rolled up to the hotel in a caravan of Hard Rock SUVs. Hilton, looking glamorous, breezed into the hotel and directly to the Penthouse, smiling and saying hello to a few guests along the way. She was overheard saying she was excited to get the weekend going.
Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt
Photo credit: Erik Kabik/RETNA
At night Paris showed up to dinner at AGO inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with a group of 20. Doug Reinhardt , Hilton’s rumored flame, toasted to the table saying “here is to the world’s prettiest girl.” She took a photo of Reinhardt toasting and the two kissed. Hilton then thanked her friends for coming and said “tonight will be more low key. so that tomorrow we will do it up. Tomorrow is Beacher’s Mad House and who knows, someone might get arrested.” The group laughed and Hilton finished by saying, “but we’re in f--king Vegas, so lets party!”
Playmate Brande Roderick hosted at TAO Friday night. Looking stunning in a blue satin dress, Brande first dined with friends at TAO's Asian Bistro before heading upstairs to a VIP table in the nightclub where she and her girlfriends danced the night away.
Jermaine Dupri, Playmate Brande Roderick and Bow Wow
Photo Credit: Hew Burney
Over at sister destination LAVO was actress Ashley Scott from the upcoming film 12 Rounds directed by Renny Harlin. Ashley dined with her boyfriend and friends before heading up to the second floor nightclub to dance to the sounds of DJ FIVE.
Ashley Scott
Photo Credit: Aaron Thompson
Dining nearby, producer Jermaine Dupri with Bow Wow who kicked off his 22nd birthday weekend celebration with a group of 20 at LAVO. Post dinner they headed to TAO, taking over a table in the VIP moat section of the club.
Also dining at the hot spot was birthday girl Brittany Snow, who is turning 23 on Monday. First enjoying dinner at LAVO with friends, Snow then journeyed upstairs to dance. Friendly to all, she smiled non-stop.
Pop star Tiffany, who brought club goers back to the 80's with her impromptu performance at TAO's I Worship the 80's party on Thursday, dined at LAVO. She capped the night by dancing in the club, even making her way to the center of the dance floor to party among the crowd.
Pop star Tiffany
Photo Credit: Aaron Thompson
It was a busy Friday night for N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort, as the following NFL football players enjoyed dinner: Hines Ward (Pittsburgh Steelers), Joey Porter (Miami Dolphins)and Stephen Davis (retired player formerly with the St. Louis Rams).
Over at Playboy Club, Alison Waite, Playboy Playmate of the Month (Miss May 2006) was spotted hanging out solo. She arrived around 11 p.m. and stayed for a couple of hours.
At Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, actress Elizabeth Banks was spotted enjoying dinner.
Saturday night (March 7)…
Bow Wow celebrated his 22nd birthday at Las Vegas premier nightclub Studio 54 in MGM Grand. The young star was joined by one of hip-hop’s finest and close friend Jermaine Dupri. The pair took over the stage as they entertained the crowd with a mini freestyle show for over an hour. Bow Wow blew out his candles while on stage and even fed a few lucky ladies some of his cake
Bow Wow
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna
Bow Wow
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna
Stephen Davis, retired NFL layer formerly with the St. Louis Rams, was spotted with a group of about 10 at Moon Nightclub inside the Palms Casino Resort.
Actress Brittany Snow had plenty of reasons to celebrate this weekend. After starting her Vegas weekend at LAVO on Friday, the birthday girl, who is turning 23, blew out the candles at TAO on Saturday. Snow, who will be staring in the just announced Gossip Girl spinoff, was joined by film producer boyfriend Ryan Rottman, 90210 star Jessica Stroup and a bunch of friends for a birthday dinner at TAO Asian Bistro.
Ryan Rottman and Brittany Snow
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Olly Girl and former E! Sunset Tan reality starlet, Molly Shea celebrated her 23rd birthday and partied with friends at Tabú Ultra Lounge in MGM Grand until the early hours of the morning. The group danced on tables and Shea stole the show when a two-tiered chocolate cake was presented to her by the beautiful Tabú staff. The whole venue stopped to wish her happy birthday as she blew out her candles.
Molly Shea
Photo credit: Wes Eddy
Molly Shea and Shawn Rougeron
Photo credit: Wes Eddy
Sunday night (March 8)…
Carl Cox, British DJ renowned for his techno and house beats, partied at Moon Nightclub inside the Palms Casino Resort. He arrived with seven friends, and sat at a table with an additional twenty people. He got on the turntables around 1 a.m. and had the crowd dancing.
Over at Playboy Club, NBA player for the Golden State Warriors Ronny Turiaf came in with a couple friends.
I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.