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
I hope you all had a safe and wonderful Fourth of July and Weekend!
"Cowboys For Cancer" Concert Raises More Than $7,000 to BenefitThe Caring Place and Vance Davenport
A group of Las Vegas country artists joined forces for “Cowboys for Cancer”, a benefit concert that took place on Sunday, June 28 at Club Madrid inside Sunset Station, and it was a success, raising more than $7,000 in donations. The event was held in an effort to raise funds for cancer survivors and bring awareness to rehabilitation and wellness programs, with the event’s proceeds benefiting Vance Davenport and The Caring Place.
Vance Davenport, a former Las Vegas resident, recently survived a grueling battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma. Davenport performed in and later became Musical Director of the Aladdin’s “Country Tonight” show before he moved to Nashville, performing and touring with such artists as Mark Chesnutt, Sara Evans, George Jones, Lone Star, Toby Keith, Ricochet and Trent Willmon. Vance’s brother, Las Vegas resident JR Davenport, singer and lead guitarist of WolfCreek, created the benefit not only to honor and assist his brother, but also to support those surviving and living with this debilitating disease.
Pictured L to R: Pam Matteson, comedienne and cancer survivor, Vance Davenport (cancer survivor) and his son Austin, and Connie Bernstein, Chair, The Caring Place.
Photo credit: Peter Chmiel
Lending their time and talent in support of “Cowboys for Cancer” were: Scotty Alexander, The Randy Anderson Band, Desert Outlaws, John Encinio, Lefty Lucy Band, comedienne Pam Matteson, Tony Marques, Mark O’ Toole, Third Town and WolfCreek. Matteson and O’Toole, both cancer survivors, inspired and moved the audience when sharing their personal experiences of struggle and survival. The event also featured a silent auction with autographed guitars and fiddles from such country superstars as Clint Black, Larry Gatlin, Alison Krauss, Tracy Lawrence and Loretta Lynn, among others.
The highlight of the evening was when Austin Davenport, Vance’s 7-year-old son, joined his father and WolfCreek on stage to perform his rendition of Alan Jackson’s “Chattahoochee” to a standing ovation.
About The Caring Place
The Caring Place (http://thecaringplacenv.org) is the only center of its kind in southern Nevada created to provide an oasis for individuals and families on their journey with cancer in order to enhance their quality of life. Programs include complementary therapies such as Yoga, Meditation, and the healing arts, Wellness Seminars, Support Groups and Art Therapy. All programs and services are provided at no charge.
Miss USA Kristen Dalton Kicks off National Ice Cream Month by Unveiling the “Red, White and Blue” Banana Split Sundae at Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace
In honor of the month of July which was designated as National Ice Cream Month by President Ronald Reagan in 1984, Miss USA Kristen Dalton visited the popular sweet and savory eatery Serendipity 3 at Caesars Palace on Wednesday, July 1 to unveil the new "Red, White and Blue" banana split sundae which was created as a salute to America. The dessert is drizzled in chocolate and blueberry sauces with scoops of strawberry, vanilla and blueberry ice cream topped with whipped cream and garnished with a cherry... and an American flag.
Every year, the new Miss USA is crowned in Las Vegas. When Dalton was crowned before a worldwide television audience of millions, it was not just her dream, but her childhood destiny realized. What better way to pay homage to both the country and the city that starts it all for these beauty queens than having Miss USA 2009 unveil this sweet treat.
The Golden Nugget Hosts Annual World Series of Poker Barbeque in Conjunction with Celebrity Charity Poker Tournament
The Golden Nugget hosted the seventh Annual World Series of Barbeque in conjunction with the Inaugural Suzie and Howie Lederer Celebrity Poker Tournament that raised $179,050 to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. The annual party was held Friday evening, July 1, at the Tank, the Golden Nugget’s $30 million pool and shark aquarium, featured a luscious buffet of food, and musical entertainment and was open to invited guests and participants who play in the charity poker tournament. Those in attendance at the party included Howard Lederer, Annie Duke, her boyfriend Stephen Reitmen, Jennifer Harman, Phil Gordon, and other poker pros. For further coverage of the party and the poker tournament that kicked off at 4 p.m. go to this week’s edition of Dianne Davis’s column.
Jennifer Harman
Daredevil Magician's "Death Drop" Stunt Goes Up In Flames
At 8:30 pm on the evening of the 4th of July, I, along with hundreds of spectators that lined up in front of the south entrance of Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, watched what was billed as a “Death Drop” performed by daredevil magician Steve Wyrick. The stunt was planned to celebrate the grand opening of Club Tattoo. Unfortunately, something went terribly wrong just after Linkin Park frontman and co-owner of Club Tattoo Chester Bennington, assisted by members of his new side project Dead by Sunrise, locked and shackled Wyrick into one of the band’s equipment boxes.
Steve Wyrick and Chester Bennington
Photo courtesy of Ethan Miller / Getty Images
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Connected to a crane by only a few thin ropes, the box was to be dangled over a bed of 500 flaming spikes 80 feet below. The ropes were set on fire, and Wyrick was to escape before the last rope broke, jumping 20 feet to safety while avoiding the spikes and tremendous heat. Instead, just as the box was to be lifted in the air by a crane, the ropes that were set on fire engulfed the surrounding curtains and the box which was supposed to have contained Wyrick. As the crowd watched the flames being extinguished, a helicopter flew over the scene and landed on Las Vegas Boulevard with Wyrick emerging safe and sound. It appeared that the injured man who came out of the box and was immediately treated by paramedics was Wyrick’s stunt double. Based on word from Wyrick’s PR rep, the man was expected to make a speedy recovery. Wyrick was not available for interviews.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
On June 24, Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular celebrated its third successful year and 1,353 performances at the Venetian.
Effective Wednesday, July 1, 2009 Lotus Broadcasting changed KWID 101.9 FM (which it acquired in Aug. 2008, from Clear Channel radio in Las Vegas) to La Buena 101.9 FM which makes it an official Lotus-branded and programmed station. The station will continue to play the best in Spanish Adult Hits and remain under the direction of Program Director Benjamin Ayvar, who has been with 101.9 FM for several years.
Restaurateur Nico Santucci recently opened a second location of his successful famed mobster-chic Italian restaurant Capo’s. The newly opened Capo’s Italian Steakhouse at 5675 W. Sahara Avenue, is in the location of the former Hooters restaurant and is larger than the original Capo’s on Tropicana Avenue, but with similar speakeasy décor. Capo’s is open Sunday-Thursday 5 p.m.-11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Call 702-364-2276 for reservations and information.
CineVegas, which brings a series of independent and art house films to Las Vegas that might not have otherwise played in town, continues with Duncan Jones’ MOON. The film, which stars Sam Rockwell and the voice of Kevin Spacey, will play at the Brenden Theatres at the Palms Casino Resort beginning Friday, July 10. Show times are 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm, 7pm and 10pm. Ticket prices are $10.25 for adults, $9 for students and military with proper ID, $7.75 for matinee (shows before 6pm), and $6.75 for children (ages 3-12) and senior citizens (ages 60 and over). MOON is rated R for language.
The 2008 Super Summer Theatre begins performances of West Side Story, July 8th at the Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, located 10 miles west of 215 on Charleston. Preview night is Wednesday, July 8 with opening night on Thursday, July 9. Performances are Wednesday – Saturday (July 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25). Gates open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. For the outdoor, under the stars production, guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair for general-admission grass seating. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 at the UNLV Box Office. A limited number of tickets are available at the gate the night of the show for $15.
On Saturday, July 11, the Orleans Arena will become Las Vegas’ largest discotheque for a night at the KKLZ Disco Bash featuring such famed disco acts as the Village People, Gloria Gaynor, Tavares and the Trammps. More than just a concert, the event will be a far-out dance party, and attendees will be encouraged to shake their groove “thang” and bust out old- school moves like the boogie and the hustle. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $45, inclusive of tax and fees.
Saturday, July 18 The Club inside the Cannery Casino & Hotel will present “Surf Saturday”, an evening of great ‘60s summer music featuring founding member of the original Beach Boys Al Jardine and his Endless Summer Band as well as a performance by The Rip Chords. The concert starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $14.95.
After strong ticket sales for their July 24 show, punk rockers Blink-182 have added a second show on July 23 as part of their highly-anticipated tour stop at the new Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Ticket prices start at $45 (not including service fee) are on sale for the additional July 23 show.
House of Blues presents rappers Asher Roth & KiD CuDi with B.O.B. & Pac Div
Thursday, July 23, 2009 @ 6:30pm. Tickets are priced at $25.
The Department of Fine Arts at the College of Southern Nevada presents its 11th Annual Dance in the Desert Festival in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. Choreographers and dance companies from Las Vegas and around the nation present three contrasting performances on July 31 and Aug. 1 at 7:30 p.m., and Aug. 1 at 2 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for students/seniors. Discounts are available for multiple program tickets and for groups. For reservations, call 651-LIVE (5483)
Australian rock group, Little River Band, will perform at The Club inside Cannery Casino & Hotel on Saturday, August 1 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $9.95 plus tax fees.
Celebrity sightings:
Tuesday night, June 30…
MMA fighter Rampage Jackson was spotted at ghostbar inside Palms Casino Resort with three friends.
Lovebirds Hilary Duff and her hockey player boyfriend Mike Comrie were spotted at LAVO Italian restaurant and nightclub inside The Palazzo. The couple was part of a large group of about thirty people celebrating a friend’s birthday.
Wednesday night, June 1…
Retired American boxer, Mike Tyson dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort with a party of five
At Playboy Club, professional poker player Doyle Brunson enjoyed the scene at a VIP table with six others.
Actress Cheryl Hines, along with friends, dined at TAO Asian Bistro.
Over at LAVO, D.J. Mbenga of the Los Angeles Lakers filled up on Italian offerings from the kitchen and was later spotted in the nightclub.
Thursday night, June 2…
LeBron James, who hosted at TAO Beach and LAVO on July 3rd, had dinner at TAO Asian Bistro with a 15 person table which included several NBA players.
LeBron James
Photo credit: Al Powers
Also spotted dining with friends at TAO was Matt Dillon.
Stopping by TAO nightclub was NBA player Trevor Ariza.
Over at LAVO, several notable names in town for the Ante Up poker tournament dined at the Italian eatery.
Cedric the Entertainer was spotted dining with former NBA pro Kenny Smith and friends.
Also dining with his wife and in-laws was talk show host Montel Williams.
Actor Dean Cain was spotted dining at the eatery with his wife and friends.
Actor, Matt Dillon checked into The Palazzo with some of his buddies. He and his friends did a little gambling at the tables and then headed over to TAO for a late dinner and then up to TAO Nightclub at The Venetian.
Friday, June 3…
After playing host at TAO Beach, basketball star LeBron James continued Fourth of July weekend festivities at LAVO. Arriving at 11:30 after taking in Jay Z’s concert, it was as if he brought the concert with him, as Jay Z arrived shortly after with a group of thirty, including his protégé Rihanna.
LeBron James
Photo credit: Al Powers
After Rhianna left with friends, Jay Z was joined by NBA star Amare Stoudemire, Fabulous and Melody from the Pussycat Dolls.
At another table Palms owner George Maloof dined with film producer Lawrence Bender and friends.
Melody from the Pussycat Dolls
Photo credit: Al Powers
Fabulous
Photo credit: Al Powers
After dining at TAO actor Matt Dillon checked out LAVO.
Celebrities in attendance at Ditch Fridays at the Palms Pool & Bungalows included Lance Briggs of the Chicago Bears, who hung out with a group of eight friends in a private cabana next to the stage. Ray Maualuga of the Cincinnati Bengals and Kaluka Maiava of the Cleveland Browns were also spotted hanging out with a group of guys throughout the afternoon.
Rey Maualuga later dined at N9NE Steakhouse with a party of six before heading to Rain Nightclub.
Also at N9NE Steakhouse Boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was joined by 10 guests for dinner in the main dining room At a separate table, Amar’e Stoudemire of the Phoenix Suns was joined by seven guests in the main dining room.
Singer Rihanna hosted a dinner in Nove Italiano, inside the Palms Casino Resort, for 12 guests, including friends and family. Gavin Maloof was seen stopping by their table to say hello at the end of dinner. Afterwards, the group went to see Jay-Z perform at the Pearl.
Actress Cheryl Hines was also spotted at LAVO.
At Hard Rock Hotel & Casino:
Comedian/actor/singer Jamie Foxx took The Joint by storm as he performed the first show of his two nights. Songstress Keyshia Cole was in attendance and Foxx invited her up on stage to sing a few songs with him.
Jamie Foxx
photo courtesy of © Erik Kabik/ Retna/ www.erikkabik.com
Earlier in the day, Jamie Foxx hosted his radio show “The Foxxhole” on Sirius Satellite Radio at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Foxx was joined by his fellow Foxxhole radio crew.
"The Foxxhole”
photo courtesy of © Erik Kabik/ Retna/ www.erikkabik.com
Over at Wasted Space, adult film star Nikki Benz was spotted partying with a group of friends.
Nikki Benz
Photo credit: Hew Burney/The Hard Rock Hotel
Nikki Benz
Photo credit: Hew Burney/The Hard Rock Hotel
Saturday, the 4th of July…
Engaged beautiful hollywood couple Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy from Dancing With the Stars celebrated their Fourth of July holiday in Las Vegas during ABSOLUT Saturday at the exclusive daytime luxury pool, AZURE at The Palazzo Las Vegas.
Over at Rare 120, actor Ian Ziering spotted enjoying dinner before attending the Jamie Foxx concert at The Joint.
Ian Ziering
photo courtesy of © Erik Kabik/ Retna/ www.erikkabik.com
After Jamie Foxx’s performance at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Foxx was seen hanging out backstage with MC Hammer and rapper Too Short.
MC Hammer, Jamie Foxx and rapper Too Short
Photo credit: Hew Burney/The Hard Rock Hotel
Later that evening at Body English, MC Hammer and rapper Mistah F.A.B. were in attendance at Body English Floyd Mayweather was also spotted, who paused to take a photo with DJ Clinton Sparks.
Frontman for pop rock band Maroon 5 Adam Levine dined at N9NE Steakhouse.
MC Hammer and rapper Mistah F.A.B.
Photo credit: Hew Burney/The Hard Rock Hotel
At Nove Italiano, Sacramento Kings player Kevin Martin dined with his fiancé.
Retired American boxer Mike Tyson hung out at ghostbar with his manager and a friend. Shortly after arriving, they headed to Rain Nightclub for Perfecto.
Also at ghostbar was David Hernandez of American Idol, who was seen hanging out with Zowie Bowie.
Sunday, July 5…
Holly Madison hosted TAO Beach for the day.
Spotted over at LAVO for Vice Sundays was actor Marlon Wayans, who arrived to the nightclub at 1:30 am.
Also at LAVO was America’s Next Top Model – season six bad girl Jade Cole. The beauty was with her parents at a VIP table on the stage.
Actor Lou Diamond Phillips dined with his wife, mother and daughter at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort Sunday night.
Monday, July 6,
Reggie Jackson dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort Monday night (7.6.09) with a party of four.
Following dinner, Jackson and his guests were spotted at ghostbar for a short while.