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
Funnyman Todd Paul Delivers Unique Blend of Comedy Magic at Hooters Night Owl Showroom
He comes onto the stage looking disheveled with long scraggly hair and a bit overweight, but comedian Todd Paul has a lot more going for him than meets the eye. He’s one very funny guy who incorporates his many talents into a comedy routine that includes a mix of physical antics, amazing juggling, card tricks and simple magic with laugh out loud humor. He also performs beatnik poetry, an impressive Hendrix-like rock n roll riff on the guitar to accompany a 3D video clip from The Wizard Of Oz, as well as a card trick atop a six foot unicycle with the help of volunteers from the audience.
Todd Paul
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
Photos by Stephen Thorburn
Sure, there are plenty of comedy magicians around, but I found Todd Paul to be likeable, clever, and I don’t say this often, unique. Throughout his one hour show I was rolling with laughter. And, I was also astounded by the way he smoothly and effortlessly juggles up to four glass balls on his arms, hands and across his chest, while at the same time delivering some very funny lines.
Show times to catch Todd Paul’s act at Hooters are Saturday through Thursday at 7 p.m. (dark on Fridays). At a buy one get one free price of $24.95 his show is, by far, one of the best deals in town. You must be 21 years or older to attend his show.
Menopause The Musical Celebrates Grand Opening at Luxor
After three years of entertaining more than 500,000 guests at the Las Vegas Hilton, Menopause The Musical, the show that celebrates “The Change”, has moved to the Las Vegas Strip with nightly performances staged in the 350-seat Atrium Showroom at Luxor Hotel and Casino.
To celebrate its new home at Luxor, a red carpet event and special performance of the show was held on July 7 for members of the media and VIP guests. The event began with a cocktail reception outside of the theatre and red carpet arrivals that included stars of the show: Queen Emily, the powerhouse vocalist and finalist in last year’s “America’s Got Talent” and Paige O’Hara, the voice of Belle in the Walt Disney classic Beauty and the Beast, Annette Verdolino and Laura Lee O’Connell as well as singer/entertainer Clint Holmes and his wife Kelly Clinton, Fantasy Girls and cast of Thunder from Down Under.
The party continued after the performance with a post-show reception at Fusia. There, the cast was presented with a 3 tiered cake commemorating their move to the Strip at Luxor.
Neal Gardner, vice president and general manager of GFour Productions, says, “The Menopause The Musical® team is excited to have found a new home on The Strip. We are excited about being a part of the dynamic offerings at Luxor, and continuing to bring laughs and entertainment to everyone who comes out to enjoy this one-of-a-kind production.”
From its first performance, the show has evolved as a “grassroots” movement of women who deal with life after 40 and all the challenges that result in the mental, physical and spiritual freedom of the post-World War II baby boomer generation.
Show times for Menopause The Musical® in Luxor’s Atrium Showroom are 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, and 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. Tickets are priced at $49.95 and $65 (a complimentary beverage is included with $65 tickets) plus tax and service fees.
"Marriage Can Be Murder" celebrates 10 Year Anniversary as Las Vegas' Longest Running Dinner Show
Marriage Can Be Murder, the longest running dinner show in Southern Nevada, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary with the help of audiences who have played a major part, literally. I say literally, because as an interactive experience, the show requires the participation of members of the audience, some of whom are actors planted among the unsuspecting guests as a murder mystery unfolds around them. It’s a whodunit with audiences not only asked to get involved in the action, but to try and figure out who the villain is and his/or her motive with barely a clue at their disposal.
I was invited to attend the interactive murder mystery dinner show at its new home inside the showroom at the Fitzgeralds Casino and Hotel and found everyone in the audience to be having a great time while also enjoying the dinner which includes an entrée choice of meat, fish, or chicken with veggie and potatoes or rice, dessert, and ice tea or soda.
Acting as hostess for the evening’s affair is "Didi," a ditsy, curly haired blonde, dressed in mod mini dress and go go boots, whose witty dialogue is laced with funny one liners and double entendres. She adds spice to the evening’s affair and, as the comedy relief is hilarious. Lt. Post, the investigating cop whose main job is to interrogate the suspects is the straight man to ,the funny girl and the way they play off each other is terrific. Audience members, meanwhile, are assigned minor roles in the scenario including, nurse, musician, pallbearers and weeping mourners.
Eric Post and Christy Copeland
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The four dimensional theatre concept was created more than 20 years ago by husband and wife team Eric and Jayne Post and has been seen by more than 250,000 audience members in the past 10 years. As an actor, Eric has cast himself in the role of the police officer and his wife Jayne shares the role of Didi (she appears twice a week) with another actress, Christy Copeland, who was delightfully entertaining the night I attended.
The murder mystery changes every three months, so audiences who think they have seen the show can return and experience a new whodunit filled with fun, laughter, and surprises.
Show times for Marriage Can Be Murder is 6:30 p.m. seven nights a week with seating beginning at 6 p.m. inside the showroom at Fitzgerald’s in downtown Las Vegas. Dinner show package is $54.95 including one alcoholic drink. VIP seating priced at $69.95 includes premium seating, souvenir T shirt and one cocktail, domestic beer or wine. Special ticket pricing for Nevada residents is $44.95 and includes one non alcoholic drink. Prices do not include LET and service/ticket fee.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Las Vegas student Ian McCue, a third grader at Alexander Dawson School has been awarded national third place in grade three for his story in The 15th Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators Contest. McCue is one of only 12 authors selected from more than 35,000 Contest entrants nationwide.For his original story, McCue wrote and drew pictures for I Lose My Teeth in the Weirdest Ways, a tale of the unusual circumstances that McCue encounters while losing his teeth.
The Liberace Foundation for the Performing and Creative Arts, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to 15 U.S. colleges and universities for disbursement to students excelling in the areas of music, theatre, dance, fashion design and the creative arts in the 2009-2010 academic year. For the list of scholarship recipients visit the website, www.Liberace.org.
Mirage headliner, ventriloguist/singer/impressionist Terry Fator has announced he is divorcing his wife Melinda after 18 years of marriage. Fator confirmed that he is dating his former on stage assistant, Hawaiian beauty Taylor Makakoa who left the show in March.
Vegas PBS remembers recently deceased, legendary anchorman Walter Cronkite, with a special airing of “Walter Cronkite: Witness to History” on Channel 10 and 10.1 on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 26 at 1 p.m. The 90-minute documentary features interviews with Ben Bradlee, Tom Brokaw, David Frost, David Halberstam, Molly Ivins, Sydney Lumet, Senator John McCain, Robert MacNeil, Bill Moyers, Andy Rooney, Mike Wallace, Morley Safer, Helen Thomas and Barbara Walters.
Walter Cronkite
The nationally renowned Motown Revue "Hitzville - The Show" starring Jin Jin Reeves and featuring a cast of talented performers that include a trio of women, a quartet of men and the seven-member Hitzville Band, returned to the Harmon Theater July 1 after completing a previously scheduled tour across the United States. Previously, the show had an eight-month run at the Harmon Theater.
Prop comic Carrot Top has extended his contract extension at Luxor Hotel and Casino for another six years. The comedian has performed at the Luxor Showroom since 2005.
The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino has added Bikini Blackjack to the new renovated, luxurious pool area, located on the 8th floor of the hotel. Bikini Blackjack will be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. throughout the summer.
Prop comic Carrot Top has extended his contract extension at Luxor Hotel and Casino for another six years. The comedian has performed at the Luxor Showroom since 2005.
The Stratosphere Hotel and Casino has added Bikini Blackjack to the new renovated, luxurious pool area, located on the 8th floor of the hotel. Bikini Blackjack will be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. throughout the summer.
It is hard to believe, but the ever young legendary guitarist, Carlos Santana, celebrated his 62nd birthday on July 20th. The musical sensation is the resident headliner at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino where he performs his show Supernatural Santana: A Trip Through the hits.
Frankie’s Tiki Room, the only authentic tiki bar in Las Vegas, located at1712 W. Charleston Blvd, is presenting exclusive back-to-back movies and popcorn at 4 a.m. every Thursday. The schedule in the coming weeks includes:
Thursday, July 23 -Spinal Tap and The first James Bond feature, Dr. No; Thursday, July 30 - Wayne’s World, with Mike Myers & Dana Carvey and Toxic Avenger, Part II; Thursday, Aug. 6 -The Silencers, with Dean Martin as Matt Helm and Pervirella.
Rob Kirkpatrick renowned author of 1969: The Year Everything Changed, Rob Kirkpatrick will be available at John Van Hamersveld’s Hippie Nation Gallery & Records located at the Fremont Street Experience for a meet and greet and book signing on Friday, July 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Copies of Kirkpatrick’s 1969: The Year Everything Changed, can be purchased at the event for $24.95. Divided into four parts that correspond with the four seasons of the year, the book delves into such important events as the Richard Nixon's inauguration, the birth of punk music and the first Led Zeppelin tour, Easy Rider, the riots at People’s Park, Stonewall and the Days of Rage, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Woodstock Festival, to name a few.
Tickets for Beyoncé’s “I AM…YOURS” concert which will be staged exclusively for the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on July 30 and 31 and August 1 and 2, have been released and will be made available to Nevada residents with valid ID. The exceptional performance featuring an all female band and costumes by world renowned designer Thierry Mugler will be filmed for commercial use on Sunday, August 2. Locals may purchase two tickets per order with no room package requirement. Prices are $250, $500, $750 and $1,000 plus service charge and tax. Call 702-770-DIVA (3482) or visit www.encorelasvegas.com/beyonce for more information.
Rob Kirkpatrick renowned author of 1969: The Year Everything Changed, Rob Kirkpatrick will be available at John Van Hamersveld’s Hippie Nation Gallery & Records located at the Fremont Street Experience for a meet and greet and book signing on Friday, July 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Copies of Kirkpatrick’s 1969: The Year Everything Changed, can be purchased at the event for $24.95. Divided into four parts that correspond with the four seasons of the year, the book delves into such important events as the Richard Nixon's inauguration, the birth of punk music and the first Led Zeppelin tour, Easy Rider, the riots at People’s Park, Stonewall and the Days of Rage, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Woodstock Festival, to name a few.
Tickets for Beyoncé’s “I AM…YOURS” concert which will be staged exclusively for the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on July 30 and 31 and August 1 and 2, have been released and will be made available to Nevada residents with valid ID. The exceptional performance featuring an all female band and costumes by world renowned designer Thierry Mugler will be filmed for commercial use on Sunday, August 2. Locals may purchase two tickets per order with no room package requirement. Prices are $250, $500, $750 and $1,000 plus service charge and tax. Call 702-770-DIVA (3482) or visit www.encorelasvegas.com/beyonce for more information.
Beyoncé fans and dancing divas will be given the chance to win coveted tickets to her “I AM…YOURS” concert at Wynn by entering the Single Ladies Dance Contest. Tryst Nightclub invites groups of three dancers to compete in the qualifying round on Saturday, July 25 at 6 p.m. The final round will be held on Thursday, July 30. A panel of judges will choose the prize winners based on originality, execution, costumes and overall “fierce” factor. The winning trio will receive three front row tickets to Beyoncé, a resort room for the night, pre-show pampering at the salon and a VIP table at Tryst. Second place dancers will receive three tickets and a VIP table at Tryst, third place group will receive a Beyoncé gift bag valued at $500. For more information and pre-registration call (702) 770-7115. All contestants must be over 21 and show valid ID at the door.
Two-time consecutive reigning Country Music Association Vocal Duo of the Year, Sugarland, will perform 9 p.m. Friday, July 24 at Buffalo Bill’s in the Star of the Desert Arena. Tickets are $49.95, $74.95 and $124.95.
IN CELEBRATION OF THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOON LANDING Fremont Street Experience will present “One Giant Leap: 40th Anniversary of Moon Landing” marking the historic event of mankind, commemorating the Apollo 11 mission. The moon landing anniversary events will run Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 26 and include free major headlining concerts by Jefferson Starship on Saturday, July 18 at 9 p.m. on the 3rd Street Stage, and The 5th Dimension on Saturday, July 25 at 9 p.m. on the 1st Street Stage.
The “One Giant Leap” events will also feature nightly entertainment including bands California Dreamin, Venus Rising, Mojo Rising (a tribute to The Doors) and Yesterday - A Tribute to The Beatles. Throughout the 11-day commemorative event, Fremont Street Experience will also play a special “40th Anniversary of Moon Landing” Viva Vision show that will highlight the day-by-day events of the Apollo 11 mission. All events for Fremont Street Experience’s “One Giant Leap: 40th Anniversary of Moon Landing” are free to the public.
El Cortez Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas is rewarding active duty U.S. military personnel with a $15 dining credit valid at The Flame Steakhouse and Café Cortez every day in August. Individuals must present their military ID at the Club Cortez to receive their Certificate of Appreciation that can be redeemed at the property’s restaurants. Individuals are limited to one dining credit per day during August and no minimum purchase is required.
El Cortez Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas is rewarding active duty U.S. military personnel with a $15 dining credit valid at The Flame Steakhouse and Café Cortez every day in August. Individuals must present their military ID at the Club Cortez to receive their Certificate of Appreciation that can be redeemed at the property’s restaurants. Individuals are limited to one dining credit per day during August and no minimum purchase is required.
The Alan Parsons Live Project will perform their hits on Saturday, August 8 at the CANNERY CASINO & HOTEL. The special one-night performance begins with Paramount’s Original Laser Spectacular choreographed to Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side Of The Moon.” The show starts at 8 p.m. and doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $24.95.
Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009 Larry Hart’s Concert of “Praise”, an original 90-minute musical, inspired by the world’s 10 major religions, and written and conceived by Grammy Award winner Larry Hart will be presented in the Showroom at South Point Hotel Casino. Hart also stars in the show with special guest Darcus Speed and six sensational female singers in flamboyant designer costumes. Tickets are priced at $25, $30, and $35 (tax included. Showtime is 2 p.m.
Frederick Knott’s suspenseful drama of murder and mayhem “Wait Until Dark,” will be staged by the College of Southern Nevada’s Department of Fine Arts on Aug. 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 7:30 p.m. and Aug. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre on the Cheyenne Campus. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 651-LIVE (5483).
AFAN (Aid for AIDS of Nevada) hosts the 23rd Annual Black & White Party at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22. This year, AFAN, along with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Baskow & Associates, team up to transform the Hard Rock Beach Club into a black and white paradise, filled with an avant-garde crowd ready to party for a cause. a non-stop entertainment line-up including: the mash-up of renowned DJ Axis; a battle between guest DJs; celebrity impersonators; live performance by international entertainer and guitarist Charo; synchronized swimming mermaids; flame throwers and fire dancers; appearances by Las Vegas headliners including Hooters Casino Hotel’s Men of X, Flamingo Hotel’s X Burlesque, longtime AFAN supporters Penn & Teller and more.
Guests will be treated to tastings from some of Las Vegas’ premier restaurants, including: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s own AGO, Rare 120 and Pink Taco; The Cupcakery; PF Chang’s; Sushi Roku; BOA Steakhouse; The Cookie Zoo and more. For quench-thirsting relief, ice bars will be hosted by various liquor sponsors, such as Ketel One and Montecristo Rum.
Tickets to the 23rd Annual Black & White Party are $35 per person, which includes complimentary drinks and cuisine tasting. Proceeds benefit AFAN and the fight against HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada. For additional event information, please visit www.afanlv.org.
Celebrity sightings:
Monday night, July 13, NBA star and current Washington Wizards assistant coach Sam Cassell and a group of six friends,was spotted at Dos Caminos Mexican Kitchen inside The Palazzo was former NBA star and current Washington Wizards assistant coach Sam Cassell.
Rapper Too Short and a group of five friends were spotted at the main bar at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort. Also at N9NE Steakhouse was Damon Stoudamire, retired professional NBA player who currently coaches for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Grammy award-winning saxophonist, Kenny G and a few friends, dined at Wolfgang Puck’s Chinois inside The Forum Shops at Caesars.
Tuesday night, July 14 …
TV personality, Jack Osbourne, accompanied by a party of four, dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort. Following dinner, Osbourne made his way to Moon Nightclub, where he and songwriter and drummer, John Dolmayan enjoyed the scene from a VIP table on the dance floor.
John Dolmayan and Jack Osbourne
Photo credit: Shane O’Neal/N9NE Group
Also at Moon was Las Vegas rock band, Adelitas Way who celebrated the release of their new self-titled album.
Professional snowboarder Shawn White was across the way at another table, also drinking Ketel One.
Steve-o from Jackass & Dancing with the Stars, and a female companion named Beth, were spotted TREVI Italian Restaurant.
Wednesday night, July 15…
Boston Celtic Paul Pierce was spotted at TAO Asian Bistro dining with friends.
At LAVO nightclub for Label Junkie Wednesday and the Custo Barcelona fashion show was another NBA pro, Philadelphia 76er Kareem Rush.
Worship Thursday at TAO Asian Bistro was Washington Wizard Antawn Jamison, drinking shots of Patron and Perrier Jouet Rose, and at another table UFC president Dana White with friends.
Over at LAVO, Mark Ballas of Dancing with the Stars enjoyed an early dinner with friends.
Actor Corey Feldman partied at ghostbar inside Palms Casino Resort with 11 friends.
Friday, July 17…
Dancing with the Stars current pro champion Mark Ballas was spotted with his girlfriend, former American Idol contestant Joanna Pacitti, and friends at TAO Beach. .They continued their TAO experience with dinner at the Asian Bistro.
Mark Ballas and Joanna Pacitti
Photo credit: Al Powers
Spotted at TAO Nightclub was James Posey of the New Orleans Hornets. The NBA pro was with twelve guys and girls celebrating a friend’s birthday.
Also seen at TAO with friends was Houston Rocket Tracy McGrady.
Over at LAVO, NFL Hall of Famer Warren Moon dined at the Italian hot spot with friends.
The masses flocked to Palms Pool & Bungalows where the Ditch Dating Game took place, featuring Men of X dancer, Steve Kim as the bachelor and Miss Playboy Club May 2009, Gemma Farrell as the bachelorette. Spotted amongst the crowd was NBA player for the Boston Celtics, Paul Piercel
Saturday night, July 18…
Bostic Celtics player Paul Pierce dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort with two others.
Also at N9NE Steakhouse was Tracy McGrady. He arrived with a party of eight and sat in the main dining room. At Moon Nightclub, drummer and co-founder of the band Limp Bizkit, John Otto and band mate, Leor Dimant who’s also known as turntablist and producer, DJ Lethal, enjoyed the scene at a VIP table with eight others.
John Otto
Photo credit: Joe Fury/N9NE Group
Other celebrities at Moon Nightclub included: player for the Carolina Panthers, Richard Marshall with eight friends; player for the Washington Wizards, Antawn Jamison, who sipped on mixed drinks and was accompanied by nine others; actor and comedian, Kevin Hart; former American and Canadian football player, Warren Moon with ten friends; player for the Golden State Warriors, Kelenna Azubuike, who enjoyed the scene from the mezzanine level with eight others; and wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, Miles Austin and 15 others, who enjoyed an array of drinks.
Dining at LAVO inside The Palazzo was actress Kristina Apgar from TV's Privileged for a belated birthday celebration..
Also spotted in the dining room, NBA free agent Andre Miller with Portland Trailblazer head coach Nate McMillan was also spotted in the dining room with friends.
Musician John Mayer enjoyed dinner at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago inside The Forum Shops at Caesars.
Sunday, July 19…
Jon Beason and Chris Harris of the Carolina Panthers, Miles Austin of the Dallas Cowboys and Layzie Bone from hip-hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony were spotted having fun and soaking up the sun at REHAB at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Professional race car driver, Marco Andretti was spotted with four guests at Playboy Club inside Palms Casino Resort.
Upstairs at Moon Nightclub, German trance music DJ and producer, Markus Schulz enjoyed the scene from a private table behind the DJ booth with four friends.
Monday, July 20…
Comedian Gabriel Iglesias and two of his friends had breakfast at Hash House A Go Go Iglesias was in town advancing his show on Saturday at The Pearl. Let me know if you have any questions.
In the afternoon, comedian Pauly Shore was spotted soaking in the rays at TAO Beach.
In the evening, Paul Pierce, player for the Boston Celtics, dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort.
I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.