Vegas Happenings 09-23-09

The 30th Annual San Gennaro Feast is a Feast for the All the Senses

The 30th Annual San Gennaro Feast, honoring the patron saint of Naples, Italy took place September 15 - 20 at the Grand Canyon Shopping Center located at 4245 Grand Canyon Drive and West Flamingo Road. The semi-annual Italian heritage celebration is bigger and better than ever, encompassing 20 acres of grounds.

I attended on opening night, September 15 along with other member of the media, and I can attest that you don’t have to be Italian to enjoy all it has to offer. All you need is an appetite for mouth watering home style Italian food and lots of good clean fun and excitement. While the festival featured food booths offering a wide variety of mouthwatering traditional ethnic cuisine, such as the best New York style pizza, baked ziti, sausage and peppers, pasta, and desserts like Italian ices, there was lots more for young and old alike including browsing through or shopping at aisles of vendors selling arts and crafts, apparel, jewelry and more. The carnival like atmosphere included amusement rides for the kids and the young at heart. For opening night, as a special treat moms were able to ride free on all the rides. Plus, to kick off the semi annual, 6 night event, there was a dazzling fireworks display at 9 p.m. that lit up the sky.

Entrance to the Feast

Honoring the namesake Saint

Anthony's Sausage and Peppers

Judy Thorburn and Tony Sacca

Tony Sacca, Festival host and performer belts out a number in great style

Tom Stevens as Al Jolson

Tom Stevens as Elvis

Tom Stevens as Cher was hysterical

Opening night fireworks spectacular

Authentic Boston Italian Ices

Dianne R. Davis, Lena Prima and Judy Thorburn
San Gennaro Feast photos credit: Stephen Thorburn

While the food, rides and vendors might attract many attendees, the FREE nightly entertainment at 8 p.m. certainly is a draw thanks to TV personality/entertainer Tony Sacca, who not only performs, he acted as host and had organized a lineup of some of the finest local entertainers to take the stage including the feast’s grand lady Lena Prima, legendary accordionist Dick Contino, and appearances by lounge singers Zowie Bowie, ventriloquist Ronn Lucas, “Jersey Boys” star Rick Faugno, comedian Todd Paul, impressionist/singer Tom Stevens, Robbie Howard, a couple of “Franks” and “Deans,” a “Marilyn,” Matt Lewis as Elvis, John Garafalo and many more of performers backed by the Michael T Orchestra.

The San Gennaro Feast in Las Vegas takes place twice a year in May and September. Based on opening night, which drew thousands of locals and visiting attendees, the festive event once again proved to be a popular attraction and huge success.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) in partnership with the CityCenter Fine Art Collection and its curatorial advisor Michele C Quinn debuted 12 + 7: Artists and Architects of CityCenter on September 18. The exhibition features sculpture, drawings, paintings and models by 12 of the contemporary art stars and seven of the master architects whose work will revolutionize the Las Vegas landscape when CityCenter opens to the public in December 2009.

This must-see exhibition offers a sneak peek at the highly anticipated CityCenter development, showcasing artwork by a selection of artists featured in CityCenter’s Fine Art Collection, such as Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Antony Gormley, Tony Cragg, Nancy Rubins, Peter Wegner, Richard Long, among others; alongside early sketches and architectural models of CityCenter’s soaring towers, and retail and entertainment district designed by architects Pelli Clarke Pelli, Helmut Jahn, Studio Daniel Libeskind, Rafael Viñoly, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Foster + Partners and Rockwell Group.

Jennifer Holzer - Four Corner - Truisms

Tony Cragg - Cronstructor - 2007

Vdara - Sketch

“CityCenter will be an international architectural achievement integrating the talents of world-renowned artists, architects and designers in one development; it will be a landmark of global taste and style,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE.

12 + 7: Artists and Architects of CityCenter will be on view September 18 through April 4, 2010. BGFA is open Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Admission price, which includes audio tours, is $15 for general admission, $12 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older, $10 for students, teachers and military with valid ID. Children 12 and younger are free.

Celebrities Help Launch the Grand Opening of Pink’s Hot Dogs Las Vegas Location.

Actresses and athletes graced the pink carpet for the grand opening of Los Angeles’ legendary hot dog joint, Pink’s Hot Dogs’ new location at Planet Hollywood on Friday evening, September 18.

Mel B, Holly Madison and Kim Kardashian

Celebrities in attendance included TV reality star and model Kim Kardashian, Peepshow star Holly Madison, former Spice Girl Mel B., boxing stars Tommy “Hitman” Hearns and James “Lights Out” Toney, and female impersonator Frank Marino who appeared in drag as Joan Rivers. The celebrities were joined by Richard and Gloria Pink of the original Pink family, and the owner and operator of the Las Vegas location, restaurateur Billy Richardson.

Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:

International auctioneers, Bonhams & Butterfields held its fall auction of Salon Jewelry on September 21, 2009 during the company's first jewelry sale at The Venetian Las Vegas. Property from the 400 lot auction was exhibited and sold during a simulcast sale in the space formerly occupied by The Guggenheim Hermitage Museum.
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The ROCKHOUSE Bar & Nightclub is partnering up with Stay Strong Apparel, and Skeletal Meta to benefit the Stephen Murray Family Fund on Wednesday, September 23. In June 2007, in the midst of doing a double back-flip, Stephen suffered severe damage to his spinal cord and the front of his vertebrae had been shattered while competing at the Dew Actions Sports Tour. He is now paralyzed from the shoulders down.

The ROCKHOUSE Bar & Nightclub will donate 100% of the $10 door fee from 7pm-11pm, to the Stephen Murray Family Fund, along with a percentage of the bar sales. The silent auction begins at 7pm, which will include autographed BMX bike parts and memorabilia. The ROCKHOUSE Bar & Nightclub is located on Las Vegas Blvd., in front of Imperial Palace, across from Caesars Palace, in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip, between Spring Mountain and Flamingo.

Clark County Parks and Recreation presents the exhibition “Dead or Alive, You’re Coming With Me” by local artist Miguel Rodriguez now through Oct. 23 at the Winchester Cultural Center Gallery, 3130 S. McLeod Dr. “ The mixed media sculpture installation draws its visual inspiration from the movies and television of the artist’s childhood. Elements of “Robocop,” “He-Man” and “Tron” are all present in the exhibition, which stands as an allegory for the eternal cultural and psychological struggle between intellect and ignorance. Also represented is the traditional struggle between good and evil from “within a decidedly dark place; where rule of law and morality are interchangeable amongst both sides,” Rodriguez said.

On Season 9’s first “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show” the Las Vegas cast of Disney’s Tony® Award-winning The Lion King will perform the spectacular “Circle of Life,” the Oscar-nominated song that opens the show, in a stunning parade of costumes, animal puppetry and the most performers to ever take to the “Dancing with the Stars” stage. The show will air Wednesday, September 23 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on ABC. The appearance coincides with The Lion King recently passing the 50 million mark in worldwide attendance.

Grind Burger Bar & Lounge will celebrate its Grand Opening at 360 E. Tropicana Ave. (located between Paradise and Koval in the Bluegreen timeshare complex) on Friday, Sept. 25 with a food drive benefiting Three Square. In exchange for donating three canned items, guests will receive a complimentary order of fries.

10th annual Super Run Classic Car Show will take place in Henderson, NV September 24-27. Car enthusiasts will have the opportunity to get a sneak peak of the classic vehicles at the kick-off party at The District at Green Valley Ranch, September 24. As Southern Nevada’s largest car show, the nostalgic extravaganza features over 1,000 flashy street machines, hot rods, motorcycles and classic cars of yesteryears displayed at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street, in the Water Street District. Spectator admission is FREE. There will also be FREE concerts by the golden boys of surf, The Jan & Dean Show featuring Dean Torrence, A California Beach Party! and country music star Aaron Tippin. The Jan & Dean Show will take the stage on Friday, September 25 at 8 p.m. and Aaron Tippin will perform Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m. For additional information about this year’s Super Run Classic Car Show or for a complete schedule of events, visit www.HendersonLive.com.

The Barrick Lecture Series event, “An Evening with Garrison Keillor,” scheduled for Sept. 23, 2009, at UNLV has been postponed. Keillor, host of the popular radio program, “A Prairie Home Companion,” suffered a mild stroke earlier in the month and his doctors advised him to avoid air travel. Mr. Keillor anticipates being able to reschedule at a future date, though specific information is not yet available. UNLV will have details soon on a ticket exchange process for people holding passes to the Sept. 23 event. For more information, please call (702) 895-2787

This past June, BODIES… The Exhibition and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition launched Teacher Tuesdays, a special program that gave one free ticket to local educators every Tuesday through August 25. Since announcing Teacher Tuesdays, more than 535 teachers have enjoyed complimentary admission to two of the most innovative learning experiences in Las Vegas. Any teacher who hasn’t taken advantage of this unbelievable offer now has a second chance. Due to overwhelming requests, Teacher Tuesdays has been extended to December 29, 2009.

Teachers must RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and present a school ID, paystub or homeschooling letter of intent at any Luxor Box Office to receive one complimentary adult ticket to each exhibition. Guests of teachers are welcome to purchase specially priced tickets with valid Nevada resident ID. This offer is valid at the Box Office only; it is not available online. Only one visit per teacher, please.

The 3rd Annual Event Weim & Wine, a fundraising event with proceeds helping to support medical bills, feeding, training and housing abandoned dogs from the Las Vegas community, will take place Saturday, September 26th 6pm – 9pm at Marquis Estate (located on Tomiyasu off of Sunset – behind Wayne Newton’s house). The event will feature wine, beer, vodka, catered food, entertainment, silent auction & live Auctions and gifts. Tax deductible tickets are $25 at the door or $20 online in advance www.weimwine.com.

The UNLV Performing Arts Center opens its 2009-2010 Season with the renowned Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series. Tickets are $40, $55, and $85 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu.

A special 3 day event, Legends of the Game Sports & Celebrity Memorabilia Show, offering the ultimate in signed sports and entertainment memorabilia, will be held at Palms Casino Resort. Friday, September 25th from noon until 6 p.m, Saturday, September 26th, and Sunday, September 27th from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. In addition to showcasing unique and creative memorabilia show pieces, a raffle will be held each day in which lucky winners will walk away with collectible items, including a pair of Sugar Ray Leonard autographed trunks.

Rock ‘n Roll Wine will host its fourth annual Wine Amplified Festival featuring the award-winning, multi-platinum group Lifehouse Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Mandalay Bay Beach. Doors are scheduled to open at 7 p.m. and special guests actor/musician Tyler Hilton, as well as Los Angeles rockers The Tender Box, will kick off the evening’s festivities. The event will conclude at 11 p.m. followed by the official after-party at Mandalay Bay’s Moorea Beach Club. Tickets are priced at $50 in advance and $55 the day of the show, not including applicable service charges.

The UNLV School of Architecture Klai Juba Lecture Series presents a Night at the Movies at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30 in the School of Architecture Lecture Room. The film is “Berlin Babylon,” directed by Hubertus Siegert. It will be introduced by Janet Ward, associate professor of history at UNLV. The screening is free and open to the public.

Fright Dome takes over The Adventuredome at Circus Circus beginning Friday, Oct. 2. This season, two of the five haunted houses are themed after the legendary SAW Horror movie franchise guaranteed to terrify even the bravest of visitors. Fright Dome is open from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 2 – 31. General admission tickets are $34.95 and fast pass tickets are available for an additional $15, which allow express line entry for all five haunted houses.

The Nevada Conservatory Theatre at UNLV opens its 2009-2010 Main Stage Season in the Judy Bayley Theatre located on the UNLV campus, with the Tony Award-winning Company – book by George Furth, music by Stephen Sondheim, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim – at 8 p.m. on Friday, October 2. Additional performances are October 3, 5-10 at 8 p.m., and October 4 & 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30 and on sale at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office.

Academy Award-nominated actor, Chazz Palminteri will bring his critically acclaimed one-man show, A BRONX TALE, to The Venetian Showroom at The Venetian Las Vegas for a limited engagement October 7-18 at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets are priced at $46, $66 and $86 inclusive of tax and handling fees.

The public is invited to come together for the 12th Annual Strike Out the Violence Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, October 3, to benefit the Southern Nevada Domestic Violence Task Force and The Shade Tree Shelter/Noah’s Animal House for homeless women, children and their pets. The event will be held from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the Suncoast Bowling Center located inside the Suncoast Hotel and Casino. The local business community has donated hundred of items to be used as raffle and silent auction prizes. Prizes include: day passes to Disneyland or California Adventure Park, a 2-night stay in Laughlin, round-trip airline tickets, golf packages, restaurant gift certificates and more. Participants will receive a free raffle ticket for every old cell phone donated at the event as well as in exchange for every donated item for Noah’s Animal House Wish List. The wish list can be found at www.noahsanimalhouse.org.

Registration is $35 per player and includes three games of bowling, shoes and a gift. To register by mail, please make checks payable to SNDVTF and mail registrations to SNDVTF P.O. Box 758, Las Vegas, NV 89125. Registration can also be completed at www.theshadetree.org.


Multi-platinum rock legend AC/DC will bring its highly successful Black Ice World Tour to the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Oct. 3. The concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $89.75, not including applicable service charges and taxes

For the 16th year, Clark County Parks and Recreation presents the annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival featuring lavishly costumed knights, knaves, fine ladies and wenches that will be held at Sunset Park, 2601 E. Sunset Road. The festival will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 9 and 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11. Admission is $10 per day for adults and $5 per day for seniors and children ages 5 to 12.

Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, will hold its NINTH ANNUAL LOSE A POUND WITH YOUR HOUND MEMORY WALK on Sunday, October 18 in honor of the 30,000 lost and abandoned animals that are euthanized each year in southern Nevada. The mile long pet walk kicks off an entire day of events for the whole family including paw painting, pet psychics, mobile dog grooming, live music, food, prizes, vendor booths and the infamous “poop toss.” Participation and pledges will support Heaven Can Wait Animal Society’s humane education programs for responsible pet ownership and its all-new, high quality/high volume, low-cost spay and neuter clinic. Registration at 9.a m. costs $30 per entry and the walk begins at 10.am. at Bunker Family Park, Tenaya Way and Alexander Road. Pre-registration is $25 per entry. For more information visit www.hcws.org.

Celebrity sightings:

Tuesday night, September 15… Chuy from E!’s hit show Chelsea Lately rang in Mexican Independence Day at LAVO at The Palazzo in Las Vegas

Zumanity’s Alan Jones Silva also stopped by to hang with Chuy at LAVO.

Also dining at the Italian eatery was Chazz Palminteri, who is starring in the upcoming show A Bronx Tale at The Venetian. The actor was joined by three friends.

Wednesday night, September 16

Vanessa Minnillo dined at Dos Caminos Mexican Kitchen inside The Palazzo.

Mixed martial artist Georges St-Pierre and a bunch of guys were spotted at TAO’s Worship Thursday.

Friday night, September 18…

Kim Kardashian attended “Matt Goss Live from Las Vegas” inside the Gossy Room at the Palms Casino Resort. Kim sat with Robin Antin producer and Pussycat Dolls creator. Kim got up on stage during Matt’s finale “St. James” and sang and danced with him. Jon Lovitz was also in the audience.

Kim Kardashian and Mat Goss


Kim Kardashian with Robin Antin, producer and Pussycat Dolls creator

Mean Girls starlet Lacey Chabert celebrated her 27th birthday with her mom and friends at Tabu Ultra Lounge.

Lacey Chabert

Vanessa Minnillo spent several hours in the lounge at Dos Caminos at The Palazzo with her recently reunited beau Nick Lachey.

Comedian David Spade dined at TAO Asian Bistro with friends.

Actor Chazz Palminteri also dined at TAO, stopping to say hello to Spade who was dining at the table next to him.

After dinner Palminteri headed up to the nightclub and a VIP table in the Moat.

Also spotted in the club former NBA pro Charles Barkley with former MLB star Frank Thomas.

Jermaine Dupri spotted enjoying dinner in a private dining room at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Grammy award-winning musician Kid Rock dined at N9NE Steakhouse Friday night (9.18.09). with a party of 10, including Palms owner, George Maloof.

Saturday night…

September 19 Sean “Diddy” Combs hosted the hottest pre-fight party in Las Vegas at WET REPUBLIC, the city’s first ultra pool. Actor and singer Tyrese, who performed the national anthem later in the evening at the Mayweather vs. Marquez boxing match, got on the microphone to address the crowd and ask who there was cheering for the six-time champ, Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Also making an appearance was reality TV star and music producer, Ray-J, and four of the five Wayans Brothers, including Marlon, Shawn, Damon and Keenan Ivory.

Among the numerous fans at the after official party inside Studio 54 at MGM Grand celebrating Floyd ”Money” Mayweather’s return to the ring, were Mayweather and a group of celebrity supporters, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Ray-J, and Tyrese Gibson.

At TAO a number of stars could be found after the big fight. Spotted at the hot spot were the Wayans Brothers.

Taking over the private dining room was Sean “ P. Diddy” Combs, who held court over a feast with guests that included Michael Bay and Tyrese Gibson, director and star of Transformers respectively.

Engaged True Blood stars Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin also stopped by for a post fight meal.

The host of the evening Kid Cudi was joined by friends for dinner on the balcony where he could take in the entire scene.

Kid Cudi
Photo credit: Al Powers

Also spotted at various tables in the club were Boston Celtic Paul Pierce, who invited Cudi to stop by his table after his performance, NFL free agent Ty Law, Jermaine O’Neal of the Miami Heat and actor Chazz Palminteri.

Actor Oliver Hudson, who spent the day in a cabana at TAO Beach with friends was seen at table on the dance floor, and reality star and actor Stephen Colletti caught Cudi’s surprise act before heading over to LAVO with friends.

At Wasted Space inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, more than 1,000 patrons crowded the venue to get a glimpse of Kid Rock while he partied with friends including rapper Too Short, rock legend Vinnie Paul from Pantera and metal band Five Finger Death Punch.

Kid Rock
Photo credit: Joe Fury

Samantha Ronson was spotted dining in a corner booth at Strip House inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. At a separate table, Arnold Schwarzenegger celebrating his son’s 16th birthday.
Singer and TV personality Nick Lachey and actress Vanessa Minnillo dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside Palms Casino Resort.

Over at Nove Italiano, Indie rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs enjoyed a lovely dinner on the terrace, overlooking the Las Vegas Strip.

Sunday night, September 20, rock band The Shys were spotted taking in the sounds of DJ Vice at LAVO.

The 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs' Nick Zinner and Brian Chase
Photo credit: Shane O'Neal

Spotted downstairs was actor Chazz Palminteri, who is quickly becoming a regular at the hot spot.

Scott Ian from Anthrax, his wife and singer Pearl and adult entertainment star Tera Patrick were seen having dinner together at Rare 120 inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The group was on property for Pearl’s performance at Wasted Space.

I'll be back next week with more of what's happening in and around Las Vegas.