By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
www.theflickchicks.com
Star Studded “Blue Carpet” at Viva Elvis Official Grand Opening Celebration
Celebrities from all walks of the entertainment industry attended the Official Grand Opening of Viva Elvis, the new production from Cirque du Solie in the brand new Elvis Theatre at City Center’s Aria Hotel and Casino.
Eva Longoria Presented with Distinguished Business Leadership Award by Latin Chamber of Commerce
Eva Longoria Parker, entrepreneur and owner of two new, successful CityCenter ventures, Beso steakhouse and Eve nightclub, was presented with the first ever “Premio de Oro – Distinguished Leadership” award by the Latin Chamber of Commerce on Saturday, February 20. The award recognizes Longoria Parker for her success as the Las Vegas Strip’s sole Latina restaurant and nightclub owner and for her commitment to expand opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.
Celebrities And Poker Players Raise Over $42,000 In Pokerstars.Net NAPT Venetian Charity Tournament
PokerStars.net brought top celebrities and the best players in the U.S. to the poker table in Las Vegas on Friday, February 19. to support Three Square, a local food charity. All proceeds from the $540 buy-in No Limit Hold’em Tournament go to the organization, which aims to end hunger in the valley by providing wholesome, nutritious food to non-profit organizations that serve a wide range of Southern Nevadans in need.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
The Versace Group opened its second boutique in Las Vegas on Saturday, February 13, marking the 10th Versace store to be opened in the U.S. The 2,500-square-foot boutique is located in Crystals at CityCenter and features the new all-white design concept complete with exquisite white leather-padded walls, white suede-lined niches and a selection of chaise lounges.
Customers will be able to check out complete collections of Versace Men’s and Women’s Ready-To-Wear, Runway Handbags, Fine Jewelry, Timepieces, Versace Home. Additionally by appointment, VIP clients can relax in the 130-square-foot private fitting room for the ultimate luxury shopping experience.
The City Center venue will also be one of the few stores to preview the Spring Summer 2010 Versus Collection for Women followed by the Fall Winter 2010 Versus Collection for Men and Women.
SkyZone Recreational Center, located east of Tropicana Avenue and Boulder Highway, celebrated its 6th anniversary on Thursday, February 18 with complimentary food, drinks and fun. Formerly SkyMania Fun Center; the sports, fitness, and entertainment center is home to The World's First All-Trampoline-Walled Playing Field that allows players to experience 3D sports games and activities in which they can simultaneously move on the ground, bounce/jump 10-15 feet in the air, on wall to wall, floor to ceiling, trampolines. Activities created in this one of a kind environment for the entire family include 3D dodgeball, open-court jumping, sky-robics, and athlete cross-training, among others that are not only loads of fun but great for keeping fit. The venue hosts birthday parties (beginning at $15/person) and corporate team-building events, as well as Friday Night Lockdown from 10pm-12m for those aged 16 and over.
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Barry and Louise Berlin having fun on the trampolines
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
After two years inside Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, Hawaiian Tropic Zone closed its doors Sunday February 21th. PBR Rock Bar, a restaurant and bar concept, will assume the space occupied by Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops. The opening of PBR Rock Bar is scheduled for Spring 2010.
Although Casino MonteLago is closing, MonteLago Village Resort, a separate entity, continues to be open providing services to customers. The business operations of MonteLago Village Resort will not be affected by the closing of the Casino MonteLago.
“Little Tony” performs as Keith Urban, the newest addition to the Country Superstars Tribute Show in the Showroom at Whiskey Pete’s Hotel & Casino in Primm, Nevada. Additional tribute artists include Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Charlie Daniels, Trisha Yearwood and Big & Rich. Showtime for the 75-minute production is 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $21.95.
Donna Egan of Reading, Pennsylvania was the big winner at Hooters Casino Hotel on February 17, her 60th birthday. She won the progressive jackpot for $108,060.33 on her favorite slot machine, Monopoly.
In a state-wide effort to encourage and celebrate reading, Henderson Libraries celebrate Nevada Reading Week, March 1-5. The Henderson Libraries will kick off the celebration with an event on Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Galleria Library in the Galleria, located at 1300 W. Sunset Road, near Stephanie Street in Henderson Sunset. The event, which will run from 2-3 p.m., will feature local author Lewis Kimberly, who will entertain the audience with tales of Granny McFanny, the leading character in Kimberly’s children’s books. Granny McFanny will also make a guest appearance and children will have the opportunity to create a Granny McFanny-themed craft. Kimberly will also be available after her reading to sell and sign copies of her book.
The UNLV Department of Music presents the 10th Annual African-American Music Celebration on Sunday, February 28 at 6p.m. in Doc Rando Concert Hall located on the northeast end of the university campus in Beam Music Building. More than 100 performers will participate. Admission to this popular annual concert is free and features the UNLV vocal students, ensembles, and solo performances by undergraduate and graduate voice majors.
The Los Angeles Police Department will host the 2010 Annual Conference of California Homicide Investigators Association (CHIA) March 2 – 5, 2010 at the Palms Casino Resort. The 2010 CHIA Conference, as is typical for professional association conferences, will provide those associated with homicide investigations, continuing education, training and networking opportunities. A unique aspect of the conference will be a first-ever “Behind-The-Scenes” look at some of the most notable homicides and critical incidents that occurred in Los Angeles over the past 100 years. Admission to the event will be limited to CHIA members on Tuesday March 2, 2010 and then open free of charge to the general public on March 3 and March 4, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Nevada Alliance for Defense, Energy and Business and The Jewish Federation of Las Vegas are co-sponsoring a forum on energy security entitled 'America’s Power Portfolio: What is Nuclear Energy’s Role’ on March 4, 2010. The event will be held at the Atomic Testing Museum (755 E. Flamingo Rd.) at 6:30 p.m. A wine and cheese reception will begin at 6:00 p.m.
A fundraising concert featuring a star studded lineup of Las Vegas entertainers will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, for singer/musical conductor Bill Fayne who developed complications in his recovery from major surgery for cancer (due to his diabetes). Saluting Fayne will be Terry Fator, Frankie Scinta, Lance Burton, Louie Anderson, Robin Leach, Sandy Hackett & the Rat Pack Show, the ladies from “Menopause,” Elvis Presley tribute artist Paul Casey, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute artists “Oh What A Night” and Human Nature. Also, Domenick Allen, Leigh Zimmerman, Cayleigh Capaldi, Rick Faugno, Lena Prima, 5th Avenue, Voci Vegas, the Las Vegas Tenors, Tony Sacca, Jerry Lopez, Jeff Neiman, Vincent Falcone and a chorus of Fayne’s friends. Tickets are $45, $35 and $25 inclusive and are available at the Suncoast box office and other Boyd Gaming properties.
Volunteers are needed to man the phones and assist in administrative tasks for the Jewish Federation Campaign Super Sunday Phone-a-Thon, Sunday, March 7, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Now is the time to open your hands and extend them to our community. Now is the time to open your heart and say how can I help? To volunteer call Diane 732-0556, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There will also be a collection of canned goods and toiletry items for the JFSA Food Pantry.
GRAMMY winners Zac Brown Band, named Best New Artist at the 2010 GRAMMY Awards, are bringing their Breaking Southern Ground Tour to The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Saturday, March 13. Tickets prices start at $36 (plus applicable service fees).
Singing sensation Clint Holmes brings his powerful voice and magnetic stage presence back to the Suncoast Showroom, March 13 and 14. Tickets are priced from $29.95, plus tax. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Klip It For Kidz fundraiser, sponsored by Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (METRO for the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, will be held on Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Town Square Las Vegas. Money raised at the event helps children and families in Southern Nevada affected by cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. Those interested in shaving their heads or cutting their hair can download a pledge form at www.nvccf.org or on Facebook (search: Klip It For Kidz) and collect pledges from family, friends, co-workers, etc. now through March 13. After turning over their pledges, they’ll step up to the barber chair in the southwest parking lot of Town Square Las Vegas, near Rave Motion Pictures to shave off their winter hairdo or donate 10 inches or more to Locks of Love. Klip It For Kidz also will feature live entertainment and appearances by Las Vegas celebrities, demonstrations by METRO’s K-9 unit, food and a lot of fun for the entire family. Further information about Klip It For Kidz is available and pledge forms can be downloaded at www.nvccf.org.
Dennis DeYoung, former singer and songwriter of Chicago-based rock group Styx, will perform at The Orleans Showroom March 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced from $19.95, plus tax.
Three-time Oscar and five-time GRAMMY® Award-winner Michel Legrand will perform a tribute to his 50 years of music and movies at the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. During the show, Legrand will conduct a 66-piece orchestra and perform with many of his superstar friends such as Jones, Flack, Warwick, Steve Lawrence, Melissa Manchester, Neil Sedaka, Jerry Lewis, Andy Williams, George Benson and Patti Page. The event will pay musical tribute to some of Legrand’s Academy Award-winning MGM movies including “Yentl,” “Thomas Crown Affair” and “Summer of 42.” The superstar extravaganza also will be captured on film for a made-for-TV-special to air at a later date.Tickets are priced at $150, $85 and $62.50, not including applicable service charges and taxes.
Celebrity Sightings:
Tuesday, February 3rd was a very special VIP night for the Dirty Joke Show at Hooters Casino Hotel. In attendance were the lovely ladies from the Fantasy Show at the Luxor. Strip Headliner, Kevin Burke, also made a special appearance on stage with funnymen Geechy Guy, Todd Paul and John Bizarre.
John Bizarre, Kevin Burke, Geechy Guy and Todd Paul
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Geechy Guy, Kevin Burke and Todd Paul with Fantasy Girls
Tuesday, February 16…
Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul was spotted with fellow actor Ashton Holmes and a group of friends having dinner at TAO Asian Bistro. Afterwards the group made their way to the Foo Fighters concert. They returned after the concert, commanding a VIP table at LAVO and taking in the scene at LAVO’s True Religion Brand Jeans party with special guest DJ Samantha Ronson.
Angel McCord, sister of 90210 star AnnaLynne McCord, attended the Sovage Jeans launch party at Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas. The oldest McCord sister chatted with Sovage Jeans designer and hip hop artist Won-G.
Angel McCord
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy
MAGIC International hosted the S.L.A.T.E. party at Vanity nightclub inside the new HRH Tower at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. PEEPSHOW star Holly Madison was spotted enjoying the festivities while Josh Madden, brother of Benji and Joel Madden (Good Charlotte), tore up the turntables as the special guest DJ.
Holly Madison
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Josh Madden
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Wednesday night, February 17 veteran rocker Ozzy Osbourne was seen at Society Café inside Encore.
Rocker Tommy Lee took over house night at Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas to host the King Baby Studio grand opening after-party. Lee showed up to the hotspot shortly after 11 p.m. with his girlfriend, German-born singer Sofia Toufa. Enjoying the electro house set were King Baby owner Mitchell Binder; legendary skate boarder Danny Way; DJ Scotty Boy and guitarist SmittyonSteel.
Tommy Lee
Photo credit: Denise Truscello
Mixed martial art fighters (MMA) Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, Jake Shields, Punkass, SkySkrape, and Scott Epstein hosted the official TapouT MAGIC after party at Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand where they showcased TapouT’s newest trends and styles in their counterculture clothing line.
Dan Henderson
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna/MGM Grand
Chuck Liddell
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna/MGM Grand
Punkass
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna/MGM Grand
Sky Skrape
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna/MGM Grand
Jake Shields, Mark Post and Sky Skrape
Photo credit: Vic Bonadonna/MGM Grand
Legendary heavy metal drummer, Vinnie Paul, and Carrot Top made for an unusual pair at Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Cantina at Miracle Mile Shops where they enjoyed live rock and roll by the Sin City Sinners.
Thursday night, February 18, Nelly played host at TAO for Worship Thursday. Celebrating his clothing line Apple Bottom Jeans, the rapper arrived at TAO with younger brother, St. Lunatic rapper City Spud.
Nelly
Photo credit: Al Powers
City Spud, DJ Five and Nelly
Photo credit: Al Powers
City Spud and Nelly on the Tao Red Carpet
Photo credit: Al Powers
Nelly performs at Tao
Photo credit: Al Powers
Also spotted were Marlon Wayans, Tito Ortiz and poker player Phil Hellmuth.
Friday, February 19, actor William Fichtner (TV’s Invasion) was seen having lunch at Society Café Encore before heading to the 7 p.m. premiere of Viva ELVIS at Aria.
At LAVO inside The Palazzo, gossip blogger Perez Hilton hosted a celebrity Tweet Up. The “Queen of All Media” enjoyed dinner at the Italian eatery with Holly Madison and Laura Croft of E!’s new show Holly’s World before heading upstairs to host in the nightclub.
Also spotted dining at LAVO was Lauren “Lo” Bosworth, of MTV’s The Hills, along with her sister. They joined Perez, Holly and Laura upstairs in the nightclub after dinner.
Also spotted at LAVO, Jared Padalecki of CW’s Supernatural celebrating his bachelor party. He will marry costar Genevieve Cortese next week in Idaho.
At TAO, Slash played host. After enjoying dinner at TAO Asian Bistro with wife Perla and friends, the rocker adjourned to the moat sky box overlooking the entire club. Poker pro Phil Hellmuth joined Slash at his table in the nightclub.
Perla and Slash
Photo credit: Al Powers
Rapper T-Pain dined at TAO and hit the club as part of the Poker Stars event held earlier in the evening.
NBA All Star Charles Barkley celebrated his 47th birthday at TAO.
At a table nearby, UFC fighter Tito Ortiz along with Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the Block, and Marlon Wayans.
Tito Ortiz and Donny Wahlberg
Photo credit: Al Powers
Also spotted, Entourage star Kevin Connolly with several players from the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers, skater Tony Hawk and Indy driver Ryan Hunter Ray, model Joanna Krupa, A.J. Buckley from CSI, Shaun Sipos and Nicholas Gonzalez from Melrose Place, Heroes star James Kyson Lee and members of the Washington Redskins.
Rapper Too Short partying inside Vanity nightclub with an unknown lady friend.
Rapper Too Short
Photo credit: Cody Boor/Hard Rock Hotel
Holly Madison and Queen of all media Perez Hilton were later spotted at Blush Boutique Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas.
Holly Madison and Perez Hilton
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy
Saturday, February 20,
Paris Hilton celebrated her 29th birthday At TAO. She was joined by boyfriend Doug Reinhardt, parents Rick and Kathy and a group of friend. The group dined under the watchful eye of TAO’s famed Buddha on a feast of Asian specialties. All gathered around when a tower of cupcakes (a gift from mom Kathy) was brought out to the table and the restaurant joined in singing “Happy Birthday”. Perez Hilton also stopped by the table to wish his namesake a happy birthday.
Paris Hilton celebrates her 29th birthday
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Paris Hilton and Doug Reinhardt
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Paris Hilton's parents Rick and Kathy Hilton
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Former NBA pro Charles Barkley, who turned 47 on Saturday continued the party he started at TAO on Friday by taking over a VIP table in the nightclub, and former NFL player Jamie Sharper and his brother Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints were spotted at another VIP table on the dance floor.
Floyd Mayweather Jr., also had an early celebration for his birthday. The boxer, who turns 33 on February 24th was feted with a dinner by family and friends on the mezzanine level of the restaurant.
Brian Baumgartner from the TV series, The Office, dined at TAO with friends, as did Law and Order’s Chris Noth, aka Mr. Big from Sex and the City. Noth was later spotted in a sky box overlooking the nightclub, while Baumgartner joined the owner’s table on the dance floor.
Comedian Jay Mohr and wife, actress Nikki Cox visited TAO Nightclub.
Wynonna Judd was in the audience at Criss Angel's "Believe" at the Luxor.
Real Housewives of New York City star Kelly Bensimon stopped by Laguna Champagne Bar at The Palazzo with friends. Afterwards, she headed to LAVO at The Palazzo for dinner.
Kelly Bensimon
Photo credit: Al Powers
Saturday night at LAVO, a number of celebs dined at the Italian eatery. Mad Men’s Christina Hendricks and Neil Patrick Harris from How I Met Your Mother gathered a group of friends for a dinner.
Neil Patrick Harris, David Burkta and Christina Hendricks
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Giuliana and Bill Rancic enjoyed a romantic dinner, while nearby Kelly Bensimon of the Real Housewives of NYC dined with friends before heading up to the nightclub. Survivor host Jeff Probst also dined at LAVO.
Bill and Giuliana Rancic
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Jeff Probst
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Rapper and hip hop artist Wale, who hosted in the nightclub, began with dinner in the restaurant.
Wale
Photo Credit: Denise Truscello
Actress Haylie Duff celebrated her 25th birthday along with friends at Vanity nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Haylie Duff with DJ Clinton Sparks
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Haylie Duff
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Also at Vanity nightclub, MMA fighter Tito Ortiz hanging out with three male friends at a VIP table.
Tito Ortiz
Photo credit: Cody Boor / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Sunday, February 21...
Neil Patrick Harris ate brunch at Hash House A Go Go, the Sahara and Rainbow location, with "Survivor" host Jeff Probst and a couple of friends.
Sunday night John Stamos and friends wrtr spotted dining at LAVO inside The Palazzo.
Over at TAO was rapper and hip hop artist Wale.
Darren Sharper, member of the New Orleans Saints – 2010 Super Bowl Champions, spotted hanging out with several friends at Vanity nightclub inside the HRH Tower at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Darren Sharper and Jason Giambi
Photos credit: Scott Berry / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Marcos Curiel, guitarist for rock band P.O.D., was seen arriving with friends to Vanity nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino around 1:30 a.m.
Marcos Curiel
Photos credit: Scott Berry / Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Also at Vanity nightclub, Jared Fogle, better known as “Subway Jared” or “The Subway Guy.”
Tuesday, February 23… actress Gabrielle Union was spotted having breakfast at Society Café Encore. Union’s table of nine included City of Las Vegas Councilman Ricky Barlow
UFC fighter Tito Ortiz, and some friends, visited LAVO for industry night.
I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.
