Vegas Happenings | Locks of Love | Rio Spa and Salon

Locks of Love Cut-A-Thon at Rio Spa and Salon Raises 61 Ponytails to Benefit Children In Need

Rio Spa & Salon hosted its 2nd annual Locks of Love Cut-A-Thon recently in which participating patrons had their hair cut and then donated their trimmed tresses for a good cause. Donated hair will go to the Locks of Love organization and will be turned into wigs and hairpieces for children undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from other medical illnesses.

This year’s event raised a total of 61 ponytails to benefit the organization and was  held in honor of Rylie Cruz, the granddaughter of a longtime Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino employee, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year.

The Cut-A-Thon was a family affair for one Las Vegas family in particular. Seven-year-old Rowena Gellett heard about the event and decided to donate her 19-inch ponytail, which had never been cut. Seeing her enthusiasm, both of her parents also participated; her father Michael Gellett donated 22-inches bringing in  the second-longest donation of the day. The longest ponytail donation of the day belonged to 12-year-old Hope Marroquin who donated a 26-inch ponytail.

All of the hair donated from this year’s Cut-A-Thon will benefit Locks of Love. For those who are interested in donating, Rio Spa & Salon at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will continue collecting ponytail donations all year long. For more information please visit www.riolasvegas.com or call 702-777-7779.

Seven year-old Rowena Gellett donates her hair to help kids in need at Rio Spa & Salon’s Locks of Love Cut-A-Thon.
Photo credit: Rio Spa & Salon


The Gallett family poses after all three donated their ponytails to Locks of Love.
Photo credit: Rio Spa & Salon


12-year-old Hope Marroquin has the longest Locks of Love contribution of the day with a 26-inch ponytail donation.
Photo credit: Rio Spa & Salon


Locks of Love “Catch of the Day” board showcases the longest ponytails of the day including donations from Rowena Gallett and her father Michael.
Photo credit: Rio Spa & Salon

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

On Friday, August 19, Major General Bill Hyatt and his wife Becky were special guests of the Las Vegas production of JERSEY BOYS at the Palazzo.  The couple were invited to the show as a thank you for the private tour the cast was given of Nellis Air Force Base last month.  The cast called the couple on stage after curtain call in front of a full house to present the Major General with a framed, signed Jersey Boys poster. During the presentation, cast member Deven May said, "We wouldn't be able to be up here doing what we do every night if it wasn't for you and the other brave men and women at Nellis who sere our country everyday."

The Major General also presented the cast with a framed photograph of the United State Airforce Thunderbirds.

(From L to R: Deven May, Rick Faugno, Peter Saide, Major General Bill Hyatt, Mrs. Becky Hyatt, Travis Cloer, Jeff Leibow)


(From L to R: Jeff Leibow, Rick Faugno, Major General Bill Hyatt, Travis Cloer, Deven May, Peter Saide)

MGM GRAND continues to be the industry leader for another year garnering an extraordinary number of wins for the hotel during the 2011 Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards.  For the second consecutive year, an incredible 11 MGM Grand restaurants including Joël Robuchon Restaurant, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, NOBHILL TAVERN by Michael Mina, SEABLUE by Michael Mina, Pearl, Shibuya and Fiamma Trattoria & Bar, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill and Diego garnered awards, more than any other property in the world. 

The producers of AN EVENING AT LA CAGE at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino have decided to has add a 3 p.m. matinee to its schedule every Sunday beginning August 14. Show times are 9 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday and 3 p.m. Sunday.

PBR ROCK BAR & GRILL invites revelers to commemorate one successful year of dining, entertainment and bull riding at its anniversary bash on Thursday, Sept. 1. The over-the-top party will be sponsored by Las Vegas Weekly, Las Vegas Magazine, Budweiser and one of the world-leading liquor brands, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey.

In conjunction with the premier fashion trade show, MAGIC, PAUL FRANK'S ACADEMY OF AWESOME TOUR brings its 35-foot Winnebago and camps out at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, August 26 from 1 – 6 p.m. Within the walls of the famous vehicle, guests can tour its unique social media lounge and its amenities. In addition, Paul Frank’s team presents Battle of the Bands on the poolside REHAB stage  during the weekly Friday party, RELOAD.  Featuring three winning bands, partygoers will show off their talent, while Paul Frank’s team gives away official swag.  Next to the stage, guests are invited to bring personal items to be silk-screened, courtesy of Paul Frank.  For those who do not have items, the Paul Frank team will be giving away signature tote bags, while quantities last. 

Vanity Nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will pay tribute to ADAM “DJ AM” GOLDSTEIN on August 26. Aseries of special memorial events will br hosted by his friends and artists to support the "DJ AM Memorial Fund" in Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles. The DJ AM Turntable Tribute will be held from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. at Vanity Nightclub inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday, August 26.  Guests, who will enjoy small bites and a hosted bar amongst friends, will witness the permanent instillation of DJ AM’s turntables and mixer, as well as other treasured belongings of the world-famous DJ. A limited number of tickets for the memorial event are available at www.vanitytickets.com and all proceeds from the event, as well as ticket sales for general admission later that night, will go towards The DJ AM Memorial Fund.

Rockhouse, the only ultra-dive bar on the Strip will host a UFC 134 VIEWING PARTY complete with Vegas fighters on hand to watch the action as it happens from Rio de Janerio, Brazil on Saturday, August 27 starting at 6 p.m. The exciting matchup will feature American fighters, Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami, as they fight to the finish. Fight packages range from $25 to $80 and patrons can receive $5 Sailor Jerry cocktails, bottomless beer choices, an open bar throughout the fight and the opportunity to mix and mingle with local fighters while enjoying the fight on Rockhouse’s 28 high-definition television screens throughout the bar.


Fashionistas will have a chance to shop for a cause during FASHION NIGHT OUT September 8 from 6 – 10 pm at Crystals in City Center. Participating retailers will donate a percentage of sales to the local charity partner they have selected for the evening.

After five years in Clearwater, Florida, the WORLD TRIATHLON COPORATION (WTC) will officially move one of its most prestigious events, the MARINE CORPS IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 70.3, to the City of Henderson this fall. The Marine Corps Ironman World Championship 70.3 will take place Sunday, September 11, beginning at 6:30 a.m. at Loews Lake Las Vegas, 101 Montelago Boulevard. More than 1,800 domestic and international triathletes will qualify for the race that represents the culmination of more than 50 global qualifying events.  Spectator admission is FREE.

The 32ND ANNUAL SAN GENNARO FEAST will take place Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 13-18, 2011, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino Las Vegas in the northeast parking lot. The festival celebrating the spirit of San Gennaro features more than 70 restaurant food booths, amusements rides, arts and crafts and complimentary entertainment coordinated and hosted by Tony Sacca, who has been part of the event for more than 20 years. Every night, hundreds of dollars of San Gennaro Chips will be given away for food purchases, amusement rides and more. Tickets are $8 for adults / $7 for seniors at the door. Children 54 inches and under are free.

MIRANDA COSGROVE, star of Nickelodeon’s iCarly, has cancelled the remaining dates of her Dancing Crazy Summer Tour, which includes her Friday, September 16 appearance at the Henderson Pavilion, 200 S. Green Valley Parkway, to take time to properly recover from a broken ankle suffered last week when her tour bus was involved in an accident, per doctor’s orders.  For more information, visit HendersonLive.com, call (702) 267-4TIX (4849) or visit the Henderson Pavilion Box Office, Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Celebrity Sightings:

Wednesday night, August 17...

E!’s Holly’s World star Holly Madison dined on the outdoor patio at Todd English’s Olives at Bellagio.

Special Ed hosted Old School Wednesdays at LAVO. There in support of Ed was Flavor Flav, and after the performance the two stayed to take in the sounds of DJ Crooked.

Special Ed and Flavor Flav
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery

Special Ed
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery


Special Ed
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery

Thursday night, August 18...

Public Enemy hosted Worship Thursday at Tao Nightclub. Flavor Flav, Chuck D, Professor Griff and DJ Lord enjoyed dinner with their friends and family before taking over a booth in the nightclub.

Destin Pfaff, of Bravo TV’s Millionaire Matchmaker, was also spotted at Tao nightclub at a table with friends.

Over at Lavo, TV fashion correspondent Louise Roe was seen dining with a friend.

Flavor Flav and Chuck D
Photo credit: Al Powers


DJ Lord and Flavor Flav
Photo credit: Al Powers


Flavor Flav
Photo credit: Al Powers


Destin Pfaff
Photo credit: Al Powers

Teen musician and actress Demi Lovato had a glam-rock themed 19th birthday party at the ultra-exclusive Beacher’s Madhouse at the Roosevelt Hotel, along with her family, close friend and Buzznet correspondent, Hanna Beth Merjos.

Along with celebrating her 19th birthday, Lovato was also reveling in the release of her number one single, “Skyscraper.” When it came time for the superstar to blow out her candles, Beacher’s Madhouse brought out a towering skyscraper cake, in honor of her hit song and big day.

Lovato and Merjos at Sugar Factory’s birthday candy table inside Beacher’s Madhouse for Lovato’s 19th birthday


Skyscraper birthday cake for Lovato at Beacher’s Madhouse

Friday night, August 19...

Blue Crush 2 stars, Sasha Jackson and Elizabeth Mathis, celebrated their birthdays alongside co-star Sharni Vinson at Gallery Nightclub  inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.  Jackson and Mathis were surprised with a gorgeous baby blue three-tier birthday cake as the DJ spun different variations of "happy birthday" over the club speakers.

Also enjoying the night at Gallery was rapper Bobby Brackins with friends.

Sasha Jackson, Sharni Vinson and Elizabeth Mathis on the Gallery Nightclub red carpet
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


Jackson, Vinson and Mathis with birthday cake at Gallery Nightclub
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


Mathis, Vinson and Jackson at Gallery Nightclub
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


Bobby Brackins performing live at Gallery Nightclub
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss

Smoove Da General from Cali Swag District celebrated his 21st birthday and Elizabeth Mathis and Sasha Jackson, accompanied by co-star from the highly anticipated “Blue Crush 2” Sharni Vinson, continued their birthday celebration at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas.
After dinner both parties went into Sugar Factory’s sprawling retail store to see what birthday goodies they could find. 

Cali Swag District celebrates group member Smoove Da General’s 21st birthday at Sugar Factory American Brasserie.
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


“Blue Crush 2” actress Sharni Vinson helps co-stars Sasha Jackson and Elizabeth Vinson celebrate their birthday at Sugar Factory American Brasserie.
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


Cali Swag District shop sign Sugar Factory logo hats.
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


Mathis, Jackson and Vinson with couture pops inside the Sugar Factory retail store at Paris Las Vegas.

Screenwriter and film director M. Night Shyamalan was spotted at Marquee Nightclub with friends.

Dining at LAVO were Colton Haynes and Holland Roden from the MTV series Teen Wolf.  Dreama Walker from Gossip Girl was spotted dining at another table.

Saturday, August 20....

Kathleen Dunbar, Las Vegas Headline Comedian, and Ken Owens, Las Vegas Comedy Hypnotist, were at  South Point Saturday evening enjoying Wes Winters' show in the Grandview Lounge before attending Charo's performance in the SP Showroom. 

Kathleen Dunbar and Ken Owens
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis

Glee star Mark Salling celebrated his 29th birthday at Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub taking over a cabana with a group of friends that included co-star Cory Monteith.  Salling, who supports owl conservation charities, was surprised with an owl shaped cake as the group soaked in the sun and enjoyed the sounds of DJs Markus Schulz and Funkagenda.

The party continued with dinner at TAO Asian Bistro, where a fan sent over a shot for the birthday boy, and then wrapped up at Marquee Nightclub as the group partied under the stars to Diplo, whose set streamed live from inside the club’s main room to the outside pool deck.   Peepshow star Holly Madison joined in the celebration, making her way to the cabana to wish Salling a happy birthday.

Also spotted at Marquee Nightclub taking in the sounds of Diplo was signer Josh Groban as well as Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno.

The party was also rocking during the day at TAO Beach as notable names including M. Night Shyamalan, Bow Wow and NBA players including Luke Walton and Richard Jefferson took in the scene.

In the evening, M. Night Shyamalan enjoyed signature dishes at TAO with friends, while at another table Colton Haynes from Teen Wolf had dinner with a group of friends.

M. Night Shyamalan made his way to TAO nightclub as his group celebrated a cousin’s bachelor party and partied to the sounds of DJ Eric D-Lux.

Mark Salling
Photo credit: Al Powers


Mark Salling with birthday cake at Marquee Dayclub
Photo credit: Al Powers


Holly Madison and Mark Salling at Marquee Nightclub
Photo credit: Al Powers


Mark Salling with birthday cake at Marquee Nightclub
Photo credit: Al Powers

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi from the cast of MTV’s ‘Jersey Shore’ hosted not one, but two parties. She kicked-off the festivities in the afternoon with a poolside bash at WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand where she spent the afternoon dancing and drinking with friends, fans and boyfriend Jionni LaValle..  Fellow reality star Holly Madison was also present at the festivities as she hung out with Polizzi in her bungalow.

Later in the night, Polizzi kept the party going by heading out to LAX Nightclub with LaValle and her close friends.

"Snooki"
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com.


Jionni LaValle and "Snooki"
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com.

Musician, actor and producer, Ray J, indulged in a delicious dinner at Sugar Factory American Brasseri inside Paris Las Vegas. The industry triple threat was with a group of friends celebrating his beautiful girlfriend, Olivia Alvarez'
birthday.

Ray J with girlfriend, Olivia Alvarez, celebrating her birthday at Sugar Factory American Brasserie in Las Vegas
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss



Ray J gifting Alvarez with a limited edition Louis Vuitton handbag
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss


Ray J sharing a sweet moment with his birthday girl at Sugar Factory American Brasserie
Photo credit: WireImage/Angela Weiss

Power couple Vienna Girardi and Kasey Kahl hosted the ultimate “Bachelor Pad 2” party at Studio 54 inside MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.
Inside the illustrious night club, DJ Kid Jay kept the party popping with remixes of throwback jams such as The Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” along with current club hits like Chris Brown’s “Look At Me Now.”

Girardi and Kahl were joined by an entourage of close friends in an exclusive VIP area overlooking the packed nightclub.

Vienna Girardi at Studio 54
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty.


Vienna Girardi at Studio 54
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty.


Kasey Kahl at Studio 54
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty.


Erica Rose, Kasey Kahl and Vienna Girardi at Studio 54
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty.

Club Nikki at the all-new Tropicana Las Vegas hotel and casino welcomed the Official Hall of Fame Induction Party for basketball legend Dennis Rodman.

Rodman was joined by a large entourage. as soon as he hit the red carpet he was mobbed by well-wishers and it continued in the club where he made a point of walking through the crowd talking to and taking pictures with fans.

Club Nikki's Champagne Muse and the new burlesque dancers greeted Rodman.

Dennis Rodman
Photo credit: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com


Dennis Rodman
Photo credit: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com


Dennis Rodman
Photo credit: Tom Donoghue/DonoghuePhotography.com

Sunday, August 21...

Glee’s Mark Salling partied at Regatta Chic Sundays at Marquee Dayclub with music by The Captains of Industry Graham Funke and StoneRokk. 

At TAO Beach M. Night Shyamalan took in the sounds for Hardwell for Beatport Pool Sundays.

Lauren Conrad dined at LAVO with her business partner Maura McManus and friends. The fashion designer, author and former reality star is in town for Project to launch her new fashion line “paper crown”.

Mark Salling dined at LAVO before heading up to LAVO Nightclub to take in the sounds of Eric D Lux.
Also spotted at LAVO Nightclub was Swizz Beatz.

Loren Conrad
Photo credit: Al Powers


Loren Conrad toasts friends
Photo credit: Al Powers


Swizz Beatz and Eric DLux
Photo credit: Al Powers

Monday night, August 22...

Soap stars from ABC’s General Hospital Kelly Monaco and Kirsten Storms had dinner at Simon at Palms Place.

Kelly and Kirsten were filming at Simon and at the Palms Place Pool earlier in the day for their upcoming reality show on E! called Dirty Soap. The show is Executive produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos and will premiere in September.  

NBA Hall of famer Dennis Rodman and some friends had dinner at N9NE steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort last night.

Also spotted at N9NE Steakhouse Floyd Mayweather Jr. He was celebrating a family member’s birthday.

Kirsten Storms and Kelly Monaco
Photo credit: Ed Graff


Kirsten Storms, Kerry Simon and Kelly Monaco
Photo credit: Ed Graff

DJ and Electric Violinist Duo Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe performed a spirited set to a packed crowd at Marquee Monday.

Cheryl Burke, as well as Vanessa and Angela Simmons took in the scene in the main room.  Also spotted was Dennis Rodman, Ami James from Miami Ink and Chumlee from Pawn Stars while Angie Everhart was spotted in the Library.

Moretti and Moe fueled up for the night with dinner at TAO Asian Bistro, where they were joined by singer Josh Groban and friends.

Lauren Conrad was also spotted dining at TAO while at another table designer Kenneth Cole enjoyed Sake-Tinis, Sashimi and Seabass with friends.

Mia Moretti and Caitlin Moe
Photo credit: Al Powers


Caitlin Moe and Mia Moretti
Photo credit: Al Powers


Angie Everhart
Photo credit: Al Powers

Las Vegas’ hottest trendsetters came out to Tabù Ultra Lounge at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino to join MMA fighter Clay “The Carpenter” Guida and Playboy Playmate Charis Burrett for SilverStar Clothing’s MAGIC Party. The two friends kicked off the three-day fashion tradeshow in style at Sin City’s most sophisticated ultra lounge.

Playmate and SilverStar co-founder Burrett arrived on the red carpet looking hot in a black mini dress and booties with bright red lips. Burrett’s husband and SilverStar co-founder Luke Burrett accompanied the sexy model looking sharp in white jeans, sneakers and a blue button down. Sponsored by SilverStar since 2009, the lightweight champ Guida rocked one of the brand’s signature tees with jeans and sneakers while playfully posing for photographers. Also joining the fun on the red carpet were Tapout clothing partners Dan “Punkass” Caldwell and Tim "SkySkrape" Katz and MMA fighter Kim Couture.

Inside the hot spot, the group mingled with friends, including MMA superstars Melvin Guillard and Stephan Bonnar, in their exclusive VIP area and danced to the electric sounds of Tabù resident DJ Zhaldee. The group toasted to SilverStar Clothing’s success as one of the most recognized t-shirt, belt buckle and accessory designers in the world. The fashion moguls continued to party the night away at Vegas’ premiere ultra lounge.

Tuesday, August 23...

Actor Mark Wahlberg and some friends had lunch at Simon at Palms Place.