By Judy Thorburn

Second Annual Wine Festival, Festivino, Kicks Off at the Venetian and The Palazzo

The Venetian and The Palazzo kicked off the second annual Festivino, a celebration of Bordeaux throughout the month of October, with a wine tasting event Friday night, September 30 in The Palazzo waterfall atrium and gardens. The event drew more than 200 guests who sipped on wines from acclaimed wineries such as Château Giscours and Reserve de Barons de Rothschild while enjoying food samplings from restaurants including Zine, Aquaknox, Bouchon, First Food & Bar, Carnevino and Venetian Executive Chef Olivier Dubreuil.

Master sommeliers were on hand to provide insights into the wine and what makes Bordeaux wine in a class of its own. Surrounded by the unique Harvest Crush autumn display featuring more than 10,000 grape clusters, 30 wine casks and 1,000 pounds of wine corks donated from the resorts’ restaurants, guests enjoyed the musical sounds of a violin trio and grape stomping performers.

Festivino will continue through October featuring prix fixe menus with Bordeaux pairings at Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro and Pinot Brasserie, two-for-one Bordeaux by the glass at select restaurants and bars at the resorts and flights of quality Bordeaux wines at casino bars and lounges. Additionally, The Venetian and The Palazzo are offering a Bordeaux suite package including complimentary bottles of wine

Bordeux
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak/ ImagesOfVegas.com

Carnevino
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak/ ImagesOfVegas.com

The crowd
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak/ ImagesOfVegas.com

Palazzo fountains
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak/ ImagesOfVegas.com

Grape stomping
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak/ ImagesOfVegas.com

wine sampling
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak/ ImagesOfVegas.com

The Mirage Hosts Worlds Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth 2011

The Mirage Hotel and Casino played host to Mario Barth's World's Biggest Tattoo Show on Earth, Friday thru Sunday September 30, October 1 and 2. The three day event took place in one of the convention halls and featured rows and rows of vender booths offering clothing, apparel, jewelry for purchase, the latest trends from the tattoo world and seminars. There were also several tattoo contests where participants strutted their stuff on stage and were judged on their body art.

Also in attendance were top tattoo artists from all over the U.S. and around the globe including Japan, Samoa and Europe. Everywhere you looked there were people from all ethnicities and ages, from teens to senior citizens whose arms, legs, torso, face or even their entire body were used as a canvass of artistic expression. No longer associated with bikers, gangs, rock stars, boxers, wrestlers, or religious sects, tattoos have become a permanent fashion accessory adapted by main stream society.

It was interesting to see all types of people, from all walks of life, whose tattoos have become a signature part of their identity. For instance, at first glance you would never expect Julie, a mild manner, sweet faced 57 year old cat lover from a small town in Michigan to be a tattoo enthusiast. But then, you can't help but notice that her arms, legs, and front and back of her upper torso, are adorned with all sorts of beautiful felines, some with angelic wings. She told me she decided to get her first tattoo when she turned 50. Since then she has spent over $20,000 to have her body turned into a work of art...and her masterpiece isn't finished, yet.

Since a picture tells a thousand words, check out the below photos from the convention to see a sample of the attendees that proudly displayed their extraordinary body artwork.

Tattoo Expo Gallery
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Mario Barth

Legendary tattoo artist Horitoshi from Japan

Cat lover/tattoo enthusiast, Julie




Platinum Tattoos
Josh, Gill and Joe












Mario Barth, 'Beatle's Love' Executive Producer, David Saltz and fan




Mario Barth's Starlight Tattoos and King Ink booth

Cast of Jersey Boys Hosts Fashion Show and Clothing Drive to Benefit HELP of Southern Nevada

Cast members from JERSEY BOYS hosted an interactive retro-inspired fashion show event on Sunday afternoon October 2 at Fashion Show to benefit HELP of Southern Nevada. Emceed by KLAS-TV news anchor Dayna Roselli, the event consisted of a clothing drive, fashion show, prize raffle and exclusive meet and greet with JERSEY BOYS cast members.

A huge, enthusiastic crowd gathered to watch Jersey Boys cast members strut down the runway modeling the latest looks from Banana Republic’s “Mad Men” collection. Event attendees donated clothes which will help hundreds of HELP of Southern Nevada’s clients, by providing warm clothing for youth ages 16-21 and career clothing for professionals looking for work in Nevada.

Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image

Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image

Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image

Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image

Following the fashion show, guests were given an opportunity to meet, take photographs, and receive autographs from cast members. Fans of all ages ranged from a small toddler who knows of the show’s music by heart to a woman who saw the Four Seasons in concert back in the 1960s.

The event was a huge success for HELP of Southern Nevada’s “Career Closet” and HELP’s Shannon West Youth Center as they received generous clothing donations.

Epicurean Charitable Foundation Celebrates 10th Annual M.E.N.U.S. Fundraiser Event

The Epicurean Charitable Foundation of Las Vegas held its 10th annual scholarship fundraiser, M.E.N.U.S. (Mentoring & Educating Nevada’s Upcoming Students) on Friday night, September 30, at the M Resort Spa & Casino’s pool. Some of the city’s top restaurants participated in a “dine around” followed by a live concert by Lifehouse.

Lifehouse lead singer, Jason Wade, addressed a group of about 20 ECF scholarship recipients from the stage and said, “I look forward to seeing some of you on the Food Network, someday!” Along with other members of the band, Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. (drums, percussion), Bryce Soderberg (bass guitar, back-up vocals) and Ben Carey (guitar), Wade toured the various restaurants stations and stopped for photographs and to mingle with fans.

Celebrity chef Kerry Simon served up sliders at his booth for KGB Burgers at Harrah’s Las Vegas, while famed pitmaster, Keith Schmidt of Kreuz Market in Lockhart Texas served up jalapeno sausage at the Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ & Beer booth. Kreuz Market, Zagat’s #2 pick for top barbeque in the nation, is bringing their 100-plus-old family recipe when the new barbeque and beer joint opens in early December.

Comme Ca, the contemporary French eatery by David Myers at the Cosmopolitan served Hamachi tartare with black truffle perfume, lime curd and sesame brittle by executive chef, Brian Howard. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino brought a two-level Hard Rock experience complete with an array of selections including cheesecake truffles with cotton candy from Johnny Smalls, prime beef sliders on pretzel bread from the new 35 Steaks + Martinis, and a festive mix of house-made chips, tacos and ceviche from Pink Taco. The new Rice & Company serviced spicy tuna and lettuce wraps, and Tender, the upscale steakhouse at Luxor, served xx. Olives at Bellagio served chicken satay and bruschetta,

Southern Wine & Spirits and Wirtz Beverage Nevada featured libations by Ambhar Tequila, Bacardi, Ultimat Vodka, Patron, Red Stripe, Coors, and many others.

ECF’s annual M.E.N.U.S. event raises money toward awarding scholarships in the hospitality industry for students who demonstrate strong academic performance and financial need.

left to right: Lifehouse band members Ben Carey, Jason Wade and Rick Woolstenhulme, Jr. pose in front of the guitars at the Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ + Beer booth
Photo credit: David Becker/WireImage

Kerry Simon at the KGB booth
Photo credit: David Becker/WireImage

Lynyrd Skynyrd BBQ + Beer Pitmaster Keith Schmidt
Photo credit: David Becker/WireImage

Atmosphere at M Resort
Photo credit: David Becker/WireImage

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

LA ISLA UNIFORMS donated $3,815.55 to Dress for Success Southern Nevada on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in honor of its Ninth Anniversary.  La Isla Uniforms celebrated its Ninth Anniversary for nine days from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3 with nine percent of its proceeds being donated to Dress for Success Southern Nevada.

Following the sold-out performance of the multi-platinum rock band, Incubus inside The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday, Oct. 8, guests are invited to enjoy a special set by bass player, Ben Kenney, inside The Lounge at 11 p.m. The show is FREE for all guests.

The world’s No. 1 musical, Disney’s THE LION KING will celebrate its 1,000th performance at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Sunday, October 23. THE LION KING's run in La Vegas marks the production's longest North American engagement off Broadway.The smash hit will commemorate this remarkable feat by awarding free show tickets to 1,000 Las Vegas elementary school students. From now through Wednesday, Oct. 19, THE LION KING is challenging Clark County School District (CCSD) students in grades one through five to write a short essay on “Why My School Should Go to THE LION KING” for the opportunity to see the show before its final performance Friday, Dec. 30. A panel of judges from CCSD will read all submissions and the winning student and his or her school  will receive the amazing opportunity to visit the imaginative African Savannah in celebration of an incredible two-and-a-half years on The Strip.

The Palms Casino Resort has created the PLAYBOY PARTY PIT, an energetic, devoted space on the casino floor featuring Playboy bunny dealers, giving blackjack players an amped up gaming experience.   The Playboy Party Pit consists of six blackjack tables and is located next to the walkway between The Pearl Concert Theater and The Lounge at the Palms.  The pit is open Thursday and Sunday from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

UNLV Athletics has teamed with the Fremont Street Experience to present the “RUNNIN' REBEL EXPERIENCE”, a unique fan event to be held Friday, Oct. 14, at the 3rd Street Stage adjacent to Fitzgeralds, Fremont and Four Queens in downtown Las Vegas . Festivities are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. PT with a short program and introduction of the basketball team is set for 7 p.m. PT. Afterwards, players will be available for autographs and photos with fans. Additional activities will be available for fans of all ages. The event is free to the public and entertainment is scheduled throughout the Fremont Street Experience after the Runnin’ Rebel event.

"Runnin’ Rebel Weekend" will continue the following day as UNLV will hold an open workout and a Scarlet & Gray scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 15, in the Cox Pavilion, which is adjacent to the Thomas & Mack Center. Attendance is free, but seating will be limited to the first 3,500 fans in attendance on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors are scheduled to open at 5 p.m. PT with basketball activities set to begin at 5:30 p.m. PT.

JEANATTE JURADO, multi-platinum artist and member of the popular girl group, Exposé, will debut new music from her first solo project with a special concert for fans, Friday, October 21 at 8 p.m. at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water Street, in the Water Street District, for the City of Henderson’s ArtBeat series. Admission is FREE.

Legendary artist PAUL SIMON will perform at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for one night only on Monday, October 24 at 7:30 PM.Ticket prices are $145, $120, $85 and $59.50 (plus applicable taxes and fees).

The Village at Las Vegas hosts the annual ENDLESS SUMMER CRUISE CAR SHOW at the Lake Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring up to 150 of the area’s top hot rods and muscle cars. In addition to the car show, guests can partake in raffles for great prizes, giveaways, games and a live auction with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the local USO. A DJ will keep the energy going throughout the day. This event is FREE and open to the public.

THE OSMONDS brothers Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy – return to perform at The Orleans Showroom October 28, 29 and 30, each evening at 8 p.m. Tickets start from $38.50, plus tax and convenience fees.

SUGAR FACTORY has partnered with the NEVADA CHILDHOOD CANCER FOUNDATION for the third annual year, to hold a special “TRICK OR TREAT” event for children fighting cancer on Sunday, October 30, at their flagship location inside Paris Las Vegas. The famed treat shop will open its doors and candy bins to NCCF who will be dressed in their spooky or sweet costumes, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The children are invited for a magical afternoon of filling their Sugar Factory candy bags with all of the Halloween candy they could want. The event is sponsored on behalf of the Davidovici family and held in honor of Linda Leff.

Celebrity Sightings:

Wednesday, September 29, Hip hop group, EPMD, whose name is an acronym for “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars” consists of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, hosted LAVO’s Old School Wednesday.

Engaged couple Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez from  The Bachelorette dined at TAO with a group of friends.

EPMD
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery

Ali Fedotowsky and Roberto Martinez
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery

Thursday, September 29,Tryst Nightclub in Las Vegas celebrated resident DJ Jermaine Dupri’s 39th birthday alongside thousands of fans.

DJ Jermaine Dupri
Photo credit: Danny Mahoney/Tryst Nightclub

Friday night, September 30…

Actress Meagan Good was spotted in the Boom Box room at Marquee sipping Champagne with friends.

At TAO Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, took in the sounds of DJ Reach with friends.

One of mainstream radio’s hottest names, singer/songwriter Mike Posner performed live at PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace.

Saturday afternoon, October 1, Posner also performed his chart-topping hits poolside at Caesars Palace' Venus Pool Club to a sea of sun-kissed females.

Mike Posner
Photo credit: Scott Berry

Saturday night, October 1...

Actresses Allison Janney, Kate Walsh and Sara Ramirez were spotted at a VIP table inside The Library at Marquee, while DJ Tiesto made a late night stop in the main room to check out the EC Twins.

Grey Damon, best known for his roles in Friday Night Lights and True Blood, dined with nightlife queen Allison Melnick and friends at TAO Asian Bistro.

Katie Welch, Grey Damon and Allison Melnick
Photo credit: Al Powers/Powers Imagery

Brit Morgan and Guillermo Diaz with birthday cupcakes at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Jessica Lowndes with a signature Sugar Factory Couture Pop
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Actress Meagan Good also was in attendance at the legendary nightclub.

Bam Margera
Photo Credit: Steven Lawton


Meagan Good
Photo Credit: Steven Lawton

Jessica Lowndes in VIP booth at Gallery Nightclub in Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage

AnnaLynne McCord from the hit television series “90210” kicked off the Women’s Rebuild for the St. Bernard Project at PURE Nightclub inside Caesars Palace. Known for her remarkable efforts and involvement in various charities, including this project, the young Hollywood actress dedicated her evening to raising awareness and funds to support its work.

Arriving at the Las Vegas hotspot she posed for photos with 41- year-old boyfriend, Dominic Purcell, and sister Rachel McCord.Directly following the red carpet, she was then escorted to PURE’s main stage where she and her entourage settled in at their VIP table.

AnnaLynne McCord with boyfriend Dominic Purcell
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com

AnnaLynne McCord with sister Rachel
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com

Sunday, October 2... 80's pop singer, Tiffany celebrated her 40th birthday at LAVO. She dined at the Italian restaurant with friends before heading up to the nightclub to take in the sounds of DJ Vice.

In the afternoon, electronic music artist Steve Angello of Swedish House Mafia took over the DJ booth at WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand during the hotspot's summer closing bash.

Steve Angello
Photo credit: © Erik Kabik/RETNA/erikkabik.com

Monday night, October 3, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort along with a party of 7.