Vegas Happenings | Celebrities Join Acclaimed Photographer Peter Lik at Grand Opening of Lik Mandalay

World-famous landscape photographer Peter Lik celebrated the opening of his new gallery, Lik Mandalay and unveiled a brand-new photo, inside the heart of The Shoppes at Mandalay Place on Saturday, Feb. 25.

Lik was on hand at the grand opening which marked his first public appearance since 2009.  Along with invited guests and hundreds of his collectors, he was joined by several celebrities including prop comedian/Las Vegas headliner Carrot Top, master illusionist Criss Angel, Pawn Star's Rick Harrison with his new fiancée, Deanna Burditt, comedy magician Murray SawChuck, Peepshow star Holly Madison, singer Joey Fatone, football Hall of Famer and former NFL running back Gayle Sayer, the sexy girls from X Burlesque at The Flamingo, former "American Idol” finalist Jacob Lusk, Rick Dale of Rick's Restorations, Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot.

Peter Lik
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image

Holly Madison with Peter Lik
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image


Joey Fatone with Peter Lik
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image


Peter Lik and Criss Angel
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image


Pawn Star Rick Harrison, Peter Lik, Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot and American Idol contestant Jacob Lusk
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn


Peter Lik with Paul Shortino of Quiet Riot
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn


Pawn Star Rick Harrison with Peter Lik
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn


Carrot Top with Peter Lik
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

A total sensory experience, Lik Mandalay is spread across a sprawling 3,266 square feet and features 55 of Lik’s world-famous photographs, including “Pele’s Whisper,” which is Lik’s most-awarded shot, “Sacred Sunrise” and “Eternal Beauty.”Recently, more than 12 pieces of Lik’s art were purchased and will be featured in the final episode of “Desperate Housewives” that is scheduled to air in May.   The pieces, which were purchased from The Caesars Palace gallery, include “Earth’s Elder,” “Mauna Lani,” “Sierra Cascades,” “Kauai Dreaming,” “Endless Summer,” “Kona, Euphoria,” “Creation, Crimson,” “Turning Time,” “Spirit Light” and “Winter Tower,” among others. Lik has four Las Vegas galleries, including Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino and the Venetian Las Vegas.

Additional recent and upcoming happenings include:

In celebration of Fat Tuesday, entertainers from various Caesars Entertainment Las Vegas shows: Chippendales, X Burlesque, Frank Marino’s “Divas Las Vegas,” Legends in Concert and PEEPSHOW starred in a special Show in the Sky performance on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. The performers rode the fantasy floats while passing out Mardi Gras beads to the crowd.

Show in the Sky performers
Photo credit: Scott Roeben

Thursday morning, Feb. 23, the cast of JERSEY BOYS were officially welcomed to their new home at Paris Las Vegas. As they arrived  in a vintage 1959 red Cadillac Convertible, the Jersey Boys were greeted by employees of Paris Las Vegas who performed a special “flash mob” to “Oh What a Night.”  The cast was enthusiastically greeted by David Hoenemeyer (Regional President, Paris Las Vegas) who officially welcomed them to their new home.  Seeing that David is a native of New Jersey, Jersey Boys saw it only appropriate to make him an honorary “fifth season” and give him his very own (and original) “Sherry” jacket.

With only 13 days left until opening, Jersey Boys begins performances at Paris Las Vegas on March 6 performing on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 7 p.m.; Tuesday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and will be dark on Monday. Ticket prices will range from $100.30 - 171.80 plus all applicable taxes and LET fees

David Hoenemeyer, Rob Marnell and Graham Fenton
Photo credit: Erik Kabik.

Graham Fenton, Jeff Leibow, Rob Marnell, and Deven May
Photo credit: Erik Kabik.

Cast is: Graham Fenton as Frankie Valli, Rob Marnell as Bob Gaudio, Deven May as Tommy DeVito and Jeff Leibow as Nick Massi.

Due to a virus that has affected her vocal chords, singer CELINE DION has been instructed to rest for seven days and had to cancel concerts at Caesars Palace through Wednesday, according to a release from the hotel.  Her next scheduled performance at the Colosseum is March 3. Those who purchased tickets with a credit card for a canceled performance will be automatically refunded. Others who bought tickets with cash may present the tickets at the original point of sale for a refund.

CIRCUS CIRCUS recently unveiled a series of 1,900 remodeled guest rooms in the Casino and Skyrise Towers. The remodeled rooms are part of an overall re-fresh at Circus Circus that also includes new wallpaper and carpet throughout the property.

In addition to the redesigned rooms, Circus Circus also recently welcomed The Chuck Jones Experience to its roster of on-site entertainment options. Guests are engaged with interactive exhibits, displays and learning opportunities as they travel through the art, life and mind of legendary animator Chuck Jones, best known for creating “Looney Tunes” and “Merrie Melodies” shorts, “Tom & Jerry” cartoons and the TV version of Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” along with many other animated classics.

At The Chuck Jones Experience, special workshops and lectures on the art of animation, screenings of several Jones’ animated films and a never-before-seen collection of more than 250 drawings, doodles and paintings are sure to entertain visitors of all ages.

Pop superstar, KATY PERRY, joins the cast of Frank Marino’s “DIVAS LAS VEGAS” at Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino. ANDREW RYAN, who doubles as the superstar, performs a medley of Perry’s top hits including “Hot N Cold” and “I Kissed a Girl.” As with superstars Beyonce and Rihanna, Divas is the first Strip production to add Katy Perry to its lineup. Frank Marino’s “Divas Las Vegas”  features female celebrity look-alikes impersonating some of entertainment’s most beloved superstars from Cher and Bette Midler to Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Performancs are six nights a week (dark Fridays) at 10 p.m. Ticket prices are $39, $69 and $79 (plus tax and fees).

In support of their recently released album The Path of Totality, KORN are returning to the road for the second leg of the Path of Totality Tour with a stop at the Pearl inside Palms Casino Resort on Friday, March 2, 2012 at 8 p.m. Tickets are priced at $49, $59 & $79.

The lineup of comedians who will perform at  THE IMPROV inside Harrah's Las Vegas March 6 – 11 are:

SCOTT HENRY: He has appeared on Comedy Central, “The King of Queens,” “Chelsea Lately” and “Sports Soup” and also serves as a voiceover actor and has voiced nearly 100 commercials.

RICK D'ELIA:  He has been a recurring sketch performer on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and has appeared on Comedy Central’s “Stand-up Standing-up,” “Comedians Unleashed” and UPN’s “Grand Slam Comedy Jam” and has headlined numerous clubs all across the country.

JASON MARCUS: Marcus has garnered a reputation as one of the most dedicated and diligent young comedians on the rise. He has a unique style of humor that stems from his broad range of experiences growing up in a racially-mixed household. Marcus has been featured in the Boston International Comedy Festival, the 2010 Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, the Las Vegas Comedy Festival and the New York Comedy Expo.

Southern rock legends THE MARSHALL TUCKER BAND roll into The Orleans Showroom for NASCAR weekend, March 9 and 10, each evening at 8 p.m. Showtime each evening is 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $29.95, plus tax and convenience fees.

In a highlight event of this year’s NASCAR Weekend, Grammy®-nominated country star Joe Nichols will perform live Saturday, March 10 at Sam’s Town Live! inside Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, home of the Official Sam’s Town 300 After Party.Tickets are available now and are priced from $30, plus tax. Showtime is 8 p.m.

Leading entertainment and nightlife company Angel Management Group (AMG) has partnered with Hakkasan Ltd., a prestigious global restaurant brand, to launch a Michelin-starred luxury-dining brand combined with a lavish new nightclub at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino.

Set to open December 2012, HAKKASAN LAS VEGAS will replace Studio 54.  The new venue is part of the resort’s “Grand Renovation,” a 360-degree renovation updating MGM Grand’s guest rooms and its casino floor as well as entertainment, dining and nightlife experiences. The transformation will expand the size of the former venue, creating an indoor/outdoor space with unparalleled views of the famed Las Vegas Strip. Hakkasan Las Vegas will be the company’s first location to incorporate an extravagant nightclub component. Converging dining and nightlife, it will be the embodiment of sophistication, glamour, world-class cuisine and impeccable service.

Celebrity sightings:

Tuesday, Feb. 14, Actor and model Kellan Lutz celebrated a sweet Valentine's Day with his girlfriend, Sharni Vinson, at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas.

Kellan Lutz with a Red Velvet Ice Cream Sundae at Sugar Factory American Brasserie at Paris Las Vegas
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/WireImage

Friday evening, Feb 17...

"How I Met Your Mother" star, Neil Patrick Harris, dined at Comme Ca at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas with a large group of friends. Harris and his fiancé, David Burtka, were in great spirits as they celebrated a friend's birthday.

Saturday, Feb 18...

Reality TV sensation and DJ Paul “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio kicked off his music residency by hosting his inauguration party on Saturday, Feb. 18 inside Vanity Nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

DJ Pauley D
Photo credit: Cassi Thomas


DJ Pauley D performs inside Vanity
Photo credit: Cassi Thomas

Amongst guests was Academy Award-winning group, Three 6 Mafia.

Sunday, Feb. 19...

Pauly D returned to the nightclub for SIN on Sunday’s “Party Gras” event where he threw out festive beads to the crowd.

Actor Chazz Palminteri dined at Simon Restaurant & Lounge inside the Palms Casino Resort.

Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison from “Pawn Stars” dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms.

The one and only Neil Patrick Harris stopped by Absinthe, the hottest new show in Las Vegas.

Neil Patrick Harris with cast of Absinthe
Photo credit: Cashman Photography


Neil Patrick Harris with The Gazillionaire and Penny
Photo credit: Cashman Photography


Neil Patrick Harris with cast of Absinthe
Photo credit: Cashman Photography

Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 22 Marie Osmond was spotted at Greens & Proteins.  She is pictured with Jeff Kovatch, one of the owners of Greens & Proteins.

Marie Osmond and Jeff Kovatch

Wednesday night, model Adrianne Curry along with some friends had dinner at N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort.

TV personality, model and Playboy’s Miss July 2011 Jessa Hinton and her entourage took over LAX Nightclub inside Luxor Hotel and Casino.

Jessa Hinton
Photo credit: Bobby Jameidar/SpyOnVegas.com

Friday, Feb 24...

UFC fighter Forrest Griffin dined at Greens & Proteins in Henderson.

Singer-songwriter Kelis performed at Rain Nightclub inside the Palms Casino Resort. After her performance she hung out at a VIP  table with some friends.

Kelis
Photo credit: Joe Fury

The gorgeous ladies of "Spartacus: Vengeance" including Katrina Law, Ellen Hollman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Bonnie Sveen kicked off their night out on the Las Vegas Strip at the famous eatery Sugar Factory American Brasserie inside Paris Las Vegas. They were accompanied by co-star, Stephen Dunlevy.

Spartacus starlettes pose with Signature Sugar Factory Couture Pops inside Sugar Factory Retail Store
Photo credit: David Becker/WireImage


Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Katrina Law and Ellen Hollman pose on the red carpet for Chateau Nightclub & Gardens
Photo credit: David Becker/WireImage

Mark Sanchez was spotted at Marquee Nightclub on Saturday.  The NY Jets star took in the sounds of Hardwell and EDX from a VIP table in the main room and made a stop by the DJ booth.

Mo Williams and Trey Thompkins from the Clippers were spotted at Marquee in the club’s Boom Box room.

Hardwell at Marquee
photo credit: Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery

Saturday, February 25...

At LAVO Buddy Valastro from the TLC show Cake Boss was seen with his Carlos Bakery team.  The group danced to the music from DJ C*LA and cheered every time there was a shout out to NYC.

Mark Sanchez was spotted at Marquee Nightclub on Saturday. The NY Jets star took in the sounds of Hardwell and EDX from a VIP table in the main room and made a stop by the DJ booth.