By Judy Thorburn This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
http://www.theflickchicks.com
July's Edition of Mondays Dark with Mark Shunock benefits United Way of Southern Nevada
The 19th in a series of entertainment filled fundraising events, Mondays Dark with Mark Shunock, took place on Monday evening, July 20 inside Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Each month some of the best entertainers in Las Vegas show their support of a local charity by coming together and donating their talent and time for a chosen worthy cause. This month's charity was United Way of Southern Nevada whose mission is “to advance the common good through our focus on education, health and financial stability, the building blocks of a good life.”
Mark Shunock
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
The evening's theme was “ A New York State of Mind” featuring some of Las Vegas's best singers, musicians and other performers including singers Jassen Allen and Phillip Drennen who opened the show with George Benson’s “On Broadway” followed by Anne Martinez (“Anything Goes”) Joe DiNunzio ( “Lullaby on Broadway”); Mandi Seekings (The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven); Mark Donovan (Elvis Costello’s “Peace, Love & Understanding”); NoVi (Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality”); Mark Langberg (Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City”); Nieve Malandra (Alicia Keys’ “Empire State”); Chris Phillips, accompanied by Lydia Ansel on violin (Barry Manilow’s “NY City Rhythm”); Brihony Dawson (rock legend Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me with your Best Shot”) and Mark Shunock (Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me”). In addition, in place of Robin Leach, who was unable to attend, an audience member was selected to read this week’s amusing, true life, “Missed Connection” that was posted on Craig's List.
Jassen Allen and Philip Drennen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Anne Martinez
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Joe DiNunzio
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
JoVi
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mandi Seekings
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Audience Volunteer reads "Missed Connections"
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mark Langberg
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Marc Donovan
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Nieve Malandra
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Lydia Ansel
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Chris Philips
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Jay R. Beatbox
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Brihony Dawson
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Mark Shunock
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
To close out the show, Jassen Allen, Phillip Drennen and Kenny Davidsen joined Mark Shunock on stage for Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind” and the song from the movie of the same name, “New York, New York”, that starred and was originally performed by Liza Minelli.
Jassen Allen, Mark Shunock, and Philip Drennen
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
So far, the series of Mondays Dark fundraising shows has raised over $190,000 to support local charitable organizations. All proceeds from the evening's event, including ticket sales and a silent auction, will go to The United Way of Southern Nevada. Next month's edition of Mondays Dark, which will have the theme, Animal House Soundtrack (featuring songs from the movie), will be held on August 17th with proceeds benefiting Three Square Food Bank.
Advance tickets are $20, $30 at the door. What a deal! You won’t find a more worthwhile, entertainment value in Las Vegas. No where else can you some of the city’s best entertainers perform on one stage while at the same time helping to support a worthy local charity. http://www.mondaysdark.com #mondaysdark https://www.facebook.com/mondaysdarkvegas
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
Commonwealth brings the heat to the heart of downtown Las Vegas with “MARTES,” a Latin-inspired rooftop fiesta every Tuesday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. beginning July 21. “Martes” will feature live DJ sets from DJ Low and guests, who will spin the best Latin house, salsa, bachata, merengue, reggaeton and Spanish hip-hop music. Master mixologist Dan Marohnic will spice up the night with signature drink selections including the Don Juan, handcrafted with Don Julio Blanco tequila, club soda and a lime wedge; and the Burro, made with Ketel One vodka, fresh lime juice, ginger beer and a lime wedge, each priced at $8.
Harrah’s Las Vegas Headliner Comedy-Magician MAC KING King will appear on fellow magicians PENN & TELLER'S CW TV SHOW, FOOL US, which will be broadcast on Monday, July 27 from 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. Magicians are invited to perform their best trick to try and fool the world-famous team of Penn & Teller, who will get to see the trick only once and have to immediately try to work it out. The live studio audience and the TV audience watch along with Penn & Teller as they try to figure out the secrets.
“This was such an amazing opportunity to work with Penn & Teller since we have known each other for so long,” said King. “We have seen each other’s shows in Las Vegas a number of times so choosing a trick that they hadn’t seen before proved to be a challenge. The one that I ended up going with was one that I knew they would get a kick out of trying to figure out.”
The Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation will host a kickoff event for its burn camp initiative program on Friday, July 24, which sends local youth burn survivors to CAMP BEYOND THE SCARS in Oakridge, Calif. The kickoff celebration, which will be held at Clark County Fire Department Station 34, will offer parents and burn survivors the chance to meet and mingle with camp counselors and Southern Nevada firefighters before going away to camp, Aug. 1 – Aug. 6, 2015.Established in 1987, Camp Beyond the Scars is the hallmark support program for the Burn Institute, a nonprofit health agency dedicated to reducing the number of burn injuries and deaths. The specifically-designed camp for children 5-17 years of age provides a relaxed social setting for burn-injured children and the support and counseling needed to establish and enhance self-esteem.
This year, more than 20 local kids will have the chance to experience Camp Beyond The Scars, thanks to sponsors and fundraising events such as last month’s Firefighter Bachelor Auction at SLS Las Vegas. Joined by volunteer camp counselors varying from nurses to adult burn victims and off-duty firefighters, the campers will participate in outdoor and interactive activities such as kayaking, swimming, volleyball, arts and crafts, themed parties, movie nights and much more.
The world famous CRAZY GIRLS BRONZE STATUE will be moved from the warehouse to the casino floor of Planet Hollywood at 6 a.m. on Monday, July 27. The Crazy Girls Show moved to the Sin City Showroom Planet Hollywood after the Riviera Hotel & Casino closed. The Crazy Girls butts statue was created in 1995 and has survived the test of time becoming an iconic landmark for photo taking among tourists and locals.
Photo courtesy of Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino
Boyd Gaming is celebrating 40 YEARS OF BOYD STYLE with a nationwide cash giveaway! Starting Monday, July 27, guests can earn entries into a grand prize drawing on Saturday, Sept. 5, where 40 winners will take home their share of $400,000. The grand prize drawing will be hosted at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall by Executive Chairman Bill Boyd. One winner will win a grand prize of $40,000, while 39 runner-ups will take home $10,000 each. Throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Boyd Gaming properties will offer many ways to earn entries into the grand prize drawing as well as anniversary-related promotions. Customers can visit any Boyd Gaming property to earn entries into the grand prize drawing, with four people selected from each property to participate in the September drawing. For more details on how to earn entries, visit a B Connected or Prime Rewards desk. At the Orleans, Suncoast, Gold Coast and Sam’s Town, 40th Anniversary cash drawings will be held every Saturday in August offering guests the chance to take home up to $10,000 cash. From Sunday through Thursday each week, B Connected members need only earn four points then swipe their card at a kiosk in order to enter into that Saturday’s drawing. And, all entries are valid for the grand prize giveaway at the end of the promotion. In addition to the nationwide contest, individual Boyd Gaming properties throughout Las Vegas will be hosting their own anniversary promotions and celebrations.
Las Vegas singer and entertainer TOMMY WARD will host a SPECIAL BENEFIT SHOW AT KAHUNAVILLE inside Treasure Island TI Hotel Casino and Resort at 8 pm on Wednesday, July 29 for the family of a local man who has been affected by cancer. Proceeds from the one-night-only show will support William Thompson’s battle with lymphoma by offsetting his family’s medical expenses. Ward graduated from Faith Lutheran High School, where Thompson’s son is a current student. The event is open to the public and tickets are now on sale for $20 at www.MUSICBYTOMMYWARD.com. Dining options are available for an additional cost.
The L.A. Hit "CEREMONY" - A TALE OF LOVE, FEAR AND AYAHUASCA, is coming to the Onyx Theatre, 953 E Sahara Ave 16B E, for one weekend only, at 8 p.m on July 31 & August 1. Award-winning storyteller Michael Kass weaves a hilarious and spellbinding true tale of love, fear and Ayahuasca. Deftly directed by Diana Wyenn, this 60-minute adventure—performed on a bare stage by the charismatic Kass with the aid of eight colorful buckets and a vibrant and immersive sound design by Martin Carillo—takes audiences from downtown Los Angeles to the Sacred Valley in Peru and back. At turns self-deprecatingly funny and unsparingly frank, Kass’s intensely personal story grapples with universal themes of isolation, self doubt and coming of age in the context of a shamanic medicine ceremony. Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission.
CRAZY PITA will partner with THE SHADE TREE to collect donations of school supplies for the children living at the beloved shelter. Starting Aug. 1 through 21, members of the community are asked to donate new and unused school supplies for grades Kindergarten through high school. Items can be dropped off at any three of the Crazy Pita restaurant locations - Crazy Pita Downtown Summerlin: 10975 Sage Park Drive, #100, Town Square Las Vegas: 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S. or The District at Green Valley Ranch, 2225 Village Walk Drive. #175, Henderson.
James Beard nominated restaurateur Elizabeth Blau and award winning Chef Kim Canteenwalla are bringing a focus on community, education and charity to their beloved local dining spot HONEY SALT this August with the second SUMMER OF LOVE. The month-long charitable campaign will kick off on August 1, 2015, and raise funds for Las Vegas based GREEN OUR PLANET with the goal of funding the construction of a brand new educational garden at a local elementary school. Throughout the month, Honey Salt will be offering daily specials, in-restaurant promotions and a series of events to support Green Our Planet, which boasts one of the fastest growing school garden programs in the country. Produce grown in existing school gardens will be featured as often as harvest schedules allow and Summer of Love offerings will include daily food and drink specials as well as a Kick off Cocktail Reception on August 3, Staff Volunteer Day where team members tend to local gardens during summer break, the Summer of Love Farm Table Dinner on August 17, and a Closing Cocktail Reception. A portion of proceeds from all specials sold during the month, as well as all of the events, will go towards funding the educational garden.
THE SUMMER OF LOVE FARM TABLE DINNER, a very special version of the restaurant’s popular monthly series, will feature an all vegetarian menu prepared by Chef Brett Uniss. The four-course community dining experience is $55 per person with an optional $25 wine pairing. With limited seats available, tickets are on sale now.
Friends, family members and animal lovers from across the valley can knock down some pins with Vegas celebrities all while raising funds for the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA). The NSPCA presents the 3rd ANNUAL “OUT OF THE GUTTERS” CELEBRITY BOWLING TOURNAMENT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE on Sunday, Aug. 2 at Sam’s Town Bowling Center (5111 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas). Bowling begins at 1 p.m. with the red carpet full of Vegas’ most notable entertainers, reality stars and personalities beginning at 12 p.m. Registration is available online at www.nevadaspca.org
In addition to bowling, guests can enjoy a family-friendly, fun afternoon with a variety of activities for animal lovers of all ages – meet some of the sanctuary’s adoptable pets, mix and mingle with the celebrity bowlers and vie for some of the great raffle prizes throughout the afternoon. Tournament fees are $20 per person with pre-registration or $30 at the door, $ 7 for kids under 12 years old and teams of five people are $80. All fees include lane fees, equipment rental and one raffle ticket. Celebrities scheduled to appear will be announced at a later date.
Smash Magazine presents a night of punk rock with GUTTERMOUTH AND DEATH BY STEREO on Thursday, August 13 at Backstage Bar & Billiards (601 E. Fremont. St. Las Vegas). Doors open at 7 p.m. with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 day of show. Advance tickets are on sale now. The show is 21+ with valid ID.
Australian powerhouse entertainer GREG BONHAM brings his soulful voice and blazing trumpet-playing to The Smith Center with "G'day Las Vegas" for a one night only concert performance, in the intimate Cabaret Jazz Room on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m.Tickets start at $40 and are on sale now at The Smith Center Box Office, located at 361 Symphony Park Avenue.
Celebrity sightings:
Monday night, July 20...
Kyle Anderson, from the San Antonio Spurs, was spotted with a group of friends at Marquee Mondays taking in the sounds of DJ Politik.
Sunday night, July 19...
Point guard of the Los Angeles Clippers, Chris Paul, was spotted dining with family and friends at LAVO.
Saturday night, July 18...
Platinum selling singer and songwriter Jason Derulo stopped by 1 OAK Nightclub inside the Mirage Hotel & Casino for a night out with close friends.
Chris Paul hosted a private dinner with friends and family at TAO.
Resident DJ Khaled was also spotted dining with friends. After dinner, Khaled stopped by his friend Chis Paul’s table to take a picture, before making his way upstairs to perform at the club.
Also spotted at TAO was L.A. Clippers Assistant Coach Mike Woodson, NBA Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving and actress Ambyr Childers, who continued her 27th birthday celebration upstairs at the club.
Later in the night, TAO Nightclub hosted the official TopSpin after party with sounds by DJ Khaled. Khaled was joined by a large group of friends including Ndamukong Suh of the Miami Dolphins, as he spun a mashup of Top 40 and Hip Hop.
DJ Khaled
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was also spotted at TAO. James, in town for the NBPA Awards and NBA Summer League, was joined by a group of friends at a private VIP table.
Lebron James
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Platinum-selling recording artist J. Cole also dropped by TAO after his concert and Sharod “Roddy” White of the Atlanta Falcons was also seen partying with friends at the Asian-inspired nightclub.
Friday, July 17...
In the afternoon Andre Iguodala, the 2015 NBA Finals MVP and shooting guard for the Golden State Warriors, was spotted at TAO Beach with with a group of friends, as DJ Javier Alba provided the soundtrack for the Beach.
DJ Javier Alba and Andre Iguodala
Photo credit: Tony Tran
Friday night, Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Jordan Clarkson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Okaro White of the Memphis Grizzlies, Bernard James of the Dallas Mavericks and Julius Thomas of the Jacksonville Jaguars were spotted at TAO. Each athlete had their own VIP table and were joined by friends as they took in the sounds of DJ Politik.
Los Angeles Clippers superstar Chris Paul attended the Jabbawockeez hit show PRiSM at the Luxor. Following the show, Paul and his family met with the world-famous dance crew backstage.
Chris Paul with Jabbawockeez
Photo courtesy of the Luxor
Thursday night, July 16...
Power forward from the Los Angeles Lakers, Julius Randle, was spotted dining at LAVO with a small group of friends.
Later in the night, Miami Heat Assistant Coach Juwan Howard, former Golden State Warrior Jermaine O’Neal and Washington Wizards Point Gaurd John Wall were spotted at TAO’s Worship Thursday, as DJ Five provided the soundtrack for the evening.
DJ Five
Photo credit: Brenton Ho
DJ Five
Photo credit: Brenton Ho
