Vegas Happenings 02-23-09

By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Entertainment Reporter/Film Critic - Las Vegas Tribune
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
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Tony Sacca and Charo Throw Party at Josette’s French Bistro to Promote PBS Special

Last Thursday evening I attended a private TV screening and dinner party at Josette’s French Bistro on West Flamingo Road.  The event was held to celebrate the launch of a Las Vegas themed Public Television special hosted by TV personality/singer Tony Sacca and legendary entertainer, Charo, known for her trademark phrase “cuchi cuchi”.

TV personality/singer Tony Sacca and legendary entertainer, Charo
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn

Sacca has been the producer and host of his weekly entertainment show Entertainment Las Vegas Style since 1986, but this is the first time he has produced a special edition of the show specifically for PBS to run as part of its fundraising campaign.

At a time when our stressed economy has taken a toll on Las Vegas tourism, the show offers an inviting and positive side of the “Entertainment Capital of the World” and will help to promote the city. Sacca described the special as “a video postcard of favorite Las Vegas trips”, and indeed it is.

Tony and his co-host Charo engaged in some humorous repartee with Sacca playing the straight man to the adorable, vivacious and comedic blonde as they visited some of Las Vegas’ most popular locations such as The Paris, New York New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, rode on a gondola at the Venetian, kicked up the sand on the beach at the Rio, and visited the Palazzo and Fremont Street Experience. Their chemistry was natural, appealing and added some spice to the format. Not surprising, Tony and Charo stated how much they enjoyed working together, and it showed.

Featured segments of the special include interviews with, and performances by, legendary Las Vegas headliners including Bill Medley of the Righteous Bros., Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Anthony & The Imperials, Frankie Avalon, Tony Orlando, the Smothers Bros. and a tribute to the world renowned production, Folies Bergere, that helped put Las Vegas on the map. In addition, Charo, recognized as one of the best flamenco guitarists in the world, brought along her guitar and performed her newest CD Espana Cani in front of the Bellagio fountains.

This special segment of Entertainment Las Vegas Style will start airing during the PBS pledge drive at the end of March 2009 in southern California and will spread to all PBS stations through June.  Viewers who make a pledge in support of PBS will get keepsake memory gifts including a Vegas Rocks musical clock and a DVD of the show.

Check your local PBS listings to find out when this special edition of Entertainment Las Vegas Style will be broadcast.

Chef Josette LeBlond and Tony Sacca
Photo credit: Dianne R. Davis

Recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:

Studio at the Palms recently announced a partnership with Aderra Inc., adding the next generation of content delivery to the already state-of-the-art recording studio located inside the Palms Casino Resort. Through Aderra’s “Live in a Flash”™ USB Technology, the Palms can offer immediate live recordings of events including concerts, conferences, live DJ sets and other happenings throughout the resort. The Palms will become the first property in the world to adopt this new technology allowing patrons to leave an event with a USB flash drive loaded with their live experience, giving them a unique and personal product.


On Thursday, February 12, ElevenSpa, the brand new 20,000 square-foot luxury spa featuring a 1,000 square-foot relaxation room, exclusive VIP room, 28 treatment rooms, including a private couples treatment room called Bungalow 69, and a salon by world-renowned celebrity hairstylist, Ken Paves, opened at Town Square on the south end of the Las Vegas strip.  With elements of old Hollywood fused throughout the 20,000 square-foot facility, ElevenSpa Vegas was envisioned by Nicole Oden to look and feel like the Beverly Hills Hotel. The entire spa and salon is also convertible, designed as a venue for private parties and special events.

The Playboy Club located at the Palms Fantasy Tower has launched the Miss Playboy Club Model Search to select a new Miss Playboy Club who will serve as the face of the Club for the next month’s advertising campaign. Each month, Playboy Club managers and Playboy talent scouts will review the applications and make a selection. Every Miss Playboy Club Model Search winner will receive $1,000 in cash, a complimentary night’s stay at the Palms Casino Resort, a Swedish massage at Drift Spa at Palms Place, dinner for two at NOVE Italiano, complimentary bottle service at Playboy Club, and a professional photo shoot to be included in the Playboy Club 2010 calendar.  Ladies interested in participating can register by visiting the Playboy Club at The Palms Casino Resort any night of the week. Potential applicants will receive complimentary admission.

On Saturday, February 28, Dixie’s Dam Bar at Hooters Casino Hotel will open for business with a grand re-opening. The 3,000 square foot bar will still offer the same laid back atmosphere but with a brand new look of rustic décor with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll and feature Dixie’s Dancing Divas – beautiful female bartenders who not only prepare drinks but entertain guests with choreographed dance moves to songs on the jukebox. Tables and booths will be available, but seating will be first come first serve.  Dixie’s Dam Bar is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 p.m. until the party stops.  Entry is free for locals and $20 for out-of-towners

Henderson Libraries will celebrate the grand opening of its newest branch, the Galleria Library, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at the Galleria at Sunset – located on the corner of Sunset Road and Stephanie Street in Henderson. The grand opening festivities will include surprise celebrity readers, costumed characters and free giveaways. The event is open to people of all ages and families. It will also act as the kick-off event for Nevada Reading Week, which officially takes place March 2-9. For more information on Henderson Libraries visit mypubliclibrary.com or call 702-492-7252.

Nevada Pops, under the direction of Dr. Richard McGee, will present its second concert “Encore!” at 7:30 p.m. on February 28, 2009, at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall at UNLV. The concert will feature music from Broadway hit “The Lion King,” John Philip Sousa, a trio of songs from composer Leroy Anderson, and selections from “Superman” and “Mission: Impossible.” Guest artists include The Walt Boenig Big Band and vocalist Laura Taylor, who will perform music from Academy Award-nominated films.  General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, seniors and military (children under five are free).  Tickets can be purchased by calling the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office at 702.895.2787 or by visiting www.nevadapops.org. 

Skip Martin, formerly of Kool & the Gang, and his seven-piece band will be appearing at South Padre inside Texas Station every Sunday, beginning March 1. With doors opening at 1:30 p.m., the band will be playing jazz compilations from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and dance music from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

From March 1-3, 2009 approximately 70 professional flair bartenders from more then fifteen different countries will converge inside LAX Nightclub for the11th annual LEGENDS of Bartending competition.  The bartenders will be vying for the famed title of the “World’s Greatest Bartender.” and a piece of the $25,000 up for grabs in cash and prizes.

On Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, at 7:30 p.m., The College of Southern Nevada presents Vocal Jazz Solo Nights in the BackStage Theater on the Cheyenne Campus.  Audience members will be treated to a fabulous evening of vocal entertainment as each member of the group performs a solo, with selections ranging from jazz standards to the blues and musical theater. The CSN Performing Arts Center is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue, one mile east of I-15.  Admission for each concert is $5.00.  For reservations, call 651-LIVE (5483).

Performer Jerry Presley will pay tribute to his cousin Elvis at Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. each night at Marilyn’s Lounge inside Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel. Admission is free.

Comedian Ray Romano of “Everybody Loves Raymond” will join “King of Queens” star Kevin James on March 6 and 7 at the Terry Fator Theatre inside The Mirage.  Performance time is 10 p.m.  Tickets are $79, $89 and $99 plus tax and service fees.

The World Vibration Concert Series continues with flamenco music by seasoned performer Salvadora Galan at 2 p.m. March 8 at the Winchester Cultural Center Theater, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for children and seniors.

New York based, Sherrie Maricle & The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble of 15 extremely talented and versatile musicians who just happen to be women, headed by swinging drummer Maricle, will perform in concert with the UNLV Contemporary Jazz Ensemble I at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8 in the UNLV Judy Bayley Theatre.  Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for Jazz Society members, and $10 for UNLV students, faculty and staff.

Comedian Adam Hunter, a finalist on NBC’s hit comedy competition, ”Last Comic Standing,” headlines the Riviera Comedy Club on March 9 - 15. Joining Hunter is fellow comedian Robert Duchaine, whose non-conformist edge brings a unique perspective to his brand of stand-up. Rounding out the comedy playbill is Stacy Yannetty who won New Hampshire’s Funniest Woman Contest with Joan Rivers in 2003 and was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Boston Comedy Festival. Show times for the Riviera Comedy Club are 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $24.99 plus tax and fee. 

The UNLV Performing Arts Center celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 as part of the New York Stage & Beyond Series. The orchestra performs a program of Celtic traditional and folk music in original arrangements for a full symphony orchestra. Featured soloists include Aidan O’Brien on Uilleann pipe, soprano Denise Brennan, and Cora Venus Lunny and Athena Tergis on violin.

Tickets to the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra are $40, $55, and $85.

The UNLV Performing Arts Center continues its Classical Guitar Series at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 with the Brasil Guitar Duo, João Luiz and Douglas Lora, who are quickly solidifying their status as one of the preeminent guitar duos of their generation. Tickets to the Brasil Guitar Duo are $35.  Tickets for both above mentioned concerts can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu.

The Las Vegas Hilton will join Earth Hour 2009 on March 28, participating with Clark County, Las Vegas, and many Strip resorts in turning out marquee and wash lights during the World Wildlife Fund world-wide event. Las Vegas’ participation in Earth Hour—a global event calling for action on climate change- will begin on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., Las Vegas will lead more than 400 cities in 70 countries as individuals, businesses, government buildings, schools and major landmarks turn off non-essential lighting in what will be the largest climate milestone in history.

The Village (MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas) and Buckbean Brewing Company, the largest production microbrewery in Nev., host the first-ever Village Beer Fest on Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the festival are available at the event for $20 per person which includes an engraved commemorative glass. Proceeds will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Southern Nevada.


Celebrity sightings:

Fresh out of rehab, actress Tara Reid, her father and a friend, dined at LAVO inside The Palazzo Tuesday night (February 17).

Upstairs in the nightclub, San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman and Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks listened to the sounds of DJ Five, spinning for the Nylon Magazine party taking place at LAVO Industry Tuesday.

N9NE Steakhouse inside The Palms Casino Resort hosted to a full house, which included the following celebrity guests:  

American drummer for Blink 182, Travis Barker arrived with model and actress Shanna Moakler for dinner. 

Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts, dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans, arrived around 8:30 p.m. with a party of six.

Professional skateboarder, actor and star of his own reality TV series, Rob & Big, Rob Dyrdek came in around 9 p.m. Following his dinner, Dyrdek was seen partying at Rain Nightclub, with friends Benji Madden of Good Charlotte and Javon Walker of the Oakland Raiders.

Photo credit: Shane O'Neil

Also at Rain Nightclub was rapper E-40, who made quite the entrance arriving with a full entourage of about 20 people. Common, another infamous rapper, also made a presence at the club for an intimate performance. Common was accompanied by close friends and band mates, and the group occupied a skybox.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, American Idol contestant, Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell was spotted filming a segment for EXTRA on Hawaiian Tropic Zone’s strip-side patio.

American Idol contestant, Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell

Brad Pitt was spotted Wednesday night at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. He was in town staying at the hotel with his boys Maddox and Pax.

Hip hop producer and rapper Jermaine Dupri took over the private dining room at TAO with a group of friends that included actor Chris Tucker.  Later in the evening the group journeyed over to sister hot spot LAVO.

TAO and LAVO regular Kevin Federline spent his Wednesday night following a similar path, first dining with eight friends at TAO Asian Bistro before heading over to LAVO.

KFed with Steve Aoki

Frank Thomas, an MLB designated hitter who is currently a free agent, made N9NE Steakhouse inside the Palms Casino Resort his dining destination of choice.  Arriving with a few friends, the group hung out at the main bar.

British-American rapper Ricky Walters, aka Slick Rick, was seen partying at Playboy Club with a group of four.  A little before 1 a.m., Slick Rick got on stage with rapper, producer and beat boxer Doug E. Fresh, and together they performed their renowned hit, “La Di Da Di.”  Later, rapper and producer David Blake, aka Quik, was introduced and brought on stage for a 30-minute set.

Comedian, radio personality and actor Artie Lange was also spotted amongst the crowd at Playboy Club accompanied by a couple of friends. 


Thursday (Feb 19)…

Returning for a second consecutive day, “American Idol” contestant Katrina “Bikini Girl” Darrell dined on fajitas and a cosmopolitan while enjoying the Sunset Tan bikini fashion show at Hawaiian Tropic Zone inside Miracle Mile Shops.

”Twilight” actress Ashley Greene spotted enjoying dinner inside Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

Muhammed Ali’s daughter, actress and author Rasheda Ali, (currently starring in a Las Vegas-based cable show "In My Corner) attended Lance Burton's show at the Monte Carlo and met with him afterwards.  She vowed to return and see the "Master Magician" show again with her eight-year-old Nico and 10-year-old Biaggio.

A packed house turned out for Worship Thursdays at TAO, where actress and fashion designer Taryn Manning and partner Tara Jane showcased the latest collection from their line Born Uniqorn. Beauties from Envy models strutted across TAO’s catwalk, vamping for the crowd in the outfits that blend California casual with hot Hollywood style.

Tara Jane and partner Taryn Manning
Photo Credit: Aaron Thompson

Friday, Feb. 20, legendary former American college basketball coach, Jerry Tarkanian, accompanied by seven friends dined at N9NE Steakhouse inside The Palms Casino Resort .

At Playboy Club, Canadian comedian, actor and radio personality Harland Michael Williams partied with a group of four.  Saturday night Williams was seen again partying it up at Rain Nightclub. Shortly after, Williams also made an appearance at Moon.

Actress Ashley Greene and "The Closer" co-stars Raymond Cruz and Michael Paul Chan at the interactive dinner show “Tony and Tina’s Wedding” at Planet Hollywood. They cheered on pro wrestling legend "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who appears in the show through March 5.

Spotted Saturday, Feb. 21….

Inside Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino:   Rapper Jermaine Dupri enjoying dinner. Also actor Raymond Cruz enjoyed drinks and appetizers in the lounge.

Actress Drew Barrymore, celebrated her 34th birthday Saturday at the Palazzo with a group of friends including fellow birthday girl (her 22nd) Ellen Page and Kristen Wiig, of Saturday Night Live. Page and Wiig co-star in Whip it, Barrymore’s directorial debut. They dined at Lavo and had birthday cakes on the hookah patio.

Adler's Appetite, featuring Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler, performed at Wasted Space in the Hard Rock Hotel.

On Sunday night, MLB designated hitter who is currently a free agent, Frank Thomas, partied at Playboy Club inside The Palms Casino Resort with three friends.  Also spotted was Jennifer Pershing, who was selected to be Playboy’s March 2009 Playmate of the Month.  

I will be back next week with more of what’s “happening” in and around Las Vegas.