By Judy Thorburn
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Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - Las Vegas Round The Clock
Owner/Editor in Chief/writer - The Flick Chicks
Director of Communications - Nevada Film Alliance
www.theflickchicks.com
Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert Celebrates Second Anniversary at the Mirage
Unparalleled ventriloquist Terry Fator celebrated the second anniversary of his hit show, Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert, at The Mirage Friday, March 18. Fator marked this milestone with what may become a yearly tradition, the introduction of a new puppet, fabulously happy Berry Fabulous, a former lawyer turned entertainer, to an already impressive line-up.
Berry Fabulous and Terry Fator
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
I have seen Terry’s show several times and notice that he is continually looking to improve his show to make sure his audiences get the best bang for the buck. I can honestly say the show has gotten better and better with each visit. Along with the addition of Berry, Fator has done some tweeking regarding his accompanying, eclectic cast of puppet friends (for example Vicki, originally known as the Cougar, is as sassy as ever, but now is referred to as one of the Beverly Hills Housewives), and he has included new material such as brand new songs and jokes, embarking upon a whole new show that is certain to delight audiences from around the world.
Vicky and Terry Fator
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Fator recently introduced the new puppet, a top ranked attorney for more than 20 years at the law firm Fabulous, Fabulous, Simply and Fabulous. Berry is now coming out in the world of entertainment and is a fabulous man who believes that his childhood idols, those above mentioned superstar divas, lend themselves quite well to the world of rap. He considers himself the hip hop Liberace.
During the anniversary performance, President & COO of The Mirage, Felix Rappaport, showed up on stage to congratulate Fator on his 2nd anniversary at the Mirage and wished him many more years of continued success at the venue. After declaring Fator, “The most talented headliner on the Strip”, Rappaport presented the uniquely talented performer with several gifts including a special anniversary cake topped with the likeness of Winston, the Impersonating Turtle; a framed Key to the Mirage; a signed card by all the members of the Mirage, and a bouquet of flowers for Terry’s on stage assistant/wife, Taylor. In response, the emotionally moved entertainer thanked The Mirage, his team and fans for their continued support.
Terry Fator with Felix Rappaport
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Terry Fator 2nd anniversary celebration
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Wrex and Terry Fator
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Beatle and Terry Fator
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Walter T. Airedale and Terry Fator
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
Winston and Terry Fator
Photo credit: Stephen Thorburn
As the audience left the theatre, each were handed an individually signed photo of Fator and Berry Fabulous.
Tickets for Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert start at $59, plus tax and service fees.
Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens Unveils Spring Display
To celebrate the debut of spring, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is featuring a spectacular floral exhibition filled with bright blooms and a playful carnival, on display through May 8.
Guests are lured to four enchanting gardens with scents of tulips, hydrangeas and daisies, while a colorful Ferris wheel, moving carousel and greenhouse full of beautiful butterflies that catch the eye and lift the spirit.
Photo courtesy of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Photo courtesy of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Photo courtesy of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Photo courtesy of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
Photo courtesy of the Bellagio Hotel and Casino
At the entrance of the Conservatory, visitors are invited to stroll through a romantic walkway lined with eight lamp posts and Linden trees with dazzling lights strung above. Nearby, a moving 11-foot tall carousel weighing more than 8,600 pounds makes its Conservatory debut. The carnival favorite is adorned with 330 clear bulbs and colorful acrylic balloons as a cedar ticket booth completes the whimsical scene.
Steps away, a 40-foot full-scale Ferris wheel decorated with animated lighting, captures the nostalgia and spirit of a spring carnival.
The majestic centerpiece of this exhibit is a stone-based rustic greenhouse that houses more than 500 live butterflies from around the world. Nearby, a “fantasy” tree decorated with cherry blossoms soars 25 feet overhead as its spiraled branches reach for the spring sky revealed by the venue’s all-glass ceiling. Illustrating the sculptural beauty of nature, the tree is first formed into a metal skeleton and then covered with more than 420,000 feet of tightly woven willow branches. Two elegant egrets guard their nest on the banks of a small pond while oversized butterflies, comprised of flax & onion seeds, strawflowers and sweet rice, hang vibrantly overhead.
In conjunction with the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s new exhibit “A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney,” debuting on April 16, the Conservatory has created an interpretation of David Hockney’s Garrowby Hill (1998) using a colorful array of flora. Located in the Giardini corner, the recreated painting is fitted within a 6-foot tall elaborately carved frame accompanied by a 12-foot wood tapered painter’s brush and oversized paint palette with simulated smeared oil paints.
The spring exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is free and open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Additional recent and upcoming “happenings” in and around Las Vegas include:
After touring Europe in talks with arthouse distributors about his film I.M. Caravaggio, filmmaker and Emmy Award winner Derek Stonebarger opened the doors to his own arthouse movie theater, which seats 60-70 people, in the downtown Vegas arts district. Theatre7 located at 1406 South 3rd Street, which will also be an art gallery and host live theatre performances, screened the city premiere of I.M. Caravaggio on Saturday, March 5 at 7 p.m. Free art shows of 3 Nevada Artists will take place March 17-20. The art gallery's Grand Opening is scheduled for April 1. Art on display will be mixed media - ranging from fine photo art, wood sculptures and more. Theatre7's tickets are $7 and include a choice of popcorn, soda or candy. Most screenings at the venue start at 7 p.m.
"I just realized this is what Vegas needs," Stonebarger said. "There is a wealth of filmmaking talent in this community, but there is no place for their films to be shown. Theatre7 is going to change that.
Seven-time Grammy Award-winning performer Gladys Knight will headline in a special engagement at the newly transformed Tropicana Las Vegas, beginning Tuesday, April 5, 2011. The show will take place in the newly named Gladys Knight Theater, formerly known as the Tiffany Theater. Knight will showcase her fan favorites, such as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” as well as newer hits including her December 2010 single “Settle.” Backed by an 11piece band, she will be joined by four singers and dancers. Merald “Bubba” Knight, one of the original members of the Pips, will also be featured as part of Knight’s show.
Scott Sibella, president and chief operating officer of MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, went undercover to try his hand at front line positions including a dealer and guest service representative on the hit series “Undercover Boss,” Sunday, March 20 (9 – 10 p.m. ET/PT) on CBS.
“This was one of the most important and rewarding things I’ve done in my career,” said Sibella. “I learned so much about our employees, and the experience will make me a better leader for our team.”
MGM Grand, the AAA Four Diamond resort which provides the “Maximum Vegas” experience served as the backdrop for the episode.
Each week the popular Emmy nominated series "Undercover Boss," now in its second season, follows a different executive as they leave the comfort of their corner office for an undercover mission to examine the inner workings of their companies. While working alongside their employees they see the effects that their decisions have on others, where the problems lie within their organizations and get an up-close look at both the good and the bad while discovering the unsung heroes who make their companies run.
Saturday afternoon, March 19, Executive Chef Geno Bernardo of Nove Italiano inside Palms Casino Resort celebrated St. Joseph’s Day by feeding more than 700 hundred people his signature Nove spaghetti at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. Each year, communities pay tribute to the Italian holiday by giving food to the less fortunate, a custom that has been around for centuries. In addition, Las Vegas Bakery, Bon Breads donated a variety of breads and 9 Group/Palms sponsor, FIJI Water, supplied bottled water. For dessert, Nove Italiano’s Executive Pastry Chef Victor Solano treated patrons to an assortment of sugary cakes.
L-R Servando Daniels and Chef Geno Bernardo at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Photo credit: 9 Group
Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino raised $1,200 for Clark County School District (CCSD) during its “Tweet for a Cause” campaign for Nevada Reading Week.
The first Guinness store in the United States opened on St. Patrick’s Day, Thursday, March 16 in the Shoppes at Mandalay Place. The 1,500-foot store will sell Guinness-branded merchandise including pint glasses, hats, shirts and Las Vegas-themed clothing. The store will offer the largest selection of Guinness branded merchandise in one venue outside of Ireland. There will also be an exhibit that explains the Guinness brewing process. Visitors won't be able sample the world's best-selling stout in the store, but they will be able to purchase a customized official Guinness pint glass with their names or with the date of their trip to Las Vegas.
Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant (at 4930 W. Flamingo Rd., at Flamingo and Decatur in the Renaissance Center West) is offering two promotions for local non-profit organizations to raise money to benefit their programs and services now through May 31, 2011. In celebration of the “World’s Largest Margarita” event in which Ricardo’s broke the Guinness World Records® with a monumental 7,627 gallon; the restaurant is hosting an “All-You-Can-Eat Tacos and Frozen Margaritas” promotion for $25 per person, with $10 to go back to the charity of the patron’s choice. Ricardo’s will also give back $1 to charity for every record-breaking recipe margarita that is purchased through May 31, 2011.
Country music superstars Ronnie Dunn and Sara Evans will be the headlining performers for ACM Concerts at Fremont Street Experience, to be held on consecutive nights, April 1-2, 2011 in Las Vegas. Dunn will headline on Saturday night, April 2nd and Evans will headline on Friday, April 1st.
These concerts take place in conjunction with The Week Vegas Goes Country®, the week of the 46th ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, honoring country music’s top talent and the industry’s hottest emerging talent, to be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 3rd, 2011 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
For the fifth year in a row, the Academy of Country Music presents free and open-to-the-public concerts starting at 6:30pm on two stages in downtown Las Vegas at Fremont Street Experience. Specific show times, additional performers and stage locations for the week long party will be announced soon.
With the April 15 IRS tax filing deadline approaching, United Way of Southern Nevada’s “Earn It Keep It Save It” collaboration encourages southern Nevadans who earned less than $49,000 in 2010 to take advantage of its FREE tax preparation services at two Super Saturday events April 2 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. IRS-certified volunteers and community partners will be on site, Saturday, April 2 at Cardenas Market, located at 4421 E. Bonanza Blvd. and Saturday April 9 at Cardenas Market located at 4700 Meadows Lane, to assist with free tax preparation.
Angel Porrino returns to Peepshow as fill in for Holly Madison while she is on vacation March 21 – April 3. Holly Madison will return to the role of “Bo Peep” on Monday, April 4
Singer-songwriter Pete Yorn is set to bring his distinctive sounds to the Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort on Friday, April 8, 2011, at 7:30 p.m. with special guest Ben Kweller. Tickets are $29 & $39, plus any additional service fees.
Five-time Emmy Award® winner Dennis Miller brings his hilarious stand-up routine back at The Orleans Showroom for three nights, April 8, 9 and 10 – each evening at 8 p.m. Tickets start from $49.95, plus tax and convenience fees.
The College of Southern Nevada’s Department of Fine Arts is staging “A ‘Gleeful’ Musical Revue”, a musical production featuring a cast of 20 performing a variety of pop and Broadway songs in a setting reminiscent of a college math class. Performances are April 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 and 17 at 2 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre on the Cheyenne Campus, located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. For reservations, call 651-LIVE (5483).
Celebrity sightings:
Wednesday night, March 16 Billboard Hot 100 artist Colby O'Donis celebrated his 22nd birthday at LAX Nightclub at Luxor. Two days after his real birthday on March 14, the big night began just before 1 a.m. as the Grammy-nominated singer arrived with an entourage of 10 and were seated front and center stage inside the nightclub right next to the DJ booth.
Immediately following his 15-minute performance for the crowd, the birthday boy was presented with a three-tiered red and black music themed cake with the words "Happy Birthday Colby O’Donis" on it.
Colby O'Donis
Photo credit: Scott Berry/Sixeightstudios
Colby O'Donis holding birthday cake
Photo credit: Scott Berry/Sixeightstudios
Thursday night, March 17…
House of Pain hosted TAO’s Worship Thursday in celebration of 20 years together and St. Patrick’s Day. The group, including Danny Boy, Everlast and DJ Lego dined at the Asian Bistro.
House of Pain with cake
Photo Credit: Al Powers
House of Pain's Danny Boy and Everlast at TAO
Photo Credit: Al Powers
House of Pain's DJ Lego, Everlast and Danny Boy at TAO
Photo Credit: Al Powers
After dinner they headed to the club, commanding the moat VIP sky box overlooking the entire club. They hopped into the DJ booth for a half hour, culminating the set by getting on the mic for their “Jump Around” anthem. Afterward, they returned to the sky box where they were surprised by a cake from Gimme Some Sugar commemorating 20 years of House of Pain.
Also at TAO on Thursday was Scott Porter from The Good Wife. The actor and friends celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at a VIP table in the nightclub.
Rapper Jermaine Dupri and a friend, were also spotted enjoying Worship Thursdays.
Holly's World stars, Laura Croft and Angel Porrino, joined by friends, celebrated St. Patrick's Day at Chateau Beer Garden at Paris Las Vegas.
Laura Croft and Angel Porrino dancing at Chateau Beer Garden at Paris Las Vegas on St. Patrick's Day.
Laura Croft and Angel Porrino enjoying green beer on St. Patrick's Day at Chateau Beer Garden at Paris Las Vegas.
The NFL may be locking out its football players, but for St. Louis Rams’ all-time leading rusher and Pro Bowler Steven Jackson, the show must go on. Jackson a fan of the arts and particularly of THE LION KING, headed to Mandalay Bay to take in a performance of the Las Vegas musical production. Following the show, Jackson headed back stage to meet THE LION KING cast members Buyi Zama “Rafiki”, Jelani Remy “Simba”, Kissy Simmons “Nala” and Derrick Williams “Mufasa.”
Later that evening, Jackson was joined by Vegas-based NFL agent Steve Caric at Red Square at Mandalay Bay.
L-R: Buyi Zama, Jelani Remy, Steven Jackson, Kissy Simmons, Derrick Williams.
Photo credit: Bryan Haraway
Friday night, March 18…
Nicky Nilton and friends including Brandon Davis were spotted at Marquee Nightclub inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Jermaine Dupri also stopped in to check out DJ Chuckie, making his way to the stage to say hello to the headliner before calling it a night.
Also spotted at Marquee were Jamaal Charles and Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs, Earl Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks and Danny Gorrer of the Baltimore Ravens.
DJ Chuckie
Photo credit: Al Powers
Jamaal Charles and Earl Thomas
Photo credit: Al Powers
The Hills star, Lauren "Lo" Bosworth celebrated the launch of her book, "The Lo-Down Down” at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens at Paris Las Vegas. Bosworth and friends drank cocktails and danced to sounds by special guest DJ, Jermaine Dupri.
Also spotted at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens were fashion designer and socialite, Nicky Hilton with a group of ten friends and family members. Hilton was in town to celebrate her cousin Whitney Davis' 21st birthday. Davis is the daughter of Kim Richards, as seen on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Also in Hilton's group was bad-boy billionaire heir, Brandon Davis.
Across the nightclub, NFL stars Josh Cribbs of the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles' cornerback Gerard Lawson joined actor Jamie Kennedy in a private booth and were seen drinking Don Julio 1942 tequila.
Outside, Paris Las Vegas headliner, Barry Manilow and Lorna Luft, NFL great Rick "Doc" Walker, rapper Coolio and rapper Bobby Brackins were all spotted partying on the incredible rooftop terrace over looking the Las Vegas Strip.
Nicky Hilton celebrating her cousin Whitney Davis' 21st birthday, in the DJ booth at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens.
Photo Credit: David Becker/WireImage
Nicky Hilton and cousin Whitney Davis in the DJ booth at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens.
Photo Credit: David Becker/WireImage
Eva Longoria celebrated her birthday at her opulent Eve Nightclub in Crystals at CityCenter Las Vegas. The actress was joined by her friends including actor and TV host Mario Lopez and his girlfriend Courtney Mazza. Inside the club, the birthday girl was presented with an over-the-top, three-and-a-half foot pink, floral cake adorned with "Happy Birthday Eva" in silver, glittering letters. During the cake presentation, Longoria was serenaded by up-and-coming artist, Tino Cuory, who sang her "Happy Birthday", while the crowd wildly snapped photographs.
Before the party, Longoria and a large group of friends dined at Beso Steakhouse.
Also walking the red carpet were Peepshow star and singer, Josh Strickland, hypnotist Anthony Cools, magician Nathan Burton, local TV entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs, Mario Lopez and Courtney Mazza. Spotted inside the party were dance crew, the Jabbawockeez, and comedians David Spade and Kevin Farley.
Eva Longoria
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Eva Longoria with birthday cake
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
David Spade
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Courtney Mazza and Mario Lopez
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Josh Strickland
Photo credit: Denise Truscello/Wire Image
Saturday afternoon, March 19, Lauren "Lo" Bosworth and Playboy Playmates Tiffany Selby and Danielle Fornarelli enjoyed a girls' lunch at Chateau Beer Garden at Paris Las Vegas.
Lauren "Lo" Bosworth enjoying lunch at Chateau Beer Garden.
Photo credit: Carlos Larios
Lauren "Lo" Bosworth with a Sugar Factory American Brasserie Couture Pop at Chateau Beer Garden.
Photo credit: Carlos Larios
Playmates Tiffany Selby and Danielle Fornarelli with Sugar Factory American Brasserie Couture Pops at Chateau Beer Garden.
Photo credit: Carlos Larios
Lauren “Lo” Bosworth at Chateau Beer Garden.
Photo credit: Carlos Larios
Nicky, Kathy and Rick Hilton joined Kim Richards of Bravo’s hit TV show “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” and her daughter Whitney at The Venetian and The Palazzo to celebrate Kathy and Whitney’s birthdays.
After settling in to their spacious suites, Kathy was joined by husband Rick and sister Kim for a belated birthday dinner at TAO Asian Bistro at The Venetian.
Whitney and Nicky were seen at Azure Luxury Pool (it was opening day) at The Palazzo with their friends.
Kathy Hilton and Kim Richards
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak / Images of Vegas
Kathy, Whitney and Kim
Photo credit: Robyn Andrzejczak / Images of Vegas
At Marquee inside The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas taking in a special DJ set from headliner Paul Van Dyk…
Actor Jaleel White, best known for his character Steve Urkel on the sitcom Family Matters, was seen in the club’s Boom Box room, joined by a group of friends at a VIP table.
Also spotted in the Boom Box room was actor Omar Benson Miller, who joined friend Eric D-Lux in the DJ booth for the majority of the night.
Former NFL pro and Hall of Fame inductee Marshall Faulk took in Saturday night at Marquee, as did Carolina Panther Nic Harris.
Omar Benson Miller, Eric Dlux and friends at Marquee Nightclub
Photo Credit: Brenton Ho/Powers Imagery
Actor, musician, songwriter and television star Mark Salling hosted a sexy soiree PURE Nightclub where he spent the night partying. The young star along with 10 of his closest friends started the evening with dinner at Social House inside Crystals at CityCenter. Afterwards, the co-star of Glee and his entourage headed over to mega nightcub PURE .
Mark Salling
Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Sunday, March 20, Rocker Alice Cooper and wife Sheryl celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary by having dinner together at Strip House at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino