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Category: Jackie Brett

“BRETT’S VEGAS VIEW”

DATE: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015

BY: Jackie Brett

VEGAS COLUMN

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN’S FLAMINGO SHOW EXTENDS THROUGH 2016

                Olivia Newton-John’s popular “Summer Nights” residency at the Flamingo has been extended through 2016. The internationally-renowned singer-actress with her eight-piece band will continue to take audiences on a musical journey through her life in film and music. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $69, $99 and $129, and a special meet-and-greet package is available for $299.

                With a career spanning over five decades, she has sold more than 100 million albums, and even recently scored another No. 1 hit, this time on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart with her latest single, “You Have to Believe,” which she recorded with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi. In 1978, her co-starring role with John Travolta in “Grease” catapulted Newton-John into super-stardom and to date remains the most successful movie musical of all time.

 

MIKE TYSON WAX FIGURE WILL BE UNVEILED AT MADAME TUSSAUDS

                On Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m., boxing legend Mike Tyson will be unveiled as the world’s first Mike Tyson wax figure at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas. The figure dressed in a shirt and jacket is modeled after his role in Warner Bros. Pictures’ “The Hangover and will permanently be on display inside the attraction’s newest themed room The Hangover Experience and positioned right next to the beloved tiger trapped inside of the bathroom.

                Launched on National Hangover Day, Jan. 1, 2015, the experience is complete with the notorious hotel room, a smashed replica of the Las Vegas Metropolitan police car and the wedding chapel as seen in the film and two additional character figures “Alan” played by Zach Galifianakis and “Phil” played by Bradley Cooper.

 

MACHINE GUNS VEGAS DEBUTS INTERACTIVE FIREARMS VIDEO GAME

                Machine Guns Vegas (MGV), Vegas’ firearms facility featuring shooting full auto/machine guns, is introducing MGV LIVE, an experience that allows customers to fire live rounds at interactive targets in video games that react to shots fired in a 100 percent bullet proof, custom-built mobile shooting range. 

                 MGV LIVE is a joint venture with Shooting Range Industries, LLC (SRI), which builds modular custom gun ranges out of recycled shipping containers for defense forces and law enforcement. They utilized MiLo Technologies — an interactive, scenario based firearms training platform, which incorporates video games, moving screen targets and scenarios for laser or live fire precision target practice. MGV LIVE consists of two shooting lanes.

                Packages – Competition, Zombie survival, Special Ops and Sniper Scenarios  – starting at $125 enable guests to shoot a firearm with laser or live ammo to detect accuracy either solo or against a friendly adversary. MGV is located at 3501 Aldeberan Ave. For information, call 1-800-757-4668.   

 

GOLDEN STEER STEAKHOUSE WILL OFFER SINATRA DINING EXPERIENCE

                For the entire month of December, The Golden Steer Steakhouse, Las Vegas’ longest-running steakhouse, will offer a special menu dedicated to Frank Sinatra, who would have turned 100 on Dec. 12. The three-course “Frank’s Menu” was created based on what Sinatra ordered when he regularly dined at the restaurant in the ’60s while performing with the Rat Pack. Priced at $100 per person, guests who experience “Frank's Menu” will dine in his actual booth - table 22, which seats up to four guests.

 

PRIMM FAMILY DONATES FAMILY WILDLIFE COLLECTION TO MUSEUM

                The Las Vegas Natural History Museum has acquired a prestigious museum quality animal collection from Nevada casino developer and wildlife enthusiast, Gary E. Primm. The rare Gary and Matthew Primm Wildlife Collection features approximately 99 exotic and domestic species including a pride of lions, buffalos, bears, giraffe, crocodile, baboon and more. The value of this exclusive, one-of-a-kind collection is estimated at $650,000 according to Unmatched Appraisal Services. Select pieces of the Primm Wildlife Collection are available for viewing now at the museum.

 

THE PALAZZO CREATES WINTER WONDERLAND DISPLAY

                The Waterfall Atrium & Gardens at The Palazzo has been transformed into a winter wonderland through the first week of January 2016 with hand-designed snowflakes suspended midair above three holiday filigree trees and a family of hand-made golden manzanita reindeer. The inspiration for the filigree trees together weighing approximately 2,700 pounds came from a cake created by the pastry team at The Venetian and The Palazzo. The reindeer were constructed from steel and then real manzanita branches were applied by hand and painted. There are more than 1,000 ornaments sprinkled throughout the display along with two 16-foot tall golden manzanita trees adorned with 80 crystal ribbons. There are more than 2,500 plants and flowers.

 

HARD ROCK LIVE HOSTS ‘WHISKERS & WHISKEY’ FUNDRAISER

                Hard Rock Live inside the Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas Strip will host “Whiskers & Whiskey” on Thanksgiving Eve from 7 to 10 p.m. to benefit The Movember Foundation and men’s health. Tickets are $30 with unlimited Jameson cocktails and appetizers included.

                The night’s festivities will feature specialty Jameson cocktails and a facial hair fashion show competition with celebrity judges: Dirk Vermin of A&E’s “Bad Ink;” Mark Hall-Patton, expert on History’s “Pawn Stars;” and Robert Teddy, pastry chef and instructor at Le Cordon Bleu. There will also be a performance by local rockers Ashley Red.

 

NEON MUSEUM HOSTS ‘DECEMBER TO REMEMBER’ EVENT DEC. 12

                The Neon Museum’s annual “December to Remember” family holiday celebration will be held Saturday, Dec. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. It will start with ornament-making in the Boneyard Park followed by hot chocolate and caroling by the Las Vegas Academy choir in the festively illuminated Neon Museum Boneyard from 5 to 6 p.m. Families will be able to snap holiday photos with Santa. This event is free and open to the public; reservations are not required.
                In addition, the Neon Museum Boneyard’s collection of more than 200 vintage neon signs will be illuminated with a special holiday-inspired palette of lights from Nov. 27 through Jan. 1.

 

HOLIDAY SPIRIT ACTIVITIES AT TIVOLI VILLAGE

                Tivoli Village on Saturday, Nov. 28 will unveil the all-new Santa’s Workshop at 9:45 a.m. For the season on weekends, there will be pictures with Santa, rides on the Tivoli Holiday Express Train, and Gingerbread House and Ornament decorating. Pet Pictures with Santa will be available Wednesdays, Dec. 9 and 16 from 5-8 p.m. at Shaggy Chic. There will be Storytime with Mary Poppins provided by Nanny’s & Housekeepers on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., Nov. 28-Dec. 20. 

 

MORE HOLIDAY TRADITION NEWS

                Resident headliners Human Nature in The Venetian’s Sands Showroom are currently presenting their 2015 holiday show, “Christmas, Motown, and More!” The show features holiday favorites from the group’s best-selling CD, “The Christmas Album,” and features special guest star, Ruby Lewis, direct from her critically acclaimed performance in BAZ.

                The District at Green Valley Ranch will host its annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m. and have the arrival of Santa Claus. The family-friendly event will be hosted by Las Vegas’ best-selling author, Cerina Vincent, who also played Maya the Yellow Galaxy Ranger in “Power Rangers” and include a live performance by Frankie Moreno.


                Opportunity Village’s iconic Las Vegas Great Santa Run (GSR) featuring a sea of Santa lookalikes will host its 11th annual event in Downtown Las Vegas on Saturday, Dec. 5. The Kris Kringle-inspired race and festivity evokes the holiday spirit of helping a local cause. In addition, Jersey Boys Las Vegas will be GSR’s official grand marshal. 

                On Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from 1-3 p.m., Santa will greet guests and pose for photos on the opulent Grand Staircase Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor. High-quality images will be available for purchase inside the exhibition.

 

HISTORIC GOLD MINE TAVERN CELEBRATED 50-YEAR MILESTONE

        The Gold Mine Tavern located on historic Water Street in downtown Henderson celebrated its 50-year anniversary. It was recently named one of “Seven Most Historic Bars in the Vegas Valley” by the Las Vegas Review Journal.

                Henderson City Councilman Giles “Bud” Franklin opened the bar in 1965 and sold it in1977. Following Franklin’s departure as owner, the bar underwent several identity changes. One of the bar’s long-standing staples is its original 80-foot long wooden bar. Current owner Tim Haughinberry purchased the Gold Mine Tavern in 2006 and has completed several renovations including expanding the patio area and modernizing the interior spaces with a warm red and black color palette. Haughinberry has added programming live local music performances and themed events.

 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR 2016 GREAT VEGAS FESTIVAL OF BEER

                Tickets are now on sale for Motley Brews’ 2016 Great Vegas Festival of Beer (GVFB), Nevada’s largest craft beer festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2016. More than 7,000 craft beer enthusiasts will line the streets of Downtown Las Vegas to sample more than 400 craft brews from more than 100 breweries. Craft beer fanatics will be able to learn more about pairing craft beer with food from industry professionals during the BrewLogic sessions. Early Bird tickets are available for general admission $30; early entry $40; and VIP $80 through Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015.

 

DISCOVERY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM HOSTS NUTCRACKER EXTRAVAGANZA

                The Discovery Children’s Museum in collaboration with Nevada Ballet Theatre will host a Nutcracker Extravaganza on Black Friday Nov. 27 featuring set and costume pieces from the ballet and walking the Nutcracker red carpet. Academy Nevada Ballet Theatre performances will take place hourly starting at noon.

                Special ticket discounts and promotions are also available to museum visitors and members for Nevada Ballet Theatre’s presentation of “The Nutcracker” at The Smith Center Dec. 12-13 and 18-20.

 

ENTERTAINMENT HAPPENINGS

                Willie Nelson & Family has been added to the entertainment lineup at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan. He’ll appear Friday, Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

                Due to popular demand an extra show on Saturday, Nov. 28 at 10 a.m. has been added for “ELF The Musical” at The Smith Center. Tickets start at $29.

                Whitney Cummings, comedian and co-creator of “2 Broke Girls” on CBS, will take the stage in “LIPSHTICK - The Perfect Shade of Stand Up” on Saturday, Nov. 28 at The Venetian. Cummings, whose HBO special, “I’m Your Girlfriend” will debut on Jan. 23, 2016, is also working on a pilot based on Maureen Dowd’s 2005 book, “Are Men Necessary? When Sexes Collide.”

                Dead & Company featuring legendary Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart with GRAMMY Award-winning singer and guitarist John Mayer will appear at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27 and 28. Tickets range from $50-$325.

                The lineup of comedians at the Improv at Harrah’s from Nov. 24-20 include Jeremy Hotz, Don Barnhart and Jamar Neighbors.

                “Christmas in Las Vegas” at the Silverton in the Veil Pavilion on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. will star Mark Giovi and Genevieve Dew with special guest artists Rosanna Telford and Victoria Hart plus musical direction by Kenny Davidsen and his band. Tickets are $25 and $35 for VIP tables, call 702-630-6111.

                Dubbed “DMX-mas,” the soiree with Grammy nominated rapper DMX will take place at Foxtail Nightclub at SLS Las Vegas® on Sunday, Dec. 13 with doors opening at 10:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale starting at $20.

 

WINE TASTINGS MIXED WITH ENTERTAINMENT

                The Wine Amplified “Plugged-In” series will present two private wine tastings featuring 14 wines at The Joint inside the Hard Rock in December. The first on Saturday, Dec. 12 will feature Gary Allan. The second on Tuesday, Dec.15 will highlight x107.5 Holiday Havoc with Bastille and Silversun Pickups. Tickets for each show are $50 with $3 going to Three Square Food Bank. Plugged-In wine tasters will each receive a ticket to the show, custom tasting glass and a wristband for 20 two-ounce pours of wine. It’s advanced ticket sales only on Wine Amplified’s website.

 

CHEF RICK MOONEN IS NEXT GUEST CHEF AT MADE L.V.

                Chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood and Rx Boiler Room in Las Vegas will take his sustainable and creative approach to cooking to Made L.V. at Tivoli Village on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. for a special dinner as part of the tavern’s Guest Chef Series. Dinner tickets are $39. Cocktails and wine are available for an additional charge.

 

DELANO CELEBRATES LOCAL ARTISTS WITH PHOTO EXHIBIT ‘SPEKTIVE’

                Delano Las Vegas continues its appreciation of local artists with the introduction of “SPEKTIVE,” a new photo exhibit by Sam Hon that will be on view through December. Hon has a background in commercial photography for celebrities, professional athletes, advertising campaigns and more. His work is inspired by the idea that art has a different outlook depending on where one stands to view it.

                Located in the hotel’s lobby, the collection’s five pieces appear to be digitally composed art, but upon closer inspection guests will discover that the works are comprised of the female figure; 500 to be exact. Utilizing photographs with 12–15 women at a time, Hon spent more than 700 hours contorting and layering 500 bodies into each remarkable piece of art.

                Final touches to Hon’s awe-inspiring pieces include highlighting a specific portion of each image with a calligraphy pen to add an unexpected element. The intricate details of each photo create the illusion of multiple dimensions.

 

ARIZONA CHARLIE’S CASINOS HOLD ANNUAL ‘FEED A FAMILY’ PROGRAM

                For the fourth consecutive year, Arizona Charlie's Casinos has its “Feed a Family” program running through Dec. 15 with ace | PLAY card members having the opportunity to contribute their points toward providing families in need with meals. For every 12,000 ace | PLAY points contributed, Arizona Charlie’s provides boxes filled with holiday meals for four and packed by employees to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority.

 

ABOUT TOWN COMMUNITY NEWS

                Monte Carlo’s BLVD Plaza was transformed into a festive wedding venue for the GEICO Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon and ½ Marathon’s 10th annual Run Thru Wedding earlier this month. Approximately 210 couples comprised of both newlyweds and vow renewals exchanged “I do’s” at the open-air Strip-side destination.

                CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar at Downtown Summerlin is partnering with Aid For AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) this December for their monthly CRAVE Cares program. There will be an all-red wine pairing four-course dinner on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. featuring Michael David Winery. A champagne reception will precede the dinner. Cost is $75.

                Operation Christmas Child, which is a global Christmas project, has Las Vegas-area volunteers preparing to collect more than 17,000 gift-filled shoeboxes during National Collection Week through Nov.23. For information, call Brenda Meehan at 702-524-0604 or visit samaritanspurse.org

                The City of Henderson was recently named a Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) at the silver award level by the League of American Bicyclists, becoming the first city in Nevada to receive this recognition.

                Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada will have more than 125 volunteers serving approximately 1,500 Thanksgiving dinners to the homeless and vulnerable on Thanksgiving Day from 10-11 a.m.

                In honor of the past Veteran’s Day, Wynn Las Vegas and Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas joined together to help rehabilitate Veterans Village in Downtown Las Vegas on Nov. 14 and 15. More than 200 Wynn employee volunteers provided critical repairs and renovations to the transitional and permanent 125-unit housing facility for United States veterans.

 

KEVIN FEDERLINE WILL HOST CRAZY HORSE III’S XXXMAS EVENT

                Crazy Horse III will hold its annual XXXMAS Industry Appreciation Celebration and return of NEON FLOW late-night party experience on Thursday, Dec. 10. Kevin “K Fed” Federline will host and spin party hits. Guests will also receive holiday gifts and spirits with an open bar from 10 p.m. to midnight, a $50 re-load on all diamond dollar member cards and a raffle.