From: Norm Johnson

For: Column for 04/12/2021

The Mob Museum, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, will host “Operation Summer Camp,” a virtual summer camp offered in June and July. This series features hands-on and immersive activities exploring the work of police officers, crime scene investigators, forensic scientists, and historians for youth ages 10 to 15. Campers can join other participants from around the country for an interactive, live-instruction virtual camp atmosphere.

“Operation Summer Camp” is a live, Museum educator-directed virtual program offered as daily, three-hour Zoom sessions plus additional activities to be completed at the campers’ leisure, providing a total of 20 hours’ worth of activities per week. Campers’ days will include icebreaker activities, small-group sessions, videos, light physical activity, experiments, special guest experts as well as self-motivated activities designed to be completed throughout the week. Five camps targeting different age groups are available:

 “Operation: Investigation I” - Appropriate for campers ages 10 through 12 or rising grades 4 through 7. Each day will focus on a different topic, including how to investigate a crime and build a case by collecting evidence, fingerprint examination, trace evidence collection, blood spatter analysis, witness interrogation and more. Two sessions are offered Monday, June 14 through Friday, June 18: 9 a.m.,  to noon, and 1 p.m. to 4 o p.m. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, June 2,
 

“Operation: Forensic Science I” - Appropriate for campers ages 13 through 15 or rising grades 8 through 10. Each day will focus on a different topic, including crime scene investigation, death investigation, fingerprint analysis, firearm and bullet examination, DNA analysis and more
Two sessions are offered Monday, June 21 through Friday, June 25: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PDT. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, June 2.
 

“Operation: Investigation II” - Appropriate for campers ages 10 through 12 years or rising grades 4 through 7. Each day will focus on a different topic, including how to sharpen investigative skills, examine various forms of evidence, investigate a death, understand how law enforcement brings down criminals and more. Two sessions are offered Monday, July 12, through Friday, July 16: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PDT. Registration must be completed by Wednesday, June 30.
 

“Operation: Forensic Science II” - Appropriate for campers ages 13 through 15 or rising grades 8 through 10. Each day will focus on a different topic, including modern forensic techniques, historical crimes, science-based activities to hone the investigative craft and more.
Two sessions are offered Monday, July 19, through Friday, July 23: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PDT. Registration must be complete by Wednesday, June 30.
 

“Operation: Discover History” - Appropriate for campers ages 10 through 12 or rising grades 4 through 7. Each day will focus on a different topic related to the fascinating history of Las Vegas and Southern Nevada. Campers will discover who lived in Las Vegas and how they adapted to the desert before modern technology. Participants will also learn what they can do to help preserve the city’s past. This new camp topic incorporates hands-on activities and creative writing aimed at appreciating and preserving the rich story of Las Vegas.
Two sessions are offered Monday, July 26, through Friday, July 30: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. PDT. Registration must be complete by Wednesday, June 30.

All campers will also be invited to join the program capstone event, “Summer Camp Family Night,” which takes place on the final day of camp each week on Friday at 5 p.m. PDT. During this activity, campers and their families participate in a camp-exclusive activity and trivia game. Each week, winners of Family Night will be awarded a family-four pack of tickets to visit The Mob Museum.

In addition, The Mob Museum’s “Operation Summer Camp” can assist children from Girl Scouts of the USA and Boy Scouts of America in earning certain merit badges. Badges are not included. For further details, please click here

The cost for “Operation Summer Camp” is $150 per camper or $125 for Museum Members. For those purchasing multiple camp registrations, a 15 percent discount will be applied to the second or multiple registration(s). Cost includes a prepared kit with activities and materials needed to complete summer camp projects. In the kits for campers in Investigation and Forensic Science, a few items in the kits include a pocket microscope, hand lens, instructions for making fake blood, materials needed to record and dust for fingerprints and much more. Campers in Discover History will have a pocket journal, neon chalk marker, hand lens, craft supplies and more. Kits can be picked up directly at The Mob Museum or mailed directly to campers anywhere in the U.S. To become a member and to take advantage of membership pricing for Summer Camp, click here.  

For more information or to register for Operation Summer Camp, click here. For more information about the Museum, please call (702) 229-2734 or visit themobmuseum.org.


THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:

 

Reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year and current ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee Eric Church has his sights set on a return to the road with his announcement of a full arena tour. As first shared with the Church Choir and by Billboard magazine, The Gather Again Tour will kick off this fall and visit 55 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, culminating at Madison Square Garden in the spring of 2022. The tour will make a stop at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Friday, May 13, 2022.

 

Making the most of the long-awaited opportunity to “gather again,” for the first time in his career Church will adopt an in-the-round set up, with the stage at the center of each arena floor in order to accommodate as many fans as possible. Tickets to all U.S. dates go on sale to the general public Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m. PT at www.EricChurch.com. Church Choir members may access tickets early via pre-sale on Tuesday, May 4 at 10 a.m. PT. On-sale information for the Canadian dates will be announced soon.

 

Church, praised by Rolling Stone in the lead review of the April 2021 print issue for how he “has maneuvered the Nashville system, remaining dedicated to the power of down-the-center hitmaking even as he’s helped expand the parameters of the genre,” has passionately taken a leadership role in the industry’s return to touring. 

 

“It became noticeably clear to me that the only way to really get back to normal is through vaccinations. You’ve got to get needles in arms,” he shared with Billboardin the April 3 cover story depicting the superstar getting his own second dose of the vaccine after consulting with epidemiologists and industry experts.

 

“I just want to play shows,” he continued. “Politics’ job is to divide – that’s how you win elections. Those things that unite us are music and sports. The times when, whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or whatever, you throw your arm around the person next to you. We need that. I need that.”

 

Additionally, Church will appear in an upcoming PSA promoting vaccine education, produced by ACM Lifting Lives, The Ad Council and COVID Collaborative and set to premiere during the ACM Awards broadcast on Sunday, April 18, where Church will also perform a song off his forthcoming Heart & Soultriple album project.

 

The trio is set for release in the coming weeks, with Heart available everywhere Friday, April 16, Soul available everywhere Friday, April 23, and the middle album, &, available exclusively to the Church Choir on Tuesday, April 20.

 

The Cupcake Girls,a case-management non-profit providing year-round confidential, agenda-less, and nonjudgmental support and resources to those in the adult industry as well as those affected by domestic sex trafficking, is celebrating its 10th birthday on Saturday, April 17 from 3-7pm at 110 East Charleston, the future home ofLocal For All, their latest project.

Held outside the building with lots of room for social distancing, The Cupcake Girls and Local For All teams will be welcoming the community to the future space with local artists, tasty bites and beverages by local chefs, and a sneak peek of the space given by The Cupcake Girls CEO and Founder and the lead architect. No tickets are necessary to attend, but RSVPing is recommended throughEventbrite.

 

“Now, more than ever, we have seen the need to provide a space for our community to tangibly mobilize, demonstrate, and express its collective spirit of care. The Cupcake Girls Holistic Resource Center and Local For All’s Social Impact Enterprise aims to answer that call, working to be a true community collaboration and an ongoing catalyst for compassion,” said Joy Hoover, The Cupcake Girls and Local For All Founder and CEO. “I am so excited to safely welcome people to celebrate 10 years of The Cupcake Girls growth and impact while giving a behind the scenes look into Local For All, which is scheduled to open later this year!"

 

The Cupcake Girls® provide confidential support to folks working in the adult industry, as well as those affected by domestic sex trafficking through holistic resources, case management, and aftercare. The Cupcake Girls' latest project, a community-driven Holistic Resource Center and Local For All, will be a venue for change. It will house their Las Vegas branch headquarters, their community partners and a social impact food hall, bakery, and a salon with job training programs all in the heart of the Arts District of Las Vegas. Local For All will expand the reach of The Cupcake Girls and their ability to support and empower more individuals in our community. The Holistic Resource Center is scheduled to open in 2021.

 

 

Expected to open in late 2021, Local for All will be the country’s first community-driven holistic resource center combining powerful alliances and partners to provide mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, and financial support. The center will be inclusive of all communities and will work to be a safe space where everyone belongs no matter the race, age, size, culture, sex, belief, or religion.

 

To complete the project, Local for All is still accepting corporate and individual sponsorships. For more information, visit www.localforall.org. Donations can be made at the event or online at https://local.funraise.org/.

 

 

Global sensation,Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, is now showing to the public at AREA15- the dynamic, new art, events and entertainment district located minutes from the Las Vegas Strip. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased here.

Debuting in Las Vegas after international stops in Asia, the Middle East and Europe, its arrival at AREA15 marks the first time a digitally immersive and virtual reality experience of this magnitude and complexity featuring the art of Vincent Van Gogh will be seen in the United States. In advance of its wider North American release in at least eight cities this year, including Atlanta, New York and Boston, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is now exclusively showing inside The PORTAL, AREA15’s 360-degree, projection-mapped room designed for events, performances, and digital art installations.

“This unforgettable exhibition is about stepping into a 21st century portal into the world of a 19th century painter,” said Michael Beneville, chief creative officer, AREA15. “I have to believe Van Gogh—a passionate, visionary artist who didn’t achieve fame until after his death—would be pleased knowing people today can enjoy his work this way.”

On view now through July 5 at AREA15, Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a timed 35-minute experience mapped specifically to fit the nearly 7,000-square-foot PORTAL. General admission tickets include lounge seating where guests are enveloped in sensational artistry, while VIP tickets include general admission plus VR goggles to experience “A Day in the Life of the Artist in Arles, France,” a virtual stroll alongside Van Gogh himself exploring the countryside settings that inspired his artwork.

The uniquely atmospheric light and sound show features dazzling animations of more than 300 of Van Gogh’s works set to a custom score and punctuated by voice actors sharing poignant quotes from Van Gogh’s letters to his brother, Theo.The production, brought to life by European entertainment producer, Exhibition Hub, which has produced more than 70 experiences around the world, and presented by U.S.-based Immersive Hub, is a culturally enlightening, educational experience appropriate for all ages. All attendees will abide by prevailing public health and safety protocols.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience will be on view Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 3 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The experience is closed Fridays. Adult tickets start at $35 with 20 percent off for military and seniors; children’s tickets are $19. Nevada residents receive additional discounts. VIP tickets, which include the VR experience, can be added to the general admission ticket for $10 more. Family-friendly ticket bundles are available at $80 for 2 adults and 2 children.

Well, gang, hope you are able to get outside, take in some fresh breezy air, as the “Days of Summer” is just around the corner,  I’m outa here!