Brussels’ most famous troublemaker is making his mark on Las Vegas as the city’s newest headliner. Weighing in at 500 pounds with a penchant for public nudity, the new star is ready to expose himself to Downtown Las Vegas and will likely become one of its most sought-after celebrity sightings.
During a unique disrobing ceremony the other afternoon, the D Las Vegas CEO Derek Stevens introduced the newest addition to his hotel and casino: Manneken Pis, a large-scale bronze replica of the beloved 17th century statue in Brussels, Belgium. The D has entered into a 100-year contract with Manneken Pis as the official greeter of the property, making him the longest entertainment residency in Las Vegas history.
Dutch for “Little Man Pee,” Manneken Pis is a bronze statue of a young boy cheerfully “relieving” himself into a fountain’s basin. The piece holds a special place in the lives of brothers Derek and Greg Stevens, who are of Belgian descent, when they visited the statue in Brussels often throughout their childhood, and early adulthood. A lifelong fan of the cheeky work-of-art, Stevens always knew he wanted to incorporate Manneken Pis into the D’s playful landscape.
“Manneken Pis Las Vegas is a ‘tip of the cap’ to our parents and our family trips to Belgium,” said Derek Stevens. “We are thrilled to bring his whimsical spirit to the D, which will attract thousands of visitors from around the world to Downtown Las Vegas.”
Starting as a central water source in Belgium, Manneken Pis has played an important role in the history of the country. Created by Hiëroynmus Duquesnoy the Elder and put on display in 1619, Manneken Pis was a survivor of the bombardment of Brussels in 1695, and grew into one of the most widely visited and photographed statues in Belgium. While smiling coyly, Manneken Pis remains the emblem of the rebellious spirit of Brussels. The statue been described as hard working yet fun, loving, affable and slightly irreverent – all qualities embraced by the D.
One the distinguishing traits that sets Manneken Pis apart from other statues is his elaborate wardrobe, consisting of more than 900 suits and costumes to match holidays and other special occasions. This tradition will carry over to Las Vegas, where Manneken Pis will be spotted in a variety outfits throughout the year to match seasons, Downtown Las Vegas events and other city-wide initiatives.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman, who was on-hand for the unveiling ceremony, said “Derek Stevens is truly a friend of Downtown Las Vegas, and bringing Manneken Pis Las Vegas to the D is a testament to his investment in this area. The statue will be a symbol of the entrepreneurship that is taking place in Downtown Las Vegas and at the D.”
Manneken Pis can be spotted right next to the D’s main valet, and is ready to greet his public beginning today. Follow him on Twitter at @MannekenPis_LV.
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
Fremont Street Experience’s Rock of Vegas 2015 summer concert series will conclude this Labor Day weekend with a free concert on Sunday, September 6 at the 3rd Street Stage with Kansas at 9 p.m.followed by special guest Blue Oyster Cult at 10:45 p.m. Every May through September, Fremont Street Experience transforms Downtown Las Vegas into the hottest place to be with the annual Rock of Vegas summer concert series; one of the most popular summertime events in Las Vegas featuring rockin’ nightly entertainment, free headliner concerts and Viva Vision shows.
:
Sunday, September 6, 2015
9 p.m. – Kansas
10:45 p.m. – Blue Oyster Cult
Where:
3rd Street Stage at Fremont Street Experience located in downtown Las Vegas.
Located next to the D Las Vegas, Four Queens Hotel & Casino, and Fremont Hotel & Casino.
Kansas
Kansas has spent than four decades as a part of the soundtrack of the lives of multiple generations. The band has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of KANSAS), one platinum live album (Two for the Show) and a million-selling gold single, “Dust in the Wind.” Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the ’70s and ’80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. “Carry On Wayward Son” was the #2 most played track on classic rock radio in 1995 and went to #1 in 1997. The band, which is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, keyboardist David Manion, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, andoriginal guitarist Richard Williams, continues to perform in front of large and enthusiastic audiences around the world.
Blue Oyster Cult
For over four decades, Blue Oyster Cult has been thrilling fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs. The band from Long Island, NY is revered within the hard rock and heavy metal scene for its pioneering work. Blue Oyster Cult occupies a unique place in rock history because it's one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn both genuine mainstream critical acclaim as well as commercial success. Upon the release of BOC's self--titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy yet heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrifying, funny or ambiguous, often all in the same song. BOC’s hits include “(Don't Fear) The Reaper” from 1976's Agents of Fortune, the pummeling “Godzilla” from 1977's Spectres and the hypnotically melodic “Burnin' for You” from1981's Fire of Unknown Origin.BOC still maintains a relentless touring schedule that brings new songs and classics to fans from all over.
For complete information on the headliner concerts and nightly entertainment, visit www.vegasexperience.com.
All aboard the LVMS Express. Las Vegas Motor Speedway, in conjunction with JusTours, has launched the LVMS Express, which will provide bus service to the speedway for race fans staying in both the Strip corridor and downtown during NASCAR and NHRA event weekends. “This partnership with JusTours will greatly enhance the race weekend experience for our out-of-town race fans,” LVMS President Chris Powell said. “The LVMS Express will be the best means of mass transportation to and from Las Vegas Motor Speedway for NASCAR and NHRA events.” Race fans can begin reserving their seats on the LVMS Express on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Tickets for the Oct. 30-Nov. 1 NHRA Toyota Nationals will be $99 for the three-day weekend or $60 for a one-day pass. NASCAR passes also will be $99 for the three-day weekend and $75 for a one-day pass. All tickets will be sold through the LVMS ticket office and the speedway’s website at lvms.com.
For NASCAR Weekend, the LVMS Express also will offer an upgraded VIP experience that will include priority boarding and expedited departures from both the Strip and downtown pickup locations as well as the speedway. “We’re excited to be working with the largest sports facility in Nevada and being a part of the largest sports event in the western United States,” said Andrew Citores, CEO of JusTours. “We have worked some of Las Vegas’s largest events, including the Electric Daisy Carnival and Life Is Beautiful, so we’re looking forward to providing our high-quality experience to NASCAR and NHRA fans.” The LVMS Express will have at least five pickup and drop-off stops along the Strip and downtown during the NASCAR Weekend. Most of the buses will be equipped with restrooms, and all buses will have dedicated routes to and from the speedway. NASCAR fans also will find a new bus depot located much closer to the seating areas when they arrive at the speedway on the LVMS Express. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is a wholly owned subsidiary of Speedway Motorsports, a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. For more information, visit www.speedwaymotorsports.com. JusTours makes group travel and large-scale events easy for organizers and attendees. The Las Vegas-based company services music festivals, sporting events, corporate groups and universities across the country.
Well, gang, that’s it for this week. Have a great Labor Day weekend. I’m outa here!
