The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower recently held the first annual “Cocktail Server Blackjack Tournament. Winning first place and $500 each in the “Creative Costume Contest” were Sommer Horris, Brenda Magiros and Melissa Merrick, all cocktail servers from the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower.
37 teams of cocktail servers representing the MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, Palms, Blackjack Lodge, Big Dog’s and many others competed for the first place trip to Hawaii and $1,500 in the “Creative Costume Contest,” announced American Casino & Entertainment Properties officials.
“The inaugural ‘Cocktail Server Blackjack Tournament’ was a huge success. The participants had a great time and the costumes were amazing. We received great feedback which we will incorporate into making next year’s event bigger and better,” said Rory Hascall, vice president of table games and ancillary gaming for the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower.
The first place winner of the “Cocktail Servers Blackjack Tournament” was a team representing the MGM Grand - GiGi Bukner, Jodi Saliba and Lucille O’Hara. Each team member won a trip for two to Hawaii with airfare and 5 day/4 night hotel accommodations. They also had a chance to win $100,000 in a blackjack-themed promotion. The “Creative Costume Contest” was won by a team from the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower comprised of Sommer Horris, Brenda Magiros and Melissa Merrick. Each won $500.
Hundreds of teams converge in Sin City to vie for $50,000 grand prize and the coveted “Beer Pong World Champion” title. BPONG.COM will bring its world-renowned tournament, The World Series of Beer Pong IV (WSOBP) to Flamingo Las Vegas
Jan. 1 -5. The five-day event is the largest event of its kind, where the winners will take home a grand prize of $50,000 and the coveted title of “Beer Pong World Champion.”
This year’s tournament marks the fourth annual competition and is expected to be even bigger and more competitive than years past. Last year’s tournament drew nearly 600 contestants from 39 states and three countries. Reigning champs Jeremy Hughes and Mike Orr are expected back this year to defend their seats on the beer pong throne.
Beer Pong, also widely known as Beirut, is a game that has gained immense popularity in recent years. Members of two-person teams attempt to lob Beer Pong balls (similar to table tennis balls) into the opposing team’s cups placed at the other end of a long table. The first team to land balls in each of the defending team’s cups is crowned winner. Cups are often filled with beer (but for the tournament, beer or water) and may be consumed by the players if they choose.
Dubbed “the drinking game of choice for this century’s twentysomething thinkers” by TIME Magazine, Beer Pong has proven to be a big hit not only on college campuses, but on the Las Vegas Strip as well.
“The Flamingo is really excited to host the WSOPB,” said Suzanne Trout, V.P. of Marketing for O’Sheas and Flamingo. “We introduced Beer Pong to the Las Vegas Strip a couple of years ago at O’Sheas Casino and it continues to be immensely successful for us; it’s a pastime with a very loyal following.”
The deadline to register for the WSOPB is Dec. 5. The WSOBP, in conjunction with Flamingo Las Vegas, offer a variety of registration options starting at $1,000 per team, which includes a four night stay at the center-Strip resort. The competition is open to both men and women 21 years and older. For additional details, registration information, and WSOBP tournament rules visit www.bpong.com. For more information on Flamingo Las Vegas visit www.flamingolasvegas.com.
About Flamingo Las Vegas
Located in the heart of the Strip, the Flamingo Las Vegas is a true desert oasis. With newly renovated and award-winning Flamingo “GO” rooms and a 15-acre sprawling pool and wildlife habitat, Flamingo Las Vegas is the hottest pink on the Strip. The resort boasts first-class dining options and diverse entertainment offerings, including America’s favorite siblings, Donny & Marie, Nathan Burton Comedy Magic, the adult topless revue “X” Burlesque and in-your-face comedian Vinnie Favorito.
About BPONG.COM and The WSOBP
Founded in 2001, BPONG.COM has emerged as the central resource for all things related to beer pong by standardizing the rules and equipment of the game based on input from the entire beer pong community, organizing the largest and most recognized beer pong tournaments in the world with unparrelled cash payouts, and uniting beer pong players and leagues from around the world. BPONG.COM is the official governing body and host of The World Series of Beer Pong (WSOBP) and also offers the most Beer Pong equipment and gear of any Beer Pong company in existence, including all the official tables, balls, and cups used at The WSOBP. For more information, please visit www.bpong.com.
Country music legend Reba McEntire is scheduled to perform at the Orleans Arena on Saturday, January 17 at 8 p.m. The concert will feature popular songs from her most recent album, “Duets,” which debuted atop the Billboard 200, along with hits that span her award-winning career.
Reba McEntire is one of the most successful female recording artists in history, selling more than 55 million albums worldwide and boasting 33 No. 1 hits including “Does He Love You,” “How Was I To Know,” and “Somebody”. McEntire is the winner of multiple awards including two Grammy Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards and 15 American Music Awards. She is also an acclaimed film, television and Broadway actress whose primetime comedy, “Reba,” was a top-rated sitcom for six seasons. In addition, McEntire is a celebrated author and designer of the REBA brand, which includes clothing, footwear, home collections, and other products.
Tickets go on sale on Friday, November 21 and are priced at $60 and $75, including all taxes and fees. From now until December 31, buyers will receive a free ticket to the Sam’s Town 300—scheduled for February 28, 2009 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway—for each Reba McEntire ticket purchased.
Tickets can be purchased at the Orleans Arena Box Office by calling 702.284.7777.
Tickets for celebrity impressionist, singer, comedian and ventriloquist Terry Fator at The Mirage Las Vegas are on sale. Winner of NBC’s 2007 season of “America’s Got Talent,” Fator and his cast of thousands have entertained millions across the country and will make The Mirage their new home in early 2009.
“In what seemed like all of a sudden, it took me 25 years to become an overnight sensation. Ever since that life-changing night on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ I feel like I am truly living the American dream,” said Terry Fator. “The incredible opportunity to perform at The Mirage in my own theater is something I could have never imagined.”
Combining the art of ventriloquism with singing celebrity impressions, Fator brings his style of comedy and entertainment to the Las Vegas Strip. His cast of puppets, including Winston the Impersonating Turtle, Walter T. Airdale and Emma Taylor, take on a life of their own through their comedic banter and convincing personalities. Throughout the show, Fator and his co-stars effortlessly perform the singing styles of an eclectic group of stars including Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse, Elvis, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks, Nat King and Natalie Cole, Etta James, Gnarls Barkley, The Beatles, James Blunt, Brooks & Dunn, Pussycat Dolls, Louis Armstrong, Fergie and even Kermit The Frog.
In addition to his win on “America’s Got Talent,” Fator also has performed to rave reviews on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “The Late Show with David Letterman.” Later this year he will release his first book, “Who’s The Dummy Now?”, chronicling his journey from struggling performer to sold-out entertainer.
Runners are encouraged to visit www.lvmarathon.com before Dec. 2 to register for The 2008 Las Vegas Marathon. Currently, registration is $105 for the full marathon and $95 for the half marathon. After Dec. 2, online registration will close and runners can sign up for the 2008 marathon at The Nissan Quality of Life Expo at the Mandalay Bay convention center Dec. 5 - 6. Fees will increase to $120 for the full marathon and $110 for the half marathon.
In addition, The 2008 Las Vegas Marathon is seeking volunteers for race day. The Adopt-A-Mile program encourages local businesses, organizations and entertainment acts to show their support by decorating a mile of the racecourse and cheering on runners. Participants are asked to provide 50 to 75 volunteers to staff their mile. To Adopt-A-Mile or for more information, contact Sam Lieberman at 702.731.1052 or 702.286.0739 or via email at osrsig@aol.com.
The Las Vegas Marathon will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 at 6 a.m. at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. Fireworks start the race as runners run down the legendary Las Vegas Strip. Contrary to previous years, The 2008 Las Vegas Marathon is limiting the number of participants. Once 20,000 runners are signed up for the full and half marathon combined, registration will be closed.
About The Las Vegas Marathon
The Las Vegas Marathon debuted in 2005 to worldwide media attention with its unique blend of running Elvi, an “only in Vegas” run-through wedding chapel and an unprecedented opportunity to run the Las Vegas Strip. More information on the race, registration and how to get involved is available at www.lvmarathon.com or by calling 702.731.1052.
T&T (Tacos & Tequila) at Luxor now spices up the weekends by offering Mariachi brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests can feast on delicious Mexican entrées and enjoy drink specials and live Mariachi music.
T&T’s Executive Chef Saul Ortiz mixes up a zesty Sunday brunch featuring an assortment of breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros and chilaquiles. Brunch items include albondigas soup with a Mexican meatball in a spicy tomato mint broth ($8); Chilaquiles, mixed with crispy tortillas, chicken, red or green sauce, panela cheese, crema fresca and onion ($13) and the machaca burrito, with scrambled eggs salted dried beef, black beans, Oaxaca cheese, salsa verde, crema fresca and habanero salsa ($14). Other favorites are the huevos con tocino, made with scrambled eggs, flour tortilla, smoked bacon, black beans and salsa roja ($10); the huevos con chorizo, a blend of Mexican spiced sausage, flour tortilla scrambled eggs, potatoes, cotija cheese and salsa verde ($11); mole huevos rancheros, a traditional Mexican mole poblano, corn tortilla, black bean puree and two eggs any style ($14) and the huevos rancheros served with ranchero sauce, corn tortilla, black bean puree and two eggs any style.
The restaurant is also offering two-for-one Casarita drink specials. The signature margarita, the Casarita ($10) is mixed with Hornitos An(ejo Tequila, organic agave nectar, Grand Marnier and the delicious housemade margarita mix– squeezed daily from fresh limes– and topped off with a rim of the restaurant’s salt mixture.
Adding a little extra flavor to the brunch, diners can enjoy live Latin sounds from the band Mariachi Tapatio, who will play from noon to 3 p.m.
“T&T is the perfect way top off the weekend, and a great Sunday family outing” said Co-Owner Michael Frey. “The restaurant lends an authentic Mexican experience with its delicious cuisine, and high-energy features.”
Reservations are recommended for Mariachi Brunch and can be made by calling (702) 262-5225. Located above hotel registration at Luxor, T&T is open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offers late-night dining until 3 a.m.
About T&T (Tacos & Tequila):
Owned and operated by Drive This Entertainment! and its partners Michael Frey and Craig Gilbert, T&T marks the company’s first project. T&T (Tacos & Tequila) is a highly stylized restaurant with a fun, high-energy vibe and flavorful menu in Luxor. Embodying traditional and modern elements of Mexican style intermixed with rock-n-roll flair, T&T combines the talents of world-renowned restaurateur Chef Richard Sandoval with the innovative creations of New York-based design team Rafael Alvarez and Brannen Brock for an unparalleled concept.
December 12 – March 8, 2009
Lecture by David Pagel: Thursday, December 11, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Members’ Preview Reception: Thursday, December 11, 7-9 p.m.
The “L.A. Now” exhibition features 20 emerging artists who live and work in Los Angeles, California. The exhibition is organized by critic and curator David Pagel. Artists included in the exhibition were selected from among those who presented outstanding artworks in Los Angeles commercial galleries during the 2007-2008 season. The artists work in a wide variety of styles and media; each has gained national or international recognition for artistic achievement.
Artists featured in the exhibition include: Olivia Booth, Miles Coolidge, Liz Craft, Nathaniel de Large, Lecia Dole-Recio, Brad Eberhard, Wendell Gladstone, Katie Grinnan, Elliot Hundley, Annie Lapin, Michael Lazarus, Nathan Mabry, Allison Miller, Kristen Morgin, Christine Nguyen, Jared Pankin, Steve Roden, Jeni Spota, Don Suggs, and Wayne White. The exhibition represents the Las Vegas debut for all of the artists.
According to curator Pagel, “L.A. Now” is designed to showcase the artistic achievements of the artists individually: “rather than start with a theme, and fit the art into that, I’m starting with the art and seeing what emerges from that.” Most important for Pagel was to select artworks that are not only singularly memorable, but that together create compelling interactions: “I wanted the works in my show to converse with one another, to engage one another materially, intellectually, and emotionally.”
“L.A. Now” is accompanied by a fully illustrated exhibition catalog, which includes an essay by the curator. The catalog will be available for sale at the Las Vegas Art Museum, and on the Museum’s website.
David Pagel is a freelance writer, curator, and art critic for the Los Angeles Times. He is Associate Professor of Art Theory and History and Chair of the Art Department at Claremont Graduate University. Pagel’s previous exhibitions include “Painting Design,” Claremont Graduate University (2007); “702 Series: Sush Machida Gaikotsu,” Las Vegas Art Museum (2007); and “POPulence,” Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston (2005). He is recipient of an Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Contemporary Arts Criticism and has been a Macgeorge Fellow at the University of Melbourne, Australia.
LVAM is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, and is closed Mondays. General admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 55 years and older, and $3 for students 13 years and older; children 12 and younger enter free when accompanied by an adult. For more information on exhibitions, membership, and education programs, please call (702) 360-8000, or visit www.lvam.org.
UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn looks to become the first fighter in history to hold two UFC championships at the same time when he faces Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 94: ST-PIERRE VS. PENN 2 live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Jan. 31. Two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world will go five rounds for the welterweight championship.
In March 2006, top welterweights St-Pierre and Penn fought for the division’s No. 1 contender’s spot. St-Pierre earned a razor-thin split decision and later went on to win the UFC welterweight title. Penn dropped to the lightweight division and won the organization’s 155-pound title. Now they’re about to do it again, but this time, there’s much more at stake.
“This may be the most anticipated rematch in UFC history,” said Dana White, UFC president. “Their first fight was an epic battle of two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. After that fight, St-Pierre would go on to win the UFC World Welterweight title and Penn would go on to win the UFC World Lightweight title. Now these two champions will meet again with a lot of pride and St-Pierre’s title on the line. This fight will be talked about for years to come.”
One of the sport’s most dynamic athletes, St-Pierre (17-2) will be prepared to go five rounds to defend his UFC welterweight championship. The Montreal native has won his last four fights and nine of his last 10. Most recently, the popular champ defeated No. 1 contender Jon Fitch in a five-round war. At 27, he is in the prime of his brilliant fighting career and looking to send Penn back to the 155-pound weight class.
St-Pierre said, “I’m very honored to fight BJ Penn and very excited because it’s the fight that everybody wants to see, including myself. It will be one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history, and I’m glad and humbled to be a part of it.”
The current UFC lightweight champion, Hilo, Hawaii native Penn (14-4-1), earned the welterweight title in 2004 with a submission victory over UFC legend Matt Hughes. Penn has been even more untouchable since returning to the lightweight division. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has won his last three fights against world-class foes including Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson and Sean Sherk. However, the only thing on Penn’s mind right now is a return to the welterweight division for a healthy dose of revenge.
Penn said, “For the first fight against St-Pierre, I was at a point in my career where I didn’t prepare as well as I should have. During the second and third round I realized that I ran into someone who wanted it more than I did. Now, I’m very prepared to go five rounds.”
The Carmel Room at Rampart Casino is proud to announce a month-long celebration of one of the most coveted and elusive foods on the planet, the black truffle. Prized for centuries by chefs, royalty and gourmands for their intoxicating aroma and magnificent flavor, truffles remain one of the most expensive foods on the planet.
According to Carmel Room Chef Steven Varga, December is the perfect time for a truffle celebration. “Wild truffles are most aromatic in December and January and are at their peak of quality. Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, this little indulgence is something our guests really enjoy.”
Available every night of the week (holidays excluded) in the month of December, the dinner features the black Tuber Melanosporum or Perigourd Black Truffle. The celebration is available as a three-course tasting menu, five-course Grand tasting menu or á la carte. The full Carmel Room menu is also available. Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling (702) 507-5955.
Rampart Casino Executive Chef John Ciborski gave further insight regarding the allure of truffles. “In the best years, the annual truffle production is less than 5% of what it used to be in France. They’re grown underground at the base of oaks and harvested with the assistance of specially trained dogs or pigs. It’s really the diamond of the culinary world. As Alexander Dumas said, ‘They can, on certain occasions, make women more tender and men more loveable.’ They are that good.”
Rampart Casino Resorts can be reached at (702) 856-5300.
Since the show premiered in Las Vegas in February 2003…
* MAMMA MIA! has used more than 650 yards of spandex and more than 65,000 sequins to create costumes for The Dynamos.
* More than 4,000 light bulbs have been replaced in the unique stage since production first began – more than likely due to damage caused by the disco-era platform boots worn by The Dynamos!
* The show’s signature song, “Mamma Mia,” has been sung more than 4,300 times over the lifetime of the show.
Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA!, based on the songs of ABBA, will play its final performance at Mandalay Bay Theatre in Las Vegas on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Tickets for the final performance go on sale this Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
After nearly six years on The Strip, MAMMA MIA! prepares to end its record-breaking engagement after celebrating more than 2,100 performances and two million guests to date.
MAMMA MIA! set the precedent for musicals in Las Vegas, as no other full-length Broadway show has ever enjoyed such enduring success on The Strip.
“I am so grateful to the audiences who have supported MAMMA MIA! in Las Vegas over six record-breaking years,” said global producer Judy Craymer. “I am proud that the popularity of the production in Las Vegas has opened the doors for other musicals to play on The Strip. This has been an extraordinary year for MAMMA MIA!, with the worldwide history-making success of the movie, as well as a glorious finish to a triumphant run at Mandalay Bay. We are leaving on such a high.”
MAMMA MIA! premiered at Mandalay Bay Theatre on February 13, 2003. With an unforgettable musical score and irresistible story, the show earned a loyal fan base of locals and tourists alike and will be missed when the final curtain falls in January 2009.
“MAMMA MIA! has had an amazing run at Mandalay Bay. This success is a reflection of the cast and crew’s dedication to the show,” said Bill Hornbuckle, president and COO of Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. “We are proud to have partnered with the MAMMA MIA! team for nearly six years.”
Inspired by the story-telling magic of Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ songs, writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale of family and friendship unfolds on a Greek island. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings 3 men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. Songs including “Dancing Queen”; “The Winner Takes It All”; “Money, Money, Money” and “Take A Chance on Me” are all featured in this feel-good night of fun and laughter.
The feature film adaptation of MAMMA MIA!, produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, was released this summer and has become the most successful movie musical of all time around the world, grossing close to $500 million. Meryl Streep leads an all-star cast in the movie featuring Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Christine Baranski, Julie Walters, Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper.
With music and lyrics by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, MAMMA MIA! is written by Catherine Johnson and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. MAMMA MIA! has choreography by Anthony Van Laast, production design by Mark Thompson, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design by Andrew Bruce and Bobby Aitken, and musical supervision, additional material and arrangements by Martin Koch.
MAMMA MIA! is produced by Judy Craymer, Richard East and Björn Ulvaeus for Littlestar in association with Universal.
Seen by over 32 million people worldwide, and with three companies currently playing in North America, MAMMA MIA! has more productions playing around the world than any other current Broadway musical. The phenomenon that syndicated columnist Liz Smith calls “The most popular musical in the world!,” has surpassed a gross of $2 Billion in worldwide box office sales.
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, a AAA Four Diamond Award-winning destination resort, is set on 60 lush acres and offers 3,644 rooms and suites including 424 accommodations managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. Mandalay Beach, an 11-acre tropical pool environment, features real California sand, a wave pool and lazy river. The property also features the 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center, award-winning restaurants, Shark Reef and the 1.5-million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center – the largest convention center on the Las Vegas Strip. Mandalay Bay’s brands include THEhotel, an all-suite hotel which features 1,117 luxurious one-bedroom suites and the BATHHOUSE Spa, and Mandalay Place, a collection of 41 unique boutiques and restaurants. Mandalay Bay is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE™.
The performance schedule for MAMMA MIA! at the Mandalay Bay Theatre is Sunday - Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 6 p.m. & 10 p.m. There is no performance on Friday.
The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower recently held the first annual “Cocktail Server Blackjack Tournament. Winning first place and $500 each in the “Creative Costume Contest” were Sommer Horris, Brenda Magiros and Melissa Merrick, all cocktail servers from the Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower.
T&T (Tacos & Tequila) at Luxor now spices up the weekends by offering Mariachi brunch every Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Guests can feast on delicious Mexican entrées and enjoy drink specials and live Mariachi music.