AccessVegas.com Las Vegas News

The Academy of Country Music is hosting two days of all-star concerts at Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas during The Week Vegas Goes Country®! The weekend-long party leading up to the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be hosted by three-time ACM On-Air Personality of the Year Award winner Blair Garner, host of After MidNite with Blair Garner, and will feature performances by ACM New Artist of the Year nominees Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery as well as Love and Theft and headliner Luke Bryan on Friday, March 30th, and Laura Bell Bundy,  Craig Campbell, Eli Young Band, Jana Kramer, and headliner Eric Church on Saturday, March 31st. ACM Weekend on Fremont Street Experience is sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

DETAILS:

Friday, March 30, 2012
7:00pm – Love and Theft  (Vocal Duo of the of the Year Nominee) – 1st Street Stage
7:55pm – Hunter Hayes  (New Artist of the Year Nominee) – 1st Street Stage
8:50pm – Brantley Gilbert  (New Artist of the Year Nominee) – 3rd Street Stage
9:45pm – Scotty McCreery  (New Artist of the Year Nominee) – 1st Street Stage
10:45pm – Luke Bryan – 3rd Street Stage

Saturday, March 31, 2012
7:00pm –  Jana Kramer – 1st Street Stage
7:55pm –  Craig Campbell – 1st Street Stage
8:35pm –  Eli Young Band – 3rd Street Stage
9:50pm –  Laura Bell Bundy – 1st Street Stage
10:45pm – Eric Church (Album of the Year Nominee & Video of the Year Nominee) –  3rd Street Stage

About Fremont Street Experience – Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment zone in downtown Las Vegas that is one of the world’s most-visited attractions.  It features the world’s largest video screen at 1,500 feet long 90 feet above the pedestrian mall. VivaVision, with 12.5 million digital lights and a 550,000-watt sound system, dazzles visitors nightly with light & sound shows.  Encompassing 10 hotel-casinos, 60 restaurants and free entertainment, Fremont Street Experience attracts over 18 million annual visitors. Visit www.vegasexperience.com for more information.

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Alison Victoria, host of DIY Network’s hit show “Kitchen Crashers” is putting her toolkit to good use for the remodeling of a Las Vegas kitchen. Production for the show and the remodeling began in the early morning Monday, March 5, and will continue into Wednesday, March 7, and Thursday, March 8.

The remodel is taking place at 4530 Paseo El Rio Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89121. All the ground work was set up on the first day of production with the kitchen being completely emptied and rewired with the focus of day two to be on the installation of cabinets and the backsplash. Day three will consist of a few final touches and the big reveal to the owners.

Production for March 7 will run 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and March 8 will run 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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Photo Cut Line: In commemoration of Joey Bishop’s birthday, The Rat Pack is Back! brings a touch of nostalgia to the official KISS® boots that are currently touring Las Vegas in celebration of the upcoming opening of KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® on March 15, 2012. Photo © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ erikkabik.com

KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® and the dynamic cast of the notorious Las Vegas show, The Rat Pack is Back!, pay tribute to the acclaimed group of the 1960s – the Rat Pack. The Rat Pack is Back! paired their signature coiffed look with KISS’ signature striking boots to celebrate the 94th birthday of famous Rat Packer, Joey Bishop. On the heels of the announcement about the grand opening of KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® that opens its doors March 15, 2012. The KISS® boots have been brought to Vegas for a limited engagement throughout the city. Photo © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ erikkabik.com

KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® is the first of its kind and will include an indoor glow-in-the-dark custom-designed, rockin’ 18-hole miniature golf course, a state-of-the-art arcade, the largest KISS® gift shop in the world, A KISS® Gallery, “Hotter Than Hell” Wedding Chapel, a private VIP Room, FANtastic KISS® themed event rooms and the “Rock ‘n Roll All Nite” Café.

About Monster Mini Golf®
Monster Mini Golf is the leader in cutting-edge indoor glow-in-the-dark Monster themed entertainment centers. Founded in 2004, the company boasts 30 (and counting) 18-hole miniature golf courses across the country. Each custom-designed course also features an arcade game area, private event rooms, an in-house DJ, and fantastic entertainment for the whole family. For additional information visit www.monsterminigolf.com, or contact Christina Vitagliano, at 401-454-8100. For updates on the KISS® By Monster Mini Golf project, visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/MonsterMiniGolfKISS.

Related Links:

Get your tickets now: The Rat Pack is Back

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Head to Bar Vdara from 6-8 p.m. on Leap Day, Feb. 29, for a tweet-up featuring a selection of rare tastings from Patron, gourmet appetizers and giveaways including Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational tickets, an overnight stay at Vdara and even a helicopter tour of the Hoover Dam!

Special Giveaway: The guest who brings the most friends will win a “rare” prize!

This is a free event and open to the public. 21+ only. RSVPs: http://twtvite.com/koczd4

When: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 6 – 8 p.m.

Where: Bar Vdara
Vdara Hotel & Spa
2600 West Harmon Ave.
Las Vegas, NV

Event Hashtag:             #RareDay

Twitter Handle:             @VdaraLV

Related Links:

Book Now and Save: Vdara Hotel

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Wynn Las Vegas’ Race & Sports Book will host a viewing party for the 84th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 26 beginning at 3 p.m. The event will be open to the public and attendees will have the opportunity to walk away with exciting prizes courtesy of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore.

Johnny Avello, director of race and sports operations for Wynn Las Vegas, will host the event and challenge guests with trivia contests and chances to win prizes throughout the show. Avello, famous for his spot-on entertainment odds, will guide guests in casting their ballots.  Prizes will include tickets to Le Rêve- The Dream, passes to The Buffet at Wynn, fine dining and spa gift certificates and a complimentary, two-night stay at Wynn Las Vegas.

“The competition in the Best Picture category is stiff this year,” said Avello. “There are a lot of great films nominated and filling out the ballot at our viewing party is going to be a tough job for our guests. My personal pick for Best Picture is The Artist at 2 to 5 odds, followed by The Descendants at 7 to 1.”

Avello is the resident odds maker for Wynn Las Vegas and Encore and sets sports and racing lines in conjunction with entertainment odds for the GRAMMY’s, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and numerous other contests. Avello’s astounding record of accurately predicting winners has made him Las Vegas’ go-to for odds in all genres. In 2012 alone, Avello has accurately selected the Pekingese to win Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show, Miss Wisconsin to win Miss America and also the winners in ten of thirteen categories for which he made odds on the Golden Globes. This is Avello’s eighteenth year providing entertainment odds on the Academy Awards.

Related Links:

Book Now and Save: Wynn Las Vegas Hotel

Book Now and Save: Encore Hotel

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KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® is holding the “KISS® OFF” finale with KISS’ own, Tommy Thayer as the celebrity judge! Over 200 bands worldwide submitted their entries, and now it is down to the final four: KISS FOREVER (Hungary), MR. SPEED (Ohio), ROCK AND ROLL OVER (Texas) and KISSTERIA (Australia). And to add a bit of Las Vegas to the bill, local Las Vegas KISS tribute band, “Las Vegas KISS” is opening for the final 4! The finale is free to the public and will take place on Sunday, Jan. 29, from 2 – 6 p.m. at Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The top 4 “KISS® OFF” finalists will be judged based on talent, performance, appearance and showmanship to determine the ultimate KISS® tribute band. The winning tribute band will make their grand debut at the opening of KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® on Mar. 15, 2012.

“The response from the KISS OFF was incredible, with over 200 entries and more than 29,000 votes online, and with Tommy Thayer judging the finals we are confident that the best tribute band will play at the grand opening of KISS by Monster Mini Golf,” says Christina Vitagliano, Founder of KISS by Monster Mini Golf.

In conjunction with the “KISS OFF” finals, the finale for the “Lady Demon” model search will also take place. The 6 “Lady Demon” finalists, who were chosen online, will compete for the crown. The winner of the “2012 KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® Lady Demon” contest will debut the first ever custom designed $10,000 KISS studded black leather wedding dress on the “black” carpet at the grand opening of KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® on Mar. 15, 2012.

The judges of “Lady Demon” include:  the Founder of Monster Mini Golf®, Christina Vitagliano; Lotus Broadcasting 97.1 DJ, Steph MacKenzie; and celebrity photographer, Erik Kabik.

“This is a free event and open to the public and we encourage everyone to come down and spend the day with us,” added Vitagliano.

Hosting the finale will be “Lowercase g,” Ambassador of KISS® by Monster Mini Golf®; and media personalities, Tricia McCrone and John Katsilometes.

For those that would like to be a VIP that day, there are a limited number of VIP tickets available for purchase at www.monsterminigolf.com/kiss

VIP tickets are available for $99 and include:

·     Private VIP Section
·     Meet & Greet with Tommy Thayer
·     Autographed 8×10 from Tommy
·     KISS® Swag Bag full of goodies!
·     Free Ticket to KISS by Monster Mini Golf
·     FREE Pass to Vanity Nightclub on Jan 29th hosted by Tommy Thayer! ($30 value!)

Additionally, attendees of the KISS OFF and Lady Demon finals at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino who “Like” KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® on Facebook or Tweet using #KISSnGOLF will be eligible to win 2 VIP tickets to the KISS® By Monster Mini Golf Grand Opening on Mar. 15, 2012.

For more information please visit www.monsterminigolf.com/kiss/   KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® is located across from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino at the Shoppes at Harmon Square.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is offering preferred KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® room specials available for Jan. 28 – 30.  Please call reservations for room availability and additional information at 800.343.4346 and mention code HKISS2.

About Monster Mini Golf®
Monster Mini Golf is the leader in cutting-edge indoor glow-in-the-dark Monster themed entertainment centers. Founded in 2004, the company boasts 30 (and counting) 18-hole miniature golf courses across the country. Each custom-designed course also features an arcade game area, private event rooms, an in-house DJ, and fantastic entertainment for the whole family. For additional information visit www.monsterminigolf.com, or contact Christina Vitagliano, at 401-454-8100.  For updates on the KISS® By Monster Mini Golf project, visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/MonsterMiniGolfKISS.

Related Links:

Book Now and Save: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

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Fremont Street Experience, CHD, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and Golden Catalyst are bringing the first-ever Chinese New Year celebration to Downtown Las Vegas.  Chinese New Year – Dragon In The Desert will celebrate the Year of the Dragon from Jan. 24 – 28 with a 5-day festival featuring many of the traditional and symbolic elements needed to wish good fortune to all.

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman will participate in the Opening Ceremonies on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m.  The new year will be greeted with a live authentic dragon dance performed by the Las Vegas Lohan School of Shaolin complete with virtual firecrackers on Viva Vision; the largest video screen in the world measuring 1,500 feet long and suspended 90 feet above the street, an eye painting ceremony and a parade of performers dressed in elaborate costumes.  Additionally, a ribbon cutting to start the opening ceremonies will consist of 888 people for extra luck.

“Fremont Street Experience is excited to help usher in the Chinese New Year for the first time to wish wealth, good health and good fortune to all,” stated Jeff Victor, president of Fremont Street Experience.  “We invite everyone to celebrate with us.”

Each night, beginning at 6 p.m., the festival will feature a live dragon and lion dance, a Vendor Village with Asian food and arts and crafts, and a virtual dragon dance on Viva Vision. Live entertainment will include cultural presentations on the 3rd Street Stage and a Karaoke competition hosted by Las Vegas Thai Elvis Prasith on the 1st Street Stage where anyone in the crowd can join in for a chance to win prizes. For a detailed entertainment schedule go to www.cnyinthedesert.com.   All entertainment is free and open to the public.

“We’re hosting over 2,000 international visitors for the week and to have Fremont Street Experience and LVCVA align with us to celebrate this festive time is wonderful,” said David Huang, President of CHD.

“China is our number one source of international travel from Asia,” said Cathy Tull, senior vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.  “Cultural celebrations such as Chinese New Year help showcase the amenities and attractions of Las Vegas as we continue to attract more international visitors.”

“Chinese New Year is the most important holiday of the year. Hosting this event in historic downtown at Fremont Street Experience is a wonderful opportunity to bring our two cultures closer together” said Jan-Ie Low of Golden Catalyst.

Fremont Street Experience is a five-block entertainment complex located in historic downtown Las Vegas. Fremont Street Experience features Viva Vision, the world’s largest video screen which is 1,500 feet long, 90 feet wide and suspended 90 feet above the urban pedestrian mall.  Viva Vision features nightly spectacular light and sounds shows with 12.5 million LED lights and a 550,000-watt sound system. Fremont Street Experience is a one-of-a-kind venue which includes free nightly concerts and entertainment on two stages. With direct pedestrian access to 10 casinos, more than 60 restaurants and specialty retail kiosks, Fremont Street Experience attracts over 17 million annual visitors.

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On July 1, 1962, Sam and Bill Boyd opened the Eldorado Casino, marking the first joint venture of the legendary father-son team, and the beginning of what would become Boyd Gaming, one of the most respected companies in the gaming industry.

To celebrate its 50th year in operation, the downtown Henderson landmark will offer specials and promotions throughout 2012, starting New Year’s Day:

- The Eldorado will create a set of 2,000 commemorative, limited-edition $5 gaming chips in recognition of the anniversary.  The property will distribute 1,000 of the chips to its VIP customers on New Year’s Eve, and put the remaining 1,000 into general circulation starting in January.

- In the property’s bingo hall, any customer winning a game on “G-50” will receive a $200 cash bonus throughout 2012.

- In a throwback to the prices of 1962, the snack bars at both the Eldorado and Jokers Wild will offer a variety of 50-cent specials throughout the year, including shrimp cocktails, hot dogs, soft drinks, draft beer and coffee.

On Sunday, July 1, the Eldorado will host a 50th anniversary celebration for the public, featuring cake and a champagne toast.

Discuss the anniversary on Twitter: @eldoradocasino #Eldo50th.

About Eldorado Casino
Located at 140 South Water Street in Henderson, Eldorado offers a sports book, three restaurants, a bingo parlor and keno lounge. Guests will also find more than 400 slots and table games.

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In honor of the most celebrated sign of the Chinese Zodiac, The Venetian and The Palazzo are commemorating the prosperous holiday in an over-the-top fashion. Beginning with a ceremonial dragon dance at 1 p.m. on Jan. 23, the Chinese New Year celebrations include lavish feng shui-inspired décor, auspicious dish offerings and festive cocktails.

DRAGON DANCE AND EYE PAINTING CEREMONY ON JAN. 23

Symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year, the dragon dance is an important ritual of Chinese culture. On Monday, Jan. 23 at 1 p.m., a ceremonial dragon dance complete with firecrackers and eye painting ceremony will begin at The Venetian porte cochere, making its way through The Palazzo. The colorful spectacle will feature a parade of dancers and musicians dressed in elaborate costumes playing authentic music.

FIRE-BREATHING, 128-FOOT DRAGON TO MAKE THE PALAZZO ITS HOME

The Waterfall & Atrium Gardens of The Palazzo will host Las Vegas’ premier Chinese New Year attraction as a 128-foot hand-crafted, fire-breathing dragon is suspended above in the 65-foot-high space. Spanning the entire atrium, the one-of-a-kind, 8,000-pound dragon will be perched amidst the ground fountain and breathe fire from Jan. 23 through Feb. 5 at 1 and 5 p.m. (2 p.m. on Chinese New Year Day following the dragon dance).

Regarded as the mightiest of signs, the dragon symbolizes such traits as ambition, passion and success. Those who possess the sign of the Dragon are said to take risks, are unafraid of challenges and embody colorful personalities.

“During Chinese New Year, it is beneficial to visit the dragon for its blessing and protection. It is good luck to walk around the entire dragon three times in a clockwise motion to remove obstacles for 2012,” said Peter Lung, with World of Feng Shui, who consulted on the design of the dragon. “You should build friendships with those who possess the sign of the dragon for better luck and blessings in the New Year.”

The west garden will be complete with rocks, plants and metals representing earth elements while the east garden will embody water elements with live orange Koi fish and one black fish to represent Yin and  Yang, the ancient Chinese philosophy of polar opposites being interconnected and interdependent.

“The dragon is the most powerful of the zodiac signs. We had to create something that Las Vegas would never forget,” said Dana Beatty, director of horticulture for The Venetian and The Palazzo. “From the number and location of our displays to the length and direction of the dragon, everything about the Waterfall & Atrium Gardens is feng shui-inspired, creating the perfect environment to bring wealth and prosperity in 2012.”

A secret friend to the dragon, a rooster will sit to the west of the ground fountain. The two zodiacs are compatible with one another and together bring harmony, wealth and lucky relationships.

The gardens and entrances to both The Venetian and The Palazzo will be adorned with fresh bamboo, citrus trees and 15-foot floral arrangements of tangerines, bromeliads and orchids. Nine traditional I-Ching coins, representing an abundance of wealth, will surround the dragon and Lalique statues of The Palazzo. Six-foot-tall, hand-loomed brocade silk and jade gold and red lanterns will be suspended from the atrium ceilings signifying the lives of those around to always be bright.

The larger-than-life dragon took more than 60 designers, conceptualists, welders and painters from across the globe more than a year to create and will take nearly 10 days to construct onsite.

CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR WITH AUSPICIOUS DISHES AND FESTIVE COCKTAILS

During Chinese New Year, guests can enjoy auspicious dishes at The Palazzo’s Zine Noodles Dim Sum, ranked as one of the top 10 Chinese restaurants in the U.S. by Chinese Restaurant News.

Celebrated chef Simon To has created limited-time signature dishes including Live Lobster with golden garlic and spicy salt – the word “lobster” resembles that of “dragon” in Chinese, representing positive energy; Firecracker Manila Clams, infused with Chinese white wine, fish paste and spicy roasted pepper – representing hidden treasures, the dish brings wealth into the coming year; and Buddha Feast Creation, sautéed seasonal vegetables with ginger juice – meaning “a whole, good, healthy family for the entire year.”

Guests can also enjoy refreshing infusions including a Chamomile and Lychee Ice Tea, Green Tea with Rosemary, Chili and Lemon and the signature Dragon Cocktail created from vodka, ginger liqueur, lime, a spring of tarragon, lemongrass syrup and lemon rind. These refreshing libations will be served at each of bars and lounges at The Venetian and The Palazzo.

Share #ChineseNewYear wishes on Twitter with @PalazzoLasVegas and @VenetianVegas.

The Chinese New Year décor and specialty food & beverage offerings will be available through the end of February.

Related Links:

Book Now and Save: The Venetian

Book Now and Save: The Palazzo

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First Friday Las Vegas will change to winter hours, 5pm – 11pm for the January, February and March festivals. Specific event details and programming for January 2012 will be distributed soon. In the Arts District location new art tents and a music stage will now extend south on 3rd Street from the intersection of Colorado. The Fremont East street art fair will now take place in the space behind Downtown Cocktail Room and Beauty Bar, between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th Street.

”With our expansion we’re looking to bring in an even wider range of artists and vendors – from different styles of art and new food items to entertainers – there is a place for everyone at First Friday and we want to give them the opportunity to showcase their talents,” said First Friday Las Vegas Managing Partner Joey Vanas.

Anyone who registers for the First Friday newsletter or signs up as an artist, sponsor, vendor, volunteer or entertainer in the new system by Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, will be entered in a raffle to win an original piece or art from one of our fabulous First Friday artists.

For more information and continuous updates on First Friday Las Vegas, please visit www.firstfridaylasvegas.com

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