Las Vegas Nevada News Feed

Shark Reef Aquarium inside the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino will eerily transform into a Haunted Reef Friday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Costumed children 12 and under will receive complimentary access and sugary sweets. Children in Costume and Blood Donors Receive Free Admission.

Fearsome predators, including tiger sharks and a rare Komodo dragon with dagger-like teeth, deadly saliva and piercing razor-sharp claws, will lurk in exhibits, terrorizing spectators.  Rattling chains, creaking doors and haunting music will replace the normally soothing sounds of the ocean and the jungle.  As visitors walk through Haunted Reef’s dark and spooky tunnels, they will pass ghostly decorations and jack-o-lanterns lining the walls.

Guests 17 years of age and older donating or pledging to give blood at the United Blood Services booth also will receive complimentary entry into Shark Reef Aquarium. The booth, set up just for Haunted Reef, will be open Friday, October 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Comments Off

As the days draw closer to Halloween,The Adventure Dome, aptly remaned the “Fright Dome” at Circus Circus is open additional evenings. The five-acre attraction, which was ranked for the third consecutive year as one of the top haunted attractions in the nation by AOL, will be open Thursday, Oct. 23 – Sunday, Oct. 26 and then counts down to Halloween next week, operating Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Friday, Oct. 31.

The expanded Halloween hours are Thurs., Oct. 23 – Sun., Oct. 26 and Weds., Oct. 29 – Fri., Oct. 31. 7 p.m. – midnight

Fright Dome inside The Adventuredome is located inside the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino on the famous Las Vegas strip.

Fright Dome opened on Friday, Oct. 3 and has terrified more than 25,000 visitors in the 10 nights it has haunted attendees. This year the event features three new haunted houses – The HEX-MAS Nightmare (complete with falling snow and ‘Helves’), Vampire’s Bloodfeast and HillBilly Hell. Also new to Fright Dome this year are terrifying Scare Zones with monsters and super creatures lurking in the dark around every twist and turn, as well as an off-the-wall stunt show starring the hosts of Discovery Channel Canada’s popular show “Guinea Pig.”

Comments Off

There was no sign of economic troubles on Friday, Oct. 3 as hundreds of community supporters gathered at Mandalay Bay Beach to support the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas’s 7th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser. Together with generous sponsors and community supporters, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation raised thousands of dollars for its scholarship program.
 
The program supports Las Vegas area students in their pursuit of a career in the hospitality field. To date, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation has supported 18 students including the six scholarship recipients for this year. The scholarship includes coverage of all academic expenses to any accredited four-year college as well as mentorship and guidance from members of the Foundation.
 
“We are extremely grateful for the support from the community, especially during these times of economic hardships. Without the contributions, we would be unable to fulfill the dreams of talented and deserving students,” said Shawn Ritchie, Epicurean Charitable Foundation president.
 
Guests at the event sampled world-class cuisine by renowned Las Vegas chefs and restaurants along with a collection of wines and spirits. UNLV Men’s Basketball Head Coach Lon Kruger was honored with the 2008 Imperium Award for Leadership for his philanthropic endeavors and commitment to the Las Vegas community. Special guest songstress Sara Bareilles performed numerous hits including her chart-topping single “Love Song” in the alfresco beach setting and a silent auction featured a variety of gifts, travel opportunities and private cooking lessons.
 
Photos from the event including group shots of the 2008 scholarship recipients, Head Coach Lon Kruger and Epicurean Charitable Foundation community supporters are available upon request.

About the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas
Founded in May 2001, the Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas is comprised of more than 40 top food and beverage executives who are dedicated to making a difference in the hospitality industry and the community through support of the local education system and hospitality and culinary related organizations, charities and associations. The Foundation’s primary charitable endeavor is the establishment of annual scholarship awards for local students seeking careers in the hospitality industry. The Epicurean Charitable Foundation Las Vegas can be reached 702-932-5098 or by visiting www.ECFLV.org.

Comments Off

The first permanent ice lounge in the United States has opened at Mandalay Place, adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

The 2,000 sq. ft. Minus 5 Experience welcomed its very first patrons with an “Elvis sighting,” an unveiling of a life-sized ice Elvis, complete with signature pompadour, glasses, side-burns, and guitar.  On a day when the temperature topped 90 degrees in Las Vegas, the inside of the newly opened Minus 5 ice lounge pushed the mercury to a frigid 23 degrees Fahrenheit, or, true to its name “minus 5″ Celsius.

Owned and operated by the Minus 5 Group, a New Zealand-based company that has “ice-cool” attractions with six other Minus 5 ice lounges currently in operation in three countries around the globe, the new Ice Lounge, located in Mandalay Place adjacent to Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino is certain to be one of the new “must experience” attractions in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas is the perfect city to launch Minus 5 in the United States – it creates a great juxtaposition of a frigid, winter wonderland in the hot arid desert,” said Craig Ling, president and founder of Minus 5.  “We are excited to introduce what is a truly unique experience to an American audience and we believe Las Vegas is the ideal destination.”  Since opening in 2002, the Minus 5 locations in Australia and New Zealand have become one of the most visited man-made attractions in their respective cities.

Guests are invited to come in from the Las Vegas heat and don Minus 5-issued parkas and booties over their t-shirts and flip-flops.  Then the arctic adventure begins, as patrons enter the ethereal blue and white world of the shimmering Minus 5 ice lounge.  An icy wonderland of intricately hand-crafted ice sculptures and architecture, guests are promptly served an ice glass filled with exotic vodka-based cocktails (”mocktails” are also available for non-drinkers).  Then, guests can relax on ice couches and enjoy what is literally the coolest lounge on the planet where the temperature is a constant -5 degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Our focus at Minus 5 is the art of ice,” said founder and president, Craig Ling.  “We have our own ice carvers who change the lounge and sculptures every six-to-eight weeks.  This also provides us with the ability to tailor-make sculptures for any function or event.  With the ability to create anything from a company logo to an actual-sized replica automobile that you can sit in, the possibilities for the Minus 5 ice experience are only limited by your imagination.”

After enjoying the wonders of the sub-freezing environment, visitors can make their way to the Minus 5 Lodge, a warm, rustic pub adjacent to the Minus 5 Experience that is themed after great arctic explorers.  The Minus 5 Lodge features ironwood beams, river stones, leather seats and an open-hearth to create an earthy, natural environment and a welcoming ambience that also features artifacts from famed explorers and ski huts of old.  Group function catering is available with a sumptuous menu by celebrated chef Rick Moonen of rm seafood restaurant at Mandalay Place.  The Minus 5 Lodge is a superb environment where guests can warm up in style and reflect on their Minus 5 encounter – the perfect end to an entirely unique experience.

Restrain yourself from making jokes about cold feet, but Minus 5 will certainly be the only Las Vegas venue to perform “ice wedding” ceremonies.  With stained “ice” windows and pews, beautiful ice sculptures and ice candelabra, the Minus 5 ice-chapel creates an unparalleled setting for a romantic wedding ceremony.  Brides are outfitted with an elegant white satin fur-trimmed cape to keep warm, and all ceremonies are organized in conjunction with the wedding professionals from the Mandalay Bay wedding department.

Inside the shimmering ice lounge, the proprietary climate control engineering allows the Minus 5 Experience to maintain its frigid environment using a monitored amount of power.  In addition, the operators import ice from Canada, ensuring the ice is the clearest and purest available, and use pure New Zealand artesian water for the ice glasses which are imported in their frozen form to ensure that an ice lounge in the Mojave Desert maintains a responsible environmental footprint and does not encumber the limited Las Vegas water supply.  Minus 5 also supports environmental conservation programs, and their international “Adopt a Penguin” program will soon be offered to U.S. patrons.

The Las Vegas location will be the first of many U.S.-based Minus 5 ice lounges, with other locations currently in the development stage in New York, Miami, Hawaii, and Los Angeles.  Reservations, group, corporate and wedding arrangements can be made by calling 702.632.7714.

Comments Off

ROKtober 31st will be a scream at ROK Vegas™ inside New York-New York when sultry starlet Carmen Electra hosts ROK’s inaugural Halloween bash in costume. The spook-tacular night will also feature a special “treat” when Electra’s fiancé, guitarist and DJ Rob Patterson (formerly of Korn) performs and spins a special set. The new Rok Vegas nightclub is located inside the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. Call (702) 740-6ROK (6765) for more details.

Comments Off

Las Vegas Comedy Magician Tony Douglas of the Riviera Hotel and Casino ”Crazy Girls” show pretends to impale Anthony Everson through his neck but Everson just laughs it off.  The magic trick was at an after party for the first annual Zoo-A-Pa-Looza Bowl-A-Thon on Saturday, Oct. 18 held at the Strike Zone in Sunset Station. The event was to raise funds for the Las Vegas Zoo which encompasses The Children’s Zoo which educates children and the public about endangered species and habitat and how to protect them.

Comments Off

Here’s a list of the upcoming Halloween 2008 celebrations:

944 Magazine Hosts “The Year of the Vampire” TAOLLOWEEN
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Doors open at 10 p.m.
Sink your teeth into 944 Magazine’s “The Year of the Vampire” TAOLLOWEEN party. DJ Five will get everyone’s blood pumping on the dance floor until the sun comes up.
                       
The public is encouraged to attend. Cover charge is $10 for ladies and $20 for gentlemen. All locals are free with ID.
 

Adult Film Star Tera Patrick Hosts TAO’s Annual TAOLLOWEEN Celebration
Friday, October 31, 2008
Doors open at 10 p.m.
Adult film star and lingerie designer Tera Patrick will vamp up the hottest nightspot on the Strip as the mistress of ceremonies at TAO’s annual TAOLLOWEEN party for the third year in a row.  Along with hosting duties, Patrick will spin a special DJ set. DJ Reach and DJ Hideo will also be on-hand to rock all the ghouls and goblins that attend.     
                       
The public is encouraged to attend, and regular cover charges for TAO Nightclub apply: local ladies are always free, out-of-state ladies are $20 and all gentlemen are $30.
 

Second Annual Insanity Ball and Costume Contest
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Doors open at 9:30 p.m.
Las Vegas showman Jeff Beacher and his Madhouse Crew will host TAO Las Vegas’ annual Insanity Ball and costume contest. Sounds by DJ Vice.
                      
The public is encouraged to attend, and regular cover charges for TAO Nightclub apply: local ladies are always free, out-of-state ladies are $20 and all gentlemen are $30.
 
For guest list information, bottle service and table reservations, please contact the TAO Nightclub office at (702) 388-8588.

Comments Off

Paris Las Vegas will partner with Georges Duboeuf, the number one producer of Beaujolais wines in the world, and U.S. agent W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd. for its 2nd Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Celebration set to kick-off at 12:01 a.m. PST Thursday, November 20, 2008.

Following last year’s inaugural celebration, festivities will commence one minute past midnight on Thursday, November 20th. Delivery of the wine will launch the weekend of activities to celebrate the 2008 release through Sunday, November 23. Paris Las Vegas and Georges Duboeuf will host special events, tastings and unique Beaujolais Nouveau featured wine pairing menus at Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Les Artistes, Mon Ami Gabi, Le Provencal and Le Café.

Honoring the long tradition regulated by French law, Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made from 100 percent Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France, is released no sooner than the third Thursday of November, when it is ready for consumption just six weeks after the harvest. Thus, at one minute past midnight, huge celebrations are held all over the world to taste the latest wine. More than 65 million bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau will be consumed in the months to follow.

Georges Duboeuf is the largest producer of Beaujolais in the world and the number one French wine brand in the US. Georges currently represents over 400 winegrowers in the region. A self-made entrepreneur, he formed “Les Vins de Georges Duboeuf” in 1964, which he now oversees with his son, Franck. Today, Les Vins de Georges Duboeuf includes wines from Beaujolais, Mâconnais and Southern France. The wines are renowned for their value and consistency. They are sold in 120 countries throughout the world.

Paris Las Vegas is a Harrah’s Entertainment resort. From its dramatic 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower to authentic architectural reproductions, elegant décor and superb convention facilities, to its fine cuisine, European-inspired boutiques and world-class entertainment – Paris Las Vegas celebrates the romance, excitement and savoir-faire of the European City of Light. In the heart of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the passion, excitement and sophistication of Paris Las Vegas transports guests to Europe’s most romantic city.

Comments Off

The second concert in the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s 10th Anniversary Masterworks series will welcome American classical saxophonist, Eugene Rousseau performing Tomasi’s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone,” with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Also programmed for the evening is Rimsky-Korsakoff’s musical tale of 1001 nights, “Scheherazade,” and Mendelssohn’s concert overture, “The Hebrides” (Fingal’s Cave), conducted by the Las Vegas Philharmonic Music Director David Itkin.

The concert will be on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 8 p.m. inside the Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall located on the campus of the University of Nevada Las Vegas. 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Concert ticket prices range from $25 to $75, excluding tax and fees. To purchase concert tickets or to subscribe to the remaining Masterworks and Pops concerts, please call the UNLV Box office at (702) 895-2787.

About the Masterworks and Pops Series Concerts:
For the 10th Anniversary season, the Las Vegas Philharmonic will offer two different series of concerts. The Masterworks Series will feature five traditional, classic concerts with renowned musicians and the new Pops Series will feature three concerts with guest artists performing jazz, Broadway and contemporary music.

About Las Vegas Philharmonic:
Founded in 1998, the Las Vegas Philharmonic is the third largest arts organization in the state and six-time recipient of the Best Performing Arts Group award. The Philharmonic has grown into a nationally recognized orchestra, entertaining growing audiences with a continuously expanding program which currently includes: a Masterworks Series featuring some of the best touring artists in the world; a Connoisseur Series that presents top soloists performing in some of the city’s most luxurious homes; a variety of special events; a new Pops Concert Series for 2008-2009; and its annual Fourth of July “Star Spangled Spectacular” concert. The Philharmonic has created an extraordinary impact on the cultural and educational life of Southern Nevada and will find its new home in the $475M Smith Center for the Performing Arts slated to open in 2011

Comments Off

Last night poker players and NASCAR fans alike packed Sierra Gold ultra-tavern on S. Jones Blvd to participate in The Kurt Busch Charity Poker Tournament. Over $25,000 was raised to benefit The Kurt Busch Foundation. The tournament was organized to raise money for the Victory Junction Gang Camp whose mission is to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illness. Guests included Kurt Busch; Lon Kruger, UNLV Men’s Basketball Head Coach; Al Unser Jr., two-time Indianapolis 500 Champion; George Maloof, owner of The Palms Casino Resort; and Blake Sartini, CEO and owner of Golden Gaming.

The Grand Prize winner of the tournament was Todd Morgan. The Grand Prize package includes attending the Las Vegas Motor Speedway NASCAR Sprint Cup Race, a private meet and greet with driver Kurt Busch, NASCAR Sprint Cup garage passes, Sprint Cup race suite passes, helicopter transportation to and from the Las Vegas Speedway and a weekend stay at The Palms Casino Resort.

Comments Off