Ring In The Year Of The Monkey At The Venetian & The Palazzo

The Venetian® and The Palazzo® Las Vegas will celebrate Chinese New Year in traditional style with an extravagant décor, entertainment, and food and beverage offerings. A ceremonial lion dance and eye ceremony will officially kick off Chinese New Year 2016 activities on Feb. 8, at
3:00 p.m.

THE WATERFALL ATRIUM AND GARDENS TRANSFORM FOR CHINESE NEW YEAR

To commemorate the Year of the Monkey, The Venetian and The Palazzo's floral and horticulture team worked with a team of artisans and consulted a Feng Shui master to create the massive Chinese New Year display.

"To create the most stunning display for our guests, we begin the planning process a year in advance," said Dana Beatty, director of floral and horticulture at The Venetian and The Palazzo. "Chinese New Year is very special to our guests so we took into account specifics to bring luck and make this display a spectacle our guests will never forget."

Throughout The Venetian and The Palazzo, guests will find 78 handcrafted monkeys, each with a unique, hand-painted face. The main feature of the display is the five-foot tall, 300-pound Monkey King seated at the base of the 38-foot-tall wishing tree. His chest plate is made up of more than 8,000 hand-sewn gold coins and he is draped in Swarovski crystals. Among the wishing tree's 8,000 branches of golden foliage are 28 young and somewhat mischievous monkeys. The number 28 is an auspicious number in Chinese culture, representing "easy fortune." There are also eight giant, hand-painted peaches covered in Swarovski crystals. The monkeys that are extending a peach are wishing guests a long life.

The display also features:
88 gold and red six-foot lanterns that are suspended over the walkways of the Waterfall Atrium and Gardens
More than 1,000 blooming flowers including golden Phalaenopsis, cymbidium orchids, chrysanthemums, and Oriental lilies
More than 1,200 plants including phormium grasses, philodendrum, Ogon grass, tangerine trees, lucky bamboo trees, ivy, ferns, and cast-iron plants

EYE CEREMONY AND LION DANCE CELEBRATION ON FEB. 8

An important ritual of Chinese culture symbolizing good luck and prosperity, the lion dance will officially kick off the Chinese New Year celebrations at The Venetian and The Palazzo on Feb. 8 at 3:00 p.m. The ceremonial lion dance will begin with an eye ceremony at The Venetian porte cochere. The dance will wind its way through The Venetian lobby and casino before stopping in The Palazzo Waterfall Atrium, then finding its way through The Palazzo casino, lobby, and ending at The Palazzo porte cochere. This exciting event features firecrackers, and a parade of dancers and drummers in authentic clothing.

HACKEN LEE AND JOEY YUNG LIVE IN LAS VEGAS

Collaborating again after an 11-year hiatus, Hacken Lee and Joey Yung are headed to Las Vegas to celebrate Chinese New Year. On Feb. 13 and 14 Lee and Yung will perform in The Palazzo Ballroom at The Venetian.

Hacken Lee and Joey Yung are award-winning singers from Hong Kong. Lee has received multiple awards across four decades (1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s) and has maintained his popularity, releasing albums on a regular basis. Yung has emerged as one of the premier Cantonese singers in Hong Kong and has won the prestigious JSG "Most Popular Female Singer" and "Ultimate Best Female Singer - Gold" awards a record-breaking nine times.

Tickets can be purchased online, at any box office at The Venetian or The Palazzo, or by calling 866.641.7469.

A FEAST FIT FOR AN EMPEROR

Hong Kong Café's Chef Simon To has created a special limited-time menu to celebrate Chinese New Year.

A variety of authentic dishes are on the special menu including: Roasted Pork Belly; Firecracker Manila Clams, infused with Chinese white wine, fish paste, and spicy roasted pepper; and  Winners Daily Soup, which is a must-have for all casino players.

Hong Kong Café, which opened in Dec. 2015, showcases the energy of one of the world's most vibrant cities and brings to life an eclectic mix of Asian cuisine and Western fare, all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY

The Palazzo's Fusion Bar will offer the Peach Blossom cocktail. The Peach Blossom is made with Woodford Reserve Whiskey, peach schnapps, peach puree, fresh lime juice, Hibiscus syrup, and is garnished with a Hibiscus flower.

About The Venetian® and The Palazzo® Las Vegas
Located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, The Venetian Las Vegas features all-suite accommodations, exquisite restaurants by celebrity chefs and world-class entertainment and shopping. The luxury resort offers 4,028 elegant suites, including standard suites that are nearly double the size of the average Las Vegas hotel room. The Venetian is home to restaurants from celebrated chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, Emeril Lagasse and Buddy "Cake Boss" Valastro. The resort also features Canyon Ranch SpaClub; a five-acre pool and garden deck; TAO nightclub; the Grand Canal Shoppes retail and dining mecca; a 120,000-square-foot casino and The Strip's largest poker room; and more than 2.25 million square feet of meeting and convention space. For more information, visit venetian.com, twitter@venetianvegas and facebook.com/venetianlasvegas.

The Palazzo Las Vegas takes luxury on the Las Vegas Strip to discerning new heights with more than 3,000 suites, including the largest standard suites on the Strip, luxury shopping, world-class dining and entertainment. The all-suite resort features premier restaurants from award-winning chefs including CUT by Wolfgang Puck, Carnevino by Mario Batali, and Table 10 by Emeril Lagasse. Resort highlights include Canyon Ranch SpaClub; Azure luxury pool experience; LAVO restaurant and casino club lounge; the Grand Canal Shoppes, anchored by a flagship Barneys New York; a 105,000-square-foot casino; and more than 2.25 million square feet of meeting and convention space. For more information, visit palazzo.com, twitter@palazzovegas and facebook.com/palazzolasvegas.

Celeb Sighting! Where?? Who??

For a classic actor, only a classic cocktail will do. American actor and producer Nicolas Cage enjoyed an evening of drinking Azzurre Gin martinis at Palm Casino Resort’s SOCIAL Bar www.palms.com/ on Friday night.

As a Las Vegas local, Cage has been known to frequent the resort and sip his martini of choice. Azzurre Gin and Azzurre Vodka are owned by Las Vegas-based Azzurre Spirits. Unlike most spirits, which are made from corn and grains, Azzurre Gin and Azzurre Vodka are distilled from apples, grapes and sugar cane.

Friday Night Brings You The Old School Show At The M Resort!

THE M RESORT SPA CASINO

12300 LAS VEGAS BLVD S, HENDERSON, NEVADA 89044

Reservations: 1.877.M.RESORT | Contact: 702.797.1000

Cluck Cluck! The Chick' n Shack Debuts At Shake Shack

Bird’s the word. The Chick’n ShackTM ($6.29), Shake Shack’s debut chicken sandwich, lands on all U.S. Shake Shack® menus on Thursday, January 14th (‘cept for NYC's Theater District Shack, JFK Airport Shacks and stadium Shacks. The Theater District Shack will start serving up the Chick’n Shack shortly thereafter). The Chick’n Shack is a crispy 100% all-natural and antibiotic-free chicken breast with lettuce, pickles and buttermilk herb mayo. This new menu item made its first appearance at the Brooklyn Shacks last summer.

The inspiration behind the Chick’n Shack lies in Shake Shack’s heritage as a modern “roadside” burger stand. “The introduction of chicken marks a new era for Shake Shack, staying true to our core menu while continuing to innovate new items our guests have asked for,” said Shake Shack CEO Randy Garutti. The Chick’n Shack also furthers Shake Shack’s commitment to serve fresh, simple, high-quality food at a great value through the mission to Stand For Something Good®.

“The Chick’n Shack embodies our modern approach to fine casual American cooking,” said Shake Shack Culinary Director Mark Rosati. “It’s about providing a simple, pleasurable, uncomplicated experience, but with high-quality, responsibly sourced ingredients. It wasn’t until we found the chicken sandwich to be as flavorful as our ShackBurger® that we knew we’d crafted something special that had earned its place on the menu. Since we introduced the Chick’n Shack in Brooklyn, guests have been asking us to bring it to all Shacks, and we couldn’t be more excited to finally do so.”

The Chick’n Shack, Shake Shack’s modern twist on a classic, is crafted from a cage-free chicken breast—no hormones or antibiotics ever—slow-cooked in a creamy buttermilk marinade, hand-dipped into Shack-made batter, dredged through seasoned flour and crisp-fried. The Chick’n Shack is topped with pickles, crisp shredded lettuce and a tangy Shack-made buttermilk herb mayo made with chives, parsley and thyme. The Chick’n Shack is served on (what else?) a pillowy potato roll, the same non-GMO bun that has cradled the classic ShackBurger since Shake Shack’s inception. Want some heat with your crispy chicken? Louisiana hot sauce will also be newly available at the Shack for heat seekers to up the spice factor on their Chick’n Shack.

Learn more at: shakeshack.com | facebook.com/shakeshack | twitter.com/shakeshack 
3790 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(725) 222-6730

10975 Oval Park Drive
Dining Arroyo
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702)964-1025

Photo Credit Liz Clayman

LV Philharmonic Pink Martini Special Engagement Coming Up

The Las Vegas Philharmonic presents a special engagement with the internationally acclaimed 12-piece “little orchestra” Pink Martini on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. featuring chanteuse, Storm Large, in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

Celebrating their 21st birthday this year, Pink Martini was founded by band leader, Thomas Lauderdale in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.  After an early career in politics, Lauderdale formed the band to create music that crossed genres and appealed to conservatives and liberals alike.  Lauderdale recruited Harvard classmate, China Forbes to join Pink Martini.  The first song they wrote, “Sympathique” became a hit in France, getting nominated for “Song of the Year” at France’s Victoires de la Musique Awards.  In 2011, Storm Large stepped in to perform lead vocals while Forbes underwent vocal cord surgery.  Now both vocalists perform regularly with the band.

With their multilingual mix of classical, jazz, Latin and classic pop music, Pink Martini has performed with more than 50 orchestras around the globe in Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America.  Lauderdale describes Pink Martini as, “….a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure… If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we’d be that band.”

After their debut album, Sympathique (1997), Pink Martini went on to release seven more albums including Hang On Little Tomato (2004), Hey Eugene! (2007), Splendor in the Grass (2009), Joy to the World (2010), A Retrospective (2011), Get Happy (2013), and Dream a Little Dream (2014).  They have sold over 3 million albums worldwide.

Pink Martini has collaborated with many notable entertainers over the years including Jimmy Scott, Carol Channing, Jane Powell, Rufus Wainwright, and the original cast of Sesame Street.  The band often invites local student musicians to join them on stage.  For Pink Martini’s upcoming performance with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, winner Kelsea Au and runner-up Erika Dalton from this year’s Cox Communications’ Young Artists’ Concerto Competition will have the opportunity to perform a selection with Pink Martini and the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Reynolds Hall stage.

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices for the February 6th Pink Martini concert are $250, $200, $150 and $100 and can be purchased through The Smith Center Box Office, phone 702.749.2000 or online at lvphil.org.

Bus Service
The Las Vegas Philharmonic offers shuttle buses to The Smith Center from Summerlin (Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd) and Henderson (Anthem Center at Independence Center 2460 Hampton Road.)  Bus passes must be purchased in advance and can be obtained when purchasing concert tickets, or by calling The Smith Center Patron Services at 702.749.2000.  Each bus pass costs $20 roundtrip per concert.

Saturday, February 6, 7:30 p.m.

Pink Martini

Las Vegas Philharmonic

Donato Cabrera, music director

Pink Martini

Thomas Lauderdale, band leader

Storm Large, vocals

Defying categorization, Pink Martini is a stylish and sophisticated musical blend, combining elements of jazz, classical, and old-fashioned pop with unexpected Cuban and Brazilian rhythms. Led by the irrepressibly enthusiastic pianist Thomas Lauderdale and vocal powerhouse Storm Large, with a repertoire of material sung in over 25 different languages, prepare for a truly global musical experience. Tickets $250, $200, $150 & $100 available from The Smith Center Box Office, phone 702.749.2000 or online at lvphil.org. 

The Las Vegas Philharmonic, led by Music Director, Donato Cabrera, established its presence in Southern Nevada in 1998. The mission of the organization is to perform music that enriches and educates, helping to build a vibrant, culturally rich community.  A proud resident company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Las Vegas Philharmonic brings a valued cultural dimension to the city, providing over 16,000 children each year with vital access to a music education program and showcasing local talents alongside stellar nationally and internationally known guest artists on the magnificent Reynolds Hall stage.  At the orchestra’s core are 76 contracted professional musicians, many of whom are esteemed educators who also perform in other professional productions in Las Vegas, bringing depth and variety to the organization.

As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Philharmonic’s community, education and artistic programs are made possible by the generous donations and support of individuals and corporations.  To learn more visit lvphil.org  or call 702.258.5438.

They are social!  Follow  on Facebook:  facebook.com/lasvegasphilharmonic and Twitter:  @lvphil

Krill Was Here Party Coming To GBDC

Are You Ready? "Scale The Strat" Coming Up!

The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower, on behalf of The American Lung Association in Nevada, will open up the top flights of stairs at the iconic Stratosphere Tower for a special #TrytheTower practice climb on Saturday, January 23, 2016 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The practice climb will allow climbers access to the stairwells at the very top of Stratosphere Tower, Level 101 to Level 112.  The cost is $30, and the Stratosphere has generously offered for each climber to receive two coupons for free admission to enjoy Stratosphere Tower with a friend for use at a later date, up to a $40 value.

Climbers can sign up for the practice climb at action.lung.org/TrytheTower2016 or register onsite the day of the practice climb by the Top of World podium inside Stratosphere Tower on the second level, starting at 6:30 a.m.

The practice climb helps fund the American Lung Association in Nevada’s mission of preventing lung disease and promoting lung health while giving climbers their only chance to try the iconic Stratosphere Tower before Scale the Strat race day on Sunday, February 28, 2016 where climbers will tackle all 108 floors and 1,455 steps.

“The thousands of visitors who visit the Stratosphere Tower every day are not allowed in the stairwells so this is a very special opportunity for Scale the Strat climbers, or potential climbers,” said Kim Huff, Director of Tower Operations at Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower. “In fact, this practice climb will give climbers access to levels they won’t see on the actual climb day.”

Practice climbers can tackle the 234 stairs between Level 101 and Level 112 in small groups as many times as possible. Level 112 of Stratosphere Tower is above the world famous Observation Deck and four floors above the official Scale the Strat finish line.  As climbers reach Level 112, they will be outdoors and experience one of the best views in Las Vegas.

Unlike the full climb, the practice climb is not timed, allowing for a more personalized approach and customized workout.  The #TrytheTower practice climb allows climbers to have fun with friends or get an extreme stair workout.

Additional information about Scale the Strat 2016 on Sunday, February 28, 2016 can be found at www.ScaletheStrat.com.

Stratosphere Tower Observation Deck hours are 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Sundays.  For more information on Stratosphere Tower visit www.StratosphereHotel.com.

Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower
2000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas 89104.

TASTY! Three Course Price Fixe Menu Available For Valentine's Day At Sammy's

Flat Iron 

Salted Caramel

All Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill locations will celebrate Valentine’s Day with a specialty three-course prix-fixe menu for $50 per couple, available Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14.

The meal will begin with a shared selection between Mediterranean dip sampler, with hummus, baba ghanoush, Lebni cheese and grilled herb flatbread; Greek salad, made with romaine, spinach, red onion, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, pepperoncini, crumbled feta and house dressing; or burrata, prosciutto and lentil salad, prepared for the couple to share.

The entrée course will include two entrees per couple with choice of an oak-roasted salmon filet, served on Asian salad with edamame, cucumber and ponzu sauce; flat iron steak with herb roasted fingerling potatoes, asparagus, tomatoes and herb oil; or chicken tequila fettucine, spinach fettuccini with bell peppers, red onion, jalapeño and tequila-lime cream sauce. Warm, crispy mini donuts or salted caramel pudding will be offered for dessert, with one selection per couple.

Diners will also have the option to add a bottle of manager’s special red or white wine for $28. The Valentine’s Day menu does not include tax and gratuity.

For more information, visit www.SammysPizza.com. Be sure to follow Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill and on Twitter and Instagram @SammysWPizza, and become a fan at www.Facebook.com/SammysWoddfiredPizza.
 .

Morris Day & The Time To Perform At Sam's Town Live!

Versatile artist Morris Day will join his band, The Time, for a one-night-only performance at Sam’s Town Live! on Saturday, Jan. 23. The Time’s self-titled debut album was released in 1981, including hits like “Get It Up” and “Cool.” A few years later, the band’s star was on the rise as they were cast in Prince’s rock musical feature film “Purple Rain.” The Time produced more hits, in addition to Day’s successful solo ventures. Some of the best-loved hits include “The Oak Tree,” “Fishnet,” “The Bird” and “777-9311.”
               
The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting at $25 plus taxes and convenience fees and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming Box Office, by calling 702-284-7777 or visiting www.samstownlv.com.
               
Sam’s Town Live!
Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
5111 Boulder Highway
Las Vegas, NV 89122

"Raiding The Rock Vault" Welcomes REO Speedwagon Guitarist Dave Amato

"Raiding the Rock Vault" can't fight this feeling! The hit show at Tropicana Las Vegas welcomes to the stage REO Speedwagon lead guitarist Dave Amato for shows, Feb. 3-22. The legendary guitarist first attended "Raiding the Rock Vault" in December 2014, when he memorably joined the band on stage for surprise renditions of "Jukebox Hero, "Highway to Hell," and "Jump." Tickets are now on sale and available at www.troplv.com.

"We're elated that Dave [Amato] will spend nearly the entire month of February performing with us," said producer Sir Harry Cowell. "He's been a longtime supporter of the show and we can't wait to welcome him to the stage as part of the band."

Amato joined the iconic arena rock band REO Speedwagon as lead guitarist in 1989 and has remained a member ever since. Previously, Amato performed and toured with Ted Nugent, with whom he recorded 1988's "If You Can't Lick 'Em...Lick 'Em" and 1986's "Little Miss Dangerous." A sought-after guitarist, Amato has also performed with Vince Neil, Michael Schenker, Gregg Rollie, Richie Sambora, and Cher, with whom he recorded "Extravaganza: Live at the Mirage."

"Raiding the Rock Vault" features a rotating lineup of the world's greatest guitarists, including Howard Leese (Heart), Rowan Robertson (Dio), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Glenn Hughes Band), and Tracii Guns (LA Guns, GUNZO).

The show's all-star lineup also includes Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (MSG, Survivor), Paul Shortino [Lead Vocals] (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums]  (Badfinger, Asia), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (Lynch Mob, The Offspring), Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford, Hardline), Hugh McDonald [Bass] (Bon Jovi), Mark Boals [Lead Vocals] (Dokken, Ted Nugent), and vocalists Stephanie Calvert (Starship) and Cian Coey (Meat Loaf).

Consistently ranked the No. 1 Performance in Las Vegas on TripAdvisor, "Raiding the Rock Vault" brings the history of rock 'n' roll to life. The Strip's resident party show, which boasts the greatest set list of all time, celebrates rock anthems from the '60s, '70s and '80s.

"Raiding the Rock Vault" performs Wednesday-Monday at 8 p.m., with tickets ranging from $59-$99 plus taxes and fees. A Rock Star Package is also available for $135 plus taxes and fees, which includes VIP tickets, a VIP Pass, a meet and greet with the rock stars prior to the show, and a two-CD set and concert program. For up-to-date schedule information or to purchase tickets, please call (702) 739-2411 or (800) 829-9034, or visit the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk or TropLV.com.

PHOTOS: Dave Amato (Courtesy: "Raiding the Rock Vault")

NYE2016 In Vegas With Nicki Minaj

For New Year's Eve, Grammy Award-nominated rapper Nicki Minaj rang in the new year by serving up a full-length concert performance presented by Drai’s LIVE shortly after leading the countdown to 2016 at the packed Drai’s Nightclub at The Cromwell in Las Vegas. The multi-talented songstress was met with thunderous cheers as she took the Drai's pool deck stage just moments before the clock struck Midnight to lead the countdown and deliver a champagne toast, sharing, “Happy New Year, Las Vegas! May you be blessed and prosperous in 2016!” Minaj and partygoers  enjoyed panoramic views of the city's eight-minute firework presentation from exclusive viewing areas at the rooftop club.  Later in the night, the “Super Bass” singer took the Drai’s LIVE stage to serve up a full-length concert performance featuring some of her biggest hits, including “Starships,” “Anaconda,” “Moment 4 Life” and more. Minaj topped off an unforgettable trip to Sin City with a stay in The Cromwell Suite, the boutique resort’s largest and most exclusive suite.

Minaj’s performance was the first installment of a star-studded New Year’s Eve weekend lineup featuring full-length concert performances by resident artists Chris Brown on Jan. 1 and The Weeknd on Jan. 2, as well as the Drai’s LIVE debut of rapper A$AP Rocky on Jan. 3.

For more information, visit www.draislv.com and follow Drai’s at Facebook at www.facebook.com/draislv and on Twitter and Instagram - @draislv.

Photos: Courtesy of Bryan Steffy/Getty

The OV Elvi Group Celebrates Elvis' Birthday!

On Friday, January 8, Opportunity Village celebrated Elvis Presley’s 81st birthday with a special performance by the OV Elvi group alongside Jesse Garon, the Official Elvis of Las Vegas, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino. The OV Elvi group is part of Opportunity Village’s Fine and Performing Arts Program and is the ‘World’s Only All Elvis Dance Troupe.’

Crowds gathered for the free performance as the OV Elvi impersonated Elvis, performed The King’s signature dance moves and sang backup vocals to some of his biggest hits in front of a larger than life Elvis statue. After the performance, the OV Elvi journeyed through ELVIS: The Exhibition at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.

Opportunity Village was founded in 1954 by seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible. Now, more than 60 years later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States.

Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities (who we call OVIPs), Opportunity Village serves nearly 3,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.

Opportunity Village citizens – individuals who were previously considered unemployable – work at Opportunity Village’s Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $3.9 million in 2014.  They are hard-working and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives.

Primarily a self-funded organization, Opportunity Village generates the majority of its operational funding through its employment contracts and fundraising efforts such as the Magical Forest and Great Santa Run, saving Nevada taxpayers nearly $35 million annually.

For more information -
6300 W Oakey Blvd
Las Vegas, Nevada
(702) 259-3700
www.opportunityvillage.org/