Mark your calendars, UNLV’s performing arts season kicks off in just one month!

It begins with “The 5 Browns” on September 8th. The Browns, a family of piano virtuosos from Utah, have been hailed as the next big classical music sensation.

On October 3rd, The New York Stage & Beyond Series opens with multi-award-winning performer Rita Moreno. The American Ballet Theatre II will perform October 29th and The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa on November 19th. “Defying Gravity: The Music of Stephen Schwartz in Concert” debuts on January 31, the Dublin Philharmonic Orchestra on March 12, Neil Berg’s “100 Years of Broadway” on April 25 and Tony Award-winning Broadway star Lea Salonga performs May 1.

The Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra will perform on October 30 as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series. Additional performances will be given by violinist Joshua Bell (seen in the video above) on January 29th, The Russian National Ballet February 11th, Munich Symphony Orchestra on February 22, and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra on March 24.

Scott Tennant, member of L.A. Guitar Quartet, will perform September 13 as part of The UNLV Classical Guitar Series. The series will also feature Montreal Guitar Trio on November 4th, Anabel Montesinos on February 17, Brasil Guitar Duo on March 17th and Roman Viazovskiy on April 23. Performances in this series are held in the Doc Rando Recital Hall of the Lee & Thomas Beam Music Center.

For the holidays, jazz pianist David Benoit presents his new show “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

For ticket information or subscription info, call 895-2787.

Performing Arts Center
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
4505 Maryland Parkway

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

It’s just been announced that pop diva and newlywed Mariah Carey has signed on at Planet Hollywood for her own Las Vegas show!

She’ll be joining the likes of Bette Midler and Cher as not only a headliner of her own Strip show but also as a resident of Las Vegas.

The deal will earn her a nice $100 million over three years for a nightly performance. No word yet when on when her run begins.

An insider has said “Mariah is one of the most popular performers around. She could easily become the Queen of the Las Vegas strip.”

I think it’s a good fit too! What do you think?

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

Daytime talk show The View has been in Las Vegas this week and this morning Bette Midler performed “The Showgirl Must Go On” live!

In the clip below she talks about the show and characters, how she and her husband Martin were actually married at Caesars, and how she decided now was the time for a Vegas show:

She also mentions how when Celine Dion was giving her advice she recommended the Las Vegas Mix allergy spray. Don’t waste your money, Bette!

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Whether you plan on bringing Dad to Sin City for a weekend of relaxation or you live here and need to find something to do, check out the restaurants and concert venues below to make sure Dad gets the day he deserves!

~ Becker’s Steakhouse will be celebrating Father’s Day on June 13th and 14th by offering a “King Cut Prime Rib Dinner,” (22 oz!) for $21, in addition to enjoying 2 for 1 beverages!
2400 N. Buffalo Drive; 702-216-2700

~ Dick’s Last Resort at Excalibur, which dubs itself the “wackiest spot on The Strip,” will have a sizzling Prime Rib dinner served with a baked potato and green beans for just $23.95, as well as specials on Jim Beam, Crown Royal Reserve and 2-for-1 draft beers just for dads. Children will also be provided with paper ties that they get to decorate and personalize for each feasting father! The restaurant opens at 11 a.m., prime rib dinner available after 5 p.m.
3850 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-597-7700

~ Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar will be hosting a Father’s Day brunch for $32.95 that will feature a choice of Manhattan seafood chowder or chopped salad; choice of filet mignon benedict, crab cake benedict, apple wood smoked pork chop or seafood newberg puff pastry with loaded mashed potatoes and sauteed green beans served family style and choice of berry cobbler with oatmeal crust, chocolate espresso creme brulee or walnut turtle pie. Whew! Specialty drinks include a Prime royale — champagne with a hint of French raspberry liqueur — or a Fleming’s Mary, each for $6.95. Served 11:30am to 3pm. (Regular menu also available.)
8721 W. Charleston Blvd; 702-838-4774

~ Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse will offer a special Three Course Prix Fixe Menu for Father’s Day on June 15. The price is $65 per person plus tax and gratuity and the service hours are 11:30am to 1am. (Regular menu also available.)
3767 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 702-862-4100

~ Springs Cafe by Wolfgang Puck at Springs Preserve is hosting a one-of-a-kind dining experience at the Springs Cafe with a special “BBQ and Blues” brunch on June 15 from 11am to 4pm. Live music will be provided in the cafe by the Pete Contino Band along with a special cameo appearance by “The World’s Greatest Accordionist” Dick Contino. The first 100 dads to visit the museums and galleries will receive free admission! Brunch prices are $45 per adult and $12.50 per child aged 10 and under.
333 S. Valley View Blvd.; For reservations call 702-822-7705

~ T.G.I. Friday’s has announced they will treat fathers across the United States to a free order of crispy beer-battered onion rings with roasted green Chile sauce with the purchase of an entree on Father’s Day at participating restaurants. There are four locations in Las Vegas: 1800 E. Flamingo Road; 4570 W. Sahara Ave.; 4500 W. Tropicana Ave.; and 4330 E. Sunset St. in Henderson

Concerts and Music:
~ June 13-14: Johnny Mathis, Hilton Theater, Las Vegas Hilton
~ June 13-15: Day in the Life – John Lennon Anthology Concert, Showroom, Suncoast
~ June 13-15: Ron Stubbs, Showroom, South Point
~ June 14: Patty Smyth & Scandal, The Railhead @ Boulder Station
~ June 14: Grand Funk Railroad, Ovation Lounge, Green Valley Ranch
~ June 14: Ted Nugent, House of Blues, Mandalay Bay

[image: sxc]

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

Image details: Blue Man Group Photocall served by picapp.com

Blue Man Group was actually started in 1988 by Phil Stanton, Chris Wink, and Matt Goldman as a street show in New York. The Vegas show started at the Luxor in 2000 and ran until 2005, when it then moved to the Venetian with “Bluephoria.” There are other shows running concurrently in New York, Boston, Chicago, Germany, Orlando, and Tokyo with over 200 Blue Men working. (Want to be one?)

Each on-stage group is made up of three men in the trademark blue grease paint and black clothing who don’t speak, but are able to get the audience laughing anyway with great comedic timing.

The acts are comprised of a lot of music (mostly percussion), a lot of paint and paper, and some audience participation (as with a lot of Vegas shows, don’t sit in the front rows if you don’t want to be part of the show!).

The show starts out even as the audience is being seated with a scrolling LED marquee up on the stage. Birthdays, anniversaries and other messages are displayed on it, with the spotlighted audience members encouraged to stand up or raise a hand when his or her name is displayed. My husband said he considered telling them we were there for my birthday when he bought the tickets but didn’t know if they’d pull me up on stage so he refrained (they don’t pull people up for their birthdays and make them participate, by the way!).

Though the entire show will keep you captivated – from the core-thumping beats to the deadpan, silent comedy – my favorite was the very end with giant sheets of soft paper (similar to large lengths bathroom tissue) fell on top of the audience. The above picture by flickr user jurvetson shows pretty well what that was like (though picture-taking is prohibited in the theater, I won’t tell!).

Each show runs about an hour and forty-five minutes with no intermission. It’s appropriate for pretty much all ages, though it’s recommended for kids over the age of five as it can get pretty loud and younger kids may not have the patience to sit through the entire show. Older kids will love the music and lights, though!

Showtimes depend on what day of the week you want to go:

Monday shows start at 8pm
Tuesday shows start at 7pm & 10pm
Wednesday shows start at 8pm
Thursday shows start at 8pm
Friday shows start at 8pm
Saturday shows start at 7pm & 10pm
Sunday shows start at 8pm

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 1-866-641-SHOW, or in person at the Venetian box office.

Blue Man Live at the Venetian
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
1-866-641-SHOW

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Image details: Toni Braxton Opens Headlining Show In Las Vegas served by picapp.com

The Flamingo Hotel has announced that all remaining Toni Braxton: Revealed scheduled shows have been canceled so Toni can concentrate on her health. She was hospitalized in April for chest pains, and has suffered from pericarditis – a viral inflammation of the heart.

The show, dark since Toni’s April 7 hospitalization, was supposed to re-open next week on June 6. Her two-year run at the Flamingo was set to end in August.

All tickets are refundable – contact the Flamingo for information: (888) 902-9929

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

Image details: The 43rd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards – Arrivals served by picapp.com

I’m not sure how many people would be surprised to find that I’m a country music fan! Tonight at the MGM Grand here in Las Vegas one of the biggest annual country music award shows is underway – The 43rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

While I’m not crazy enough to try and brave the traffic and commotion happening on the Strip right this minute, I’m still able to keep up with it from home, and at my other weblog, Country Music Stop!

So if you’re just wondering what on earth is happening on Las Vegas Boulevard tonight while trying to drive through, or you’re a fan too and want to keep, now you know!

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Image details: Caesars Palace Prepares For Cher’s Opening Night served by picapp.com

Tonight’s the night! Cher will debut her new Las Vegas show, “Cher at the Colosseum,” at Caesars Palace at 7:30 tonight. She snagged herself a three-year, 200 show run that will alternate with Bette Midler’s own 2-year, 200 show engagement, and Elton John whose show is up for renewal this year.

Cher, who will be using the same 4,300-seat theater that Celine Dion vacated in December, says she feels that she’s come “full circle” since her first time at Caesars. I have a feeling this is going to be a very successful venture for both Cher and Caesars! She will perform four 90-minute shows per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

The show has a start time of 7:30pm and tickets will run you $95, $140, $175 or $250 (plus tax and fees of course) and can be purchased online through Caesars, by calling 1-866-510-CHER (2437), or in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
3570 Las Vegas Blvd South
1-866-510-2437

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

Mother’s Day is only five days away and while family and mom may not be the first things you think of when Vegas crosses your mind, those of us who live here have an opportunity to experience it in a uniquely Vegas way!

Now, it’s well-known that Liberace loved his own mom, and as he would have been 89 years old just a few days after Mother’s Day on the 16th, the Liberace Museum is hosting the 2nd Sunday Mother’s Day and Birthday Event by offering free admission starting from noon until 4pm for residents and their guests. Birthday cake will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis!

The Liberace Scholars Quartet will perform Mozart’s String Quartet in D Major, K. 575, for The 2008 Music In The Museum Series at 1:30 and 3pm. Though the performances are free donations are always appreciated and benefit the Liberace Scholarship Fund to “help talented students pursue careers in the performing and creative arts.”

The Liberace Museum
Liberace Plaza
1775 E. Tropicana Avenue
798-5595, ext. 16.

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer

I wrote about the fountains at the Bellagio several weeks ago, and today came across a video of them synced to Elvis Presley’s “Viva Las Vegas.” The fountain show takes place every 30 minutes in the afternoons and early evenings, and every 15 minutes from 8 PM to midnight, every day.

Have you seen the fountains? What’s your favorite performance?

Post from: The Las Vegas Adventurer