Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Las Vegas Happenings

DATELINE LAS VEGAS

MARCH 2009



M Resort, Spa and Casino Opens

On March 1, M Resort, Spa and Casino opened its doors for business. M Resort, Spa and Casino is located on over 90 acres at the southeast corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard. Situated higher in elevation than other resort-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the M Resort provides optimal views of the world-famous Las Vegas skyline from its guest rooms, suites, conference center and restaurants. The resort features 390 guest rooms and suites, over 92,000 square feet of gaming, more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space, and a variety of luxury amenities including a partnership with Taubman Centers, Inc. to bring in up to one million square feet of retail. The resort also features a 14-screen digital movie entertainment complex, nine restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center. For more information, visit www.theMresort.com or contact Rina Foster, Preferred Public Relations, rina@preferredpublicrelations.com.



Vdara Now Accepting Reservations

This October, MGM MIRAGE will introduce its newest luxury boutique hotel on the world-famous Strip, Vdara at CityCenter. Vdara is now accepting reservations for Oct. 1, 2009 and beyond. Soaring 57 stories, Vdara will offer 1,495 suites including 250 corner-view units, ranging from approximately 500 to 1,650 square feet. Amenities will include a two-level spa, salon and fitness facility; Silk Road, a modern trans-ethnic restaurant; Bar Vdara, an eclectic lobby lounge; The Sky Pool & Lounge with spa cabanas and semi-secluded plunge pools; The Gourmet Grocer offering a variety of produce and gourmet foods; 24-hour in-suite dining; housekeeping; valet parking and much more. Vdara’s opening will deliver the first glimpse into this urban metropolis. Nightly rates will range from $159 to $2,000. For more information, please contact Jennifer Hanson, Kirvin Doak Communications, jhanson@kirvindoak.com.



Zowie Bowie to Open at The Palms

Las Vegas sensation Zowie Bowie, one of the most popular nightclub acts in the country, will begin performing at The Palms Casino Resort every Friday and Saturday night at 10:00 p.m. and midnight beginning March 6. Zowie Bowie has been bringing a unique blend of today’s hottest dance, hip-hop, Top 40 and classic Las Vegas music to audiences for the past three years as headliners at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa. Zowie Bowie features the musical talent of Chris Phillips, Marley Taylor and a high voltage band that has become a Las Vegas mainstay. The show will be located in “The Lounge” in The Palms, which is being renovated to accommodate the new show. For more information, please contact Larry Fink, The Palms, larry.fink@palms.com.



The Mirage Comes to Life with Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands

After entertaining millions of fans across the country with his highly successful tour, Terry Fator takes permanent residence at The Mirage with his new show Terry Fator & His Cast of Thousands. Winner of NBC’s 2007 season of “America’s Got Talent,” the celebrity impressionist, singer, comedian and ventriloquist has been perfecting his craft for 32 years, all to achieve his dream of becoming a Las Vegas Strip headliner. On February 14, 2009 Fator began preview performances in the Terry Fator Theatre, with regularly scheduled performances beginning March 17, 2009. Terry Fator will perform Tuesday - Saturday at 7:30 p.m.; dark Sunday and Monday. Guests must be 5 years of age or older to attend. For more information, please contact Adrianne Offermann, Kirvin Doak Communications, aoffermann@kirvindoak.com.



Platinum Masters’ Monster Circus Comes to the Las Vegas Hilton

Monster Circus opens to all rock fans on March 19 inside the Las Vegas Hilton Theater. A truly unique spectacle, Monster Circus combines a high-octane live rock concert with sexy dancers, human circus acts, aerialists and a tour bus full of platinum certified rock stars. An irreverent ringmaster along with Sicko The Clown, Monster Circus’ mascot, lead the audience along the 75-minute journey through the powerhouse rock and metal anthems of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Rock artists include Rudy Sarzo (DIO and formerly of Whitesnake, Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne), John Corabi (formerly of Mötley Crüe and Ratt), Fred Coury (Cinderella), Bruce Kulick (formerly of KISS) and Tony Montana (formerly of Great White). The circus is in town six nights a month on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights with an 11 p.m. show time. For more information, please contact Alissa Kelly, PR Plus, Alissa@prpluslv.com.



Elton John’s “The Red Piano” Final Engagement at Caesars Palace

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer, Elton John returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace for his final engagement of his hit show “The Red Piano.” Final performances will be April 7 -8, April 10-12, April 14-16, April 18-19, and April 21 – 22. “The Red Piano” was originally booked for 75 shows over three years. Responding to overwhelming demand, the resort accelerated the number of shows presented each year, completing the original commitment in only 18 months. During this time, Caesars Palace extended the agreement for an additional 166 shows for a final engagement total of 241. For more information, please contact Celena Haas, Caesars Palace, chaas@caesarspalace.com.



Miracle Mile Shops Announces New Fountain Feature

Located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, a new multi-million dollar water feature transforms from a tranquil piece of art into an entertainment centerpiece. As the center’s latest free attraction, the fountain entertains and inspires onlookers with lighted water effects and eruptions 50 feet high, color changing fog, bursts of light and dramatic, original soundtracks broadcast via a state-of-the-art surround sound system. For more information, please contact Brad Seidel, Kirvin Doak, bseidel@kirvindoak.com.



ElevenSpa Brings Hollywood Glamour to Las Vegas

ElevenSpa, the new luxury spa featuring a salon by world-renowned celebrity hairstylist, Ken Paves, has opened at Town Square. With elements of old Hollywood fused throughout the 20,000 square-foot facility, ElevenSpa Vegas was envisioned by Nicole Oden to look and feel like the Beverly Hills Hotel. With 28 treatment rooms, 6 make-up stations, a manicure bar and pedicure room, a hand ritual fountain and a full-service Ken Paves signature salon featuring 12 styling stations, ElevenSpa Vegas surpasses ordinary. For more information, please contact Leslie Thuet, Preferred Public Relations, leslie@preferredpublicrelations.com.



The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas Now Offers Ajne Parfum Demi-Blending

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas has joined forces with leading natural perfumer Ajne to unveil the ultimate in custom pampering - an innovative Demi-Blend experience in which guests create their own signature fragrance. The Demi-Blend experience consists of guests enjoying a one-on-one appointment with The Spa’s mélanger, a trained specialist who will create a customized experience especially for them. Each of the unique fragrances at the Ajne Rare & Precious Blending Bar is based on the ancient Chakra system. For more information, please contact Erica Johnson-McElroy, Four Seasons, Erica.johnson-mcelroy@fourseasons.com.



The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas Announces New Golf Packages

The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas has unveiled two premium golf packages. For aficionados of prestige links and for those who relish variety in their play, the new offering includes a Golfer’s Dream package with access to acclaimed Cascata, and a one-to-four-night Golf-Around providing a choice of award-winning courses for daily play. The Golfer’s Dream package, from $649 per night, includes deluxe, lake-view accommodations, one round of golf at Cascata, cart and forecaddie, and more. The Las Vegas Golf-Around, from $379 per night, includes deluxe lake-view accommodations, one round of golf at Reflection Bay, Rio Secco or Revere at Anthem, cart and much more. For more information, please contact Bonnie Crail, Crail Communications, bcrail@crailcommunications.com.



Five Days of Blarney at J.C. Wooloughan Irish Pub

J.C. Wooloughan Irish Pub in the JW Marriott Las Vegas will host a five-day festival to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day from March 13-17. The festival will include Irish Happy Hours, performances by The Wild Celts, the Martin Percival School of Irish Dance, Thompson/O’Keefe, John Windsor, Playground and Tartanic, a traditional Irish brunch and plenty of Irish food and beverage. For more information, please contact Barb McGettigan, Roughley Speaking PR, barb@roughleyspeakingpr.com.



McFadden’s St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza

McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with an all-day and night party, concluding with a “Last Man Standing” and Green Bikini contest. McFadden’s will kick-off St. Patrick’s Day with an all-you-can-eat Irish breakfast and all-you-can-drink domestic draft green beer. From there, the restaurant and saloon will offer various all-day drink specials. Irish dancers, leprechauns and bag pipe players will be entertaining at McFadden’s all night long, gearing the crowd up for the biggest St. Patrick’s Day party in Las Vegas. For more information, please contact Jessica Murray, Wicked Creative, Jessica.murray@wickedcreative.com.



Show Your Irish Pride at New York-New York

Celebrate the luck of the Irish this St. Patrick’s Day at New York-New York. The hotel’s annual Celtic Feis (festival) will offer the best in traditional Irish fare and music. A three-day party at Nine Fine Irishmen and outside on New York-New York’s Brooklyn Bridge will kick-off March 14 and continue through the wee hours of St. Paddy’s Day, March 17. Entertainment will be provided by Irish favorites Ri Ra and U2 cover band Rattle and Hum, among others. A $25 three-day pass will be available for March 14-16 and will include three complimentary draft beers. For more information, please contact Sandy Zanella, MGM MIRAGE, zanellas@mgmmirage.com.



NEW MULTI-LANGUAGE WEB SITES SEND WARM LAS VEGAS WELCOME

TO NON-ENGLISH-SPEAKING GUESTS



Resort Web Sites Offer Everything from Information to Booking



LAS VEGAS – While a few resorts offer Spanish versions of their main pages, until now no one on the Las Vegas Strip had taken the next step; allowing guests to book rooms online in their own language with no interpreter needed. Now, Spanish and German-speaking guests can plan and book their vacation directly on some of the most popular Las Vegas-resort Web sites.

The language-option booking engines were launched this February on all Las Vegas MGM MIRAGE property sites including Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, The Mirage and MGM Grand. With easy access on the home page via drop-down menus, Spanish and German-speaking visitors enjoy language-specific sites as well as the option of booking their stay in their native tongue. French, Italian and Japanese-speaking guests currently benefit from dedicated Web sites, with plans to add the custom booking engines later this year. Plans also call for the addition of other languages.

“Our push to enable visitors to browse and book in their own language confirms our commitment to our guests,” said Lou Ragg, executive director of Internet Operations and Marketing for MGM MIRAGE.

Citywide, roughly 12 percent of visitors are from outside U.S. borders, although some properties average a significantly higher percentage than the city-at-large.

H. Fletch Brunelle, senior vice president of Hotel Sales and Marketing at Bellagio, said, “This past summer, we peaked at more than one third of leisure customers coming from overseas. It’s a growing trend, and we believe that providing our guests with the capability to book online direct in their own language is a big asset.”

The Spanish and German booking engines are already having an impact. The Spanish-language booking engine was used to make room reservations at Bellagio within 24 hours of the site going live. “We know that both domestic and international visitors are taking advantage of our new sites,” Ragg said. “It makes us proud to provide a service that was sorely lacking in the market.”

The Web sites of the Las Vegas MGM MIRAGE resorts can be found at www.bellagio.com, www.mgmgrand.com, www.mandalaybay.com, www.mirage.com, www.treasureisland.com, www.montecarlo.com, www.nynyhotelcasino.com, www.luxor.com, www.excalibur.com and www.circuscircus.com





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Media Contact:

Christi Braginton

MGM MIRAGE Public Relations

(702) 650-7532

cbraginton@mgmmirage.com

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