Saturday, April 11, 2009

Las Vegas Happenings

DATELINE LAS VEGAS

APRIL 2009



Las Vegas Convention Center Celebrates 50th Anniversary

On April 12, 1959, community leaders realized their vision of Las Vegas becoming a leading convention destination when the Las Vegas Convention Center opened and hosted the World Congress of Flight. Since then, Las Vegas has become the premier convention destination and the convention center has grown to more than 3 million square feet. The Las Vegas Convention Center regularly hosts more than 1.5 million delegates per year resulting in approximately $2.5 billion in non-gaming economic impact. This month, the Convention Center celebrates its 50th anniversary. For more information, please contact Jeremy Handel, LVCVA, jhandel@lvcva.com.



New York-New York Introduces the Value Passport

New York-New York offers a variety of exhilarating nightlife – all under one roof, for one low price. With the purchase of the new $25 Value Passport, guests can party all night at a variety of venues, without breaking the bank. Deals offered with the Passport include one premium specialty cocktail at Center Bar; a pint of beer at Pour 24; a ride on The Roller Coaster at New York-New York; a pint or cocktail at Nine Fine Irishmen; admission and a brew at The Bar at Times Square; and VIP line pass admission into ROK Vegas. The Value Passport is available at the New York-New York Box Office. For more information, please contact Christi Braginton, MGM MIRAGE, cbraginton@mgmmirage.com.



Imperial Palace Las Vegas Introduces “All In” Vacation Packages

Imperial Palace announces its “All In” travel packages that offer guests the convenience of rooms plus unlimited food and beverage at a variety of locations throughout the property, a concept new to Las Vegas. The Imperial Palace’s “All In” packages start at just $95 per night. The convenient way of travel includes accommodations, unlimited trips to Emperor’s Buffet, meals at Teahouse (cafĂ© open for breakfast, lunch and dinner), and all-you-can-drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at casino and pool bars. For more information, please contact Jamie Nielsen-Langdon, Harrah’s Entertainment, jnielsen@harrahs.com.



The Palazzo and The Venetian Restaurants Create “Date Nite”

The Palazzo and The Venetian have created a restaurant stimulus package that will satisfy your appetite without breaking the bank. Now through April 24, “Date Nite” will feature pre-fixe menus at a cost of only $40 per person. At The Palazzo, enjoy Charlie Trotter’s Bar Charlie, Mario Batali’s Carnevino, Dos Caminos, Morels French Steakhouse & Bistro, and SUSHISAMBA. At The Venetian, the selection of restaurants includes Mario Batali’s Enoteca San Marco and Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio. Additionally, Double Helix* Wine Bar at The Shoppes at The Palazzo will be offering a specially priced glass of wine during Date Nite. For more information, please contact Amy Carlson, Venetian/Palazzo, amy.carlson@venetian.com.



Miracle Mile Shops Opens New Stores Including Three Las Vegas Firsts

Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino welcomes Las Vegas’ only Club Tattoo, founded by Linkin Park front man Chester Bennington and long time friend Sean Dowdell. The venue features talented tattoo artists, body piercers and a full line of brand apparel. Rock & Roll Religion is the Los Angeles-based company’s only Las Vegas outpost featuring brands such as English Laundry, Fender: The Clothing Collection; Jimi Hendrix: The Experience, and Da Vinci. DC Shoes, the California-based retailer, features men’s, women’s and children’s footwear inspired by an extreme sports lifestyle. American Apparel showcases a wide range of clothing items for men and women. For more information, please contact Brad Seidel, Kirvin Doak, bseidel@kirvindoak.com.



Bare Pool Lounge Opens at The Mirage

Bare pool lounge at The Mirage, The Light Group’s exclusive adult alternative to the typical Las Vegas pool experience, has opened. In its third season, Bare pool lounge has quickly become the summertime sanctuary for Hollywood’s A-list. Last summer Bare pool hosted celebrity birthday parties and live evening concerts. The ultimate in poolside pampering, Bare is defined by its two saltwater luxury dipping pools, distinctive contemporary ambiance and ultra VIP service for which The Light Group is renowned. The DJ-spun music mix sets the party mood as guests enjoy European-style sun bathing secluded by towering palms. Bare will be open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beginning May 1, Bare will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, please contact Alex Acuna, Light Group, aacuna@lightlv.com.



Dixie’s Dam Bar at Hooters Goes Rock ‘n’ Roll

Hooters Casino Hotel recently opened Dixie’s Dam Bar, a 3,000-square-foot, laid back rock ‘n’ roll bar. Originally called Dixie’s Dam Country Bar, where country music and live bands were the norm in the venue, Hooters recently decided to change the theme of the bar to have an edgier feel. The country look has been changed to rustic decor with a touch of rock ‘n’ roll. All tunes come from a digital jukebox playing all rock hits. Dixie’s Dam Bar is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 p.m. until the party stops. For more information, please contact Michelle Tsang, Preferred Public Relations, mtsang@preferredpublicrelations.com.



Sin City Brewing Co. Now Open Inside Flamingo Las Vegas

Sin City Brewing Co.’s second Las Vegas location is now open daily, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., inside the Flamingo Las Vegas. The Las Vegas-based microbrewery’s newly opened outpost, located near the hotel’s guest entrance and valet, offers a full-bar experience featuring all four of Sin City’s custom brews on tap. Sin City Amber, Sin City Light, Sin City Stout and Sin City Weisse, are produced in small batches using traditional methods and premium raw materials. For more information, please contact Brad Seidel, Kirvin Doak, bseidel@kirvindoak.com.



“Sin City Bad Girls” to Open at Las Vegas Hilton

Platinum Productions will debut its super sexy, rockin’ topless revue, “Sin City Bad Girls,” on Friday, April 24, at 9 p.m. in the Las Vegas Hilton’s 340-seat Shimmer Showroom. “Sin City Bad Girls,” created and produced by entertainment executive Glenn Medas and Emmy Award-winning choreographer and director Michael Chambers, will feature a cast of eight gorgeous dancers, lead by songstress Lorena Peril backed by an electrifying live band. The only show of its kind with a live band will showcase the sounds of pulsing rock, pop, country and blues. Show time is nightly at 9 p.m., dark Sunday. For more information, please contact Shelley Mansholt, Mansholt PR, shelley@mansholtpr.com.



New Owners for The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas

Village Hospitality, L.L.C. has purchased The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, the award-winning 349-room resort and spa located 17 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. The transaction closed in late February 2009. The prior owner of the resort sought reorganization in April 2008, and the acquisition by Village Hospitality concludes a 10-month bankruptcy period. For more information, please contact Bonnie Crail, Crail Communications, bcrail@crailcommunications.com.



Las Vegas to Host 2009 NHL Awards

The National Hockey League (NHL) has announced the 2009 NHL Awards will take place for the first time ever in Las Vegas on June 18, 2009. The NHL is bringing its annual awards celebration to Las Vegas as part of a three-year agreement with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). The 2009 NHL Awards celebration will feature the League naming its top players for the regular season in a host of categories including, most valuable player (Hart Trophy), outstanding goaltender (Vezina Trophy), outstanding defenseman (Norris Trophy) and outstanding rookie (Calder Trophy). More details regarding the 2009 NHL Awards festivities including tickets on sale, entertainment, ancillary events, broadcast details and media information will be announced at a later date. For more information, please contact Kerry McGovern, NHL, kmcgovern@nhl.com.



17th Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz Festival Returns

Michael Schivo Presents has teamed up with Las Vegas Events (LVE), the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), 105.7 Smooth Jazz, KJLH Radio Free and KTWV radio - The Wave in Los Angeles -- to co-sponsor the 17th Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz Festival on Saturday, April 25, 2009. By popular demand, the festival now has a new location at Government Amphitheater. The festival starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. The lineup includes handpicked musicians to entertain throughout the day and night including Boney James, Wayman Tisdale, Incognito lead singer Maysa, Marion Meadows and Jessy J. For more information, please visit www.yourjazz.com.