Sunday, January 4, 2009

Las Vegas Happenings

DATELINE LAS VEGAS

JANUARY 2009



Las Vegas Convention Center – 50th Anniversary

In April 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 year, the Convention Center celebrates its 50th anniversary. For more information, please contact Jeremy Handel, LVCVA, jhandel@lvcva.com.



Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art to Debut “Classic Contemporary”

On Jan. 23, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) will debut “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends.” On loan from the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the collection will feature contemporary masterworks by such iconic artists as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol Lewitt and Frank Stella, to name a few. The compelling exhibition will be on view at BGFA through September 8, 2009.

For more information, please contact Rebecca Ingram Frisch, MGM MIRAGE, ringram@mgmirage.com.



David Spade Brings His Stand-up Act to The Venetian

The Venetian has announced that comedian and actor David Spade will join its line-up of entertainment at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino for a series of limited engagements in 2009. Best known for his sarcastic sense of humor and cutting one-liners, Spade’s stand-up performance runs 75 minutes and features real-life situations that only he can turn into comedy. Spade begins performances in January inside the 742-seat Venetian Showroom. For more information, please contact Leann Tinch, The Venetian, leann.tinch@venetian.com.



Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort Offers Sushi & Sake Lessons

Master Sushi Chef of Loews Hotels, Chef Osamu “Fuji” Fujita, will personally conduct sushi classes every second Saturday, starting Jan. 10, of every month through 2009 at 3 p.m. inside Marssa restaurant at Loews Lake Las Vegas Resort. The two-hour sushi and sake clinic is designed to educate participants about traditional Tokyo and Osaka-style Japanese cuisine in a fun, hands-on environment. For more information, please contact Raquel Sanchez, Loews Lake Las Vegas, rsanchez@loewshotels.com.



Trump Hotel Las Vegas Invites Guests to Stay a Little Longer

Starting January 1, Trump Hotel Las Vegas will offer a guaranteed complimentary late check-out of 4 p.m. for all guests. Unprecedented for a hotel destination located on the Las Vegas Strip, the late check-out time will provide guests with a few more hours to fully enjoy all that Las Vegas has to offer. Certain blackout dates may apply. For more information, please contact Erin McCleskey, SK+G, erin.mccleskey@skgadv.com.



CityCenter to Launch Search for More Than 12,000 Employees

Beginning Jan. 5, CityCenter will be accepting applications via www.citycentercareers.com to fill more than 12,000 jobs, marking the largest single new employment opportunity in Las Vegas history. CityCenter will be hiring for positions at ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa and Crystals, the development’s retail and entertainment district. In addition, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas and The Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences, each managed by independent companies, will be accepting applications through the web site beginning spring 2009. For more information, please contact Natalie Mounier, Kirvin Doak Communications, nmounier@kirvindoak.com.



Final Curtain Falls on MAMMA MIA!

Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus’ global smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! will end its record-breaking engagement at Mandalay Bay Theatre Sunday, Jan. 4. After nearly six years on the Las Vegas Strip, MAMMA MIA! set the precedent for musicals in Las Vegas celebrating more than 2,200 performances and 2 million guests. MAMMA MIA! premiered at Mandalay Bay Theatre on February 13, 2003. The Mandalay Bay Theatre will welcome Disney’s The Lion King on May 2. For more information, please contact Adrianne Offermann, Kirvin Doak Communications, aoffermann@kirvindoak.com.



Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower to Host Smooth Jazz Ladies Night

The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower will host a regular Smooth Jazz Ladies Night at Romance Lounge on Wednesdays through March 11 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Ladies are invited to enjoy an unparalleled view of Las Vegas from Level 107 of the Stratosphere Tower, fabulous drink specials including half-price martinis, live jazz by the William Moran Jazz Trio and the chance to win a designer purse and other giveaways. For more information, please contact Michael Gilmartin, American Casino & Entertainment Properties, michael.gilmartin@acepllc.com.