The initial phase of the Resorts World Las Vegas project expected to open in 2016 will include 3,500 rooms, a 175,000-square-foot casino, multiple restaurants and dining options, 250,000 square feet of retail space, more than 500,000 square feet of convention space, a theater and outdoor pool amenities.

The Cooking Experience by Mise En Place has opened at 9500 S. Eastern Avenue, Ste. 170. A wide variety of classes offer culinary experiences ranging from acquiring a new skill set to a weekend kitchen warrior adventure for bragging rights. Teaching the courses are Resident Chefs Cody Hinckley and Dave Lachowski and periodically special classes will be taught by renowned chefs. Classes vary from a quick 60-miniute Lunch Demo from noon to 1 p.m. for $25 to a Gourmet Class from 4-6:30 p.m. for $100. On weekends are Le Petit pastry classes for children 5 to 12 years of age.

The recipes and themes change daily. Classes are being held Thursday through Sunday and will expand in April to include Wednesday, visit www.miseenplacenv.com.

The media was invited to a preview of the new Galaxy Green Valley Luxury+ Theatre at 4500 E. Sunset Road and what a wonderful experience. The new eight-screen, 40,600-square-foot movie theater with affordable pricing features luxury amenities starting with the stadium-style seating that has incredible red cushioned reclining seats with powered footrests and extra wide rows to allow patrons an un-crowded experience. The giant movie screen is wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. Premium concessions include beer on tap and wine service and there is reserved seating at no extra cost.

As a last minute booking, legendary rocker Jon Bon Jovi will be bringing his solo project to the The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Sunday, March 24 with The Kings of Suburbia. Tickets start at $69.50.

The all-new $8 million Sapphire Pool & Day Club will open on Cinco de Mayo weekend, May 2-5, and Celebrity Chef Kerry Simon will bring his gourmet food to the pool guests. The Sapphire Grill will offer anything from a quick snack to a full meal served Thursdays through Sundays. The upscale venue will feature 11 cabanas, daybeds, lounge chairs, country club locker rooms, an elevated VIP section, two bars and a merchandise store for entertaining 700 guests.

Britain's premier arena rock band Def Leppard will play an exclusive residency entitled “VIVA Hysteria!” at The Joint at Hard Rock, March 22 through April 13. The band's set will feature a greatest hits segment in addition to their iconic album “HYSTERIA “released in 1987 being played in full. Produced exclusively by AEG Live, “VIVA Hysteria!” will feature an elaborate set design created only for Def Leppard's Las Vegas residency. Tickets start at $49.50.

The 18^th Annual Extreme Thing Sports & Music Festival will return to Desert Breeze Park on Saturday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For the full line up of music acts, activities and demonstrations, visit www.extremething.com. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 the day of the show.

For the first time, 50 off-road race vehicles will parade down the Strip from Circus Circus to Mandalay Bay for the inaugural 4 Wheel Parts Mint 400 Off-Road Vehicle Parade at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. The procession will celebrate the 2013 General Tire Mint 400 presented by Polaris that will have 250 entries competing on Saturday, March 23 in nearby Jean, Nev. The parade will be led by Mint 400 founders Mel Larson, Norm Johnson and Grand Marshall, KJ Howe. All of The Mint 400 festivities are free and open to the public, including dedicated high-speed spectator areas at the race itself.

Accomplished racer and Hollywood actor Patrick Dempsey will be competing in the Mint 400. He will drive in the Zero One Odysseys Desert Challenge class. Dempsey is a veteran of the Baja 1000 competition. A documentary crew will be following the Mint 400 for Discovery. For the last year, they've been capturing Dempsey on and off the track as he prepares for his return this June to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time since 2009. The show will air in four parts in August and will weave Dempsey's story with the history of other “racers that act” like McQueen, Garner and Paul Newman.

Whoopi Goldberg, moderator of “The View” on ABC, will return to Treasure Island, April 5 at 9 p.m. She recently guest starred on the television programs “Suburgatory,” “The Middle,” “666 Park Avenue” and “Glee.” Goldberg is also the author of many books including the children's book “Alice,” the best-selling “Book,” “Whoopi's Big Book of Manners” and “Sugar Plum Ballerinas.” Tickets for her show start at $69.95.

Chef Gordon Ramsay has named 20 new competitors who will compete on the 11^th season premiere of “Hell's Kitchen” airing on Tuesday, March 12 on FOX. The grand prize will be a head chef position working under Executive Chef Jeremy Berlin at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace.

Celtic Feis, the annual three-day St. Patrick's Day event at Nine Fine Irishmen and the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York will take place March 15-17. Festivities include live entertainment, specialty cocktails and authentic cuisine. Entry on Friday and Saturday is free, and admission on Sunday is $25 including a pint of Guinness or a Jameson shot.

Lawry's The Prime Rib is holding a “Whodunit” dinner theater event called “The Case of the Unlucky Leprechaun” on Friday, March 15. Cost is $99, call 702-497-7936.

At Mandalay Bay, the Grammy Award-nominated band Muse will take the stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center for a night of kilt-rockin' music. Tickets start at $39.50.

Many bars along the Strip will be celebrating with food and drink specials including: Public House at the Luxor with an appearance by the ladies of “Fantasy,” Rí Rá Las Vegas with a two-day festival featuring live music starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Irish dancers; Dick's Last Resorts at Excalibur; Rock 'n Rita's at Circus Circus; Cabo Wabo Cantina inside Miracle Mile Shops going Baja-style and featuring Sammy Hagar's Green Waborita Waboritas; The Fat Bar on the Strip Friday through Sunday; and Rockhouse at The Grand Canal Shoppes.

The Silverton is holding a Skip The Strip party. For $30, guests will receive an all you can drink wristband valid at all casino bars from 2 – 6 p.m.

There will be a St. Baldrick's Head-Shaving Event on Saturday, March 16 from 5-6 p.m. led by a four-generation family team to raise money for childhood cancer held during the St. Patrick's Day Parade & Festival in Henderson.

The quartet Jazz Workshop is performing live every Monday night at Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. At 11 p.m., the restaurant's late offerings, which include 50 percent off the full menu and 25 percent off drinks, start. There's no cover fee.

BELLAGIO INTRODUCES A MASTER SOMMELIER'S WINE CLASSROOM

The Bellagio with a record 17 sommeliers and the only resort in the world with three Master Sommelier is presenting “A Master Sommelier's Wine Classroom,” an interactive series of 90-minute seminars led by Bellagio's highly trained and skilled wine team. Classes are the third Wednesday of every month at Michael Mina restaurant.

FIRST 2013 PROJECT DINNER TABLE WILL BE AT NEON MUSEUM

The first Project Dinner Table experience for 2013 will take place Saturday, April 20 at the Neon Museum and feature chefs from the MGM Grand. Tickets are available at www.ProjectDinnerTable.com. Season four will include six community dinners: April 20, May 18, June 29, Sept. 21, Oct. 19 and Nov. 10. For the first time, Project Dinner Table will offer an annual membership program. For $39 dollars, members will receive special advantages and offers throughout the year and there will also be four additional member events.