by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

Motley Brews' 2015 Great Vegas Festival of Beer (GVFB) will celebrate its fifth anniversary as Nevada's largest craft beer festival in the streets near Downtown's Fremont East Entertainment District on Saturday, April 11 from 3 to 7 p.m. There will be more than 100 breweries serving over 300 craft beers and several cider and wine options along with food for sale at the Gastropub dining pavilion and BrewLogic sessions at the Western Hotel, featuring industry professionals and top chefs such as “Dr.” Bill Sysak of Stone Brewing Co. and Chef Justin K. Hall.

Entertainment options will include non-stop live music by local artists, Josh Royse and Brumby, The Human Arcade with party games presented by Zappos, and the “Silent Disco” with a variety of live DJ sets.

Tickets are $40 General Admission, $50 for Early Entry, and an additional $5 at the door. VIP tickets have already sold out. A portion of ticket proceeds benefit Goodie Two Shoes Foundation and Nevada Craft Brewers Association (NCBA).

LAZY DOG RESTAURANT & BAR WILL OPEN APRIL 6

Southern California-based restaurant concept Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is bringing its made-from-scratch, small-town hospitality to the Las Vegas Valley opening its first location outside of California on Monday, April 6 in Downtown Summerlin. Lazy Dog currently has 15 locations throughout California with more on the way.

The design of the 9,174-square-foot space is rustic decor inspired by the lifestyle of the Rocky Mountains where founder Chris Simms spent many family vacations with accents such as cozy fireplaces, a massive chandelier crafted from Aspen logs, generous use of real ledge stone and fabric- and leather-lined booths and chairs. Artwork and playful touches inspired by man's best friend are woven throughout the restaurant and 2,038-square-foot dog-friendly patio.

Lazy Dog is open daily for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with weekday Happy Hour specials 3-6 p.m. and reverse Happy Hour specials from 9 p.m. until midnight Sunday through Thursday.

FOXTAIL® POOL CLUB HOSTS VEGAS BEER & MUSIC FESTIVAL

On Friday, April 3, Foxtail® Pool Club at SLS Las Vegas® will hold the Vegas Beer & Music Festival poolside from 7-10 p.m. and feature more than 50 craft beers, food, and live performances by pop/rock band Falling Doves and “One-Man Dance Party” Dan Fester, along with a Rock ‘N Roll fashion show by Romantic Rock featuring bikinis, live music and DJs. Guests will also receive complimentary VIP access to the after-party at LiFE™ Nightclub. General admission is $35 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Beverage Management Club at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

TERRY FATOR CELEBRATES SIX YEARS BY INTRODUCING NEW PUPPET

Terry Fator celebrated his sixth anniversary at The Mirage this month and introduced a new character to his magnificent show...Rusty the Robot, who is the resort's new prototype robot wickedly designed to do the jobs of all employees. For Fator, Rusty is a platform to sing any song he chooses in any voice.

Rusty joins an already incredible lineup of loveable characters that creatively showcase Fator's mesmerizing ventriloquist abilities and vocal impersonations. The current versatile cast includes: adorable Winston - The Impersonating Turtle; Walter - Presidential Candidate; Duggie - The Annoying Neighbor; Wrex - The Safety Expert (crash dummy); Julius - The Soul Singer; Hyphen - The Delusional British Rock'N Roller; Emma - The Little girl with the Big Voice; Vikki - The Cougar; and Maynard Thompkins - World's Greatest Elvis Impersonator.

Through his puppet creations, Fator impersonates many celebrity voices both female such as Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift and male like Toby Keith and Roy Orbison. He also sings a couple songs as himself. There are no dull moments in his show and humor prevails throughout.

PETER NØRGAARD FROM ‘DENMARK HAS TALENT’ TO APPEAR WITH FATOR

“Danmark Har Talent” (Denmark Has Talent) finalist Peter Farver Nørgaard will head to America to guest star for two nights in Terry Fator's headlining show at The Mirage on April 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. Nørgaard is a Danish singer, actor, dancer and puppeteer, who has performed and worked in multiple productions including the Reumert-nominated “Avenue Q,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Sesame Street.”

“When I saw Peter's performance of Elvis, I thought this kid just has to come perform with me in Vegas!” said Fator. “He has perfected the craft of ventriloquism and I'm happy to call him a colleague.”

ARETHA FRANKLIN TO PLAY CAESARS PALACE AUG. 14

Aretha Franklin, the undisputed “Queen of Soul” will bring her hits and great diva classics to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Friday, Aug. 14 at 8 p.m. Her current 2014 RCA Records release “Aretha Franklin Sings The Great Diva Classics” has the artist putting her indelible stamp on 10 songs previously recorded by other female artists. Tickets range from $55 to $159.50.

She is both a 20th and 21st century musical and cultural icon known the world over. Franklin is the recipient of the U.S.A.'s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal Of Freedom, 18 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; and Grammy Living Legend Award. She's on “Rolling Stone” magazine's list of “The Greatest Singers Of All Time.”

ELTON JOHN ANNOUNCES OCTOBER DATES AT CAESARS PALACE

On Monday, March 23, Elton John celebrates his 100^th performance of his “The Million Dollar Piano” show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. To mark the milestone, Caesars Palace and AEG Live have announced plans for Elton to return in October 2015 with 11 performances. Tickets range from $55 to $250.

ROBERT PLANT & SENSATIONAL SPACE SHIFTERS VISIT BROOKLYN BOWL

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters kick off their 2015 tour May 24 and visit Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas on Thursday, May 28. The tour is in support of Robert Plant's “lullaby and… The Ceaseless Roar, ” which was released September 2014 on Nonesuch/Warner Bros. Records.

MEXICAN SINGER-ACTRESS LUPITA D'ALESSIO TO PERFORM AT THE AXIS

The “Sleeping Lioness,” Lupita D'Alessio, will perform at The AXIS at Planet Hollywood Friday, April 3 at 8 p.m. on her Cuando Se Ama Como Tú tour. After an 18-year recording hiatus, D'Alessio has triumphantly returned with a Gold Record Award in Mexico for her new album “Cuando Se Ama Como Tú.”

Joining D'Alessio will be Mexican singer Reyli, who began his career with the band Elefante but is best known as an accomplished solo singer and composer. Tickets range from $59 - $99.

JIM JEFFERIES MAKES ‘FREEDUMB’ TOUR STOP AT HARD ROCK

Jim Jefferies, internationally renowned Australian comedian and actor, will visit The Joint at Hard Rock on Saturday, Oct. 3 on the U.S. leg of his “Freedumb” tour. This follows on the heels of his last sold out North American tour, “Day Streaming.” Tickets start at $45.

Jefferies first established his controversial and belief challenging comedy in 2009 with his “I Swear to God” HBO special. He followed up with Showtime's “Alcoholocaust,” then “Fully Functional” on EPIX in 2012. Most recently, Jefferies wrote, produced and starred in his own FX sitcom “LEGIT” and released his first Netflix comedy special “BARE” in 2014.

HASH HOUSE A GO GO OPENS HENDERSON LOCATION

Known for its fun-inspired unusual décor including the photo of the pigs at the trough, enormous portions, and placing 8^th overall for “Best Burger in the World” at the World Food Championships, Hash House A Go Go has made a real name for itself. Its newest Henderson location at 555 N. Stephanie Street in Henderson is the second free-standing location in Las Vegas joining the original store on W. Sahara. Other Las Vegas locations include inside The Link, the Rio and the Plaza downtown.

PIZZA ROCK BY TONY GEMIGNANI OPENED AT GREEN VALLEY RANCH

Pizza Rock by 11-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani is now open at AAA Four Diamond-rated Green Valley Ranch serving lunch and dinner daily. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant offers classic Italian entrees, pasta and 11 styles of gourmet pizzas, coupled with an innovative beverage program with 40 beers on tap.

Pizza Rock has indoor and outdoor seating for a guest capacity of more than 200 people along with a large cocktail bar and 20-seat interactive wood-fire bar and features more than forty 80-inch HD TVs with Xbox gaming systems.

Pizza Rock joins the resort's current culinary offerings including Hank's Fine Steaks & Martinis, Tides Seafood & Sushi Bar, Feast Buffet, and Grand Café, as well as the newly opened Slice House by Tony Gemignani in the food court

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

PT's Entertainment Group (PTEG), operators of PT's, Sierra Gold and Sean Patrick's taverns, will host the Motorcycles & Mutts Poker Run benefitting the Animal Foundation on Saturday, April 11 to raise funds and awareness for the foundation and encourage shelter adoptions.

Registration for the Motorcycles & Mutts Poker Run is $35 and a guest can ride along for $10. Participants will enjoy food and drink specials offered at each stop, receive a commemorative pin and bandana, a 50 percent discount on pet adoptions, one raffle ticket and entry into the official after-party. Registration begins at 7 a.m. at Sierra Gold, 6515 S. Jones Blvd., just off the I-215.

Christina Vitagliano, founder of Monster Mini Golf nationally franchised indoor, glow-in-the-dark, monster themed mini golf family entertainment centers including KISS By Monster Mini Golf in Las Vegas, has penned a parody book and behind-the-scenes-look with interesting facts about rock legend Gene Simmons. “Gene Simmons Is A Powerful And Attractive Man: And Other Irrefutable Facts” is fully authorized by the rock star and will be released nationally on March 31 and sold beginning March 27 at 10 a.m. at KISS By Monster Mini Golf on Paradise; cost $16.

STK, the steakhouse inside The Cosmopolitan, will hold its four-year anniversary soiree on Monday, March 30 at 10 p.m. with a James Bond theme. The “004: STK Royale” party will transform the restaurant into scenes from Bond film classics. Dressing 007 dapper and Bond girl-appropriate, guests will enjoy hors d'oeuvres, desserts, Belvedere's new 007-branded vodka martini - The Spectr, and listen to seductive singer Nieve Malandra and DJ Mike Attack.

Jerry Lewis took in “FRANK - The Man. The Music.” at The Palazzo recently. The legendary actor and comedian attended the show with a large group to celebrate his 89^th birthday, which took place March 16. The show's star Bob Anderson welcomed his friend Lewis to the show and the audience gave Lewis a standing ovation.

The Venetian and The Palazzo celebrated Italy's birthday March 17 with a special Italian gondola cake mirroring the landmark resort courtesy of Carlo's Bakery. The famous bake shop from the TLC show “Cake Boss” celebrates its one-year anniversary at the Strip resort on March 31.

Brooklyn Bowl's new gluten-free fried chicken offering is prepared with gluten-free matzo meal produced only three times a year and flown in directly from Israel. The gluten-free fried chicken will be offered at the same price as the Bowl's traditional fried chicken.

Utah resident Trinidad T. struck it rich at Westgate Las Vegas on March 14 when she hit the $10,744,293.40 progressive jackpot on an IGT Megabucks® $1 slot machine. Trinidad was in town playing in Westgate's blackjack tournament.

Culinary Dropout inside the Hard Rock teams up with Squatters Craft Beer for an exclusive five-course craft beer pairing dinner on Thursday, March 26 at 7 p.m. Price is $50, call 702-522-8100.

Internationally celebrated photographer and Rotella Gallery resident artist David Yarrow will hold a public unveiling of his acclaimed South Sudanese photograph “Mankind 2” in full color on Friday, March 27 from 6-8 p.m. at the store inside The Forum Shops at Caesars. Only 12 prints and three coveted artist proofs will be available worldwide of Yarrow's photograph capturing the unrest from the South Sudanese civil war.

Reality television stars, Morgan Stewart and Dorothy Wang, from E!'s “#RichKids of Beverly Hills” will host a spring break bash at Chateau Nightclub & Rooftop at Paris on Saturday, March 28 after 11 p.m. Stewart runs a booming lifestyle and fashion blog, cleverly named, “Boobs & Loubs,” while Wang has an astounding social media following.

Adam's Place for Grief, a no cost, peer support group service to Clark County children and families, will hold its 5th Annual Vintage & Vines Event Fundraiser on April 16 from 5-8 p.m. at Land Rover Las Vegas, 5255 West Sahara Ave. Cost is $75 online.

The second Smokin' Notes music and barbecue event will be held Saturday, April 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Knickerbocker Park at 10695 Dorrell Lane in the Providence Master Planned Community. The free family-friendly event will feature a beer garden, Master BBQ Contest, children's activity area, live music and entertainment, and BBQ food for sale.

The “Duck Commander Musical” will open in the Crown Theater at the Rio and transport audiences to the Louisiana bayou beginning Wednesday, April 8.

On Saturday, May 23, Hotel California, the original Eagles tribute band, will take the stage at M Resort's 2,300-seat M Pavilion at 7 p.m. Tickets are $19.99 to $29.99.

Garrison Keillor, author and radio host of “A Prairie Home Companion,” will share anecdotes about growing up in the American Midwest, the people of Lake Wobegon, and “late-life fatherhood” at The Smith Center Thursday, April 16. Tickets start at $29.

Singer, musician and composer Frankie Moreno and his 10-piece band will return to the Rocks Lounge inside Red Rock Resort on Saturday, April 11.

Platinum Entertainment and Fantastic Entertainment will bring live professional boxing back to the theater at the Westgate on April 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $35. The weigh-in and press conference will take place April 10 at 4 p.m. at the Shimmer Cabaret.

This is the first time that the Westgate will host a live professional boxing event since Westgate Resorts acquired the property last July. The Westgate Theater's rich boxing history includes Mike Tyson becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of the world on Nov. 22, 1986, and Leon Spinks upsetting Muhammad Ali in a title fight on Feb. 15, 1978.

X107.5's “Our Big Concert” will feature performances by Cage the Elephant, Dirty Heads, New Politics, Big Data and Joywave at the Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan on Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $40.

Rock band Cage the Elephant released its third album “Melophobia” last year. Trio Dirty Heads released its acoustic album “Home-Phantoms of Summer” in 2013. Danish indie rocker band New Politics released their sophomore album “A Bad Girl in Harlem” in 2012. Big Data is a paranoid electronic music project from the Internet and was formed out of a general distrust for technology and The Cloud. Joywave was formed in 2010. In 2013, Joywave signed to Hollywood Records and released its debut album “How Do You Feel Now?” featuring singles “Somebody New” and “Tongues.”

Restaurateur and advocate for sustainable seafood Chef Rick Moonen will receive a City of Las Vegas proclamation from Mayor Carolyn Goodman at 9 a.m. at City Hall declaring April 1 as “Rick Moonen Day” or as Moonen calls it “Moonen No Foolin' Day,” honoring the chef for his contributions. Moonen opened rm seafood at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place in 2005 and more recently Rx Boiler Room.

“Puppetry Of The Penis,” the internationally acclaimed phenomenon has announced the World's First Penis Job Fair. Creator Simon Morley will be holding auditions for new penis puppeteers, and seeking penis support staff in Las Vegas on Tuesday, March 31 from noon to 3 p.m. at The Jewelbox on the corner of Industrial Road and Desert Inn behind Fashion Show Mall. Aspiring puppeteers may also attend the Master Class on the same day.

“Puppetry of the Penis” has been experienced by more than one million people in 14 countries and appeared on popular television programs, including “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.” The show has been translated into three languages, had a “how to” book published, been played non-stop on HBO's “Real Sex” since 2002, and had DVD releases throughout the world.

Las Vegas-area brothel and resort Sheri's Ranch is offering the “Package of the Century” for the May 2 Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Manny Pacquiao fight weekend.

For $100,000 per person, Sheri's Ranch will provide two tickets to the May 2 Mayweather-Pacquiao bout at MGM Grand Garden Arena, roundtrip airfare to Las Vegas from the continental United States only, car service to and from Sheri's Ranch, lodging, and quality time with all 24 ladies on the premises.