by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

The 2^nd ACM Party for a Cause® Festival is a two-day outdoor music festival headlined by Rascal Flatts and Keith Urban on April 4 and 5, respectively. The festival will be the first special event held at The LINQ and transform the area into a country music fan's paradise featuring multiple stages for ongoing live country music performances, interactive games, a country marketplace, etc. Two-day ticket passes for are $65.

The event is part of The Week Vegas Goes Country® leading up to the 49th Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 6 at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

Some of the other performers joining Flatts and Urban include: Danielle Bradbery, Justin Moore, Cassadee Pope, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, and The Cadillac Three, etc. Following the Main Stage performances on Saturday, the festivities will continue with ACM After Hours with Jerrod Niemann and Friends on the Party Stage featuring performances by Tyler Farr, Jerrod Niemann, American Young, Natalie Stovall and The Drive, The Swon Brothers, and more.

LOCASH COWBOYS APPEAR AT FREMONT STREET EXPERIENCE

For Country Music Weekend, April 4-6, the Fremont Street Experience's three stages will feature Nashville headliners LoCash Cowboys, a country music duo, along with some of the best local Las Vegas country music talent. LoCash Cowboys' free performances will be Friday and Saturday from 9:10-10:40 p.m. on the 1st Street Stage. Las Vegas favorites Fairchild, Rowdy Cowboys and Sam Riddle will round out the three-day lineup.

DARIUS RUCKER WILL HOST ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC

Performer and avid golfer Darius Rucker will host this year's Academy of Country Music Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic for the second consecutive year at TPC on April 5. This is the eighth tournament since 2004 and will bring together more country music artists including Frankie Ballard, Charles Kelley, Scotty McCreery, Jake Owen, and Cole Swindell.

SANSONE COMPANIES TO REDEVELOP THE BOULEVARD MALL

Originally built in 1965, The Boulevard Mall, an iconic shopping center, will be restored to its former glory, marking its first major renovation in more than two decades. Sansone Companies acquired the property last December for $54.5 million. Construction on the 1.2-million-square-foot property will commence in mid-2014. Sansone plans to invest approximately $23 to $25 million in the mall's redevelopment, which will include a new lineup of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, Farmers Market, redesigned façade and landscape, and enhancements to surrounding areas on Maryland Parkway. The changes will take place in several phases and be completed by 2015.

The Boulevard Mall currently features anchors including Macy's, Sears, Marshalls, JCPenney and Old Navy. The Boulevard Mall will remain open for business during construction.

UNLVINO RETURNS FOR 40^th YEAR, APRIL 9 - 12

Founded in 1974, UNLVino is a time-honored epicurean festival that will celebrate its 40^th year of “sipping for scholarship” April 9–12. Events include: Sip & Savor at Spago inside the Forum Shops April 9; BAR-b-q at Caesars Palace Garden of the Gods Pool April 10; Bubble-Licious at The Venetian's Doge's Palace Plaza April 11; and Founders' Grand Tasting at the Keep Memory Alive Events Center at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health April 12. Ticket prices vary per event, ranging from $100 - $275; call 877-413-VINO (8466).

MUSICAL ‘ONCE’ COMES TO THE SMITH CENTER MAY 20-25

“ONCE,” winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and winner of the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, will play The Smith Center May 20-25. The musical is currently running on Broadway and based on the Academy Award-winning film. It tells the story of an Irish musician and a Czech immigrant drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, their unexpected friendship and collaboration evolves into a powerful but complicated romance.

NIGHT SCHOOL 4 GIRLS NOW OFFERING TWERKING LESSONS

Keeping up with the times, Night School 4 Girls, which offers a burlesque and pole dancing class, is adding even more sexy maneuvers to the class by teaching twerking. Ladies can now learn to move like Miley or shimmy like Shakira during the 70-minute lesson taught by Vegas showgirls from sexy productions such as “Fantasy” and “Jubilee.”

Located inside the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip, the fun and frisky class continues to allow women to unleash their inner bombshell by teaching sexy moves, pole dancing tricks and a burlesque routine, complete with chairs and feather boas. Classes are Fridays at 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 12:30, 2:00 and 3:30 p.m.

NEW COUNTRY ARTIST TYLER FARR PERFORMS AT SILVERTON

Compelling new country artist, Tyler Farr, will sing his hit songs from the “Redneck Crazy” album inside Veil Pavilion at the Silverton on Saturday, April 19 at 8 p.m. While new to country fame, Farr is a veteran at singing and writing music. Farr co-wrote songs for Joe Nichols and Colt Ford. Tickets are $25.

105.7 FM'S ‘OLD SCHOOL BLOCK PARTY’ SET AT PLANET HOLLYWOOD

Old School 105.7 FM is bringing one big concert to The AXIS Powered by Monster at Planet Hollywood on Saturday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. The 105.7 “Old School Block Party” will feature classic rhythm and blues, funk artists including S.O.S. Band, A Taste of Honey, Zapp, Sugar Hill Gang, Klymaxx, One Way, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Dazz Band and Club Nouveau. Tickets range from $35-$75.

HOLLY MADISON CELEBRATES SPRINKLES CUPCAKES GRAND OPENING

Holly Madison was the first person to use the 24-hour Cupcake ATM that can hold up to 600 cupcakes at the grand opening of Sprinkles Cupcakes at The LINQ. Madison debuting her new look as a redhead presented a $5,000 donation from Sprinkles to the Animal Foundation. Candace Nelson, star of Food Network's “Cupcake Wars” is the founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes.

RETURNING APRIL 12, PROJECT DINNER TABLE HEADS DOWNTOWN

Project Dinner Table returns for its fifth season on Saturday, April 12. The community engagement platform and popular dinner series this season will have seven experiences with four community dinners, two intimate dining adventures and a special membership event.

The kick-off's culinary talent at Downtown3rd will be led by Downtown Grand's Chefs Charles Wilson and Todd Harrington with the signature dinner table seating 175 running along one block of 3^rd Street. Member price per dinner is $175 and non-member $190. The next 2014 dinners will take place May 17, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11.

BUDDY V'S RISTORANTE STARTS FAMILY BRUNCH EVERY SUNDAY

Renowned baker Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro has opened his first restaurant inside Grand Canal Shoppes at Venetian|Palazzo and now he's started “Buddy's Family Brunch,” an elaborate display of brunch favorites served buffet-style throughout the restaurant. The brunch boasts a special buffet created just for kids. Cost is $32.95 and 14.95 per child under 10; call 702-607-2355.

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CHAMPIONSHIP BULL RIDING RETURNS TO THE SOUTH POINT ARENA

The South Point Arena will once again showcase some of the world's most exciting bull riding action during the Tuff Hedeman Shootout presented by Boot Barn on Saturday, April 19 at 8 p.m. Sanctioned by Championship Bull Riding (CBR), and benefitting Cox Charities, the event with a $30,000 prize pool is the 13th of 14 stops on CBR's Road to Cheyenne Tour. Tickets begin at $20 with a 50 percent discount for children under 12 years of age.

Setting this competition apart from other bull riding events is the tournament-style format. Coinciding with the event is the CBR Million Dollar Bull Team Challenge, where stock contractors enter three bulls, which are also competing during the first two rounds of competition. The owner whose bulls have the highest total score will receive $25,000.

The Cosmopolitan in partnership with Art Production Fund unveiled artist-in residence Lucas Michael's project, Camera Obscura, which is running through April 13, Wednesday-Sunday from 6-11 p.m.

Similar to his ongoing project at the annual Golden Globes ceremony, Michael invites guests to be photographed on Polaroid film. The guest keeps one portrait and the other is displayed in P3Studio alongside a hashtag created by the guest. Next, guests are invited to write a message - something personal, a secret, confidence - on a large piece of paper hung along the studio wall. Michael will then cover the messages with deep layers of graphite producing a glimmering “graffiti” wall that appears both freshly painted and scarred with hidden messages.

House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay is adding seatings and activities for Kirk Franklin's Gospel Sunday Brunch on Easter and Mother's Day for the whole family. Tickets are $50 and $27.50 for children under 11.

Easter brunch will take place on Sunday, April 20 with seatings at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Kids will receive a bountiful basket filled with Easter eggs and goodies and the Easter Bunny will make a special appearance to take photos.

On Sunday, May 11, families can pay homage to the matriarchs of family with special Mother's Day seatings at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Each mother and grandmother in attendance will be recognized with flowers and specials songs.

Hakkasan inside MGM Grand is introducing its new “Taste of Hakkasan” prix-fixe menu from 5-7 p.m. daily. Price is $48, call 702-891-7888. The restaurant's a la carte menu is also available.

The second Derby Rose Champagne Luncheon will be held the day before the 140th Running of the Roses in Kentucky on Friday, May 2. It is a Dress for Success Southern Nevada fundraiser taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Along with the three-course meal will be a silent auction and 30-minute fashion show featuring the hat creations from world-renowned designer, Louisa Voisine, a Henderson resident who has created custom hats worn by celebrities, royals and women of society around the world. Models will wear Voisine's hat designs paired with “the little black dress” while attendees are encouraged to wear their own Derby-style hats.

Tickets are $125 if purchased by April 18 and $150 after that at www.dressforsuccesssouthernnevada.org.

To kick-off the Derby-style luncheon, Voisine will host a Champagne and Chocolate Hat Shopping party at the Louisa Voisine Millinery Showroom, 3087 East Warm Springs Road, on April 2 from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The party is $15, which will be credited towards a hat purchase.

The largest Yard House in the world recently opened at The LINQ, directly next to the High Roller observation wheel.

Las Vegas won't have a professional tennis team after all. World TeamTennis terminated its franchise agreement with the Las Vegas Neon that was replacing the Sacramento Capitals in the league before they could even play a match.

Fremont Street Experience is filling more than 140 positions for the upcoming opening and permanent operation of SlotZilla™ downtown. SlotZilla is an 11-story slot-machine-themed takeoff platform for the $11 million zipline attraction.

Through April 20, Jabbawockeez at the Luxor featuring the exhilarating dance crew in their show “PRISM” is offering Nevada residents a “Buy One, Get One Free” deal using the promo code “SPRING14BOGO.”

Brooklyn Bowl celebrated its opening weekend this month with a sold-out midnight show by The Roots and a two-night concert event by Elvis Costello and The Roots.

This month's “Taste & Learn” at Ferraro's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar on Saturday, March 29 from 4-6 p.m. will teach guests about wines originating from Tuscany. Each wine will be accompanied by a small-bite pairing prepared by Executive Chef Mimmo Ferraro. Tickets are $50, call 702-364-5300.

The Cowabunga Bay Water Park, slated to open this summer in Henderson, will include more than 25 waterslides and attractions.

The fourth annual Las Vegas Jazz Invitational is March 28-29 at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts located downtown at 315 South 7^th Street. Festival admission passes are $10 in advance and $20 at the door.

103 Hot Pilates & Yoga, a trendy hot-studio located in Summerlin South, is offering a 60-day “Summer Slim Down” fitness and nutrition challenge starting Tuesday, April 1. At the conclusion of the 60 days, the challenger with the most points will be awarded a complimentary annual membership.

Crazy Horse III gentlemen's club will introduce CLA#SICK Wednesdays, a DJ party series showcasing DJ C.L.A. and special guest appearances, on Wednesday, March 26 with DJ Karma. The late-night party experience will occur every Wednesday from 1 to 5 a.m. through April 30.

Las Vegas native, Jimmy Kimmel, will host the third annual “An Evening with Dave Rice” fundraiser to benefit the Dave Rice Foundation and fight Autism on Saturday, May 17 at the MGM Grand.

OneRepublic will headline the 16th annual Tiger Jam at Mandalay Bay May 16-17. The two-day charity event hosted by Tiger Woods combines golf, poker, food, and other VIP experiences.

The local nonprofit, Adam's Place, will be hosting a “Vintage and Vines” fundraiser to raise money for ongoing and future programs. The event will take place at Jim Roger's Sunbelt Auto Collection Museum on Saturday, March 29 from 5-8 p.m. Tickets are $75.

The 6^th annual Klip It for Kidz fundraiser to raise money for critically ill children in Southern Nevada and local schools will be held on Saturday, April 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the center park area at Town Square. Professional stylists will be on hand to shave participants' heads or cut hair to make wigs for children. The event is open to the public and features entertainment, family fun and exhibitions. For information, visit www.nvccf.org.

The 4th Annual Windy25 Memorial 5K fundraising race for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) honoring fallen service members and their families will be held April 5 at 9 a.m. at the Cosmopolitan. For information, visit www.taps.org.

The Coyote Presents Under the Stars & Stripes with Gary Allan and Darryl Worley Friday, May 30 at 6 p.m. at the Sunset Station Outdoor Amphitheater will benefit Randy Couture's Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation. Tickets are from $39.

The Solutions Foundation is hosting its 2nd 5K to Fight Addiction on April 26 at Bruce Trent Park. The Nevada nonprofit focuses on education, awareness and prevention of substance abuse.

The 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open brings the FedExCup to Las Vegas as the PGA Tour returns for the 32nd consecutive year from Oct. 13–19. Supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children®, many top golfers will compete at TPC Summerlin golf course for a $6.2 million purse.

Field Foundation will host its 2^nd Golf Tournament at Bear's Best Las Vegas on Saturday, May 10 and will have pro-football players attending.