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Sunday, April 5, 2015 NEWEST - PRIOR ISSUE - ARCHIVES

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PAWN PLAZA ANNOUNCES FIRST THREE TENANTS!

Jackie Brett
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The first three tenants to be part of the new Pawn Plaza at 725 Las Vegas Blvd. So., just south of the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, home to History channel's “Pawn Stars,” opening this summer are Rick's Rollin Smoke BBQ and Tavern, Poutine Vegas of Ontario's Smoke's Poutinerie and Rita's Italian Ice. This is the first Las Vegas Strip location for all three and only the second Smoke's Poutinerie in the United States.

Pawn Plaza artist rendering

Poutine Vegas will serve an exclusive Poutine menu with its signature gravy, fresh hand-cut fries, squeaky cheese curds and unlimited combination of toppings. Rick's Rollin Smoke BBQ and Tavern is known for their “Arkansas Style” southern hickory smoked BBQ meats. This business will be two-story with the upstairs rooftop Tavern overlooking the Strip, pouring up to 16 beers on tap, and featuring live entertainment on weekends.

There will be 72 Cubes housing tenants and combining to make up 36 structures and up to 16 retail spaces as well as four restrooms. Pawn Plaza is expected to host quarterly events and partner with different nonprofits.

‘AMERICA'S GOT TALENT’ WINNER MAT FRANCO HAS RESIDENCY AT THE LINQ

Mat Franco, the first magician to win NBC's “America's Got Talent,” will bring his captivating illusions to the Strip this summer starting June 24 with an all-new resident show at The LINQ where the showroom will soon be renovated. Tickets go on sale April 22. Ninth season winner Franco offers magic that defies all expectations in amazingly inventive ways. His show will be a full-scale production built on brand-new, never-before-seen material, yet he will still keep his love of getting up close with the crowd.

Mat Franco

Almost entirely self-taught, the 26-year-old Rhode Island native began developing his own shows before the age of 10 and took to the stage at the Riviera in Las Vegas by the time he was 15. His improvisation-fueled and humor-laced performance style partly was honed through his years as an in-demand college act.

This summer Franco will return to NBC for a series of primetime “Mat Franco's Got Magic” specials capturing him traveling across America.

MEIZHOU DONGPO WILL OPEN AT GRAND CANAL SHOPPES IN 2016

Meizhou Dongpo will open its first location in Nevada and third in the United States in early 2016 at the Grand Canal Shoppes. The Las Vegas location will serve as the flagship for the brand in the United States. The highly regarded Chinese restaurant is a global brand distinguished by its sophisticated Sichuan fare.

LAS VEGAS CITY OF LIGHTS JAZZ AND R&B FESTIVAL RETURNS

Michael Schivo will bring his 23rd Annual Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz & R&B Festival to town Saturday, April 18 and 19 at the Government Amphitheater in downtown Las Vegas. Performers include: Jazz Attack featuring Euge Groove; Peter White and Richard Elliot; Gerald Albright with Norman Brown; Maysa; Pieces of a Dream; The Sax Pack 10th Anniversary tour with Kim Waters; Jeff Kashiwa; Steve Cole and Down to the Bone; Johnny Gill of the New Edition; Angie Stone; El DeBarge; Kenny Lattimore; Leela James and The Family Stone with many original members.

COMEDIAN-UFC COMMENTATOR JOE ROGAN PERFORMS AT MGM GRAND

Comedian, podcaster and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) commentator Joe Rogan will appear at the KÁ Theatre Friday, May 22 at 8 p.m. With more than 20 years of stand-up experience, Rogan has sold out shows worldwide and recently released his fourth hour-long comedy special “Joe Rogan: Rocky Mountain High,” which premiered on Comedy Central in November 2014. Since 2002, Rogan has provided commentary for the UFC which airs on Pay-Per-View outlets, Spike Television and FOX. He currently hosts “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast featuring an array of guests. Tickets are $39.99.

Joe Rogan

‘IN ITS ENTIRETY’ CONCERT SERIES EXTENDED AT RED ROCK RESORT

Because of overwhelming demand, the “In Its Entirety” concert series will continue at Red Rock in Rocks Lounge every second Friday beginning May 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a performance of Led Zeppelin's Grammy Award-winning album “Led Zeppelin IV.” Released in 1971, the album was certified 23-times platinum in the United States and featured the band's signature single “Stairway To Heaven.”

The future lineup of world-class musicians and singers performing the famous records cover-to-cover include Journey's Greatest Hits performed by “Journey Unlimited - The Tribute” on June 12 and The Best of Paul McCartney - The Beatles and Beyond Celebrating Sir Paul's 75th birthday along with “Wings Greatest hits” album performed by The Fab on July 10. Tickets are $15.

FREE ZUMBA PARTY FOR RUNNER HELENE NEVILLE AT BOCA PARK

The free send-off Zumba party for Las Vegan Helene Neville is planned for Saturday, April 18 at Boca Park Fashion Village from 2-4 p.m. with premiere instructors Dr. Teddy Sim, DC and Jaqueline Andrea hosting his star Zumba instructors and the public followed by a fashion show by Eccoci from 3:30-4 p.m. Celebrity Robin Leach will introduce Neville while the ladies from “Sexxy” at Westgate Las Vegas, a Michael Jackson tribute artist, and Bourbon Room's Marvelless Mark provide entertainment.

Helene Neville

Four-time cancer survivor Neville is also a nurse, grandmother and author of three books. She will leave Las Vegas on April 26 and begin her fourth and final continental run on May 1in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, which transects the northern states, and finish on Sept. 5 in Ocean Shores, Wash. She will turn 55 years old during her 2015 perimeter run.

BLUE MAN GROUP ‘LIGHTS UP BLUE’ FOR WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS

In honor of April being Autism Awareness Month, the world-renowned Blue Man Group has unveiled its yearlong partnership with Autism Speaks. The company is pledging a minimum $25,000 donation and will host at least one sensory-friendly show, suitable for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), in each of its markets with a percentage of proceeds benefitting the cause. In Las Vegas, where there is no local Autism Speaks chapter, monies raised will go to Grant a Gift Autism Foundation.

In addition, each production will offer sensory-friendly shows on select dates throughout the year. The fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States, ASD affects one in 68 children and one in 42 boys.

Blue Man Group, April Fools' Day, Madame Tussauds

On April Fool's Day, Blue Man Group pranked guests by “literally caming to life” in place of wax figures at Madame Tussauds.

DOUBLE BARREL ROADHOUSE® CELEBRATES FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Double Barrel Roadhouse® in front of Monte Carlo wraps up its first year with an anniversary celebration on Thursday, April 16. The celebration will include a specially priced $35 menu just for the occasion, a 20 percent discount on select menu items, a free late night performance by local American hard rock band Adelitas Way, and the roll out of new fare. Additionally, Double Barrel is offering one complimentary birthday shot per person with the purchase of any regularly priced premium cocktail that day.

Double Barrel Roadhouse - interior

ROUTE 91 HARVEST FESTIVAL WILL RETURN TO LAS VEGAS

Route 91 Harvest Festival will return to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year Oct. 2-4. The three-day, two-stage festival at MGM Resorts Village will be headlined by country music superstars Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen and more. Other artists A Thousand Horses, Frankie Ballard, Mark Chesnutt, Easton Corbin, Clare Dunn, Brett Eldredge, Gloriana, Joe Nichols, Jon Pardi, Chase Rice, The Cadillac Three, Thomas Rhett, Austin Webb and Drake White will also perform. The festival's second stage, “Next From Nashville,” will return and showcase emerging country artists.

SPECIAL ONE-NIGHT ONLY DINNERS

B&B Ristorante in conjunction with Quail Hollow Farm will host a four-course, family-style, farm-to-table dinner on Saturday, May 2 in the Moapa Valley, 50 miles north of Las Vegas in Overton. The dinner will feature Quail Hollow Farm fresh produce as well as Prime Black Angus Beef from the Good Family Farm. The 5 p.m. reception will be on the veranda overlooking the farm. Dinner at 6 p.m. will be served in the fields on fine linen and china and paired with wine. Open to the public, this dinner is $125, visit www.quailhollowdinner.splashthat.com.

Della's Kitchen at Delano will host a special five-course farmhouse dinner designed by Executive Chef Jay Calimlim on Sunday, May 17 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $78, call 702-632-9254.

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza & Grill at 6500 W. Sahara will host Sammy's Social Club at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 9 highlighting wine varietals of Franciscan Estate Winery from Napa Valley, Calif., and a four-course pairing dinner for $45.

IKEA SET TO BREAK GROUND AND OPEN IN SUMMER 2016

Locals are thrilled, Swedish furniture retailer IKEA has set the date and will break ground on Thursday, April 9 for its 351,000-square-foot store off the 215 Beltway at Durango Drive. The store will retail nearly 10,000 products that are exclusive to IKEA. In addition, it will have 50 room settings, three model-home interiors, a “supervised” children's play area, and a 450-seat restaurant serving Swedish dishes.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

ABOUT TOWN NEWS

Last week new nightlife destination OMNIA Nightclub at Caesars Palace hosted a star-studded mid-week affair with actor and “Captain America” star Chris Evans along with “All About That Base” singer Meghan Trainor partying inside the venue's ultra-lounge Heart of OMNIA.

Meghan trainor and friends at Heart of OMNIA

An Australian chain, Gelato Messina, opened its first U.S. location in Downtown Summerlin. It makes gelato and sorbet in more than 40 flavors fresh daily and offers nine different gelato cakes. Store hours 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

“Absinthe” by Spiegelworld at Caesars Palace celebrated its fourth anniversary and more than 2,000 performances by surprising an audience with a surprise toga party in The Gossy Room at Caesars Palace following the show. Guests were provided togas and the party kicked off with a mariachi band procession winding through Caesars Palace to The Gossy Room.

Absinthe fourth anniversary

Commonwealth downtown will host “Uncommon Canvas,” a series of Sunday night painting events from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning April 26. Painters of all experience levels are invited to attend painting classes hosted by Christina Ambubuyog, local artist and owner of the I Love Intuition art studio. Classes are $30 with art supplies and one complimentary Jameson Irish Mule included. Commonwealth's specialty cocktail menu will also be available for purchase.

Singer Mark OToole will be performing “The Music of Manilow” on April 19 at Treasure Island's Kahunaville Showroom at 2 p.m.

Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay has introduce a new attraction to its 1.3-million-gallon Shipwreck exhibit... a pair of Scalloped Hammerheads. They can grow up to 14 feet in length and weigh over 300 pounds. Shark Reef Aquarium is one of only three aquariums in the United States with Scalloped Hammerheads.

Mandalay Bay - Scalloped Hammerhead

Distill in Summerlin has started live music by local artists every Saturday afternoon from noon - 4 p.m. on the patio.

The High Roller after its first year of operations at The LINQ Promenade received the first Las Vegas Icon Award presented by Clark County Commissioners.

High Roller, Las Vegas, Icon Award

Through April 30, Las Vegas-Clark County Library District cardholders will receive an exclusive $2 off Nevada-residents special offer at the Mob Museum downtown with proof of a valid library card. This offer includes all Nevada price types and levels.

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada will hold its 5th Annual Heart of Hope Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tickets $175.

Chef Kerry Simon's downtown Carson Kitchen restaurant has introduced an array of new selections for the spring season. Among the items are a pork belly Cuban sandwich with spicy tater tots and a banoffee pie, served with Bailey's whipped cream and chocolate biscotti

Carson Kitchen banoffee pie

Just learned Due & Proper at The District at Green Valley Ranch has cancelled its “Game of Thrones” viewing party on Sunday, April 12.

HEXX KITCHEN | BAR | CHOCOLATE OPENS AT PARIS

The new HEXX kitchen | bar | chocolate at Paris Las Vegas brings together approachable American cuisine, cocktails, and Las Vegas' first bean-to-bar craft chocolate maker. The bonus is unparalleled views of the Fountains of Bellagio from the patio and dining room serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, 24 hours a day.

HEXX chocolate

HENDERSON PAVILION 2015 SPRING SEASON UNVEILED

Henderson released its 2015 spring season through June at the Henderson Pavilion. The lineup includes: two Henderson Symphony Orchestra concerts on April 19 and May 1; a laser and light show dedicated to the music of Pink Floyd; and a Charlie Brown musical; and more.

Christian sensation Chris Tomlin returns with his Love Ran Red Tour on Friday, April 17 with opening acts Tenth Avenue North and Rend Collective. Tomlin will feature songs from his new album.

Chris Tomlin

On Saturday, May 2 at 8 p.m. Paramount's Original Laser Spectacular featuring the Music of Pink Floyd will be headlining. Tickets start at $12.

“You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown The Broadway Musical” will have Charles M. Schulz's beloved Peanuts comic strip coming to life in Clark Gesner's classic musical on May 15-16 and 22-23 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $12.

It will be “Laughter for All” presented by Comedy Crusade featuring comedian Nazareth, as seen on NBC, CBS, FOX and Comedy Central, and a team of leading entertainers and local ministries on Saturday, May 30 at 7 pm. with pre-show activities at 4 p.m. This is a free event.

On Saturday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m. will be a live screening of Charlie Chaplin's “The Kid” with Chaplin and child star Jackie Googan. The Henderson Symphony Orchestra will provide live accompaniment, synchronizing the music and sound effects as the 1921 silent comedy plays on the silver screen above. Tickets start at $12.

FIVE RESTAURANTS IN LAS VEGAS MAKE OPENTABLE'S TOP 100 LIST

OpenTable, the world's leading provider of online restaurant reservations, revealed its 2015 Top 100 Hot Spot Restaurants in America list. These awards reflect the combined opinions of more than 5 million restaurant reviews submitted by verified OpenTable diners for more than 20,000 restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

New restaurants made a strong showing, including 42 that opened in 2014 and one already in 2015. The complete list features award-winners in 25 states and Washington, D.C. Nevada has five winning restaurants: Andrea's at Wynn; Cleo at SLS; Rose. Rabbit. Lie. and STK at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas and Tao Restaurant and Nightclub.

LAS VEGAS RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS

For the first time since 2011, Las Vegas Restaurant Week will take place during one series of dates - June 15-26 - replacing separate spring and fall events this year.

During Las Vegas Restaurant Week, participating restaurants feature prix-fixe menus - some offering breakfast, lunch and/or dinner - at price points ranging from $20.15 to $50.15, with a fixed portion of the meal's cost donated to Three Square.

CLEVELAND CLINIC LOU RUVO CENTER OFFERS FREE PROGRAMING

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health downtown has a free caregiver programming, including the “Lunch & Learn” weekly Wednesday noon to 1 p.m. education series, a special art series from The Cleveland Museum of Art, and Huntington's disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease support groups. For information, call Christal at 702-778-6702. Also, The Lynne Ruffin-Smith Library was recently moved to the first floor.

The Healthier Living Class will be six free Friday sessions from 12:30-3 p.m. covering new tools and techniques for improving your health and sense of well-being.

RAINBOW COMPANY PRESENTS ‘MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS’

The Rainbow Company Youth Theatre will present “Mr. Popper's Penguins” April 24-May 3 at the Charleston Heights Arts Center. Appropriate for ages 7 and older, this musical is based on the 1938 children's book written by Richard and Florence Atwater and features the adventures of Mr. Popper and his brood of high-stepping penguins. Show times are 7 p.m. April 24-25, May 1-2 and 2 p.m. April 26, May 2-3. Tickets are $5.

ANNUAL KLIP IT FOR KIDZ FUNDRAISER WILL BE HELD AT TOWN SQUARE

Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF) in partnership with Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada (CCCN) will present the 7th annual Klip It for Kidz fundraiser Saturday, May 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the park area at Town Square. Last year more than 85 heads were shaved, collecting 92 hair donations and pony tails. Professional stylists will be on-hand ready to shave participants' heads for summer or cut hair to make wigs for children. Participants must be willing to cut a minimum of eight inches to donate. Individuals may set their own fundraising goals and collect pledges for NCCF.

The event is open to the public and features entertainment, family fun and exhibitions by METRO units as well as fire engines from the Clark County Fire Department.

FUN THINGS TO DO IN PAHRUMP

Just an hour's drive away, there are fun activities planned in Pahrump. Friday-Saturday, April 10-11, it will be Laughing Under The Stars at 7 p.m. at the Sanders Family Winery. Tickets are $20. On the second Saturday of every month (April 11) at 8 a.m. is The HUBB Classic Car & Parts Swap Meet. There's racing at the Pahrump Valley Speedway on April 11 and 25 at 7 p.m. On April 11 at 1 p.m. at the Parhump Valley Museum, the monthly lecture series will feature author Stan Paher speaking on the ghost towns and mining camps in the surrounding areas of Las Vegas. On Saturday, April 25, the free Annual Earth Day Celebration will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in Ian Deutch Memorial Park.



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