by Jackie Brett Send Me E-mail

The third annual Life is Beautiful Festival has announced the official artist lineup for this year's music, arts, food and learning event taking place in Downtown Las Vegas September 25th through 27th.

Headliners for this year include international superstar and 25-time Grammy winner, Stevie Wonder, music legends, Duran Duran, hip-hop heavyweight, Kendrick Lamar and rock stars, Imagine Dragons, who hail from Las Vegas. These and more than 70 other emerging and established artists will hit the four outdoor stages throughout the weekend.

Other well known and less familiar dance music artists on this year's lineup include Major Lazer, Thievery Corporation, DJ Snake, Porter Robinson, TCHAMI, Cashmere Cat amongst others. In 2014, over 90,000 fans gathered for Life is Beautiful, which has expanded to a three-day festival.

THERAPY WILL BE NEW AMERICAN GASTRO-LOUNGE DOWNTOWN

In June, the Fremont East Entertainment District will get a new restaurant Therapy, serving progressive American cuisine, hand-crafted cocktails and more than 40 craft beers, at 518 E. Fremont Street. Hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday and until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Owned by Jared Weiss and Sig Rogich and developed by MotionCorp, the 4,100-square-foot American gastro-lounge will feature an expansive menu for sharing as well as large plate selections executed by Executive Chef Daniel Ontiveros, who was most recently executive chef at David Myers' Comme Ca at The Cosmopolitan.

Therapy's design will combine modern features with the original “bones” of the historic building and seat 138 guests. An exposed area will reveal vaulted 26-foot-tall wooden barrel ceilings, the same height as the second level, 600-square-foot loft overlooking the main dining room and bar. While ideal for semi-private events and dining, the loft will also serve as a dual-purpose common space for casual dining and hosting a DJ for dancing in the evenings. The main dining room will be framed along one side with a 32-foot bar.

PUBLIC SCHOOL 702 WILL OPEN JUNE 8 AT DOWNTOWN SUMMERLIN

California-based Public School is a gastropub that delivers “An Education in the art of Food and Beer.” Public School 702, the restaurant's first Las Vegas location, will open June 8 in the Dining Arroyo area of Downtown Summerlin.

The gastropub will feature lunch, dinner, weekend brunch and “Recess,” also known as happy hour 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. The menu, from executive Phil Kastel, will include an array of eclectic American favorites with signature items. The bar will carry 24 beers on tap, 11 of which will rotate seasonally in addition to a selection of bottled craft beers. Exclusive to the Las Vegas location, the bar will include local brewery Tenaya Creek Brewing. Also available will be 16 “on tap” wines and an array of artisan cocktails.

The 14,000-square-foot venue will be reminiscent of the classic school house with touches of contemporary design. Communal tables and traditional booths will fill both the dining room and large patio looking directly out to the Strip. With a walk-up bar, beer pong tables, shuffle board, over-sized Jenga and Connect Four, the restaurant's outdoor area will provide fun activities.

Public School 702 will feature weekly programming that includes industry night every Monday, lounge style karaoke on Wednesdays and a vinyl-spinning DJ each Saturday.

WET'N'WILD DEBUTS FIRST ‘SLIDEBOARDING’ ADVENTURE ON A WATERSLIDE

Wet'n'Wild Las Vegas is adding a Slideboarding game, a WhiteWater attraction, to its popular waterslide Zipp Zapp Zoom. The ride is the first-of-its-kind in the world. Gold and VIP Season Pass holders can enjoy this experience all summer and others can pay-to-play as they level up.

Slideboarding integrates gaming and competitive sports into a waterslide experience. The technology employs a smart gaming system that tracks each player's progress/scores as he or she heads down the slide. It then posts the scores on affiliated scoreboards. The system creates tailored experiences for each rider in varying degrees of difficulty based upon prior games.

With 36 levels of difficulty, the controller is designed to give the rider the experience of being a real-life avatar navigating the slide. An app simulating the Slideboarding experience will launch shortly after the ride opens. The app features a replica of the featured slide, Zipp Zapp Zoom, with the same twists, turns and colored buttons. Park goers will be able to practice their Slideboarding skills on the go and ramp up for their next visit.

RADIUS° ROOFTOP POOL & WET LOUNGE OPENS AT STRATOSPHERE

The Radius° Rooftop Pool & Wet Lounge has opened more than 300 feet above the Strip on the 25th floor of the Stratosphere Tower. It's a boutique pool by day opening at 11 a.m. and open air wet lounge by night featuring panoramic views of the valley.

Every evening, guests can enjoy a daily Sunset Happy Hour from 5 to 8 p.m., with $3 Domestic Beers, $4 Imported and Craft Beers and $5 You-Call-It cocktails, shareable pitchers of frozen favorites and appetizers for 25 percent off. Radius° features an East meets West-inspired menu served poolside.

DJs will entertain every Thursday through Sunday at varying times. Admission is free for Stratosphere hotel guests 21 and older. Cover fees for non-hotel guests are $15 men and $10 women and half off by joining Stratosphere's Take Vegas Back movement.

NEW PALAZZO GARDEN DISPLAY CELEBRATES CARNIVALE DI VENEZIA

The Venetian® and The Palazzo® have created a new summer floral installation that can be seen through Sept. 1 with the décor and colors changing throughout the summer months. The display is inspired by an image of a traditionally-dressed Venetian woman during the celebrations of Carnivale di Venezia, a festival known for its elaborate dresses and decorative masks.

The display's focal point in the resort's Waterfall Atrium and Gardens area are two Venetian women topiaries standing approximately nine feet tall. The topiaries were created by a 3-D computer, similar to CG models used in movies. The dresses of the topiaries built entirely by aluminum plates have slots to hold florist foam and tens of thousands of flowers making the Venetian-style dresses.

‘RAIDING THE ROCK VAULT’ IS CELEBRATING AT NEW TROPICANA

“Raiding the Rock Vault,” which was recently awarded the “Best of Las Vegas” title by Las Vegas Review-Journal readers for the second year in a row, will celebrate its 500^th performance on Saturday, May 30, and move into a new 8 p.m. time slot at The New Tropicana. The first 500 tickets sold for shows May 29-31 can be purchased at $10 and include one free well drink.

In honor of this milestone, the show and all its stars will rock the Strip with a special live street performance at 5 p.m. on May 30 outside the hotel. Fans are invited to a full day of festivities beginning at 1 p.m. where a special menu and cold beverages will be served. Live entertainment will begin at 3 p.m. culminating with the special 5 p.m. set. Admission is free and open to the public.

MONTE CARLO ANNOUNCES NEW ‘BOOZE & BITES’ EVENTS

The Monte Carlo is announcing new events in its interactive dinner pairing series “Booze & Bites.” Each month on the last Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. a different restaurant at the resort hosts a dinner in which a five-course menu is prepared and presented by the restaurant's executive chef and paired with a sought-after spirit, wine or brew. During the dinner, a representative for the featured spirit provides insight to each pairing. Tickets start at $65.

The next three dinners are: Beer Pairing at the Pub May 27 sponsored by The Boston Beer Company; Bourbon Pairing at Double Barrel Roadhouse June 24 sponsored by Jim Beam; and Tequila Cocktail Pairing at Diablo's Cantina July 22.

REGGAE IN THE DESERT RETURNS TO CLARK COUNTY AMPHITHEATRE

The 14^th annual Reggae in the Desert, Las Vegas' largest all-ages Reggae festival showcasing both the unifying power of Reggae music and the Caribbean lifestyle, will be held Saturday, June 13 at the Clark County Amphitheatre. It will feature J Boog, Maxi Priest, Yellowman, Anuhea, Etana, Stick Figure, Sister Nancy and more.

The event runs from noon to 11 p.m. General admission tickets are $30 in advance and $35 day of show. VIP tickets are $100 and include t-shirt, poster, meet-and-greet with select artists, a VIP cash bar and an air conditioned VIP Lounge with couches and private restrooms. Children ages 5 or younger are free.

TOP OF NEXT COLUMN

Blue Man Group will be featured on NBC's new reality series “I Can Do That” on Tuesdays, June 2 and 9 at 10 p.m. EST.

Six of America's brightest entertainers will come together for the premiere season of “I Can Do That” to showcase their hidden talents. Celebrities include: acclaimed dancer and choreographer Cheryl Burke; superstar recording artists Ciara, Joe Jonas and Nicole Scherzinger; national stand-up comedian Jeff Dye; and actor Alan Ritchson. Each week, the cast members are presented with performances by successful groups in the country. The celebrities vie for the opportunity to learn the unique skills involved in each act, and then perform it in front of a live audience.

Blue Man Group will perform a never-before-seen set on the June 2 episode, and the following week, two of the featured celebrities attend the Las Vegas production of Blue Man Group and engage in training on how to portray the unique mannerisms, drumming and non-verbal acting skills that define the curious Blue Man character. On the June 9 episode, the two celebrities will show off their new-found abilities in a performance with Blue Man Group.

Two new tribute artists join the current cast of “Legends in Concert” at the Flamingo. Jourdan Carroll is paying tribute to Barry White. The baritone-bass singer performs hits such as “Can't Get Enough,” “Love Theme” and “My First, My Last.” Winner of the 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition, Dean Z will begin his tribute to “The King” on Monday, June 8 and join current cast members Jason Jarrett as Michael Jackson, Chris VanDahl as Steven Tyler and Elisa Furr as Celine Dion.

Hairstylist, national celebrity and rising business exec Gina Rivera will present “Colour Your Life” on June 2, a collection of personal stories and reflections about her life from high-school dropout to founder of a major salon company, dramatized with music, graphics and lights, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Jersey Boys Showroom. She'll talk about building a national beauty business, Phenix Salon Suites, and twice being named to Entrepreneur's Top 500 Franchise List. A limited number of free tickets are available to the public, visit www.seeGina.com or call 1-844-733-4462.

Additionally, members of the public can be Rivera's special guest the night prior, June 1, for $99 at a special Red Carpet Gala Pre-Show Party where you can meet Rivera and other celebrities, stroll the Red Carpet, and enjoy music, food and drinks.

In disguise as “Ashley,” Rivera was featured on one of the highest-rated “Undercover Boss” episodes, which CBS is rebroadcasting May 24. She has written more than a hundred articles in the last two years about hair fashion and the salon industry.

Bassrush Massive takes over The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Thursday, June 18 during EDC Las Vegas Week and Insomniac's Bassrush Pool Party returns to REHAB.

The Bassrush Pool Party at REHAB will feature acclaimed electronic music artists including Cookie Monsta, Funtcase, Lookas, Sigma, Slander, Snails, TC and Zomboy. Tickets will be available at the door.

Bassrush Massive will bring its signature dance party to The Joint with major artists including Andy C + Armanni Reign, Brillz, Bro Safari, Definitive, Excision, Sigma, Kayzo and Zomboy. Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at www.axs.com.

Combining painting and song, two famed Las Vegas artists join forces to raise funds for the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) on Saturday, May 30. World-renowned master artist Vladimir Kush is joined by Travis Cloer, star of Jersey Boys as part of the Vladimir Kush Performance Series at the Kush Fine Art Gallery at The Forum Shops at Caesars.

Kush will finish one of his masterpieces, “Snowbirds,” live while Cloer delights event-goers with his standards in a rare and intimate performance. Upon completion, the finished painting will be auctioned with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the NSPCA. RSVPs are accepted by emailing RSVP@vladimirkush.com or calling 702-650-3444.

Kush aficionados will also be treated to the unveiling of the iconic piece, “Tree of Life,” at the event. Doors open at 2 p.m., with the performance and painting at 3 p.m.

FIRST FRIDAY SEEKS TALENTED MUSICIANS AND ORIGINAL MUSIC

Talented musicians from across the valley have been encouraged to submit original music samples for a chance to perform at “Life is Beautiful” in September. First Friday Las Vegas accepted submissions from all bands, solo artists, DJs and instrumentalists with original music to perform at June's First Friday event, “Music is Beautiful” on Friday, June 5.

Two winners of “Music Is Beautiful” will receive performance slots at the official “Life is Beautiful” September festival. The second place winner will receive a headlining performance at an upcoming First Friday Las Vegas event, while the third place winner receives a headlining performance and one of the participating venues during July's First Friday event. Winners will be announced on June 10 on the First Friday Las Vegas Facebook page. Fans can cast their vote for their favorite musicians leading up to the event on www.DTLV.com. Fan favorite votes will be factored in to overall judging by First Friday selected judges and eventgoers during the Music is Beautiful event.

It will be International Obscura Day at the National Atomic Testing Museum on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Atlas Obscura is the definitive guide to the world's wondrous and curious places.

The museum will be presenting a special day of programming. Joe Kent, director of education, will be leading a guided tour of the museum and discussing the history of the Nevada Test Site and America's nuclear testing program. Meanwhile, Karen Green, senior curator, will give visitors a rare peek into the museum's artifacts most guests never see.

Cost is $12 and must be paid through Atlas Obscura's Eventbrite with an additional fee of $1.29 to help fund next year's International Obscura Day.

Back by popular demand, Grimaldi's Pizzeria will be offering the popular Prosciutto Arugula Pizza for the month of June. Starting June 1, Grimaldi's will offer an exclusive limited release of URLO (Scream) Red Blend wine. Grimaldi's is also bringing back its ever-popular Tuesday Tastings offering half-off glasses, carafes and bottles of wine at its restaurants nationwide with the exception of Sangrias and Grimaldi's house wine.

The best Las Vegas sommeliers, Adem Sash from Del Frisco's and Rafael Garcia from L'Atelielr de Joel Robuchon, will compete to win your palate approval with expert wine pairings for three courses. The Final Fight in Downtown Summerlin will be at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill Monday, June 15 at 6 p.m. Cost is $50, call 702-832-1000.

Blue Man Group is holding a national open call for talented performers to portray Blue Men in its Orlando, Las Vegas, Boston and Chicago productions. Open call auditions for both male and female performers will be held in Las Vegas on Wednesday, May 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Blue Man Group Theater inside Monte Carlo.

The new 20-acre Aventura Park in the master-planned Inspirade community will open Saturday, May 30 with a free celebration that includes food trucks, live music, sports, games and giveaways from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aventura is the City of Henderson's third park to open in Inspirada in the past nine months.

The Take Steps for Crohn's & Colitis community walk will be held Saturday, May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon at Exploration Park in the Mountain's Edge Master Planned Community. The walk and companion activities include live music, food, kids entertainment, vendor booths, educational materials and more. The event is open to the public and free to attend with a $25 per person donation encouraged.