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| Sunday, December 28, 2003 | PRIOR ISSUE - ARCHIVES |
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| Margaritaville Grand Opening, Sorvino's Sculptures Displayed, MGM Grand Celebrates 10TH, Nevada Honors Tourism Leaders, 2004 Year Of Monkey, Star Trek Adds "Borg Invasion 4-D", Cannery Hosts King Birthday Celebration, Rita Rudner Goes On Late, "Fab"-ulous New Year's Eve Party, Tony Roma's Top Producer, Bikinis Take Over Pit, Tsunami Celebration, More... | |
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| ATTRACTIONS |
| BUFFETS |
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| DISCOUNTS & DEALS |
| GHOST TOWNS |
| GROUP TRAVEL |
| HOTELS |
| LIMOS / CAR RENTALS |
| MAPS |
| NIGHTLIFE |
| PARKS |
| GOLF / SPAS |
| RESTAURANTS |
| SHOPPING |
| SHOWS |
| TOURS |
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville will hold its official grand opening at the Flamingo on Jan. 22. In celebration of the new tropical-themed venue, the grand opening festivities will feature a live outdoor concert by Jimmy Buffett and The Coral Reefer Band and an outdoor festival complete with tiki bars and barbeques in the Flamingo's tropical pool area.
The eight-acre pool complex will host more than 5,000 Buffett fans expected to attend the outdoor concert. Tickets to the event are not for sale. Las Vegas residents may listen to KOMP 92.3 or 97.1 The Point for a chance to win tickets to the concert. Parrotheads outside the area may visit www.margaritaville.com.
The multi-level entertainment venue offers two outdoor patios overlooking the Las Vegas Strip, a tropical-themed restaurant, five distinctive bars, live entertainment nightly (both indoors and outdoors) and a 3,000 square-foot retail store. Margaritaville is open 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Award-winning actor, director, producer, and opera singer Paul Sorvino is also an artist. His sculptures are currently on display and available for purchase at Art de Vignettes in the Fashion Show mall through Jan. 30, 2004.
Sorvino's creates his classical Romanesque style masterpieces in many studios around the world namely New York, Los Angeles and Rome. Many of his works are executed at the foundry in Bologna. His formal training was with Sculptor Jose deCreeft, who created the famous figures of Alice in Wonderland in Central Park.
Sorvino, whose heritage is Italian, has appeared on television, Broadway, and in more than 80 films including "Goodfellas" "Dick Tracy," "Romeo and Juliet," "Nixon," and "The Firm."
The MGM Grand today looks a whole lot different than the one that opened in December of 1993. It's gone through a multi-year evolution that has included changing the original giant lion's head doorway where you walked through the mouth to one with an immense grand lion sitting on a pedestal.
Some of the more recent changes began in August 2001 when NOBHILL opened with a design that recreates both the atmosphere and cuisine of San Francisco neighborhood restaurants. In 2002, NOBHILL was nominated for the James Beard Foundation Best New Restaurant award. The nomination marked only the second time a restaurant from Las Vegas was selected for consideration for the Best New Restaurant category.
The MGM introduced two additional restaurant offerings in 2002 - Pearl, Chinese modern with a contemporary presentation, and Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak, named "Best New Restaurant" in Las Vegas at the 2003 Epicurean Awards. The lobby bar, Zuri, with a contemporary twist on a classic martini bar was added in November 2002.
This year the MGM introduced Tabú - a chic, sophisticated, cosmopolitan ultra lounge designed by architect Jeffrey Beers.
The dining evolutionary has continued this year with the additions of Fiamma Trattoria and SEABLUE. In August, Fiamma brought famed restaurateur Stephen Hanson to Las Vegas for his first venture outside of New York. Fiamma with updated versions of traditional Italian specialties is a casual version of New York's 3-star Fiamma Osteria.
Most recently, Michael Mina introduced his newest concept, SEABLUE, to the Las Vegas restaurant scene. Designed by architect Adam Tihany with a focus on the clean elements of water and stone, SEABLUE is a Mediterranean-influenced fish market.
Looking ahead, next summer the MGM will introduce a new Cirque Du Soleil production.
At this month's annual Governor's Conference on Tourism gathering at Caesars Palace, a dinner was held to honor Claudine Williams. You possibly don't know who she is; however, her landmark accomplishments in the field of tourism are worth noting.
Williams was Nevada's first woman elected chairman of the board of a bank and the first woman inducted into the Gaming Hall of Fame. She served as a Nevada Commission on Tourism commissioner from 1984 until last year. She also served on the National Travel and Tourism Industry Advisory Council, which advises the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee. "Travel Agent" magazine selected her as one of "The 200 Most Powerful Women in Travel."
Williams began her Nevada gaming and tourism career in 1965 when she and her husband, the late Shelby Williams, purchased, renovated and operated the Silver Slipper Casino, which they sold to Howard Hughes in 1969. In 1973, they opened the Holiday Casino, of which Williams became president and general manager. The business continued to grow under her leadership and Harrah's purchased the property in1983. Ultimately, Williams became chairman of the board of Harrah's Las Vegas and continues to hold the position today.
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The Palms will release a limited edition 2004 Year of the Monkey Commemorative Casino Chips on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. There are three chips in $8, $25 and $100 denominations. Each chip commemorates the Chinese New Year. Chips are available at the main cage or the gaming tables. Attention Trekkies... Paramount Parks, which developed "Star Trek: The Experience" at the Las Vegas Hilton, plans to open an out-of-this-world expansion to the attraction this coming spring. The multi-million dollar galactic experience will be called "Borg Invasion 4D," after the Borg collective, which is suppose to be a powerful group of cybernetically enhanced beings who gain knowledge and technology by absorbing other species. The premise of the attraction, which will use both live actors and special effects, revolves around visitors touring a futuristic research facility. During their visit, they are pursued by members of the Borg collective, who try to capture them using 24th century cybernetic technology. One of the highlights will be an original 3D film featuring cast members from the "Star Trek: Voyager" television show. In celebration of Elvis Presley's 69th birthday, the Cannery in North Las Vegas off I-15 will be hosting Elvis' Birthday Bash Weekend complete with an all-Elvis radio request program called "Elvis On the Air," a karaoke contest and a tribute show. The festivities begin on Thursday, Jan. 8, with Stephen Christopher, an Elvis expert licensed by the Elvis Presley Estate, taking callers' questions on KOOL 93.1 FM. Beginning at 2 p.m., Christopher will provide commentary about Elvis' life, explore all aspects of his music and explain the undefined impact his legend has on the world. During the show, Christopher will give away T-shirts, CD's and passes to Graceland. Also, there is not a single commercially released Elvis song that Christopher does not own, and if callers can request one stumping the expert, they will win $50,000. That evening at 7 p.m., Christopher will be at The Cannery for "An Evening with Elvii," an Elvis karaoke contest. Elvii fans will compete for the title of "King of Karaoke" and a toured trip to Memphis, Tenn. with Christopher as their guide. The prize consists of a two-night stay at The Heartbreak Hotel, dinner at one of Elvis' favorite dinning spots and VIP passes to Graceland. Registration for the contest is at The Cannery Players Club. On Jan. 9 and 10, Elvis impersonator Paul Casey will perform his "American Trilogy" show highlighting the young and old Elvis at 8 p.m. The show will also feature The King's personal bodyguard, Sonny West and tour manager and photographer Ed Bonja giving personal anecdotes and reflections. Accomplished actress, best-selling author and comedienne, Rita Rudner has performances scheduled Saturday through Thursday at 8 p.m. and on Fridays at 9 p.m. On certain Saturdays next year, she will perform a 10 p.m. show. Those dates are March 13, April 10 and 24, June 19 and 26, Sept 18, Oct 16, and Dec 4. Tickets are $49, call 702-740-6815. Sam's Town, located on Boulder Highway, in conjunction with local radio station KOMP 92.3 FM will present The FAB celebrating the music of the Beatles inside Sam's Town Live! on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The festivities will go from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with the Beatles' biggest hits being performed by the tribute band. The "Midnight Revolution" Champagne Toast will take place at midnight. Tickets are $24.95 in advance and $29.95 at the door, call 888-464-2468 from 1 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The Fremont, one of Boyd Gaming's three downtown Las Vegas properties, again lays claim to the top Tony Roma's franchise. Originally the restaurant opened in September 1990 as the third Tony Roma's in Las Vegas. The eatery expanded in 2000 and has garnered the "Best of Las Vegas" award several times. Tony Roma's is noted for its tasty, tangy ribs. At the Fremont, it is open seven days a week, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; with extend hours to midnight on Friday and Saturday. At the Tuscany casino about a block and a half off the Strip on Flamingo, bikini clad ladies not only deal blackjack, they also embellish a craps table. The minimum bet is $5. The pit operates from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays through Mondays. You can ring in the New Year "Tsunami-style" at the Asian Grill and Sushi Bar inside the Venetian starting at 11 p.m. New Year's Eve will start off with a special menu, created by Executive Chef Florence Duff, complete with appetizers, sushi bar and a variety of signature drinks, including the Tsunami Wave. The party will include watching a jumbo screen TV, karaoke, and party favors. Admission is free and the bar stays open until 2 a.m. For reservations, call 702-414-1980.
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