The dates are set, and beginning Monday, June 5, race fans can buy their tickets for Las Vegas Motor Speedway’s March 2018 NASCAR Weekend. Ticket packages of all kinds are available for the speedway’s first tripleheader weekend of 2018, set for March 2-4 at the 1.5-mile oval. Fans can lock in their seats for the spring LVMS event, which will begin with a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event on Friday, March 2, continue with the Boyd Gaming 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday, March 3, and culminate with the Pennzoil 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, March 4.
Whether it’s a Neon Garage pass, Lucky 7 parking pass, Driver Introduction pass or premium clubhouse seating, NASCAR fans can personally tailor packages to suit their specific needs for the March event starting on Monday. Prices for the March 2018 weekend will not increase over 2017’s rates, so racing enthusiasts can enjoy great experiences at no additional cost.
In addition, fans can save up to 40 percent by taking advantage of the annual package discounts for both tripleheader weekends by buying tickets for the spring and fall events. Tickets for all six races begin at $149 for Section 2 and top out at $299 for Earnhardt Terrace and Petty Terrace seating, a savings of $191 from 2017’s prices.
Fans can save $45 per package in the red seats, $105 in the white-painted portion of Section 2 and $151 for seats in Section 2’s blue seats, all while seeing four more races. LVMS offers flexible four- and 10-month payment plans for as low as $15 per month.
Next up for LVMS is the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, Sept. 30, which will be part of the series’ playoffs for the second consecutive year. Tickets are available by calling 1-800-644-4444 or logging on to www.LVMS.com.
THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:
The city’s historic mascot, the iconic Las Vegas showgirl, may have disappeared from its stages but the world’s only showgirl museum is ready to show that it is an entity that has legs – and long-standing ones, at that.
Currently housed in “Boylesque” star Kenny Kerr’s old mansion in Paradise Palms, Grant Philipo’s Las Vegas Showgirl Museum is looking to expand into a 65- to 70,000-square foot venue that can accommodate its collection of 30,000 artifacts that includes more than 1,000 mannequins adorned with the gorgeous costumes of the great Las Vegas extravaganzas, the value of which is so great that it can’t even be determined and has been deemed “priceless.” Just 100 pieces of the collection were appraised at $15 million. Many of those artifacts are currently residing in four different warehouses in Las Vegas.
For more than two years Grant Philipo’s Las Vegas Showgirl Museum has been in conversations with Mayor Carolyn Goodman and City Planners to relocate their collection of over 30,000 artifacts into the original home of a Mormon Church on Las Vegas Blvd. Currently known as The Reed Whipple Building. In November of 2016, the museum, along with a few others, made a formal proposal for the building and have waited for a response, which they have been told will come in June of this year.
A non-profit, “The Society for the Preservation of Entertainment History,” created for the preservation and restoration of the collection, has put together a group of private investors and fund raisers to raise the monies needed to solidify a home for the museum. Past co-owner of The Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Fred Doumani, spearheads the group. The 50-member board of the museum includes influential Las Vegas residents ranging from former hotel owners to politicians, business owners, headliners, and former showgirls.
“Once we find the venue for the museum, our team is confident that we will raise the funds to complete this project successfully,” Doumani said. “It is going to be spectacular and our team is experienced in many different areas.”
The one-of-a-kind collection contains costumes from famous designers Bob Mackie, Pete Menefee, Michael Travis, Bill Hargate and others and artifacts from producers, Donn Arden, Barry Ashton. Frederic Apcar and more. It also takes in shows from Paris, New York, Reno, and Lake Tahoe, as well as movies and television shows. In addition, there are costumes and jewelry worn by such stars as Ann-Margret, Carol Channing, Raquel Welch, Lynda Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Omar Sharif, and Liberace as well as on TV shows such as “The Donny and Marie Show” and “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In.”
Philipo, the creator and curator of the museum and a former performer and show producer, has plans to include a theater that will be home to an authentic old-Vegas-style spectacular as well as a school offering all-day full classes for those interested in learning dance, technical techniques, how to design costumes and build sets, and how to get hired for a show. The actual production show will take place at night. Philipo produced the second largest show and the second-to-last show to ever play the Dunes, “90 Degrees and Rising.”
“The museum will be a totally immersive and continually moving experience for visitors,” said Philipo. “The mannequins will turn and there will be the authentic sets, videos, pictures, scripts, music and more. When those shows existed, the showgirl was the image that drew people to Las Vegas. Since the closing of “Jubilee!,” she has still existed on the city’s website but is non-existent on the entertainment scene. We are intent on keeping her image and this incredible part of Las Vegas history alive. This museum will attract visitors from all over the world and will bring new business to whatever part of the city it is housed in.
“Each room in the museum will be themed like a specific show,” he added. “It will be like stepping into a showroom and onto the stage. We’ll have chorus lines of mannequins and guests will be able to take pictures that make them look like they are right on stage with the casts of the various great Las Vegas shows in the city’s longtime history. It will be an up close and personal experience. We will also give VIP tours. We aren’t going to hide the topless aspect, either.”
The heart of Las Vegas rests within its amazing entertainment history found within Grant Philipo’s Las Vegas Showgirl Museum. But home is where the heart is and all involved in this project are hoping that a venue is in its near future. The destiny of the history of the showgirl is in the City Council’s hands. The public is welcome to check out the video about the museum narrated by Robin Leach at www.lasvegasshowgirlmuseum.com and join the call to action to help the museum find a public venue.
Tickets are on sale now for Michael McDonald performing on Saturday, Aug. 5 at Star of the Desert Arena in Primm. An original member of The Doobie Brothers, McDonald will play all his hits including “No Lookin’ Back,” “Sweet Freedom,” “If That’s What it Takes” and “Love Can Break Your Heart.” Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $30. With more than 40 years in the industry and five Grammy awards, McDonald has solidified himself in the music business with his highly recognizable sound as well as his extensive philanthropic work. He has worked with MusiCares, the National Council of Alcoholism, and Drug Abuse, the 7UP Grammy Signature Schools Program and participated in a star-studded concert at Kokua For Japan that raised $1.6 million for tsunami relief.
“Michael McDonald is an absolute classic,” said Shana Gerety, vice president of marketing at Primm Valley Casino Resorts. “He’s the type of performer that you really don’t want to miss, so get your group together and head to Primm for a fun night out.” For tickets, visit primmvalleyresorts.com or call the Star of the Desert Arena Box Office at 702.386.7867. Box office hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
For the fourth year in a row, Clark County Credit Union (CCCU) celebrated National Nurses Week during May 6-12 to recognize the important contribution nurses make to our local community. As the credit union for Clark County’s medical community, we invited hard-working local nurses and nursing students to enter an online drawing that included prizes like free spa days, gift cards and travel vouchers. Every local nurse and nursing student was eligible to enter, CCCU member or not.
This year’s grand prize of $1,000 in travel vouchers went to Florecita Martinez, a registered nurse and On Duty Administrator with University Medical Center of Southern Nevada. Martinez joined CCCU in 1997 and has never been to any other bank. When she first learned she won the grand prize, Martinez exclaimed, “I’m so excited! I’m jumping for joy and I’m 60! I was already planning to go to Europe this October – I’ve never been before and it is my dream vacation! Thank you for this wonderful gift!”
CCCU had a separate prize drawing for local nursing students, the next generation of nurses to serve our community. The student grand prize went to Miabella Sargent, a student at the UNLV School of Nursing who is graduating in December with her Bachelor’s degree. Sargent received $500 in travel vouchers. “I’ve always wanted to work in medicine,” said Sargent. “I find it rewarding, because I like helping people. I plan to stay in Las Vegas once I graduate.”
Thank you to our member nurses – CCCU honors your efforts, some unseen and unrewarded, to help improve the health of Clark County residents.
On Thursday, May 25, Opportunity Village clients performed in front of a packed audience at its 7th Annual Spring Performing Arts Concert, OVation, at the Opportunity Village Ralph and Betty Engelstad Campus.
The program, emceed by KTNV Channel 13 morning anchor Beth Fisher, commenced with OV Elvi performing dance routines to “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Opportunity Village’s Ukulele and Dance Activities Classes entertained the audience with a routine to “Pearly Shells,” and The Village Blend showcased their vocal talents with two songs, “Sugar Sugar” and “Kokomo.” Opportunity Village clients practiced a collection of music, dance and theatre performances for months leading up to the event, in preparation to display their talents to the Las Vegas community at their annual, free concert. Additional evening highlights included a ballroom dance performance, tap dance routine, theatre performance and hip-hop routine to “24k Magic” by Grammy-winning artist, Bruno Mars.
The Fine and Performing Arts Program at Opportunity Village teaches individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities music, dance, theatre, and visual arts, and is designed to increase awareness of the arts, support creative expression, and provide mentorship in technique, materials, and training.
Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation will host its 17th Annual Firefighter Bachelor Auction on Friday, June 9 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. at The Foundry at SLS Las Vegas, with a special opening performance by male revue troupe, Aussie Heat.
Southern Nevada’s hottest and most eligible firefighter bachelors will be auctioned off to members of the community during the 17th Annual Firefighter Bachelor Auction. Bachelors will be paired with prize packages including premier hotel stays, a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Las Vegas show tickets, Sundance helicopter tours, golf experiences, spa treatments and much more. All proceeds from the auction will benefit individuals in the community through The Burn Survivor Initiative, a program that provides medical and emotional assistance to local burn survivors following a traumatic experience.
“This event is like no other event we put on. The Firefighter Bachelor Auction is such a fun way to bring the community together for good time benefiting a great cause,” said Nate Pechacek, president of the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation. “We’re changing things up this year and have a few surprises for our guests. We hope to continue with tradition and keep breaking our fundraising goals.”
Sponsors for the event include SLS Las Vegas, W Las Vegas, Preferred Public Relations, Las Vegas Designated Drivers, LLC, Blue Martini, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country and more.
Tickets start at $40 for females, $80 for men and $80 for couples. Gold and Silver VIP table packages are available and can be purchased at www.theburnfoundation.org. Tickets are limited.
Well, gang, that’s it for this week.