Vegas Stars: 2013

Madame Tussauds Unveils New Marvel Figures and 4D Theater

Photos by Nikki Artale

An official red rope cutting ceremony was held at Madame Tussauds to introduce the new
iconic characters of Comic Legend Stan Lee, who cut the rope, along with General Manager Rosita Chapman.The multimillion dollar renovation started over two years ago and features the new additions of Sandra Bullock, Sofia Vergara, Jamie Fox and Gwen Stefani, along with the Marvel figures. Stan said he was excited to see the Superheros as wax figure statues in the wax exhibit.

www.madametussaquds.com http://youtu.be/Z-HDsNqmTzg

The Marvel experience includes the life like celebrities of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and joining them will be The Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man. You will be able to see, feel and hear these super heroes in the 4D Theater at the grand finale with special sensory effects of water sprays, smoke, tremors and seat shaking. A 10 minute film shows the superheros saving Las Vegas from being destroyed.

Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury

Chris Evans as Captain America

Chris Hemsworth as Thor

Stan Lee is an icon in the comic industry and has been responsible for creating many of the popular comic characters such as Spider-Man and the Incredible Hulk. Stan Lee took the time to be interviewed by the press and as always was very gracious.

Stan Lee Tony Sacca

http://youtu.be/ULJIogePM5o

Other well-known celebrities in the wax exhibit are Johnny Depp, Siegfried and Roy and popular sports figures. The wax attraction is open 365 days a year, starting at 10 a.m. on the Las Vegas Strip in front of the Venetian Hotel. Come and get up close and personal taking pictures with the life like figures.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Performs the Lost Christmas

Glittering Lights Illuminates the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Magical Forest is a Winter Wonderland in Opportunity Village

Trans-Siberian Orchestra Performs the Lost Christmas

Photos by Nikki Artale

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a progressive heavy metal Rock Concert that is absolutely breathtaking and mesmerizing. There are millions of lasers, lights, flames and stunning videos on the stage, all telling a story. http://www.trans-siberian.com/

In 1996 Paul O’Neil founded the rock opera band and formed a writing team with Robert Kinkel and Jon Olivia. With more than 7 million albums sold, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is one of the world’s top acts. The pyrotechnics is dazzling and impressive.

There were lifts in the back of the arena and two of the musicians were lifted up and they performed in midair as the entire arena was filled with fantastic lights. The show was 2.5 hours and the energy and music was spectacular and it could have gone on longer. I loved the Rock Concert and I will go to see them again when they are back in Las Vegas.

Glittering Lights Illuminates the Las Vegas Motor Speedway

Photos by Nikki Artale

Glittering lights is the largest drive through with millions of Led lights and hundreds of light displays. The light show is along a 2.5 mile course at the motor speedway and features the Avenue of Trees, the Princess Fairy World and the Living Nativity. Melanie and Zack of 106.5 KSNE Radio hosted the lighting of the Glittering Lights and one young guest assisted in turning on the lights.

Melanie

The singing group Mo8aic entertained the V.I.P.’s, guest’s and media. The children attending the light festival were in awe of the very talented Mo8aic group and their faces lit up on their smiling faces.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill came early and set up the grills and served delicious food to everyone. Also distributing food to the hungry attendees was Popped Gourmet Popcorn, B Sweet Candy Boutique and Bad Ass Coffee van.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway is located at 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. and are open 5:30 pm- 9:00 pm Sunday-Thursday; 5:30 pm-10:00 pm Friday-Saturday.

Magical Forest is a Winter Wonderland in Opportunity Village

(Haylee and Corbin Walton)

Photos by Nikki Artale

It is a time of the year when we bring back the magic of Christmas and look upon the faces of the children as they walk into the Magical Forest in Opportunity Village. They are the faces of innocence and joy and pure happiness as they wander through out the Magical Forest.

Millions of bright lights adorn the trees and Christmas displays throughout the 2 acres of Opportunity Village. Twinkling brightly is Cinderella carriage that creates a winter wonderland of fantasies and a favorite of mine.

You can take a ride on the Forest Express Passenger Train and enjoy the decorations as the train takes you into the forest where you are up front and personal with the displays.

Towering over the children were the Giant Polar Bears and a toy Soldier and another favorite was Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.

The Magical Forest with be open until January 6, 2014, hours 5:30 pm- 9:00 pm and is located at 6300 W Oakey Blvd.

Toys for Tot’s Mission Completed by U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

Chris Phillips

Photos by Nikki Artale

The Las Vegas Hotel & Casino hosted the 5^th Annual Toys for Tots event on December 14, 2013 that was sponsored by Cadillac of Las Vegas. The Celebrity Benefit Concert was hosted by Chris Phillips and Lydia Ansel of Zowie Bowie and Clint Holmes and his wife Kelly Clinton Holmes and they were great as co-hosts in the event.

Clint Holmes Kelly Clinton Holmes

Lydia Ansel

Fabulous is how I describe David Perrico as the Musical Director with his 12 piece band and the talented entertainers in Las Vegas. Outstanding was Michelle Johnson and the Desert Angels Children’s Choir who touched and warmed our hearts with the sound of their voices and the music.

http://youtu.be/qWeygo-qae8

http://youtu.be/iZ7DlYbCGto

Michelle Johnson

Desert Angels Children's Choir

Pia Zadora sang a few songs and it was good to see her once again in the spotlight. Pia can be seen performing at Piero’s every weekend. Video 044 http://youtu.be/rEVVVszH2mk

Pia Zadora

A real life couple, Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone sang a beautiful duet on stage. Jasmine Trias was in the final three of Season 3 of American Idol and met Ben Stone here in Las Vegas. Ben is a singer, songwriter from Liverpool and a really good magician.

http://youtu.be/nMW1Qux3cx0

Robert Nash who is also known as the De Niro guy read T’was the Night before Christmas and had the audience laughing throughout the story. Robert Nash is a busy entertainer with his work with Mob Parties, film and television and he is always on with the De Niro character and is a friendly, funny guy.

Robert Nash

http://youtu.be/4XnXWxQbG2w

John Payne and Paul Shortino came on stage and said they were going to go exceedingly retro and sang a beautiful rendition of “So this is Christmas” and it was very touching and emotional. I love their rock and roll persona, but this ballet showed the sweet gentle side of them.

Paul Shortino John Payne

http://youtu.be/sCWzaO22B1A

Other Las Vegas legends came to entertain the crowd and were received warmly. Comedian Steve Rossi, Vince Neil of Motley Crue,rhythm & blues singer Skye D. Miles and to close the show were Rob Garrett with the U.S. Marines on stage singing Coming to America and our King, Trent Carlini as our ever loving Elvis.

Steve Rossi Chris Phillips

Vince Neil

Skye D. Miles

Rob Garrett

Trent Carlini

All the toys were collected during October, November and December and will be distributed to the needy children in Las Vegas next week. Our thanks go out to the U.S.Marine Corps Reserve who accomplished their mission once again in getting hundreds of toys for the children.

Raiding the Rock Vault is Classic Rock

John Payne

Photos by Nikki Artale

Musicians of some of the greatest rock band of all time are performing in
Raiding the Rock Vault at the LVH Hotel and casino in Las Vegas. The two hour classic rock concert is written by Grammy Award winning producer David Kershenbaum and musician, song writer and producer John Payne (Asia). John is so talented and his presence is very powerful on stage.

www.raidingtherockvault.com

Robin McAuley Paul Shortino

Featured in the all-star rock band is John Payne-Lead vocals (Asia); Robin McAuley-Lead vocals (MSG, Survivor); Paul Shortino-Lead Vocals (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot); Tracii Guns-Guitar (LA Guns, Guns n Roses; Howard Leese-Guitar (Heart, Bad Company); Jay Schellen-Drums (Hurricane, Asia) Andrew Freeman-Lead Vocals (Off Spring)

The music is from the 1960’s to the 1980’s with the classic rock songs from Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Eagles, Bryan Adams, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Doors and many more. This super group of musicians put on a great show and shown on LCD Screens are videos of the images of the classic bands of those eras, while they are performing.

Robin McAuley

Paul Shortino

John Payne

The live rock experience has a stunning light show, DJ Narrator, T.V. announcer and fabulous dancers. Everyone’s heart and soul is in the production and they are having fun. This was the third time I saw the show and I want to continue to see it.

What I enjoy most of all is the meet and greet after the show when we get to meet and talk to the cast. They are all wonderful and they take the time and stay to meet all the attendees.