Vegas Stars: July 2014

Trump International Hotel Las Vegas

Photos by Nikki Artale

Trump International Hotel is steps away from the Fashion Show Mall, across the street from Wynn Hotel and is a smoke free building, with views of the strip and the mountains. There is easy access to transportation and McCarran Airport is 4 miles away. A heated pool is located on the 6^th floor and features air-conditioned cabanas with plasma TVs.

Floor to ceiling windows have views of the strip and the units include flat screen TVs, jetted tubs, Wi-Fi, microwaves and are custom furnished. One bedroom, two bedroom sell from $258,000 to $668,000 and Trump Hotel rents some of the units that are owned by investors. There are also 50 penthouse suites.

Studio

Trump International Hotel is gilded with gold glass windows and has 64 floors and over 1232 guest suites. The hotel provides free valet parking for residents and guests and free area shuttle service. I’m impressed with a sign that hangs in the building about thinking big. Think big and come out to see the beautiful Trump Hotel.

The Spa at Trump has state of the art techno gym machines and cardiovascular equipment for phenomenal workout experience.

Call for an appointment Realty One Group, Nikki Artale

702 279-7001

Tacos and Beer Features Freshest Ingredients and Best Beer Menus

Photos by Nikki Artale

I received a special private lunch invitation from Raquel Sanchez from The Ferraro Group and co-owner Tabitha Simmons, having missed the media night for their new restaurant concept of Mexican –style fare of gourmet street tacos and craft beers. We had a delicious lunch tasting the various items on the menu. Tacos and Beer is a modern Mexican bar and restaurant that has a Certified Cicerone David Bowers who is competent in assessing beer quality and identity by taste. There are over 20 rotating beers on draft and dozens more in bottles and cans.

Managing partners of Tacos and Beer are Chef Jesus “Chuy” Ochoa, Dave Bowers and John and Tabitha Simmons who are proud of their highly trained staff and who are always concerned with the health and safety of the customer.

Tabitha Simmons Raquel Sanchez

The high quality meats are slow cooked, such as the braised beef and tender pork. Other outstanding food on the menu is the beer battered fish tacos, fresh vegetables and one of my favorites, fresh guacamole topped with toasted spicy pumpkin seeds and pomegranate.

Signature cocktails included frozen sangria and frozen margaritas and what I loved most of all was the complimentary sparkling water that is made using the water from their filtration system. I was very impressed with the freshness of the food, the friendly atmosphere, the cleanliness of the restaurant and the friendly staff. I definitely will be going back and bringing my friends and trying all the made to order tacos. Tacos and Beer is located at 3900 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas NV

MJ Live Celebrates Two Year Anniversary

Photos by Nikki Artale

Dick Feeney and Darin Feinstein invited the media to a cocktail reception at the El Dorado Cantina, followed by a live performance of MJ Live in the Crown Theatre at The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino on July 1, 2014. MJ Live is a Michael Jackson Tribute Show that features four tribute artists, Jalles Franca, Michael Firestone, Tony Kouns, J. Dean, the talented MJ Live tribute band and fabulous back up dancers.

Jalles Franca

The evening started at the El Dorado Cantina, which is in “Sapphire’s Gentlemen’s Club” where we were served fabulous food and drinks and had a chance to meet some of the MJ Live tribute artists. Jalles Franca was the featured MJ for the evening show and also on hand was Michael Firestone and Tony Kouns who mingled and enjoyed the reception with the media and V.I.P’s.

Jalles Franca Dick Feeney

Michael Firestone Tony Kouns

Dick Feeney, Darin Feinstein and Eddie Griffin announced before the show that the proceeds for the evening’s performance would benefit the two officers and the civilian that were killed last month. Eddie Griffin spoke of his support of the police officers and then gave the audience a taste of some of his comedic talent, which we all love so much. Eddie Griffin has a show in the Kings Room at The Rio Sunday through Wednesday at 7:30pm, a must see show that will keep you laughing for over an hour or more, depending on how much time Eddie wants to be on the stage.

Dick Feeney Darin Feinstein Eddie Griffin

Darin Feinstein Eddie Griffin

Jalles Franca came to the U.S. from Brazil and at age 21 started a seven year residency at Studio 54. Jalles began to pay tribute to Michael Jackson after his passing. Jalles won many contests as “Best Michael Impersonator” “Best Overall Look” and “Best Moonwalk” and thrilled audiences from Las Vegas to Dubai. http://youtu.be/F_sdmv4__s0

Jalles Franca

http://youtu.be/6_KjbB538FM

There are daily shows at 4:30pm and 9:00pm General Admission $63.55, VIP $77.75 and Golden Circle $89.75 inclusive of tax and fees.

I ended the evening back at El Dorado Cantina and spent some time with my good friend Eddie Griffin and then to a private table at Sapphire’s, compliment of Darrin Feinstein. Thank you Darrin.

Men the Experience Is a Hot New Male Revue

Photo Credits Edison Graff & Red Mercury Entertainment

A hot new male revue, Men the Experience, premiered at The Riviera Hotel in the Crazy Girls Theatre three weeks ago and it features seductive, handsome men. Not only are they gorgeous, they are great dancers that are featured in high energy choreographic dances. www.MenTheExperience.com

A J Trunk is the emcee, choreographer and co-creator of the show and the other chiseled chunks are Julian, Alejandro, Caleb and Be Be.

Men the Experience is a 7 minute action packed show featuring Alejandro as a 009 secret agent, Gangsters, Military Officers, Cowboys and Firefighters. These are some of the hottest men on the strip and they will leave you breathless as they tease and entertain the ladies.

Nikki Artale and Men The Experience

The Men are not only handsome, they are classy and very athletic as they take control over the stage and include the audience in their routines.

Shows are nightly at 7:00 pm Tickets are $50.00 and VIP seating is $69.00. The costumes are elaborate and the men are hot and sexy in this new all male review.

My favorite part of the show was the meet and greet after the show, meeting the men and taking pictures with them.

Michelle Berting Brett in Concert Remembering the Carpenters.

Photos by Nikki Artale

Michelle Berting Brett has come a long way since she started her tribute show of Karen Carpenter five years ago in a Cabaret in Toronto. It started out small five years ago and has now grown to a 90 minute production accompanied by her seven piece band of Nashville musicians. www.weveonlyjustbegunshow.com

“We’ve Only Just Begun” is a concert that celebrates the music of one of the most successful recording acts of Karen and Richard Carpenter, who sold over 100 million records. Michelle Berting Brett shares stories of the Carpenters as she sings many of their hit songs that earned them many Grammys.

Michelle is a gifted vocalist that puts her heart, memories and emotions into each song, along with a lot of data and stories about the Carpenters. Michelle is a natural on stage and puts the audience at ease as she engages them with her beautiful voice that sounds just like Karen Carpenter. The seven piece band was fabulous and amazing.

This was a special event that took everyone back with the magical songs that included: Close to you, top of the World, For All We Know, Please Mr. Postman, There’s a Kind of Hush, Rainy Days and Mondays, Yesterday Once More and We’ve Only Just Begun.

Mark Brett produced this wonderful tribute show to highlight his talented wife Michelle Brett who actually does sound like Karen Carpenter. It was a joy to meet Michelle and Mark after the show at a meet and greet where the fans lined up to take pictures and talk with them.

Mark Brett Michelle Brett

The seven piece band and backup singer Jamie Lee Godfrey flew in from Nashville Tennesse for the show and we caught up with them at the meet and greet.