Events

The Skinny On First Friday’s 944 Hosted Bar/Fashion Show

March 6th, 2008 Categories: Events, First Friday, Fremont St.

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Where: Brass Lounge, Fremont & Las Vegas Blvd. Upstairs at Hennessey’s Tavern to the left of the escalators.

When: 6–9pm, Friday March 7^th.

Who: Tru Talent Management, some amazing local designers & models.  Music by Dj Dakota and Dj XMS

What: Hosted drinks from 6–9 compliments of 944 Magazine & Spy on Vegas. Fashion show from 7–7:45–ish, music starts at 6 and will continue in a dancable fashion ‘til 9 pm. Yes, that’s a shameless plug up there, but at least there’s free drinks!

 

Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently No Comments »

March 5th, 2008 Categories: Cool Stuff, Events, Fremont Street Experience

 

 

 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at Fremont Street Experience

LAS VEGAS – March 5, 2008 – Las Vegas’ legendary Fremont Street Experience will be the place to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day when a weekend of live entertainment kicks off on Saturday, March 15.
 
St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at the Fremont Street Experience brings three days of free concerts with Whiskey Galore and Wild Celts. The performance schedule is as follows: Saturday, March 15, Wild Celts , 6-8 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Whiskey Galore, 9-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Sunday, March 16, Whiskey Galore, 8-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage; Monday, March 17, Whiskey Galore, 8-11 pm, 3rd Street Stage.
 
Whiskey Galore formed in 1997 as the result of friendship and a deep passion for Celtic music. Since then the band has been delighting audiences with their unrivaled mix of raw and technical talent, producing lively Celtic tunes with pipes, drums, Irish flute, bodhran, djembe, guitar and other instruments. Based out of Bakersfield, CA, Whiskey Galore’s signature brand of spirited Celtic sound has entertained fans in various venues throughout California and Nevada. 

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Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently No Comments »

Hispanic Museum Of Nevada “Viva Las Vegas” Exhibit Opening

February 6th, 2008 Categories: Culture, Events

From the desk of Mr. Brian Paco Alvarez:

 

“This past Monday I had the pleasure of recruiting our very own Steve Christmas in assisting me in the installation of the Las Vegas News Bureau Exhibition “Viva Las Vegas” at the Hispanic Museum of Nevada. The exhibition features 25 memorable images of famous Latino entertainers from the News Bureau archives. Steve is a great exhibit Preparator and I plan on recruiting him many more times! Thanks Steve!

 

The opening of the exhibition will be on Thursday, February 7^th at 6PM. The Hispanic Museum of Nevada is located at the Embarq offices at 330 S. Valley View Boulevard across from the Springs Preserve.”

 

 

Viva Las Vegas

A photographic retrospective of historical images of

Latino entertainers from the world famous

Las Vegas News Bureau Photo and Film archives

 

 

Latinos Setting the Stage

 

The Latino experience in Southern Nevada began after Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821. Shortly after in 1829, Rafael Riviera, a scout for trader Antonio Armijo, became the first European to visit what is now the Las Vegas Valley in the great quest to establish the Santa Fe Trail between New Mexico and Southern California. These early expeditions by traders, couriers and emigrants would build the foundations in which the great cities of the region would develop their rich history and colorful culture. The very name Las Vegas comes from the Spanish word for “the meadows.”

 

These early explorations would establish Latinos as part of the American experience and would help pave the way for the great entertainment heritage that later developed in Las Vegas.

 

The Stage is Set

 

During the 1940s and 50s the American music scene pulsated with the rhythms of Latin music. Latin dance was all the rage such as the Argentinean Tango, the Cuban and Puerto Rican Rumba, Cha Cha, Mambo and Salsa. The Merengue from the Dominican Republic, the Cumbia from Colombia and the Bossa Nova from Brazil also took center stage. American radio stations flooded the airwaves with Latin music and Latin entertainers regularly played the famed stages of Las Vegas.

 

The first nod to Latin entertainers in Las Vegas occurred at the opening of the Last Frontier in 1942. Inside was the Carillo Bar named after Latino actor Leo Carillo, who starred as the famous sidekick of the film and comic book series the Cisco Kid. It was not until the opening of the Flamingo Hotel a few years later that Las Vegas was graced with the most famous of all Latino entertainers, Xavier Cugat. Cugat, who was born in Catalonia, Spain, immigrated with his family to Cuba at the age of 5 and later to the United States, is noted by many to have had more to do with the infusion of Latin music into the United States than any other musician. Cugat introduced Abbe Lane, Carmen Miranda and Charo to Las Vegas. Cugat was married to all three entertainers at various times of his life.

 

In the late 1940s, a Cuban named Jack Cortez introduced the entertainment guide titled “Fabulous Las Vegas,” which listed all major acts in Las Vegas. Famous early Latin entertainers such as Carmen Miranda, Desi Arnaz and Tito Guizar were featured in the guide.

 

Today, Las Vegas is world-renowned for its rich entertainment history and its dynamic live music scene. Latino entertainers continue to play a major role in the development of the destination’s culture and music. Most recently (in November 2007), Las Vegas hosted the Latin GRAMMY® Awards, which celebrate excellence in Latin Music. Some of the hottest acts in Latin music today performed at the awards ceremony, which was broadcast throughout North, Central and South America.

 

 

Hispanic Museum of Nevada

&

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently No Comments »

Next Weekend’s Local Party

January 31st, 2008 Categories: Downtown Las Vegas, Events

I hope those of you that came out to the Aruba last Friday for the open bar/swing dancing/944/Racket Magazine/art exhibition party (yes it’s a malleable venue) had a blast. If you missed the fun, you can check out a great review of the event up on Casa Del Soul Records’ web site.

Just so this is up for those of you who live in the area, but only check in once a week or so to get all the posts since last time in one sitting; (please let me show you How RSS Feeds Work!) Here is another really cool free event going on at the Aruba - Next weekend, Feb. 9th.

The Aruba is located just behind John S. Park on Las Vegas Blvd. Just south of Charleston. It is a true Vintage hotel and new management has an appreciation for the history of the building. You can check out posters in the Thunderbird Lounge depicting the hotel’s mid-century presence. Hope to see you out!

Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently No Comments »

Downtown Las Vegas Music Scene is Flourishing

December 14th, 2007 Categories: Downtown Las Vegas, Events, Fremont East Entertainment District

While Jack, Pam, Paco, Susan & I enjoyed a rather intimate Lo-Pro at our favorite bar Downtown Cocktail Room last night, the Fremont music flyer fairy was hard at work.  Upon finally leaving I came back to my car, parked on Carson to find evidence that things are indeed alive & kicking downtown.

While we’re happy to see things going strong and regular pedestrian traffic in the Entertainment District picking up, we’re getting word there are some great things picking up steam a little further South as well. 

The Aruba Hotel  located just South of Charleston on 1215 Las Vegas Blvd. S. has had a recent change in management and the Club Aruba and Thunderbird Lounge venues in this vintage hotel have some interesting events taking place.

Wednesdays at the Aruba (Tropical) are now becoming the staple Latin night in the area, and packing the house weekly.  The monthly First Friday after party is apparently one of the hottest downtown. 

Every Friday (except the first) they host a Swing Dance night with free lessons from 8–9pm and then just full on swingin’ starts around 10 pm. 

There’s also a larger block of free Swing lessons from 6–8pm on Sundays in the Thunderbird Lounge. 

You can check out the Aruba Swings Myspace for more info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s word this vintage and versatile venue may soon see some more exciting changes in January & we’ll keep you up to date as the late night debauchery develops! 

As a downtown resident living closer to the Arts District than Fremont, I’m very excited to see some great things going on in the area that are very accessible to those of us in the Huntridge/John S. Park/18 b/ & L’Octaine areas(yes, we get to be our own area). I hope you stop in check out the cool vintage vibe in the Aruba.  Oh… everything at the bar is buy one get one until 6pm every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Too bad it’s right on the way home from work, huh?

Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently 1 Comment »

Atomic Age Alliance Party Big Hit

December 13th, 2007 Categories: Beverly Green, Events

I had an awesome time (did we really not leave the awesome Swank Pad until almost 11?!) Anyone in the Las Vegas area reading this blog who hasn’t yet come out to hang with the Atomic Age Alliance and just appreciate cool architecture, great-natured & diversely eclectic people, & the mid-century lifestyle… Get out & hang with some of the nicest people I’ve seen in one room downtown!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was a cool re-cap of the Alliance’s growth & accomplishments over the last year and a projection of all the great projects & cool stuff you need to know more about in the upcoming year.  Then, of course there was lots of food & wine.  I discovered ‘mold wine’ whoa. These people know how to party.  Such a diverse crowd of teachers, writers, lawyers, musicians, tech-gurus, anthropologists, radio personalities & just about everything else you could think of left nothing to be desired in the way of conversation.  I’ll be back for the January meeting, I hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan’s not allowed to be in anymore pictures (we’re kidding Susan), & I’m not allowed to tell you why these pictures are dimensionally challenged.  Let’s just leave it we all had an amazing time, & can’t wait to join Mary Margaret & Cary Stratton, Josh & the rest of the AAA Crew again soon!  Big huge thanks go out to Scott & Heidi for hosting the shindig, love the place!

Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently 1 Comment »

Mayor Goodman’s Flippin’ Switches - Freemont Tree Lighting Tonight In Downtown Las Vegas

December 11th, 2007 Categories: Downtown Las Vegas, Events, Fremont Street Experience

Thanks again to Brian Paco Alvarez for forwarding us press releases to share with you.

WHAT:           Mayor Oscar B. Goodman will bring holiday cheer to the Fremont Street Experience when he flips the switch to light Las Vegas’ official Christmas tree. The 50-foot tree will be garnished with festive decorations and is set to stand below the 12.5 million lights of the Viva Vision screen. Directly following the ceremony, the Bright Lights on Ice skating show will debut in a dazzling display of lifts, spins and acrobatics on the 3rd Street stage.
 
WHO:             Mayor Oscar B. Goodman and Las Vegas City Council members, Jeff Victor, President of the Fremont Street Experience, The Cast of Bright Lights on Ice, & Santa Claus
 
WHEN:         Tonight, Tuesday, December 11, 6:00 p.m. Tree Lighting Ceremony (live shots plan for a 6:15 tree lighting) 6:30 p.m. Bright Lights on Ice debut performance           

WHERE:        Fremont Street Experience 3rd Street Intersection (between the Fremont and Fitzgeralds casinos)
 
The official Las Vegas Christmas tree will be on display at the Fremont Street Experience through the Christmas holiday. Bright Lights on Ice is free and open to the public every night from December 11-22 at
7:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 9:30 pm.

Posted by Stephen P Christmas | Currently No Comments »

Upcoming Parties and Events In Vintage Las Vegas

December 10th, 2007 Categories: ART, Arts District, Events, Historic Preservation

Gonna be a long week:

Arts Factory

Holiday Open House Tuesday 12/11 5 to 10 pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Atomic Age Alliance

 

 

 

AAA Las Vegas Chapter  December Meeting and Holiday Party

Our next meeting and FIRST ANNUAL Holiday Party will be held at a private home filled with Mid Century Modern Magic…

LOCATION:
The SWANK PAD! a Private 1950s home in Beverly Green
546 Barbara Way
Las Vegas, NV 89104

Wednesday, Dec. 12th
Meet and Greet 6:30-7:00
Meeting starts promptly at 7:00 to 7:30 PM
(PLEASE NOTE THE EARLIER start time to MAKE TIME TO Celebrate afterwards)

Dust Gallery

Dust Gallery will hold a reception for Venske & Spanle on Friday, December 14, from 6–8pm

This sounds intriguing!

“Our interest lies in the development of a parallel universe of entities made out of stone.
In this show at DUST gallery, On It, we give an overlook of the different species.
There are the helotrophs, which are only complete with an appliance or a person. They are occupying their ‘host’ to be a full sculpture…
The schrumpels rely on the helotrophs since they need the space to be represented as they are.
Each of the orophytes (oro = gold; phyt = greek for species) stands in golden individuality.
In the ‘family’ of the gumpfots each one of them seems to grow out of their original shape and forms very different characters.
The smurfs are, so far, the largest population of sculptures. Each one of them has a different character, but seems to be like one cell plankton. They are widely spread over the globe (Australia, Europe, the Americas) and are a growing community…”
-Venske & Spänle

Artspace Originals And Suite Charities

Wine Reception for the new gallery and furniture overstock showroom at the Las Vegas Design Center in the World Market Center. Thursday 12/13 4 to 8pm.

Proceeds will benefit 3 of my personal favorite charity organizations. Nevada Aids Project, Opportunity Village, and Habitat For Humanity.

Suite Charity is a furniture outlet for showroom samples from lots of the designers and manufacturers who sell out of the WMC. Proceeds benefit the 3 charities.

Also in the same space is a new gallery called Artspace Originals which showcases 5 local well known artists: Nadia Klein Heppell, Leslie Roland, Jennifer Main, Chris Greene, and Dray

RSVP is required, but there’s no cost to attend. Call 477–0048

Posted by Jack LeVine | Currently No Comments »

You Are Invited To Meet, Greet And Celebrate With Other Downtowners

December 3rd, 2007 Categories: Downtown Las Vegas, Events, Las Vegas Real Estate News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by Jack LeVine | Currently 2 Comments »

Las Vegas Sun Raises Awareness of Mid Century Modernism - Maude Frazier

November 28th, 2007 Categories: Architecture, Events, Las Vegas History, Las Vegas Real Estate News

Kristen Peterson at the Las Vegas Sun once again is doing a great job of reporting on Vintage Las Vegas & raising awareness of endangered architecture.  Our friends Mary Margaret Stratton & the Atomic Age Alliance, Lynn Zook of Classic Las Vegas, and a growing number of the general public are pushing to save the UNLV’s first building that represents so much more than just Mid Century design.  Read the full article here on the Sun’s website.  You can also Sign the Petition to Save Maude’s Hall.

Thanks to Brian Paco Alvarez, who always makes sure we get the Vintage Vegas Important News Stories, no matter how busy we are with end of the month real estate!