Daily Archives: July 1, 2009

Magician Lance Burton to Perform Six More Years in Las Vegas

After breaking his right foot during a show in May [previous Las Vegas Backstage Access article], magician Lance Burton is staying on the Las Vegas Strip for another six years.LanceBurton2

Burton and the Monte Carlo hotel-casino said yesterday that they have agreed to a new contract that will keep him as the resort’s headliner through 2015. 

The 49-year-old illusionist says he plans to return to the stage on Tuesday, July 7. 

Burton began his Las Vegas career 27 years ago with an eight-week trial engagement at “Folies Bergere,” which turned into a nine-year run.

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July 4th Celebrations in Las Vegas

Station Casino’s 4th of July Blast

The nine-property fireworks show, titled “Station’s 4th of July Blast” will light up the skies of Southern Nevada and entertain the community from as far east as Fiesta Henderson to as far north at Aliante Station and several other areas in between. The 9-minute show will be produced by Fireworks by Grucci and will go off simultaneously at 9:30 p.m.

Boulder City’s Annual 4th of July Damboree Celebration 4th

The annual Boulder City 4th of July Damboree begins at 7 a.m. with a Rotary Pancake Breakfast at Bicentennial Park. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Colorado and ends at Broadbent Memorial Park where there is entertainment, food and games until 6 p.m. At 6 p.m. the entertainment moves to Veterans Memorial Park with fireworks at 9 p.m.

Summerlin July 4th Parade

The annual Summerlin Patriotic Parade returns July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The parade begins at the corner of Hillpointe Road and Hills Center Drive in The Trails Village of Summerlin. Travel south toward the Village Center Circle roundabout before heading west on Trailwood Drive and ending at the Trials Village Shopping Center. It usually attracts more than 25,000 people. Free.

Star Spangled Spectacular

The Las Vegas Philharmonic under the direction of Conductor David Itkin will perform at 8 p.m. at the Amphitheater at Springs Preserve at 333 Valley View Blvd. There is a special guest performance by Las Vegas a cappella group, Mosiac. Gates open at 6 p.m. with seating assigned on a first-come basis. There are three levels of tickets starting at $17.50 per person. Tickets can be purchased online. No outside food, beverages chairs or blankets are allowed.

Rock the Block Fremont East

Fremont East Entertainment District features performances by Hoobastank and others. The event is at the Fremont Street and Las Vegas Blvd. at 7 p.m. Advance tickets cost $15.

Henderson Independence Day Celebrations

Independence Day in Henderson is a spectacular fireworks show, hours of live entertainment, children’s activities and much more. Event starts at 6 p.m. at the Henderson Water Street District. Fireworks will be shot off from the top of City Hall. This event is free and free parking at the Henderson City Garage on Basic Road, Downtown Recreation Center on Basis Road and the Henderson Events Plaza.

July 4th Celebration at the Village

Independence Day with food, drink, fund, cruises and games at The Village at Lake Las Vegas. The event opens at 4 p.m. with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Primm Valley 4th of July Celebration

Primm Valley Casino Resorts offers food, entertainment, a pool party and fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. There are free all-day passes for Nevada residents to ride the Adventure Canyon Log Flume, Turbo Drop and the Desperado Roller Coaster at Buffalo Bill’s. Primm is located 25 minutes south of Las Vegas on I-15.

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Pinball Wizard Plans New Hall of Fame in Las Vegas

With the rising use of iPods and iPhones and other iStuff, it’s a wonder that people even remember the good ol’ times of throwing quarters in a pinball machine, pulling the plunger back and firing a chrome ball, then trying to deftly use flippers to force it through the highest-scoring gates, causing lights to flash and sounds to bellow. Those were the good times.  And, thankfully, they’re still are alive and well in Las Vegas, thanks to the boundless passion and energy of a pinball wizard extraordinaire. 

In one of the longest-standing and best kept entertainment secrets in Las Vegas, on Tropicana Avenue off Pecos Road, sits a 4,500-square-foot Pinball Hall of Fame museum containing more than 200 pinball machines from the ‘50s and ‘60s.    

Opening in 2006, the business is owned by Tim Arnold, 53, and is operated as a non-profit venture, with the excess quarters donated to the Salvation Army and other charities.  Arnold just wants to have others to enjoy his collection and not keep the machines stored in some dusty warehouse. pinball2

Now, the equally great news is that within the next 90 days the museum plans to be moving to their new digs that will nearly double the size of the current pinball edifice, enabling Arnold to showcase up to 1,200 of the finest pinball machines in the land, while being closer to Las Vegas tourists.

The Clark County Planning Commission recently approved the use permit for relocating the museum.  Arnold will soon upgrade the 8,662-square-foot building at 1610 E. Tropicana to meet county code and then he’ll be moving his objects of affection and adding to his pinball family. 

The Las Vegas Pinball Collectors Club, of which Arnold is the president, purchased the building in November, 2008 for $1.24 million– that’s a whole lot of Pinball Love from a guy that bought his first machine in 1970 for $200.

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