Tag Archives: Mandalay Bay

Bernard Hopkins Expected to Trounce Roy Jones Jr. in Las Vegas on Saturday

Bernard Hopkins, 45, is a minus-500 betting favorite at MGM Mirage’s sports books going into Saturday’s fight with Roy Jones Jr., 41, who is going in at plus-350 odds at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. 

It’s a glorious boxing rematch 17 years in the making.  For Jones, 54-6, losing five of his past 10 fights dating to 2004, it’s more about proving to people he’s not washed up in the fight game.  

Jones beat Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) by unanimous decision in a 1993 middleweight bout. 

But for Hopkins, apparently, it’s just another day at work.  After the fight he plans to be sitting in the Mandalay Bay audience with his 10-year-old daughter to watch the “Lion King.” 

Today’s weigh-in is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Mandalay Bay and is open to the public. 

Tickets for the fight are priced from $100 to $750.

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Las Vegas Chefs Battle for Best Chef of the Year honors at James Beard Awards

Three Las Vegas chefs are battling for the coveted title of Best Chef of the Year Southwest in the 2010 James Beard Awards, and several other Strip chefs are represented in the Oscars of the food industry, as well. 

The finalists were announced last week in New Orleans, and the winners will be announced May 3 at New York’s Lincoln Center. 

The three Best Chefs of the Southwest finalists are the off-Strip Saipan Chutima from Lotus of Siam, Claude Le Tohic from Joël Robuchon at MGM and Rick Moonen from RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay. 

Michael Mina from MGM, Mandalay Bay, Bellagio and Aria is recognized twice in the prestigious awards: His RN74 in San Francisco is nominated for Best New Restaurant, and his self-named restaurant, also in the City by the Bay, is nominated for Outstanding Service, competing against Robuchon’s restaurant at MGM Grand.

Robuchon’s MGM pastry chef Kamel Guechuda is up for the Outstanding Pastry Chef of the Year. 

Chef Tom Colicchio, well known to foodies here for his Craft at MGM and as host of Bravo’s Top Chef, is nominated as Outstanding Chef of the Year for his original Craft in Manhattan. 

Two other New York chefs with outposts in Las Vegas will also battle in the Outstanding Restaurant Award category: Mario Batali, who has restaurants at The Venetian and Palazzo, has been nominated for his Babbo in New York City and Daniel Boulud from the Wynn for his Daniel in Manhattan. 

Timothy Hollingsworth, former Venetian chef for Thomas Keller Brasserie and now at Thomas’ French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., has been nominated for Rising Star Chef of the Year. 

In other Las Vegas chef news, Todd English from Bellagio and Aria was nominated for Best TV Special for Food Trip With Todd English, as was The Venetian and Palazzo’s Emeril Lagasse who will go head-to-head with English in the TV category for Emeril’s Culinary Adventures: Napa

And architect and designer David Rockwell, who has masterminded numerous Las Vegas restaurants, Crystals at MGM’s CityCenter and the show Peepshow at Planet Hollywood, will be inducted into the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America.

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Guy Fieri’s ‘Roadshow’ Rocks into Las Vegas Today

It must be the pits constantly traveling around the country, especially at the holidays.  But for the Food Network Star (“Diners, Drive-In’s and Dives”) at least it’s old home week in Las Vegas today.   High-energy spiky-haired chef/restaurateur/author and TV personality Guy Fieri, a UNLV alum that loves the university, will be bringing his 16-person road crew and their $150,000 stage/demo kitchen to put on his audience participation rock ‘n’ roll style “Guy Fieri Roadshow” to the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. today. 

Los Angeles-based DJ Cobra will spin all the punk, rock and metal music. 

The tour kicked off in Lowell, Mass., on Nov. 17 and by the time today’s Las Vegas date wraps, it will have hit 21 cities in 30 days. 

At each stop of the tour, Fieri teams up with local chefs and culinary students to celebrate the alluring combination of food, drink and fun.  In Las Vegas, his opening act will be executive chef John Gremo of UNLV’s hotel college, who was a colleague of Fieri’s during their student days at the university. 

For his segment of the show, Gremo will prepare pan-seared Nantucket diver scallops served on wild mushroom and fennel ragu, topped with truffle oil, roasted red pepper, roasted tomato capers and a tomato tapenade and covered with wild greens and assorted micro greens.   Hungry yet? 

Accompanying Gremo will be some his culinary students, UNLV mascot Hey Reb and a few UNLV cheerleaders.  

Assisting at the show will be students in the ProStart culinary programs at Silverado High School in Las Vegas and Carson High School in Carson City, California.  The students will prep food ingredients before the show, and help out behind the scenes during it. 

Tickets are from $35 to $150.  For more information, please call 702-632-7600.

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Celebrity Involvement Fuels Las Vegas’ 2nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction

Some serious celebrity star power will fuel excitement at the 2nd Annual Barrett-Jackson Las Vegas Collector Car Auction  (link for schedule and info) in Las Vegas starting on Oct. 7, preceeded first by a road rally at 1:30 p.m. down the Las Vegas Strip before arriving at the event headquarters at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino. 

Bruce Willis and Don Johnson will sell vehicles from their private collections; and the “Father of the Mustang,” Lee Iacocca, will provide an exclusive chance to own one of only 45 limited edition Ford Mustangs. In a special charity auction, legendary TV host Jay Leno will sldo donate proceeds from the sale of a one-of-a kind Yamaha motorcycle to Bailey’s Café, an arts education program based in Brooklyn, NY. 

Ranging from a Lincoln Limousine used during the filming of “Die Hard,” to a powerful off-road SUV, a total of six vehicles from the celebrities will all sell at a No Reserve auction from Oct. 7 through 10. 

Because no collector car auction in Las Vegas would be complete without a nod to the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley fans will also have the chance to own a race car used in the iconic 1964 motion picture, “Viva Las Vegas.” 

Bruce Willis, action movie star and one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men, will sell his 1967 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 and 1988 Lincoln Limousine.  The Copper Maroon 1967 Corvette convertible (Lot #659.3) features a powerful 427 c.i.d., 435 horsepower Tri-Power engine with a 4-speed manual transmission. Tri-Power ‘Vettes are considered by many collectors to be some of the most collectible versions of the celebrated American sports car. Willis purchased the car in El Paso, Texas, while filming “Last Man Standing.” He later shipped the car to Sun Valley, Idaho, to enjoy during summer trips.  Also a convertible, the black on black 1968 Pontiac Firebird (Lot #659.2) hails from Willis’ hometown of Penns Grove, N.J., where he used to drive to and from the Jersey Shore with his father. Originally used to take Willis to the set of his TV series “Moonlighting,” his dark blue 1988 Lincoln Limousine (Lot #659.1) was also used during the filming of the blockbuster movie, “Die Hard.” 

Lee Iacocca, known as the “Father of the Mustang,” presented the Ford Mustang to the world during a dramatic press conference at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. During his time as Ford Division president and general manager, Iacocca made the Mustang a household name. Now, Iacocca is selling one of the most anticipated limited edition versions of this iconic classic, the No. 5 Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang (Lot #3000). 

Jay Leno, one of the most popular TV hosts and stand-up comedians in the country, and one of the world’s most ardent car and motorcycle collectors, will sell his Yamaha Star V-Max motorcycle (Lot #761.1) to benefit Bailey’s Café (www.baileyscafe.org) The educational program based in Brooklyn, NY, uses poetry, theater, video, writing, music, dance, cooking and fine arts to build community and inter-generational understanding and respect in inner-city neighborhoods.

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Hoodie Awards Come to Las Vegas on August 14

The Hoodie Awards were set up in 2001 to honor the best U.S. small business educators and community leaders in several categories for the contributions they make to their communities.

The Hoodie Award unique categories include best high school, car wash, soul food place, nail shop, barbershop, fried chicken, high school teacher, barbecue place, beauty salon, church, church choir and community leader.

This awards show, best described as the Oscars with an urban beat, features a diverse and talented group of celebrities, actors, comedians and recording artists who present non-traditional awards to the stars of the community.

The accompanying Freedom Party will be held Friday, Aug. 14 in the Mandalay Bay East parking lot from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. and will feature food and entertainment.

The 7th Annual Hoodie Awards will be held in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Aug.15, hosted by Steve Harvey.

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Ritzy Foundation Room in Las Vegas Opens to the Public

The bad economy can bring good things- with time.  The Foundation Room – the very ritzy, exclusive, expensive members-only hot spot at the top of Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas – is now open to the public seven days a week. foundationroom

All week long, members and their guests will continue to get in free, while the rest of us will pay $20- a very small price to pay when you see their haute digs for social gatherings, business meetings, or just plain impromptu fun.

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UFC 105 Likely To Be Held In Las Vegas

MMA Weekly is reporting that Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer confirmed that the UFC has requested the pre-Thanksgiving weekend date, November 21, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas for UFC 105.

The UFC had thoughts of having UFC 105 outside of Las Vegas with Boston, Toronto and New York being cities brought up to potentially host the event; however, adverse legislation of MMA in those cities has put those plans on the backburner.

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Bloody (Mary) Revolution in Las Vegas

One of the fastest emerging beverage trends – at least, a fad – in Las Vegas is the build-your-own-bloody-Mary bar.  Weekly new bars are offering outlets for budding bar chefs to mix and create their own brand of signature brunch cocktails from over 40 ingredients.

Already getting into the spirits- Abbey Road Bar at the Revolution Lounge, Simon’s Restaurant’s Sunday brunches, and also the new Bambu Bar at Mandalay Bay that opens on June 18, providing guests an elegant island feel.

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George Clooney Films in Las Vegas

Iconic actor George Clooney was reportedly spotted yesterday shooting film scenes and reacting to fans outsideGeorgeClooney Bally’s in Las Vegas for Paramount’s “Up in the Air.”   Later, Clooney shot scenes at a vacant hotel across from Mandalay Bay.  When filming completed, he was seen hugging everyone he worked with.

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No Doubt Headlines Tiger Jam XII This Weekend in Las Vegas

Pop rockers No Doubt will kick off their first tour in five years when they headline Tiger Jam XII presented by AT&T on May 15 and 16 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. NoDoubt

Formed in Anaheim, California, No Doubt reached international success with their 1995 release Tragic Kingdom. That album, including the mega hit “Don’t Speak” among many others, has sold over 15 million copies worldwide. Their follow up, Return of Saturn, was nominated for the Best Rock Album at the 2001 Grammy Awards and granted a four star review by Rolling Stone Magazine. The band went on to win two Grammy Awards for 2001’s multi-platinum Rock Steady and performed at the Superbowl XXXVII Halftime Show in 2003 alongside Sting. 

After the double platinum success of No Doubt’s Singles Collection, featuring the hit “It’s My Life,” and a subsequent tour with Blink-182, lead singer Gwen Stefani released two successful solo albums in 2004 and 2006 respectively. 

TigerWoods“I’m thrilled No Doubt is kicking off their tour at Tiger Jam XII,” event host and professional golfer Eldrick (Tiger) Woods, 33, said. “They are amazing performers, and I’m honored they are helping raise funds and awareness for the millions of young people my Foundation supports.”

Saturday evening’s highlights will include top-notch epicurean fare and exclusive live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind luxury items. Following the dinner and auctions, the celebration will progress to the Mandalay Bay Events Center stage, where Woods will introduce Grammy Award winners Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young for a rocking concert.

“Playing this show is going to be really fun for all of us.  Tiger’s foundation empowers kids to achieve their dreams and we’re excited to help support that,” No Doubt’s singer Gwen Stefani said.

Paramore and The Sounds will join No Doubt as special guests on the Tiger Jam stage. 

Tiger Jam has garnered a reputation as being one of the premiere fundraising events benefiting children for past 11 years. Each year, the concert event hosted by Tiger Woods raises millions of dollars for the Tiger Woods Foundation and youth-driven charities in Las Vegas, as well as the VH1 Save the Music Foundation, and the GRAMMY in the Schools program.

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‘Fearless’ Taylor Swift Makes Tracks Back to Las Vegas

Not many artists have an opportunity to make a concert entrance by descending from the rafters in an elevator and exiting to the showroom floor via a David Copperfield magic illusion, but young country music star sensation Taylor Swift had just that, stealing the moment at the 2009 Academy of County Music Awards at the MGM Grand Las Vegas on April 5.  taylorswift1

Swift will be back in Las Vegas on May 23 as she brings her Fearless Tour 2009 to the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.  Opening acts will be American Idol alum Kelli Pickler and country music group Gloriana. 

A few tickets are still available if you want to watch the Nielsen 2008’s top-selling artist perform.

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Another Las Vegas Burlesque Show Bites the Desert Dust

On the heels of Las Vegas burlesque show closures, including the recent Folies Bergere that closed on March 28 after ivan-kanetheir 49-year-run, Ivan Kane’s Forty Deuce also called it quits, succumbing to the ongoing ravages of the economy last weekend after more than four years of being in the retail shops area adjacent to MGM Mirage’s Mandalay Bay. 

Kane fueled the retro burlesque revival with Forty Deuce in Las Vegas and his Hollywood nightclub.  Now both are shuttered. Kane’s name only remains on the subdued Café Was.

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The Lion King Cast Announced

Casting has been announced for the new Las Vegas production of the Tony-winning The Lion King, which will begin previews at the Mandalay Bay Theatre on May 5 with an official opening May 15. lionking

The cast features performers who have triumphed in productions of Lion King around the world, including stagings in New York, Taipei, South Africa, London, Los Angeles, Australia, Toronto, Shanghai, Paris and Holland.  

Thom Sesma (The Times They Are A-Changin’) will play the evil Scar with Alton F. White (Ragtime) as Mufasa and Los Angeles native Marvette Williams as Sarabi. South African native Buyi Zama will play Rafiki.  The cast will also feature Kissy Simmons (Nala), Clifton Oliver (Simba), Damian Baldet (Timon), Patrick Kerr (Zazu) and Adam Kozlowski (Pumbaa). The three hyenas will be played by Keith Bennett (Banzai), Jacquie Hodges (Shenzi) and Robbie Swift (Ed). Duane Ervin and Elijah Johnson will alternate in the role of Young Simba, and Ruby Crawford and Jade Nelson will alternate in the role of Young Nala. 

Since its Broadway opening on Nov. 13, 1997, The Lion King has been seen by 45 million people worldwide. Directed by Julie Taymor – who became the first woman to ever receive a Tony Award for Best Director of a Musical – The Lion King has become an international hit with productions playing all around the globe. The Elton John-Tim Rice musical has won over 30 major awards. Those include six Tony Awards, including one for Best Musical; eight Drama Desk Awards; six Outer Critics Circle Awards; two Sir Laurence Oliviers; the Evening Standard Award for Best Theatrical Event; and three Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards. 

Tickets will go on sale to the public March 14 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center at (702) 632-7580 or (800) 745-3000 or by visiting www.mandalaybay.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

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Tiger Jam XII, No Doubt, Celebrities in Las Vegas on May 16

Tiger Jam is coming back to Las Vegas with renowned musical talent, amazing guests, and, of course, a legendary tigerwoodshost.  No Doubt will join Tiger Woods on May 16, 2009, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas to celebrate Tiger Jam XII presented by AT&T and kick-off their first tour in five years. The event benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation and select Las Vegas-based charities.

“I’m thrilled No Doubt is kicking off their tour at Tiger Jam,” Woods said. “They are amazing performers, and I’m honored they are helping raise funds and awareness for the millions of young people my Foundation supports.”

Saturday evening’s highlights will include top-notch epicurean fare and exclusive live and silent auctions featuring one-of-a-kind luxury items. Following the dinner and auctions, the celebration will progress to the Mandalay Bay Events Center stage, where Woods will introduce Grammy Award winners Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young for a rocking concert.

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Largest Hotel in the World Planned for Las Vegas

The U.S. is in the midst of a choking recession.  But that’s not stopping a financially struggling Israel-based development group from planning to build the world’s largest hotel in Las Vegas.firstworldhotel

A holding company that includes the AFI Group, formerly known as the Africa Israel Group, is planning to soon go before the Clark County commissioners in Las Vegas for use permits to build a 6,475-room hotel, casino, and retail complex on 60 acres along Harmon Avenue, west of the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. 

Currently, the largest hotel in the world is the 6,118-room First World Hotel in Malaysia.  But many of the largest hotels in the world are already in Las Vegas, including the 5,690-room MGM grand, the 4,408-room Luxor, and the 4,341-room Mandalay Bay and The Hotel resorts. 

Approval of the permits would give the group two years to begin construction on the project or seek an extension.  Permit approval would allow the development group to go to investors and banks seeking financing for the project.  No price on the project currently available.

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Las Vegas Says Good-Bye Simultaneously to Three Shows; More Musical Chairs

For those of us living in or visiting Las Vegas to enjoy the theatrical shows, our hearts sunk in a collective sigh of sadness as the 30 cast members from Mandalay Bay’s six-year-old “Mamma Mia” show on mammamiaSunday night took their final curtain calls to a standing and cheering ovation crowd that called it a night to their legacy of 2,200-plus shows and 2 million ticket buyers. 

stompoutloudAnd, if that’s not enough melancholy for one weekend, down the Strip at Planet Hollywood fans were stomping their feet and clapping their hands, appreciative that they were able to see the final act of the 22-month-run of “Stomp Out Loud.”

Then, for this weekend’s final coup de grace, over at the Sahara, the dance revue “Raw Talent Live” packed in the fans in to see their final performance.  By any standards, “Mamma Mia” and “Stomp Out Loud” were long-running and very well received shows, but especially so in Las Vegas, a city that continually evolves and change is the order of the day. 

But these final acts in Las Vegas may not necessarily over.  Word is that “Stomp Out Loud” may still have some life remaining, working on a potential move to the Sahara.  And “Raw Talent Live” may also be involved in the musical chair move, adopting individual cabaret acts from “Raw Talent Live” this spring at a new laser-light nightclub opening at the Palazzo.  

It appears for “Mamma Mia” the end is final.  But before the actors’ footprints were even removed from the stage floor, today the “Mamma Mia” space is starting to be transformed into hosting the Broadway hit “The Lion King,” which is planning for their preview performances on April 20.   

Also, “Peepshow,” billed as a “modern burlesque” and that plans to feature Spice Girl Mel B. and “Dancing With the Stars” champion Kelly Monaco, is making ready for its gala opening at Planet Hollywood on March 30.

Impressionist Danny Gans from Mirage fame, is getting into the musical chair act, moving into Wynn’s Encore on February 10 in the space that formerly played host to “Spamalot.”  And, in case you’re wondering, ventriloquist Terry Fator will take over Gans’ former Mirage haunts.

And last, but not, er…,well, maybe still last is Criss Angel’s “Believe,” which starting on January 7 will mysteriously going dark at the Luxor through January 22 for a much needed Cirque du Soleil “magical” revamping. 

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