Tag: Las Vegas

Posted on

2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival recap and photos

Michael, me, Don Turner and award-winning out singer/songwriter Matt Zarley

Kudos to SNAPI (Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, Inc.) for a great 2013 LGBT Pride Festival yesterday. Special shout-out to SNAPI President Ernie Yuen for making the entire day fun, fab and a big success.

Great thing about Pride in Vegas is we get to see tons of friends in one day, plus take in all the booths from LGBT and LGBT ally groups & businesses. Huge corporations, small business owners, churches that welcome LGBT community members in their faith, social groups – many, many take part in sharing what they have to offer to the Las Vegas community.

One example I will list is LGBT owned and operated N2N Bodywear, based in Los Angeles but comes to Las Vegas every year to take part.  Out and proud owner/designer Andrew Makay is a business success story that makes me proud to know him.  And his energy at Pride events across the country is infectious to all who stop by to check out the sexy clothes (and models) on hand.

And the entertainment was terrific. I have to say my favorite act, who had the entire festival on it’s feet had to be God Des And She. A pop/rap act, they did original and cover songs that completely rocked the place. Pride organizers take note – book these two talented women and your crowd will thank you.There were also many other terrific performances, too long a list to name, of LGBT favorites from Las Vegas and around the world.  Just know that Entertainment Director Brandon Johnson did a terrific job bringing something for everyone, and the crowd had a great time all day long.

The headliner for this year’s festival was Bleona, known as the “Madonna of Albania.” Very talented and brought four terrific back-up dancers who knocked the choreography out. I hope to see Bleona do more as she’s breaking into the US market. And she’ll definitely have a big audience with the LGBT folks.  There were some production delays with her crew setting up that caused Bleona to take to the stage 15 minutes late.  With an already factored in 20 minute break from the previous act, there was a 35 minute lull in the entertainment for the crowd. I watched dozens of attendees leave after a while, and I also felt some of the momentum in the crowd diminish due to the delay. My unsolicited but constructive advice to Bleona – I appreciate you want to put on a big show for the crowd, but I’d scale back a bit so you can hit the stage on time and keep the energy of the crowd on your side.  A talented performer, I look forward to seeing what’s next for Bleona in the US.

I have to mention the amazing Chris Saldana, one of Las Vegas’ favorite news anchors/reporters. Chris never fails to show up, support and do whatever needs to be done for the LGBT community. Whether it’s hosting the Pride Parade telecast, hosting throughout the day on the Festival stage or jumping in to help Bleona’s crew get set-up, this Emmy Award-winning journalist does the gays proud. Las Vegas is lucky to have someone who gives so much throughout the year.

Here are a few pics from throughout the day at the 2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival:

Chippendales’ Ryan Stuart (L)  & Chris Saldana (R) hosted the Pride Parade Awards ceremony.  Pictured here with the winners of this year’s Parade Director’s Award for Best Float – MGM Resorts.

Michael, Chippendales’ Ryan Stuart, Festival Host Chris Saldana and me

The fashion at Pride can sometimes be “surprising”

Chippendales’ Ryan Stuart (L) & Chris Saldana (R) with Pride organizers Ernie Yuen and Brandon Johnson

You run into everyone at Pride in Las Vegas.  Las Vegas Strip headliner Frank Marino and fiance Alex Schecter

Like I would pass up a photo opp with Chippendales and a Jubilee Showgirl? No chance!

God-Des And She rock the festival as the sun begins to set.

Pride Festival headliner Bleona and dancers

Because when I think LGBT Pride, I think “teriyaki bowl”…

At the N2N Bodywear booth, you get this hunky guy to model the clothes for you 🙂

Just one more of the hunky N2N model…

Ok, I lied.  One more…

Shopping at the N2N booth.  No comment.

Posted on

Las Vegas: Come out today to the 2013 Pride Festival!

Hey Las Vegas – get out to the 2013 Las Vegas Pride Festival today at the The Clark County Amphitheater.

The location features a terrific outdoor main stage surrounded by comfy grass, plus a food court and convenient drink stations.

There will be more than 100 exhibitors on site. You can relax on the lawn as you are entertained by the festival’s featured performers, as well as great local talent.

This year’s headliner is Bleona.  Dubbed the “Madonna of Albania,” Bleona is the first southeastern European recording artist to sell over 800,000 albums, setting a record that has yet to be broken. She is proud to have been the first Albanian artist on iTunes, and all of her albums and singles in that region have consistently gone to #1, while her tours throughout the world have resulted in over 2.5 million international concert fans. Bleona has worked with some of the mostly highly sought after producers, including her first US single “Pass Out” which was produced by legendary hit maker Timbaland.

Families are always welcome, especially as the festival organizers announce the expansion of the Family Activity Zone filled with fun activities for parents and children 12 and under.

The PRIDE Festival is open to the public from noon to 10pm on Saturday, September 7th.   Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for youths, and those under 5 get in free.

Visit the 2013 FESTIVAL PAGE for details!

Afterwards, join Las Vegas PRIDE at SHARE Nightclub for Wet & Wild, the official PRIDE After-Festival Party.

SHARE Nightclub is located at 4636 Wynn Rd. The party starts as soon as the PRIDE Festival ends at 10pm. Text “iSHARE” to 313131 for special offers! 

Posted on

Las Vegas: Hosting 2013 Pride Night Parade

Quick shot during a break with Dayna Roselli and Chris Saldana

After so many years of attending the Las Vegas Pride Night Parade, it was uber-cool to be a part of it as I co-hosted the TV broadcast of the parade with Las Vegas’ favorite news anchors & hosts Chris Saldana and Dayna Roselli. The two veterans made life easy for me in my TV hosting debut as I got to be in the middle of the excitement.

With over 80 participating groups in the parade, I was wondering if we’d get it done in the 2 hour telecast. But the parade organizers AND Cox Cable kept the whole shindig on track. Talk about a well-oiled machine. The streets were packed in downtown Las Vegas, the weather (which in the afternoon was pretty scary) turned out perfect, and a great time was had by all.

Cox Cable is an amazing LGBT ally throughout the year. Consider this parade telecast alone: Cox Cable brings the parade LIVE to Cox customers and streams the show live on Cox96.net at no cost to Pride organizers or to the community. And they re-air the telecast 10 times throughout the month of September on Cox channel 96 – or channel 1096 for HD. You can check the schedule to at Cox96.net.

My hubby Michael was there the whole time taking some pics, so here’s a few.

Chris Saldana giving color commentary while Dayna and I take in the parade

I’m guessing I was making some comment about marriage equality… 🙂

Chris Saldana and I watching the parade approach on the monitor

Watching the big parade go by

And we get guests at the telecast booth!  Chippendales Ryan Stuart dropped by to talk Pride

End of the night with Michael, Dayna Roselli and Chris Saldana
Posted on

Don’t miss the Las Vegas Pride Night Parade

Come on out Friday night and celebrate 30 years of LasVegas Pride!

The parade starts at 8pm and the intersection of 4th & Bridger is the main stage area. 
  
If you can’t make it downtown you can watch live on tv. It will be on standard (Channel 96), HD (Channel 1096), and online at www.cox96.net!

I’m at the Parade  every year, and this year I’ll be co-hosting some of the TV coverage on Cox96 with two of Las Vegas’ favorite news anchors – Chris Saldana and Dayna Roselli!

If you get down to the parade early, you can stop in at MEET and grab a cocktail.  Details in the poster above.

 See you there!   Get your Pride on!

Posted on

Las Vegas: Pride Family Bingo tonight at Circus Circus

Las Vegas celebrates LGBT Pride 2013 this week, and there are lots of events to show up and have some fun.

Tonight at Circus Circus is Pride Family Bingo – a Las Vegas Pride tradition. Now, you know this isn’t your grandmother’s bingo 🙂

SNAPI hour is at 6pm, with the games beginning at 7pm.  So head over to the Grand Ballroom tonight in the Skyrise Tower and get ready for more events all week as Las Vegas celebrates Pride.

More info on events at www.LasVegasPride.org

Posted on

Pics from AFAN Las Vegas “Black & White Party”

I attended one of Las Vegas’ biggest charity events last night at the Hard Rock’s The Joint – Aid for AIDS Nevada’s “Black & White Party.”

Great event – lots of food and drink sponsors, so as you enjoy the entertainment (which was great, more about that in a second…) you have gourmet food and specialty cocktails to keep you happy.

Hosting the event was the always excellent Chris Saldana (Las Vegas’ favorite news anchor) and radio personality Lauren Michaels (from Chet Buchanan’s “Morning Zoo”).  Trading off on the hosting duties were Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis – Team Chippendales from The Amazing Race. Plus, Jaymes and James performed their own set of music while introducing others like Eric Jordan Young (star of Vegas the Show), Las Vegas Strip headliner Maren Wade,  newly minted Las Vegas Strip star Veronic, and many more.

I started out taking some pics and tweeting them as black and white (trying to stick to the evening’s theme, don’t you know), but the lighting and colors in the room were so fab I gave that a rest. Check out some highlights from last night.

And make sure you go check out AFAN’s website and see what you can do to get involved or donate. The organization has events throughout the year, and it’s always a good time.

Party just getting started and already a full house

Event hosts Chris Saldana, Lauren Michaels, Jaymes Vaughan and James Davis

Team Chippendales hotties Jaymes Vaughan (L) and James Davis (R) hosting the evening

More Jaymes and James – couldn’t resist another picture 🙂

Jaymes and James perform for the crowd

I got a little creative with this pic of James Davis when tweeting, but I
still like the black and white vibe; kinda suits his rock star moment.

I was still in “black and white” mode watching the fab Eric Jordan Young of
Vegas the Show wow the audience

Friends along the party pathway! Kelly Smith (L) and her hubby Michael (behind me), plus my bud of many years Dr. Mike Karagiozis (in black behind me) and his guest.

I grabbed a quick pic with Jaymes Vaughan right before he took the stage

The fabulous Veronic, who keeps getting extended and extended in her run at Ballys,
was amazing giving us some Tina Turner and more

Walking entertainment was available everywhere for fun photo-ops
Posted on

Las Vegas: 27th Annual B&W Party for Aid for AIDS Nevada – TONIGHT!

Tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas raises money for Aid for AIDS Nevada with an over-the-top party with outlandish black and/or white avant guard costumes and sexy attire. The Black and White Party is a premier Las Vegas event that will always impress.

If you’re in Vegas, make sure you catch one of the biggest and best parties of the year.

Hosts and entertainment line-up includes Las Vegas Strip headliners Veronic, Mark Shunock from Rock of Ages, Maren Wade, Jaymes and James – Team Chippendales of The Amazing Race, Lauren Michaels of Chet Buchanan and the Morning Zoo, Chris Saldana, Recycled Percussion, stars from Vegas the Show, and more.

For more info, head over to the AFAN website.

Posted on

New, major 9K home development being planned for NW Las Vegas

How do you know the economy is picking up in Las Vegas? A new, major real estate project involving 9,000 homes is being planned.

From Vegas Inc:

Developers of the Southern Highlands master-planned community are launching another large residential project in Las Vegas.

The Olympia Cos. said today it is planning a 1,700-acre community in the northwest corner of the valley, between Grand Teton Drive and U.S. 95.

The property is entitled for 9,000 homes, as well as commercial and gambling uses. Olympia indicated that it would sell project land to homebuilders over the next 10 years.

The community would be Las Vegas’ first major real estate development to break ground since 2007, according to Olympia Chairman and CEO Garry Goett.

The real estate market is already tightening as most homes in decent shape on the market are going into multiple offers within just a few days of being listed.

Las Vegas is slowly coming back, kids.

Forward.

Posted on

Las Vegas: Hell’s Kitchen winner will NOT be accepting position as head chef at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant

Ja’Nel Witt — the winner of “Hell’s Kitchen” Season 11 — has announced she will NOT accept the show’s grand prize (the head chef position at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants in Vegas) … citing “personal matters.”

It’s been less than one month since Ja’Nel’s reality show victory was broadcast on TV — with Ja’Nel locking up the head chef gig at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill in Las Vegas … a job that pays $250k.

Witt made the announcement on Twitter — saying, “Due to personal matters, I will not be joining the team in Las Vegas, but I wish them continued success.”

Witt did not go into detail about her personal situation.

“I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Hell’s Kitchen, Gordon Ramsay, Caesars Palace & my supportive fans for this amazing experience,” she added.

(source)

Posted on

Iconic Las Vegas sign to change colors to celebrate 30th Las Vegas Pride Celebration

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Southern Nevada Association of Pride, Inc (SNAPI) with support from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) will be changing the light bulbs of the iconic “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign in support of Las Vegas PRIDE, a celebration that supports members of the LGBT community and their straight allies.

The re-lighting of the Las Vegas sign takes place on Friday, August 30, 2013 at 10:00am. The following day, August 31st, will kick-off a series of festivities including a family skate night, family bingo, brunches, pool parties, and of course the PRIDE Parade and Festival.

Currently bordered with 89 chasing yellow incandescent bulbs, the sign will take on the hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple to emulate the LGBT rainbow flag, the symbol of diversity for the LGBT community. The lighting change will continue for a period of 11 days.

Present at the sign’s unveiling will be Dina Titus (D), member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, who has been a pivotal supporter of the Las Vegas LGBT community for years; and Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani.

“This is an historic moment for the Las Vegas community to recognize HRC’s PRIDE, especially on the event’s 30th anniversary,” said, James Healey (D) member of the Nevada Assembly’s 35th District who will also be in attendance at the re-lighting. “The ‘Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas’ sign is an internationally celebrated icon and by turning rainbow in celebration of Pride Week, it shows the world how welcoming Las Vegas is to its LGBT community members, visitors and allies. I am thrilled to be a part of history.”

For more information regarding PRIDE 2013, a destination PRIDE, and to purchase tickets to the Festival, please visit: www.hrc.org/lasvegaspride.

The public is invited to stop by and have their photo taken with the “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign between August 30 and September 8, 2013.

(via press release)