Lots going on in our town, that's if the rains haven't washed everything away. Good time to visit as weather looks great for the next week after getting some record downpours in the past few days. What we all need is a taste of Hawaii and if we can't get there, then let's bring it to us.
This Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 22-23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lake Las Vegas is hosting the fourth annual Hawaiian Isle Festival and Outrigger Canoe Regatta. There will be Hawaiian dancers and musicians, island food for purchase and more than 60 booths of traditional island arts and crafts.
While you're enjoying all that, you can watch an authentic outrigger canoe race as teams from all over the West and Southwest compete on the lake. And here's a real bonus -- it's all free, including parking at the MonteLago Village Parking Garage. For more info, call 702-564-1600.
VEGOOSE FESTIVAL
So many things going on come Halloween and I will mention a few before Halloween weekend, but this one is kind of interesting. It's called the Vegoose music festival and will feature some 22 acts, all rock, including Dave Mathews, Jack Johnson and Widespread Panic, as well as lesser-known groups such as The Shins, Spoon, the Decemberists and hip-hop artists Blackalicious, Spearhead and Atmosphere. Where the hell do they get these names. Is everyone dropping acid?
It all takes place Oct. 29-30 at Sam Boyd Stadium. A two-day pass will cost you $142.50.
"We're bringing an entirely different audience to town with Vegoose," said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events, the agency charged with promoting tourism here. "We're going after music fans who are not drawn to the Paul McCartneys, the Paul Simons, the Rolling Stones. It's a completely unique attraction. We're expecting 40,000 visitors and 100,000 attendance for both days."
NIGHTMARE ON 54TH STREET
One of the biggest hotel Halloween events will take place at MGM Grand's Studio 54 as it hosts the 8th annual "Nightmare on 54th Street," Thursday, Oct. 27 through Monday, Oct. 31. A warning: If you're not a wild nightclub crawler, you might want to just stay home or maybe put on a funny mask and go to a Denny's.
Here's a few of the things you can expect: A naughty version of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show"; body-painted models shaking their booties in a very seductive manner; and a contest for the most erotically delicious or most original costume and a chance to win a share of $10,000 in prize money. You're encouraged to come clad or barely clad in your most outrageous Halloween concoction and you will get to dance among stilt walkers, fetish crazed fairies, fire-eaters and vampy, gothic vixens.
BEAUX ARTS BALL
This all leads up to the 39th Annual Beaux Arts Ball, which features the performers of Studio 54 and cast members of "Follies Bergere,""Jubilee!," The Vamps, Brian Chetham and his Chippendales, Missy Cochran Entertainment, "We Will Rock You,""Fantasy," Brian "Shannel" Watkins and Weego. Cash prizes will be awarded for best costume overall: $1,054; best group costume (three or more): $654; sexiest: $254; and best drag: $254. Hey, is this fun or what? Just think how proud your kids will be if you win best drag. Bet they'll even take you to a class show and tell. Admission is $25 at the door. For tickets and information call (702) 384-2899.
HAUNTED REEF
Also getting into the spirit of things for Halloween is Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay. For one day only, Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., children 12 and under in costume can "Trick or Treat" at Shark Reef for free. Rattling chains, creaking doors and hauntingly spooky music will replace the normal sounds of the ocean and the jungle. As you walk Shark Reef's dark and eerie tunnels, you'll pass ghostly decorations and frightening pumpkins lining the walls. Sounds like fun.
And in conjunction with this, United Blood Services will join in the festivities. Guests donating or pledging to give blood will receive complimentary entry to Shark Reef. The blood drive coincides with the Haunted Reef, Saturday, Oct. 29, from noon until 5 p.m. Great idea and they really need your blood donation.
TEA, TRENDS & TRANQUILITY
Now for something a bit more genteel. The Sixth Annual Tea, Trends & Tranquility to benefit HELP of Southern Nevada will be at Red Rock Country Club on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 1:30 p.m. There will be a fashion show presented by Dillard's at the Fashion Show Mall and a collection of unique raffle prizes. Tickets for the event are $90 or tables of 10 for $900 are available by calling HELP of Southern Nevada at 702-369-HELP, extension 238.
ART AWARDS
If you're an art lover or simply have an interest in it, this item may interest you. On Oct-28-29, the First Annual Fine Art Awards (ARTV) in the Premier Ballroom of the MGM Grand will host 45 nominated fine artists from around the country. The awards ceremony, complete with celebrity presenters, will be awarding artists in 13 categories including oils, acrylics, watercolor, muralists, glass, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, drawing, new movement/media, public art installation, group project, and Artist of the Year.
Here's the fun part. The artists will be creating their art in their chosen medium working
live outside the ballroom as you arrive for the show. How often do you get to see the actual creative artists at work, up close and personal, rather than just viewing the finished product at a gallery or showing? A special "Lifetime Achievement Award" will be presented posthumously to Anthony Quinn and will be accepted by his widow, Katherine Quinn. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit the web site at www.artvawards.com.
LIGHT THE NIGHT
And last, but certainly not least, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Southern Nevada Chapter (LLS) will host the annual Light the Night national fundraising walk on Thursday, Oct. 27, at The Hills Park in Summerlin and again on Friday, Nov. 4, at the Henderson Pavilion.
During the two- or three-mile walks, participants carry illuminated balloons to celebrate the lives of those affected by cancer -- white balloons for survivors and red balloons for all other participants.
The goal of this year's walk is to raise more than $150,000 in Southern Nevada with donations from walkers' friends, family, co-workers and employers to sponsor their participation. Registration for both walks begin at 5 p.m. with the walk beginning at 7 p.m. For a complete list of prizes or to register, visit www.lightthenight.org or call Gina Germany at (702) 436-4220 ext. 104. Participants can register up until the day of each walk. Come out, have fun, stay healthy. You'll be supporting a very worthwhile cause.
Good luck and I'll see you on the Strip. And don't forget to check out www.valleyblogs.com
If you have a question or a Las Vegas experience you would like to share with my readers, please e-mail me at lennylv@cox.net. Please include your full name and the city or town where you live.
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