Las Vegas provides ideal setting for drone photos

Drone fireworks video of the opening of Downtown Summerlin was likely just the beginning of local big-event possibilities.

We won’t have to wait long to see other scenarios: stunning aerial views of massive crowds that gather on the Strip for New Year’s Eve, NASCAR weekend and the booming business of super festivals and outdoor pool venues.

But the dawning era of the new technology and its soaring popularity is certain to ignite debate over safety concerns.

Airspace over large events soon will face added scrutiny as drone usage increases.

Downtown Summerlin, for instance, did not send its drone through the fireworks, which has happened elsewhere over major events. Instead, the video shows only footage taken from what appeared to be a safe distance from the huge opening-night crowd.

Here is the fireworks video from Downtown Summerlin’s opening night: http://bit.ly/1sDXDT6

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Broadway star Cheyenne Jackson opened up about his personal life during his concert Saturday at Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. He introduced his husband, Jason Landau, and spoke openly of his battle with alcoholism. They met last year while both were in rehab for alcohol addiction. They got married Sept. 13. Jackson, who starred in “Glee” and “30 Rock,” spent more than an hour meeting and greeting the crowd after his performance. …

Animal lovers alert: A two-week-old baby lion named Angel made her first public appearance Sunday at Henderson’s Lion Habitat Ranch. It is open to the public at 382 Bruner Ave., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There’s also a baby giraffe. …

Correction: Admission to Doug Swanson’s Oct. 18 Mob Museum appearance for his book, “Blood Aces,” is free for museum members or with paid admission to the museum.

SIGHTINGS

Michael Buble, dedicating “Smile” to his maternal grandmother, Yolanda Santaga, during Saturday’s concert in the events center at the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Santaga died in July from Alzheimer’s. Later, Buble and Larry Ruvo led the crowd in singing “Happy Birthday” to Dr. Miriam Adelson, the wife of billionaire Sheldon Adelson. … Soccer star Mesut Ozil, known as the Lionel Mesi of Germany, partying Saturday at Hyde Bellagio. A knee injury ended his season with Arsenal. … Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, dining Thursday at Sinatra (Encore).

THE PUNCH LINE

“Nobody had seen North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for a week, then a month, and now six weeks have gone by and nobody’s seen him. They really started to get worried when he didn’t show up at the Clooney wedding.” — David Letterman

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.