ON THE SCENE: Sundown in Downtown serves up food, fun

Guests saw the Las Vegas Natural History Museum in a whole new light during the second annual Sundown in Downtown on June 21.

Everyone used the main entrance and continued through the museum, located at 900 Las Vegas Blvd. North, exploring the land of dinosaurs and Egypt’s King Tutankhamun’s tomb as well as the extensive displays of sea life, reptiles and birds while stopping to have fortunes told or caricatures drawn.

Upon exiting the museum’s side door, guests entered Sundown at Downtown to enjoy an evening full of music, food and drinks. The Wild Card Band performed, as well as the Joey Vitale Trio and DJ Ultra.

Seen enjoying the evening were the museum’s president of the board of directors John Good and the museum’s executive director Marilyn Gillespie. They joined board members and guests who included Don Polednak, Mike Verville, Carol Levins, Josh Bonde, Heather Valera, Matt Engle, Rob Bulmer, and Christine and Charles Creigh. Co-chairing this calypso party were Stephanie Stallworth and Mickey Norton. Members of the event committee were Jill Abelman, Francine Sanchez, Ruth Clark, Sheila Marcello and Karen Fabian.

Popular downtown restaurants were busy preparing their favorite “small bites.” Mundo’s proprietor George Harris served sweet corn chicken tamales, Barrymore Restaurant located in the Royal Resort flamed short-rib bourguignon, Silver Nugget offered medallions of sirloin drizzled in blue cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. Gimme Some Sugar handed out cake pops, Jerry’s Nugget prepared chicken taquitos, Triple George grilled pork loin with pineapple accompanied by mango coleslaw, Mob Bar passed out meatballs and sangria, Casa Don Juan offered petit chimichangas and chicken taquitos, Bar + Bistro from the Arts Factory provided seafood paella and Nothing Bundt Cake served chocolate, lemon and red velvet miniature cakes. Laurie Sabol of PopCorn Girl distributed flavors of popcorn.

Libations were wine, beer and two drink specialties, sangria and The Calypso, a drink of fresh pineapple and rum. There was even a body-paint booth with artist Suzanne Lugano sponsored by KKLZ-FM, 96.3. Sundown in Downtown had 27 sponsors, and three main sponsors were Southern Wine and Spirits of Nevada, Galleria at Sunset mall and Paragon Gaming. Ultra modern chaise lounges and chairs provided seating on the grass and tall-boy cocktail tables were lit from within in bright colors.

Seen among the 300 guests in attendance were Greg Fitzgerald, Christy Love, Steve Stallworth, Alyson McCarthy, Robin Suo, T.J. Quicksilver (dressed as pirate Jack Sparrow), Roz Santangelo, Tanya Harvey, Brandi and Bill Holland, Dana and John Pennington, Noey Richardson, Jennifer and Eric Fox, Olive and Gary Ashwell, and volunteer guide Lee McLaury.

The Natural History Museums’ summer exhibits are “Sanctuary Reef,” “Discovery Reef” and “Sea Monsters.” All proceeds from Sundown in Downtown will benefit the museum’s educational programs for underserved youths.