March 2012

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Is it April 8 yet?

March 23, 2012 in Client news | No comments

I’m a December baby, so I’ve always slightly resented Christmas for stealing my birthday’s thunder. Easter, instead, was my favorite holiday growing up.  I loved that it was in spring time. I loved the delicious brunch my grandmother cooked each year. I loved turning my fingers colors from dying hard-boiled eggs in food coloring, baking sugar cookies shaped like bunnies, hunting for plastic eggs with my siblings in the back yard and finding my Easter basket complete with thrilling items like Beanie Babies, Lisa Frank art supplies and of course, a ridiculous amount of candy.  At the time, I even liked the awful matching outfits my mother dressed me and my sister in every year.  (To this day, Donna maintains those outfits were adorable.  Judge for yourself from these picture.)

Things change, however. For awhile, Easter definitely lost its luster as I aged.  There were no more egg hunts or Easter baskets, and I felt guilty just looking at the chocolate bunnies and jellybeans. Things became even more dreary when I went away to college where my celebration typically consisted of me shamefully eating the Reece’s peanut butter eggs my mom sent for me and my roommate.

But this year I’m looking at Easter through rose colored glasses. It’ll be my first with my family in Las Vegas since 2007.  My brother got married this fall, and I’m excited to celebrate with his wife and her extended family for the first time. As of yet, our plans are still up in the air, but I’m looking forward to establishing some new traditions. 

One thing I’m suggesting to the family is a visit to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa for Easter brunch at Ceres.  The menu features an impressive collection of delicious treats including seasonal fruit, fresh seafood, a meat carving station and an array of desserts (though I doubt any of them can compete with my Grandma’s sugar cookies).  Ceres is even having an egg hunt, which will really take me back to when Easter was the absolute greatest day of the year.

Whether we end up dining at Ceres or enjoying a meal at home, I’m just excited to be with my family for Easter this year.  Is it April 8 yet?

˜Carolyn Linck

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A historical opening for Las Vegas.

March 20, 2012 in Kirvin Doak News | No comments

A project like The Smith Center for the Performing Arts doesn’t come along very often.  The opportunity for a PR professional to work on such a project and be part of history is truly once in a lifetime.  After arriving in Las Vegas over one year ago, I noticed that one thing was missing…a performing arts center.  However, I also knew that in another year the hopes and dreams of having a cultural hub were about to be realized.  Best of all, I was going to be part of the amazing team working on it!

Over the course of 2011, the community was energized by exciting announcements – the pre-Broadway season including Million Dollar Quartet and Mary Poppins, the ability to buy tickets to shows like PSY by 7 Fingers (one of my favorites) and David Sedaris, the arrival of the Carillon Bells, the topping off of the bell tower and hard hat tours.  Just like a snap of the fingers, the year was over and we were going full steam ahead preparing for the opening!

Fast forward to March and the opening was days away.  March 2 marked the first time we were able to showcase the breathtaking performing arts center to media and community members.  The months of preparation was worth it when we witnessed the overwhelming sense of joy when people arrived at the stunning venue and walked through the doors.  After all, bringing happiness through the arts and restoring pride to the community is what The Smith Center is all about!  From there on, Las Vegas embraced The Smith Center through amazing behind the scenes features, cover stories and television specials.  It was amazing to see the whole city behind this inspiring project!

The Smith Center officially opened on March 10 with incredible fanfare.  The performers who attended were the who’s who of Broadway and music – artists I never thought I would be able to see live and in person, let alone performing together on one stage.  The evening was hosted by the incomparable Neil Patrick Harris, who was nothing short of brilliant.  Between seeing Jennifer Hudson perform “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” Willie Nelson team up with Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris or experiencing Carole King’s infectious energy, it is hard to come up with a favorite moment for the evening.  However, being the Broadway geek that I am, seeing Broadway legends come together to perform some of Broadway’s biggest hits blew me away.  And yes, I believe I even had watery eyes when Cheyenne Jackson, Montego Glover, Sherie Rene Scott, Laura Osnes and Benjamin Walker sang “Seasons of Love.”
 
With the opening behind us, we look forward to the exciting shows that will grace Reynolds Hall, Cabaret Jazz and the Troesh Studio Theater and the thrilling announcements of shows to come including the full 2012-2013 Broadway Las Vegas season.   Leading off with the smash-hit musical Wicked, the new Broadway season will leave you wanting more!  Thankfully, The Smith Center is here to stay and I thank my lucky stars I could be a small part of it!

˜Michelle Willmoth

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* Photos (Getty images)

Video Link – http://www.eonline.com/videos/Stars_Land_in_Vegas_for_Glam_New_Venue/179757

 

 

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A lesson of etiquette and grace: BGCLV’s Steak & Burger

March 16, 2012 in Client news | 2 comments

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the second annual Steak & Burger event for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas at the Renaissance Hotel. Walking in, I anticipated a wonderful event as I have previously attended Girls Day and am familiar with the powerful mission of the clubs. Little did I know, however, how moved I would be by the courage and sheer grace displayed by a group of teens.  

The evening began with a quick introduction by master of ceremonies, Chet Buchanan, who asked us all at the table to introduce ourselves with our name, where you work/which club you attend and what our career aspirations are. As the teens listed off impressive dreams of becoming a professional soccer player, a video game designer or an oncologist, I took a second to reflect that these aspirations are truly inspired by the guidance of the Boys & Girls Clubs.

As conversations continued, I got to know a little bit more about the importance of the clubs to these kids, and what it means for them in their lives. The gratitude exuded throughout the room, as the teens discussed their experiences at their respective club. Many look to the volunteers as mentors and, most times, as an adult figure in their lives to lead them down the right path in life. It’s hard to imagine not having someone like that in your life growing up as a kid while being exposed to constant pressures such as peer approval, let alone gangs and drugs. It warms my heart knowing that even though some of these kids may not have the luxuries I did growing up, someone out there is willing to take a chance on them and give them an opportunity to achieve their dreams. And it makes me want to be one of those people.

The evening was meant to serve as a lesson in etiquette and teach the young adults proper dining techniques as well as conversation tips for future career networking opportunities. And not to say this wasn’t accomplished but I think many of the adults in the room left with an important lesson or reminder; the importance of our youth and the power of giving back.

For those who may also be interested in getting involved, I encourage you to check out the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas website, or stop by the Club Blue Las Vegas mixer for professionals under 40 on April 12 at 6 p.m.

˜Shandi Huber

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A Record Breaking Toast to Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit

March 15, 2012 in Client news | No comments

How do you announce programming for Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit? Well, if you’re in Vegas, you gather more than 300 chefs, sommeliers, and hotel staff members from Bellagio, Caesars Palace, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, and Mandalay Bay to break the Guinness World Record for most bottles of wine uncorked simultaneously. The occasion not only announced additional programming for the 6th annual food festival, but also offered the only moment in Hubert Keller’s life when he was nervous to open a bottle of wine. I was also able to catch a rare glimpse of Adam Rapoport’s, Bon Appétit’s Editor in Chief, nervous side when he nearly shattered the record attempt by dropping his bottle moments before the countdown. Fortunately, the wine never met pavement but everyone was obviously doing their best to steady their hands as the air filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Anticipation for the impending record breaking attempt and apprehension because everyone was hoping to avoid becoming part of the small and special group who couldn’t pop their cork in time.

To the outsider, the event came off flawlessly with 308 people, perfectly positioned on Bellagio’s Grand Terrace, successfully uncorking a bottle of wine within the 30 second time limit and breaking the previous record of 252. To the PR insider, months of brainstorms, research, preparation, conference calls, meetings, emails and walkthroughs had finally met their culmination in the single moment when the Guinness adjudicator announced the group’s success. From coordinating the live shots in front of The Fountains with Jason Smith, Adam Rapoport, Bradley Ogden, Jose Andres and Rick Moonen, to the distribution of the MNR, this was one event that will go into my PR record book for having the best bouquet (if you’ve never been around to take in the aroma of 308 bottles of freshly opened Cabernet Sauvignon, I highly recommend it).

˜Claudia Balfe-Taylor

Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appétit receives Guinness World Record Certificate

 *Photo Credit:  Jason Schmidt

 

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COVER BOYS

March 13, 2012 in Client news | No comments

JERSEY BOYS on the covers of Where Magazine, Las Vegas Magazine, Las Vegas Review-Journal (Neon), 24/7 Magazine and LA Times Vegas Travel Guide

  

 
JERSEY BOYS has been making their mark on a variety of covers in anticipation of the exciting re-launch of the show at Paris Las Vegas. The show officially kicks off an open ended run at its new home on March 16.

It’s so exciting to work on such a beloved show worldwide and even more exciting to have the opportunity to open the show at Paris Las Vegas and tell its story to Las Vegas audiences and beyond.

In addition to being “cover boys”, JESREY BOYS has performed at the opening of The Mob Museum in downtown Las Vegas and at the NASCAR race at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. They were also welcomed in style to Paris Las Vegas in an exciting ceremony where employees surprised the cast with a “flash mob,” and they have been interviewed on many local TV and radio stations in support of the opening. They’ve been busy boys getting ready for the opening and now the curtain is about to rise on the new engagement.

If you haven’t seen the show or even if you have, come out and see it at Paris Las Vegas. It’s a must see!

Ces Soiree-La! (That’s French for Oh! What a Night!)

˜Rebecca Smith

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