August 2012

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The Perfect Time to Become a Dropout

August 28, 2012 in Client news, Uncategorized | No comments

Living in Las Vegas for the past six years, I’m well aware of how easy it is to become inundated with options. Entertainment, dining, nightlife – there are so many things going on and off the Strip that it can be easy to forget what all our city has to offer. However, I am a firm believer that the newest kid on the block is unique enough to become this town’s finest hot spot for many years to come.

Culinary Dropout opened last Friday inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and is the perfect combo of everything both locals and tourists look for in their dining locale. The food is incredible (I cannot stress enough – save room for the monkey bread!). The design is hip but fresh and rebellious, and the staff look like the cool kids whose iPods you want to steal for the best new music that no one has heard of yet.

During our sneak peek event one thing was clear, no one wanted to leave! It’s the kind of setting where you could easily stay all night. Start out belly up at the bar with an After School Special, move to one of the unique dining tables to dig into some fried chicken, and end it on the patio with live music and good friends. Once the summer heat passes, the fire pits will be the hottest addition to any group outing.

As a Las Vegas local who has seen and done so much (no one has really done it all), I can tell you to run – don’t walk to this new restaurant. You’ll be glad that you were one of the first to check it out!

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Culinary Dropout is open seven days a week: Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. – midnight, Friday from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. – midnight. Reservations can be made by calling (702) 522.8100.

 ˜Alison Monaghan

Photo credit Erik Kabik.

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Moving-in…

August 27, 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

 

It might have been 24 years ago, but I remember moving into Simmons Hall at Penn State just as if it were yesterday.  On Friday, my boyfriend and I moved his son, Jordan, into his dorm at the University of Nevada at Reno – I might have been more excited than him.  Months leading up to his move to UNR, I spent my spare time creating checklists for him and sharing stories with him about my time at Penn State and in the dorms.   There is nothing more exciting than going back to school or beginning your college career. 

 As a freshman at Penn State in 1988, I lucked out on levels when I got my dorm assignment.  First I was assigned to Simmons Hall which was located in the middle of campus a block away from College Avenue and directly across from the Hub.   I got the best roommate ever, Janice Appleby, who was  from Camp Hill, PA.  We also were on the fourth floor (top floor) and we got a corner room with two windows.  I thought I had it the jackpot and as I look back I did on all levels.  

Times have changed in regards to dorm rooms and college since I was a freshman such as: 

 Dorm rooms are definitely much bigger;

  • Dorm rooms now normally include a private a bathroom, no community bathroom down hall;
  • Dorm rooms now have cable;
  • Dorms rooms include carpet;
  • Dorms have free Wifi;
  • Convenience like none other, you can purchase all your dorm necessities at Bed, Bath & Beyond (or other retailers) online and merely have it shipped to your dorm room;
  • Most dining halls now resembles a Las Vegas buffet.

 But some things about moving into the dorms and being a freshman will never change such as: 

  • The anticipation of meeting your roommate, neighbors on the floor and your RA;
  • Decorating your dorm room;
  •  Memorizing your schedule;
  • Knowing where your classes are;
  • That first meal in the dining hall;
  • Saying goodbye to your parents. 

I know Jordan is doing great today at UNR as he starts classes and I hope he looks back on the past four days and his entire four years at UNR as fondly as I do 24 years later.   My four years at Penn State were some of the best years of my life and they truly had a huge impact on who I am today. 

 

 

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Turns out, Sin City has its Angels

August 22, 2012 in Kirvin Doak News | No comments

Yesterday, I had two events at Kirvin Doak Communications, and when that might sound quite stressful, it was actually a lovely day. Both events were in two completely different settings, but ironically, they were quite parallel in their set up and goals.

The first event was put together to celebrate KDC’s 10 Year Anniversary. To do so, our managers put together a Day of Service to give back to the community that has been so good to us.

The day started out with a feast of bagels from Einstein’s, salad and cookies. Then our staff split up into seven groups and we headed out to all the Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas’ locations to volunteer.

Everyone in our staff had so much KDC spirit and love; it was really neat to watch us all come together for a cause.

The second event was put together to celebrate the 5th annual VEGAS INC Angel Awards. Every year, VEGAS INC puts together a publication to honor those who give back to the community that has been so good to them.

The night started off with a feast of hors’ d oeuvres, dinner and cocktails. Then, Rob Langrell of VEGAS INC brought up the sponsors for the night, and later they announced the eight winners of the 2012 Angel Awards.

The winners, volunteers, donors all had so much spirit and love for the city of Vegas; it was really touching to see the community’s leaders come together for a cause.

During the night, a peculiar man approached one of my colleagues and joked, “How, can there be Angels in a town called Sin City?”

We all were a little taken back by his comment, but continued talking amongst ourselves. It was a little hard to hear after all the work our co-workers and peers in the room had gone through to better Las Vegas. 

Later, Bruce Spotelson, editor-in-chief of VEGAS INC, approached the microphone and said, “So much cultural change comes from great American businesses like the ones here tonight.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself, Bruce. KDC and VEGAS INC’s Angels are definitely a part of those great businesses, and it’s that passion for change that helps make KDC such a great place to work and Las Vegas a better place to live. After that realization, it was even clearer that Vegas may have its “sinners,” but it also has its “Angels,” lots of them.  

-Laura Bucklin

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Five Reasons You Should Audition For Blue Man Group’s New Showbot Character

August 9, 2012 in Client news | No comments

When I heard Blue Man Group was searching for someone to play the role of its newest character, The Showbot, my eyes widened with curiosity. A sassy, part human part robot sidekick to the Blue Men and overall “hype girl” for the show? Um, yes please! But since Blue Man Group is my client and I’ll be staffing the tryout, there is a conflict of interest and scheduling on my end. For the rest of you – that BIG BREAK might be closer than you think.

Here are five reasons you should give it a go:

  1. EXCLUSIVITY – The Showbot is a completely new addition to Las Vegas and for the entire Blue Man Group production. So basically, you would be the only Blue Man Group Showbot in the world!
  2. THE JOB DESCRIPTION, reads “full time hype girl/dance fanatic.” Ok, not exactly, but you will have the opportunity to ramp up Las Vegas crowds on a nightly basis and shake it to Blue Man beats.
  3. ROBOT WEAR –The renderings of the Showbot’s gear was enough to get me going. Superhero status. Every single night.
  4. INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE OF THE NEW PRODUCTION – Blue Man Group debuts its newest work of art on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino. As Showbot, you’ll have seen the show about a million times before anyone else.
  5. SO INTERNATIONAL (cue Chris Brown and Pit Bull song) – Blue Man Group is an international entertainment phenomenon with live performance installations in six cities, an ongoing theatrical tour of the USA and Canada, and a highly acclaimed show on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic. To date, more than 25 million people across the globe experienced the show. Talk about a resume builder.

If you love the stage life, here is your shot. Auditions will be held Thursday, Aug. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Monte Carlo Resort and Casino inside ballrooms 3 and 4. For tryout criteria and details, visit bluemancasting.com.

˜Devin Daniel

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From Friday Night Lights to Big City Sights

August 8, 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

When you first hear the words “Las Vegas” you probably imagine bright lights, expensive restaurants, late nights, feathery costumes and a hint of irresponsibility. Now don’t get me wrong, those things definitely exist, but beyond that there is much, much more…
 
As I departed on that 21-hour drive through never-ending rolling hills, mountains and desert terrain, I began to question my sanity. There I was, in the middle of nowhere, but I knew at the end of the road was an opportunity that I could not have been more blessed to receive; an adventure that I couldn’t wait to embark on.
 
When I received the call from Kate and Rebecca offering me the opportunity to work with Kirvin Doak, I’m pretty sure my heart stopped. There it was. A chance to make the one thing I had been working toward my entire life a reality. It had always been my dream to work on Entertainment clients, so I was ecstatic to land a position working with shows on the Las Vegas Strip as my first real “big girl” job.
 
The whole situation felt a little ironic. I had always been the level-headed one with a plan, the girl with all the answers and the one nobody ever had to worry about. So I have to admit, it was exciting to watch as my friends and family debated my sanity when I told them I would be moving to Las Vegas.
 
Yesterday marked my one month anniversary with Kirvin Doak, and I couldn’t feel more blessed to have the opportunity to work here. One thing I have learned throughout my professional career is that culture is what vastly differentiates one business from the other. The culture here at Kirvin Doak is one unlike any other. Here you are not just a colleague, but a member of a family. With individuals from all walks of life, and several different states, there is an incredible closeness you can’t help but want to be a part of when you step into our office. The people here are what make our company great, and the clients we are able to work with hold testament to that.

I love waking up every day and being excited about going to work. From writing press releases for The Smith Center, pitching stories about Jersey Boys to the media and staffing in-studio’s for Phantom-The Las Vegas Spectacular, to attending red carpet events with PEEPSHOW cast members and ABSINTHE cast pool parties, each day brings something new and exciting. A little tip to whoever may be reading this right now: work somewhere that makes you feel excited to get out of the bed in the morning. If you love what you do and where you work, then work doesn’t feel so much like “work” anymore.

The truth is, this whole being a “grown-up” thing isn’t so bad, y’all! Each day brings an opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and live a little more. So stop being scared and take a risk, because sometimes the biggest risks we take offer the most reward.

 

 

˜Erica Benken

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Never Say Never and the Power of Positive Thinking

August 7, 2012 in Just For Fun | 2 comments

Half a year ago, I was just leaving a prestigious public relations internship in Washington, D.C., to focus on finding a “real” job. I knew my dream was to move to the West Coast for the perfect job and it’s something I refused to give up on. But it wasn’t just a dream. I told my loved ones that it was going to happen—I just knew it. For years, I thought of how happy I was going to be on the West Coast. Sure enough, I managed to land this amazing career at Kirvin Doak Communications.

Yes, I had a pretty good résumé. Yes, I was charming enough during the interviews. Nonetheless, in my mind, that’s not what made my dreams come true. Call me crazy, but I call it the power of positive thinking.

It all started when I checked out The Secret, a book about positive thinking. I became bored after the first few chapters, but still found myself intrigued with the concept. Could someone really make things happen just by constantly thinking about and envisioning them? I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try. I have to admit not everything worked out the way I wanted, but my life has significantly improved since then. 

You can think positively all you want, but you still have to get rid of toxicity in your life if you want to make progress. That leads me to tell you, “Never say never.” I know, I know. It’s a Justin Bieber album and film. But it was one of my favorite sayings before he even turned double digits. Anyway, thinking of the word “never” with one of your dreams really isn’t going to help. It’s going to do the opposite and drag you down. If I thought to myself, “Ugh, I’m never going to score a job on the West Coast that I love,” would I be here? Most definitely not.

It doesn’t even have to be about your career. It can deal with anything—friends, love, family, money, etc. Just always have hope, think positive and avoid being  a Debbie Downer. Oh yeah, and never say never.

As I end this post, I’m going to leave you with a quote I stumbled upon during homework for English lit many years ago. 

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” — Henry David Thoreau

Best wishes for your hopes and dreams,
Eleni

 

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Kick off the weekend by celebrating International Beer Day at Rí Rá

August 3, 2012 in Client news | No comments

In case you didn’t know, this Sunday, Aug. 5 is International Beer Day – a worldwide celebration of beer and the people who provide it. International Beer Day will take place in pubs, clubs, bars, breweries, beer gardens and backyards all over the world.

Now, if you’re not too excited about drinking beer on a Sunday, don’t worry! Rí Rá Las Vegas will kick off the International Beer Day weekend with a tweetup from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 3 – perfect for those of us who work during the week.

Guests will raise a pint (of complimentary beer) and toast to International Beer Day weekend while enjoying complimentary appetizers.  Additionally, Rí Rá is providing the first 15 guests who arrive with a free beer flight.  To make the evening even sweeter, the pub will raffle away prizes including, admission tickets to Madame Tussauds and Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, gift cards to Rí Rá and more.

No need to find a Friday happy hour spot this week, just join Rí Rá and celebrate International Beer Day! To RSVP visit, twtvite.com/RiRaBeerDay.  Don’t forget to give a little tweet, too – #RiRaBeerDay!

For more information follow @RiRaVegas on Twitter. Guests must be at least 21 years of age to attend.

˜Wendy Sloan

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Rain in Vegas? Yes, please!

August 3, 2012 in Just For Fun | No comments

Some people may find this depressing, but I love rainy days in Las Vegas. This love comes from the fact that rainy days are so rare in the desert, and while I would never trade the 300+ sunny days we get every year, I find the occasional rain and thunderstorms to be very therapeutic.

Monsoon season has swept into Southern Nevada over the past two weeks (FYI, a monsoon is apparently a seasonal wind shift, not an actual storm…thanks Weather Channel!), and with this sweeping season comes a bounty of nature’s brilliance – from the soothing sound of rain to sparks of lightning and cracks of thunder to sunsets glowing and vibrant through scattered rain clouds.

I’ll welcome the sunshine with open arms as it returns this week, but it’s nice to know I can always be transported to a relaxing, distant place with just a few drops of rain.

˜Matt Guidish

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