S C A R Y! 

A  400 pound male lion attacks a trainer who was standing by at the MGM Grand last week. Luckily, he escaped with stitches. His leg was  biten before another trainer and a lioness were able to break up the inter-species feud.

Fortunately, the trainer needed only stitches in his leg, according to Fox 5 News. MGM declined to release his or the lion's name, but a spokeswoman told the press the trainer was not on the MGM staff and was eager to get back to work. The U.S. Agriculture Department is reportedly investigating the incident to see what could have provoked the lion to attack.

Still, both Las Vegas Zoo Director Pat Dingle and famed wildlife expert Jack Hanna agree that, all things considered, the lion probably wasn't seriously trying to harm the trainer, because if he had been, the outcome likely would have been much, much worse. We all remember what happened to Roy Horn of Siegfried and Roy when a big cat (in that case a white tiger) attacked him onstage at the MGM Mirage back in October 2003.

WATCH  A  VIDEO  CLIP OF THE CLOSE CALL !

LAST WEEKEND, WEST HOLLYWOOD MADE A  SPLASH IN LAS VEGAS AS THE WORLD FAMOUS ABBEY BEACH  MADE ITS DEBUT AT VDARA HOTEL .

Widely known as one of the most popular West Hollywood hot spots, The Abbey Food has partnered with Las Vegas party planner Eduardo Cordova  and Vdara Hotel & Spa to host The Abbey Beach.  Each Sunday, Vdara Pool & Lounge will offer a taste of The Abbey’s signature LGBT party in the heart of CityCenter.

Vdara’s chic Pool & Lounge was decked out with The Abbey’s colorful flags and beach balls, while its 19 fully appointed cabanas were  serviced by the handsome Abbey Boys.  The Abbey’s bartenders from West Hollywood kept  the signature mojitos and martinis flowing while a rotating lineup from The Abbey’s resident DJs kept the party moving. 

“The first Abbey Beach at Vdara exceeded expectations. The crowd was high energy and the vibe was great. We had more than 400 guests party with us on opening weekend and are excited to welcome the community back for the rest of the season,” said Mary Giuliano, General Manager for Vdara Hotel & Spa at CityCenter.

“We are excited to offer  the LGBT community this  high-energy, upscale pool party unlike anything in Las Vegas,” said Mary Giuliano.  “With our designer architecture, personal service and unique location, Vdara is quickly becoming a hot destination for the sophisticated LGBT traveler.”

The Abbey Beach at Vdara Pool & Lounge occurs every Sunday now through September 26, noon – 6 p.m.  Labor Day weekend’s event will move from Sunday to Monday, September 6.  Cover is complimentary for Vdara hotel guests, $10 for Las Vegas locals and $20 for all other guests.

Best Gay Las Vegas Travel

As summer winds down and Gay Pride celebrations around the world slowly come to a close, the Wynn and Encore properties  decided to extend Pride, just a little longer!

Through October 15th, pride and savings abound for the LGBT community! 

Can you imagine a diving lesson with Le Reve?!

The summer Pride rate  includes 20% off a resort room plus a $25 beverage credit.  You can  call 702-770-LGBT (5428) and mention SUMPRD. The hotel offers many other packages , including a romance package, a discount for early booking, and even the "Divers Dream" package, which includes an SDI-certified SCUBA training session with the Le Rêve  diving team and a pretty nifty opportunity to dive the thrilling live show.

Wynn also proudly offers LGBT same sex commitment ceremonies  including two optons:
"Just the Basics" starting at $1,190 and
"Eternal Love" starting at $2,590. (Just how much do you love your honey?)

What is so great about the Wynn and Encore properties is their Pride concierge services that is exclusively for the LGBT communities. PASSPORT magazine recently interviewed John Arnos , concierge manager for the properites. "We'll do anything a guest wants as long as it's not illegal or immoral,” says John Arnos with a genuine smile.

“There's always been a gay presence in Las Vegas resorts,” notes Arnos, “but it's great to be fully ‘out' at Wynn. Every one of the employees at the resort goes through an excellent program of sensitivity training, and LGBT employees are supported when they want to take leadership roles or board positions in community organizations around town.” The resort has received a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.

Read his interview  where he reveals great tips for cocktails, dining and fun things to do!


Best Gay Las Vegas Travel

MTV reports Madonna has been offered $1 billion for a five-year Las Vegas residency.

Seriously??

How much money do these celebrities need to make? And how high will ticket prices go, before we say enough is enough? It's ridiculous that ticket prices are 5  times as expensive as they were 20 years ago.  Yet, our wages, for MOST of us, have not even doubled or tripled in the last 20 years.

But regardless of what we make, the singer could follow the footsteps of acts such as Celine Dion , Elton John and Cher who relocated to the gambling capital of America to performing nightly shows in Sin City.
 
Celine’s five-year residency drew nearly three million people to 717 performances, but it’s thought Madge would surpass that. Ticket prices would be expected to be  $150-$300.

Barbra Streisand has rejected a whopping $100 million, three year deal from Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.  Is any performer really  worth  $1 Billion? 

It could all be a rumor who knows. But if the deal goes ahead, Madonna would become the third highest paid female entertainer in the world, behind Oprah Winfrey and American homemaking entrepreneur Martha Stewart.

Is she worth it?  We'll see......


Best Gay Las Vegas

Cocktails At Blush
Boutique Nightclub


Instinct Magazine and Las Vegas invite you and your guests to cocktails at Blush Boutique Nightclub: A Fashion & Entertainment Party.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010,
7PM - 10PM
Blush Boutique Nightclub
at Wynn Las Vegas
3131 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Cocktails all night compliments of Absolut
Featuring Designs by Diesel, John Bartlett, Levi's & Pistol Pete

RSVP online at instinctmagazine.com/rsvp
Dress code enforced.
Must be 21 or older with valid ID.
702.770.3633.

 

You've seen him on You Tube ; you probably read Naked Boy News (if you don't, shame on you!) you have seen him running around and hosting the gay pool parties  Temptations Sundays  at  Luxor  - now, he has a shot at being the Gay Travel.com   Travel Guru. 

The very charismatic and enthusiastic Jay(dot)son  or  J.Son, is 28 and lives in Las Vegas. The contest finals for the Guru was supposed to take place in New York City and was it was just leaked, the finals will take place in Las Vegas over the weekend  of August 27th.  The 8 finalists I am told will be staying at different properties all over  the city. Each will have to blog about their particular property. Since J.Son is from Las Vegas, he definately has the upper hand I think.

I was actually in the running for the Travel Guru but did not make the final cut -  J.Son did!  Hey, if I couldn't make it, I am glad J.Son did, and he has our support.

Go J.Son !


J.Son onFacebook     J.Son on Twitter


UPDATE     TYRA  SANCHEZ  of  Ru Pauls Drag Race teaches  J.Son 
                       how to walk in 7"   high heels!( Tip #1 - Don't Fall!)

Filmed on location at the Logo TV lounge at Mandalay Bay during
 the Mandalay Bay for My Fabulous Vegas Weekend, August 13, 2010.



Best Gay Las Vegas

2 BIG EVENTS coming to the Blue Moon Gay Mens Resort  in Las Vegas!

Deployment Vegas  - Gay Military Men and Admirers     Aug 13 – 15 2010

Located at the scenic hub of four western states, Las Vegas is in a valley surrounded by eight mountain ranges.  Las Vegas is a city larger than life, where the lights turn night into day. Only in Las Vegas do you find the city skyline of other
world wide destinations. Here, the hotels, major attractions and entertainment are paramount.

Call it what you will. The best bargain in a Las Vegas hotel casino. A great deal in Vegas vacations. The surest bet for a true Las Vegas casino experience. At Station Casinos you can surround yourself in the luxury of some of the most amazing suites and hotels in Las Vegas, including at the Red Rock Resort Casino Spa, Green Valley Ranch Resort Spa Casino and Aliante Station. Or enjoy some of the best Las Vegas discount hotel values by relaxing in the clean, comfortable rooms of Sunset, Boulder, Palace and Santa Fe Station, or Fiesta Henderson and Rancho. No matter what your taste in room, or budget, Station Casinos has the perfect Vegas vacation hotel deal or package for you.

Station Casinos have created  a whole new level of luxury in Las Vegas as the bar is constantly being raised to create bigger, better and more luxury resorts. Their RED ROCK  Casino Resort and Spa is like a magical oasis in the desert.




For years I have enjoyed taking time off away from the strip and making a day trip out to Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock Canyon is a 197,000-acre preserve and is arguably the most beautiful area in Nevada, perhaps even in the entire southwest. Whether you are a rock climber, hiker, cyclist or just appreciate the beauty of wild horses, bighorn sheep, and wild burros roaming free, this part of Nevada is perfect! I like to grab a bottle of wine and a picnic and head out there and just drive around and explore the gorgeous landscape.


In 2006, a new level of luxury was brought to this area. A major resort hotel that stands alone, 15 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the strip. (Complimentary shuttle  service is always available!) Red Rock's serene surroundings, distinctive décor, and impeccable standard of service ensure that your visit is flawless and fabulous. Whether relaxing in their  expansive pool back yard, playing your hand at Poker or savoring a world class meal, this resort has a flavor for all vacation tastes and desires. A modern retreat from everyday life, Red Rock promises a vacation experience that's distinctly yours.

A lot of locals come to this hotel as well.  Situated in the Summerlin area, it  is Las Vegas’ most prestigious and affluent community. While Las Vegas doesn't  have specific gay-borhoods in the community, lots of  LGBT people live scattered throughout Summerlin and indulge in a more upscale taste and feel.  This is why Red Rock chose to call this location home, it caters to the sheik and fabulous. And staffers at Red Rock have been talking  about  some  gay-specific party nights.

I LOVE their bowling alley. Red Rock Lanes/ Bowling has never been so  luxurious. This 72 lane state-of-the-art bowling
center has everything, including a lounge, deli and  a  very special 12 VIP lane room  with bottle service. Open 24 Hours.
When is the gay bowling night?! - You also have Regal Cinemas/ Sporting 16 large screens,including private suites for special events. You  can enjoy all the latest movies and special screenings at Regal Cinema.



A three letter word I love...S P A . More than 35,000 square feet of tranquil, luxurious surroundings invite you to a level of relaxation beyond your wildest dreams. Featuring private treatment suites that appear to float on the water, the Red Rock Spa  is a sleek, ultra-modern retreat complete with a state-of-the-art fitness center and salon. The spa's holistic treatments promote health and rejuvenation, nourishing your mind, body and spirit long after you depart.

Savor upscale resort dining at some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas. Capturing around-the-world dishes with out-of-this-world service, Red Rock Resort unleashes the finest Vegas dining experience under one roof. Each distinct restaurant at Red Rock Resort exudes its own unique décor and electric atmosphere, so no matter where you go, excitement is always on the menu.



Capture the energy and excitement of Las Vegas
while basking in the glow of a majestic paradise at this unique Resort. Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa is no ordinary Las Vegas destination, it offers the ultimate in resort amenities fused effortlessly with breathtaking views.

This billion dollar Resort is nestled at the gateway of the Red Rock National Conservation area in the Northwest Summerlin Valley.

Its 814 rooms and suites (perfect for swank VIP parties and  entertaining)  have views of either the Red Rock Canyons to the west, or a sweeping panoramic view of the Las Vegas Strip to the east.

Get Pampered.
And check out Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa!



Best Gay Las Vegas Travel

The Black and White Party  returns to the Hard Rock Hotel  and Casino August 21 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. It's only $35 and the event benefits Aid for AIDS of Nevada.  Come show your support and have an amazing time and enjoy all you can eat and drink and dance the night away.

Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN) provides support and advocacy for adults and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in southern Nevada.  AFAN works to reduce HIV infection through prevention education to eliminate fear, prejudice and the stigma associated with the disease.


Best Gay Las Vegas

Summer and
 gays and
pool parties
in Las Vegas! 

What better way to cool off in the summer?!
So many men, so little  time...

Check out Saturdays at Mirage.  
HEAVEN Saturdays  at the Bare Pool Lounge.

Mandalay Bay South Lagoon's  
HYDRAT  Pool  party   Sunday afternoons 1-7.





Blue Moon has a weekly party and BBQ. 
11am-3pm. But the crowds  linger till 5 or 6.



Temptation Sundays takes places at Luxor South Pool 
every Sunday this summer from 1 to 7pm.
Each week has a new and exciting theme.

And on Sunday evenings, after you have dried off, 
Mirage and Revolution  Lounge present Closet Sundays.
"for boys who like boys and their girlfriends."




Best Gay Las Vegas

Frank Marino 
is perhaps the most well-known female impersonator of the last century!   Dubbed Ms. Las Vegas for his longtime starring role as Joan Rivers in the Las Vegas drag revue Frank Marino's Divas Las Vegas, playing at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.

Famous for his lavish on-stage wardrobe (much of which was designed by Bob Mackie, who has also done fashions for Rivers), Marino has received two Las Vegas Walk of Fame stars   as well as having a street named after him when Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman honored his hard work and commitment to the Las Vegas performance world with "Frank Marino Day" on February 1, 2005.

Marino has been playing Joan Rivers in Las Vegas drag shows since 1985 and holds the  record for the longest continuous performance run at a single casino in Las Vegas when he played Rivers for more than 20 years at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in the long-running drag show An Evening at La Cage.

 He actually now holds the record as the longest-active and longest-running headliner on the Strip. He has appeared both as his Joan Rivers persona and as himself in several movies and TV shows. Once sued by Rivers for $5,000,000 (US) in the 1990s. The pair have since reconciled and have even appeared on TV shows together.

This 75 minute energetic show  features an all star cast of superstar female impersonators who not only recreate but almost uncannily duplicate the likeness of stars ranging from Britney Spears to Cher and Diana Ross to Beyoncé even Madonna and Dolly Parton have been known to stop by.
 
Meanwhile Marino - in his role as the show's emcee and star - changes between every act bringing an international whirlwind of couture to the stage with each spectacular entrance!

Showtime is 10PM  nightly, dark on Fridays.  Buy  Tickets Online  !

Stop by the Frank Marino  site and get a sneak peak of the show !


Best of Gay Las Vegas

Local historian and curator Dennis McBride, one of the leading authorities on the history of southern Nevada, will discuss the history and development of the gay community in Las Vegas this week.
 
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 7:00 pm
West Charleston Library

6301 W Charleston Blvd
(702) 507-3940

McBride has published more than 150 articles on Nevada History and is currently working on Out of the Neon Closet: A History of Gay Las Vegas.

With a  city that has rooms that  can range  from  $29.00  up to and over $29,000, Las Vegas can certainly accomodate everyones budget!

Sernedipity 3 of New York   has been one of my favorite haunts for over 20 years!  I was  so excited to see them open at Caesars Palace . I stopped by recently for their world famous  Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, an indulgent concoction blending 20 different kinds of chocolate into an icy, rich cocoa flavor.($8.95)

Next to me, a couple was feasting on the infamous Golden Opulence sundae for $1,000. The restaurant's golden opulence sundae is covered in 23-carat edible gold leaf and is also rich in flavor thanks to Tahitian vanilla ice cream infused with Madagascar vanilla beans and chunks of rare Chuao chocolate from Venezuela.

They confided in me that yesterday they treated themselves to the $750 cupcake at Palazzo. Made with special chocolate from Venezuela’s Valrhona plantation, Tahitian Gold Vanilla Caviar (the Palazzo calls it the world’s most labor-intensive agricultural crop) and Louis XIII de Remy Martin Cognac, the Decadence D’Or cupcake is the piece de resistance at the Palazzo’s Sweet Surrender  cupcake shop.

Money means different things to different people!  It can buy you a lot - or just a little. I guess it depends on how much you have to blow.

What else  can  $750  buy you in Las Vegas?


It can get you  One night’s stay at Aria's  1,465 square-foot penthouse city-view suite with personal concierge and private elevator access.

It can get you Two night's stay in one of Encore's 745 square-foot Resort Suites with floor-to-ceiling windows, Wynn signature beds and  European linens.

Or it can get you Five night's stay  at Paris . Pick a  Deluxe room with a view that takes your breath away - you can choose from pool or Eiffel Tower vistas.

It can get you dinner for 2 at the MGM Grand  tasting the creations of world-famous Chef of the century Joel Robuchon. 13-course Menu Degustation for two plus complimentary limousine service to all guest reservations for the restaurant.

A day at the Red Rock Canyon Spa  for 2! Just a quick drive from the Strip, more than 35,000 square feet of tranquil, luxurious surroundings invite you to a level of relaxation beyond your wildest dreams. Featuring private treatment suites that appear to float on the water, the Red Rock Spa is a sleek, ultra-modern retreat complete with a state-of-the-art fitness center and salon.

Entertainment and show tickets like Bellagio's Cirque's water show "O"  can run $50-$100  each. So your  $750 might go to  3 pairs of show tickets plus  a couple cocktails. Meanwhile, the fountain show outside the Bellagio , is FREE.

How about a helicopter ride for 2 to the Grand Canyon?  Maverick Helicopters  offers  VIP level service and  a list of unique air tours for every attraction seeker. Most Grand Canyon tours run about $300-$400  per person.


Maybe you want something more for your money. There are still lots of great bargains and buffets  all over town.

Or just have a cupcake!


Best Gay Las Vegas

Las  Vegas
is the wedding capital of the world with about 120,000  weddings/ceremonies last year. That's about 2,300  every  week!

Gay marriage isn't legal in Nevada, however domestic partnerships  were recently approved. But that is a whole other topic.  And there is certainly no law that prohibits gay commitment ceremonies or honeymoons from taking place in Las Vegas. And MANY do, every year.

In fact, since Las Vegas is one of the top wedding destinations in the world,  and Las Vegas is in the most popular  top 3 LGBT travel destinations , most major hotels and resorts in Las Vegas offer wedding/commitment ceremony  services and honeymoon packages and welcome the gay community with open arms!

Whether you are planning a honeymoon in Las Vegas or you want to have a  ceremony here, Las Vegas can  offer a  great value, great fun, and great variety from the inexpensive to the extravagent.  Whether you like to gamble or not, Las Vegas has so much to see and do!

The Gay Chapel of Las Vegas  (1205 Las Vegas Blvd. S.) is  the only dedicated chapel for same sex ceremonies. Gay owned and operated, they offer an array of themed wedding packages from Elvis Blue Hawaii to Disco to Phanthom of the Opera and beyond. Or simply a use their lovely outdoor Gazebo for a softly lit romantic ceremony in the evening. From simple to outrageous, they can do it all.

It is a great place to elope to, as their ceremonies are streamed on the Internet so  friends back home can watch. They also have a  nice boutique hotel to stay in. There is also a reception facility meet your every need from an intimate cake and champagne for two, to an elaborate sit-down dinner reception for 80 with a DJ or live entertainment. Both owners come from an entertainment background so they are pro's at lighting, staging and production values.

"We offer gay and lesbian couples a wonderful selection of ceremonies. Couples can have the elegant  ceremonies they always dreamed of or let your imagination run wild! If you do not see a ceremony you are dreaming of just call the chapel and we will be more then happy to accommodate you! The Gay Chapel of Las Vegas can be transformed like a stage show set to "produce" your Commitment ceremony, any way you wish for."

 Harrah’s Entertainment  was the first gaming company to receive a 100% rating and is listed as one of the "Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality" as well as "Best Companies for GLBT Equality" in their 2009 index.

How romantic to get married in Paris? Commitment ceremonies  are available at Paris Las Vegas , Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas – Harrah’s Entertainment’s primary wedding venues. Any package you see online is available for same-sex couples. Each property is also staffed with knowledgeable coordinators who are happy to help and accommodate most any request. Paris also has some great honeymoon packages! And Paris has been a leader in welcoming the LGBT community.

 

The Wedding Salons at Wynn Las Vegas  are among the most beautiful places in the world to make a commitment to the person you love. Their dedicated Wedding Consultants are on hand and available to help you plan your special day from beginning to end. And a special Honeymoon package offers an array of post-ceremony goodies to cap off your ceremony in style! And if you are staying at the Wynn or Encore property, there are some added perks available.

Wynn  Resorts  also received 100% rating  on the HRC index . And is listed as one of the "Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality" as well as "Best Companies for GLBT Equality" in their index.


A Mariah Carey concert at The Palms was the spot for a gay proposal last fall. A gay couple  from Toronto took to the stage to give Mimi a hug, and one of the guys took advantage of the situation to propose to his partner with Mariah's blessing. The crowd erupted when they realized an engagement was taking place and the ever-gracious and curvaceous singer stood to the side to allow the twosome to enjoy their special moment. You can watch the sweet video of their gay proposal  in Las Vegas online.

The Palms is no stranger to gay proposals or commitment ceremonies! In fact, on a recent trip to Las Vegas, we were invited to a swanky committment ceremony in the mid-afernoon that took place in one of the Palms Sky-Villas . It was a spectacular setting, 6,000+ square feet of lusciousness with a waterfall wall in the center of the room and a pool in the room that flowed out to the buildings glass edge wall, providing an amazing view!

If you have ANY questions at all, that you may need help with, Joni Moss is THE person to go in Las Vegas. She sits on the Board of Directors as Co-Chairman for “Las Vegas Territory”, also as Treasurer of Destination Services Association” and board member for the “Community College Floral Association” as well as the newly founded “Wedding Professionals of Las Vegas Organization” and was the initiator of a newly founded statewide association called the “ Nevada Wedding Association”.

"I have been doing this years now and REALLY enjoy being a part of someone's life changing day." says Joni. Joni is always positive, smiling, energetic and definitely upbeat. Feel free to contact her at  702-236-8728, visit her Wedding Connection  site  or email  her . She will be happy to assist you with your wedding needs or just answer a simple question and point you in the right direction, and truly “connect you” to your vision. No matter how big or small.


Special  thanks  to:
Pastor Peter Starzyk and Rev. Danielle Ledoux-Starzyk of Elegant Vegas Weddings 
Photography Services by Danille DeBruno  
DJ Lisa PIttman 

 

 

 

Best Gay Las Vegas Travel

Just a few minutes
from the Las Vegas strip
is a gay getaway oasis.

Blue Moon Resort , is proud to be Las Vegas' first and only Hotel exclusively for gay men. "Living up to being Las Vegas' only gay hotel is tough but we accept the challenge!" says owner John Hessling who opened the place about 7 years ago.

Coming from a background with 20+ years experience in the hospitality business, Hessling has done everything from work the front desk to handling international sales for Luxor and Mandalay Bay. "Over the years I have worked in many aspects of the hotel industry. And in my travels, I had been to Palm Springs on many occassions and observed what they were doing and offering for gay guest houses," explains John.

"My idea was to bring that to Las Vegas, but with my own personal touch. I drew up a business plan and with the help of some investors, got things going."

When I told people I was staying here recently, I got GASPS! from a couple friends! They said, "You know that is a clothing optional place? It's going to be like a bath house!"

Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, it is clothing optional. But 90% of the people kept their clothes on. And it was not sleazy at all. Yes, they have a steam room. Yes, they have a movie room. But everything is very private, and not in your face. So it is not offensive to those who are not into it. They're plenty of saunas and bath houses in Las Vegas. This is a hotel, first and foremost.

One German fellow we chatted with, had stayed there 3 times prior. He summed it up with, "It's cruisy if you want that, or it's low-key and private if you want that. I love this place. I don't like the mega-hotels with all the straight people and noise. It's so nice to just hang out and sip a wine by the pool and hang out and chat with other gay men."


Luxurious huge rooms, great prices from $60 - $150, friendly people in a quiet neighborhood away from all the strip noise and crowds. It's a hidden gem that provides a plethora of amenities with a fun, friendly, extremely comfortable and clean atmosphere. The Blue Moon Resort overflows with quality, beginning with its 45 newly remodeled rooms and suites. The non-smoking rooms and suites have king or two double beds with down comforters and pillow-top mattresses. The second and third floor rooms have wall-to-wall carpeting. The first floor rooms have Mexican Saltillo Tile and are pet friendly upon request.

From his humble beginnings running his family's Bingo Parlor business, it was clear early on Steve Wynn was a visionary with big dreams! A small stake in the Frontier, then controlling interest in Golden Nugget, eventually led him to open the $630 million Mirage  in 1989. Siegfried and Roy were the most famous entertainment in the world at the time and put on retainer with the hotel for an unprecedented fee and the strip got it's first volcano!

Next came Treasure Island at a mere $450 million. A live pirate show and the Mystere Cirque du Soleil show  was the first permanent Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas.

Wynn had bigger  dreams however. He was just getting warmed up. Next up $1.6 billion luxury casino resort Bellagio. Inspired by the Lake Como resort of Bellagio in Italy, Bellagio is famed for its elegance. 8 acres. An artificial lake, synchronized dancing fountains,  indoor conservatory, a museum-quality art gallery and branches of high-end boutiques and restaurants from Paris, San Francisco, and New York City. Oh yeah, and a 2,000 square foot  Dale Chihuly ceiling in the lobby!

Mirage was sold for $6.6 billion to MGM. With the money he made on that deal, and with his ability to secure ever-greater financing, Steve Wynn took Wynn Resorts Limited public in 2002. (stock was available for a mere $29 last summer. Currently it is trading for about $90).

 In 2005 Wynn opened the $2.7 billion flagship property Wynn Las Vegas. It was the largest privately-funded construction project in the nation. This compares with the budget for reconstruction with the World Trade Center site which at that time was projected to be $1.7 billion.

 215 acres. 2700+ rooms. I thought he was done. But he wasn't quite done. Wynn had plans for a second building, Encore. At $2.3 billion, he added another 2,000+ rooms.

The entire Wynn resort complex has a total of 4,750 rooms. At first glance people think the Encore is just an expansion of the flagship Wynn Las Vegas.


But this LUXURIOUS recent addition  sets a distinctive stage with its 2,034 suites,all with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Resort Suites offers style with a comfortable, residential feel: A range from 700 to 745 square feet with floor-to-ceiling windows, Wynn signature beds with European linens (all the bedding is available for purchase , including the bed, which was quite heavenly!), 42” or 46” flat-panel televisions featuring on-demand movies, State-of-the-art office equipment, one touch climate controls, a fully stocked mini bar and in-room safes. Bathrooms include 19’ flat-screen television, dual sinks, sitting areas with lighted vanity mirrors, separate shower and soaking tub, and Signature Wynn Resorts robes and slippers.The hotel tower features two sections: standard Resort tower as well as the smaller, more upscale Tower Suites. Tower Suites can range from 1,400 square feet up to 3 bedroom apartments.

 

THE GAY CARD

The beautiful vision Wynn brings to Las Vegas is done with the help of  a  gay man. Roger Thomas, Wynn's gay executive vice president of design,  and the designer responsible for the Bellagio, the Wynn, and the Encore hotel, recently spoke to the Advocate . In the article,  he reflects on a life with business partner Steve Wynn, his retirement and how his aesthetic transformed the face of Las Vegas forever. 

As any good designer will tell, it's all about the details. Roger is often  caught moving various art objects to the precise spaces on tables where he wants them. "Most of the housekeeping crew, I've trained them and gone over it, and we've done photographs, but it's very difficult," he says, exasperated. "So I walk through the hotel all the time rearranging accessories."

Thomas didn't need to school the Wynns on gay sensitivity. The Wynn's are friends with the likes of David Geffen and Sandy Gallin. But after Steve Wynn asked his executives to donate to the reelection of George W. Bush in 2004, Thomas leveraged the favor by urging Wynn to provide domestic-partner benefits for the company's employees. (Wynn Resorts received 100 Percent on Human Rights Campaigns Corporate Equality Index ).

Wynn and Thomas seem to have a comfortable gay-straight patter. Thomas will mock his boss when they disagree by saying, "I know you feel that way because you're straight. You can't help it. You were born that way, and nobody's perfect." For Wynn's part, on a pre-opening tour of Encore, the mogul pointed out female nude figures ensconced in gold along the walls of the nightclub XS. When asked whose idea that was, Wynn cracked, "Roger Thomas, if ya can believe that!" 

READ THE  INTERESTING ARTICLE ON ROGER AT THE ADVOCATE !

The two stunning properties are connected by a 27,000-square-foot shopping esplanade  that showcases an eclectic best-of-the-best. Rock & Republic, Hermès, Chanel... Roger Thomas, spent three years perusing shops, markets, and auctions in Paris, Florence, Venice, New York, and Hong Kong to create Encore's one-of-a-kind environments: The five-foot-tall pairs of white wall sconces at the north and west entrances were originally made for a 1928 Cap d'Antibes hotel; the casino's crimson chandeliers are fashioned from mouth-blown Venetian Rubino glass; the baccarat pavilion's playing-card still lifes date to 1930s France. Check out the Wynn-Encore Home Store .




Wynn is never quite finished with a project and always tweaking and tinkering with his properties.  Construction began on the Encore Beach Club last fall. The EBC  and Surrender Nightclub, located in the former Encore porte-cochere, opened last week.  The project, which also includes outdoor seating for Switch restaurant, cost an estimated $67 million.

The 60,000-square-foot Encore Beach Club will be a 21-and-over pool complex. The pool will feature 26 cabanas, eight two-story, 350-square-foot bungalows, a restaurant and poolside blackjack and craps.

Connected to the Encore Beach Club will be Surrender Nightclub. The 5,000 square-foot Nightclub will open to the outdoors as the weather permits. DJ Steve Aoki will be the resident DJ at Surrender. The Encore Beach Club will be open Monday through Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. and Friday through Saturday beginning at 10 A.M.

5 star dining , shopping, spa, entertainment, accommodations - you name it -  Wynn has won it.

Wynn Las Vegas and Encore continue to set the bar for luxury and excellence in Las Vegas. Wynn and Encore collectively have more Forbes Five Star awards than any other casino resort in the world.

The resort has earned AAA five diamond, Mobil five-star, Forbes five-star, and Michelin five-star ratings and is considered to be one of the finest hotels in the world. Wynn Las Vegas and its sister property Encore Las Vegas collectively hold more Forbes five-star awards than any other resort and casino in the world. Wynn Las Vegas also made Forbes Award history by earning five-star ratings in every category - Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa - for two consecutive years.

Is Steve Wynn done?   I doubt it! 
I am sure he  still has a few more
surprises up his sleeve!



Visit the Encore and Wynn for your next LGBT Las Vegas getaway!

Wynn Las Vegas and Encore offer  LGBT guests a dedicated concierge  and resort host to make sure every aspect of their stay is as seamless and enjoyable as possible. Among the services offered are dining reservations, assistance with show tickets and nightclub arrangements, golf tee-times, spa and salon appointments, limo transportation, sightseeing tours and shopping services. Their  hospitality professionals will  also offer suggestions for gay and gay-friendly bars, entertainment and nightlife throughout town and can provide current newspapers and periodicals published expressly for the LGBT community.

The Encore will even help you celebrate your commitment ceremony  with them. 

Best of Gay Las Vegas  

 

The MGM Grand was once the biggest hotel in the world and its been home to some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry!

It is  currently home to KA, the most technically advanced, biggest and most expensive ($165 MILLION)  Cirque Du Soleil show in its history. The show opened in Las Vegas in 2005 and will operate  thru 2015. More than 1 million people have seen the extraordinary Ka by Cirque du Soleil as it celebrated its fifth anniversary at MGM Grand this year.

This show is jaw-dropping and eye-popping at times! One cannot deny the grandeur and spectacle that this multi-million dollar extravaganza gives to its audience.  Photographs do not even do the show justice. 


As soon as you walk into the auditorium, you witness the massiveness of this production. 1900  seats  and each seat in the KÀ Theatre has two speakers built into its headrest which allows sound effects to be targeted, manipulated and customized to any of 16 seating zones.

Plus, you see the huge  "post and beam" apparatus, that is several stories tall and  is magnificently lit and designed, is something to behold. During the pre-show alone, approximately 120 fireballs are discharged. These fireballs measure 30 feet in height and reach temperatures of 1200° Fahrenheit.

KA  itself, transcends place and time, with a theatrical landscape, scenic elements and costumes inspired by an array of diverse cultures. 

 Brought to life by 80 artists from around the world, KA is a gravity-defying production featuring a powerfully emotive soundtrack that enhances the innovative blend of acrobatic feats, Capoeira dance, puppetry, pyrotechnics (119 pyrotechnic devices are fired throughout the show), projections and martial arts. It is an epic saga of Imperial Twins -- a boy and a girl -- who embark on an adventurous journey to fulfill their destinies.

KA is  a  BIG  show. It's a fantastic spectacle of artistry and acrobatics. I have to say that the show was nearly excellent.  My only complaint is sometimes the storyline becomes a bit drawn out  perhaps. But from an artistic standpoint, the color and design of the show was amazing fun and great to see in motion. Yes, videos don't do the production justice. (But you can get a  sneak peak of KA online ). You have to see it live. It is probably one of the most elaborate shows, I have ever seen in my life.

There is no stage, as you would normally think of one. At the heart of the production is state of the art technology, that  provides two giant sized platforms  which seemingly hover over a fiery void. Platforms that can be either completely vertical or horizontal, that incorporate state of the art laser video projections  which interact with the cast providing life like ripples in water or rocks that seem to knock and hit a performer.

Designed by TISFOON , the stage can tilt through 100 degrees and rotate a continuous 360 degrees while artists are performing on it!  It is like nothing you have ever seen.

Called The Sand Cliff Deck, it measures 25x50 feet with a six-foot depth and is supported and controlled by an inverted gantry crane. It weighs 150-tons and rises 70-ft. at the rate of 2-ft/second from the depths of a two-story basement. The Sand Cliff Deck is capable of tilting up to 100-degrees at 2-degrees/sec.

The "stage" platform is a sand-covered beach at one point, until it tilts and the sand and performers slide off into the void. At another, it is a vertical wall on which the good guys flee while evil archers pepper them with arrows that thunk into the surface offering handholds and obstacles. At yet another, the stage area becomes a sort of gigantic thicket of grass in which the performers flit among enormous 16 foot bugs and 80 foot long snakes.



When you consider that Cirque du Soleil was founded by two past street performers, it's quite amazing to see where they have gone as a company. Part mimes, part gymnasts, part magicians and 100% entertainers, the Cirque du Soleil performers, and the spectacles that they put on around the world, are visually stunning.

There are currently  SEVEN  different
Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas shows;  

KA at MGM Grand  ;  
Mystere  at Treasure Island ; 
Viva Elvis at Aria  ;
Zumanity  at New York New York ;  
"O"  at  Bellagio ;
 Criss Angel Believe  at Luxor 
Beatles LOVE at Mirage . 





The Cirque du Soleil tickets for the Las Vegas shows range in price from $60-$150 for adults, and there are discounted Cirque du Soleil tickets for children for KÁ. There are ways to find discount Las Vegas show tickets, generally as part of a Las Vegas vacation package.

You can also buy Cirque du Soleil tickets at the respective casino box office for your show of choice, but if you wait until you get there, the show might already be sold out. PLAN AHEAD!

  Regardless of how you get your tickets for a Cirque du Soleil show, or what show you see,  you'll be glad you did! 

Best Gay Las Vegas  

Vegas Ups the Ante...

AGAIN.

Just when you thought they have buily the BIGGEST AND BEST, someone comes along with a bigger idea!  The glittering 67-acre CityCenter  development ushers in  something new  to Sin City. An elite cluster of first-class accommodations, including the much talked about  ARIA Resort Hotel and Casino . Plus  Vdara Hotel and Spa, Mandarin Oriental, Veer Towers  residences and  Crystals shopping complex.

Raising the bar in Las Vegas luxury. Aria has just over 4,000  rooms! With an average 520 square feet with custom furnishings, unparalleled amenities and their exclusive one-touch in-room integrated technology that allow you to easily customize room features based on your personal preferences. The most technologically advanced rooms in all of Las Vegas!

Rooms recognize guests' first time in the room and "greet" them as they enter; light fills the room, curtains part to show the view, TV turns on to display list of automated controls for guests to personalize

Guests can wake up gradually through controlled temperature, lighting, curtain opening and preferred music

Preferences remembered every time guest is in-room

Wireless Internet connectivity will be up to eight times faster (128 kilobytes) than the average U.S. guestroom today.

To top it all off the property is LEED  gold certified by the US Green Building Council.
The biggest hotel in the world to recieve this award.

When MGM Mirage  and Infinity World Development  (a subsidiary of a Dubai-based investment company)  broke ground in 2006, some folks thought they were crazy.  $8 billion to transform 67 acres between the Monte Carlo and Bellagio resorts,  into a vision of Vegas’s future. It’s almost a seperate little city within Sin City  -  a quartet of glistening high-rise hotels and a residential pair of golden-on-gold glass towers that tilt like Pisa’s iconic monument.

 No crazy themes here, just sleek aesthetic clean lines and luxury. 
Luxury is the key word.  The world class Mandadin Oriental   with their award-winning luxury hotels and resorts throughout the world presents a non-gaming hotel  and private residences in Las Vegas.

Vdara  is an all suite hotel and spa in a non-gaming, non-smoking building. Access and Escape is their slogan. Close enough to all the action and excitement when you want it -  then able to escape from it and enjoy a tranquil sanctuary.

VEER Towers are a pair of tilting/leaning gold residential towers. 670 residences and the best of stylish big city living!
And then CRYSTALS ,  an astonishing collection of world-famous  who-who's elite retailers like Tom Ford, Roberto Cavalli, Louis Vuitton and Tiffany, paired with one-of-kind galleries from artists such as Dale Chihuly  and signature restaurants from Wolfgang Puck and celebrity restaurateur Eva Longoria Parker.  This magnificent  place  welcomes guests on a journey through couture, cuisine and entertainment as they enjoy the interactive atmosphere set within an abstract 21st century park.

What could possibly be next for Las Vegas???    Sheldon Adelson  is said to be looking at moving the Sands Expo Center elsewhere to make room for 7,000 more rooms,  visionary Steve Wynn wants another 5,000 in place of his golf course allegedly, and Station Casinos wants 10,000 more rooms just west of the Strip in its $10+ BILLION Viva project . The project is on hold due to economy but still very much on the minds of  Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta from Station Casinos. Viva  would like to BE BIGGER than CityCentre on 110-acres. The first phase alone is three casinos and  three hotels  and 5,200 rooms!

Best of Gay Las Vegas

Come out and join Olivia and Hotflash as we celebrate together!

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We hope to see you at the next Olivia Hotflash Sexy Sweepstakes Party:
LAS VEGAS, Saturday, May 15, 2010  6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
at Piranha Nightclub located at 4633 Paradise Road. $10 cover charge.

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For 20 years, Olivia has been chartering entire cruise ships and resorts and filling them with lesbians! Olivia has taken over 100,000 women on vacation – that’s 150 trips, and a lot of happy women. Isn’t it time you experienced the best in lesbian travel?


Best Gay Las Vegas

 

Las Vegas -
     Is Boom Overextended?

Yes, that's the famous headline from this June 1955 Life Magazine issue.  Those words have been spoken again over the last year in Las Vegas.

 

Every now and again, if you’re around Vegas long enough, you hear about that infamous issue of Life Magazine with a Moulin Rouge showgirl on its cover. The issue is, to many, the “Dewey Defeats Truman” moment for Vegas journalism for the question its headline asked:

“Las Vegas—Is Boom Overextended?”

It’s a punchline to many on the Strip. Sheldon Adelson himself referenced it in an interview in advance of the Palazzo grand opening. The implication was that almost since the dawn of the destination, naysayers have wondered whether the city could continue to sustain its own urge to constantly grow.

In  2005,  some builders started getting more cautious. Not Steve Wynn  - he started the latest and largest building-boom Vegas has ever seen. More than 80 high-rise, condo, hotel, mixed-use and other major projects in the Las Vegas area are in various stages of planning, development and construction. 


True, in 2009, most came to a  stand-still. And some have lost their funding.  On the city's world-famous Strip, two huge building sites are eerily quiet. Fontainebleau , a half-finished $3.9bn casino with 3,800  rooms, which intended to offer perks such as an Apple iMac computer in every room, went bust, but is rumoured to be have been purchased and posied to begin construction again.
 
Echelon , a $4.8bn resort bankrolled by Boyd Gaming, ceased construction in 2008 and I am told, will probably be torn down now, but I could not confirm that. If it was to be built, it would consist  of  a Shangri-La Hotel, a Delano Hotel, a Mondrian Hotel, and the Echelon Tower.

But I think the worst is over. Ask any taxi driver or hotel staff and they will tell you, the people are coming back more and more.

 

The Las Vegas Strip is bloated with new projects , boasting the latest in new urban architecture, design and technology. LEED certified "Green" buildings are making an entrance and many world-famous architects (starchitects) are stepping up to the plate.

But HOW MANY ROOMS can one city fill???

Sheldon Adelson  is said to be looking at moving the Sands Expo Center elsewhere to make room for 7,000 more rooms, Wynn wants another 5,000 in place of his golf course allegedly, Station Casinos wanted 10,000 more just west of the Strip in its $10 BILLION Viva project  (pictured - the project is on hold, but has not been scrapped) and someone—maybe the Plaza folks, maybe not—is going to do something big on the former Frontier property. Who knows. There is always a lot of talk. And right now, everyone is in a holding pattern, but still very postive about the future of Las Vegas and its continued growth.

Which brings us back to where Las Vegas was in 1955 when that seemingly foolish headline and article were written.
 
How big is  TOO BIG?

Who knows.
I personally think, many eyes are watching CityCenter .
Bursting skywards in the middle of America's gambling capital, seven glittering towers sparkle. The lavish $11bn  CityCenter complex has a casino, four hotels, luxury apartments, a fire station and even an on-site power station. 7,000  rooms and apartments. But its timing couldn't have been worse. Opening their doors in tough economic times.


A joint venture between the casino operator MGM Mirage and Dubai World , the vast CityCenter development in Las Vegas is the biggest privately funded construction project in the US. It is billed as "a city within a city" and  sits  between the Bellagio's dancing fountains and the faux Manhattan skyline of New York New York.

 Brian McGill, a gaming analyst at stockbroker Janney Montgomery Scott, says "As many as 15,000 new rooms have opened and/or will shortly open on the Las Vegas strip, requiring an extra $3.2bn of annual tourist spending to make any money. There's too much supply, particularly at the high end," he says, and he  struggles to see a quick return to profit for casinos.
 
"They believed the good times were going to continue to roll for ever in Las Vegas. They believed there would be no significant downturn and even in a downturn, they didn't believe a recession would affect the higher end."

Economists  say the tide is starting to turn .  And Las Vegas has always been a city a dreams.
The building boom was not overextended in 1955 -  and I doubt it is now either!

You can check out Las Vegas Today and Tomorrow for up to date news and happenings.


Best Gay Las Vegas