Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Being in the right place at the right time with my camera has provided me the opportunity to take some photos of some really cool finds in Las Vegas. One such cool find, was during a photo shoot I found a group of traceurs.

While shooting photos of an outdoor event, I saw a group of five or so men in their twenties performing rolls and flips off of obstacles.  Since I was on break I ran over to shoot a few photos and find out what they were doing.

It looked like a weird game of follow the leader. The group would run in a line performing rolls on the grass and then spring up into a front flip. At first, I thought these guys might be Cirque de Soleil performers practicing. It turned out that they were just playing around.

The fact that I had a camera just encouraged them to get more dangerous. One gentleman dove head first off a grass hill at a concrete curb. He managed to catch the curb with his hands and perform a handstand. Then, as if the last trick wasn’t impressive enough the gentleman went into a one handed handstand.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Nothing was off limits, as one by one the group sprang from trash cans, jumped off of bike racks, and even swung off trees. It was quite impressive as well as scary. These guys weren’t getting paid and they had no form of protection.

At one point I noticed five children in the age range of 11-15 years old, that I had assumed were just enthralled with these amazing athletes. The children were actually part of the group waiting for the older group to move out of the way.  Without any notice for me to aim my camera, one of the younger kids called out a command and four out of the five did a standing back flip.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Two of the older group saw me with my camera and decided to get my attention. Once I was aiming my camera in their direction, one stood on a curb while the other one ran at him full speed along the same curb.  At what appeared to be the last minute the standing gentleman ducked while the running gentleman did a front somersault over the other gentleman.  He landed on a sloped grass hill in which he ran down and vaulted over a concrete bench and then swung off a nearby tree.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The squatting gentleman got out of the way as the younger group ran down the curb and did front somersaults on to the grassy hill. The grass hill wasn’t very big and the slope was quite steep. The fact that concrete curbs divided the grass hill into tiers didn’t make it easier for me to watch these crazy athletes.

I had to get back to my photo shoot but these athletes intrigued me.  When I was done they were long gone. So I asked around and found out that this form of training is called Parkour.Parkour is a physical discipline, which focuses on efficient movement around obstacles.

Parkour can be compared to an obstacle course. Instead of a fixed obstacle course traceurs use urban settings and make their own course. In searching the internet I found that one group in England has gained notoriety by performing Parkour on rooftops.

Watching Parkour is quite amazing. You can see aspects Parkour in movie chase scenes like the one from the James Bond movie Casino Royale.  I am not sure if Parkour is considered a sport, but after watching these traceurs perform, it looks like poetry in motion, an art form to be admired.

In researching Parkour I found out that Las Vegas actually has quite a Parkour following.  I found a group called Las Vegas Parkour. They have a website that has a calendar of events, videos, photos and even frequently asked questions.

So to learn more about Las Vegas Parkour check their website at :http://www.lasvegasparkour.com

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me at gginsberg@vegaskool.com Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. You can also see more photos on our Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/vegaskool.  Have a great day!

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

So what is your most memorable birthday party?  I can’t remember any of mine, but I will remember celebrating Carmen Electra’s Birthday this weekend.

Living in Las Vegas often presents opportunities that most people living in small cities don’t have. This weekend I had the opportunity to hang out and celebrate Carmen Electra’s birthday party at the Playground.

The adult playground that Carmen chose for her party was Crazy Horse III Gentleman’s club, which just so happens to include Posh Boutique Nightclub, Harem Hookah and Sushi All Night.

Carmen Electra, a five-time recurring cover girl of the world-famous men’s magazine Playboy, chose to spend her birthday party surrounded by the beautiful women of Crazy Horse III.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Miss Electra walked the red carpet, stunning all the photographers in a short green sequined dress that sparkled like a gem as the cameras flashed. The birthday girl also wore Christian Louboutin heels.

Carmen pointed out the highlight of her ensemble, which was a green Christian Louboutin Mini Loubi Lula Clutch. She was delighted to show off the unique closure, which features a set of Louboutin heels with their signature red soles.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The iconic bombshell walked back and forth on the red carpet, giving the photographers plenty of poses to capture. For her finale, she blew the photographers a farewell kiss before walking inside.

Now, as some of you may have heard, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  This phrase is somewhat misleading, since we all know that what happens in Vegas usually shows up on Facebook.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

In the case of what happened inside the Crazy Horse III during Carmen Electra’s celebration, that is going to have to be a story that someone else tells. Cameras are not allowed in strip clubs, so I suppose this is where my story should stop as well.

However, I will say that the staff of the Crazy Horse III was awesome, and the night was unforgettable. I will also say that Carmen isn’t the first, nor will she be the last, celebrity to host their birthday party at this adult playground. I can’t wait to see who’s birthday party will be next.

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me at gginsberg@vegaskool.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/vegaskool. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day, and check out the following stories:

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Thousands arrived at the Henderson Events Plaza, prepared to skank the day away. Skanking is a rhythmic dance performed to reggae or ska music.  So,what better place to skank than at Viva Ska Vegas.

Smash Magazine and Miller Lite present Viva Ska Vegas. Viva Ska Vegas is an outdoor day-long Ska Music Festival. Though after attending, I realize that it is much more than just a concert. Viva Ska Vegas is as much about community as it is the music.

The MC of Viva Ska Vegas 2012 was Tazy Phyllipz from the Ska Parade out of California. Tazy really connected with the crowd. It seemed Tazy had more of a personal connection to the audience than a MC normally does.

The bands:

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Tuesday After School – Local Las Vegas seven piece ska band. Good music, great sound.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The Remedies – Local Las Vegas ska band. This band had an interesting start to their set. The lead singer and guitarist broke a string on his guitar during the first song. He kept the crowd entertained by playing his guitar strap. (I guess you had to be there to understand.) A member of Tuesday After School saved the day by jumping on stage to loan the guitarist his guitar.  The crowd didn’t seem to mind the delay; they seemed happy and interacted with the band on stage.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

GOGO13 – Hunting Beach, California ska band.  This band was one of my favorites of the day. It wasn’t the music that made them my favorite, although they were very good, as were the other bands. It was their stage presence. These guys were crazy. From the lead singer’s crazy facial expressions to the guitarists leaping into the air, they had no problem keeping the crowd entertained. They pulled no punches, even jumping off the stage and singing from the crowd. A group of 50 or so jumped on stage with the band and started to skank until security asked them to return to the audience.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

My Superhero – Costa Mesa, California ska band. Horns, guitars and drums, oh my! What else can you add to a ska band that music fans would want to see? An accordion is the answer.  What a unique sound! The crowd loved them and danced throughoutthe whole set.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Monkey – San Francisco, California ska band. This energetic ska band is known as the “Hardest working Ska Band.” They play more than 200 shows a year. They were driving the crowd into frenzy with their intense sound.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

La Banda Skalavera – Los Angeles, Calfornia Ska band. This band was billed as Latin ska. The largest of all bands that played Viva Ska Vegas, with 10 members. Although I am not sure how many people understood the Spanish lyrics, it didn’t seem to bother the crowd.  The front stage filled up with more people dancing.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Voodoo Glowskulls – Riverside, California ska band. Voodoo Glowskulls have a heavy metal vibe to their ska music. The skanking pits turned into mini mosh pits and the front stage became packed with people moving forward to be closer to the band. Being in the crowd, I could feel the energy, it was quite insane.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

MU330 – St. Louis, Missouri ska band. True showmanship comes to mind. Not only do they have a high-energy infectious sound, they also know how to work the crowd. MU330 even teased the Aquabat fans, sayingthat they weren’t going to leave the stage. I didn’t see a person in the crowd who wasn’t smiling.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Aquabats – Orange County, California ska band. Billed as the first all-crime fighting, all-surfing rock super group in history. They seek to destroy boredom and seek justice for all. That being said, they are a group that takes the stage dressed as superheroes in blue spandex. Their fans are awesome. Many Aquabat fans came to the show dressed in spandex suits as well. I am not sure which I enjoyed more, the Aquabats or their fans.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Skatalites – Jamaican ska band. Viva Ska Vegas got a real treat, as the last band to perform was the legendary Skatalites. This band is known as the pioneers of the ska movement. With almost 50 years of ska under their belt, I couldn’t think of a better band to end the night.

Viva Ska Vegas was incredible. The event consisted of over 10 hours of music and dancing. The venue wasn’t the best-suited place for dancing, but the crowds figured it out and had a blast.

In speaking with people in the audience, I found out that fans traveled from all over the country to attend this event. Many drove in from California, but some people made longer journeys. One couple I spoke with came from Portland, while another group was from New York.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Viva Ska Vegas is another cool event that Las Vegas can be proud of. I can’t wait to see what Smash Magazine and Viva Ska Vegas has planned for next year.

To see more photos of the show please check out Vegas Kool’s Smugmug site by clicking on the link : Vegas Kool

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/vegaskool. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day, and check out the following stories:

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

I received a private message on twitter asking if I would be attending the comedy competition at the Swinger’s Club. Although I had not heard of it until now, it sounded interesting, so I decided to go.

I arrived at the Swinger’s Club, not quite sure where they were going to hold the contest. I know the Swinger’s Club has a space for dueling pianos, a huge bar filled with sexy bartenders and a mini-golf course, but I just couldn’t visualize where the comedy contest would be held.

As it happens, The Swinger’s Club has a stage for such occasions. It is flush with the wall, and must have had the curtains drawn when I was in the club previously. I love the concept that a bar can be so multifaceted and versatile.

Crazy Jay, from the Rocking Comedy Show, was the host of Crazy Jay’s Comedy Competition. Apparently, this contest had been on going since February, and they had narrowed it down to fifteen of the funniest contenders.

The contest finale was held on a Saturday afternoon. Although it is not the prime time spot you would expect, the room was nevertheless packed with supportive fans and onlookers, wondering what all the commotion was about.

I was told there would be guest judges at the event, but I didn’t know whom to expect at 3:00 in the afternoon. To my delight, the first two guest judges to arrive were the Gazillionaire and Penny Pibbets from the hit Las Vegas show Absinthe. Anthony Cools was also one of the guest judges, which wasn’t too much of a shock, being that he is one of the owners of the Swinger’s Club. The biggest surprise of the day was when comedy legend George Wallace took his place as a guest judge.

I noticed that some of the comedians in the audience were getting a bit nervous. It must be tough to perform in front of an audience, with a group of professional comedians critiquing you. Each contestant had about seven minutes in which to convince the judge’s panel that they were the best and most hilarious act.

I must admit that it takes a certain type of comedy to make me laugh; therefore I would be an awful judge at this type of event. The show started, andI judged each performers success based on the crowd’s reaction more than on my personal taste. You could pick out which audience members were family or friends of the contestants, and which were unbiased observers who just having a good time.

After the first few comedians had performed, I noticed that the judges were taking notes and talking amongst each other. They seemed to be taking this judging business pretty seriously. However, the serious deadpan faces of the judges went out the window when contestant Matt Markman took the stage.

Anthony Cools was laughing, but George Wallace looked like he was crying. I must admit, I was laughing pretty hard myself. At the end of Mr. Markman’s seven minutes, he told the judges he wasn’t going to lie, he wanted to work with the best. He then unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a top like the waitresses at the Swinger’s Club wear. That was funny, but the laughing and crying really happened when he removed his pants to reveal that he had dressed in a schoolgirl skirt to complete the waitress ensemble.

Other comedians endeavored to sway the judges to vote for them. Some were particularly brash, like the Balloon Man, who had made a balloon sculpture of Anthony Cools having intimate relations with a sheep. (I’m not sure how this was supposed to win votes…it must be a comedy thing.) Some were just poor attempts to win favor, like bringing the Gazillionaire into the line of jokes but not knowing who he was.

In the end, there can only be one winner. That is how it was supposed to be, but in a surprising turn of events, the judges came up with a second place prize. Second place went Geoff Grant, who won $500 and a week in the opening slot of Anthony Cools’ show.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The winner was none other than ready-to-work waitress, Matt Markman. Matt was awarded $1000, and a week as the opening act for Mr. Cools.

What a cool and fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon! After announcing the winner, the judges took photos with the crowd and the contenders. Meanwhile, a band by the name of Project 27 was setting up on stage for the after party.

After it was all over, I spoke with Crazy Jay, who explained that this was just one of the many events that they have planned. I had a great time, and look forward to seeing what theRocking Comedy Show has to offer in the future.

You can find out more of what Crazy J and the Rocking Comedy Show is doing by checking out their website at : http://rockingcomedyshow.com/

For more information on the Swinger’s Club inside the Plaza Hotel and Casino, check out their website at : http://www.plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/swingers_club

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day and check out the following:

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

I was invited to see Rick Faugno’s final performance at the Palms Lounge. To be honest, I had not yet seen his show for two reasons. The first reason was that I was told I couldn’t bring my camera. (It’s a sad excuse, I know.) The second was that I didn’t really know whoRick Faugno is, or what he did.

Rick Faugno used to play Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas show the Jersey Boys. That didn’t help me much, since I have never seen the Jersey Boys. I met Mr. Faugno recently, and he told me I could bring my camera to his show.

Acting like a spoiled kid getting his way, I showed up at the Lounge with my camera. The first thing I noticed about Rick Faugno’s crowd was the number of celebrities in the audience. This is usually a good sign.

The band played an introduction song. The band consists of a keyboardist, a guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer. They sounded great, though their stage presence was somewhat lacking. They seemed more like background performers.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Rick Faugno came out on stage, and the first thing he did was shake the hands of the fans that were sitting close to the stage. This had a nice, old school feel to it.  Rick picked up the microphone and began to sing.

WOW! Rick can sing, and by that I mean he can sing very well. What a powerful voice. His song choices were all old school Vegas. I would compare him to Frank Sinatra.

I would have been happy just to listen to Rick sing. However, Rick doesn’t stop there. I wish my camera could show how quick his feet moved, as he showed the crowd what an incredible dancer he is. While dancing, Rick did leaps in the air, which I captured with my camera. I couldn’t believe how high he was jumping on such a small stage.

After a dance routine, Rick sat down to play the piano while singing. This was like a one-man variety show, and I loved it. Apparently I wasn’t the only one, as I heard a woman in the audience tell Rick she loved him over and over again. (I lost count at around 30, but she really wanted to get the point across.)

In one of my favorite movies, Robin and the 7 hoods, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra tell Bing Crosby you’ve either got or you haven’t got style. Mr. Faugno, without doubt, has style.

Rick introduces his drummer, Brian Czach. Brian takes the opportunity to show off his skills. What mad skills Brian has. Rick then joins the drummer by playing a hand drum of his own. This is pretty impressive, but then the real fun starts as Rick starts tap dancing. During his tap dancing routine, he actually kicks a rhythm out on the hand drum with his foot, and stays in beat.

Brian Czach and Rick Faugno get into some sort of a musical battle. Brian beats out a melody on the drums, then Rick taps one away on the stage. The battle raged on with increasingly more intricate melodies, and then ended with a standing ovation from the crowd.

Rick Faugno embodies the vibe of Vegas past. He is a talented musician, a great singer, and an amazing dancer.  It is more than that though; it is his style, from dancing around on one foot while changing from tap shoes to regular shoes, to his Michael Jackson dance routine.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

That is right, he did a Michael Jackson number. Though it didn’t really go with his other stuff, it was amazing. With a slight tilt of the hat, an unbuttoned shirt, and different body posture, he went from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson.

I am sad to learn that this was his last show at the Palms. It is sad for me, but perhaps better for the fans. After all, Rick Faugno took a stage show and tried to put it in a lounge.

I am sure Rick will be appearing on a bigger stage soon, if the people dressed in business suits taking notes during his show are any indication. The last time I saw this, Frankie Moreno was whisked out of the Palms Lounge to become the headliner of the Stratosphere.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

For now, you can find out what Rick Faugno is doing on the World Wide Web at:

http://www.rickfaugno.com/

More photos of this event can be seen at Vegas Kool’s Smugmug by clicking on Vegas Kool.

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day and check out the following:

Las Vegas is known for all sorts of events.  Events range from red carpets full of celebrities to your favorite musician in concert.  But what a lot of people don’t know is that Las Vegas has a lot of charity events.

One particular charity event is coming up this Sunday, April 22. This event is known as “Best in Show,” and is Las Vegas’ most famous dog show. This is the 9^th year the Animal Foundation has put on this wonderful show that helps more than 50,000 lost, unwanted and abandoned animals that pass through Lied Animal Shelter’s doors each year.

This year, 50 furry contestants from The Animal Foundation’s Lied Animal Shelter will participate in a highly anticipated American Kennel Club-style dog show.  Alhough the competition only allows one winner, all these handsome hounds can be winners, because right after the show they are all up for adoption.

Famed magician and Flamingo headliner Nathan Burton will be hosting the event with PEEPSHOW and Holly’s World star Holly Madison.  The event is going to be held at theOrleans Arena, which is located at 4500 West Tropicana Avenue.

This is a family fun event that is for a good cause. Come down and cheer on your favorite K-9. Here is the information that you will need.

What  : Animal Foundations 9^th Annual “Best in Show.”

Date    : Sunday April 22, 2012

Time   : 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Where : Orleans Arena, 4500 West Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89103

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day!

Downtown Las Vegas has an interesting way of saying goodbye to celebrities that have passed away. It is not a depressing way of remembering the deceased but a celebration of their life and their legacy.

Dick Clark died of a heart attack at 82 years of age today at Saint John’s hospital in Santa Monica, California.  Twitter is full of people showing their respect and wishing condolences to family and friends. Dick Clark has touched many people’s lives, both directly and indirectly. I know I spent every New Year watching him on the television while I was growing up.

In honor of Dick Clark the Fremont Experience’s Viva Vision, the world’s largest video screen, will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dick Clark with a pictorial retrospective.

The celebration of Dick Clark’s life at the Fremont Experience will happen tonight, April 18, 2012 at 8 p.m. and again at 11 p.m.

Dick Clark will join the other honored celebrities like Tony Curtis, Danny Gans, Robert Goulet, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Elizabeth Taylor on the Viva Vision.

I personally wish the family and friends of Dick Clark my condolences. Dick Clark has left behind a legacy that won’t be forgotten.

What : Fremont Street Experience says goodbye to Dick Clark.

Where : Fremont Street located in downtown Las Vegas.

When : 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day and check out the following:

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

With a guest list of over five pages of celebrities, this was a must shoot event for me. All sorts of celebrities turned out to see Mike Tyson’s Undisputed Truth. If you haven’t heard about it, Mike Tyson is starring in his own Las Vegas show at the MGM Grand.

Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth – Live on Stage is Mike Tyson’s no-holds-barred life story. This isn’t someone talking about what they heard; this is Mike telling the story as he lived it. With a six-piece band, Mike illustrates his life through video and live music.

Now, I didn’t actually make it inside to see the show. The show was sold out, and they had squeezed as many photographers in there as they could. One photographer told me afterward that the show was pretty intense. Mike answers the questions that people have been wondering about, from Robin Givens to Don King. Iron Mike even talks about Evander Holyfield, and oddly enough, Brad Pitt. (Not sure what Brad Pitt and Mike Tyson have in common, but I am really interested now.)

I did get to see the larger than life red carpet event to celebrate Mike’s opening night. The carpet was packed tight with video cameras and photographers.  I personally had to stand on something so I could shoot over the first line of photographers.

It was so worth it.  The carpet started a little early, with the gentlemen from Thunder Down Under and the ladies of Fantasy walking the carpet. This really packed in the onlookers, as hundreds of people flocked around the velvet ropes, hoping to see celebrities.

The crowd acted like an early warning system for the photographers. The louder they got, the bigger the star. Local talent got some love from the crowd as Chris Phillips, known as Zowie Bowie, walked the carpet. The audience got loud again as Carrot Top hit the carpet.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The next group to hit the carpet was from the TLC show Sister Wives. It was none other than Kody Brown and his four wives.  As Kody and his wives were finishing up the carpet, the crowd started to get a little crazy. I spun around to see Jeff Timmons, of 98 degrees, and his wife walking down the velvet-roped runway.

Okay, so the early warning system might be broken, because the crowd just kept screaming from this point on.  At first I couldn’t figure out why, until I saw Piers Morgan step out from the crowd.  As if that wasn’t enough to fire up the crowd, Mike Tyson then made his grand entrance.

While the crowd was going crazy, screaming and snapping photos, so were the professional photographers. The red carpet was chaos as all the celebrities wanted to talk to Mike.  Michael Jackson’s dad, Joe Jackson, hit the carpet followed by Sugar Ray Leonard and singer Melissa Manchester.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

At this point, I was shooting as many celebrities as I could, hoping my photos were coming out okay. The chaos started to ebb as Mike Tyson left the carpet, then the crowd started cheering again. Singer Al B Sure was taking photos with the audience.

As Al B Sure made his way to the carpet, I saw a surge of people from the casino joining the hundreds of on-lookers.  They caught a glimpse of George Lopez making his way through sea of fans.

Not surprisingly, George Lopez clowned around on the red carpet. It was a nice break from the insanity that had just happened a few moments before hand. George pretended to box with the photographers, and then excused himself so he wouldn’t be late for Mike’s show.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The crowd went ballistic. The screams and shouts and flashing cameras made me think the president was coming. At this point it wouldn’t have surprised me.  Although it wasn’t the president, it was Paula Abdul.  The flashes coming from the crowd looked like strobe lights.

Following on Paula Abduls heels was Rosie O’ Donnell. Rosie, much like George Lopez, boxed with the cameras before heading inside to catch Mike Tyson’s Show.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Judging from the impressive celebrity turn out and the sold out status, I am thinkingthis might be one of those shows you don’t want to miss. It is running for a limited time, so get your tickets while you can. You don’t want to be like me, left staring at a closed door.

The facts you need to know:

Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth – Live on Stage

Location: Hollywood Theatre inside the MGM Grand

Show Dates: April 13-18

Time: 8:00 PM

Cost: Tickets start at $99 (VIP Packages are Available)

More photos of the red carpet can be seen at Vegas Kool’s Smugmug by clicking on Vegas Kool.

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day and check out the following:

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

There is something you should know about me…I don’t watch a lot of television. That being said, I have heard of Dancing with the Stars, and perhaps watched a show or two. So, I decided to head down to the Tropicana Hotel and Casino to snap some pictures for my readers.

I was completely amazed! Dancing with the Stars is a great addition to the wonderful shows offered on the Las Vegas Strip. Sadly, it will only be here for a limited time.

Based off the ABC hit show, Dancing with the Stars, BBC Worldwide Productions brings the action to Las Vegas.  It showcases fan-favorite dances from past seasons, as well as new thrilling routines.

The show begins with Former N’Sync member Joey Fatone warming up the audience.  The crowd was full of energy, laughing and cheering Joey on.  As the curtain went up, the crowd went deafly silent. Dancing with the Stars Las Vegas opens the show with a full stage of dancers showing off what their awesome skills.

I was pretty mesmerized by all the action that was happening on the stage. It reminded me of some of the Cirque Du Soleil shows. Wherever I looked, there was something new and exciting happening.

As the dancing stopped, out walked Carson Kressley. Carson went into a comedic routine that had the crowd belly laughing. I can personally see why he is the winner of the past 14 seasons of Dancing With the Stars. (His joke, I just went with it.)

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

Joey Fatone tried his hardest to get Carson off the stage. It wasn’t until Len Goodman’s face appeared on the monitor that Mr. Kressley went running off the stage. Len Goodman gave a brief introduction, describing what was to come.  At the end of his short video, he introduced the first set of stars.

Joey Fatone and his partner started the night off with a Cha-Cha.  Wow, Joey can move. The crowd was entranced as Mr. Fatone and his partner worked the stage with their dazzling performance.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

This is where I had to leave. Photographers had to get ready for the red carpet.  I really didn’t want to leave. I was hooked. The dancing was incredible, and very entertaining.  I can’t wait to take my wife to see the full show.

As the photographers were moved from the theatre to the red carpet, you couldn’t help but feel the sadness. It seems I wasn’t the only who wanted to watch the rest of the show.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The red carpet was filled with big names from Dancing with the Stars. The crowd was going crazy, trying to snap photos of their favorite performers. Kyle Massey hammed it up for the photographers, with silly poses. Tia Carrere’s red carpet walk was going great, right up until Carrot Top ran on to the carpet and photo bombed her. (A photo bomb is when a person jumps into the frame of the photo being taken.) Tia couldn’t stop laughing after that.

Other big name performers from Dancing with the Stars turned out to walk the red carpet. Celebrities like Lacey Schwimmer, Tom Bergeron, Dmitry Chaplin, Cheryl Burke, and Kym Johnson, to name a few.

Local celebrity dancers joined the red carpet as well. Rick Faugno, who was the original Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys and Tara Palsha, the lead dancer from Vegas the Show. Also, the wonderful and talented Josh Strickland, who stars in PEEPSHOW and Holly’s World.

Photo Credit : Gabe Ginsberg / Vegas Kool

The carpet was fun because unlike most carpets I work, the people walking on it paid more attention to the crowd than the photographers.  Carson Kressley actually walked up and signed autographs and took cell phone photos with the waiting fans. He took time with each and every person, and he wasn’t the only star to do so. I think this speaks highly of the Dancing with the Stars cast. Far too often, celebrities ignore their fans. It was really cool to see the cast members rubbing elbows with their fans. Facebook is going to have some interesting photos today.

I have nothing but good things to say about the experience, other than the fact that I didn’t get to see the whole show. I think one of the best things about the Dancing with the Starsshow at the Tropicana is that the dancers aren’t being judged; they are just having an amazing time doing what they enjoy. This feel-good emotion showed throughout all the performances I watched. The smiling and laughing from the stars is infectious. As I wrote this story, I couldn’t help but have a big smile on my face, remembering some of the antics that I witnessed.

What better place to have such a wonderful show than at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. The Showroom is comfortable, even when it appeared to be sold out. The stage is well lit and the whole atmosphere, as Joey Fatone put it, gives off that Old Vegas feel. (Didn’t hurt that Wayne Newton was in the audience, either.)

What you need to know:

Dancing with the Stars in Las Vegas

Dates: April 14 through July 7, 2012

Days: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8 PM

Friday 9 PM

Saturday and Sunday 2 PM and 8 PM

Tuesday is Dark

Admission: Ranges from $40 – $89 (VIP Packages are also available.)

If you want to see more pictures from the red carpet check out the Vegas KoolSmugmug by clicking on Vegas Kool.

As always, I love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to contact me atgginsberg@vegaskool.com. Share your comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day and check out the following:

Overall Appearance and Comfort: 4/5 Stars

Staff and Service: 4/5 Stars

Food: 3/5 Stars

Bang for the Buck: 2.5/5 Stars

My wife and I were driving around, when the ever so popular question came up. Where would you like to eat? This time, I took the bull by the horns. Since my wife wasn’t very hungry, I decided on tapas.

Tapas, in Spanish Cuisine, are appetizers and snacks.  Since we were on the west side of Las Vegas, I decided on Firefly.

Firefly is a nice, clean restaurant with warm and rustic decor.  The seating is comfortable, and the ambience is welcoming. The few times I have gone to Firefly for lunch, it has not been crowded, which makes them a perfect intimate location for a lunch date with my wife.

Firefly opens at 11:30am. The day I took my wife, they were running a bit late. So we walked around outside for ten minutes or so, enjoying the smells of the spring flowers nearby.

Once we were seated, our waiter Jonathon was quick and attentive to our needs. Jonathon was great in giving us suggestions on what to order.  He even dropped off some house bread with this delicious butter that had nuts in it, as well as a little dish of green olives.

What we ordered:

Stuffed Dates – A Firefly must have. A bacon wrapped date stuffed with a smoked almond and blue cheese. This creation is soaked in a red wine reduction sauce.  The Stuffed Dates are the main reason I decided to take my wife to Firefly. It sounds weird, but tastes great.

Tuna Tartare – A marinated ahi tuna dish, which consists of diced tuna mixed with chunks of avocado, sesame dressing and taro chips on the side.  For those that eat Sushi, this is similar to a Tuna Poke. I wasn’t too impressed with the Tuna part, but the taro chips were pretty awesome.

Roasted eggplant cannelloni is what I had for my main dish. This is eggplant that is wrapped around a mellow-tasting goat cheese, and covered with tomato sauce. This was very tasty and left me wanting more. It just melts in your mouth.

Filet Mignon sliders is what my wife chose. These are two mini burgers topped with Serrano ham and cabrales cheese, with a decent portion of caramelized onions on the side.  My wife enjoyed the flavor, but said that the sliders were over-cooked. I took a small bite, and had to agree that the sliders were cooked past the point of well done. I personally like my burgers cooked closer to the rare side of the scale.

We finished off the meal by sharing a Caramel Flan. Flan is a traditional Mexican dessert. It is a custard-like dish topped with a sweet caramel sauce. Firefly adds a ladyfinger on top to soak up the extra caramel. Growing up in New Mexico has made my wife a bit of a flan snob. My wife thought it was too sweet, while I thought it was okay.

Including one soda, our bill came out to $34.05. I wouldn’t say this was a cheap lunch for two people.

Firefly is a restaurant that we would go to again. Although my wife’s food was over cooked, we didn’t ask the waiter or manager to fix it. So I do not know if that would have changed the outcome.

Firefly has two locations

3900 Paradise Rd.

Las Vegas, NV 89169

(702) 369-3971

and the one we went to

9650 W. Sahara Ave.

Las Vegas, NV 89117

(702) 834-3814

www.firefly.com

Have you been to Firefly? What did you think? Did we miss a must have dish?

As always I love hearing from my readers. So feel free to contact me at gginsberg@vegaskool.com. Let me know comments, complaints, or even suggestions. Have a great day and check out the following: