VisitLasVegas Blog

     You'll feel like a commander in chief all weekend long with the celebrities and spinmasters parading through Las Vegas this weekend. Here's a look at what's happening around town:

Friday, Feb. 17:

• B.O.B. performs live at 1OAK (Mirage)
• Alie Layus at Rain (Palms)
• Garth Emery at Marquee (Cosmopolitan)
• Donald Glaude and Alex Peace at RPM (Tropicana)
• Samantha Ronson and Nick Cannon at Chateau Nightclub & Gardens (Paris Las Vegas)
• Felix da Housecat at Vanity (Hard Rock Hotel)
• DJ Spider at Tryst (Wynn Las Vegas)
• Dash Berlin at TAO (Venetian)
• Tommy Trash at Haze (ARIA)
• '80s night at Gold Lounge (ARIA)
• Rony Seikaly at XS (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)

Saturday, Feb. 18

• Chord Overstreet of "Glee" birthday bash at LAVO (Palazzo)
• Jayde Nicole birthday celebration at Gallery (Planet Hollywood)
• Audrina Patridge hosts at PURE (Caesars Palace)
• Laura Croft hosts at LAX (Luxor)
• Lil Jon at Tryst (Wynn Las Vegas)
• Afrojack at XS (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
• Benny Benassi at Marquee (Cosmopolitan)
• Pauly D at Vanity (Hard Rock Hotel)
• Aly & Fila at Moon (Palms)
• Zen Freeman at Ghostbar Dayclub (Palms)
• Alie Layus at Playboy Club (Palms)
• The Anticipation 2our at Rain (Palms)
• sourMILK at RPM (Tropicana)

Sunday, Feb. 19

• Industry Sunday at The Bank (Bellagio)
• Industry After Hours - Mardi Gras Edition at Artisan Hotel
• Kevin Brown at Ghostbar (Palms)
• Light Up Las Vegas at 1OAK (Mirage)

Monday, Feb. 20

• Steve Aoki at XS (Encore at Wynn Las Vegas)
• DJ Vice at Marquee (Cosmopolitan)
• Sam Young at STK Steakhouse (Cosmopolitan)

 

For the latest in Vegas nightlife, go to VisitLasVegas.com.

On February 18, Muhammad Ali is celebrating his 70th birthday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The room will be filled with A-list actors, GRAMMY Award-winning musicians, all-star athletes and more. Ali's remarkable career has filled with victories and defeats but he will always be known as one of the greatest boxers of all time. 

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay, Jr., was inspired to fight at the age of 12 years old, after his bike was stolen. He told police officer Joe Martin that he wanted to beat up the thief. Martin, who also trained young boxers at a local gym, encouraged him to learn how to fight and started working with Clay. At the age of 14, Clay won the Golden Gloves Championship for light heavyweight novices and three years later won the Golden Gloves Tournament and the Amateur Athletic Union's light heavyweight national title. In 1960, the 18-year-old earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team and returned home with the gold medal. This was just the beginning of Clay's historic career. "The Champ" went on to win his first 19 bouts and knocked out Sonny Liston in 1964 to become the heavyweight champion of the world at age 22.

In 1964, Clay decided to change his name to Muhammad Ali as part of a spiritual search. That same year, Ali refused to acknowledge his military service after being drafted, so the boxing association took away his title and suspended him from the sport for three and a half years.

Ali returned to the ring in 1970, winning his first bout against Jerry Quarry. The following year, Ali fought Joe Frazier in what was called the "Fight of the Century." The fight went all 15 rounds and by unanimous decision Frazier retained the title. After a 1973 loss to Ken Norton, Ali claimed victory in a high profile rematch by split decision, which set the stage for Ali-Frazier II, in which Ali won a unanimous 12-round decision.

The historic "Rumble in the Jungle" bout of 1974 put World Heavyweight Champion George Foreman and former world champion and challenger Ali face-to-face. Ali won by knocking out Foreman in the eighth round, regaining his title.

In the early part of 1975, Ali faced boxer Chuck Wepner in a bout that inspired the original motion picture Rocky. Over the next couple of months, Ali fought formidable opponents, but none as exciting and electrifying as Joe Frazier.  On October 1, 1975, Ali fought Joe Frazier for the third time in the historic fight known as "The Thrilla in Manila" in the Philippines. The highly anticipated fight lasted 14 grueling rounds. At the start of the 15th round, Frazier's trainer threw in the towel and refused to allow him to continue due to his unstable condition.

Regarded as the greatest upset of all time, boxer Leon Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali in Las Vegas in 1978 for the heavyweight championship - becoming the only person to take the belt from Ali in the ring.  Ali's other losses were non-title contests.  In a rematch with Spinks just 7 months later, Ali won a unanimous decision becoming the first ever three-time heavyweight champion.  Ali fought eight more times before his final defeat against Trevor Berbick in 1981.

Ali's power, speed and grace led him to achieve great success in all facets of his life. In 1984, he announced that he had Parkinson's disease. Despite the disability, Ali devoted much of his time to world travel and humanitarian work. In 2005, the Muhammad Ali Center opened in downtown Louisville. The center focuses on core themes of peace, social responsibility, respect and personal growth. This is just one of his many charitable initiatives.

The "Only Vegas" event on February 18 celebrating Ali's 70^th birthday will benefit the Muhammad Ali Center as well as the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which is close to Ali's heart. Tune in to ABC at 7 p.m. EST/4 p.m. PST on February 25 to catch all the action inside the celebrity filled event. In the meantime, send Muhammad Ali a personal birthday message by using #Ali70 @Vegas. All wishes are streaming on VisitLasVegas.com.

     Politics, politics. It's an election year, and the urge to debate your political views often presents an easy avenue for oversharing.

     Thanks to a new Facebook application, it's more tempting than ever. Now a person's political views won't just be in the forefront of their minds - they will also be front and center for everyone to see, blasted all over Times Square.

     No matter which side of the political aisle you sit, your answers to poll questions on some of the top issues shaping this political season could be displayed on billboards in New York City.

     Be careful when sharing information. Take a cue from Perez Hilton. He tweeted to Ricky Martin recently: "Oversharing could be a bad thing too! Like, if I said.. I wanna have your babies - that would be too much! Ha ha #Kidding xoxo"

     Yes, it would. That's why it's important to know the code. Go to VisitLasVegas.com and take the oath to Protect the Moment the next time you're in Las Vegas. Remember, What Happens Here, Stays Here! Just ask Cee-Lo Green:

     This weekend is traditionally one of the busiest of the year, thanks to a certain pro football championship game that people love to watch in Vegas. This year, however, there's also a live UFC event, so there's a full slate of "kickoff parties" to choose from all weekend long!

     It starts on Friday, Feb. 3, with pre-fight parties. Forest Griffin hosts at Lavo inside the Palazzo and RYU premium performance apparel is hosting a bash at Wynn Las Vegas' Tryst. OTM Fight Shops is holding its pre-fight event at Luxor's LAX.

     There are plenty of football-related pre-game events, too, including the Super Party at Rain inside the Palms, the Big Game Weekend Kick-Off with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models at 1OAK at The Mirage, the Big Game's Biggest Party at Planet Hollywood's Gallery Nightclub and the Big Game Weekend Celebration at Chateau inside Paris Las Vegas.

     Other huge Friday night events include Apl.De.Ap performing at TAO inside The Venetian, Alesso spinning at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas' XS Nightclub, Gabriel & Dresden at Marquee at the Cosmopolitan and WTFriday with Bad Boy Bill at RPM Nightclub at the Tropicana.

     On Saturday night, the UFC 143 After Party with Georges St. Pierre is at Tryst and RPM Nightclub hosts its Fight After Party with DJ Benji and Joel Madden. LL Cool J and Z-Trip host the closing party for Studio 54 at the MGM Grand.

     The 4^th Annual Cheer Bowl takes place at The Bank at Bellagio, while Kelly Rowland performs at PURE inside Caesars Palace and Vanilla Ice takes the stage at LAX.

     Tiesto spins at XS Nightclub, Zen Freeman and Mark Stylz provide the beats at the Palms' Ghostbar, Richard Durand spins at Rain and Kaskade is on the 1s and 2s at Marquee.

     Close out the weekend on Sunday with the continuation of the Cheer Bowl at The Bank and Ghostbar Sundays with PJ Produkt.

     Knockdowns, touchdowns and nightlife you won't find anywhere else - only in Vegas!

Erin Go Bragh! If you are looking for traditional fare and authentic brews this St. Patrick's Day, look no further. Las Vegas has several Irish pubs to tickle your fancy.

Craving some good ol' Irish grub? Head to Hennessey's Tavern on Fremont Street for a ramekin of shepherd's pie, an order of the pub's famous tavern fries and finish up with homemade Irish pudding. Afterward, head upstairs for live music in the world's largest pint glass! If a traditional Irish bar setting is what you crave, Nine Fine Irishmen at New York-New York Hotel and Casino lives up to its name. This Victorian-style bar has two levels of outdoor patio seating with spectacular views of the Strip, sumptuous food, fine spirits, and lively music nightly at 9 p.m.

Take a seat at Brendan's Irish Pub at The Orleans, fashioned after an authentic Irish pub, for a tall glass of your favorite beer on tap, or spring for an old-fashioned Irish whiskey. Jack's Sports Bar and Irish Pub at Palace Station is home to live entertainment and fine Irish brews. Check out DJ Tara King Wednesdays, Elegant Vagabonds and Jason Walker Experience Fridays and Nuff Said Saturdays.

Grab your lucky charm and head to one of Vegas' Irish-themed casinos to see if you have the luck of the Irish on your side. Pop in to Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel on Fremont Street for two floors of gaming action or head over to O'Sheas on Las Vegas Boulevard to challenge your friends to a game of beer pong!

 There's no shortage of Pubs in Las Vegas, so be sure to check out popular hangouts including O'Mulligans Pub at Primm Valley Resort, Quinn's Irish Pub at Green Valley Ranch, The Auld Dubliner Irish Pub at scenic Lake Las Vegas,  and J.C. Wooloughan at the J.W. Marriott in near Red Rock Conservation Area.  Ri Ra is a must-see pub inside Mandalay Place - home to the GUINNESS Store featuring the largest collection of memorabilia and gifts outside of Ireland!

St. Patrick's Day in Vegas wouldn't be complete without the Dublin Down Festival at Thomas & Mack Center.  This year's event features the music of Flogging Molly - a genuine mix of traditional Irish music and classic punk rock.

May the luck of the Irish be with you this St. Patrick's Day!

     The final weekend of January is filled with celebrities, music and more in Las Vegas. Come see why no place can deliver nightlife each and every week like Vegas!

     Do it all again this Friday night, Jan. 27, when Katy Perry hosts the official grand opening of 1OAK at The Mirage. This special "Give Love" charity event is also presented by J. Molinari Jewelry designers. DJ Jus Ske provides the sounds. 

     Also on Friday night, some of the world's top spin doctors are on the 1s and 2s, including Lil Jon at Surrender inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Sander van Doorn at the Cosmopolitan's Marquee, DJ Spider at Tryst inside Wynn Las Vegas, Kenneth Thomas at RPM Nightclub at Tropicana, Dimtri Vegas & Like Mike with Cazzette at ARIA's Haze and DJ Ross One at TAO at The Venetian. At Rain inside the Palms, Bow Wow performs live.

     On Saturday, Twilight fans can catch Peter Facinelli partying the night away at Chateau at Paris Las Vegas (vampires are nocturnal, after all), or help American Horror Story star Evan Peters blow out the candles at his birthday bash at RPM Nightclub. Recording artist J. Cole is also celebrating his birthday on Saturday with a party at Lavo in The Palazzo.

     Kid Rock follows his two-day engagement at Mandalay Bay with a concert afterparty at TAO, and more spinmasters are pumping out beats all over town, including Jermaine Dupri at Tryst, Robbie Rivera at XS inside Encore at Wynn Las Vegas, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano at Marquee, Zen Freeman at Ghostbar in the Palms, Aaron Perez and M!keAttack at the Artisan Hotel, Savoy at Rain and Dada Life at Surrender.

     On Sunday, close out the weekend at Artisan Hotel with DJ C LA. It's a weekend of celebrity birthday bashes, mega mixmasters and more in Vegas!

     This kind of raw energy only comes to town once a year, so shift into high gear and get revved up for the fast-paced excitement of 2012 NASCAR Weekend at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from March 9 - 11.

      Life in the fast lane, Vegas-style, includes the Stratosphere Pole Day, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race.

     Special weekend packages are available where you'll enjoy the finest view of the competition as it unfolds on the 20-degree banking. The Dale Earnhardt Terrace and Richard Petty Terrace feature wide, flip-down seats with cup holders and a private concourse with restrooms, concessions and elevator access.

     The main grandstand offers seating along the front stretch with terrific views of all the pit road and racing action. Seats in sections 1, 2 and 3 are benches with back support, and they provide easy access to concessions and restrooms.

     No trip to the speedway would be complete without checking out the Neon Garage. You'll have unprecedented access to NASCAR's stars and teams, enjoy specialty concessions and be part of the winner's circle celebration.  Neon Garage access also allows you in the pit area on Friday, Saturday and during prerace on Sunday.

      In Vegas, you can do more than just watch the action - you can be a part of it. At the speedway complex, you can drive or ride along in a 600-horsepower NASCAR-style stock car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience. You and your heart will be racing like never before.

     Make Las Vegas the ultimate pit stop when NASCAR comes to town March 9 - 11!

     No matter what the temperature is outside, Las Vegas keeps you cool all year-round.

     Your drinks are sure to stay ice cold when you enjoy some libations at either Minus5 location in Las Vegas. Mandalay Place and Monte Carlo - each offers you the chance to bundle up and enjoy spirits that are kept at, well, minus 5 degrees Celsius. How often do you get to enjoy 30 minutes of arctic drinking and mingling while donning a heavy winter parka and fur-lined hat indoors? Enjoy frozen cocktails from ice glasses while surrounded by tons of ice, frozen bars, walls, statues, tables, chairs and lamps.

    Dine at Red Square at Mandalay Bay and enjoy an impressive caviar selection, and such perestroika-inspired Russian and internationally influenced favorites, such as Siberian nachos, seared foie gras and duck confit, Strozapretti stroganof and Adzhika-spiced pork tenderloin. Before or after, however, you can really feel the chill: Experience the exclusive, private vodka vault and famous frozen ice bar featuring more than 200 frozen vodkas and infusions, martinis and Russian-inspired cocktails.

     In the mood for some relaxing snow? You can enjoy that year-round at Qua Baths & Spa as you watch "snow" fall from the ceiling in the one-of-a-kind Arctic Ice Room. It's a spa experience you'll only get in Vegas and a great way to stay cool!

    For those of you who really need to get some real snow-filled excitement, take a quick drive to the Las Vegas Ski and Snowboard Resort - downhill skiing and terrain parks are all the rage up there. You may not expect snow near Vegas, but this ski park had snow earlier than most West Coast ski resorts! Stay a day or two and spend the night at the scenic Resort on Mount Charleston or the Mt. Charleston Lodge! Skiing in Vegas - how's that for cool?

      Only in Las Vegas can you see dancing water fountains, a roller coaster, a volcano, a free show featuring sexy sirens, and more - all without ever setting foot indoors.

     Take a stroll down one of the world's most famous stretches of road, Las Vegas Boulevard, and take in a variety of sights as you walk.

     The roller coaster at New York-New York soars overhead across the Manhattan skyline, and just up the road, you can enjoy outdoor dining with breathtaking views at Cabo Wabo Cantina and PBR Rock Bar & Grill outside Planet Hollywood, Mon Ami Gabi at Paris Las Vegas and Margaritaville at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

     Of course, the Fountains of Bellagio and erupting Volcano at The Mirage are always marvelous to see, but continue down the Strip, safely past the pirates and sirens of Treasure Island, and enjoy the view of the Venetian Plaza and the Lake of Dreams at Wynn Las Vegas.

     A world of excitement on one block - only in Las Vegas!

     The best stock-car drivers on the planet converge on Las Vegas March 9 - 11 for NASCAR Weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway!

     NASCAR Weekend 2012 features the Stratosphere Pole Day, the Sam's Town 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race and the Kobalt Tools 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Enjoy the finest view of the competition as it unfolds on the 20-degree banks with a special weekend ticket package. The basic package features a seating area located along and high above the front stretch, and offers a terrific view of the racing and pit action. The Dale Earnhardt Terrace and Richard Petty Terrace provide a private concourse with restrooms, concessions and elevator access. Upgrade to a clubhouse package and enjoy all-you-can-eat food and drink coupons for beer or wine while you watch the race with an unobstructed view!

     Then, it's time to get out your brackets and get ready for the excitement of college basketball's annual championship tournament. The tournament always has plenty of surprises, but here's one pick you can feel good about - watch all of the games in the comfort and luxury of a Las Vegas sports book.

     It's an adrenaline rush for every sports fan, so make your plans to catch the high-intensity excitement of NASCAR and college hoops.