YOUR GREEN THUMB IS SHOWING!
Explore, Play and Learn on 180 acres of green museums, gardens, theaters and animal habitats habitats. The Springs Preserve isn’t your ordinary attraction. After all, it’s Vegas baby—feel the rush of a 5,000-gallon flash flood, virtually suspend yourself over Hoover Dam or take in the views from the balcony of the Springs Cafe by Wolfgang Puck. You’re in the middle of the action and at the heart of the world’s premier attraction for sustainable living.
The Springs Preserve—another side of Vegas
BETHERE. APRIL19TH Mark it on your calendar, call up your friends and family, then make sure you’re there. Support AFAN’s fight against AIDS at the AIDS Walk, April 19th. Get a head start and sign up or form a team today at afanlv.org or call 702 382-2326 for more information.
AFAN and AIDS Walk 2009 is supported by:
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c o m m u n i t y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 S p o t l i g h t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 A n d r e w C . L e v y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 R i c h A n n B e n d e r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 B o b H o w a l d a n d K r i s t i n S a n d e . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5 I r a q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6 S a n t a F e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 O u t o n t h e B L V D S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 4
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ArtIcleS & HIgHlIgHtS c u l t u r e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 6 L a s V e g a s C e l e b r a t e s F i l m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 V i s i t i n g A r t i s t s R a i s e t h e B a r r e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 A r t s & E v e n t s C a l e n d a r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 d e s i g n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0 A B A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2 E x p a n d i n g I t s H o r i z o n s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8 f l a v o r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 E n c o r e , E n c o r e ! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2
ON THE COVER: Signpost to the World © Jerry Horbert THis pagE: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Hotel ©ABA; Iranian palace © Jacqui Lang
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I refuse to talk about it. In fact, my only acknowledgement of it is to say that I will not discuss it, not here in these pages and not anywhere else. I’m sure that you know exactly what “it” is, and I would be willing to bet money that you’re sick of “it,” too. to that end, I have turned off the news, recycled my newspaper, turned up my music, and set my eyes on the horizon. I am ready for an escape. that is what travel provides us with, right? A chance to leave behind our daily cares and experience a world outside our own. Sometimes that escape is just across town. Sometimes, it’s on the other side of the globe. And sometimes, it’s right there in our hands—in the beautiful photographs taken on someone else’s journey or in the heartfelt turn of phrase written by a fellow traveler. And, hopefully, upon our return, we are able to look at our own lives in a fresh, clear light. And hopefully, we remember to focus on the good that is all around us, set our sights on the horizon, and leave behind the bad.
— Kimberly Schaefer, Managing editor
b l v d s
contributors
tHE tEAM
the team
editorial Board
contriButing Writers
Jan Craddock President & Publisher
Debra Blitzer
Jessica Campbell
sherri Kaplan COO & Co-Publisher
Durette Candito
Hektor D . Esparza
pat Marvel Consulting Editor
Rick Carpenter
Pam Lang
Kimberly schaefer Managing Editor
Jack Chappell
Jacqui Lang
pam Lang Sales and Marketing Director
Audrie Dodge
Patricia Mar vel
Mahoney galloway adver tising
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April McCoy
Dean pizzoferrato Ar t Direction
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scott O’Brien Production Management
Gina Jackson
Kimberly Schaefer
Wendy Jordan c o n ta c t u s
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PhotograPhy Amir Khastoo Jacqui Lang Greg Warden Mik ayla Whitmore
Copyright 2009, by BLVDS, Inc ., all rights reserved . No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from BLVDS, Inc . Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, however, BLVDS, Inc . assumes no responsibility for errors, changes or omissions . BLVDS, Inc . accepts editorial and photography submissions . Please send all submissions to: editor@blvdslv .com .
When Jacqui lang visited iran she found beautiful scenery, cities steeped in history, and a Warm and hospitable people. named by the national trust for historic preservation as one of 2009’s dozen distinctive destinations in america, santa fe delights and dazzles through preservation of its cultural past and expression of its unique city style.
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ARTICLES Spotlights Andrew C. Levy Flying High with Allegiant Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Rich Ann Bender Full Speed Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Bob Howald and Kristin Sande Making Connections, Cultivating Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Iraq One American’s Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Santa Fe Distinctively Different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Out on the BLVDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 facing page: pol-e si-o-se, esfahan, iran © Jacqui Lang
THE 14TH ANNUAL KOMEN SOUTHERN NEVADA RACE FOR THE CURE速
Saturday, May 2, 2009 Fremont Street Experience
Join us in the breast cancer movement! Family, friends and co-workers... all are welcome to join our team!
e Rac at ins g e b m. . a 8:15
For further details, call 702.252.RACE or visit our website at www.komensouthernnevada.org
Fe sti be vi 6: gin ties 30 a a.m t .
Thank You for your support. We hope to see you on Race Day!
It started with a promise... it will end with a cure.
andreW c. levy
flyi n g h i g h W i th a l l egi a n t a i r in an era of economic downturn and travel industry turmoil, las vegas’ “hometown airline,” allegiant air, is positioned to continue growing. that’s right—growing. in fact, allegiant is the only mainline u.s. carrier to post profits all four quarters in 2008. With its corporate headquarters here in town, allegiant flies people to and from las vegas to 40 small cities around the country and partners with more than 60 hotels in las vegas to provide affordable travel options for our guests. doing his part to foster that growth is andrew levy, chief financial officer at allegiant. levy, a native of Washington, d.c., has traveled in and out of the airline industry since graduating from law school at emory university in atlanta and joining valueJet, which was a new, small company at that time. “they were looking for someone like me. someone right out of law school. basically somebody cheap,” he says. he describes that experience as formative for his career in that valueJet was “an entrepreneurial environment. taking something that’s very, very small and seeing it become very, very large and grow in terms of revenue, become public.” levy left the airline industry for a while and went to work with an investment company in houston which focused a good deal of its business in latin america. “that was of particular interest to me
business model in ways to operate more efficiently. as fuel prices have dropped, those efficiencies have continued to pay dividends. as levy puts it, “We’re almost in a different universe. We’re growing and doing better than we’ve ever done.” and they’re poised to lead the charge back to economic growth here in las vegas with a capacity increase of 16% on flights to and from the valley. “With lower hotel prices, it enables us to offer a lower price vacation product to our consumers and stimulate new ridership. this is a good news story. and it’s good for the community,” says levy. What’s one thing you want to do before you die? play augusta national.
because my mom is argentine. i was really excited to be able to travel there,” he says. it was at valueJet that levy formed a relationship with two of his current colleagues at allegiant—ceo maurice gallagher and ponder harrison, officer and managing director for marketing and sales. and through his long-term association with them, he returned to the airline industry in 2001. since then, they have grown allegiant from 50 employees and one plane to over 1,500 system-wide employees and 41 planes, with plans to have 46 by early next year.
Why do you get out of bed every morning? one of my kids usually drags me out of bed. With whom would you like to trade jobs? i love good food. i would love to be one of those people who rates restaurants—decide if you’re four-star or five-star. Where would you most like to travel? i would like to go to asia. i would love to go. it’s one place that i haven’t been, and i think it’s going to become more and more the center of the world.
While times are tough now, they were tougher for airlines last year when fuel prices were astronomical. but those difficulties have helped allegiant to be prepared for current circumstances because they adjusted their
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richann bender
full speed ahead
the chicago native relocated to las vegas in the 1980s, and is pleased with the growth and development of our city’s sense of community over the years. she retired last august, ending a 27-year-long career with the city of las vegas. throughout her career, bender was involved in various projects that have permanently changed las vegas such as the development of the entertainment district and arts district downtown, and securing the air rights for the fremont street experience canopy. she also helped to plan events and execute the 2005 las vegas centennial celebration, which she describes as one of the most fun projects during her tenure with the city. as her career with the city shows, bender is no stranger to change. and it’s change she is after in her current role as the executive director of the california-nevada super speed train commission. she has been working for over 20 years to make the dream of bringing to life the super speed magnetically levitated train that will connect las vegas to anaheim. though this change has been slow in coming, bender isn’t slowing down. if realized, the proposed maglev train would travel at speeds of 300 miles per hour, cutting travel time from las vegas to anaheim down from five hours by car to approximately 86 minutes. despite the many challenges to the project’s completion, bender continues to make progress by “focusing on one thing per day that would move the project forward.” While she continues working on the maglev train project, she also gives her time as a board member of als of nevada, a non-profit working to “deliver the highest quality of care possible in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (als), while aggressively engaging in research opportunities leading to more effective treatment.” the organization services 72 patients and their families throughout nevada by simply trying to make their lives easier. “the disease is devastating because of the quick decline in the patients’ health as they typically have only 12-18 months to live after they get it,” bender explains. als of nevada assists families with insurance claims and other issues they might have. the organization
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also has a community closet, which allows them to provide wheel chairs, respiratory equipment, and other devices to patients at no charge. despite her own high speed career, bender has been involved with als of nevada for the past 11 years. giving back to others fuels her in her ventures both personal and professional. “my philosophy in life is to live with the intention to do good things,” says bender. “Just do what you love, and you will have passion for what you do.” What’s one thing you want to do before you die? see my grandchildren graduate from college. Who is your favorite fictional character? princess leia from star Wars. What’s the one thing people don’t know about you? that i would like to be able to sing like stevie nicks. Where would you most like to travel? on an african safari or to antartica. What’s your greatest indulgence? spending a whole day by myself.
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University of Southern Nevada “A TASTE OF THE ARTS” When 2 to 4 pm on May 30, 2009
Where MortonÕ s, The Steakhouse at 400 E. Flamingo Road What Enjoy fine wines, mouth-watering food selections by MortonÕ s and an array of art. Why To benefit the University of Southern NevadaÕ s community outreach programs, offering free health screenings and information to the public.
Who You can see the amazing art of Cynthia Yosef, painter and paper sculptress; Romie Semenza of Swiss Star Jewelry with Swarovski crystal creations; and Sarah Grear, ceramic and glass artist. How Call Barbara Wood at 968-2055 for your reservation. Tickets are $85 per person. Sponsor opportunities are available.
¨
THE STEAKHOUSE
bob hoWald and Kristen sande
maKing connections, cultivating community
seasons, places, and people: these are the things that make valley cheese & Wine one of the most engaging stores to visit in southern nevada. to be sure, the many artisanal products offered here represent the best of their kind on the planet. fine wines, hand crafted cheeses, and superlative cured meats draw in a steady client base of cultivated foodies. but this specialty food outlet is not merely an exclusive retail destination for the well-heeled. the business of specialty foods here is about sincerity and passion, not labels and pretensions. owner-operators bob howald and Kristin sande bring a combined 30 years of culinary experience to their store. they get out of bed every morning not for the sake of the profit to be made (which both confess is minimal), but for the warmth and camaraderie found in relationships with food lovers and food producers. they may sell
“We find people who have a passion for what they do, and that is extremely interesting,” says bob. luckily, they found each other, too. What’s one thing you want to do before you die? Kristen and bob: get some sleep and travel through europe. We have both traveled there separately, but we haven’t traveled there together.
exquisite edibles, but they deal in authenticity. to that end, they spend their time educating and enlightening their customers. over the years, the couple has cultivated many friendships
What’s the one thing people don’t know about you? Kristen: bob does eat vegetables. bob: one of her comfort foods is Kraft macaroni & cheese.
with people who have later become their suppliers. maintaining these relationships allows them to have a connection to the foods they carry. they then pass that connection on to their customers. one of these relationships is with a sheep-dairy that valley cheese & Wine uses as a cheese supplier. “for the past two years bob has gone and helped a dear friend of ours lamb in the spring. they are up in the middle of the night delivering the babies and we take photos and share them in our newsletter, and then a few weeks later we’ll actually have some cheese to sell. it’s a great experience and it brings people closer to where their foods come from.” relationships with wine and cheese producers aren’t the only ones the couple has cultivated through their love of great cheese and great wine. Kristin and bob met and became friends at an american cheese society (acs) conference in Kentucky. the conferences are held at different locations each year and when the asc returned to Kentucky three years later, bob proposed and Kristin accepted.
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Where would you most like to travel? bob: if i had one food trip it would be to italy. that’s where real parmigiano reggiano and other great cheeses come from. What is your greatest indulgence? Kristen and bob: sleep! oh and dinner out at guy savoy or at lotus of siam. What makes you say wow? Kristen: When i taste a food that i have had many times before and find something new to like about it. bob: When you taste a wine that is well balanced, complete, and it’s everything that it’s supposed to be. What’s next? Kristen and bob: We are doing more special events like classes and custom classes. they are so much fun, and it’s great at the end of the night when we see that people have really learned something new.
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facing page: picknicking under the bridge © Amir Khastoo
JacQUi Lang
a glimpse of iran one american’s experience
W H E n I WA S 5 y E A R S O L D, m y pA R E n T S S C H L E p p E D m E , m y y O u n g E R B R O T H E R , A n D E V E R y T H I n g W E O W n E D T O S O u T H E R n C A L I F O R n I A F R O m T H E m I D W E S T I n A m O V I n g VA n . E A C H S u m m E R T H AT F O L L O W E D W E T O O K C R O S S - C O u n T R y R O A D T R I p S W H I C H , I B E L I E V E , m A R K T H E B E g I n n I n g O F m y R E S T L E S S n E S S A n D AT T R A C T I O n T O E x p L O R I n g . I g A I n E D A n A p p R E C I AT I O n F O R T R AV E L A n D T H E u n E x p E C T E D T H I n g S T H AT C O m E W I T H I T.
having studied, traveled, and worked in europe, south america, and
no direct flights. We flew through dubai, though it’s common from
africa, i jumped at the opportunity to travel to iran with my fiancé (who
los angeles, to stop in amsterdam, paris, or another gateway city.
was raised in california and hadn’t been back to iran since he was four) and his parents in december. i was excited to experience a culture that
after the plane landed at imam Khomeini international airport there
is represented quite specifically and often inaccurately in mainstream
was a slow change in the dynamic of the passengers. Women who
media, and to have a unique, first-hand experience to share.
boarded the plane in dubai, displaying an impressive collection of
getting to iran is a bit tricky for americans. the united states has not
designer wear and perfectly styled hair, began to cover their heads
had diplomatic relations with the country since 1980 which makes
and put on coats that covered their hips. i took a deep breath to curb
obtaining a visa and traveling itself quite difficult. americans traveling
my anticipation, looked around, rechecked myself for any headscarf
to tehran must stop over and enter from another country, as there are
mishaps, and got off the plane.
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communit y the local spotlight THiS page: visitors to niyavaran palace in traditional clothing © Amir Khastoo
We waited for about 30 minutes at immigration for the officer working
backdrop for exploring during the cold winter weeks during which
the late-night shift to figure out what to do with me. he seemed
our trip took place.
confused and hurried around to find someone who perhaps knew more about what to do with an american passport than he did. my fiancé’s father chatted with him, joking, trying to expedite the process. eventually i was fingerprinted (which i am told by iranian-americans is done only because all iranians entering the u.s. must do the same), and then i was free to head toward the baggage claim. as we exited the airport, we were met by crowds of cab drivers shouting
We enjoyed the outdoors with a small crowd of other locals at tochal, a popular hiking and skiing destination in the northern part of tehran, just at the base of the northern mountains. at each of several landings along the hike, there are vendors and cafes where you can enjoy tea, a snack of pistachios and pomegranate juice, and have a rest before the next leg of the hike. from the hillside at the first landing i felt removed from the chaos of the city, and got a great view of this large
in attempts to gain a customer. their shouting over each other took me
city. at the second landing we watched group archery at a field below,
back to my previous travels in an overwhelming rush of nostalgia. there
and a few brave souls bungee jump off a high tower close by.
is something about the peace of landing in a new place, gathering your things, and leaving the airport only to be confronted by the energy of a crowd fighting for your business. strangely, this is comforting to me.
as i began to know the city, i noticed the differences between generations, and the way young people find to express themselves in a society with very specific codes. Keeping in accordance with
i found tehran to be not unlike other major cities i’ve visited. it is
islamic law, women must cover their heads and dress modestly when
a bustling city, accompanied by the requisite traffic and pollution,
in public—a form of dressing known as hijab. young women have
underneath which you can find an unmatched taste of culture and
mastered the art of covering themselves as necessary, but perfecting
hospitality. With a population of 15 million, tehran is nestled between
all that can be shown. their makeup is applied perfectly, and many
the snowcapped alborz mountains, which provided a beautiful
wear the scarf quite far back on their head, revealing a good bit
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cLOcKWiSe fROM LefT: the author in esfahan; ancient zoroastrian fire temple © Amir Khastoo; nuts and dried fruit at street market © Jacqui Lang
of well-styled hair. i was fascinated with how they adjusted their headscarves mid-conversation, fluently, smoothly, a perfect mannerism. there is an abundance of beautifully constructed palaces, now
remainder of the trip). Women and men entered separate partitions for security screenings. my fiancé’s mother and i breezed through while the men’s line took about 10 minutes.
converted to museums, in tehran. niyavaran palace (also known
esfahan, the capital of 16th century persia, brought us a welcome
formerly as reza shah’s palace) is a lovely walk, even during the chilly
escape from the energy of tehran. foreigners stand out a bit more here,
winter months. surrounded by a grove of oriental plane trees with a
as the city’s history and culture brings more women wearing long black
river running down the middle, there are several museums to explore.
chador to cover themselves for religious purposes. the stylishly dressed
once we walked the entire length of the grounds, we followed a narrow
young people that made up a good portion of tehran are seen less
street lined with street vendors to a cluster of cafes.
frequently. a sense of calm and allusion to history linger throughout
families and couples enjoyed leisurely lunches of traditional kabob. We sampled kabob of beef, lamb, and chicken with rice topped with plain yogurt and shallots. most of the restaurants we visited in tehran
esfahan. there are stunning bridges lining the zayandeh river, the most notable being pol-e si-o-se, meaning “bridge of 33 arches.” during an evening walk along the bank, i noticed that these bridges
served similar, traditional fare. in the northern part of tehran we
serve not only as a visual focal point bringing this city together, but as
sampled exceptional traditional caspian cuisine including vegetables
social gathering points. here, men sing in hopes of getting a tip and
and meats stewed with spices at gilac restaurant.
families enjoy tea under the stone arches. the serenity of this scene is something that can only be found in a city with such history.
after a few days in tehran we took a cab to the mehrabad airport to fly domestically to esfahan. at the counter our tickets were the only item
the naghsh-e Jahan square, or imam square as it is officially called,
checked. the employee looking at our tickets never asked to see any
and stunning imam mosque might certainly be one of the highlights of
type of id from me (and, for the record, it was never checked for the
esfahan. the 500-meter-long square and surrounding mosques make
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THiS page: art students relaxing on the school roof © Jacqui Lang
up a unesco World heritage site. surrounded by a market, visitors
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can pick up souvenirs like gaz, sweet persian white nougat treats, detailed hand-painted miniatures on small boxes made of camel bone, or a handful of herbs that will do anything from cure baldness to help with weight loss. the center of attention is the majestic imam mosque designed with intricate blue tile work and an architecturally stunning layout. back in tehran, i was able to experience nuances of everyday life in a culture different from my own before our return to dubai and then the u.s. i attended a women’s yoga class, sampled freshly baked bread from a tiny shop amongst a crowd of men on their lunch breaks, and spent time in private homes for tea and conversation each night. having been met with hospitality throughout my stay, i think about what a treat it would be for more americans to experience iran in this way, and hope that by sharing my intimate glimpse into this beautiful culture, i might provide an accurate reflection.
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communit y the local spotlight THiS page: palace of the governors © Zack Frank
DeBRa BLiTZeR
santa fe
distinctively different S A n TA F E , n E W m E x I C O, I S A S H O R T F L I g H T A n D S E V E R A L C E n T u R I E S AWAy F R O m L A S V E g A S .
the sun shines in santa fe an average of 283 days per year, and the sky
the plaza and downtown area for a fascinating introduction to the city.
is usually turquoise until the sun drops and sets the horizon on fire.
the plaza is the epicenter of santa fe—where you will want to shop for
the noticeable incense of the city hangs in the air from the pinon and
designer clothing, leather goods, custom hats and boots, fine jewelry,
juniper trees and from the burning of their wood.
southwest memorabilia, and more. here, under the portal at the
the area has been inhabited by pueblo indians for about 1,000 years, and 400 years ago the spanish established santa fe as their capital city. resting among the foothills of the sangre de cristo mountains, the oldest capital city in north america works its magic on visitors who are caught up by the four seasons, the mix of spanish and native american cultures, adobe architecture, exquisite restaurants, the visual and performing arts, and the exciting shopping.
palace of the governors, the oldest public building in america, you can purchase authentic native american arts. this small city center is the official site of the many annual festivals celebrating indian and spanish contemporary arts, music, and foods. every visit to santa fe must include a stroll up canyon road, a narrow trail among art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and centuries-old residences. make a stop for lunch at el farol restaurant and lounge
on the things-to-do scale, the city of santa fe rivals our las vegas . . .
for tapas. try the grilled romaine salad, aguacate, and posole clam
but in a “city different” kind of way. schedule a guided walking tour of
chowder. on Wednesday nights at el farol, reserve a table for an
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THiS page fROM LefT: santa fe plaza © Jay Frey; santa fe ski basin © Debra Blitzer
evening of flamenco music and dancing—audience participation is
la casa sena, or vanessie’s for a truly delightful dining experience.
encouraged here. the canyon road experience will surely become one
another fond memory will be created!
of your fondest memories of your santa fe excursion.
if outdoor adventure is what you crave when you get away, snow skiing
the santa fe opera has taken its place among the world’s leading
at the 11,000-foot santa fe ski basin, rafting on the rio grande river,
opera festivals; the season runs from late June through august.
fly fishing in the pecos river, or hiking through the anasazi ruins of
it’s truly an unforgettable experience sitting in a high-desert, open-air
bandelier national monument are among your many options.
opera house when a summer thunderstorm rolls in as a backdrop to the production on stage. the lensic theater has become santa fe’s downtown performing arts center, a venue for the santa fe symphony orchestra and chorus, aspen santa fe ballet, and a full calendar of live theater, contemporary musical, literary, and dance events. don’t miss a visit to the georgia o’Keeffe museum. opened in 1997, this is the only museum in the world dedicated to an internationally known
Whatever your pleasure while in santa fe, remember this: wear layers! the air can be cool, but the sun is intense, and the evenings promise to nip at you year round. be casual (denim is a santa fe standard), cover all bald heads with a hat or bandana, wear sunglasses, and good walking shoes. if santa fe becomes part of your dna, as it has mine, your land-of-enchantment gene will pull you back to santa fe, the “city different,” again and again.
female artist. friday night is for gallery openings. meet the artists,
for more information about santa fe, and to start planning your trip,
drink champagne, and wander from galler y to galler y. be sure
please visit the santa fe convention and visitors bureau website at
to reserve a table for 7:30 dinner at ristra, geronimo, a la mesa, fuego,
santafe.org.
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OUT ON THE
B L V D S
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WHITE SQUARE/CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER Congratulations to BLVDS Editorial Board member and artist Randi Chaplin-Matushevitz. BLVDS was on hand, along with hundreds of other local Randi celebrate her opening at White Square Gallery in Summerlin as part of the Local Artists Rising exhibition. Chaplin-Matushevitz and dozens of other local artists displayed their work as part of this new initiative at White Square which primarily features contemporary works by European artists. White Square held an opening reception on February 20th and a concert on March 20th in honor of its new local collaboration. Chaplin-Matushevitz is also set to exhibit new works at the Contemporary Arts Center in The Arts Factory, April 2-26. An artist’s reception will be held April 23rd at 6 p.m. Chaplin-Matushevitz’s work focuses on the deceptively unrequited love. Her brilliantly colored canvases are visually whimsical while delving into the complicated realms of love, loss, and the roles of women. E fantasy and reality. Shown here is Unrequited Love (detail), 2008-9 a work in acrylic on canvas, 60” x 72”.
TOUC
TRUCK/MDA STRIDE & RIDE
The BLVDS crew was busy on March 28th as we were among the sponsors of
Family to Family Connection’s 5th Annual Touch-a-Truck event was held at Orleans Arena. T police cars, construction trucks, race cars, big rigs, and even a school bus. Families enjoyed climbing in and on these iconic vehicles while learning Proceeds from Touch-a-T
This outstanding
to age four including hospital visits, classes, playgroups, and more. BLVDS was also on hand for Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Stride & Ride 2009 5K Walk. Stride & Ride is more unique than any other 5K walk because it allows participants the option of walking or “striding” in their wheelchairs to complete the course. This year’s Stride & Ride was held at UNLV and raised much-needed funds for MDA programs such as medical visits, special clinics, and the annual MDA summer camp for children like the ones shown here Nevada.
Would you like blvds to join you at your event? send us an email at outontheblvds@blvdslv.com. 24 b l v d s
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500 S Rancho Drive Suite 16 Same Day, Evening, or Weekend Appts
C U LT U R E e n t e r t a i n m e n t & a c t i v i t i e s
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ThE 11Th annUaL CinEVEgaS fiLm fESTiVaL pRomiSES CinEmaTiC offERingS pRESEnTED wiTh LaS VEgaS fLaiR. ThE nEVaDa BaLLET ThEaTRE EnDS iTS 2008-2009 SEaSon wiTh AmericAn mAsters, a pRoDUCTion ComBining ELEmEnTS of TRaDiTionaL BaLLET wiTh UnExpECTED aRTiSTiC TwiSTS, anD fEaTURing ThREE gUEST pRinCipaL DanCERS fRom ThE nEw YoRk CiTY BaLLET.
ThE LoCaL SpoTLighT
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E n T E R Ta i n m E n T & a C T i V i T i E S
ARTICLES Las Vegas Celebrates Film CineVegas Film Festival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Visiting Artists Raise the Barre Nevada Ballet Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Arts & Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
facing page: nVBT rehearsing Up © Grace rakich
C U LT U R E e n t e r t a i n m e n t & a c t i v i t i e s
facing page: CineVegas’ own Dennis hopper © Getty images
pa m L a n g
LaS VEgaS CELEBRaTES fiLm CinEVEgaS fiLm fESTiVaL
W h o d o E S n ’ T L o n g F o R A L I T T L E E S C A p E T h E S E d Ay S ? R E A L I T y S E E m S T o B E g E T T I n g u p E A R L I E R A L L T h E T I m E , R E A d y A n d WA I T I n g F o R u S W I T h o u R m o R n I n g C o F F E E . W o u L d n ’ T I T B E n I C E T o j u S T I m m E R S E o u R S E LV E S I n S o m E T h I n g , A n y T h I n g , o T h E R T h A n T h E L AT E S T E C o n o m I C C ATA S T R o p h E ?
Lucky for us, June is right around the corner and with it comes an
filmmakers, it made its debut in 1998. Since then, with the nurturing
annual festival that offers up hours of being “someplace else,” a
of the festival’s president, Robin greenspun, artistic director
chance to allow ourselves to laugh, cry, scream, or sigh while we
Trevor groth, and associate director of programming mike plante,
vanish into someone else’s story.
tremendous strides have been made, making the festival the vibrant and exhilarating event it is today.
The 11th annual CineVegas film festival celebrates the newest and most daring independent filmmakers, June 10-15, at the palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres. an eclectic, artistic endeavor mixed with the sizzling energy of Las Vegas, the festival attracts industry professionals and film aficionados from all over the globe. CineVegas has experienced rapid growth over the past decade.
groth also serves as senior programmer for the Sundance film festival and plante as a programming consultant. Experience from such a highprofile festival has enabled them to contribute an abundance of energy and creativity to the Las Vegas program. The Creative advisory Board, headed by actor Dennis hopper, strives to make Las Vegas a platform for new works by “innovative, uninhibited, and renegade artists.”
formed by a dedicated group of movie-lovers and independent
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Screenings at the festival are no ordinary movie experience. after
“This part of the festival is really a vacation in and of itself,” says frey.
viewing world-premiere and cutting-edge films, the audience is
“we don’t get a lot of foreign films in Las Vegas, so this is a huge
treated to a Q & a session with the filmmaker and other key people
opportunity for people to enjoy this kind of entertainment without
involved in the process. “not only is it a unique opportunity for the
going far from home.”
audience,” says kelly frey, marketing and public relations manager for CineVegas, “it’s also extremely rewarding to the filmmaker.” She explains that the responses from the audience and their specific reactions to the film are invaluable to the filmmakers. films are submitted for several months before the festival begins
CineVegas makes a significant effort to offer the festival experience at a relatively affordable price, especially for local residents. “our locals package is $150,” explains frey. “with that comes admission to 16 movies, eight parties with free drinks, and a pass to visit our headquarters daily and join us for happy hour.”
with thousands of entries in the running. Every film is considered
of course, anyone who has ever attended CineVegas knows that it’s
until the final ones are chosen. Different categories are offered
not just about the films. in true Las Vegas style, the festival has made
including the extremely popular nevada Shorts. These films must be
a name for itself in the elaborate after-parties that run throughout the
about nevada or have been made by a nevada filmmaker. Last year,
six-day event.
Women in Boxes, a film about the ladies that perform in magic shows, and a documentary about hank greenspun and his astounding contributions to Las Vegas, were included in the popular category.
This year’s theme is “Taking it Up to 11” from the movie, this is spinal tap. “we are turning up the intensity, even though we have scaled back to six days instead of the usual ten,” explains frey. “we will still
This year’s festival will kick off with the world premiere screening
be showing the same amount of films, offering the same amazing
of saint John of Las Vegas starring Steve Buscemi and Sarah
parties and also including some incredible musical acts that are tied
Silverman. in the film, Buscemi plays an ex-gambler turned
into the films.”
insurance investigator who returns to Las Vegas to investigate a claim. Eight other films will make their premieres in the narrative
Celebrities add glitz and glamour to the festival at red carpet events and as recipients of annual awards. The marquis award
competition of the festival. known as “Jackpot premieres,” this
is given as a lifetime achievement award in film. past recipients
year’s entries include mercy written, produced, and starring Scott
include Dustin hoffman, Jack nicholson, Dennis hopper, Tony
Caan, winner of the 2003 festival.
Curtis, and last year’s winner, angelica houston. The half-Life
most film festivals include an element of international flair and CineVegas is no exception. “international films do extremely well at the festival,” remarks frey. Last year, a french film entitled the
award honors actors in the midst of their career who have already made a huge impact in the industry. honorees include Sean penn, Charlize Theron, and Rosario Dawson.
French mistress by acclaimed french director Catherine Breillat was
in addition to making a distinctive cultural contribution to the city,
immediately sold out. “we thought that with that kind of response to
CineVegas makes “giving back” a priority through special events and
a foreign film we should expand that category,” frey continues.
screenings. in 2007 the festival got off to an exhilarating start with the premiere of Ocean’s thirteen attended by the star-studded cast
memorable international films that have been included in past
including george Clooney, Brad pitt, matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Ellen
festivals are La Vie en rose by oscar winning director olivier Dahan,
Barkin, and andy garcia. The event raised more than $1 million for the
Lunacy by Czech filmmaker Jan Svankmajer, and the edgy romantic
international Rescue Committee for not on our watch, an organization
comedy Phileine says sorry by Dutch director Robert Jan westdijk.
that supports existing humanitarian relief efforts in Darfur.
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cLockwise from Left: Erich Bergen and Jeff Leibow of Jersey Boys with Boys and girls Club members © cineVegas; Rainn wilson at the rocker premiere; Viggo mortensen © Getty images
in 2008 an advance screening of Get smart featured a special
frey believes that CineVegas offers something for everyone and she
appearance by Dwayne Johnson. a portion of the funds raised at the
guarantees that the experience promises to be fun and enlightening.
screening helped establish the Rock foundation’s project knapsack
She’s also excited about the direction both the City of Las Vegas and
at Reynaldo L. martinez Elementary School in Las Vegas, providing
the festival are taking. She explains, “. . . we’re all saying that culture is
school supplies and educational resources for the school.
here in Vegas and here to stay.”
again this year, CineVegas is partnering with The Boys and girls Clubs
frey is excited that locals are proud of the strides that have been
of Las Vegas. Young people making their own short films offers a rare
made in cultural arts. She encourages everyone to come out
opportunity to view the world of filmmaking from the inside-out. with
and support not only the festival, but all that the city has to offer,
several generous sponsors from the area along with the volunteerism
suggesting that now is as good a time as any to start re-exploring
of local industry professionals, members of the club are taught
Las Vegas, the festival, and all of its artistic offerings. CineVegas “is part
everything from the history of film to scriptwriting.
of recent and exciting cultural growth, and we are extremely proud of that.”
This year’s acting workshop will be taught by legendary Las Vegas
for more information about CineVegas or to purchase your own
icon wayne newton, as well as Erich Bergen and Rick faugno, stars of
locals’ package, please visit cinevegas.com or call 952-5555.
the hit musical Jersey Boys. participants will operate movie cameras and learn about lighting, audio, wardrobe, hair and make-up, and
11th annual CineVegas film festival
even stunts. high-school age members of The Boys and girls Clubs
June 10-15
can take part in this intriguing five-week experience culminating with
palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres
the once-in-a-lifetime moment of walking the red carpet with Dennis
4321 w. flamingo Rd.
hopper at the premiere of the completed project.
Las Vegas 89103
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Celebrate 30 YEARs YEARS
L IBERACE.org iberace.org
MUSEUM HOURS: Tuesday-Saturday 10-5; Sunday 12-4; Closed Monday
2nd Sunday FREE for Locals
Shop Online at www.Liberace.org 1775 E. Tropicana Ave. • Las Vegas, NV • 89119 • 798-5595
TM
May 9th & 10th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. FREE Admission!
Henderson Events Plaza 200 S. Water Street In the Water Street District
Mario Cespedes
Contemporary Art Live Music • Food • Kids’ Activities For information, visit HendersonLive.com or call 267.2171
cLockwise from Left: Rehearsing Up; Tutu box; preparing for American masters © Grace rakich
sara nunn
ViSiTing aRTiSTS RaiSE ThE BaRRE nEVaDa BaLLET ThEaTRE
W I T h T h E I R u p C o m I n g p E R F o R m A n C E A m e r i c A n m A s t e r s , T h E n E VA d A B A L L E T T h E AT R E W I L L C o n T I n u E T o B R I n g A FRESh pERSpEC TIVE To ThIS CLASSIC ART FoRm.
if you’ve never attended a performance, you might wonder what
Canfield has been hard at work bringing his unique vision to the stage
nevada Ballet Theatre has to offer. Just ask artistic Director James
and making the nevada Ballet Theatre a prominent fixture on the local
Canfield who recently wrapped up his first year in the position.
performing arts scene.
“i think what i noticed when i first came here was this incredible facility,”
with an eye toward keeping the ballet emotionally and intellectually
Canfield says. he explains that nevada Ballet also offered “a lot of
accessible for all attendees, Canfield plans seasons that start out with
potential with the dancers, and a profound structure of support with
more traditional productions and become more progressive with each
the Board of Trustees, and that’s always great.” he continues, “The icing
performance. with that linear framework in mind, the nevada Ballet
on the cake is the future and what it holds with our becoming a resident
Theatre has seen a season that began with the classical ballet Giselle
company in the Smith Center for the performing arts. So that was all very
and moved into the traditional and much-loved holiday performance
inspirational, and it made me inspired and excited at the same time.”
of the nutcracker. That production was followed by an all-Balanchine
So inspired, in fact, that he decided to submit his name for a permanent
Balanchine’s legendary career. The creative crescendo of this season is
position after initially being hired as interim director. Since his arrival,
American masters.
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program spotlighting three memorable works from different points in
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C U LT U R E e n t e r t a i n m e n t & a c t i v i t i e s
“The season is building off the foundation of what was here, and taking
The program ends with nevada Ballet Theatre’s reprisal of Lambarena
it forward. Elevating, educating, and entertaining,” Canfield says. one
choreographed by Val Caniparoli. Lambarena is a stunning and
could say the same of the upcoming program, American masters, which
unexpected fusion of classical ballet and african dance set to the music
combines the traditional pointe shoes and tulle you expect from the
of Johann Sebastian Bach and traditional african songs.
ballet combined with artistic twists you might not, including the music of philip glass and traditional african songs.
Unfortunately, the nevada Ballet Theatre’s season will be cut short because of current economic circumstances. in an effort to cut
“The idea was that we’d show ‘master’ people, whether a dancer or a
operating costs, the group announced that it will postpone its may
choreographer. with that, we invited three guest principles from the
performance of new Works ’09. The program will become part of the
new York City Ballet. The importance of having these masters is to
2009-2010 season that will be announced in late april. nevada Ballet
expose the community to what we’re aspiring to become and the level
also announced that an anonymous donor has pledged to match up to
of dance that we’re really trying to build,” Canfield explains. “we get
$50,000 in new and increased contributions made before June 30.
really isolated here. artists really don’t have a lot of money to travel, and so if we can’t go to them, let’s bring them here.”
Supporting our local arts has never been more critical, so purchasing a ticket is important to ensuring the ongoing success of nevada Ballet
it’s no rare thing to see outside talent brought into Las Vegas. Consider
Theatre. To that end, special ticket prices are available for American
the rise of celebrity chef-owned restaurants and world-famous marquee
masters, which will premiere on friday, april 10 at 8 p.m. at UnLV’s
names headlining at casinos. in Canfield’s mind, however, bringing in
artemus w. ham Concert hall. a matinee performance is scheduled for
the best is not solely a means to get more people in the seats. it’s to
Saturday, april 11 at 2 p.m.
benefit the nevada Ballet Theatre itself and the ballet company that makes a home here. Says Canfield, “it’s important to expose not only our community, but our artists and our school to even a higher level” of artistry and technical ability.
Standard ticket prices for these nevada Ballet Theatre performances range from $35-$75. Special rates are being offered of $10 and $25 for balcony seats at each performance. Subscriptions for the 2009-2010 season will be available for purchase in late april.
Those of us fortunate enough to attend American masters will enjoy the performance of five works starring wendy whelan, albert Evans, and
for more information or to purchase tickets:
Sebastien marcovici of the new York City Ballet. Canfield choreographs
nevada Ballet Theatre
two of the pieces.
nevadaballet.com. 895.aRTS (2787)
The first, Up, is set to seven different versions of the famous ballad “Blue moon,” including versions performed by artists as varied as Dinah washington and Cowboy Junkies. The debut of Canfield’s neon Glass Pas de Deux is a not-to-be-missed performance inspired by a collaboration between composer philip glass and famed glass sculptor Dale Chihuly. This will be followed by Liturgy and After the rain, a pair of works choreographed by Christopher wheeldon who, Canfield notes, is “the only non-american master in the work, but he is a master, and the most sought after choreographer in the world today.”
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Assistance League ® of Las Vegas
pure. powerful.
Saturday, May 9, 2009 11:30am
arts.
6446 W. Charleston Blvd Las Vegas, Nevada
870-2002
Roman Viazovskiy, Classical Guitar “Perfect Harmony of Emotion & Control”
Thursday, April 23, 2009 · 8 p.m. $35 Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway Speed-Dating for Broadway Lovers Saturday, April 25, 2009 · 8 p.m. $35 - $50 - $80
Assistance League of Las Vegas implements programs and services that enrich the lives of children in need.
b l vd s l v. c o m
Lea Salonga Tony Award-winning Broadway Star Friday, May 1, 2009 · 8 p.m. $35 - $50 - $80
ATTENTION: BLVDS Readers Save 15%! Call the box office today and mention code: BLVDS
2008 – 2009 season pac.unlv.edu • (702) 895-ARTS (2787)
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visit BLvDsLv.com for more DetaiLs on aLL events C U LT U R E e n t e r t a i n m e n t & a c t i v i t i e s
events apriL
clifford the Big red Dog now - may 25, 2009 Lied Discovery Children’s Museum ldcm.org
“Liberace and me” cabaret series featuring philip fortenberry now - june 27, 2009 T-W-Sat 1 p.m. Liberace Museum 798-5595, liberace.org
second annual Las vegas film festival April 09 -12, 2009 Eastside Cannery Casino & Hotel lvfilmfest.com
2nd sundays at Liberace museum April 12, 2009 12-4 p.m. Liberace Museum 798-5595, liberace.org
30th anniversary Liberace museum April 15, 2009 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Liberace Museum 798-5595, liberace.org
Jennifer Harman third annual celebrity poker tournament to Benefit nevada spca April 17, 2009 4 p.m. Venetian 873-7722, nevadaspca.org
the goat, or who is sylvia? american masters April 10 - 11, 2009 8 p.m. April 10 & 2 p.m. April 11 Nevada Ballet UNLV Artemus Ham Concert Hall 895-aRTS, nevadaballet.com
the Little mermaid April 11 - 18, 2009 3 p.m. & 7 p.m. Missoula Children’s Theater Henderson Convention Center or Valley View Recreation Center hendersonlive.com
usn spring Health festival April 11, 2009 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. University of Southern Nevada Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital 968-2055, usn.com
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April 17 - 26, 2009 CSN Performing Arts Center 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
Henderson Heritage parade & festival April 18, 2009 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Henderson Events Plaza hendersonlive.com
afan 19th annual aiDs walk Las vegas April 19, 2009 8 a.m. afanlv.org
Local artists rising curated by natasha Young April 20 - 23, 2009 White Square Gallery 458-5858, whitesquaregallery.com
8th annual golf classic for american red cross “contend for a cause” April 21, 2009 6:30 a.m.
April 18 - 19, 2009 10 a.m. Boulder City Art Guild Bicentennial Park bcnv.org
369-3674, redcrosslasvegas.org
roman viazovskiy April 23, 2009 UNLV Artemus Ham Hall 895-aRTS, pac.unlv.edu
Hawkins 100th project 2 and 8 p.m. UNLV Dance Department Dance Studio One 895-3827, dance.unlv.edu
color us friends Luncheon “i Do, i Do”
April 18, 2009 Foundation for Recovery Kellogg-Zaher Sports Park 880-8234, forrecovery.org/register
April 24, 2009
issue 13
csn foundation Legacy of achievement gala April 25, 2009 CSN M Resort 651-7301, csn.edu
clark county earth Day rendezvous April 25, 2009 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sam Boyd Stadium’s Star Nursery Field and William Bennett Airfield accessclarkcounty.com
what on earth Day April 25, 2009 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Las Vegas Springs Preserve springspreserve.org
8 p.m.
foundation for recovery’s inaugural 5k
travel
April 25, 2009 8 p.m. UNLV Artemus Ham Hall 895-aRTS, pac.unlv.edu
DragonRidge Country Club
April 23 - 25, 2009
Bc fine arts festival
neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway
Sunrise Children’s Foundation MGM Grand Conference Center sunrisechildren.org
nevada child seekers 15th annual 5k Dash & 1 mile stroll April 25, 2009 7:30 p.m. The District at Green Valley Ranch 458-7009, nevadachildseekers.org
chamber chorale High school outreach April 26, 2009 4 p.m. Las Vegas Master Singers lvmastersingers.com
an afternoon with David guterson April 26, 2009 2 p.m. Clark County Library lvccld.org
b l vd s l v. c o m
visit BLvDsLv.com for more DetaiLs on aLL events grand finale, mahler i April 28, 2009 7:30 p.m. UNLV Music Department UNLV Artemus Ham Hall 895-aRTS, pac.unlv.edu
Henderson symphony orchestra April 28, 2009 10:30 a.m. Henderson Pavilion hendersonlive.com m aY
the Bermuda avenue triangle may 01 - 17, 2009 Thurs-Sat 8 p.m., Sun 2 p.m. Las Vegas Little Theater 362-7996, lvlt.org
csn spring Dance concert may 01-02, 2009 2 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
Lea salonga may 01, 2009 8 p.m. UNLV Artemus Ham Hall 895-aRTS, pac.unlv.edu
Brian Lewis may 01, 2009 7:00 p.m. Nevada School of the Arts Historic Fifth Street School 384-2787, nsamusic.org
susan g. komen southern nevada race for the cure® may 02, 2009 8:00 a.m. Downtown Las Vegas komensouthernnevada.org
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for kids now 6th annual fashion show & Buffet may 03, 2009 11 a.m. Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel forkidsnow.org
artfest of Henderson may 09 -10, 2009 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Henderson Events Plaza hendersonlive.com
Henderson symphony orchestra may 22, 2009 8 p.m. City of Henderson Henderson Pavilion
csn orchestra
Jazz in the park: allen toussaint
may 04, 2009 7:30 p.m. 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
may 09, 2009 Clark County Amphitheater accessclarkcounty.com
csn concert Band
an afternoon with rita rudner
Las Vegas Springs Preserve
may 09 2009 11:30 a.m. Assistance League of Las Vegas 870-1101 lasvegas.assistanceleague.org
a taste of the arts
may 05, 2009 7:30 p.m. 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
sunrise children’s foundation 2nd annual golf tournament may 06, 2009 Sunrise Children’s Foundation Las Vegas National Golf Course sunrisechildren.org
elks Helldorado Days 75th anniversary may 06 -17, 2009 City of Las Vegas elkshelldorado.com
hendersonlive.com
a taste of shakespeare may 23 - 25, 2009 12 - 6 p.m. springspreserve.org
may 30, 2009 2 - 4 p.m. University of Southern Nevada
asian culture festival may 09, 2009 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Clark County Library lvccld.org
Morton’s, The Steak House 968-2055, usn.com June
csn Jazz combos may 10, 2009 2 p.m. 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
Henderson symphony orchestra june 05, 2009 8 p.m. Henderson Events Plaza
csn spring choral may 07, 2009 7:30 p.m. 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
csn Big Bands may 08, 2009 7:30 p.m. 651-LiVE, csn.edu/pac
mother’s Day tea may 09 - 17, 2009 11:00 a.m. Child Focus, JW Marriott 436-1624
2nd sundays at Liberace museum may 10, 2009 12-4 p.m. Liberace Museum 798-5595, liberace.org
hendersonlive.com
Jazz in the park: sax pack june 06, 2009 Clark County Amphitheater accessclarkcounty.com
masterworks v - Beethoven’s ninth symphony may 16, 2009 8 p.m. Las Vegas Philharmonic & Las Vegas Master Singers UNLV Artemus Ham Hall 895-aRTS, lvphil.com
the 11th annual cinevegas film festival june 10 -15, 2009 Palms Casino Resort and Brenden Theatres 888-8VEgaS8, cinevegas.com
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NevadaÊ SchoolÊ ofÊ theÊ ArtsÊ Inaugural Concert
GuestÊ ArtistÊ SeriesÊ Friday, May 1st, 2009 7:00 pm Historic Fifth Street School Auditorium
ConcertÊ Tickets Students Adults VIP
$10 $20 $75*
For ticket information call 384-2787
www.nsamusic.org
BRIANÊ LEWIS
Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê *MeetÊ theÊ ArtistÊ Reception
Celebrate the special bond between mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. Please join Child Focus for the 6 th Annual Mother’s Day Tea Saturday, May 9, 2009 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. $55 Adult w $35 Child w $500 Table of 10 (Registration Deadline May 1, 2009)
$75 Special Mother/Daughter Discounted Ticket (Registration Deadline April 24, 2009)
“Hats off toChild Focus”
Mother’s Day Tea Valencia Ballroom JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa 221 N. Rampart Boulevard Please R.S.V.P. to Child Focus (702) 436.1624 or info@childfocusnv.org by May 1, 2009
Find Your Passion! Cedar City
Our 2009 Season
As You Like It • Henry V • The Comedy of Errors Private Lives • The Secret Garden • Foxfire Tuesdays with Morrie • The Woman in Black The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
JuneÊ 29Ê Ð Ê OctoberÊ 17 800-PLAYTIX • www.bard.org Michael David Edwards in Cyrano de Bergerac, 2008.
DESIGN architecture & style 40 B L V D S
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LAS VEGAS-BASED DESIGN fIRm ABA HAS BEComE A pRomINENT pLAYER oN THE INTERNATIoNAL DESIGN SCENE wITH pRojECTS INCLUDING HoTELS AND RESoRTS, SpAS, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL, AND ENTERTAINmENT.
mCCARRAN INTERNATIoNAL AIRpoRT IS
UNDERGoING A BoLD ExpANSIoN DESIGNED To INCREASE THE NUmBER of pASSENGERS IT CAN ACCommoDATE AS wELL AS ITS INTERNATIoNAL CApACITY. LEARN moRE ABoUT THESE AmBITIoUS pLANS AND wHAT THEY mEAN foR oUR REGIoN’S fUTURE.
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ARCHITECTURE & STYLE
ARTICLES ABA Creating Timeless Elegance through World Class Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Expanding Its Horizons McCarran International Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
facing page: The Spa at Encore designed by ABA © Russell MacMasters/ Encore
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DESIGN architecture & style
facing page: ABA’s design studio © ABA
Sara nunn
ABA
CREATING TImELESS ELEGANCE THRoUGH woRLD CLASS DESIGN H o w d o E S A L A S V E g A S - B A S E d d E S I g n f I R m g o I n T E R n AT I o n A L ? f o R A B A’ S T o d d - AV E R y L E n A H A n A n d K I m B E R Ly T R u E B A , T H E A n S w E R I S R E A L Ly q u I T E S I m p L E .
“we were sought out!” Lenahan exclaims, smiling widely at the question.
the Las Vegas architectural design scene. “one of the things that’s
“we didn’t market ourselves. people found us and through their learning
different about us is that we’re the only international design firm
about us, or being in our projects, decided to work with us.”
that’s not gaming dependent that’s in Las Vegas,” Lenahan says. “our goal was to be much broader in our scope and to not be gaming
It’s a well-known tenet of marketing that the best way to get
dependent. And so we’re the only firm that does luxury hotel and
customers is to have a desirable product, and Las Vegas design
resort design work that is exported to other cities and to big luxury
firm ABA has positioned itself as a shining example of this ideal.
hotel companies around the world.”
with virtually no advertising or marketing, ABA has grown from a Las Vegas-based business to a prominent player in the international
Though neither Lenahan nor Trueba are originally from Las Vegas,
design market.
they were quick to catch on to the nature of their adopted hometown and the Las Vegas architecture scene. Though Lenahan concedes that
But it all, of course, began right here. Headed by principal
Strip tourism will always center on casino resorts and the associated
Todd-Avery Lenahan and managing principal Kimberly Trueba, ABA
gaming industry, he also sees a way for the city to reach out to
just celebrated ten successful years as a unique fixture in
another class of tourists—the business class.
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DESIGN architecture & style ThiS page from LefT: mandarin oriental Chicago; four Seasons Resort Bahamas © ABA
“There’s been a branching out into non-gaming independent
after wynn contacted ABA to find out about working with them.
luxury hotels. They’re associated with the larger casino resort
This relationship led to several high-profile projects, including
complexes, but that’s something that Las Vegas has done to really
designing much of the recently opened resort Encore at
broaden its market, to have a hotel product that more discerning
wynn Las Vegas, including the hotel’s breathtakingly beautiful and
savvy travelers around the world would like in this market,”
luxuriously appointed spa.
Lenahan explains. He cites the opening here of the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas and the upcoming opening of the mandarin oriental
Encore, it seems, is a perfect example of Lenahan’s philosophy
property at CityCenter as examples of what those travelers seek in a
toward Las Vegas design and what visitors to our city want in a hotel
hotel. Another example he cites is the four Seasons, an ABA project
experience. “I think they’re looking to see things that they don’t see in
and “the first non-gaming independent hotel.”
their hometown and that they won’t see in any of their other travels,”
This is not the only aspect of Lenahan’s extensive understanding of what Las Vegas visitors are expecting. In addition to ABA’s work on local projects as diverse as the mGm monorail station, the hotel at Green Valley Ranch (ABA’s first Las Vegas-based project as a company), and restaurants like Tré and wolfgang puck’s CUT, the firm has worked on a number of projects at wynn Las Vegas, including the Atrium, Country Club, and Broadway Theatre.
Lenahan explains. “So if we build a really slick modern hotel here that is just another big city hotel, it really falls flat, because it just fades into the background sounds of Las Vegas. They respond to the fantastical beauty, if it’s got a sense of fantasy and levity, it’s unexpected, and you don’t see that aesthetic delivered anywhere else.” “There’s a broad appeal to beauty,” Trueba points out. “when people state that not all markets and not all economic branches of society
Their partnership with Steve wynn began, true to ABA’s style, when
will enjoy such a beautiful, fantastical environment, that is not true.
the famed hotelier saw their work. ABA designed a park Towers
people who don’t live like that, that would dream of living like that,
residence for marc Schorr, Coo of wynn Resorts, Limited, and soon
that’s why they come here.”
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DESIGN architecture & style
“Nothing is too nice. It’s never too nice,” Lenahan agrees. “You know,
luxury resort in a portuguese village to an upcoming elite hotel in an
if people are living in New York City or Chicago or Los Angeles, they
historical building in urban moscow. No matter what they’re working
see very sophisticated, cutting-edge modern architecture all the
on, the same philosophy applies.
time. So why would you bring them to Las Vegas and give them a repackaged version of what they just left in their hometown? If they’re coming here for a vacation, give them the Las Vegas experience.”
Speaking of an upcoming ABA/Ritz-Carlton collaboration located on the Red Sea, Lenahan says, “They want us to bring our sensibility about design to their projects and unique locations. It looks nothing like Las Vegas, you know. It’s a resort that has regional context, but
for Lenahan and ABA, it’s all about creating something timeless—as
it’ll have the drama and excitement and the entertainment value that
timeless as one can get in an ever-changing city like ours. “we like
we’ve become known for.”
the reference to fashion,” he says. “Good fashion transcends. It’s like a great Chanel suit from the ‘50s, which looks as beautiful today as it did then, versus trend, which is appealing for a moment and gone in a second. we like to subscribe to good fashion, not trends.”
when asked about the future plans of ABA—whether here in Las Vegas or in international markets—Lenahan smiles again. “our future is one great project at a time. we don’t aspire to be bigger. we don’t aspire to have multiple offices. our aspirations are to do one great
In some ways, being based in Las Vegas has presented difficulties for
project at a time, knowing that each time we do one, it brings us
ABA, as Las Vegas-based companies can be reluctant to hire what’s
goodwill that’s exponentially larger than what we ever imagined, and
considered local talent. This is, according to Lenahan, an unfortunate
it just keeps feeding us. we always aim to be best in the market in
thing on many levels. “All that money goes elsewhere, it’s not
whatever we do. That doesn’t always mean the most expensive. It has
reinvested into our city because they’re paying people outside of our
to do with quality of execution, quality of thought, the integrity of
market to do work here and those people aren’t invested in our city
the idea.”
like we are. It’s our own backyard. we like doing work here because it’s our community, it matters to us.”
for more information on ABA and their projects worldwide, visit their website at abalv.com. for project inquiries, call 888-5000.
Lenahan notes the fact that while ABA is right here in town, local developers often choose to hire New York or L.A.-based design firms when building their new properties. Ironically, ABA often gets new clients who have seen ABA’s work here and want to hire them to bring that sensibility to international properties. “They like our sense of theatricality. They like our sense of fantasy. They like the drama,” Lenahan says, in a statement that could just as well align with his view of the best in Las Vegas architecture. “Sometimes it’s very contemporary work, but it still has a story, and it has an excitement to it that separates it from everything else.” ABA has brought their brand of excitement to design projects all over the world. Their international work has ranged from a small
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CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY
Upholstery Drapery Wall Upholstery Fabrics Restoration Caning Design Accessories Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 11am-3pm Closed Sunday
Call 702.385.7122 Please visit us at 1218 S. Main Street Las Vegas, Nevada alex r ivas upho ls ter y.co m
DESIGN architecture & style ThiS page: Rendering of T3 gates © Clark County Department of Aviation
a p r i L m ccoy
ExpANDING ITS HoRIzoNS mCCARRAN INTERNATIoNAL AIRpoRT
T H E VA L L E y ’ S m A I n A I R p o R T I S B u S T I n g AT T H E S E A m S . I n o n E o f I T S m o R E p R o g R E S S I V E m o V E S T o K E E p L A S V E g A S o n T o p, T H E A I R p o R T I S u n d E R g o I n g A B o L d E x pA n S I o n .
mcCarran International Airport’s Terminal 3 (T3) is the largest
will span nearly 1.9 million square feet over three stories and will
component of the Clark County Department of Aviation’s ongoing
include 14 gates, ticket counters, baggage claim, a multi-story parking
capital improvement plan. The expansion has been highly criticized
garage, retail, and restaurants, as well as TSA security checkpoints on
by many in the state because of its size, scope, and cost. But the
two levels. The project is estimated at $2.4 billion and expected to be
Department of Aviation, like many who pass through mcCarran on a regular basis, says it is an overdue and much needed expense to continue operating smoothly.
completed in mid-2012. Six of the new terminal’s 14 gates will be designed to accommodate
mcCarran is designed to process up to 450,000 passengers each year. In mcCarran’s busiest year, which was 2007, nearly 48 million
international air service with secured access to a U.S. Customs and Border protection area capable of processing up to 2,000 international
people passed through the doors. “with Terminal 3, we’ll be able to
passengers per hour. Also, up to five wide body jets could be serviced
accommodate approximately 53 million annual passengers,” said
simultaneously, allowing for greater foreign air service than is currently
Randall H. walker, Clark County’s Director of Aviation. The new terminal
possible at mcCarran’s smaller international facility at Terminal 2.
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ThiS page from LefT: Aerial photo of the T3 site; Aerial rendering of completed T3 building © Clark County Department of Aviation
So, what does this mean for Las Vegans and visitors alike? more traffic?
international travel to Las Vegas, and airport executives are already
Arriving at the airport even earlier? Luckily for frequent travelers, a
talking with airlines about expanding services to the city using T3’s
plan was put in place to ease what could have been a huge headache
international amenities.
for many. In june of 2007, the Department of Aviation completed a 16-month, $61.6 million construction project that shifted Russell Road’s alignment approximately one-quarter mile to the north in order to make room for the development of Terminal 3 near the former intersection of Russell Road and maryland parkway. “while T3 is under construction, there really won’t be much impact on visitors or local travelers except that they will be able to see the work site,” said walker. “It hasn’t had any noticeable effect on our operations since last year, when we relocated our economy parking lot from the east side of paradise Road to west of paradise Road.”
The massive expansion has been carefully planned in hopes of making the construction phase and transition easy on local residents and guests. Construction has been divided into phases so that locals aren’t dealing with traffic and visitors aren’t dealing with long lines in the airport. The ultimate goal is to create an airport easy to navigate and to streamline the processes so people will want to fly into our city. According to walker, “more visitors means greater spending in our casinos, restaurants, stores, and showrooms, and that ultimately benefits those of us who live here in Southern Nevada, as well.”
Currently, most of the airport’s traffic goes through one main building which has seen more people than it was ever designed to handle. “with T3, traffic seen in ticketing, baggage claim, the security checkpoints, and parking will be split among two main terminals, resulting in a better operation for everyone,” said walker. This will greatly ease congestion throughout mcCarran, particularly at Terminal 1. The airport hopes that the new terminal will increase
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think yOu cAn’t get AwAy tO An exOtic LOcALe FOR SOme much neeDeD R AnD R? think AgAin! SteVe wynn’S neweSt VentuRe, encORe, iS OnLy A ShORt DRiVe AwAy tO SOme SeRiOuS ReLAxAtiOn. SeRenDipity iS DeFineD AS the OccASiOn OF mAking FORtunAte DiScOVeRieS By AcciDent. ReAD ABOut One tRAVeLeR’S memORABLe expeRience OF SeRenDipity in SpAin. Sen OF JApAn OFFeRS DeLiciOuS, FReSh DeLicAcieS pRepAReD By the FORmeR heAD cheF OF nOBu LAS VegAS.
the LOcAL SpOtLight
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D i n i n g & R e tA i L
ARTICLES Encore, Encore! A Staycation Unsurpassed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 National Art Museum of Catalonia Serendipity in Spain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sen of Japan Heaven, But Closer to Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
facing page: national Art museum of catalonia © MNAC
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F L AV O R d i n i n g & r e t a i l
facing page: Lobby at the Spa © Russell MacMasters/Encore
K i m b e r ly s c h a e f e r
encORe, encORe! A StAycAtiOn unSuRpASSeD
W h E N y o u L I v E I N o N E o f T h E W o R L d ’ S p R E M I E R vA C AT I o N d E S T I N AT I o N S , A L u x u R I o u S E S C A p E I S J u S T A S h o R T d R I v E AWAy. L u C k y L A S v E g A N S A R E W E .
many of us rarely venture down to the Strip unless we have visiting
Among the many glittering dream destinations on the Strip is
friends or family or when our work calls for it—a circumstance that
our newest, encore. Steve wynn’s latest creation adjacent to his
makes it easy to forget that each year millions of people come here to
eponymous property may be new, but it is not a new idea for wynn
experience the fantasy and fun that we so easily take for granted.
Resorts. in fact, encore was part of the original master plan for the
there is no denying the reality of current economic conditions. perhaps this year will be difficult for travels to faraway dream destinations. nevertheless, there is also no denying the fact that right
property that once housed the Desert inn hotel. Because it was part of the initial plan, the two hotels fuse together in a way that seems effortless, a seamless integration.
in the middle of our own hometown are a multitude of opportunities
encore is everything that we’ve all come to expect from wynn resorts:
to get away without going away. So why not take advantage of one
luxury, glamour, unparalleled service. yet, as encore chief operating
them as an alternative to a full-blown vacation? why not save the cost
officer Rob Oseland explains, the hotel is a brand unto itself. “we didn’t
of airfare, drive to the center of town, and enjoy what’s come to be
want to compete with ourselves,” he says. while the design of the casino
known as a “stay-cation?”
and public spaces incorporates elements from wynn such as natural
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F L AV O R d i n i n g & r e t a i l clOcKWise frOm lefT: eastside Lounge © Barbara Kraft/Encore; Botero bar; Shopping © Russell MacMasters/Encore
light and vibrant color, encore is a smaller, more intimate property that
of Feng Shui, the good Luck Ritual includes a 50-minute massage,
Oseland describes as, “wynn’s younger sister, fun, hipper.”
intensely moisturizing hand and foot treatments, and is finished with
cast aside the cares of the outside world in a “standard” room that is anything but standard. A panoramic room is a spacious 700 square feet featuring floor to ceiling windows with a view of downtown or the twinkling lights of Las Vegas Boulevard.
a scalp massage using wild lime botanical oil. this is relaxation so deep, that you just may forget that you haven’t left town. not able to indulge in an overnight getaway at encore? the Spa is open to non-resort guests. if a “stay-cation” isn’t feasible, a “day-cation” may be.
elegantly appointed in every detail and with a separate sitting
After all of that relaxation, a fine meal is unquestionably in order. Dining
area, you may never want to check out. the bathroom feels like
options at encore are fewer than those offered next door because, as
a personal mini-spa complete with a tub that’s just right for a
Oseland explains, “there is still capacity at wynn.” As is the practice at
relaxing soak and a 19” flat screen television, just in case your idea of
wynn Resorts, the restaurants are not leased to outside companies.
relaxation includes vegging in front of the tube. Of course there are
the chefs on the marquee are in the kitchen to prepare your meals.
many higher-end accommodation options available for those who wish to partake of an even more lavish environment.
Among the new offerings is Sinatra, an “old Vegas” italian restaurant
For serious relaxation, the Spa at encore is not to be missed. it is a
performance in From Here to Eternity. Botero serves steaks, chops, and
destination in and of itself. As advertised, it truly is “a sanctuary of
seafood for the vacationing carnivore. named for colombian artist
surpassing beauty,” an environment for which words are completely
Fernando Botero, the restaurant’s walls are graced with the artist’s
inadequate. the services offered at the Spa are also of surpassing
playful and sensual paintings while the dining room centers on the
quality. while you can enjoy more traditional massages or facials here,
monumental sculpture Seated Lady, in all her voluptuous splendor.
what sets this spa apart from others are the transformation Rituals,
the brainchild of mr. wynn himself, Switch is a restaurant unlike any
in particular the signature good Luck Ritual. Based on the principles
other. As diners enjoy chef marc poidevin’s offerings, the décor of the
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displaying portraits of “Ol’ Blue eyes” and the Oscar he received for his
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clOcKWise frOm lefT: guest room © Russell Mac Masters/Encore; Sinatra; Swarovski crystal dragon at wazuzu © Barbara Kraft/Encore
restaurant literally “switches” every 20 minutes. you simply have to
Let’s be honest. even in turbulent times, it’s important to take a break,
see it to believe it. Other choices include wazuzu for playful takes on
a moment to relax and enjoy ourselves. enjoying a day at a spa, a fine
pan-Asian cuisine and the casual Society café encore.
meal, or even an enchanting cocktail can be a much-needed break from
For more foodie getaway fun, encore will be a venue for Vegas uncork’d events presented by Bon Appetit may 7-10. encore is offering special room packages for the event and has a dedicated toll free
an otherwise wearisome world. A night spent away from home, even if it is just across town, can provide us with the respite that allows us to return refreshed to our daily routines. yes, sometimes our grander plans
number for those interested, (866) 770.7929. Be sure to check out
must be saved for the future. But for now, a truly fabulous escape is
vegasuncorkd.com for more details about the event.
waiting for us, practically right outside our own front doors.
end your evening (or begin it, or don’t wait until evening) with a
encore at wynn Las Vegas
signature encore cocktail created by wynn Resorts master mixologist
3131 Las Vegas Blvd., South
patricia Richards. every restaurant bar and hotel lounge has its own
encorelasvegas.com
signature libation, each like a vacation served chilled in a cocktail glass. the bar at Botero offers the Seated Lady. named for the sculpture, this effervescent delight blends rose nectar, elderflower
Room Reservations 877.321.9966
liqueur, and nicolas Feuillate Sparkling Rosé garnished with a
the Spa
crystallized rose petal. the eastside Lounge with its views of the
770.4772
pool is just right for enjoying a tropical beverage. the prickly pear and ginger margarita is light, refreshing, tangy, and sweet. Or take a seat at the Lobby Bar and enjoy an earl grey mar-tea-ni made with
Restaurant Reservations 248.3463
plymouth gin infused with earl grey tea.
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F L AV O R d i n i n g & r e t a i l clOcKWise frOm lefT: mnAc; 12th century wood panel; Oval hall © MNAC
paT m a r V e l
nAtiOnAL ARt muSeum OF cAtALOniA SeRenDipity in SpAin
f o L L o W I N g A d E TA I L E d T R Av E L I T I N E R A R y C A N b E f u N A N d S AT I S f y I N g , b u T S o M E T I M E S I T ’ S T h E E x p E R I E N C E S o f S E R E N d I p I T y T h AT R E S o N AT E M o S T I N o u R M E M o R I E S .
the red route of the open-air tourist bus wends its way to the
By the time the bus got to the top of the hill, our feet had recovered
mountain park of montjuic in Barcelona, at the top of which is the
somewhat and so had our attitude. the view of the city below was
museu nacional d’Art de catalunya (the mnAc). while in madrid
stunning, and since we didn’t know when we’d be back we decided
earlier in the week, my friend, nancy, and i had spent many hours in
we might as well check it out.
the “golden triangle of Art” that is the prado, the thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sophia. By the time we arrived in Barcelona with our spirits full of some of the world’s greatest art, the picasso museum was the only one on our Barcelona “must-see” list. (we were tired, too, and a little goya goes a long way). we had never heard of the national Art museum of catalonia, and our Frommer’s listed it under the “if you have 2 Days” category, but only “if time remains.”
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the museum’s collection of primarily catalan works represents 1,000 years of art ranging from the 11th century through the early 20th century, and includes photography, drawings and prints, and coinage with pieces dating from the 6th century B.c. the medieval panel paintings from the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries in the Romanesque gallery are of such exceptional size and quality that they are considered unique in the world.
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This page: The Altarpiece of Santa Barbara © MNAC
the gothic period ranging from the 13th to the 15th centuries
On the day of our visit, the museum was preparing for a special event
is considered to be one of the most brilliant in the entire history
in the Oval hall, a 1,200-seat venue for receptions, cultural, and
of catalan art. the museum’s gothic collection of goldsmithing,
business events. From the balcony on the second floor, i could see the
sculpture, and paintings on panels, particularly those that form
workers below moving among linen-covered tables and chairs, setting
altarpieces, is nothing short of breathtaking.
napkins and wine glasses, and fussing over the cutlery. it seems our
walking from one room to the next, i was dumbfounded by the vibrant colors and the exquisite detail in the works. many of the altarpieces are comprised of panels divided into “compartments,” each telling a part of a larger story. The Altarpiece of Santa Barbara,attributed to gonçal peris Sarrià from Valencia, circa
visit to the city coincided with the 19th annual Barcelona Bridal week, a prestigious tradeshow for international bridal fashion. that evening there would be a dinner and the presentation of the collection of designer manuel mota, who would be premiering his wedding gowns embellished with Swarovski crystals.
1410-1425, tells the story of Saint Barbara—her life, imprisonment,
the evening unfolded in my mind: delicious food and perfect
suffering, death, and martyrdom. painted with tempera on wood, the
service, elegant men and perfectly-coiffed women, beautiful models
piece stands approximately seven feet wide by nine feet high, and is
wearing wedding dresses designed to turn an ordinary woman into
an exceptional example of visual storytelling.
a princess. i heard laughter and saw the hall transformed by candles
i explored the galleries like a columbus in a new world. From the tenderness of pere Serra’s work to the explosion of color in Joaquim mir’s landscapes, i was overwhelmed by the caliber of artists completely unfamiliar to me, in a museum i almost didn’t visit.
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and spotlights illuminating the runway, the crowd dazzled by the reflection from the crystal-studded gowns. i wanted to be a fly on the wall that night! As we turned to leave, a museum staffer remarked, “the museum is
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clOcKWise frOm lefT: picasso’s Woman in Hat and Fur; pere Serra’s Our Lady of the Angels; St. Peter and St. Paul by el greco © MNAC
showing some of mota’s gowns for a short time, and the exhibit has
the other hand, those moments of happy chance, allow us to be in the
just opened. you’re welcome to go in.” with that she pointed us to a
moment with no preconceptions to flavor our expectations. there are
room at the end of the hall.
many things to see and do in Barcelona, and i enjoyed them all. the
At the door to the exhibit, nancy and i stopped and gave a collective gasp. there were at least eight bridal gowns on mannequins, each
sweetest for me, though, is the museum i never intended to see and the gowns of Barcelona Bridal week.
attended by its own security guard. the dresses had two things in
For more information about the national Art museum of catalonia
common–each was embellished with Swarovski crystals that sparkled
visit mnac.es.
in the afternoon light, and each was spectacular. except for the guards who never took their eyes off us, we were alone with these magnificent creations. A carpeted path allowed us to get close to each of the dresses, which included the traditional ball gown style to contemporary sheaths and sophisticated, one-shoulder designs. we moved among the dresses as though in church, speaking in whispers, our vocabulary reduced to variations of “ooh” and “ahh.” we had stumbled upon hidden treasure, with each jewel of a dress more beautiful than the last. when we plan ahead to see or do something, we have expectations of obtaining a certain level of satisfaction. Serendipitous experiences, on
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K i m e r ly s c h a e f e r
Sen OF JApAn
heAVen, But cLOSeR tO hOme A nondescript strip mall in Las Vegas may not be your idea of an
chef nakano also offers the Omakase Special, a multi-course tasting
exotic escape. Like so many of our city’s culinary gems, Sen of Japan is
menu of the chef’s own selections. this ever-changing menu includes
located in just such a place. Long known as a must-dine spot for valley
caviar, foie gras, kobe beef, and a sampling of sushi.
foodies, it is a dining experience that will transport you far away from shopping center suburbia to sushi heaven. chef hiro nakano, formerly of nobu at the hard Rock hotel and casino, and his knowledgeable,
to accompany your meal, Sen offers a beverage menu that includes the “go to” Japanese restaurant drink, hot sake. But if you’re interested in continuing your journey to places unknown, forgo the hot sake for
attentive staff are ready to stamp your passport as you set off on a
a new experience. to that end, try one of the cool, refreshing nama
gastronomic adventure.
sakes. these young, unpasteurized sakes will broaden your beverage
the menu at Sen is filled with Japanese specialties both familiar and new. Shrimp tempura with spicy orange aioli is rich and satisfying yet dazzlingly light. in fact, all of the tempura here is enrobed in a whisper-light batter that seems to deny any trip to the fryolator. Don’t miss the tuna tataki, delicate and so fresh it’s hard to believe that it wasn’t plucked from the ocean upon your arrival. Sushi offerings include caterpillar rolls, dragon rolls, and favorites such as spicy tuna. there is also a delectable selection of sashimi and nigiri.
horizons while tantalizing your taste buds. in particular, the Akitabare is delicate and floral and should appeal to most western palates. Also on the beverage menu are wines from around the world and a selection of Japanese beers. Sen of Japan 8480 w. Desert inn Rd. #F1 Las Vegas 89117 871.7781, senofjapan.com monday-Sunday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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Coming Soon! Toæ commemorateæ theæ 10æ year anniversaryæ ofæ award-winning RosemaryÍ sæ Restaurant,æ Chefs Michaelæ &æ Wendyæ Jordanæ are pleasedæ toæ announceæ theiræ first hardboundæ cookbook:
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