It’s always ridiculously hot during the summer of Vegas. With global warming, the temperature is only going to keep rising! So why not stop by a place that’s entirely chilled, fun for the family, and a great time to pass the time? The Las Vegas Ice Center is the place to go! They have two huge ice skating rinks that’s spacious enough for you to glide through and have a store just for those skaters who are interested in going pro. Also, they have plenty of services to offer such as skating lessons for hockey and figure skating, hockey competitions, and freestyle skating.  If you happen to want to grab a quick snack or drink, they have a little snack bar for you and provide a locker to secure all your personal belongings. Prices are really affordable and they include skates. This is definitely a place to set up a party or an event. Visit their website here: http://lasvegasice.com/

The Blue Man Group is a critically acclaimed theatrical group that has garnered international fame. Even many of those not familiar with the production itself have heard of the group from word-of-mouth or media exposure. I recently had a chance to finally see this production live, and although the show wasn’t a straight musical concert, it was very amusing to hear the music they play combined with their on-stage antics. The Blue Man Group has released 2 albums to date, Audio and The Complex. The group doesn’t focus on making lyrics since their on-stage personas are supposed to be silent, and as such, their music is fully instrumental. It was impressive to see how they utilized random objects such as a Hammered Dulcimer, Paint Drums, Sword Air Poles, and different types of Pipes and Tubes as instruments. The Blue Man Group currently produces shows in Las Vegas, New York, Tokyo, Chicago, Boston, Orlando, and Berlin.  So if you’re in one of these hot spots and are interested in some first-rate entertainment, I highly suggest you go see their show. For those still not familiar with the group or what they do, I strongly recommend checking them out on youtube!

by Oron B.
Las Vegas, NV

Published with permission from Sketchtunes
http://www.sketchtunes.com/

I was at Gemini Arcade Palace the other day when I found a “Love” pin for the eponymous show at the Mirage Resort based on the music of the Beatles. It instantly brought back good memories of the show (one of my favorites) as well as sitting in MUS 133: History of the Beatles class. This December will mark 40 years since the band’s dissolution and 30 years since the death of member John Lennon, and yet the band’s popularity, even amongst today’s youth, remains strong. When I got to thinking about it, clear signs of the Beatles’ ongoing legacy are present all over Las Vegas. First off, THERE IS A HISTORY OF THE BEATLES CLASS! I am constantly amazed at the number of people attending UNLV who are oblivious of this fact, particularly those who are seeking elective courses to take. It is rare to find this class at any school and is something that sets UNLV apart. While arguably lacking in academic practicality, it should be taken for what it is: an ELECTIVE course. The other visible signs across the valley are the numerous shows that are produced based on the band’s music. There is the wildly popular “Love” which combines Beatles favorites with the acrobatics of Cirque Du Soleil, the newly created Sgt. Pepper Live! by rock band Cheap Trick, in reference to the band’s claim that the album could never be reproduced live [at least with 1960s technology], and the various tribute shows such as B: BeatleShow (previously the Fab Four) at Planet Hollywood.

After I found the pin, I went home and revisited my old notes from when I took MUS 133. It was fun to come across some old trivia:

-Paul chose his Hofner bass because he was left handed and it was symmetrical. Thus, he could easily reverse it when he played, and it would look the same.

-Please Please Me, the band’s debut album released in 1963, was recorded in 1 day because the band could not afford to rent out the studio longer.

-Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) was the first album not promoted with a live tour by the band. (They had decided to stop touring in August 1966)

-”Hey Jude,” our contributor Simon’s favorite song, was written in 1968 by Paul McCartney for Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, to help him cope with his parents’ divorce.

-Being a valley resident, it’s always good to know that the Beatles came in 1964 and played 2 sold out shows at the Las Vegas Convention Center : )

I encourage any Beatles fans or anyone who has never been exposed to the music of the Beatles to take History of the Beatles at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I know many others who have also taken it and no one can honestly say they regret doing so. Also, I highly recommend Love for any Beatles fans; it is one of the better Cirque shows in my opinion, and of course, the music is amazing!

by Gørdø L.
Las Vegas, NV

Published with permission from Sketchtunes
http://www.sketchtunes.com/

Getting in shape for the nightclubs and pools? Or do you want to just get rid of all that extra poundage from the buffet lines? Burn off a couple of pounds at the Las Vegas Athletic Club! LVAC has dedicated their facility for the health and wellness of it’s gym members, and have been in business for 33 years. The gym offers plenty of services and amenities such as a swimming pool, running tracks, women only training area, racquetball courts, personal training, free weights and machines, massive cardio entertainment areas, group fitness programming, child play centers and juice bars. LVAC operates six facilities that are kept clean and safe for all members to use. They have been voted “Best of Las Vegas” in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s annual reader poll 17 times!

LVAC rocks.  I know this is readily apparent to people who have been in Vegas for a while, but for some reason it took me quite a while to figure this out.  It’s cheaper and better than 24 hr sport fitness and you can go to any of their locations for the same membership fee.  Way better.

What else is super impressive?  The people watching at LM and GV.  I suspect that some of these jocks must never leave the premises, except perhaps for the latest Abercrombie and Fitch photo shoot, just continually chipping away at their awesome physiques like 21st century fleshy Michelangelos.  Greek gods and naughty nymphs galore.  Sure it’s hugely shallow and narcissistic.  But wow. -Mike G.

Craving for a tasty treat that good for your bones as well as your tummy? U-Swirl is the perfect place to drop by to grab a quick nutritious snack. They have a ton of flavors such as Snickerdoodle, Root Beer Float, Stawberry Kiwi Sorbet, Peach Mango Tart, and so much more! This amazing snack is beneficial by providing an excellent source of calcium, helps maintain general digestive and immunity, low in sodium and cholesterol, and is perfect for diets. The amount of toppings plus the many flavors offered is wonderful and is a good place to visit with the family during the hot Vegas summer.

The interior design gives off a fun, cool, fruity aspect which is appealing for kids. There’s plenty of room for customers and you only pay for the amount you want! All you do is go in, grab a cup, fill it up to the desired amount, and pay per ounce. It’s that simple!

Excellent yogurt you can tell isn’t full of sugar and lots of topping options that are natural and non-sugar as well! I mean, of course they have the sugar toppings too if that’s what floats your boat! Very clean and very friendly staff. They’ll let you taste everything for free but you have to ask! Great place and I recommend to all my friends. -Sam

There are seven locations listed in Vegas. Local Vegas Channel 8, CBS News has also done a media coverage of U-Swirl discussing their fun product they have to offer in the video below. Please visit the official U-Swirl website here.

Although the Red Rock Casino Resort is located far from the Las Vegas strip, it doesn’t mean that it cannot generate some interest for locals. It takes complete advantage of opportunities for tourists not looking for the typical Vegas scene.

It is the first billionaire-resort and casino to be built off the strip which received a Four Diamond Award from AAA . Right by the Red Rock Canyons, visitors can go hiking, horse back riding, kayaking, and mountain biking. The guest rooms start from 500 to 4,000 square feet and can include a 42″ HD Plasma TV, Bose sound systems, and an iPod docking station. Places to eat there include the Grand Café, Feast Buffet, The Bagel Cafe, T-Bones Chophouse & Lounge, Terra Rossa Italian Restaurant, Hachi, LBS: A Burger Joint, Cabo Cantina, Turf Grill, Yard House, a food court and the seasonal Sandbar Poolside Café.

The Red Rock also provides entertainment for the family such as a 3-acre complex pool, a 16 screen movie theater, an arcade, and a 72 lane bowling alley. It is truly an amazing place to stay and a place to definitely check out. Of course it wouldn’t be a Casino without its 87,000-square-foot casino floor with 60 gaming tables offering blackjack, roulette, craps, 2,700 slot and video poker machines, a 15-table poker room and 600-seat bingo room. The Red Rock Casino Resort is located in Summerlin and provides a shuttle service to and from the Strip.