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Category: Norm Johnson

Posted by Norm

There is a place in our little village (Las Vegas) where a person can walk in and see more than 50 automobiles that many of us can only dream about. Most of these cars are incredibly special, having belonged to a celebrity, or when it was produced, like the pure white 2019 Ferrari F812 of which only 18 were ever produced priced at $749,000. Prices range from a classic 1971 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, beautifully restored selling for $34,950, to an old 1928 bullet proof Cadillac sedan owned by Al Capone priced at a cool $!-million-bucks,

2019 Ferrari 812 Superfast Novitec N-Largo

 

 

General Manager Ryan Hamilton was one of the founding members in 2000 when they opened Celebrity Cars Las Vegas (CCLV), at 7770 Dean Martin Dr #301.  It has space to show approximately 80 cars within its 20,000 sq, ft showroom and events center, which on the day this writer was there had 57 cars available for sale. When I last checked with Ryan they had sold 11 cars ranging in price from $19,000 to $650,000 the previous week.

What is so unique about CCLV is how they obtain the automobiles from the famous and not so famous and how they are sold: Ryan and an owner will sit down and make a deal, it could be that the owner will put his car on consignment, or Ryan will often purchase the car outright. Once a deal is signed the car is put through a restoration cleaning process within their special re-hab department and polished to a high gloss finish. When it’s deemed ready for display more than 40 photos will be taken from every angle, and along with a complete profile of the car, it is displayed on the internet. Celebrity Cars has an extremely high-profile internet presence where they market all their autos to a world-wide audience numbering in the millions. With over 20 years of selling exotic, fashionable luxury autos, and motorcycles, millions of potential buyers throughout the world are looking every day at their exclusive site.

 

Celebrity Cars Las Vegas

According to Ryan a Prince from Dubai can be on the phone asking to put a hold on a certain car, and that he will be in the showroom within two days to make a final decision. This particular person is well known to be a major collector of exotic type autos, and that courtesy is extended to him. Sure, enough he was in the showroom the next evening and purchased the black Mercedes-Benz SLR 2-door coupe McLaren Supercar for $800,000 plus shipping and taxes.

Celebrity Cars Las Vegas is uniquely set up for Special Events to be staged within their millions of dollars in exotic and classic cars, motorcycles and more. Its flexible space allows them to cater to such events as a Galla Charity or even a few private gatherings.

“We can handle up to a thousand people for a cocktail party, and we have had charity dinners here,” Hamilton said. “and our location is perfect for a corporation looking to stage a special event for its people.”

For more information call Celebrity Cars Las Vegas at 702-818-1031 or drop by and take a tour of the facility.

 

THIS AND THAT QUICKLY:

 

San Pedro

Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio

Stoney’s Rockin’ Country, 6611 Las Vegas Blvd. So., Unit 160 at Town Square, will be introducing for the first time ever, live jazz with two special performances by acclaimed jazz musicians Jeff Hamilton, Graham Dechter, and Akiko Tsuruga comprising the Jeff Hamilton Organ Trio. Performances are scheduled for Sunday, March 28, 2021 – doors open at 2 p.m., and Monday, March 29, 2021 – doors open at 5 p.m.

 

Musicians from the Las Vegas Academy’s Jazz program will serve as the opening act, performing to such legendary compositions and the voices who made jazz the talk of world with some of the richest voices and instrumentalists in jazz – Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Krall, Michael Bublé, Lionel Hampton, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Count Basie, and Rosemary Clooney, to name just a few – it is no surprise that Jeff Hamilton is revered as  one of the most musical of drummers. Always in  high demand, Hamilton brings versatility, driving beats and technical perfection to every performance.

 

An accomplished guitarist, composer and arranger, Graham Dechter plays with the kind of swinging authority and seasoned maturity that belies his young age. This Los Angeles native, a member of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra since he was 19, shows a deep reverence for the jazz guitar tradition in his warm-toned renditions of ballads, bossas, bebop and blues.

Hailing from Osaka, Japan, Akiko Tsuruga is a jazz composer, organist, and pianist with ten albums as a leader to her credit. Her debut album in the U.S., “Sweet and Funky,” was selected as a “Best Album of 2007” by DOWNBEAT Magazine. Akiko has been a regular in the DOWNBEAT polls since then, culminating this year being recognized as the #1 “Rising Star – Organ.” Hot House Magazine named her “Best Organ” in their 2017 Readers Poll, and her albums have constantly placed in the top ten on the National Radio Jazz chart.

Tickets start at just $20 (plus tax and fees) and are on sale now. Add Brunch or Dinner

for an additional  $32 per person. To make reservations call 702-435-2855.

 

Jabbawockeez

In accordance with revised state guidelines, Jabbawockeez will return to the stage Thursday, March 11 at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. The world-famous dance crew will perform its show, TIMELESS, five nights a week at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Performances are scheduled Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49.99 (plus tax and fees) and are available for purchase on mgmgrand.com or ticketmaster.com.

TIMELESS, Jabbawockeez fourth stage production, is a sonically hypnotic voyage into the visionary minds of the masked members. Familiar favorites and brand-new routines are supercharged with innovative production elements, breathtaking visuals, and a mesmerizing laser effect. The show takes the audience along for a ride as the beloved characters land on earth from outer space, in search of the quintessential music playlist that spans generations, locations and musical genres.

 

Jabbawockeez continually inspire with positive tropes and their own unique humor, paired with a soundtrack all ages can appreciate. From their first national television appearance on “America’s Got Talent” in 2006 to their win on MTV’s “Randy Jackson Presents America’s Best Dance Crew in March 2008, Jabbawockeez have proven themselves as global trendsetters. They have stayed on the pulse of pop culture including a recent appearance on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” with GRAMMY-nominated artist DaBaby and a collaboration with Marshmello.

 

Jabbawockeez

Jabbawockeez has developed a one-of-a-kind style that has positioned the group as the most influential dance crew in the world, effectively changing the way people view dance entertainment. Known for their creativity, choreography, athleticism, and intricate synchronization, each member of the dance crew brings a different technique and perspective to form the original style that makes the Jabbawockeez so distinct. With their signature look of expressionless white masks and gloves, the performers guide the audience’s attention away from individual identities and towards a unified group.

They first gained recognition upon winning season one of MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew.” Their fan base grew with their first Las Vegas stage production MUS.I.C., which opened at MGM Grand in 2010 and played to sold-out audiences. Jabbawockeez has won multiple awards including Hip Hop International’s Living Legend Award, Best Family Show, and Best All Ages Show from multiple publications.. For show schedules, additional information and to purchase tickets for any of these shows, visit MGM Resorts Open Entertainment visit jbwkz.com. Connect with Jabbawockeez on InstagramFacebookTwitter and Tik Tok, and visit their YouTube channel.

 

Youth ages 8 to 22 that would like to share their entertainment talents in a free public performance are invited to audition for the 2021 “Night of Expressions Youth Talent Showcase.”  Call 702-229-2473 by April 3, 2021, to make audition arrangements and receive more details. There is no cost to audition.

 

The Night of Expressions Youth Talent Showcase & Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, in Sammy Davis Jr. Festival Plaza in Lorenzi Park at 720 Twin Lakes Drive. The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 1 p.m.; the performance begins at 2 p.m. Hosted by the city of Las Vegas, this young adult showcase will feature young performers that have a talent to share, such as singing, dancing, acting, drill team, music, and the spoken word. This annual event usually takes place in February as part of the city’s Black History Month recognition but is delayed this year due to pandemic restrictions. Social distancing and face masks will still be required, in accordance with current pandemic protocols. Bring blankets and low-back chairs to be more comfortable on the grass in the park. Food trucks will offer refreshments for sale.

 

Five Iron Golf

Five Iron Golf, located at AREA15, an immersive entertainment district just off the Las Vegas Strip at 3215 S. Rancho Dr., will celebrate the luck of the Irish with green beer and Irish whiskey on the greens on Wednesday, March 17.

Green lovers and green beer lovers alike are welcome to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Five Iron Golf with $5 domestic green beers and $5 Jameson shots. Additionally, guests may take a virtual swing on three of Ireland’s most prestigious courses including Adare Manor, Lahinch, and Royal Portrush Golf Clubs. They will also participate as a location in AREA15’s St. Patrick’s Day Lepre-Con Crawl from 3 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17. More information is available here.

 

The new Five Iron Golf spans 6,300 square feet on the second floor of AREA15, including eight simulators featuring both TrackMan and Full Swing technology with down-the-line and front-facing cameras installed in each bay. The colorful, urban space allows everyone to practice and play like the pros with actionable data, instant video analysis, and virtual rounds on close to two hundred of the world’s greatest courses, while also offering premium entertainment options: a full bar, 12 widescreen TVs, a TV wall, shuffleboard and more.

 

Five Iron Golf

Five Iron offers full bar service with signature cocktails, as well as elevated bar-bites from The Beast by Todd English, which includes the four-time James Beard award winning chef’s spin on sliders, wings, and other hand-held favorites.

Five Iron Golf is open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. – 12 a.m. Friday to Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday. Reservations can be made by calling 725.239.1600.

Five Iron Golf is an urban indoor golf experience that combines a unique mixture of golf and entertainment with a community-focused vision of making the game more inclusive and accessible. Each Five Iron Golf location features industry-leading golf simulators, teaching professionals, a full bar, a locally inspired menu, and event space.  More information on Five Iron Golf is available on Five Iron’s website and social media channels — @fiveirongolf.

 

Well gang I’ll be at Stoney’s for sure as my friend, Mary Wilson once told me: “It gets my heart moving nice and smooth.”

I’m outa here!