Burning Man, Las Vegas Style

Downtown Las Vegas gets fired up this March at First Friday Las Vegas, featuring—in the spirit of Burning Man—the first public burn in the city's history, fire performances, and an art car extravaganza.

The First Friday Las Vegas arts and culture festival continues to draw crowds from around the valley and beyond for a night of art, music, and food. The next First Friday Las Vegas takes place Friday, March 2 from 5-11 p.m. March’s event is unique and symbolic for the city. First Vegas Burn! The Flames of Change will feature a burn signifying a transition from the old to new way of doing things, bringing a new energy and spirit to the growing downtown district.

First Friday Las Vegas highlights:
 
ARTS DISTRICT HUB
Location: Casino Center and Colorado Ave.
Art Style: Emerging and established artists, arts, crafts

8 p.m.
First Friday Las Vegas is pairing up with the “Lucky Lady Lucy” team and the city of Las Vegas to hold the first public burn in the city’s history. First Vegas Burn will feature “Lucky Lady Lucy,” a 20-foot tall wooden showgirl sculpture, to be burned ceremoniously at 3rd and Colorado Ave.

6-8:30 p.m.
Fire art performances by Flameology, Nytronix and The Brotherhood of the Flame will bring the energy of the public burn to crowds throughout the festival.

Cast members from the Los Angeles-based production “The Burning Opera: How to Survive the Apocalypse” will perform in a theatrical performance combining rock, opera and vaudeville.

5-11 p.m.
The Art Car Extravaganza will showcase some of the most creative art cars from around the world.

5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Two stages with live music and DJ performances. Golden Nugget Main Stage located on Casino Center just south of Colorado Ave. The Lyon’s Den Stage located on 3rd Street just south of Colorado. Both programmed to showcase live performances from multiple live bands and DJs.

FREMONT STREET EAST
Location: Get Back Alley located just south of Fremont Street between 6th and Las Vegas Blvd. 
Art Style: Urban and street art
Activities: Deriving its name from the long-running and hugely successful DJ funk and soul dance party held every First Friday, Get Back Alley is the newest part of the First Friday expansion to Fremont Street East. First Friday will transform the alley behind Downtown Cocktail Room, The Griffin, Beauty Bar and Le Thai into an arts hallway.

This area will include live murals, street art, live music and performance arts demonstrations.

Entertainment:
Live bands and DJ performances programmed in Get Back Alley from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.

OFFICIAL FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER-PARTIES
Location: The Plaza Hotel - Under the Dome - Art Car Extravaganza
Entertainment: 11 p.m.-2 a.m.
After the March 2 First Friday event, the Plaza Hotel will host an Art Car party with the Dancetronauts and more of the world’s most unique and artfully designed vehicles.

Location: The Plaza Theatre
Entertainment: 1-6 a.m.
Following the Art Car event the after-party will move into the Plaza Theatre, where guests can dance into the wee hours of the morning. Entertainment will be provided by Project Alma, a Burner camp from Los Angeles featuring four top DJs and live theatrics.

THE PARTY CONTINUES...SATURDAY, MARCH 3
Location: The El Cortez - Jackie Gaughan Parkway - ‘After Burn’ Event
Entertainment: 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
For those that missed the festivities during First Friday and those who just want more, on Saturday, March 3 in El Cortez’ Jackie Gaughan Parkway, the Dancetronauts and art cars will be at it again throughout the evening.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Those who wish to make a contribution towards the building of “Lucky Lady Lucy” and receive great perks can do so at indiegogo.com.

Las Vegas Rocks Cafe

By Shelley Stepanek

The Neonopolis has awakened again. The space formerly known as Jillian’s has a new tenant and a great new theme after a sleek renovation. The Las Vegas Rocks Cafe, co-owned by TV host Tony Sacca and chef Josette Leblond (known for Josette’s Bistro in Las Vegas), have teamed up with a new concept. Opening in December 2009, the pair has partnered with all their experience in food and entertainment to revitalize the Fremont Street Experience area.

The menu consists of themed foods such as The Siegfried and Roy turkey, ham, Swiss cheese sandwich; the Elvis Delight grilled banana and peanut-butter sandwich; The Ratpack Antipasto; and the Charo Chili. For entrees, The Sammy Steak, a big rib-eye; The Topless Dancer, an open-faced turkey breast; the Cirque Du Sole Filet; and topping off the desert menu, The Glitter Gulch Crème Brule and The Sin City Dessert.

The 20,000-square-foot venue, which has hosted such stars as Terry Fator and Louis Prima, this can hold up to 3,000 people in a standing room concert area.

Sacca has been doing his television show, “Entertainment Las Vegas Style,” for 24 years. He wrote the song “Las Vegas Rocks” four years ago and began marketing his musical clock and a line of souvenirs. He has produced, hosted, and researched Las Vegas history for his TV show and has developed a library of photos and catalogs with more than 500 celebrities and entertainers. With videos running in the restaurant on numerous TV screens, you can immerse yourself in fascinating history as you watch the crowd strolling by on Fremont Street.

Leblond has owned bakeries in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for years, and her Josette’s Bistro has been a mainstay on West Flamingo Road. She has had her own cooking show for the last couple of years.