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About Vegas Info

Since 1999, providing a panoramic perspective of Las Vegas, including: history, food reviews, hiking, day trips, local information and photos of this great city.

On this Date: March 17, 1989, Famous Las Vegas Artist Montyne passed away

March 17, 2019
Montyne

Montyne Sculpture in Front of Circus in 1999

Born Sherman LaMont Sudbury, known as Montyne (November 23, 1916 – March 17, 1989) was an American artist and stage performer. He was best known for his sculptures that once stood in front of Circus Circus Las Vegas and for his View-Master scenes of Tarzan of the Apes.

Montyne moved to Las Vegas in 1968 to sculpt the statues in front of Circus Circus. The first, The Balancer, was a self-portrait, depicting him as an acrobat. This heroic-size statue in 1978 was featured on the front cover of 35mm Photography. The work at one time was one of the most-photographed sculptures in the world. Over the next three years, he created four more statues: the Lion, the Clown, Gargantua the gorilla, and his wife China who was featured balancing on a rolo-board. In the photo above you can see the clown and the lion on the sidewalk in from of Circus Circus on Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip).

While working on the statues at Circus Circus, Montyne also was commissioned to create the wall murals in the convention hall at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino on Flamingo Road (1973). The casino was longer than a football field, and on the 15 ceiling arches were Montyne’s murals. The murals were destroyed in the 1980 MGM Grand fire.

Montyne passed away at the age of 72 and is buried in Las Vegas.

Clown Circus Circus

The last standing Montyne sculpture in front on Circus Circus – 2015

Photo by: LasVegas360.com

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On This Date: March 13, 2007 The Stardust Hotel Was Imploded

March 13, 2019


The Stardust Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was imploded on March 13, 2007 at 2:33 am to make way for the now defunct Echelon Place. The stardust operated from 1958 to 2006. When the hotel opened, it had the largest casino and swimming pool in Nevada and the it was the largest hotel in the Las Vegas area.

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On This Date: March 12, 2014, Jackie Gaughan Sr. Passed Away

March 12, 2019
Jackie Gaughan in front of his El Cortez Hotel/Casino 1965

Jackie Gaughan in front of his El Cortez Hotel/Casino 1965

John D. “Jackie” Gaughan Sr.(October 24, 1920 – March 12, 2014) was a casino owner and operator from the early 1950s in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gaughan had an ownership stake in many casinos throughout his career, but he is best known for his ownership of the El Cortez, where he resided until his death on March 12, 2014.  Gaughan at one time owned more than 25 percent of available real estate in Downtown Las Vegas.

Photo By: The Las Vegas News Bureau
Date Taken : March 22, 1965

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On This Date March 10, 2011, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts Opened

March 10, 2019
Smith Center bell tower

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts opened on March 10, 2011

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public/private partnership that is the centerpiece of cultural life in Las Vegas offering a blend of performances by resident companies as well as first-run touring attractions. The 4.75-acre cultural complex features inviting lobbies with beautiful balconies, refined acoustics and a tastefully landscaped plaza in downtown’s 61-acre urban development, Symphony Park. Home to the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall and the Boman Pavilion, The Smith Center is a living room for Las Vegas; a place that educates, entertain and excite the citizens of our great community. The Smith Center broke ground in May of 2009 with a ceremonial carillon bell casting and ringing. In February 2010, it celebrated its “Topping Out” with the raising of 50 tons of steel and open on February 10, 2011.

Symphony Park

Symphony Park

Next door the the Smith Center is the new home for the children’s museum, a state-of-the-art building to be named the Donald W. Reynolds Discovery Center.

Next to the Smith Center, is a small park called, Symphony Park, it is a two-acre open space within the heart of Symphony Park a is used for special cultural events.

Construction Photos

Photo gallery prior to opening

The Smith Center for the Performing Art- Panoramas

Interior Photos of the Smith Center for Performing Arts

Photos by: LasVegas360.com

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On This Date: March 10, 1995, The First Hard Rock Hotel Opens in Las Vegas

Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas

Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas With its Signature Guitar over the Main Entrance

On March 10, 1995, the The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened in Las Vegas. It was the first Hard Rock Hotel to open and was built by Peter Morton, co-founder of the Hard Rock Cafe. It was expanded in 1999, and began another expansion in 2007. Features of the property include the hotel tower, a 30,000-square-foot casino, Tahitian-style beach and swimming pool, a nightclub, six restaurants, three cocktail lounges, several retail stores, a spa, a poker room, and “The Joint”, a music venue. In June 2002 influential rock bassist John Entwistle of The Who died in one of the hotel’s rooms.

Photo by: Wikipedia.org

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The Top 4 Spots to Win at Bingo in Las Vegas

March 3, 2019
Photo of Downtown Las Vegas
What’s your favorite bingo spot in Sin City?

Las Vegas is known for its famous casinos and legendary hotels. The city offers all manner of entertainment that keeps visitors busy and spending money. At night though, most of the players like to indulge in traditional games like poker or blackjack. But did you know that there are also some fantastic bingo spots that host fun tournaments on a regular basis? Let’s take a closer look.

1. Bingo at South Point

Located in the South Point Hotel, this is one of the most popular bingo spots in town. At the entrance, you will receive a player’s card that gives you discounts at the bar. You also get free drinks upon stepping through the door.

South Point hosts traditional, pen-and-paper bingo tournaments, but you can also indulge in an electronic version of the game. The place is known all around Vegas for its patient and attentive staff, which is why you should check it out.

2. Bingo Room at Green Valley Ranch

This one is another clean and spacious bingo room. You can play on a digital board, paper board or both at the same time, which allows you to be more flexible and choose your favorite method.

There’s a separate area for smokers in the back-left corner of the room so that you’ll be able to enjoy fresh air while playing the game.

The spot has great reviews both on Yelp and TripAdvisor. That’s understandable because the staff is beyond friendly, and it helps that you get coupons for two free drinks at the entrance.

3. Bingo Room at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino

Another spot you can’t miss out on is the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino, which hosts regular bingo tournaments. The place is much smaller and more intimate than what you would expect from a regular hotel on the Strip, and incidentally, it has some of the best restaurants in Vegas.

It offers spacious rooms with all the amenities you would ever need. And though the hotel is not too far from the Strip, the cost of the average room is much cheaper, and the place is less crowded. Along with bingo, you can also indulge in slots, blackjack, poker and all sorts of other games.

4. Palace Station Casino Bingo Hall

This one is a much larger gaming hall that houses many great tournaments, including Bingo After Dark, which is an absolute must-do if you’re in town for a couple of days. The staff turns off the lights and gives everyone glow sticks and light-up shot glasses, which creates an incredible atmosphere.

You’ll get two free drinks at the entrance, and two more somewhere in the middle of the game.

As you can see, Las Vegas is chock-full of exciting bingo halls where you can try your luck and have a great time with friends. Keep in mind that it’s not all about the games but also the atmosphere, beautiful hotel rooms, amenities and other entertainment options.

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