Spring has sprung at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, now open to the public through May 13. This year’s show debuts the enchanting musical sounds of the harp and violin, a rotating windmill and a floral exhibition showcasing tulips, azaleas, hibiscus and lilies. A carousel, waterfall and ceiling-hung hand-painted parasols invite the spirit of spring with open arms.

For the first time during the Conservatory’s spring display, guests can enjoy live musical performances 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. daily, from the Victorian Gazebo in the South Garden. The sounds of the harp and violin transport guests to a serene village through compositions and arrangements inspired by European musical masters like Mozart, Beethoven, Bach and Chopin.

Steps away and making its debut at Bellagio, a 26-foot-tall windmill, weighing approximately 9,000 pounds, lures visitors into a captivating garden surrounded by magnolia, weeping willow, bottle and plum trees. A stunning mother swan and her cygnets, made of 5,000 feathers and simulated fur, frolic in the cool water beneath a 24-foot-long stone bridge.

Near the entrance to the Conservatory, a colorful 11-foot-tall carousel, weighing 5,600 pounds, is accented with shades of emerald, plum, ginger and ruby and surrounded by large daffodils. Bumble bees made of preserved sunflowers and mums buzz about the daffodils while four custom-painted sets of over-sized traditional Dutch clogs complete the springtime ambiance.

In conjunction with the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s new exhibit “Claude Monet: Impressions of Light,” the Conservatory has created a floral interpretation of Claude Monet’s Fisherman’s Cottage on the Cliffs at Varengeville (1879). Located in the Giardini corner, the recreated painting is fitted within a 6-foot tall elaborately carved frame.

Also new to the spring display is the high-definition streaming Earthcam, allowing guests to experience the Conservatory from anywhere in the world. Perched above the Botanical Gardens, the Earthcam provides a live look at each seasonal transformation and transports guests to the beauty of Bellagio, around the clock, all year long.

The spring exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open daily, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Join The Venetian and The Palazzo as they celebrate Chinese New Year with lavish feng shui-inspired décor and awe-inspiring events. Witness a 128-foot hand-crafted dragon breathe fire from above the 65-foot-high waterfall atrium inside The Palazzo.  Regarded as the mightiest of signs, the dragon symbolizes ambition, passion and success. Those who possess the sign of the Dragon are said to take risks, are unafraid of challenges and embody colorful personalities.

You can catch the ceremonial dragon dance and eye painting on January 23 at 1 pm, beginning at the main entrance of The Venetian. From there, the ceremony will dance its way into The Palazzo.

The M Resort invites you to celebrate the Chinese New Year on January 23 at 6 p.m. To kick-off the two week celebration a traditional Dragon Dance will be held on Monday, January 23 at 6pm to bring good luck and fortune to guests. A 63 foot-long dragon will feature adult and baby lion dancers, buddhas, musicians and festive flags and will make its way through our entire casino.  Enjoy the festive décor, Asian favorites at the Studio B Buffet and special poker room promotions.  Click here for more information.

MGM Resorts International celebrates Chinese New Year 2012, the Year of the Dragon, with exhilarating lion dances and a spectacular display at Crystals at CityCenter.

The Dragon is unique to the Asian Zodiac as it is not recognized as a real animal.  It does, however, represent a symbol of power and remains prominent in Chinese astrology.  The Dragon is viewed as a powerful almighty king made up of multiple parts of animals such as the tiger, fish, snake and eagle.  Individuals born in the Year of the Dragon tend to be powerful and often own a sharp tongue.

Lion Dances

The following schedule outlines each lion dance to be held in the respective resort’s main valet and porte cochere:

• ARIA – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.
• Crystals – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.
• The Mirage – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.
• MGM Grand – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.
• Bellagio – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Yau Kung Moon will perform traditional Chinese lion dances at ARIA, Bellagio, MGM Grand and The Mirage.  Yau Kung Moon, which translates to “Style of Flexible Power,” is considered one of the most-respected martial arts, dragon and lion dance organizations in the world.  It is a traditional Southern Shaolin Kung Fu system with more than 1,000 years of history.

In the 1960s, Yau Kung Moon was introduced to the United States by Grandmaster Ha Kwok Cheung’s disciples, Grandmaster Chan Jun Chuen, Grandmaster Wong Cheung and Grandmaster Wan Tak Kee.  They later passed the system onto their disciples, Master Bill Lee, Master Lok Sang Lee, Master Michael Lau and Master David Louie.

Within the lion dancing culture, Yau Kung Moon is considered one of the pioneers of Northern and Southern lion dancing (Nam Si Buk Mo) and has set an exceptionally high standard evidenced by its numerous competitions and performances.  Yau Kung Moon is known for its trademark gold uniforms and innovative routines and has been recognized internationally for being the first U.S. team to compete in the 1990 Invitational World Lion Dance Festival in Malaysia.  The group also has finished as the nine-time undefeated Chinese National Lion Dance Champions.

Crystals at CityCenter

The Flower Carpet on the first floor of Crystals at CityCenter has been decorated with a 43-foot long and 12-foot high authentic ceremonial dragon chasing a pearl symbolizing the constant pursuit of wisdom.  The dragon is surrounded by more than 4,000 flowers and plants including China mums, guzmania finest red, vriesea splendens, oncidium orchids, citrus trees and bamboo.

On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Crystals will join ARIA in its celebration with a traditional dragon dance with Kung Fu artists and Chinese performers.  Select Crystals retailers will take part in the traditions involved in the ceremonial dance by feeding the dragon cabbage as a sign of satisfying its needs along with giving the dragon a red envelope with money.  Both customs represent good luck and prosperity in the upcoming year.  The dance is scheduled to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m.

The Las Vegas Hotel (formerly the LV Hilton) will host it’s Chinese New Year Dragon Dance on Friday, January 27th at 2pm.

Caesars Entertainment celebrates the Year of the Dragon with citywide Lion Dances at its properties. On Friday, January 27th at 5pm at Harrah’s, 6:15pm at Imperial Palace, 7 p.m. at Flamingo Las Vegas, 10pm at the Rio, and on Saturday, January 28th at 12pm at Planet Hollywood, 1pm at Paris, 2pm at Bally’s, and 5pm at Caesars Palace.

Fremont Street Experience is hosting the first Chinese New Year Festival, 2012 Dragon in the Desert from January 24-28 6-11pm.  There will be  nightly community and cultural presentations, a custom Viva Vision production, authentic food offerings, and stage entertainment.

For a great recap of activities city-wide, check out the R-J’s coverage – by clicking here.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests to celebrate the Year of the Dragon during Chinese New Year with a vibrant display honoring the mythical creature that symbolizes good fortune and power. A serene sanctuary guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui – the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy – is on view through March 4.

For the first time during Bellagio’s Chinese New Year display, the Conservatory will feature live entertainment.  The Las Vegas-based “Beijing Trio” will perform traditional folk and pop music with authentic Chinese instruments including the erhu, ruan and pipa. Complimentary performances take place 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., daily, within the wing-tipped Ming Dynasty-style gazebo in the South Garden, for the duration of the exhibit.

The majestic centerpiece of this exhibit consists of two animated 25-foot blue Dragons coiled around a cylinder of water. Rising from an island of tropical botanicals, the cylinders are accompanied by two 3,000-pound stone waterfalls surging nearby. A spectacular photo opportunity presents itself as the Dragons blow steam from their nostrils in an attempt to playfully swat at a legendary, oversized iridescent red pearl hanging directly above. The pearl, in Chinese lore, represents wealth, good luck and prosperity.

Nearby, two additional animated dragons, green and gold in color, actively lunge in the direction of the centerpiece. These 15-foot long dragons represent the elements wood and metal and are surrounded by a zig-zag bridge that leads to the striking gazebo. The bridge’s design follows the principles of Feng Shui, providing a difficult route for negative energy and bad spirits.

Just steps away in the North Garden, two animated dragons, brown and red, mirror their counterparts. These dragons represent the elements earth and fire and are surrounded by oversized silk red Chinese lanterns, a Chinese-style bridge and gold-leafed I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese symbol for money.

The entrance of the Conservatory features a 21,000-gallon pond housing more than 200 Koi fish. The pond is found amidst I-Ching coins and flanked by four Ming Dynasty-style dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad fortunes.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The fifth animal in the Asian zodiac, the legendary Dragon, serves as a symbol of ambition and is a master of authority. Those born in the Year of the Dragon, the most desirable year, tend to be passionate, strong leaders and artistically gifted.

On view through March 4, the Chinese New Year exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Transforming into a magical winter wonderland, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens unveils its spectacular holiday display, rich in tradition and filled with picture-perfect botanical creations, on Dec 2. In the center of it all, a magnificent holiday tree will stand tall sending gazes soaring while musical sounds and seasonal colors evoke the holiday spirit.

The majestic centerpiece of the winter exhibit, a stately 42-foot Shasta White Fir, will be decorated with more than 1,700 gold and silver holiday ornaments and ablaze in more than 13,500 twinkling white lights. Beneath the holiday tree, floating ornaments will bobble along a lazy river, which will be enclosed by thousands of bright-red poinsettias. Overhead, 24 over-sized gold and silver bells will hang gracefully from the Conservatory’s all-glass ceiling.

“The winter display at Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is our most popular display of the year, exhibiting the spirit and traditions of the holiday season,” said Randy Morton, President and COO of Bellagio. “Each day more than 22,000 visitors visit the Conservatory to enjoy this spectacular setting and commemorate a special time of year.”

New to the display this year, a group of five animated penguins will ice skate on a patch of arctic terrain among a life-like family of 34 adult and baby penguins. An animated penguin will examine the construction blueprints for an igloo “in progress” while another will be hard at work as it moves blocks of faux ice between its flippers.

In the north garden, a scene of family bonding will play out with a trio of topiary polar bears adorned with “fur” coats made of more than 35,000 hand-applied white carnations. A whimsical five-car toy train, equipped with a live webcam, will whirl on its tracks in the midst of three illuminated white trees.

Upon entering the Conservatory, a brick-lined path will be surrounded by pink and red poinsettias, inviting guests to stroll underneath eight streams of dancing water and two pergolas adorned with sparkling white lights. In the Giardini corner, a floral greeting card made of more than 3,000 carnations, will bestow well wishes for the holiday season.

Inquisitive guests strolling through the Conservatory are invited to visit with Bellagio horticulturists designated as “Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb” from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. daily to receive holiday decorating tips along with additional information about the exhibit.

On view through Jan. 2, 2012, the winter exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

This Christmas, Mr. Grinch leaves his perch on Mount Crumpit to look for mischief at Bellagio’s Jean Philippe Pâtisserie. More than a month in the making, the infamous Dr. Seuss character was brought to life using 50 pounds of chocolate and 112 pounds of fondant. The impressive six-foot tall green sculpture towers over guests and can be seen tip-toeing across the patisserie 24 hours a day.

The Bellagio pastry team also created 15 festive delicacies made especially for the holiday season.  Playful chocolate designs include Santa Claus involved in a variety of activities such as skiing, building a sandcastle, rollerblading, relaxing at the beach and posing with his sleigh. Other delectable chocolate sweets include an interactive Christmas puzzle with edible pieces plus a scenic Christmas postcard and colorful Christmas ornaments. Each holiday treat is made with the finest European milk chocolate and accented with dark and white chocolate.

Bellagio Hotel and Casino
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Attracting more than 22,000 visitors daily, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens unveils an impressive autumn display featuring a picturesque harvest tableau to celebrate the sights and colors of the crisp season. Scents of chrysanthemums, carnations and roses enchant guests while oversized oak, birch, maple and chestnut leaves cascade in translucent splendor overhead, heralding the season’s debut.

At the entrance of the Conservatory, and new to the exhibit, a grass filled meadow is home to a family of three majestic hand-planted horse sculptures, comprised of more than 31,000 plants. Corralled in an old-fashioned post-and-rail fence, the impressive stallion and mare watch over their colt, resting lazily nearby.

Another first for the Conservatory, a 20-foot-tall cornucopia constructed of tightly woven willow branches, lies in the north garden. A symbol of the fall harvest, the colossal cornucopia overflows with pumpkins, gourds and exotic fruit. Nearby, a 15-foot-tall scarecrow stands guard over an enormous flowering pumpkin, made from 2,000 orange carnations and seven large half-shucked corn shapes, each made of 60 pieces of native Indian corn.

In the south garden, a 20-foot-tall fairytale talking apple tree welcomes guests with its gentle azure eyes and a whimsical smile. Near the base of the tree more than 3,400 fresh red roses take shape to form two delicious three-foot-tall apples. An authentic Newton high-wheel wagon, circa 1870, is adorned with horse harnesses awaiting their owners’ return.

Rounding out this seasonal transformation is a towering 35-foot-tall cider mill powered by a gentle stream and surrounded by a bed of massive pumpkins, ranging in size from 300 to 1,000 pounds.

Inquisitive guests strolling through the Conservatory are invited to visit with Bellagio horticulturists designated as “Mr. and Mrs. Green Thumb” from 10:30 a.m. to noon daily to receive fall gardening tips along with additional information about the exhibit.

On view through November 27, the autumn display within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. ( Photo Credit: MGM Resorts International)

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) will host its second annual free admission day on Saturday, Oct. 8 to welcome back loyal patrons and introduce new visitors to one of Las Vegas’ cultural gems.

In honor of Smithsonian magazine’s Annual Museum Day, which offers complimentary entry to designated museums and cultural institutions across the country, BGFA will welcome all guests free of charge to the current show, “A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney,” a revealing exploration of how landscape has been portrayed by artists throughout history.

“We had an incredibly successful turnout for our inaugural Museum Day last year,” said BGFA Director Tarissa Tiberti. “The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art offers a unique opportunity to see intimate exhibitions featuring works by some of the world’s most compelling artists. Museum Day helps us share the experience with new and loyal fans alike, creating excitement and support around art and culture.”

BGFA will be open Oct. 8 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Last admissions will be accepted no later than 30 minutes prior to closing. In order to gain complimentary entry, guests are asked to visit www.bellagio.com/bgfa to download an admission ticket. Tickets must be presented at the BGFA Box Office and are redeemable for two complimentary admissions per household, valid only on Oct. 8.

Organized in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), “A Sense of Place” celebrates the ideals of natural scenery by artists including Claude Monet, David Hockney, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, Vik Muniz and more. The collection features more than 30 artworks ranging from paintings, photographs and a video installation that contrast and compare both approach and expressionism in art.

“A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney” is on display now through January 2012. Regular hours of operation for BGFA are Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for general admission; $12 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older; and $10 for students, teachers and military with valid ID. Children 12 and younger are free. For more information, please call (702) 693-7871 or visit www.bellagio.com/bgfa.

To celebrate the debut of spring, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens feature a spectacular floral exhibition filled with bright blooms and a playful carnival, on display through May 8.

Four enchanting gardens lure guests with scents of tulips, hydrangeas and daisies, while a colorful Ferris wheel, moving carousel and greenhouse full of beautiful butterflies catch the eye and lift the spirit.

At the entrance of the Conservatory, guests are invited to stroll through a romantic walkway lined with eight lamp posts and Linden trees with dazzling lights strung above.  Nearby, a moving 11-foot tall carousel makes its Conservatory debut.  Weighing more than 8,600 pounds, the carnival favorite is adorned with 330 clear bulbs and colorful acrylic balloons as a cedar ticket booth completes the whimsical scene.

Steps away, a 40-foot full-scale Ferris wheel decorated with animated lighting, captures the nostalgia and spirit of a spring carnival.

The majestic centerpiece of this exhibit is a stone-based rustic greenhouse that houses more than 500 live butterflies from around the world.  Nearby, a “fantasy” tree decorated with cherry blossoms soars 25 feet overhead as its spiraled branches reach for the spring sky revealed by the venue’s all-glass ceiling.  Illustrating the sculptural beauty of nature, the tree is first formed into a metal skeleton and then covered with more than 420,000 feet of tightly woven willow branches.  Two elegant egrets guard their nest on the banks of a small pond while oversized butterflies, comprised of flax & onion seeds, strawflowers and sweet rice, hang vibrantly overhead.

In conjunction with the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art’s new exhibit “A Sense of Place: Landscapes from Monet to Hockney,” debuting on April 16, the Conservatory has created an interpretation of David Hockney’s Garrowby Hill (1998) using a colorful array of flora.  Located in the Giardini corner, the recreated painting is fitted within a 6-foot tall elaborately carved frame accompanied by a 12-foot wood tapered painter’s brush and oversized paint palette with simulated smeared oil paints.

The spring exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens invites guests to celebrate Chinese New Year – Year of the Rabbit, with a unique display replete with symbolic meaning and tradition. A serene sanctuary guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui – the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy – is on display now through March 5.

The majestic centerpiece of this exhibit is a 35-foot Chinese Junk Boat with a 38-foot mast inspired by traditional 15th century fishing vessels. Making its debut at the Conservatory, the boat was created using teak, mahogany and cedar by Daniels Wood Land, Inc. – which is best known for building full-scale replicas of The Black Pearl for Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie franchise. The ancient vessel is surrounded by a zig-zag bridge – a design that follows the principles of Feng Shui, providing a difficult route for negative energy and bad spirits – as it leads to a striking, wing-tipped Ming Dynasty-styled gazebo.

Nearby, a 12-foot rabbit with a luxurious coat comprised of more than 4,500 live sedge plants, watches over eight babies at play within a forest of bamboo trees and Taihu rocks. Stones are viewed as essential features of any traditional Chinese garden and symbolize the larger world around us. After spending decades forming underwater, Taihu stones were chosen because they are believed to encourage circulation of ch’i, or natural energy.

Just steps away from Bellagio’s furry fortune ambassadors, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Prosperity is found amidst gold leafed I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese money symbol. Widely recognized as the strongest symbol of good fortune and great luck in the New Year, the God of Prosperity is flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad fortunes.

Celebrating one of the greatest archaeological finds in history and appearing for the first time in the Conservatory are seven replica Terracotta Warriors, covered in crushed walnuts and ground carrot seeds, accompanied by a horse-drawn carriage. A form of funerary art, the original Terracotta Army was buried with the First Emperor Qin in 210-209 BC in the Shaanxi Province and later discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers digging a well.

The teachings of Feng Shui also are used to position the flow of water into Bellagio’s Conservatory, and not away, ensuring the flow of positive energy. Oversized red silk Chinese lanterns throughout the Conservatory add to the auspicious nature of this spectacular exhibit.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The fourth animal in the Asian zodiac, the rabbit serves as a symbol of fortune and longevity. Those born in the Year of the Rabbit tend to be lucky, articulate and ambitious.

On view through March 5, the Chinese New Year exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens welcomes winter with a spectacular holiday display rich in nostalgia and filled with picture-perfect botanical creations through January 2, 2011.  A spectacular holiday tree sends gazes soaring while musical sounds and colors of the season lure visitors for a stroll by four shimmering gardens.

The dazzling centerpiece of this winter exhibit is a stately 42-foot Shasta Fir ablaze in over 7,000 twinkling lights and decorated with more than 1,800 red, gold and silver holiday ornaments.  Standing at attention on the corners of the majestic holiday tree’s garden are four grand toy soldiers, each a commanding 15 feet tall.  Nearby, a 7-foot-tall, custom-sculpted rocking horse stands in the midst of a whimsical five-car toy train, which whirls around the base of the tree.

Eight reindeer are captured in mid-flight surrounding the holiday tree, as they guide a present-filled, red-lacquer sleigh into a snowy sky.  Each majestic reindeer is made of 110 pounds of whole pecans and wear brilliant collars of braided cranberry-red velvet harnesses with silver bells.

In the north garden, a family of 28 adult and baby penguins come to life, waddling on a patch of arctic terrain.  An animated penguin examines the construction blueprints to an igloo in-process, while another is hard at work as it moves blocks of faux ice between its flippers.  Inside a completed igloo nearby, a curious penguin pops out its snow-covered head as three over-sized ice bursts shimmer high above the surrounding frost-laden 20-foot-tall pine trees.

In the south garden, three light-draped Manzanita trees stand quietly over a “reflective pond” as three massive icicle stars hover angelically overhead.  A polar bear family, adorned with coats made of 16,000 white carnations, tug on the heartstrings of visitors young and old as the baby bear frolics playfully on his back as mama bear watches with affection.  In the east garden, five large twinkling gold holiday ornaments, ranging in size from 4-feet to 8-feet tall, welcome guests amid dancing water and a bed of colorful seasonal flora.

On view through January 2, 2011, the winter exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Cirque du Soleil is offering a number of winter deals during their “Tis the Season to Unwind” promotion. Offers  include: two tickets to Mystere for $99 and  Zumanity’s buy one, get one ticket for $7 .  Click here to see all offers. (Offers valid for select performances through February 28, 2011. Not valid November 29, 2010 through December 5, 2010. Prices do not include tax and fees. Valid on select seating areas, categories and show times. Zumanity has been created for guests 18 years and older.)

Additional Special Offers for Nevada Residents can be found by clicking here. (Offer valid for select performances through February 28, 2011. 2-for-$99 ticket offer valid for Mystère, KÀ, Zumanity and CRISS ANGEL Believe. 2-for-$125 ticket offer is valid for LOVE and Viva ELVIS. Available performance days and times vary per show and are subject to availability. Valid Nevada ID must be shown at the box office at the time of pick up. Zumanity has been created for guests 18 years and older. Prices do not include tax and fees. Tickets must be sold in pairs. Valid on select seating areas only.)

Additional seasonal discounts & discounts for children, students and military can be found by clicking here.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) is pleased to announce its first free admission day on October 2 to thank loyal patrons and introduce new ones to BGFA.  In honor of Smithsonian Magazine’s Annual Museum Day which offers complimentary entry to designated museums and cultural institutions across the country, BGFA will welcome all  guests free of charge (click here to get your free ticket  – required for admission) to experience “Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form,” an engaging survey of figurative art through the ages.

“Figuratively Speaking” drew immediate praise from Las Vegas art critics upon its debut May 1, 2010.  Kristen Petersen of Las Vegas Weekly wrote, “If you’ve never been to the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art, now’s the time – this is the show to see,” and Danielle Kelly of the Las Vegas Sun lauded the exhibition for “taking a dusty theme and shedding new light on its subjective significance.”

Organized in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA), “Figuratively Speaking” presents figurative works by 29 artists including Pierre-August Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Giacometti, Joseph Cornell, Roy Lichtenstein and more.  The collection thoughtfully features more than 40 works – ranging from paintings and photographs to sculpture and video installations – to define the genre of figurative art as it was perceived in the late 19^th, 20^th and early 21^st centuries.

“We are thrilled to open our doors to the public gratis and introduce first-time visitors to what we have to offer,” said BGFA Director Tarissa Tiberti.  “This also is an opportunity to thank our regular patrons for supporting us throughout the year.”

The Gallery will be open October 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Last admissions will be accepted no later than 30 minutes prior to closing.  In order to gain complimentary entry, guests must visit BGFA online at www.bellagio.com/bgfa to download an admission ticket.  Tickets must be presented at the BGFA Box Office and are valid for up to two free admissions on October 2 only.  For more information, call (702) 693-7871.

Through November 27, 2010, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens welcomes autumn with this season’s botanical display.  Wander through the picturesque harvest tableau celebrating the sights and colors of the season while scents of chrysanthemums and Asiatic lilies will lure guests into four enchanting gardens .  The autumn exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day and best of all, it’s free!

A first for the Conservatory, three majestic “fantasy” trees, weighing 3,300 pounds each, soar 25 feet overhead as their spiraled branches reach for the autumn sky revealed by the venue’s all-glass ceiling.  Illustrating the sculptural beauty of nature, the trees are first formed into a metal skeleton and then covered with tightly woven willow branches.  This will also mark the first time the “fantasy” trees, created by English artist Tom Hare, will be on display in the United States.

Oversized oak, birch, maple and chestnut leaves cascade in translucent splendor over the Conservatory heralding the season’s debut.  A stone-based rustic greenhouse, nestled among weeping California Pepper and olive trees, housing 20- to 30-year-old specimen orchids from around the world.  Specimen orchids are grown uninterrupted for several years, allowing the plants to grow to large size and produce a plethora of blooms.  A bed of colossal pumpkins from Half Moon Bay, Calif., ranging in size from 300 to 1,000 pounds, host a whimsical fairytale Ent tree that welcomes guests with a sweet smile and wild botanical ‘hair.’

In the north garden, a walkway of moss-covered stairs is flanked by animated Venus Flytraps awaiting their prey.  Close by, an armillary sphere – a tool used by early century astronomers to chart the heavens – is intertwined with full-grown vines, showcasing the beauty of nature.

In the south garden, a babbling brook leads the eye to a covered rustic bridge inspired by the scenic overpasses of the Northeast.  A scarecrow, colorful gourds and lush cattails complete this autumn transformation.

Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens
3600 Las Vegas Blvd South
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Docent tours at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art (BGFA) now are offered daily, on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Limited to the first 25 attendees, each tour begins promptly at 2 pm and lasts approximately 45 minutes.  General docent tours are complimentary with the purchase of any BGFA admission.

Private docent tours are offered during operational hours for $35 per group and after operational hours for $50 per group, based on availability.  The fee is in addition to the price of admission.

Featuring “Figuratively Speaking: A Survey of the Human Form” through January 9, 2011, Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art is open Sunday through Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 6 pm, and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.  Last admissions are sold 30 minutes prior to closing.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for Nevada residents and seniors 65 and older, $10 for students, teachers and military with valid ID.  Children 12 and younger are free.  (There was also a Locals Discount offer on Wednesday nights from 5-7:30pm – I’d call to see if this is still in effect.)

Tickets and information are available by calling (702) 693-7871 or (877) 957-9777.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art
3600 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV  89109

Introduced during Bellagio’s botanical tribute to spring, an exhibition of large-scale sculptural ants remains by popular demand within the resort’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens through its summer exhibition.  Inspired by the social nature of these industrious creatures, American artist Susan P. Cochran created the 7-member bronze ant colony to represent the ideals of cooperation and teamwork.

A natural home to these oversized, diligent creatures, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens boasts an elaborate summertime display featuring thousands of brightly colored lilies, sunflowers, azaleas and hydrangeas, as well whimsical botanical snails, ladybugs and bumblebees.  Ten potted olive trees, each more than 100 years old, have been carefully sculptured into over-sized bonsai presentations for a rare exhibition.  Additionally, colorful hot-air balloons sail quietly overhead while American flags will provide a patriotic spirit.

On view through September 9, the summer exhibit within Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is complimentary to the public and open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.