Vegas StrEATs is a Monthly Food, Arts & Entertainment Celebration held at the El Cortez Hotel & Casino parking lot in the Fremont Street East District of downtown Las Vegas.

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 from 6 p.m. until 1 a.m.

COST: Vegas StrEATs is free to attend and the food and activities are specially priced.  Vegas StEATs is open to all ages; however those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Every second Saturday of each month, Slidin’ Thru fans can hit the Fremont Street East district of Downtown Las Vegas and enjoy a great night out. The event began in March 2011 and has become a local hot spot with a number of different food trucks, art vendors, live music, DJs, drinks and fun. The goal of this event is to provide a platform and opportunity for local businesses to shine. For more information about Vegas StrEATs, visit www.vegasstreats.com.

El Cortez Hotel & Casino
600 E. Fremont Street
Las Vegas, NV 89101

Donate blood or platelets during February 2012 at any of the four local United Blood Services locations and receive a voucher good for (2) Free Admissions to see Popovich Comedy Pet Theater.

The World Famous Popovich Comedy Pet Theater is a family-oriented blend of the unique comedy & juggling skills of Gregory Popovich, & the extraordinary talents of his performing pets.
Each of the shows 15 cats & 10 dogs were once strays, rescued from animal shelters.
Now they love to show off onstage – by performing a variety of stunts & skits.
Audiences will be delighted to see this extravaganza of European style clowns, amazing juggling & balancing acts, & of course, very talented performing pets. It’s a show that both adults & kids of all ages enjoy!
Gregory Popovich, winner of many international circus competitions, now based at Las Vegas after a world tour of more than 20 countries!
For more information please contact the Variety Theater Box Office located inside the Miracle Mill Shops at the Plant Hollywood Resort & Casino 3663 Las Vegas Blvd.South, Las Vegas, NV. (702) 260-7200

Schedule your appointment online or by calling 702-233-9620 today!

** Donors who receive a buffet voucher or alternate donor gift at a community blood drive will not receive the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater Voucher.

The Henderson Symphony Orchestra will be performing Master Series III at the Henderson Convention Center on February 10, 2012 at 8pm. Under the baton of Taras Krysa, the Orchestra will entertain you with Roberto Sierra’s Joyous Overture, Leo Brouwer’s Concerto Elegiaco, Diego Vega’s Cascades and Bow, and more.

Henderson Convention Center
200 S. Water Street
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 267-2171

Freed’s Bakery is offering five flavors of cupcakes for only $1 each, through February 12 2012 as part of their Cupcake Social (Experiment!) and even better, they’ll also be giving away your first cupcake FREE!. The flavors are Buttercream Topped Chocolate Cupcakes, Buttercream Topped Vanilla Cupcakes, Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing, Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing, and Strawberries & Cream Cupcakes.  Click here for more details.

To assure you get the cupcakes you want, make sure to call (702) 456-7762 and place your order in advance! The flavors in-store will be available while supplies last, so they can’t guarantee they’ll have all five flavors available all of the time! The free cupcakes will be limited to one per person and this promotion is only valid for cupcakes picked up or delivered during that date range. Other than that, not a whole lot of restrictions!

Freeds Bakery
9815 S. Eastern Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89183

Home Depot offers FREE hands-on Kids Workshop sessions for 5-12 year olds on the first Saturday of each month between 9 am and noon.

These workshops allow for quality one-on-one time between adults and children. As part of the workshops kids receive useful projects, a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin for completion, and it’s all FREE.

For more details and to find out what projects are being built this month, CLICK HERE.

The only thing that has changed about Las Vegas’ famous S*per B*wl parties are their names due to NFL copyright restrictions. The “Big Game” parties are alive and well and the Las Vegas Advisor’s site has a whole run down on them. Click here for the list (it’s updated right up to Sunday.)  Click here for one more at the LV Hotel & Casino (formerly the LV Hilton).

The National Park Service offers a variety of free guided hikes and programs throughout the year at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  Click here for Feb 2012 schedule.

For more information and reservations, call the Lake Mead Visitor Center at (702) 293-8990 between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.  Reservations are required on all hikes.  Please leave your pets at home.

The Lake Mead Visitor Center, also called the Alan Bible Visitor Center, is located about four miles east of Boulder City, Nevada, at the junction of U.S. Highway 93 and Lakeshore Rd.

The South Point is hosting a Gourmet Food Truck Fest: Dinner and a Movie on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5-9pm. Gourmet food trucks are rolling in from Las Vegas, LA, San Francisco, Phoenix, & Denver serving up their finest dishes & specialty sweets. There will be a free screening of the John Wayne movie, “The Searcher” under the stars.

South Point Hotel & Casino
9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89183

Emmy Award-winning comedian Louie Anderson gives back to United States military members with an invitation to attend his show for free during the month of February. All active military members with a valid military ID card will receive up to four free tickets to Louie LOL at Palace Station, as well as a voucher for the “Beach Party” appetizer platter at Cabo Mexican Restaurant also at Palace Station.

Presented by Bonkerz Comedy Productions, Louie LOL at the Louie Anderson Theater is a family-friendly show where guests can catch the esteemed headliner in his intimate showroom. A two-time Emmy award winner, Anderson is one of the country’s most recognized and adored comics. The comic’s material relates stories about growing up in the Midwest, being one of 11 children and dealing with an alcoholic father. Anderson constantly introduces new material to keep the comedy timely.

“We’re honored to welcome military members and their families to the show throughout the month of February,” said Louie Anderson. “They do so much to protect our freedom and we’re thrilled to give back.”

Anderson performs Wednesday through Saturday at 7 p.m. Free tickets voucher for the free appetizer platter at Cabo Cantina for the military can be picked up the day of the desired performance at the Palace Station Reward Center by showing a valid military ID as well as a state ID.

Palace Station Hotel & Casino
2411 W. Sahara Ave
Las Vegas, NV 89102

Divas Day Out takes place this Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 10am to 4pm at South Point Hotel and Casino.  This event is free and the first 500 guests will receive a party gals romance bag.  There will be giveaways and entertainment.  Shopping, clothes, cosmetics, salons, beauty, health, fitness, and everything that women love!

South Point Hotel & Casino
9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV 89183

Click here for a printable voucher (pdf format) for up to four free balcony tickets ($34 value each) to see Nathan Burton’s Comedy Magic show. Print out the voucher and bring it to the Flamingo box office to exchange for your ticket.  Subject to availability.  You may upgrade to a Main Floor seat for $10 per ticket at the box office.  Box office hours 9am to 11pm.  Voucher may be exchanged up to a week ahead of time.

Show time is 4 pm – dark Monday.

Flamingo Hotel
3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Box Office: (702) 733-3333 or (800) 221-7299

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.

Seven nights per week House of Blues at Mandalay Bay offers free live entertainment:

Mondays – Blues Mondays – Featuring live blues music.  Free admission.  All ages.  Doors at 8 pm.

Tuesdays – Alternative Tuesdays – Featuring a diverse mixture of music.  Free admission.  Doors at 8 pm.

Wednesdays – Nothing But the Blues – Featuring an evening of blues artists playing blues music in an up-close, intimate setting inside the popular courtyard in the House of Blues Restaurant.  Free admission.  All ages.  Doors open at 8 pm.

Thursdays – Acoustic Strip – Vegas promoter and musician Michael Soli brings unsigned bands and solo artists to the House of Blues.  The night features live, original music not seen or heard anywhere else on The Strip.  Free admission.  All ages.  Doors open at 8 pm.

Fridays & Saturdays- Live Blues Music – Live bands performing in the Courtyard.  The music begins at 9 pm.  Free admission for all ages.

Sundays – Motown, Rhythm and Blues – Ronnie Rose Band will entertain the Sunday night crowd beginning at 8 pm.  Free admission for all ages.

House of Blues (at Mandalay Bay)
3950 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 632-7777

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District now offers free music downloads for all of their library card holders.  Freegal is a free music download service that allows you (with a library card in good standing) to download and KEEP up to 5 songs a week – choose from hundreds of popular artists.  Click here for more information.

Las Vegas locals looking for a great deal on a year of entertainment can now save $10 on an annual membership to Fillaseat.com by using coupon code: SAVELV.

What is Fillaseat.com?

When shows, concerts, and sporting events here in Las Vegas have tickets for shows and events that haven’t sold out, they come to Fillaseat.com and give those tickets to Fillaseat members, FREE! You will have the opportunity to attend these shows and events, for free, over the course of your 12 month membership.

How do I sign up?

Go to www.Fillaseat.com and be sure to read all of the membership rules.

Then click Join; then Click here to join. Fill out the form and click: Continue. Do not click on any membership! First, enter the COUPON CODE: SAVELV and hit Apply Coupon.  Select a membership, put in your credit card information, and click continue. Click purchase and you are all set!

Regular price for memberships are : $89.95 Duet or $149.95 Quartet.

You must be at least 21 years old, have a valid Nevada ID and internet/email access to take advantage of this offer.

Fillaseat has offered over 100 shows and events in the past 12 months!  Offerings include athletic events, shows and concerts.