Vegas Happenings February 26th - March 4th, 2017

Are you traveling to Las Vegas next week? If you are tired of the casinos and are looking for something a little different to do, here is your chance to experience Las Vegas like a local! Check out this list hidden treasures and unusual events. 

February 26th

Scale the Strat - Stratopshere

Walk or run up all 1,455 steps to the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Tower with the goal of raising money for the American Lung Association. Each climber is required to fund raise a minimum of $150 for the organization in addition to the registration fee. Online advance registration closes February 23. Participants must be at least 18 years old. 

February 26, 7 a.m., $60-$75, Stratosphere, 2000 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 
ScaleTheStrat.com

February 27th

Improv Kingdom - Baobab Stage

Every Monday, 8 p.m. It’s ping pong with wit, tennis with words featuring both short- and long-form improv from some of the valley’s most experienced improv actors. Wine and concessions available. Come at 6p for drop-in class with Paul Mattingly. $10 show, $15 for both drop-in and show. Baobab Stage Theatre, 6587 Las Vegas Blvd. S., baobabstage.com

February 28th

Nickel Beer Night - Beauty Bar

Downtown Vegas' weekly party gets the party started every Tuesday with beers for a nickel (served two at a time). DJ and band schedule changes weekly. $5 to $10 cover charge for back patio.
517 Fremont St # A, Las Vegas, NV 89101
http://beautybarlv.com/

Photo by PocketVegasDeals.com

March 1st

Hype Wednesdays: Open Mic at Boomers

Live Performances by the hottest indie artists and bands in the area, including pop, hip-hop, R&B, reggae and top 40. All performances will be "Unplugged" with live band. Hosted by "The Voice Of Sin City" Mista Krimzon with music by DJ True Self. 
Free before 11p.
3200 West Sirius Avenue, Las Vegas NV 
http://www.boomerslv.com/

A Room Of One's Own: Left of Center Art Gallery

This all-female exhibit draws inspiration from Virginia Woolf’s 1929 feminist essay of the same name, with its central theme that women need space to create in a world traditionally dominated by men. Professional artists from LA and Las Vegas will showcase their work in a diverse range of mediums, from video to installation art. Prominent writers, including local poet Vogue Robinson and journalists published in the Los Angeles Times and Huffington Post, will display pieces relevant to feminism.

You can meet the more than 20 creators at a reception on January 28 from noon to 3 p.m. Select dates throughout the exhibition’s run will also feature art and writing workshops, motivational talks from Dr. Karmen Smith and Dr. Karen Laing and readings. Additionally, Left of Center’s first exhibition of 2017 kicks off its 20-year anniversary as a nonprofit.

2207 W. Gowan, Las Vegas NV
https://lasvegasweekly.com/events/ongoing/28935/

March 2nd

Puppetry of the P*nis - Erotic Heritage Museum 

Puppetry of the P*nis, "The Australian Art of Genital Origami," is a play performed internationally featuring the theatrical contortion of the male genitalia into various positions along with comedic narration. The act was first performed on the international stage at the 1998 Melbourne International Comedy Festival in Australia. The show involves two nude men who bend, twist, and fold their genitalia into various shapes. The show has appeared in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe, Canada, the United States, South Africa and Argentina. 

The Las Vegas show's two hilarious stars awe and shock audiences by turning their manhood into "art," such as their signature creation, "The Hamburger." The show runs Thursday through Sunday at 8 p.m. inside the Jewel Box in the Erotic Heritage Museum.

3275 Sammy Davis Jr. Drive,  Las Vegas, NV
http://www.eroticmuseumvegas.com/museum/

Photo by Roadtrippers.com

March 3rd

First Friday - Downtown Arts Center

This Friday is yet again another night filled with unique artwork, food trucks, live music and street performers. Once a month, First Friday takes over Downtown Las Vegas and welcomes the attendance of local artists, musicians and art enthusiasts of all ages. 

1025 First Street, Las Vegas, NV

https://ffflv.org/

Photo by Everfest.com

March 4th

Artisan Craft Festival - Spring Fling - Springs Preserve

Springs Preserve FREE ADMISSION to Springs Preserve for the Artisan Craft Festival Spring Fling weekend. General Admission at Springs Preserve is FREE this weekend! Come enjoy a fantastic weekend of fun, great arts and crafts and delicious food! Bring the Spring in our Spring Fling at Springs Preserve on March 4th and 5th. This outdoor two-day show is a great opportunity to spend with the family. Free face-painting and kids crafts by several vendors 
More than 60 vendors will have on display a great variety of home decor, crafts and art.
Do not miss this opportunity to spend the day at Springs Preserve with the Artisan Craft Festival! 

333 S. Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

https://www.springspreserve.org/

http://www.artisancraftfestival.com/

Bark in the Park - Cornerstone Park

The annual Bark in the Park community pet event features demonstrations, music, contests, informational and vendor booths and plenty of adorable dogs available for adoption. Admission is free for you and your furry loved ones. 

Cornerstone Park, 1600 Wigwam Parkway, Las Vegas/Henderson, NV Bark in the Park

Check back next week for another list of local events!

10 Epic Gifts That Any Gamer Will Love

If you have a gamer in your life, you know it can be really difficult to find them a gift that will really impress them! I spent several days searching high and low, and I've narrowed this list down to 10 unique gifts for gamers that really stand out.

1. RBG Lighting Gaming Mouse Pad. How cool is this? This mouse pad has a 7 color lighting effect and a micro textured surface for precise mouse control. I really want one of these, myself.

HAVIT MP851 RGB Lighting Hard Gaming Mouse Pad

2. FOR THE HORDE! Ok, so I've tipped my hand and I confess, I'm a horde player at heart. I was recently part of a Secret Santa gift exchange with my guild and wanted to find something really neat for my guildie. I settled on this coaster that I found on Etsy and I was beyond impressed when it arrived! The detail and quality of this coaster were top notch, and my friend loved it.

Leather Coaster, Crest of the Horde

3. This caught my eye for just being cool and unique. I guess this is what you'd call a die hard gamer. ;) I could see this being a great gift for a teen.

Skull Gamer Figurine

4. I've been a fan of Monopoly since I was a kid, and have collected a few collectors editions over the years. I don't have this one yet, but it's on my wish list for sure. (Dibs on the Blingtron token!)

World of Warcraft Monopoly

5. I really love this wall decal- and if you know anyone with a man cave, this would be a really great gift idea. Especially if they love console gaming.

Game Controllers Wall Decal

6. Speaking of game controllers.. wow! This custom PS4 controller is certainly eye catching. I think a lot of gamers could appreciate this on a few different levels. ;)

Custom PS4 Controller

7. Here's a funny gag gift! There's not a gamer out there that hasn't cracked a Cthulhu joke at some point. This one is bound  to get a laugh.

Cthulu Beanie

8. Ok, this is another one I can personally recommend. I got my Space Navigator MANY years ago, I'm going to venture a guess and say it was around 2008, and I still use it on a daily basis. It works especially well in virtual worlds like Second Life, and it's great for making machinima. I know other people have used it for other programs like Google Earth. The best way I can describe it is try to imagine you are piloting a drone, so you have the freedom to glide your camera around anywhere. Personally, I've only used it for Second Life, but you can get more details on how it can be used by following the product link.

Space Navigator 3D Mouse

9. Here's another personal recommendation. Back around Christmas time, I was scouring the internet trying to find some gift ideas for my Dad, who is big into old computers and retro gaming. I found this shop on Etsy that sells miniature, high detail models of computers and gaming systems that are 3D printed. I've heard of 3D printing but had never seen it before. My Dad collects old Amiga computers and software, and Rabbit Engineering had a full Amiga set up, right down to a tiny, match box sized version of the original box! It was my Dad's favorite Christmas gift and he's still showing it off to his friends. The shop sells many different miniature game systems, consoles and computers. I picked this Game Boy for this blog post. The detail is truly remarkable.

Mini 3D Printed Game Boy

10. This last one I haven't used personally, but I have seen. My Dad got this for himself for Christmas, and I had a look at it. It comes pre-loaded with 200 games that you can actually play! Mind you, this hand held Retro Machine is tiny, so the screen and controls are extremely small. But it's a great novelty gift.

Retro Handheld Machine

I hope this list gave you some good ideas! Have you tried any of them? Comment below and share your favorite.

12 Cool Things To Do In Vegas Without Spending a Dime

Las Vegas is most known for gambling, dining and nightlife. But did you know about all of the free entertainment and cool things to see? Here is a list of must-see attractions that will keep you busy for days- without spending a dime!

1. Fremont Street Experience

Located in Downtown Las Vegas, Fremont Street is where you can find many of the older, well known casinos in Las Vegas. Binion's, Four Queens and Golden Nugget are just a few. But even if you don't want to gamble, there is no shortage of things to see and do on Fremont Street. The Viva Vision light show is probably the first thing most people think of when it comes to Fremont Street. This 1,500 foot long, 90 foot  wide video screen canopy covers much of Fremont Street and contains 12.5 million LED lights. From dusk to midnight, the Viva Vision show runs every hour and features concert quality sound. Past shows have included music by The Who, The Doors, Bon Jovi and more. 

Photo by Vegasexperience.com

If that isn't enough, you can experience Fremont Street from above on the SlotZilla zipline (there is a charge for this ride), enjoy live music at one of the many free concerts right on Fremont, browse the kiosk shops along the promenade, and have dinner at the famous Heart Attack Grill. Double Bypass Burger, anyone?

Photo by Vegasexperience.com

2. Flamingo Wildlife Habitat

If you're looking for something fun, free and family friendly, be sure to visit the wildlife habitat at the Flamingo. This habitat covers 15 acres and is home to pelicans, turtles, koi fish, swans.. and of course, flamingos! It's hard to believe you're still on the Las Vegas Strip as you explore the beautiful grounds with lush foliage, streams and waterfalls. Be sure to bring a camera. The habitat is open daily from dawn until dusk. Get there by 8:30 am or 2:00 pm and watch them feed the pelicans!

Photo by ExploringLasVegas.com

3. Cirque du Soleil Open Rehearsals

This is news to me! I had no idea that Cirque allows people to watch their rehearsal, but that has to be one of the coolest free events I've heard of. Every Saturday from 3:00-3:30 PM, visitors will have exclusive access to the Mystere theatre at Treasure Island to watch the Cirque du Soleil athletes and dancers prepare for that evenings performance. The website also mentions an exclusive gift offer- I'm not sure what that is but in the past there has been a discount price on a pair of tickets to the show. I saw Mystere back when it first opened many years ago, and I highly recommend going to see it if you can. 

Photo by  Cirquedusoleil.com

4. Pawn Stars

If you've ever watched the History Channel's reality show, Pawn Stars, then you are already familiar with the Gold & Silver Pawn shop and the entertaining guys who run it. While you are in Vegas, you can visit the pawn shop yourself and see some of the items that have been featured on the show. Meeting the stars from the show can be hit or miss- there is no specific time when they may be there, but according to Vegas.com, they are at the shop fairly often. I've been there once and didn't see them, but it's still worth the trip. The pawn shop has thousands of rare and unique items to see, and you can even bring in items to be appraised. 

Photo by ABCnews.com

5. Aria Fine Art Collection

If you are a lover of the arts, be sure to visit the free walking tour at the Aria Fine Arts Collection, located at CityCenter. Here, you will be able to enjoy paintings and sculptures by artists such as Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Frank Stella and many others. 

Photo by Aria.com

6. Bellagio Conservatory

You need to see this. No, really. You need to see this. The Bellagio Conservatory is a 14,000 square foot art installation made almost entirely out of flowers. The exhibit changes each season, and each visit will reward you with a breathtaking showcase of of trees, flower and plants.

Photo by Reviewjournal.com

 7. Fountains of Bellagio

While you're there, don't forget to watch the fountain show out in front of the Bellagio. Visitors will enjoy a choreographed show of water woven with lights and classical, opera, Broadway and pop tunes, throughout the day and night. Times vary depending on the season and day of the week, so check the website or ask within the casino for current run times. 

Photo by Bellagio.com

8. Ethel M Chocolate Factory

Anyone with a sweet tooth and a craving for chocolate may be tempted to visit the Ethel M factory. There's a self guided viewing aisle where you can watch the chocolate and other candy being made, plus a chance to explore the beautiful three-acre botanical cactus gardens outside. I haven't been to Ethel M's since I was a little kid, but I do recall  there being cactus candy for purchase, as well! 

Photo by EthelM.com

9. Fall of Atlantis at Caesar's Forum Shops

While the forum shops at Caesar's Palace are impressive enough as it is, you must be sure to catch the Fall of Atlantis show while you're there. How does pyrotechnics of fire, water, and 9-foot tall talking statues sound? This show tells the story of King Atlantis deciding which one of his two feuding children will rule the throne. Oh, did I mention the 20 foot long winged dragon? If that isn't enough, the Forum Shops also features a 50,000 gallon saltwater aquarium with over 300 fish, including poisonous puffer fish, sharks and stingrays! 

Photo by Vegas.com

10. Mirage Volcano

The volcano show at the Mirage is probably one of the attractions along the strip that Las Vegas is most known for. It's been erupting since the Mirage opened in 1989, but the show was updated many years ago to also include new music, lighting and sound effects. After a $25 million redesign in 2008, it's even better than ever. The music is a collaboration by Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead and an Indian music composer by the name of Zakir Hussain. Show times generally start after 7pm, depending on the day and season. 

Photo by Roig61

11. Grand Canal Shoppes Streetmosphere at the Venetian

The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian is one of my favorite places in Las Vegas to visit. Walk along cobblestone walkways beneath illuminated, painted sky ceilings that make you feel like you're on the streets of Venice. Over 160 upscale shops and restaurants line the canal with real gondola rides, singing gondoliers, street performers and living statues. It's a beautiful place to window shop and people watch. 

Photo by DoVegasDeals.com

12. Palazzo Waterfall Atrium

I have never been to the Palazzo before, so I have not seen the waterfall atrium first hand. But after reading up on it and seeing the pictures, I'm adding this to my list of places to go as soon as possible. According to Vegas.com, you will find a stunning man made landscape surrounding a multi-story atrium with a soaring waterfall, domed skylight and exotic flowers. Since this is located at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, you'll easily be able to check two things off your list of things to see on the same day. 

Photo by VegasBright.com

I hope this list provides you with plenty of fun ideas for your next trip to Las Vegas! Comment below and share which one was your favorite. 

An introduction

Hello! This first post will be a bit of an introduction. My name is Cyndi, and blogging is something I've been doing off and on for about as long as I can remember. Life and work got busy a few years back and that caused me to get side tracked, and my blogging fell behind.

But, now I'm back! The focus of this blog is intended to be a place for me to share things  that I find beautiful, interesting or inspiring. I spend a lot of time on sites like Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram, and I often see things that I want to share.

I've been intrigued by blogs like Buzzfeed, Masable and Popsugar and the 'list' format that many of them use. Walls of text are out, and beautiful, compelling photos are in. I like the change, and I'd love to start blogging again, so this seems like a great time to dip back in and return to blogging!

Also, a bit of a disclaimer. I am a crafter with a shop on Etsy, as well as an Amazon Affiliate. Some items I share in this blog may be items I've made, items friends of mine have made or affiliate links. Still, the only content that I'll be sharing here are of personal interest to me, or items I've used personally and recommend.

Thanks for reading!

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