Mid June Oddz 'N' Endz

• I am excited about being invited to a special Cirque Du Soleil Tapis Rouge event at Revolution and Love in the Mirage Thursday night. This will be fun. More later.
  

  About Tapis Rouge

  
  

  
  "Tickets are on sale now for Cirque du Soleil's new LOVE Tapis Rouge™ at The Mirage, call 866-236-5652. Beginning June 26, Tapis Rouge™ will begin each night 90 minutes before the 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. performances, Thursday through Monday, inside The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge, located just steps away from the LOVE Theatre.
  
  French for "red carpet," the "Tapis Rouge" concept was originally developed in 1999 for Cirque du Soleil's touring production, Dralion, and remains the name coined for the VIP package of Cirque du Soleil's Touring Shows Division as a whole. The Tapis Rouge™ package for LOVE is the first permanent show with such an experience.
  
  The $295 Tapis Rouge™ package includes the price of a VIP show ticket and the following amenities: special VIP will-call line; customized gift bag with specially created merchandise; collectible Tapis Rouge™ lanyard provided for complimentary VIP access to the REVOLUTION Lounge for an entire week; exclusive reception before the LOVE performance at the REVOLUTION Lounge with tray-passed hors d'oeuvres and specialty cocktails; hosts to provide insights into LOVE; exclusive behind-the-scenes footage; VIP escorted access into the LOVE Theatre; and VIP line at concessions."
  

  
  
  
  The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleils Fotos – Celebrity visits to LOVE theater.
  




• Being the avid radio listener that I am, I caught the KNPR ( Nevada Public Radio ) show, State Of Nevada, that discussed the new documentary about Hank Greenspun “Where I Stand,” which is premiering at CineVegas. More information here. Hank Greenspun in many ways was as colorful a character as Howard Hughes. See a special showing at the Brandon Theatre at the Palms tomorrow at 1 PM. ( Admission: $10; $9 for students and seniors. Festival passes are also available, from $100 to $600; 992-7979, www.cinevegas.com ).



• I am starting to visit the free lounge acts again. In search of the old Vegas! If it is free and I am not forced to pay for a drink, I'll be there! I was pleasantly surprised the other night to see a group called "Front Page" at the Plaza ( downtown )that was worth watching. When people are sitting at the slot machines and they stop gambling to listen, you know that the show has a certain appeal! ( See video below. )
  

  
  

  Front Page Is Playing At The Plaza:

  
  June 19,20,21,22, 2008 - Thursday thru Sunday at the Aqua Lounge 7:00pm to 12:30am
  

  
  



• And last but not least, I just had to put in a plug for the I Can Do It! 2008 - Las Vegas
  

  
  Date: June 26, 2008 - June 29, 2008
  Sponsored by: Hay House
  Location: Las Vegas, NV
  

  
  Today's most inspirational speakers gathered together for one incredible weekend event!
  
  
  
  
  

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Front Page Promo Video

How To SeeThe Consumer Electronic Show Exhibits

I was touring the Las Vegas sign boneyard and wandered off the beaten path. I came across a small lamp, a relic from the original Aladdin Hotel and Casino. Of course I rubbed it, and a 3-D holographic genie appeared offering me one wish.

"Before you make your wish" the genie said in an monotonic, electronically synthesized voice, "make sure it is on topic."

"Make sure it is Vegas related. Certain legal restrictions apply in the state of Nevada."

"Why only one wish?" I asked. "I thought you genies always offered three?"

The genie made a disappointed, mournful, minor key chord musical sound vaguely reminiscent of a 3 coin slot machine that you only put one coin into. "Sorry, master. You only rubbed my lamp once, so you only get one wish! Local ordinances and restrictions apply, please send a self addressed envelope to Oscar Goodman for complete game rules. Wishes must be Las Vegas related and on topic. You must be over 18 to play. Only US citizens and undocumented workers may apply..."

"OK, OK!" I said, interrupting the genie's legal disclaimers. "That does not sound like a big restriction, there are a lot of big jackpots I would not mind winning!"

The genie, as if on cue, using some artificial intelligence voice recognition program, immediately answered, "Sorry, master, no jackpots allowed, we are an offshore organization and we are not legally able to withhold taxes and properly report your winnings to the US authorities."

What the heck? I stumbled across a genie with a law degree? I was tempted to ask what exactly I could ask for, but that would have used up my one wish. I was not sure what I could ask for that was Vegas related. My mind wandered into uncharted territories. Vegas fantasies...

"Nothing illegal!" the genie blurted out and interrupted my reverie with a strange white noise echo. It was as if the genie were scanning my brain waves.

"Hurry up!" "My lithium battery is running out!" the genie suddenly spoke with the bandwidth of a cell phone on low battery. "You have about one minute to make your wish before I shut down! Shut down! Down!..."

The holographic image of the genie started to blink out.

So, under the extreme pressure of the moment, I took a stab at a legitimate wish. "Can I have an exhibitor pass to the Consumer Electronic Show?"

"Sure, no problem." said the genie. "Just don't tell them you got it here in a boneyard from an old lamp."

I agreed, and so it looks like I will be attending the International Consumer Electronic Show in January. That's my story, but the genie told me I really can't use it. See you all there!

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Slideshow Of Neon Boneyard Photos

Today's Science Fiction Is Tomorrow's Big TV

This may be a little off topic for this blog ( it's my way of welcoming readers from the Fantasy & Sci-Fi Lovin' Blog ), but I was wondering what new innovation introduced in this year's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas would make this year's show most memorable. According to some commentaries, it won't be Bill Gate's keynote address.

Well, Sharp Electronics's introduction of the largest LCD TV will probably rank high on the list of items that captured our imaginations this year. No price has been mentioned for Sharp Electronics' new 108" LCD TV. That's nine feet, for those who don't wish to do the math!

The trend toward larger and larger screens reminded me of the movie version of Ray Bradbury's Sci-Fi Fantasy classic: The Illustrated Man. One of the stories ( warning, plot spoiler - don't read the following if you don't want to know the plot ) called "Veldt" has this plot (thanks to Wikipedia) from Ray's original book version:

"The Veldt" — Two parents use an artificial "nursery" to keep their children happy. The children use the high-tech simulation nursery to create the predatorial environment of an African veldt. When the parents threaten to take it away, the children lock their parents inside where they are killed by the "harmless" machine-generated lions of the nursery.

In the movie version of the book, the plot is slightly changed, at least in my failing memory ( I will have to rent the DVD to verify this ). The "Veldt" started out as a wall sized 2 dimensional TV screen, which picks up your mind's images and projects them. The kids are told by their parents that they are spending too much time in the TV room and in this antiseptic future world, there is no outlet for the children's energies. They keep sneaking back to the TV room without their parent's permission and their combined energies causes the TV screen to become a 3-D portal to an African savanna complete with a family of lions, apparently projecting the children's pent up agressions and resentment towards the parents. The children escape but the parents aren't so lucky.

Now, I know all you Sci-Fi buffs will be asking what cool aid I was drinking back then, but that's the way I remember the movie. You know, I probably dreamed some plot modifications and that changed my memory of the original film.

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In any case it's fun to ponder a wall size TV that picks up your thoughts? Look for its introduction at ICES 2047.

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Addendum: William Shatner's new TV commercial for DIRECT TV HD (HD TV also inroduced at CES)

International Consumer Electronic Show In Las Vegas - Some Interesting Facts

I still have not been able to locate any of those illusive exhibitor passes. Anybody out there have an extra pass I can use?

It is fun to see what products were introduced at the CES, many of which are common consumer items now.

We've come a long way from Dick Tracy's 2-way wrist radio being an object of science fiction! I used to watch all those old James Bond movies ( which were shown marathon style on one of the cable channels yesterday ) -- of course, I liked the action, the beautiful women, and all those neat gadgets (not necessariily in that order!). Not unlike the reasons why I like the CES!

History

The first CES took place in New York City in June of 1967 with 200 exhibitors and 17,500 attendees. Since then, CES has grown more than eleven-fold. Nearly 2,700 exhibitors, filling 1.6 million net square feet of exhibit space, showcased their latest products and services to more than 140,000 attendees at the 2006 International CES.

Products That Debuted at CES

• Videocassette Recorder (VCR), 1970
  
• Laserdisc Player, 1974
  
• Camcorder, 1981
  
• Compact Disc Player, 1981
  
• Digital Audio Technology, 1990
  
• Compact Disc - Interactive, 1991
  
• Mini Disc, 1993
  
• Radio Data System, 1993
  
• Digital Satellite System, 1994
  
• Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), 1996
  
• High Definition Television (HDTV), 1998
  
• Hard-disc VCR (PVR), 1999
  
• Digital Audio Radio (DAR), 2000
  
• Microsoft Xbox, 2001
  
• Plasma TV, 2001
  
• Home Media Server, 2002
  
• HD Radio, 2003
  
• Blu-Ray DVD, 2003
  
• HDTV PVR, 2003
  
• HD Radio, 2004
  
• An explosion of digital content services,2006
  

Exhibit Dates

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas Hilton 
Mon., Jan. 8, 2007  10 a.m.* - 6 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 9, 2007  9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 10, 2007  9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 11, 2007  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian 
Mon., Jan. 8, 2007  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tues., Jan. 9, 2007  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 10, 2007  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thurs., Jan. 11, 2007  8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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*LVCC South Hall opens 9 a.m. opening day.
The Sands Expo and Convention Center/The Venetian opens 8 a.m. each day and closes at 3 p.m. Sunday.
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Future show dates:

2008 International CES: Jan. 7-10, 2008
2009 International CES: Jan. 8-11, 2009
2010 International CES: Jan 7-10, 2010 

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Thanks to CRN.com for the cite!

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Related: Gates continues push for wired homes - delivers a keynote speech at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Site Of The Day - Las Vegas Convention Planner

I look forward every January to finding a way to attend the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Those elusive exhibit passes for people like me not directly involved the electronics industry are usually available from vendors I know, but seem to be harder to get every year. This year's Consumer Electronics Show will be held at the LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER and SANDS EXPO CENTER from 01/08/2007 to 01/11/2007 with an expected attendance of 150,000 people. These facts are easilly gleaned from the site of the day:
Official Site for Las Vegas Meetings and Travel Professionals.

For the convention planner or attendee, this highly recommended site is invaluable - there is lots of useful information here about what to do in Vegas for the casual visitor and tourist, too.

Now, I've got to get to work on getting those CES exhibit passes!

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From the site: About the Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA):

ABOUT THE LVCVA

"The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) was founded to strengthen the area's convention business, thereby eliminating a critical economic problem: the cyclical nature of the tourism industry.

The LVCVA's mission is to attract visitors by promoting Las Vegas as the world's most desirable destination for leisure and business travel.

In the early '50s, community leaders realized the cyclical nature of tourism caused a significant decline in the number of visitors on weekdays, throughout the summer months and during the holiday season. To bring more visitors to the area during off-peak periods, a new market was identified - convention attendees.

In 1955, the Nevada Legislature agreed to finance the Las Vegas Convention Center with a room tax that would be levied on guests staying at Clark County hotel and motel properties. Thereby, visitors, not local residents, would pay the tax. That decision led to the formation of the LVCVA's precursor, the Clark County Fair and Recreation Board.

In April 1959, construction on the Las Vegas Convention Center was completed without any assessment on Clark County residents. Monies collected from room tax enabled the LVCVA to begin a program of destination marketing.

In its current form, the LVCVA promotes tourism, conventions, meetings and special events, all of which contribute to the economic vitality of the "Entertainment Capital of the World." Additionally, the LVCVA owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center.

Today, the LVCVA has an annual budget of $227.8 million for the fiscal year 2006 and has 513 authorized employment positions. In fiscal year 2005, $171 million of the LVCVA budget derived from room taxes. An additional source of revenue to the LVCVA's general fund includes rental of facilities."

For additional information, go to www.LVCVA.com.

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Another perspective on the CES:


The International Consumer Electronics Show

By Smash
on Culture

This week Las Vegas experiences a new kind of lust and desire. Link