Denise Truscello/WireImage/DeniseTruscello.net
Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 | 12:02 p.m.
It seems ages ago when Mark Shunock was planning his first “Mondays Dark” charity event. At the time, he had booked a club called the Act at Palazzo for that debut in November 2013.
A year later, Shunock’s charity act has long outlasted the nightclub of that name, which closed just weeks before “Mondays Dark” was to launch.
Surviving an inauspicious start in which he scrambled to find a suitable venue for his monthly philanthropic shows, Shunock is celebrating the first year of “Mondays Dark” on Dec. 15 with his largest show yet.
Set for 7 p.m. at the Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel, the “Mondays Dark” first-anniversary show will benefit the 13 Las Vegas-based charities that were featured throughout the series’ first year.
Shunock also plans to announce the 11 charities he plans to invite to “Mondays Dark” through 2015, meaning that a total of 24 charities will be represented in that single night at the Joint.
Tickets for all “Mondays Dark” shows are $20 in advance, $30 at the door and available at MondaysDark.com or by calling (702) 485-1262.
The format will be styled after award shows, with a Las Vegas or visiting celeb announcing a charity from the previous year, introducing a rep from that charity, followed by a performance. Shunock has been busy lining up acts and presenters for that show, which is easily the largest in the yearlong history of “Mondays Dark.”
“It is a time-consuming process, but ‘Mondays Dark’ has gotten to the point where I am being asked by people who want to perform and take part,” Shunock said this morning during a phone conversation. When asked where he finds the time, he said, “I have no idea.”
Those who will take part in the Dec. 15 show are representatives from AFAN: Aid for AIDS of Nevada, The Douglas J. Green Memorial Foundation, The Healing Curve, His Love Street Nevada, The Miracle League, NF Network, NSPCA, Opportunity Village, The Rudy Foundation, Safe House, Saint Therese Center, SHINE and Vegas Shepherd Rescue. Proceeds from all ticket sales for this event will be split evenly among the charities.
The lineup of acts and a theme, if there is to be one, are yet to be announced. But Shunock has succeeded in staging impressively casted shows since “Mondays Dark” debuted at Body English a year ago after. The show has since moved into nearby Vinyl. Cast members of Shunock’s own “Rock of Ages” at the Venetian, in which he plays Lonnie; “Million Dollar Quartet” at Harrah’s; “Raiding the Rock Vault,” now at Tropicana; “Jersey Boys” at Paris Las Vegas; “Pin Up” at Stratosphere; “Vegas! The Show” at Planet Hollywood; and “Absinthe” at Caesars Palace have performed during the show’s run. Headliners including Clint Holmes and Earl Turner also joined “Mondays Dark.”
For the Nov. 17 show, set for 9:30 p.m. (doors at 8:30), Shunock has booked Lorena Peril of “Vegas! The Show,” Adrian Zmed, long of “Grease” on Broadway and on tour and “Grease 2” in film; Red Rock, Tuscany, Sunset Station and Fremont Street faves Zowie Bowie; “American Idol” finalist Amanda Avila; and Las Vegas jazz great Michelle Johnson.
That show is themed “One-Hit Wonders,” but that can’t be said of “Mondays Dark.” This show is a veritable hit parade.
Vinyl, which opened in August 2012, is the intimate live entertainment venue at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, featuring a diversity of genres, including rock 'n' roll, jazz, blues, pop and even country.
The multifunctional room provides an intimate setting that puts the audience within an arm's reach of the performers.
The space, which is just under 7,000 square feet, can accommodate 650 guests. With a speakeasy atmosphere, Vinyl has an industrial look from its Chicago-common brick and cinderblock, distressed wood floors and an exposed, sky-high ceiling.
An elevated VIP section houses leather banquette seating and offers guests their own wait staff and an exclusive bar. The perimeter features a bar where guests can watch all the action. A state-of-the-art entertainment system offers high-definition screens on both sides of the main stage.
Though masculine in lines and furnishings, there are sensuous feminine touches to be found within Body English's black leather upholstered walls and oversized booths.
Guests walk down a long flight of stairs which leads to the main entrance of the club. The first focal point that catches the eye is a larger-than-life million dollar, color-changing crystal chandelier that hangs over the main dance floor, offering a touch of elegance while simultaneously offering just enough lighting to create an intimate ambiance.
Around the perimeter of the upstairs level are the main bar and a number of VIP godfather booths, ideal for elite groups. On the main dance floor, additional VIP booths made of elegant black leather circle the room, giving guests the best view of all the action. Complete with its own DJ booth, bar and waitress staff, the room known as The Parlor, which is adjacent to the main dance floor, also offers an intimate experience for separate parties.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy