Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Stars adopt charitable approach in magic show

Later this month a troupe of Las Vegas entertainers will be working magic for rescued pets in need of a permanent home.

Magicians Lance Burton, Mac King, James Dimmare, Arian Black, Dirk Losander, the Great Tomsoni & Co., juggler Michael Holly and impressionist Tony Pace will be among those performing a 90-minute benefit beginning at 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Clark County Library Theater, 1401 E. Flamingo Road.

Comic magician Jeff Hobson will host the event.

Money raised during the show will go to the nonprofit organization Adopt a Rescue Pet, which plans to buy a building to house dogs waiting to be adopted.

If they are not adopted, the dogs will be allowed to live out their lives in the facility.

Adopt a Rescue Pet finds homes for more than 100 animals a month. Since its formation in 2000 it has placed more than 4,000 pets.

Elizbeth Rubin, founder of the all-volunteer group, says a drive is under way to raise $200,000 for a 10,000-square-foot facility.

"I'm bad at asking for help," Rubin said. "We have never sought huge amounts of funding."

A permanent facility would be a boost for those concerned about homeless dogs. Currently, the animals are kept in three different facilities.

"That doesn't allow us to take in the number of animals we would like to take in," Rubin said.

Giving dogs a permanent home, where they can live out their lives whether they are adopted or not, is an expensive proposition.

Money also is needed for transportation, medical costs and other expenses.

Adopt a Rescue Pet works closely with area animal shelters.

"If an animal goes into Lied Animal Shelter and they can't take care of it because the pet has had an eye removed or has cancer or dental problems, they contact us and ask if we can take them into our program," Rubin said. "Just because a dog is old and sick, it shouldn't have to be destroyed."

Tickets are $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for children. VIP seating is available for $69.95. For information, call 798-8027.

Another benefit

While one group of local entertainers is trying to house homeless pets, another group worked to raise money for humans in need of homes.

Several entertainers in Las Vegas shows were to perform from 12:30 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. today to benefit Habitat for Humanity, the international organization that builds and repairs homes for the needy.

The event was to tke place at Krave, the nightclub at the Strip and Harmon Avenue, adjacent to the Aladdin.

Scheduled performers were cast members from "We Will Rock You" (Paris Las Vegas); "Avenue Q" (Wynn); "Mamma Mia" (Mandalay Bay); "Fashionistas" (Krave); "Zumanity" (New York-New York) and "Forever Plaid" (Gold Coast).

Also slated was Ty Taylor (Britany Spears in "We Will Rock You"), formerly of the reality TV show "Rock Star: INXS."

Krave donated the nightclub space to the performers for the show, which was sponsored by Pravda Vodka.

KJUL fete

Alan Shaw, former owner of KJUL 104.3-FM and a vice president and a member of the board of Beasley Broadcast Group, treated some former KJUL employees and associates to a dinner Saturday night at Prime.

Announcers Scott O'Neil, Duke Morgan and Beth Lano, General Manager Harry Williams and Dennis Bono (host of "Las Vegas Now" -- formerly on KJUL and now on KUNV 91.5-FM) and his fiancee, Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, were among the guests.

Shaw was involved in the popular programming of KJUL right up until the format changed from standards to country.

During an interview with the Sun, he said the standards format was his favorite and he hated to see it change, but it was the best decision from a business point of view.

Win Gans' 'Vette

Actually, you don't have to be present to win Danny Gans' 2001 Z-06 Corvette. I incorrectly reported that to win the vehicle, those who purchase tickets must be present.

Gans will phone the winner when the name is drawn during a performance at 7 p.m. Oct. 30.

Tickets, $20 apiece or six for $100, can be bought at the Mirage box office or by calling 792-7600. Money raised will go to the American Red Cross and the MGM Mirage Voice Foundation Katrina Recovery Fund.

Gans says his goal is to raise $100,000.

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or [email protected].

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