Columnist Elizabeth Foyt: 'Hamlet' to distinguish Shakespeare in the Park event

Elizabeth Foyt's social column appears Wednesdays. Reach her at [email protected].

One of the season's most treasured events is the annual Nevada Shakespeare in the Park offering, slated for Sept. 24, 25 and 26 at Foxridge Park in Green Valley. This year the Arts Council of Henderson-Green Valley will present "Hamlet," and, as always, each performance is free to the public.

La Petite Musicale of Los Angeles is the production company that will perform "Hamlet" at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday. Each evening will also include a delightful "Green Show" including madrigal singers, jugglers and mimes, which will help to set the mood for the Shakespearean drama. Guests are invited to bring a blanket and picnic supper for this open-air program.

Columbus Ball

The Augustus Society and the Nevada Society of Italian-American Lawyers, both nonprofit organizations, will jointly present the Columbus Day Ball on Oct. 16. A festive evening of cocktails, dinner and entertainment has been planned for the ever-elegant Top of the Riv at the Riviera Hotel. Chef and restaurateur Maria M. Perry, of the Bootlegger Ristorante, and Vince A. Consul, attorney at law, will be honored during ceremonies held at the dinner. Mark this date and watch for further details.

Taking a Census

Plotting a new course for your business? Concerned with getting the best information? Consider attending Friday's informational workshop, "Nevada and the 2000 Census."

Presented by the Nevada State Data Center and the Nevada Library Association, Southern District, this workshop will be held at UNLV in room C-321 of the Classroom Building Complex, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guest speaker Jerry O'Donnell of the U.S. Census Bureau will give an excellent overview of Census 2000 and there will be demonstrations of the American FactFinder program and how to read the economic census information.

The workshop is free but requires advance registration. Call 895-3409 to reserve your spot.

Getting Security

Las Vegas is often the model for other cities when it comes to security issues. We frequently have the cutting-edge technology in our new properties and the best-trained personnel at all levels.

Quite naturally then, Las Vegas has been chosen as host city for the annual conference of the American Society for Industrial Security. Among the 15,000-member delegates are many who also belong to IOBSE -- The International Organization of Black Security Executives.

IOBSE's fall reception at the Las Vegas Hilton is slated for Sept. 28, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. A note from Chiquita Leak, national membership chairperson, has provided an open invitation for interested security personnel. The reception, as in past years, has provided an ideal networking experience for security experts from America, Africa and the Caribbean Islands. They represent diverse areas of security expertise including those from banking, the corporate world, government, law enforcement, system designers and others in related fields. For further information on IOSBE, contact Leak at 365-8529 or visit www.IOBSE.com.

French 'Connection'

Building on the momentum of its inaugural season, the recent CineVegas gala at Paris Las Vegas was a delightful fund-raiser to benefit CineVegas' "Youth in Film in Nevada" program. Central to the evening was the screening of the archival print "The French Connection," a sharp, gritty expose of the drug world. William Friedkin and the film were deservedly awarded best director and best picture Oscars in 1971.

Friedkin, looking extremely youthful, was present for this special screening at Paris Las Vegas and later spoke of his career and cinematic techniques. He is well recognized for his documentary styling, as used in "The Boys In The Band," as well as his direction for films including "The Exorcist" and "To Live and Die in L.A." Speaking informally, he answered questions from the audience and met with aspiring filmmakers during the evening.

Supporters and celebrity guests including Gary Busey, Kevin Sorbo, Yasmine Bleeth, Rick Fox, Bob Picardo and Jack Gilardi were escorted from the gracious Paris Las Vegas theater to the very elegant ballroom. A reception hosted by Paul V. Pusateri, president of Paris-Bally's-Las Vegas, was a lavish event showcasing the resort's finest foods and service. Guests, among them Buck and Aurora Wong, Art Chestbart, Judy Robinson, Vivienne Sario, Robyn Roberts and Jaki Baskow, enjoyed the special ambiance of the evening, which included the unveiling of the exquisite Roger Viollet collection, "Paris, A Century in Photographs," on loan from the mayor of Paris.

Remarking on the grandeur of the event as well were May Muskin, Beverly and Mike Mykiessen, Tony Riesner, Lisa Ilia, Trish Williamson and a host of others who toured the well-guarded jewelry collection presented by Van Cleef and Arpels and viewed the fashions designed and shown by John Anthony.

The second annual CineVegas International Film Festival will run Dec. 6-11 and once again will provide a rich assortment of world movie premieres, classic cinema, international films and student projects. Included will be opportunities for independent filmmakers and young film students from Nevada. Screenings will take place at Paris, Bally's, the Gold Coast Twin Theaters and the Huntridge Performing Arts Center. CineVegas '99 will be presented by Las Vegas Events with generous sponsorship by Paris, Bally's and Nevada Power. Contact the CineVegas office at 477-7530 or online at www.cinevegas.com.

'Miss Casino'

Casino Galaxy.com, an Internet gaming website, just now swinging into operation, recently conducted a most unusual search for a spokesmodel. More than 500 worldwide entrants provided pictures and a biographical sketch for consideration by web browsers who then voted for their favorites.

Last week, in ceremonies held at the Hard Rock hotel, the first "Miss Casino Galaxy 2000" was crowned. Jennifer Reich, with fellow finalists, was flown to Las Vegas for the final judging round and was delighted to win the top prize of $10,000. Reich will represent the Cook Island gaming corporation at events around the globe.

Present for the "Miss Casino Galaxy 2000" competition were executives including Mark Triplett, director of management for Worldwide Opportunities, Mel W. Taylor, president of Cyber Entertainment, Brian A. Borysewich, director of Technology for Casino Galaxy.com, Howard Cohen, director of casino operations and James "Bucky" Buchanan, domestic corporate attorney. Others at the party included Maurice Baldwin, Gianna Orlandi and Stanley Knox as well as Terry King, who recently wrote, produced and directed "The Elvis Killers," a film project set to debut at the Gold Coast Theaters later this year.

Boutique opening

Drawing great interest from visitors and locals alike, the opening of the Judith Leiber boutique at the Forum Shops at Caesars was a sparkling affair. The champagne flowed and the shoppers shopped, all in a good cause as 10 percent of the evening's proceeds were donated to the Nevada Opera Theatre, a cause close to the heart of Judith Leiber.

Present to meet Las Vegas patrons was the very debonair Victor A. Lipko, CEO of Judith Leiber. He directed many to observe the painstaking technique of the Leiber artisan who sat at work on an exquisite jewel-like purse. Lipko was gracious as he commented on the materials used and the hours of fine craftsmanship necessary to complete each process.

Looking on were Kadell and Leezie Kremer, Nevada Opera Theatre President Denny Weddle, Edward and Eleanore Doumani, Tove Allen, Persia Golden and Carolyn Sparks. Touring the luxurious store with its jewel case displays of handbags, belts and other accessories were Joan and Robert Deiro, who will meet next week with Patrick and Michael Wayne concerning a John Wayne Cancer benefit they're planning to host in Las Vegas in February. Participating in opening ceremonies for the Judith Leiber boutique were Carolyn Goodman, wife of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, and entertainer Phyllis McGuire.

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