Gorgeous is An Understatement for The Cosmopolitan Hotel

As a long time Las Vegan, I thought I had seen it all, but even I was surprised by how cool the new The Cosmopolitan Hotel was, starting from the 8’ tall space heaters shaped like white ceramic table lamps that greeted us at the main entrance (and if you’re guessing the heat came out of the shade, you’re right!). Upon entering the lobby, we were greeted by glass columns with constantly changing computer graphics that are one minute, bookshelves, the next, abstract graphics and if you’ve had a few cocktails you may be shocked by the images of naked people desperately trying to escape. If you’re an arriving hotel guest, you don’t step up to a long sterile registration desk, instead there’s a row of beautiful red, French provincial tables and equally beautiful staff waiting to check you into the hottest new spot on Las Vegas Blvd.

Unlike most Las Vegas hotels, you aren’t obligated to walk through the casino to get to your room, but why wouldn’t you want to? Sure there’s the 21 and crap tables, roulette wheels and lots and lots of slot machines, but there’s so much more. Ever seen a casino where you can drape off a private gaming area just for you and your guests? Well The Cosmopolitan offers this experience as one of the ‘where’d they get that idea?’ cool options to be found throughout the property. There’s glass and mirrors everywhere including the famous Chandelier Bar boasting a 3-story chandelier with over 2 million Swarovski crystals draped in amazing patterns that truly are a feast for the eyes. Just as you’re thinking…wow! I’ve never seen anything like this, you realize there’s a winding staircase the takes you through the middle of the chandelier to bars, private conversations areas and eventually to the retail floor of the hotel.

The retail outlets are very cool. I’ve never seen any of these stores before and I’m already planning to spend my next paycheck on an awesome outfit I tried on at Stitched. I also like the rhinestone paintings by former Rap artist Fabulous Freddy. Priced at over $5,000 each, they, unfortunately, were a bit out of my price range. I love to eat and the dining options are numerous and affordably priced. There’s everything from Moussaka to Sushi, and in the French restaurant, you look out the window at the Eiffel Tower across the street…magnifique!

There are so many kick-back areas, some with pool tables and record players (complete with 45 RPM records of your choice) and my favorite was the “art-a-mat” cigarette vending machine that dispenses beautiful pieces of art for $5 each. Way cool! On my way out, I visited the art gallery on the main floor, which was a mind-blower. I loved the bench of 1,000 marbles. The seat was a Frisbee and we slid from one end to the other for half an hour!

The Cosmopolitan is amazing and I plan to hang out there a lot…especially in The Marquee Nightclub. With over 60,000 square feet, it’s the largest in the world and the city’s premier lesbian DJ – Lisa Pittman spins there…so what’s not to like?

Love The Legend Cher!

The well-anticipated movie “Burlesque” sure did not disappoint, all the built up suspense only made it better. The brilliant idea to pair pop superstar Christina Aguilera with legendary Cher only could result in a phenomenal movie. I sat in the theater wide eyed and blown away by the performances and of course Christina’s voice. I was expecting just to be wowed by the performances alone, but the plot kept me guessing and hoping for what I wanted to happen.

Cher’s song “You Haven’t Seen the Last of Me” felt like a subtle message to her fans and the gays. We all know Christina has a voice but Cher is the total package. The love story weaves perfectly with her burlesque dreams and who wouldn’t love to see Twilight hunk Cam Gigandet with his sexy eyeliner? I went with friends who had been counting down the weeks and days until the release. I’m not going to ruin the movie for everyone, but it was overall a good time and I would definitely watch it again and again.

Lucky for the people visiting Vegas there are multiple options for burlesque shows that are sure to tantalize the mind. On top of that you can also just see the legend herself Cher on the Strip! The movie ad was right…it takes a legend...to make a star…to make a FABULOUS M

She's Coming Back!

I never thought it would happen, but Celine Dion is coming back to Las Vegas and she’ll be here for at least 3 years! Taking over in March 2011, magazines say the show is bigger and better than ever. With sold-out Las Vegas shows for 5 consecutive years, it’s no wonder she’s returning to The Coliseum at Caesars Palace. Celine will be replacing Cher, another infamous legend who is performing her last shows in February 2011. It has always been a dream to see Celine live and now I have a second chance!

Dion herself told Oprah: "It's not a rumor. I'm going back to Las Vegas. It's a brand new show, 31 musicians…a big orchestra. Obviously, I'm going to be doing my hits, but also a tribute to movies, Hollywood movies with amazing visuals." With multiple timeless songs that still give people the chills, Celine’s voice and natural talent is what everyone admires about this Canadian legend.

Get ready Las Vegas! It’s all coming back, it’s all coming back to us now… What a better thing to look forward to in 2011 than the power of Celine!

Lady Gaga's Monster Ball - Where You can Be Whoever or Whatever You Want to Be!

The show started even before we entered the MGM Grand Arena, where Lady Gaga look-alikes were valet parking their cars, playing at the slot machines, dining in the restaurants and going through the customary concert metal detector to enter the concert hall. Fans with beer cans as hair rollers, bikinis fashioned from crime scene tape, and myriad interpretations of the styles that only Lady G can wear so successfully (though last night hundreds others tried their best). But the real entertainment started when Gaga, with her crew of monsters, took to the stage for two solid hours of dancing, singing and dramatic antics including covering herself with 'blood', donning a pair of men's underwear (autographed I might add), and ascending into the air on a stage barely wider than her size 2 frame.

"Tonight, I want you to let go of all your 'insecurities,' " she told the crowd. "I want you to dismiss any rejection. I don't want you to leave loving me more, I want you to leave loving you more." If anyone came to the MGM Grand with insecurities or low self-esteem, Gaga took on the personal challenge to convince the nearly 15,000 excited fans that they should love themselves, no matter what others thought or told them.

It all enfolded as a series of theatrical vignettes, with Gaga wearing everything from what looked like a nun's habit, which she wore while sporting a see-through dress with white tape across her nipples, to a brassiere that shot sparks. The stage was a continual sea of visual candy, and everyone left the arena, 'showing their teeth' and 'raising their paws'....including me!

The Queens Shine at Logo Lounge at Eye Candy

Las Vegas parties day and night and this entire week was on fire at the LOGO Lounge at EyeCandy Sound Lounge & Bar at Mandalay Bay as the kick off to MGM Resorts International's much anticipated "My Fabulous Vegas". The Lounge featured the drag queens from Ru Paul's Drag Race in all their glory including the winner, the fabulous Miss Tyra Sanchez. I was amazed at Tyra's beauty, she truly was amazing. Being a fan of the weekly reality show, I already thought she was amazing but the in-person appearance took her beauty and feminism to a whole other level. Another Drag Race favorite participating in the Lounge was Pandora Boxx, who was also prettier than on the show. And the cool thing is that they were both really nice, friendly and down to earth. Kudos ladies! Hope to see you back in Las Vegas real soon.

Lady Gaga Wars II

Practically overnight, Lady Gaga has rocked everyone's world and filled it with visions of balloon suits, Kermit the frog fur coats, cigarette shades and sparkly lobster hats. She's given us outsiders our confidence back in a way that only a few really great and earth shaking music artists have been able to. Her originality and fabulousness is often imitated, duplicated and most importantly loved by all and tonight, at Eduardo Cordova's Closet Sundays, was no different.

This week, the smoke-free venue filled up quickly with an ultra trendy crowd as everyone was eager to flirt, mingle, dance and bare witness to Gaga Wars II. The prizes included $1500 in cash prizes and even tickets to Lady Gaga's show so you know there were no expenses spared! The queens truly brought the ferosh as they graced the stage in the ultimate diva battle.

When it comes to Lady Gaga I guess you're either going to love her or hate her, but one thing that can't be denied is that she's become a constant reminder that its okay to be different, eccentric, and individual. And I'm glad I was able to see some of her "Little Monsters" (which is what she calls her fans for all of you who've I've just confused) in action. Keep it up boys and girls! Cause this was really just the jump off point for a wild and crazy week that all leads up to what we've been holding our breath for and saving our best afro blond wigs for and that's the show of all shows on August 13 at the MGM Grand Arena.

keep it sexy!!!

Everything's Sexier in Las Vegas!

The Concorde Ballroom at The Paris Hotel Las Vegas provided the backdrop for “Everything’s Sexier in Las Vegas”, and by the looks of the incredible dancer on stage much of the night, they couldn’t have chosen a better name! Tonight's event was just the opening reception for Family Fest, a national pride event designed as a family reunion that brings together people of African, Latin, Asian, and European descent. On Saturday attendees will participate in a full-day Business-2-Business Exhibit Fair and later that night everyone will party at the first annual FamilyFest Live Concert followed by the Fire and Ice Pool Party on the rooftop of the Paris Resort and Casino Hotel. The weekend will close with a star-studded gospel brunch. www.familyfestlasvegas.com

Eduardo Cordova presents Closet Sundays

Anybody who's been out and about the Vegas scene in the last few years might be familiar with the name Eduardo Cordova. He is, after all, responsible for the annual White Parties and Sunkissed Sundays (the first all gay and lesbian pool party) at the Luxor. So it should come as no surprise that he's also the mastermind behind the stellar Closet Sundays... once found @ the Luxor's Cathouse Nightclub and now resting comfortably at the Mirage's chic Revolution Lounge.

Now, for anyone who's hasn't been by closet Sundays... shame on you! You're missing out! I've been the last couple of weeks and I swear I've never danced more! Or with more gorgeous people, I might add.

The DJ spins a crazy mixes... The Go Go Dancers are beautiful and equally talented... Drinks are strong... and the crowd is super posh and uber sexy.

So do yourself a favor and make sure you have Closet Sundays marked in your calendars. You may have missed Jai Rodriguez from Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" performing and looking delicious this past Sunday, but August 8th there will be GAGA WARS II (where $1500 in cash prizes and Lady Gaga Concert tickets will be given away for the best Lady Gaga costumes) and on September 5th, reality TV star Teresa of the Real Housewives of New Jersey will be rockin' it out!

So keep it sexy, Vegas... and I'll see you on Sunday ;)

Love Raven - Love Her!!

My favorite Ru Paul Drag Race Queen, Raven, was cool as a cucumber (as she always is) at Heaven at Bare Pool at The Mirage on Saturday night. She knocked everyone dead with her exotic beauty and when she hit the stage the crowd went wild. Even though she didn't win, she's number 1 on my list! Love you Raven!

And if you missed her, she'll be back in a couple of weeks at the Logo Lounge at Eye Candy at Mandalay Bay. Keep checking back to gayvegastravel.com for more details.

Olivia & Giulia - To Have and To Hold

For some ridiculous reason, gay marriage isn't legal in Nevada, but you'd never know it by the look of pure happiness and love that radiated from my friends Olivia & Giulia at their commitment ceremony tonight. They came all the way to Las Vegas from France (though Giulia is originally from Rimini, Italy) to tie the knot with none other than Elvis as the officiant. Where but Las Vegas can you celebrate such a special day in front of a 25 foot high neon 'Welcome to Las Vegas' sign, and be serenaded by the King himself? (Nowhere, would be the correct answer!) The wedding party included family and friends, and from the faces of the strangers who stayed around to witness two beautiful women vow to spend the rest of their lives together, it truly was a very special dedication of love and honor. From the ceremony, we headed over to Maverick Helicopter where the girls smashed wedding cake in each others mouths and drank champagne from their entwined arms before enjoying a nighttime tour of the Las Vegas Strip in the Limousine of the Sky. We hit a couple more spots, then partied the night away at Doll Haus at Krave, where they were given VIP seating and of course....more champagne. Congratulations Olivia and Giulia, I love you!

Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas - C'est Fantastique!

I love the amazing french food at Mon Ami Gabi's at Paris Las Vegas. But what I love even more is the authenticity of decor, the ambiance that usually can only be found in Paris, France and the 'coup de resistance' is the exquisite water ballet in the Bellagio fountains that take place every 15 minutes just in front of the restaurant. The H2O spectaular delights guests of the Bellagio, bystanders on the street and yes, diners at Mon Ami Gabi. The fountains dance to the likes of Andrea Bocelli's Sound of Silence and Bruce Springsteen's 'Proud to Be an American' and reach heights more than 30 feet higher that the Bellagio rooftop. Mon Ami Gabi has always been a Las Vegas locals' favorite, but when you dine there with 10 people who just deplaned from Grenoble and they share the same opinion, you know you're on to something! This was a very special evening because two of my friends, Olivia and Giulia are holding their commitment ceremony tomorrow night in front of the famous Las Vegas sign on Las Vegas Boulevard and tonight's meal was a prelude for what promises to be a memorable event with family and friends.

The Queens of Drag go to Las Vegas Heaven

If you're a fan of Ru Paul's Drag Race, and you weren't at Heaven at the Bare Pool at The Mirage in Las Vegas last Saturday, you really missed out! Every week during the month of July Las Vegas' King of Gay Nightclubs, Eduardo Cordorva, has brought in Ru Paul's most famous Queens to work their charm on locals and visitors alike and boy did have they been working it! Tyra Sanchez, the 2010 Drag Race winner, strolled the pool deck in all her glory last Saturday and turned the heads of boys and girls alike. The weather was hot, but Tyra was hotter! Don't miss next Sunday, when my favorite, Raven, hits the stage.

Las Vegas Pride 2010

Las Vegas Pride is coming! 10 days of parties, Las Vegas style. For more information visit lasvegaspride.com

Welcome to our new site, GayVegasTravel.com

We're so excited to be bringing you this site, debuting just in time for Las Vegas Gay Pride in April.


Check back often... we think you'll find this site very unique in that it combines the best of Gay Vegas we can find, along with the best of Gay Vegas from our various members as well.  It's not just all about what we have to say... it's what we ALL have to say about the "fabulousness" of Gay Las Vegas!