Mandopop Archive

The audio maker hopes Paul McCartney and other celebs will draw buyers

Friends in High Places: Harman International has enlisted a roster of music industry ­A-listers—all longtime users of its audio equipment—to appear in a new ad campaign for its gear

Photographs by Getty Images

By
Mark Clothier

It was 20 years ago today (plus about 25 years) that the Beatles recorded one of the most acclaimed albums in music history, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and they did it on Harman recording gear. As a reminder of that heritage, Harman International Industries Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Paliwal keeps the Studer tape deck used on Sgt. Pepper’s in his office. Despite having manufactured much of the studio equipment and touring gear used from Abbey Road to Kanye West, Harman is in the midst of an identity crisis. Today’s buyers of consumer electronics gear are increasingly drawn to products from Apple or celebrity-endorsed brands such as Beats Electronics, which in three years has won half the U.S. market for high-end ($100-plus) headphones.

Although Paliwal denies that he’s responding to Beats’ rapid advance, he’s boosting Harman’s marketing budget 50 percent to an estimated $50 million this year to challenge Beats at its own star-driven game. He’s recruited Paul McCartney to pitch JBL, a Harman brand of studio and concert gear he’s used since his Fab Four days. The ad, which aired during the Grammy Awards telecast, is the first time the former Beatle has endorsed a product.

Other ads focused on headphones, iPod docks, and stereo systems will feature Jennifer Lopez, Maroon 5, and Tim McGraw in the U.S., as well as Mandopop singer Liu Huan in China and Indian composer A.R. Rahman, who wrote the score for the film Slumdog Millionaire. In 2010, Harman launched a line of AKG studio headphones designed by producer Quincy Jones, and another from country star McGraw will be available this summer. Rapper Kanye West also is helping develop a line, Paliwal says. “These artists have passion about what they use,” he says. “They are the best ambassadors for the marketplace. Why shouldn’t we be taking advantage of the great visionaries out there?”

Celebrity branding has worked well for Beats, whose pricey Beats by Dr. Dre headphones—endorsed by the hip-hop super producer and co-owner of the brand—have helped transform headphones from functional accessories to symbols of urban cool. Beats also markets the Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga audio lines. High-end headphones are a $600 million market, one that has doubled in size each of the past two years, according to researcher NPD Group. Beats, started in 2008 by Dre and Jimmy Iovine, chairman of the Interscope Geffen AM record label, has a 55 percent share. No Harman brand is in the top five.

Harman’s more credentialed audio brands—besides JBL, it makes AKG headphones and microphones, Harman Kardon stereo gear, Infinity speakers, Studer mixing consoles, and Crown Audio amps—are well-known with music professionals but less so with consumers, says Ben Arnold, NPD’s director of industry analysis. “There’s a trendy aspect to this stuff,” he says. “A brand has to have a certain amount of visibility with consumers.”

That could be more crucial for Harman now that Beats is expanding. A recent partnership with Chrysler Group lets buyers add Beats speakers to the automaker’s 300S sedan. Beats also has begun supplying its branded speakers, amps, and headphone jacks for Hewlett-Packard computers and HTC smartphones. (Taiwan-based HTC last year acquired a 51 percent stake in Beats for $300 million.) That puts the upstart further onto the turf of Harman, which supplies stereo and infotainment systems for Porsche, Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Its gear is in 25 million cars, including 80 percent of luxury vehicles.

Paliwal says Harman’s long history of producing audio systems—used everywhere from Applebee’s restaurants to Radio City Music Hall to the Sydney Opera House—gives it a leg up against Beats, whose headphones are manufactured by Monster Cable Products. “Dr. Dre had a great vision but who makes it? Monster Cable,” Paliwal sniffs. “They’re a damn good cable company, but they don’t know much about digital sound processing. We have a 60-year heritage of sound and acoustics. Putting that together with the star power, that’s a game changer.”

The bottom line: Harman has been a leader in recording studio gear since the Beatles were fab. Now it’s touting its star users as product endorsers.

Clothier is a reporter for Bloomberg News.

The audio maker hopes Paul McCartney and other celebs will draw buyers

Friends in High Places: Harman International has enlisted a roster of music industry ­A-listers—all longtime users of its audio equipment—to appear in a new ad campaign for its gear

Photographs by Getty Images

By
Mark Clothier

It was 20 years ago today (plus about 25 years) that the Beatles recorded one of the most acclaimed albums in music history, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and they did it on Harman recording gear. As a reminder of that heritage, Harman International Industries Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Paliwal keeps the Studer tape deck used on Sgt. Pepper’s in his office. Despite having manufactured much of the studio equipment and touring gear used from Abbey Road to Kanye West, Harman is in the midst of an identity crisis. Today’s buyers of consumer electronics gear are increasingly drawn to products from Apple or celebrity-endorsed brands such as Beats Electronics, which in three years has won half the U.S. market for high-end ($100-plus) headphones.

Although Paliwal denies that he’s responding to Beats’ rapid advance, he’s boosting Harman’s marketing budget 50 percent to an estimated $50 million this year to challenge Beats at its own star-driven game. He’s recruited Paul McCartney to pitch JBL, a Harman brand of studio and concert gear he’s used since his Fab Four days. The ad, which aired during the Grammy Awards telecast, is the first time the former Beatle has endorsed a product.

Other ads focused on headphones, iPod docks, and stereo systems will feature Jennifer Lopez, Maroon 5, and Tim McGraw in the U.S., as well as Mandopop singer Liu Huan in China and Indian composer A.R. Rahman, who wrote the score for the film Slumdog Millionaire. In 2010, Harman launched a line of AKG studio headphones designed by producer Quincy Jones, and another from country star McGraw will be available this summer. Rapper Kanye West also is helping develop a line, Paliwal says. “These artists have passion about what they use,” he says. “They are the best ambassadors for the marketplace. Why shouldn’t we be taking advantage of the great visionaries out there?”

Celebrity branding has worked well for Beats, whose pricey Beats by Dr. Dre headphones—endorsed by the hip-hop super producer and co-owner of the brand—have helped transform headphones from functional accessories to symbols of urban cool. Beats also markets the Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga audio lines. High-end headphones are a $600 million market, one that has doubled in size each of the past two years, according to researcher NPD Group. Beats, started in 2008 by Dre and Jimmy Iovine, chairman of the Interscope Geffen AM record label, has a 55 percent share. No Harman brand is in the top five.

Harman’s more credentialed audio brands—besides JBL, it makes AKG headphones and microphones, Harman Kardon stereo gear, Infinity speakers, Studer mixing consoles, and Crown Audio amps—are well-known with music professionals but less so with consumers, says Ben Arnold, NPD’s director of industry analysis. “There’s a trendy aspect to this stuff,” he says. “A brand has to have a certain amount of visibility with consumers.”

That could be more crucial for Harman now that Beats is expanding. A recent partnership with Chrysler Group lets buyers add Beats speakers to the automaker’s 300S sedan. Beats also has begun supplying its branded speakers, amps, and headphone jacks for Hewlett-Packard computers and HTC smartphones. (Taiwan-based HTC last year acquired a 51 percent stake in Beats for $300 million.) That puts the upstart further onto the turf of Harman, which supplies stereo and infotainment systems for Porsche, Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz, and BMW. Its gear is in 25 million cars, including 80 percent of luxury vehicles.

Paliwal says Harman’s long history of producing audio systems—used everywhere from Applebee’s restaurants to Radio City Music Hall to the Sydney Opera House—gives it a leg up against Beats, whose headphones are manufactured by Monster Cable Products. “Dr. Dre had a great vision but who makes it? Monster Cable,” Paliwal sniffs. “They’re a damn good cable company, but they don’t know much about digital sound processing. We have a 60-year heritage of sound and acoustics. Putting that together with the star power, that’s a game changer.”

The bottom line: Harman has been a leader in recording studio gear since the Beatles were fab. Now it’s touting its star users as product endorsers.

Clothier is a reporter for Bloomberg News.

SINGAPORE – Just very good friends.

That’s how Taiwanese singer-actor Kai Ko Chen-Tung, 21, described his relationship with Taiwanese pop diva Elva Hsiao, who is 11 years his senior.

The tanned, lanky Ko, who shot to fame after his debut big screen outing in last year’s sleeper hit You Are The Apple Of My Eye, spoke about the rumours that have been circulating of late.

Reports of the pair locking lips at a popular nightspot in Taipei have been exaggerated, stressed the bachelor, who added that if he were not working in Singapore this year, he would “most probably enjoy Valentine’s Day by having dinner with fellow single mates”.

Ko was in town yesterday to promote his first Mandopop album Be Yourself, a collection of pop-rock tunes, including a sprightly duet with his You Are The Apple Of My Eye co-star Michelle Chen.

The showbiz rookie was refreshingly straightforward when fielding questions and did not have the eager-to-please tone that veteran artistes tend to display.

He did not praise Hsiao to the sky when asked if her looks and personality are the types he is attracted to.

“She’s okay,” said Ko, after a slight pause.

One reporter laughed and wondered out loud if Hsiao would be angry with his blasé reply.

Ko, who spoke in Mandarin, said that conversation flowed easily between them despite their age gap. “Elva’s a great senior to me and I’m able to learn a lot about the music industry from her.”

Pals with older celebs

Turns out, he’s pals with many older celebrities, including host-singer Harlem Yu (“He gives me advice, but he can be a little strict”) and rocker Jam Hsiao, whom he plays basketball with.

So while there is no truth to the rumours involving Hsiao, we’re sure Ko’s hordes of female admirers would be happy to know he is not averse to a May-December romance.

“If my girlfriend is older than me, it’s definitely not a problem,” he said.

“But if she’s older than my mum, then that’s a problem!”

A self-professed fun-loving lad with a weakness for clubbing and hanging out with friends over drinks, the Golden Horse Award Best Newcomer winner is aware of the “ladies’ man” tag that the Taiwanese media has attached to him, but does not feel he deserves it.

“Actually, I don’t really think I’m ‘feng liu’ (Chinese for flirtatious),” he said nonchalantly.

“I mean, I go out with girls one at a time. I don’t two-time.”

At this juncture, his manager interjects: “Kai’s just 21, you can’t expect him not to date, right?”

For Ko, there’s hardly a chance that he will find himself misbehaving after a night of intoxication, as his family members will be watching his back closely.

“My family is a little weird in that we always chill out together,” he revealed.

“When we drink, very often, it’s my dad who is the most drunk at the end of the night.”

Fans might be wondering why he chose to veer off into music instead of immediately following up his cinematic success with another film.

“Singing has always been a passion of mine, so when I was offered a contract, I decided to give it ashot,” said Ko, who idolises Hong Kong balladeer Eason Chan.

“There is still lots of room for improvement and I hope to hone my live performing skills,” he admitted.

And he is staying true to the spirit of his album’s title track – Be Yourself.

“After stepping into show business, I’ve learnt to speak more tactfully, but ultimately, I still want to be myself,” said the physical education undergraduate at Chinese Culture University.

“Everyone has been telling me how dark the industry is, and how there are so many bad influences…It hasn’t turned out to be like that at all. On the contrary, I find many celebrities to be very nice people.”

You Are The Apple of My Eye not only won Ko critical acclaim and a host of awards (including his Golden Horse accolade), it has also made him Prince Charming in many a teenage girl’s eyes.

The Taiwanese romantic-comedy became the highest-grossing Chinese film in Singapore last year, beating Andy Lau’s Shaolin and Donnie Yen’s Lost Bladesman.

Will audiences get to see him and his onscreen sweetheart Chen reunite for a sequel? Ko said there are no sequels planned.

“I don’t think a sequel would work for this film…they’ve (referring to the characters he and Chen play) moved on with their lives.”

But he looks forward to collaborating with Chen again, on different projects.

“I would love to. Hopefully a movie script will come along that calls for both of us to be involved.”

This article was first published in The New Paper.

Incoming search terms:

• jam hsiao girlfriend
• asian movie star girls

<!–enpproperty 11624512012-02-10 16:02:07.0 2228/enpproperty–>

　　Oriental Residence Bangkok服务式公寓坐落于曼谷市中心著名的地标性区域Wireless
Road，闹中取静。32层高的多功能公寓大楼共设有46间私人公寓与145间客房，其中包括41间豪华行政房、70间一卧、30间两卧以及4间三卧室套房。

　　整个项目由泰国顶级奢华家居零售商Chanintr
Living担任设计指导，低调的典雅风格贯穿于整栋大楼，充分体现了独特的装饰特色。房型面积为45至188平方米不等，精选抛光木地板，并配有极富现代感的进口家具，落地窗通透明亮，能够一览城市中心美景。

　　“Oriental Residence Bangkok服务式公寓盛大开业，我们深感荣幸”，总经理Patrick
Schaub先生称：“Oriental Residence
Bangkok旨在成为曼谷城中领先的物业之一，此外，其个性化的优质服务也将提升泰国热情、好客的美誉。”

　　为庆贺开业，Oriental Residence
Bangkok服务式公寓特别推出一系列优惠活动，详情请见www.oriental-residence.com。

　　一楼设有丰富的餐饮选择，例如Café
Claire：全天候的服务、时尚新颖的菜品、舒适的用餐环境与适中的价格令其在餐饮界享有盛誉。住户也可在Mandopop创意餐厅内品尝极富现代感的中华料理，有粤菜、川菜、客家菜可供选择。

　　位于四楼的Play
Deck设计独特，建有一个20平米的泳池，池边更有悬空小屋及露台的点缀，可将四周花园郁郁葱葱的景致尽收眼底，同时住户也可在泳池边的酒吧惬意小酌。泳池附近还有一个设施齐全的健身中心、Play
Room以及图书馆，供住户放松身心。

　　楼内还设有三个面积由16至145平方米不等的会议室供住客使用，最大间可容纳100人。会议室拥有良好的自然采光，并配有先进的高科技设备及商业会议服务。

　　Oriental Residence
Bangkok服务式公寓处处彰显了摩登风情：绝佳的地理位置、无与伦比的花园景致、现代的室内装潢、以及融于19世纪末泰国怀旧气息的精致细节处理。住户可非常便捷地来往于曼谷繁华的中心商业区，那里有一系列高级购物中心，毗邻发达的曼谷交通中枢（BTS轻轨）。

FANS of Mandopop star Della Ding can look forward to a sizzling stage performance by the diva on April 28 at Resorts World Genting.

Referred to as the “Newborn Mandopop Diva”, Ding is well known for her captivating voice and spectacular vocal range.

Ding, 28, who hails from Zhe Jiang province of China, apparently ran away from home at the age of 18 to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional singer.

She sang in pubs during her early days and honed her skills as a performer along the way.

Later, she moved to Taiwan and subsequently got noticed by the big wigs of recording companies. Eventually, she was signed up by one of them and became a star.

Ding was initially best known for her ballads but she experimented more with her music on her third album, Night Owl (2009), where she included dance tracks.

Her fourth album Fu Good (2010) featured the hits song Wo Ai Ta, which was used in the drama Autumn’s Concerto.

Ding kick-started her world tour concert, The Diva in Della, in Taipei last December which was very well received.

Not only did Ding show off her vocal prowess but proved to be a great entertainer as well. Fans also got to see her in various fabulous outfits throughout the show.

This concert is said to be different from the singer’s previous soft pop ventures, and she even performed a medley of Broadway classics including Chicago, The Lion King and Rent.

Della Ding’s concert in Malaysia is organised by Star Planet and will be staged at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, on April 28 at 8pm. For tickets, call Star Planet 03-92233667 and TicketCharge at 03-92228811 or go to www.starplanet.com.my.

Feng Fei Fei’s passing triggers outpouring of grief by celebs
Posted: 14 February 2012 1714 hrs

 

 

 
 
 

Related News

---

---

TAIPEI: Mandopop singers and production staff alike mourned the loss of 60-year-old singer Feng Fei Fei, who passed away on January 3 after succumbing to lung cancer.

Many stars took to their micro blogs to share their memories of Feng and express their sorrow over her death.

“I used to go to Feng Fei Fei’s concert together with my mum.”

“She was my mum’s favourite singer. Life is so fragile,” wrote Taiwan singer Landy Wen.

Malaysian singer Fish Leong said in one of her micro blog post that she had once performed Feng Fei Fei’s “Dream Pursuer” when she was a young schoolgirl and “still get a tug at my heart when I hear her song”.

S.H.E’s Ella Chen was equally saddened by Feng’s passing.

“This news of Feng Fei Fei passing is too shocking and sad. I hope she will now fly to her loved one,” said Chen.

Singers Christine Fan and Tanya Chua mourned the loss of both Whitney Houston and Feng Fei Fei, on their micro blogs.

“Both of your music will live on in my heart forever,” wrote Christine Fan.

“We have lost another great diva. R.I.P Feng Fei Fei,” Tanya Chua said in a micro blog post on Monday.

People from the music industry who have had the chance to work with Feng in the past, expressed their grief as well.

Popular Taiwan lyricist, Hsu Chang De, who had worked with Feng on a number of occasions, described her as being elegant yet low-key.

“While working with her, the best way is to be simple and clear.”

“She is like my mum; she would call me Ah De in Taiwanese. I feel sad thinking about her songs, which have walked with me throughout my life.”

The director of Singapore music label Hype Records, Ken Lim, who had organised Feng’s 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 concerts in Singapore, praised Feng for being “the finest example of a true artiste”, in a statement to the media.

“Throughout her outstanding career, her persistence to provide her audience nothing less than her very best efforts in all her endeavors has created countless special moments for her audiences,” said Lim.

“She will always remain very special. We are blessed to have known her as a true friend and extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to work with an inspiring legend.”

CNA/lp

<!– Zone Tag : Channel News Asia In Text

innity_pub = “66368270ffd51418ec58bd793f2d9b1b”;
innity_zone = “12251″;
innity_width = “**”;
innity_height = “**”;
innity_country = “SG”;

–>

Incoming search terms:

• feng fei fei
• feng fei fei younger brother
• feng fei feis cds
• singer & Feng Fei
• article about feng fei fei

It’s ladies’ night, and the feeling’s right, crooned funk group Kool The Gang in its classic catchy hit Ladies Night.

But nowadays, when clubbers enjoy ever-increasing nightlife entertainment choices, is the concept of Ladies’ Night still a draw?

For the uninitiated, Ladies’ Night is nearly two decades old. It started in the 1980s at the now-defunct Chinoiserie club and has evolved to become a mainstay at most clubs in Singapore.

The signature must-haves are, typically, free entry and some free drinks for female patrons.

“Ladies’ Night is still very important, for sure,” Mr Dennis Foo, chief executive officer of St James Holdings, told The New Paper.

“What has changed is the fact that women of today are a lot more sophisticated than those of the past.

“If they head down to a club and you give them the same type of drink the whole night, they probably wouldn’t be interested… you have to make it more interesting and give them more reason to continue clubbing at your place.”

These days, simply offering free flow “cheapens” the value of Ladies’ Night, added Mr Foo.

Indeed, creativity and inventiveness seem to be the way to go to attract and pamper female patrons. St James Power Station has rolled out a power-packed Ladies’ Night promotion.

Every Wednesday, each female clubber receives 20 free drinks across four outlets (five at each outlet) Gallery Bar, Boiler Room, Powerhouse and Movida.

At Boiler Room, women can also indulge in free flow of Waterfall from 11pm to 3am.

This is apart from a host of other Wednesday-only free flow deals that the entertainment complex is unveiling from today, in line with its fifth anniversary. (See other report.)

Mr Stephen Davis, marketing manager of St James Power Station, described it as the “best Ladies’ Night deal in town”, and added: “The beauty of it is that ladies get a variety of music choices from Latin, RB to Mandopop, all under one roof.

“If you want to dance, you go to one of our outlets, if you want live band music, you go to another, you don’t have to go anywhere else.”

Echoing similar sentiments on the relevance of Ladies’ Night was Mr Jeremy Poh, marketing manager of Asian fusion dance nightspot Club Avatar.

“Ladies’ Night is necessary because the (nightlife) market is saturated and without it, it’s hard for us to get a slice of the clubbers’ pie,” he told The New Paper.

Like St James, Club Avatar is banking on its creativity to woo more female patrons too.

“From next Wednesday onwards, our Ladies’ Night will have a Candy Shop theme,” said Mr Poh.

“Ladies can enjoy free flow of champagne, lychee martinis and Baileys, as well as free lollipops and candy floss.

“We’ll also have topless hunks strutting outside the club, a la (fashion retailer) Abercrombie Fitch.”

Playing it down

But there are other major industry players who have decided to play down the concept.

Mr Bernard Lim, chief executive of LifeBrandz, told The New Paper that Lifebrandz’s outlets Zirca, Rebel, Coco and Aquanova have regular Ladies’ Nights promotions, which include “free entry and two to three free drinks”.

“While we understand that many operators choose to offer limitless free drinks to ladies on Ladies’ Night, we are also mindful that we are operating a business and returns are important,” said Mr Lim.

Then there are the established names on the scene like Zouk which stand out even without blatant promotions of Ladies’ Night.

“Mambo Jambo (which plays 80s pop music and falls on a Wednesday) is the night our ladies enjoy waived entry to Zouk,” said Ms Sofie Chandra, Zouk’s marketing and business development manager.

“We have always differentiated ourselves from the other clubs which brand and position their Wednesday nights as Ladies’ Nights.

“Mambo Jambo is a night for not just the ladies but also the men… it allows for a different experience from any other clubbing night.”

But Mr Foo, who is one of Singapore’s most recognised nightlife moguls, feels that Ladies’ Night is alive and kicking.

“Ladies’ Night has grown to become a third weekend night-out… More ladies are out having fun due to the increased variety in offerings,” he said.

This article was first published in The New Paper.

– Oriental Residence Bangkok. 32- Wireless Road – “” , , BTS Skytrain.

Oriental Residence Bangkok 145 : 41 Executive Deluxe, 70 , 30 . – 45 1 888 . , – .

Oriental Residence Bangkok : Café Claire Mandopop, , -. – $240 .

‘);

RSS

• Tweet
• Print
• 

Chinese New Year guide: Dining and events

Allison Duck

Mon, Jan 23, 2012 (6:18 p.m.)

Chinese New Year at the Palazzo on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.

Palazzo

Monday, January 23:

Chinese New Year display at Palazzo and Venetian: The Venetian and The Palazzo celebrate Chinese New Year with an authentic dragon dance and festive feng shui decor including a 128-foot fire-breathing dragon in the Waterfall Atrium Gardens of the Palazzo, along with resort-wide décor, specialty cocktails and tasting menus, starting January 23 at 1 p.m. The display will be up until February 28. The dragon will breathe fire at 1 and 5 p.m. daily until February 5.

Chinese New Year display and concert: Through March 4, Bellagio’s Conservatory Botanical Gardens invites guests to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with an elaborate display, a feng shui-inspired sanctuary and live entertainment. The Las Vegas-based Beijing Trio performs traditional folk and pop music with authentic Chinese instruments including the erhu, ruan and pipa. Complimentary performances take place from 5 to 6 p.m., daily.

2012 Chinese New Year Dragon Parade at Caesars

.galleryWrapper .sharePane, .gallerySlide .meta {
filter:progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr=#22222280,endColorstr=#22222280);
}

Lion and dragon dance at M Resort: The M Resort hosts a traditional Chinese lion and dragon dance performed by the Lohan School of Shaolin. The dance will include a 30-person assembly with a 63-foot dragon including adult and baby lion dancers, Buddhas, musicians and festive flags. The dance will begin in the lobby at 6 p.m. The M will also celebrate with festive décor including tangerine trees, welcome banners, lanterns and selections of Asian favorites like Satsuma, spring rolls, beef lo mein and more at its Studio B Buffet beginning January 23. For those looking for a souvenir, a Year of the Dragon collectible chip is available for purchase at the casino cage for $8 while supplies last.

Chinese New Year celebration: Palace Station will kick off year 4709 on the Chinese calendar with a lion dance around the casino area. Guests are invited to watch the dance, which begins around 8:30. Food Express restaurant is located near “Pit 8,” a special section of the casino dedicated to Asian gaming, and offers tableside gaming food service.

Tuesday, January 24:

Photo: Leila Navidi

Mayor Carolyn Goodman attends a traditional dragon parade performed by students from The Meadows School to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace Monday, Jan. 23, 2012.

Chinese New Year celebration: Mayor Carolyn Goodman will participate in the opening ceremonies of the first-ever Downtown Chinese New Year celebration at Fremont Street Experience. Guests can enjoy a live authentic dragon dance performed by the Las Vegas Lohan School of Shaolin complete with virtual firecrackers on Viva Vision, an eye painting ceremony and a parade. Additionally, a ribbon cutting to start the opening ceremonies will consist of 888 people for extra luck. Other local dignitaries scheduled to take part in the event include Councilwoman Gerri Schroder, Mayor Pro-Tem Stavros Anthony, Deputy Superintendent Pedro Martinez, Former Lt. Governor Lorraine Hunt-Bono, Duncan Lee of the State Economic Development Commission, President of Fremont Street Experience Jeff Victor and President of CHD David Huang. The Downtown festivities will continue from January 24-28 with nightly dragon and lion dance performances, a vendor village and a virtual dragon dance on the Viva Vision screen, beginning at 6 p.m.

Dragon and fan dances: In addition to festivities beginning on January 23, the Grand Canal Shoppes and the Shoppes at The Palazzo will feature additional dragon and fan dances, along with a chance to receive complimentary gift cards, chocolates and more. The dragon dance will start in the great hall of The Grand Canal Shoppes and will conclude near Table 10 at the Shoppes at The Palazzo, on Tuesday, January 24 at 1 p.m. The fan dance will take place near the canal turnaround where the Shoppes at The Palazzo and the Grand Canal Shoppes meet, on Wednesday, January 25 at 1 p.m.

MGM Resorts International lion dances: MGM Resorts International celebrates Chinese New Year with lion dances at its various properties. Each lion dance will be held in the respective resort’s main valet and porte cochere:

• ARIA – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m.

• Crystals – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

• Mirage – Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 4 p.m.

• MGM Grand – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.

• Bellagio – Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, January 27:

Dragon and lion dance ceremony at Wynn: This Chinese New Year, Wynn Las Vegas celebrates the Year of the Dragon with a traditional dragon and lion dance ceremony on January 27 at 6:30 p.m. starting in the South Valet area. Guests can participate in the ceremony and follow the 18-foot dragon and performers as they parade through Wynn and Encore to live music. Wynn’s atrium will feature Chinese-inspired floral and sculpture displays including over 8,000 red and yellow chrysanthemums, silk dragons and 8 feet tall golden dragon sculptures through Feburary 6. Wynn and Encore also feature Chinese New Year specials in their spas. Call 770-3900 (Wynn) or 770-4772 (Encore) to schedule an appointment.

Saturday, January 28:

Wakin Chau in concert: Caesars Palace welcomes the Year of the Dragon with lion dances and a concert by Chinese Mandopop star Wakin Chau at the Colosseum. His platinum albums such as You Make Me Happy and Sad, Flower’s Heart, Music Brings Us Together and Friends have won awards in Taiwan, mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Other Caesars Entertainment events include lion dances at the following venues:

• On January 27: at 5 p.m. at Harrah’s, 6:15 p.m. at Imperial Palace, 7 p.m. at Flamingo and 10 p.m. at the Rio.

• On January 28: at noon at Planet Hollywood, 1 p.m. at Paris, 2 p.m. at Bally’s and 5 p.m. at Caesars Palace.

Wednesday, February 1:

Lion dance parade: The Gold Coast Hotel and Casino welcomes the Year of the Dragon with a variety of Chinese New Year events and promotions. The Lohan School of Shaolin will perform a traditional lion dance parade through the casino on February 1 at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Chinese New Year decorations and lucky citrus trees will adorn the casino floor and popular restaurants Ping Pang Pong and Noodle Exchange will serve authentic and delicious dishes.

Dining options:

Enjoy dim sum brunch at Wynn’s award-winning Chinese restaurant, Wing Lei where guests enjoy a variety of options including pork spareribs, steam barbeque pork buns, lotus leaf sticky rice, Malaysia cakes and shrimp dumplings. The dim sum brunch is offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. January 23-28 and is priced at $58.88 per person. For reservations, call 248-3463.

Dragon Noodle Co. Sushi Bar celebrates with a special pre-fixe menu focusing on traditional Chinese cuisine and ingredients. The menu features gong hei fat choy, ha ha smile and Buddha delight at $29 per guest.

Photo: Courtesy

Beijing Noodle No. 9.

Beijing Noodle No. 9 at Caesars Palace celebrates the Lunar New Year with an à la carte menu that features many customary Chinese dishes, including an assorted braised seafood platter and dishes like Wealth and Fortune, a dish with fried fish and shrimp; and Auspicious Beginning, with Napa cabbage and dried baby shrimp. For reservations, call 731-7267.

Empress Court at Caesars Palace offers two separate prix fixe menus, each for a party of ten. Priced at $1,280 or $1,080 for the entire group, the feast includes ten dishes traditionally served in Chinese New Year celebrations such as lobster salad with walnuts, roasted baby squab, as well as head chef Kin Sun Sui’s signature sweet and sour scallops and squid. For reservations, call 731-7267.

Ming’s Table at Harrah’s offers a special à la carte menu, available from January 23-29. Items on the menu are specially designed and named for the New Year, including sautéed bamboo skin with asparagus and deep fried tofu topped with sautéed seafood. For reservations, call 862-3530.

At Aria, Blossom and Lemongrass will each feature authentic Chinese and Thai cuisine through Wednesday, February 1. Blossom will be open for a dim sum lunch from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. Lemongrass will be open daily with a full menu from 11 a.m.–2 a.m. For reservations, call 590-7111.

At Bellagio, Jasmine and Noodles will offer guests a dim sum lunch buffet at each restaurant through Sunday, January 29. Jasmine will serve lunch daily from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. and its regular dinner menu from 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m. Noodles will offer its lunch specialties and regular menu items from 11 a.m.–2 a.m. For reservations, call 693-7223.

Photo: Courtesy of MGM

Pearl inside MGM Grand

At MGM Grand, Pearl will offer a traditional Chinese menu in addition to a dim sum lunch through Monday, January 30. Grand Wok will feature a special menu with a variety of select delicacies through Saturday, February 4. Shibuya will offer special dishes through Friday, January 27. For reservations, call 891-1111.

At Mandalay Bay, Noodle Shop and the buffet will feature authentic Chinese cuisine for lunch and dinner through Thursday, February. 9 from 11 a.m –1 a.m. For reservations, call 632-7200.

At The Mirage, Fin will be open for dinner and present special Chinese dishes through Monday, January 30 from 5 p.m.–11 p.m. For reservations, call 791-7111.

At Luxor, Rice Co. will offer a $65, three-course pre-fixe dinner menu to celebrate Chinese New Year through Thursday, February 9. Open nightly from 5 p.m.–11 p.m., reservations can be made by calling 262-4000.

At Palazzo, Zine food specials include live lobster with golden garlic and spicy salt, firecracker Manila clams and the Buddha feast creation with sauteed vegetables and ginger juice. Drink specials include the dragon cocktail, chamomile and lychee iced tea and green tea with rosemary, chili and lemon. These specials continue through the month of February.

At Cosmopolitan, José Andrés and his team at China Poblano offer holiday specials through February 6. The restaurant will feature new cocktails and a la carte menu items showcasing special Chinese New Year dishes. Menu highlights include the Happy Family Jiao Zi – pork, shrimp, mushroom and garlic chive; Tea Eggs and Caviar – tea marinated quail egg and Rio Frio caviar; Gem of China – whole abalone, superior congee; Golden Dragon – live Maine lobster, house made cure eggs and scallions; Fire Phoenix – crispy young chicken, Sichuan pepper corn salt and seasoned pork rinds; and Giggling Buddha Taking a Bath – strawberry gelée, lychee foam, guanabana sorbet. The special menu items will range in price from $10.88 to $53.88, a la carte. Drink specials include the Green Tea Sour, made from a combination of green tea, Chivas and St. Germain for $13.

Incoming search terms:

• yoon doo joon breath

Blogs

The Kats Report

The concept of Pam Anderson at ‘Pamorama’ didn’t end up too suite (3 Comments)

1 day, 3 hours ago

KISS fans ready to paint the town (and their faces) at Sunday’s KISS Off at Hard Rock Hotel (2 Comments)

1 day, 14 hours ago

Elsewhere

Japan’s Universal Entertainment eyes partner for $2 bln Manila project

1 day, 17 hours ago

Las Vegas Sands Singapore unit said to seek $3.7 billion loan refinancing

1 day, 17 hours ago

Microsoft pulls the plug on another annual event in Las Vegas

3 days, 20 hours ago

Tony Hsieh’s excellent Las Vegas adventure (12 Comments)

3 days, 21 hours ago

Shark Bytes

Jerry Tarkanian: Anthony Marshall is ‘playing lights out’ (5 Comments)

4 days, 14 hours ago

More blogs »