Guns N’ Roses: Appetite for Democracy

I will never forget the first time I heard the name Guns N’ Roses. It was 1987, summer, and I was in LA hanging out with my childhood best friend Nicole at her sister Rene’s apartment on the Sunset Strip. It was definitely one of the cooler places to live in the 80s, CC DeVille of the band Poison lived in her building and the band was always there.

Downstairs hair bands hocked their tapes up and down the boulevard between gigs and I was lucky enough to buy Appetite for Destruction (one of the greatest albums of all time) for $5 from some guy selling them out of his backpack. Nicole and I had the tape on repeat and I couldn’t wait to get back to Vegas to turn my all my friends onto it. I was a fan and I saw them every chance I could when they played Vegas.  Then the bottom fell out and they broke up. I was devastated.

Starting on Halloween night, Guns N’ Roses will have the Appetite for Democracy residency for 12 days inside The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino sans the original members: Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, and Steven Adler. The new band, which played two sold out show this past New Year’s, is now made up of Axl Rose, DJ Ashba, Dizzy Reed, Tommy Stinson, Richard Fortus, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Chris Pitman and Frank Ferrer. 

Like I said before, about Faith Hill & Tim McGraw – Soul2Soul, “this is sure to cause a frenzy to purchase tickets and count on this show selling out quickly.” Halloween is a big deal in Vegas and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.

Inside The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

On Sale: Friday, Aug. 17at 10 a.m.

Ticket Prices: Starting at $45 (plus applicable services fees)

Box Office

702.693.5583 │ 702.693.5000 │www.thejointlasvegas.com

 Ticketmaster

800.745.3000 │ www.ticketmaster.com

Show Dates

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Friday, Nov. 2

Saturday, Nov. 3

Wednesday, Nov. 7

Friday, Nov. 9

Saturday, Nov. 10

Wednesday, Nov. 14

Saturday, Nov. 17

Sunday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 21

Friday, Nov. 23

Saturday, Nov. 24

 

 Adrienne xo

Blue Eyes, a Dimple Chin and a Rewards Program

My lovely friend Lisa and her husband William recently added Evelyn Grace (a perfect tiny bundle with big blue eyes and a dimple chin) to their family to join big brother Liam on his adventures in toddler hood. Of course I had to get this precious little bundle a gift, and I love buying baby clothes. I get a kick out of the miniature versions of adult clothing and shoes. Seriously, who can resist mini ruffles? I can’t.

So I headed to Saks Fifth Avenue’s Off Fifth because they have the most adorable baby section and their items are always really girly. And to my delight, the retailer also has a new and free rewards program called MORE! offering weekly deals. Just for signing up I received an additional 30 percent off my final purchase (in the spirit of “back to school” through August 14 they are offering 30% off kids’ collections.) How cute is this Juicy Couture Kids – Girls’ Ikat Floral Print Romper (Infant)? Too much! I also got the matching Ikat floral print sandals.

Lisa didn’t know I had a present in tow the day I met Evelyn, plus she’s the type of person who doesn’t expect gifts.  Even before she was pregnant I pleaded with her to have a baby shower and she just laughed at me and said, “Okay we will have one. You will be the only guest.”  She’s a smart ass!

The point of this story is her kind gesture of mailing me a thank you card. I believe in the ‘The Art of the Hand Written Note’ because it shows someone took the time to express their feelings and it means so much more than a quick email or a card you can buy at the store with a prewritten message a million other people received. So to my friend, I say Thank You for our friendship. It means the world to me too!

Adrienne xo

The Venetian Las Vegas is Going Country!

Last week I received an exciting invitation from The Venetian Las Vegas to attend a press conference as an invited guest to witness the announcement their newest limited engagement headliners. I was tickled to be included because Las Vegas hasn’t had entertainment news this big since the opening of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, plus I’d almost forgotten the magnitude of a big announcement, and all the planning that goes into it for a Strip property because it has been many years since I worked for a hotel group.

I had been wondering who the major headliners were going to be ever since a teaser announcement was made at the opening of The Bourbon Room in June. I really had no idea until Chris Saldaña posted it on his Facebook page this morning, then I got really excited because it’s the hottest couple in country music and I am a fan.

 

This is sure to cause a frenzy to purchase tickets and count on this show selling out quickly the same way Garth Brooks does at Wynn Las Vegas and Shania Twain’s SHANIA: STILL THE ONE at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace (opening December 1.) It will be next to impossible the first two weekends with the NFR in town so unless you plan on attending months in advance and during the slow time of the year like after New Year’s but before Valentine’s Day weekend    ̶  good luck!

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw Soul2Soul at Venetian Las Vegas

 The Venetian Theater at the Venetian Las Vegas

Box Office

702.414.9000 │ 866.641.7469

Private Pre-sale: Wednesday, August 8 at 10 a.m.

Open to Grazie members (The Venetians loyalty program), Clear Channel subscribers and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Official Fan Club members

General Public: Monday, August 13 at 10 a.m.

Ticket Prices: $95.50-$295.50; VIP packages $1,000

Show Dates
December 7-8, 14-15
January 18-19, 25-26
February 1-2, 15-16 & 22-23
March 1-2
April 12-13, 26-27

Adrienne xo

Related articles

• Tim McGraw, Faith Hill are Vegas-bound (variety.com)

Thank You @GeneralElectric!

Who doesn’t love a little unexpected recognition? This is exactly what I received last week after posting I was at 24 Hour Fitness on Foursquare. To my surprise, General Electric sent me a tweet and our conversation went a little like this:

GE: Enjoy your workout, Adrienne! What does your work out consist of?
AH: Lots of cardio. I love it!
GE: We like your dedication to fitness, Adrienne! Would you mind following @GeneralElectric so we can send you a DM? 

At that point I followed GE and waited for my message which was asking for my mailing address. Today I received a note of encouragement and a lovely basket of healthy nuts, dehydrated fruit, granola and crackers to encourage healthy eating habits.

It’s the little things in life-like being recognized by a company ranked number six on the Fortune 500 list to make working out worth it a bit more.

Thanks again!

Adrienne xo

Remembering a Life Well Lived

This post has been very difficult to write. I had no idea it would take me this long to share my grandmother’s life. On Sunday, March 11, 2012 my grandmother Marguerite Washington (our family’s rock, my best friend, hero and role model) went home to Jesus after sharing herself for nearly 94 years.  On Saturday, March 17, my family grieved and celebrated as we laid her to rest next to my grandfather Lud “Dee Dee” Washington of whom she was married to for 49 years. Born August 4_,1918 in Walsenburg, Colorado, she had one brother (my Great Uncle George, a standup bass player and an original member of the group the Ink Spots) and one sister (my Great Aunt Audrey) who both preceded my Grammy in death.

The month of March was the hardest I’ve had to live. If it hadn’t been for my boyfriend James’ support I don’t think I would have been able to accept it. James is about facts and easily accepted the years of her full life. I’m emotional. I cry at movies, during commercials, listening to songs, looking at babies; I simply drive him nuts with my passion for things.

At her life celebration I wasn’t much of a support system for my mother either. When it came time to walk past the casket, which was the same model as Whitney Houston’s minus being set in platinum and 20+ thousand dollars, I was shaking uncontrollably and almost hyperventilated as my legs started to give out. At that point, my mother resorted to guilt to help me get it together. She glared at me and said, “Your Grammy would not be pleased with you right now. She expects more.” Really?! Mothers have a way about them that make you listen regardless of age. Let’s just say I did not try to climb into the casket like I did when my Dee Dee passed away … but I digress.

On Tuesday, March 20 my lovely mother asked me to join her at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. We see the troupe every time they come to Vegas, and I have to admit, it was good being out in public with my her. I love seeing family traditions passed down (my family at Lion King during Christmas 2011) especially when it involves children and there were many in attendance at Alvin Ailey.

Once REVELATIONS, classic Alvin Ailey portraying the history of black life, all bets were off that I would hold it together. My Grammy was the keeper our family’s legacy with stories of ancestors being house slaves, and as a child how she grew up with oil street lamps, horse and carriages, and how the Lord always directed her path. 

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
And he will direct your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

I hold on to her lessons of faith to continue to guide me through life more so than ever since I am no longer able to pick up the phone and call her. I will forever miss her reciting a verse from the bible during our calls. Nearly 94 years is a long time. I understand clearly now why her favorite Bible verse was:

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
   my God, in whom I trust.”

(Psalm 91)

 I find peace and comfort knowing my grandmother is where she always wanted to be at the end of her life… with the Lord.

Happy Birthday and I miss you so much.

Love your Adrienne