Gallery says, 'Not today, Slim Shady'
Just because you're a celebrity, it doesn't mean everyone will do business with you.
Regis Galerie's second-floor Empire Room has attracted shopping glitterati like Michael Jackson and Criss Angel, but when Eminem's representation requested to shoot a music video in the room, the rapper was denied.
The space, which features ornate items like $18,500 handmade art glass urns that once belonged to
Gianni Versace, is a haven for collectors. General Manager Ike Dweck said he thinks Eminem wanted to use the room in a parody shot, thus the reason for the denial.
But, if you want to see what they have upstairs, just ask. Dweck said he'll show most anyone, unless their motives are questionable.
When the going gets tough, look overseas.
Las Vegas tourism businesses that have fared well throughout the down economy seem to have something in common: They all attract international customers.
Big Horn Wild West Tours' appeal to foreign tourists, for instance, saved owner Bill Cavenagh during the downturn.
"United Kingdom and Australian guests kept our wheels turning," he said. "In 2009, there was nobody from the states."
Alix Reed, general manager of Pink Jeep Tours, said international tourists keep her company afloat during the summer months. And, Papillon Airways, a helicopter tour company, is reaching out to Russian, Brazilian and Portuguese travelers via language-specific websites in an effort to glean foreign money.
The lesson here? When one revenue source dries up, look to another, maybe less obvious, choice.
Las Vegas entertainer Anthony Cools inked an exclusive deal with Coupons For Humanity, a relatively new addition to online deal websites. Cools is promoting his business, Exposed Salon, which is in the remodeled Plaza in downtown Las Vegas.
Downtown Las Vegas might soon be more eventful.
Native son Frederic Apcar via his Frederic Apcar Productions, may start hosting at least one music-related event each month near Fremont East or in the downtown Arts District. The entrepreneur has been producing periodic, large-scale events around town for a while, but now he wants his shindigs to be a regular fixture on the downtown scene.
"We'd like to do more monthly events, but we'll see how it works out," Apcar said.
He may want to host them in cooperation with First Friday, but, for now, he's just brainstorming.
"I don't know if it makes sense financially," Apcar said.
This winter, music producer Kevin Churko is doing his part to keep the Las Vegas music industry growing. He's starting a record with In This Moment and helping to develop a band named Conflict of Interest, which is spearheaded by singer-songwriter Mike Stanley.
Looking ahead, he said the music business as a whole needs to figure out how to make the industry work alongside the free-download era.
"I think what's good for one of us, is good for us all," Churko said.
In the past five years, he's seen recording budgets halved, which directly affects the producer and thus his studio's bottom line.
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I dunno which song was it for
