Photo Diva: All I Want…

by Photo Diva

Monday, December 14, 2009

Chester rockin out inside the Joint at Hard Rock Hotel

I really wish there were more hours in the day so I could get done everything I want to do. For example, this past weekend there were so many things on my “To Do” wish list — The M Resort’s Tallest Christmas Tree Lighting party, opening night at BB Kings (with BB himself and guests Willie Nelson and Robert Cray playing) and the retirement party of my Twitter friend and local news guy Edward Lawrence at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar just to name a few — but “Tater” and “Ace” were in town working the sound for Dead By Sunrise who was opening for Alice In Chains at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Dead by Sunrise is the side project of Linkin Park’s vocalist, Chester Bennington and began forming in 2005 when he wrote some “darker and moodier” songs that didn’t quite fit Linkin Park’s style. The band — whose name was born out of what Bennington has previously described as self-destructive hard partying days — released their debut album “Out of Ashes” just two months ago and also includes Amir Derakh (guitar, synth), Ryan Shuck (guitar, backing vocals), Brandon Belsky (bass guitar), Elias Andra (drums) and Anthony “Fu” Valcic (keyboards).

Now, I have to admit that I had heard of Dead By Sunrise but really had no idea of what to expect since I had only heard one song once a while back and even though I really like Chester’s voice I wouldn’t say I was all that enthused about going to The Joint and hanging with the Alice In Chains crowd just to see these guys until my hubby told me that Tater and Ace were doing sound. That changes everything for me.

You see, the sound guys are just as vital a part of the band as any of the musicians up on stage and I knew that when you put top-notch drivers like Ace and Tater behind the wheel of a Maserati like sound system like the one at the Joint then the sound will be damn near perfect…and it was. Of course it helps to have an impressive band like Dead By Sunrise up on the stage with on e of the best rock vocalists out there in Bennington with songs like “Crawl Back In” and “Let Down” — with special seats right next to Ace at the sound board at Front of House — this hard hitting rock band left me wanting more. Go check them out for yourself here. After their set we met up with Tater backstage in monitor world briefly (as we didn’t want to be in the way of load out), told them what a good job they did and said our goodbyes.

Cacti illuminated for the holidays

On another note it’s the holiday season in Sin City and while there are several headliners (ranging from Twisted Sister to Brian Setzer Orchestra) doing Christmas shows in town to choose from, I’m more drawn to the many decorations and displays at nearly every casino and shopping establishment throughout the valley.

My favorite is still the Botanical Cactus Garden at Ethel’s Chocolate Factory (2 Cactus Garden Drive, Henderson, NV 89014). This year, it celebrates the 16th Annual Chocolate Wonderland (now through January 1, 2010), where visitors can take a self-guided factory tour and stroll down the garden’s pathways through illuminated cacti that feature half a million lights from 5pm to 10pm, seven days a week, except on Christmas day. Throughout the season, local choirs will perform holiday favorites in the garden (when I stopped by it was Kathleen and Tim Harney Middle School’s choir), and Santa will make appearances from 5pm – 9pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings through December 20. The big guy will also appear Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Christmas week from 5pm – 9pm.

More cacti decorated for the holidays

If you’ve never been to the Botanical Cactus Garden & Ethel’s Chocolate Factory, it’s in what looks like a business center complex at the east end of Sunset Road but it’s is so worth the drive! I think the next time I’m over I’ll snuggle up on Santa’s lap and tell him that all I want for Christmas is more hours in the day. Oh, and a box of Ethel M’s chocolates. I’ve been good…sorta. Here are a couple more articles about Ethel M’s: Megawatt Cactus and a tour of the chocolate factory.

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