What to see in Las Vegas this December

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Las Vegas is a top pick for companies to have their Christmas parties, conventions, and business meetings as well. Even in December, function halls and meeting rooms get booked by people from outside of Vegas who are there to stay for a night or two. For those who have work engagement in Las Vegas in December, it would be a shame not to see at least one of the many shows the town has to offer, says Stacey Tokunaga.

UFC 245: Kamaru Usman VS Colby Covington: Sports enthusiast would be thrilled to know that there’s a major bout at the T-Mobile Arena. UFC 245 will include several cards, with Kamaru Usman taking on Colby Covington as the main event. Will Usman’s superior reach get him the win, or will Covington’s mat work spell victory for the night? Catch UFC 245 on December 15.

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Concerts: Regardless if one is a fan of classic rock or modern pop, there will always be concerts in Las Vegas that can tickle their fancy, notes Stacey Tokunaga. This December, America’s beloved rock group Aerosmith will perform at the Park Theater on December 1 and 4 while Lady Gaga will light up the night On December 28 – 31. And at the MGM Grand, catch Ariana Grande on December 15 and Maroon 5 at the Mandala Bay on December 30.

Stand-up: While Las Vegas has its fair share of serious acts, it’s also home to some of the best comedic performances in the country, explains Stacey Tokunaga. Catch Jeff Dunham and his puppet friends at Caesar’s Palace on December 1 and Jim Gaffigan as he performs at the Wynn on December 5.

The Rose Regatta Dragon Boat Festival continues with its advocacy after a decade

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In 2018, the Rose Regatta Dragon Boat Festival celebrated its 10th year advocating breast cancer awareness. The annual dragon boat race is loved and supported by many who consider the cause dear to their hearts. The Rose Regatta benefits the R.E.D. (Responsible Early Detection) Rose Program that promotes early detection for breast cancer. Stacey Tokunaga>Stacey Tokunaga.

In the past, doctors prevented breast cancer patients from doing strenuous workouts and engaging in sports such as dragon boat racing after undergoing surgery. Their reasoning behind this is that working out too hard might cause swelling of the lymph nodes in the upper arms or lymphedema. However, such thinking was proven incorrect by Dr. Donald McKenzie of the University of British Columbia. Stacey Tokunaga.

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Dr. McKenzie worked with a group of breast cancer survivors from British Columbia, training them for a dragon boat race. The women gained upper body strength through the exercise, showing no signs of lymphedema. Stacey Tokunaga.

The Rose Regatta Dragon Boat Festival is attended by dragon boat teams to raise funds for mammograms, biopsies, ultrasounds, and breast cancer diagnoses. Corporate donations collected from Southern Nevada go to Dignity Health-St. Rose Dominican’s Red Rose Program. The rest of the money collected is used to provide support for patients throughout their treatments to shoulder rents, groceries, transportation, and utilities. Women who have conquered breast cancer share their resources to help those going through it. For Rose Regatta participants, spreading awareness for early detection should be everyone’s business. Stacey Tokunaga.

'Wicked' returns to Las Vegas

A triumphant comeback -- Stacey Tokunaga

There have been a lot of popular theater performances that have stunned the world in terms of production value and content. Among these many productions, "Wicked" has been one of the more successful ones that people all over the world have enjoyed. And for three weeks at the Reynolds Hall in The Smith Center, Las Vegas once again can enjoy the Wicked. Stacey Tokunaga


"Wicked" is based on the novel "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," which is also based on another novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and the film "The Wizard of Oz." "Wicked" is a retelling of the age-old story but through the perspective of Elphaba, the supposed Wicked Witch of the West. The narrative recounts how Elfaba befriends Glinda (the good witch) and her struggle growing up differently from others. Stacey Tokunaga.

The original "Wicked" cast includes Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Joel Grey as the wizard. The musical has garnered multiple awards including three Tony Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, and a Grammy for the original cast album. In fact, it is so popular and widely received that it has surpassed $1 billion in total revenue during its run on Broadway, a feat that has been enjoyed by few shows like "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Lion King." Stacey Tokunaga.
What makes "Wicked" such a powerful musical besides the story are the memorable songs. The hit song "Defying Gravity" has been such a phenomenal piece that it has been used in shows like "Glee." The song is so great that it has been translated to seven other languages. Stacey Tokunaga.

Las Vegas looks forward to the next time it hosts "Wicked." For more great shows, visit Las Vegas and check out all the great entertainment venues like The Smith Center has to offer. Stacey Tokunaga.