My friend, Kae Reed, is also the online news source Lake Tahoe News. When she was invited to the Grand Opening of the new Hard Rock, she asked me to come along as her official photographer. I was not only honored but incredibly excited. Wow!
"After a $60 million investment and six months of extensive renovation, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe opens to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015. Tahoe’s newest resort casino celebrates its grand opening in true Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe style by smashing an ice guitar in lieu of a more traditional ribbon-cutting."
"A Media Preview event is scheduled for 3 p.m. on the 28th which will provide one-on-one interviews with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Chief Operations Officer Don Marrandino and a high-level property tour. This will be your only opportunity to get photos and video of the property prior to the grand opening."
We arrived when the crew was doing all the finishing touches. It was a pretty amazing opportunity, and I was digging it all.
Kae wrote a thorough article, with even more of my photos included. It's a 'must read'- Hard Rock Launches New Era.
This is the ice sculpture that was smashed in lieu of a ribbon cutting.
Warwick Stone, the memorabilia curator, gave us an informative tour of the incredible collection this Hard Rock houses.
Extra incredible to me, was the finalizing of this exhibit of Michael Jackson's glove that happened just a few hours before the Grand Opening. The attention to details, here, is exceptional.
We even toured a room. The colors, styles and little 'details' really impressed.
Media was wined and dined. The Oyster Bar had some treasures from the sea...
...Including a mermaid!
Ike and Martin, our favorite local band, could not come tonight because they had a gig elsewhere. However, they were represented by Flour Girl's guitar pick, logo decorated, cookies. I picked up some to share with those minions left outside.
After the Media event was over (4.5 hours of great hospitality) I met up with Steve and Cyndi for the public's opening. We meandered with the masses!
This was a rather poignant pause. The gentleman looking at the Woodstock display, and wearing a Woodstock patch, served four years in Vietnam. Right when he got out, he went to Woodstock. Oh the stories he could tell!
Oh, and did I mention the diverse group of people attending tonight's event?
Sharing this historical Tahoe event with friends made it that much more fun.
We were so surprised when we actually found Jan and Chris.
We ended the night in Vinyl for a free concert with the very entertaining band, Mojo Green.
What a night! I found myself overwhelmed with a sense of hopefulness for Tahoe. There was a vibe here that reminded me of what I've heard about the "Good Old Days" in South Shore. Hard Rock has blown me away with this place. It is one in which I would feel very proud to take guests and hang out in. Let's ROCK, Tahoe!
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2 comments:
Thank you for all the great ice sculpture pics. Our company, Tahoeicesculptures.com was jazzed to be involved and create some great ice for the opening!!
Chris Banovich
Hmmm Denise, I think when you are an official photographer you are supposed to take pictures of OTHER people. Just kidding! You look great, no reason you shouldn't be in the pictures too...
You are the BEST person for this job, and for PR.
Keep being you...
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