Fremont Street Experience will offer an exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming Summer of ‘69: Vegas or Bust concert and event series on Friday, May 22. The event kicks off with the unveiling of a custom work of art by renowned artist, John Van Hamersveld in celebration of Fremont Street Experience’s free headlining concerts and entertainment that will be held in celebration of 1969.
Artist John Van Hamersveld, most known for his prominent 1960s iconic image of the Pinnacle Indian and The Beatles cover for the Magical Mystery Tour album, joins Fremont Street Experience and Mayor Goodman in celebration of the Summer of 69: Vegas or Bust summer extravaganza.
The completed art piece, a custom-painted vintage school bus, will be unveiled to the media for the first time on Friday, May 22 by Van Hamersveld. In addition to the unveiling, Fremont Street Experience will give media a sneak-preview of the Summer of 69 street show, Psychedelic Ride: A Hippie Bus Street Party.
Summer of 69: Vegas or Bust kicks off Memorial Day weekend at Fremont Street Experience and comes to a close Labor Day weekend. The summer-long campaign will feature major headlining entertainment and events reminiscent of the year 1969.
WHEN:
Friday, May 22
11 a.m. Media Check-In
11:30 a.m. Press conference with Mayor Oscar Goodman, artist John Van Hamersveld, Jeff Victor, President of Fremont Street Experience and Rossi Ralenkotter, President/CEO of Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
11:45 a.m. Bus unveiling/Psychedelic Ride performance
WHERE:
Fremont Street Experience
At Main Street between Golden Gate and Vegas Club hotel and casinos.
Here's more information on the upcoming concerts offered this summer as part of this series:
Fremont Street Experience takes Las Vegas back 40 years this summer with the “Summer of ’69: Vegas or Bust” festival and concert series beginning Memorial Day weekend. The celebration offers tourists and residents a summer full of free concerts by major iconic bands from 1969, including The Guess Who, Blood Sweat & Tears, Rare Earth, Janis Joplin’s Original Band Big Brother & The Holding Company, The Grass Roots, Jefferson Starship, The 5th Dimension, Canned Heat and Three Dog Night. Fremont Street Experience will transform itself for the 40th anniversary of 1969 by taking visitors back to the legendary year. The “Summer of ’69: Vegas or Bust” event series kicks off Memorial Day weekend and continues 108 days through Labor Day weekend. All summer long, themed nightly entertainment will also include cover bands and tribute artists, theatrical performances with costumed entertainers, new Viva Vision shows paying tribute to the year 1969 and special guest appearances. All concerts and entertainment are free to the public. “We invite everyone to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic and influential year 1969,” said Fremont Street Experience President Jeff Victor. “Fremont Street Experience is presenting an impressive line-up of major music artists from 1969 to the public at no cost. It will be a groovy summer of music, entertainment and lots of fun. With downtown Las Vegas consistently offering great deals on rooms, dining and entertainment, there is no better vacation spot to have a great time at a great value.” “Memorial Day Weekend: Celebrate & Remember” brings a military tribute to Fremont Street Experience and kicks off the “Summer of ’69: Vegas or Bust” event series. The event begins Saturday, May 23 and goes through Monday, May 25 and will honor past and current members of the military who have served the United States. Special guest performers include The Guess Who on Saturday, May 23 and Blood, Sweat & Tears on Sunday, May 24. “Vegas Groovy Cruise” drives into Fremont Street Experience Friday, June 5 until Sunday, June 7 and features classic cars plus muscle cars from 1969 on display. Rare Earth and Bill Haley’s Comets will both perform concerts on Saturday, June 6. “American Pie 4th of July” commemorates Independence Day weekend from Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5 and highlights Fremont Street Experience’s Viva Vision show, “Don McLean’s American Pie.” Headline concerts will feature Janis Joplin’s Original Band Big Brother & The Holding Company on Friday, July 3 and The Grass Roots on Saturday, July 4. The evening of the 4th of July will also showcase a brilliant virtual fireworks show on the Viva Vision canopy. “One Giant Leap: 40th Anniversary of Moon Landing” will mark the historic event of mankind, commemorating the launch of Apollo 11 on Thursday, July 16, the landing on the moon on Monday, July 20, then splashdown back on Earth. Special “moon landing” concerts will feature Jefferson Starship on Saturday, July 18 and The 5th Dimension on Saturday, July 25. “Woodstock TributePalooza: 40th Anniversary of Woodstock” will relive that historic music festival from August 1969. Fremont Street Experience will bring the best tribute artists from around the country to Las Vegas to pay homage to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Joe Cocker, The Grateful Dead and others from Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16. They will take the crowd back to the heyday of true feel-good music. “Labor Day Weekend: End of Summer, What a Bummer Bash” will close the summer concert series the weekend of Friday, September 4 through Monday, September 7. Highlighting the weekend will be concerts by Canned Heat on Saturday, Sept. 5, and Three Dog Night on Sunday, Sept. 6. All 10 Fremont Street Experience properties (Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel, The California, Fitz Casino and Hotel, Four Queens Hotel & Casino, Fremont Hotel & Casino, Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Golden Nugget, Main Street Station Casino, Brewery & Hotel, Plaza Hotel & Casino and Vegas Club Hotel & Casino) will take part in the “Summer of ’69: Vegas or Bust” with specially themed promotions and outdoor food and drink specials. Retail shops and kiosks will also feature custom “Summer of ‘69” merchandise. All events are free and open to the public. For complete information, go to www.vegasexperience.com/summerof69