Our friend, Eric Lynxwiler, is the tour guide in Los Angeles for the Neon Cruises that the Museum of Neon Art hosts.  These cruises around Downtown Los Angeles to Chinatown, Hollywood and back are great and Eric is the consummate tour guide, witty and informative.

I bring all this up for a good reason.  MONA (the Museum of Neon Art) is bringing their Neon Cruise to Las Vegas for one night only next month.  If you live in Las Vegas or are visiting on June 21st, you can make a reservation to get on the bus and enjoy a tour of Classic Las Vegas neon signs around the Las Vegas Valley.

Trust us when we say, you will have a wonderful time.  In January 2007 as part of the  Mondo Lounge Atomic Frolic, we took this tour and it was hands down the highlight of the weekend for many of us.

Here's the details for next month's tour.  What are you waiting for?  Get on the Bus!!!!

Don't miss the Las Vegas Neon Cruise with host Eric Lynxwiler and friends. Your plush coach will depart from Pershing Square in Los Angeles at 10:00 a.m.,
stop for a late lunch in Baker, and arrive in Las Vegas
at 4:00 p.m.

You'll have time to relax, dine, gamble if you like, or enjoy some shopping at Caesar's Palace Mall until 8:00 p.m.

Next you'll board a double-decker bus and spend an exhilarating evening cruising the Las Vegas landscape in search of neon delights.

There will be stops along the way including a walk through old Fremont St., a visit to the famous Las Vegas neon boneyard, and the historic Moulin Rouge sign.

At midnite you'll once again board your comfortable coach for the return trip home to Los Angeles where you'll arrive at 6:00 a.m.

Cost is $150 per person if departing from Los Angeles and $100 for if you're already in Las Vegas. Seats are limited, so make your reservation today!

Reservations & Information:  213-489-9918

Visit MONA's website at www.neonmona.org

Secure parking available at Pershing Square for $6.

Thanks to RoadsidePictures for letting us use this image! 

Neon Signage designed by Brian "Buzz" Leming

On Thursday, June 5th we are saluting Neon Designers Brian "Buzz" Leming and the incomparable Betty Willis as part of our "Untold Stories" at the Springs Preserve.

Betty Willis was born and raised in Las Vegas.  Her family used to travel by train to Los Angeles when she was younger and she fell in love with neon signs and their vibrant colors.  After studying at the California Art Institute in Pasadena and working in the art department/marketing at the old MGM studios, she returned to Las Vegas and began her career as a Neon Designer in those halycon classic Las Vegas days.  She has designed many of the most iconic signs we associate with Las Vegas:  The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, the Moulin Rouge and the Blue Angel, just to name a few.

Brian "Buzz" Leming grew up in Henderson and always loved drawing.  He became a fireman with the local department before deciding that what he really wanted to do was design neon signs.  He mentored under Betty Willis and worked with the legendary Hermon Boergne and Kermit Wayne.  His signs include the Lawless Center (above), the Hacienda Horse and Rider that rides above Fremont Street and the Rio sign.  He was part of the design team on the original Aladdin Sign and the original Caesars Palace sign.  Buzz is retiring this year after a long and colorful career.

We will be raffling off three limited edition prints of the Fabulous Las Vegas sign, courtesy of our friends at the Las Vegas News Bureau.

It all happens on Thursday, June 5th at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve

7:00 pm

Admission is $12.

You won't want to miss this rare opportunity to hear these two greats talk about their careers.

Special thanks to RoadsidePictures for letting us use these images.