Star-Studded Support: Annette Bening and Celebs Launch $50M Vegas Community Center!

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In the heart of the pandemic, I found myself staring at the usually vibrant Las Vegas Strip, now eerily still and silent. It was a stark contrast to its normal bustling energy, highlighting the unusual characteristics that make this global entertainment hub so unique. Even in these times, the grand doors to Sin City’s opulent resorts remained open, staffed and ready to welcome visitors, a testament to their unwavering spirit and hospitality.

Mark Shunock, a Vegas host, philanthropist, and actor, remembers having to barricade billion-dollar facilities with plywood due to lacking locks. We often overlook the convenience of being able to enter a Strip building anytime, greeted by someone ready to help. Yet, when was the last time someone stepped inside and asked a worker, “How are you? What can I get for you?”

(This version aims to preserve the original’s meaning while making it easier to read and understand.)

Every year, approximately forty million individuals flock to Las Vegas, seeking an escape from their troubles. However, being a metropolis primarily tailored for tourists, the residents sometimes find themselves overlooked.

Shunock is taking the lead on The Space 2.0 project, a community center valued at $50 million, spanning five stories and occupying 80,000 square feet, situated just a short half-block away from The Cosmopolitan. Clark County has generously provided the land for this initiative. The precinct aims to empower local entertainment professionals, hospitality workers, and first responders who serve the tourist town, while also nurturing and educating the rising talents of The Strip, inspiring them to shine.

The structure will additionally accommodate the initial Las Vegas location of the Entertainment Community Fund, led by Annette Bening. She is scheduled to attend the site on Monday to aid in initiating the fundraising drive for this project. Currently, over $2 million has been accumulated through donations from contributors like UFC.

As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I’m totally hyped about the fact that Brad Garrett, known for his comedy chops and performances at the MGM Grand, and Nick Carter, who’s prepping for the Backstreet Boys’ upcoming Sphere residency, ‘Into the Millennium’, are both backing this project. You know, Nick mentioned how significant a place like this could have been for him growing up.

Speaking about his early days in the music world without online platforms or services such as The Space 2.0, Carter shares, “We had to figure things out on our own back then.” Being only 13 when he began, he admits that he didn’t know how to seek assistance and guidance. A resource like The Space 2.0 could have been transformative in those times for aspiring entertainers such as myself. With our industry knowledge, we aim to support upcoming artists who might not have a reliable source of help.

The concept originated as a result of the pandemic, prompting Shunock to transform his weekly live charitable event Mondays Dark into a Facebook Live telethon. This special broadcast featured Shania Twain and Joey Fatone. Shunock then requested assistance from ECF (formerly known as The Actors Fund) in distributing the $122,000 that was raised.

Excited about ECF’s event, I learned it offered emergency assistance grants for locals. Applying myself, I saw $1.2 million being distributed to those in need, highlighting a stark reality – although Vegas is an entertainment hotspot, it doesn’t have the same level of support infrastructure as showbiz hubs like LA and NY.

According to Bening, the strong reaction from the community clearly showed that our services are essential. When we discovered The Space 2.0, it offered the perfect chance for us to move the fund to one of the world’s entertainment hubs, which further reinforces our dedication to assisting those who create captivating narratives.

As someone who’s been part of the Vegas scene since the ’80s, even Ray Romano – everyone’s favorite from “Everybody Loves Raymond” – admits that the city has often lacked sufficient support systems to truly thrive.

“He notes that while the entertainment community in question is unique and deserving, its performers haven’t had access to the same benefits and opportunities as those on the East and West coasts, whether they’re on Broadway or TV. He says Space 2.0 will not only offer a fantastic performance space, but also essential services to support physical and mental well-being.”

“He points out that although this entertainment community is unlike any other and its performers are deserving, they haven’t reaped the same off-stage benefits and opportunities as entertainers on the coasts. This includes Broadway, TV, and film. He explains that Space 2.0 will not only provide a fantastic venue, but also crucial services to enhance physical and mental health.”

The center will cater to individuals, such as retired Cirque dancers, financially struggling ushers, or new parents returning to work, who have dedicated their time and effort to serving others.

According to Shunock, who was a performer in “The Venetian’s Rock of Ages,” there are numerous carpenters, ticket collectors, and makeup artists tirelessly working behind the scenes in Vegas day after day. Even though Shania Twain takes center stage every night, it’s approximately 150 people who contribute to making her show what it truly is.

The facility will provide a range of educational resources, social assistance, and financial assistance, in addition to serving as a venue for various non-profit organizations. Among these is the Community Counseling Centers of Southern Nevada, offering mental health care via counseling and music therapy sessions.

Shunock, after spending 14 years in Las Vegas, remarks that its relentless pace can have a profound impact on one’s mental health unlike anywhere else. He explains, “There’s always something happening every night,” and as the Vice President of Entertainment and In-Arena Host for the Vegas Golden Knights, he knows this firsthand. For workers who live there, the need to keep going is often unavoidable due to financial obligations. Las Vegas surpasses New York in being the city that never rests, and the pressure it puts on its hospitality and entertainment industries is unlike anything seen anywhere else on Earth.

Due to resorts along The Strip earning more revenue from areas other than gambling, there’s been a significant increase in demand for these industries. The growth of residential areas and theater scenes, plans to construct film studios, and an increasing number of California-based artists such as actors and musicians relocating to Las Vegas are strengthening the city’s entertainment sector and its need for support.

Some individuals who have chosen Las Vegas as their residence include Mark Wahlberg, Celine Dion, Carlos Santana, Steve Aoki, and members of the Backstreet Boys (who moved there for their 2017 “Larger Than Life” residency at Planet Hollywood). They have since decided to stay put. The father of three finds immense value in living somewhere that supports his career, as evidenced by projects like the Backstreet Boys’ Sphere residency, and also offers him the opportunity to assist with homework while at home.

He mentions that he’s deeply engaged in his children’s daily lives. By connecting with local parents through baseball and school activities, he now shares in the common experiences of all other parents in the community, while also pursuing an intriguing residency. It’s wonderful for him to balance these responsibilities right here in Las Vegas, allowing him to drop his kids off at school, attend his shows, and make it to baseball practice.

In the expanding world of entertainment, The Space 2.0 aims to boost artistic education by offering career advancement opportunities, workshops, and after-school activities. It’s expected that Shunock will draw upon his connections with stars such as Twain and Carter to motivate and guide students.

Imagine if some world-class artists who call Las Vegas home could share their talents with students by teaching a class! That would be fantastic, wouldn’t it? In addition, we have the chance to host some of our headliners in this space. Many of them are already involved in various programs – Lady Gaga focuses on mental health issues, Shania Twain runs her foundation, and Jewel has an outstanding program. Our goal is to create this facility and make it clear that it’s available for everyone.

Garrett is always ready to lend a hand on-site, whether it’s conducting a comedy workshop or assisting those facing struggles with substance abuse. He mentioned that he would be celebrating 28 years of sobriety in April. “I am well aware of the allure and downfall that frequently comes with this field as we navigate an unpredictable career path within entertainment,” he added.

Ultimately, Shunock envisions that the upcoming facility (set to commence construction in 2026 and open in 2028) will fortify Vegas by boosting its workforce through empowerment. With strong faith in securing the necessary funds, his enthusiasm springs from his personal struggles and insights as a performer, who relocated to New York at age 19 to chase Broadway dreams. By night, he took on a variety of jobs to ensure his days were free for auditions, eventually finding success on Broadway with shows like “The Lion King” and later “Rock of Ages“.

Despite performing ’80s hits on stage, I was no different from the man dealing cards or the cocktail server,” he explains. “I would greet approximately 30 employees, all wishing me well, before every performance. This is a unique community that deserves our attention and support.

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2025-02-21 19:25