Mark Shunock’s “Mondays Dark” Raises Thousands for Saint Therese Center HIV Outreach with Special Queen-Themed Show at Vinyl in Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas
Mark Shunock, who plays Lonny the narrator in the hit musical “Rock Of Ages,” along with various Strip entertainers wowed audiences and raised thousands of dollars during the fourth edition of “Mondays Dark” on Monday, February 17, 2014 (Pictured: Mark Shunock (center) with Showboy Cakes creators Jared Sullivan and Stephen Lowry – Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net).
Tropicana headliner Murray SawChuck
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
This monthly charity event held at Vinyl, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s intimate music venue will donate 100 percent of the ticket proceeds from the Monday’s show, which featured the music of Queen, to The Saint Therese Center HIV Outreach.
Anthony Cools and guest
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
The fifth edition of “Mondays Dark” will feature an unplugged ‘80s theme and will benefit the SHINE Family Foundation on Monday, March 17 at 8:30 pm. The March show will return to Body English inside the Hard Rock Hotel. Tickets are now on sale.
Melody Sweets from Absinthe
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
“For this month’s show we added a new twist by featuring the music of the legendary rock band Queen,” says Shunock. “The many entertainers from the Strip that showed up to perform blew the roof off of Vinyl – I am so inspired by the show and how Mondays Dark is evolving and growing – but what really moves me is how the Vegas community has embraced the show which helps us raise thousands of dollars each month for a different local charity. Add to that the commitment and work that The St. Therese Center does for the HIV community in town is amazing.”
The Cast of Million Dollar Quartet
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Among the Vegas stars who showcased their talents include the casts of “Million Dollar Quartet,” “Rock of Ages,” “Jersey Boys,” Jamie Lynch from “Fantasy,” Scott Keo from “Legends In Concert,” Murray Sawchuck, Anthony Cools, and Amanda Avila, among other. Previous “Mondays Dark” guests and supporters also in attendance on Monday included Melody Sweets, Jeff Civillico, Chris Phillips and Lydia Ansel, Jennifer Romas, Maren Wade and Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone, and Skye Miles among others.
Chris Phillips and Lydia Ansel
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Queen, the British rock band formed in London in 1970, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works, incorporating further diverse styles into their music. By the early 1980s, Queen was one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world, and their 1985 performance at Live Aid is widely regarded as one of the greatest in rock history. The band released a total of 18 number one albums, 18 number one singles, and 10 number one DVDs. Estimates of their album sales exceed 250,000 million sold, making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists. They received the Outstanding Contribution to British Music Award from the British Phonographic Industry in 1990, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. In 1991, Mercury died from complications of AIDS.
Jasmine Trias and Ben Stone
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Every third Monday of the month, “Mondays Dark” will partner with a different Las Vegas-based charity to raise money for each charity, with an estimated grand total goal of more $100,000 over the next twelve months between ticket sales and silent auction items. Previous charities to benefit from “Mondays Dark” include Opportunity Village and AFAN (AID FOR AID of NEVADA) and Nevada SPCA.
Carrie St. Louis from Rock of Ages
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
St. Therese Center, named after Saint Therese of Lisieux, is a Catholic ministry that welcomes and serves more than 5,000 men, women and children of all faiths and extends the Lord’s healing to all persons infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Emphasizing wellness, Saint Therese Center reaches out to those touched by HIV/AIDS to provide spiritual, physical and emotional support, educational and social services in the spirit of love and compassion. The Saint Therese Center HIV Outreach also features the only HIV outreach pantry available in southern Nevada and northern Arizona. For more information visit SaintThereseCenter.org or follow them on Twitter @sttheresecenter.
Jamie Lynch from FANTASY
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Maren Wade from Vegas! The Show
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Mark Shunock with St. Therese Executive Director, Father Joseph O’Brien
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Scott Keo from Legends In Concert and guest
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Mark Shunock
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
MarkShunock with cast of Rock of Ages
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage www.DeniseTruscello.net.
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