Retna photographer Erik Kabik has been on the scene with camera in hand at all the major events in Las Vegas this year, and he’s put together his favorite 50 photographs taken during 2011 (Pictured above: Teresa Scanlan becomes Miss America. The 17-year old was the youngest winner in pageant history – Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com).
2011 was definitely the year of the DJ in Vegas with Electric Daisy Carnival and a growing number of ongoing residencies by the biggest name DJ’s in the world. Las Vegas continues to be a top destination for electronic music fans. I chose these images as some of my personal favorite moments and moments that stood out because of their pop culture or newsworthy significance. Thanks to everyone for such a great year! 2012 looks very promising and can’t wait to dig into a new year of events, concerts and parties! All The Best… Erik.
Phantom The Vegas Spectacular celebrates its 2000th show at The Venetian
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Playboy Playmate and Bettie Page Clothing Spokesmodel Claire Sinclair (r) meets up with Burlesque Legend Tempest Storm (l) at MAGIC
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Kim Kardashain appears at Marquee on one of many visits to Vegas in 2011
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Grammy Award winners, Black Keys pose backstage before their show at the Chelsea Ballroom at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber arrive arm in arm at The Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Madonna and her daughter Lourdes make a rare public appearance together at The Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles, CA
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Steven Tyler and Daughter Liv Tyler show their striking resemblance on the carpet at The Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Los Angeles, CA
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Peepshow star Holly Madison interviews Jersey Shore's Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino on her new post as a correspondent for EXTRA TV
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Celine Dion returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Vegas based band MOKSHA releases their second studio album, 'Here To Go' and gains national attention and critical acclaim. Photographed in Downtown Las Vegas.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
International award winning DJ David Guetta and his wife Cathy bring their 'F*** Me I'm Famous' party from Ibiza to Las Vegas and premiere it at LAX Nightclub
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Carrie Underwood arrives at The ACM's ( Academy of Country Music Awards) at MGM Grand
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Grammy Award winning band Mumford and Sons plays to a sold out crowd at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Newlyweds Carlos and Cindy Santana, photographed at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for Musicians Friend Magazine, have made Las Vegas their home on the heels of the Supernatural Santana Residency show at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that spanned for 2 years.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Hugh Hefner and his one time fiance Crystal Harris pictured here during happier times, at the Hefner Sky Villa at The Palms Resort
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Claire Sinclair was named Playboy Playmate of the Year but being under 21 could not appear on the cover of the issue, so Hefner created this special souvenir cover for her. This is the night of her award ceremony at MOON Nightclub at the Palms Resort.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Manny Pacquiao decisively beats Sugar Shane Mosley at MGM Grand Garden Arena
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Sahara Hotel & Casino closed its doors on May 15, 2011
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Hip Hop Mega Stars Drake and Lil' Wayne performed together at REHAB at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. This was their second time performing together at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in less than 6 months.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Deadmau5 performs at Encore Beach Club as his popularity exploded during 2011
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Yoko Ono joined by her son Sean Lennon, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, at The Beatles Love by Cirque Du Soleil 5 year anniversary event at The Mirage.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Paul McCartney performs to a sold out crowd at The MGM Grand, Yoko and Sean Lennon are seen in the audience singing along during the show
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett and Hank Baskett celebrated her birthday in Las Vegas with parties at Venus Pool Club and Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Flaming Lips perform their signature spectacle of a show at The Boulevard Pool at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas 2011 brought over 200,000 people to The Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The three-day Electric Daisy Carnival held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in June 2011 pumped more than $136 million into the Clark County economy, according to an economic impact report just released by Beacon Economics, LLC. The study, commissioned by the producers of Electric Daisy Carnival, revealed that the festival generated an estimated $8.9 million in tax revenue for state and local government, the equivalent of 1,400 full-time jobs, bringing in $55.5 million in income for workers in Clark County.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
DJ Afrojack on the main stage at Electric Daisy Carnival Day 2
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Scene from high above Electric Daisy Carnival on Day 3 during Swedish House Mafia Set
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Rihanna's electrifying performance at Mandalay Bay Events Center
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Mayor Oscar Goodman's final walk out of his office as Mayor of Las Vegas. Moments later he would swear in his wife Carolyn Goodman as the new Mayor of Las Vegas and turn the keys over to her.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Ronnie Vanucci of The Killers launched his new side project 'Big Talk' and is seen here backstage before they take the stage for their debut performance at Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Hard rock band THE MARS VOLTA rocked the audience at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino when they opened for the reunited 90's band Soundgarden.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Oscar Nominated Actress Anna Kendrick, best known for her roles in Twilight Series and the film 'Up In The Air', celebrated her birthday at Vanity Nightclub at Hard Rock Hotel
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Reggae and Hip Hop artist Matisyahu performed to a completely packed pool as part of the Soundwaves concert series at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The Orthodox Jewish born rapper recently shaved off his trademark beard and locks but says that does not reflect a change in his religious beliefs.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi and her boyfriend Jionni LaValle made appearances at Wet Republic at MGM again at LAX at Luxor and PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Peepshow star Holly Madison in her role as correspondent for EXTRA TV interviewed Snooki at Wet Republic at MGM Grand
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
DJ Avicii flew into the stratosphere of mega DJ stars in 2011. He performed at Electric Daisy Carnival and Wet Republic at MGM Grand.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Jersey Store Star Jennifer 'Jwoww' Farley and her boyfriend Roger partied at PURE Nightclub at Caesars Palace. She showed off her new fit figure and muscles.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
GOP hopeful Mitt Romney stopped to stump in Vegas and introduce his Jobs Plan at a truck factory in North Las Vegas
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers made a surprise guest appearance during his Killer's band mate Ronnie Vanucci's side project show with Big Talk at Hard Rock Cafe on the Las Vegas Strip
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Gene Simmons stopped in Vegas to inspire employees at the annual Weldbend /IPD Breakfast at The Bellagio
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
In a controversial surprise finish Floyd Mayweather Jr. knocked out Victor Ortiz in what appeared to stun ring referee Joe Cortez
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Elton John Returns to The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with his new show The Million Dollar Piano
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
International phenomenon DJ Tiesto completed his 1 year residency at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino setting a new bar for the size and scope of DJ events in Las Vegas and putting The Joint on the radar as the #1 Hottest Club in America in 2011 by Billboard Magazine
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Who's Roger Daltry stopped at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to perform the legendary Who masterpiece TOMMY in its entirety
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
President Barack Obama stopped in a Las Vegas Neighborhood to visit a family and unveil his new housing and job plans
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Carlos Santana completed his 2 year and first ever Rock and Roll Residency show, Supernatural Santana : A Trip Through The Hits at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Sinead O'Conner marries Barry Herridge at A Little White Chapel drive thru in the back of a classic convertible Pink Cadillac on the Las Vegas Strip. 16 days later they were divorced.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Kardashian family opens their first Kardashian Khaos store at The Mirage
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The Jabbawockeez show at Monte Carlo continues to entertain audiences from all over the world at The Monte Carlo in Las Vegas. This photograph become the icon for their Vegas show in 2011.
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
