PRESS RELEASE:
LAS VEGAS – The Mirage has announced details of a dynamic redesign to its signature Volcano. Known the world over for its iconic Strip-front feature, The Mirage has joined forces with legendary Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart, Indian tabla sensation Zakir Hussain and Fountains of Bellagio design firm WET, to create an all-new audio/visual spectacle. The top-to-bottom overhaul is the final step in the property’s ongoing transformation and is scheduled for completion late 2008.
The Mirage set a new standard for innovative Strip-front attractions when The Volcano first erupted in 1989. Raising the bar once again, The Mirage has enlisted the Grammy Award-winning talents of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Mickey Hart and Indian musical virtuoso Zakir Hussain to create and perform a one-of-a-kind soundtrack arranged exclusively for the iconic blast.
“To put percussive sound to the image of fire and have it dance around a lagoon is something I’ve never done; I’ve never birthed a volcano,” said Hart. “Zakir and I immersed ourselves in the legends and myths and studied what really makes a volcano work. The result, a true union of the senses, will rattle your bones, just like a real volcano.”
Tasked with bringing the latest innovations to the project, WET will forge a primal volcanic environment of sound, light, music and heat. WET’s choreographed FireShooters™ - which send massive fireballs more than 12 feet into the air - were designed specifically for The Mirage using the latest developments in flame-expression technology. The FireShooters™ will punctuate the performances with eruptions of fiery “lava” that will flow down the mountain’s fissures in a series of lively flames. As the eruption ignites the surrounding lagoon, the FireShooters™ will bring Las Vegas’ signature blast within feet of spectators.
Further enhancing the overall experience, The Volcano will feature a new Meyer Sound state-of-the-art sound system. An award-winning industry innovator, Meyer Sound is widely recognized for providing the gold standard in audio systems, as heard in theaters throughout the world, including The Mirage’s own LOVE Theater. With more than 60 Meyer Sound cabinets strategically placed throughout the lagoon, Hart and Hussain’s invigorating composition will immerse guests in the volcanic rhythm.
The new Volcano is the crowning jewel of a transformation project that began at the property in 2006. During the past three years, The Mirage has introduced new amenities including The Beatles’ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil, nightlife outposts JET Nightclub and The Beatles Revolution Lounge; the luxury adult pool BARE, and restaurants created by the world’s most acclaimed restaurateurs and designers.
A recent $110 million room and suite redesign has further enhanced The Mirage’s leading-edge position. Striking new decor and dynamic designs offer guests a comfortable home away from home. From luxury amenities to modern furnishings, the resort’s 2,765 Deluxe and Tower Deluxe accommodations reflect an ambiance of contemporary upscale living, perfectly complementing the energy and excitement of the new Mirage.
“The Mirage and our fiery Volcano have long been symbols of the energy and excitement Las Vegas offers,” said Scott Sibella, President and COO of The Mirage. “We recognize that to remain at the forefront of this dynamic destination, The Mirage must deliver trendsetting attractions that excite and entertain, giving our guests a reason to visit again and again.”
To discover more about the Volcano, see images and learn about the work in progress, and view interviews with the creators behind the magic, go to mirage.com. There, visitors also may enter The Mirage Volcano Memories Contest and win a trip to The Mirage to see the new Volcano erupt later this year.