Charity event at Bellagio kicks off

The inaugural Vegas Grand Prix kicks off tonight with a charity gala at Bellagio staring Bon Jovi, Jay Leno and country performers Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy.

The event is the first fund-raiser for the Jenyon Foundation, formed by Vegas Grand Prix owners Dale Jensen and Bradley Yonover.

The event, which includes silent and live auctions, benefits the Lou Ruvo Brain Institute’s Keep Memory Alive Foundation.

Individual tickets are $1,000 and can be reserved by calling 944-8661 (ext. 309).

• STREET PARTY — A free party at Fremont Street Experience begins 5:15 p.m. Friday with a 45-minute autograph session featuring drivers in the Champ Car World Series.

Following the drivers appearance will be the street party, which runs until 11 p.m.

Musical performers include the Teddybears, Army of Anyone, Chris Cornell, and Big & Rich with Cowboy Troy.

An action sports demonstration will include exhibitions by freestyle motocross riders and the Riders of the Thunderdome.

• VIDEO CEILING — The Vista Vision ceiling at Fremont Street Experience will feature a six-minute highlight video of Champ Car World Series racing action. It will air nightly until 10 p.m. through Sunday.

• LATIN VILLAGE — Neonoplis will be the site of a Latin village from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. The village will feature Latin entertainment and food.

• CHINA COVERAGE — Sunday’s Champ Car race will be seen by up to 800 million viewers throughout China.

The television agreement is a cornerstone of exposing the series to the country before Champ Car holds its inaugural race there in October.

Each Champ Car race weekend, a Chinese audience will see Saturday qualifying, Sunday racing, a race replay on Monday or Tuesday night and a 30-minute magazine-format show featuring Champ Car and its developmental Atlantic series.

• EASTER ACTIVITIES — Easter Sunday begins with a 6-7 a.m. Catholic Mass at the Golden Nugget.

A non-denominational service will be held at the same time at Binion’s. …

A public Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled from 7-8:30 a.m. at Fremont Street Experience.

• INFORMATION — For additional Grand Prix information, call 944-8661 or go to VegasGrandPrix.com.