Las Vegas – NV ─ Crystals, the retail and entertainment district at CityCenter, celebrates its grand opening with a generous $25,000 donation to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.

“Similar to CityCenter, The Smith Center plans to elevate the experience in Las Vegas for those who live and vacation here,” says Myron Martin, president and chief executive officer of The Smith Center. “It is donations like this and the support of companies like CityCenter that help bring our vision to life.”

Proceeds from the Crystals grand opening also went to benefit the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Nevada Ballet Theater and Nevada Cancer Institute.

“The Smith Center is bringing a new level of culture to Las Vegas and we are pleased to be a part of its development and investment in the future of this community,” says Frank Visconti, President of Retail Operations for MGM MIRAGE.

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts celebrated its groundbreaking with a ceremonial carillon bell casting and ringing earlier this year. Projected to open in 2012, The Smith Center will elevate the arts and culture scene in Las Vegas. Presenting an array of performances by local cultural groups as well as first-run touring shows, it will feature worldly music, theatre and dance companies. The Smith Center’s resident companies will include the Las Vegas Philharmonic and Nevada Ballet Theatre.

About The Smith Center

The Smith Center for the Performing Arts is a public/private partnership that will become the centerpiece of cultural life in Las Vegas offering a blend of performances by resident companies as well as first-run touring attractions.  The 4.75-acre cultural complex will feature inviting lobbies with beautiful balconies, refined acoustics and a tastefully landscaped plaza linking surrounding hotels, restaurants, shops and offices in downtown’s 61-acre urban development, Symphony Park.  Home to the 2,050-seat Reynolds Hall and the Boman Pavilion, The Smith Center will be a living room for Las Vegas; a place that will educate, entertain and excite the citizens of our great community.  The Smith Center broke ground in May of 2009 and is projected to open in 2012. For more information about The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, please visit www.thesmithcenter.com.