The Mirage Introduces New Volcano to The Las Vegas Strip

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - December 9, 2008) - The Mirage, a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM), once again set the standard for Strip-front attractions Monday as its redesigned signature Volcano premiered to the world. When The Mirage first unveiled The Volcano in 1989 the landscape of Las Vegas was forever altered. This all-new audio/visual spectacle again raises the bar with never-before-seen fire effects and an exclusive soundtrack composed by Grateful Dead drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Mickey Hart, and Indian tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain.

Celebrity impressionist, singer, comedian, ventriloquist and soon-to-be Mirage headliner Terry Fator acted as Master of Ceremonies for the historic reignition, which took place on The Las Vegas Strip at dusk. Fator was joined on stage by Grammy Award-winner Hart, as well as Mirage President Scott Sibella and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Following the inaugural eruption, the Las Vegas sky was lit with celebratory fireworks from the top of The Volcano.

In addition to commemorating the renovation of The Strip's most enduring landmark, The Mirage used the opportunity to shine light on the value of music programs in local schools. In honor of the new Volcano and the exclusive soundtrack composed by Hart and Hussain, The Mirage made a donation to the Clark County School District to be used to support music in schools.

"I would not be the musician I am today if I had not had the opportunity to embrace music at a young age," said Hart. "And now I get to do things like put percussive sound to the image of fire and have it dance around a lagoon. That's not something one gets to do everyday; to birth a volcano. 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 forged 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™ punctuate the performances with eruptions of fiery "lava" that flow down the mountain's fissures in a series of lively flames. As the eruption ignites the surrounding lagoon, the FireShooters™ bring Las Vegas' signature blast within feet of spectators.

"In its prior incarnation, the action stayed primarily on top of The Volcano," said WET's Director of Special Technologies Jim Doyle. "We've not only created a much more realistic eruption, but we've taken the action down into the Lagoon, where spectators will feel the heat on their faces."

Further enhancing the overall experience, The Volcano features 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 immerses guests in the volcanic rhythms.

The new Volcano is the crowning jewel in 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.

"Technology and The Las Vegas Strip have come a long way since 1989, making for an increasingly competitive tourism market," said Sibella. "With tonight's rebirth of our Volcano the exterior of the resort reflects the energy and excitement found within the new Mirage."

To discover more about The Volcano, see images and view interviews with the creators behind the magic, go to mirage.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Christi Braginton MGM MIRAGE Public Relations (702) 650-7565