Everything Las Vegas Issue # 666 by Steve Kieva

April 19th, 2008

“Spamalot” to close at Wynn Las Vegas By Joe Brown
Las Vegas Sun

The cast and crew of the comic music “Spamalot” weren’t in a laughing mood before Wednesday night’s performance at Wynn Resort and Casino, but somehow the show went on. Before taking the stage, the performers, including star John O’Hurley, were given the sad and stunning news that their show would be closing on July 13. A Wynn spokesperson confirmed the details for The Sun on Thursday.

“Closing in Las Vegas will allow Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ to pursue opportunities elsewhere which had been precluded by the show’s agreement with Wynn Las Vegas,” according to a prepared statement from the casino/resort. “Wynn Las Vegas would like to extend its utmost appreciation to the cast and crew who bring laughs to our audiences each and every night, and a special thanks to our eminently lovable star John O’Hurley.”

TImpressionist Danny Gans, currently headlining at the Mirage, will take the musical’s place in the Grail Theater in early 2009; the theater will be refurbished and renamed the Encore Theater. The adjacent Encore Suites at Wynn Las Vegas is scheduled to open in December.

The Tony Award-winning “Spamalot,” which just began celebrating its anniversary at Wynn Las Vegas, will have played more than 500 performances when its contract concludes in July. “Spamalot” is the second Broadway-style show to close on the Strip this year, following the February shuttering of Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” at Paris Las Vegas.
http://lasvegassun.com/blogs/culture/2008/apr/17/spamalot-close-wynn-las-vegas/

Gans set to jump to Wynn resort.
Impressionist will get 'his own hotel' after 'Spamalot' moves on.

By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

The killer bunny is out, Kermit the Frog is in.

Singing impressionist Danny Gans is moving from The Mirage across the street to Wynn Las Vegas' new sister property Encore, opening an expanded version of his show in mid-January.

Gans will replace "Monty Python's Spamalot," which will close July 13 at the end of a contract phase. The venue will be renamed the Encore Theater because it's located at the connecting point between Wynn Las Vegas and the new hotel.

The distinction is important to Gans and his manager, Chip Lightman. Sharing the limelight with Siegfried & Roy and then Cirque du Soleil's "Love" was a sticking point in the entertainer's eight-year relationship with The Mirage.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/news/17906039.html

NORM: Gans to take his bows at Encore.

With Las Vegas already "clogged with big production shows," Steve Wynn prefers to embrace the smaller-stage days.
He misses the days when Harry Belafonte and Frank Sinatra left crowds spellbound.

Cirque du Soleil shows "have defined the city for two decades now," said Wynn, who started the Cirque era with "Mystere" at Treasure Island. "I don't think anything takes the place of the single performance artist," said Wynn, in announcing the return of singing impressionist Danny Gans to the Wynn family.

Gans will replace "Monty Python's Spamalot," which is closing in July after a year-and-a-half run.

Wynn lured Gans away from the Rio in 1999 and transplanted him in The Mirage, just weeks before selling Mirage Resorts to what is now MGM Mirage.

Gans will be the entertainment centerpiece of Wynn Las Vegas' sister property, Encore, which opens late this year.

Gans will close Nov. 22 at The Mirage.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM: Gans to take his bows at Encore

Wet Republic joins ranks of pool parties. By Jeremy Pond
Las Vegas Review Journal

The scene starts moving outside as the summer pool party season heats up over the next few weeks.

The usual suspects — Bare Pool Lounge, the weekly Rehab party, Tao Beach and the Ditch Fridays shindig at the Palms — are back in action and lead the charge.

But a fresh face hits local waters and will steal some thunder from the "big four."

Wet Republic joins the party, with its grand opening scheduled for April 25 at the MGM Grand. The venue is a 53,000-square-foot, wide-open facility and features two saltwater pools — the only of their type in Las Vegas — at 2,500 and 3,500 square feet.

A 2,500-square-foot, open-air poolside lounge gives visitors a place to mingle and retreat to for some shade during the day. Six VIP bungalows and 10 cabanas also are located at Wet Republic.

"We've taken the best elements of Vegas nightlife and infused them with supreme poolside amenities and services to create Wet Republic, an unrivaled venue that will become the city's must-see, must-experience pool destination," said Anthony Olheiser, director of nightlife for MGM Grand.

Bare hosts its grand opening Sunday at The Mirage, featuring a special set from DJ Donald Glaude. Rehab, arguably the most popular pool party in Vegas, which draws thousands of guests, makes its return April 27 at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Ditch Fridays at the Palms comes back a week later, with a May 2 grand opening planned. Tao Beach had its celebrity-filled opening last Saturday at The Venetian.
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/17905929.html

Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment

Reunited '90s rockers the Stone Temple Pilots fly into The Pearl at the Palms on June 12 and 14. Tickets are $70, $80 and $100 and go on sale for the June 12 show at noon Saturday at The Pearl box office, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.

Popsters Patty Smyth & Scandal stop at The Railhead at Boulder Station on June 14. Tickets are $23 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Boulder Station Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 4111 Boulder Highway.

Country singer Mel Tillis visits the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station on June 20. Tickets are $32.50, $34.50 and $36.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Santa Fe Station ticket sales counter, 4949 N. Rancho Drive.

Classic rockers Boston and Styx celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Thomas & Mack Center with a show at the venue on June 28. Tickets are $25 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Thomas & Mack box office, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/17905969.html

SHOW REVIEW: George Carlin & Roseanne Barr.
Old Hands: Carlin, Barr draw laughs through different styles.

By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Some years ago — maybe about the time Fleetwood Mac played "Don't Stop" at Bill Clinton's inauguration — it seemed baby boomers would own pop culture until the last of them was in the grave.

But youth has a way of prevailing, and now Dane Cook is the stand-up comic who fills sports arenas. Comedy remains the one entertainment field where elder statesmen still have comparative sway, but George Carlin and Roseanne Barr are both quick to volunteer that they are old and in the way.

The very phrase "baby boomer" is now "a code world for 'old,' " Barr says from her stage at the Sahara, where she is a resident headliner at least through May. She's "wet where I should be dry, and dry where I should be wet."

But, she says, being "old and successful" (mind you, she's all of 55), means she has "earned the right to be drunk and on drugs and as big a (expletive) maniac as I choose to be!"

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/17905984.html

Atlantic City tops Vegas in hospitality, satisfaction service.
By KEVIN POST Business Editor/press of Atlantic City
Article sent to me by Frank (westie)

Atlantic City has won a stunning upset over longtime rival Las Vegas in a competition crucial to each.Under the headline "Atlantic City trumps Las Vegas for customer satisfaction and value," Market Metrix last week announced the results of its latest Hospitality Index survey.

In every category - from value for price to sophistication and pampering - New Jersey's nearly 30-year-old gaming market outperformed its 77-year-old rival in Nevada.

"Compared to the Las Vegas Strip, Atlantic City guests are more satisfied with their hotel and casino experience," said the survey, published in Hotel & Motel Management magazine.

More here:
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/106/story/135128.html

NORM: Oprah to tape in LV with Tina, Cher

Oprah Winfrey is taping her show in Las Vegas on April 26 with guest stars Tina Turner and Cher, according to reports.
Oprah brought her syndicated show here for Celine Dion's launch of "A New Day" in March 2003.
Turner will join Cher on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," which will be shot at a yet to be announced Caesars venue.
Cher opens her new show at
Caesars Palace on May 6.

Toni Braxton Update by Mike Weatherford

Management at the Flamingo Las Vegas isn't getting ahead of itself. Plans were already in the works to announce the showroom's post-Toni Braxton future even before Braxton's current health scare.

Hotel officials could announce the next resident headliner as early as next week. The smart money is on Donny and Marie Osmond, who are booked for a short stint at the MGM Grand in July. They would open at the Flamingo Las Vegas soon after Braxton wraps up on Aug. 20, assuming she is in strong enough health to continue her commitment.

Braxton will take a break through May 6, giving more time to evaluate her heart after a recent bout of chest pains. The singer has pericarditis, so she doesn't want to take any chances.

This summer should bring at least two engagements by the reunited Morris Day & The Time, including Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Those two assuredly are doing it for love not money, since they left the band to become the superstar producers behind Janet Jackson and others.
http://www.lvrj.com/living/17842319.html

Close Up Magic by Mike Weatherford

Bette Midler? Elton John? No, they don't seem to know my e-mail. Try Steve Dacri.

That's right. The close-up magician announces he has teamed up with Six Tables restaurant, 2110 N. Rampart Blvd., for a $300 dinner show. Thirty tickets are available for each show on Saturdays and Sundays starting May 17.

Not exactly a recession-buster, but Dacri says the target audience is "the well-heeled visitor and the money-is-no-object folk." The proprietor, Roland Levi, "sells out his restaurant seats almost every night," Dacri adds. "There are a lot of people who still spend money and want to be treated well, and that is really our audience for this one."
http://www.lvrj.com/living/17842319.html

FANS CLAMOR FOR CHER by Len Butcher.

Celine who? A lot of people were sad to see Celine Dion exit Caesars Palace and wondered how her replacements — Bette Midler and Cher — would fare. Midler wowed the audiences from Day One and there has been such a demand for tickets to see Cher that Caesars Palace has announced it is releasing 18 additional shows scheduled for September and October. Tickets for these shows are now on sale, so don't wait to snap them up.

Cher obviously knew what she was talking about when she said, "Las Vegas and I are a very good fit. Las Vegas is way over the top, and the show that I do is way over the top. I feel that it just has to be. I guess you could go on in a black dress and sing, but oh, I would just want to slit my wrist." And so would we.

The 90-minute show will be presented four nights a week at 7:30 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays (dark Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays). Tickets from Sept. 2 through Oct. 5 can be purchased by calling 1-866-510-CHER (2437) or online at www.ticketmaster.com, keyword "Cher." Tickets may be purchased in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For groups of 20 or more, call 702-731-7208. Ticket prices are $95, $140, $175 and $250.
ReviewJournal.com - Living - LENNY'S LAS VEGAS: Swing Away

Steve's Las Vegas Quickies

The former Holy Cow casino site located at the corner of Sahara and the Strip and across the street from the Sahara will become home to a new Walgreens drug store.

Roberta's Steakhouse, located inside the El Cortez downtown, will pamper mothers with a free dinner and a complimentary rose on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. To be eligible for the promotion, individuals must be a Club Cortez member. For more information or to make reservations, call 702-385-5200.

Frank Marino the star of La Cage at the Riviera came in second place and won $2,500 for charity by playing Arcade Games. He was beaten by ventriloquist Ronn Lucas who won $5,000.

Advance notice that Disney’s High School Musical is coming to Planet Hollywood’s Theater for the Performing Arts. The phenomenally successful teen movie has spawned a touring stage version and it will arrive here with 34-talented performers and a live orchestra for four nights starting June 4.

Recording superstar Carrie Underwood took over MGM’s Tabu Ultra Lounge to film her latest music video for her new single “Last Name.” The sexy nightclub venue set the scene for the song’s story of a young woman visiting Vegas for a girls getaway—and then waking up after partying to find herself married to a man who’s last name she can’t remember. The concept of the video is a prequel to her award winning “Before He Cheats” video where she originally meets her love interest.
Vegas Luxe Life with Robin Leach

A unique feature-length documentary detailing the full story behind the platinum partnership between The Beatles and Cirque du Soleil resulting in the creation and launch of Love at The Mirage will be released worldwide on June 24. Titled All Together Now the DVD ‘s running time will be 2-hours and 2-minutes including the 84-minute documentary and bonus features all in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Digital Stereo. It recounts how the Love project came into being, born from the personal friendship between George Harrison and Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté and records early contributions from Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison.
Vegas Luxe Life with Robin Leach

The Village Seafood Buffet at the Rio, back in business after a $10 million renovation, is serving almost 15 tons of crab legs a month. Open daily at 4 p.m. and closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Price: $38 plus tax per person and $23.99 for children ages 4 through 8. Children 3 and younger are free.

The Superbook Horse Handicapping Contest runs every Saturday at the Las Vegas Hilton with registration beginning at 10 a.m. Fridays. All entry fees plus $500 will be awarded in prize money. Both the Cannery and the Rampart are offering a no-entry-fee Horse Handicappers Contest on May 11, June 8 and July 13.
Source: Player's Edge

Sam's Town has opened a new nonsmoking area with more than 100 slot and video poker machines.

The May issue of Conde Nast Traveler names CatHouse, the new Luxor restaurant and loungerie, among the magazine's "Hot Tables of 2008," a review of "the world's most exciting new restaurants" covering 32 countries. Conde Nast called "Iron Chef" winner Kerry Simon's new eatery "the best fusion of upscale cuisine and Vegas-style erotic spectacle to come along since the early days of Caesars Palace's legendary Bacchanal."
Source: NORM

"Beacher's Madhouse" producer Jeff Beacher, on hiatus to recover from some diet-related health issues, had one of the best seats in the house during "Saturday Night Live" last weekend. He watched from producer Lorne Michaels' office, which overlooks the set. Beacher announced last month that he was taking some time off to enter a medical center back East to be treated for problems associated with a diet program.

Billy Crystal has canceled a May 3 concert in the MGM Grand Garden, citing family issues. He may reschedule, but MGM officials are instructing ticket-holders to get a refund.

The Academy of Country Music Awards always brings the big names of Nashville to Vegas. But for those who insist on details, the Academy has announced the first batch of singers who will perform at the May 18 bash in the MGM Grand Garden: Rodney Atkins, Dolly Parton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood.

Former Las Vegas headliner Earl Turner underwent a cardiac procedure Friday in Miami after blood clots formed in his lungs. Turner, who was on his way to Miami for a cruise ship engagement, had a cardiac catheter installed Friday and the blood clots were being dissolved, according to Kitti Heaton, his executive assistant. Turner is in good spirits, she said, and hopes to be back in Las Vegas by Monday.

In today's Las Vegas Review-Journal, entertainment columnist Mike Weatherford speculates on who will inherit the Flamingo's showroom if and when Toni Braxton wraps up her extended engagement as planned (currently, she's scheduled to close Aug. 20). Braxton is on hiatus until May 7, recuperating from a bout of heart palpitations. Weatherford puts his money on Donny and Marie Osmond, even though they're playing at archrival MGM Grand this summer. He also expects Morris Day & The Time to fill some summer dates at the Flamingo, as well.

"Meet me at The Hard Rock" runs from 6 to 9 pm. Monday-Friday at The Hard Rock Center Bar. You can get "The cocktail of the day" free by just showing up.

The El Cortez has a free room special: Pay for two nights in April or May and get two nights free in June, July or August.

The Luxor Steakhouse is closed for remodeling.

Arriva at The Gold Coast has closed.

First Impressions:Gordie Brown
By: Kate Silver/ Las Vegas Magazine

One minute he's Arnold Schwarzenegger, the next, Michael Jackson. It's anyone's guess who could come next – maybe he'll launch into Annie Lennox before bringing it home with Billy Ray Cyrus? With more character sketches than even he can count, it's no wonder impressionist Gordie Brown sometimes questions who he, himself, is.

"It's a constant search for Gordie Brown to find his own persona," said Brown, who performs at the V Theater in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort. "I think the more I do shows, the more I find it."

The audience never completely loses sight of the real Gordie Brown. Though he may scrunch his face into the spitting image of Jack Nicholson and belt out a twang almost better than George Strait, Brown's cheeky humor comes through in every character and with every made-up lyric. That's because his show is not just about being an impressionist. Brown is a comic who uses his imitative skills as a tool of his trade.

"That's why I do impressions, because it helps with the comedy," he said. "Rather than being a traditional stand-up, which is a wonderful thing, I wanted to combine impressions into another dimension of entertainment."

Born in Ottawa, Canada, Brown didn't discover his talents until he was about 15 and found himself doing a John Wayne impression. A friend laughed, and that was all the encouragement Brown needed. Soon after, he saw Rich Little perform. The rest is history.

"Once I saw my hero, Rich Little, do impressions, I sat there in the front row, in awe. I knew what my path was going to be."

He made his way to Vegas and became an opening act for Paul Anka, Barry Manilow and others before scoring his own show at the Golden Nugget, downtown. The impressionist made enough of a, yes, impression to bring his act to the Strip performing at The Venetian before landing at Planet Hollywood.

Brown never tires of freshening his act. It changes frequently, as he discusses current events and adds new characters to his repertoire. Just don't ask him which one he likes best.

"The latest impression I'm doing tends to be my favorite at the time," he said. "I'm working on Al Pacino. I put Michael Bolton back in the show, and the crowd's really enjoying it and I'm really enjoying banging on Bolton. Those are my favorites for now. But they'll change."

Gordie Brown
Where: V Theater at Planet Hollywood
When: 10 p.m., Mon.-Sat.
Cost: $64.90 and up
http://www.lasvegasmagazine.com

The Birth of Nouveau Burlesque By Chris Carney
Source: Las Vegas Magazine

Burlesque surged to popularity during the Victorian Era as a panacea for all the ills foisted on the lower classes. Mores had become stilted, sexuality taboo and the aristocracy aloof.

Combining ribald humor, mocking imitations of the upper crust and, of course, glimpses of the female form, burlesque competed with vaudeville. Often known for spoofing opera, Shakespearian drama and ballet, burlesque was popular well into the 20th century. To the surprise of many, burlesque wasn't a taboo institution. Some of the great, early movie stars got their start in burlesque. Mae West used the lessons learned to turn heads and get laughs in her later "legitimate" career. W.C. Fields, Red Skelton and Abbott and Costello perfected their humor alongside gorgeous, barely clothed women. (Talk about working through distraction! Thank the Maker they refrained from taking part in the art of the tease.)

With the advent of movies, burlesque faded. Then came World War II and the culturally stilted '50s. Sexuality went underground once more, only to be unleashed with a fury in the '60s and '70s. Mores were smothered under the mountain of quick-money greed in the '80s, and the '90s brought a sense of exploration and an ardor for things "old school." People became nostalgic for the glitz, the glamour and the tease lost in the "free sex" era and repressed once more by the era of AIDS.

Thus, nouveau burlesque was born. The tease was safe. The tease was titillating. The tease was back. Troupes formed in New York and Los Angeles, but it wasn't till Sin City grasped hold that nouveau burlesque joined its older sister as a force of nature. Where lace, satin and the odd bit of leather may stir tantalizing memories, the true masters of the tease are these priestesses of the born-again art of burlesque. Come, join our expedition into their temples of temptation to find that the old is new once more.

CRAZY GIRLS: Glistening at you in print ads, perched atop the cab you took from the airport and dominating the skyline, there they are, lying in wait to climb down and engage in some kind of Godzilla-inspired battle of sexiness before returning to their billboard lair.

Head over to the Riviera where you can fondle the cast of girls' bronzed backsides for luck, something that's become a tradition at the Riv. Just make sure it's the statue you're grabbing.

FANTASY: Deep in the pyramid of Luxor, intrepid explorers of all things risqu? will come across the girls of Fantasy, who bring the art of imaginative sensuality to its limits, while engaging in some of the most classic "fantasies," including sexy secret agent, workplace romance and lusting after the cowboy.

Choreographed by Cris Judd, Fantasy's mix of seduction, singing and comedy is best for couples.

FOLIES BERGERE: This show is the classics of classics. Some sort of Folies probably appeared onstage about the time cavemen began to realize that they no longer needed to club their women. A quick mastodon ride earned them a night of sensual bliss unseen in their dank caves.

The Las Vegas show at the Tropicana is anything but ancient, though. The traditional cancan has never been steamier, the Latin mambo engenders thoughts of running for the border and the gorgeous women remind even the most stalwart of their animal sensuality.

LAS VEGAS PUSSYCAT DOLLS: If you haven't drooled over, oops, heard of this gorgeous troupe of hip-shimmying ladies, you might be living in a deep hole (or maybe under a rock in the above-mentioned cave).

Representing the newest of the new, the Pussycat Dolls at Caesars Palace often have special guests who top every guy's most-lusted-after list, and if it gets too hot, step over to Pure nightclub for a cool cocktail.

IVAN KANE'S FORTY DEUCE/ROYAL JELLY: This one's a twofer, as the show changes depending on which day of the week you're seeking forbidden pleasures. The speakeasy vibe of the Mandalay Bay club drifts about you in slow cigarette-smoke curls. Most nights, you'll be whisked back to the '20s with hot jazz and smoking dancers.

Raise the volume on Thursdays when the Forty Deuce goes harder, with Royal Jelly and its blend of live rock 'n' roll and provocative dancing.

CRAZY HORSE PARIS: Could you ask for a more titillating experience than MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris? After all, the word burlesque, and nouveau for that matter, is French. Inspired by the original and stocked with dangerous beauties, the show at the MGM Grand may just be the quintessential in fantasy.

Crazy Horse ain't no strip show. It is art in motion. It is 12 of the most perfect, jaw-dropping beauties, stroked and painted by multicolored lights. The feeling is otherworldly, extra-dimensional and perfect.

Nouveau burlesque takes an art form as ancient as man from the fire-lit caves of yore into the high-tech world of light, sound, movement and form. In a world of stilted mores, bad manners and overwrought sensuality, it comes as a savior. It reminds us that patience, the wait and, above all, the tease make life richer, lively and human. Hats off to nouveau!
http://www.lasvegasmagazine.com

Tickets on sale for Criss Angel from Vegas Luxe Life

It’s official—just as Luxe Life exclusively revealed a month ago! Criss Angel’s new Cirque du Soleil magic show is titled Believe and special insider tickets go on pre-sale today (THURS) for preview and regular performances—now slightly delayed to start Sept. 1 with the gala premiere on Sept. 12 at his custom built Luxor theater. Criss has co-written the show with Serge Denoncourt who will also be the director.

Mindfreak star Criss explained his reasoning for the name Believe: On his death bed, legendary magician and escape artist, Harry Houdini told his wife the following; “After my death, many people will claim that they are still able to communicate with me. If their claims are valid, they will be able to tell you a code word—that word is “BELIEVE.” Click here to hear Criss, in his own words, tell his LOYALS why he chose the title “Believe” for his new show and how Harry Houdini’s widow kept a rooftop vigil for 10 years waiting to hear the “secret” word.

Criss keeps a valuable historical collection of Houdini memorabilia. Recognized as one of the most provocative magic and escape artists in the world today Criss says its his way of paying homage to the late great Harry Houdini, Criss chose “Believe” as the title for what he describes as “this unprecedented live experience. “Believe will be a haunting exploration deep inside the inventive mind of mystifier Criss Angel as he hovers between the land of the living and a surreal world uniquely woven together by the distinctive imaginations of Criss Angel and Cirque du Soleil,” added Serge.

Cirque also revealed for the first time details of the show and its total difference from other Vegas magic productions: “Unlike traditional magic-themed shows, CRISS ANGEL Believe transcends any preconceived notion of what it means to be emotionally engaged by the arts of mysticism and illusion. Imagine a fantasy, an allegory, a highly theatrical tableau of mood, reverie and emotion set against a backdrop of dreamlike darkness and light. Criss Angel stars as a surreal, enigmatic Victorian Noble. Along a path of imaginative exploration, he encounters Kayala and Crimson, two women who represent different aspects of femininity, four bizarre ushers, who will introduce the audience to the baroque theater of Criss’ mind and a high-energy troupe of characters and dancers who mix a multitude of styles into a high-energy visual feast, punctuated by moments of grace and sensuality.

“The stunning illusions in CRISS ANGEL Believe will not be presented as standalone elements, but as interdependent components using heightened imagery, fantastical creatures and impossible feats of legerdemain, all of which will be integrated into the dazzling, colorful fabric of the story.

Criss will perform the shows twice nightly at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday through Tuesday and get a break each Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are priced from $59 to $150. For the first 11-days of previews prices will be discounted by 25% because Criss and Cirque plan this as the final stages of production—and based on audience reaction and participation might interrupt the performances to make any adjustments to increase the audience experience. These are only available as of today (THURS) to members of the Criss Angel LOYALS fan club, Cirque club members and Luxor resort casino MGM insiders. A later announcement will be made when tickets are available to the general public.

This is the first time that a Cirque du Soleil show has been built around one specific star performer. Criss conceived the original idea and is the illusions designer for the show. Ray Winkler is the set designer and Meredith Caron will design costumes with music composed, arranged and directed by Eric Sera. Wade Robson is the choreographer and John Farrel is the director of illusions.

Luxe Life has learned that the show will also feature projection imagery, acrobatic stunts and puppets. Criss, to date, has only revealed one illusion where the audience will be wrapped inside a howling windstorm, which will emanate from his mouth!

Cirque founder Guy Laliberté who heads the creative team with Creative Content chief Gilles Ste-Croix arrives in Vegas today (THURS) and when I meet him at the Bellagio this afternoon will ask him to add more information. Their next project once Believe is launched will be the Elvis Presley show planned for the new MGM City Center theater. Cirque currently has its productions of Mystère at Treasure Island, The Beatles Love musical at The Mirage, “O” at Bellagio and KÀ at MGM Grand.
Vegas Luxe Life with Robin Leach

Not exactly magic, but pretty unnatural: Liger on the Strip.
By: Brenda Buhler/Las Vegas Sun

Enter the liger.Yes,

Las Vegas is getting a liger, potentially the most terrifying hybrid to stride the Strip since French-Canadian singer Celine Dion.

What is a liger? It’s the offspring of a male lion and a tigress. A male tiger and a lioness produce a tigon, a far less awesome animal. Why? Because a tigon is smaller than either a lion or a tiger, while a liger is bigger than either of its parents, weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Ligers are supposed to enjoy swimming, like tigers, and be social animals, like lions. Also inherited from the tiger side is the ability to make chuffing noises.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/18/not-exactly-magic-pretty-unnatural-liger-strip/

Save some bills at Bill’s By Ron Ponte/Las Vegas Sun

If you’re looking for a bit of a throwback to old Las Vegas, complete with vintage prices and table limits, then Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall is an excellent option. Located on the northeast corner of the Strip and Flamingo Road, the place is surrounded by some pretty big neighbors (many of them owned by the same parent company, Harrah’s). Bill’s has found its niche on the Strip as a hangout for the serious but low-budget gambler.

The large bar towards the front offers $1.50 Coors drafts, but be warned that they are served in slightly smaller cups than usual draft fare. Most other drafts and bottles will run you $2 or $3 and cocktails and shots go from $4.50 on up. A quick walk past the tables brings you to the “Margarita Bar,” which seats only four but offers 99-cent margaritas. The frozen drinks are even smaller than the Coors drafts but seem to have a decent tequila ratio, unlike similar deals on the Strip.

More on Bill's here:
http://lasvegassun.com/blogs/coin-bucket/2008/apr/16/save-some-bills-bills/

New set, more neon; He’s Flamingo ready. By Jerry Fink
Las Vegas Sun

Building crews are working their magic in the Flamingo Showroom as Nathan Burton prepares for a new gig in new digs.

Hammers flying, saws buzzing, sound system checks — it’s a concert of activity in the room that currently houses headliners Toni Braxton, who is temporarily out of commission after spending a few days in the hospital suffering from heart palpitations, and George Wallace.

Burton is experiencing heart palpitations of his own, but not the kind that will require medical attention. His excitement stems from finally starring in a major showroom with an entertainment tradition stretching back almost to the beginning of the Strip.

It’s a far cry from Fort Smith, Ark., where Burton grew up and as a teenager performed magic shows in libraries in surrounding rural communities where entertainment often consisted of pie suppers, revivals and church socials.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/17/new-set-more-neon-hes-flamingo-ready/

Suit your fancy.
Heading for the pool isn’t all about swimming. After all, this is Las Vegas.
By Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun

How to turn nightlife into daylife: Just add water.

Las Vegas is famous (and infamous) for maximizing and monetizing every available square foot of dry land. Early in the new millennium, the concept was ingeniously extended to the casino swimming pools. Once reserved for registered guests only, most of the luxe pools are now open to the paying and playing public, and they’ve become the hottest venues for clubbing and concerts. Summer starts early here — this weekend, in fact, with the opening of Bare at the Mirage — and the casino resorts are ready for what amounts to a four-month-long spring break. They’ve taken the simple ol’ swimmin’ hole to ridiculously sublime extremes: Rentable cabanas feature plasma televisions, Xbox games, mini-fridges, frozen fruit platters, Wi-Fi access, personal servers; other poolishness includes DJs and island dance floors, floating beer pong, bikini bull riding and inflatable Twister games.

The appeal of the pool scene isn’t hard to figure out: Nightclubs are dark and smoky and loud and crowded. Day clubs are bright and colorful and smell like coconut-basted roasting flesh. (They’re still loud and crowded.)

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/18/suit-your-fancy/

Back on ‘Stomp’ set.
Performer dancing again after a car accident in January nearly killed him.
By Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun

Keith Middleton shoots through the empty Stomp Out Loud Theater doing a fair imitation of the Road Runner eluding Wile E. Coyote.

Not bad for a man who was almost killed in a car wreck in January.

Middleton recalls the crash. It was midday on a Tuesday. The car in front of him stopped and he stopped. “Then I heard screeching in the back, looked into the rearview mirror and saw a car fishtailing toward me and felt the impact,” he says. “I wake up and my car is sliding to the left and stopped. Everything in the car was wrapped around me, literally — seat, dashboard, console.”

He was pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a second time.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/16/back-stomp-set/

Hefner, pals drop in on singer’s new gig.
Musical variety act heats up Lava Room at Trader Vic’s.

It was one of those surreal moments in a town where the surreal often outweighs the real.

Singer Jimmy Hopper found himself serenading Playboy founder Hugh Hefner and his entourage at the Lava Room at Trader Vic’s.

Hefner was in town to celebrate his 82nd birthday, along with five female companions and a camera crew taping it for Hef’s reality series “The Girls Next Door” and for a documentary.

Hefner, not as steady on his feet as he once was, sat while drinks were passed around and a chocolate cake with sparklers was brought out.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/14/hefner-pals-drop-singers-new-gig/

Folies Bergere - Timeless Showgirls and Classic Entertainment .
By Chuck Stanec/www.accessvegas.com

Raw. Provocative. Sexy. Alluring. Just a few words among many that can be used to describe Les Folies Bergere at the Tropicana. If you’re looking for a trip into Las Vegas past, this is it – without the DeLorean.

When one thinks of old Vegas, they envision the big, bold shows with the tall and supple women and the huge, bright feathers that adorn them. The energy, the passion, and the colors all appease the senses as you’re engulfed into history. The transient experience makes it feel as if you can walk out of the theater and sit down with Dean, Frank, and Sammy for a drink.

Perhaps the fact that Folies has been in Vegas since the time of the Rat Pack is what gives it that timeless feeling. Folies Bergere has been a staple at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino for nearly 50 years. The latest version of which chronicles American history as well as the history of the showgirl. Folies is a whirlwind through time and space with gorgeous women and the most pristine of costumes. The dance numbers and intertwined comedy personify the fad that swept the nation in the early 1900’s - Vaudeville.

While Vaudeville was becoming an American classic in the 1920’s and 30’s, the Folies had been running in France since 1869 and did not have its first nude showgirl until 1918. Folies Bergere gained its first exposure in the United States on Christmas Eve, 1959, at the Tropicana’s Fountain Theater. In 1975, the show moved into the new, better equipped, Tiffany Theater and has remained there ever since. Also, in 1975, the reigns of the Folies Bergere were handed over to Jerry Jackson, who is still the creative mind behind the show. Most notably, Jerry designed the 100th Anniversary show in Paris in 1966.

No other Vegas show opens with a topless rendition of ‘NSYNC’s “Dirty Pop”, but this is not just another Las Vegas show. True, the opening act does tastefully depict scantily clad women thrusting their agile bodies about the stage, but there is so much more offered. A gorgeous prima ballerina graces the stage and hypnotizes the crowd with her beauty and elegance; flowing costumes that, if one sits close enough, really show the girls are having fun; one priceless stage comedian that gives himself a medal every time he completes a trick injury free.

Like any show of its kind, Folies Bergere is not complete without its Can-Can. Every performer takes the stage in what becomes a routine unto itself. In fact, there is so much going on that one would have to view Folies 2-3 times just to catch it all. Unfortunately, like all good things, the show does come to an end. However, not before you’ve been cast through time and have been able to catch glimpses of what Vegas – and France – use to be.

The Folies Bergere has captivated the minds and imaginations of the thousands in its wake. One can be fully immersed into the show. You will quickly find yourself lost in time - warped even - through the 90 minutes spectacle. The changing scenery, slap-stick humor, and flamboyant costumes will leave you searching for words. But, that will pale in comparison because all the while, you’re still trying to spot that lovely dame that danced off with your heart during Act One.
http://www.las-vegas-shows-reviews.com/folies-bergere-timeless-showgirls-and-classic-entertainment/2008/04/12/

Stomp Out Loud - A Journey Through Rhythm and Percussion
By  Erin Guernsey/From:www.accessvegas.com

For those seeking high-energy entertainment, comedic antics and pure theatrical brilliance look no further than Stomp Out Loud located at The Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. Don’t let the show’s humble opening of one lonely cast member sweeping the stage fool you as it barely gives a hint of what is to come.

Every night the talented performers take audience members on a journey through the world of rhythm and percussion. The show throws the definition of a traditional musical instrument out the window by creating magnificent sounds from the most random objects such as keys, lighters, trash cans and lids, brooms, sand, plastic bags and of course … kitchen sinks.

As you enter the Stomp Out Loud Theatre you are greeted by a kaleidoscope of junk. The theatre designers managed to make this hodgepodge of items appear to be art on the walls instead of looking like someone’s trash can exploded. The stage itself is also filled with a plethora of mismatched items which will later be creatively incorporated into the show by the cast. Another distinct feature of this production is its costuming. You won’t find any lavish gowns or fancy wigs in Stomp Out Loud. These amazing performers wear simple street clothes that allow plenty of freeform movement.

There are two segments during the show that stand out and are a true testament to the genius of the show’s creators. The first segment involves cast members each taking various lengths of rubber pipes and beating them on the stage to create an alluring sound like no other. As you sit in your seat the melody slowly creeps inside you and then leaves you wondering if the notes you just heard actually came from rubber pipes. The other segment uses different-sized boxes filled with a mixture of dried beans and ping-pong balls. The boxes are thrown and pushed around the stage in a beautifully choreographed dance that must have taken an eternity to rehearse.

One character steals the show with his impeccable comedic timing as he tries to stay in line with fellow cast members, but usually receives the short end of the broom. His hijinks are sure to keep you laughing throughout the entire performance.

Stomp Out Loud is the perfect addition to a night out with friends or a romantic evening with a date. This spectacular show will leave you exhilarated and in awe of how so much intense energy was packed into 90 minutes.
http://www.las-vegas-shows-reviews.com/stomp-out-loud-a-journey-through-rhythm-and-percussion/2008/04/12/

Tribute To Songwriter And Producer David Foster At Mandalay Bay. From: www.accessvegas.com

A one-night-only concert celebration featuring music's most beloved stars including Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé and Josh Groban, will take place Friday, May 23 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.  The event, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m., will pay tribute to the celebrated songwriter and producer David Foster.  Foster also will perform the hits he has written or produced with many of the artists with whom he has worked over the course of his 35-year career.

Bocelli, who conveys confidence and mastery in both classical and pop genres, received rave reviews during his sold-out United States 2006 tour.  "His tone was smooth and brimmed with emotion…he owned Madison Square Garden," celebrated the New York Post.  The Hollywood Reporter rejoiced, "(Bocelli) brings a passion and joy to such familiar (classical) pieces" and proclaimed, "it was a triumphant appearance."  His album released in October 2007, "The Best Of Andrea Bocelli - Vivere," marked a decade of chart-topping albums that has made him a household name and beloved cultural figure throughout the world.  The album, produced by Sugar Music/Decca, features selections from Bocelli's popular recordings including "Romanza,"certified four times platinum, "Sogno," certified two times platinum, and his most recent platinum album, "Amore."

The young singing sensation Bublé brings his irrepressible spirit, engaging humor and confident charisma to the concert stage.  His most recent album, "Call Me Irresponsible," contains a depth of feeling that delights long-term fans and impresses those new to his music.  The album boasts more of Bublé's buoyant, modern interpretations, including songs by such greats as Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, Cy Coleman and others.  He describes it as "my remark on the state of love."

Groban burst onto the international music scene in 2001 with the release of his self-titled debut album featuring the hit single "To Where You Are."  His follow-up album, "Closer," was released in 2003 and brought enormous success to the young singing sensation.  His smash hit, "You Raise Me Up," immediately became popular among his fans worldwide.  "Closer," along with his self-titled debut album, have collectively sold more than 14 million copies worldwide.

Foster, a 14-time Grammy Award winner, has discovered and nurtured the careers of Groban, Bublé and The Corrs, as well as created chart-topping hits for such legends as Bocelli, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Madonna, Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan.  He entered the music business in 1973 and quickly established himself as a sought-after session musician and the industry's premier keyboardist.  The concert will be filmed by PBS and is scheduled to air nationwide in December.
http://www.accessvegas.com

Living In Las Vegas Podcast #55 is Online! 

Episode #55 of the Living In Las Vegas Podcast is now available.

Title: Dining at Mirage's Stack Restaurant and Comedy with Vinnie Favorito
Ahh. . .dinner and a show, Las Vegas Style. For today's Living In Las Vegas Podcast, we talk about our evening out at Mirage's Stack restaurant, followed by the comedy stylings of Vinnie Favorito, who is performing at O'Sheas. Show notes:

Weather/Pool Report: Awesome (and a listener question)
Scott's speaking at the 2008 New Media Expo. Here's info on his session.
Scott's got something cooking for folks interested in podcasting. Want to learn more?
Red Rock Country Club
Listener Voicemail
Listener Emails
Stack and Vinnie Favorito
Hot or Horrible
#55 MP3 Link
#55 Streaming MP3 Link
Visit the Website: www.LivingInLV.com

Fremont Street Experience to Premiere "A Tribute to Queen" Viva Vision Show.

Fremont Street Experience is ready to rock Las Vegas with a new Viva Vision show, “A Tribute to Queen.” This will be the first Viva Vision show to feature 3D sound and is the first to be dedicated entirely to one artist. “A Tribute to Queen” is set to two of the greatest rock anthems of all time, “We Will Rock You” and “We Are the Champions.” In a special tribute to our community, photos of local champions were submitted and will be seen on the 1,500 foot Viva Vision screen during the “We Are the Champions” segment of the show.

The show premiere will be directly followed by a live performance by the Queen tribute band, Queen Nation. Queen Nation will play a six-night engagement from April 17-22 with all performances free and open to the public.
 
WHEN:  Thursday, April 17 at 8:00 p.m. (premiere)
“A Tribute to Queen” will repeat at 9 and 11 p.m.
Queen Nation will play nightly from 8-11 p.m. through April 22.

WHERE: Fremont Street Experience 3rd Street Stage (Queen Nation performance location)

Las Vegas Summer Pools 

It is no secret things heat up in the Las Vegas summer sun.  Of course, the hottest way to beat the heat is to hit the cool swim spots on The Strip.  Take a dip in the saltwater lagoons of the country’s first “ultra pool” and soak up the scene as nightlife bleeds into day; let-it-ride at the city’s only Beachside Casino where you can wager in chic summer style and nosh with a view; or dare-to-be bare at a luscious adults-only European-style tropical oasis.  In Sin City, summer sizzles even when you’re playing it cool.

Daylife Born
This summer MGM Grand takes pool parties to new heights with the April unveiling of the 53,000 square-foot WET REPUBLIC, Las Vegas’ first “ultra pool.”  WET REPUBLIC is anchored by two extravagant saltwater pools, a first on The Strip, and complemented by six jetted spas.  WET REPUBLIC will sit at the forefront of poolside entertainment with a pool deck that transforms into a stage, an open-air ultra lounge, an elevated DJ booth and eight state-of-the-art underwater speakers.  The venues’ VIP bungalows boast over-the-top amenities, private spas and a panoramic view of all the action so you won’t miss a beat.

Back with a Splash
A paradise fit for royalty, the Excalibur pool has doubled its size and added two luxurious pools and 17 cabanas, stocked with all the essentials to keep cool.  Just steps from the pool, Drenched offers the latest in causal poolside dining featuring American fare and a full-service bar.

Furthering their already one-of-a-kind experience, Mandalay Bay Beach now features the only climate-controlled poolside gaming on The Strip.  The Beachside Casino houses the open-air Beach Bar & Grill and upstairs, a casual casino where beach attire is encouraged.  Atop the three-story Beachside Casino, the Villas Soleil raise the bar for Las Vegas cabanas with unparalleled amenities and spectacular views of Mandalay Bay Beach.  Check out a virtual preview of The Beach at www.mandalaybay.com

Sexy Summer Sunbathing
Since opening last year, Bare at The Mirage has become a premier destination for savvy sun seekers.  The adult pool known best for its European-style sun bathing and exclusive VIP service has quickly become a must for A-listers including Leonardo Dicaprio, Fergie, Quentin Tarantino, Kobe Bryant and Justin Long.  New for the 2008 summer season, Bare has added a removable glass cover for the main pool, creating a dance floor for any event, day or night, along with a tantalizing menu created by California Pizza Kitchen.

The pool that introduced the stylish side of European sunbathing, Moorea Beach Club at Mandalay Bay Beach, continues to draw tourists with its high-energy music and luxurious setting.  Overlooking the lush waterfall gardens and sandy beach, the exclusive hideaway features an infinity whirlpool, champagne and cocktail-inspired poolside massages and special access to Mandalay Bay Beach.

From "The Vegas Eye"

Stan Lee to UN"LEE"SH Comic Book Properties from Las Vegas
Comic book icon Stan Lee – creator of “Spider Man” — is gearing up to launch a new comic book line from Las Vegas, helping filter a lucrative set of comic book, game and merchandising properties into the mainstream. Lee and his production shingle POW! Entertainment, along with Brighton Partners, have partnered with Rainmaker Entertainment to launch "Legion of 5," a new superhero property. "Legion of 5" — owned jointly by Rainmaker, POW! and Brighton — is planned as a series of CG-animated films but with a cross-platform approach to include games, online and mobile releases. Merchandising is part of the plan as well. Details of the characters and story line are being kept under wraps. Rainmaker CEO Warren Franklin reported that the partners are raising about $24 million to get things going. "We are hoping to develop a strong franchise with the characters," he said. Plans call for Vancouver-based computer-animation producer Rainmaker to create the look of the characters as well as develop and produce the feature-length CG-animated film properties. Lee, Rainmaker's Aaron L. Gilbert and Paul Gertz, Gill Champion of POW! and Cord Beatty of Brighton will exec produce. Recent film versions of Lee's "X-Men," "Spider-Man," "The Fantastic Four" and "The Hulk" titles have, in contrast to the "Legion" CG project, been live-action productions. Separately, Lee has set up three projects at Disney, which houses POW!: "Nick Ratchet," following the exploits of a private eye; "Blaze," an action adventure; and "Tigress" (working title), the story of a woman who starts getting tiger-like instincts. Rainmaker Animation is developing "ReBoot," one of the earliest computer-animated episodic TV series, as a trilogy of feature-length films. Brighton Partners is a Salt Lake City-based finance and project development group. The "Legion of 5" partners will convene at a weekend comic convention, where Lee will receive the inaugural "New York Comics Legend Award."

Shelby Corner Cafe
The grand opening of Carroll Shelby's new restaurant in Las Vegas called Shelby Corner Café.  Located on the Shelby Automobiles campus at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, the lightly themed Cafe is dedicated to the history of Shelby and plays up the brand with detailed décor. Shelby says the new restaurant will give enthusiasts visiting the track or Shelby facility “a place to dine that equals their passion for performance automobiles.” 

At the grand opening which was on the same weekend as the NHRA race at Las Vegas, the party goers included a who’s who of the racing realm including NHRA driver Bob Tasca III , Don “the Snake” Prudhomme and NHRA Top Fuel Funny Car Champion Robert Hight. The local Mustang club was also in attendance with several Mustangs.

The food is a light American café fare, priced right and perfect for breakfast or lunch. Hoods of various Shelby models hang from the ceiling as well as light fixtures made from Shelby Mustang grilles. “Shelby Corner Café is a fun place to dine while visiting Carroll’s two favorite places, the track and his factory,” said Amy Boylan, President of Shelby Automobiles.  “We initially planned to open a place for Shelby employees as the selection of eateries is a bit limited at the Speedway.  We had so many requests by enthusiasts to eat here after a museum tour that decided to open the café to the public.  On any given day, you might see our chief test driver, production crew, or even Carroll himself eating at the next table."

Indeed the Shelby Corner Café will surely become a new spot on the map for Ford enthusiasts who are visiting Las Vegas on business or vacation.

The Café is just across the parking lot from the Shelby HQ and Museum, so it makes a perfect hour stop. Business hours are from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm.

“The Café will be available for private parties and even has a door to accommodate the entry of a car inside,” noted Boylan. “We might even add a stop at the Café to the Shelby car delivery program for a private meal.”

Tao Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub Repeats as the Highest-Grossing Restaurant in the U.S.
Restaurants & Institutions (www.rimag.com) today released its 25th annual ranking of the Top 100 Independent Restaurants, surveying the highest-grossing non-chain restaurants in the United States.

For the second consecutive year, Tao Las Vegas Restaurant & Nightclub in The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino took the top spot with 2007 food-and-beverage revenues of $66.6 million dollars, up from $55.3 million last year. Tao Las Vegas last year added a third element, Tao Beach, to its operation.

In total, R&I’s Top 100 Independent Restaurants had combined F&B sales of $1.53 billion in 2007, up 4.8% from last year’s $1.46 billion.

More than half of this year’s Top 100 restaurants are located in one of two markets: New York City is home to 32 members of this year’s list; Las Vegas is second—but continuing to close the gap—with 24 of the 100 largest. Chicago claims seven of the top restaurants; San Francisco has four.

Listed in the April 15 issue of R&I, this year’s top 10 restaurants and their 2007 F&B revenues are:

1. Tao Las Vegas Restaurant & Nightclub, Las Vegas  $ 66,636,546
2. Tavern on the Green, New York City $ 37,636,999
3. Joe's Stone Crab, Miami Beach $ 29,680,810
4. Smith & Wollensky (Third Avenue), New York City $ 28,702,000
5. Tao Asian Bistro, New York City $ 26,842,734
6. Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington, D.C.$ 22,851,237
7. Gibsons Bar Steakhouse, Chicago $ 20,846,253
8. Fulton's Crab House, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. $ 20,673,932
9. SW Steakhouse, Las Vegas $ 20,500,000 (est.)
10. Bob Chinn's Crab House, Wheeling, Ill. $ 20,449,151

The original Smith & Wollensky location was not part of the chain sold to Patina Restaurant Group and is operated independently.

18th annual Epicurean Affair May 1.
Las Vegas is home to some of the world’s most celebrated bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and on May 1, the best of the best convene poolside at Flamingo Las Vegas for the 18th Annual Epicurean Affair.  Sponsored by Flamingo Las Vegas, Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and Nevada Restaurant Association the Epicurean Affair takes guests on a culinary journey that tantalizes the senses. Guests may indulge in succulent cocktails and savory cuisine from more than 100 of Nevada’s elite bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.  Hosted at the Flamingo’s 15-acre pool oasis, guests will enjoy the sights and sounds of the lush, tropical surroundings while enjoying a sampling of their favorite foods. This year’s event brings an edgier, nightlife concept, adding a unique layer to previous events. With nightclub powerhouses such as Tao, Body English, and Cat House represented, guests can expect aerialists, acrobats, go–go dancers, and the city’s most talented DJ’s spinning music all night long. This year’s Epicurean Affair features top restaurants, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Bradley Ogden and Payard Patisserie & Bistro from Caesars Palace, Fluer de Lys, Red Square and Border Grill from Mandalay Bay, Sea Blue, Diego’s and Fiamma Trattoria & Bar from MGM and many others.  For a full list of participating restaurants, visit  www.nvrestaurants.com or www.nvhotels.com.
http://thevegaseye.com

Flamingo Hosts EPICUREAN AFFAIR, May1 

Las Vegas is home to some of the world’s most celebrated bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and on May 1, the best of the best convene poolside at Flamingo Las Vegas for the 18th Annual Epicurean Affair.

Sponsored by Flamingo Las Vegas, Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association (NHLA) and Nevada Restaurant Association (NvRA), the Epicurean Affair takes guests on a culinary journey that tantalizes the senses. Guests may indulge in succulent cocktails and savory cuisine from more than 100 of Nevada’s elite bars, restaurants, and nightclubs.  Hosted at the Flamingo’s 15-acre pool oasis, guests will enjoy the sights and sounds of the lush, tropical surroundings while enjoying a sampling of their favorite foods.

This year’s event brings an edgier, nightlife concept, adding a unique layer to previous events. With nightclub powerhouses such as Tao, Body English, and Cat House represented, guests can expect aerialists, acrobats, go–go dancers, and the city’s most talented DJ’s spinning music all night long.

“The Flamingo has made a number of additions in the past year, introducing sexier elements to enhance the overall resort experience,” said Don Marrandino, president of Flamingo Las Vegas. “We’re hoping to extend that concept to this year’s Epicurean Affair and truly make it an affair to remember.”

This year’s Epicurean Affair features top restaurants, Restaurant Guy Savoy, Bradley Ogden and Payard Patisserie & Bistro from Caesars Palace, Fluer de Lys, Red Square and Border Grill from Mandalay Bay, Sea Blue, Diego’s and Fiamma Trattoria & Bar from MGM and many others.  For a full list of participating restaurants, visit  www.nvrestaurants.com or www.nvhotels.com.

“The Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association is a proud sponsor of the party of the year,” said Van Heffner, president of NHLA. “Guests can anticipate a complete culinary experience with a showcase of gourmet foods from award-winning restaurants, vintage varietals from some of the finest wineries in the world and exotic drinks paired with entertainment from world-class nightclubs.”

"Over the last decade, Las Vegas has earned the reputation of a world-class dining destination; our bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are really something to be proud of," said Paul Hartgen, president and CEO of the NvRA. "We are honored to once again team up with the Nevada Hotel & Lodging Association and the Flamingo to bring about the Epicurean Affair and to have the opportunity to showcase the best of the best."

This year, the Epicurean Affair offers a VIP ticket, guaranteeing entry one hour prior to general admission. VIP tickets are $175 per person and are available in advance and at the door. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for guests holding VIP tickets and 7:30 p.m. for general admission.

Proceeds from the Epicurean Affair benefit the educational programs of both associations and the Nevada Hospitality Foundation. General admission tickets are available for $125 per person or $1,000 for a package of 10 in advance and $150 per person within 48 hours of the event. To purchase tickets, call the Flamingo Las Vegas box office at 702-733-3333, visit www.flamingolasvegas.com or www.vegas.com. All guests must be 21 and older.

21 goes BUST by Bill Burton

During the voice over of the opening scenes of the movie 21 the main character is telling the audience that you have to be extremely gifted to be able to count cards and because he has the ability, he has won over $640,000 for the night playing Blackjack. It was at that moment I knew that I would be watching a comedy rather than a drama for the next two hours.

“Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner” is a phrase that is repeated throughout the movie. Whenever I heard the line, the word “Turkey” kept coming to my mind and I think it more accurately describes this movie. The movie is mildly entertaining at best.

More here: http://casinogambling.about.com/od/movies/fr/21movie.htm

Winner of UK's "The One & Only" to Start with Legends in Concert, May 19.

Dusty Springfield Tribute Artist to take Center Stage at Imperial Palace

"Legends In Concert" recently announced that the winner of the BBC’s hit series "The One and Only…," Katy Setterfield, will kick off her extended contract on May 19 in Las Vegas at the Imperial Palace.

Setterfield, who performs as the soulful 60’s icon, Dusty Springfield was one of 12 finalists, picked from thousands of entries, who competed for the title of the UK’s best tribute act in the widely popular seven-week TV series. All contestants competed for the coveted opportunity to showcase their talents in the famous tribute show, “Legends in Concert.” Each week, millions of viewers cast their vote to determine the fate of their favorite impersonator.

"Performing in 'The One and Only…' was an amazing experience but winning the competition and performing in Las Vegas is a dream come true," said Setterfield. "I can hardly wait to perform these songs in America."

Prior to competing on the show, Setterfield traveled the world performing as Dusty Springfield, Tina Tuner and Cher, but says performing as Springfield has always been her favorite.

“Katy will add a fresh, soulful element to the existing Legends in Concert lineup,” said Ed Crispell, vice president and general manager of Imperial Palace.  “We’re confident she’ll be a hit with our audiences.”

Dusty Springfield, whose career as an artist spanned decades, is most famous for her hits “Son of a Preacher Man,” “ I Only Want to Be With You” and “I Just Don’t Know What to Do With Myself.”

“Legends in Concert” performs six nights a week in the Imperial Palace’s Imperial Theater.  Shows run Mon. thru Sat. at 7:30pm and 10:00pm.  To purchase tickets call the Imperial Palace box office at 888-777-7664 or visit www.imperialpalace.com.

About Legends in Concert:
Celebrating its 25th year, "Legends in Concert" is a live musical production featuring the world’s greatest celebrity tribute artists. The production is owned and operated by On Stage Entertainment, Inc. Recognized in the entertainment industry as the original celebrity tribute show, "Legends in Concert" has performed throughout the United States, traveled to 15 countries on five continents, and has entertained more than15 million fans.

Slot Reviews By Gayle Mitchell

1) Dean Martin’s Wild Party: Wms Gaming. 86-96%. 1 spin
All I can say is, “Wow” – a 60 payline slot featuring the tunes of Deano and a hit frequency of 83% resulting in a hit nearly every spin!

This series is called Money Burst with 2 symbols on each of the first two reels and 4 symbols on each the other three reels. The 60 paylines all begin with the same 2 symbols on first two reels; however, they switch to wild symbols for the free spin round thus multiplying the winning combinations.

The free spin event starts in 3 possible ways.
a) If 4 four symbols on the first two reels match, these symbols remain and 5 free spins are awarded.
b) If 3 scatters show up on the third, fourth and fifth reels, five free spins are awarded. You then pick a microphone or a jewel box that in turn replaces all 4 symbols on the first two reels. Again, these picks remain during the 5 free spins.
c) Line up both combinations of a) first two reels and b) scatter pays on other 3 reels at which time you again pick the microphone or jewel symbols – but there are 20 free spins awarded here.

Dean will serenade you with the tune “Ain’t that a Kick in the Head” while a nice reward awaits at the end of the free spin bonus round. This slot version is a party not to be missed.
 
2) Bagpipe Bonus: Bally. 87-96%. 1-2 spins

The game keeps it simple with graphics of Scottish bagpipes and plenty of scatter pays but with a high hit frequency. Gather 3 or more scatters anywhere on the reels and receive 5, 10 or 100 times, the total wager while 5 scatter symbols pays 20,000 credits for max coin in play at max. coin. Should the lion symbol appear on the second, third or fourth reel, the entire reel becomes wild for multiple credits.

The main bonus event occurs when 3 or more drum symbols appear in any position on neighboring reels, you pick one of the symbols to launch one of the free spin options to include a certain number of spins plus a multiplier.

Line up 5 Bagpipe Bonus symbols and the top jackpot of 20,000 credits X the line bet is yours.

Be sure to ‘tune in’ to this ‘slot hit’.
 
3) Sphinx Classic: Atronic. 87-97%. 3 spins.

The excitement factor is met with this newer version of the Sphinx product line with a bonus event that garners more credits.

Here’s how it goes: Three, four or five Scarab symbols pay a scatter win, while 3 or more Coin Symbols begin the Sphinx bonus. You are then lead to the Egyptian burial chamber where five sarcophagi await your choice. Your choices reveal either a credit award or Sphinx symbol that carries you to the next level of the Sphinx Chamber. Once inside the chamber, your choice of the correct Sphinx symbol results in a higher mystery bonus win.

Additionally and apart from other versions, if you find the correct Sphinx, you receive all the other credit awards combined.

This version may also include Mystery Magic Progressive awarded at random by the casino.

“Me Sphinx”, this is the classiest of Tut’s versions.

There is always a welcome mat out to new subscribers.
I encourage you to invite your family and friends to join us.
TO SUBSCRIBE: Send a blank e-mail to: CPon@casinoplayersezine.com

"The Right Vision – Right Now and For the Future" is the theme that tells the story for IGT. By Gayle Mitchell

Three trailblazing MegaJackpots products have been introduced: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade slot featuring a multi-layer 3-D display, Star Wars and eBay video slot.

IGT's M-P Series multi-player games feature Roulette Revolution, Golden Baccarat and Triple Towers horse racing versions, and Digideal table technology will be represented by five game themes including Digital 21, DragonBacc and Texas Hold 'Em.

New IGT video slot themes include Golden Tiger Eternal Dragon and Fame & Fortune, both two-level progressives; Golden Gate, featuring the industry's first horizontal expanding-wild symbol feature; Lion Dance, Desert Spirit, Lil' Lady and Mayan Riches.

In addition to Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Star Wars MLP and eBay, the MegaJackpots line spotlights the Diamond Jackpots and World Poker Tour Multi-Level Progressives, Wheel of Fortune Super Spin Video Slots Five-Station, Multi-Strike Triple Diamond, and two new themes – New York and Hawaii — on the Wheel of Fortune Multi-Level Progressive slot.

New spinning-reel themes include several multi-progressives:

5-reel, 30-line Sizzling 7s and 4-reelers Silver Fire 7's and Thunderbird 7's, as well as Double Fire Opal MultiWay and Triple Jackpot MultiWay.

New video poker themes are Ultimate 4-of-a-Kind, Multi-Strike Poker Deluxe, and four new Action Gaming themes: Random Rewards Poker, Friday Night Poker, Good Times Pay Poker, and Quick Quads.

New Barcrest USA games include Ring Master, Top Dollar Deluxe, and Blue Blazes. IGT features new additions for Class II gaming, Video Red Hot Jackpots for Central Determination Systems markets, and new games for lottery jurisdictions.

Guaranteed Play, the first product of the Walker Digital/IGT collaboration with products ranging from video poker to video slots and table games.

IGT plans to expand the WagerWorks online game library with new themes like MegaJackpots Monopoly to include the Pass Go Bonus, MegaJackpots Cluedo with Free Spin Mystery Bonus, and ELVIS Multi-Strike.

There is always a welcome mat out to new subscribers.
I encourage you to invite your family and friends to join us.
TO SUBSCRIBE: Send a blank e-mail to: CPon@casinoplayersezine.com

Vegas Values Report for 4/13/08
The below information is supplied by Scot Krause, our roving reporter, who supplies us each week with information on the best Las Vegas promotions. It's only available here on the americancasinoguide.com web site so be sure to come back each Sunday to find out about the best values in Las Vegas.
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Promotions/VEGAS-VALUES.shtml

“Terrible” Money Trouble By Rick Garman/Vegas4Visitors

Terrible-Herbst, the parent company of Terrible’s Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, is running into money trouble according to published reports. The company is seeking to restructure more than $1 billion worth of debt and if it can’t do it, may have to file for bankruptcy protection. In addition to the Vegas casino, the company operates 15 other casinos across the country including the three at the California-Nevada border in Primm. Those casinos cost the company a lot of money and may not be quite the good investment they thought they would be. Increased competition from Indian gaming in other areas is contributing to the Terrible financial malaise.

But one of the biggest problems hitting the company is the dramatic drop in revenue from slot machines the company runs at convenience stores, bars, and restaurants around Nevada. The cash cow has been hit hard by the statewide smoking ban that went into effect last year, which may have driven many customers to the larger casinos where they could still light up. Revenue from the slot routes was down by 20% after the ban went into effect, equating to about $70 million less in the company’s coffers.
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/

Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards By Rick Garman

The Best Wishes of the Week Award goes to singer Toni Braxton who was rushed to the hospital last week with chest pains after a show at the Flamingo Las Vegas. The 40-year-old singer, who is the middle of a multi-year headlining stint at the hotel, reportedly did not have a heart attack but the exact cause of the chest pains was not released. Braxton is recovering at home and for now her shows have been cancelled but they are expecting her to make a full recovery and be back on stage in May.

The Yeah, That’s Just What the City Needs Award goes to Steve Wynn and his plan to put in a massive new nightclub in the upcoming Encore hotel and casino. Just how massive? Published rumors this week indicate somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 square-feet, which just for reference is about the same size as the casino they are planning. Granted that’s small for a casino but it’s huge for a nightclub and will rival Pure at Caesars Palace for the “Biggest in Vegas” crown. The new club will open with the hotel late this year and will be called XS.

The Welcome Back Award this week is being bestowed upon Rio’s Village Seafood Buffet, which reopened last week after an extensive remodeling. The new buffet features more than 13,000 feet of fresh seafood spectaculars with a more modern, upscale décor, fresh sushi prepared tableside, and their very own sommelier who will pair wines with your fishy selections. Along with the new look comes a new price: $38 per person, making it the most expensive regularly scheduled buffet in town.

And finally, The Job of the Week Award goes to whomever got hired after the open call auditions this past weekend for the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls. A call went out for singers and dancers with “style and sex appeal” to come down and strut their stuff for the popular burlesque act, whose brand reach extends beyond mere booty shaking to the top of the music charts. Expect to see the new hires on stage at the Pussycat Dolls Lounge inside Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace.
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/

Nightclub Review: 40/40 Club By Rick Garman/Vegas4Visitors

Rapper/music mogul Jay-Z has stepped into the Vegas nightclub scene with the 40/40 Club now open at The Palazzo. But this one is a lot different than the typical velvet rope nightclubs that are dominating the scene these days. During the day and weeknights, the space is a sports bar/restaurant that acts as the de facto sports book for the hotel. You place your wagers with the race and sports betting window located just outside the club and then head inside to lounge around on one of the comfy sofas to watch any of the bazillions (okay, 85) of flat screen televisions they have running showing all manners of sporting contests.

The menu is mostly pub-grub with a Latin/Soul sheen to it. There are buffalo wings, burgers, pizzas, salads, and even steak but note the more intriguing Cuban sandwich, buttermilk coconut gambas (fried shrimp), fried deviled eggs and southern-fried chicken sticks, or even peanut butter and jelly for a clue that this isn't your father's sports bar food.

On Friday and Saturday nights the place changes into a hip-hop nightclub - one of only two on The Strip and with Jay-Z behind it, this one has the pedigree that brings out the culture's faithful. Although mixed, the primary demographic here is a younger, African-American crowd but with a strict dress code and an overall upscale atmosphere even uptight, old guy like myself - totally not in the demographic - could have a good time here.

The set-up is fantastic for either incarnation. Done in pristine white, gleaming chrome, and glittering gold the place shines with possibility. There are several seating areas (with smaller TVs) plus a terraced set of couches and tables facing a giant wall of flat panels and sports memorabilia is scattered about the rooms to provide some distractions.

For the nightclub effect there is a separate dance floor area, emblazoned with real gold inlay. Several VIP rooms, a cognac room, and an outdoor patio complete the package and make this not only competitive with the more traditional clubs, but better in a lot of ways. The whole place has a more casual vibe than most.

I think the 40/40 Club is probably more suited to the nightclub concept than the sports bar idea, but I'm giving this one the thumbs up no matter how you want to use it.

The 40/40 Club
The Palazzo Las Vegas
3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Suite 101
Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-638-4040
website

Hours:
Mon-Fri 5pm-5am
Sat-Sun 12pm-5am
Cover: Varies
http://www.vegas4visitors.com

Bar Review: The Griffin By Rick Garman

One of the keys to the hoped-for resurgence of Downtown Las Vegas has been places like The Griffin, a small but entertaining bar located in the newly spiffed up East Fremont Street district. This six block long stretch of the main Downtown drag is mere steps from the Fremont Street Experience and all of the hotels and casinos on Glitter Gulch, but it has a unique new vibe with jazzy neon signs, wide sidewalks, landscaping, and an air of promise driven by bars like this. The Griffin is one of those places that has managed to generate its own mystique in Vegas. The motif is vaguely castle-esque, with stony outcroppings, a heavily carved bar, and a couple of fire pits worthy of roasting mutton over. Deep plushy booths and other low-slung seating provide an almost ultra-lounge feel but in a good way - instead of the pretentious airs such places can engender, this seems to offer a place for lounging, relaxing, and conversation, intimate or otherwise.

It's a small space so there is no stage or dance floor, but a jukebox (and occasionally a DJ) provide the audio atmospherics with a deep play list that should satisfy just about any musical taste.

The crowd is a mix of older and younger, heavy on the casino industry insiders and locals. Word has it that this is the place a lot of the performers in shows on The Strip hang out after the final curtain and that you may even seen a bazillionaire casino owner or two mixing and mingling on occasion. It's hip without trying and friendly in a way that would not exist if this place were located in one of the big hotels.

Mixed with the nearby Beauty Bar and Downtown Cocktail Lounge (plus other upcoming bars and honky tonks planned for the vicinity) this is a great place to go and unwind without needing to worry about some outrageous cover charge or drink prices or pressure to wear the latest and hottest clothes. No standing and posing allowed.

The Griffin
511 E. Fremont St.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-382-0577
Mon-Sat 5pm-close
Sunday 9pm-close
http://www.vegas4visitors.com

Brett's Vegas Views by Jackie Brett

The Golden Gate downtown, Las Vegas' oldest hotel and casino, established in 1906, has sold a 50 percent interest in the company to Desert Rock/Golden Gate, a Nevada investment company, owned by brothers Derek Stevens and Greg Stevens. According to owner Mark Brandenburg, at a time when downtown is undergoing a dramatic transformation, this new partnership will provide the Golden Gate with financial resources, expertise and new opportunities.

The Golden Gate only recently replaced its coin-operated slot machines with ticket-in, ticket-out games and started a slot club, named Club 1906 in tribute to the year of the hotel's opening. Plans for the future are focused on developing the property as a boutique hotel that preserves the property's historic character while meeting visitor expectations for a contemporary Las Vegas experience. By August 2008, the Golden Gate expects to offer guests downtown's only boutique hotel and casino with all newly-remodeled rooms and casino floor.

On April 21, the Nathan Burton Comedy Magic show will open in the showroom at the Flamingo. He will perform at 4 p.m. Friday through Wednesday. Burton has performed magic since the age of 4, honing his act into a 60-minute whirlwind of in-your-face magical illusions blended with comedy and showgirls. Ticket prices are $37.25 for adults and $20.25.

Burton has performed in numerous other Las Vegas shows and has showcased his talents on E! Television's The Entertainer, staring Wayne Newton; CNN's coverage of Nathan's 7 Days & 7 Showgirls stunt; World's Greatest Magic on NBC; World's Wildest Magic on NBC; America's Got Talent; Miami Ink; and VH1's Surreal Life: Fame Games.

Daylife is being born this month as the MGM Grand unveils WET REPUBLIC, a 53,000-square-foot ultra pool combining an exclusive nightlife vibe with poolside pampering and relaxation. An adults-only mecca for discerning partygoers, WET REPUBLIC will feature distinct experiences within a series of intimate spaces and redefine poolside entertainment as the first "ultra pool" in the world's sexiest city. It will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..

WET REPUBLIC's design will envelop a contemporary, linen-white palette adorned with vibrant hues of emerald green, turquoise and canary yellow evoking a sensuous South Beach ambiance. Water will be the leitmotif at WET REPUBLIC with eight separate pools and spas totaling more than 7,600 square feet. At its centerpiece, WET REPUBLIC will feature two spectacular saltwater pools - the only on the Las Vegas Strip - measuring 2,500 and 3,500 square feet, respectively. Six cascading waterfalls will accent the vast poolscape.

Adjacent to the main pool area, WET REPUBLIC will feature a sultry 2,500-square-foot open-air ultra lounge for a daylife party. The covered pool lounge will be a place to mix, mingle, dance and dine. At its focal point will be a 60-foot verde marble-topped bar with a custom glass base inset with chartreuse silk and bamboo. Dark wood floors juxtaposed against swanky cream-colored couches, lounge chairs and ottomans will create a seductively modern vibe with white onyx tables throughout the venue.

A 4,100-square-foot sundeck located between the lounge and the saltwater pools will transform into a stage to spotlight entertainers at weekly and monthly signature events and celebrated DJs.

There will also be an exclusive escape with six VIP bungalows, three private spas and dedicated restrooms. Ten hip party cabanas will line the pools. In addition, there will be 18 spacious day beds and more than 80 oversized deluxe chaise lounges.

Magician Tony Douglas, a native of Long Island, who has been performing magic and comedy practically all of his life, is the newcomer to the sexy topless Crazy Girls show at the Riviera. Douglas started at the bottom as an intern for CBS' The Late Show as David Letterman's "Chicken Salad Sandwich Guy."

Douglas' comedy is a combination of self-reflection of poking fun at everyday events. While his magic is both audience participation and pure illusion, he entertains all demographics with his wit and humor in "Las Vegas' Sexiest Topless Revue."

At age 15, he became president of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. Douglas has worked at comedy clubs, colleges and events, all over the country. He was the studio warm-up comic for two seasons of the NBC sitcom Working it Out starring Jane Curtain as well as the warm-up comic for CBS' Dudley.

He comes from an acting family. His mother performed in a play on Broadway and now has a comedy act with his sister called Coco & Penny. They have appeared on Letterman's show. One sister acted in Six Character in Search of an Author with Robert Klein.

The Café at the Liberace Museum offers "Lunch with Liberace." The $10 lunch includes a sandwich on a large croissant roll, chips, beverage and dessert. If you're not that hungry, have a snack and beverage for $5 or just view the movie for $4. "Lunch with Liberace" is offered on Thursday and Friday; call 702-798-5595 ext. 14 to confirm the showing. You don't have to pay admission to the museum to stop by and have "Lunch with Liberace" or shop in the Museum Store.

The MGM Grand's Crazy Horse Paris has announced the addition of the Scott Brothers variety act to the seductive French cabaret. The Scott Brothers are a high-energy dance act that has been performing their unique style of dance and visual comedy since 1986. Self-described as "Cartoon Dancing," the Scott Brothers incorporate mime, robotic movements, body isolation, street dancing and visual humor.

Prior to joining Crazy Horse Paris, the Scott Brothers performed their unforgettable act for countless shows and events in the United States, Japan, Australia, France and Mexico. On television, the Scott Brothers appeared on FOX television's 30 Seconds to Fame and were finalists on Destination Stardom, a nationally televised talent show airing on the PAX TV network. Their highlights include working in music videos for Prince, Quincy Jones and Carmen Electra.

Memphis Championship Barbecue recently won the title of "Best Barbecue" from the Las Vegas Review-Journal's 27th Annual Best of Las Vegas readers' poll. The restaurant has won the poll nine times. Restaurateur and owner Mike Mills has brought the national spotlight to Las Vegas with three off-Strip Memphis Championship Barbecue locations throughout the Las Vegas valley. Earlier this month, Memphis Championship Barbecue was featured on the Travel Channel's new show, Barbecue Paradise.
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/brett/index.htm

The Original Las Vegas Podcast

Las Vegas podcast #161 includes:
12 Sexiest Las Vegas Jobs opener
Harrah’s Entertainment becomes Caesars Entertainment
Harrah’s diamond lounge update
Guggenheim and Society of Seven are closing
Matty-O’s 1973 Las Vegas video
Listener calls about free concerts at Green Valley Ranch, Fireside Lounge at Peppermill, Cowboy Cabaret show review, fun with a raspy voice, Bodies, getting bumped from a hotel, Planet Hollywood’s pool and Prince-themed slot bonus round ideas.
http://www.fivehundybymidnight.com/fhbm/