October 14th, 2005

My apologies for all the emails from Google Groups. There was some type of sending problem and Hunter and I ran some tests to try to send out the emails. The problem was that they were all sent at one time. We are hoping the problem has been fixed. Thanks for understanding.

Steve
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Steve’s Las Vegas Quickies.

“Dean’s Lounge” featuring Tom Stevens is at the Barbary Coast Lounge from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. Tuesdays.

Dueling Pianos at Paris Las Vegas’ Napoleon’s Lounge at 8 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays through Thursdays and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The Cafe at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay has changed its hours. No longer offering 24/7 dining, the cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Another new nightclub is coming to Las Vegas, and it is called The Empire Ballroom. Located in the old Utopia nightclub site, this new club will feature one of the most amazing state-of-the-art sound systems and a completely redecorated interior,including a sunken dance floor and VIP rooms.

“American Idol” Kelly Clarkson has rescheduled her show at the Aladdin for Dec. 10. She backed out of Sept. 10’s show, citing health problems and a desire to perform at a Hurricane Katrina fundraiser.

The MGM Mirage, the only Las Vegas-based company receiving the honor, has been named as one of the Top 40 Companies for Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine. The recognition follows an examination of the company’s efforts to engage Hispanics in its business operations.

The “Men of Russia” have moved on from the Krave nightclub. The male revue threw in the towel Sept. 10 after battling an early time slot and the challenge of trying to market to women at a club known for gay and “omnisexual” nightlife.

Producer Michele Mosey says she has a tentative deal with another property on the Strip that will allow the Cirque du Soleil-style acrobatics she envisioned all along. In the meantime she’s taking the troupe on a 12-week tour that might include a night or two at a locals casino in Las Vegas.
reviewjournal.com — Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD

Jo?l Robuchon at the Mansion and L’Atelier Jo?l Robuchon have opened at the MGM Grand, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South. The former, the more formal of the two, features dishes such as a fresh scallop cooked in its shell with lemon and seaweed butter, and confit of lamb with Mediterranean-flavored semolina wheat couscous. The more casual L’Atelier has counter seating and both a tasting menu and a la carte tapas and entrees such as truffled mashed potatoes with free-range quail stuffed with foie gras, or steak tartare with crispy hand-cut fries. Both are open from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. daily.
reviewjournal.com — Neon - RESTAURANT NEWS

The Fab Four show has returned to the V Theater in the Aladdin Casino.

The Las Vegas Review Journal reported over the weekend the Sahara might be the next casino on the block and that both George Clooney and Turnberry Associates are both interested in the property at $700 million-plus. However, the report was more rumor than news — nothing solid is known to be in the works.
http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/whatsnews.cfm

The Plaza is ready to open its main showroom to Curtis Adams, who bills his act as the “magic that rocks.” The Carson City native got an early break in one of Lance Burton’s showcases for young magicians, and he spent the summer working the Tropicana in Atlantic City. His show debuts Saturday.
reviewjournal.com — Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD

New York transplant Hogs and Heifers Saloon, 201 N. Third St., quickly has become downtown’s party central. It’s open seven days a week from 1 p.m. to 4 a.m., but is considering extending hours from 10 a.m. to 6 a.m. Its motto: “No lemon, no lime, no salt, no sugar, no olives, no onions, no tomato juice, no pineapple juice, no frozen drinks, no margarita glasses, no martini glasses, no wine and no whining!” For more information, 676-1457.
http://www.reviewjournal.com

Voyager Entertainment International has reached an agreement with Centex Destination Properties to build an “Observation Wheel” on the Las Vegas strip at what is now the Westward Ho Hotel and Casino. The property is expected to close November 17, 2005. The observation wheel will be part of a newly master planned resort to be built on the property. The same type of project was announced on the property of the Rio, but then scrapped.

Magician Curtis Adams begins a 6-month run in the main showroom at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas. “Adrenaline: Magic That Rocks” opens this October. “Adrenaline: Magic That Rocks” features comedy, dancing with state of the art visual effects and illusions set to a hot soundtrack. Curtis Adams electrifies his audiences with original concepts that include manipulating explosives on stage, and cloning himself right before your eyes.

The Cannery Casino & Hotel presents Rock- O’-Ween on Sunday, October 30, with a special performance by shock rockers, The Tubes. The Tubes epitomized the hilarity of popular American culture by making it into the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza. The performance will begin at 8 p.m. and tickets are $14.95. Tickets are on sale now, visit www.cannerycasinos.com. The band originated in Phoenix in the late 60’s as The Beans. In 1972, they relocated to San Francisco, and changed their name. The Tubes achieved national praise with the release of 1981’s “Completion Backwards Principle” album. The songs “Talk To Ya Later,” and “Don’t Want To Wait Anymore” earned them significant airplay, while the album became their first Top 40 entry. The single “She’s A Beauty” reached the Top 10.
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NORM: Will Flamingo be Newton’s finale?

Is Wayne Newton making the Flamingo Las Vegas the last stop of his storied career?

My spies say there’s buzz that Newton has a deal in the works for early next year after Gladys Knight ends her long run.

Newton, since leaving the Stardust in April about halfway through a potential 10-year deal, has been juggling road commitments, including USO tours, between a six-week limited engagement at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Neither Newton’s publicist, Trish McCrone, nor Chip Lightman, who leases the Flamingo showroom, returned calls by deadline.

When Newton, 63, opened at the Stardust on Jan. 24, 2000, he made a special announcement. He took off a bow tie — worn on every opening night in every Las Vegas room he opened — given to him by his mentor, Bobby Darin, and said he was retiring it because the Stardust was his last stop.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Will Flamingo be Newton’s finale?
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BUTT SERIOUSLY …

The infamous “no ifs, ands or …” taxicab ads get a lot of exposure in the new film “Domino,” which opens today.

A chase scene near the Stratosphere features the “Crazy Girls” buttocks ads.

Three bounty hunters led by Keira Knightley, who portrays former Ford model Domino Harvey, appear in the scene. Harvey died of a drug overdose in June.

“Crazy Girl” publicist Wayne Bernath said producer Samuel Hadida requested cabs with the trunk and taxi top ads.

By the way, those famous fannies, which caused a furor with City Hall in 1996, belong to, from left to right, Mindy, Eliset, Rayma, Lindsay, Becca, Kelly and Eva.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM
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SHOW REVIEW: No Need to Feel Blue.
Blue Man Group didn’t change much of its show, but fixed some problems with move to Venetian.
By Mike Weatherford

The new Blue Man Group show at The Venetian is changed more by its staging than by new content. But these are still funny guys who can’t resist a joke about Las Vegas’ penchant for stages so large you can land an airplane on them.

When a Blue Man uses air-traffic control sticks to guide in the nose of a jet that roars in from the wings, you have to laugh along with the creators for not further succumbing to the lure of spectacle in their sleek custom theater.

At least, a lot of us do. Some fans may be disappointed the new show doesn’t do a whole lot more than transplant the first Blue outing on the Strip, “Live at Luxor,” into upgraded surroundings, gorgeous as they may be, from the lobby to the light show.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Oct-14-Fri-2005/weekly/3806939.html
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Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment

Nerd-rockers Weezer will play The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on Oct. 30 with Hot Hot Heat. Tickets are on sale for $55 through Ticketmaster and at the venue box office, 4455 Paradise Road.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra will play the Aladdin Theatre on Dec. 8. Tickets — $32 and $42 — are available through the venue box office, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster. To charge by phone, call 785-5000.

Country singer Jo Dee Messina will play Buffalo Bill’s in Primm on Dec. 4. Tickets cost $32.50 and $42.50. They can be purchased through Ticketmaster or by calling 800-386-7867.
reviewjournal.com — Neon - TICKETS
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NORM: Blue Man Group singing? Not quite.

The Blue Man Group, famous for expressing themselves without words, have come up with a song for Las Vegas.

Blue Man Group co-founder Chris Wink said the hope is to have Tom Jones sing it as a new Las Vegas anthem.

Wink revealed the plan during conversations to opening night attendees at Tuesday’s VIP premiere at The Venetian.

The Las Vegas Centennial Committee had originally planned to select a Las Vegas song as part of the centennial celebration. So many entries were received that the committee decided not to decide.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Blue Man Group singing? Not quite
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STARRY NIGHT

Hey, here’s something you don’t want to miss, although this one is for adults only, unless you feel your kid is worth a $500 ticket. Singer Sheryl Crow will entertain at the Epicurean Club of Las Vegas’ “Night of 100 Stars” annual scholarship fundraiser, set for Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Hard Rock Hotel.

This is always a premier event with extraordinary cuisine, fine wines, top entertainment, rubbing elbows with the Who’s Who of Las Vegas, and tasting delicacies prepared by world-class chefs from the finest Las Vegas restaurants, as you mingle around the pool.

The non-profit Nevada Cancer Institute, and its co-founders Jim and Heather Murren, will be honored during the evening. A silent auction, and a live auction of unique dining and travel opportunities, will be included in the evening’s activities.

One highlight of the live auction will be a dream dinner at the MGM Grand Mansion, prepared by 2005 World Chef of the Year Heston Blumenthal of The Fat Duck Restaurant in Bray, England; renowned French chefs Joel Robuchon (named “Cook of the Century” by the Guide Gault Millau); and 2004 Best Chef in North America Thomas Keller of the French Laundry restaurant in Napa, California.

The Ferragamo family, who have created an international fashion dynasty, and Antinori family, an artistocracy of the wine world, have donated an eight-night stay in a family estate and personal tours of Florence, Italy, and the surrounding wine country, to be auctioned during the evening. Airfare for the trip has been donated by Alitalia Airlines. Tickets for the entire event are available at $500 per person or $5,000 for a table of 10. For more info or to make reservations, contact Jaclyn Ford at (702) 248-3312.

Jeans, T-shirts and sandals are not acceptable attire, which simply means that you won’t see me or my friends munching on any foie gras, or sipping a 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild and swapping art stories with Steve Wynn. Instead, I will probably be grabbing a burger at In-N-Out, playing some losing slots (you name the casino) and wrapping up the evening telling my dog what a crummy life a columnist leads.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny’s Las Vegas
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NORM: Two ‘Idols’ spring from the desert.

Judges for “American Idol” came away from the Las Vegas audition convinced that they had found a diamond in the desert.

A female singer from San Diego by way of Europe received rave reviews from the judges during a news conference Wednesday at the Renaissance Hotel after 2 1/2 days of auditions.

“I thought she was a Top 10er,” said Randy Jackson.

“A Top 1er,” chimed in Simon Cowell.

Also advancing to the Hollywood auditions was Las Vegas construction worker Camdon Utterback, 28, who grew up on a farm in southern Illinois.

He was among the most animated contestants in front of a camera, performing leprechaun-like heel-clicking as he ran down a hallway.

During interviews, though, Utterback volunteered little background, saying he preferred to be “something of a mystery man.”

Utterback said he was cut during last year’s audition at the MGM Grand, which produced two Top 12 finalists, 17-year-old Mikalah Gordon and Amanda Avila, a member of Treasure Island’s “Sirens of T.I.”

This year’s crop of candidates was a colorful lot, said Cowell, adding that he got the impression that some were making the first stop of 10 auditions.

A young man from North Carolina who came dressed as The Joker was quickly cut from the deck. So was a young woman who appeared to be on her way to a Halloween costume contest as half man/half woman, complete with half a mustache.

“She was Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand,” explained “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, who did exit interviews.

“She came in as Neil Diamond and Barbra Streisand,” Seacrest said, “and neither Neil nor Barbra made it.”
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Two ‘Idols’ spring from the desert.
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BIG DRAW: Pure, but not simple.
Caesars Palace’s premier nightclub attracts hipsters who line up to dance and spend a small fortune on drinks.
By Mike Kalil

Calling the nightclub Pure “popular” is a bit like declaring Hoover Dam “sizable” or judging Paris Hilton “unchaste.”

While accurate, the adjective doesn’t come close to describing Pure’s currently unrivaled reign as the preferred Las Vegas destination for those seeking DJs, dance floors and debauchery.

Four nights a week, a crowd numbering in the thousands gathers inside Caesars Palace angling to get inside the mega-club.

About 3,000 will get inside immediately. The rest will be banished to a snaking line to spend two hours waiting for admission to the sprawling, 36,000-square-foot area that E! Entertainment named No. 1 on its “20 Hippest Hotspots” in America list.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Oct-13-Thu-2005/living/3762051.html
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MIKE WEATHERFORD: ‘Ovation’ and hypnotist sent packing as Lady Luck closes its showroom.

It’s amazing that it lasted this long, but the bubble-shaped showroom at the Lady Luck will bite the dust at the end of the month, closing the “Ovation” revue and hypnotist Justin Tranz.

The Lady Luck’s new owners plan to give the casino a major renovation, and need the showroom space to store construction equipment during the overhaul. Both shows will have their final performances in the room Oct. 31.

“We always knew that sooner or later this tent would be taken down,” says John Stuart, producer of both shows. “Originally they were going to put another tent where the valet parking is and try to move us into that, but the contractors say they can’t work around it.”

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Oct-13-Thu-2005/living/3729278.html
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Hey there, Steve…

This is Steve Friess. I’m a national freelance writer based in Vegas and, now, a weekly podcaster. I thought you might be interested in letting your readers know about our show, since we’re interviewing all the biggest names in Vegas: Steve Wynn, George Maloof, the stars of “Avenue Q,” Clint Holmes, etc.

This week’s show is at http://podcasts.lvrocks.com/player.aspx?showid=334 for your perusal. The official site for the show is www.stevefriess.com/podcast and all the podcasts are housed at http://podcasts.lvrocks.com/details.aspx?castid=123.

Thanks!

Steve Friess
Freelance Writer and “Vegas S&M” co-host
www.SteveFriess.com
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Slot Reviews by Gayle Mitchell

Reviews are listed by Slot Name, Manufacturer, average hit frequency and payout range offered, (low to high) by the Slot Mfg. if information is available.

1) Fort Knox: IGT, 87-95%, 2 spins.
Although a top box feature for today’s slot is not new, how about one with a 27″ video monitor connected to four levels of guaranteed progressives?

Basics of the game include familiar icons such as Cleopatra, Frog Prince, enchanted Unicorn and Lucky Larry’s Lobstermania with bonus opportunities.

Now, back to the top box, where an exciting concept exists in that separate from the individual game, there is a Trigger Zone that is set off randomly and hits one of the active machines in the carousel/bank presenting the player with a guaranteed prize.
Additionally, this ‘quick hit’ is more frequent with more players playing at a particular bank.

Players who participate in the top box bonus event are prompted to select from a group of vaults with four levels, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum–the highest reward being more than $1000. Move into this zone and watch for a performance to ‘Trigger’.

2) 50 Lions: Aristocrat, 2 spins, 87-97%.

This is the first 50-payline slot introduced into the Slots Playground.
The innovative concepts of this slot are more than 2000 possible winning combinations for every spin, more symbols and two additional rows of symbols.
Each credit buys two paylines for this ‘kingly’ jungle themed slot and only two, rather than three, same neighboring symbols will pay.

Here are a couple of features from the long menu of winning combinations for this slot.

Three flower scatter pay symbols trigger 10 free games while a wild diamond symbol is added to each of the second through fifth reels. The wild symbol subs for all other symbols here.

If the three flower symbols appear during a free spin, another five free games are added to the free spin round equaling 15 spins.

Lastly, and certainly not least, the King’s Jackpot is 1 million pennies equally a ‘very regal’ $10,000.

3) Sparkling Sevens: Konami, 7 spins, 86-98%.
The unique feature of this Advantage Series slot is that the fourth reel is a bonus screen with symbols on the screen applying to any winning combo on the three primary reels when max coins are in play.

Sparkling Sevens displays a basic pay schedule that include four 7 combos, one bar combo and a mixture of diamond symbols. The bonus-booster fourth reel has jackpot multipliers of 2X, 5X and 10X, a ReSpin bonus and a question mark for a mystery credit amount.

The ReSpin ignites the primary reels to spin again with a possibility of up to 5 winning combinations added to your total credits. A Mystery spin can grab up to 500 coins.

The Sparkling top jackpot, sure to bring a sparkling smile, of 10,000 coins is yours when you line up three pink 7’s and a 10X symbol on the bonus screen.

4) Treasure Chess: Aristocrat. 2 spins, 87-97%.
The challenge is before you if your favorite game is chess.
This unique slot for chess players tosses out a mix of symbols like gold coins, jewels and pearls along with the standards of chess: King, Queen, Rook, Bishop and Knight.

You buy the chess pieces by payline and winning combinations on the selected active paylines capture every other same-type chess piece utilizing standard chess moves.

Your ‘mastering’ of bonus amounts for a total reward is determined by the number of captures and the $$ amount of scatter pays.
This slot action is not only unique but also very entertaining. It’s Your Move!

To subscribe, send a blank message to CasinoPlayers-on@mail-list.com
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Agassi delivers fundraiser stunner.

Year after year, Andre Agassi never seems to run out of aces at his Grand Slam for Children benefit.This time, he delivered a stunner for his 10th gala fundraiser:

Singing legend Barbra Streisand made a rare public appearance to assist her former boyfriend.

Their well-kept secret didn’t start leaking until midafternoon. Word started spreading when a small army of volunteers who were asked to leave the MGM Grand Garden Arena recognized the unmistakable voice of the Oscar-winning “Funny Girl” through closed doors.

Streisand and Agassi were the buzz of the sports world when their love match hit the headlines at the 1992 U.S. Open. Streisand, during a break at the tournament, spilled the beans. He had called her, she said, after seeing her in “The Prince of Tides,” and they talked for hours.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Agassi delivers fundraiser stunner
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MIKE WEATHERFORD: ‘Fashionistas’ anniversary a good sign.

Faithful readers of this column are probably familiar with my bewilderment — in a good way — over a show called “The Fashionistas.”

I consider it sort of a scientific lab animal, a “what if” experiment to see if something original, fresh and independent can survive on a Strip where corporate consolidation is starting to change entertainment. Big companies such as Clear Channel are moving in to sell branded, pretested product such as Broadway’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” making you wonder how long the little guys will last.

Granted, it wouldn’t kill the Strip to thin the herd of magicians and jiggle shows. But we could use more bold efforts like “The Fashionistas,” which tells a story through dance and interactive video.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Oct-02-Sun-2005/living/3572370.html————
Roy Horn making strides

He can walk, unaided, short distances. He can move more easily with the help of a cane and he can talk. In fact, his voice fairly booms when he wants it to.

The grip of his right hand is noticeably firm — as if to send a message. And if that is not clear enough, he speaks that message himself: “The magic is back.”

So says Roy Horn, half of the legendary team of “Siegfried & Roy,” who can be allowed to define that term. But today it’s a different brand of magic, no longer creating illusions or making an elephant disappear. It’s not working in concert with a 400-pound wild animal, or leading a showroom of fans into a world of fantasy.

More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2005/oct/02/519450179.html
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I hope you enjoyed this edition of the newsletter. Please feel free to post a comment.

Steve

Posted on October 14th, 2005 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter