March 3rd, 2006

Eileen and I will be going to Las Vegas from April 11th-April 17th. Please send me an email at mrvegas98@aol.com if you will be there during that time. I will try to get a members meeting set up.
————-
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Scintas run their course at Rio, but sign at Sahara.

It was apparently time for change on both sides of the stage when it comes to The Scintas leaving the Rio for the Sahara.

David Saxe, producer of the Sahara’s “Buck Wild,” was in final contract negotiations with the sibling variety act earlier this week. He plans to produce The Scintas in a 7 p.m. time slot to run along with his “Buck Wild” revue at 9 p.m.

The Scintas are scheduled to leave the Rio at the end of this month and open at the Sahara in mid-May. It was not clear if Blair Farrington, the producer of the Rio show, will continue to be involved.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-02-Thu-2006/living/6046286.html
—————
‘DRAGAPELLA!’ RETURNS

Okay, some entertainment news and it’s good. “Dragapella!” starring The Kinsey Sicks is returning to the Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton on March 3. Because of well-deserved fan reaction to their one-night appearance last September, the resort has booked them for an unlimited engagement.

I don’t know if you remember, but I raved about the show back then and said that it would be a shame if a Vegas hotel didn’t sign these guys to a contract. To refresh your memories, The Kinsey Sicks combine “a cappella” singing, biting wit and over-the-top drag for what has been called “one of the more uniquely original (and thoroughly fun and entertaining) acts we have encountered in years” (Billboard Magazine) and have been praised for their “voices sweet as birdsong” (New York Times).

Their off-Broadway show, “Dragapella! at Studio 54 in New York City,” was called “riotously funny” and “sublime” (Variety), and earned them a Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Lyrics and two Lucille Lortel nominations, including for Best Musical. Every one of those descriptions and awards are well-deserved.

The signing of the group gives the Hilton a wide range of entertainment as it now adds “Dragapella!” to its resident headliners Barry Manilow and Reba McEntire and the production show “Menopause The Musical.” “Dragapella!” will perform Tuesday thru Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $42.50 (plus tax and service charge) and you can get them at the Las Vegas Hilton box office, going to www.lvhilton.com or calling 1-800-222-5361.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lenny/2006/0301.html
———-
Aladdin takes key step to new look.
Strip casino undergoing switch to Planet Hollywood.

The transformation of the Aladdin into Planet Hollywood is a step closer with work completed on the rotunda in the hotel-casino’s center.

Mike Dean, president of M.J. Dean Construction, the general contractor for the project, said basic work on the 6,000-square-foot rotunda, the first major interior portion of the redevelopment project, was largely completed Friday.

Other phases of the redevelopment are still being designed or are awaiting permits, Dean said.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-02-Thu-2006/business/6141351.html
———–

Steve’s Las Vegas Quickies:

An insider says bet on it: Bette Midler is heading for Caesars Palace in late 2007, and Cher will end up at Mandalay Bay.

The Playboy logo went up last week on the Palms’ new Fantasy Tower. Palms owner George Maloof said the Playboy Club, which will crown the tower, will open with a blowout bash in September. It will be the first Playboy Club opening since the 1980s and, with all the rest now closed, it will be the only one in the world.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM

The Nile Deli at The Luxor has been re-named the “Backstage Deli.”

The Golden Nugget is clearing the decks to replace its 400-seat Theater Ballroom. The Neville Brothers last weekend were the final headliners to be booked for the indefinite future. And there are no plans right now for resident headliner Gordie Brown to continue in the venue beyond the end of March, though an extension is still possible if construction is delayed.
reviewjournal.com — Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD

Rumors continue that Gordie Brown will move to The Venetian for a new show helmed by Siegfried & Roy manager Bernie Yuman, but Yuman had no update to offer.

The Silverton has launched the Discovery Ultimate Club Experience - a new points-based, five-level player’s club program to reward casino guests with offers from the property’s retail, dining, entertainment and lodging amenities. The levels are Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum and the pinnacle is Diamond-level slot or table game players. One Discovery point is equivalent to one dollar coin in. Rewards include all casino and hotel outlets, the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and room nights, etc.

You’ll be able to party like a leprechaun at the Fremont Street Experience with free concerts from folk rock all-stars, Tempest on March 17, and Irish party band, Whiskey Galore on March 18 from 8 to 11 p.m. on the 3rd Street stage. For information, call 702-678-5600.

Tacone Flavor Grill, one of the fastest-growing quick-service gourmet food franchises in America, will open its doors to offer healthy and tantalizing treats at
its first restaurant on The Strip, inside The Shops in Desert Passage, in March 2006.

Monte Carlo’s pool reopened this weekend instead of April 1 as previously stated. In addition, its Kiddie Pool will remain open. The Monte Carlo Tennis Club is the only permanent closing as part of the expansion plans for the resort’s pool complex. More lounge chairs, a new pool bar and eight private cabanas have been added for guests’ comfort.
Las Vegas Advisor - Anthony Curtis - Today’s News

Las Vegas welcomed a record-breaking 36.8 million visitors in 2005, according to statistics just released by the LVCVA, up 3.2% over 2004. Convention attendance reached 6.2 million, a 7.7% increase over last year. The average room rate rose 15%, to $103.12. The visitor count for 2006 is projected at 39.1 million.
Las Vegas Advisor - Anthony Curtis - Today’s News

GSN’s third annual “World Series of Blackjack” moves to the Las Vegas Hilton (last year’s tournament took place at the Golden Nugget), with a cool $1 million on the line for the 40 players who qualified at casinos nationwide. (The winner takes home $500,000.)

The popular locals’ casino Arizona Charlie’s on Boulder Highway is undergoing an $8 million expansion project that will add 7,300 square-feet of space for additional gaming areas along with a new front desk, rewards center, gift shop and porte cochere. The newly expanded area will feature an additional 250 slot and video poker machines as well as several table games. The front area of the property will undergo a complete make over and the front desk and rewards center will moved around. The construction is expected to be complete later this year.
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Column by Rick Garman

Donald Trump is still talking up the possibility of bringing “The Apprentice” to Las Vegas, something he told us last July.

During an appearance Monday on “Live with Regis & Kelly,” Trump said he’s still deliberating over where to base the seventh version of the show after taking it to Los Angeles this fall. It’s between Las Vegas and Miami, said Trump, who is building the 1,283-unit Trump International Hotel & Tower behind the New Frontier.

This week’s “People” magazine includes a feature on Barry Manilow, who performs exclusively at the Las Vegas Hilton. Barry is celebrating his success on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart. The March 6 issue is on newsstands now!

The Las Vegas Hilton is offering a local tournament each month in 2006. The $5,000 slot tournament is scheduled for March 26 and the $5,000 video poker tournament is scheduled for April 23. The prize structures are the same for both, with the first place prize at $2,000. Year end finals are December 17. Seats are limited to the tournaments are the entry fee is only 25 reward dollars. For more information, call 702-732-5151.
————–
NATIONAL TOURNAMENT: VEGAS SHOWDOWN.
Women — and some men — bond over Bunco at tournament.

The scene was mass chaos in the Paris Las Vegas ballroom Saturday as hundreds of women — and a handful of men — shuffled from table to table every few minutes, a version of musical chairs where shrieks and wild laughter served as their background music.

It was a controlled chaos, though, one that swept the nation in recent years and even has a name: Bunco.

More than 1,100 people gathered in Las Vegas last weekend for this showdown where one person would emerge victorious and be crowned the queen (or, less likely, the king) of dice. It was a fundraiser of sorts, where the sponsor Prilosec pledged to donate $1 for each Bunco rolled to breast cancer research. The winner also received the grand prize of $50,000.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-02-Thu-2006/living/6106409.html
————-
Vegas Values Report for 2/26/06

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 Monday morning to find out about the best values in Las Vegas.

Here’s what we found this week…
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Promotions/VEGAS-VALUES.shtml
———–
Hotel Review: South Coast by Rick Garman

The chain of Coast Casinos in the Las Vegas area has, for the most part, gone after the same locals’ crowd that rival Station Casinos dominates. Their popular and successful Orleans, Suncoast, and Gold Coast follow a proven formula: lots of low-limit gambling, plenty of low-coast dining and entertainment options, and comfortable and relatively inexpensive accommodations. Their South Coast casino, opened in December of 2005, uses the same blueprint and while it works on many levels there is one crucial bit missing: a personality.

South Coast is located on Las Vegas Boulevard South, more popularly known as The Strip, but not in the region most tourists consider when thinking of the destination. It’s about six miles south of Mandalay Bay, right along Interstate 15 in a rapidly developing area of condos, apartment buildings, shopping complexes, and houses that was nothing but scrub brush a few years ago. In fact the neighborhood is booming so dramatically that the infrastructure to support it doesn’t really exist yet. Roads are narrow and congested in several spots and there is no nearby freeway exit so getting here is not as convenient as it may seem. That will change over the next few years as the city’s seemingly non-stop road construction plays catch-up, but potential visitors should keep that in mind for the short term.

The overall scheme of the property is Southern California sunshine, all white and gold and earth tones, which in my opinion is the first mistake. As a Southern California resident I speak for many of us when I say we’re tired of the look and in fact most new construction here eschews this kind of design simply because it feels “done.” This has been the trend lately in new Vegas construction, to go for the safe, relatively bland “luxury” feel instead of the far-out architecture of the ‘90s. While it’s certainly nice, it also certainly doesn’t imprint itself on your brain the way that the more successful examples of Sin City wackiness have.

The main floor is given over to the casino of course - an 80,000-square-foot barn of a space that has terrific vertical and horizontal spacing (absolutely no sense of claustrophobia or crowding here) but also provides zero intimacy. You can see the entire room from just about anywhere you stand and so it left me feeling exposed at times, something you don’t usually want when you’re feeling guilty about blowing the rent money or little Billy’s college fund.

There are plenty of games on which to do just that – more than 2,200 slot machines with plenty of video poker (all coinless, ticket-in/ticket-out technology), several dozen of the most popular table games, a race and sports book, a keno lounge, a poker room, and a giant bingo parlor on the second floor.

Ringing the room are the restaurants, bars, and lounges. There are no name-brands here but they have all the usual suspects covered including a big buffet, a steakhouse, an Italian joint, a Mexican cantina, and a 24-hour café among others.

On the second level is the aforementioned bingo parlor plus a 64-lane bowling alley with all of the latest high-tech wizardry the sport seems to demand these days, a Kids Tyme child care facility, and a 16-screen movie theater complex.

Unavailable for preview during my visit were an upcoming nightclub and the giant Equestrian and Events Center, a 4,400 seat arena for horsing around and other entertainment events that features a 250×125 foot show floor arena, 1,200 climate controlled horse stalls, room out back for several thousand head of cattle, nearly 100,000-square-feet of meeting and convention space, a bar, and snack facilities. All of this is set to open in spring 2006.

The pool area, spa, and an outdoor activity area with a sand volleyball court are also on the way, open by summer of 2006.

A giant expansion is already underway that will add more of just about everything including rooms.

The existing 660 guest rooms in a 25-story tower are lovely, each around 500-square feet and completely packed with all of the conveniences you could possibly need including flat-panel televisions with movies and Internet access, separate high-speed and wireless Internet access, hair dryer, iron and board, coffee maker, and more. The beds are plushy, the furnishings are all simple and tasteful, and the towels in the moderately sized bathroom were soft.

Prices are a bargain, on most days, not only for what you are getting but for the city as a whole. Rates during the week are as low as $59 a night and rarely exceed $100, while weekends are as low as $99 and rarely go over $150. Not the cheapest hotel in town but when you look at what it has to offer in terms of amenities and appointments those are great prices.

Service was a hit and miss affair. The front desk crew and security guards were terrific and friendly but a few other people I ran into seemed to want to be anywhere but there. This has been an ongoing concern at Coast Casinos in my opinion and while the staff isn’t going to throw things at your head just for looking at them, there doesn’t seem to be the focus of making you feel special like there is at some of the other hotels in this city.

But that’s a minor quibble. The bigger one, really, is that while the hotel is very, very nice, it’s boring as all get out. I stayed there on a Sunday night and on Tuesday morning I actually paused for a moment when I was recounting my hotel hopping to a colleague. Hooters may have its issues to deal with but I remembered staying there. South Coast faded into the background like so much white noise. There’s nothing wrong with white noise – I have to have a fan to help me fall asleep – but it certainly doesn’t scream “Big Vegas Fun!”

South Coast
9777 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
866-796-7111
website

Highs: Very nice rooms, a lot to do, bargain rates.
Lows: Not a lot of Vegas excitement.

Location: 4 – Not too far from The Strip but far enough.
Price: 8 – You can get some very inexpensive rates here.
Value: 10 – Worth it even when things get a little pricey.
Rooms: 8 – Very nice if a bit bland.
Casino: 6 – A little too impersonal.
Amenities: 10 – Rooms have everything you want.
Facilities: 10 – Property is full packed with things to do.
Service: 5 – Sometimes good, sometimes not so much with the good.
Fun: 4 – Couldn’t find the fun here.
Bonus: 5 – A nice try.

Vegas4Visitors Rating: 70
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/column/index.htm
————–
Las Vegas Q and A BY Rick Garman

Question: I keep hearing these radio commercials for “resorts” in Las Vegas that are offering free nights and show tickets but they are for places I’ve never heard of. Are these scams?

Answer: Scams may be too tough of a word but they are certainly not all they are cracked up to be. What you’re getting yourself into is usually a high-pressured sales pitch to buy a time share.

The come-ons usually sound something like this: “How would like to stay in a fabulous Las Vegas hotel and see a glamorous show for free? You can! And it’s all brought to you by Las Vegas’ newest, most luxurious resort [insert name here]!”

I called one of them to get details and got the run-around practically from the moment someone answered the phone. The particular commercial I heard promised 3 days and 2 nights in a hotel-casino on The Strip and 2 tickets to a show. When I asked what hotel, they refused to tell me and when I tried to verify that it was in fact a hotel-casino on The Strip they tried to tell me that I hadn’t heard the commercial correctly. The actual accommodations were not on The Strip and was not at a hotel-casino so God only knows what or where it may have been.

As far as the show, all I was told is it would be something like Clint Holmes or Legends in Concert but they would not be specific on that either.

So what do you have to do to get this vague offer? Agree to sit through a “presentation” about the time-share. A friend of a friend very recently sat through one of these things for a time-share complex on The Strip that shall go nameless (although let’s just say that I’d never stay there because I don’t want to do anything that might assist Paris Hilton in any way, shape, or form) and had a terrible experience. According to them the service was awful and the pressure to buy a unit was intense, bullying, and intimidating.

It’s totally not worth it in my opinion, but if you are ever tempted be sure to ask lots of questions before you agree to the offer. If they won’t specify the hotel or show forget it. If they do specify and it’s a place you’ve never heard of, forget it. And if it is something you’ve heard of and wouldn’t mind staying there for free, just remember nothing in life is actually free.

In most instances the old maxim is firmly in place here: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Question: Don’t make fun of me, but I’m a bowling addict and I heard that the biggest bowling alley in the world is in Las Vegas. True?

Answer: I would never make fun of bowlers, Jason. Although I’m not an addict, I enjoy it as well and you have to have respect for the one sport that actually provides cup holders for the beer of people who are participating in it.

Las Vegas used to have the biggest bowling alley in the United States at the Showboat/Castaways with 106 lanes but that hotel closed a couple of years ago and was demolished recently.

But the city still has plenty of places to throw big heavy balls at little wooden pins:

The Gold Coast (4000 W. Flamingo) has 70 lanes, a pro shop, a video arcade, leagues, and much more.
Jillians (450 Fremont St., Downtown) only has 12 lanes but they are a visual wonder with big video screens and other wild amenities designed to distract you from getting that 300.
The Orleans (4500 W. Tropicana) also has 70 lanes and all of the attendant amenities.
Sam’s Town (5111 Boulder Highway) has 56 lanes, a video arcade, a day-care center, and what they call “Extreme Bowling” complete with a rock and roll soundtrack and wacky lighting effects.
Santa Fe Station (4949 N. Rancho Rd.) has 60 lanes in a newly remodeled (as of 2005) center.
South Coast (9777 Las Vegas Blvd. S.) is a new (as of late 2005) hotel with 64 lanes, touch screen scoring, and all the latest high-tech wizardry.
Suncoast (9090 Alta Dr.) has 64 lanes and more of that automatic scoring that is so popular these days.
Sunset Station (1300 W. Sunset Rd., Henderson) has a new (as of 2005) facility called The Strike Zone with 72 lanes, pool tables, and “Cosmic Bowling” – their name for the nightclub meets ball throwing nights that are very popular
Texas Station (2101 Texas Star Lane) has 60 lanes, pool tables, and much more.

You can get more information on bowling and other ways to pass the time besides sitting at a slot machine in the Recreation section of Vegas4Visitors.com.

By the way, in case you’re wondering, the biggest bowling alley in the world is the Nagoya Grand Bowl in Japan with a remarkable 156 lanes.
http://www.vegas4visitors.com/column/index.htm
————–
Nightclub, and den of sophistication
By: Justin Jimenez

Risqué
Where: Paris Las Vegas
When: 10 p.m. - 4 a.m., Thurs. - Sun.
Cost: $20 men, $10 women
Info: (702) 492-3960 or (866) 80-SHOWS

Walking up the winding red staircase, it’s readily apparent something distinctly naughty is lingering about. Whether it is the sexual tension oozing through the vibrant red décor atop the spiraling steps, or the swanky clientele lined up behind the ropes, Risqué is on the verge of creating yet another playfully mischievous evening in Las Vegas.

The red carpet is rolled out for everyone; long velvet curtains drape the high walls. Once inside, the subtle, yet crucial, question that can turn the mood of the night: go right or left? To the right is Le Grand Hall, the main nightclub section of the disco, which features two bars, an elevated dance floor and is speckled with VIP seating. To the left, Salon Priveé, the ultra posh lounge with a speakeasy vibe, private bar and striking chandeliers … the elaborate and vibrant décor can easily consume a night.

Either direction provides a sumptuous morsel of after-hours entertainment.

The dance floor in the main club is unavoidable, intersecting both bars and luring even the unsuspecting two-left-footers to release among the diverse blend of mainstream hip-hop, house, top 40 and ’80s music. The lower area with the keystone bar provides high tables for a libatious recharge, aiding the restless dancers not feeling the urge to shell out for the oversized couches and ottomans, which come complete with personal cocktail service.

For those who do require a little more attention, and who have had good fortune at the tables, the VIP route epitomizes high-class service. Tables around the dance area can provide front row seats to the rhythmic displays of local talent, and for those seeking more seclusion in the romantic atmosphere, discreet tables are available behind the bar.

Taking it up even further, six different private balconies protrude above the Strip, each boasting a spectacular view of the Las Vegas lights, and for those who arrive early, the outdoor seating offers a perfect view of the Bellagio water show.

In the Priveé, the full name translating to “the private room,” seclusion is the key to picking the lock of Vegas’ treatment of dignitaries. A DJ is dedicated only to this room, where sipping cocktails among the posh scheme borders on living art.

A night in Sin City morphs into cultural vice and relaxation, as Risqué is a retreat and a destination in one.
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/feature1.html
————–
MGM Grand Makes Dinner and a Show a Maximum Vegas Experience

Because Las Vegas visitors looking to take in dinner and a show have a wealth of choices, MGM Grand has put together the perfect package, providing a simple solution for those hard to make choices. The KÀ Pre-Theatre Dinner Menu Packages allow guests to experience the latest masterpiece from Cirque du Soleil in combination with a tantalizing array of culinary choices, designed to please any palette. Available each evening Tuesday through Saturday, these packages feature special three- or four-course menus created exclusively for KÀ theatre-goers by the chefs of Diego, Fiamma Trattoria & Bar, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, NOBHILL, Pearl, SEABLUE and Shibuya. Available for diners arriving at the ideal pre-theater dinner time of 5:30 to 6:00 p.m., the KÀ pre-theatre dinner packages are priced at $175 per person and $199 per person. Total pricing includes dinner, show tickets, gratuities and taxes. A fabulous meal followed by Cirque du Soleil’s epic tale of groundbraking proportions - guests are sure to have a maximum Vegas experience!
http://www.casinotravelnews.com
————
THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN COCKTAIL OPENS INSIDE COMMANDER’S PALACE AT THE SHOPS IN DESERT PASSAGE.

The Museum of the American Cocktail, a global network of passionate and talented mixologists, historians, restaurateurs, collectors, chefs and writers on the subject of drink, have established a brand new exhibit to celebrate the art of the cocktail inside Commander’s Palace at The Shops in Desert Passage at the Aladdin. The Las Vegas exhibit of the Museum kicks off Sunday, March 5, 2006 inside Commander’s Palace.

The exhibit traces the history of the of the cocktail over the past 200 years and includes vintage cocktail paraphernalia, such as shakers, advertisements, barware, Prohibition-era literature, music and other cocktail memorabilia from the collection of the Museum’s founders and members.

“The Museum of the American Cocktail is a perfect fit for Commander’s Palace,” said Brad Brennan, owner of Commander’s Palace. “We pride ourselves in serving the utmost quality of food and beverage and it is an honor to host a celebration of the classic American cocktail.”

Additionally, the Museum’s “Mixology Seminar Series” will be offered at the Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC and Boston exhibits throughout 2006 and presented by leading mixologists around the country.

The first seminar to be hosted at Commander’s Palace will be the “Anatomy of the Cocktail,” presented by world-renowned mixologists Francesco Lafranconi and Dale DeGroff on Wednesday, March 8 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Guests will learn the proper way to mix their favorite cocktails and will discover new and creative ways to mix up traditional cocktail recipes. Commander’s Palace will provide delicious appetizers during the seminar, which is FREE and open to guests 21 and over. Space is limited and registration is required. To register for the class, please call the restaurant at (702) 892-8272.

Additional seminars at Commander’s Palace include “Great Classic Cocktails at Home” on Friday, April 14 and “Cocktail 200 – Honoring the 200th Birthday of the Cocktail” on Saturday, May 13 in partnership with the first-annual American Cocktail Awards at the Aladdin Hotel & Casino May 8, 2006.

Lastly, Commander’s Palace will serve a specialty six-course cocktail dinner menu during each expert seminar. The dinner, which includes Creole-spiced Gulf shrimp and Louisiana crawfish ceviche, Southern Comfort-marinated foie gras torchon, hazelnut-crusted jumbo sea scallop, limoncello “mint julep” granita, wild honey-lacquered Drambuie Drunken Quail and chocolate and Kahlua-café au lait baked Alaska, will be served Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Seats can be reserved by calling (702) 892-8272.

The Museum of the American Cocktail at Commander’s Palace will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Museum of the American Cocktail is a nonprofit organization providing education in mixology and preserving the rich history of the American cocktail. Members receive discounts on seminars, books, admission and the monthly newsletter. For further membership details, a list of seminars, or for more information, please visit www.museumoftheamericancocktail.org.
————–
Monorail envisions NBA ties.

Las Vegas Monorail officials plan to court the National Basketball Association to be its next sponsor ahead of the NBA’s 2007 All-Star Game in Las Vegas, in hopes of trading event exposure for a needed cash boost.

Work is under way to put together a station and train sponsorship offer to present to the NBA, monorail officials confirmed after a Thursday news conference unveiling an unrelated marketing partnership with the travel Web site vegas.com.

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-03-Fri-2006/news/6164246.html
————-
SHOW REVIEW: ‘Menopause’

Ladies’ Night: Husbands should stay home to let their wives get the most out of ‘Menopause’
By Mike Weatherford

We are so walled in at home by our cable TV, DVDs and TiVo that it’s easy to forget the power of a shared experience letting people laugh along with a roomful of strangers.

How else do you explain the national phenomenon of “Menopause The Musical”? The four-person cabaret show that originated far off-Broadway — in Florida — looks to be as big a hit at the Las Vegas Hilton as it is in 13 other cities where it’s playing.

It isn’t well-written, but it’s well-performed.

what: “Menopause The Musical”
when: 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; 2 p.m. Wednesdays; 4 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 5 p.m. Sundays
where: Shimmer Cabaret at the Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road
tickets: $58.45 (732-5755)
grade: B

More Here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-03-Fri-2006/weekly/6127900.html
———–
Upcomimg Las Vegas Entertainment

Brooding synth pop forebears Depeche Mode will play the Theater Under The Stars at the Hard Rock Hotel on April 30, with She Wants Revenge. Tickets cost $70 and $150 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.

Jamaican reggae superstar Sean Paul will stop at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on April 7. General admission tickets cost $30 in advance, $35 day of show, seated tickets are $40 and special reserve tickets are $45. They go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.

Rockin’ late-’70s popsters Toto will “Hold the Line” at The Railhead on Sept. 1. Tickets cost $28.50, $42, $56 and $67 and go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Station Casinos Boarding Pass Rewards Centers.
reviewjournal.com — Neon - TICKETS
———–
PLAYER’S EDGE: El Cortez gives away wallets containing play vouchers.

What’s better than a free wallet? How about a free wallet containing a voucher good for up to $1,000 in free play? Every day in March the El Cortez is giving away just that to all Jackie Club members hitting a $200 jackpot on slots or a $300 jackpot on video poker. There is no limit to the number of wallets you can win. Jackpot winners can also choose (in lieu of the wallet) a $10 gift card to use at Smith’s, Sears, ARCO, Mobil/Exxon, Shell, or Walgreens. All jackpot winners also receive an entry into the following Saturday night’s drawing for a 52-inch HDTV and four $500 cash prizes. Winners must be present.

More “Player’s Edge” here:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Mar-03-Fri-2006/weekly/6130605.html
————–
Price Changes for “Legends in Concert” Tickets

Ticket prices for “Legends in Concert” are:
Adults: $49.95, $59.95
Children (2-12): $34.95, $44.95
Prices include taxes and gratuity

Ticket prices for Legends/buffet package are:
Adults: $56.95, $66.95
Children (2-12): $41.95, $51.95
Prices include taxes and gratuity for the show and taxes for the buffet.
—————
VegasTalk Radio Show - March 2, 2006

This week’s show for Thursday, March 2, 2006 contains:

An interview with Dr. Eliot Jacobson, the Mayor from Cardcounter.com and author of “The Blackjack Zone”. Eliot discusses the Poker rage and the the advantages to the house compared to blackjack.

“Show Happenings” with Chuck Rounds - Chuck reviews the events happening this week in Las Vegas. http://www.igoshows.com

The “Vegas Confidential” call with Norm Clarke, Norm is voted “Most Connected” person in town and daily columnist for the Review Journal and author of the best selling “1,000 Naked Truths”. http://www.NormClarke.com

“Fine Dining” with Les Kincaid. http://www.LesKincaid.com

“The Godfather of Las Vegas”, Mark Wayman’s Insider Report http://www.godfatherlv.com

Dave Russo form the “Entertainer” television show and Headline comedian at “Funny Business Comedy Club” playing in the Krave Theatre at the Aladdin calls in with his Joke of the Week. http://www.DaveRusso.net

Jay White, the ultimate Neil Diamond Tribute artist calls in with the winner of the Vegas Community Online ticket giveaway to his show. http://vegascommunityonline.com

The weekly variety and entertainment show broadcasts LIVE and will be archived online at the VegasTalk Radio website (http://www.vegastalkradio.com/scian.asp?a=1327) by midnight the same day it plays.
—————–
Living in Las Vegas sent by Tammy

For those of you who live here, you’ll be nodding your head. If you live out of state, you will think, that only crazy people live in the desert. Must be those 100 + temps!

RULES FOR LIVING IN LAS VEGAS!!

1. First, it’s pronounced LOSS VAYGUS, NEVA-A-A-DA (not Nev-ah-da.). It doesn’t matter how they say it in other places.

2. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Las Vegas has no set traffic rules. There’s no book about them. All you can do is get in your car and hope you survive !

3. It’s impossible to drive around a block and wind up on the same street that you started on! The Chamber of Commerce calls this a “scenic drive”.

4. The 8:00 am rush hour is 4:30am to 11:30am. The 5:00pm rush hour is 11:30am to 10:15pm. Friday’s rush hour starts on Thursday morning and ends some time late Sunday night.

5. If you actually stop at a yellow light, then you cannot be from Las Vegas. You may only apply your brakes when the end of a yellow light and the beginning of the red light create a “pumpkin-orange” hue.

6. For the most part, you can do anything you want, as long as it isn’t in a school zone.

7. Rainbow Blvd. has THREE exits from the 95, this just makes giving driving directions to newbies more entertaining. There is also a Lake Mead “Drive” and a Lake Mead “Boulevard” and both run east/west but are 30 miles apart. You have to be specific when you say “the corner of Lake Mead and.” Again this is just another way to harass the 5000 newcomers every month.

8: The 215 beltway intersects on the north and the south with many of the same streets, such as Jones/215, Decatur/215 and Rainbow/215. You must be specific in your directions or the repairman will end up 25 miles from your house. Ditto for newcomers.

9. Many major roads just end abruptly in somebody’s garage, a Home Depot, a Casino or McCarran International Airport Runway and start again after the interruption. That was done to encourage you to “see the sights” and meet new people.

10. Never attempt to access any road after an apocalyptic event like rain, blowing dust, or a 3-day weekend.

11. Once a year, when it rains, the Las Vegas Wash and the City of Las Vegas become as one.

12. The wind blows every day, and it is impossible to live in Las Vegas without some kind of allergy drug.

13. Construction on I-15 and US 95 is a way of life and a permanent form of entertainment. No highway or major road will ever be completed. Get used to it!

14. And, yes, we all know that man in a teddy and a tiara on Fremont Street. His name is Leslie and he probably makes more money than you do.

And, these are my favorites:

You know you’re from Las Vegas, Nevada when…

You think a red light is merely a suggestion.
All of your out-of-state friends start to visit after September but clear out come May.
You think someone driving wearing oven mitts is clever.
You think 6 tons of crushed rock makes a beautiful yard.
You notice your car overheating before you drive it.
Your house is made of stucco and has a red clay tile roof.
You no longer associate bridges with water.
You know a swamp cooler is not a happy hour drink.
You can say 115 degrees without fainting. (But it’s a dry heat!!!)
Every other vehicle is a 4×4.
Vehicles with open windows have the right-of-way in the summer.
People break out coats when temperature drops below 70.
You discover, in July, it only takes two fingers to drive your car.
The pool can be warmer than you are.
You can make sun tea instantly.
Kids will ask, “What’s a mosquito?”
People with black cars or have black upholstery in their car are automatically assumed to be from out-of-state or nuts!
You notice the best parking spots are determined by shade instead of distance.
The Air Conditioner is on your list of best friends.
You realize that Valley Fever isn’t a disco dance.
In summer the water from the cold water tap is the same temperature as the hot one.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
Sunscreen is sold year round, kept at the front of the checkout counter, a formula less than 30 spf is a joke, and you wear it just to go to the mailbox.
No one would dream of putting vinyl/leather upholstery in a car.
And no, we do not live elsewhere and commute every day! People actually live in Las Vegas.
——————–
The Original Las Vegas Podcast # 56
February 26th, 2006 In this edition of the original Las Vegas podcast:

Michele returns
Avenue Q taxi turf = handsome sofa cover?
Listener Bob sees celebrities on the Strip
Listener Dave checks in from Las Vegas
Harrah’s provides a comfortable shelter from gunfire in its buffet
News about the Hard Rock Hotel, Imperial Palace and Venetian
Six degrees of Kevin Baker
Vegas Web site profile: Videopoker.com
The Gambler by Mike Doughty: Buy it on iTunes or buy his Haughty Melodic CD on iTunes or Amazon

http://www.fivehundybymidnight.com/fhbm/
—————
“Lunchtime Wtih Ira” From The Las Vegas Hilton

Check Out this week’s show at www.lvhilton.com.
It’s great stuff!

You will also see a link to win 2 free nights at the Hilton and two tickets to see Barry Manilow under Barry’s picture.
—————–
A lasting impression

Frank Marino and Norbert Aleman were spotted holding hands (each other’s) last week during the airplane-hangar launch party for Las Vegas Magazine.

That clasp of mitts was, it seems, a signal of something more than just a handshake agreement between the two.

Marino, for more than 20 years the star of “An Evening at La Cage,” at the Riviera, and Aleman, the show’s producer, have been working on an agreement that would keep Marino on board as the show’s headliner. Unless something gets snagged in the next few days, expect Marino to be secure for at least five years as the star of the production that has made him a Strip headliner for more than two decades.

Keeping Marino’s heels on the Riviera stage is no small feat. Last winter he and Aleman feuded over creative control of the production. Marino - who has resources to launch his own production just about anywhere in Vegas - was said to be exploring a way to ditch the Riv for his own theater.

In November, attorneys for each side met to work out the issues; nothing is yet official, but fans of Marino’s camped-up impression of Joan Rivers can be confident that he will be on the Riviera stage for years to come - maybe for as long as the hotel stands.

Article by John Katsilometes
—————
A heartfelt musical masterpiece
By Patrick Donnelly

Celine Dion A New Day…
Where: Caesars Palace
When: 8:30 p.m. Wed.-Sun.
Cost: $115, $155, $202.50, $252.50
Info: (702) 992-7970 or (866) 80-SHOWS

Celine Dion is, without question, a star performer-the voice, the name recognition, and the fervent fan base leave no doubt that she’s among Las Vegas’ brightest lights. But fans who attend a performance of A New Day …, her long-running show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, walk away with a new respect for another aspect of her talent-her ability, and willingness, to share the spotlight with other performers. It’s clear from the opening notes to the final curtain call that along with Dion and her orchestra, the dancers and technicians deserve recognition in this show.

Franco Dragone, whose vision has driven the Cirque Du Soleil mystique in Las Vegas, has created a haunting, ethereal stage show that incorporates brilliant choreography, unique use of suspended set pieces and, of course, Dion’s powerful voice to transport the audience on an unforgettable journey.

The show takes advantage of the largest indoor LED screen in North America to produce crystal-clear, three-dimensional background settings, with images changing constantly, from a swirling moonscape to a glitzy night in Times Square, to a baroque opera house. But the technology serves as a mere backdrop to the human elements of the show, including a cast of 48 dancers whose passion and energy complement the depth of Dion’s voice and precision of the orchestral arrangements.

The show-stopping number is “Seduces Me,” in which Dion, seated in an overstuffed leather chair, languidly moans a steamy song of seduction while 20 shirtless male dancers slither about. The song leaves Dion fanning herself, and in a recent show, she cracked up the audience when she suggested to a woman in the front row that she get a chair like that for her home.

Dancers enjoy the freedom of movement above the stage, as Dragone frequently suspends them from cables like a high-art version of Peter Pan. Angels drop down from the ceiling on swings, workmen move a piano across the stage in midair, and in one particularly arresting image, dancers are suspended inside gilded picture frames, becoming works of art themselves.

Dion’s repertoire includes all of her favorites, from “My Heart Will Go On” to “I Drove All Night,” and her covers include standards by Etta James, Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder. But the singer and the songs don’t steal the focus from the other elements of the show; instead, they mesh with the dancers, music and set to create a cohesive and memorable performance that will stay with the viewer long after the last ovation fades.
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/feature1.html
————
Every erotic interlude strikes a chord
By Paul Szydelko

Erocktica
Where: Rio
When: 10 p.m. Wed.-Mon. The show on Feb. 5, 2006 will begin at 11 p.m.
Cost: $54.95
Info: (702) 992-7970 or (866) 80-SHOWS

A quickly paced celebration of sex, sweat and rock ‘n’ roll, Erocktica promises to fulfill every man’s fantasies. Topless dancers, wearing a variety of sexy costumes, show off their moves to classic rock songs. Sexy Gabriella Versace and energetic emcee Ray J take turns belting out songs from the stage and from a red velvet couch that serves as the focal point for most of the evening’s sensual activities. In addition to the main video screen onstage, 12 other video screens nearly encircle the audience, projecting erotic images to keep pace to the throbbing beat of the music.”Welcome to the Jungle,” “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” “Highway to Hell” and “American Woman” are among the evening’s highlights. A scorching rendition of “Private Dancer,” with three performers pole dancing, provides a change of pace. “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” with dancers coyly hiding and then emerging from red fabric stretched across the stage, is another memorable interpretation. A wink to country rock also has audiences tapping their feet.But it’s not just the music, of course: It’s the taut combination of music and movement and dancing and images that creates an erotic fantasy. Indeed, Erocktica has something for everyone. There’s not a bad seat in the house, but if you want to be close to that plush-looking couch and even become a part of the show, better get there early.
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/feature3.html
———–
Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower Transforms Top of the World Lounge into Romance at Top of the World

The Stratosphere Casino Hotel and Tower recently completed the transformation of the Top of the World Lounge into a stylish new lounge experience called Romance at Top of the World. The new lounge features elegant décor, bottle service, upscale drinks and unsurpassed views of Las Vegas.

The Top of the World Lounge was completely remodeled with all areas, including the bar, designed to maximize the breathtaking views. The primary color throughout the room is a deep burgundy that is accentuated with subdued lighting and candles. The bar now features a glass top illuminated with fiber optics. There are 12 VIP sections that face either the Las Vegas Strip or surrounding areas. Each section contains luxury couches enclosed for privacy or bottle service that can be reserved for any occasion.

In addition to bottle service, Romance features a variety of exceptional Champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. Upscale beverages include almost 30 martinis with The Top of The World Martini (Hennessy Paradis, Grand Mariner, and Ultimat CV Vodka, shaken, not stirred) for $100 as the signature drink. Other selected beverages include ports, scotches, bourbons, fine wines and dessert wines.
The dress code is casual chic and strictly enforced- no athletic wear, oversized or torn jeans, shorts, t-shirts or hats. Fashionable sneakers are allowed.

Romance at Top of the World is located on Level 107 of the Stratosphere Tower, one floor above the Top of the World Restaurant. There is no cover charge. Check -in is at the Top of the World podium located at the base of the Tower. Valet parking is available in the VIP Valet just off Las Vegas Boulevard. The Stratosphere is located at 2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

Romance is open daily from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. For more information or table pre-booking, please call 702-380-7764 or 800-99-TOWER.
http://www.casinotravelnews.com
————-
Las Vegas For Non-Gamblers: Your Guide To A Slot Free Vacation
By Hunter Hilegas

A Las Vegas vacation without gambling? Does such a thing exist?

Well, for experienced card players, dice throwers and slot addicts, probably not. But given the widening appeal of Las Vegas as a general vacation destination, there are a lot of people coming down Las Vegas Blvd. that don’t really care about gambling… Not anti-gambling, just indifferent towards it and certainly not the reason they are checking out Sin City.

The idea behind this guide is to highlight some of the interesting things for non-gamblers to check out. Some of these are obvious, others less so. Hopefully they are all useful.

Keep reading after the jump and if you disagree or think we missed something, add a comment!

More Here:
http://www.ratevegas.com/blog/2006/01/las_vegas_for_n.html
————–
Las Vegas Casino History : Aladdin, Dunes, Sands, Landmark, Hacienda, El Rancho Implosion Videos.

On to the BIG Casino in the sky…
While it is always sad to see one of the grand dames of Las Vegas bite the dust, we must remember… without their demise we would not have Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, Venetian, Wynn Las Vegas, Aladdin (again), and a giant parking lot where the Landmark stood.

They say that when Las Vegas does something, it does it huge. Massive casinos, massive hotels, huge bets, huge parties, birthday cakes the size of a warehouse. Not to be satisfied with a simple wreckingball, Las Vegas has turned the destruction of its casinos into full fledged entertainment featuring fireworks, jetfuel explosions, bomb blasts and cannon fire. What a better way to send off an old friend than with a blowout - literally.

We present to you some miniature video captures of Vegas casino implosions below.
http://www.vegastripping.com/implosions/
————-

I Hope you enjoyed this edition of “Everything Las Vegas” Your comments are welcomed.

Steve

Posted on March 3rd, 2006 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter