Patrons who yearn for the glory days of the Coffee Pub, which ended when owner Marty Brees sold the establishment on West Sahara Avenue a year and a half ago, will be happy to know that many of Brees' former employees are getting the band back together.

There's plenty of puppy love in the air at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.

Seems seven members of the cast and crew of a film being shot there, including two-time Oscar winner Kevin Spacey and several producers, brought their dogs to Las Vegas for their monthlong film shoot.

The movie, tentatively called "21," is based on a true story of a team of card-counting MIT students who win millions in Las Vegas.

Spacey has been spotted in the casino with his mixed mutt, Mini.

Spacey, who portrayed Vegas headliner Bobby Darin in "Beyond the Sea," told me he may be checking out Pamplemousse, the classic old Vegas restaurant on East Sahara, long owned by Darin pal George LaForge. The former maitre d' of the Monte Carlo room at the top of the Desert Inn opened Pamplemousse on June 22, 1976, in honor of Darin, who suggested the name, French for grapefruit.

Darin, who died Dec . 20, 1973, is being honored with a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars in May, on what would have been his 71st birthday.
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM

His 13-year contract with the Monte Carlo, in a theater named for him, is the longest legal agreement ever given to any entertainer in Las Vegas history. This soft-spoken native of Louisville, Kentucky has become a favorite son of our town, due largely to his unending contributions to local charities.

Relaxing in his dressing room after a show, he says he got into magic because "I can't do anything else, so I didn't have a choice." He remembers his early life spending a lot of time on his grandfather's farm where he acquired his work ethic. "I'd go there on the weekends and during the summer and would help bale hay and tobacco and milk cows at 4 a.m. with my grandfather. It was a working farm and farm work is really hard work."

In 1981, he left Kentucky in a beat-up old car with his tuxedo and seven ducks, but within a week of arriving in Los Angeles, he earned a gig on the Johnny Carson show. I asked him how that came about.

"As the old saying goes, 'Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.' I was 21 when I moved out west. I'd been working hard preparing for it. In the summertime, my friend Mac King (now a staple at Harrah's) and I worked at a little theme park called Tombstone Junction. It was a small theme park which looked like a western town. They'd have gun fights in the street, three times a day. These guys would come in and rob the bank, have gun fights while a country and western music band played on the outdoor stage. We performed magic in the Red Garter Saloon. I'd been doing my act there three times a day, seven days a week, all summer long for three summers.

"When I moved out west, the act had progressed pretty far for someone that young. I had two week's work lined up and decided to come out and see what happened. Someone from the Carson show saw me, liked what he saw and I got booked. That was my big break."

Like many magicians, Burton includes animals in his act. "I used to watch a magician called Harry Collins and he used doves so as a young kid I always had that image in my mind of a magician with animals. I think I was 14 when I got my first pair of doves. Now we have doves, a parakeet named Elvis, ducks, a goose and we have a chicken, pigeons. It's a bit like having a little farm."

One of his new illusions is called Solid Gold Lady where Burton makes $10 million in gold bricks and coins disappear, which has become a hit with audiences. Burton says the hardest part was "not figuring out the trick itself, but convincing the hotel to supply me with the $10 million in gold. It's not my gold. That would be stupid. Really stupid if you had $10 million in gold and you're going to make it disappear. It would only make sense if the gold belonged to someone else," he says laughing.

His act is a favorite with families and Burton always invites kids up on stage. I asked if any stood out in his mind. "Even after having been in magic for 40 years, I still get surprised by what kids will say. One time, I had a little boy onstage who had an English accent and I said, 'What's your name?' And he says, 'Miles.' I asked, 'How old are you, Miles?' And he replied, 'Five.' Then I asked, 'Are you married or do you have a girlfriend?' He answered, No.' I asked, 'Do you want to meet one of the girls in my show?' He says, 'No, we can't afford one of those.' Broke me up."

When asked to what he attributes his success, he said, "I think it's my haircut. That's what people look for when they go to a showÑa good haircut." Finally a guy with a sense of humor.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny's Las Vegas

"I wish it were true, but it isn't," said Goodman, who has been promising a major NBA-related announcement for this week.

Goodman and NBA Commissioner David Stern are speaking at a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce luncheon today, but it won't involve an NBA team relocating to Las Vegas.

"There is nothing to that," said Mark Broussard, director of NBA Communications.

Goodman said he will meet with Stern to discuss going forward with "an attempt to get a franchise here." Goodman said his goal is to be in "serious discussion by early spring."

"The only team that can move is the Sacramento Kings," said an NBA source. "They don't have a lease, but you don't move without an arena deal."
reviewjournal.com — News - NORM: Goodman shoots down arena talk

Inspired by the vibrant pulse and beguiling image of the Pussycat Dolls, Caesars Palace is introducing a casino within a casino where provocative dancers and sexy dealers draw as much attention as the cards and chips.

Set in a bustling area near Pure, the Pussycat Dolls Lounge and the race and sports book, the oval-shaped pit features 10 blackjack tables, one roulette table and one Big Six wheel. Themed slot machines specifically created for Caesars Palace and a wall of Pussycat Doll merchandise complete the venue.

Two elevated cages where Pussycat Dolls take turns dancing overlook the pit. Special lighting and a dedicated sound system deliver a unique experience for players.

“Caesars is a classic, iconic gaming experience,” said Jimmy Wike, vice president of table games. “We were looking to target a little bit more of the younger market—hip and trendy and cool.”

From the black boots and fishnet stockings on the dealers to the table legs with fishnets and stilettos to the leopard-print chair upholstery, no fashion or decorating detail has been overlooked. Vivid pink (or sometimes blue) hats on the dealers and pink padded armrests on the tables pop out amid the brown tones of the tables, chrome cages and leopard-print carpet.

“It’s exactly how I pictured it,” said Robin Antin, creator and choreographer of the Pussycat Dolls. “If you saw the very first rough sketch I did at the very beginning and all the conversations I had with the company I designed this with, it’s incredible to see it now come to life. Because it’s exactly what I wanted—I’m so proud of it.”

Antin said classic films featuring sailors inspired the salty costumes of the dealers, who playfully march together through the main casino shortly before the special gaming area opens.

The dealers’ “basic instruction is to have fun,” Wike said. “We trained the majority of these dealers ourselves. We selected these individuals for their personalities and their upbeat and positive attitudes.”

Gaming action goes from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday. The popularity of the venue, the captivated stares of the men and wry smiles from the women, suggests those hours could increase.

“I feel like that this is such a new chapter in my life and the life of the Pussycat Dolls. I never in my wildest dreams would have imagined being part of a casino. It’s so incredible,” Antin said.

A grand opening is set for Saturday, March 3, when the pop group Pussycat Dolls, on tour with Christina Aguilera, are expected to appear.

Both Antin and Wike are quick to credit Caesars Palace President Gary Selesner for the idea of having the Dolls adorn the casino.

“The Pussycat Dolls are one of the hottest acts in the world today, and the Pussycat Dolls Casino will be yet another must-see attraction at Caesars Palace, complementing the recent openings of Rao’s, Qua Baths & Spa and Restaurant Guy Savoy,” Selesner said.

The Pussycat Dolls Casino in Caesars Palace creates a new, sexy meaning for when the dealers go bust and a new, sexy twist to Las Vegas’ gaming landscape.
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/

We would never leave Las Vegas, but it seems like we are always fearful and loathing come Oscar time, never quite getting the cinematic recognition we deserve. To show our respect, we have come up with our own movie trophy dedicated to the best city on the planet, named after the best mayor on the planet, the lovely Oscar B. Goodman. Ladies and gentleman, we are happy to announce the winners of this year’s Oscar B.’s:

For the Film that Really Should have Won a Real Oscar: Bugsy, hands down. The Academy snuck in two awards for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design, but Warren Beatty deserved the big one for his homage to one of our most well-known casino developers.

Movie You Should See Before Coming to Vegas: Honeymoon in Vegas. Anytime you have 34 flying Elvi, a bride and lots of impulsive behavior, you can’t go wrong.

Vegas Movie that Made You Wish You had a Million Dollars: Indecent Proposal. It may not be right, but it’s Demi Moore—you know you thought about it. But let’s be honest: Ladies pay Robert Redford for sex, he doesn’t pay them.

Best Vegas Musical: Viva Las Vegas. OK, maybe not really a musical, but Elvis sings and drives racecars, then bags Ann-Margret. How can you not like it? Plus, it gave us our eternal theme song.

Best Adaptation for the Screen: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. We are still having flashbacks due to Hunter S. Thompson’s psychedelic bender through the Le Bistro Lounge at the Riviera.

Best Soon-to-Be Trilogy: Ocean’s Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen. No, we haven’t seen the third one yet but with the track record of the first two, George Clooney and Brad Pitt have more than proven their loyalty to Sin City.

Best Vegas Entrepreneurial Flick: The Godfather Part II. Michael Corleone expands the family interests into Las Vegas and shows us how business gets done.

Movie You Shouldn’t See Before Coming to Vegas: Very Bad Things. Prostitute killed during a Vegas bachelor party. Enough said.

Best Choreography: Showgirls. What can we say? We loved Saved by the Bell.

Best Almost Vegas Movie: Swingers. Granted, most of the trouble the boys cause is in Hollywood, but after they made the pilgrimage out our way via Interstate 15, they’ve been money ever since. Vegas, baby, Vegas.

Best British Blokes in Vegas: Tie. The movie Austin Powers did the Strip proper, what with Mike Myers and Elizabeth Hurley, but 007 Sean Connery was the first to make lying about who you were, then having a one-night stand OK, when coming here in Diamonds Are Forever.

Best Romance: Leaving Las Vegas. Maybe it’s just because we relate to alcoholic writers and have a soft spot for hookers, but Nicolas Cage was amazing.

Best Vegas Alias: Nick Papagiorgio in National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation. We’ll go anywhere with the Griswolds, but this was the best trip they’ve taken to date.

Best Actress: Sharon Stone as Ginger McKenna in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 superflick Casino. She even landed a nomination for one of those real awards.

Best Performance: Robert De Niro as Sam “Ace” Rothstein in Casino. Solid.

Best picture: Ocean’s Eleven, the 1960 original. The Rat Pack robs a casino in Vegas, Frank Sinatra plays Danny Ocean and Dean Martin is Sam Harmon—a classic forever.
http://www.lvshowbiz.com/

Approximate Time: 4 hours

Approximate Distance: 4 miles (but only 2 of it walked)

Best Time: Morning

Start at Wynn Las Vegas, which at an estimated $2.7 billion is the most expensive hotel ever built in this country. There’s a lot to look at here including the beautiful gardens near the lobby, the lovely casino, and a Ferrari dealership if you are so inclined. Exit the building through the Esplanade shopping gallery and that will lead you to the northeast corner of The Strip and Sands Avenue.

Take the pedestrian bridge across the street to the west toward the Fashion Show Mall. This 3 million square-foot temple to commerce is the largest in Las Vegas and one of the largest in the United States. It has everything from the usual mall suspects to things you probably won’t find in the one down the road from you. Have someone hide your credit cards.

Exit the mall and turn left to head north on The Strip. The next thing you’ll pass is The Frontier Hotel and Casino, a place totally not worth your time or energy going into unless you just want to say you did. At some point, probably this year, it will be torn down to make way for a proposed multi-billion resort hotel called Montreaux, based on the Swiss town famous for its jazz festival.

Out behind the Frontier you’ll notice a tall gold building under construction as of this writing. That’s the new Trump International (yes, that Trump), a condo-hotel tower due to open in 2008. There will be no casino so even if you happen to be reading this after the place is open, there’s not going to be a lot for you to see or do there.

Keep heading north along The Strip and you’ll pass a big construction zone on your side of the street. That’s where the Stardust used to be located (it’s due to be imploded any day now) and where they are building a $4 billion complex of hotels and casinos called Echelon Place. It’s due to open in 2010.

Across the street you’ll notice The Riviera, one of the last remaining casinos from one of Vegas’ many boom periods. Opened in 1955 with Liberace as the main entertainment, the hotel has gone downhill in recent years and it really isn’t worth the energy to cross the street to see it, again unless you just want to say you did.

Instead a little further north and you’ll find Circus Circus on your side of the street. This one is worth wandering through, if for no other reason than they have live, free circus acts inside above the casino and, for thrill ride aficionados, an indoor amusement park out back. When you come out of the hotel turn left and continue heading north.

There’s lots of construction going on between here and your next stop, but most of it is for condominium or time-share projects so it is of very little interest to the average Vegas visitor.

The big empty lot you see at the corner of Sahara and The Strip is noteworthy. That is the location of the very first hotel/casino to be built on what would eventually become The Strip. It was called El Rancho and opened in 1941, years before The Flamingo did. It burned to the ground in 1960 and the plot of land has been vacant ever since.

Across the street you’ll see The Sahara but don’t go there yet. We’ll get that one on the way back.

Continue north and you’ll pass Bonanza Gifts, billed as the world’s largest souvenir shop. I don’t know who verifies claims like this, but I’m willing to let it pass because if you’re looking for that truly tacky Vegas souvenir (and I mean that in a good way), this is the place to go. From Elvis to aliens, they’ve got it here.

Continue north for another couple of blocks and you’ll reach the pinnacle of your walking tour in more ways that one with The Stratosphere. You can’t miss it; it’s that 1,000 foot tower looming over everything. Go inside and take a ride up to the top to see just how far you’ve walked and if you’re feeling brave take a trip on one of the extreme thrill rides.

When you come back down head back the way you came, going a couple of blocks south back to The Sahara. This is another hotel that isn’t much to look at these days although if you’re a fan of NASCAR, they do have a themed café and a virtual reality ride that puts you behind the wheel of a stock car so that’s kind of cool.

Follow the signs for the monorail (or the buffet, whichever is more obvious) and you’ll go out behind the hotel to the Las Vegas Monorail stop. I recommend this rather than walking all the way back just because it’s easier and I’m a lazy slob.

You could stop at the Las Vegas Hilton on your way but that’s not officially part of the North Strip so I’m not going to include it here.

You want to get off at the Las Vegas Convention Center stop (the next one past the Las Vegas Hilton) and go across the street to the southwest corner of Desert Inn and Paradise Road. You’ll see a red awning over a bus stop. This is where buses will come pick you up to take you back to Wynn Las Vegas.
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Column by Rick Garman

Sitting at an outdoor cafe in front of the Eiffel Tower, my beau and I sipped big, ruby glasses of French wine while we waited for our classic steak au poivres with pommes frites to arrive. Our day of touring had left us ravenous.

We marveled at breathtaking fountains across the way and at the late-night tourists still crowding the streets. Like Americans in Paris, we were, in fact, Americans in Paris in Las Vegas.

Let’s get one thing straight: I had no desire to go to Las Vegas. As far as I was concerned, the big buffet-blinged-out-bacchanalian city had nothing to interest this museum- going, history-loving and foodie tourist.

If I was a betting gal, I’d be broke. Best not to judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a city by its glittery, cheesy and sometimes tawdry reputation.

More Here:
http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/44416.html

April is one of the best months of the year…while we get some occasional April showers; we usually have some of the best weather of the year.  Most of the big new shows have opened and are settling in nicely, there is a healthy convention calendar, and all of the pools have been opened at all of the resorts.  The bikini is back, and scantily clad women are enjoying the brilliant sunlight and getting a start on their summer tans—spring breakers are everywhere, Easter is just around the corner, and the entertainment is great.

The world is still in flux.  We have just passed the four-year mark on the war on terrorism in Iraq…four years…and there seems to be no end in sight.  People seem to be going about their normal routines, and the daily fear of terrorism has waned back to almost non-existence.  As I watch the nightly news and read the papers, though, it seems as if soldiers are still dying everyday—three soldiers here, four more there, seven over the weekend…another attack and another and another…the reason for our being there continues to get more and more blurry.  Is our world truly safer because of our involvement in Iraq?  …But I digress…

The Best of Las Vegas Awards have just come out.  There are usually two winners in each category—one chosen by the readers and one chosen by the staff of our city's daily paper.  "Mystere" and "Love" were chosen as the best production shows, Celine Dion and Prince as the best all-around performers, Rita Rudner and Triumph the insult comedy dog as best comedians, and Lance Burton and Mac King as best magicians.  Best showgirls went to "Jubilee!" and "Le Femme," best singer went to Celine Dion and Clint Holmes, best male strip show went to "Chippendale's" and "Thunder From Down Under," best bargain show went to Mac King and "Le Reve," and the best choreography went to ""Hairspray" and "Celine Dion: A New Day."
Good picks, but…I think the best production show is "Le Reve."  George Wallace should be included in the best comedian category.  Penn & Teller certainly deserve a nod as best magicians, "Folies Bergere has some of the best showgirls, Barry Manilow is one of the best singers, and "The Fashionistas" should have taken best choreography.  There should also be a category for best small show…that would be a tougher category to choose a winner in.  Top nods should go to "Menopause," "V," and "Forever Plaid."

There was another feather in the cap for entertainers, as the Best Cocktail service went to the Bevertainers at the Rio for the second year in a row.  These servers are entertainers that get up during their shifts and sing and dance for patrons in the casino.  Their presence certainly changes the face of cocktail service in our town.

And speaking of "Forever Plaid," it has just closed its doors at the Gold Coast.  It is a show that will truly be missed.  I do hope to see it return (maybe in a slightly different form) in the future.  Comic Legend, Marty Allen will be coming into the room in the middle of the month.  He's 85 and still going strong.

The Vegas Grand Prix is running its inaugural race Apr 6th to 8th.  The Vegas Grand Prix is a three-day festival of speed, which will include concerts by superstar artists, extreme sports demonstrations, a celebrity poker tournament and, of course, numerous automobile races through the streets of downtown Las Vegas including the 2007 season opener of the Champ Car World Series.

The Vegas Grand Prix will take place in a downtown Las Vegas circuit, which will be a 2.44-mile, 12-turn temporary street circuit. The circuit will encompass a route that circumnavigates World Market Center, Fremont Street and the downtown casinos.
It is scheduled to be the season opening event for the 2007 Champ Car World Series.  All of the Downtown areas will be a complete mess during this event—severe street closures and detours await all that want to venture to this event.  It's the first time it's ever been done here…and they will certainly learn a lot for future events.

One of my long time favorite shows, The Scintas, will be closing its doors at the Sahara in the middle of May.  The Scintas have been a cornerstone group in Las Vegas for about seven years.  They have been good for the industry and good citizens of Las Vegas.  It will be a shame to see them go.  They will be in Atlantic City for two-weeks after they close down here, but no word of them after that. 

Replacing them at the Sahara will be "Matsuri," the number one show in Japan.  The "muscle musical" played for a short run at the Riviera last year.  It is an amazing production that needs to be seen.

And the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters) hits Las Vegas this month.  It is the largest gathering in the country.  Around 150,000 people are expected to attend, and it will be filled with celebrities and attractions.

The Clark County Fair & Rodeo is at Clark County Fairgrounds Apr 12th to 15th.  The Fair had its beginning back in 1965. Known as the Moapa Valley Fair, it was held at the Overton Community Center. Compared to the present day fair, this first fair was small in size. Nevertheless, it had all the flavor and elements of a good old county fair. From this simple beginning, the Moapa Valley Fair became an annual event. Each year new attractions were added, such as a carnival midway, junior livestock show, and a rodeo.
Throughout the seventies and early eighties, the fair took place at various locations in the community such as the local park, churches and schools. Each location lacked some key elements necessary to house the ever growing and popular fair.  In 1997 due to the ever so popular Rodeo, the fair once again changed its name. Now known as the Clark County Fair & Rodeo over 70,000 patrons come to the fair every spring.  It has been the combined work and efforts of many volunteers that have developed and managed the Fair and successfully produced an old-fashioned, family oriented fair for so many people to enjoy. With a part time staff of four, and over 500 volunteers working together, we pledge to continue to bring this flavor and fun to each and every Fair!

Prince is flaky…what can you say?  He took control of the showroom at the Rio a few months ago and performs there on Fridays and Saturdays.  He seemed to get tired of it quickly and announced his departure at the end of March…well; he's decided to stay for one more month.  The man is very talented…but he is a flake—how many names has he gone through?

"Spamalot" has opened to great reviews at the Wynn.

"Le Reve" makes its return to the entertainment scene after having undergone a major overhaul.  I look forward to seeing it again.

"Stomp Out Loud" has opened at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood.

Roseanne Barr continues to play her "All You Can Eat Comedy Tour" at New York-New York through the end of the month.

Delisco has just released his new self-titled CD.  Delisco won the reality show competition, "The Entertainer" and played the Hilton for a short while.  He's extremely talented, and the CD is great.  It is available at www.delisco.com.

Matt Dusk is also releasing a CD.

As I said…April is a great time to be here.

The Second week has:
Steve Tyrell
Golden Nugget the 12th to the 14th
The Temptations
Orleans Hotel the 12th to the 15th 
Brian Culbertson
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino on the 13th
Frankie Avalon
Suncoast Hotel the 13th to the 15th
George Thorogood and the Destroyers w/ Blackbird 45
Mandalay Bay on the 13th
Jay Leno
Mirage the 13th & 14th
Jim Gaffigan
Mandalay on the 13th
The Lon Bronson Band
Cannery Casino on the 13th and it's Free
Morris Day & the Time
Boulder Station the 13th & 14th
Tony Bennett
Las Vegas Hilton on the 13th & 14th 
Heartland & Chris Young
Santa Fe Station on the 14th
Reba McEntire
Buffalo Bill's Resort in Primm on the 14th
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
Cannery Casino on the 14th 

The third week of April includes:
FEI World Cup: Jumping & Dressage
Thomas & Mack Center Apr 18, 2007 - Apr 22, 2007 Tickets are $150 - $1000 for this Equestrian Event.
Five for Fighting w/ Chantal Kreviazuk
Mandalay Bay | Apr 18, 2007
Craig Ferguson
Orleans Hotel Apr 20, 2007 - Apr 22, 2007
Eddie Money
Boulder Station Apr 20, 2007
Howie Mandel
MGM Grand Apr 20, 2007 - May 2, 2007
Las Vegas City of Lights Jazz and R&B Festival
Hills Park | Northwest/Summerlin Apr 20, 2007 - Apr 21, 2007
Mary Wilson of the Supremes
Golden Nugget Apr 20, 2007 - Apr 21, 2007
Pure Aloha Festival & Concert
Cannery Casino & Hotel | Apr 20, 2007 - Apr 22, 2007
Stone Sour w/ Lacuna Coil, Shadows Fall and Six
Mandalay Bay Apr 20, 2007
Gwen Stefani
Palms Casino Resort Apr 21, 2007
Jason Michael Carroll
Santa Fe Station Apr 21, 2007

The fourth week has…
Placebo
Mandalay Bay Apr 26, 2007
Sesame Street Live - Elmo Makes Music
Cox Pavilion | Apr 26, 2007 - Apr 29, 2007
Fall Out Boy
Palms Casino | Apr 27, 2007
Jay Leno
Mirage - Apr 27, 2007 - Apr 28, 2007
LeAnn Rimes
Luxor Hotel - Apr 27, 2007 - Apr 28,
Mr. Black Las Vegas Contest
Palace Station | Apr 27, 2007 - Apr 29, 2007
Richard Marx
Orleans Hotel | Apr 27, 2007 - Apr 29, 2007
Sawyer Brown & Bucky Covington
Boulder Station Apr 27, 2007
Taylor Dayne
Suncoast Hotel | Apr 27, 2007 - Apr 29, 2007
The Decemberists
Mandalay Bay | Apr 27, 2007
Alan Parsons Live Project
Boulder Station | Apr 28, 2007
Boogie Wars Urban Dance Competition
Cashman Center Apr 28, 2007
Isaac Hayes
Texas Station Gambling Apr 28, 2007
Stephen Marley w/ "Jr. Gong" & K'Naan
Mandalay Bay Apr 28, 2007
Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards
Cannery Casino Apr 28, 2007
The Smithereens - A Beatles Tribute
Sunset Station Apr 28, 2007

And the last part of April, and going into May has:
San Gennaro Feast
Grand Canyon Shopping Center | May 2, 2007 - May 6, 2007
Boyz II Men
Orleans Hotel May 3, 2007 - May 6, 2007
Kenny Chesney w/ Pat Green & Sugaland
Mandalay Bay May 3, 2007 - May 4, 2007
Moenia
Mandalay Bay | May 3, 2007
Tom Jones
MGM Grand 3, 2007 - May 9, 2007
Ray Romano
Mirage | May 4, 2007 - May 5, 2007
Ambrosia
Boulder Station May 5, 2007
Atomic Punks - Van Halen Tribute
Santa Fe Station Hotel May 5, 2007
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Fremont Street Experience May 5, 2007 | Free
Floyd Mayweather, Jr vs. Oscar De La Hoya
MGM Grand  May 5, 2007 | $150 - $2000
Gary Allan
Sunset Station | May 5, 2007

For dates and times, be sure to log onto the Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide: lvol.com. ( http://www.lvol.com )

Jacko Backo?
Last week we broke a story that the ‘King of Pop’, Michael Jackson, and MGM Mirage executives were planning a very special, very exclusive concert, dinner and meet and greet that would take place at the Luxor in early June. Within moments of our breaking story, The Vegas Eye was on the front page of hit-mongering website TMZ as well as media outlets as wide reaching as E Television Network and CNN. Local gossip pitchman Norm Clarke also got into the mix, running denials from ‘Papa Joe’ Jackson and representatives from MGM Mirage. The story came about when a source emailed us a copy of an invitation that had been designed for MGM Mirage, apparently one of several that were outsourced, that included an email RSVP link to Luxor event coordinator, Arial Martinez. It wasn’t the only Vegas/Jackson rumor to be running rampant last week as reports of a 50-foot, laser-firing statue of himself that Jackson wanted constructed in the desert as well as conflicting reports of a Jacko hospitalization also went world-wide. As fans of the ‘King of Pop’ around the globe await to see if Jackson does indeed land a permanent or even semi-permanent gig in Las Vegas, the likelihood of it happening seems to ebb and flow with Jackson’s interest. It would seem reasonable that no current venue in the Luxor (even the under-renovation Luxor Theatre) could host a star of Jackson’s caliber on a regular basis, however, imagine the impact to the global whale population that MGM Mirage could have hosting a private and exclusive Jacko concert for their legions of high-rollers. The Luxor “has nothing scheduled with Michael Jackson on this or any other date,” MGM Mirage’s PR maven Jenn Michaels told Clarke last week, which clearly doesn’t state that they weren’t attempting to land it. In the past, on the rare occasion when we ran incorrect or inaccurate information regarding an MGM Mirage property, they have always been quick to reach out with corrections, as of today, no call has been placed to our offices. As always, we’ll leave it to the reader to decide.

Humpty Dumpty Never Tasted So Good

Last week Las Vegas saw the opening of its newest culinary masterpiece when celebrity chef David Burke opened his self named David Burke Las Vegas in The Venetian’s Restaurant Row in the footprint previously occupied by Chinese restaurant, Royal Star. We call it a masterpiece not because of behemoth tasting menus, an outrageous design layout or a four figure check average; in fact, we call it masterpiece because it offers none of those things. Instead, Burke and his team have found a spectacular sweet spot between haute cuisine hideaways like Restaurant Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace) and Joel Robuchon at The Mansion (MGM Grand) and the ultra hot see-and-be-seen restaurants like FIX (Bellagio) and Social House (T.I.) that put less of a focus on the food (which is still great) and more of a focus on the scene. Burke seamlessly settles in the middle with a modern American menu of gourmet fare that will have you craving for more, with fun and playful presentations at a price point that won’t scare away the masses. Set in a beautifully open restaurant centered with a cascading water feature, the dining room provides a formal setting without stuffiness or pretention. Throughout the restaurant reside Burke’s signature symbol; eggs, eggs and more eggs, think humpy dumpty style, eggs teetering so close to the edge over the bar, along the entranceway, even an oddly hot female egg in the wine cellar. It’s this perfect example of the chef’s light hearted and casual approach to gourmet dining, made even more perfect because of the chef’s affable personality and outgoing sense of humor, that crosses over onto his menu. Take the appetizer Burke in a Box ($35), the chefs version of a Japanese bento box that offers guests a tasting of five different dishes, each selected by the chef daily to ensure the selections are rotated through. The night we stopped by it included the delectable green pea flan that is an absolute must-try. Other highlights from the menu, that will take several visits to fully discover, have to include the Angry Lobster ($24) which features a pound and 1/3 lobster sawed in-shell with a band saw, covered in angry flour (a mixture of flour, paprika, chili pepper and cayenne) and pan baked to create a crispy texture which is then finished with pan sauce, chili oil, basil, lemon zest, lemon juice, shallots, garlic and red chili flakes before being furiously served on a bed of nails, the result is quite simply delicious. It’s not the only lobster dish to stand out however as the Lobster Steak ($45) is surprisingly creative considering it’s a combination of two of the best selling dishes in Las Vegas, filet mignon and lobster. This time, the same size lobster is pounded down and molded into the shape of a filet mignon served with a bird’s nest of shoestring curry fries. Don’t worry, if you’re dead-set on steak, Burke has you covered with his signature Creekstone Rib eye ($48) that will leave even the hungriest carnivore satisfied. And please, please, please leave room for dessert, the Lollipop Tree ($18) is a great example of the fun, creative dishes that help end any meal at David Burke Las Vegas right.