A decade ago, Boyd Gaming Corp. executives put aside plans to redevelop the company's Strip land holdings in favor of moving forward on an opportunity to build a hotel-casino in Atlantic City.

On Tuesday, the Strip became the company's foremost priority.

Boyd Gaming unveiled details and renderings for the $4.8 billion Echelon, which will have five hotels surrounding a multiuse resort destination on 87 acres, much of which once housed the now-imploded Stardust.

Instead of a formal "shovels-into-a-pile-of-dirt" ground-breaking, Boyd executives kept several hundred guests out of the 100-degree temperatures and inside an air-conditioned tent on the Echelon site. Construction officials, with Boyd Gaming leaders and representatives of the company's joint venture partners watching, shattered a sheet of black glass that hid a 1,000-pound Echelon cornerstone.

Joe Trammel shed his blond wig to cool down one afternoon last week as he sat in the prison of his own making, a pink-painted 4-by-8 cell perched on an outdoor Fremont Street stage. "I don't have much of an appetite in here just because it is so hot," he says during one of the least glamorous stretches of his "Glamour in the Slammer" stunt.

The prop comic from "V — The Ultimate Variety Show" decided to costume himself as Paris and confine himself in public view for the duration of Hilton's jail time. Except for the hours between 7 and 11 p.m. when he releases himself for "V," he's sticking to the stunt (which also raises money for Stop DUI).

Las Vegas tourism boosters have applied for a trademark on the phrase "Your Vegas is showing" as a slogan to promote Southern Nevada as a tourist destination.
http://www.lvrj.com

The Las Vegas Hilton has just announced that, following their nightly "Cool by the Pool" party on July 4, they'll be putting on a firework display. Good for them. If you go to the party itself, you can enjoy the live music and drink specials; if not, you can still enjoy the display. (The only other casino firework event we know of is a VIP affair at Caesars Palace, but of course everyone will be able to see the fireworks.)
Las Vegas Advisor - Features & News - Today's News

Brett's Vegas Views By Jackie Brett

The newest location of Station Casinos' Cabo Mexican Restaurant has opened inside Palace Station, replacing the recently closed Guadalajara Bar and Grille. Already serving up fresh, authentic Mexican dishes at sister properties Red Rock Resort and Santa Fe Station, the Palace Station location features seating for nearly 200 guests with a separate bar and lounge area. The restaurant opens nightly for dinner at 5 p.m. and the bar at Cabo is open from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Also new, fans can now have the ultimate Phantom VIP experience with a package that includes one Golden Circle ticket, an elite backstage tour and a personal meet and greet with Phantom cast members. This package is $250 per person.

Another restaurant Sushi Roku will serve a one-day signature drink, Shichi meaning "seven" in Japanese, designed for the luckiest day of the century, July 7, 2007. The Shichi cocktail served a martini glass and garnished with a 24K gold leaf-wrapped lime will be available on that Saturday from noon to midnight for $12.
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/brett/index.htm

Speaking of the Hard Rock Hotel, we broke the news last week that ‘Casino’ star Robert De Niro was looking at bringing his Melrose Italian eatery, AGO, into ‘The Rock’ and those plans seem to be moving forward. We’re now hearing that popular Meatpacking District chophouse, STK, will also be getting rocked out with a space on property. Perhaps replacing AJ’s Steakhouse, although we’ve made that call before, it makes a lot more sense than Maxim Prime, the partnership between Dennis Publishing and restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow which plans on having 15 outlets operating within the next five years.

27 Years and Counting!

Chef Andre Rochat has been serving hungry patrons in the desert for longer than most of us knew the joys of Las Vegas living. In his over three decades in the valley, he has played an instrumental role in making Sin City an epicurean delight and pushing the need for fine dining alongside the all-you-can-eat buffets. Twenty seven years ago, he opened Andre’s French Restaurant downtown on 6th street, a solid decade and change before Wolfgang Puck brought Spago to the Forum Shops mall. His company has grown since then, of course, an Andre’s outpost in the Monte Carlo and an under-credited, brilliant Alize boasting an insane view from the roof of the Palms (a floor above ghostbar) yet the original downtown Andre’s has always held a certain, nonnegotiable charm. The eclectic restaurant offers one of Vegas few, below ground wine cellars and Rochat himself added expansion upon expansion with his very own hands. On Monday, June 25th, Food & Beverage Magazine will be hosting a very special installment of The Chef’s Table dinner series as we honor Andre and the 27th anniversary of Andre’s French Restaurant. Afterwards, we are inviting all of our industry friends to join us for cocktails at the Downtown Cocktail Room, mere blocks away on the corner of Fremont and Las Vegas Boulevard. Whether a peer of the great Andre Rochat, or just a fan of his cooking, all are invited to join the celebration at the Downtown Cocktail Room next Monday, June 25th at 10:30P. Hope to see you there!

Ma Makes an Off-Strip Hit:
Following extensive renovation of Ma Barker's Eatery where the available seating was increased by almost 50% Ma Barker's Eatery is now back to serving the great breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that it is known for. Stop in to Ma Barker’s at 4226 S. Duragno in the morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast including a full pound of ham, four eggs, and a pound of homemade potatoes. For lunch, Ma Barker’s offers our favorites such as their one pound Monster Burger that if eaten in one sitting gets your name onto the wall of fame. Also, open for dinner, Ma Barker’s offers the most wonderful fish dinner this side of heaven. Ma Barker's Eatery is open seven days a week from 7am – 8pm. Stop in anytime and mention that The Eye sent you to receive a 25% discount offer. Killer deals and the highest quality of food make Ma Barker's Eatery #1 on the Most Wanted List and a must for those who enjoy a great deal on a great meal. For more information on Ma Barker’s, please call (702) 247-8611.
http://www.thevegaseye.com/index.html

'PHANTOM' UPDATE

Notes from Tuesday's one-year anniversary after-party for "Phantom: The Vegas Spectacular":

This is really "dirty"

Instead of booting audiences the minute a concert has ended, "Dirty" will try to hold concertgoers by offering them half-price tickets. And the live band will play into the night once the hypnosis part of the show has ended.
ReviewJournal.com - Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD

The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino Elevates All-Suite Luxury Accommodations With $100 Million Room Renovations.

Flamingo Las Vegas Welcomes Summer With Poolside Action

For more information on summer activities at the Flamingo Pool or for private cabana rentals, please contact the Flamingo at (702) 733-3111.
http://www.casinotravelnews.com/

BEATLES inFESTation
By Len Butcher/Las Vegas Review Journal
http://www.reviewjournal.com/eNewsletters/eNeon/only/beatlesfest.html

The Fest for Beatles Fans first began in 1974 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Beatles arrival in the United States. Creator Mark Lapidos met with John Lennon about his desire to produce a Beatles fan fest. Lennon gave the green light, saying, "I'm all for it. I'm a Beatles fan, too," and donated a signed guitar. He also got his fellow band mates to donate items for a charity raffle.

That year, The Fest landed the cover of Rolling Stone magazine and the wheels were set in motion for what will now be the 105th national fest with its Las Vegas arrival.

The Fest for Beatles Fans 2007: Las Vegas Fest will feature headline concerts from Peter & Gordon, one of the most successful duos in rock history whose repertoire includes songs written by Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney. Also performing will be former Beatles drummer Pete Best and his band; three members of McCartney's former rock supergroup, Wings - founding member Denny Laine, plus Denny Seiwell and Laurence Juber and Beatles tribute band and Fest favorite, Liverpool.

Additionally, Victor Spinetti, actor and co-star in three Beatles movies, is making a rare visit to the United States for this event. Ringo Starr's former producer Mark Hudson and broadcaster Larry Kane who toured with the Beatles in 1964 and 1965 also will be making appearances.

The Master of Ceremonies for the event will be leading Beatles scholar, humorist, writer and producer Martin Lewis. Other announcers include Dennis Mitchell host of radio show "Breakfast with The Beatles," Tony Perkins formerly from "Good Morning America," and Joe Johnson from the nationally syndicated radio show "Beatle Brunch."

The Fest will celebrate four major Beatles anniversaries:

The 40th anniversary of the band's landmark "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" album, with Liverpool performing the album in its entirety on Monday, July 2.

The 50th anniversary of the birth of the Beatles, honoring the day in July 1957 when Lennon and McCartney first met.

The 40th anniversary of the first-ever global TV satellite link-up in which the Beatles gave a live performance of their new Summer of Love anthem "All You Need is Love" to 400 million TV viewers.

The one-year anniversary of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage. Numerous cast members of LOVE will be joining in The Fest's celebration.

The Las Vegas Fest will be held in the Grand Ballroom complex at The Mirage Sunday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 3. Show hours will be from 2 p.m. to midnight on Sunday and noon to midnight Monday and Tuesday. Advance tickets are priced at $45 per day. Tickets purchased at the door cost $55 per day. Tickets are half price for children 12 years and younger and entrance is free for children 5 and younger.

The American Casino Guide has a monthly podcast hosted by the book's author, Steve Bourie, who talks about topics of interest to travelers who like to visit casinos.

Whether it's using the best gambling strategies or simply getting the best deals on travel to casinos, Steve can speak expertly on the subject. During the course of each show, Steve also features an interview with a special guest from the world of casino travel or gambling.

By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

It seems the male half of a Vegas vacationing couple (Ryan Archibald) has popped a Viagra without giving his spouse (Shelly Gossman) advance notice of his plans.

The Second City comedy troupe doesn't usually take a prop-laden approach to comedy, but in this case, they make an exception. The unmistakable, um, strain on the character's trousers is as cheap and easy a laugh as you can find on the Strip. Carrot Top, you have been checkmated.

But the conversation that accompanies this sight gag is, well, disarmingly authentic.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/8128457.html

The title is all wrong.

"Just Another Man" is not about just another man.

It's about Clint Holmes, the son of a black jazz singer and white opera singer who overcame plenty of obstacles to achieve success in the entertainment field.

It would have been easy for "just another man" to look at the mountains in his path and give up. But Holmes scaled the craggy peaks, driven by an engine of eternal optimism.

The musical about Holmes' life might better be titled "This Could Be the Start of Something Big." Or "Applause," which he and his play garner plenty of.

But the title "Just Another Men" seems inadequate, too humble.

For the past month the musical has been going through a trial run at UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre, working out the kinks.

If you haven't yet seen it yet, you still have an opportunity this weekend. It's worth the trip.

The production has a few hiccups in transition, character development and staging. But the musical has a lot of potential, and once the issues are resolved , it might very well fulfill Holmes' dream of taking it to Broadway.

Holmes' longtime friend and musical director Bill Fayne has created some wonderful music for the show. Holmes leads an outstanding cast, especially Tezz Yancey as Holmes' son.

The story itself is one worth telling, full of drama, tragedy, confl ict and even humor.

Holmes doesn't pull any punches in telling the tale, even if it means giving himself a black eye in the process.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2007/jun/22/566631754.html

Marty Allen makes a joke about Hugh Hefner being 80 and still having "a different girl coming to his room every night. Only now they're called nurses."

Allen is 85, four years older than Hefner (who is now 81). The comedian still goes onstage every night to deliver bug-eyed one-liners from another era of show business. Only now his stage partner is not Steve Rossi but Karon Kate Blackwell his singing wife of 23 years.

It's undeniable that part of the appeal of "Hello Dere," the duo's current showcase at the Gold Coast, lies in rooting for these sentimental favorites. They are themselves longtime locals, performing to as many suburban retirees as tourists since 1990, when the couple moved here to play the bygone Vegas World.