June 29th, 2007

NORM: Elvis show ideas falling into place.

The first look at Cirque du Soleil's Elvis show at the $7.4 billion CityCenter is weeks away.

A storyboard outline presentation is scheduled for July 22, said Bobby Baldwin, president and CEO of Mirage Resorts.

"We've already broken ground for the showroom," which will be in the 60-story CityCenter hotel and casino near the Monte Carlo pool area, Baldwin said.

The production is a collaboration involving MGM Mirage, Cirque and Elvis Presley Enterprises, which is owned by Robert Sillerman, chairman and CEO of CKX, Inc.

Scenes from Elvis' films and memorabilia probably will be folded into the production, Baldwin said.

Cirque will start assembling the talent about 10 months before rehearsals start in the 1,800-seat theater in June 2009. CityCenter and the Elvis show will open in December 2009.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM: Elvis show ideas falling into place

DOWNTOWN DEALING: Binion's gets new boss.
Owner of Four Queens willing to pay $32 million for Fremont Street neighbor.

By BENJAMIN SPILLMAN/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

The owner of the Four Queens is planning to buy Binion's for $32 million, stirring hopes that local control will revive the folksy charm and gambling allure Benny Binion used to make the property famous.

The current owner, MTR Gaming of Chester, W.Va., announced the deal with Four Queens owner Terry Caudill on Wednesday.

Whether Caudill, who owns the Four Queens, can restore the 56-year-old Fremont Street casino to its former glory remains to be seen. But news of the deal stoked hope a local owner can do more to restore luster to Binion's than the West Virginia company that has owned the languishing casino since 2004.

More Here:
http://www.lvrj.com/business/8221852.html

Fun on the Fourth
Holiday events include fireworks, swimming, family entertainment.
From The Las vegas Review Journal

Fireworks, music and entertainment are on tap around the valley to celebrate Independence Day.

One of the biggest events, the annual "Red, White and Boom" at Desert Breeze Park, has been canceled and replaced with "Red, White and Splash" activities at Clark County pools.

David Itkin conducts his first concert as music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the ninth annual "Star Spangled Spectacular" show Wednesday at Hills Park, 9002 Hillpointe Road.

Along with associate conductor Richard McGee, Itkin and the orchestra will perform patriotic songs and marches.

The event's finale, beginning with the "1812 Overture," will kick off a fireworks display by Zambelli Internationale.

More Here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/8242737.html

Steve's Las Vegas Quickies

The Flamingo's "X2O" poolside ultra lounge has arrived. Starting at 10 p.m. on Friday June 29, the Flamingo "GO" pool, which is the upper-pool, will be transformed into a full-scale outdoor nightclub for the evening.

A murder mystery dinner will be held at Lawry's Prime Rib on Friday, July 13 at 7 p.m. The event will be the premiere of "Dead Again," set in England in the glamorous 1930s with attendees being members of the Trafalgar Country Club. Cost is $89.95.

Toni Braxton's reps and the Flamingo are in talks for a six-month extension. She opened there a year ago in August.

Academy Award-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly, who won the Ladies World Poker Championship two years ago, finished in the money in the World Heads-Up Poker Championship at the Rio. She finished in a tie for 33rd out of 392 entries. Norm McDonald of "Saturday Night Live" fame was in 20th place in the No-Limit Hold'em Championship, out of 827 entries.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM

We’re not sure where Caesars Palace might find the space, but the property flew in Los Angeles club czar Peter Famulari to discuss several potential projects this past weekend. Famulari is the owner of Boulevard 3, a City of Angels party spot that fuses bottle service-driven nightlife with the feel of an exclusive house party, “it’s like what raving at Madonna’s London estate might be like,” said one partier in the know of Boulevard 3.
theVegaseye.com

Word on the street is clucking that the new owners of the Hooters Casino are eyeing a second property that would land somewhere near the Nevada/Utah border.
theVegaseye.com
The one-man comedy "Caveman" was bound for Wyrick's theater at Miracle Mile before ending up at the Golden Nugget, where a 7 p.m. start time is much more suitable than a late berth for a show requiring a bit of concentration.

But now there's talk that "Pieces" will end up in Wyrick's room. It's a theater show that's played in the big cities and had a test night at the Hard Rock Hotel in 2004. Aimed at humanizing "the hot chick," it offers a series of comic monologues by women in various skimpy outfits.
ReviewJournal.com - Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD

Word on the street has Crazy Horse Too, once an adult entertainment icon is closing. Steve Schirripa begins shooting "Casino Cinema" next month at the show's new home this season: the Hard Rock Hotel.

The former cast member of "The Sopranos" will tape an entire season during visits in July, August and September. The first shoot will be July 10, 11 and 12 and will feature a number of Las Vegas personalities.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM

AJ's Steakhouse at the Hard Rock Hotel, 4455 Paradise Road, has introduced a new menu with such signature items, in addition to steaks, as Guinness-braised short ribs, true Dover sole and a classic Key lime pie.
ReviewJournal.com - Neon - RESTAURANT NEWS

Asia Nightlife & Dining has opened in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, 3663 Las Vegas Blvd. South, serving progressive Euro-Asian cuisine by chef and master sommelier Steven Geddes. It's open from 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; call 794-2582.
ReviewJournal.com - Neon - RESTAURANT NEWS

 The "$150,000 Cash or More Cash Explosion" is running all summer long at Terrible's. Every Tuesday through Sept. 25 (from 7 to 9 p.m.), the casino will draw 25 winners who will be awarded $300 or may choose to draw from the mystery drum and win $100, $200, $400, $500, $3,000, $5,000 or $10,000. Player's Club members receive one ticket for every 500 points ($500 coin-in) earned on their cards, and all winners must be present at the drawings.
ReviewJournal.com - Neon - PLAYER'S EDGE: Terrible's offering 'Cash Explosion'

The Spice Girls are reuniting for an 11-city, international tour, including a Dec. 8 stop in Las Vegas after opening in Los Angeles the night before. They will perform at the MGM Grand Garden, according to a tour schedule posted on wikipedia.org. The group broke up in 2001 after selling more than 55 million albums worldwide.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM

Magician Rick Thomas closed his show at The Orleans last Saturday. Couldn't get the local support needed since he had to leave the Stardust when it was sold and imploded. Too bad. He put on a good family show and he's a great guy. I hope he finds a gig where he will get the support he deserves.
reviewjournal.com — Lenny's Las Vegas

Pure Management Group launches its latest offering to the Vegas nightlife scene tonight at Excalibur, with the grand opening of Dick's Last Resort. Specializing in huge food portions, nightly live entertainment, and famously rude staff, it seems like a natural fit for the Strip, with successful sister properties already established in other party towns, including San Diego, Myrtle Beach, and Boston.
Las Vegas Advisor - Features & News - Today's News

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel community, today announced the top 10 attractions in the U.S. according to traveler popularity and TripAdvisor editors, and Las Vegas is the only city to score more than once. According to the survey, the city's Cirque du Soleil shows are the second most popular pull, while the free Bellagio water show came in at number nine, with one traveler commenting, "The fountains are unbelievably high and who knew that water could really dance?"
Las Vegas Advisor - Features & News - Today's News

The American Superstars show at the Stratosphere will add Jason Tenner, front man for the Vegas-based Purple Reign Prince tribute band, to its line-up of celebrity tributes for a limited engagement beginning July 9.

Collectors of casino memorabilia can look forward to a second public auction, this time at the Nevada Landing, in Jean, on July 17. The sale's being organized by the same company that handled the Stardust auction last year and will be doing the same for the New Frontier at the end of July, as announced in this column yesterday. For further information, visit their Web site at www.greatamerican.com

A public auction sale at the Frontier Hotel has been set for July 31. The auction will be conducted by Great American Group, the same firm that held the 5-day auction at the Stardust last November. The auction will be open to the public. Visit www.greatamerican.com for more information.

Slot Machine Ergonomics by Bill Burton

I recently attended an office ergonomics seminar. I found it to be very enlightening and saw how the principles taught at the seminar could be at the casino while playing the slot or video poker machines. What is Ergonomics?
Ergonomics is defined as the application of scientific information relating to the design of objects, systems and environment in order to make them compatible with the needs, abilities and limitations of people.

It has become a high profile concern for many companies. The concern is not limited just to product design but also how a worker carries out certain tasks that can include nothing more than repetitive motion of the human body.

Any prolonged periods of abnormal posture and repetitive movements can contribute to neck, limb and back pain.

More Here:
http://casinogambling.about.com/od/slots/a/Ergonomics.htm

Poker tournament with a conscience
By Len Butcher/Las Vegas Review Journal

It comes as no surprise that poker has, over the past few years, regained its luster, and nowhere is this more evident than in Las Vegas, led by the granddaddy of all poker tournaments — the World Series of Poker, now going on at several casinos in town. This multi-million-dollar event will end July 17, but another tournament will soon be held that is creating a lot of interest.

It's called the Ante Up For Africa tournament and it is the brainchild of Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle and professional poker player Anne Duke. The tournament, to be held July 5, beginning at 4 p.m. at the Rio, will feature more than a dozen Hollywood celebrities and sports legends along with poker's greatest players in the hopes of raising public awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Among those who've expressed their intent to play, subject to availability, are Hollywood stars Cheadle, Ben Affleck, Brad Pitt, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilley, Hank Azaria, George Clooney, Matt Damon, George Lopez, Danny Masterson, Mekhi Phifer, Ray Romano, Adam Sandler and James Woods.

Basketball great Charles Barkley and poker notables Duke, Erik Seidel, Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Gordon, Joe Hachem, Andy Bloch, Chris Ferguson, Barry Greenstein, Robert Williamson III, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow and Clonie Gowan have also expressed plans to compete.

The $5,000 buy-in tournament is open to everyone and all participants are eligible to attend a private party at the Voodoo Lounge at the Rio beginning at 10 p.m. that same day, as the tournament will feature a fast-paced structure designed to complete the competition within five hours. Seating for the tournament is limited and anyone who wants to participate are encouraged to pre-register at www.worldseriesofpoker.com/anteup/

"While a donation is not required to enter, we are respectfully asking players who win prize money to donate half of their winnings to the ENOUGH Project and the International Rescue Committee - organizations whose goals include raising public awareness and providing aid to the survivors of Darfur," Duke said.

"Four years ago, the specter of genocide reared its ugly head in an area of the Sudan called Darfur," said Cheadle, whose role as a hotel manager in the true-life film "Hotel Rwanda" earned him an Academy Award nomination. The movie told the story of the government-sanctioned slaughter of more than a million innocents in Rwanda in 1994.

For more than two years, Cheadle has worked to raise public awareness of the Darfur humanitarian crisis. He recently testified before a U.S. Senate subcommittee about his visits to Darfur and refugee camps in neighboring Chad. Not On Our Watch - a book he co-authorized with human-rights activist John Prendergast - was released into bookstores nationwide this month.

Cheadle, an accomplished poker player, and Duke, who has more than $4 million in tournament winnings, are committed to raising both public awareness about the tragedy in Darfur and funds to aid its victims.

Cheadle and Duke are supporting the work of two non-profit organizations as part of their efforts. The International Rescue Committee (www.theirc.org a leading provider of humanitarian assistance to refugees and those displaced by conflict, offers critical aid to people uprooted by crises in 25 countries, including the more than 700,000 survivors of the ethnic and political violence in Darfur, Sudan. The ENOUGH Project (www.enoughproject.org), a joint project of the Center for American Progress and the International Crisis Group, is dedicated to raising awareness and activism for causes such as Darfur.
reviewjournal.com — eNeon Only in Las Vegas

VegasTalk Radio Show - The FIRST Internet Radio Variety Show from Las Vegas ABOUT LAS VEGAS!!!

You can isten to ALL of the previous guest interviews under "Show Archives" on the website!

http://www.VegasTalkRadio.com

Since our show has been running weekly since 2004, there are quite a few.  So you'll need to select the Intial of the Last Name of our guests to locate them.  Take a look around and listen in!  Each interview runs less than 20 minutes.

This week's show for Thursday, June 28, 2007 contains:

An interview with Early Clover, lead male singer of The Coasters playing nightly at the Sahara with the Platters and the Drifters. The last nineteen years, Early has spent touring nationally and internationally as the lead singer of the acclaimed "The Cornell Gunther Coasters", keeping alive for fans all over the world the songs, the sound and the style that made the group famous. Early also perfroms his own show called "A Tribute to Legends and Motown" keeping alive the top sounds of the sixties and seventies.

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

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

"Fine Dining" with chef and Radio Show host Les Kincaid.
http://www.LesKincaid.com

"The Las Vegas Nightclub Report" with Jodie Rocco from TravelNice.com & Nightclubs.com
http://www.travelnice.com/?aid=7397

"The Las Vegas Locals Report" with Tom Wilkinson from Vegas4Locals.com
http://www.Vegas4Locals.com

The weekly variety and entertainment show broadcasts Thursday by 6:00pm and is archived online at the VegasTalk Radio website (http://www.vegastalkradio.com/?a=1327) by midnight the same day it plays.

Las Vegas Monorail Lucky 7/7/07 Celebration
Saturday, July 7, 2007
1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Join us on the Las Vegas Monorail on Saturday, 7/7/07, between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m, to celebrate the luckiest day of the century! Experience a streak of luck with free activities, live entertainment, giveaways and discount coupons at each of our lucky 7 stations.  With your valid Monorail ticket, enjoy all the festivities for free — it’s an afternoon of fun for the whole family!
 
Don’t miss the chance to win prizes — including a Las Vegas Hilton Vacation Package with a Fashion Outlets of Las Vegas Shopping Spree! 
View Official Rules
 
Participate in one of two free progressive activities to enter to win! 
 
Free “Luck of the Draw” Progressive Poker Run
Visit the poker table at each Monorail station to receive a playing card and contest stamp card.  Present your best hand and validated stamp card at the Redemption Center to enter into the drawing.*   
 
Free “Try-Your-Luck” Progressive Games of Chance
Visit the game of chance table at each Monorail station to receive a contest stamp card.  Present your validated stamp card at the Redemption Center to enter into the drawing.*
 
*Must be 21 and older. Valid identification required to participate. No cards accepted after 4:00 p.m. Only cards with all seven (7) station stamps are eligible. One entry per person. Winner need not be present. No purchase necessary. All activity participants will receive a stamp card; only those 21 and older are eligible for contest drawing.
  
Show your sweetheart you “can’t help falling in love” — “Elvis” performs vow renewal ceremonies!

Complete with Las Vegas Showgirl bridesmaids, “Lucky in Love” ceremonies will be held at Sprint Central at the Las Vegas Convention Center at 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 p.m. All participating couples will receive a free photo and vow renewal certificate of this unofficial, just-for-fun event, and can enter to win show tickets.   
 
7/7/07 SCHEDULE OF FREE EVENTS
 
MGM Grand Station
Activities on Train level
DJ & Milk the Can**
Poker & Stamp Cards
 
Bally’s/ Paris   Las Vegas Station
DJ & Wacky Gator** - Train level
Poker & Stamp Cards - Fare Gate level
  
Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station
Activities on Fare Gate level
DJ & Cue Ball**
Poker & Stamp Cards
  
Harrah’s/ Imperial Palace Station
Activities on Fare Gate level
DJ & Ring the Bottle**
Poker & Stamp Cards
 
Las Vegas  Convention Center Station
Progressive Activities Redemption Center - Fare Gate level 
"Lucky in Love" Ceremonies at Sprint Central - Fare Gate level
DJ & Flip the Frog** - Train level
  
Las Vegas Hilton Station
Jazz Duo - Train level
Airbrush Tattoo Artist - Train level
Poker & Stamp Cards - Fare Gate level
  
Sahara Station
Activities on Fare Gate level
DJ & Down the Clown**
Poker & Stamp Cards 
http://www.lvmonorail.com/vegas_vibe/deals/

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NORM: Maloof roots out new customers.

Did you hear the one about Palms owner George Maloof strolling through the casino with a pig on a leash?

No joke.

It happened Tuesday. He was shooting a commercial for the Palms' new Bistro Buffet.

During the final scene, he is shown at a table while a white baby pig is shown pigging out.

Maloof looks at the pig and says, "You're lucky I like you."

Two pigs were used in the shoot, one named Molly.

The commercial will air in about two weeks.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM: Maloof roots out new customers

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Couple happy to be big fish in small pond.

You have to wonder if Dimitri Bogatirev gazes across the Strip toward the "O" marquee and remembers the worry-free days of not fretting about ticket sales.

But Bogatirev and his wife, Iryna Ivanytska, seem cautiously happy about their life as bigger fish in a much smaller pond since they left "O" to create "Aga-Boom."

The Ukranian couple and their Russian friend Val Slemzin are the entire cast of the comic clown show that runs through Aug. 12 in magician Steve Wyrick's theater at the Miracle Mile mall.

Bogatirev says he and his wife left "O" to create "Aga-Boom" in 2002 because "I lost the reason why I go onstage; lost the idea of why I do this." In such a huge show, their comic relief characters had "become very small. It could be me, it could be someone else. It would be the same."

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/8221857.html

SHOW REVIEW: 'DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN'

More Than Just Grunt Work: 'Defending the Caveman' offers timeless comedic insight.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

More than one person has asked me if "Defending the Caveman" is tied into the popular Geico caveman ad campaign. This could be good or bad news for the show at the Golden Nugget.

On the plus side, the confusion proves stand-up comedian Rob Becker created a timeless analogy for his comparison of men and women. Timeless in a relative way, for Becker took his history and anthropology seriously in writing the one-man show.

On the other hand, the Nugget's current production of "Caveman" sometimes makes you wonder if the Nugget should have vaulted ahead and snagged the rights to the Geico characters, as ABC did for a sitcom due this fall.

This version of "Caveman" doesn't specifically tip its hand to its early '90s origins. In fact, it tries very hard not to, by name-checking current TV shows such as "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?"

More Here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/8242747.html

Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment

Randy rap rock mainstay Kid Rock headlines The Pearl at the Palms on Aug. 31. Tickets are $75, $125 and $175 and go on sale at noon Saturday at The Pearl box office, 4321 W. Flamingo Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.

Funk stalwarts KC & The Sunshine Band hit the Mandalay Bay beach on Aug. 17. Tickets are $39.50 in advance, $45 day of show and go on sale at noon today at the Mandalay Bay box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.

Actor cum singer-songwriter Billy Bob Thornton visits Ovation at Green Valley Ranch on Aug. 3. Tickets are $25.75, $36.75 and $47.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch ticket sales counter, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway.

R&B firecracker Macy Gray drops by the Whiskey Beach at Green Valley Ranch on Aug. 24, with The Brand New Heavies. Tickets are $44.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch ticket sales counter.

Raucous country troupe Lonestar kick up their heels at the Sunset Station Amphitheater on Sept. 1. Tickets are $28.45, $34.45, $50.45 and $55.95 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sunset Station front desk, 1301 W. Sunset Road.

Australian rockers the Little River Band headline The Railhead at Boulder Station on Aug. 31. Tickets are $28.50, $39.50, $42 and $48 and go on sale at 10 a.m. at the Boulder Station Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 4111 Boulder Highway.

Contemporary jazzbo David Benoit plays the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station on July 27. Tickets are $26, $33.50 and $42 and go on sale at 10 a.m. at the Santa Fe Station ticket sales counter, 4949 N. Rancho Drive.

Radio-friendly rockers Daughtry play the Sandbar at the Red Rock Resort on Aug. 23. Tickets are $52.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Red Rock ticket sales counter, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.

Styx's Oct. 6 show at the Sunset Station Amphitheater has been canceled. Refunds are available at point of purchase.

Folksters America play the Canyon Club on Oct. 20. General admission tickets are $43, seated tickets are $65, and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at Ticketmaster outlets.
ReviewJournal.com - Neon - TICKETS

Critics doubt Trop can cut its way to success.
By Liz Benston/Las Vegas Sun

When Columbia Sussex muscled aside other casino giants for control of Aztar Corp. and its Tropicana casinos, competitors were skeptical that a Cincinnati-area operator of midpriced hotels had the experience or flair to pull off a major renovation of the Tropicana - its biggest and most ambitious casino acquisition to date.

Months later, it's not just the company's plan to create Las Vegas' largest hotel and casino complex that has critics buzzing. Since acquiring Aztar in January, Columbia Sussex has laid off hundreds of workers - at least 300 people in Las Vegas alone - as part of a strategy to slash operating costs.

More Here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2007/jun/29/566616599.html

Anniversary of 'Love' kicks off Beatles events
By Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun

The Mirage celebrated the first anniversary of the Cirque du Soleil musical "Love" in high style.

Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were in town to unveil a memorial to fellow Beatles John Lennon and George Harrison. So were Olivia Harrison, Harrison's widow, and Yoko Ono, Lennon's widow.

They unveiled dot-matrix portraits of Lennon, who died of a gunshot wound in 1980, and Harrison, who died of cancer in 2001. The eleg ant platinum likenesses will grace the lobby of the Love Theatre.
More Here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/do/2007/jun/29/566663534.html

Vegas Values Report for 6/24/07
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.
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Promotions/VEGAS-VALUES.shtml

Bretts Vegas Views By Jackie Brett

The Second City and Jam Theatricals have opened an all-new revue at the Flamingo this month and it is totally hysterical and outrageous. The Las Vegas edition of The Second City is featuring a variety of scenes, songs and improvisations including bad hypnotists, a maniacal helicopter pilot and a rap inspired by the fall of Don Imus.

The five-member cast of The Second City - Las Vegas includes Katie Neff, Craig Uhlir, Shelly Grossman, Ryan Archibald and Paul Mattingly.

In its six years at the Flamingo, The Second City has continued its well-earned tradition for launching the careers of the comedy world's best and brightest. Alumni of The Second City - Las Vegas include current "Saturday Night Live" cast member Jason Sudeikis, "MAD TV's" Frank Caeti, Dan Bakkedahl of "The Daily Show" and Kay Cannon, writer for the NBC sitcom "30 Rock."

Shows are nightly except Wednesday at 8 p.m. with additional 10 p.m. shows on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The Tuesday night performance is an all improvised revue called The Second City "Scriptless" and is performed by a separate cast of five improvisers. Tickets for all performances are $44.95, call 702-733-3333.

The Las Vegas Hilton has launched its "Sounds of Summer Concert Series" with a June-September schedule of headliners. For tickets, call 702-732-5755 or 800-222-5361.

Smash Mouth, the ultimate party band with all three co-founding members - Steve Harwell, Greg Camp, and Paul DeLisle will kick into high gear July 6-7. Comedian George Lopez will headline Aug. 3-4, followed by Latin diva Ana Gabriel, Aug. 17-18.

Legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire, renowned for fusing several genres of music and winning six Grammy awards, will return to the Hilton Theater Aug. 23-25, followed by Heart, Sept. 1-2.

Marco Antonio Solis, with more than 30 entries on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart will take center stage, Sept. 15-16, and superstar duo Brooks & Dunn, Sept. 19-22, will round out the concert series.

In addition, "Cool by the Pool" features happy hour entertainment daily from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. with local favorites Tommy Rocker on Mondays; Kenny Owens on Tuesdays; and Lenny Albanese, Wednesdays through Sundays.

The Silverton is another resort hosting outdoor poolside concerts with name headliners.

The July lineup will start off with Cherry Poppin' Daddies on July 7. After introducing themselves with a 1989 four-song CD mixing funkadelica with big band, Cherry Poppin' Daddies released a series of independently-produced records boasting anything and everything an eight-piece with three horns and keys possibly could, including swing, metal, funk and country/Americana. After a brief hiatus from touring, the group began performing anew in 2002. Concertgoers will be able to enjoy free swing dancing lessons in preparation for the show. Lessons will be conducted poolside from 7 - 8 p.m.

Mary Wilson of The Supremes will heat up the night stage on July 14. Between 1964 and 1969, The Supremes were hugely popular and charted 12 No. 1 hits. In all, the trio produced an incredible 33 top 40 hits.

The Police Experience is booked two nights, July 20 and 21. The group is the result of Copeland's international search for musicians who could pull off duplicating, in the most authentic way possible, Asleep at the Wheel, the high-energy country band, will invade the poolside on July 27.

Over the past 30 years, the band's ever-shifting lineup has changed, but they continue to bring big band western swing to the masses. Asleep at the Wheel has also won nine Grammys.

Grammy award winning artist Crystal Gayle whose signature song is "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" is booked on Aug. 4,

Lou Gramm, lead singer of Foreigner, will appear on Aug. 11. He rose to prominence as the front man for the platinum-selling hard rock combo Foreigner, and later mounted a successful solo career. Now Gramm has returned with a new band and dynamic live show featuring 90 minutes of his own brand of Rock 'n' Roll.

The Grass Roots, one of the most played bands on radio from 1966-1975, will headline on Aug. 18. In their career, The Grass Roots achieved two platinum albums, two gold albums, 13 gold singles and charted singles a total of 29 times. They have sold over 20 million records worldwide.

Tommy James & The Shondells, who were one of the very first groups to produce music videos starting with "Mony Mony" in 1968, will perform on Aug. 25. During 1968 - 1969, Tommy James and The Shondells sold more single records than any artist in the world including The Beatles.
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/brett/index.htm

Fitzgeralds Elevator Plunges from 26th Floor - Three Injured
From:www.vegastripping.com

Everytime I step on the closet sized parking garage elevator at Binions I pray that I will arrive safely. So far, I'm batting 1.000 - no accidents.

An elevator full of patrons at Fitzgeralds on Sunday afternoon weren't so lucky. A resort elevator made a "hard landing" after plunging from the 26th floor of the Fitz' hotel.

Nine people were aboard the elevator - including a bell hop with a cart full of luggage. The emergency brakes stopped the free fall at the second floor… 30 or so yards from the "end of the line".

Fortunately only three of the elevators occupants were injured in the mishap - hurt backs, elbows and knees.

More Here:
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=6702929&nav=menu86_1

Fourth of July Fireworks
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=3538111&nav=menu102_2

From "The Vegas Eye"

ASIA Revealed.
As ASIA Nightlife Dining continues its move towards next month’s grand opening, executive chef Steven Geddes is already wowing diners with a forward thinking cuisine style he has termed progressive Euro-Asian, creating a category that he holds all to his own, at least for the time being. “It’s definitely not fusion,” Geddes begins resolutely, “Our goal was to take Asian ingredients and the flavors of greater Asia; Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, etc, and keep the cleanliness and pureness of the flavors but utilize the finesse and luxury of European cooking techniques and their way of handling the ingredients.” When pressed for an example, Geddes doesn’t skip a beat, pointing to his delicious Braised Short-Ribs, “Traditionally, in Chinese restaurants this dish would be prepared in a hot pot, where the meat is being braised at a high temperature and the rigors of that technique are too much for the tenderness you want from the meat. At ASIA we are using the same traditional flavors, but braising the meat at a much lower temperature to get the tenderness and flavors we want from the protein.” When asked where this concept came from, Geddes points to the gorgeous dining room created by the An Family as the inspiration for the new cuisine, “I believe that you need to identify what the place and the space are about to ensure the menu fits, in this case the room has a French Vietnamese colonial design and it spawned the progressive menu we created.” We asked Geddes why he was drawing such a hard line against being classified as fusion, and according to him, more than anything else it just doesn’t fit. “Fusion is a pretty beat-up category because everybody is trying to fuse something. When Wolfgang Puck opened Chinois way back when, it was a brilliant example of fusion at its best, Asian ingredients and quality, euro- cooking co-mingled very nicely. But it opened the door for a whole bunch of people who don’t have a strong understanding of what is being fused, the best types of fusion are those that happen through time and historical changes; the way French cuisine has infiltrated Asia through migration, real fusion is happening because the world is becoming a smaller place, not because people are consciously fusing one category with another.

The kitchen isn’t the only place where Geddes has left his mark on ASIA, also serving as the outlet’s director of wine, a rarity for an executive chef, but then again, Geddes is the only executive chef with a Master Sommelier certification hanging above his stove. “Our wine menu only has 80 selections right now,” Geddes begins, certainly shocking those that know him best, ”but every one of them count. You don’t have to have a huge wine list for it to be a good one,” he continues, laughing because he wrote one of the city’s largest wine lists when he was the wine guru for Aureole, “I made conscious decisions to leave certain things out because they didn’t go with the food. We’re top heavy in areas like sake, Riesling and sauvignon blanc because quite frankly, that’s what fits with the food. We really have some amazing stuff on the list because it’s a lot of small growers I’ve had relationships with and no producer has more than one wine on the list. It’s truly the best of the best in each of their specific areas.” It is somewhat unusual that a Master Sommelier would go with a smaller list, but it seems as though that’s exactly what Geddes has done and is sticking too,” With a smaller list I think it’s easier to offer a more grounded experience, without the intimidation factor and again, it allows us to zoom in on the food,” says Geddes before adding that the majority of the wines on the list rest below the $100-mark. “It’s about sensory stimuli and providing an overall gustatory experience above all,” Geddes continues noting that the chefs who have stopped in so far have all left content and gushing compliments. “Guests are finding there are several different ways to navigate the menu; lots of stuff is being served family style, some diners are choosing their own entrees and we’ve also had a surprising amount of people go for the full-blown tasting menu!” The tasting menu is extremely flexible, allowing guests to choose how deep into Geddes menu they want to delve, maxing out at twelve courses, with twelve beverages paired to match of course!

On the nightclub side, marketing consultant Andrew Wintner notes that things are progressing towards the official grand opening which will take place on Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th, but not before our industry friends get to welcome the venue to Vegas with the Industry Opening on July 11th. “This past weekend we held the official wrap party for ‘The Return’ and actress Rachel McAdams at ASIA,” stated Wintner proudly. “It was for the entire cast and crew and they had blast, they were having so much fun they even extended the party until 2am.” When asked to describe the current status of ASIA, Wintner stated, “We are open for dinner Tuesday thru Saturday and the nightclub is ‘soft open’ Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. We are continuing to fine tune our service, training our staff and testing out different DJs; really just getting things going and people have been very responsive so far. While we are working on a very unique Thursday happy hour promotion that we think the locals will really enjoy, we haven’t started to push any events or specific promotions just yet but we will be open again on Wednesday, June 27th and July 4th. We are also really looking forward to our industry opening on Wednesday, July 11th!” 

To make dinner or nightclub reservations please call 702.794.2582. For more information on ASIA you can visit their website by clicking here.
http://www.thevegaseye.com/index.html

African American Casino

The first ever African-American owned and developed hotel property is in the works on Paradise Road, just east of the Wynn Las Vegas golf course by real estate mogul and author R. Donahue Peebles. The plan for the 13-acre parcel of land is to build the city’s only, five-star, non-gaming property that would host 1,000 condo-units and 800 hotel rooms alongside a 40,000 square-foot destination spa.  “As Las Vegas continues to mature as a world class luxury destination, so do its travelers. More than 50 percent of travelers visit Las Vegas for reasons other than gambling,’’ said Peebles of the $2.5 billion project.

It didn’t take long for MGM Mirage to move forward on their newly acquired 78-acre parcel of land at Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara, announcing a joint partnership with Kerzner International Holdings Limited. The partnership would build a mixed-use resort on 40 of the said acres, with MGM Mirage providing the land and Kerzner the financing to construct the project. While the two companies have apparently agreed on the broad concept of the resort, it will be Kerzner leading the planning and conceptualization of the project. No word on whether any of the company’s existing brands will find homes within the new project. Existing brands under Kerzner’s umbrella include the popular Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.
http://www.thevegaseye.com/index.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on June 29th, 2007 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter