Everything Las Vegas Issue #656
February 9th, 2008
MONTE CARLO HOTEL TO REOPEN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15 MGM MIRAGE announced today that the Monte Carlo Hotel will reopen its doors for customers on Friday, February 15. Monte Carlo President and COO Anton Nikodemus announced the news, saying, “After what can only be described as an incredible effort by the best team of employees and contractors in the business, the Monte Carlo family will be in place February 15 to welcome guests for Presidents’ Day weekend.” Monte Carlo plans to open with no fewer than 1,200 guest rooms available and management anticipates an additional 1,300 rooms will become available by February 22. The remaining 500 rooms in Monte Carlo’s normal 3,000-room inventory are located on the upper floors and will remain out of service while undergoing more extensive redesign. The majority of guest services will open on February 15, including the Monte Carlo Casino, meeting and convention facilities, the wedding chapel and the Spa & Salon Monte Carlo. All food and beverage outlets will open on the 15th, with the exception of the buffet and the Monte Carlo Brew Pub, which will open as business demands, but no later than the 22nd. Most retail outlets will open February 15, with all opening no later than the 22nd. Master Magician Lance Burton will resume his long-running show February 15, in the 1,200-seat Lance Burton Theater. Remediation work continues both inside and outside the hotel, which was evacuated and temporarily closed January 25, after a fire damaged portions of the building’s exterior façade. Clark County firefighters, supported by emergency personnel from around the valley, quickly extinguished the blaze. Fire suppression efforts caused water damage to a number of guest rooms and suites. Approximately 5,000 guests and 1,000 employees were safely evacuated from the hotel with no serious injuries. Preliminary results of the Clark County Fire Department’s investigation have determined that welding activity on the hotel roof started the fire. A total damage figure has not yet been determined. “Monte Carlo President Anton Nikodemus and the entire Monte Carlo team are to be commended for their tireless efforts,” said Bobby Baldwin, President and CEO of CityCenter and Chief Design and Construction Officer for MGM MIRAGE. “Without the leadership, dedication and perseverance of these individuals, along with the professional support of the entire MGM MIRAGE family, this rapid turnaround would not have been possible. This accomplishment is no less than a testament to their commitment – both to our customers and to one another. ” Cher's got Vegas, babe, for three years at Caesars Vegas has nothing on Cher, and Cher likes it that way. "Las Vegas and I are a very good fit," says the perennial pop star, who finally can come clean on a long-rumored three-year commitment to play the Colosseum at Caesars Palace starting May 6. "Las Vegas is way over the top, and the show that I do is way over the top. I feel that it just has to be," Cher, 61, said in a telephone interview. "I guess you could go on in a black dress (and sing), but oh, I would just want to slit my wrist." Instead, Cher will star in another effects-laden showcase that producers hope to sell out 200 times in the next three years, performed in two long stretches each year. The first stint, which runs through May 31, offers four shows per week, leaving room for the singer to add more if she chooses. Tickets are on sale, with prices before taxes and fees ranging from $95 to $250. More Here:
Round-the-Clock Effort Will Have Hotel Ready To Welcome Customers for Presidents’ Day Weekend.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
http://www.lvrj.com/news/15436826.html
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Roseanne replacing Johnathan at Sahara.
Roseanne Barr is the Strip's next resident comedian, with an open-ended run at the Sahara starting March 1.
Barr returned to Las Vegas stand-up almost a year ago, with six weeks of "All You Can Eat Comedy" at New York-New York.
This time, producer Bill Caron says, she probably will be billed simply by name in late shows five nights per week. The 55-year-old comedian has family ties here, noting last year that performing in Las Vegas gives her a chance to visit nieces and nephews.
Barr replaces The Amazing Johnathan, who left after accounting disputes with Caron and the casino. He also remains at legal odds with the Sahara over alleged spying on female performers with hidden dressing-room cameras.
"I talked to Roseanne and she told me if they hide cameras in her dressing room to watch her get changed, that will be punishment enough for them," he says.
Sahara spokeswoman Andrea Sun notes that the dressing-room camera dispute involves the hotel's previous owner, Gordon Gaming Corp., not the current SBE Entertainment Group and Stockbridge Real Estate Funds, which took over casino operations last summer. Sun said "both parties mutually agreed" to end the comedian's show. Steve's Las Vegas Quickies
ReviewJournal.com - Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD
For the second straight year, the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas is pouring a special Bavarian Double Bock draft beer imported fresh from Munich, Germany. The Hofbräuhaus was able to obtain 50 kegs of this rare brew with the powerful eight percent alcohol punch and ultra smooth taste. For information, call 702-921-5578.
Luxor headliner Carrot Top is filming a reality show pilot for A&E.
The Amazing Johnathan has closed his show at the Sahara after performing there since May 2005. He plans to partner with hypnotist Anthony Cools and open a new theater this spring.
Popular online guide Citysearch and Zagat's Best of Las Vegas 2008 list Strip House as one of Las Vegas' top ten new restaurants.
For the fifth consecutive year, Tabú Ultra Lounge in the MGM Grand has been nominated for "Best Lounge" by the Club World Awards.
The Frisco Market Buffet at the off-Strip Arizona Charlie's Decatur is now featuring the Hawaiian Night Luau on Wednesdays with free leis and servers in Hawaiian-themed attire and Prime Rib and Potato Bar Night on Sundays. The price is $12.99.
"Clint Holmes and Friends" has been booked at the Suncoast for April 18-20, a date that is raising eyebrows since it is so close to Holmes' planned off-Broadway launch of "Just Another Man."
It has been a while since Lance Burton, Louie Anderson or Carrot Top worked a lunchroom. But the three entertained Monte Carlo cleanup crews during their last week "just to keep everybody cheered up," Burton said. "Everybody's working real hard to reopen the place."
If you want to take a chance on seeing yourself on TV and to see a great show, Rita Rudner's 2,000th and 2,001st shows at Harrah's will be taped Feb. 22 for a first-ever PBS comedy special and a DVD. Harrah's theater will be transformed into a 1930's-style Hollywood nightclub and attendees are encouraged to dress according to the era. "I want it to be an elegant evening," Rudner says. "I'm even considering washing my hair."
That Siegfried & Roy tell-all by former employee Jim Lavery has been delayed to this spring. The author, Henrietta Tiefenthaler, co-authored "Train Wreck: The Life and Death of Anna Nicole Smith" with Donna Hogan, Smith's half sister.
There's buzz in the restaurant world that star chefs Mario Batali and Paul Bartolotta, who both have Las Vegas restaurants, squared off on "Iron Chef" last May. The episode will air in June.
Batali just launched Carnevino, at Palazzo after opening B&B Ristorante and Enoteca San Marco at The Venetian last year. Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare is one of the most successful restaurants at Wynn Las Vegas.
The RoundTable Buffet at Excalibur has done away with Champagne Brunch service effective immediately. The buffet will remain open for breakfast, daily from 7 a.m.-11 a.m. Lunch hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and dinner hours are 4 p.m.-10 p.m.
After hinting at it all week, official numbers now confirm that the Nevada sports books lost money on this year's Super Bowl. The books collectively lost $2,573,103, which works out to 2.8% of the $92,055,833 wagered. The loss ended a run of 12 consecutive years of winning and marked only the second time in 18 years of keeping the records that the books lost. The other loser was the 1995 Super Bowl, when the 49ers trounced the Chargers to beat the bookies for $397,000. The $92 million handle was also a disappointment for the casinos, as not only was the expected $100 million mark not approached, but the total fell about $1 million short of last year.
The Mirage volcano will remain dormant until further notice while it undergoes a "major renovation". This is the second makeover for the volcano since it officially opened on Nov. 22, 1989. In 1996, new water, fire, sound, and lighting effects were added. Details on the new design will be released at a later date and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.
It was announced today that Andrew Lai, a developer connected with the Las Vegas Chinatown district, has entered into an agreement to build a 386-room Crowne Plaza hotel just west of the Strip at Spring Mtn. Rd. and Polaris. We haven't confirmed, but this may be part of a multi-casino Asian-themed mixed-use project that was introduced as Dragon City in late 2006. The Crowne could be completed by 2010.
Only six months after its last sale, downtown's Gold spike has been sold again. The purchase price was $21 million, more than $5 million more than the previous sale. Whereas the former owner had planned to turn the casino into an upscale boutique resort, the new owners have more realistic plans to renovate and appeal to the downtown bargain crowd. The group also owns the adjacent Travel Inn motel, which will add rooms to the Gold Spike inventory.
Hypnotist Anthony Cools wanted to clarify last week's column about that still-undisclosed new theater space. Cools says he would put a show into the theater as a tenant, but it would not be either his hypnotism show or "Ooh La La," the topless show he produces. Both are happily ensconced at Paris Las Vegas, he says.
The column didn't say Cools was moving, but left room for conjecture. Producer Bill Caron was in the final stages of contract talks this week with a new late-night comic headliner to replace Amazing Johnathan at the Sahara.
ReviewJournal.com - Living - MIKE WEATHERFORD
Tony Sacca, longtime syndicated entertainment producer /host, will join the Las Vegas Walk of Stars. His star ceremony will be Feb. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Josette's Bistro, 4983 W. Flamingo Road. The star will be placed on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard at Flamingo, near the site of the original MGM Grand (now the site of Bally's). Sacca and his twin brother, Robert, got their first Las Vegas nightclub act booking at the original MGM Grand.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM
NBC will air the Miss USA contest April 11 from the 7,000-seat Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort.
The Las Vegas Philharmonic performs "Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony" at the Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts on March 29. Tickets are $25, $45, $65 and VIP tickets are $100 with complimentary CD. They go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Theatre for the Performing Arts box office, 3667 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
With Valentine's Day looming, TripAdvisor has just released the results of its latest polling of travelers and editors. Top of the list was New York's Central Park, but the ever-popular fountain show at Bellagio came in at a respectable #7 — "the most romantic place in Las Vegas!", as one respondent termed it.
For $625,000, a watch for the slot-addicted.
One-of-a-kind sold at Wynn lets buyer spin reels endlessly.
By: Mark Hansel: Las Vegas Sun
Wristwatches long ago became more than clocks. You can get them today with pulse monitors, GPS features, cameras and more. But a Swiss watchmaker has now gone one better.
Wynn Las Vegas has sold a one-of-a-kind timepiece by the venerable watchmaker Girard-Perregaux that features a built-in, entirely mechanical and absolutely addictive slot machine.
“We may never see anything to rival this in our lifetime,” said Doug Bradstreet, the fine watch and jewelry buyer for the Wynn, which had exclusive rights to sell it. “I’ve been doing this for a very long time, and I can’t tell you how excited I was when I first saw this piece.”
More here PLUS A PICTURE of the watch.
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/09/625000-watch-slot-addicted/
They’re up for Grammys, performing in Vegas.
Six nominees are here now or coming soon.
By Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun
The entertainment industry’s monthlong orgy of back-patting, which culminates Feb. 24 with the Oscars (Will the stars come out? Will the show go on?), continues hot and heavy. We’re safely past the Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice awards — the publicity industry even handed out “Flackies” to film and TV PR spinmeisters this week.
Big names from the recording industry — including poperatic tenors Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban, who will duet for the first time — are set to show up Sunday for the 50th Grammy Awards, broadcast from Staples Center in Los Angeles at
8 p.m. on CBS.
We scanned the unbelievably long list of nominees and found six who are playing Las Vegas now or in the near future:
More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/08/theyre-grammys-performing-vegas/
Casinos and more casinos coming.
North Las Vegas hopes to get theaters, restaurants, bowling alleys, spas, too.
By: Mike Trask/Las Vegas Sun
In Southern Nevada it’s the gigantic casinos that get noticed first.
North Las Vegas, however, hasn’t had many towering projects of the type that defines areas and provides directional beacons across the valley — until now.
The nation’s fastest-growing city is poised to add more than 330 acres of gaming development, which could bring as many as 2,500 hotel rooms — and a mini-Strip of sorts — to North Las Vegas.
That in turn could help lure the type of commercial development that residents have clamored for in recent years.
More than 200,000 people now call North Las Vegas home, a number expected to top 500,000 by 2025.
But retail and commercial growth has not kept pace with the residential boom.
That may change with the next wave of gaming development, which includes proposals for five casinos within two miles of the Las Vegas Beltway and Interstate 15 interchange, an area where the city has loose plans to set up a “casino alley” 10 miles north of the Strip.
More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/04/casinos-and-more-casinos-coming/
SHOW REVIEW: Lusty Gusto.
'Fantasy' balances nudity, dance, personality.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
So in Las Vegas, you have strip clubs and you have "topless adult dance revues," because the casinos haven't yet folded strip clubs under their roofs.
But casino shows sometimes run into problems figuring out what a "topless adult dance revue" is supposed to be. The dancing can seem at cross purposes with the main attraction, which is to say, a booby show.
The strength of "Fantasy" at the Luxor is that it's both a show and a booby show, with neither suffering as a result.
Various competing titles over the years have shown the dancing can go off the tracks in a couple of directions: painfully strained and graceless, or excessively aerobic and athletic.
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/15436706.html
Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment
Alt-rockers Collective Soul play an acoustic set at the Mandalay Bay Theatre on March 28. Tickets are $62.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Mandalay Bay box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Led Zeppelin tribute act Lez Zeppelin plays the Chrome Showroom at Santa Fe Station on April 4. Tickets are $14 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Santa Fe Station ticket sales counter, 4949 N. Rancho Road.
Pop metallers Dokken rock Club Madrid at Sunset Station on April 5. Tickets are $15 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sunset Station front desk, 1301 W. Sunset Road, Henderson.
Soul great Isaac Hayes stops at the Dallas Events Center at Texas Station on April 11. Tickets are $29.50, $37.25, $47.00 and $54 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Texas Station ticket sales counter, 2101 Texas Star Lane.
Eighties pop favorites Loverboy steam up The Railhead at Boulder Station on April 12. Tickets are $32, $39.50, $46 and $51 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Boulder Station Boarding Pass Rewards Center, 4111 Boulder Highway. Original Kiss lead guitarist
Ace Frehley headlines the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on March 26. General admission tickets are $25 in advance, $27 day of show, seats are $30 and special reserved tickets are $40. They are already on sale at the House of Blues box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
All four original members of Asia perform at the House of Blues on May 3. General admission tickets are $35 in advance, $37 day of show, seats are $40 and special reserved tickets are $50. They are already on sale at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Country singer Gary Allan visits the House of Blues on May 29. General admission tickets are $35 in advance, $37 day of show, seats are $45 and special reserved tickets are $50. They are already on sale at the House of Blues box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Comedian Bill Engvall plays a pair of shows at the Treasure Island Theatre on Feb. 29. Tickets are $45 and $60 and are already on sale at the Treasure Island ticket office, 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South.
ReviewJournal.com - Neon - TICKETS
INTERVIEWS: Redneck Tenors
Mullets and Music: Redneck Tenors' backwoods saga full of surprises.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
It's not a big secret that the 3 Redneck Tenors aren't real rednecks. After all, it's easier to fake being a redneck than an opera tenor.
But the mullet-haired trio playing the Luxor through Tuesday keeps surprising people anyway.
The Rednecks made the judges of "America's Got Talent" sit up straight last summer when they broke into an a capella version of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony.
And it may surprise viewers to know they didn't try out for the NBC talent contest. "They called us three times," explains Matthew Lord, the singer who put the trailer-park tenors together. "That's why we couldn't win."
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/15436731.html
NORM: 'Mamma Mia!' time moves fast
"Mamma Mia!" marks its fifth year at Mandalay Bay with an anniversary performance Feb. 14. We don't know where the years went so quickly, but here's an update on where some of the Vegas alums ended up:
Local favorite Tina Walsh (the original Donna) is getting set to take the stage as Madam Drury in Las Vegas' other hit Broadway musical, "Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular," at The Venetian next month.
Nick Cokas, who played the original Sam, made headlines this week when he married "American Idol" star Katharine McPhee.
Jill Paice, the original Sophie, will be playing Scarlet O'Hara in the much-anticipated musical production of "Gone with the Wind" in London.
Karole Foreman, the original Tanya, is acting in Southern California and recently performed in Clint Holmes' musical "Just Another Man" workshop at UNLV.'
And coming full circle: Victor Wallace, who played the original Sky, has returned to the show as a much older Sam. He has gone from the role of the young husband-to-be to one of the three potential dads.
"Mamma Mia!" was set to close in August 2008 but has been extended to January. And "Mamma Mia! The Movie" comes out this summer with a cast that includes Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan.
ReviewJournal.com - News - NORM: 'Mamma Mia!' time moves fast
LENNY'S LAS VEGAS: 'Cupid is Stupid'
Santa Fe Station hosts anti-Valentine's Day party.
If love isn't your thing and you dread the thought of Valentine's Day, the 4949 Lounge at Santa Fe Station has an alternative. It is hosting a "Cupid is Stupid" anti-Valentine's Day party on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be anti-love music played by DJ Miss Joy, dancing, drink specials and tarot card readings. People who bring in a picture of their ex for the "burn box" get a free specialty drink. "Cranky Cupid" (the little person that often accompanies Motley Crue on tour) will be available for pictures and to make sure that no one is hit by a real arrow of love.
Admission is free and you must be 21 or older. Santa Fe, which happens to be one of my favorite places for gambling (and losing) is located just off I-95 north at the Rancho Road exit. Should be a lot of fun and who knows, maybe you'll meet someone and fall in love. Of course, that would defeat the whole purpose, wouldn't it?
ReviewJournal.com - Living - LENNY'S LAS VEGAS: 'Cupid is Stupid'
DRAGON DANCERS AT PALACE STATION
I told you recently about "Pit 8" at Palace Station, an Asian table games area that offers tableside dining. Well, the Chinese New Year is upon us — the Year of the Rat — so the casino is offering entertainment from local dragon dancers on Feb. 9 beginning at 6:15 p.m. The dancers will perform throughout the casino floor and finish in Sound Trax, a 175-seat entertainment venue and lounge, where they will perform in a two-hour show. The show will feature traditional folk dancing, acrobats, magic and singing in Chinese and English.
By the way, if you are playing at "Pit 8" here's what's on the tableside menu: special Vietnamese rice noodle soup; wonton noodle soup; roast duck noodle soup; seafood noodle soup; beef noodle soup; beef chow fun; yang chow fried rice; Singapore pan fried rice noodles; chicken congee; mixed beef congee; and bee bim bop, a Korean dish featuring rice topped with meat, eggs and vegetables that is served with a spicy sauce. Not bad, huh?
ReviewJournal.com - Living - LENNY'S LAS VEGAS
Her Time to Shine.
Songstress settles in to satisfy her fans and her artistic impulses.
By: Adrian Zupp/Las Vegas Magazine
In the world of contemporary R&B music, it seems like acts come and go on virtually a weekly basis. Soundalike divas roll off the assembly line and into the discount bins at amazing speed. Which makes Toni Braxton a sweet anomaly.
Since topping the charts with her eponymous debut album in 1993, Braxton has been a leading light in the pop-R&B world. Everything she's done has seemingly turned to gold or platinum. Most notably, both Braxton and her 1996 album Secrets have gone platinum eight times. 2005's Libra kept up the gold standard.
Braxton is also the winner of six Grammy awards and the recipient of an NAACP Image Award nomination. Getting the picture? Braxton isn't one of those assembly-line divas. Far from it.
Las Vegas has been lucky enough to host Braxton and her show, Revealed, since August 2006, when she finished her Libra tour. And now she has some very good news for us.
"Surprise! I've extended my run at the Flamingo until the fall of 2008."
If she sounds excited about the extension, you're right. Braxton has grown close to the city.
"I've greatly enjoyed Las Vegas," she said. "The people have been very welcoming. Vegas is different because I have really made it my home this past year, which is a great benefit for my family."
Strange as it might seem, in a city known for glitz and glitter, Braxton has been able to settle into a state of much-appreciated normalcy.
"One of the greatest benefits of being in Las Vegas is the fact I can be a stay-at-home mom," she said with obvious contentment. "I can take my kids to school, take them to soccer, speech therapy, tennis and be able to come home at night."
Revealed is at once spectacular in the grand sense, and intimate in the way performer and artist connect. Bringing together her vast catalog, stunning costumes, an entourage of backup singers, dancers and a nine-piece band, as well as three large video screens, this is one of the Strip's premier shows. And her massive (and very sexy) image gracing the Flamingo edifice has become one of the sensorial delights of a drive down Las Vegas Boulevard.
There is one thing that we'd like to know, right? How did she choose the name Revealed?
"I named the show Revealed because my fans are able to learn about me as a person. I like to reveal my life through music, and the interaction I have with my fans."
Catch Braxton while she still calls Las Vegas home. As revelatory experiences go, this one ranks way up there.
Toni Braxton
Where: Flamingo
When: 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Sat.
Cost: $75.90 and up
Las Vegas Magazine
50 Ways to Please Your Lover.
A Guide to Valentine's Day in Las Vegas. By Jack Houston/Las Vegas Magazine.
Romance in Las Vegas? No way. Could it be that the city that brought you drive-through wedding chapels and topless revues actually has a soft spot for L-O-V-E? It's true. When it comes to gift giving on Valentine's Day, either you're a planner or a procrastinator, and if you fall into the latter category, it's time to listen up. There are only so many days left until the big day. So hop on the Deuce, Bruce!
1. Gelato Cafe
The Strip's first freestanding gelato facility (located outside Fashion Show) celebrates its grand opening on Feb. 14. Guests can pledge their love with an onsite microphone from 3-10 p.m. 702.216.0175
2. Love Jones
If your Valentine's wish list includes paddles, whips and sexy lotions, stop by the Hard Rock Hotel's resident lingerie store. Hotel guests receive a $100 gift certificate to fulfill the jones. 702.693.7625
3. Valentine's Proposal Packages
Down on one knee? Been done before. For something a little more special, the Wynn's proposal ceremony package amps up the experience to the tune of champagne, long-stemmed roses and a private courtyard. 866.770.7116
4. Envy - The Steakhouse
Executive Chef Stefan Kauth has prepared a special four-course menu paired with four special Napa Valley wines. And at $85, it's guaranteed not to break the bank. Renaissance Las Vegas, 702.784.5716
5. Picasso
The elegance of the Bellagio is mirrored by Picasso, where guests can dine alongside some of the artist's original works. A $150 four-course menu is museum-quality for sure. 702.693.7223
6. Eyecandy
Ladies drink free champagne from 9 p.m.-midnight with "special surprises" courtesy of Chocolate Swan and Frederick's of Hollywood. DJ Craze, Smalltown DJs and Mat the Alien spin. Mandalay Bay, 702.632.7985
7. Koi
Planet Hollywood Resort's new eatery gets into the holiday spirit with a $100 tasting menu (with optional $100 wine pairing) featuring heart-shaped sushi and sashimi and chocolate almond fondue for two. 702.454.4555
8. Origin India
Indian food has been known for its spice, but Origin India's Valentine's menu adds some spice in the bedroom with aphrodisiac ingredients such as cumin, papaya and poppy seeds. 4480 Paradise Road, 702.734.6342
9. Save the Manatee Club
Our creatures in the sea need love, too. Help protect manatees from extinction by adopting a manatee. This great-for-kids-and-adults gift costs just $25, but if you upgrade to $35, you'll receive a plush manatee toy. Isn't that special? savethemanatee.org
10. Fleur de Lys
Hubert Keller knows the value of his fine French cuisine, but on Feb. 14, a four-course menu checks in at a very reasonable $110 per person. Dinner includes a long-stemmed rose and a cocktail with rose petal liqueur. Mandalay Bay, 702.632.9400
11. Les Artistes Steakhouse
For $179, a taste of France can be yours with a shellfish starter, ribeye filet with foie gras and tempting petit fours for dessert. Paris, 702.946.7000
12. Spas
Escape the daily grind with an afternoon of luxury at a Vegas-area spa. More on page 68.
13. Strip House
Provocative name aside, it's all about food at this Planet Hollywood Resort hot spot with exclusive Valentine's menu additions and an X-rated martini. 702.737.5200
14. Giftventure
When it comes to gifts, if your child (or adult who acts like a child) is one of those unwrap-and-toss types, try Giftventure. Your child will receive clues in the mail from a mythical character that leads him on a journey to find a gift somewhere within your home. Great for Valentine's Day or any holiday. giftventure.com
15. Peter Lik
Photographer Peter Lik has created some of the most vivid images of natural landscapes. Two of his most romantic photos, Angel's Heart and Eternal Flame, are available for a special Valentine's price at his Forum Shops, Grand Canal Shoppes and Mandalay Place galleries. peterlik.com
16. The Beatles LOVE
Cirque du Soleil's Beatles adventure is truly all you need.
17. Canyon Ranch SpaClub
The Venetian and The Palazzo's resident spas offer a special Valentine's Day package ($545), featuring a rasul ceremony, a two-by-two 50-minute Swedish massage and a $40 lunch voucher at Canyon Ranch Café. 702.414.3600
18. Flamingo Pink Pleasure
Two nights in the Flamingo's Go Suites, VIP seating and complimentary cocktails at "X" Burlesque, a Pleasure Kit with furry pink handcuffs, massage oils and a "pay-per-view movie." You know what that means. 702.733.3111
19. Loews Lake Las Vegas
Located on a man-made lake just minutes from the Strip, Lake Las Vegas is a getaway that is within reach. Loews Lake Las Vegas offers several packages worth of accommodations, dining and spa options. 800.23.LOEWS
20. Romance Lounge
Located above the Top of the World Restaurant on top of the tallest building west of the Mississippi, this posh nightspot sets the mood. Uninterrupted sight lines and uninterrupted romance. Stratosphere, 702.380.7777
21. Mount Charleston
Located 35 miles outside the city, Nevada's third-highest peak is the perfect getaway for skiing, snowboarding and hiking.
22. Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular
Broadway's longest-running love story has arrived in a one-act, 95-minute version that fits nicely following a candlelit dinner. The Venetian, 702.414.7469
23. Maverick Helicopter
Snuggle close in the cockpit for special sunset tours of the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas Strip. Wedding packages are also available. 6075 Las Vegas Blvd. S., 702.261.0007
24. Jewelry
She wants gold, you want silver. Compromise on diamonds from De Beers at The Forum Shops at Caesars or Gal at The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian.
25. Mon Ami Gabi
More than 40 outdoor tables along the Strip make Mon Ami Gabi a prime people-watching spot, as well as front-row seats to the gorgeous Fountains of Bellagio. Paris, 702.944.4224
26. Top of the World Restaurant
The room slowly revolves, giving diners a panoramic view of the city. Stratosphere, 702.380.7711
27. Tony n' Tina's Wedding
Whether you're already married or planning to take a walk down the aisle, take comfort in the hijinks of Tony and Tina and their wacky families. Rio, 702.777.7776
28. Madame Tussauds
Drop her off at the Marry George Clooney exhibit while you check out Angeline Jolie and Jenna Jameson, located just down the hall. The Venetian, 702.862.7800
29. Jean Philippe Patisserie
Homemade cr?pes and a liquid chocolate fountain (the tallest of its kind in the world) provide a sweet treat in the elegance of the Bellagio. 702.693.7111
30. Hugo's Cellar
Head downtown to Hugo's Cellar where all ladies receive a long-stemmed rose and everyone dines on quality continental cuisine. Four Queens, 702.385.4011
31. Biatta intimates
News flash: Guys love lingerie. But they like it better on ladies. If you know your mate's game for it, get laced up at biatta.com.
32. Alizé and Nove Italiano
The Palms' elevated restaurants, perched atop the Palms and Fantasy towers respectively, will blow you over with spectacular views and world-class dining. 702.951.7000 (Alizé) and 702.942.6800 (Nove)
33. BRADLEY OGDEN
Ogden's farm-fresh American cuisine gets the Valentine's treatment with a special three-course menu ($95) featuring Alaskan king crab, Petaluma Rosie chicken breast and a Meyer lemon sorbet with huckleberries. Caesars Palace, 702.731.7110
34. Fountains of Bellagio
The fountains go off several times daily, synchronized to a collection of music from Faith Hill to Rachmaninov. The best part? It's free. Bellagio, 702.693.7111
35. Chocolates
Vosges at The Forum Shops, Chocolate Swan at Mandalay Place and Ethel's Chocolate Lounge at Fashion Show. Need more be said?
36. Las Vegas Outlet Center
If you can't find something for your lover here, it probably doesn't exist.
37. Mamma Mia!
It's a classic story of mother and daughter: Mother sleeps around, daughter is born, daughter wants to find her real father, mother wants nothing to do with it, music by ABBA saves the day.
38. Platters/Coasters/Marvelettes
Before modern R&B took all the subtlety out of romantic music, these were the groups kicking out the slow jams. A trifecta of nostalgia combines for the year's most sensual day. Sahara, 702.737.2515
39. Wedding chapels
New hours at the Las Vegas Marriage Bureau now prevent the kind of night-owl nuptials that made the city famous, but from 8 a.m.-midnight daily, if you want a Star Trek character to officiate your ceremony, it's all systems go.
40. Toni Braxton
Another sad love song, and another one, and another one. Un-break her heart already!
41. Verandah
For breakfast, dinner or high tea, it's hard to beat the Verandah at the Four Seasons Hotel.
42. Las Vegas Premium Outlets
The outdoor outlet center features 120 name-brand stores.
43. Miracle Mile Shops
Specialty stores Godiva Chocolatier and Frederick's of Hollywood have a little something special in store for the holiday, from an fabric heart gift box of chocolates ($85) to the Hollywood Dream corset ($60). 888.800.8284
44. Tryst
Red velvet walls and a 90-foot waterfall infuse Victor Drai's upscale nightclub with an intimate flair year-round. Wynn, 702.770.3375
45. Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon features a 13-mile drive through 197,000 preserved acres of geological phenomena. Located 17 miles west of the Strip on Route 159.
46. Valentine's Love Affair
This gathering of the biggest names in '70s soul music (Feb. 14) will inspire a lot of steamed-up windows in the parking lot. Orleans Arena, 702.284.7777
47. Alex
One of four Las Vegas recipients of the AAA five-diamond award, Alex combines lavish décor with dynamite Mediterranean cuisine. Wynn, 702.248.3463
48. Heart
Fold a piece of paper in half, cut out an ear and open it up?a perfect silhouette of Ann and Nancy Wilson, circa 1980.
49. Gondola rides
Gondoliers serenade you as you drift along the canals of Venice. The Venetian, 702.414.4500
50. Creativity
In Las Vegas, the options for romance are at your disposal. Put a little thought into it and make it happen.
Las Vegas Magazine
She Likes to Party/He Likes to Eat
By: Jack Houston and Kiko Miyasato/Las Vegas Magazine
I think it was Miss Piggy who once said, "After all the trouble you go to, you get about as much actual 'food' out of eating an artichoke as you would from licking 30 or 40 postage stamps," and if there's anything I would trust a pig on, it's food. Especially frogs' legs. Also, mud.
That's wonderful, Jack, but while we're on the topic of mud, can we talk about getting down and dirty for a second?figuratively speaking, of course. For it was half-dollar Curtis Jackson who once said, "We gonna party like it's yer birfday," and the only place you can do that is the club.
True, true, Kiko. But you can't hit up the club without first building the base, i.e., lining your stomach with the best Las Vegas has to offer, then breaking out the bottle full a' bub.
I'll let you have that one, Snarky, but then we must devour the midnight hour at some of the premier clubs that Sin City provides.
OK, you do your thang, I'll do mine.
Hey girl, hey.
POSTRIO + TAO
HE SAID: The master of delicious cuisine that won't leave your wallet lamenting the loss of its green friends, Wolfgang Puck scores again with his outpost at The Venetian. Located in St. Mark's Square, it's got all the ambience of an Italian piazza without the naughty pigeons stealing bites of your brick-oven pizza. SHE SAID: Even Siddhartha himself would climb down from his lotus flower to check out this Asian-inspired hot spot. The 10,000-square-foot party palace where gods and goddesses mix it up is lauded for its prime VIP service, sweltering dance floor, private skyboxes, celebrity clientele and the famous 20-foot golden Buddha.
AGO + BODY ENGLISH
HE SAID: The last time Robert De Niro was a partner in something, someone wound up dead. Good thing his new Italian joint at the Hard Rock is very much alive. Agostino Sciandri pumps up his Tuscan-inspired cuisine for the A-list crowd. SHE SAID: Everybody can rock their bodies at this club (and, damn, are there some good bodies here). The swank den of desire packs in the sophistication, complete with leather booths, Baccarat chandeliers, black walls and even an ?ber-VIP area.
OKADA + TRYST
HE SAID: Overlooking a garden and waterfall, the Wynn's Okada is isolated more than feudal Japan under the Tokugawa Shogunate, babe. Modern Japanese and sushi is the name of the game at this Zen retreat that features various methods of cooking, from teppanyaki (on an iron plate) to robata (cooking by robots). SHE SAID: Bring your "lahvah" or leave 'em at home; either way, the sensuality lingers in the air at this indoor-outdoor night spot rendezvous. Dripping in flirtatious colors, low lighting, velvet, leather and marble with a 90-foot waterfall that flows into a bubbling lagoon, your senses will definitely be left soaking by night's end.
COMPANY + CATHOUSE
HE SAID: Nicky Hilton, Nick Lachey and Wilmer Valderrama walk into a bar. While there's no punchline to this joke, the celebrities are all partners in Luxor's new dining hot spot. Executive Chef Adam Sobel cut his teeth at Guy Savoy and now delights diners with such creations as chicken and waffles?Las Vegas' update on the Roscoe's classic. SHE SAID: Kittens, cougars and the men who like to pet them are welcomed at this 19th-century European bordello-inspired moonlight haven. The Cathouse Coquettes, clad in libido-lifting lingerie, perform dance numbers throughout the evening?these felines put peep shows to shame. Head nods go to the erotic photos that adorn the walls.
KOI + PRIVÉ
HE SAID: If it's good enough for Ari Gold, it's good enough for me. Entourage's power agent power lunches at L.A. hot spot Koi in the pilot episode, setting the stage for one of HBO's biggest hit series. The Las Vegas outpost at Planet Hollywood kicks it up a "nosh," adding Japanese and California touches to sushi, steak and seafood. SHE SAID: The temperature is about to rise, and it's a humid heat (better for the complexion), as Las Vegas welcomes Miami's party du jour The Opium Group and its "off the chain" nightclub to the Sin City set. The new sister club to South Beach's PrivÉ stands on her own, beckoning A-listers to climb the escalator leading to her capacious playpen.
RAO'S + PURE
HE SAID: The New York original has 10 tables, but be thankful that Caesars Palace's location is bigger, badder and bolder. With Chef Carla Pellegrino at the helm, the signature lemon chicken is always a winner, as are the gigantic meatballs, taste-tested daily by amiable host-doorman Robert "Bubbles" Ubriaco. SHE SAID: If God needed a place to party, he would do it here … with the Devil right in the next cabana. Everybody and their mother, no, seriously, has partied here. It must be the 14,000-square-foot terrace overlooking the Strip, or the VIP areas with bed seating (naughty) or the Las Vegas Pussycat Dolls Lounge where the kittens shake their thangs.
N9NE + MOON
HE SAID: Maybe you move, maybe you shake, maybe you average 27 points a game for the Los Angeles Lakers. If you do, chances are, you'll love the Palms' restaurant's 24-ounce bone-in ribeye, as your stomach cries out like Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors: "Feed me!" SHE SAID: Thank you, Mr. Hefner and Mr. Maloof, thank you. The modern disco, accessible through the Playboy Club, features a retractable roof-so you can get frisky under the stars while sipping champagne and rub-a-dub-dubbing on the dance floor. Doing the Bunny hop is optional.
Las Vegas Magazine
TRADER VIC'S HAPPY HOUR
Putting the happy in Happy Hour, Trader Vic’s Las Vegas is now offering a daily specials every Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. With a laid-back Tiki-chic atmosphere and Strip-side party patio, Trader Vic’s brings out the party animal in everyone with their great happy hour offerings.
The tropical fun includes several special deals, including:
$1.00 Pork Sliders
$15.00 Buckets of domestic bottled beers
$5.00 Redbull and vodka cocktails
2 for 1 Mai Tai’s
Located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, Trader Vic’s is a 15,000 sq. ft. dining and entertainment venue that features an upscale restaurant, second-level ultralounge and outdoor party patio overlooking the famed-Las Vegas Strip. Inspired by Trader Vic’s famed tropical island motif, Trader Vic’s Las Vegas features contemporary design with backlit inlaid bamboo walls, zebra wood fixtures and forty-foot tall wooden tikis that preside over the dining room.
Diners can enjoy a wide variety of Asian/Polynesian inspired dishes such as Hawaiian poke with ahi and hamachi served with taro chips, traditional bongo bongo soup, BBQ Kobe short ribs with nashi pear salad and soy sake glazed Hawaiian ono with green papaya salad. Let the libations flow with Trader Vic’s famous (and infamous) cocktail menu of more than 40 specialty drinks, including the original Mai Tai, and other signature cocktails such as the Scorpion and Navy Grog. Now get ready to go tropical with food, cocktails and fun times at Trader Vic’s. After a hard days work, you deserve it.
Chuck Rounds' Las Vegas Entertainment News February 2008
This February is a great month…there are three major events that make it one of the busier months of the year—The Super Bowl, Valentine's Day, and MAGIC. February is the shortest month of the year, but Las Vegas has it packed full. February is a time when new shows open and old shows change their venues or their substance. February is always the start of changes as the city looks ahead to the summer. Late winter and early spring are good times to get shows opened so that they can establish themselves prior to the summer season.
MAGIC is one of the biggest conventions of the year with over 115k attendees…but in addition to this convention, there are also over 200 other conventions that hit the city this month.
Las Vegas is the capital of many things, but it certainly becomes apparent that during February, we are the wedding capital of the world. Valentine's Day brings thousands of perspective couples and guests to pending nuptials. It is a the time for "Love and Weddings." Thousands of people will swarm to Las Vegas in order to get married. Every chapel will be filled to capacity from literally dawn right up to the stroke of midnight. There are more weddings on Valentine's Day than on any other day of the year, (7/7/07 was the biggest day last year, by the way…) The number of weddings overall has fallen in recent years, and with Valentine's being on a Thursday, it will be interesting to see what kind of numbers a pulled on that day.
The biggest entertainment event this month will be the opening of Bette Midler's: The Showgirl Must Go On" at Caesars Palace. Midler's multi-decade experience as a performer and her widely diverse fan base will all be in the spotlight this month. Her opening has been greatly anticipated, and additional performances have already been added to try and keep up with overwhelming demand.
The Musical "Hats" just opened at Harrah's. It is all about the Red Hat Society and their inclusion of women that have felt a void in their lives. The Las Vegas edition cuts the original version of this production in half, but the show works very well, and at the opening, a wealth of Red Hat Ladies decreed this production the best that they have ever seen.
"The Producers" will close its doors exactly one-year after it opened. It was a valiant effort, and Tony Danza did a great job in it. The show just never seemed to get a good foothold in the town.
Gordie Brown is going to end his run at the Venetian showroom. There has been talk that he is going to have a new theatre built for him in the newly opened Palazzo hotel. Wayne Brady is going to be taking over Brown's time slots for now.
"Tony 'n Tina's Wedding" at the Rio opened on Valentine's Day and is now getting ready to celebrate it's fifth-year anniversary.
Claire Voyant's November issue write up on Clem Zeleski:
We are very saddened to report the sudden and shocking death of entertainer Clement Zeleski (originally spelled Zelewski). Clem was a true Las Vegan, born and raised in this city. At just 17, he went to work as a dancer in the Stardust's Lido de Paris production and never stopped dancing. In years following, this young man performed all around the world, in large production shows in Sun City, South Africa, the Lido in Paris and Jubilee! at Bally's in Las Vegas, as well as in smaller revues. In 1992, Zeleski did his Michael Smuin conceived Fred Astaire in Rehearsal show at the Cable Car Theater in San Francisco. The revue lasted for one year. Clem also danced in commercials for Hertz Rent-A-Car in London and the Walker Furniture Stores in the Southwestern United States. His lean look (he was more than six-feet tall), style, grace and talent made him a perfect interpreter of the classy moves and routines of Fred Astaire. Other entertainers were in awe of Zeleski's dance abilities. He had the opportunity to partner with Cyd Charisse at a party hosted by actress Stefanie Powers and work with Debbie Reynolds at her hotel in Vegas (now the site of the Greek Isles). Ballet great Rudolph Nureyev was so impressed with Zeleski, he insisted upon meeting Clem after seeing his San Francisco show. Zeleski's most recent local performance was in the Las Vegas Legends benefit for Golden Rainbow held at The Orleans on November 4th. Although we weren't able to attend that event, we heard that Clem and his "Vera Ellen" partner were brilliant. On Tuesday morning, November 27th, Clement Zeleski was found slumped over his kitchen table. Paramedics were called; he was rushed to a hospital but was unable to be revived. He was only 45. At the beginning of Clem's Salute to Fred Astaire on YouTube, there is a poem by an unknown author that reads, "When I get to heaven, and I'm settled there, may I dine with Mr. Disney and dance with Fred Astaire." We have a feeling that is what he is doing now.
The Canyon Club Las Vegas announced a new resident show, "Marriage Can Be Murder." The longest running dinner show in Southern Nevada, "Marriage Can Be Murder," is an interactive experience where the audience unseeingly becomes involved with mystery unfolding around them. "Marriage Can Be Murder" is a 4-dimensional theatre concept created by husband and wife team Eric and Jayne Post nearly 20 years ago. For more information, visit marriagecanbemurder.com.
"The Three Redneck Tenors" is set to open at the Luxor. You'll travel with 3 singing cousins from their modest beginnings in Paris, Texas, where they discover that belting out a high C causes pigs to move faster and bar brawlers to scatter; all the way to their triumphant debut at New York's famous Carnegie Hall. 3 Redneck Tenors features a cast of veteran Broadway and opera stars including Matthew Lord, John Wilkerson and Alex Bumpas. The show is like Greater Tuna meets Phantom of the Opera - hilarious down home laughs with serious big city music!
The Award-winning off Broadway Smash Hit "Toxic Audio" has made its way to the Las Vegas Strip. The a cappella sensation will perform nightly at the V Theater located at the Miracle Mile Shops within the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. "Toxic Audio's" five-member group uses no instruments and only the human voice to create a complete theatrical a cappella experience. They are the winner of the Drama Desk Award for "The Most Unique Theatrical Experience in America" and were voted Number One in the Wall Street Journal/Zagat Theater Survey surpassing Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
After nearly two years, the successful interactive dinner theater, "The Sopranos Last Supper" is taking its show to the Riviera Hotel & Casino. The infamous Goombahs will be wowing audiences six nights a week. Steve Schirripa, who plays the Bobby Baccalieri will be joining the cast to wish them the best on their scheduled MEDIA NIGHT, Tuesday, February 12th, 2008.
Every week is a big week in February. As you scroll through the special offerings, events, and headliners for the month, you'll be amazed by all of the top-notch talent.
Week number three…
The Harlem Globetrotters
Orleans Hotel Feb 13
U.S. Olympic Wrestling & Judo Team Trials
Thomas & Mack Feb 13 - Feb 15
Editors w/ Hot Hot Heat and Louis XIV
Mandalay Bay Feb 14
George Carlin
Orleans Hotel Feb 14 - Feb 17
Howie Mandel w/ special guest John Mendoza
MGM Grand Feb 14 - Feb 27
The 2nd Annual Valentine's Love Affair
Orleans Hotel Feb 14
The Las Vegas Tenors
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 14
Badfish - A Tribute to Sublime with Scotty Dont
Mandalay Bay Feb 15
Black Diamond
Cannery Casino & Hotel Feb 15 - Feb 16
Christopher Cross
Suncoast Hotel and Casino Feb 15 - Feb 17
David Spade
Planet Hollywood Resort Feb 15 - Feb 16
Heart
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 15 - Feb 16
Hollywood Vibe Dance
Alexis Park Resort Feb 15 - Feb 17
Lee Ritenour
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino Feb 15
Ray Romano
Mirage Feb 15 - Feb 16
Santa Fe & the Fat City Horns
Cannery Casino & Hotel Feb 15 - Feb 16
Vicki Lawrence
South Point Casino Hotel & Spa Feb 15 - Feb 17
George Clinton w/ Parliament and Funkadelic
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Feb 16
Keith Sweat
Texas Station Feb 16
Kelly Pavlik vs. Jermain Taylor
MGM Grand Feb 16
Las Vegas Classic Volleyball Tournament
Cashman Center Feb 16 - Feb 18
Styx
Mandalay Bay Feb 17
WWE presents "No Way Out"
Thomas & Mack Feb 17
The fourth week brings…
Horrorpops
Four Queens Feb 20
Queensryche w/ Don Dokken (solo acoustic)
Mandalay Bay Feb 20
George Carlin
Orleans Hotel Feb 21 - Feb 24
Maceo Parker
Mandalay Bay Feb 21
Sportsmen's Boat, RV & Travel Show
Cashman Center Feb 21 - Feb 24
311
Hard Rock Feb 22
American Taekwondo Association West Coast Tournament
Las Vegas Convention Center Feb 22 - Feb 23
Danielle Peck
South Point Casino Hotel Feb 22 - Feb 23
David Brighton's Tribute to Jim Bowie
Cannery Casino & Hotel Feb 22 - Feb 23
Gino Vannelli
Flamingo Feb 22 - Feb 23
Little River Band
Whiskey Pete's Hotel Feb 22 - Feb 23
Louis Prima, That's My Dad starring Lena Prima
Gold Coast Feb 22 - Feb 23
Terry Fator
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 22 - Feb 24
The Osmond Brothers
Suncoast Hotel and Casino Feb 22 - Feb 24
Third Day
Mandalay Bay Feb 22
Christian Gospel Music
Walter Trout
Santa Fe Station Hotel Casino Feb 22 - Free
AVP Hot Winter Nights
Orleans Hotel and Casino Feb 23
American Volleyball Association event
Sarah Silverman
Hard Rock Feb 23
Slaughter
Sunset Station Feb 23
South Point Winter Championship & Millionheir Classic
South Point Casino Hotel & Spa Feb 24 - Mar 6 - Free
Equestrain Event
The last few days of the month and into March bring…
David Copperfield
MGM Grand Feb 28 - Mar 18
Doodlebops
Orleans Hotel Feb 28
NASCAR Driver's Auction
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall Feb 28
Benefit Speedway Charities
2008 NASCAR Weekend
Las Vegas Motor Speedway Feb 29 - Mar 2
Bravo! National Dance & Talent Competition
Cashman Center Feb 29 - Mar 2
Dave Attell
Mandalay Bay Feb 29
George Lopez
Las Vegas Hilton Feb 29 - Mar 1
Home & Garden Show
Cashman Center Feb 29 - Mar 2
International Fight League
Orleans Hotel Feb 29
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Orleans Hotel Feb 29 - Mar 2
Kevin James
Mirage Feb 29 - Mar 1
Kingston Trio
South Point Casino Hotel & Spa Feb 29 - Mar 2
Marcia Ball
Boulder Station Feb 29
Night of 1000 Guidos
Suncoast Hotel Feb 29 - Mar 2
Peace Frog - Tribute to the Doors
Cannery Casino & Hotel Feb 29 - Mar 1
Rick Springfield
Green Valley Ranch Resort Feb 29 - Mar 1
Wayman Tisdale
Santa Fe Station Feb 29
Bubbapalooza
Hard Rock Mar 1
Every Time I Die w/ From First to Last, the Bled & Human Abstract
Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino Mar 1
The Sub City Take Action Tour
Kenny Rankin
Santa Fe Station Mar 1
RBD
Orleans Hotel Mar 1
For dates and times, be sure to log onto the Las Vegas Online Entertainment Guide: ( www.lvol.com ).
I Go Shows ( www.Igoshows.com ) is, of course, the place to read the reviews of all of the shows that are in town so that you can be better informed as to what you should expect from a certain production. The reviews are updated as needed to give you the knowledge you need to spend your entertainment dollars better.
Three New Restaurants of Note Planned for Vegas
By Rick Garman/www.vegas4visitors.com
Luxor will continue its transformation from kitschy fun to more adult themed pleasures with the addition of T&T (Tacos and Tequila), a new high-energy restaurant/club planned for the second level attractions area overlooking the hotel check-in. T&T will feature an extensive menu of Mexican favorites plus a long cocktail list heavy on the tequilas and margaritas. It is due to begin construction this month and should open by this summer.
Meanwhile over at Monte Carlo, a new steakhouse from the people who brought us Fix and Stack will replace the existing one at the hotel. Brand is the name of the joint from the Light Group and it will feature a casino lounge, a 250-seat dining room, and private dining areas if you’re looking for a place to hold your wedding reception. The menu will be steakhouse traditional but reinterpreted with a series of sauces and toppings for the steaks that will intend to move them beyond the norm. Also on the menu, an 8.6 pound porterhouse in case you’re feeling really hungry. Actually, it’s meant to be shared by six people but I’m not going to stop you.
Brand was due to open in April but the fire at the hotel may push that back a little.
And lastly, Wolfgang Puck’s newest restaurant is now open, but not on The Strip. It’s located at the fantastic Springs Preserve a couple of miles from Las Vegas Boulevard and is called, appropriately enough, The Springs Café. Just like the entire eco-friendly facility, Puck’s new restaurant focuses on sustainable living, providing a cuisine that is organic and regionally produced and grown. The entire restaurant has been built with an earth-first mentality, from the design of the building to the plates that you eat the food on. For more information, visit the Springs Preserve website.
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Column by Rick Garman
Updated Show Review: Mac King
By Rick Garman/www.vegas4visitors.com
I’ll start this one out short and sweet for those of you who don’t like reading long reviews: Mac King’s Comedy Magic show at Harrah’s is one of the best shows in Las Vegas and without a doubt the best entertainment value in town. How’s that for an opening? You’ll note that the title puts the word Comedy before Magic and this is at once important and deceptive. It’s important because King puts humor at the forefront, drawing his audiences in with a genial, good-natured comedic style that delivers out-loud laughs. It’s deceptive because it can make you not notice how brilliant of an illusionist he is.
Mac King eschews the grandiose smoke and mirrors type of magic that most of the acts in this town have beaten into a virtual parody of the genre. Really, is anyone impressed by the levitating showgirl or whirling blades of death anymore? I’m always looking for the wires and the hydraulics and the sleight of hand with the big spectacle illusions instead of being impressed by the overall affect. Watching Mac King make a goldfish appear in a brandy snifter or making a supposedly burned $100 bill reappear in a surprising place is more entertaining than whatever gigantic thing David Copperfield is making disappear this week.
Of course the tricks that King performs are nothing ground breaking – the mysterious rope that regenerates itself, a host of card tricks and other sleight of hand - but this style of up close magic will make you look at the art form with a fresh appreciation.
For example, King got a pair of hapless audience members on stage for an extended bit that involved playing cards and rain poncho that provided him with “powers of invisibility.” It sounds silly and it is but it had the audience rolling in the proverbial aisles and surprised everyone – perhaps as much because of the fact that magic could still be surprising.
And that, more than anything, is what makes Mac King’s show so terrific. By infusing a healthy dose of laughter into the proceedings, King takes away your inhibitions and lets you enjoy the entertainment of magic again. After all, it’s hard to be suspicious when you’re laughing that much.
So, even before we start talking about the price, King’s show is a winner. But add to the mix that it only costs $24.95 plus tax to get an hour’s worth of this much fun and it’s a no-brainer. Plus, discount coupons are often available in magazines or in front of the hotel that will get two-for-one admission or even free with the purchase of a cocktail.
The bottom line is this: There is a new King in Las Vegas.
You knew you weren’t going to get out of this without an Elvis joke, didn’t you?
Mac King
Harrah's
3475 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
800-427-7247
Price:
$24.95 per person plus tax
Showtimes:
Tues-Sat 1pm and 3pm
Vegas4Visitors Rating: A
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Column by Rick Garman
Brett's Vegas Views by Jackie Brett
This weekend Pink Taco at the Hard Rock, which offers a dining experience putting a California spin on traditional Mexican dishes, had its grand re-opening and celebrated with a newly extended bar. The menu includes the trademark Pink Taco (Panuchos).
The hip Mexican cantina, Pink Taco is a folk-art bedecked hotspot adorned with classic low-rider bicycles, tables that leave guests' feet dangling, and an assortment of authentic Mexican craftwork decorating the dining room. Dining out on the patio offers a more quiet setting. Pink Taco has weekday Happy Hour specials that include 2-for-1 beers and house margaritas as well as half-priced appetizers.
Also new will be the launch of a new monthly affair on Tuesday, Feb. 5, known as Cinco de Taco. The monthly occurrence will take place on the 5th of each month and offer $2 Coronas and Corona Lights, $3 Sauza Hornitos shots, $3.75 Sauza Hornitos margaritas as well as half-off appetizers from 4 p.m. until closing. Cinco de Taco will feature a live Mariachi band beginning at 6 p.m., and girls dressed in lingerie will be participating in three Pi¤ata bashings filled with Love Jones lingerie. In addition, Pink Taco will introduce its new sweet treat, pink fortune tacos. A rendition of the traditional fortune cookie, pink fortune tacos are shaped like tacos, are pink and contain words of taco wisdom and some will have special surprises such as free cocktails.
The Light Group, Las Vegas' premier hospitality and lifestyle development organization, will unveil its latest restaurant concept with the opening of BRAND Steakhouse, set to open in April at the Monte Carlo. One part steakhouse and one part lounge, BRAND with its open people-watching design will be centrally located on the casino floor and open nightly.
Designed by Graft Lab, the award-winning design firm behind FIX Restaurant & Bar at Bellagio and STACK Restaurant & Bar at The Mirage, BRAND will feature a 5,000-square-foot, 250-seat dining room with a dramatically lit ceiling canopy that will create a pixilated abstract cow-print pattern and adjacent lounge. A rich palette of earthy colors and unique textures combined with soft lighting and subtle sound system will add to BRAND's casually cool ambience. BRAND's fluid design, featuring low-level walls and retractable glass partitions from both the casino and inside the restaurant, will create seamless transitions into either environment. There will be a 50-seat private party room that can be divided into two smaller rooms.
Highlighting Brand's menu will be the Ultimate Steak: a mammoth 8.6-pound beef porterhouse for six served with choice of two house-made sauces and two sides.
Creator and owner, Michael Frey will open his contemporary, highly-stylized, 8,000-square-foot restaurant T&T (Tacos & Tequila) this summer above the hotel registration at the Luxor. It will be the first project under the formation of his new company, Drive This Entertainment! T&T will be open daily for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and offer late night dining from the taco bar until 3 a.m.
World-class designer, Adam Tihany, will feature five icons of Mexican culture, the sombrero, the shot glass, the bullfight, skeletons and seductive women in the design.
One of the main focal points will be a massive brushed aluminum cover, designed to pay tribute to the sombrero. Adorning the structure will be two 20-feet laser cutouts of dancing skeletons. The designers will use a bright color palette of yellows, reds, greens, oranges and blues for chair coverings and decorative lighting.
Another aesthetic focal point will be the bar that will be transformed into a bull fighting arena with the backdrop being stadium-style shelves with the liquor bottles arranged to resemble spectators overlooking a bullfight, which will be painted below onto a large mural.
Master Chef and savvy restaurant owner Richard Sandoval will serve as the consulting chef. In addition, T&T will be equipped with a freestanding frozen daiquiri bar and a clothing and small mementos boutique.
Canyon Club Las Vegas at the Four Queens has started a new resident show, Marriage Can Be Murder. The longest running interactive dinner show in Southern Nevada is scheduled at 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The dinner show package is $54.95 and includes one non-alcoholic drink, tax and tip. A VIP package is available for $69.95 and features premium seating, a souvenir, one complimentary cocktail, tax and tip, call 702-387-5175.
Marriage Can Be Murder is a 4-dimensional theatre concept created by husband and wife team Eric and Jayne Post nearly 20 years ago. It has been running at The Egg and I restaurant for seven years.
Crazy Leroy's Race & Sports Book - Bar & Grill has opened its flagship operation, a 10,000-square-foot race and sports book just steps from the famous Strip with state-of-the-art amenities including 50 high-definition, flat screen TVs and 24 sit-down carrels with built-in monitors. Crazy Leroy's, located next to the Riv's poker room, also features its own bar and grille. Other changes include new ticket writing terminals, two new kiosks, an electronic board, and a 60-foot by 5-foot high-definition reader board. The renovation represents a $1 million investment and is part of an overall renovation of more than $25 million.
Author Dennis Griffin will present, Las Vegas and the Mob, a lecture on the life of Chicago mob enforcer Tony Spilotro, at 11 a.m. on Feb. 20 at the Winchester Cultural Center, 3130 S. McLeod Drive. This program is free but registration is required, call 702-455-7340.
In 2006, Griffin released The Battle for Las Vegas, the story of Spilotro's Vegas reign. His presentation will use clips from the Martin Scorsese film Casino to highlight similarities and differences in the movie version, starring Joe Pesci as Spilotro, and the real events included in Griffin's book.
Griffin began writing Policing Las Vegas, the history of law enforcement in Las Vegas and Clark County from 1905 to 2004, and it was released in 2005. The Battle for Las Vegas is his second foray into nonfiction and is the subject of a bus tour that leaves from the Greek Isles six nights a week. His most recent work, Cullotta - The Life of a Chicago Criminal, Las Vegas Mobster and Government Witness, was released in 2007.
Note from Steve: I have met Denny and he is a regular reader plus a poster in the Forums.
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/brett/index.htm
TOP 10 CASINO TIPS – February 2008 by Henry Tamburin
1. Subscribe to the Las Vegas Advisor newsletter. Even if you visit Vegas once during 2008, the information in the newsletter will help you save money and have a better time. Plus, when you subscribe you’ll get their valuable Pocketful of Values (POV) book of coupons. The new 2008 POV contains 23 2 for 1 buffet coupons; 21 2 for 1 show coupons; 23 matchplay coupons worth $101.97 in expected return; plus a lot more. Check it out at www.lasvegasadvisor.com.
2. The 2008 edition of the American Casino Guide book has just published. This book also contains lots of tear off casino coupons as well tons of information on every casino in the country (location, toll free number, directions, maps, etc.). For more information, visit www.americancasinoguide.com.
3.Arizona Charlie’s Casino in Vegas has a nice perk for new members to their Player’s Club. You get back the first $100 in losses in free play. I played it with my in-laws and it’s easy to do. See their Player’s Club for details. Don’t miss this promo.
4. Stay away from any blackjack game that only pays 6 to 5 for a blackjack (you want a 3 to 2 payoff). Also, you are better off playing blackjack where the dealer stands on soft 17 rather than hits soft 17, especially on 6- and 8-deck games.
5.If you want to play blackjack on the Strip for low stakes ($5/$10) with good rules, head over to either MGM Grand or Monte Carlo. Both offer 6-deck shoe games where the dealer stands on soft 17, you can double after pair splitting and you can surrender lousy hands. You are more apt to find $5-$10 minimum games at Monte Carlo.
6.The only way to legally get the edge at craps is to learn how to set and throw the dice. It’s not easy but if you practice and get good, you can get the edge over the house. A good book that explains dice control with 90 photos is Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution.
7.Guaranteed Play video poker machines, where you prepay for fixed number of hands, is being touted at all the Station Casinos in Vegas. Before you play, read Michael Shackleford’s analysis of Guarantee Play on www.wizardofodds.com (bottom line: forget it).
8.You can get loads of Las Vegas coupons prior to leaving for a
trip by going to www.billhere.com. While there, you should also sign up for the free subscription to the Viva Las Vegas e-newsletter.
9.If you want to snag limited 2/1 Las Vegas show tickets, check out this site: http://www.tix4tonight.com. You'll have to purchase your tickets the day of the show (first come, first serve), and there is a service charge (but you can print a $2 off coupon on their web site).
10.There are many new video slot games that have mini-jackpots that increase as more coins are fed into the machine until someone hits. You’ll usually find a bank of these machines; check out the amount of the mini-jackpots on each machine and then play the one that has the largest jackpots.
Henry Tamburin presents Smartgaming.com
Striking New Display Incorporates Ancient Art of Feng Shui to Welcome Year of the Rat.
From: www.accessvegas.com
Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens is celebrating the 2008 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Rat, with a unique display filled with hidden meaning. The Conservatory's design is guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui– the art of using surroundings to attract harmony, balance and positive life energy. The dramatic centerpiece of this exhibit will be found perched atop an oversized, flowering branch. Here, a botanical, 5-foot-tall rodent will watch guests with an inquisitive eye. The auspicious rat's lush coat will be made of red Alternanthera, a low-growing herb, with a touch of pink Hypoestes, a tropical plant. His long curling tail and delicate whiskers will be made of metal.
Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The rat is revered for its place as first in the Asian zodiac and is a symbol of renewal. Those born in the Year of the Rat tend to be intelligent, charming and practical. Just steps away from Bellagio's delightful rodent ambassador, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune will be found amidst gleaming I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese money symbol. Widely recognized as the strongest symbol of good fortune in China, the God of Wealth and Fortune will be flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad luck.
Nearby, visitors will find a zigzag bridge leading to a beautiful, wing-tipped gazebo painted a deep red lacquer with shimmering gold trim and green-tiled roofs. The color red signifies happiness while the upturned roofline will ward off evil spirits and the sharp pattern of the bridge will protect against negative energy and bad spirits. A majestic mountain, seen as a pillar between heaven and earth, will serve as a dramatic backdrop. The teachings of Feng Shui also will be used to purposely position the flow of water into Bellagio's Conservatory, and not away, ensuring the flow of positive energy. From a tranquil Koi pond to a shimmering waterfall, water will denote the larger world we live in while carp will signify good luck and everlasting good fortune. Visitors are invited to celebrate Chinese New Year in Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens through March 15, 2008. (Article courtesy of MGM Mirage)
Chinese New Year Conservatory Facts:
5-foot-tall rat comprised of red Alternanthera and pink Hypoestes
18-foot-tall God of Wealth and Fortune
I-Ching coins are traditional money symbol
Zigzag bridges, color red, water and Koi protect against evil, ensure positivity
Midler to retire after Vegas residency.
Veteran singer and actress Bette Midler is planning to retire from showbusiness once her two-and-a-half-year run of shows in Las Vegas is over.
The 62-year-old is taking over from Celine Dion at the Colosseum venue next month, where she will perform 'The Showgirl Must Go On' for 30 months.
Midler admits she is then likely to stop working.
Asked by American magazine Parade whether she will retire after the show, she says: "I think so. I must say, my high kick is just as high as it ever was, thanks to tai chi. But everything is a bit slower. The mind - things don't stick the way they used to.
"I feel like I'm going out with a bang. It's something my husband and I have talked about. I certainly don't want to die in harness. I'm not one of those people."
IOL: Midler to retire after Vegas residency
Palace Station: Gaming Authors Meet & Greet.
On Sunday, March 9, meet American Casino Guide author, Steve Bourie; Vegas Values author, Scot Krause; The Frugal Gambler author, Jean Scott; and Blackjack Take the Money and Run author, Henry Tamburin from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m in the Sound Trax Lounge at Palace Station. The authors will be available to meet gambling fans and then participate in a 30-minute session of answering questions from audience members on a variety of gambling topics. Admission is FREE and serious gambling questions are welcome! There will also be FREE drawings for door prizes.
NOTE FROM STEVE.
I may attend this meet and greet.
From "The Vegas Eye"
Cher Confirms Rumors. TheVegasEye confirmed today that the legendary Cher confirmed a long-lived rumor that she will headline in Las Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace beginning May 6. The performance agreement, which is in partnership with AEG Live, includes approximately 200 shows over a span of three years. "I started in Vegas at Caesars, so I've come full circle," Cher said. "I'm back and I plan to give my fans the best experience yet. I think everybody knows I only do things in a big way." A world famous superstar for more than 40 years, the Oscar and Emmy-winning performer has conquered every endeavor - concerts, recordings, Broadway, TV, movies, film directing and books. Cher has released more than 25 albums and sold over100 million records worldwide in her Grammy-winning solo recording career. "The fan anticipation leading up to this announcement has been unprecedented," said John Meglen, co-CEO and President of AEG Live/Concerts West. "Cher's talent is legendary around the globe and there is simply no one like her. AEG Live is proud to be involved with Cher in a project that once again reinforces Las Vegas as the entertainment capital of the world." "Cher's name in one word encapsulates icon, award-winning legend, and captivating performer. There is only one home for someone of that legendary status- the most recognized casino brand in the world, Caesars Palace," said Caesars Palace President, Gary Selesner. "Caesars is pleased to welcome Cher back to Las Vegas' most prestigious entertainment address, The Colosseum, joining Bette Midler and Elton John." Rosanne In Vegas. "Fresh out of rehab and ready to PARTY! Seriously though, I'm thrilled to be back in Las Vegas for another run and cannot wait to see you all at The Sahara," said Barr. As one of the most notable names in the comedic industry, Barr holds honors as one of the highest ranked comics, landing at #9 on Comedy Central’s list of 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time. "We are so pleased to welcome Roseanne Barr to the Sahara family," commented Robert Leck, vice president of hotel operations. "Roseanne will add her extraordinary talent, wit and charm to a showroom that has played host to some of the most legendary performers of our time." Roseanne Barr will appear for one show nightly at 9:30 p.m., Saturday through Wednesday beginning March 1, 2008, in the Congo Room of the Sahara Hotel and Casino. Ticket prices begin at $59.50 (inclusive of all taxes and fees); limited VIP and Golden Circle seats are also available. Coming to theaters in May. Rising 645 feet above the city, its 64 stories wrapped in 24-karat gold glass, Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas will stand out on a skyline known for bold architectural statements. Its location will afford guests direct access to the world-renowned Fashion Show Mall adjacent to the hotel. Its boutique-style approach, sans casino, will bring welcome understatement to a city dominated by just the opposite. Beatlemania lives in Vegas. By: Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun It was 44 years ago today that the Beatles made their first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The Beatles’ first full-blown tour made its second stop at the Las Vegas Convention Center for two sold-out concerts Aug. 20, 1964. Tickets here went for $2.20 to $5.50. Already trapped by their stardom, the Beatles saw little of the Strip and spent the night holed up at the Sahara; they had a slot machine brought up to Room 2344 so they could get a little bit of the Vegas experience. If you look around Las Vegas, you’d never guess the band stopped performing Aug. 29, 1966, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The really big Beatles show is Cirque du Soleil’s “LOVE” at the Mirage. One of the many touring tributes is making a stop at the Cannery and two tribute bands — one established and one struggling to its feet — are based in Las Vegas. Here’s a look: More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
Cher at The Colosseum, an impressive spectacle designed exclusively for the 4,300-seat venue, will feature countless chart-topping hits from the artist's unparalleled career. The show will be complimented by extraordinary choreography from Doriana Sanchez, state-of-the-art lighting and special effects and breathtaking costumes designed by the world-renowned fashion icon, Bob Mackie.
Emmy award-winning comedian Roseanne Barr brings her everyday humor and observations to the Sahara Hotel and Casino, beginning March 1, 2008. Barr will perform in the Sahara’s legendary Congo Room, a 520-capacity entertainment venue, with a 9:30 p.m. show time.
Two strangers awaken together to discover they’ve gotten married following a night of debauchery in Sin City, and one of them has won a huge jackpot after playing the other’s quarter. The newlyweds devise ever-escalating schemes to undermine each other and get their hands on the money - only to find themselves falling in love amid the mutual backstabbing. Directed by Tom Vaughan, starring Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry, Treat Williams, Dennis Farina.
Clickwww.whathappensinvegas to view trailer.
Trump Tower Opening March 31st.
Spring 2008 will see a new generation of luxury hospitality on the Las Vegas scene when Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas opens its doors on March 31. The hotel will join sister Trump International Hotel & Towers in New York and Chicago as the three founding hotels of the newly launched Trump Hotel Collection. The ultra-luxury brand, which embodies the vision of Donald Trump and his three grown children – Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric – promises to raise the bar on the top-end travel experience with a style of customized service unmatched in the market.
With 1,282 ultra-luxury, non-smoking suites ranging from 515 to 3,500 square feet, Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas has been designed to deliver an unprecedented level of personalized service. Signature touches will range from white-gloved doormen to the services of a Trump Attaché. Guests will also benefit from world-class pampering at The Spa at Trump, along with a sophisticated fitness center, gourmet dining, a luxurious heated outdoor pool with an inviting sundeck and bar, on-site meeting facilities, and indoor valet parking.
“This hotel will be the destination of choice in Las Vegas for the cultivated traveler,” said Vice President and Managing Director Steve Shalit. “Our guests will appreciate the immediate access our location affords to the full Las Vegas experience, while at the same time providing them with a sophisticated retreat a world apart from the action just outside our doors. It’s a hospitality experience unlike any available here before.”
Opening later in the spring, the hotel’s signature restaurant, DJT, will showcase the culinary talents of Joe Isidori – former chef at Mar-a-Lago and frequent personal chef of the Trump family – in an exceptional menu of Modern American cuisine. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a sleek setting just off the lobby, and is destined to become a favorite among guests and local residents alike.
Signature cocktails and exceptional wines will be the focus of the hotel’s lobby bar, while the poolside H2(eau) will serve Mediterranean and Neo-Japanese cuisine.
Trump International Hotel & Tower Las Vegas will offer 24-hour room service and, with advance notice, the services of an in-room chef who will prepare a culinary feast in the guest’s own kitchen and present it course by gourmet course. The Penthouse Suite, equipped with its own pantry, becomes the ideal location for a DJT-catered private dinner for up to 30 with a spectacular view of the glittering Las Vegas night.
http://thevegaseye.com/home/
Fab Four fans have choice of shows, including two by locally based groups.
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/08/beatlemania-lives-vegas/
Posted on February 9th, 2008 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter
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