Everything Las Vegas Issue # 658
February 24th, 2008
NORM: Montecito resort closes its doors.
All bets are off on NBC's "Las Vegas."
The fictional Montecito resort has gone dark after a five-year run.
"That's why they call it show business, emphasis on the business part," creator Gary Scott Thompson told me by telephone Thursday.
NBC informed him Wednesday that the show would not be renewed, meaning last Friday's 106th episode was the finale, three shows short of a full season.
"The cast was not happy," said Thompson, adding, "We were really a victim of the (writers) strike."
Another factor, he said, was the NFL's anti-Las Vegas stance, which prohibited lead-in advertising on NBC's Sunday NFL game. That forced the show to a Friday time slot, and "Friday night didn't make any money. They told me they tried 18 or 19 scenarios to keep us."
It was the fourth time slot the show had to deal with.
"That's asking a lot of the fans, but we've had some loyal fans," Thompson said.
Because the final episode, "Three Weddings and Funeral, Part I," ended with a cliffhanger, NBC received a storm of fan reaction.
The episode ended with Delinda DeLine's baby in jeopardy. Molly Sims played the role of Delinda.
"Apparently, there's an online fan campaign, and people are sending baby booties, baby dolls," Thompson said. "I sort of understand from the fans' standpoint. They're saying, 'We invested five years, and we deserve an ending.'
"Tell Las Vegas that we appreciate all that the city did for us. We love that town, and we love the show, and we wish we could have done another 100."
Most of the cast, co-producers, writers and NBC executives gathered at the Palms last month for a ceremony to mark the 100th episode. Mayor Oscar Goodman, who had three cameos on the show, presented the cast with ceremonial keys to the city.
The cast and crew will gather for a barbecue next week "to say our goodbyes," said Thompson, who fell in love with Las Vegas when he visited here as a 19-year-old.
Source; LVRJ/Norm
WYNN WOOING GANS?
Is a Danny Gans-Steve Wynn reunion in the works?
Wynn attended Gans' show Tuesday at The Mirage and held a "post-show pow-wow," KVBC-TV, Channel 3 entertainment reporter Alicia Jacobs said in a report Wednesday.
Gans, who was hired by Wynn when he owned The Mirage, has a year left on his 10-year contract.
Jacobs said her sources said Paris Las Vegas is "also making a play" for Gans, who has one of the most successful shows on the Strip.
Source:LVRJ/Norm
Next Big Thing? Working on it.
Bette Midler still polishing show for Caesars.
By: Joe Brown/Las Vegas Sun
The day has dawned, the panting can stop. The Next Big Thing on the Strip is now open for business at Caesars Palace: the Bette Midler boutique.
Merchandisers have plundered pop culture warehouses for relics and souvenirs spanning Midler’s millennium in showbiz. That’s a lot of tchotckes. The singer/actress/comedian/philanthropist has been in the business for more than 40 years. In a career arc that has seen her go from campy kitsch retro-diva to Disney comedian to Johnny Carson’s favorite guest to ballad-belting earth mother and comforter to us all, Midler has racked up four No. 1 hits, four Grammy Awards, four Emmys and one Tony.
More Here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/20/next-big-thing-working-it/
Two shows couldn’t be more different — or more Vegas.
‘Mamma Mia,’ ‘Toxic Audio’ share only fast pace, upbeat mood.
By: Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun.
The two shows are only a little more than a mile apart on the Strip but light years from each other in concept, execution and appeal.
One’s new, the other old — at least by local standards. “Toxic Audio” debuted Jan. 26 at Planet Hollywood, and “Mamma Mia!” celebrated its fifth anniversary at Mandalay Bay last week.
Both represent the type of show that has the highest survival rate in Las Vegas — upbeat, fast-paced, entertaining without being too thought-provoking.
A feel-good musical or revue is worth its weight in poker chips.
More Here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/20/two-shows-couldnt-be-more-different-or-more-vegas/
Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment.
The biggest tour of 2007 returns when The Police revisit the MGM Grand Garden arena on May 23. Tickets are $75, $125 and $250 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the MGM Grand box office, 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Comedian Billy Crystal performs at the MGM Grand Garden on May 3. Tickets are $100 and $200 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Black Eyed Peas popstress Fergie headlines the Mandalay Bay Events Center on March 22. Tickets are $45, $75 and $95 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the Mandalay Bay box office, 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Hip-hop prime mover Kanye West stops at the Sandbar at Red Rock Resort on April 25, with N.E.R.D. and Lupe Fiasco. Tickets are $90 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Red Rock ticket sales counter, 11011 W. Charleston.
R&B stalwarts Earth, Wind & Fire play the Sandbar on March 28. Tickets are $49.95 and are already on sale at the venue ticket sales counter.
Goth pop punks My Chemical Romance hit The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on March 30 and 31, with Billy Talent and Drive By. Tickets are $35 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the Hard Rock box office, 4455 Paradise Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Dire Straits mainman Mark Knopfler plays The Joint on June 26. Tickets start at $55.50 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
Country crooner Tracy Lawrence boot scoots into the House of Blues on May 15. General admission tickets are $32 in advance, $35 day of show, seats are $40 and special reserved tickets are $45. They go on sale at 10 a.m. today at the venue box office and Ticketmaster outlets.
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/15874977.html
A rose blooms on Strip's landscape.
By: Paul Szydelko/Las Vegas Magazine
Those who saw the incredibly popular Kiss My Brass tour a couple of years ago may have some idea about what to expect from The Showgirl Must Go On. Something big, something clever, something bold. All things delicious — appetizers, entr?es and desserts — adding up to a satisfying evening of musical treats.
Unexpected delights complement the indelible songs for which Midler is best-known — "Wind Beneath My Wings," "From a Distance," "Do You Want to Dance" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
Delores Delago, the wheelchair-using mermaid, brings smiles, and old, old Soph, a Las Vegas showgirl who has seen a few too many stages, also makes an appearance.
The Harlettes (Jordan Ballard, Kyra Dacosta and Kamilah Martin), a 13-piece band that includes a six-piece horn section from the Las Vegas band The Fat City Horns, and more than 20 female dancers make Midler's vision come to full life.
"I'm really looking forward to the show," Midler said. "I've been hoarding feathers and fans and sequins and rhinestones for the last 50 years and, hey, I'm ready to throw 'em all onstage."
Born and raised in Hawaii, Midler first captured the public's attention in 1967 when she landed a role as Tzeitel, the eldest daughter, in the smash Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof.
Midler started building a career as a nightclub performer when her pianist Barry Manilow, now performing at the Las Vegas Hilton, produced her acclaimed first album The Divine Miss M in 1972. A self-titled album a year later also soared to the top of the charts.
She won a special Tony Award in 1974 for her work on Broadway. A starring role in The Rose in 1979 led to many additional honors and roles on the big screen.
On Johnny Carson's second-to-last Tonight Show in 1992, Midler serenaded her friend with memorable songs, including "Fat As I Am" and "One for My Baby (And One More for the Road)." Stoic Carson melted, and the two created a classic television moment.
Midler is like a vibrant rose that seems as if it should be getting ready to wilt but finds more life and indeed blossoms again with each new challenge. With her knack for comedy and divine vocal talent, Showgirl is a sure Bette.
Bette Midler
Where: Caesars Palace
When: 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Wed. & Fri.-Sun.
Cost: $117 and up
http://lvshowbiz.com/feature1.html
Getting in sync with the swimmers of Le Rêve.
By: Kate Silver/Las Vegas Magazine
It's not everywhere that you can see underwater footage. The Olympics spring to mind, and, well, so does Shark Week on the Discovery Channel. But in a production show? Not until recently, with the opening of Le Rêve Theater's VIP Champagne Circle at the Wynn. Here, viewers lounge in cushy, spacious chairs that encircle the top row of the theater-in-the-round, sipping champagne while watching this artistic exploration called Le Rêve, or The Dream. As the fire and water take center stage, they'll have to decide where to look: at the dancing and flying furniture above the water or the video screens at their feet, showcasing the synchronized swimming and underwater acrobatics going on below.
It's a difficult decision, but, ultimately, watching below the water (and behind the scenes) wins. The televisions highlight the best views of the 14 synchronized swimmers, along with the literal and figurative depth they bring the show. As the theatrical world has come to expect in a Franco Dragone production (he created "O" and Mystère while he was with Cirque du Soleil), these aren't just any synchronized swimmers. They come from across the world, and each has competed on the international level. Part of their skill lies in making the performance look so effortless, whether they're climbing slippery trees, flipping over trapezes or performing a sensual underwater tango. It's a beautiful view from any of the seats, but if you're in front of one of the screens, it's absolutely stunning.
"I think it's really great that the audience gets to see what we're doing, and what our whole world is under there, because it's so different from what they see from above," said Paula Holmwood, a national and international competitor from Canada who swims in Le Rêve.
What you see is the flipping, swirling, sheer strength and grace of the swimmers as they put on the show-beneath-the show.
"We used to compare it to a combination of water polo, long- distance running, dancing and gymnastics. If you combine all those, that's kind of how synchronized swimming is," said Christina Lum, a San Francisco native who competed nationally and on the U.S. Olympic team. "We're all national-team Olympic level, and we trained many, many years. So for us, it's something that we're used to doing."
Dacha Nedorezova, who coaches the swimmers, also emphasizes the skills required.
"Technically, it's extremely hard," Nedorezova said. "Girls are upside-down for three minutes and have to support themselves with their arms. It's very difficult, and only the effort of an international level can do that."
Nedorezova was on the national synchronized swimming team for the Soviet Union from 1988 until 1991. She left the competitive sport to join a French company, which was the first to do aquatic shows. In learning how to use the trapeze and other circus-style tricks, she was able to complement and expand her swimming repertoire.
It wasn't long before more and more shows followed suit and began incorporating swimming. It was a chance for synchronized swimmers to find jobs outside of the realm of competition. Nedorezova was the natural choice for coaching a cast.
She's also been instrumental in the choreography and is responsible for coming up with the "Tango" scene. Here, the swimmers' sparkling red shoes shoot out of the water, performing a flirtatious upside-down dance. Nedorezova remembers the moment of inspiration for the number.
"There was a very precise moment in my life. I was watching Moulin Rouge, and there is this tango, and it's very interesting the way we see this tango. There's a little movement, and then something else happens. A little movement, and then something else happens. So I was thinking what I could do that's different from trapeze and synchronized swimming. … What if we try to do the tango in the water?" It's since become one of the favorite moments for her and the swimmers.
But, choreography aside, what's really valuable to Nedorezova and others is the opportunities that shows such as Le Rêve offer to synchronized swimmers everywhere. Once the sport had limited options as a career, but times have changed, drastically.
"It's important for girls to see that there is a future after competition," Nedorezova said. "They discover that they can have a career doing something that they love to do."
Le Rêve
Where: Wynn
When: 7 - 9:30 p.m. Mon., Thurs.-Fri. - Sun.; 8 -10:30 p.m. Sat.
Cost: $109 and up
http://lvshowbiz.com/feature2.html
Gamble or Eat?
BY: Rick Garman/Vegas 4 Vistors
That’s the question that comes up for some slot machine players; those people who sit at the machines for so long that their stomachs start to grumble but they still don’t want to walk away. So the choices are gamble or eat? But if they are playing at the El Cortez in Downtown Las Vegas now they don’t have to decide. The casino is continuing its aesthetic makeover by offering slot machine and gaming table-side dining for all of its players.
The Gambling Gourmet will offer appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and burgers served on a handy cart that gets parked next to your seat at the one-armed bandit or blackjack table. Unlike the free drinks, you have to pay for the food but the service is offered to all gamblers.
Slot machine dining is not a new concept but it has primarily been restricted to high-limit gaming areas.
The El Cortez has recently undergone a major multi-million-dollar makeover that has revamped the casino, restaurants, and rooms.
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Column by Rick Garman
Las Vegas Q and A by Rick Garman
Question: Look into your crystal ball and tell me if you see a time in the future when room rates will be cheap again. I know room inventory is tight and that drives rates up. A lack of places on the strip like Stardust and even the Westward Ho has driven prices up. When all the new projects come on line and with all these condos opening and being rented, do you see a glut of rooms not too far off?
Answer: I wish I had a crystal ball – I’d do a lot better at the slot machines.
My gut instinct tells me that the simple answer is no. Rooms in Vegas are more expensive than they’ve ever been – an average of $132 per night in 2007, the fifth highest in the US according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
And if you’re thinking, “$132 a night sounds like a bargain,” remember that’s the average for all hotel rooms for the entire year. If you took The Strip in a vacuum that figure would be much higher.
The city isn’t having any trouble filling those rooms either. Room occupancy was above 90% again in 2007, about 25% higher than the nationwide average.
So they keep building them and keep raising the rents and people keep coming and paying.
Having said that, there are some troubling signs on the horizon – troubling, that is, if you own a hotel in Las Vegas.
If the country slips into the recession that everyone is talking about, Las Vegas will be affected. Leisure travel is one of the first items that get cut from people’s budgets. It’s possible that things are already being affected as several big casino companies have announced layoffs. Granted, they are relatively small in scope (under 100 in most cases) and are at their properties nationwide, not just in Las Vegas, but that’s a pretty rare thing.
This couldn’t come at a worse time for Las Vegas. There are more than 9,000 hotel rooms expected to come online in 2008 and over 40,000 in the next five years. That could lead to a glut and that could drive prices down.
But if it happens, it will be temporary. The last time the economy tanked, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Las Vegas recovered quicker than the country as a whole. People just can’t stay away for too long. So even if things may be a little cheaper this year, they probably won’t be next year.
The only thing that will force prices down is if someone opens a hotel aimed squarely at the middle market and has a huge success with it. That will make others want to follow suit. But as long as they keep building these high-priced units and people keep forking over the bucks to stay in them, prices are going to stay sky high.
Vegas4Visitors Weekly Column by Rick Garman
Gaming Authors Meet & Greet. Updated
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-to-45-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, FREE giveaways and a special coupon sheet for all attendees. Last minute addition: Mystery book writer Donna Foley Mabry will be attending to meet fans of her Las Vegas-based mystery book series.
Jimmy Hopper to headline at Trader Vic's Lava Room
Red-hot music, stellar showmanship and the most spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip: that’s what fans can expect as award-winning vocal performer JIMMY HOPPER returns to Las Vegas to make his home at the new Lava Room, the intimate “tiki-chic” lounge above Trader Vic’s restaurant in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
This extended headliner engagement begins Thursday, February 21, and runs Thursday through Sunday with showtime nightly at 10:00 p.m. Admission is $20 and audiences must be 21 years or older. For table reservations, the public may call 702.405.4700.
A renowned vocal performer, and proven Las Vegas favorite, Jimmy Hopper is returning to the Las Vegas Strip with his high-energy, pitch-perfect vocal act that features a wide range of musical stylings from Sting and Elton John, to stirring operettas and Broadway classics. His former extended engagements in Las Vegas included such prestigious venues as The Bellagio and The Rio, at which Hopper wowed scores of fans and earned countless accolades including “Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year” by Gaming Today and “Performer of the Year” by the Las Vegas Review Journal.
“The Lava Room offers some of the most spectacular views of the Las Vegas Strip, and by combining this intimate setting with Jimmy’s amazing vocal range and showmanship, we will have one of the premier venues in the city,” said Doc Wiener, principal of DW Enterprises, the company that owns and operates Trader Vic’s Las Vegas. “Las Vegas was once home of the world’s greatest lounge acts, and with Jimmy Hopper and the Tiki-chic flavor of the Lava Room we will leave audiences shaken and stirred by harkening back to that retro-cool era mixed a modern day twist.”
Currently based in Newport Beach, California, Hopper recently wrote the score for the Broadway musical, The Day There Was No More Music, which is scheduled to begin production later this year. Aptly dubbed by music critics as “Freddie Mercury meets Andréa Bocelli,” Hopper’s spiked hair and rocker image are in startling contrast to the strong five-octave opera vocals which flow from his lips, when in the next breath he takes on symphonic rock that brings the house down. As Ron Taft of Daily & Associates summed it up, “Jimmy Hopper…the most amazing voice you’ll ever love!”
From "The Vegas Eye"
Bellagio Goes Yellow.
Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant & Bar scheduled to open in June 2008 at Bellagio Resort & Casino, just steps away from the Light Group’s chic Caramel Bar & Lounge, FIX Restaurant & Bar and sophisticated nightclub The Bank. Yellowtail will offer an extensive Japanese menu of fresh, ingredient-driven cuisine for both the sushi novice and connoisseur in a sumptuous and highly stylized surrounding. Overlooking Bellagio’s iconic lake in which fountains perform a magnificent aquatic ballet choreographed to music and lights. Yellowtail will offer a 180-seat dining room, 30-seat intimate lounge, and 30-seat private dining room and will be open 7 days a week for lunch from noon to 3 p.m.; dinner will be available 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
MCCORMICK AND SCMICK'S 4th Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, located at 335 Howard Hughes Center, will be celebrating the inner Irish in all with a special St. Patrick’s Day party on Monday, March 17th at 5pm. McCormick and Schmick’s, where the luck of the Irish is luckier and the spirit of the day calls for Irish drink specials featuring pints of Green Beer, Guinness, Bushmills and Baileys. The celebration includes Irish dishes, corned beef, cabbage and Irish stew, in addition to their famous $1.95 bar menu. The restaurant will also fete the city’s cab drivers with their 4th annual ‘Happy St. Cabby’s Day’ offering a complimentary breakfast of green eggs, ham and Lucky Charms cereal between 8am – 9am to cab drivers.
Mac King's March Book Drive
Comedian magician Mac King and Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza join forces to support Spread the Word Nevada: Kids to Kids during Mac King’s March Book Drive March 1-March 31. Mac King’s March Book Drive promotion encourages Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza guests to bring in a new or gently used children’s book targeting ages 4-12. In exchange for the book donation, Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza will provide a free “Giant Messy Sundae” certificate to customers. Mac King Comedy Magic Show ticket holders are also encouraged to donate a new or gently used book at the show to receive a free autographed Mac King Tricks With Your Head book.
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Celebrating Year of the Rat at Bellagio.
By: Len Butcher/Las Vegas Review Journal
One of my favorite things to do is visit Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens during each of the seasons. The displays are spectacular and it's all free. As well as the seasons, however, the Gardens each year celebrates the Chinese New Year and this year is no exception.
The display, which opened in January, runs through March 15, and you don't want to miss it. This year is the Year of the Rat, and the unique display 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 is perched atop an oversized, flowering branch. Here, a botanical, 5-foot-tall rodent watches guests with an inquisitive eye. The auspicious rat's lush coat is made of red Alternanthera, a low-growing herb, with a touch of pink Hypoestes, a tropical plant. His long curling tail and delicate whiskers are 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 rodent ambassador, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune is 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 is flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad luck.
Nearby, you 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 wards off evil spirits and the sharp pattern of the bridge protects against negative energy and bad spirits. A majestic mountain, seen as a pillar between heaven and earth, serves as a dramatic backdrop.
The teachings of Feng Shui are also 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 denotes the larger world we live in while carp signify good luck and everlasting good fortune.
Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens are located just off the lobby of the resort.
reviewjournal.com — eNeon Only in Las Vegas
Brett's Vegas Views by Jackie Brett
The legendary pop icon Cher has 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. Tickets for her 7:30 shows four nights a week from May 6-Aug. 31 are 95, $140, $175 and $250, call 1-866-510-CHER (2437).
The impressive spectacle with lighting and special effects will be designed exclusively for the 4,300-seat venue and feature the artist's countless chart-topping hits. Choreography will be guided by Doriana Sanchez and breathtaking costumes will be designed by the world-renowned fashion icon, Bob Mackie.
Cher has been 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. She has released more than 25 albums and sold more than 100 million records worldwide.
Emmy award-winning comedienne Roseanne Barr will bring her everyday humor and observations to the Sahara's 520-seat Congo Room beginning March 1. Barr will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday. Ticket prices start at $59.50, call 702-737-2515.
In 1985, Barr's first television appearance was on the Johnny Carson Show. A few years later, she began taping her namesake show that ran for nine seasons, picking up four Emmys, two Golden Globes, and six People's Choice Awards.
She's also released two best-selling books, Roseanne: My Life as a Woman and My Lives; did a run playing the Wicked Witch of the West in a production of The Wizard of Oz; had a talk show The Roseanne Show; and has now extended herself into children's books and DVDs.
BRIO Tuscan Grille, a concept by Bravo Development Incorporated, will open its first Las Vegas location at Town Square on Feb. 28. Currently, there are 24 BRIO Tuscan Grille restaurants across the country.
BRIO (meaning "lively" or "full of life") will be a casual, white-tablecloth restaurant serving authentic, northern Italian cuisine. The subtitle "Tuscan Grille" is descriptive in the menu featuring wood-grilled and oven-roasted steaks, chops and seafood, similar to what one would find in an authentic ristorante in Tuscany.
The 9,400-square-foot restaurant will boast a 35-foot replica of the fa‡ade of the Roman Coliseum; have an exhibition-style kitchen, indoor seating for 260, an outdoor terrace with seating for 200 and private party rooms. The average check per person will be $15 for lunch and $24 for dinner.
BRIO will feature a special Bellini Brunch from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as "Martini Night" on Thursdays. The restaurant will also offer a home and office-catering menu for special events and occasions.
Sonrisa Grill, serving Mexican cuisine, seafood and 50 different tequila drinks, is opening in the MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas in mid-February. The new restaurant will have an upper deck dining patio and an adjoining 3Amigos bar that will offer lighter tapas fare.
Sonrisa Grill places an emphasis on healthy cooking, replacing the usual lard found in Mexican dishes with soy oil, and offering many vegetarian entrees. The new eatery will offer banquet facilities for parties of up to 50 people. It will be open daily for lunch and dinner, call 702-568-6870.
Gold Diggers is a new nightlife offering at the Golden Nugget located on the second floor in the resort's new $60 million expansion area. Opening at 4 p.m., the elongated environment has a long bar and a large dance floor and stage in the back for live bands or DJs. In the front, the club opens onto a 180-degree, oversized balcony with fantastic views of the Fremont Street Experience, the Viva-Vision light show and First Street performance stage.
Near the stairs going up to Gold Diggers is a new restaurant Red Sushi that is open from 5 p.m. to midnight.
Phantom - The Las Vegas Spectacular at The Venetian had two new lead cast members join the show on Feb. 11; noted Las Vegas actress Tina Walsh and experienced musical theatre performer Andrew Ragone.
Walsh is playing the role of Madame Giry. She's known for her roles in the original Las Vegas' company of Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay and the MGM's long-running Strip production EFX.
Ragone has joined the cast as romantic lead Raoul. He has recently been seen in the national tour of Evita, The Light In The Piazza, Kiss of the Spiderwoman and Follies, among others.
The nostalgic diner chain Johnny Rockets is planning to open more than a dozen valley stores over the next five years including one in the Fashion Show mall on the Strip, which is set to open in June, and one to follow in the Boulevard Mall near the Strip. The California-based company now has the 1950s-themed restaurants in The Venetian and near the Hard Rock on Paradise Road.
Several Miracle Mile Shops restaurants and nightclubs including Trader Vic's, Lombardi's Romagna Mia, Pampas Churrascaria, Triq Ultra Lounge and Krave are acknowledged in Zagat's Best of Las Vegas 2008 guide. Having recently opened in 2007, Trader Vic's and Triq Ultra Lounge have each been named "key newcomers" to Las Vegas in the 2008 guide.
Four new stores have opened at The Forum Shops at Caesars: American Apparel - The clothing company, known for its tight-fitting jersey T-shirts; Tory Burch featuring a lifestyle collection of sportswear and accessories for women; the jewelry store Tiffany & Co.; and the women's only merchandise store.
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/brett/index.htm
Brassy, just like Bette.
Fat City Horns hand-picked for top gig, Midler’s show on Strip.
By: Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun
Bette Midler has a good ear.
She revealed just how good when she plucked the Fat City Horns out of a lounge at the Palms and plunked them down in her extravagant show at Caesars Palace.
When “The Showgirl Must Go On” debuts Wednesday in the Colosseum, the 4,000-seat theater where Celine Dion held court for more than four years, Midler will shine an international spotlight on what had been one of those hidden Vegas treasures.
She’ll be backed by a 14-piece band, including the six Fat City Horns — saxophonists Rob Mader, Phil Wigfall and Jerry Merra; trumpeters Gil Kaupp and Danny Falcone; and trombonist Nathan Tanouye.
More Here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/feb/18/brassy-just-bette/
Sue Ellen Cooper (pictured), founder of The Red Hat Society, a group that has swelled to more than 1 million female members, had a simple but seriously significant idea—to celebrate sisterhood and getting older. “The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and élan,” Cooper said on the official RHS Web site. Inspired by this fabulous organization, Hats!, an extraordinary musical production, celebrates the life of women, the bonds of sisterhood and the trials of facing the big 5-0. Presented by Dick Foster Productions in association with Sibling Theatricals Inc., the show is not so much based on the RHS but rather “embraces the philosophies and mantras of the Red Hat Society in that life is not over at 50 … life begins at 50,” producer David Gravatt said. Audiences will partake in a magical, insightful and rather hysterical journey where the main character, Maryanne, begins her timid journey into “fiftydom.” And some bold women, each with their own unique persona, will accompany Maryanne on her soul-searching trek into life past the age of 49.999. Free-spirited, bold and eccentric Ruby radiates the wondrous qualities of youth, charm and silliness. Lady Labrador Noir, Maryanne’s mother, exudes class, kindness and love, wrapped up in a true sense of being down to earth. Midwestern mother, lighthearted Dame Eliza Doolittle, struggles with the empty-nest syndrome but pushes forward with a willingness to help others. The very successful Baroness Chrysler is self-assured in business and in many facets of her life, but when it comes to the possibility of dating, she finds herself awkward and insecure. And who would or could miss the fabulous, funny and flamboyant La Contessa Confessa, whose high energy always causes a stir? And last, but not least, is sassy and savvy Duchess Dee-Lovely, a fashion superstar with lots of attitude and a heart of gold. The company of these women, their commitment to sisterhood and their unique outlooks on life help ease Maryanne on her personal journey toward the lighter side of life. A solid score by songwriters such as Kathie Lee Gifford, Melissa Manchester, Henry Krieger and Pam Tillis is combined with spectacular costuming, lighting, scenic elements and choreography—making the show a perfect mixture of one truly polished musical theater performance and just the right amount of Vegas panache. Keep your eyes—and ears—peeled for Scott Linker, a clown who can be found playing “musical mayhem,” as he riffs songs on a steel drum, digital guitar and ukulele. “I’m probably murdering a lot of music and a lot of songs, but the end result is for laughter’s sake,” he said. When asked how he likes performing at Circus Circus, Linker doesn’t break character for a second. “We love being there, because the primaries are going on now and I have a feeling if any of us entered the primaries they’d throw us out. Because with this many years of clowning under our belts, from Ringling to Las Vegas, I think we’re probably overqualified for politics.” But seriously folks… Linker’s been a clown (or, been paid to be a clown, as he puts it) for more than 27 years. He not only attended Ringling Bros. Clown College—he taught there, as did many of his clown cohorts. He sees clowns as adults who’ve retained their childlike nature. They grew up and they grew into their responsibilities, but they didn’t leave behind their sense of childlike delight. “It takes a sense of innocence, which is quite a precious commodity in the world today. Innocence, fun and a love of people. And I guess I think clowns often have a fractured and unique way of looking at life, and that plays into it, as well.” Benny Schultz graduated from clown college in 1993, where he learned all about slapstick, stilt-walking, the history of clowning and more. He spent years on the road with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, before settling down in Las Vegas. His road experience prepared him well for the daily task of defending himself from the children. “I’m most likely to get beaten up by the kids,” he admitted. “Some of it’s my own fault. I instigate it. I’m a troublemaker.” Like, he still has his elementary-school habit of pulling ponytails. But the kids always seem to be one up on him. “Everybody loves to pull on your nose and step on your shoes,” he said. “It’s a time-honored tradition around clowns.” Shoe-stomping aside, the part of clowning that Schultz really likes is the surprise element that comes with working around kids. “My favorite trick that I do is audience-participation stuff. No matter how many times you do it and how good you get it—setting the kids up for a joke—you never know what’s going to happen when you get kids on the stage. Some of them kind of quiet down and get nervous, and you have to wake them up a little, and some of them just instantly go nuts. It’s all you can do to keep track of them and watch the craziness. The audience loves that, too. It’s completely unpredictable.” As unpredictable as … a clown, perhaps? Schultz’s job is to make people happy. But below the grease paint and under the bright red smile, isn’t it sometimes a challenge? Do clowns have bad days? Not the guy filling these giant shoes. “That is one of the biggest perks to being a clown. Once you get to work, once you slap on the grease paint and actually get out there, and there are the kids and there are the people, it’s really hard to stay in a bad mood. That’s where you have a really fun job,” Schultz said. And in Vegas these days, finding that fun job and child-centric entertainment can be a challenge. Not at Circus Circus. “It’s weird, because there’s a lot of properties here in town who have taken away the family entertainment aspect,” Schultz said. “This is really one of the last big family entertainment casinos where families come, the kids have stuff to do and everybody’s happy.” Send in the clowns! http://lvshowbiz.com/feature2.html Museum Madness-Culture exists … Even in Las Vegas By:Jack Houston/Las Vegas Magazine. Who says Las Vegas has no culture? It’s a common Fine art enthusiasts will find some big names at the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum at The Venetian (702.414.2493) where the works of Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, Cézanne, Mondrian and Braque are displayed in Modern Masters From the Guggenheim Collection. Tracing the development of modern painting in four thematic categories — portraiture, still life, landscape and genre scenes — the exhibit ties together nearly a century of classic works from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York. Thousands of years earlier, King Tutankhamun reigned over Egypt as a generally unmemorable boy pharaoh who gained fame when his tomb was discovered by archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922. The treasures of the tomb went on a highly popular world tour in the 1970s, but only the Luxor replicates The Tomb & Museum of King Tutankhamun (702.262.4000) as Carter first came upon it. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Madame Tussauds Las Vegas (702.862.7800) is sycophantic in the best way possible. The legendary wax museum at The Venetian features more than 100 likenesses of popular actors, politicians, musicians and sports stars. Here, you can marry George Clooney, feel up on J.Lo’s booty or see eye-to-eye with John F. Kennedy—all without fear of being hassled by bodyguards or Secret Service. Many people are familiar with the mushroom clouds that defined the era of the atom bomb, but visitors to Las Vegas are probably not aware that tourists used to flock to the tops of hotels to watch bomb detonations conducted at the Nevada Test Site, located a mere 65 miles from the city. The Atomic Testing Museum (755 E. Flamingo Road, 702.794.5161) recounts this controversial history in staggering detail, with videos, photos, artifacts and interactive exhibits. He defined showmanship and embodied the kitsch and glamour of Las Vegas wherever he went, so it’s appropriate that the Liberace Museum (1775 E. Tropicana Ave., 702.798.5595) resides here in all its sparkling, shimmering glory. On display are the ivory tickler’s elaborate costumes and pianos, as well as personal belongings and his extensive car collection. Three times a week, fleet-fingered pianist Wes Winters honors the man with A Musical Tribute to Liberace in the museum’s showroom. More a walking tour of Vegas’ past than a museum, the Neon Museum (702.387.6366) features neon signs from Vegas’ heyday, restored along the Fremont Street Experience, the pedestrian promenade in Downtown Las Vegas. The Hacienda Horse and Rider and Aladdin’s lamp are two examples of signs that defined America’s City of Lights. Hoover Dam (702.494.2517), with its visitors center, historical videos and photo displays, and the Rock ’n’ Roll Memorabilia (702.693.5000) collection at the Hard Rock Hotel look back at Their success proves that visitors are looking for a little more than some tawdry flesh to spice up a vacation, even if, topless show or art gallery, the basic rules remain the same: You may look, but don’t touch.
Where: Harrah’s
When: 6 p.m. Mon.-Thurs. & Sat.; 2 & 6 p.m. Sun.
Cost: $49.95 plus tax and fee, $39.95 plus tax and fee for RHS members with Purple Perks
http://lvshowbiz.com/feature1.html
Insert Harpo horn bleat here.
Linker said that the most important aspect of clowning doesn’t lie in making people laugh. It’s about something far subtler.
misconception propagated by visitors and locals alike, who claim that there’s nothing more than skin, sin and open containers to be found on the 4 1/2-mile stretch
of Las Vegas Boulevard. Sure, we may lag behind the Parises and Londons of the world, but considering there are people still living who were around
when our beloved city was established in 1905, Las Vegas has come a long way in a short amount of time. You might
not find the Mona Lisa among Vegas’ popular museums and exhibits, but you just might discover the lavish costumes of a world-renowned pianist, or the signs and marquees that lit up the city 50 years ago.
the past, but Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and Bodies …The Exhibition, two ongoing exhibits at the Tropicana (702.739.2411), point toward the future of cultural diversions in Las Vegas. The touring showcases have had their stays extended by popular demand several times, demonstrating the need for limited-engagement runs of nationally touring shows to augment the city’s resident museums.
Casino Cage Match: Mirage vs. Treasure Island By Rick Garman
I get questions all the time that are some variation on this: which hotel is better, this one or that one?
“Better” depends on a lot of factors and what might make one hotel better for some might not be the things that will make it better for others.
Recently I had opportunity to stay back to back at two casino hotels in Vegas that often compete with one another even though they are owned by the same corporate entity: The Mirage and Treasure Island. So I thought it would be fun to do a head-to-head comparison of the two properties from start to finish.
Parking and Access
The Mirage parking garage is a little harder to access from the street since it’s in the middle of the property toward the back, so you have to dodge a lot of cab and customer traffic. Treasure Island is closer to Spring Mountain and therefore easier to get in and out of.
The walkway from The Mirage parking structure to the hotel is outside, which can be less than fun when it’s 28 degrees and the wind is howling about 50 miles per hour as it was when I visited. However, once you get inside the building it’s a quick escalator ride down to the main floor and the lobby is just steps away.
Treasure Island’s walkway is enclosed but it is much longer and requires a trek through the shopping area and the casino to get to the lobby, a big pain when you are loaded down with bags.
In this category I have to tip it to The Mirage.
Checking In
Some “genius” at The Mirage decided to do away with the single check-in queue, instead offering up multiple lines to the agents behind the desk. To be blunt, I hate this, because I have the worst line-choosing luck in the world. When I arrived there were four agents assisting guests and one person at each station – no additional lines. I stood behind the person that I thought was closest to being done, but five minutes later nobody had moved. Another guest came along and took up a position next to me and sure enough, that guest got to his agent before I did.
Treasure Island still has the single-line queue, where you all get in one line and then are flagged to the next available agent. Even though the line was long when I arrived, I still got through it faster than I did at The Mirage with fewer people.
Clear winner: Treasure Island
Getting to Your Room
Many modern casinos have done away with the schlep through the casino to get to your room, but neither The Mirage or Treasure Island are among them. Both require serious navigation skills to get to the elevators but The Mirage requires you to walk directly through the center of the casino while Treasure Island allows you to skirt the edges of it.
Winner: Treasure Island
Rooms
The décor of both was pretty forgettable earth tones, but the furnishings at Treasure Island seemed to be a little newer and therefore nicer.
The Mirage has more stuff in the rooms – mini-bars being the most convenient that Treasure Island didn’t have. My room at Treasure Island also didn’t have a hair dryer, but that may have just been an oversight since it is on the standard amenity list. I don’t have hair anyway, so I don’t know why I’m whining.
But the rooms at Treasure Island in general were more comfortable and more satisfying – the beds are cushier, the bathrooms are bigger (in the standard rooms), the chair are plusher.
So for this one I’m going to have to give it to Treasure Island.
Casino
I wound up losing at both casinos during my stay but I actually won before I lost at Treasure Island whereas at The Mirage I pretty much just lost consistently. Now, you can look at that in one of two ways. You can say that I lost more at Treasure Island in the long run because not only did I lose what I brought but I lost a big chunk of what I won, but since gambling is entertainment I prefer to at least win something to keep me entertained. Solid losing is boring and demoralizing.
I also like the layout of Treasure Island a bit better – it has better spacing between the machines and more areas that are sheltered from the glare of the restaurants and nightclubs so you can gamble in relative peace.
Both of these things are very subjective, but I’m the one running this cage match so I’m giving the nod in this category to Treasure Island.
Service and Amenities
Customer service was very good at both hotels – I’d call that a draw.
But as far as things to do without leaving the hotel, the clear winner here is The Mirage. The restaurants are better (and there are more of them), there are multiple shows, the pool area and spa are significantly nicer, and the bars, nightclubs, and lounges are of a higher caliber throughout.
Winner: The Mirage.
Cost
I didn’t actually pay for my rooms at either hotel, taking advantage of player’s club offers to make my arrangements, but I checked the rates for when I was staying at both hotels and Treasure Island was a few bucks cheaper (but only a few).
The big difference was in the offers that I got from the player’s club. At The Mirage I was offered two nights between Sunday and Thursday plus $75 in “free play” in the casino and a $40 room charge credit. At Treasure Island I was offered three nights any day of the week, $150 in “free play” (which wound up getting upgraded to $250 at the desk), and 2 free buffets among other goodies.
So paying or not, Treasure Island was the winner in this category as well.
The Decision
Cost, rooms, the casino, and ease of access are usually the most important things to me when choosing a hotel so I’m declaring Treasure Island the winner of the Casino Cage Match.
NORM: Feds take a look at LV cash flow.
A lot of people saw it coming.
Rumors have been flying for more than a year that the high-flying, cash-laden nightclub scene was being scrutinized by the feds.
The shoe dropped Wednesday when the Internal Revenue Service and other law enforcement authorities raided Pure nightclub and Pure Management Group headquarters, confiscating a number of computers.
Cash-heavy operations are known to get the attention of the IRS.
Sources have been telling me that doormen at several clubs are clearing $8,000 to $10,000 a night before they share tips. So much cash is pouring in that some doormen are making $400,000 to $500,000 a year, several nightclub executives told me.
"Pure has guys at the door making more than the president," said one executive with intimate knowledge of the cover-charge system. He was referring to the annual salary of the president of the United States, which is $400,000, plus benefits.
A Pure executive told me over the weekend that 5,000 people showed up for Paris Hilton's 27th birthday party and her guest appearance with the Pussycat Dolls.
About six months ago, on a busy night at Pure, I overheard two men bitterly complaining about the cover charge. "They wanted $1,000 per person. I said the highest I'd go was $800!" one said.
It's not just Pure, the largest club in town with a capacity of 2,400. Grumbles about nightclub gouging have been growing louder.
In my nearly completed book "Vegas Confidential: Sinsational Celebrity Tales," I write: "It's no secret that most clubs understand that the longer the line the higher the anxiety. That's where the 'line slide' comes in.
"If people have been waiting all night, they're not going to go somewhere else and start over," said a club exec (not at Pure).
"Club employees, usually the size of big league umpires, will go down the line and fish for people who really want to get in. The line guy might get $200, but now everyone in the group is still going to have to pay a $30 to $40 cover charge. Sometimes, the doorman demands more, maybe $50 to $100 per person."
Then there's bottle service, which means you have to buy a bottle to sit in the VIP section. The usual requirement is one bottle per three patrons. Two-bottle minimums are not uncommon. Bottles at most clubs are going for $350 to $650 a piece.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/15834017.html
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Magician taking his tricks to Flamingo.
It's the big room and the next big step," magician Nathan Burton says of moving his magic show to the Flamingo Las Vegas in April.
Burton has proved to be a canny self-promoter since he first started working in "Showgirls of Magic" in 2001. He found his way onto "The Entertainer" — the Wayne Newton-hosted variation on "The Apprentice" — in 2005. But his visibility on "America's Got Talent" in 2006 is still driving business to his afternoon show at the V Theater in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood.
After nearly two years at the V, "Nathan Burton Comedy Magic" will close on April 13 and reopen at the Flamingo Las Vegas a week later, replacing the Society of Seven. Burton self-produces the show, but will share some marketing and ticketing with Harrah's headliner Mac King and that show's producer, Bill Voelkner.
"We're joining forces," Burton explains. "We can either go head to head or help each other."
"They're very different acts even though they're both magicians," Voelkner notes of the planned cross-promotions. With ticketed shows starting to feel the effects of a tightened economy, "Both for Nathan and Mac I think this is a really smart thing."
Burton says he is reworking his show to include a new set and more showgirls for the larger stage. But he's still in a roommate situation, sharing the stage with Toni Braxton and comedian George Wallace, so there will be limits on the production size.
http://www.lvrj.com/living/15833922.html
All at once now, "S-a-t-u-r-d-a-y … Night!" Those who blew bubble gum in 1975 will welcome the Bay City Rollers featuring Ian Mitchell to the Riviera's Le Bistro cabaret for a limited run, starting Tuesday and continuing through March 16.
Source:LVRJ/Mike Weatherford
NORM: Local celebrities may be dancing.
Another Las Vegas connection is anticipated when the new season's celebrity lineup for ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" is unveiled tonight.
Some local support personnel have been hired for rehearsals and there's buzz that Rio headliner Penn Jillette and Gennifer Flowers have been on the show producers' list.
Kym Johnson, one of the professional dancers on "Dancing With the Stars," was spotted at the Penn & Teller show Saturday at the Rio.
Also mentioned as a possible contestant for the sixth season: Priscilla Presley, Donny Osmond, Cheryl Ladd, Florence Henderson, Steve Guttenberg, and Donald Trump's ex, Marla Maples.
The show premieres Monday, March 17, on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.
Wayne Newton and boxing champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. competed in Season Five, which was won by Brazilian racing driver Helio Castroneves and his professional dance partner, Julianne Hough.
The announcement is expected tonight during the finale of ABC's "Dance Wars."
Source: NORM/Las Vegas Review Journal
SHOOTING STARS: Rita Rudner marking milestone.
There's no place like home. Just ask Rita Rudner, who steps into the PBS spotlight with a TV special commemorating her 2,000th performance as a Las Vegas headliner.
Titled "Rita Rudner: Live From Las Vegas," the show tapes Friday at Harrah's Theatre, but the PBS special also will include footage depicting her offstage life.
The special debuts locally in March on KLVX-TV, Channel 10. That seems fitting, because Rudner's pledge-drive appearance on Channel 10 a few years ago inspired the show. It airs nationally on PBS in June.
http://www.lvrj.com/living/15729867.html
TLC's "Little People, Big World" is expected to return to Las Vegas on Thursday for a six-day visit following salesman Matt Roloff and his family. It's the show's second Las Vegas shoot; footage from this week's visit will air in the fall.
LVRJ/ Shooting Stars
FAREWELL TO BELL by Norm Clarke
Friends of rock 'n' roll pioneer Freddie Bell, who died Feb. 10, gave him a memorable musical send-off Sunday.
Several dozen local entertainers joined the Gary Olds Trio during a post-service sing-a-thon at the Italian American Club, on East Sahara.
Carme Pitrello delivered the eulogy Sunday, and Paul Xavier Campanella sang "River of God" during services at Palm Mortuary, 7600 Eastern Ave.
Among the group: Elvis drummer Bobby Morris, Sonny Charles of the Checkmates, Skip Trenier and Don Hill of The Treniers, Sammy Shore, Lon Bronson, former Nevada Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Dennis Bono and Bill Acosta.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/15760637.html
Vegas Values Report for 2/24/08
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 Sunday to find out about the best values in Las Vegas.
http://www.americancasinoguide.com/Promotions/VEGAS-VALUES.shtml
Posted on February 24th, 2008 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter
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