Everything Las Vegas Issue # 665
April 12th, 2008
Harrah’s hails Caesars. By Liz Benston/ Las Vegas Sun
What’s in a name?
For Harrah’s Entertainment, which is losing the international expansion race to Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts and MGM Mirage, apparently not enough.
That’s why Harrah’s is changing its name to Caesars Entertainment Corp.
The name change, announced Wednesday, won’t affect the names of any existing casinos. The company has spent hundreds of millions of dollars cultivating the blue-collar Harrah’s brand, born with company founder Bill Harrah in Reno more than 70 years ago, for its regional casinos in the United States.
But the real money these days is in international expansion and the Harrah’s brand isn’t cutting it with foreign investors and governments, executives say.
The Caesars name – synonymous with opulence and marquee entertainment – is world famous.
While Wynn and Las Vegas Sands’ Venetian have cultivated their own deluxe casino brands from scratch, Harrah’s, which bought its way into the club with its purchase of Caesars Entertainment in 2005, will spend even more money to appease foreigners who want to attract the Gucci, rather than the JC Penney, of the casino business.
http://lasvegassun.com/blogs/gaming/2008/apr/10/harrahs-hails-caesars/
Toni Braxton Hospitalized Amid Heart Attack Speculations.
From: The Vegas Eye
Vegas headliner Toni Braxton was rushed St. Dominican Hospital yesterday after experiencing chest pains following a show at the Flamingo Hotel & Casino — fueling speculation she may have suffered a heart attack. The worldwide-known R&B singer is expected to be released today in good condition. Braxton’s show tomorrow — Toni Braxton: Revealed — is expected to be canceled, although a confirmation should be made today. Ticket holders are advised to contact the Flamingo about the Wednesday night show. Braxton wrote and sang "Un-Break My Heart" which became the second biggest single by a female artist ever. She is the spokeswoman for the American Heart Association. http://thevegaseye.com/ More Toni Braxton Cancelations from The Vegas Eye
http://thevegaseye.com/
Steve's Las Vegas Quickies.
New show schedule for “Le Rêve,” the provocative, powerful show presented in the intimate aqua theater in-the-round. Effective Saturday, April 19th, “Le Rêve” will perform Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7pm and 9:30pm and is dark Tuesday and Wednesday. Ticket prices are $99 -$125, plus tax and $179, plus tax for the VIP Indulgence Package.
http://thevegaseye.com/
*For the fourth-consecutive year 64 of the world’s top poker players will go head-to-head in the most aggressive playing ever seen. The National Heads-Up Poker Championship, which was filmed at Caesars Palace earlier last month, will start broadcasting Sunday (April 13) at noon on NBC for the next six-weekends.
Moments ago CBS-TV announced it was axing John O’Hurley’s new Secret Star Talents of the Stars show after just one episode. Check back to Luxe Life later today for more details on the network’s shocking decision. Meanwhile, read our interview with John below before the CBS-TV decided to cancel the Spamalot’s star moonlighting gig.
Residents in Wayne Newton's neighborhood are abuzz over sightings of Michael Jackson and his family. Word is he is renting. Jackson returned to Las Vegas late last year and spent more than three months in a Palms suite before moving out last month.
Francesco's Italian restaurant, a fixture at Treasure Island since its opening, has closed. Named by Steve Wynn for Frank Sinatra, the space will undergo renovations for a new concept. I have fond memories of Francesco's as it was the site of one my most memorable meals and where I drank the best white wine I had ever tasted. I am not a white wine drinker, but this offering from Sardinia was out of this world. Unfortunately I can't remember the name of it, but no matter, as it is not sold here. The chef, from Sardinia, ordered it especially for the restaurant.
I'm hearing the next new nightclub in Vegas will take excess to another level, with square footage in the same ballpark as Pure, the megaclub at Caesars Palace. Meanwhile, more rumblings that the Fountainbleau has cooled on plans to bring in Pure to do the nightclubs in Vegas and Miami.
Cher doesn't do her first show at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace until May 6, but those who like to plan ahead can buy tickets for her return trip in September starting Sunday. Tickets for shows from Sept. 2 through Oct. 5 go on sale at the theater box office starting at 10 a.m. and through Ticketmaster outlets.
Musical impressionist Tom Dane will set up shop in Steve Wyrick's theater with a weekly show on Fridays starting April 18. The Scandinavian performer showcased his act at the Suncoast in November 2006.
Three shows celebrate a year's survival on the Strip. "Monty Python's Spamalot" launches a second year with a new Lady of the Lake, Erica Ash, replacing Nikki Crawford. Ash toured in "The Lion King" and is part of "The Big Gay Sketch Show" on the Logo cable channel.
Comedian Bobby Slayton was to mark a year at Hooters Hotel on Wednesday. A second anniversary is unlikely in the face of plans to remodel and rename the hotel, but he is booked through Labor Day. And "Stomp Out Loud" thumps the tub for a year at Planet Hollywood Resort on April 17.
Former Las Vegas headliner Earl Turner underwent a cardiac procedure Friday in Miami after blood clots formed in his lungs. Turner, who was on his way to Miami for a cruise ship engagement, had a cardiac catheter installed Friday and the blood clots were being dissolved, according to Kitti Heaton, his executive assistant. Turner is in good spirits, she said, and hopes to be back in Las Vegas by Monday.
Travelzoo, the online company dedicated to publishing the best travel deals worldwide, has named the MGM Mirage group "Best Overall Provider of Outstanding Travel Deals" at the 2008 Travelzoo Awards in Chicago on April 9. The ceremony, also known as 'The Tzoos,' celebrates the companies behind the best deals in 20 categories ranging from hotels to cruise lines. To determine this year's finalists, more than 67,000 deals were assessed on reliability, appeal, competitiveness, consistency, and quality.
Echelon is the latest Strip mega-project to encounter money problems, according to Reuters, ones that could mess with Boyd Gaming's plan to open the entire metaresort simultaneously in the fall of 2010. Financing "has not been secured" for the nearly $1 billion, two-hotel component that is the responsibility of Morgans Hotel Group. Boyd spokesman Rob Stillwell told Reuters that Boyd was willing to be flexible on the timeline for that part of the project.
The new upscale Italian eatery at the Hard Rock is honoring female guests during the month of April, offering "Ladies Night Out" specials Tuesday through Thursday. Between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. ladies who dine in AGO’s lounge will receive 50% off food & beverages chosen from the bar menu, which features Tuscan-style dishes including sliced tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella with extra virgin olive oil; beef carpaccio with arugula and Grana Padano; and a 10-ounce black Angus New York steak with mushroom and raw spinach salad. Yum.
According to the latest survey by TripAdvisor, 36% of worldwide respondents and 42% of Americans plan to go gambling while on vacation during the next 12 months. Despite the economic downturn, eight percent of the 1,600 respondents said they'd gamble more this year than last. Bellagio was voted the favorite casino and Las Vegas the top gambling destination, followed by Monte Carlo, Lake Tahoe, and Macau.
The latest innovation in Las Vegas pool concepts will be unveiled today with the "soft" opening of Wet Republic, MGM Grand's new "ultra pool." Dubbed the debut of "daylife" (as opposed to nightlife), the 53,000-square-foot complex boasts eight separate pools and spas, including the Strip's first saltwater pools, plus waterfalls, a poolside ultralounge, a 4,100-square-foot sundeck, luxury cabanas, DJs, and dance platforms.The pool is open to non-guests but you must be 21 to enter. Local ladies receive complimentary entry while cover charges for others will vary, depending on holidays and weekends. The grand opening is slated for April 25.
In spite of mixed reviews, the blackjack movie 21, based loosely on the exploits of the legendary MIT card counting team, has continued its winning streak as it took in $15.1 million to stay on top of the box office for a second straight week.
Leroy's sports book marks its 30th anniversary today. What began as a small alternative operation now has dozens of locations throughout Nevada. Check out a big ad in the sports section of today's LV Review-Journal for a huge list of all the casinos, several of them now defunct, that Leroy's has operated from.
The Rio's Village Seafood Buffet In Las Vegas Debuts
www.accessvegas.com
Las Vegas' Only Seafood Buffet Features Interactive Sushi Stations, Sommeliers and More Than 13,000 Square Feet and 200 Tons of Fresh Seafood from Every Corner of the Earth
Having taken the buffet concept to new heights, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas is set to once again redefine the category with the Village Seafood Buffet's that is NOW OPEN.
From customizable sushi prepared right in front of the guest to sommeliers available to pair seafood selections with the finest of wines, Village Seafood Buffet is Las Vegas' only seafood buffet.
Refined, elegant and boldly designed, the Village Seafood Buffet is under the direction of acclaimed Chef Richard Leggett, serving the freshest seafood from around the world, flown in daily with restaurant-style execution.
The Market List
To make Las Vegas' only seafood buffet the success it has come to be since opening in 1997, a tremendous effort is required, consisting of purchasing only the freshest seafood, proteins and ingredients from around the world. Here is snapshot of the Rio's "shopping list" for the top items purchased every month:
Crab Legs 29,000 The Cuisine From freshwater prawns from Indonesia to Pacific salmon, Alaskan king crab, Canadian snow crab, Shrimp from China and slipper tail lobster from Southeast Asia, the Village Seafood Buffet purchases more than 200 tons of fresh seafood annually. "With our year purchase the size that it is, this makes Village Seafood Buffet one of the largest buyers in the world," says William Becker, vice president of food and beverage, the Rio. Complementing its global menu, chefs designed the new Village Seafood Buffet to capture an international array of unique flavors. This includes featuring the essence of the Mediterranean, the vibrant cooking traditions in the Pacific Rim, the rich and flavorful creations indigenous to the Baja region, the exotic, eclectic flavors of South America where guests enjoy carving stations featuring six types of proteins that be made into succulent skewers and the diverse ingredients and cooking styles of North America. To pair with the cuisine, sommeliers will pair wines that bring out the best flavors in the selections. In addition, the Rio beverage team developed a collection of specialty cocktails. With fresh sushi remaining a primary component of the menu, the team created the "Coast to Coast," a refreshing blend of gin, berry cognac, cucumber, fresh lemon and just enough ginger syrup to give a hint of Asian influence. To complete the experience, the gelateria, otherwise known as the dessert station, showcases the custom-made silver rotating gelato display with 10 flavors and flambé station, as well as a bevy of classic plated deserts including cheesecakes, cookies and crème brulees. The Décor Visual enhancements immediately captivate attention. From the grand new entrance showcasing metallic pieces that depict the ebb and flow of the ocean tides, to commissioned artwork from renowned artist Brad Holland prominently on display, the all new Village Seafood Buffet features 13,000 square feet of bold new colors and design, emphasizing the cool hues of the ocean's blues and ice-frosted whites. Cuisine is presented in a clean fashion, with food stations set up to mirror that of a seafood market. Further differentiating Village Seafood Buffet from all others is that selections are served in much smaller portions as compared to a typical buffet, enabling chefs to refresh more often. In fact, guests can expect popular selections such as lobster to be refreshed practically every 10 minutes. Guests experience a new sound system boasting crisp sound quality and new lighting special effects. Attention to customer comfort is abundant with new tables including Viking tables that seat 15 to 20 guests, leather chairs and high back banquettes in various shades of metals, blues and purples, which add warmth and modern style and to the atmosphere. . The Chef Chef Richard Leggett graduated from the Johnson Wales Culinary Institute. His professional career brought him to The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta and Victoria and Albert's in the Grand Floridian Resort, then to Café St. Louis at Paris Las Vegas, before becoming the specialty room chef at the Village Seafood Buffet. No single dish is more important than another and each menu item is produced to stand alone in both flavor and presentation. The Hours and Price Village Seafood Buffet is open daily at 4 p.m., closing at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Price is $38 (plus tax) per person and $23.99 for children ages four through eight. Children under three are free. Harrah’s Entertainment Dives Into The Sizzling Summer Pool Season.
Item Vol. in Lbs.
Lobster 25,000
Shrimp 18,604
Oysters 6,600
Prime rib 5,451
Butter 4,968
Salmon 3,400
Beef ribs 2,220
Chicken 1,960
Mussels 1,310
Olive oil 1,248
Catfish 1,245
Cannelloni 1,155
Green beans 900
Sausage 900
Mahi 800
Tuna 800
Chow Mein noodles 760
Pollock 610
Parmesan cheese 400
Penne pasta 400
Cheddar cheese 260
www.accessvegas.com
Lounge in Luxury at Flamingo’s Topical Oasis.
As the mercury rises, so does the chill-factor at the Flamingo Las Vegas pool. Home to one of the premier pools in Las Vegas , the Flamingo offers something for everybody. Guests looking for the ultimate in plush, poolside relaxation can head to the Flamingo “GO” pool. The intimate, adult-only pool offers European sunbathing and unique, lavish cabana services. GO Pool cabanas feature amenities such as plasma televisions, X Box 360, mini-fridges, exotic frozen fruit platters, wireless internet access, and a personal server. Travel + Leisure Magazine recently named the cabanas at the Flamingo the best deal on the Strip when it comes to luxury cabana service.
Fun is the name of the game, at Flamingo’s lower Lagoon Pool. The sprawling pool is complete with a waterfall, grotto, lap swim area, and waterslides. Visitors to the Lagoon Pool will find guest DJ’s, floating beer pong, bikini bull riding, inflatable twister, cabana rental, and pool-side gaming tables. The Flamingo pool is currently open 9 a.m. – 5 a.m. Starting on April 1, the hours will be extended to 9a.m. –
7p.m. and starting Memorial Day, 8a.m. – 8p.m. For cabana rental call the Flamingo box office at (702) 733-3333.
Imperial Palace
Party poolside, Pacific Island style at the Imperial Luau
The sights, sounds, flavors, and fun of the islands meet poolside at the Imperial Palace’s Imperial Luau. Starting May 3, the Shangri-la pool at the Imperial Palace will be transformed into a Pacific-Island paradise each Tuesday and Saturday at 7pm through Sep. 30. Luau guests are greeted with Hawaiian leis and treated to an all-you-can-eat experience. The island-themed cuisine features a roasted pig, seafood, an extensive dessert bar and many other island favorites. When the sun sets the action begins as a cast of ten native island beauties host a traditional Hawaiian luau. With live music, traditional costumes, original choreography, and a fire-eating finale, guests are sure to be impressed. Tickets to the Imperial Luau are $39.95 (plus tax & fees) for general admission (includes fake flower lei, and one free drink) and $59.95 (plus tax & fees) for VIP admission (includes preferred seating, souvenir glass, all you can drink beverages, and a fresh flower lei). Tickets may be purchased by calling (888) 777-7664 or by visiting the Imperial Palace box office.
Rio All-Suites Hotel
Summer Heats up at The Rio Pool
Inspired by the pristine beaches of Rio de Janeiro, the Rio pool is a lush tropical paradise. Complete with a sand-bottom pool and waterfall, the Rio pool is a true relaxation destination. Guests can enjoy all of this from the seclusion of their own private cabana. Rentals are available seven days a week from 9 a.m. - 6p.m. As the summer months heat up in Las Vegas, so does the pool action at the Rio.
Calor, the Rio’s signature, weekly pool party is back this with a guest DJ series and drink specials. The Rio pool is open to hotel guests only. To reserve a cabana call (702)777-7777, ext. 7196.
Caesars Palace
Relax Like a God or Goddess Poolside at Caesars Palace
The pools at Caesars Palace epitomize luxurious relaxation. Guests may choose from three distinctive pool experiences when soaking up the sun at Caesars Palace . The Temple Pool, perfect for peacefully taking in the rays, is a circular pool decorated with fine marble, granite and rimmed with ancient mosaics. The Neptune Pool, situated in front of the Neptune Bar, is a rectangular heated pool, ideal for lap swimming, and has three lavish cabanas available for rental. Each of the cabanas is equipped with a stocked refrigerator, television, and furnished with plush furniture for beverage and snack service.
Guests looking for a sexier pool experience can soak up the rays at the Venus Pool Club. The European sunbathing area offers well equipped cabanas, oversized chaise lounges, air-conditioned bars with flat screen TV’s, frozen towel service, cooling Evian face spritzers and body massages. Admission to Venus Pool Club is free Wednesday through Friday and Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday). On Saturday, holidays and special events, admission is $20 per person. To reserve a cabana at Caesars Palace call (800) 634-6661.
Paris Las Vegas
Soak up the Sun at Paris Las Vegas
Located on the third floor of the hotel, the Paris pool is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Las Vegas sun. The intimate pool is surrounded by manicured French gardens and sits adjacent to the stunning replica of the Eiffel Tower. Paris pool guests can rent cabanas seven days a week,
10a.m. – 5 p.m. Paris cabanas come equipped with unlimited local calling, radio/CD players, flat screen televisions, rafts, and several other poolside
essentials. To rent a cabana, guests may call:
(702) 946-3393.
Bally’s Las Vegas
Make a Splash at Bally’s Las Vegas
The pool at Bally’s provides the ultimate destination for a day spent relaxing in the sun. The palm tree-fringed pool area at Bally’s features a heated swimming pool, whirlpool spa, private cabana rental and poolside beverage service. Cabanas are available for rent seven days a week from 10a.m. – 6p.m. To reserve a cabana call (702) 967-4111, ext. 73393.
http://www.casinotravelnews.com/Las_Vegas/las_vegas.html
Mac King's Comedy Magic Show Leaves Everybody Happy
By: Betheny Dixon/www.accessvegas.com
In the second row of Harrah’s Showroom Theatre, ten-year-old Micah Oka says, “My favorite trick is when you tell your friends’ future with their shoe. You hold the shoe and you say: You are going to go for a short trip verrrryyy soooooon…” He pauses for effect and stares very seriously over his Harry Potter-like glasses. “Then you throw their shoe so that they have to go get it! Get it!?” Micah grins, delighted. He’s been reading magical comedian Mac King’s books for half of his life, and getting the chance to see his mentor live is making it difficult for him to sit still. His enthusiasm is contagious, and the buzz in the purple and gold theatre is electric from those who know what they are about to see.
The Mac King show at Harrah’s Showroom Theatre is a stand-up comedy magic show. Mac King includes volunteers from the audience, a few props, and a surprising camping guest in his one-man act. The show has been running at one and three in the afternoon Tuesday through Saturday since January 11, 2000. He is also known for his “Mac King’s Magic in a Minute,” the nationally syndicated Sunday comic strip that he co-creates with his brother, a graphic designer. Mac King’s particular brand of magic is extremely popular with young readers because of his line of Magic in a Minute kits that include props and easy to follow instructions. Mac King also wrote “Tricks with your Head: Hilarious Magic Tricks and Stunts to Disgust and Delight,” with how-tos on making your head disappear, poking a fork into your eye, and giving a cat “chiropractic” care. He also holds the 2004 Guinness World Record for the longest game of telephone ever played.
Looking at the audience doesn’t give you any idea of what to expect from the show. Some are dressed for church drinking bottled water and talking in low voices. Others rush to the bar to make sure they have enough libations for the next 70 minutes. There are grandmothers and teenagers, young marrieds and bachelors on an all-boys getaway. The lights dim and “If You’re Happy and You Know it, Clap Your Hands,” plays over the loudspeakers. Nostalgic, the trio of businessmen in their thirties behind me stamp their feet and shout hooray with the local seventy year old couple to their left. When the curtain rises, the showman faces an audience already laughing and clapping.
“Howdy, I’m Mac King,” he says with a shrug and a smile. Mac King hails from Kentucky. His twang coupled with his plaid used-car-salesman-chic suit will make your sixteen-year-old think that the show is going to be a snoozefest. But, Mac King pulls everyone in with his first rope trick, and the crowd is on the edge of their seats for the next hour. He pays attention to his audience, and they return the favor. He acknowledges the interrupting whoops and hollers when an onstage volunteer tells him she’s from Ontario, and quips, “Everyone’s a Canadian.” Another volunteer writes her name on the back of the card instead of the face, ruining the trick. “Could you come back every time and do that? It’s funnier that way,” he says.
Mac King is remarkable. He has put together a refreshingly (but not squeaky) clean show. The only PG-13 material is told so that it sails over the kids’ heads and you don’t have to worry about questions on the way home. In fact, the only question they will be asking after the show is, “How did he DO that?!”
He makes us laugh by putting on his ridiculous yellow raincoat of invisibility and impresses us later when he really disappears. When the lights come up after his encore trick, Mac King waits in the lobby and greets his audience, thanking them individually.
“Tell your friends about my show,” he says, “I’d like to keep this job.” He shouldn’t worry, anyone who sees him perform will be talking about it. Mac King’s act is one of Vegas’ treasures. Signed with Harrah’s in 2000 for a two-year contract, The Mac King Comedy Magic Show has currently been extended through 2011. As they are leaving the theatre, Micah and his friends go to the stage and pick up snipped pieces of the rope from his opening trick, examining the ends. “It’s just plain, cotton rope!” “How did he DO that!?” “I’m going to keep it and see if I can figure it out!” They tie the ends together and rush out to the lobby to wait in line and ask him personally.
Mac King is exciting and funny on stage and off. He’s working with Spread the Word Nevada, Inc., a nonprofit corporation working to distribute books to underprivileged and at-risk children. Audience members are encouraged to donate a new or gently used book at the show to receive a free autographed Mac King Tricks With Your Head book.The organization focuses on giving books to keep, not just to check out from the library. “The looks on their faces,” he says with a smile, “It’s like getting a pony.” I thanked him for the interview and he shrugged like he did when he introduced himself on stage for the first time and said; “It’s not anything really spectacular…it’s just me.”
Mac King’s Mayberry-flavored show would never be considered edgy. He doesn’t have scores of special effects coordinators or body-painted dancers high-kicking in sequence. His magic doesn’t require mirrors, smoke, or caged animals. It’s glitz-free, and it’s not very Vegas. But Mac King can rely on something that a lot of Vegas performers go without: both a passion to share with the audience and a talent worth sharing. It’s nice to see a show that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is. Mac King is a magician and a comedian. And the funny thing is; he’s magic.
http://www.las-vegas-shows-reviews.com/mac-kings-comedy-magic-show-leaves-everybody-happy/2008/04/04/
Bodies - The Exhibition Las Vegas Uncovers Wonders You Have Never Seen. By: Marc Marino/www.accessvegas.com.
Las Vegas has never been shy about showing off the human body, but Tropicana has given their guests a lifetime opportunity to view many bodies more intimately than ever before. BODIES is an eye widening exhibit that offers a compelling way to understand the amazing and complex layers of the human machine.
Through a process of special preservation, once dead body tissue is rubberized with a silicone polymer and resurrected to a live human form. The world of inventive science and modern medicine present itself in a museum full of real bodies and parts. The entire body is dissected and reassembled for an absolutely lucid and intriguing look at everything piece by piece. Often times these specimens are completely out in the open, allowing guests to get as close as they like and stare without hesitation into the intricate structures that belong to all of us.
The exhibit is broken down into several rooms with each one dedicated to a specific bodily system. People can literally take a tour of their own skeleton, or see the normal framework of human blood vessels standing up in front of them. From the inside out, people can witness the workings of the human heart. Watch it grow strong enough to pump every drop of blood through its normal cycle every minute we are alive. How about seeing laser cut cross sections of humans sliced as thin as a pancake?
Viewers are also given unique insight into their own health by observing the physical differences between a normal organ and a corrupted one. This is perhaps best demonstrated in the respiratory room where a healthy lung is shown right beside a blackened smoker’s lung. People can actually peer into the display and see what emphysema and lung cancer look like, this is possibly the most visually effective no smoking ad ever.
Over the course of touring each room, people may find themselves amazed at how far science has taken us into understanding the mysteries of our own body. At the same time, it is equally humbling to realize how little we individuals really know about what’s under our own skin. The decisions we make about eating, drinking, and exercise play out here in a way that leaves lasting impact and encourages healthy choices for everyone.
This exhibition is both educational and entertaining with optional audio clips for different age groups. There are also several living bodies on hand to answer any questions about general health or any of the 275 specimens on display. After this viewing, any observers will be left with a fresh appreciation for every day that all these parts come together to sustain life. This exhibition is true testament to the beauty and value of our natural curiosities and admiration for the human story.
http://www.las-vegas-shows-reviews.com/bodies-the-exhibition-las-vegas-uncovers-wonders-you-have-never-seen/2008/04/04/
Mega Bubble Show Opens At The Steve Wyrick Theatre
From:www.accessvegas.com
Fresh off an appearance on the Oprah show, Fan Yang and his MEGA BUBBLE SHOW burst onto the Vegas Strip. The first and only interactive stage production of its kind, complete with spectacular light effects, dazzling lasers, and awesome displays of bubble mastery, this unforgettable experience is not to be missed. The MEGA BUBBLE SHOW will be making its Las Vegas debut with thirteen shows a week in the $35 million dollar Steve Wyrick Theatre in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino beginning February 2, 2008 and will feature Fan Yang, the production's creator and 14-time Guinness World Record holder.
Fan Yang has been featured on "The David Letterman Show," "Live with Regis and Kelly," "The Ellen Degeneres Show," "Fox & Friends," "The View," "CBS Sunday Morning," as well as on FOX, NBC, ABC and television stations around the world. Over the past two decades, Fan Yang has explored the fragile and wondrous world of soap bubbles and has emerged with a completely new form of entertainment, blending art and science to dazzle audiences around the globe. Children and adults of all ages are sure to be amazed, mystified and enchanted! For more information, please visit www.megabubbleshow.com.
About Fan Yang (creator/performer)
Hailed by David Letterman as "the greatest bubble artist in the world," Fan Yang is a world-renowned Bubble Scientist and international performer. His spectacular shows have been featured at the "National Museum of Science and Technology," Ottawa, Canada; "Pacific Science Centre," Seattle, Washington, USA; "Singapore Science Centre," Singapore; "Ontario Science Center," Toronto, Canada; and at the "Discovery Science Center," Santa Ana, California. Fan Yang is currently a 14-time Guinness Book of World Records holder. His performances have been broadcast worldwide. His television appearances include: CBS; Cirque du Soleil "Soltrom," Nickelodean-Universal Studios, Florida; Guinness Prime Time; FOX TV; TNN; Disney-MGM; Canada BBC; NHK-TV, Japan; RAI-TV, Canale 5, Italy; ZDF-TV, Germany; TF-1, France; Canale 5, Television Chile; CCTV Beijing, China; TCS (Television Corporation of Singapore); TLC (The Learning Channel, USA); LWT (London Weekend Television); CCTV and much more…
Based on scientific knowledge and artistic skill, Fan has created his own toy pertaining to his field of entertainment. "The Ultimate Bubble Toy" is unlike any other bubble toy on the market, conceived and manufactured entirely by Fan Yang. A special bubble solution – "the secret formula" – allows you to create the most stunning bubble elements such as bubbles inside a bubble, bouncing bubble, floating bubble, mega-bubble, millions of tiny bubbles and many other cool bubble tricks.
About the Steve Wyrick Theatre
Located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the $35 million dollar Steve Wyrick Entertainment Complex features the Steve Wyrick Theatre, Magiq Shoppe, and TRIQ Ultra Lounge. The 33,000-square-foot venue sets precedence as the most unique entertainment and nightlife destination in Las Vegas. The retail area (known as Magiq Shoppe) offers Steve Wyrick's signature line of easy-to-learn magic tricks for adults and children alike and other fun illusions, including gift sets as well as his signature line of clothing, and the line of GAZILLION BUBBLE TOYS merchandise including kits that allow the formation of Bubble Domes, Multiple Bubbles, Bubbles Inside Bubbles, Bubble Guns, the Giant Bubble Blaster and much more. The Steve Wyrick Theatre comfortably seats 425 guests and currently houses two spectacular shows: STEVE WYRICK REAL MAGIC and MEGA BUBBLE SHOW.
The MEGA BUBBLE SHOW. opens at the Steve Wyrick Theatre in Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino beginning February 2. Show performs Saturday – Thursday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., with an additional show on Saturday at 11 a.m., dark on Friday.
http://www.accessvegas.com/forums/show_posts/productions-shows/mega-bubble-show-opens-at/540#
Cher Tickets Selling Like Hotcakes from The Vegas Eye.
The ticket demand for Cher at The Coliseum at Caesars Palace has been so staggering that an 18 additional shows have been scheduled for September and October and go on sale April 13.
Cher at The Coliseum, an extraordinary production designed exclusively for the 4,300-seat venue, will feature countless chart-topping hits from the artist’s unparalleled career. The show will be complemented 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. The 90-minute show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. four nights a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (dark Monday, Thursday and Friday). Tickets from Sept. 2 through Oct. 5 can be purchased by calling 1-866-510-CHER (2437) or online at www.ticketmaster.com keyword “Cher”. Tickets may also be purchased in person at The Coliseum at Caesars Palace Box Office open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For groups of 20 or more, call 702-731-7208. Ticket prices are $95, $140, $175 and $250. Visit cher.aeglive.com for more information on Cher at The Coliseum at Caesars Palace. http://thevegaseye.com/
STOMP OUT LOUD Sweeps into its Second Year at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
STOMP OUT LOUD, the high-energy production from the creators of the international sensation STOMP, celebrates its first anniversary at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on April 17, 2008.
Named one of Las Vegas’ Top Ten Shows of 2007 by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, STOMP OUT LOUD has proven to be at the forefront of Las Vegas entertainment. This engaging one-of-a-kind production has captured the hearts and minds of Las Vegas locals and tourists alike. Celebrities such as Tommy Lee, Cedric the Entertainer, David Hasselhoff, Sugar Ray Leonard, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have all been spotted taking in this thrilling spectacle.
With a cast double the size of the original production and a $28 million theater specifically created for this production, STOMP OUT LOUD is unique to the STOMP brand. Though the show is exclusive to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, its popularity has swept the nation. Over the past year the cast of STOMP OUT LOUD has performed at iconic Las Vegas events such as the NBA All-Star Game, Latin Grammy Awards and Professional Bull Riders World Finals. The cast has been seen on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” and will appear in an upcoming episode of ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
A unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy, STOMP has created its own inimitable form of musical entertainment. With STOMP OUT LOUD, the experience is transformed for Las Vegas with new sequences and choreography, a dynamically expanded cast and a completely new environment that will immerse the audience from the moment they enter the 1,500-seat theater. STOMP OUT LOUD is a journey through sound, a celebration of the everyday and a comic interplay of characters wordlessly communicating through dance and percussion.
STOMP OUT LOUD performs in The Showroom at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Sunday - Friday at 8:00 pm and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with ticket prices ranging from $59 to $99. Tickets for STOMP OUT LOUD can be purchased by calling The Planet Hollywood Box Office at 702-785-5000 or 877-333-9474. Tickets can also be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 702-474-4000. Please visit www.stompoutloudvegas.com for more information.
Vegas4Visitors Awards of the Week By Rick Garman
The Deal of the Week Award has to go to Coyote Ugly, where they are offering a Thursday night “Jacked Up” special: $5 gets you entry into the club and a shot of Jack Daniels with the purchase of any drink. A shot of Jack at some nightclubs can cost three times that, so it’s definitely a bargain, especially for a raucously entertaining place like Coyote Ugly.
The Told Ya So of the Week Award is bestowed upon LVTI, a property development company that was, at various times, planning to build the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere or the tallest hotel in the United States on a chunk of land on The Strip. This was one of those projects that I put squarely in the “I’ll believe it when I see it” category and now it looks like I won’t be seeing it. The company had an option to buy the former Wet ‘n Wild site just south of The Sahara but it appears as if that option is going to lapse and the land is up for sale again. The asking price? About $475 million. If you buy it, I’ll throw in the shot of Jack.
The Handiest Website of the Week Award goes to Harrahs.com, where you can view rates at multiple hotels across multiple dates in one handy window, find your favorite slot machines, and hunt down your favorite table games. Of course it’s only good for Harrah’s, Caesars Palace, The Rio, Bally’s, Paris, The Flamingo, and Imperial Palace but no other multi-hotel company offers such convenience. To use multi-hotel tool, go to reservations, choose Las Vegas from the drop down, and then click on the “availability calendar” link.
The Where Are They This Week? Award goes to ventriloquist Ronn Lucas who has taken up residence at Excalibur, his fourth venue in the last two years. After playing for quite awhile at The Rio, he moved to Planet Hollywood and Luxor briefly before this latest move. It’s a good show but you’re obviously going to have to move quickly to see him.
The Concert of the Week Award is a no brainer: multi-platinum rockers Daughtry, fronted by former “American Idol” competitor Chris Daughtry, will be performing an intimate performance for 200 people at The Revolution Lounge at The Mirage on April 13. Tickets were auctioned off on eBay with all of the proceeds going to the One Campaign, a global effort to fight poverty and AIDS. All the tickets are gone and there is no word yet on how much money they raised but if you’re a huge Daughtry fan, you’ll probably be able to at least hear them from the casino area. Just be sure to give a donation to One if you’re hearing the music for free.
http://vegas4visitors.com/column/index.htm
TOP 10 CASINO TIPS – April 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. If you want to check out who has the better paying video poker machines in Las Vegas, check out the Best Video Poker page on www.lasvegasadvisor.com.
3. Hooter's casino in Vegas has a nice perk for new members to their Player’s Club. You get back the first $100 in losses. See their Player’s Club for details.
4. 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.
5. You can also check out the blackjack rules for Las Vegas casinos by going to www.wizardofodds.com, click on the blackjack page then click on Las Vegas Blackjack Survey.
6. Ever wonder about the lingo that transpires on craps tables? What does it all mean? The Game Master has written an article on craps lingo which is good: click here to read it http://www.gamemasteronline.com/indexa.shtml?LasVegasCrapsDirectory.shtml.
7. Make sure you check the expiration dates on all sports books winning tickets and also the tickets you get for your credits when playing slots and video poker machines. Michael Shackleford, a noted gambling author, got stiffed on an expired winning sports bet ticket by the Stratosphere in Las Vegas. Lesson learned: cash those tickets before they expire.
8. Who has the loosest slots in Vegas? Based on past history, the Palms casino on Flamingo just west of the strip has some of the loosest slots in town (also some high paying video poker machines).
9. Interested in playing the new table game Blackjack Switch? You can try it for free on their web site www.blackjackswitch.com.
10. 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).
http://www.smartgaming.com
Vegas Values Report for 4/6/08 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
BELLAGIO UNVEILS STUNNING NEW SUITE DESIGNS
The first Las Vegas casino hotel in AAA history to earn Five Diamond status, Bellagio once again raises the bar for excellence with a contemporary $60 million suite redesign that reflects the feel of an upscale residence while providing the comforts of a luxury resort.
Located in the Bellagio Tower, the dramatic new look of seven suite types – Salone, Bellagio, Cypress, Tower, Penthouse, Lakeview and Grand Lakeview – combines high styling with high-tech amenities. Each of the resort’s 512 suites now create a welcoming statement through sumptuous textiles, dark woods and a rich, neutral color palette. Soothing hues of beige and espresso are accented with vivid color from deep reds to vibrant ambers. Cool Italian marble provides the perfect contrast to warm mahogany furnishings while breathtaking views of Las Vegas seamlessly balance the drama of contemporary works of art.
Proving its commitment to exceeding guest expectations, Bellagio offers such indulgent in-suite conveniences as high-speed Internet access, iHome clock radios, DVD players, multi-line phones, fax machines and flat-screen, high-definition televisions. Additional amenities include laptop safes, fully stocked minibars, automatic draperies, plush slippers and robes as well as twice-daily housekeeping visits including nightly turndown service.
Pairing high-tech amenities with the warmth of home, Bellagio’s stunning suite redesign exemplifies the beauty, elegance and luxury for which the resort is known.
“Guests of Bellagio expect the very best and the new suite décor envisioned by MGM MIRAGE Design Group will impress even the most discerning customer,” said Bellagio President Randy Morton. “From the comfort of lavish furnishings to the ease of modern technology, no detail has been overlooked.”
Suites can be reserved by calling Bellagio Room Reservations at (888) 987-6667 or by going online to www.bellagio.com. Rates range from $450 to $8,000 a night.
MGM Mirage Unveils $40 Million Fine Art Program At CityCenter
MGM MIRAGE is unveiling initial plans for CityCenter’s $40 million Fine Art Program. Opening in late 2009, CityCenter will feature works by acclaimed artists including Maya Lin, Jenny Holzer, Nancy Rubins, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Frank Stella, Henry Moore and Richard Long, among others. Validating CityCenter’s status as a cultural destination of worldwide significance, the CityCenter Fine Art Program will feature numerous sculptures and fine art installations in both interior and exterior locations to create a dynamic and enriching fine art collection. The program is designed to become a benchmark for enlightened corporate involvement with the arts on a global level and will be one of the world’s largest and most ambitious corporate art programs. Additional pieces will be announced at a later date.
“CityCenter will be an international architectural achievement that integrates the talents of world-renowned artists, architects and designers in one development; it will be a landmark of global taste and style,” said Terry Lanni, Chairman and CEO of MGM MIRAGE. “The CityCenter Fine Art Program will be the first initiative of its kind to merge public and corporate interests on this grand scale, and we’re proud to deliver this prominent force in contemporary art and culture to Las
Vegas.”
The CityCenter Fine Art Program will encompass a multitude of styles and media – ranging from sculptures and paintings to large-scale installations – engaging visitors on both a visual and intellectual level. Some will be existing pieces, carefully chosen for their artistic value and cultural significance; others will be site-specific installations for which the artist has been invited to command their vision over the space. The contemporary masterpieces will transform CityCenter into a living, breathing museum of iconic works of art. The collection will be enjoyed throughout CityCenter’s public spaces from the gaming resort, hotel and residential towers to its spectacular retail and entertainment district. Each piece has been selected specifically for the space in which it resides, evoking the personality of its surroundings. The artwork has been paired with CityCenter’s unique architecture to create a sensory journey that present the works in a never-before-seen fashion.
CityCenter will feature prominent works from some of the world’s most influential artists:
Maya Lin – For CityCenter’s gaming resort, New York-based Maya Lin is creating her first work of art in Las Vegas: an approximately 120-foot silver cast of the Colorado River that will be suspended high above the reception area. Lin is using reclaimed silver to develop her creation in the spirit of CityCenter’s commitment to sustainability and in light of Nevada’s standing as the “Silver State.” As both artist and architect, Lin’s work reflects a strong interest in the environment, a commitment she also has served as an advisor on sustainable energy use, and as a board member of the National Resources Defense Council. Considered to be one of the most important public artists of the century, Lin, whose highly acclaimed body of work includes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., also has become a celebrated architect. Her life and work were detailed in the Academy Award-winning documentary, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision.
Jenny Holzer - Artist Jenny Holzer made her mark in 1976 with her first public work, Truisms, which made profound statements in the form of anonymous broadsheets pasted on buildings, walls and fences in and around Manhattan. Her text later took the forms of posters, monumental and electronic signs, billboards, television and her signature medium: LED signs. At CityCenter, Holzer’s work will make a stirring impact. As guests approach the porte cochere at The Harmon Hotel, Spa & Residences, they will be welcomed by one of the artist’s insightful LED signs spanning 387 feet wide. Most recently, Holzer’s work has been seen in Washington D.C. with her collection, “For the Capitol,” which incorporates nighttime projections of quotes by presidents John F. Kennedy and Theodore Roosevelt about the role of art and culture in American society.
Nancy Rubins – A sculptor and artisan famous for her grandiose works created from salvaged and industrial consumer goods, Nancy Rubins will create one of the most visually stunning commissions at CityCenter with a larger scale version of her famous installation: Big Pleasure Point. Measuring 40 feet tall, 50 feet wide and 70 feet long, Rubins’ work of art at CityCenter will be a colorful composition of numerous rowboats, kayaks, canoes, small sailboats, surfboards, wind-surf boards, jet skis, paddle boats, catamarans and other small river and ocean vessels that are finessed into a gravity-defying form that is both delicately balanced and precisely engineered. Rubins maintains the look , shape, and feel of her chosen objects, so each craft showcased in the piece will be exactly as originally found. The commission will be located on the exterior of Vdara Condo Hotel and will be one of Rubins’ few works with a permanent home. Rubins has designed amazing works of art from mattresses, trailers, hot water heaters, airplanes and small appliances since the 1970s. For more than 25 years, Rubins has exhibited extensively around the world in major solo and group exhibitions.
Richard Long – Veer Towers will feature two large-scale commissioned works by Richard Long. Entitled Circle of Life and Earth, Long’s two mud wall drawings will measure 80 feet high x 50 feet wide each and be displayed on Veer’s west and east tower walls, respectively. An English sculptor, photographer and painter, Long is one of the best-known British land and conceptual artists. His art showcases his appreciation for nature and the majority of his works are inspired by natural landscapes he has encountered while hiking. During his walks, Long often creates sculptures using natural materials in the environment such as leaves, twigs and stones, and then photographs the end result to forever capture his work. Long is the only artist to be short-listed for the Turner Prize four times. He was nominated in 1984, 1987 and 1988, and won the award in 1989 for White Water Line.
Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen –Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas will feature Typewriter Eraser, Scale X, 1998-1999, an iconic piece by Oldenburg and van Bruggen. Designed with the pair’s classic approach to creating large-scale outdoor sculptures of popular commercial objects, the five-ton, 19-foot stainless steel and fiberglass sculpture depicts a giant blue and red typewriter eraser with the bristles of the brush turned upward in a graceful, dynamic gesture. Scale X is the largest of three sculptures created of the form, beginning in the 1970s. Oldenburg and van Bruggen have collaborated on more than 40 monumental projects throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. Their most recent work is the 144-foot-long, 64-foot-high Cupid's Span for Rincon Park on the Embarcadero in San Francisco.
Frank Stella – For the reception desk at CityCenter’s Vdara Condo Hotel, MGM MIRAGE has purchased one of artist Frank Stella’s most prominent works. Damascus Gate I, originally created in 1969, features a design of interlaced semicircles made of fluorescent and alkyd resin on a 96 x 384 inch canvas affixed to a horizontal base. Recognized for more than 45 years for his contributions to the forms of Abstract Expressionism, sculpture and the concept of the shaped canvas, Stella’s work has been the subject of several retrospectives in the United States, Europe and Japan. In 1970, The Museum of Modern Art in New York presented a retrospective of Stella’s work. An authority and critic in his own right, Stella presided over the Charles Eliot Norton lectures at Harvard University from 1983-1984, which were published by Harvard University Press in 1986.
Henry Moore - Within CityCenter’s gaming resort, guests will find Reclining Connected Forms, 1969-1974, a sculpture by Henry Moore inspired by the fundamentals of the human experience – the primary theme of his life’s work. Measuring 10.17 x 17 x 7.70 feet, the abstract work of art displays a baby wrapped in its mother’s embrace. The graceful outer shell of the sculpture depicts the changing shape of a pregnant figure as it protects the new life growing within. Moore’s work was traditionally inspired by the human body, organic shapes found in nature and the sculpture of ancient and exotic cultures such as Egypt, Sumeria, Africa and pre-Columbian Mexico. Surrealism, the modern European art and literary movement with a tendency toward abstract forms, also was a major influence. Vegas, say goodbye to Guggenheim. After nearly seven years on the Strip, the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum in the Venetian will close its doors May 11. Guggenheim officials made the announcement Wednesday and said the museum will continue to partner with the Venetian on “a number of projects,” but wouldn’t elaborate. The museum will offer free admission beginning Friday until it closes in May. With the closure — and Steve Wynn’s dismantling of his own fine arts gallery — the only remaining Strip art gallery is at the Bellagio, where the effort to bring fine art to the Las Vegas masses began in 1998. More here:
http://www.casinotravelnews.com/Las_Vegas/las_vegas.html#CityCenter
Art museum will close its doors at the Venetian in May, leaving only one gallery on the Strip. By Kristen Peterson/Las Vegas Sun
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/10/vegas-say-goodbye-guggenheim/
Meet the cast members of Cirque du Soleil’s ‘Ka’
By: Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun
After more than three years and 1,500 performances, “Ka” continues to evolve even as it bedazzles fans with a breathtaking theater and an amorphous stage that seems to float on air as it serves as mountains, oceans, ships, beaches and jungles.
Cirque du Soleil’s sole plot-driven production follows the adventures of a pair of imperial twins who are separated and must survive in a world in which they are the focal point of the age-old battle good vs. evil. The evil forces have created a deadly weapon out of a secret formula that includes crushed skulls — and they want to use it to dominate. The good forces simply want to live in peace.
We recently talked to four of the lead players, two good and two evil, to get their spin on “Ka” and the roles they play.
More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/09/meet-cast-members-cirque-du-soleils-ka/
Casino Royale: Great deal on central Strip
By Rob Ponte/Las Vegas Sun
Wedged between Harrah’s and the Venetian, the Casino Royale and Hotel shines as a beacon of thrift on a crowded, overpriced tract of the Las Vegas Strip.
Tourists and locals alike pass through the bar’s semi-permanent line to pick up refreshments while en route to other Strip attractions. All of this bustling can make the casino less than ideal for hanging out and talking with friends but that’s not really the reason people choose the place.
The dozen or so seats at the bar are usually filled up, so don’t expect to sit down. Cocktail waitresses tend to be efficient, even on busy weekends, but if waiting at a penny machine or table game for a small beverage is not your style then you may want to get in line.
More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/blogs/coin-bucket/2008/mar/31/casino-royale-great-deal-central-strip/
Still king of the (shrimp) cocktails.
By Dave Wilson/ Source: Las Vegas Sun
Vegas is all about glitz and glamour, the velvet ropes and the VIPs. In this space, we couldn’t care less about any of that. You won’t find any discussion of wine pairings, chutney, foie gras, mango salsas, or which superstar DJ was up in the club where Britney was hanging out. There are guys with exclamation points or British accents for that kind of stuff.
Here, we’ll cover the lower rungs of Vegas’ social ladder, all in the name of value. No steak special will be spared. Cheap libations will be celebrated. Penny slots will be embraced. Vegas’ loss leaders will be your gain.
And where better to start than the grandfather of ’em all?
The Golden Gate brought the 50-cent shrimp cocktail to Vegas in 1959, and nearly 50 years later, you can still get one for 99 cents in the hotel’s San Francisco Shrimp Bar & Deli. Another version, listed as “The BIG Shrimp” cocktail, is $1.99.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/coin-bucket/2008/jan/13/still-king-shrimp-cocktails/
Ellis Island steak special still packs ‘em in.
By Dave Wilson/Source: Las Vegas Sun
New York’s Ellis Island welcomed newcomers to America under the watchful eyes of the Statue of Liberty, which beckoned, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.”
Las Vegas’ Ellis Island Casino & Brewery welcomes visitors under the watchful eyes of the world’s largest Super 8 motel, which pretty much advertises the same thing.
Our Ellis Island, which features its own microbrewery, celebrates its 40th anniversary as a favorite spot for the budget-conscious. We headed over (on Koval, behind Bally’s) to check in on its legendary steak special, one of the all-time favorite Vegas deals.
Like many of these specials, it’s not on the menu.
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/coin-bucket/2008/mar/29/ellis-island-steak-special-still-packs-em/
‘Le Rêve’ reveals itself slowly.
Source: The Las Vegas Sun
More leg room! Built-in TV monitors! Champagne service!
The creative minds charged with inventing a new, improved, profitable version of the aquatic spectacle “Le Rêve” at the Wynn Las Vegas seem to have taken cues from consumer-savvy airlines Virgin America and Jet Blue.
Lucky and/or loaded audience members who can shell out $179 get plushy seats in the recently installed VIP section ringing the orchestra level. They can watch closed-circuit video monitors and observe the performers after their plummeting dives, breathing through scuba tubes during extended underwater sequences. And there’s champagne service (Perrier-Jouet and chocolate-dipped, Las Vegas-scale strawberries, discreetly refreshed by a hostess).
And after many struggles over artistic control and le revenu, the show itself has undergone a makeover — maybe even an overhaul — going from night to day, from darkness to light. And it continues to change, with no end in sight. You might call it “Le Rêvision.”
More here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/06/le-rve-rveals-itself-slowly/
Society of Seven — er, nine — promises to come back.
Harrah’s sudden canceling of popular show doesn’t dampen group’s eternal optimism. By Jerry Fink/Las Vegas Sun.
After decades in show business the Society of Seven members understand the fickleness of their profession.
When they learned recently their afternoon revue at the Flamingo would not be renewed by Harrah’s Entertainment they accepted their fate and began planning their future. Their final performance will be at 3 p.m. Sunday.
“We’re confident we will find something,” Tony Ruivivar says. He and Bert Sagum founded the show band more than 40 years ago. “But we have some commitments for a tour. We’ll be coming back here, hopefully, around September.”
More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/apr/11/society-seven-er-nine-promises-come-back/
Steve Wynn and Victor Drai Plan New Mega Club in Las Vegas
A brand new mega-nightclub—XS—will be opened on the Vegas strip by the end of the year—and hotel tycoon Steve Wynn and nightclub emperor Victor Drai promise it will be the biggest and best the nightlife entertainment world has ever seen.
The two partners made the announcement shortly after midnight as they celebrated the second anniversary of their Tryst nightclub with American Idol stars Simon Cowell, Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson hosting the birthday bash.
“The new club will re-define excess, “Victor told me.” It will be more excessive in every sense of the word—and then some. More rich and more luxurious, bigger and better than anybody has ever seen. Everybody knows that Tryst has a majestic waterfall but XS will have its own lagoon pool! Tryst is only 13,000 square feet but XS will have 13,500 square feet just inside and another 25,000-square-feet open-air with the pool.”
http://blogs.lasvegasmagazine.com/VegasLuxeLife/
'BODIES,' 'TITANIC' ON THE MOVE
I mentioned a while back that two very successful exhibits here — "BODIES…The Exhibition" and "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" — would be moving from the Tropicana to the Luxor. Although the exact opening date has not as yet been established, I was able to get more info on it. Premier Exhibitions, owners of the exhibits, says the deal to display them at the Luxor is for 10 years, with renewal options for an additional 10-year period.
The complex of almost 50,000 square feet,will include an all-new Titanic exhibition with at least one themed bar and restaurant, a "Photo Op" on Titanic's soon to be constructed Ship's bow, utilizing a moving lifeboat to gain access, the blockbuster BODIES exhibition and multiple expanded gift shops.
http://www.lvrj.com/living/17421504.html
CHILL OUT AT 'GROUP THERAPY'
If you want to kick back, enjoy a few drinks and listen to some great music, the Las Vegas Hilton has kicked off "Group Therapy" every Thursday in the resort's Tempo Lounge. It features the Nova jazz group, drink specials by Sex Vodka, blackjack tables and drawings for cash and prizes for players. The intimate lounge is located off the main casino and features a private area in the rear portion.
Here's the part I like. Nova will offer a variety of music, including all styles of jazz, standards, bossa nova, samba, cha cha, R&B, Latin and easy-listening favorites from Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Bobby Caldwell, Billy Joel, Elton John, Tony Bennett, gospel legend Steve Hess and sax recording artist Ron Monday. Special guests, including jazz legend Robert Conti, will sit in with the group as well. You can chill out at "Group Therapy" every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. After 10 the music continues with a DJ.
http://www.lvrj.com/living/17421504.html
MIKE WEATHERFORD: Producer testing price change.
This is either a bad idea or the start of a revolution.
Ticket pricing on the Strip is nearly upside down. Discount ticket outlets have become the cart that drives the horse for all but the top tier of shows. Producers respond by jacking up prices so tickets can be marked down to what they should be to begin with.
In the face of all this, producer Dick Feeney asks, "What if somebody reversed it all, and went back to a realistic price?"
So Feeney is changing his ticket prices for "The World's Greatest Magic Show" at the Greek Isles to $19.95 and $24.95 before casino entertainment taxes (the old prices were $63.75 and $74.75). And he's not stopping there.
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/17455999.html
Upcoming Las Vegas Entertainment
Punk legends the Sex Pistols hit The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel on June 7. Tickets start at $49.50 and go on sale at noon Saturday at the Hard Rock box office, 4455 Paradise Road, and Ticketmaster outlets.
Seminal folk rockers Crosby, Stills and Nash perform at the Sandbar Backyard at Red Rock Resort on June 20. Tickets are $60 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Red Rock ticket sales counter, 11011 W. Charleston.
The 7th annual "Reggae in the Desert" fest takes place at the Clark Country Amphitheater on June 14, with Barrington Levy, Judy Mowatt, Wailing Souls, The Mighty Diamonds, Michael Black and the Jah Guide Band and DJ Ramma. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 day of show and go on sale at 10 a.m. today at Ticketmaster outlets.
Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn visits Ovation at Green Valley Ranch on June 13. Tickets are $29.95 and $39.95 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch ticket sales counter, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway.
Classic rockers Grand Funk Railroad stop at Ovation on June 14. Tickets are $32.50, $39.95 and $47.50 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Green Valley Ranch ticket sales counter.
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/17543654.html
SHOW REVIEW: "Marriage Can Be Murder"
Under Suspicion: 'Marriage Can Be Murder' a lean, mean operation.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
"Mike is it."
Gulp.
What can I say? If you go to an interactive murder mystery dinner theater by yourself and take more notes than most people, you look guilty.
So I couldn't blame Barbie, the nurse from Bakersfield, Calif., for pegging me as a suspect. No more than I could blame Steve, the Michigan truck driver, or Pam, his bride of five days, who sat next to me. They were checking out "Marriage Can Be Murder" in the Four Queens' Canyon Club because it fit their schedule better than their first choice, dirty hypnotist Anthony Cools.
More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/neon/17543659.html
Posted on April 12th, 2008 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter
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