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http://www.lvrj.com/bestoflv

Las Vegas is on sale, with room rates below $100 a night at prominent Strip hotels.

But you’d never know it from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s latest advertising campaign. It’s called “Vegas Right Now” and it urges consumers to come to Vegas for fun and excitement.

But, deliberately, there’s not a word about some of the biggest bargains in years.

In an era of luxury development, the visitors authority thinks it’s bad form to make references to “affordable” and “cheap,” once honorable descriptors for a town that gave away rooms and meals.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/news/2008/may/28/pssssssst-cut-rate-rooms-classy-vegas/

By JOHN PRZYBYS/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

What is Las Vegas?

A place. An idea. A stereotype. And, for those of us who happen to live here, a city that defines us in ways we probably don't even realize.

Las Vegas is a place steeped in contradiction and shaped, either subtly or overtly, by both natural and man-made forces that, in turn, shape us.

That's why we batted around this question: What are the basic forces — things, ideas, conditions — that define Las Vegas and make it different from any other place in the world?

Here are our conclusions. We don't pretend that our conclusions are the final word. Feel free to do some batting around of your own.

More here:
http://www.lvrj.com/living/19347644.html

This has always been a fun event and even if you don't want to play, take advantage of the great drinks they serve and enjoy the adult-only Lagoon pool Hey, this is Vegas — where anything goes and no-one's telling. If you want more info on the blackjack or the pool, you can go to www.tropicanalv.com or call 702-739-2222.

If you'd like to see "Stomp Out Loud" at a great price and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time, mark June 7 on your calendar. That's the day the production and Youth United join forces to raise money to build a Habitat for Humanity home for a local underprivileged family. A special matinee performance of "Stomp Out Loud" will take place at 3 p.m. with general admission tickets specially priced at $25 for students and $50 for adults. For more info, visit www.stompoutloudvegas.com.

Lots of poker news these days as everyone who plays the game is looking ahead to the World Series of Poker. And other than the big game itself, what could be more appealing than this year's World Series of Poker female-only event, the $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em World Championship? The event last year had a record 1,286 entrants, more than 10 times the 112 entrants just five years ago.

A star-studded lineup of celebrities and poker professionals have committed to play in this year's event, slated as a three-day tournament beginning at noon on June 8, at the Rio. Among the scheduled celebrity participants are Joely Fisher, Teri Hatcher, Cheryl Hines, Camryn Manheim, Mindy McCready, Mimi Rogers (team co-captain), Jackie Collins (honorary captain who will not play in the tournament, but will be on hand to officially start the event) and Linda Johnson. With an estimated $1 million-plus in the prize pool and a coveted gold bracelet up for grabs, the level of competition is expected to be the toughest yet.

The 39th annual World Series of Poker will take place May 30 to July 14 at the Rio. The Main Event will begin on July 3 with the Final Table being determined on July 14. The nine players who advance to the Final Table will return to the Rio on Nov. 9 to play down to just two players. The final two will go head-to-head late in the evening on Nov. 10 to determine the champion and winner of poker's ultimate prize. Exciting stuff, even if you're not a player.

And speaking of poker, the 2nd Annual Binion's Poker Classic featuring 43 events over 41 days begins May 28 and runs through July 8. The Championship Event will take place July 7-8 and has the highest buy-in of the Poker Classic at $2,000. Some events are as little as $100 buy-ins while most fall within $150-$300 range with a couple of $500 events and one $1,000 Pot Limit Omaha event on June 27.

In addition to the Championship Event, a Seniors Event and several new games have been added to the rotation. All in all, there are 14 different games offered over the course of the Classic, including Razz, HORSE, Seven Card Stud 8 or Better, Pot Limit Omaha 8 or Better, and nine others.

If you'd like to take part in any of the events, register the day of the event you'd like to play. For No Limit Hold'em events, registration opens three hours prior to the start time. For all other games, registration opens two hours ahead of time.
http://www.lvrj.com/living/19313979.html

David Letterman recently said of Lance, “He’s just tremendous…very
impressive…a beautiful job” after an appearance on his show.

Summer Ferguson of “Crazy Girls” has an incredible ballet
background…possibly the best of all of the dancers on The Las Vegas
Strip. Her mom and aunt were both Laker’s cheerleaders alongside Paula
Abdul. At 5-foot-9 her brother is 6-foot-8 and plays basketball. In Las
Vegas she worked as a shoeshine girl before getting her feet in the door at
“Crazy Girls” in the Riviera.

“La Cage” at the Riv caters to Middle America with this show. The cast
includes Cher, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, Joan Rivers,
Liza, Bette Midler and more.

Sea Stone puts gourmet into Asian seafood with sushi and gourmet
fusion. It’s delicious food from the Pacific Rim or Pan-Asian dining on
Rampart Boulevard in Summerlin. The high-end dining facility features
jazz on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Eclectic cocktails and
sushi are their specialties.

Nathan Burton (no relation to Lance) held his press party for his move
to doing an afternoon show at the Flamingo Hilton. The comedy magician
is perfect for the Flamingo crowd and it’s one of the most crowded casinos
in Las Vegas. The show moves right along with Las Vegas showgirls and
plenty of illusions.

“Jersey Boys” is the best tribute band I’ve ever seen. Frankie Valli and
The Four Seasons must be proud. The show could be trimmed by 40 minutes.
The Palazzo will do well with this show since it hints of Las Vegas.

This show will be a hit and will have a good run on The Strip. The talent
will amaze you even if it’s not your era for music. “Jersey Boys” make you
recall the era of The Beatles and even they couldn’t stop Frankie Valli and
The Four Seasons from climbing the charts. It’s a great show!

Robin Leach is the driving force behind
VegasHD with a studio to rise like a Phoenix out of
the ground on Harmon and The Strip. It will be the
first full-time digital fiber network from The
Entertainment Capital of the World. It’s unveiling
was April 16 at Trader Vic’s. The future of Las Vegas
television is here.

TAO Beach at The Venetian hosted Vegas
Magazine’s party with cover model LeeLee Sobieski
on April 17. Tao’s food lives up to its reputation.

Silverton Casino Lodge’s Discovery Club membership is free. Members must be at least 21 years of age or older and provide a valid form of ID. For more information, please call (702) 263-7777 or visit www.silvertoncasino.com

Jimmy Bond from 8-11 p.m. at the 1st Street Stage
The Temptation Review from 8-11 p.m. at the 3rd Street Stage

Saturday, June 7

Jimmy Bond from 6-8 p.m. at the 1st Street Stage
The Temptation Review from 6-8 p.m. at the 3rd Street Stage
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels from 9-11 p.m. at the 1st Street Stage
Cornell Gunter’s Coasters from 9-11 p.m. at the 3rd Street Stage

Jimmy Bond has become a staple to Las Vegas performing his soulful blues music at venues around the city. Bond has just recently released two love albums, Love Songs by Jimmy Bond Volumes I and II.
 
Featuring Dennis Edwards, one of the last surviving members of the legendary group The Temptations, The Temptation Review is also comprised of members David Sea, Mike Patillo, Bernard Gibson and Chris Arnold. Together they have toured around the world performing hits such as “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)” and “Can I Get a Witness” to name a few.
 
The soulful group Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels first established themselves out of Detroit in the mid-1960s and in 1967 had five songs that were on the top-forty chart including “Devil With a Blue Dress On” and “Good Golly Miss Molly.” The group continues to tour the U.S. performing from their vast array of blues hits.
 
Originally known as “The Robins,” Cornell Gunter’s Coasters made their claim to fame with the record “Down in Mexico” and are well known for musical hits such as “Yakety Yak” and “Charlie Brown.” They were also the first vocal group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
 
For classic car enthusiasts, a free car show will take place all weekend long from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday. The vast display of cars stretches over the five blocks of the Fremont Street Experience and features over 200 classic cars.

2. Steak Dinner – Ellis Island – 24 hours – $6.95  
The complete steak dinner at Ellis Island is the best-value meal deal in a city full of good-value meal deals. It’s a 10-ounce filet-cut sirloin, which comes with salad, garlic green beans, choice of potato, and fresh microbrewed beer, all for $6.95. You can’t beat that with a stick

.3. Breakfast Special – Wild Wild West – 24 hours – $1.49    
The $1.49 breakfast special at Wild Wild West is the same one we’ve been touting for the past several months that’s also served at Wildfire, Gold Rush, and Magic Star. However, now it’s available 24 hours at WWW, as opposed to just midnight to 11 am at the others.

4. Sign-Up Promotion – Hooters – Daily – Free    
The Hooters promotion for signing up for the players club includes $100 in “free play”; this is a long shot, but worth the attempt. The big draws of the sign-up package, however, are a $25 matchplay and two free tickets to Bobby Slayton or Gerry McCambridge.

5. Magic Show – Greek Isles – Nightly – Free-$19.95
The World’s Greatest Magic Show at the Greek Isles is conducting a grand experiment, reducing the ticket price from $55.95 to $19.95. And that’s not the half of it (literally): The first 100 tickets ordered for each day are free.

6. Buffet – Mirage – Daily – $13.95-$24.95    
The Mirage Cravings buffet is convenient at center Strip, has better hours than most (opening for dinner at 3 pm), and features an expansive choice of gourmet offerings. Tour the large selection first to take in the variety: a half-dozen soups; dim sum, sushi, Chinese appetizers, and salads at the Asian station; antipasto bar; barbecue station; bagel fixin’s; made-to-order salads, extensive desserts; and more. The Mirage is the best-value gourmet superbuffet, with the highest quality and lowest prices, among Las Vegas’ best spreads.

7. Fontana Bar – Bellagio – Daily – $6    
The Fontana Lounge at Bellagio is, perhaps, the greatest bargain-entertainment play at center Strip, if not along the entire Great Neon Way. It’s in the middle of one of the swankiest joints in town. The lounge surroundings are plush. The views (of the fountains) are spectacular. The entertainment is always top notch. And—get this—it’s a one-drink minimum to sit there for the evening, with the least expensive drinks in the $6 range. What a deal!

8. The Comedy Stop – Tropicana – Daily – $19.95    
The Comedy Stop has been at the Tropicana since 1990. The classic 300-seat showroom has a cool old-time feel to it, all the way down to the surviving maitre ‘d seating system, so $5 a head will probably get you up close (if you want to be in a comedian’s sights). Be forewarned: The comedy tends to be blue, if not just plain raunchy. Don’t go if you’re offended by language or non-politically correct subject matter. The three-comedian show and a drink cost $19.95, with no add-ons. And if you use the coupon that’s easy to find in many of the freebie mags, it’s only $14.95. Beers are $4.50.

9. Prime Rib Special – Hard Rock – 4 pm to 4 am – $9.99   
The Hard Rock’s $9.99 all-you-can-eat prime rib special in Mr. Lucky’s coffee shop begins with a 13-ounce slice of prime rib cooked to order, plus a choice of soup or salad, baked potato, and veggies. If you’re still hungry, you can order additional slices served in six-ounce portions for as long as you can finish ‘em.

10. Lunch Comp – Crown & Anchor – 11 am-2 pm – $20 buy-in
Finally, in the process of converting the Monterey Coffee Shop to a new name (the Café), the Gold Coast has discontinued its great $10.95 T-bone steak special, which has graced the Top Ten on and off since 1993 (and most recently last month). We’re replacing it with the lunch comp at the Crown & Anchor, good for beers and a meal when you buy in for $20 at a video poker machine. The meal can be anything on the menu. The comp is available every day from 11 am to 2 pm at either of two C&As, on Tropicana or Spring Mountain.

Picture a giant speed-dating event, only the participants aren't looking for love – they're looking for location, location, location. And each speedy session gives Las Vegas the chance to court its suitors like never before.

That's about the best way to sum up this year's International Pow Wow, which is the Travel Industry Association's 40th annual convention, uniting travel buyers with travel sellers. The conference is a way of showing men and women from 70 countries what the United States has to offer – and, for this year's event, what Las Vegas has to offer. From May 31-June 4, they'll be in town, attending those speed networking meetings so that they can buy blocks of travel and entertainment for future use.

The appointments are all pre-arranged, and the brevity allows for quick interactions among hundreds of companies – meetings that would otherwise require extensive world traveling.

"Over the course of the three days we're there, there will be about 50,000 20-minute appointments," said Roger Dow, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association. "They sit down and say this is what I want, this is what I've got, done. Ding, the bell rings, and they move on to their next appointment."

It allows people from, say, Germany to meet with representatives of Cirque du Soleil, people from China to meet with Marriott and so on.

The meetings may be short, but they're powerful. The travel trade show of 5,000 delegates generates $3.5 billion in future U.S. travel, and Dow estimates that 10 to 15 percent of that will benefit Las Vegas. Plus, nearly 500 travel media are on hand, generating stories to encourage travel. It's an incredible opportunity for Las Vegas to show visitors just who Lady Luck really is – although these days, the city is about so much more than luck. Conventiongoers' itineraries, which include an opening welcome party at Mandalay Beach, a show night at Blue Man Group and a closing party at Fremont Street Experience, will give them a taste of the town. The daily networking sessions are being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and 13 participating Las Vegas resorts are hosting the delegates.

The last time International Pow Wow visited Las Vegas was in 1989, when the city was an entirely different place, and focused, primarily, on gambling. Now, as Dow sees it, there's no single activity that draws visitors to Vegas.

"The big draw is Las Vegas," he said. "In the convention business, we always call it the 'Vegas' factor. Say you have a convention, and 5,000 people normally show up. When it's in Vegas, 7,000 people show up. And we're seeing the same thing happen here. It'll be a total sell-out."

What with the nightlife, restaurants, resorts, gaming, entertainment and more, it's the city's chance to truly woo all of these eligible travelers.

"And the shopping, of course – Vegas has just blown the doors off in upscale shopping; it's like something they've never seen. And these people are coming from Paris, London, Milan," Dow said. "So I think it's going to be a great opportunity to show off more than just the gaming side of Vegas."
http://lvshowbiz.com/feature3.html

Few entertainers have meant more to Las Vegas than Sammy Davis Jr. Routinely called the greates entertainer of all time, he could do anything on a stage.

As a singer, he could belt with the best of them and was especially effective swinging the blues. He stopped two Broadway shows cold – Mr. Wonderful and Golden Boy – and acted in many films and TV shows. He played a variety of instruments including vibraphones, trumpet and drums.

A marvelous impressionist – the first black entertainer to do impressions of whites – he gave some of his greatest shows in rooms packed with movie stars. On those occasions, he would do an impression of every star in the audience. But of all his great skills, dancing came first. Aficionados rank him second only to Fred Astaire among all the tap dancers who ever lived. Combining athleticism and speed with intricate rhythms, he was like a jazz artist who could improvise steps during a performance that nobody had ever done before.

Davis was the quintessential show business professional. The last great vaudeville performer, he began at the age of 4 carrying an otherwise forgettable nightclub act called the Will Mastin Trio. Davis was 20 when the trio made their local debut at the El Rancho Vegas in 1945. Later, he played the Frontier, Desert Inn, Tropicana and, most memorably, the Sands during his fabled Rat Pack years. His singing voice packed a vocal power equal to his friend Frank Sinatra, and many knowledgeable people will tell you that Davis had the better voice. He created so much excitement in a nightclub that, although he was skinny and anything but glamorous, women adored him. So did the high-rollers. When Davis worked Vegas, the town hummed with electricity, and everyone, including waiters, doormen, cab drivers and maids, earned extra big tips.

His career lasted six decades, and in the end, when he was weak and dying of throat cancer and weighed but 60 pounds, Hollywood staged a televised tribute in which he wasn't supposed to perform. Unable to resist, he slipped on his tap shoes and did one last improvised dance with Gregory Hines, who was so overwhelmed with admiration and love that he got down on all fours and kissed Davis' feet.

In the years since Davis' death in 1991, nobody has approached his greatness as an all-around showman and nightclub performer. We dare say that nobody ever will. Today, it's fashionable to mount giant shows with towering sets and pyrotechnics – none of which Davis ever needed. With only a band, a spotlight, an audience and his unequaled talent, he generated the fireworks himself.
http://lvshowbiz.com/

Our first stop was in Downtown Las Vegas where we visited the Downtown Cocktail Room, one of several new bars and nightclubs that are springing up along the formerly decrepit and dangerous stretch of Fremont Street just east of the Fremont Street Experience.

Along with The Griffin and Beauty Bar, plus several other upcoming spaces, Downtown Cocktail Room is seeking to change the dynamic of Downtown with cool, friendly, and relatively inexpensive bars that offer a more convivial vibe than the packed and competitive clubs and ultra-lounges on The Strip.

Behind a big door is a small, dimly lit space full of warm Zen energy and sumptuous visuals. From the polished concrete floor to the deeply padded couches and seats to the leather and other textures on the walls and furnishings, the Downtown Cocktail Room is just as "cool" as those ultra-lounges on The Strip from a form and function level.

Music plays softly during the early evening to allow for actual conversations and a DJ booth kicks things up later in the evenings but since there is no formal dance floor it's still more of a soundtrack than a main act.

There is no cover and drink prices are anywhere from 20-30% less than what you'd pay at a similar place on The Strip.

The crowd is primarily a local one, drawing heavily from the Downtown business district. Think suits and ties early with more casual wear later on as the people from around town come out to play.

The Downtown Cocktail Room is located at 111 Las Vegas Boulevard South, a half-block from The Fremont Street Experience and is open daily from 5pm until they feel like shutting the doors.

After that we had to head to The Bank, the highest of high end clubs now open at Bellagio. How high? On the night we visited the cover charge was $50 although that has gone down now to a still expensive but more on par with the competition $30. And mind you that's just to get in the door. Drinks are likewise very pricey and if you want to sit down in any of the comfortable booths you're going to have to get bottle service, which starts at $500 a bottle and on busy Saturday nights may have a three-bottle minimum. That's right, $1,500 to sit down.

But if you have that kind of cash to throw around and are looking for an exclusive, celebrity and power-player heavy nightclub experience, it's hard to think of a place that tops The Bank.

The space is gorgeous, a complete overhaul of the room that once used to occupy the Bellagio's former high-end nightclub Light. It's a multi-level room with several tiers of booths and plush seating overlooking a big dance floor and ultra-exclusive VIP rooms scattered about.

The place is built for partying with a state of the art sound and light system and fun touches like ice machines that rain snow down on the dancing throngs.

Due to the cost, the crowd here is a little more well-heeled than your average club-goer and a little older as well, so while you may not get sneered at for being over 40 here you may get sneered at if you're wearing something from Target.

Bank is located at Bellagio and is open Thursday through Sunday, 10:30pm until 4:00am.

Our last stop of the evening was across the street to the two new clubs at Planet Hollywood, Privé and the Living Room.

Both are from The Opium Group, the company that operates three of Miami's most successful nightclubs including the original Privé in South Beach.

The Vegas version of Privé is stunning, with an amphitheatre inspired layout full of comfortable booths and seating areas, a massive two-story fireplace, project screens for fun visuals, a slamming sound and light system, several bars, and plenty of other eye candy to keep you entertained.

As if the space itself weren't enough to get you jazzed, you have to factor in the complete lack of pretention that goes on here. Unlike most nightclubs (see The Bank above) where most seating is reserved for VIPs and bottle service, the bulk of the seating at Privé is open to anyone so it won't cost you a ridiculous amount of money just to rest what you've been shaking on the dance floor – or anywhere else for that matter. Dancing is encouraged everywhere in the club; feel like climbing up on a table or speaker and expressing your inner Go-Go Girl or Guy? Go for it – they want you to have fun.

On top of that there is no serious dress code here and the costs of the covers and drink prices are all much more reasonable.

The result is a truly friendly nightclub that doesn't have the kind of intimidating vibe that most others due, where people are just there to have a great time instead of standing and posing.

The same $20 admission also gets you into The Living Room, an ultra-lounge space adjacent to Privé that owns up to its name with an intimate homey vibe, if your home has leather couches and big fireplaces and chandeliers of course. The groove here is much more laid back than its neighbor but there is still a lot of energy amongst the clientele and the broad mix of people is an encouraging change of pace.

Privé and The Living Room are located at Planet Hollywood and are open Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10pm until 4am.
http://vegas4visitors.com

The Comeback of the Week Award is hereby bestowed on the rock band Queen. No, they are not bringing Freddie back from the other side, but they are getting a second chance in Vegas with a new tribute show on the big Viva Vision screen at The Fremont Street Experience. “A Tribute to Queen” features 3-D sound blasting the band’s hits while the millions of LED lights put on a visual spectacle that includes photos of local champions (“We Are the…” get it?). It is playing now in rotation with the other existing Viva Vision light and sound extravaganzas. Queen’s former stand in Vegas was the musical “We Will Rock You” that played at Paris Las Vegas for about a year.

The Ka-Ching Award of the Week goes to Tao Las Vegas, which remained as the top grossing non-chain restaurant in the United States for a second year in a row. Their cash registers rang up more than $66 million in sales, up $11 million from last year and nearly twice as much as the second place finisher on the list, New York’s Tavern on the Green. The only other Vegas restaurant to make the Top 10 was SW Steakhouse at Wynn Las Vegas that brought in a comparatively paltry $20 million.

Tuesday night’s Las Vegas preview of the long-awaited big-screen reunion of Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha (and Big, Steve, Harry, Smith, Stanford and Anthony) felt like what an olde-time Hollywood Movie Premiere must have been like. By 6 p.m. hundreds were waiting in a long line outside the Regal Village Square 18. And this wasn’t your everyday flip-flops and sweatsuits-wearing we-won-free-tickets-so-why not? screening crowd. These people (at least 98 percent women and their best gays. And maybe a husband or two), these people were excited. They came in packs, gangs, flocks. And they dressed up to go to a movie. And for each other. Some serious outfits — summer dresses, sequins and most of all, shoes — were being rocked at this semi-suburban multiplex before sundown.

No one really explained to the audience that the “Countdown to the Red Carpet” on the movie screen meant that we were going to see a delayed feed of the New York City premiere event at Radio City Music Hall, which had taken place just a few hours before. The crowd cheered as stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrall made their way through clots of tense-looking PR women. But the most audience love, at least in our packed-to-the-walls theater, seemed to go to Chris Noth, Kristin Davis and David Eigenberg.

More here:
http://lasvegassun.com/blogs/joe-brown/2008/may/28/sex-and-sin-city/

For decades, bringing financial viability to the Moulin Rouge has been an elusive dream.

That dream now looks further away than ever, but those who have worked for years to achieve the goal say they will not give up.

An early-morning fire Thursday largely destroyed the theater, casino and lounge area of the historic casino, described as the first modern racially integrated casino in Nevada and the country. The blaze also disrupted and may have permanently derailed redevelopment efforts that appeared to be gaining momentum after years of frustration.

The property's owners, CBC Financial Corp., had planned to close a sale to Moulin Rouge Development Corp. today, part of a long-planned effort to redevelop the structure built in 1955. The exchange now is on hold.

More from The Las Vegas Sun here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2003/may/30/dream-of-revitalizing-moulin-rouge-suffers-blow/?history

Las Vegas producer Stephen Sorrentino brings a new show, “Superstars Latinos,” to the 1,200-seat Dallas Events Center at Texas Station on Friday.

“We have one shot at Texas Station to see how it works and if the fans like it then we may get to tour various Station casinos,” says Sorrentino, who’s also one of the country’s top Elton John tribute artists.

The high-energy, 90-minute musical is a tribute to Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin. It features singers backed by an eight-piece Latin band.

“It’s English and has shades of both Spanish lyric and Spanglish,” he says. “Two of the cast members speak fluent Spanish, so there will be a blend. Though this is a Latin show, all these artists are huge in the American/English-speaking market.”

“Superstars Latinos” is one of 13 productions Sorrentino has on his shelf, including “Superstars Live,” “The British Invasion,” “La Mascarade” (a female impersonator show), “United We Stand” (a patriotic show) and “Country to the Bone.”

Sorrentino is betting the Latin show will be a hit at Texas Station, which has a large Hispanic fan base.

“There’s really nothing for the Latinos in this town, especially for the locals,” he says. “We’re putting a lot of production value into the show — the band, five stars, dancers from Los Angeles.”

Sorrentino will switch hats July 19, when he changes from producer to entertainer. He will perform his Elton John routine at the Armadillo Lounge in Texas Station.

Details: “Superstars Latinos,” 8 p.m. Friday, Dallas Events Center, Texas Station, $24.95, 547-5300
Latino tribute show debuts – Las Vegas Sun

Katy Setterfield should start looking for a home in Las Vegas.

The British entertainer who won a contest for a three-month engagement with “Legends in Concert” captivated the Vegas audience who caught her recent debut at the Imperial Palace, performing a tribute to the late Dusty Springfield.

Setterfield sang “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Wishin’ and Hopin’,” “I Only Want to Be With You” and “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,” and received the most enthusiastic applause of the evening.

If there was any doubt that Setterfield could make it in Vegas, she settled that issue. The question now is, can Vegas keep her?

She won the Vegas appearance on BBC’s hit series “The One and Only …” in February.

The engagement coincides with the 25th anniversary of “Legends in Concert,” which has added Marcel Forestieri, a dead ringer for Jay Leno.

“Legends” is one of the longest-running shows in town, debuting May 5, 1983, with tributes to Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, Bobby Darin and Elvis. On Stage Entertainment now has “Legends” shows in Branson, Mo.; Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Atlantic City.

Details: “Legends in Concert,” 7:30 and 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, Imperial Palace, $53.80 to $70.80, 794-3261.
http://lasvegassun.com

Marc Ryan, a Louisiana native, and J. Jay Boyd, a native of New York, were the first headliners to perform for the new show in the casino’s 120-seat showroom.

Producer Robert Burke says there will be a new cast of headliners each week. Adam Hunter and Richie Holliday headline this weekend, and Tim Young and Ross Duncliffe come in next week.

Downtown has been a tough sell in recent years, but productions at Fitzgeralds (“Country Superstars Tribute”), the Plaza (“The Rat Pack Is Back”) and the Golden Nugget (“Defending the Caveman”) have proved there is a market for the right show.

One thing Comedy After Hours has going for it is no competition. There are no comedy rooms in the neighborhood — the last one was the Comedy Zone at the Plaza.

One thing the new show has going against it is that it’s beginning at the start of summer, which historically has not been a good time to debut.

“We’ve got to start sometime,” Burke says, “and this way we can get the bugs worked out.”

There were a few bugs on opening night — mostly microphones that didn’t work. Once the mikes were functioning, fans had fun.

Details: Comedy After Hours, 9 p.m. Thursdays through Tuesdays, additional performances 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Fitzgeralds showroom, $28.95, 388-2400.
http://lasvegassun.com

A little background on Mr. Grippo: I first met him when I was associated with former Heavyweight Champion of the World, Joe Louis. Grippo was an avid boxing fan and eventually ended up with his sleight-of-hand act at Caesars Palace, thanks to Ash Resnick (he was a casino executive at the time). Jimmy worked the Bacchanal Room exclusively, and when a fight was in town (this was in the `60s and `70s) he was always called upon to do something special for the press conferences. One unusual thing about Mr. Grippo – he never learned to drive a car and went everywhere by taxi or limo. He was a wonderful man!
http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/norm/index.htm

Eclectic menus for Sunday brunch, daily lunch and dinner will be offered along with a special late night menu available until 4 a.m. Another first for the Las Vegas location: SAMBA’s distinctive robata grill showcasing dishes such as Lamb Chops with Guava Ponzu, Tobiko and Spiced Panko and Grilled Jumbo Prawns, complementing the restaurant’s extensive menu of classic Japanese tempura, Brazilian churrasco and feijoada and Peruvian anticuchos, or marinated skewered meats roasted over an open fire.

SAMBA strip was designed by ICrave, an award-winning design firm with deep roots in the hospitality industry. Guests are greeted by an architectural glass façade inspired by the Mondrian hotel in its linearity, color, and sharp edges. Dramatic 16-foot ceilings create a soaring atrium that houses the main restaurant space, a vibrant, Carnaval-inspired environment that mirrors the energy of the Las Vegas Strip beyond its doors.

The area is anchored by an oversized art installation – a three-dimensional illustration through space of swirling “ribbons” that explode from the center of the room and wrap their way around eating spaces, winding around the sushi bar and lounge, evoking a feeling of movement and dynamism. The robata station is encased in semi-transparent Frit glass to offer a glimpse of the fiery grill. Customized millwork fuses pale blonde ash wood with dark wenge wood for the bar tables. Artful projections move continuously on scrims and walls, with visuals featuring the colors, flavors, and cultures of Japan, Brazil, and Peru. A dark corridor leads guests to the SUGARCANE lounge.

This Favela-inspired late-night space is muted in coloring, creating a sultry atmosphere. A stage, dance floor and DJ booth are highlighted by materials that have a “raw” feel – gold and chocolate brown leather, bamboo, wenge wood, smoked and frosted acrylic, resin and paper. A custom-made, simulated “sugarcane” ceiling contains moving lights that wind through the tubes and rods. Internationally renowned lighting designers Isometrix developed an innovative lighting program with theatrically-colored lights that project through the dramatic sugarcane ceiling terrain. Glimpses are stolen back and forth between the main room and VIP area which is situated behind a barricade of broken-down walls and fencing behind the bar.

The VIP area includes plush seating, mood lighting, Third World relics and Brazilian Favela street finds. The Sugarcane Lounge, open daily until 4 a.m., will provide 174 seats and a VIP section seating 20 people. This no-cover charge, intimate lounge will welcome private events and frequently host promotions such as SUSHISAMBA’s annual Carnaval celebration. Chef Jose Mendin will be Executive Chef of SUSHISAMBA strip and is currently chef at SUSHISAMBA dromo in Miami. Some of his favorite dishes include EastWest, which combines Kobe Style Beef Tataki with truffle oil-tofu crema, ponzu jelly & shimeji mushroom and Beef Tenderloin Seviche with Peruvian ‘canario’ bean, avocado, lime, tamari soy and aji panca oil on one plate. Mendin will bring his unstoppable energy and passion to the kitchen of SUSHISAMBA strip, making him one of the growing restaurant group’s shining stars. SUSHISAMBA offers inventive fare that unites bold Brazilian flavors, precise Japanese technique and exquisite Peruvian culinary traditions on one plate. In addition to the Las Vegas debut, SUSHISAMBA has outposts in New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas and Tel Aviv. Please see www.sushisamba.com for more information.