Everything Las Vegas Issue # 687

January, 24th 2009

'Folies' to end a 49-year LV run

Strip revue helped craft city's image.
By MIKE WEATHERFORD/LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

"Folies Bergere," the longest-running show on the Strip and one that helped make feathered showgirls the image of Las Vegas, will close March 28 after 49 years.

The Tropicana revue is giving way to another production, but hotel officials said they don't have a signed contract and so aren't ready to announce the title. The "Folies" closing was announced to give 60 days notice to about 80 performers and stagehands, said Tropicana spokeswoman Brittany Markarian.

Hotel president Ron Thacker did not comment beyond an official statement noting the revue's "amazing and unprecedented run." But it's likely the Tropicana, whose parent company is trying to reorganize and restructure $3 billion in debt, sought to move from employer to landlord.

More Here:

http://www.lvrj.com/news/37701379.html

Rita Rudner Extends Run at Harrah's Until 2012

Rita Rudner, the accomplished comedienne, screenwriter, best-selling author and actress, has announced that she will extend her stay as headliner at Harrah’s Las Vegas until January 2012.

“I’m so excited I’m going to be at Harrah’s for three more years,” said Rudner. “Or as I like to think of it, for twelve more gowns.”

Rudner has enjoyed a successful run at Harrah’s since October 2006, prior to which, she had a six-year headlining engagement on the Las Vegas Strip, performing over 2,000 shows to almost a million people.

“Rita Rudner is the leading lady of comedy and hands down the funniest comedienne in the country,” said Don Marrandino, president of Harrah’s Las Vegas. “We are so pleased that she will continue to amuse audiences with her witty sense of humor the next few years at Harrah’s.”

Rudner is grateful to Harrah’s for allowing her and her producer husband the flexibility to pursue other projects outside of her stage show. In 2008, the couple wrote the play “Room 776” for local theatre troupe Las Vegas Little Theatre. “It really exceeded our expectations,” said Rita. “It received such an enthusiastic response that we got calls from a few New York producers. That play was designed specifically for Las Vegas, but the reaction made us anxious to try another one that maybe could eventually play in New York or Los Angeles. We’ve also got an idea for a movie project set in Las Vegas which we hope to do later this year.”

Rudner has been awarded “Best Comedian” for eight years in a row by the readers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. She is also a best-selling author and screenwriter. Her recent TV special “Rita Rudner: Live in Las Vegas” was a ratings standout for PBS and is now available on DVD. The paperback version of her latest book, “I’ve Still Got It: I Just Don’t Know Where I Put It,” will be published in May.

Tickets to Rudner’s shows are $54 or $90 (plus tax and fees). For show schedules, tickets and additional information please visit www.harrahs.com or call (702) 369-5222

Steve's Las Vegas Quickies:

Danny Gans, who held court at the Mirage for almost nine years, has started rehearsing for his new gig at Wynn Las Vegas. Gans will open with a charity benefit (the public will be able to attend) on February 6, before regular shows begin February 10. He will do four shows each week, 44 weeks per year.

The high energy production STOMP , which has graced the stage at Planet Hollywood for the past 22 months, ended its run last week (January 4). Following the performance, the cast celebrated on stage. The show is now looking for another, smaller venue on the Strip.

The V Theater is down one title after "The $1,000,000 Vegas Game Show" decided to put itself on hiatus after Sunday's show. Theater operator David Saxe says the show did well enough to consider a return, but producer Jeff Gitlin was undercapitalized for the dry season everyone expects this winter.

The Rio's Masquerade Showroom is vacant and hosted the Latin-themed Club Rio for years. There is talk that N.D.'s new concept is an environmental Latin club more like Rumjungle at Mandalay Bay. However, a Rio spokeswoman stresses there is no signed deal. Indeed, it sounds like the producer and the Sahara still are squabbling over unpaid bills, and that there is much to clear up before N.D. can start anew.

As Terry Fator prepares to launch his residency at The Mirage, we're waiting to see if this year's "America's Got Talent" winners can refute the idea that Fator's Las Vegas jackpot is an anomaly.

Nuttin' But Stringz, the hip-hop violin group that seemed likely to land here as a specialty act, was set to do a private Mandalay Bay ballroom gig for AutoTrader.com on Tuesday. It's a far cry from your own theater at The Mirage, but it's a start.

Dean Sterling, the hypnotist who performed as "Dr. Naughty" at the Bourbon Street and Greek Isles in the 1990s and early 2000s, has died out of state after a long illness.

More recession-related rumblings: We hear Trader Vic's at Planet Hollywood Resort is close to getting a name change and new management.

A 30-seat Japanese restaurant has scored top restaurant and chef-of-the-year honors from KNPR food critic John Curtas. Raku, located in Summerlin at 5030 Spring Mountain Road, "puts out superior Japanese food on a level that Las Vegas has never before witnessed," according to Curtas.

Donny Osmond told a Las Vegas radio show Thursday that he may be on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" as soon as next season. "I'm really considering doing the show," Osmond told the Mark & Mercedes morning show on KMXB-FM 94.1. He said he's already figured out how he can do it: Move the starting time of the Donny & Marie show at the Flamingo to 8 p.m. so he can do the tapings in Los Angeles.

Harrah's Las Vegas headliner Rita Rudner has signed a three-year extension. "I'm so excited I'm going to be at Harrah's for three more years," said Rudner. "Or as I like to think of it, for twelve more gowns." Harrah's Las Vegas president Don Marrandino called her "the leading lady of comedy and hands down has the funniest show on the Las Vegas Strip." Rudner moved to Harrah's in the fall of 2006 after six years at New York-New York.

The long dormant showroom at the Rio will be coming back to life soon, but a nearby one will be vacant after "Tony 'N' Tina's Wedding" moves to Planet Hollywood.

The Rio should announce on Monday what has been unofficial for several weeks now: "Fuego Raw Talent," which ended as a sit-down show at the Sahara Jan. 4, will be reinvented in some form of nightclub format, one that hopes to rekindle the days when Club Rio courted the Latin-American demographic.

"Fab Four Mania" has departed the Riviera, though "Fab Four Live," a renegade production that split off with half the cast and two-thirds of the title, continues at the V Theater.

"Menopause the Musical" will close at the Las Vegas Hilton April 5, after the musical's roommate, The Scintas, also vacate the Shimmer Cabaret on March 14.

Yesteryear teen idol Bobby Rydell, who starred in "Bye Bye Birdie" opposite Ann-Margret, was married Saturday in a private room at the Bootlegger Bistro. Rydell, 67, married the former Linda Hoffman. They were married by Charlotte Richards of A Little White Chapel. Richards also officiated at the weddings of Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears and Bruce Willis. Rydell had four Top 10 songs in 1960 alone, including "Wild One" (No. 2) and "Volare" (No. 4).

Look for the Las Vegas Hilton to sign a long-term deal with Monster Circus, a late-night show that will feature rock stars from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s accompanied by a freaky circus atmosphere. A December appearance featured Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, Rudy Sarzo, who performed with Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Dio, and Tony Montana of Great White.

The biggest Oscar night party in Las Vegas will be at Rain Nightclub at the Palms on Feb. 22. Sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation, Oscar Night ?America is the only Oscar? party in Las Vegas to be sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The party begins at 4 p.m. with guests walking the red carpet. Dinner is served during the telecast, which begins at 5:30 p.m. To register for an invitation: go to: www.secondbestoscarparty.com or call 702-987-3177.

For all you blackjack players, the Las Vegas Hilton will host the $30,000 Cupids Blackjack Tournament, Feb. 6 and 7 featuring a first-place prize of $15,000. Entry fee is $599, and includes four days/three nights and one entry into the tournament. For more information, call 1-800-457-3307. Good luck!

Station Casinos is replacing several of it's restaurants with Denny's.

The Sahara has raised the price of it's club-members dinner buffet by $2.00 to $8.99. The Imperial Palace has raised it's dinner price $3.00 to $18.99. Lowering prices were Harrah's and The Las Vegas Hilton. The Tropicana is reintroducing it's dinner buffet priced at $15.99.

SC Prime Steakhouse and Bar has opened at The Suncoast.

Wynn Las Vegas' sports book boss, John Avello, has posted just-for-fun odds on the Academy Awards, although he seems to have punted on the Best Supporting Actress category. Avello's predicted winners are Slumdog Millionaire (Best Picture), Kate Winslet (Best Actress), Mickey Rourke (Best Actor) and Heath Ledger (Best Supporting Actor).

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the Mirage is offering half-price wine on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Participating restaurants include Samba Brazilian Steakhouse, Kokomo's, Onda, Caribe Café and Cravings.

New Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin tells Steve Friess that he's in talks with Cirque du Soleil to lengthen the contract for Mystere from three years to eight. Who knows? Maybe Mystere will eventually catch up with the 49 years logged by Folies Bergere. Ruffin also expects to close the Treasure Island sale two months ahead of schedule and may cannibalize part of the Strip-side lagoon to give pedestrians an outdoor café, saying, "there's no place for them to sit and eat" in that stretch of the Strip.

Not only were local, national and international media wined and dined at Encore last week, Steve Wynn also rolled out the red carpet for Vegas taxicab drivers. An LVA source saw a check-in line marked "Driver Registration" and learned about the cabbie-fest. Since visitors to Sin City are famously reliant upon cab drivers for advice on shows, clubs, etc., giving them the run of Encore is a mighty savvy move on Wynn's part.

While the newly unveiled fountain in front of the V Theater at Miracle Mile Shops doesn't even come close to the originally proclaimed "five stories" of height (actually 50 feet), it does have a temporary new water show. Through Jan. 24, the fountain does a choreographed routine, set to the Miss America theme song, four times a day, starting at 12:30 p.m. and repeating every two hours, until 6:30 p.m.

For romantics, Monte Carlo is putting on a "Valentine's Day" promo that bundles $20 credits for room service and the spa, respectively. Bargain hunters might prefer to opt for the "Stay and Play" promotion that includes a pair of comped buffets, cocktails and spa admissions, plus $10 in free slot play and $20 worth of coupons. Circus Circus throws restraint to the winds with a no-minimum-stay/25%-off deal. And you can't make it but are able to cancel 48 hours in advance, a full refund is yours. A $100 "Fun Book" is thrown in, too. At present, the only MGM Mirage property not running any promotional offers is Bellagio.

The line on the Super Bowl has moved from Steelers -6.5 to -7 and it looks fairly solid among various sports books and online sites. The total has dropped a half point to 46.5.

If you've been driving past Palazzo and wondered at the video billboard for "The Living Garden," wonder no more. It's an extension of the "living statues" concept seen at the Venetian, starring three female mimes who will congregate five times daily (starting at noon and then every 90 minutes, with the last show at 6 p.m.) at the cascading waterall in Palazzo's atrium. Once in the fountain, the trio performs "a carefully choreographed dance of life, drama and true beauty. Delicate jets of water appear from their fingertips as a shimmering halo cascades from the crowns of their heads. Following the expressive display which lasts the course of three pieces of beautiful music, the performers exit the waterfall and pose for photographs with the audience." Afterwards, the threesome heads upstairs to the mall, where they encounter a pair of nine-foot-tall female vines who "interact with shoppers and guests, posing for photos, teasing the crowd and moving with acrobatic grace and flexibility. The vines journey throughout The Shoppes at The Palazzo in a playful routine of duality and intrigue." Just when you thought you'd seen everything, right?

Harrah's Entertainment hasn't announced new plans for its Imperial Palace showroom, which is a good thing because the transplantation of Legends in Concert to Harrah's Las Vegas has been delayed by another month. Legends will now go dark at the IP on Feb. 21 and reopen at Harrah's two nights later. Complications regarding the Legends set have slowed the move, which has been postponed once already.

When Cirque du Soleil bigwigs being talking about post-opening "fixations" to their Criss Angel vehicle, Believe, they pooh-poohed the importance of the troubled show's much-criticized illusions (or lack of them), alternatively saying there were only a handful of magic tricks one can do onstage and that they could have done 20 "Mindfreak"-type illusions but simply chose not to. Apparently they have now chosen to do so; columnist Norm Clarke reports, "Five new illusions are being added to Criss Angel Believe (Luxor) during its break." (The show goes went dark Jan. 7, nine weeks into its run, and reopens Jan. 23.)

Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Norm Clarke reports today that the Scintas will wind up their Las Vegas Hilton stint March 14. The group previously played extended runs at the Rio and the Sahara. LVH mainstay Menopause: The Musical undergoes a "change" of its own; the surprise smash will close on April 5. What's next for the Shimmer Cabaret? A "sexy show," according to Clarke.

It's the rare traveler these days who doesn't have at least one gizmo that keeps him or her uplinked and online, no matter where. In recognition of this, McCarran International Airport has added nine ReCharge Zones, with at least four more slated for Terminal 1. They combine long tabletops, power outlets and barstool-like seating. (An LVA staffer recently saw one in Sacramento's airport and wondered why Vegas didn't have them. Now we do.) Cell phones, laptops, smallish video games (like Nintendo DS), iPods and their ilk can all be run off these workstations. McCarran is funding the upgrade through a $1 million/two-year Verizon sponsorship.

SHOW REVIEW: Bonkerz Comedy Club

Bonkerz plays it safe with its lineup of almost-famous comedians. By Mike Weatherford/LVRJ.

Kathleen Dunbar threw out the first joke of the first night of the reborn comedy club: "Anybody wants to buy a football autographed by O.J., let me know."
Palace Station finally is famous for something. And every stand-up comic who plays Bonkerz Comedy Club probably will mention the hotel-room raid by Simpson, now a guest of the state.

But in the pre-O.J. era, comedy was one of the things that kept Palace Station on the radar. Despite a few detours, stand-up has been the most successful format for the casino's 250-seat club since 2001.

The latest incarnation is operated by Florida-based Joe Sanfelippo, who runs 18 Bonkerz outlets, mostly in Florida and the Midwest. He has an established network of dependable, almost-famous comedians who might be just the right $34 ticket ($24 for locals) for those looking to escape the bad news without getting themselves much deeper in debt.

More here:

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/38209079.html

Cherry at Red Rock Resort offers promotions to keep residents coming back.

By SONYA PADGETT LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

When it comes to the Las Vegas Strip and nightclubs, the prevailing thought used to be that you couldn't have one without the other.

Then Cherry at Red Rock Resort came along.

The club strives to provide everything you would get at a Strip nightclub and then some, says general manager Brian Buechner. There's the pulsing music spun by resident DJs, the slick dance floor, the intimate spaces, raucous party atmosphere, even bottle service.

But it all comes with a level of service designed to cater to a local crowd, as more than 80 percent of Cherry's clientele leave the club to go to their valley homes and not a hotel, Buechner says.

More here:

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/38209084.html

HEIDI'S PICKS: Eats of the Week by Heidi Knapp Rinella/LVRJ

GREEK VILLAGE CAFE 9550 S. Eastern Ave.; 463-7300

Greek restaurants have been few and far between in the Las Vegas Valley over the years and those we did have seemed to be mostly west of the Strip, so we were delighted to discover this east-side mom-and-pop that's as authentic as it gets. We liked the combo plate of spanakopita, tyropita and patatopita; the gyros platter; the pastitsio; and a delicious dessert of galaktobureko; and pretty snazzy Greek wines (Xatzimichalis Cabernet Sauvignon and Skouras Merlot) to boot. (12/26/08)

Overall: A $$

LA MADONNA 6115 S. Fort Apache Road; 586-0925

La Madonna calls its food "avant-garde" and maybe it is, but only insofar as it's more sophisticated and skillfully prepared than much of what passes for "Mexican" food in our fair city. To wit: amazing crab cakes, shrimp tamales, a fresh-corn tamale, shredded-beef enchiladas, fish tacos and some nice fruity, housemade sangria. (5/23/08)

Overall: A $$

LE PROVENCAL Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 967-7999

The high-profile guys who get all the hype provide great adventures, but hidden gems like Le Provencal are lots of fun to find. We loved the free entertainment — our waitress and two colleagues, singing operatic-style — and the slightly Provencal-inspired, mostly Italian dishes that included bruschetta, stuffed clams Nicoise, open lobster ravioli, a grilled veal T-bone and buttery crepes Suzette. (4/13/07)

Overall: A $$

PINOT BRASSERIE The Venetian, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 414-8888

Pinot Brasserie is kind of easy to overlook among the more attention-grabbing residents of The Venetian's restaurant row, but that would be your loss, because this unassuming place is brasserie at its best — with California verve. Particularly appealing were the foie gras, Belgian endive with Roquefort cheese, braised short ribs, seared scallops and strawberries with balsamic vinegar and Humboldt Fog goat cheese. (3/2/07)

Overall: A $$$$

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/38209089.html

Comedian Vinnie Favorito Ups the Ante at Flamingo Las Vegas

After continued success performing at Flamingo Las Vegas, comedian and celebrity roaster Vinnie Favorito has announced that he will extend his run for an additional three years. Favorito’s edgy, in-your-face style of comedy has made him a favorite among Las Vegas locals and tourists alike.

“Anyone coming to Vinnie’s show should check their humility at the door, no one and no topic is off limits in his theater,” said Don Marrandino, President of Flamingo Las Vegas. “Vinnie never does the same show twice and audience members will never forget their turn in the hot seat, it's a wild show.”

“Performing at the Flamingo has been an awesome experience and I couldn’t ask for more,” said Favorito. “People pay me to insult them and I even get my own parking space! Life is good.”

Vinnie Favorito has been making audiences laugh along the Las Vegas Strip for more than 10 years and is well known for his celebrity roasting. With quick-witted insults and outstanding improvisational skills, Favorito has roasted many well-known celebrities including Jerry Springer, Pat O’Brien, Larry Flynt and Magic Johnson.

Favorito performs inside the intimate 220-seat Bugsy’s Cabaret, nightly at 8 p.m. Tickets are $49.95 and $39.95 (plus tax and fees). Show tickets can be purchased at the Flamingo Las Vegas box office, by phone at (702) 733-3333 or www.flamingolasvegas.com.

January 18, 2009 Vegas Values Report

http://americancasinoguide.com/information/vegas-values/january-18-2009-vegas-values-report.shtml

From "Report On Vegas.com"

Free Valet parking…almost.

Have you been having Valet issues? Being asked for a room key because they are only taking guests vehicles, until a $20 appears and then suddenly parking is available. The Venetian and The Palazzo are most notorious for this. The problem comes when they will not park your car even if you are dining at a restaurant on the property. In today’s economy and with all the lay-offs you would think the restaurants need all the biz they can get. Do they know that they are being sabotaged at the Valet level? Wake up people! The business is driving away pissed-off customers to your competition.

The best magic tricl Chris Angel ever performed.

Angel made himself disappear! I am very happy to say that there have been zero sightings of Criss Angel the last few weeks. He didn’t even show up for a cameo at the AVN awards to be broadcasted on Showtime. I have been told the show is dark for the month of January but, this information is exactly opposite to what we were told by show management over a month ago when asking about the show going dark forever. We were told all is good. I better stop now before I jinx us and he re-appears.

Season's Buffet at Sliverton Lodge

Every Thursday at 4 p.m. now through March, Seasons Buffet at Silverton Casino Lodge serves up an authentic Polynesian dinner menu. For $21.99 or $19.99 with Discovery Club card, guests can enjoy Kailua pork, macadamia crusted Mahi-Mahi, Huli-Huli chicken, Lomi Lomi salad, Hawaiian rolls, pineapple upside-down cake, mango cheesecake and more. Featuring six live action stations, Seasons Buffet offers an endless variety of all-you-can-eat delectables. Guests can start with garden-fresh selections from the salad bar, continue to a wide variety of delicious hand-prepared entrées and end with dozens of made-from-scratch desserts. Revolutionizing the traditional buffet experience, there is nothing quite like Seasons Buffet at Silverton Casino Lodge.

2008 Top Restaurant Awards Announced

In what has become an end-of-the-year tradition, John Curtas, food critic for News 88.9 KNPR, has announced his annual list of Restaurant Awards for 2008. The awards have been bestowed to members of the Southern Nevada culinary industry each year since 2004.

Cocktail Bar of the Year: The original Nora’s Cuisine on West Flamingo nabs the top spot for its trailblazing creativity in the cult of the properly crafted cocktail. A close second goes to the Downtown Cocktail Room.

Ethnic Restaurant of the Year: Los Molcajetes, an authentic Mexican restaurant located in Northeast Las Vegas is, according to Curtas, “…a must for lovers of the real enchilada.”

Excellence in Management and Service: CUT, Wolfgang Puck’s latest restaurant located in The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino.

Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: East side – Settebello West side – Marché Bacchus

Sommelier of the Year: Desi Echavarrie at Restaurant Charlie,

Pastry Chef of the Year: Vannessa Garcia at Restaurant Charlie.

Chef of the Year: Mitsuo Endo of RAKU.

Restaurant of the Year: RAKU.

John Curtas’ complete 2008 awards can be downloaded at http://www.knpr.org/.

http://reportonvegas.com/

Monti-Licious From Report On Vegas

Both local and international media were invited to Encore to experience the latest of Wynn's Las Vegas creations. It was two fabulous days and nights of dining and entertainment together with grandeur and spectacular sights and service.

The decor at Encore is light and colorful and extends far beyond the entry. For example, the Spa was breathtaking. At every turn through out Encore were live plants and flowers which seems to be a true Wynn statement. My suite was spacious , beautifully decorated, and offered a view of both the Strip and the golf course.

The shopping scene at Encore, and everyone knows how Monti enjoys shopping, was perfect. Everything from Manolo Blahnik to home furnishings. I could spend days shopping and browsing. There is so much to see and enjoy at Encore it would take more than a couple of days to cover everything. I can report this though….. the service everywhere at Encore was A-1. That's also another Wynn statement.

Our first evening included dinner at Sinatra. Yes, that Sinatra. To the delight of Sinatra fans and others, the Sinatra family provided an Oscar a Grammy and other memorabilia to decorate the restaurant.. It was Beverly Hills chic with Ol' Blue Eyes singing in the background, bringing back to life that great era. To no one's surprise the Sinatra restaurant offers up Italian flavors but with a slightly newer version offered by chef Theo Schoenegger. The entire experience was a delight.

Everyone expects Danny Gans to continue his unparalleled popularity here in Las Vegas when he opens his show at Encore. His first appearance will be a benefit on February 6th where all ticket proceeds are donated to local school charities. Danny is well-known for his charitable offerings and is highly regarded as a true Las Vegas star having won many accolades such as Entertainer of the Year.

Now on with other news swirling around Las Vegas. Seems both The Scintas and Menopause the Musical will be leaving the Las Vegas Hilton, and soon. Just spoke to my friend Paige O'Hara who stars in Menopause and it sounds like the show may be looking for another venue. Both The Scintas and Menopause the Musical have enjoyed success at the Hilton as does their headliner Barry Manilow. There has been mention over the last few weeks that a burlesque type show may fill the room at the Hiilton after The Scintas and Menopause leave. Maybe it's time for a real change. Unfortunately one of those changes is the closing of "Folies Bergere", the longest running show on the strip. After 49 years –yes 49–they will close in March. That leaves Jubilee,the only other production show of its kind, to keep those showgirls and costumes alive.

Donny Osmand on Dancing With the Stars (can he faint, too???) This may happen next season-as per his radio interview this week. Rita Rudner just got a 3 year extension for her show at Harrah's. Kudos to Rita, who keeps her show clean as well as funny-a novelty at this age of "anything goes".

The Mayor is talking about the Gangster Museum and how business is not as usual with the economy. Do we need a new museum to attract tourists downtown??Our one of a kind Mayor, Hizzoner Goodman, continues to tout downtown Las Vegas and most recently spoke about the "gangster museum" to be established in the old downtown post office. Do we need a museum to attract tourists downtown? ?

Adam Speck, the producer and entrepreneur who came to Las Vegas and gave us Thunder from Down Under, which by the way is still selling out, also brought us Louie Anderson and psychic Sylvia Browne, who are doing respectable business at the Excalibur.

John Bentham,and a full tour of the, producer,and Kevin Burke, star brought Defending the Caveman to Las Vegas, which has a just moved to the Excalibur from The Golden Nugget and is doing well. Kevin sometimes does double duty as a comic at Fitzgerald's downtown.. ?

Rumor has it, just rumor, but with big rumblings surrounding Criss Angel and the show Believe at Luxor. Supposedly some of the workers received pink slips and earlier I wrote the show may undergo a re-vamp. Maybe someone is stepping into the unbelievable one hundred million dollar production. Rumors, rumors, RUMORS. It's like they say, "Don't believe everything you read". Did I say that?? ?

It's a little too early to make a formal announcement regarding one of my favorite Las Vegas shows, Fuego -Raw Talent. The production will move to a new location but the ink isn't dry on the deal. This show was earlier called Havana Nights and started at the Stardust. These were true Cuban entertainers, dancers, singers and they reminded me of my Puerto Rican heritage. They'll land some place else in the next couple of weeks. The show is that good!

Mystere at the Mirage will soon celebrate its l5th anniversary. My invitation just arrived. It will give the media a chance to see just exactly why both "O" and Mystere hold up so strongly. Both shows, which I've seen more than a few times, is what Cirque d'Soleil is all about. Not all the Cirque shows are high on my list. I'm not a particular fan of Zumanity but then, what do I know? I'm just an entertainer's entertainer.

Fantasy at the Luxor, which is Anita Mann's creation, continues to do capacity crowds. Stephanie Jordan and Sean Cooper star in Fantasy. Steve Wyrick has taken a couple of weeks off from his show at the Miracle Mile at Planet Hollywood and Penn & Teller tell me they're doing respectable business at the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino. Sounds like our tried and true entertainment scene is holding up quite well.

http://reportonvegas.com/

Brett's vegas View's by Jackie Brett

"The Pitbull of Comedy" aka Bobby Slayton will end his rein of biting comedy at Hooters on March 8. The last performance will mark Slayton's 500th show in the Night Owl Showroom, where he opened in the spring of 2007.

This spring, Slayton will be shooting a TV pilot and taping a DVD. He will once again host the "Nasty Show" in Canada and hopes in the future to return to Las Vegas. Before his Hooters gig, he was voted "Funniest Male Stand-up Comic of the Year" by The American Comedy Awards. He also appeared in movies such as "Get Shorty," "Ed Wood," "Bandits" and most recently "Dreamgirls."

Over the next few months, Hooters will be announcing a new line-up in the Night Owl Showroom.

BONKERZ COMEDY CLUB OPENS AT PALACE STATION

On Jan. 15, the Bonkerz Comedy Club national chain opened its first West Coast location at Palace Station. The showroom, formerly known as Sound Trax, features different comedians every week with five show times are offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets are $29.95.

Bonkerz Comedy Club was founded in 1984 by Joe Sanfellipo, who still owns and operates nearly 20 locations. After first opening in Milwaukee, Sanfellipo later moved the headquarters to Orlando, Fla. Carrot Top and Larry the Cable Guy got their start at Bonkerz.

The acts this month are Dean Napolitano with Kathleen Dunbar – Jan. 15-17 and 22-24, and Big Tony Esposito with Aaron Bowden – Jan. 29-31.

Napolitano was born in New York and raised in the South. His TV credits include guest appearances on ABC's "What About Brian," NBC's "Heroes" and CBS's "Good Morning America," among others. Lee is a most outrageous grandmother with unorthodox views on family and life. She has made appearances on the HBO network and on the NBC show "Last Comic Standing."

GOLDEN NUGGET EARNS AAA FOUR DIAMOND AWARD FOR 32ND YEAR

The Automobile Association of America (AAA) has named the Golden Nugget downtown as one of its coveted 2009 Four Diamond award winners for the 32nd consecutive year. Only 14 hotel establishments in the United States have earned the revered Four Diamond rating for 32 consecutive years or longer, and the Golden Nugget remains the only Four Diamond award winner on the historic Fremont Street Experience.

Nevada hotels claimed 19 AAA 2009 Four Diamond awards and 17 award winners are located in Las Vegas and Henderson. The AAA awarded 1,224 hotel Four Diamond awards throughout the United States for 2009. AAA Four Diamond hotels and restaurants represent just 3.4 percent of the 58,000 AAA Approved and Diamond Rated properties.

Since 2005, the Golden Nugget has undergone a $170+ million property-wide renovation and expansion project which added new restaurants, upgraded hotel rooms, new nightlife venues and a world-renowned $30-million pool and shark aquarium called The Tank. Later this year, the property will complete its new $150 million, 500-room hotel tower that will add more gaming, dining, accommodations and entertainment options.

SKY DINING NEW VEGAS EXPERIENCE

The “uplifting” Dinner in the Sky adventure that has been available in other countries is now being offered in Las Vegas through www.lasvegas event planner.com. Dinner in the Sky is an experience where you’re seated at a rectangular table that can accommodate up to 22 people and hosted 180 feet in the air by a crane. The table remains suspended while you dine. The three-to-five member wait staff serves from the middle of the rectangle on a platform and naturally everyone is strapped securely in their chair by a four-point seat belt.

The flexibility of Diner in the Sky is the crane, given permission, can be taken to different locations. The views are extraordinary especially with the seats rotating up to 180 degrees and the height even for the timid is really not an issue. The empty table weighs five tons so the lifting movement is very uneventful, smooth and fun.

An option is to have a second crane with a platform for music, a photographer, presentations, etc.

It seems everyone’s question is what happens if you have to go to the restroom. Well, like in a normal restaurant, you ask where it is and the entire table will be lowered to accommodate your needs. Also, it is a weather permitting experience.

Many industry folks got to experience Dinner in the Sky firsthand and it is totally exhilarating and highly recommended. Dinner in the Sky can be rented for special events and we’ll let you know if it opens up for the public.

BELLAGIO’S CONSERVATORY WILL CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

Beginning Jan. 14, Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Gardens will celebrate the 2009 Chinese New Year, the Year of the Ox, which runs from Jan. 26, 2009 to Feb. 12, 2010, with a display guided by the ancient practice of Feng Shui.

The dramatic centerpiece will be a botanical 15-foot-long ox cooling off in a tranquil pond. His full coat will be comprised of more than 10,000 living Alternanthera, a low-growing herb, while his gleaming horns will be made with a golden-hued metal.

Legend has it that Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came. The second animal in the Asian zodiac, the ox serves as a symbol of prosperity. Steps away from the robust ambassador, an 18-foot-tall Chinese God of Wealth and Fortune will be found amidst I-Ching coins, a traditional Chinese money symbol and he will be flanked by two Ming Dynasty-styled dings, ancestral vessels that protect against bad luck. Nearby, a trio of 6-foot-tall giant pandas, made of more than 9,000 living plants, will frolic in a towering bamboo filled garden.

There will also be a zigzag bridge leading to a wing-tipped gazebo painted a deep red lacquer with shimmering gold trim and green-tiled roofs. A majestic mountain, seen as a pillar between heaven and earth, will serve as a dramatic backdrop. This new free exhibit will run from Jan. 14-Feb. 28.

http://www.lasvegas-nv.com/brett/011109.htm

M RESORT, SPA AND CASINO OFFICIALS UNVEIL
TASTE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE OFFERINGS.

Property officials at the M Resort Spa Casino, the newest resort casino to be completed by March 1 on South Las Vegas Boulevard, unveiled a taste of the property’s premiere food and beverage product today. The restaurant mix brings a fresh approach to casino dining and was specifically designed to meet the needs of the surrounding Las Vegas community and discerning tourists alike.

The resort will own and operate all of its nine restaurants and five destination bars, which feature the next-generation dining experience with unique culinary concepts and innovative social dining atmospheres.

“Each of our restaurants and beverage outlets have been conceived to offer an unrivaled service standard where guests are known by name and not just by number. We also have very special menus planned, which will be prepared using some products that we’ve cultivated ourselves,” said Chairman and CEO Anthony A. Marnell, III.

The resort will raise the bar on guests’ dining expectations with signature menus and unprecedented views of the Las Vegas Strip through the floor to ceiling windows and outdoor dining terraces that enhance the resort’s restaurants. The terraces surround Villaggio Del Sole, the impressive pool and entertainment piazza, which incorporates spectacular fire and water features and creates the ideal spot to see and be seen.

“We believe food is one of the most, if not the most important reason why guests will visit the property,” said Marnell. “The restaurants that we have developed will introduce a new kind of dining experience that reflects my family’s reputation for great food and great value.”

With a passion for food and a desire to introduce new culinary experiences to the public,
M Resort offers a wide variety of dining choices that are destined to become another form of entertainment. Each concept restaurant was developed carefully designed to allow for innovative social environments within each restaurant. Terrace dining will be an option at almost every restaurant and an unprecedented level of service will be customary.

“We’re taking advantage of the industry advances that have taken place over the last ten years and the enormous interest among the public in the way of food preparation and techniques to present products that have never been done before,” said Marnell.

Studio B – Show Kitchen Buffet
Studio B integrates a state-of-the-art restaurant with a live-action cooking studio. In the main dining room chefs will prepare delicious appetizers, entrees and out-of-this-world patisserie desserts. Guests of Studio B can enjoy beer and wine selections as part of their meal at no additional cost. Fast-paced, entertaining and ever–changing live cooking and technique demonstrations by culinary experts will have guests routinely coming back for more. Studio B will be open for breakfast Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; lunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner Sunday-Thursday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; seafood dinner Friday-Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and brunch Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Marinelli’s – Authentic Italian Dishes
At Marinelli’s guests can dine in the stylish and comfortable restaurant or enjoy the terrace overlooking the Villaggio Del Sole. Menu selections will include risottos, handmade pastas, seafood specialties, steaks, chops and veal dishes as well as selections from the Marnell family recipe book and wines from the Marnell family private label. Marinelli’s will be open nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Terzetto – Steak • Seafood • Social
Terzetto will combine great charcoal-grilled steak and seafood with an even better social atmosphere. Guests can savor hand-selected prime cuts of beef, including a reserve list from the Marnell family ranch and seafood specialties. Terzetto Oyster Bar will offer a casual dining option with made-to-order selections including soups, stews and pan favorites, oysters on the half shell, seafood salads, cocktails, ceviche and pastas. To top it off, guests can enjoy an extensive wine list or hand-crafted cocktails and the unmatched views both inside and outside. Terzetto and the Oyster Bar will be open nightly from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Restaurant Veloce Cibo & Bar Veloce
Gracing the summit of the M Resort, Veloce Cibo will combine an extensive menu of appetizers, entrees, sushi, sashimi and nigiri with satisfying desserts and a range of hand-crafted cocktails and specialty drinks that will take center stage at Bar Veloce. Poised to be the newest spot for dining and nightlife, Veloce Cibo offers amazing views of the Las Vegas skyline and one of the most spectacular terraces in the city. The atmosphere is modern and the conversation is inspiring, but it’s the food that will leave guests speechless. Veloce Cibo and Bar Veloce will be open Tuesday-Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Red Cup Café – The 24-hour gathering spot for food and conversation
This 1920’s art-deco inspired cafe will be the place for hand-prepared American classics, Asian cuisine, fresh brewed coffees and homemade desserts. Guests can also choose from a wide variety of breakfast dishes. The Red Cup Cafe will be open 24 hours daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Hostile Grape Wine Cellar • Bar •Tasting Room
The Hostile Grape will be known as the cellar and tasting room with an attitude. Guests can enjoy more than 120 wines by the glass in this contemporary cellar. A unique wine dispensing system will be available for guests to enjoy pours of one, three or five ounces. The collection will include fine American, Italian and French wines as well as selections from Spain, South Africa, Germany and more. The Hostile Grape will be open Sunday-Thursday from 3 p.m. to
11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Baby Cakes – Artisan Bakery
This European-inspired pastisserie will offer an impressive assortment of confections including pastries, cakes, chocolates, cannolis, rum cakes, jelly rolls, a variety of coffees plus homemade gelatos and artisan breads, customized cakes and classic tiered wedding cakes. Baby Cakes will be open Sunday-Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 6 a.m. to midnight.

Vig Deli – Odds are You’ll Love it!
Adjacent to the race and sports book, guests can order by the numbers with an extensive menu that includes hot dogs, burgers, BBQ, sandwiches, hand-tossed pizza, chili, soups and specialties including corned beef, pastrami, brisket, meatballs and homemade desserts. The Vig Deli will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Piazza Grille
A casual outdoor dining experience, Piazza Grille will be a sun-soaked Mediterranean-style experience. Unique flavors will punctuate the menu including south of the border black cod tacos and flat breads as well as grilled chicken and seafood creations. The Piazza Grille will also serve up crowd-pleasing favorites like wood-fired pizza, salads and cheeseburgers. Piazza Grille will be open daily April-October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

ABOUT M RESORT, SPA AND CASINO
M Resort, Spa and Casino is located on over 90 acres at the southeast corner of St. Rose Parkway and Las Vegas Boulevard. Situated higher in elevation than other resort-casinos on the Las Vegas Strip, the M Resort will provide optimal views of the world-famous Las Vegas skyline from its guest rooms, suites, conference center and restaurants. The resort will feature 390 guest rooms and suites, over 92,000 square feet of gaming and more than 60,000 square feet of meeting and conference space in addition to a variety of luxury amenities including a partnership with Taubman Centers, Inc. to bring up to one million square feet of retail. The resort will also feature a 14-screen digital movie entertainment complex, nine restaurants and a state-of-the-art spa and fitness center that will provide local and out of town guests with an unrivaled South Strip experience. For more information, visit www.theMresort.com.

VIA BRASIL STEAKHOUSE OFFERS A ROMANTIC GETAWAY FOR TWO THIS VALENTINE¹S DAY.

Treat your loved one to a Brazilian getaway this Valentine’s Day as Via Brasil Steakhouse celebrates with delicious food, exotic Brazilian cocktails and a truly intimate dining experience.

Guests are invited to step into paradise this Valentine’s Day at Via Brasil with an interior inspired by the iconic Copacabana Beach, in addition to candlelight and flowers in celebration of this romantic holiday. Two water walls and a floor-to-ceiling glass encased wine cellar make Via Brasil the ultimate destination for romance.

Valentine’s Day at Via Brasil offers a prix fixe menu for $49.95 per person that includes the Rodizio dinner (selection of 18 meats, gourmet salad bar and sides), champagne and dessert including the chocolate fountain. Via Brasil also offers more than 1,500 wines from around the world served by the bottle and glass with an in-house sommelier to help make the most of your Brazilian dining experience. Specialty cocktails to sip this Valentine’s Day include the Brazilian Crush with fresh muddled blueberries, lime juice, Stoli Blueberi and rock candy syrup, and the Passion Fruit Caipirinha, a twist on the Brazilian classic with Brazilian Cachaça, fresh passion fruit and a touch of sugar.

A traditional, authentic Brazilian “Churrascaria” (steakhouse), Via Brasil Steakhouse features a gourmet salad bar, eighteen different kinds of meats, including “Picanha,” (Brazilian cut top sirloin), poultry and fish prepared on their custom-made “Churrasquerias” (rotisseries), all carved tableside, as well as delicious appetizers and decadent desserts. A vegetarian option offering a wide selection from the salad bar is also available.

Located in Summerlin, Via Brasil Steakhouse is at located at 1225 S. Fort Apache Road, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117 on the southwest corner of Charleston Boulevard and Fort Apache Road in the Fort Apache Commons shopping center. Open seven days a week, Via Brasil Steakhouse is open for lunch Monday through Friday starting at Noon and open until 11 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, with extended hours until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. Happy Hour food and beverage specials are offered Monday through Friday between 4 and 7 pm. Reservations are encouraged. For reservations or more information, please call 702-804-1400 or visit www.viabrasilsteakhouse.com.

The Mirage Introduces The BeatlesT LOVET Package

The Mirage introduces two new packages celebrating The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil®. Make a night or weeknd of it, either way The Mirage invites you to feel the love.

All You Need Is LOVE, For Two at The Mirage

Now through February 28, 2009 guests can enjoy an exclusive remodeled Deluxe room for two nights and two tickets to The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil.

LOVE Weekday Package: available Wednesday and Thursday, Thursday and Friday, or Sunday and Monday

LOVE Weekend Package: available Friday and Saturday, or Saturday and Sunday

Cost: $318 for the LOVE Weekday Package, $368 for the LOVE Weekend PackageAvailability: Now through February 28, 2009Reservations: (800) 732-8412

Celebrate a Night of Pure LOVE at The MirageSpend a sizzling evening at The Mirage immersed in the most revolutionary sights, sounds and tastes. Guests who book this package receive:

A late show ticket to The Beatles™ LOVE™ by Cirque du Soleil®

Dinner at STACK Restaurant and Bar

One drink at The Beatles REVOLUTION Lounge

Entry to JET Nightclub

Cost: $150 per personAvailability: Now through February 28, 2009

Reservations: (800) 963-9634 or (702) 792-7777

Silverton Casino Lodge Dining Promotions $5 GLASSES OF WINE *Just added For a limited time, Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge, Mi Casa Grill Cantina and Sundance Grill offer patrons an assortment of premium wines for only $5. Wine selections include Fetzer – Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and White Zinfandel as well as Neibaum Coppolla – Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Grigio.

Buy One Dinner, Get One Free *Ends Jan. 31

Now through Jan. 31, 2009, all Discovery Club members purchasing any dinner between 4 and 10 p.m. at Twin Creeks, Shady Grove Lounge, Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge, Mi Casa Grill Cantina, Sundance Grill or entry to Seasons Buffet receive a second dinner or entry of equal or lesser value free. There is no coupon required to participate – Discovery Club members simply need to present their Discovery Club card upon ordering. The offer does not include alcohol or gratuity and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Restaurant hours may vary.

Buy One Dinner, Get One Free *Begins Feb. 1*

This February, silver level Discovery Club members and above purchasing dinner between 4 and 10 p.m. at Twin Creeks, Shady Grove Lounge, Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge, Mi Casa Grill Cantina, Sundance Grill or entry to Seasons Buffet receive a second dinner or entry of equal or lesser value free. There is no coupon required to participate – silver level Discovery Club members and above simply need to present their Discovery Club card upon ordering. The offer does not include alcohol or gratuity and cannot be combined with any other promotion. Restaurant hours may vary.DINING SPECIALS AT LUCIANO’SSpaghetti & Meatballs *Just added *For only $8.99, patrons can dine on spaghetti and meatballs with a side salad and garlic roll at Luciano’s inside Silverton Casino Lodge.$4.99 Pizza *Just added *Luciano’s inside Silverton Casino Lodge offers guests delectable 12 inch cheese pizzas for $4.99.15% Off *Just added *Luciano’s inside Silverton Casino Lodge offers visitors 55 years of age and older 15 percent off all orders.Luciano’s Italian Restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Guests can dine in or carry out.DINING SPECIALS AT SEASONS BUFFETPolynesian Thursdays * Just added *Every Thursday at 4 p.m. now through March, Seasons Buffet at Silverton Casino Lodge serves up an authentic Polynesian dinner menu. For $21.99 or $19.99 with Discovery Club card, guests can enjoy Kailua pork, macadamia crusted Mahi-Mahi, Huli-Huli chicken, Lomi Lomi salad, Hawaiian rolls, pineapple upside-down cake, mango cheesecake and more. Featuring six live action stations, Seasons Buffet offers an endless variety of all-you-can-eat delectables.President’s Day * Just added *On Feb. 16, 2009, Seasons Buffet celebrates President’s Day by offering patrons a specialty buffet from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for only $5.Mardi Gras * Just added *Parade down to Seasons Buffet at Silverton Casino Lodge for a festive Mardi Gras brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb 7 – 8, 14 – 15 and 21 – 22. For $18.99 or $16.99 with Discovery Club card, guests will enjoy blackened ham, jambalaya pasta, glazed ham, Silverton crusted roast prime rib, smoked salmon, roasted turkey breast and country fried steak. Seafood selections include spicy shrimp, popcorn alligator tail, snow crab legs, stuffed crab, crawfish boil and an assortment of sushi. Other delectables include New Orleans hurricanes, dirty rice, green beans almandine, red beans and rice, maple-bourbon yams and more. Additionally, Seasons Buffet offers a selection of desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth including carrot cake, chocolate-pecan pie, pound cake, strawberry shortcake and assorted cookies, brownies and muffins. Sugar-free cakes and pies are also available.Dining Specials at Twin CreeksCocktail of the Month – January * Just added *This January, Twin Creeks offers The Beautini, an original cocktail creation from Master Mixologist John DuPont, for only $10. A beautiful blend of fruit and berries, The Beautini offers a tantalizing combination of Van Gogh Orange Vodka, Midori melon liqueur, Chambord raspberry liqueur and fresh sweet and sour. Served in a chilled martini glass and garnished with an orange twist, Twin Creeks’ The Beautini brings the warmth of spring to the cold days of winter.Classic Menu Twin Creeks inside Silverton Casino Lodge now features a selection of classic dinner items in addition to the current menu. Seafood selections include cold water lobster tail ($29), twin cold water lobster tails ($48), salmon parpadelle ($19) and Twin Creeks’ fresh catch of the day ($22). Diners can also enjoy salt and pepper crusted prime rib in three cuts such as kings double ($26), queens ($19) and petite ($17). Other tempting options include chicken Milanese ($18), 8-ounce filet mignon ($22) and bourbon barbecue bone-in rib eye ($26). All classic menu entrées at Twin Creeks are accompanied by a basket of artisan breads, house salad and choice of two side dishes including baked potato, mashed potatoes, steamed broccolini, steamed asparagus and macaroni and cheese.dIning specials at Mermaid restaurant & lounge

$10 Heineken

Enjoy $10 buckets of Heineken at Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge.$5 Fish n’ Chips Mermaid Restaurant & Lounge offers guests an order of fish and chips for only $5.

dining specials at Mi casa grill cantina

Tequila Shots and Miller Chill Enjoy $1 Tequila shots and $1 Miller Chill bottles at Mi Casa Grill Cantina from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.dining specials at Sundance Grill $5 PizzaGuests can enjoy a one topping pizza at Sundance Grill for only $5.

dining specials at Shady Grove Lounge$10 Heineken Enjoy $10 buckets of Heineken at Shady Grove Lounge.$1 Miller Genuine Draft 24 hour casino bar special

Guests can enjoy Miller Genuine Draft beer at Silverton Casino Lodge’s 24-hour casino bar for only $1.

MOB MUSEUM NUMBERS by Norm Clarke/Las vegas Review Journal

Armed with new numbers, the mayor is sticking to his guns on the Mob Museum.

"We're going to have a mob museum," Goodman said Thursday prior to welcoming the Miss America candidates.

He said the museum's board of directors says a new study shows the museum would attract nearly 600,000 visitors, not the 250,000 he's been citing.

Goodman said he attended a meeting in the past week that included Billy Vassiliadis of R&R Advertising, the powerhouse marketing firm that works with the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.

Goodman said he raised the question of what the dollar value would be in the publicity generated from having the museum mentioned in The New York Times, Time magazine, Esquire and on ABC's "This Week," where host George Stephanopoulos discussed it with President-elect Barack Obama and "Newt Gingrich opening his mouth."

The publicity was a response to the question of whether the $50 million museum should be part of the economic stimulus package.

Goodman said the number was calculated at $8 million.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/37701364.html

SHOW REVIEW: 'Jay White: A Neil Diamond Tribute' and 'Barbra and Frank — The Concert That Never Was'

Long-standing Riviera tribute acts give patrons their money's worth.By: Mike Weatherford/Las Vegas Review Journal.

Jay White was doing his Neil Diamond tribute in a Riviera cabaret when the real Neil played the MGM Grand Garden in 2002. And he still was doing it three weeks ago, when Diamond returned.

Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo had their 15 minutes of prime-time TV fame in 2007, when they performed their Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra tributes on the ABC talent contest "The Next Best Thing."

Anzaldo won second place, but that didn't rocket the duo up and out of the Riviera's Le Bistro, where the crowds for "Barbra and Frank — The Concert That Never Was" are counted more in multiples of 10 than 100.

But like a lot of people, they're just happy to be working. And as the Riviera struggles around them — in November postponing a phase of room renovations — the show that's been there more than three years is hanging on for as long as this bumpy ride lasts.

More here:

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/37701279.html

HEIDI'S PICKS: Eats of the Week. BY Heidi Knapp Rinella/Las Vegas Review Journal.

ADAM'S RIBS 4770 S. Maryland Parkway (and 4145 S. Grand Canyon Parkway); 242-8227

A barbecue margarita — yes, it does taste like a margarita that's been barbecued — is just the beginning of the fun at this offbeat 'cue joint across from the university. We also liked the appetizer Sampler Platter with its fried pickles, chicken wings, barbecued shrimp and onion rings, and the pulled-pork sandwich, baby-back ribs and a side order of sweet-potato fries. (9/26/08)

Overall: A- $$

BLT BURGER The Mirage, 3400 Las Vegas Blvd. South; 792-7888

A inhospitable hostess notwithstanding, BLT Burger was a lot of fun and a lot of good food. The fried dill pickles were flavor-packed and so light as to be almost pickles tempura, and we also found the macaroni and cheese bites, regulation burger (with blue cheese added), a lamb tandoori burger and toffee milk shake all worthy of a fine American tradition and the reputation of the French chef — Laurent Tourondel — who's given his name to the place. (12/19/08)

Overall: A- $$

BOULDER DAM BREWING CO. 453 Nevada Way, Boulder City; 243-2739

The beer's the thing here — and so is the only real beer garden in Southern Nevada — but Boulder Dam Brewing Co. offers some pretty solid bar food as well. The bar-staple spinach-and-artichoke dip, for example, was much better than most, and the Brewer's Bratwurst was plump and flavorful. And if the Ploughman's suffered a bit from too-timid cheese and the Bavarian Beer Pretzel was a little too charred, you can't miss with the beer. (10/26/07)

Overall: B $

PULLMAN GRILLE Main Street Station, 200 N. Main St.; 387-1896

Like a favorite relative, the Pullman Grille has its faults but we love it nonetheless. In a serene interior richly furnished with antiques (and a Pullman train car), we enjoyed the seafood medley, crab cake, New York steak au poivre, lamb chops and Key lime pie. (11/22/08)

Overall: B+ $$$

http://www.lvrj.com/neon/37701284.html

MIKE WEATHERFORD: Vegas has edge over Broadway.

You saw it on "Saturday Night Live," so it must be true. If you think the shows here have it bad, Broadway has it worse.

Last weekend's sketch with the Phantom, Blue Men and other New York theater icons meeting at Sardi's to hash out their crisis, provided a rare laugh in a rough January.

While "Stomp Out Loud" and "Mamma Mia!" bowed out here on New Year's weekend, Broadway will have said goodbye to more than a dozen titles by the end of the month. The casualties include such crowd-pleasers as "Hairspray," "Young Frankenstein" and "Monty Python's Spamalot."

Suddenly, casinos don't seem like such a bad place.

More from The Las Vegas Review Journal here:

http://www.lvrj.com/living/37787919.html

BEST OF LAS VEGAS

VOTE NOW IN THE 28TH ANNUAL BEST OF LAS VEGAS POLL

This year's Best of Las Vegas ballot is being divided into three ballots — Eat & Drink and Locations; Hotels and Entertainment; and Shopping, Sports Spots, People and Best of the Worst.

Voting will be open online for one week and one day for each ballot.

Click the link below for a full explanation of this year's voting process, the rules and how you can win a prize by voting. The ballot follows the explanation.

• Hotels and Entertainment (voting ends Jan. 26)

Laughs With Class.

By Robert Wiley-Brown/Las Vegas Magazine.

Rita Rudner, who has headlined at the ever-popular Harrah's Hotel and Casino for more than two years, is like a well-made martini: simple, dry, but with a unique flavor that is all its own.

Case in point would be when Rudner observes, "I think men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage. They've experienced pain and bought jewelry."

What else would you expect from one of the few "clean-humored" female headliners who has performed more than 2,000 shows on the bustling Las Vegas Strip? After all, this Miami native spent years studying the delivery and timing of Woody Allen and the late great Jack Benny, who she claims to be two of her favorite funnymen.

Over the years Rudner has had the opportunity to work with Jerry Seinfeld, Steve Martin, Martin Short and Whoopi Goldberg, to name just a few. But comedy was not always the olive in her martini glass.

At the tender age of 15, Rudner moved to the fast-paced, gritty world of New York City to try to fulfill her dream of being a working dancer on Broadway. This go-getter who didn't know the word "no" did just that with at least six shows, including Annie, Mack & Mabel and Follies. But in her mid-20s and with her keen sense of observation, which we still can see in her timeless humor, she realized that the competition on the Great White Way was overwhelmingly tough.

"When I went to a dancing audition," Rudner said, "there were 1,000 girls. And there were three jobs." Thank goodness, for our sake, she also noticed that there were far fewer female comedians. So she watched and learned by studying performers in comedy clubs and on television. In no time Rudner was writing her first joke.

"I broke up with my boyfriend because he wanted to get married. And I didn't want him to."

Eventually, after years of honing her comic talents, she was able to reach another goal on any comedian's wish list at the time – she was slated to appear on The Tonight Show with the beloved host Johnny Carson. Viewers who had tuned in were delighted with her fresh take on life with jokes like, "My mother's mother is a very tough cookie. She buried three husbands. Two of them were just napping." The rest, as they say, is show business history.

Now with six books under her pink satin belt, including the recently released I Still Have It…I Just Can't Remember Where I Put It, several comedy specials, and even an award-winning movie, Rudner still loves making people laugh without having to be dirty or even cutting-edge.

"I don't want to push the envelope," Rudner said. "Let the envelope stay in the middle of the table. I'll just make you laugh." And that she certainly does.

Rita Rudner
Where: Harrah's
When: 8:30 p.m. Jan. 19 & 24
Cost: $62.95 and up

http://lvshowbiz.com/feature1.html

Back On Top.

Famous siblings bring the heat (and the hits) in resident show. By Jack Houston/Las Vegas Magazine.

They knew we were waiting for them; it just took 29 years for their busy schedules to coordinate. Jimmy Carter was in the White House the last time Donny and Marie Osmond played an extended engagement in Las Vegas, and judging by the packed showroom inside the Flamingo, their return was long overdue.

Bounding onstage to the Aretha Franklin-George Michael hit "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," the siblings defy what you'd expect from a performance by forty- and fiftysomething former teen idols. Their rapport is fluid and playful, and their song selection is impeccable. Covers of Stevie Wonder, Patsy Cline and the Isley Brothers take precedence over the well-traversed hits of their youth, which are showcased in bite-size chunks.

When there's reminiscing to be done, it's through video clips: a pint-size Marie introduced on The Andy Williams Show as the "youngest Osmond brother," Donny's turn in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and, of course, Dancing With the Stars. Speaking of, not only can Marie dance, but she looks and sounds better than ever. Ditto for Donny, who unleashes a heretofore unexamined soulfulness on several numbers. While he can't match Marie with his footwork, he gets points for trying, especially during a dance-off that leaves him dripping with sweat. Marie's out of breath, too, but she gets the last laugh in a showcase of two exemplary performers.

http://lvshowbiz.com/feature3.html

Hotel Review: Encore by Rick Garman/Vegas4Visitors.com

There are a couple of things you should know about Encore right up front. First, it’s expensive. Second, it may not be as expensive as you think it is. And third, no matter what they are charging, it’s probably worth it.

The sequel and next door neighbor to the highly successful Wynn Las Vegas is more than just a carbon copy or extension of the original, even though physically the two are connected and integrated in ways that few other sibling hotels are. You can access Encore from Wynn by a short walk down a shopping esplanade past the theaters, or you can go directly to Encore – it has its own entrances from The Strip, its own check-in desks, and its own parking garage.

The exterior of the buildings are virtually identical, but get inside and things change dramatically. Where Wynn feels large and traditional, Encore feels more intimate and completely unlike any other Vegas hotel and casino.

The overall design scheme of Encore is not easily summed up in a word or two. Instead what you have is an eclectic mix of springtime cues (butterflies are a recurring theme), Greek mythology in the statuary and other art, and even some Moroccan touches in some of the lamps and furnishings. It’s a tribute to the designers that it all works together so well because it probably shouldn’t.

Enter from The Strip and you are deposited into a soaring atrium with glass ceilings, trees, and flowers. The natural light from this area spills into the main casino from one side while more light from the pool area comes in from the other side, which transforms the gaming space into a bright, livable space.

It’s actually good that they did it this way, because the casino itself is not very large and the layout, with lots of plantation shutter style dividers and draperies creating even smaller “rooms,” could have been claustrophobic. Instead, the bright red and white color scheme enhances the natural light and what you have is a warm, richly luxurious, and wholly original gambling experience.

There are slots of all denomination here, although it’s worth noting that there are fewer traditional reel machines and even fewer still that don’t have multiple pay lines requiring a higher maximum bet. I didn’t take a full survey but I think there were maybe a couple of dozen two- or three-coin, single pay line dollar slots in the entire place. The rest were video slots or multi-line monsters that require $9 or more per spin if you want to get the full bang for your gambling bucks.

This seems to be a trend – I noticed the same thing at Palazzo, the most recent major casino to open on The Strip before this one. Can’t say as I like it very much.

They also have some video poker and all of the major table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, three-card poker, let it ride, pai-gow, baccarat, and more. If you’re a sports bettor you need to take the short walk over to Wynn.

There is a high-limit area, whimsically designed to appear as if located under a Moroccan tent. Big bucks gamers have their own slots, table games, bar, and private gambling salons if they so choose.

Ringing the casino are several restaurants including: Sinatra, a tribute to the singer with some memorabilia inside; Wazuzu, Pan-Asian cuisine; Society, an upscale diner style restaurant; Botero, a steak and seafood restaurant run by Victor Drai; and a French influenced steakhouse/bistro called Switch that could become an attraction on its own – the exterior walls facing the casino and interior walls switch every twenty minutes or so to give the entire place a different feel. Cool.

The giant pool area dominates the resort, seeming to push into the casino and wrapping around to create an outdoor extension to the massive XS nightclub. The second floor spa is one of the biggest on The Strip and is nothing short of gorgeous in its appointments.

The rooms are stunning, both in terms of design and comfort. The black and tan color palette is subtle and rich, with splashes of color here and there that make a bold statement.

King bed rooms feature a sleeping chamber separated by a partial wall from a sitting room, while queen bed rooms have the sitting area integrated into one big room. Both feature very fine furnishings, a mini-bar, flat panel televisions, a desk, high-speed Internet, electronic remote control drapes and lighting, iron and board, safe, and much more.

A big marble lined bathroom features a dual vanity, separate tub and shower, hair dryer, very fine bath amenities, and robes and slippers.

Regarding the latter, part of the turn-down service involves putting the slippers on the floor next to the bed. It’s a nice touch. Oh, and of course there’s chocolate.

There are bigger and more luxuriously appointed suites available if your budget is up for it.

One minor complaint: rooms on the south side of the tower will offer you terrific views of The Strip but even on the 39th floor I was able to hear the thumping bass from the sound system at the XS nightclub down below, which stays open very late. If you are sensitive to noise and don’t mind giving up the view, you may want to consider requesting a room on the north side of the tower.

As long as we’re on the topic, let’s talk about cost. In different times the rooms at this hotel would easily be going for over $400 a night but the realities of the economy in early 2009 have forced prices down everywhere in Las Vegas, even at luxury hotels like this. I have seen rooms as low as $169 during the week and $269 on the weekends, although around $200 and $300 respectively are not uncommon. About a year ago, hotels that weren’t half as nice as this one were charging those kinds of rates so even though it’s not cheap, it feels like it by comparison.

Obviously if the economy goes on the uptick again, the room rates here will as well so be careful what you wish for.

And it’s important to note that room rates are not the only thing to watch for in terms of how expensive things are. Restaurants, the spa, even items in the sundry store are very costly at Encore so hold on to your wallet tightly.

Making the overall experience even more special is a staff of very professional, very friendly, and very efficient people. From the valet to the front desk to housekeeping to the dealers in the casino and beyond, everyone I dealt with greeted me with a smile and was more than eager to go out of their way to help me. An example: I only drink non-caffeinated sodas and had gone through all of them in the mini-bar. I made a call and had a fresh stock in my 39th floor room in under 10 minutes. Trust me when I tell you that you don’t see that kind of reaction in most Las Vegas hotels.

I was going to try to come up with some sort of pithy pun to say how much I like this hotel – you know, something about taking a bow or successful second acts – but instead I’ll just say this: Encore is one of the best hotels in Las Vegas.

Encore Las Vegas
3121 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
North Las Vegas, NV 89101 888-320-7125
website

2034 Rooms

$169 and up double

Avg. $200-300

http://vegas4visitors.com/column/index.htm

Eating and Drinking at Encore By Rick Garman

There are five full-service dining establishments at Encore and one really, really big nightclub. Here’s an overview.

Sinatra is named for Frank, of course. Those who have memories that reach back a couple of decades may remember that he did a series of commercials for Steve Wynn’s Golden Nugget in Atlantic City and Wynn remains friendly with the family so he was able to score some key memorabilia for the restaurant. On display is an Academy Award, a Grammy, some personal letters and more. Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger has created an upscale Italian menu full of very fine pasta, fish, and meat dishes including shrimp rigatoni, hand rolled spaghetti with wild mushroom sauté, Maine lobster risotto, and braised veal ossobuco to name a few. Prices are $16-30 for appetizers, high $20s for pastas, and $40-55 for main courses.

Switch is notable for a couple of reasons, the most obvious of which are the walls of the restaurant that literally “switch” every 20 minutes or so to create a totally new ambience. The exterior walls move up and down, interior design elements rotate, the lighting changes, and even the music becomes different, adding a little show with your dinner. But Switch is more than just a gimmick. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Marc Poidevin, diners can expect a French influenced steak and seafood menu although the French part is very subtle so don’t let that scare you away. Organic Cornish game hen, braised beef short ribs, several different cuts of beef, and some fish dishes are just a few examples of what you can expect and the preparation and quality is close to perfect. Prices are $14-22 for appetizers, low $20s for pastas, $30-50 for main courses.

Botero was co-created by Victor Drai, most well known for the gourmet Drai’s at the former Barbary Coast. Named for the famed Columbian artist Fernando Botero and featuring many of his works, the restaurant is gorgeous space with a curved wall of windows looking out on the pool area. Chef Mark LoRusso has put his spin on a classic steakhouse menu with lots of steak and seafood offerings plus some gourmet touches like frog legs, braised rack of lamb, and more. Prices are $13-24 for appetizers and $39-52 for most main courses.

Wazuzu is a Pan-Asian bistro offering dishes from Chef Jet Tila inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Singaporean, and Thai cuisines. The space itself is even cross-cultural with design cues from many Asian countries, dominated by a giant crystal dragon on the wall. Sushi and sashimi gets you going, dishes like Thai beef salad or satay skewers fill up the appetizers section, Dim Sum offers a bunch of choices, rice and noodle dishes include things like Pad Thai and Cantonese fried rice, and main courses cover the gamut from Thai stir fry to Korean short ribs. Prices are $9-12 for most two-piece sushi and $11-16 for three-piece sashimi, $20-30 for most sushi specials, $8-14 for appetizers, $6-9 for Dim Sum, $18-23 for rice and noodles, and $17-25 for most main course specialties except for some of the seafood specialties.

Society is sort of like an upscale 24-hour café only it’s really only open about 20 hours a day. A variety of breakfasts are available for most of the day, the lunch menu is filled with salads, sandwiches, burgers, and flatbread pizzas, and dinner adds everything from lobster pot pie to weiner schnitzel along with some steaks and seafood. Prices are $7-15 for breakfast, $10-20 at lunch, and $14-40 at dinner.

There are several casino bars scattered around the property but the primary establishment for drinking and dancing is XS Nightclub, appropriately named for how huge it is – one of the biggest on The Strip. Also co-created by Victor Drai, XS has a similar layout to Tryst at Wynn, with several curving rows of booths and tables overlooking a dance floor open to the giant outdoor pool/patio area. The room is gorgeously appointed in rich fabrics of gold, pink, and black and the lighting and sound system are top of the line. Prices are expensive of course – expect a $20-30 cover and quite a line to get in.

Behind the Scenes at Encore & Wynn Las Vegas By Rick Garman from vegas4visitors.com

A Las Vegas casino is all about illusion. You rarely get to see daylight, there are no clocks, and most importantly you never get to see the mechanics of the whole thing – the 24 hour a day behind the scenes operation that keeps it all running.

They call it the “back of house" but at Wynn Las Vegas and Encore it would be more accurately described as “under house.” As you walk through the casino, restaurants, showroom, and the rest of the hotel there’s an entire world of activity right under your feet.

Employees of the hotel have to eat of course and they get one free meal in the dining room each shift. The idea of an employee dining room brings to mind linoleum floors and industrial beige walls but not at Wynn. A buffet style setup for employees is bigger than some public Las Vegas buffets and serves up anywhere from 7,500 to 10,000 meals every single day. The wood lined, carpeted, and softly lit main dining area is better appointed than some sit down restaurants that you’ve eaten at in Sin City.

Beyond that is a virtual city with hallways that seemingly stretch forever in every direction. Everything from housekeeping to laundry to horticulture is located down there and it all buzzes with action constantly.

The horticulture department is responsible for all of the plants, flowers, and trees around the property both big and small. That vase of flowers on a credenza in the hallway of the convention area? Someone designed that, acquired the flowers, made it, and placed it and did the same thing dozens or even hundreds of times over around the hotel. They import freshly cut flowers from around the world every day, keeping them fresh in a giant walk-in freezer.

They have one entire kitchen devoted solely to baking bread for all the restaurants on the property, with a staff of more than 40 bakers working 24 hours a day doing 24-25,000 pieces every single day. Dinner rolls, cheese bread, fruit filled breads, and more – if you have a bread based item at Wynn it’s made here.

The catering warehouse is where they store all the things that allow the banquets, meetings, and conventions to run smoothly with more than 3,000 tables, thousands of chairs, linens, and more all stacked on racks more than 40 feet deep.

The main warehouse is 66,000 square feet and there’s another 133,000 square feet offsite and that’s just for Wynn Las Vegas – Encore has its own. Everything that comes into the hotel comes through here from bathroom amenities to toilet paper to food. Regarding the latter they have a Quality Assurance Chef on duty at all times to inspect edibles as they come in and if they aren’t up to Wynn’s standards, they go back immediately.

There are special rooms around the warehouse for different types of storage including dairy, meat, and even a tank room for the live lobster, crabs, and other seafood served in the restaurant. More than 4,000 lobsters pass through the room every month.

Other unbelievable numbers… more than 47,000 bottles of Grey Goose vodka, over 3,500 wine labels, and over 815,000 rolls of toilet paper every year.

And you thought running your own house was hard.

Vegas4Visitors Weekly Awards

The Welcome to Vegas Award of the Week goes to M Resort, the next major hotel-casino to open in Las Vegas, which is now accepting reservations. Located at the far south end of the Las Vegas valley, M Resort will have nearly 400 rooms, a big casino, and more when it opens in March.

The No Offense, But I’ll Believe It When I See It Award of the Week goes to Israeli-based AFI Group, which has submitted plans to build the largest hotel in the world on the corner of Harmon Avenue and Koval, next door to the Hard Rock Hotel. It would feature more than 6,700 rooms spread across 60 acres. I’m not holding my breath for opening day on this one.

By the time you read this you will most likely already know if he was right, but the And The Winner Is Award of the Week goes to Wynn Las Vegas oddsmaker Johnny Avello, who has released his odds on who will win The Golden Globes. “Slumdog Millionaire” is the favorite for Best Picture Drama, Kate Winslet is leading the pack for Best Actress Drama for her role in “Revolutionary Road,” Sean Penn’s portrayal of gay-rights hero Harvey Milk is favored to win Best Actor Drama, “Vicky Christina Barcelona” is ahead in the race for Best Picture Comedy or Musical, Meryl Streep is the odds on favorite to win Best Actress Comedy or Musical for “Mamma Mia!,” and Javier Bardem is who to bet for in the contest for Best Actor Comedy or Musical for “Vicky Christina Barcelona.” The odds are just for fun – no wagering is allowed on these kinds of contests.

Show Review: Criss Angel "Believe" by Cirque du Soleil By Rick Garman

Let's get this out of the way right up front: it's not as bad as you've heard.

It's not necessarily "good" in the way that word is usually used, but it's not the unmitigated disaster that many of the early reviews would have had you believe.

"It" is "Believe," the latest Cirque du Soleil production to take up residence on The Strip, a sometimes uncomfortable partnership with illusionist Criss Angel now playing at Luxor.

For those unfamiliar with either of the major players, Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian performance company that specializes in aerialist style circus acts, dance, and dramatic avant garde theater. Criss Angel is a magician with a rock and roll attitude and his own show on A&E called "Mindfreak."

Putting the two of these powerful forces together seems, on paper, to be a really interesting idea. What would you get if you put Cirque's mind-bending theatrics together with Angel's mind-bending illusions?

Well, apparently you get "Believe," a production that isn't terribly successful as either a Cirque production or a magic show.

The evening starts out as a typical Criss Angel show – loud music, flashing lights, lots of jewelry and leather. But the real show starts with Angel is "accidentally" electrocuted by one of his own stunts and spends the rest of the show hovering between life and death in an alternate reality populated with magician's rabbits, a love interest, some nefarious henchmen and women, and clowns.

Sounds weird? Yeah, well, most Cirque shows do when you try to put them into words. Let's just say that as a concept, it's an intriguing one, but as executed it's only occasionally interesting.

The production rambles through a series of Angel's illusions separated by avant garde dance numbers (choreographed by Wade Robson for all you "So You Think You Can Dance" fans) and Cirque-style theatrics although none of the acrobatic wonders we're used to. Instead you get a lot of big puppets and some very dramatic visuals.

As an illusionist, Angel is engaging in his own milieu but here, shoehorned into a "story," he comes across as a bit uncomfortable. There are only six or seven real illusions in the production so you'd think that would have encouraged him to do the really cool stuff. Instead, it's mostly of the "you thought I was over there but hey look, I'm over here" variety and some obvious wirework that he seems to think is much more worthy of applause than pretty much anyone in the audience did.

Angel is at his best when he gets to be his cool-dude self, an easy-going guy that you want to be buddies with. But when that happens it puts the brakes on the whole struggle between life and death storyline that is going on and feels out of place. So it's a quandary. But he takes his shirt off a couple of times so ladies, you've got that to look forward to.

The dance part as choreographed by Robson is evocative. If you're at all familiar with his Emmy-Winning "Zombie" routine from "SYTYCD" you'll recognize the style, all herky-jerky and envelope pushing. It's a taste that I have acquired and I thought it was brilliant throughout the show, but it is definitely an acquired taste.

The Cirque stuff is also winning even though I'm not enjoying the move away from their traditional circus style acts. The puppetry, both small and ginormous, is eye-popping and a few of the set pieces are simply beautiful. One scene transforms the stage from a snowy field into a brilliant red poppy-filled springtime scene in what seems like the blink of an eye. It's a great moment and exactly the kind of thing you expect from Cirque.

So pieces of the show work; moments are memorable. And I think if they allow the show to evolve, finding a way to keep the general concept while emphasizing Angel's natural abilities, that "Believe" could become a good show. It's happened before. Witness the evolution of Le Reve at Wynn Las Vegas, which started as an overblown, dark, angry downer and has become a very entertaining evening at the theater. But as it stands, this is not the kind of show that I can "Believe" in.

Criss Angel "Believe" by Cirque du Soleil
Luxor
3900 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
800-557-7428
website

Showtimes

Tue-Sat 7 & 10pm
Tickets

$59-160

Vegas4Visitors Grade: C

Avoiding Slot Hypnosis by Bill Burton

Several weeks ago I conducted a poll asking players to list the average length of their slot machine playing session. Twenty one percent of the respondents said they had an average playing session of one to four hours but 25 percent said their sessions lasted more than five hours. Several people said they often played for 10-14 hours at a time. Some of these players said the reason for the marathon slot playing sessions was that they do not get to visit the casino very often. A few people admitted the reason they played for long hours was because they got fully immersed in the games and lost all track of time.

The sights and sounds of the casino are designed to make you lose yourself in the atmosphere and suspend reality as you enter a fantasy world where there are no windows or clocks. When you sit down to play the slots, the spinning reels on the machines can have a hypnotic effect on some players. This is similar to a phenomenon many people experience while driving their cars known as “highway hypnosis.”

More here:

http://casinogambling.about.com/od/slots/a/slothypnosis.htm

Posted on January 24th, 2009 by MrVegas98
Filed under: Newsletter

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